Russ loved nothing more than a comfortable rocking chair. He was sitting on one now, on the front porch of Rosie and Dean's place. When he left the Frat house, he had no clue he'd end up here, but here he was. Dean was his oldest friend and when they'd ran into each other, Dean offered to let Russ stay with him. Russ accepted gratefully. They both knew it was just a matter of time before Russ moved on once again but for now, they enjoyed the peaceful tranquility of each other's company.

Always with a cup of cocoa near at hand, he had it between his hands today, sipping it and watching the sun setting over the horizon.

"You know, Dean. I can remember when there was nothing to this place but a lean to that became the Dragon. Kind of miss that, you know? Too much hustling and bustling and stupid crap going on now."

He can't help but chuckle and brings his cup of cocoa to his lips and takes a deep pull of it. "Good stuff." he murmurs softly. "Yea, well I'm surprised you're not hitting the sack yourself, old fart. But then if I had a wife like that you'd never get me out of the bed." He laughs.

Looking over at Dean he studies him carefully.

He holds the mug between his hands and as darkness set in he sighs. The nights in Rhydin were too full of deceit. He knew all too well what crap lurks in the night. It was the one thing about this place he hated more than anything.

His head swivels and he gives Dean a shocked look. "No more, as in, none?" He has to chuckle. "I know Daniel's a blessing and all, but to cut yourself off? Dude..." He laughs some more.

He looks out at the void of a horizon. "Me, settle down? From the way you describe it, I don't have much incentive, do I?" And he laughs again.

"Aww man..." he just gives Dean a nasty look. "I really don't need to hear all the details. I mean geez! You're trying to put a mental image in my head or something?" of course this is said in jest and with a smile on his face.

"Yeah, you're right. A little me running around is frightening. Could you imagine if my child and Daniel ever teamed up? Gods help Rhy'din!" he shakes his head and gazes out into the starlit blue velvet sky.

Pulling his beloved mug of hot cocoa to his lips he grins broadly. "Nice night."

He punches Dean in the arm and shakes his head. "Man, I just do not want to hear it!" He laughs and shakes his head. It really was a quiet night and that surprised him. An owl screeched and a wolf howled. Other than that, it was very peaceful. He closed his eyes and pursed his lips.

"Not sure I want children. You know me, I like to just get up and go whenever I feel like it. Kids tie you to one place." A wave of his hand over his mug and it's replenished with his favorite hot beverage. Candy bar in a cup, yes sir. He takes a sip of the steaming, frothy drink and grins.

Glancing over at Dean he smiles sheepishly. "Not that I don't envy what you've got here, man. But it's just not for me. When it's time to pick up and go, I go." With a shrug.

"Yeah, it's been a while." He purses his lips, then takes another sip of the hot cocoa. "It felt strange to hand things over. A relief, yes, but strange. And I suppose that we'll always be viewed as leaders." He sits quiet for a few minutes. "That was another reason I left. The boys are Jaden's responsibility now. I had to let go of them, you know?" Eyes narrowed a hair as he looks back at his oldest friend.

"Yeah, and quiet makes me nervous. Especially in this place." Soft browns gaze into the darkness. It was too early in the year for tree frogs or crickets so the night was eerily quiet. The moon had risen full and round and shone it's night light onto the world. "Ah, fool's moon." he smiles and looks over at Dean. "Remember the parties we'd have every full moon?" he laughs and shakes his head.

He let the talk of children and family die away. He really didn't want to talk about something that wasn't going to happen for him. He was happy for Dean. But it wasn't the life for him. Pretty much a loner all of his life, that's the way he'd stay. Of course he's had lovers and would have more. But family and children, not for him.

"Jaden's doing an outstanding job. He seemed like the natural to choose. And there's not a lot to securing the compound. Monitors and such do most of the work now. Do you remember when we had to patrol that perimeter on foot?" he laughs softly. "That was a hell of a walk."

"You took the problems one at a time and individually. If I had done it any other way, I'd have been locked up in a straight jacket by my second week. It was a lot, but it wasn't too bad. I was glad to be there for my bros when they needed me. And the favor was returned. All of you were there when I needed you too."

He was about to say something about Dean being older than he was when the rustlnig in the bushes started. He rises, hands above his head and he casts celestial light onto the area. "Who's there?"

Dean stands up when Russ does, and covers his eyes with his arm so he doesn't get blinded as well. He frowns when he hears a little voice, a little chattering voice going on about being blind.

"The hell is that?" He whispers and takes step off the porch, squinted hazel eyes look across the yard next to the bush to see something white.. Wait, he freezes in place, furry... He takes a step back.. and talking, and that is enough for Dean. He is back on the porch, no longer squinted, but wide hazels. "It's a freaking rat! And it is talking!" He yells and shudders visibly.

He can stand laying in a chair and getting tattooed up and down his arms, piercings in places that really count and not even flinch but the moment something like a rat comes anywhere near him he turns into a squirming little girl.

"Russ! Kill it!" He shakes again and makes a gagging noise. You would think he is fearing for his life, the way he is acting. He stands behind the chair he had been sitting in and gets a firm grip, he will toss the damn chair at the little disease carrying rodent if he has to.

A dark orb looks over at the larger of the two. So he was scared of him. Oh now that makes this little white squirrel almost lose his nuts. Then the next one comes over and throws his strange floppy thing at him. That's all he needs to jump up on his hind legs and preparing to charge at the one closer.


"You can't have it! This is my bush! Get your own! Back off buddy!" Comes the chittering little voice, he points a tiny little white finger at him. "Back off dood!"

And he charges at Russ, all fluff of seven ounces of himself. "CHARGE!!" His little foot hits a tiny pebble and he goes down, rights himself and brushes off the dirt. "Let's try this again." He coughs. "Charge!" Though this time doesn't have half as much gusto, to Russ's shoe and ready to climb on up.

Wide hazel eyes watch in horror as his friend is almost viciously attacked by the tiny fluff of evil. "You have magic so use it!" He yells and keeps his distance from the pair. Watching as Russ jumps up and down. His grip on the chair even turning his knuckles white. "Would you do something!"

"No no no no no!" As Russ comes running over to him. "You are going to make it come over here man!" He yells and picks up the chair, holding it out to the small white ball of fur like he is getting ready to tame a lion.

"Back, back you little rodent!" He keeps that chair up. "Russ, you chicken!" He says as Russ is hiding behind him. Yes, this squirming, six foot two, almost ready to scream at the top of his lungs, baby.. is calling Russ a chicken. Hazel eyes stay on the squirrel, gearing up for it to launch itself at them.

Russ had went a way for quite some time. Friends in need called and he had went to the Orient to give them a helping hand. He was gone a lot longer than he had expected to be and when he returned, it was with a bride who was very pregnant.

How small a world to go to the Orient only to meet a bride almost from his hometown. The girl had grown up only a county over from where he had. She had long, dark flowing hair and the most incredible green eyes that Russ had ever seen. She was tough and beautiful and could take care of herself very well. Russ was in awe and in love. He'd finally found the one to settle with.

After getting her settled in, he grabs a few beers from the fridge and makes his way out onto the porch of Dean's house. He sips his beer and waits for Dean to come out of the house, staring out into the sunset.

He drags his eyes away from the setting sun to grin up at Dean. He knew there would the the 'I told you so's' and he didn't mind it at all. Dean had been right all along. "Yeah, I'm getting old, like you." he laughs and shakes his head. His onyx eyes watch as Dean sits down. "Yeah, you've been telling me ever since you settled down. I just never thought that I would. You're right, it's almost overwhelming how much has changed so fast. Before I thought that I'd just continue the as a happy bachelor, going from one relationship to another. But she's changed all that and I can't say that I mind it at all. She's all I need." he smiles shyly and looks back to the departing sun.

When Dean mentions her age, he looks over at him. "Hello, Pot, I'm the Kettle and calling you black." he laughs. "And Rosie is how much younger than you are?"

He cups his hands together and a cup of steaming hot cocoa appears between them. Blowing the steam to the sky, he takes a sip and looks over at Dean. "I know what you mean, now. And don't worry, your secret's safe with me." he laughs softly.

"Happy ho is not how I would describe it, more like a travelling salesman." he snickers and takes another sip of his cocoa.

He sits back and thinks for a long bit. "You know, I don't even know how old I am anymore." he laughs. "I can't remember." Shaking his head, he takes another sip. "Man, that's a sign of old age, huh?" he looks over at his friend and laughs. "Ana's young, I admit." he sighs and then sits back, the sun having gone to bed by now. "But I love her none the less. And for some reason, she loves me too."

He laughs at that with a shake of his head. "Man I envied you back in those days. I was far to shy to be out partying with the guys. But not you man." And as if reading Dean's mind, he places his finger on the table between them and then there sits a pumpkin smoothie. Russ didn't even flinch or utter a sound. It was just there, as if it were an afterthought to him.

"You know it's never too late to learn. I could teach you how to do that." he indicates the smoothie. "The old saying about old dogs is nothing but crap."

He laughs softly. "Not news to me. You know, I showed her how old I really looked and she didn't run away screaming. I think she's a keeper and if we stay here, I'll be busy running around after three toddlers. With your help, of course?" he looks over with a grin.

He turns his head as the door opens and of course his face lights up with a smile the moment he sees his wife walking out that door. He takes the bottle of apple juice from her and helps her to settle into his lap without any trouble, adjusting just so that they can both be comfortable.

"You never interrupt. Thank you for the juice, sweets." He whispers as she nuzzles his chin. He sets the bottle of apple juice down on the table so that both tattooed arms can go around her and hold her close. A smile given over to Russ and he nods as he begins to rock in the rocking chair with his wife on his lap.

"I'm telling you man, this is the life.." He whispers, his hand slowly caressing Rosie's back as they continue to rock in the chair. "But I would love to run after a few dozen little kiddies.. I mean we are already working on number two, right Petal?" He looks down at her and grins, then places a soft kiss on her forehead. His hand still rubbing up and down her back gently. He takes in a breath of the fresh cool air and smiles even more now that she is here.

She was finally getting her things put away, Rosie and Dean being so nice to not even ask questions when she showed up at their doorstep with Russell. Course they soon found out the whole situation as to why she is here and what had happened before all of this. And even how she had met Russell, and how he had taken care of her when she had no one else.

She looks down at the picture of her father, despite everything he has done, she still has a picture of him. A way of remembering just what exactly he had once been and now.. the monster that he has become. She sighs softly and places the picture back into the top drawer of the dresser and turns to the door as Rosie passes by. She smiles softly and is soon following behind her to see her walking out to the porch.

Opening the door she smiles as she sees Dean and Rosie rocking peacefully, then her eyes turn to Russell, she closes the door softly and walks behind his chair, her hands touching his face as she leans in to kiss his cheek softly. "Mon amour." She whispers and kisses him once more.

She watches as he stands up, and that causes just a little flush to her cheeks. He never ceases to surprise her with how gentle and sweet he can be with her. She smiles and looks up at him, then leans in to give him a gentle but sweet kiss to his lips as she then leaves his embrace to settle down into the rocking chair.

Her gaze moves over to Rosie and Dean which causes her smile to soften that much more. What a sweet couple they are, and the love they have can be felt throughout the home itself and seems to radiate from them. And now being with her husband she can fully understand the miracle of which is love.

She looks back up at her husband and sighs softly, her hand moving down to caress that small bump along her stomach and she cannot be happier then she is now. A deep breath in of the somewhat cool but still not chilly air and she sits back just a little in the chair. "It is beautiful here." She looks back at the pair next to her and Russell. "I must thank you again for letting me stay here, you are both so very kind. I do not know how I will ever repay you for this kindness." She smiles.

She raises her hand to touch Russell's hand and gives it a gentle squeeze.

Snuggling furhter into Dean's arms, she lays her head on his shoulder as Ana comes onto the porch. Watching the interaction between the two, a smile creeps across Rosie's face. "She's got him so wrapped up baby." she whispers into Dean's ear. "It's wonderful, isn't it?" she whispers into the skin of his neck as she kisses it.

Laying her head once again against his shoulder, she looks to Ana once more as she speaks. "Darling, it's been wonderful to have you here. Nice to have another girl in the house." with a soft giggle. "And you're family now. You will always be welcome here."

Looking up with love in her eyes for Dean, then back to Ana and Russell. "All the repayment we need, you're already doing. I'm so happy for you and Russ, I really am. It's wonderful to see you two together."