surprised by Dex's actions. It was short-lived. With a roar, he charged, and Dex ducked, avoiding Juarez's jaws. Swiping his clawed hand, Dex caught Juarez on his flank. Juarez roared fiercely. Dex tackled him to the ground, avoiding Juarez's snapping jaws and sharp claws as they tussled. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted another Therian heading for Cael.
"Ash, get Cael out of here!"
Ash bounded over. He looked at Cael, then Dex.
Cael chirped furiously, but Dex shook his head.
"No, you get my brother out of here! Now!" Dex clapped his hands into Juarez's sides with all his strength, his claws digging in deep. Juarez let out a pained cry, and Dex held on, straddling Juarez and forcing him onto his stomach as Ash escorted a limping Cael from the scene.
Those Therians that weren't out cold from Calvin and Letty's tranqs fled the scene. Dex leaned in to growl at Juarez, making sure the Therian saw his fangs.
"I don't know what your end game is, but you can bet your ass I'm going to find out. Now you either turn yourself in or bleed to death. Your choice." He gave his hand a twist, and Juarez growled before letting out a mewl. Juarez stopped struggling, his breath coming out in pants. Dex released him and wiped his claws on his tac pants before sheathing them. His canines retreated, and he was about to call Rosa to bring in the BearCat when he realized Calvin and Letty were staring at him. Shit. This wasn't how he'd intended them to find out. He was pissed at himself for doing exactly what he'd told himself he wouldn't do. He'd let his emotions get the better of him, and in turn had revealed himself. What if Turner or Juarez talked? Double shit. If he didn't learn to control this before they officially joined TIN, he was going to be in trouble. Okay, he'd deal with that later. Right now he had other things to worry about.
"Um, yeah. So there's something I have to tell you guys, but I'd rather we talk about it back in the BearCat, where we're less likely to get mauled." His teammates nodded but remained silent. Dex informed Rosa they had the suspects and requested she bring the BearCat around. In less than ten minutes, they were loading Turner and Juarez into the back of the BearCat. Dex secured the cage, and his teammates joined him in the truck. As soon as the doors were closed, they were off. Cael was remaining in his Therian form a little longer to aid with his healing. Before leaving, Rosa had checked his paw. He had a couple of nasty gashes where Juarez had most likely snagged him with his claws, but he'd be okay.
The truck was silent, with Hobbs going first to shift back, followed by Ash. While they received PSTC from their partners, Dex slipped behind the privacy screen to help Sloane. It wasn't just painful to watch Sloane shift. It was now physically painful for Dex. Although he didn't feel the full extent of what Sloane suffered, Dex's muscles pulled, as if his body were going through the change without actually going through the change, just on a much smaller scale. Dex didn't like it one bit.
Once Sloane was done, Dex helped him back into his uniform and wrapped an arm around him. He hit the button to raise the screen, then helped Sloane back to his seat across from the bench where their team sat. Dex was aware of everyone's eyes on him. He did his best to ignore them as he administered Postshift Trauma Care to his partner. They'd get something more substantial to eat as soon as they were back at HQ.
"Well?"
Dex turned to face Calvin, his pulse steadying when Sloane took hold of Dex's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
Well, here goes everything.
"I'm... sort of, not Human anymore."
"This isn't funny," Ash grumbled. His frown deepened, and he dropped his gaze to Dex's hand before moving his eyes back up to Dex's. Despite his words, Ash was uncertain. Dex could see it in his eyes. What's more, he could sense it. For that matter, he could sense what all his friends were feeling. Hobbs was confused. Calvin thought he was bullshitting. Letty was concerned. Rosa wasn't sure whether he was joking or not.
Letty peered at him. "You took down Juarez. How?"
"Okay, so I guess I should just show you. Rosa, pull over."
"What?" Rosa glanced at him in the rearview mirror. "Are you serious?"
"Very."
Cursing under her breath, Rosa pulled the truck over to the side of the road. They were just outside Greenpoint, so there was no one around. It wasn't like Juarez or Turner were going anywhere either. Dex dropped the privacy screen in case the perps woke up and decided to eavesdrop. Taking a deep breath, Dex faced his friends, all of whom watched him intently. He took off his gloves, and shoved them into his pocket. Concentrating, he willed his claws to grow out, hearing gasps and curses.
"What the fuck?" Ash got to his feet, and Sloane did the same. The two looked at each other for a long moment before Ash shook his head, his lips pressed together. Whatever it was he wanted to tell Sloane, he kept it to himself. Instead he turned his attention to Dex. "When the hell did this happen?"
Destructive Delta had been kept up-to-date on his kidnapping and everything with TIN up until the part where Dex had died and woken up a Human-Therian hybrid. He reminded them of the symptoms he'd experienced for weeks after being marked by Sloane--the itchy eyes, the increased appetite, his improved agility, as well as Shultzon's list of First Gen Therians with anomalies in their blood, which Sloane's name had been on.
Ash slowly lowered himself to the bench, the truck eerily silent. Thankfully it didn't remain silent for long.
Calvin looked him over. "So, does that mean you're going to shift?"
"We don't think that's going to happen. Right now it's certain traits." Dex shrugged. "I won't really know what I can do until it happens. Not even TIN knows. My test results are a little erratic right now. I won't lie, it's kinda terrifying."
Letty put a hand up. "Hold up. Are you telling me you're as strong as Sloane?"
Dex nodded.
"He's fast too. I think he might be faster than I am. His hearing is more heightened, and his healing ability is sharper. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he's an improved version of me."
"Without the brooding," Ash muttered.
"Thanks, pal."