The house was small, bright and comfortable. Every room had wide windows that let sunlight spill in, books covering most of the tables in the living room and kitchen. The kitchen was just as bright and sunny, everything designed for comfort and a general sense of home. Gabriel liked his creature comforts, but he didn't go too far over the top.

Out in the yard, he was lobbing a tennis ball for Thor while the two smaller dogs romped at his feet, doing their level best to destroy his shoelaces.

"It's not much, but it's home. A heck of a lot nicer than.. yanno.. home ever had been."