Yes, Alice and Jasper are different from the book. This is a rewrite for a reason.
Chapter 11: Friends and Foes
It was nearly two in the morning before Meredith was allowed to see her father. In the hours that passed, she paced the lobby, the cross clutched within her palms. Derek came with her, watching as she nervously made circles around the room. When she wasn't walking back and forth, she was glued to her chair, staring at the floor intensely. This was her fault, she knew it. If she had told him of the dangers... if she made him swear to wear the crucifix more than just one night... Maybe this could have been prevented. Derek didn't speak to her. She supposed he thought it would only make things worse. He did, however, bring her hot chocolate once. She didn't drink it, though she was thankful of his consideration. When she finally was let in to see Thatcher, she rushed from her spot into the hospital room. What a pitiful sight.
Half of his face and neck were bandaged with gauze, his arm in a sling. He was asleep, a tube helping him to breathe. A heart monitor sat beside him, giving a paced, rhythmic beat. His leg had been broken and was cradled by a hanging strap. Meredith weakly made her way to her unconscious father, dropping to the seat beside him. She moved her hands forward and gently took his own, amazed that she was not reduced to tears. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Derek keep a respectful distance. Meredith shook her head, putting her father's hand to her cheek.
"This is all my fault," she said softly. "I should have... I should have done something..." Derek was silent, keeping his stone like eyes on the pair. It got to a point where it was disturbingly creepy. Meredith looked up to him, hoping he would stop looking at her like that. "What...?"
"You weren't wearing your cross."
Meredith blinked. "Oh..." She looked at the trinket in her hand. "Yeah... I gave it to him to try and protect him..." She looked back to her father, guilt trailing her insides. "Not like it helped..."
"You weren't wearing it," Derek repeated. Meredith looked to him, cringing slightly beneath his glower. "After I told you not to take it off, you did so deliberately. Even when you knew you were going into a house filled with vampires, you still didn't wear it..."
"I didn't know I'd be going to your house..." Meredith defended softly.
"That's no excuse!" Derek hissed. "I told you not to take it off, didn't I?"
"He needed it more than I did..."
"Did I or did I not tell you to keep it on," Derek pressed, moving closer. Meredith cast her eyes down to the floor.
"You did," she said weakly. She didn't want to hear his badgering about something that shouldn't matter at the moment.
"So why did you take it off?" Derek demanded. Meredith looked up at him, starting to become angry.
"He needed it more than I did..." she began, amazed that he would even ask something like that.
"A lot of good it did him," Derek snapped coldly. Meredith stood at that; her face flushed with anger at the boy.
"I didn't know he'd take it off!" she defended, her guilt seeping from her tone. "I gave it to him the night I was in the hospital... He promised he'd wear it!"
"But he didn't!" Derek retorted. "It would have been best if you just kept the damned thing! Alice could have killed you! Or worse, convinced you into letting yourself be turned! Is that what you want, Meredith? You want to be a soulless demon for the rest of your damn life?!"
"Stop it!" Meredith argued, gripping her arms. "Just stop it, Derek!"
"No! You need to hear this!" He marched up to her and took her arms. "You need to focus on protecting yourself, do you understand?" He leaned in, his tone lowering and becoming more earnest. "Please... please just focus on protecting yourself from now on. These nomads know that you're connected with me. You're going to be facing some dangerous situations up ahead. You have to think about you, understand? And if anyone else gets hurt because they're not smart enough to prevent it, that's their fault."
Meredith stared at him in utter disbelief at his crass statement. Her father was laying in a hospital bed, barely alive, and he shoved it away as though it was Thatcher's fault? Slowly, Meredith slipped away from Derek's grasp, which he could have held with ease but didn't. Her face hardened, the usual meek tenor in attitude now gone. She pointed to the door.
"Get out," she said firmly.
Derek's face took on a look of astonishment. He blinked several times, his lips parted. "What do you mean, 'get out'?" he began. His eyes narrowed and his lips twisted into a scowl, his fangs bared. "All I'm doing is telling you the truth. Nomads like these won't go easy on you if you're being gallant. They'll rip you to pieces if they get the chance. They'll suck you dry; make you their plaything. They won't stop until you're dead, don't you get it!? You can't protect everyone! Only yourself!"
"I said get out," she repeated, a hard look in her eye. Derek snarled and paced, having a hard time controlling his anger. He then leaned in close to her, attempting to intimidate the girl. She did not flinch or draw back, staring him down stubbornly.
"I don't know why I even tried," he hissed. He turned on his heal and stormed off, slamming the door as he went. Meredith let out a low breath, the tension leaving the room with the vampire. Meredith sat back where she was on Thatcher's bedside, taking up his hand. She looked at the cross in her other palm. They probably wouldn't attack Thatcher again. It wouldn't be any fun for them now. So, instead of putting it around his neck, she put it around her own. She then sat there, staring at her father, refusing to move until he woke up...
She wasn't quite sure how or when she fell asleep, but the next thing she knew, she was being gently shaken awake. Her name was called by a familiar voice. She blinked, grogginess trying to sway her back to sleep, but she sat up anyway. When her eyes focused, she saw the faces of Jessica, Mike, Tyler, Addison and Eric all smiling at her.
"We heard about what happened," said Addison sympathetically, putting a small vase of flowers on the bedside table.
"Hell, the whole town knows," said Mike. However, he was promptly shut up by Tyler, who elbowed his ribs. He rubbed them and frowned at the boy, who only gave him a pointed look.
Jessica shook her head. "Anyway, we came by to show our support." She hugged Meredith, who smiled thankfully and hugged her back.
"I really appreciate this," she said to them. "I was so scared when I got the call... I thought he'd be dead by the time I got here..." She looked over to Thatcher. "He still hasn't woken up yet." Jessica hugged her shoulders.
"He'll come around," she promised.
"We'll bring your schoolwork for you for as long as you stay here," said Tyler, handing her a bag of a couple fresh notebooks. "So, don't worry about missing anything."
Meredith took the bag, her heart swelling. Two weeks and she already had the kind of friends who would go out of their way to make sure she was supported. She hadn't met any group of people that were so thoughtful to her. She held the bag to her chest, happy tears welling in her eyes. She looked at their faces. "Thank you..." she said softly. "I... thank you all so much..." She put a hand to her face, her lip quivering. She felt like she didn't deserve all of this kindness. What had she done for them other than invite a blood sucker to a snowball fight? Just as she looked ready to lose it, they crowded around her, hugging her in a group. She laughed outright at herself, wrapping her thin arms around as many bodies as she could. They all assured her that they'd be there for her, no matter what. She thanked them profusely, unable to do it enough. In such an unsure and scary time for her, having these new friends in her life was a blessing.
"Knock, knock," came another familiar voice. They all turned to see Mark Sloan standing at the doorway, smiling at them. A few noticed him from a group visit from when Meredith was in the hospital just twenty-four hours previous. He walked in with a charming smile on his face. "You guys are cursed, I swear. First you and now him."
Meredith smiled weakly, wiping her eyes. "I know... we're terrible." After a light and uplifting visit from the group, they all broke off, soon leaving Mark and Meredith the only ones awake in the room. He waited until they were all out of ear shot before sitting by Meredith and taking her hands.
"Did you see what happened?" he asked urgently. Meredith shook her head. "But you know..." She nodded.
"I gave him my cross... to wear." She sniffed and wiped her face. "He only wore it one night I guess..." She looked to him weakly. "Do... do you think if I told him about the nomads...?"
"No," said Mark instantly. "It's best if he doesn't know. But I promise they'll be caught for doing this to him." He sighed. "I don't know if they'll leave or not... but be on your look out until we know for sure they're gone, all right?" He folded his arms, frowning at the floor. "This whole thing stinks of the Shepherds," he seethed. "If they find out that you and Derek have any connection... even if you simply know who he is, they might come after you."
Meredith remained silent, fear curling up inside her. She nodded. "I'll be careful." She clutched her crucifix and Mark smiled at her.
"You look like hell," he commented lightly. "You want me to drive you home so you can take a shower and change your clothes?"
Meredith looked outside. It was nearing sunset. Even so, the hospital wasn't that far away from home. "No," she said, standing. "I'd rather if you watch my dad for me, ok? I'll be coming right back in my truck with some extra clothes, anyway."
Mark frowned. "I don't think you should head out alone..." he remarked, standing as she stood.
Meredith smiled at him. "Don't worry. I have this, remember?" She tapped her cross. "I won't be long ok?" She hugged him and placed a light kiss on his cheek, before heading out of the room. "Just keep an eye on him for me!" she called. "Tell me if he wakes up!" After that, she left the hospital, the cold wind waking her up. It was a pretty clear day outside. It wouldn't be likely that they'd come out like Derek did, anyway. There was hardly a cloud in the sky. She walked home without anything stopping her, glad to be in her house by the time the sun set. She took a good, quick shower and changed, putting a few spare clothes into an overnight bag. She'd stay as long as her father was in the hospital. After that, she looked out. It was dusk now, but she was sure she'd be fine. She'd be in the truck, anyway. So, she hurried downstairs and made sure her cross was secure around her neck, before heading outside. She froze on the porch.
Laying on her truck, tapping on the roof, was Victoria. She smiled, watching her own fingers, her bushy hair frizzed around her face and neck. "Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor..." Her sharp eyes trailed up to her, a sly grin curling about her lips. "Our wrath punishes all without distinction..." She turned herself and hopped down to the snow lightly, barely making a sound when her feet hit the ground. Meredith began to ease back, moving to her house and clutching her crucifix. Vampires couldn't come into a house without being invited in, right?
"That little trinket won't help you as much as you think it will." Meredith jumped as the French voice of Laurent breathed behind her. She scuttled back to the steps and looked between the two, her head pulsating loudly. They both smiled at her wickedly, their fangs bared. In a rush, she turned and ran to the other side of her truck but pulled back and wound up falling as James popped out of nowhere, standing just in front of her door. The others laughed at her fear as she struggled to get back up again. James leaned forward, smelling her hair. She shivered and tried to pull back, but the fact that she was petrified didn't let her move.
"She smells like them..." he growled; his white teeth close to her face. He pulled back and looked to the other two, who were closing in. Meredith felt a finger trail her lower back and she turned to watch Laurent circle her.
"What is your connection with the Shepherds...?" Meredith remained silent. "Come now... no use trying to hide it... You were with one of them that day..."
"Not to mention you wreak of them," Victoria purred, absolutely loving the way Meredith was reacting.
"Stay away from me..." she warned, in a much smaller voice then she had hoped for.
Victoria cackled. "Or what, you pitiful little human?" She leaned forward, grabbing Meredith's chin roughly. She had an iron clad grip, and Meredith feared that she would try and break her jaw. "What can you do, hm? What could you possibly do to defend yourself against the likes of us..." She stopped suddenly when James put a hand on her shoulder.
"Wolf."
The others turned to see a black truck heading in their direction. Mark parked the truck and stepped out, his hand clutched to his side. His eyes flashed a bright looking silver. "Let her go." His voice was low and prickled, his walk much different then what Meredith was used to seeing. And he smelled different too... The vampires could detect it much sharper then she could, she was sure, but it was defiantly there. It was something... primal. James growled at him, but didn't advance as Laurent stepped in between the two of them.
"We have no problem with you, wolf," he said bluntly. "Our problem is with the Shepherds."
"Then it's also with us," Mark insisted. "My people and the Shepherds have a peaceful pact. You're violating that."
While the two parties argued, Meredith kept her eyes on Victoria's hand. It went from her face to her shoulder. All eyes were on Mark, and she guessed that they couldn't read minds, or else they wouldn't ask questions. So, in a quick motion, Meredith pressed her onto Victoria's skin. It sizzled and charred her hand, causing her to scream out in anguish. While they were distracted, Meredith ran out from behind them and threw herself at Mark, who pulled her aside and stood in front of her. She gripped his shirt, shaking against him. Victoria screeched at her, clutching her wounded hand. "You bitch!" she yelled, her eyes glaring at the human. However, they didn't advance because of Mark. Laurent straightened up as Victoria swore under her breath.
"Don't think this is over, Meredith Grey," he said smoothly. "Yes, we know who you are. You're treading very dangerous waters. Get in our way, and we'll destroy you..."
"Get any closer to her, and you'll have an entire hoard of shifters on your doorstep," Mark threatened. Laurent sneered at him and turned to the others. With a nod, they left, leaping into the air and disappearing into the new night that fell on Forks. Mark turned to her. "You ok?" She nodded, hand on her forehead. He rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm guessing you've figured out what I am...?" She smiled a bit.
"It's not like you hid it all that well..." He laughed at that.
"No... I guess not." He hugged her tightly. "Come on. I'll take you back to the hospital." He took her into his truck, and they drove back to where her father laid. Meredith leaned on the window, staring to the snow.
"I don't want anyone to be hurt..." she said softly. Mark gripped her hand and she looked to him.
"Don't worry," he said softly. "You have me. And my father will be talking to Carlisle tonight. Things'll be straightened out, and soon those nomads will be gone for good."
Meredith nodded. "I certainly hope so..." She looked back out to the snow, sighing.
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~ Charlie xoxo
