Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Twilight. And the song credit goes to Simple Plan.

If you take the time to story alert me and stuff at least send me a review that says: 'good'. Seriously, I would be satisfied with one little encouraging word or something. The alerts make me happy, but I get ideas from feedback. I care what you guys think!

Hey if anyone knows if Paul's last name was every mentioned could you tell me what it is? All of my books are two and a half hours away at home.

"Another day without you with me,

Is like a blade that cuts right through me

I can wait, I can wait forever."

I Can Wait Forever

I hadn't seen Paul in a week and it upset me more than I wanted to admit. I found myself glancing up at the library doors every time they opened, only to be disappointed when it wasn't Paul that walked through them. He didn't come to the house either.

Meanwhile, I'd heard a lot of activity outside my window. I don't know if I was being paranoid or what; but I swear I could hear howling every night right before I crawled into bed.

My fear returned as Derek started spending more and more of his time in Forks, leaving me at home alone at night with my over active imagination.

It was another one of those nights without Derek that the sound of knocking brought me out of my own little world. I set down my book and headed for the door. I was surprised when I saw Jake on the other side, but smiled up at him in greeting.

"I need you to come with me." He stated.

"Where?"

"Emily's."

"Why?"

"Just…"

"Tell me the truth."

"Paul…he's really bent out of shape."

"Why?" I asked, fully aware that I sounded a bit breathless.

"Hallie, just come."

I couldn't say no to that. I hurriedly slipped on some shoes, and left with Jake dressed in my plaid pajama pants, my Relient K t-shirt, and my coat since it was February. I spent the ride to Emily's, wringing my hands, worried about what I was going to say when I finally saw him.

As soon as I stepped into the house I saw him there sitting on the couch, looking…well he looked like shit. He looked like how I felt on the inside. His eyes snapped up to mine as Jake shut the door behind us, and his whole face lit up. I was amazed; did I really have that effect on him?

It was clear that I did, and I couldn't resist that pull anymore; that pull that practically begged me to throw myself into his arms. So, I did just that. His arms squeezed me to his chest and he buried his head in my neck, as I buried mine in his chest.

"Hallie."

It wasn't his deep voice that washed over me, but instead someone else. I looked up at the source of the voice and saw who I remembered to be Sam, Emily's husband.

"There's some things we need to tell you." He continued as Emily walked into the room and sat down next to me. She took my hand while one of Paul's arms stayed across my shoulders. I didn't like the nervous glances being sent my way by Jake, but I tried to ignore them as I stared up at Sam expectantly.

"We're werewolves."

***

After I snapped out of shock, I demanded proof of course. If they were really werewolves I wanted to see. I needed to know if they really were crazy, or if by some slim chance they were telling the truth. Sam, Jake, and Paul had exchanged glances before the three of them led me outside into the woods.

Sam and Jake hung back by me as Paul started to pull off his clothes. I quickly averted my gaze to the moss covered ground and waited until I heard a snapping sound. My eyes shot up and there was a silver wolf where Paul had just been a moment earlier.

My breath left me in a whoosh as I stared at the wolf. There was no doubt in my mind that it was him; those were his eyes, and the way he was looking at me was all too familiar. I had to touch him. I started to move forward, but Jake's arms pulled me back against him. The silver wolf growled and Jake slowly released me. I didn't give him or Sam a chance to grab me again; I walked up to Paul and slowly ran a hand over his muzzle.

"Wow." Was all I could manage to say.

They left us alone then, heading back towards the house. He gently nudged me with his nose and I took his hint to turn around as he morphed back into his normal self. Once he was dressed, he grabbed both of my hands within his and stared down into my eyes.

"There's more Hallie."

"I'm not sure anything can top that."

"I imprinted on you."

Apparently I was wrong.

***

Derek was passed out on the couch when Jake brought me home. Did I care that he looked peaceful? No. So, I walked over to the couch and roughly shook him awake. He wouldn't like me much, but I needed to talk to my best friend.

"Wake up, wake up."

He squinted up at me and scowled. But once he saw the expression on my face, his face softened and he sat up, making room for me next to him on the couch.

"What's wrong?"

"Everything." I cried as I threw myself into his arms. "Okay, maybe not everything."

"Well, what is wrong?" He asked as he rubbed my back soothingly.

"Paul loves me, but he's practically forced into loving me. And there are all these secrets I can't tell you, and I'm confused, and I think I need to get away. Can I take a week vacation to go visit my Dad?"

Derek pulled away looking utterly perplexed. He would have to remain that way though; I certainly couldn't tell him that my stepbrother and all his friends were werewolves, and oh yeah…one of them imprinted on me.

"I have no idea what you just said to me, but you can have the week off." Derek sighed. "Obviously you need it."

"Thanks Derek, I guess I'll get some sleep before I start packing."

I left him on the couch, the look of confusion still written across his face, and went into my room for some much needed sleep. Maybe things would be clearer in the morning, but somehow I doubted that.

***

I actually took the time to call my Dad before I arrived, unlike back in June when I surprised my Mom. He was waiting for me with a big smile on his face and his arms open. I had told him I was having some issues and I needed a break from it all, so he wasn't surprised when I practically tackled him to the airport floor.

"This is the most you've ever hugged me you know." He stated. "I told you so."

"Told me so what?" I asked as we headed for the baggage return.

"That you would miss me when you were older."

"I don't miss living with you all the time, but I guess I miss you some." I grinned as I pointed out my bag to him.

His apartment was weird, mostly because it wasn't the house I had grown up in. I missed the floral wallpaper and big picture window in the middle of the living room. I also missed the freezing cold of my small blue room, but his little guest room wasn't too bad.

As I started to unpack my stuff I couldn't help but think that Paul had to know by now. I had left in the early morning in secret, and made Derek promise to keep his mouth shut about where I was going. I just needed time to think and I couldn't do that back there where any of them could show up at any time; especially with their extra human speed.

I had already expected to be bored out of my mind; that came with the territory of a small town that I happened to detest. Strong words for a place I had lived for eighteen years, but I hated this place. I hated how my friend found herself stuck here, and I hated myself for being hesitant to call her up. But I did it anyway, and that's how I found myself at the park next to my old house with in my friend's car with her baby in the back.

My gaze kept drifting to my old house next door and I almost expected to hear the sound of my dog's barking, but then I remembered he had died my junior year of college.

"Maybe we shouldn't have come here." Tara sighed as she noticed my gaze.

"You know it's okay. That place ceased to be home years ago."

"So what brings you back?" She asked as she glanced back at her sleeping child.

"Just needed a break from life out there, and I knew my Dad was getting lonely."

"Did something happen?" Tara asked. "I can tell; just because we haven't seen each other in a while doesn't mean I can't tell when something is bothering you."

I sighed; leave it to Tara to still be able to read me like an open book sometimes. "Well there's this guy that's in love with me, but he's practically forced to fall in love with me."

Her eyebrows wrinkled in confusion, "How can he be forced into loving you?"

"It's complicated, but the point is I like him. How can I have a relationship with a guy who didn't really have a choice?"

"I think you're going to have to decide for yourself how real this love he has for you is. You may think it was forced, but I doubt you really know." Tara replied. "I know you, Hallie. You're cynical and jaded, but don't let that part of you control your life. Deep down the hopeless romantic is still there! Bring her out! Read a smut novel or something."

"That's not a bad idea."

"I have my moments."

"So, did you hear about my brother?"

***

February in Michigan had never been a pleasant time, and this year was no different. There was snow on the roads and nothing to do. This wasn't exactly a vacation; I should've gone to Maryland to visit my other friend and her musician boyfriend. It would have been cold there too, but at least I would have had something to do.

Dad was at work for the day so when the phone rang I ignored it and kept watching television. Chances were that it was a recording and I was comfortable in my Dad's easy chair. However, when a voice came over the answering machine, I muted the TV to listen.

"Hallie, this is Jake. I know you're there, Derek told me. Paul looks like shit, and it's because you left. He thinks that you hate him and never want to see him again. I tried to tell him that it was only a week for you to think some things over, but he won't listen to me or Derek. I know you're probably pretty confused about all the imprinting stuff, but at least give him a chance. He really cares about you."

I hated that tears pricked at my eyes as I un-muted the TV and got up to delete the message; I didn't need my Dad hearing that and asking me all sorts of questions. I already hated myself for causing him pain; that was exactly why it wouldn't work out. I didn't deserve to have anyone, because in the end I would just ruin it.

Maybe Tara had been right, but even if that romantic was still in me it would take some time to come back out. I suddenly remembered what Dad had told me the other day; some boxes of my stuff were in the closet of the guest room. Sure enough boxes labeled 'Hallie' were in the corner of the closet and as I dug through them I found some of my old smut books.

I grinned as I flipped through my selection; what could it hurt to read one of these? I picked the one with the raciest cover and went back into the living room to read.

***

Derek was the first face I saw as I came out of the terminal. My face lit up and I ran to him, throwing my arms around his neck. I had missed him, even if he understood me a little better than I did myself; he was my best friend.

"It's good to see you too." He chuckled as he unwound my arms from his neck. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah." I smiled. "I had some time to think some things through with the help of some smut."

"Excuse me?"

"Nothing, let's go get my bags."

I fell asleep on the way back to our house and when I next opened my eyes I was lying in my bed, my bag by the closet. There was no way Derek could have carried me in here. I loved the guy, but he did not have the strength to carry me all this way.

I knew who it had to be though, and that brought a smile to my face. No matter how bad I treated him, he would always come back. Not that that was a good thing, but that was just the way it was and I had to accept that or hurt him even more.