Quinn headed out the door to his place rattling the keys as he pulled the door shut behind himself. He had a list of tasks he had assigned himself and he didn't want to be busy all day so he started with the most important and would eventually get it all done, hopefully anyway. Giving the handle a tug before he left he made his way to the Jeep parked in front of the single story apartment building.

After slipping in he turned his radio on while digging a piece of paper out of his jacket pocket. He had learned Seth anf Bou'd address from a friend of a friend and planned on heading there first. He had to let the kitten know what had happened with his maker. He had avoided answering the day he had gotten back into town but it felt like he had let to much time passs by.

Pulling his car out into traffic Quinn made his way across town hoping that the snow leopard would be home. As far as he knew the kitten had tryed out for the open job at Kail's but hadn't been told yea or nay just yet. He actually hadn't seen the leopardess since the out of town hunt so he also wanted to offer Bou the job of Host at his diner.


Twenty mintues later Quinn pulled up outside of a modest looking apartment complex.He turned his engine off and sat in the car sending his beast out to search for which apartment he needed. Sure enough the scent of both Leopard and Lion found it's way though the Enforcer's open window so he slipped out of the car and made his way to up a set of steps. He knocked on the door a few times before stepping back. He heard some noises soming from inside so he figured that meant someone was at home.

"I'm coming!" Bou called as he came out of the bedroom, leaving a sleeping Seth behind. The lion had come home late and the two fell asleep just talking about their days. It was so nice, just to lay in Seth's arms and just talk, to have nothing else expected of him at all. He loved it.

So the small cat came bouncing out of their bedroom wearing a set of pink pajamas that was a simple shorts and tanktop, his blond hair falling loose around his shoulders. Bou squealed with delight when he saw it was Quinn on the other side of the door, throwing his arms around the older leopard happily.

"Hi, Quinn!" Bou greeted his mentor cheerfully, "I thought my nose was playing tricks on me when I scented you at the door. You've never come and seen me here." The small cat blinked, his eyes taking on a worried look. "Is something wrong with the pard?"

Quinn should sense Bou moving closer though the door even as he called out a greeting. He slipped his keys into his pocket just as Bou swung the door open. Bou launched himself at Quinn with a happy noise and he laughed as he returned the hug.

"Been busy otherwise I woulda stopped by sooner Kitten" Quinn peaked around Bou to glance inisde the apartment. He couldn't see to much but what he did make out looked pretty nice. Glancing back doen he felt his grin dim a bit as he thought about Bou's question

"Nah..It isn't anything bad with the Pard." Quinn glanced around the hall before looking back at Bou."Could we go on in? I'd rather nobody overheard us talking".

"Sure, you can come in," Bou said, stepping out of the doorway and leading Quinn into the apartment, making his way toward the kitchen, "Do you want anything to eat? Seth's still asleep, but I'm sure he wouldn't mind waking up to some breakfast, and I do cook pretty good."

Though the small leopard's chatter was chipper and cheerful, he was nervous as to why Quinn had decided to pay a visit to his and Seth's apartment. Normally, Bou would just meet his mentor at the diner or the pard house if they needed to talk or to practice something. Was this something about why he had Alejandro's scent on him when he returned to the pard house?

Quinn followed Bou into the apartment as he stepped backwards. He cast a look behind his shoulder before stepping fully inside. he wasn't expecting anyone to notice him being here but better safe than sorr y seemed to his motto of late. Closing the door he turned his attention back to Bou.

"Only if your making something for yourself. Don't wanna be a bother" Quinn stood in the middle of the living room checking out his surrounds. He could sense Set from here and hoped the lion would stay asleep long enough for him to deliver his bad news.

Rolling his neck around Quinn shut his eyes for a moment before turning his gaze back to Bou. He took a second to think out what he was going to stay before he even opened his mouth.

"You know how you smelled Alejandro on me when I got back into town? Well Micheal had me and Kali look for him, I didn't say anything to you cuz I didn't want you to be worried or nothing." Quinn rested his hands on hips." He was causing problems for the Local Pard where he was so ..we had no choice really...."

"Michael sent you to look for him?" Bou asked, looking in a confused manner at Quinn as he set out the stuff to make some breakfast, "Why would he do something like that? Did Alejandro do something to make Michael mad? Or was it because he left me here?" The small cat could only assume that was the reason for the hunt. Alejandro had left a stray behind for the pard to deal with.

"I hope Michael's not mad I'm here," Bou went on, a touch of uncertainty in his voice, "I mean, me just showing up at the pard house wasn't a problem, was it?"

Quinn leaned against the wall as he watched Bou start setting out things to make breakfast. He wondered briefly what the young cat was going to make before he mentally shook his head. Those thoughts could wait for now.

"No, Micheal's not mad at you at all". Quinn rested his hands on his hips as he watched. Might as well deal with the biggest worry first Quinn thought to himself. "We were worried that Alejandro might be out there making more Leopards".


The worry had been well founded it had seemed. When the Trio had found the Rouge Shifter he had been planning on snatching up a Fourteen year old boy to make into a play thing. Quinn was happy knowing that it wasn't going to happen.

"Good," Bou gave a relieved sigh softly before he started working on cooking some eggs and bacon for breakfast, making sure to cook a little more just in case Seth woke up, "I always wondered if my showing up just caused more problems for the pard." The small cat looked up at Quinn when he spoke of Alejandro making more leopards. "He never mentioned making leopards before me...I just assumed he'd come back for me after I learned how to take care of myself." Bou turned his attention to the eggs and bacon for a moment before he looked at Quinn. "What happened to Alejandro?"

Quinn stayed where he was thinking about what he should say about the Rouge Leopard. He wasn't altogether sure what kind of relationship the two had been in. He could guess though the thoughts that ran across his mind caused him to go cold. It was better for it to turn out this way he mussed to himself as he made his way across the room and took a seat at the table.


Leaning back in the chair he watched as Bou stir the eggs and bacon around in the pan. The smell that rose caused his leopard to look around. Taking a moment to balance in the back legs of the chair Quinn looked up and ran a hand over his shaved head.

"We had to...He's not alive. The local Pard told us either we did it or they would....He was trying to infect a local boy when we caught him".

Bou stopped moving around the kitchen when Quinn spoke of his maker's fate. It felt like someone had dropped a block of ice in his stomach. Alejandro...was dead? As the words played over and over in his head, Bou felt his legs shake before giving out, making the small cat drop to his knees. His eyes stared out blankly and a shocked look came over his face.

Alejandro, while he hadn't treated Bou in the best manner, had been everything to the snowleopard. He saw the older cat as the one who had saved him from the brothel, and given him a new life away from being just a whore. Bou knew it Alejandro had ever come back, he'd never go with the leopard, but he just could never see the world without his maker.

Quinn had tensed up as he let the words flow from his mouth.He didn't not what to expect Bou to do but he figured he might as well be open minded just in case Bou was the type to lash out. He watched as a blank look came onto Bou's face and he stopped moving around in front of the stove. When the Younger cat dropped to his knees Quinn sprang up from his seat and hurried across the room to him.

He turned the stove top off not wanting the apartment to catch on fire while he tryed to explain what had happened when the Trio had left Florida. He took a step towards Bou then stopped not sure if the was the thing to do. He wasn't much for offering comfort, it had surprised most of the pard when he took Bou under his chgarge so willing.

"It had to been done" He said softly.

"I...I know," Bou replied, his voice soft and choked, tears falling from his eyes, "It's just...Alejandro was everything to me. Before he left me here, he took care of me." The small snowleopard wiped his eyes, trying to get some control over himself. "He took me away from the brothel...He only left me here so I could take care of myself..." He hiccuped a few times, then took a few deep breaths before he looked up at Quinn again. The small cat stood and hugged Quinn, needing a bit of touch, purring softly as he rested his head on the larger cat's chest.

"How old was the boy he was trying to infect?" Bou asked, tilting his head up and looking at Quinn.

Quinn wrapped his arms around Bou when he finally stood up. His leopard rubbed it's spotted head against Bou's cat letting out a soundless purr. He felt alittle bad for making Bou cry, he didn't feel bad about commiting that action that caused the tears though. He sniffed wondering if the sound of crying had woken the Lion in the next room but everything seemed to be quiet.

Quinn looked down when Bou spoke again. He frowned chewing in his bottom lip before answering. " The Boy was Fourteen, a runaway that had just gotten into town not long before Alejandro did."

"Younger than me..." Bou whispered softly, "He probably would've beat him up worse than he did me..." The small leopard rubbed his eyes with the back of one hand, the other arm curled around Quinn's waist. "I know Alejandro's bad...but why can't I stop crying? Why can't I stop this hurting? I can't stop it, Quinn, I can stop feeling bad about him..."

Quinn patted Bou on the back letting his purr increase. He pointed at the food in the stove as he distangled himself from the younger Leopard. He stood next to the blonde with his hands on his hips again.


"If you didn't feel anything at all I'd be worried. Just means your human. He did sort save you in a way. Took you out of the life you knew. His reasons for doing it might have been wrong but it seems to have good points as well". Quinn moved closer to the still cooking food. He glanced back over his shoulder. " I think the food is done".

"Oh, yeah, I'll get to it," Bou replied, wiping his eyes as he pulled himself off the floor, though a little shakily. He moved past Quinn and started working on the food. "I...I knew you were going after Alejandro...but I didn't expect you guys to kill him..." The small cat turned his eyes to his mentor and protector. "Was what he did really that bad?"

Quinn kept a watchful eye on the younger cat as he made his way back to the stove. He stood there a moment before drifting back to the chair he had claimed earlier. After he settled in his chair once more he leaned forward bracing his elbows on the hard wood of the table. He glanced up when Bou spoke once more.


"I had to speak to the Nimir-Raj when we arrived. Let him know what we were there for and all". Quinn turned so that he was facing Bou who was once again cooking. " Told us either we handled it or they did...So we handled it the only way we could. He actually forced our hand in the end".

"How did he call your hand on it?" Bou asked Quinn. There was no accusation in the small cat's voice. He knew Quinn and Kali and Marcus did what they had to do, he just wanted to know. So he could fully close the book on the part of his life that included Alejandro. Bou fixed three plates, two for himself and Quinn, and one for Seth in case his mate woke. Once he set the plates out, he got a jug of milk and orange juice and set them on the table with three glasses. That done, Bou finally allowed himself to sit down at the table.

Quinn held his tongue as he watched Bou put together three plates and set them at spots at the table. He placed his hands on his lap and leaned back in the chair as he watched Bou set Milk and Juice on the table as well. He took his time thinking about what he should say.


He knew that Bou had seen alot in his short years but he still felt the urge to protect him from the harsher details of the trip out of town. Finally chosing his words carefully Quinn told him about the day that would live in his mind for some time to come.

"When we caught up with him he had the Boy tied up and bound on a bed. He was scratching him, his hands had already shifted into Claws. He surprised him for only a second , he told us he would rip out the boy's heart if we took another step. He got shot".

Bou nodded at the explaination, but didn't say anything right off the bat, just stared down at his plate. He knew Quinn had reason to kill Alejandro, but that didn't make the blow any softer. The large leopard had been his maker. Yeah, sure, he couldn've treated Bou better, but, in the small cat's eyes, he didn't treat him any worse than the men at the brothel did.

"I see," Bou finally spoke, "It's different from my own infection...he just attacked me when I was outside the brothel." The little leopard finally looked up at Quinn. "Was the boy already infected?" If he was, then he would've shifted by now. If not, then he'd still be suffering from Alejandro's claw marks.

Quinn shook his head as he mentally relived that day. They had gotten there just as Alejandro had started scratching the young boy up. When the Rouge realized that he was no longer alone the boy turned from a would be plaything into a bargining chip to get out of trouble. Needless to say it hadn't worked out that way for him.


"We got him away before he caught anything, Took him to a Friend of the pard to get tested and he came back clean". Quinn shook his head trying to get the picture of the bleeding boy out of his mind and looked down at the food in front of him. "This looks good".

"Go ahead and start," Bou told Quinn, the small cat staring down at his own place, but he didn't touch his food. He propped his elbows on the table and ran his hands over his arms. When he got to his right shoulder, he could feel the scar mark from when Alejandro had bitten him to infect him. It wasn't the only scar the blonde bore, he had quite a few littering his small frame, but it was the most significant scar.

"I wonder if Seth's awake..." Bou spoke up after a few moments, "He should be by now...he's a deep sleeper, but not that deep."

Quinn leaned forward and picked up the fork next to his plate as he watched Bou run his hands over his arms. He scooped up some of the eggs and eat slowly wondering if Bou was ok. Moments later Bou mentioned Seth and he glanced in the direction of where he thought the bedrooms were.

"I haven't seen him around lately, He been busy?" Quinn picked up a piece of bacon and snapped it in half as he waited for a answer. He wondered if Kyrain had found any jobs for the lion.

"He's been busy," Bou replied, eyes still looking towards the bedrooms as if he expected the lion to come in at any moment, "I know he's happy being so busy, he's living his dream playing music...but I can't help but miss him." The small snowleopard sighed as he looked down at his plate. "When he's away...I miss him...Miss him like growing things miss the rain. Even my leopard gets all mopey and depressed when his lion's not around..."

Quinn nodded as he pushed his eggs around on his plate. It seemed the rumors about Seth getting a little bit of a break were somewhat true. He was glad for Seth and wondered if that meant the Lion was on the road alot more than he used to be. He didn't really know Seth all that well but he could see how much the Lion meant to Bou.
After eatting another bite of egg Quinn glanced back over at Bou.

"I'm sure he misses you as well. You two are as close to a real mated pair that I've ever seen 'sides Micheal and Rhia. Do you go with him when ever he has to travel ?"


He had a moment to think about what is was that he had just said and hoped he hadn't stuck his foot in his mouth just then. He hadn't even thought that Bou wasn't allowed to tag along.

(Did you want me to bring Seth in?)

(Sure!)

"No, I usually don't come along," Bou replied, "I'm still not comfortable around large crowds and all that noise. Seth tells me I can come along whenever I feel comfortable, I just haven't felt comfortable yet." The small leopard shrugged a bit, then smiled at Quinn, blushing.

"Do we really seem that close?" he asked, tilting his head a bit as he asked Quinn, "Like Michael and Rhia? I never thought leopards could be as close to another animal like I feel with Seth..."

Seth was surrounded by clouds. Or atleast that was what it felt like. He was trying to catch up on the sleep that he had missed out of while touring the last couple of weeks. Though being on stage was a rush as soon as he stepped out of the bright lights his lion demanded sleep. Even though he was a light to deep sleeper it seemed like nothing could wake him as soon as his head touched the pillow.


Sounds drifted in though the open bedroom door and Seth groaned lightly. Sounded like Bou had company. He listened for a moment till he figured out who the deep voice belonged to. Sounded like Quinn had finally found the apartment. He stretched out in bed before slipping out from underneath the sheets. Since he was already dressed he just made his way out off the bed room following the sounds of voices.

Bou's head immediately picked up when he heard rustling in the bedroom. His pale face broke out into a wide smile when he heard his lion mate make his way towards the kitchen. By the time Seth entered, Bou was already standing and waiting for him, the small snowleopard moving up to Seth and throwing his arms around him.

"Good morning," Bou purred soflty, "Breakfast is ready. Hope you don't mind Quinn eating with us, he had to come and talk to me this morning."

Quinn heard a rustling noice followed by the increased smell of lion. Seconds later Seth appeared seeming a little worse for th wear. Apparently traveling around in a tour bus didn't promote heathly sleep habbits. He watched with a small smile as Bou wrapped himself around the lion before Seth even had a chance to say Hi.


He offered a wave of his fork before finishing off his eggs. Wiping his mouth on the napkin at his side he nodded at Seth before bracing his elbows on the table. "Moring there Sleepy head".

Seth hadn't even been in the room more than a handful of seconds before he wrapped in warmth. He smiled sleeply as he wrapped his arms around Bou's waist and leaned into his touch. Seeing Quinn sitting at the table eatting was a slight surprise but not a unwelcomed one. Leaning over he placed a kiss on Bou's lips before greeting the older Leopard in the room.


"Hey there Quinn.Long time no see." Seth pulled Bou along as he made his way to the table. Glancing around he noticed it seemed like a breakfest meal and he wondered how long he had been sleeping. He unwound his arms from Bou and took the seat across from Quinn.

"What brings you by?"

"Mmmm...my lion..." Bou purred softly as he nuzzled Seth, then allowed the other male to step away to sit down. The small snowleopard poured Seth a glass of orange juice to go with Seth's breakfast, then sat down next to the lion to eat his own meal. It seemed that the mere appearence of the lion had caused a significant shift on Bou's mood. He was a lot happier with Seth around.

Quinn let a gentle smile ghost onto his face when he noticed how alive Bou seemed to get when Seth entered the room. He knew the feeling of how being with a certain person seemed to make the day all the much more better. He often got that feeling anytime he hung out with Sorin. He noddeed back as he watched Seth take a seat across from him.

"Heard you got some Gig's on the road. That work out weel for ya?" Quinn asked. He wasn't the musical type but he found it interesting none the less. Knowing someone in the business hadn't sparked any desire to go into Music himself.

Bou smiled as he sat with Quinn and Seth. These were the two most important men in his life. One felt like a big brother, his protector and his friend. The other was his lover and mate, the man Bou'd gladly lay his life down for. And they were both sitting at the same table eating. Bou was almost floating, he was so happy.

Seth scoped up a forkful of eggs and had them in his mouth by the time Quinn asked his question. He nodded and swallowed so he could answer as well. He didn't want to seem rude to the person that was like Bou's big brother.He didn't think anyone would have really bother Bou but it was nice to know someone was keeping an eye on his mate when he couldn't.

He shifted his chair over till his side was braced against Bou's."Pretty well. Had a couple of rough nights but nothing I haven't seen before." There had been a couple of spots on the tour where Drunk people that didn't liked Rock at all had attended the shows. Needless to say things had been thrown. Seth had even manged to catch a beer bottle with his face but it wasn't anything that he couldn't heal after a couple of minutes.

"Rough nights?" Bou asked as he wrapped an arm around Seth's waist, looking at his mate as the lion leaned against him, "You want me to come with you and go all fierce kitty and make sure they don't beat you up? I can't have my mate getting clobbered every night." The small cat purred and kissed Seth's shoulder, smiling at the lion, then at Quinn.

After finishing off his eggs Quinn leaned back in his chair and watched as the two submissive's cudded up to each other. It was sorta sweet to see. It mde him all that more aware that Seth was only slighty stronger than Bou and he vowed to keep an even closer eye on the two.


"How rough to you mean?" He asked wondering if it wasn anything that the Rock kid couldn't handle. He didn't smell any lingering pain so it couldn't have been that bad really. He chuckled at the idea of Bou scaring away any rowdy people.

Bou looked up at Seth, waiting for his answer, as well. He loved the lion and didn't want him hurt, but knew that Seth loved his music and performing. The small snowleopard rubbed his cheek against Seth's shoulder, purring softly as he turned his dark eyes up to the lion.

Seth butted his head asgainst Bou's when the smaller cat nuzzled him. He didn't want Bou to be worried about him, it wasn't anything that he hadn't manged to handle before getting infected. In fact it was a bit easier now that he could heal alot faster then he did back in the old days. He even had some tiny scars from rough gigs but it was a live and learn thing for him really.

"Nothing more than people throwing stuff. That never seems t ogo out of style really". He poked at his plate before picking up some toast and popping it into his mouth. Laughing he glanced over at Bou. "Your gonna go fierce Kitty? I think that would be more cute than scary though" He placed a kiss on Bou's check.

"The curse of being cute," Bou groaned as he laid his head on Seth's shoulder, "Even when I'm trying to be all tough and imposing, I end up still looking cute." The small cat smiled and tilted his head back to kiss Seth, purring happily at the contact from the lion. He really did love Seth, truly and honestly.