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randomweavingFic: Changeling
Characters: John Dorian/Perry Cox
Rating: NC-17 (eventually)
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Description: This is a wildly AU story with fantastical elements based on![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
thuri's Nano writing project. It begins late in season three, before Carla and Turk's wedding, and from there follows the characters as they face the Change, a strange, magical phenomenon that is turning ordinary humans into half-human creatures from fantasy.
Chapter listings: Contents Post
When Perry and JD made their way downstairs (rather late) the next morning, Carla and Turk were sitting next to the fire, Jack between them, all three playing with building blocks. Carla would offer a block to Jack, who would inspect it carefully and show it to Turk before adding it to the large, rather misshapen but unarguably colorful construct between them.
The adults looked up when JD and Perry came into view, identical knowing grins on their faces. "Good morning, you two," Carla said. "Sleep well?"
"No better than you two, I'm sure," JD shot back, though in truth he was just guessing--if Carla and Turk had managed to figure things out between them, well, they'd done a much quieter job of it than he and Perry.
But Turk was grinning that grin, and Carla blushed a little, telling JD his guess was right. He grinned back, walking forward and giving Turk a high-five before sitting down in front of Jack and accepting the block the child handed him. "Seriously, I'm glad you guys were able to... well, you know," he said. "I mean, it's good that this thing isn't taking everything away from us."
"From the looks of things, I'd say it's given you two something," Carla remarked, as Perry walked in from the kitchen with two bowls of bran flakes and offered one to JD.
"Can't argue that," JD murmured in reply, smiling as he slid closer to Perry and curled one wing around him in the gesture that had now become habitual.
Perry didn't reply, but scooted almost imperceptibly closer and began to eat; JD grinned, then turned back toward the others. "Where's Elliot?"
"Out for a run," Turk replied. "She gets antsy pretty quickly. All those muscles and all that energy don't do well cooped up in here all day, I guess."
"I know how she feels," JD replied with a grimace, rolling his shoulders. "After that bullet grazed me I couldn't fly for over a week, and it just about drove me crazy."
Carla stared at him, eyes wide. "Bullet!?" she demanded, making Jack jump and stare up at her in bewilderment. JD winced, realizing she and Turk apparently didn't know why he'd really been late that night--only that he had been. He glanced quickly at Perry, but knew from the look on his face that whatever cover the older man had concocted for him, he'd blown it. He decided to tell the truth.
"I was shot at," he said softly. "Maybe twenty minutes from here. Well, twenty minutes if I was flying," he added ruefully. "It was about three hours, walking."
Carla whipped her head around to look at Perry. "You told us he'd cut his arm on a tree branch!" she accused, but before Perry could answer, she turned back to JD. "Someone shot at you?"
"People are scared right now," JD said. "And it wasn't Perry's fault, don't blame it on him."
"He didn't have to lie to us about it--"
"I only did it because I didn't want you to freak out," Perry responded, lifting an eyebrow at her. "Which you are."
"I'm not freaking..."
"Yeah, you are," JD said. "But I know why you are, and I appreciate it. But look...I'm okay. I got home, Perry stitched up my arm, Turk took the stitches out, and there's barely even going to be a scar. I'm fine now. It's cool."
"It is most certainly not 'cool!'" Carla snapped, crossing her arms across her chest and glowering at the blocks.
Jack quailed a little, looking up at Perry and JD and reaching for them. "Bah?"
JD reached out and gathered the child into his arms, soothing him. "I know," he murmured to Carla, keeping his voice calm for Jack's sake. "But it's what happened. Like I said: People are scared."
"Dude...she's right, though," Turk said softly, moving to gather Jack's blocks and put them back into the bucket. "I mean...that's messed up." He paused, considering, then added, "Though if there are things like whatever attacked us the other day hanging around, I can see why people would be afraid of anything that big flying overhead."
"Gryphon," JD supplied automatically. "And yeah, that's more than likely what it was."
"I don't know," Carla said, still looking slightly affronted that she hadn't been told about the real cause of JD's injury. "What about all the riots? People are afraid of anyone different, you know that. They could very well have known you were human, and shot at you anyway."
"Well, we don't know that for sure, so until we do, how about we give them the benefit of the doubt?" JD reasoned. "Besides, even if they were aiming for me, the Change is spreading so quickly that it'll probably hit them soon enough." It was one good thing about this Change, given the stories about it--it wasn't going to leave the 'Us and Them' division up for long, apparently. Of course, people might simply start hating the mythological creatures that weren't half human, like the gryphons and unicorns and fairy creatures people had been seeing...he sighed. "Humanity will always find something to hate," he murmured, so low that only Perry heard him; the older man shot him a glance, and set his empty cereal bowl down so he could reach out and squeeze JD's knee.
"Well, I still don't like it," Carla said, scowling as she looked out through the sliding glass door at the snow-covered ground. "Between these anti-Changeling types shooting at us and these creatures attacking at random, it doesn't seem like this place is as safe as we thought."
"It's the best we have," JD reminded her. "Safer than the city. And we're not exactly helpless."
He was looking at Carla when he said it, so he missed Perry's expression, but he felt the older man stiffen beside him. Before he could address him, however, they heard the pounding of hoof beats; a moment later, Elliot came into view, galloping up the hill, an expression of sheer joy on her face. She slowed to a trot then finally came to a halt on the patio, doing an odd little stomping dance to rid her hooves of snow before she pulled open the sliding door and stepped inside.
"Whoo!" she huffed cheerfully, unwinding her scarf. "It's cold out there!"
"So that's what all the snow means!" Turk exclaimed, and she glowered at him.
"It's colder than it was," she clarified. "You knew what I meant."
Turk snickered, and Carla rolled her eyes at him, but JD frowned, staring out the door. "That's a little odd," he murmured. "The amount of snow we've had is bizarre enough, but it really should be getting warmer, not colder."
Elliot shrugged. "Could be the time of day," she said doubtfully. "But it doesn't seem to be." The she grinned at JD. "And with everything that's going on, I can't believe you're worried about the weather."
"That's what I told him before," Perry agreed, grinning, deciding if he was going to change their minds about him, he'd have to start by joining their conversations. Whether they invited him or not.
Fortunately, Elliot's face split into a broad grin. "Hah!" she said triumphantly, pointing a finger at JD. "I got Dr. Cox to agree with me over you!"
JD huffed, though he was secretly thrilled--maybe things would settle down, and all his friends could be friends after all. "I'm still winning," he reminded her, turning to peck Perry lightly on the lips to prove it. "See?"
She rolled her eyes again and clopped forward, pulling off her jacket. "Fine, fine," she agreed. "You're still winning. But I get a point!"
"You can call me Perry, you know," Perry told her softly, looking up at her as she hung her jacket on the rack next to the door.
She looked back at him, eyebrows raised, and for a moment there was a weighted silence in the room. Then Elliot smiled again. "All right," she agreed. "Perry." Then, lowering herself down onto the carpet and tucking her legs beneath her, she said, "Hey, I found a new field for us."
JD raised his eyebrows, but Turk looked confused. "Why do we need a new field?"
"Well," Elliot said, looking a little exasperated, "since that other one is clearly private property and trespassers will be shrieked at or mauled, I figured it would be a good idea. We need somewhere to run around--trust me, we'll go crazy if we don't--and the hill out here is too rocky. My hooves kept sliding around."
"Maybe you need shoes," Carla mused, and Elliot snorted.
"Good idea, Carla. If you hear of any blacksmiths around these parts, do let me know," she said dryly, then beamed when Perry chuckled. "But until you do, I figure finding a flat field is our best bet."
"Props for alliteration," Turk said, winking at her.
JD chuckled at them, setting his now-empty bowl of cereal aside and glancing at Perry's. "Go get more, if you like," he said, knowing the older man had to be hungry still. Then, turning to Elliot as Perry got to his feet and headed back to the kitchen, he said, "So where is this field of yours?"
"About four miles up the mountain," she said, pulling off her cap and shaking her hair, wet droplets of melting snow flying from the blond locks. "Sorry," she apologized to Carla, who flinched as the freezing water landed in her fur. "Anyway, I know it's a little far, but with the Changes, I figure it won't take us long."
JD frowned. "What about Perry?" he reminded her, feeling a little offended on his behalf. "His Change isn't complete. He can't exactly be walking eight miles three or four times a day, or however often you feel the need to take a gallop."
Elliot flushed a little. "Oh, I...I didn't think of that," she admitted, looking embarrassed; Carla shifted uncomfortably, and Turk made a show of taking Jack back from JD and dumping out the blocks again.
JD looked over toward the kitchen, where Perry's back was turned to them as he refilled his cereal bowl. He bit his lip, reading the tension in the older man's shoulders, and remembering his words from the night before: "Guess I feel a little left out." This probably wasn't helping much.
"We could look for a field a little closer," JD said pointedly. "Might be safer for us anyway, not to have to run so far if there's trouble."
Elliot frowned. "But I looked," she insisted. "This is the nearest one I could find--and I did a perimeter check, and nothing came after me. I think it's our best bet."
JD barely bit back a groan; he loved Elliot, but sometimes she couldn't take a hint.
"Maybe Perry could take the truck?" Carla suggested.
They all looked over at the older doctor, who finally turned back toward them with a sigh. "No," he said softly. "I don't want to waste gas; if we lose power we'll need it for the generator."
JD bit his lip, looking from Perry to the others, feeling helpless. But before he could come up with any more suggestions, the older man continued: "I'll stay here, until--until my Change is finished." When JD opened his mouth to protest, Perry held up a hand. "No, it's okay, Newbie," he said softly, moving back from the kitchen and settling down beside him again. "You guys do need your exercise, and I don't; not yet." And I will not put you in danger again, just to keep myself from wallowing in self-pity.
"But it's not fair," JD murmured, a frown on his face as he scooted in closer to the older man. "Surely there's somewhere closer."
"No, actually, there's probably not," Perry said, voice normal volume. "I think I know the field she's talking about--it's about the closest thing that's going to be big enough to be of any use to you four. Five, if you take Jack with you." He looked at JD, shoving his hurt down and away and calling a genuine smile to his face. "It's okay," he said. "Really. It'll give me some time to get some work done around here. I still need to go through those boxes of Ben's, and I want to put in new grout between the tiles in the master bathroom. I saw some in the garage."
JD laughed, waving him off. "Okay, now you're talking home improvement, so you've officially lost me," he said. Turk and Carla relaxed visibly, and Elliot grinned at them.
"Good thing someone here knows something about it," she remarked. "It might come in handy."
Their conversation picked up again, and Perry joined in, laughing and making jokes in the appropriate moments, but inside his emotions were muddled. A part of him knew the reasons he'd given for staying behind were good ones: after all, he didn't feel any particular need to go running around, especially not that far and in so much snow, and there were things he could be doing around here. The cabin was in good repair, but it would need work to stay that way, and the longer he let it go, the more difficult it would be. Still, the sinking feeling of being left out or left behind remained, and no matter how hard he tried to reason it away, it stayed firmly rooted in his heart, taunting him.
But when the four of them bundled up a few hours later, each eager to try out this new field of Elliot's, he forced a smile onto his face and walked with them to the end of the driveway.
JD paused there, taking Perry's hands in his and staring into his eyes, concern written plainly on his face. "Hey," he said softly. "You okay, really? I'll stay with you if you want--just tell me, and I swear I will. Might even be kinda nice, having the place to ourselves..."
Perry smiled. "After last night, you're ready to go again?" he teased, but when JD didn't rise to the bait, he shook his head, face going serious. "I'm fine, Newbie," he said. "Really. You guys need the exercise." He smiled again, moving to plant a soft kiss on JD's lips. "Besides," he added. "You can pay me back tonight."
JD grinned, shivering a little. "Yeah," he said. "I guess I could do that." He leaned in and kissed Perry again, a long, slow kiss, ending it only when Turk called from the road: "Hey! Break it up, you two, it's not like we'll be gone for that long!"
JD laughed, turning to Turk. "You could leave now and Perry and I could knock one out, and I'd still beat you to that field, four-legs," he taunted.
"Oh, really!" Turk replied, then spun on his heels and began to dash up the road. "Let's see you make good on that one, Wingboy!"
Perry just laughed as Elliot and Carla sprang after Turk, the three of them quickly vanishing around the curve in the road. "You'd better go," he said. "They're pretty fast."
JD smirked. "I'm faster," he said. "They have to take the road." He paused, bringing his hands to Perry's face and kissing him lightly once more, first on the mouth then on the tip of his nose. "Soon you'll be joining me," he promised softly. "You, me, and Jack--we'll kick their collective furry asses." He winked; then, spinning and taking a running start, he leapt into the air, one powerful beat of his wings sending him soaring over the tops of the trees.
Perry watched him until he vanished, then turned to head back into the house. In truth, there was another reason he wanted some time alone, and it had nothing to do with grout.
* * *
Perry stared at the laptop in dismay, shoulders slumped.
The few news sites that were still being updated regularly were focused primarily on the Changeling phenomenon and its impact on the world stage, covering everything from speculation about causes (and some were pretty outlandish, Perry had to admit, even given the outlandish nature of the Change itself) to the economic impact to musings on the technological and structural renovations that would be necessary afterward.
But there were still one or two sites whose foci were medical, and it was to these Perry gravitated, looking for anything about rejection and Change rate.
He stared at the headline in front of him, feeling despair welling from within.
New Treatment for Rejection: Cure or Delay?
Sacramento, CA: A new rejection treatment that involves sedating and tube feeding the mutating patient may only be a delay tactic, experts say.
This new treatment, which sources have traced to a small hospital in Sherman Oaks called Sacred Heart, may only stall the rejection process.
Erin Hoffman, a thirty-six-year-old female and the first known patient to receive this rejection intervention, passed away last night in her home only twenty-two hours after being released from the hospital.
Family members say Erin's development, which they declined to identify, had progressed throughout treatment, but began to show signs of slowing once she was removed from the sedatives.
While her condition remained stable in the hospital, she slipped into a coma upon returning home and died several hours later. Family members report no visible signs of distress were apparent before her relapse.
"This is very disappointing, of course," stated Chief of Medicine Bob Kelso in a phone interview with our correspondent. "We're doing all we can, but this thing is too new for us to really know what we're dealing with."
Other rejection patients who have undergone treatment are still stable, sources report, but medical personnel advise families to remain vigilant.
"There's always the possibility that Miss Hoffman was a fluke," Kelso admitted. "Others may respond to the treatment and make a full recovery."
Kelso also stated hospital officials had no reason to suspect the treatment itself killed her. "Right now, it's our best option, and it's not a medically dangerous one. It's basically protocol in the case of any coma patient, anyway."
Asked if Sacred Heart would keep using the treatment, Kelso responded in the affirmative. "Until someone comes up with something else, we'll keep doing all we can to keep these people alive."
Perry stared at the article, drawing a deep breath before releasing it slowly, passing a hand before his eyes. It wasn't the only one, either. There had been others soon after:
Rejection May Not Be Treatable, Experts Say.
And:
Halted Change in Rejection Patients Appears to be Permanent.
So even if the rejection didn't kill him, there was a good chance his growth had stopped. For good.
JD's voice floated into his head: "In a few weeks we can go flying together... it'll be wonderful."
And then, behind it, an echo from his dream: "You can't. You can't come with me."
Then an image of JD, bloody, wings severed and splayed on the ground behind him: "I did this for you, Perry. For you."
He folded his arms on the desk, lowering his head into them dejectedly; on the screen, the article sat staring back at him like a death warrant.
God, he thought, shaking his head slowly. How am I going to tell JD?
* * *
In the end, he decided not to.
Though he kept a close eye on the news sites for the next few days, Erin Hoffman appeared to be the only patient who had died despite being treated for rejection. Perry took that as a very good sign--as did Kelso, in further interviews (which were always over the phone, Perry noted; he wondered what Kelso had become, that he felt the need to hide). Still, as the days passed, more and more reports came in on patients whose Changes appeared to have stopped completely.
For some, like the 'taurs, this was a major issue. Recalling the way Turk, Carla and Elliot had been completely paralyzed for several days, Perry knew that as far as half-Changes went, he'd been lucky. But it was hard to see it that way, watching JD and the others disappear two or three times every day, catching the regretful looks JD cast back at him as he stood in the driveway.
And it was getting very, very difficult to hide the fact that he wasn't Changing any more from JD.
"Are you sure you're getting enough to eat?" JD asked him yet again, as they sat around the fireplace one evening. Turk and Carla had retired to their bedroom (apparently whatever they'd worked out was working very well) and Elliot was upstairs, giving Jack a bath. JD had watched Perry all through dinner, noting that he'd eaten only three slices of the pizza they'd cooked and only one bowl of salad before resigning himself to the wine they'd opened (Perry had unearthed a box of Merlot while going through some of Ben's things).
Perry swallowed, but nodded. "I had quite a lot to eat while you guys were out this afternoon," he said, using the excuse that had become second nature to him over the last few days.
JD frowned again. "So you say," he said slowly. "But I've been keeping an eye on our food supply, in case we start to run low, and it's not changing much." His expression softened, and he reached out, laying a worried hand on Perry's arm. "Look, I don't want you to relapse," he said quietly. "Don't worry about eating too much--the order I placed should be here tomorrow, and even after that--well, they're letting Changelings into grocery stores again, we can go back into town if we need to."
Perry nodded swiftly, seizing upon the excuse JD offered. "It's just that with the others being 'taurs, they need so much more food..." he trailed off, then shrugged. "Didn't want to be taking more than my fair share." He felt horrible, lying to JD, but it was honestly better than admitting he might be a half-Changed... freak the rest of his life.
"Your fair share is as much as it takes to get you through this," JD said firmly, feathers ruffling a little. They'd become a better indicator of his mood than any expression ever had been. "I'm surprised you haven't lost any weight...but I suppose it's because the growth's slowed down, too." He frowned, chewing on his bottom lip. "Promise me from now on, you'll eat until you're full?"
I have been, Perry thought a little desperately, but outwardly he made a show of looking sheepish and nodding. "Promise."
JD's frowned deepened, though, and he scooted closer. "Perry? Is there anything else?" He didn't really expect an answer, but he knew there was something else wrong. There had been, for days, and the jealousy thing couldn't be all it was. Not even Perry would get this bent out of shape over a crowded house. "I really don't mind staying, you know, when they go to the field..."
Perry shook his head, a little too quickly. "No!" he said quickly, then realized that had probably sounded a little rude, and forced a smile onto his face, shaking his head again. "No," he repeated, more calmly. "You need the exercise. I miss you, of course, but I get to steal you the rest of the time, so it's only fair they get you for a while each day, right?"
JD made a face. "I'm done way before they are, and I want more time alone with you...So I'm not being completely selfless, I guess," he added, grinning. But the grinned slipped a little, when Perry didn't respond right away. "Unless...you want the time alone. I understand that, it must get annoying with all of us underfoot..."
Perry very nearly groaned aloud. Shit! JD had pulled away a little, and his expression was guarded, but Perry could see the hurt in his eyes. But he wasn't ready to tell him, yet. Not until he was absolutely sure--not until he'd done more research. And to do that, he'd need time alone. He drew a breath, and murmured, "It's...it's not that. It's just--I'm used to living alone, you know? And having this many people under one roof is taking a little bit of adjustment, that's all."
JD blinked, drawing back just a little bit. "Oh," he said. "Yeah, that makes sense, I guess."
"It's not you, kid," Perry said seriously, sliding forward to cover the distance JD had created and then some. "I promise. It's just going to take me a little while to adjust, that's all."
JD looked up at him and smiled wanly. "Yeah, I know," he said.
Perry bit his lip, reading the lingering hurt in JD's eyes, and opened his mouth to speak. But he'd only gotten out, "JD..." when the cabin phone suddenly rang.
Perry looked up, startled, then glanced back at his lover, who waved him off. "Better get that," JD said, smiling softly to show him it was okay.
Perry hesitated, but knew only a few people had this number, and none of them would call unless it was important. He scrambled to his feet as the phone rang for the third time, darting into the kitchen and picking up the portable. "Hello?"
"Perry?"
The voice on the other end of the line was distant, barely distinguishable through the static, but unmistakable nonetheless. "Jordan," he said. "Where are you? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Danni..." Static. "...going to the ocean, and I just wanted..." Static.
"Jordan," Perry said, voice a little louder than usual. "Jordan, you're breaking up..." He moved into the living room, one finger jammed into his ear, trying to hear his ex-wife. "You and Danni what? Are you hurt?"
He moved past JD who sat watching him from the floor, grabbing his coat and stepping out onto the patio, trying to get better reception.
JD watched as the door slid shut behind the older man, and drew his knees in to his chest, resting his chin on them. He wrapped his wings around himself, as well, reflecting he would've enjoyed being able to make a complete little room like this as a kid...
God, what was with Perry? Not eating enough, still so jealous, pulling away from him...JD sighed, closing his eyes, wishing he was better at relationships, better at figuring out what was going on, what he was supposed to do. And wishing he didn't feel that twinge of jealousy, watching Perry completely abandon their conversation to talk to Jordan.
Stop it. Stop it right now, the voice in his head hissed at him. It isn't the same, and you know it. Jordan and Danni were quite literally becoming fish out of water, and if they needed help, JD would fly to them himself. He couldn't blame Perry for being worried for them--even if they weren't together, he and Jordan were still friends, still Jack's biological parents, and Danni had risked her own safety to come out and help JD when Perry was in trouble.
Still, he found himself hoping whatever it was wouldn't take long. He wanted Perry back in here. Wanted to find out what was really going on.
It was another five minutes or so before he got his wish, the sound of the glass door sliding open accompanied by a blast of icy air that crept in the gaps of his wing-cocoon. He lifted one, looking up, thinking that Perry must be frozen, but his lover was shutting the door absently and apparently in no rush, staring at the phone in his hand. JD frowned, drawing his wings back a little further. "Perry?"
Perry looked up, startled, and his eyes met JD's, solemn. "They're going out to sea," he murmured.
"Out to see wh--Oh!" JD bit his lip, realizing what Perry meant. "Wow. That's...wow. Did they make any contacts, or are they going out blind?"
"Jordan located a colony," Perry responded. "She's been exploring some while she waited for Danni to finish Changing, and I guess she met up with a few of their scouts. They're...they're going to be traveling toward Mexico--there's word of a colony there setting up some kind of sea-to-shore communication link. Won't be back for a few months, at least, and she wanted to let us know, in case the rumor is false..." He shook his head, walking slowly toward the kitchen and replacing the phone very gently. "It's...strange," he murmured, voice very quiet. "I might never see her again."
JD steeled himself and stood up, going over to touch Perry's arm lightly. He liked Jordan, too, he reminded himself firmly, and it wasn't strange to be upset at the thought of never seeing her again...after all, how hard would that be on Jack? "We will," he said softly, pushing down his own twinges of jealousy at the look of loss in Perry's eyes.
Perry sighed, looking over at him, eyes still a little distant. "I hope so," he said. "I...don't know how dangerous it is, or how equipped they'll be to...to handle things in the ocean, but...they won't be alone, I guess..." he trailed off, shaking his head slowly. "I just...can't believe this is all happening..."
"Me either," JD replied, sighing when Perry looked right through him. "Do you want to go up to bed? I'll clean things up down here."
"No," Perry said softly, and his eyes focused sharply. He reached out and grabbed JD's wrist. "Leave it," he said. "Come with me. Please."
JD started to protest, but one look at the need in Perry's eyes silenced him, and he followed the other man up the stairs. Perry drew him into the bedroom, barely pausing to shut the door behind them before he began removing JD's clothing. Or trying to. His hands were shaking, his breathing somewhat unsteady, and with a sigh, JD caught his hands in his own, pushing him gently to the bed and taking over. He disrobed quickly, then moved to do the same for Perry, though he was much slower about it. Perry watched him, eyes still a little lost, and JD decided, as he climbed astride the older man and began to move against him in slow, comforting undulations, that whatever else was bothering him would clearly have to wait until morning.
He found, as Perry began to relax and respond to his minstrations, that he didn't mind as much as he might have.
* * *
Next Chapter
* * *
Characters: John Dorian/Perry Cox
Rating: NC-17 (eventually)
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Description: This is a wildly AU story with fantastical elements based on
thuri's Nano writing project. It begins late in season three, before Carla and Turk's wedding, and from there follows the characters as they face the Change, a strange, magical phenomenon that is turning ordinary humans into half-human creatures from fantasy.Chapter listings: Contents Post
When Perry and JD made their way downstairs (rather late) the next morning, Carla and Turk were sitting next to the fire, Jack between them, all three playing with building blocks. Carla would offer a block to Jack, who would inspect it carefully and show it to Turk before adding it to the large, rather misshapen but unarguably colorful construct between them.
The adults looked up when JD and Perry came into view, identical knowing grins on their faces. "Good morning, you two," Carla said. "Sleep well?"
"No better than you two, I'm sure," JD shot back, though in truth he was just guessing--if Carla and Turk had managed to figure things out between them, well, they'd done a much quieter job of it than he and Perry.
But Turk was grinning that grin, and Carla blushed a little, telling JD his guess was right. He grinned back, walking forward and giving Turk a high-five before sitting down in front of Jack and accepting the block the child handed him. "Seriously, I'm glad you guys were able to... well, you know," he said. "I mean, it's good that this thing isn't taking everything away from us."
"From the looks of things, I'd say it's given you two something," Carla remarked, as Perry walked in from the kitchen with two bowls of bran flakes and offered one to JD.
"Can't argue that," JD murmured in reply, smiling as he slid closer to Perry and curled one wing around him in the gesture that had now become habitual.
Perry didn't reply, but scooted almost imperceptibly closer and began to eat; JD grinned, then turned back toward the others. "Where's Elliot?"
"Out for a run," Turk replied. "She gets antsy pretty quickly. All those muscles and all that energy don't do well cooped up in here all day, I guess."
"I know how she feels," JD replied with a grimace, rolling his shoulders. "After that bullet grazed me I couldn't fly for over a week, and it just about drove me crazy."
Carla stared at him, eyes wide. "Bullet!?" she demanded, making Jack jump and stare up at her in bewilderment. JD winced, realizing she and Turk apparently didn't know why he'd really been late that night--only that he had been. He glanced quickly at Perry, but knew from the look on his face that whatever cover the older man had concocted for him, he'd blown it. He decided to tell the truth.
"I was shot at," he said softly. "Maybe twenty minutes from here. Well, twenty minutes if I was flying," he added ruefully. "It was about three hours, walking."
Carla whipped her head around to look at Perry. "You told us he'd cut his arm on a tree branch!" she accused, but before Perry could answer, she turned back to JD. "Someone shot at you?"
"People are scared right now," JD said. "And it wasn't Perry's fault, don't blame it on him."
"He didn't have to lie to us about it--"
"I only did it because I didn't want you to freak out," Perry responded, lifting an eyebrow at her. "Which you are."
"I'm not freaking..."
"Yeah, you are," JD said. "But I know why you are, and I appreciate it. But look...I'm okay. I got home, Perry stitched up my arm, Turk took the stitches out, and there's barely even going to be a scar. I'm fine now. It's cool."
"It is most certainly not 'cool!'" Carla snapped, crossing her arms across her chest and glowering at the blocks.
Jack quailed a little, looking up at Perry and JD and reaching for them. "Bah?"
JD reached out and gathered the child into his arms, soothing him. "I know," he murmured to Carla, keeping his voice calm for Jack's sake. "But it's what happened. Like I said: People are scared."
"Dude...she's right, though," Turk said softly, moving to gather Jack's blocks and put them back into the bucket. "I mean...that's messed up." He paused, considering, then added, "Though if there are things like whatever attacked us the other day hanging around, I can see why people would be afraid of anything that big flying overhead."
"Gryphon," JD supplied automatically. "And yeah, that's more than likely what it was."
"I don't know," Carla said, still looking slightly affronted that she hadn't been told about the real cause of JD's injury. "What about all the riots? People are afraid of anyone different, you know that. They could very well have known you were human, and shot at you anyway."
"Well, we don't know that for sure, so until we do, how about we give them the benefit of the doubt?" JD reasoned. "Besides, even if they were aiming for me, the Change is spreading so quickly that it'll probably hit them soon enough." It was one good thing about this Change, given the stories about it--it wasn't going to leave the 'Us and Them' division up for long, apparently. Of course, people might simply start hating the mythological creatures that weren't half human, like the gryphons and unicorns and fairy creatures people had been seeing...he sighed. "Humanity will always find something to hate," he murmured, so low that only Perry heard him; the older man shot him a glance, and set his empty cereal bowl down so he could reach out and squeeze JD's knee.
"Well, I still don't like it," Carla said, scowling as she looked out through the sliding glass door at the snow-covered ground. "Between these anti-Changeling types shooting at us and these creatures attacking at random, it doesn't seem like this place is as safe as we thought."
"It's the best we have," JD reminded her. "Safer than the city. And we're not exactly helpless."
He was looking at Carla when he said it, so he missed Perry's expression, but he felt the older man stiffen beside him. Before he could address him, however, they heard the pounding of hoof beats; a moment later, Elliot came into view, galloping up the hill, an expression of sheer joy on her face. She slowed to a trot then finally came to a halt on the patio, doing an odd little stomping dance to rid her hooves of snow before she pulled open the sliding door and stepped inside.
"Whoo!" she huffed cheerfully, unwinding her scarf. "It's cold out there!"
"So that's what all the snow means!" Turk exclaimed, and she glowered at him.
"It's colder than it was," she clarified. "You knew what I meant."
Turk snickered, and Carla rolled her eyes at him, but JD frowned, staring out the door. "That's a little odd," he murmured. "The amount of snow we've had is bizarre enough, but it really should be getting warmer, not colder."
Elliot shrugged. "Could be the time of day," she said doubtfully. "But it doesn't seem to be." The she grinned at JD. "And with everything that's going on, I can't believe you're worried about the weather."
"That's what I told him before," Perry agreed, grinning, deciding if he was going to change their minds about him, he'd have to start by joining their conversations. Whether they invited him or not.
Fortunately, Elliot's face split into a broad grin. "Hah!" she said triumphantly, pointing a finger at JD. "I got Dr. Cox to agree with me over you!"
JD huffed, though he was secretly thrilled--maybe things would settle down, and all his friends could be friends after all. "I'm still winning," he reminded her, turning to peck Perry lightly on the lips to prove it. "See?"
She rolled her eyes again and clopped forward, pulling off her jacket. "Fine, fine," she agreed. "You're still winning. But I get a point!"
"You can call me Perry, you know," Perry told her softly, looking up at her as she hung her jacket on the rack next to the door.
She looked back at him, eyebrows raised, and for a moment there was a weighted silence in the room. Then Elliot smiled again. "All right," she agreed. "Perry." Then, lowering herself down onto the carpet and tucking her legs beneath her, she said, "Hey, I found a new field for us."
JD raised his eyebrows, but Turk looked confused. "Why do we need a new field?"
"Well," Elliot said, looking a little exasperated, "since that other one is clearly private property and trespassers will be shrieked at or mauled, I figured it would be a good idea. We need somewhere to run around--trust me, we'll go crazy if we don't--and the hill out here is too rocky. My hooves kept sliding around."
"Maybe you need shoes," Carla mused, and Elliot snorted.
"Good idea, Carla. If you hear of any blacksmiths around these parts, do let me know," she said dryly, then beamed when Perry chuckled. "But until you do, I figure finding a flat field is our best bet."
"Props for alliteration," Turk said, winking at her.
JD chuckled at them, setting his now-empty bowl of cereal aside and glancing at Perry's. "Go get more, if you like," he said, knowing the older man had to be hungry still. Then, turning to Elliot as Perry got to his feet and headed back to the kitchen, he said, "So where is this field of yours?"
"About four miles up the mountain," she said, pulling off her cap and shaking her hair, wet droplets of melting snow flying from the blond locks. "Sorry," she apologized to Carla, who flinched as the freezing water landed in her fur. "Anyway, I know it's a little far, but with the Changes, I figure it won't take us long."
JD frowned. "What about Perry?" he reminded her, feeling a little offended on his behalf. "His Change isn't complete. He can't exactly be walking eight miles three or four times a day, or however often you feel the need to take a gallop."
Elliot flushed a little. "Oh, I...I didn't think of that," she admitted, looking embarrassed; Carla shifted uncomfortably, and Turk made a show of taking Jack back from JD and dumping out the blocks again.
JD looked over toward the kitchen, where Perry's back was turned to them as he refilled his cereal bowl. He bit his lip, reading the tension in the older man's shoulders, and remembering his words from the night before: "Guess I feel a little left out." This probably wasn't helping much.
"We could look for a field a little closer," JD said pointedly. "Might be safer for us anyway, not to have to run so far if there's trouble."
Elliot frowned. "But I looked," she insisted. "This is the nearest one I could find--and I did a perimeter check, and nothing came after me. I think it's our best bet."
JD barely bit back a groan; he loved Elliot, but sometimes she couldn't take a hint.
"Maybe Perry could take the truck?" Carla suggested.
They all looked over at the older doctor, who finally turned back toward them with a sigh. "No," he said softly. "I don't want to waste gas; if we lose power we'll need it for the generator."
JD bit his lip, looking from Perry to the others, feeling helpless. But before he could come up with any more suggestions, the older man continued: "I'll stay here, until--until my Change is finished." When JD opened his mouth to protest, Perry held up a hand. "No, it's okay, Newbie," he said softly, moving back from the kitchen and settling down beside him again. "You guys do need your exercise, and I don't; not yet." And I will not put you in danger again, just to keep myself from wallowing in self-pity.
"But it's not fair," JD murmured, a frown on his face as he scooted in closer to the older man. "Surely there's somewhere closer."
"No, actually, there's probably not," Perry said, voice normal volume. "I think I know the field she's talking about--it's about the closest thing that's going to be big enough to be of any use to you four. Five, if you take Jack with you." He looked at JD, shoving his hurt down and away and calling a genuine smile to his face. "It's okay," he said. "Really. It'll give me some time to get some work done around here. I still need to go through those boxes of Ben's, and I want to put in new grout between the tiles in the master bathroom. I saw some in the garage."
JD laughed, waving him off. "Okay, now you're talking home improvement, so you've officially lost me," he said. Turk and Carla relaxed visibly, and Elliot grinned at them.
"Good thing someone here knows something about it," she remarked. "It might come in handy."
Their conversation picked up again, and Perry joined in, laughing and making jokes in the appropriate moments, but inside his emotions were muddled. A part of him knew the reasons he'd given for staying behind were good ones: after all, he didn't feel any particular need to go running around, especially not that far and in so much snow, and there were things he could be doing around here. The cabin was in good repair, but it would need work to stay that way, and the longer he let it go, the more difficult it would be. Still, the sinking feeling of being left out or left behind remained, and no matter how hard he tried to reason it away, it stayed firmly rooted in his heart, taunting him.
But when the four of them bundled up a few hours later, each eager to try out this new field of Elliot's, he forced a smile onto his face and walked with them to the end of the driveway.
JD paused there, taking Perry's hands in his and staring into his eyes, concern written plainly on his face. "Hey," he said softly. "You okay, really? I'll stay with you if you want--just tell me, and I swear I will. Might even be kinda nice, having the place to ourselves..."
Perry smiled. "After last night, you're ready to go again?" he teased, but when JD didn't rise to the bait, he shook his head, face going serious. "I'm fine, Newbie," he said. "Really. You guys need the exercise." He smiled again, moving to plant a soft kiss on JD's lips. "Besides," he added. "You can pay me back tonight."
JD grinned, shivering a little. "Yeah," he said. "I guess I could do that." He leaned in and kissed Perry again, a long, slow kiss, ending it only when Turk called from the road: "Hey! Break it up, you two, it's not like we'll be gone for that long!"
JD laughed, turning to Turk. "You could leave now and Perry and I could knock one out, and I'd still beat you to that field, four-legs," he taunted.
"Oh, really!" Turk replied, then spun on his heels and began to dash up the road. "Let's see you make good on that one, Wingboy!"
Perry just laughed as Elliot and Carla sprang after Turk, the three of them quickly vanishing around the curve in the road. "You'd better go," he said. "They're pretty fast."
JD smirked. "I'm faster," he said. "They have to take the road." He paused, bringing his hands to Perry's face and kissing him lightly once more, first on the mouth then on the tip of his nose. "Soon you'll be joining me," he promised softly. "You, me, and Jack--we'll kick their collective furry asses." He winked; then, spinning and taking a running start, he leapt into the air, one powerful beat of his wings sending him soaring over the tops of the trees.
Perry watched him until he vanished, then turned to head back into the house. In truth, there was another reason he wanted some time alone, and it had nothing to do with grout.
* * *
Perry stared at the laptop in dismay, shoulders slumped.
The few news sites that were still being updated regularly were focused primarily on the Changeling phenomenon and its impact on the world stage, covering everything from speculation about causes (and some were pretty outlandish, Perry had to admit, even given the outlandish nature of the Change itself) to the economic impact to musings on the technological and structural renovations that would be necessary afterward.
But there were still one or two sites whose foci were medical, and it was to these Perry gravitated, looking for anything about rejection and Change rate.
He stared at the headline in front of him, feeling despair welling from within.
New Treatment for Rejection: Cure or Delay?
Sacramento, CA: A new rejection treatment that involves sedating and tube feeding the mutating patient may only be a delay tactic, experts say.
This new treatment, which sources have traced to a small hospital in Sherman Oaks called Sacred Heart, may only stall the rejection process.
Erin Hoffman, a thirty-six-year-old female and the first known patient to receive this rejection intervention, passed away last night in her home only twenty-two hours after being released from the hospital.
Family members say Erin's development, which they declined to identify, had progressed throughout treatment, but began to show signs of slowing once she was removed from the sedatives.
While her condition remained stable in the hospital, she slipped into a coma upon returning home and died several hours later. Family members report no visible signs of distress were apparent before her relapse.
"This is very disappointing, of course," stated Chief of Medicine Bob Kelso in a phone interview with our correspondent. "We're doing all we can, but this thing is too new for us to really know what we're dealing with."
Other rejection patients who have undergone treatment are still stable, sources report, but medical personnel advise families to remain vigilant.
"There's always the possibility that Miss Hoffman was a fluke," Kelso admitted. "Others may respond to the treatment and make a full recovery."
Kelso also stated hospital officials had no reason to suspect the treatment itself killed her. "Right now, it's our best option, and it's not a medically dangerous one. It's basically protocol in the case of any coma patient, anyway."
Asked if Sacred Heart would keep using the treatment, Kelso responded in the affirmative. "Until someone comes up with something else, we'll keep doing all we can to keep these people alive."
Perry stared at the article, drawing a deep breath before releasing it slowly, passing a hand before his eyes. It wasn't the only one, either. There had been others soon after:
Rejection May Not Be Treatable, Experts Say.
And:
Halted Change in Rejection Patients Appears to be Permanent.
So even if the rejection didn't kill him, there was a good chance his growth had stopped. For good.
JD's voice floated into his head: "In a few weeks we can go flying together... it'll be wonderful."
And then, behind it, an echo from his dream: "You can't. You can't come with me."
Then an image of JD, bloody, wings severed and splayed on the ground behind him: "I did this for you, Perry. For you."
He folded his arms on the desk, lowering his head into them dejectedly; on the screen, the article sat staring back at him like a death warrant.
God, he thought, shaking his head slowly. How am I going to tell JD?
* * *
In the end, he decided not to.
Though he kept a close eye on the news sites for the next few days, Erin Hoffman appeared to be the only patient who had died despite being treated for rejection. Perry took that as a very good sign--as did Kelso, in further interviews (which were always over the phone, Perry noted; he wondered what Kelso had become, that he felt the need to hide). Still, as the days passed, more and more reports came in on patients whose Changes appeared to have stopped completely.
For some, like the 'taurs, this was a major issue. Recalling the way Turk, Carla and Elliot had been completely paralyzed for several days, Perry knew that as far as half-Changes went, he'd been lucky. But it was hard to see it that way, watching JD and the others disappear two or three times every day, catching the regretful looks JD cast back at him as he stood in the driveway.
And it was getting very, very difficult to hide the fact that he wasn't Changing any more from JD.
"Are you sure you're getting enough to eat?" JD asked him yet again, as they sat around the fireplace one evening. Turk and Carla had retired to their bedroom (apparently whatever they'd worked out was working very well) and Elliot was upstairs, giving Jack a bath. JD had watched Perry all through dinner, noting that he'd eaten only three slices of the pizza they'd cooked and only one bowl of salad before resigning himself to the wine they'd opened (Perry had unearthed a box of Merlot while going through some of Ben's things).
Perry swallowed, but nodded. "I had quite a lot to eat while you guys were out this afternoon," he said, using the excuse that had become second nature to him over the last few days.
JD frowned again. "So you say," he said slowly. "But I've been keeping an eye on our food supply, in case we start to run low, and it's not changing much." His expression softened, and he reached out, laying a worried hand on Perry's arm. "Look, I don't want you to relapse," he said quietly. "Don't worry about eating too much--the order I placed should be here tomorrow, and even after that--well, they're letting Changelings into grocery stores again, we can go back into town if we need to."
Perry nodded swiftly, seizing upon the excuse JD offered. "It's just that with the others being 'taurs, they need so much more food..." he trailed off, then shrugged. "Didn't want to be taking more than my fair share." He felt horrible, lying to JD, but it was honestly better than admitting he might be a half-Changed... freak the rest of his life.
"Your fair share is as much as it takes to get you through this," JD said firmly, feathers ruffling a little. They'd become a better indicator of his mood than any expression ever had been. "I'm surprised you haven't lost any weight...but I suppose it's because the growth's slowed down, too." He frowned, chewing on his bottom lip. "Promise me from now on, you'll eat until you're full?"
I have been, Perry thought a little desperately, but outwardly he made a show of looking sheepish and nodding. "Promise."
JD's frowned deepened, though, and he scooted closer. "Perry? Is there anything else?" He didn't really expect an answer, but he knew there was something else wrong. There had been, for days, and the jealousy thing couldn't be all it was. Not even Perry would get this bent out of shape over a crowded house. "I really don't mind staying, you know, when they go to the field..."
Perry shook his head, a little too quickly. "No!" he said quickly, then realized that had probably sounded a little rude, and forced a smile onto his face, shaking his head again. "No," he repeated, more calmly. "You need the exercise. I miss you, of course, but I get to steal you the rest of the time, so it's only fair they get you for a while each day, right?"
JD made a face. "I'm done way before they are, and I want more time alone with you...So I'm not being completely selfless, I guess," he added, grinning. But the grinned slipped a little, when Perry didn't respond right away. "Unless...you want the time alone. I understand that, it must get annoying with all of us underfoot..."
Perry very nearly groaned aloud. Shit! JD had pulled away a little, and his expression was guarded, but Perry could see the hurt in his eyes. But he wasn't ready to tell him, yet. Not until he was absolutely sure--not until he'd done more research. And to do that, he'd need time alone. He drew a breath, and murmured, "It's...it's not that. It's just--I'm used to living alone, you know? And having this many people under one roof is taking a little bit of adjustment, that's all."
JD blinked, drawing back just a little bit. "Oh," he said. "Yeah, that makes sense, I guess."
"It's not you, kid," Perry said seriously, sliding forward to cover the distance JD had created and then some. "I promise. It's just going to take me a little while to adjust, that's all."
JD looked up at him and smiled wanly. "Yeah, I know," he said.
Perry bit his lip, reading the lingering hurt in JD's eyes, and opened his mouth to speak. But he'd only gotten out, "JD..." when the cabin phone suddenly rang.
Perry looked up, startled, then glanced back at his lover, who waved him off. "Better get that," JD said, smiling softly to show him it was okay.
Perry hesitated, but knew only a few people had this number, and none of them would call unless it was important. He scrambled to his feet as the phone rang for the third time, darting into the kitchen and picking up the portable. "Hello?"
"Perry?"
The voice on the other end of the line was distant, barely distinguishable through the static, but unmistakable nonetheless. "Jordan," he said. "Where are you? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Danni..." Static. "...going to the ocean, and I just wanted..." Static.
"Jordan," Perry said, voice a little louder than usual. "Jordan, you're breaking up..." He moved into the living room, one finger jammed into his ear, trying to hear his ex-wife. "You and Danni what? Are you hurt?"
He moved past JD who sat watching him from the floor, grabbing his coat and stepping out onto the patio, trying to get better reception.
JD watched as the door slid shut behind the older man, and drew his knees in to his chest, resting his chin on them. He wrapped his wings around himself, as well, reflecting he would've enjoyed being able to make a complete little room like this as a kid...
God, what was with Perry? Not eating enough, still so jealous, pulling away from him...JD sighed, closing his eyes, wishing he was better at relationships, better at figuring out what was going on, what he was supposed to do. And wishing he didn't feel that twinge of jealousy, watching Perry completely abandon their conversation to talk to Jordan.
Stop it. Stop it right now, the voice in his head hissed at him. It isn't the same, and you know it. Jordan and Danni were quite literally becoming fish out of water, and if they needed help, JD would fly to them himself. He couldn't blame Perry for being worried for them--even if they weren't together, he and Jordan were still friends, still Jack's biological parents, and Danni had risked her own safety to come out and help JD when Perry was in trouble.
Still, he found himself hoping whatever it was wouldn't take long. He wanted Perry back in here. Wanted to find out what was really going on.
It was another five minutes or so before he got his wish, the sound of the glass door sliding open accompanied by a blast of icy air that crept in the gaps of his wing-cocoon. He lifted one, looking up, thinking that Perry must be frozen, but his lover was shutting the door absently and apparently in no rush, staring at the phone in his hand. JD frowned, drawing his wings back a little further. "Perry?"
Perry looked up, startled, and his eyes met JD's, solemn. "They're going out to sea," he murmured.
"Out to see wh--Oh!" JD bit his lip, realizing what Perry meant. "Wow. That's...wow. Did they make any contacts, or are they going out blind?"
"Jordan located a colony," Perry responded. "She's been exploring some while she waited for Danni to finish Changing, and I guess she met up with a few of their scouts. They're...they're going to be traveling toward Mexico--there's word of a colony there setting up some kind of sea-to-shore communication link. Won't be back for a few months, at least, and she wanted to let us know, in case the rumor is false..." He shook his head, walking slowly toward the kitchen and replacing the phone very gently. "It's...strange," he murmured, voice very quiet. "I might never see her again."
JD steeled himself and stood up, going over to touch Perry's arm lightly. He liked Jordan, too, he reminded himself firmly, and it wasn't strange to be upset at the thought of never seeing her again...after all, how hard would that be on Jack? "We will," he said softly, pushing down his own twinges of jealousy at the look of loss in Perry's eyes.
Perry sighed, looking over at him, eyes still a little distant. "I hope so," he said. "I...don't know how dangerous it is, or how equipped they'll be to...to handle things in the ocean, but...they won't be alone, I guess..." he trailed off, shaking his head slowly. "I just...can't believe this is all happening..."
"Me either," JD replied, sighing when Perry looked right through him. "Do you want to go up to bed? I'll clean things up down here."
"No," Perry said softly, and his eyes focused sharply. He reached out and grabbed JD's wrist. "Leave it," he said. "Come with me. Please."
JD started to protest, but one look at the need in Perry's eyes silenced him, and he followed the other man up the stairs. Perry drew him into the bedroom, barely pausing to shut the door behind them before he began removing JD's clothing. Or trying to. His hands were shaking, his breathing somewhat unsteady, and with a sigh, JD caught his hands in his own, pushing him gently to the bed and taking over. He disrobed quickly, then moved to do the same for Perry, though he was much slower about it. Perry watched him, eyes still a little lost, and JD decided, as he climbed astride the older man and began to move against him in slow, comforting undulations, that whatever else was bothering him would clearly have to wait until morning.
He found, as Perry began to relax and respond to his minstrations, that he didn't mind as much as he might have.
* * *
Next Chapter
* * *