\n Wolfie Steel. ©
\n Assassin/Bodyguard for hire. ©
\n Written by Wolfie Steel©

\n The rights to all the characters depicted in this story belong to me, Wolfie Steel, with the exception of Linkin Doberman, Matt Bond, Hammy and Loboron. The rights to these characters belong to their owners and creators and are used with their express permission and with my never ending gratitude.

\n MORE legal stuff, this story contains scenes of a homosexual nature, mild violence, mild to strong use of language, if you are easily offended by any of this, or are not old enough to read the material, please go no further, otherwise please enjoy.

\n

\n Linkin Doberman: Linkin Doberman ©
\n Matt Bond: kashito91 ©

\n Part 35.

\n
\n I wake up again still lying within the hospital bed, Mikey, Leo, Wolverine, Matt, and Senior Doberman are by my side, I look up towards the ceiling as if searching for my lovers image, a doctor walks into my room and speaks to me.

\n “Now then Mr Steel, you have been lying in this bed for far too long, you are going to get out of the bed, and using these crutches, you are going to start walking again. Please don’t even think about arguing with me over this, remember I have seen you in a worse state than this and yet then you just discharged yourself and stormed out. Ok so the love of your life, your partner is dead, that is no reason to quit, and you know that if Tony were here he would be kicking your ass to get you out of bed”

\n Each word the doctor used brought more and more anger to my mind, the final straw comes when he mentions Tony’s name and I slowly get out of bed, determined to kill the doctor. I stand shakily on my foot paws and reach for the crutches that are being held by Wolverine. I can’t understand why the guys have just let the doctor insult me like this, then I look at the doctor he has a broad smile on his Dalmatian muzzle and he speaks again.

\n “I knew that the strong Wolfie Steel was still there, all it took was a good roasting from me to get your heckles up enough to stand. I’m sorry for using Tony as bate to get you out of bed, I know that you loved him with all of your heart, but you also know that what I said is true. Now take the crutches and gently rest your armpits on the tops of them and then just stand for a few minutes”

\n I let out a growl at being duped by the good doctor, but I can also see the method to his madness, Tony would indeed be kicking my ass around the parking area to get me walking again. I lower my armpits to the crutches and just stand there to get used to them for a minute or so, I look down and notice that one of my leg casts has been removed, though the other remains, as does the bandage around my waist.

\n After getting used to the crutches I take my first slow and shaky steps towards the doctor, my tail which had been limp since the blast now flicks back and forth with a new determination, the doctor moves outside of the room, with my new determination I follow him, my footsteps becoming stronger and more sure footed with each step.

\n The doctor leads me into the hospital grounds, giving me encouragement with every step. I step outside into the fresh, warm crisp air and just stand there. I take a deep breath, I get a little pain from my still recovering lung, but I pay it no mind. The doctor stands at my side and whispers into my ear.

\n “You have gained my pride Wolfie, others in your situation would have just given up, hell with what you have been through I would have just given up, but not you, your name says it all, you are a wolf made of steel. Now I will keep you in hospital for another couple of days, just so you can get more time on the crutches, but after that you will be going home”

\n A tear forms in my eye and the doctor sees it, he throws his arms around me and hugs me, he then releases me and heads back inside the hospital, it’s then that I hear an Argentinean voice behind me.

\n “Little did I realise when I gave you a job how strong you actually were, it seems that things keep knocking you down only for you to get up again, you dust yourself off and become stronger still. I made a wise choice when I took you on as my bodyguard, and Tony made one hell of a wise choice when he took you as his mate. When we get home I could just sit you down and force you to stay, but the way that your tail is wagging now you would probably just punch me hard enough to put me on my ass and continue to get back into life. I will say this though; until your major injuries are healed you will not be doing any body guarding”

\n Using one of the crutches I point to a bench and then head towards it and sit down, Senior Doberman joins me on the bench; I turn to the great dog and speak.

\n “Senior Doberman, you know as well as I do that Tony will not let me rest, I may have a busted leg but your limousines all have automatic gearboxes, and since it is my left leg that is still injured, it means that I can still drive. Until my leg is fixed I will be your new driver, Wolverine will take over as your bodyguard until such times as I can return to full active duty, Senior Doberman, Linkin, please let me do this, because if I stay at Doberman Manor without anything to do, I will go stir crazy and my depression over losing Tony will deepen, I need to be kept busy”

\n Senior Doberman lays his paw on my leg and gently nods his agreement.

\n <><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

\n Its Thursday morning, the day I finally get to leave the hospital, I sit on the edge of the bed and wait for my transport. I look out of the room’s window and see one of Linkin’s limos sitting in the parking area and a huge black wolf walking towards my room carrying a bag.

\n Wolverine enters the room and lowers the bag next to me and speaks.

\n “Senior Doberman asked me to get you some new clothes so that you can get dressed before leaving the hospital; after all we want the great Wolfie Steel to leave here with the dignity which befits a wolf as strong as you”

\n I slowly get dressed in the new clothing, the only signs of injury now being the cast still on my left leg, most of which is now covered by my new pants. I stand and Wolverine hands me the crutches, but I refuse them, I’m determined to walk out of the hospital under my own power.

\n Wolverine sighs but agrees, he walks slowly backwards but stays just inches away from me, I begin to walk from the room taking slow, deliberate steps, and Wolverine continues to carry the crutches just in case I need them. My eyes glow red with determination as I walk. Some of the doctors and nurses have lined the hallway and slowly begin to clap as I make my way towards the main doors, by the time I’m at the main doors, they are in full cheering mode, my ears perk up, my tail begins to wag its determined wag, and I hold my head up high as I leave the hospital.

\n I know that I will be returning to the hospital to get the remaining cast removed, but right here, right now I feel invincible. Wolverine places my bag and crutches in the trunk of the car and then opens the rear door for me. I’m met by a helping paw from Senior Doberman as he helps me get into the car. He lets out a giggle and speaks.

\n “You had to do it didn’t you? You had to be Mr independent; I can see that I’m going to have trouble keeping you on a leash. Welcome back Mr Wolfie Steel”

\n <><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

\n Wolverine drives us back to Doberman Manor; he stops the car outside the main house and helps me out. Senior Doberman follows me out and then takes my paw.

\n “Wolfie, I know that you may not be ready for this, but sooner or later you are going to have to visit the ruins, you need to feel close to Tony again, so Wolverine will get your crutches from the car and you will use them to walk to the house, where you can have as much time as you need to be alone, to say your final farewells to the love of your life. I will give you a cell phone, and you will ring me when you are ready to come back to the main house, I will then send Mikey and Leo to help you come back”

\n I ask Senior Doberman to ask Mikey and Leo to walk with me; he nods his head and calls the boys out to meet us. The boys come running out from the main house and hug me tight, both with tears in their eyes. The hug finally ends and I collect my crutches from Wolverine.

\n I walk towards the ruins of what used to be the house that I shared with my lover and partner with Mikey walking to my left side and Leo walking to my right. We round the corner and I get my first glimpse of the aftermath of the explosion, everything that I held dear is gone, well almost everything, I look to the parking garage and there completely unscathed are my Range Rover and Tony’s blue Mustang.

\n Three very sombre males now stand at the edge of the wreckage, all with heads bowed, after a few moments I look to Mikey and Leo and they both instinctively know that I need a moment alone; they head off towards the garage and out of sight. With them gone I slowly lower myself to my knees, I see in the rubble a slightly charred picture frame, I pick it up and look at it, it is the most sentimental picture of them all, the picture taken at the wedding of me and Tony. I clutch it to my chest and weep.

\n I stand with tears falling from my eyes; I throw my head back and howl out a long mournful howl. Mikey and Leo slowly rejoin me and howl out their own sorrow, after some five minutes Mikey, Leo and I head slowly back towards the main house, we walk in through the tradesman’s entrance, we walk into the main room, suddenly I am face to face with a black Labrador, a fist fight breaks out with me landing a spectacular upper cut to the Labrador’s muzzle, but he counters my punch with a flurry of his own punches, the last of which puts me on my back on the floor.

\n Blood is gushing from my muzzle and the Labrador now has me pinned to the floor, a knife placed against my throat, but he does not finish me, why? Maybe this assailant has seen the look of sorrow on the faces of Leo, Mikey and me and suddenly feels a pang of guilt? Whatever the reason though he stands and runs towards the huge picture window and crashes through it. Leo gives chase but I stop him, I have already lost the love of my life, I don’t need to lose a son too.

\n Senior Doberman walks in having heard the commotion, he sees the shattered glass of the picture window then he grabs hold of my still shaking arm and sits me on the couch.

\n “Wolfie, what the hell is going on?”

\n I look up at Senior Doberman and make my reply.

\n “S-sir, someone was inside the house, Mikey, Leo and I must have disturbed him and he had me pinned on the floor with a knife to my throat”

\n I show Senior Doberman the piece of missing fur where the knife had been, he looks visibly shaken and then holds me tight.

\n “Wolfie, you didn’t need this aggravation, you have just come out of hospital, you are going to be burying your lover tomorrow, and now someone tries to kill you. Once you are done with the funeral tomorrow, you and the two boys will fly out to Monroe Island, and I’m not taking no for an answer, you and the boys need time to grieve and time to collect your wits”

\n For once, I am not going to argue with Senior Doberman, he leaves me in the company of Mikey and Leo, they both sit either side of me hugging me tight.

\n <><><><><><><><><><><><><>

\n 10.00am Saturday 3rd July 2010, a day that will be forever etched in my memory, it’s the day that I undertake the most heartbreaking task of my life, the day where I say my final farewell to Tony, the day when his wooden casket is lowered into the ground. I know that I have to be strong for Leo and Mikey, but in truth, I need someone to be strong for me.

\n The church is packed with friends and family; I see Matt, Senior Doberman, Wolverine, Leo, Mikey, Res, Julius Thorpe, Nash, Hammy, Lavender Foxtail and finally Loboron. Todd Styles has dressed in his priests outfit for today, with everyone seated in the church, Todd Styles begins the service.

\n “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to say a final and fond farewell to our friend, protector and lover Anthony Daniel Stone Steel. I had the joyous task of uniting him with his true love who we all know and love as Wolfie, it truly beggars belief that I am standing here today performing this burial service. I know that Tony loved Wolfie, Loboron and most recently Mikey and Leo so very much, I am reminded of the day that he started working for Senior Linkin Doberman; this youthful Rottweiler marched straight through the front gates of Doberman Manor and wouldn’t leave until he was given a job. That was six years ago, I know for a fact that Senior Doberman treasured the time he had with Tony. Tony’s untimely death has hit us all hard, but no one has felt it harder than Wolfie. Before I continue I know that both Senior Doberman and Wolfie would like to say a few words”

\n Senior Doberman stands at the podium and begins to speak.

\n “Tony, I was always the one to ask you to bring the car round to the front of the house, today however I will bring the car around for you. You gave me six of the best years, you helped Wolfie with my rescue, I’m only sorry that I couldn’t help rescue you. I will make sure that Wolfie, Leo and Mikey are protected and looked after in your name. I loved you as an employee, and I loved you as a friend, rest in peace Anthony”

\n Senior Doberman remains at the podium; I make my way towards the podium and the support that I know I will get from the great Doberman. I stand at the podium, Senior Doberman’s supporting paws wrapped around my shoulders, it’s now my turn to pay homage to my lover.

\n “My darling Tony, when we got married there was a point in the ceremony at which we both said Till Death Do Us Part; I never dreamed that the day would come so soon”

\n I pause and sniff back some tears and then continue.

\n “I knew I loved you from that first time when I touched your arm, and I knew that you loved me when you put my arm behind my back, because if that had been anyone else, they would have been minus their arm. Yesterday I was attacked in the main house, a knife was pulled and placed across my throat, but I didn’t fear it, in fact I wanted it, then I would have been able to join you in heaven. Tony, you and I also made a pact that if anything happened to either one of us, the other would find another love, well I guess it’s up to me to uphold your wishes, but know this sweetheart, I may love another but a large part of my heart will always belong to you”

\n Again I break down in tears and Senior Doberman leads me from the podium and back towards the pews.

\n Todd Styles retakes the podium and concludes the service. With the service now over we all start to file out slowly from the church, I had decided that as the mourners were leaving the church they would walk out to the song that had been the song for Tony and me, Up Where We Belong.

\n Who knows what tomorrow brings
\n In a world few hearts survive
\n All I know is the way I feel
\n When it’s real, I keep it alive

\n The road is long
\n There are mountains in our way
\n But we climb a step every day

\n Love lift us up where we belong
\n Where the Eagles cry
\n On a mountain high

\n Love lift us up where we belong
\n Far from the world below
\n Up where the clear winds blow

\n Some hang on to ‘used to be’
\n Live their lives looking behind
\n All we have is here and now
\n All our life out there to find

\n The road is long
\n There are mountains in our way
\n But we climb a step every day

\n Love lift us up where we belong
\n Where the Eagles cry
\n On a mountain high

\n Love lift us up where we belong
\n Far from the world below
\n Up where the clear winds blow

\n <><><><><><><><><><><><>

\n I stand outside the church, still being supported by the paws of Senior Doberman, the mourners and well wishers slowly walking passed and giving me their love. I look to the distance and see the black Labrador standing there with his head bowed in sorrow, something tells me that we haven’t seen the last of this guy.