A/N: If anyone wants to find out more information about Lucan, please visit my friend/editor's blogsite, which can be located at LucanTV dot blogspot dot com. I have type it that way in case this site filters out links, but please check it out, it's a really good site. :)

Chapter 8

While the women had their "girls' day out," the guys sat around the Banner family home and became better-acquainted.

D.W. Banner enjoyed telling stories of when Helen and David were children. At the same time, he, David, and Lucan played Poker with cold beers and snacks. D.W. would occasionally forget the game they were playing or get stuck in the past, such as asking when Elizabeth would be finished baking the cookies in the kitchen. Still, for the most part, they enjoyed themselves.

"Lucan, there's something I've meant to ask you," David said after his dad had dozed off.

"Yeah? Sure."

"I'll be examining Sarah in Helen's lab later to retrieve analysis samples. Would it be okay if I took a blood sample from you as well?"

"Well, what would you need it for?" Lucan didn't seem opposed to the idea, but curiosity gripped him.

"I'd like to check if there are similarities between you and her… if it could help lead to a cure for Sarah."

Lucan nodded. "I'm sure you're very curious about me too."

"Yes, I'll admit that." David chuckled and finished his beer.

Lucan nodded with understanding. "I've had many lab tests and my blood taken before. I don't mind."

"Great. Something tells me you don't share many similarities, but I was talking it over with Helen. We're hypothesizing about some kind of mutant strain in her DNA that made Esben's serum and wolf DNA so effective with her."

"Mutant properties? That's interesting. I hope you can find something."

"By the way, have you spoken with Sarah about your father?" David remembered that the young man had really wanted to talk to her.

"Yes, but she didn't know anything. I learned that she's… not a natural werewolf, though. She told me about Dr. Esben Hansen, and she was surprised that I wasn't one of his test subjects."

David nodded, understanding why she would think that way. "Sarah has only met one natural werewolf in her travels, and even then, she wasn't around him very long. The rest of them, including Sarah, were created in a lab."

David thought briefly of Hunter. His alter ego had battled Hunter's feral creature back in Texas not long after he'd first met Sarah. It seemed like a lifetime ago now. Part of him wondered what had become of that wolf, knowing he was a potential danger to the public – more so than Sarah – due to his inability to control his transformations and a lack of mindfulness. Since he hadn't heard anything on the news or in the papers, however, perhaps it meant that the Hunter had perished… or was in hiding.

"Do you think he might be my father?" Lucan sounded hopeful, though guarded enough not to get his hopes up, especially after chasing a few years worth of dead ends and false leads.

David considered it. "I don't know… I somehow doubt it. Based on what a mutual acquaintance told me and a brief glimpse of the man while he was human, I think he was a bit young to have a son as old as you."

Lucan processed the answer and looked away from David. He followed the younger man's gaze to find him staring thoughtfully at D.W. Banner. "You love your father very much, David, and even if he forgets, he loves you. I hope I can meet mine someday."

"I'm sure the answers are out there somewhere, Lucan. You'll find them."

Lucan smiled. "Yours is out there too, David. I believe you'll find your cure, even if you have to create it yourself." He rose. "May I use your phone, please? I would really like to call Don."

David hesitated. "Alright," he relented but felt it was essential to state a condition. "Please don't mention anything about me or where you are at present."

"I won't," Lucan promised. "And thank you, David."

It took a couple of tries to get through. Eventually, the familiar voice picked up.

"Hello, this is Don Hoagland."

Lucan's face split with a huge, boyish grin at the sound of the voice he hadn't heard in a long time. "Hey, Don, it's me. Lucan."

"Lucan!" The warmth and the delight in Don's voice were almost tangible. "It's been quite a while. How are you holding up, son?"

Lucan hesitated as his emotions welled up. He cleared his throat, blinking back tears. "I'm fine, Don. How are you doing?"

"Oh, the usual. The school keeps me busy, and I've got several projects going on as usual, but nevermind that. What have you been up to? Where are you?"

"I'm in a safe place, for now. Don, I think I might have a promising lead to find my father."

There was a brief pause. "Yes … I remember the last time we spoke, you told me you'd found your Mom's journal."

"You said you'd like to see it for yourself someday, and I will show it to you, Don. But for now, I need to keep searching for my father. Prentiss is in the area, but I eluded him for now."

Don sighed dramatically. He and Lucan often called him "Relentless Prentiss," It gave Don a headache just to think about the Bounty Hunter's presence again. "At least we know that means Prentiss is not eavesdropping on my line," Don said a bit ruefully. "Tell me about this lead you have. Do you know where your father might be?"

Lucan licked his lips. His hand tightened around the receiver. "Do you remember what I said last time, that I had found my Grandfather right before he died, and that I'm a half-werewolf?"

"Yes. What a shocker that was. But it all made sense. Your survival skills and abilities even as a child beat any adult. That reminds me, I purchased a headstone for your Grandfather's grave. It even has the inscription, just like you wanted."

Lucan's throat constricted with a mixture of gratitude, appreciation, and sadness. "Someday, I'll pay you back for all of this, Don," he promised, his voice rough. "For everything you've done for me."

"Come on, you know you don't have to."

"You taught me that a man has to pay his own way in this world. I'll make good on that."

"You just concentrate on finding your dad, for now, son. So tell me," Don's voice sounded excited but reserved, "what's this new lead you have?"

"I've finally met a real werewolf, Don. A full one."

Lucan could almost see Don's shocked face and heard a sound like his mentor had nearly dropped the phone. "Y-you think it might be your dad?" Don asked when he found his voice.

Lucan chuckled. "No, this werewolf is a young woman, just a few years younger than me."

Lucan explained Sarah, and he heard and nearly felt Don tense at the mere mention of Esben's name.

"Yes, I'm aware of Dr. Esben Hansen," Don stated gruffly. "I was sorry to hear that such a brilliant mind met such an untimely end, but... you reap what you sow. He was always trying to play God." He cleared his throat. "What are you going to do now?"

Over the next couple of minutes, Lucan gave a brief outline of everything he'd learned about the girl and Dr. Hansen's vile experiments.

"I'm thinking about going to Esben's secret lab to see if there is anything I can find. Even though it's been destroyed, there's a possibility some important files are still hidden."

Lucan felt David's sharp gaze lock onto him.

"Are you sure that's wise, son?" Don asked. "There's no telling what you might run into out there. It's dangerous."

"It might be the only way to find out the truth, Don."

There was a moment of silence, and Don grunted assent. "Well, Lucan… this is a pretty big revelation. I'll tell you what. If you can tell me the lab's location, I'll meet you out there in a few days, assuming you can shake Prentiss. At least we know he won't be able to follow me if I leave suddenly, as long as I'm discreet. Where are you right now, son?"

"I'm in Colorado. One moment ... "Lucan looked at David. "Where is Dr. Hansen's former lab?"

David was shaking his head. "It's too risky."

"David, please."

"Is there someone there with you?" Don was asking. "Who is David?"

Lucan ignored the question, lowering the phone receiver. "David, I know it's a risk. But where else am I going to have a chance to find out more about my father? I helped you find your father when he was lost. Please help me find mine?"

David relented at Lucan's puppy-like, pleading look. "I don't know where the site of the lab was specifically. I was never there myself. But I know it was somewhere near a diner on the outer edge of a remote town in Texas…" David rummaged through his notebook and gave him the physical address. "You may not want to get too close to that place. The last I left it, it was demolished." David seemed like he wanted to leave it at that.

"Thank you, David. This could help Sarah, too. I can see if there is anything that might be useful." Lucan put the phone back to his ear and relayed the diner's address and location as a tentative rendezvous for Don.

"Alright, Lucan, I need to finish up some business here, but I will be there in six days, on Sunday. You meet me at that diner. We'll go see what we can find together, okay?"

"Okay, Don."

"Do you need any money?"

"I'll be alright, Don."

Don became stern. "Lucan, I don't want you, hitch-hiking. It's a long way from Colorado to Texas. And I know you, son. You'll wind up helping people along the way, getting in some other trouble, and may never make it. I'll wire you some money. No more refusals."

Lucan smiled at the off-handed compliment. Don always warned him not to be so naive and trusting. "...Okay. Thank you, Don. I promise I'll pay you back, along with everything else I owe you, one day. Even if you say no."

Don's voice resounded affectionately. "You can pay me back when you find your dad and inherit the werewolf family fortune. He probably knows where to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Helen handed Sarah a shopping list as they got out of the car. "Why don't you grab a basket and get these items. We can meet at the checkout line and can get this done faster."

"Okay, no problem," Sarah said, taking the paper and parting ways from Helen. Helen had given her the shorter list. She couldn't help but wonder if this was meant to be minor training for eventually functioning on her own.

It had been a long time since she'd set foot in a grocery store, even though she had accompanied her parents or brother to stores much like this. Most of the time, there just didn't seem to be much reason for her to go, mainly since she never had much money, and she wasn't in charge of the grocery shopping anyway.

How exactly did Mom and Dad do it? Sarah shook her head, dejected. There'd been so much her family sheltered her from. Even a simple grocery run proved difficult. Sarah looked at the particulars of the list. It didn't seem to matter which brand of toilet paper she grabbed. Still, Helen was particular about which brand of orange juice, milk, and dishwashing liquid she wanted.

Just as Sarah was getting the final item – a gallon of milk – a woman bumped into her and caused her to drop it. The jug broke open and spilled all over the floor.

"Oh dear, oh dear," the woman said in a shrill, nasally voice. "You should watch where you're going, young lady."

It was none other than Agatha Blackwell. The same woman who'd given them a fast chase on the road earlier that day...

Sarah took a step back, deciding not to bother mentioning that it had been this woman who had deliberately stepped in front of her without looking. For a moment, Sarah simply stared at the mess, unsure what to do about it.

"It's alright, no need to cry over spilled milk!"

"Uh, I'm not crying."

"Just a figure of speech, dear!" The woman snapped her fingers, getting the attention of a nearby employee. "YOO-HOO! Get over here and clean this mess up! What are they paying you for?"

Sarah wanted the floor to open up and swallow her when the woman took her by the arm and escorted her a short distance away. "Tell me, young lady, did I see you enter this fine establishment with Helen Banner? I saw both of you on the road earlier, but Helen tends to be so rude toward me. She never wants to stop and chat!"

"Um, I really need to finish getting the things on my list… Helen is waiting." Sarah pulled back, disliking this stranger's close proximity, but the old woman had a firm grip. Sarah refrained from struggling, not wanting to drop anything else.

"Don't squirm. I won't bite. I'm not the wolfman!" Agatha chuckled, and Sarah cringed. "You really should get a basket for these items. Dearie, the Banners and I go way back. Don't you know? I almost married Helen's father a long time ago."

Sarah's eyes widened, imagining how D.W. dodged a fatal bullet. "Oh … really? That's interesting."

"Yes. Unfortunately, Elizabeth had to get her claws into him and worm her way into his heart. Everyone knew that D.W. and I were a better match. That girl just had to flaunt her good looks and bat her pretty eyes, and bam! She entranced D.W. and took him away from me." Agatha tsk-tsked. "She didn't even live that long, poor frail thing. I tried to move in to help take care of the kids after she died, but D.W. wouldn't have it!"

"That is because," Helen's stern voice interjected sharply, "you never cared the slightest about our mother or us. And if I recall, Ms. Blackwell, the rumors you spread about my brother and me after our mother's passing were not very flattering. All because you couldn't stand the idea that my father still didn't want you even after Mom died."

Agatha Blackwell huffed and flustered where she stood, and Helen pried her fingers off of Sarah's arm. "If you'll excuse us," Helen got between them and gently maneuvered Sarah toward the nearest checkout.

"I didn't get the milk," Sarah began softly, but Helen shook her head. "I'll pick some up later," the older woman stated. "Come on, just ignore her."

As they finished getting the items rung up and paid, Agatha once again intercepted them at the door. "So, who is this young lady?" Ms. Blackwell made it clear that she wasn't going to get out of the way until she got a satisfactory answer. "I think I might see a striking resemblance… did D.W. have a daughter with another woman? Or is she a cousin? Or just a friend? This girl must be new to town, I know everyone around here, and I've never seen her!"

Helen handed the brown shopping bags to Sarah, made sure the girl had a good grip on them, then gave her the keys. "Go put these in the trunk and wait for me in the car, please. I'll be there in a few minutes."

Sarah wasted no time complying, feeling she did not want to be there for this anyway.

Twelve minutes later, Helen and Agatha finally emerged from the store with a security guard just behind them. Helen's face was a stoic mask, while Ms. Blackwell stormed off in the opposite direction with almost visible steam billowing out of her ears.

Helen barely glanced at Sarah as she got into the driver's seat, snapping the door shut with an almost hulk-like force, and extended her hand toward the girl. Sarah wordlessly dropped the keys into her palm. The ride home was dead silent as Helen's hands tightened around the steering wheel with an iron grip.