“Brendon?”
Rex was caught completely off guard and spun around in shock as the voice startled him.
He was staring at... mother? No, Tabitha. Her name was Tabitha and she had been Brendon’s mom. She was... quite decidedly nothing to Rex now but a human woman. He felt no attachment to her.
“Brendon, i-is that you?”
The middle aged woman stared in shock at the handsome feathered dinosaur man and blinked in the dark. She locked eyes with the dinosaurian and her expression turned to horror.
“N-No... no, you’re not. Are you?”
“No, I’m not.” Rex said gently, relaxing and taking a conscious effort not to look threatening as he crossed his arms against his waist and tucked in his claws. “I’m sorry, Tabitha. There’s no easy way to say this. Brendon is no more.”
“Dammit.” The woman bit her lip, fighting back instant tears. “I...” She lowered her head mournfully and nodded, fighting through. “I figured as much.”
Rex felt a pang of pity for the human and lowered his head sadly. He looked over her plush yellow night gown and the pillow she held against her waist. She was strangely lovely to the dinosaur. Tall, strong and composed, flowing blonde hair.
He smiled slightly as he found her attractive, his human half and his dinosaur half appreciating her lovely facial features and big doe eyes.
She opened her eyes, wiping away hints of tears and got composure. “Who are you, then?”
“I am Rex, Tabitha.” The deinonychus said, hunching down to his knees and relaxing, tail swaying behind him, as he made himself even less threatening.
“You... used to be my son?” Tabitha said with hurt in her voice.
“Only used to be.” Rex admitted.
“Yes... yes, I understand.” Tabitha nodded. “He’s completely gone now, isn’t he?”
“Unfortunately, yes. His mind and my mind are one. I grew to predominance and then overtook this body completely. I possess all of his memories and knowledge, but I am no longer the human you knew.”
“Yes...” Tabitha said gently, concentrating lest she cry. “I am... so deeply sorry for what Rick did. I am... glad, though, that at least a piece of my son will continue to exist. However... different.”
“I must say, Tabitha, you are taking this in stride.” The deinonychus blinked and offered a sympathetic and sheepish glance.
“It’s not your fault.” Tabitha admitted. “I don’t... I can’t... we... both half to deal with it.”
“It would seem.” Rex said simply, gulping.
“Rex?” Tabitha stepped forward, blinking in new comprehension. “You... said your name was Rex?”
“Yes, ma’am.” The dinosaur nodded gently.
“Uh, do you want some coffee? Can we... talk? Would that be all right?”
“Of course.” Rex nodded gently. “I would be happy to.”
* * *
Rex explained his origin, his memories of prehistory, and the demise of Brendon. Tabitha took it in stride, though she was obviously distraught and forced to accept her son’s death. She seemed to take solace in Rex’s very existence, though, with the deinonychus was keen to note.
“And where is Rick now?” Rex finally asked, sipping gently on a mug of coffee that was nestled in his claws.
“Out. Looking for you. He still believes you to be Brendon.”
“Tabitha,” Rex finally said, setting down his cup and taking the woman’s hands in his own, much to her wide eyed surprise. He felt her fingers in his palm, probing at the scaly texture of his skin in curious shock. “I am deeply sorry for what has happened, but at the same time, I cannot allow my own destruction to take place. Even if it means bringing your son back.”
Tabitha stared in horror at the deinonychus man and gulped, turning pale white. She nodded gently, processing. “I... I don’t....” She gulped heavily and pulled her hand out, blushing suddenly. “I... prefer you as you are, Rex. I don’t want to... destroy you. As you say.”
The dinosaur blinked several times. “I see. Then what will happen when Rick returns?”
The human’s eyes narrowed and her tone became dark and foreboding. “I know how his machine works. We don’t need him, do we?”
“So it is vengeance.” Rex sneered.
“Mmmhmmm.” Tabitha smirked, picking up her own coffee and gently sipping it.
“Such was my intention as well.” Rex admitted, growling slightly under his breath.
“Then... we have an understanding.” Tabitha smiled wryly. “You and I... are a team?”
“Of course,” the Deinonychus smiled.