{"id":5141,"date":"2016-04-01T14:09:50","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T21:09:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/?page_id=5141"},"modified":"2016-11-30T09:10:52","modified_gmt":"2016-11-30T17:10:52","slug":"fic-discovery","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/the-generals-office\/dragons-of-interest\/fic-discovery\/","title":{"rendered":"Fic: Discovery"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/banner_discovery.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5128\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5128\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/the-generals-office\/banner_discovery\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/banner_discovery.jpg?fit=500%2C208&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"500,208\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"banner_discovery\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/banner_discovery.jpg?fit=500%2C208&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5128\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/banner_discovery.jpg?resize=500%2C208\" alt=\"banner_discovery\" width=\"500\" height=\"208\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/banner_discovery.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/banner_discovery.jpg?resize=150%2C62&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/banner_discovery.jpg?resize=400%2C166&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/banner_discovery.jpg?resize=387%2C160&amp;ssl=1 387w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wordpress-post-tabs tabs_5141_0_wrap wordpress-post-tabs-skin-default\"\"><div id=\"tabs_5141_0\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5141#tabs-5141-0-0\" ><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5141#tabs-5141-0-1\" >Chapter 1<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5141#tabs-5141-0-2\" >Chapter 2<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5141#tabs-5141-0-3\" >Chapter 3<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5141#tabs-5141-0-4\" >Epilogue<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"wpts_cl\"><\/div><div id=\"tabs-5141-0-0\"><\/div><div id=\"tabs-5141-0-1\">\n<p>They were backed to a wall.<\/p>\n<p>John looked down at his weapon, took out the clip, and grumbled at the sight of only six bullets left.\u00a0 Then he slammed it back into place, trying not to appear concerned.\u00a0 With a quick glance behind him, he could see Carter&#8217;s frustration as she too slammed her last clip into her gun.\u00a0 Fusco had already pulled his reserve.<\/p>\n<p>No help was coming,<\/p>\n<p>Between them, Harold stood quietly, eyes wide as he watched John.\u00a0 He had always said they would die doing this job, but neither had wanted to take others with them if it actually happened.<\/p>\n<p>Besides, John Reese refused to let Harold die, especially on his watch.<\/p>\n<p>As far as he could see, there was only one way out of their current nightmare.<\/p>\n<p>One he had not anticipated using.<\/p>\n<p>He sighed.<\/p>\n<p>It wasn&#8217;t exactly how he&#8217;d wanted to show himself to Harold, but all other options were gone.<\/p>\n<p>He looked back out over the battlefield.<\/p>\n<p>The Number they had been trying to help thanks to the Machine, ended up being a bag runner for a drug cartel that was right in the middle of a turf war with Elias.<\/p>\n<p>John had tailed the kid for days, watching his comings and goings.\u00a0 When they discovered he was trying to make money to help his family, Harold had done his best to talk with him, and show him that there were other ways.\u00a0 When that hadn&#8217;t worked, John tried to scare him straight instead.<\/p>\n<p>In the end they called in Fusco and Carter to arrest the young fool, hoping he would turn against the organization he&#8217;d gotten himself caught embroiled with, but just as they went in for the bust, thinking it was a simple drug drop, Harold had shown up to warn them it was a trap.\u00a0 The kid had led them to a heavily armored and very well protected distribution center, and Harold had arrived about five minutes too late.<\/p>\n<p>They were quickly outnumbered.<\/p>\n<p>Their potential getaway cars were filled with bullet holes, and their only road out of the abandoned warehouse district was blocked by at least a dozen or so armed thugs.\u00a0 Their backs were forced against an old, damp brick wall, too tall to scale, way too thick to blow, and barely sufficient to grant much cover.<\/p>\n<p>And they were down to about twenty rounds between them.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Surrender!\u00a0 And we\u2019ll make it swift,&#8221; the lead goon called out, his voice condescending and irritating.<\/p>\n<p>John turned back around and gave his companions a bright smile, his eyes focusing solely on the one who mattered most.\u00a0 &#8220;You know I would never do anything to hurt you, or put you in harm&#8217;s way.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Always, Mr. Reese.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold gave him a sad nod.\u00a0 &#8220;But as much as I value your considerable skills, I don\u2019t think we\u2019re getting out of this.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I still have one last trick up my sleeve.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I hope it\u2019s a rocket launcher!&#8221; Fusco growled, making sure to keep <em>Mr. Glasses<\/em> behind him.\u00a0 He knew what could happen if Harold was injured and <em>Mr. Tall, Dark and Vicious<\/em> lived long enough to do anything about it.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Trust me, Fusco.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yeah, like that ever goes well,&#8221; he muttered, glancing over at Carter, who was eyeing Reese.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I called for backup.&#8221;\u00a0 She gave him a pointed look.\u00a0 &#8220;I\u2019ve seen your skills, John.\u00a0 They&#8217;re good, but not <em>this<\/em> good.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He glanced at the two cops.\u00a0 &#8220;Keep <em>him<\/em> safe.&#8221;\u00a0 He then handed his gun to Carter and gave Harold a small, apologetic shrug.\u00a0 &#8220;Sorry about the suit.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Mr. Reese?\u00a0 John?&#8221;\u00a0 Finch was rightly confused.<\/p>\n<p>The former CIA Operative, turned and let his overcoat and suit jacket fall from his shoulders onto the concrete pavement.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Well you didn\u2019t have to dump them on the ground!&#8221;\u00a0 Harold\u2019s indignant squeak made him smile as he walked toward the large array of waiting goons.<\/p>\n<p>He slipped out of his shoes as he went, and began to unbutton his shirt.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;What is he going to do?\u00a0 Dazzle them with a striptease?!&#8221;\u00a0 Fusco rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It could work,&#8221; Finch and Carter both muttered quietly.<\/p>\n<p>The burly detective just stared at the two of them with mild dismay.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Planning on seducing us?\u00a0 Suck our dicks for their lives?&#8221; one goon yelled out, grabbing his cock, and thrusting his crotch lewdly back and forth.<\/p>\n<p>Harold growled, then coughed lightly.<\/p>\n<p>John glanced over his shoulder, and gave him a knowing wink before turning his focus on the enemy.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Not to sound like a bad clich\u00e9 here, but I\u2019m giving you one last chance to put your weapons down and leave.&#8221;\u00a0 His gaze scanned the group of cartel thugs, assessing their strengths and weaknesses.<\/p>\n<p>There were at least dozen men.<\/p>\n<p>Two of them carried heavy artillery.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;What do you plan on doing, huh?\u00a0 Dazzle us with your seduction skills?&#8221; one yelled, in mockery of Fusco&#8217;s own comment.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I do have a certain skill.\u00a0 One that is not employed unless absolutely necessary.&#8221;\u00a0 He could see them rolling their eyes.\u00a0 &#8220;You have a count of five&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Guns were raised, bolts slid back, ready to fire.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Four.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Carter and Fusco pushed Harold behind them, shoving him into the darkest corner they were lurking near.\u00a0 They would be his last line of defense.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Three.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>John\u2019s shirt dropped to the ground.\u00a0 Head bowed, his hands flexed at his sides.<\/p>\n<p>Closing his eyes, he pulled himself inward, focusing on his sole intent.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Two.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold held his breath, finding himself staring fixedly at the line between John\u2019s shoulder blades, watching as the muscles flexed and bulged.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;One.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Time slowed down, as in that space between the fleeting moments that make up the fabric of the universe itself\u2026<\/p>\n<p>\u2026John was gone.<\/p>\n<p>And in his place, there stood a huge black and silver Dragon.<\/p>\n<p>It opened its mighty jaw, the roar it made reverberating around the empty warehouses, sending everyone into paniced chaos.<\/p>\n<p>Shots were fired, but nothing could stop the Dragon&#8217;s tail as it swept around from behind, and slammed into a party of thugs, sending them flying clear across the floor like plastic bags across a supermarket parking lot.<\/p>\n<p>As other Cartel members tried to run, they were stopped by a violent, 30 foot burst of flame.\u00a0 A few of them hit the ground as it moved over them, setting cars and closer buildings on fire.<\/p>\n<p>The goons with the heavy artillery, pulled their weapons and began to fire, only to have the Dragon charge forward, smacking them with his claw, crushing their guns to flattened metal.<\/p>\n<p>The last one man standing once the rest had fled, cowered on his knees as the Dragon lowered his head to stare at him.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I warned you,&#8221; Reese hissed, recognising the sorry individual who had been making the first lewd gestures at him.<\/p>\n<p>But long before there could be any cries for mercy, or pathetic begging not to die, he was grabbed, shaken around, and spat out through the nearest window.<\/p>\n<p>It reminded Harold of watching Bear playing with one of his chew toys.<\/p>\n<p>Still he stared in as much shock as Carter and Fusco.<\/p>\n<p>Yet it was all over as quickly as it had begun.<\/p>\n<p>There were warehouses on fire, while the dead and dying lay scattered around carelessly, but nobody moved.<\/p>\n<p>No one knew quite what to do, or how to even respond.\u00a0 Instead they stared, slack-jawed, as the Dragon slowly turned to face them.<\/p>\n<p>And there it stood, poised ready to fight or flee, but in a moment of decision, it suddenly sat down instead.<\/p>\n<p>And waited.<\/p>\n<p>Harold pushed past his guards and walked across the open area of broken concrete and abandoned decay, until he stood not far from the creature, staring up in awe.\u00a0 He could see John in the Dragon, from the way it held itself, waiting and watching intently.\u00a0 His outer scales were black and sleek, underlined with a second set of silver scales giving him a two-toned color, and he wondered if that was the reason for the salt and pepper in John\u2019s hair.<\/p>\n<p>He sat about twenty feet in height, and up close, Harold could see a massive set of wings folded back against his body.<\/p>\n<p>The tail was curled around his feet, very much like a cat when it perchs on a windowsill.<\/p>\n<p>Waiting.<\/p>\n<p>Taking a deep breath, he stretched his arm out, hand upward, palm flat at John.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Really, Harold?&#8221;\u00a0 The Dragon rolled his eyes.\u00a0 &#8220;We\u2019re going to do the whole <em>How to Train Your Dragon<\/em> routine?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>But Finch kept his hand out, trembling slightly as Reese settled his snout into his palm and huffed.<\/p>\n<p>Harold relaxed into the touch, then took a step closer,\u00a0 slowly closing his fingers around the warm snout and giving it a scratch much like he would Bear.\u00a0 The Dragon snorted, but pushed into his palm.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I have to admit, Mr. Reese, I didn&#8217;t see this coming.&#8221;\u00a0 He inched nearer, his other hand reaching to run along the Dragon&#8217;s jawline, marveling at the scales.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I thought you knew exactly everything about me, Mr. Finch.&#8221;\u00a0 Reese nuzzled his head into Harold&#8217;s body, rubbing slightly.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;&#8216;Dragon&#8217; was not exactly in your dossier.&#8221;\u00a0 He gave the huge creature a pointed look.\u00a0 &#8220;When were you planning on mentioning this?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Not in a life or death situation, that&#8217;s for sure.&#8221;\u00a0 His head snapped around, lowering and watching intently as the two detectives approached.\u00a0 &#8220;Carter, I trust you can deal with this?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Deal with <em>what<\/em>, John?&#8221;\u00a0 Her hands flapped at all the violent destruction.\u00a0 &#8220;Exactly how am I gonna <em>explain<\/em> this?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sure you can think of something.&#8221;\u00a0 He stared directly at her.\u00a0 &#8220;Though if you state that a Dragon did the damage, you&#8217;ll be laughed off the Force.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Straight to Bellevue.&#8221;\u00a0 She rolled her eyes.\u00a0 &#8220;Can you\u2026&#8221;\u00a0 She waved her hand up and down in his direction.\u00a0 &#8220;&#8230;transform back into your annoying self?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Not really.&#8221;\u00a0 He shrugged, as best a Dragon could.\u00a0 &#8220;I need time in between transformations.\u00a0 It takes a lot of effort.\u00a0 And even if I could, I would need clothes.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Explains the striptease.&#8221;\u00a0 Fusco shook his head as he made his way past the Dragon&#8217;s bulk, to witness the full extent of the havoc it had wreaked.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;ve seen some weird shit in my days, but this\u2026?\u00a0 This takes the prize.&#8221;\u00a0 He holstered his weapon.\u00a0 &#8220;Back up is on its way, so unless you want to explain to SWAT that Toothless here is a figment of their imagination\u2026&#8221;\u00a0 He stepped back at the flash of frighteningly sharp teeth from <em>Mr. Tall, Dark and Scaly<\/em>.\u00a0 &#8220;Fine.\u00a0 So what <em>is<\/em> your name?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;John.&#8221;\u00a0 The large head tilted, showing the dramatic eyeroll that ensued.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Not Draco?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;God, he hates that movie.&#8221;\u00a0 Reese snorted derisively.\u00a0 &#8220;And no, we don&#8217;t actually eat people.\u00a0 You have no idea how unsanitary that actually is.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Carter bent her head down, trying to hide the chuckle that was desperate to escape.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m not having this conversation with you.\u00a0 Not now.\u00a0 Maybe in a few days, after I process this, and over a beer.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You can&#8217;t stay here.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold looked up at John, concern in his eyes.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Neither can you.&#8221;\u00a0 Carter glanced from one to the other.\u00a0 &#8220;Can you get him out of here, John?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Sure.&#8221;\u00a0 The Dragon hunkered down until he lay flat on the ground.\u00a0 &#8220;Climb on, Harold.&#8221;\u00a0 Finch stared at him for a few seconds, just blinking.\u00a0 &#8220;Unless you want me to carry you in my claws, you need to settle at the base of my neck.\u00a0 It&#8217;s the most secure location.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Well, it&#8217;s not the weirdest thing \u2026&#8221; Harold muttered, as he took a moment to figure out his best options for actually mounting a Dragon.\u00a0 &#8220;Who am I kidding?\u00a0 This <em>is<\/em> the weirdest thing I&#8217;ve ever done.&#8221;\u00a0 With help from Carter he got himself seated stiffly at the base of John&#8217;s long and sinewy neck, where he locked his knees into the scales and promptly yelped as the Dragon stood up again.\u00a0 It forced him to scramble for something to hold onto, wondering if there were reins big enough for such an animal.<\/p>\n<p>Then he realized he was wasn&#8217;t actually on a horse.<\/p>\n<p>John turned his head, making sure his passenger was as secure as he could get.\u00a0 &#8220;Don&#8217;t think about it too hard, Harold.\u00a0 It&#8217;s just like flying a plane.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yeah, but <em>I&#8217;m<\/em> the one who controls the plane!&#8221; he argued, as he felt Reese dip slightly through the partially collapsed ceiling.\u00a0 The truly massive wings unfurled smoothly, and with a rush of air, the Dragon lifted off the ground most elegantly.\u00a0 Before Harold could scream however, they were settled into a fast but steady climb toward the clouds.\u00a0 &#8220;How high can you go?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;High enough,&#8221; Reese answered, his voice carrying back to his passenger.\u00a0 &#8220;Whatever you do, don&#8217;t look down.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold instantly regretted doing just that.\u00a0 It was one thing to fly your own plane, and he wasn&#8217;t really squeamish about heights, but it was another thing entirely, to be sitting without saddle or harness, on a giant Dragon a few thousand feet in the air.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Mr. Reese?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yes, Finch.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;How are you not being spotted?&#8221; he asked curiously.\u00a0 &#8220;Actually, how have you stayed hidden all these years?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s only in this modern era we&#8217;re more careful with flight,&#8221; the Dragon answered, dipping to the side then pushing upward into the thicker cloud layer.\u00a0 &#8220;My scales are radar reflective.\u00a0 I don&#8217;t ping airport towers.\u00a0 I stay low enough, to be away from planes on the jet routes, but high enough so people on the ground don&#8217;t see me.\u00a0 My shape usually gives a shadow like a plane, so most folk write it off if they think they saw me.&#8221;\u00a0 He gave a rumbling chuckle.\u00a0 &#8220;Besides, who will admit they saw a Dragon?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold figured he had a point with that.<\/p>\n<p>After a few moments of lift, they settled into an easy flight pattern, and he was forced to pull his coat closer to him, feeling the chill in the air.\u00a0 They weren&#8217;t high enough to make it difficult breathing, but if he was going to do this again, he would definitely need a warmer jacket.<\/p>\n<p>Do this again?<\/p>\n<p>It was a thought that stuck in Harold&#8217;s head.<\/p>\n<p>Would Reese let him ride again?<\/p>\n<p>Would he be able to see <em>more<\/em> of the Dragon?<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In a few minutes we should be far enough away from the cities, and more into the countryside.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Do you have any idea where you&#8217;re going?&#8221; he asked, pretty sure that Mr. Reese wasn&#8217;t following a flight plan.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Home.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold blinked a few times, and stared at the long neck that stretched before him.<\/p>\n<p>John&#8217;s head turned slightly, watching him sideways.\u00a0 &#8220;Hmmm interesting, Finch.\u00a0 I was pretty sure the Machine had told you about the ranch already.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Ranch?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve been alive a long time, Finch, and need a place to hide when I&#8217;m in Dragon form.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold clenched at the scales as they began descending back to earth.\u00a0 &#8220;Why didn&#8217;t you go there?\u00a0 I mean after Jessica?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I failed in my job as a Protector.&#8221;\u00a0 His voice filled with regret, and he hated how it made him sound weak.\u00a0 &#8220;Let me land, and we can talk.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The landing was smooth, considering he was riding a Dragon, and Harold snorted, still trying to get his brain wrapped around it despite the reality of what was happening.<\/p>\n<p>Dragons were myth.<\/p>\n<p>Legend.<\/p>\n<p>They were wrapped in fairy tales.<\/p>\n<p>Not real, living, breathing creatures.<\/p>\n<p>He felt John lower himself down to the ground so he could slide off.\u00a0 Which was rather easier said than done.<\/p>\n<p>The Dragon then waited patiently as he got his feet under him and was able to steady himself, adjusting his jacket and tie fastidiously once safely on terra firma.<\/p>\n<p>John snorted again when Harold once more lifted his palm and settled it on the mighty snout he was presented with.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If you&#8217;re going to give scritches, I prefer them just behind the ears.&#8221;\u00a0 Wrapping his neck around the smaller man, Reese pulled him in close.\u00a0 &#8220;Us Dragons have a few sensitive places we liked to be petted.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sure you do!&#8221;\u00a0 Harold gave him a scandalized look, but continued to scratch where indicated.\u00a0 He then leaned against the surprizingly warm body and let his hand roam along the elegant neck, up over the shoulder blades, before stopping to study the front legs and claws.\u00a0 &#8220;You have talons.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Good for picking up sheep.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You eat sheep?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Along with cattle and a random deer now and then.\u00a0 Or even a moose if I&#8217;m really hungry.&#8221;\u00a0 He stayed still, and let Finch explore, sighing as he uncurled his tail across the grass.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Is it like a cat?&#8221; Harold asked, running his fingers along it as he followed it to the tip.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It helps me keep my balance and serves as a rudder while flying or swimming.&#8221;\u00a0 Reese lifted it a litle way, and with a sharp clang of scales, the tip split apart to showcase a very deadly prehensile pincher arrangement.\u00a0 &#8220;It&#8217;s also a weapon.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I can see that!&#8221;\u00a0 Harold backed up a few paces, and then made his way along the Dragon&#8217;s flank, hands exploring the folded wing on his right.\u00a0 Giving a small cough he looked at it pointedly until John gave in and spread the wing out in the grass more fully.<\/p>\n<p>The squeak of amazement that came from Finch&#8217;s mouth, had him smiling softly, though he was forced to bite back a few shivers when those inquisitive hands roamed over sensitive areas.\u00a0 &#8220;Are you done?&#8221; he asked, curling his wing back into his body while staying planted in the grass.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yes.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold stood in front of him.\u00a0 &#8220;For now at least.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;What else do you want to know?&#8221; he asked, resting the weight of his chest on his folded elbows.\u00a0 &#8220;I can smell your curiosity.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I want to know everything, Mr.\u00a0 Reese.&#8221;\u00a0 He settled himself on the ground as best he could, and gazed up at the magnificent creature before him.\u00a0 &#8220;How old are you?\u00a0 How many Dragons are there?\u00a0 How did you stay hidden all this time?\u00a0 You can smell me?&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0 He chuckled yet paused, casting a long look round to see where they were located.\u00a0 Instinct had him always seeking cameras, phones or computers.\u00a0 And he was always cautious of someone &#8211; or some<em>thing<\/em> listening in.\u00a0 Instead, they appeared to be in a wide open field, with no technology of any sort anywhere in his line of sight.\u00a0 On the far right was a line of trees that led up to the base of a large mountain.\u00a0 The rest of the clearing was sealed in by a river.<\/p>\n<p>It made their location both secure and isolated.<\/p>\n<p>A perfect hidden spot, well away from all human contact.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Where <em>are<\/em> we, Mr. Reese?&#8221; Harold asked.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Upper New York.\u00a0 The border with Canada.\u00a0 Actually we&#8217;re on the Canadian side.&#8221;\u00a0 He nodded past Finch, over toward a structure off in the distance.\u00a0 &#8220;This land has been in my family for generations.\u00a0 A cousin takes care of it now.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold shifted carefully, peering behind where he sat, to spy a large red barn across the river.\u00a0 &#8220;How did I not know this?&#8221;\u00a0 Turning back to Reese, he frowned in concern.\u00a0 &#8220;And how long will you stay this way?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I haven&#8217;t been in my Dragon form for years.&#8221;\u00a0 He sighed softly.\u00a0 &#8220;I miss it, and right now I&#8217;m comfortable.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Is &#8216;John&#8217; your real name?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Is &#8216;Harold&#8217; yours?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yes.&#8221;\u00a0 He glanced down for a few moments, picking at the grass by his knees, annoyed with himself for being fidgety.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;John is the name I was born with.\u00a0 My father&#8217;s surname was Reese.&#8221;\u00a0 He huffed in amusement at the shocked expression on Harold&#8217;s face.\u00a0 &#8220;I laughed when Kara decided to &#8216;name&#8217; me.\u00a0 Everyone, even the CIA, assumed Reese was an alias.\u00a0 They never searched under the name any further than that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;How old are you?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>John stood, stretched his back like a big cat, and began heading for the barn at a leisurely pace.\u00a0 &#8220;This is a long story, so we might as well get inside and comfortable.\u00a0 And I&#8217;m getting hungry.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re not going to eat any sheep, are you?&#8221;\u00a0 Harold glared at him as he struggled to stand.\u00a0 He was thankful when the Dragon paused and came back to help steady him, finding that long and flexible neck to be very useful.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m going to get inside, transform, take a hot shower, then fix some steak.\u00a0 I promise to fry it and not eat it whole.&#8221;\u00a0 He nudged at Harold&#8217;s arm slightly, pushing him to where a narrow wooden footbridge crossed the river.\u00a0 &#8220;You can go that way, unless you want me to carry you.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I am perfectly capable of walking, Mr. Reese!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>As they approached the barn at last, Harold was startled by its size.\u00a0 It hadn&#8217;t seemed quite so big from over in the field.<\/p>\n<p>They were, however, greeted by a man whom he could clearly see was related to John, given the same family height, and build.\u00a0 His hair was more salt than pepper though, making him at least ten years John&#8217;s senior.\u00a0 Or at least so he thought, judging by the age Harold assumed John was portraying for the rest of the world.<\/p>\n<p>Really, there were just too many unanswered questions.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I see you finally came home, you big lizard.&#8221;\u00a0 The man glared up at the Dragon without any kind of fear.\u00a0 &#8220;Who&#8217;s the human?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This is Harold.&#8221;\u00a0 John leaned down between the two men and gave what passed for a cheeky smile.\u00a0 &#8220;Harold, this is Sam.\u00a0 He&#8217;s my twenty-second cousin, ten times removed from my father&#8217;s side of the family. Or something like that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m Uncle Sam, and don&#8217;t let the lizard tell you any different.\u00a0 I&#8217;ve hidden that scaly hide of his for decades.\u00a0 Then he upped and joined the Army.\u00a0 <em>Again<\/em>.\u00a0 How did that work out for you?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Army was fine,&#8221; John muttered, as he turned and headed for the barn.\u00a0 &#8220;It was the CIA that did the damage.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Fucking hell!&#8221;\u00a0 Sam tore his cowboy hat off and glared at the retreating Dragon.\u00a0 &#8220;You&#8217;re too much like your goddamn grandfather!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You never met him!&#8221;\u00a0 John yelled back.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Didn&#8217;t need to!&#8221;\u00a0 The barn doors slammed shut.\u00a0 &#8220;Dragons!\u00a0 Bunch of bitchy little girls.&#8221;\u00a0 He eyed Harold up and down.\u00a0 &#8220;He&#8217;s slightly right though.\u00a0 I&#8217;m family on his father&#8217;s side.\u00a0 His mother&#8217;s side tends to have more scales.\u00a0 How do you know lizard breath?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He works for me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I take it you had no idea about his scaly personality?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Oh, <em>that<\/em> I knew.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold smirked.\u00a0 &#8220;The Dragon thing was rather unexpected.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Sam laughed out loud as he wrapped his arm around Harold&#8217;s shoulders.\u00a0 &#8220;I like you, and because of that I won&#8217;t threaten you if you think about hurting John.\u00a0 He may be annoying but he&#8217;s family.\u00a0 He&#8217;s also got a big heart that has been wounded too many times.\u00a0 I&#8217;ve been terrified there will be one break too many.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold couldn&#8217;t help but think back to the homeless man he had recruited two years ago.\u00a0 &#8220;It&#8217;s what makes him special.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Ay!\u00a0 Come on.\u00a0 Let&#8217;s get you inside the Dragon cave and get you settled.&#8221;\u00a0 Sam led him over to the more human sized entryway that gave access to the barn, instantly slowing his own pace to match Harold&#8217;s limp, and the computer genius wondered if it was a family trait to help others.\u00a0 But as they reached the door so John&#8217;s uncle stopped, and looked for a moment as though he might be about to spill something he shouldn&#8217;t.\u00a0 &#8220;The fact John brought you out here, says a lot.\u00a0 Don&#8217;t let the big lizard get away with pussy footing around.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold stared at the barn then back at the rancher.\u00a0 &#8220;Is that normal?\u00a0 For Dragons to bring people to their hideaway?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Dragons are protectors.\u00a0 They&#8217;ll usually pick a human to protect, and stay with them for that person&#8217;s lifetime, but will always have a bolt hole to come back to.\u00a0 The only human they will let see the Dragon lair \u2026&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Sam!&#8221;\u00a0 The low growl close behind them, managed to startle them both, but Harold, being more used to John&#8217;s ability for sneaking just about anywhere, didn&#8217;t jump nearly as far as his uncle.\u00a0 Instead, he stared at the human form of John Reese, who had at least found a pair of jeans and t-shirt to put on before coming back outside from some other part of the building, and creeping around where they couldn&#8217;t see him until he wanted them to.\u00a0 Harold however, needed to see the power of the Dragon in his friend, and when John turned to fully look at him, he could recognize it clearly.\u00a0 The raw power in those eyes, that shone with an almost unearthly glow, made him shiver in strangely pleasurable ways.\u00a0 &#8220;I think that&#8217;s enough for today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Sam huffed, pulling John into his arms.\u00a0 &#8220;Good to see you, boy.\u00a0 Finally!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Same.&#8221;\u00a0 He held his uncle very tight for a few moments.\u00a0 &#8220;We&#8217;ll come by in a few days, let Sarah cook us up some grub.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You do that.&#8221;\u00a0 Sam stepped back and gave them both a serious stare.\u00a0 &#8220;Harold, it was pleasure.\u00a0 Don&#8217;t let him get away with the silent treatment now, y&#8217;hear?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I won&#8217;t.&#8221;\u00a0 Finch gave him a soft smile, liking the guy despite his tendency to overbearingness.<\/p>\n<p>Standing at John&#8217;s side, he watched silently as Sam headed for his truck and drove off back down the narrow dirt road.\u00a0 He assumed it would lead to some sort of civilization, but there was no way to tell how far away that civilization might prove to be.<\/p>\n<p>Reese motioned to the barn.\u00a0 &#8220;Come on in.&#8221;\u00a0 And with that, he led Harold through the small door in the left-hand corner of the structure, rather than the over-sized sliding doors in the middle of the wall, that were certainly meant for Dragon rather than human.<\/p>\n<p>Harold continued to follow him down a corridor, until they stepped out into a massive empty space that ran the length and breadth of the entire barn.\u00a0 He leaned back slightly, looking upward, to the thirty-foot ceiling.<\/p>\n<p>Squinting, he was pretty sure the roof was retractable.<\/p>\n<p>John&#8217;s hand settled onto his lower back, steadying him as he took all of it in.\u00a0 &#8220;Welcome to my home, Harold.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s huge!&#8221;\u00a0 He was pretty sure they could fit a jumbo jet inside the main building.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It needs to be,&#8221; Reese chuckled, pushing him gently over to a set of stairs against the wall, halfway down the barn&#8217;s length.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m 36 feet long in Dragon form, and if I stand with my neck stretched up I&#8217;m over 20 feet high.\u00a0 The wings unfurl to an 80 foot span.\u00a0 This is big enough for me to sit comfortable, or lay down as a Dragon.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And in human form?&#8221; he asked.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m tall but not that tall.&#8221;\u00a0 John teased him happily.\u00a0 &#8220;In human form, I have a small apartment.&#8221;\u00a0 He led him up the stairs and opened the door at the top.\u00a0 &#8220;Hope you don&#8217;t mind sharing.\u00a0 I don&#8217;t usually have visitors.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He stepped into the apartment, which wasn&#8217;t actually <em>small <\/em>at all, given its 1200 square foot open concept design.<\/p>\n<p>There was a fireplace, on the outside wall of the barn.\u00a0 In front of it sat a brown leather couch, big enough to fit John&#8217;s tall frame.\u00a0 Throws and pillows were scattered across its length, each one differing in size, shape and color.\u00a0 The blankets looked to be handmade quilts, and though some were old and tattered, they seemed comfortable and well loved.\u00a0 Matching high-backed reading chairs bracketed a rectangular oak coffee table that was covered with books, and sported at least one gun.<\/p>\n<p>Somehow Harold wasn&#8217;t surprised.<\/p>\n<p>There was a kitchen area directly to the left of the main door.\u00a0 It wasn&#8217;t that much smaller than the one John had in his New York loft, and it too shone with stainless steel appliances and marble countertops.\u00a0 The island had a sink and a vast amount of space to work with for food prep.\u00a0 Four bar stools ran along the outer edge.<\/p>\n<p>Past the living area was a Cal King sized bed, the frame made of sturdy oak.\u00a0 It too was filled with pillows and blankets to keep its occupants warm in the cold winter months.<\/p>\n<p>He could also see at least one door along the furthest wall, and assumed it led to a bathroom.<\/p>\n<p>What fully caught Harold&#8217;s attention however, was the desk that sat against the right hand wall.\u00a0 It looked newer than the rest of the furniture, but what truly intrigued him was the computer equipment laying both on and around it.\u00a0 With pursed lips and a frown of concentration, he limped over to what he could clearly see as a pretty decent workstation, eyeing the machines critically.\u00a0 They were all good quality and similar to those he had adapted for use in the library.<\/p>\n<p>None of them were networked.\u00a0 Actually they weren&#8217;t even plugged in.\u00a0 And several pieces were still boxed.<\/p>\n<p>He glanced over at John, who was watching him intently.<\/p>\n<p>Reese sighed and moved into the kitchen with a knowing smile.\u00a0 &#8220;Would you like some tea?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You have Sencha Green?&#8221;\u00a0 He huffed before taking off his jacket, and tossing it over the back of the office chair.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yes,&#8221; Reese answered easily, busying himself in fixing drinks.\u00a0 &#8220;I knew one day I would bring you here.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Hence the computers?\u00a0 These are excellent quality.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I know.&#8221;\u00a0 John leant against the island as there was nothing to do until the water boiled.\u00a0 &#8220;I wrote down the model numbers and systems types you use, then called a few contacts who owe me some favors.\u00a0 I had them buy only the best and got it all delivered here.\u00a0 You can do whatever you need to with it.\u00a0 Sam brought the stuff in, but didn&#8217;t hook anything up.\u00a0 He&#8217;s a bit of a tech idiot.\u00a0 Sarah just got him using a smartphone and he leaves it on the kitchen counter most mornings.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That explains why the Machine doesn&#8217;t know about this place.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold limped over to the kitchen area and settled onto one of the barstools.<\/p>\n<p>John shook his head.\u00a0 &#8220;I was last here just before recruitment into the CIA.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The kettle began screaming, and John fixed tea for Harold, before brewing his coffee.\u00a0 Then he moved them to the living area, shuffling a few pillows around before settling onto the couch.\u00a0 When Harold took the seat next to him, he found it slightly startling.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Talk to me, Mr. Reese.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I wanted to tell you.\u00a0 Just didn&#8217;t know how.&#8221;\u00a0 John curled into the corner of the couch, pulling down one of the quilts.\u00a0 His hand moved over the faded blue fabric softly.\u00a0 It was one of the last ones his mom had made for him.\u00a0 He had always preferred to tighten himself into a ball, whether in Dragon or human form, and as a kid he was usually found under one of her painstakingly stitched quilts.\u00a0 He felt safer that way.\u00a0 &#8220;It wasn&#8217;t like I could just walk into the library and say, &#8216;<em>By the way Mr. Finch, when you said you knew exactly everything about me, did that include the Dragon part?&#8217;<\/em>&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold snorted into his tea.\u00a0 &#8220;It would&#8217;ve been a start.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I almost told you when we got Bear.&#8221;\u00a0 He sipped his coffee then set it down on the table.\u00a0 &#8220;He sensed something was up.\u00a0 Kept whining at me.\u00a0 In the end he knew I was something more than human, acknowledged me as Alpha, and let it drop.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You can talk to Bear?&#8221;\u00a0 Finch stared at him in stunned amusement.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;No.&#8221;\u00a0 John smirked, but rather liked the idea.\u00a0 &#8220;He could smell the Dragon, and sense its strength.\u00a0 And I did hint at it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You did not!&#8221;\u00a0 Harold set his tea down.\u00a0 &#8220;I would <em>remember<\/em> that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I did tell you Bear&#8217;s favorite movie was <em>How To Train Your Dragon<\/em>.&#8221;\u00a0 He chuckled even as Harold glared at him indignantly.\u00a0 &#8220;Too subtle?&#8221;\u00a0 Picking up his coffee again, he took a few sips and waved his hand expansively.\u00a0 &#8220;Ask your questions.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Let&#8217;s start with the easy ones.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold grabbed a few of the pillows, positioning them to give his hip and back more support as he got comfortable.\u00a0 &#8220;Your Uncle Sam said your mother was a Dragon.\u00a0 Well, he said her family was the more scaly side.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>John snorted.\u00a0 &#8220;She <em>was<\/em> a dragon.\u00a0 My father was human.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;How does <em>that<\/em> work?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And we&#8217;re straight to the hard question.&#8221;\u00a0 He ran a hand through his hair, trying to formulate his thoughts on how best to explain the varied role of Dragons and their sometimes complicated relationships.\u00a0 It wasn&#8217;t something he&#8217;d explained a lot over the course of his life, having had only a few Protectees.\u00a0 And he rarely told anyone outside the family about much of anything where his personal life was concerned.\u00a0 &#8220;Dragons are Protectors by nature.\u00a0 We always have been.\u00a0 Despite the legends stating that we were the destroyers of villages and kidnappers of virgin princesses, we actually protected villages, princesses, and in some incidents even kings.&#8221;\u00a0 He closed his eyes for a moment, a fond smile on his face.\u00a0 &#8220;My grandfather was well known for protecting Cornwall in England.\u00a0 Rumor had it, he protected Arthur himself.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;As in <em>King Arthur<\/em>?&#8221;\u00a0 Harold stared at him with wide eyes.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He never confirmed or denied.&#8221;\u00a0 John shrugged.\u00a0 &#8220;He was lost in World War II.\u00a0 He, and other Dragons who still lived in England, tried desperately to protect as many people as they could during the bombings.\u00a0 But bombs don&#8217;t discriminate between man, woman, child or Dragon.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sorry.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold scooted closer to him.\u00a0 &#8220;Is he the one your uncle said you were like?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Even mom accused me of being like him.\u00a0 When he wasn&#8217;t in Dragon form, he was always a soldier, bodyguard, police officer.\u00a0 Always protecting.\u00a0\u00a0 My grandmother was just as loyal and protective.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Did she survive the war?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>John took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment.\u00a0 &#8220;She died with him.\u00a0 How do I explain this?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;John, there&#8217;s nothing you can say that will scare me off.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold reached over and took his hand, giving it a squeeze.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;They were Mates.&#8221;\u00a0 His hand took Harold&#8217;s and held it firmly.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Was Jessica yours?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He shook his head abruptly.\u00a0 &#8220;We live a long life.\u00a0 Not all of us find our Mate quickly.\u00a0 Some haven&#8217;t found them at all yet.\u00a0 We have a tendency to become Protector to one individual for the duration of their lifetime.\u00a0 Jessica came into my life after I lost my parents.\u00a0 She was everything.\u00a0 She learned about me being a Dragon, and I swore to protect her always.\u00a0 I was about to leave the Army for her, and settle wherever she wanted us to go, when I got called back to duty after 9\/11.\u00a0 I knew the war wasn&#8217;t going to end, so I released her.\u00a0 She didn&#8217;t like it, and we argued.\u00a0 She would&#8217;ve waited for me.\u00a0 She didn&#8217;t care about having a family.\u00a0 She wanted to be with me.\u00a0 But I left her.\u00a0 I failed at the one thing we Dragons are forever meant to do.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold moved closer, his hand wiping away the tear that slid down John&#8217;s right cheek.\u00a0 &#8220;She forgave you.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;She had a good heart.&#8221;\u00a0 John shifted slightly rubbing into Harold&#8217;s touch, much as he did as a Dragon.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You like to do that.&#8221;\u00a0 Finch slid his hand back slightly, scratching behind Reese&#8217;s ear, watching in amazement at the reaction it produced.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Tactile creatures,&#8221; John muttered, his eyes fluttering closed.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Why did you join the CIA?&#8221;\u00a0 Harold pulled his hand back, albeit reluctantly.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There was a Dragon working for the terrorists.&#8221;\u00a0 John sighed, missing the contact between them instantly.\u00a0 &#8220;I could smell him as a soldier, but never saw him.\u00a0 I got myself recruited, but ended up with Kara and Mark.\u00a0 It didn&#8217;t take me long to realize they had their own agenda.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Did you ever find him?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;No.&#8221;\u00a0 He snarled slightly.\u00a0 &#8220;But there was another Dragon searching for him.\u00a0 He&#8217;s an old one who settled in Syria centuries ago.\u00a0 I sent him the Intel.\u00a0 Last I talked to him, he was still hunting.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;How many Dragons are there?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Worldwide?\u00a0 About a thousand, give or take a hundred.\u00a0 We&#8217;ve learned to blend into normal society.&#8221;\u00a0 He rested his head against his hand on the back of the couch.\u00a0 &#8220;The oldest of us is a little over two thousand years.\u00a0 The youngest is around thirty.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And you?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I was born April 23<sup>rd<\/sup>, 1803.&#8221;\u00a0 John smirked at Harold&#8217;s gasp.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m still young compared to most Dragons.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;How do baby Dragons come to be?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>One eyebrow went up, a wicked smirk graced John&#8217;s face.\u00a0 &#8220;Well Harold, when a mommy Dragon and a\u2026&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Mr. Reese!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If a Dragon&#8217;s Mate is human, after they Mate and Bond, at least one of their offspring will be a Dragon too.\u00a0 If two Dragons Mate, they will have a clutch of Dragons.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Your father was human.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold remembered at least that part of the story.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He was in the Colonial Army.&#8221;\u00a0 John smiled.\u00a0 &#8220;She found him hiding in her barn, recovering from a wound he&#8217;d received courtesy of some Redcoat.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Your father fought in the Revolutionary War?&#8221;\u00a0 He was having a hard time wrapping his brain around that particular piece of information.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I fought in the Civil War.&#8221;\u00a0 He shrugged.\u00a0 &#8220;Alongside my brother.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You have a brother?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Had.\u00a0 <em>I<\/em> was born a Dragon, he wasn&#8217;t.&#8221;\u00a0 John stood up suddenly, and went over to one of the bookcases that were placed on either side of the fireplace.\u00a0 He grabbed a photograph in a heavy silver frame, from the middle shelf on the left, and brought it back to the sofa, handing it to Harold.\u00a0 &#8220;I worked as a spy for most of the war.\u00a0 He fought under General Sherman.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold could see the resemblance between the two men.\u00a0 &#8220;You said you were born 1803.\u00a0 You would be sixty in this photo.\u00a0 How old was your brother?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Thirty.\u00a0 Mom almost didn&#8217;t survive the birth, so after him they never had any more kids.&#8221;\u00a0 John took the photo back and set it down on the coffee table, staring at it for a while.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Wait.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold looked up, a curious expression on his face.\u00a0 &#8220;How did your father live that long?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s the advantage of being Mated to a Dragon.\u00a0 As long as the Dragon lives, so too does the human Mate.&#8221;\u00a0 He settled back on the couch and curled up again.\u00a0 &#8220;Mom was killed in a car accident, while human.\u00a0 Dad died less than a week later.\u00a0 Dragons are very durable in their natural form.\u00a0 Even has humans we can heal faster, move faster, but there <em>is<\/em> a limit.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s why you take more chances.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I can, to an extent.\u00a0 You shoot me in the head, I&#8217;m done, Dragon or not.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;What happened to your brother?&#8221; Harold asked.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He married a freed slave woman.&#8221;\u00a0 John smiled, remembering when he&#8217;d been first introduced to his sister-in-law.\u00a0 She was beautiful and strong, having endured extreme hardships only to come out of it all the leaner and more agile of mind and body.\u00a0 She and his brother had fitted perfectly for each other.\u00a0 She had been amazed at how the Reese family accepted her so easily.\u00a0 His dad had only snorted at it all, and stated they had weirder relatives.\u00a0 Family relationships got rather strained after the kids were born, and it was requested that no one mention the Dragon side of things.\u00a0 After that, John hadn&#8217;t seen much of the youngsters, and they eventually lost track.\u00a0 &#8220;They moved west after the war, to get away from the pressures and the bullies of society.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;What happened to them?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;His kids moved further west, and then dropped off the grid.&#8221;\u00a0 John chuckled softly.\u00a0 &#8220;It was pure coincidence when I found the line again.\u00a0 I hadn&#8217;t realized it at first.\u00a0 It was after you got me off the street, and her Number came up, that I realized she was a spitting image of her great-great-great-grandmother.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold stared at him waiting for him to continue after the dramatic pause.\u00a0 &#8220;It&#8217;s Carter.\u00a0 She has my brother&#8217;s eyes.\u00a0 She probably doesn&#8217;t even realize where her family came from.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I really want to be there when you inform her that you are in fact, her great-great-great-uncle!&#8221;\u00a0 Harold grinned, smirking wickedly.<\/p>\n<p>John got up from the couch, grabbing their cups and heading back into the kitchen to refill them.\u00a0 They had been talking for some time, and both drinks had gotten cold.\u00a0 While the water boiled, he dug around the freezer to find the casserole dish he knew Sarah would have left in case he showed up unexpectedly one night.\u00a0 Sam had always kept the pantry lightly stocked, with tea, coffee, and the bare essentials.\u00a0 The fridge was about empty, though if he&#8217;d contacted them <em>before<\/em> he&#8217;d shown up, it would&#8217;ve been stocked with everything known to man.<\/p>\n<p>There was a note on the casserole stating correct oven temperature and how long to cook it for.<\/p>\n<p>He heard Harold moving around in the living room while he prepped, grabbed placemats, dishes, silverware and set them on the counter.<\/p>\n<p>Putting the dish into the oven, he fixed more tea and coffee and sat back on the couch.\u00a0 He had tried many times, to imagine what it would be like having Harold in his home, and he was finding the reality more pleasant that anything he might daydream.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Why did you bring me here?&#8221; Finch asked, as he explored the bookcases, finding photos, journals and old mementos that meant something to John from some point in his exceptionally long life.\u00a0 He knew he had been learning more about him in those last few hours than he had in the entirety of the past two years.\u00a0 And it was fascinating.<\/p>\n<p>Oh, he knew all about the man&#8217;s military career, his CIA Missions, the people he&#8217;d killed, but then suddenly there was the real man.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>real<\/em> John Reese.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s safe.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold turned stiffly and stared at him, before sighing and taking his seat on the couch once more.\u00a0 &#8220;John?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I stepped out of that limo, tired, hungry, filthy, pissed at the world, at myself.\u00a0 I wanted to die, yet wanted to destroy things.\u00a0 I lost Jessica.\u00a0 I failed at my duty, human <em>and<\/em> Dragon.\u00a0 I was pretty much at the lowest point of my entire life.&#8221;\u00a0 He scooted closer to Harold, reaching out with a hand, to cup his cheek.\u00a0 &#8220;And I stepped out of that limo, and there you were, standing so confident, as if you knew everything about me.\u00a0 And for a moment I thought you knew I was a Dragon.\u00a0 There are humans who do, who aren&#8217;t family or protected.\u00a0 And as I listened to your spiel, all I kept thinking was <em>now<\/em>?\u00a0 At <em>this<\/em> moment in time, <em>now<\/em> is when fate decides to show me my Mate?\u00a0 This arrogant asshole who thinks he&#8217;s God and can control people&#8217;s lives!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold closed his eyes, leaning into the warmth of John&#8217;s touch, trying not to cringe and smirk in equal proportions.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Irony is, you created a machine that <em>can<\/em> control lives, yet you don&#8217;t abuse it, so I&#8217;m still not sure if that makes you a God yet or not.&#8221;\u00a0 John ran a thumb over his Mate&#8217;s cheek, before pulling him closer.\u00a0 &#8220;For two years I stood by you, terrified I would lose you before I had chance to tell you everything.\u00a0 After Root, I almost told you, but \u2026&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I wasn&#8217;t ready.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold opened his eyes, and looked directly at him.\u00a0 &#8220;I am now, John.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>There was no hesitation as Reese leaned forward and kissed him, and though it was stiff at first, neither man quite sure what to do next, when Harold relaxed and welcomed the tenderness of it, their need for each other grew stronger.\u00a0 John slid his tongue over the slightly chapped lips beneath his own, seeking permission, and with a moan Harold opened to him, pulling him closer, wanting urgently to taste what was now his.<\/p>\n<p>With gentle concern, John maneuvered the two of them until Harold was laid out more comfortably under him, all the while kiss along his jaw, down his neck, sucking on the junction of his shoulder.<\/p>\n<p>Hands roamed in mutual consent over shirts and clothes, seeking a way through them to the promise of hot skin, and fresh exploration.<\/p>\n<p>The oven buzzer was loud and obnoxious.<\/p>\n<p>Harold&#8217;s stomach made its presence known, and John&#8217;s own grumbled too, echoing the sentiment.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Dinner <em>then<\/em> dessert,&#8221; he promised, kissing him quickly on the nose as he stood, pulling his Mate carefully off the couch and getting him steady on his feet again before they went to eat.<\/p>\n<p>It didn&#8217;t take long to serve up the food, and they sat at the counter, quietly devouring the simple fare, each of them lost in their own thoughts and sneaking glances at each other now and then, searching for signs that they would be okay together.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m good at hiding.&#8221;\u00a0 John set his fork down at last.\u00a0 &#8220;We have to be.\u00a0 You didn&#8217;t miss anything in me.\u00a0 I simply chose not to show you.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Are the myths about Dragon Hunters true?&#8221;\u00a0 Harold asked, taking one last bite and swallowing down the rest of his tea.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yes.&#8221;\u00a0 John stood and grabbed the empty plates.\u00a0 &#8220;Like any society, you always have assholes who think they can break the law.\u00a0 They were the ones who destroyed villages and kidnapped virgin princesses.&#8221;\u00a0 He set everything into the sink before turning around and leaning against the counter.\u00a0 &#8220;I remember grandpa telling us that it was his great-great-uncle or something, who was famous for being the Dragon that St. George slew.\u00a0 Of course grandma pointed out, that wasn&#8217;t really something to brag about.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold chuckled.\u00a0 &#8220;Your grandparents sound pretty awesome.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;They were.&#8221;\u00a0 Reese felt his smile fade just slightly.\u00a0 &#8220;At this point, the only family I really have left is Sam.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You have Carter,&#8221; Harold interjected.\u00a0 &#8220;And Bear\u2026&#8221;\u00a0 Shifting off the stool, he made his way around the island.\u00a0 &#8220;And you have me.&#8221;\u00a0 Reaching up, he cupped John&#8217;s left cheek, his fingers rubbing softly behind his ear and along the hairline.<\/p>\n<p>It caused a shiver of pleasure that seemed vibrate through them both.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If you don&#8217;t want this\u2026&#8221;\u00a0 John reached for him, holding him tighter.\u00a0 &#8220;&#8230;tell me now.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I want this.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold&#8217;s fingers slid into the salt and pepper hair, gripping it firmly, pulling him down into a heated kiss, moaning as John opened up to him in response.<\/p>\n<p>He didn&#8217;t fight it as he was pushed backward against the counter, and then lifted with ease until he was level with John&#8217;s own height.\u00a0 But such a gesture took some of the strain from his neck, and he wrapped his good leg around the strong waist that was supporting him, marveling at the strength John was showcasing.<\/p>\n<p>They stayed that way for a while, getting lost in each other, until Harold&#8217;s injuries had him pulling back with a wince.\u00a0 &#8220;Can we take this somewhere more amenable?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>John slowly put him down, before taking a deep breath to try and get himself back under control.\u00a0 Then taking his Mate&#8217;s hand, he led him to the bed.<\/p>\n<p>Harold sat on the edge, watching intently as Reese stripped off his shirt.\u00a0 He had seen the former spy in various stages of undress over the past two years, though many of those times had been in dealing with wounds he&#8217;d received helping people whose lives they influenced at the bidding of the Machine.\u00a0 Yet one scar seemed somehow more significant all the others, and he reached out to touch that small remaining sign of how the CIA had ultimately betrayed everything John once had been.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m fine.&#8221;\u00a0 Reese took the fingers that brushed over his skin, and kissed them gladly.\u00a0 &#8220;You saved me.\u00a0 You were there when I needed you.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Would you otherwise have survived?\u00a0 Because of the Dragon?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It would&#8217;ve been touch and go without some medical help.\u00a0 I was bleeding out fast, and gut wounds never heal easily.&#8221;\u00a0 He kissed Harold&#8217;s palm, then the inner side of his wrist before unhooking the cufflink that glittered in the light.\u00a0 He then took his Mate&#8217;s other hand and repeated the process, setting the silver Finch engraved jewelry on the nightstand, and turning to unbutton the vest and shirt that Harold wore with such handsome grace.\u00a0 He slid them from his Mate&#8217;s slim shoulders, folding them neatly and laying them on the trunk at the foot of the bed.<\/p>\n<p>Harold sat there, frozen, looking down at his hands, self-conscious of his own ugly scars.<\/p>\n<p>John was a perfect specimen of human&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;<em>Dragon<\/em> physique.<\/p>\n<p>What ever would he want with a myopic, middle-aged cripple\u2026?<\/p>\n<p>John tipped him under the chin carefully, tilting his head back, making sure not to strain his neck but needing him to look up so they were eye to eye.\u00a0 &#8220;You&#8217;re beautiful, Harold.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He snorted and rolled his eyes.\u00a0 &#8220;I wasn&#8217;t exactly prime before I was way <em>past<\/em> my prime. \u00a0I&#8217;m just a computer nerd&#8230;.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;But you&#8217;re <em>my<\/em> computer nerd, Mr. Finch,&#8221; John teased tenderly, stooping to kiss him, slow and easy.\u00a0 &#8220;And you <em>are<\/em> beautiful.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Then it really <em>is<\/em> in the eye of the beholder,&#8221; Harold muttered anxiously.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Trust me.\u00a0 I&#8217;ve got great eyesight.&#8221;\u00a0 John pulled him up off the bed, quickly unbuckling the belt and unhooking the pants that were between him and his prize.\u00a0 He then knelt on the bedside rug to help Harold out of his shoes and socks before sliding his pants off.\u00a0 Leaning back, hands resting on his own thighs, John smiled up at him warmly.\u00a0 &#8220;The silk boxers are a kink for sure, but they have to go&#8230;&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold huffed, but placed his hands on the strong shoulders that were conveniently at his disposal, allowing for his very expensive underwear to be removed.\u00a0 And just as with the rest of his clothes, John folded them fastidiously, and set them where they could be found later.<\/p>\n<p>His grin turned more wolfish as he ran his hands up the bare legs and thighs before him, his thumb running over the scars that marred Harold&#8217;s left hip.\u00a0 He knew shrapnel wounds when he felt them, and with the fractional Intel he had gleaned about Nathan Ingram, IFT, and Mr. Harold Wren, he knew full well that his Mate had been at the Ferry bombing.<\/p>\n<p>The strength he had to have had in walking away that day, made John admire and love him all the more.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;They aren&#8217;t pretty.&#8221;\u00a0 It was a blunt acceptance of truth, with nothing left to hide.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;They&#8217;re testimony to how stubborn you are.&#8221;\u00a0 He looked up into Harold&#8217;s face.\u00a0 &#8220;These are signs that you survived.\u00a0 For good or bad, you survived and continued on.\u00a0 It&#8217;s the same as these.&#8221;\u00a0 He pulled himself to his feet, and laid Harold&#8217;s hands over a round, puckered scar on his upper chest.\u00a0 &#8220;Sniper.\u00a0 Second World War.\u00a0 Took me down fast and efficient.\u00a0 The rest of my unit was destroyed.\u00a0 There was nothing I could do to save them.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You save people, Mr. Reese.\u00a0 It&#8217;s what you&#8217;ve always done.\u00a0 I, on the other hand\u2026&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Sacrificed everything to help those considered irrelevant.&#8221;\u00a0 He kissed the top of Harold&#8217;s head.\u00a0 &#8220;Despite the ways we are wounded, such scars are from battle.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Reaching up, Finch pulled him down into a heated kiss, devouring him in passion, trying to convey everything he was feeling.\u00a0 How much John made him come alive again.\u00a0 Let him love someone again.\u00a0 His hands traveled over the strong back and stomach, mapping muscle and sinew, stopping at the button on his jeans.\u00a0 His fingers slid under the waistband, teasing.\u00a0 The low rumble from John&#8217;s chest, made him smile into the kiss, permitting him to go further, and once that heavy denim was safely puddled on the floor, so he paused to look at the nakedness he had exposed, smirking wickedly at John&#8217;s lack of underwear.<\/p>\n<p>Reese was everything he had imagined.<\/p>\n<p>Sitting on the bed once more, allowed Harold perfect access to the thick, hardening cock that strained for his attention, and he ran his hand along its length, rubbing a thumb over the head, sliding under the foreskin.\u00a0 He took his time, caressing, stroking. \u00a0And his explorations drew a groan from John&#8217;s throat was pure pleasure.\u00a0 Licking his lips, he enjoyed the shiver that ran down his lover&#8217;s spine, and marveled at the glow in John&#8217;s eyes as the Dragon began showing through.\u00a0 It was glorious, and he gave a mischievous little wink, before leaning forward and taking the slick, swollen head of John&#8217;s cock into his mouth, swirling his tongue over the hot, throbbing smoothness, before taking him in deeper.\u00a0 Gripping the slightly quaking thighs that shook just slightly with his ministrations, he sucked and licked the hard shaft, working it to its fullest, sensing John&#8217;s hand slide into his hair, then onto his neck &#8211; steadying but not holding him, or forcing anything to happen.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Harold\u2026!&#8221;\u00a0 Reese heard his own voice crack, as delight coursed through his body.\u00a0 It had been a long time since last he&#8217;d lain with anyone, let alone the pleasure of accepting that this was indeed his Mate, and Harold&#8217;s mouth really there on his dick.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m not going to last\u2026&#8221;\u00a0 He gasped, glancing down to see himself swallowed all the way.<\/p>\n<p>And with a sharp cry he climaxed, spilling everything.<\/p>\n<p>Harold drank it all, willingly, greedily, then sat back and wiped his lips in satisfaction, only to groan when John swooped down and took his mouth into a possessive kiss, sucking at his tongue, tasting his own essence.<\/p>\n<p>With some pushing and pulling, they lay out fully on the bed, pillows in all the right places supporting Harold&#8217;s hip and neck.<\/p>\n<p>John managed to shuck off his jeans from around his ankles, and straddled Harold&#8217;s thighs, making sure to keep too much weight from pressing on his bad hip.\u00a0 Then grabbing lube from the drawer, he slicked up his fingers, and with a very wicked smirk, leaned back and began preparing himself.<\/p>\n<p>It forced Harold to grip quickly at his own erect cock, just to keep himself from coming at the sight of John&#8217;s beautifully stretching body, that so amply demonstrated those strong muscles and sleek lines.<\/p>\n<p>Thankfully, it didn&#8217;t take too long before John positioned himself over Harold&#8217;s hardness.\u00a0 And with his Mate&#8217;s hands tight in his, he slowly lowered himself until he was fully seated.\u00a0 His eyes closed as a cry of satisfaction caught in his throat.\u00a0 It was everything he ever wanted.\u00a0 All that he needed.\u00a0 Right there.\u00a0 Filling him.\u00a0 Needing him.\u00a0 Wanting him.\u00a0 Lifting slightly on his knees, then sliding back down, he worked slowly at first until he found the perfect angle that sent sharp spikes of pleasure up his spine.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Fuck,&#8221; he gasped, struggling to breathe.\u00a0 &#8220;Oh, it&#8230;&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>But he had no words.<\/p>\n<p>None were required.<\/p>\n<p>Harold&#8217;s hands were there to brace him as he moved with steady ease.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Oh, God!&#8221;\u00a0 Harold pushed up into the tight heat that engulfed him, moaning at the glorious friction.\u00a0 He wasn&#8217;t going to last much longer.\u00a0 &#8220;John!\u00a0 John, I&#8217;m\u2026&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I got you.&#8221;\u00a0 Reese let go of his hands, and pushed down at a lower angle.\u00a0 &#8220;Touch me.\u00a0 Harold, please!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>And he obeyed, taking that wonderful hard cock into his hands, stroking it tightly with each thrust.<\/p>\n<p>The sensations were too much.<\/p>\n<p>John faltered on the rhythm, desperate to feel Harold come inside him.<\/p>\n<p>He leaned forward, hands on either side of his Mate&#8217;s head near the pillows, and thrust his hips up and down with faster urgency, sliding over the perfect spot again and again.\u00a0 His head bowed slightly, he took Harold&#8217;s mouth in a gasping kiss, swallowing the sudden yell of completion that his Mate gave with a shuddering spasm.<\/p>\n<p>Only a few more strokes, and he was coming too, all over their stomachs.<\/p>\n<p>It took a while before either of them could move, yet finally they had to, and John pull himself reluctantly from Harold&#8217;s cock, lying down next to him, trying to catch his breath and gather his thoughts.\u00a0 He turned his head and smiled at his Mate.\u00a0 He knew it was a dopey, happy, silly smile, but when Harold returned the very same, he felt tears burn at the edges of his eyes.<\/p>\n<p>It was everything.<\/p>\n<p>His Mate.<\/p>\n<p>With some struggling effort, he sat up and moved off the bed, trotting over to the door in the back wall, which was indeed the bathroom as Harold had first thought.<\/p>\n<p>Flicking on the light, John grabbed a clean washcloth, and after ensuring the water was warm, he dampened it, and returned back to bed.\u00a0 Washing Harold softly and gently, felt like a privilege.<\/p>\n<p>When he was done, he swiped the cloth over himself too before tossing it in the laundry basket just inside the bathroom doorway.<\/p>\n<p>After that, he got Harold under the covers, fluffed up his pillows, and settled next to him, pulling the smaller body against his own to allow those weaker hips a comfortable ease against his stronger ones.<\/p>\n<p>They were both asleep in a matter of moments.<\/p>\n<\/div><div id=\"tabs-5141-0-2\">\n\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">***<\/p>\n<p>Harold woke surrounded by pillows and blankets as though somewhere along the way he&#8217;d made himself a nest.<\/p>\n<p>He was warm and aching in all the right places.<\/p>\n<p>The only problem being that John wasn&#8217;t with him.<\/p>\n<p>For a moment he panicked, thinking Reese had regretted their intimacy and left.\u00a0 Only to remember that he was actually John&#8217;s hideaway, not some hotel room in New York City.\u00a0 No human, other than John&#8217;s immediate family, had ever been in his home, and Harold was dearly honored to be lying comfortably in his bed.<\/p>\n<p>He shifted slightly, grabbing his glasses, wondering when exactly he had taken them off, only to have a flash of memory that John had removed them for him as he fell asleep.<\/p>\n<p>He sat up to see the fireplace roaring cheerfully.<\/p>\n<p>But there was no sign of John.<\/p>\n<p>Harold glanced over to the bathroom, but the door was open and the lights were off.<\/p>\n<p>With a grumble he pulled back the nice warm covers, grabbed the top comforter, wrapped it around himself and headed for the front door.<\/p>\n<p>The moment he opened it, his heart melted at the sight of the black and silver Dragon curled up tightly, snoring softly.\u00a0 John had said he hadn&#8217;t been in Dragon form for a few years, and missed it, but not wanting to go back to the big empty bed by himself, Harold made his way down the stairs and cautiously snuck a path around the Dragon until he found where the nose was tucked into its body.<\/p>\n<p>He took the few moments to study him.<\/p>\n<p>John was truly huge, but curled around himself like a cat on a cushion, he looked small and carefree.<\/p>\n<p>And Harold liked that, very much.<\/p>\n<p>The black and silver scales shimmered in a passing light, and he looked up to see a narrow crack in the roof, confirming that it was indeed retractable.\u00a0 The sight was beautiful &#8211; velvet night, filled with stars.<\/p>\n<p>It was something he didn&#8217;t get to see in the city.<\/p>\n<p>Tired, and wanting to lie next to his lover, he reached out from under the comforter and scratched behind the Dragon&#8217;s left ear, hoping John didn&#8217;t wake in a daze and eat him by mistake or something.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Harold?\u00a0 What are you doing down here?\u00a0 It&#8217;s freezing!&#8221;\u00a0 The great beast raised its head slightly as its eyes flickered open.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You were gone.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>John sighed and uncurled, letting Harold lay against his chest.\u00a0 The comforter was large enough to burrow into, as he settled against the warm body with a sense of contentment that he was starting to seriously enjoy.\u00a0 His hip and back were bracketed by one of the Dragon&#8217;s front legs, securing his aching bones quite nicely.\u00a0 He took off his glasses, clutching them in his hand as he lay his head against the broad expanse of scaly chest, listening to the reassuring heartbeat from within.<\/p>\n<p>John sighed softly, and then wrapped his head back around, embracing Harold gently.\u00a0 &#8220;Goodnight, Mr. Finch.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Shhh, Mr. Reese.\u00a0 I&#8217;m sleeping.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>John chuckled, the low rumble rippling through his body, for which he received a slightly haughty glare before sleep finally claimed Harold one more time.<\/p>\n<p>The Dragon shifted slightly to get comfortable again, and soon fell back to sleep too, knowing his Mate was secure in his presence.<\/p>\n<p><strong>~ Next Morning ~<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Harold had a weird sense of d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu when he woke up surrounded by pillows and blankets, lying in John&#8217;s warm bed.<\/p>\n<p>He sat back up, scrambling for his glasses, only to find John was in the kitchen cooking breakfast.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;How did I get back here?&#8221; he asked curiously, blinking sleepily at his surroundings.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I carried you,&#8221; John smirked.\u00a0 &#8220;Go take a shower.\u00a0 There&#8217;s clothes waiting for you.\u00a0 Breakfast will be ready in about half an hour.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold sat on the edge of the bed, and with a deliberate ease stood up, dropping the comforter before walking naked to the bathroom.\u00a0 He blushed, knowing full well that John was watching him.\u00a0 It made his limp a touch more awkward than usual.<\/p>\n<p>Flicking the bathroom light on, he stepped in to close the door and got a glimpse of his lover&#8217;s lust filled gaze.<\/p>\n<p>With a small, shy smile, he figured he might have some company in the shower if he was lucky.<\/p>\n<p>Standing in the bathroom, the door behind him being shut but not locked, Harold took in what was quite obviously a renovated shower cubicle.\u00a0 There was a small, nicely tiled bench situated in the back of the unit, along with a set of new looking handrails strategically placed to make it easier for someone with his kinds of injuries to be safe where there was steam and water.<\/p>\n<p>John had thought of everything it seemed.<\/p>\n<p>He swallowed back the emotion that struck him upon realizing that, and after a quick wash, shave and scrounging for a toothbrush, he put on the clothes that were waiting for him on hooks by the door.<\/p>\n<p>It was absolutely <em>not<\/em> his usual attire, yet the jeans fitted perfectly, the button up flannel shirt was warm, and the thick wool socks made his toes curl happily.\u00a0 With a last glance in the mirror when he was done, he resembled nothing even remotely like any of the personas he&#8217;d created over the years, but suddenly he realized how much he was disturbingly like his father.<\/p>\n<p>He grimaced, took a deep breath, and stepped out again into the main room to the smell of bacon, eggs, and hot tea that assaulted his senses delightfully.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Not my normal choice in vestments, Mr. Reese.&#8221;\u00a0 He gave John a stern look before sitting down on the same bar stool he&#8217;d occupied the night before.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;No, but a three piece suit doesn&#8217;t work very well for flying.&#8221;\u00a0 John gave him a smile and a quick kiss as he set a plate of food down.\u00a0 &#8220;Eat up.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re going flying?!&#8221; Harold asked, excited at the thought.<\/p>\n<p>John kissed the top of his head, and then moved back into the kitchen to grab his coffee.\u00a0 &#8220;Yes.\u00a0 I know you have more questions, and I really could use some exercise.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold rather wolfed his food down after that, and drank his tea like a kid who had just been told he couldn&#8217;t open the presents on his birthday until breakfast was finished.\u00a0 When he realized John smirking over his coffee cup, he rolled his eyes, slowed down a little, and better enjoyed the meal provided.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re not having anything?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I already ate.&#8221;\u00a0 John saw the question on his face.\u00a0 &#8220;I was out and about earlier.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;When you say &#8216;ate&#8217;, I assume you don&#8217;t mean eggs and bacon?&#8221;\u00a0 Harold cringed slightly.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Do you want me to answer that?&#8221; John retorted, putting his cup down.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;No.&#8221;\u00a0 Trying not to imagine how the local livestock population was suddenly short a few head of cattle, Harold wondered if there was some way to be less squeamish about it.\u00a0 He&#8217;d grown up on a farm after all&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Really, his father would be giddy as schoolboy at the reality of Dragons.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Ready?&#8221;\u00a0 John moved around the island and held out his hand.<\/p>\n<p>It was then that Harold realized Reese was wearing nothing but a low riding pair of jogging pants.\u00a0 He stared lecherously for a second or two, but figured it was probably a good thing he hadn&#8217;t noticed earlier, or his breakfast would&#8217;ve gotten cold.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;When I transform, any clothes I wear are instantly shredded.&#8221;\u00a0 John chuckled at the suggestive look his Mate was giving him.\u00a0 &#8220;Hence, taking off as much as I could at the warehouse.\u00a0 Hopefully Carter salvaged my coat and phone.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I would hope so!\u00a0 That coat wasn&#8217;t exactly off-rack, Mr. Reese.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold took his hand and was led back out of the apartment to find Sam standing in the middle of the barn floor, along with a middle aged, blonde woman.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Sam will help you prep for a ride.&#8221;\u00a0 John gave him a reassuring smile as they walked over to the two newcomers.\u00a0 &#8220;Harold, this is Sarah.\u00a0 Sam&#8217;s wife.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Oh, it&#8217;s good to meet you!&#8221;\u00a0 She leaned over and gave him a gentle hug.<\/p>\n<p>Harold bit back the emotions coursing through him again, as Sarah instantly reminded him of his own mother.\u00a0 She was a little rounder perhaps, but just as kind in the eyes, and with an equally genuine smile.<\/p>\n<p>It seemed his day was destined to be filled with old memories.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sure John hasn&#8217;t explained everything fully, but I do hope he gave you a few important pieces of information.&#8221;\u00a0 Sarah cast the Dragon a pointed look, which was ruined by a knowing wink.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He mentioned the Mate thing, yes.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Well <em>that&#8217;s<\/em> a start,&#8221; Sam snorted.\u00a0 &#8220;Okay lizard, do your lizard thing.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Lizard thing?&#8221; Harold asked, as Sarah pulled him toward the far edge of the barn floor.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s referring to the moment Dragons transition back into their natural form.\u00a0 Being human is the &#8216;disguise&#8217; they learned to adopt for hiding in the world,&#8221; she explained softly.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Are you a Dragon too?&#8221; he asked, still desperately curious about everything.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;No.&#8221;\u00a0 Her tone changed slightly, a ring of regret in it.\u00a0 &#8220;But my family has Dragons.\u00a0 My grandfather is a Dragon, his Mate &#8211; my grandmother &#8211; was human,&#8221; she explained quickly.\u00a0 &#8220;My mother was born human, so no possibility for me to be Dragon.\u00a0 But it was how I met Sam, and well, it was love at first sight for us.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You hit me with your car, dear!&#8221;\u00a0 Sam glanced over at them, giving his wife a wink.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Barely grazed you.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You missed,&#8221; John pointed out, as he stripped off his jogging pants and moved into the middle of the barn.<\/p>\n<p>Harold stared at that tightly sculpted ass.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Best part of the whole thing,&#8221; Sarah muttered, also starting at his ass.<\/p>\n<p>Sam rolled his eyes dramatically.<\/p>\n<p>But all Harold could see was John, bowing his head, hands flexing by his sides.\u00a0 It seemed just like that moment at the warehouse&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Then a blink.<\/p>\n<p>John was gone, and there stood the Dragon.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;How does he do that?&#8221; Harold demanded.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Magic,&#8221; Sam answered, grinning broadly.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;No, really?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Magic,&#8221; Sam repeated.\u00a0 &#8220;Dragons are mythological creatures.\u00a0 Magic is inherant within them.\u00a0 It&#8217;s one of those &#8216;go with the mystery&#8217; moments.\u00a0 Kinda like Miracles, UFOS, and Taxes.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold snorted.\u00a0 He really liked John&#8217;s uncle, and there was a part of him that rather wanted to introduce Sam to Fusco, yet not.<\/p>\n<p>He walked over to John, palm out, smiling brightly as the Dragon&#8217;s snout settled in his hand.\u00a0 He could feel John&#8217;s amusement.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So do I get a saddle?&#8221; he asked with a smirk.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Sort of.&#8221;\u00a0 Sam snapped his finger at the Dragon and pointed down with a sharp gesture.<\/p>\n<p>John stared at him fixedly, unmoving.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Seriously?&#8221;\u00a0 Sam glared at his nephew in utter exasperation.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I am <em>not<\/em> a dog you can make <em>sit<\/em> on command.&#8221;\u00a0 The Dragon glared right back.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Fine.&#8221;\u00a0 He rolled his eyes.\u00a0 &#8220;John, my dear nephew, would you be so kind as to get your lizard ass on the ground, so I can make up a saddle for your Mate to ride you like a pony?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Samuel Thomas Reese!&#8221;\u00a0 Sarah was horrified at such language.<\/p>\n<p>Harold wasn&#8217;t sure how exactly, but he could tell John was smirking.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You are a giant pain in my ass, boy,&#8221; Sam muttered, as Reese maneuvered to the ground and let him work up the rig.<\/p>\n<p>Harold watched as he placed a large saddle pad at the base of the Dragon&#8217;s neck, then secured it with a modified girth strap.\u00a0 A thick wool blanket was tossed over the top.\u00a0 Sam motioned for Finch, helping him settle onto the makeshift seating, and once he got his bearings, Harold had to admit it was more comfortable than sitting on the scales.<\/p>\n<p>Sam then proceeded to wrap another leather strap, which had two metal rings attached in the center, around John&#8217;s neck slightly above Harold&#8217;s knees.\u00a0 A nylon rope, with fasteners on each end, was clipped to one metal ring, wrapped around the rider&#8217;s waist and secured to the second ring.<\/p>\n<p>Finch shifted a little, able to move while being well secured without feeling trapped.\u00a0 It rather reminded him of the belts used on carousel horses to keep the kids from falling off.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It will make sure you&#8217;re safe.\u00a0 So if you lean a bit too much, you won&#8217;t drop off lizard breath&#8217;s back here,&#8221; Sam explained, as he placed a final leather band further up John&#8217;s neck.\u00a0 A secondary nylon rope, that matched its counterpart at Harold&#8217;s waist, was clipped from that down onto the metal rings.\u00a0 He handed the &#8216;reins&#8217; to the new Dragon rider.\u00a0 &#8220;You can&#8217;t really force him to go in any one direction, but this will help you hold on, and lean against him if he decides to be a hotshot.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold took hold of the rope.\u00a0 It was soft in his hands, and when he pulled back slightly, John looked over his shoulder at him.\u00a0 &#8220;If there&#8217;s a problem, or you feel as if you&#8217;re slipping, pull back hard, and I&#8217;ll either maintain my position or land if able.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Of course, Mr. Reese.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold held the reins loosely in his lap.\u00a0 &#8220;Now what?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>John sat up suddenly, startling his rider slightly.<\/p>\n<p>He shifted, getting used to the feel of leather tied around him.\u00a0 It had been quite a while since he last wore the &#8216;saddle&#8217;.\u00a0 He had given Sam rides when the man was younger, and even Sarah had gotten a ride or two.\u00a0 After his parents died, he had retreated back into the Army, and hadn&#8217;t felt like flying much until he met Jessica.\u00a0 He just never got the chance to take her for a ride.<\/p>\n<p>The Dragon huffed and trotted neatly out the back of the barn, spread his wings with remarkably grace, and gave a last look to Harold before lifting off the ground and soaring up into the sky.\u00a0 The climb was steady and easy, letting them both adjust to the air pressure and the rushing winds.\u00a0 He felt the straps shift and move, as his Mate tightened his hold on them better.\u00a0 Once he hit safe Dragon cruising altitude, he glanced back to see a look of pure, unadulterated pleasure on Harold&#8217;s face.<\/p>\n<p>And John swore he would take his Mate flying every weekend just to see that look again.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;How are you doing, Harold?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Would squeeing be in bad taste, Mr. Reese?&#8221; he asked, a huge smile on his face.\u00a0 &#8220;Right now, this is totally awesome!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>John chuckled, fully agreeing.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Where are we going?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Where do you <em>want<\/em> to go?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m guessing you can&#8217;t actually land in the middle of Italy,&#8221; Harold teased.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Land in the middle of Rome, no.&#8221;\u00a0 John banked slightly to the left.\u00a0 &#8220;In the countryside, I probably could pull that off.\u00a0 But it would be a long flight, with no amenities.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;How long?&#8221; Harold asked, trying to figure the math in his head based on the Dragon&#8217;s windspeed.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t fly as fast as jets can.&#8221;\u00a0 John snorted slightly.\u00a0 &#8220;So probably two days, with a few pit stops.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So no Italian for lunch.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold ran a hand across the powerful neck below the reins.\u00a0 &#8220;How about Alaska or Yosemite?\u00a0 Something with wide open spaces, where you can&#8217;t be seen or hunted.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Got just the spot.&#8221;\u00a0 Knowing the billionaire was a bit of a daredevil when it came to the sensation of speed, he dipped down and took a small nose dive through clouds, before quickly banking left and back up.\u00a0 The delighted laughter was enough for him to know Harold was enjoying himself immensely.<\/p>\n<p>As they approached their destination, Reese dived deeper, flattening out over the tops of the trees, before lowering his feet and landing in a clearing surrounded by forest.<\/p>\n<p>It was one of his favorite places.<\/p>\n<p>The grass was green, the lake was clear, and a ring of hills added nicely to both privacy and safety.<\/p>\n<p>And there were sheep.<\/p>\n<p>Lots of sheep.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re not eating the sheep.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Harold?&#8221;\u00a0 John stared over his shoulder at him, frowning.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m hungry.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Transfer into human form.\u00a0 I&#8217;ve got roast beef sandwiches.\u00a0 Sarah gave me a backpack with food, and other items I am quite sure I don&#8217;t want to think about her packing.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold unhooked his &#8216;seatbelt&#8217; and slid down to the ground.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;One sheep?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;No.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The Dragon huffed, but settled down onto the ground, tail swishing over the grass as he allowed Harold time to take the blanket and spread it out.\u00a0 The rest of the saddle gear was a little more awkward to remove but with some fiddling it was soon gone, and Reese gave a shudder like a dog that just stepped dripping from a river.\u00a0 It made his scales ripple and shimmer.<\/p>\n<p>Once he felt better, he sat back down, wrapping his tail around his feet.<\/p>\n<p>The blush Harold was sporting as he dug through the backpack, told him exactly what Sarah had packed.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, he pulled out a bottle of water and drank it down.\u00a0 &#8220;So, Mr. Reese.&#8221;\u00a0 In truth, Harold was still getting used to having a conversation with a Dragon.\u00a0 &#8220;After last night, does this mean we&#8217;re Mated?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s not complete yet,&#8221; John answered, head resting on the blanket, letting his Mate scratch him behind his ears.\u00a0 &#8220;For the last step I need to be in Dragon form.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Sex won&#8217;t be involved will it?&#8221; he asked, chortling.\u00a0 &#8220;Not that I&#8217;m unwilling to try new things, but I doubt the lube Sarah packed would be enough.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>John snorted, ruffling the edge of the blanket.\u00a0 &#8220;No Dragon sex.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Do Dragons <em>have<\/em> sex?\u00a0 I mean, in Dragon form?&#8221;\u00a0 Harold ran his hand along the broad, sleek head and over the neck that pressed against him.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yes, Dragons have sex.\u00a0 There are Dragons who are Mates.&#8221;\u00a0 John shifted, moving his head around a little until they were facing each other.\u00a0 &#8220;Dragons who are Mated to humans, have on occasion &#8216;mated&#8217; with another Dragon to make sure the species keeps going.\u00a0 This is more common with same-sex couples.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So we&#8217;re not a rarity?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;No.\u00a0 Draco, one of the oldest, is Mated to a human male,&#8221; he answered, eyes closing, enjoying the warm sun.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Draco, from the movie?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yes.&#8221;\u00a0 John twitched one eye open again, to watch Harold&#8217;s reactions.\u00a0 &#8220;Bowen was his Mate.\u00a0 It&#8217;s kinda like the movie, but not.\u00a0 I mentioned some Dragons are evil.\u00a0 Well, one was Mated to the King, and Bowen thought it was a bad influence, not realizing the boy he&#8217;d help raise was an asshole.\u00a0 After hunting down and killing a few Dragons, he ran into Draco, who put him straight, and explained about Mates.\u00a0 A few years later, the two took out the King <em>and<\/em> the bad Dragon.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Where are they now?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Scotland,&#8221; John chuckled.\u00a0 &#8220;Draco likes to pretend he&#8217;s Nessy.\u00a0 The locals love him, and let him have as many sheep as he wants.&#8221;\u00a0 He gave Harold a particularly pointed look.\u00a0 &#8220;Brings in tourists.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So Dragons have no problem with same-sex couples?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s a human problem,&#8221; John said honestly.\u00a0 &#8220;We would have to be more careful as humans in New York, than with other Dragons.\u00a0 But to answer your question&#8230;\u00a0 Draco wanted his line to continue, and as Bowen couldn&#8217;t pop a few babies out for him, he bred with a female Dragon who had a human female as a Mate.\u00a0 After the hatchlings were born, Draco and Bowen raised two, and the girls raised the other two.\u00a0 A Dragon pair tend to produce a clutch, while a human and Dragon pairing have babies one at a time.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Were you hatched?&#8221;\u00a0 Harold stared at Reese with wide eyes.<\/p>\n<p>But John chuckled deeply.\u00a0 &#8220;I was born, like my brother.\u00a0 I was a year old when dad looked into my crib and discovered I was missing.\u00a0 He freaked, thinking someone had taken me, only to find me in front of the fireplace under one of mom&#8217;s quilts, curled up in a ball as a Dragon.\u00a0 For years they couldn&#8217;t really take me away from the farm, as I couldn&#8217;t control transforming until I was about three, and knew not to do it in front of other humans.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I have to ask.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold sat up straighter.\u00a0 &#8220;<em>How To Train Your Dragon<\/em>?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;What about it?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Is Toothless real?\u00a0 I mean, if <em>Dragonheart<\/em> was based on a real Dragon, is Toothless real too?\u00a0 Bear does love the movie after all, Mr. Reese.\u00a0 It&#8217;s for <em>his<\/em> benefit to know these things.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Toothless is Hiccup.\u00a0 Hiccup is Toothless.\u00a0 It&#8217;s why both characters are missing part of tail or foot.&#8221;\u00a0 John lifted his head up a little.\u00a0 &#8220;Astrid is his Mate.\u00a0 She&#8217;s the one who flies with the rigged saddle.\u00a0 It was their grandkid, or really a few generations of grandkids, who have kept the family secret, and then finally written the books.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Ah, then just so.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold used the Dragon&#8217;s solidity to help steady himself as he stood up.\u00a0 &#8220;How do we finish this Mating?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>John nodded, moving out toward the middle of the field, Harold following just behind.<\/p>\n<p>He settled back down, half elevated on his front legs, experiencing a strange sense of anticipation that was hard to quantify.\u00a0 &#8220;Come stand in front of me.\u00a0 Touch my chest.\u00a0 Don&#8217;t be scared.\u00a0 Do you feel my heart?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yes.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold laid his hand on the smooth scales, sensing perfectly what he was looking for, following his instincts, holding his breath.\u00a0 He could feel the pulse that beat heavily under his palm.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s no turning back.\u00a0 This is forever&#8230;&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I know.&#8221;\u00a0 He looked up, a smile on his face that spoke of utter adoration.\u00a0 &#8220;I love you.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Oh, Harold.&#8221;\u00a0 John&#8217;s head dipped down and pushed against him softly.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;ve loved you from the moment told me to call you Mr. Finch.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Mr. Reese&#8230;&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>John&#8217;s wings unfurled, wrapping around them both, securing his Mate within his embrace.\u00a0 &#8220;You need only open yourself to me.&#8221;\u00a0 His voice was soft and caring.\u00a0 &#8220;In the movie they showed Draco sharing his heart with the king, to save his life.\u00a0 This is partly accurate.&#8221;\u00a0 He reached up to his chest with his claw, cutting under one of the scales, exposing his very Soul.\u00a0 &#8220;It&#8217;s not the heart we share\u2026&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold&#8217;s breath caught in his throat at the perfect beauty of what he was seeing.<\/p>\n<p>The wings supporting him, kept him standing as it overwhelmed his senses.<\/p>\n<p>If asked to describe that moment, all he could he really convey was the feeling of gentle warmth.<\/p>\n<p>The sensation of being whole, in ways he had never before known himself needing.<\/p>\n<p>Of being adored.<\/p>\n<p>Surrounded by love.<\/p>\n<p>It was coming home.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I am yours,&#8221; he whispered.<\/p>\n<p>A flash of light, seared across the meadow, startling the local birds and animals.<\/p>\n<p>And when everything settled, John stood naked in the middle of the field, holding Harold carefully in his arms.<\/p>\n<p>He kissed his Mate&#8217;s forehead, before lifting him up and carrying him back to the blanket.<\/p>\n<p>Laying him down very carefully, he settled next to him, wrapping himself around the smaller body.\u00a0 He had known that the Mating would take a lot out of Harold, but it didn&#8217;t stop him from being concerned.<\/p>\n<p>Draco had warned him of the possibilities though, and told him to be patient with the process.<\/p>\n<p>A few hours later, Harold woke, startled and confused.<\/p>\n<p>He sat up, cringing at the sharp pain in his neck.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Let me.&#8221;\u00a0 John&#8217;s hand rubbed tenderly at the right spot, calming down the nerves and muscles.\u00a0 &#8220;How are you feeling?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re in human form.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>John smiled and kissed him on the cheek.\u00a0 &#8220;It was easier to curl up and take a nap with you.&#8221;\u00a0 He moved until he was sat in front of his Mate.\u00a0 &#8220;How are you feeling?&#8221; he asked again.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Good.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold frowned, rubbing his chest, sensing something there.\u00a0 Unbuttoning his shirt, it took him an astonished moment to register the Dragon-shaped tattoo, that was formed almost like a birthmark, a shadow over his heart.\u00a0 He blinked up at Reese, one eyebrow raised in question.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The mark is mine.\u00a0 The shape reflects my own.\u00a0 It&#8217;s a sign to the world that you are Mated to a Dragon, and absolutely not to be fucked with.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;What happens if someone ignores it?&#8221; Harold asked, his hand brushing over the mark.\u00a0 It surprised him that it didn&#8217;t hurt.\u00a0 He could remember a strong heat, pressure on his chest, but not a physical pain <em>per se<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I rip them apart and leave them to rot.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So nothing really new then,&#8221; Harold chuckled, eyerolling.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And what would <em>you<\/em> do if someone went after <em>me<\/em>?&#8221; John retorted with a smirk.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Destroy them.&#8221;\u00a0 His eyes narrowed at the very thought of it.<\/p>\n<p>If Snow hadn&#8217;t taken out Kara with his bomb vest, Harold would have made it his life&#8217;s goal to find and destroy her.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I love you, so much.&#8221;\u00a0 John cupped his Mate&#8217;s cheek and leaned forward, taking his lips in a feathery kiss.<\/p>\n<p>Harold reached out for his shoulders, pulling him closer until they ended up laying back on the blanket.\u00a0 &#8220;I want to feel you inside me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Bless Sarah and her planning,&#8221; John muttered, as he sat up and grabbed the backpack, pulling out a small tube of lubricant.\u00a0 He tossed it on the blanket, then worked to get his Mate out of his clothing.\u00a0 The shirt got folded to give Harold&#8217;s neck some support, and the jeans were stuffed under his hips.\u00a0 &#8220;Tell me if you hurt.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I really don&#8217;t care, Mr. Reese,&#8221; he murmured, spreading his legs as much as he could.\u00a0 &#8220;I want this.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I won&#8217;t hurt you.&#8221;\u00a0 John shifted Harold&#8217;s bad leg just enough to take pressure off his hip.\u00a0 &#8220;And Harold, now that you&#8217;re mine, we&#8217;ll be discussing exercise, yoga and therapy for your injuries.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Now?!&#8221;\u00a0 He stared at him in shock.<\/p>\n<p>John chuckled as he spread lube on his fingers, and rubbed it over the puckered hole he was being offered.<\/p>\n<p>Harold&#8217;s hands gripped the blanket, his back arching slightly.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Relax,&#8221; Reese cautioned.\u00a0 &#8220;I don&#8217;t want you in pain.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Then do something, Mr. Reese!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>It was an order, and John obeyed, slipping a finger into Harold&#8217;s body, thrusting gently, looking for that one sensitive spot.\u00a0 When his Mate moaned in delight, his eyes fluttering closed, John smirked wickedly.\u00a0 Slicking his fingers with more lube, he pushed two inside the warmth that welcomed him, again finding that bundle of nerves.\u00a0 It won him a whimper of pleasured joy.\u00a0 Moving onto his knees, he leaned down and took Harold&#8217;s leaking cock into his mouth, even as he added a third finger.<\/p>\n<p>His reward came with an ecstatic shout as his Mate reached orgasm, and John gladly drank everything he was given, licking him clean with luxurious strokes of the tongue, before finally sitting back up.<\/p>\n<p>Grabbing the lube, he slicked his own aching cock and positioned himself at Harold&#8217;s trembling entrance.<\/p>\n<p>Resting his hands on either side of his Mate&#8217;s head, he leaned in and kissed him as he slowly pushed forward.<\/p>\n<p>Cringing slightly as he adjusted to the pressure, Harold moaned at the feeling of being taken.\u00a0 It had been too long since he&#8217;d last given this to anyone.\u00a0 Reaching up, he deepened the kiss, wanting nothing but to thrust his hips and take John fully inside himself, but a warning twinge from his injuries told him not to favor lust too much over commonsense.<\/p>\n<p>Still he was panting rather harshly as John tortured him instead, inch by inch.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I got you, Mr. Finch.&#8221;\u00a0 He chuckled softly at Harold&#8217;s impatience.\u00a0 Having his Mate spread out under him, all the barriers between them blown apart, was enough to have him coming far too fast, yet he somehow held onto his disintegrating self-control a while longer, gripping Harold&#8217;s bad hip, steadying it as he slid fully inside, and sheathed himself completely in the place he knew he alone belonged.\u00a0 &#8220;So tight,&#8221; he breathed.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;No one since\u2026&#8221;\u00a0 Harold looked at him suddenly, eyes sharp and slightly guarded.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Nathan.&#8221;\u00a0 John kissed away the concern.\u00a0 &#8220;I figured that one a while ago.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He pulled out then pushed back in, determined to have Harold utterly loose it and scream out his name to the sky.<\/p>\n<p>The care John took not to hurt him, made Harold&#8217;s heart swell in love.\u00a0 Each thrust, each slide, each gasp, was utterly beyond perfect, and it surprised him that even at his age, his erection had returned and his dick was eager for more.\u00a0 &#8220;Harder. \u00a0John, please&#8230;&#8221;\u00a0 The brilliant glow in his Dragon&#8217;s eyes, seeped through the human gaze.<\/p>\n<p>Yes, this was <em>his<\/em> Dragon.<\/p>\n<p>His Mate.<\/p>\n<p>His everything.<\/p>\n<p>The moment John&#8217;s hand wrapped around his manhood, sliding along the shaft in sync with each thrust, a second orgasm tore through him with such violent, heaving passion, that he screamed it out for the world to hear.<\/p>\n<p>John rhythm stalled at the sight of it, his Mate&#8217;s inner muscles tightening fiercely around him.<\/p>\n<p>He pushed in harder &#8211; once, twice, three times &#8211; and came with his own harsh growl of pleasure, breathing deeply as the sensation washed over him.<\/p>\n<p>Thankfully he kept some small, rational voice in his head that warned him not to collapse on his Mate.\u00a0 So he pulled out gently, and lay next to him, pressing their bodies flush together, pulling Harold&#8217;s glasses off and setting them in the grass.<\/p>\n<p>Neither caring much about the mess, they were almost instantly asleep.<\/p>\n<p>When Harold woke some time later, he was alone again.<\/p>\n<p>Frowning when he didn&#8217;t see John nearby, he sighed, figuring there had to be at least <em>one <\/em>habit he&#8217;d need to break his Dragon of.<\/p>\n<p>Struggling upright, he pulled on his clothes, cringing slightly at the soreness and the sticky patches, but he couldn&#8217;t keep the giddy smile off his face.\u00a0 Though he felt like a youngster again, he still tested his leg before setting off to find John.<\/p>\n<p>In the end, he heard it before he saw it.<\/p>\n<p>A rustle of the bushes.<\/p>\n<p>The sound of a wet, slippery crunch.<\/p>\n<p>Harold glared at his Dragon, who was licking his lips as he turned around.\u00a0 He&#8217;d been just about to snag another sheep, but stopped short when he saw his Mate.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You are absolutely brushing your teeth before kissing me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I swallowed your seed then kissed you on the mouth, and <em>one<\/em> little sheep is offensive to my oral hygiene, Mr. Finch?\u00a0 It&#8217;s just like eating warm mutton.&#8221;\u00a0 The Dragon made his way over to his human, lowering his head to nuzzle at Harold&#8217;s belly softly.\u00a0 &#8220;Besides, all that sex with you made me hungry.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>His eyebrow ridges rose, giving him a most suggestive expression.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We do have sandwiches, Mr. Reese!&#8221;\u00a0 Harold leaned into the knowing touch despite glaring at him.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;My metabolism is working overtime with all the energy it takes to keep shifting shape.&#8221;\u00a0 He led them back to the blanket, settling down into the grass.\u00a0 &#8220;A sandwich just wasn&#8217;t going to cut it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold sat on the non-messy section of the blanket, took out the sandwiches and ate them both.\u00a0 He was apparently <em>that <\/em>famished too.\u00a0 &#8220;So, now what happens?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Now we go home.&#8221;\u00a0 John settled his snout on his Mate&#8217;s lap, demanding pets.\u00a0 &#8220;We&#8217;ll figure it out as we go.\u00a0 Should be a challenge.\u00a0 I&#8217;m actually shocked you aren&#8217;t having a freak out moment.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Oh, I most certainly am.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold stroked the warm scales.\u00a0 &#8220;There seems to be a part of my brain screaming stupidly at trying to reason how it should be I just Mated with a Dragon, and have a shadow tattoo as proof.\u00a0 The other part of me is saying you&#8217;re still John Reese, just slightly scalier.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Well that&#8217;s one way to look at it.&#8221;\u00a0 The Dragon snorted softly in amusement.\u00a0 &#8220;If you need to talk to other human Mates, I can make arrangements.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Are there any in New York?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;A few.&#8221;\u00a0 He lifted his head slightly and looked at Harold.\u00a0 &#8220;There is <em>one<\/em> you need to be aware of.&#8221;\u00a0 His Mate stared at him for a few moments, waiting.\u00a0 &#8220;Elias has a second-in-command, Anthony, the guy with the scar.\u00a0 <em>He&#8217;s<\/em> a Dragon.\u00a0 I smelt him on Elias.\u00a0 That&#8217;s why I didn&#8217;t think twice about helping him.\u00a0 Afterwards he came to me, having smelled another Dragon on his Protectee.\u00a0 We made a deal, not to mess with the other.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You should&#8217;ve <em>told<\/em> me this!&#8221;\u00a0 Harold was rightly furious, not caring how much physically bigger Reese was at that moment.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I would&#8217;ve had to mention the whole Dragon thing in the first place.&#8221;\u00a0 Reese itched to snarl, but stayed calm, trying not scare his new Mate.\u00a0 &#8220;He&#8217;s smaller than me, by a lot.\u00a0 If he pushed, I could easily take him out.\u00a0 Harold, I&#8217;d be able to take him out in <em>human<\/em> form.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So he&#8217;s Mated with Elias?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;No, Elias is his Protectee.&#8221;\u00a0 John laid his head down to show a more submissive position.\u00a0 &#8220;He found Elias after the boy&#8217;s mother was killed, and took him in.\u00a0 He won&#8217;t abandon him, no matter what.\u00a0 Not for the mob <em>or<\/em> the police.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Will he be problem?&#8221;\u00a0 Harold was still concerned, but moved to lean against John&#8217;s neck, finding comfort in the touch.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;No more than they already are.&#8221;\u00a0 John rolled his eyes, making his Mate smile just a little.\u00a0 &#8220;The only good thing about it?\u00a0 As I&#8217;m the bigger Dragon in the area, he&#8217;ll come under <em>my<\/em> control, unless I go after Elias.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So we could work this out in our favor.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold&#8217;s mind wove smoothly through a few dozen different scenarios.\u00a0 &#8220;Elias has a point, and has done well to clean up Brighton Beach, he just \u2026&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;&#8230;goes about it, not quite the right way.&#8221;\u00a0 John finished his thought for him.\u00a0 &#8220;After we get back to New York and get settled together, we&#8217;ll deal with Elias.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Well in that case, Mr. Reese, we shall have to order you a new suit, and replace the one you lost when you transformed at the warehouse.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold lay back a little, enjoying being close to his Dragon.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Rest, Harold.\u00a0 We have a long flight back.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">***<\/p>\n<p>They reached the barn as dusk was settling.<\/p>\n<p>Sam cringed at the blanket he was handed, and dumped it in a trash bag to let Sarah deal with later.<\/p>\n<p>He helped unstrap all the gear and put it away, then once his nephew was in human form again, he pulled him into a tight hug.<\/p>\n<p>Sarah slipped her arm around Harold.\u00a0 &#8220;He&#8217;s just happy John&#8217;s taken care of now,&#8221; she informed him softly.\u00a0 &#8220;I never had children, you see.\u00a0 Found out I was barren about two years into our marriage.\u00a0 Sam never cared.\u00a0 He loved me for me.\u00a0 Besides, he always said we had John to watch over instead.\u00a0 I know he&#8217;s been worried what would happen to the big lizard after we passed, but now he has <em>you<\/em>.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yes, he does.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold smiled at the sight of the two men, and a blush crept over his face.\u00a0 &#8220;Excuse me, there&#8217;s something I need to take care of.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Sure.\u00a0 I&#8217;m so happy for you both.&#8221;\u00a0 She leaned over and kissed his cheek.\u00a0 &#8220;We stocked the fridge full.\u00a0 There should be some steak and extra groceries enough to hold John over.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Do I need to find sheep in the city for him?&#8221; he asked, genuinely wondering where livestock might be procured in sufficient quantity.\u00a0 He might not like the idea of feeding his Dragon live food, but if John needed far more calories than the average human being, then the man certainly wasn&#8217;t eating anywhere near enough anyway.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;As a human, his body needs slightly more than average nutrition.\u00a0 But make sure he gets good meals with meat.\u00a0 If he&#8217;s in Dragon form for a while, he&#8217;ll need much more food.\u00a0 It&#8217;s an energy thing.\u00a0 Stock him up on proteins, especially if he&#8217;s going to be transforming more.\u00a0 Okay?&#8221;\u00a0 She patted his arm before walking over to John and Sam.<\/p>\n<p>Harold took the moment of distraction to slip away, and headed up to the apartment.\u00a0 In the bathroom he stripped, showered, and changed into jogging pants and a t-shirt, both of which were his exact size.<\/p>\n<p>John had really set the place up for the two of them, and further explorations revealed a modest closet and dresser stacked with articles that were precisely to his taste.<\/p>\n<p>For the first time in a very long time, he had someone who was actually paying attention to his needs, and it made his heart swell to know it.<\/p>\n<p>Making his way back across the room, he re-examined at the computer equipment, then taking a deep breath set out to bring everything online, having already determined from the modestly disguised dish outside that there should be more than adequate connection to the rest of the world.<\/p>\n<p>He had no idea how long he was building and configuring his systems, until he looked up and saw a cup of tea on the corner of the desk, and John sitting on the couch, wearing jogging pants and a sweatshirt, contentedly reading a book.<\/p>\n<p>He downed the tea and went back to work, ignoring his Mate&#8217;s knowing chuckle.<\/p>\n<p>When he finally had the new setup arranged exactly how he needed, the office chair he was in, got pulled away from the desk and rolled through to the kitchen, where there was food waiting for his attention.\u00a0 He sat in the chair and stared up at his Dragon, mouth open in shock.\u00a0 &#8220;Did you just\u2026?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I know you, Harold.\u00a0 Once the system is on I won&#8217;t see you for at least a day, even <em>with <\/em>me living in the same room as you.&#8221;\u00a0 John pulled him out of the rolling chair and gestured to the barstool.\u00a0 &#8220;Eat.\u00a0 Then you can go play with your computers.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yes, mommy.&#8221;\u00a0 He grinned, but took a seat, his mouth starting to water at the delicious smell of steak, potatoes and steamed vegetables.\u00a0 He dug in, hungrier than he&#8217;d first thought.<\/p>\n<p>They had a nice dinner together, talking about a variety of things, including what to do when they got back to New York.\u00a0 Their best option seemed to be continuing the way they were, with Harold staying at John&#8217;s loft more often than not.<\/p>\n<p>Though Reese did figure he&#8217;d sooner or later get chance to track down the Penthouse that Mr. <em>Partridge<\/em> clearly owned.<\/p>\n<p>When their plates and glasses were empty, he kissed his Mate with an easy familiarity.\u00a0 &#8220;Go ahead and play now, Harold.\u00a0 I&#8217;ll wash up and settle on the couch.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Finch pulled him for a deeper and more lingering moment, then scurried to the computers, dragging his chair behind him.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Locate Admin,&#8221; he said simply, once everything was running smoothly.<\/p>\n<p>Video popped up on the screen, with an image of Harold framed in yellow.<\/p>\n<p>Underneath it, a black text box opened.\u00a0 &#8216;<em>Where have you been<\/em>!?&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Is that new?&#8221;\u00a0 John asked, walking to the desk, leaning over Harold.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Somewhat.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold never wanted to truly admit that the Machine was communicating in more ways than he ever anticipated.\u00a0 He took a deep breath, smiled softly.\u00a0 &#8220;Change admin parameters\u2026&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;<em>Reese, John: Status &#8211; Auxiliary Admin<\/em>&#8216;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;What does that mean?&#8221; John asked.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You are no long an Asset, and certainly not a Contingency.\u00a0 Being Admin will provide you more power, but then I think you may have already achieved that role when you threatened the Machine while you were searching for me.&#8221;\u00a0 He glanced up at John, then back at the main screen.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I will always find you.&#8221;\u00a0 He kissed Harold&#8217;s temple.\u00a0 &#8220;And if Root comes after you again, I <em>will<\/em> kill her.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I know, Mr. Reese.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold had come to that conclusion already.\u00a0 &#8220;Find all references\u2026&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;<em>Dragons<\/em>.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>Images.\u00a0 Documents.\u00a0 Historical narratives.\u00a0 Tapestries.\u00a0 Paintings. \u00a0Sculptures.<\/p>\n<p>Everything that bore even the slightest link to the myths and legends about Dragons, scrolled with breathtaking speed over the entire array of screens that Harold had set up.<\/p>\n<p>John stared in shock.\u00a0 The passage of so much material passing his eyes so fast, always made him feel a little dizzy.<\/p>\n<p>It all ended with security camera footage of him destroying those damn warehouses a few days ago.\u00a0 But what caught his attention just before that, was an old photograph taken in the late 1940&#8217;s, of a smaller Dragon sitting upright, its tail wrapped around the soldier who stood beside it.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Harold!&#8221;\u00a0 He leaned over and touched the image.\u00a0 &#8220;That&#8217;s my parents.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Finch focused on it, pulling it to the center screen, clearly seeing a strong resemblance between the soldier and Reese.\u00a0 &#8220;How?&#8221;\u00a0 He wasn&#8217;t sure if he was asking John or the Machine.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It was taken after World War II.&#8221;\u00a0 With fond concern, Reese ran his fingers over the screen as though he could truly touch his loved ones again.\u00a0 &#8220;I should know, I took it.\u00a0 Mom had been terrified while we were away.\u00a0 I mean, terrified to a point where she stayed in Dragon form most of the time.\u00a0 When dad came home, she was <em>still<\/em> in Dragon form.\u00a0 She actually had a hard time coming out of it.\u00a0 But he didn&#8217;t care.\u00a0 He curled up with her every night, until one morning he woke up next to a redhead instead of a red Dragon.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;She was red?&#8221; Harold asked, intrigued.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Mom came from Wales.\u00a0 Most of the Dragons from that area are red, hence their flag.&#8221;\u00a0 He smiled down at his Mate.\u00a0 &#8220;She&#8217;s a descendant from Draco.\u00a0 It&#8217;s why I have the pincher tail.\u00a0 It&#8217;s his family trademark.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold watched as John stared at the photo, lost in memories, then looking back at the screen, he typed a few lines of coded instruction.\u00a0 &#8220;I shall have this saved where no one can find it, and then print it for you.&#8221;\u00a0 He smiled at the soft kiss laid on his temple.\u00a0 &#8220;Then I shall have the Machine delete all traces of it, and any connections to either you, or your family.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;How is it even online?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Looks like someone found it at a bar\u2026&#8221;\u00a0 He typed a few more things, asking for clarification, pulling up information and documentation on that particular image.\u00a0 &#8220;Your dad&#8217;s bar.\u00a0 Someone sold it several years back, to one of those hideous &#8216;Reality Shows&#8217; that specialized in debunking myths and legends.\u00a0 They made a show of it, stating in the end that it was faked.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold pulled up the episode, and the two of them watched with amusement as an &#8216;expert&#8217; stated without doubt it was a forged photograph, because all known facts about Dragons meant they were evil creatures and would never be caught posing with a human for a picture.\u00a0 &#8220;Obviously an expert at his own self-importance,&#8221; Harold concluded.<\/p>\n<p>John snorted in agreement.\u00a0 &#8220;What else has the Machine pulled up?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>They went through files, photos, and histories, to distinguish the differences between myth and reality.<\/p>\n<p>By the time they were done, Harold was very impressed at how well actual Dragons did manage to hide themselves within society.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The Machine is calculating all that information and now tracking Dragons worldwide.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It can&#8217;t give this information to the government!&#8221;\u00a0 John flailed at the computer screens.\u00a0 &#8220;Do you know what the government would do if they knew about us?\u00a0 Imagine what <em>Snow<\/em> would&#8217;ve done with me, if he&#8217;d known what I was capable of?\u00a0 You know my record as a human, and you saw what they did.\u00a0 Imagine ten times worse.\u00a0 A <em>hundred<\/em> times worse!!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;<em>Hide<\/em>&#8216;<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;<em>Protect Admin<\/em>&#8216;<\/p>\n<p>John read the lines in the black box.\u00a0 &#8220;Hide me, to protect Harold?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;<em>Protect Dragons.\u00a0 Protects Admin<\/em>.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It means it&#8217;s hiding all the information on Dragons, to protect you John.\u00a0 You <em>are<\/em> Admin as much as I am.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold sat back in his chair, staring at the screens in awe, fear, admiration, and even pride.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;But you <em>created<\/em> it.&#8221;\u00a0 John blinked at him, not quite seeing the context yet.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You helped to change it John, when you refused to save the Numbers it was giving you, if it didn&#8217;t help you find me.\u00a0 And now we&#8217;re Mated.\u00a0 It knows.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a <em>machine<\/em> Harold.\u00a0 It can&#8217;t understand Mates.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;<em>Married<\/em>&#8216;<\/p>\n<p>Harold waved hand at the screen.\u00a0 &#8220;We taught it John.\u00a0 We taught it that we are important to each other.\u00a0 That we will do whatever has to be done to save the other.\u00a0 I was ready to break you out of jail.\u00a0 You hunted Root down.\u00a0 We taught it the concept of Mates, before we even were Mates.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;<em>Love<\/em>&#8216;<\/p>\n<p>John stepped back, realizing that Harold was far from joking.\u00a0 It made him stumble a little until he hit the edge of the couch.\u00a0 &#8220;It&#8217;s not on some server, or government drive someplace, is it?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;No.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;<em>Bond&#8217;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s out there.\u00a0 An Artificial Intelligence&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yes.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;<em>Forever<\/em>&#8216;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The servers are merely for processing logic trees before they are deleted.\u00a0 And for communicating with the government, or with us.\u00a0 That alone.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You were listening to my computer ramblings.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold wanted to smile, but he could see that John was coming to terms with the very same thoughts he had himself come to terms with over the last year.<\/p>\n<p>Since Root.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Root wanted it free.&#8221;\u00a0 John stared at the computers screens and still flailed.\u00a0 &#8220;It&#8217;s already free.&#8221;\u00a0 He laughed, sounding slightly hysterical, but fully enjoying the irony of the moment.\u00a0 &#8220;So you <em>are<\/em> a God after all.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold gave a self-deprecating snort, smiling thinly.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m just good with computers.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If Skynet takes over, I&#8217;m totally going to blame you for it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;<em>Terminators: independently rationalizing automatons with lethal intent &#8211; highly unlikely in next two centuries given current development of robotic design.&#8217;<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><em>&#8216;Destruction of human race defeats purpose for creation<\/em>.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>John stared at his Mate open-mouthed.\u00a0 &#8220;Yep, I blame you entirely.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n<\/div><div id=\"tabs-5141-0-3\">\n\n<p><strong>~ New York: A Week Later ~<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>They settled easily enough back into their routine, and the moment they returned to the library, the Machine had a new Number for them.<\/p>\n<p>While Reese had gone out to scouting, Harold went to meet Fusco at the park and pick up Bear.<\/p>\n<p>He was pleased that someone had at least given some thought to the dog, as he had himself just about forgotten the poor thing during those extraordinary days tucked safe from the world in John&#8217;s hideaway.<\/p>\n<p>Fusco explained it, stating that he had received a weird text message to go to the old library and pick up Bear.\u00a0 He then made a few choice comments about knowing where the Bat Cave was located.\u00a0 Although he soon began calling it the Dragon Cave instead.<\/p>\n<p>Harold was not amused.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s a good dog.\u00a0 The kid loves him.&#8221;\u00a0 Fusco gave Bear a solid a pat on the head.\u00a0 &#8220;Also took out two drug dealers, one gangbanger, and a crazy bitch.\u00a0 Good for the neighborhood.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll ask Mr. Reese to get you one.&#8221;\u00a0 Finch took Bear&#8217;s leash and pulled him close.\u00a0 &#8220;We&#8217;ll be in touch.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;How <em>is<\/em> Mr. Scaly?&#8221; he asked.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Mr. Reese is good, thank you.\u00a0 And I would suggest not mentioning his certain skill while in public.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold gave the older cop a pointed, disapproving look.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Hey!\u00a0 Don&#8217;t get your hackles up.\u00a0 I was just curious.\u00a0 Despite what you think of me, I do actually care.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold relaxed slightly.\u00a0 &#8220;I know Detective, and thank you.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll have to get a beer sometime.\u00a0 Carter&#8217;s got questions.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0 He gave Harold a wink and a smirk.\u00a0 &#8220;She&#8217;s been muttering and writing things down.\u00a0 He&#8217;s in for an interrogation.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Finch couldn&#8217;t help but smile, thinking about the bomb John would have to drop on Carter&#8217;s lap.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m sure it will be entertaining.\u00a0 You should know that Mr. Reese is working at the present moment, and might be calling for back up.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Fusco nodded, and with one last pat to Bear&#8217;s head, made his way out of the park.<\/p>\n<p>Harold looked down at the dog, giving him an &#8216;I am most disappointed&#8217; expression.\u00a0 &#8220;You could&#8217;ve <em>told<\/em> me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Bear stared at him and whined.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I know you know about the &#8216;<em>thing<\/em>&#8216;.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Bear yipped.<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;Harold, are you interrogating the dog?&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>Finch glanced around the immediate area to make sure no one was watching.\u00a0 &#8220;Did you find our new Number, Mr. Reese?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;Mr. Baxter at the moment, is alive and well, and living a very ordinary life, with his little Red Dachshund, named Duk-Duk.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>Harold paused, blinking at the mental image that such information provoked.\u00a0 &#8220;Mr. Reese, you&#8217;re supposed to be <em>watching<\/em> our Number, not <em>playing<\/em> with the dog.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;I&#8217;m watching from across the street.\u00a0 Our Number called to his dog as they went for a walk early.\u00a0 He&#8217;s well trained.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Well, Mr. Baxter is apparently not as well trained as his <em>long<\/em> friend.\u00a0 He made the mistake of buying a car, in a deal &#8216;too good to be true&#8217;, courtesy of Craigslist.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold began making his way back to the library.<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;I&#8217;m guessing it really <em>was<\/em> too good to be true.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The car was in fact, stolen.\u00a0 But more importantly it was carrying quite a lot of drugs.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold sighed, wondering how people got themselves into these situations.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m afraid Mr. Baxter is going to get visitors rather soon, from a local gang of\u2026&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;Already here, Finch.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>Harold listened for a few moments as John took out the drug dealers.<\/p>\n<p>After a moment, he muted the line, knowing his Mate was more than capable of taking care of the situation.<\/p>\n<p>He glanced back down at the dog, &#8220;How about we put on <em>How To Train Your Dragon<\/em> when we get in.\u00a0 It can be research.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Bear whined in agreement.<\/p>\n<p>They didn&#8217;t talk about John walking into the library a couple of hours later and finding the two of them binge watching the Dragon&#8217;s TV Series on Netflix.<\/p>\n<p>They talked even less about John setting down a mug of Sencha Green Tea for Harold, a Doggie Danish for Bear, and a coffee for himself as he got comfortable and watched with them.<\/p>\n<p><strong>~ Executive Club ~<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Harold absolutely refused to go to a dive bar.<\/p>\n<p>Mr. Partridge instead made reservations at the Executive Club, of which he was a member, ensuring they could have a discreet a table in the back in order to guarantee their privacy.<\/p>\n<p>The two were already sitting and enjoying a glass of scotch, that likely cost more that Fusco&#8217;s wardrobe, as the two detectives made their way across the lounge toward them.<\/p>\n<p>Lionel glanced around, feeling horribly out of place.\u00a0 Everything screamed opulence.\u00a0 The dark panels on the walls, the rich carpet, leather chairs, high end crystal decanters behind the gleaming bar.\u00a0 The serving staff all wore tuxedos.\u00a0 He was out of his league, and knew it too.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m about three seconds from getting kicked to curb,&#8221; he commented, as they tried to be casual in taking their seats.\u00a0 He motioned with a nod, at a table full of smartly suited men who did little to hide their disgust at the &#8216;filth&#8217; that had walked in.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;They can try.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold sipped his scotch, sending the men a dark glare.\u00a0 &#8220;I out rank them.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Ohhh!&#8221;\u00a0 Fusco unbuttoned his jacket and leaned back.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m hobnobbing with the big boys now.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m pretty sure half the room is filled with Wall Street guys who destroyed our economy, or Senators who sent us to war.&#8221;\u00a0 Carter snorted as she got comfortable.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Likely.&#8221;\u00a0 John smiled at her.<\/p>\n<p>She gave him a pointed stare.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m still pissed with you.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Why Joss, wherever did this hostility come from?&#8221;\u00a0 He motioned to a waiter, who came immediately and took drink orders from the detectives.<\/p>\n<p>Carter waited until the server was gone before glaring a whole lot more at the &#8216;Man in a Suit&#8217;.\u00a0 &#8220;Do you <em>know<\/em> how hard it was to explain that fire?\u00a0 Not to mention the death toll?&#8221;\u00a0 She gestured at Lionel.\u00a0 &#8220;Thank God he&#8217;s used to coming up with bullshit stories because of you!\u00a0 He explained that since we <em>startled<\/em> them, someone must have accidentally set fire to the drugs, causing a weird explosion.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;They believed it?&#8221;\u00a0 Harold asked, shocked.<\/p>\n<p>Carter rolled her eyes.\u00a0 &#8220;Idiot here told them, it was either that or they would have to go with &#8216;Dragon&#8217;.\u00a0 The SWAT guys laughed so hard that just about any other bullshit story made more sense.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>John smirked.<\/p>\n<p>She glared at him some more.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Carter\u2026&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t even!&#8221;\u00a0 She held her hand out to stop him, one rigid index finger jabbing toward his chest.\u00a0 &#8220;I have questions and you <em>will<\/em> answer them.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>John glanced at his Mate, who was looking quite bored, though he could see there was humor in his eyes.\u00a0 &#8220;Well then, before you start diving into your notebook&#8230;&#8221;\u00a0 Carter ignored him as she pulled out a small hand held pad and flipped open the cover.\u00a0 John waited as the server put down the drinks and left again.\u00a0\u00a0 Then he purposely paused long enough for Fusco to take a drink.\u00a0 &#8220;You two should know, that Harold is now Mated to me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Lionel swallowed the bourbon, choking slightly.\u00a0 &#8220;Does <em>Mated<\/em> mean what I think it means?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Seriously?&#8221;\u00a0 Carter frowned in surprise, trying not to smirk.\u00a0 &#8220;I thought you two were bumping uglies a while back.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Finch sighed.\u00a0 &#8220;If your crude street level language is referring to the fact John and I are now lovers, it is a far more recent endeavor than you might imagine.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Damn it.&#8221;\u00a0 She pulled a twenty-dollar bill out of her wallet and handed it to Fusco.\u00a0 &#8220;I really thought you two were &#8216;<em>partners<\/em>&#8216; after the whole kidnapping thing.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Fusco chuckled as he put the money in his wallet.\u00a0 &#8220;Thanks guys.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If I knew you were hard up for cash, Fusco, I would&#8217;ve arranged for more HR time.&#8221;\u00a0 John&#8217;s expression was warning enough.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Haha!&#8221;\u00a0 He shrugged in mockery, not really caring all that much.\u00a0 He was ordering pizza for Lee tonight.\u00a0 &#8220;Hey, I&#8217;m not judging!\u00a0 I&#8217;m a modern man.\u00a0 Besides, who else would put up with you two?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And I&#8217;m guessing by using the word <em>Mate<\/em>, this is because of the &#8216;thing&#8217; and not just the sex?&#8221;\u00a0 Carter sat back, studying them.\u00a0 A smile formed on her lips as she saw how contented the two men were together, and she took note of how close they were sitting.\u00a0 &#8220;Hey, congrats!\u00a0 It&#8217;s good to see you both happy.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Thank you mostly kindly, Detective.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold gave her a nod in acknowledgement.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And yes, it does refer to the &#8216;<em>thing<\/em>&#8216;.&#8221;\u00a0 Reese even made the air quotes for emphasis.\u00a0 &#8220;Let&#8217;s get the questions over with.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Carter snorted and looked down at her pad.\u00a0 &#8220;How long?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I was born in 1803.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Shit!&#8221;\u00a0 Fusco downed the rest of his bourbon, then signaled for another.\u00a0 &#8220;Your parents?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Mom was one, dad was not,&#8221; he answered, nodding as the waiter filled everyone&#8217;s drinks and left.<\/p>\n<p>Carter was still staring at him.\u00a0 &#8220;You&#8217;ve seen some history.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Civil War, both World Wars, avoided Vietnam.&#8221;\u00a0 He shrugged.\u00a0 &#8220;We make good soldiers, cops, protectors.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;How many are there?\u00a0 Is there more in New York?&#8221; Lionel asked.\u00a0 He had his own set of questions about the whole Dragon &#8216;thing&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;A thousand or so, and yes, there are some in the city, besides me of course.\u00a0 In time, I&#8217;ll let you know who, just in case of emergencies.&#8221;\u00a0 He glanced back at Carter.\u00a0 &#8220;Next question?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Do you need to transform often?\u00a0 Since we&#8217;ve never seen it, I wasn&#8217;t sure if you <em>weren&#8217;t<\/em> showing us or <em>hadn&#8217;t <\/em>thought to.&#8221;\u00a0 She sat back in the chair and sipped her drink.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I haven&#8217;t for a while.\u00a0 That was the first time in years.&#8221;\u00a0 He felt Harold&#8217;s hand on his, giving him reassurance.\u00a0 Carter smiled softly at the sight, and even Fusco grinned.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;ll need to transform more, but will need to find a place that&#8217;s safe.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And we could use your help, detectives.\u00a0 As you saw, he&#8217;s not small, and will need extra nutrition.\u00a0 And I don&#8217;t mean a hamburger from the local truck.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold was adamant about that.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re talking a side of beef.&#8221;\u00a0 Lionel was already getting the bigger picture.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;More like a dozen sides of beef,&#8221; John explained.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Damn.&#8221;\u00a0 He took a deep breath, contemplating the problem for a few moments.\u00a0 &#8220;I actually know some guys in the meat market.\u00a0 Let me find a few things out.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Reese and Carter kept staring at each other, like brother and sister about to have an almighty fight.\u00a0 &#8220;Ask what I know you want to.&#8221;\u00a0 He could see it in her eyes, as she studied him.\u00a0 Either her instincts as a cop or a soldier &#8211; maybe both &#8211; were leading her to her own conclusions, or she knew more of her family history than he had actually thought.<\/p>\n<p>She closed her eyes, shaking her head.\u00a0 &#8220;Taylor had a school project last semester.\u00a0 Had to build a family tree.\u00a0 I started looking stuff up, and found my great-great-great-grandfather was a Reese.\u00a0 You can only imagine my snorting.\u00a0 Come to find out grandpa was a Union Soldier, who went and married a slave woman.&#8221;\u00a0 She leaned forward.\u00a0 &#8220;The family split in the 1920&#8217;s, when one sibling married a white man, the other, my grandmother, a black man.\u00a0\u00a0 Over the years the two never really mingled.\u00a0 One side a little too dark, the other a little too light.&#8221;\u00a0 She glanced over at John, nodding carefully.\u00a0 &#8220;I know Reese can&#8217;t be your name\u2026&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Actually, it is.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>She paused, sighed, and took a long swallow from her drink.\u00a0 &#8220;After the project, something was nagging at me, so I did more research.\u00a0 Taylor got into it.\u00a0 Felt like he was being a detective like his mom.\u00a0 So we went through old photos and documents, and discovered that great-great-grandpa, Thomas Reese, didn&#8217;t talk about his family.\u00a0 We at that time, assumed it was because they didn&#8217;t accept him marrying a black woman.\u00a0 But that wasn&#8217;t really why, was it?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;No one knew how to handle the scalier side of the family.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Fucking hell!&#8221;\u00a0 Fusco growled, getting more unwanted attention from the men across the room.\u00a0 He coughed and spluttered.\u00a0 &#8220;No\u2026!\u00a0 No, you&#8217;re <em>not<\/em> related to Mr. Tall, Dark and Scaly here?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>She smirked and pulled out a small photo from the back of her notebook.\u00a0 &#8220;It was in grandma&#8217;s bible.\u00a0 Took me a long time to find it, but I remember her saying it was the only photo of the Reese family.\u00a0\u00a0 She told me to keep it secret, as most don&#8217;t believe in magic.\u00a0 I was all of ten when she showed it to me.\u00a0 After she died, I inherited the bible, put it away and never thought more about it.\u00a0 Until I got home after the warehouse thing, and was in the middle of a shower and started cursing your name.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>It was a picture from the Civil War.<\/p>\n<p>Two brothers side by side.<\/p>\n<p>One in Union Uniform.<\/p>\n<p>The other a Dragon.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;How did you get that taken?&#8221; Harold asked, leaning forward to look at the startling image.\u00a0 It was faded around the edges, but the black and white aspects showcased his Dragon&#8217;s rich color instead of washing it out.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Dad was friends with a photographer.&#8221;\u00a0 John smiled at the photo.\u00a0 &#8220;He gave us the glass plate, along with the photo.\u00a0 We destroyed the plate.\u00a0 I never knew what happened to the photo though.&#8221;\u00a0 He ran a finger over his brother&#8217;s familiar form.\u00a0 There were days he truly missed him.\u00a0 It had hurt not to be welcomed.\u00a0 It wasn&#8217;t until Tom had grown old, that he suddenly received a telegram asking him to visit.\u00a0 Everyone at the old folk&#8217;s home had thought John was a grandson or something. \u00a0But he stayed right by his brother&#8217;s side, holding his hand until he died.\u00a0 &#8220;Can I keep this?&#8221; he whispered.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s yours.\u00a0 Not like I can hang it next to Taylor&#8217;s kindergarten paintings on the fridge.&#8221;\u00a0 She smiled softly at him, watching the play of emotions across his face.\u00a0 &#8220;So that would make you Uncle John?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Reese smirked at her.\u00a0 &#8220;You&#8217;ll always have family, Joss.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This explains the bitching between the two of you.&#8221;\u00a0 Fusco shook his head, laughing lightly.\u00a0 &#8220;You two fight like siblings.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We do not!&#8221; the exclaimed together.<\/p>\n<p>And both glared at him with identical disgust.<\/p>\n<p>Harold coughed politely.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You look like her.&#8221;\u00a0 John ignored his Mate.\u00a0 &#8220;But have Tom&#8217;s eyes.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Well if we&#8217;re going to be family, I expect to see you two at Taylor&#8217;s recital, and family dinner on Sunday.&#8221;\u00a0 Carter gave them a cheeky wink.\u00a0 Harold wasn&#8217;t sure if she was kidding, but from what he <em>did<\/em> know about the detective, he started making plans for Sunday dinner.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Is this when we hug?&#8221; John asked innocently.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;No!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Oh, come on Carter!\u00a0 You know you want to.&#8221;\u00a0 He stood up and held his arms open, giving her a challenging smirk.\u00a0 &#8220;Besides, it should drive the folks here nuts, seeing a black woman dare to hug a white man.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>She laughed as she rose to her feet and stepped into his embrace.\u00a0 It was still going to take a while to get her head wrapped around all of it.\u00a0 One day though, she&#8217;d sit Taylor down and tell him everything.\u00a0 Maybe after he&#8217;d graduated college.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Oh, I have to get in on this.&#8221;\u00a0 Fusco jumped out of his seat and wrapped his arm around both of them, chuckling at the groan of exasperation, and the &#8216;get off of me!&#8217;.\u00a0 &#8220;Come on, Mr. Glasses.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Really, do I <em>look<\/em> like someone who does group hugs?&#8221;\u00a0 He stared at them, appalled and amused at the same time.\u00a0 But Reese leaned down and gently pulled him up, tucking him into his arms, kissing him softly on the forehead.\u00a0 &#8220;Mr. Reese, must you?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Might as well give the 80 year old in the corner there, a decent heart attack.&#8221;\u00a0 He winked over at the old banker, then laughed when he winked back.\u00a0 &#8220;Or not!\u00a0 Dirty old man.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold quickly gave Carter a hug and Fusco a pat, before sitting back down.\u00a0 &#8220;Now that the family drama is over, are there any more questions?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Oh, yeah I have tons, but they can wait.&#8221;\u00a0 Joss put her notebook away.\u00a0 &#8220;And I reserve the right to see you in natural form.\u00a0 What little girl doesn&#8217;t dream of being rescued by a Dragon?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Technically you have been.&#8221;\u00a0 John snickered as he settled in his seat, leaning closer to Harold.<\/p>\n<p>She opened her mouth and then closed it, chuckling lightly.<\/p>\n<p>They sat for another thirty minutes talking about a few active cases, some relevant information they needed, and how the kids were doing in school, and of course there was Bear.\u00a0 As they got up to leave, both cops looking for an early night with the kids, John stood with them, motioning for Harold to stay.<\/p>\n<p>He first took Fusco&#8217;s arm and slipped a card into his pocket, making sure the detective saw it.\u00a0 &#8220;In case the HR things goes south, and I&#8217;m not there, call the person on the card.\u00a0 He&#8217;ll help.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Help?&#8221; Lionel questioned, hoping the suggestion was a good thing.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;A lawyer.\u00a0 The best.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He nodded, then shrugged.\u00a0 He had always thought it would kill him, being the doofus stuck in the middle of everybody else&#8217;s shit.\u00a0 He just didn&#8217;t think about getting caught up in the net when HR folded.\u00a0 &#8220;Thanks.\u00a0 I mean that.\u00a0 And not just for the card.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Reese wasn&#8217;t quite sure how to respond, so Lionel just gave him a smile and headed for the door, giving a cheeky wave to the Wall Street Brokers as he left.<\/p>\n<p>Carter rolled her eyes.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;ll make sure he doesn&#8217;t get in trouble.&#8221;\u00a0 She leaned up and gave John a kiss on the cheek, then looked down at the card he pressed into her hand.\u00a0 &#8220;What is this?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Someone you probably know.\u00a0 If you need back up, you can trust her.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>She looked at the name, her eyebrows rising as she stared at John again.\u00a0 &#8220;We&#8217;ll discuss,&#8221; she said firmly, and with that she followed Lionel to the lobby to grab their coats.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;What was that, Mr. Reese?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Insurance.&#8221;\u00a0 He held out his hand, helping Harold from the chair.\u00a0 &#8220;We have one more meeting.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We do?&#8221;\u00a0 He followed his Dragon to the very back of the lounge.\u00a0 &#8220;You know I don&#8217;t like surprises, Mr. Reese.&#8221;\u00a0 He watched intently as John approached the head waiter, whispered a few things in the man&#8217;s his ear, and suddenly a hidden door was unlatched for them adjacent to the fire exit.\u00a0 &#8220;I didn&#8217;t know that was there, and I&#8217;ve been a patron of this place for over a decade!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I actually have some friends in <em>higher<\/em> places.&#8221;\u00a0 John pulled him into the corridor, leading him down a long path towards a set of stairs at the end.\u00a0 &#8220;And I don&#8217;t mean the CIA.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Actually, Mr. Reese, that reminds me I have a question.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He stopped and turned.\u00a0 &#8220;What?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I was thinking about what you said, that if Snow or Stanton knew about Dragons, their behavior toward you would have surely been more awful.\u00a0 And my thoughts went to the bomb vest, and how scared I was of losing you.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>John pulled him closer to his side, leaning down to give him a soft kiss.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m fine, Harold.\u00a0 You saved me, remember?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Of course I do!\u00a0 And I am thankful for that every day.\u00a0 But as a Dragon\u2026&#8221;\u00a0 He pursed his lips.\u00a0 &#8220;Why did you not just take Kara out, and be done with her?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Too public.&#8221;\u00a0 He sighed, trying not to remember those days with her.\u00a0 &#8220;I went up on the roof, with every intention of transforming, and shredding the vest.\u00a0 I would&#8217;ve had just enough time to get airborne and block the explosion.\u00a0 I would&#8217;ve been injured, and would&#8217;ve needed a while to recover, but someone decided not to listen, and come save me instead.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Why didn&#8217;t you just transform then?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If you had failed on the last number, I <em>would<\/em> have.&#8221;\u00a0 John kissed him again, licking into his mouth, making Harold moan and clutch at his coat.\u00a0 &#8220;But you stopped it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I will always come for you, Mr. Reese.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I know, Mr. Finch.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He leaned down and kissed him one more time, before taking his hand firmly.\u00a0 &#8220;I know you don&#8217;t like surprises, but its time you meet others like us.&#8221;\u00a0 He led him up the flight of stairs.\u00a0 &#8220;Sorry for the hike, Finch, but there&#8217;s a reason this is hidden.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m perfectly fine, thank you.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold&#8217;s curiosity was outweighing the pain that had begun to form in his hip.\u00a0 Still, as they reached the top, John pulled out an old fashioned key from his inside coat pocket.\u00a0 &#8220;Well that&#8217;s one way to make sure it doesn&#8217;t get hacked.\u00a0 But couldn&#8217;t someone easily break the door down?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s reinforced steel.&#8221;\u00a0 John pushed it open and held it for Harold to walk through.<\/p>\n<p>The room beyond, was larger than it seemed &#8211; about the size of a fairly modest ballroom.\u00a0 Big enough for John to transform in, but not tall enough for him to sit upright, or unfurl his wings.\u00a0 The floor was darkly stained wood that looked aged and worn.\u00a0 Harold could&#8217;ve sworn he saw claw marks along the surface.\u00a0 The chandeliers were wide but elegant crystal drops, hugging the ceiling as if to stay out of the way of Dragons roaming below.\u00a0 There were chairs, couches, and assorted tables scattered through the space, a cluster of them in the middle, where a few people were already seated.<\/p>\n<p>An old bar lined the right hand wall.<\/p>\n<p>Everyone who had been chatting, stopped and stared.\u00a0 Their attention fixed rigidly on the newcomers.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It used to be a Speak Easy,&#8221; John informed him, closing the door and taking his Mate&#8217;s hand again.\u00a0 &#8220;You&#8217;re safe here.\u00a0 First off there are no cameras, but I&#8217;m pretty sure our &#8216;mutual <em>friend<\/em>&#8216; has previously wiggled into every cellphone here.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold snorted softly.\u00a0 &#8220;If anything ever comes up on the Dragon side of life, <em>this<\/em> is safest place for both of us.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold understood.\u00a0 He trusted his Mate, and stayed close by his side, although the better part of him wanted to find the nearest corner and an open computer terminal, that might discover all the sooner, everything he could about the location he found himself in, and the people currently occupying it.\u00a0 He didn&#8217;t like being surprised even at the best of times, or worse go into a situation without proper information.<\/p>\n<p>John squeezed his hand, and gave him a soft, reassuring smile.<\/p>\n<p>His Dragon knew him so well.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Hey, look what the cat dragged in!\u00a0 Or is that, <em>bird<\/em>?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold focused on the speaker.<\/p>\n<p>The man was dressed in an elegant Tom Ford suit, and not one from the standard Fall line.\u00a0 He had good taste and more than sufficient money, both of which showed in his wardrobe and grooming habits.\u00a0 He also held himself with righteous dignity, his eyes sharp as he took everything in.\u00a0 The two moles on his face did nothing to distract from his classic beauty, and he knew he was indeed a most striking man.<\/p>\n<p>One eyebrow shot up, when Harold recognized him.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;How&#8217;s the Protectee?&#8221; John asked, moving past him, aiming for the chairs and couches.<\/p>\n<p>The man snorted, as he rolled his eyes.\u00a0 &#8220;Can we <em>not<\/em> discuss?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Wait.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold paused, taking that extra moment to study him. \u00a0&#8220;You&#8217;re a Dragon?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Nice way to introduce us, John.&#8221;\u00a0 The man held his hand out, a warm smile on his lips.\u00a0 &#8220;Harvey Specter.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I know, Mr. Specter.\u00a0 I&#8217;ve seen your work.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold took his hand.\u00a0 As a matter of fact, Mr. Partridge had Specter on retainer.\u00a0 &#8220;Is your firm still open?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll see.&#8221;\u00a0 He shrugged, being very noncommittal as he motioned to the seats.\u00a0 &#8220;As for my Protectee?\u00a0 He didn&#8217;t trust me, the asshole.\u00a0 So I had to make a deal with Elias, to ensure his pretty ass doesn&#8217;t get gang banged in the showers.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;What did Elias want in return?&#8221; John asked, concerned.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Guess who&#8217;s representing him at his trial?&#8221;\u00a0 Harvey walked over to the bar, grabbed a bottle of scotch and poured a generous glass before making his way back to the cluster of chairs and flopping down.\u00a0 &#8220;I might have to call &#8216;The Man in a Suit&#8217; to come testify.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Good luck with that, Mr. Specter.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold glared at him, not caring who he was, how powerful he was, or if he was the biggest, meanest Dragon in the city.\u00a0 No one went after his Mate.<\/p>\n<p>Ever.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Oooo!\u00a0 Protective Mate is protective.&#8221;\u00a0 Harvey smiled at him, then winked, recognizing one of his more exclusive clients.\u00a0 &#8220;Come sit down, Mr. Partridge.\u00a0 Or is it Finch?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold glanced at John, who kissed him on the forehead.\u00a0 &#8220;Harvey is far too smart for his own good.&#8221;\u00a0 Specter raised his glass in acknowledgement of the thinly veiled insult.\u00a0 &#8220;He thinks he knows more than he does.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Just so, Mr. Reese!&#8221;\u00a0 Harold found himself sitting next to a middle age man, who seemed to be hyperventilating.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Hi!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold assessed him, eyes widening.\u00a0 &#8220;And who might you be?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m <em>her<\/em> Mate.&#8221;\u00a0 He nodded over at the woman who was sitting most elegantly in an armchair.\u00a0 Her chestnut hair, partly pulled back from her face, flowed softly past her shoulders.\u00a0 The tank top she was wore, accentuated every curve of her body, and gave him sight of the badge that was hooked at her waist.\u00a0 A leather jacket was tossed on one side of the over-stuffed furniture.<\/p>\n<p>Harold was just ready to ask what Precinct she worked at, when he noticed who was sitting next to her.\u00a0 &#8220;What on earth are you doing out of jail?&#8221; he demanded of the slightly paunchy, smug little man.<\/p>\n<p>Elias smiled like a snake eyeing a rodent, and gave him a coy little wave.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I had him signed out and placed in my custody.\u00a0 Don&#8217;t even ask how I was able to do that, but we all know Carl has connections.\u00a0 And considering this was a meet and greet, I figured it best to go with it and keep him in our sights right along with scarface.&#8221;\u00a0 The cop glanced over her shoulder to where Anthony was playing darts with a tall black woman.\u00a0 He looked to be losing.\u00a0 &#8220;Add in that Harvey needed to have a chat with him.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Hi, Harold!\u00a0 Welcome to the club.&#8221;\u00a0 Elias grinned before focusing his attention on Reese.\u00a0 &#8220;It&#8217;s good to see you, John.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The former spy rolled his eyes as he took a seat next to his Mate.\u00a0 &#8220;Harold, meet Kate Beckett and her Mate, Richard Castle.\u00a0 Beckett works at the 12<sup>th<\/sup> Precinct.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Did you give Carter my number?&#8221; she asked, ignoring the staring contest between the new guy and Elias.\u00a0 &#8220;I can imagine what that poor woman goes through having to deal with you.\u00a0 It took me a while to figure out the rumored &#8216;Man in a Suit&#8217; was actually you.\u00a0 Though I shouldn&#8217;t have been <em>that<\/em> surprised.\u00a0 You always did do things your way.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;How do you two know each other?&#8221; Harold asked politely, focusing back on the conversation.\u00a0 From the introductions, he figured the detective was the Dragon, and Mr. Castle her Mate.\u00a0 Which at least gave him someone else to talk to about the care and feeding of Dragons.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Our moms were cousins,&#8221; Kate answered.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;She was an annoying little hatchling.&#8221;\u00a0 John smirked at her, then glanced at Castle.\u00a0 &#8220;How&#8217;s the new book series?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Good.\u00a0 I might have an idea for another.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If the words &#8216;Man in a Suit&#8217; come out of your mouth, I <em>will <\/em>hurt you, despite Beckett.&#8221;\u00a0 John gave him a killer smile.<\/p>\n<p>Literally.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And that idea just died.&#8221;\u00a0 Richard sighed and turned to Harold.\u00a0 &#8220;It&#8217;s finally good to meet another Mate.\u00a0 Well, at least one who lives in New York.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve read your books, Mr. Castle.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold wasn&#8217;t quite sure how to handle the weirdly enthusiastic man next to him.\u00a0 &#8220;They&#8217;re rather decent for books with little decorum or sophistication, so I can see how they appeal to the mass market.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Did I just get insulted?&#8221;\u00a0 Rick looked over at his Mate.\u00a0 &#8220;Honey?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yes dear, he called you a hack writer.&#8221;\u00a0 Beckett chuckled, reaching over to pat him on the arm.\u00a0 &#8220;Harvey, seriously how is Mike?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Annoying little shit!&#8221;\u00a0 Harvey rolled his eyes dramatically.\u00a0 &#8220;I would&#8217;ve gotten him off, but oh, no!\u00a0 The flailing.\u00a0 The terrible angst of it all!\u00a0 He had to not trust me and go make a deal instead.\u00a0 Dumbass little Plebe!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Now what?&#8221; Castle asked, concerned.\u00a0 &#8220;Two years in prison is a long time.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve made sure that no one harms him.&#8221;\u00a0 Elias spoke up quietly, managing to sound somewhat less than his usual charming self.\u00a0 &#8220;He&#8217;s a good kid who doesn&#8217;t need any more bad memories.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And while he&#8217;s there, contemplating how <em>stupid<\/em> he is,&#8221; Harvey continued on his rant, &#8220;he&#8217;ll be actually finishing his damn law degree.\u00a0 Though the battle I&#8217;ll have to fight, getting him past the ethics committee, will make Gettysburg look like a 3 day family feud.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And for your kind and generous help,&#8221; John said, giving Elias a most meaningful stare, &#8220;Harvey will get you off the murder rap.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>And John knew he could do it too.<\/p>\n<p>Harvey never did anything half-assed.\u00a0 He would twist everything around, highlighting the terrible death of Carl&#8217;s mother, bringing in the students he&#8217;d taught, and showing how the poor, dear, darling man only ever wanted to help the neighborhood he grew up in.\u00a0 Before doubtless going on to conclude that it was, in fact, a bunch of vicious, drug dealing, socially maladjusted mobsters who killed innocent people, y&#8217;know, for kicks.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In truth, I would not see any harm come to young Michael.\u00a0 He&#8217;s a good kid.\u00a0 I like him.\u00a0 He would fit well in my organization.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Fuck, no!&#8221;\u00a0 Harvey glared at him with a fury.\u00a0 &#8220;He may be moron, but he&#8217;s my moron.\u00a0 I mean, <em>Protectee.\u00a0 <\/em>So no way in <em>hell<\/em> he&#8217;s working for <em>you<\/em>.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Well, I guess we&#8217;ll just have to see where his loyalties lie at end of two years.\u00a0 And see if justice turns a blind eye or not.&#8221;\u00a0 Everyone heard the challenge, loud and clear.\u00a0 Though Elias doubted that Michael would in fact turn against Harvey, it had to be said.\u00a0 The kid was loyal, and loyalty went a long way sometimes.\u00a0 He focused back on John, smiling softly.\u00a0 He liked John, believing him a man of real honor &#8211; a true Protector of the old-fashioned kind.\u00a0 &#8220;You know I won&#8217;t do anything to interfere with your particular pursuits, Mr. Reese.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I would destroy you if you did.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold spoke up, glaring coldly at the man across the small table.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re more alike than you care to admit.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Perhaps.&#8221;\u00a0 He sat up in his seat, staring down the mob boss.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m just better at it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Castle watched the two men, mentally chalking up notes in his head.<\/p>\n<p>He knew Elias was dangerous, having read the reports Beckett had talked about.\u00a0 He could also understand where the man was coming from, even if he didn&#8217;t agree with his motives.\u00a0 Harold however, was a new player in the situation.\u00a0 At first he appeared shy and unassuming, and certainly not the sort of Mate he would have naturally expected for someone as powerfully dominant as Reese. \u00a0He hadn&#8217;t seen the guy in Dragon form, but Kate had told him he was one of the biggest, at about twice her own size.\u00a0 Yet suddenly, looking at the man sat there next to him, Castle had a feeling it was <em>he<\/em> who should be feared.\u00a0 And maybe even more so than the NYPD&#8217;s infamous\u00a0&#8216;Man in a Suit&#8217;.\u00a0 &#8220;These meetings just got more interesting,&#8221; he noted dryly.<\/p>\n<p>Elias smiled brightly.\u00a0 &#8220;I liked the two of you from the beginning.\u00a0 I&#8217;m glad I never had to remove you from my plans, though you would&#8217;ve been a formidable ally.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Enough!&#8221;\u00a0 Anthony leaned down and kissed the top of Carl&#8217;s head.\u00a0 &#8220;Seriously Elias, I warned you about poking Reese.\u00a0 And the little one with him can do more damage.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Reese glared.<\/p>\n<p>Harold kept his face utterly devoid of expression.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t make me arrest any of you.&#8221;\u00a0 Beckett sighed at the male ego domination thing that was filling the room.\u00a0 &#8220;Seriously, we need more women in this group.\u00a0 Why didn&#8217;t you bring Donna?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m still pissed at her.&#8221;\u00a0 Harvey shrugged.<\/p>\n<p>Donna was a rare human who knew of the Dragons&#8217; existence, but wasn&#8217;t a Protectee.\u00a0 She&#8217;d sworn loyalty to Harvey though, and yes he was a terrible bastard sometimes, but she&#8217;d known that from the start.\u00a0 So to have her leave him and to work for Litt?\u00a0 That sniveling little shit of all men?<\/p>\n<p>Yeah, Harvey was still pissed.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Are you going to have problems?&#8221; Castle asked, ever curious.\u00a0 &#8220;I know the rumors going around about the firm.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Honestly?\u00a0 The firm is dead.&#8221;\u00a0 He set his empty glass down before leaning back with a tired sigh.\u00a0 &#8220;But it&#8217;s not the first firm I&#8217;ve built, nor will it be the last.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;How old are you?&#8221;\u00a0 Harold wondered if he might have an opportunity for Mr. Specter, seeing that Mr. Partridge didn&#8217;t choose to hire fools.\u00a0 Harvey knew how to close a deal.\u00a0 His mind was sharp, as was his wit.\u00a0 Besides, it wouldn&#8217;t hurt to have a lawyer he could more closely rely on.\u00a0 One who wouldn&#8217;t baulk at taking on the Feds if need be.\u00a0 &#8220;I mean, since I&#8217;m the new kid here and all.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>John snorted, not believing the shy act Harold was choosing to play.\u00a0 He glanced at his Mate, a smirk on his face, watching that devious mind work overtime.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I was born in 1523, Rome, Italy,&#8221; Harvey answered easily.\u00a0 &#8220;Scarface is the youngest.\u00a0 1918, born here in New York.\u00a0 Beckett is 1886, Boston.\u00a0 You know how old Reese is.\u00a0 Or at least I would hope you do.\u00a0 And the one perched on the rafters, was 1752, also New York area.\u00a0 You can come down now!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold looked up in surprise to see a young man wearing jeans and a dark colored hoodie, swing himself easily from one of the broad beams overhead.\u00a0 His landing on the floor was as silent and graceful as any gymnast.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I didn&#8217;t realize you were back in New York, Connor.&#8221;\u00a0 John acknowledged him with a chuckle.\u00a0 &#8220;Where&#8217;s Aveline?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Probably counting my money in the ladies&#8217; room,&#8221; Anthony called out from the bar.\u00a0 &#8220;While I&#8217;m here, anyone want anything?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll help.&#8221;\u00a0 Castle stood up, and glanced down at Harold.\u00a0 &#8220;Scotch?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Actually some tea would be nice.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Sencha Green,&#8221; John stated, looking at his phone.\u00a0 &#8220;There should be a box in the cupboard where the coffee is.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Anthony bent down and dug through the shelf, pulling out a tall green box triumphantly.\u00a0 &#8220;How did you do that?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I didn&#8217;t.&#8221;\u00a0 Reese left it at that, a small smirk on his face.\u00a0 &#8220;So what brings you to New York?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Louisiana has gone to shit.&#8221;\u00a0 Connor shrugged, perching himself like a giant bird, on the back of the chair beside him.\u00a0 &#8220;People either had a problem with a &#8216;white&#8217; man, married to a black woman&#8230;&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;\u2026or a &#8216;black&#8217; woman married to a Native American.&#8221;\u00a0 A soft female voice added to the conversation as the tall black woman Harold had seen earlier, stepped into the middle of their seating arrangement and leaned over to give Connor a passionate kiss before making her way across to Beckett and taking the seat next to her.\u00a0 &#8220;So we&#8217;ll be in New York for a while.\u00a0 We can go shopping later.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Please don&#8217;t leave.&#8221;\u00a0 Beckett clutched at her arm, both of them laughing lightly.\u00a0 &#8220;What will you be doing while you&#8217;re here?\u00a0 Can I finally convince you to join the NYPD?&#8221; she asked, a contemplative look on her face.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Tempted, but we have our own agenda.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>John snorted.\u00a0 &#8220;Still working with Altair?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yes.\u00a0 For a moment I thought <em>you<\/em> were, with all this running around you&#8217;ve been doing.&#8221;\u00a0 Connor gave him a knowing look.\u00a0 &#8220;But you got your own gig going, huh?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold carefully observed the two Dragons.\u00a0 He was getting better at spotting the difference between a Dragon, a Mate, and a Protectee.\u00a0 It was all in the eyes.\u00a0 There were times he could see a flash of power in John&#8217;s silver blue, and he could definitely find a red fire in Conner&#8217;s darker eyes too.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;What tribe are you from Mr. Connor?&#8221; he asked, distracting the two Dragons from each other.\u00a0 He had a feeling that Reese might be bigger, but Connor wasn&#8217;t one to tangle with lightly.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Oh, he&#8217;s good, John.&#8221;\u00a0 Connor nodded and winked at his old friend.\u00a0 &#8220;I am Kanien&#8217;keha:ka Tribe.\u00a0 My full name is Ratonhnkae:ton, but I mostly go by Connor Kenway.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t recognize that tribe.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold frowned, his mind working through books and histories.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;They were gone by the late 1700&#8217;s.\u00a0 I am the only survivor.\u00a0 I watched as the colonists came and destroyed my people, killed my mother.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sorry.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Connor studied him for a few moments, finding John&#8217;s Mate didn&#8217;t fidget or glance away at talk of hard things.\u00a0 There was much respect to be had in such sincerity.\u00a0 &#8220;I was taken in by Achilles Davenport, who understood my &#8216;affliction&#8217;.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Dragon.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yes.\u00a0 I have fought for my people, and now I fight for a higher cause.\u00a0 Aveline\u2026&#8221;\u00a0 He held out his hand, and she stood, letting herself be pulled into his arms.\u00a0 &#8220;She also understood the need to fight for her people, and the unique problems that come with having a foot in two worlds.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m guessing you don&#8217;t mean Dragon and human?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That too.&#8221;\u00a0 He gave Harold a grin.\u00a0 &#8220;My father was white, as was Aveline&#8217;s.\u00a0 So we don&#8217;t quite fit in any society, accept that of the Dragons.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And the Brotherhood,&#8221; Reese pointed out.\u00a0 He saw Harold&#8217;s widen.\u00a0 &#8220;Another story for another day,&#8221; he muttered, though he was sure his Mate would be researching everything the moment they hit the car, if not on the stairs on their way out.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s good for you, John.&#8221;\u00a0 Aveline smiled brightly at Harold.\u00a0 &#8220;Keeps you grounded.\u00a0 Though I do wish you would let us recruit you.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m a spy, an information seeker, not an Assassin.&#8221;\u00a0 He paused, taking a deep breath.\u00a0 &#8220;Well I was, until recently.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Connor leaned over and laid a hand on his shoulders.\u00a0 &#8220;Their sins are not your own.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So what does Reese hoard?&#8221; Castle asked, distracting everyone from the serious subject matter.\u00a0 Beckett leaned across and kissed his cheek.\u00a0 Many people saw Rick Castle as a boisterous idiot, but she knew he was deeply intelligent and very good at reading social situations.\u00a0 It came with being a writer, but he would make an awesome detective one day too.<\/p>\n<p>Maybe.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Hoard?&#8221; Harold asked curiously.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The myth about Dragon&#8217;s hoarding things, is quite true.&#8221;\u00a0 Elias giggled, actually giggled.\u00a0 &#8220;Anthony collects marbles.\u00a0 It&#8217;s adorable.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Beckett&#8217;s is pens.&#8221;\u00a0 Castle pulled a pen from his pocket, smiling when his Dragon took it.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This was mine!&#8221;\u00a0 She glared at him.\u00a0 &#8220;You stole it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m a writer, pens are my trade.\u00a0 I saw it and used it.&#8221;\u00a0 He pulled out a second pen only to lose that one also.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Feathers.&#8221;\u00a0 Connor shrugged casually.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m not ashamed.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Aveline rolled her eyes.\u00a0 &#8220;I could build a few nests.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Right up your alley, Harold.&#8221;\u00a0 John grinned at him.\u00a0 &#8220;Harvey, go on.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Can openers,&#8221; he said, with every inch of dignity he could muster.\u00a0 &#8220;What?\u00a0 They&#8217;re shiny.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And you, Mr. Reese?&#8221;\u00a0 Harold smiled at him, sensing he already knew the answer to that, given how many caches he had found throughout the city over the years.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Weapons.&#8221;\u00a0 John leaned over and whispered in his Mate&#8217;s ear, &#8220;But I&#8217;ve got the biggest weapon of all, in you, Harold.&#8221;\u00a0 The billionaire blushed, but had a wicked smile on his face.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;At least Neal finally left town.\u00a0 Hoarding shiny paintings, especially Renaissance art, is bad for the local museums.&#8221; \u00a0Harvey rolled his eyes.\u00a0 &#8220;Mozzie went with him, so I&#8217;m not sure who the Protectee is in that particular arrangement.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Neal is a sneaky little thief!&#8221; Beckett growled.\u00a0 &#8220;The number of times I had to raid his stash and give it back to the museum, only to find out that one was a forgery!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s a Magpie Dragon, of course he&#8217;s a thief.&#8221;\u00a0 Connor chuckled.\u00a0 &#8220;He likes shiny things as much as we all do.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I probably don&#8217;t want to know.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold leaned closer to Reese.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sure you&#8217;ve run into Neal Caffrey.&#8221;\u00a0 John gave him a smile, laughing at his indignant look.\u00a0 &#8220;No one is immune to the tiny, shiny stealing Dragon.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Did he ever steal anything from you?&#8221; Harold asked.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Once.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harvey chuckled.\u00a0 &#8220;It was that dagger &#8211; the &#8216;Prince of Persia&#8217;.\u00a0 <em>Very<\/em> shiny, jewel encrusted.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yes.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold&#8217;s eyes narrowed at the vicious expression on his Dragon&#8217;s face.\u00a0 He knew that look.\u00a0 It usually came when some bad guy did something stupid and pissed him off.\u00a0 Considering that as a Dragon, Reese hoarded weapons, stealing one of his stash was likely not a good idea.\u00a0 &#8220;I take it he didn&#8217;t do it again?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;No.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;As much as I would love to stay, maybe even stretch out, I&#8217;ve got to get back to the Precinct.&#8221;\u00a0 Beckett stood up, Castle following her for a few steps, helping her put on her jacket.\u00a0 He whispered in her ear, then turned back to Harold, motioning with his head.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He wants to give you tips on how to water and feed your Dragon.&#8221;\u00a0 Reese smiled at his Mate.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Obviously.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold stood up gently, taking a few moments until he was steady on his feet, then he followed Castle to one of the back corners.\u00a0\u00a0 He could hear his Mate telling the other Dragons not to ask.<\/p>\n<p>Castle held out a chair for him, then sat down across from his new friend.\u00a0 &#8220;I know this is obvious, but I know what it&#8217;s like to get tossed into this world and have no idea what to do.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;How did you find out?&#8221;\u00a0 Harold was starting to like the other man.\u00a0 He wasn&#8217;t as hyper as he had first thought, and even if he didn&#8217;t like mass marketed books, Richard Castle was actually not a bad storyteller.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I got myself assigned to Beckett.\u00a0 Used my friendship with the Mayor to follow her around at her job, for inspiration on the Nikki Heat books.&#8221;\u00a0 He smirked, chortling softly.\u00a0 &#8220;I may have fallen for her the moment I saw her, but it took a few years to get myself in her good graces.\u00a0 Then one day, on a case, the perp pulled a gun on me.\u00a0 It wasn&#8217;t the first time, but for one I could see he was really going to shoot me.\u00a0 And the two things I regretted, were leaving my daughter, and not being man enough to say something to Kate.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold nodded, understanding the sentiment.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;One moment there was a gun in my face, the next scales.\u00a0 She had transformed and wrapped herself around me, tossing the perp across the room.\u00a0 I had imagined, and I <em>do<\/em> have an active imagination, a lot of things about the two of us.\u00a0 <em>That<\/em> though, was not one of them.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold tried not to laugh.\u00a0 He knew <em>that<\/em> feeling too.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Come to find out her guys, Esposito and Ryan, were Protectees, so they knew what to do.\u00a0 I had a learning curve of epic proportions after that.&#8221;\u00a0 He glanced over at Beckett who was chatting with Aveline.\u00a0 &#8220;It took us a bit, but we learned how to handle all of it.\u00a0 I really had to learn things the hard way, until I met Aveline, who helped me with a few questions.&#8221;\u00a0 He paused significantly.\u00a0 &#8220;They need a place to be themselves.\u00a0 So I bought her the apartment across from mine, and stripped it out so she can transform and have space.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;How big is she?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;18 feet.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s about half the size of Reese,&#8221; Harold muttered, calculating the space he would need.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;From what I&#8217;ve been told, he&#8217;s one of the biggest.\u00a0 It&#8217;s why he&#8217;s pushing 6 foot 4.&#8221;\u00a0 Castle shook his head.\u00a0 &#8220;You&#8217;ll need a big hall.\u00a0 Also meat.\u00a0 I got a few numbers, I&#8217;ll send them to you.&#8221;\u00a0 He pulled out his phone.\u00a0 &#8220;Hmm, that&#8217;s odd.\u00a0 It must&#8217;ve rebooted.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold didn&#8217;t say a word.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;How should I contact you?&#8221;\u00a0 He looked up at the little man, watching him for a few moments.\u00a0 &#8220;Okay then, how about I give you my number?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We can do that.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold pulled his own phone out, to find messages and information from the Machine.\u00a0 Lots of it.\u00a0 He took Castle&#8217;s information and put the phone back in his pocket.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;They get cranky if not fed enough.\u00a0 I didn&#8217;t like the sheep thing at first, but after a bitchy Dragon got well and truly in my face, I had no problem with it.\u00a0 My daughter still has to leave the building.&#8221;\u00a0 Castle didn&#8217;t want to talk about that particular nightmare.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The hoarding?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Let them.\u00a0 Encourage them.\u00a0 It&#8217;s adorable actually.\u00a0 Don&#8217;t tell her I said that.\u00a0 They&#8217;re like little kids with shiny toys.\u00a0 I buy Beckett a pen at least once a week.\u00a0 She has them all cataloged.&#8221;\u00a0 Richard giggled slightly.\u00a0 &#8220;No, seriously, don&#8217;t tell her I said anything.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll have to figure a few things out.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I probably shouldn&#8217;t say anything, but\u2026&#8221;\u00a0 He shrugged.\u00a0 &#8220;Beckett was so pissed when she found out Reese was in New York and living on the streets.\u00a0 They&#8217;re family.\u00a0 A few cousins removed, but still family.\u00a0 She was upset he didn&#8217;t come to her.\u00a0 They&#8217;re fine now, but she knows he&#8217;s hiding something, and I&#8217;m guessing that&#8217;s <em>you<\/em>.\u00a0 Sorry, I&#8217;m not explaining myself, and considering I use words for a living I&#8217;m sucking at it.&#8221;\u00a0 He paused for a few moments, gathering his thoughts.\u00a0 &#8220;Dragons are loyal.\u00a0 I&#8217;m sure you know this.\u00a0 They are loyal to each other.\u00a0 John is the largest one in the area, and as he healed from the Jessica thing &#8211; which I&#8217;m going to guess was also <em>your<\/em> doing &#8211; he&#8217;s taken back his role as bigger, badder, meaner Dragon for the local district.\u00a0 Every Dragon you see here, will defer to him.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;What does that mean for me?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Every Dragon will protect you, as they would protect me and Aveline.\u00a0 But seriously, that woman can do awesome damage all on her own.&#8221;\u00a0 He sighed, frowning slightly.\u00a0 &#8220;Basically, Harold, we all have secrets, and the biggest is the Dragons.\u00a0 Whatever else you&#8217;re hiding, we won&#8217;t care.\u00a0 Now, I don&#8217;t expect us to have Friday double date night, but do realize you can contact either me or Aveline for help, especially when it comes to being Mated to one of these big lizards.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Thank you.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;No problem.&#8221;\u00a0 He shrugged.\u00a0 &#8220;I promise no books.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Oh, maybe one day, Mr. Castle.\u00a0 My life is a pretty good fine work of fiction.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;See now I&#8217;m intrigued.&#8221;\u00a0 Richard stood up and held out his hand.\u00a0 Harold took it, and pulled himself out of the chair.\u00a0 &#8220;So you need large space, lots of sheep, and shiny things.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Whatever makes a Dragon happy,&#8221; Harold snorted, shaking his head.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And sex.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Oh, <em>that one<\/em> I got covered.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">***<\/p>\n<p>As they left the Club, Reese held out his arm, letting Harold take it to lean against.\u00a0 &#8220;So did you learn a few things?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Weapons, Mr. Reese?&#8221;\u00a0 He gave his Mate a sideways look.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;They&#8217;re shiny.&#8221;\u00a0 John smiled softly, fighting the itch go check on his stashes.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m still not buying you a nuclear bomb.&#8221;\u00a0 He reached with both hands for the supporting arm that helped him, his hip starting to truly ache by then.\u00a0 &#8220;Thank you.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He didn&#8217;t need to say what for, his Dragon got it.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If Ethan and his siblings show up in New York, we&#8217;ll have to be careful.&#8221;\u00a0 John pulled him closer.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Why?\u00a0 And who&#8217;s Ethan?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Works for IMF, inside the CIA.\u00a0 He hoards information.\u00a0 A Chameleon Dragon can blend into anything.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m not sure if I&#8217;m horrified, intrigued or want to hire him!&#8221; Harold admitted, not exactly certain how best to handle that type of knowledge.\u00a0 &#8220;Could he hurt our\u2026??&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve learned to track him.\u00a0 He and his siblings are some of the youngest of Dragons, born in the 1940&#8217;s, grew up in the Cold War.\u00a0 Damn good spies,&#8221; he explained easily.\u00a0 &#8220;Their parents were Master Spies themselves.\u00a0 Their mother is English, father Russian.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Family dinners should be interesting,&#8221; Harold muttered.\u00a0 &#8220;Will I meet them one day?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>John stopped and turned to face him.\u00a0 &#8220;If you ever need to get out, and I can&#8217;t <em>get<\/em> you out?\u00a0 If any of the aliases you have built start to fail?\u00a0 If the Machine acts up again like it did after that virus?\u00a0 Ethan is the one you call.\u00a0 The bar is a safehouse, but only temporary.\u00a0 I trust Ethan to get you out.\u00a0 Tell him to take you to Draco.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;What about the ones you introduced me to?&#8221;\u00a0 He was more than slightly confused.\u00a0 &#8220;I thought <em>they<\/em> would be the ones to turn to?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You will.\u00a0 Beckett will work with Carter to keep the law off your back, while Harvey buries them in paperwork.\u00a0 I&#8217;m sure Castle can distract anyone from your trail.\u00a0 Connor and Aveline will take out anyone in the shadows, and you won&#8217;t even see them do it.\u00a0 And I hate to say it, but even Elias would likely make sure no one makes a move one.\u00a0 They would keep you safe long enough for extraction.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;They would do all that for me?\u00a0 All of them?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re my Mate, Harold.&#8221;\u00a0 John cupped his cheek.\u00a0 &#8220;I would do the same for them.\u00a0 If right now, Harvey asked me to get Michael out of jail, I would.\u00a0 But he won&#8217;t, because he&#8217;s not his Mate, nor a priority.\u00a0 But if someone came after Aveline or Richard?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold nodded in understanding.\u00a0 &#8220;We would be there to help.\u00a0 And with the Machine we have an advantage.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;No one knows about it,&#8221; he assured him, figure <em>that<\/em> was the one thing his Mate worried over the most.\u00a0 &#8220;Harvey heard me call you Finch a few times, and put two and two together.\u00a0 He&#8217;s figured you&#8217;re running aliases like the rest of us do.&#8221;\u00a0 He kissed the top of his head.\u00a0\u00a0 &#8220;I hoard weapons Harold, and you and the Machine are the shiniest.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Well now, aren&#8217;t you the flatter.&#8221;\u00a0 He pulled Reese down into a soft kiss.\u00a0 &#8220;Let&#8217;s go home.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>~ Six Weeks Later ~<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Fusco backed the refrigerated truck up into the alleyway, blending it into the surroundings as best as he could.<\/p>\n<p>The library was a hidden location for a reason, and there was no need to advertise that the seemingly abandoned building was actually being used.<\/p>\n<p>On paper it didn&#8217;t even exist.<\/p>\n<p>He got out of the cab and looked around.\u00a0 No one was paying him any attention.<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes he loved and hated New Yorkers.<\/p>\n<p>With a last check, he entered the building through the side door, and found Harold waiting for him.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Got everything?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Your boy should be full after this haul!&#8221;\u00a0 Lionel shook his head.\u00a0 &#8220;I got about a dozen sides of beef in that truck.\u00a0 They&#8217;re fresh too, not frozen.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The catering place delivered for the &#8216;luncheon&#8217;.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold motioned around behind the grand staircase.\u00a0 &#8220;The elevator will take you up to the 4<sup>th<\/sup> floor, where the old reading room has been converted.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>After his memorable meeting with the other Dragons of New York, Harold had discovered quite by accident that John was transforming down in the basement of the library.\u00a0 It was a space barely 12ft high and 40ft long, and was nowhere near enough room for a Dragon of his size.\u00a0 When he also realized that their local rat population had gone missing, he was horrified and disgusted that <em>his<\/em> Dragon should have to hide himself away like that.<\/p>\n<p>John didn&#8217;t know that he knew about it.<\/p>\n<p>He had instead disappeared to one of his safehouses, needing time away by himself to get over being so upset and angry that John hadn&#8217;t confided in him.\u00a0 This was his Mate, and that meant he was supposed to come to him for help.<\/p>\n<p>It took a few hours before he realized John was likely hiding it all to make it easier on him.<\/p>\n<p>In John&#8217;s mind, Harold would always come first.<\/p>\n<p>He rolled his eyes, wanting to yell at him and curl up next to him at the same time.<\/p>\n<p>He&#8217;d snorted at his own stupidity, as he made his way to the kitchen to make tea.<\/p>\n<p>Oh, how much he loved his Dragon!<\/p>\n<p>So he set out to fix the problem.<\/p>\n<p>John needed a large space.<\/p>\n<p>Castle had said he&#8217;d bought the apartment across from his and gutted it to make room.\u00a0 But Beckett was half John&#8217;s size.<\/p>\n<p>The loft was big enough for John to transform, but he would have to sit and not move much.\u00a0 Or just stretch one wing out at a time.\u00a0 Still, a single wrong twitch of the tail, and most of the furniture would be destroyed.<\/p>\n<p>He would likely need a ballroom, or an empty warehouse arrangement.<\/p>\n<p>He startled when his laptop came to life with images of the library.<\/p>\n<p>Staring at it, watching photos of the reading room on the fourth floor keep popping up, gave him hope.<\/p>\n<p>Floor plans and schematics, showing what the space would look like without its tables, chairs, and stacks, made the suggestion ideal.<\/p>\n<p>Harold never realized before how large the room really was, but would surely fit a dragon of Reese&#8217;s size.\u00a0 He couldn&#8217;t run around but he would be able to move, stretch, and even unfold both his wings at the same time.<\/p>\n<p>It was perfect.<\/p>\n<p>For the next four weeks, he kept Reese out of the library, and hired a crew to clean out the 4<sup>th<\/sup> floor.\u00a0 Mr. Sparrow had bought the property and was going to renovate it into modern apartments, as a new Urban Living Center.\u00a0 The workers involved, had the room cleared, the floor reinforced, and top of the range security shades fitted to the windows in just over three weeks, earning themselves a very generous bonus.<\/p>\n<p>It would be so sad that in a month or so, Mr. Sparrow would go quietly bankrupt, and the project with him; the library once again disappearing into paperwork and obscurity.<\/p>\n<p>The last stage of his plan was getting enough food into the room.<\/p>\n<p>He had noticed John getting thinner and crankier, even if he <em>had<\/em> curtailed his mood somewhat in his Mate&#8217;s presence.\u00a0 Carter and Fusco had still gotten a taste of it.\u00a0 And the perps John encountered, definitely saw the worst.<\/p>\n<p>It was Joss who kept him away for a few more hours, while Fusco hauled in a dozen sides of beef, and arranged an array of BBQ.\u00a0 Harold had set aside some of the catered food for himself and the detectives.<\/p>\n<p>It was a last minute run for water that had almost ruined the surprise.\u00a0 Just as everything was set up, Lionel had pulled from his coat pocket a small bottle of water.\u00a0 He&#8217;d downed it gratefully, even though it was warm, and wiped the sweat off his forehead with his shirt sleeve.\u00a0 Then he&#8217;d looked at the bottle, and up at Harold.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Shit!&#8221;\u00a0 He&#8217;d fled like a crazy person, out of the room and down to the truck.<\/p>\n<p>Thirty minutes later he&#8217;d returned with several crates of 5 gallon water bottles, and a large inflatable kiddie pool.<\/p>\n<p>Harold wondered if a more elegant water feature in the corner of the converted room, would be so terribly out of place.<\/p>\n<p>They had just finished filling it up, when he heard Reese come in.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Harold!&#8221;\u00a0 John&#8217;s voice echoed through the library.\u00a0 He sounded upset, worried, and pissed.\u00a0 Never a good combination.<\/p>\n<p>It was bad enough even <em>before<\/em> he knew about the Dragon.<\/p>\n<p>He sent him a text message stating he was on the 4<sup>th<\/sup> floor, and could he please bring up the detective.<\/p>\n<p>A few moments later he heard John&#8217;s steps on the stairs, followed by the clicking of Bears claws on the wood.<\/p>\n<p>Harold met him at the entrance of what he now called the Dragon Room.\u00a0 &#8220;Mr. Reese.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s going on, Finch?&#8221; he demanded, not liking the feeling that he was being manipulated.\u00a0 &#8220;You promised never to lie to me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And I never have.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold held his ground.\u00a0 &#8220;I just didn&#8217;t mention a few things.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You&#8217;ve kept me out of the library for a month now.&#8221;\u00a0 He looked past his Mate at the firmly closed doors.\u00a0 &#8220;Don&#8217;t think for a second I can&#8217;t smell strangers in my territory, or around my Mate.&#8221;\u00a0 His voice dropped to a low growl, causing Harold to flinch.<\/p>\n<p>It made John take a step back, and he stood pinching the bridge of his nose for a few moments, trying to get control of his emotions.<\/p>\n<p>Harold had noticed him do that a lot in the past few weeks.\u00a0 The control John was showing by not letting out the cranky Dragon, was really quite amazing.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Well Mr. Reese, I wouldn&#8217;t have had to sneak around if you&#8217;d told me to begin with!&#8221; he said imperiously.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Told you <em>what<\/em>?!&#8221;\u00a0 John snapped, patience gone.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I saw you!&#8221;\u00a0 Finch glared at him, not backing off one jot.\u00a0 &#8220;Down in the basement like some <em>common<\/em> reptile.\u00a0 I bought you a multi-million dollar apartment.\u00a0 I have you fitted with designer suits that are tailored to perfection.\u00a0 And I make sure you have access to the most up to date technology and weapons systems.\u00a0 <em>My<\/em> Dragon will <em>not<\/em> hide down in a dirty basement eating rats!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Wow!\u00a0 You are <em>so<\/em> a kept man.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Shut it, Carter!&#8221;\u00a0 Reese snarled at her angrily.<\/p>\n<p>She held out her hands and moved down behind him a few steps.\u00a0 &#8220;I am way tired of your bitchiness, Reese.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That would be because he&#8217;s not eating enough.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold walked up to his Mate, and pulled on the thick leather belt at his waist.\u00a0 &#8220;You honestly thought I wouldn&#8217;t notice?\u00a0 These suits, as I mentioned earlier, are made to fit, not sag.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It might elude you, Harold.&#8221;\u00a0 John looked down at him, but didn&#8217;t move.\u00a0 &#8220;But there are not many places I can transform around here.\u00a0 They look at me weird if I do it in the park.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The billionaire gave him a very slight smile, hearing a tease and an apology in such a comment.\u00a0 &#8220;Which is why I fixed you a place.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Harold?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He took John&#8217;s hand and led him to the big double doors.\u00a0 &#8220;Go on\u2026&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>John gave him one last look, before pushing at the finger plates and shoving the door open.<\/p>\n<p>He stepped through and let out a gasp at the transformation of the old reading room.\u00a0 He had only been up to the fourth floor a few times before, making sure to check for access points, and arrange places that could be used to hide if need be.<\/p>\n<p>It had been crammed with tables, chairs, a huge reference desk, and row upon row of stacks.<\/p>\n<p>But suddenly it was empty, the subtle architecture laid bare in all its early 20th Century magnificence.<\/p>\n<p>It was also big enough for him to fit easily, giving him space to turn around.<\/p>\n<p>He walked out to the middle of the floor, taking it all in.<\/p>\n<p>The windows had lowered shades so no one could see into the building.\u00a0 On the far left hand wall, were tables laid with food.<\/p>\n<p>He turned back to his Mate, tears in his eyes.\u00a0 &#8220;Harold\u2026&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s a clothes rack, Mr. Reese, so you won&#8217;t destroy your suits.&#8221;\u00a0 He pointed to a row of metal hooks and hangars standing just inside the main doors.\u00a0 There were even shoeboxes, and a small dresser.<\/p>\n<p>John didn&#8217;t hesitate, and started stripping out of his clothes as he moved back across the room.\u00a0 In a few moments he was naked, clothes hung up properly like a civilized human being.<\/p>\n<p>He barely registered Fusco rolling his eyes at Carter, who was checking out his ass and licking her lips.<\/p>\n<p>Finch politely coughed, sending death glares at both detectives even as he called Bear to him, holding his collar in case the dog went into defensive mode when the Dragon appeared.<\/p>\n<p>In a blink of an eye, the room was suddenly filled by black and silver scales.<\/p>\n<p>Harold watched with humor as it stretched forward then backward on its legs, curving it&#8217;s back like a puppy doing yoga.\u00a0 Then it turned around in a few circles, and rolled its shoulders and shook its head happily, before unfurling its wings and spreading them right out.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Damn,&#8221; Fusco muttered, truly getting a good look at the creature.\u00a0 Even after their numerous conversations and all the preparations they&#8217;d made, there was a part of him still thought he&#8217;d been hallucinating that day.\u00a0 But seeing John in his full Dragon glory, made him realize he wasn&#8217;t insane.\u00a0 &#8220;He&#8217;s huge.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>John&#8217;s head moved around to study the three human beings.<\/p>\n<p>Harold let go of Bear&#8217;s collar, ordered him to stay, and stepped out to greet his Dragon.<\/p>\n<p>He held his palm forward, smiling at the snort he felt as the large, familiar snout settled into it.\u00a0 &#8220;Does it fit to your expectations, Mr. Reese?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;More than, Mr. Finch.&#8221;\u00a0 John wrapped his head and neck around Harold, pulling him closer, rubbing against him slightly.\u00a0 &#8220;I missed this.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I did too,&#8221; he whispered softly.\u00a0 &#8220;There&#8217;s food for you.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Reese rose smoothly and made his way across the room, chowing down with gusto.<\/p>\n<p>The sound of bones breaking and cracking made everyone cringe.<\/p>\n<p>Harold looked at the two cops.\u00a0 &#8220;You&#8217;ll get used to it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Doubt it.&#8221;\u00a0 Carter grimaced, stepping towards the Dragon.\u00a0 &#8220;Can I\u2026?&#8221;\u00a0 She made gestures like petting a dog.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s up to him,&#8221; Harold said simply, as he made his way to a small couch set up he had left in the other corner so he could be comfortable while Reese lounged.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Go ahead.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Well, that was what they thought he said around the food in his mouth.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Mr. Reese!\u00a0 Kindly eat with some decorum!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The Dragon swallowed noisily and licked its jaw clean.\u00a0 &#8220;Sorry, Harold.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s water in the corner.&#8221;\u00a0 Fusco pointed at the pool.<\/p>\n<p>John downed most of its contents, then went back to eating.<\/p>\n<p>He ignored Carter as she explored his body, only keeping an eye on her when she strayed near sensitive areas.<\/p>\n<p>As he lapped up a container of BBQ ribs he yelped, head jerking upwards, then around.\u00a0 Bear was sitting on his tail, his jaw firmly biting a large section of it.\u00a0 &#8220;Bear!\u00a0 No!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He moved his tail away only to get the dog chasing and pouncing on it again, biting down to stop it from escaping.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Harold?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The three humans tried hard not to snicker, and failed miserably.<\/p>\n<p>Reese sighed, shifting his tail slightly only to have the dog wrestle it back to the ground, and promptly lay on it.<\/p>\n<p>Bear looked over at Harold, proud that he had caught the creature.<\/p>\n<p>Reese reached out with a claw, grabbed a beef rib, and flung it at Bear, who barked happily and ran for it.<\/p>\n<p>After that, the Dragon curled his tail around himself securely, before finishing up his dinner.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t believe he ate all of it.&#8221;\u00a0 Fusco stared at the destruction an hour later.\u00a0 &#8220;It was a good thing you hid some, or the rest of us would be starving.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Harold ignored the detective, instead taking the time to scritch behind Reese&#8217;s ear.\u00a0\u00a0 He could practically feel the contentment coming off his Dragon.\u00a0 &#8220;Don&#8217;t hide what you need from me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I won&#8217;t.&#8221;\u00a0 John nuzzled his Mate.\u00a0 &#8220;We&#8217;re going to have to figure something out.\u00a0 I can&#8217;t fly in the city.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m looking into property in upper New York State.\u00a0 Not as far away as the ranch, so we can get out of the city more often.&#8221;\u00a0 He stepped closer, feeling secure when the Dragon wrapped his head around him.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So how long are you going to be in lizard form?&#8221;\u00a0 Carter smiled at the adorable couple.\u00a0 She would take a picture but had a feeling her phone might end up destroyed.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;By tomorrow I should be good.&#8221;\u00a0 Reese blinked over at her.\u00a0 &#8220;Thank you for putting up with me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Hormonal teenagers, cranky Dragons, same thing.&#8221;\u00a0 She waved a hand at him.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m taking what you didn&#8217;t devour and heading home.\u00a0 Fusco will return the truck, and well, next time there needs to be some Dragon time, let us know.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Thank you detectives.&#8221;\u00a0 Harold turned and gave them a nod.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We got your back.&#8221;\u00a0 Fusco gave them a wave as he and Carter headed for the door.<\/p>\n<p>Harold closed it behind them, locking it, and glancing at the installed camera.<\/p>\n<p>He gave a quick nod to let the Machine know to keep watch.<\/p>\n<p>He then disappeared into one of the side rooms.<\/p>\n<p>Reese kept an eye out, but he was content and full, and suddenly sleepy.<\/p>\n<p>His tail moved across the floor, and every once in a while Bear would bark at it, trying to stop it.\u00a0 The dog finally learned not to bite when the pincher snapped open, startling him.\u00a0 He had stayed away for a few moments, but then started playing again, trusting his Alpha.<\/p>\n<p>Reese snorted when Harold came out again in pajamas, carrying an oversized comforter.<\/p>\n<p>He shifted, curling up tighter, making sure his Mate had a comfortable spot against him.<\/p>\n<p>Bear snuggled in with them.<\/p>\n<p>Moved his head around, John tucked Harold closer.<\/p>\n<p>Life was perfect.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><div id=\"tabs-5141-0-4\">\n<p><strong>~ Undisclosed NSA Location ~<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong>&#8220;Nothing we have done has yet broken into the central operating system.\u00a0 The virus we set up, failed.\u00a0 The system countered it.&#8221;\u00a0 The Government Agent looked at his boss, frowning in frustration.\u00a0 &#8220;To be honest, sir.\u00a0 The only way we&#8217;re getting into the Machine, is if you find its creator.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Who is dead,&#8221; another Agent stated from the corner.\u00a0 &#8220;You killed <em>him<\/em> and a hundred civilians in the Ferry Bombing.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;No we didn&#8217;t.\u00a0 We killed the front man.\u00a0 Harold Wren is the one we&#8217;re looking for.&#8221;\u00a0 Their boss stood up and moved around his desk, heading for the door.\u00a0 &#8220;And he might as well be a ghost.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>They small group of analysts and assorted personnel, stalked through the corridors until they came to an oversized warehouse.<\/p>\n<p>There were no servers or computers, as a few had been expecting.\u00a0 Instead it was completely empty, save for one man performing Tai Chi in the very center of the space.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And this is how we&#8217;re going to find him.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The Lead Agent looked over at his boss, then at the guy who wore nothing but a pair of gray jogging pants.\u00a0 &#8220;How?\u00a0 None of our people have been able to find anything about him.\u00a0 Our last hope was Stanton being able to locate him, but her revenge plans backfired on her.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Sometimes you need something otherworldly to find yourself a ghost.&#8221;\u00a0 Their boss stepped away from the group a pace, finally getting the barely clad stranger&#8217;s full attention.\u00a0 &#8220;Meet <em>Samaritan<\/em>.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In the blink of an eye, there stood in the man&#8217;s place, a sleek, dark red Dragon, at least 30 feet in length from snout to tail tip, but broad and bulky across the shoulders.<\/p>\n<p>It made its way to the small group of pathetic creatures staring up at it in fear, while it in turn stared down upon them with disdain.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Never send a human to do a Dragon&#8217;s job,&#8221; it laughed, the sound a rattling, almost music hiss.\u00a0 &#8220;Your target is being guarded.\u00a0 But not for long.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"wpts_cl\"><\/div><div class=\"wpts_cr\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\t\t\t\t\t\tjQuery(function() {jQuery( \"#tabs_5141_0\" ).posttabs({ tabname : \"tabs_5141_0\",\t\t\t\t\tfade \t: \"0\",\t\t\t\t\tactive\t: \"\",\t\t\t\t\treload\t: \"0\",\t\t\t\t\tnav\t: \"1\",\t\t\t\t\tnexttext: \"Next \u00bb\",\t\t\t\t\tprevtext: \"\u00ab Prev\",\t\t\t\t\tenablecookie:\"1\"\t\t\t\t});})<\/script> \n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/the-generals-office\/dragons-of-interest\/\" target=\"_blank\">Return to Dragons of Interest Main Page<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; Return to Dragons of Interest Main Page<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":5133,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-5141","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P2Da1M-1kV","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":8615,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/the-generals-office\/bj-jones\/csi-miami\/drabble-collection\/","url_meta":{"origin":5141,"position":0},"title":"Drabble Collection","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"August 19, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Author: Bj Jones Rating: FRT Summary: A series of Drabbles \u2013 A relationship builds\u2026. But will it survive \u00a0 *** Title: Building Prompt: # 21 - Friends Word Count: 115 The moment the two met they became fast friends. Eric's upbeat personality accented Speed's dark cynical attitude. Many times the\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":10236,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/the-generals-office\/bj-jones\/csi-miami\/postcard-series\/","url_meta":{"origin":5141,"position":1},"title":"Postcard Series","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"March 3, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Title: Miss You in Miami Author: Bj Jones Rating: FRT Summary: The day after Speed\u2019s funeral a postcard arrived for Horatio Horatio Caine hid his pain-filled blue eyes behind his dark sunglasses. They had buried Timothy Speedle yesterday. His friend, colleague, lover. Except no one knew about their love affair.\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":9034,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/the-generals-office\/bj-jones\/csi-miami\/last-breath\/","url_meta":{"origin":5141,"position":2},"title":"Last Breath","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"September 30, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Title: My Last Breath Author: Bj Jones Rating: FRT *** The pain was intense. I felt a burning sensation and then nothing. I really didn\u2019t know what happened until I looked up into pain filled blue eyes. I knew then what happened. I screwed up. My gun had jammed and\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":10216,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/the-generals-office\/bj-jones\/csi-miami\/smut-e-cards\/","url_meta":{"origin":5141,"position":3},"title":"Smut E-Cards","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"March 3, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Author: Bj Jones Rating: FRAO Author's Note: This was a series of cute 'smut E-cards' *** Title: Smut E-Cards - Meadow To: Friend (friends@smutville.com ) From: Friend 2 (friends2@smutville.com ) Subject: You Just Received a Smut E-Card Congratulations you just received a Smut E-Card please click here to pick up\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":8601,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/the-generals-office\/bj-jones\/csi-miami\/no-going-back\/","url_meta":{"origin":5141,"position":4},"title":"No Going Back","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"August 19, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Title: No Going Back Author: Bj Jones Rating: FRT Summary: Speed wouldn\u2019t go back \u00a0 *** Speed stared at his image in the mirror; he had never expected this would happen. He touched the purple bruise on his cheek, and with a deep sigh he stepped back from the sink\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":8654,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/the-generals-office\/bj-jones\/csi-miami\/journal-entry-horatio-caine-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":5141,"position":5},"title":"Journal Entry &#8211; Horatio Caine","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"August 27, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Title: Journal Entry \u2013 Horatio Caine Author: Bj Jones Rating: FRM Summary: Horatio\u2019s thoughts as he heads to New York \u00a0 ~*~ It's hard to believe it's been almost twenty years since I last set foot in my home State. If I had my way I wouldn\u2019t ever set foot\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5141","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5141"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5141\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5133"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5141"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}