From the Shadows
Part 3
Bella left for school a half hour earlier than she needed to. She hadn't wanted to deal with Charlie. Thankfully she managed to slip from the house before he was out of the shower.
Bella had never caused her parents any kind of worry. She'd never been in trouble and had always gotten good grades. Charlie's singular focus on Jared and not Bella's concerns about the Cullen's had really hurt her feelings.
It was raining... again. Bella was learning this was a regular occurrence in Forks. No wonder her sun loving mother had hated it here, she thought as the sky turned gray.
The extra time she thought she would have, having left early was proving to be necessary as the rain turned into sleet. Bella wasn't used to driving in winter conditions so she was traveling slower than usual. By the time the school came into view, the roads were covered in a thin layer of solid ice.
Pulling into a space in the student parking area, Bella shut the engine off, leaned her head against the back of the headrest and took a few deep, calming breaths. She was really beginning to regret her decision to move to Forks.
A tap on the window startled her, making her jump and hit her head on the roof of the truck. Turning toward the noise, Bella could see Jared trying to contain his laughter.
"Hi." Bella shyly greeted Jared. She was still feeling embarrassed at the way Charlie had reacted the day before.
"Hey," Jared smiled. "You okay? You didn't get in trouble did you?"
Shaking her head, "No, not really. I'm not grounded or anything."
Bella was different from the other girls at Forks High. Girls like Jessica Stanley and Lauren Mallory were all about gossip and cutting each other down. Jared despised that kind of attitude.
Bella was genuine. She was smart and wasn't afraid of letting people know it. She was beautiful, but didn't realize it, which only made her prettier. Jared had spent the last two weeks getting to know her and she was exactly the kind of girl he wanted to date. He really hoped Chief Swan wouldn't say no to allowing him to take her out.
"Want to get in?" Bella asked, bringing Jared out of his thoughts. Jared walked around the front of the truck to the passenger side, he opened the door and climbed in. The cab of the truck still smelled faintly of Billy Black's tobacco.
Jared didn't like that Bella's scent was masked from the smoke smell.
"Think your Dad will still let you go on Friday?"
''I'm going to ask him tonight. He didn't ground me so I can't see why he'd say no," Bella explained with a light blush on her cheeks.
The parking lot was beginning to fill up. Jared saw the Cullen's pull into their usual spots, but he didn't think Bella had noticed. "You ready to head in?" Jared asked, hoping to avoid any more weirdness from the Cullen's.
Bella dreaded having to go inside. She was still feeling nervous about the Cullen's. They hadn't really done anything, but the way they looked at her made her uneasy. It was if they were waiting for something. What Bella had no idea. And Alice... she had really unnerved her.
"If we have to," Bella groaned.
Jared stepped down from the cab and walked around the truck to meet Bella on the driver's side. He grabbed her hand and turned toward the school building. From the corner of his eye, Jared saw Tyler Crowley's black van skidding across the icy pavement. It was headed directly toward them.
There was no time to run.
Jared grabbed Bella, pulling her into his chest and threw himself on the ground, rolling under Bella's truck. Jared landed on his side. Bella's tiny body was crushed against his. They barely fit. Jared could feel the undercarriage of the Chevy touch every part of his body, but for some reason he didn't feel the weight .
He'd think about that later, right now he needed to focus.
Keeping Bella tucked tight against his chest, Jared prayed.
Jared looked over Bella's head watching as Edward Cullen raced toward them, his face pinched in rage as a screech sounded from his lips. Just another thing he would need to think about.
The sound of metal on metal tore through the air as Tyler's van made contact. Bella's truck shifted above them, it bounced against his side, once, twice, three times before finally coming to a rest. The only thing Jared could do was hug Bella tighter and curl into a ball as much as his large frame would allow. Realizing the impact was over and he and Bella had miraculously survived, he let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "Bella?" he called.
"I... I'm okay," she sniffled making no attempt to move herself from the cage of Jared's arms. Not that there was any room for movement. Jared knew they were trapped.
"Are you hurt?"
"I don't think so," Bella answered shakily. "Just... how did we not get crushed?"
"Your God... My Ancestors... I have no idea." Jared admitted.
Everyone was screaming around them. Jared could see several sets of feet rushing their way. "Can you hear me?" Jared recognized the frantic voice of Mr. Green, the principal.
"Yeah, we're okay, but we're stuck." Jared yelled.
"Help is on the way." Mr. Green promised, kneeling down and sticking his head low enough to see the pair.
Jared could already hear the wail of sirens in the distance. All of Jared's recently enhanced senses were going haywire. His head was pounding from all the noise and his nose burned from the different scents. "Bella? Are you injured?" Jared asked as the scent of iron reached his oversensitive nose.
"I think my leg is cut," Bella admitted. "I can smell blood. It makes me lightheaded."
Bella could smell blood? Well at least he wasn't the only one.
"So uh what movie do you want to see on Friday?" Jared joked, hoping to keep Bella from thinking too hard about the blood so she wouldn't pass out.
Jared could feel Bella laugh against him. "Anything that doesn't have car crashes," she snickered, shifting her head slightly to peer up at him.
"Bella... Bella..." They both heard yelled.
"Dad?"
"Bella are you okay? Chief Swan demanded. He sounded out of breath.
"I'm okay." Bella yelled just loud enough so that her dad could hear.
"We've got Dowling's on the way. He's going to lift your truck so you can get out." Charlie explained. "Just stay still."
"Uh where am I going to go?" Bella mumbled, making Jared chuckle.
Jared liked having Bella pressed up against me. Their legs were tangled together and her breasts were pressed against his chest. He felt a little guilty for enjoying it.
Jared could hear Chief Swan discussing a strategy plan with Mr. Dowling. It didn't seem like rocket science to him. They just needed to jack up one side enough to allow him to roll he and Bella out from beneath the beast.
Bella's dad stooped down and peered at us, ''We're going to lift the drivers side and then get you out."
"Ok, Sir," Jared called out.
"We're starting now," Chief Swan yelled.
Jared heard the jack scrape against the gravel parking lot as they slid it beneath the truck. He could feel Bella tense up as the truck groaned with each inch the frame was being lifted.
"Shh... it's okay," he tried to ease Bella's nerves. "I've got you." he murmured, tightening his arms around her. Jared wouldn't let anything harm her. Bella looked up at him holding his eyes with her own. Jared couldn't think of anything else but wanting to kiss her. "Fuck it," he mumbled, tilting his head down and pressing his lips against hers.
He was probably going to go to hell for taking advantage of the situation, but it would be worth it. It was a simple kiss, but he knew that he wanted to kiss her again and again. Pulling away, Jared looked at her hoping he hadn't ruined his chances with her. Holding his breath, he waited for her reaction.
Bella's cheeks were flushed pink and her eyes were glassy. "That was nice," she whispered, blushing a deeper shade of crimson.
The little bubble they were in was interrupted as Chief Swan's voice shouted, "We're going to have to stabilize the truck as we lift it."
Jared was almost disappointed at the speed of their rescue. He wanted more time cradling Bella in his arms. Yep, he was definitely going to hell, he thought.
"ONE..."
Quickly leaning into Bella, Jared kissed her lips once more, knowing the chaos that was waiting for them. "It was nice." he whispered.
"TWO..."
"THREE..."
He felt hands grab him around his right shoulder and upper arm. It only took seconds for Chief Swan to pull him free. When the Chief released him, Jared was lying flat on his back with Bella caged in his arms lying over him.
Jared refused the ambulance that the EMS crew wanted him to ride in. Instead, he found himself riding shotgun in Chief Swan's police cruiser, following the ambulance, the Chief had insisted Bella ride in.
She had not been happy.
He could see the Chief glance his way every few minutes as though he wanted to say something. He never did. As they neared the hospital, Jared decided to bite the bullet.
"I'd like to take Bella out on a date Friday night," he announced.
Clucking his tongue, "And where would you be taking her?"
"The movie theater in Port Angeles and then dinner.
"Do you know what movie?"
"No Sir. But we'd have to see a movie in the 8:00 slot." Jared told him. "If I pick her up around 6:30 that would give us time to get home from school and do any homework we might have . Depending on Bella's curfew, I would like to get something to eat after the movie ends."
"Do you have a curfew?" It felt like a trick question.
"Yes and no. My parents usually tell me to be home by midnight, but I'm 18 so if there is something I want to do like a concert or something, they'll allow me stay out later. But, I have to call and check in. They're pretty easy. As long as my grades stay good and I don't give them a reason to worry, then they trust me." Jared answered honestly.
"And how are your grades?''
It was beginning to feel like an interrogation.
"I'm in AP courses, that's why I transferred to Forks last year, well that and baseball.
"You play ball? Chief Swan asked with the most interest Jared had heard from the man so far.
"Yes Sir, I pitch. I'm hoping between academic and athletic scholarships that most of my tuition will be covered." His parents didn't have the money to send him to college. There was no reason to hide that. His family wasn't poor but they had to work for what they had.
"Midnight," Chief Swan finally said.
"Uh, midnight?" Jared asked feeling slightly confused.
"Normally I would tell you Bella needed to be home by 11:00. but if you're going all the way up to Port Angeles after school, you'll need the extra hour. Have her home by midnight. Not one minute later."
"Thank you, Sir."
They pulled into the Forks Hospital just behind the ambulance. Chief Swan got out of the car and immediately headed toward the stretcher Bella was on. She still looked pissed.
Jared trudged behind the Chief, not wanting to get in the way. Once inside the hospital the nurse called Chief Swan over to fill out some paper while the paramedics wheeled Bella down the hall.
"Can I go back with Bella?" Jared asked.
"Just make sure you don't get in the way." Chief Swan instructed before going back to the paperwork the nurse had given him.
He walked down the hall, looking for Bella's room. He peeked in the door and saw her lying on the bed, looking annoyed as a nurse asked her questions. He stayed by the door until the nurse was finished.
Walking to her side,he couldn't help but grin knowing that her dad had said yes to letting her go out with him on Friday.
"So do you need an amputation or are you going to live?" He joked, hoping to get her to smile.
"Stitches," she grumbled and then smiled brightly. "Maybe, I'll get out of gym."
He couldn't help it. He cracked up looking at her hopeful expression.
"Well I have good news," Jared beamed.
"What is it?" Bella demanded when he didn't say anything else.
"I asked your Dad about Friday and he said yes and you don't have to be home until midnight," he announced proudly.
"Really?" she blushed.
"Yep!"
Jared didn't have time to say anything else before he felt himself being pushed out of the way,causing him to stumble and fall into the little cabinet that was beside the hospital bed. Regaining his balance, he looked to see what had knocked him over and found the small Cullen girl hovering over Bella.
"What the hell?"
"Oh Bella we were so worried," Alice sang as she waved her hands in the air and leaned into Bella as if to hug her. Bella looked at him from over Alice's head. Her eyes were wide and terrified.
"We're going to have so much fun. We'll rent movies and then we can go shopping and get rid of the hideous clothes you wear." Alice rattled. She was talking so fast it all sounded like a high pitched song.
"Get off of me!" Bella yelled, turning red. "What is wrong with you?"
Alice just laughed. "Oh Bella, you're so funny."
This chick was fucking crazy.
"I already asked my father and he said you can spend the night Friday. I knew he would." The psycho continued blabbing in a soprano voice.
Jared could see Bella turning red and knew it had nothing to do with her shyness. Whatever the hell was wrong with the Cullen's, they were turning into stalkers.
"I already told you that I have plans on Friday. I don't know you and you just insulted me. Get out of my room." Bella looked seconds from bolting. Jared didn't blame her.
Bella's words didn't faze the creepy girl at all. "Seriously Bella, don't you listen?" She giggled. "I told you that you could just cancel them. Then we'll have all night Friday and then all day on Saturday to be best friends."
Her tinkling voice vibrated inside Jared's ears making him wince each time she opened her mouth. He could smell the bleach the hospital used to clean and it burned his nose and made him want to gag. Shaking his head, he looked at Bella . "Do you want me to get your dad?"
"Yes!"
"Stop touching me," Jared heard Bella yell as he turned to leave to find her father. He stopped in his tracks seeing Edward standing at the door with a weird expression on his face. It looked like he was both breathing deeply and trying to hold his breath at the same time. He was looking past Jared and Jared knew if he followed Cullen's line of sight that he'd find him staring at Bella.
There was no way in hell that Jared was leaving Bella alone with both of these freaks. Turning back around, Bella was looking straight ahead at Edward. Her eyes were frightened and he could feel himself beginning to shake with anger.
Strolling past Jared and across the small room, Edward stopped at Bella's side. The Ginger reached out and grabbed Bella's hand and brought it to his mouth. "Isabella how are you feeling?" he sang.
Bella looked like she was about to throw up. Jared could see her trying to pull her hand away from him, but Cullen wasn't releasing it.
"Let me go," Bella shouted as her eyes filled with tears.
Edward released her hand, but didn't move from her side. Jared made his way to her and shoved his way in front of the insane duo "Get out. Bella told you to leave." He yelled. Though it sounded more like a growl.
All of a sudden both Alice and Edward stepped to the side. At first Jared thought they were finally listening, until he saw the Dr. walk in. "Isabella, I'm Dr. Cullen. I see you've met my children, Alice and Edward." His voice was as much like a song as both Edward and Alice's.
Bella looked like she was about to pass out.
"Father, I think Bella might be going into shock." Edward told his dad.
"What?" Bella hissed.
"I see, well let me check you over. We don't want you to have to miss the slumber party on Friday," he smiled.
"Get my Dad," Bella demanded, recoiling away from the Doctor.
Smiling in what Jared guessed was supposed to be comforting and reassuring, "I'm sure he'll be here in just a moment. Let's get you checked out. Did you hit your head?" Dr. Cullen once again moved toward Bella.
Fuck me! This was getting stranger by the second. Even the Cullen doc was ignoring Bella.
"Don't touch me," Bella sat up and flung her legs over the side of the bed and jumped away from the trio. Standing she looked toward Jared, "Get my Dad..." she pleaded.
Leaning down so that he could whisper in her ear. "I don't want to leave you in here with them. This is ... hell, I don't know what this is."
Thankfully, the choice was taken out of his hands as Chief Swan walked in the room. He looked from the three Cullen's who were standing together to he and Bella. "What's going on?"
"Dad, I need to talk to you. Alone." Bella said.
"Okay..."
Jared moved to leave so Bella could speak to her dad. Before he could take a step, Bella gripped his hand, "No, stay, please.
Nodding, he pulled her closer into his side. She was so scared she was trembling. Chief Swan's frown at seeing him this close to his daughter didn't escape his notice.
"Bella, what is going on?" The Chief asked once the room was clear of everyone except the three of them.
"That man is not touching me. I want a different doctor." Bella told him.
"Bella..." Chief Swan scowled. "Dr. Cullen is the best Doctor in this hospital. What on earth has gotten into you." He asked, but instead of looking at Bella he was staring at Jared and he did not look happy.
"Dad!" Bella hissed, trying to get his attention.
"I am telling you that he makes me uncomfortable. His kids are stalking me and their Dad the ''Doctor'' ignored every word I said. I don't want them near me." Bella was firm, but Jared could feel her body shaking.
"You are being ridiculous. Now, I don't know what this boy," he jabbed a finger in Jared's direction, "has filled your head with, but you need to end this nonsense right now."
Great, Jared was back to being the enemy and he had a sinking feeling that Friday was not going to happen.
Bella didn't say a word, instead she pulled a cell phone from her pocket. Charlie said nothing as he watched his daughter. He didn't need to, his face was saying plenty. The vein on his forehead was threatening to pop.
"Mom..." Bella sighed in relief.
"Mom, just listen," Bella huffed, frustrated.
"MOM! Shut up and listen!" Bella cried.
"I need stitches and the doctor makes me uncomfortable. His kids are stalking me and Dad won't listen." Bella's words ran together.
"Well no," Bella said, sniffling.
"But, mom... I have a bad feeling. It's just bad juju... tingles," The words Bella were saying didn't really fit the girl Jared had come to know, but he could hear Bella's mom on the other end and apparently those were the magic words.
"Here, mom wants to talk to you." Bella thrusts her cell phone to Chief Swan.
If he was pissed before, he looked ready to spit nails now. WIth a glare to Jared he answered with a gruff, "Renee..."
The call only lasted a few minutes. Charlie snapped the phone shut and handed it back to Bella. "We will be talking about this later, young lady."
Bella just leaned closer into Jared's side. He wrapped his arm tighter around her. He knew she was scared.
With a tap on the door, Dr. Cullen poked his head in. "Are we ready?" He smiled, though Jared thought it looked forced.
With a heated glance at himself and Bella, the Chief walked to where the doctor was standing. "Dr. Cullen, I apologize, but after speaking to my EX wife..." Charlie paused, he was clearly unhappy with the outcome. "I hate to ask, but is there another doctor available?"
"I'm sorry Chief Swan, as you know the only other doctor on staff is Dr. Gerandy and he's on vacation." Dr. Cullen informed Bella's dad.
Turning to face us, "Bella..."
Bella shook her head no.
Sighing, Chief Swan turned back to Dr. Cullen, "Is there a physician's assistant available? Anyone that can stitch Bella's leg?"
"I'm afraid it's just me. I assure you I have the experience," Dr. Cullen smiled.
"Uh, my mom is a nurse practitioner at the tribal clinic." Jared offered knowing it was going to make Chief Swan dislike him even more than he already seemed to. He was right judging by the death glare Bella's dad sent him.
"Perfect," Bella sighed.
"Either way, Chief Swan, Isabella needs to have sutures on her leg as soon as possible to avoid infection." Dr. Cullen advised.
Turning to look at Jared, "Will the clinic even see Bella?"
"It won't be a problem," He promised. At least he hoped it wouldn't be.
"Fine," The Chief huffed, clearly unhappy. "Again, Dr. Cullen, I apologize."
"It's no problem. If you need anything, just call the hospital. I'm on call tonight." Dr. Cullen smiled and then left the room.
As soon as Dr. Cullen was gone, Bella sagged against Jared. All the adrenaline leaving her system. He caught her before she fell. "Are you okay?" he asked, carrying her to the bed.
"Yeah... I just... everything and my leg really hurts," she whispered, looking down at her torn jeans. "Oh God..." she mumbled, swaying.
"Bella look at me," Jared told her, grabbing each side of her face and turning her head until she was staring at him. "Breathe through your mouth," he directed.
"What are you doing? What's wrong with her?" Chief Swan demanded, coming to their side.
"The blood, the smell makes her lightheaded," Jared quickly explained.
"Bella... look at me." he told her again when her eyes started closing. Letting go of her face with one hand, he dug into the pocket of his jacket. "Jackpot," he grinned, pulling out the pack of gum. He unwrapped a piece and handed it to Bella. "It's peppermint, it will help with the smell."
Once Bella's eyes focused, he knew she'd be okay. "Can you walk?"
"Yeah, I think so," she told him blushing.
Jared helped her off the bed and took her hand in his own. He figured it wasn't going to hurt anything, her father already hated him.
With a scowl at their connected hands, Chief Swan pulled the door open, "Let's go."
They only got a few steps out of the door before Bella started limping. Jared could hear her hiss in pain, but she was fighting it. Finally, she stumbled. "Here, let me," he offered, lifting her under her knees and carrying her.
Chief Swan stopped and turned to look at them. "I'll find a wheelchair," he grumbled, stomping away.
"I think your dad hates me," Jared sighed.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, Bella kissed his cheek. "You saved my life,'' she whispered.
Jared looked down at her, "Nah, I just figured if I had you trapped you wouldn't slap me if I kissed you," he teased, grinning down at her.
Bella laughed and settled her head on his shoulder. They were already at the exit when Chief Swan appeared with a wheel chair. "Here," He pushed it toward Jared.
"Dad, it will take longer for me to get in that thing than it will to just walk to your cruiser that is two feet away.
With a huff, Chief Swan turned on his heel, "Let's just get this over with."
Jared had a feeling Bella was in for a long night.
"Front seat or back?" Jared asked.
"Bella can sit in the front," Chief Swan barked, opening the passenger side door. Jared helped Bella into the seat and shut the door and then folded himself into the back seat.
"I'll drop you at the school." Chief Swan informed Jared, anxious to get him away from his daughter, no doubt.
Pulling into the school parking lot, it was like nothing had happened. "Do you need directions to the clinic?" Jared asked.
"No, but maybe you should call your mom and let her know that I'm bringing Bella in."
Nodding in agreement, Jared got out of the cruiser and climbed into his truck. He sent his mom a quick text. With that done, he followed Chief Swan out of the parking lot.
Arriving at the clinic, Jared hopped out of his truck and met Bella at the passenger side of her Dad's police cruiser. He knew better than to open her door, instead he waited for her dad. "Can you get a wheelchair?" Chief Swan asked.
"Uh, Sir, the clinic doesn't have wheelchairs."
Grumbling, he opened Bella's door and helped her to stand. "Bells, do you think you can make it leaning against me?"
Nodding, she leaned into her dad's side. Chief Swan wrapped his arm around her waist and took most of her weight against himself. Every step Bella took, she winced.
"Bella is anything else wrong? You look like it hurts to walk." Jared frowned noticing she was favoring her left leg.
"I uh, I think I twisted my ankle when I jumped off the bed," she admitted, blushing a bright shade of pink.
"Just lean farther into me. We've only got a little ways left to go," her dad instructed.
Jared watched Bella stumble twice before he stopped in front of them. "Chief, I don't mind carrying her."
"We'll be fine, right Bella?" Chief Swan insisted.
With every step Bella took, more tears slipped from her eyes. Jared figured what the hell, the man already hated him. "Chief, I don't know why you don't like me, but it's pretty clear that you don't. Since I don't know what I did to make you dislike me I don't see how I can do anything to change that, but Bella is crying and every step she takes is making it worse. Just let me carry her."
This was stupid, Jared thought.
Chief Swan looked down and saw Bella's cheeks streaked with tears. "Bella are you in that much pain?" he asked her.
Nodding, she sucked in a breath. "It really hurts," she sniffled.
"Just get her inside so she can be checked out," he conceded, clearly unhappy.
Finally, Jared thought scooping Bella into his arms. She weighed next to nothing. "Thank you," she murmured leaning her head against his shoulder. He wanted to wipe her tears and kiss her lips, but he figured the Chief might actually shoot him if he did that.
"Anytime," he grinned.
Chief Swan walked ahead and opened the door. Once inside, all eyes fell onto them. "I text my mom to let her know we were coming in, can you get her?" Jared asked Tina who was working behind the desk.
"Sure thing, honey." she smiled.
"Chief?"
I turned to see who was calling for Bella's dad. Chief Black was staring at us. "Bella, honey, are you okay?" he asked wheeling himself toward us.
"There was an accident at school." Chief Swan told him, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Isn't the hospital in Forks closer?" Billy Black asked,eyeing Chief Swan warily.
Scowling at me and Bella, "Yes, it is. Apparently the gossip about the evil Cullen's has reached my daughter's ears and she refused to let Dr. Cullen look at her." Charlie told him, glaring.
Jared noticed he didn't mention talking to Bella's mom.
"I see," Chief Black clucked his tongue. "Well it's a good thing Jared here has favor with our practitioner," Chief Black grinned at Bella.
Jared saw his mom walk up and eye him up and down before settling her eyes on Bella who was still in his arms. She didn't bother to hide her raised brow.
"Chief Black?" My mom asked, nodding toward Bella.
The clinic didn't treat non tribe members, not that anyone would have driven here to be seen in a tiny clinic instead of going to the hospital in town anyway. Jared knew when he sent his mom the text that he was asking a lot, but he also knew he couldn't stand by and let Bella be seen by Dr. Cullen after what had happened.
"Yes, Kathy, you have my permission to treat Bella." Chief Black smiled at Bella before nodding to my mom. "Bella, I hope you feel better."
"Thanks Billy." she smiled.
"Charlie, you'll have to fill out some papers." Chief Black told him, as Tina came around from behind the desk with a stack of paperwork.
"Jared if you'll follow me," Mom ordered.
Jared followed his mom down the hall and into one of only three rooms the clinic had. "Mom, this is Bella Swan, Bella this is my mom Kathy," he introduced them.
"It's nice to meet you Mrs. Cameron," Bella gave his mom a shy smile.
"It's wonderful to meet you as well. Now let's get you patched up."
Jared's mom stepped to the end of the bed and gently took Bella's leg into her hand. "I'm going to start by cutting away your blue jeans." Jared's mom explained taking a pair of scissors from the tray of equipment that was beside the bed.
"Just look at me Bella," Jared told her. "Want more gum?" he laughed, earning a small smile.
Jared's mom looked at him with her brow raised in question. "Bella faints with blood." He explained, making Bella blush.
"Just focus on my handsome son," Jared's mom teased, making his own cheeks flush.
"Bella, do you know when you last had a tetanus shot?" Mrs. Cameron asked.
"Last year. It was my birthday so I remember it pretty well," Bella sighed, embarrassed.
"Well then you can escape that." Jared's mom laughed. "Alright, you're going to need a few stitches. I'm going to give you a shot of lidocaine to numb the area."
"Ok," Bella whispered.
"Come on you can squeeze my hand," Jared offered. Bella took his hand in hers and closed her eyes tight.
He knew the second the needle pierced her skin. She inhaled sharply and then opened her eyes and exhaled.
"I'm going to give you a few minutes to let the lidocaine take effect and then I'll clean out the wound and suture it. After we've fixed your leg up, I think we'll need to x-ray this ankle. It's pretty swollen and already bruising." Mrs. Cameron explained. "I'm just going to check on my other patient and I'll be right back."
"You had to get a tetanus on your birthday?" Jared asked, when his mom was gone.
"I stepped on a rusty nail. It went straight through my shoe." Bella grimaced.
"Ouch!" He whistled.
"Yeah, it's up there in my top five." Bella told him.
Jared's mom walked back into the room, eyeing him before turning her attention to the girl he was holding protectively. "Let's get started," she announced, grabbing a few supplies from the tray.
Bella kept her eyes closed the entire time, squeezing Jared's hand while his mom stiched her leg.
"Eleven," Mrs. Cameron counted out before covering the stitches in a light wrapping. "Now Sweetie, you'll need to have these removed in eight days. Just come by the clinic or have Jared bring you by the house and I'll remove them for you." She explained.
"Yes Ma'am and thank you."
"You are welcome, now let's get that ankle looked at, shall we?"
Charlie sat in the waiting area with Billy. Neither of them speaking. The tension between the two men was palpable. Charlie didn't understand the hatred that Billy and the rest of the tribe had for the Cullen's. As far as he was concerned, Forks was lucky to have a Doctor with such impeccable credentials. None of it had made any sense and he and Billy had gotten into an argument that had effectively ended their friendship... or at the very least put it on hold.
"You just going to sit there and pretend I'm not here?" Billy nudged Charlie in the shoulder.
WIth a scowl to his old friend, "I am when your foolishness reaches my daughter. She was downright rude and embarrassed the hell of me."
"Did you ask her what her reasons were?" Billy urged.
"She's been going on about 'The Cullen's' ever since she got here and met that boy, Jared... I don't need to ask, the answer is damn clear." Charlie grumbled.
Billy felt guilty for not clueing his friend in, but it was against Tribal Law. Even so, they'd known each other since they were boys, Charlie should have trusted him. "That boy doesn't know anymore than you do old man. And he's a good kid, you might want to change your tune about him seeing as your daughter has taken a shine to him."
The second Jared Cameron crossed the threshold with Bella in his arms, Billy saw it. Jared held her protectively, carefully cradled against his body. Hell, the boy had brought her here to the clinic knowing the rules, but was willing to take the risk. For Billy, that in itself spoke volumes. Bella had always been a shy girl, yet she had her arms wound tight around Jared's neck with her head resting on his shoulder. There was something brewing between the two. You only had to look at the pair to see that there was a fire waiting to burn bright.
He'd seen the same look on his daughter Rebecca's face when she'd met that surfer. Billy had fought against it and lost. Billy knew Charlie and could already see the path he was walking down. It would only end in hurt for everyone.
Billy sighed, the mistakes he'd made were numerous and he was still paying the price. He and Charlie may be at odds, but he didn't want to see his friend make the same mistakes he had.
"She's been here two weeks... that isn't long enough to 'take a shine' to anything," Charlie grumbled.
"Solomon was here for three days," Billy reminded him. "I haven't seen Becca in five years and I've never met my grandson."
Charlie's retort was cut off before it started as Jared and Bella appeared with Jared's mom, Kathy.
"Chief Swan," Kathy Cameron held her hand out in introduction. "The wound on Bella's leg required eleven sutures, and she has a badly sprained ankle. She'll need to have the sutures removed in eight days. Her ankle will need to be wrapped for at least two weeks. It's important that she stay off the leg and keep it elevated. I recommend that she remain home the rest of the week. I'll be happy to write you an excuse for school or call and speak with the nurse." Katy explained.
"Thank you," Charlie's relief was clear.
"Alright, I have to get back to the station. I'm on a double today and I'll have to sort the paperwork from the accident out as well, so let's get you home." Charlie said stepping forward to help Bella.
"Charlie, why don't you let Bella stay with Jake and I until you get off work. That way she doesn't have to worry about the stairs," Billy suggested. He really wanted to know what it was about the Cullen's that had caused Bella to refuse to let Doctor Cullen look at her.
Billy could see Charlie warring with himself and hoped the fool's stubbornness wouldn't win out. Finally, Charlie looked to Bella,
"Bells?"
"It would be easier," Bella whispered.
Billy clapped his hands together, "You're in for a treat Bella, I'm making my special spaghetti tonight."
"Come on Bella," Charlie rolled his eyes as he helped her maneuver her crutches.
Billy eyed Jared, "How about you help an old man out and drive me home," Billy offered the boy who was staring after Bella.
"Sure, Chief Black," Jared agreed.
Billy didn't miss the grin on Jared's mom's face, no matter how hard she tried to cover it up. "Jared, be sure to let me know of your plans," Kathy told her son knowing full well he'd be having dinner with the Black's.
"Let's roll," Billy joked, wheeling himself toward the clinic door. Jared helped Billy into the cab of his truck and then settled his wheelchair into the bed. The Black's little red house was only a five minute drive from the clinic.
Charlie wasn't happy to see Jared pull up next to his cruiser, but he did trust Billy to keep Bella safe, even if he thought the old coot was being a superstitious fool.
Once everyone was inside, Charlie said his goodbyes and left. He'd have to keep a close watch on Jared. He knew the boy wanted to date his daughter and it would seem Bella agreed.
Bella settled onto the couch with Jared beside her. He had pulled a few school books from his bag and they were going over notes. They were striking next to one another. Bella with her pale skin and Jared with his deep bronze. They were evenly matched Billy noted, studying them.
Glancing at the clock on the wall, Billy decided to meet Jacob outside. "I'll be right back," Billy called over his shoulder as he wheeled himself through the door and waited on the tiny porch for his son. He could see Jacob with Quil and Embry in tow walking down the road. Once the three boys were in front of him, Jacob raised his brow at his father.
"Son, I wanted to talk to you for a minute," Billy sighed. He knew Jacob was nursing a crush on Bella.
"Okay..." Jacob drew out, eyeing his father.
"Bella's here," Billy informed him watching as Jacob's face broke into a huge smile, while Quil and Embry nudged Jacob and made oohing sounds.
"Where's her truck?" Jacob asked looking around the yard. From where Jake was standing he couldn't see Jared's truck, that was mostly hidden by a stack of wood and some clutter.
"There was an accident at the high school this morning and Bella got hurt. Charlie's working a double so Bella's going to spend some time here," Billy explained.
Jacob immediately looked concerned and moved to walk past his dad to get to Bella.
Raising his hand to stop his son, "Now wait a second. I know you've got a bit of a crush on Bella..." Billy waited while Jacob protested all the while blushing and glaring at his friends for laughing.
Billy had heard the three strategizing over how to win Bella's heart. He knew Jacob had liked Bella when they were small. They had been inseparable when Charlie would bring her over during her summer visits. Eventually Bella stopped coming to Forks and it had been years since Jacob had seen her. When they'd delivered the truck to Charlie, Jacob had taken one look and been smitten.
Clearing his throat, "As I was saying, you need to know that first of all she's two years older than you. A few years down the road that would be no big deal, right now it is." Billy took a breath and watched Jacob's face contort. His son could deny it all he wanted, but he did care for Bella and while at one time Billy himself had thought it might be a good match, he had a feeling or an instinct that it was already too late for Jacob.
"Son are you listening to me?" Billy asked annoyed as the three boys carried on.
"Yeah," Jacob huffed, clearly unhappy with this conversation.
"I know you boys have been plotting," BIlly raised his all knowing eyes and looked at each one of them. "But, Bella's got a fellow and I don't think he's going to find any schemes from the three of you funny"
His son's feeling were clear as day. Jacob wasn't happy with this information. And Billy knew how stubborn his boy could be.
"Bella's friend is inside with her. I wanted to warn you and your goons to behave."
Quil needled Jacob in the side, "Come on, you can take some marshmallow from Forks," We've got your back, right Em?"
Shaking his head at the teenagers in front of him, Billy moved to the side to let them through the door. He could tell talking wasn't going to convince the stooges of anything. They'd have to see for themselves exactly who was with Bella.
Billy wheeled behind the boys who were gaping at Jared and Bella.
"Tough break bro," Quil shook his head.
"Uh, yeah, Jake... He's no marshmallow," Embry pointed out.
Jared Cameron was a good kid. He was polite and respectful and was a star ball player. He had good grades and the council had granted his parent's request that he transfer to Forks High in hopes he would receive a scholarship. The boy was tall and built and seemed to have put fifty pounds of muscle on his frame since the last time Billy had seen him. And if Billy was right and he knew he was, he had picked Bella Swan over all the girls in both La Push and Forks.
"Hey Black," Jared greeted with a friendly smile, noticing the boys in the doorway.
"Cameron," Jacob called back a lot less friendly than he had reason to be.
Jacob seemed to decide something and strolled toward the couch sitting down next to Bella. With a grin, he slung his arm around her shoulders, "Hey Bells... what did you trip over?" he chuckled remembering her many spills and tumbles when they were younger.
Jared looked at Jacob and seemed to realize that he had a thing for her.
Quil and Embry exchanged a look and then shrugged and followed after Jacob. Of course those two would follow Jacob, no matter what. Teenagers were idiots, Billy thought.
"You still hitting on other guys' girls and getting your ass kicked, Ateara?" Jared asked never taking his eyes from Jake.
Quil grinned, "You know it."
Quil seemed to have missed the subtle threat, but Embry having the brains of the two caught on. "Let's go check on the rabbit," he suggested.
Jacob glared at his friend, and sank further into the couch tightening his arm around Bella. She did not look comfortable. BIlly wanted to facepalm. His son was going to make a fool of himself and earn the ire of a boy twice his size.
"Uh, Jake can you maybe scoot over a little bit?" Bella asked.
Watching the scene unfold, Billy couldn't decide who was more stupid, teenage girls or teenage boys. The fact that he was debating the two said a lot considering the stunts the twins had pulled.
Jake moved giving Bella more room, but judging by the look on Jared's face, it wasn't enough. Embry kept glancing worriedly between Jake and Jared. At least one of the three stooges had some sense, Billy mused.
Ever the goofball, Quil grinned, oblivious to the tension "So Cameron, you and Bella huh?"
Bella looked like a deer in the headlights, "Yeah, me and Bella," Jared smiled at her making her blush, before turning his eyes on Jacob with a less than friendly stare.
"Jacob, I need you to go the market for me," Billy interceded before the boys could get into a pissing contest.
Jacob wasn't happy, but he did get up from the couch. With a short list in hand, Jacob took off for the market with Embry and Quil.
"I need to make a call, make yourselves at home," BIlly told Bella and Jared as he wheeled down the hall to his room. He needed to call Old Quil and have him hold the boys up so he could get to the bottom of what had happened with the Cullen's.
With that out of the way, Billy headed back to the living room, but stopped when he heard the two whispering.
"Uh, thanks for um, saying that to Jake. I think he has a crush on me," Bella whispered. Billy knew without seeing her that her cheeks would be pink.
"I figured," Jared nearly growled. "But, Bella I didn't just say it for Jake," he paused. Billy could hear him take a deep breath even from the hallway he was eavesdropping from.
"Bella, I like you. I want you to be my girl," Jared told her. "Even if after today your dad will never let me take you out."
It was quiet, neither Bella or Jared speaking. Billy was just about to push himself the remaining distance to the living room when he heard Bella's quiet voice.
"I'd like that," Bella whispered, barely reaching Billy's ears.
Purposely making noise to announce his return, Billy wheeled himself in front of the television.
Jared and Bella went back to the notes they had been studying earlier. Billy stared at the game that was on the tv, but his mind was on thinking of a way to bring up the Cullen's. The perfect segway came when Bella tried to pull herself from the couch. She bumped her leg on the coffee table, and cried out from the pain. Jared was on his feet instantly, helping her."
"Sorry, my leg is cramping."
Jared knelt down and took Bella's leg in his hand, "Sometimes I get charlie-horses during ball season, my mom showed me how to work them out. Can I try?"
With a tiny nod, Bella gave her permission. Billy found himself watching the interaction. Jared was careful and respectful as he massaged the kink out of Bella's injured leg.
Taking a chance, "So what happened that you ended up in the clinic?" Billy asked.
Jared and Bella shared a look. It was almost a silent conversation and if Billy didn't know better he would have thought the two youngsters in front of him had been dating for years instead of fifteen minutes.
"It started my first day of school..."
When Bella and Jared finished telling Billy the events that had transpired over the last couple of weeks, the hair on the back of his neck was standing on end. They were right to be worried and Billy could only hope that Charlie would pull his head out of his ass and listen to his daughter.
There hadn't been a pack of protectors since the era of Ephraim Black. Billy supposed until now there hadn't been a need for a pack to exist among them, but now...
Billy decided he would need to discuss matters with the Elders. Perhaps Old Quil could call to the ancestors and impart their need for a pack of protectors. Until then, Billy could only talk with Charlie and warn Jared and Bella to follow their gut instincts.
AN: All mistakes are my own, still working on the rusty writing so apologies if it's a mess.