MutantJediBauer- I'm glad to know that I've painted pictures for you when describing scenes- that's whatI strive to do and I'm happy that I've accomplished it. I'm alsopleasedthat you like my characters. I seem tobe getting a lot ofgood feedback on mythem and their dynamics. I'm so glad that you've all accepted my canon characters with open arms and open hearts! Brings me to tears . . . sniff.

Rubic-cube- Yes, I enjoy mytwists as well.Actually, I myself am a very twisted person, if you can believe that.

Alli and Kayla- Thanks both for taking time to read my fic. (And yes, Kayla you spelled Duff's name correctly). And Alli, I highly recommend writing your own fanfic. I don't doubt for a second that you would make me proud.

Thank you all for the reviews. They've all been constructive and specific- just the type of reviews awriter enjoys. I'm sorry that it's been so long since I've posted, and this next chapter isn't very lengthy- sorry, but it is insightful- in my opinion anyway. I particularly enjoy the ending : ). I hope you will too.

I'm so happy that thus far my fic has been a success, and I can't wait for you, my readers, to meet the angry Russians!



Spread-eagle on his bed, Remus thought back to his most recent encounter with his long-time childhood friend, Piper MacPherson. Remus was still dazed by it all. It had happened so quickly, so unexpectedly. She had kissed him. Remus didn't know what to make of it all. Natural male instincts and a somewhat underfed ego inclined him to feel very pleased with himself indeed. But logic and reason told a different story.

He had known Piper for years, since he was a kid. They had been close friends for many years, a friendship that Remus had needed for many reasons. Piper had offered him support and lent him strength during his difficult adaptations of becoming a werewolf when he had been younger. His seven year old world had been knocked helter-skelter by one terrifying encounter. And in the midst of all the violent tumult that had ruled his life he had found a source of normalcy and stability in his adventurous five year old neighbor.

As they had grown older and Remus' grandfather had passed away, his mother had been an emotional wreck that Remus had struggled to cheer. But when Remus had felt so utterly defeated in his predicament it had been Piper that brought cheer back into his life.

And superseding his grandfather's death had been the new responsibility bestowed upon Remus: the caring and treatment of his emotionally unstable mother. Piper had always been there, for nearly every episode, to lend all the help she could and all the help she could and all the support she could supply.

Throughout every trial in Remus' life Piper had stood behind Remus, a source of silent strength, and unrelenting friendship. But Remus knew that all friendship was terminated with the arrival of more than friendly notions. How many of Sirius' female friends had come to despise him after dating him for a week? Too many times to count, Remus thought.

He definitely did not want that for Piper.

Remus turned onto his side wondering why he was still awake, thinking about that hiss. He was bound to never fall asleep. For several more minutes Remus lay awake trying futilely to clear his mind and lull himself to sleep. Finally he flung the cotton covers back and swung his feet to the edge of his bed and slid off. He trudged up the cellar stairs while dragging a hand through his dark blonde hair. He reached the heavy metal door reinforced with Impassable Charms, a feature that had been implemented after a most unfortunate experience during his third transformation in his new home. Remus flipped back the three bolts placed at one foot intervals on the right side of the door, before pushing his shoulder into the weight of the door to open it.

The small back hallway he entered was black as pitch, but Remus did not need any light to navigate the home he had lived in for the subsequent ten years. Not to mention the hallway only traveled in a straight direction. Remus walked down the hall, detouring on the second entrance to his right; the kitchen.

Remus paused as he entered the kitchen, listening for his mother's soft snores emanating across the hall. At least one of us is getting some sleep, he thought laconically, flicking on the kitchen light in an absent minded gesture, Remus crossed the area of the kitchen to the cabinets where he began pilfering small snacks.

CRACK!

The entire flat shook with the voluminous noise, and Remus dropped his small glass of pumpkin juice in shock. What the hell was that?

Speeding out of the kitchen and down the hallway, Remus was vaguely aware that before he whipped open the door his mother called his name worriedly. But Remus paid no heed as he watched a huge indiscernible object, obscured by blinding light recede into the woods at the speed of light. With his eyes squinted and his arm raised as a shield, he watched bewildered as the gigantic thing disappeared. He dropped his arm from his face as the blinding light vanished.

Remus was about to turn back into the house when a loud bark arrested his movements.

Bark?

Remus did a double-take and discovered the origin of the bark; a large black, shaggy dog was sitting directly in front of the flat, flagged by two trunks.