Greye's Notes: Hey everyone! I am SO SORRY I haven't updated in so long! I didn't intend for this chapter to take as long as it did. I had most of it written when I posted the last chapter. Between finals and the holidays, I found myself unable to finish until now. Thanks for sticking with me. I appreciate the kind reviews for my last chapter! We didn't get to see much of Rosalie last time, so I've done my best to make up for it this time! Enjoy the chapter, and as always, thanks to my dear sister Moon's_Lullaby for being my unofficial beta and checking this chapter over for errors.

Last Time: Bella found herself overwhelmed at school with Rosalie's absence, and took off for some R&R in the woods. As she came back home, she was ambushed by Sam Uley. They fought brutally, and soon were joined by part of the Uley pack, and the Swan pack. Words were exchanged between the Alphas to the effect that the Swan pack is forbidden from stepping foot in La Push, and should they breach that term, there would be war. Bella is worried for Jake, Paul, and herself. After the Uley pack depart, Bella's injuries from the fight catch up with her and she collapses.

Consciousness was slow to return. Wherever her mind had gone, it was dark, and quiet, and peaceful. The waking world was not, and Bella shied away from the raised voices she could hear around her. Waking up into that didn't seem pleasant at all, her mind told her, and so she let herself drift.

Finally, she felt strong enough to wake. Her eyes were still closed as her mind came-to, and she assessed herself carefully. Everything pretty much ached, but the sharper pains from before were gone. Sucking in a breath she realized that her mouth was dry, and her ribs at least were intact. Her body felt almost feverish, except for a cool spot on her hand. Wiggling her fingers experimentally, Bella realized that someone was holding her hand. The hand around hers tightened, and Bella decided it was time to open her eyes.

Lifting her eyelids was oddly harder to do than she would have guessed, but she managed it and was startled to find two, burning ocher eyes staring back into her own with such intensity she wasn't sure how she didn't combust right there. Recognition swept her.

Energy flooded through her limbs and her eyes snapped wide. "Rosalie!" She exclaimed, and her body snapped upright - partially out of shock, and partially out of instinct. Now that she was awake, the predator inside didn't want to seem weak by laying down. Especially in front of her imprint. Still, this didn't account for pain. Despite herself, Bella's muscles suddenly seized and she doubled over on herself, a groan escaping her clenched teeth. Gods above, everything hurt. Dimly, she realized that she now had Rosalie's hand in a death grip, but couldn't relax enough to release it.

"Bella!" Rosalie had gasped at her sudden movement. She tried to remove her hand from Bella's to push her back down and was surprised to find it trapped. Giving up after a moment, she pressed her other hand to Bella's shoulder to gently guide her back down. "Lay down, silly. You're going to hurt yourself. Carlisle patched you up, but it's only been a couple of hours since you...since your..." She stopped, unable to continue. Her golden eyes were troubled, Bella registered as she let herself be pushed back. Her muscles instantly felt better once she was relaxed back in the bed, the coolness of the sheets, and Rosalie's hands, soothing.

Her brain finally caught up with the rest of her senses, and she appraised the vampire beside her, as well as acknowledged that there was no one else in the room with them. Though she had never been in this room, as her green/gold eyes gazed around, she knew instantly that it was Rosalie's. That must mean that they were at the Cullen house, she mused. Thinking back to the fight in the woods, she wondered if Paul had brought her here. Wait, what about her dad?

Bella's eyes widened again, but before she could rise Rosalie was already holding her down. "Take it easy, wolf." She said, some of the haughtiness from before edging into her voice. "Didn't you hear me?" Despite a part of her mind reveling in the fact that Rosalie was touching her without trying to kill her, her current concern outweighed that.

The she-wolf's eyes sought out the vampire's, worried, "Charlie?" She asked, keeping the question simple. Rosalie's expression changed to one of understanding.

"Don't worry," she said, "He knows - he's downstairs. Do you...do you want him?" Was that a trace of uncertainty in Rosalie's voice, Bella wondered? Nevertheless, she was relieved. She couldn't imagine Charlie's state of mind if she had just disappeared on him. Guilt flickered through her. Again.

Focusing on Rosalie's query, she shook her head the best she could manage while laying down, and offered her a weak smile. "No, that's alright. I'll talk to him later." Besides, who knows how long I will get with you? She didn't add aloud. The vampire seemed relieved somehow, and Bella didn't know what to make of that. She also didn't know what to make of the fact that Rosalie was here, now, at her bedside. And that somehow, Bella was in Rosalie's room. Her heart suddenly pounded harder for a moment. In Rosalie's bed. The vampire's eyes flicked to her chest, and Bella flushed in embarrassment, knowing that her rapid heartbeat was plain as day. It was fortunate, she thought, that Rosalie couldn't read minds like Edward. It was a struggle, but she eventually calmed her heartbeat down to something more reasonable. Immediately, she decided to try and keep the vampire with her as long as possible. She would even avoid topics that might make Rosalie bolt...like the imprint.

Glancing at Rosalie nervously, who had been silent now for several minutes, she asked, "So...not that I'm not happy to see you, but why are you here? How are you here? I thought you were traveling."

The vampire looked away, and something appeared on her cheeks that Bella would have sworn was a blush. "I..." Rosalie's voice was very soft, and Bella strained her keen ears to hear the words she spoke. She cleared her throat and seemed to get a hold of herself, before turning to look Bella dead on. "Look, I knew something was wrong, alright? I came back." She gestured in useless frustration with one hand. "By the time I got here, you were already..." She gestured to Bella's form on the bed. Rosalie reached up to pinch the top of her nose in a gesture Bella had never seen her use before, closed her beautiful eyes, and released a sigh. "It's not easy for me, understand? This whole...caring...thing. I've gone almost a hundred years without it, and I don't want it now. But there it is." Her eyes snapped open and looked at Bella almost accusingly.

Despite the nearly hostile look Rosalie was giving her, Bella couldn't help the sudden warmth that suffused her body. It burst from her chest and curled in warm tendrils to her fingers and toes, and she smiled. Rosalie cared. At least enough to come and see her. She caught something in Rosalie's eyes before the vampire grimaced in return.

"Don't do that." She grumbled. Bella frowned in confusion.

"Do what?"

Rosalie gestured vaguely at her face. "Smile at me like that."

Now Bella was even more puzzled. "Like what?" She had only been smiling - did Rosalie not want her to smile at all? Irrationally, a part of her brain wondered if she could manage it, if that would please the vampire.

The beautiful vampire gave a long-suffering sigh. "Like I'm..." She looked away in annoyance, "Like I'm wonderful or something." A breath of frustration left her lips as she muttered quietly, "You're like a damn puppy."

Bella gazed at Rosalie in silence for several seconds, letting her eyes drift over the elegant contours of her face, lingering on her expressive eyes, aristocratic nose, the gentle curve of her lips. Rosalie Hale was, Bella concluded not for the first time, the most beautiful woman she had ever laid eyes on. And she knew, unreservedly, that she would continue to think so all the days of her life. When her eyes finally returned to those eyes so full of feeling, she realized that Rosalie was now watching her in return. A conversation she'd had with the other Cullens earlier floated through her mind, as well as things she herself had observed about Rosalie through their brief interactions. Perhaps she understood where a little of the vampire's discomfort with their...situation...came from.

"Rosalie," Bella said seriously, ignoring when the other woman tensed, "I could lie here and tell you all night how beautiful I think you are, and how wonderful - because I really do feel that way, I can't help it - but it is true that you and I don't really know each other. I would never pressure you to do anything you wouldn't want to do," a wry smile curled one edge of her lips, "and I doubt I could, even if I were to try. But...if you were willing..." Bella paused and took a breath, nerves suddenly winding through her. Rosalie was watching her intently, and her sudden and full attention was a thing Bella suddenly wasn't sure what to do with. Be cool, Swan. "What I'm trying to do in a rather roundabout way," she barely managed to stifle the nervous laugh bubbling up, "is ask if you would like to go out on a date with me?" She smiled at Rosalie again, and did her best to curb the, uh, look, that made Rosalie so uncomfortable.

The vampire was frozen, staring at her. Bella held her breath, amazed that Rosalie could remain so utterly still. Were it not for the light burning furiously in those golden eyes, Bella might have thought she'd turned to stone. And then, an amazing thing happened.

The slightest curl of a smile lifted the corner of Rosalie's lips, and she fixed her gaze on Bella's. "Of all the words you might have spoken," came the quiet response, "asking me on a date was the last thing I imagined." Despite the almost smirk, Bella detected no hostility in her gaze - only a kind of amusement, and curiosity. Did she dare hope? Rosalie took her time giving her answer, and the she-wolf had the traitorous thought that she was dragging it out on purpose, enjoying Bella's squirming. Finally, "Alright." Her voice was oddly apprehensive, Bella thought, but it was hard to focus on that when her mind registered that Rosalie had agreed.

Joy bloomed inside, and it was everything she could do to keep that overwhelming feeling off her face. Her success was only partial she thought, but it must have been enough because Rosalie graced her with the littlest bit more of a smile.

Then it seemed the vampire remembered herself, and the smile vanished to be replaced with a harder look. "Friday at 7pm. Pick me up." Bella's mouth fell open in surprise, but she had no response ready. Rosalie rose fluidly to her feet. "I'll go let the others know that you are awake." Before she could decide on reply, her imprint was gone.

Though she was disappointed they hadn't spoken more, Bella couldn't deny her pleasure at having so much unrestricted time with Rosalie - and time where the vampire wasn't simply hurling insults at her, or telling her to stay the hell away. She suspected that keeping the conversation relatively light had helped; inside she still burned to talk about the imprint, and ask Rosalie if she felt anything in return. How could it be that Kate and Paul could feel so strongly for one another, but Rosalie felt nothing? Her agreement to the date was heartening, she had to remind herself. She wouldn't have agreed if she really had no interest, right? Bella really didn't get the impression that Rosalie was in the habit of doing anything she didn't want to do.

She blinked. "Wait a minute..." Rosalie had been wearing a t-shirt. While not in itself shocking, it specifically had been Bella's Van Helsing t-shirt. It was one of her favorites that she'd gotten in response to the new TV show on Syfy...but it was utterly hilarious that Rosalie had chosen the shirt with the name of a vampire hunter on it. A laugh escaped her and she wondered if Rosalie appreciated the irony. "So that's what she took from me..." This realization reminded her about the scarf, and she cast around for it immediately. Sam had nearly destroyed it during their fight, and it had been dirty and stained with blood. Surely they wouldn't have thrown it away...? Her hands smoothed over the sheets and her eyes searched around the room before finally catching a glimmer of green and gold sticking out from under her pillow. Gently, she pulled the scarf free and marveled that someone had gotten the stains out and folded in neatly for her. It was still torn, but it was clean again. Bringing it to her face, she inhaled gently and sighed as the scent of Rosalie wafted from it. Bella slid back under the covers. She was surrounded by the vampire's scent, she realized now, and the thought made her happy.

A voice broke into her musings. "Hey there..." She glanced toward the door and smiled, carefully lifting herself back into a sitting position.

"Hey Dad." She said, laughing quietly when he immediately rushed to her side as she eased up.

"Take it easy there, no need to rush it." Charlie fluffed a few pillows behind her so she could rest back. Her strength was returning more rapidly now, but she didn't have the heart to tell him just yet, he was being so attentive. He took the seat Rosalie had just vacated. "So..." he glanced around a little uneasily, "How are you feeling kid?"

She felt bad for his nerves. It wasn't often Charlie saw her laid up like this. Generally she was pretty unbreakable. Even as a small child, falls or play that would have resulted in a broken bone for a human child left little impact upon her. He was accustomed to not having to worry too much about her. Now though, there were other creatures all around who could hurt her. Kill her, even. Charlie didn't know what to do with that, clearly. So Bella reached for his hand and smiled. "I'm okay Dad. You should see the other guy." She cracked the weak joke, and was rewarded by a slight smile from Charlie. She breathed a mental sigh of relief.

"Not funny Bells. I have seen my daughter seriously hurt more times in the past month than the rest of her life combined. I don't like it." His smile turned into a frown. "Still, I'm glad there's finally a doctor you can see." As if referring to him summoned him, Bella heard Carlisle's familiar voice from the doorwary next.

"And how is the patient?" His calming influence was welcomed as he entered the room slowly. Her wolf didn't appreciate showing weakness to so many, but Bella forced in the reasoning that this was different. These weren't strangers, but friends, and family. She offered him a friendly smile.

"I owe you my thanks for patching me up again. So how banged up was I? I have to admit, I'm kind of surprised I passed out like that." She shrugged her shoulders sheepishly.

Carlisle's countenance took on a more serious cast, his "doctor face", she figured. "Well, you tore several muscles and partially ruptured one of your kidneys. I suspect the internal bleeding was what initially caused your collapse. Fortunately, that began healing on its own before you even got here - surgery wasn't necessary. You also had several lacerations across your body and..." Here he paused and gazed at her sympathetically, "I'm afraid you've a permanent notch in your left ear now."

Bella's hand flew to her ear, feeling the tender flesh in equal parts horror and fascination. There was indeed a chunk from the shell of her ear missing. It didn't feel like a huge space, but certainly noticeable. "Well, I guess there was a point Sam had my ear between his teeth. The fight was so fast, or it felt that way. I hardly had time to keep track of the damage to my body." She shook her head ruefully. "Well, there go my roguish good looks."

Charlie scoffed beside her. "Hardly the time to joke, Bella. Besides, you'll always be beautiful." Bella rolled her eyes, but shot him a smile. Come to think of it, she thought, Rosalie hadn't mentioned her ear or even looked at it during their entire exchange. She wondered if it bothered the vampire. Or if she had even noticed.

Carlisle cleared his throat, and she returned her attention to him. "If you don't mind Bella, I'd like to check your muscles now and see how you've healed. In case you were curious, you've been out about six hours." Her eyebrows lifted. Not as bad as she had thought. She nodded her permission then for Carlisle to go ahead. The doctor gently pulled the blankets away from her and did a brief but thorough examination of her legs, torso, and arms. When he stepped back, he gave a nod. "It looks to me like you are healing nicely. Take it easy for a day or two to give your muscles time to fully heal, and you should be fine. I'd also avoid any more stress to your kidney area for a time - no need to cause a full rupture. Even with your quick healing, that might require surgery."

Both Bella and Charlie listened intently to his directions, and as Charlie thanked Carlisle and rose to speak with him a little more about post care, Bella took it upon herself to get out of bed. She noted with some relief that she wore the same clothes she'd had on, though someone had taken the time to clean her arms and face. A quick sniff brought a smile to her lips. Esme. She stood carefully, testing her legs. They felt weak and sore, but they bore her weight alright. Satisfied, she moved toward the door.

Charlie noticed her then and rushed to her side, breaking off his conversation with Carlisle. "Bella! Why are you up already? Lay back down, there's no hurry." Bella leveled a look of exasperation at him. She appreciated his concern, but really.

"Charlie, I'm weak, but I'm ok. I can walk, and I'm sure Rosalie will be happy to have her room back." That caused a soft chuckle from Carlisle, and she shot him a curious look, before addressing a question to him. "Well doc, can I be up then?"

Carlisle looked at Charlie when he answered and nodded. "Bella's fine to get up now, if she wants to. She won't do anymore damage just walking around, as long as that's all she does." Charlie nodded, and Bella sighed.

"Now that's settled, I'm going downstairs." Just then the scent of cooking eggs and sausage filled the air and Bella felt her stomach rumble. "Oh sweet spirits, there's food." She hurried as fast as her weak legs could carry her from the room and down the stairs, Charlie's reluctant laugh following her.

Coming around the corner and into the kitchen, she came upon Esme. The small vampire was flitting around the kitchen at supernatural speed, getting out dishes and silverware and setting a place at the kitchen island. Edward lounged in a corner of the kitchen, and she could see Jasper and Alice playing chess in the living room. That just left -

"BELLA!" The booming, exuberant voice filled the entire house and she felt two huge arms lift her off her feet. Her tired muscles protested the tight hug, but she laughed and hugged Emmett back anyway as best she could.

"Emmett Cullen, you put her down this instant!" Esme had rushed from the kitchen then and swatted Emmett's arm. "For goodness' sake, she's probably still sore." The big vampire assumed a hurt expression and put her down gently. Esme tsked and turned to Bella, her expression one of concern. "I was just getting ready to bring some food up, are you sure you should be out of bed already?"

The concern in Esme's eyes warmed her, and Bella couldn't help but smile. "I'm alright now. Just a little tired... Whatever you're cooking smells amazing by the way, thank you."

The worry in the Cullen matriarch's eyes didn't waver, but she did return Bella's smile. "As long as you're not pushing yourself too hard..." She turned and went back into the kitchen. While Esme's back was turned, Bella turned to the quiet man beside her and gave him a big, tight hug. Emmett returned it eagerly and beamed at her. Bella stifled a laugh and pulled Emmett aside to speak to him. "Thanks for the hug. I always feel better around you Emmett." The happiness in his eyes was clear with her words, and Bella felt again how lucky she was to have met him. Before she had gone to Forks High, her only friend in the world had been Jake. Now she had Emmett, Jasper, Alice, and Paul... Paul!

Bella's eyes widened and she immediately reached for the connection deep inside, opening it wide. "Excuse me Emmett, I'm going to track down Paul." The vampire nodded, and Bella paused at the kitchen on her way outside. "Esme, would it be too much trouble to ask you to split what you're making onto two plates? I'm sure Paul is hungry too. If you don't mind, I would like to share with him." The little vampire smiled happily.

"Of course! I can't believe that didn't occur to me. I'll make more!" She resumed her work with a flurry of activity. Bella frowned, about to assure Esme that she didn't need to go to the trouble of making more, when a voice stopped her.

"Just let her work." Bella almost jumped - she'd forgotten about Edward in the corner. He continued, "Esme likes cooking, and she rarely gets the opportunity to do so because we don't eat human food." He straightened from the wall, his eyes lingering on her in a way that made her skin crawl. She didn't think Edward meant to be creepy, but he was. "It's really no trouble Bella," said Edward. His eyes hardened then, and his voice came so low she barely heard him, "But you are." He stalked away, leaving Bella stunned and on edge. She glanced at Esme, busily working behind her. The woman seemed to have heard nothing. Unnerved, she looked after him for a moment. Shaking off his words, she went outside to find Paul.

Once she was free of the house, Bella took a deep breath of fresh air and smiled. It was dark now, probably really late - but that somehow always made the air seem sweeter. As if it were preparing for the new day. Opening the connection between herself and Paul wide, she called him. Feeling a response come to her, she was relieved. At least he was alright. Paul's relief and joy at her contact seeped through their connection, and she blushed in embarrassment, glad there was no one to see the color of her cheeks. It wasn't easy getting used to feeling someone else's emotions, and on top of that, Paul was becoming so unabashedly affectionate in his feelings that Bella didn't know quite what to do with herself. The only two people in her life who'd ever really cared enough about her to feel that way were Charlie and Jake. Her mind winced away at the thought of her best friend. She wouldn't be seeing him for a while.

Soon enough, she saw a familiar figure emerge from the trees and jog towards her. She grinned. Feeling a little uncertain about their pack connection didn't dim the good feelings that came with it. "Hey Paul." She greeted when he was closer. He returned her grin and didn't stop approaching until he was right in front of her.

"Hey boss." Paul responded, his head tilting ever so slightly in a sign of submission meant to excuse his sudden invasion of her personal space. "I'm glad you're okay, you had me worried there." His brow furrowed, and she felt his worry and fear drift through their link before he shielded those feelings. "Are you okay?"

Now Bella frowned slightly. Paul seemed oddly hesitant - like there was something he wanted, but wasn't asking for. It took her wolf instincts prodding her for her to figure it out. She reached for his hand, the warmth of his skin a contrast to the coolness of Rosalie's, but pleasant nonetheless. A relieved expression crossed his face, and she gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "I'll be fine. A little internal bleeding knocked me out for a bit, but I'm recovered." Mostly. She added internally. Paul returned the squeeze to her hand and smiled gratefully. To anyone else, holding Paul's this way might have indicated more than was there. In truth, wolves were social creatures at heart, and touch was an important part of their communication, indicating comfort, security, friendship - and more. It was necessary. Bella had lived so long without it she'd almost forgotten that need to be close, the comfort that came from having a pack.

"Thank goodness." He said. A mischievous look crossed his face. "I'm going to hug you now." Bella didn't have time to react before Paul pounced on her.

Laughter escaped her as she wiggled free from him and sprinted across the yard, careful not to push too hard. Paul matched her pace easily in her weakened state and, laughing as well, took her to the ground where they rolled around wrestling playfully for a few minutes, the occasional growl escaping them as though they wore fur instead of bare skin.

At last they both lay stretched out on the grass panting lightly. Bella felt light and happy despite the soreness still lingering in her body, and despite the threat of war hanging over them. It was hard to stay worried when she knew she had Paul, the Cullens, and Charlie with her. Her eyes focused on the stars above, absently counting them as she let her mind run over the events of the day.

She didn't have long to muse, however, because soon enough she heard Esme calling them in from the house. Bella spread a hand wistfully over the cool, soft grass before getting to her feet. "Esme cooked for us." She told Paul when he looked at her quizzically. A wolfish grin crossed her face. "Race you!" Before Paul could get up, Bella bolted for the house, laughter carrying behind her.

Paul caught up to her quickly, but chose to pace beside her rather than outrun her. A flicker of gratitude went through her - until they reached the front door where, with a grin and a sudden burst of speed, Paul pulled ahead and shot into the house. "Hey!" She called. There was no anger in her voice though, just an amused irritation. It was good they could play like this, she knew. It meant they were okay.

Once inside, the scent of the food Esme had cooked reached her nostrils and Bella was ravenous. Walking into the kitchen, her eyes widened to see two plates side by side, piled high with eggs, sausage, and bacon. She licked her lips self-consciously, not wanting the saliva pooling in her mouth to turn into drool. Paul was in no better shape.

"Wow Mrs. Cullen!" Exclaimed her packmate. "This looks amazing, thank you!" Bella eagerly echoed his sentiments, and with nearly synchronized movements they took their seats and dug in. The food was delicious, and each wolf took time to thank Esme again and compliment her cooking. Esme's eyes shined happily as she watched them devour their food, and Bella could practically feel the happiness emanating from her. If cooking made her this happy, Bella thought, then Esme could cook for her anytime.

Too soon their plates were empty, but neither could complain of still being hungry. Bella rested a content hand on her full belly. "Thank you Esme." She said earnestly. The kindness of the vampires (minus Edward) never ceased to amaze her. Especially since she thought they were technically supposed to be enemies. The thought of enemies pulled her from her food coma and she straightened in her seat - she still hadn't told everyone what had happened with Sam and the La Push pack. She turned to Paul and touched his shoulder when she saw his head drooping a bit. "Hey," she said, "Did you fill everyone in on what happened?" Before Paul could respond, Charlie entered the kitchen.

"No," he said with a sober expression, "He did not. Apart from the fact that you'd been in a fight with Sam Uley." The police chief had his thumbs through his belt and she saw his fingers clench briefly before relaxing. Bella winced. That probably should have been the first thing she did upon waking.

"Okay," she said in a normal volume since everyone would hear her, "If everyone would meet me in the living room when they are able, I will explain everything. There are things that have occurred that will affect you all too." Taking a deep breath, she headed into the living room. Alice and Jasper were already there, and Emmett bounded in a second later. This was followed by a more sedate pace from Esme and Carlisle, and Charlie's own human shuffling. Finally they were all assembled. Well, everyone except for Rosalie. "Rosalie," she said, "If you're still in the area, I want you to hear this too." There was the quiet noise of shuffling as the vampires in the room moved into the vacant chairs and sofas, getting comfortable. Just when she'd given up on the golden haired beauty showing up, a flicker of movement from the corner of her eye told her that Rosalie had arrived too. Paul sat on the floor by her feet, and she rolled her eyes at his dog-like behavior.

"Okay," she said again, feeling nervous suddenly with so many eyes on her. "So you all know that I had a fight with Sam Uley. Let me explain what happened." She nodded at Alice, Jasper, and Emmett briefly, "When we were at school and I left you guys, I went for a run in the woods. A wolf run." She left out the reason why she'd felt the need to leave school. It wasn't really relevant anyway. "I ran for awhile before heading for home, and that was when Sam jumped me." Bella wasn't trying to sound sensational or anything-she deliberately kept her voice even and calm. Nevertheless, Esme gasped, and Charlie's face turned a violent shade of red, bordering on purple. "I was almost home," she continued quickly, not wanting to get bogged down in any questions yet, "he didn't give me any warning. We fought, hard. While we fought, I called Paul. He, Sam, must have called the rest of his pack too though because they showed up before long. I managed to beat him down enough to force him to change, and then I changed myself so that we could talk."

Bella's glance cast down to look at Paul at her feet, who returned her gaze with a grim smile. "He accused me of having stolen his pack member, Paul. While not completely true, it was my fault that Paul's connection to Sam was severed." She shrugged uncomfortably. "Still not sure how I did that."

She took a steadying breath. "Anyway. We had worked out a truce of sorts when I told him of my imprint, and Paul shared his." Her eyes ran over the vampires and her father in the room, serious. Here was the meat of the issue. "Sam has outlawed Paul and I from the rez; we are not allowed to set foot there without it being taken as an act of war." Alice sucked in a breath, and she felt rather than saw Rosalie shift uneasily. The expressions on everyone else's faces ranged from angry, to dismayed. Her gaze focused on Charlie. "You are still allowed to go visit Billy Black." He nodded, but the anger in his face didn't change. "But Paul can't go home now, so he'll be staying with us."

Charlie objected, "Bella, we can't just have a teenage boy living in the house with us -"

Bella cut him off, her voice hard. "My packmate needs a place to stay, and I want him to stay with me. We have a spare room. Paul is family now." Charlie frowned at her tone of voice, and crossed his arms. Bella realized that she'd never taken that tone with him before, and she softened her voice. "Please Charlie-Dad. Do this for me." If he said no, she planned on returning to the woods, though she didn't voice that. It seemed Charlie could read it in her eyes though, because he gave a resigned nod.

"Fine. But there will be rules, which we will discuss later." Bella nodded, and flashed Charlie a small, grateful smile. Her eyes flicked to Carlisle, who returned her gaze with understanding. She knew that Carlisle and Esme would have offered Paul a room, but it wasn't their place to do so. She was Paul's Alpha, and it was up to her to see to it that he had what he needed.

Paul's voice broke in then, "Thank you both. I appreciate having a place to stay." He touched her leg, and Bella smiled down at him. Paul was her responsibility now, and she was glad she could do this for him.

Her gaze returned to the Cullens then. "That's pretty much it. I think there is dissent in the La Push pack - it didn't seem like everyone was alright with Sam's declaration."

Paul spoke up from his place on the floor, addressing the assembled vampires, "I can attest that even before I left the La Push pack, there were problems. Mainly from Jake and Leah, but Sam does not have the complete control he pretends he does." Bella's expression soured, and her lips twisted into a grimace.

"Which is probably why Sam has bent Jake to his will so fiercely, and won't allow him to leave La Push," she said. It was far easier to control a pack member when they were close. She was definitely worried about Jake.

When it seemed that both wolves were done speaking, Carlisle took a slight step forward, drawing attention to himself. "If I may," his smooth tones were soothing, and Bella could almost feel herself relax. Maybe Carlisle had a similar ability to Jasper's. "This is a lot to take in. We have held an accord with the La Push pack for one hundred years. To think that it may be dissolved so suddenly is troubling." His fingers lifted to rest against his chin in thought. "Still, the terms are much the same as our original treaty - the one I made with Ephraim Black generations ago." Carlisle lifted his gaze to look at Paul questioningly. "How would you describe your former pack Alpha, in terms of temperament?"

Startled at being addressed by the vampire coven leader, Paul was silent until Bella prodded him with their link. Then his voice filled the space. "Sam is..." Paul scrunched up his face in thought before continuing, "...angry. His impulse control isn't great, and it's been getting worse. The tribe puts a lot of pressure on him as the Alpha, and many question his authority because he's an Uley, and not a Black. That has made him...unpredictable."

Great, Bella thought in resignation, and I essentially emasculated him further by breaking his supposedly unbreakable bond with Paul, thus making his role as Alpha even more tenuous. At least in his mind.

Carlisle seemed to have been thinking along the same lines, because his countenance was troubled. "I do not think Sam Uley will let it rest where he left it, based on your description Paul, and Bella's experience. We must remain vigilant." Almost before he'd finished, Edward was stepping forward, outrage written across his face and emanating from the tension in his body.

"WE?" He yelled incredulously. "Carlisle, you cannot be serious." He thrust his hand out at Bella and Paul. "They are not a part of this coven, and there is no reason for us," here Edward very poignantly included only the Cullens in his gesture, "to get involved in this in any way. Either we cut ties with them and go back to living as we have been, or we leave Forks altogether and start over somewhere else." His eyes were blacked and burned with resentment when he looked at Bella.

Esme frowned disapprovingly, "Edward, don't speak that way to -"

A sudden hiss startled all of them; Esme fell silent, and all eyes turned to Rosalie, whose eyes were also black. Fury filled them as she looked at Edward, and Bella felt a twinge of unease. She didn't want Rosalie to quarrel with her siblings over her - especially not when Edward was essentially right for once. What he'd said earlier, about her being trouble, flashed through her mind.

"Rosalie." She spoke calmly, before Carlisle could get off a word. She waited until Rosalie's black eyes were fixed on her. "Rosalie," she repeated the vampire's name to assure she had her attention, "Edward is right." The beautiful vampire straightened as if slapped, her form almost blurring briefly from the swiftness of the movement.

She looked at Carlisle, who bore a look of mild surprise. "Carlisle, I thank you for everything, but I do think Edward is right. It would be safest for you and your family to distance yourselves from Paul and I." She smiled wryly, "I think I've become public enemy number one for La Push, even over vampires." She didn't want any of the Cullens to get hurt on her account, though she could already see Emmett shaking his head, and a frown on Alice and Jasper's faces. Rosalie's face was unreadable, but her form was shaking slightly and her face was oddly flushed - something Bella had never seen with a vampire. For a human it wouldn't be noticeable, but on a vampire it was almost like there was real color in her cheeks. She must be really upset, Bella thought. She quailed inwardly at the kind of rage Rosalie must be experiencing to show it outwardly like that.

Safer to focus on Carlisle for the moment.

The Cullen patriarch had remained silent, and she could see him turning over her words. Edward looked surprised by what she'd said, but he too refrained from speaking, waiting.

Charlie, however, weighed in. "Bella, I think we could use the Cullens' help on this one." His face was troubled, and she could tell it pained him to admit that.

Her eyebrows shot up. "Dad, what are you -"

He forestalled her with a hand, and she fell silent. "I can't protect you from this. If Sam comes for you again, the best I can do is try to shoot him. And I don't think it will do much good." His frustration was evident in his voice and demeanor, but he met her eyes steadily. "You can't fight him alone."

"She won't be alone." Paul had risen beside her, his voice determined. "Bella's my Alpha now, and I've got her back." She could feel the surety of his words, and she shot him a grateful look.

Charlie looked ready to protest again, but Carlisle laid a hand on his arm. "I think your daughter has decided for herself." He said quietly. "If Bella wishes to ask for our help, we will give it. But until that time, we will respect her wishes." Carlisle's caramel eyes met hers, and she could see the worry there though his face and voice betrayed nothing. She felt her respect for Carlisle grow in that moment, for he had acknowledged her as an equal rather than a pup.

"Thank you Carlisle." She dipped her head respectfully, and offered him a smile which he returned. "Charlie," he looked at her, "I think it's time for us to go home." He was distressed by her decision she knew, but he was still a police chief. Managing pressure and stress was part of his job. After a sigh, he nodded and headed for the door.

"I'll meet you back home then, I've got the cruiser with me." His voice was gruff again, a tone he used to mask anxiety or worry.

Bella held in her own sigh and followed, Paul falling into step beside her. She paused near Esme and smiled at the little vampire. "Thanks for everything Esme, you're really wonderful." If vampires could cry, Bella thought, she suspected that Esme would be. The Cullen matriarch swept her into a hug, gentle and fierce.

"You come back any time." She whispered, and Bella smiled, warmed by her generosity.

Almost before she'd left Esme's embrace, she felt herself swept into another one - this one more crushing. "Bella Bear!" Emmett whined. "We'll still play at school, ok?" It was almost like he was asking her, and she huffed a laugh as he set her back down.

"Of course Em, I'll kick your butt at basketball next time." She grinned when he stuck his tongue at her, and then she was free to head to the door - giving a nod to Jasper and Alice as they passed.

It was starting to feel like they were all watching her march off to her execution, she reflected, and hurried her steps to the door.

"Bella." The voice she longed for more than any other spoke, and in the two syllables of her name she heard so many things: stop, why, please? She paused in the doorway and looked back at Rosalie.

Her eyes flicked to Carlisle briefly before returning to Rosalie, and she smiled. "As long as Carlisle doesn't mind, I'll still be picking you up for that date on Friday. Even rabid wolves couldn't stop me." For an odd moment she thought she could sense the other woman's feelings - relief and joy, as well as darker feelings of self-loathing and despair - but chalked it up to her own emotions.

Bella left the house, determination spreading across her face. She and Paul walked silently to her truck, and drove silently back most of the way to Bella's house.

"I know what you're doing." Paul spoke into the quiet of the cab.

Bella smiled grimly. "And?"

"Nothing," he replied firmly. "I'm in."

Greye's Notes: Again, I am SO SORRY for the time it took me to complete and upload this chapter. All I can say is finals ate my time, and now I'm into the holidays.

I hope you enjoyed this update! Any guesses what Bella is planning?