Summary: When Charlie is forced to reveal to Bella a secret he swore to Renee that he would never tell, her world is flipped upside-down. Reality as she knew it, is dramatically altered, and the one choice she was so sure of is put in the balance.

Authors Note: All characters, places, objects, etc. all belong to Stephenie Meyer, any alteration of those things are mine.

-1-

I wasn't sure why this beach meant so much to me. I suppose it was partly caused by everything that had taken place here. This was where I had first spent time with Jacob after I came to live in Forks with Charlie. Farther down the beach, Jacob had told me the stories of his tribe, leading me to discover Edward's identity. Much farther away, I had gone cliff diving on my own, leading Edward to attempt suicide. The list went on and on.

The waves crashing into the rocks on the shore were like music to my ears. I never thought I would be here now. I was certain I would loathe the cold when I moved here from Arizona, but now it's comforting. I guess that was, in part, because of Edward, and anything cold reminded me of him.

He didn't know I was here right now. Or rather, he didn't know when I came. Everyone but Rosalie had gone hunting, and though Alice was sure to have seen me decide to come here, they couldn't have gotten the information to Rosalie before I made it across the border. If Rosalie would have known, and she knew Edward wouldn't maim her if I got hurt, I doubt she would have even cared. She was truly a bad choice when it came to a babysitter for me.

I partly understood Rosalie's hate for me now. I certainly made it seem like everything she had ever wanted from life was worthless. But to me, it was worthless. A normal life was worthless if I did not have Edward to spend it with. I had experienced that before, and it was a time I never wanted to go back to.

I tiptoed down to the beach fairly certain that the water was going to be cold, but that's what I needed right now. My body had become feverish over the last few days, at first it wasn't so bad, but then I began to become extremely tired. I figured it was only a cold; it would pass soon enough. I was still sweating despite the nearly freezing temperatures outside.

I put my feet down in the water, squishing the sand at the bottom between my toes. If there wasn't the possibility of someone walking down here at any time, I would have gone for a swim.

I'm not completely sure why I felt it was so important to see Jacob today. It was just an instinct that came over me suddenly. Sometimes I thought back to the first time he kissed me; the day I broke my hand in an attempt to break his nose. I had to let out a chuckle at that. My impulses were more often than not reckless and stupid. To this day, I had found nothing that came close to that kiss. Edward's kisses were magnificent, and they were more than perfect in their own way, but Jacob opened up another category altogether. How could you compare fire and ice? Each is perfect in its own way.

My vision and thoughts blurred together. I relaxed for the first time in days and it felt amazing.

"Bella?" my heart jumped as I was thrown back into reality. It wasn't who I had hoped, but it was close enough.

"Hey Sam," I called back and got to my feet. I realized how ridiculous I must have looked. I had changed out of my sweats and into a pair of jean shorts I wore often in Arizona paired with a small tank top. Despite what the thermometer read, it felt like I was in Phoenix again.

"Are you okay? You do realize its 23 degrees outside, right?" he was looking me over, obviously concerned for my mental health at this point.

"Yeah, I was just feeling a little hot today," I shrugged my shoulders and looked in the other direction. As if most of the pack didn't think I was crazy enough already...

"Well Jacob is back at Emily's place with the rest of them. Come on, I'm headed there now," he motioned for me to walk with him. I had never really talked to Sam much; the only thing I knew about him was what Jacob had told me about the love triangle he was unwillingly involved in with Emily and Leah. I didn't need wolf telepathy to see how much that whole situation hurt him. It was written all over his face, and engraved into his eyes.

You could hear the pack's laughter from quite a ways away. Every once in a while, Emily's soprano voice chimed in alongside. Leah wasn't among them, obviously. I don't know why I thought she would be. I couldn't imagine her pain. Nasty break-ups happened every day, but to be forced to listen to how much Sam loved Emily continuously... I shook my head. Sam glanced over at me for a moment, and I could tell he knew something was wrong. From what I could tell though, Sam wasn't a prying person, and he left the matter alone.

"Bella!" Quil called from where he stood outside Emily's door. Everyone got quiet for a second, and then I heard my name called a few more times while the laughter resumed. I stopped for a moment when I saw Jacob come through the door. My favorite smile was spread across his face. Introductions were not even necessary. I jogged forward to receive a bear hug from my best friend.

"Bella," he spoke into my hair, "What are you doing here? And why are you in shorts? Are you trying to kill yourself by hypothermia now?" He laughed and set me back down onto the ground.

I didn't quite know how to answer so I just gave him the same one I gave Sam, "I was hot." I laughed at how absurd I sounded.

He was genuinely confused at first, but then shrugged his shoulders, "Whatever brings you to see me more often." I followed him inside where Emily was cooking plate after plate of food for the ravenous boys gathered around her small kitchen table. They were all here: Paul, Embry, Quil, Jared, and Seth, now joined by Sam and Jacob, who was standing at my side.

"You do know that you're not in Phoenix anymore, right Bella?" Embry laughed. I just smiled in response. I lost track of time, leaning up against Jake, laughing along with everyone. It felt like I was born here on the reservation, like this is where I really belonged. There was only one other place I felt like this, and that was when I felt Edward's arms wrapped around me, keeping me safe from the world. Hours had passed since I left now, and I began to wonder if Edward was okay. No doubt he was very angry with me for going behind his back; he was probably going insane right about now.

The sun was beginning to set outside the window. Jake traced his fingers over my arm absent-mindedly. I knew how much this meant to him, to spend time with me. Even if it didn't mean the same thing to both of us, it was the least I could do to try and repay him for all he had done for me. One-by-one the pack began to slowly disappear, until Jacob and I were alone with Sam and Emily. Jacob rose to his feet signaling that we should go. I followed his lead, and crossed the room to hug Emily goodbye.

"I hope to see you back here soon, Bella," she smiled and kissed my cheek. I waved goodbye to Sam, and followed Jake out the door, where the smell of the salt-water was strong in the air. I smiled and took a deep breath.

"What?" Jake noticed my sudden happiness and questioned me with a grin.

"Nothing... The smell of the ocean, the cold... The longer I'm here in Forks, the more I feel at home," my voice trailed off. Jake didn't say anything in reply, he just held onto my hand. It didn't take us long to get back to my truck where I left it parked in front of his house. He jumped in the passenger side, silently informing me of his intent to ride with me to the border. It roared to live reluctantly, and creaked into motion, making its way onto the main road.

Jacob was quiet for the most part, occasionally running his fingers through his hair. This was one of the few times I was envious of Edward's unique ability. It must be nice, to always know the right thing to say to someone, to never be embarrassed... But are all these perks worth your soul? According to Edward, they weren't, but I could never comprehend how someone with such a big heart could have no soul. It wasn't logical, really, if you thought about it.

Our conversation faded away slowly as Jacob and I made our way to the border of the Quileute reservation, where the strenuous treaty between my best friend and my boyfriend ended. I zoned in and out, barely focusing on my driving until that familiar Volvo came into view with my favorite (and currently unbelievably angry) vampire leaning against the hood, fists clenched into tight balls. I knew this wouldn't end well. I pulled my truck over to the side of the road.

"He's angry with you for seeing me? A little pathetic, isn't it? Like I'm anywhere close to as dangerous as he is," Jacob was half speaking to me, half mumbling to himself. I tried to ignore the beginning of what seemed like constant arguing between the two of them. I got out of the truck, and Jacob followed. When I headed toward Edward, I expected him to be happy to see me, but his reaction left me stunned.

"What were you thinking, Bella? Honestly, would you think of my position in this ordeal before running off to see your dog? Tricking Rosalie is particularly low. Leaving me frantic, desperately trying to return to Forks before you made it across the border. It was unbelievably selfish, what you did," Edward's normally angelic voice had a chill to it that sent shivers down my spine. But when the words registered in my mind, the shivering was violently replaced with anger.

"What right do you have to call me selfish? When you know that Jacob won't hurt me, and it's your stupid feud that is keeping me away from him. And I didn't trick Rosalie, regardless of what she told you. She could probably care less where I am right now, actually, your just too convinced that this is the result of my reckless stupidity to realize it," I paused for a moment to catch my breath, surprised at how malicious my voice was at the moment before continuing, "You know what, I think I'll stay on the reservation tonight. I'll call Charlie when I get back to Billy's." I made my way back to my truck where Jacob was waiting, my feet stomping on their own out of shear anger. But before I could get very far, Edward's normally loving hand grasped my shoulder in a sharp hold.

"No. You are not staying anywhere near the mutts, tonight," Edward was past angry, without thinking about it, he was letting his grip tighten, crushing my shoulder.

"Edward... Ow!" I yelped in pain, trying to get his hand off me. The pain was shooting through my shoulder and down my arm.

"Hey!" Jacob yelled from behind me, his voice transitioning into a deep growl, "Get off her!" he screamed, and his entire body began to quiver and shake. I knew Edward could tell what was about to happen as well as I could. In a few sudden movements, an infuriated wolf was standing scarily close to me, growls coming from deep in his throat. Edward returned with his own snarls, and crouched down.

I began to scream, standing in front of Edward to try and stop the fight. I didn't stand much of a chance; in a matter of seconds Edward's hand flew up and hit me in the chest, knocking me back a good twenty feet and into the base of a large tree. When my world stopped spinning, all I could see was a flash of fur and marble skin, my human eyes couldn't pick up on their movements. I struggled to raise myself to my feet, and when I finally did, my heart stopped.

Jacob was in the air, snarling and clawing, but more terrifying altogether was what held him there. Edward's pale arms were wrapped around Jacob's waist; his face was twisted and was no longer the face of the one I loved so much. He was a monster, a killer, with one intent. Before I could open my mouth to scream, Edward tightened his embrace and the air was filled with the heartbreaking sound of crunching bones.

My mind began to spin, I couldn't think. I couldn't breathe. Was Jacob hurt? Did Edward even care? No, he was the cause of this. I felt my body begin to convulse, my face was suddenly covered in sweat, and my body temperature was through the roof. Then it all came crashing together, and I fell forward onto what I thought were my hands and knees.

"Bella?" I looked up to see Edward's stunned face and Jacob, lying on his side, still as a wolf, staring directly at me with wide eyes. They were looking at me like I was the most terrifying thing they had ever laid eyes on. I opened my mouth, but no words would form. What was happening? Was I in shock? I looked around and up at the sky, the world appeared the same. I looked down and stopped. How could this happen?

Two silver paws rested on the ground where my hands should have been.