Al began swearing profanely in Italian, using words that Sam was quite *sure* he'd picked up in the Navy...

"You keep your filthy paws away from my baby girl, you... you... nozzle!" he shouted at Tommy.

Sam shot him a "He can't *hear* you, you're a *hollogram*..." look, but Al ignored him.

"I'm trying to understand this..." Sam said aloud.

Tommy flashed him a guilty look.

"Yeah, I know... best friend's baby sis is kind of... well... not who you date, but... Merton..." Tommy fidgeted.

Lori sighed.

"Well, we should *tell* her that you're a werewolf first off?"

"Does anyone else feel like we're not giving her a *choice* in the matter?" Sam asked.

"Choice my ass! She'll do... *that* over my dead body!"

Sam shot Al a warning look, then groaned to himself, remembering that he was the only one who could hear him...

"I'm sorry, Merton..." Tommy mumbled, looking at his shoes as he heard the groan.

"What sorry? It's not like you're gonna be bragging about stuff and... wrecking reputation? It's just like... going steady or pre-engaged or something? Besides, we all *know* how she feels about *you*..."

"Yeah, and what if that changes when she finds out the truth?!" Tommy burst out. "What if she takes one look at the wolf and runs screaming from the room?!"

"Well, if she has any *sense*---"

"Al!" Sam snapped, finally exasperated.

"Al?" Lori echoed, looking at Sam with a puzzled little frown.

"Uh... yeah..." Sam stammered. "My..." he looked at Al questioningly.

"Merton calls me Pops." he provided.

Sam nodded thankfully.

"Yeah, my Pops."

"Merton, we can*not* tell your father that I'm a wolf!"

Sam eyed him.

"Well, maybe not, but don't you think he's gonna *notice* you dating his 'baby girl'?" Sam pointed out, using Al's terminology.

"Oh, crap, he's gonna kick my ass, isn't he?"