If you never ask to begin with

He sat anxiously, day after day. Weeks went by. Calls were made to him by several government agencies. Background checks...and the day he would be approved or denied came.

He had decided, if he did get approved, it was okay that it wouldn't be her. Maybe he'd at least make a new friend. Terri and Lee sat with him in the court room. A judge looked over every detail of a twenty page report from six different agents. Every person he knew, everything he'd ever done was being looked over. There's no way he'd be approved.

The judge brought him up to the stand. "Mister Stewart...does this application have anything to do with the 'incident' all over these reports?"

James took a deep breath. Always best to be honest, right? "It does, your honor...that changed my life. It made me realize that any Novaxan out there could end up in a bad place...if I can add just one point toward their chances of a good one, I want to."

"And, naturally, you know that the Novaxan involved cannot be placed in your care?"

James nodded. "I do. I'm just glad she's safe. If I can make others safe I feel I have a responsibility to do so."

"And are you equipped to house a Novaxan?"

"I am. I have an aquarium with the proper components and water mixture at 100 square feet, and a separate fridge to store fungal foods. As well as the coarse sand they bathe with, and a full security system...I even have a game console with a controller modified for their hands."

That raised the judge's eyebrows. "Really? I suppose that would be an interesting avenue for social activity..."

James caught himself holding his breath as the judge looked over everything. "Well, you have a recommendation here from the local pod alpha...and police chief Wilkin...hm."

Tense. This was too tense. Right up until the judge grabbed one of the two stamps. At least whatever was decided was decided now.

"I'm approving this. But your circumstances are...unusual. The incident aside, a single adult male is a strange home to approve. We'll be having the alpha check in on you."

James nodded, a large smile on his face. "Thank you, sir. I promise I'll be one of the best."

Lee had stayed behind in the court room when James and Terri left. He said he had some calls to make for a project. James shrugged, Lee never stopped working.