"Adam."

Shut up.

"Come on. I finally figured out who you are, now why don't you shift and talk to me, kid?" Noah said as he leaned forward on his elbows.

Fox had his ears pinned back against his head and was very close to breaking his recently-new policy concerning not biting the guy. He'd been calling him Adam all morning and even withheld lunch when Fox refused to acknowledge the name.

Why would I shift just because you know the name my human self used to be called? What's the benefit? Are you going to feed me? Oh right, you already do when you aren't being stubborn. Look, see? No benefit.

Grunting, Fox wandered over to the far corner, as far away from Noah's desk as possible, and curled up to take a nap. Thankfully, Noah let him be after an overly-dramatic sigh. The guy spent the rest of the day doing interviews and working on random things Fox didn't care about on his laptop. As the sun began to set, he finally sat up, uncomfortable with a very full bladder and very empty stomach. He'd needed to go for most of the day, but he was mad at Noah... but not mad enough to pee on the carpet.

This has been such an entertaining day. I rediscovered some person I used to be, with the unhelp of my whatever-he-is, and have been bored to death staring at a wall.

"Ready to go, Adam?"

You do realize that saying that name five-hundred times won't make me respond to it anymore than if you don't say it all, right? No? I didn't think so.

Fox glanced sideways at Noah and twitched his nose, but didn't get up.

And no, give me a minute. I need to pack up my briefcase and clean up my work space. Oh wait. I did nothing all day. I guess I'm ready to go, not that you addressed me, though, so I'll wait until you do.

"You're really going to be this stubborn? You do realize that I can call the police right now and have child services come get you? If the rest of the information on that old Amber Alert is valid, then you aren't even eighteen yet."

Congratulations, you can read.

Noah paused by the door, a look of shock, then dread spread over his face before he returned his wide stare to Fox.

Oh? Am I about to be entertained? That expression is hinting that I am. Let's hear it, buddy.

"Oh god. I was naked in front of a minor."

Really? Oh no. Let me just pretend people don't bump uglies in the park after hours. Or behind the bakery on Fifth Street. Let's not forget those signs that say speed hump. Yeah, people are that stupid. They'll do it there just to joke around and see if they get caught.

"God, if I call the cops and you actually shift, I'll go to jail for indecent exposure," Noah continued, clearly, and understandably, having not heard Fox's internal monologue.

You really think I care about seeing your junk? I lick mine daily.

Getting up, Fox wandered out the door Noah had begun to open, then calmly headed toward the stairs. He had no interest in another elevator ride, and he knew that going down stairs was much easier than going up, so Noah should be able to manage it just fine.

He didn't get a retort from the guy for his decision, either. Noah simply opened the door and followed him down the stairwell until they were both at the bottom. It clearly took the rest of Noah's energy to do it, but he didn't complain.

As soon as Noah opened the door to the main lobby Fox darted out. He heard the shout behind him telling him to wait, but there was no reason to slow down... and he really had to pee. The second he was out the automatic doors he veered to the left and started peeing on the nearest possible patch of green. Unfortunately for whoever dropped their jacket next to the trashcan by the door, that was the target.

When he was finally done, Fox added a poop, then started running for the car, his energy suddenly renewed, even though he hadn't had lunch. He was just sprinting through the crosswalk into the parking lot when a loud horn startled him enough to make him freeze.

Oh. That's a car.

He tried to get his body to move, but it completely refused.

Dear in the headlights. Finally understand the phrase. Also, this is going to leave a mark.

It couldn't have been more than a second before he was supposed to be hit, but during that second someone grabbed him by the scruff and yanked him up and backwards. There was an abrupt jar and then he was spinning in someone's arms before they hit the asphalt hard.

Dizzy.

Fox heard muffled voices as he was pulled out of someone's arms and set aside. He did his best to sit up, and finally managed it after a few failed attempts. When his vision cleared he noticed Noah slowly pushing himself up from the pavement and a car a few feet away that hadn't been there before.

Oh. You just got hit by that... saving me.

Fox squeezed his way between two guys that were saying stuff to Noah he didn't care to listen to as they helped him sit up. Jumping into his lap, Fox bumped his nose against Noah's and quickly gave the guy a once-over.

Are you okay? You aren't hurt, right? Can I have my lunch now? I know it's in that bag next to you. I don't see any blood. Thanks for saving me, by the way.

"I'm good, I'm good. Just a bump," Noah muttered as he finally got to his feet with help.

One of the guys insisted on calling an ambulance but Noah shook his head.

"It's really not bad. Just going to bruise. I'll call out for a day or two if it gets worse," he said as he waved off the driver, a younger girl who looked to be on the brink of a panic attack. She quickly and profusely apologized before getting back in her car and driving off much slower than before.

There was a bit more conversation, all of which Fox ignored, before Noah smiled down at him, picked up the bag he'd dropped, and started walking toward his car. Fox followed closely, much more alert to any possible traffic than he had been before. They thankfully made it to the vehicle without another incident, and Fox didn't even fuss when Noah strapped him into his harness.

"I really hope you don't do that normally, because I'll just go invest in a leash right now if so," Noah threatened, making Fox return his words with a warning growl.

That retort made Noah chuckle, but it was clear that he was in pain, and that made Fox quiet down for the remainder of the ride back home. When they finally pulled into the driveway, Fox was surprised to see a car already there.

"Of course he'd be here. It's like he knows when I get hit by cars or something," Noah said with a small smile that had Fox's ears pricking up as he was unclipped from his car harness.

Is getting hit by cars a normal thing for you or am I missing a joke?

He followed Noah inside, slipping past him when he turned to shut and lock the door. Henry, the veterinarian from before, was lounging on the couch with a beer in one hand and a tired smile on his face.

"You look like you got hit by a truck," he said as he set his beer aside and got up.

Fox quickly stepped out of the way so that he could help Noah over to the couch, where he collapsed with an exhausted sigh.

"Thank you," he mumbled as he leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

Henry gave a quiet chuckle in response as he knelt down between Noah's legs and reached forward to lift his shirt up, then off. "Oh yes, that's going to be a nice bruise. Did you actually get hit by a car this time?"

Ah, so it's more of a joke because he tends to come home with bruises?

He didn't really like the thought of Noah getting hurt so often that it became something they made fun of.

Maybe he's just clumsy.

"You tripped over your own feet last time," Henry said as he got up and went to the kitchen, returning a few moments later with a small medical kit that was clearly used often.

He took out a bottle of pain pills and a compress before setting the box aside. "I thought you'd be a bit more careful with your new friend around, but it seems like you're still determined to cause yourself pain at least once a week," Henry chided quietly as he handed Noah the pain medicine and got the compress situated.

Once done, he sat back on his heels and looked over at Fox. "How has he been doing, by the way? He looks like he's been gaining weight, which is good."

Noah nodded, turning his head on the sofa before opening his eyes to look at Fox, too.

"Yeah, he's been doing well. A bit of a brat sometimes, but definitely improving. I also found out who he actually is, too," Noah said, drawing Henry's curious gaze back to him. "Oh yeah?"

It's really not important. I'm clearly not that person anymore. See the tail? I've got some pretty nice teeth and claws, too, in case you two want to try and push me to shift.

"Yeah, his name is Adam Shafer. He's seventeen and ran away from home when he was eight. I found his old amber alert information."

Henry returned his attention to Fox for a moment, earning a quiet growl and a set of pinned ears.

"I don't think he likes that you looked him up," he noted before getting up and dropping down onto the sofa right next to Noah. "So, you've already contacted authorities, right?"

The heavy pause in the air had Henry's eyebrows going up.

"Seriously? You didn't contact anyone? He's got an Amber Alert out for him and you haven't called the police to notify the family or anything?" Henry asked, clearly more than a bit confused.

Noah sighed and leaned forward, his arms on his knees. "I know that I should have, but it just looked like he didn't want me to. I've been trying to get him to respond to his name or change back to his human form all day, but so far, nothing. All it's really done is make him angry."

True story. Can I have something to eat now?

"I think he wants you to feed him. He's heading toward the kitchen." Henry noted.

Fox heard them both get up as he sauntered into the other room, finally hopeful that he might get something to eat.

"Yeah, I was kind of an ass earlier and bought him food, but wouldn't give it to him unless he shifted... which he didn't," Noah said as he started going through the pantry to get down ingredients.

Fox watched with growing excitement as his meal finally began to take shape, but then Henry walked over and smacked Noah on the back of the head, making the guy pause what he was doing and turn around with a scowl.

"You bought him food. Told him it was his, then didn't let him have it because he wouldn't shift? He hasn't shifted since you've had him! Why would you do that to him?"

Yeah, why would you do that to me? Fox mimicked as he sat down near his water bowl, twitching an ear when Noah glanced down at him. The guy definitely looked apologetic, so at least there was that.

When Noah said nothing in response, just averting his gaze to the floor, Fox slowly walked over and put a paw on his bare foot. That got the man's attention, along with a quizzical look.

"I think he forgives you, but you really should feed him. He's your responsibility right now," Henry said as he took a step back and leaned against the counter.

Something like that. Mainly the feed him part.

"Yeah, alright. I'm sorry I did that, Ad—Fox. How about pancakes, eggs and bacon as an apology?"

Fox gave a few hops of excitement which drew a laugh from both men as Noah turned around and got busy with making their meal. Once Noah was cooking, Henry, having hopped up onto the counter, turned his attention to Fox.

"So, you're seventeen, hm?"

Twitching an ear, Fox slowly looked up at him.

Clearly, you know how old I am. I don't really remember cause it really doesn't matter to me, but it's great that you now have a number to attach to me. Do I get a birthday cake? Can it be my birthday today?

He paused in his thoughts for a moment, seemingly thinking hard before continuing.

Oh oh! Can my present be an extra pancake?

"I do wonder what he looks like now as a human. You saw his photo from when he was a little kid?" Henry asked, glancing over at Noah before returning his attention to Fox.

Noah was quiet for a moment as he focused on their food, then replied when he turned to get another ingredient from the fridge.

"Yeah, he was a cute kid. Since he probably hasn't shifted for a long time though, I don't think anyone really knows what he looks like as a human, now."

Henry pursed his lips and nodded, making Fox tilt his head, then nod in return just to have a response. It got a laugh out of the man, so he figured that it was a decent decision.

A few minutes of silence passed between them before a big plate suddenly appeared in front of Fox. Oh heck yes! There were two huge pancakes, bacon, sausage, and a pile of eggs on top.

"You want syrup on it?" Noah asked as he squatted down in front of him with a bottle of the sweet stuff.

Fox immediately gave a quiet whine and dropped onto his belly, the tip of his tail flicking up and down with growing excitement.

"I'll take that as a yes," Noah said with a chuckle as he poured a reasonable amount of syrup over the big stack of food.

The second he stood back up Fox mauled his dinner. The eggs were the first thing to be defeated since they were piled on top. Then the bacon and sausage got destroyed in a few quick chomps. The pancakes were a bit harder to get at since the syrup was making them stick to the plate, but Fox would never be deterred from food. He reached down and used his paws to slice them into pieces and scrape over the edge of the plate, making it easy to snatch each bite.

"Well, someone's definitely getting a bath after this. Your fur is covered in syrup," Henry noted with humor in his voice as he slowly ate his own portion of food.

Oh yes, please cook me afterward. I want to be a noodle again.

"I wonder what he plans to do with the rest of his life. I mean, foxes don't normally last very long in the wild. A couple years at most," Henry said after finishing his one pancake and small portion of eggs.

I plan on doing fox things. When I die, I die.

"You know, we do have to contact the authorities about him soon. He's underage and likely has parents that are worried sick about him. They probably think that he's already dead."

Not likely and hopefully. I'm fine on my own.

Noah sighed and poked at his plate of food, but hadn't really been eating anything. After a minute of silence he grabbed it and set it down on the floor. Fox immediately took the initiative to help him clean up the big portion of remaining food.

"He's going to get fat if you do that often," Henry said as he walked over to Noah, a smile on his lips as he tugged the guy into his arms.

I'm okay with fat. Helps during the winter months. Load me up.

"I don't do it much," Noah mumbled as he tucked his head into Henry's neck and took in a deep breath, then released it slowly.

It took Fox barely two minutes to remove every bit of food from the plate. When he looked back up at the two men, his ears pinned and he stomped over. Grabbing the bottom of Noah's pant leg between his teeth, he tugged a few times, then released it and hurried to the entryway to the kitchen on sticky paws.

There was a bath promised. I want to be boiled again.

Noah glanced at him, but instead of following, he leaned out of Henry's loose arms and glanced sideways to where he'd left his phone on the counter.

"I really should call them. I know that he doesn't want me to, but you're right. He's a minor and his parents do need to be contacted," he said as he reached for the device... only to pause with a startled yell from Henry drew his attention to Fox, who had run over to the two plates still remaining on the floor and begun rolling on his back in the remaining syrup.

"Fox!"

Noah grabbed him and hurried toward the bathroom. One plate, that had decided to come along for the ride, slowly slid from Fox's back to thunk onto the carpet as the syrup's hold slipped from the item and his fur.

Darn, I was going to lick that while I bathed.

"I can't believe you did that, you brat," Noah grumbled as he set him down in the bathtub and quickly got the hot water going.

Fox got himself comfortable lying down, not caring that his fur was matted with syrup.

Delicious food and a nice hot bath. It turned out to be a pretty good day after all.

"I just called Child Protective Services. They'll be here tomorrow morning for him," Henry said as he walked in the open bathroom door, his phone in his left hand.

Well. Dammit.