Fic: On the Edge of Forever 3/?
Due to a business trip I didn't have internet access. The hotel wanted WAY too much for one hour of WiFi access. No thanks. Sorry for the wait :)
TITLE: On the Edge of Forever (at the start of whatever)*, part 3
SERIES: Imperfection Deviation
AUTHOR: Macx
RATING: PG-13
DISCLAIMER: None of the characters belong to me, sadly. They are owned by people with a lot more money :)
FEEDBACK: Loved
* Story title shamelessly plucked from The Flood by Take That.
SUMMARY: When Tony Stark uses his space bridging abilities, he can draw power from Rodimus Prime. Sometimes he does. Sometimes too much. Sadly, when he tries to undo what connects them together, he kicks lose a flood of events that ends what had begun years ago... Can you say 'counter-productive'?
“His spark is in complete stasis lock,” Ratchet said, a misgiving tone to his voice. “Whatever he did in that brief moment, it depleted him and his spark saw it as the only alternative. Until he has recovered, the automatic lock won’t come off. Which is the best that can happen right now. He needs to recharge and that will take a while.”
Optimus nodded slowly. He was aware of what a stasis lock to a spark meant. It was a serious condition and one he had encountered throughout the war too often. Sometimes a mech couldn’t recover at all and the spark died anyway.
He tore his thoughts away from that option. Rodimus felt strong, despite the depletion, and he knew his young friend would recover quickly.
“As for Tony, I believe he is suffering something similar, simply in human terms,” Ratchet went on, optics straying to the motionless figure of Iron Man.
Tony was still in his full battle gear and without force they wouldn’t be able to get the armor off him. The human medical team, together with Jarvis who was thankfully part of the Iron Man package, had determined that the armor sustained him perfectly and he was not physically injured. The arc reactor was recovering and Extremis, while suffering from the effects as well, was slowly regaining its strength as well.
“He is in a coma induced by Extremis to lessen the stress on his organic systems,” the medic added. “Without Extremis fully online Jarvis can’t override the controls to the armor and get it off without damaging it. As a last resort he can destroy the systems and it will fall off, but unless Mr. Stark is in danger, we won’t force Jarvis into the decision.”
“He won’t let anything happen to Tony,” Optimus agreed.
Ratchet nodded. “What we know from Jarvis’ memories this was a jump gone very bad, and while Tony tried to stop Extremis from anchoring into Rodimus Prime, it happened. This is the result.”
Optimus knew how grave this was and how unusual. If Tony’s ability to jump and use the ancient Cybertronian space bridge programs in him resulted in this each time, it wasn’t really an asset. It was close to fatal. But Stark had successfully jumped time and again in the past, even as far as the Ark and a few planets beyond that in the Solar System. He had been utterly careful not to involve Rodimus.
So what had gone wrong?
“I sent Jarvis’ data to Hook and Scavenger,” Ratchet answered when the older Prime asked the question out loud. “They are going to analyze the files and get back to you.”
“Thank you.”
Optimus remained at the recharge bed when Ratchet retreated out of the ITR, the Isolation Treatment Room, gazing at his younger colleague. His sense of Rodimus was still there and it was strong. Rodimus was strong.
What this second near-depletion had done to the connection between Tony and his guardian was another matter, though. It was nothing anyone could grasp or scan. It was a bond that wasn’t a bond. It was a connection no one had had before. It was between a human mind and a Cybertronian spark, but unlike what Sam or Will shared with their partners. Literally shared.
Prime smiled a little to himself. No, this was different and still sometimes almost alike.
Hopefully nothing had been shattered or strained beyond repair.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tony felt like he had been run over by a tank. Or two. Maybe even more. It was close to being stepped on by a mech, he mused. Not that anyone had truly ever stepped on him, but he had been in a few simulation battles and training exercises with the Constructicons and those guys truly packed a punch. He understood why Lennox liked to go up against them. It wasn’t his masochistic streak. Then again, maybe it was. But it also helped in getting the hang of evading not-so-friendly fire that could punch him out or obliterate him.
So what had run into him?
“You did it yourself.”
He looked around and groaned when he discovered Roddy. His baby-sitter sat on the ground, regarding him calmly.
“You overtaxed your systems. Jumping,” the other Prime added with a verbal poke.
“I didn’t try to jump to Cybertron,” Tony grumbled.
“You were tired and had been going on coffee and determination and you miscalculated,” Roddy said.
“I didn’t…!” He stopped.
He had done all that, but Tony had worked with less sleep and a lot longer on other problems, too. But then… this was Cybertronian tech mixed with Allspark, and the damn thing was rather sensitive, it seemed. Tony Stark had underestimated the potential of this mysteries power source and he had nearly paid the price.
They all would have, he corrected himself.
“Okay, so I made a mistake.”
“And you insanely thought you could find my homeworld.”
“No. Yes. Not really.”
It had been a pet project. A little something to occupy the time he sometimes had, hovering in limbo between actual projects, between meetings, and when he wasn’t determined to find an alternative to Rodimus Prime’s new position as an anchor. He hadn’t spent that much time on it because he lacked time.
But he had been tired. Over-caffeinated. His mind had been bordering to insanity. And when he had mis-stepped throughout jumping, he had gone the wrong way. Down a dangerous road. Without precautions.
Rodimus had suffered for it.
Tony met the knowing blue optics. “Sorry,” he murmured.
“It was your fault,” Rodimus agreed.
“This is the time you say that it is okay and you forgive me,” he grumbled.
But it wasn’t okay. He could have killed his friend.
From the look he was given, Roddy was aware of his train of thought and let him run with it for now.
Tony sighed heavily and shook his head in disgust at himself.
“Okay. It’s not okay. I’m sorry, Roddy. Really. I know I should listen and I know I never do.”
“Because that’s you. You’re used to being on your own, used to no one really arguing much against you, and even if they do: you’ll get your way. You never hurt anyone but yourself in the past.”
Tony felt like he needed a stiff drink right now.
“But now you will hurt someone else. Not just me, Tony,” Rodimus insisted. “You have a responsibility that’s greater than this.”
“Because I’m a Prime?”
The blue optics said it all.
Tony felt a twinge in his chest and something seemed to hum through his body. He momentarily faltered, his knees going week.
When he opened his eyes he found he was inside the familiar Audi R8.
“What…?” he muttered.
“You’re still recovering.”
“From what?”
“You didn’t just deplete me. You also used up a lot of your own reserves. Extremis shut down.”
Panic spread through him. “What?!”
“It’s okay.”
“It isn’t!”
::“Tony.”::
One word. His name. And it sounded in his ears and through his brain at the same time.
::We’re recovering:: Roddy said softly.
And for the first time since he had woken, Tony became aware that there was nothing beyond him and the R8. Nothing at all. Just them.
“Where are we?” he whispered, shocked.
“Where do you feel we are?”
Feel?
Feel…
Tony closed his eyes as realization hit him like a ton of bricks on top of the tank that had already rolled over him.
He wasn’t awake.
He wasn’t even talking.
He was… they were…
“How the hell did that happen?” he managed, mind whirling.
“I believe the stress of anchoring you so abruptly forced this connection to strengthen beyond what was required in the past. Right now…” Rodimus hesitated. “I’m not sure how to cut it.”
Tony abruptly pushed the car door open and almost fled from the interior of the racer. He was pale, shaking, mind whirling.
“No!” he finally hissed. “No way! We’re not bonding!”
Rodimus transformed and knelt down. “I didn’t say we were. I said the connection we already have has strengthened. Right now we’re sharing this place.”
Tony’s eyes shot daggers at him. “We’re not sharing!”
Rodimus chuckled. “Not that kind of sharing.”
“And I’m not going to have sex with you!”
Now the mech laughed out loud, optics dancing with amusement.
“This isn’t funny, you oversized tin can! I know what happened with Lennox!” Tony flung out his arms. “And then there’s Sam! This thing has a tendency to end up as having sex with one of you! I’m not interested!”
Rodimus laughed again, shaking his head. “Tony, just because we share it doesn’t mean we’re automatically bonded.”
“But it happens!”
“Neither Ironhide nor Bumblebee is a Prime.”
“So?” he snarled.
“The connection is between Primes, Tony. I can feel Optimus to a degree, too. It’s different because we’re mechanoid life forms. You are human.”
“Thank you for noticing!”
“It’s hard not to.”
Tony glared. Roddy just grinned.
“Tony, this isn’t a bond. Believe me, I’d know. My kind doesn’t just bond. It’s not a regular occasion. We share among willing partners, but everything else is a rare occurrence. Especially when it comes to interspecies relationships.”
“How many have you had?” Tony asked coolly.
“None.”
“So you aren’t an expert.”
“If I had bonded, we wouldn’t be having this discussion. Bonds are unique, possible with only one other mech. Jazz and Barricade are the only ones I know.”
“We’re connected, but not bonded?”
“Yep.”
Another glare. Roddy smiled more.
“Tony, relax. We’re not going to join the exclusive club.”
“Sure?”
The mech leaned forward. “Very.”
“It’s a Prime thing?”
Roddy nodded.
Tony chewed on his lower lip, thinking. “Between the two of us or can anyone join in?”
“I believe this is between us. You said you only anchored to me. It’s probably the result of your uncontrolled jump.”
“Which I said I’m sorry about,” Tony grumbled.
“But which you’d repeat if you had the chance.”
Stark was silent, then shook his head. “I don’t want to pull you into this, Roddy. It’s my ability. I should be able to work it without hurting anyone else. Anchor or no anchor, I’m not going to use you every time I jump long distance.”
“You’re not using me, Tony.”
Anger flared and ran through him. “I am! Don’t you even start making this look all fun and roses! I could kill you, you moron!”
“I know that. And you could kill yourself.”
“Are you even listening to me?!”
“I can’t but listen. You yell loudly.”
“But your audio receptors seem to be blocked! I could KILL you, Rodimus Prime!”
“And I’m very much aware of this, Anthony Edward Stark.”
“Don’t get smart with me!”
Rodimus leaned forward again, meeting the irate eyes. “I know what I’m into, Tony. I felt it twice already. It’s not my favorite experience. What I want you to understand is that your experiments have consequences. Not a blown-up lab or bruises. Not an irate Pepper Potts or some bad press in a even worse newspaper. We’re talking about two lives. Yours and mine, Tony.”
The human Prime was silent, then averted his eyes.
“You matter, Tony,” Roddy pushed on, playing his most potent card. “You matter to us. To me. You’re my friend. You’re a Prime.”
Tony looked like he wanted to say something, then snapped his mouth shut and shook his head.
“Tony?”
He looked into the blue optics of a mech so much older than him and still young in his own people’s eyes.
“Please promise me to think before you leap. I know you want to understand this. So do we all. I know you want to find Cybertron again. I would want to know if my home planet is still viable, is still really there. But the price is too high.”
“Yeah,” Tony murmured softly.
“Tony?”
He shrugged. “I promise.”
“We need to train this,” Rodimus added. “I’m willing to help you. I’m willing to take part in your experimental jumps. We can find a way to make this work. It should involve Hook, Scavenger and Ratchet, too. Or Perceptor and Wheeljack.”
“And you think I blow stuff up?” Tony exclaimed, a sparkle in his eyes.
“Not Wheeljack then,” Roddy agreed with a smirk.
“He’s a genius in his own right. I think he should consult.” Tony stuffed his hands into his pockets and looked at the nothingness they were in. “How long till we separate?” he asked without looking at his fellow Prime.
“We both need to recharge and recover. My spark apparently went into stasis lock.”
Tony’s head whipped around and he stared at the mech. “What?! How do you know?” he demanded.
“I feel it.” At Tony’s demanding stared he added, “It’s a general weakness. I’m tired.”
“Then why are we even talking?”
“Because this had to be said.”
Tony threw up his hands. “When did you become such a saint and martyr, Roddy?”
“When I was assigned as your guardian, Tony.”
“Smart ass.”
“Nerd.”
Tony laughed. “I’ve been called worse, you hyped-up toaster!”
“I think I can come up with a few worse words.”
“Access to a thesaurus helps.”
“There’s that.”
Tony sat down, then flopped back with his arms crossed under his head, looking at… nothing. “So… now what?”
“We recover.”
Silence descended. Finally,
“I’m bored,” Stark announced.
“You would be.”
“I’m not a mech, Roddy. I can’t just shut down.”
“You could shut up and close your eyes, let your body get some rest to heal.”
“Pushy, pushy nanny.”
But he did feel tired. He felt it now. A heavy feeling was spreading through his limbs. Tony tried to fight the pull, but he finally succumbed. Not without the suspicion that this was Roddy’s work.
::I hate you:: he growled when he felt a positive echo.
::Sure you do.::
And then he was asleep.
tbc...
TITLE: On the Edge of Forever (at the start of whatever)*, part 3
SERIES: Imperfection Deviation
AUTHOR: Macx
RATING: PG-13
DISCLAIMER: None of the characters belong to me, sadly. They are owned by people with a lot more money :)
FEEDBACK: Loved
* Story title shamelessly plucked from The Flood by Take That.
SUMMARY: When Tony Stark uses his space bridging abilities, he can draw power from Rodimus Prime. Sometimes he does. Sometimes too much. Sadly, when he tries to undo what connects them together, he kicks lose a flood of events that ends what had begun years ago... Can you say 'counter-productive'?
“His spark is in complete stasis lock,” Ratchet said, a misgiving tone to his voice. “Whatever he did in that brief moment, it depleted him and his spark saw it as the only alternative. Until he has recovered, the automatic lock won’t come off. Which is the best that can happen right now. He needs to recharge and that will take a while.”
Optimus nodded slowly. He was aware of what a stasis lock to a spark meant. It was a serious condition and one he had encountered throughout the war too often. Sometimes a mech couldn’t recover at all and the spark died anyway.
He tore his thoughts away from that option. Rodimus felt strong, despite the depletion, and he knew his young friend would recover quickly.
“As for Tony, I believe he is suffering something similar, simply in human terms,” Ratchet went on, optics straying to the motionless figure of Iron Man.
Tony was still in his full battle gear and without force they wouldn’t be able to get the armor off him. The human medical team, together with Jarvis who was thankfully part of the Iron Man package, had determined that the armor sustained him perfectly and he was not physically injured. The arc reactor was recovering and Extremis, while suffering from the effects as well, was slowly regaining its strength as well.
“He is in a coma induced by Extremis to lessen the stress on his organic systems,” the medic added. “Without Extremis fully online Jarvis can’t override the controls to the armor and get it off without damaging it. As a last resort he can destroy the systems and it will fall off, but unless Mr. Stark is in danger, we won’t force Jarvis into the decision.”
“He won’t let anything happen to Tony,” Optimus agreed.
Ratchet nodded. “What we know from Jarvis’ memories this was a jump gone very bad, and while Tony tried to stop Extremis from anchoring into Rodimus Prime, it happened. This is the result.”
Optimus knew how grave this was and how unusual. If Tony’s ability to jump and use the ancient Cybertronian space bridge programs in him resulted in this each time, it wasn’t really an asset. It was close to fatal. But Stark had successfully jumped time and again in the past, even as far as the Ark and a few planets beyond that in the Solar System. He had been utterly careful not to involve Rodimus.
So what had gone wrong?
“I sent Jarvis’ data to Hook and Scavenger,” Ratchet answered when the older Prime asked the question out loud. “They are going to analyze the files and get back to you.”
“Thank you.”
Optimus remained at the recharge bed when Ratchet retreated out of the ITR, the Isolation Treatment Room, gazing at his younger colleague. His sense of Rodimus was still there and it was strong. Rodimus was strong.
What this second near-depletion had done to the connection between Tony and his guardian was another matter, though. It was nothing anyone could grasp or scan. It was a bond that wasn’t a bond. It was a connection no one had had before. It was between a human mind and a Cybertronian spark, but unlike what Sam or Will shared with their partners. Literally shared.
Prime smiled a little to himself. No, this was different and still sometimes almost alike.
Hopefully nothing had been shattered or strained beyond repair.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tony felt like he had been run over by a tank. Or two. Maybe even more. It was close to being stepped on by a mech, he mused. Not that anyone had truly ever stepped on him, but he had been in a few simulation battles and training exercises with the Constructicons and those guys truly packed a punch. He understood why Lennox liked to go up against them. It wasn’t his masochistic streak. Then again, maybe it was. But it also helped in getting the hang of evading not-so-friendly fire that could punch him out or obliterate him.
So what had run into him?
“You did it yourself.”
He looked around and groaned when he discovered Roddy. His baby-sitter sat on the ground, regarding him calmly.
“You overtaxed your systems. Jumping,” the other Prime added with a verbal poke.
“I didn’t try to jump to Cybertron,” Tony grumbled.
“You were tired and had been going on coffee and determination and you miscalculated,” Roddy said.
“I didn’t…!” He stopped.
He had done all that, but Tony had worked with less sleep and a lot longer on other problems, too. But then… this was Cybertronian tech mixed with Allspark, and the damn thing was rather sensitive, it seemed. Tony Stark had underestimated the potential of this mysteries power source and he had nearly paid the price.
They all would have, he corrected himself.
“Okay, so I made a mistake.”
“And you insanely thought you could find my homeworld.”
“No. Yes. Not really.”
It had been a pet project. A little something to occupy the time he sometimes had, hovering in limbo between actual projects, between meetings, and when he wasn’t determined to find an alternative to Rodimus Prime’s new position as an anchor. He hadn’t spent that much time on it because he lacked time.
But he had been tired. Over-caffeinated. His mind had been bordering to insanity. And when he had mis-stepped throughout jumping, he had gone the wrong way. Down a dangerous road. Without precautions.
Rodimus had suffered for it.
Tony met the knowing blue optics. “Sorry,” he murmured.
“It was your fault,” Rodimus agreed.
“This is the time you say that it is okay and you forgive me,” he grumbled.
But it wasn’t okay. He could have killed his friend.
From the look he was given, Roddy was aware of his train of thought and let him run with it for now.
Tony sighed heavily and shook his head in disgust at himself.
“Okay. It’s not okay. I’m sorry, Roddy. Really. I know I should listen and I know I never do.”
“Because that’s you. You’re used to being on your own, used to no one really arguing much against you, and even if they do: you’ll get your way. You never hurt anyone but yourself in the past.”
Tony felt like he needed a stiff drink right now.
“But now you will hurt someone else. Not just me, Tony,” Rodimus insisted. “You have a responsibility that’s greater than this.”
“Because I’m a Prime?”
The blue optics said it all.
Tony felt a twinge in his chest and something seemed to hum through his body. He momentarily faltered, his knees going week.
When he opened his eyes he found he was inside the familiar Audi R8.
“What…?” he muttered.
“You’re still recovering.”
“From what?”
“You didn’t just deplete me. You also used up a lot of your own reserves. Extremis shut down.”
Panic spread through him. “What?!”
“It’s okay.”
“It isn’t!”
::“Tony.”::
One word. His name. And it sounded in his ears and through his brain at the same time.
::We’re recovering:: Roddy said softly.
And for the first time since he had woken, Tony became aware that there was nothing beyond him and the R8. Nothing at all. Just them.
“Where are we?” he whispered, shocked.
“Where do you feel we are?”
Feel?
Feel…
Tony closed his eyes as realization hit him like a ton of bricks on top of the tank that had already rolled over him.
He wasn’t awake.
He wasn’t even talking.
He was… they were…
“How the hell did that happen?” he managed, mind whirling.
“I believe the stress of anchoring you so abruptly forced this connection to strengthen beyond what was required in the past. Right now…” Rodimus hesitated. “I’m not sure how to cut it.”
Tony abruptly pushed the car door open and almost fled from the interior of the racer. He was pale, shaking, mind whirling.
“No!” he finally hissed. “No way! We’re not bonding!”
Rodimus transformed and knelt down. “I didn’t say we were. I said the connection we already have has strengthened. Right now we’re sharing this place.”
Tony’s eyes shot daggers at him. “We’re not sharing!”
Rodimus chuckled. “Not that kind of sharing.”
“And I’m not going to have sex with you!”
Now the mech laughed out loud, optics dancing with amusement.
“This isn’t funny, you oversized tin can! I know what happened with Lennox!” Tony flung out his arms. “And then there’s Sam! This thing has a tendency to end up as having sex with one of you! I’m not interested!”
Rodimus laughed again, shaking his head. “Tony, just because we share it doesn’t mean we’re automatically bonded.”
“But it happens!”
“Neither Ironhide nor Bumblebee is a Prime.”
“So?” he snarled.
“The connection is between Primes, Tony. I can feel Optimus to a degree, too. It’s different because we’re mechanoid life forms. You are human.”
“Thank you for noticing!”
“It’s hard not to.”
Tony glared. Roddy just grinned.
“Tony, this isn’t a bond. Believe me, I’d know. My kind doesn’t just bond. It’s not a regular occasion. We share among willing partners, but everything else is a rare occurrence. Especially when it comes to interspecies relationships.”
“How many have you had?” Tony asked coolly.
“None.”
“So you aren’t an expert.”
“If I had bonded, we wouldn’t be having this discussion. Bonds are unique, possible with only one other mech. Jazz and Barricade are the only ones I know.”
“We’re connected, but not bonded?”
“Yep.”
Another glare. Roddy smiled more.
“Tony, relax. We’re not going to join the exclusive club.”
“Sure?”
The mech leaned forward. “Very.”
“It’s a Prime thing?”
Roddy nodded.
Tony chewed on his lower lip, thinking. “Between the two of us or can anyone join in?”
“I believe this is between us. You said you only anchored to me. It’s probably the result of your uncontrolled jump.”
“Which I said I’m sorry about,” Tony grumbled.
“But which you’d repeat if you had the chance.”
Stark was silent, then shook his head. “I don’t want to pull you into this, Roddy. It’s my ability. I should be able to work it without hurting anyone else. Anchor or no anchor, I’m not going to use you every time I jump long distance.”
“You’re not using me, Tony.”
Anger flared and ran through him. “I am! Don’t you even start making this look all fun and roses! I could kill you, you moron!”
“I know that. And you could kill yourself.”
“Are you even listening to me?!”
“I can’t but listen. You yell loudly.”
“But your audio receptors seem to be blocked! I could KILL you, Rodimus Prime!”
“And I’m very much aware of this, Anthony Edward Stark.”
“Don’t get smart with me!”
Rodimus leaned forward again, meeting the irate eyes. “I know what I’m into, Tony. I felt it twice already. It’s not my favorite experience. What I want you to understand is that your experiments have consequences. Not a blown-up lab or bruises. Not an irate Pepper Potts or some bad press in a even worse newspaper. We’re talking about two lives. Yours and mine, Tony.”
The human Prime was silent, then averted his eyes.
“You matter, Tony,” Roddy pushed on, playing his most potent card. “You matter to us. To me. You’re my friend. You’re a Prime.”
Tony looked like he wanted to say something, then snapped his mouth shut and shook his head.
“Tony?”
He looked into the blue optics of a mech so much older than him and still young in his own people’s eyes.
“Please promise me to think before you leap. I know you want to understand this. So do we all. I know you want to find Cybertron again. I would want to know if my home planet is still viable, is still really there. But the price is too high.”
“Yeah,” Tony murmured softly.
“Tony?”
He shrugged. “I promise.”
“We need to train this,” Rodimus added. “I’m willing to help you. I’m willing to take part in your experimental jumps. We can find a way to make this work. It should involve Hook, Scavenger and Ratchet, too. Or Perceptor and Wheeljack.”
“And you think I blow stuff up?” Tony exclaimed, a sparkle in his eyes.
“Not Wheeljack then,” Roddy agreed with a smirk.
“He’s a genius in his own right. I think he should consult.” Tony stuffed his hands into his pockets and looked at the nothingness they were in. “How long till we separate?” he asked without looking at his fellow Prime.
“We both need to recharge and recover. My spark apparently went into stasis lock.”
Tony’s head whipped around and he stared at the mech. “What?! How do you know?” he demanded.
“I feel it.” At Tony’s demanding stared he added, “It’s a general weakness. I’m tired.”
“Then why are we even talking?”
“Because this had to be said.”
Tony threw up his hands. “When did you become such a saint and martyr, Roddy?”
“When I was assigned as your guardian, Tony.”
“Smart ass.”
“Nerd.”
Tony laughed. “I’ve been called worse, you hyped-up toaster!”
“I think I can come up with a few worse words.”
“Access to a thesaurus helps.”
“There’s that.”
Tony sat down, then flopped back with his arms crossed under his head, looking at… nothing. “So… now what?”
“We recover.”
Silence descended. Finally,
“I’m bored,” Stark announced.
“You would be.”
“I’m not a mech, Roddy. I can’t just shut down.”
“You could shut up and close your eyes, let your body get some rest to heal.”
“Pushy, pushy nanny.”
But he did feel tired. He felt it now. A heavy feeling was spreading through his limbs. Tony tried to fight the pull, but he finally succumbed. Not without the suspicion that this was Roddy’s work.
::I hate you:: he growled when he felt a positive echo.
::Sure you do.::
And then he was asleep.
tbc...