Dirk had reached Russ and was being rather roughly pulled into that half of a hug when the hissed and whispered threat was issued. "He wanted it, Russ." Dirk then pulled away and reached for Genny, but withdrew when he saw no gloves and obvious skin. "Ok to hug?"

Lingering behind Russ as the rough hug was administered, Genny had taken the moment to study Dirk thoughtfully. Something had happened, she knew that much, though she wasn't entirely sure what. As her friend moved toward her, she grinned, nodding. "It's fine to hug," she assured him. "Unless you've got something you want to hide?"

Quinn could hear what was said so far away. For the first time, he realized that he may have caused Dirk trouble. A sigh and he pulled the scarves from his head and pulled the cotton from his ears. Time to face the music like a man. He stood and peered at the fallen bug. Sunglasses were put into his sweatshirt pocket, followed by both hands and the newly beefed up Quinn walked quietly to the small group that had formed, of course staying a few paces behind them all.

Russ stepped back as Dirk embraced Genny. His hands went into his jeans pockets and he turned to watch the approaching young man. "Stop" he whispered and held up his hand. Turning, he approached Quinn and stared at him with dark, depthless eyes. "I won't hurt you, do not fear me. I'm here to help if you'll let me." Russ' lips never moved and his voice was soft and as soothing as he could project it from his mind to Quinn's. Hands were removed from his pockets and he held them away from his body slightly, palms out. "My name is Russ."

Dirk embraced Genny and closed his eyes as he lowered his head to her shoulder. He knew there was nothing that he could say or do that would lessen the blow of the previous week's events as they channeled through him to her. He didn't even try to fight it as he could feel her pull against him.

For her own part, Genny shuddered in shock as the sheer force of emotion and remembrance flooded through her, gasping a little before she calmed down. It was a moment before she pulled away, glancing briefly to Russ' approach toward Quinn before returning her eyes to Dirk. "You certainly lead an interesting life, don't you?"

Quinn froze when he was told to stop and his eyes squinted and darted from the man, Russ, to his fiance. Swallowing hard, he peered back and forth between the two. Then his eyes fell on Genny and they went soft. His mouth formed into a thin line and he stared at her. Praying that no matter what she had seen, she couldn't feel what he had felt. He dug his bare hands deeper into his pockets and looked back to Russ with a light nod. "Quinn."

When they disengaged, Dirk nodded and turned to walk with her towards Quinn and Russ. He saw the look on Quinn's face and gave a supportive smile. Dirk was doing all he could to make it easier on Quinn and pulled in all the resources he had. Turning that smile onto Genny, he laughed softly. "Welcome to it," he whispered and nudged her with his elbow. "Need to whisper. He's still very sensitive." Another smile for Quinn as he passed Russ and reached for Quinn's hand. "It'll be alright, baby. He's a friend of mine."

Russ nodded slowly at the introduction and moved out of the way as Dirk took Quinn's hand. He offered a faint smile for Quinn and went to stand by Genny when Dirk spoke. "He's right, I'm here to help, if you'll let me."

"Oh," Genny's normally soft voice became an hushed whisper, barely audible to human ears as she smiled over to Quinn. With the men grouped together, somehow passing something back and forth between them, she stayed where she was, tucking her hands into her pockets as she leaned against the car. It wasn't her place to interfere, not unless she was invited.

Dirk and Russ both nodded and took their respective steps back. There was soft murmuring between the two and looks exchanged. Russ knew the reasons behind the actions of the previous week. He just hated to see anybody in so much pain, deliberately. They seemed to come to peace with one another and stood by, watching and waiting.

Blue eyes turned upward to Quinn as he stepped toward her, studying him carefully. "You have to be sure," she said softly. "I'm sorry, I didn't think. I'll know everything, Quinn, no matter how well hidden you think it is. Be sure before you take my hand." As she spoke, her hand stretched out, palm hovering above his.

Quinn knew what it meant, she would see every gruesome detail of his life; the poverty, the drugs, the corruption, and all of the good. His children, his life with Dirk, everything. The scary part was she was going to feel what he had felt. So many times when he had been reckless or downright stupid. He was worried for her to recollect the events of that past couple days. But he bit down on his bottom lip and took a hold of her hand. A tiny whisper. "I trust you."

The moment Quinn's hand touched hers, Genny closed her eyes. The transference was instantaneous, but it was the moments after, when her mind was confused between her life and the one she was reliving that drew the reaction. She shuddered just a little, blue eyes opening to shine with sympathetic moisture. Her lips quirked into a shaky smile, and she stepped forward to embrace Quinn, to press a gentle kiss to his cheek. He had to know she didn't judge what she saw or felt. "I understand," was whispered, so low only he - and possibly Dirk - could hear it.

He pressed both palms to her cheeks and then a kiss to her forehead. Mist crossed his eyes but he didn't cry. Instead he nodded and hugged her tightly. "I'm glad someone does. Because in my mind, it all made sense from the begining with him. This was just another step closer." He didn't make mention of his past, because it didn't matter. He had his future and it was just what he needed. "Thank you, Genny." He let her go and looked back to Dirk and Russ. "I am ready when you two are."

Dirk had watched and the tenderness of it all brought a misting to his eyes as well. Rarely in his life had things been so peaceful, so perfect. He mouthed the words, "thank you" to Genny before walking to to Quinn and taking his hand. There was a very loving smile as Dirk led Quinn to the lounge chair. "You'll be fine, babe." His free hand cupped Quinn's cheek and he pulled him in for a very tender kiss.

"I'm sure I will make it. I've made it this far." Quinn took a deep breath and before he could exhale, his lips were taken by Dirk's. Everything seemed to dull except for the sounds of their hearts beating in unison. The sound made him pull away. His own heartbeat was already making him mildly insane. He sat and peered to Russ as the crickets started their symphonies.

Russ had been watching, waiting and wondering if Genny realized just why she was needed and how important her role in the healing process was going to be. Once Quinn was led away, he stepped to Genny and put a hand on her arm to still her. "I'm going to need your help."

About to walk after the couple - well, until they started kissing - Genny turned back when she felt Russ' hand on her arm. "My help?" she queried in confusion. "I can't do anything but ... well, the obvious. How can I help with whatever you're going to do?"

"I'm not as young and spry as I used to be and transferring the car from there to here took some of my strength. I don't need your ability, I just need to tap into your strength. That's all. It shouldn't hurt." Russ gave her a reassuring smile and turned just in time to see Dirk and Quinn disengaging. "Ok, well, shall we get started then? Quinn, sweetheart, take a seat and just relax. Don't worry your pretty little head none, this will be all over just like that and you'll be new as a shiny penny." Did anybody else besides Dirk know of Russ' flamboyant side?

Dirk shook his head and laughed. "Down boy, he's mine." Dirk sat down on the lounge and scoot all the way back. His legs were spread and feet on the ground. Holding up his hands, he waited for Quinn.

"That sounds like a good idea babe." Dirk nuzzled against Quinn's shoulder and smiled for Genny. "We owe you, a ton. And you're not going to weasel out of it either. You're going to let us spoil you rotten for a while. Right, baby?" Dirk was happier than he'd been in years and it shone plainly on his face. All was well in his world.

Genny laughed, curling up in the deck chair she'd dropped into. "I'm not easy to spoil," she warned Dirk with a wide grin. "I fight back."

"That's good. Because I think a pair of Lycans can spoil one psion." A snicker and Quinn watched Genny from the happy space he was nestled into, wrapped up in Dirk's arms. It wasn't anything of desire right now, only the need to be close to one another. Turning to watch as Russ slept' he smiled. "And we have to get him something nice. Poor thing is so tired."

"You can try. But me and Quinn here make a very formidable team." Dirk set his chin on Quinn's shoulder and grinned. "Besides, we know where you live and work." There was a wicked little laugh and he turned his attention on Russ. "You don't know him, babe. He won't accept it. He lives to do shit like this."

"Hey, Russ thinks he can teach me magic, so don't get all cocky with me just yet." Genny waved a finger at them both teasingly. "Might come a day when I can whup both of you without being in the same room."

"My arse, he wont accept it!" Quinn folded his arms and nodded stubbornly; then held up his hand as if clawed and hissed playfully. "Careful, folks, the kitten's getting claws." He raised both brows and got up looking to the two of them. "Badsider Dirk? Coffee? Juice? Wine? Champagne for you, Genny?"

And just like that, Russ dissolved into thin air.

Turning his head with a snap to Dirk, Quinn went bright red. He was pretty sure he'd thrown all of those cucumbers out. Face palming, he pulled off his sweatshirt, and his t-shirt underneath was considerably too tight. Apparently he was pretty damn buff now and he reached down and ran his hand over his abdomen. "So I think I can cancel my gym membership."

Dirk shifted his weight to one foot and put his hand upon his hip. "Babe, how do you like your steak done?" He had no idea why Quinn was suddenly looking so guilty for. He reached and turned the kabobs that were neatly searing and sizzling away.

Swallowing her smirk for Quinn's peace of mind, Genny found herself staring instead at the fine specimens of manliness that were her friends. In fact, it was a long momen before she tore her gaze away. "You know, there are going to be women all over RhyDin mourning your marriage." Yes, she knew about the engagement.

"As rare as possible. And they can mourn all they like. Doesn't mean I'm going to suddenly decide I like girlie bits." Quinn snickered and looked at her while he lounged back in his chair. "Plus they can all know that there is only one woman in RhyDin for this pair. And she's right over there." He pointed to Genny and popped open his beer.

Dirk was glad that all of their food would end up finishing at about the same time. The kabobs were turned once more and the steaks flipped to sear the uncooked side. "It'll be done in a minute! Anybody need anything? Steak sauce, ketchup? More beer or juice?" How easy it was for him to slip back into the role of waiter. He'd done it for so long. "They won't mourn for me. I don't think there's anybody in Rhydin who doesn't know I'm gay. But for that one..." he pointed the spatula at Quinn. "hearts are going to break all over the city." he chuckled and took a sip of his beer. "He's right, you know. Only one girl for us."

Genny blushed, laughing at this assumption. "I doubt anyone'll even notice me when you two are around," she grinned, toasting them both with her glass. "The pair of you radiate ... what was it you called it, Dirk? Horninny-ness?" She had the word completely wrong, but that was hardly the point. Change the subject away from her, that was the point.

"He does radiate arousal. I've even caught seemingly straight men staring. I can't blame them though. And I notice you plenty. If you were a man and not a woman...I may have problems. I would have to keep you away from my Fiance." A waggle of brows and Quinn was lounging back again, watching the two of them with a smirk. He lit a cigarette and clicked his tongue. They tasted differently now. "Either way, you're both gorgeous."

The steaks were plated and soon the kabobs. Since nobody asked for condiments, he carried the plates out and distributed them accordingly. He sat down on the end of the lounge and held his plate on his knees. "You're the gorgeous ones, not me." He grinned and picked up the steak with his fingers. There was a low growl as he lowered his head and tore into the steak with overly sharpened teeth, juices dripping down his chin. "Forgot napkins."

"Oh dear god, don't let the queens start arguing over looks." Where had that come from? Genny certainly didn't know, her eyes swivelling to look down towards her mouth accusingly as she giggled in awkward embarrassment. Something about Dirk, and probably Quinn as well, seemed to turn off her internal censors.

Genny's giggles at Quinn's reply didn't fade until Dirk reappeared, and the flicker in the unconscious glow around him told her he had been reliving something painful. The bear he held in his hands was vaguely familiar, and it was a moment before she remembered where from. A gentle smile touched her lips as she sat up slowly. "Maybe I can show you," she offered softly, reaching out to take his hand in her left. "Both of you, if you want to see."

Quinn looked to Dirk, and he canted his head to him as if asking if that's what he wanted. Quinn wasn't one to impose. There was a thick swallowing and both hands were cleaned on a napkin before he walked up behind Dirk, wrapping his arms around the waist of his fiance. Holding him tightly, with his head on Dirk's shoulder, Quinn whispered softly. "I'd love to see, but if this is personal, I understand and I can wait by the house." He looked at Genny and prayed, completely and totally prayed that she could tell Dirk that Abi was happy before she died.

Dirk looked almost dumbfounded and reached out hesitantly. There was a fear in him that she wasn't happy. She seemed to be, but who really knew? He turned his head as Quinn's arms wrapped around him. That sealed the deal. "No babe, we do this together." He took Genny's hand and nodded.

Genny waited for the answer, nodding slowly when the affirmative came. She could feel how to do it; it was only a little different from what she had done with Russ. "You need to hold Quinn's right hand with your left," she told Dirk gently, and drew in a deep breath. Her hand reached over to touch the bear, and the memories began. And they were drenched in happiness, simple but heartfelt. With a little push, Genny offered them to Dirk through the giving of her left hand, hoping the feelings would continue on into Quinn. But just like with Russ, she didn't know how to stop it, and following Abi's memories came her own, the little good with the sickening bad that had eventually brought her to RhyDin.

Since his right was already in Genny's hand, he reached up with his left hand and took Quinn's right. It felt good, the feel of Quinn against him to support him and his friend there to offer her help and support as well. He took a deep, halting breath as the memories flooded into his mind. As his eyes closed, silent tears ran down his cheeks. A smile curled his mouth at the corners. He slowly let go of Genny and sagged back against Quinn. "She was happy."

Quinn didn't move. He smiled brightly to feel the happiness in Dirk's baby sister. He was so thrilled to know that his prayers had been heard and answered. The transition of memories was a bit bumpy and he didn't understand right away. A nod to Dirk and then he looked to Genny as her memories finally settled in his mind. A cant of his head to her and he felt sick for a moment. "Genny...I...I'm sorry."

The release of her hand was a blessed relief to her, stopping the flow of memories before a certain conversation came to light, but nonetheless the remembrance of what had gone before was bittersweet, at best. Genny forced a smile, though, pleased to have at least been able to show Dirk that his sister had loved him, and been happy in those last years. She met Quinn's eyes solemnly, reaching over to squeeze his knee. "None of it was your fault, don't be sorry," she told him quietly. "I suppose we're all even now."

Suddenly the memories turned dark and Dirk's head twitched; right then left. His eyes opened and he stared at Genny for a long moment. "They're not your family any more. We are." He kept Quinn's hand cupped in his own and reached out his hand to hers. His fingers quivered slightly, but there was no fear in his eyes. He knew Genny for what and who she was; and he loved her more because of it.

Dirk jumped off of the bank and curled himself into a cannon ball. Splash down! Unfurling his body, he bobbed to the surface and shook his head to clear his eyes from the water logged locks. "Oh no, incoming!" he leapt sideways and swam far enough away as to not be landed on.

Quinn landed with a graceful dive, and whereas he expected to be met by cold, he was suprised to find that he was very comfortable. Eyes shifted to the streak of human coming at them with a hoot and a hollaring, he swam on his back away from the banks. "You two are too freaking adorable!"

Genny shut her eyes as her feet left the bank, curling up into a tight ball just in time to hit the water with an almighty splash for such a small body. She surfaced with a gasping shriek of laughter. "You said this was going to be warm!"

"It is warm!" Dirk laughed and swam towards Quinn and Genny. "During the winter, this lake is frozen over." he grinned and began to bob up and down as he tread water. A certain piercing attracted some unwanted attention. "Holy shit! Ow!" Dirk dove under the water.

Quinn gave a peak of his brow and turned to Genny. "Wonder what that was all about." He peered around in the water for his fiance, treading water and watching Genny. "It seems very comfortable to me. But then again I am also a little bit better insulated than I was the other day. Seemingly gaining twenty pounds a day...Not good."

"You're not a skinny drip of a human, though, are you?" Genny laughed back, kicking her feet wildly to keep her afloat. "You look better for ... you know. It suits you."

Dirk surfaced with a loud splash and a crappie caught in his mouth. He shook his head and growled as he swam back towards Quinn and Genny. "Mmm," he offered the fish to Quinn, "eet it ee!"

"No, no...That's ok. I don't have an urge to eat anything raw ... yet. I'm sure we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. Plus you caught it, you deserve to eat it." Quinn turned back to Genny. "Well, being a skinny drip of a human wasn't so bad either." He had been one only a few days ago. And he didn't mind it one bit. "Plus. It looks good on ya."

She giggled softly, clenching her teeth to keep from letting them chatter on without the benefit of words. Warm for wolves was definitely not warm for humans. But the sight of Dirk paddling about with a fish in his jaws was too adorable for words. "You know, I have this overwhelming urge to pet you right now."

Dirk moved back and tossed the fish in the air and caught it in one hand. "NO! This little bastard bit me!" he shook the fish about and then took a bite out of the gullet. "Pet away." he leaned his head towards Genny while he munched the fish and rubbed one foot upwards along Quinn's thigh.

A trickle of blood again down Dirk's chin and Quinn reached up with wet fingers and wiped it away. "Don't tempt me." He spoke with a straight face after Dirk told Genny to pet away. He laughed and nodded their female companion. "It's why I can't wait to see him for the first time as a wolf." A tick of brow as he felt his lover's foot up his thigh.

The invitation was too good to pass up. Still treading water wildly, Genny reached out and ruffled Dirk's sopping locks, scritching gently behind his ear. And since Quinn was in reach as well, the other hand did the same for him.

At the sound of another voice - male, at that - Genny let out another squawk of surprise and this time deliberately went under, swimming as quickly as she could for the nearest clump of weeds in which to hide herself. Never mind she was cold - stranger danger!

Quinn returned the kiss fiercely and peered after Genny. Oh shoot ... he swam quickly and silently after her and pointed out a wooded area not too far from them, hidden in shadow. "If you get nervous, get out that way and I'll meet you with my t-shirt ok?" Quinn was the protective mother duck in this lake apparently.

Eli slapped his leg with his hat and he let out a "Yeeehaaw!" The hat went back to his head. "Aww hells naaaw. I ain't wanna yer little fruits and nuts." He watched the girl swim off and grinned. "Well, well, having a hard time decidin' which way it swings now, Dirk?" Of course, this was all done in a good natured way between old friends.

Dirk watched Quinn and Genny swim off and then turned his attention back to Eli. "You old sonofabitch!" Dirk swam to the bank and lifted himself out, then chased Eli about the yard trying to give him a hug. "Damn, you're wiry!" He laughed then went to grab his pants to pull them on. "Get inside. I'll introduce you to my fiance and our friend." He left it vague on purpose.

Quite frankly, Genny wasn't listening to anything going on between Dirk and his apparent friend. The surprise had reminded her how cold the lake was, and her teeth chattered as she nodded to Quinn. "I'll get out now," she said in that strangely shaky voice that comes with chattering teeth, "while he's distracted." And she did, running with a fair turn of speed for the copse Quinn had pointed out to her, naked as the day she was born.

Quinn got out of the lake with his new found speed. And once on land, he was a deeply tanned streak. He found his sweats and pulled them on real quick. His sweatshirt was next and then the t-shirt .... white. That wasn't gonna help. But with his mind whirling, he grabbed his sweatshirt too and the blanket he had been laying in the grass on. He smiled and headed back to where Genny was. He held all three articles in one hand and covered his eyes with the other. "Ok. Dry off with the blanket, toss on the t-shirt and the sweatshirt so you don't die of cold."

"They're a squirelly bunch, huh?" Eli laughed and opened up the door to the house and walked inside. "County fair's in town. Y'all should go. Mud pulls are t'night. Y'know y'always did love them there mud pulls." Eli made himself at home, even though he hadn't been in the house since Dirk had left home. "Gawd, it's good to see you man!"

"Yeah, they're the best." Dirk walked into the kitchen and grabbed a tea towel to dry his hair. "I don't know if they'd like that kind of thing, Eli. But we can ask." He looked eager to go to the mud pulls as he sat down at the kitchen table. "I know, how long has it been?"

Back outside, Genny was quick to do exactly as Quinn told her, drying off and scrambling into the shirt and sweatshirt he offered. They hung pretty low on her, at least covering her backside as she cuddled her arms about her. "Th-thanks," she laughed to Quinn. "God, this is ridiculous."

"Um, Genny...Do you know what a mud pull is?" Quinn took his hands down and was happy to see she was dressed. Picking up the blanket, he dried her hair as best as he could with a smile and a nod. "And did you happen to see him before he ran off? Homeboy was pretty damn sexy. He looked straight as an arrow and hot to trot." Quinn knew Dirk could hear him and hoped that he knew he meant that as a compliment and not a come on. "Come on, I'm sure there is something you can get changed into in the house."

Dirk was about to direct Genny down the hall to the room that Quinn and he had shared when Quinn took over for him. "Mom's clothes, but they're clean!" he leaned back in his chair and grinned. "So, which is it?"

Eli watched the two closely and then turned his attention back to Dirk. "No way you went through the trouble of coming out, just to go back to chicks. So that's easy. The dude." He grinned and took another drink. "The girl's hot." There was a laugh and he shook his head. "Naa, the cornpone chicks around here look and smell like they been raised in pig pens."

Listening to Quinn's whisper, Genny probably saw a lot more in his worries than he would have liked. But she smiled gently, squeezing his arm. "He experimented for a while before he knew for sure he was gay," she explained quietly - it was easier than going into detail, and besides, it wasn't her place to tell. The sundress was taken and examined; to her surprise, it was almost a perfect fit, merely having a tendency to let the straps slide down her arms when she wasn't paying attention. But it was lovely, and she spun to let the dress flare out, giggling loud enough for Dirk and his friend to hear. "Come on, we should go back," she started to say, before a thought struck her. Underwear, yes ... but gloves.

Quinn watched her spin like a little girl in a princess dress and the smile quickly consumed his face. It faded when she stopped and he thought to himself. It had to be gloves. The idea of undies didn't even strike him. Perceptive yes, but not amazingly so. "Do you keep any in your car? Just sneak out, grab the gloves and sneak back in."

"Always the smart one." Dirk nodded that Eli had picked the right one. "You know, I never thanked you for sticking by me when I came out. It wasn't easy for you to be my friend back then." He looked down the hall to see what might be taking so long. "Oh, don't touch the girl. She's... very shy." Dirk wasn't going to divulge something that he knew Eli wouldn't understand nor believe anyway.

"Y'always scored the best weed. How could I turn my back?" Eli grinned smugly under the compliment. "Well I do hope she's not too shy. She shore is a purty little thang."

Thankful that Quinn was keeping his head, Genny offered over a relieved smile and nodded. "Good idea," she giggled softly. "Go and distract them, I'll be back as quick as I can." For some who described herself as a mere drip of a human, Genny certainly could move fast and quiet when she wanted to, quick to slip out of the house and run headlong toward her car in the darkness.

Quinn kept one ear open for Genny, making sure even so much as a strange rustle would go unaccounted for. He walked back down the hall, pulling on one of Dirk's country boy plaid button downs with a smirk. "Baby, I have to say, this, is some seriously adorable shit." Grabbing his beer and taking a sip with a smile, he set it down and held out a hand after rubbing the condensation from the bottle on his jeans. "Name's Quinn. It's a pleasure to meet you, Eli."

When Quinn appeared, all cowboy-ified, Dirk grinned from ear to ear. "What makes it adorable is the man who's wearing it." His eyes ate Quinn from head to feet and back again. "You make even red-neck look amazing." He scooted his chair closer to Quinn to lay his hand on his fiance's lower back. "Eli here was one of the only people that stood by me when I came out. Best friend I had, growing up."

Eli was tongue-tied when it came to Genny and he merely nodded when asked his name. Taking a hard swallow, he looked up at her with dark blue eyes. "Almost all m'life, ma'am." He offered a bit of a shy smile then quickly lowered his head. "Can we get a-going?" He looked to Dirk hopefully.

Dirk kissed Quinn's cheek. "This is going to be fun," he whispered and then stood up. "Come on, pull's are probably about to start." he went to the door and held the door for everybody in the kitchen.

"Uh ..." Genny sounded a little uncertain as she rose with them, avoiding Eli's gaze as much as he was avoiding hers. "What is a mud pull, exactly?" she asked as they all emerged into the evening air.

"We will learn all about it on the way." Quinn smiled and looked down at his sandled feet, praying he was wearing the right shoes for this. But something said he highly doubted. Next thing they knew, Quinn had Genny's arm and was lacing it through his as he quickly realized that mud pulling meant just that. They were going to pull things out of the mud. The look he shot to Genny could only be described 'as are you kidding me?' "This is...interesting." Kissing Dirk on the cheek, he smiled. "Have fun, baby."

Eli had been too tongue-tied to do much talking on the ride over. He kept stealing glances and then turning away shyly, hoping that Genny wouldn't catch him in the act. When they got there, he had planned on opening her door like the fancy gentlemen do in the city. But Quinn beat him to it. So he trudged along like a puppy who had just lost its cookie, behind the rest of the group.

"Wait a minute." Dirk slid his hand into Quinn's and pulled him opposite of the mud bogs. "We watch, they play in the mud." he grinned and leaned his head to whisper into Quinn's ear. "Y'aint helping m'friend. Let her go, ok babe?"

Genny's ride over had been equally glance-filled as Eli's, though she was considerably more discreet about it. A lifetime of shy does not go away in a moment, though she did wish she didn't have to wear her gloves. Still, it was something of a relief to have Quinn take her arm, even if it meant being dragged along as Dirk pulled.

"But she's shy... Pushing this is not going to help any...Gah, nevermind." Quinn let go of Genny in a way that said he was sorry, and he and Dirk would be opposite some mud bogs. A wrinkle of his nose and he looked very confused. "And as for helping your friend ... he is confusing me for a Depot spic and I don't even know what that means." He was whispering of course.

"Don't worry, he's harmless. I doubt he'll do more than offer to buy her a Coke." This was whispered back as Dirk led the way to the stands. "He works for United Parcel and they have a lot of Mexicans who work at the depot that loads the trucks." He squeezed Quinn's hand. "Relax baby, it'll be alright." He reached the snack hut and bought himself and Quinn a beer and some cotton candy. He turned and looked for Eli. "Hey can ya move yer ass?" he called out to his friend.

The mountain of a mountain man turned around and he spied Quinn with nothing but contempt. "I ain't apologizin' to no homo." He shrugged Quinn's hand from his shoulder and turned to continue on his way.

Meanwhile, Dirk was hot on Quinn's tail. He gave Eli a look that told him without words to get Genny someplace safe. "Not here, babe, not now." He whispered into Quinn's ear. However, Jester was not going to get away so easily. Dirk knew how to charm the pants off, so to speak, any red neck. He went past Quinn and reached up to tap Jester's shoulder.

"Hey, listen, no hard feelings. Let me buy you a beer between the next two pulls and we'll call it even. What do you say?" He flashed that dimple and gave the dumb country boy grin. Jester turned and looked at Dirk with suspicion. "As long as you don't try to gay me, then alright." Jester merely shrugged and walked away. Dirk turned back to Quinn with a smile. "Trust me?"

Eli was still hopped up on adrenaline and was shaking when he turned to look at Genny. The shy little boy was gone and his dark blue eyes blazed. "Let's get you that Coke, ma'am. Would you like a funnel cake?"

"Uh ..." Genny's concerned eyes kept flickering over Eli's shoulder to the altercation taking place between her friends and their new enemy. Now this would have been a good opportunity to be able to do some of what Russ could do. "What's a funnel cake?"

Quinn swallowed hard. He grabbed a hold of his beer and polished it off. It took every ounce of his reservation to throw it in the trash and not split it open on the back of the redneck's head. He shook with anger and looked to Dirk. It was clear that he wasn't pleased. Not with hicksville, not with the situation, not with any of this. If there was ever a time when he should have been introduced to his innerwolf, he was sorry it wasn't now. Eyes swept the area to see all of the innocent humans and mentally he took that last bit back. Digging a hand into his pocket he lit a cigarette, adjusted himself, and tossed his cotton candy in a waste bucket.

Dirk sighed softly and walked up to Quinn. He'd hurt Quinn's feelings and that didn't sit well with Dirk at all. "Hey, it'll be alright. Less people between the pulls." His hands were on Quinn's waist and he was whispering into his ear. "Then will be our time, ok?" He leaned back and briefly his eyes shone gold, then faded to their natural hazels. "Let me buy you another beer." He placed a kiss to Quinn's lips gently and then pulled back. "It'll be our time soon. Trust me."

Eli watched Dirk for a long moment before turning around and looking at Genny. She'd asked a question and it took a few seconds to realize just what it was. "Oh, it's batter and they fry it up. It's really good with powdered sugah." He leaned on the counter and looked up at the cashier. "Two Cokes and a funnel cake, plain. Thank ya ma'am." he tipped his hat, then turned a brilliant smile, nothing shy about it, on Genny. "I think you'll like it."

Unfortunately for Eli, Genny didn't see his brilliant smile. Distracted, she'd been watching Dirk and Quinn, upset to see them so uncomfortable, especially after their connection the night before. As Eli turned to the cashier, Genny's eyes turned to the redneck, Jester, standing there laughing and and joking with his friends. Her eyes narrowed. Pulling off her gloves, she advanced on the group, plastering on a sweet smile. "Oh, hello, it's Jester, isn't it? I'm Genny, I'm here with my friends." She pointed over to Dirk, Quinn, and Eli before turning back and offering her bare hand for the man to shake. The moment he did, she had what she needed.

Quinn didn't rush. He sauntered over and nodded to the man who had been wailing on Jestur. As if this was a sunday social, he upnodded. "Can I git a piece?" The man nodded to him and without a second thought, Quinn had a handful of the redneck's hair and he slammed his fist repeatedly into his face. "You should have just fucking said you were sorry." Quinn let him go and let him crumple to the ground.

Dirk watched, sipping beer, with a prideful gleam in his eyes as Quinn put the final touches on Jester. "Very nice, baby, very nice indeed." As the crowd dissipated and Jester was left there by himself, Dirk walked over to Quinn. "Ready for some real fun, baby?" he grabbed a fistful of Quinn's hair and pulled his head back. The kiss was primal and animalistic in the growling sound that emerged from Dirk. He let Quinn go and stepped back. "Let's take our friend here out into the woods."

With a deep and throaty growl and a returned kiss to Dirk, Quinn grabbed the whimpering man's ankle as if nothing was wrong with hatred, and murder. "Alright. You sure its alright to leave Genny and Eli alone?" He started dragging him off in the quickest route possible right into the woods. Hopefully Dirk was on his heels because other than stomping his head in, he had no idea how to kill a full grown man.

Dirk hefted the man up by his shoulders, sharing the burden of the barely conscious and stinking man between them. "Told you, he's harmless and they'll be fine." It didn't take long before they were well into the woods. Dirk dropped Jester and then stood up straight. "Sit him up. You're going to watch me hunt." He waggled his brows at Quinn and began to remove his clothing.

Quinn listened and sat the unconscious Jester up, careful not to let him fall over. He had him propped up and was holding his shoulders. The smell of the blood pouring out of the man's nose was enough to get Quinn intoxicated, and it was a strange thing because blood had never had a noticable smell before. He watched as every stitch of Dirk's clothes were removed and it was more than apparent that despite their dastardly doings, Quinn was aroused to no end.

Dirk could smell Quinn's arousal almost as strongly as he could smell the stench of the drying blood on Jester's face. Slowly, he circled, naked and lean against the clear night sky. The moon hadn't risen, but when it would it'd be a mere sliver of light in the night sky. There was a grace and elegance to Dirk's every move. Golden eyes, molten like warmed honey never left Quinn's face. He approached his lover, but did not touch him. His eyes closed as he inhaled deeply of that musky, heavenly scent that Quinn's body perfumed the night air with. "Gods.." he moaned softly. Slowly his eyes opened and he smiled. "It's show time, baby." He whirled around just in time to see Jester get to his feet. "Run mother fucker." Dirk crouched down and when he sprung up, Jester was too late. Razor sharp claws tore the flesh from Jester's meaty shoulders and scissor like fangs sank into the back of Jester's neck, snapping it like a twig, and the big man went down.

Quinn found himself almost crazed and he staggered back just a pace, watching his lover with lust filled eyes. Dirk had been right, something inside of him was very much fond of his wolf; he could only assume it as his own inner wolf that was so attracted to Dirk's. As Quinn was sprayed with Jester's blood, he wiped the back of his hand over his forehead and then offered his hand out to the wolf. "Baby. you're magnificant."

Dirk wasn't finished by a long shot, but he turned at the sound of Quinn's voice and snarled. Lowering on his haunches, with hackles raised and his teeth bared, he slunk along the ground until he was close enough to get away from the stench of the alcohol ridden blood and into the perfume of Quinn's scent. His wet nostrils touched Quinn's hand and his long, pink tongue lifted to lick the hand clean of the blood. Then he turned his head and eyed the soon to be corpse, then turned those golden eyes upwards to meet Quinn's. The blond shock of fur hung into his eyes and moved as he blinked. Then his head was lowered down onto his paws, waiting for an appraising hand so he could finish off the drunk and already nearly dead Jester.

Reaching out slowly, Quinn gently ran his hand down the wolf's snout, stroking and then stepping back, not for fear of spray but to give his Wolf his space. Fingers reached to tangle through blood spattered fur, slick, thick and crimson clinging to his fingers. There was a hunger in Quinn's eyes as if soon there would be a very different being sharing the soul and body of the man. He wondered then when the full moon would come. His gaze never left that of his lover, happily staring into his honey gold eyes.

Those eyes closed once the scent of his lover was scorched into the olefactory senses. Dirk licked the offered fingers once more, then rose up onto all fours. Turning quickly, he nudged Jester until the man was flat on his back and staring at Dirk in ajbect horror. The man was paralyzed from the bite to his neck and could do no more than gurgle. A dark stain in his coverall jeans and the acrid scent of feces began to fill the air. Dirk placed his paws on the man's chest and he began to claw furiously. Clothes were shredded, then skin and then flesh. Jester watched as his body was being torn apart. Iron like jaws clamped down on the breastbone and a loud crack rang through the air. Dirk tugged and growled in a frenzy as teeth sank into the dark red flesh of the man's still beating heart. With a loud growl and a sharp turn of his head, the organ lay within his jaws, pumping twice, then still. Dirk ran over with an urgency and thrust the heart upwards, into Quinn's hand.

Reaching out, he took the stilled heart and, without a second thought, he sank his teeth into it. His teeth weren't nearly as strong as Dirk's, and so it took Quinn considerably longer to tear into the organ. Blood oozed from between his lips and down his chin. He gnawed and tore it apart before offering out the rest of it to the Wolf before him. The bloody fingers of his other hand rubbed at Dirk's neck and snout.

Dirk sat back and the moment that Quinn's teeth punctured the heart, he threw his head back and howled. Over and over, he threw his head back and that sad, plaintive song echoed through the woods until he could no longer create the melody. He licked Quinn's fingers clean, then took the rest of the heart and swallowed it with a single gulp. Yet Dirk still wasn't finished. Back over to where Jason's resting place was, he lowered his head and bit off the end of Jason's nose. With a toss of his head, the nose flew into the underbrush. Then with a furiousness unparalleled by anything a mortal man could match, he began clawing and gnawing on the man's face, hands and then feet. By the time Dirk was done, he was dripping in blood and panting heavily and Jester was no more than a torso and four stubs.

In the darkness of the woods, a cigarette was pressed between Quinn's lips and then lit with a Zippo as Dirk finished up. Unrolling his sleeves, Quinn carefully looked around and noted the prints left behind by his sandals. He scuffed them out and took a good hard look at the body. Yup. Looked a whole lot like an animal had torn it apart. Go figure, eh? He paused to laugh and took a drag before smiling to his fianc?. Picking up each article of Dirk's clothing, he wondered how many perfect crimes Dirk had already committed. "Come on, baby. Let me take you to the lake so we can get this nasty man's blood off of you."

Dirk was circling the body in ever widening circles. It was a habit, a way to cool off after the frenzy of feasting once again. As he passed over tracks that were left behind as they traveled to the lake, he crouched and either pissed on them or brushed them away with his tail. One to mark his scent, and both to hide Quinn's trail. Once to the lake, Dirk felt very tired. The adrenaline had stopped pumping and he felt the need to lay down and sleep. He pressed on, leaping into the lake to remove any remnants of the flesh, blood, bone and bile that had been Jester. When he broke the surface, he shook his blond head and brought his raw fingertips to his face to wash the dried blood from his skin.

There were forensic questions running through Quinn's mind, too many episodes of bad cop dramas. He was wondering where he was going to get rid of their clothes, and how he was going to explain their absence. A frown as he realized he may very well end up back in Rhydin to cover up the murder he and Dirk shared. A deep sigh as he crouched by the banks of the lake and carefully scrubbed his face clean. Once he was satisfied, he took off Dirk's button down and tank and wrapped all of those clothes up into a ball. Dirk's jeans were held out to him with a smile. ?I can smell smoke, so I?m guessing someone left a tailgate fire somewhere near by. So I?m going to drop the rest of these in there. What do you think??

Only Dirk's head was exposed in the black water of the lake. He watched Quinn carefully and when he finally spoke, Dirk smiled. "Great idea baby. But I want you to come here, first." One of the after effects of his nightly hunts was a raging hard on that, up until recently, he had to deal with by himself. But tonight was going to be different. One arm gracefully lifted from the water, droplets pelting the surface of the lake. "C'mere."

By the lake, love and lust had come together to run its course. When they were both sated, and Quinn had caught his breath and regained his composure, Quinn carried Dirk out of the water and laid him down on the cool sand. His lover was pulled into his lap and tenderly fingers would brought through the tangles of blonde. A kiss pressed to his fianc??s temple and he watched the moon hoping that his love was sated in all ways possible, and thankful that for the first time he was allowed to share it with him.

As Dirk lay in Quinn's arms, his head rested upon Quinn's shoulder. "Need to get rid of the clothes." his voice a hoarse whisper after the damage he'd done to his vocal chords earlier. "I'll stay here, then we go home." A kiss was pressed to Quinn's cheek and with heavy lidded eyes, he smiled. "Love you, babe."

There was a nod from Quinn and he gently untangled himself from Dirk, standing up and gathering the clothes and shoes as he walked. Sure enough when he got to the parking lot, he found that the rednecks had left a decently out of control fire in a barrel. The Brazilian dropped the clothes and shoes into the can, making sure not to touch anything. He walked to the truck and grabbed a pair of jeans out of the duffle and got into them. He tossed another pair over his shoulder and headed back to where Dirk was resting. Quinn stood and watched him. He was simply too peaceful to move at this point. So he sat himself down and watched his sweet.

As soon as Quinn had disappeared into the foliage, Dirk lay his head down and closed his eyes. The dreams following the hunts were always so vivid and real. With the recent transferral of his sister's memories, that's who Dirk dreamed of. As his long, lean body stretched out on the cool sand, there was a peaceful smile upon his face. Dirk no longer carried that guilt that used to come with hunting. Now it was kill or be killed. And Dirk had too much to live for to dwell in guilt.

((Scene played Live and posted with permission.))