I was humming an old Hawaiian song as I washed up a few dishes, feeling oddly happy considering the circumstances.
"You have a beautiful voice." Seth commented, taking a freshly washed cup so he could dry it.
"Thanks. You have beautiful drying abilities." I told him with a smile.
He grinned. "I am the best at everything, of course."
"Of course."
Presently, I found myself being turned and pressed against the counter as he kissed me. All day, he'd seemed to be basking in the glory that was my interest in him. Every time the thought crossed his mind, he'd kiss me, like we only had a small amount of time before I'd leave him forever. He was safe, though. I wasn't going anywhere.
Well, not quite. If this infection didn't let up, Sam might just send me home himself. Maybe if I could help them. Try to put in ideas on what this might be, perhaps we could counteract it.
Even as Seth kissed me, I was thinking. What could be making them sick? And how was it spreading?
"Virus!" I suddenly said, pulling back and looking at Seth's startled face.
"Uh... okay?"
"It could be a virus!" I insisted. "This infection thing! Paul was infected first, right?" I pushed past him so I could pace around the kitchen. "Then Augie, who was on patrol with him. Jared had tried to get Augie under control, and suddenly he was infected, too. Then you and Jake pulled him off of me, so you got infected."
"Great theory." he said. "But how do we know?"
"Oh, that's easy." I said. "Just get Dr. Carlisle to examine a blood sample. I'm sure he won't mind, especially if it's a werewolf's."
Seth made a face. "Just one problem, I'm not sure how much Sam's gonna like Dr. Cullen exploring the secrets of our mystical blood."
"If it saves the pack, I'm sure he won't mind. Besides, you've already been infected, so we can just use yours. You're not afraid of needles, are you?" I asked, pulling him out the door with me.
"No. Nani, I'm just not sure. What if Sam-"
"What are you more afraid of, Seth?" I asked, stopping beside the road and looking at him. "Sam, or twenty vicious wolves ready to tear lowly mortals like me apart?"
That set his resolve. "Fine. We can take the Victory Jake gave me."
I smiled, having gotten what I wanted.
. . .
Esme was the one who answered the door. "Oh, hello. Um, is Jake with you?"
"No, we're not here for Renesmee today." I said. "We need to see Dr. Carlisle."
"Oh, okay. Let me just go get him." she said, ushering us into the house and then disappearing. Moments later, Dr. Carlisle was strolling into the room. "Hello, Nani. Is everything alright? There haven't been any problems with your injuries, have there?"
"No, I'm fine." I said. "We need you to help us with something. You can examine blood samples, right?"
"Well, with the right equipment, yes, I can." he answered. "Why?"
"I need you to take a sample of Seth's blood." I told him, pushing Seth forward.
"It's for the pack." he said. "Nani thinks whatever's making us go crazy is a virus, so she wants to test the theory."
"If it is a virus, you'll be able to tell." I said.
"Well, I would, but I'd need someone else who had normal werewolf blood to compare it to." he said.
"That's fine. We can do that." I said. "Seth, you let Dr. Carlisle get a sample. I'll call one of the others."
"Okay. I'll be in here." he said as Carlisle lead him away.
I turned and pulled out my cell phone, flipping through the contacts and deciding on which one I wanted. It rang three times before someone picked up.
"Hello?" said a tired voice.
"Embry?"
"What do you want, Nani?" he asked.
"Did I wake you?"
"Yes."
"Good. I need your help. I have an idea about what's making you guys go nuts." I told him.
"Yeah? What is it?"
"I think it's a virus, but I can't be sure until Dr. Carlisle does the blood test. He needs a sample from someone who hasn't been infected yet, and, as you probably figured out, I didn't have many options."
"Sam's not gonna like this." he warned.
"I've heard." I said dryly. "Are you helping or not?"
"Anything to stop this insanity."
"Great. Come over to the Cullens. We'll be waiting."