This chapter is written in Bella's POV. Enjoy!

CHAPTER 10: CODE RED

What a night. Just as I had decided to call my mom and tell her about my new weird friend Alice - like she herself had jokingly suggested - and her brother who managed to make me blush at any occasion, not to mention how I was completely falling for him without knowing why, the phone had rang. For a moment I had debated on how freaky it would have been, had it actually been my mom.

But it hadn't been her.

Hearing Edward's voice had made me warmer instantly. My cheeks turned bright red, even though he hadn't even been in the room with me. It took me alot to keep my voice steady.

First he apologized. A ridiculous concept, since I had been very mean to him during Biology. I owed him one. But Edward, being the gentleman he was, would never expect that of me.

The invite to the movies felt weird though. So unexpected. It went against the entire friendship rule we had set up. Of course that rule was doomed to fail from the beginning. I could never be friends with Edward.

So I had eagerly accepted. The moment I hung up the phone, I had ran up the stairs - almost tripping over my own feet, not a surprise - to change into a more proper attire than my sweats and white tee-shirt.

Once I was done, I'd bounded down the stairs again. This hadn't gone unnoticed as my dad and Billy Black had been glancing at me in wonder.

"In a hurry, Bells?", my dad had wondered. Out of all the nights he was paying attention to my behavour now.

"Yeah, I am going out. Movie.", I told him. I liked to keep him on a small 'need to know' basis. Nothing more but some general thrown together sentences. That's how I preferred to comunicate with my dad.

"Bella, it is a school night.", Charlie reminded me.

My dad had almost ruined my fun there, but I knew there was one way he would allow me to go.

"Dad, I am going with Jake. You don't mind, do you, Billy?", I had asked innocently.

"Oh, Charlie, let the kids have fun. They're only young once", Billy had grinned.

I hadn't waited for Charlie's final approval as I stepped outside to wait for Edward's silver Volvo to appear. I didn't feel as guilty as I probably should have at the idea of lying to my father and using Jake as a cover-up. In all honesty, I simply forgot about all of that when I thought of Edward. While waiting for him on the front porch, I had felt incredibly giddy. Butterflies had taken up a permanent residence in my stomach.

This feeling slowly started to make more sense. I still didn't understand how I had been able to fall for Edward within a few days, but it all didn't feel so strange when I was close to him. It made perfect sense then.

I hated how Jake was a victim. I cared for him, but I didn't love him. And the fact it had only taken me three days to know that I was certain I loved Edward and I hadn't managed to feel this way about Jacob for three years had strengthened my decision to break up with him.

I had planned on talking to Jake about this tonight. Break up and hope he'd still want to be friends with me after that. But I had never gotten around to it, because Alice had begged and pleaded for me not to go. She had promised to explain everything to me later. Still, things would have probably worked out better, if I had gone to La Push tonight, like I had planned to. Because the sooner I ended things with Jacob, the better it would be. Not just for me, -the idea of being with Edward seemed like a strange but wonderful reward that I didn't truly deserve - but breaking up would benefit Jacob too, in the end. He would be free to find someone else. Someone who would be worthy of him.

I had no choice, even if I wanted to. I didn't want to hurt Jake, but I was hurting him more by staying with him. Tonight had once again been proof of that. When I was around Edward, Jacob was the last thing on my mind, In fact he hadn't on my mind at all.

Until now.

I stared through the windshield in disbelief.

Jacob was here.

And he looked mad. Very mad.

But even as he stood there, his face oddly lit in the street light, I didn't feel much. I had noticed the darkness in his eyes though. He was out to fight.

As soon as I spotted him, standing there - facing Edward with sort of a murderous glare - I knew I had to face the music. I should have broken up with him much sooner, even before Edward had come along, but I had always been such a chicken, so used to the convenience of it. And now, that selfishness came back to haunt me.

I could not allow for Edward and Jacob to do something stupid.

I got out of the car and Jake turned to face me. But his eyes never softened. He glared at me in disgust. I suppose I deserved that.

I found myself debating what I was supposed to say. Who was I supposed to stand next to? Where was my place now...

With whom?

The answer wasn't that difficult, but to actually follow through, to take that stand knowing it would make things erupt indefinitely, that was not an easy obstacle to overcome.

I halted next to Edward, whose eyes were glued to Jacob. He tried to appear neutral, but his golden eyes showed a hint of surprise and anger. I kept a little space between us, pushing back the longing to stand really close to him.

"Jake....what are you doing here?", I wondered quietly

"I could ask you the same, Bells. I didn't know we had plans to see a movie. I mean...I knew we had plans, but that part was new. It would have been nice if you had told me...", Jacob spoke wryly.." Then again, not telling me was probably the point..."

The lie. Back to bite me. The date Jake and I were supposed to have at La Push. The one I had never gotten around to cancel because I had been too busy with Alice acting all weird and Edward asking me out. He must have stopped by at my house, only to find Charlie and Billy there, the two of them wondering why Jake wasn't with me.

"Jacob" - it was the first time in a long while, I spoke his full name - "I am sorry..."

Edward stood quiet beside me, as he continued to watch Jacob's every move. I could feel how tense he was and there was a large part of me that wantd to reach out and grab his hand in support. But that would probably not help with the situation.

"Interesting..", Jacob commented dryly.."You don't sound too sorry, Bells. And you didn't look sorry just now, when you got into his car.."

Jacob glared at Edward when speaking those last words. Edward didn't respond, he just remained still.

So Jacob had seen me, when I had stroked Edward's hand. There was hardly any way to make up an excuse for that.

" Jake, look...Edward called to hang out and I didn't really want Charlie to give me a hard time about it, so I told him I was going with you..", I tried to explain.

That was technically the truth, although a very bad one. Without even thinking about it, I had just forgotten about Jacob all together tonight.

"Oh, I understand", Jacob said rolling his eyes, sarcasm dripping from his voice, "I don't think Charlie would approve of this....'hang out' one bit. I know I don't..."

"Jake..", I soothed, "Lets not do this here. Why don't you drive me home so we can talk..", I suggested.

Edward, who'd been quiet all this time, now turned to face me.

I was desperate to avoid his eyes because I could not afford to blush and get lost in them. Jacob would certainly not like that.

"Bella..", Edward spoke softly, "I am afraid I cannot allow that. I can't be sure that's going to be safe for you."

The fierce growl exploding from Jake's throat was as intimidating as it was terrifying. Not to mention uexpected. It echoed around the parking lot. In response to it I shrieked in horror as I took few steps back. Edward took my hand and pulled me behind his back in defence. He gave me a small glance as if to say; ' see what I mean..'

Jake spoke huskily, low now. "Listen, leech, I suggest you let my girlfriend go now. If you know what's good for you.."

Leech? What did that mean. And what on earth had that -growl was it? - meant. What was going on with Jacob...

"If you know what is good for you, I suggest you start behaving in front of Bella. This can be handled in a civil way. If you know how, dog"

Dog? The animal references were certainly lost on me.

I stepped back from Edward's protective stance to come to halt right in between where he and Jake were standing, facing each other with hard eyes.

"Come on, guys. Lets not fight. There is no need to.", I pleaded.

They were acting absurd and very immature. And what was the deal with all the animal-calling? This entire situation was surely very confusing.

I turned to face Edward and smiled, hoping Jake wouldn't be able to see. "Edward, Jake is going to drive me home. Thank you for treating me to a movie. I had a good time. You have a good night now", I emphasized as I allowed myself to look into his golden eyes for a second.

He returned my gaze and slowly shook his head. "Don't go", he mimicked.

Why? Why was it so important to him that I would stay? Why did Edward think it was unsafe? Because of that growl Jacob had let out. Sure, it had scared me and I had no idea what it meant, but Jake would never hurt me. He could be angry with me or even hate me, but I couldn't believe he would physicially hurt me. Then again, Alice had warned me about the same thing this afternoon. Why would brother and sister both have such a strong disapproving opinion on Jacob? Could he really be a danger to me? As I looked at him, I noticed how his eyes were the opposite of Edward's. As he stared at me, his eyes looked soft and loving. Maybe that was what I wanted to see, but there was surely a great contrast with Jacob's cold black eyes.

Which looked like they could kill....

"Bells, lets go", Jacob ordered angrily.

Hmm, what if Edward was right. What if Jake did have it in him to hurt me.

I turned to face him. "Jake, maybe you should go. Edward will take me home and then I'll call you. ", I told him calmly.

Edward took a step closer and he was now standing next to me.

"You heard her, Jacob. Run along now. She will call you later..", Edward spoke slowly, emphasizing on Jake's name.

Jacob took a step toward us and for some reason he looked like a giant as he approached. There was an anger bursting from inside him that transferred in the look he gave me. He wasn't just mad at me. He was furious. At both of us.

"I believe she told you to go first. So, why don't you run along.." Jacob told Edward icily as he balled his hands into fists.

What was I supposed to do? Was there any way to not have this end up in a disaster? If there was, it surely better present itself soon..

Maybe if I would just walk away. No idea where to go or how to get home, but still. It seemed the most neutral thing to do. It would certainly confuse and distract them.

"OK..", I took a deep breath to steady myself, "If you guys are just going to stand here and bicker and neither one of you is going to drive me home, than I guess I could take the bus or something. Because Charlie probably expects me home soon, so I have to get going..."

Charlie. That ought to bring some sense into both of them. Surely they would not want to cross my father. He did have a gun he would gladly use.

Jacob was the first to respond as he raised one eyebrow in confusion.

"Charlie isn't going to understand when he.." -he gestured at Edward - "... is the one dropping you off. "

That was true. And Jacob felt he had a position to negotiate now, so he went on.

" So...", he continued..." If you want Charlie to believe that we did in fact went to the movies, I think it's best I drive you home. Right now..."

I reluctantly agreed "You're probably right...."

I really didn't want to explain this mess to Charlie. Not tonight.

" Most sensible thing you have said all night, Bells. Say goodbye to the leech and lets get going.."

I sighed and looked at Edward in apology.

"It's probably best if I just go.."

The odd expression in his eyes made me hesitate. He looked like he was in pain. Like I had just kicked him in the gut. He looked rejected.

" Bella...lets go!!", Jacob urged as he started to walk away.

As I turned to follow Jacob, Edward swiftly grabbed my hand and spun me to face him.

" Give me a second..", he pleaded as he pulled me to his side.

" Oh, come on leech! Seriously, man..can't you take your rejection? Let her go. NOW!", Jacob demanded angrily

" One thing, Jacob Black, before you go. Would you like to explain to Bella how you knew were to find her tonight?", Edward wondered

That was odd. Charlie didn't know where I was going tonight, just that I went to see a movie. No details. So how did Jacob know where I was.?

" Jake...", I pressed

" Charlie told me ", he shrugged

" But isn't the whole point of you driving Bella home the fact that Charlie assumes you two were out together tonight?", Edward pointed out, " I mean, if Charlie knows that she is with me, what's the point in you driving her home?"

" The point? How about this, Edward Cullen; I am her boyfriend. ", Jacob hissed as he walked back to his original spot under the street light, a few feet from where Edward and I were standing.

"Jake...", I wondered,.." I never told Charlie where I went. Edward and I decided later..."

It was an interesting point that Edward had brought up. Especially because Jacob was lying about his answer.

" Hmm, quite interesting, isn't it..", Edward mused mockingly, "How Jacob seems to be pre-cognitive..."

" Yeah, especially since that seems to run in your family too..", Jacob retorted

Huh, what? What did that mean. Tonight was a night full of cryptics and codes, that was for sure.

"How did you know, Jake..", I demanded impatiently.

I was very curious to know the answer.

"Port-A is the closest thing to a city with movie-theaters we have, Bells. When Charlie told me you went to the movies, I covered and said I had forgotten we were supposed to meet at the theatre. Don't think he liked the idea of you driving there yourself, though. But hey, nothing like a good and dangerous lie, right. So, now...can we go? Before Charlie will throw a fit..." Jacob urged

"How convenient..", Edward muttered

" What's that, leech? I think I have every right in the world to go and find my girlfriend, especially when she is in the presence of some thing that could very easily hurt her..", Jacob told him

I tried to convince myself I was hearing things but I could have sworn that Edward snarled at Jacob for that last remark. When I turned my head to face him, I saw his perfect white teeth gleaming in the moon light. They looked threatening.

In the presence of something that could hurt me? What? Edward? I believed this even less than I believed the idea that Jacob could. Although Jake had displayed some disturbingly agressive behavour tonight. But that snarl from Edward, I hadn't imagined that. I definitely hadn't imagined the teeth. Still, I felt less creeped out about Edward's strange response, than I felt about Jake's behavour.

As we stood there, going in circles about who was going to take me home, time was passing. It was getting late and I needed to get home. Plus, this testosteron-performance was as confusing as it felt pointless. It started to annoy me.

" OK, guys, this stops now. No one is dangerous or a killer here..", I demanded, "And I do need to get home, otherwise Charlie might get his gun and get dangerous. He's got a pretty good aim, I might add. Also, I am tired of all the cryptics. If you are both in rivalling gangs or something, I honestly couldn't care less about that. Right now either one of you drives me home, or I am hitching a ride with a possible real murderer..", I attempted to joke.

Edward's mouth curled up a bit, like he appreciated my attempt at being stern, but also wasn't going to budge. His eyes said it all; he was not going to allow for Jacob to drive me home.

" Well, Bells, if you are tired of all the cryptics, why don't you ask your date here for some explanations..", Jacob said wryly.

" I'll make you a deal, leech. ", he continued, " You tell her the truth and I'll let you drive her home. Assuming she still wants you to, after that. " he smiled darkly.

Truth? What truth? Why was Jacob sounding so sure of himself, so arrogant? Did he know something about Edward? Maybe that whole rivalling gang comment wasn't so far off the mark...

" Edward? Is there something I need to know?", I pressed

" There is plenty you don't know about me, Bella. But now is not the time to start a questionnaire", Edward said solemnly

" Why not?", Jacob wondered smugly, " If you care about Bella so much, you surely don' t want to keep secrets, do you?"

Secrets were not the same as truths, were they? Secrets were deliberately kept. Edward was right, there was plenty I didn't know about him. Which made sense because we had only known each other for three days. But for some reason there was a certain edge to this. Like there were things about Edward I was better off not knowing. Of course, now I really wanted to know.

" You're one to talk. You seem rather good at that yourself..', Edward retorted.

This was insane. The way they were talking in code, leaving me wonder what it all meant.

" Enough..", I demanded, "Either we all start a confessional right now or one of you will act like a man and drive me home. Either one is fine with me"

" Bella, get in the car, I'll drive you home", Edward told me, " I am sure the dog will find his way back to the dog house..."

" The hell I will, leech. She's coming with me..", Jacob growled as he stepped closer

"She is not. ", Edward told him, no doubt in his voice. He wasn't going to let me go.

I left Edward's side and moved myself in between him and Jacob again.

I felt very weak and silly for standing there. Like a bad movie, where I was pleading with two people much larger than me and very willing to start a fight.

" Guys, please..", I whispered, "This has to stop. I need to get home.."

" Bella, it's OK. We'll leave right now", Edward assured me as he reached forward to take my hand. As sinister as this night had turned out to be, this still felt very nice. No matter what his secrets were, I believed he wasn't going to be dangerous. Jacob, however..he seemed more agressive and mean than I had ever seen him act like before.

" Jacob, we're leaving now. I will call you tomorrow..", I promised as Edward pulled me towards the car.

Maybe the way I didn't let go of Edward's hand set Jacob off completely. Maybe Jake had been looking for a fight all along. Either way, the furious growl he had let out before was nothing compared to the sound he made now. A roar that sounded like boulders crashing filled the empty parking lot as Jacob started to shake violently.

" Jacob!". I called panickly as I let go of Edward's hand

" Bella, stay away!!", Edward warned, " Jacob, control yourself!"

" Edward, we have to do something. He looks like he is having a seizure..", I yelled as I started to run over to Jacob, who was crouching now, his body still trembling

" Bella, NO!!", Edward hissed as he tried to stop me...

" LET HER GO, YOU CRAZY BLOODSUCKER", Jacob spat viciously.

Then everything started happening really fast. I tried to reach Jacob, whose eyes were wild while his body wouldn't stop quavering. Edward was right behind me, hissing things I could barely understand.

But before I got over to Jacob's side, before Edward could reach me to pull me away Jake lunged himself at Edward, with me blocking his way.

That didn't stop him. He bounded into me and his speed slammed me out of the way. The force of it threw me against the streetlight pole, the side of my forehead banging against it with a cracking thud.

I only felt a cutting edge pain rippling through my entire scalp, as something warm started streaming down my face while I hit the ground.

Blood.

I could smell it and it made me feel like I was going to pass out. I welcomed that, since the pain was incredibly unbareable.

As I lay there on the cold ground, waiting to reach unconsciousness, I tilted my head to face him.

The desperate need to find Edward washed over me but I couldn't reach him, I couldn't see his face. He was turned away from me, slightly bend over, like he was in a crouch too. With my brain starting to cloud itself, I tried to make out the vague growling sound I had heard before when it came from Jake's throat. Except now, it was coming from Edward. And it was even louder, more menacing. Like an animal protecting his mate.

I could hardly see anything through the haze that was spreading over me but then, suddenly, - like an enigma appearing out of nowhere - Edward was towering over me and then leaning in closer.

I could barely keep my eyes open, but the last thing I saw as I drifted into oblivion were his eyes. Shifted in colour.

No longer golden.

But pitch black.

And burning.

There was a hunger in his eyes. Not the hunger I had seen before, which had been a hunger that echoed my own longing for him.

This was actual hunger.

Like he wanted to eat me.

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More cliffhanging, I know. I really need to do it to build the story in a proper way because this story is far from done ;)

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