Sorry it's so short... all I can say. *hides behind couch* Blessings, A. R. -----------------------------------------------------------      Laurel shot a wary look at the huge building. It looked like an officer’s home, the school. But it wasn’t. This was Akolan's Administration Academy. Well, that was what they called it. There was some other fancy term for it but no one had the energy or desire to learn the full name.      Laurel looked down at Patrick and saw he was no longer smiling. His bottom lip trembled and he sniffed. Laurel’s heart shattered and she knelt on her knees, turning him to face her.      “Hey, Pat,” she whispered, trying to sound cheerful.      “It will be fine. Just two weeks and you can come home, I promise.” Pat wiped his eyes and looked up at her, a hesitant look in his eyes.      “Will you come see me?” He asked, a sob in his voice. Laurel swallowed. Patrick didn’t know how many times Laurel and her mother tried to see him. Every time the headmaster would wave them off and say he didn’t need any ‘distractions.’ The administration had no heart or mind to let families nurture their kits.      “I’ll try, I’ll try very hard Patrick.” She promised. Pat smiled slightly and nodded, throwing his arms around her neck and holding onto her tightly. Laurel held him close, inhaling deeply. He smelled like the fresh air without any smoke to pollute it. She kissed his forehead and pulled away, removing a piece of ash stuck in his fur.      “I love you,” she whispered, winking. Patrick giggled and tried to wink, both his eyes shutting and opening in a very uncoordinated way.      “Love you too,” he answered, Laurel chuckling at his attempt to wink. Patrick then turned and started towards the door, turning around to wave at Laurel with a huge grin. Laurel smiled and waved back, tears starting in her eyes. She prayed that he wouldn’t be moved. She didn’t know if she could live without him.        Laurel returned to master Browns as the last light of the day fell behind the mountains, the sky becoming dark blue and grey to announce the coming night. Laurel entered through the backdoor just as Delta and Melford finished the dishes. They both smiled.      “ ’Ow’s the lit’l lad?” Melford asked, his strange accent adding to his question. Laurel smiled, her heart bursting with pride at the thought of Pat.      “He’s good, thank you. He’s already counting down till he comes home.” The older rabbits smiled, chuckling as they continued putting the dishes away. They didn’t understand how Patrick was so different. Well, they couldn’t understand Laurel either. Laurel left the rabbits to their last task and she headed to the front room to finish putting up the drapes. As soon as they were clipped to the rod, she went to the next room and continued the process.      She headed down the hallway to the foyer and heard voices. She froze.      “You know I would love to help. But I’m retired and have a household to run. And servants to watch out for or to put back in line. I had two of them sent home today because your captain had ‘em roughed up.” Brown pointed out, a growl in his voice. Laurel had no idea who he was talking to. She started to tip toe away when the other person spoke. She froze.      “I understand, sir. If you reconsider, just let me know.”      Dylan.      What was he talking about? And why did he want Brown to help with something?      “Well, I’ll keep it in mind. Say, whatever happened the other day? You never wanted to get caught up with a doe and now all the sudden your watching out for my servant. Lauren, I think?” Laurel blushed furiously and fought the urge to correct him. Dylan too was embarrassed.      “I-I don’t know sir. I have lots of things to think about lately.” Brown chuckled.      “Never mind. Well, if that’s all, I better let you go. You have lots ahead of you.” They shook hands, it sounded like, and the door opened. Laurel quickly left and headed towards the kitchen, all the more bewildered. Delta looked up at her and gave her a quizzical look.      “Done with the drapes?” She asked. Laurel shook her head.      “Master Brown is in the last room with someone. I’ll just wait a few minutes.” Delta nodded and resumed her own work. But Laurel’s heart was troubled. What did Dylan want from Brown? And did Brown really suspect something between the two of them? Sure, it sounded absolutely ridiculous. But at least they we’re thought of as a ‘thing’ and nothing about the resistance was rumored. But how long would that be the case?