Chapter Ten

Kate

I woke with a start, disorientation compounded by a splitting headache. I scrambled for my phone to check the time. Six o'clock. AM or PM I wasn't actually sure. The long summer days meant it could be either given the light streaming in through the open curtains.

I pulled up a website on my phone. 6am. It was Sunday morning. I was so confused about how I'd managed to sleep through all of Saturday afternoon and evening without waking once. I starfished out on the bed taking a moment to get my brain in gear. Both my head and bladder gave a painful nudge so I crawled out of bed to the bathroom. I located some painkillers and knocked those back first before relieving myself. I didn't think the headache was remanence of my hangover, it was probably due to oversleeping and not drinking enough water. I wiped my nose as I finished my business and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

Christ on a bike.

I watched my eyes widened in surprise and muted horror. The little make up I'd slapped on yesterday morning was now smeared over my face. The, what I thought was minimal, eyeliner gave life to the term panda eyes. I dreaded to think of the nasties brewing under what remained of my concealer and vowed to change my bedding again. I wonder if there would be an imprint of my face on the pillow?

Yeesh.

I laughed at myself, God what a state. I didn't consider myself vain, forgoing makeup on most days, but I honestly looked like shit right now. How'd I get so bad? I peered closer to the mirror and poked the bags under my eyes. Those were definitely down to stress and no sleep. And possibly too much alcohol. And carbs, can't forget the crap diet this week.

I sniffed again, nose slightly blocked and I hoped I wasn't getting a cold.

I turned the shower on and as it was heating gathered some clean clothes. Once it up to temperature I spent a lazy twenty minutes scrubbing myself raw trying to remove the remaining makeup. I washed and conditioned my hair, and after fighting a particularly gnarly knot, decided I would get it cut. I wasn't overly attached to my hair, if anything the longer it got the more infuriating it was. I realised that I kept it long as Richard like it that way. The thought made me angry and wondered if I could find a walk in salon to take care of it today. It would save me money in conditioner, that's for sure.

Ablutions complete, and dressed, I wandered downstairs. I would have to do a food shop today if I was going to take healthier lunches to work this coming week, but given Sunday trading hours, the earliest I could shop was half nine. My headache hadn't eased off and my blocked nose was now also starting to run (how?). I really should have something to eat but poking my head into the nearly bare fridge didn't inspire my appetite. Unable to kill time by eating, I pulled together a list of groceries I needed, taking great pains to plan my meals for the week ahead. I also added some more painkillers and cold and flu medicine just in case this developed into something more than just a sniffle.

It was a couple of miles to the nearest big supermarket in town, and I decided to make the most of the nice weather and walk there. I should be there by the time it opened. I gathered my bag, and my phone and headed out the door.

I was back within a few hours, having got carried away with some bits for my move. Realising Richard had taken the biggest suitcases we owned, I figured I better get some more. I spent time checking the prices online whilst in the store for the best deals. The store won out, and I figured I might as well get some other bits too. Before I knew it was dragging two rather large Samsonite cases back home, packed up with groceries and moving bits.

Later on, I managed to find a walk in hairdressers and had them cut a good eight inches of length off my hair, styling it to a long bob swinging an inch above my shoulders. The rest of my Sunday was spent food prepping for the week. My fridge and freezer were full of healthy meals. Before I knew it was 7pm. I realised that I hadn't eaten all day, but when faced with my lovingly prepared dinners, I found I still wasn't hungry. I scolded myself and pulled out a chicken pasta salad and forced myself to eat it, if anything just to line my stomach as the only thing I did want was more drugs. My headache was still lingering and my nose still stuffy. I downed some extra strength pain relief and finished off a couple of pints of water after my food.

I moved to the living room after, flicking through the TV guide. Nothing was catching my attention so feeling like an old lady, I went upstairs to go back to bed at 8:30.

Rock 'n' roll, bitches.

The following week followed the same pattern, interspaced with work filling my day. I couldn't really make any start on the Office project until I was over in the States. My workload was dwindling by the hour as I completely Marc's old cases. I offered to help Lucas and Megan, but they had everything in hand and didn't want to confuse customers by my coming back into their lives. Marc was in the office but so tied up in various management meetings and the new plant project that we hardly saw each other.

I was kind of over work at this point. My lingering headache throughout the week making me irritable. I'd taken to using Marc's office to complete his work seeing that he wasn't around to use it. It meant I had peace and quiet which helped with my headache but I was starting to feel isolated from the rest of the team. It was like I'd already left. I came out on Wednesday intending to see if anyone wanted to join me for lunch only to find they had already gone out. Megan was so apologetic when she got back. They had simply forgotten I was there.

My feelings of isolation were not improved by going home either. With no one to talk to at the end of the day, I would find myself in front of the TV watching old comedy reruns necking wine by the bottle. Sam had reached out a few times during the week, the only light in my increasingly darkening social life, and I felt my clinginess increase as the week marched on. Not wanting to burden him with my boring and sad realities, I kept the calls short and never called him, letting him reach out. I hated, hated ending those calls as I felt like crap afterwards, but I'd rather minimal contact than to scare him off completely. I felt like I was one cat away from becoming a social recluse. The worst part, I could see it happen but felt powerless to stop it.

It was sad really. I was a young single lady in London, I should be painting the town red every night. Instead, P. Grigio was my newest company, the thought of going out and meeting people actually filled me with dread. When did I become scared of making friends, or even just talking to strangers? It honestly scared me how much my life has changed these past couple of weeks. I couldn't blame my dark moods on Richard as much as I wanted too. The headaches were not helping, draining any positive energy I had, and fueling my bad mood. I hoped once I left the country I'd come out of this funk.

I also knew I shouldn't be drinking so much, especially with the painkillers, but the odd one here and there turned into a routine before I knew it, and my mood found me not wanting to care to change it. It was particularly needed on Friday as I realised after getting home that I hadn't spoken to a single soul the entire day.

Saturday and Sunday passed in more silence. My appetite had not appeared over this week, so my prepped meals stretched further than I was expecting, meaning I had no need for a grocery run. I sent a message to Dad just to check he was OK. His response was cursory and short. Nothing new there, but for the first time I found myself not knowing how to reply to keep the conversation going. So I didn't reply back, the energy required to even just think of a reply too much to handle, so I ignored his message, feeling like a shitty daughter but not able to work past my mental block.

Monday 'improved' slightly, as in I actually spoke to another person for the first time in four days, even if it was to be involved in a shouting match with Karen of all people.

I was holed up in Marc's office as the norm now days when she came steaming in without knocking. Her sudden appearance startled me and I knocked scaling hot tea over the desk and my hand. I stood quickly to prevent it from falling into my lap when she spoke.

"Why have you been buying stuff on Marc's company card? You know that's my responsibility, not yours Kate." She demanded, snotty attitude clear. She stood in the open doorway, and I could see a few heads from the main office twitch in our direction. Still dealing with the tea and the painfully throbbing burn on my hand, adding in my still lingering headache, I replied in kind.

"What the hell are you on about Karen?" I almost shouted back.

"This!" She waved what looked like a bank statement at me. "Here, you ordered beer and flowers. I'll have to report it to HR. Personal use is NOT permitted on the company credit cards."

"It wasn't personal! It was for Robert Davies in the Swansea plant." I winced as I moved my hand, the burn getting more painful as I stood there. I needed to get cold water on it. I went to move past her and she blocked my way.

"Can you move please, I need to leave." I stated.

"Not until you explain this. I will go to HR if I have to."

What the fuck was her problem?

"What the hell is your problem? Have you even checked it with Marc first before you came barrelling in here?" I asked her.

"He's busy, as you know." She replied, and I could have sworn she lifted her nose in the air at me.

"Right, so you've decided the next best course of action is to threaten me?"

"I didn't threaten you Kate-" She started by I cut her off.

"YES, you did! You said you would report it to HR!" I stated, my volume rising. Fucking busybody, up in everyone's business. I hated this gossipy, old woman culture that seemed to be part of the job description for being a PA.

I could feel my blood pressure rising, causing my hand and head to throb more.

"Well, you shouldn't have been buying personal stuff on-"

"It wasn't personal!" I shouted, all composure lost. "Did you not listen to a word I said?!"

"Kate."

I stopped in my tracks as Marc appeared in the doorway.

"Marc, can you please speak to Kate, she's being completely unprofessional, and has been abusing the company expenses policy." Karen dived in.

"If it's the flowers and beer, that was a favour for me." That shut her up. "I'd appreciate it that you speak to me first before jumping to conclusions Karen."

Marc looked furious and I felt myself quell as he stared her down. She nodded and shuffled out the door. He turned to close the door behind her, and must have thrown a look at the nosey fuckers outside as they all suddenly turned back to their work.

"Sorry Marc, I was out of line." I said quietly. My headache flared and I felt myself wobble a bit on my feet.

"Kate, sit before you fall. What the hell happened?" He guided me back to my chair and gently lifted my hand by my sleeve to assess the burn. I could already see it starting to blister and the sudden adrenaline drop, lack of food and decent sleep had me place my head on the desk.

"Woah, Kate, what's wrong?"

"Think I'm gonna be sick." I whispered out. I heard sudden movement and then Marc had shoved his office bin under my chin. I gasped in pain as he knocked my hand and he grimaced out an apology.

"I'm going to get someone, hold on." He left my field of vision, but I heard him pick up the phone.

"Karen, can you get Phil in with the first aid kit please, quickly."

I groan out. "I'm fine, just…" I couldn't complete the sentence. I wasn't fine and didn't have the energy to say otherwise.

"Yeah, you're fine, and I'm Gandhi." He replied dryly as he took a closer look at my hand. "Why didn't you get some water on this first thing?"

"Yeah, was about to when Karen blocked my way out, wanting a thrown down about the expense report. That's the last time I do anything nice." His face got angry at that, and I groaned again, the nausea finally peaking and I threw up into the bin.

"I take it you haven't eaten much today?" Marc asked with a gentle rebuke. I couldn't answer, just managing the pain of my head and hand was taking everything I had left.

There was a gentle knock at the door and Phil popped his head round.

"Hey, everything OK?" He asked.

"No, we have a burn and she's just thrown up."

"I'm OK, just the hand." I said. Marc and Phil frowned.

"Usually burns like this don't cause people to throw up."

"I'm fine-"

"You are not fine, Kate. What else is wrong please?" Phil asked. I huffed a breath.

"I've had a headache all week, feeling run down but it's not got better or worse. No appetite…" the energy just to say it all out loud had me drained. Maybe I was coming down with something. I felt sick again and overcome with sudden weakness and felt myself falling forwards towards the desk.

"Wooahh, OK, Kate sweetheart can you lean against me, Phil-"

"On it."

I felt Marc gather me up against him. I realised my eyes were closed and tried to open them. I felt a detached like panic when I found I couldn't open them, but it was lost in the swimming sensation in my head.

"Kate, can you hear me? Can you open your eyes for me? Phil!"

I could hear further voices but they sounded far away and I couldn't make anything out. I felt like I should be paying attention but it was too hard to concentrate. I felt another flicker of panic when I couldn't feel Marc anymore, but that was quickly swallowed by the darkness and I let it take me under.

"- on it's way, keep her in the recovery position."

"- best we can do, can you get the water and-"

"- hear me Kate?"

It took a long moment to register the question. My senses were slow to return, first was realising my hand was cold and wet and then that my eyes were closed. I tried opening then but the sudden bright light made me cringe away in agony.

"She's coming to. Kate can you hear me sweetheart?" That must be Marc. I groan with the pain.

"Bright." I whimpered.

"Phil can you get the lights please?"

The blinding pain in my head receded slightly as the lights were turned off and window blinds lowered. I tried my eyes again finding them hard to keep them open so let them stay shut.

"Kate, have you maybe fallen recently? Hit your head?" Phil asked.

"No?"

"You sure?" Marc checked. I replayed the past week, the monotony making the days blur together.

"Yes."

"Can you tell me what day it is?" Phil continued.

"Thursday, no, wait, Friday…?" I think? I managed to briefly open my eyelids and saw them exchanged a worried look.

"Ambulance is downstairs, Lucas' bring them up." A voice from the door reported. I couldn't make out who it was.

"No, I'm OK." I protested weakly. Oh god how embarrassing.

"Kate, you burnt your hand, vomited and then passed out for ten minutes. I think it's warranted, don't you?" Marc replied. I tried to open my eyes again, but it was too much effort.

"Still with me?" He prodded. I hummed in reply, not daring to shake my head, nor having the energy to do so.

I woke to the sound of a loud beep and pressure surrounding my bicep.

"-pressure is really low.

"Do you know if she has any history of seizures? Diabetes? Heart conditions?"

"No, she's healthy as far as I know."

"Is she on any medication?"

I heard fabric rustle and a zip, then crinkling of a blister pack.

"She's got these in her bag. Migraine tablets, ibuprofen, paracetamol and… not sure what this one is?"

"OK. We'll take it with us anyway."

"She's been popping the painkillers all week, she mentioned a headache…"

"Any problems at home? Increased stress?"

"She's stressed, she broke up with her with her partner recently, and she's got a new job starting in a couple of weeks in the USA."

"OK. George can you bring the chair in." I felt something surround my mouth and I flinched away.

"Hey, you're OK, it's just an oxygen mask to help you breathe a little easier OK?"

"Hey sweetheart, just relax, you're safe." Marc.

"Marc, what's going on?"

"You've had a funny turn so we're just getting you checked over at the hospital."

"Oh god, I'm sorry."

He laughed. "You've nothing to apologise for. I should thank you for getting me out of work for the rest of the day."

"You're coming with me?" I asked, hearing the plead in my own voice.

"Of course."

I finally worked my eyes open, to find the room full of people. I was still on the floor and a paramedic was fiddling with his bag of equipment. He saw me look and gave me a warm smile.

"Hey there. Back with us I see?" He pulled a pen light out of his bag of tricks. "Can you just follow the light for me Kate?" I blinked furiously as he shone it and couldn't help my eyes close in protest.

"Sorry, too bright." I murmured.

"OK." I forced them back open to see him frowning at me.

"What's wrong." Marc reading my mind.

"Pupil dilation is slightly off. Probably nothing but we'll get it checked out."

I didn't have the energy to worry about it so just closed my eyes again.

"Are you feeling sick still? Headache still there?" He asked.

"Sick is ebbing, headache is killing me." I said thickly. I could feel the tears brewing and felt Marc settle his hand on my shoulder.

"OK, we'll get you something as soon as we can. Do you remember when you last took some pain relief for it?"

"No."

I could hear movement as the stretcher was brought into the room. I heard a phone vibrate somewhere and then Marc was prodding my shoulder gently.

"It's Sam. Looks like he's called a dozen times. Do you want to speak to him." I did but didn't know what to say. I found my head nodding, pain seizing my head and neck, and he hit the answer button and held it to my ear that wasn't on the floor.

"Kate! Kate, are you there, are you OK?" Panic was evident in his voice and I swallowed down a lump in my throat hearing the emotion there.

"I'm here."

"What happen, are you OK?" He pleaded. I lost my composure at this point. I was so tired and in so much pain I couldn't stop myself.

"No, it hurts." My voice was small. I started crying in overwhelm and Marc pulled the phone away and stepped out of the room.

The stretcher was adjusted to be close to the floor before George and the guys tending to me lifted me to lay on it. They adjusted it to be in a reclined seated position and readjusted the mask over my face. Phil who was stood back at this point, rushed to grab my bag and followed as I was wheeled out of the room. At this point the main office had been cleared but I was past caring at this point. I did see Karen on the way out by the lifts, she looked sorry. I didn't care.

I had a mild panic attack when we got to the ambulance, but then Marc appeared suddenly, my bag and his in hand, and he hopped in the back with me.

"I've called your Dad, he's going to meet us at Saint Georges." He supplied.

"'K."

I woke again finding myself in what looked like a hospital bay. Marc was standing, back to me peering through a gap in the curtains pulled around the bed. I tried lifting my head but my neck muscles were not cooperating too well, and it wobbled before falling back to the pillow. I was slightly reclined and saw I was hooked up to various monitors and what looked like an IV line.

"Yeah, I'll keep you posted. Not sure if they want to keep her in to do any further tests… no, no idea… yeah sure… OK speak soon, bye."

He hung up the phone I didn't see at first, then turned back to me. He looked surprised to see me watching him.

"Hey sweetheart, how you feeling?" He moved towards my head and brushed a hand over the top of my forehead.

"Like shit, where are we?" I remember seeing the paramedics in Marc's office. Everything after that was...missing. That was a worry.

"Saint Georges, their A and E department. Your Dads on his way."

"Was that him on the phone?" I asked, trying to piece together my missing moments. It was disconcerting to say the least.

"No." He paused, clearly judging what to tell me. "That was Jacob Black."

"Who?" God had I forgotten people I should know? I felt a spike of panic, the situation exacerbating my reactions. I heard a trill of beeps off to my right and saw a flashing light on what looked like a heart rate monitor.

"Jeez Kate, it's OK, please calm down." Marc's face was stressed and I tried to rein in the panic.

"Should I know him?"

"No, sorry. He's Billy Black's son." He eyeballed me then, no doubt expecting another freak out. I was overly pleased to know who Billy was.

"Ok, yeah, Billy. So why is he ringing you?" I was missing something, and I wasn't sure if it was stuff I should already know or new to me. The loss of my memories from earlier was throwing me for a loop.

"He rang you actually." He lifted his other hand and waved my phone at me. "Sam called, remember? I took it after you… yeah, so I was speaking to Sam when he freaked out and Jacob took up the call. He's been calling back every 20 minutes to see how you're getting on."

"Is Sam OK?"

"I think so, he's just worried about you."

We were interrupted then by a nurse pulling back the curtain.

"Hey, I thought I heard talking." She walked around to the monitor that was silently flashing and after prodding a few buttons, began to pull various medical bits towards her.

"I'm Sheila. I'm just going to take some obs, then we'll get the doctor in to take a look OK?"

I nodded and allowed to do her job. Marc moved out of the way and waited quietly. The nurse had just finished filling in my chart when the curtain moved again and a doctor walked in followed by another two medical staff I couldn't pin.

"Hi Kate? I'm Matt, one of the attending doctors here. I understand you've had a bit of a bad morning?" He smiled pleasantly at me, and I just nodded.

He went back through the chart the nurse had just handed him, pinging questions at me. I was happy to recall the same conversation with one of the paramedics, the missing part of getting to the hospital was still concerning. I mentioned it to Doctor Matt and he scribbled something in the chart.

It felt like I told my whole life story and was starting to feel drained, something he picked up on.

"How are you feeling right now?" He asked as he got me to follow his finger.

"Tired." I couldn't keep my head up at this point and let it fall back to the bed.

"Can you open your eyes for me again Kate?" That swimming sensation was back, and I could feel my body shutting down.

"- what happened before?"

"Yes."

The swimming sensation eased a bit and I was able to pull myself away from the abyss, even if it made my head worse.

"Hey Kate, can you move your fingers for me please?" I fought my body to obey.

"Good girl."

It took a little while to come completely back, and I was wrung out from the effort to maintain consciousness. By the time I'd gained control enough to open my eyes I was being wheeled down a corridor with Marc and Sheila by my side.

"Welcome back Kate. We're just going to get your head scanned as a precaution. How are you feeling now?

I mentioned my head hurting still, and that I was present if not able to respond much during my last episode.

"OK, that might be a good thing, I'll mention it to the doctor when we get back."

We spent the rest of the day and most of the evening going through various departments for tests and getting my hand treated. They figured out it was probably low blood pressure causing the fainting spells, but they couldn't work out what was causing that. My headache could also be a symptom, or unrelated. They were pretty stumped. Dad was getting frustrated at the lack of answers, Marc looked harassed and exhausted.

"Sorry I've dragged you out, I know you were busy." I told him as we were waiting for someone to tell us what the next steps. Dad had walked off to try and hunt someone down. He smiled at me.

"S'Ok. That's what friends are for. To be honest, I'd rather be here than sit through any budget meeting listening to Brian drone on."

I snorted at that. Brian was well known to get bogged down in details, and it always seemed to be on the most mind numbingly boring subjects.

He was about to reply when my phone went off again. He held it up to me and I saw Sam's name flash across the screen. "You OK to take it?" He asked. I was feeling more stable so I nodded and reached for the phone. "I'll give you space. I'll go find your Dad."

I watched as he left me, then hit the answer call button.

"Hello?"

"Oh, hi, Kate right?" A deep male voice answered.

"That's me. Are you Jacob?"

"That's me. Sorry, I was expecting Marc. How are you honey?" I smiled, he sounded a lot like Sam. I wondered how they knew each other? Probably through Billy.

"I'm OK, better, still in hospital." I scratched the plaster on the inside of my elbow where they had drawn blood, feeling it pinch the skin where my arm was bent. "Is, erm… Sam OK?" I asked, confused as to why Jacob was calling me on Sam's phone.

"He's worried about you, we all are. Do you want to speak to him?" He asked. I felt my heart leap at that, I really did, but didn't want to sound clingy.

"Yeah, sure if he's free, I mean, please don't disturb him if he's busy." I babbled.

"It's no problem, honey, it will help put his mind at ease to talk to you. Hold on a sec, I'll get him."

There was silence for a few long moments, and I started to worry he wasn't going to take the phone, but then…

"Kate?"

"Hey Sam."

"Oh, honey, I've been so worried. Are you OK? Jacob said you were still in the hospital?" I could hear the stress leaching into his tone and I made my heart contract painfully knowing it was because of me.

"Ok, better, still here. Just waiting for them to decide what to do with me. Are you OK?"

"Better now I've spoken to you. Marc told Jacob who told me what happened. Sorry I wasn't there."

I laughed a little at that.

"Seems Marc and Jacob are a bunch of gossipy old women." I joked, feeling better just talking to him. I turned serious for a moment. "I'm not sure your wife would approve." I said gently. I didn't have those kind of feelings for him but wasn't entirely sure where he stood. I didn't want to cause any problems. He just laughed gently.

"Yeah, don't you know it." I heard Jacob shout 'hey' in the background and I smiled. "Emily is fine, she's been harassing me to talk to you. She's looking forward to meeting you. I think she just wants to mother you, especially now."

I rubbed my head at that. Was I going to be well enough to travel, especially since we didn't have any idea of what happened. I didn't think I'd be allowed to travel if this happened again.

"I want to meet her too." And I did, regardless of this thing with Sam, I really wanted to meet the woman who made his eyes light up when he spoke of her. "And Jacob, he sounds nice, even if he gossips like an old lady." I added. I heard a rustling on the phone and the man himself replied.

"I do not gossip. I was just relying information so worry wart here didn't completely freak out." I grinned at Jacob's mock umbrage and the over dramatic pronouncement.

"Sure, sure. You keep telling yourself that. I'll call you Joyce I think, and Marc Mabel." I heard laughter in the background and grinned, feeling the best I had all week. I heard the handset creak and Sam reappeared.

"Emily is here, she would like to talk to you if you are up for it?" He gently asked, clearly not wanting to put me under any pressure. I figured it was probably better to speak to her first before we meet in person, and I felt eager to talk to her.

"Sure. Will you come back afterwards?" I asked in a rush, I wasn't quite ready to finish speaking with him yet.

"Of course. Here she is." I took a deep breath.

"Hi Emily, it's Kate."

Sam

"Sam." Jacob called my attention quietly as not to disturb Emily. I watched her as she made herself comfortable on a kitchen stool, smiling as she engaged Kate. I could still make out from this distance the nervousness in Kate's voice and I wondered if I could put her at ease by grabbing the second handset in the bedroom.

"Sam, come on." Jacob clapped his hand on my back and guided me out the door and into the yard. "Give 'em a bit of space. Emily can't talk shit about you if you are standing right there."

I blew out a harsh breath and ran both hands through my hair as we walked towards the trees.

What a week.

I felt marginally better now I'd spoken to Kate. There was still lingering worry over what had happened to her, but at least she was responsive.

I freaked me out enough when Marc reported her passing out a number of times. Jacob thankfully feeling my distress and taking over as I succumb to the wolf. My control had been… questionable over the past few days as the prolonged distance drove my wolf and I to near insanity. I was only held in check by Emily. The sudden malstrom of pain, fear and emptiness that feed through the Imprint bond from Kate as she was hurt then passed out pushed me over the edge. I could tell Jacob was contemplating an Alpha Order, and that was enough for me to get some control over the wolf. The thought of being bound like that again… it sent shivers down my spine.

We stripped and phased as we hit the tree line and Jacob looped off at a slow trot. I looked back towards the house, worried about both my girls.

'They're fine. Let Em have some space to get to know her. She might be able to talk her into more calls with you.'

I dropped my head, but followed slightly behind as we did a slow lap of the area, keeping within ear shot. He was right, I felt much better after just speaking to her, she clearly did too. The far too few calls we'd had over the week were not enough to take the edge off the bond.

'I don't know how you managed with Nessie.' Thinking back, it had been a number of months since they'd seen each other, relying on him calling her to satisfy their bond. It was stupid to compare us, but even when I was Alpha, a phone call here and there would never have cut it for me and Emily. I guess it was down to time, maturity and Jacob's heritage, but I still couldn't help the tiny spike of jealousy.

'I wouldn't put it in the same league.' Jacob snorted in derision. I was about to call him out, when he realised how I might take it.

'Sorry Sam, that's not how I meant it.' He chuffed a sigh and slowed to a walk. 'I mean my Imprint with Ness isn't in the same league as yours with Emily and Kate'.

I sent him my confusion through the Pack mind. I could feel Embry, who was on Patrol, shift his attention our way.

'I don't know… I don't think my Imprint with Ness is...complete?'

'Yeah, well you need to give her the D, oh mighty Alpha, to complete it.' Snarked Paul. I hadn't even realised he was 'online' as it were. I fully expected Jake to tear him a new one, but he just sighed again, and let us see his usually hidden thoughts, from his last conversation with her.

Oh.

I felt both Embry and Paul stop in shock.

'Has it always been like that?' Whispered Paul. As the other Imprinted wolf in this conversation, he was a shock as me that Jacob's Imprint had turned into resentment. We could feel the bond reprimanding him for his negative thoughts, but the man, and wolf, both disliked the girl intensely. He gave us another flash of thought, and his revulsion at the thought sealing the bond with Ness. It morphed into feelings of confusion as Bella popped up into his mind. The pull to her still there. He still loved her.

I sat back on my hunches, trying to absorb this. As Alpha, Jacob always had his thoughts on lockdown within the Pack mind. It brought me back to Paul's question. Jacob picked up on my thoughts and showed a montage of sorts as he spent time with the Cullens and watched as Nessie grew.

The original welcome into their family, turning to bare tolerance as Nessie sped through her childhood. The family spoiling the girl without thought, overbearing Jacob's relationship with her. He showed us the little digs here and there, mainly from the adults, Rosalie especially, but Edward too, and Ness picking up on them and eventually copying them. At first starting off as 'monkey see, monkey do' but it wasn't long before she meant them herself.

We watched as they decided to leave for Alaska, no consideration for the bond, nor Jacob's tribal duties or Billy, pushing for distance was Ness herself. Bella, having interacted with the Pack and our Imprints was the only one to actually have some understanding of the impact on them and pushed for them to maintain contact. I couldn't help but feel like it was mainly for selfish reasons than altruistic motivation, and I felt the others, including Jacob agree with me.

'It started out like normal, but… well yeah, you saw.'

'Am I the only one in the Pack with a normal Imprint?' Paul asked.

'What's normal anymore.' Embry pointed out.

We all fell silent as we pondered that. It was true though, the past few weeks testament to the horse shit that we'd been fed over the years. It wasn't the Council's fault as such, it was just what was documented in the Tribal histories. Their method of delivery however left a lot to be desired.

My mind drifted back to the house and I felt my wolf pull me to return. Jacob gave me a mental nudge and we started the walk back.

'What are you going to do about Ness?' I asked him. I felt Paul and Embry pull their attention back to us from their own thoughts, curiosity heavy in the Pack mind.

'Honestly? No idea. Kinda low on my priority right now.' He joked. I felt a flash of embarrassment that I was not helping, and he nudged my shoulder as we walked. 'Don't, Sam.' he rebuked. 'I've been handling it for a while now, long before this thing with Kate cropped up.' I just nodded. 'You never know, this thing with you and Kate might throw some light on the while Imprint thing. Might give us something to work with.'

We'd reached the yard by now, and we phased back, dressed, and made our way inside. Emily was still talking to Kate, her tone light, and carefree as they discussed something about moldy pots and pans. They both laughed at something and I felt a sudden warmth flood my body at the sound. Jacob shoulder checked me gently again, and smiled at my sappiness. I would have done or said something back to maintain my man-card, but couldn't find it in myself to care. This was both the lightest and most grounded I'd felt all week, all just from hearing both my Imprints together, even if one was thousands of miles away.

Emily caught me staring, and returned my no doubt dopey smile. "Oh, Sam's back, I'll hand you over. Don't forget, send me those links, and I'll take a look for you... great! It was so lovely to speak to you Kate, I'll catch you tomorrow OK? Bye."

She handed me the phone, and turned to Jacob, pulling him back outside to give me a little privacy.

"Hey Kate, I'm back, how was your chat with Em?" I asked. It sounded positive from the little I'd heard.

"Oh, she is lovely, really nice. She's going to help me decorate the house when I arrive, so she's asked for some websites that I like so she can work out where to get the similar patterns and colours over there." She babbled on in her excitement. I got the impression that she didn't have much interaction on a social level with other females. I supposed it was true, other than Marc and her Dad, she never mentioned anyone else. I did wonder what happened to her mother, but thought better of asking about her right now.

"Yeah, she'll make sure you feel right at home. She's got a better sense of decorating that I have."

"Oh, yeah she did mention your attempt at painting the house and that lime green wasn't a great look for the outside." She chuckled and I joined in remembering that spring.

"Hey, how was I to know it was going to be that bright in color?" I replied, and she laughed louder.

"Maybe because it was called 'Lime explosion'?" She replied with sarcasm.

I was almost giddy with happiness, my day starting out with terrifying pain and my wolf freaking out, only now to be the best day in a long time. I could feel myself radiate contentment and it bounced back from Emily outside. No doubt Jacob was feeling it as well.

"Oh, the doctor's back with Marc and my Dad. Erm, Emily said she'd call tomorrow, will you be around too?" She asked. I was glad she was finally reaching out, apart from feeling a little needy myself, it was nice not to have to be the one trying to instigate contact and not get anywhere with it.

"Of course, I think I might have to fight her for the phone at this rate." She chuckled again. I turned serious for a moment. "I'll let you go. Keep us updated please Kate, we were all worried about you." I added, not ashamed at the plead in my voice. I had a feeling the doctors wouldn't find anything concrete; this was all down to the Imprint and it was only a simple call here and there that would take the edge off what she was going through until she got here.

"Sure sure. Thanks Sam, it was nice hearing from you, and Emily. Oh, and Joyce." Ha, Jacob was going to love the new nickname. Seems like she was already picking up on Jacob's speech too.

"You too, 'night honey."

"'Night Sam."

Kate

I submitted to another hour of poking and prodding. As my condition had vastly improved, with no more fainting spells, and nothing else showing apart from my blood pressure being a bit low, Doctor Matt decided that I would be better off at home.

My Dad, out of parental concern, and Marc, because he was shaken by what had happened, both wanted me to stay in and have all manner of tests carried out. But by 8pm I was so done and even though backing the doctor's decision gained both their ire, I just wanted to get home.

I was given strict instructions to make sure I ate properly and cut out alcohol, and try to reduce my stress levels. I nodded meekly and thanked the staff and finally got my discharge papers. At this point I would have happily promised them a kidney if I could just go home.

After ensuring my Dad that I was feeling much better, and him extracting a promise from Marc to call him at anytime, he left me in Marc's care, apologising as he had an early meeting tomorrow and had an early start. I shooed him away after he dropped me and Marc at my place, and I finally dropped onto the sofa after 9pm.

"Are you hungry?" Marc asked, peering around the living room door from the kitchen. Thinking back to the doctors request I thought I best eat and pulled myself up to investigate.

"I've a lot of pre-prepped meals in the fridge and freezer, if anything takes your fancy you can have it, otherwise we could order in? I suggested.

He found another one of my chicken pasta salads, and I settled on a tuna pasta salad. We ate in companionable silence, Marc finishing way before me.

"Sorry, was really hungry, Missed lunch." He apologised wiping his mouth on a paper napkin.

"Yeah, sorry, my fault." I smiled, partly in humour but mostly embarrassment. Not only did I faint, but did it three times.

"How you feeling now?" He asked, taking a swing of his can of Coke.

"Still a bit of a headache, but yeah, much better. Best all week really." It was true. I'd really perked up. I fancied a glass of wine, but found the temptation was easily ignored for once.

"That's good." He paused for a moment.

"So, I was thinking about work-" I groaned, imaging the stares I'd get when going back, and the gossip. I bet Karen would have a fucking field day tomorrow.

"Hey, lemme finish first." He gave me a mock scolding. I held my hands up and prompted him to continue.

"You still have annual leave left. You new job comes with it's own entitlement. Why don't you take the rest of this week off as holiday, then we'll see what it's like for your last week?"

I sat back on the stool. "But it's your last week, I wanted to be there…" I said sadly. He just laughed.

"It's not like you won't see me in the States a week after. Anyway, I'm going to be so strung up in bloody meetings, you'd probably not even see me."

He had a point.

"Plus, if it keeps you from killing Karen, it's all good in my book."

OK, so he had two valid points.

"This isn't going to cause a problem with my going to the States is it?" I asked, not wanting to ask the question.

"I don't see why it would. We'll have to reconsider if it happens again. You'll have proper health insurance once you're out there so you're covered if something happens over there."

OK, Marc didn't sound particularly worried, so I tried to relax.

"Besides, seems like you'll have a couple of watch dogs around you. You'll be in good hands if something does happen."

Eh?

"What? I don't understand."

"Sam, and now Jacob." He looked at me like I should know where he was going with it.

"Right…?"

"Both extremely concerned for your well being…" He started.

"They are nice people." I stated. Not really sure what else to say.

"I'm sure they are."

"Marc, spit it out, where are you going with this?" I asked him, the long day killing any patiences I had. He sighed and played with his empty can.

"I'm just worried they are sucking you in their world, and I'm worried that it's a big change for you." OK that seemed like a weak excuse.

"Or, you're just jealous I've made some new friends so easily." I joked. The smiled falling from my face when Marc just stared at me. "Oh! That's… I'm right aren't I? Oh Marc, don't be like that, you're my best mate." I reached out and plucked his hand from the can and pulled him to his feet. I gave him a hug and after a moment, he wrapped his arms around me.

"Sorry, I'm being an arse. I just… we were doing this thing together you know, and suddenly, before we've even got there, there are people already pulling you to them. I'm feeling kinda left out."

I kind of understood where he was coming from, and it was a strange turnaround. Marc was usually the more outgoing one of us, and I often made friends with people he had already picked up. The dynamics had made a U turn and I think that, added to the general stresses of the past week, and today especially, had thrown Marc for a loop.

"You'll always be my best bud, my bitch, my-"

"OK, we'll stop at bitch please." He couldn't help but laugh at the cheesy grin I threw him.

We tidied up the little mess we'd made from dinner and settled in front of the TV. Marc hounding me for something sweet for dessert. I told him if he could find anything, he was welcome to it. He was back five minutes later with a few chocolate bars in hand.

"Where the fuck did you find those?" I didn't remember buying any during my health kick the last time I went shopping.

"Back of the cereal cupboard." He spoke around the large bite of Fruit n Nut he'd taken.

Bloody Richard. I held my tongue knowing full well I'd hidden my tea and spirits in the cupboard under the sink, so I couldn't really complain. But still.

We watched some trash TV, Marc reluctantly sharing some of his stash with me, when he spoke up again.

"How often have you spoken to Sam since he left?"

The question was out of left field so it took me a moment to rack my brains.

"Erm, three, no, four times since. Fourth time was today at the hospital. Why?"

"Nothing much. I just wondered."

"What Marc? You wouldn't have brought it up otherwise."

He shifted in his seat.

"It's just, you hadn't spoken in a few days…?" I nodded. "So, why did he call you when you first fainted?"

"I dunno, said he was worried-"

"Yeah, but he rang just as you took ill, like right at the moment. How would he have known that?"

I stopped for a moment. Good point.

"I've no idea…" I didn't really know what to add to that. Marc carried on, clearly he'd been chewing on this for a while.

"It would have been what? Three or four AM his time when it happened. You had missed calls from him right at the time I walked in the office. Why would he have called you at that time of the morning? Why would he have even been awake at that time? Yeah I could understand if we'd called him to let him know, but it's like he already knew. When I spoke to him he sounded panicked."

I thought back to that call, I was still on the floor and Marc holding the phone to my ear. I tried to justify it to myself that he heard the pain in my voice, but Sam spoke before me. He was already freaking out before I'd got a word out. I mentioned it to Marc.

"That's so fucking weird." He summed it up perfectly. We fell silent, not really knowing what to make of it.

We called it a night just before eleven, the day wearing on us both. I made up the bed of shame for Marc after assuring him I'd fully laundered the linens after he turned his nose up.

"It's clean. Don't be a baby." I said as I awkwardly stuffed a pillow in it's case with my bandaged hand.

"What, like you are?" He smirked at me, referring to my move into the spare room. I sniffed at him and tossed the pillow at him.

"Mines a more emotional reason." I turned my nose up and walked to the cupboard in the hall pulling out some clean towels. "Besides, when's the last time you changed your sheets?"

He wrinkled his nose. "Yeah but there's a difference between your own filth and Richard's spunk."

"Ewww, Marc!" I called. I couldn't stop the laughter however.

We finished making the bed together and before parting ways for the night. Marc making me promise not to go into work for the rest of the week, making a big show of taking my phone and switching off all the alarms. He said he would be out of the house first thing so not to worry if he was already gone by the time I woke. By this point I was too tired to argue, and thought that maybe he was right, maybe I should have a break before the move.