-- this is how we'll stand when (paul)

[PAUL KETWA MERAZ]

Paul chuckled when Rachel had proven him correct. Of course, she was going to work all night. But.. he did like to hear that it was almost over. "Will it be over, though? Or will there just be more?" he sighed. He wasn't upset with her, only worried. "One more year.." he repeated with a smile. He was looking forward to her finally getting a break. He did, however, frown again when she mentioned that Jake had not been around.

"I'm sure he's fine.. just.. over working. Sounds familiar.". Of course, he could bring anything back to Rachel. He then frowned again. "Everyone's been putting in extra for Sam. I don't even know if that's what he's been doing, since I haven't seen him. He hasn't even been phased at the same time as me. Maybe he went somewhere for a bit.. he probably needs space." he muttered, thinking of all the times Paul blew up at Jake in a fight. It happened a lot due to their many disagreements.

[RACHEL ARIANNA BLACK]

Rachel sighed at his comment. "I don't know," she admitted with a small frown. Writing wasn't necessarily a full time job of course but she would need a part-time job at least after college. She had a job on campus but once she graduated it wasn't going to fulfill everything for her. Life was tough though and she was going to have put a lot of work in after college, whether it was more of less she was unsure of. She was hoping it was less though she wasn't going to get her hopes up.

She laughed dryly at the comment. Jake worried her some times though, he worked harder than she remembered now that he was a part of the pack. Or maybe she didn't remember him very well, she had avoided the house for such a while until recently and tried to block out memories it was difficult to know what was what. "When is this all going to be over? The worrying... the waiting," she spoke with a near silent sigh. It was perhaps selfish of her to ask and want it to be over soon, but she knew that she couldn't be the only person to want such a thing.

[PAUL KETWA MERAZ]

Paul smiled slightly, realizing that in a way, both of them were in the same position. They had their own type of work and had to learn to balance it with the rest of their lives. It made him understand what Rachel was stuck with. She couldn't just leave. She had to keep going and hope that the future would only bring less work. If it gets worse, I'll just have to help you, he said sincerely.

Back to the pack, he had the same question. This had been going on long enough. He was sick of waiting in fear. It wasn't like missing sleep was going to make him more prepared for an attack. He shrugged with a sigh, wearing a worried look. None of us know was all he could say.

[RACHEL ARIANNA BLACK]

At the comment about helping her, Rachel looked at him through a curtain of her thick, black hair. A soft laugh erupted from her lips, as pleasing and sincere as the offer sounded it was something that she couldn't accept. She couldn't help him with his responsibilities and it would be unfair. "If you did, you might drive me insane. You know I love you, but that... might make me loose it." She giggled softly as she spoke, smiling sincerely.

That was a rather expected answer, the raven-haired beauty was positive that if he knew he would have at least informed her hintingly about it. Rachel always worried about him when he was in the woods. Yes, she was aware that he was big and strong and wouldn't get hurt more than likely because of that. Those facts couldn't stop the worry though, it was a natural instinct for you to worry about someone you love no matter that chances of them getting hurt.

[PAUL KETWA MERAZ]

OOC: Sorry I kept you waiting so long! School..

Paul chuckled and shook his head. You're so..responsible. It's okay to let people help you sometimes. He lightly kissed her cheek and layed back down. He was enjoying the time alone with her as it was rare, however he wished Rachel could relax easier. She never seemed to be calm. He understood that she was nervous about him because he was very nervous about her all the time. For this reason, he couldn't really say anything about that.

About Jacob, he did worry. He had a feeling that he had gone to Forks and had been hanging around there. It did fit the situation. Jacob wouldn't openly tell everyone where he was going if he did so. I bet he's with her.. he muttered, referring to Bella. He didn't really believe it, but he liked using her as an excuse. He hated the thought of Jacob liking her so much, though as a "brother" he tried to tolerate it since he had tolerated Paul's loving Rachel.

[RACHEL ARIANNA BLACK]

The comment was definitely true - sometimes she could be a little too responsible. Rachel was often stressed out which caused her to be on the emotional side of things, and taking more responsibility than she could handle easily was often a large part of that. "I know," She commented with a soft sigh, because she definitely did know. That didn't mean she ever really accepted help from people, because she found that more difficult than doing it herself.

Rachel laid down next to him, curling up onto his warm side. She could have laid there forever if it was possible. She frowned slightly at the comment, though. Rach had always liked Bella, as they had both been quite similar when they were young. She knew that most of the wolves didn't like her now, however her opinion remained the same. She would do anything to stay with Paul, and if he had been a vampire so be it. "I don't understand why you don't seem to like her."

[PAUL KETWA MERAZ]

Paul put his arm around Rachel and lightly rubbed her shoulder. He sighed at what she had said, not really knowing how to answer. He couldn't say that he hated Bella, he barely knew her. But, he hated how Jake was so obsessive over her. He didn't get it. It wasn't normal and she was nothing special. I guess... it's because she.. I don't know. I just...don't. She's causing us too much trouble.. us having to protect her and all. It wasn't that he wanted to hate her, though he believed she enjoyed all that she was inflicting on the pack.