Disclaimer: No, I still don't own BWoC, but I do own Stephen, Rock, Luke, Mary and Sam – not to mention some kick-ass readers who (hopefully) write great reviews!

This is the third part of my arc which started with 'Revelations in the Moonlight' and was continued in 'Stand my Ground'.

As promised, this first chapter goes to the person who guessed which old friend from the show will surface again….and the winner is:

G-Wing Gurl!

Yes, it's going to be Cerberus aka Sparky, the cute fire-barking ex-hellhound, though it will take a couple of chapters until he appears. And now on with the story: for starters, some nice Christmassy fluff…with a bite. Enjoy!

Chapter 1

As the first snow started to fall on this cold mid-December evening, Tommy was cuddling with his mate on the couch in the lair watching an old horror movie and sipping hot cocoa.

About two years had passed since Ariel and he was as happy as one could be.

Stephen and Lori were still happily mated as Sam and Mary were now too, as expected his vision had shown her and she had quickly learned to accept her beloved's new wolfish peculiarities.

Luke and Rock had their Lycanamora-visions only recently, and while Luke didn't seem to be in a hurry to find his significant other Tommy knew that Rock was looking forward to it.

Being the only single in their pack here in Pleasantville the quiet black sometimes felt a bit like the fifth wheel between the two loving couples and longed to experience the joy of having found one's other half himself.

Though it seemed as if he had to be patient for a little while longer, for his vision had clearly stated that his mate wasn't near yet but would be coming to him soon.

Rock could hardly await it.

Tommy truly wished him the best; since his transformation the other guy had become a real close friend - and an invaluable ally in keeping him and Merton safe from prying eyes.

He just had to think back to the day when he had overheard how the rest of the team cornered Rock in the locker room to grill him about the exact nature of the relationship between their captain and his pale buddy.

Not that they had been overly concerned if Tommy was gay or not – as long as his performance on the field earned them victory after victory they couldn't care less what he did in private – but wanted to know, as one put it eloquently "if we have to worry for our asses in the shower when Dawkins is around."

Rock, reluctant to lie but also unwilling to out his friends, had answered Solomonic: "If Tommy were really into guys and Merton his type, do you think that you are in danger?"

That had them thinking, looking at each other they compared their tan, tall and heavily muscled frames to the scrawny little Goth that was Tommy's constant shadow. Finally one of them had stated "You're right dude, compared to us Dingle passes for a girl" the others had grunted in agreement, and that had been the end of the discussion.

Well, almost the end, for Merton had been far from happy when he heard which argument exactly had dispelled the footballer's concern for their behinds, and exclaimed scandalized "I'm not a girl!"

Unfortunately he had been so flustered that his statement came out as a squeak which had only amused everyone further; especially Lori had been totally failing to choke her laughter.

Tommy himself had had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep a straight face while consoling his beloved, assuring him repeatedly that no; he didn't look like a girl, not even in his frilly dark burgundy silk shirt.

Shifting on the couch, Tommy still had to smile at this particular memory, however not everything in the past two years had been love, peace and harmony.

He had actually been forced to make good on his threat to spend Christmas away from home, much to his mom's shock.

But it had worked, though Sally was still far from happy with the situation she had at least rescind her initial declaration 'not to let that freak who had seduced her poor baby into her house ever again' and now settled for mostly ignoring Merton.

Tommy really hoped that given time she'll get used to the facts and change her former views at the sight of how happy Merton made him, for the brittle peace was grating on everyone's nerves.

This year however he wouldn't spend Christmas at home either, although not to punish his mom for her behaviour but because of his duties as the alpha of his pack.

On the upcoming solstice Rock, Sam and Luke would transform into their wolf form for the first time, and needless to say they needed his guidance in that important phase.

Since Tommy had no way to put Sam, Luke and Mary up they had decided to visit them earlier this year since Mary's and Luke's parental home was easily big enough to house them all and also on the verge of a large forest where their transformation would go unnoticed.

Everything was arranged, the train tickets for him, Merton, Lori, Steven and Rock were bought, now he only had to tell his family.

He wasn't looking forward to it, knowing his mom wouldn't understand his reasons and blow a gasket, for if there was one thing she ignored even more vehemently than his relationship to Merton it was the fact that her youngest son was a werewolf.

A few days later at the casa Dawkins, Tommy watched absentmindedly how his mom was buzzing around and tried to think of the best way to break the news to her.

Sally was completely in her element, pinning mistletoes over every door and wrapping thorn apple garlands around everything that wasn't moving while humming a Christmas carol.

"….now what do you think Tommy?"

"Huh…what?" Lost in his thoughts, Tommy hadn't even noticed that his mom was talking to him.

"I said; do we want to attend the afternoon mass or the midnight mass this year? I know, midnight mass has the better choir, but on the afternoon mass they always have the kid's nativity play…I still remember the year you were Josef, I was so proud of you…"

"I'm for midnight mass, that way I won't miss the TV-specials" interrupted Dean their mom's mushy speech before his brother would die from embarrassment. "Dad is of course for the afternoon mass, to boost his political image as family-oriented, and mom's undecided as always, so it's now up to you to, dear brother."

"I don't care which one since I won't be attending either, I…" Tommy swallowed, no time like the present, right? "I won't be here at Christmas this year, Merton and me are going to…."

At first Sally had been still smiling, her whole expression saying 'excuse me?', then his words hit home, her smile twisted into a scowl and she exploded. "Are you joking? Is that supposed to mean you rather spend Holy Night sinning with that lecher than with your family?!"

The last part was screeched so loud that Bob Dawkins heard her out in the garden where he had been wrapping chains of light around the trees and hedges, thus alarmed he rushed inside.

"Sally, honey, what is wrong?" He asked carefully, taken aback at his wife's appearance, red-faced and shaking with fury.

"Everything!!"

Well, that wasn't exactly an informative statement, so he looked over at his sons.

"Mom's mad because I've told her that I can't be here this Christmas." Tommy sighed; glad that at least his father was willing to hear him out.

"You see, the others will fully transform into a wolf for the first time, and they really need me to be there for them."

Bob swallowed, still more than a bit nervous whenever his son mentioned the w-word.

"Uh…Ok, but why does it have to be Christmas of all days?"

"It's not about Christmas; it's about the winter solstice, which is on the 21. December…"

Tommy patiently explained to his dad what was going to happen on that day and why he had to go to Mary, Luke and Sam instead of them coming here.

Bob listened closely and nodded, although he would never be able to understand the whole wolf-stuff or the dynamics inside of a pack, as mayor he could understand what it meant to bear responsibility for others.

Secretly he was actually proud of how serious his son took his duties, though it would be a snowy day in hell he would say that to his wife, especially when she looked as if she was about to hit the roof. Like now.

Tommy saw the tell-tale warning signs as well and decided to go before his mom could launch herself into yet another rant about 'that vile pervert who corrupted him' which would only lead to one more nasty argument.

Closing the garden gate behind him he heard faint shouting inside and sighed heavily, he hated to be the reason for his parents' arguments, knowing the whole situation put a heavy strain on their relationship, but also that there was nothing he could do to prevent it.

Another few days later it was Merton who was buzzing around while humming Christmas carols, though he wasn't decorating but packing his and Tommy's stuff for the upcoming trip.

His love and Rock were currently participating in what was officially the last training of the year - and unofficially the footballers Christmas party – but had promised not to stay too long, since they needed to get going tomorrow morning quite early.

Merton was all but vibrating with excitement; he could hardly wait to see the others in their wolf form. Knowing their colouring from when they were wolfed out he tried to picture them, idly wondering if Rock's above average body size as a human would show in his wolf form and make him an exceedingly large wolf as well.

Hearing the door open behind him he spoke while turning around.

"Hey Tommy, it's good that you're back, I wanted to ask you which shoes EEP!" Merton squeaked and dropped what he was carrying, for it wasn't Tommy who had entered but none other than Sally Dawkins.

He swallowed hard and prayed that Tommy would come home very soon, preferably before his mom would get over the surprise to find him and not her son.

So far, the woman was just silently staring, totally aghast, and Merton began to wonder, surely the sight of him alone couldn't be enough to send her into a gaping frenzy, so what…oh…oh dear.

Merton paled as realisation hit him, luckily this was the moment someone above took pity and answered his prayers.

Tommy noticed the tense atmosphere the very moment he opened the door, Merton's discomfort and near panic almost palpable.

He was really surprised to come upon his mom, for she hadn't set foot in this room since he moved in. That in combination with her distressed look gave him a chilling idea.

"Mom, did something happen? Are Dad and Dean ok?"

Completely ignoring his worried question, Sally uttered in a strange constrained voice "Since when?"

"Since when what, Mom?" Asked Tommy, confused and slowly but surely getting concerned at his mom's weird behaviour.

Sally slowly raised a shaking finger, pointing at the opposite wall.

Tommy frowned; ok so Merton's blood-red satin sheets looked totally out of place in a dorm room and yes they hadn't made their bed this morning…oh. He looked at his mom incredulously, she knew they were together, had been for years, did she honestly expect him and Merton to still sleep in separate beds?!

"If you mean to ask when did we the rearrange the furniture, about three years ago."

Sally was livid, screeching "So you and he screw every night?"

Tommy gritted his teeth, thoroughly fed up with her attitude. "Well I wouldn't say every night; sometimes I'm just too tired from training, but basically, yes."

Sally was shocked speechless for a moment, gaping at his brutal honesty, but he didn't care anymore.

He was tired of pussyfooting around to spare his mother's feelings; time to take off the gloves and see if she could take as good as she was dishing out. Deep inside he could feel his wolf growling approvingly, eager to defend his mate against every form of attack and be it only a verbally one.

"Its worse enough that you're living in debauchery, but I had always thought that you have at least the decency to save appearances, instead I find this!" Sally exclaimed as soon as she had found her tongue.

"I came here, amicably, to try and talk sense into you not to desert your family over the holydays, but I see it's a lost case, you're obviously beyond hope." As soon as the last word had left her mouth Sally turned on her heel and stormed off, slamming the door behind her.

Tommy stood thunderstruck and Merton rushed to pull him into a comforting embrace, knowing fully well the dilemma of trouble with ones parents: no matter how much they hurt you and how strong you resent them for mistreating you, you still can't stop loving them, which only makes their words and deeds all the more painful.

They arrived at Mary's and Luke's hometown in the late afternoon, exhausted and weary from the long train ride. Sam was already waiting for them, giving all his friends a warm welcome.

Despite the not so small distance they all had managed to stay in close contact, visiting each other every semester break and their gatherings between the years were a well-loved tradition by now.

This year however would be the first time they would celebrate Christmas together since they had to antedate their annual visit because of the solstice.

Once at the house a beaming Mary hugged them all, ushering them inside to warm up in front of the fire while Luke and Sam took care of what little luggage they had for their short stay.

The Christmassy decoration, the smells of pine and cookies, stockings with their names hanging above a merrily crackling fireplace, everything was so welcoming and homelike, such a stark contrast to the ugly scenes that lately had transpired in his 'real' home, that Tommy found himself on the verge of tears.

"Tommy? Are you ok?" Merton looked a bit worried.

"Yes, I'm fine, just thinking…"

"Do you miss your home and your family very much?" whispered an equally concerned Stephen.

"No." Tommy smiled and hugged his mate close "Home is where the heart is, and you all are my second family, so I am home."