xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Music:

Hey Brother - Avicii

Have I told you lately that I love you – Rod Steward / Van Morrison

Exogenesis: Symphony part III – Muse

Healing Power: Sangye Menhla – Gloria (from a CD titled: Beyond Buddhist & Christian prayers)

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx

Chapter 11: Sam – Healing gift

I decided to walk home, to not phase. My mind was buzzing, like an old computer, trying to process a ton of information. Since becoming a werewolf I had a lot to think about, over 18 months worth of stuff. But, I'm limiting it to the past month. All those kids phasing, I was glad to have Jared and Paul. They were so experienced now and imprinting had turned out well for them. We were relieved the threat was over, for a while at least.

It had been stressful, not just for me, but for Emily as well. She didn't mind the extra mouths to feed, though it got cramped. No, thinking of the possibility of us dying, that worried her a lot. She fussed over us more, keeping us close. The moments of privacy were intimate, holding, touching each other as much as possible. I focused on her fully. With Leah no longer sharing my mind, things were easier between us. Of course I missed Lee, but I knew she was happier, with Jake's pack.

Emily's stress also effected her physically. Her monthly periods had been irregular. Hmpf, not an easy subject for a guy to think about. But hey, with super sense of smell and our bond, it was hard not to miss it. It started after the pack split up, that caused a lot of tension, with a hybrid baby in the mix. She wasn't feeling right. Not sick, just off. Switching birth control methods, I decided to use precautions too. We weren't ready for a baby, yet. With everything going on and we had yet to get married.

Anyway, right now, I'm thinking about how this day turned out to be so different, than I ever expected. I pretty much knew the outcome of the meeting, but I wouldn't let it go down easy. I wanted to make a point. Everyone thought I exaggerated with the whole going as wolves thing, but I had my reasons. Sure, it was just one girl, but it wasn't because of her. Control was the key word, over the pups, prevent them from doing something stupid. As it turns out, they were not the problem. No, it's my third in command, that has to pull a stunt.

And then, this girl, this weird vampire, pleads with me on his behalf! Later she even takes my side, against Embry, who turns out to be my half-brother! Yeah, that took some convincing, telling me about scents wasn't enough. But the things she said made sense. – Jeez! Listen to yourself! Trusting a vampire, again, who would have thought that a year ago? Not me! A life changing day, and it wasn't even over yet.

Now, her offer, her gift. I believed Edward, though I would like some more proof. Hmm, maybe I could call Charlie, surely he'd be involved with that stabbing incident. I liked him, an all around good guy. Sighing, I wondered where to start when I got home. Emily would ask me about the meeting. Three quarters of the way I noticed Jared, waiting for me. "Hey!" – "Hey," he greeted me back. "So, what did she want?" – Straight to the point. He's probably dying of curiosity.

"Bella wanted to know if I'd allow the girl to do something for me," I answered. "Like what?" he all but demanded. "She wants to try to heal Emily," I stated, still having doubts. "Oh, really, she can do that, he reacted, surprised, "take the scars away?" "Wait, he continued, that would mean her touching Em." I nodded, he had reservations too. "What did you say?" – "I said I wasn't sure, I replied, the girl has little experience with scars." And conscious people." Also I want it to be Emily's decision, it's her body." A thoughtful look appeared on Jared's face. "How did they react to that?"

Oh, now to drop the bomb. "The vamps were okay with that, I explained, Edward even provided more proof, telling me about an incident at the hospital." They understood." He opened his mouth to ask another question. I cut him off; "We started to leave and Embry commented on my lack of trust." His eyebrows shot up. "And the girl, May, defended me, revealing he was my brother." He was bursting; "What?!" Really?" How?" I repeated her explanation in full.

He shook his head. "She's so weird! He sighed. "But, honestly, I suspected it as much. We all did." Now I cocked an eyebrow in surprise. "Hey, we've thought about it, he said. "Things she said, they've been in my head too. "And I couldn't imagine Billy cheating on Sarah. "He's always been devoted to her. "Everybody talked about that. "Like they imprinted." –

Hmm, good point, making sense. – "So, he added, what are your feelings about it? Are you happy?" I gave him a genuine smile. "Yes, I replied, I'm happy I have a brother. "My family has been small, especially before the wolf-thing." I paused for a moment. "I don't really care about my father cheating, I continued, he lost my respect a long time ago, when he left." Jared nodded.

What to do now? I really wanted to speak to Charlie before Emily. I needed a phone. Damn, why didn't I bring mine. But Jared knew me well and seemed to read me like an open book. "Here, you want to call Charlie, right?" he said while handing me his. I took it and looked for the number in the directory. It rang three times before he picked up. "Hello, Swan residence, he said, sounding tired, this is Charlie." - "Hello Charlie, Sam here, how are you?" I asked. He sighed; "Hay Sam, alright, been busy at work, lots of paperwork." How are you, everything alright?" – "Yes, I'm fine, thank you, everybody's fine," I replied.

"I heard about a stabbing case at the hospital…" It was quiet. "Yeah, that's what kept me busy these last few days, he said. "Hmm, news spreads fast. "I can tell you the basics and probably some more." He seemed relieved to be able to vent.

"The victim was a US marshal off duty. "After a night out drinking, a bit, he spotted a wanted felon. "He followed him in his car to a house somewhere between Port Angeles and Forks. "There he decided to apprehend him, on his own. "Stupid fool! Charlie grumbled, he has a family! "Then he got stabbed in the chest. "Luckily he did call for back up. "They rushed him here just in time." Another sigh escaped him.

"Carlisle saved him, all alone, he huffed sceptically, "at least, that's the story." He paused. "You didn't believe that?" I asked him, trying to keep him going. "He has excellent skills." – "Well, that's true, but still, he continued, there was so much blood." And then, there was that girl, his guest… "You know, she's like the Cullens. "She was outside the treatment room at first and then suddenly disappeared." – Charlie was very observant, even for a human cop.

"When she got back, he added, she smelled like disinfectant soap and I noticed some tiny blood spatters on her shirt." – Wow, even to him she must seem different, for him to check her like that. – "You think she was the real hero?" I had to ask. "Hmm, I don't know, maybe, he replied, she at least helped, in some way." I'm pretty sure of that." –

Liking the sound of that. Just a little bit more. – "What impression did she give you? I inquired. "I've been introduced to her. "She's called Timmain." - "She must be a good person, he answered, skilled, to be helping Carlisle." Kind and gentle, that's my impression." "I'm happy to hear that, I said relieved, I got the same." – I wished him a peaceful Sunday and ended the call.

"You feel more at ease now?" Jared asked while pocketing his phone. - "Yeah, Charlie's a good independent source." I felt comfortable enough to talk to Emily now. "I'm going to talk to my fiancée now, I told him, "I'll call you later." "Alright, he replied, don't forget about Embry and Seth's party." We've been invited." - Oh, forgot about that completely. Glad he reminded me. Wouldn't want to miss my own brother's birthday now. Last bit of fun for most of the guys. Tomorrow it's back to school. – "Thanks for reminding me, I said. "See you soon, all of you, I added. "Remind them not to waste time getting ready." I gave him a stern look. He nodded and we parted ways.

Near the house I smelled pancakes and muffins. My love just couldn't stop cooking when she was home. She too probably forgot about the party at the Cullens. The boys wouldn't come by to eat. As I opened the door a gust of wind made her hair move. Lovely! I inhaled deep, all the amazing scents, especially hers. "Hey, you're back," she said with her sweet voice. "How did the meeting go?" I moved in behind her and showered her with little kisses on her neck. "Hmm, good, we're allowing her to stay, I answered. "With some rules in place of course." – There was a moment of silence before she spoke. The tone of her voice suggested she heard something in mine.

"You still have doubts? She questioned. "They weren't able to convince you fully?" She turned around to face me and stopped cooking. "Well, I responded, I'm 99% sure she's no danger, but there's something else." Hearing her heart rate go up, I reassured her. "Don't worry, it's nothing bad. "Half of it is really good actually, the other half you have to decide about." – "What do you mean? She asked. "Tell me!" –

I couldn't refuse her and wouldn't. I gave her a summary of the actual meeting, up to Bella's request. Then I paused for a reaction. Of course her warm personality shone thru. Me smiling was a natural response. "Wow, she's something else, Em exclaimed, I heard stuff from the boys." They weren't exaggerating." She grinned crooked. My face fell, after all this time, it still pained me.

Seeing that, she raised her left hand and stroked my cheek softly. "Now tell me the rest, she instructed, because I have something to talk about too." I cocked an eyebrow, wondering what it might be. Okay, let's get it over with on my part. First I told her about the whole deal with Embry being my brother. She reacted like I expected, overjoyed. She'd been thinking about it too and wasn't to shocked. - Argh, maybe the girl, ehm May, was right. - I have to get used to using her nickname. - We weren't that observant. - Emily immediately wanted to go on to her topic, but I stopped her.

"I skipped over Bella's request, I said, it involves the girl, May." She got serious and listened intently. "Have you heard about her gift?" – "No," she replied, shaking her head. "Well, she actually has two, I continued, but that doesn't matter." The one that does is 'healing', she can heal injuries thru touch, massaging." – "Really? She said in reaction. "That's amazing and unusual for a vampire, right?"

I nodded and told her about the injured marshal. "So, she asked curiously, what has that to do with us, or me?" Gently I grazed the scars on her face. From her hair to her chin. Then my hand went down her covered arm before I took her hand. She understood immediately, her eyes widening, breathing a bit faster too. "She can do that? She whispered emotionally, "make them go away?"

"Honestly, she isn't sure about that, I answered. "She believes she can smooth them over at least." So, the muscles move easier." Pausing a moment I checked her response. Reflecting my action Em asked; "That's the cause of your doubts, isn't it? "Her coming near me maybe and touching me." – I sighed, she saw right thru me, knew me so well. I nodded; "Yes, she has little experience with scars and conscious patients." She, we, aren't sure how it will feel for you." It might hurt, though she doesn't think so." –

A thoughtful crease appeared between her eyebrows. "But, are you willing to let her try?" she inquired. "You'll be there to monitor her, right?" – She worried about me?! "Yes, I replied, of course I'll be there, among others. "But the real question is; are you willing to let her touch you? "Their skin is so hard and cold."

Emily shook her head in disbelief. "You know I know that, hmm," she said scowling adorably. "I've touched Bella, she's my friend. "I have no problems with their skin." She smirked. - Haven't seen that much. – "I'm no werewolf with an aversion to vampires!"

Now I was shaking my head in disbelief. My fearless woman. "So, does that mean you're open to it? I asked. "You'd like her to try?" – She smiled as wide as she could. It looked painful. "Yes, she said happily, I want you to finally stop thinking about them." And, I want to look my best at our wedding." Huh? My eyes widened.

"That's my topic silly! She beamed at me. "I want to pick a date, finally, now things calmed down." She snapped her fingers in front of my face. "Oh, I muttered, sure." She sighed, frustrated with my lame response. "If that's all you're going to say, Samuel Uley," she stated, than I'm deciding on everything." I pulled her close, arms around her waist. Kissing her forehead first, I continued to capture her lips. I poured all my love into it until she needed to breathe. She moaned a little in content. Little things like that always made me happy.

"Oh, I'll leave most of it to you, I tell her. "I only want to look smart and handsome." We've already talked about what we wanted of course. It was going to be a mix between traditional black and white, Quileute and Makah. "Nothing to fringy and leathery, I added, and don't let Alice get involved, that's to far in the other direction." She slapped my chest. "You know I'll check the important things with you first, she chided. "And I'm no Bella, no way Alice is in on this!" I kissed her again, briefly this time. "I like it when you get all bossy," I teased her. "Now about the date, I continued, I want it to be as soon as possible, in the spring."

"I was thinking the same thing, she replied, the 7th of April is the day I have in mind." Hoping the weather is nice." Hey, that is something we can ask Alice," she went on. More ideas were gonna come out. I needed to stop her again. So excited! (smiling, again, too) "Easy honey, I said, first today, we have two simultaneous birthday parties to go to." She closed her mouth and nodded. She forgot about them.

"And I want to plan the thing with May before that, I explained. "I was thinking about meeting half way. "With Carlisle there too, to monitor it. "Should be alright." I looked at her for confirmation. "Hmm, that's quick, she said, how long you think a healing will take?" – "I don't know, we'll have to see." But let's get ready first." You shower now, I'll make some calls." We sprung into action.

A little over an hour I, Emily and the pack were walking to the meeting point. I held her hand and glanced over at her often. I could tell she was feeling a little nervous. She wasn't sure what to expect. And I warned her a little about May's weird behaviour. Also she was going to be the centre of attention, not something she really liked. We reached the clearing and from the other side Jake, Embry and the rest arrived too.

They walked on the right, Carlisle, Edward, Bella and Nessie were on the left. In between was May, who's eyes immediately focused on Emily. Straight away she acted weird. The way she was looking at her, like she saw her favourite celebrity idol. Feeling her gaze Em shifted uneasily beside me. She squeezed my hand. May whispered; "The alpha female." Her voice full of wonder.

"May, don't…!" Jake and Leah reprimanded her in unison. Her head flashed in their direction and she looked at them a second. Then she turned back to us. Her eyes landed on Emily again briefly before they went down to the ground. "Sorry, she mumbled, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." Glancing up from behind her eyelashes she continued. "It's just so obvious, they respect you, like they should." – I looked at either side of us. The guys formed a half circle around us, automatically, protective. Though there was no danger, with my imprint among us, they acted instinctively.

Carlisle provided us with two lawn chairs and placed them in between our groups, facing each other. May moved to the one on their side and waited. I guided Emily to the other. They both sat down. May explained what was about to happen. That was good, helped us relax. She scooted a little closer and moved her left hand up slowly.

Checking Emily's reaction, she gently placed her hand over the scars. Her fingertips at the hairline. She started taking deep breaths, for focus probably. Em mirrored her. Closing her eyes half way, she started making slow circles with her hand. A light touch. Time seemed to slow down. I saw nothing else but the hand and their faces. The atmosphere was calm and peaceful. Quiet.

Her hand moved down, revealing the skin underneath millimetre by millimetre. It looked like it was glowing, a little warmer than before. May's forehead creased, if she could sweat, it would be pearling down her face. I stared, my eyes seemed to be deceiving me, the raw ridges were gone. Emily's eye blinked rapidly, free of restrictions. Where the scars once were, now only bright pink lines remained. May had reached her jaw line, she exhaled with force. This wasn't as easy as it looked. She extended her right arm in my direction. We agreed, if she wanted help, she'd reach out. I moved my arm, feeling a bit reluctant to meet hers. But for Emily, my soulmate, I would do anything. Cold stone wrapped around my wrist, lightly, just a touch.

I felt something flow, from me to her. Energy? May had continued to the scars on the arm. She was moving faster now. Was I really helping? It looked like it. A happy feeling washed over me. Undoing what I did, that horrible act, it seemed impossible, but it was happening. I hoped I wasn't dreaming. Suddenly the cold on my arm was gone. May was done.

My eyes went to meet those of my fiancée. She was checking her arm, turning it in amazement. Her mouth popped open as she touched her face. Her head turned towards me, her lips carefully curled up in a perfect smile. She was beaming. Then she went to May, taking one of her hands in both of hers. She was about to say 'thank you', when Nessie appeared with a mirror. With her little face full of wonder, she held it in front of Em.

Again her mouth popped open, when she saw her face, almost looking like it never happened. She could hardly believe it, like we've gone back in time. We both started to thank May. In the back of my mind I was thinking; why was a vampire granted this gift? A blood thirsty creature. But that faded away, right now, al that was important was in front of me. May held up her hands and started to get up. She looked at Emily and then at me. Her golden eyes appeared to be darker, just a shade or two. This had cost her energy. It made me even more appreciative. But she wanted none of it. "No, she said, I want to thank you." I just did what I could." And I want to help as many good people as I can." What's a gift if you don't use it."

She paused. I still wanted to reward her. This was so big, I didn't really realize it until now. She had earned my trust fully. I was about to suggest something, but she spoke first. "I really meant it, she said, when I thanked you." Without you I never would've experienced this." I'd never know I could do this." I nodded before telling her: "I understand, but it is still amazing. "And I want you to know you've earned my trust completely. "Therefore I'm going to allow you to visit La Push, when someone invites you." Her face lit up. "That's wonderful, she said, wow, so much territory to discover." She made her little bow and gave us space.

The guys had moved in closer. They were all checking Emily out. Giving lots of praises and admiring looks. They made her blush. A lot. May got her share too, some even patted her on the back. At first she resisted, but that didn't work, so she just let it happen. Carlisle and the others couldn't help themselves taking a closer look. With Emily's permission they examined her face and arm. Carlisle asked some questions about how it all felt. Ever the curious scientist.

Then Embry and Seth reminded us we still had a party to go to. Everyone started to move. But I wanted some private time. Edward and Jared realized that and signalled the others to leave us alone. My brother was the last to disappear from view. "If you're not there in two hours, he warned me, I'm coming back to get you."

I grinned before turning my full attention on my soulmate. Gently I pulled her to her feet and into my arms. We looked in each others eyes. It felt like imprinting all over again. So beautiful. I cupped her face and kissed it everywhere. She wrapped her arms around my neck. Then we kissed for real, passionately, tongues playing with each other. Nothing else mattered. The world disappeared around us. Just feeling like we were one being. Connected forever.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xx

Note:

Wow, writing this was intense. Sam's an intense guy. Is it to much?

You think Timmain's to perfect? Don't worry, you'll discover she isn't. There's a lot she doesn't know about life.

And there's another song that belongs with this chapter:

You are so beautiful – Joe Cocker

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxx