Rachel's POV
I slowly peeled my eyes opened and looked at my surroundings. The room I was in was covered in windows. It was a cloudy day. I could barely see the sun. I tried to lift myself up but my limbs felt like Jello. It was like I had no muscle, as if someone filled my veins with wolfsbane. That thought got me worried. What if the Argents caught me? I needed to get out, but I was to weak. I could barely move my head. I would be dead by the end of the day. I would never see Paul again. This filled me with adrenaline. Using my newfound energy, I rolled out of bed and propped against the wall for support. I took a step toward the door and almost collapsed from exhaustion. I leaned against the wall breathing heavily, but I had to keep going.
I slowly made my way down the hall to find stairs. I internally groaned, but knew I needed to try. I took the first step and collapsed. My adrenaline rush was gone and I was left practically paralyzed. I tumbled down the stairs. My head banged roughly against the stairs. I eventually reached the bottom and heard a sick crack before a searing pain started in my arm. I screamed as black and red dots danced beneath my eyelids. I suddenly felt warm as I was lifted and carried up the stairs. I tried to turn my head to see my savior, but I was so weak it looked more like a twitch. I was slowly lifted down onto the bed where I slipped into unconsciousness.
Paul's POV
The pack was out on the balcony discussing strategies. We were all determined to keep Rachel safe. Carlisle and Esme Cullen stood in the back speaking quietly with Kim. Jared tried to convince her not to come but she insisted. Rachel was her best friend and she was the only pack member who knew Rachel's secret. Jared still freaked when she showed up so Carlisle sent the rest of the Cullens hunting to keep him at bay.
I was listening intently as Sam mentioned a safe house to keep her at. He was in the middle of suggesting his house when we heard a scream. I slammed the screen door open and ran to the stairs. Rachel was laying on the floor in an awkward position. There was a long gash on her forehead and the bone was sticking up on her arm. I ran over and cradled her against my chest. I ran up the stairs and slowly placed her back on the bed. I sat beside her and held her hand as Carlisle looked her over. Esme walked over with a rag in her hand and placed it on Rachel's head.
"Hold that there, Paul. I don't want to handle any injury until she wakes." Carlisle said.
I nodded. "I'm such a bad imprint. If I would have stayed with her she would never have gotten injured."
"This isn't your fault, Paul. You just wanted her safe." Sam said. I nodded and sighed. Brady walked over and held her other hand.
"Doc, she's losing a lot of blood." Brady said.
"I know but I can't do anything till she wakes."
The cloth was now covered in blood. I started to worry. I slowly shook her.
"Rachel, please wake up. You need to wake up." I whispered in her ear.
She moaned. "Come on Rach, I need you."
I saw her eyes flutter slightly the close again. "Please." I whispered.
Her eyes fluttered again. "Paul?" She whispered.
"I'm right here."
"I feel like crap." She moaned.
I chuckled as Quil said, "We can see that."
"Do you remember what happened?" Carlisle asked.
"Yeah, but Paul? Your ribs! You should be in bed!"
"Rachel, I'm fine. Wolf healing." I said.
She rolled her eyes. "It would still be painful."
"Speaking of pain, you are never, NEVER going to attempt to heal me or handle my pain again. I almost lost you!" I yelled.
She rolled her eyes again. "Paul, I'm fine. It takes a lot to kill me."
"And you are not allowed to move any this week."
"Why not?"
"You held on to Paul to long and gave him your energy. Your not going to be able to do anything. It should take a week for you to get your strength back." Carlisle said.
She sighed. "This might make Wednesday more bearable."
The pack's heads shot up. Wednesday. The day Alice predicted would be the day she would die.
"What's on Wednesday?" Sam asked.
"A nightmare."
Sam and I exchanged looks. This didn't sound good.
"Your arm and head are not healing. Is there something you do about that?" Carlisle asked.
Rachel nodded. "Could you get me a knife? I won't be able to snap my arm."
"What?!" The pack yelled.
"I need to trigger the healing process. That means I need to injure myself. It will heal."
"No way! You are not going to break your bone or stab yourself! Not happening!" I yelled. Was she crazy? Suicidal?
"I second that!" Brady yelled.
"It won't kill me!"
"Yes, it will! You're way to fragile right now!" I yelled, starting to shake.
She clenched her jaw. Carlisle came back in and handed the knife to her. I grabbed her wrist.
"Don't you dare!"
She shook her head. "Get off."
"No." I growled.
"Carlisle?"
"Paul, trust her. She knows what she's doing." He said.
"No."
She sighed. "Hold him back. Please."
Sam nodded and grabbed my arm. Jake, Embry, Jared, and Quil helped hold me back. I watched as she handed the knife to Carlisle.
"Could you do it? I need it to be painful."
He nodded. "Where?"
"Anywhere. Just make it painful. Don't worry about vital organs. I've lived through an arrow that went straight through my heart."
He nodded again. I watched as he raised the knife and stabbed her thigh. It went straight through her leg and into the bedding. She screamed and I started to struggle against the pack. She was in pain and I needed to get to her. Carlisle took the knife out.
"Thanks." She said.
He nodded and left the room. Sam released me and I ran over to her. I looked at her leg and saw it closing.
"What?"
She smiled. "Push my bone down for me. I need that to heal."
Sam nodded and complied. She gasped then sighed.
"Thank you."
"What are you?" He asked.
"I can't tell you, even if you are shape-shifters. It won't matter anyway. I'm leaving."
No! She can't! How will I be sure she's safe and breathing? She can't leave me!
"Why?" Brady asked.
"I can't put more people in danger. Especially with the vampires after me."
"You can't leave me!" I yelled, slightly shaking.
"I hurt you, Paul. You should be running from me."
"No, the leech hurt me. You saved me. You have to stay!"
"Why?"
Before I could stop myself the words tumbled out of my mouth. "Because I love you!"
