Hey guys! Once again the chapter has been posted late lol. I promise I 100% will post every Friday and Tuesday, just later instead of Monday or Thursday at midnight. Anyhow, lots of Sammy and Sam bonding! I hope you enjoy! :)

Recovery was slow, but steady and healthy. I had never been so severely injured in my life and It felt like everything was out of my control. The doctor had come to check on me after I woke up. He explained to me that I will most likely have a limp for the rest of my life. I wasn't fretting, at least I was alive.

Laying in a hospital bed for hours everyday while I healed was enough to literally drive me insane. Mrs. Wright stopped by to check on me and said the other ladies at the shop were relieved I was going to be mostly okay. Lizzie had gone home and brought some of my things back, my toothbrush, hair brush, and some of my fuzzy socks, even though I could only wear one of them.

Sam entering my room snapped me from my thoughts. I begged Sam to go sneak me some real food and he happily obliged. He had returned with burger king, chicken nuggets to be exact.

Sam set the bag down on the bed and handed me my food, chicken nuggets, fries, and a rootbeer. The hospital food had been driving me insane. I was usually a healthy eater but getting the same nasty yogurt every morning was not my cup of tea.

Lizzie sat up from her perch at the window when Sam approached and handed her her cheeseburger. Sam had gotten himself a cheeseburger as well. We sat in munching silence as we ate our food. I was in heaven and didn't have any thoughts other than the food going into my mouth.

We all finished our food and disposed of the evidence before the nurse could come in and reprimand us. I made Sam cuddle me, as only one side of my body was injured and he happily obliged, being very gentle as to not hurt me.

Lizzie had fallen asleep an hour ago and snoozed quietly on the chair in the far corner. Sam sat on my bed with me, his arm thrown over my shoulder and my head resting on his chest. His hand caressed the crown of my head.

"Sam?" I whispered, trying not to wake Lizzie.

"Yes? What's up?" He questioned, sitting up a little. I smiled, "I was wondering if you would…" I trailed off, maybe this was too bold a question to be asking.

"I was wondering if you would…come stay at my house with me. It's obvious I'm going to need lots of help around the house and Lizzie is gone six hours five days a week and I can't ask her to stay home from school. So…will you stay with me? Please?" I whispered, my voice unsure.

Sam smiled down at me and kissed the top of my head. "Of course. I'll take care of you. I'll protect you too." He said it so kindly and I couldn't help it when the tears came.

"Happy tears?" Sam guessed, I giggled wetly. "It's a mix." I said with a snort, Sam chuckled and bent down to kiss me. I kissed him back, of course. His lips were firm but oh so gentle. When he pulled away I chased after him, desperate for just a second more.

"Sam?" I asked, he locked eyes with me and smiled. "I'm scared." I couldn't help the quake in my voice. Alarm flashed across Sam's face, "What? Why, you're safe now." He said, brushing that one stray hair out of my face, per usual.

"I know I'm safe now. It was in my home, what if I hadn't been home? That blood sucker would have killed Lizzie. Even with me there I still could stop her. She was only messing with me, what am I compared to that?" I whispered, Sam frowned. "You did all you could, you were brave, and strong. Werewolves have tough times dealing with those blood suckers too. And I hate to say this…but…not all vampires are bad. The Cullens, they lived in Forks before, they're vegetarians. We have a treaty with them, they don't hunt or cross onto our land and we leave them alone. I'll always be here to protect you Sammy." Sam soothed me, gently rubbing the back of my neck.

"Thank you for doing so much for me. I love you Sam." I started, snuggling farther into his warm chest. I could feel his chest vibrate as he lightly chuckled, "No, thank you for all you've done for me. I love you." Sam parroted.

I fell asleep against his chest, his even breathing lulling me into a peaceful sleep. I only dreamed of laying against Sam's large wolf form at the beach and watching the clouds, trying to find shapes in them. My dreams were oddly sunny for Forks, maybe it was my subconscious way of keeping the vampires out of my dream.

When I woke, it was to the nurse bringing in the nasty yogurt breakfast and accidentally banging it on the doorway. Sam was gone. Lizzie was also gone, she was probably at school considering it was a thursday.

I begrudgingly ate my gross breakfast and let the nurse change my head bandages. The vampire had slammed me on the ground so hard that she had split the skin on the side of my head, requiring me to get stitches. It stung everytime I blinked.

The nurse gave me a few prescription antibiotics and explained to me when to take them and that I could finally go home. Except I had to wait all day for someone to show up because Sam was hunting a vampire and Lizzie was at school, Mrs. Wright was busy enough as it was. I sat in my hospital bed for what seemed like forever until finally Sam knocked and entered.

I sat up excitedly, "I can go home!" I exclaimed, Sam smiled. "That's…amazing! I'll help you pack your stuff up and we can be on our way? We can pick up Lizzie on the way to your house too." He offered, springing off my bed and starting to gather all my stuff.

I smiled as I sat up and pulled my computer off of the stand. Sam offered to take it and I handed it over. There wasn't much I could do, I was in a wheelchair. I couldn't use crutches because my shoulder and arm was too messed up and I couldn't just walk for obvious reasons.

Once Sam was done packing my bags, he went to get a nurse so I could sign the release papers. Once that was said and done we were given a wheelchair and once again explicit direction on what medicine to us at what time.

Sam hadn't gotten to ask me what had all transpired before he got there, we hadn't had a minute of alone time since I woke up. I had tried talking to him when I had first woken up, after the nurse had checked me, but then another nurse had walked in and Lizzie was behind her with the soda she promised Sam and I never got the chance to tell him anything after that.

But now that we were in the car and alone I could explain everything. I started at the point when I had gotten home and continued the story on to the part where I didn't open the door and I shot her in the head and yad yad yad.

"And then you showed up and I heard wood cracking and snarling and screaming and I was so scared but I knew I was going to be okay…because you were there and you would protect me." I whispered, Sam glanced at me from the road and smiled gently. "I won't let those monsters hurt you ever again. I promise Sammy." He reassured me, I smiled and slid my good hand into his, which was resting on my thigh.

When he pulled into my driveway it was like I stepped into a whole new world. Like this house wanted to swallow me whole. I loved this house but now it had an…odd feeling to it.

Sam helped me out of the car while I zoned out and got me into the house and then went to retrieve my bags. I was alone in what felt like forever, I was used to nurses buzzing around me and Lizzie and Sam buzzing in my ear but now it was silent.

No heart rate beeping. No dripping IV. Nothing.

I hated it. My heart beat rapidly. My chest fell up and down far too quickly. My head spun and my ears rang. Alone. Alone. Alone. Alone. I was alone. I didn't like it. Sam. Sam come back. Come back. She's going to get m-

"Sammy? Honey, are you alright?" Sam asked, his face appearing before my own. Instantly my chest loosened and my heart slowed. "I am now." I whispered, my spiraling thoughts dissipating.

Sam looked at me strangely and wheeled me into the living room.

"That wood breaking sound was your front door. I broke it down to get to you. But I had the pack fix it. The blood sucker smashed through your glass door trying to get away from me. Once again, we fixed it for you. Everything has been cleaned up, so there is nothing to worry about." Sam explained, lifting me into his arm effortlessly and setting me gently on the couch.

"There will always be two wolves outside your house, just beyond the tree line. They'll smell anything coming from a mile away." Sam reassured me and just as I was leaning up to kiss him…Lizzie barged in the front door.

"Sammy? Sam? You guys are home?" She exclaimed, as she dropped her bag and ran for the couch. "Yeah! Just got released today!" I squealed, Lizzie dropped onto the couch and hugged me.

"Now we can watch movies again!" She cried into my neck. I patted her back, "Yes we can." I soothed as Lizzie sniffled.

-Lizzie POV-

I had hidden in my room like a coward. Like always. Sammy was always the one getting hurt and taking my hits. She shielded me from everything. She was my big sister yes, and it was her job sometimes to look out for me but…she always did.

Watching her lay in that hospital bed, practically lifeless, was terrifying. I was so scared she wasn't going to wake up.

I didn't know how Sammy always put on a brave happy face, when I could not. She went through far more than I did but she still remained happy, content.

She was so kind and sweet. I tried to be like her so that one day I could maybe pay at least a small amount of the debt I owed her back.

I was happy she found someone like Sam. But I'd be damned if he hurt her, she was too fragile, she had lost too much. But he hadn't hurt her once, he never even canceled a dinner. He was everything Sammy needed, a strong person to cling to. Someone she could love.

When she finally woke up from her sleep I was over the moon, I hadn't lost my sister. Like Sam was to Sammy, she was the strong person I clung to. And it wasn't fair to Sammy for me to do that. I couldn't put all my problems on top of her, I couldn't suffocate her with my affection. She had done far too much for me already. She had saved for years just so she would have enough money to win custody of me and buy us a house far away.

Sammy had smiled at me, even with her arm hurt, her ankle shattered, her brain bonked and bruises all over, she still smiled. She would always smile, I realized. Comforting other people was what made her happy, she was happy to know that I was okay when she was the one in the starch white hospital bed.

So when I got home from school, expecting to run up stairs and shower before going to the hospital I was extremely surprised when Sam's car was in the driveway. I said goodbye to Bella and went inside.

"Sammy? Sam? You guys are home?" I questioned, Sammy grinned from her spot on the couch. "Yeah! Just got released today!" She called back, that everlasting smile brightening her face even more.

I practically toppled onto Sammy, making sure to avoid her injuries, and hugged her tightly. "Now we can watch movies again!" I exclaimed, my eyes watering and my voice wobbling.

"Lizzie? Honey. Why are you crying honey?" Sammy asked gently, I only sniffled more. "I'm sorry I can't protect you like you always protect me." I cried, my tears spilling over. Sammy gently patted my head, "Lizzie. I am your older sister. It's my job to protect you." She reassured me, I buried my face farther into her neck. "But we're sisters. Sisters protect each other." I insisted, Sammy chuckled. "You do protect me. You make me smile everyday, making me happy and immune to the evils of this world. You healed me when no one else could Lizzie. Without you, I wouldn't be here. Okay? You protect me. I protect you, even?"

I giggled, "Yeah. I love you Sammy." I whispered, Sammy sighed. "Oh, honey. I love you too." She whispered back.

After I calmed down Sam helped me order a pizza for dinner and then we all curled up on the couch to watch cheesy romance movies. I snuggled into Sammy's arm as much as possible, afraid that if I let go she would disappear.

-Sammy's POV-

When our movie ended and we were all full and happy, Lizzie said goodnight and went upstairs.

"Sammy?" Sam whispered, I looked up at him sleepily. "Yesh?" I asked, exhaustion slurring my words. "Yes?" I repeated, clear this time.

Sam smiled, "Are you ready for bed, darling? You look tired." He said, taking my hand and running his thumb over my knuckle. I smiled and nodded, "Yeah, will you carry me up?" I asked, Sam had already taken me up to get changed and ready earlier, so all he had to do was not drop me in transit.

Sam easily scooped me up, as if I weighed nothing to him. He carried me up the stairs, I rested my ear right over his heart. I was lulled to sleep in seconds by the rhythmic beating. I only woke up again when Sam sat me gently in bed.

"Goodnight, sweetheart. " He whispered, kissing my forehead and going to walk away. But I grabbed his hand and forced him to stay. "Don't go. Please don't go. Don't leave me alone." I begged, Sam frowned and let me pull him back to the bed. "What's wrong darling?" He asked, I smiled and pulled him closer. "Snuggle me. Please." I begged, Sam chuckled and helped me scooch over before laying under the blankets with me.

I snuggled up against his muscular chest, he was so warm. With Sam sleeping beside me I was calm, happy, perfect.

It only took a few minutes for sleep to claim me, and instantly I'm met with darkness.

Why is it so dark? It…cold. So cold.

The smell of blood hit me full force in seconds. Its penny smell and metal taste filled my nose and made me gag. Whose blood was this? I looked down at what little I could see of my feet and saw a bright blonde tuft of hair. I leaned down and pulled on it but it was attached. I reached down further and pulled some more and then.

Lizzie. It was Lizzie. Her beautiful eyes were shut and her face was pale. She was dead. My sister was dead! Who did this? How could they have been so horrible? My sister was gone forever and there was nothing I could do about it.

A horrible screeching sound boomed form behind me. I whipped around to see the same red haired vampire attacking Sam. This time she didn't hold back, she brutalized Sam.

THe she got her arms around his neck and he howled in pain as a sickening crunch filled the air. She turned her blood stained face toward me, almost happy about what she had done.

She lunged for me and…

I sat up quickly, my shoulder protesting, as I cried. "Sammy? Hey, it's alright." He assured me, I nodded and laid back down, wrapping my arm around his middle. "It's okay now. It's okay." He whispered until finally, I fell into a deep dreamless sleep.