A/N – Thank you guys again for the reviews, I really appreciate hearing from you. It put me in such a good mood that I threw a bit of slash in here, which I've never been good at writing. So great hearing from you, especially Omega696 and DJDP, you're the greatest! Thanks also to Nifters, witch20, Dreamer2322 and Kataragurl27.

Erik quickly picked up Robin's scent and tracked it through the forest to Razor Gorge, the huge divide that cleaved the central forest of the crescent-shaped coastal town of Beacon Hills. The highway system wrapped around the gorge, but the Lycan residents found it quicker to just leap the gap when they needed to travel swiftly.

Erik howled, and Robin gave an answering call a few moments later. A helicopter flew overhead bathing him briefly in its lights as he tore through the thick woods. Robin sat with his back against a large boulder, knees to his chest while his body shook with the force of his despair. His bathing suit was long gone, as were Erik's own clothes, but there was no one around here to see them. Erik sat next to him and took his hand.

"I heard what happened. Guess what, we both have tattoos!"

Robin was so distracted by this statement he almost forgot how upset he was.

"Are you serious? Who did this to us? Erik…my Dads…they hate me, they think I did this-"

"Whoa! They don't hate you, Robin. Look, you didn't have a normal childhood, so you're not used to this. My Dads yelled at us…well, mostly Laurie…but they yelled at us whenever we screwed up, and then they would get over it. We were never beaten or…anything. They still loved us, and would no matter what. Getting a tattoo is a big deal that every parent would flip out over. They were just upset…but you can't tell me they hate you. I just ran into Uncle Danny and he told me that Uncle Ted is having a major freak out over you. He's crying and beating himself up over being a bad parent. He…had a family life that was…not as bad as yours, but pretty bad. He's afraid he'll hurt you more than anything."

Robin stopped shuddering, and Erik was quiet while he got himself under control.

"B-but…I b-broke the doors…a-and I t-told them…I told them…"

"Let me guess. You told them you hated them? Kids say that all the time, Rob. They know you were just upset and that you didn't mean it, just like Uncle Ted didn't mean to yell at you."

They smelled the scent at the same time. Ted ran up to them with a bulging knapsack, still wearing his damp bathing suit. Robin couldn't look at him, and hid his face behind Erik's shoulder.

"Robin…Erik's right. I heard you guys talking while I was hauling ass over here. I'm…well, I'm deeply ashamed at how I acted. I should have given you a chance to explain and not freaked out at you. You don't need my family history haunting you along with yours." Ted got on his knee and gently turned Robin's face so that they were looking each other in the eyes. Robin saw at once how flushed and miserable he looked. "I would understand if you couldn't forgive me, but please…please give me another chance. You are the greatest thing that ever happened to Danny and me."

Robin sniffled a few more times.

"On three conditions."

Ted looked surprised. "Let's hear them."

"First, the broken doors are not coming out of my allowance."

Ted laughed. "Done. What else?"

"Second, I'm keeping the tattoo. I…kind of like it."

Ted growled low in his throat. "Urgh….okay, but you are to tell everyone at school you were grounded for ten years for getting it. And no more until you're 25. Make that 30. What's the third?"

"Um…could you pretend you didn't find Erik and me for…say about another hour?"

Ted gave a shocked laugh. "Your tattoos are so appropriate, cause now you're asking for the moon and the sun." He tossed them the knapsack. "I really am the worst parent that ever lived. Here's some clothes for you both, and you've got half an hour. Then…then I want you to come home."

Robin took a deep breath and felt a sense of relief and come over him. He still had a home.

"I will, Dad. I love you." The helicopter that had been buzzing through the sky like an annoying insect was returning.

"I love you too, son. Now what the hell is that thing on your chest? Holy crap!"

Ted lunged at Robin just as (with no noise at all) a fist sized hole opened in his side. The warm wetness of his father's blood splashed Robin's face and chest. Ted fell to the ground while Robin and Erik looked up at the hovering helicopter. Their excellent vision showed them a sniper dressed in black who was even now reloading his weapon.

To call the feeling that instantly flooded their minds and bodies fury would be to vastly underscore its depth and power. Time seemed to slow down for them until they could almost see the individual blades of the helicopter's rotor. Somewhere in a forest not quite in this world, a legion of wolves gave a piercing howl to the night sky with eyes that glowed like flame. Then, as one, they began to race through the woods.

{}{}{}{}

Stetson cursed under his breath when he realized he got the adult Beta instead of one of the two kids. Gallows informed him that the kids were the primary target; once they were dead, picking off the rest would be a breeze…but the kids had to go first. The tip off that the Stark kid was in the woods (gleaned from the tapped phone in the Kean/Turner home) was too good an opportunity to pass up. He got the new round socked into place and took aim, the laser sight (that had alerted Ted to the danger) once more probed the darkness. He cursed again; he'd lost sight of them. But there seemed to be something moving down there amongst the trees, something huge.

Make that two huge somethings.

Stetson tried to find the boulder again where they had been sitting and caught sight of it…it seemed to be bigger; in fact, it was getting bigger as he watched, almost like the moon itself was coming at him.

"Holy crap!" he dropped the gun just as the boulder crashed into the helicopter with wrecking ball force. All the men on board were killed as the copter exploded.

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Two Avatars of Fenrir, one brown furred and one black towered over the small and broken form of Ted Turner. His body struggled to repair itself, but the bullet contained a lethal toxin that interfered with the process even while poisoning the surrounding tissues. He was lost in a haze of pain, and did not see the lupine demigods that regarded him with enormous crimson eyes. The great beasts lay themselves down beside him as if in meditation. Joining them were hundreds of wolves that crowded as close as they could; a sea of lambent eyes glowed in the darkness as if every star in the sky had spawned a twin on the earth.

And the Great Pack worked its will.

The gaping wound flamed, the powdered aconite was catching fire and burning out the single element within that was lethal to all werewolves…the rest acting as a balm and sedative. Even now Ted's life force might have slipped away before the damage could be reversed, but it was anchored firmly in place by the will of the towering demigods until the damaged internal organs rapidly regenerated themselves and the wound finally sealed itself shut. Ted slept deeply under the influence of the purified aconite (the same used in the old family tea recipe) while the Great Pack returned to their otherworldly home.

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Erik and Robin came awake to find themselves tangled together on the forest floor. Erik laughed and wrestled with Robin until he was lying on top of his mate.

"It happened again…I have this feeling that we had really great-"

"We did," put in Robin.

"But for the life of me I can't remember it. We were changed while we did it, weren't we?"

"Yeah, maybe that has something to do with it…oh, crap, Erik! My Dad is still over there!"

The boys scrambled for the knapsack and hurriedly dressed before approaching the sleeping Ted. They were surprised to find that despite their best efforts, they couldn't wake him though he seemed otherwise fine. Shrugging, Robin picked up his adoptive father easily and slung him over his shoulder. The boys trekked back through the forest until they arrived at the back yard of the Hale home. Danny, Stiles and Derek jumped up from the deck chairs where they'd been sitting.

"What happened to Ted, is he all right?" Danny asked, hurriedly taking his mate and laying him on one of the tanning lounges.

"He came and found us, then fell asleep." Robin explained.

"Whaat?"

Erik sighed. "I know how it sounds. I found Robin and talked him down, then Uncle Ted showed up and they talked about what happened…and then..." he shrugged.

Stiles was peering closely at Ted. "Did he drink any of that tea?"

The boys looked at him blankly. "Tea?"

"Nevermind. He won't be up for another hour or two and we can ask him what happened then. Did you boys see or hear a helicopter in the woods tonight? We just heard from one of our contacts that a Council team was dispatched in the area. We were going to all come after you when you showed up."

"I…think I saw one when I was trying to find Robin…" Erik struggled to remember. The image of a fly being swatted kept crossing his mind.

"Well, nevermind. Danny, why don't you guys stay over tonight. You can take the usual room, and Robin…I think you may be getting the couch since we have so many guests…"

Erik interrupted Stiles. "Pop, I want him to stay with me."

Derek shook his head. "No way, I'm not having minors engaging in…"

"Dad! We promise we'll behave. You can ask me in the morning and you'll know if I'm telling the truth. Robin had a rough night, and I want him with me!"

Derek looked on the point of refusing, but something in his son's gaze made him change his mind.

"All right. If it's all right with Ted – well, nevermind that, he's out. Danny?"

"Derek, to tell you the truth I never had a problem with it."

Danny shrugged at the look Derek and Stiles were giving him.

"Look, they're mates, they're not going to get anyone pregnant, and you just know they're doing it anyway no matter what we say."

"Yeah, but…" began Stiles.

"AND people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones!" Danny gave Derek and Stiles a stern look.

Erik and Robin had a sudden flash of a boulder flying through the air, but before they could examine the memories more closely, Derek said words they never thought they would hear.

"I guess…I guess you're right." Even Stiles was open-mouthed.

"Just…try not to make it obvious." Derek finished, turning and walking into the house.

"Thank goodness the rooms are sound-proofed…" muttered Stiles as he followed his mate inside.

"Merry Christmas, boys." said Danny, picking Ted up and carrying him into the house.

Though they were nearly exhausted, Erik had to check on Laurie before he went to bed.

"How bad was it?" he asked when she let him into her room.

"Bad. They didn't yell at me or anything, Pop looked really disappointed and Dad…I can't even describe his look." She was red-eyed and sniffling. "I screwed up, big time, and all because I'm such a busybodying, micro-managing, can't-mind-her-own-business control-freak."

Erik gave her a huge hug. "And that's why I love you."

She laughed then, and he was glad to see her smile. It broke his heart to see her upset.

"Well, Pop thinks Harris was into some kind of weird voodoo werewolf magic. Dad's father, Erick Hale gave Dad his tattoo, but never explained why. He's going to dig out that book you were talking about by Eowin Radcliffe and see if these designs mean anything. Dad says he's going to track Harris down and eat him, after chewing him into very tiny pieces." She held her thumb and index finger a quarter inch apart to give him a visual.

"I wish him luck." Erik grabbed a small compact and pulled up the back of his shirt so he could check out the tattoo in her full length mirror.

"It does look kind of Badass…" he murmured.

Laurie rolled her eyes.

"Oh, get out of my room, you were-dork. Go give Robin a hickey or something."

"Great idea. See you in the morning!" He was gone in a flash, his door slamming a second later.

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The next day, Stiles and Derek took the Argents with them to explore the woods and figure out what happened with Ted. Ted and Danny left that morning after breakfast to get the house repaired, saying they would pick Robin up later. Before they left, Ted gave Derek a general idea of where he found the boys.

It turned out to be an easy location to find.

"Wolf prints…LOTS of wolf prints…I think Erik's Pack has been here. These are Alpha prints, obviously Erik and Robin coming from two different directions." Derek muttered aloud.

"What's that huge hole over there?" Stiles asked. "No snide answers please."

The four werewolves looked at the depression, all wet earth and crawling insects.

"Looks like there was a rock or boulder here." said Chris.

"Call me the Queen of Understatement, but it seems to have vanished." advised Vivian.

"And what the hell are those?" Derek pointed out.

They hadn't noticed the giant prints at first since they were so huge. Their minds dismissed the possibility that anything could make one that size…but once Derek saw it, the hair on his head stood straight up.

"You guys smell anything?" Stiles asked.

Derek inhaled. "I smell Robin and Erik…Ted…the damp earth over there…about a thousand wolves…and something….burning? And…" his eyes widened.

"Wolfsbane." Stiles finished for him.

"Lookee here," said Chris. He pulled a bloodstained giant magnum rifle round out of the earth. It had two tiny letters on one side: AA. Argent Armaments.

Derek sniffed the bullet. "Wolfsbane…and definitely Ted's blood. Something happened here, and we need to understand it. The boys were attacked last night, and Ted took the bullet. He was fine this morning, and had no memory of anything like this happening."

"These giant prints…there are two sets." Vivian observed.

"I…really don't like the picture I'm getting." said Stiles.

Derek agreed completely.

Chris had wandered off, catching a scent and following it until he came to the edge of Razor Gorge.

"Guys, I think I found the boulder…and a few other things too."

Minutes later, all four were looking down at the crashing surf and the wreckage of the demolished helicopter. Four bodies lay broken and twisted on the rocks below. Two halves of an enormous boulder lay on either side of the wreckage.

Derek leapt into space, landing at the bottom of the gorge. The other three followed behind a moment later, only Stiles grimacing a bit; this was a tad higher than the top of the Hale family's staircase.

The broken bodies reeked, and were already being pickled by the saltwater surf.

"Council sniper team. I know these guys." Chris told them. "Stetson here is a long distance crack shot. Walker is an Ace pilot. Gallows wasn't playing around."

"They had to be after Robin, and whoever was with him. I've been hearing clicking sounds on the phone lately, which means our houses are probably bugged; Danny called to tell us about Robin and poof! A helicopter gets dispatched. I'll have Danny go over everyone's place with a fine tooth comb. You'll have to give Danny another strip tease, Derek. Derek! I was just kidding!" Stiles watched his mate strip his clothes off and toss them to the side. Chris wasn't impressed, but Vivian muttered to herself "Now I see what Kate saw in him…" Stiles glowered at her, waving his hand up and down in front of her eyes in an attempt to block her vision.

Derek phased into his Alpha form, and stalked over to the nearest boulder half, growling menacingly at it. The boulder wasn't impressed. Alpha Derek grabbed the edge and shoved with all his might, every muscle straining until he was able to topple it over. The boulder was impressed…slightly.

When he phased back and pulled his clothes on, Stiles asked him: "What the hell was all of that for?"

Chris whistled. "I have an idea. Derek thinks that something picked up that boulder and tossed it like a volley ball at this helicopter, destroying it. With all of his Alpha strength, he could barely move half of it. Those prints up there…"

Stiles was white with shock. "And something threw the WHOLE boulder…at a HELICOPTER?"

"That incident at the mall…Anson Cooper's car being thrown across the parking lot…like a Matchbox in the hands of small child…" Derek shook his head. It was too unbelievable.

"The Council knows about that incident, but Gallows never let on he knew how it happened. Erik was implicated…because his mate was in danger. Robin was human at the time, so it had to have been Erik…but this," she pointed at the boulder. "…could have been either one of them, or both. I hope it took both of them to do this." Vivian saw she was not alone in that hope.

"Robin would have been provoked at seeing Ted get shot. Erik would have been provoked by seeing Robin upset. Hell, he gets provoked if anybody looks cross-eyed at Robin, if Laurie's story about the arcade is any indication." Stiles looked out at the water. "Company's coming. Let's make ourselves scarce." The Coast Guard had discovered the wreckage and a boat was maneuvering towards the narrow rocky strait. The four quickly climbed back up to the top to make the journey back to the Hale house.

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Erik and Robin slept in late, Erik spooning into his mate and drowning in the amazing scent, the occasional kiss…or lick…causing Robin to laugh in his sleep. Erik studied the detailed sun tattoo that caused all of the recent problems. It was a beautiful piece of work, centered exactly between his shoulder blades and each flame around the edge rendered in fine detail. He had no animosity towards Harris for doing it (although he would like to have been asked), but it seemed as if Harris acknowledged the bond he had with Robin, how perfectly they matched. Moon and Sun. Batman and Robin. Protector…and protected. Erik growled softly in his throat. Too many people had tried to hurt his mate. Anson…Stucky…that lump of a bouncer…and then…

The boulder image flashed through his mind again. Then it was gone.

No matter. Anyone that tried it in the future would get a fucking surprise.

A huge fucking surprise.

He gripped Robin tightly around the stomach, trying to get closer to him, to get inside him. Robin flexed against him, and Erik was reminded that his mate was strong too, as powerful as he…the gift that had been given by the…

Erik's brow furrowed.

The gift given by…the wolf…under the stone…

"Fenrir." Robin muttered.

"Fenrir." Erik mumbled back.

Robin twisted in his grip until they were facing each other, pulling him impossibly closer and kissing him savagely, grinding his body against Erik's, trying to enter him as fiercely as Erik did so often. Erik came fully awake, surprised at this sudden shift in their usual play. But what Robin wanted, Robin got. That was Erik's purpose in life, giving Robin everything he could ever want. Erik closed his eyes and surrendered his body to his mate, allowing himself to be rolled face down into the mattress. Robin wrapped his arm tightly around his mate's neck, biting into Erik's shoulder with his human teeth first and then…the sharper ones. Then there was that brief and timeless moment before the pain, that trembling on the threshold to a new world, before Robin aligned himself and thrust in deep. The pain came and went like a thunderclap, and Erik kept the surprised shout of his lost innocence locked inside him so that Robin could take his pleasure without restraint. In fact, he began to tease his mate, to exhort him to greater effort, trying to be the indestructible vessel Robin needed him to be.

Something had changed in him, Erik could sense it already. Whatever happened last night had done away with the Robin that was afraid of so much, and left a warrior in his stead. It was still Robin…only stronger. Erik wanted to get to know this new Robin very much.

Finally, Robin brought them both over the edge in the near-mythical fashion of erotic fantasy. Robin rolled off of him, laughing at his own daring, at his own strength.

"You…you really let me do that." he panted.

"Didn't I once tell you 'Anything of mine is yours'? I meant it. And I enjoyed it as much as you did. I hope you weren't holding off on my account."

"Something got into me."

"I think that's my line." Erik laughed.

"Holy fuck, Batman. I love you." Robin said this in the manner of one who means it with his whole heart.

"Ditto, Robin."

Robin smacked him with a pillow. Erik fled the bed, and pulled Robin after him.

"I love you back. You're everything to me." Erik said seriously.

"Let's shower, and spend the rest of the day in this room. Things are coming…"

Robin looked like he had no idea why he said that.

"Let's do it. The war is tomorrow, but today is ours."

As Erik pulled him into the shower, he realized he had no idea why he said that either.