Full Moon Fling *Unedited*

You Couldn't Have Waited Until AFTER The PMS Comment, Could You?

Roger chuckles as everyone tries to hug me at once, resulting in me almost suffocating in a huddle of wolves.

"I think Alba'd like to be able to breathe, lads." Roger says dryly as he helps me out of the huddle; I drag in a few deep breaths, grateful for the cool air.

"Sorry, Allie Sweet." They chime, looking at me innocently; I groan inwardly.

"Stop with the Allie Sweet!" I tell them, trying not to laugh at the look on Todd's face.  Musn'tlaughmusn'tlaughmusn'tlaugh...!

"Sorry, Allie Sweet." Todd grins cheekily and I laugh before I can help myself, smacking my hand to my forehead.

"I'm not going to win this, am I?" I ask, looking between them.  They look different...from how I remember them being when I lived here...older - a lot older than they should look.  It's sad, in a way.

"Nope." They beam; I stare at my little family and realise that they've all had their own battles to fight in the time I've been gone, their own demons to struggle against.  It's enough to bring a lump to my throat.  I throw myself back into the hug; breathing in the smells of my family, the cousins who were always there for me.  My big brothers.  They obviously pick up on my emotional moment, because no one cracks a joke; they just let me hug them, let me remember what it's like to hug men without feeling forced into it.

Is Alba PMSing or something?  Todd asks and I almost jump out of my skin, jerking my head to Roger.  He gives me a tiny nod and tears fill my eyes.

For good this time, Roger promises, smiling at me.

For good this time what...? The guys ask, bewildered.

Alba is back in the...were-web, Roger tells them; I blink, surprised, at Roger using my wee nickname for their telepathy and Todd looks at me nervously.

You, uh, didn't hear what I said before...right? He checks uncomfortably; I smirk at him.

I'm not on my period, Todd, I reassure him, trying not to laugh at the startling shade of crimson he turns.  Wow...Todd Fife, the traffic light...

You couldn't have waited until AFTER the PMS comment, could you? He grumbles at Roger, making everyone snigger.

No son, no I couldn't...think of it as my way of getting back at you for knocking that wall in, Roger smirks and Todd leaves the kitchen, grumbling under his breath and still tomato red.

"So that's it?" Precious demands scathingly from the table.  "Alba just waltzes in and you all just clammer to her aid?" Precious snaps as we all turn to face her.

"Presh, she's my sister, what do expect us to do?" Tristan asks, stunned; I glower at Precious, leaning my back against the wall.

"That's the thing!" Precious exclaims, throwing her hands up in the air.  "She's not your sister!  She's been gone for nearly four years and you just...welcome her back like n-"

"Precious." Roger's voice is ice cold, actually sending a shiver down my spine; I'm glad he isn't talking to me like that - it's scary enough when it's aimed at Precious.

"What?" Precious asks sullenly.

"Shut up." Colin barks as Precious goes to say something else.

"Couldn't put it any better myself." Roger says dryly as Precious storms out of the kitchen; Tristan looks at us all with a pained expression before hurrying after Precious.  How does he not get the urge to batter her?  Or stab her in the eye with a broken spork?