When the next day rolled around, the gang was still in the Lair, trying to figure things out.

"You know, guys, it's a little *hard* for you to research while you're *snuggling*..." Lori snorted, gesturing to Becky on Tommy's lap.

"Shut up, Lori." Becky shot back cheerfully, nuzzling Tommy's neck.

Merton sighed and rolled his eyes, but whispered to Lori, "Just leave 'em be for now? Maybe we'll get done quicker if they're not making googly-eyes at each-other from across the room?"

Lori smirked and rolled her eyes as well.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Merton answered it, shocked to find Howie, the secretary of the Werewolf Syndicate, standing there.

"Hidie-ho." he smiled pleasantly, walking past Merton. "Leader!" he exclaimed cheerfully.

Tommy hopped up in shock, fortunately having a good enough grip on Becky he brought her up with him, rather than spilling her to the floor.

"What are you doing here, Howie?" he asked warily.

"The pack has been made aware that Leader has taken a mate. Greetings, Leader's Mate." Howie smiled at her.

Becky waved.

"Uh... hi?"

"How does the pack know?" Tommy asked, annoyed.

"Well... mating is more than just the act, sir. Mating is for life, it is only with your destined true love, and your souls are bound for eternity... sometimes only after, sometimes long before, but you are bound, much, *much* stronger than a wedding-vow. Of course the pack knows, Leader."

Tommy looked at Becky in shock and gently sat her down in the chair they were both sitting in a minute before.

"You're telling me that as far as werewolf law goes... we're married?"

"Yes, but that is exclusive of human laws, sir."

Tommy looked at him questioningly.

"Well, you're not *legally* married, but you are by something much stronger than human law?"

Tommy nodded, a slight smile passing over his features.

Howie went on to add, "In fact, you have loved each-other for *several* lives."

"What?" Becky asked, hopping up, wide-eyed.

Howie cleared his throat, and the music started up again.

"Oh, Lordy, not *more* singing..." Lori grumbled.

"Well, here you are again. I guess it must be fate. Your souls tried it on their own, but, deep inside we've known, they'd be back to set things straight. Do you still remember when her kiss was so brand new? Every memory repeats, every step you take retreats. Every journey always
brings me back to him."

Becky smiled.

"Okay, I knew it, I knew it." she thought, satisfiedly. "We're destiny, even been together through past lives, finding each-other... this could either be way cool or creepy--- Okay, gonna choose the cool route, don't wanna spoil the moment..." she thought to herself.

"After all the stops and starts time keep coming back to these two hearts. Two angels who've been rescued from the fall. And after all that you've been through, it all comes down to her and you. I guess you're meant to mate. Forever you are fate. After all."

"Wow, this is... big..." Tommy thought, putting an arm around Becky's waist. "If he knows so much about the past, I wonder if he knows about the *future*..." Tommy thought. "Oh, lord, I've been hanging around Merton too long--- nope, no asking him something like that or giving Mert ideas to..." he decided.

"When love is truly right. This time it's truly right. It lives from life to life. It changes as it goes. Oh, and on the way it grows. But it never disappears. After all the stops and starts, we keep coming back to these two hearts. Two souls who've been fated from the start. And after all that you've been through, it all comes down to you and you. I guess it's meant to be. Mated through eternity. After all."

"Always just beyond her touch, though he needed you so much. After all, what else is living for? Whoa. After all the stops and starts. We keep coming back to these two hearts. Two angels who've been fated not to fall. And after all that you've been through. It all comes down to you him and you. I guess it's meant to be. Forever you and he. After all."

"Is this song gonna end soon?" Lori thought, annoyed. "Oh, joy, *she's* his fate, she's his 'destined mate'... What was I? Time to kill???"

Tommy winced as Lori glared accusingly at him.

"And, Merton seems *over* it? That's just not right... and... he hasn't even hit on me *once* since the excitement spell... What is *happening* to everyone???" she thought, looking like she might explode.

"After all the stops and starts, Fate keeps coming back to these two hearts. Two loves who've been fated since time began. And after all that you've been through. It all comes down to she and you. I guess it's meant to be. Mated through eternity. After all..."

Tommy looked at Merton tenatively.

Merton sighed, and gave Tommy a little smile.

"Um, congrats, I suppose? I mean, I can't stand in the way if you're each-other's one true loves or anything--- but, if she's pregnant before she graduates high-school you are in for it, Mister!"

Tommy laughed and put an arm around him.

"Don't worry about that... we won't be having kids for a *long* while..."

"Geez, Mert, I'm only fifteen..."

"Yeah, but you're already---"

Merton popped a hand over Lori's mouth.

"Don't help, Lor."

~*~

Later, Vince was watching through a crystal ball from an undisclosed location.

"Little Buddy and pals are having fun..." he smirked. "Little sister *especially*... too bad it had to be with that Tommy person..." he frowned. "Well, Vince has a new job. Vince is large and in charge!" he said, hopping up.

The music started again, and Vince grabbed a top hat and cane, and started dancing around crazily.

"Vince put a spell on you, because you're his.That's right, Vince owns all your asses. I said-a "Watch out!" Vince ain't lyin', yeah! Vince ain't gonna take none of your foolin' around. Vince ain't gonna take none of your puttin' him down.Vince put a spell on you, because you're his, alright."

Vince did a series of backflips.

"Oh, yeah, wonder which'll be the first to dance themselves to death?" he thought, smirking. "Wonder if Little Buddy will find out in time to save himself? Vince sort of hope so..."

"Vince put a spell on you, you're gonna dance yourselves to death.You can't stop Vince this time. Vince said-a "Watch out!" Vince ain't lyin', yeah! It's playtime, baby! Vince ain't gonna take none of your puttin' him down. Vince put a spell on you, because you're his, oh..."