{{Our episode title is also a line from "Every Little Kiss" by Bruce Hornsby and the Range.—tmw.}}
"Lodge. The police just called to say they apprehended their suspect and the lock down situation at Moon Lake Junior High is over," Principal Ian Andrews informed his Vice Principal.
"That's good, although too late to rescind the Stay In order for third period Gym classes," she noted.
"True," agreed Andrews, "but the remaining classes can go out, weather permitting, and thankfully neither us nor the elementary school have to go into lock down mode as well."
MEANWHILE...
"Okay people. Pick up the pace you lead weights," began the High School Boys' Gym Coach. "Since a lap around the interior of the gymnasium is smaller than a lap around the main school building, you should be doing it much quicker than this," he added, while checking his stopwatch.
"Any idea what's up?" Ben Twist whispered to Nate Anderson while they jogged. "Thought we were supposed to be outside," he added, noting the girls' gym class was in the center of the gymnasium doing yoga.
"I have no idea," whispered Nate in reply, not needing to raise his voice since their werewolf fursonas both had acute hearing. "Weather's beautiful outside, so your guess is as good as mine. They're definitely not short staffed," said Nate, observing that all the coaches were indoors with them.
ELSEWHERE...
Eric Anderson was a bit curious about the current situation as well, since he noticed something unusual in his journey between his second and third period classes: a security guard stationed near a door where there usually wasn't one. Something he would be sure to ask Julie Stovall about when he saw his girlfriend/fiance during Freshman lunch next hour.
IN THE MOON LAKE GENERAL HOSPITAL'S SURGERY WAITING ROOM...
"So, you and Huck?" Harry Jenkins asked Betty.
"It's not what you think," the timid lady began.
"No. No. Don't get me wrong. For what it's worth, I approve," said Harry. "I don't know if he's ever told you this, but Huck's been lonely for quite a while now."
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"When I first started dating Jenny," began Harry, while taking his fiance's hand in his, "Huck told me I was lucky to find someone I was truly head over heels in love with, and hoped someday he'd be as lucky."
"But I thought weres, that is..." began Betty, trying to explain what she was thinking.
"There are times when it may seem like sex is the were national past time," began Harry, "and it definitely can be a lot of fun, but Huck discovered that even at group meetings, without that special someone, the newness and excitement of it does wear off after a while."
"It's just that... we've been friends for so long. So close in a way that transcended what many would consider a regular friendship, that both of us either didn't recognize what we might have in the other or else it was a line we didn't know how or if our relationship should cross," realized Betty.
"I'm sure you heard what happened to me," began Jenny, referring to being a victim of the rogue werevixen Yvette Smith and not joining were society voluntarily, "and the fact that Harry willingly became a werefox at my paw so we could be together, so if I'm out of line asking, just tell me. But if the two of you do decide to pursue a relationship and it progresses that far, are you willing to become a weredog to be with Huck?"
Betty started to open her mouth, but whatever she was going to say remained unspoken as Doctor Hiram Robblestein walked into the waiting room, removing his face mask in the process.
He started to approach Betty, but changed his position when he saw the much larger crowd gathered.
"Is everyone here in regards to Henry Jenkins, Junior?" asked the doctor.
"Yes. We're his parents," said Henry Senior, standing up while still holding his wife's hand. "Our other son Harry along with his fiance Jenny, and Betty you've already met. How's Huck doing?"
"Well..." began Robblestein. "I won't deny it was touch and go for a while. Besides needing an extra pint of O+ weredog, we discovered that the bullet grazed the spinal column going through Huck's body."
"M-meaning..." wondered Lisa Jenkins, fearing the worse.
"Huck will have to stay with us for longer than originally predicted. At least a few days until the swelling recedes and the spinal column is back to normal. Your son shouldn't be facing more than some temporary, isolated paralysis at most. Otherwise he's young, in prime health, and should make a full recovery," revealed the doctor.
Everyone smiled and breathed a sigh of relief.
"When can we see him?" asked Harry.
"I'd give it a few hours. At least until the anesthetic wears off and he wakes up on his own. I must also advise you that to help speed the healing process, Huck will have to stay in his fursona at least until we're ready to discharge him," explained Robblestein.
"We've seen him furry before," said Lisa, not bothering to hide her tears. "The important thing is our son's going to be all right," she added, as even Harry started crying on Jenny's shoulder.
But as the Jenkins rejoiced, Betty could not help noticing that she was the only person without a partner in the waiting room, because the man she wanted more than anything was elsewhere.
Even if that meant eventually joining were society and becoming Huck's "bitch"*.
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*Which IS the formal term for a female dog.—tmw.