Virtual American Gothic - Second Season 
		   Episode Fifteen

		Pet Sounds
		by Dana <superula@oz.net>
			and
		Queri <queribus@calweb.com> 
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NOT TO BE ARCHIVED TO A WEB PAGE WITHOUT 
THE AUTHOR'S PRIOR CONSENT.

Special Guest Stars: 
Illeana Douglas as Sabbath
Brent Spiner as Jonathan Kane

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It was a balmy evening, and Matt leaned against the porch of Ms Holt's
house. A lot had happened to bring him this far. A lot of toxic sludge 
under a lot of rickety bridges. The smell of night-blooming jasmine 
washed over him and he reached out a hand to touch the cherub sitting on 
the porch post -- for luck. 

Freedom has its bonuses, to be sure. Matt raised a glass  and silently 
toasted the powers that be- the ones way outside of Trinity. The cool 
lemonade tasted good.

Footsteps, soft and light, coming around the corner.

"I got you a special welcome home present. I would have brought 
her to the party at the hospital, but she's a little shy."

Matt regarded Selena Coombs carefully, as she moved closer, he
noted the tiny kitten in her arms, red bow tied artfully around its 
neck.

"It's lonely when you've got no one, Dr. Crower. That's why I
love my cats. They keep me occupied."

Matt accepted the tiny animal and stroked its head. A warm smile
crossed his face, his eyes glowed.

"This is very thoughtful of you, Miss Coombs. I appreciate it."

"Well, Dr. Crower, there are still those who would like to think you
don't belong here after your little spell. I'm not like that. I know what
it's like to be looked at with the fast eye, to hear whispers in the
produce section. I'm here to help, if you'll let me."

Matt touched her arm. A shiver ran up his back, she was so warm
and alive! Oh, it was great being out.

" I'd like that. Thanks."

"You take care of her, now. I don't want any reports that you're
mistreating my little pussy....cat. And give her a nice name. All girls
like a nice name."

Was he blushing?

"I'll do that." Matt went into the house, hoping to avoid her
level stare.

**********
Sabbath eyed herself in the bathroom mirror. 'Tonight's the night', 
she thought. 'He wants me, I want him, we know it, we mean 
business......'

She pulled her hair on top of her head, then shook it down, pulled 
it to one side then shook it out again.

'I cant believe I'm putting this much effort into getting laid.' She 
stuck her ton