Finessed by the Tiger // Lemon//

Chapter 1

(Editor's note: All original characters and story plot details belong to the original author/creator. This is a lemon fan-fiction and goes a bit of a different direction than the origin story. Also, a rather long fan-fiction, figured we would all need something to help carry us over between episode updates. Starting this off when Poppy leaves Tora with Quincy after dinner Episode 45.)

It had been a long night. After dropping Tora off with Quincy, I took a cab home, and let me tell you it was the most awkward ride of my life. The driver, trying to bring me out of the trance of worry I found myself falling into, and the awkward glances he kept throwing my way, followed with desperate attempts at small talk. Feeling rather out of place in the small backseat of the cab, I stayed silent for most of the trip, looking out the window noting every turn to memory. We finally arrived home, and no sooner had the cab stopped I flung the door open and jumped out. Turning around I smiled and waved.

Poppy: "Thanks Mister have a great evening" not wanting to be rude.

Cab Driver: "Welcome miss, now hurry up and get inside, wouldn't want to see you outside this late at night by yourself, you never know what could happen."

Upon seeing the smirk spread across the driver's face, and the glint of excitement in his eyes, I hurried through the gates of the building and made my way to the stairs. I was about to make my way up when my phone started ringing, an old number coming across the phone.

I hadn't seen this number since dad died. Curiosity getting the better of me, I pressed answer and put the phone up to my ear while making my way up the first flight of stairs.

Poppy: "Hello", there was a long pause and finally a woman's voice came over the phone.

Caller: "Poppy, is that you?"

Poppy: "Yes, who is this?"

Caller: "No one important, and I wouldn't expect you to remember me, but I am sure we will see each other very soon, stay safe." The call ended and I found myself in front of my apartment door.

I reached for my keys as a shiver went down my spine, that phone call was so strange. The last time I got a call from that number my father had just died, and in the same woman's voice, the caller had said "I am so sorry, there was nothing that I could do to save him, and you cannot come and live with me. Your grandmother can take care of you until you are older, or at least old enough to understand."

Another shiver went down my spine and giving one more glance over my shoulder, I made my way into the apartment, making sure to deadbolt the door. That call could have only come from one person... MOM"

"MOM..."

I haven't heard from her in years, and what did she mean that we would see each other soon? With a huge sigh I dropped my purse by the door and took my heels off. It is a wonder I was able to walk around in these all evening and support Tora's weight has well.

"Tora..."

Just thinking of him made my heart hurt. My heart couldn't understand why he was abandoning me, just like mom, only to show up tonight with a nasty attitude. I know that there is something going on and he doesn't want me involved. That must be the reason that he said goodbye, there had to have been a good reason. With tears springing to my eyes I made my way to the kitchen, put the kettle on and went to change into my panda pajamas.

Pouring a cup of tea, I look over to the balcony, the image of Tora leaning against the railing, reaching out to hold my hand, flooded my mind. Smiling to myself, I quickly walk over has if to make my way out onto the balcony, then I remember Tora's warning about burglary and the cab drivers creepy smile, I find myself checking the lock instead. After establishing that I am safe and secure, I turn around to see my phone lighting up.

It's Quincy, not wanting to keep him waiting I grab the phone.

Poppy: "Quincy is everything okay?" I answer, my breath catching in my throat.

Quincy: "Of course it is love, Quincy came to the rescue"

(in the background- I don't need rescuing, ain't it normally the other way round")

Quincy: "yeah, yeah just get in bed would you. Sorry poppy, he is being rather difficult, it's the man-flu, nasty little thing. It's rendered our dear Tora helpless."

Tora: "HELPLESS!!! I can still kick ya ass, ya baby thug".

Poppy (in a stern voice): "Put me on speaker please. Tora just go to bed, that is no way to talk to the man that I am guessing just helped you up to your apartment, besides, you will probably feel better after getting some rest"

I've about had enough of his attitude tonight. Plus, he called me shorty!

Quincy: "Why are you death glaring me, you were the one who asked me to call her. Anyways, Poppy what time works for you for our meeting tomorrow?"

Poppy: "Well, I will be in the office around 9am would 10 am work for you?"

Quincy: "That would be perfect, we could even go for brunch afterwards"

Poppy: "That sounds amazing, looking forward to it. Also, we can draw up that new proposal. You know, one that you weren't forced to sign by an ill-tempered man in a dinosaur t-shirt"

Tora: "IT WAS A T-REX"

Poppy: "Mhhm, ohh my bad, that excuses everything."

Tora: "Bobby.... Quincy give me ya phone for a minute"

Quincy: "Why my phone, use your own. I don't want the man-flu too. Anything but the man flu"

Tora: "Just give me ya phone. Too tired to find mine. Bobby..."

Poppy: "yes, Tora"

Tora: "I hope ya ain't too mad at me sweetheart... I'm sorry"

Lowering my voice, I whispered into the phone...

Poppy: "I am so mad at you right now, in fact it isn't even anger, I'm just hurt. Anyways, you need rest and talking to me means no sleep for you. GO TO BED, please."

Tora: "Fine, but the box that ya are tryin to continue fitting me in, isn't me.

//Silence//

Tora: "Night Bobby..."

"Night Tora" I whispered into the phone, holding tears back.

I hesitated for a minute, and I assumed Tora was as well, since I could still hear him on the other end of the phone. I let out a sigh and hung up. "Goodnight Tora". I plopped down on the bed and tried to get some sleep, but there were a million things running through my mind, and most of it had to do with Tora.

Why can't I get you out of my head? If only you knew the hold that you have on me. I sighed running my hands over my face, tears starting to roll down my cheeks. I just let them fall, it's been too interesting of a day, and my internal jar is overflowing. I rolled over buried my face in my pillows trying to find comfort from the cold creeping up on me, trying to portray itself has a weighted blanket, and weighted it was.