I own nothing apart from Arwene and the plot

I own nothing apart from Arwene and the plot!!

Chapter Twelve

Agitatedly I tapped my fingers against the metal seats outside the hospital, waiting impatiently for my mother to finish signing my release forms. The moment I had seen her I turned away from her, my eyes set in a dark glare and I shrugged of her apologetic hug. I wasn't going to let her of so easily, even if there was a stupid treaty preventing her from coming.

"Alright sweetie, let's go." She said, finally exiting the hospital and leading me towards the car.

I didn't respond, simply followed her to the car and winced as I carefully slid inside, the fragile wounds on my stomach protesting against the movement. I ignored the concerned look from mum, staring stubbornly out the window when I had settled in. We drove for a few silent minutes before she finally said something.

"The entire pack is at home waiting for you." She said lightly, looking at me from the corner of her eye, "They've missed you so much."

I didn't look away from the window, "I don't want to see any of them." I said harshly.

Mum looked like she was going to protest but she must have read the look on my face and decided against it, staring nervously in front of her. I closed my eyes, resting my head against the window and waited for the awkward drive to pass so I could crawl into my familiar bed without a worry. But I knew that wasn't going to happen; the pack will be there whether I tell them to leave or not. I just didn't know if I could handle it.

I tensed visibly when we pulled into the driveway, the front of the house so far empty and I studied it with narrowed eyes, assessing what could be waiting for me inside. Sighing I pulled myself out of the car before mum could get out and help me, a small sound of pain escaping me as I straightened. I paused there for a moment, recovering from the biting pain in my stomach and lower back. Eventually I began to move, ignoring the concerned look from my mum. I moved up to the front door, going slowly up the stairs and when I got to the door I momentarily forgot about the fact that the pack could be inside.

I was reminded of that fact when I pushed open the door, looking up from the ground in front of me and up at the faces of the pack. I froze, immediately standing rigidly in front of them with my eyes wide. Each of them wore nervous expressions, shifting slightly and eventually Sam took a step forward looking cautious.

I took a step away feeling my chest tighten, "Arwene, are you okay?"

I glared at him, "Am I okay? I've just spent the past week alone in the hospital after having my stomach and back sliced open by my werewolf boyfriend, found out that some vampire bitch is manipulating said werewolf boyfriend to kill me and you have the stupidity to ask me how I am?" I shouted.

They stared at me in shock, "Wait, what is this about a vampire manipulating…"

"I don't care anymore!" I shouted, holding my hands up in front of me, "I'm in a hell of a lot of pain; my stomach and back feel like they've been torn apart and I haven't slept properly in five days. I'm going to bed and when I wake up I want the lot of you gone."

With that I pushed past them, not even registering whether or not Paul was there, heading straight for my room. I closed the door and leaned against it for a moment, trying to blink away the pained tears that threatened to spill over. Pulling myself together I slumped over to my chest of draws, gently peeling of my clothing and replacing them with loose, comfortable pyjamas and quickly brushed my hair. Slowly I made my way over to my bed, slowly setting myself onto the bed and continued to lie back slowly. Yet no matter how slow I went a burning pain shot up through my body.

I finally let go of the tears, quietly whimpering in pain under my doona. I knew I should get up to have the pain relief tablets but I couldn't move so I settled to silently crying. I tried and eventually succeeded in stopping the tears, falling into a restless sleep. It didn't last for long, waking when I heard my door open and close, soft footsteps heading over to my bed and a large body sat down carefully on the edge of the bed.

"Go away Paul." I said quietly, turning full on to my side despite the pain.

A hand gently brushed the hair away from my face, "Arwene, you need to take your medicine." He said softly, ignoring my demand.

"Just leave it and I'll take it later…"

"Your mother said not to leave the room unless I had seen you take it." He said firmly, gently rolling me up into a sitting position.

I didn't look at him as he passed me the glass of water and the pills followed it. I took them quickly, not bothering to argue about that when the relief of the pills took away the pain and before he could say anything else I rolled back over and closed my eyes. I tensed as he pulled up the covers and lay down next to me, one hand gently resting on my waist.

"Get out." I said weakly.

He didn't answer, slowly bringing the hand on my hip down across my stomach where the bandages were tied firmly. I tried to move away from him but he just followed until I could no longer move any further and he was pressed firmly up against me. I squirmed, trying to push him away uselessly and it was no surprise that I was fighting a losing battle. I couldn't resist him, no matter how much I knew he had hurt me; I was in love with him and even if he killed me nothing would change.

"I know saying sorry isn't going to fix anything." Paul whispered in my ear, his voice breaking, "But it's the only thing I have other than how much I love you so for whatever its worth I'm sorry."

Sobs escaped me, racking through my small body, "I know Paul; it wasn't your fault."

"What? Arwene I attacked you. I knew exactly what I was doing…"

I cut him off, rolling around slowly, "The vampire that you killed…the one that attacked me, he had a mate. Edward says he knows her, that she has the power to manipulate people into doing what she wants them to do through their emotions. I don't understand it all but that's what I was told. She's using that to control you." I whispered, resting my head on his shoulder.

He was silent for a moment and then I became aware of the soft vibrations coming from him. I looked up in fear, beginning to move away when his hand darted out to pull me back to him. "No, it's okay babe; I'm not going to hurt you again." He said soothingly. "You forgive me far too easily. After all the stupid things I've done."

"I love you; I can't keep myself away from you." I relaxed into his arms, trusting him completely and for a moment I wondered whether or now I would regret saying this. "I think I should go home."

Paul stiffened, "Arwene, you are home." He said firmly, his hands gently placed on top of the bandages.

"No, I mean back home; in Australia." I whispered, closing my eyes, "Please don't be mad. I don't mean forever, just for a week or two until things have calmed down, to give you guys a chance to find this vampire without worrying about it using me." I clarified.

He paused, thinking it over, "It doesn't sound like a bad idea." He admitted reluctantly, "I just don't like the idea of you leaving me for any amount of time."

"Neither do I but I need to go home, to see my sister and my friends. We're basically on holidays already so I wouldn't be missing out on school." I said softly, tracing my hand across the pattern on his shirt. I don't think I like seeing him in a shirt, not that he wears one that often, really only for school.

He kissed the top of my head softly, "I'll see what we can organise but you do realize that your mom may say no." I could hear the hope in his voice.

I looked up and kissed him gently on the lips, "I know you think that but I'm pretty sure after she's heard everything she'll be packing my bags."

"We'll worry about this in the morning; go to sleep." Paul murmured, closing his eyes.

I obeyed, glad that he had taken my decision so well. No dreams invaded my sleep, the presence of Paul calming me dramatically when I had thought it would have the opposite effect. I had expected myself to be disgusted by the simple thought of him, to scream the moment I saw him but none of that came. If anything I felt myself falling for him more, knowing that he would have to live with the reminder of his anger for the rest of his life through the scars on my body.

Talk about weird.

When I woke I was felt like I was burning but I didn't care, pulling further into the heat knowing that it was Paul. I felt a deep chuckle and opened my eyes, wincing from the ebbing pain in my lower back. Paul immediately worried, his eyes scanning every part of my body that his eyes could reach.

"What's the matter? Did I knock you?" He asked frantically, beginning to move away from me.

Grouchily I grabbed him by the collar, keeping him firmly next to me, "Don't you even think about leaving this bed if you know what's good for you." I murmured sleepily, "I'm fine; I just moved too quickly and the meds aren't working anymore."

He sighed with relief, resting his forehead on my shoulder, "I've already hurt you so much…" He trailed of, guilt seeping out of his voice, "First the incident with Alana, then you getting kidnapped and then I attacked you."

"Stop being such a drama queen." I said rolling my eyes, "First the incident Alana wasn't your fault entirely, more hers. Second it was technically Quil's fault that I got kidnapped because he provoked abnormal teenage behaviour from me and lastly you're being manipulated in to doing what some psycho vampire wants you to do, which just so happens to kill me so it's not your fault." I babbled, sitting up slowly.

Paul looked stunned for a moment before shaking his head and sliding out of bed, "Don't you think about leaving this bed." He said sternly, using my previous words against me, "I'm going to make you breakfast, well your mother will make it; I'll bring it in." He said with a grin.

I slumped back against the pillows, pouting slightly up at him. He smiled, awe and love radiating in his eyes and he leaned in and kissed me, slow and gently. When he pulled away I fumbled out trying to pull him back for another kiss but he darted out of my room. With a sigh I sat back again, closing my eyes and allowing myself a moment to think about the previous conversation. I couldn't believe I had actually voiced those thoughts, ones that I had thought I would ignore.

But I couldn't, knowing that even if there wasn't another vampire on the loose I would still want to return home, even for a short amount of time. I needed the familiarity or simply proof that I really did belong here now. I didn't know which one I wanted.

All I knew was that there was no home without Paul.

A/N there is a good reason why Paul isn't more upset about what he did. Trust me you will know at about chapter 16. Thanks for all the reviews, you guys have given me some inspiration for the chapters that I'm currently writing. Keep reading and reviewing. I'm closing the poll soon so vote!