Revolting

Hannah felt uneasy as she moved through the back door into the house that felt strangely familiar. It was like moving through a dream, and the feeling of déjà vu was making her head hurt.

She recognized the scent of the house in the same way she recognized the scent of the blond woman with the pregnant belly. It stirred something deep in her memory bank, a flitting shadow that she couldn't quite grasp. But some inner knowledge, some instinct told her that Daisy was okay. And the house, which still smelled faintly like bacon and maple syrup, was also a safe place.

She looked around the kitchen wide eyed, at the things that seemed both foreign and familiar at the same time. There was a big cook stove with double ovens, the big silver refrigerator, the recessed closet that served as a pantry. She felt like she knew where everything was. She knew where the big bin of potatoes was. She knew where the jugs of milk were kept in the refrigerator. She knew which cupboard she would find the cups in. She trailed her fingers over the sink and played with the faucet for a moment, turning the water off and on.

"Why don't we make some cookies?" Daisy suggested.

Hannah could only tip her head as she watched the woman hold her belly while she dug out a huge mixing bowl. "Here, you take this," the blonde woman pushed the bowl into Hannah's hands. "And this," she added a spoon, and then continued to move around pulling ingredients from the cupboard. Hannah watched with awe and curiosity as Daisy started measuring out ingredients. She jumped away in fright when she flicked on the noisy electric mixer, but slowly crept up to see how the cookie dough was spinning and mixing under the beaters.

"Now, the best part," Daisy held up a plastic bag of chocolate morsels.

Hannah felt excitement bubble up as she reached out for the sweet candy like a child. "Em-en-ems!" she vocalized.

Daisy looked in surprise from the bag of chocolate chips to her young friend. "Well, no, not exactly. These are chocolate chips. Here, try some." She tore open the corner of the bag and sprinkled a few into Hannah's palm. Hannah frowned down at the little brown chocolates before she timidly popped one into her mouth. Her mouth stretched into a smile of appreciation, as she quickly licked the rest out of her hand.

"Yeah, they are good right?" Daisy laughed, and dumped the rest of the chocolate chips into the bowl of batter. Hannah made a grumbling noise as she watched the rest of the sweet candy disappear into the cookie batter as Daisy stirred it with the big spoon. "Don't worry," Daisy smiled happily. "These are going to be really good, trust me. Can you help me now? We are going to drop these by the spoonful onto the sheet pans."

Daisy demonstrated, using a teaspoon to scoop out a ball of dough, and then using her clean finger to push it off the spoon and onto the pan. Hannah watched like an eager child, and then, with great concentration, she mirrored Daisy's movements. At first her cookies were too big, or too small, or obscenely shaped. But by the time they got to the third sheet pan, Hannah's cookies looked almost as perfect as Daisy's. Hannah was sliding out the third batch just as William and Heath rounded the corner into the kitchen, their noses lifted in appreciation.

"Daisy, what is that heavenly... oooh!" William stopped abruptly, and Heath plowed into his back. "Hey Hannah."

Hannah looked between the two men with narrowed eyes. She had gone stiff, and seemed unsure whether she should be preparing to run away, or if she should run toward them. When she looked at the taller man with the tousled red-brown hair, she felt a sense of familiarity. His brown eyes were so similar to her own. His lop-sided smile was so warm, it made her feel comfortable on the inside. She felt drawn to the man. It wasn't the magnetic pull she felt with Michael, it was more...orgforting. Her face scrunched up as she tried to figure out what to do with all of these strange, unfamiliar feelings.

Daisy grabbed a plate and loaded up with some of the cookies which had already cooled. She gave William and Heath a happy smile as she passed them the plate. William grabbed the milk from the fridge and topped off two glasses, while Heath perched on one of the kitchen stools. "So," he looked eagerly between the two young women. "It looks like things are going well in here?"

Daisy nodded, as she handed Hannah another empty try, and Hannah went to work spooning more cookie dough on it for the next batch. "Things are going fine," Daisy said sweetly. "I know you've been thinking the worst, Heath, but your sister is still here. She'll come back to herself, she just needs some time."

Sister...the word struck a chord that vibrated harshly in her chest. Hannah paused with a spoonful of batter still clutched in her fingers.

"You are my little sister. I'll take care of you. I'll never let them hurt you again."

She lifted her free hand and touched the burn scar on her face. In her mind's eye she could see a gangly boy. He was not even a teenager yet, but in those awkward years just before puberty. His hair was more red back then, and he had more freckles on his milky-white skin, but his golden-brown eyes were the same.

"We are better off alone, Hannah. Never trust a pack."

Brother... yes, she remembered. She had a brother.

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"Hannah... are you okay?" Daisy interrupted her thoughts. Hannah blinked in confusion and looked down at the cookie dough that was barely dangling from her spoon, only seconds away from sliding off onto the floor. She quickly transferred it to the pan, but her hands had begun to shake. A panicky feeling was beginning to crawl up into her throat. She wanted to get out of the kitchen, out of the pack house. She wanted to be somewhere that felt safe and familiar. She wanted Michael.

"Maybe that's enough for today," Daisy said gently, pulling the spoon out of Hannah's shaking hand. "Why don't we make a plate of cookies for you to take back to Michael, hmmm?"

Heath made a strangled sound his throat, and Daisy gave him a dirty look as she retrieved another plate. "He is her mate, Heath. Like it or not." "Rejected mate," Heath growled.

Daisy handed Hannah the full plate of cookies. "I don't think that matters anymore." She said softly, with a sad look. She put a comforting arm around Hannah's small shoulders and started steering her toward the back door. She took a deep breath and opened the door. She gave Hannah a small smile. "Go on, sweetie, he's waiting for you."