There were only a few places that allowed pets to enter without being accompanied by their owners. Shaun could shop in the market if he had Ashley's permission. The owner of the store knew Ashley, so Shaun had been allowed to do their grocery shopping. Tonight he wanted to prepare a special dinner for his master.

He didn't exactly have Ashley's approval for this idea, but then it wouldn't be a surprise if he did. Since his master trusted him in all things, Shaun felt no qualms as he pushed the cart down the aisles, searching for what he wanted. He selected the lobster tails and the ingredients for the seafood salad he planned on making. As he passed by the candles, he hesitated. He definitely wanted something romantic for Ashley, and he paused for a long moment, eyeing row after row of candles. Finally, he settled on two slender red ones with ruby-colored crystal holders.

After picking out a good wine, Shaun took his purchases to the checkout. He put everything on the counter and patiently waited his turn. He knew the clerk by name and gave her a smile as she began ringing up his things.

"Something special tonight, Shaun?" Tina asked as she scanned his items. Most of the clerks knew him quite well and were generally friendly to him.

"Master's birthday." Shaun grinned at her. Spying a small box of Ashley's favorite chocolates, he picked it up and quickly added it to the pile. Most of the time Ashley always bought Shaun's favorite, and Shaun wanted to return the favor.

"Tell Ashley I said Happy Birthday."

"I will, Miss Tina." After he bagged everything, he took the receipt from her. In a good mood, he left the store and headed back to the house. As he walked across the park, he spotted two enforcers walking toward him. Instead of passing him by, one of them stepped abruptly in front of Shaun. Forced to stop, Shaun stared down at the ground, waiting for one of them to speak.

"Your mark, were," the older man demanded as he grabbed Shaun's arm with bruising pressure.

Not daring to struggle or argue, Shaun bowed his head as the other man pulled back his hair. Shaun felt the press of the recorder to his neck as it scanned his tattoo.

"He belongs to Ashley Winters. He's clear."

"Pity. He'd be worth ten years' salary on the market." Disgruntled, the man raised his hand and gripped Shaun's chin, forcing Shaun to look at him.

Dread nearly made Shaun tremble as he saw the gleam of avarice in the man's eyes. With a shrug, the other man said, "He's legit. Nothing you can do."

Reminded of that fact, the enforcer released Shaun and moved to the side. "Get out of here, were."

Shaun didn't need to be told twice. He hurriedly walked away from them and maintained the pace until he safely reached home. Closing the door behind him, he leaned against it, trying to still the racing beat of his heart. After a few moments, he'd calmed enough to take the groceries into the kitchen.

Pulling out one of Ashley's cookbooks, Shaun followed the recipe to prepare the lobster tails. Once he finished that, he started making the seafood salad. It kept his mind from dwelling on the terrifying encounter in the park.

After he finished preparing the food, Shaun set the candles on the table, along with the vase of flowers he'd picked earlier. Wanting everything to be perfect, he carefully set their best cutlery and plates on the table. Then, glancing up at the clock, he knew Ashley would be home soon.

Heading back to the bedroom, Shaun figured he'd have just enough time to get a shower. Knowing Ashley sometimes preferred him in his fully human state, Shaun shifted as he took off his loincloth. In the bathroom, he turned the hot water on and stepped in. The warmth eased away the last of his tension over the encounter with the enforcers. It had fed on his worst nightmare of being taken away from Ashley. That had already happened once, and Shaun remained on his best behavior, praying it wouldn't happen again.

As he lathered up the washcloth, his thoughts drifted to his master. It wasn't only Ashley's birthday, but also their first anniversary together. When Ashley had first forced Shaun to come home with him, Shaun couldn't have imagined the contentment he felt now. Ashley was something Shaun had never dared to dream of, yet his master gave everything of himself.

As he washed, Shaun smiled. Ashley spoiled him outrageously with chocolates and love. The truth of their relationship could never be known on the outside, but Shaun didn't care. He'd come to deeply love his master in a way he couldn't describe, even if his life depended on it. Quickly washing his hair and rinsing off, Shaun finished his shower, then turned off the water. He grabbed for a towel hanging from the rack near the tub and dried off. Knowing it would please his master, Shaun returned to the bedroom and chose a pair of jeans and the black sweater Ashley had bought him for his birthday.

Quite often, Ashley wanted Shaun in his human form, something that could only be done in the privacy of their home. To the outside world, Shaun was nothing more than a pet, but it was something that no longer bothered him as it once did. He had found complete acceptance with Ashley. His master loved everything he was.

Combing through his white-and-black streaked hair, Shaun looked at himself in the mirror. Being an extremely rare breed of tiger, his looks were noticed wherever he went. The attention rarely bothered him unless somebody wanted to buy him from Ashley. His master had received many offers, but Ashley had refused every one of them. Even in his human form, nobody could mistake Shaun for anything other than a were creature. The odd coloring of his hair betrayed what he was.

Setting the comb aside, he padded silently toward the kitchen. He took the pans out of the oven and placed lids on them before carrying them out to the dining room table. After lighting the candles, Shaun returned to the kitchen and got the chocolates and wine he'd bought. As he placed the box and bottle of wine next to Ashley's plate, he heard the front door opening.

Heart racing, he sprinted into the living room and waited for his master. Clasping his hands behind his back, he stood off to the side, waiting for Ashley to notice him as his master set his briefcase and keys down.

"Kitten, I'm…" Ashley's words trailed off as he caught sight of the dining room table. Then he spotted Shaun. The smile was immediate. Bouncing on his heels, Shaun could barely restrain himself. The moment Ashley looked at him, he launched himself at his master.

"Happy birthday, and we've been together for a year."

Ashley whispered, "Happy Anniversary," right before cupping Shaun's face and kissing him softly but thoroughly.

A rumbling purr rose in Shaun's throat as he wrapped his arms around Ashley, hugging him tightly. After a moment, Shaun drew his head back. "I made a special dinner just for you."

A finger traced the line of Shaun's jaw and Ashley smiled. "Thank you, Kitten. Although I certainly remembered our anniversary, I managed to forget my own birthday," he chuckled. "So what sort of decadent feast did you make us?"

"Your favorites. What else?" Grinning, Shaun nestled happily against his master since Ashley didn't seem to be willing to let him go.

"Lobster, and seafood salad. I even bought a small present for you." Ashley's rumble of pleasure was muffled as he kissed Shaun's neck.

"One year," he whispered. "Little did I know, one year ago, that I'd find Heaven."

Content in Ashley's embrace, Shaun rubbed his cheek against Ashley's hair, listening to the soft whispers. He adored it when Ashley was in a romantic mood. Quite a few of their evenings had been spent that way, and Shaun always encouraged it. "I know at first I wasn't happy, but now I wouldn't change anything, Ashley."

Ashley nodded, kissed Shaun's neck again, and finally pulled back enough to look at him. "I love you, Shaun."

"Love you, too, master." Shaun pressed a soft kiss to Ashley's lips, then lowered his hand to take Ashley's. With a smile, he dragged Ashley toward the dining room table. As Ashley settled in his seat, Shaun poured them both glasses of wine and uncovered the dishes on the table.

"Oh." Ashley blinked, apparently lost for words. When he finally spoke, it was quiet and full of awe. "Shaun…it's…wonderful." Then he saw the box beside his plate. "Is this…what I think it is?"

Shaun sat in his own seat and grinned. "You're always buying my favorites. I figured you should have your own." Leaning forward, he ladled some of the seafood salad onto Ashley's plate, then put one of the lobster tails beside it. Once Ashley was served, he fixed his own plate.

"Thank you, love." Ashley opened the box and lifted the little paper cover. The aroma of gourmet chocolates filled the dining room and Ashley inhaled deeply. Picking out a dark chocolate truffle, he bit into it. His moan was deep and blissful, almost sensual.

Shaun's expression softened as he watched Ashley and a warm sensation spread through him, knowing he'd pleased his master. He'd been waiting anxiously all day for this. "I wanted to show you how much I love you."

Ashley opened his eyes and smiled. "You're perfect, Shaun. In everything you do." Leaning over a little, Ashley held the other half of the truffle up to Shaun's lips, the fine chocolate already beginning to melt on his fingers.

Leaning closer, Shaun took the piece of candy and carefully licked Ashley's fingers clean. Savoring the flavor, a smile softened his lips. "I think you would be the only one to think so, Ashley."

"No one else matters, Kitten. Just us." Ashley cupped Shaun's chin and pulled him close, licking a bit of dark chocolate from Shaun's lips. "Now, let's get to this fine feast you've slaved over."

"You're right. You're the only one that matters." In their time together, Shaun had entwined himself indivisibly from Ashley. Something he fully accepted and he wouldn't want it any other way. Spearing a piece of crab meat in the salad, Shaun began eating. With the first taste, he knew he had outdone himself in making it.

The second he took a bite of the salad, Ashley nearly sank down into the chair, moaning Shaun's name. "Oh. Perfect, love. Absolutely perfect. You, my dear Kitten, are a god."

Shaun laughed and laid his hand over Ashley's just for the contact. "I will definitely have to make this again."

Ashley nodded and turned his hand over, fingers lacing with Shaun's. "Yes. Most certainly."

Watching his master by the glow of the candles, Shaun sighed quietly. They finished their meal in companionable silence, and Shaun could tell from Ashley's expression his master had greatly enjoyed everything he'd prepared. When they finished, Shaun gathered the dishes and set them in the sink.

Ashley stepped up behind him, arms snaking around Shaun's waist. "I have something for you."

Figuring he would leave the dishes for later, Shaun turned to face Ashley, giving him a surprised look. "I didn't expect you to get anything for me, master."

"Why on Earth wouldn't I?" Ashley laughed and leaned in for a kiss, keeping it slow and easy. When he pulled away again, he took Shaun's hand and led him into the living room. Once Shaun seated himself on the couch, Ashley went to his briefcase and set it down to open it. He pulled out a rectangle wrapped in brown paper and handed it to Shaun.

Shaun relaxed on the couch as he took the package from Ashley. Uncertain of what it could be, he stared at it a moment before he started unwrapping it. When he first caught sight of the painting beneath, Shaun froze in amazement. The image of himself, painted as human, beside his master, stared back at him. It left Shaun speechless.

"Happy anniversary, Shaun."

Staring unblinkingly at the small, unframed painting, he noticed the signature at the bottom corner: 'To my dearest Kitten. Love, Ashley.' A knot formed in Shaun's throat and he looked quickly up at Ashley, blinking against the unshed tears. He didn't know what to say. Finally, he whispered, "You love me so much?"

Ashley crawled across the floor to kneel between Shaun's legs.

"More than you realize. I haven't picked up a paintbrush in a long time, but now, with you, I feel like I could do anything. I wanted to give you something that was a part of us."

To say Ashley had completely surprised Shaun was an understatement. Reaching out, his hand pressed to Ashley's cheek in a loving touch. "I can't even tell you what I feel. Everything just grows stronger in me."

"You don't have to say it." Ashley took the painting and set it on the coffee table behind him. Then he rose up and kissed Shaun softly, whispering, "I can feel it every time you look at me, every time you touch me. Every breath I take is you."

"Sometimes I want to tell you, but you say everything better than I can." A small sound erupted from Shaun's throat, vocalizing his need to be close to his master. Turning his head slightly, he rubbed his cheek slowly to Ash's as the soft noise increased.

Ashley slid his hands under Shaun's sweater, moaning softly as he kissed a path down Shaun's neck. "Don't shift," he murmured, licking the sensitive spot just below Shaun's left ear.

Shaun pulled Ashley with him as he stretched out on the couch. "I'm not going to change. I know how much you like me to stay this way."

"Love you." The words were breathed across the hollow of Shaun's throat as Ashley nestled between Shaun's legs, hands still caressing Shaun beneath his shirt.

As Ashley nudged against him, Shaun relaxed fully, enjoying his master's touch. Raising his head, he nuzzled at the line of Ashley's throat. To him, the only thing that mattered was this. As Ashley slid in behind him, Shaun pushed back, spooning against his master. Reaching for the remote, Shaun turned on the TV then lowered the volume. This was their quiet time and he spent it cuddled tightly with Ashley.