Elena headed out of the Cullen house around noon to head back home for some breakfast and to check in with her brother. The house hadn't been burnt down, but Jacob was in his backyard with Bella working on his Rabbit. She almost laughed at the scene because Bella was very obviously not a mechanic or interested in being one. She had that expression like "Oh-my-god-this-is-worse-than-shopping." It was obvious she wasn't really interested in his mechanic work if it had nothing to do with adrenaline and really fast bikes.

She'd tried to convince him to let her go riding but he just reminded her of the particularly bad wipe out she had the last few times she got on a bike without him. The second bike, since then, sat in the garage untouched and he needed someone to give it too soon. It wasn't really good for scrap parts or anything else, but he did wish that someone would go riding with him. The image of Elena came to mind and he huffed. Not her, they still weren't talking.

While he was in turmoil about their relationship status, Elena had better things to do. She checked her watch and the date and almost cursed that she forgot about today—Maintenance Day. Once a month she did a diagnostics test on her car to make sure the engine was still running as it should be. While she didn't want to be bothered with the mundane arguements that Jacob could come up with, her baby needed to be taken care of and not even that idiot would stop her. She grabbed her stereo around two o'clock, after feeding herself and her brother, and changed into her working clothes to head to her car. Setting the stereo on the hood and lifting it up, she set to work with a voltometer and checking the diagnostic system. So far there hadn't been anything wrong.

Jacob being the mechanic type man and Bella being the not so mechanic type person were faced with a dilemna: Bella was almost completely uninterested. She looked up at the sound of music across the grounds as Jacob came out of the shed and peered over towards the Lune house. Not to say that she wasn't interested in Jacob, he was hot and all but she needed more attention than he knew how to give, not to mention he seemed more distracted lately than he had been when she was still with Edward. Unless Jacob could suddenly fly or do something cool, there wasn't much else to him but that sweet smile and easy as breathing attitude. She'd managed to get him flat on his back long enough to start something but not long enough to get was she wanted.

Yeah she was a virgin, that didn't mean that she didn't know what to do. She sort of wondered if Jacob was still a virgin too… when things were getting hot and heavy he didn't seem like it.

She wanted sex but she wanted immortality too, maybe it would be easier to find another vampire boyfriend, or maybe…
Sometimes I wonder if it would just be easier to go to Edward. She glanced at the curve of Jacob's back over the bumper of the Rabbit and sighed again. Jesus Christ, she should be immortal by now and half way across the world after having raunchy sex with a werewolf. Things were going a bit slower than planned.

"Looks like you're not the only one working on your car..." Bella commented, and watched bored as he sat up from the hood of the car.

He swallowed hard and wondered if there was a cure for always being this hot. Shorts that barely covered her athletic rear with ripped end and oil stains and a tight t-shirt/tank top that read "I Can Fix Anything Better Than You" did not help his current predicament. He had been thinking about her all day and she just had to be mostly naked and working on a car at the same time. He wasn't sure if it was the wrench in her hand, the oil on her face, of the sheer beauty she exuded under the warm sun bent over into the hood of her truck. What he was sure of was that he was one step away from having a very lascivious daydream about the Amazon that lived next door.

I really need to find some time to ask Sam about this.

He licked his lips nervously and glanced at Bella who didn't seem to be paying attention to him and more concerned with her the fact that she was technically a blood traitor did not seem to help him calm down or stay down.

"Hey, Elena!" Bella called and stood up heading over, finally fed up with watching Jacob's mechanic hour.

She looked up with a smile, "What's up Bella?"

"Save me! I don't understand a thing he's doing and he doesn't know what he's doing either."

She blinked and wiped her hand and Jacob turned back to the car in defiance. He knew what he was doing, the car was just being difficult and what could she possible help him with other than getting hard as a crystal in under 36 seconds. She was sauntering over now and—yep, the lascivious day dream cackled and spiraled into the darkness of his mind. He wondered how lascivious it would be when it reappeared after collaborating with his animal instincts.

"I don't think he'll accept my help but I'll offer it."

"You don't even have a normal car, what would you know about it?"

He bit his lip as soon as those words left his mouth in regret. Why couldn't he just say what he felt instead of fucking it up everytime? Why the fuck did his mouth and heart not communicate? Was she fucking up his senses that badly that he was incapable of motor control? And what the hell was her smile doing to his anatomy, he would never know. WHY THE FUCK COULDN'T SHE JUST COOPERATE, maybe then he wouldn't be so confused. Maybe then his imprinting link would go the way it should.

What a curse... after... He shook it away she ignored him, and peered under his hood to check out the problem. He was distracted by the curve of her ass over the hood of his car and knew that it was Lascivious Dream: 9060, Jacob -9005.

It's over nine thousand, his mind quipped and tore his eyes away from her backside.

Before he could protest the car roared to life and she leaned up from under the hood.

"Problem solved," she said with a smile.

There was a beeping in her pocket and she pulled out a tiny device similar to the cellphone before walking back to her car as another car pulled up. He watched her walk... well more like watched the swing of her hips as she got farther away and he wondered if the predatory emotions that welled up inside him were evident on his face. Glancing at Bella who was half way across the yard dancing to some music in her head and probably off beat, it didn't really matter.

"Come on my dear baby, you can't do this to me~. What's wrong?" She cooed to the specially designed engine before tilting herself back into the hood.

Bella had disappeared in the house to get them something to drink and Jacob was left to hear and watch Elena give her car a check up. When she climbed out from her hood, another car pulled up along side her car and a man got out. From a distance he was... human? Vampire? He wasn't sure. What he was sure about was the gleam in his eyes. Loving and adoring, he hated him on sight. Elena was his not anyone elses dammnit... even if she didn't know it and he was in a relationship... and she hated his existence at the moment...

He scoffed, Not doing to well on that possession thing, am I?

She felt someone's gaze and another presence near her but didn't pay any mind to it as she located the issue in the phase shift between the chamber and the turbine and sighed with relief, she could spot weld that... at leat she didn't have to replace parts. That was something good. Other than that everything was fine...was it missing a nut?

Oh~...! It's not cracked, the nut came off. Pressure seal is compromised...

So much less money to come up with. Things were turning out great. Now if only she would rock herself from this very compromising position bending over the car.

"I recognize that position anywhere, having issues with your baby?"

She pulled out and turned to the familiar face and blushed. Since when did Evan become so hot? And was that an implying smirk he had on his face, oh my god Evan was making a sexual joke… Dear God it was the apocalypse.

Evan Clear had always been a pure hearted angel of a half vampire half human. He was a throw back to better times when guys were jerks with a sense of humor to rival her own and a voice that killed. If he wasn't still in love with his vampire girlfriend that disappeared and pursuing her because they looked alike, she might have given him a chance.

"Oh my god... Evan?" She asked a little shocked.

He grinned and opened his arms, "Miss me?"

She squealed and hugged him happily loving the warm circle of his arms as he spun her around and laughed at her silliness. He refused to think about her warm legs around his waist as they spun and think about what that could possibly turn into... Heaven forbid he imagine her pinned on- OKAY enough. Enough dirty thoughts came when he rounded the edge of the truck to see her leaning into the hood of her car.

"Wow, look at you... you're all... buff and what not."

He chuckled and tugged on the edge of her shorts, playfully.

"That's coming from an Amazon...Did your brother see you in those shorts?"

She shoved him, " Oh spare me. He'd probably jump for joy."

That same gleam that was unnerving to her... that same heat that scared her witless sometimes blazed wilder than it every had when she was in California... maybe she should put some more pants on and a shirt or something. A parka maybe and a veil? She doubted it would help do anything but make the heat blaze with the idea of undressing her—never mind it wouldn't get much worse than this. His eyes already said "I wanna turn you on."

Nope… can't get much more heated than that.

"You look good." He said softly and she flushed looking away.

"Uh... yeah, you too. Why don't you come inside hm?"

He smiled and nodded following her into the house silently leaving Jacob seething in his own backyard. Who the hell was that prick? How dare her look at her like that! While he was failing at the whole imprinting business, he still didn't appreciate it. He may have been in love with Bella and imprinted on Elena who…. never mind.

The Fucker, his wolf growled possessively as he tossed the wrench into the tool box and took a seat by Bella as Elena and her guest disappeared into the house.

Sitting down at her table, it was obvious that she was very unnerved by his presence. The shifting eyes almost amused him and the nervous shake of her legs and tapping of her finger nails on the table top. He smiled at her and wondered exactly how much more obvious did he need to make it for her to say "yes or no?" He considered tying her up and telling her... showing her rather a lot of things... but she did have samurai action and he liked his anatomy the way it was, all of it. He smiled as she finally looked up at him and headed to the kitchen.

"Is there something you want to drink or eat maybe?"

His smiled changed to a smirk and shook his head beckoning her to sit down across from him after she'd grabbed a can of soda. She did so and the air filled with a quiet intensity as their eyes met.

She bit her lip, he wanted her bad.He'd always been rather obvious with it, but it seemed the time apart only made it worse.

Damnit if I can't damn near read his mind... I had no idea he was such a... creative person.

Her cheeks reddened and she whistled and looked away. They really shouldn't be alone in her house... together. Not a good idea. Not with his very active imagination shinning through his eyes.

This is was Es meant by being eye fucked, huh?

"I hear from Es' you've got a nice little gig set up here..."

"I hear from Es' you were there for my premiere," she countered with a raised eyebrow.

He smirked, "Girl talk, you just can't escape from it."

She rolled her eyes, "So... how's life going Evan? What brought you up here?"

"You," he answered softly and she blinked.

She hadn't expected him to be so blunt about it, she really should be used to it by now though.

"They died a few days ago...left me with a bit of money... and so here I am. I needed to get out of California... and the prospect of seeing you again..."

She blinked glanced away at his fading voice. He was always very straightforward what the hell was she supposed to do? His 'parents' were gone... it was sad and she wondered if he stayed for the funeral. Probably not... he was born in the 1900 and his 'parents' weren't born until 1965. Not surprising that he probably shouldn't go to the funeral. Her eyes softened and she pat his hand lightly, comfortingly.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine... Other than needing a place to stay once the Cullens kick me out."

She blinked," Uh... why would they kick you out?"

"You know when me and Es' are together, we make a lot of noise."

She laughed helplessly. He was right. The three of them together in one house would have everyone with a migraine. The two of them together was like watching all the JetLi action scenes and Rush Hour at the same time with speakers turned up to "blow-your-eardrums-out." Funny, thrilling, and loud.

"Try to keep it down then. Go outside or something."

He laughed at that and there was a knock on the door and she sprung up, thankful for a distraction that was his soft blue eyes flecked with amber.

"I'll be back."

He nodded as she headed to the door to see Sam slightly towering over her with a smile.

"You have a minute?"

"Uhm... sure. What is it?"

He held up a letter and she frowned, "This is yours... When you read it... make sure you're alone."

"Why?" She asked taking it from his hands and turning it over, no address.

"I have a feeling... that you'll be less than emotionally stable."

He left with that cryptic message and she headed back inside as Evan looked up. He knew what was in it and wished that he had never left her side. He wished a lot of things had never happened… he wished more than anything that it was anyone but Elena. Sweet Elena that had never caused harm to anyone else…

"There is another reason I came," he said as she came back and started sipping her Pepsi again. "I stopped off in Italy for a moment first."

She froze and set the can down. From the tone of his voice, she knew what this would be about.

"And?"

"The Volturi are coming for you."

She sighed, "Should I be scared?"

"Yes."

"Then I'm not." He blinked.

"I'm gonna head outside for a minute, feel free to follow or don't."

Staring after her retreating back, he wasn't sure to be afraid for her or love her even more for her bravery. He wanted to believe in her judgement but considering there are things that she didn't know about herself... there was a good chance that he shouldn't be leaving her alone. He got up and followed her, keeping a good distance as she made her way through the forest. She'd gotten used to the area and made her way knowingly towards the cliffs at the very edge of the divide in territory.

Reaching the edge of her private cliff she sat on the edge and turned the letter over in her hands. It was water tight and plastic so that the contents inside would never be damaged. She wondered how important it could possibly be. Was she really some type of super secret government project and they were coming for her? She laughed at that and opened the packaging.

As if…

As she read the letter she wished she'd stayed in California... or never been born at all. She would have taken the project story a bit better. It was nights like this that stars threw down their spears, clouds covered the sky, and a little girl needed her mother. How was she supposed to do this on her own?

Evan came through the forest and sat with her, holding her hand until she started crying and the storm in from the coast. He could smell it as she leaned against his shoulder and sobbed from the force of it all. He held and rocked her, sung to her until her whimpering quieted and he lifted her into his arms, carrying her through the forest.

On the way back to the Cullen's residence, the sky turned dark and rain poured down like unstoppable tears of a soul that had lost everything. He wished he was the one to tell her the truth about her past, he may have been able to stay and calm her, but as they were she needed time before he could say was no way he would face her wrath when she found out he knew all along. He looked down at her, she looked so small in his arms as he carried her up the steps and into the house.

Somehow it was Saturday again and nothing had really changed. Elena's smile had not darkened despite the mysterious letter that she dared not read again and Evan joined them at Forks High which caused quite a storm considering Forks was one of the most uneventful towns in the world. The school population—female population—seemed to feel the need to hate Elena and Esmerelda for attracting the attention of the untouchable Cullens and the new commer Evan it didn't help that every guy in the school had the habit of following her curves around the school.

They sat together with the Cullen siblings at lunch, while Elena usually ran between tables. They watched her activity almost laughing. The day winded to an end and Esmerelda pulled on her backpack and climbed into Elena's truck to get to the Cafe on time to set up. The duo was almost back to normal and with Halloween just around the corner she had a feeling Esmerelda would be back on stage eventually.
If only that was the least of their worries.

"El..." Esmerelda called as she sat at the mirror and adjusted her newly found shiny vest of her white tank top.

"Hm?"

"I know you don't want to talk about it but..."

She sighed and looked over her shoulder and headed toward the stage to set up the mike stand. She wasn't feeling her normal loud self and decided it would e a good idea to sing with a mike until she felt better. Esmerelda bringing up the catastrophic news wasn't really helping in the least bit.

"I'll deal with it when I need to. Right now I'm focusing on trying not to be obvious about it. I have a job to rock out remember?"

Evan and Esmerelda sighed at the hopelessness of it. Until the problem actually came up, they supposed that Elena would avoid the subject all together. The sound of the band starting up and Elena's cheerful voice made him feel a bit better... that was until Jacob Black entered the building. Goddamnit he hated him on sight.

When they met eyes, it was obvious the feeling was mutual. Esmerelda spied a fight long before he even reached the stage. If not between Evan and Jacob, then Elena and Jacob. Either one would be entertaining but at the moment, she didn't think it would be a good idea to tax Elena's already taxed patience. After all she'd dressed in her "I'm trying to make myself happy" clothes. Shiny vest, white tank top, short ruffled jean skirt to just above her knees and her clean black converse. Yep… she was matching for a gig in an obvious way too… She'd even combed her hair… The girl was depressed.
Elena ignored the oncoming Jacob playing through the song without a care in the world before the song ended and he was standing right there.

"Sam wants you to come home today, there's something going on!"

She blinked as the next song started.

"According to you... I'm stupid I'm useless, I can't do anything right... According to you...I'm difficult hard to please, forever changing my mind..."

She'd sung it looking dead at him, tired of the lies and he could see that. That didn't mean he would forget the reason he had come there.

"Are you even listening? This is serious! They are coming!"

"But according to him~ I'm beautiful incredible incredible he can't get me out of his head. According to him I'm funny irresistible everything he ever wanted. Everything is opposite and I don't feel like stopping now so baby tell me what I've got to loose? He's into me for everything I'm not-according to you..."

He growled and marched away from the stage not seeing the softened eyes that Elena played with or the slight damper on her smile as she finished out her song and with it her shift. Luke came up and took her place before she got off the stage and Jacob whirled on her the moment she was out of cafe.

"We're you even listening to me? We have bigger problems than your pseudo-music career coming. There's another covenant on the way here! And you need to stop playing this stupid game and join ranks like you are supposed to rather than being difficult!"

The silent I love you please just stay with me. Just love me! didn't make it through the haze of confusion and rage that ran around his mind. What the hell was going on? She blinked and looked at him without reacting and they stood in silence as her eyes glazed over and just for a moment he saw the universe in her eyes. Rain hit his face before he realized it and it was raining. Moments passed and they were already drenched, her hair stuck to her face and her eyes still stared off into eternity as if she was no longer there. He couldn't tell if she was crying or if it was just the rain but her lips began to move.

"Spare me Jacob," she started with eyes brighter than he ever remembered them being. They were pratically glowing with golden light that made him step back a wind pushed him towards her as he stepped back and she stalked towards him.

"You don't care about me, you just care about your pride because I'm not interested in this bullshit of a conflict. And I'm sick of you yelling at me about my decisions! DEAL WITH THE FACT THAT I DON'T CARE! I have bigger things to concern myself with than whether or not another covenant is coming."

He stared at her and felt the caress of death that made him shiver with fear and back away as her hair was suddenly flying all over the place with the force of something other than the wind. He hadn't moved an inch in any other direction but back since the storm began around her but as quick as it had begun it stopped and she gasped in shock.

"Elena..."

Before he could say another word she was gone with the wind, into the rain, and out of sight. Evan came out of the cafe, followed by Edward, Esmerelda, and Alice. They glanced at him and took off in the other direction. Evan's scorning voice echoed through his mind.

If she is harmed, I will kill you mutt.

He didn't even have the mind state to growl at the threat. Had he missed something? When Esmerelda found her she was screaming into the storm and it only seemed to intensify with her confusion.

She screeched into the stormy sea and lightning flashed across the sky amplifying her rage as the tide rose and she was running into the uncoming waves screaming at nature that seemed to be screaming back at her.

"I didn't ask for this! I didn't ask for any of this!"

Esmerelda and Evan watched as she sunk to her knees with dry sobs and screaming into the surrounding tempest.

"I hate you," she whimpered. "I hate you..."

Esmerelda glanced at Evan, giving him the signal to pull her away from the edge of the cliff. She didn't fight back but curled into his arms with whimpers and hiccups as he carried her back to the car and pulled her into the back seat as Esmerelda pulled off to the cafe. Evan drove Elena back to the Cullen residence. They wrapped her in a towel and set a cup of hot chocolate in front of her.

"Why didn't you tell me?" She asked without looking up, still staring into the intricate design of the cup.

"You weren't ready and if the situation wouldn't have escalated. Sam wouldn't have given you that letter yet." Evan said.

"I'm sorry El' and I know you're confused, but this is who you are and no one can change that no matter how much you try."

"I could kill myself," she said wryly. Let's avoid the end of the world. "Would that work?"

Esmerelda blinked, "Don't even think about is not a joke."

"I was kidding," Elena assured. "I'm not that dramatic... but what do I do now?"

"For now," Evan started. "You drink that hot chocolate and breath a bit."

She nodded and agreed despite the feeling of the wind up her spine. There were no open windows but when the door opened and she stood with a slight smile. She already knew they were coming from the moment Jacob started yelling at her. She almost wished she could say goodbye.