Chapter 9: History(Part 4/4)

           Katherine cursed under her breath. "Xander, why didn't you tell me you already signed us up?" She asked with a frown. "They said not to, that the exam would be a surprise." He said, shrugging lightly. She facepalmed. "That seems like a stupid idea," she muttered, hauling the officers to their feet. "Take us in." She said with a frown, holding out her wrists. One of the officers shook his head. "Sorry, Ms. Willis, we can't take you, but we can take him in with us because he didn't resist." The man said, the other still looked wary of Katherine. "Try again after a month." The man said softly, a regretful look in his eyes. They led Xander off while Katherine stood there, letting her arms fall to her sides. Xander gave her a rueful smile, giving her the 'I'll be home soon' gesture. She nodded, a sad look in her eyes. "Let's head back to Carl's place." Max suggested softly, Carl Brooks was their sponsor; he was letting Max, Ivy, and Katherine stay at his place for a while; Felix and Mila had a place of their own, with a doctor from the hospital. Katherine headed back with Max and Ivy, saying goodbye to Mila and Felix as they stopped by their place. When Max, Ivy, and Katherine got back, Carl seemed a little upset. "Where were you guys? And where's Xander?" The man asked, crossing his arms as he confronted them. "Xander is taking the entrance exam for the PETAPF." Katherine said softly. "You didn't make it in?" Carl asked her, a soft frown on his face. She shook her head. "Sorry about that, Katherine; there's always next month." He said, his voice soft. "Don't worry about it... It's fine; I'm happy for Xander, I really am." She said softly, heading for her room. Carl watched her leave, looking back at Ivy and Max. "She's upset, isn't she?" He asked, concern in his eyes. Max nodded. "She'll be alright; Xander should be back before long, and he'll cheer her up." Max said softly. Carl nodded; he hated seeing Katherine upset, which was usually only when she wasn't with Xander. He felt like they would end up engaged before too long. 
   The next morning Katherine snuggled up closer to the warm shape next to her; she opened her eyes to see Xander lying beside her. "Good morning, handsome." She said softly, smiling at him, the sunlight reflecting off her emerald green eyes. She intertwined her tail with his as he smiled back. "Morning, cutie." He replied with a soft chuckle; there was a loving look in his eyes as he smiled at her. "Did you make it?" She asked him quietly, putting her arms around him. He nodded, giving her a sad smile. "That's great! I'm happy for you." She said excitedly, her ears perking up as she looked at him. "Yeah, but you didn't make it in." He said softly, looking a little upset. "That's okay, so long as you made it; as long as you're out there living the dream, it's okay with me. I'll remember the exam next time, and I'll pass, and then we can be partners." She said, sounding determined. He gave her a smile; he loved her determination. It may have only been a week since they met, but they had hung out so much in that time that their connection was stronger than most people who had been friends for years. "I love your determination; it's adorable." He said softly, booping her nose as he held her close. "I am not adorable..." she muttered, scrunching her nose and closing her eyes with a blush as he spoke. He chuckled again. "Yes, you are, but I love you for it." He said softly, love twinkling in his hazel gaze. She reached up and ruffled his dark brown hair. "I love you too, ya doof." She said with a smile. He smiled back, giving her a soft kiss, then he started to get up from the bed. She whimpered as he left her side. "I gotta head in... I'll cya at seven. Love you." He said softly, leaning over and giving her another kiss. "You're not staying for breakfast?" Katherine asked, worry and sadness in her voice. "I already ate; I was just waiting on you to wake up." He said softly, letting his hand rest on her cheek. She felt a soft blush cross her face. "Well...you better be back before supper." She said, her voice soft as she yawned, then slid over to the edge of the bed. "I can't wait until we're on our own in a few years." She said softly, following Xander out of the room, giving Max, Ivy, and Carl a smile as she walked into the kitchen after telling Xander goodbye one final time. 
Their routine continued like this for years, but Carl changed over time; he became less kind and caring, starting to be cruel to them. One day Xander walked in on Carl; he had Katherine by the arm, about to hit her. He stormed over, grabbing Carl's arm before he could strike her. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Xander asked angrily, glaring at Carl. Carl jerked his hand away from him, walking away a few steps. "Answer me!" Xander said, his voice raising. "Your bitch girlfriend dropped the vase because she was playing with it." Carl responded, turning; he looked as if he were about to hit Xander, but Xander beat him to it, punching him right between the eyes. The man stumbled backwards; he reached out, grabbing his gun; he aimed it at Xander, blood pouring out of his nose. "You're gonna regret that, you damn animal." Carl snarled; Katherine screamed as Carl pulled the trigger. She felt a surge of anger rush through her, grabbing Xander's gun from his hip as he lay on the ground, bleeding from the gunshot wound in his abdomen. She squeezed the trigger, flinching as the weapon went off; the bullet clipped Carl in the shoulder, sending him tumbling to the ground. She tossed the weapon away and crouched down beside Xander. "Xander...No...No, no, no!" She said, tears running down her face. She put pressure on his wound, but the blood was coming out too fast; his eyes looked glazed over; he was hurting. "Katherine...Go...Run...Leave me..." He whispered, putting a hand on her cheek. She felt herself crying harder, sobs racking her body. "NO! I won't leave you, dumbass!" She replied, her voice shrill. "I love you, Kitty..." He whispered, then his hand dropped from her cheek, leaving a bloodstain in its wake. "I love you too, Xan..." She whispered, Carl stood there with shock in his eyes, clutching his bleeding shoulder. "Katherine, I..." She stopped him. "SHUT UP! Just shut up!" She yelled, anger flashing through her eyes. "I'm gonna fucking kill you! You damn monster!" She shouted, standing and lunging at Carl; she slammed his head into the wall repeatedly until Max and Ivy drug her off of the man. He clutched his bleeding shoulder and stared at Katherine in shock. Then she turned and bolted out of the front door, crying as she went...