AN: I do not own any of the characters from Twilight. They belong to Stephanie Meyers.

Chapter 15

Third Person POV

The middle of November brings the cold arctic winds blowing in from the northwest. This means that no one wants to be outside unless they have to be. Knowing this, Sam wanted to have one last pack bonfire on the beach before it was too cold and he set his mind on convincing Emily that this was a good idea, which didn't take too long. Plans were made for the following Friday for the year's last bonfire. The week went by with little vampire incident leaving the pack ready for some diversion.

TPOV

After getting home from school Friday afternoon, I walk down to Sam's place to see Emily. I knew that she would need help packing up the foods and other items needed for our bonfire. Emily wanted to make this last gathering a special one so she was preparing more than usual. Quil had gone down to La Push with Jacob and Embry to set up the fire pit and gather extra drift wood.

As evening approaches, the group converges on the beach. Jake lights the fire and the fun times begin. Everyone settles in for some well earned relaxation. Quil and I are sitting next to Jake and Bella. I found myself comfortably snuggled up against Quil's chest as he leaned back on a large log. Bella and I were talking about school while Quil, Jake and Embry talked sports and cars. We all watch as Rachel tries to wrap her head around what she has just recently learned about her lifelong friends and family. She sat next to Paul quietly asking questions. Paul surprised us all be behaving like a gentleman and patiently answering each and every one of her questions.

Seth walks over to sit down in front of me. I could see in his face that he had something that he needed to say. "Tia, I want to apologize for how I've been treating you lately. You didn't deserve my anger. I spoke to Quil about your relationship with him and I understand now." His eyes are apologetic.

"You're forgiven Seth. You weren't aware of the imprint." I smile at him which in turn made him grin for the first time in weeks. I think to myself that someday, he will make a lucky young lady very happy. He goes back to his spot on the opposite side of the fire.

Someone brought out the making for 'smores. I don't know who had this genius idea but I didn't care. Quil and I roast marshmallows, build our 'smores and feed them to each other. It was a gooey sticky messy fun. Quil would make a bit of a show out of licking the melted chocolate off of my fingers or my mouth. I look over at Sam with Emily. They were completely oblivious to everyone around them as they fed each other the melted goodness. I wondered if my relationship with Quil would be like theirs one day. I smile softly.

"Hey, I missed a spot." Quil grins down at me and dots the edges of my mouth with the melted chocolate on his finger. "Let me get that." He leans in to place nibbling kisses around my face before placing a toe tingling kiss on my lips.

"Geesh you two! Can you cool it? I don't think we need to be watching that." Embry teases.

I give Quil another kiss before he moves my hair from shoulder. He looks up grinning slyly at Embry to say "Nope, I don't think cooling it is an option." and begins to nibble on my neck sending shivers down my spine. I feel his laughter against my skin at my reaction.

Trying to bring myself back to my senses, I notice that there's a small box in one of the bottom pockets in Sam's cargo shorts. Could that be tonight? I allow myself a secret smile. Jared, who is sitting on the other side of us, notices. "You know, I've seen that smile before Tia. I think I'm beginning to like that look on you." He winks at me as I refuse yet again to share my secret. I don't want to spoil their moment.

The music is playing and everyone is having a lot of fun, talking and joking around. Sam stands up raising a hand to get everyone's attention. "I have something important that I want to share with everyone here tonight. I can't imagine not having you with me as I do this." He pulls Emily up to stand beside him. There is a bit of confusion on her face. He turns to her saying "Emily, I know that we started off rough but you are everything to me." He kneels in front of her taking the box out of his pocket. Opening it, we can see a beautiful diamond ring. "I love you. Marry me and make me the happiest man on this planet."

Tears shone on Emily's face. Their relationship had been hard but she didn't want to have any other man in her life. She throws herself into his arms with an elated "YES!" The pack whoops in happiness. Once the din of excitement died down, everyone decided that they needed to give Sam and Emily a few minutes to themselves. Some wandered down the beach for a stroll. Others busied themselves with something important back in their car.

Quil grabs my hand wanting to walk down the beach. I look up at the night sky. It was so clear that you could see every star. Quil finds a nice little hideaway spot between two large boulders. He leans back onto one of the boulders and pulls me to him. He links hands behind my back and places his forehead on mine sighing.

"Are you happy for Sam and Emily?" I ask.

"Of course I am…"His voice trails off.

"I hear a "but" on the end of your statement."

He raises his eyes to mine and then says "…But I want to be able to propose to you like that someday Tia. I want all of our friends and family with us when I ask you to marry me." Tightening his grip on my waist, he kisses me tenderly, like I was the most special person in the world. After a few minutes of quiet contentment in each other's arms, he finally straightens up. "I have patrol for the next 2 hours. Wait on me by the bonfire. I'll come back for you as soon as I'm off, ok?" I nod.

We walk back to the bonfire to find that everyone else had returned. Sam and Emily were cozied up to one another, even closer than before, if that was even possible. Quil kissed my cheek before he headed for the tree line.

I walk back to our spot around the fire and sit back down. I take a moment to think back at how my life has changed. I arrived on the Res a couple of months ago as a lonely, frightened girl. Now, I have a boyfriend. I feel safe and I finally feel like I belong. This chapter of my life is definitely an improvement from what I had known before. Happily, I look around the group at all of my new friends in wonder. I have come to care a great deal about them all and I know without a doubt that they feel the same for me. What a wondrous feeling.

I turn to see that Jacob is whispering in Bella's ear to the left of me. Jake's tattoo on his right shoulder catches my eye. Knowing that he wouldn't mind, I quickly study the design of his tattoo. He has the same outer border as Quil and the same howling wolves in the center but I notice that there are bells worked into the design. I realize that the bells represent his mate Bella. I'm going to have to pay closer attention to Quil's tattoo when I get the opportunity.

Feeling a bit sleepy, I turn again to face the fire, letting the flames carry me into a sort of trance. Soon my vision blurs around the edges and a dream begins to take shape.

UPOV

Sitting by my fireplace on this cold night, I reflect on how my granddaughter has changed since she came to live with us. I am so very pleased that she has found her place here. Sighing, I look into my fire thinking about her and her new role among our people. She will be stepping into my place soon and I know that she will make us all proud.

I notice that the flames had started dancing more than usual and they drew my attention. Looking into the fire, I get a flash of what is to come. Tears begin to roll down my face as the inevitable has come to pass.

"Stay strong granddaughter. You must stay strong." I close my eyes in grief.

QPOV

Running border was a breeze tonight. With the cold, crisp air of winter, it was easy to detect a scent but there were none to be had. My shift was passing without incident which made me happy. I hurried through my last round so that I could go back to Tia. Having finished my run, I walked to the edge of the woods watching her as my girl as she sat by the fire. She is so beautiful. Her face glowed in the firelight but I could see that she was deep into a dream, lost in the flames. Her eyes weren't focused on her surroundings. She seems frozen, unable to move. Suddenly, I feel anguish and fear radiating from my imprint. No one has noticed that she was in her dream world. Something serious has happened. I phase quickly and run towards the bonfire. I wanted to pull her away from the group before she broke down.

As I get closer to the pack, I slow myself, walking straight to Tia. If I rush in, it would cause panic among the pack. I physically place myself between her and the fire, trying to interrupt her dream and extending my hand to her. Still in a dream daze, she takes my hand and I lead her away and into the woods.

TPOV

I was walking through the misty forest. I could hear the night time creatures stirring. My feet did not make a sound as I walked on. Then, I hear a rustling to my left. As I turn my head, I see a flash of red and hear a woman's laugh. Her laughter and presence surround me. Suddenly, I am in my apartment in Vegas. I can hear screaming coming from the other room. I walk out into the hallway to see a fight taking place, blood on the floor. Someone flees through the back door. Anguish and sadness engulf me so completely that I fall to my knees, unable to move. The mist that was once covering forest floor now surrounds me. It changes into smoke, suffocating me, and then into fire. I can't escape the flames and this time; I don't think that I want to. I look up to see a set of glowing gold eyes watching me from the forest in the distance. The flames grow higher. I can't find the will to flee. I am willing to surrender myself to the fire. Then suddenly, in place of the glowing eyes, there's the silhouette of a man reaching his hand out to me. The need for me to take his hand is so great that I can't resist. Reaching through the flames, I put my hand in his. I feel him pull me up and away to safety.

QPOV

I lead Tia towards a small clearing just inside the tree line, out of view of anyone on the beach. I help her sit gently on a patch of grass; I can see that her dream hasn't left her yet. She's lost in her own pain and anguish in her mind and I don't know what to do. I take my cell phone out and text Sam telling him that she needs him. Then, I pull her into my arms, rocking her gently.

"Tia, talk to me. What's wrong? Tia?" I plead but get no response. Fear grips my soul. I need to know that she's ok.

The noise of running feet tells me that Sam had received my message. He kneels in front of her looking into her face, seeing the blank stare. Tia has shut down for whatever reason and didn't look to be coming out of it soon.

"Carry her over to Uma's. She will know what needs to be done. I'll be over as soon as we clean up from the bonfire." He whispers. I can see the worry and fear that I myself feel on his face. Whatever was coming was not good at all.

I stand, lifting Tia up into my arms. She has yet to say anything or even move. My wolf is becoming frantic. I run as fast as I can without jostling her. I want her to come back to me on her own, not due to some sudden movement or noise that might scare her. Walking up to Uma's, I see the door is already held open and Uma is pointing to Tia's bedroom. I lay her down on her bed smoothing her hair away from her face. Still she shows no response or emotion. I turn to Uma with an unspoken request. She knows how this is affecting both of us. My heart is falling apart but I see that Uma has been crying. She is feeling the same as I am. I can't stand to look in her eyes because they confirm my worries about Tia's dream.

"Her trial has come. She will have to fight through this on her own Quil. There is nothing that you or I can do to help her. The most important thing that you can do for Tia is to stay by her side. You are her rock, her center. She will need you more than ever when she comes back to us. For now, she needs to rest. This type of dream drains you physically, emotionally and spiritually. Tuck her into bed and hold her. She needs you."

She lowers her face in sadness and walks out of the room. I do as I'm told, carefully pulling the blankets around Tia and pulling her into my arms. Neither of us will be able to sleep until she sees this dream through to its end. Until then, I intend to be by her side and have her in my arms until she is completely out of harm's way.