Fixed

Epilogue

It was freezing when Kim ran home from school. Lucy was having a sleepover at her friend Lily's and Kim was aware that she had very little time before she had to leave. She sprinted to the shower, shuddering in relief as the hot water warmed her freezing limbs.

After dashing to her room she put on as many layers as she could whilst still looking feminine. She even went so far as to blow dry her wet hair, worrying about getting a head cold that evening. Although she was going to be by a bonfire and have her own personal space heater wrapped around her is was probably better to be careful..?

With a sigh she decided that she was way overthinking things and was just wrestling her feet into some thick socks when the door bell rang. A grin instantly lit her face and she threw it open to find a beaming teenage boy on the other side. Before she knew it, Kim found herself in his arms and being very thoroughly kissed. It was only once he had stepped slightly away to smirk that Kim caught her breath.

"I've been wanting to do that all day," Jared admitted, grabbing her hand and leading her to his truck.

"But you saw me at lunch …" she reminded him.

"With all our friends and I didn't get a single kiss," he declared, all but pouting.

"Aww poor big bad wolf, deprived of his imprint's kisses for a whole day!" she teased. Jared pulled a face and Kim found herself laughing loudly.

"You think I'm joking," he muttered as he drove them to First Beach.

"So is everyone going to be there?" Kim asked.

Jared nodded, "Yeah. Quil's finally turned and is happy now that he understands why he was abandoned." He pulled a slight face, "Jake's also bringing Bella Swann."

"Why are you pulling a face?"

"Kim, she went out with a vampire!" he exclaimed, "Who does that?"

Kim snorted, struck by the utter hypocrisy of this statement, "You do know you're a werewolf, right?" she reminded him.

"That's different. Our wolves are in our heritage and blood. Vampires aren't born, they're made and their very existence goes against nature. They simply shouldn't be … and they stink." Kim laughed again. "They do!" her boy friend exclaimed, "They stink of bleach."

"Ew," she muttered.

Jared nodded, "Finally, you get it."

This time she simply rolled her eyes. "Be nice to her Jared, if you judge the poor girl I won't kiss you for a whole week."

"Kim!" he wailed, making her outright giggle this time. She gave him such a steady look that he eventually gave in, "Fine," he stated.

Once they'd arrived and she'd hugged Emily, Kim settled herself on a log with a skewer and a hotdog, only to find herself picked up and draped across Jared's lap. When he'd first done this, she protested about being heavy and he'd laughed heartily at her, proceeding to pick her up with a single hand to show how light she was to him. Since then, Kim had grown accustomed to him picking her up and now preferred his warm embrace to any other seat.

She was half way through her hotdog when Jake arrived with Bella. Not sure what to expect, Kim was struck by her slender, almost waif-like appearance. She was pale and brown haired, with rosy cheeks and a pretty face. She glanced nervously around the fire, smiling at everyone when they were introduced.

It was only once they were all settled with food that Kim noticed Bella watching Jared and her. Slightly disconcerted by her observation, she leant back against Jared, feeling her eyes starting to close. Her boyfriend certainly wasn't helping with the way he kept running his hands gently through her hair …

"Kim, it's time to wake up, sweetheart, Old Quil's about to begin."

Jared pulled her more fully upright and pressed a cup of something warm into her hands which turned out to be hot chocolate. With a nod, Kim took a sip of the sugary beverage and listened to the old man's voice with rapt attention. He was an excellent storyteller. She was so lost within the tales that she only became aware that they'd finished when everyone started to get up and leave.

Gently, Jared pulled her to her feet and started to lead her back to the truck. "What d'you think?" he murmured as they climbed in.

"They were amazing," she replied, "Old Quil has such a voice for storytelling."

"And they're real," he agreed softly, "Kind of strange to be living in a real legend isn't it?"

With a soft smile, Kim took his hand and kissed the back. "I don't know, I feel as is everything has fallen rather beautifully into place."

Jared's mouth melted into a grin as he leaned over to kiss her softly. "I know exactly what you mean."

0 0 0

THE END

Author's note:

Many thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed this little foray into the Quileute world!