A soft mist had begun to fall once more sending my mind reeling into the past. I saw smiles and shining eyes that would never again be seen by the world. I felt the chill of my fingers against my faces as I pressed my hand to my eyes in the hope of hiding from and holding on to the memories. My throat began to feel tight and the tears began to sting at my eyes. I fought the onslaught that if it took control would result in rivers that would pour down my face. My shoulders began to shake and it felt like the world would soon crash down on me. I had been holding the pain in for far too long. If I fell into the pit that threatens to swallow me would I be able to climb back out again? Clenching my teeth I struggled for control of my emotions just as a far to warm hand touched the side of my face. My hand slipped from my face as I raised my eyes to meet to warm brown orbs that had flakes of amber in them. Those eyes were filled with concern as his brows were drawn together creating valleys of worry between his eyes.

He ran his fingers across the side of my face as his thumb brushed away tears that were running like rivets from my eyes. I lowered my eyes and my head, but he wouldn't allow me to look away as he tilted my head gently back up toward his eyes. I was lost in the warmth of his touch. Unconsciously his thumb moved like a feather across my lower lip. The world seemed to stop as we looked into each other's eyes, almost into one another's souls. However, the spell was broken the moment the silence around us was severed by his voice.

"I'm sorry... for yelling."

He lowered his head looking away from me. It was my turn to guide his eyes back to mine.

"Paul...Paul, please look at me."

Slowly he raised his eyes back to meet mine. I searched his face trying to understand what he was thinking. What he was feeling.

"I know you were angry. I've known that you have had a temper since we were children. Do you really think that I didn't expect you to lose your shit when you learned that I knew about vampires? Or that I have been hiding part of my life from you and everyone since I left."

He raised his eye to the ceiling then lowered it once again but this time he rested it in my lap while encircling my waist with his arms pulling me toward him in a tight embrace. He nuzzled his face into me while breathing in my scent. I wrapped my arms around him and pressed my face into his now short tresses. A calming feeling settled over us.

"You've always known me so well." He chuckled tenderly turning his head ever so slightly.

" Why were you crying?"

"Honestly I'm tired."

"Tired...of what?"

"I'm tired of lying to you, to everyone. I'm tired of fighting. And I'm tired of having to hold everything in."

"What have you lied about?"

"Where I've been, what happened..." pushing myself off the floor I began pacing the room "I can't do it anymore, but I have to."

"No, you don't" He grasped both of my arms holding my still keeping me from running. "I'm the Protector, I'm the wolf-"

"I know you're a Protector that you are a shifter. But I'm not part of your tribe. Meaning I'm under your protection!"

"Will you stop! Yes, you are."

"No, I'm not."

"For fuck's sake will you just stop. You are mine. My Imprint. MINE!"

He was yelling by the end, and I was just standing there gobsmacked. I blinked in rapid succession opening and closing my mouth trying to get my brain to form syllables let alone words. All the while Paul is still talking, but for all the good my brain is doing he could be talking to a wall or a bush or a, a ...I don't know. But I was not hearing a word as my brain rebooted. Slowly the world came back to me and the next thing I know is that Paul is pacing the length of the living room. I'm standing the same place I was which is facing a wall and he is talking lighting fast.

"I'll be whatever you want me to be, but I just need to be near you. Fuck I'm sorry Danny I know you don't want this."

"Chill, Freeze, Pause or whatever the hell I have to say to get you to stop and breath."

He looks at me eyes wide waiting for me to continue.

"Sorry, but my brain stopped at hold the front door station and it has taken the what the fuck express to catch up."

Taking a calming breath and blowing it out I looked at Paul.

"What do you mean I'm your Imprint?"

"You really didn't hear what I just said?"

"Sonic couldn't have kept up with what you just said let alone little old stun brained me. Did you mean it?"

"Yes, I fucking meant it." He plopped down on the couch.

"An Imprint is-"

"Stop... I know what an Imprint is."

"How"

I plopped down next to him with a sigh, laying back and resting my head against the cushioned back of the couch. My eyes were staring intently at the ceiling.

"It's a long, really long story."

"Tell me"

"Not right now"

"Why not"

He was getting close to losing his temper again.

"Because it has to do with what I'm going to tell everyone tonight."

"Just tell me now"

"I can't..."

"Can't or won't"

"Fine... won't it hurts to tell. I only want to tell it once. To get it the fuck over with."

He was just sitting there looking at me. My breathing was hard because I was angry, close to breaking down again.

"When you came in you saw what I was like. I was a mess. I am going to be worse than that after I tell you. Do you really think I want to be like that when everyone gets here? Do you think I will be able to explain it to everyone again?"

Paul was silent for a while. Then he brought his arm around my shoulder and held me. He pulled me to him so that my head was against his chest and the soft, steady beating of his heart began to calm my shattered nerves. I felt his lips press into my hair.

"No, I don't expect you to have to go through that again and again."

He was silent for a while and I allowed my mind to settle.

"If the rest of the pack doesn't show up I'll show them later. I don't like the idea of being the only one here with you and the Cullens but I will stay."

I'm not sure how long we stayed on the like that, and I don't really care but the serenity that encompassed us was grueling to leave but it needed to be done. Luckily my stomach chose that moment to make itself known.

"Hey, you want to fix something to eat?"

His eyes slid open and a smirk crossed his lips.

"Yeah, I think I could eat." He winked at me.

A short laugh snuck past my lips. I stood up stretching my arms toward roof while arching my back. Then I headed to the kitchen to start cooking for the evening. As I pulled out the food I had bought for the meeting I decided I could at least cook it all up and if the pack didn't show I could either freeze it or send with Paul. I'm sure he would be able to eat it all...eventually.

Grabbing a large bowl from the cupboard, I found the ingredients that I was looking for in the spice cabinet. Once I had all of that I lifted the ten pound of hamburger meat from the frig. Then I separated the meat into manageable amounts and placed them into the bowl. I put the other ingredients into the bowl and hand mixed it all together.

"Anything I can help with?"

Paul was leaning against the wall. His legs were crossed and his arms were folded over his chest. "Well if you won't burn my house down you could start by cooking these up."

I had a growing pile of patties next to me. He moved to the stove turning on the eye and grabbing the large frying pan off the wall. He put a light coating of olive oil in the pan. Then he came up behind me kissing the curve of my neck as he pulled me into him with one arm and reached for the plater of uncooked burgers with the other. He pulled away from my neck and whispered, "I think I can manage."

He nipped my ear as he moved back.

Heat filled my body and passed over my skin as he moved away from me. I couldn't stop the blush that encroached through my cheeks or the bashful smile that played across my lips. As we worked I would glance at him from time to time only to find him looking at me as well. I would avert my gaze instantly bitting my lower lip in the process, but I would still see the broad smile stretch across his usually stern features. Once we finished we each fixed up a plate and sat down to eat. Paul scarf down his four burgers plus sides in a matter of minutes while I was happy with my single burger. By the time we had finished, it was getting close to sunset when Paul stiffened. He began to scowl at the front door. Before I could question the death grip he had on his fork there was a knock at the door.