this most assuredly counts [!open]

[swiveltooth]

Kate lifted her hand to massage her temples, groaning. She would never understand why these strange things kept happening to her. Life was just very, very confusing she Kate had no idea how to keep up. Jacob was a werewolf…thing, and telling her that he and his friends were, too. How did that even begin to make sense? It didn’t. But he had shown her the process and if that wasn’t going to be enough to convince her, nothing was.

For now, she’d play along with the bout of insanity she was suffering from. Later on she’d worry about committing herself.

Eyes still narrowed, she turned down his offer and instead sat in the rocking chair near the dresser. “That advice might have been better before you turned into a giant wolf,” she said weakly.

“Heal on his own? Is that why you brought him here? So he’ll be alright?” She couldn’t keep the hope from her voice. Though she didn’t know Paul well she certainly didn’t want him to spend weeks in the hospital and the painful recovery afterwards. He looked horrible but from what she had observed with her naked eye, he wouldn’t die. That wasn’t to say though he was in the clear. She still had to look for more damaging issues that could appear inside the body and out of sight.

She gave him a disbelieving look but quickly wiped it off her face; seriously, if she already trusted that he was a werewolf, how absurd would it be for vampires to exist, too? And a treaty sounded somewhat…believable. Mature. So this could make sense…somehow.

“The Cullens? Like Dr. Cullen?” she asked. She hadn’t worked with him much but the times she had he had been nothing but professional and courteous, something she wouldn’t have pegged a vampire to be.

She scoffed. “Of course we have many more things to talk about, but if you don’t mind I’d like to attend to your friend?” Softening her tone she added, “You’re a good friend for bringing him here Jake…if you say he can heal on his own, I’ll just do the best I can to help.” He said he didn’t have time to talk but darnit, she was Annie’s sister, he would make time to talk if he ever wanted to come into this house again.

[swivelcanines]

He didn’t want to talk, he didn’t want to move. He just wanted to be left alone to heal. To bad for him, his arm was too far gone and he needed help. Christ, God, anyone, he swore on them in his immobilized state that he was going to find that fucking leech and fucking tear her to pieces, slowly and with nothing short of elation. Fucking bitch. Fucking vampires.

With his good arm he grabbed the handful of pills Annie was handing him and swallowed them whole, coughing a bit afterwards. Shit, that hurt. It felt like he had swallowed knives and there were sharp, stabbing pains in his chest that he was sure meant he had a few broken ribs. Not to mention his arm. God, he didn’t even want to think about his arm.

Paul was in a bad state but knew he’d be alright. Thank God for werewolf blood. For as much as it was a curse it was a gift. Already in his collarbone (probably broken, too) he could feel the shift of bones and the fast pumping of blood through his veins, whether fueled by anger or the urgent need to heal himself he wasn’t sure.

Things being said around him were heard a bit slowly and faded, and his eyesight was a bit blurry. His heart was beating rapidly in his chest and he took a few deep breathes, trying to calm himself down; what good would it do to phase? It’d make everything a thousand times worse and he really didn’t want to be a wolf right now. Hearing the thoughts of the others who were no doubt out in the forest…if she came back and someone got hurt when he hadn’t been able to finish the job himself…he’d die of the shame and guilt.

“I’m healing now,” he growled, eyeing her warily as she cleaned his cuts. “And no offense but I’m not sure I trust you with this job…New Girl,” he added, grinning the tiniest bit and then wincing when that caused the bruised skin to pull.

[Jacob Black]

Jacob shrugged his shoulders when she sat down, not really caring too much that she hadn't decided to sit by him. He hadn't really though that she would anyways. "Yeah, you're probably right." he chuckled, slowly shaking his head. "I didn't really think sitting was going to help you a whole lot when I phased."

He took a deep breath and ran his hands through his hair and pushed the long strands behind his ears. "I brought him here just to be safe and to make sure that everything healed properly. Sometimes we still need a little help even when we can heal on our own." he responded, remembering when Carlisle had helped him out when he had gotten seriously injured by one of Victoria's vampires. He grimaced at the memory. That day had been.... difficult for him.

Jake nodded his head as he glanced over at her from across the room, "Yes, Dr. Cullen is a vampire. He's pretty much the leader of their family." he said in retort, followed by a small look of disgust. He thought it was utterly repulsing to think about a vampire being a doctor, a doctor who cut into people and had to be around blood every single day. It just seemed like eventually Carlisle would slip up or something, and it made Jacob a little mad to think about it.

He stood up from the bed and took a step towards the door, he wrapped his dark fingers around the knob and then pushed the wooden door open. He glanced off to the side, "Thanks for doing all this, Kate. This really helps, because we can't really take Paul to a hospital." he whispered, glancing out the door and into the hall. "If you have any questions, please just call me or something and I can stop by." he decided that if she had questions he would make time for them. It was the least he could do for throwing her into all of this.

Ooc;; Sorry this is so bad.

[embry]

Embry moved inside even as Colton was opening the door, brushing past him without his usual smile and polite "hello" or "thanks". It wasn't a usual situation and it shouldn't even have been happening. Paul was one of the strongest! Embry had always, in some part of his mind, behind all the fears, thought of him as more or less indestructible. Until he just...wasn't. And it didn't make sense.

For Annie, Embry spared the briefest of moments. A touch on the shoulder and a tremulous smile. "Thanks," he murmured, his voice soft, and for her ears. He knew that she would have taken care of Paul no matter what (he was pack and she was pack and so it went) but Embry felt better for knowing that it was someone familiar with medicine and who knew how important Paul was (to Embry at least) was looking after him.

It would do no good to lose his calm. To give himself over to sadness, rage, fear, and shift and find that stupid, horrendous bitch who had done this and rip her apart slowly with his teeth and claws and and burn her, slowly, and-- Embry had to remember this when he saw Paul, laying in bed, looking as though he'd been hit by a semi. No, worse. A semi wasn't intelligent enough to attack his weak spots and break bones and make him bleed like that. He wanted to kill her. Instead, Embry knelt down next to the bed. "Hey," he said, and tried to make it sound like he wasn't an emotional train wreck. He was pretty sure he'd done well enough, anyway. "Beat to hell and you still tryin' to pick on New Girl?" he asked, and the joke sounded weak because it was. Because he didn't think he could joke.

[swivelcanines]

Paul felt like he should have known Embry had entered the room. Wasn’t there some sort of tingle you got in your stomach when the person you loved was nearby? An un-conscious reaction to the presence of your better half? If there was Paul knew it was not going on between him and Embry because seeing his face beside him was a bit of a surprise, and it probably showed on his face.

Relief. A spread of relief from head to toe. He didn’t want Embry out in that forest with that bitch. She was not allowed to even lay eyes on him. Embry was his and goddamnit she could take his arm, his ribs, anything, but so help him God he’d march into hell and kill her all over again if she even thought about touching Embry.

“Thank fucking God, someone I fucking like,” he muttered. He was joking of course; his sense of humor may have been the only thing not pulverized by the bloodsucker. His blood-shot eyes looked over Embry’s body critically. “You okay?” he asked, looking at him from where he laid. He must have phased to get there, which meant he had been in the forest. Where that bitch was.

His good hand groped blindly around the edge of the couch. Swallowing any ounce of pride he still possessed he growled, “Give me your hand. Please.” It was the only way he’d know for sure if Embry had left the house and out into the woods. It had absolutely nothing with Paul’s desire to just touch him for the moment. Absolutely nothing.

[embry]

Relief was an almost physical reaction. Loosening of his tense shoulders, releasing a long breath he hadn't known he'd been holding. Embry leaned forward on the bed, better to be bale to see Paul, his eyes roving over his pack mate's injuries and concern and rage (that bitch, he'd kill her) growing in him. With a hand as light as he could (he didn't want to hurt Paul, just wanted to make sure he was real, okay) he brushed the side of Paul's face. Warm, real. Alive.

"I'm here to please," he murmured and perhaps his smile was not so forced to see Paul at least lucid. He laughed a little, then, weak and amused. "Am I okay? Shit," he never cursed, but he couldn't believe Paul was asking if he was okay, "I'm fine. You're the one in bed and you're worried about me?" Embry shook his head; Paul was so damn ridiculous. He was fine. When he found that vampire girl, she wouldn't be, though.

Without any hesitation, Embry offered Paul his hand, carefully, not wanting to grip too tightly, and it was so odd. Paul had always been the stronger one, but here, now, Embry was scared of what he could do. It seemed like every inch of Paul was bruised and broken. His hand was soft against the other boys, but warm and pleasant and there, at least. "Here," he said, and ordinarily might have teased Paul somewhat for this request (but complying all too happily) but he understood now. Both of them needed that comfort.

[swivelcanines]

With a tired look he followed Embry’s eyes as they looked over him. Judging by his face, Paul was not doing so well. He didn’t feel so bad, really. Though that was probably thanks to the four or so pills he had just popped. He never thought he’d think it but; he loved New Girl.

His face leaned into Embry’s touch, a natural reaction for Paul. He didn’t care what anyone said; this, just this, was all he’d ever need to feel better. At this point he was still in a bit of a state of stupor…but he liked to think he would be this content with Embry’s touch, with or without the multiple injuries and medication.

“Good. Don’t leave.” He had enough to worry about right now. Having Embry out there, hell, having any of the pack members out there was just making things worse.

He sighed and settled deeper into the cushions. That felt much, much better. He couldn’t read Embry’s mind but this was just as good as a connection, in Paul’s opinion.

After a moment’s hesitation, he asked, “What’s been,” he paused to swallow hard, the taste of blood suddenly filling his mouth. Starting over, he said “What’s happened? Sam get home alrigh’?”

[embry]

"God, Paul," he whispered, and he wanted to add, 'don't scare me like that' but it was too trite even though he meant it. Even though he'd never been more scared in his entire seventeen years. Embry's hand finished the light caress before falling next to the injured boy, and he leaned closer to Paul. "Please tell me most of this is just surface damage." He knew it wasn't. It wouldn't be this serious if it was.

"I'm not going anywhere," Embry promised. "Not now, anyway." He smiled. He would stay as long as Paul wanted him there, but eventually, he would find that leech and kill her. Embry was certain he'd never felt a hatred this strong inside of him before.

Concern flashed across Embry face when Paul stumbled, but receded, somewhat, when it seemed to pass and Paul could speak once more. "Sam's fine. Everyone's fine. Sam went back home, where I was with Emily. Leah's out on patrol, and I raced over here as fast as I could. He 's coming over with Emily soon, I think, but they have to take the car for Em."

[swivelcanines]

Paul didn’t know the full extent of the injuries and wasn’t very concerned, though feeling the affects of the wounds given to him by the vampire. He’d heal and be better, right? It’d just take some time. It wasn’t as bad as Jake’s accident, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last time he got hurt this bad. All this concern was stupid, and he wished he could say that to Embry with complete honesty. But by now Paul was becoming a little worried for himself.

He lifted the shoulder of his good arm in a half-hearted shrug. “I don’t know. I think Jake took Kate somewhere to talk…she should be able to tell you when she gets back.” He wasn’t sure whether the sight of the older Crow sister would be comforting, considering that she’d only be hurting him further in an attempt to fix his arm.

“Good,” he sighed, relief once again relaxing his sore muscles. “She left the territory already. So that’s good.” The medication was making it hard to be eloquent with his words. Well, less than his usual stumbling over important things.

“I’ll be fine, Embry, you know. Good as new in a few days. Don’t worry about it.”

[embry]

Embry nodded. "Yeah, I can just ask her later," he murmured. He wasn't leaving, right now. Hell, he wouldn't even turn away from Paul to call her into the room. He just didn't want to move yet; he waned to stay here and hear Paul say that everything was going to be fine and to shut up and stop being such a girl about this. Because then Embry would know everything was fine like it always was.

"We'll find her," Embry said, and his words were both a promise and a threat. Growled syllables and bared teeth, not even in his phased form, it was obvious. Embry was furious, and wanted nothing more than for her to pay for what she'd done. "Even if she leaves, it doesn't matter." They would find her. They would end her. He closed his eyes briefly; losing his temper wasn't what he needed right now.

Embry shrugged. "You better be," he replied. "You lying around in bed and making me worry about you wasn't your best idea." His tone was teasing, but it was true. If Paul made him scared like this again, once he was healed, he'd beat him.

[swivelcanines]

Paul narrowed his eyes. “No. Whatever you’re thinking, no.” As his voice grew strong with his disapproval his chest stung and he had to calm himself down before speaking again. “You’re not going anywhere near that bitch. She’s mine. Stay out of it, Embry.” There weren’t definitive roles in their relationship but Paul needed Embry to just listen to him this one time. Paul would be Embry’s bitch for the rest of time as long as he didn’t do something stupid and run after her. He had been distracted by his anger while fighting her and look where it had gotten him. The same thing was not going to happen to Embry. He’d have to kill the whole Cullen clan just to feel a little better.

He rolled his eyes and scoffed weakly. “Like I intended on getting my ass kicked.” He coughed a bit and rested his head against the arm of the couch, grimacing. He probably shouldn’t be speaking, but then again, he probably shouldn’t be in this situation in the first place. Exceptions were going to be made.

Paul’s fingers skipped across Embry’s warm skin until his hand rested at the base of his neck. He needed Embry to just forget about it (that bitch) for now. Phasing in Kate’s living room might make her second-guess her decision to harbor them.

[embry]

"No," Embry said. "I can't just stay out of this. Look at what she did to you, and you want me to stand back on the sidelines?" He couldn't be angry with Paul, but his voice, low, was a mixture of shock, pleading, and the barest hint of the temper he felt towards that hateful bitch. Embry wrapped his fingers around Paul's where their hands intertwined. "It's all I can think when I see what she did to you," he confessed.

Embry raised his eyebrows at that. "I hope not," he said. Watching Paul cough, he added softly, "You want me to get you anything? Water... or...?" He trailed off uncertainly, wondering if there was anything he could even do it this situation. He felt helpless and it was damned annoying.

The warm fingers at the base of his neck drew him in, and Embry rested his head on the couch, next to Paul's chest, comfortable and needing that physical closeness. Not close enough, but he felt like he could barely touch Paul without worrying if he would break right now. He hated that feeling-- Paul was strong, damnit. Stronger than him. Embry knew after all this was over, he'd end up annoying Paul with the incessant need to stay near him.

[swivelcanines]

He was too tired too tired to get upset but Paul found his temper rising despite his current condition. Embry must be suffering from momentary insanity if he honestly thought Paul was going to let him do anything about the vampire. Batshit out of his mind. "Fuck," he murmured. As much as he wanted to yell at Embry he just didn't have the energy. "What she did to me...that's between me and her." This had nothing to do with him, Paul was not going to let him get in the middle of it. Hell, Jacob even understood that this was Paul's kill.

Paul sighed. "She didn't...I'll be fine. So don't worry about it." It was making him feel even worse to see Embry like this because he could do nothing to comfort him. It was Paul's fault in the first place...well, actually, Evalena's, but still.

Shaking his head, he said, "Nah. Just need Kate." The sooner they got this over with the better. It also wouldn't hurt to get some more of those pills but that probably was not the best idea..

He groaned when Embry settled beside him. God, he was such a fucking ass. "Stop, please," he pleaded in an agitated tone. He wasn't a child, he was going to be back to his normal werewolf self in just a few days. Besides, didn't he have enough to worry about without thinking about Embry and how this was affecting him? Come hell or high water, Embry was not going to fight that vampire.

[swiveltooth]

Entering the front room again with a completely different outlook on the situation, Kate nudged the first aid kit to the side with her foot and crouched beside Paul and Embry. ...and were they holding hands? Oh, for God's sake, this day was just never going to end.

"Paul?" she asked, looking down at him. She could see that the cut, now cleaned by Annie, had already mostly healed over and most of the bruising on his face had cleared up. Jake hadn't been kidding when he said they healed quickly. Injuries like that should have taken a week at the least, among the other injuries, to clear up.

"I have to...get to your chest.." she trailed off, raising an eyebrow at Embry. "I need to see if anything else is broken," she clarified dryly. Though he was grimacing as he nodded, Kate took that as a yes and as gently as she could pressed her fingers along side his hip and up, a look of concentration present on her face.

The ribs felt like they were moving beneath her hands as she felt them and she had to remind herself that this was normal (somehow) and not some Alien re-enactment. Nothing was going to bite her. Right? She really hoped so.

For all the talk about regeneration powers, Paul was still in pretty bad shape. There were at least three ribs broken from what she could feel, and she was wary to probe the other side, where his broken arm was. They were probably broken over there, too. She'd save his arm for last; for now it was fine. She wasn't sure it was a good idea to pop it back in place when Paul probably had a concussion and would have to be on some heavy medication beforehand to withstand the pain.

On his stomache and upper torso she noticed some irregular coloring and worked her bottom lip between her teeth as she thought. It could be some late blooming bruises but there was the very strong chance he had some internal bleeding. The blunt impact of the vampire (vampire, dear God, what was wrong with her?) could have led to more than just broken bones. And the ribs could have preturbed the lungs...if he had internal bleeding in that area it would be very serious...

"Paul, for now I'm just going to let you relax while I clean the rest of your cuts," she told him while she prepared a wipe. "Eventually though I'll have to re-break your arm. It'd be a good idea for you to see a real doctor, too." She was only a nurse and any diagnosis she gave was of amateur experience.

[embry]

Embry hesitated, looking torn. "It's not about you and her. You and her already happened and you nearly died." And it was so hard to get that word out, his worst fear undoubtedly. Sharp hazel eyes seemed to realize that now was not the time to argue this (to argue at all, how could they always argue?) and Embry acquiesced for the moment. It probably didn't matter much in Paul's state, hurt and exhausted and drugged, but he met his eyes when he said, "I'll stop." And it was as good as a promise, because Embry couldn't lie to Paul.

A subconscious jump tore through him when he heard Kate's voice behind him (unexpected, but not frightening, he liked Kate). Embry cast her a nervous, only somewhat false smile, moving aside to allow her to do what she needed to. His hand remained in Paul's, but the grip was lax-- he didn't mind if Kate saw, but if Paul did he could pull away. A dark eyebrow was raised, though, when Kate felt the need to clarify exactly why she was feeling Paul's chest; did she really think him that dense? It was a nurse, it was her job.

"How much of him is broken at this point?" asked Embry. He'd asked Paul earlier, but the other hadn't known. And it was strange and disconcerting to think of Paul as "broken" when Paul was the one who did the breaking-- not the other way around.

Embry started, however, at her last words. "Wait. You have to re-break his arm." It didn't make much sense to Embry. If Paul had already broken it, why break it again? Wasn't he in enough pain already without re-breaking a limb on top of bruises, cuts, and who all knew what else?