Disclaimer: I don't own the Twilight saga or any recognizable characters. We all know the credit goes to Stephanie Meyer ;)

Chapter 15: Save me from myself – Carpark North

I couldn't believe Paul had gone out of his way to make this surprise-picnic for me. It was so sweet of him and just the right distraction I needed with my brother's departure. I knew Paul couldn't have known about Tom's plans of leaving, but it was still great timing - which brings me to what the two of them had been discussing earlier. I was astonished at how Tom had gotten into the reservation in the first place, I mean, the pack was patrolling 24/7 and they were very thorough. One couldn't just easily get past them. Nevertheless, whatever my mate and brother had talked about in confidence, it wasn't my place to ask about it. If either of them wanted to share their conversation with me, they would do so on their own. Moreover, I'm pretty sure it was only a testosterone-filled corroboration of masculinity where they most likely bantered childishly. Ok, I knew it wasn't fair of me to be that cynical. Well, at least they were both still alive and seemed a little less hostile towards each other, which was a big improvement.

As the day turned to dusk, we were lying on the carpet. Paul with his head resting on my abdomen and me with my right hand lazily going through his dark hair and my left hand intertwined with Paul's on his chest just above his steadily, beating heart. He absently stroked his thump over the back of my hand. We had been talking about the future on a light note. Paul had found an affordable little house a few miles from the main-road just on the outskirts of the La Push reservation. I was looking forward to seeing the place. He wouldn't buy it before I saw it as he said it would need a lot of work - but nothing a vampire and a shape shifter couldn't handle.

"I'm just afraid it will be too expensive with all the work that has to be done, but it's the only…" he spoke a bit worried and trailed of in deep thought. I knew he had saved up some money, but I had nothing. God, I hated being this depend on him! I really had to find a way to help financially. He barely had time working between the patrols, and I knew I was part of the reason he didn't work as much as he could. Yes, he had to sleep and eat between work and patrol, and then there was Felicity who we couldn't just neglect spending time with. However, the imprint had a very strong pull from what I've been told from several of the pack members. I knew Paul neglected much work and time with his friends in order to spend time with me, not that I could ever mind even though I felt rather guilty. He still spent time at Sam and Emily's with the rest of the pack – usually he brought me – but… I don't know. I guess it's just not the same bringing your girlfriend as it is when you're going alone to hang with your friends.

"What if I took a job somewhere? It wouldn't be nearby, probably not even in Washington as I don't grow old and people would get suspicious after a few years, but I could get a job somewhere else and change jobs every other year" I suggested nervously. I already knew what he was going to say to my offer, but this was something I had been thinking about for a while now. It was something we had to discuss at some point, so why not now?

He sat up and looked down at me. Here it comes.

"You want to not only leave the rez for a job, but go to a different state to do so?!What if something happened to you?! I can't protect you outside La Push without having to follow you and I know you don't like me acting like a bodyguard all the time – even though it can't be avoided" he said much like I had anticipated he would. I sat up with a sigh, never taking my eyes from his. He was such a hen on the matter of my protection. I gave him a small, affectionate smile and gently put a hand on his very hot cheek. He absentmindedly leaned into my caress.

"I'm not some fragile human, Paul. I can take care of myself" I reassured him for the umpteenth time – my safety had come up in several other discussions -, but he didn't look the slightest bit convinced. He took my hand from his face, but didn't let go of it.

"I know, but… you're just so precious and I'm not sure if I could handle you leaving every day to go work hundreds of miles away" he whispered as if afraid of speaking the words. He seemed so vulnerable, I was almost about to give in to him. Almost. I had to make him realize that this was necessary. Deep down he knew I was right about me needing to have a job too – at least for the time being. It wouldn't be forever, just until we had enough money to cover everything.

"I will only work when you work or are on patrol, so you won't even feel I'm gone" I knew I was wrong. I wasn't happy about going so far away either and I knew I was going to miss him like hell, but it was necessary for us and it would take some of the load off him. I couldn't let him carry everything on his shoulders. Unlike me, he actually needed to rest and take care of himself.

"You know that's not true" he said glumly. I scooted a bit closer to him so that our legs were now touching. It was rather distracting actually, feeling the heat of his skin even through both our clothes, but I didn't move away.

"Paul, you'll get stressed out if you have to take all this upon yourself. I know you want to be the man and be able to provide for me, but I can't let you do that if it means you'll wear yourself out. Besides, this is our future, our house, our lives. Don't you think I would want to help build it?" I smiled warmly. I loved this man so much and having to spend the rest of eternity with him was something I couldn't believe I was lucky enough to get to do. I still wondered sometimes if this was all real, what I had with Paul, or if I was going to turn around someday and discover… I don't know… that I had died long ago or this was all just a dream. All I'm saying was… my life just felt too good to be true right now. I had no idea what I had possibly done to deserve Paul. He made me happier than I ever thought possible and he did so with no effort at all. He just had to walk into a room and I instantly felt lighter and more cheerful. I knew how cheesy that sounded, but that didn't make it any less true.

"I can't give you a child. I can't give you normal. This is the only thing I can tribute with" I said sadly, not wanting to look at him. I knew he would argue with me, but it was true. I was stuck the way I was for all eternity and he was going to sacrifice everything to be with me. He could at least let me help him make this all easier for him. I knew money wasn't everything and to be fair, this wasn't just about the money. This was about me wanting to help and contribute. If he hadn't gotten stuck with me, he could've had a family and lived a normal life.

"Ann, look at me" he said gently and I could do nothing but obey him. His eyes seemed to burn into mine with a fierce fire of determination and love, it was almost painful to meet his gaze, but I couldn't look away – I never could. The way he looked at me burned my soul, but it was addicting.

"You're everything to me and by just being by my side, you give me everything I could ever wish for. The moment I imprinted on you, I knew what I was getting myself into. I never expected children or money or anything from you" he said honestly. I smiled wryly, recalling our first meeting.

"The moment you imprinted on me, eh?" I smirked and he broke into a mischievous grin.

"Ok, then from the third time I saw you or something"

"Oooh, the third time. Do I feel special now?" I teased and he threw both arms around me, effectively knocking us both over so that I was now pined underneath him. I smiled up at him as I gently put my hands on his broad chest. His heat surrounded me like a cocoon, making me feel safer than ever.

"Don't change the topic, woman, I wasn't done reprimanding you" he smiled.

"Well, we both know I'm going to get my way, because I'm right about this one. We will both find it excruciatingly dull and painful to be apart by miles, but we'll manage because we love each other" I smiled sweetly, wanting to do something entirely else than discuss financial problems in that moment.

"Fair enough, I'm whipped anyway" he shrugged and leaned down for a kiss. I giggled against his lips. This was so not the end of this on his part. I knew he would bring it up later, but not now. Now we simply enjoyed the moment without any worries. We had an eternity to worry after all.

I slid my hands down his well-defined stomach and teasingly pulled at the rim of his t-shirt. The barrier the fabric created between us was annoying me and I wanted it gone.

He chuckled slightly before willingly removing it and tossing it randomly to the side. I traced his abs in a teasingly slow movement, just wanting to feel his skin under my fingers, before I put my hands to rest on the back of his neck. I gently took his lower lip between my teeth and he growled before deepening the kiss almost hungrily. His tongue danced with mine and I flipped us over in less than a second so that I was now straddling him. I smirked down at him before removing my shirt in a swift motion, tossing it aside. Paul stared at me hungrily. It wasn't the first time he had seen me in my underwear, but it was definitely the first time he had seen this bra.

"You like it? I just bought it with Al…" I started in a teasing note as I looked down at the pink, laced material, but he cut me off with a feral growl as he turned us over and claiming my mouth.

"So I take it, you like it then" I giggled against his lips, but my brain was already fuzzy and felt more like a marshmallow than anything else.

I pushed my body flush against his with a very embarrassing moan, but in that moment, I really didn't care. I wrapped my legs firmly around his waist and my hands were back on his neck. His hands were trailing slowly upwards over the smooth skin of my stomach. He sprayed kisses down my neck before I pulled him back up, crashing my lips against his. I was always mesmerized about how perfectly in sync out lips moved together. It was as if they were created for the sole purpose of kissing each other. Our tongues darted against the other.

I was so caught up in the kiss; I almost forgot he needed to breathe so that when he reluctantly pulled back I barely let him. He chuckled a bit out of breath as he rolled us over on the side, never once loosening his hold on me.

"Easy there, glitter smitter" he smiled down at me affectionately and gently brushed a stray curl out of my face. I planted a quick peck on his jaw.

"We seriously need to find a way to do this that doesn't make me feel as if I had smoked a pack a day for 60 years" he chuckled and I snuggled against him, this time placing a kiss on his chest.

"Just admit it, you're never going to win this one" I sighed with my eyes closed, his heart beating frantically underneath my cheek. Oh, pure music!

"I didn't know it was a contest" he answered, his voice laced with amusement.

"It's not a contest if there's only one able of winning" I teased and looked up at him. He took advantage of this and kissed my nose. I giggled.

"So smug you are, Miss Wagner" he teased.

"Of course I'm smug. My boyfriend is in need of an oxygen mask every time we kiss. I'm seriously worried you might break a hip when we engage in…" I mocked good-naturedly with my most innocent of smiles, but he didn't let me finish my sentence.

"Don't make me sound like a grandpa" he growled and planted small kisses all over my face, neck and chest, sending me into a fit of giggles.

The sound of rustling made me sit up in a rush. Paul looked around in alert – instinctively pushing me behind him as he sat up in a crouch and a dangerous scowl on his face. I felt the need to stand protectively in front of him, but I knew he would never let me. I heard the sound of another heartbeat and breathing besides Paul's. I caught the scent of wet dog moments before the intruder stepped into view.

"Relax, Paul, it's just me" Sam said a bit annoyed as he emerged from the tree line. We both relaxed and stood up, but… Sam rarely got truly annoyed and he seemed as though there was something seriously bothering him.

"What are you doing here, Sam? I was allowed to get all night off, remember? And what's with letting a leech into the rez, huh?! Her brother came to my house while my mom was still home five hours ago! I thought we were patrolling in order for vampires not to get close to the humans here!" Paul growled angrily still standing protectively in front of me. I was busy taking my shirt back on which was why I didn't say anything to him for calling my brother a leech – and the fact that I was horribly embarrassed for only wearing my bra in front of Paul's friend. My God, I would resemble a tomato by now if I could blush! This was humiliating! Good thing we hadn't removed any more clothing before Sam decided to pop by.

"We were patrolling, Paul! I came here to see what you had to say about the situation and how the hell he might've gotten past Embry, Quil and Seth without them noticing before much later" Sam told Pau in annoyance while I was trying to figure out if I should start digging a hole to bury myself in or just run away in shame.

"Are you accusing me of helping him get past the pack?!" Paul growled. I knew he was angry with the others for letting Tom get through. There weren't supposed to be any vampires in the reservation – except me, but I was an imprint so I had a sort of VIP-status in that area.

"Not you" Sam said rather quietly and turned his gaze towards me with an unreadable expression. I must've resembled a goldfish in that moment as I dropped my jaw.

"What are you getting at, Sam?" Paul growled as he trembled slightly. Sam ignored him, still looking at me.

"Sam, I would never… I know how important it is to keep others out of…" I pulled myself together and crossed my arms as my astonishment subsided. Why was I even defending myself? Paul was practically seething from anger. He was shaking so violently, I wouldn't dare touch him, but I was starting to get a bit angry myself. How could Sam possibly think I would let vampires into the reservation without his permission? I knew this was their territory and therefor their rules. I wouldn't even consider going behind their backs and sneaking someone else in like that – not even my brother!

"Would it even matter if I did help my brother get into the reservation? He only came to say goodbye and he is already halfway to Italy by now"

"Ann, you have to understand that it's our families on the line here" at least Sam had the decency to look a little ashamed.

"I know, Sam, and I don't want anyone to get hurt either, but… and I'm not trying to justify my brother's indecency to simply walk into the reservation without your permission, but he would never hurt anyone in La Push"

"It's the principle of it. If one vampire can get into the rez then we have to assume that others can too" Sam looked at me apologetic. He seemed as though the entire situation was a pain in the ass for him – and it most likely were, I mean, just imagine having a vampire sneak past the pack. It could just as easily have been an… unfriendly vampire – to put it kindly – who could've been out to get some of the human inhabitants of the reservation.

I sighed and was just about to answer when Paul beat me to it.

"We can talk about it tomorrow then. It sounds to me like this has more to do with someone else's incompetence to guard the rez properly than just Ann's brother. You said it was Embry, Quil and Seth on guard duty, right?" Paul growled, seemingly have gained control over his temper.

Sam shot Paul a look before taking off with a sigh.

"My God, I'm sorry to say this, but they were really slow" I wasn't sure if I was ''allowed'' to joke about this, but I had to break the silence somehow. Paul was still standing with his back to me barely containing his temper.

He turned towards me with a heavy sigh and I couldn't help but note that people were doing that a lot this evening.

"I'm sorry for that"

I smiled at him. Why was he sorry? His alpha being frustrated about having a vampire breech their supposedly perfectly planned security system?

"Don't be, but…" I looked towards our abandoned picnic.

"But?" he pressed as he snaked his arms around me. He tiredly put his forehead on my shoulder – apparently not caring that he had to bend down in a slightly awkward position to do so.

"It was kind of a mood-breaker, if you get my drift?" I joked. I just had to forget about our little problem until tomorrow. I didn't want to spend the night talking it over with Paul who would only get angry and frustrated.

He chuckled, not lifting his head from my shoulder. I could feel the vibrations going through my body as he did so.

"Get your drift? I didn't know you knew any slang" he teased and planted a soft kiss where my shoulder met my neck before he pulled back to look down at me. When we stood this close, I always had to crane my neck back in order to meet his brown eyes.

"You don't think I got street, that's what you're saying?" I said and tried to imitate a modern gangster. I did not succeed.
"That's exactly what I'm saying" he smiled widely and kissed my nose.

..:-:..

"Are we there yet?" I asked for the umpteenth time. I couldn't get why we were driving Paul's car when it was so much faster to simply run through the forest.

"It won't be long now. For someone who have an eternity to live, you are rather impatient, you know that?" he chuckled. I couldn't grasp how I hadn't annoyed the hell out of him yet, but I was really excited, you know. We were going to the house Paul had found. I knew in my gut that I would love the place right away.

"Patience never was one of my virtues" I pouted absentmindedly as Paul drove off the main-road and onto a dirt-road. I started jumping impatiently in the seat, making Paul laugh affectionately at me. We arrived in front of a small house five long minutes later – I swear Paul was driving slower than necessary just to bug me.

My eyes went to the house like magnets. To others the house might look rundown or even like a dump, but to me it was perfect. I could already imagine Paul and me spending hours working on this place using our own hands and money to make it our home.

I held my breath; my eyes would have welled up if that were possible. I turned to look at Paul who was smiling expectantly at me.

"Pauli, it even has a front porch" I cried happily before throwing my arms around him. I had to lean awkwardly over the gearshift, but I didn't mind.

"There's a fireplace too. We just have to unplug the chimney" he chuckled, indicating just how much work there had to be done.

"Piece of cake for a vampire and a shape shifter, wouldn't you agree?" I smiled and gave him a quick peck on the lips, before jumping out of the car. Paul followed me with a chuckle and swiftly intertwined our fingers as he lead me up the steps of the front porch.

The house creaked and moaned. It was dusty and I'm pretty sure there were some rodents living in the walls somewhere – their nest could easily be located. The staircase seemed rather… unstable to say the least, but it was nothing we couldn't fix – as far as I could see, there was only one room upstairs. The kitchen would have to be completely renewed and the bathroom was in the need of a plumber's expertise. There was just so much that needed to be fixed! He hadn't exaggerated on that point.

I covered my mouth with my hands as I finished walking through the house ending up in what was going to be the living room – it was were the fireplace was situated. There were three rooms downstairs altogether – the living room with the fireplace and two smaller rooms side by side lining up to the kitchen. There were already plans forming in my head about taking down a wall or two to make a dining room adjoined to the kitchen for when the pack or Felicity came over.

"Oh my god, Paul" my voice was heavy with emotion as I looked towards my mate. He was standing a few feet from me with a vary expression, most likely wondering if my reaction was positive or negative.

"I know, it needs a lot of work and it will probably cost more to fix than what it's worth, but…" he started defending himself, but I cut him off by running to him vampire-speed and claiming his mouth. My hands placed at the back of his neck, gently pulling him down to me. The kiss was brief and sweet, and it told him precisely what I thought about this place.

"It's perfect" I beamed up at him and he grinned at me as he snuck his hands around my waist.

"You think so?"

"Of course! When do we start?!" I said almost jumping in excitement. I had never done this kind of thing – and I was not just referring to the restoration of this house, but the fact that I was actually going to buy a house with someone I wanted to spend my life with. I never thought that was going to happen before I met Paul – sure, I fantasized about meeting my Prince Charming when I was a little girl, but that was before the war forced me to grow up and drop such childish dreams. Those dreams did not seem childish at all anymore. They were a reality and I was living it.

"Wait, so, just to get this straight… you want to buy this house?" he teased sarcastically with laughter in his voice. I smacked him on the shoulder.

"Don't make fun of my enthusiasm, Pauli, and to answer your question: yes, I would very much like for us to buy this house" I smiled affectionately up at him as I leaned closer to him. I wasn't trying to persuade him to buy the house with me – even though he would have to lay out money until I got my first paycheck (when I got a job that is). I knew he liked this place too and the potential it held for us.

"I'll call the realtor and get the paperwork done then" he said huskily as he leaned down to place a chaste kiss on my lips. My unbeating heart swelled with joy and love. I felt as though something would come and ruin this happiness of mine. It couldn't be possible for someone to be this happy, without it backfiring at some point, right? Everything was just magically falling into place. My brother was somehow alive. I was buying a house with the man I loved. I was given a reason to live again.

"What are you thinking about?" Paul muttered with the tiniest of frowns.

"Hmm?"

"Your forehead are wrinkling and you're getting a distant look in those beautiful eyes of yours, which means… your thinking about something" he smiled wryly and brushing a warm thump over my forehead to emphasize his words.

"I just can't believe how lucky I am" my God, I was an emotional wreck today. If I hadn't known any better one would think I was pregnant or something.

"I am the lucky one here" he said wrapping his arms tighter around me and I laughed.

"Is that so, Mr. Cheesy?" he made a sound between a chuckle and a growl at that.

"Very much so, Miss Cynical" he pecked my nose.

"Miss Cynical? I see we are rolling out the big guns now" I said in amusement.

"Shut up" he growled and kissed me heatedly. I was more than willing to give in as I instinctively brought my body flush against his, making him let out a soft growl. My hands moved through his short hair as his explored my back before resting on my hips, pulling me even closer. The sound of his heart speeding up made me smirk momentarily against his lips as I knew it was my doing. He lifted me up the same moment I was to wrap my legs around his waist, and he pushed me against the wall. A cloud of dust surrounded us and Paul pulled away coughing. I smiled warmly and pushed him to the floor. The floorboards groaned under us, but nothing broke.

"Better?" I looked down into his eyes.

"Yeah. I feel so smooth" he muttered sarcastically after his short coughing fit. I giggled and leaned down, slowly trailing my hands across his stomach and chest.

"Don't worry, baby, I won't tell anyone"

He swiftly rolled us over, pinning my hands above my head and I let him.

"You better not" he smiled and kissed me. He soon forgot everything about keeping my hands confined. Instead, he held himself up on his lower arms even though his full weigh would never even begin to crush me, but it was still sweet of him. He pulled away as he caressed my cheek lovingly. I smiled softly up at him. I absolutely loved the way he always looked at me. He made me feel as though nothing could ever compare with me and it always made me overly conscious about myself. I would have blushed deeply if I could under his intense gaze, but I couldn't bring myself to look away. He was my greatest addiction and I would never be able to get enough of him.

"I love you, you know that?" I whispered in a far more serious tone than I had intended, but it was as if the situation just called for no bullshit or jokes. Something shifted in his eyes as it did every time I told him this and I recalled the first time I said those magical little three words to him. I had just told him about my dark past and basically left myself naked and vulnerable to him, and he had called me brave. He had accepted me and all my baggage without even thinking twice about it as if it had been the most natural thing in the world to do for him. And in that moment I had realized I could do and be anything for this man. He was everything for me and I would never love anyone the way I loved him. I never was one to give long speeches about how I felt or what I deep down thought about another person, and I had easily found the show of love cheesy, but with Paul, I didn't mind that much how cheesy we were being. Or how silly we might seem with our constant banter. He imprinted on me against everything him and his fellow pack believed in and I found my mate when I thought I was ready to part with this world – I had thought so in many decades. Didn't that tell you something about the curious concept of fate and true love? You just simply never knew what you were going to get, especially when you least expect it.

"I love you"

AN: That's it. The end.