Chapter 6 - La Push

Jenny was running. Faster than she'd ever run before. Faster than she'd ever thought she could. She looked behind her. Then in front. Darkness. That's all she could see. Consumed in blackness, the depths of hell. She felt the openness of the space she couldn't see - she could feel a presence.

"Jenny." There it was, his melodic voice, echoing through the darkness. It calmed her fear, providing her with some protection. Yet she couldn't see him. Carlisle. "Jenny, are you okay?"

"C-Carlisle?" She called out, fear overcoming her voice. "Carlisle!"

"Jenny."

Her attention snapped to the right, following the sound of his voice. Or at least she'd thought it was him. Black, predator eyes stared at her from a distance, contrasting the stark white skin. Edward. He glowed in the darkness, like a dark, fallen angel. His stance was low, crouched, ready to attack. A low, hungered growl escaped his lips.

"Edward... Edward it's Jennifer Swan…" Jenny whispered, shaking her head. Her instincts told her to run but she was frozen, terror overcoming her body. Death. A human's greatest fear. It was coming.

The predator took his first step towards her, his eyes set on not her face, but her neck. Jenny lifted her hand to her neck and touched something sticky. Blood. A snarl ripped through Edward's throat, his eyes latched onto her.

Jenny screamed. The predator attacked.

"Jenny!" Someone was shaking her. Jenny thrashed in her bed covers, her scream muffled by her pillow."Jen! Wake up!"

"Dad?" Her eyes snapped open, she looked around in fear.

"Jenny, it's okay. You had a nightmare, you were screaming." Her father rubbed her back slightly awkwardly as Jenny sat up in her bed, attempting to calm her frantic breathing.

"Sorry..." Jenny muttered, shaking her head as she tried to rid the thought of Edward's animalistic figure. The predator.

"Do you, uh, want to talk about it?" Charlie asked, watching Jenny with concerned eyes.

Jenny shook her head. "No I'll be fine. Go back to sleep Dad and tell Bella that I'm fine. It was just a nightmare."

"Okay, Jen. I'll be gone early this morning, so I'll see you at home tonight." Charlie kissed Jenny lightly on her forehead before he left her room.

"Night Dad."

Settling back down into her bed, Jenny stared at the ceiling knowing that sleep was no longer an option. In an attempt to rid the haunting images and thoughts from her mind, she thought of Carlisle and his family. Bella had explained to Jenny how Edward had magically saved her, even though it should have been impossible. There was something about the Cullen's, something that Jenny needed to find out no matter the cost. She was becoming too curious for her own good.

She thought back to the conversation she'd overhead after Bella's accident.

"What the hell were you thinking, Edward?" A beautiful, feminine voice spoke. Jenny didn't recognise it, but it had an eerily similar ring to Edward and Carlisle's tone.

"I wasn't thinking, it was instinct. What do you think would have happened to me if the car had hit her!? I'd have killed her Rosalie." Edward snarled angrily at Rosalie, a girl that Jenny had never met before. She decided that it must be another of Carlisle's adopted children. What did Edward mean kill her? Surely Jenny hadn't heard that right. No. She decided, she hadn't.

Peaking round the corridor, Jenny caught her first glimpse of Rosalie. The woman was gorgeous, obviously, a female model who every man would kill for. A typical Cullen. She had luscious, naturally wavy blonde hair with a curvy figure - the living version of a cliche blonde cheerleader that all the guys swooned over in high school. Her expression was filled with anger at her brother.

"You've put us all in danger! Your human wasn't the only one who saw what happened," Rosalie snapped harshly.

A frown formed on Jenny's face upon hearing Rosalie call Bella ' Edward's human'.

"Jenny."

She jumped in shock as she heard Carlisle's voice behind her. Guiltily, she turned to meet his expressionless, honey coloured eyes that appeared to watch her in sadness.

"Carlisle," Jenny replied, trying hard to remain impassive. She attempted to pretend that he hadn't just caught her eavesdropping.

"I'm glad your sister is okay." It seemed that Carlisle didn't quite know what to say, which was unusual for a man who seemed to have no faults.

"So am I. I owe Edward a thank you for saving her," Jenny remarked.

Carlisle seemed to tense slightly. It was so slight that Jenny only just noticed. "I think Bella was a little confused, unfortunately that's the result of major accidents."

"She wasn't confused. In fact, she was more adamant," Jenny stated, her eyes narrowing as she crossed her arms over her chest. Her scientific mind deduced something suspicious and she wanted to get to the bottom of it. "Which is why I think something's going on with you and your family, something's not quite right, and I can't piece it together."

"Jenny?" Confusion clouded Carlisle's expression, but Jenny knew better. Carlisle was an excellent liar but she could see straight through him.

"Please don't act confused, because you know exactly what I'm talking about." Jenny calmed her voice down a little, feeling guilty that she was being so sharp with a man that she liked. "What I want to know, is why it's affected everything. Why did you hurt me instead of just telling me the truth? What can be so bad, that you can't tell me?"

"Please, Jennifer," Carlisle pleaded as his expression turned to a strange melancholy. "If I could tell you, I would."

"Either way I'm going to find out. I'm sorry, but I'm past the point of minding my own business. Me and my sister are already involved. Edward proved that today with his actions."

"Please." He sounded so sad, Jenny wanted to comfort him. Raw pain radiated in his voice and Jenny couldn't bare to hear it. "My secret will only put you in danger. That is the last thing I want."

"Danger?" Jenny's expression twisted in confusion. "What kind of danger?"

Carlisle didn't answer, turning his attention away from her for a moment. He looked out through the windows, his eyes brooding.

"Carlisle." She reached out to touch his arm, feeling the urge to comfort him. Carlisle's eyes flickered to hers and he appeared confused by her soft actions. "I know this is hurting you. I don't want to hurt you… I just…"

Carlisle's eyes were soft and wide as he gazed into hers. He appeared almost child-like.

"I just want to know because I care about you." Jenny's cheeks reddened as she spoke, but she felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She didn't care that she had been the first to admit her feelings, even after the poor manner he'd treated her. After the many weeks of endlessly thinking about him, she was glad he finally knew. She held a vain hope that he reciprocated these feelings.

"Jennifer…" Her name sounded like velvet from his lips. "I feel the same… More than you likely know. But I can't act upon my feelings. I'm sorry. I wish more than anything that things were different."

Jenny froze in place, her heart beating rapidly against her chest. Carlisle's hand moved upwards as if to touch her, but then he thought better of it. Without another word, he turned on his heel and strode through the doorway, leaving Jenny alone in the hallway.

Jenny felt warm and safe from the memory. She hadn't seen Carlisle since their conversation. But knowing that his feelings were reciprocated only made Jenny more adamant. She would discover Carlisle's family secret. Even if it did put her in danger. But she was sure Carlisle had over-exaggerated.

~ Solitary Soul ~

"Hey, I'm Jenny Swan, it's great to finally meet you all." Jenny introduced herself as she and Bella arrived at the Newtons shop, ready and prepared to visit La Push beach. The weekend had arrived quickly and Bella had invited her on the trip with her friends. Jenny was eager to see the high school drama for herself. And she needed something to steal her mind from Carlisle.

"Hey, I'm Jessica. You're a doctor, right? Bella's told us all about you!" Jessica seemed rather quirky and preppy and she stood with a girl who introduced herself as Lauren. The two of them seemed like the gossip type, the ones who Jenny avoided in high school.

"I'm Angela." Angela was shy and bookish, yet another high school cliche. However, Jenny knew she would like Angela, as she was exactly like her in high school. Jenny had changed dramatically in college.

"Mike, it's great to meet you. Are you riding in my car?" The two guys behind Jenny were gaping at her as if she was something to eat. Jenny recognised one of them as the guy who had almost hit Bella with his car.

"Yeah, sure." Jenny nodded with a smile, climbing in the back with Angela and Jessica, while Bella took the front seat.

The drive down to La push was filled with Mike's eagerness to talk to Bella, Jessica's annoyance at the fact that Mike obviously liked Bella more than her and Jenny casually making conversation with Angela, the one friend of Bella's that she actually liked.

This was the first time she'd visited La Push beach since last Summer; the dreaded summer that had ended badly. She was still unsure whether her return would be a good idea, but Jenny figured she was unlikely to see the guy she was avoiding there. She'd always loved the beach as a child and she'd learnt to appreciate its beauty rather than its fun value with age.

While people changed to go surfing, Jenny, Angela and Bella sat wrapped up in the car, trying to keep warm.

"Hey Bella!" Jenny smiled as she heard Jacob's cheery voice. "Jenny." Jacob nodded in Jenny's direction, but his attention focused entirely on Bella.

"Jacob." Bella beamed at him. "What are you doing here?"

"You're on my Res, remember?" Jacob teased. His friends stood back as if waiting for Jacob, they spoke to each other in low voices.

"You guys should keep Bella company. Her date bailed."

Jenny frowned as Jessica said this clearly to embarrass her. But Bella hadn't mentioned that she'd tried inviting Edward. Jenny wondered why she'd hadn't told her. She wondered what other secrets Bella was keeping.

"What date?" One of the guys, who Jenny thought was named Eric, seemed horrified at the thought.

Jenny held back a laugh. She'd hadn't missed high school dating drama.

"She invited Edward," Jessica stated, sounding as if the mere thought of it was a joke.

"Cullen?" Everyone seemed surprised but Jenny and Angela.

"I think it's sweet that she invited him, nobody ever does." Angela defended Bella.

"Yeah, cause Cullen's a freak."

Jenny frowned at this.

"You got that right."

Jenny froze at the sound of his voice. Her body tensed, expression falling into a deep frown.

"The Cullen's don't come here."

Everyone quietened down as the new voice spoke and Jenny tried her best to avoid looking at him, hoping that he wouldn't recognise her.

"Jenny. Fancy seeing you here."

Jenny looked up, taking in a deep breath. His face looked exactly the same as the last time she'd seen him - arrogant yet charming. But he'd had massive growth spurt since last summer. He towered over Jenny and his large muscles looked as if they were trying to rip apart his shirt.

"Paul." Jenny nodded in his direction before quickly turning away, hoping he would leave and not speak to her.

"Fancy taking a walk so we can catch up?"

Everyone's eyes were on her as Paul asked her - Jessica and Lauren looked like they were drooling. Jenny felt practically obliged to say yes.

"Sure." But she scolded herself upon saying this. Jenny had felt obliged to do everything he'd demanded during their relationship. She'd vowed never to do that again and she was already breaking her promise to herself.

"So, how are you, Jen?" Paul smirked, his eyes looking her up and down.

Jenny fought the urge to flinch under his gaze.

Jenny and Paul had been friends since they were younger and Jenny had always had a huge crush on him - he was the jock type of guy at school, the one's girls swooned over. Though Paul hadn't really paid that much attention to her, one day he'd asked her out last summer and they began to date. Jenny wouldn't say that she'd loved him, but she'd liked him a lot. But their relationship hadn't been great. Paul became easily too jealous and he had terrible anger problems, that he managed to hide amongst people who didn't know him too well. Jenny had always thought he was the perfect guy, but she'd learned her lesson while dating Paul. Appearance wasn't everything. After Jenny had broken up with him before she returned to college, Paul had gotten angry with her. He claimed to be heartbroken. But he was only upset because she'd hurt his pride. Paul liked being in control and she hated that.

"What do you want, Paul?" She demanded, feeling anger rise in her at the thought of their past relationship.

"I just wanted to talk to you, like we did before." Paul smiled broadly and threw his arm around her shoulder, tugging her closer. "You're back now and here to stay.

She quickly shook off his touch, backing away from him. "That doesn't mean that things have changed between us."

"Oh, come on Jen. We were perfect together, we only ended things because you had to leave," Paul retorted.

"No. I ended things because our relationship was far from perfect. You were always angry, you got jealous every time I spoke to any other guy, you didn't even trust me enough to tell me why you were always in such a sour mood."

Trust. That was the main thing Jenny wanted within a relationship. She wanted that most from Carlisle.

"At least give me another chance. I've grown up. Those problems are behind me. I still really like you." Paul tried to wrap his hand around her waist but Jenny pushed his arm away and stopped walking.

"But I don't like you. I've changed too, Paul. I don't have a silly, school girl crush on you anymore. I've moved on." Jenny shook her head, trying to remain civil in her annoyance. "This is never going to happen again."

"Who've you moved on to?"

Jenny sighed in annoyance as she saw the jealousy clearly rise within Paul. "Who said I'd moved onto anybody?" Jenny snapped a little too sharply.

"Who is it, Jen? I can tell you like somebody." Pauls anger was rising and he grabbed Jenny's arms rather forcefully.

"Get off me, Paul," she shouted, tearing away from his grip.

"Tell me who it is."

"Look, I'm not together with anyone. But I'm allowed to like other people. I'm not your property," Jenny stated adamantly, glaring at him.

Paul let out a sarcastic chuckle. "It's Cullen, isn't it? I've already heard the gossip, but I thought you knew better than to speak with him. Tell me you're not that stupid."

"I really don't think this is any of your business." Jenny shook her head, crossing her arms over her chest. "But, yes, I am friends with Dr Cullen. We work together."

Paul scoffed, his eyes bright with anger. "Stay away from him Jen. He's dangerous."

"You know him less than I do! How could you even possibly think he's dangerous?" Jenny narrowed her eyes. Carlisle's sad words echoed in her minds. My secret will only put you in danger.

"You know he's dangerous. You've heard the story before. I've told you before!"

"What story?" Jenny grew confused. But her mind lit up at the idea of an answer to the mystery. What did Paul know that she didn't? And what had he told her?

"Look through the Quiletute tribes again, in that book I bought you ages ago. It will tell you everything you need to know. Maybe then you'll listen to me." And with that, Paul stormed off as his whole body began to shake furiously. He disappeared into the trees.

Jenny watched him leave with narrowed eyes. Her mind raced at the new revelation. She needed to get her hands on that book.

She knew that there was something different about the Cullen's. But surely they weren't dangerous. Surely her dreams were wrong…


A/N: I hope you enjoyed this new chapter! I changed a lot in this from the original one. Neither Jenny or Carlisle revealed their feelings in the original chapter, but I feel that its needed for the oncoming chapters. And I like showing a difference between Jenny and Carlisle's relationship to Edward and Bella's. Yes, their are many similarities but Jenny and Carlisle are 6 years older, which makes a massive difference to the way people behave. Jenny knows exactly what she wants and she's out to get it. I also don't really like how I've portrayed Paul in this story, because I think showing him as the controlling ex is a little unfair on his original character. But he's pretty integral for this part of the plot and I like that Jenny's had a bad relationship that she wants to build away from with someone new (*cough* Carlisle *cough*)

Anyways, please review and let me know what you think! The next chapter will be posted as quickly as possible. I'm looking forward to posting the new few chapters. Thank you for all the support.