When Alex came home, Cale was waiting for her. The table was set with the mismatched Salvation Army plates, silverware, and wine glasses. A large bottle of wine presided over the table.

"That's right, it's your job to apologize," Alex said.

"My unwelcome job," he agreed. "Let's eat and drink before talking." Cale expertly poured two glasses of the rich red wine. Then he walked into the kitchen and came out with a steaming pot of soup.

"You made me dinner?" Alex stared.

"Cooking is another of my jobs. Sit down, please." Cale deposited the dish and went back into the kitchen. This time he came back with hot bread.

"Neither Gabe or Rile cook?" Alex asked after a bite of the bread.

"Gabe has atrocious taste. He would eat dirt if it would keep him alive. While Rile praises my cooking, he's too lazy to do it himself."

"He's smart enough to compliment you, so you continue," Alex finished. "I don't mind providing meals. I'm not doing much cooking. I mostly order mostly take out. It's a New Orleans thing. It's not like I'm doing your laundry or cleaning your place."

"Please dip the bread in this." Cale went back into the kitchenette, came back with a small dish of olive oil and herbs, and sat down. He waited until her mouth was full before saying, "Gabe and Rile have been fighting for many dry seasons. I'm sorry you got caught in the middle."

Alex dipped the steaming bread into the spiced olive oil. She bit into the sopping bread and it melted in her mouth. She felt like melting into the chair from sheer gustatory pleasure. "No need to apologize. Now, your brothers are always teasing you about being a priest, and you remind them that you only apprenticed with him and also with the healer. Tell me about that."

Cale copied her motions and ate his own bit of bread. "I'll tell you a story about myself and in return, you tell me a story about yourself." He smiled in his kindly way.

Alex rolled her eyes and dipped more bread into the oil. She took a big bite, but nodded.

"I enjoyed apprenticing with the healer. We started with examining the hatchlings of the clan. We would measure them and weigh them and check them for hide rot. It's curable if you catch it quickly. It's more a pleasure than a duty because the hatchlings are adorable and their parents so proud." Cale smiled wider, obviously in remembrance, and then took a long drink of wine.

"How do you cure hide rot?" Alex asked and quickly shoved more bread in her mouth.

"Medicinal oil along with extra sunning of the hatchlings," Cale said. "I enjoyed learning how to pick and prepare the medicinal herbs."

"Like what? Flowers? Green leaves? Bark?" Alex then took a long drink of wine.

Cale grinned. "I know you wouldn't try to avoid telling me your story by asking questions."

Alex huffed indignantly. "I can ask pertinent questions. What other things did you treat?"

"I liked setting broken bones. There's something satisfying in making right what is crooked and applying the splint. I regret the setting hurts, but they feel so much better once the bone is straight and the splint is on."

Alex nodded. "As long as it's a closed fracture. If the bone is jutting out of the skin, it creeps me out."

"You treated those? That's very difficult."

"No, that's way beyond paramedic training."

"What's a paramedic?"

Alex blinked in surprise at the question, and then held her head a pain pierced through her skull. White noise built in her ears and she heard Morgan's voice, as if from a distance, calling her trash and whore.

"Alex?"

Cale's question and gentle touch on her forehead brought her out of herself for a minute.

"What's wrong? You're not feverish."He felt her pulse and then stroked her hair away from her face.

"Short circuit," she said through gritted teeth. "Sometimes happens if I try to remember."

"Would you describe it to me please?" Cale checked her pulse again.

"Pressure and noise inside my head." Alex drained her wine glass.

"I want to try something, if you're willing. Come to the recliner please." Cale stood up and walked into the living area. He sat in the recliner and patted his knees. "Sit here, please."

Alex stared at him. "You want me to sit in your lap? Like a draconic Santa Claus?"

"Is this Santa Claus a healer in your world?"

"No, he brings gifts to good boys and girls," Alex said automatically. "I mean, he's a myth."

"Let me bring you a gift of healing then. I just want to try something."

"I dunno. That sounds kinda kinky."

Cale tilted his head in confusion. "I don't understand your words. This is a technique we use on foundering hatchlings."

Alex rubbed her temples as Morgan's voice grew closer, shouting worse things, about what he was going to do to her. "Okay, but touch me wrong and I'll blast you."

Cale leaned forward, patted his knees again, and his wings unfolded. Alex stared again, this time entranced by the golden-green leathery wings. She sat on his lap, still watching the elegant shimmering membranes. Cale pulled her head against his chest and began to sing in a pleasant baritone voice. Alex relaxed against him and his wings folded over her. She closed her eyes, the thrumming of his chest from his song and the feel of the ultra-soft suede feel of his wings on her skin soothing her. Cale started the recliner rocking and in a few minutes, Alex fell asleep, utterly content.

******

At length, Cale deposited Alex gently in her bed and tucked the pillows around her. He briefly wondered why one was damp until he recognized the faint scent of her tears. He walked down to  his apartment to warn his brothers about Alex's state of mind. He found Gabe treating his leather staff holder and sword sheath with conditioner and Rile reading his tablet.

"Alex had a short circuit," he said to Gabe and Rile. "I used the foundering hatchling technique."

"That's too extreme," Gabe said sharply. "Alex was hardly dying."

"It worked." Cale clacked his claws anxiously.

"I'm sure it did but it's not appropriate." Gabe fixed him with a disapproving stare. "Alex is an adult female and was not dying. Really, Cale, I expected better of you."

Rile dropped his tablet on the coffee table. "Leave him alone. Cale doesn't have an inappropriate bone in his body or wings. He's a healer treating his patient. Get your mind out of the gutter, Gabe, as the humans say."

"Shut up," Gabe said automatically.

Rile jumped to his feet. "Make me." He grinned at Cale. "Humans have the best sayings."

A knock at their door interrupted the brewing fight. Cale was quick to open the door and find Alex there, rubbing her head.

"I couldn't sleep anymore," she said. "I was wondering--"

"Come in and take a staff." Gabe ordered. "Practice is best for clearing the head. Good discipline too. Rile was just about to get his."

Rile flicked his tongue out at Gabe, but walked to the staves on the wall and plucked his staff off. Cale and Gabe followed suit, although Cale handed Alex a staff as well. For two hours they practiced forms, faster and faster at Gabe's commands.

"That's enough," Gabe ordered at length.

Cale lowered his staff immediately at Gabe's words. Alex followed suit, breathing heavily, and her face glowing from a sheen of perspiration. Rile had learned that this meant she had been working hard. She looked at Gabe, but he turned and left. Cale put up his staff and followed him. Alex sighed and put hers up as well. Rile blocked the doorway, looking at her with his police German Shepherd eyes.

That never meant anything good.

"I hope you weren't waiting for a 'good job'," Rile said, gaze intent on her. Alex's startled look spurred him on. "Because you'll never earn his approval."

She opened her mouth to say something, but closed it, and looked down. The curtain of the long side of her hair fell forward and blocked her face. She stepped around him to the doorway. Rile noted with satisfaction that she turned to the stairs and not the living area where Gabe had disappeared. His satisfaction faded as he watched her trudge up the steps to her own apartment. Not for the first time, he wondered why he had done something like that.

"Where's Alex?" Gabe asked the minute that Rile walked into the living area.

Rile shrugged. In a flash, Gabe was on his feet.

"What did you say to her?" Gabe demanded.

Rile felt a flare. "Oh no, brother, you are not blaming this on me. You want someone to blame, look to yourself." Rile slammed the door on his way out, hoping that Alex would hear it

Gabe frowned, but made no attempt to follow. "Cale, do you think Alex is upset over the lesson? Is she so oversensitive that she can't take instruction?"

"I don't think—" Cale began.

"That must stop. I'll set her straight, let her know she must accept criticism if she hopes to continue," Gabe strode out, not waiting for Cale's answer.

"That's a terrible plan," Cale said to the empty room.

*****

Gabe knocked on Alex's door with force. "Alex!" he practically bellowed.

Alex wrenched open the door, surprising even Gabe. "What? Fire? Emergency?"

"No." He pushed past her into the apartment. "What is wrong with you? Can you not take proper critique on your training? Your skills are almost abysmal."

"What?! Proper critique?!"

Rile, lounging strategically on the stairs, but below the sight of Alex or Gabe, polished his dagger. He smiled at Alex's exclamation.

"If you're to train to any level of competence, you'll need to lose that over-sensitivity of yours," Gabe said.

"Over-sensitivity?!"

"Stop repeating my words." Gabe paced the apartment. "Training is serious. Your emotions can be quite erratic and if you hope to come close to Guardian level quality, you'll need to control them, like I do."

"Like you?" Alex crossed her arms over her chest. "Not everyone had the privileged upbringing of a Clan Heir."

"My clan was slaughtered," Gabe said coldly. "But I don't go around subjecting others to my bitterness. I focus on the task at hand, or on training to improve my skills, to fulfill my destiny as a Guardian."

"I'm sorry about your family." Alex touched her forehead as the short circuit built, Morgan shouting with glee what a stupid, insensitive whore she was. "I'm sorry I subjected you to my bitterness. I'm going out now."

Rile scrambled into the lavish azalea bushes as Alex stomped out of her apartment. He watched until Gabe re-entered their apartment then hurried after Alex.

"Let's patrol," he said.

Alex grabbed his hand and she shot out the door in a speed burst. Part of her hated that the short circuit in her brain stopped at the touch of his hand, but most of her was relieved.  She landed on the top of a building and they surveyed the area.

"What's going on down there?" Rile leaned over the edge of the rooftop in a way that someone who can't fly shouldn't.

Alex joined him and watched a minute. "Bar party. Lots of dancing, drugs, and alcohol." Alex shrugged.

Rile didn't move and stared at the people wandering in and out. "Let's go."

Alex examined him to see if he was serious and when she saw he was, turned to stare at the party.

Gabe will have a fit. Drugs will be floating around, but that's in our favor. If anyone notices Rile's unusual appearance, they'll chalk it up to the drugs.Still, better to be safe than sorry.

"No, please," Alex said. "Your disguising ability won't hold up under such close contact."

Rile jumped off the building and Alex screamed. Then his wings deployed and he hit the side of the building, claws digging into the concrete. He scrambled down so Alex speed burst down and met him at the bottom.

"You idiot, what if someone had seen you?"

Rile grinned at her and made a beeline for the door. Alex belatedly followed and then stuffed some cash in the bouncer's hand before Rile could challenge him. They went in and hit a wall of smoke, noise, and half-clad people. People milled, people danced, people jumped up and down. For once, Rile hung back and followed Alex. She twisted through the crowd to a crude bar.

She bought two drinks. "Don't get drunk. Gabe will be upset enough with me for taking you here."

"Who says he'll find out?"

"He'll smell the alcohol and smoke on you."

"No, he'll smell it on you, thanks to your hair."

Rile watched the crowd as he drank. As soon as he finished, he grabbed Alex's hand. "Let's dance," he ordered.

Rile's sinuous body moved well with the music, be it fast or slow, all of it loud. Plenty of people jammed around them and Alex wondered if some of the women were trying to dance with Rile. Some made a point to rub against him. She blamed her irritation on worry that Rile could be discovered.

I almost believe that.

The music slowed and one emboldened woman slid her arms around Rile's waist when he turned to face her. Something in Alex flared and she whirled him around in a way she never could if he had been prepared.

Or if he hadn't wanted me to.

Alex put her arms around Rile's neck and traded venomous glares with the woman.

"Rile, what are you doing?" she hissed in by his tympanum.

"Dancing," he replied smugly.

"Looked like more than that. What did you plan on doing with that woman?"

"I thought I'd try that kissing thing. It's similar to what we do back home."

"Rile, need I remind you that your disguise doesn't hold up under close personal contact?"

"What? Are you jealous?" His arms tightened around her.

"Rile!" She squirmed. "You can't go around kissing women. It leads to other things. At least here it does."

"Other things. That sounds promising." Rile gazed steadily at her.

"Rile, you can't." Alex swayed with the techno music now playing.

Rile's body matched hers. "Can't I? What about you and Gabe?" His arms tightened further and his police dog eyes bored into her.

"We don't kiss."

"You don't? Why not?"

"I figured y'all didn't," Alex's Southern lilt betrayed her distress. "Alien dragon guys with different shaped mouths."

A small part of her reminded her how shy Gabe was with her but it was shouted down by the voice that said she was far too disgusting for him to want to kiss her.

Who wants to kiss a whore? Especially an over-sensitive,bitter one? Not Gabe. I don't blame him

The pressure and white noise of a short circuit started to build in Alex's head, but Rile's voice cut through the interference.

"We do kiss," Rile said. "Should I try with that woman?" He leaned closer and tilted his head, exactly as if he was about to kiss Alex.

"No! She doesn't have my powers," Alex blurted, instantly regretting it. She laid her head against his chest to prevent Rile from further action.

I have my own plans for Gabe and am not about to share them. Who needs to be kissed? Not me. I have powers. If he'll want any part of me after that fight.

"Do tell," he whispered into her ear and brought her back to reality and away from the threatening short circuit in her brain.

"Let's get out of here," Alex told him.

Resistance is futile.

As soon as they hit a secluded area outside, Alex took off with him. She landed by her second story front door. "I returned you home safely. That's a tiny bit of guilt I can lay down."

"Guilt? What did you have in mind?" Rile cupped her chin in one hand and tilted her face up to his.

"Plenty to feel guilty about." She looked up at him in a way that faded the mischief from his face. "Don't do this to me. It isn't fair." She turned and fumbled with the key to the door.

"Lots of things are unfair. Would you like me to list them for you?" Rile ran a claw gently down her back.

"Look, I only did what I did because you were going to kiss that woman, Rile. It would have blown your disguise. Nothing personal. Leave me alone. Please."

"Then why did you feel guilty?" Rile stroked her hair.

Alex turned and caressed his muzzle. When he leaned closer, she slapped him sharply. He barely avoided her knee in his groin.

"That's one," she said. "You avoided two." She lit her hands. "Want to try against three and four? I told you it was nothing personal at the party and to leave me alone. Please"

Rile rubbed his muzzle. Alex took the opportunity to unlock the door and slip inside. She locked it again.

*****

Although he went to bed, Rile couldn't rest. Leaving his sleeping brothers, he walked up to Alex's apartment and opened the door with Cale's key. Her apartment looked empty and dark.

"Alex?" he called.

No answer. A soft light under the bedroom door caught his eye. Without bothering to knock or ask, he opened the door. Alex lay in bed, glowing slightly. He came closer. She turned in bed, but didn't awaken, clutching a pillow to her chest.

"Get up." Rile touched her arm.

As soon as his hand made contact, a wave of euphoria rushed up his arm and crashed through his chest. Another surge of ecstasy crested over him, his wings gently unfurled with the sensation, and Rile dropped to his knees, losing contact. The feeling stopped. He stayed on his knees, trying to sort it out what he had just experienced. He realized that this was what she was doing with his brother. The Great Golden Prude, the Perfect Eldest Son was enjoying himself and would remain the spotless virgin Clan Heir while he used Alex. He didn't even kiss her! When a portal opened, Rile knew his brother would run through without a backward glance at Alex. Rile folded his wings. Not if he could help it. He would show Alex, teach her that she deserved better. She deserved kisses and real love.

Alex mumbled and her eyes fluttered open. "Where?"

Alex's voice ignited what had been simmering in his head. It flared down his neck and his heart jumped like something small caught in a trap.

"Don't touch me!" She jumped out of bed and lit her hand.

"Practice time." His voice was cold and angry.

"Practice?" She hurled a blast at him. "Practice this! Get out!"

More blasts followed that Rile avoided. He drew his staff. He came at her like a hurricane. Alex dodged the staff strikes and that made her blasts off target. Rile swept her legs and pinned her, pressing his long, sinuous body against hers.

"Not you too." Alex's eyes were wide and terror-filled.

Rile's muzzle was barely a centimeter from her lips and he studied her. She was stiff, frozen, and her eyes filled with tears.

"Please don't. He does this to me, just like this," Alex whispered. "Don't do this to me. Let me up or show me how to get free."

The plaintive tone in her voice, her terror, but most of all, comparing him to Morgan, broke the anger in Rile. It ran down into his limbs and was gone.

"Lift up your hips hard and twist sharply. It'll give you enough room to squeeze free," he said.

It did and Alex stood up, but Rile stayed kneeling, head bowed, staring at the floor.

"What's wrong with you? Are you hurt?" She looked at him oddly and slowly extended her hand.

He took it, but didn't stand. She knelt across from him. "Tell me. Where are you hurt? We'll take care of it here so Gabe doesn't find out."

He thought about it. What was he going to tell her? That he broke into her bedroom, found her glowing, and took advantage of the pleasure?

"Nothing. Remember that move." He wouldn't look her in the eye.

*****

A/N

So now Rile knows what's going on between Alex and Gabe!

What do you think of his plan?

Dedicated to: Kayjay9651

who has an environmentally conscious fantasy

and

SahiraJ

A wonderful fantasy Crowning Soul is full of funny and unique unicorns!

Rewrite dedicated to