Tom returned inside to find that Alice had returned to her more human form and was seated in her dinning room. Her eyes looked a bit red with tears, which Tom really didn't want to see, but he assumed she had been well coached to think that people or governments would automatically jump to the wrong conclusion. His rational mind figured that was possible, but he didn't think it was the most likely response and he personally still stuck to what he believed in. That hiding was NOT the answer.
"Tom?" Alice looked up to him as he walked toward and pulled another chair out to sit down beside her.
"Hello, Alice," Tom answered politely as he sat down and took her hands in his own.
"Will you?" Alice asked, referring to him being with her, cementing the bond that she felt forming. The bond that every werefox lived for. The bond that notified that they'd found the one person that he or she could spend the rest of their lives with.
"When I'm ready," Tom answered, "right now with debating old childhood desires doesn't really sit right... it's all strange..."
"For a Normal... were society can be a surprise," Alice admitted, "but..."
"It'll take me some time to really be ready," Tom said slowly, "I can't lie and say I don't like you... because that wouldn't be truthful on my part. I DO like you... and between you and me, I think I would like to stay with you for the rest of my life..."
"Please, Tom... this secret is important," Alice answered, "it needs to wait until everyone is ready..."
Tom shook his head and looked to her with a very serious face, "all that is... is making an excuse to NEVER tell the truth and will only make the inevitable revelation that weres exist go worse than they could be. If you wait until after a rogue attacks someone on camera, do you think the reaction is going to be good?"
"Well... no... but..." Alice said slowly.
"So, why are you insisting on protecting a system that is GOING to lead to that?" Tom asked, "The present situation with Lionel Ulysses couldn't have gone well with any of the were community in this country and he engaged in many of the things typical of most other common thugs. Do you think the response to him did the were community much good?"
"No," Alice admitted, "particularly as people feared the secret then being revealed."
"And that was with a much smaller issue than what I'm sure would be a were's nightmare scenario," Tom pointed out, "and that is where the truth becomes so important."
"But... people... the government..." Alice protested.
"Things may not be easy," Tom answered, "but the government is made up of people. Have the revelation go as you did with with me and show that you aren't some slobbering monster and people in the government will HAVE to abide the law and treat you as equals. You wait until there is no other option... and you'll see them moving to a position where they can and will successfully claim the right to deny you your rights on the basis of "safety." Do you want that?"
"No," Alice said slowly.
"And that is why it will be best to come out before you are forced out," Tom told her.
"But what if the worst happens?" Alice said fearfully.
"If the worst happens?" Tom asked back, fear clear in his voice as well, as he didn't want to lose Alice either, "then you and I will face fate together... I may not be ready right now... but I will be at some point. And I will not let you go alone. But, I don't see the worst happening. You can't live as a secret society. I can understand the fear."
Alice felt him rub her hands, and despite his words speaking to things that she'd been raised to fear, the softness of his hands did betray a great deal of love behind in his heart.
"But the more you hide it until some arbitrary "ready" point is reached, you'll never reach it and you'll always live in fear," Tom told her, "which leaves you entirely at the mercy of either technology or some potential rogue... which I'd take is rather rare?"
"Yes," Alice nodded quickly, "Rogues are rare."
Tom then stood up and hugged Alice and a part her heart soured when she felt his lips touch hers. The kiss was warm and loving, but lacked the outright passion that she'd hoped for.
"I'll need a few days," Tom answered, "and I'm sure you'll need to talk with someone regarding being ready for updating the world."
With that, Tom departed and headed out for the rest of his night. Alice sat down and sighed heavily. Things weren't bad, but she still had plenty to be nervous about.