Suite Life,Butterpie,Flash,Heidi

The four dogs had made their home under the porch of this house.The 6 month old puppies right now were cuddled up with their mother sleeping while their father was out hunting around the house.Suite scowered the land around this house for food.

Ryan J. Sohmers

The rain was letting up a touch by the time Ryan pulled into the driveway. He was already soaked to the skin, but at least he was home now. Hurrying out of his car, the officer sprinted quickly across the lawn, heading for the porch... Mo< Just before he was to bound up the steps, his eyes caught sight of something underneath. Skidding to a hault on the slick ground, and nearly falling in the process, Ryan hunched down and peered under the structure. "Woah! Where'd you guys come from..." He wondered aloud, kneeling further down on the ground as he pulled out a flashlight from his belt. As night closed in and the clouds hung thick in the sky, it was getting hard to see.

Flicking the light on, he shown it under the steps, trying to get a better view of just what these dogs looked like, and how many there were.

Suite Life

He heard the truck and was now running up the lawn.He growled behind the guy but in warning.He liked humans most of them atleast.

Butterpie:SHe growled lightly.

The two pups looked out.

Natalie

She was smiling, whistling and just oh so happy. Sort of. To explain to her brother that she had a one night stand and was now pregnant would be difficult, but she didn't care. She was so happy! She had a gift for Ryan in the back seat. As she pulled out, she watched her brother and then...A dog? Ryan didn't really do the dog thing, not like she did. Getting out of her vehicle, she grabbed her brothers newest pet. She whistled to the Saluki, a soft gentle whistle. Hey baby, what are you doing out in the cold, huh? She knelt down, holding the cardboard box on her leg so it didn't get wet. Come here, honey. Lets get you and your family out of the cold rain. She came forward, her hand extended to Suite Life. Sweet Natalie, so so sweet Natalie.

Ryan J. Sohmers

Nearly dropping the flashlight in start, Ryan spun around to see just what had growled at him. At the same moment, he saw his sister striding forward. "Nat! Hey, be careful now..." He said, his voice melding from surprised greeting to protective concern. Half conciously, he placed a hand against his holster, although he had never had to use his firearm before; but for his sister, Ryan would do anything. "What brings you here?" He questioned next with distraction, drawing his eyes from Natalie and the box, back to the salukies to ensure they didn't harm her.

Suite Life

He sniffed at her and him and then his tail lightly wagged.

Butter watched them.

pups just stared.

Natalie

She gave a smile, then ran her hand over the top of Suite Lifes head. When I'm finished up here, you and your family can come stay at my place, alright? Then she stepped past the dogs, and walked right up to Ryan. Kissing his cheek, she held up the box. Hes some sort of Geico. She said. Then she stepped past him, heading inside.

Once out of the rain and in the kitchen, she sat herself on the countertop, her legs dangling. She flipped through Ryans mail, an old habit of hers. Softly she sighed. She really needed to help her brother out more often with his bills. His gambling as well. She really needed to teach him how to play poker.

Trogdor

Trogdor ran past the humans and dogs on short lizard legs, trying not to be seen. This was nothing like the dry, mountainous climate he was used to. He stopped and watched the Salukis for a moment. "Are you foxes or coyotes?" He asked curiously.

Suite Life

He let he girl pet him then he looked down at the tiny lizard."Does it look like we are either of those? No we are Saluki's"He said with a growl.Then he picked up a scent of a snake and ran off.

Ryan J. Sohmers

Taking a hold of the box, Ryan gave his sister a hug, "Nat, you didn't have to do this..." But the grin on his face and the delight in his big, soft eyes told just how much he appriciated the gesture. Following after his sister, he took one last look at the salukies before closing the door behind him. The box was set carefully on the ground as he took of his soggy shoes and drenched uniform to hang on a nearby coat hanger. With a slight frown, he noticed where his own shoes had left muddy prints on the floor. He'd clean that up just as soon as Natalie left, or it would drive him crazy.

"Woah, hey!" Ryan said, sprinting quickly towards the kitchen and taking back the mail, "Must you snoop through all my stuff?" An eyebrow was raised at his younger sister as he hastily stuffed the various envolopes in a drawer, although there was no hint of anger in his tone. Rarely did he ever show anger to Natalie. Hoping to avoid any suspision that Natalie might raise, Ryan quickly brought up a new topic, "Man, I'm glad to be home at last. It's been a looong day. How was your's, by the way?" Leaning with a sigh against the counter, he looked to his sister. Tomorrow there would be bruises where that little brat had landed some punches, but he had gone through worse before.

Trogdor

Trogdor glared at the dog. "How was I supposed to know that?!" He snapped. "You really need to work on your manners."

Natalie

She raised an eyebrow at Ryan, but said nothing. Go clean it, before you drive the both of us nuts. She said with a smile. She knew all to well of her neat freak brothers habits. Then she said My day was okay. I Picked up that...Geico thing, then bought myself a puppy. She smiled as she thought of her newest family member, Sinatra. Sweet, sweet, Sinatra. What all happened today? She asked. She loved hearing about her brothers job, even though it sometimes scared her witless.

Ryan J. Sohmers

Giving a laugh, he made his way to the opposite side of the kitchen, where a roll of papertowls sat on the counter. "Alright, alright." Pulling off a handful, Ryan went to clean the mud from in front of the door. "You got a puppy? Sounds like a good day to me." The young man commented, pausing in his work before going on to wipe up the mud smudges, "Mostly work at the Lab. And... breaking up another fight at the Bridge." Ryan purposefully left out the fact that there were guns, knives, and attacking dogs at the scene. No need to frighten his sister more than he needed to. "Oh, and I found a homeless girl... ah, Ellie! Well, two really, but one ran off." At this, a troubled look crossed Ryan's face. He was feeling guilty about letting Hunter just run off into the stormy night as she had, though he knew he couldn't just leave Ellie at the hospital by herself. If only he knew what was happening to her right now, he'd really be feeling guilty.

Finished cleaning the mud, Ryan stood up and peered outside. He watched as one of the dogs was fussing with something outside and snarling. At this angle, he couldn't see the snake. Mind drifting from the dogs and back to the things that had happened today, Ryan started a new topic. "I don't want you going anywhere near the Bridge, or the Slough, ok? The gangs are getting bolder now." From joking and at ease to down-right serious. He had seen some pretty horrible things in his job, and was terrified of something happening to his only sister.

Natalie

She raised an eyebrow at her brothers warning. How bold is bold, Ryan? She asked softly. Her hair fell into her eyes a bit, and she looked so darn cute and innocent. Until you caught the mischevious glint in her eyes. Before he answered, she switched topics Why'd the girl run? If you were there to help her, she had no need to run yet unless she did something wrong. Did you catch her doing anything wrong? Questions, questions always questions. Soft, sweet Natalie.

Ryan J. Sohmers

"'Shoot you in the head just for fun' bold." Came Ryan's reply as he finished washing off his hands, shaking his head faintly in aggravation at the gang's cruelty. Ryan sighed and looked down at the next question. He couldn't help but get involved with the people he worked with, which sometimes made him cross the line in his job, "She was shot by one of the gangs, and they were hassling her. I didn't have time to find out why; they all ran, and she's the only one I caught." Striding towards the trashcan, he slammed the muddied papertowles, in, venting his frustration. "I took her and another kid to the hospital, but she just... ran."

Natalie

Some people don't want to be helped Ryan. She said softly to him. Did you get her age? Name? Address? She'd make a good cop....Except she couldn't handle blood or people shooting at her. Do you know why she ran? Was she...Disturbed in any way? Dillusional? On medication? Questions, questions. Have you tried finding her since?

Ryan J. Sohmers

"You ought to be a reporter." He jested, remarking on all the questions she was asking him. "All I got was a name - Shadow. She was a young teen, and... well, that's about it." Ryan's eyes narrowed a moment as he looked back to the door, hearing the dog fussing with something outside again. Half-distracted, he replied to his sister's last question, "Didn't have time tonight, but I'll check around tomorrow."

Natalie

She was quiet for some time, then out of the blue she said I'm pregnant. There. It was out of the way, said and done. Over with. Now, to wait for his explosion.

Ryan Sohmers

There was an audible silence as Ryan slowly turned back towards his sister, big eyes wide and mouth hung agape at her revelation. "Come again? Nat..." The news was such a stunning thing that the brother hardly knew what to say at first, "..wh- ..." Getting that thin-mouthed, tensed expression, Ryan attempted to calm himself down before he said or did something that he'd regret. Crossing his arms and drawing down his eye brows in a way that looked far from pleased, he spoke in voice that sounded as if it were about to break into an accussing yell, "Are you absolutely sure? Who... do you... damn it, Nat! Do you even have a boyfriend? You..." Well, he tried to keep his calm, but this was his baby sister! Throwing his hands up in exasperation, Ryan paced towards the kitchen before wheeling back around to face Natalie, "Do you know who the father is?" Might as well start somewhere, and try his best not to totally freak out.

Natalie

Her eyes flamed for a moment, but that cold look came into her eyes, that steely expression. Yeah. I'm not a complete slut, Ryan. Those eyes, those burning eyes. She knew he was mad, and she was sorry for it, but she didn't want him to be. Couldn't he see she was happy? And no, Ryan. I Don't have a boyfriend. Just a one night stand. His names Shaun. A small smile tugged at her lips as she said that name. His sister owns the Night Club that just went in. Which is where she had met him

Ryan Sohmers

When she defended herself with the first comment, a hint of regret came to his expression, and he knew he was going to far. But... he couldn't help himself at this point, and still saw her as his baby sister that he should have protected from this. The next few statements only added fuel to the fire, and Ryan continued with his rant, "A one night stand? What were you thinking!" If he didn't look pissed before, he sure did now, "Do you even realize how much it'll cost to take care of an infant? Or the time involved? You-" As he fumed and paced about dramatically in front of his sister, casting her looks of disbelieve and anger, he changed to a new subject, "...Shaun? Well I'm going to have a talk with Shaun." He stopped now, standing directly in front of Natalie. "Have you told Mom and Dad yet?" Although there was still a fury burning in his eyes, it was starting to calm down just slightly. He'd later regret exploding at his little sister like this, but Ryan had something of a problem overreacting to situations.

Natalie

Her eyes turned even darker, and that own fire of hers burned high inside of her. He won't do anything, Ryan. He doesn't care. She shrugged her shoulders, anger radiating off of her like a beacon. Maybe I'll go get an abortion, find some family who wants it if your that worried. There was something in her eyes though, something that said she didn't want to give up her son or daughter. That she couldn't give it up. Your the only one who knows, Ryan. Her eyes dropped to the floor, and she slid off the counter. I just wanted to let you know. She said in a flat tone. The famous, "if I pretend I don't care, then maybe I'll start believing it" tone.

Ryan Sohmers

Giving one of those frustrated, angry laughs, Ryan shook his head in dissagreement, "Oh, he's going to care, I guarantee you." For a moment, his rage had sparked, but as he really looked at his sister, it began to ebb away suddenly. She had confided in him first; trusted him above all others - even their parents. Ryan dropped his eyes, letting out a heavy sigh, like so much hot steam. When he looked up again, the fury was gone. A hand was placed on her shoulder as he spoke, "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to blow up like that. But look, Nat, you're my little sister. I guess I just wasn't expecting... well, news like that, you know?" Wearing his emotions on his sleeve, Ryan never feined anger or happiness. What you saw is what was real. An appologetic half-smile was offered before it flickered away to be replaced by new concern and intensity. "You should call mom and dad. I just need to know one thing, Natalie. Both of you consented to this... he didn't force anything, did he..." There was a rare, dangerous glint in his gaze. If there was one thing that might make him dangerous, it was someone hurting his little sister.

Natalie

Her eyes raised to his and they were tear filled. She stepped away from the counter, walking past him. She stood in the door way before turning and saying No, Ryan. I agreed to it. But there was something in her eyes, something that went much deeper. I'm going to give it up. Flat, emotionless. The baby would be put up for adoption. She wiped her eyes, her long red hair shining in the house light. She picked up the phone and dialed their parents phone numbers. Their reaction was much the same as Ryans. It hurt. A lot. Alright, you guys, well I have to go. She said softly. Yeah. Love you to. Tell...Tell dad it'll be alright. I've got this all figured out. Then she hung up. She just stood there, staring at the cordless phone in her hands while tears welled up in her eyes. Then she sank to the floor, her head resting on her knees as she sobbed. Very rarely did she cry but....She couldn't stop it.

Ryan Sohmers

Now he really felt bad, and knelt down beside his sister. Putting a comforting arm around her, he tried to console her, "Everything's going to be fine. It was wrong of me to get so angry... and look, if you want to try and raise this baby, I can help. We can make this work." Ryan looked up to the door, then back to Natalie, "What ever your decision, you know you can count on me, right?"