AN: I don't own Twilight or the Prince song Kiss either…

Chapter 18

"How did you do this? I had the high score for forever, and you beat it in one turn," Embry gritted his teeth as he punched the buttons on the pinball machine.

"I learned many things in college," I laughed.

"Was that an innuendo?" Quil grinned, watching over Embry's shoulder.

"No! It was not you perv…" I slapped his arm. His face fell as he glanced behind me. "What's wrong? Oh is it your mystery girl?" I turned to look for her.

"Don't look," he muttered grabbing my arm and pulling me back.

"Hey Rachel," Kim asked behind me.

"Yeah?" I pulled my arm from Quil and quickly glancing around the room to look for his mystery girl.

"Emily is too nice to ask, but Sam found a stray dog that was beaten up pretty bad, and Taylor is deathly allergic to them so she's looking for a new home for it and-"

"I can take him," I nodded, my chest feeling a little heavy.

"Gr-great," she winced, clenching her eyes and fist.

"Kim, how far apart are they?" I whispered hoping her contractions weren't too close together.

"About five minutes – I haven't told anyone yet…"

"Well then we'll get Jared and get you on your way."

"I – I don't want a lot of attention…" Fear flashed across her face and usually confident Kim looked worried.

"Okay then you can go wait in the car…"

"I'll get Jared," Embry mumbled leaving his perfect game.

"Right, and I'll cause a distraction," I clapped my hands, having no idea what to do.

Kim started for the door, and I turned to Quil who was zoned out, staring into a mirror – no doubt zoned out watching his mystery girl with her date.

"Quil?"

"Yeah…" he blinked.

"Can I slap you?"

"Sure…"

Knowing his big clone self wouldn't feel the pain, I pulled back my hand and aimed for his cheek. A high-pitched whine came out of my mouth as a sharp pain shot through my wrist to my elbow.

"Ow…" Quil gently palmed his cheek.

"Ow? Ow? Me Ow!" I whimpered at him.

"Mommy, Miss Rachel hit Quil," Jo yelled as the rest of the group looked up at us.

"You just said meow," Quil giggled.

"Thanks a lot," I grumbled. Loud clanking sounded off in the back of the restaurant, and Jared hurriedly stumbled from the kitchen out the front door.

"Quil what is going on?" Sam appeared in front of us.

"I…" he shook his head, unsure.

"It's my fault Sam – oh by the way I can take the dog," I changed the subject.

"You mean Harry?" Jo pouted, clutching onto her father's leg.

"Oh is he really hairy?"

"No," she answered rolling her eyes. "He has a scar on his face like Harry Potter…"

"Oh okay, well… I'm going to get some ice now," I clutched my wrist to my chest.

"Got it…"

I turned to see Paul with a bag of ice - appearing out of no where. He gently held my arm against his chest holding the ice against my wrist, and the different temperatures were soothing.

"Why do you have dirt on your face?" I studied his appearance.

"I thought I got it all…" he wiped at his face. "I had to get under your house through the crawl space."

"I thought you were getting your guy to do that?"

"I am my guy, and there was a leaky pipe…" he admitted. "How's your wrist?" he asked placing a soft kiss on it, surprising me.

"Oh, good," I stammered. "I have to pee." I pulled my hand away and hurried to the restrooms.

My wrist stayed glued to my chest as I splashed water on my face with my left hand. I tried to forget the feeling on Paul's lips on my skin, and I was practically scrubbing my face with a paper towel when the door flung open. I watched as a teenage girl washed her hands, glaring at me through the mirror.

"Cute shoes," I offered before leaving. I was being a little weird by just starring at her in a public restroom.

…

Carol45: HELLO!11 ive been waiting forever!111 for you to get on!

You: sry ive had a lot to deal with

Carol45: soooo are they?

You: are they what?

Carol45: vampires and werewolves?

You: no it was a joke

Carol45: a joke?

You: long story short it was a joke to get back at me for being such a brat years ago

Carol45: oh, that was useless

You: whats that supposed to mean?

Carol45: don't get your panties in a twist

Carol45: hows the Paul thing going?

You: he likes me. But he seems so possessive of me and we argue alot

Carol45: arguing makes the bed thumping better

Carol 45: ignore that – the Man was trying to be funny

You: lol okay

Carol45: actually don't ignore that. Its true. When we fight … ooooo my god

You have logged off.

I closed my laptop frustrated with everyone even with myself. Carol has always been the one person who I could be honest with and be able to talk to about anything. Now I had to keep this secret about the pack and I had to lie to Carol about it. It's not like she would tell anyone, but even I could honor that blood ran deeper than my affection for a computer screen.

I pulled on my shoes and headed out the back door towards Dad's house. I hadn't been a good sister and seriously needed to catch up with Jacob… and get to know Nessie. When I walked up the back porch I had to rub my eyes to make sure what I was seeing was real. Paul was scrubbing a pot at the sink with his eyes closed, swaying his hips and singing in a squeaky high pitch.

"You don't have to watch Dynasty to have an attitude… You just leave it all up to me, my love will be your food… Yeah… You don't have to be rich - Oh damn!" he pulled out his earphones as he turned to look at me.

"Wow," I grinned trying my best not to laugh.

"Yeah that's right," he nodded, clearly embarrassed. "I like to get down when I do the dishes."

"I had no idea…" I took in his appearance of a green t shirt and fitted jeans. It was just very odd. It seemed that a clothed Paul was a happy Paul.

"How's your wrist?"

"It's fine."

"Do you want to help?" he offered the dry rag next to him.

"Would I have to sing?"

"Yes."

"As tempting as that sounds I came here to see Jake," I declined actually a bit disappointed. I'd never seen Paul in such a good mood.

"Uh he had errands to run…"

"Meaning…?"

"He went hunting with Nessie and the leeches and he'd – what the hell!" he stormed out the door. His playful mood disappeared and his normal usual crabby self was back.

I followed him out to see Rosalie standing in the yard. They argued as I made my way toward them, and Paul took a step back and wrapped a warm arm around my shoulder.

"I need to talk with you," Rosalie sighed, giving me a small smile.

AN: next chapter is (sorta) what you want - and i'll probably be posting tomorrow :)

Thanks for Reading!