Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight Stephanie Meyer does.

Chapter 17

I had just settled myself onto my bed wearing my pair of red fleece pajamas with my favorite book Wuthering Heights in my lab open to where I had left off when there was a sharp rap on my window. I jumped looking up expecting to see Victoria with her fiery red hair streaming out behind her but instead seeing Paul with smoldering eyes clinging precariously to my window sill.

I quickly leaped out of my bed and rushed to open the window before he fell. I hopped out of the way so he wouldn't squish me as he swung through the window and landed without a sound. It still surprised me how graceful and agile they were for how big they all are. He reached over and pulled me into a hug.

"I'm so sorry, baby," he said from where his chin rested on the crown of my head.

"For what?" I asked my voice muffled by his bare chest but I knew he heard me. I was not going to make this easy for him.

"Everything," I hesitated. I wasn't ready to forgive him yet, but then again with what was planned for tomorrow this could be my last night with him. Just the thought made me cringe and I didn't want to waste our last night fighting. Instead of replying I went up on my tip toes and kissed him. He seemed surprised at first but then responded matching my passion. Our lips moved in perfect synchronization as our tongues fought for dominance.

"Just so you know you are not forgiven yet," he chuckled before crashing his lips back to mine lifting me up so that I could wrap my legs around his waist. He laid me back on my bed his lips trailing down my jaw and neck until they finally reached my collarbone. I felt a hand pull at the hem of my shirt and slide to rest on my stomach.

My hands explored Paul's bare chest feeling every groove and muscle. My hand landed on the waistband of his shorts tugging ever so slightly. He immediately froze and pulled away.

"Are you sure?" He asked analyzing my face.

"Yes," I murmured.

He threw his lips on mine.

I woke up my whole body aching and feeling so hot that I was actually sweating. I looked down to see an arm draped over my bare stomach and everything that happened last night came rushing back. I hadn't wanted the night to end with arguing but I hadn't expected it to end like that.

Those thought were interrupted by a kiss on my shoulder,"Morning babe," Paul murmured in my ear causing me to shiver. I rolled over kissing him urgently but after a couple seconds I pulled away.

"As much as I want to stay here all day I am sure the guys are all waiting for us already," I leaned over kissing him on last time.

"Fuck them," he said pulling me back to him.

"No we have to go," I said climbing out of the bed before my resolve broke and I ended up staying in bed with Paul all day long.

"Wear clothes to hike in," Paul said from where he was pulling on a pair of shorts. I picked out a comfy pair of skinny jeans a black t shirt and a pair of hiking boots. I pulled my hair back into a ponytail and left my face free of makeup.

"So who will I be hiking with today?" I asked nonchalantly turning away from the mirror to face Paul who was sitting on the edge of the bed with his hands clenching his knees.

"Well it was first supposed to be Jacob but with everything that happened now it will probably be Embry. Sam will explain everything when we get there," he glanced at my alarm clock," Let's get going Emily will have breakfast waiting." He stood up and I walked over wrapping my arms around him.

"Whatever happens today do not do anything stupid or reckless," I told him.

"As long as you don't do anything reckless or stupid I'll be fine," he replied,"so when we get to Sam's house I want you to know that the atmosphere might be a little tense. Everyone needs to be completely focused so that you won't get hurt," he was starting to shake. I laid my head on his chest.

"I'll be fine, Paul. Nothing is going to happen to me. Calm down."

"I know I just don't like knowing that your in danger," he said taking a deep breath to calm himself.

"I'll be fine as long as you're fine. You just need to focus on not getting hurt not on me."

He shook his head," Not going to happen."

I rolled my eyes and pulled away, but he pulled me back lifting my chin up so that I would look at him.

"Seriously Bella I don't want you anywhere near the action so when we get there you are going to stay out of the way and don't try to be a hero. Okay? Promise me?"

"Okay," I said fear beginning to burn in my stomach.

"Hey," he laid a hand on my cheek,"I-We won't let anything let anything happen to you. I nodded fighting the lump in my throat.

"Now let's go before they show up at your house." I followed him out my bedroom door and down the stairs. I quickly grabbed my coat off the hook by the door and let Paul drag me out the door and to my truck. I tossed him my keys and slid into the passenger side.

We drove to Sam's house in silence with me watching out the window to see if I could see anything in the woods and Paul gripping the steering wheel so tight that his knuckles turned white. When we pulled into Sam's driveway a few minutes later both of us were hesitant to get out. Paul quickly pulled me into his side and I curled into him and couldn't help but think that this could be our last few moments alone.

I felt the tears filling my eyes at the thought of losing Paul. As long as he made it out okay I would be fine. He leaned down and placed a long kiss on my forehead," I love you Bella."

I couldn't help it I smiled despite the situation," I love you too Paul more than anything in the world and I will do anything to make sure that you aren't hurt because of me even if it means that I-"

"No, Bella," he cut me off," do not talk like that. You will make it out of this fine. We will make sure of it. You will not say anything like that anymore. Now let's go," I started to get out on the passenger side but Paul pulled me out with him on the driver's side instead.

"I am not letting you go until I absolutely have to," he whispered in my ear. We walked to the front door hand in hand. If I thought the mood yesterday was bad then today it was absolutely volatile. Everyone was silent and focused. Sam was the only one that looked up when we walked in.

"Hello Bella," he said nodding," Paul."

Paul was already shaking and Sam talking just made him shake harder. I quickly pulled Paul over to a chair and settled onto his lap. For the first time I noticed Jacob was there leaning against the counter next to the refrigerator. He was staring down at the ground but almost like he felt my eyes on him he glanced up at me. I gasped when I saw the anguish on his face.

Paul began to growl at him while he pulled me closer against his chest. Jacob growled back and took a step towards us.

"Jacob and Paul stop it now. We have more important things to discuss," Sam said," Like how we are going to keep Bella safe," he turned and looked at me," You and Embry are going to go hiking after we leave and we'll be not far off. I will howl after a few minutes and Embry will leave to join us hopefully then the redhead will come after you and we will intercept her before she reaches you. Okay everyone?" Everyone nodded except for Paul who was shaking slightly.

We continued going over the plan for a few minutes but then it was time for all the guys to go and "patrol." I stood up so that Paul could leave but instead he pulled me back down onto his lap crushing me back to his chest.

"I told you I'm not letting you go," he whispered. The guys were already filing out the door.

"Paul you have to go," he didn't respond just sat with his chin resting on my head. I didn't want to leave either. I wasn't scared for me I was worried for Paul I knew that as long as he was okay I would be to. Paul finally pulled back standing up and looking down at me.

"You promised remember?" He said his gaze searing into my eyes.

All I could do was nod.

"Paul come on man we have to go," a voice called from outside. Paul leaned down pressing his lips to mine in a frantic, desperate kiss. That was when I truly realized what we were both about to do. I was about to go out there with only one werewolf to protect me to face Victoria and even more scary was that Paul was going to be trying to kill Victoria and who knows how many other vampires.

I didn't want to let him go. Something was telling me not to or else something bad would happen. I clung to him like he was my lifeline.

"I have to go, baby," he said efficiently untangling himself from me, by now I was hysterical. He turned and started to walk to the door. I ran after him wrapping my arms around his waist. He turned looking at Embry who walked up behind me prying my arms and holding me back.

I scrambled trying to follow him but Embry held me still and I watched the love of my life walk out the door.

A/N Sorry it took me so long to get this chapter up, but life got in the way anyways please review it will be very appreciated.