Chapter 5

Carlisle's POV

My children did not like me treating the young werewolf but they knew I could never leave someone in his state and respected my judgement. I wasn't worried about Jacob's safety, my children may not hold him in high regard but they would not stoop so low as to harm someone in such a vulnerable position. And even if that were not the case Jacob is my patient and they respected me as a doctor.

When finally the boy did wake up it was only for a few moments. As I had suspected he was not conscious enough to comprehend his surroundings but I was able to get him to drink some water before back into unconsciousness.

William Black showed up the next day with a very quiet Samule Uley. "How is he?" Was the first thing out of the ageing man's mouth.

"As well as can be expected," I replied gravely. "Would you like to see him?" I offered and the man accepted immediately.

He was trying to be strong but there were tears in his eyes as he viewed his unconscious son's body, Even though he could not see his injuries. Sam had his eyes firmly fixed on the wall, he could not bring himself to look at the injured boy.

Now that we were alone I began to question the old man. "I need to know exactly what you want done in regards to his treatment, I began professionally. "There are different things I can do for him, either help him to cope with his injuries, or offer him a crutch to allow him some assemblance of what he was before. Both options have their own factors to consider and different ways of going about them." I explained and the old man looked up at me, tears in his eyes still unshed but just barely.

"What are my options?" He asked sadly, the pain clear in his voice.

No matter how many times I had similar conversations with the next of kin about a patient who was incapable of deciding on their own treatment, it never got easier. I couldn't help but put myself in their place, imagining one of my own children so ill, I don't know what I would do if that were the case, it is forever a mercy that being vampires they will never be put in that position. "Well due to the extent of the damage there was no chance of reattaching his lost appendage." I began, speaking clinically to lessen the blow somewhat. "In his condition his body will not be producing the hormones it usually does, the main one being testosterone. While some people can learn to live without, the transition as he learns to cope with the change will not be pleasant in the slightest. Most in his place prefer to use artificial means to replace what they have lost internally. If you chose this option the treatment will depend on what his body is best able to cope with." I explained as simply as I could without insulting the man.

"Will he ever be okay?" The poor father asked and I pitied him, although I'd never insult him by voicing that aloud.

I sighed. "There is nothing to suggest that your son will not make a full recovery Mr Black. Jacob will most likely be fine if given the appropriate amount of time and treatment, but he will not be the same as he was before. Many throughout the years have found ways to live with their condition and there is no reason Jacob cannot do the same. If he does not receive a constant supply of the hormones his body naturally creates he will have to struggle to cope with the physical change, but once he is used to that he should be fine. And even if he is given medication to replace the hormones his body is no longer capable of producing he will still have to cope with the trauma of his attack. Just because he will not be the same boy he was before does not mean he will not be okay. What you need to decide now is what for of recovery Jacob will go through."

The native man was silent for a few moments as he contemplated his decision. Finally he looked up to meet my eyes and a single tear slipped down his cheek. "I want my son back," the old man told me, his voice catching in his throat. "Can you give him the hormones?" He all but begged.

I nodded once. "However it will most likely make the mental trauma more difficult." I informed the older man.

"But he'll still be my Jacob?" He asked as the tears fell unhindered.

Mostly," I replied and was rewarded with a choked sob. "He will feel as though nothing has changed and will have to cope with the fact that a part of his body is missing. He will probably go through something similar to what you went through when you discovered you could no longer walk. While his injuries will be less obvious to onlookers, the mental trauma will be similar." I informed the old man but was cut off before I could continue.

"When will he be awake enough to talk to?" Samuel, the leader of the pack, asked me.

"Not for a while," I told him the same as I did the other day.

"Well let me know when he is," the werewolf instructed, his face grim as he still refused to look upon his pack-mate. "There are some things I must ask him." He said the last part to himself and I did not miss the way Mr Black glared at him.

Author's Note: This is the last chapter I can get my hands on until my computer is working again.

FanWriter Harrison - Well aren't you a clever boy? Any guesses on what will happen next?

Robin . D - Interesting theories...

twilightfanjm - I've been waiting for ages but nothing so far, it's super annoying, I really don't want to start all those chapters again.

~SophieAngel69