Alpha Girl had it out. She was sitting in the mess hall wrapped in it. Her hand trembled with each bite she lifted to her mouth. Kowloon was staring at her, a stony expression on his face, and his food was untouched. The Lees were violently slamming knives through their buns. They were relapsing. All four of them. At the same time. Oh, Blayze knew what he needed to do, but he was scared to do it. Would they accept a Monkey's help? A violent tremor from Alpha Girl made up his mind. He strode over, limping a little on his left side, and moved to stand beside her. All of Second Squad looked at him.

"That is a lovely blanket, Alpha Girl," Blayze said with a nod. "Where did you get it?"

She stared at him. "Y-you gave it to me. Right?"

"Yes. I did." Blayze felt hot under the collar, as Woo would say, and swallowed as he met her gaze. "I am telling you all right now that even though everything's changed, nothing has."

He stood there awkwardly for a minute then Alpha Girl stood up. "I'm going to go eat in the squad room."

The males grunted their agreement. Blayze was utterly heartbroken by the time they got to the door. Kowloon paused after the others had gone through, turning around to look at him.

"Coming, Commander?"

A shock went through the red Monkey and he nodded, scurrying after them as fast as his limp would allow. Once the door was closed, they sat down.

"Where is Golden Eye?" Blayze asked.

"Trouble at Liger Castle. Some feud he has to break up," Alpha Girl muttered, pulling her blanket tight around her.

Blayze took a deep breath. "Who was it this time?"

"An."

"Oh."

"I still have his teeth marks on my shoulder."

"I know."

Blayze climbed on the table and pulled her close as she started to cry. He kissed her head and rocked her, singing a lullaby. When her tears were spent, she shuddered.

"I will never not feel them inside of me," Alpha Girl muttered.

"We can hope for it, my dear. One day at a time. One day at a time. Are you okay now?"

She nodded, and he moved to the Lees.

"Talk to me."

They talked about blood and guts and gore in such detail that most other people would have run screaming from the room. But Alpha Girl, Kowloon, and Blayze sat and listened to it, making appropriate comments, until they ran out of steam and began to cry. Again, he simply held them close, kissing them and reassuring them that he was there for them. When they had settled, he moved on to Kowloon, who was blushing and staring at the floor.

"Nightmares?"

"Yes, sir. And sensations."

"What sensations?"

"Of him p-pushing into me." Tears slid down his flushed cheeks. "It hurts. It hurts so bad, Commander. Why won't he stop?"

"I cannot answer that, Kowloon. I cannot. I wish I had the answer for you, but I don't. Come here."

Kowloon resisted for a moment then leaned against the red-furred chest and screamed his pain out. Blayze held him until he was a trembling mess. He took a deep breath and nodded, pulling back.

"Thank you, Commander."

"Yeah. From all of us," Alpha Girl said with a nod.

"As long as it soothes your souls, I will be here for you."

They nodded then Archer cleared his throat. "Sir? I have a question for you."

"Alright."

"Um…How old are you?"

Blayze blinked. "Why do you ask?"

"Because Golden Eye says that you can't be more than twenty. That would mean you were fifteen when you found us," Hurricane replied.

"You are two years off," Blayze said, looking down.

"Oh. So you were seventeen," Alpha Girl said with a smile.

"Wrong direction."

Nobody moved for a long minute then Kowloon said in shock. "You were twelve when I told you all of that stuff?"

"Yes. Nearly thirteen, if I'm remembering correctly."

"But…but you took it so well! How? At twelve, I would have pitched a fit if somebody had told me something like that!"

"I had to mature quickly."

"Why?" Alpha Girl asked.

"Because my father didn't like children."

"Then why did he have one?" Archer asked.

"Because he needed an heir to his throne. He was almost fifty when Mother had me, and he didn't have the best health. Oh, but he had a temper. And I was always at the foul end of it. And Mother's, too."

The Humans stared at him, looking reluctant to ask. But Kowloon finally spoke.

"What did he do to you?"

"He beat me. Violently. One time it was so bad that I ran away from home. Rahim, that is Panther King, found me. He nursed me back to health in secret then swore that he would be my ally once my father died. And die he did. When I was eight, I became king, and the people love me. But then I had to form Big Green. I only visit home now. Ha! Who am I kidding? My home is just as much here as there now. I am torn between being a Monkey and being a Human."

"But you're a Monkey," Alpha Girl argued. "There should be no debate."

"But there is for me. I had to pretend to be Human for so long…I don't know what I am anymore."

"If you want my advice, Commander, be a Monkey, but remember that we Humans don't understand Animals all the time," Kowloon said, nodding smartly.

"That…is the best advice I've heard on the subject. Even Lin Chung didn't say that to me," he added with a smile.

Second Squad broke into cheers, embracing him. Blayze laughed at the joy of the situation which, only ten minutes before, had been full of sorrow and shame. They loved him. They really loved him. It was so wonderful that Blayze began to sob, clutching at his soldiers desperately. They offered him their support. Next, Blayze thought, I'll go to the Airforce rooms and play a game or two with Burly, talk to the other three a bit. Yeah. That'll work.

Blayze finally straightened and nodded at Second Squad. "I am still so honored to have you on my team. Thank you."

They smiled and nodded then sat down to finish eating. And Blayze left with the biggest smile on his face that he'd ever had.