Chapter Info

Title: Fate has other ideas.

Number: 18/?

Warnings: Language, angst.

Author's Note: So i have a new story out called 'Wild Hearts' and don't worry this one is all my own writing. So if you like fiery leading ladies and the lovely paul lahore. Make sure to check it out! Please.

- ʚɞ - ʚɞ - ʚɞ -

- Forks, Washington -

- Noelle -

Night Shifts would forever be the bane of her existence - the long hours spent doing absolutely nothing - leaving way too much time to think and analyse everything and anything. And in Noelle's case it was to over analyse the ending of her relationship and the forming of her friendship with Paul. In the last few hours she had torn apart every little aspect of it and over critiqued every decision. It left her feeling empty, as though she was still lying to the two men who meant so much to her.

She felt guilty for stringing Daryl along, for ending things the way she did. And more importantly she felt cruel for accepting his friendship and holding him close. But she wasn't ready to let him go, he had become far too important to her. Whilst her love for him had changed, the friendship she felt for him hadn't. He had put her back together again when she was in pieces, he had fixed her with his friendship and tried to fix her with his love.

So she would burden her selfishness and allow it to paint her heart, if it meant she kept Daryl. Kept his friendship.

She sighs as she wanders down the hallways aimlessly, her mind wandering as she routinely fills in charts and checks on the patients. Her hands a warm reprieve from what was ailing them as she offers them a smile and a moment of idle chatter. Yet her feet carry her without warning towards the room holding the small girl. Her eyes drink her in as she checks over every inch of her file. Wanting to swallow every tid bit of information that had changed since her last shift.

She was still pale from the blood-loss, her breathing laboured and the mark on her neck stood out like a neon sign. It was heartbreaking to see something so innocent wearing the marks of a world she should never have become a part of. It caused anger to coil deep in Noelle's gut - anger at the vampires who had caused the wolves to shift, anger at them for causing other vampires to become interested. She knew it was stupid, it wasn't their fault and yet she couldn't help but blame them. If they hadn't made this place their home, maybe none of this would have happened.

Maybe her life would have been the dream she'd had so long ago. Where life was different and her first love and his friends didn't turn into huge ass wolves. Where they didn't have to fight to protect their lands from threats that no human could fight. Only them. It was something that Noelle had spent too much time thinking on, devoting half of her dreams too and it was only fuelling her anger it seemed. And seeing the little girl like this, it was only kindling to the raging fire inside of her.

" I'm so sorry sweetheart." she croons softly as she brushes the girls hair back from her face.

She stands watching her for a few more moments before turning and heading out, shutting the door silently behind her she sniffs as she brings a hand up to wipe at her face. Six years ago she would never have imagined her life would be filled with supernatural forces, she was only focusing on where she was going to school and what she was going to do with her life. Now, now she was in a world she barely understood, she felt like a blind fool stumbling her way through it.

" You okay Nurse Uley ? "

She turns as she looks at one of the interns she hadn't learnt the name of and nods as she plasters on a fake smile in reassurance. She didn't feel the smile on her face but it seemed to be enough for the intern. She felt bad that she'd not gotten to know them, but then again her mind had been whirling too much for her to get to know anyone. She was pretty sure the only person she actually knew was Carlisle. And Daryl. But still the fact she knew a vampire better than her other human workers, that was just fucking crazy.

" Nurse Uley."

Speaking of the glorious devil.

" What do you need, Carlisle ? "

" Walk with me. Please ? " His topaz eyes were begging and she found she couldn't argue.

Nodding she follows behind him as he leads her through the maze of bodies and towards the cafeteria. He asks if she wants something to eat and she nods ordering herself a small salad and a warm hot cocoa. Her steps light as the two of them head towards the back of the cafeteria, into the non populated area, and she realises he wanted a conversation in private.

She pushes the salad around idly as she waits for the moment he was going to speak - she'd learnt with Carlisle it was better to give him space to talk. He was always willing too but needed a moment to organise his thoughts. It was part of his human facade she guessed.

" The little girl – " he starts and it immediately grabs her attention. " Her name is Ellie. And Noelle, she remembers what happened. "

A curse is exhaled on a breath as she runs her hands through her hair, her eyes widening at the knowledge that the little girl - Ellie - remembered everything that had happened. It now made sense as to why she'd been sedated, something she'd wanted to question but was waiting to see Carlisle. But now it all made sense, too much sense.

" What happens now ? " she asks softly, her hazel eyes boring into his golden ones. " i mean how do we proceed with her knowing ? "

She didn't want to think of what could happen if someone believed the girl, it would be disastrous. As whilst she was angry at the vampires, they led straight to the wolves and Noelle would do anything she could to protect her family.

" I don't know Noelle. Things like this are tricky and if certain people find out, then her life is even more in danger than it already is."

He looked tired, and she didn't even know vampires could get tired.

" But she's just a fucking child Carlisle. She didn't ask for this to happen and she sure as shit doesn't deserve what is happening to her. Hell if it guaranteed she would be protected i'd adopt her myself."

It takes a moment for her ears to catch up with her wayward mouth and yet she couldn't deny that she would. If it meant protecting the little girl she'd take her in, and protect her. Okay it was a rather rash decision given the situation but Noelle was adopted, so she wasn't against the damn idea. And if the council of La Push had any objections, then she'd continue to live in Forks.

Woah, slow down Uley.

She knew she was rushing ahead and instead worked on reigning herself in, though she was honestly a bit surprised at the vehement way she'd stood behind those decisions. As though it was that easy to adopt someone, which she knew it wasn't, or that easy to come to that conclusion. How could she when her whole private life was literally in the fucking air - but sure i can adopt a three year old child.

God she was an idiot. But she doesn't miss the inquisitive way Carlisle looks at her, as though wondering if she'd truly go through with it. And it was in that moment she realised - he'd help her. He wanted to protect the child too and if that meant having Noelle adopt her. He would help. That alone sits heavy on her and she routinely eats her salad as the two move the conversation onto safer topics such as the other patients they had that night.

Yet her mind kept trailing back to Ellie and the decision she'd all but decided on a whim. Was it just because she herself was adopted that she was reacting this way. Or was there more to it, because as it turned out her fate was in the hands of someone else who was having a damn field day. So why not throw her this curveball. It's a thought that follows her as she walks down the hospital halls idly, separating from Carlisle she automatically heads back to Ellie's room.

Stopping short as she sees the little girl is awake, she offers her a soft smile that she hoped was reassuring.

" Hey there sweetie, do you mind if i come in ? " her voice was lighter than she felt internally and she was proud of that.

Ellie's small nod has her shutting the door softly as she moves over, settling on the edge of the bed she offers the little girl her hand, watching as her small fingers curl over her much larger ones..

" Hi Ellie. I'm Nurse Uley, but you can call me Noelle or 'Elle."

" Elle, like Ellie. We match." she can't help the wide smile as she watches the way the girls soft brown eyes widen in glee. It was a nice sight to see, given the terror that had brought them together.

But soon the glee is replaced with another emotion and as the first tear falls down Ellie's young face, she moves forward pulling her into her arms softly. Her fingers automatically ran through her hair in the same manner her mother had done to her when she was sad.

" It's going to be okay sweetie. I promise ! "

It was a lie, she knew that but it was the only thing that made sense to say. Her medical training hadn't warned her for this, hadn't prepared her for what to do with a victim of the supernatural. So she went off her instincts instead and prayed, to everyone who was listening, that they didn't steer her wrong.

" I'm scared." the little girl cries and it honestly breaks Noelle's heart.

" Do you want to know a secret ? " She murmurs into Ellie's brown curls, smiling as she feels the little girl nod against her chest. " I'm scared all the time. But you want to know another secret, I have a protector that helps me feel better."

As Ellie pulls back to look at her with a soft frown marring her young features, she lifts a hand up and wipes away the tears staining her cheeks. Seeing her like this was honestly heartbreaking and all Noelle wanted to do was wrap her in her arms and protect her from the monsters.

" A protectwor." she has to smile at the youth as the girl struggles to say the word.

" Mhm. you see i have a wolf that chases all my bad dreams away, the wolf also wipes away my tears when i'm scared."

And the award for spouting babble goes too.

" Do i have one ? "

" Yeah sweetie you do. And right now he's chasing away everything that makes you scared."

As Ellie collapses against her, she can hear a soft howl in the distance, Shay no doubt adding his own input into the words she'd just said. Or agreeing. But it wasn't like she was truly lying. Ellie did have a wolf chasing away her bad dreams - she'd just missed out the bit where there were more than one wolf.

She holds Ellie till the girl cries herself to sleep and after checking over her charts again she heads out, stopping when she notes that Shay was much closer than he had been. His large wolf form is visible to Noelle, but hidden enough that others wouldn't see him. As though he was helping Noelle keep her words, that the wolf was there protecting Ellie and she finds herself smiling at the teenager, her hand lifting in a small wave before she heads out.

The rest of her shift passes with ease, something inside of her sated knowing she'd help to ease Ellie's nightmares, if just for a little while.

As the end of her shift finally rolls around, she smiles as she notes Daryl walking over yawning, he too was suffering from the effects of a long shift. The previous surgeon had to go off sick and thus leading Daryl to pull one of the longest shifts any surgeon should. She had to chuckle at the cute tired expression on his face, and walks over linking her arm with his as the two head out pleasantries shared with the day staff as they come in, wishes of a good shift handed out with an ease that neither of them felt.

She leans heavily against Daryl's side as they walk out the hospital, her exhaustion showing in the way she can barely keep her eyes open and her jaw aches from the constant yawning she'd been doing for the past ten minutes. Her eyes blink open as she starts to look around at the foliage, as though hoping for a vision of a wolf, allowing her to feel at least a little safer than she'd felt whilst working.

She knew Shay was on duty, but was he on duty till she went home. Or had someone traded with him as the morning light broke over the horizon. As whilst she felt safe knowing he was out there, she wasn't entirely okay with a seventeen year old running circles around the hospital all night. Maybe it was the avid learner in her, but she would prefer him to be in school working towards the promise of a future that didn't involve four paws and a tail instead of protecting her.

But she wouldn't bring that up to her brother. Or Paul.

Her eyes drift to where her impala is parked and she snorts softly as her tired eyes land on the tall Quileute woman resting against the front bumper. Eyes drag lazily up long legs and over jean shorts and a tight tank top that did nothing to hide the muscles defining her frame and up to her face. Resting there on full lips was a smirk worthy enough to rival Paul's as though highly aware of the eyefuck Noelle had just handed out.

" Don't get a big head." She tiredly whispers low enough so only Leah could hear.

The rambunctious laughter that meets her ear has her smirking, eyes cutting up to see confusion blooming on Daryl's face and for a moment she feels bad, and yet she didn't at the same time. It was better he didn't know. She leads him over to where Leah was resting, her body tired and not in the mood for a showdown with the she-wolf. She was the one that Noelle had avoided, mostly because she wasn't sure if they were friends still, or just two acquaintances.

Stopping just in front of the woman, she grumbles as the taller woman stands - honestly Noelle was surrounded by tall bastards - and instead leans her head against Daryl's shoulder.

" Leah meet Daryl, Daryl meet Leah. Another old friend."

She was constantly introducing him to old friends it seems. One day she was going to have to line up everyone from La Push and introduce him. Stopping all these awkward shenanigans that came about as well as the questions she could see burning in the eyes of her ex-fiance. Instead she watches as Leah looks at Daryl, and then freezes. Beside her she can feel Daryl stiffen, and blinking away her exhaustion as she looks between them. Frowning lightly - she wonders what was with the staring competition - her tired brain taking more than a moment to catch up. And as it finally does she can't help the laughter that skirts off her lips.

Maybe it was her delirium due to exhaustion, or she had completely lost her mind but the sight of her old friend and the only she-wolf in La Push staring at her ex fiance slash friend, was highly entertaining. And yet she can also see the moment Leah starts to shut down, a soft curse fluttering off her lips as she does, because of course, no one but Paul knows that her and Daryl were over. And Sam had already told her that Paul was good at hiding his thoughts wherever she was concerned. Which meant he probably hadn't shared that tid bit - which made Leah think it was the Sam and Emily situation all over again.

God did she ever get a day off.

" So Lee, was there anything you needed ? " She can barely contain her smirk as Leah has to shake herself to pay attention once more to the conversation.

" Yeah your brother was wondering if you're coming to the bonfire next week ? "

She hums as she thinks over her schedule. She knew she had night shifts till Wednesday but after that she wasn't sure. Plus it wasn't like she could ask, because even if she wasn't working. She was sure she was still going to end up being babysat - Daryl too it would seem.

" I don't know. I don't have my full schedule for next week ? " She shrugs " Plus Daryl and I have some stuff to discuss – "

" Alright. Just let Sam know okay ! "

There was a pointed look in Leah's eyes and she knew it was far more than letting Sam know if she was attending a bonfire, she was to let Sam know her schedule. With a nod she watches as Leah lopes off and turns her attention to Daryl, his blue eyes watching Leah disappear and it makes Noelle smile, at least a little. Even if she knew there was a whole web to untangle there - and not to mention the secret that had to come free. Whilst the pack had lied to her for six years, there was no way they'd be able to do the same with Daryl.

" Oi mister. Eyes off the goods and take me home ! "

Her laughter is light and freeing for a moment as Daryl turns with a horrified look on his face and shakes his head before dragging her to the passenger side of her impala. She doesn't comment, it wasn't her place, so instead she revels in her laughter and allows it to carry her as she heads home. The simple actions stopping her from giving into the complete exhaustion that was settled in her bones.

As the small house appears before her, Noelle can't help but think over how in the last twenty-four hours her whole life had changed. Her and Daryl had ended their relationship and now it seemed it was for the best. Where she had previously felt like she was letting him go for her own selfish reasons, in truth she was letting him go so he could find his true future.

Whilst it hurt like a bitch, she was at least able to heal some of the wounds she'd caused earlier - knowing there was someone better out there, someone who deserved him and wouldn't hurt him like she did. Because if Leah did, then she'd find a way to kill a wolf. No question about that.

She moves to head straight to bed but stops as she feels Daryl's hand settling gently around her wrist, her eyes dragging up to his and seeing so many unanswered questions swirling inside those blue orbs that for a moment she felt cruel that she couldn't answer them. It wasn't her place, this time it was up to someone else.

" Trust me. Soon all this will make sense, me and Paul, and what you're feeling regarding the woman you just met."

That was probably the nicest way she could put that.

" What's that supposed to mean ? "

She turns to look at him, her hazel eyes assessing the pure confusion on his face and she can't help the soft chuckle that falls off her lips. Things were beyond confusing, she'd come home with Daryl with the premise of starting their forever. And instead the knowledge of two imprints stood between them and showed that their paths were different and yet similar - yeah confusing was an understatement.

" Fate has other ideas for us Dare – " She smirks softly as she turns to head up the stairs.

She wasn't deluding herself, she knew that shit was about to get a hell of a lot more complicated. And she wasn't entirely sure if Daryl would be able to handle the big furry secret. But one thing she was sure of was that she wouldn't abandon her friends, Leah and Daryl needed her and she was happy for them both. Daryl would be good for her, he was patient and he was kind. Something Leah desperately needed.

And whilst she would forever love him, he was Leah's now. And she would do anything she could to make the transition easier, to help her friends find their happiness. Even if hers was still a big question mark. But one thing was for sure - she was pretty sure she was about to adopt a child. All because she'd spoken without thinking.

- ʚɞ - ʚɞ - ʚɞ -

A / N : Reviews are love and highly appreciated. Please and thank you- so how am i doing?. I was going to let Daryl drift into obscurity the further the chaps went - but decided his nice and cute self was perfect for the resident bitch. So you guys good with that?