"There are three felines in residence," Athena said after a moment. "An elemental who lives there on and off. Tony can be a bit abrasive, don't let him put you off."

"I can deal with abrasive," Kyle said with a nod. "I'll leave Warren at home for this. He'll grumble but he'll agree. Better not to bring in another outsider, not right now."

"Good idea," Athena said. "Chloe and Natasha don't really like outsiders much. Steve is a bit more tolerant, but not by a lot."

Kyle nodded. "I expected as much. So, when is a good time for me to stop be and see everyone? Or most everyone."

Athena thought for a moment, going over a couple of schedules and things in her head.

"Two days?" she asked.

"What time?" Because Kyle made his own schedule, and he didn't have any active cases at the moment.

"Afternoon," Athena replied. That would give everyone in the haven enough time to prepare. "Two-ish?"

"That's fine with me," Kyle agreed with a faint smile. "Just let me know if plans change for whatever reason."

Athena nodded.

"I will," she said.

Kyle nodded and settled in to eat the rest of his lunch.

Athena picked at her own, a little too anxious now to be hungry. She knew the haven was taking a big risk, making themselves vulnerable by bringing in someone from the outside, and she doubted she would be able to fully relax until things smoothed out.

Two days later, Kyle knocked on the door, exactly on time. He was waiting patiently, having left Warren at the house.

Clint had been keeping an eye outside from his spot up in the rafters, and had seen Kyle approaching. Athena got up and answered the door when he knocked.

"Good to see you made it," she said as she stepped aside to let him in.

Kyle nodded. "I wouldn't miss this," he said with a little smile. He could hear at least one of the cats up in the rafters, but he didn't look up yet. "Is everyone ready?"

"As they'll ever be, I think," Athena said. She glanced back at the room in general. "Tony's in his workshop, Steve is in the kitchen with Bruce." She paused for a moment, glancing up. "And Clint, Natasha, and Chloe are all up there. So make yourself comfortable, I guess, we'll see who comes out first."

Kyle nodded, picking a neutral spot and waiting.

Steve emerged first, walking over. His body language was calm but his eyes were bright, more feline than man. He was there mostly just to listen and smell. Bruce and Tony were supposed to be in charge of talking.

Clint kept watch from the rafters, but it was actually Tony who emerged and went over to Kyle.

"You the lawyer?" he asked.

"I am. My name is Kyle." He held out a hand with a little smile.

Tony studied him for a moment before shaking his hand.

"So what's in it for you?" he asked.

"Publicity, reputation, the challenge of uncharted legal territory. Oh, and I'm on your side in this." Kyle shrugged. "I think the laws have been used in the case of Weres to encourage lording and ruling and abuse, and I would very much like to change that."

Tony raised an eyebrow.

"And what puts you on our side?" he asked. He knew that Kyle owned a were, certainly, but he wanted the man to admit to it.

"I have a werewolf at home. Warren." Kyle smiled faintly. "Besides which, I happen to agree with what you've been arguing."

"So, what, you just figured 'hey, let me take on this insane case'?" Tony looked at him for a moment. "If you end up backstabbing us, I'll make you regret it for a long time, are we clear?"

"Very clear. I have no intention of betraying you." Kyle smiled. "And something like that, yes. There was a little more debating involved, but you've got the right idea."

Tony studied him for a moment longer before nodding.

"Make yourself comfortable," he said, heading back the way he came. His workshop was calling his name.