'Good morning, Gary.'

Gary turned around to see Suzy coming out of her apartment. 'Good morning, Suzy. Did you sleep well?'

She looked down a little. 'Ehm, I, don't really like thunderstorms.' she said, then gave him a grin. 'It's silly, I know.'

'Oh, I can imagine.' he said. 'She was pretty spooked too.'

'Who?'

'Ah.' he said. 'A.., woman I saw last evening. At the store.'

'Oh.' she said. 'I thought the store wasn't open that late?'

'It wasn't.' he said. 'It was when it was still open. She mentioned she didn't like lightning and thunder. And she already looked nervous and all. Like a puppy. Not that I mean she was a puppy, just that she was skittish.'

Suzy nodded. 'Okay..' she said. 'I'll see you later again.'

'Yeah.' he said. 'Later.'

He watched her walk away for a moment, then went on his way with a feeling in the back of his head that he had missed something.

A thunderstorm had started just before Gary finished his meeting with a client who wanted to update the logo and look of her hair studio. He watched the sky and the street as people rushed home, pondering whether to wait it out or hurry home through the rain.

The rain hadn't lessened after a minute and he prepared to become very wet on his way home when he saw Suzy walking out of the veterinary clinic next to the studio, then huddle in the doorway when thunder rumbled overhead.

'Not a great time to go home.' he said.

She saw him and looked up. 'Not really, no.'

Gary hurried over to her doorway. 'Finished work?'

She nodded. 'Yes. Thought I could go home before the storm started.'

'Yeah..' he said, watching the street again. 'I hadn't checked on the weather. Got taken by surprise.'

She chuckled, then held herself when lightning flashed across the sky. Gary watched her, moved a little closer and got an idea when he smelled pizza. 'Care for a bite to eat while we wait for the storm to pass?'

She looked up. 'Eat?'

'Pizza?' he asked, gesturing at the restaurant next door. 'My treat.'

'Pizza?'

'Or something else?'

She looked up at the sky while the storm did its thing again, then glanced at him and smiled a little. 'Okay.' she said. 'Don't mind it when I can avoid this thunder storm.'

He chuckled. 'Let's go then.' he said.

They hurried into the restaurant and sat down at a table after ordering. 'Thanks.' she said after a sip from their wine.

'No problem, I started to get hungry too.' he said, watching the owner construct their order.

She smiled softly. 'I meant for keeping me company during this storm.'

'Ohhh. That.' he said, casually looking in his glass.

She chuckled. 'Yes, that.'

'I just thought I'd help a neighbour out while improving my dinner time.' he said with a slight grin.

She smiled and sipped more wine, looking outside.

'Something on your mind?' he asked.

She turned to him. 'Oh, sorry.' she said, pulling back a strand of hair behind her ear. 'Just thinking of Larry.'

'Larry?'

'It's the collie from mister Jones.' she said, turning her glass in her hands. 'It ran away yesterday.'

'Mister Jones?' he asked. 'The old man who's often at the library?'

She nodded. 'Died recently, heart attack. Larry ran away from a friend who took him in for the time being.'

'It might be missing mister Jones.'

'Most likely.' she said, looking outside again. 'I hope he turns up soon.'

'I hope so too.' he said when the pizza got served. 'If he doesn't turn up soon, maybe we can lure him with pizza later.'

She smiled a little. 'Maybe.'

The thunderstorm took longer than expected and it was already dark when Suzy and Gary walked from the restaurant to their home.

'Pizza was good.' Suzy said when they had arrived at their floor.

'Company was better.' said Gary with a chuckle.

She chuckled, then rubbed her arm slowly. 'Thanks again for the save.' she said with a gentle smile.

'No problem.' he said, rubbing the back of his head. 'We can do this again when it storms again?'

She nodded. 'When you're in the neighbourhood.' she said and pulled her keys from her pocket. 'It has made me pretty tired though.'

'I can imagine.' he said. 'I'm thinking about going to bed early too. Lots of things on my mind today.' He gestured at his door. 'I'll see you later then. Have a good night.'

'You too, Gary.' she said, getting in her door. 'Later.'

'Later, Suzy.' he said and went into his own apartment, pulled off his coat and shirt quickly and rubbed his arms, itching from the growing hair. 'Crap.' he said and undressed quickly while losing his sight slowly.

'And crap again.' he said when he tasted grass again. He sighed, heard a noise behind him and looked back in time to see the wolf running at him, her fangs bared.

He bleated in fear as he rolled over and she pounced him, growling softly.

'Wait!' he bleated. 'It's me!'

She growled more, her teeth getting closer to his face.

'It's me! Gary! Remember that thunderstorm!?'

She stopped growling, then blinked.

'Gary?' he said. 'In the hut last night? Together?'

She pulled back a little.

'You remember now?'

She looked away.

'I'm glad you do.' he said, sitting up. 'You do remember, right?'

She nodded once and sat back.

He let out a deep sigh in relief. 'Tha-ank goodne-ess.' he said and frowned. 'Oh grea-eat.' She tilted her head as she looked at him. He pointed at himself, cleared his throat and concentrated. 'The sheep, accent.' She gave him a nod. 'You can't, speak?' he asked and she shook her head.

Gary felt a couple of raindrops fall on his nose and looked up. 'Starting to, rain again.' he said and looked toward the playground. 'Let's, take shelter, there again.'

The wolf nodded and they hurried to the hut while rain started coming down more. They shook their bodies and sat down at opposite sides.

'So,' Gary started. 'who, are you, really? What's your, name?'

She shook her head.

'You don't, remember?'

She shook her head again.

'Are you like, me, transforming in the, night?'

She frowned for a moment looking up, then nodded slowly.

'But you, don't know who you, really are?'

She nodded slowly again.

'Da-amn.' he said and cleared his throat. 'At least, I do, most of the, time.'

She looked through the window at the rain coming down and listened to the ruffle on the roof of the hut. Gary watched her and thought about any way he could help her.

'I, wonder if you remember, anything as a, human.' he said.

She tilted her head and shrugged.

'Probably not.' he said. 'Or, maybe not a lot.'

They sat in silence while the rain kept coming down. Gary looked outside at one of the streets surrounding the park, lights from shops and street lights reflecting in the surface.

'What do you, do at night?' he asked, turning back to her.

She shrugged and gestured with one hand around her, then held up both in a pounce.

'So you, go around, and hunt things?' he asked. 'Like, what?'

She looked at him for a moment, then grinned her teeth at him.

A chill ran down his spine and he pushed himself back against the wall, swallowing.

She chuckled and gave him a smirk.

Gary let out a deep sigh and relaxed more. 'Don't sca-are me like tha-at.' he said and she chuckled even more. He shook his head. 'Have you caught, anything?'

She pointed at him and he raised his eyebrows.

'Really?' he asked. 'Only me?'

She nodded.

'Wow.' he said and leaned on his knees with his arms and chin upon them. 'That's not much, but I'm, glad no, animals or others got hurt.'

She pulled up her knees and hugged them, wrapping her tail around her feet and flattening her ears.

'I don't, mean to say you would.' he said, leaning closer. 'It's just, that the usual image of, werewolves is a scary one.'

She gestured at herself, then a pounce at him.

He nodded. 'Yeah, you, scared me, but now, that I know a bit more, about you it's okay.' he said and gave her a gentle smile. 'I'd like us to, be friends.'

She looked at him and her ears perked up as she nodded and smiled.

'Okay then.' he said and held out his hand to her. 'Friends.'

She took his hand and shook it.

The rain had stopped and Gary had invited the wolf for a stroll around the park to stretch their legs.

'I, always enjoyed the, smell of a field of, grass after rain.' he said after his stomach started to rumble. 'Never thought it would, make me hungry.'

She chuckled but then her stomach rumbled too. She looked at Gary and he backed away one step.

'Friends, remember?' he asked.

She chuckled and nodded.

He let out a little sigh but kept an eye on her as they continued their walk, just to be sure.

'How about, having a bite, at my place?' he asked. 'I, have some, beef at home.'

She bit her lip and looked down.

'It's okay.' he said with a little smile at her. 'I can't, let a friend, be hungry.'

She gave a small nod and he smiled. 'Okay then. Let's go.'

Gary and the wolf tried to move silently through the hallway when the bald neighbour opened the door, looking like he wanted to go outside.

He stared at Gary and the wolf and she growled softly at him.

Gary took her hand in his. 'This is just the, effect of, stress at work.' he said. 'You should, take a few, days off.'

The neighbour nodded slowly and backed away, closing the door.

Gary led the wolf into his own apartment and started working in the kitchen while she sat in the living room. He was glad the whole being a weresheep thing hadn't ruined his appetite for a good piece of meat and made them two juicy pieces of grilled beef with bread.

'Here we go.' he said as he walked into the living room with two plates, then bleated when the wolf nearly pounced him.

She backed off with some effort, licking her lips.

'I guess the sme-ell has gotten you e-even more hungry.' he said.

She looked down and nodded.

He handed her the plate. 'I can imagine how you, feel.' he said. 'I felt it, when I, smelled grass in this form.'

He sat down next to her and saw her stare at the beef, her hands shaking slightly. 'Don't hold back, just, enjoy it.' he said and cut his own piece.

She smiled and cut the meat in big pieces, eating them eagerly and he chuckled.

After the meal Gary felt tired and saw the wolf yawn when he came out of the kitchen. 'Do you know, where you live?' he asked.

She frowned in thought, then shook her head slowly.

He looked at his couch. 'If you, want, you can, sleep on the couch.'

Her ears perked up.

'It would be rude to, send you out the door, when you don't know where to go.'

She looked up at him, smiling softly.

'I'll get you, a blanket and pillow.' he said and went into his bedroom.

He made sure she had everything she needed before retiring to his bedroom, letting her get comfortable and fall asleep with a smile on her face.

An hour later Gary still couldn't sleep from the constant thoughts of having a woman staying the night, on top of her being a wolf and him being a sheep and no guarantee she wouldn't get hungry and eat him in his sleep.

***

The wolf was gone when Gary woke up and checked the living room. A breeze blew in through an open window and he watched it for a moment before taking the blanket and pillow and placing it on a corner of the couch. 'At least I didn't get eaten.' he said.

Gary barely closed his door when Suzy opened hers. She was fiddling with her keys as she walked out and closed her door.

'Hey, Suzy.' he said, startling her and making her drop her keys. 'Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you.' He picked up her keys and handed them to her.

'I'm okay.' she said, giving him a quick smile. 'I just, had a weird dream and it still feels unreal.'

'Weird dream?'

She nodded. 'I dreamt I was roaming around the neighbourhood.' she said. 'It felt so real. My bed was a mess when I woke up.'

'Ah.' he said and nodded. 'Maybe it was the pizza. How are you with peppers?'

She chuckled. 'Yeah, maybe that was it.' she said and walked with him.

Gary grinned a little. 'Next time when we're caught in a storm, we'll go for the pizza with fish.'

'Or maybe I'll pick the restaurant.' she said and poked his shoulder.

Gary spit out the grass. 'You know, this ne-ever get tired.' he said, then bleated loud from a sudden pain in his thigh. He looked back and saw the wolf holding it in her mouth.

'Ouch! Why'd you do that for?'

She looked at him, blinked, then let his go quickly, covering her muzzle.

Gary sat back and rubbed his leg, the pain quickly numbing. She sat on her knees holding her tail in front of her and looking down, glancing only occasionally at him.

'Okay, I get it.' he said, checking his skin but there were no puncture wounds. 'You were still running on instinct. You couldn't help it.'

She nodded.

He looked at her. 'I wonder if the pet store has any wolf collars with bells.'

She looked up at him.

'But I doubt you'd put it on yourself when you turn.'

She shook her head.

He chuckled. 'I could try spreading pepper on me, but I'd feel like I'd just make myself more appetising by seasoning myself.'

She nodded with a slight grin.

'Great.' he said looking up. 'A gourmet wolf.' She chuckled and he smiled at her. 'Just in case, I bought extra today at the store so we can eat if we really get hungry.' He rubbed his thigh. 'And not just get the munchies for kebab.'

She smiled back and nodded again.

'All right.' he said and stood up. 'What shall we do tonight?'

They had walked for a bit when the wolf started to get restless, looking around.

'What is, it?' Gary asked.

She clenched her thighs together, flattened her ears and tucked in her tail.

It took a moment for the coin to drop but then he understood. 'Ohhh..' he said and looked around, then pointed at a small building a little further off. 'The restroom's over there.'

He chuckled silently as she hurried to it, then strolled around, looking at the grass and pondering about the quality and taste of it before giving himself a mental slap to the face. He turned to see if the wolf was ready and found a collie standing a bit away from him, its fur a mess and dirty.

'Larry?'

The collie growled at him, shaking on its legs.

'Good boy..' Gary said, holding out his hands. 'Be nice and I'll get you something good to eat.'

Larry barked once and ran at him.

'Down Larry!' Gary yelled as he ran away from the dog.

Larry growled more as he chased Gary across the field.

'Stay!' yelled Gary, then stepped into a hole hidden in the grass, tumbling face forward, bleating loud before hitting the ground.

Larry was only a couple of metres away from sinking his sharp teeth in Gary when he looked back to see the dog coming at him. Gary turned to scramble away when a dark shadow shot at him. It pushed him down on the grass and snarled loud at Larry.

The collie froze in its path and whined softly as he made himself small.

The wolf moved slowly closer, growling menacingly.

'Wait!' Gary said as he rolled over on his back. 'Don't hurt him!'

The wolf stopped moving closer but kept her eyes on Larry.

Gary stood up and watched Larry cower on the ground. 'He's not a, bad dog.' he said. 'He just lost his, master and is probably lonely, and confused.'

The wolf looked up at Gary, back at Larry, then growled something at him. Larry whined and she looked back at Gary, giving him a nod.

'It's okay now?' he asked and she nodded again.

He moved carefully closer and went down on one knee, holding out his hand. 'It's okay boy, we won't hurt you.'

Larry looked at Gary, the wolf, then back at Gary again and crawled closer, whining softly. Gary leaned closer and let Larry sniff his hand before petting his head. 'That's better.' he said. 'There's nothing to be, afraid of.'

Larry wagged his tail slowly and Gary smiled softly at the wolf. 'Thanks for, saving, me.'

She gave him a smile and a nod.

Gary looked at Larry's fur. 'How, about you come with us, Larry?' he said. 'Give you, a bath, and something to eat, a dry place to sleep.'

Larry's ears pricked up and his tail wagged a little quicker.

'Let's go then.' Gary said, and the three of them went to his place.

Larry had relaxed more on the way and Gary was hopeful he would return to being a happy dog soon. 'You're in luck,' he said to Larry as they and the wolf arrived on his floor. 'I bought extra pork today so you won't be hungry for long.' Larry barked twice before Gary could shush him. 'No barking. People are sleeping at this time.'

As he expected, the bald neighbour opened his door and looked at the three of them. Gary opened his mouth but the neighbour held up his hand, backed into his apartment and closed the door.

'O-kay..' Gary said and let the wolf and Larry into his apartment.

'Bathroom's here.' he said, leading Larry into it and turning on the water. Larry looked nervously at it. 'It's okay.' Gary said. 'I'm just going to rinse the dirt out of your fur.'

Larry didn't want to get closer so Gary picked him up and put him in the tub. The moment the water from the shower head hit him Larry yelped and jumped out of the tub. Gary slipped and grabbed the edge. 'Larry!'

The collie ran out of the bathroom but the wolf was quicker and grabbed him. A short growl from her made him surrender.

'Thanks aga-ain.' Gary said as she put Larry in the tub again. He rinsed the dog and cleaned his fur, then used a couple of towels to dry him off as best as he could. 'There. Clean.' he said, then noticed the wolf pointing at him. He looked down at his own coat covered in dirt. 'Right.' he said and stepped into the tub to clean his wool. 'You might, want to get that dirt out of your own fur too.' he said as he dried himself. 'I'll go get a few more towels.'

'Here.' he said as he came back into the bathroom with the towels, then froze on the spot when he saw the wolf in the tub, her fur clinging to her body, no longer hiding her curves.

The wolf tilted her head as she looked at him in wonder, then looked down at herself quickly and tried to cover herself with her hands and arms.

'Sorry!' Gary said, turning around at once. 'I.., forgot for a second!' He dropped the towels on the laundry basket and rushed out the door. 'I'll prepare our meals now.'

A minute later the wolf peeked around the corner into the kitchen. 'I laid a large t-shirt on the couch.' Gary said when he saw her. 'You can wear that.' She gave a nod and hurried past the doorway. 'Oh boy..' Gary sighed, glad his parts were hidden in the wool because he had no pants that would fit him now.

Bot wolf and collie pricked up their ears and smelled the air when Gary walked into the living room with two plates and a bowl. 'Feeding time.' he said with a grin. He handed one plate to the wolf. 'This is for you.' She licked her lips and smiled at the big cut of pork. 'And this is for you.' he said as he put the bowl down for Larry, who eagerly dug into the small cuts.

He sat down and chuckled at the sight of the two predators enjoying their meal, then started on his own which was less pork and more vegetable.

'Say, what is your name?' Gary asked the wolf.

She looked up for a second, then shook her head.

'Don't know that, either, eh?' he said and she looked down, flattening her ears. 'Oh, don't, worry about it. It, means you can choose your own, name. One you like.' She looked up and smiled softly with a nod. Gary put away his empty plate. 'What, name would fit you?' he said and scratched his chin. 'I suppose we should, leave out things like Whitefang, Shadowborn, Moonbeam..'

She nodded quickly with a frown.

'Hang on.' he said and went over to a desk in the corner, took his laptop and phone and went back to the couch. Some taps on the keyboard later he handed it to her. 'This is one site with, names.' he said. 'Maybe you'll find something, there that you like.' She nodded and perused through the list while Gary gathered the dishes and went to the kitchen.

He was barely done when she stepped into the kitchen with the laptop and showed him the screen.

'Chuck?' he asked.

She looked at the screen and shook her head, pointing out the name above it.

He chuckled. 'Just kidding.' he said and smiled at her. 'I like it, Chelsea sounds good.'

She smiled and he held out his hand. 'Good to meet you, Chelsea.'

She shook his hand and nodded.

'Okay, now that's done, let's, see what's next on the agenda.' he said and looked at Larry who sat at the doorway.

'Okay, okay. I guess you can stay.' Gary sighed and threw up his hands. The two pairs of puppy eyes had left him no choice and Chelsea and Larry grinned as they sat on the floor in front of him, wagging their tails. 'Now I know how prey feels when cornered by a pack of predators.' he said, then looked at Larry. 'But you're going to get a check-up at the vet to make sure you're okay.' Larry barked once to seal the deal.

Chelsea moved next to Gary on the couch again and gave him a hug. 'Wow.' he said, thinking he could use a shearing to cool down. She let him go and smiled at him. 'Okay, time to get some sleep.' he said.

Chelsea made herself comfortable on the couch again and Larry got his own blanket to lie in front of it. Gary stared at his ceiling for long time, thinking not only about having Chelsea spending the night again, but also about how a certain part of her anatomy felt when she hugged him, and how he suddenly became owner of a dog. "Goodbye, quiet days." he thought.

***

As soon as Gary opened the door, Larry pulled on his leash and dragged Gary to Suzy's door. 'What's up with that?' he asked the collie who looked back at him expectedly. He heard the the fiddling at the door and Suzy opened it, startled by the sudden appearance of the two right outside in the hallway.

'Gary?' she asked, then looked at Larry. 'And, Larry!?' She squatted to ruffle the dog's cheeks. 'Where did you find him?'

'It's more like he found me.' Gary said, smiling at Gary licking her face and wagging his tail. 'I took a walk late at night when I couldn't sleep and he came across my path at the park.' He was glad he didn't have to think up a lie, and just needed to omit certain things.

Suzy frowned. 'Oh.' she said, studied Larry for a moment, then shook her head.

'Something wrong?'

She stood up and gave him a quick smile. 'It's nothing.' she said. 'What are you going to do with him? It seems he's fine and attached to you already.'

'Yeah, that's what I wanted to ask.' Gary said, looking at Larry. 'Can you check to make sure he's fine? He seems healthy, and I am thinking of keeping him unless there's family that wanted to take him in.'

Suzy shook her head. 'The only family mister Jones has is his daughter who lives on the other side of the country.' she said. 'I think Larry would be better off with you.' She smiled more at Gary. 'I think he even suits you.'

Gary raised an eyebrow as he looked at Larry, who looked up at him and barked once. 'Really?'

'I can have a look at Larry this morning if you'd like? There are no appointments this morning.'

'That would be great.' Gary said and pulled out his phone. 'Just let me check with the office and we'll go with you right away, if it's no problem.'

Gary handed the leash to Suzy while he stepped aside to call and she squatted in front of Larry again. 'Why do I have the feeling I'm not surprised to see you here with Gary?' she whispered and stroked his head. Larry gave her another lick and wagged his tail.

'All set.' Gary said. 'We can go right now.'

'Larry?' asked Johan, the vet at the clinic as the three of them walked in and he spotted the dog.

'Indeed.' said Suzy, putting away her things. 'This is Gary, my neighbour who found Larry at the park at night.'

Johan shook Gary's hand. 'Nice to meet you.' he said and gave Larry a pat on his head. 'He gave you no trouble?'

'Not really.' Gary said with a little grin.

'He's a friendly dog, but I've only seen him close with Frank Jones.'

'Oh.' Gary said as Suzy took Larry from him and lifted him on the examination table. 'He's been behaving very good.'

'Good, good.' Johan said, watching Suzy while she checked Larry.

'He's in good shape.' Suzy said after she was done with Larry. 'I bet he'll grow very old.'

'Guess you'll be stuck with him for a long time then.' Johan said to Gary.

Gary grinned. 'Yeah, I'm afraid so since it looks like he chose me.'

'Here, a couple of vitamin pills for him.' said Suzy, handing Gary a small bottle. 'For an extra boost after the lack of food in the last days.'

'Thanks.' Gary said and put it in his pocket. 'So what do I owe you?'

'Only your word on taking care of Larry.' Johan said. 'He's a good dog and I'm glad he's at a good home again.'

'Thanks a lot.' Gary said and shook Johan's hand again. 'I'll take care of him. He's family now.'

Suzy walked Gary and Larry out and they enjoyed the fresh morning air for a bit. 'I'm glad it turned out okay.' she said.

'Me too.' Gary said. 'And I can take him to the office with me so he won't be alone during the day.'

She smiled at Gary, then at Larry. 'Would you mind if I check up on him later?'

Gary's heart went a little faster. 'Of course not! We would love to have you come over!' he said, then cleared his throat, looking at Larry. 'Right?'

Larry looked from Gary to Suzy and gave her a happy bark.

She chuckled and ruffled Larry's head and cheeks. 'All right then.' she said. 'See you later then.' She kept an eye on them and waved when they went on their way to Gary's office, then went back inside with a big smile on her face.

Suzy met with Gary and Larry at the convenience store at the end of the day. He had called her to ask for her help on getting the right food for Larry and to invite her to dinner. She saw him at the aisle, frowning at the different cans, bags and boxes of dog food. He was discussing the various brands with Larry, who approved and disapproved various items. She chuckled and snuck closer.

'This? Seriously?' Gary asked when he pointed at an orange box with a white poodle on it. Larry barked once and Gary hummed. 'You're just liking it because of the cute chick on it.' Larry barked twice. 'Sure, as if you're any different from any other male species walking this Earth.' he said. 'Stamp a picture of a hot girl on it and every guy goes for it, no matter how much junk is in it and how expensive it is.' Larry barked twice again. 'I'll bet Suzy would agree with me.' Larry flattened his ears and whined softly.

'I do indeed.' Suzy said, startling the men. She smirked. 'And I didn't know you were one to go for girls of other species, Gary.' she said and looked at the poodle picture. 'I do admit it's cute, but to call her hot?'

'I didn't mean it was my personal preference!' Gary said, looking between Suzy and the poodle. 'I was merely getting into the mindset of a male dog. I prefer humans. Women. Like you.' Gary felt his face getting hot and looked away. 'I mean, in general, because I'm a human man, and I go for human women like any other normal man, not that I say other choices are not normal, just that,' he gestured with his index fingers going in circles. 'you know, a humans with humans thing.'

Suzy cleared her throat and chuckled. 'I was just teasing you.' she said and smiled a little deviously.

Larry barked at Gary. 'You're not helping.' Gary said.

Suzy helped Gary buy the right food and gave Larry a chewing bone as a present before they went home. Gary rushed through his apartment to check for any embarrassing things lying around while she dropped her things at her own apartment.

He heard her knock and call out 'Gary?' the second he saw his dirty laundry spread out on the floor of his bedroom. With a few swift kicks it disappeared under his bed and he rushed to the kitchen, leaning against the doorway when she saw him. 'Hey.' he said. 'I hope you had no trouble finding this place.'

She chuckled. 'I almost took a wrong turn.'

'Yeah, they should put up better signs around here.' he said. 'I was just starting on dinner, so make yourself comfortable.'

Larry walked up to her and gave her a friendly bark. 'Okay.' she said. 'Lead on.' She followed Larry into the livingroom and Gary dove into the kitchen to start cooking.

When he came into the living room with two plates he found her sitting on the couch with Larry draped all over her lap clearly enjoying her attention as she scritched his belly and chest.

'All right, Larry,' Gary said. 'time for belly rubs is over. Time to eat.'

Suzy and Larry sniffed at the same time. 'Smells great.' she said. Larry rolled onto the floor and sat down.

'It's a simple Italian recipe.' he said, putting down the plates. 'Hope you like it.' He turned to Larry. 'And you're getting your own meal, buddy. This human food isn't good for you, or so I'm told. If it's not true, you know who to blame.' he said and titled his head toward Suzy.

'Larry trusts me, don't you?' Suzy said, petting Larry and he confirmed with a bark.

Gary chuckled on his way to the kitchen and came back with a bowl of warm food for Larry.

'This is good.' Suzy said, nodding. 'Made it yourself?'

'Yep.' Gary said, holding back on stuffing his face when he got his hands on good food.

'Maybe I should check up on Larry more often.' she said with a sly smile at the collie.

Gary smiled. 'You're welcome to.' he said. 'I don't mind showing more of my cooking skills.' Larry cleaned his bowl, picked it up in his mouth and went to the kitchen. 'What's he doing now?'

'Oh!' said Suzy as she watched him leave. 'That's right. I heard mister Jones had taught him some tricks so he could help around the house. This must be one of those things.'

'Clever.' Gary said. 'I wonder what else he can do.'

'Maybe he can help you cook?' Suzy said and chuckled.

'I think that might be a bit too much.' Gary said and leaned back. 'It took me a while before I could put meals like this together.'

Suzy tilted her head and leaned a little closer. 'Really? Does it take a lot of work to make something like this?'

He nodded. 'It's easier once you've done it a few times, then it takes less time. But you do need to know what you're doing, like getting the right ingredients.'

'Ingredients are indeed the number one thing for cooking, yes.' Suzy said and smiled. 'It's not like one takes a ready made meal, then puts it on a plate and dresses it up to make it look like real home made cooking.'

Gary saw Suzy looking at something next to him, then heard plastic crumble. 'The dog is sitting next to me with the packaging in his mouth, isn't he?'

She gave him a big grin and he slapped his hand in his face. 'Larry, you suck as a wingman.'

The collie just tilted his head and wagged his tail.

'Thanks for dinner.' Suzy said when she and Gary stood at his door. 'You did manage to make it taste much better than straight out of the wrapping.'

'Yeah, yeah.' he said, glancing at Larry. 'I think mister Jones has taught him too many tricks.'

She chuckled. 'I'm sure the two of you will have lots of fun together.'

'You'll be the first to find out.' he said with a slight grin. 'Anyway, thanks again for all you did today.'

She smiled softly at him. 'No problem.' she said, clasping her hands and twiddling her thumbs. 'I'm just glad everything turned out great.' She sighed a little. 'I'd better go shower and study now.'

'Yeah.' Gary said, returning her smile and opening his door for her. 'Good luck with that, although I think you'll manage just fine.'

She nodded, looking down a little, then stepped into the hallway. She turned around and gave Gary a peck on his cheek. 'You're a really good guy.' she said softly with a quick smile, then went quickly into her apartment.

Gary stared at her door for a short while when their bald neighbour stepped out of his apartment and looked at Gary. Gary looked back at him, nodded, and stepped back to close his door.

The neighbour shook his head and went downstairs.

His transformation happened while Gary was fully conscious of it and he sat on the couch, looking at Larry. 'And this is happening to me for a while now.' he said. 'It's a wonder I haven't been caught by now since I'm usually not in control during the first part of the night.' Larry tilted his head. 'I don't know. And I'll probably never know why it happens.' Gary sighed. 'Come, let's go find Chelsea.' he said and Larry wagged his tail. 'At least I can keep my voice under control now.'

Gary peeked outside his door to make sure no one was there, then went out with Larry on his leash. The collie moved toward Suzy's door and sniffed it. 'No, we're not meeting Suzy.' Gary whispered. 'She's either studying hard or asleep so we can't bother her. Come, we're going to the park.'

At the park all was quiet and the two took a stroll through it while looking out for Chelsea. Gary let Larry walk free since he wasn't worried about him running away. He just knew the dog would stay at his side for the rest of its life.

'Now where could she be?' Gary said, looking around at the playground area. Larry walked up to him and sat down. 'I hope nothing happened to her.' Gary said to Larry. Larry barked once and let his tongue hang out. 'Yeah, she's probably fine and just lATE!'

Gary jumped aside and rubbed his behind while watching Chelsea grin, then looked at Larry. 'Traitor.'

Chelsea ruffled Larry's sides and rolled over wrestling with him, growling playfully. Gary chuckled and shook his head. 'Movie writers would lock you away if they saw you since it would ruin the public image of werewolves.' Chelsea stuck out her tongue to him, making him half bleat and laugh. 'Who ever heard of a werewolf being cute?'

She looked at Larry for a second, then they pounced Gary and wrestled him to the ground.

Gary bleated and laughed, trying to wrestle free of the two fierce predators. 'Down guys! I give up!' he said. 'Help!' Chelsea gave him a wide grin when they got startled by a gunshot.

'Get away you mongrels!' shouted a police officer, running in their direction.

'Oh shit!' said Gary. 'The cops!'

The three scrambled to their hands and feet and ran away on all fours instinctively.

The officer slowed down and looked around at the spot where he had seen those wild dogs attack a sheep, wondering where the man who called out for help went.

Gary looked back after they'd dived into an alley and reached the end. 'Hold up.' he said, slowing down. 'Looks like they didn't follow us.' Chelsea and Larry checked the corner for any sign of the cops or other people. She gave a thumbs up and Gary let out a sigh while breathing hard. 'That scared me.' he said. 'And now that they've seen us, they might search for us.' He looked around the corner, then back at Chelsea. 'Have you regained any of your human memories? Like if you live close to here?' Chelsea shook her head. He nodded and looked around. 'Then we have to be careful on our way to my place. I think we can avoid the streets until we get there, but we have to go around the park.'

Gary led them through the small backstreets, hoping he was right about staying out of sight when he hadn't been in these streets before. At every corner they looked and listened and moved quickly, hugging the walls and sticking to the shadows on the way to the next corner.

'We're almost home.' Gary said, checking the next corner. Just as they took the first step the patrol car turned the corner at the end of the side street toward them. 'Back.' he whispered and hid with Chelsea in a corner between a garage and wooden fence while Larry ducked behind a trash can. He peeked around the corner until he saw the front of the car coming by and pressed himself against the fence.

When he heard the engine sound fade away he let out his breath. 'Good.' he whispered, peeking at the street. 'They'll probably go the other way than we're going now.' He looked back at Chelsea who looked nervous, then realised he held her tight in his embrace. 'Sorry.' he whispered and quickly let go of her. 'It was in the spur of the moment.' She nodded quickly, looking away. 'Let's go.' he said and checked around the corner one more time before leading Chelsea and Larry through the last two streets to his apartment.

'Made it.' Gary said when he held open the door for Chelsea and Larry of the apartment building. They moved silently to his door and hurried inside, crashing down on his couch, relieved to have reached safety.

'We have to be careful from now on.' Gary said. 'More than we should have been. If they catch us we're screwed. Big time. I don't think they'd ever let us go once they find out what we are.'

Chelsea nodded, then moved fast against him when a flash of light came through the window. Gary heard a car drive by and sighed. 'It's okay.' he whispered. 'Just a car passing by.' She looked at Gary and his heart skipped a beat at the sight of her blue eyes so close to his. He had to admit, she was a very pretty creature. He was glad to have met her, even if it was dangerous at first. She leaned closer to him, opening her mouth slightly and closing her eyes. The urge to kiss her welled up, but he pulled back before it got to strong. 'Sorry,' he whispered. 'but there's someone I guess I'm in love with.' Chelsea pulled back and nodded, looking away. 'If that wasn't the case I probably wouldn't have been able to resist you.' he said. 'Even if you tried to take a bite out of me first.'

Chelsea chuckled and poked Gary. He poked her back and soon they were play fighting until tiredness got the best of them. Gary smiled as Chelsea had crawled against him and fell asleep. He thought about carefully pulling away but he didn't want to actually let her go. He gestured at Larry and the blanket next to the couch and the collie fetched it for him. 'Thanks, buddy' he whispered and draped the blanket over Chelsea. 'Good night and sweet dreams you two.'