It was a great concept on paper. And that is where the idea started, on paper.

She was going through what remained of Gregory's things. For a sadist, he was such a pack rat. She found a stash of money, weapons, and drugs. The drugs were disposed of readily enough. She would not be feeding anyone's habit. The signs were there that Gregory was pimping out members of the pard.

It had all started with that one bust the ended her career. Gregory sliced her up pretty good, but left her alive for some reason. Akiko pulled her out. Akiko was one of the feds on the raid. She later learned he derived a great deal of satisfaction from watching her life be destroyed. He wanted her under his thumb and she came.

She learned and then she got revenge. It was rather bittersweet, really. Ripping him to shreds brought her no pleasure. It was relief to end his life. It sickened her to know the depths of his deprivations and she had not even scratched the surface.

What bothered her the most was knowing what he did to Chas and Vanessa. She looked up from the papers to the bottle of Absinthe sitting on the shelf she kept her favorite things. The bottle had been his way of saying thank you. He didn't realize that helping people was ingrained into her. She came from a long line of first responders, being police or fire.

A tear coursed down her cheek. Gregory took that away from her too. Her family knew what she had become. Her father and her brothers avoided her... Her mother cried as she tried to hold the family together. It hurt to stay away, but that was the only way to keep the peace. That picture sat between a small stuffed panther and a wolf.

The stuffed cat was a gift form Lucas. He worked hard for what little he had. The little cat was so adorable, so Lucas that she cried. Lucas had thought he offended her until she explained why. The pard had filled a deep void in her.

There was still one memory that lingered on. One she would cherish even if he never saw her again. She missed him ever since that brief meeting. His scent, his face, his touch... All were etched into her memories. The Ulfric had touched something deep within her. She hoped he was well. She had found the little wolf in the Marketplace and knew she had to have it. It seemed silly, but she needed something that reminded her of him. The coloring of the fur reminded her of his beast. It would hold a cherished spot with her other memories.

The stress of buying just the right things nearly overwhelmed him but he stuck with it until he had an assortment of brightly decorated papers, posters, and other things to brighten up the house. They'd never had a proper yule celebration as far back as Lucas could remember. One or two might try but never out in the open. This would be an out in the open, decorated to the nines, perfect yule.

And he got the task of getting the decorations.

From store to store he went looking carefully over all the holiday wares. He especially liked the bells and made sure to get several different sizes and shapes and even colors. Then there was the tinsel. He loved tinsel. The bright little bits of light refracted back and the little tinkling sound it made when he blew a light breath on it. It came in so many colors and long long strands that could be wrapped around things. Some of it had dangly pieces that were in different shapes; stars, candy canes, musical notes, santa faces, snow flakes. The list went on and on. It was hard to decide so he got almost one of every different kind. The house would be all wrapped up in strings of tinsel and that would make any cat happy. Then there were lights. Bright sparklie lights. Some danced from color to color in happy dances along the string. Others simply twinkled in and out a single color. Some just stayed on. He loved the lights and watched them for a long time before deciding on a number of different strings. He bought ribbons and bows. He bought cards and stockings, one for each of the pard (even Damon).

Best of though, Lucas liked the strings of garland. They were interesting and smelled good because they were made from greenery. Some had fruit on them. But the very best was the ones he saw that weren't for sale. They had been made of popcorn! He hurried to find string that would work and the right kind of needle and then stocked up on lots of popcorn. Lots. Then he hurried home with all his goodies packed up.

Happily spread out, the decorations were a crazy mess in the living room, the den and into the kitchen. Bags had been dropped and things spilled out in a happy mess. The scent of popping corn drifted through the house. Lucas himself, the bringer of the decorating frenzy, stood in the kitchen. Many many bags of popped popcorn lay scattered about. String on the table, all threaded with some popped corn already on the strand lay in a carefully coiled pile.

Yes. It was a very happy time. Let the yule season begin!

The royal circlet of bright gold rests lightly on my brow,
I once thought only of the rights this circlet would endow.
But once I took the crown to which I had been schooled and bred,
I found it heavy on the heart; though light upon the head.

Although I am the head of state, in truth I am the least,
The true queen knows her people fed, before she sits to feast.
The good queen knows her people safe before she takes her rest,
Thinks twice and thrice and yet again before she makes request.
~"The Cost of the Crown" Mercedes Lackey

===============================================

Things were starting to come together. One of the locations she was leaning toward was starting to look better. The local Council was making favorable noises and she was pleased with the way things were looking.

She had found a more isolated location within the lands of Carowyn. The location itself was a smaller island. It was currently uninhabited. The island would be easier to keep the curious away from her pard than being on the main land. It was also just big enough with enough natural game that they could hold their gatherings under the full moon without harming the local people.

There were plenty of trade routes and opportunities as well within Carowyn. Enough that they would need a staff they could trust to hold their secrets. She had been exploring and knew there was a thriving market in Ivory Flails. She also knew there was a local lord whose own offerings were quality. The question was the loyalty.

She honestly did not care for the idea of slavery, but what choice's were there? The cop in her was disgusted at the idea. The beast was quick to point out it was not much different from her caring for the submissive members of the pard.

She also knew there would be differing opinions from her Lieutenants. Akiko would be quick to argue that it was wrong. Damon would probably ask for one of his own to play with.

All these things weighed heavily upon her. She knew she was making the right decision for the Pard, but what of the decisions that would come along with it.

The scent of Popcorn reached her nose. It was a happy scent that reminded her of baseball games with her dad and brothers. She rubbed her weary eyes and stood. She stretched slowly and languidly, trying to relieve a little of the tension within. She opened the door and made her way out of the office only to be greeted by festive chaos.

It was everywhere. A brow arched at the trappings strewed around the den. She made her way to the kitchen where the popcorn scent was coming from. She stood in the door way as she watched Van sitting at the table across from Lucas and asking him if he wanted help.

Moments like these strengthened the argument that this was the best for her pard even if she didn't like the means by which she got there. She worried about the cost of those options though.

She inched the stool closer to him with a soft smile. She took up a needle and thread and started on a length of garland. This was the fun times she remembered growing up. All stuff she missed when the troubles began.

She smiled at Lucas watching him with the pink garland. His smile was infectious and just doing something so homey was relaxing. She liked making little crafts and stuff.

Maybe she could talk Chas into getting a tree this year. It seemed to simple a thing to ask, but it would mean a lot to both of them. All of them really. They were one big family. Maybe this yule they could be happy too.

Until one looked closely, it appeared that the fresh cut spruce was moving through the wooded area outside the city walls all of its own accord. Closer inspection would reveal that the ambulatory motion was generated by the legs of one large and strong male who carried the tree at a surprisingly fast walk. Baron Merrick du Lac wanted to make this delivery personally; not out of any holiday kindness to his servants or members of his pack, but solely out of the obsessive desire to see Mihaela for the first time following the meeting at Longden Castle.

If someone had told him a month ago that he would be hand carrying a Christmas tree, and to a pard no less, he would have broken their neck just to rid the universe of such a witless being. Yet, here he was doing that very thing and being happy about it at the same time.

He strode along the road in a very good mood, whistling some carol that he had heard in the marketplace. Why did the thought of seeing Miha again make him so happy? He looked through the branches of the tree he carried on his broad shoulder and didn?t care a twit if someone recognized him or laughed. He could certainly see the humor in it, and besides, he found the scent of the pine to be most pleasant. He also carried a few little presents in a backpack just in case the tree was met with a less than enthusiastic response.

Merrick walked up the path to the large house that was the home of Miha and her pard. He came to the door, set the tree on its cut base next to him, brushed off his hair and shoulders to rid himself of needles and sticks, and knocked upon the door. It was only then that he realized that if Miha wasn?t home, he?d feel pretty foolish standing there with a tree next to him and a pack upon his back. He could always plead insanity. It's that time of the year.

The smile on Miha?s face brought such warmth to Merrick that he would have sworn the day turned into a Rhydin summer. Then he saw her looking back and forth from the tree to him.

?What?? he said perfectly innocently, as if there was nothing at all unusual to find a man standing at the front door in the company of a tree. He looked to the tree then back at Miha. ?Oh, you mean this?? He gave a sidewards nod of his head to the tree and shrugged. ?It?s the strangest thing. Followed me here. I couldn?t shake the tree for nothing. Wouldn?t 'leaf' me alone.? He smirked just slightly but still managed to appear quite serious. ?So, I made it a deal. It could come along if it would be willing to be your Christmas tree. It said, ?Fine?, so here we are.?

If he wasn?t holding onto the tree, he would have kissed her right there and then - she looked that good to him. Then he felt a bit self-conscious and added, ?If you don?t need a tree I can just leave it pine away outside here until I go home, so don?t feel obligated. It was just a silly idea.?

Curiousity got the better of her as she peeked and saw the stranger at the door. Mihaela seemed to know him and was happy to see him. To Van, that meant he was good people. She watched from the doorway next to Akiko as she let him inside the house with...

"A TREE!!!" She squealed happily. "Oh Lucas, Look a tree!!"

The blonde stranger had brought them a Yule tree. He was alright in her book.

She really didn't go further beyond the doorway. The blonde was a stranger and she felt safer in staying with Lucas and Akiko. She knew Lucas, he was her bestest friend. She moved to help him pick up the mess. She was safest in staying with Lucas.

Still, she gave the stranger brownie points. He brought a tree for them. He smelled nice too, though there was something else. She couldn't put her finger on it. Still, Mihaela knew him, so he couldn't be bad, could he?

Baron du Lac smiled at the pretty young lady who was so excited about the tree. He also gave a nod and smile to the young man when he stuck his head around the wall. He would have introduced himself, but they seemed pretty shy. The feline scent was overpowering in the home, not in a bad way, but just in the way that one would expect in a pard. Merrick moved close to Miha and spoke softly, ?Let me get this tree set up so the young ones can decorate it and we can be alone.? He gave her a light kiss on her cheek and went to work on the tree.

It took only thirty minutes for Merrick to get a proper tree stand and have the tree all set up in front of the window. He stood back and looked at it with his hands upon his hips, admiring the tree. He gave Miha a wink, ?Well, now if we only had someone who wants to decorate it, we?d be all set. I tree just doesn?t look right unless it?s decorated. Do you know anyone who would be willing to take on that fun job??

She blushed at the kiss on the cheek. She was quite enjoying Merrick's attentions. She had taken a liking to the Ulfric during the meeting at Longden Castle and was pleased by his presence here. This was a good sign on several levels, including personal.

Though Damon had a way of being a shit and squishing the impromptu festivities, it didn't bother her. She was in a mood to tweak his chain a bit.

"And here I was thinking the Twelve Pains of Christmas and spiking the Eggnog." She shrugged, "But whatever floats your boat."

She heard the knock at the door and arched a brow at Damon, "Do be a dear and get the door." She wasn't expecting anyone else, and figured if it was a solicitor Damon can scowl at them and scare them away.

She leaned up to place a light kiss on Merrick cheek. She was of average height, so she had to almost go up on her toes to reach. "Looks great, let me round up the others and see if we can't do something about this." And get introductions going, she thought.

She turned and headed back to the kitchen to Aki, Lucas and Van. "It's alright. Please come out to meet the Baron. He is head of the local werewolf pack and a friend." She said friend because she did not dare presume more. She lowered her voice, "He won't harm you. If there is any danger, you have myself, Damon and Akiko for protection."

Damon straightened his jacket, stretched his neck one way and then the other until it popped comfortably. Then he took a breath and jerked the door open; a glare landing hard on the visitor. "What do you want, Professor?"

The little man blinked, and gazed quietly into the glare. "Why hello, Damon. It has been awhile, hasn't it? As you can see, I brought dinner."

Garal shrugged. "Unlikely. The reason to depart in haste died a couple of months back, if I heard correctly. I need to speak to the new Alpha," he forged on.

"Since you're opening the door, I'm guessing that's still not you. Just so you don't misunderstand me here, I don't want the job, or anything that smacks of it... It'd only get in the way of my research." He scooted the steel box perilously close to Damon's toes, and dusted off his hands.

Garal picked up the crate, and moved it into the living room before shifting to his Lynx form, becoming instantly a largish ball of fur, teeth, and razor-sharp claws.

He hopped up on the crate, and sat there for a moment as the door came to a close. He yawned widely, hopped back down, and nudged the door fully closed before collecting the Turkey in powerful jaws, and trotting into the kitchen. He set down his prize, looked up at the table, and paused a moment, deep in thought.

He grabbed the bird between it's shoulderblades, and leapt up onto the table, depositing his prize in it's center. He looked to the others gathered therein, and mewed once before sitting to wait for someone to acknowledge him.

Akiko went over to the cowering teen in the corner. She knelt down beside her, and talked in a calm and soothing manner, "Vanna... I won't let anyone hurt you, I promise." She held out her hand to the young girl. "We are family Vanna and families protect one another. Anyone wanting to hurt you will have to go through me first, and should they get through me, they *won't* be in any condition to hurt you. Okay?"

Any retort he might have had for the visiting puppy was held in check out of respect for Mihaela. After all, the Baron was *her* guest. Damon hadn't thought his words were an insult but there it was, attitude tossed at him in his own haven by a visitor. Damon's lips pressed thin as he moved to go where fuzzy-butt had gotten off to. He found the professor in furry form in the kitchen. His patience, already thin on a good day, was nearing a breaking point. He glared at the display. A hand lifted, oh he wanted to backhand the beast for upsetting Van, then his hand fell without any sort of attempted strike. He'd given his word.

"Knock it off Professor or I'll use your scruff and toss you into the snow."

The Fuzzy feline got a smile. The sort of smile that said, 'please don't obey the lady so I can have some fun with you'. He nodded toward the door and then gave a thumb jerk in the direction of the office. He didn't much care if the feline changed forms or not. Either way worked for him.

"Let's go professor."

If only it were that easy...

Were she anyone else, she'd have jumped at the chance to take off right about now. A pity she was too responsible. She placed one finger on Merrick's lips to stave off any objections.

"Were there not a serious trespass on my territory by this one Lynx... I have to handle this myself. I know this cat in particular. He wishes to speak with me and I might as well handle it now. He's frightened Vanessa and I hope he hasn't caused a set back in her recovery."

She was not in the best of moods, "I need to handle things first, Merrick. To pass it off would be weak. I cannot afford that. Afterwards..."

She smiled at him with a hint of a promise.

His own fears were nearly suffocating but when Vannie went fetal, he found it inside to move along with Akiko to Vannie's side. He knelt down next to her too, his own tendency to shake hidden for the time being as he put his arm around Vannie and held her close. Akiko's words were a soothing balm. He trusted Akiko implicitly. "Vannie okay."

He watched Damon come in and, although he didn't much like Damon, Lucas was glad to see him talking all gruff to the unknown shifter. Lucas did not realize that the scent of the lynx was familiar until it shifted back to human form. Garal.

"See Vannie. Is okay."

He remembered Garal. He didn't know the man very much but he did know he was not mean.

"Is okay." He put his cheek against her temple as he gently rocked her. It felt good to be doing something to help. It made his own fears less impressive.

"I need to handle things first, Merrick. To pass it off would be weak. I cannot afford that. Afterwards..."

Merrick looked around at all the ?human resource? problems that Mihaela had on her hands. He had to smile. Seemed that whether it be pard or pack, the Alpha had the same kind of problems to contend with. He could understand Miha?s concerns about keeping order in the home.

He walked up behind her, close enough that his arm touched hers. ?Listen, Miha. I seem to have come at the wrong time. Why don?t I go and let you take care of things, and I?ll come back for a visit some other time. I can show myself out the door.? He gave her a smile that let her know it?s all okay, then started for the door.

He helped her stand, his arm around her. "Come, let's go look at the tree and decide what needs to go on it." It was easier to be bold when she needed to be comforted. He urged her to follow, a hesitant smile to Akiko hoping she would come with them. It would be best if she were around when they were in the room with the man that had brought the tree. He led Vannie out of the kitchen and then spotted the tree-man heading for the door.

Lucas panicked. "You can't go and leave a naked tree?!"

Then Lucas was aghast that he'd spoken so out of turn. His eyes widened and his mouth went into an 'oh'. An arm tightened around Vannie as he added a very hasty, "Please and thank you."