Like Taking a Photo

Chapter 9: A Welcome Surprise

CJ's eyes slowly opened.

He looked at Reid, who was right there beside him. "Reid? Wha-what's going on?" he asked in a raspy voice. He's obviously still dazed.

"Shh, it's ok. You're in the hospital. I'm here, you're ok. Try not to move, alright? You're injured." Reid said quietly.

CJ looked around. He took in his surroundings. Dimly-lit, a beeping machine to his left, Reid to his right, a doctor walking closer, and ... someone else? He squinted his eyes to see past the darkness, and the larger figure came into focus.

"Dad?" he asked, "What are you doing here? I thought you were working today?"

CJ's dad walked over and stood next to Reid. "I was going to surprise you and show up to your farm. But, that big-ass tree decided to drop an arm on ya. I saw it was way too big for me to move it, and I also didn't want to make it worse, so I called for help."

CJ looked at Reid. "Then, how did you get here?"

Reid shook his head. "I'll tell you later, it's a long story. But I'm here now." Reid grabbed CJ's hand which caused him to flinch.

CJ looked back and forth between Reid and his Dad. "Umm, d-does he know? You know ... about us?"

Reid nodded. "Yes he does, and he's ok with it ... I think, anyway."

CJ relaxed back. Dr. Shaggy came walking up and started examining CJ. After a couple minutes, he wrote a few things down, and began talking.

"You're lucky, CJ. You were a couple inches away from being killed. Your injuries are not major, or fetal in any way, so you will heal fine. You will just need to take it easy for now. I guess Reid here, will have to take care of you." He looked at the deer.

"Um, but we don't live together." Reid said.

CJ chuckled. "Well, I guess we do now. You'll have to tell Kitsy that you've found a place. I'm sure he'll understand. I mean, if you're ok with that."

Reid nodded but then froze. "Wait, what about my job? I can't just go to work all day and leave you by yourself."

After a short discussion, Reid left the room to make a couple calls. Kitsy was ok with Reid living with CJ. He and his mate were in talks of trying to live together anyway. The next call he sent was to Amy, who said they can let Reid borrow one of the company's laptops, and work from home. He can edit photos, work on the website, check on their ads, all from one place. Amy told him that he can count tomorrow as his first real day on the job. That they have hired him into a full-time position, so he will start getting paid for his work. To which, Reid was very grateful.

LATER THAT DAY: Reid pushed the wheelchair into CJ's home. CJ didn't really want to use the wheelchair, but Reid and the doctor both insisted it's necessary for a couple days at least. He can move on his own for small tasks, but to get around, he needs to be in the chair. It was already getting late, so after cooking and enjoying a light dinner, Reid helped get CJ undressed for bed.

CJ looked embarrassed. "Umm, I uh. Sleep naked."

Reid blushed. "Oh, ok."

He stripped CJ of all clothes. This was the first time he had seen CJ naked, and he was not hating what he was seeing. He helped CJ to his bed. He settled down, still sitting up, but was fully laid out on top of the mattress. Reid took the wheelchair and positioned it out of the way. He started to walk out.

"Actually wait." CJ said, stopping Reid before he could leave. He turned around. "Could you, umm, sleep in here?"

Reid blushed again. "Oh. You ... you want me to sleep with you?"

CJ nodded. "If you're ok with that. Just sleep, I promise. Nothing else."

Reid agreed and slowly got into the other side of the bed. CJ laid down and got comfortable. They slept together through the night in total bliss.

2 WEEKS LATER: "So, I have a weird question." CJ said to Reid, who was sitting at his desk, doing some work. CJ was out of the wheel chair. He had a sling for his collarbone, and his ribs were a little sore still. This would be Reid's last week working from home before returning to work. He had given the new address to Amy, so he could get his paycheck.

Reid turned around to give CJ his full attention. "Yes CJ. You can ask me anything."

"Now you can tell me no, because I want you to be comfortable, and happy. But what if you considered ... living here? Permanently." CJ blushed.

Reid looked surprised. "Can I be honest?" he asked. CJ already looked upset. "No no. Don't give me that look. It's not what you think. I have been thinking about that too. I was just afraid to bring it up. So I guess I could say, yes I would love to live here with you." He got up and gently hugged CJ, who hugged back as best as he could.

"I love you, Reid." He whispered.

"I love you too, CJ." Reid answered.

The two separated and Reid got back to work. About an hour later, there was a knock at the door. CJ got up and walked over and opened it up. On the other side was another deer. He was purple and light-blue. He had two fang-like teeth showing as well.

"Hello sir." He said. "My name's Officer Jitter with the City Police Department. Are you Mr. Reid?" the officer asked.

CJ froze. "Um, no sir. Let me get him for you." He turned around. "Uh, Reid? Can you come over here a moment? Someone needs to talk to you." He called into the house.

Reid walked over to the door. "Yes? I am Reid." he said.

"Hello, Mr Reid. Can I talk to you out here for a few moments? You are not in any trouble, I just have a couple questions." The officer asked.

Reid agreed and stepped outside, closing the door behind him. "What's going on?" he asked.

Officer Jitter spoke. "We are aware of the fact that you used to work at that restaurant that burned a while back. Would this be accurate?"

Reid nodded.

"Good. So we had started an investigation on the matter, because the fire department had came to us with the information that the fire was started intentionally." The officer stated.

Reid's stomach dropped. "I wasn't involved with anything, I know I was let go before the fire happened, but I didn't do anything." he rambled.

Jitter put a hoof up to stop Reid from talking. "It's ok, we already have a suspect, this is why we came to you, we are under suspicion that your former boss. The panther, could have been the one to start the fire. However he is on the run, so we are coming to you and your former co-workers to see if anyone knows of where he could be."

Reid's jaw dropped, and he gasped. "No! Really? You think he burned down the restaurant?"

"Yes sir. Do you know where he could be hiding?" he asked again.

Reid thought for a moment. "I just know he has a vacation home in the next town over. There were rumors as to what address. I could give you that if you want." He said.

Officer Jitter nodded and Reid gave him the presumed address of Chef Panther's vacation home. He wrote it down and shook Reid's paw.

"Thank you for your help sir, and you have a good day, alright?" He walked back to his patrol car.

Reid turned around and went inside. He was smiling. He closed the door and saw CJ still standing close by.

"So? What was that about? What's happening?" He asked nervously.

Reid offered a triumphant sigh. "Payback. That's what's happening."