Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from Twilight, those rights are reserved for Stephanie Myer. I do own the original characters created for the storyline. Please support the official release.

Writer's Notes: Wow! Such amazing support! Thank you to those that have reviewed. I'm mobile so I'm going off memory I believe Navywife and Delia did some reviews! This was a request from a dear friend of mine and I'm excited to see it get such positive feedback! I hope to keep it up! Don't forget to follow, favorite, and review!


~~ Valentine by Laufey~~


Bella woke in the hospital. She glanced over and saw Paul sitting there. He was wearing one of his hoodies and she wondered if that made him overheat when he had to wear clothes. It was a silly thought. It seemed like Paul was sleeping, his hand propped under his chin and he was leaning in the chair. She didn't want to disturb him, so she shifted, seeing water and she reached for it.

Paul opened his eyes sensing that Bella needed something and he was surprised to see her awake. He got up and picked up the water handing it to her.

Bella took it and took a drink. She was surprised to see Paul even here. She handed him the cup and he set it back on the table. "Is my dad here?"

Paul nodded. "He stepped out for some coffee." He said.

"Concussion?" Bella asked.

"Yeah. Dr. Shay said it would resolve. You just needed to rest. Wanted to keep you overnight to observe. But yeah. That's the gist of it." Paul said.

Bella nodded. She knew it would have to be a concussion if she fainted like that. "Is it just you and dad?"

"Yeah. Sam made the others leave a while ago. You've been sleeping for about 6 hours."

"What did you tell dad?"

"Uh. Sam told him that you fell coming off the porch. Hit your head. We were coming over to hang out. That's why we were all there."

Bella nodded. "That's what I would have said too." She said and then thought about Paul being here. "Wait… you're still here. What did you tell dad?"

Paul looked at his hands. "I didn't tell him anything. Though I'm pretty sure he thinks we're more than friends."

Bella felt the heat rise to her face. She looked down at her own hands.

Paul felt her embarrassment and looked over at her. "Hey. It's okay. I just… I didn't know what to say so I didn't. I… I need to be here with you. You get that right? I wouldn't be able to function if I wasn't. "

"Because of the imprint?"

"Yes… but also… I do care about you. Bella, I'm an ass. You deserve way better than me. I'm a fuck up. Why the Gods saddles you with me, I don't know. But I can't leave not knowing if…"

Bella nodded. She understood. If it wasn't for the imprint. He wouldn't be here. "You can go. You've fulfilled your obligation. I'm fine."

"Bella… I-"

"I get it Paul. The imprint forced you to be here. You can go now. I'll be home tomorrow. Just tell Colin, I'm okay."

"Bella, I'm not just here because of the damn imprint. Jesus. I know I'm an asshole, but I do care about you. And that's not the imprint talking. "Paul stood. "I have respect for you because of everything you've done for Colin. I know I'm not the best at communicating and I'm trying. I don't know how to… do this."

Bella looked at how upset he was. She saw that he was frustrated. She sighed. "I'm sorry. Just… I don't know what's real and what's not."

"Real?"

"The imprint made you kiss me, didn't it?"

Paul blinked a few times. "What?"

"You wouldn't have done it otherwise."

"You don't know how untrue that is." Paul said, shaking his head. "I kissed you because I needed to shut you up. You don't listen. I know this is all confusing. I should have… I should have told you about it weeks ago. I fucked up. But I didn't want you to… hate me.".

Bella teared up. "I just… I don't want to lose anything here. I feel like I've lost a lot and feel like I've come back to a normal space and I don't want to lose that. You have been part of that normal space and if you disappear. I'm afraid that I'm losing a friend."

Paul heard the word friend. Something solidified in him. Friend. That's what she needed. He realized that's what he needed too but something else ate at him on the inside. He was scared of what that feeling was. "Well. I'm here. Forever. You get my cranky ass until the end."

Bella smiled a little. "You are, the crankiest wolf."

Paul smiled a little. "Yeah. I am, aren't I. I'm sorry."

Bella nodded. "Don't mention it. You're great."


Bella walked through the door and Colin rushed over to hug her immediately.

"Jesus Colin, let her through the door first." Paul grumbled.

Charlie laughed a little. "She's good kiddo. It'll take a lot more to hurt that hard skull of hers." He said ruffling Bella's hair before going towards the kitchen.

Colin looked at Bella. "You're really, okay?"

"Right as rain." Bella said and she hugged Colin back. She was so glad he was okay. She didn't know if she would forgive herself if something had happened to him because of her.

Paul shut the door behind them and went to the kitchen to grab Bella some water. Charlie was putting pizza in the oven.

Charlie looked over at Paul studying him for a moment. "So, you and Bella."

Paul knew this talk was coming. He closed the fridge, holding the water. He looked at Charlie. "I- "

"You're what. 22?" Charlie asked and Paul nodded. "There's something going on between you two."

Paul was quiet for a moment. "Charlie. We're not dating. Bella is my friend. She takes care of Colin. My dad- "

"Is a son of a bitch. I know. That's why Colin is here. Because Bella cares a lot."

Paul nodded. "I know."

"I wasn't born yesterday though. The way you look at her or go to her when she needs you without saying anything. Like her struggling with her shoes in the hospital. The concussion makes her lightheaded. She's anemic too. She needs rest and you baby her."

Paul swallowed. "Charlie I- "

"You're a good kid. I like you. You're good for her." Charlie said and then looked towards the living room. "She's my world Paul."

"Mine too." Paul murmured looking at the living room. He could hear her laugh and Colin's. He fought the imprint out of stubbornness. Now he wasn't.

Charlie looked back at Paul and how he looked just looking in Bella's direction. He slapped his shoulder gently. "Son, take care of her. I mean it."

Paul blinked. Son. It filled him with emotion, he wasn't sure what it was. He just nodded and then Charlie disappeared, likely to change. He blew out his breath and walked into the living room and handed Bella the water.

Bella took the water and smiled up at Paul.

Paul looked at her and her smile. She was smiling at him like that. It sent more emotion through him and he didn't know what was wrong with him.

Bella frowned then alarmed at seeing tears in his eyes. She stood from the couch then she reached for him and pulled him to her, he sank with her onto the couch. She pulled his head to her breast and held him.

Colin had never seen Paul like this either and he was alarmed to see his big brother cry.

Bella's hands combed through his hair gently. Paul's arms came around her as he hugged her at her stomach and she just continued to comfort him.

Charlie walked in and saw Paul emotional. Bella shook her head at her dad, he just nodded and went to check on the pizza in the oven.

Paul had never cried ever. But something shattered inside him. His walls came down. He was completely vulnerable and it was in the arms of his imprint.


Paul and Bella were getting closer. Bella was happy. Finally, back to herself pre-Edward. A week had passed since Victoria showed her face. Patrols are right around the house. They weren't leaving anything to chance.

Tonight, Paul was inside lying on the couch watching something with Colin and Bella. Charlie was out of town on a conference for something with being a police chief. Bella never asked all the questions. She just knew he wouldn't be back until late tomorrow evening.

It was getting late now and soft snores were coming from Colin at the other end of the couch. The movie ended so Bella turned off the TV. She got up out of the recliner. And Paul was up too.

"Going for a run?" Bella asked quietly.

"No. I was going to tuck you in." Paul teased.

Bella smiled. "I think I can manage."

"Humor me. I want… I want to make sure everything is locked tight. Your dad isn't here and… it's just…"

"I understand." Bella said and they walked up the stairs together. She watched Paul check the closet, under the bed, the bathroom closet and then her window. She smiled. It was paranoia, but also he was making sure she was completely safe. "Thank you."

Paul walked over to her. "Well, you can't be too careful. Jake is on patrol tonight with Quil."

"You're not on patrol?"

"I'm always on patrol. Just this time I'm inside the house." Paul said with a smile.

Bella bit her lip a little, blushed and looked away.

Paul raised a brow, amused at her reaction. "Something is going through your head."

"No. Um. Just thank you." Bella said, feeling the heat on her face.

Paul smiled. "Bella. I can feel what you're feeling through the imprint." He reached for her and pulled her into his arms. Her heart sped up at gesture. He leaned in, his mouth capturing hers. It was the third kiss shared between them. It was soft, light at first. Bella's lips parted giving him access to her mouth and his tongue swept in over her tongue.

Bella clung to Paul, her hands gripping his shirt as she pressed against him. She couldn't even think. She pulled him with her over to her bed, pulling him down with her. Their kissing was a full on make out session now.

Paul hovered over her his legs kneeling between her legs at the moment. Her hands pulled at his shirt and she managed to get it off him. His skin was hot under her hands and he welcomed her touch.

He broke the kiss, started to kiss her throat and she moaned a little, arching into him, angling her head more for him.

Paul took one hand and pushed it under her shirt over her belly.

Bella sighed loving the way his hands felt on her skin. They were so warm and she welcomed his touch. She was completely open to him now. She didn't want him to ever stop touching her.

Paul paused to try to collect his thoughts. He looked down at her. She looked back up at him. Her eyes were glossy with arousal and her scent told him that she was enjoying his touch. "Bella…" he murmured. He thought back to her memory. He didn't want to push her too far. It was the first time he was reeling himself in from having sex with a woman.

"Paul. What's wrong?" she asked, feeling his doubt.

"I don't want to hurt you. "Paul murmured.

"I'm okay. Paul… I want this. Can't you feel it?" she asked and took his hand, placing it on her breast.

Paul struggled with himself a moment before he leaned back down and kissed her. Her hands moved up over his chest and then pushed through his hair. He moved back to her throat and then her collarbone. She moaned as his hands danced over her hips. He inched lower with his mouth, pushing the material up over her stomach and he kissed her naval. It was sensual, the way his mouth laid slight kisses over her skin.

Her arousal was dizzying as he inhaled her scent. It was a primal urge to want to pull all her clothes off her and just take her. Part of it was the imprint and the need to solidify a connection.

"Paul." Bella said breathlessly. Her hands went to her waistband. He paused, confused about what she was doing until she unfastened her pants.

Paul leaned up, holding her gaze as she shimmied her pants off. He helped her get them off, still not breaking his gaze from hers. He felt his heart start to race a little. His hand moved back up her leg sending shivers through her. He stopped on the inside of her thigh. He could feel the heat or her arousal without touching her. All that was stopping him was the thin material of her panties. He hesitated briefly before he moved his hand up closer, brushing the front of her panties getting an excited gasp from her. It was light, a small tease.

"Paul, please…" Bella moaned.

Paul dipped his head down, his mouth on the inside of her thigh. It sent thrills through her and him at the same time. He used a hand to move her legs apart and then he kissed over her heated core. He moved her panties to the side and he kissed her again, his tongue moving over her lips and tasting her clit. She shuddered then gasped and moaned as his tongue tasted her.

His mouth sent sensations through her that she had never felt before. She closed her eyes and just enjoyed everything Paul was doing with his mouth. She shifted her hips slightly up on instinct and she moaned again as she felt the electric current shoot through in a satisfying way. His tongue pushed on, driving against her clit in small circles and she felt the flutters of her pleasure in the pit of her stomach as it built.

Bella's hands moved to the sheets of her bed and she grasped them in her hands as she moaned, shifting her hips up again. "God… Paul." She gasped as he pushed her closer to her peak.

Paul loved how she tasted, the way she moaned saying his name hammered into his brain and he wanted so much more than just tasting her right now, but he forced himself to stay like this, pleasuring her the way she wanted. He felt his cock strain in his jeans and it was painful, but he continued to push Bella. He reached on hand up, hooking a finger inside her moist cove, getting another gasp from her.

Bella felt his fingers dive inside and stretch her, pushing her towards her orgasm. It was a strange feeling to her, like she had never felt this sort of invasion before. It was a good feeling, but it was new and she welcomed it. Suddenly she felt herself break free and she orgasmed, gushing out as she did. She moaned, her hands moving to Paul's hair. She felt her body shudder as the pleasure flooded her from head to toe.

Paul smiled, leaning up to look at her and how she looked so satisfied. She was beautiful. "Bella…"

Bella was breathing hard still, but she opened her eyes to look up at Paul. "Why… are you stopping?"

"I need to." Paul said.

"But…"

"Bella, I don't want you to think I need this from you." Paul said. It shocked him to say those words. Usually he jumped at the chance to have sex with a woman. He was known to be the best laid wolf in the pack. They poked at him for it, but since he imprinted, he didn't have that desire anymore. Everything was about her now. She was his world and nothing else mattered.

"I want you. Paul…"Bella said, her dark eyes focused on his. She could see him holding back. "You're not going to hurt mme I'm… I'm not a…"

Paul knew what she was saying, but he sat up now. He didn't want to think about it. It angered him to know that the leech had stolen something from her. "Bella… I…"

Bella sat up, she was still exposed, but she didn't care. She pulled at her shirt, pulling it off. She was just in her bra now and her panties. "Paul. I'm okay. If I'm ever not okay, I will let you know."

Paul stared back at her, seeing how willing she was. But she wouldn't be like this if it wasn't for the imprint. He knew that she was feeling what he felt and that in part, the imprint forced her to him. But he leaned in and he kissed her gently. He needed to stop this. He knew Sam would scold him later for this, but right now, he did want her. Bella's hands moved up his chest as he kissed her and it sent them both into a memory cloud.

"Alice what am I doing wrong?" Bella sniffed as she pulled her knees up to her chest.

Alice's dark topaz eyes studied Bella. "It's not you doing anything wrong. Bella, you are his mate. Forever."

"But why is he hurting me? I thought he loved me?"

"He does love you Bella. This is how it has to be." Alice reassured her. Her pixie like voice was so alluring. "You'll do whatever he wants you to." She said, her voice so hypnotizing.

Bella nodded her agreement and she got up to her feet and wiped her face. "Thank you Alice. I needed someone to talk to." She said and hugged Alice.

Bella and Paul pulled away from each other. "What… what…"

Paul looked at her hand and turned it over in his. "I'm getting your memories." He murmured.

Bella shook her head. "That never happened. I… I don't know where that came from." She said tears in her eyes. "Is this the imprint? Is this supposed to happen?"

Paul shook his head. "No. I'm not supposed to be able to see your memories Bella. This is special or… or different." He was confused too, but not as much as he was angry about the memory. Alice was making her believe that the leech loved her and that is how it was supposed to be. "You know that's not how you should be treated… right?"

"I know. I know I'm not supposed to be like that. I don't know how to explain it. Those memories. They feel like I was… like I was sleeping."

"They were using some sort of… hypnosis maybe. I don't know. Something about the way Alice's tone changing…"

"But why would they be able to hypnotize me if Edward couldn't ever read my mind?"

"Wait… they have weird powers?" Paul asked.

Bella nodded. "Yeah. Edward can read minds, Alice can see the future, Jasper can control emotions. Emmett is really strong, Rosalie can make things beautiful. Esme… she was just… extra nurturing. Carlisle doesn't have a blood lust. Blood doesn't bother him. It's why he's a doctor." She explained.

"That changes things." Paul murmured. "That's why we can't catch her."

"Catch what?"

Paul shook his head. "The redheaded leech. The one that attacked."

"Victoria."

"Yeah. She phases in. Doesn't leave a trail. It's like she's teleporting. We couldn't figure it out. We know they're fast, but we're faster. It's how we're usually able to catch them and destroy them." Paul explained.

Bella shook her head. "If she has a power… I just…" She put her hands over her face. This couldn't be happening.

Paul reached for her hands, taking them off her face so he could see her. He squeezed her hands in his. "Hey. We're going to figure it out. We'll catch her and get rid of her. I promise."

Bella just nodded and she just leaned closer to him. Paul shifted in the bed and pulled him into his arms. They lay on her bed, that he barely fit, but she lay against him, her head on his bare chest. She was comforted by him. His very scent was calming, so laying with him like this was like an extra dose. He pulled the blanket up over her and she settled against him.

They were both silent, in their own thoughts and soon Bella was sleeping. Paul didn't want to disturb her, so he stayed like he was, listening to her steady breathing. He didn't feel tired at that moment, but within a few minutes he was sleeping too.