Back to December

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

A/N-thanks for the awesome reviews. Nikki :)

Part Six

Bella and the pack made several forays over the next few days to test her power. They would return at different times of the day to make sure that they were not being detected and that the vampires were not trying to ambush them. Every time Bella managed to shield the pack for longer. Billy added a new pack member each time until on the sixth day he took them all along with him. Much to everyone's relief, when the vampires were spotted, they seemed oblivious to the wolves presence. It enabled them to get very close to the Cullen's lair.

Jacob would always stay with Bella and watch over her while his brothers went about their task, exploring and listening to the vampires as they strolled about outside. There was one odd factor that finally resonated with them on the last day. They had seen Jane and her sibling Alec on many occasions; the other two vampires never revealed themselves when outside, but remained covered at all times. But there was no sign of the Cullen's themselves at all. Both Bella and Billy found it strange that Edward, especially, had not come in search of her because she had now been gone for nearly ten days. After questioning Charlie he told them Edward had not been at the house looking for Bella. That could only mean one thing, something had happened to the family. But what?

Bella had told Billy and the others everything she knew about the Volturi. They were alarmed that the so called vampire royalty were sniffing around the area. This could only be bad news.

"What the hell do they want?" Billy asked rhetorically for the hundredth time.

"I don't know." Bella said in despair. "They are cunning and devious. Who knows?"

"From what little intelligence we have been able gather, this Jane person and her brother have been sent ahead to scout the area and keep an eye on things." Billy clenched his fists in frustration. "I just wish I knew what they wanted? Us...you? Control of the area?"

Sarah approached him and put her arms around his waist. "You have to remain calm, Billy. I know it is frustrating, but your fears are infecting the others and they look to you for guidance."

As always Billy calmed down when his wife touched him. He wrapped his own arms around her and held her close. "I'm sorry." He said tiredly. "As always you are right."

"Come and rest for a while." Sarah urged him. "You are exhausted."

"Only if you come with me." Billy smiled at her as she caressed his cheek lovingly. Bella had to look away; the love the two of them shared was overwhelming.

"Will you be alright for a while, Bella?" Sarah checked.

"Of course. I'm going to head over and see Embry soon." Bella assured her.

"Okay. I'm sure Jake will join you soon when he has finished his patrol." Sarah took her husbands hand and led him from the room.

Bella watched them go sadly. If only she could get Jake to look at her the way Billy looked at his wife. Time was running out and she had hardly made any progress at all.


As usual Leah greeted her with a scowl when she arrived at the Clearwater's. "Why are you here again?" She snapped.

Bella was getting used to this greeting. She kept her face impassive and pushed past Leah and began to make her way to Embry's room. "You know why I keep coming. He's my friend." She said over her shoulder.

"Some friend you were. He wouldn't be like this if it wasn't for you." Leah yelled.

Usually Bella ignored Leah's sniping but today she didn't have the patience for it. She whipped round and glared at the taller girl. "I know that his condition is my fault. Believe me you don't have to drum that fact into me every day. But despite that he is my little brother and I care about him deeply. So you are just going to have to suck it up, Leah Clearwater."

A wry smile replaced the scowl on Leah's face for a brief second as she crossed her arms defensively. "So you have some spunk after all." She muttered.

"I haven't got time for this." Bella turned away again.

"You're not the only one who cares about him." Leah called after her.

Bella stopped in her tracks. She glanced over her shoulder and looked at Leah in confusion. "You have feelings for him, don't you?"

"That's none of your business." Leah turned on her heel and walked away.

Bella frowned as she entered Embry's room. She had been trying to find out titbits of information about Sam and Leah's relationship, but no one was particularly forthcoming. They seemed bewildered that she had even asked. She was beginning to wonder if the Sam and Leah in this universe had ever been together. She pushed this from her mind when she laid her eyes on Embry.

"Hey, little brother." She greeted him.

He looked just the same, as if he was in some type of deep sleep. Sue had made sure that he was more comfortable. The Clearwater's had done an amazing job looking after him. Harry was in charge of his care. Bella had asked Jake about Harry, she was curious why he hadn't phased like Billy. Jake had told her that Harry could if he wanted to, but he had a heart condition that could be fatal if he tried. It seemed in this time line that Harry was actually listening to everyone's advice and taking care of his health.

Bella pulled up a chair and sat down beside Embry's bed. She reached out and smoothed his hair back from his forehead. Her fingers lingered on his skin. Was it her imagination or did he feel a little warmer today? Bella hoped so. That could only be a good thing.

"I wish you would wake up little brother. I have so much I need to tell you and ask you. I feel so lost Em. I don't know what to do. Everything is so different here to what I was expecting. I don't know what to do for the best. Should I confess about who I really am and what I'm doing here? Or should I keep fumbling my way through, hoping that I don't screw up along the way and take you all down with me?" Bella whispered brokenly. "Would anyone believe me anyway?"

The only response was Embry's labored breathing. It felt good to Bella to be able to unburden herself. It had been a hard ten days. She had made a little progress with Jake. He now seemed comfortable around her and occasionally he would tease her like her Jacob used to do. He had slipped up occasionally and called her Bells, but when he realized he seemed to pull back from her. She wasn't sure why. It was hard getting much time with him as he was often out of the house on patrol duty or they were always surrounded by others.

"Do you think Jake actually has any feelings for me at all, little brother? Sarah tells me that we became friends originally because you wanted to set us both up. That was before I became involved with the Cullen's. Was it because he said he liked me? Or were you just guessing. Oh god I wish I knew what to do?" Bella said in despair. "I wish you would wake up. I just know things will get better if you wake. Please little brother. I need you."

Her pleadings fell on deaf ears. Embry was as unreachable as ever. Bella wiped away the tears that had leaked out of her eyes while she had been speaking. She felt selfish unburdening herself on Embry when he was unconscious, but she felt like she had no one else to confide in. Sometimes she felt like confessing everything to Sarah, but she would stop herself. It wasn't fair to Jake's mom to draw her into her worries. Everyone was on edge enough as it was. After that Bella talked about inconsequential things until she ran out of things to say. She then picked up a book she had with her and began to read to Embry instead.


Jacob arrived just as she finished reading the last chapter. He poked his head around the door and glanced over at his friend. "Any change?" He asked hopefully.

"I think his skin feels warmer." Bella replied.

Jacob looked crestfallen. He came further into the room and gently closed the door. "Lee nearly bit my head off. Did you two have an altercation or something?"

Bella smiled wryly. "Kinda...I think me being here is getting in the way of her being with Embry herself."

"Uh huh...you picked up on that vibe then?" Jacob pulled up a chair and sat beside her.

"She likes him." Bella said simply.

"Yeah I get that impression." Jacob smiled at her tiredly before glancing back down at his friend again. "Hey, Em."

"Jake I know I asked you this before...but did Sam and Leah ever date or anything?" Bella pressed.

Jacob sighed. "Why are you so interested in Sam Uley?" He said irritably.

Bella was surprised at his sharp tone. Why was her asking about Sam and Leah bothering him so much? "I was only curious whether Sam and Leah ever dated."

"Why?" Jacob retorted. "Why do you need to know who Sam has dated?"

"I don't...I mean...I'm not. I just wondered." Bella stuttered. What was his problem?

"Jeez you are so freaking obvious." Jacob snapped. "If you like the guy just damn well say so."

"I never said I liked Sam." Bella said in shock. "Why would you think that?"

Jacob got up from his seat and began to pace. He shot her a dark look. "You are always fishing for information about him. It's Sam this and Sam that. Now you're asking who he's dating?" He sneered.

Finally Bella got it. Jacob was jealous. He thought she was after Sam. No wonder he had been blowing so hot and cold with her. He assumed she was only trying to get close to him to fish for information about Sam. It was so far from the truth that a giggle escaped Bella's mouth before she could stop it. She clapped a hand over her mouth as he glared at her again.

"You think this is funny?" Jacob yelled in disbelief.

"No, Jake you've got the wrong idea." Bella said quickly. "I'm not interested in Sam."

"Yeah right." Jacob replied sarcastically. "Why do you need to know who he is dating?"

"Ugh this is all just going wrong." Bella clenched her hands into fists. "I'm not interested in who Sam Uley is dating. I just..."

"What?" Jacob interjected. "What are you so interested in then?"

"I...I...I..." Bella ran out of words. She didn't know how to explain herself.

"See you can't even think of a convincing lie." Jacob shot back at her. "Well you're welcome to him."

"Jake you've got it wrong." Bella begged him.

"Don't bother." Before she could say anymore he ran from the room, leaving her staring after him.

Bella sank down into her seat and put her head in her hands. How could one simple curious question spark such a mess? She couldn't believe it. The fact that Jake thought she had the hots for Sam Uley, of all people, was ridiculous. Sam wouldn't come near her with a bargepole. He had never been her biggest fan in her own time line. She doubted he would be in this one either. He rarely looked at her or spoke to her at all. Dammit, how did she make such a mess of things without even trying? Easy tears welled in her eyes as she stared at the closed door.

"This wasn't meant to happen." She cried aloud in frustration. "Why do I always screw up?"

"What the hell have you done now, sis?" A hoarse voice startled her. Bella turned and looked at Embry, his dark eyes were open, a small smile on his face. He was awake at last!

A/N-thanks for reading!