Everything happens for a reason Chapter 4: Stuck in pain, a twilight fanfic

Jasmine POV

As soon as I walked into the house I took a deep breath and tried to get my emotions under control. It wouldn't do any good to have Charlie worrying about me too. He was already really concerned about Bella and that is where his attention should be right now. I opened myself up to the emotions and thoughts in the room.

Charlie had the usual emotions going in a situation like this. He was angry…at Edward. Worried …about Bella and me. Okay I couldn't figure out why he was worried about me. Concerned. And a lot of other things.

Bella on the other hand was just numb. I knew how she felt. And I would give her some time to figure things out. Well at least that's what I thought until I got hit with one of my feelings. Fuck I am going to have to force her out of this. Great I get to be the uncaring friend. I really hate this. I will give her some time still I can do that I just know that now I am on a time limit. I have to push her just a little harder then I would like.

I walked over to where Bella was laying asleep on the sofa and knelt down in front of her. I placed my hand on her shoulder just to let her know that I was still here. She didn't move, but I knew that everything was okay for now at least.

Charlie cleared his thought and I looked over at him. He looked at me for a few minutes before he asked, "How are you doing?"

I gave a slight laugh and just looked at him and said, "You don't need to worry about me Charlie."

"I am worried about you just like I am worried about my daughter. I can tell something is wrong. Tell me what it is I want to help you," he told me sincerely.

"It's nothing really," I told him closing my eyes to push back the onslaught of my own emotions.

"I can tell that you are lying. What is it?" he asked knelling next to me on the floor.

Okay he was really pushing this. Before I could think of a lie to tell him I got hit again with that feeling that I needed to tell him the truth. Tell him everything about my similar situation. So I closed my eyes again and said, "It's just that…I know how Bella feels. Before everything happened with me moving here. And losing my parents I was in a relationship. I thought he loved me. I know that I am young but we had been dating since our freshman year and he was my life. I would have done anything for him."

I took a deep breath and opened my eyes to look at Charlie. I went on, "It was a few weeks before the accident. I hadn't told him that we were moving yet. And I was going to that night. As soon as I told him. He changed. He started telling me that I wasn't allowed to leave. That I belonged to him. He grabbed me by my arms and pushed me against the wall. He kept yelling at me. He went as far as to say that no other guy would ever want me. That I was worthless. And I should be happy that he even wanted to be with me. That I wasn't good enough."

I took another deep breath and I checked to make sure that Bella was still asleep because she didn't need to hear this yet. She needed to worry about herself right now and not me. "He still had me pinned against the wall. And I could see another change come over him. I didn't know what to do. He was stronger than me and no matter how hard I tried to push him away I couldn't. Every time I tried it only made him madder. I didn't know what he was going to do until he said 'I will have you'," I could feel the tears rolling down my checks but I continued to tell this part of my story, "And he did. He forced himself on me. And every time I tried to fight him he only made it rougher. Once he was finished he got up and dressed. He looked at me and then told me 'no one else will ever want you. Not once they find out that you are damaged goods.'"

Charlie didn't say anything. He was just looking at me. His emotions were all over the place. I couldn't get a clear read on them. So I added, "I know that isn't what happened with Bella. But seeing her like this. Knowing that she is heartbroken it brings back all of those memories. I didn't really have time to process what happened to me. Because not long after that was the accident in which I lost my parents."

Charlie finally found his voice and he asked, "Did you tell Bella this?"

I shook my head and told him, "No I haven't told Bella. I planned on telling her but I could never find the right time to tell her. And now with this I don't think it would be wise to tell her just yet. She needs time to deal with what just happened." And even though I was telling him all of this. I finally figured out how I was going to get to her. Telling her exactly what happened to me would help her. On top of telling her about what I am. Or well showing her what I am.

I also got the feeling that I needed to tell Angela and Ben. Telling them was going to be interesting to say the least. I know that they have no clue about any of this. At least with Bella she already knows about part of this world. But they know nothing. And I was just going to be the one to tell them everything. Telling them was going to be a little harder because I knew I had to do it at the same time I told Bella.

I was brought out of my little daze by Charlie when he said, "I am sorry about everything that you have been through. But in a way I am grateful for it. You can help Bella see that life does go on. I mean I can tell her that but hearing it from a friend would be better. I'm not real good at this emotional stuff but if you ever want to talk more about it I will listen. I know that moving here and everything else that has happened to you can't be easy on you."

"Thanks Charlie. It wasn't easy telling you all of that. And thank you for listening. I know you have a lot to worry about already and you don't need to add me to the list. But it means a lot. I do want to help Bella and I plan on telling her. But can you do me a favor and not say anything to her about this. I want to give her a little time to sort out her own feelings first. Telling her about this would be a bit of a shock to her."

"Alright, I agree with you on that. And thanks for wanting to help her. Why don't you go sleep in Bella's room. I don't think that she will be moving from the sofa tonight. And you can stay here as long as you like," he said as he got up off of the floor.

"Thanks but I think I will stay down here with her. Why don't you go to bed you have to go to work in the morning. I will stay at the house with Bella." I told him.

He nodded and headed up the stairs to his room. Once I heard is door closed I let out a small sigh. Telling him about what happened even if it was only half of what happened was a lot. I felt like I needed to get out of the house and just run, but I couldn't. Bella would be waking up soon and we needed to talk a little about what just happened. I needed to see how bad this really was. And the only way to do that was to see how much she would tell me right now.

I stayed on the floor and I fell asleep with my head resting on part of the sofa by Bella's stomach. My hand was still on top of hers. I felt her start to move and that woke me up. When I opened my eyes I saw that she was looking at me.

"Sorry I didn't mean to wake you," she said hoarsely.

"It's okay B. How are you doing?" I asked getting right to the point.

She turned her eyes from me and looked at the wall on the other side of the room. She didn't say anything for a few minutes and I didn't push her. I knew I couldn't do it yet. She finally said, "I don't want to talk about it."

I sighed and said, "Alright we won't talk about it right now. Do you want to go up to your room or do you want to stay here?"

"My room," was all she said. I helped her get off the sofa and up to her room. She could barely stand on her own two feet so I helped her get out of her clothes and into her pj's then into bed. She wouldn't let go of my hand.

I looked at her and just asked, "What is it B?"

"I don't want you to go," she said in a whisper.

"B I am not going anywhere. I told you I would be by your side and I meant it. I am just going to the hall closet to get a blanket and pillow. I will be right back. Alright?"

She nodded and I hurried out of her room and grabbed what I needed. When I got back into her room I noticed that she hadn't moved an inch. Her eyes were fixed on the door. If I wasn't able to see her chest moving with each breath she took I would have thought she was dead. All life had left her eyes. She was truly just a shell of who she used to be.

In that moment I wanted to hunt down Edward Cullen and tear him to shreds. I knew that when I saw him he was going to get an ass kicking and that wasn't even to say what Jasper was going to do to him once he found out about this. I shivered at that thought. I knew that you never wanted to be on the Majors bad side and hurting his mate like this wasn't a good thing. Even if neither one of them knew it yet.

I mean I knew that Bella wasn't meant to be with Edward. And I knew he was going to be the one to end it. But I never thought he would do what he did. There are so many other ways he could have handled this situation.

I stopped my train of thought because if I kept thinking about it I was going to project my emotions on Bella and Charlie and that wouldn't be good. I walked into the room and I started to make my makeshift bed right next to Bella's. She never said a word the entire time I was doing this. Once I sat down I looked at her again and said, "B just go to sleep right now I will be here in the morning when you wake up." I placed my hand on hers and gave her a gentle squeeze. When I went to move it away she grabbed my hand so tight that if I were human it would have hurt.

I looked at her and just said, "Alright." She closed her eyes then. I laid down in my little bed on the floor. Her heart rate slowed and her breathing evened out and I knew she was asleep again. So I let my mind wonder to what happened after Bella was brought back to the house. I thought about the conversation….err well argument that I had with Paul.

I couldn't believe that Paul would think that just because he imprinted on me that he was going to be telling me what I was going to be able to do. I can't handle having another guy trying to control my life. Paul knew nothing about me and the fact that he loathes vampires really wasn't helping anything. I know that Paul is different than Him but the way that Paul was reacting was too close to His personality that it scared me. I was trying to run from Him and everything that HE represented and then I get imprinted on by someone so close to that personality. I couldn't take it.

I know I have issues with letting people in and walls around my heart but I really thought things were changing. I mean I had no problems with Bella or the Cullen's (well the ones that I have talked to) for that matter. And I could even let Angela and Ben in a little. But the pack. They just pushed every button that I had and in the worst way possible. Okay let me rephrase that. Seth was the only one who held no grudge against the Cullen's; he seemed to be generally happy about everything. So he wasn't so bad. But I don't know.

I know that I am going to have to try to talk to them. To get them to understand everything. But I have no clue how I am going to pull this off. I mean really sometimes no matter what you do you will never be able to change someone's mind. And our kind can be very stubborn when they think they know what is best. Why am I the one that has to do this? I wondered. But I know why it just sucks.

I tried to sleep then. But sleep wouldn't come to me. I laid on the floor with my eyes closed but I knew it was no use. When my mind was like this and I couldn't get out and run to clear my head. Sleep would never come. It's a good thing I can go at least seventy-two hours without sleep. So my mind drifted too things farther into my past.

I may have a ton of walls built around my heart but it was still pure. My parents always use to say that when I let someone in and I opened up to them my aura would burn so bright. That the color would change from the light blue and pink that it always was to pure white. The brightest white that they had ever seen. I knew that for an aura to change colors completely was rare and unusual. But every time I would ask them about why mine was able to do it they would just say it was because I was special.

Over the years they would tell me a little bit more about my gifts and they would show me how to use them. The hardest part was when they told me that all of my gifts were tied to my emotions. Since I was able to feel the emotions of others this made things a lot harder. My parents found a way to help me keep my powers in check. They taught me how to handle pain. If I couldn't feel pain then when I was overwhelmed by others emotions I wouldn't accidentally project them onto others. I would be able to manage them without losing control of my other gifts.

That training at first was hard to handle. I mean anyone looking at my family would only see my parents torturing me. At first that is what it felt like. My parents and other family members would beat the shit out of me using either their gifts or physical force. Then my mom would heal me and they would do it all over again.

I know it sounds harsh and I would beg them to stop or to just kill me. But one day before they started my training again my uncle showed me why this needed to be done now. He showed me a world where humans were slaves and even some of our kind. He showed me who was the cause of all of this. I saw that this reality would happen because of me. Because of what I am. I asked my family why they didn't just kill me to stop it from happening. Their answer was simple. They just said it was because the future can always change. It all depends on the paths that we took and the choice that we made.

I could see how much they hated hurting me but I understood it better. They were trying to save me and at the same time trying to change the future. If I could control my gifts then that future wouldn't happen. It wasn't so much about not feeling anything. But remembering what all of this pain felt like. Because if I did that then I would never want to hurt anyone. For two months we did this. On the third month I finally got control. We continued for the rest of that month to make sure.

After that was finished I was showed how to use each one of my gifts. I willingly learned and I was eager to do so too. They trained me as a warrior. Most of the women in my family didn't know how to fight. It was only the men. But because of what my gifts were, they showed me. Because I was able to learn as fast as I did I was able to help a lot of people. I didn't just rely on gifts in a fight. I know how to turn any object into a weapon and it doesn't matter who I am fighting against. It always gave me the upper hand.

I just wasn't always able to help the ones that I loved. Each one of my scars has a story and each one added a brick to the wall around my heart. I think that this wall is the only thing that has kept me fighting as long as I have been and will be the reason that I continue to fight. I wasn't able to protect my blood family but I will do everything I can to protect my new family.

I don't know how long I laid there with my eyes closed. But I heard movement coming from Charlie's room. I heard him go into the bathroom. I closed off my senses. I really didn't need nor did I want to know what he was doing. When I heard him walking towards the steps I knew that he would stop by Bella's room to see how she was doing.

I was right. He tried to open the door quietly but it squeaked a little. I opened my eyes slightly. Charlie wouldn't have noticed even if he was looking right at me. I could see the worry on his face and I could feel it in his emotions. He looked between Bella and me I heard him give a soft laugh. I knew exactly why he was laughing. The way that the two of us looked had to be funny. Bella laying on her side holding my hand for dear life. Me laying on my back with my hand up on her bed. That really isn't the most comfortable position to be in but it didn't matter. It gave Bella the comfort that she needed.

He quickly went down stairs and into the kitchen. He grabbed something for breakfast then headed out the door. I knew he had to be at work and I also knew that it wasn't easy for him to leave Bella. But it's not like he could really just not show up to work. And it wasn't like he was leaving her home alone. I was with her. I knew that she would be waking up soon.

So I just made it a little sooner than normal. I started to pull my hand away from her and her eyes shot open and she grabbed my hand even tighter. She just looked at me. "Bella sorry I didn't mean to wake you. Go back to sleep. I will be right back okay," I told her.

She just looked at me. Well okay not so much at me but through me. There was no life in her eyes any more. They were just empty. She let go of my hand and I slowly got up off the floor. I made my way over to the door and opened it. I walked out of the room. I needed to hunt.

I quickly made my way down stairs and out the door without her hearing a thing. I sent a silent prayer to Gaia and before I was even able to get to the tree line there were three deer waiting for me. I didn't waste any time. I didn't have time to waste. I drained them in a matter of seconds. And I had them buried even faster.

I noticed once I moved onto my third deer that someone was watching me. And I was right Seth along with Jacob showed themselves as soon as I got up to head back to the house. "Hey Jasmine," came Seth's cheerful voice.

"Hey Seth," I said. I really didn't realize how drained my voice sounded until I said this to Seth. I just looked at Jacob not saying anything.

"How is she?" Jacob asked getting straight to the point.

I just looked at him. I didn't answer him. I looked back at Seth and asked, "What are you doing here?"

He looked at me. But instead of answering my question he said, "Jasmine you don't look so good. How are you doing with all of this?"

"Seth I'm fine. I didn't get to sleep last night it's no big deal. I look like shit because my mind won't stop playing through things that have happened in my past. And on top of that Jacob's emotions are killing me. I can't go running like I would normally do because I have to get back to Bella. So can you please tell me what you needed."

"We just wanted to know how Bella was doing," Jacob said.

"Is that really what you wanted to know? Or did you want to know if I hurt her? Because Jacob your emotions are saying the complete opposite right now," I told him.

"Jasmine I know that Jakes emotions are probably all over the place right now but I know that he didn't mean anything. I know that you won't hurt Bella. We all do," Seth said moving closer to me and placing a hand on my shoulder.

I leaned into his touch. It was comforting. "Seth I know you believe that. But the others don't. They think I am just as much of a liability as the Cullen's. Bending the truth with me is hard. I know you want to believe what you say but I know the truth. In answer to your question Jacob she isn't doing good. She has no life in her eyes at all. She's not looking at you but through you. Now don't go off and do something stupid. Just go back to the Rez and do what you are supposed to do. Protect your people. I know that since the Cullen's are no longer here you are going to widen you circle. That's fine. I really don't care. But you have to keep in mind that I am here. I need to hunt and I need to know that I won't be attacked for doing so."

"The pack won't hurt you. They can't. Since Paul imprinted on you you're safe. You don't have to worry about any of us hurting you. You are also welcome on the Rez anytime. I think it might be a good thing to bring Bella there," Jacob said.

"Jacob let's get one thing straight. I am going to be completely honest with you. Bella is not meant for you. I know you have feelings for her. But her life is on a different path then yours. I know her becoming like the Cullen's is the last thing that you want but you have to let her follow her heart. Don't push her. Because if you do you will lose her friendship. Look guys I have to get back inside and no coming in now wouldn't help anything. You don't need to see her like this right now. And don't worry about Edward, he will get what is coming to him," I told them. I started to walk back towards the house.

Seth stopped me by saying, "Jasmine I know you're mad at Paul right now but he wants to talk to you. Here is his number. Give him a call when you're ready." Seth rattled off his number and I just committed it to my memory.

"So your pushing for Paul now Seth?" I asked playfully.

He gave a small laugh, "No! Jasmine I'm not pushing for Paul. It was kind of fun to watch you yell at him and my sister. But I think you need to talk to him. He's worried about you. His head isn't a fun place to be in right now. Every thought he has is on you and what you said. So I told him I would give you his number when I came here. I never told him I would get you to call I said that was totally up to you."

"Thanks Seth. I don't think I will be doing much for myself right now. I have to help Bella. She is more important right now then I am. I know that Paul will hear and see this conversation. It's the uniqueness of your tribes gift. And yes I say gift. But I am still pissed at him. So if I did call him I wouldn't be doing much talking but yelling and that wouldn't get anything accomplished now would it?"

"No it wouldn't. I'll let him know to give you some time," Seth said with another laugh.

With all of that said I headed back into the house. I could hear Bella moving around in her room now. So I went into the kitchen and started cooking breakfast. Bella came down the steps a few minutes later. She came into the kitchen and sat down at the table. I set a plate of scrambled eggs and toast in front of her. She slowly started to eat her food. I grabbed my plate and sat down across from her. We ate in silence.

The rest of the day went the same. We didn't talk we just moved about the house. We ate lunch the same as breakfast. The only difference came when Charlie came home from work. He walked in the door and tried to talk to Bella. She didn't respond. She just got up and went to her room. I stayed in the living room with Charlie.

"Has she been like this all day?" he asked me as soon as we heard her door close.

I could tell that he was worried even without my gifts. I told him the truth. There was no point in lying to him. "Yes Charlie she has been like this all day. Trust me she could be much worse. She could have acted like I did. She's eating. She's not staying in bed. She is moving on just in her own way give her time. When she is ready to talk she will. I'm going to go upstairs I will be back down later. I don't know if Bella will be with me. Alright?"

"Yeah I will follow your lead on this one. You know more than I do. Oh I talked to Billy early today. Jacob and one of his friends are going to be stopping by a little later," Charlie said as I made my way towards the stairs.

I looked over my shoulder and said, "Okay." that was the last thing that I said that day. I spent the rest of the night in silence with Bella. We came down and ate dinner. Jacob and Paul joined us. They both tried to talk to Bella but when she didn't answer they stopped. Paul tried to talk to me but I just did the same as Bella. I didn't say anything and so he gave up. But that doesn't mean everyone was silent. They easily talked to Charlie. I tuned out their conversation.

Once dinner was done we went back up to Bella's room. I just sat on the bed with her. I was following her lead. Even though she was numb right now she was still talking to me even if she didn't know it. So I listened the only way I knew how by not saying anything just being there for her. For now I was giving her the time that she needed. But that would all change.

Paul POV

The next day Sam called a pack meeting. I still couldn't figure out what to do about what happened with Jasmine. I couldn't figure out how she could recognize the imprint and yet fight me on it at the same time. I didn't understand why she was defending the Cullen's the way she was. She only just met them from what Jake told us from what Bella said. It just wasn't adding up to me.

Once I phased I tried not to think about anything but the matter at hand. I know I didn't succeed in my attempt. She was just so much of a mystery to me. And it was even harder when everyone in the pack was thinking about her too. Trying to figure out if she was a danger to us or not. The fact that I had imprinted on her didn't really seem to help the situation since she was pissed and not talking to me.

When everyone got there Sam started the meeting.

"Yes everyone is concerned about the news we found out last night. Jasmine being part witch, part shape shifter, and part vampire is strange. We have never come across anyone like her before. She knew a lot about us and she knows a lot about the Cullen's."

"It is the fact even though she knows what the Cullen's are and she is adamant that we are wrong in how we feel about them that bothers me," Jared said.

"Billy seems to think that once we know more about her story we will understand her reasoning's. That we need to wait for her to come to use with that information. I am in agreement with that. From talking with her I can see that she has more to tell us but is not ready to do so," Sam said. He took a breath and then added, "Paul the fact that you have imprinted on her tells us that she is meant to be trusted. None of your brothers or sister will attack her. But Billy and I both feel like she is going to push all of us to our limits. She will be held accountable for her actions. The fact that she is not talking to you right now is troublesome to us."

"The fact that she wanted to rip your head off last night when you started telling her what she was going to do. Bothers all of us," Leah said.

"I don't think she really would have," Seth said and we all looked at him stunned. He quickly added, "Think about it you guys. She was there when Edward left Bella. She probably heard the entire conversation. She couldn't do anything to stop it. She couldn't leave to go looking for Bella, because then how would she explain knowing her way around the woods. She had to stay in that house and wait for Charlie to come home. Then she had to wait for all of us to get there. On top of all of that. She felt every emotion we had. She needed to clear her head and then Paul starts telling her what she was going to do. You can't tell me Leah that if anyone of us started telling what you were going to do you would be happy with that."

"No I might have reacted the same way she did. Well okay I would have actually started fighting," Leah said.

"But she didn't. Yeah it looked like she was going to rip Paul's head off but she calmed enough to tell him to let her go. Once she left and came back she was better. She was still pissed at all of us but she was always civil to us," Seth said.

"Okay hold on. She was more than civil to you Seth. She never once lost her cool with you. When she would talk to you her expression softened just a little," Quil said.

I growled at that. I didn't like the fact that she did do this. I couldn't understand it. What was it with Seth that she automatically liked?

"Calm down Paul," Sam said.

"How can I when she would rather talk to Seth then me. How am I supposed to be okay with that," I asked him

"I don't think that is the case at all," Embry said.

"What do you mean?" Jacob asked

"Think about if she was feeling and like Seth said last night hearing our thoughts then Seth would be the only one who's thoughts weren't on what we would do to the Cullen's when we see them next. And his emotions had to be better then all of ours," Embry explained.

"Seth I think it would be a good thing for you to go and talk to Jasmine and see how Bella is doing. It is most likely that she is at Bella's house. Embry is right you might be the only one that she will talk to at this point," Sam said.

I started to say that I wanted to go with Seth but Sam cut that thought down before I could even get it out. "Paul I think it is best if you keep your distance from her. Let her cool down before you try to talk to her again."

"I don't think that Seth should go alone. I think someone else should go with him," Jake said.

"You're right Jacob that is why Billy asked that you go along with him," Sam said. Then he added, "We also talked about since the Cullen's are gone we should widen our patrols. To cover Forks along with La Push. So we will have three on every patrol. Embry Quil and Leah you will take the first patrol. Jared, Paul and I will take the next patrol. Seth and Jake you will take the last patrol along with Embry. Seth you and Jacob should head over to Bella's and try to talk to Jasmine. Make sure to see how Bella is doing."

With that Sam dismissed all of us. Embry, Quil and Leah left right away to start their patrol. Jared left to see Kim before he had to be on patrol, and Sam left to see Emily. I was going to just phase and head back but if I can't go to Jasmine then I could ask Seth for help. Jake had already started towards Bella's but I caught Seth's attention.

"Seth since I can't see Jasmine right now can you please talk to her for me. Give her my number?" I asked him.

"Paul I will give her your number only so she has a way to get a hold of you but I am not going to do anything more," Seth told me.

With that he was off and running after Jake. I kept to the trees and headed back to my house. Once I was close I phased back and climbed into my bedroom window. I didn't want to deal with anything right now. I wanted to go see Jasmine and try to talk to her. To try to fix things. I just didn't know how to do that.

Seth POV

I really didn't know what Sam wanted to talk to all of us about. So when he wanted to talk about Jasmine I really didn't know how this was going to go. I know that everyone is freaked out that she knew all about us. The fact that we had no clue about her didn't sit well with anyone.

I will be the first to say I was a little unnerved about it. We only knew about ourselves and vampires. We know nothing about any other race. We have a lot to learn and I know that Jasmine will be able to help us with that. When Jake first met her he said that she was interesting. With being connected to his thoughts we all knew why. She was able to be around the Cullen's with no problem. We thought she might have just been like Bella.

I never would have thought that she had her own secret. When I meet her the other night we had to look for Bella I don't know but there was just something about her that said we could trust her. I know the others don't think so. And they all say that I am too young to understand the real danger of this situation.

"Seth can you stop. Your blind faith in her is unnerving," Jake yelled at me.

"Why does she bother you so much?" I asked him.

"We don't know anything about her Seth. We don't know if leaving her with Bella is really a safe thing. What happens if she gets thirsty, she told us that she feeds from humans. What if she feeds from Bella or Charlie?" he said.

"She said she only did that if there was no other choice. She was too worried about Bella for her to do anything to hurt her. Jake I think you just don't want to believe that she can help," I told him.

We could see Bella's house so we stopped running and phased back into our human form and got dressed quickly. As soon as we were coming out of the woods we saw Jasmine was walking towards three deer just standing there. We stopped where we were and just watched to see what she was going to do.

She wasted no time. She drained each of the deer in a matter of seconds and she buried them just as fast. It was kind of cool to see how she did it. She never touched the ground but it just opened up and each deer just disappeared from sight. Once she moved onto the third deer she must have known someone was watching her. As soon as she got up to head back to the house we showed ourselves. I didn't want her to get back to the house because we didn't know how Bella was so I said, "Hey Jasmine."

"Hey Seth," she said. Her voice sounded like she was drained. She just looked at Jacob not saying anything to him.

"How is she?" Jacob asked getting straight to the point.

I just looked at him. That's a great way to start a conversation with someone I thought. She didn't answer him. She just looked back at me and asked, "What are you doing here?"

I looked at her, really looked at her. But instead of answering her question I said, "Jasmine you don't look so good. How are you doing with all of this?"

"We just wanted to know how Bella was doing," Jacob said.

"Is that really what you wanted to know? Or did you want to know if I hurt her? Because Jacob your emotions are saying the complete opposite right now," she told him.

"Jasmine I know that Jakes emotions are probably all over the place right now but I know that he didn't mean anything. I know that you won't hurt Bella. We all do," I said moving closer to her and placing a hand on her shoulder.

She leaned into my touch. I could tell that she was comforted by it. "Seth I know you believe that. But the others don't. They think I am just as much of a liability as the Cullen's. Bending the truth with me is hard. I know you want to believe what you say but I know the truth. In answer to your question Jacob she isn't doing good. She has no life in her eyes at all. She's not looking at you but through you. Now don't go off and do something stupid. Just go back to the Rez and do what you are supposed to do. Protect your people. I know that since the Cullen's are no longer here you are going to widen you circle. That's fine. I really don't care. But you have to keep in mind that I am here. I need to hunt and I need to know that I won't be attacked for doing so," she told both of us.

"The pack won't hurt you. They can't. Since Paul imprinted on you your safe. You don't have to worry about any of us hurting you. You are also welcome on the Rez anytime. I think it might be a good thing to bring Bella there," Jacob said.

"Jacob let's get one thing straight. I am going to be completely honest with you. Bella is not meant for you. I know you have feelings for her. But her life is on a different path than yours. I know her becoming like the Cullen's is the last thing that you want but you have to let her follow her heart. Don't push her. Because if you do you will lose her friendship. Look guys I have to get back inside and no coming in now wouldn't help anything. You don't need to see her like this right now. And don't worry about Edward, he will get what is coming to him," she told us. She started to walk back towards the house.

I stopped her by saying, "Jasmine I know you're mad at Paul right now but he wants to talk to you. Here is his number. Give him a call when you're ready." I rattled off his cell number so that she would have it.

"So your pushing for Paul now Seth?" she asked playfully.

I gave a small laugh, "No! Jasmine I'm not pushing for Paul. It was kind of fun to watch you yell at him and my sister. But I think you need to talk to him. He's worried about you. His head isn't a fun place to be in right now. Every thought he has is on you and what you said. So I told him I would give you his number when I came here. I never told him I would get you to call I said that was totally up to you."

"No it wouldn't. I'll let him know to give you some time," I said with another laugh. I let her head back to the house. Jake had been quiet for most of the conversation and I think that was a good thing. But when I turned to look at him he had a strange look on his face. "Jake what's up?" I asked him.

"Paul is going to kick your ass when he sees this," he said with a little laugh of his own now. We started heading back into the woods. We decided we wouldn't phase so we just walked back to La Push. It was relaxing. Jake kept looking at me from the corner of his eye. He had a stupid grin on his face. I knew he was think it would be nice to see Paul kick my ass.

So I just told Jake, "He can't get mad at me for doing the right thing. She needed to know that she could trust us. And that we are here to help her also. And you weren't helping with that. If he kicks my ass for helping her then he doesn't deserve her. She is more worried about everyone else then she is herself. She didn't have to talk to us Jake but she did. She could have told you to fuck off but she didn't. You know she can read our minds and feel our emotions and you still don't care, none of you guys do. We all think it sucks when we are in wolf form because we hear each other's thoughts. Could you imagine what it would be like to always hear them? I don't envy her or Edward for that matter. Yeah Edward did a fucked up thing, but I feel sorry for him at the same time."

Jake didn't say anything more after that. We made our way back in silence. As soon as we crossed the border we went our separate ways. I was on my way back to my house when I heard Paul yell for me out of his window. I really didn't want to have this conversation with him. He needed to give Jasmine her space right now.

But I knew I couldn't put it off so I went over to his window. Before I got to it he climbed out and headed to me. I was still in the tree line so we wouldn't be seen by anyone.

"How did it go?" he asked.

"It went fine Paul I gave her your number. But she said she wouldn't be calling you right now. She is more concerned about Bella right now. Plus she is still pissed at you. I really don't blame her," I told him.

"Seth how did she look?" he asked me next. I didn't want to answer this question.

"Paul just give her time," I said avoiding the question.

"If you won't answer me I will just go ask Jake," he said smugly.

"Fine you want to know. She looked drained. Her voice was dead; she looks like she hasn't slept for weeks. Paul this won't do you any good to know. But you won't drop it like you should. You need to give her time. And if you do talk to Jake about her, he will most likely tell you to kick my ass for comforting her," I told him. I had nothing to hide. If he wanted to know everything then I would tell him. He would see it all anyways.

"What did you do to comfort her?" he asked through his teeth.

I placed my hand on his shoulder like I did Jasmines and said, "The same thing that I always do. What I am doing right now. She just leaned into it. And Jake is pissed at her for what she said to him. So calm down and look at it this way. Would you have rather I did nothing and have her think that none of us care about her?"

"No your right Seth," he said running a hand through his hair. He then added, "But I just hate that it wasn't me. I should be the one to comfort her, not someone else."

"Yeah that's how it should be but it's not. You need to earn her trust. That is going to take time. I am going to go," I told him and I headed back into the woods and to my house.

Paul POV

Seth said that she looked like she hadn't slept in weeks but that couldn't be it had only been one night since all of this happened. I know Sam said I should stay away but I have to see her. What Seth said can't be right. I will go over there tonight.

I know what I will do. I will see if Jacob will help me. I know he will want to see Bella. It wouldn't hurt anything to go over there again. I won't push Jasmine into talking to me, but I just have to see her.

Jacob POV

I kept playing Jasmines words over in my head. Bella doesn't look at you but through you. She isn't meant for me. That I shouldn't push her. If I do I will lose her friendship. That all hurt to hear. But what killed me was Jasmine saying that she knew I didn't want Bella to be like the Cullen's that she was on a different path then I was.

Did that mean that she would become like the Cullen's. If that was the case I wouldn't. No I couldn't let that happen. How could Jasmine think we would be okay with that? How could she even think that Bella would want that?

When I got home I heard Billy on the phone with Charlie. I didn't hear much of the conversation I was too wrapped up in my own thoughts. But as soon as Bella's name came up I listened to everything that was said. Charlie was worried about her and about Jasmine. I couldn't figure out that last part. So I listened harder to their conversation.

"Charlie I understand why you are worried about Bella but I don't understand why you're worried about Jasmine," Billy said. As soon as he finished I saw Paul next to me. He was about to say something but I put a finger to my mouth and tilted my towards my dad in the kitchen.

"Billy she told me some things last night. About her past. I don't know how she is able to worry about Bella when she really hasn't had time to deal with everything that has happened to her," Charlie said.

"Charlie what has happened to her?" Billy asked trying to get more information about her.

"You remember I told you she lost her parents in a car accident not to long before moving here. Actually she had just gotten out the hospital before she came here because of the accident. But what happened before that is much worse," Charlie told him.

"What happened before the accident?"

"Her ex-boy friend did a number on her Billy. He raped her and told her she was worthless and no other guy will want her once they find out that she is damaged goods. I mean he said everything you could think of to belittle some and make them feel like they don't matter. It was heartbreaking to listen to everything that happened to her. But she just told me not to worry about her. That I needed to just focus on Bella. That Bella was more important. I don't know how Jasmine is able to do it. To put other people before herself. I don't think she would have told me any of this if I didn't push her a little."

"How did you get her tell you all of this Charlie? Emotions really aren't your thing," Billy said with a little laugh.

I could hear Charlie give a small laugh on his end and then he said, "Yeah you're right they aren't. But I could tell that something was troubling her by the way she looked at Bella. She first told me not to worry about it that it was nothing. But when I pushed a little more she just said that it hurt to see Bella so heartbroken and that she knew how she felt even though their experiences were different. Then she told me what she meant by that."

"She is definitely a strong girl Charlie and she will be a good friend to Bella during this time. She might be the best person to help Bella through this. But let them know that Jacob and friend will be stopping by later today."

"That sounds like a good idea. Why don't they come for dinner. That way I can be home when they come," Charlie said.

"Alright I will tell Jacob. Bye Charlie," Billy said and then hung up the phone.

I just looked over at Paul. Neither one of said anything. We were both frozen in place. It wasn't until Billy wheeled into the room and said, "I know you two heard what Charlie said about Jasmine."

Paul was the first to unfreeze. "No wonder she got so pissed at me," he said in whisper.

"I think there is still more to why she got so pissed Paul. But that may be part of it," Billy said in a soothing tone.

I just looked at Billy and said, "How can she worry about Bella or anyone else with everything that happened to her in such a short amount of time?"

"I think it is because she knows she has to. Boys I think she knows that something is going to happen and she is trying to stop it from happening or she is trying to make sure that the outcome happens like it is supposed to. I knew she was strong even before Charlie told me that. She has a lot of scars, which shows that she is a fighter. We just need to let her tell us her story in her own time. We are going to have to trust her. Jacob how did Seth and your visit go?"

"Fine I guess. I was short tempered with Jasmine a little. But Seth was his usual self. She talked to him the most. But she said some things to me that bothered me about Bella. Wait if you knew that we already went to see them, then why did you tell Charlie that we would be stopping by?" I asked my dad I couldn't figure out what he was up to.

"Because I knew you two were listening. And knew once Paul heard this keeping him away from Jasmine would be next to impossible. But Paul, now that you know you can't let her know that you know. Neither can you Jacob. She trusted Charlie with this information. Wait until she tells you. I will let Sam know that you two are going over there for dinner tonight. That I am the one that told you to go Paul," Billy said.

Paul and I talked until it was time for us to head over to Bella's house. I didn't know how Jasmine was going to react to us being there. She had told Seth and me that we didn't need to see Bella like this. But I did need to see. I needed to see that she was okay.

The drive to the house was silent. Neither one of us knowing what to say. I noticed that once we got to the house Paul took a deep breath and then let it out. I looked at him and asked, "Are you okay?"

"I just don't want to fight with her. I want her to know that I am here for her but then she will know that I know something and I don't want her to shut down and never talk to me," he said.

"This is just a bad situation all around. Let's just see what the situation is and go by that. Don't push her. Wow I never thought I would be the one to say that," I told him with a small laugh.

We made it to the door then and our conversation stopped. I knocked and Charlie answered the door. He looked tired. "Hey Charlie how is everything?" I asked him stepping inside the house.

"It doesn't look good Jake, but Jasmine says things could be worse," he told us slumping into the recliner in front of the TV.

"Is Jasmine still here," Paul asked.

"Yeah she is upstairs with Bella. They are just sitting on her bed not saying a word. I don't think that Jasmine has talked all day. Her voice sounded so dead when I talked to her. I feel bad that she is the one doing all of this," Charlie told us shaking his head.

"Why? What happened?" I asked him.

"Jake she lost her parents and then moved here on her own. She hasn't had time to grieve for them and now she is helping me take care of Bella. That isn't fair to her. But she is adamant about it."

Just then the doorbell rang. Charlie got up and answered the door. He had ordered a pizza. He brought it into the kitchen and then yelled up to the girls that dinner was here. He didn't say anything about us being here. I looked at Charlie and he just said, "I told Jasmine that you were stopping by before they went up to Bella's room."

The girls came down. My heart fell when I saw Bella. Jasmine was right. She looked lifeless. Her eyes were dead. And Jasmine didn't look much better. She looked like she had been doing this for years and not just a day. Neither of them said anything. Bella was holding onto Jasmine like she was a life preserver, maybe in a way she was. Jasmine grabbed a plate for each of them and then put a piece of pizza on each plate. They sat down and started eating.

I couldn't take the silence so I asked, "Bella how are you?"

She didn't answer me. She looked toward Jasmine and then back at her plate. It was almost like the two of them were having a silent conversation. Paul couldn't take the silence either and he asked, "Jasmine how are you?"

She didn't even look at him to let him know that she had heard his question. She just continued to eat her slice of pizza. Once Bella was finished Jasmine put their dishes in the sink and they went back upstairs. It was disconcerting not having either one of them talking. Both Paul and I kept an eye on the girls but we did talk to Charlie while they were eating.

Once they left the room and we heard the door close again I looked at Charlie and he just said, "Yeah I know."

"Why didn't Jasmine say anything?" Paul asked in a whisper.

Charlie placed a hand on his shoulder and just said, "I think she is just following Bella's lead right now. If Bella doesn't talk she isn't going to talk. Notice that she only ate one piece of pizza and she only took a bite after Bella did."

We didn't say much after that. We were all lost in our own thoughts. We said our goodbyes and headed back to La Push. We were half way home when Paul said, "Seth was right."

"What was Seth right about?" I asked him confused.

"I need to give Jasmine time and space. I shouldn't have come with you, but I needed to see her and now I won't be able to get this image out of my head. I mean she looked like an empty shell. Bella didn't look much better but at least she responded in some way when you asked her a question. Jasmine just didn't do anything. I wanted so badly to pull her into my arms but I knew I couldn't," he told me shaking his head. Trying to dislodge the images of the night.

"I know I wanted to do the same to Bella. Again I am going to say something I didn't think I would. But Jasmine was right I didn't need to see Bella like that. But I needed to know that she was okay. I guess I really didn't trust Jasmine. And the sad thing is that she knew it. She knew that I wouldn't listen to her advice."

After that we didn't say anything more. I drooped Paul off at his house and then headed home. When I walked in the door I knew Billy was going to want to know how things went. So before he could even say a word I said, "Dad it's not good. Bella isn't even talking to anyone. She is lifeless. Jasmine isn't much better. Paul asked her one question and it was like she didn't even hear him at all. Charlie said that she is following Bella's lead right now. Just giving Bella time to deal with everything."

"So you and Paul will both back off now?" Billy asked me.

I replied with, "I will follow Jasmines lead on this one. Charlie is worried about both of them. I think you to will be talking a lot during all of this."

"I know he is. I am worried about both of them too. I think Jasmine's story is more complicated than we thought. She told part of it to Charlie but I know that there is more to it then what she told him. I think her helping Bella is going to help her too."

"I hope she can help Bella. I'm going to bed. I patrol in the morning." With that I headed to my room. I thought about what happened today. Everything was going to change. I would be here for Bella when she was ready to talk. I would even be there for Jasmine too; although I think Paul would rather it was him. Sleep came fast once I closed my eyes.

Paul POV

Seeing Jasmine was hard. Her not talking or looking at me was even harder. But I would give her the time and space that she needed. I would be here for her when she is ready to talk. This was going to be the hardest part for me. Waiting for her isn't going to be easy. But I will do it. Maybe Seth can talk to her. Just be there for her. She seems to be able to talk to him. As hard as it is for me that that is true I wouldn't begrudge her that small comfort. Not now.

I just hope that in time she will trust me. That she will tell me everything.