I stirred, eyes slowly opening and blinking. I awoke to a dark room in a cage, and with a paw around me. With a smile, I was remembering what happened.

I was sleeping with a tiger...And it still had ahold of me. It never turned and tumbled and let me go.

I shifted a bit to peer at the striped animal snuggling behind me. Prem was still sleeping, not roused awake by me yet. I gently rubbed her forelimb in a very fond way. The female tiger mumbled in her sleep as she still held me tight. I'm kind of surprised at myself. No way I'd ever thought of sleeping by a tiger inside a cage. It's crazy. If she was any other tiger, my face would PROBABLY get ripped off. But no...Prem was willing to keep me in her paws and sleep by me...Like she was some kind of dog or cat that sleeps by its master.

In my eyes, I think she was feeling happy that she had a companion to sleep by with. She confessed this never happened before. It's no wonder she doesn't want to let me go. When I heard that last night, I felt more bad for her than I ever did before. I thought leaving her in the cage alone at nights would not be too much of a big deal. I was thinking she'd be fine till morning. But it turned out, she gets lonely. Hearing her telling me about it is what motivated me to stay with her instead of leaving her again. This felt much bigger than just protecting her from Gilbert. I wanted to do something right. I wanted her to be happy.

And in the end...She's really happy.

I flipped my gaze to the door of the room far away from me. I was contemplating. I didn't know what time it was, but I did not feel the need to sleep anymore and sorta wanted to sneak out of her grasp to go to my room. But I chose to stay with her till she wakes up. I didn't want to be rude and just leave her now in her own slumber. Then I was thinking about her loneliness in this thing...Maybe in this place in general. I commend dad and his friends for being friends with her during the day, and I can understand their reasons for not spending the night with her...Even though I kinda feel like maybe they should once in a while despite their reservations. But I can't force them, I know it that much. What can I do?

Then another thought popped and came out of nowhere. I haven't really been thinking about it, but now I'm wondering...Why aren't there other tigers in this place? Maybe, despite she has HUMAN friends, maybe she was also lonely because she doesn't have other animals to socialize with in Temra. She's the only one. She probably craves for that kind of company too, but she can't have it because there isn't company like that here.

Why? Dad says she's been living here for THREE years. Why is she the only one? Why doesn't Temra have other tigers? Why didn't they have more by now? Or better question...WHY can't this place have other tigers? I think this cage has enough room for two, or maybe three big cats. Or hell, they can all live together in the dome! I mean, they've successfully made an experiment that'll make any tiger talk now, and up to my knowledge, Prem's the only tiger that can talk. Why don't they bring other tigers and use it on them so Prem can have ANIMAL company? 

I remember Earl saying that dad and the other scientists are busy working on another experiment for a different animal, but come on, that doesn't matter. They can still bring more tigers to test their precious experiment they'd already created for them on and keep them here.

I don't get it.

I let out a sigh. Oh, Prem...

Then I heard and saw someone enter the cage room. The ceiling light blinded me a bit when the person flipped it on. My eyes squinted a bit before they adjusted to the brightness. They also see the person that came in here.

Gilbert.

Oh man...I must've slept in here all night long till he showed up at work.

I think he's in for a sight.

Gilbert was slowly coming up to the cage, a look of surprise mixed with bewilderment on his face. Behind me, I felt the tiger moving. I twisted my neck to see her again, finding she had awoken, probably thanks to the noise of the door. She moaned a bit, watching over my body. She mumbled with resentment, "Well, look who's here."

I whispered back after a deep chuckle, "Time to get up." I lifted her paw off me, then moved myself up to a sitting position. 

The senior animal handler stopped at the open gate, throwing gazes between me and her. Then he asked with that look on his face still, "What's going on in here?"

Prem tilted back her head for a wide, tongue-curled yawn. I replied with a smile, "I slept by Prem...Since last night."

Prem then bitterly said after her yawn, "It was fantastic."

"Huh." Gilbert responded to both our comments, "This is a first. She never ever had a roomate before. This is...A surprise."

By the way he ended that sentence...He wasn't impressed. Yeah, course it was. I then said with not much apology, "Sorry if it bothers you. I wanted to leave, but then I thought she could use a sleeping partner...For once." Then I raised a finger, "But for the record, she didn't hurt me."

He chuckled for the first time since he came in here, "Obviously not. You took quite a risk staying with her." 

I was never taking a risk at all, you sly bastard. 

Then he thumbed behind him, "But, least you closed the door before you did. Didn't want her roaming out of the room while you were asleep. That sort of thing did happen before. Trust me."

Prem said as she started to stand on her fours, "Well, I wouldn't anyways now...What good will that do?" I glanced to her as she was starting to stretch her rear end up behind her. She tried to escape this place before? Man...Wonder how that happened.

Gilbert replied, seriousness plastered on his face, "Good question. It wouldn't." When she was done stretching, Prem just stared at him in anger. Shortly he added, "But thank you for being a good girl and staying put."

The big cat bitterly replied, "You're welcome."

Gilbert focused on me, pointing at me while having a grin, "I think you need to get out of those clothes and take a shower, Jason. Probably smell like tiger."

I giggled a bit, getting up on my feet. I looked down at myself while I did feel dirty, "Yeah...Probably."

Gilbert said, "It's time for work, but don't take it as a let-down for being up on time and doing your job. I'll let this slide."

In bit of gratitude I said this, "Thanks."

Then he offered, motioning to the door, "Go on. Go to your room and clean yourself up. I'll take care of Prem."

You better, or we'll have a problem. I said, "All right." I looked at my four-legged friend, "I'll see you at the cafeteria."

Prem smiled at me a bit, "Sure. Don't take too long."

"Hopefully I won't. See ya there." I saluted her with two fingers and began wandering out of the cage. Gilbert patted my shoulder as I casually strolled by. I acknowledged that by showing him a grin and went on my way out of here. Very soon I was back in my own room. I took a quick shower and put on a different pair of clothes. I was fresh and clean and ready for today.

I headed out the room and made my way down the hallway on my way to the cafeteria. But on my way there I was thinking about Prem alone with Gilbert, feeling concern. Maybe I should go to the cage room first on my way just to make sure she's okay, and see if they've left. Not long after that idea, I found that the cage room door was closed when I've got back. I softly pressed my ear against the frame, see if I can hear anything going on in there. All I heard was silence. 

Then, I went very slowly through the door...

...And found that Prem was in the cage, all locked up, sitting on her butt with her head down.

Sheer anger and disappointment rushed throughout my bitter form. What?! Why did he leave her in there?! I walked in, strolling up to the cage bars. Prem heard and saw I was back and beamed at me. She quickly stood on her paws and said my name, "Jason."

I asked in utter concern, "What happened? I thought Gilbert was taking you to the cafeteria."

Prem's happy expression melted off her face to be replaced by grimness, "That's what I had thought...Till he shut the gate not long after you left."

I pressed, "Why?"

She sighed and answered, "I did nothing wrong. What else is new? After he locked me up, he said I was in trouble and criticized me for having you sleep by me, saying that's not the way of the animal handler. Then he left me."

I stood there with the face of anger. Not the way of the animal handler?!! That motherfucker! Guess that's what he meant by 'taking care of Prem'. 

Asshole. 

I made quick paces for the key on the wall hook and rushed back with it. I spoke as I was unlocking the cage, "Well I think it was the way any animal handler does." I pulled the gate open, showing her out with a hand and a grin, "After you."

Prem was smiling happily herself when she strode out and rubbed against me in gratitude. She said, "Thanks." Then, after I hanged the key, me and her left the room and strode together in the hallway side by side. Prem, by the sound of her voice, seemed a bit nervous when she asked me, "Jason...What do you think he'll do when he sees me with you now? He may not be happy."

I replied while not laying my determining eyes on her, "Don't know, don't care. You're getting your breakfast whether he likes it or not." I looked toward her finally and assured with that face, "Just leave it to me." After a slight pause, Prem smiled again for a long second and then looked ahead as she still padded with me.

We made it to the cafeteria not long after our short conversation, being greeted by the smell of Elsa's nice cooking. Several people were already in there as usual, including my pop and Leslie at the end of their table. Me and Prem were walking between the two long tables when I caught that tool Gilbert sitting in his usual spot at the end of that same table eating his morning grub. We both stopped at across his table to both glare at him. Gilbert, since his face was buried at his food, noticed we were standing there after a few seconds and put his focus onto us. Gilbert didn't seem surprised when he saw me with her. He seemed calm and casual. He spoke after swallowing some food down, "See she's being good with you."

Prem uttered, a little, rumbling growl in her throat, "Course I am."

I swiftly glanced down to her, "Prem." She stared back and I urged, "Just go to Elsa and get your food. I'll catch up." She nodded immediately and padded past my form to the metal counter at the back. A second after I watched her stand on two feet and prop herself up against it and hollered for the only cook in this place, I placed a serious question on Gilbert, "What happened, dude? I was on my way here and then I find that she's locked in the cage. I thought you were taking care of her."

Gilbert dropped his fork on the plate to answer, "I was about to, till she suddenly gave me an attitude. I don't think your cuddles with our tiger helped her sleep much."

I gaped at him with big suspicion. Maybe she did because you were giving her a bit of yours. I spoke when my expression softened up a little bit, "That all? She didn't seem cranky when we woke up."

He insisted, "Positive." Then he shrugged his shoulders, "Maybe she was just enjoying those cuddles too much and didn't like my interruption. I don't know what got into her. Hey, if that's the case, don't blame me. I'm just doing my job."

No you're not. I replied differently than what my mind said, "Me too."

Gilbert wrinkled his brow, "Did she say something to you? Anything different than what I'm telling you? Look, I'm telling you that-"

I denied it, shaking my skull, "No. She didn't say anything much. And I let her out cause she didn't give me any trouble. Hope that's okay."

"...Sure, I guess so." The senior handler finally responded, "But you do know that you're kinda giving into her. She needs to keep in mind that she can't give people who are handling her attitude."

"I know."

"I'm just reminding you. And I also hope you remember what I taught you." Gilbert eyed at my shoulder, "I don't see any whip on you."

I shook my head again and waved him off, "I don't think I need it. She's been doing alright with me. But...I know what to do."

"Good." He suggested, "And maybe you should take her to the dome without me today. I don't know what's going on with her."

I nodded with much commitment, "Sure. I'll do that."

His smirked face gestured toward the counter, "Alright. Now go meet my woman and get some grub. Gotta keep up your strength, you know."

I formed a tiny smile, "I know. Sorry to trouble you about it. I was just wondering what went on without me."

Gilbert shook his head, "Forget about it. Now get over there."

I giggled, saying before leaving, "Fine, I'm on it." I began to stroll to the counter, while also catching glimpse of Prem eating off her platter on the floor near my dad's and Leslie's table. I internally smiled at that as I stepped close to the counter. Least she's getting her grub instead of being behind bars. 

Elsa actually came up before I would even holler for her with a plate. She left it on there with a greeting smile, "Good morning, Jason."

I smiled and said back when I grabbed the plate, "Hey. That was quick."

She replied, "Yeah. Prem told me you were here, and of course I saw you too. I was being prepared."

I said, giving her an appreciative nod, "Well thanks for that." I leaned my head over the metal and whispered, my eyes gesturing to Gilbert a bit, "Do not do that to GILDO over there next time. He tried to screw Prem again."

Elsa made a serious, concerned face, "I had a feeling since you and her weren't with him. What happened?"

I said, "Nothing I shall not take care of. Everything's cool. I'll tell you later."

Elsa replied, nodding a bit, "Well, ok." She reformed her smile and motioned at my plate, "Enjoy." With that, she whirled around and went back deeper into the kitchen.

I strolled back to the tables. When close by, I looked at Prem still eating her meat. She lifted her big mouth off the food for a second to smile at me in gratitude. I only nodded in reply. Then I moved to find a seat that wasn't with Gilbert. I told myself before that I wasn't going to sit with Gilbert anymore after I knew what he was like, and I've actually began sitting elsewhere that isn't close to him since a couple days ago. I don't think he minded or was offended. In fact, I don't think he knows why either. He didn't come and ask me about it. I'm guessing since there aren't any ASSIGNED seats in here, he knows I can sit wherever I want.

Cool with me...I ain't sitting by or in front of that prick anymore.

I sat down at the other end of my dad's table, a bit far away from most people including him. I immediately began to chow down my food, few little sausage patties and eggs. I've shot a brief glance at Gilbert at the other table, seeing he was minding his own business and pretending he didn't do anything wrong. 

I narrowed my eyes for one second then returned to eating. I wanted to tell him during our conversation that I knew what he was doing and knew what he was like. I wanted to tell him STRAIGHT TO HIS FACE in anger that I was onto him and I won't allow him to hurt her or torture her ever again, and freakin behave while I'm around. But I thought telling him all that in this room full of people was not the right time.

He'll get what I feel out of my mouth soon. 

I cannot wait.

*****

I barked, "Prem, hold still!"

Prem kept jogging and circling around me, laughing her head off. She bellowed, "You can't catch me!"

I groaned as I tried to take a picture of her with my phone, "C'mon, stripes! I just want you to stand still for me for one second!"

Things have been good still since me and Prem made it to the dome together without Gilbert for the first time. Least there hasn't been any other trouble coming from him either. So far since breakfast, we have been sitting around and talking a bit, playing fetch, and I was standing around watching over her. The last part was when I've gotten this idea of taking a few pictures of Prem to show Maddie who this lone animal I was babysitting. I told Prem I was going to the bathroom, since I kinda needed to anyway, and went to my room where I've left my phone.

I came back to the habitat dome soon after. Then I took a few pictures of the surroundings for starters, the green lush jungle, and the ceiling of the dome since Maddie wanted to see what the dome looked like too. After that was done I went to look for the tiger. Then I later found her sprawling about on the grass from a distance. She was relaxed under the sun shining above the ceiling. I thought that'd be a cute shot of her, and I took the chance. I snuck up a bit to her, trying to get a good vantange point and took aim with the phone camera. Then I took the cute shot of Prem lying on her back exposing her belly. That was when she noticed I was around and rolled to her feet to come see me. She wondered what I was up to, other than wondering what I was holding. Obviously she hasn't had her picture taken before, and I told her I was taking pictures of herself. 

But after I explained it a bit, and tried to take another one, Prem started being a playful butt. Running around, jumping around, circling me quickly, hiding from me for mere seconds till I was very close to her, and getting on my nerves a little bit while I was trying to take a couple more shots of her. I thought I was some kind of paparazzi chasing a celebrity while I was doing that. Boy, she sure was avoiding me like one. Apparently, with her giggles and laughter, she was thinking this as a game. Trying to avoid my camera as much as possible like it was a gun or something.

Typical Prem. Glad she was amusing herself. I don't know what kind of game this was, I think it oughta be called 'Avoid the Shots', and I do like the other games I played with her, but this one was getting annoying. 

She can't give me a break! All I want from her is to hold still and pose a shot for me. Course I did manage to take another one of her running away from me, but I want another STILL shot of her too you know!

I tried again, "Hey...FREEZE!"

"Ha ha ha! Freeze?!" She playfully said, abruptly freezing right behind me, "What kind of word of demand is that? How can I freeze when I feel so dang warm?"

I spun around, getting a good shot of her, "Just hold still!" My thumb hovered over the button on the phone screen to take the picture...

...But Prem rushed out of its sight when I pressed it. It only took grass and her tail.

I cursed, "Damn!" 

Prem laughed like a maniac, taunting as she moved away in trots, "Miss me!"

I let out a grr then hollered, "Come back here!"

Prem was shaking her striped booty to dare me, "Come get me, cub!" She sped off, laughing still.

I protested, giving chase like I did a few times already, "I'M NOT A CUB!" I did laugh a little bit, finding it somewhat amusing at the moment. But I was still determined to get my shot!

Prem was already far away from me when she hid in the lush greenery again. I groaned while I was halfway to where she ran off in. Not this crap again! I ended up in there, grunting as I was brushing away some bushes and leaves with one hand while the other held on the phone. I was done roaming through bushes and now was walking in between large, tall trees. I called out while searching for her in the deep jungle, "Prem! Where'd you go now?" 

No reply. 

Figures. I tried again, "Hey! You'd better come out and let me take your picture, or I'll tell my dad on you!"

Not even that threat made her come out. I sighed, continuing on. My hand pushed away a nearby flower bush for me to peek through. I didn't find a big cat behind it. Dang...Where is she? I hollered with my empty hand cupping near my lips, "Prem! Where are you? If you don't come out, I'm just going to leave your butt alone in this freakin jungle!" I smirked deviously, "You know what, I'm gonna do it now...On a count to three!" I spun back, trying to make the playful threat look real, "I'm starting now! One!"

No Prem.

Oh, I'm just getting started. I counted another number, "Two!"

Still no sign of her.

"I'm about there! What's it gonna be?"

Prem's still gone, not announcing herself.

"Okay, you asked for it!" I decided to count one more time, "...Thre- YAIIII!" 

I screamed when a heavy form dropped out of nowhere in front of my frame. It was loud enough for it to echo across the dome. I was breathing in and out heavily with wide eyes and a fast beating heart. Prem was the form, and she tossed back her head and laughed at me. 

I glared at her, "Prem! You bitch!" I should have thought she'd do that. She did that to me before on catch the prey! She was climbing on them trees and moved around above me...And did that.

Darn it...She scared me that way again.

She finally stopped that and told me after letting out a slight giggle, "What'd you expect me to do? Let you leave? I like having you around!"

I smiled a bit, "I think you should now, cause I'm starting to regret being around you."

"Oh, Jason, you don't! You like being with me!"

I admitted, "Maybe...A little bit." Then I gave her a serious expression, "Well, you had your fun, now can you let me take that picture?"

Prem said a bit deviously, "MAYBE."

I rolled my eyes, "That's what I thought."

She proclaimed, "Hey, I'm just enjoying this...More better than you, I believe. This game is a lot of fun! I think I'm going to call this..." She held up her head proudly, "Out of Sight!"

Heh...That's a bit of a better name than the one I came up with. My brows raised to admiration when I nodded a bit, "That's not bad." Then I joked a bit, "But I thought this game would be called 'annoying the living hell out of a human'." 

She formed a bit of seriousness on her face, "Don't be such a big cubby. You should be having fun with me."

I told her, "I would have if you'd just stopped and let me took a picture of you."

Then she asked, tease shone in her eyes now, "You're really not giving up on it are you?"

I answered with this, "Haven't yet. You haven't gave up on your game either."

Prem playfully stated, "I think that's what's keeping me going with this. You try, try, try. That's the best part about it."

"Well I am a bit tired of TRYING. You're too good for me."

She giggled, "You're right, I am. And I guess to save you from any more trouble...I'll let you take another picture of me."

My eyes went wide, "Really?"

She nodded slowly, "Mmm hmmm."

I let out a breath of relief, "Gee, it's about time!"

Prem shot up her head, her tail swinging behind her, "Well what have you been waiting for then? I've been standing around talking to you since I scared you. You should have done it already!" 

Well, she makes a good point. I told her with little suspicion, "I was afraid you'd run off again when I try to raise my phone...Or circle around me multiple times till I'm dizzy."

Prem responded with her furred head shaking, "I ain't moving now. Better get it over with before I change my mind."

I smiled, "Of course." Then my form practically went past hers.

"What the?!" Prem twisted around to follow my movements, "What are you doing?! I thought you were taking a picture of me!"

I stopped and looked at her behind me, "I am. Follow me."

"Oh, you can't be serious! NOW I have to move?!" She complained a bit in playfullness as she joined to stomp through the jungle with me, "You're telling me not to and now you're telling me I have to. Now I think you're playing a different game with me."

I chuckled and explained, "I'm telling you to move so we can get out of this jungle. There's not enough light here."

Prem let out a playful threat, "I think I am getting closer to changing my mind about this."

I gave her a stern look, "No, you are not. Your mind is staying focused on my wants. You're not giving me more trouble till this is done. Got it?"

Prem breathed out, "Whatever...I'm not the one wasting time." Shortly, me and the big cat wandered out of the jungle, standing out onto wide area and grass. As I got myself in position with the phone in my hand, Prem pressed me, showing off the side of her body with a swish of her tail, "This BRIGHT enough for ya?"

"Yes it is." I instructed, "But can you not do that? You know, pose like that? I want you to just totally face me and look up at me like you don't know what the heck I'm holding."

The female tiger huffed. She turned to face her body toward me, craning back her head a bit, "Like this?"

I frowned. Then I beckoned her with fingers on my other hand, "Uhh, move a bit closer to me. Show me that you're REALLY curious."

Prem said with some annoyance, "My curiosity's already sated, Jason."

I demanded sternly, "Just get your butt closer to me, tiger."

"Fine, fine..." She moved up closer to my legs, still staring up at the camera phone. She asked, "This good?"

My lips formed a huge smile, "Perfect." I quickly took the picture before she changed her mind. It came out great as a snap. She looked like a curious tiger who wandered up to me wondering what that thing in my hand was. Maddie's going to love this. I can't wait to hear her voice when she sees it!

Prem backed up a bit a few moments later. She asked in bit of impatience, "There? Satisfied?"

I told her proudly, "Very. Thanks." Then I wrinkled my brow, "You're not having fun with this."

She remarked, "Well I didn't like being commanded like that. It seemed silly. And plus this was a little more boring than I imagined."

I smirked and said, "Boring? Taking pictures is NOT boring."

"To you people, perhaps. But to me as a tiger, it was!"

I made a frown upon my face, "Oh, this didn't take long at all."

"Well other than that, I don't see anything special about it!"

I stared at her a bit before I moved up, scrolling around in my phone for pictures I took, "Here. I'll show you and you'll see for yourself." I got into photo section and pressed the one photo I just took for full view. I turned the phone all the way around in my hand, then bent forward a bit to show it to her face. I said, "See? That's you."

Prem stared at herself on my phone. She didn't take her eyes off the image when she inquired, "Huh...That is me...Definitely is...Is that how things like that work?"

I answered in a amused tone, "Yeah. Like I told you before you went nutty. People like me do that all the time. They're mostly taken in the present, just like right now, but they're around in our phones for a long time afterward, maybe for years. Pictures are just like a look back to the past."

With real intrigue, Prem spoke, "Looking back into the past, huh? Well, it looks like I'm just staring back at myself. Like a reflection in the water...But my reflection's not moving."

I giggled, "That's what pictures are. Things in them don't move."

"It's odd if you ask me. I never knew humans have something like this."

I spoke plainly, "Well, you know now."

Her eyes showed wonder as she remarked, "I mean...I have heard phones are used to call very great distances, a way for humans to communicate with each other, but I didn't know they'd be used to take things that they see and later be shown...After a certain amount of time has passed."

I nodded a bit, "Yeah, a phone can do that too. Not all of them, I don't think, but mostly they do that."

She said, a bit in awe, "Gosh...Roy and the others never showed me anything like this."

I eagerly pressed, "So what do you think? You impressed with how you look?"

Prem stated, "Well, I am impressed by what you told me about pictures. It's intriguing. I think I see something special about it." Then I see her frowning now when she blurted out this particular answer, "However...Looking at myself on that thing, not really. I look like a moron."

I frowned, yanking the object away from her ungrateful face, "No you don't! You look cute!"

She looked up at me and said, "Is that how cute's supposed to look? I don't see ANYTHING cute about it."

I shoved my phone back into my pocket, "Well get over it. I love that picture and I'm keeping it."

Prem rolled her eyes, "Great." Then she demanded with a smile on her big mouth, "Now that's over with, can we play some more?"

I asked, "What, more out of sight? No thanks, I'm not in the mood for more of that."

Prem said in a sneaky tone, lowering herself a bit in a suspicious way, "Oh, no...I don't have THAT in mind."

I tilted my head to the side a bit, "What are you- Ah!" I yelped when Prem jumped up a bit and slammed her forepaws into my chest, taking me down on my back. Her paws were squishing my chest as she was on top of me. I groaned as some wind was knocked out of me. Holy fuck...That kinda hurt...

Prem shot up her head proudly, "Hah!"

"Ohhhh." I moaned, tried pushing her chest away, "...Get off."

She shot down her triumphant eyes and dared me, "Try to wrestle me off, cub." She lowered her face to mine, acting like she was going to attack me with her teeth, "Take me down, human!" 

"Ah, damn it!" I laughed a bit, pushing her face away since it was close to mine with one hand. The other was slapping into her side a few times. I tried to kick her off me too but that didn't phase her. She's a little resilient. Her pink tongue actually stuck out and licked across my palm up to my fingers. I pulled it back, saliva coated. I begged, grabbing at her and trying to use all my strength to tumble her down, "Prem, come on! Get off!" She laughed in response, not doing what she was told as her powerful frame held me down still.

A voice cut through our wrestling match, "Hiya, you two!" Laughter came after that. Me and Prem looked toward the source. Elsa appeared in the dome too, standing about several yards from us, "You both look like are having a lot of fun."

Prem's giggle came out of her mouth, "Hey, Elsa." She finally got off me, pacing a bit to her.

I rolled to my side with a huge groan. I looked at her and asked a bit tiredly, "How long have you been standing there?"

Elsa replied, "Not too long, lucky for you."

Prem asked with playful demand, "You here for a wrestle with me? I beat Jason so I'm up for another fighter." I groaned as I was getting up off the grass. I didn't put up much of a fight, but thanks for telling her you win.

Elsa giggled in amusement at her, "No thanks." She eyed at me while I was dusting myself off, "I just came to borrow him."

She perked up her head, "You're wrestling JASON?" She smiled wide at that while I was getting up off the grass nearby, "Oh, I can't wait to see how this turns out!"

Elsa let out a bit of a laugh. Then she shook her head, "No. I just want to talk to him about something."

I grunted out, strolling up to stand beside Prem, "Sounds good to me. I suppose it's about Gilbert?"

Elsa answered, shrugging, "Well, not exactly, but I am curious what happened with you guys this morning."

Prem let out a angered sigh when she brought up, "I didn't want to make a big deal about it since Jason 'rescued' me, but I was left in my cage this morning on purpose."

I chimed in, "It was partly my fault, I guess."

The female tiger threw me a reassured expression, "No, it was never your fault. What you did was worth it." 

Elsa wrinkled her brow at that, "What are you two talking about?"

Prem returned her eyes onto Elsa with that smile on her face, "Sorry...Jason was sleeping by me in the cage last night, cause I asked him nicely, and Gilbert was a bit upset about it."

Elsa smiled brightly, "Aw, yeah, I heard about the sleepover. Roy and Leslie told me about it before you all left."

I figured Prem would tell them about it. The word has already gotten around. I continued the story after the huge feline, "Yeah, thing is this morning, after Gilbert found us together, I went to my room to take a shower and change my clothes, expecting him to take her to the cafeteria without me. Then I come to find out on my way there that he locked her up and abandoned her. Prem told me he did that because of what we did. And the stupid part about it is when I talked to Gilbert about it, he said he did that because she was being mean to him."

Prem added, plain animosity laced in her voice, "Which that is ridiculous. I didn't do anything wrong to him."

Elsa shook her head in pity from all that, "That asshole."

Prem then stated, making another smile, "But, my bed partner rescued me."

I stated factly, "I think it was bullcrap and I don't think she deserved it. She didn't do anything wrong to me."

Elsa formed a smile. Then she wandered up to stand with Prem. Her hand stroked the side of the tiger's face when she said to me, "Well, you did a good thing. Thank you so much for doing that for her."

I smirked, and shrugged my shoulders, "Hey, it was either that, or I'd have to deliver breakfast in bed to our tiger friend in the cage."

She remarked, "That's what I would've done."

Prem stuck out her tongue, "Well I'm glad I was out of that thing. Eating that tasty meat inside the cage would have been...Dull." Elsa and I laughed.

I then asked the brown haired lady with us, "So, what did you want to talk to me about?"

Elsa nodded a bit before she spoke, "I was wanting to talk to you about something in private." She gazed down at Prem with her, "It's supposed to be a surprise."

Prem moaned, "Awww, I hate surprises! Can't you just tell me?"

"Nope." Elsa chuckled, petting the poor tiger as she was looking glum, "It's for Jason for you to show. We'll be discussing it outside the dome...Without you of earshot." Prem lowered her big head and whined. Elsa moved away from her and motioned me to follow, "C'mon. You heard what I said. Let's leave."

I nodded at that, catching up to walk with her. Prem asked us, "You two be coming back?"

Me and Elsa stopped to twist our bodies around to peer at her. Elsa assured, "We will. This won't take long...I do owe you a wrestle after all." She gave the friendly animal a wink. That earned Prem a small smile. Then the two of us went on our way across the habitat dome. On a trail on our way to the exit, a bit far away from Prem, she praised beside me, "You know, Jason...You really are more less of Gilbert than I thought."

I gazed at her for a moment then ahead. I shortly responded, "Hey, you would have done the same thing if you had the guts. I can feel it."

She giggled, clarifying, "I'm not talking about this morning...I'm talking about last night."

I realized what she was getting at by giggling, "Oh."

Elsa mentioned, "Sleeping by her in the cage...That's the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for her."

I stated modestly, "Eh, she asked nicely, and I did her a favor."

"A very special favor at best. I'm very proud that you cared enough to do it."

I remarked, looking to the right at the scenery, "Well I'm surprised at you for having not done that for her before. Prem has admitted that she tried with all of you guys but you all couldn't do it."

Elsa said after taking a deep breath, "Yeah. I would have done it, believe me I would...But then I'd be worrying my husband."

I snapped my eyes on her with a bit of surprise, "Husband?"

"Yeah." She stared back, "That's another reason why I keep rejecting Gilbert's advances. I've been married for nine years. And I intend on being faithful till death do us part."

I raised a brow, "And let me take a guess...Gilbert knows, but doesn't get it through his thick skull. Am I right?"

"Course he knows. I have told him before." She brushed her long strand of hair off her shoulder as she looked down, "But yes, he keeps asking me out. I think he just doesn't care and hopes I'd get together with him on some romantic dinner night at his place. That's definitely not gonna happen. And besides, I wouldn't love him because of how he's so horrible to some people...And Prem. He is so immature."

I agreed, "Got that right. Always blaming her when I'm around. He is such a liar."

Elsa added, "And a pervert."

I nodded, "Yep." Then I asked her, "So, your husband doesn't know about Prem? That why he'd get worried?"

Elsa answered, "More or less, yes. He always expects me home at night, and he's kinda sharp as a nail. I don't work night shifts so that wouldn't make sense to him. I'm afraid he'd start asking questions I couldn't answer if I just came home later than usual. I'm keeping this secret just like you are, and there was no way I was losing my job, and my marriage, and my life over the whole thing."

I smirked and said, "Such commitment."

Elsa made a witty but serious remark as the exit was up ahead, "That's what marriage is."

I said, "Well, apparently with you and dad keeping this secret, you would have been the better couple."

Elsa laughed a bit, "My husband's fine. It's just I used to cook at this roadside diner before I started cooking here, and I got jumped and robbed by a couple strangers." We stopped at the double doored exit. She hesitated a bit as some memory reflected around in her eyes, "They...Haven't exactly been caught. That's basically why he expects me to be home at night and nothing different. He just wants to make sure I'd get home safe."

I made a suggestion, "Guess that makes sense, but don't you think you could've called him and told him you were working late?"

Elsa shrugged, "Maybe I could've told him that I would be working late for once and I'd be home in the morning...But then I'm afraid he might think I was cheating on him. I'm telling you, he's that sharp."

I giggled, "Sounds like you have a loving, caring husband."

"Most definitely." She gave me a knowing look when I pulled open a door, "And Gildo would never be one for me."

"Can't argue with that logic." I gestured my hand through the opening. Elsa went through it and I followed suit. 

I shut the door behind us as she said, "I'm still proud you slept by her. Prem must have been so happy."

I looked toward her to respond, "I felt she was. She was probably having a blast."

Elsa spoke in gratitude, "She must have. Thank you for doing that...It's more than any of us could've done. And believe me, your dad's and Leslie's reasons for not doing it are important like mine."

I said shortly after staring at her a tiny bit, "I can respect that." I cleared my throat, then asked, "So, what's this surprise you want to discuss?"

Elsa replied, "Well it's not really a surprise to Prem, she kinda already experienced it before...But it will be one when you, in particular, suggest to her what you and her will be planning on doing tonight."

My brow wrinkled, "So it's technically not a BIG surprise since she already knows it?"

She giggled and guided me away from the dome with her hand on my back, "Just let me take you to your room and I'll explain everything. Your dad left something in there, and he instructed me to show you and tell you about it. Just bear with me a little bit."

Now this is getting a bit interesting. Dad left something in my room? Wonder what it was? I agreed to go along with this, "Alright, alright, let's go to my room." Then we picked up the pace strolling down the white corridor. While traversing in a bit of silence except the sounds of our footsteps, I was thinking about the woman beside and her friendship with my dad. I inquired, "Hey, Elsa...Was Prem the 'common friend' you were talking about the other day? The one that has you and dad talking to each other and becoming friends even outside work?"

Elsa said, turning her attention to me, "Yes...It was her."

I chuckled, scratching the back of my head, "I figured. It was that obvious."

Elsa gazed down at her feet, stating happily, "Prem's such a sweet, majestic thing. I never expected any scientist to become my friend when I was working here. I don't care much for science really. But thanks to her, I became friends with two of them. Your dad and Leslie. Her charm and our shared concern for her is what made us friends."

I asked, "How did you become friends with Prem? How'd you guys connect?" I pressed while holding my smirk, "Was it your food?"

She giggled a bit from amusement, "Maybe it was." She was sighing when she locked eyes up ahead, beginning to reflect on the past, "Well...Your dad and Gilbert brought her to the cafeteria one day. Your father specifically wanted her to try out something from me. Something vastly different than her cat food. I was merely surprised that one animal would appear near my kitchen. I was kinda strict about animals being near it. Health guidelines, you know. I was pretty nervous about her too, I'll admit that for dear life. I've heard what she was like. Gilbert's not wrong that she was aggressive. She was back then. But it seemed she was calm and changed a bit."

She let out a chuckle as she continued while we went around a corner, "Roy certainly assured me, and Prem did the same. I found it weird that something like her can talk to me. Yes, I heard she can speak, word does get around here, but goodness, an animal talking to me. That's something you'd see off cartoons. I never thought something like that can happen to me. Even now, it sometimes make me think that ALL animals can talk to me...Even ones that are non-verbal." I snickered at her words. That's funny. 

Elsa went on, "Anyway...Your dad wanted her to try out some of my food. I cooked whatever he demanded. There were some things she didn't like. God she verbally said it. I can't remember one customer ever complaining about my cooking. It was quite a shock, even hearing it out of a tiger's mouth. Then I came up with this idea how to really satisfy her stomach...I think you know the result. Prem tried it out and it tasted good. She said it was the most enjoyable thing she ever tasted in this place. I thought that was very humbling. Then soon enough, the morning routine of her eating in my cafeteria was made. And since then I've made that batch of meat for her day by day. She thought I was another favorite human other than Roy. A tiger loving my food so much...It's unbelievable."

She let out a breath, "But I think she was growing so fond of me...Because of that one day. I found out Prem was left locked in her cage one day out of punishment for what she said to Gilbert. Knowing what he was, it was probably justifiable. She was very sad...She couldn't leave till the next day. I found it a bit heartbreaking. So, I went and made another batch of meat and delivered it to her. Prem was appreciative about it. We've got to talking and that's when I found out she was being abused by that bastard. I thought Gilbert was a bit of a sleazy prick, but I didn't think he'd stood that low. Prem started trusting me more not just for food...But for feelings. She knew I cared about her, and that's the biggest reason why she likes having me around."

The vending machines roamed by us as Elsa said, "I think we were growing more closer after that day. I found out from her and Roy, when I was becoming friends with him, that he plays with Prem in the dome, other than hang around and talk to her. I thought maybe I should try that. I know I have a job, but I think my regulars can wait for a bit. Besides, not like we don't have vending machines, right?" I giggled a bit, "And so I decided to be there for her during the day when I feel like I have the chance...And I still am today."

I replied while we still traveled down the bright white hall, "Heh...Seems like it didn't take you much to charm her off her stripes."

Elsa brought up, "Well, you know the funny part about it? The funny part about it is every time I wore my hair net when I was working, our striped friend kinda looked at me a bit funny. She mentioned that I looked a bit weird wearing that thing. I told her why, but she probably still thinks it's weird on me and doesn't bring it up."

I cracked, "It probably does look weird on you. All hair nets look it on people. Actually they make you look granny-ish."

She gave me a playful frown, "Oh, shut up, Jason." Her hands both brushed back her hair, "Or else I'll let a strand of this fall into one of your plates and have you eat it."

I furrowed my brow in disgust, "Ewww. Don't choke me with your hair."

She laughed, "Then don't complain about hair nets. They're that important. Unless I want to get a hair cut, I ain't gonna bother. I like my style the way it is."

"Won't do that again." We smiled at each other for a second, then I mentioned, "You know, Elsa...You're kinda the one that's doing a lot more than me. I'm the handler in this place, you're just the cook. You give her nice food all the time."

Elsa shook her head a bit, "Not all the time."

"Well you know what I mean. Heck I don't even think I can cook as great as you."

Elsa offered, "Maybe I should teach you my techniques sometime. That way you'll handle her and cook for her. Trust me, it's easier than you think."

I asked a question with raised brows, "Do I get a raise?"

Her eyes rolled up, "Oh, I don't know." She thumbed behind us, "Take it to the higher ups."

I gaped for a long moment and thought it over. Then I accepted, "Okay...Maybe some other time." Elsa just smiled at that, didn't say a word but bringing her gaze away from me and ahead of her. I did the same as we came around the corner to the bedrooms. Then I was walking down to a much slower pace when my brain thought of an idea. An idea that could work. I suggested while Elsa noticed I slowed down, "You know, Elsa...If Gilbert is that kind of guy. You know, being a pervert, obviously...Maybe you oughta file a sexual harrassment claim. Businesses take that very seriously. I don't think you deserve to be harrassed by that guy...It's enough being annoyed." I shrugged when adding this, "Hell, it'll even get him out of Prem's life."

Elsa held a dark look and sighed. She shook her head softly and warned, "It won't work. Our boss trusts him a lot more than a cook like me. He won't believe it. And Earl is not exactly like us....He's like Gilbert."

I formed a frown of confusion. What? She's talking like Prem now. That's sort of exactly what she told me before. I can imagine Earl hasn't done much to help the big cat, and Elsa's frustrated cause he probably doesn't believe her, but he can't be that big of a bad guy...Can he? I pressed, "What do you mean by that? How?"

She explained, "He's just...Not as concerned, caring, and sincere as we are. Let's leave it at that." 

I stared at her, the frown still upon my face. Is he really like that? Earl didn't seem to be that way when I seen him talk to her a couple times. I don't see that...Not yet anyways. If Prem was right that he's evil too, then perhaps Elsa's right as well. Heck, they certainly didn't lie about Gilbert that's for damn certain. 

Maybe I should take that into consideration...For now. But still, I can't see him being like that. He's probably still a decent boss to work for. 

I'll just keep my suspicions toward him by half and see if I'll see that behavior down the road.

Elsa then made a tiny smile, her hand motioned to my bedroom door, "Going to show me to your room now?"

I grinned, pacing, "Right." I grabbed the knob and pushed open my bedroom door. I wandered in, flipping the light on, with Elsa behind me. I peered around the room, wondering what dad left me in here, "So, what did dad leave-" Then I caught sight of a little rectangular object on my bed. I strolled to swipe it off my mattress and slowly raise it for my own view. My hand was holding a movie. I've seen that movie before. It was a Disney classic that a lot of people cherished from what I gathered.

The Jungle Book.

I twisted around a bit, giving Elsa, who was standing behind me with a huge grin, a quizzical brow, "Is that it?"

The lady behind me answered, "Yep. That's what he wanted me to show you. It's his movie."

I giggled in a bit of amusement, turning around to face her, waving the DVD still in my hand, "What's the ultimatum?"

Elsa explained, "Prem loves watching The Jungle Book with each of one of us, when we feel like it and get the chance. It's just another favorite thing for her to do. She's seen the thing more than once. Trust me, she is always amazed by the story."

I was internally surprised. Whoa! Prem, the tiger, watches a movie? I never knew she'd do that! 

Well, she can understand what people are saying, and although the things in the movie are not real, all the characters in the movie are voiced by PEOPLE, so I guess I don't see why she couldn't now! 

But a tiger watching a movie. Just...Wow.

I glanced at the movie again, sorta seeing the point Elsa made, "Hmm...Guess I can see why." Then I quizzicaly looked at her again when I noticed something within her explanation, "Wait...She WATCHES The Jungle Book? How? Do you guys somehow hook a TV and DVD player in the dome?" My lips showed a little smirk, "I didn't know jungles accept cable."

She giggled and shook her head, "We figured Gilbert didn't tell you about that. Typical. No, she doesn't watch it in the dome. There are no plug ins in there to start with. One of us usually brings her to one of the bedrooms in this place, including this one, and we watch it together."

I had my eyes widen in surprise, "Are you crapping me? You're saying she leaves the dome before nightfall?"

"That's precisely what I'm telling you."

I then frowned, "But...Isn't that against the rules?"

Elsa mentioned, "Well you kinda stood up to Gilbert when you let her out of the cage during her 'timeout'. And you did feed her my world famous meat later in the day even though she isn't supposed to be fed with that meat twice a day. What do you call that?"

I stood there motionless. Then I agreed, with a sly smirk and a shrug, "You make a pretty good point."

Elsa walked up closer to me and assured, "Jason...Just because she's in the dome, doesn't mean she can't go anywhere with you. The rule was she can't go wandering around out in the halls without a guide. Well, we are the guides, especially me."

I was surprised I didn't know I can do that. I guess this was the BIG surprise towards ME than what she and dad planned. I muttered, "You're serious?"

She stated, "I sure am. I may not be an handler like you are, but me, your dad and Leslie still take her with us outside the dome. Bit of a limit there, but wherever we go, she goes too. It doesn't matter who she goes with. Gilbert wouldn't care, which that wouldn't be a surprise. As long as she doesn't cause trouble and tries to escape, and as long as she makes it back to her cage when nine o'clock strikes, she's good."

I slowly started to smile, "Huh."

"You can take her with you whenever, except past nine. Won't bother anyone any, you won't lose your job. Just keep a close eye on her." Elsa stuck her finger out to the movie with a urging smile, "Please watch it with her tonight, Jason. She hasn't seen it for days, I think. She probably misses seeing it by now. Make that suggestion to her, and I can guarantee you'll see how much she does. And you won't regret it, I promise."

She doesn't seem to be lying. She's telling me the truth.

I suppose I can do that. Playing games and just sitting around talking with her can get boring soon. I think watching the movie with the tiger might be fun. 

Well, Prem thinks so, so maybe I WILL see that it's fun!

I finally nodded in reply, "All right. I'll do that. I'll break the news to her...AFTER your wrestling match with her."

Elsa let out a laugh, "I'll show YOU how a lady like me can take a tiger down. I may be a cook, but I am a pro."

I snickered, "Least it won't be me again." I had my limbs around my back, trying to press my hands against it, "I'm a bit sore now."

"Oh just come on." Elsa whirled, wandering quickly out of my room. I turned and just stood staring at the movie still in my hand. I blinked at it a few times.

Huh...The Jungle Book. I haven't seen this for a long time. I remember dad having this movie. Mom sent it to him when I didn't want to watch it anymore, probably because I was getting older and I was outgrowing it. But I think I can watch it, for Prem's sake. Might remember some nice things about it.

I never thought I'll be doing this with a tiger. Then again...I haven't figured I'd do most things I've done with her already!

I'm looking forward to this.

I let the movie fall out of my hand and land softly on my bed. Then I jogged after Elsa.

*****

On the animated window, I watched the man cub Mowgli climbing on a tree and spying on another man cub that was a girl, whom I don't the name. The little female was singing some tune, something about fetching the water. My tail flicked while I was laying by Jason at the foot of the bed, both our eyes not leaving the story. The story that was about over.

I let out a quiet sigh of pure content, other than enjoying the story and the company. What a day. I get rescued by Jason, I learn a new thing about humans and that was pictures, I played a new game I came up with Jason in the dome and also bested him in a wrestle, Elsa joined us during our time in there for most of the time, then Jason told me we were going to watch The Jungle Book tonight, and now here we are, later in the day as it was getting dark, sitting in the room he's been sleeping in for the first time ever to watch my favorite story made by his kind.

Really has been quite a day.

I hadn't expected so many things to happen in one day. But it was a whole lot of fun, despite earlier when I was left in the cage for a little bit. I was happy I wasn't in any more trouble. Heck, I was HAPPY that I didn't get another picture of me taken. That moronic image of myself still burns inside my brain. I don't think I look like THAT when I stare at myself in the water. 

Well that's not true. I did get another picture taken. Pretty much just ONE MORE since Jason asked me nicely about it. I almost had the urge to play out of sight again just for the heck of it, and hoping I wouldn't look like a moron again. But, since Elsa, a short while after we bested each other in our wrestling, said SHE was going to take another of me, I gave in. How the shot occured wasn't like the one Jason already shot of me. It was just me and him cuddling together close to a tree, his hand stroking against me while I was beside him laying my chin on his lap. I think that time was worth it. Might have made me less stupid, and it felt less boring than the other time before that one. I didn't see how it turned out, however, kind of fearing how it would REALLY look, but I can imagine it was a sight to behold...And remember for years to come.

I kinda didn't care, I wasn't that forgetful about things, but if it was for Jason, then that was okay by me. 

Aside from that, I was even more happy about the fact that I get to go watch The Jungle Book with my new favorite human in his room. You can imagine I was being an exhuberant cub when he mentioned that plan. I even almost knocked him down to the ground again when I was giving him a big hug. You know me, I love The Jungle Book...And Shere Khan.

And I was getting the chance to watch all that with him.

I was wondering when he was going to do that with me. Had been days since me and him started talking to each other. Sad truth about it was Jason didn't know that he could walk with me out of the dome before my time for bed arrives. He was never taught till Elsa told him. I guess it was my fault too. I probably should have told him that myself. But hey, I was having fun with him in the meantime so why bring up a bunch of serious stuff?!

But I am happy we're doing this now before the story's absence had gone on a bit more longer. I oughta thank Roy, who was actually the one who told Elsa to tell his son about the story and my liking to it, and everything else. I know I thanked Elsa for it, but Roy was the one who started it. It was his idea, and he deserved it more than her I think.

The story we watched came to an end with the two cohorts of bear and panther singing The Bare Neccessties for the last time down a path in their jungle home after their man cub friend parted ways from them to the man village...Upon following that female man cub in there, since he seemed 'smitten' with her. The music was blaringly loud as the screen was turning orange and darker, like the sunset in the sky...Before those two little, yellow words 'THE END' popped up out of nowhere before the window turned all black.

Jason turned the story off with the remote, then let out a breath. Shortly, he looked to me and asked with a smile, "How was it, Prem?"

I turned my head to him to answer, "Very good...Just like all the other times I've seen. It doesn't get old." I leaned to nuzzle him in gratitude, "What about you, Jason? What'd you think of it?"

Jason replied to that question while I felt him shrugging his shoulders, "To tell you the truth, I have seen it before, but haven't for a long time."

I asked, doing a kind, curious tilt of my head, "Really?"

"Yeah, but it was actually alright. Certainly a nice thing to remember." He got off his bed, "I thought it was...Cute."

I said as my face watched him gaze toward me, "Same here. I mean, one man cub talking and being friends with some animals. Even living in a family of wolves...That's crazy if you ask me. Before I came to Temra, I'd be only friends with one of my own kind instead of a different species. I'd never think it was possible."

"I would imagine." Jason said, smirking, "But I'm a different species." Then he added, shooting his head to the side, "Well, technically I'm not an animal, but I'm-"

I giggled at his attempt to explain, "I know what you mean. Sometimes I'm surprised at myself for being friends with your kind."

He nodded and concurred on his own end, "Me too, Prem."

I locked my gaze onto the TV, letting out a satisfied breath, "This story certainly makes you think ANYTHING is possible. So strange, but precious."

Jason said, nodding as he made a few steps away from the bed, "I'm glad you had fun. I'm also sorry we didn't watch it sooner."

I shook my head and waved a paw, "Oh, don't worry about it, Jason. It's taken care of." I let out a sigh, "I kinda wanna have it taken care of one more time, honestly."

The young human said, "Yeah, but I think one time is enough. Besides, it'll be nine soon and I think we best get ready to head to the cage."

I hate to admit it, but he was right. I agree with a sigh, "Yeah..." He strode up to get the story out of the player.

For one mere second, I thought back to the time days ago. The time I was watching the story with Roy, when it suddenly came to a halt thanks to Gilbert forcing me to go to the cage a bit early because he'd got 'poker night'. I was purely glad my first time to see the story with Jason wasn't cut short. If he did that, I would be SERIOUSLY MAAAAD. 

But, lucky for us, and that bastard, it didn't end prematurely.

I enjoyed the story again...And enjoyed seeing Shere Khan while he lasted behind that window-thingy.

I was smiling to myself as my imagination suddenly turned wild. It also got me closing my eyes so I can see the full effect. 

I was thinking about that lone male tiger within the story. Shere Khan's HANDSOME face staring back at mine, growling toward me with lust. My head nuzzling lovingly into his SEXY body, feeling the need to have him mate me. 

Then the image quickly turned into him actually on my back and...Thrusting his POWERFUL hips against my rear end. I can hear myself crying in glee.

I even almost felt HOT just thinking about it!

I shot open my eyes and snickered. Despite my efforts, it was loud enough for Jason to gaze at me after he put the story back in its case. He asked with a playful smirk, "What?"

I giggled, then responded a bit coyly, "Nothing."

After snapping the case closed, he pressed, "Didn't sound like it was nothing. You got something on your mind?"

I answered, "Mmmm...Maybe." 

"Care to explain what it was?"

"No."

"And why not?"

A tiny laugh escaped my muzzle, "Because you'll think I'm crazy for thinking about it."

He quirked a brow, "Why?"

I explained, "Because I know you will. Trust me...I see your face when I tell you it. It's basically the same as your dad's when I first told him what that certain thing on my mind was."

"Huh." Jason eagerly paced back to where I am, "Well this I certainly gotta hear." He stopped at the end of the bed and demanded, "What is it?"

I giggled again, blushing, "I told you, it's nothing."

Jason shot back, "The heck it isn't, stripes. It's got to be interesting enough for my father to think you're nuts for thinking about whatever."

I playfully told him, "I really can't tell you." I looked away, "It's a secret."

Jason shrugged with his hands, "I love secrets. Share it."

I choked out another laugh, gazing back at him, "You share one of yours then MAYBE I'll tell you."

The young human said, "I've got nothing good to hide except YOU from the world."

I formed a hard look, "You saying I'M not an interesting secret to talk about? I can't believe you're referring to me like that. Jason, you're a jerk. JERK!"

He raised his brows teasingly, "You're being the jerk for not sharing your rich, enticing secret. Yours is probably better than about yourself. Show off."

I grinned at the statement, "Well you got me there...And the rich and enticing part. But you'll still be making fun of me and call me crazy just like your dad...And Elsa...And Leslie..."

Jason pointed out, "Ah, so all your friends know about it...And had the same reaction. Now you REALLY got to tell me!"

I finally gave in, "Oh, all right, all right...Fine." I chuckled, "But you better not make fun of me."

Jason responded, "Sure, no guarantees."

I slowly began to admit it, "Well...Let's just say I was thinking about somebody...Mating me."

Jason nodded, an intrigued smile on his face, "You thought of someone having sex with you? Anyone in particular?"

"He ain't real." I confessed after giggling, "But he's one of the animals on The Jungle Book that I have a BIG crush on. It's-"

"No wait! Let me guess." He raised a finger and quickly guesed it without thinking apparently, "It's Shere Khan."

My mouth opened in surprise. I yapped, "How did you know?!"

Jason explained, "Well, it was kind of obvious. He's a tiger just like you! I would've said Bagheera, but, well...You know. And maybe I would have said Baloo, cause he's swingin and jazzy and a bit handsome for a bear...But-"

I interjected, "He's a bear and too big for me, yeah, I know."

Then Jason wrinkled his brow, "Are you absolutely serious?"

"What, about Baloo?" I frowned, "Of course I am! Bears are too big and not to mention F-A-T. Fat. Baloo can hug and hump a tree for all I care."

Jason shortly clarified, "...I was referring to your feelings about Shere Khan."

My eyes went wide, "Oh." I smiled wide, "Well I knew this was coming."

"Nah, you think, Prem?" Jason let out a disbelieved chuckle, "Are you seriously kidding? You have a big crush on Shere Khan and imagined him climbing on your back and doing stuff to you?"

I remarked without modest, "Nobody else doing that to me."

"Oh come on!" He protested, "I'd think Bagheera would be a good choice for you since he's...You know." He shrugged, "Bagheera."

I replied with a shake of my head, "Thanks but no thanks. Panthers aren't my type as in bears. Shere Khan is more dashing and handsome than he ever will be."

"Hey, I can understand since he's like the only tiger on the movie." Jason remarked, "But you're idolizing a bad guy!"

I laughed, then told him, "That doesn't change how I feel about him."

Jason turned around a bit and gestured to the TV, "HE TRIED TO KILL MOWGLI IN THE STORY." He turned back to me with a wide eyed face, "A little boy!"

That still didn't faze me. I just shrugged my shoulders, "Who cares? The man cub still took care of himself, and fought back against my crush...And got himself humiliated by the boy with a burnt butt. But I still LOVE Shere Khan despite everything."

Jason rolled his eyes and shook his head softly, "You're unbelievable."

I shot back playfully, "So were you when you told me I wasn't a interesting secret."

Jason blurted this out, "Give me a break, you're full of crap." I giggled in response. Then we both heard someone knocking on his door. I planted my eyes on it, forming up a heated expression real quick. That'd better not be Gilbert. 

Well, the story is over on time before he got here, but we were having a good conversation! And he'd better not give Jason any crap for bringing me in here to watch a story! I've done this before with my other human friends, Jason is no different!

Jason strolled to the door and answered it. I couldn't see the person yet, but by the sound of the voice, it was different than I expected, "Hey, Jason."  

It turned out to be someone else. Not that bear of a bastard. I cocked my head with eyes full of curiosity. Who can it be? The voice is familiar.

Jason replied, sounding a bit surprised and happy, "Chase. What are you doing here?" I frowned. Chase? What's that man doing here?

I heard Chase reply as I was getting off the bed, "I haven't talked to you since that night. I came to see how you were doing." 

Driven by my curiosity, I padded away from the mattress up closer to them. I better see what's going on. Getting closer, I can see Chase's face standing out in the hallway outside the room. Jason pointed at something of which that human was holding. He was loud when he exclaimed, "Holy crap! Is that what I think it is?!" I reared back my head. What's going on with him?

Chase chuckled, showing this strange object he was holding in his hands, "It is. I was also coming to hand this back to its rightful owner." He held that object out, "There you go."

Jason grabbed ahold of it. He held it beside him, his tone in total gratitude, "Thank you so freakin much, Chase. It was taken away from me when I arrived here."

Chase replied, "So what I was told. I was going to hand it to you last night, but you weren't in your room."

"Talk about timing. Again, thanks for giving this back to me."

"No problem." He tried to peek into Jason's room. He asked, "What are you doing in here anyway?"

Jason answered, "I'm just talking to Prem. She's here."

Chase actually caught me in his sights. He spoke as his eyes didn't leave me, "Oh, yep, I see her." His hand waved, "Hi there, Prem."

Jason waved me over, "C'mon, girl, come see him."

My distrust toward that human beated in my chest while I was slowly meeting up with them. I stood beside Jason at the door and greeted, with not much enthusiasm, "Hi."

Chase said, his hand on his hip, "Nice to actually talk to you. I hardly ever do. You remember me?"

I replied, nodding a bit, "You're Chase. I recall meeting you before."

He recalled too, "And I recall meeting you for the first time when I was being told about you. I've been thinking about you a whole lot since then." His hand made a slight gesture toward me, commenting, "You're still looking sharp since we first met...And that crazy night days ago too."

I frowned, one front paw lifted a bit awkwardly, "Thanks." Memories of my past flashed inside my skull as my stare barely focused on the security clothes he wore instead of his face. Chase, can you please go away? I don't really want to talk to you.

Luckily for me, Chase was thinking about it, "Well, I think I'll leave you two alone. I gotta get to patrolling. I think you two are having fun without me."

WE WERE.

Jason giggled, "Okay. Maybe all of us will talk together sometime."

Chase beamed, "Yeah. We shall. Maybe the next night when I'm on break from security stuff." He waved, "But till then, see you around, Jace." He looked toward me too with the same wave, "You have a goodnight, Prem."

I politely said, "You too...Chase."

Then he wandered off away from the door to a direction down the pathway outside this room. Jason was turning away from the door a bit, seemingly admiring this foreign object I've never seen before in his hands, "Oh, baby, I can't believe I have it back!"

While I was feeling better when that human left, I faced my friend. I was observing that thing from where I stood. It looked vertical, black on one side, and on the other it showed some weird picture with a few colors on it. There were even four round thingies that seem to be moving and rolling a bit as Jason moved it around in the air. They were also in color blue. Bit of a darker shade of blue if I can tell. I was frowning in both curiosity and confusion. I asked, "What the hell is that thing?"

Jason finally put all his attention on me instead of that thing. He told me, "This, Prem. This, my striped, furry friend...Is a skateboard."

"Ohhhhhh...." I yapped, "What the fuck is a skateboard?"

He let out a laugh. Then he said, "It's a thing people use for a bit of travel...And for entertainment. The black side is called a griptape, and the side you're mostly seeing is pretty much just all artwork for this thing. It's something that represents about somebody. And last but not least." His finger spun one of those round thingies, "These are called wheels. They make you move while you're riding on this thing."

I tilted my head, "Riding...On that thing?"

"Yeah. I'll show you." He laid the vertical thing on the floor between me and him. He tested it out by planting his foot directly on top of that thing and moving it back and forth with it along the floor. 

My eyes stared at the show in a bit of awe. I uttered, "Whoa." I never saw something like this. Kind of amazing. First pictures, now this. Wonder what other things humans have that I haven't heard about?

Jason then offered with a motioning hand, "Here. Try it out. You might enjoy it a bit."

I gaze at it for a long moment, then decided to try it, "Okay." I lifted a forepaw and pressed it on the 'skateboard'. The 'griptape' end I was stepping on felt rough to the bottom of my foot. I stated, "This thing feels a little strange."

Jason said, "That black part is supposed to feel rough, but it's not that bad."

I was moving that thing back and forth on the floor with my paw. I was playing with it a bit, a smile of enjoyment on my face. Then, suddenly, the thing accidentally slipped away from me real quick and real fast. Thanks to my front paw flying off it, I lost balance and fell to my side with a loud grunt. The skateboard just made a loud noise as it rolled away from us. Jason was laughing at this, slapping his knee. I moaned, getting off the ground. Rats! I shot him up a narrowed look, "Hey! That thing tried to hurt me!"

Jason was done when he said, "You were moving that thing a little too fast and lost some balance. That's why it got away from you. I should have warned you...It wasn't meant for tigers."

I grumbled, "I can tell."

"Ah, don't fret. That thing's not that bad."

I let out a sigh, "Well you can do whatever you want with it. I ain't touching that sucker anymore." Jason chuckled, petting under my chin. I was relaxing from his touch, purring a bit.

Then a voice outside the door interrupted our moment, "Hey." I internally growled. Now what? I snapped my gaze to the person...And saw that Gilbert was the next to show up at the door. He was smiling a bit when he said to us, "Got done in there?"

"Gilbert." Jason said, his tone a bit serious, "Yeah, we did."

He asked, "Did you have fun?"

I asked a question with a question, "What do you think?"

"I suppose you have." He giggled, "You seem to have done a nice job on her as usual, Jason...Especially out of the dome."

Jason smiled a bit, "Yeah, with a movie no less. Who would have thought?" Then he demanded, "By the way, as you can see, I found out I can leave the dome with her anytime as long as I'm keeping a close eye on her and act as her guide."

Gilbert's smile melted away when he started nodding, "Yes, that is a rule."

"You mentioned the acting as her guide when she's out in the halls, but you didn't bring up anything else. Did I kinda miss something while you were training me, Gilbert?"

"No." He told the younger human, his eyes seemed to be holding a lie, "I forgot to tell you on your first day. Just slipped my mind. I'm sorry, pal." My tail flailed angrily behind me. He is NOT your pal. Gilbert then put up a smile, "Anyways, it's already nine o'clock. Let's get going."

Jason smiled back and motioned his hand, "Lead the way, boss, we'll catch up." Gilbert shrugged then went away from the door without any more hesitation. Jason made a look of annoyance and disgust right when he left us. Then he whispered to me, "He's full of crap."

I whispered back, "He always is. Sometimes I can smell it off him." Then I was smiling at him, "By the way...Are you going to let me sleep by you again? I don't care if I get locked in the cage tomorrow...I'll gladly take the risk."

Jason replied in a quiet tone, grinning back, "Nah, I'll do that tomorrow night. Not give him that expectation. I promise."

Well, that's good enough for me. I can wait. I accepted, "All right."

He started to pace out the door, ready to take me away from here, "C'mon. Let's get after him." I complied by padding outside the room, heading our way to the cage room. Well...At least my first time being in his room went good. I was having fun in there...Till that rolling thing kinda ruined the moment. 

But I ain't complaining.

I'd better remember to thank Roy for helping Jason know I can leave the dome anytime with a guide. I really do owe him one. He really set the whole thing up for us. 

Thank you, four-eyes.