Takes place in New Moon after Edward leaves, and this is alternate universe to New Moon.

Bella searched for the meadow that belonged to her and Edward. She needed it somehow to remind her of what they shared. A brief memory that may ease her emptiness. She followed the familiar dirt path traveled so long ago, it seemed. She passed through an arch in the trees that opened up into a symmetrical clearing. This is it. Bella thought to herself. The absence of wildflowers, and replacement of tall grass, disturbed her somehow. She felt overwhelming grief as the emptiness inside started to grip at her very soul. She knelt at the edge of the clearing, and her eyes welled with tears. Visions of her and Edward laying in the meadow, entranced with each other. That was all gone. Edward was gone.

I'm glad I found this without Jacob. I could not let him see me grieve for him. She thought. I can't stay here. I have to leave. She forced herself to rise to her feet. She wiped the tears from her eyes. At least I'm alone and no one can see me wallow in my own self-pity. She thought, and just as she thought that, a figure stepped out of the tree line across the field from her. She focused on the figure, automatically recognizing the pale face under the dark hair. Surprisingly she was ecstatic to see him.

"Laurent!" She cried out. Her thoughts were irrational, but sane at the same time. He was one of them, at least partially. He was of the same kind, yet part of a small coven that tried to murder her.

"Bella?" Laurent seemed surprised to find her, and pleased at the same time.

He walked toward her and stayed about 10 feet from her.

"You remembered?"

"I'm surprised to find you here, Bella. And alone."

"I thought you were in Alaska with the Denali coven?"

"I was. They were most hospitable, especially Irina. But they have strict restrictions. I don't know how they do it for so long. I was surprised to find the Cullen's house empty. How could they leave you behind? I thought you were with Edward?"

"I was, er, I mean am. They have taken a trip and will be back soon."

"I don't think you are being truthful with me, Bella. Their scent is old, and they have been gone for a few months, at least."

Bella tried to change the subject. "Did you find Victoria?"

Laurent let out a disturbing laugh. "Why yes, actually. That is one reason I am here. To locate you for her. I was supposed to save you for her, but I don't know if I can wait that long. I have gone without food for a while now. And you smell mouthwatering." He sniffed the air around them.

Bella felt a lump in her throat as the panic sunk in. She tried to swallow it down. He stepped closer to her, and she could smell his sweet essence. "I don't think Victoria will be very happy with me. She wanted to do this herself. She wants revenge for James. Mate for mate. Edward killed her mate, so she wants you dead."

Bella's voice was shaking. "Edward will know it was you."

"The rain will wash away any trace of you."

"Please, no." Bella begged.

Laurent grabbed her by the shoulders, and Bella started to pull herself away. She was trapped in his grip, and she started to cry out. "NO!"

Laurent swiftly tilted his head to the crease between her neck and shoulder, taking one hard bite. Bella shrieked with pain, but only briefly. She was tossed to the ground only a second after the bite. The burning started, and she writhed in pain in the meadow. He didn't drain her, or didn't get a chance to. She heard snarling and growling all around her. She opened her eyes to see flashes of fur pass in front of her, and then a brief glimpse of Laurent surrounded by huge animals. They were tearing him apart. The pain still seared through her. She thought she was imaging the large animals, part of the hallucination. She continued to groan and shriek in pain. The fire covered her entire body. She heard a round of howls all around her. Then there was a snuffling in her ear, like one of the animals was sniffing her out. "It burns!" She cried out. One of the animals licked her face. A few moments later she heard voices. The animals were gone.

"We're too late." One voice spoke.

"What do we do with her now?" Another deep voice spoke.

"She'll be one of them. We have to kill her too." Another gruff voice spoke.

"No! We can't. She's my friend." That voice Bella recognized as Jacob.

"Jacob?" Bella groaned softly.

Jacob kneeled to her side. "Bella?" One of the others pulled him away from her side.

"Stay back from her, Jake. She's not human anymore."

"We have to help her." Jacob pleaded.

"No, there is no help for her now. It will only be a matter of a few hours."

"We need to find help." Jacob voice wavered.

"Who? The vamp doctor is gone. We have no way to contact them. Not that we should anyway. We won't have time."

"I'll help her then." Jacob went to Bella and scooped her up in his arms.

One of the others grabbed his arm. "No, Jake. You can't help her. She is one of them. She will kill you."

"No, Sam. She is still my Bella. I will get her through this."

"You can't take her to LaPush. It is against the tribal laws."

"What? Do you expect me to take her home to Charlie? She will have him for lunch."

"You can't take her to LaPush. It is forbidden!" Sam emphasized.

"I'll figure out something then." Jacob started to walk away from the others.

"Jake, don't do this. You can't help her." Sam followed him through the woods trying to talk sense into him. "What are you going to do when she is one of them? Are you going to befriend the enemy, Jake? Think about it."

"I am only thinking about her. I love her, Sam. I will help her."

"You are making a mistake. You can't handle it. She will be the death of you."

"Then that is my choice! I will just have to take that chance."

"You are stubborn, Jake."

Jacob walked through the woods, all the while Bella writhed in pain in his arms, moaning. "It's okay, Bella. I'll take care of you." He kissed her on her forehead, and continued walking until he reached Bella's house. Charlie wasn't home, which was a relief to him. He went in the front door, and carried her up the flight of steps to her room. He layed her gently on her bed. He sat beside her and held her hand. He swept the hair from her face. Jacob stayed by her side most of the day, and part of the night, until Charlie came home. Jacob had to make an excuse to what to say to Charlie.

Jacob came down the stairs to greet Charlie. He was surprised and curious to see Jacob.

"Jacob, what the hell? What's going on?"

"Hi, Charlie. I brought Bella home. She is awfully sick. Stomach flu or something."

"Oh, well, we should take her to the doctor's."

"No, I don't think they can do anything for her. If you don't mind, can I sit with her?"

"Jake, what if you get sick?"

"I've already had the flu. I will be fine. She needs someone to look after her."

"Well, I suppose that is okay. You better call Billy and let him know where you are."

"Good idea. He'll be worried."

Jacob went to the phone in the kitchen and made the dreaded call to Billy.

"Hey Dad."

"Jake? What the hell are you thinking? Sam told me what happened."

"I'm sorry, Dad. I have to help her. She needs me." Jacob tried to be careful with his words in case Charlie overheard.

"What about Charlie?"

"She's got some kind of flu, Dad. I will sit with her until she is better. Charlie is okay with that." He emphasized the point.

"You are out of your mind. Call if you need us. I mean it! And don't let her anywhere near Charlie."

"I'll try my best. Maybe you can take Charlie fishing tomorrow?"

"Right. Okay. I will see what I can do to get him out of there."

"Thanks, Dad. I got to go."

"Be careful, Jake."

"I will."

Jacob went back to Charlie. "Dad said it was alright if I sit with her. He also said the fish will be biting pretty well, tomorrow, if you would like to go."

"Oh, yeah. Sounds good. I'll give him a call back."

"I better go see if she needs anything."

"Right. Tell her I love her, and hope she feels better."

"Sure, Charlie."

Jacob went up the stairs to Bella's room, and closed the door behind him. He stared at her, watching for any pain she would show. Her breathing had slowed, and she wasn't groaning anymore. She laid motionless. He sat next to her and held her hand that was cold as ice. His eyes widened at the coldness, and he leaned his head onto her chest to hear her heartbeat. It was beating fast and strong. He pulled himself back sitting, and stared at her face. Her complexion was growing paler if that was possible.

"Bella, it's Jake. I'm here, honey. I will stay here with you. I won't leave you alone. I promise."

She groaned at him, and shook her head slowly, still with her eyes closed. Jacob smoothed her hair. He stayed with her most of the night, and held her hand the whole time. He didn't fall asleep. He continued to watch her face. Morning broke, and the grey light shone through the window. There was a tap at Bella's door. Jacob was dozing, slightly and was jolted by the sound. "Yeah, Charlie."

He peeked his head in the door. "Hey, you okay? She need anything?"

"No, we're okay. She's resting quietly."

"Okay. I'm picking up Billy, and we're heading out to fish."

"No, problem. I can handle this."

"I'm sure you can, Jake. Thanks. She really needs a friend like you."

"I'm glad to do it."

"Yeah, I know. Well, see you later."

"See you."

Five minutes after Charlie left, Jacob went downstairs to get some water. He heard a noise and turned to see what it was. He walked into the living room and saw the front door ajar. He took a whiff of the air, and knew something wasn't right. He rushed upstairs, dropping the glass of water. He came to a dead-stop at Bella's bedroom doorway and saw Alice kneeling by Bella's side, she was whispering in Bella's ear. She glanced up to see Jacob. He suddenly grew angry.

"What the hell are you doing here?" He asked. He started to shake.

"Calm down, you over-grown pup. I saw her get attacked by Laurent, then I didn't see her again until she was laying in her bed. But obviously I couldn't see her because of you. Somehow I can't see her when she is around you."

"Well, she got bit. I think she is dying."

"She's turning. It will only be another day, and she will be one of us."

"Us? You mean a blood-sucker?"

"Vampire, Jake. You should know."

"You all left her, unguarded. How were we supposed to know another one of you were here and out for her blood?"

"Laurent was not of our coven."

"I realize that."

"So what happened to your little tribe? I thought you were the protectors? You lose Laurent?"

"We didn't get to her in time. We were following a trail. She just happened to be there, and we came too late. Besides, it's not our fault."

"I'm not saying it is. I'll have to call Edward. He needs to know."

"Like he cares. He left her here alone."

"He only left to keep her safe from us."

"Well, he didn't take in consideration the other vamp, now did he?"

"No. He didn't. He will be upset."

"Upset? Does he even have that emotion?"

"Please, Jake. You have no idea."