The door swung open, letting the post storm sunlight to shine through. The brightness blinded Johnny momentarily only allowing him to see several darker figures come towards him.

'Johnny!' the yell made his ears throb, multiple arms wrapping wound his waist. He almost fell at the force, finally recognising his friends. Meena, Rosita, Gunter, Mike and Buster stood in the door, each of them talking frantically, over lapping the other's words.

'Where have you been, we….'

'Her door was smashed in…'

'The police have no idea what's happening!'

'Have you seen her?' Johnny shook his head, trying to understand what was going on. He eventually managed to extract himself from Rosita and Meena, gazing down at the group.

'What is going on?' Meena got there first.

'Ash is missing! When you two didn't show up, we tried calling and neither of you guys picked up. So we went to Ash's flat, there was police everywhere, and the door was broken down, no Ash in sight. Her phone and keys were still there, and we have no clue where she is.' The elephant seemed on the verge of a full out panic attack. Her words were mashed together in her rush, and Johnny could only sympathise. He would be the exact same in her position. The others were nodding, looking equally worried. Even Mike seemed concerned. Johnny knew he had to explain.

'It's ok, it's ok, she's here. She's safe and sound upstairs.' The gorilla was nearly sent flying as Meena and Rosita shot past him, calling for the porcupine. He spared a glance with the three men, before racing after them.

At the top of the stairs, the women were gazing around frantically. It was only the opening of his door that focused their attention, Ash's small face peering round. The two larger mammals raced forwards, scooping the porcupine up between them, crying out with their relief. Johnny stood back as they hugged, head tilted. The chorus of,

'We were so scared!' eventually came to an end, the women placing Ash back on her feet. They stepped back, gaze focused on the smaller mammal.

'What happened?' Rosita exclaimed. Ash rubbed a paw across her face, glancing at Johnny.

'How about we sit down?' was all that was offered. Johnny immediately gestured the men behind him towards the sitting area, going to grab a couple extra chairs from the kitchen. The women settled on the sofa, gazing back over at Ash. The porcupine was shuffling slowly towards them, looking a bit pained. Johnny could've smacked himself, remembering her feet were still cut up, and his shirt was pooled around her ankles.

Deciding to help the poor girl, he wandered over, offering her his hands. Blue eyes glanced up, sigh escaping from dark lips. She nodded gently, and Johnny scooped her up, carrying her to the sofa. After placing her on the middle seat, he retreated into the kitchen, flicking the kettle on, purposely ignoring the stares. Pulling cups out of the cupboard, he watched the others out of the corner of his eye.

'Spikes, there are a lot of questions that need answer, but first things first, why are you wearing the big guys clothes?' there was no amusement in the mouse's voice, just curiosity. Johnny flushed, ducking his head over the mugs. Ash just huffed.

'The only way you are going to know, is if you get the whole story.' Rosita leaned towards the girl.

'Which is?' the tone left no room for discussion. Ash sighed again, settling back.

'I'm not getting out of this, am I?' A shake of the head was her answer. 'Alright... Well basically, Lance broke in last night. I tried to get my phone, but he grabbed me, so I quilled him and did a runner. Ran across here, woke Johnny, who dried and bandaged me up and gave me a place to sleep.' Johnny almost snorted. That was the extremely short version. Buster piped up, voice heavy with concern.

'What do you mean bandaged you? Did Lance hurt you?' Ash shook her head, lifting the bottom of the jumper to reveal her wrapped feet.

'Not a wise idea to run across town without shoes…' was her mumbled response. Johnny grit his teeth. Even if he had patched her up last night, it still hurt to see her injured. Rosita looked ready to cry, and Meena hugged the smaller girl again. The porcupine shrugged them off, with a casual, 'no worries, just a few grazes.' The teen did snort then, earning a glare from Ash. He had returned to the main room, bringing several mugs of tea (no one in his family drank coffee). He handed them out before retrieving his own and Ash's, going to hand her the mug.

He only then realised her hands were still buried in the sleeves of his jumper. Adorable as it was, she obviously couldn't hold anything properly. He set the mugs down, kneeling in front of the smaller. As carefully as he could, he pulled small arms towards him, before rolling back the overlong sleeves, turning them several times to expose small paws. As his large hands worked, he muttered,

'Not a wise idea to go running out in a storm in your jamas either.' When he finished both sides, the porcupine squeezed his fingers in thanks, before allowing him to pass her the warm mug. Several eyes were lock on the two, question filled. Johnny stood, grabbing his own tea, and moving to lean against the wall. Gunter spoke next.

'Dat explains the clothing choice.' It was a teasing remark, making them all chuckle. Soon silence filled the room, each animal lost in their own thoughts. Yet Johnny still had one more question.

'How did you guys find this place?' Buster was the one who answered.

'It was on your contract, for emergency use. I figured this counted as an emergency with you two missing, and Ash's door broken in.' Meena joined in.

'It really was the last place we could think to look. And as Ash didn't have her phone, and you weren't picking up…' Johnny frowned at that. Why hadn't he heard his phone? He padded to his room, giving it a quick search. The device was missing. Tilting his head, he remembered. Ducking into the bathroom, the mobile was sat on the edge of the sink, left with the first aid kit. He picked it up, reading the multiple missed calls.

Shuffling back into the main room, he wave it in the air, grinning slightly.

'Sorry guys, must have left it in there and forgotten about it. Is it really midday?' Ash started at that, shooting him a confused look.

'Ja, why do you zink we were so worried?' Johnny could help but feel guilty at the pig's statement. They had obviously overslept. The gorilla rubbed the back of his neck, shuffling his feet slightly.

'What time were we awake last night? I didn't take time to look at a clock.' Ash seemed confused, and a bit bashful. Johnny squinted slightly, trying to remember.

'I think it was half three-ish when I put your clothes up to dry.' The porcupine slumped back, seeming a bit distressed. He just wanted to cuddle her until the expression left.

'Sorry big guy, I had no idea I woke you so late. Only to kick you out of your bed…' Johnny just grinned at her.

'Hey, no worry. I wasn't gunna throw yer out, was I? If anything, I'm glad you came here. Better than being near that wanker.' At the curse (British as it was), Mike and Gunter burst out laughing, Buster and Meena stared wide eyed, and Rosita let out a shocked,

'Johnny!' He flushed, ducking his head. Oops. He had forgotten he wasn't speaking in his own head. Ash was giggling madly, whole body shaking with her mirth. Johnny leant over the back of the sofa, poking her in the side.

'Oi, shush you. Your language is way worse than mine.' Small paws batted his hand away.

'Yeah, but it's twice as funny when you do it,' was her cheeky reply. Mike decided to join in the teasing.

'I have to agree with her there, big guy. It's just too amusing hearing you say that.' Rosita cut in.

'That's enough you lot, we shouldn't be encouraging this.' Three heads bowed and nodded at the stern tone, but Johnny could still see the mirth in those icy blue eyes. Rosita continued. 'Ash Hun, you really need to nip down to the police station. They were at your flat this morning, apparently one of your neighbours called.' Ash groaned, tilting her head back.

'Great, just what I wanted.' The porcupine had her eyes shut, meaning Johnny, still leaning on the back of the sofa, could examine her face. She looked exhausted, fur mushed, quills askew. Even those lovely black lips were pulled down at the corners in a frown. His heart went out to her (then again, when didn't it?).

'Hey,' he said softly. 'If you want, I'll drive you back to your place, we can chat to whoever's there, and get you some clothes, and go from there? It doesn't guarantee you won't have ta go to the station, but there's a chance.' Her eyes opened, allowing blue to lock with brown. They gazed at each other for a moment, before she smiled.

'That be great big guy. Thank you.' He beamed back, teeth and all (did she realise her eyes widened every time he did that? Was his smile that scary?), before collecting everyone empty mugs. They clinked as the teen put them in the sink, to be forgotten about until a later time. Grabbing Ash's now dry clothes, he returned to Buster talking.

'…so no practice for today. I think we've all had enough excitement.' Relief flowed through the teen's body. Practice, on top of everything that had happened, would have been a killer. He threw the porcupine her clothes, before turning back to the others. But, he hadn't even uttered a word when Ash spoke up.

'Umm, Johnny… as much as I appreciate my pjs back, I can't really walk at the minute. Not to mention your sweater is comfy as hell.' Turning back to the smaller, he started into blue, practically smacking himself.

'Sorry Ash, forgot. I'll give you a hand. And you are giving it back, it's my favourite jumper,' he teased. A mischievous twinkle glowed back.

'But surely I'm your favourite person. And our favourites belong together.' She replied, snuggling down into green folds. The gorilla tapped thoughtfully on his chin, pretending to consider.

'I don't know… I've got a pretty big soft spot for Meena and Rosita. Both of whom insult me less that you do.' His voice was light and joking, finding the familiar banter easy. Ash put on an affronted look.

'Honestly, I thought our friendship meant more than a few friendly jabs.' Her wink sent his heart into palpitations, ears burning slightly. But before he could answer, Mike cut in.

'Would you two stop flirting, it's sickening to watch.' The harsh nudge from Gunter came too late, as Johnny felt his face set alight, he had forgotten the others. Ash, meanwhile, had narrowed her eyes, spines flaring.

'Butt out pip squeak, or I'll feed you to the bears. We ain't flirting, just having a laugh.' The threat made the mouse puff up angrily. But before he could speak, Johnny cut in.

'Common Ash, I'll help yer to my room,' he mumbled, offering large palms to the girl. She shot him a look, before grasping said hands to lift herself up. Just like the night before, he scoped the smaller up bridal style, carrying her to his bedroom. Depositing her lightly on the bed, he went to turn away. A small paw grabbed his elbow, preventing him.

'Johnny…' the whisper made him turn. The porcupine looked so sad, it broke his heart. She continued. 'Hey, ignore what he said. We're best friends, yeah? Nothing wrong with us joking around. I don't want you to feel you have to hide from me, ok?' The teen gazed down, scanning worried blue eyes. He bit his lip subconsciously. But that was the problem. He did have to hide. Hide how he truly felt about the female, not let her see his less that platonic intentions, his adoration for her. But those big eyes held so much concern, wondering if he was upset with her (how could he ever be?), he could only smile back.

'Yeah, I know. Just caught me off guard, is all. Come on now, time to return my jumper.' The gentle tease had her lips curling up into a smile, before he turned and finally exited.