Taking the same path I did when I was with Claire just hours ago, I went through my actions. Here was where I dropped our towels and took off my shoes. Looking up, I twirled around slowly. I wasn't too far from the woods, but was quite a ways on the sandy beach. Going towards the edge of the water, I envisioned Claire and I playing. We started here, swam back a bit, but still ended up walking back up here in this spot.

Sam kept his distance while watching me. He kept quiet with his hands behind his back.

Thinking back over to when Claire and I got out of the water, I followed my visions from my head. I watched as she ran through the sand to get her towel, following behind by just a small distance.

I ran my hands up and down her toweled body and stood up to grab mine. Stopping my thoughts, I looked up from what I was standing. This wasn't the spot where I had first started. I was closer to the woods. But how did our things move? Leah and Paul didn't find her scent on the beach.

Swallowing hard, I ran my hands through my hair. I was getting nervous. Breathe Bella, I kept thinking.

Bending down, I went through the invisible actions. Setting myself down in Claire's position, I tried to think what she would see. I was standing, looking down at her while she talked. Then I tore my eyes away to look around the beach.

Standing up, I went to where I was once standing. I took in the view again, where I had felt someone watching us. I didn't look back. I didn't once turn around to see if someone was behind us. Getting frustrated with myself, I turned and stood back to where Claire's position was. She had an easy view of the vampire if she looked over my shoulder. I had bent down to tell her we had to go. Why didn't she say anything to me?

"Bella?" Sam called as I stayed squatting in the sand with tears filling my eyes.

"She had a clear view of the vampire over my shoulder," I said getting up. "I had kneeled down to tell Claire we had to go and…she probably spotted her."

Sam nodded and then hesitantly went closer to me. He put a finger under my chin and tilted my face to look up at him. "We are going to get the bloodsucker. I am going to get her," he declared. Nodding, I leaned my body forward seeking comfort in his chest. He kissed my head repeatedly as his hands went up and down my sides. After a while, he shifted us so his arm was around my shoulder. Keeping me tucked beside him, he guided us back to his place.

We opened the door and were met with a crowd. The house was jammed.

Going back to seek out Claire, I found her coloring with Quil and Embry.

"Claire," I asked bending down to look at her. The three turned their attention to me.

"Did the lady do anything? Or say anything to you?" I wondered. She watched me nervously. "Its okay Claire Bear, I just want to know," I asked.

"She went like this," Claire said putting a finger over her lips. My blood ran cold and I nodded. "That's great sweetie. Thank you."

She smiled at me and then went back to coloring.

"What does that mean?" I asked to Paul as I saw him watching me from the doorway.

"It means we are going to get the leech," Paul said with comfort. Staying silent, I felt him put a hand on my shoulder and then walk into the room and join the little girl and his brothers.

"Bella, you okay?" Letty asked coming towards me. She put a comforting hand on my elbow, rubbing it ever so slightly. Nodding, I looked away. Tears were blurring my vision again. Suck it up Bella!

"Oh honey," she said pulling me into her arms.

"I'm okay, really," I said wiping my hands over my face. I felt Sam's gaze on me, so I excused myself from Letty.

He was leaning against the kitchen counter with his arms crossed.

"Hi," I said standing in front of him. I wasn't sure what brought me here. My body craved his comfort but my mind wanted him to push him away and he knew that.

"Sam," I breathed nervously as I finally looked up at him. He gave me his ever so patient look.

"Our stuff was moved-from when we were on the beach," I clarified. His body went ridged. Glancing over at Leah, he nodded out back. Getting the message, she grabbed Paul and waited for the two of us.

"Come on," he said softly as he guided us both out there. When we were safely outside I looked at the three. No one was talking or even waiting to hear a word. The silence made me antsy. Wrapping my arms around myself, I tried to push off the feeling of being scared. It was ridiculous to be.

"Her stuff was moved," Sam finally said to the two. Both Paul and Leah got confused.

"How?" Paul asked.

"That's what I would like to know," Sam growled. Sucking in a breath, I tried not to show emotion. He was doing his alpha thing right now, I needed to keep it together. Flashing a glance at me, I continued to stare at the floor.

"Bella?" Leah asked softly.

"When I retraced my steps…" I gulped, "I didn't end up back at the same place I started. We were closer to the woods."

Sam let out a growl along with Paul. My heart thudded against my chest hard. Why didn't I see that?

"You're sure the vampire didn't go past the woods?" Sam asked. They both nodded.

"We could sniff their things to see if the leeches scent is on there," Paul pitched. I shook my head, "Our scents would be masking it. Claire was wrapped in the towel, which is now wet and I used Sam's shirt from last night as a cover up. There is no way you will be able to get anything off of it."

They all sighed. I was right. The vampire's scent wouldn't be stronger than all of those.

"Isabelly!" Claire's voice shouted. Immediately I turned to look for the girl, she was running out with Embry behind her.

"The boys wont listen. They aren't cooking," she explained to me. I looked over at Embry and he gave all of us a sheepish smile.

"Alright, come on," I said taking her hand. Letting Sam go back to his business with the two, I went back inside to help cook.

"No," Claire said pushing Kim and Sarah away from the stove.

"Claire," I said with a bite. She looked at me sad. "Be nice okay?" I said in a softer tone. She nodded.

"Guys, go on," I said silently tell them to stop cooking and get out of the kitchen.

"Bella, we don't mind," Sarah said with uncooked noodles in her hand.

"I know," I sighed tiredly, "but I promised Claire the guys would cook tonight."

"In other words we are going to die of food poisoning tonight," Kim said jokingly. I forced a smile. Claire dragged Quil's hand to where Kim and Sarah were standing. Giving him the uncooked noodles, Sarah stepped back and went to sit on Jake's lap. Looking over at the couple, Jake gave me a sympathetic smile.

"Just break them and dump 'em in there," Kim instructed. Doing what he was told, he set the noodles in the boiling pot waiting for them to cook.

"How's that?" he asked Claire, sweeping her up in his arms.

"Good," she smiled at him. Giving her a kiss on the nose, she let out a little giggle.

From there, the rest of the night went pretty smooth. For the most part, I could push my emotions aside and function, but who knew how long it would actually last. The men cooked dinner as promised. I was surprised when were all served so much food. Quil took Claire after that and I knew the man wouldn't be returning to rejoin the party. Today was a rough day. He needed to be with her.

My thoughts were interrupted as I felt Embry give me a hug. "Stop worrying. We will get the vamp."

Nodding, I watched everyone shuffle out the door. When they were all gone, I realized it was just Sam and I again.

"I should get my stuff," I spoke softly turning back to the bedroom. My arms were around my body again, almost protecting it from falling apart. Going to make sure everything was in my duffle bag, I felt Sam behind me.

"Don't leave," he breathed wrapping his own arms around me.

"I have to, Charlie should be back," I said shaky.

"Tell him you are staying here for the night."

"Sam," I breathed. As much as I wanted to be with him-to have him hold me and comfort me, I knew once I finally broke, it would all come crashing down. I tried to stay in my own bubble acting like everything from today was all a dream and that it didn't happen. And so far, it wasn't too bad.

"Stay," he commanded. I turned in his arms and stared at his hard chest. He bent his knees, looking into my eyes. Biting my lip, he leaned in giving me a strong kiss. I let out a sigh as we broke. I was going to have to face the truth one day or another.

Nodding, I laid my head on his chest, melting in his arms. Calling Charlie a while later, I told him I would stay at Sam's for the night. It didn't exactly fly with him, but he gave me his approval nonetheless.

As I pulled back the covers to get into bed, I found him watching me.

"What?" I asked as he brushed his teeth. Spiting out the foam, I slid into bed and lay on my side. The bed always felt cold without him. He joined me a few minutes later, hugging me close to his bare chest.

"I love you," he told me kissing me again. This time, the kiss was light and loving.

"Love you too," I said rubbing his face with my fingers. Our skin color was so different. His was dark while mine was so pale and light. Sometimes I just marveled at the fact we found each other (or well…the imprint did). How could we be so perfect for each other when we were so different?

A hand slid up my tank top, brushing my stomach lightly. Glancing back up at Sam I snuggled in his chest and went to sleep.

I was on the beach with Claire. We were swimming in the water splashing each other. But then everything got dark. The clouds flooded the clear sky and it started to thunder.

"Bella," Claire said in a tiny voice. I looked all around. A football field away was the vampire Claire saw. Gasping, I immediately grabbed the little girl I knew I had to protect and got to shore. Running to get our stuff, I found it was gone. Panicked, I kept Claire's hand in mine and we ran.

"Looking for these?" the blond haired vampire asked holding our things up. She gave me a smirk, her eyes dark and red as she stood in front of us.

I shot up in bed gasping. It was just a dream. It wasn't real. Glancing over at my bed partner, I found his spot empty. Hmm, that was weird. Where was he? Stumbling out of bed, I made my way through the house and into the kitchen. The house was dark and cold. Only the moon shined through the windows.

Hearing a noise coming form the backyard, I went out to check it out. Pushing the screen door, I gasped as I found Sam. "Get back inside Isabella!" He commanded with harsh, bitter eyes and then ran for the woods. The sky was now dark, thundering heavily. Ignoring his command, I ran through the woods to catch up to him. He couldn't leave me there. I needed him.

Stopping in the middle of the forest, he turned back to me. His body was now shaking heavily. "This is all your fault," he growled out.

"What?" I asked with hurt.

"You should have kept Claire safe," he growled. A rush of pain ran through me. My mind was telling me Claire was dead. I had failed her. Before I could step closer to apologize and seek his comfort, a blur threw him back into a tree and he slumped to the floor dead.

"No," I cried out in anguish.

"You're next," The vampire said moving fast behind me with a hand on my neck.

Something was holding me down as I thrashed around in the bed trying to get up. As I hit what ever it was to get away, shaking like a leaf, I shot up again and moved away. I was sweaty and practically in hysterics from what I was just saw. He was dead. He was…

"Bella!" Sam said in a concerned voice. Letting the pain throb in my heart, I pushed away the heavy arms and fell out of bed. My butt fell to the ground with a hard thud.

"No," I said clearly shaken up. Was this real? What happened? Where was I?

"Bella," Sam said softly. I shook my head and backed away, curling myself into a ball. Now against the wall, where the window was, I cried. Sam was gone. I was dreaming again, this was all my fault.

Hands touched me and I held myself tighter.

"Its me," the voice breathed with worry. I cried out in pain. "No, no, no, no," I repeated. I didn't have Sam anymore. This man in front of me wasn't mine. I didn't want a replica, I wanted my own Sam- and he was gone. A hand ran through my hair-just like the real Sam used to. He repeated the motion. Now uncertain, I looked up. It was Sam. He was here. My Sam.

I jumped into his arms and sobbed. "I… s-should-dn't have… t-taken her," I cried out, struggling to breathe. He hugged me tightly, rocking me back and forth. "I-Its… all… m-m-y fault."

"Bella, what are you talking about?" He asked pulling back. "Nothing is your fault baby, please," he said pushing my hair away from my wet sticky face as I continuously turned away from him. I felt so guilty and heavy with pain. My dream shook me to the core and I let out another painful sob.

"Its okay. Claire is okay," he said trying to get me to look at him. I shook my head, still frenzied. No she wasn't. She was my responsibility. I was supposed to look out for her. I was supposed to be strong.

"Bella, you have to breathe," he said as my vision started to get spotty. I felt like my lungs had clenched together, shrinking so tiny that I barely suck in oxygen.

"Bella," he commanded making me look at him. "You are safe."

Hearing those words, I watched him take calm deep breaths of his own. I was okay. I was here, with Sam. He wasn't blaming me for anything. He wasn't running off to the woods and Claire wasn't dead. She wasn't gone and we weren't near any vampire.

Scooping me up, he brought us back to bed. I shivered and he held me close. I calmed down in his arms. It felt so real though. The cold hand on my throat. His vacant spot on the bed next to me. The look he had given me in the woods.

Eventually, I had fallen back to sleep with him, praying I would wake up again sane.

My eyes hurt. Correction, my whole face hurt. Everything felt tight and my head was pounding. Trying to get my bearings together, I felt overly warm. Pushing my eyelids open, I found myself curled in russet colored arms.

Taking slow deep breaths, I looked up. Sam was staring at me, ready for another freak attack I could possibly have. He was still here. I wasn't dreaming.

Waking up some more, I thought of what happened last night. I completely and utterly spazed.

"How long have you been up?" I croaked pulling some hair away. I tried to slide out of his arms and away from him, but he just held me tighter on his lap.

"A while."

Smacking my lips together, I held back my anguish. "I'm sorry," I breathed out. He shook his head, kissing my hair.

I stayed in his arms just trying to gather everything. How had I let this happen? I was strong. Kissing his chest lightly, I detached myself from him and padded to the bathroom. Get my head back in the game. That was my goal. I pulled my hair up in a ponytail, now grabbing my toothbrush to brush my teeth.

Sighing into the mirror when I was done, I stared at myself. Nothing had happened last night except for my freak attack. Going back to my duffle bag, I went to get some clothes so I could start the day. I needed a shower. My head needed to clear of these ridiculous thoughts.

"Let me," Sam breathed against me as I stood over the bag. He wanted to join me in the shower- he was asking for permission. Nodding, I took his hands and led him to the bathroom. I felt everything go in slow motion. It was like I wasn't all here. One minute we were pealing each other's clothes off and the next we were standing under the warm spray of the shower.

He nipped at my shoulder, rubbing his hands over my stomach and waist. Everything had felt so much more raw when I was naked with Sam. He made me feel things, things that I always tried to block out. He made sure I couldn't run anywhere except his arms.

Turning to face him, I snuggled in his chest as he ran his hands up and down my back.

"Whatever happened last night, it wasn't because I didn't want you," I said. I had felt his guilt and sadness. I could finally place that it wasn't mine. And remembering my actions last night, I could pretty much tell what he was thinking. I had pulled away from him- I had said no when he tried to touch me.

"I just-…I thought you were dead," I breathed in confession. He froze and held me tighter against him.

"I swear you were dead. You just- you didn't…" I tried to piece it into words, but I couldn't find any. He was so mad at me. His hatred in his eyes; the way he ran away from me. He didn't want me. He blamed me. And then he died. "And then Claire…"

"Claire isn't dead," he said in a strong voice. "She is okay, because of you," he said.

I shook my head. "No, she was in danger because of me," I said.

"Bella," he said pulling my head up to look at him.

"You're okay. You both are okay. Nothing is going to happen." His eyes searched mine. "Trust me," he said. Finding nothing but a plea, I nodded my head and brought him down to kiss me.

"Just don't leave me okay?" I asked putting my head back on his chest, right where his heart was. "I can't-… I can't handle if you leave me."

He nodded, promising to never leave me.

Judging by how the rest of the day went, I could tell he was worried about me. We never stayed too far away from each other. I had made sure to check every so often to make sure I still wasn't dreaming. Nothing in my dream had come true or was real.

"I love you," he whispered as we were cuddled on the couch watching TV.

"I love you too," I smiled nuzzling closer to him. Our whole day was full of hugs and passionate kisses. There was nothing I wanted more than just to make sure he was mine.

"Yo Sam!" someone yelled as they walked into the house. I went stiff for a second, but relaxed as Sam rubbed my arms.

"Oh hey Bells," Jake said looking at us. "You two okay?"

I nodded, trying my hardest to put on a smile.

"What happened?" he asked reading our faces.

"Nothing," I cracked out. Sam held me tighter.

"Okay, well…dude," Jake said now looking at the alpha. "You're missing your patrol. Paul is covering for you but he doesn't seem too happy."

Sam let out a growl and I tried to stop my heart from racing. In all honesty I didn't want him to leave me. I was still afraid. But I had to suck it up.

"Its okay," I breathed as I turned to the love of my life.

"You should go. I'll be okay. I need to get home anyways," I told him as I started pulling away. He drew me to him tighter. Avoiding his eyes, I tried my hardest to get him to leave the couch.

"You have to go. It's okay," I said turning to him.

He pulled my face to look at him, but I kept my eyes away.

"Please go okay?" I asked. Trying all of what he could, he brushed hair away from my face, he cupped my cheek and he even nipped at my ear to get me to look at him. I wanted to so bad too. But I knew he would read me like a book. He would see that I was uncomfortable with the fact he was leaving. And then he wouldn't go.

Giving him a kiss to the lips, I stood up and went to get my bag.

When I came back out to the main room, I saw Jake just looking at the two of us.

"Stop giving me that look Jake," I said knowing Sam had told him what went on last night.

"Go," I told Sam as he walked over to grab me again. "Ill see you later."

Letting my body melt to his one last time, I kissed his neck and went for the door.

"Need a ride Bells?" Jake wondered. I shook my head putting on my shoes. "I have my truck."

He nodded, the two of them following me out the door.

"Stop," I said to both of them again. "Please stop giving me those looks. I'm okay. I will be fine. Please just…lets go on with life okay?" I asked the two.

They both nodded. Walking backwards, I turned to my truck and shoved my things in.

"Love you," Sam said waiting to shut my door for me.

"I love you too," I mumbled kissing him deeply before starting my car. He closed the door gently and watched me leave before phasing in the woods.

As I was on the road, I let out a breath. What a life….