All of my dreams seem to fall by the side

Like a discarded thought o'er the day's fading light

But I know that it I could just see you tonight

Forever

At times I may fall like we all tend to do

But I reached out and found that I'm running to you

You're strength is the power that carried me through

Forever

The room that greeted me when I opened my eyes was only vaguely familiar and the little girl who sat with her back to me, singing along to Alice in Wonderland, was even less so. I pushed the thick blanket that covered me off my legs and stood, my legs unsteady beneath me. I caught myself before I could fall backwards and the little girl spun, while still sitting on the floor, to stare up at me. Claire. A quick glance around the room confirmed that it was Emily and Sam's house I was in. Their sitting room to be exact. I sank to the sofa again, my legs numb after my desperately needed sleep.

"Hi Abby!" Claire chirped. I attempted to smile at her but I was sure it came out as more of a grimace. It didn't seem to phase her though as she continued to watch me with wide, innocent eyes. As I looked down at her I couldn't help but wonder what part she played in all of this. Had they told her that werewolves and vampires were real, shattering her innocent view that monsters didn't exist outside of books and movies and cartoons?

"Abby, you're awake."

I turned slowly to greet Emily, not sure of what to say to her. Surely she knew the way I had reacted to Paul telling me the… I stumbled over the word truth. Was it the truth? Was I really willing to accept that the guy I had hoped would be in my future was a werewolf?

"Abby, you okay?" I pulled myself out of my thoughts to nod at Emily. She motioned for me to follow her into the kitchen and I complied silently, accepting Claire's small hand when she held it out for me. The little girl seemed to have some idea of my inner turmoil and she sat next to me at the table, across from Kim and Anaise, and held onto my hand while Emily doled out something that smelt delicious and made my stomach rumble loudly.

"Paul mentioned that you were hungry." Emily smiled at me as she sat two bowls of soup down in front of me and Claire.

"Aunt Emily, when is Quil getting back from work?"

Work. Two weeks ago the thought of Paul at work had made me snicker at the image of him dressed for a boring nine to five job. Now it conjured images of that huge silver wolf, howling at the moon and chasing after vampires. Immortal, indestructible vampires.

"Abby, are you sure you're okay? Do you want to lie down again?"

I tried to smile to reassure Emily that I was fine but once again I knew I hadn't succeeded. Her concerned eyes stayed on me as I ate my soup methodically, not really paying attention to what I was doing or how it tasted. My mind was reeling with the images I was creating, each one more awful and bloody than the next. What if Paul never made it back to me? What if something happened and he got hurt, never knowing how I felt about him? How did I feel about him?

I was making myself dizzy, thoughts running in circles in my head. I knew I loved Paul. The fact that I was still sitting here rather than going straight home proved that, right? The fact that I hadn't kicked him out of my apartment as soon as I woke up last night had to mean something.

I loved him. I knew I did. But was it enough to see past the fact that he sprouted fur and ran on all fours when he got pissed off or upset? What if he hurt someone? What if we had an argument and he lost control…. Would he hurt me? As I gazed at Emily's ruined face a thought occurred to me. Had Sam done that to her? Those angry red scars had been made from claws, there was no doubt. But were they wolf claws or bear claws, as Paul had said. I was itching to ask but I couldn't. I didn't want to know the truth.

My brain was tearing itself apart, one part telling me that it was too dangerous to stay involved with Paul and it wasn't even all his fault. I was a sulky, volatile person who got angry and upset easily. I never thought about what I was saying when I was angry, instead I just snapped angry, spiteful remarks at whoever I was fighting with. What if something I said pushed Paul over the edge? It would be as much my fault as his if I ended up with the scars down the side of my face, the way Emily had.

"What are you going to do about Paul?" It was Kim who caught my attention this time and I looked at the thin set of her lips and the narrow tilt to her eyes, I realised that she was pissed off at me for hurting him and the thought made me angry. Was I really such a bitch for needing a little time to get over news that big?

"I don't know yet." I retorted calmly. I refused to lose my temper in front of her and give her another reason to dislike me. Besides, what did it have to do with her?

"Well maybe you should make your mind up. Because you're killing him acting like a bitch." Kim told me. I narrowed my eyes and her and scowled.

"What the hell does it have to do with you? You think just because you're Jared's little girlfriend you get a say in my relationship with Paul? Some of us weren't so obsessed with our boyfriends that we accepted all their faults without question."

She flushed and scowled at me in response, opening her mouth to respond.

"Easy Kim." Emily warned her. "Abby's right. It's between her and Paul."

Emily smiled at me but I could see the strain behind it and I threw myself back into my chair and crossed my arms defensively. I didn't have to explain myself to them.

The three of us stared at each other for a few minutes, the tension in the room becoming steadily more stifling. The only one unaffected was Claire, who continued to hum softly to herself.

I liked Kim and Emily, I reminded myself suddenly. It wasn't their fault that I was so defensive, they were just defending their friend. And I was glad that Paul had such good friends. I opened my mouth to apologize but was cut off as the door slammed open. Emily was on her feet and in Sam's arms immediately. I watched, slightly enviously, as Sam's grip tightened on her, melding her body completely to his.

"What happened?" Kim asked Jared as he slid into the seat beside hers, pulling her towards him quickly and kissing her.

"Quil!" Even Claire was up, wrapping her arms around Quil's thick neck and giggling as he spun her around. It was then that I realised, with slight disgust, that Quil had imprinted with Claire. Who couldn't even be six. Just as I had been getting over the whole werewolf thing.

Anaise brushed past me, heading for Seth's waiting arms. That left me alone at the table, tapping my fingers and looking for the familiar warm, dark eyes. But they didn't come. I waited a few minutes before I couldn't take it anymore. I could feel the tears welling. Why had he bothered to bring me to Emily's if he was going to abandon me here? I glanced around the room, at the couples who were lost in each other's gazes and embraces and at Quil, who was leaning against the counter, holding Claire in one arm and describing something with his hands in the other. I didn't particularly want to interrupt any of them but if Paul wasn't coming back for me then I wanted to go home, right now.

"We got her." The door was thrown open once more and I winced, jumping slightly. Jacob came striding in, a wide grin on his face as the room broke into cheers. I raised an eyebrow at the empty seat beside me, wondering exactly who he had gotten.

"He got away but at least we got the vicious bitch." Embry supplied as he followed Jacob on into the living room. I watched as the rest of the group made their way towards them, obviously wanting to know more, but I stayed where I was. Quil looked from me to the living room to Claire, his face betraying the inner struggle.

"I'll watch her while you go hear whatever good news it is they're celebrating." I assured him. He still looked uncertain and I tutted and rolled my eyes. "I don't bite."

Unlike some I added silently. He nodded and sat Claire carefully on the ground, leaning down and whispering something in her ear that I couldn't make out. I narrowed my eyes at his back as he hurried into the living room.

"Abby, will you read my book to me?" She asked me sweetly. I nodded and lifted her into the chair next to me, accepting the old battered copy of Harry Potter she handed me.

"I loved these books when I was little." I told her. "I have the whole collection in my apartment."

"Really?" Claire's eyes widened with happiness and I smiled. At least someone in this house liked me. Claire quickly flicked the book to the last chapter that had been read and I cleared my throat and began reading.

I had gotten through half the chapter when the kitchen door opened again but I didn't bother turning to see who it was. Claire's head was resting against my arm as she listened to me quietly, interrupting every so often to ask me what a word meant. It wasn't until I realised that no one had passed us yet did I look up. Paul was leaning against the counter, watching me with an unreadable expression. His hair hung around his face and he was wearing his usual uniform of cut off jeans and a white beater that clung to his chest, showing off the amazing muscles of his arms.

His eyes were dark and guarded and for a few minutes I thought he was mad at me. I couldn't blame him, of course, but the thought of him being mad at me scared me a little. What if he decided he hadn't imprinted on me after all?

It took me exactly two and a half minutes for me to realise that the reason his eyes were so hooded, so closed off was me. I had hurt him and he was protecting himself against me again and in that minute I hated myself for doing that. Paul's eyes were always so open and honest, always giving away his mood. Now they were unfathomable and it hurt me more than I could have imagined.

"Hi uncle Paul." Naturally it was Claire who broke the heavy silence between us. She had finally looked up, realising that I was no longer reading to her, and she was smiling happily at Paul.

"Hey Claire bear. Where's Quil?"

"In the other room." Claire told him. "Abby's reading Harry Potter to me."

"I see that. Mind if I listen too?"

"Of course not, silly." Claire giggled. Paul sat down facing me and I coughed, turning back to the book to avoid that impenetrable gaze. I read for another while until Quil returned to claim Claire.

"Time to go home to bed, sweetie." He told her, lifting her easily. She protested through her yawns, begging Quil to let her stay and listen to more Harry Potter.

"I'm sure Abby will read some more to you next time she's here, right?" He looked at me for confirmation and it only took me twelve seconds to realise that the entire kitchen was silent, waiting my answer. Everyone had followed Quil back into the kitchen and I could feel their expectant gazes on me, and I knew my answer would have nothing to do with a book. If I said yes then I had accepted Paul, and therefore the entire… group. If I said no… well, Kim looked like she might claw my eyes out. I had spoken before my mind was even made up.

"Of course I will sweetie." I smiled at her and she grinned up, ecstatic and with no idea that I had just committed my life to a werewolf. The thought wasn't as scary as I expected it to be. Before I could lift my eyes to Paul's I found myself being lifted out of my chair. I scrambled against him, wrapping my legs around his waist and locking my arms around his neck. His eyes were open again and I could read the happiness in them. I could quite pleasantly drown in it, I decided. Suddenly his lips were on mine, hot and comforting and sweet. I don't care that the entire room is watching us anymore. All I care about is the six-foot-something werewolf that was holding me so close to his body that I wasn't sure it was possible to separate us anymore.

"I'm sorry." I whispered against his lips, making them curve up in a smile.

"S'ok." He assured me, stroking his hands through my hair.

"Finally." Someone muttered from behind us. I blushed and Paul chuckled, pulling back a little when someone, I was guessing Sam, cleared his throat. He sat me down slowly, keeping my against his body with one arm. I leaned my head against his chest happily and closed my eyes, listening to the now tension free chat and laughter. Something big had happened tonight and I made a mental note to ask Paul about it later.

"Hey, you want to head to my place?" He asked me softly. "It's probably best if we stay in La Push for a while. You're still off work this week, right?"

I nodded and he smiled, sliding his hand down my arm and entwining our fingers together. He said goodbye to everyone and I caught Kim's eye as we left. She smiled widely at me, a friendly peace offering that I couldn't help but return as Paul pulled me out the door.

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The house Paul shared with Kim and Jared was actually a one floor bungalow type thing and the inside was a lot bigger than it looked from the outside. Paul led me straight down the dark hallway to a door at the end and when he pushed it open I realised it was his bedroom. It was tidy, surprisingly, and furnished comfortably. His bed took up the majority of the space and a small entertainment section took up the rest. He had a built in closet that was open and there was a balled up pile of clothes lying in the corner of it. He had shelved on the wall, filled with DVDs and books; there were even a few framed photographs placed around as well.

Paul moved to turn his radio on and the local rock station came on, playing a familiar song. It had been a week since I had listened to anything and I threw myself backwards onto the bed, closing my eyes and letting the music wash over me.

Forever I'll find you

Forever we'll be

Forever your power and strength stays with me

Paul lay beside me, curling an arm around my middle as he listened to me singing with a small grin on his face.

"I missed your voice." He confided softy.

"I missed you." I admitted. His smiled widened and his grip tightened, making me sigh happily. His hands were warm against the skin of my stomach as they slipped beneath my shirt.

"I thought you hated me this morning." He continued, his fingers lightly tracing a pattern on my stomach. "The way you looked at me… almost broke my heart."

"I don't think I can ever say sorry enough." I replied quietly as I rolled over and threw my arm around his waist, burying my face in his chest. "I don't think I realised exactly how much you meant to me until Claire mentioned that you were going to work. Then I realised exactly what you did and I was scared that you wouldn't be coming back and it all hit me. I love you."

His grip tightened until it was almost painful and I chuckled. It was such a relief to have Paul beside me, warm and real.

"You have no idea how much I needed to hear that."

"You have no idea how scared I was that I wouldn't get a chance to tell you. What happened tonight?"

He froze, his fingers stiff against my skin suddenly and I wondered if I had said the wrong thing.

"I don't want to scare you." He told me huskily. I shivered and shook my head.

"I want to know everything." I assured him. He let out a deep breath before opening his mouth to talk again.

"We've been tracking a pair of vampires for the past few weeks. That was why I needed you to come to La Push in the first place. When there's vampires on the loose, Emily's place is the safest place to be. We always leave at least two of the guys there to protect everyone inside. Anyway, they keep managing to slip past us but tonight we finally got one of them. The female." He sighed again, his breath fanning my hair slightly. I shivered at the thought of Paul being anywhere near a vampire and, thinking I was cold, he tightened his grip.

"But if you got her, then why do we need to stay in La Push for awhile?"

"Because if I read things correctly, then the male was her mate. And vampires take loosing their mates as badly as werewolves do. He'll be back for revenge and… look, a while ago there was a coven of vampires living in Forks. The Cullens. They drank animal blood rather than humans and our ancestors made a treaty with them. They couldn't cross onto our land and they couldn't hurt a human being or the treaty was broke and we started a war. Anyway, one of the vampires got involved with a human, Bella Swan." He spat her name out as if it tasted bad in his mouth and I raised an eyebrow. "One day a group of vampires were passing by and picked up the Cullen's scent; they went to investigate the Cullens and found out about Bella. One of the males tracked Bella and tried to kill her but Bella's bloodsucker found him and killed him. About half a year later, his mate shows up for revenge. You remember all those killings in Seattle a few years ago? The ones that suddenly stopped and were never solved? That was the mate. She made an army of newborn leeches to cover the fact that she was after Bella. We had to team up with the bloodsuckers to get rid of them all." I could hear the distaste in his voice and I chuckled. "But we did it. We got rid of them all and a year and half later the Cullens and Bella left town, to go somewhere to bite her and turned her into one of them."

"Oh my God. She wanted to be a vampire?" I gasped. The thought was ludicrous to me. To never grow old and watch while your friends and family died around you while you stayed frozen in your youth. It was horrific.

"Yep." Paul popped the 'p' on his word and grimaced. "Broke Jacob's damn heart."

"Jacob? What does Jacob have to do with it?"

Paul groaned. "That's a whole other depressing story. I'll tell you sometime that's not now."

I chuckled and nodded, pulling back slightly to look at his face. His eyes were closed and there was a tiny smile on his face. He looked peaceful and relaxed and happy and I felt my own emotions morphing to match his.

"So what does that have to do with me staying in La Push for awhile? I'm not saying I don't want to. I'm just a little confused."

He opened his eyes and I was struck by the fierce protectiveness in them. "It's just a precaution. We don't know where the male is but he'll be back. And I'd rather have you here, where there's always a member of the pack nearby, than in Port Angeles."

I nodded and ran my fingers through his hair slowly, watching as he smiled lazily again.

"Get some sleep, baby." He murmured, pulling me closer. I sighed and closed my eyes, listening to the soothing sound of his heartbeat. This was where I belonged, I decided. Right next to Paul, tucked in along his side and listening to his heart below my cheek and it was exactly where I intended to stay. Forever.

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The song belongs to Dropkick Murphys.

Let me know what you think please. This chapter was so difficult to write because i wasn't sure how to put Abby's change of heart across properly but i hope you enjoy it anyway.

Also, check out Momentarily Infinite's fic 'In a Manner of Speaking'. Its a fantastic Embry/OC fic so go read it.