As soon as Nancy parked in JoAnns driveway I saw the front door open. My sister looked like a mess with her hair all undone and puffy eyes that said she'd been crying. She wasn't now with her hands on her hips and a scowl on her face.

"That thing isn't coming into my house! So you had best tell it to get the hell out of here because if I do it, I won't be subtle."

My eyes went to her brown belt that told me she was carrying her gun. It was the only time she wore one.

"JoAnn, knock it off! I get that you're upset, so am I, but Nancy had nothing to do wi-"

"DON'T YOU DARE TRY TELLING ME THAT!" She screamed from the doorway "I was almost killed once, then Jake was going to kill us both and now our parents are dead! WHATS FUCKING NEXT?! Jesus Christ, Crystal, wake the fuck up! Her kind is dangerous. How can you possibly try to defend them after everything that's happened?"

She started towards us sending panic throughout my body. JoAnn wasn't ever violent but I'd never seen her like this and I had no idea what she would do. I met her before she could get too close to Nancy

"DON'T YOU THREATEN HER! I GET THAT YOU'RE DEALING WITH A LOT, SO AM I! THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN TAKE IT OUT ON HER! SHE'S BEEN WITH ME THIS WHOLE TIME SO BACK THE FUCK OFF! IF YOU DON'T WANT US HERE THEN FINE WE'LL GO!"

"It's alright, Crystal, she has every right to be angry." Nancy said behind me in a soft voice.

"Jake is going to pay dearly for what he's done to you and Crystal but you can't be alone right now. You might think Ashley will protect you-

"I don't need Ashley's protection anymore than I need yours! Don't let the cast fool you, I'm far from helpless! If you don't believe me, go ask your husband!"

JoAnn countered bitterly as she tried pushing me out of the way. I wasn't moving. Letting my anger aid me i grabbed her arm and pinned it behind her back as Nancy came around her car

"Oh really? Well how about justice or even Crystal? Let me explain something to you, JoAnn right now I'm about all you've got. You think your police is going to arrest him? You already said they think it was just a wolf. FYI, wolfs don't hunt people at their homes. You planning on going after him? That's all kinds of a bad idea even if it was just him, but it's not, he has the pack. Then if that wasn't enough you had to stupidly go get yourself involved with Ashley who just inherited her Alpha status and is out to prove herself to daddy and the rest of them. So aside from our little lovers triangle you're also involved yourself in a pack war. She's not even trying to hide her bloodlust. Hiding won't work either if that's your plan...I really don't see any other options, do you?"

Now I'll go, but I'll be back soon. When I do, you need to have your shit together! The longer you don't, the more danger you're both in."

Joann relaxed a little in my hold so I took it as a sign she wouldn't do anything foolish. Nancy's eyes were burning with fury and the trainwreck of emotions I was picking up from her testified for them. My instincts urged me to ask her where she was going but it was pointless. She wouldn't tell me and she didn't have too. I already knew, she's going to look for Jake. If she found him, she would kill him.

The very thought of it swirled in my mind like a storm. Not that I didn't want her too, but the fact that I did. My sister wasn't the only one who wanted justice. Jake stole the chance of me and my parents ever reconnecting and I wanted him to pay for it.

"You fucking better!"

My sister snarled at Nancy before storming back inside the house.

Once she was gone I went to Nancy not wanting to let vengeance cloud our minds.

"Why don't we call the Council? Linnea seemed to think it was a good idea. I don't want you getting hurt. If you did, I'd seriously lose it. With what Ashley he's going to be-

Nancy brought her finger to my lips. Touching them so lightly that they tickled. My emotions have been in such turmoil that I instantly crazed more.

"Nothing is going to happen to me, it you and your sister that I'm worried about. I don't like the idea of leaving you two alone but I really don't think any of them will try anything in broad daylight. Far too many witnesses even out here. The Council would be all over their asses for sure. Stay with JoAnn. She needs you even if she doesn't want to admit it."

"Don't tell me you can sense her emotions too." I questioned her. I could only imagine JoAnns reaction to that one. It's practically mind intercourse with how vulnerable you feel.

"Of course not." She gasped. I wasn't sure if I was more relieved that she couldn't or that she as so turned off by the idea proving she felt the same way about it.

"You're her sister. Your parents were just killed. It's natural to need each other at times like this. That's all."

My heart swelled by her words. Sending a beam of light that split the darkness I've been feeling. It was proof of how much she cared. Not just for me,but also for JoAnn, and her commitment to protect us when anyone else would be long gone. It reminded me of the shock I was in when I found her visiting JoAnn at the hospital and how she followed me to the hotel the night before. I thought she hated me. She had every right to and yet she refused to waver.

"Good. That would be like next level in weirdness."

"More than a little bit. Now I'll have my phone on me so if anything happens you call me. You understand? "

I nodded "I will."

The tenderness left her expression as she grabbed my arm hard enough to make sure I was listening closely.

"And under no circumstances are you to have anything to do with Ashley or anyone from her pack. You're mine! She knows this and will use you to get to me. She isn't a friend and you being human won't matter. We're at war and you're an easy target. I let Jake use you, I'll be damned I'll let it happen again! I mean it, Crystal!

The harshness and bitterness of her voice left no doubt that she did if her grip didn't. It was only just a few degrees off from the tone she used last time she said I was hers. At least this time I can breath.

"I am." I confirmed as I wrapped my arms around her neck pulling her closer for a kiss. "Don't worry, Linnea helped me see how stupid it was to go to her in the first place. I'm sorry. I won't do it again."

She loosened in my embrace and returned the kiss letting me know she accepted my apology. I had very few friends as most left when I came out. Truth be told, I really didn't have any. They always leave when they find out. Even among the LGBT crowd we're often kept at a distance. I've been accused by both gay men and women that I was only pretending to be a woman because I was ashamed of being gay. It can be really lonely which is how I could tell someone to give my number to a complete stranger or wanted to hold onto Ashley. Still, I have Nancy now and Dobby has never given a shit about any of it. I didn't need anyone else.

After Nancy left I went inside to give JoAnn a piece of my mind. She sat at the kitchen table her head lowered as she looked at one of the many photographs that cluttered it aside from a small area just big enough for her coffee cup that was practically full and was likely cold. I didn't have the heart to go through with it so I sat down in a chair beside her.

"We're looking at a closed coffin service for both of them. I don't know how I'm going to do it. My hospital bills have already wiped me out. I'll lose this house but I refuse to have them just tossed into a furnace. They deserve better than that!"

She said in a voice that sounded exhausted and defeated. Lacking any of the anger it held only a few minutes ago. I tried to think of something to say to comfort her however nothing came to me aside from feeling utterly useless and guilt for ever having gotten involved with Jake in the first place. If I hadn't, none of this would of happened. I'd be home with Dobby looking forward to another long shift of boredom reading stupid magazines to pass the time.

We sat in silence for about forty-five minutes. The two of us unsure of what to say to the other as she continued looking at photographs and I with how I was going to make sure she didn't lose this house. She'd done so much for me, it was time I made some sacrifices of my own.

"They loved you too. I know you don't believe me... they would always ask about you when I visited. That's why I kept pushing you to see them. They were from another time period is all. Unfamiliar with being gay or transgender. It wasn't out of meanness, it was because they wanted you to be happy and thought it would prevent that. I mean, damn Crystal, you were all over the place after leaving because of it. Can you really blame them? I get why but they didn't. Maybe they had it wrong... I don't know. I just know they had good intentions even if they didn't express themselves very well."

I glanced over at her taking drink of her coffee, given a look at it that said it was cold, before taking another. I had decided on step one.

"I wanted things to be better too. When you were at Lakeside hospital it seemed like there might actually be some hope of it. They weren't the only ones who failed to express themselves. I'm just as guilty if not more so... I'll get you some more coffee."

She offered no response as I grabbed her cup and filled it pouring one for myself as well.

"How much?" I asked as I sat her cup down.

"For the funeral? I'm not sure exactly. I can make payments for most of it but I figured I'd need at least ten grand down payment for both of them. I can find out for sure tomorrow after they open but I'm already paying out more than I can afford. Asking the bank for more will-"

"You don't need to do that. I can get you the money."

She let out a gasp of disbelief leaning back in her chair. "Where the hell are you going to get that kind of money? You didn't even have milk."

"My surgery. It's almost paid for so I can just cancel it for now and-"

"Are you out of your damned mind?! She said jumping up in disbelief. "There isn't a chance in hell i'm going to let you do that! I'm well aware of how long those waiting lists are so you can just forget it!"

Who was this person? For the second time since I got here she was acting like a totally different person from the one I grew up with.

"Jesus Christ, JoAnn of all the times you could've chosen to be supportive of my transition, why the fuck did you pick now? I'm the one who got involved with Jake in the first place. I'm the one who stayed with him even after I found out he was married to Nancy. I'm the one who told you to mind your own damn business when you told me to stop seeing him and that there could be consequences. They are dead because of me! The least I can do is help you pay for it."

"When I said consequences I was talking about her kicking your damn ass! And where the hell do you get off saying I've not been supportive? I may not fully understand why you need to do this but I sure do understand that you do! What, you think I didn't know why you were picked on and beat you up throughout school? I heard what people called you! I just pretended to believe the shit you made up because I didn't want you to feel worse!

I even knew where you kept the clothes and makeup you would steal from me. In the bottom of that chest in your closet that you kept your old sports uniform in that you always quit after a few weeks. I'm not fucking stupid! I know how miserable you were growing up and how much happier you've been since you started this even with all the homophobes in this stupid valley. That's why I tried helping you when I could. I wish I could be that brave but I'm not. That's the main reason i always flip you shit about it. I figured you knew that. I always just do what I think everyone expect of me and have accepted that I'll never be truly happy.

Oh and for your information, asshole exes are something that happens. Jake may be worse than most, but there was no way you could have foreseen this and he's costs us enough to give him this. This isn't your fault. So if you wanna help, start looking for another job or something. Because I'm not going to let you cancel your surgery."

I was seeing her in a whole new light making me realize just how lucky I was to have gotten her as a sister.

"Come here."

"What? Why?" She asked suspiciously as she did as I told.

"So I can give you a hug. You officially have my vote for best sister in the world." I said embracing her. I heard her let out a small chuckle.

"Well duh! About time you noticed."

"I've known it for awhile. I just didn't want you getting a large head from me saying it but you deserve it." She returned the hug that lasted several minutes.

"You need more coffee?" I asked when we finally parted.

"I can get it myself."

"No, you can't. You've been on that leg far too much already. Not only that, I'm sure you haven't eaten anything so I'm going to fix you something. How about pancakes?"

"That actually sounds really good."

A loud knock came from the door startling us both followed by the doorbell. Who the hell does both like that?

Annoyance came to JoAnn's face as she got up quickly "If that's Ashley or any of her clan I swear-"

"I'll get it." I said grabbing her arm. "Just go to the bathroom or something and I'll get rid of whoever it is."

I watched her leave the room before getting myself together enough to answer the door. When I did I couldn't believe who I was seeing.

"Ms. Reeves, it's nice to see you again. Can I come in? I'm afraid your sister, JoAnn can't sleep until I speak with her. I'll do my best to make this quick."

The familiar blonde hair, blue eyed, face said with a big smile that left me speechless. He wore the same suite and tie as before holding a brown briefcase. Why the fuck was he here? Did someone tell him about Jake? Wait! Why did he need to talk to JoAnn?

"Ummm she's not feeling very well...Is this about Jake murdering our parents? If so why not just-

"He raised his hand stopping me "I'm afraid I know nothing about that. You are free to file a report with me or Ms. Jackson using the number we provided at a later time and we'll look into it. Right now JoAnn is the sole reason for my visit."

"Who are you and what the fuck do you want? If this isn't about our parents, I'm not interested. I've had an exhausting past couple of days."

JoAnns raised voice spoke up. I mistakenly turned towards her giving him the opportunity to push past me.

"Ms. Reeves my name is Mark Kenny. I'm here on behalf of the Council to notify you that you've been claimed."