I've had this chapter written in my head for weeks now, but only got it on paper this morning. Please forgive any typos. I wanted to get it up ASAP, so it hasn't gone through my usual scrutiny. Hope you like. Only have like two chapters left to this story. Woo Hoo! I might actually finish one! Yay. Thanks to all the readers. Enjoy.

Sam POV

The overnight hours were agonizing. Some of the younger pack members had gone home, but most stayed firmly planted at the Cullen's house. Over the years, Kira had become a part of our pack and none of us wanted to leave until we saw a resolution. Good or bad. Seth was by Kira's side and he refused to do anything but continue his silent vigil.

The quiet beeping, indicating Kira's heartbeat, had stopped six times during the night. The Doc had managed to restart her heart each time, but each time it took longer and longer to get her restabilized. Carlisle kept telling us the longer she stayed alive, the better her chances got, but it was hard to believe and you could read the uncertainty on his usually confident face.

Over the hours, I had time to think. I'd look at the faces of all the people around me, wolf and vampire, and slowly I began to make conclusions. To make decisions.

Sometime around sun up, Carlisle came down the stairs, followed closely by Jasper. They both looked exhausted. I never thought I'd be able to use that particular word when describing vampires, but it was the only word that fit the looks on their faces.

"Well, she's stable and comfortable. She hasn't flatlined for almost two hours now. I'm optimistic that the worst is over, but she's far from out of the woods." Carlisle rubbed his temple, like he had a headache. "She's just not healing the way she's supposed to. Her body hasn't given up yet, but it might just be a matter of time."

I sighed, Emily rubbed my neck gently, doing her best to comfort me, but her eyes looked almost near tears. I got up from my chair, patting her hand, then approach Carlisle.

"Can I speak to you for a moment?" I asked, turning to Jacob, who was sitting with a sleeping Nessie in his arms. "Will you join us, Jake?"

Jake nodded, gently slipping away to prevent waking up Nessie.

Carlisle looked at me curiously, but nodded and guided us up to his study. "If anything new happens with Kira, I'll be able to hear and respond from anywhere."

I knew this conversation wouldn't be private, since almost everyone in the house had sensitive hearing, but it didn't need to be. What I had to say, needed to said to Carlisle alone, but it involved everyone.

Carlisle took a seat behind his desk, and once I had closed the door, Jake and I took seats opposite to him. Both men waited patiently for me to speak.

"Over the last few hours, I've had a chance to think about alot of things. About our pack, about your coven, about the people in La Push. It's unfortunate it took a tragedy like this one to finally open my eyes to reality. To finally see how things really are."

I paused, taking a deep breath, and let it out slowly. I looked over a Jake, then back to Carlisle.

"What we have here isn't one separate pack and one separate coven. We are more than that now. We are one pack, one coven, one family, all of us. Wolf, vampire and humans. We have been for a very long time. I think it's time we made it official. I know Jake agrees with me, since this topic has come up between us before. This being said, as leader of the pack, I ask for your consent, as leader of your coven, to dissolve the treaty between our people. It is pointless and no longer relevant and stands as the final barrier keeping us separate. A separation that is no longer necessary."

I looked over to Jake once again and he just nodded, silently showing me his agreement.

Carlisle paused for a few moments, thinking about my words. He then looked up at me and smiled, standing up from his desk and offered me his hand. I stood as well, taking it.

"I consent." He replied, somberly. He knew, as I did, that this had been a long time coming.

"Then I officially dissolve the treaty. May we now resolve future differences as a family. Not as enemies."

At last we had peace.

Suddenly, the beeping in the background stopped.

Seth screamed for Carlisle and the vampire was gone from behind his desk before my brain could register his movement.

I sat back down, waiting. Listening.

Yes, we finally had peace, but was it too late for Kira?

To Be Continued...

Kira's fate will be sealed in the next chapter. I know I'm being evil for making you wait and I'm sorry about that. Please forgive me.