"Alex?" Beth asked in a normal voice. I made soft grunt and covered my right ear with my hand.

"Sorry." She said, back to whispering.

"You'll be able to tune it out in a few days. For now we'll whisper or maybe mind speak." Breea spoke to me and seemed unconcerned that I hadn't moved except to cover my ear. "You'll get stronger, too. So you won't be so weak after shifting."

My skin was so sensitive that I felt the air move when Jeremy stood.

"I think, now, you should get some rest. If you need us we'll be upstairs." He had walked across the carpet and crouched down be side me.

"I feel everything." I whispered as I looked up at him.

"I know. I'm going to pick you up and lay you on the bed, okay?" He looked up and nodded.

Stephano stood and walked over to the bed. He flipped the mattress over hidding the evidence of my transformation.

Gingerly, Jeremy slid his arms under me. He paused when his touch hurt.

Ann was making the bed with clean sheets as he slowly moved forward.

Jeremy layed me on the bed slowly. It took a minute for my sensitive skin to grow accustomed to the soft pillow top. Finally I was able to sigh in relief.

I realized that I really had expended about all of my energy. Sleep sounded good.

One of the mouse squeeled angrily. The other retaliated. The fight lasted just a few seconds. One of them, the losser, squeeked and ran away. I shivered as I imagined them climbing up the bed and nibbling on my fingers. I see in my mind as they fought over a choice bite of my flesh.

"Will someone please kill those things." I whispered to no one in particular.

Ann gasped. Breea explained that I was speaking of the mice in the walls.

"Oh." She sighed. "I'll call an exterminator tomorrow." She whispered softly.

I wanted Beth. I wanted to have her beside me. I wanted her arms wrapped around me. I didn't care if it hurt. I just needed her.

"Beth?" I managed to whisper.

The air moved, stiring her scent. The carpet crunched lightly under her feet. Meterial scratched as it rubbed together. I felt the bed dip as she sat on the edge of the mattress.

"Stay with me?" I pleaded.
She lay beside me but I could smell her concern. I smelled the scent of ham, cheese and yeasty bread on her breath.

The other started moving quietly to the stairway.

Breea, why is it harder to deal with the senses now than it was an animal form. I sent her over the mind speak link.

Because they are your animals scenes. Your body will adjust, give it time. You'll be fine. For now just be with your mate. She sent back. The words held confidence.

When we were alone I decided I would never shift again if it would leave me this weak.

I wanted to talk to Beth. I wanted to assure her I was okay. I wanted to make sure she was okay. I wanted to know if she was freaking out. I wanted to make sure that she was going to be here. I know it was crazy. My body was exhausted the mind was fully awake and functioning. My body won.

I reached for her, our hands caressed. My eyes closed. "So sleepy. Sorry." I mumbled appologeticly.

But sleep claimed me before I heard if she replied.

***

When I woke up I was alone on the bed in the basement. Someone have covered me with the blue sheet in added a dark blue comforter.

The bedding was so soft I filled it all over my skin. It was then that I realize that I was almost naked.

The only thing I had on was a pair of underwear. I'm not exactly sure a but it did cross my mind to wonder who all saw me this way and how I had gotten like this.

I listened to the sounds of the house. I could hear at least four people moving about the house.

I can smell best can't very strongly. Ann's, Jeremy's, Breea, and Stephano's scents were fainter but present.

I stripped the blue flat sheet from the bed and wrapped it around myself toga style.

I tricked up the stairs in made my way to the kitchen. Jimmy was pulling ingredients in the fridge. He pause, arms full he looked over his shoulder at me. He smiled pleasantly.

"Hungry?" He asked keeping his knowing grin in place. I nodded anyway. "There's blood in the fridge. Breea brought it last night." He lightly kicked the fridge door closed and placed his burden on the counter.

"I feel like I've not ate in a month." I complained.

Jeremy laughed. "Just a week."

A week? How was that possible? My memories of the transformation didn't account for a weeks worth of time.

I pulled a plastic bag from the fridge. I forced the strong smell of plastic from my mind. I had no choice I wouldn't have been able to drink while smelling it. With the bag empty I walked in the pantry and thew the bag away.

Back in the kitchen Jeremy was cooking with all four electric burners.

It was the smell of red meat sizzling that drew me closer.

"I want some of that." I declared. I pointed to the stove.

I hissed at him when he opened the jar of red pepper flakes. The smell was too much. My nose, mouth and eyes burned. I stepped back.

He paused. "Yeah. That may be a bit much at the moment." He closed the lid of the container, but the smell stayed.

"Where's Beth?"

"Shower, second floor, I think." He said as he stirred redwine into the refried beans.

I turned on my heels and escaped from the kitchen and overwhelming smell of red pepper.

I took the stairs two at a time. I felt the hot mist from the shower as soon as I stepped on the second story landing. The smell of coconut shampoo floated on the moist particals.