Panther Pounce - Part II
BY: Kash


People rarely expect the dead to appear on their doorstep, especially at around nine on a Sunday evening. Of course the fact that Luce, had refused to let me do this alone hadn't helped at all. He could be such a stubborn ass at times.

I think its safe to say that shock had been Cassie’s over riding reaction. Its nice to know you can still surprise you're friends. Of course I wouldn't have called her reaction 'surprise' exactly. Complete and utter astonishment is probably a more accurate description. I'm not sure which shocked her more though. The fact that I was getting married...or who I was marrying.

Lila hadn't reacted near as badly. No she'd just smiled and congratulated us...until she'd managed to drag me outside to 'help' with the car. Then she'd gone into lecture mode. The only person better at lecturing me was my mother. Now Lila had an open field. She wasn't shocked but she definitely wasn't pleased either.

I'd once said something to the effect that there was no way in hell I was ever getting married. Cassie had grinned and said "Only the devil would be stupid enough to ask." It'd all been a huge joke, not helped by the fact that I said "Devil take it" a lot. Cassie (smart ass that she was) would always reply. "Don't worry I'm sure he will." I guess you had to be there.

Lila had given me a severe talking to. She couldn't imagine why I'd accepted Luce's proposal especially when you knew who and what I was, and what about Dare. Lila had just had to bring up Dare. Good thing Pug and Luce were inside. At least I hoped they were. We'd left them alone with Cassie. Maybe that wasn't the wisest thing in the world to do but I couldn't exactly watch Luce 24-7. Actually I probably could, but I didn't intend to. He was a big boy and he could take care of himself, I hoped. Cassie can be a handful, especially for men.

I hadn't heard any shouting or breaking noises coming from the house so I was hopeful. When we walked in the living room Pug was the first person I saw. He was sitting in an oversized recliner and he was staring at the occupants of the couch. Cassie and Luce were sitting on it with a rather large pillow taking up the middle cushion and separating the two of them. Cassie alone with the devil and there'd been no bloodshed. Will wonders never cease? Pug was grinning like a mad man though and that worried me.

Suddenly Cassie laughed...very loudly, leaning back against the cushions and shaking her head. Luce's face was the picture of confusion. "I don't understand." He said glancing between her and the T.V. She looked at him one eyebrow raised. "Its funny. You have heard of funny haven't you? Its also known as hu-more!" She drew out humor giving it two distinct syllables. I looked at Lila and bit my lip. She smiled and covered her mouth with her hand stifling a laugh. Pug must have heard something, he looked up at us and grinned wickedly. I shook my head and put my finger to my lips signaling for his silence. He nodded and went back to watching the two on the couch.

"Yes, I've heard of humor." Luce said darkly glaring at Cassie. She just smiled sweetly at him. One of those "Fuck you" smiles that are so sweet they could give you cavities. Cassie's an old pro at those. Lila turned her face away for a minute, trying to control herself. I kept biting my tongue. Luce looked so irritated, like a little boy on the verge of pouting and stomping out of the room. Cassis has that effect on all kinds of people so why should Luce be spared?

"It doesn't make any sense, why would a puppet ripping its pants be funny?" He asked his voice tightly controlled. Ohhh I knew what was coming and nothing good would come of it. "What ya watching?" I asked as Cassie opened her mouth ready to go in for the kill. She looked up at me her eyes narrowed. I tried for a bland face, honest to god I did, but as soon as our eyes met I burst out laughing. She just shook her head at me. Lila was shaking silently with laughter as well. Luce didn't look pleased. He looked like a wounded little boy. I supposed I should soothe his wounded feelings, a woman's work is never done.

I managed to get a hold of myself long enough to walk over to where he sat and collapse in his lap. He made a small noise as I dropped down. I turned and grinned up at him before leaning up to kiss him. "Miss me?" I asked softly.

He reached down and brushed a sweat dampened piece of hair from my face. "Of course." He replied very matter of factly before returning my kiss. I smiled and laced my hands around his neck...at which point Cassie made a gagging noise and I swear I could feel Pug rolling his eyes. I turned my head slightly so I could give them both dirty looks but I started laughing again. Cassie was trading a look with Lila, one of those looks that say so much more then words can, and Pug was in fact rolling his eyes. Poor demon, having to be witness to such sentimental drivel. Maybe I have more then a little demon in me but I thought it was funny. Luce pulled me back firmly into his arms. I looked up at him and grinned. "You know if I called you honey pot right now I think Pug might die of horror." Luce looked down at me and grinned.

"Well I could always call you Pooh Bear. It would probably have the same effect." Lila and Cassie had fallen silent for the moment and were watching us intently. Pug was glaring holes in my back. "What instead of pookie like usual?" Luce nodded staring intently down at me. "Think we should lay off now before he manages to kill me with a single glare?" I asked. Luce looked up over my head at Pug. "I think that might be wise." I giggled turning to look at Pug and pouted at him. "Don't worry sweet cheeks. I love you too." He stared at me blandly for all of three seconds before he started laughing. I looked back up at Luce frowning. "What'd I say?"



INDEXor Entrance