Prom

Disclaimer; all characters and copyright belong to SM.

A/N-thank you for the kind reviews and for following this crazy, crazy story!

Part Nine-A Knight without Armour

Jacob walked around the darkened corner of the gym only to find his hapless friends with their backs against the wall, surrounded by a trio of angry girls, one of whom was Bella. Relief washed over him at the sight of her, but he was confused as to why she was directing her laser like glare toward Quil and Embry. What the hell had they done to provoke this reaction out of her?

"Hey, guys." He greeted them as casually as he could. "Is everything okay?"

At the sound of his voice Bella spun around, nearly losing her balance as she did so. She took one look at his confused face and burst into tears. Angela immediately went to comfort her, while Jessica pouted, fussing with her hair as she shot Jacob a dark look. "Is this the one, Bella?" She asked.

"Yes." Bella sucked in a deep breath as she tried to stifle her sobs.

"Bells?" Jacob was immediately concerned. The last time he had seen her she had been whisked away by her cold fish of a boyfriend. "Did Cullen do something to you? If he did, let me at him. I'll sort him out."

Quil and Embry were making frantic gestures at him, trying their best to get his attention. But he ignored them as he continued to focus on Bella. "I'll find him." Jacob continued hotly. "Don't you worry." He rolled his sleeves up determinedly.

"Oh, jeez, he's off." Quil hissed to Embry. "What a dweeb. Why do we have to hang around someone with such a hero complex?"

"This is your fault." Embry complained. He had been having a nice time with Angela before Quil and his madwoman had ruined everything.

"This is nothing to do with me." Quil argued.

Quembry began to bicker amongst themselves, completely forgetting about warning their friend what he was blundering into. Bella was hiccupping between sobs, while Angela kept whispering comforting words in her ear. Jessica, her attention drawn back to the squabbling duo, marched over to Quil and Embry and cuffed them both around the back of their heads.

That left Jacob alone with Bella. He was still oblivious to what was going on. She was still gasping for breath, talking incoherently, while she tried to get her words out. He tried to sort through the babble. He heard her mention Edward's name, and he was more convinced than ever that her boyfriend had done something to upset her. Why else would she be so hysterical? This was his chance to act like her knight in shining armour. He could already picture it in his head. He would confront Cullen, challenge him to a fight, then punch the skinny weasels lights out with one perfectly aimed blow. Bella would be so impressed that she would swoon into his arms like some old fashioned heroine in one of Old Quil's romantic novels.

"Don't worry, Bells. I will defend your honour." Jacob proclaimed loudly. "Leave it to me."

His fervent declaration captured everyone's attention. Quil and Embry stopped trying to placate a wilful Jessica and stared at him incredulously. Angela was gazing at Jacob in awe as she pushed her glasses back up her tiny nose. Even Jessica had fallen silent, impressed by his noble display. Bella was the only one who was looking at him in horror. She gasped his name, followed by a load of babbled nonsense that no one could understand. She tapped him angrily on the chest instead, but he misinterpreted this gesture as meaning she was all for him defending her honour against Cullen. Jacob grinned broadly and took her hand, raising it to his lips and kissing her knuckles lightly with his warm lips. It was something like Old Quil would have done.

"Jake." Bella squawked.

"Never fear. I will prevail." Jacob promised her. He really was channelling the old guy. "Wait here, honey. I won't be long." He marched off before Bella had a chance to respond.

"Well fuck." Quil swore as he summed up what everyone was thinking.


Edward was being soothed by the only member of his family who would listen to him. Alice did her best to placate him as he shared his woes with her. That was until he let slip about what he had said to Bella. Suddenly her whole demeanour changed. Her eyes narrowed and her sympathy dried up as she stared at him like a piece of dirt she had found under her shoe. "You said what?"

"I told her what the boy was thinking. It was the absolute truth. Maybe I could have been a bit more gentle, but I was provoked, Alice. Anyone else would have done the same under those circumstances. And anyway, Bella deserved to know." Edward said defensively. He paused, for once not having to read her mind to know what she was thinking. Alice's face said it all.

"Enjoy your trip." She retorted sarcastically, before spinning on her heel and storming off in disgust.

"What does that mean?" Edward yelled after her.

"You'll see." Alice threw over her shoulder as she disappeared into the crowd.

Edward saw the crowd part again like the red sea. But it wasn't Alice coming back to apologise, it was Jacob Black, his dark eyes burning and his hands clenched into fists by his sides. Once again Edward had no need to read what was going on in the boy's head. Jacob's angry expression said it all. Black was spoiling for a fight.


Old Quil was astonished when he heard the sound of loud voices. The DJ had killed the music, so the yelling could be heard throughout the gym. The elder pursed his lips, wondering what drunken youths had dared to disrupt such a special night. There was always someone who had to ruin things. This was why chaperones were needed to keep order.

"Oh, that's me. I'm the chaperone." He said aloud, perking up. He pushed the sleeves of his ruffled shirt up past his elbows and set his face into an authoritative expression. He would soon sort these young ruffians out. He barged his way through the throng of interested spectators until he reached the front, only to be astonished to find that one of the young scoundrels was Jacob Black. The silly boy was about to trade blows with the doorman, Deadwood Bunion. "What a buffoon?" Old Quil shook his head in disbelief. "It must be over a girl. It always is. Luckily my boy, Quil, has already found himself such a sweetheart. Well I better sort this ruckus out before old Bunion gets his ass kicked."

Old Quil melted back into the crowd, an idea already formulating in his head. He remembered seeing one of those telescopic poles with a hook at one end, near the back of the temporary stage. It was just what he needed. Shuffling as fast as he could, he went to retrieve it. This would put a stop to the fight and preserve Jacob's dignity while putting old Deadwood on his ass.

While he was gone Quil and Embry burst back into the gym, supporting an hysterical Bella between them. When Jacob had disappeared into the ether after announcing he was going to fight Edward, she had miraculously recovered her voice enough to demand that they help her go after him in case he did something stupid. Jessica and Angela trailed behind, becoming caught up in all the excitement.

It didn't take long to find Jacob. He was dancing around a bemused Edward, his fists raised as he challenged him to a fight. Bella burst into fresh tears, panicking in case Jacob hurt himself in the process. He had no idea of what Edward was. He was a foolish, foolish boy. In her anxious state she had forgotten she was supposed to be mad with him.

"Stop him." She hollered at Quembry.

Quil and Embry exchanged a long look before plunging into the crowd of eager spectators in an effort to reach their friend. Jacob had edged closer to Edward, ready to throw his first punch. But someone got their first. As Jacob jabbed his fist toward Edward's smug face, Old Quil slid the long telescopic pole along the floor and expertly hooked the end around Edward's ankle, then with a sharp tug, he yanked it toward him again, destabilising Edward and causing him to fall on his chilly ass. There was a loud bang and the wooden floor split under Edward's stone body, causing a huge crack to appear.

To the crowd of onlookers it appeared as if Jacob's punch had reached its target and caused Edward to fall. A huge cheer went up as they all swarmed toward Jacob, ready to congratulate him. Bella was swept up in the throng, along with Angela and Jessica. There were many students in Forks high who were gleeful to see Edward Cullen knocked on his butt. Jacob was now the hero of the hour.

Old Quil grinned to himself in satisfaction, pleased that he had put a stop to the fight and preserved Jacob's dignity without anyone getting hurt. Well except Deadwood Bunion's hurt pride, but who cared about that. Whistling a happy tune, the old man sauntered off with the long pole thrown over his shoulder, to put it back where he had found it.

His job here was done!

A/N-thanks for reading!