PotH: Revolution (NSFW)

Cross stayed back, watched. He felt that this was an intimate moment between mother and daughter, and he shouldn't be involved. Not yet.

Shine, however, felt different. That was still her sister, and she showed it by joining her - no. Their mother in the embrace. "I know one thing. You will never be the reason I'm sad. Never."

Danny purred softly. "Really?"

Star sighed, hugging both of her girls tightly. The baby she hadn't wanted and the one she'd craved with every fiber of her being... They were both there and her heart ached.

But Danny wasn't Sever - not anything like him...

"Really really." Shine pulled them both closer. To have a sister, and never know it - it was a horrible sensation. However, she was here, now, and she wouldn't be gone ever again. She would make sure of it.

Star looked up at Cross, eyes questioning. She couldn't possibly expect him to except the girl as a daughter... Star was having trouble with it herself, but...

Cross saw his wife's eyes, understood. He had to admit, the whole idea of having the spawn of Sever under his... no. That wasn't the case, not at all. Sever might have been the donor for this girl, but there was no way those two were related. When it came down to it, this was Star's child, just like Shine was.

"Whatever you decide, Star, I won't argue it. But if you do decide to keep her, then I promise I will be the best damn stepfather... no. I'll be the father she truly deserves."

She held out her hand, trembling. "Cross," she whispered, "I love you so much." She had three children, she realized. Two girls and a boy. And the boy was married and had given her a wonderful grandson... She wouldn't let this girl be a stain on their family tree, but a new blossom.

Danny was purring, pure joy radiating from her eyes. This hedgecat was her mom. And she seemed to maybe want her. Was she really going to have a mom? Hope and happiness warred, illuminating the eerie eyes beautifully.

He took her hand, smiling. "I love you too, Star." He pressed her lips to hers for a brief moment, then turned to Danny with the same smile. "Danny... You can call me Dad."

She smiled, purring happily. "Really?!" She rubbed a fist over her chest. "My heart feels like it's beating very fast, like it's growing. Is that something that's normal?"

"It is when you're happy," Star murmured.

Shine smiled brightly. "Welcome to the family, Danny!" She pulled her father into their group hug, purring happily.

She bounced in place, purring loudly. "I have a family?!"

"Yeah! You do now!" Shine's purring matched hers. "And a big one, too! You even got a little nephew to play with!"

"Really?"

"And a brother," Star said quietly, smiling. "You should meet him soon. He and his wife should be home today or tomorrow."

*

In England, Trip and Yue stood back to back, the fox panting. The gun in his hand was hot to the touch, but he didn't think about it. He was too busy to figure out why they'd been attacked. By Baudoins, no less.

"I hope so," Cross said, now a little concerned. He knew they were over in Europe, which was dangerous territory... especially now.

*

Yue panted too, her own gun hot from the rapid discharges. "Any idea... why we're... attacked?" she managed.

She laid her head on the echidna's shoulder, sighing.

*

He shook his head. He recalled hearing something years and years before that England was safe territory. Baudoins and Laroches had no legal authority there. "No... But I think... we should go."

Shine blinked, looked at her parents. "Hey, aren't they in Europe?"

"Yeah. England, last time I checked. But that should be safe territory."

*

"Yeah. Hang on tight." She gripped her husband, and took off with the wind.

Star nodded. "Yeah. Don't worry, sweetheart."

"He went to England," Danny suddenly announced. "Some of the wolves are on their police force."

And Star's eyes went wide. "Oh my god."

*

He clung to her, frowning. Just what was going on?

"Oh, no..." The blood drained from his body.

"Wait," Shine said. "You mean England's not safe anymore!?"

*

After a moment, she stopped, panted from the strain. She'd been using her powers quite a bit, today, and it was exhausting. "We gotta... get back... to the airport."

Star bolted from the room, going for her phone. "Oh god..." She had to call them.

*

He hugged her and lifted them both of the ground, tails spinning rapidly. It hurt - one of them had been sliced during that last encounter - but they needed to get out.

Cross went after her, a hard look on his face. "Please, God, let them be okay..."

*

She looked at him with worry. "Are you going to be all right?"

Danny stayed with Shine, frowning. "Is everything okay?"

Star dialed frantically, looking up at Sol and Mani. "Baudoins are in England."

*

"I'm fine." And a knife sank into his shoulder. "Shit!"

"Nani!?" Sol shouted, springing to his feet with his wife.

"My baby girl!" Mani asked. "Is she all right?"

*

Yue sought the thrower out, pierced his head with a round from her gun. "Down!"

He lowered, tugged the knife from his shoulder. "Damn it." His phone rang and he snapped it open. "Mom, not a good time."

"Baudoins are in England! You have to get home now!"

"I know. Trust me." He blew out a breath, firing twice. Three men went down. There were nearly fifty more coming at them from all sides and with his tail injured, he couldn't fly high enough to avoid them... And he was running low on ammunition... He and Yue exchanged looks, each knowing their situation was dire. "I love you, Mom. Tell Dad and Shine that I love them to. And Sol and Mani. And, Mom... Don't forget Nat." And he hung up.

Star stared at the phone, eyes wide and terrified. "They're being attacked."

"No!" Mani burst into tears, burrowing into Sol's chest.

Cross gritted his teeth. This was way over the line. "They're not dead yet!"

*

Yue held her husband close, gun still trained on the closing men. "...Wanna hope for a miracle?"

Star trembled, eyes wide. "No," she whispered.

Nat wandered in, tugging on her pant leg. "Grandma? How come everyone's crying?"

Trembling, she scooped the boy up and pressed him close. "No reason, sweetie..."

*

He nodded, reloading. "I'm on my last mag. Wanna try and blow a trail through them and run?"

Cross put on his best face for the boy, brushed his hair. "Hey, kiddo. Just got off the phone with Trip. He says he loves you." He couldn't hear, but he had a strong feeling...

*

"Okay. I'll see what I can do." Focusing, she aimed her gun in a direction, fired. The bullet shot out, leaving a wind tunnel in its wake. It pierced right through the ranks, blowing others in the path up and away. "Now! Let's go!" She made a desperate dash for the hole she made.