LeBeau thoughtfully regarded his packmates as he stitched a uniform. Kinch sat by the radio, Carter played solitare, and Colonel Hogan paced slowly. "Mon colonel," LeBeau finally started. "May I ask what you found out about Pierre?"

Heads lifted and ears almost seemed to prick. "Louis, is this something we should ask?" Carter asked. "I mean, Peter's not here."

"I think we are not sharing enough." LeBeau twitched. "Colonel, I would never think of challenging you. But we all need to know what about each other."

Hogan nodded. "You're right, Louis," he said. "I know everyone is concerned, wondering what is going on. You know Peter is doing all right. He'll heal slowly." He glanced at Kinch. "We all have our privacy and deservedly so but we do need to share some things. So what are your concerns?"

"Why?" LeBeau asked. "Pierre does not explain why he did what he did. I understand he wanted to save us but there are other reasons."

"He is worried about the future," Hogan said.

"And us?" Carter asked. "I mean, heck, that wouldn't surprise me. Newkirk always thought and worried about the future."

"Did you two ever talk about what you were going to do?" Kinch asked.

"No, not really," Carter said. "I think we both kinda assumed we'd travel. And he has sisters and I have sisters, so I'm sure both of us thought maybe we'd find dates."

"With sisters?" LeBeau asked. "I have sisters and so do you, Kinch and the Colonel."

"I don't think my family would be agreeable," Kinch said quietly.

"Gregori said something, Kinch. Love makes traitors of us all. I think I get that," Hogan said. "I was thinking of an international spy ring-of us all working for a coalition of nations or something. Or maybe the US. I think we've earned that right." All the men grinned. "But I will never be the officer I could be fully because of my werewolf side, because my werewolf side will always place you men first."

"That makes you a better officer," LeBeua muttered.

"Like Gregori can't return to his country-because his daughter loves an American and the Russians would never accept that," Carter said. "Got it."

"So country and patriotism falls to family," Kinch said. "That's hard."

"But what else can we do?" Carter said. "We're werewolves, we're family."

"It means we're stuck with each other, for better or worse," Hogan said with a shrug. "I may lead the pack but you guys do have to make your own choices."

"Like you and Elsa, James," LeBeau said. "I mean, if you are no longer interested, I think she is lovely."

Kinch narrowed his eyes and a smell of annoyance rose from him. "I'm trying to figure it out, LeBeau," he said.

"I don't get it," Carter said. "You like her, she likes you. Heck, you're even both werewolves. If you love her, why pass that up?"

Kinch looked at his hands. "It's not that easy, Andrew."

"But maybe not that complicated," Hogan said. "Look, do you guys trust that I'm working on this? That we are going to all be all right?"

"I trust you," LeBeau said. "We will travel all over."

Hogan smiled. He turned suddenly as a scuffling was heard. A bedraggled looking Whisper limped into the room. "What are you doing here?" Hogan blurted.

Whisper lifted his ears and shook himself. A badly scarred Newkirk appeared, the fresh scars bright red and angry looking. "Ol' Wilson and Stefan said it was OK I walked around a bit. 'Urts some but I'm going bloody 'round the bend. 'Sides, sounds like I'm missing a good conversation." Newkirk grabbed a convenient robe.

"Just telling the Colonel we trust him," Carter said. "About the future, I mean."

Hogan looked at Newkirk who gave him an odd smile. "Of course we do, mates. Who else wants the bloody job?" He walked to the coffee pot, poured a large mug and added sugar.

"So you're all right with leaving behind your sisters?" Kinch asked.

"What do you mean, leave behind? God, mates, we're not pack prisoners. After the war, we're footloose and fancy free, we are. We'll see our families."

All the men looked at him thoughtfully. "You're pretty cheery," Kinch said suspiciously.

"I just came to realize that we're going to do this. We win the war, we get the bloody credit we're do, and Bob's your uncle, we're on our way. Sides, ol' Gregori's out there with his pack and I might as well get used to them since they'll be bloody connected to us soon enough."

"Hey," Kinch protested.

"Come on, Kinch, you love her. I know you're concerned but you 'ave to take a chance sometime." He looked at Hogan. "'Sides, I owe all of you an explanation. The gov 'ere twigged it-I knew Hans was coming and i planned for it. I never was going to have you all involved. I knew if I could push Hans, he'd go for me. I figured if anyone would die, it'd be best if it were me." He held up a hand as Carter opened his mouth. "Hang on, Carter, let me finish. I didn't want to see a future with our pack split up."

"We're not splitting up," Kinch said in surprise.

"I'm not used to people sticking around," Newkirk mumbled. He hastily took a sip of coffee.

LeBeau's nostrils and mouth twitched. "We are pack, Pierre. We run together."

"Heck, yeah!" Carter agreed. He hugged Newkirk. "We're family."

Newkirk hugged Carter back. "Can we talk about something else now?" Newkirk asked. Hogan smiled.

"Does anyone else have concerns? I should have addressed this long ago," Hogan asked.

"I'm worried about Elsa," Kinch said. "And her pack. Russians and Americans-we're barely allies..."

"We can't change that," Hogan said. "But we can change their pasts."

"New identities," Newkirk said. "We've done that before."

Kinch looked hopeful. Hogan smiled. "Anything else?" he asked, glancing at LeBeau and Carter.

"Can we find a French werewolf madamsouille?"

"Later," Hogan sighed.

"Peter, are you going to challenge the Colonel again?" Carter blurted.

Newkirk's eyes widened as did Hogan's. Carter looked painfully earnest. Kinch and LeBeau leaned forward. "Me?" Newkirk asked.

"You were pack leader and you do have fighting skills," Carter pointed out. "Hans proved that."

The scent of fear filled the room. Newkirk blinked, glanced at Hogan who tried to appear casual and unconcerned. Newkirk shook his head. "Andrew, I give you-all of you-my word. I won't challenge the gov. I have no plans to ever challenge but if I ever did, I swear I'd wait until the war was completely over. All right?"

Carter studied him then broke into an incredible smile. He hugged Newkirk again. Newkirk hugged him back then looked around. "You all worried about that?"

"Oui," LeBeau said.

"Some," Kinch said.

"Gov?" Newkirk asked, looking at Hogan. Hogan shrugged.

"It crossed my mind," Hogan admitted.

"I won't," Newkirk said. "Not that I could in this shape but I won't." He studied Hogan, body tense. "You wanted me to trust you, Rob. 'Ave faith with me on this."

Hogan tilted his head. "I believe you, Peter," he said. He walked the few steps to Newkirk and embraced him.

Three weeks later

Hogan watched as Kinch and Elsa talked softly in a corner. Gregori stepped over to him. "Your man is better," he said.

"Thanks to Stefan. We appreciate it."

"We are all werewolves. Besides, my daughter loves your Sergeant and I love her." He shrugged. "I do not know exactly what you do, Colonel, but I will help if I can."

Whisper walked into the house, nudged Hogan. "We have to go," Hogan said, hand resting on Whisper's head.

"Have a good night," Gregori said. Hogan nodded and walked outside. The thickly falling snow sprinkled Whisper's black coat. Hogan looked at Whisper. "You sure you're up to this?"

Whisper nodded and Hogan shook his head amusedly. "OK, we'll take it easy." Hogan hastily stripped, shoved his clothes in a bag. A shake and Ghost appeared. He gave a bark and Goliath, Joker, and Flicker appeared, aching for a run.

The pack trotted off, Whisper moving slower than the others. Ghost pressed his flank against Whisper and led the pack to a clearing where Joker and Goliath bounced off after a fleeing deer and Flicker and Whisper gently wrestled. Ghost stood watching.

He knew it wouldn't be easy-there was too much to do, too many decisions to make. He needed to find out more about Dachau and Hans' pack as well as Gregori and his family. Hochstetter certainly would be back and soon the invasion would happen.

Yet as Whisper walked over, nudging him, Ghost found none of the worries mattered at the moment. And for the first time, he allowed the worry to fully vanish. He had his pack and his men back at camp and he was happy. His family was complete. For now, he would live in the now.

Whisper rooted through the snow and tossed it at Ghost. Ghost snorted and pounced. Yes, the war could wait for now.