A/N: The Astros arrive, conversations abound. Also, I said I was going to do this and I didn't forget. (You know who you are and if you don't I'll email you.)

Two days after Zhane announced their visit, Justin found himself pacing the living room nervously. He liked the Astros, had built careful ties with the Rangers after learning the truth of what they had done, had learned to get along with his brother's teammates again to ensure he saw his brother regularly. He just wasn't sure how Zhane would take his decision to become a werewolf and how the Power reacted to him now.

Laura was in her study, working on an English essay and Petra and Derek were upstairs with the twins, leaving Justin to worry quietly and alone.

The doorbell rang.

Justin turned.

"All get it!" Derek shouted.

There were three running footsteps then a loud crashing thud that ended in the sound of breaking glass.

Justin ran out of the living room to find Derek carefully picking himself up off the floor surrounded by the remains of a particularly hideous vase. "I'm okay," Derek called.

"He broke a vase," Justin added. "Mind opening the door, Derek?"

"Sure," Derek said with a fanged grin. He swung the door open as the doorbell rang again. "Can I help you?"

"We're looking for Justin Stewart," Zhane replied.

Justin hovered for a moment, then remembered Derek's smile. "I'm here Zhane," he called, striding forward.

Ignoring the crunch of glass, Zhane shoved passed Derek and grabbed Justin into a tight hug. Justin closed his eyes and hugged him back, mindful of his strength. "Give me a good reason why I'm not taking you with me," Zhane murmured.

Justin rested his head against his brother's as he replied in Eltarean, "Because I just got settled into a new structure and taking me away could make my psychological traumas even worse? Because I'm OCD and the Megaship makes me twitchy? Because then you'd have no one to long distance prank when Andros is being too stupid to live? Because being around them when I'm Halidenari is even more painful than being alone?"

Zhane's response was distinctly uncomplimentary and Justin chuckled, "Not sure that's possible, Z." He looked over Zhane's shoulder at the rest of the team as he carefully breathed in his brother's scent. Under the faint taint of the city and the stale recycled air of the Megaship was the scent of Zhane; ozone, mint, a little sugar, and rain.

"Derek, go get the broom and clean up your mess," Laura said as she approached.

Derek stared at Laura for a long moment.

As Laura reached her brother, she gripped his shoulder and whispered, "Clean it up, or I will rip your throat out with my teeth."

Derek shrugged Laura's hand off and headed for the pantry to get the broom.

Justin eased out of Zhane's hold, "Zhane, this is Laura Hale. Laura, this is my brother Zhane."

Laura smiled and started to offer Zhane her hand, only to laugh as Zhane latched onto her. "Thank you."

Justin shook his head slightly before he was tackled by a pink and yellow whirlwind. Justin carefully patted Cassie's back and tried to find a place on Ashley's back that would lead to Andros glaring at him for daring to touch her. From the way Ashley's shoulders were shaking, Justin thought she was crying. "Andros," Justin said with a solemn smile.

"Justin," Andros said with a slight nod.

"Living room is through there," Justin said, "I'll join you when I can move."

Andros's lips twitched and he slipped past Justin, reaching to touch Ashley's arm and gripping Justin's shoulder instead.

"Justin," TJ said, "I'd hug you but I think Ashley and Cassie have it covered." Justin blinked a few times, eyeing TJ for a moment. He opened his mouth and TJ glared at him, "Don't ask."

"I like it," Justin said, "really, you look good with dreads. The colors are really bright too; usually you don't get that kind of color definition."

Carlos, just behind TJ, grinned, "Thanks Justin. It was a gift from a friend."

"Come on in," Justin said, "mind the glass."

"Our uncle was an acrobat," Laura said, free of Zhane's hug, "every boy in the family over the age of ten tried to jump stairs like he did."

Derek, broom in hand, glowered at Laura, "If that table hadn't been there, I'd have landed it."

"You say that like jumping the stairs is going to be a regular occurrence," Laura replied, "it's not. It's really, really not. Justin, don't encourage him."

"Me?" Justin said, "I'm not the one who jumps the stairs. I don't go upstairs often anyways." He looked at Cassie and Ashley, "We need to move so Derek can clean up his mess."

Ashley squeezed him tightly and stepped back, "Okay," she said with a shaky smile.

Cassie released him a moment later, and then slapped him. "You do not get to die, Justin," she told him. She slapped him again. Justin heard Laura growl in her throat, so he caught Cassie's hand gently before she could slap him again.

"Stop," Justin said firmly. "Let's move into the living room, Cassie. I promised my landlady that we'd keep the destruction to a minimum."

Cassie yanked her hand free and stalked after Ashley into the living room. Justin looked over at Laura, "Justin," Laura said.

"It's okay," Justin replied. "I expected that. Actually, I expected Ashley to punch me first."

"She probably will," Zhane said, "it's just that Cassie's pregnant."

"Good to know," Justin relied.

There were some running feet and then Petra landed in front of the stairs with a loud thud.

"Petra!" Laura said, "I was just saying we didn't do that."

Petra grinned at Laura, "I know." She adjusted her backpack, "I need to get to work. I'll be back later. The twins are down for their nap, there are bottles in the fridge for when they wake up. I'm picking up diapers and formula after work."

"Hey," Justin said, "Petra, my brother Zhane. Zhane, our other house mate, Petra."

Zhane bounded over, avoiding the glass and gave Petra a quick hug. "Thank you," he said as he moved back.

Petra blushed, "You're welcome?"

Zhane chuckled, "I'm just glad I get to come home to my baby brother. You, all three of you, made that possible."

Petra nodded and slipped out the door.

"Zhane," Justin began.

"Hold that thought," Zhane replied as his smile faded. He turned to Laura and bowed slightly, "My heart grieves for you and I hope the shadows of sorrow fades from your path. May the Light return to you in time and the day come that you sit in a garden of roses with those who walked ahead."

Laura frowned for a moment, and then bowed slightly, "Thank you Zhane. If you'll excuse me, I have an essay to finish."

"How's that going?" Justin asked.

Laura gave him a toothy grin, "I've gotten my title sorted out."

"Good," Justin said. He glanced at Zhane as Laura headed for her study again. "I need to talk to you in private today, before you leave. It's super important."

Zhane nodded as he slung an arm over Justin's shoulders, "We'll make time, little brother. Now you have to talk to your friends." He pushed Justin towards the living room.

"You mean I have to be questioned by the Spanish Inquisition," Justin muttered.

"Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!" Laura shouted. "Do they need the comfy chair?"

"No," Justin replied, mindful of his brother's position, "we'll be fine."

The Astros were standing awkwardly around the living room, like uncertain guests. Justin sighed and pushed Zhane's arm from his shoulders. "Justin?" Zhane said.

"It's fine," Justin said. "So," he clapped his hands together, "do we want the nickel tour or do you guys want to hang by the pool? Laura's going to be searching for the silliest cat photos for a few hours and Derek has a date with the library."

"Not a date," Derek called.

"Figure of speech," Justin shouted back, "all we have to do is keep in mind that there are babies sleeping upstairs that will bring down the wrath of all that is holy if we wake them up."

"Magical?" Zhane asked.

Justin chuckled, "Their mother is a practiced herbalist and the best cook in the house. I have no desire to spend two hours in the bathroom waiting for my stomach to settle because I didn't take her promise to make me pay serious enough."

"Who puts buckthorn berry in a black forest cake?" Laura shouted.

"An angry mother," Derek called back.

"Stop listening to the security system Laura, we're not the matinee at the theater," Justin said. He turned to the Astros, "On second thought, let's go out to the pool. There's no audio out there."

"Lead the way," Andros said.