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

For those of you who have already read Ch 16, I have to apologize. I had to edit the very last paragraph of that chapter. I wasn't aware the distance of the trip between La Push and Las Vegas, but that is fixed now. :/

Many thanks to those of you who left me reviews! Your comments make me happy!

Chapter 17

Third Person POV

The drive from La Push to Las Vegas was long and thankfully, uneventful. Quil and Sam took turns driving. Whoever wasn't behind the wheel was in the back with Tia, who was still lost in her own mind. About halfway through the trip, Quil noticed that Tia had fallen asleep, most likely due to exhaustion. She had been asleep for about an hour when the whimpering started. It was a very quiet noise but not so much that Sam and Quil didn't notice. Quil was positive that she was revisiting the dream that had sent her to this dark place. Sam, watching Quil through the rearview mirror, could see the helplessness that Quil felt. Until Tia came out of this daze, there was nothing that anyone could do.

Emily had called ahead to book a hotel near the police department which would make their visits to the investigators a bit easier. When they finally arrived, it was mid afternoon. They took turns unloading the car while the other stayed with Tia in the room. Tia sat staring at the tv as Sam and Quil quietly discussed their plan for Tuesday. Tia had to at least make an appearance at the police department to show the investigators that she wasn't capable at that time to be of any help. . Quil was going to stay with Tia while Sam took care of the errands and wait for the investigator to call with the findings from the autopsy report. Sam intended to identify Jemilla's body at the morgue. There was absolutely no reason to put Tia through something like that. Sam also knew that he would most likely have to visit the crime scene at the apartment, but given that he had never visited them while they lived in Vegas, he wasn't going to be of much help. After that, all that remained was planning the funeral which comparatively, would not take too long nor be difficult.

TPOV

The mists surround me as I continue to walk through the forest, only now the night animals were quiet. I am terrified but I feel a strong arm around my waist. I cling to that arm as if it were my savior, knowing that it would protect me from whatever may come. In less than a second, I find myself once again in my old apartment, the screaming starts and I can hear someone hitting something repeatedly. I run into the hallway. I know that she's in there. I have to get to her. I have to save her. As I run towards the living room, the hallway becomes longer. I can't reach the end. My fear and anxiety escalates as I try to reach her. I have to save her. I have to help. Tears fall down my face as I run and run…

Then, the mists surround me as I continue to walk through the forest, only the night animals…

SPOV

After settling into the room, I make a quick call to Emily to let her know that we had arrived. She tells me that she had spoken to Uma about Tia. Uma believes that it could be a long while before Tia comes back to us. Recovering from something as traumatic as this dream is difficult for the dreamer. Tia could be very well trying to figure out how to change the outcome of the dream which isn't possible. A dreamer cannot change the dream. Uma and Old Quil had talked about how this situation would impact Quil and Tia after the funeral. If Quil was made to go back to school without Tia, he could very well shut down himself which could ruin his academic record. It could also be a month or two before Tia is ready to return herself. They made the decision to enroll both of them in an online school that would be flexible enough for both Quil and Tia to complete their studies. Emily, Quil Sr. and Uma were planning on talking to the school's counselor on Tuesday to get this arranged. My fiancée has always been able to see straight through any problem to find a solution and she has done so yet again. The reality of the investigation and impending funeral would soon pass, but Quil and Tia's futures hung in the balance. They are both good kids with a lot of potential. It's important that we see that they don't lose their future happiness due to this ugly bump in the road.

I notice that Quil has curled up on the bed with Tia and that they are both asleep. His love for her is so very evident at this moment. Occasionally, Tia would whimper and even deep in sleep, Quil automatically would pull her in closer to his chest. The Great Spirit definitely knew what he was doing when he paired them.

Since it's not quite 5 pm, I decide to call the number that Charlie gave me for the investigator on this case. I need to set up an appointment with him so that we can go over the case. I also explain Tia's current state so that he can make his own assessment of her competency at our meeting. I plan to convince him that she does not need to view her mother's body nor visit the crime scene. Doing so could push her over the edge.

Once I had made my two phone calls, I flip through the hotel's local attractions booklet to find a restaurant that would deliver. We didn't really stop to eat on the trip down so we all need something more substantial that drive through food. Ordering for Quil and me was easy but I had to consider what we could get Tia to eat. Come to think of it, I don't think she has really eaten much of anything since yesterday morning. She's already a tiny thing so she definitely needs to eat so that she doesn't end up in the hospital from starvation or dehydration. I finish the order and wait for the front desk to call back saying that our delivery had arrived.

QPOV

I wake to the feeling of someone nudging my shoulder. I open my eyes to see Sam standing over me and Tia.

"Quil, wake up and eat something. You have to be starving." He said.

In reality, I wasn't. My wolf was still in panic mode and could care less about food, but Sam is right. I won't be any help if I don't take care of myself. I sit up to see that Sam has ordered Chinese in large quantities. He knew me too well. I love Chinese food.

Turning, I gently wake Tia. Her eyes open but she continues to stare off into nothing. She doesn't look at me at all. I sigh. I can't wait to see her smile again.

"Tia, honey, you need to sit up and eat something for me. Will you please?" I ask but I'm not sure that she will, but she sits up turning towards the tv that she had been watching before she nodded off. I fix her a plate of food with a little bit of everything in the hopes that something would tempt her. I hand her a fork and watch as she manages to eat a couple of bites before she pushed the plate away. I hand her a bottle of water. She does drink most of the bottle which is a good sign. She is at least functioning enough that she realizes that she has to eat and drink. Hope rises a bit more in my heart. My Tia will make it through this mess.

I sat down next to her on the bed with my food. She had curled up on the pillow next to me. After I settled myself, Tia scooted closer to me so that we were touching at least in some manner. I took this as another good sign. Someday soon, she will be back to her old self.

Sam talks to me about our meeting tomorrow morning with the investigator as well as grandfather and Uma's decision concerning our schooling. As much as I don't care for online schooling, I can see their reasoning. Doing a bit of calculations in my head, there's even the possibility that both of us could graduate early since we would be able to continue straight through our studies at our own pace. As long as all of our required courses were completed, the school wouldn't have a problem with letting us finish up earlier than our peers. This plan also allowed me to stay with Tia until she's recovered. There is no way that I would allow us to be separated until she has. She needs me. I sit my plate down on the bed in front of me so that I can stroke her arm, her hair, as she sleeps. She loves my touch and I know it helps calm her. After I finish eating, I get up to throw away my plate and get another drink. I go back to my spot on the bed beside her and allow the tv to drag me away from reality with sitcoms and sports talk for a while. Exhaustion, both emotional and physical, finally overtakes me as I fall back asleep.

Third Person POV

Tuesday morning, they get up early to get ready for our 9 o'clock meeting with the investigator. Getting Tia dressed had been a challenge as Sam didn't feel comfortable helping her so Quil had to get past his own shyness to stay with her in the bathroom holding her clothes. He stepped out of the bathroom having turned a deep shade of red to give her a couple of minutes of privacy. Walking out to the car, they talk about getting some breakfast. Choosing a small diner tucked in next to the police department, they choose a booth in the back, order and wait for their food.

SPOV

Stirring some cream into my coffee, I let my mind move past this week, beyond the morgue, investigation and funeral. We need a plan on how to help Tia come back to us when we return to the Reservation.

"Quil, have you given any thought to how we need to handle things when we get back home?" Normally, I would just make a decision when it involved one of the Pack but this time, I had to consider Tia and her well being which directly impacted Quil. He needed to make this decision for his imprint.

Quil glanced at Tia. She had eaten and drank a bit but not enough. He's worried about her physical health. He looks back at me with concern in his eyes. "I hadn't thought about it too much. Honestly, everything has happened so fast these past couple of days that I feel like I'm reeling. However, there is my cabin just off of First Beach." He said. He had inherited the cabin when his grandfather finally accepted the fact that he would not be moving back out on his own due to his poor health. It hadn't been in use for a couple of years but it could be made ready easily enough.

"I'll call Uma after we get back from our appointment with the investigator. We need to let her and Old Quil talk this through before a final decision is made." Quil nods his head in agreement.

We finished our breakfast and our appointment was only 15 minutes away. We paid our bill as we readied ourselves to visit the investigator.

Walking into the police station, I could tell that Tia was getting even more anxious. Quil held her hand for support but she appeared to be standing even closer to him, whether consciously doing so or not. Her heart rate had also sped up. We take the offered seats as we meet Officer Harding in his office. After making introductions and explaining our individual connections to Tia, the investigator went to work.

The officer shuffled some papers to pull out Jemilla's file and cleared his throat. He opened the file and looked at Tia to deliver the news. I had explained Tia's state to him when we set up this meeting.

"Ms. Walker, are you aware of what happened to your mother?" he asks gently to gauge her reaction.

Tia was sitting next to Quil, who still held her hand. She squeezed Quil's hand but she did not reply to the officer's question. He tried another tactic.

"Ms. Walker, do you know a man by the name of Jim Nelson?"

This time, she responded a bit more. Quil and I could tell that her heart rate jumped even more at the mention of him. She also gripped the chair and Quil's hand to the point of being white knuckled. However, she did not reply verbally to the questions.

"Mr. Ateara, why don't you take Ms. Walker to the lounge? If you turn toright as you come to the main hall, it's the third door on the left. Mr. Uley will come find you when we've finished our discussion." Quil stood, bringing Tia up with him and headed out the door. He was thankful for the reprieve. He was positive that Tia would not have handled listening to their conversation. He pulled Tia to the lounge and bought them both drinks. Once seated, he pulled out the MP3 player and allowed the music to calm them both down.

Watching Tia and Quil leave, I felt the tension in my shoulders ease a tiny amount. I was seriously worried about how Tia was going to handle this meeting. I am thankful for Officer Harding's tact as well as Quil's ability to help her. I turn back to the officer so that we can continue.

"Mr. Uley, I see that your assessment of Ms. Walker is quite accurate. She is not in an emotional state that would allow her to deal with this investigation." He laid Jemilla's file open on the desk in front of him.

"To get straight to it, the autopsy report shows that there was evidence of drug use in her system, both cocaine and marijuana. However, the cause of her death was blunt force trauma, mainly on her head and back. There's sufficient evidence on the scene to be able to arrest Jim Nelson. However, we have to find him first. His arrest history is a long one, domestic violence, assault and possession with the intent to sell. He has one outstanding warrant for assault prior to Jemilla Walker's death. If we can catch him this time, we can get him off of the street for a very long time." He wipes his hand over his jaw as he explained. "Nelson is a slippery one. I've worked on a couple of his cases before and he has always managed to elude us. Would you be willing to take a look at the crime scene with me to see if you see anything out of place that we should know about?"

Thinking to myself about his request, I already know my answer. I would like very much to see if I can catch his scent. "Yeah, I can. I'll just need to get Quil and Tia back to the hotel first. Can you give me about a half hour?"

Officer Harding agrees. "Of course, I'll gather what I need to head over there while you take care of them. If you could come back here, we can drive over to the apartment in my cruiser. We can stop by the morgue afterwards to get that over with." He stands showing me that I can go to the lounge. I get up and shake his hand in agreement. I walk down to the lounge, collect Tia and Quil and go back to our car.

Unknown POV

Waiting and watching from my car, I finally see them leave the station. It's about time. I'm getting tired of waiting. It's been too long. It's time for this to end. I will get what is mine. She is mine.

I watch as their car pulls out of the parking lot. Trailing at a safe distance, I follow them to their hotel. Soon, very soon…

QPOV

Driving back to the hotel was tense. Sam's shoulders were set in protective mode. His brow was pensive. I could tell by the look on his face that he was planning something.

I led Tia out of the car when we arrived. She still held on to me very tightly but her heart rate had slowed down. She has gone from terrified to scared. I hated the fact that the mere mention of that scum bag's name made her feel this way. I hated the fact that I couldn't get my hands on him like I wanted to. I hated the fact that all I could do to reassure that she was safe, was hold her. My frustration level goes through the roof, which means I don't feel like I'm in control of myself. I'm distracted and anxious.

In our room and after I get Tia situated, Sam pulls me aside to tell me that he was going to visit the apartment and the morgue. He said that he would be back by lunch time. He can see my anxiety and puts his hand on my shoulder. "We're almost through this Quil. Just a little while longer and then we'll take her home." I nodded in reply as he heads back out the door.

I turn on the tv, sit down on the bed and pull Tia to my chest. She snuggles into my neck as I hold her tight. All I wanted was to have her back. All I needed was her.

Third Person POV

Biding my time as I watch from the parking lot, I notice the big one getting back in his car. I follow him back to the station. He enters and then immediately comes back out with one of the officers, getting into a cruiser. Looks like he will be gone for a while, I head back to the hotel. The right moment will present itself. I will soon have what is mine.

SPOV

The apartment's living room looks like a war zone. There was blood all over the couch, coffee table and floor. Lamps had been knocked over. Drinks spilled. I could see that the scuffle had started in the kitchen and then finished in the living room just in front of the couch. The pool of blood in the carpet was where Jemilla had died. I closed my eyes at the finality of this scene. I didn't have many people that I call family, even if they weren't my blood relations. Officer Harding says that there's a very good chance that forensics will be able to find Nelson's fingerprints here which will make closing this case quicker once he is located. Discreetly sniffing the air in the apartment, I can easily detect Jemilla and Tia's scent. The smell of the drugs in the living room is a bit overwhelming for me. There is, however, another scent that I'm willing to bet is Jim Nelson's. Filing that away for future reference, we finish walking through the crime scene and get back in the cruiser.

Identifying the body did not take long. I walked with Officer Harding down to body storage and watch as the mortician pulls out the body that I have to identify. As expected, I see Jemilla's blank eyes staring at me. I let the officer know that this is indeed Jemilla Walker and he makes some notes in his paperwork. While he's writing, I scan her face and neck, seeing the massive bruising that took her life. Even though I know that Jemilla won't be able to hear my words, I close my eyes as I stand next to her, promising that I will make sure that Tia has a peaceful and happy life. I owe her that much. Sighing, I open my eyes and turn to the officer. Harding explained that there was a possibility that he would need to speak to us again and gave me his direct contact information for whenever Tia was ready to talk about Jim Nelson. All that remained was funeral arrangements which could be done mostly by phone. I would take care of those once back at the hotel.

QPOV

Tia had relaxed a bit, lying on my chest watching tv with me, but it's obvious that the meeting with Harding had upset her. She felt restless in my arms. I look over to the bedside table for her MP3 player. It wasn't there! Crap, I left it the car. I call Sam's cell to find out that he is on his way back. We talk about needing to pick up lunch. He asks me to decide on what to get and he would go pick it up as soon as he gets here. I walk over to the table to look at the restaurants list. There's a sub shop not far from our hotel so I call in our order. Sam walks into the room asking me for directions to pick up our food. He writes down the name and address and heads back out the door. I follow him outside for just a moment so I can grab the MP3.

ThirdPersonPOV

Both of the men are walking out to their car. Now's my chance. I slip through the exterior door as they walk towards the parking lot. I had called the front desk earlier asking for Sam Uley's room number. She had foolishly enough given me enough information about Tia's new friends. A little bit of sweet talking to the receptionist had guaranteed that I knew exactly where I needed to go. I head towards to room and find that the door hadn't closed completely behind them as they left. Quietly slipping into the room, I see her lying on the bed but not asleep. It's like she has been waiting for me. Perfect… I walk quickly to her side of the bed putting my knife to her throat. "I told you that you are mine." Pulling my knife out and bringing it up to her throat, I whisper. "Now don't scream or I'll send you to see your slut of a mother." I trail the tip of the knife down her throat towards her chest, her eyes are as big as saucers but she doesn't make a sound. I grab her arm starting to pull her off of the bed. Since their room is so close to the exterior door, I can easily take her out the exit and throw her in my car. Once I had her at my new place, I would have plenty of time to take her as I please. I was salivating at the thought of her naked beneath me. Tonight was going to be very enjoyable.

QPOV

We are almost at the car when Sam's head snaps up. A breeze had kicked up and he had caught a scent. He screams "NO!" and starts running across the lot back to our room. I follow just one step behind him. We bust through the outside door to see that the door to our room stood open. I can feel extreme fear radiating from Tia. We run into the room to see him. He had his hands on her and a knife at her chest. My shaking starts immediately. MINE! KILL! MINE! PROTECT!

"Quil, stand down!" Sam whispers as he lunges halfway across the room before Jim even realizes that we're there. A huge fist smashes into the side of the scum bag's head knocking him across the room and away from Tia. His knife crashes into the wall due to the force of the blow and he lands on the other side of the room slumping to the floor unconscious.

I run to Tia's side to find her shaking. I pull her into my arms making calming noises and stroking her hair. I rock back and forth with her for my sake as much as hers. I have to breathe. I have to calm down. I can't let myself look at that bastard. If I do, I will kill him. How dare he touch her! I'm still breathing heavily as I try to show my wolf that Tia is safe again.

Sam picks up the knife, calls 911 for the police and then contacts the front desk to tell them what had happened. Due to our proximity to the police department, they arrive very quickly. We soon find our room filled with a half dozen police officers asking questions and cuffing the unconscious Nelson. Officer Harding walks in and takes a good look at the cuffed man before he is taken out to a police car.

"Uley, looks like this case is going to close faster than I had thought. I'll make sure that he doesn't see the light of day for a good long while. You can bet on that." He looks at Tia shivering in fear in my arms. "Take her home. She needs to be with her family. I'll give you a call when he's been processed and charges have been set."

Finally, we find ourselves standing in the now silent room but our minds are far from quiet. Both of our wolves are screaming for a release that we can't allow.

"Quil, pack up. We're going out of here. I can have Emily or Uma take care of the funeral arrangements. We need to get Tia back home where she belongs." He closes his eyes trying to wipe the scene of Nelson with his hands on Tia from his mind…if only that was possible.

I will remember the feel of her fear in that moment for quite some time. I could have lost her. I have no plans whatsoever in letting her out of my sight or arms for the foreseeable future. Nothing will ever harm her again if I can help it. I look up at Sam understanding his need to get out of this hotel. "Yeah, let's go home."