Testing the waters
An hour later the whole Cullen family, Jacob and Iris were all at the baseball field. Carlisle was just as excited as everyone else to see the actual extent of Iris powers. Iris was nervous and beginning to show signs of anxiety. Standing next to her Jacob could see she was struggling to keep it together.
"Are you ok with this Iris? You know you don't have to do this?" Jacob looked at her concerned with her sudden change in emotions.
"Yeah it's just that after years of trying to keep all this a secret now to have it out in the open is a little weird for me. I want to do this. I am proud of what I can do its just I am afraid I am going to hurt Emmett if I can't pull it back in." Overhearing the conversation Emmett suddenly began to laugh.
"Are you serious Shorty? You can't hurt me you are like the size of a fly. Bring it on." Smiling Iris looked back at Jacob.
"Alright he called me Shorty again. He is so going down about right now. So Carlisle are we going to do this as an attack first or do you just want me to practice on the test dummy." As everyone began to laugh Jacob could feel Iris emotions change to humor and calmness. Feeling jilted he realized that he was sensing what she was feeling. That was something new that he wasn't so sure anyone else in the pack could do.
"Well Emmett what do you think would you like Iris to use you as a tester…or do you want to try to attack her."
"I am going to go with the attacking option. Don't worry Iris I will take it easy and try not to hurt you."
"Emmett how about a little bet. If you even touch me the first time that you attack me then I will be your little slave for the day if you don't get the hit off then you are my slave for a day. How about it?"
"Ooo a bet… and an easy one at that. Ok Shorty but no crying when I win."
"Back at ya Emmett." Behind them Iris could hear Jacob and Jasper making side bets. Shaking her arms out Iris moved out into the field. Emmett looked at Carlisle for the sign to start.
The air began to change…getting heavier…looking up everyone noticed clouds that were not there previously rolling over the clearing. Looking onto the field Emmett looked out as Iris eyes began to change completely black. As the wind picked up it seemed to center around Iris only. Leaves from trees swirled around her head. Looking at Emmett she began to smile. Soon her feet seemed to rise off the ground slightly. Emmett took this as his sign and jumped to attack her. As he was sailing through the air he stopped just short of Iris. Looking at him through dark eyes she had her hand straight out in front of him holding him in the air without touching him. A smile began to form again on her face. No words were spoken, as the two seemed frozen in an eternal fight. The air continued to swirl around the two of them. Giggling eerily Iris pulled her arm back and pulled Emmett just close enough to kiss his forehead. Emmett began to growl but could still not move. Shoving her arm out away from her he began to sail through the air. Landing with a loud thump on the ground in front of Jacob's feet. Smiling Jacob looked at Jasper. "Pay up Jazz my man. I think she just whooped his ass." Emmett snarled loudly and jumped back up to attack again. Flying at Iris with all his strength Iris stopped him short and raised her hands above her head. Murmuring words that no one could hear she looked at Emmett and said "Don't move." Lightning suddenly struck in a huge arc all around where he was being held. Looking at her with wide eyes Emmett smiled.
"Wow Shorty I am glad we are on the same team because lord knows I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of a lightening strike."
"Tell the others not to attack."
"What?"
"Tell the others not to attack the animals. This is for show only. Tell them now Emmett." Emmett looked at Iris and realized her mouth had never opened. The words sounding as clear as day were all in his mind.
"Carlisle…she said to tell you guys not to attack the animals. No clue what the little pistol is talking about but just don't attack the animals." At the exact moment that the words were out of his mouth mountain lions began to stroll into the clearing. Looking around amazed the group counted fifteen total. Growling slightly the animals did not seem interested in the group only in Iris. Letting Emmett go she looked around at the animals. The air began to change back to normal. As the mountain lions laid down spread out all around her. As her eyes returned to normal she looked at the mountain lions. Giggling again she reached down and petted the biggest one. The lion began to purr.
"ahh what a big kitty you are." Turning toward the group she smiled. "Is that enough for today Carlisle?"
"Uh I believe that is enough Iris."
"Good." Looking right at Jacob Iris winked. Then with a wave of her hand the mountain lions stood up and walked back into the forest from which they had emerged. Skipping back over to Emmett she winked at him. "We are going to have so much fun. Alice gets to do our hair and nails. You are gonna love it"
Snickers were heard all among the group as Emmett groaned.
"That was an amazing display Iris."
"Thanks Jacob. I guess it wasn't really fair for Emmett. I can hear him planning his attacks so predictable. It was like taking candy from a baby." As the Cullen's all laughed at Emmett's expense Jacob felt a pull in his chest while he was looking at Iris. Unsure of what he was feeling he looked around and shook off the feeling. Iris being able to hear his thoughts looked at him confused. "Talk later I guess right."
"It appears so." Carlisle overhearing the conversation looked from Jacob to Iris. He was already concerned for her since she seemed to pass out from touching his hand. Looking at Jacob he looked totally smitten with her. Iris was just beaming with pride over winning the bet against Emmett. She had considered him her big brother very quickly. She did not appear to be the kind to get attached or open up to just anyone so opening up to Emmett of all people is a big step for her. Jacob on the other hand appeared to want to help her keep making big leaps into being social again. Carlisle shook his head he was going to have to warn Jacob to take it easy with her. She had been through a lot and he didn't want him to drive her away. Debating Carlisle quickly thought of the perfect test to see exactly how Iris was feeling.
"Iris, do you mind if we do just one more display today? I read in Daniel's notes that you were working on your shielding abilities. I want to see how far you have built them up." Suddenly feeling uneasy Iris looked at Carlisle.
"Um..Okay I suppose. How would you like to do that? Keep in mind I haven't been using them for long so I don't know how well I will do."
"Well I came up with a good plan but we are going to let it be a surprise for you. Try not to read our thoughts so you don't see it coming. I want to see how well you do when you have to react quickly."
Carlisle motioned for everyone to come hear his plan while Iris moved slowly out into the clearing. Looking around her nervously she began to get a bad feeling. "Carlisle are you sure about this?"
"It will be fine Iris. Remember this is just a display. No reason to get all worked up." Addressing the rest he began his plan. "Emmett, you and Jacob are going to fake an argument and begin act like you are going to fight. Rosalie, I want you to get ready to attack Iris." Seeing Rosalie smile Carlisle added quickly, "Rosalie this is just a display. Do not hurt her. I just want to see if she can overcome her emotions. Esme, keep an eye on Iris and let me know how she reacts while I attempt to come at Iris as well. Everyone got the plan. Oh and Jacob try to keep your thoughts to yourself." After a round of Okays everyone got into position. Jacob and Emmett standing behind Carlisle began to argue back and forth to put Carlisle plan into motion. Iris watching carefully could feel her emotions building inside of her. She was catching bits and pieces of the argument and could not fully watch everyone else. Suddenly everything started happening at once. Rosalie was trying to attack her from the front but she could feel movement from the back. Even though she felt the danger for her, she could only feel the argument. Looking around her to much was going on around her to concentrate. She needed to slow things down she needed to shield Jacob. Emmett was going to hurt Jacob. Quickly thinking her eyes suddenly went black. The air felt heavy and Rosalie was flying though the air at her. Pushing her hand out she pushed Rosalie out as hard as she could. Flipping backward she leap frogged over Carlisle and then pushed him out as well. Then with everything she had she pushed through the air at Emmett. Emmett and Jacob were getting into a more heated argument but trying to keep it real looking for Iris. Suddenly Emmett found himself being held in mid air. "Don't touch him. He is mine." Emmett looked across the clearing and saw Iris standing glaring at him but barely seeing him. He immediately knew there was going to be trouble. Rosalie had been flung into the trees quite a distance and Carlisle was in the trees with her. Esme didn't know quite what to do. She could see the situation getting out of control very quickly. The wind was really blowing now and Jacob appeared to be frozen in place in complete shock at what was going on. Esme quickly turned to the sound of Emmett emitting a loud shrill scream. "She is going to do the lightning thing someone calm her down before I end up a French fry." Hearing Emmett's scream Jacob turned to Esme.
"What should I do Esme?" Jacob yelled above the rising wind.
"Trying talking to her. Calm her down she is protecting you. She feels you're threatened so she is going to crush anyone in the way. Hurry before anything else happens."
Jacob slowly made his way toward Iris. "Iris, hey its ok I am ok you need to let Emmett go he is not going to hurt anyone. Ok look at me." Iris slowly turned her head toward him. Her jet black eyes still giving away her rage. "He is not going to hurt anyone. Just put him down carefully. I am right here with you." Seeing the look in Jacobs's eyes and hearing his voice, slowly Iris lowered Emmett to the ground. The air was suddenly lighter and then Carlisle and Rosalie were walking into the clearing. As Iris began to calm down her eyes began to return to their normal color of blue. Slowly Jacob reached out to her. Touching her shoulder she looked up into his eyes. There were tears flowing down her face. "I am so sorry Jacob. I don't know what happened. Did I hurt anyone?"
"Only our pride, Iris. Are you ok?"
"I think so. I feel very weak, almost deflated really." As the last words left her mouth Jacob reached out and lifted her into his arms. Pulling her into his warm body Iris suddenly felt safe. Turning Jacob walked her back to the rest of the recovering crowd. "Are you guys ok?" Carlisle began shaking his head.
"She had us pinned to a tree. It was quite amazing but not as amazing as what I hear happened to you and Emmett. How did you calm her down Jacob?"
"I don't really know I just talked to her I guess. She said she felt drained so I just picked her up. I felt like I needed to do it for some reason. I think she is sleeping now from the deep breathing. Should I put her down?"
"No after that massive amount of energy drain I am not surprised she is resting. Can you carry her back to the house or do you want me to take her?"
"Carlisle, really? Remember who you are talking to would you. I can carry her. I will meet you guys. Oh and she feels really bad about what happened. She apologized just so you know."
"No apology needed. It was a display that got out of hand. No one got hurt. At least now we know exactly what can happen if she looses her temper." Emmett slowly approached Jacob.
"You know Jacob; she was more interested in saving you then in hurting anyone else. Maybe you should thank her when she wakes up. I wouldn't want to piss her off. Any chick that can take three vamps and a shape shifter is cool in my books. And she didn't even break a sweat. What did you see Esme?"
"She was completed focused on Jacob and Emmett. If Rosalie had gotten to her a moment sooner she would have had her. She was more concerned with Jacob then with the pair of you." Jacob looked down at the still sleeping Iris. The tug on his chest felt stronger all of the sudden. Looking to Carlisle he asked very quietly. "Carlisle, Can I speak with you alone?"
"Sure Jacob, I will walk home with you and Esme can take everyone else back in the Jeep."
As they began to walk home Jacob began to tell Carlisle of the spark when they first touched hands and of the tugging in the center of his chest. "I just don't know what it is. I have never had it before. "
"Jacob the feeling you are describing to me is the same thing your dad said happens when one of the pack imprints on another person. So do you think you are imprinting on Iris."
"I don't know. I can tell you I feel strongly for her already and we just met. Its weird I feel like I need to be with her all the time."
"Well when the time is right you will know. Just make sure you remember that Iris just lost her only family. She has grown attached to Emmett like a big brother but for you she was willing to give up her life. Seems she may feel the same way right now. Talk to her when she wakes and see what she says." As the conversation turned to how amazing the display had been the house came into view. Shifting Iris slightly in his arms Jacob carried her up to the bed and laid her down. Then as an after thought he laid down beside her. Then as if it was natural Iris rolled over into him and put her head on his chest and pulled her leg up and rested it on his thigh. Sighing at the new found feeling they both drifted back off to sleep.
