Jase was dead.

Well, not really, but he resembled the dead. Sprawled out on the roofdeck, just basking in the sun like a contented cat. Life was good, very good. And he was a very happy man.

Thump.

Not a normal sound in the little house by the lake.

Thump.

In fact, it was very much out of place.

Thump.

It wasn't the sound of a bed banging against the wall, or a table scratching across the floor.

Thump.

This was the sound of an otherwise graceful werewolf falling on his ass while trying to learn how to rollerblade.

Thump.

He wasn't hiding from Zane. He wasn't avoiding him either. He was just taking his time telling him.

Which is why he was just now getting up to the house, a full twenty-four hours after telling Gabe.

He waves to Sin and then heads up the stairs when she points at the ceiling, knocking on the bedroom door.

"Zane?"

Everything was plotted. Food was made, thanks to the newly returned Lil and Carrie. The basket was packed and the spot was ready.

All he was waiting on was Em to show.

They had made an appearence at the big house that morning, mostly to pick up the gifts and cards that had been given to them, and watch Ella open her gifts.

He had waited until this evening to give out his gifts. Em's gift was in an elegant white and gold box, sitting on her pillow.

Now he was just waiting for her to find it.

He was lost, confused. He didn't know where to go or what to do.

And he hadn't even been to the mall yet.

Christmas shopping, Jase hated it. Zane and Sin were bought for, everyone else was getting gift cards.

Except for Em. It was kinda tacky to get your fiancee a gift card. And here it was, less than ten days to Christmas, and he didn't have anything for her yet.

He needed help, and he was man enough to admit it. Which is why he was knocking at Zane and Sin's door.

It shouldn't be this hard. He had the directions in front of him, and he followed them to the letter.

It was wrong, it looked so wrong. Dammit, now he would have to start over, but there wasn't time before Em got home.



Really, how could a chem major fuck up baking a cake?

It was perfect swimming weather. Which explained way Jase was lounging in the pool.

Well, actually he was hidden in the grotto, hiding from Zane and the others so he wouldn't have to take his turn at babysitting. There were plenty of people in the house to look after Ella. Hell, someone could wake up Jason and Scud, let them do it. Or Dru, she could look after the girl.

Jase was taking the day off.

Jase unconciously mimics Jason from yesterday, only he's curled up in the window seat in the library.

And he's not reading chemistry books.

Careful, stealthy, the wolf stalks his prey. He tracks the creature through the dense underbrush, following its scent and heartbeat.

He's right behind it now, creeping closer and closer, not making a sound.

Suddenly Jase pops over the back of the couch and pulls the trigger on his water gun, drenching Ray. "Tag, you're it!" He drops a full waterblaster in Ray's lap, runs out the patio doors and jumps over the deck railing.