I sat with Emily on her front steps as we watched Sam and Jacob pace back and forth in front of the other wolves. "What do you think they're saying?" I whispered. My stomach felt like it was in knots.

"Most likely about the meeting tonight, and the fight coming up. I can bet my life that Sam is itching to kill some vampires. He really dislikes the Cullens."

"I know, Em, this is all my fault. I'm so sorry I put Sam and the others in this position."

"Bella, stop. This is what they do. This is what they live for. Yes I'm worried sick about him, but I know he will be ok. They all will." She put her arm over my shoulders and pulled me closer to her.

"I just hate having to see Jacob…" I trailed off as I watched Jacob turn his head to look at me. I stood up and stepped off the stairs. The sun had set, and I knew where they were going. They were talking in human form earlier this afternoon, but Jacob noticed my worries, and asked Sam to order everyone to phase. This aggravated me as I watched them walk into the woods by the house, and emerge as wolves a few seconds later.

"I don't care what you say, or do in this case, but I'm coming with you tonight."

Jacob shook his head back and forth, and growled at me.

"You cant force me to stay here. I'm coming with you, or your not going at all." I crossed my arms across my chest.

Jacob huffed, and turned to look at Sam.

Sam walked over to us, and looked from me to Jacob.

"Please Sam." I begged.

He looked at Jacob once more, and walked back to the others.

I turned to look at Emily quickly, and noticed she was now standing at the top of the stairs. I brought my attention back to Jacob, and he nodded once.

"I can go?" I asked clapping my hands together. I don't know why I was excited, maybe it was because Jacob gave in easily.

He nudged my arm with his nose, and walked back to stand at Sam's side.

Later that night I was laying in Jacob's bed. His arms wrapped tightly around me. Emily had called Charlie to ask if I could stay over night. To my surprise he said yes, so I was free to roam La Push without him knowing.

"Jake?" His name sounded like a question.

"Yes.?"

"You said someone could sit out right?" I asked, and I felt his arms tighten around me.

"No." He already knew what I was going to ask, and he answered me before I could even speak the words."

I pushed myself up leaning on his chest, my eyes pleading with him.

He quickly looked away from me. "Bella don't."

"Look at me!" I ordered.

He shook his head.

I sat on my knees leaning over him. He finally met my eyes.

"Stay with me. Please, Jake."

"I have to do this. I want to do this. You will be safe up on the mountain… wherever the leech decides to stash you."

"So, what… I'll be there alone? Stay up there with me. Keep me safe while I keep you safe."

Jacob pushed me away from him, and he sat up.

I hugged my knees to my chest waiting for him to start yelling.

"I'm going to be down at the fight. Seth will be watching over you."

"If you don't stay with me… I'll beg Edward." I knew it was a low blow, but I was willing to try anything, and it was true. I would ask him. I loved them both, and needed them to stay as safe as I could make them.

Jacob growled at me, and I flinched back. "Do what you want. Make him sit out! More for me to kill."

"Fine! I know Edward will do as I ask. I know he'd rather make me happy, than satisfy himself." That was an even lower blow, but I had to try.

"Isabella…" Jacob snarled.

He grabbed the tops of my arms. "I want nothing more than to make you happy, but I have to follow Sam's order, and he assigned positions to everyone already."

"So I'll go talk to him. Assignments can change." I crawled onto his lap, and wrapped my legs around him. "Please stay with me. I will do anything you want. Absolutely anything in the world." Seducing him, that was my last attempt.

"Your impossible, but no." He stood up with me still in his arms.

I couldn't help the tears that fell like waterfalls.

"Oh come on don't cry. I will be fine. It will be over before you know it, and I will come up the mountain, throw you on my back, and I'll take you anywhere you want to go. Anywhere in the world. Just you and me, alone." He kissed a tear on my cheek.

"No deal." I sniffed.

He sighed heavily. "We have to go. You sure your up to this?"

"Yes." I snapped at him, and I unhooked my legs from around his waist.

He followed me out of his room, and out of the house.

"Where are you going?" He asked grabbing my elbow and pulling me back towards him. "It's this way." He laughed.

He stepped out of his sweatpants, "Get on." He said on he phased in front of me. He knelt down in front of me, and I climbed onto his back. As I did before, I laid down wrapping my arms around his neck. A little tighter than I should, hoping he felt it.

When we got to the clearing in the woods, I knew where we were. It was the baseball clearing. I shivered.

I caught Edwards wide eyes on me as I slid off Jacobs back. I took a few steps in his direction. Jacob's huge paw was slammed down directly in my path. He held me under his body, and bent his head down narrowing his eyes at me.

"I wasn't kidding." I hissed at him.

He nudged me with his nose, and I stumbled backwards. I stopped when my back pressed up against Quil's front leg. Jacob growled, and Quil nudged me back with his head also. Once again I stumbled back. I was now standing behind the line of wolves all sitting with their backs towards me. I heard Jasper start talking, and Edward answering for the pack.

I backed up quietly, and smiled at myself when every single wolf seemed to be too focused on what was going on in front of them to listen to what I was doing. I made it to the end of the wolf line when I heard someone following me. Then a warm hand tight on my arm. "OH!" I gasped when I realized Jacob walked out of line, and was now human. His eyes black with anger.

"I cant pay attention if you keep trying to sneak off."

"I just want to go talk to Alice." I said trying to pull away from his grasp.

He narrowed his eyes.

"That's all. I haven't seen her in a while."

"You can see her in school."

"Come on Jake! They're not going to do anything to me."

Sam growled loudly, and Jacob tensed. He let go of my hand and turned his back on me. Once he phased and stepped back in line I stomped loudly across the open space between the vampires and the wolves.

"Hey stranger." Alice said warmly.

"You guys cant do this. Please don't risk your lives for me." I pleaded, but Edwards arms pulled me towards him. I caught him smirk in Jacob's direction as a growl echoed across the field.

"Everything will be fine. This fight will be easy." Edward whispered into my ear. His voice calmed me, but not fully.

Jasper called Emmett out to practice with first. I watched them holding my breath as Jasper's teeth were at Emmett's throat.

"My turn." Edward said as he stepped towards Jasper. He nodded, and I tried to focus on the blurs that flew around the field.

"Ok you two." Carlisle said after a while. "It's a draw." He added laughing.

"Alice." Jasper called out.

I gasped grabbing her arm as she walked past me. "Please!" I begged, but Jasper's hand was on my shoulder.

"Just watch." He said holding his hand out for Alice. She took it, and he kissed the back of her hand.

She stood as still as a statue and closed her eyes. It took me a while to realize it, but she moved quickly just seconds before Jasper could get his arms around her.

"See, they cant even touch her." Edward pointed towards them just as Alice appeared on Jaspers back.

"Got ya!" she sang out, and kissed his neck.

Jasper laughed.

She jumped off his back, and danced over to me. "See, no harm done."

I rolled my eyes.

Everyone took turns as the wolves watched. They all seemed to be paying attention to Jasper. Their bodies twitching as if they wanted to jump in. I had to hurry before it was too late.

I took a deep breath. "Edward." I sighed.

"What's wrong?" He asked turning fully to look at me.

"I don't want you to fight. What if something happened to you? I wouldn't ever be able to forgive myself." The words stumbled together as I struggled to get them out.

"What are you saying?" He asked raising his eyebrows.

"I want you to stay behind. Please just stay."

"Why? Ask Jacob."

"I'm asking you. I cant handle you leaving me, again."

"Alice." Edward's voice sounded more chipper than before. His eyes focused on mine, and I saw he was fighting a smile.

"We will be ok, but your going to miss out on all the fun." She warned him.