"Jake – put Seth in the back of the truck, please, and drive us to the Cullens' as quickly as you can." Sue climbed into the back of the truck and spread out a blanket. Jacob gently lowered Seth into the truck bed, placing his head on Sue's lap. "Leah, call Carlisle and tell him we're on our way."
When they arrived at the Cullens', Carlisle was waiting in the driveway. As Sue mumbled her thanks, Jacob lifted the still unconscious wolf effortlessly in his arms and carried him upstairs to the clinic. Sue followed quickly, pacing as the doctor quickly examined the injured limb. "I'd rather set it when he's in human form, but I don't dare wait," Carlisle explained. "Jake, hold the leg steady just below the break while I line up the bone."
With a sickening "crack," Carlisle set the bone, wrapping it as Seth gasped and phased back to human form, sweat beading his face. He immediately regained consciousness, spouting a string of profanity that would almost make Carlisle blush. Sue gently mopped his forehead with a damp cloth. Carlisle checked to make sure the bone was settled correctly, reminding them that healing would begin immediately.
"Okay, Jacob, now I need to know what happened," Sue demanded.
"Newborn," Jacob explained, not unexpectedly. "I don't know where it came from, and we were a little concerned because there's usually more than one. We didn't see any others, but it threw Seth against a rock before we could get to him. They're awfully strong; it could have killed him."
"I can't thank you enough, Carlisle," Sue said. "Do you think I can take him home now?"
"He may have a concussion, Sue, so I'd keep an eye on him," Carlisle warned. Jake made a move as if to pick him up, and Seth held out a hand. "It's my arm, not my leg" he grumbled as he got shakily to his feet. Jacob rolled his eyes but stepped back, staying within reach just in case. Seth staggered slightly but managed to get down the stairs and into the truck unaided. As they pulled up to the Clearwater house, Leah ran out to meet them. Sue motioned her to stay back, letting Seth make his way slowly up the steps.
"Oh, for cryin' out loud, let me help you," she grumbled as she put her arm around his waist. "If you fall down the stairs we'll have to start all over!" Seth allowed Leah to walk beside him as he made his way up to his bedroom. The bright neon danios in his aquarium all crowded to the front as if they had been waiting for him all day, while the freshwater ray swam away with its usual lazy indifference.
Seth was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. Leah picked up a book from her room and settled herself on Seth's desk chair, propping her feet on the foot of his bed. "I'll take the first shift, Mom," she offered. "If he wakes up, I'll just clobber him with this book and put him out again."
"I don't think that's what Carlisle had in mind when he said to keep an eye on him," Sue laughed. "Just let me know if he changes in any way."
Sue went back downstairs, finding Jacob in the kitchen as expected. He'd found the fresh batch of cookies and was working his way through them, along with a tall glass of milk. "Jacob Black, I hope you're done growing!" she told him affectionately. "Another inch and you'll be absolutely gawky!"
Jake smirked around his cookie. "What a relief! I'm so glad I'm not there yet! I'm only 6 foot 5; I just look tall to you because you're so short." Sue chucked a potholder at him, adding indignantly "I am not short! I'm only a foot shorter than you!"
"Jake, I'm going to cook dinner and you're welcome to join us," Sue offered. He declined politely, adding that Billy was expecting him, then pocketed half a dozen cookies to sustain him on the walk home. Sue rolled her eyes and grinned at him before she went back to preparing dinner.
Two hours later, when Sue went upstairs to tell Leah that dinner was ready, she found her quietly talking with Seth. "Feeling better, honey?" Sue asked. "Yeah, it's coming along, but I'm starving!" His answer assured her that he was indeed feeling better. As they walked into the kitchen, Quil was coming in the back door. He looked slightly embarrassed as he said "I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd stop in and see how Seth was feeling."
Leah smirked. "You mean you smelled food!" Everyone laughed, knowing that was more likely the reason for his visit. "Have a seat, Quil, there's plenty," Sue invited.
Throughout the meal, Leah and Quil teased Seth about being caught by a newborn. It made Sue a little uneasy, knowing how much more seriously he could have been injured, but the pack always made light of broken bones, cuts, and bruises. Sue guessed it helped them cope with the danger they faced every day, defending the tribe against anyone (or anything) that threatened it.
After working their way through a mountain of fried chicken, homemade biscuits, mashed potatoes and green beans, Sue brought out a chocolate cake with Seth's favorite peppermint frosting. "Well, I have to do something while I'm waiting around for you two to come home," she complained with a grin.
Quil nudged Leah with an elbow and suggested with a grin, "Do you think you could manage to break a bone or two tomorrow? I could get used to this!"