A/N- So Paul needed a say, since he's the favourite and all. Half Way Rachel POV comes in
Chapter 4
Paul's POV.
They were asleep when mum walked in, even Rachel, she'd fallen asleep on the lounge while I was in the shower so I figured I'd just let her sleep till we needed to head down to the beach. I grabbed the bags out of mum's hands as she noticed them all sleeping and a smile grew on her face as she followed me in.
"She's so amazing with the kids and their always happy around her, I know it's only been just over a week but I want to keep her forever" Mum mused as she packed away the groceries. "I heard from Wanda at work that youse all had a trip to the park today, she went to get us all lunch, she said you and Rachel looked pretty comfortable cuddling on a blanket" Her smile was far from invisible.
"Wanda is pretty much blind mum and we weren't cuddling, we were sitting next to each other" I defended as I chucked a frozen dinner in the freezer.
"Uh-huh, sharing ice cream and all" She smirked and I frowned.
"I was still hungry after mine, why are you smiling like that" I said, annoyed at the satisfied smirk on her face.
"No reason, liking the babysitter's normal" She shrugged and I narrowed my eyes at her.
"She's not my baby sitter and I don't like her, she's just another girl" I brushed off and my mother's eyes turned angry.
"Paul James Foster, no girl is just another girl, especially Rachel Black, I want you to be careful with her, her father said she had a hard time in college, she doesn't need any more hurt" She said, hands on her hips.
"You think I'd hurt her" I said, equally angry now and my mother's face softened instantly as she looked past me. I looked over my shoulder and Rachel was standing in the doorway to the kitchen, her arms folded across her chest loosely.
"My dad's just being protective, I can look after myself, I'm far from fragile" She said, a hard look on her face.
"We weren't saying you weren't strong Rach, I was just..." Mum began and Rachel shook her head.
"I know, I know, it's just, dad doesn't know the whole story so he thinks I'll break, but I won't and I don't want people treating me like I will, I'm gunna go get ready for the bon fire then I'll be down to help get packed to go" She said before giving us a small smile and walking up the stairs. So she'd been hurt by the person she befriended, I don't know how they hurt her but I'll find out. Mum said she doesn't know anything just that Billy was worried, did Jacob know. I had patrol with him tonight, I could scan his thoughts, see if there's any connection to Rachel.
An hour later I was packing stuff in the back of my truck, Rachel helping. I was grabbing all the heavy stuff until I felt her eyes on me and looked over.
"I can pick up heavy stuff Paul" She said, a slight annoyance to her voice.
"So do it" I shrugged and she glared over at me before picking up a chair to put in the back. Not watching where she was going her foot slammed straight into the gas bottle and she cursed, dropping the chair.
"Shit, shit, shit" She gasped as I hurried over, I grabbed her arm as she hopped to help her balance and her hand shoved my chest away. "Don't" She hissed.
"You hit it hard, just let me have a damn look" I growled and swooped her in my arms, despite her protests and placed her on the back of the truck.
"I'm fine" She said through her teeth and I ignored her hands on my shoulders, trying to push me away.
"Doesn't hurt to look" I responded, grabbing her ankle and pulling off the sandal she had on before studying the swollen toe. "It's bruising pretty fast" I mumbled as it went a purple colour. "You might have broken or fractured it" I said and looked up to meet her eyes staring at me. "What" I asked and she blinked, shaking her head.
"Broken toes have to heal on their own anyway" She shrugged and I lowered her foot and before she could move I stepped in between her legs, putting my hands on either side of her, resting them on the truck so I could look her in the eyes without her running.
"Who hurt you" I said and her eyes looked anywhere but at mine. "Rachel, tell me" I said, anxious now and I saw her wince.
"We'll be late for the bon fire" She murmured before I stepped back and let her slide off and walk inside. I looked to the kitchen window and saw mum looking out with a worried expression. Sighing, I chucked the last of the stuff in the back before shutting the truck and we were on our way, the boys with me and all the girls in Rachel's car. Soon enough we pulled up at the beach and everyone was there, the guys coming up and helping me load stuff out of the car while mum followed the kids who raced off down the beach. Rachel was getting Amy out and Jacob went over to her. I heard him asking her was she alright and she nodded, her eyes meeting mine before she went down to see Emily and Kim.
I watched her throughout the night, even when we were playing footy before Billy told the legends and she had a smile on her face, relaxed now, or faking being alright. Her eyes every so often would search around for me and as soon as she'd found me they'd lose interest again, drift off to whoever was speaking. Rounding it up we did one last fire check to make sure it would stay strong before getting seated around Billy, ready to hear the legends. Everyone had heard them a thousand times before but we all still listened closely, maybe to make sure we never missed any piece of the story, especially because we were the legends. The person into it the most was Rachel, her eyes never leaving her father's hands as he described something or his eyes as he looked around at us all, reliving the legend as he spoke. Riley was passed out in my lap and Alex was with Rachel, his hand tucked away in hers, lucky kid. Amy was in mum's arms and Claire was in Quil's, of course. I couldn't believe it when Sam had told me that Quil imprinted on a two year old but we were all just use to it now I guess. As Billy was nearing the end of the legends Jake caught my gaze across from where I was sitting. He nodded and I nodded back, sliding Riley on the blanket next to me before standing up. No one else paid any attention, except Rachel.
"Just gotta get my bag out of the truck, I'll meet you out the back of Sam's" I murmured to Jake and he nodded before walking off. I was in the truck, searching the glove compartment when I heard footsteps.
"I said I'd meet you there" I said, annoyed Black wanted to follow me around.
"Who" The voice answered and I got up and turned to find a Black but not the one I thought it was.
"Rachel, what are you doing here" I asked and she folded her arms.
"I could ask you the same thing" She shot back and I sighed.
"Look just go back to the fire, I'll see you later" I said, shutting the door and went to walk but she stepped in front of me.
"Don't tell me what to do, where are you going" She asked, her eyes burning with curiosity.
"Just...away" I said, I couldn't exactly tell her I was running patrol with her little brother to look out for blood sucking vampires. I walked past her and she followed me, of course.
"Your just gunna try sneak off to go to find another one nighter" she asked, her voice harsh. I spun around and chucked her my keys.
"There, take the keys, see I can't go anywhere" I said and she glared, good catch though, quick reflexes.
"Her house could be in walking distance and you have a bag, you think I'm that stupid" She snapped and I sighed.
"Why would I go to pick up some girl when the one I wants standing right in front of me, I'll be back soon Rach, just go okay" I said and stormed off, leaving her standing there shocked I'm guessing. How the hell does she make me say that, stupid girl. I was almost at Sam's when my phone vibrated. I pulled it out and saw the message was from Jessica Stanley.
Hey big boy, come to mine tonight, I've got a new outfit I wanna show you ;) xo
I shoved my phone into my bag and continued out to the woods near the back of Sam's. Jake was there already in his wolf form and I chucked my bag next to the tree before stripping down and phasing myself. Now this was great, the earth beneath my feet, the ability to run free wherever I wanted, no one ordering me around. I took the South to North route and Jake took North to South. The tree's blurred past me as Jake raced me to the cross point and the dirt flew up behind me. My muscles stretched as I forced myself to go faster and it was amazing.
We'd been running for about three hours, our patrol nearing an end at midnight when a flash of purple hair and white darted through my path up ahead, the smell of something cold and dead hit my nose and Jake was already heading for me as I let out the alarm howl. The guys would be on their way but until then the bitch was mine. I flung my body and aimed with my nose as my paws pounded the ground, on her heels now, her laughter ringing out around me as I tried to catch her then out of nowhere I was slammed in the side and tumbled off with a tall blonde bloodsucker latched onto me. Her nails slashed across my chest before she jumped up and ran after purple hair. I growled as I jumped up and Jake was now running next to me as we chased them , the other guys only thirty seconds away. The urge to rip them apart flashed in my eyes as we ran.
End of Paul's POV
Rachel's POV.
I was watching one of the late night movies, well I had the TV on but really I was thinking about what Paul said, he had to be with a girl right now, he had a bag and what else does a guy do out all night alone. I realised that Jake had left with him when I heard Embry and Quil gossiping like girls about it but I doubt Jake was off mucking around with a girl from the bar, I had heard he had a crush on this Bella Swan girl we use to hang around with as kids. She was the quiet type which was the opposite of us kids but she still played dolls with Rebecca while Jake and I played football or something along those lines of sports. I was debating with myself whether to go to bed or not when my phone began vibrating on the coffee table. Who the hell would be calling me now. I answered instantly when I was my brother's name.
"Jake, what's wrong, are you okay" I asked, not taking time for a break in between questions.
"I'm fine, I need you to come to the turn off to La Push from the highway, now" He said and I frowned.
"What's going on" I asked, confused.
"For fuck's sake Rachel, Paul's hurt and I need you to come get him now" He said angrily.
"What! Should I wake up Sarah" I asked and he growled.
"No, just get your car Rach, please" He begged and I hung up, grabbed my keys and sped through La Push as I made my way to the border. When I turned up it was bare, only woods on either side of me. I pulled over to the side of the road, creepy, I thought as I climbed out, leaving the headlights on. "Jake" I called out and then he stalked out of the tree's, his shirt missing with only cut offs on. He pulled me into his arms for a quick greeting and then whistled. Next thing I see is Embry and Quil supporting a limping Paul, all of them shirtless as well. What the fuck, what were they doing half naked in the woods. Paul stepped into the little light that bounced off the moon and I saw the blood on his chest and the cut across his cheek. My eyes widened as they leant him against the car.
"Rach, I want you to drive straight home okay, don't stop for anyone or anything okay, Paul if anything happens to my sister it's your balls" Jake growled over at him and Paul snorted.
"Yeah cause I'd just let anyone hurt her" He grumbled as I looked between them.
"Where are you going, what's going on" I asked and Jake sighed.
"You'll get an explanation tomorrow I promise just get home okay" He said before the three friends ran back into the woods. I turned to face Paul and he looked like he had gotten into a fight with a bear. I could see claw marks now, that ran down his chest and he was breathing hard. I stepped towards him, studying to make sure the cuts weren't deep, should I take him to the hospital. His hand snaked out and grabbed mine as my fingers went to touch the marks. I looked up to meet hi serious green eyes.
"It's okay, let's just go okay" He said and I nodded, he noticed my hand shaking and sighed. I quickly pulled my hand out and opened the door for him, helping as best I could to get him in the car carefully before I ran around the front of the car and jumped in my side. I did a U-turn and began driving home, my eyes flicking over to his face as he closed his eyes and layed his head back against the seat. He didn't look as if he was in much pain, he just look tired and frustrated. "I'm fine" He muttered and I turned back to the road. I was about to suggest just going to get him checked out when something bright caught my vision, cutting in front of the car. I slammed on the breaks and Paul's eyes flew open as his hand grabbed my thigh. The car jolted to a stop and I looked up to see a girl with wild purple hair staring back at me. She was in ripped jeans and a shirt from what I could see. Her mouth was curved in a smile as my eyes travelled up and I gasped when I met the raw red of her eyes bouncing off in the headlights. Paul's hand tightened on my leg as her top lip pulled back into a fang showing smile before her head whipped to the left and she took off, three bear sized wolves flew across the road and into the woods after her. Was I going crazy I thought as my heart pounded in my chest.
"What, what" I said, shaking my head, even more confused and shocked than when I first saw Paul.
"Rach, Rachel look at me" Paul's rough voice said and I forced my eyes to turn and meet his. "Your okay, she's gone, I wouldn't have let her hurt you" He said sternly and I nodded, my body on autopilot. "We need to get out of here, do you want me to drive" He asked and I shook my head, still on autopilot I started driving towards home again. Paul's eyes were on alert now, searching the woods and streets around us as we drove, his hand still holding my thigh but rubbing it soothingly now. It was comforting to have even that little touch, I'd probably be unconscious if I had been by myself. We pulled up in the drive way and he looked over at me as my hands gripped the wheel, so hard my knuckles were white.
"What was that, I need an answer now, the rest can wait till morning but what the hell was she and those wolf things" I said and his hand slipped off my thigh, his body turning towards me.
"She was a vampire and those wolves are shape shifters" He said and I took a deep breath, nodded and got out of the car. I think he thought I was gunna walk off because his door flew open but I walked around and helped him out of the car, letting him lean against it as I leaned in the car and grabbed my phone before closing his door quietly.
"Ready" I asked and I felt his eyes on me.
"Rach, baby your shaking" He said and I looked down at my hands. I guess I was. "Come here" He said and grabbed me, pulling me over to him and into his chest. His arms went around me, warm and protectively as I layed my head on his shoulder, my hands gripping his sides tightly. I hadn't had a hug like this in a long time and it felt amazing, the shaking slowing down and stopping as his chin rested on top of my head. "It'll make sense soon" He whispered and I nodded, pulling back.
"We better get you inside" I said and helped him inside, his arm over my shoulder as I tried to support him as best I could. He already seemed better. Once I got him inside I put him on the lounge and went to the bathroom and grabbed a bandage and a bowl of warm water with a wet cloth. I came back and wiped away the blood before bandaging up the scratches across his chest that were already healing. The cut on his face was barely visible as I wiped away the dry blood and then when he was all fixed up I grabbed a blanket for him out of the linen cupboard. I chucked it over him and he grabbed my arms as I went to straighten up. His hand grabbed the back of my head and pulled me towards him. Then our lips connected, it was short and sweet but my stomach exploded into a million butterflies. When he released me he had a huge smile on his face.
"Thank you" He said and I nodded before going upstairs and crawling into my bed. Wow.
A/N- Soooo did you like it?
E.x