Diclaimer- I do not own Twilight or any characters


Chapter 8

Dawn was breaking when Bella awoke to start the new day. Luckily she had always been a morning person and enjoyed her daily morning workout which included martial arts and practising her combat drills with her swords. Dressing swiftly into a comfy pair of jogging bottoms and a tank top, she tied her hair back in a messy ponytail and made her way out to her back yard, shivering slightly as she was hit by the crisp morning air.

Strolling to the centre of her garden she started her warm up by stretching, beginning with her legs and moving on to her upper body to improve her flexabiity. Once she was finally starting to feel the burn on her muscles Bella leapt into a series of martial art combos. Starting off using slow controlled punches and kicks she increased the speed of the variety of moves before incorporating several spin kicks and sweeping motions into the training. Rotating between an amalgamation of aggressive and defensive actions her body was a sea of fluidity as she leaped, kicked and punched her way through the moves. Duncan had taught her these combos in her early days to help with balance and speed and they had certainly proved their usefulness over the years. It was second nature now for her to do these every morning to keep her body toned and reflexes swift. She began to slow down her strikes until she was standing in a neutral position head bowed allowing her body to cool down.

Straightening up she wiped the sweat from her brow before picking up her short swords that lay waiting for her on the patio. Swinging the twin swords in synchronised smooth arcs, the blades slicing through the air with barely a sound. Bella loved the feel of these blades in hers hands as she spun them so fast they were nothing but a blur to the visual eye showing the control she had over their movements, it was if they were an extension of herself.

Losing herself in the rush of her swordplay she continued her thrusts and parries, using defensive and attacking maneuvers as she sparred with imaginary foe. She was midway through her workout when she caught movement out of her peripheral vision, recognising Jacob observing her from the forest edge; she ignored him to carry on with her katas knowing that he would join her once she was finished. Finally completing her work out she shook off the fatigue from her limbs as Jacob wandered over to her, awe and amazement covering his face.

Wiping off her blades reverently before sheathing them she turned and greeted her old friend. "Hello Jacob"

He took in Bella's flushed face from exertion and the swords cradled in her grasp and thought she had never looked so beautiful, "Bella that was amazing"

"Thank you, come on inside to wait, I just need to get cleaned up" gesturing for Jacob to have seat.

"That's fine Bells, take your time" he answered as he looked around the house that he hadn't entered in so long. Decoration wise not much was the same from what he remembered as he studied the knickknacks lying around.

Bella grabbed a quick shower to wash off the sweat before pulling on a pair of jeans and a low cut jumper. Making her way back down the stairs she watched as Jacob took stock of the room.

"Hey" she said startling him out of his reverie as he whipped around at her voice.

"Hey…" he started trailing off awkwardly suddenly looking like the young boy she had known so long ago.

"I guess I should start." Bella began. "Just to start I want you to know that I am not a danger to your people or pack, that I promise. I am a human the only difference with me is I can't die. I don't have any super powers or death ray vision and I'm pretty sure if one of your wolves attacked I wouldn't be coming out on top"

"How are you immortal, did the Cullen's do it?"

"No! They had nothing to do with this. It was just fate. No one knows why certain people become immortal we just are."

"You mean there are more of you" he asked curiously.

"Yes quite a few. For all intents and purposes we are human so until you kill us and we wake up you would never be able to tell the difference."

"How do you tell who's immortal between yourselves. Is there some sort of club or secret handshake?" he asked amused. He definitely hadn't been expecting this when he got up this morning he thought heedlessly.

Smirking lightly at his sarcastic question, she answered, "Funny but no. When we are in close proximity with another immortal we get a buzzing noise in our head for a few seconds, sort of like an early warning system."

Frowning slightly at her answer he asked, "Why would you need a warning system for your own kind?"

Sighing at the perceptive question Bella replied faintly, "Not all of us are friendly Jacob. Killing an immortal gives the other immortal more power and like most species some of us crave that and will do anything to get it."

"I thought you said you couldn't die"

"Only one thing will kill us permanently Jacob and that is beheading." she said watching as Jacob winced in disgust at the thought of being decapitated.

"Is that why you have the swords?" he asked trying to get his head around all this new information.

"Exactly, all immortals need to defend themselves and we all carry weapons to answer any challenges."

Bella sat quietly as she watched Jacob take in her answer hoping against hope that his next question wouldn't be what she expected. True to form, lady luck decided to kick her in the teeth and she shuddered as Jacob asked the one question she really wished he hadn't.

"So have you killed anyone? You definitely looked like you know how to wield those swords"

"Yes I have and may I just add that they all challenged me not the other way around," she stated coldly.

"Jeez it's alright Bella I didn't think you had turned into a murdering psychopath or anything I just wanted to know if you had been in any danger," he answered raising his hands in supplication.

"Oh sorry, I just get a little defensive about taking lives, it isn't something I enjoy." she whispered glancing at Jacobs apologetic expression. The tightness in her chest loosened as he pulled her into a light hug. Kissing the top of her head as he held her she sighed peacefully as his warmth engulfed her.

"Bella, you are the kindest person I have ever met. I am just glad you can defend yourself. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings"

"No, it's alright I was being a bit sensitive. Sorry."

"No problem. So have you been in touch with the Cullen's long" he asked.

"Well that was subtle Jake" she grinned in response to his question. "But the answer is no, I only met up with them yesterday at school. As you remember they were not exactly on my Christmas card list"

"And what about now, you certainly looked friendly with the little one yesterday"

"Her name is Alice and yes we spoke at length to renew our friendship. The rest of the Cullen's I'm taking one day at a time. I don't trust them like I did but I am giving them a chance"

"What about Edward?" he said sneering the name like it was something he scraped off his shoe.

"Lets just say there is more chance of me being hit by a meteorite than me ever dating that smuck again" she said causing Jacob to convulse in laughter at the response.

Calming himself down Jacob observed Bella carefully; he was definitely noticing a difference in her attitude. She seemed a lot stronger emotionally and unwilling to take crap from anyone but she still had that touch of innocence and her caring demeanor that made her Bella. He had missed her a great deal and was just happy he would be able to apologize to her regarding his previous behavior in the past.

"Okay I've updated you on what I've being doing, how about you?" Bella queried turning the subject to him.

"I've been doing okay. As you know I'm the alpha for the pack. There are only four of us now; the others stopped phasing to grow old with their imprints. Most of my life is spent either protecting the area from nomad bloodsuckers or working at my garage. There really isn't much to tell."

"What about dating, have you met anyone special?"

"No, I've dated over the years sure but I can't guarantee I won't imprint and I don't want to hurt someone like that."

Noticing the time Bella realized she would need to start getting ready for school. Gasping slightly she asked, "Look Jake I really need to get ready for school, is it okay for me to come out to La Push after?"

"Yeah that's fine. I can introduce you to the others; they never met you back in the day. It was really good to speak with you again.I'll speak to you afte school," he said whilst getting up and giving Bella a quick hug before heading out the backdoor and into the woods.

She swiftly grabbed her school bag and car keys before making her way to school anticipating meeting up with Alice before class. Pulling up at the school she saw the rest of the Cullen's just exiting their vehicles so she parked next to them noticing that Alice was waiting for her next to her car. Jumping out of her truck Bella smiled in greeting to Alice while jogging her way over to her.

"Hello Bella" she grinned, the rest of the Cullen's giving Bella a wave or nod of acknowledgment.

Just as she and Alice were about to enter the building Bella felt the buzzing in her mind that warned of an immortal in the nearby vicinity. Halting to a stop she scanned the surrounding area to see who was setting her radar off but was unable to locate anyone who shouldn't be there. The buzzing finally faded as whoever it was moved out of range.

The Cullen's had noticed her sudden stop and were watching her curiously as she looked around.

"Bella are you alright?" Alice asked perplexed at Bella's actions.

Quickly glancing around again Bella answered, "Yeah its okay." lowering her voice slightly she continued "We can't speak of it here. We can discuss it at lunch"

Alice's eyes widened at the cryptic comment but nodded her head and followed Bella into class.

After getting through several classes speculating about what Bella wanted to discuss it was eventually time for lunch. Alice was waiting impatiently outside of Bella's class when she arrived and they both made their way outside to talk.

"What was it that happened this morning?" Alice asked concerned.

"When we were about to enter the school I felt the presence of another of my kind."

"You can feel when another immortal is close? You never mentioned that before." Alice stated.

"Sorry I never thought to mention it but that really isn't the point" she frowned pointedly. "The fact is there is an immortal in the area and I'm not sure if they are a headhunter or not."

Glancing worriedly at her friend Alice could only ask "What the hell do you mean by a head-hunter? Are you in danger? How can I help?" she shot out the questions in rapid succession.

"I never explained the reason I carried a sword, did I?" Bella started.

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"All immortals carry some type of bladed weapon; the reason is because we can only be permanently killed by decapitation. We gain power by taking the head of another immortal and because of this the more unsavory types will issue challenges to the death." Bella truly hoped that this confession wouldn't scare Alice away from her.

Alice could only stare wide eyed before stuttering out, "Death... Have you fought against other immortals then?"

Keeping a careful eye on Alice's expression, "Yes I have. I've killed twelve in total over the last fifty years."

Alice saw that Bella was concerned about her reaction but for the life of her she could not imagine Bella killing anyone and could only goggle in disbelief at what she heard.

Bella felt her heart clutch in agony as she took Alice's silence to be disgust. Alice could literally see Bella fold in on herself, her shoulders slumping as her eyes dulled and lowered to the floor. Shaking herself free from her petrifaction Alice rushed forward, grabbing Bella's face between her hands and forcing her to look at her.

"Bella look at me please. I don't think any less of you. You did what you needed to survive, I understand that. Please Bella" Alice begged as Bella refused to meet her eyes.

Alice hated witnessing the pain that her inaction had caused and she knew of only one way to prove her feelings.

Tugging Bella's face forward gently she pressed her lips firmly against Bella's in a tender kiss. Bella literally felt her heart jump when Alice's cool lips connected with hers; she could feel the passion between them building as the kiss got more ardent. Alice's lips moving fervently over her own.

Bella let out a small moan as she felt Alice's tongue flutter against her lips in permission to enter. Opening her mouth to grant access her own tongue tangled with Alice's in a teasing battle. She shuddered in pleasure as Alice pulled her body even closer, Bella's hand going to the back of her neck to hold her in place as she ravaged her mouth.

All thoughts were being driven from her mind; her entire universe consisted of only Alice and the emotions she was enduing throughout her body.

Finally her lungs demanded air so Bella reluctantly pulled back from those exquisite lips, panting softly as she rested her forehead against Alice's.

"Whoa..." she whispered breathlessly.

Alice looked just as overcome with the experience, her eyes a much darker shade of amber as she held Bella n a loose embrace, trying to rein in her rampaging hormones. She could honestly say she had never gotten that aroused that quickly over a simple kiss.

"Whoa is definitely right," Alice responded smirking lightly.

"You kissed me?" Bella stated bemused.

"Err well yes; I needed you to know how I felt. "Alice answered chagrinned. If she hadn't of been a vampire she would have given Bella a run for her money in turning red.

"So you don't hate me for killing those people?" Bella asked tentatively.

Stroking Bella's cheek lightly with her fingertips she smiled reassuringly, "Never! I could never hate you. You did what you needed to do. I was just surprised and I'm sorry I distressed you. I want you to know that my family and I will do anything we can to help."

Grateful for the offer Bella nuzzled her face into Alice's hair, pressing a kiss against her temple in thankfulness for this amazing woman.

"I appreciate the offer Alice but if it is a headhunter there isn't anything you can do. I need you to promise that neither you nor your family will interfere if a challenge is issued."

"What! You want us to just let them attack you," she screeched. She had finally divulged her feelings for Bella and was now being told she couldn't protect her. This went totally against her vampire instincts.

"Alice, there are rules that immortals have to follow and that means challenges are one on one with bladed weapons. No one can interfere with the two combatants." Bella explained calmly." I'm glad you want to help but it would cause more problems in the long run if you interceded. We don't even know if the immortal is an enemy yet. There are plenty of nice immortals you know" she joked to decrease Alice's concern.

"I just don't want to lose you. As you could probably tell from that kiss, I care about you a lot more than just a friend."

Bella had never seen Alice looking so nervous and her eyes were never quite meeting Bella's.

"Alice did you not feel me kiss you back." She murmured trailing her hand down the side of Alice's neck and across her clavicle, feeling the small body shiver in response.

"Bella…" she groaned, heat rushing through her at the caress as her head tilted back in adjuration. Drawing the supplicant vampire closer Bella lowered her lips to her neck, nibbling and licking where her pulse point would have been. Feeling the purring that vibrated from Alice's chest sent a wave of arousal through her, raising her head from Alice's neck her mouth was suddenly plundered by Alice's tongue, the kiss becoming more heated by the second. Hands grasping at each other as they tried to get closer, not content with the contact they had. They leapt apart startled by the intrusion of the lunch bell, gasping breathlessly as they tried to calm down. They glanced around to see if anyone was observing them unable to believe they had got so engrossed in each other before giggling quietly.

Laughing at the situation Bella grinned at the vampire in front of her, watching as a huge smile flourished on Alice's face as they stared at one another in wonder.

"I think that proves I like you more than just a friend as well" Bella chuckled delightedly.

"Most definitely." Alice agreed.

"Well then Ms Cullen would you do me the honour of a date?"

Alice had never felt so ecstatic, barely containing her excitement she lunged forward seizing Bella in a tight embrace before almost screaming her affirmative in Bella's ear.

Laughing at Alice's enthusiasm, "Alice calm down we need to get back to class" she said.

"Yeah okay" she smiled clasping Bella's hand in her own as they made there way back into the school.

It seemed like things were definitely looking up Bella thought happily, glancing down in delight at the pixie by her side .

Hopefully it would last.

End of Chapter 8.


And thats the end of another chapter Folks. Enjoy and review

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