Devil Dawg Donnelly's

"Oh shit..." Hank Bauers boomed as he exited the driver's side door of the large SUV: "The people you see when you forget your gun!"

"Aww Hank, I'll never forget the first time we met..." Danal Cornelius posited as he approached the vehicle that had just arrived at the Devil Dawg compound: "But no matter how long it takes I'll keep trying."

A broad smile spread across Hank's face as he approached his old mentor, his arms spread to embrace him: "Likewise old man, I've treasured the time I've spent far away from you."

As the two men wrapped their arms around each other in a hearty hug, patting each other's backs, the rest of Hank's companions watched on dubiously as they began filing out of the vehicle.

Danal pushed Hank back, his hands firmly gripping his shoulders as he gazed up and down his former charge as if gauging the differences since the last time they had seen each other: "You know Hank, you've had your entire life to be an idiot, why not take a day off?"

Hank laughed boisterously: "Danal, does your ass ever get jealous of the shit that comes out of your mouth?"

"Droll as always pup..." Danal chortled, affectionately smacking Hank on the ass before concluding: "I'd give you a nasty look, but I can see you already have one."

"Do you two ever stop?" Jake Bauers asked, his golden-brown eyes beaming as he made his way around the front of the vehicle from the passenger side, before throwing his large muscular arms around Danal, hugging him closely.

It had been almost two years since they had last seen each other, not since Danal had conducted Jake's very own Heritage ceremony, on these very grounds on his eighteenth birthday.

"By the Progenitor boy, every time I see you, you just get bigger and bigger" Danal chortled bemusedly as he reached up patting Jake's cheek: "Fortunately, you also inherited your mother's good looks."

It was about that time Timmy Anderson slid out of the back hatch of the SUV with Gavin Hollis following right beside him, causing Danal to slip around Jake to eye the golden, curly-haired youth admiringly: "And what diaphanous vision of loveliness is this?" he cooed, as he grasped Timmy's left hand, as he bowed his head to kiss the back of it.

"His name is Timmy sir," Billy Donnelly noted as he emerged from the driver's side backseat along with his younger sibling JD, smiling from ear to ear as he and his brother greeted the man who they had grown up considering more of a grandfather figure than a mere friend of the family.

Danal's face lit up like a beacon of mirth as he opened his arms to embrace them both, squeezing them tightly as he kissed them both on the cheeks: "William...James, I am so happy you both could finally join us..."

Looking around at all the new faces, Danal queried: "Where are your father and Carl, will they not be gracing us with their presence today?"

As Billy explained how his father and Carl would be along shortly with another guest after they assisted in helping them prepare for the extended stay, the hairs on the back of Danal's neck stood up and his eyes almost instantly shifted from twinkling merriment to rapt, cautious alertness, his nose crinkling as he sniffed the air around him, before falling upon and glaring at Jason Dunne as he made his way around from the other side of the vehicle: "What trickery is this?!" Danal demanded, as he almost subconsciously ushered Billy and JD behind him protectively as his steely grey/blue eyes glowered ominously at him.

JD swung around Danal to place himself between the two, as he reached over and took Jason's hand in his, but before he could utter a word, Hank Bauers coughed, stepping up to Danal, placing his hand on his shoulder cautiously: "Seems old man we have a lot to discuss.." he began, looking around behind him, offering Jason and JD a thoughtful nod of reassurance before returning his gaze to a bewildered Danal.

Hank waved at the trailer they had towed with them: "Perhaps we should let the boys start unloading the provisions while you and I have a brief chat together somewhere a little more private."

Danal just shook his head, nodding in the general direction of the lake, while simultaneously continuing to glower at Jason: "I am absolutely certain I am not going to like anything you're about to say am I?

Hank craned his neck sideways, nodding slightly, giving Danal a cockeyed sneer: "Why should now be any different than any other time we talk old man?"

Jake took their temporary departure toward the lakeshore as his cue to rally his companions and start unloading the equipment and provisions they had towed with them in the flatbed trailer now parked behind their SUV in front of the compounds Lodge.

"I thought there was supposed to be an entire unit of Marines here training?" Billy asked as he and Jake began loosening the straps that secured their cargo to the trailer.

Jake turned his nose up in the air taking several casual sniffs before turning nonchalantly back to Billy saying: "It's about eleven hundred hours so I do believe their team leader has the unit doing training exercises up the trail to the ceremonial grounds."

Jake had no sooner said that than GySgt. Brock Gryzinski stepped out of the main door of the Lodge and sauntered over, eyeing and assessing each of them individually and collectively as he approached Jake, who turned to face him and assuming the stationary drill stance in deference to Brock's superior rank: " Specialist Sgt. Jake Bauers reporting as per instruction Gunnery Sargeant.

Brock smiled back at him offering his hand in a less formal salutation which Jake took and shook vigorously.

"No need for formalities with me Sargeant I'm not team leader here, that honor belongs to Corporal Atticus Walker." Brock mused casually. Jake couldn't help but notice how the gunny's eyes dropped momentarily to check his crotch out causing him to smile broadly back at him.

"No need to explain gunny, Max has already explained the arrangements here," Jake said, noticing how Brock was eyeing his Dad and Danal down by the lake.

"That's my Dad Hank Bauers catching Danal up on a few recent events," Jake said before drawing Brock's attention back toward him: "We've brought a few items Carl wanted to be set up inside the Lodge as soon as possible, most notably this large double wide refrigerator he said needed to be hooked up in the kitchen immediately upon our arrival." Jake patted the large standing oblong unit at the front of the open transport trailer as he began loosening the straps to the tie downs securing it in place.

"I hope ya brought some food with ya too Sargeant 'cause I didn't factor in this many extra people joining us so soon," Brock exclaimed as he started helping Jake remove the straps and canvas tarps covering the contents of the flatbed trailer.

Jake laughed: "No prob there gunny, I think half of what's here is food."

They all watched bemusedly as Timmy Anderson saddled up next to Jake, coyly batting his eyes at him: "There better be chocolate chip cookies in there somewhere or there's gonna be hell to pay."

Shaking his head, JD quickly took Timmy by the arm escorting him away from Jake: "Why don't you come help the rest of us unload our personal gear from the other end and leave the Marines in charge of the big stuff, okay?"

Jake shot JD a quick wink and mouthed "thank you" while a newly distracted Timmy practically bounced over to Gavin, Billy, and Jason, humming Britney Spears's Work Bitch to no one in particular.

Within short order, assisted by Brock Gryzinski, they had successfully unloaded their cargo without further distractions other than a slight resurgence of Timmy's almost comedic flirtations with Jake as he almost single-handedly lifted the double-wide refrigerator from the trailer before setting it on the ground to be trolled off to the kitchen by Jason and Billy.

They were eventually rejoined by Hank and Danal while they sorted through the various items, separating the equipment and food from their personal gear.

Billy had gathered his and Gavin's duffel bags and backpacks with the intent of hauling them to the cabin where he had assumed they would be staying when Hank abruptly stopped him, informing him that he and Gavin, along with Jason and Timmy would be stowing their gear with the rest of the men at the bivouac set up in the small clearing right off the left-hand side of the path that leads down through the woods to the cabin.

As JD picked up his stuff and moved to join Jason and the others Hank abruptly stopped him as well: "Sorry sport, Carl's orders, you'll be staying at the cabin with him and your Dad."

Shooting Hank a quizzical look, JD was just about to protest when he felt Danal's right hand gently clasp his left shoulder: "All these young men are either eighteen or close to it, you on the other hand are only sixteen and it was difficult enough for Carl to get your father to agree for you to train with the others while your here, this being the compromise he made to gain your father's reluctant acceptance."

JD's brow furrowed in consternation as he pondered sardonically: "In other words, don't rock the boat or I won't get to play with the big boys?"

JD let out a startled yelp as Danal smacked his ass unexpectedly: "Exactly!" Danal exclaimed jubilantly: "I knew you'd be intelligent enough to figure it out on your own."

Hank Bauers shook his head as he guided JD down the path toward the cabin: "Subtle as ever old man" he retorted, before whispering in JD's ear: "Danal's like an old slinkie, not really good for much, but can still occasionally make you smile when you push them down a flight of stairs."

Danal of course heard every word and just stuck his chin up in the air and smiled broadly as he gathered the others and led them to the campsite where he divided them into pairs to their assigned two-man tents so they could stow their gear.

Again, to the surprise of everyone, Danal paired Billy with Jason and Gavin with Timmy, and while the others began putting their stuff away, Billy approached Danal, thinking to question their sleeping arrangements, only to be slightly flabbergasted when Danal dismissively waved him off with the flick of his hand stating: "You're all here to train young man, not fondle and grope your bunkmates, can you imagine what would happen if I paired that beautiful little golden-haired seductress with either yourself or Jason?"

For a moment Billy stammered for a response, but then thought better of it, realizing that Danal was absolutely correct in his assessment; of everyone in their group, Gavin was least likely to succumb to Timmy's constant flirtations knowing, if anything, that it would more than likely annoy him more than entice, plus he knew additionally that pairing Jason with JD's brother was at least in some small part an acknowledgment of Jason's affections toward his little brother and could quell any potential jealousy or hard feelings that may ensue with either his or Jason's pairing with Timmy.

After securing their gear, they all gathered around Danal who was busily setting about building up a small fire in preparation for their lunch.

"The unit will soon be on their way back for their mid-day repast and I think it would make for a good introduction to the team if you young men would assist in its production."

To everyone's surprise, Timmy jumped up and enthusiastically began going through the coolers and storage containers pulling out a sundry of cooking utensils, meats, and vegetables.

In no time flat he had assumed the role of chef and began chopping onions and garlic to saute in a saucepan before thrusting a couple of cans of tomato sauce at Billy: "Open please" was all he said, smiling demurely at him before returning to his task and began adding hamburger to his concoction.

In minutes, Timmy not only had a large pot of doctored pork and beans stewing, but had laid out several packages worth of hotdogs on the grill before enlisting Gavin's assistance, instructing him to keep turning them to prevent any from burning.

On the far end of the fire, Timmy thrust a large cast-iron kettle partially filled with water into the hot coals and brought it to a rapid steaming boil before plucking a large bag of prepackaged halved corncobs into in, covering the top to steam cook the contents.

Hank and JD returned shortly and joined the others as they bemusedly watched as Timmy conducted his near symphonic meal prep, concluding with him adding a couple of sticks of butter to the steaming pot with the corncobs.

In what appeared to be a perfectly timed coincidence, twelve hot, sweaty Marines came jogging into view from the path leading from the ceremonial grounds in two perfectly syncopated rows, wearing only their PT olive drab silkies and corps issued exercise canvased footwear.

"Stand up boys.." Danal barked: "It's time to meet the man that's going to be busting your balls for the next few weeks, and might I suggest..." he paused as he stepped out in front of the gathered youths to greet the large, muscular hirsute man in front: "That you acclimate yourselves to the usage of the words Yes Sir."

                                                                           *****

"He'll be here shortly Liz, and despite your reticence, I still think, all things considered, that it would be best if the news came from you directly," Max said stoically.

This wasn't an easy decision for him to make, he and Carl had spent much of the night before and most of the morning debating how best to proceed before ultimately deciding that revealing to Marshal Griffen that he not only had a grandson via the delayed surrogacy of his son's former lover but that he now had a viable heir to his territory.

Elizabeth Dunne or more correctly Liz Haskel as Marshal would remember her and how her lover Bannor had known her, wasn't as certain as Max and Carl that Marshal would be as understanding let alone forgiving as they appeared to be, and despite what they believed he would see as a boon to his family and household.

How could he, she reasoned, knowing full well she had deliberately intended to deprive the man the progeny he had always expected and encouraged from Bannor, not to mention, that at no time did he ever try to be anything other than accepting of her as his future daughter-in-law.

She had known full well, at the time, that he would have supported her decision to carry Bannor's child, he would have done anything to help assist or aid her and probably would have provided whatever resources she required, but she also knew, he would have insisted the child be raised not only by her but by him and the rest of Bannor's family.

How was it then that she couldn't now convince Max or Carl that upon hearing what she had done to keep Jason to herself, hear how she knowingly rejected all that Bannor and his father and family stood for, just so she could keep them from influencing and seducing her son into following in his father's footsteps, to keep him from what they most assuredly would have seen as his rightful Heritage, not loath the very space she occupied?

As certain as Max and Carl were that penultimately he would be both thrilled and relieved to find he now had a grandson and heir, she could only see the outcome being the complete opposite and on no small level she even now feared for her own safety as well as that of her sons.

Max studied her, he could discern the plethora of conflicting emotions that played across her facial expressions, he could read it in her nervous and fidgeting body language, he could even smell the fear and doubts that radiated off her in waves, but he was also a father, and on that level, he knew what this would mean to Marshal Griffen. True, initially he'd be upset that the boy had been kept from him for so long, but the restoration of something he had thought long lost would greatly outweigh any past perceived transgressions, they were both certain of it.

What she had accomplished went far beyond just baring his grandson, she had in almost every conceivable way practically physically replicated Marshal's deceased son, Hank alone was testimony to that fact, they assured her. No, Max had no doubt that the moment Marshal laid eyes on Jason, stood within a few feet of his son's progeny, he would feel nothing less than elation and joy.

As she contemplated their assurances Elizabeth practically jumped out of her skin when the phone on Max's desk rang, she felt her heart race within her chest as she broke out in a cold sweat as Max calmly listened to the person on the other end of the receiver before instructing them to allow his guest through the front gate and to escort him to his office, knowing full well she was now mere moments away from facing the one person she had spent half her lifetime avoiding and living in fear of.

The only thought that now raced through her mind... for better or worse, her moment of truth was finally at hand.

                                                                             *****

Hank Bauers patted his stomach appreciatively, having just enjoyed the picnic-style lunch Timmy had just prepared for everyone. His chili dog, baked beans, and corn on the cob combo had really hit the spot for everyone and Timmy was thoroughly enjoying the many compliments he received, using the moment as an opportunity to get to know and flirt with every young Marine he encountered.

Having finished his meal, Hank decided to walk it off by engaging Atticus Walker, pulling him to the side so that they might talk a little more privately, Atticus himself, after being introduced to everyone, seemed a little anxious as well, especially after being in close proximity to both Jason and Billy, the latter of which seemed to be drawing particular interest by all of Atticus's men.

Hank couldn't help but notice, no matter what task or function they were now going about doing, all of them, including Atticus, kept staring at Billy in particular, it was like they couldn't keep their eyes off of him.

"I take it, you have never met him personally have you?" Hank asked him, observing how even now he could barely pull his eyes off him long enough to meet Hank's gaze.

"No sir, none of us have..." Atticus's voice trailed off as his eyes once again turned back to stare at Max Donnelly's middle son.

Hank smiled whimsically: "You sense it too don't you?

Atticus turned and locked eyes with him. Hank could see the yearning behind those eyes, but he could also see that glimmer of hope, the same look he saw in all their expectant eyes.

"What are your thoughts on Jason?" Hank asked, shifting gears, refocusing the topic of their conversation: "Let me rephrase that..." Hank added: "What do your senses tell you about him?"

The faraway look of contemplation that had permeated the corporal's vision moments ago now came into razor focus: "I sense a great amount of power and strength, but..." Atticus paused momentarily, to glance over at the stalwart youth who now sat docilely next to the youngest Donnelly, JD.

"Go on.." Hank prompted, but knowing full well what his response would be.

"It seems muted somehow, but it's there nonetheless, even more so now that Max's son has joined them." Atticus's eyebrow raised quizzically: "I mean no disrespect, but are they "together"?"

Hank knew what he meant by "together", the thought of it lingering in his mind's eye as he watched the two of them interact: "I think left unchecked, it is most definitely heading in that direction.", he said flatly, not wanting to sound negative by his choice of words, meaning it quite literally.

Hank knew of his youngest son's interest and intent toward JD, like Max, he had noticed it since he hit puberty, both choosing to let the boys mature at their own pace, but knowing there was more there than either had previously been acknowledging.

What had become most perplexing, is the growing bond between all three: Jason, Jake, and JD.

At first, Hank had assumed Jason was just impressed with his son's physicality and personal achievements, but he was also becoming increasingly aware of the mutual attractions growing between all three of them and considering the reason Jake had agreed to take a leave from work was so that he could get closer to JD, to renew the closeness they once shared, it seemed a little strange it was playing out the way it was.

Max had put Jake down this path, encouraged him to pursue it. Hank didn't think that even Max could have anticipated this outcome.

Hank had feared, after seeing JD and Jason together, that his son was heading for potential heartbreak, that view was now changing the more he saw the three interact together, he didn't know what to make of it, but knew better than to try and interfere, these things were best left to sort themselves out, fate would soon decide and guide their actions.

Atticus and Hank stood there silently contemplating the trio, when the sound of a door slamming, boomed behind them, coming from the Lodge.

Throughout the ages and in most cultures around the globe, in almost every language, there was one phrase common to all "If looks could kill"

Hank didn't know the young Gunnery Sergeant that now shot seething beams of fire at Atticus from the porch of the Lodge, but by the way, Atticus's face now went pale, he did.

"Ya know I can almost understand, with all the excitement going on with the arrival of our new guest that my teammates might forget to let me know it was lunchtime.." the words poured like pure sardonic malice from Gunny's mouth as he walked toward them, glaring straight at Atticus, their eyes locked: "But there is one person here, above all others that better be hoping and praying that there's at least a crumb or two left to feed his starving mate!"

Hank looked between Gunny and Atticus, whose eyes had grown wide as he glanced desperately over at Hank as if to beseech him silently for help...

Knowing that look all too well, Hank stepped away from Atticus, his hands coming up defensively: "Sorry Corporal, you're on your own with this one!"

Hank pivoted away, a large grin spreading across his face as he beat feet double time to get away from the duo, knowing, through experience, he didn't want to be anywhere near the carnage that was about to ensue.

He couldn't be certain, but he was fairly sure he could hear a faint whimper as Atticus began almost inaudibly stammering, blubbering incoherently, desperately surrendering what was left of his sanity for a response he already knew would never suffice.

                                                                      *****

Elizabeth Dunne sat silently in the back seat of Max Donnelly's truck, contemplating the events of the morning and their meeting with Marshal Griffen just slightly over two hours ago.

All in all, it had gone better than she had expected, in fact, Marshal and his youngest son Merrick had shown up mere minutes after Max had approved their entrance on the base, she barely recognized him as he made his way through the office door.

He was still impressive physically, standing nearly as tall as Max himself, but the white hair and beard and the cracks and crevices of age-worn skin compounded by decades of loss and mourning weighed heavily on his visage. She had even noted the slight slump of his posture as if he carried the problems of the world upon his shoulders.

There was no mistaking it, he had aged a lot in the twenty-some years since she had last seen him. She of course remembered Merrick, though now at roughly forty years of age, he too looked a little worse for wear compared to the youthful and exuberant teenager she had known back then.

Still, despite appearances and much to her dismay, the old mans face lit up jubilantly upon sight of her, even Merrick's eyes shifted from burdened stoicism to twinkling mirthful twin emeralds, smiles plastered on both their faces, hands, and arms extended in hopeful, familial greetings of a long-missed loved one.

"Elizabeth it's been so long" Marshal Griffen crooned as he threw his once-powerful arms around her, hugging her tightly to him: "We've missed you so much my dear, having not heard from you in so long we feared the worse had befallen you."

Liz backed away slowly, until she was an arm's length away from him, her eyes cast downward unable to meet the warmth of his gaze with her own.

It was still hard for Elizabeth to feel regret over what she had done, but she did feel the weight of her guilt over what she must now impart to him.

She never hated Marshal Griffen or any of Bannor's brothers, they had all been so welcoming of her, they did all they could to make her feel part of their family, but it was through that connection that she saw and knew what they would have done had they ever found out what she had done.

She had spent years telling herself that she would never let such a moment as this happen, that she would keep her son away from them, protect him from the type of patriarchal love that would have forged her son into what they expected him to be. She had thought, that all this time she was allowing her son to choose his own fate, but Max had made her see that that wasn't true at all, she had in fact done to her son what she told herself she was protecting him from, by not revealing who his father was, or of the family that had raised him.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she now struggled to find the words that could ease the pain she was now certain she was about to inflict.

Both Marshal and Merrick stared at her with concern in their eyes, there were so many questions they wanted to ask her, but now feared that there was something even more troubling bothering her.

Liz was thankful when Max interceded, she knew by his tone that the litany of questions they were about to lay upon her would have broken her resolve, she was barely keeping it together as it was.

Max had turned to Carl and instructed him to take Merrick down to the lounge area so that Elizabeth could have a few moments alone with Marshal.

Merrick was about to protest, but Carl took his arm assuring him everything was going to be alright and that he would tell him all about it over a cup of coffee as he escorted him from the office.

Once they left, Max had motioned for Marshal to sit on one of the chairs adjacent to his desk as Liz took the one next to him. Max leaned against the edge of his desk between them before telling Marshal that Liz had something very important she needed to tell him, that it would be a lot to take in, asking him to please listen carefully but save whatever comments or questions he may have until after she finished telling him everything she had to say.

Marshal had looked at him questioningly but merely nodded his acquiescence as he pivoted slightly in his chair to face her, patiently waiting to hear what she might have to say after so many years apart, not knowing whether she was alive or dead and often wondering if they had somehow offended her.

She didn't know where she found the courage to begin, but she surprised herself at how concisely she laid it all out, from her frame of mind before and after Bannor's death, rehashing their promise to marry and start a family upon his return, her feelings of impending danger that led her to save the numerous condoms after their last day and night together, how she preserved and later froze the contents for later and everything she felt after his death, from how her plan had changed from simply impregnating herself with Bannor's sperm to applying all that she had learned in her genetics studies that allowed her to envision much more than just a simple surrogacy style impregnation to a more replicative outcome.

Through it all Marshal had sat there in stone silence, staring off into space as if seeing the events she laid out one by one on an imaginary screen in his mind's eye.

Even after she concluded, bringing him completely up to date, including even the concerns Max and the others now had over his well being going into the future and the possible effects of him going through his Heritage ceremony in a little over a month while simultaneously already embodying Bannor's full Heritage and how she had been able to suppress it most of his life, that is until recently as the effectiveness of the treatment seemed to wane the closer he got to his eighteenth birthday.

As she finally concluded and stared expectantly at him, Marshal's eyes remained deadpan, his face frozen, completely devoid of expression, until Max reached out and placed his hand on his shoulder.

Upon contact, Marshal's eyes had blinked twice before his lips parted, trembling slightly as the faint sound of four words slipped past them, barely a whisper, but full of determination: "Take me to him."

"We're almost there Liz" She heard Carl say, drawing her out of her recollection of the morning's events, just as they turned off the main highway, heading down the winding dirt road to the Devil Dawg Compound, followed closely by Jason's grandfather and youngest uncle.

                                                                             *****

"Am I the only one who thinks that's nuts?" Dark-haired Cpl. Scott Taylor said quietly, to no one in particular, as the small group still gathered around the campfire watched on at the unusual spectacle that unfolded before them.

"It is, but not as nuts as the way my boy parts are throbbing in my britches just watchin' him," responded Pfc. Austin Davis in his deep, throaty Texan twang.

"That's what I'm sayin'" chuckled Rex Wilson as he and Austin fist-bumped.

Jason Dunne had to agree with Scott, what he, JD, Jake, and the others were watching unfold before them, was one of the most unusual and bizarre things he had ever seen before, but there was no denying it, Timmy Anderson sure looked good doing it.

"You know him better than the rest of us JD, does this kind'a thing happen a lot with him?" Jake queried, as mesmerized as the rest of them, unable to take his eyes off the sultry golden-haired angelic youth.

It had seemed like mere moments ago after they had all finished the meal Timmy had prepared for them and after Timmy had made sure to introduce himself to every one of the appreciative Marines who had enjoyed his repast, that Jason and the others had watched him veer off from the group to a small clearing in the underbrush and trees, no less than forty feet from the bivouac, and began doing a near dance like stretching routine.

From the start, his fluidic movements, coupled with the bright rays of dappled mid-day sunlight that broke from above through the leaves of the surrounding tree's to bounce off the fabric of his white, loose-fitting sleeveless t-shirt and conforming white gym shorts, were almost hypnotic as the sun-baked the morning dew from the grass, and foliage, in a soft mist, lending to the defused ambient glow reflecting from his garments and pale golden skin, giving him an almost ethereal appearance.

All of them had sat there silently admiring as he seamlessly transitioned from stretching to twisting, flipping, and midair tumbling. Everyone would have agreed that Timmy was grace in motion personified.

As much as they enjoyed watching him perform his routine it was what came after that had them all now perplexed and mystified.

Upon completion of his exercises, Timmy had sat down on a large-sized moss-covered rock and stretched his legs out in front of him with his ankles locked with his chin raised skyward as the sun reflected like sparkles on the beads of sweat that now cascaded down his torso and limbs.

As he sat there silently and blissfully unaware of all the eyes upon him, a rather sizeable brown rabbit hopped into view, stopping just short of his feet as it nibbled on the sweet grass growing there.

They watched incredulously as Timmy sat up and after taking note of the rabbit near his feet, casually reached down and started stroking it gently behind the ears right before picking it up and sitting it down in his lap and began petting it in long full body length strokes.

Even more bizarrely, the rabbit seemed to love the attention, craning its neck against Timmy's torso and rubbing its whiskered, chubby cheeks against his abdomen.

Moments later several brightly colored iridescent hummingbirds swooped down and began fluttering around him, causing him to laugh joyously before reaching out with his free hand, his index finger extended, allowing one of them to perch there, fluttering its wings rapidly as Timmy began to hum a hauntingly lilting tune to it.

Seconds later, a couple of smaller rabbits hopped into view to take their place at his feet, each vying for his attention, followed by a large grey squirrel, that seemed to appear from somewhere behind him only to climb up his body to perch on his shoulder and chitter as Timmy continued to hum and giggle.

The whole strange encounter ended abruptly when two trucks pulled into the parking area of the compound and came to a halt in front of the Lodge in a cloud of shifting gravel dust.

"That ones my Dad's truck," JD stated, as he nodded his head toward the lead vehicle, right before he and the others stood to watch as Max, Carl, and Jason's mother exit it.

A hushed silence fell over the group as all eyes turned from Timmy to now stare at the small group that now formed around Elizabeth Dunne.

Jason watched as Max and Carl greeted the two men that climbed out of the second vehicle, noting that one of them appeared to be close to Max's and Carl's age while the other seemed to be in his mid to late sixties.

Without even looking, Jason could tell when their eyes all turned toward him, he could almost physically feel it on his skin.

Frozen to the spot, all he could do was watch as the two unknown men took their place behind Max and Carl as they escorted his mother toward him.

Jason barely noticed as Hank and Danal exited the Lodge to stand at the end of the porch, his mind dismissed the glowering grimace of Danal's icy stare as it locked on his mother.

Time seemed to come to a crawl as they inexorably made their way toward him, the normally faint shuffle of their feet on the gravel of the road crackled and crunched in a near deafening cacophony in the silence that now subsumed the entire compound, until they finally came to halt a scant ten feet in front of him.

Even from that distance, Jason could make out the red puffy circles under his mother's eyes; it was apparent she had been crying a lot and even now her eyes welled up, ready at any moment to deluge her cheeks in fresh tears as she stared expectantly back at him.

Max took her arm and pulled her gently to the side handing her over to Carl's care as Max motioned forward the eldest of the two men that accompanied him.

Jason could feel JD's left hand slip into his, squeezing his right hand firmly as he also felt the warm supportive weight of Jake's right hand upon his shoulder, tenderly massaging the flesh beneath his shirt.

"I'm here Jason..." JD whispered in his right ear: " We both are..." Jake breathed softly in his other.

He could feel the strength of their support pour into him and he marveled and succumbed to the warmth of it as it spread throughout his body even as his eyes locked with those of the grey-bearded, white-haired, elderly man now standing less than ten feet in front of him.

Jason remained motionless, not being able to decide what should happen next, so he just stood there staring into the man's deep blue eyes, eyes that closely resembled his own, except older and more experienced.

They were eyes that had seen more than his had, lived and loved a lifetime, eyes that also knew great joy and had suffered unimaginable loss, and right now, as Jason stared back at him, he watched those very same eyes grow wide, saw how they just as quickly glossed over, grew watery as his eyelids began to flutter slightly and his brow furrowed, his quivering lips parting as if to speak but had somehow suddenly lost the capacity.

Jason watched as the man attempted to take one faltering step toward him before his shaking hands shot up to his face and a huge groan seemed to well up from his chest as his knees suddenly buckled.

Jason thought to leap to his aid but saw that Max and the other man, that had come with him, grasped his arms on either side and held him up upright, steadying him until he found his legs again.

He stared into the man's face as he dropped his trembling hands and Jason could see the tears that now flowed down his cheeks, on a face contorted with both joy and sorrow.

Jason felt a nudge from his side and knew instantly it was JD: "Go to him Jason..." he heard him whisper and without a thought, Jason almost robotically complied.

The moment he moved forward the older man moaned and swiftly lunged forward, closing the distance between them and as they came together, threw his arms around him, pulling him in to hug him tightly against his trembling body, cradling the back of his head with one hand while the other locked firmly around his back.

For the longest time, Jason stood there being held and hugged as tightly as the man could, before he reluctantly pulled back, though not totally severing the physical contact completely, to lock stares with Jason once again as he finally found his voice: "Hello Jason..." his shaky voice managed to stammer, adding, as he clasped Jason's hand tightly in his own clutching it against his chest, and near his heart: "I'm Marshal Griffen, your grandfather and I am so very pleased to finally meet you."

                                                                            *****

"Okay, I get the blindfold..." Brock Gryzinski mused as Atticus guided him down behind the Lodge, leading him to what had to be the shed on the lake shoreline where they stored a couple of canoes and an assortment of outdoor wooden chairs: "But why do I have to be handcuffed as well?" he queried, though enjoying what he assumed was a kinkier side to his new partner than he had given him credit for.

"Do you want your surprise or not?" Atticus taunted in that deep, gravely southern twanged voice Brock found ever so sexy, as he brought him to an abrupt halt and began fumbling with what Brock was sure was the latch to the shed door, singlehandedly.

Just a little while ago, Brock had been tormenting him about not only forgetting to notify him about lunch but not even thinking to save him any.

Atticus had just smiled lecherously, informing him that he had already prepared a "feast" for him, but he wanted it to be a surprise, insisting that Brock let him blindfold and handcuff him before he served up the "vittles".

Brock, of course, thought that "vittles" was code for his cock and that this "feast" he spoke of was of course one of Atticus's mind-blowing fucks his hole, though still sore, was beginning to hunger for.

What Brock didn't know, was that Atticus had pre-arranged for Barin to meet him and Brock in the shed he now maneuvered him into, where Barin was to wait naked, ready, and silent.

"Get on your knees" Atticus practically growled, though his voice was barely a hoarse whisper as he moved in front of him with his hands on his shoulders, pushing him downward as he signaled for Barin to step in front of him.

Atticus slipped behind Barin and clasped his hard thick cock in his hand, right at the base, noting admiringly how his large fingers couldn't completely circumvent its massive girth.

Comparatively, Atticus observed that though Barin's cock was considerably shorter than his own, estimating it at about eight or nine inches, it more than matched his thickness, maybe even more, noting how it had to be at least as thick as a beer can, with the widest part being the huge bulbous helmet-shaped glands that could have easily filled his entire palm and being roughly about the size of an apple or large peach.

Using his thighs, he shuffled Barin closer to Brock's face as he brought his free hand to grip the back of Brock's head pulling it forward toward the tip of Barin's pre-cum drooling dick.

"Open wide babe, here comes the gravy train" Atticus chortled lustfully as he crammed the massive glands right into Brock's fully gaping mouth.

Atticus chuckled slightly watching over Barin's should as Brock's fully parted lips latched onto Barin's dong and instantly started suckling away like a starved baby calf on its mothers teet, greedily slurping up copious amounts of dick dribble oozing from his piss slit.

He released Barin's cock and the hand from behind Brock's head, before guiding Barin's hands to lock behind his neck, his forearms blocking his ears and forcing another inch of his dick into his overstretched mouth before whispering in his ear: "This dick is not to leave his mouth until I personally instruct you to do so" Atticus commanded, adding: "You are to fuck his mouth continuously, do not hold back, feed him every drop of jizz those big nads of yours can make, understood Marine?"

Barin nodded his head silently complying as he began feeding more of his cock into Brock's loudly slurping mouth.

Atticus patted him on the ass before he departed, closing the door to the shed behind him. Atticus had chosen Barin not only because he already had the hots for his mate, but because he had the biggest balls he'd ever seen on a guy before, guessing his whole testes filled sack had to be at least the size of a grapefruit, compelling Atticus to conclude that Barin was the likeliest candidate to produce the most amount of nut juice to feed Brock, something Danal had informed him, would speed along the transformation already underway throughout his body as a result of the Coaptandas ritual.

"Chug it down Brock.." Atticus sneered wickedly to himself: "The more you feed the sooner you get to where you need to be to handle a full-on mating with yours truly... and then I can ride you the way you were meant to be!"