Author: Urban Rose

Pairing: Bella/Edward and Bella/Jacob

Genre: Drama, Friendship, Romance

Rating: M (eventually)

Beta/Pre-Readers: BABS81410

In Progress

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

"Come on Bells!" Quil cajoled using Jake's nick name for her. "You gotta have faith in our boy here!" he added, nodding at Jake.

Her hand pressed firmly into his back as she saw him tense his back. She glanced up at the back of the tower of golden muscles in front of her, knowing as his muscles twitched under her hand he was waiting for her to knock him down in front of his whole pack. What have I done to this boy? Damn Quil making Jake question her faith in him.

Chapter two

Bella

Stepping to stand beside Jake, I grasped his hand in mine, entwining our fingers, and squeezing his hand firmly.

"Well duh, Quil! Sure, sure whatever," I replied using Jake's catch phase I had adopted, much to Edward's annoyance. I saw the corner of Jake's mouth twitch as he tried not to smile. I knew he had realised what I was doing, and felt the slightest squeeze on my hand.

The boys all hooted in response, letting Paul go as they pumped their fists in the air. Paul surprisingly, was looking rather smug. Does he really think he stands a chance against Jake? Not that they are serious. I can play them at their own games, and call their bluff.

"So what odds are you gonna give me? My money is on Jake. Five dollars." Jake, who had calmed at the sound of my touch and voice, laughed merrily, while playing mock hurt, he had somehow pulled me in front of him and had wrapped his arms around me, without letting my hand go. How does he do that? It always felt so normal and natural to always be so tactile with Jake.

"Five dollars? Is that all I'm worth Bells? Charming! Just five dollars" he tutted teasingly, leaning down to look at me with hurt puppy eyes. I laughed at him, and raised my hand, to playfully push his cheek away as he turned his face quickly and kissed my palm. I really should tell him not to do that, but… I don't mind it, I like it. It's us. But I'm with… My thoughts were interrupted thankfully by Jared.

"She doesn't wanna give her money away Black!"

He snickered from behind us. He was clearly trying to get a reaction out of Jake, and inflate Paul's already big head. I rolled my eyes before I peered under Jake's elbow, to glare at Jared.

"Make it fifty Embry!" before I playfully winked at Jared, who laughed, surprised alongside Kim, Sam and Emily. Jake gave me a squeeze, pulling me back into an upright position, wrapping his arms, around me again and pulling my back into him, and kissing me on the back of my head. I smiled contentedly at his gestures and how the atmosphere had thawed to now a playful one. "Thanks Honey, don't worry it will be easy money, sure you don't wanna make it a hundred?" he laughed.

Embry and Quil were looking at us deviously and whispering, I suddenly felt Jacob tense, at whatever they were saying and Jared laughed behind me. Seth was looking very nervous, and Paul looked like the prize ram in front of a field of ewes, which didn't make me feel good at all. Embry and Quil, both smiled innocently at me, and I suddenly felt very uneasy.

"What are you two up to?" I demanded.

"How about we up the stakes instead Bella?" Quil asked. I was suddenly extremely suspicious, Jake didn't like what they were thinking and it was making Seth nervous, and the others found it highly amusing, and as for Paul, that look was just creepy.

"Like?..." I was pretty sure I wasn't going to like this.

"I don't have any more money, although I won't be losing so what the hell, a hundred then!" Trying to turn it back to money, I gambled higher. I've never ever gambled before and here I was betting more money than I had to spare. Thank goodness I trusted Jake completely. Although I didn't like the idea of him fighting Paul, especially for over me or for money, but I didn't believe they really would. Sam wouldn't let them I was positive I just had to prove to them I had complete faith in Jake.

"Actually let's say two", I chuckled at my own bravery.

"NO!" Jake exclaimed crossly.

"It's fine Jake, honestly. We both you know won't lose!" I smiled up at him, but he didn't look away from the boys in front of us.

"Don't go there!" He warned. Now I was confused. What the hell does that mean "Don't go there"?

"Jake? It's easy money, remember!" But his face, from this angle looked really severe. What on earth is going on? "Jake? What's going on I want to know." I tried to turn in his arms to see his face properly, but he kept his embrace tight, so I couldn't shift around. I looked towards the two mischief makers in front of me, because whatever was going on it clearly was bugging Jake.

"So come on then guys what's the currency? But I'm will tell you now there is no way in hell I am removing any item of clothing" I stated firmly.

Suddenly everyone, begun laughing exuberantly, even Paul. I smiled, I guessed as much. Little pervs!

"Bella what do you think of us? I am deeply hurt you would think that of me! I see you like my little sister!" Embry declared, with his hand over his heart and a sorrowful look on his face, all the while trying not to burst into more laughter.

"Little? I'm older than you wolf boy!" I tried to keep my voice serious but I laughed half way, at his expression.

"Yes, well maybe in birthdays but erm I hate to tell you this, in every other way I am bigger than you!" He chuckled, as he stood to his full height and puffed his chest out, like he was trying to do a courting ritual, while sticking his chin in the air, and resting his hands on his hips, broadening his shoulders.

I was quietly imitated at the mere size of him, in his full extent, and subconsciously leaned back into Jake, I felt Jake give me a gentle squeeze, in acknowledgement but he knew as well as I did there was no way I was going to let any of the others know that, especially Paul. So I did the only thing I could do and I stuck my tongue out at him. So mature Bella! So mature.

"Oh Bella so mature!" he laughed loudly again. Damn that boy!

"So come on then… what is it that us mere humans don't know boys?" Kim called out. Ah of course the imprints and Elders, if they were paying any attention to us young ones, were as much in the dark as I was.

"Yes, come on, what's the master-mind plan of yours dumb and dumber?" I asked.

I had felt Jake stiffen at Kim's question but I felt his body vibrate softly as he chuckled at my endearments for his two best friends.

They both looked at each other, than at Jake, who shook his head above me.

"Ha Jake is too scared!" Paul taunted, "He knows he will lose or maybe it's because he knows it would never happen in a million years, even if he did win, which lets be honest is likely as the Leech lover doing it!" challenged Paul. "And we all know damn well she wouldn't be allowed to do it anyway let alone want too! Face it you're just some Leech Lover's pet lapdog!" he sneered.

Wait what? She won't want to do it? Who? And what? Wait! This is about me? What the hell? What did they want me to do that Jake thought I wouldn't want to do or be allowed to do and by whom?

"Well if someone doesn't tell me how the hell are you gonna know dipstick!" I confronted him angrily. Jake leaned down and kissed the top my head, trying to soothe me but I could feel he was still tense behind me, although I'm sure I felt him smile into my hair as I cursed. I had a pretty good idea I really didn't want to know and the uneasy feeling swirling around in my stomach wasn't helping me feel any better.

"Its fine Bells", Jake reassured me. "Don't worry about it. They're just being dumb, and Paul is just being… well being himself. Ignore him. Come on let's go get something to drink."

Jake loosened his embrace and taking my hand, to pull me towards the drinks bucket.

"No I want to know what it is now" I resisted stamping my foot, but only just.

I heard Kim and Emily murmured in agreement they were just in the dark just as much as I was.

I pulled on Jake's hand to stop him, trying to pulling me towards the drinks. I looked up into the dark pools of coffee that were his eyes, and stepped closer to him so I stood between his feet, and rested one hand on his broad chest, the other still holding his, "Look I hate the idea of you fighting full stop. Even when you have too, I hate it more than anything, so I definitely don't want you to fight for some stupid bet but these morons are beginning to bug the hell out of me because I know, you know, hell we all know you could kick Paul's butt in your sleep." I stated matter-of-factly, not breaking eye contact with Jake, hoping he could see and hear the sincerity in my words, voice and face.

At my words Jake's face broke into that heart stopping sunny smile, and the deep chuckle I loved. A giggle slipped from my lips, as I realised I had put that smile there; all me. I was euphoric for a moment before I heard laughter from surrounding us suddenly bringing me back to the here and now. Concentrate Bella!

"And maybe I wanna know just how much money we are gonna win!" I called out over my shoulder loudly, daring Embry and Quil. I turned slightly, so I could see their faces, and raised an eyebrow in question, waiting.

Jake sighed agitatedly and I felt him drop my hand. I panicked fleetingly before I felt the warmth of his skin, as he took the step that separated us, I could feel his body and his presence even though he wasn't touching me. I worried what I had done to upset him so abruptly and realised I was already missing his hand in mine, which worried me more. To distract my mind and my hands I placed my hands on my hips in a defiant manner, I tilted my head to the boys facing us, and keeping my eyebrow raised and pulled my lips in a twisted to the side pucker, all the while hoping I looked more 'don't mess with me' then a rebellious toddler, throwing a strop. Well you can hope Bella!

Quil's face lit up with a devilish smile, "Oh but we already told you we didn't want your money Bella! Remember? This is much more interesting. I just don't think you're brave enough Bella. Do you Embry?"

"Nope deffo not, Sorry Bells", he taunted, using Jake's nickname like Quil had earlier.

I growled it wasn't as impressive as Jake's; in fact I sounded like a kitten, but oh well the gesture was there. "Sure, sure. So you say, I think you two just haven't actually got anything besides the stripping and don't want to look like the idiots you are." I retorted. All four boys were watching Jake closely then their eyes suddenly shot behind him to Sam. I turned to glance at Sam, who just nodded at them.

"Weeeeeellllllllllll" Quil began, dragging the word out as slowly as he could, his eyes now flickering between Jake and me, before settling on mine.

"We were thinking that if Paul loses he has to be your guard dog for a week…" ventured Embry, as Paul looked disgusted and the others all snickered, except Jacob. "But if he wins, Jake has to be his skivvy for a week!"Quil finished. I gasped.

"No way!" I stated.

"Hang on Bella, we haven't finished." Embry interrupted before I even got to rant.

"Didn't you say Jake could kick his butt Bella? That is what she said isn't it Embry?" Quil spoke, while trying really hard not to laugh. I could only imagine Jake's face I didn't want to see his face, especially as I was now looking at Paul's overly smug one. I really would like to slap that smug look of his mug.

"Hmmm yep, I'm pretty sure that's what she said. Isn't it Sam?" All our eyes flew to the Alpha's face, surprised Embry was actually asking Sam to verbally join in. Other than the nod, Sam had merely been a quiet observer, standing on the outskirts of the group, until now. Sam walked round to stand to the side of us, but situated himself safely in the centre, in what must be the "neutral zone". Jared, Emily and Kim followed, and stood with him, clearly wanting first row seats. Great!

Sam's normally stoic face, looked like he was trying very hard to maintain his composed, detached appearance. Is Sam trying not to laugh? So now I'm the laughing stock for them all? Just bloody perfect! Why doesn't the ground ever open up and swallow me up when I want it too?

I growled again, frustrated. Jake placed his large hand on my back, in the dip of my waist, just above my own hand on my hip, but so it wouldn't be seen by those stood around us. I calmed slightly at his reassuring touch, although normally he was always so forward and unabashed, at touching me, even in front of the other pack members, the elders, even Charlie. But for some reason, he had pulled back and now he didn't want anyone to see his secret reassurance. I was beyond confused but couldn't ask him, with all the damn supernatural hearing around us.

Taking a huge lungful of air, and letting it out slowly, I turned to the clowns in front of me.

"So are you going to tell me what Jake gets if he wins? Or just keep this charade going all night Laurel and Hardy? Because I'm getting rather bored now" I fake yawned for effect. I heard Emily and Kim giggle, and saw Sam and Jared both smile, out the corner of my eye. I could feel Jake, smiling behind me, I don't know how but I just knew he was.

"Well that's the best bit!" Quil quipped, beginning to bounce around with excitement! "He gets you!"

"What the hell?" I yelled, as Emily, Kim and someone else gasped in shock. I could feel myself growing angry, the heat spreading through me as I clenched my teeth and fists together. "I am not some prize like a bit of cattle!" I spat at them. "This isn't the middle ages! You do realise that don't you? You do realise you can't exchange women anymore? Right?" I screeched my control lost. "Three goats and a cow and you've got a virgin bride" I mimicked in a voice I imagined a Neanderthal may have used, although the fury in my voice made it sound more like someone had the said Neanderthal by his prize assets instead. Ooooh now there's an idea… I wonder how close I'd get to the three stooges. I was including Paul in this punishment. I wonder who to go for first? Because I doubt I'll get to all three… hmmm Quil. Although on second thoughts I think he may like it a bit too much. I shivered at that thought. Jake feeling it, took his hand away, before I realised he must have thought I shivered in the repulsion of being his prize. I spun round and grabbed his hand, trying to convey that wasn't why I was repulsed. I'd have to explain, but first I was still smarting from this chauvinistic stupid bet.

"Calm down Bells." Jake, spoke quietly, with a hint of hurt in his voice. If I didn't know him so well, I may have missed the flicker of pain which flashed across his face, before he placed an impassive expression across his face. "They don't mean like well like er that!" Jacob blushed, as I realised I had got the wrong end of the stick, the other boys chortled. Oh the shame. I blushed deeply, as Emily stepped towards me and rubbed my arm, trying to comfort me.

She was probably used to the boys' antics and their idea of fun, although I highly doubted being the Alpha's imprint, she had ever been a part of any of their 'fun'. In fact I bet neither had Kim. Being an imprint obviously gave you some security and saved you this kind of teasing and ribbing. I thought bitterly.

"Then what do they mean?" I asked Jake, as I tried to reassure him silently that I hadn't and wasn't cross at him, or disgusted at the idea of him "winning" me but I think my confusion was more evident than anything else.

"It doesn't matter, it's just them being immature and dumb you don't have to do anything. Let's get a drink Honey" He soothed, taking my hand again, and squeezing it.

"You have to stay here in La Push for a week" called out Quil, who wasn't going to let Jake sweep this under the carpet, like Jake was obviously desperately trying to do. Jake tried to drag me away from the circle of his pack members and imprints.

"Huh?" was my brilliant response, as my head whipped back to look at Quil, confused.

"Told you she wouldn't wanna do it, Black! You ain't dead enough for her" Paul spat.

Jake stopped, with a loud growl and as I was still following him, but looking over my shoulder at Quil, I hadn't realised he had stopped so I walked right into the 6' 7" solid wall of muscle that was my best friend, and went sprawling backwards into the sand, and straight onto my butt. Jacob was picking me up before I had realised what had even happened and was apologising and asking if I was alright over and over. I nodded mutely at him and dusted my shorts off before I turned around to face the crowing group of boys. Watching them all laughing at not just me but Jake, made me grow cross again.

"I didn't say that you bunch of mangy dogs! It's just that Charlie wouldn't let me" I argued, as I silently added neither would Edward.

"Whatever, we all know the truth, Bloodsucker lover!" Paul was really beginning to piss me off with his name calling and his venom I had never done anything to him, but try and be nice.

I could feel Jake begin to shake I reached behind to grab his hand without looking at him I was too scared to look in his eyes and too scared for him to look into mine. Jake could read me better than anyone else. He could literally see straight to my core. What he would see I had no idea but I knew I didn't want to risk it.

Embry still wasn't done bartering "He might if he thought you were staying at Emily and Sam's…" It was at this point, a deep voice chimed in.

"Bella would be staying with Emily and Sam. If Charlie agreed to her staying. I don't see him even thinking about it, otherwise." Billy's voice made me jump, I had completely forgot the elders were here, witnessing this, yet none of them had said anything until now. Sue Clearwater must have been the other gasp I had heard, I thought to myself.

Everyone there was well aware he meant that there was no way in hell, Charlie would even think about allowing me to stay at Billy's these days, unless it was in an emergency and for one night only. Charlie may think of the Blacks' as family, and Jake as a son, but he still knew he was a teenage boy with a crush on his only teenage daughter.

"I can assure you all now, I will not be telling Charlie any more lies unless I damn well have too, and especially not over a silly bet boys!" I felt chastised because I knew Billy hated keeping secrets from Charlie, but had done so out of loyalty to the tribe, but my relationship with the Cullens, had thoroughly put a strain on Billy, who by nature was a very honest man. He hated keeping secrets he felt Charlie should know, but he couldn't share any of it because of the treaty. For which I was irrevocably grateful for.

"Bella don't worry it's just a dumb idea. Please let's go." Jacob spoke quietly and despondently. It was then I realised part of him, must have hoped that not only would I trust him to win, but that I would want to stay here with him for a week. Well not with him, but here in La Push. How can he hope I could? Why would he want me to? But I wasn't that naïve to know deep down, why he would want me too, after all graduation was rapidly approaching. He was more than aware of the impeding date, more so than even I was and I knew damn well how even though he would have known it was impossible that a small slither of him had hoped. And I had crushed that last hope. Again.

That is when I actually realised that graduation and my impending change was literally only a few weeks away and I would never get another chance to spend this much time, with Jake and my friends here, in La Push. Soon they would all hate me, including Billy and the urge to kill me, would be too great to over ride, let alone the treaty that would also be void. Oh God! My breathing became rapid and shallow as panic began to set in. I tried to quickly tamper it down. This is what you want! You want this! You want to be a vampire! You have to be one to be with Edward. Edward oh God! He never ever let's me visit for longer than a few hours and normally only when Charlie was present. He was never going to go along with this. But what about Jake?

Could this be my last gift to Jacob?

I knew there was a very big chance Charlie would refuse point blank, but at least then I hadn't said no to Jake, or shown any doubt in him. But what if Charlie would, for some bizarre reason agree? Then what on earth would I tell Edward? Sorry love I'm having a long sleepover with your mortal enemies. But then again maybe just maybe he would understand and grant me this last chance to be with my extended family, here in La Push before I became like him, and would spend eternity with him and his family. I doubt it he would ever agree in a million years but then again I doubt Charlie will either, so maybe that's the answer. But if he does than what are you going to do Bella? Do you want to spend a week here? Enough that you would actually defy Edward, if he refuses you permission? Permission? Where the hell had that come from I didn't need permission from anyone, I'm eighteen. I am only asking because it is the right thing to do by my father and my boyfriend.

I realised then, that I really did want this chance, Edward would hate it and try to stop me but what could he really do besides start a war which would be overly dramatic even for Edward to say the least. He needs to start trusting me!

After all I was giving him eternity surely I could give Jacob, Billy, Embry, Seth, Quil, Emily, and the others a week? It's just one week, that's nothing to a vampire Edward has said it himself.

If Jake won, and there was a lot riding on the 'if'… well not the winning, I knew he could, more what happened when he won I really had meant it when I said he could kick Paul's butt. I knew with all of my being, that he could, and he would make sure he did, for me, I knew he would. Besides this all depends on if they actually fight, I mean Quil and Embry were just joking, they won't actually make them even fight, so this is all a moot point, really I summarised. But as I was trying to fully weigh it all up in my mind, I felt the cold behind me, as Jake walked away.

Suddenly I felt my stomach fall and heart burst with pain, before I realised what I was doing I heard my voice speak, without my mind's consent.

"You're on Laurel and Hardy! Paul you better prepare to get ya scrawny butt whipped good and hard!"

I heard the gasp from behind me, and several from in front and to the side of me. Ha not one of them thought I was gonna accept their poxy bet! Well you showed them Swan! You just opened a whole can of worms, but at least you shut em up! Oh god what have you done?

Suddenly I was picked up and thrown in the air and caught again as I squealed. I was now looking down at the surprised but jubilant face of Jake. The look of pure amazement and happiness on his face took my breath away. I knew that no matter how much trouble this caused, I would do it again, to see this face again. "Really Bells? You would really do that for me?" I laughed happily, at his ecstatic mood.

"Of course Jake, but actually you'd be doing it for me? I'm not the one fighting anyone!" Unless you count Charlie and Edward and Alice. Oh crap! I hate arguing with people actually I hate people even being slightly miffed at me… let alone full out furious. Oh well we have thrown the dice Bella, time to be a big girl, and see where they fall.

"Well that is if Emily and Sam will have me?" I spoke shyly, looking over at the couple. As Jake had lowered me but still had me squeezed to his chest, my feet floating in the air. Emily wore a matching ecstatic expression to Jake, as she squealed, jumping up and down exuberantly, "Yes! Yes! Yes!". Sam looked shocked. I blushed at his expression.

"Sam?" I whispered. Emily looked at him and elbowed him. He looked at her puzzled, then realised everyone was waiting.

"Eh… of course, of course you're more than welcome Bella" he looked slightly embarrassed, at his own surprised reaction, but gave me a genuine smile as Emily bounced over to hug me. Jake lowered me but didn't let me go, so she could wrap her arms around me.

"Now to ask Charlie" I said, as the rest of the boys, bar Paul all whooped and cheered.

"Leave Charlie to me Bella", Billy stated, smiling.

Jake crushed me to him, again as he whispered "Thank you Bells", I smiled up to him, as I placed my head against his chest I could hear his heart pondering. "Just make sure you don't get hurt please" I whispered so softly, that I was sure no one but he heard me.

His only reply was a chaste kiss to my forehead as I turned it slightly to look up as Billy spoke "looks like it's time to ask the chief boys" as Charlie made his way down to us, and I held my breath.