Despite what she’d been through, Angel's life did go on. Her punishments became more frequent and humiliating. Axel still tried to show her love and she knew he did. However, one thought cemented itself in her head. They weren’t for her like they’d said. They were against her. Four days had passed since her punishments ramped up. Every response she gave was quick and staccato in an attempt to leave no room for error. It also gave her mind time to understand what was going on with her. When they landed in front of Doctor Lowe’s office for her weekly session, she said nothing. Axel took her out gently and guided her in. “Look princess, you were reading this one a few days ago.” He attempted small talk by raising up a book. A rare non-fiction tome about the newest system regulators.
	“Yep.” She didn’t want to talk to him. They were here for one thing. To make her punishments worse. That was proven on a day that was supposed to be a reward. Treats never came. Instead, she lost the right to any dignity and got to have pain for bed three times a week. That anger she’d tried so hard to hold onto didn’t need her to justify it anymore. She was called moments later and led back with Axel. The same room as always greeted her but instead of slipping onto the couch she plopped into one of the chairs so he wouldn’t be next to her. She at least had the decency to feel ashamed at his hurt look.
	“Tough punishment this morning?” Doctor Lowe asked, taking out his notepad right away.
	“No, and before you ask, I’m not okay.” She responded cuttingly. He always started with the same question. Her tone was usually happy and bright. In here she could be herself, but right now herself was a bundle of anxiety.
	“Oh? Care to elaborate?” He asked and Angel scowled. Still, it wasn’t his fault. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself.
	The first thing she did was lift her skirt. No more pull ups! Nope, they were diapers. Something she couldn’t change herself. “I got another punishment added every other night and they banned me from wearing pull ups.” Despite how much she wanted to avoid Axel she did feel cold without his touch. It was a touch that only meant pain now and she definitely didn’t need that at the moment.
	Before Sam could respond Axel pulled out that accursed letter. Something she wasn’t allowed to read. “I think I’m going back to the waiting room. I give you full permission to discuss any and all punishments. Please doctor, get back to her.” Back to her? Yeah, right like he even cared. Part of her said it wasn’t his fault. She forced that part down, slammed a cell shut around it, buried it then entombed it in her mind.
	She looked up just in time to see Sam putting that letter down onto his lap. He looked conflicted and flicked at that wax seal in the back. “This is strange, they’d normally include all of your adjustments in the weekly report.” He pressed a couple buttons on his chair that brought up what was likely her case file. Why hadn’t he done that the first time instead of leaving her here on her own? “A letter implies someone from the council is directly involved.”
	“Isn’t that normal?” She didn’t like how shocked his face was.
	“Of course not! There are only seven seats on the correction’s council and thousands of pennies. For one to be directly involved typically means crimes on an interstellar scale.” There it was, she knew it was because of a few stupid mistakes.
	“You mean like smuggling between planets and systems? Taking materials from Earth, Draconia, and Juluxia to distribute them between planets outside the federation?” She knew they wanted their pound of flesh.
	“That doesn’t justify this severity! This borders on the punishments for massacre Angel.” She could see how fast his fingers moved over the consol. Her resolve was starting to come apart again. Since that letter came in, she’d sunk her emotions into the farthest reaches of her mind. There was something about this place that made her feel safe. That wasn’t good. Danger made her defensive but comfort and trust made her lips loose. A tactic she’d used against others many times. She didn’t want to give a voice to those thoughts, she wanted to keep them buried.
	“Why can’t they protect me?” There it was, the first of many thoughts that would come cascading out of her mouth if she couldn’t stop it. “I know I’ve only been with them for a month but I thought I could trust them. Could trust Axel.” She wanted to, she really did, but those words were like glass in her heart. 
	Sam sighed and hit another button. “Reschedule the appointment with Rena until tomorrow please and send Axel in here.” Angel tensed; wait was she going to be punished for asking? She knew better than to say anything. Words were cheap and apparently someone else in her life couldn’t be trusted. When Axel walked in and sat down, she went to crawl across his lap. “Angel, no, no there will be no punishments here. Before or after this appointment. Axel, hold her please.” The console on the door shifted from green to an aggressive red. Now Angel, I want you to ask him that.” She wanted to struggle out of Axel’s grip. Wanted to bolt away and never see him, or any of them, again. Therapy was pointless, something they’d use against her. 
	“Sam,” Angel always heard him call the elderly man Doctor… “can you turn off the recorders and put this outside?” She caught a flash of blue in her eyesight. He was giving them his Starfleet badge? What awaited her? She knew of course; something he couldn’t do with it on. The symbolism of a badge like that meant more than the physical object and she trembled. It was going to be something so horrible and no one was going to be able to prove it. Her eyes started to glaze over when Sam sat back down.
	“If you’re going to kill me, just make it quick.” There it was, what she wanted after all this time. An end to such a long life that was just hell after hell. Maybe that’s what awaited her after too. She deserved it. She saw his paw come around her and she prepared for his claws to… pull her into another hug?
	“Angel no. No. I would never…” The same words from that night that felt so long ago? Her senses started to come back. Was he shaking? No, he was trembling like her. For a while that was all he did. Hug her and rock her in the way she found so soothing. “Please, what did you ask him?”
	“W-why can’t you protect me? Why can’t I t-trust you?” The welts on her rear from this morning were no longer a physical pain. Instead, they burned with her distrust. A slimy emotion that she wished could just go back to being like flames. He placed her on his lap so she was facing him. She didn’t want her anger to fade! She didn’t want to have to… fuck it. “You told me the day was for me to play. To do what I wanted with Canaan! She wanted to invite me to gliding lessons! You told me I wasn’t allowed. You had mo- Mae spank me! T-then i-instead of t-talking you gave me up to a d-delta.” Her tears burned her cheeks this time.
	“That night Mae and I fought.” Oh great, she was even ruining their relationship. “Your punishments aren’t just discipline anymore. They’re becoming too frequent and cruel.” Oh, so he thought so too? “I used the emergency channel that night. One only opened to us commanders. I illegally spoke of your punishments and what was being done. In a place where the Corrections Council has no influence.” What did he do? “She told me not to, to go through the necessary channels but in the end, she lent me her voice. I couldn’t let you hear it.” He was trying to protect her in the end? She did feel powerless that night but… “I’m sorry I put you to bed so early. I should have pulled out the chess set, the good one, and played with you. I should have been better at showing you that I cared these past few days. I submitted the form for your lessons several times. I was barred by some higher up.” She trembled, going to wipe her tears but those gentle hands brushed them aside. Lovingly they took care of her with no regard for how wet it made them.
	“Actually, I can help on that front.” Sam piped up. “She may be a little young for it but flying for a dracon helps relieve stress. Is there a date you’d prefer? Maybe one with Canaan?” 
	“C-can you get me in with her soon?” She asked excitedly. Another couple of taps on the console and he smiled.
	“Done. You’ll have until the day after tomorrow to plan what you’re going to do. I’m marking it as a ‘mental health day’ too. Unearned punishments won’t be able to hurt you.” Wait, he could do that? “Something is amiss. I’ll research things on my end while Axel does the same. Now onto what you are really here for.” Great, her trust was mis- “Axel here isn’t out to hurt you. In fact, I don’t think he’s said a single bad thing about you.” Her thoughts derailed and her ‘reward’ turned to ash inside her mind. What about when she ran, or mouthed off, or hid things from them? They were trying so hard for her and the only thing she’d done was be a brat! She’d thrown Axel’s feelings aside like something to be discarded. She found it comical that it’s what she was so scared of.
	“I-I don’t deser- OW!” Axel gave her a swift swat on the thigh.
	“Don’t you dare, young lady. You are worth all of it and more. If I could give you a week off I would.” He pulled her in for a cuddle, rubbing up against her chin in the way he'd picked up that she liked. “I messed up that night and tried to give you space. Instead, it seems like I was ignoring you.” Wasn’t that just part of her punishment? She was supposed to be left alone to realize no one was there to help her. To feel despair most cold. Instead, he was snuggling her. Cuddling her and chasing away the chill. “Those thoughts need to stop.” Wait there was no way he- “You’ve told me it in passing when things get bad. You say deserve it and you don’t deserve the care we give you. Do you remember what I told you after your nightmare?”
	“‘Sat I was worth it.” She could hear her thoughts creeping to the back of her mind. Engulfed by the warmth that was Ax- no that was her father. Her tongue felt thick in her throat and she couldn’t suppress a sniffle. Her mind tried to say they’d lied. That she wasn’t to be punished here. She knew his methods and that swat was nowhere near hard enough to be a punishment. Just a reminder to word things differently. It made her want to laugh. “That I could come to you both with anything and not to let it fester.” She breathed in deeply; doubt and mistrust fought against the words on her lips. “I-I’m scared. I tried to open up, to do well, and the instant I got a reward for it I was punished harder. Why?” Axel sighed and held out his hand for the letter.
	“I can’t let you read this hun, it speaks of your education and what they want me to do in the long run. I can say what it says in the beginning though. That despite your behavior and punishments we aren’t being strict enough.” 
	“I-I already knew that. I-I listened in.” She felt ashamed of it when it happened. It was only amplified now. Axel pulled up her chin firmly but gently.
	“Then that night you would have gone to bed sore anyway.” There wasn’t any malice in it that she could find. It was nothing more than a statement of fact. “When we tell you to stay outside, we expect trust. The same trust we placed in you not to run away.” She cringed. She wouldn’t have gotten far.
	“M-maybe they were right then. I’m not exactly the perfect little-”
	“Depreciate yourself one more time and I’ll have to spank you in front of Sam. Find a way to convey your thoughts. One that doesn’t hurt you.” She choked back a sob. Wasn’t that what she deserved? One thought crept up in her mind. One from the side that held no darkness but the morals she held as unshakable. It wasn’t what HE deserved. 
	“None of us are perfect. Not even Angels.” She smiled at Sam’s little joke. “The penny program is here to give you stability, family, and people to rely on. I can’t know exactly what you’ve gone through. What led you to the life you clung to. I can say that the one holding you right now is one of the best fathers on the planet. Has he told you how he met Mae yet?” 
	“They both told me the first day.” Sam looked over at Axel as though asking for permission. She felt him nod.
	“Did they tell you they were on the run for two months? Or that when he was finally questioned, he would only speak the Starfleet oath?” She tilted her head.
	“I solemnly swear to protect any and all under the scope of the sky. Against terrors and injustices be they amongst the stars or on the Homefront. To this oath I denounce all loyalties to any nation or government and swear that I will do all in my power to ensure tranquility.” Axel quoted above her. “They betrayed Mae and every single penny in the system.”  He explained. “I’ll tell you everything about it later. For now, you tell me what makes you think you’re so bad.” 
	She squirmed on his lap while she tried to find the words. “I-I feel bad when I make you hurt. When Mae has to bring home books or when Ceras has to cook special dishes. I always took care of everything myself. Now I’m not even able to hold my fu- b-bladder.” Above her Axel was smiling in a way that kind of hurt. “A-are you l-laughing?” It must have shown on her face.
	“No but I want to. I expected a much more adult response to that.” Was Axel being serious right now? Another emotion took over her mind. Pride.
	“I am an adult you falca-” He clamped his hand around her muzzle and gazed at her in a way that made her wilt.
	“You ever utter a curse like that again I’ll have to do far more than just scrub out your muzzle. That might just earn you every implement in our arsenal.” She looked down. Unintentional specism was one thing but what had come over that made her utter that? She knew of course. She had insults for everyone under her. Ones in native tongues that made anyone suffer. His hand was removed slowly from her mouth. “I meant no disrespect. You don’t normally talk like your physical age and hearing a response like that threw me off.”
	“Sorry papa.” She uttered before she could stop herself and her hands flew to her face. She preferred the fire under her tail to the one in her face.
	She wasn’t expecting the hug but it only made the situation more humiliating. “That’s the first time you’ve said it out loud.” Wait, she'd said it by mistake? Her face felt as caustic as her most potent flames. “I’m going to make you a promise here and now. I’m going to protect you no matter what the cost is.” Was he trying to be corny? She felt like he was trying to be corny.
	“For what it’s worth I will too. We’ll find out what things are so hard on you.” Sam finally piped back up.
	“And if you ever need it, we don’t have to talk. I know you’re a private girl but even if you just need to sit nearby and cool off, I’m here.” She didn’t like that. It made her want to hug him; it made her want to be hugged. She already felt vulnerable and her experiences kept telling her that it was weakness. One that they’d exploit. Fuck it. She turned and launched herself at Axel. Only for a heartbeat he froze then strong arms pulled her in nice and tight. For the first time since she’d gone home with them, she snuggled into his chest. She didn’t like how much she loved the feel of his hand against the back of her head. She didn’t like that even his smell made her feel safe. Four days of emotional trauma came rushing in. She clung tighter and her tears began to return. This time it was acompanied by the sobbing of a hatchling. 
	“D-don’t let go.” She mumbled and he only pulled her tighter. Her thoughts of weakness were gone, enveloped in warmth. He pulled at her gently but it only made her cling tighter. “P-please I don’t want to be alone anymore.” She begged and his hand stroked her head gently.
	“Pull back for just a moment. I’m not going anywhere but there’s something that will help.” There was the prick of doubt in her mind. If she let go, he’d leave and never look back. He’d wither away into nothing or slam the door in her face. She tried to pull back and managed a few inches. It was enough apparently as he unbuttoned that nice shirt. Soft blue fur was exposed and she got pulled in with no regard for what she was going to do to it. She couldn’t tell if it was the skin-on-skin contact, how soft he was, or even just his presence but she curled a little and held on for dear life. She didn’t know how long passed like that but it must have been an eternity for him.
	“I-I told you about D-Delma.” She finally pulled away. Just enough to see the way his fur was matted. It tugged at her heartstrings. She didn’t want to talk about it. She wanted to bury it. Not to face it. She knew she had too. She took a breath to steady herself. “She was so strong. Worked her tail off every day as a hauler. That was before drones did all the work, not that we could have afforded them then anyways. Those da- t-the crystals earned her enough money to get her own craft.” She looked distant for a moment and a smile spread across her face. It was so long ago now. “She was one of my hatch mates. We started dating in small places around the system. We didn’t spend much money but it was always fun. A year later she proposed and I said yes.” Tears blurred her vision. “One more shipment, she said, and we’d be free. At first, we thought it went off without a hitch. It only took a week for everything to go wrong.” She only had to keep it together for a few more minutes. “She got weak and couldn’t hold anything down. I should have caught it earlier but it persisted so I got a hold of a tricorder and ran the scans. It came back with stage four grade three cancer in several organs. Masses of chronostatic radiation.” She took a moment to catch her breath. It stung even after that long. She could tell how much Axel cared. The sadness in his eyes told it all. “She became skinny and was in immense pain so I got my hands on that moon dust I told you about. Over the course of six months she withered, became a husk of only scales and bone. When she passed away, she was only a hundred pounds.” That did it. Her tears came back in full swing and she buried herself back into Axel’s chest. “S-she was t-the last one I t-trusted. E-everyone e-else only w-wanted money.” It was so hard to talk about her past like thus but all they did was listen. In time her sobs slowly turned to laughter. She no longer hated how they cared for her. Instead, she felt angry at how unhinged it sounded. Maybe she was right those weeks ago. Maybe she was crazy. 
	Axel’s gentle caressing stopped. It became a slow rocking. Normally it would have just pissed her off and made her lash out. Now though she felt like the age she was physically. He had to have the patience of a saint to wait for her to relax again. “Was there really no one else?” What did he mean? “I want you to take a moment, look at me and breath in and out slowly.” She knew what he was doing and it must have showed on her face again. Damn tiny body with its erratic emotions. “I’m someone you can trust so please do it for me.” He was pulling that card? She didn’t like that she wanted to listen to him. She didn’t like that she started to do it without noticing, she abhorred how much it actually helped. “Now I want you to close your eyes and… Sam a little help here?” Wait what?
	“Ah your method. Close your eyes like he said and focus on my voice.” She didn’t like where this was going but she did as she was told. “Calm the storm inside your mind and listen only to the sound of my voice. With each word let the doubts fade away.” For some reason it was working. It went on like this for a while. His chanting somehow calmed her mind until she somehow stood on the water in the middle of a dark lake. “Now I want you to focus on those in your life who have been beside you. Your pillars. Who is it you see first?”
       Slowly a cracked and broken pillar raised from the depths with the love of her life standing in front of it. “Delma.” Her voice sounded far away.
       “Good now look past her, deep into your own mind. Who’s next?” His voice was so calming and four mour pillars rose behind the first. They were cracked and damaged but still standing. 
       “Riptide, Luna, Raul, Sapphire…” She could see them clearly in her mind. Her other hatchmates.
       “Is Axel and Mae there?” They began to take shape too, just on the edge of her vision. They were blurry and… floated? Above the others in a way. In fact, their pillar seemed to be… melding with the remains of Delma’s. 
       “Yes, not in the same way but they’re here.”
       “Now I want you to slowly come back. I’m going to count down from ten. With each number come back just a bit more.” Sam did as he said and slowly the lake faded away to bring the office back into focus. He gave her a few moments to catch her bearings. “Now let’s discus those other four you mentioned. Where are they now?” Wait what was he talking…? Oh, it was coming back into her mind now. She mentioned them, didn’t she?
       “Riptide stayed close by along with Luna.” Did they really close the door on her? Sure, in the past hundred or so years they’d not been in contact as much but they were only a stone’s throw away. “Raul and Sapphire went on to handle a couple of the ports I talked about.” They were harder to get into contact with but the times she had to visit she did get the best rooms and food. ”You jerk, you knew there were others.” She mumbled; she knew it would mean a punishment later but she didn’t care. She didn’t expect Axel to laugh again.
       “I actually didn’t little lady. I certainly didn’t expect to be in that list after the past four days. How long do we have left Sam?” She looked up at the clock. It was a little past eleven forty. Wait, her sessions were only supposed to be an hour.
       “About twenty minutes. Want to call it?” Sam asked with a shrug. She was willing to bet he wanted to be out of that chair after so long. 
       “You read my mind. I’ve got a surprise for her and I’m certain Cerus has a nice lunch started for us.” She knew a surprise meant something good but there was some doubt. 
       “Alright, one last thing Angel. If you ever think about dying, whether by your own hand or another’s come to one of us. Axel loves you and I think I can consider you a friend?” She didn’t try to hide her smile. 
       “I suppose I can add another face to that list.” The panel to the door finally turned green again and Axel helped her up.  The unfortunate thing about her new undergarments was that Axel had to help her change. Really, help meant that he had to do it. She never got used to it but at least when they left, she was dry. The car ride home was unlike any up to that point. She kept seeing her hatchmates flash before her eyes. When had she forgotten them? They’d grown up together. Shared meals and took solace in one another. Was it Delma? No, if anything it was her death that brought them closer together so why had she forgotten them? She knew why Axel and Mae were there. She trusted them, at least she did most of the time. Why then had they been on the decaying pillar of Delma? She certainly didn’t love them, did she? Certainly not romantically. Were they stability itself? A way to move forward with her life? She was pulled out by the feeling of the car descending.
       “Credit for your thoughts princess?” Axel asked, he unlocked her seat and helped her out. 
       “Just what the doctor said. I’ll tell you and Mae tonight.” She was led inside and breathed deeply. The entire place smelled like rich meat and spices. He led her to the dining room where Cerus was sitting with a book in his hand. He perked up when they walked in.
       “Ah welcome back you two. I’ve got something special prepared for you.” He got up and placed his book on one of the trays at the side.  He slipped into the kitchen and came out a few minutes later with a cart and three plates. He placed one in front of Angel’s booster seat once she was settled and one in front of Axel. “We don’t have the spices common to Dracon but after a bit of research I managed to approximate a dish.” She looked at the rich dark red broth that clung to the meat. A small plate of tuber salad and a mashed fried root vegetable provided the sides.
       “Is that cravechta?” A somewhat funky red fermented dish eaten in the few cities on her home planet. It was one of her favorites.
       “I thought you’d need some comfort after these past few days so I tied to remake it. I had it in culinary school and it has a few substitutions. It’s done with chili fermented tofu, Indian spices, and multiple different types of straw mushrooms. The sides are crushed fried yacca and mashua taro salad. Please enjoy.” He took his own seat and Angel took a careful spoonful. She offered up a prayer and took a slow bite. The growl from her throat made her delight known. 
       “It smells… strong.” Axel commented. The way his nose wrinkled reminded her of a pet who refused to eat. It made her smile when he brought it slowly took it to his mouth and gave it a lick. His face went through about six different emotions before settling on confusion. An actual bite yielded a similar reaction. “It tastes like it smells but in a good way?” He started eating in earnest so she didn’t feel bad for enjoying it.
       “Thank you, mister Cerus. It tastes almost exactly like Luna’s.” He peaked a brow but she didn’t feel like elaborating. She ate slowly and minded her manners. It was a dish to be savored. A second helping was given and she got to lean back and digest for a few minutes after. When she came back after washing her plate Cerus directed her to the main foyer. Axel had changed into a nice twin-tailed suit and was waiting with a small remote in his hands.
       “I’m assuming from that insult from earlier that you know what ‘D’jetar’ is?” He started calmly. “I understand Dracon has something similar?” She perked up.
       “Yes, Cracknar. Earth calls it dance? It teaches us the movements of flying while our wings grow in.” She liked the way he grinned. It was predatory in the most playful of way. “So, papa I’m guessing this is your surprise?” The idea of it made her giddy.
       He took her up in his arms, pressed a button on that remote and the room filled with a slow music. He slipped it into his pocket and took her other hand in his own. The size difference was odd but they he went into a slow waltz with her in his arms. She got into it after a few minutes, spreading her wings so they could catch the air. The look on his face when he turned about much more quickly than expected made her smile. Adapting to quicker movements seemed to make him happy and it was infectious. It lasted only about three minutes and she was set down at his feet smiling and bouncing on the balls of her claws. “Now that my traditional dance is out of the way mind showing me one of yours?” She was hoping he’d ask that.
       “I need something stronger and a bit faster with a nice beat.” He pulled out the remote and bass hit her ears. She nodded along to the beat for a few moments and flared her wings. Quick steps in a one-two pattern were what started it. It quickly transitioned into ducking and weaving with the beat. Every movement left at least one claw off the floor and she waited for the music to pick up before really getting into it. Quick pirouettes transitioned into darting movements. It showed off the way her wings cut the wind at different angles and let her change direction with hardly any effort. Finally, she dropped to the floor and went into quick tight spins on her back before finally leaping up. Covered in sweat and heard Axel whistle
       “Bravo princess, you really got into it didn’t you?” He certainly seemed to like watching. She nodded without a hint of shame. “I’m glad to have a partner that doesn’t think this is silly.” She nodded eagerly.
       “It’s something that’s taught and ingrained into us. I always wanted to visit Earth or Juluxia just to show how we performed. Never managed to get here until now.” Maybe that was a silver lining to becoming a penny? It brough her here and earning a family wasn’t such a bad thing. For almost two more hours they danced. Angel was more of a fan of metal and high energy dance. A sharp contrast to Axel’s western and classical style. He taught her how to square dance and she taught him how to use momentum to make sharper sudden movements. The entire time the smile plastered on Axel’s face matched her own. After a particularly intense session a soft clapping reached her ears.
       “Bravo Angel! seems my furball finally got a partner.” Mae said, still dressed in her work clothing. A simple grey and red long skirt with a nice blouse. Angel should have blushed from it but she couldn’t care less with the high she was riding. Mae stepped up behind her and scooped her into her arms. “No offense hun but Angel’s dancing is better.” She teased, making a big grin split across Angel’s face. “Now come on you both stink and I need an after-work bath.”  
       
       
       
       
       
       As always once she was washed and changed, they all retired to the library. Sitting around the fire without fear was a welcomed sensation. As always it started with what she’d done wrong. “I blew up at therapy today and almost called A- p-papa something very specist.” She liked how much that single word made Mae beam.
       “What else princess?” She was drawing a blank on that one. A sentament that must have been clear to Axel. “You kept putting yourself down. You are going to work on that.” Mae sighed and Angel knew what was coming. She saw her reach underneath the table and start to withdraw that all too familiar bottle. Axel’s hand stopped her. “Not this time.” He looked down at his badge and got up. When he returned, he wasn’t wearing it. “This one is off the record honey. Tell her what you told me princess.” He sat down and she snuggled further into Mae’s lap. She didn’t want to tell her.
       “I-I listened in a few nights ago before you two put me to bed. Axel told me about what he did.” Mae was frozen against her back; the tender touches had stopped. “I asked him why I couldn’t trust you. Why you didn’t try to protect me. Don’t be angry at him please momma.” Mae sighed above her. 
       “Now that just isn’t fair. I don’t think you realize just how much trouble we can get in for this though. A few parents like us have the right to be… flexible with how harsh and frequently we punish but discussing correction council affairs? You could be taken away.” Now Angel froze, she realized it was bad but taking her away? “I’m assuming he told you we fought?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “That was why. No one on that channel would dare to report him but it was still a terrifying concept.” Angel felt bad again, had she really caused that much chaos?  “What’s done is done and I don’t regret it but I hope you understand.” She looked at them both and sighed. She had to be careful what she told them but she had to ensure her words had meaning too.
       “I give you the Splinter’s word that nothing here will be spoken. It might not mean much to you. Amongst smugglers though it means a lot.” Axel’s face was unreadable in a way that made her worry but he didn’t voice it. “I uh promised him I’d tell you both about the others too.” She told herself one thing. Don’t reveal anything unnecessary. Use actual names. No codes. No locations. “Riptide, Luna, Raul, Sapphire, D-Delma, and myself are what’s called hatchmates. Dracons don’t really have siblings, we’re abandoned after about age sixteen.” She took a deep breath, this wasn’t easy.
       “That would only be about ten for us.” Mae helpfully put in. So that's why Earth rejuvinated so young.
       “That explains a lot. After we don’t need to rely on them to hunt for us our parents leave us. We form groups with those close in age to us. We hunt together, survive together, and plan together. Most of the time our life partner comes from that group. We call them hatchmates. Our parents might have other eggs but they hold no attachment to us. Parents mean a lot to us but our other blood? Brothers and sisters are made with trust not with obligation.” She shook her head. “Dr. Sam made me realize that I wasn’t as alone as I thought. I think over the years I convinces myself that no one cared. It’s… hard to accept. Riptide and Luna were the most protective. They stayed with me and became what was essentially security. Raul and Sapphire went on to handle ports of their own. I don’t even know what happened to them after I got rejuvenated.” That was a lie but no one had to know that the ones she called family were safe. “I told him what happened to Delma too but I’m going to have to let him tell you that one momma.” She could feel the dark creeping back in and she pressed the back of her head into Mae’s chest.	
	“Well, that explains why his chest fur was so messed up.” Angel put her head down but Mae only pulled her closer. “He found out with me just how much it helps. He started growing it out a bit more and got things to make it softer. It was nice wasn't it?” She didn't need to respond for Mae to laugh. “Sam told you how long we were on the run?” Angel nodded. “He does when we can't get through to a penny. He thinks it makes us seem more like people than tormentors. Pecan.” She called loudly and the scent of said burning wood started to mix with pine. Angel had to admit, it was comforting in a strange way. “When we were on the run, he used everything at his disposal. Emergency replicators only capable of making simple veggies and meat. It ran off of solar power. He cooked on actual fires and we moved every day. When we were caught, they screamed for our blood.” Angel finally took a look up and Maes's face was conflicted. She could see a deep-seated pain in those eyes but also a love she couldn't put into words. “They paddle Rejuves in court with something called a bumblebee paddle. It's meant for adults and it used to use magnets so it wieghed nothing to the wielder. Basically it turns a wimp into someone who can swing harder than a body builder. They had to take me to emergency treatment immediately afterwards.” She glanced at Axel and he sighed.
	“They stripped me bare in Starfleet headquarters. Tore my back open with a whip. Thirty lashes left me bleeding as an example.” He laughed in a way that sounded unhinged. “They called me a pedophile and claimed I was taking Mae nightly. Anything to justify more torment for her and I. They took my badge and hoisted it piecing through a flag.” Angel tilted her head and he frowned. “To deface a flag that all people in the federation live under is the highest insult possible. It has to be burned. They used that flag to clean my back so it was my blood and crimes that set it alight. All of it for the others to see.” He fiddled with the shirt collar that normally held his badge. A smile spread across his face. “That's when I realized something. A flag or a badge mean nothing if it can't ensure the peace of everyone under it. It worked out in the end and I'm skimming over a lot. It was the worst time of my life. We understand when the system isn't fair.” He looked so smug about it and Angel felt he deserved it.
	 She looked at the dancing flames. So many things they'd gone through and she'd been willing to spit an insult so cruel his way. Bile rose in her throat at the thought of what she had to do next. “I-I think I need to be punished after all.”
       “Angel no, you do not deserve any-”
       “Yes, I do. I called you something that I can’t tolerate. Not after knowing what I do now.” She hated interrupting him but no matter how much she didn’t want to face it she had to. “Mae, do you know Juluxian?” She asked and it earned her a nod. She looked to Axel for permission and he sighed deeply.
       “One time princess, you can explain it one time.” She could tell it ticked him off, she knew it would have done the same if a draconan insult was thrown her way.
       “I got angry at him for calling me a child and tried to call him a ‘falcasht herashtar.’” She could feel Mae tense and it drove a spike through her heart. “A cur without rhythm or God.” She explained, mostly for her own clarification. “It was wrong and it hurt him. If he suffered like that then it was definetly unwarented.” She watched Axel glance at Mae and felt arms tighten around her. Finally, she heard him sigh.
       “That’s very big of you Angel. Fine, tonight you’re going to get the cane for your spanking.” She tensed; in the time she’d been there she hadn’t once earned the cane. “It will let me show you that it’s meant for punishment, not torture.” She trembled in Mae’s arms, ever since that nightmare she’d been terrified of the implement. She closed her eyes and she saw him standing over her with it in his hands. She could feel it come cracking down on her tail and she could hear the sickening sn- Axel’s touch brough her gasping back. She looked into those pools of amber so close she could almost feel his breath. “I can’t promise it will be painless but I can promise you it will be done with love and there won’t be a follow up. I’ll even let you decide how many licks it will be. You’re due four for the unearned.” She wanted to tell him zero! She was terrified of the prospect of that cruel implement. The worst part of it was that she knew she could get away with it if she tried.
       “E-eight more.” She mumbled out.
       “Angel that is way too much for your age. An average spanking is only six licks, less with someone your age.” She could hear the firmness in Mae’s voice and it only twisted her gut into knots.
       “That’s why I need it. I’m not blind to what I said. When I was in port it was one thing to curse like a sailor. Even amongst my crews that one would have instigated a fight.” She didn’t like the conflict she saw in her mother’s face. She also didn’t like the look that Axel offered her. They were both full of regret. “Don’t tell me I don’t deserve it.” She didn’t want to put her emotions out there but they already knew the names of her hatchmates and they hadn’t pried into their lives so… “You said at the office that you’d ignored me papa but I ignored you too.” She’d had people under her for years. She knew how to read faces and emotions. His face the past few days played over in her mind. She hadn’t considered how much it was hurting him and it was only fair she suffered that pain now,
       “Fine then, we’ll settle that after dinner but first… Angel has her first gliding lesson with Canaan day after tomorrow. We even got it an approved rest day so she won’t have to take any unearned punishments.” The smile on his face brought warmth to Angel’s heart.
       “Angel that’s amazing! You better be on your best behavior, unearned are forbidden but I’ve had to reach for your soap or brush a few times myself.” There it was, a warning Angel knew was coming.
       “I know mama I’ll do my best.”
       “Now how about we celebrate?” She turned to look at Axel and that special chess set came out from underneath the table. She gasped and he only smiled. He took the time of setting up the board. Once he stepped back, she looked between him and the board. She wanted she really did but- “You aren’t saying no to a treat Angel. This is for both of us.” It was such a simple thing but it filled her with warmth. She took her place and moved one of her pawns. In the end she lost but she won where it mattered. 
       Ceras treated them to another fantastic meal of Dracon pepper pot. It was a spicy and hearty finish to a good day. From there Mae took over playing with her for a change. They pulled out her tinker toys and worked on simple structures. Mae was a treasure trove of knowledge. She explained how different kinds of pressure acted on different areas and how the elements in a reactor could be recycled. Angel didn’t realize just how much went into designing things that she dismissed as simple on a planet’s surface. The knowledge that scared her so much the first day now filled her with wonder.
        Eventually play time was over and she didn’t resist when Mae coaxed her up the stairs. What awaited her wasn’t some dark room with restraints but the same one that always brought her comfort. The cane was different too. Smaller, lighter, even the color was different. Axel’s face was stern but not angry, set to do what needed to be done. She stepped up and he helped her unbutton her onesie and get out of her diaper. He waited for her to climb over his lap.
       “Relax princess I’ll make this quick.” She heard the whistle and she braced herself, something that turned out to be a mistake. It cracked and she yelped; muscles stiff so the baby fat couldn’t cushion the blow and Axel spent no time in delivering the second. The punishment from that morning had time to heal but embers were quickly turning to coals. The third crack brought a sob and she tried to kick, only for Mae to grab her legs and hold them firmly against Axel’s lap. The next stroke went high, crossing the last three perfectly across her little rear. The next went lower, cracking against her thighs and leaving a line of flame. Tears blurred her vision but she’d asked for this so the only thing she could do was endure it. 
       “I-I’m sorry!” Two lashes left angry red welts that marked their dance. Bawling she thought about the pain she’d caused them over the past two days. The sorrow they felt. It hurt much more than the whippy instrument of torment across her backside. Each stroke brought a strange kind of relief. Like the toxic emotions were being beaten out of her. The next three didn’t fill her with resentment but a deep-seated love for the two holding her down. They were so warm, so gentle most of the time but at times like this they did what needed to be done. A sense of duty she started to see like her own. Three set into her sit spots ensured she’d be feeling it all throughout the night. “T-to mush pa!” It ended in a small roar when the last two stroked a strong ex across the last. It connected them in a painful relief. Axel took her up like he always did after and placed her on the stool in the corner. It kept the fire burning under her rear and she was left to cry it out.
       Typically, they left her like that for a time but this time Axel sat behind her. Just to let his presence be known. Something she was truly grateful for. After a few minutes he cradled her and hugged her tight to his chest. “I know princess and so am I.” To the changing table she went, still crying while he prepared her for bed. The pain grounded her for a different reason and new thoughts started to form. For the first time she could remember the self-destructive ideas were silent. If she was wrong about what they thought what else was she wrong about? It skipped back to it like an ancient cassette repeated while Axel tucked her in. “Good night princess, I promise you’ll love day after tomorrow.” She looked up at his face with a shaken smile. The lights dimmed and she curled up tightly.
       Her rear stung like fire but her heart was lighter than ever and her thoughts had turned bright and vibrant. She was home surrounded by people who cared about- no cared was the wrong word. They loved her and that thought made the pain ease enough for her to drift off.