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Beyond the Horizon: Revelations

Bane sighed and pushed himself back from his desk. He rubbed his tired, red eyes and ran his fingers thru his head fur as he sat in his office. While he had indeed agreed to step into his doppelgangers role he hadn't realized the amount of paperwork it involved. His reality didn't have the security concerns that this one did and there were people who's job it was to read and summarize reports. It saved a lot of time and effort for him because realistically, most of the reports weren't even remotely important. Because this universe's Bane had been both paranoid and under constant attack, he had insisted upon doing it all himself. How he still managed to do all he did was a testament to that wolf's will.

Bane had decided to carry on for now with the established routine. He didn't want to risk rocking the boat so soon after "returning". Things with Ron and Seamus had been tense. As he had expected, Seamus didn't just accept Bane as his partner anymore. Truth was, Bane was being held mostly at arm's length. Yes, they did share some intimacy and spend time together. They even had their link but it wasn't the same as it had been. He wasn't this Seamus's Bane and the opposite was also true. Yes, they were both nearly identical to the 'real' ones but it wasn't the same at all in some ways.

Bane also didn't want to risk coming between Seamus and Ron. The two were not "mates" but they were very close. Things were just so complicated now. To make things worse, they had some group after them using advanced technology and magic, something Bane knew nothing about and few resources to learn from.

Dasher had tried to help as much as he could but the truth was magic was a very complicated topic. Bane had no time to devote to learning about it in detail. He would have to rely on Dasher's knowledge and whatever Talon could tell him about it. His return had caused a lot of stir within the empire. Once again, he was being held up as "immortal" and "all powerful", terms he hated with a passion. Yet for the sake of what was normal he put up with it. Truthfully was he wasn't all that impressed with the office, the position, or anything that came with it. In his reality he had held the same post, yet he wasn't held up to the standards this Bane had been.

He spent time reading over Bane's exploits and a lot had happened to this Bane that he had never gone through. That being the case, he saw things differently than this Bane had in many ways. It was interesting to learn just how the two had differed.

He smiled as his secretary walked into the office. His secretary was a very handsome fox by the name of River. He was solid white, which almost made him shine. The fox smiled at Bane and said, "Good evening. I'm surprised your still here, Bane. It's almost nine at night. Shouldn't you be at home with your mate?"

Bane chuckled to himself and thought, "Oh if this fox only knew how complicated that topic was.' Bane answered, "I suppose I should be but I was just reading over some last-minute reports and time got away from me." The fox grinned and said, "You do realize that most of those reports are useless, right? It's 99.9% the same stuff, day in and day out."

Bane smiled a bit sourly and said, "Yes, I know. I suppose it's more a habit at this point. Sometimes the smallest detail can lead to something I need to know about. But I have to wade thru a ton of it to get that one small thing." River smiled and told him, "Some habits need to be broken. You do realize I could start providing you with a summery of these reports, if you would like?" Bane's ears perked up in interest as he said, "Oh?" The fox nodded and told him, "Before I took this post, I did some software writing. A while back I created a program to review reports and identify anything important. I never suggested it as you seem so dedicated to reading them yourself."

Bane smiled and said, "Then it would be a shame not to use that resource. How long would it take you to install and implement it?" The fox smiled happily and told him, "It's already installed and I can link you to it whenever you say."

Bane smiled in return and told River, "I tell you what, starting tomorrow I want you to do just that. I'll rely on you to only bring me reports that are noteworthy. I'm also promoting you from secretary to personal assistant. There will be a substantial pay raise in it for you, assuming your software does the trick." The fox stood in shock, he had mentioned this to the wolf many times before and had never gotten anywhere with it. Now suddenly he seemed interested. The fox blinked and told Bane softly, "Thank you sir. I've brought this to you many times before and you never agreed, so why now?"

Bane laughed softly as he leaned back in his chair and said, "Frankly River, the reports have gotten so out of paw that all I seem to do is read them. Most of them are the same thing and while it does allow me to keep up with day to day operations, I feel that its also compromising my ability to focus on other more needed tasks. With the recent attack, its obvious I have enemies I didn't know about. I can either continue to read reports, which didn't prepare us for the attack or I can do things differently and see if I can stay on top of anything else that arises."

The fox nodded, there was wisdom in those words. River opined, "Well, they say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results." Bane nodded in agreement and said, "It's obvious to me that what I have been doing isn't working. Something new is needed and I feel this is a good step in the right direction. In fact, if it works I want you to install it for Seamus, Ron and Dasher. Assuming you think you can handle it that is? " The fox nodded and proudly stated, "Don't worry sir, I can handle anything you can give me!"

The wolf grinned from ear to ear and as he eyed the fox's body, he chuckled to himself. The loaded look he gave River, had the white fox's ears turning red and Bane told him, "I'm sure you can. Good night, River." With that the fox bowed humbly and with an unconscious sway to his hips, walked out of the office. He had taken the job because working for the Emperor was a huge honor. To be given so much more responsibility, was almost too much to accept!

Bane smiled as the fox walked out of his office. He got up and stretched his tired body and followed the fox out. Once in his private elevator, he pressed the button for his residence. It had been a long day and he needed to rest. Smiling as the door opened to the living area of his apartments, Bane saw Dasher sitting on the sofa with a data pad in hand, reviewing the day's work. Bane strode over and flopped down beside his friend. The cheetah smiled brightly and set aside the data pad as he asked, "Burning the midnight oil again?"

Bane nodded and sighed in reply, "Yeah, I was trying to read all those damned reports. It was then I realized, I'm the emperor! I can pay people to do that. So, I promoted my secretary to becoming my personal assistant and he will be summarizing them for me starting tomorrow."

Dasher gave it a moments thought and asked, "It's not how the other Bane did it. What will Seamus say?" Bane looked around, realizing the fox wasn't there and said, "Frankly Dash, I don't care. What they were doing didn't work. The mountain of reports didn't prepare them for the attack. It's mindless busywork and I won't suffer it. If he doesn't like it then he can have the damned job and I'll retire somewhere quiet."

The cheetah looked his friend over and asked, "Trouble in paradise?" Bane shook his head and responded, "Things are just so complicated now. I can't be his Bane and I won't try to. If I'm going to do this, then it must be my way. Right or wrong, I'm NOT his Bane." Dasher calmly agreed, "Yeah you're not and he's not your Seamus. Close but not the same." Bane added, "Yes and he and Ron are very close, unlike in our universe but I just found out earlier today Ron is Mated! I can only imagine how his mate feels with him sharing a bed with Seamus for as long as he has." Dasher considered this news. He also hadn't been aware Ron was mated to another. He had assumed Seamus and Ron were mates but they weren't. This complicated matters that were already complex.

Ron sighed as he walked through the research complex. In his mind, he tried to figure out when things had gotten so damned complicated. Recently he had been spending all of his time with Seamus. They had grown very close since Bane's "death". He was mated to Sabastian, a wonderful fox that he loved very much. He knew he had been spending too much time away from his mate but what else could he do? The tremendous upheaval in their lives had thrown them all for a loop. As a measure of how upset things had gotten, his mate had moved out, gotten his own place and was refusing to even see or talk to Ron. He was supportive of Ron being there for Seamus at first but felt betrayed when Ron started staying with Seamus all the time. Being alone in their apartment drove home the point of how it felt empty and cold without him.

Ron sighed as he took a seat at his desk and laid his head in his hands. He just didn't know what to do. He loved Seamus but Bane was back now. He had a mate but his mate refused to see or talk to him. Hell, Ron completely understood he felt. Things between Bane and Seamus seemed...tense to say the least. Things had not just gone back to how they had been before Bane had died. Then there was the attack to deal with. It was just so much that he didn't know where to even start. He sighed as he stood up and walked to his apartment. He would sleep there tonight, that would be a good place to start. He loved Seamus but he was mated to another. Somebody he had hurt and neglected. Something he couldn't forgive himself for and would do everything in his power to fix. He remembered how he had felt the odd fox out before finding Sabastion and he didn't want his mate to feel that way.

Seamus sighed as he walked into their quarters. Bane and Dasher were fast asleep, he could hear each of them snoring in their perspective rooms. Ron had sent him a message that he would be staying in his own place tonight. He was aware of the strain he had caused between Ron and Sabastian. It wasn't intentional, it just happened. The two had grown close very quickly and he never intended to get between Ron and his mate, it had just happened. He understood Ron's decision. Hell, he even respected it... yet part of him resented it. Then there was the issue with Bane. He just didn't know what to do with his feelings towards the wolf. In a lot of ways he was the same but in many he wasn't. Part of him was angry at Bane for not being the wolf he remembered. He was also aware it wasn't fair for him to place that expectation on the wolf. What in God's name had they done to deserve all that had happened? If it was some sort of cosmic joke, he didn't find it funny at all.

The reality was, this Bane wasn't HIS Bane! He was a wolf and had to be his own wolf. The fox understood he hadn't allowed him to be that but tried to make him fit into another's role. The entire situation just wasn't fair! He sighed as he sank into his bed. Perhaps a good night's rest would do the trick. At least it would let him stop thinking of it for a while...

Bane yawned as he opened his eyes slowly. Giving a great stretch, he slowly sat on the side of the bed and inhaled the aroma of coffee. The scent was wafting in thru his open door and it was more than he could resist. He stumbled out of his room to see Seamus sitting in the living room with a cup of the desired brew in his paw. The fox smiled at Bane and patted the seat beside him. "Bane sit down, we need to talk." The groggy wolf shuffled over as Seamus got up and got the wolf a cup of coffee. He knew Bane couldn't function properly until he had at least a cup in him.

Seamus sat beside Bane quietly until at least half the cup had been drained. Seamus cleared his throat and began, "Bane, I owe you an apology. I've not been fair to you and it's time I set things straight. Ever since we found you on that ship, I keep comparing you to my Bane and that's just not right. You look, sound, smell and even feel like him but you're not. I keep comparing you to a ghost and setting standards you cannot live up to. I'm deeply sorry and I hope you can forgive me?"

Bane sat in awe of what he was hearing. He had wanted to talk with Seamus about this very thing but kept putting it off. He didn't want to risk hurting the fox and been in a quandary as to how to bring all this up. Now it had been dropped into his lap and he was going to seize the chance to try and set things straight.

He Turned to face Seamus and answered, "Hun, we are both in a difficult position here. If you can have the strength to allow me to be who I am, then I can have the courage and love to forgive you." The fox chewed his lower lip before throwing his arms around Bane to hold the wolf tightly. With his face tucked under Bane's chin, Seamus said muffledly, "Bane, I want us to start sharing a bed again... if you are okay with that?" Bane smiled as his arms went around his green furred fox and he said, "I would like that very much. But what about Ron? He might feel slighted by being pushed out of the role as your support and lover?"

The fox smiled as tears ran down his cheek. Bane hadn't realized just how hard this had been on the fox. Seamus sniffled out, "I think he would be relieved. He has been neglecting his duties a mate to Sabastion, in tending to me. I didn't mean for that to happen but when I... when I lost you, my world fell apart. If Ron hadn't been there for me, I would have crumbled and the Empire along with us."

Bane let out a breath he hadn't been aware of holding and said, "I think this is a fresh start for us both." Seamus smiled up and said, "I agree." Bane smiled and stroked Seamus' back, then hugged his fox tight as he said, "Oh and I promoted my secretary to my assistant." Seamus grinned up and teased, "Oh? A 'personal' secretary?" Bane laughed and said, "Can't deny I haven't thought of that but I need his professional abilities more than I need another fox to fill my needs. I have one right here and I am going to be too busy filling you to have enough for him too." Seamus laughed and murred out as he snuggled tighter against Bane, "Good! Ron was nice but he could never fill me the way you can."

Bane laughed and kissed the top of Seamus' hear, right between his ears before going on, "I can't read those damned reports another day. They are mostly useless and are taking up too much of my time. He will oversee making sure I get the important details. That will give me more time to concentrate on the bigger picture. I have barely had breathing space as it was... and getting home to you and our bed is more important to me than running an Empire."

Seamus nodded and said, "I agree with this. It's time you start doing things your way. You have to appear as Bane but you don't have to follow his every footstep." Bane sighed and admitted, "I was afraid you would react badly to me wanting to tell you the same thing." Seamus told him, "Yesterday, I would have. Ron reminded me of something. He's going back to his mate, as he should. And I realized I was holding you to impossible standards, hiding behind a relationship with Ron that I never had the right to. I only hope it's not too late for him to patch things up with Sabastian."

Bane admitted, "I didn't know he was mated until Dasher brought it up yesterday to me." Seamus went on, "Yeah he is. Unfortunately, after you "died"... things got a little complicated. What was supposed to be him being there for me, turned into something I never intended it to be. It's as much my fault as it is Ron's. I wish there was something I could do to help them." Bane asked, "Have you considered talking to Sabastian?" Seamus shook his head and said, "I can't do that, it would make things worse. The last thing he wants is to see me right now." Bane told his foxy, "Hun, what you have to understand is that Sabastian was feeling like a third wheel. He stepped aside out wanting to honor his mate and friends' pain. It became hurt and anger. Your talking to him will put a foot in the door for Ron to be able to start the long process of repairing their relationship. If you care for Ron, then this is something you must do." The fox was forced to admit he was right but it wasn't something he was looking forward to.

Sabastian sat in his office but was doing no work. Instead he sat there worrying over the situation. Things had gotten so complicated as of late. Bane was gone, then he was back... the spy being captured, added even more trouble to the already burdened fox. Ron believed they had separated because of his ties to Seamus. While that was part of the issue, it wasn't the entire story. He was well aware of their histories. Ron had been open and honest with him from the start. After they had been mated, Ron told him the full truth. While he was hesitant to accept it at first, he had finally concluded it was true.

He was also aware of the deep friendship that Ron and Seamus shared. Thru instinct he saw Seamus as a threat but he was intelligent enough not to rely on only instinct. He knew where the fox's heart was and that he loved him deeply. It wasn't until the spy had been caught that things became more difficult. It had been almost a month since then and nothing had really come of it. Security throughout the empire had increasingly tightened. He had been interviewed several times by security services. It wasn't unusual after an attack like this for a top level review to be completed. Still, each day brought fresh worries.

Dasher had reached out to him several times in an attempt to end the trouble between himself and Ron. Each time he had turned it down. Of everyone in the empire, Dasher was the last one he wanted to be around at the moment. The cheetah always had an uncanny ability to detect deception. He hadn't wanted to risk it but things had began to change. Each day brought fresh pain. What started as an assignment had turned into love. He had fallen deeply in love with Ron, something he wasn't supposed to do. His employers would not be pleased if they found out. They would have him terminated with extreme prejudice! Likewise, if Ron began to suspect, he would not be pleased or calm about it. From where the fox was sitting, he was in a lose-lose position.

He had begun to question what it was he wanted. He had been sent to fulfill a mission, one that was now almost impossible to complete. The problem was in getting to know Ron, Bane, and Dasher as he had, really made an impact on him. They were not what he had been told. The images of monsters had been replaced with actual people! Yes, they had done terrible things but never by their own choice. This left a great divide within his very soul. He couldn't just back out of what he had signed up for but he no longer had the stomach to carry through with it either. All he wanted was to be with Ron, to be happy. He had a thriving practice here in the city. Seamus had afforded him every comfort he could ever want. He had even made several rebuffed attempts to mend things between him and Ron.

The problem was, if either of the foxes had known the truth, they would have marched into Sabastian's office and shot him dead. Hell, maybe that was the best way out, to just come clean and accept the consequences. At least he would die with a cleaner conscience. There was just no way that he could see, that allowed him to have what he wanted, a quiet life with his husband. The problem was, he didn't know exactly what the operative that was captured had divulged or what he actually knew. If they knew right out, he would surely be under arrest at least. Had they found out enough to piece together for themselves in time, his betrayal.

Sabastian made a decision and stood up. Perhaps it was time to meet with Dasher after all. If anyone would be able to control how the flow of information was presented to Ron, it would be him. Maybe there was a way out of this after all. If there was a way of getting to the Cheetah and somehow gaining influence over him, then perhaps the situation could be salvaged. His superiors would see that as a good step! They would back off and he could go back to Ron. The issue was, it was all or nothing with this. He paced back and forth in his office as he considered the situation. It was only a matter of time before he was discovered. He knew all too well how resourceful the group of friends where when a threat was detected. If he waited, either his employers would terminate him, or god forbid Ron would. If he acted, then there was a chance both could be appeased for now. It would also give him time to come up with a better option.

Dasher yawned widely as he sat in his office. He had followed Bane's lead and brought on additional personnel to help lighten his workload. It helped but it did not mean that all was well. Many worlds were breathing down the empire's neck to transition back to a more democratic form of government. The original Bane had really started something with him declaring martial law. It had really affected a lot of worlds and now that the threat was no longer obvious, they were wanting more control back in their hands. The issue was, the attempted destruction of the empire's home world had revealed a new enemy. The agent they had captured hadn't revealed much they didn't already know. He didn't know names but did know there was more than one double agent in the top levels of the government.

The problem was they had no leads and no idea who it could be. The more troubling detail was that magic was involved here, where it was uncommon and little known by any who didn't possess it. it would be extremely problematic. Magic was something he was accustomed to, something he understood. Others however, did not. It wasn't something natural to this reality. Sure, some had the ability and he could usually detect them. Whoever was behind all this had taken extra care to ensure none of the double agents were magical. Sure, the individual they had captured had used a magical item, but he had no magical ability whatsoever. He had simply been trained to use it, as anybody could be trained to use any tool.

His desk's intercom brought the cheetah out of his thought induced trance and back to the here and now. "Sir, Sabastian is here to see you.", came over the intercom. Dasher chuckled as he thought, it took him long enough. He acknowledged, and the fox was shown into the room. Dasher smiled as he rose and walked around the desk to greet him. Dasher smiled and said, "I'm glad you came to see me. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?" Sabastian giggled nervously, and Dasher gave a half grin in return.

Dasher intimidated him, despite his specialized training. He had seen what the Cheetah was capable of and had no desire to be on the receiving end of it. If he had any chance with him, it was to only tell the truth and as little of that as he had to. Sabastion swallowed and began, "I...I wanted to talk to you about Ron." Dasher put his arm around the fox's shoulder and guided him into his safe room. He took a seat and offered Sabastian a drink, which the fox happily accepted.

"Well, I've said many times I'm ready, willing and able to help open a discourse between you two. Talking is the only way either of you will find if there is any common ground to build anew on." The fox's ears went down as he told the cheetah, "I'm just so hurt Dasher. I understand he has obligations to Seamus and I know they are friends but I'm his mate! That should count for something. As soon as Seamus calls I'm dropped like a hot potato and he runs to his side. D-Don't I matter anymore?"

Dasher eyed the fox he had been around him many times. This was the first time the two had ever really been alone. The cheetah spoke softly, "Hun, you knew they were close when you two got together. The type of close that you don't forget, mated or not. After Bane's death they were there for each other. You on the other hand have hardly talked to Ron since the accident. Yes, you came and saw him but are you sure he's the one who abandoned you? From his perspective couldn't he say the same thing you're saying?"

The fox hesitated, it was true he had been somewhat distant since Ron's accident. He had gone to see him in the hospital several times. Once he got out, Ron had started staying with Seamus and rarely came home. Sabastian cleared his throat and tried to defend his actions with, "Yes well, he is the one who pushed me away. I was only doing what he wanted. Giving him space, as he said it." Dasher sighed, looking sad. Unfortunately, his ability to detect deceit was as clear in this reality as had been in any other. He quietly pressed a button on his arm chair to activate the recording system in his office. It was often good to have proof to back up his side of things and this was going to be one of those times.

Deciding to cut right to the matter, Dasher took another sip of his drink and said, "Sabastian, what is this really about? You have been acting differently ever since the attack. You push Ron away then blame him. You abandon him in his time of need then say its his fault. Then for the past month you all but vanish! You are not seeing patients anymore, so it can't be your work getting in the way. If you tell me now, I will try to help but I won't do anything for you if you can't help yourself." The fox started to panic, his heart racing and the need to pant growing. The cheetah had been keeping an eye on him!

Tears welled up in Sabastian's eyes and he bent forward, placing his face in his paws. He let out a cry and his right hand moved quickly down to his boot top. He pulled a blaster from it's hiding place and pointed it at the Cheetah as he cried out, "...You wouldn't understand! You can't help me... nobody can!"

Dasher sat unmoving and unsurprised as he remarked, "So what? You going to shoot me? What then? Discharging that will have the guards in here within a minute. Hope you have one hell of a good escape plan." Tears flowed down the fox's face as he sobbed out, "You don't understand! How could you?" Dasher chuckled and remarked, "I understand you wanted to talk to me and have a blaster aimed at me. So, since you have my full attention, why don't you explain it. I dare say Ron and Seamus would be upset if you killed me and Bane? Bane would probably tear you apart with his bare paws...". Dasher shrugged and smiled as he said, "They like me, what can I say?

The fox sighed softly and sagged in defeat, he really had nothing to lose now. This hadn't gone as he intended. His goal was to seduce the cheetah then blackmail him. He hadn't counted on the cheetah keeping eyes on him. He was a trained operative he should have noticed that but didn't...

He sighed deeply and began, "I'm a deep cover operative for the Rex. They are the group that is behind the attack recently and sending me to spy on Ron. The operative you captured works for them but he was merely a courier. He took the information off planet to the Rex."

Dasher nodded and told the fox, "So far, so good. You have told me the truth, now I will share some with you. You aren't a true empath, are you? You have a small bit of magic in you and you use it to 'read' others. Those who know how to use magic here are few. So, are you a natural or created and taught magic user?"

The fox sighed sadly, "I didn't count on loving him... I've tried for weeks to find a way out of this mess. I was originally going to try and gain leverage over you with blackmail, to get the Rex to back off. I could then go back to Ron and have the life I want. Now...that's impossible... There's no happy ending for me, there never was. The only way I could protect Ron was to push him away. If we were "estranged", then I would have a plausible excuse for not having access to him. That way the Rex would be deprived of any knowledge from him. I was trying to save him."

It was at this point that Dasher was certain about the pure raw emotion and truth behind the fox's words. Sabastian sobbed and continued, "I was sent here with the understanding you are all monsters. I was drafted as a kit and raised by the Rex. They saved me from being a sex slave and as such had my loyalty. It wasn't until I got to know you that I began questioning all I had accepted and believed. Ron...means the world to me. I would gladly die for him. I hate myself for loving him and for betraying him..."

Dasher asked, "And what now? Are you going to shoot me? The one you came to for help and perhaps the only one who can help you?" The fox shook his head and said, "This gun isn't for you, it never was. Believe whatever you want about me but I am loyal to Ron and nobody else. Please... Tell him I love him!" With that, Sabastian turned the blaster to his own head. With a burst of speed Dasher raced forward, grabbed the gun, and knocked the fox unconscious.

Holding the gun and looking down at Sabastian, he muttered to himself, "What is it with people wanting to kill themselves? I should start charging for every one I stop." With a sigh, Dasher triggered his intercom and asked for Seamus, Ron and Bane to please come to his office... NOW!

Ron sat in Dashers office reviewing the security footage. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. His beloved mate was a traitor, a spy. He had used him. A mixture of anger, hurt, and confusion swirled around within the fox like a storm. He shook his head as the footage ended. Dasher rubbed Ron's shoulders as Bane sighed and Seamus remained silent. Dasher sighed softly and told them, "I've had him admitted to the mental wing of the hospital under heavy guard and sedation." Bane shook his head and growled, "Why didn't you send him to the prison? Or just let him go thru with it. It would have saved us at least one problem."

Dasher sighed softly that Bane couldn't see it and said, "Because if he wanted any of us dead he had more than ample opportunity to accomplish that task. Misguided as he is, he came here not to hurt me but to try and buy himself some time. He didn't have to tell me any of that, he could have just shot. Instead he made sure to tell me everything he knew and then intended to end his own life rather than make us do it. That tells me that he is sincere in regretting his actions.

Ron sobbed out, "H...how could he do this to me?" Dasher sighed softly, "Hun, this is not as simple as that. Think how stubborn you are if you think you are right. He was lied to and trained to do a job. He broke that training thru his love for you. A bit too late to stop all the damage his actions may have helped cause but better late than never. This is something you need to talk to him about but I don't think prison is necessary for him. His loyalties no longer lie with the Rex anymore. I think he's on your side. The problem was he doesn't know us well enough to not let what the public has seen of us affect his judgment. Instead of coming clean and letting us help him before this, he allowed his fear to eat him alive. His actions were not hate, they were fear. Fear of what we would do to him and worse, that you would hate him."

Ron shook his head growled out, "No, he deserves to die for what he's done. He was responsible for the deaths of all those crew members. He helped this Rex group gain access to god knows what. He betrayed us... and me." Bane spoke up and said, "Did he really? Had it not been him, it would have been someone else. I agree with Dash and think you need to talk to him. I don't think throwing him in prison or executing him is the right thing to do here." Ron wrapped his arms around Bane and sobbed into his chest. Sabastian meant the world to him, he loved him with everything he had. Yes, the two were having problems but doesn't every couple? Never in his wildest imagination could he have imagined this! Bane held his friend and considered what to do now.

Seamus had been the one to bring Sabastion here in the first place, so he felt some guilt too. He was the first to break the silence by saying, "Ron, I think we have an opportunity here to do some good. You need to talk to him, hear his side of things. I know there's no explanation good enough to excuse his actions but if you just listen to what he tells you maybe you will understand him better."

Ron nodded as he dried his eyes and asked, "Why are you all so willing to hear him out? After all he's done?" Bane chuckled and patted Ron's back as he replied, "Because he's your mate. Like it or not he's family. Yes, he has made some very serious mistakes. He is still family."

dasher saw the gleam in Bane's eye and smiled to himself that Bane had finally seen the light. Bane slyly told them all, "Besides... this is an opportunity we might never get again. We can turn him into a double agent. Now that we know these things we can control it better. This is something we can't pass up. We hand Talon the traitors in his empire and in return, he tells us who the humans, wolves and maybe foxes they have been using against us so we can clean them up. We all win! The Empire is safe and the dragons are in debt to us."

Ron nodded as he finished drying his eyes and asked, "How do you know he will accept?" Dasher smiled and put his paw on Ron's shoulder as he answered, "He will accept because of his love for you. Ron what you need to understand is how difficult it is to examine and reject something you have been taught all your life. He came here with the truth that we are monsters and needed to be exterminated. Your love made him reject that. He fought a war within himself and put his own life in danger by turning from what he had been told to do and yes, by pushing you away. I don't agree with what he's done but I do understand it."

The fox thought about it and anger fought with wanting to believe what Dasher was telling him. He turned and walked to the door. If he didn't talk to Sabastian now, he would not be able to force himself to try again. Bane turned to follow him but was stopped by Dasher's paw on his shoulder. The cheetah leaned in and softly said, "Bane, he has to do this alone. This is something we cannot help him with. He must decide what he must do. As much as we want to help him, we cannot." Bane nodded, he knew there was truth in the cheetah's words but it was a bitter pill to swallow. They would indeed be there for Ron, but this path was one only he could walk.