It Had Never Been Done: Vignette #1: He Would Do It

By Cassandra E

Rating PG

Disclaimer: Wolf Lake is not mine, this ficlet is. Period.

A/Notes: Just a writing exercise, Luke POV. What if he had been able to escape in the episode "Leader of the Pack?" This will be probably be a standalone, since I'm quite busy writing for the kick ass genre that is known as Firefly. Watch it, love it, live it. Great TV. And I can safely say it's really changed my view in writing, my muse really took off as I began writing my first Firefly story. I have learned and improved as I wrote it, and it's where my heart is now. In case, any of you wondered what happened to my WL Chimera series. It's canned. Didn't like how it was going. I have a plot bunnie for this ficlet, expanding on Luke and how his journey from WL changes him, etc. But like I said, doubtful I will start it any time soon. Unbeta'd, so typos will or might be rampant. But that's the point of a writing exercise, just got a bit nostalgic for the WL today. Enjoy and review!

Summary: AU Ending: He really left…

Non mortern timemus, sed cogitation em mortis

"We do not fear death, but the thought of death." --Seneca

He had been scared. Not the he would willingly admit it. He was after all, Lucas Cates.

He was the smart ass rebel, with a penchant for the ladies and a piece of tail; especially, the one whose tail didn't exist, as of yet. But soon, he was sure of it.

But he was, that is scared.

And with that came the natural response, in whatever kind of species. He ran.

But that's where things got complicated. He wasn't allowed to leave. It was forbidden, an age old law that had ruled the pack for centuries. One of his kind couldn't put himself out there, in the real world. Where humans dwelled in larger numbers; and the wolf always knew what man could do to Them. Man feared things it did not understand. Destroyed and crumbled. Ashes to ashes.

Nothing, just a dead carcass. Lost history, loss of a culture.

His sister had tried, but she stayed too close. And she was found and brought back, claws and fangs extended. So far, nothing good had come of it. Made the problem worse, by also bringing back her lovelorn human. Idiot.

That was the problem with his kind. You were tied to the pack, once you made the change. The pack is with you and you with them. Intertwined. A never ending circle. So breaking away was pretty much a moot point, since, well, one couldn't. The pack's call reached long, dragging the poor delusional soul back. Captive.

You can never cage a wolf, but strange enough, they were. And it had been his kind that constructed the cage, invisible metal bars. It was Law. No one broke the Law. But Lucas Cates broke rules; he was a rebel, right? So if he got away with breaking human laws, then why shouldn't he break his kind's?

Ruby didn't count, not really. Because she just broke it half way. So technically it had never been done. At least not in any recent century. Rules and Laws were meant to be broken at times, not always followed. It got boring that way. He could never stand to be bored for long. So he reviewed his options carefully, he was in a situation in where his death was a certain possibility, after the new pack leader was chosen. Tyler was looking too smug, made his skin crawl. Bet the son of a bitch knew it too. Curse the damn good sense of smell of his kind. And he was dead anyway, if he was brought back, for breaking the Law. Worse if Tyler was made Pack Leader. Or Gerald. So he really didn't have anything to lose, right?

And a wolf always knew when its prey would run. But here's where Lucas had the advantage, they wouldn't really expect him too. Because it had never been done.

But he would. And he would stay the far of hell away, even if the pack's call tried to lure him back. He would resist, he would not be caged again. It was not their way, they had just forgotten, brainwashed into thinking they were safe, in their little world. He knew better and he rather take his chances outside, with the humans. Easier to outsmart. He smiled thoughtfully as pocketed the key, savoring the taste of Sophia on his tongue. Tart, like the wild berries near the lake. His little would be human would be the only thing he would miss when he left. His father was dead and buried-- his killer still loose. He would pay, Luke would bid his time. He would make the killer come to him. And maybe, just maybe…later on. He grinned, knowing the rebellious soul in the half breed. Stranger things had happened, like him leaving.

So he made himself busy, snacking on the chips and dip, roast beef; saving his energy for the journay ahead. The fear had settled at the back of his mind, he would leave, he would do it. Run. Freedom.

Sophia gave him the signal as she casually served a piece of marble cake to one of the guests. Her scent was a fresh, clean, earthy like the woods. He would miss those too. He took one glance around, scanning the surroundings; the pack was in an uproar over the tie in the voting. Sherman was looking his direction, smiling as knowing what lay ahead. Luke brushed away the sudden insecurity that threatened to stop him. Fear. No, he thought firmly, it was time. He quickly made his way to the double doors, and walked out. Easy.

He did pass some odd men heading for the lounge, but he didn't let the curiosity last as he rounded the corner. Unlocking the door, he swung it open. He glanced back quickly, nothing, no one had noticed. He took his shirt off, preparing for the change, when he heard the screams and growls from the lounge area. He heard the call of the pack, wild and demanding, Luke paused for a moment, just a moment. He thought of Sophia and hoped she was ok. Shaking his head, he finished undressing and called for the change to begin. The pain raced through his body, the delicious snapping and rearranging of bone as he flipped. Quickly as it began, it had ended. Luke stretched his hind legs, nails clicking on the concrete. He ran.

As he reached the opening of the alley, a figure suddenly appeared in the path. He sniffed, scent was fresh and clean, Sophia. He slowed to a walk, cocking his head in her direction. She knelt down, rubbing the stop between his ears. Luke resisted the urge rub his body along hers, licking her. Relief that she was ok, and not in the lounge area. She smiled sadly, whispering, "Good luck, you're going to need it."

He nudged her hand away, glaring at the half breed, at her lack of faith. Sophia arched her eyebrow dryly at the gesture, "They will try to find you, you know that."

Yes, he did. But he would do it. He would leave. They won't find him. You can't find people who don't want to be found. No matter how good of trackers the wolven were.

Sophia gave him one last pat, standing up. Regret in her heart, she finished, "Go. Before they notice."

He paused, not used to feeling, whatever it was he was feeling when concerning females. No, not lust. Kindness, caring. Friendship?

She snapped her fingers impatiently, "Go!"

Luke growled, not liking her tone or receiving orders from humans, even if he liked the girl in front of him. He shook his fur, feeling the fear come back, the call was stronger now. It was now, had to be now, or he wouldn't be able to leave again. He ran and took off, feeling Sophia's gaze on him. He ran, taking the short cuts through the wood and brush, he ran, and ran, everything blurring together, he kept running even when passing the Welcome to Wolf Lake sign.

He did not stop, nor slow his pace; cutting through different paths-- so his scent would be difficult to track. Once he reached the city, he would lose himself, they wouldn't find him. The multitude of human scents would work to his advantage. He would find a way to get out of the state, maybe Sophia's cousin could help him, or her aunt. Best would be if he left the country for now, Canada was too easy, needed to further away.

So he ran. And he did not fear, slowly dissipated as he got further and further away. The wolf rejoiced its freedom. Free at last. Captive no more.

It had been done.

THE END…