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Inspirational Song: Lifehouse – Halfway Gone

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"Emily?" I asked as I finished my tea.

She picked up our empty mugs and took them to the sink, "Yes?"

"Can I...can I use y-your phone?" I stuttered, pulling my hair to one side and braiding it for something to do.

Emily didn't ask why, though I figured she might have already known. She simply smiled and nodded towards it on the wall before she headed for the living room.

I sighed in relief and just sat there for a while, alone with my crazy thoughts. I pulled out my phone from my left pocket and dropped it on the table. I just stared at it as I pulled the gum wrapper out of my right pocket.

I sat there, staring at both for a while before standing up and grabbing Emily's wall phone.

Sighing, I picked up the gum wrapper and quickly dialed the numbers before I could back out. My teeth bit down on my lower lip as it rang and rang and...

"Hello, Fuller residence." A woman said over the phone.

I froze, my mouth open but nothing coming out.

"Hello?" Mrs. Fuller's kind voice said over the phone.

"Hi...hi Mrs. Fuller, it's Bella Swan, is Brady there?" I asked quickly.

I heard the small, happy sound Mrs. Fuller gave, "Brady? Oh yes, yes, of course he is, dear. Will you hold one moment?"

"Y-yeah." I nodded.

"Brady?" She called off the phone, "Someone is on the phone for you."

I heard the footsteps running down the stairs and then a thud. I smiled; he must have skipped the last few. Or he had tripped over his long legs.

"Here he is." Mrs. Fuller said, I could just picture her beautiful face lighting up, "I hope you are doing well."

"Yes, I'm—" I started.

"Mom! Mom...just...just give...give me the phone! Please!" Brady said, sounding like a thirteen-year-old for once.

Mrs. Fuller laughed, "Well, bye Bella. I hope to see you soon."

"Mom!"

I laughed into the phone, "Yes, I hope so too, Mrs. Fuller."

"Mom!" I heard some rustling on the other end of the phone which made my smile grow, "Bella?"

"Yeah, hey-hey Brady." I said, pulling the blanket tightly around me.

"Hey." He said back, "Sorry about...well, my mom. She's just sort of...well, I don't know exactly what she is...but, she really likes questions..."

I laughed, "It's alright, I don't mind. She seems really nice."

"Yeah, yeah, nice..." Brady said. I could just picture him waving his hand at his mom, trying to get her to go away and not eavesdrop.

I twirled the cream-colored phone cord around my finger, trying to find a good reason why I would have called him.

"What is your favorite animal?" It popped out before I could even think of what I was saying.

"A swan." He replied just as quickly, "I've always been a sucker for The Ugly Duckling."

I blushed, thankful that he couldn't see me.

"Bella?" He asked.

I nodded then, remembering he couldn't hear me, said, "Yeah, I'm still here."

"What do you need from me?" He asked. It wasn't harsh by any means, he sincerely meant it.

I sighed, taking in a deep breath, "Would it be...would it be too much to ask...to ask..."

My hands tightened, keeping the blanket in place, "Can I see...see..." I took in another steadying breath, "Your wolf again?"

I don't know what made me ask such a thing. I just knew I had wanted to see him, the part of him that was the protector of his tribe. To see the wolf that had knitted the boy to me. To see the wolf who would break away from the pack to keep me, just me, safe.

I knew I didn't deserve it, but for once I wanted to feel like the gravity that kept someone bound to earth. I wanted to be me, complete with all my imperfections and too human flaws, and have that be enough.

It was selfish of me. I knew it. But that didn't stop me from wanting it.

Brady didn't hesitate before he answered, "I'll give three howls, with ten seconds between the last two. That way you'll know it's me."

I nodded.

"Are you alright, Bella?" He asked. I closed my eyes, being able to see the concern and worry in his eyes.

I smiled, "Yeah...now I am. See you in a bit?"

"See you in a bit."

I gave a quick nod before hanging up the phone. I sighed and leaned my head against the door, I really needed to stop trying to nod and smile over the phone.

I pulled myself up and walked to the living room, joining Emily on the couch to watch the old 60's Get Smart that she had flipped on.

My ears kept straining to hear outside, my head turning towards it every time I heard something that sounded remotely like a wolf. Whether it be a rustle in the trees or a howl-like sound.

Emily chuckled, "I'm guessing you're waiting for someone?"

I sighed and leaned back against the couch, "I probably should just go to bed, it's been a long enough day as it is, but I know I just won't be able to sleep."

"I know that feeling." Emily smiled.

A howl.

I sat up straighter to listen.

A second one.

"One, two, three, four..." I continued counting in my head. Ten.

Another one.

I jumped up and grabbed Brady's jacket, heading outside without another word. I could hear Emily laughing as I went.

I stepped off the porch, being careful not to trip in the dark.

"Brady?" I called, straining to see in the woods.

I took a couple tentative steps forward, not wanting to go into the woods at night but knowing that I would be safe because Brady was there.

I had just gotten to the edge when the dark ashy-brown wolf stuck his head out.

I smiled into Brady's warm amber-brown eyes as I walked farther into the woods.

"Hey, Brady." I walked over and held my hand out as if going to pet a strange dog. He sat and gave me a weird look.

"Oh, right, you're trained." I laughed nervously as I walked over to him, I still reached my hand out to pet his head but stopped, "Too weird?"

Brady let his tongue fall out as he pushed his large head into my hand. I chuckled, apparently not. Part of me wondered if he was one of those who liked their hair being played with like I'd seen Angela do with Ben.

My hand moved over the large crown of his head, enjoying the feel of his beautiful fur, "You're so soft, Brady."

He gave a barking laugh. He rubbed into my hand one last time before standing up to his full height. I took a step back as I looked up at him in awe.

In the pack he looked so small, but here he was so...so...big.

"Soft but very...very...big." I said to the wolf. Brady dropped his head so that he was at my eye level.

I reached up and gently touched his muzzle, "So, what is your favorite part of being a wolf?" I asked, continuing our game of questions.

He looked down at his body then up to me.

"Oh right, you can't talk." I pulled my hand back and crossed my arms over my chest, biting down on my lip as my face grew embarrassed.

He pushed me with his nose, trying to get me to turn around.

"Turn around?" I asked. He nodded and I complied. I crossed my arms as the wind picked up.

"You can turn back now." Brady laughed.

I blushed as I turned back to him. He had been phasing back which had meant...my blush grew worse.

"And in answer to your question, I love running. It's so freeing and relaxing." Brady walked over to me, his skin lighter than usual in the full moon's light, "So can I ask why you wanted to see my wolf?"

I shrugged, trying to keep my eyes away from his bare chest, "I just did. No real reason, sorry I asked you to come all the way over just for that."

"It's no problem." Brady said with a large smile, "I was happy to do anything if it meant you would feel better."

The blush grew worse, but not because I was standing with a half-naked boy.

"W-would you like to come in?" I asked, gesturing towards the house.

Brady looked to the house then me, "I thought you and Emily were having a girl's night."

I shrugged, "She said she understood." And, for once this evening, that was the truth.

Brady's smile grew even more, if that were possible, as he nodded, "Sure, then."

I gave a slight smile before heading back to the house.

"Hey Em!" Brady called walking into the house as if it were his own.

Emily smiled, placing two plates of cake slices on the coffee table, "Brady, what a surprise." She threw a wink my way as Brady looked at the clock.

"Do you mind if I borrow one of Sam's shirts?" Brady turned to Emily with his young smile.

She laughed and waved her hand towards the bedroom, "Help yourself!"

Brady gave a playful grin before disappearing through the door.

"You know, he's only changing so that he makes sure you're comfortable." Emily smiled, "If you weren't here, he would be just as bare chested as the rest of them always are."

I pulled my jacket off and draped it over the chair before moving to the couch, "I don't want him to be uncomfortable on my account."

Emily shook her head, "Oh, you don't need to worry about that. When he makes you feel comfortable, that makes him feel comfortable, even if it's something he usually wouldn't do. Does that make sense?" She asked as she handed me my slice.

"I don't think my school offers Imprint 101, maybe I should transfer to the rez school? They might have it." I laughed, taking a bite of my cake.

Emily chuckled, "No, sadly they don't, but if the boys keep imprinting they might have to." With a yawn, Emily walked over and sat down in the recliner, "You know, if ever you have a question, don't be afraid to ask me. Or you could ask Sam – he's had to deal with it all and then some – and I know Brady wouldn't either."

I nodded, storing her words for a later date.

"So did I see cake earlier?" Brady said, coming out with a blue shirt that even he seemed to be swimming in.

Emily nodded and handed him a piece.

"Ahh! Chocolate! My favorite!" Brady said, falling to a seat on the floor so he could stretch his long legs out.

I smiled, remembering that note as well.

"What is your favorite, Bella?" Brady asked. I shook my head with a smile, I should have expected it. We would be playing twenty questions until he knew everything about me.

And I didn't mind that one bit.

"Red Velvet." I replied, taking a bit of the cake, "But chocolate is a close second."

Brady gave a nod before digging in.

"So, do we want to watch a movie?" Emily asked, looking to the clock. It was half an hour to twelve, but she knew I wasn't going to be able to sleep and that probably kept her from sleeping.

I sighed, leaning my head against the couch. I felt bad that I kept affecting everyone so much, "Well, do you want to go to bed, Em?" I smiled at the nickname, I had never used it before, "I'll be fine, really."

I forced a smile and Brady gave a light laugh. I narrowed my eyes at him. Just because he knew my secret about my lying smiles didn't mean he had to let the cat out of the bag. He instantly stopped and turned back to his cake.

Emily smiled back as she tried to hide her yawn, "You sure?"

I nodded, "I have Brady here, so I won't get too lonely."

She nodded, "Alright then." And she headed to the bedroom without another worry.

I could see how tired she was, all that time cooking and taking care of the pack had finally caught up to her. She deserved a nice rest.

"So, you in a movie mood now?" Brady asked, turning to look at me from his place on the floor, "Action, romance, or what?"

I pulled my legs up onto the couch, mulling over the question, "Something easy that I don't have to think too much on."

"So that crosses Inception off the list." Brady smirked playfully, pushing his bangs to the side as he looked through the DVDs, "What about The Lion King?" He turned back to me with a smile.

I pursed my lips, thinking about it. I couldn't remember the plot that well, but it sounded good, "Yeah, sure. I haven't seen it since I was three though."

"Cool." Brady pulled the DVD out and popped it in the player, "I didn't even know Sam had it! It has to be Emily's."

A question popped into my head, "What is your favorite movie, Brady?"

He dropped his head back against the couch and looked up at me, "It changes every week."

I shrugged, "What about this week?"

His smile grew, "The Lion King."

I burst out laughing only to quickly cover my mouth. I had forgotten that Emily was in bed already, probably fast asleep.

Brady chuckled, sliding down so that he was practically laying on the floor as the movie started.

I leaned my head down on the couch's arm, content with the silence and my company. And that was when I fell asleep.

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Sam walked in the door and froze, "Emily?" It was about six o'clock in the morning and all Sam wanted to do since Paul and Jared had taken over patrol was to go to bed.

But Sam couldn't crash on the sofa, which was his bed at Emily's place and, as she put it, would stay his until the wedding night, because Bella was on the couch. He rose a brow as he saw his pack mate on the floor next to her, snoring up a storm. In his shirt.

"What is it, Sam?" Emily asked, rubbing her eyes as she walked out of her room.

"I get why Bella is here, but why is Brady here? And in my shirt." Sam asked, turning a curious eye to his imprint.

Emily walked over and looked at the two of them, her smile grew, "Well, apparently the imprint is taking affect. You did say that it was stronger than even ours, and ours was pretty strong. This just proves what you said." She looked to him with pride in her eyes, "They can't seem to stay away from each other, and it's only been a day. They just have to be together."

Sam took in a sharp breath.

"What? Don't you want Brady to be happy?" Emily asked, tying her robe closed, "Is it bad that they are starting to develop romantic feelings?"

"Well, it's both a good thing and a bad thing." Sam said, moving behind his girl and wrapping his arms around her.

Emily placed her hands on top of his forearm and leaned her head back, "Why?"

Sam leaned down and kissed her scar, "She still belongs to him. Or did you forget that in your matchmaking mischief?"

Emily's beautiful tan skin blushed.

Sam chuckled and buried his head into her shoulder, "Ahhh...I need sleep."

Emily turned around in his arms and kissed his nose, "Go crash in my room. I'm going to start breakfast."

Sam kissed her on the forehead, he started to head off but stopped, "Why is Brady wearing my shirt?"

Emily laughed, "I'll tell you later, just go get some sleep." Sam nodded and headed off to bed, agreeing with his imprint.

Emily sighed in contentment before turning to look at the other wolf and his imprint.

"I hope you guys will fight for what you have." She whispered before going into the kitchen to start breakfast.

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