Spirit of the Wolf

I don't own anything, this was just a dream I had and thought I'd write it down... Enjoy

A Huge Thank You to Chantelle Cullen. I love all my reviewers!!

Chapter Nine

Carlisle POV

I stood by, watching helpless as the young woman writhed in pain and undisguised anguish in my wife's arms. She was murmuring nonsensical words in her ear, trying her best to calm her. In the background, I was aware of my dear Alice trying to track down Paul. We were hoping their connection would aide in this endeavor.

I have never felt more powerless not being able to help one of my family. Believe it or not, she was now family. My sons and daughters adored her, as did my wife and I. I winced when she cried and struggled against her invisible bonds.

Alice came up behind me, "Sam is sending some of the pack out to search. I gave Jacob permission to bring Billy. He might know what to do."

I put my arm around her and pulled her close, "You did the right thing. How long until they are here?"

"Not long," she replied. Giving me a quick hug, she went over to Jasper. Removing his hands from his face, she settled into his lap in a quest to calm him and bring his emotions back into balance. Moving my attention back to the couch, I saw Rosalie had started to rub 'Cai's legs with wet towels in another effort to bring her temperature down.

I was so busy watching them I didn't notice the Black's arrival. Emmett tapped me on the arm and motioned towards the door. I nodded, grasped his arm and walked to the door. Reaching the porch step, I studied the wise face of Billy Black.

"We come from different backgrounds. Your people think we are monsters. In some cases, you are correct. We don't agree on, well, anything. You don't want us here. I'm asking you, as a favor, to please put all that aside to help this young woman. My wife and children are doing what they can, but until Paul arrives-" I trailed off and admitted defeat, "I don't know what to do. In all my more than three hundred years experience, I don't know what to do. Can you help?"

Billy gazed upon me with his dark eyes and replied, "For the girl. If she is who we think she is, then we are going to need her in the days ahead."

I nodded and stepped aside to let him and Jacob through. Moving to stand behind the couch, Rosalie allowed him access to the child in Esme's arms.

His hesitation was broken by Esme's plea, "Please. She's burning up and I can't stop it."

He reached his hands forward and brought 'Cai's face to his. He began to sing, well chant really, in his tribe's tongue. We watched mesmerized as her tremors began to cease, even though her cries didn't soften. The front door banging open brought all of our gazes away from the couch.

Standing there was Paul, ragged and without a shirt. His eyes were trained on Billy and 'Cai, his breathing coming faster and harsher. Alice removed herself from Jasper's lap and walked over. Reaching his side, he barely registered the fact that she had pressed against him, wrapping her arms around his waist.

Automatically wrapping his around her in turn, he choked out, "How is she?"

"Billy has managed to calm her body, but she is still dreaming and the fever won't go down. There is too much pain for Jasper to stem and we can't wake her." Rosalie answered, also walking over to him. He just nodded and knelt at Billy's side.

Placing his hand on her waist, he caressed her side calming her further. Billy clapped him on the shoulder and had Jacob move him. He looked at us and said, "There's no more that I can do. The rest is up to Paul." He looked at me and said, "You have one hell of a wife here. Even I can sense that without her, this little one would have been much worse. The sedative you gave her also helped." Fighting a grin, he added, "I guess you aren't too bad a doctor. Even if you do live off of blood."

I just shook my head and gave him my hand. Grasping it in his, he nodded once and said,
"Paul can handle it from here. Sue is going to bring some herbs she uses for fever reducers and calming. Keep us posted." When I nodded and smiled, he looked at his son and said, "Come on. Let's get out of the way."

His departure was halted when Esme said, "Thank you. I thought… Thank you."

He nodded once more and he and his son were gone. Our attention was once again on the couch. Paul was murmuring to 'Cai in the same language that Billy used, but with greater effect. Not opening his eyes he said, "I need someone to run a luke warm bath. We need to bring her temperature down, but cold water will shock her system. Esme, can you help me?" She nodded. Picking "Cai up, he followed Esme and Alice to the upstairs bath.

Submerging her fully clothed, he turned to my wife, "I need you on the other side. We need to draw the water up and over her chest, neck and face until she wakes. Carlisle," I stepped forward to indicate I was listening, " When Sue arrives, I'm going to need you to take my place while we make the poultices ready." Ducking his head he murmured, "I don't think I can do this."

I put my hand on his shoulder and admonished him, "Yes you can. She is already doing better just with you being here. She needs you, she thrives when you are in the room."

Before he could reply, Rosalie entered the room, "Sue Clearwater is here. She's asking for you, Paul."

Trading places with me, he ran down the stairs. My concentration was solely on the little one in the tub. Just being without Paul for a few moments was agony for her. She began to whimper again, but her temperature stayed down. The room was quiet save for the sound of water trickling from our washcloths. Neither of us spoke, our concern overriding anything else.

Paul's entrance heralded another round of hope. He applied a paste to 'Cai's chest, neck and arms. Esme and I stayed on either side of the tub while Paul moved to her head. Supporting her head against his chest, he held a cup to her lips. He whispered in her ear, pleading for her to drink. Miraculously, she did.

Her body finally returning to its normal temperature, she began to shiver from the cold water. Draining the tub, Paul began adding warmer water, not wanting her to become ill from a chill. The steaming water, coupled with the poultice still on her chest, calmed her even more.

She opened her eyes, first connecting with Esme, then me then finally Paul. Beginning to cry, she launched into apologies. Moving in, Esme gathered her into a hug, wet dress and all. Esme shushed her as she tried to apologize for what happened. She pulled away and gazed at me. Smiling sadly, I did the same as my wife, pulling her against me, assuring her that she had nothing to apologize for.

When she pulled back again, Esme and I started washing her off. Before we were ready to pull her out, she passed out again. Draining the tub, I left while Esme dried her off and Rosalie helped her dress into dry clothes. Opening the door, we allowed Paul to carry her to her room.

When he made a move to sit in the chair near her bed, I mused, "She seems to do better with you in close proximity, especially if you are touching. I suggest you stay here tonight. The rest of the family won't object. Esme would be more than happy to make you something to eat. She has become quite adept."

Considering my proposal, he nodded. "Thank you, Carlisle. I'm not hungry, but I'm exhausted after this. I hope she sleeps the rest of the night. Tell your family that I am very honored they have allowed me to stay here tonight."

I nodded again and walked to the door. Turning one last time, I watched as the most temperamental wolf I had ever met gently eased beneath the bed covers and pulled the young woman to his warmth. Reacting to his touch, her arms wrapped around him and she was still and calm. In a matter of moments, their steady breathing filled the room.

I walked down the steps and sat with my family until daylight. My dear Esme was curled up in my lap, trying to calm her trembling. I said nothing, just rocked her back and forth hoping to calm her. We spent the rest of the night in silence, none of us wanting to risk waking the two sleeping upstairs. The first rays of dawn were a welcome sight, signaling an end to our night of terror.

Aww, Paul to the rescue again. Yay!!