Disclaimer: And the ownership of the Twilight saga goes to… Stephanie Meyer!

Chapter 14: Elephant – Mads Langer

Paul POV

It was one of my rare days off. I didn't have to go on patrol nor to the garage, so I could just spend the day with Ann – when she wasn't helping my mom get ready to her date. Whatever, it gave me some free time to arrange my surprise for her, but now that I was done preparing the surprise, all I could do was bore myself to death while Ann assisted my mom. And man, was I bored! There wasn't even any good TV!

"Are you sure I look alright, dear?" mom asked and I tiredly leaned my head against the back of the couch with a groan.

"Oh, shush it, Paul. So… Ann, dear?" mom brushed me off and turned her full attention towards my imprint – whom I wished would've spend some more quality time with me instead of spending hours picking clothes for my mom's date. Yes, I know, how selfish it was of me to want Ann for myself like that, but I couldn't help it. Moreover, choosing clothes for mom's date with a man I still haven't met, wasn't exactly a pass-time I would call fun.

"You look beautiful, Felicity" Ann smiled as she circled her with her hands clasped together in joy. I couldn't understand the fuss. Yes, mom had dressed up in a fancy dress and some make up, and yes, it did look good on her, but seriously! It was just an outfit! Did it really matter if she wore the red dress or the black one? Did it matter if her hair was up in a bun or just hanging loosely? If this guy was serious – and he better be – he wouldn't care if she wore one dress or another, then why would she?

"Oh, stop pouting, honey, it makes you look like a child" Ann smiled mischievously at me and I gave her a halfhearted glare before standing up to wrap my arms around her waist from behind. She instantly relaxed against my chest and I was yet again reminded of how perfectly she fit against me. I leaned my head down with my mouth close to her ear. Her sweet scent engulfed me, making me want to kiss the nape of her lean neck.

"Why are you so eager to help my mom with this date-thing?" I whispered and looked at mom fully aware she couldn't hear us. She was putting on earrings in front of the mirror in the hallway and seeing as the house wasn't all that big, we could easily see her smiling profile. It was difficult not to be happy for her when she was so looking forward to that stupid date. Man, this dude better be good to her.

"Because she will regret it if she doesn't put herself out there and believe me, there is nothing worse than regretting something you should have done just because you were too scared to take the chance" she said melancholically and I tightened my grip around her small frame. I knew that whatever she was thinking about, it wasn't my mom, but most likely had something to do with her human life. My heart ached for her. I wish I could erase all her pain from her past, but I guess I just have to work that much harder to make her future happy and bright… cheesy as it sounds. I mean, this whole imprinting-thing revolved around making her content and happy – and with me being totally whipped and slowly turning into a chick, I wasn't an exception to this fact.

"But what if she gets hurt?" I knew mom wouldn't approve of me worrying like this, but I guess that was just one other thing I couldn't help. Ever since dad left, we had been only the two of us and it was weird for her to start dating even though I could see now why she would want to do it. Of course, I could see it, I mean, just look at what I had with Ann! I would want my own mother to be this happy too, but that didn't mean I didn't have mixed feelings about this whole thing.

"Then we'll be here to help her pick herself up again until she is ready to take another shot at chance" I could see her cheeks move and knew she was smiling that beautiful smile of hers that always made me wonder how I could be this lucky. I planted a quick peck on her neck in affection before leaning my chin on top of her head. I felt proud of having such an amazing imprint. How did I even live my life before I met her?!

"I love you, glitter smitter"

She turned around in my arms in giggles and snaked her arms around my neck.

"What the hell was that?" she giggled no longer talking in whispers. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw mom giving me a warm smile before going to her bedroom – most likely looking for some shoes to wear or whatever. I turned my full attention towards my gorgeous imprint. Her golden eyes shone with amusement and her lips were pulled up in one of her cute wry smiles. Man, I couldn't believe she was all mine!

"I told you, I would find a nickname for you" I winked at her and she threw her head back in laughter. I smiled widely at her. How could she be so perfect? I never really believed in true love or even perfection, but I knew Ann had made me change my way of looking at things – those two in particular and much more. Yeah, I knew, I sounded like a girl.

"What made you come up with such a sucky nickname, Pauli?" she asked still with laughter in her golden eyes. I knew all those damn vegetarian bloodsuckers had golden eyes, but it suited her far better.

"Sucky? Seriously?" I teased and she rolled her eyes.

"Well, it was either that or monkey buns, but that one doesn't rhyme so…" I joked and she smacked me across the chest.

"Oh, honey, you don't know what you're getting yourself…" she started teasingly, but was rudely interrupted by a rather insisting doorbell. Why hadn't I heard anyone approach the house? Oh, right, Ann was distracting me. Not that I could ever mind.

"Is it him? Is it David?" mom came rushing out of her bedroom, only wearing one shoe. Ann let out a giggle as she let go of me and went to mom's side.

"Paul, why don't you open the door while I help Felicity find a pair of shoes"

I chuckled as I went to open the door, but my smile quickly turned into a feral growl as I discovered whom the guest was.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" I growled, which Ann must've heard, because she was by my side in a heartbeat – most likely guessing it wasn't mom's human-date by the door.

"Tom?"

"Sweet sister, I knew I could find you here" the son of a bitch smiled and invited himself into my house. Great, now the whole place would reek of leech. He even had the impudence to walk right into the living room as if he owned the place. Ann put a hand on my arm and kissed my cheek, which helped calming me down. I remembered the promise I made to myself yesterday about not wanting to hurt her ever again. She didn't need me going after her brother and even if he was childish, I would just have to swallow my pride and try to be nice. Or at least not bite his head off at the first given chance.

"So was it…" mom came rushing in and I immediately tensed. Crap, I completely forgot about my warm-blooded, human mom. What the fuck was that prick doing here?! I wanted him out of the house! Out of the reservation – I had to talk to Sam about who the hell were patrolling today, because they were doing one crappy ass job keeping the rez vamp-free!

"Oh, you must be the lovely Miss Lahote. My sister told me so many good things about you" the asshole gave my mom a megawatt smile and I had to bite the inside of my mouth in order to keep down a warning-growl. I didn't like it one bit as that leech came closer to my mom and kissed her hand – what was that about?! Kiss-ass.

"And you must be Tom. You can go on and call me Felicity, dear" mom smiled welcoming and I clenched my fists. Don't be fucking nice to him, woman! And don't let the damn bloodsucker fool you!

"I just stopped by to tell my sister that I'm leaving. I miss my home and Jane, and the food is terrible here" why did he just wink at my mom at the last part? What the hell?! That was wrong in so many ways!

Ann seemed to sense my growing anger as she put a delicate hand on my trembling arm. I took a deep breath.

"Are you leaving now? Is that why you came into the reservation?" she asked sadly and I wanted nothing more than to take her hand, but I had to keep an eye on the leech when my mom was this close to him.

"Yes, that and the fact that I wanted to meet your… mate's mother before I left" he smiled cheekily at mom who blushed. Good, grief, I wasn't sure if he was acting or just a plain old kiss-ass. My guess was: both.

"Well, aren't you sweet?"

"Oh, and I wanted to have a private word with the m… Paul" nice save, bro. Not.

"Oh" Ann looked at me worried, but I shrugged - if the jackass wanted to talk then fine. I was just looking forward to him finally leaving. Man, would it be nice to have him gone so I didn't have to share Ann! It was understandable that she would want to spend time with her brother, but that didn't mean that I liked it. What if he were to put thoughts into her head or something?! Yeah, I know I was overreacting a bit, but who fucking cares?!

The doorbell resounded through the house yet again and mom almost jumped in surprise.

"That must be him. You kids play nice. Good luck, Ann, dear, and nice meeting you, Tom" she smiled and went to the door. I would've gone with her to intimidate the guy – yes, I know, very mature of me -, but I was busy staring down Ann's brother. I could always scare away my mom's date some other time.

I could hear mom talking briefly with her so-called date, before yelling a quick goodbye and leave.

"I'm going to go hunt and this house better be standing when I get back" Ann warned before taking her leave too. Oh, shit. I had to talk with her brother alone?! That was not what I signed up for! Oh, what the hell, let's just get this done and over with.

"So… you wanted to talk?" I couldn't help but sounding a bit mocking. The leech rolled his eyes before making himself comfortable by taking a place in the couch. I reluctantly sat in the armchair across from him, leaning my elbows on my knees and folding my hands in front of me. I was not comfortable with this! Not that I wanted to let it show.

"Yes, and as you have probably already guessed, it's about my sister" he said and I huffed. What else would we have to talk about? Football? Just cut to the chase, dude.

"I'm aware Ann has most likely already told you about the circumstances of our turning, and you probably sympathize with her, but…" as he talked, he took an envelope out of his coat pocket and threw it on the coffee-table between us.

"… you will never understand" he said with a solemn look. I reached for the envelope, suddenly afraid of what I might find.

"Go on. Open it. It took me a great deal of work to find those pictures before they got terminated. You can say a lot about the Nazis, but they sure knew how to keep things in order" he said emotionlessly and leaned back on the couch. He reminded me all too much of Ann when I first met her with that creepy, lifeless mask.

I took the content out of the envelope with shaky hands. I had a bad feeling about what I was going to discover and thanked God Ann wouldn't be here to witness my obvious weakness in that moment. The leech waited in patience as I turned the black and white photos around. They were worn and slightly brownish and exuded of something really old.

My heart literally stopped for a moment and my mouth went completely dry. Something inside me broke painfully as I looked at the empty and malnourished face of my imprint, strapped to a chair with tubes connected to her sickly thin skin. Her brother was strapped to a chair in a similar manner except he looked scared out of his mind. I didn't know why I did it, but I felt myself looking at the next pictures too even though everything inside me screamed for me to throw the photos away. But it was like when you got electrocuted and couldn't let go of whatever made the current go through you. Ok, that was a shitty comparison… maybe it was more like watching a horrific accident and you just couldn't make yourself look away.

There were five photos altogether and each of them made my heart break. I felt a silent tear roll down my cheek as I looked down at the last photo and I quickly wiped it away. The photo showed Tom who seemed as if he could barely keep his eyes open as they drained him, but that wasn't the worst part of that picture. The worst was seeing my sweet, loving Ann with her mouth agape in a wordless, agonizing scream while some doctors stood beside her and her brother, taking notes.

My hands shook violently, this time more of anger than fear. I threw the pictures and the now empty envelope on the coffee table as if they were poisonous.

"Why did you show me those?" I asked in a voice void of emotions. I couldn't show him how much those pictures had affected me. This whole thing felt like one cruel test, but I had no idea what he wished to gain from showing me that. Maybe he got a kick out of torturing others. It wouldn't surprise me if that were the case.

"I'm not showing you those pictures in some sort of sadistic game if that's what you're insinuating. But I'm not showing you to gain your pity or sympathy on neither of us either. I want to tell you that you can't even begin to comprehend what we've been through" he sounded angry, almost as if it was all my fault and I was just about to scowl something back, when he continued:

"But despite that, you still managed to save my sister from herself and I don't think you fully know what a great thing that is, if I didn't show you those. I might not like the fact that you are a bad-smelling mutt, but I'm still more than grateful for what you have done for my sister. She means everything to me after all and she is the only family I have left" he said sincerely and I must've been gaping at him, because I had to close my mouth when he was done talking. That had not been what I expected of him. I guess Hell just froze over because Ann's fucking brother just said something nice.

"I… I don't know what to say" I managed to croak out stupidly and he stood from the couch with a wry smile and his hand outstretched for me to take.

"What about a truce? For the sake of my sister's happiness"

I slowly stood and took his hand with a firm grip. His stony, unnatural skin grossed me out so unlike Ann's. I smiled – yes, you heard me: smiled, not smirked nor growled. I know it was surreal for me too.

"That I'm more than willing to make a truce for. Even though you reek of something rotten" ok, now I smirked. He gave me another of those cheeky smiles that made me want to punch his teeth out.

"Good. And what a great timing" he said moments before the door opened and closed. The welcome scent of cantaloupes and peaches evaded my nose, and a familiar, cold hand found mine.

"I see you're both still standing" she smiled and gave us questioning looks. I looked at the coffee table in panic, but it was empty. The brat shrugged with a cheeky smile before patting his coat pocket and I let out a sigh.

"Did I miss something?" Ann asked clearly having seen the exchange between us and I gave her a reassuring smile.

"No, nothing at all"

"Like he said. Buuuuuut… I have to go now" he said and I reluctantly let go of my imprint so that she could give him a proper farewell.

"I'll come visit sometime. You have to write me" she smiled as she hugged her brother in a tight embrace and he chuckled. I only felt a slight need to tear her away from him, which was a big improvement, but despite our little heart-to-heart, I still didn't trust him all that much – or like him. I mean, I knew he was going to start murdering innocent humans as soon as he left here and there was nothing I could do about it. The worst part about it wasn't even how he was the only human-eating leech I wasn't allowed to rip to shreds, no, the worst part was how Ann – my imprint – didn't seem to care that he did so! As if there was nothing wrong with her brother's choice of food!

Moreover, couldn't he just have told me all that about me being good for Ann without showing me those sick pictures? I knew those photos would hunt my mind a long way into the future and make my heart tighten in pain. The dude was twisted, but from what I've been told, so was his mate from the Volturi. Match made in heaven then.

"Sister, you have to embrace the change and get a phone dammit. You're not living in the 40's anymore" he teased her and for once, I couldn't agree more. She was like an old person on that matter – an old person with technophobia.

..:-:..

"Babe, I have a surprise" I turned to Ann with a wide and expectant smile. I really hoped this would make her happy – I had put a lot of effort into it with the help of Jared and Kim.

"A surprise?" she beamed at me and I chuckled before giving her a quick kiss on the temple. She made that small pout she always did when she got embarrassed. Fucking adorable.

"Yes, but you have to wear these" I said and gave her a scarf to put over her eyes and a pair of ear protectors in hopes I could block out some of the sounds so that she couldn't guess where we were going even though she most likely were able to smell her way.

She gave me a skeptical glance before putting the two items on. I took her in my arms in one swift motion and she clung to me with a shriek. I chuckled. I could only imagine how clumsy and jumpy she were as human when she was this easily taken by surprise as a vampire.

"Ann, can you hear me?"

"Yes, those ear protectors are completely useless… but I'll wear them to keep the illusion" she teased clutching my T-shirt. She weighed close to nothing – or at least that was how it felt – but then again, she was rather petit.

I carried her outside and ran through the forest behind my house. I couldn't run as fast as I could when I phased, but it was still faster than any human and I had far better stamina – even though that didn't seem to help me all that much when it came to Ann. Not that I could ever compete with her.

She kept silent in my arms with her head resting gently against my shoulder and a delicate hand just above my heart. I couldn't help feeling affectionate at this show of trust she put on me. She had no idea what the surprise could be or where I was taking her, but she just snuggled against me chest in content. I felt less nervous about her might not liking the surprise, but the excitement was ever present. I slowed down my pace when I reached the little glade in the forest. The sun was still shining, but it would only last a few more hours before it would set. I put her down and took off the ear protectors and scarf while I unconsciously held my breath.

She was looking at the scene in front of us, but I couldn't see her face. I didn't have many chances of pulling this off without the help of Jared – Kim helped with the idea. I have to say, it really wasn't easy getting everything done, but Jared had helped with the finishing touches earlier today.

As my imprint finally turned towards me, my heart soared. She looked so awed and touched I swear she would've cried if she could.

"You like it?" I had to ask, taking both her hands in mine. Her hands were so incredible small and delicate compared to mine, and as always when our skin touched, I felt a comfortable thrill.

"Like it? Oh, well, pft, I don't know. My boyfriend just made a very romantic picnic with candles, flowers and the whole shebang. I love it!" she grinned and pulled me down by the collar of my t-shirt. Her eyes twinkled and her wide smile was reflecting my own just moments before she gave me a sweet, slow kiss. My arms encircled her small frame as I kissed her back. The kiss wasn't hurried or eager in any way as some of our kisses were. It wasn't a pang of raw lust making our lips crash either. It was simply a way of telling me things words couldn't. It wasn't the first time we had kissed like this and I certainly hoped it wouldn't be the last. I knew it might make me sound like a sissy, but I actually enjoyed this kind of kiss that didn't lead anywhere. Of course, I loved when they turned into a full-blown make-out session, but I didn't mind it when they didn't either and if that made me sound like a girl, then so be it.

"Good" I said a tad hoarsely when we pulled apart. She smiled widely and gave me a quick peck. She let go of my collar and all but danced into the glade. I was just about to follow her when I stopped dead on my tracks. The sunrays had hit her. She was smiling affectionately at me, as she skidded backwards towards the picnic in regular human-pace… but it felt as though it was all in slow-motion. Yeah, I've seen her in the sunlight before and yes, it took my breath away those times too. I don't know what it was, but seeing her sparkle like a freaking disco ball… it just seemed so far from those other bloodsuckers who outright looked ridiculous. Maybe it was just the imprint talking, but when her skin reflected the sun like some sort of rare gem, she looked like a freaking angel.

"Are you planning on staring at me all day or will you keep me some company over here?" she asked as she realized I still hadn't made a move to go after her. I chuckled and quickly made my way to her.

"Why did you do all this?!" she breathed out as if I had rented a jet to take us somewhere amazing. I smiled at her enthusiasm and excitement.

"Well… I just thought we hadn't been on a date since our first one and I wanted to do something more personal than just take you out" honestly, I just wanted to do something nice for her so that she knew how special she was.

"It's amazing, thank you, Paul" she smiled and gave me a short kiss. Amazing I ever feared the whole commitment-relationship-thing. Being with Ann felt so natural and easy. No wonder she was the one I was supposed to be with. I could see myself making surprises like this for Ann even years from now. I knew we wolves could live far longer than any human, but as far as we knew, there were no shape shifter who had ever decided to live forever so we really couldn't say if werewolves were truly immortal. I hadn't shared this with Ann as I didn't want to make her sad, but I was worried I might grow old and die at some point, having to leave her behind. Just the thought of having to leave her like that – or in any way – made my heart ache. I pushed the depressing thoughts aside, not wanting to worry about something I didn't even know for sure or could possibly change.

"I know you don't eat human-food and as much as I enjoy you watching me eat…" I smiled sarcastically as I found what I was looking for in the picnic basket. Hey, it's not my fault! No one likes to be the only one eating while your date just sits there… it's like an unwritten rule or something. Then again, most people don't have a vampire-girlfriend who would rather drain a bear than eat a hamburger.

"… so I got you a warm bottle of mountain lion. Don't ask me how I got it or what I did to not make it coagulate, because that… was a bitch" I teased and wished to God it didn't taste bad too her. I couldn't exactly taste it for her beforehand, but at least I knew she would want it fresh and hot. I poured the red liquid into a wineglass and handed it to her with a wry smile, and for the second time on that day, I held my breath. She smiled as she delicately swirled the blood in the glass and smelled it as if it was some sort of exquisite wine I had just offered her, before taking a small sip. Half a year ago, this would have made me hurl, but now I found myself hoping she thought it tasteful.

"It's very good, honey, and very thoughtful" she smiled and I exhaled with a complacent smile.

"Yeah, well, it can't possibly be as good as what I brought for myself" I joked and pulled out a beer. I know, very classy, but I couldn't really afford the good kind of wine and come on, it's beer. She let out a sweet laughter.

"I really couldn't say"

I stared at her dumbstruck, just to mess with her.

"Are you saying, you never tasted a beer in your life?! And you call yourself my woman?! I am outraged!" I said in mock-resentment.

"Hey! I was turned at 15 in the center of a world war. And I never called myself your woman" she smirked self-righteously after placing her glass on the ground besides her.

"Excuses, excuses" I smirked and she punched my shoulder. Man, even when she held back, she had a mean right-hand. Not that it hurt all that much, but still. Had I been human, I would've been full of bruises by now.

"Christ, woman, you can be so abusive" I said in mock-hurt, adding a quivering lip just for the hell of it.

"Abusive? Me?" she said, making her most innocent, angelic face. I groaned. Goddammit.

"Very" I smirked and took a swig of the beer in order to distract myself from my not so innocent thoughts. She smiled over the edge of her own glass, and I could practically see the mischief in her eyes.

"You poor thing" she then pouted in a low, almost seductive voice. Watch it, woman! My heart practically skipped a beat and of course, she heard that – I could tell by that smirk of hers. I growled. Man, she couldn't do this to me without it having consequences. She knew that, right?

"Don't tease me like that, glitter smitter"

She groaned at the nickname. I knew it sucked ass, but it was fun messing with her.

"If you ever use that nickname in public, I will start talking to you in a very annoying baby voice in return" she warned with a serious face.

"Man, that isn't fair"

"Of course it isn't fair. It's only beneficial for me as I can keep calling you Pauli, but you have to give up your stupid idea of a nickname" she smiled a wee too innocently for my taste. I groaned, but I found that I really didn't mind.

"Fine" I agreed. She said nothing about when we were alone after all. Oh, the loopholes.