AN. Thank you to everyone reading this, and I hope you're enjoying it. If you are, sending me a smiley face in a review is all I ask in return. If you don't like the way the story is going, feel free to tell me so in a review.

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FYI. In this chapter, we find ourselves in the Alley Cat Boutique in Port Angeles. I looked it up on the internet, and the owner is called Renee. Leanne kindly pointed out the confusion using that name might cause, but I liked the authenticity and as Bella's mother doesn't make a personal appearance, decided you'd all cope with it, lol. It did make me wonder if SM had looked it up or knew the shop, maybe naming Renee after her…hmmm?

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Many thanks to my awesome beta, Leanne Golightly. Any mistakes left are definitely my oversights.

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Alas, I still own very little of this.

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Stop Underestimating Me.

Bella's POV

Billy and the Clearwaters invited me to dinner frequently. I think they worried about what the vampires were feeding me, or if they even remembered to. I didn't mind. It was nice not to be the only one eating, and they were all great company—except for Leah, who continued to snipe at me.

One evening, we were walking to the Clearwaters later than usual. Seth had run on ahead to let Sue know that we were coming, and Leah was waiting on the porch.

We crossed the road in front of the house, and I managed to trip over my own feet. Luckily Sam caught me, but Leah saw red and leaped straight over the railings to get to me.

My jaw dropped and I stared at Leah. My face must have been a sight, as she was taken aback and stopped dead in her tracks, glaring at me.

I turned my head toward Sam. "Can you see it?" I whispered.

"What?" Leah demanded, obviously close enough to have heard.

Sam shook his head. "Err, nothing," I hedged. "I must be dreaming."

"Come on," Sam said throwing a squealing Leah over his shoulder. "Your man's starving, girl."

As we entered the kitchen, Seth was throwing cutlery around the table, while Sue was serving a delicious-smelling fish bake. Harry was at the sink filling jugs with water. Sam had stopped in the doorway, and putting Leah down, he went straight over to whisper in Harry's ear.

Harry left Sam to finish the water jugs, and told Sue that he'd be back in just a moment. Leaving the room, he closed the door behind him.

True to his word, a couple of minutes later Harry returned and sat down with a smile. "So," he said. "How was everybody's day?"

Seth and I had ended up seated across from Leah and Sam, and Leah was sending angry glares my way whenever she dared. Every time she did, Seth would pat my back, whisper a lame joke, or simply grin at me. On one occasion, he glared back at her and she stuck her tongue out at him, reducing Seth and me to giggles.

Harry, at one end of the table, was next to Sam and they carried on a coded conversation, while Sue spoke to each of us about our day and our plans for the next one.

When the meal was finished, Harry told Seth and Leah to help Sue with the dishes while he ran me home—home meaning the border line.

Leah's face lit up in hope as that was generally Sam's job, which she hated. Her hopes were dashed when Sam gave her a peck on the cheek and said he'd see her later, following us outside.

As we got in the car, Harry asked, "Bella, would you mind if we stopped at Billy's on the way?"

I nearly laughed. Billy's house was anything but on the way. "Sure," I replied, guessing that it had something to do with earlier.

I knew that I was right when I saw Old Quil sitting at the kitchen table with Billy. He got straight to the point. "What happened outside the Clearwaters'?"

"Nothing really," I began.

Billy gave me one of those stares that parents do, when you come in late and spin them a line, so I hurriedly carried on. "It's just that when Leah got mad…she glowed."

There was silence as the four of them processed the information

I didn't see what the big deal was, and nervously tried to fill the void. "Like Seth does."

"Damn," Billy said. "Another woman?" He sounded like he was questioning God or something.

Sam laughed…not a good laugh, but slightly hysterical. As if he was thinking, I can't take this shit anymore. "My Leah?"

"Are you sure it's the same?" Quil asked. "It couldn't have been a trick of the light?"

"No," I said slowly. "It was definitely exactly like Seth's."

Harry hadn't said a word. He was frozen in shock, and looked as if he was having a heart attack.

Quil caught me staring. "Come on, old man," he said slapping Harry on the back. "It's not as bad as all that."

"My little girl," Harry muttered.

"Nothing's certain." Quil tried to soothe him.

"That's right," Billy added. "We'll have to test her."

My head snapped around. "What do you mean?" I was about to ask, but Sam was on his feet before I could open my mouth.

"No!" he roared, slamming his fist down on the table.

"What test?" I managed to get out.

Billy broke the stare he had going on with Sam, and turned to me with sad eyes. "There is a test," he said gravely, "to determine if someone has the magic."

"Why would you need a test?" I wanted to know.

"It was used if more than one boy was born into one of the four families," Billy explained. "To see which one would take responsibility for the tribe's safety. Not every boy has the magic."

"We have not seen it done," Quil added, "as there has been no need."

"Why haven't you done this test on me?" I asked.

Billy looked bashful. "You did slay vampires, Bella. After that we kind of assumed…" He was thoughtful. "But maybe we should have."

"That test is for men," Sam shouted. "You can't do it to Leah. You don't know what will happen."

"Because she's a girl?" I asked.

Sam looked surprised that I had spoken to him. "Well, yes…err, I suppose," he stammered, unsure.

"Then test me first," I proposed.

Sam smiled. Obviously his main concern was for Leah. He didn't mind if I was damaged—or whatever the test might do to me.

"No," Harry put in belatedly. "Not Leah."

"I don't even know if I can get all the ingredients," Billy said.

"Ingredients?" I enquired.

"There's only one we don't already have," Quil said, "and I'll bet we only have to ask."

Billy snorted. "It wouldn't be you doing the asking though, would it?"

"Every perk has a price," Quil replied.

"No, no…not my Leah," Harry muttered.

I rolled my eyes. Men and their secrets. "What ingredient?" I demanded.

Harry was still partially catatonic. Quil turned away; his back announcing that he wasn't going to answer me. Sam glared at me with contempt, an answer on the tip of his tongue. He was struggling, but whether that was to tell me or to not tell me, I couldn't determine.

Billy put a calming hand on Sam's arm in an "I'll take it from here" way. "Venom," he said quietly.

"Venom?" I repeated, gulping. "What do you do with the venom?" I knew exactly which type of venom he referred to.

Billy gave a sigh. "I guess you have a right to know if we're going to test you."

Sam and Quil nodded their consent. Harry was still mumbling and shaking his head.

"We mix vampire venom with some of your blood and other ingredients, and you drink it."

I tried very hard not to show the disgust I felt at that idea, but I'm sure my face gave away at least my distaste for blood. "Then what?" I asked in a smaller, higher-pitched, voice than I'd intended.

"If the magic is in you, you will run a temperature for a couple of days and may hallucinate."

"And if it's not?"

"Then you will be very ill—vomiting, cramps, fever, delirium. We believe it causes each muscle to spasm, sometimes breaking bones in the process. The weak have been known to die."

"Whoa." I sat down, feeling like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders, and wondering why I had been enough of an idiot to volunteer to take that test. I was beginning to see what a big deal it was.

I wasn't about to go back on my word though, so Billy swallowed his pride and called Carlisle, who was willing to help in any reasonable way. After a discussion about the logistics of venom collection, Carlisle agreed to come and pick me up and make a donation.

Sam ran off to the Treaty line, and Billy explained that it would take a week to prepare the potion. Luckily, he wouldn't need my blood until the last minute.

Sooner than I thought possible, Carlisle drew up outside. Sam ushered him into the bathroom, remaining outside the door until he reappeared. Carlisle handed Billy a tub, and I really didn't want to think about how he'd collected the contents.

Billy asked me not to talk to the others about it, and Carlisle ran me home in his Mercedes.

Alice's POV

Bella was in desperate need of sneakers. Whatever they were doing to her on that Reservation, it was impacting on her footwear. Of course, in my opinion, she was in dire need of all types of clothes. It would have been remiss of me to let her near a clothes shop without me—she would probably have ended up at Woolmart.

The tribe kept her for ridiculously long hours, so I only had time to get her to Port Angeles. There wasn't a lot of choice, so after letting her buy some Skechers in Fashion Bug—they weren't going to last long anyway—I dragged her kicking and screaming into Alley Cat Boutique.

Bella was in the fitting room with a selection of outfits to try on. The owner, Renee, a tall and beautiful woman that I had often thought would make a wonderful vampire, especially considering her great fashion sense, was searching for a purse to match the skimpy red dress that Bella swore she'd rather die than wear. We'd see about that.

I heard a groan from behind the curtain and prepared for another argument. Instead, a half-naked Bella came flying out and ran past me. Quickly locating Renee from her heartbeat, I dumped the intended purchases I was holding in her arms, instructing her to hold them for me, and followed Bella outside.

Bella's POV

Trying on the thousandth item, a pair of tight shorts I couldn't even sit down in, I peeled them off and threw them on the floor. Sighing, I contemplated the huge number of hangers awaiting my attention. About to reach for a horrible pink blouse, I groaned and doubled over, feeling sick.

It felt like someone was blowing down the back of my neck, and I grabbed the blue button down I'd worn that morning, needing to get out—quick. Pulling it over my shoulders, I pushed through the curtain and fled past a gob-smacked Alice. I would have found that funny if I hadn't been hell bent on getting out and I didn't stop until I was on the sidewalk.

Alice joined me. "What just happened? Are you okay?" she asked, concerned.

"I'm fine now."

"So what was with you rushing off like that?"

"I came over nauseous," I admitted. "Had to get out of there."

"But you're half-naked." Alice was a bit shocked, and most likely wary of drawing attention. "Come inside and get dressed."

She took my arm and made to enter the boutique. "No!" I told her firmly. "I'm not going back in there." Giving me a long-suffering look, she opened her mouth to protest. "I can't," I blurted and surprised myself when I threatened her. "Don't try to make me. I wouldn't want to hurt you."

With a frown and confusion all over her face, Alice rescued my jeans from the fitting room. Handing them out of the door, she went back to pay for the items I had agreed on—as well as some that I hadn't.

I was fully dressed by the time Alice reappeared. I had expected her to be angry, but she was only anxious.

"Can we go home, please?" I asked in a small voice.

We walked to her Porsche in silence and climbed in. Only when I was securely strapped in and the engine was running, did she say a word.

"Now, Bella…" I didn't like the tone of her voice which implied that I wouldn't much like what was coming next. "I hope you're not going to be difficult because I'm taking you to the hospital."

"What? No!" Too right, I didn't like it. "That's not necessary. It's a waste of time and I'll just look stupid," I pleaded.

Alice began driving before I decided to get out. And I would have—she knew it.

"You won't look stupid." She smiled sympathetically. "We'll go straight to Carlisle and keep it private." There was silence for a while. As I was about to make an attempt to persuade her, she added firmly, "But we will go."

There was nothing more to be said, and soon we pulled into the hospital parking lot. Surprised to see us, Carlisle ushered us into an exam room.

I explained that I was fine now, and that it had been like last week when I went to find a book. Carlisle urged me to allow him to check me over, perturbed that it had happened again.

As I'd been saying, I was fine.

Carlisle ran his hand through his hair. "I'd like to know why this is happening," he said, and then gazed at me with a bemused look. "Might you be…pregnant?" he had the audacity to ask.

I was too stunned to answer, opening and closing my mouth instead as I struggled for a response. How could he even ask that? In the end, I laughed. "P-p-preposterous!" was the only word I managed to say.

It was no great surprise that Edward was waiting at the Treaty line every evening, but I was shocked one afternoon to find out the truth. I never would have, if it hadn't been for a whole set of circumstances and coincidences.

Paul, a popular boy on the Rez, had a birthday. All the guys had been on First Beach for a cookout, and had stayed up half the night. Consequently, they were sluggish and clumsy the next day.

Quil managed to stray off the running track and trip over a dead branch, twisting his ankle badly.

While Sam was assessing the damage, Jacob got bored and took a knife from his pocket to start carving into an old tree stump. The knife slipped and gashed Jacob, who came to ask me for a tissue, causing me to faint from smelling the blood.

When I came round, I was in Sam's arms as he ran down the path to Billy's. How he had negotiated the sword ferns and prickly bushes, I had no idea.

"Hey," I said groggily.

"Thank goodness," Sam breathed in relief, stopping. "Can you stand?"

"Probably," I replied, but I was a bit wobbly so we sat down in the middle of the path.

"What happened?" he wanted to know. "I was seeing to Quil, and then Jacob said that you just collapsed."

"Blood," I said dismally. "Made me pass out. Oh my God! Is Jacob okay?" I couldn't stand it if Sam had left Jacob badly injured to get me help that I didn't need.

"It was just a nick," Sam informed me. "Jacob and Seth are bringing Quil as we speak."

Talk of the devils and they shall appear.

"Hey," Seth shouted having spied us from way up the path.

"Can you stand now?" Sam asked.

I got up slowly. "Yes, thanks."

"Good. I want to get Quil home."

I watched as Sam went to meet them. Jacob and Seth had one arm each wrapped around Quil's waist as he clung to their necks.

Sam hoisted Quil into his arms as if he weighed nothing. Gee, he was strong. I'd never been one to go ogling the boys at school, but the ease with which Sam held Quil and jogged past impressed me.

"Wait at Billy's," he called.

Jacob and Seth came running up. "Christ, Bella. You scared me, dropping like that," Jacob complained.

"Sorry. Blood does that to me," I said, eyeing the cloth wrapped round his hand which was quite red and turning brown—belatedly realising that it was his wife beater, and Jacob's chest was bare. Due to my new found appreciation of strength, my eyes raked over his muscular torso for the first time, fascinated by the rippling bronze muscles.

Jacob blushed under my scrutiny, and I had a glimpse of how Edward might find that appealing in me. "You're kind of beautiful," I said.

"Come on," Jacob urged, putting his arm around my shoulder. "Let's get you home. I think you may have hit your head when you fainted." Of course, he meant his home where we would wait for Sam.

Billy was watching a game on TV, and Seth was soon engrossed in it too, while Billy went with Jacob to wash his hand in the kitchen sink.

Following a safe distance behind, I felt a little light-headed and asked for a soda to put some sugar in my system. I grabbed a Coke from the fridge and sat at the table, out of the way. When Billy heard that I'd fainted, he produced some cookies and a candy bar.

His hand nicely cleansed of all the blood, Jacob rested it on the table, applying pressure with a fresh towel.

"May I?" I requested, holding out my hand. Jacob was confused.

Seth's encouragement to the players on the TV could be heard as Sam opened the door and entered the kitchen. I looked his way as he nodded to Billy. "Sue is with Quil. It's not broken," he reported.

Billy asked Sam to fetch a thermometer from the bathroom, and wheeled himself over to Jacob. He took over the pressure on his injury, freeing Jacob's good hand, which I clasped in both of mine.

"Go on," Billy encouraged me, as Sam returned and sat down.

I relaxed and focused as Jasper had taught me to, and sent Jacob all the nice thoughts I could muster.

Jacob was still topless and my mind strayed to his chest. He groaned and gave me a strange look, and I realised that I must have conveyed some lust with the happiness. Reigning myself in, I bit my lip and concentrated on his injury.

After a while, Billy exclaimed and dropped Jacob's hand. The towel fell away and we all stared at his now perfect palm.

Sam whistled in appreciation, and Billy told him to give me the thermometer so I could take my temperature. I scowled, but complied.

Taking it from my mouth, Billy checked the reading and chuckled. "Another opposite," he announced. "Bella, I don't think whatever you just did was achieved by magic."

"And you know this by my temperature?" I asked bewildered.

"When we use the magic, our body temperature is raised a degree or two. Yours has gone down just over a degree. Jacob's hand suddenly became very warm, so I wonder if your heat somehow transferred to him."

After a morning of calamities, and one trainee down, it was agreed that training was finished for the day. Sam went back to the field to rescue our lunches, while the rest of us went with Billy over to Quil's.

Sue had strapped up his ankle and propped it on a stool with ice-packs. Quil was pleased to have some company and an impromptu picnic took place in his lounge.

Leaving Jacob and Billy at Quil's house, the rest of us walked back to the Clearwater's. Seth ran inside, and Sam and I jumped in his car to take me to the line. We were halfway there before it dawned on me that I should let Edward know I was on my way.

I called his cell and he said he'd come right away. And there he was—on the Treaty line. Waiting. There was no way, even with his insane driving, that he could have gotten there first.

Edward, I found out, had been lurking in the woods all day, everyday!

He said it was for my protection. He wanted to be available should I need him, and he had been listening—mentally and otherwise—trying to find out what was going on.

To say that I was annoyed would be like saying that Michael Jackson could hold a tune. I was livid. Who did he think he was? How many times had I told him that I was perfectly capable of looking after myself?

When we arrived at his house, I thanked Esme for looking after me so well, and the others for making me welcome. Then I told them that I would be moving back to Charlie's.

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AN. Okay, as promised, here's the list of Auras and their meanings;

Aura Colours

Where there are two or more meanings for a colour, it is open to interpretation according to the person's character. i.e. Alice and Emmett both have green. Clearly in Alice's case it signifies her energy, whereas Emmett's is his strength. Not that they are exclusive - Emmett's could include an amount of energy.

White - Purity. Sometimes referred to as clear.

Yellow - Compassion and general love for others

Red - Passionate love

Silver - Stability and faithfulness.

Pink - Innocence

Gold - Joy, happiness

Orange - Magic. This is a mental thing so Ed's mind reading and Alice's visions count.

Blue - Healing, power

Green - Physical Strength, energy.

Mauve - Mental strength, authority

Purple - Soulless, cold, callous, uncaring.

Brown - Blood drinkers. Each drink creates a tiny fleck not usually seen until a number are seen together.

Black - Evil

Grey - An indicator of age and wisdom. Although the grey might increase with illness and could be seen as a warning of such if it increases rapidly, it's not a countdown to death

Auras

The main colour is indicative of the main characteristic of it's owner. The edging is a secondary, less strong characteristic, but still an important part of their character.

Billy - Burnt umber with a pale mauve edge. Bella sees the flecks of red and grey in the orange, and flecks of green in the mauve.

Old Quil - Deep orange, yellow at the edges and much grey. Bella sees flacks of silver.

Harry - Almost as orange as Quil with a gold edge. Bella sees more grey than she likes.

Sam - Bright orange with a green tinge to the edge. Bella sees flecks of red and mauve.

Jacob - orange with a pale blue edge. Bella sees flecks of red and green in the orange, and flecks of mauve in the blue.

Young Quil - orange edged in silver. Bella sees flecks of green and yellow.

Seth - The usual amber, but with a Lime green rim edged in gold. Bella sees flecks of yellow and pink.

Leah - Mauve with a band of silver before a blue edge. She has a central colour like Bella, but her's is green. Bella sees flecks of red.

Carlisle - A very pale yellow with a red tinge to the edges, is Bella's first impression. On close study she makes out four tiny but distinct flecks of brown.

Esme - Vivid yellow with a deep red edge. Bella sees flecks of gold and pink

Emmett - Very green edged in gold. Bella sees flecks of yellow and gold, and a few brown.

Rosalie - Deep red with a mauve edge. Bella sees flecks of yellow and pink. An odd brown and purple, too.

Alice - Very dark orange with a lime green edge. Bella sees flecks of pink and gold with a few brown.

Jasper - Royal blue swirled with brown and edged in mauve. Bella sees flecks of red and green with a few gold in the edge.

Edward - Amber with a vivid poppy red edge. Bella sees flecks of yellow and pink with the odd gold.

Bella - Deep Turquoise with a very pale pink centre and with a band of deep blue separating the turquoise from the red edge. Billy glimpses a myriad of rainbow colours like glitter.