MARIA'S POV

It's been a few hours since Alex left and I'm really concerned seeing the state he was in this morning. Sometimes he needs to think of himself, but he won't listen.

I decided to head out into the city, which I don't usually do, but I need to find Alex. I turn and tap Laf on the shoulder; pulling his attention from the mouldy food he had been cutting.

"We need to go. Now." I whisper to him, and he gives me a surprised and confused look.

"Why? You know Alexander doesn't like you going out into the city." He reminds, his complexion now serious. Alex is protective, but so is Laf.

"That's he problem, I don't know where 'Xander is. He could be hurt, Laf." Is whisper hurriedly in response to his question. After a few minutes of hesitation he nods and we head out after asking Usnavi to look after the cubs.

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JOHN'S POV

I kneel next to the young hybrid and check for a pulse, before realising how cold his skin is- poor guy. I slip my arms underneath his knees and around his back, cradling him. He's extremely light.

Just as I'm about to take him into the office two figures pull me backwards gently, one holding their hand around my throat.

"Put. Him. Down." They growl, hand still threateningly grasping my throat.

"No, I'm not here to hurt him- I'm here to help-" I say, and their hand seems to loosen a bit, before they turn around to the other one.

"Help? Do we trust him? 'Xander does need help. We can't do anything at the hideout." They whisper, and a moment of silence settles over us.

Apparently, the other approved as they remove their hand and stepped backwards.

"What can you do for him?" They ask.

"Step into the sun, that way I can see your face. It's nice to see who I'm talking to." I request, and they hesitate. They step forward and I see a dark orange tail and ears, before he fully moves and I can see his tall stature. He has curly brown hair, dark brown eyes and he's slightly muscular.

"Lafayette. And you are?" They ask inquisitively.

"John Laurens. Who's that?" I question, pointing into the darkness. The figure shifts and taps Lafayette's shoulder.

"Should I?" They whisper quietly into his ear, to which he nods hesitantly.

"If you lay a hand on her I won't hesitate to kill you." Laf growls, to which I swallow and nod in fear. The girl steps forward.

She has dark brown curls that travel down her back, a fair complexion and a smooth pair of ears and tail. She's magnificent-

but I'm gay.

"Please, help him- please!" She pleads with tears running down her face. I look back down at the young wolf in my arms, and his breathing speeds a little bit and he shifts in my arms.

"I need to take him inside, it's too cold out here-"

"NO! You can take him! You can't!" The girl shouts, scrambling towards my arms to the wolf.

"Shhh, no. I'm not gonna keep him, you can even come with me, if you'd like. I'll take you to my office up there" I point to the tall building, and she settles slightly before nodding.

"I need to call someone to help, Okay? I'll call a few actually." She shakes her head vigorously and steps backwards into the darkness.

"It's okay, they're nice people. I promise." I offer a kind smile to try and calm them down.

The fox wraps his arms around the young cat.

"Do what you've got to do."
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I phone George Washington, Herc, Vanessa and Eliza- they should be able to help.

I look down at the wolf and press my fingers to his neck again, searching for a pulse; it's only getting weaker.

As I peer around the corner I see George running down the street and into the alleyway, kneeling next to me.

Washington goes to take the boy (who is apparently named Alexander) off of me, but the girl (who I learned is called Maria) sprang forward and hissed protectively.

"No, Maria it's okay, he's going to help him." I reassure. She stays still before shrinking backwards, allowing George to get to Alexander again. He searches for a pulse just as I had, and his face contorts to one of displeasure.

"We need to get him inside. Now." He says seriously, and I pass over the boy as he takes him into his arms, looking down at him paternally.

Hercules arrives and slowly approaches Lafayette, and he gently offers his hand out for him to shake. Lafayette slowly reaches for if, pulling back slightly, before grasping his hand and smiling at him. Eliza and Van both go to Maria, and she falls backwards in fear. Eliza kneels next to her, speaking softly.

"It's okay, don't be scared. I'm not going to hurt you, sweetie." She coos, slowly moving forward and catching Maria in a soothing hug. She goes stiff before leaning into the hug, shivering slightly.

"Oh, honey, come on I'll get you some clothes and a blanket." She helps her stand and they all walk over to the office which is empty, thankfully, as it's late at night. George rises and gently holds Alexander's head against his chest.

Once we cross the street and enter the building I run to the boiler room and turn on the heating as high as I can. I press the button for George's floor seeing as it has the most sofas and cushions, and we ascend up. The elevator plays some crappy music and no one speaks.

Once the elevator tells us that we've arrived we step out, and George carefully sits on his office sofa, asking us to place a blanket over the shivering boy.

We all sit with each other, everyone having separate conversations. Eliza and Maria are sat together, the younger wrapped in a warm blanket and grasping a mug of tea. Herc holds Laf under his arm, who grasps a cushion tightly. And I sit with George, checking on the young wolf every so often.

After about 15 minutes of this I hear a small whimper, and Alexander shifts on George's knee. His eyes flutter open, revealing an ocean of emotions, but fear is the most obvious one. He slowly comes to his senses and weakly pushes against George's chest, muttering small phrases of denial.

"Shhh, it's okay, you're okay. Stay down, son. You're not well." George coos fatherly, and Alexander whimpers whilst shivering more violently.

"John? We need another blanket." George says hurriedly, and I quickly stand and run to my office to find one under my desk.

I run back into the room and lay the blanket over Alexander, whilst pushing a loose strand of hair out of his face. Alexander falls into a fitful slumber, shifting often and mumbling incoherent phrases under his breath.

Everyone remains still, and the room is peaceful.

That is until Maria sobs softly and Alexander awakens, jumping off of George and protectively guarding Laf and Maria.

I go to approach, but he growls violently at me. Oh shit.