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Chapter 9

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Paul sighed and glanced at the clock ticking steady from its place on the wall. Bella had been laying under the stiff blankets in the clinic's recovery bed for nearly 24 hours now. A cast for her left wrist and arm and a cast for her right ankle stood out against the crisp white covers laying over her. She could have been sleeping, but Paul knew better. She'd withdrawn into herself.

If only he knew the hell she'd found for herself.

'Jacob lay out on his bed, half of his upper body wrapped in a temporary cast to help his bones heal the correct way. She'd just told him, even after everything they'd been through on the mountaintop- after the kiss they'd shared there- that she'd chosen Edward.

The looks she got outside had her in near tears. She couldn't tell the wolves about her deal with the Volturi. She couldn't tell them the real reason she'd be leaving them. Not after what they'd just done to rid their land of a serious vampire threat. She'd not replace one for the other. Instead she dealt with their rejection- their anger. She tried to make eye contact, but not even Quil or Embry would look at her.

Paul though- who she'd always had a secret crush on- drove it home how unwelcome she'd become. He spat on the ground at her feet. "We should have let her kill you. Jacob wouldn't be inside suffering now."

"That's enough Paul!" Sam ordered.

Jared sighed. "It just goes to show, the ones we love have the power to hurt us the most." He said before walking away. He'd lost his respect for her too.

Sam nodded in agreement but said no more. The disappointment in his eyes forced more tears to fall. She'd come to see him as something of a big brother in their time together.

Paul growled. "Just go away leech lover! No one wants you here. No one needs the trouble you have following you. You'll be dead and gone and we'll finally be at peace!" His words nearly killed her where she stood.'

Paul watched as the heart monitor smoothed itself out as he ran his thumb over her wrist. He'd heard of the wolves' touch being able to soothe the imprint and vice versa, but he'd never seen it until now. He was just thankful it worked. He hated seeing her like that. If he'd been faster- but Emily was right too, he needed to stop blaming himself.

He moved his head closer to hers and started to speak. His voice whispered to her in hushed coos and soft tones. He spoke in Quileute and sang an old lullaby his grandmother sung to him whenever he'd been scared as a child. He doubted she'd understand the words, but they calmed both of them none the less.

The nurse who'd come to check on Bella watched from the doorway. She couldn't help by smile. She'd never seen that kind of love in such a young couple. She cleared her throat and walked into the room on quiet feet.

"Everything alright?" She asked, hating to break up the tender moment.

Paul nodded. "I think she had a nightmare."

"Alright then." She nodded noting Bella's vitals on her chart. "We contacted her father finally. He, Mr. Black and Mr. Clearwater will be here after a while." She said from the doorway.

Paul nodded. "Thanks."

A feminine throat clearing had Paul jolting awake. An hour had passed from the time the nurse had been in to check Bella's vitals and now. Was he that tired?

"Paul."

He smiled. "Hey girls."

"How is she?" Kim asked.

At the same time Emily asked, "How are you?"

They all shared a laugh. "We're both good. The doctor said she should come around today. Her body has had plenty of time to rest." He finally told them.

Kim offered him a one-armed hug before sitting down in an empty chair near Bella's bed. Emily did the same and within a few minutes the three were encased in a peaceful silence.

Said silence broke five minutes later by the gurgling of Paul's stomach. Kim coughed to hide her giggle and Emily only shook her head.

"When's the last time you ate Paul?" Kim asked.

Paul shrugged. "Yesterday?" Emily huffed and narrowed her eyes causing him to blush.

"Why don't you come over to my house. I'll cook for you and Jared." She offered.

"I'm aright. Someone needs to be here if she wakes up, you know?" He said with a smile.

Emily scoffed. "What am I? Chopped liver?"

Paul's eyes bulged. "No! No, I didn't mean it like that!" He blanched at the thought that he'd offended one of the few friends he had.

Emily only chuckled. "Paul, go get something to eat. I'll sit here with her until you get back. And make sure you get some sleep too."

Paul sighed. "Sure thing Emily."

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Bella moaned at the insistent beeping that disturbed her sleep. She tried to find the cause of the noise only to frown when she couldn't move her hand. She blinked and opened her eyes, wincing in pain as she did. This wasn't her room. A frown passed over her face as she took in the simple earth tones of the room.

"Bella, hey, you're awake."

Bella turned her head towards the voice and found Emily's smiling face. "Where am I?"

"You're in the reservation clinic. Do you remember why?" She checked.

"I shot my mouth off to a vampire." Bella grizzled.

Emily nodded. "Yeah… not one of your brighter moments, but it saved three boys' families from placing them in the ground. For that, the tribe- the elders as well as the pack at least- want to thank you."

She swallowed hard. "Was… are they… is everyone ok?"

"Of course sweetie. We've all been worried about you though. Even Kim only just dragged Paul out of here." Emily said tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "He's going to be so upset that he wasn't here when you finally opened your eyes." She teased.

Bella frowned. "Paul?"

"Mhm." Emily said with a soft smile. "He misses you, you know."

"Him or his wolf?" She couldn't hide the bitterness from her voice.

Emily sighed. "Him and his wolf. I wish the imprints had their own version of the pack mind. I would love to show you just what I know."

"Are you so sure though, Emily. I mean… if anything I'm just a friend to him." She sighed.

Emily took Bella's hand in her own. "Do you want something more from him?"

"How'd you know?" Bella shot her a sideways look and bit her lip.

"Oh, honey. It's clear to everyone but you and Paul. You two feel the pull don't you?" Emily wondered.

"I don't know if it's a pull… but I want to be around him. I love spending my time with him. I love just sitting next to him. I feel safe." She blushed.

Emily smiled. "That's the pull." She said tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear.

"Can I tell you something, Emily, without you judging me?"

"You can tell me anything you want. You know that." She told her with a smile.

"Will it stay a secret?" She wondered.

Emily smiled. "I swear I won't tell a soul. And I promise, there aren't any wolves in the building either. The clinic is closed for lunch. There are only a few nurses here to check on patients."

Bella swallowed. "I knew about her… Victoria I mean. Her, and James and Laurent, the pack… all of it."

Emily stared at her for a long minute. "How?" There was no judgment, only curiosity.

"When I hit my head on the ice last year? I woke up in the hospital. But… before then… it was like I'd lived a lifetime in the time I was unconscious. I saw myself coming to Forks, I saw myself falling in love with and finding out about Edward Cullen. Then he left me- after a surprise party- I was a mess for a long time. Then I learned about the wolves because I slapped Paul. I knew he'd phase in front of me… but he didn't imprint on me the first time around though. I messed up so much… friendships… relationships with family… even the pack hated me…"

Emily smiled. "The spirits have blessed you then, Bella Swan."

"How's it a blessing? I caused so much damage?"

Emily took her face in her hands. "Because, you get to right the wrongs and live again. You get to learn from your mistakes. Let go of the pain and guilt- I can see it in your eyes before you ask me how I knew- and just… live."

Bella smiled. "I guess, it's the least I can do, huh." She said with a sigh.

Emily could only agree. "Let's hope things will stay different this time."

"If they don't, Edward will profess his undying love to me and I'll go with him. I don't like thinking about that." She said with a shudder.

"Good. Then we won't." Emily grinned.

A knock on the door alerted them to the fact the clinic had once again opened. Emily smiled and invited whoever it was to come into the room. The girls smiled when Sam walked in followed by Jacob.

Bella gasped. "Jake! What happened to you?!"

"Calm down sweetie." Emily cooed patting her hand.

"I'm fine Bells. They're just flesh wounds." Jacob teased.

Bella bit her lip and nodded. "She's dead then?"

Sam nodded. "She's dead, yes. But you forget, we will be too when Charlie comes back. We left him a message that said you slipped and fell down the ravine on Black Crow Trail. That's why Jake looks like that."

"He fell in after me?" She tried.

"No, more like I dived head first in to save you and ended up getting cut up on the sharp rocks too." Jacob grinned. "Paul pulled you out though." He added giving her a look.

Bella huffed. "I'm sorry, you guys."

"For what?" Sam wondered.

"It wouldn't have happened if I'd not stopped my truck." She huffed.

Sam shook his head. "Bella… you're the most innately good person I know- save for Emily. If you hadn't stopped then, he would have found you another way. Things happen for a reason. Now hush. I'm gonna let Paul back in here, so long as you promise to cheer up ok?" He teased.

"Couldn't keep me out anyway." An amused voice sounded.

Bella gave him a shy smile. "Hi Paul."

Emily moved in order to let Paul have the seat closest to her. "Hey. How do you feel?"

"Like I pissed off the wrong vampire." She quipped.

Paul shook his head. "I don't know if I should hug you or throttle you, Swan. You scared the hell out of us!" He forgot that his pack mates were still in the room.

"I know.. It was stupid. I just didn't want to see Seth or Brady die. And poor Collin couldn't have defended me and them at the same time." She reasoned.

"Shh. The pack owes you big time, let's just leave it at that alright?" He let his index finger trace her cheek before his hand cupped her face pulling her forehead towards his. It was the most affection he'd ever shown her.

Emily smiled and held her hand out to Sam. Even Jacob took the hint that they were better off alone right now. He sighed and closed the door behind him. They needed the time alone more than he needed to see her at the moment.

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Paul sat up with a growl when he heard the commotion in the hallway. He settled himself down when he realized it was Charlie. He leaned over and shook Bella to wake her. Her bleary gaze met his before the door opened.

"Bells!"

Bella sighed. "I'm ok dad. Just banged up, that's all."

"Just banged- look at you! If you hadn't been with the boys…" He sighed. "No more hikes. Period!" He grizzled. "I mean it! None. Ever."

She smiled and let a tired chuckle escape. "Sure. But you know if it's not that, it'll be something else, right?"

"Not if I have my way." He huffed before turning to Paul. "I don't know how to tell you thank you enough." He said.

Paul blushed. "Jake tried to get to her first. We were just smarter than to go diving after her."

Charlie chuckled and shook his head. He looked tired, and even Bella could see it. "Kiddo, I'm gonna go catch a nap. You're old man is tired after the drive. The panic didn't help either."

It was then that Sue Clearwater walked into the room. She overheard what Charlie said and smiled. "Hey you guys. I'm gonna check Bella's vitals. And Charlie, you're more than welcome to use the couch in the back of the clinic. It's comfortable and you wouldn't have to worry Bella by driving all that way."

Charlie grinned. "Would do her some good. Teach her a lesson about making her old man worry so much."

"You're lucky I can't walk right now!" She grizzled.

Paul, Sue and Charlie laughed. "No more than six weeks." Sue promised. She noted Bella's vitals and told her if she still felt well after four more hours, the doctor would come in to see her then allow her to go home. Charlie waved bye to her and followed Sue to the back. His eyes closed and he fell asleep before his head even hit the arm rest.

Paul shifted. He felt eyes on him. The hairs on the back of his neck stood when a howl sounded. Another howl followed the first. Something wasn't right. He glanced at the girls, worry gnawing at his stomach.

"I gotta go…" He told Emily and Bella.

They nodded. They knew he needed to protect his tribe too. The phase came easy for Paul once he was in the woods. It didn't take him long to figure out why he'd been so uneasy.

"What the hell does he want?!"

"We caught him watching you and Bella!" Quil growled and snapped at Edward Cullen's heels.

"He knows we're fine! The pixie can see that!" Embry huffed. He stopped at the treaty line and growled.

Edward turned and tilted his head to the side. "Alice can't see you. She could see the vampires, and of course Isabella. But now she's gone. I wanted to make sure she was still alive."

"She's none of your concern! You realize we could declare war on your coven now!" Sam growled stepping out of the trees.

"Isabella will always be my concern. She's my singer, and my love. When she's better, please, tell her I'll be in touch. The family's moving back, though we're staying in seclusion further back on our territory."

Paul growled. All he knew, was that he had to get back to Bella. He didn't want her to be alone after he'd just realized what it meant to have her next to him. Things would definitely have to change.