"Jack. Do you know where or have you heard from Samantha?" Lawrence skipped the formalities and jumped right to the point.

I immediately gets defensive, "Why? What do you want with her?" I asked.

"Listen, I have some very cranky lions on my hands here and I have the sneaky suspicion it has to do with Sam or the lack of," he said.

I thrusted my hands through my hair. "Tell me about it, I have a few as well. They are getting quite agitated the longer she stays away," I admitted. Since Sam took off Sunday night, no one has heard from her except that she was fine later that night. I even felt a bit uneasy, but would never admit that. I wasn't sure if it was because of her or because I was worried about her.

"I was thinking maybe you and I should go make sure everything's alright," Lawrence said, reading my thoughts.

"See you there in 30 minutes. Hopefully we can fix this before the next full moon," I said, dreading the outcome if we couldn't. Hanging up with Lawrence, grabbing my keys, I headed off to Sam's place.

Both of us arrived at Sam's at the same time, I could see Lawrence, too, was having a rough couple of days with his Pride. As far as I knew, Lawrence had not met Sam. I was concerned that Lawrence being a unmated male may cause some issues.

Walking up the stairs Lawrence said, "I'm really surprised they sold this place. I was sure they would have been here long after I would be."

"Was definitely something I never seen coming. I was here the day she moved in and the house accepted her. It would not surprise me if their leaving had something to do with her arrival," I said, as we reached the front door.

Sam's car was in the drive, but there was no answer when I knocked repeatedly on the door. Lawrence took the bay window to the living room, and I took the other that was her office. Blinds half closed made it difficult to see. Near the door I could have sworn I saw a foot. Calling out to Lawrence to see if I saw correctly.

"Shit!" Lawrence gave all the conformation I needed. I lunged for the door, it opened on its own free will before I touched the handle. Not thinking twice, Lawrence and I busted in to see Sam on the floor.

Sprawled out face down, skin clammy and grey, wearing a skimpy white negligee saturated in sweat. Hair pasted to her head and face, and her lips were blue. Her heartbeat was faint and struggling to keep on beating, breathing shallow and barely audible. As we gently rolled her over a moan of pain escaped from her blue lips.

Wiping the hair out of her face, Sam's skin was hot to the touch. "Sam? Honey, can you open your eyes for me?" My voice was soft as I taped her face with my fingers.

"So this is Sam," Lawrence's voice sounded strained.

Grabbing my cell, hoping help was not too late. "Bosje, get your ass to the Weatherspoon's old place now! Sam needs help," I commanded, and then hung up. "Get those doors, I got Sam," I said before realizing it was more of a command then a request. Not meaning to disrespect the Pride leader, I added, "Please." If Lawrence took it as disrespectful he didn't show it. He opened the door while I attended to Sam.

Picking her up, bring her close to my body, Sam's eyes fluttered. "That's it Sam. Open those eyes for me. It's Jack," I coaxed.

Moan escaping, "Oh Jack. It hurts so much," her voice but a whisper.

"Help's on the way, Darling. Tell me what hurts." I wanted to keep her conscious as long as possible. I lowered her down gently to the couch trying not to hurt her.

"Chest," she gasped when I put her down.

Stepping away to retrieve a cold cloth, Lawrence was on his phone and Sam once again passed out again.

Lawrence making it to her side first, laid a hand on her ankle. Sam's eyes fluttered open, looking down at her body, spotting Lawrence. "Who...?" she struggled out.

Smiling down at her, Lawrence introduced himself, "I am Lawrence the Pride's leader," he rubbed her leg in a comforting gesture. "I'm going to get you a pillow"

Lawrence moved his hand away, and Sam lost consciousness again. We looked at each other, and then said in unison, "That's interesting."

Lawrence placed his hand back on her leg, and earned gasp. I placed a hand on her forehead earned us her eyes popping open. I started to talk to Sam wanting to keep her as coherent as possible. "Hey Darling, how are you feeling?" I asked.

"It hurts," she whispered.

"OK Hun, just try to stay with us, Doc is on his way," I said, rubbing her brow with my thumb. Lips losing the blue colour, skin turning back to a pale pink, and her pain filled face was more at peace.

"This is definitely interesting," Lawrence said, watching the improvement come over Sam. "I don't know how you are going to feel about this, but I would like to try something. On the count of three we will remove our hands?" he asked looking at me for confirmation.

Her reaction was too interesting not to try. I nodded and started the count, "One, two, three," We both removed our hands simultaneously.

Instantaneously her colour paled, lips turned back to blue, pain etched her face, beads of sweat broke out on her forehead, and an earth-shattering scream came from her mouth.

Placing our hands back immediately, a voice came from the doorway. "I'm a man of science and as this is all very interesting, but hearing that poor girl scream in pain, I vote let's not do that again," Dr. Bosje said.

Hand back in place; screaming stopped, colour returning, and pain in her face dwindled. Within a few minutes, her body temperature cooled and breathing started to regulate.

Watching her improve over a few minutes the Doc took her vitals. "How are you feeling now Sam?" he asked.

"Like shit," she croaked.

A smile tugged at his lips. "If it makes you feel any better I think you are going to be OK," he said, taking her pulse. "Drink this," he put a straw to her lips.

"Thanks," voice raspy but getting louder. "What happened?" she asked after taking a drink.

"I'm not quite sure yet but have a few ideas. So, I heard you know all about us and what connection you have with us." When she nodded, he went on, "It seems with Jack and Lawrence touch you seem to be improving. I hate to do this, but it may help me to figure out what's wrong. If I'm right, this might hurt. Do you understand and do I have your permission to do this?" Jack could tell the Doc was torn by this, but overall he was a man of science.

"Yeah," voice stronger but still sounded exhausted. Still not close to being herself not to even ask what she was agreeing to.

We moved our hands away once more at the same time. Immediately her skin changed, sweat beaded, and that earth-shattering scream ripped out of her throat. Placing our hands back in the same place, we noticed it was taking longer for her to recover. The first time was instantly and this time took twice the time before she was coherent.

"OK, Sam we are going to treat you like one of our own," he said to her, then turned to me. "Let's get her to bed."