Author's Note: I told myself I would post this on Friday afternoon, but I'm getting too excited over the chapters ahead that I HAD to post more to further my progress. Enjoy!

The next morning was Saturday, so Jake woke later than normal. I, on the other hand, had nightmares all throughout the night. I tossed and turned in my bed before giving up on sleep at dawn. When I heard Charlie shuffling down the staircase, I went down with the intent of making breakfast for him. As I came through the kitchen archway, Charlie was sitting at the table with a cup of coffee and the morning newspaper. He glanced up and quietly said, "Good morning, Bells."

"Good morning, Dad." I went to the refrigerator as I asked, "What do you want for breakfast today?"

"Actually, Bells, I want to talk to you before Jake wakes up."

I froze, slowly closed the refrigerator door, turned to him and said, "Uh, what's up?"

"Take a seat, Bells. You look like I'm going to attack you."

Reluctantly, I slipped in the chair across from Charlie and waited. He took another sip of coffee before quietly saying, "Jake's been here for a while now."

"A week." I answered instantly, "A week isn't really that long."

"Bella," Charlie replied in exasperation, "Will you stop acting so defensive?"

I didn't reply. When he realized I wasn't speaking he explained, "I've tried calling Billy a few times throughout the week. He never has much to say and after the blow up we had last weekend I think he'll be giving me the cold shoulder for a while."

"What happened last weekend?" I asked as soon as he finished talking.

"I told him that the dispute with Jake and those guys should have been dealt with, but Billy…Damn, Bells, something else is going on with him. He was very angry and defensive about Sam Uley and his friends. He kept going on and on about Native American law and that I had no business in it."

Charlie snorted and said, "I couldn't actually believe Billy pulled that card with me. We've been thick as thieves since we were kids and Billy has never acted that way when it comes to Tribal matters. The only other time he got this defensive was when the Cullens first moved to Forks."

"What?" Their name sent a jolt of pain through my chest. But I tried to ignore it as I asked, "What did he act defensive over them for?"

Charlie rolled his eyes and waved his hand dismissively, "Oh, the Quileutes have superstitions and deeply rooted prejudice, Bells."

I frowned as I recalled Jake's story the day before. Carefully I said, "Jake mentioned Billy and the elders thinking the Cullens had…killed or kidnapped me when the search happened."

This was the first time Charlie or I had ever spoken of the night the Cullens left. This was certainly the first time I had directly mentioned the search to find me when I'd gone missing in action. Charlie's expression was stunned. As the second ticked by, I became uncomfortable. I started shifting anxiously in my seat before mumbling, "Dad…stop gaping at me."

My words broke him from his trance. He took an awkward gulp of coffee before clearing his throat and saying, "Yes, Billy is good man, but he and his peoples' beliefs involve silly superstitions, Bells. Don't worry about that; I'm going to knock some sense into him soon."

I repeated, "Soon?"

He replied, "Today. I was about to leave. I wanted to tell you to bring Jake to La Push in about an hour."

"I don't know about that…"

"Bells, trust your old man for once, huh?"

I bit my lip and nodded. "Okay, Dad."

After Charlie left, I slowly walked to the couch and crouched down. I was eye-level with Jake's sleeping form. He was snoring softly and I found the sound both comforting and amusing. His long legs were nearly hanging off of the end of the couch and his bare arms were dangling to the floor. Since he was asleep and couldn't see me watching, I soaked in his image.

His muscles were definitely developing well. I thought back to the weeks before; his arms never seemed this defined. But I couldn't be sure if that was because I hadn't been focusing on details involving his appearance in the beginning of our friendship or if his jackets had been hiding his muscles from my view. After all, I'd never seen him in anything but thick jackets until a week ago. I noticed his physique then. Maybe he had defined muscles from the beginning? How could I not have noticed? Why had it taken him being in distress and practically naked in the backseat of his car for me to notice his physical beauty?

Beauty in such a natural and humbling way. Beautiful in such a manly, wild way. Like the forest outside. Like the sun. I bit my bottom lip and debated if I should wake him immediately or bribe him with breakfast before dropping the bomb. Quietly I murmured, "Jake, wake up."

His snoring continued. I sighed and poked him in the shoulder; he still kept snoring. I whispered, "Jake? Jake, wake up."

He snorted and sleepily mumbled, "Bells?"

I smiled and gently shoved his shoulder. "Yeah, it's me. Wake up."

He groaned, stretched widely and threw his thin blanket to the floor before sitting up. I scrambled out of his way as he stretched long and hard. He swiped at his heavily lidded eyes and blinked. "Hmm, 'Morning, Bells."

"Good morning, Jake."

"What time is it?"

He groaned when I answered him and dramatically demanded, "Why am I up so early on a Saturday morning? It's the weekend, Bella."

"Well…" I reluctantly said, "Charlie left for La Push. He says he's going to talk to Billy. Actually, he said he was going to knock some sense into Billy."

Jake raised his brows and muttered bitterly, "The old man needs it."

"Jake," I sighed, "I hate that this is happening. I think I should talk to Billy."

He chuckled and stretched his arms again. I glanced away hurriedly and stood up. I blurted, "What do you want for breakfast?"

"I don't care, Bells. I'd rather sleep some more."

"Well…you can't." I mumbled as I walked toward the kitchen, trying to get as far from Jake's naked chest as I could.

"Why?" He asked curiously as he stood and followed me. I began grabbing ingredients from the pantry. I really didn't want to tell him, but I knew I had to. So I stammered, "Uh, well, Charlie kinda wants us in La Push in an hour."

Jake sighed heavily and said, "Damn."

I winced and offered, "I can make a chocolate shake for you. Would that help?"

He grinned and plopped down in his normal chair near the table. "With extra chocolate syrup, right?"

I rolled my eyes as I began to heat up a skillet on the stove-top. I replied dryly, "You know, occasionally you have to lay off the sugar."

He laughed in delight and asked, "Why would I do that? Sugar is wonderful."

I shook my head and began to cook breakfast. By the time he was done and I had washed all of the dishes, an hour had already passed. I fumbled around in my bedroom while trying to shimmy a particularly tight pair of jeans up my legs. I fell over while shoving my head through my sweatshirt before I ran down the staircase. Jake was calmly slipping his massive boots on his feet when I came to a sliding halt at the front door. I grabbed my keys off of the peg and demanded, "Why haven't you put a shirt on yet?"

Jake raised a perfectly dark eyebrow and said, "I was about to."

"Well, we have to go. I swore to Charlie that I would have you there once you..."

The muscles of his back expanded and contracted intriguingly as he strolled from the living room to the wash room. He returned a minute later while stuffing his head and arms through a dark green t-shirt; I bit my lip and watched owlishly. He grabbed his jacket off of the coat-rack and slipped it on before asking with a silly smile, "Have you lost all brain function, Bells? Are you alright?"

I jumped and quickly opened the front door. We walked to the truck as I answered, "I'm fine, Jake. Just nervous. I don't want you getting upset anymore."

We both slammed the old truck's door. I cranked the engine to life and pulled out of the drive as Jake said, "Aw, Bells, I'll be okay."

We rode in silence until I pulled into the Blacks' driveway. As I slowly drew the key from the ignition Jake said, "It's easier for me because you're here."

I glanced at him in the passenger side of the cab and nodded. He looked serious, yet kind and nervous. "Yeah, Jake, it's easier for me when you're around too. A lot easier."

As we walked to the front door, I slipped my hand in his. I peeked upward to gauge his reaction; he didn't notice my subtle glimpse. He was looking straight ahead at his front door and I could see a gentle smile tugging at the corners of his full lips. He squeezed his warm palm against my own softly and briefly as we came to the door. We both stood still for a moment- neither of us let go of the others' hand- before I squeezed his palm and slowly withdrew my hand from his. I didn't look at him as I quietly said, "We might as well get this over with. You can come back to Forks if this doesn't go well with Billy. You don't have to deal with any of this, Jake."

Jake reached for the door handle as he whispered, "You don't know what it feels like to hear you say that to me, Bells."

Then he opened the door and walked through. After a moment, I stumbled through the doorway as well. Jake reached his long arm over the top of my head and shut the door. I stayed hovering next to Jake's side as I took in the sight of Charlie and Billy surrounding the rickety kitchen table. Both wore somber expressions and I thought I could detect frustration in Charlie's eyes. Billy stared at us in a very observing way before he said, "Jake."

I could practically feel Jake's uncomfortable vibe as he replied quietly, "Dad."

Billy's voice was low and calm as he said, "I want you to come back home."

Jake's chest heaved slightly and he sighed so quietly I knew neither of our fathers could hear it. He muttered, "Are you going to do something about Lahote? Or Sam Uley or Jared Cameron?"

Billy sighed deeply and his voice was tired as he spoke, "Jake, son, I've already spoken to all three of them. In fact, I spoke to the elders days ago and we all had a meeting with Sam, Jared and Paul. Sam is feeling remorse for what happened. He says he's already apologized to you on Paul's behalf-"

Jake cut Billy off, "I couldn't care less about how sorry Sam tries to act. They're overgrown bullies, Dad, and I won't tolerate it."

Billy sighed again, "I understand how frustrating and scary the situation probably was, but Sam has assured that Paul will be kept far from you, Quil, Embry and Bella."

"Assured?" Jake repeated, "Since when does Sam run things, Dad? You're the Chief; what you say is what goes. I don't want Sam and his goons ruling everything and neither should you."

Billy opened his mouth as if to argue, but quickly shut it and put his hands to his face. The tension in the room was thick and I felt as if Charlie and I were intruding on a conversation not meant for our ears, but I wouldn't leave Jake. I couldn't. Billy observed Jake quietly before saying, "I don't necessarily like how things are going either, Jake. Trust me when I tell you that I wish Sam, Jared and Paul weren't needed, but they are needed. There are things you don't know, Jacob, and I'm not at liberty to explain. Even if I think those boys overstep the boundaries on occasion, I know they are important to the tribe. One day you'll understand."

Jake sighed and muttered, "Whatever, Dad. I'll come home, but if Lahote comes at me again, I won't be calm this time. He shoves anybody who gets in his way around, but I won't let him do it to me."

There was true fear in Billy's dark eyes as he gravelly said, "Jake…"

"No, Dad." Jake cut him off fiercely, "I've had enough of Lahote. He's hated me for years and for no justifiable reason. Do you know how much self-control it took not to smash his face in when he grabbed me? You don't have any idea how difficult it was for me to stand there without reacting while Bella was scared."

Billy's eyes flickered to meet mine for a second before he returned his gaze to his son. He slowly said, "You've always had a level head on your shoulders, son. All I ask is that you don't let your anger get the best of you anytime soon. Avoid Paul Lahote if, somehow, you and he meet."

I frowned as Jake turned to walk back outside. He opened the door and called over his shoulder, "Are you coming, Bells?"

I followed after another glance at Billy and Charlie. I trotted down the porch steps and followed Jake's long-legged stride with great difficulty. We walked down the narrow road that led to the beach. Once the beach came into view and the salty air was tickling my nose, his pace slowed. He mumbled, "Sorry. I should've slowed down."

"You're fine," I answered.

We walked without speaking until we came to a worn out, fallen tree several yards from the water. Jake plopped down abruptly, so I followed. My bottom was immediately soaked with wet sand, but I didn't mind. I was worried for Jake, wondering what he was thinking. Carefully, I laid my head on his shoulder and gazed at the beautiful ocean view. The mid-morning sky was a dark gray and the ocean waves were calmly lapping at the sand yards from us. Jake finally spoke, "I don't understand Dad's cryptic speech."

"Me either." I admitted quietly.

I could feel the vibrations of his husky voice through his broad shoulder as he ranted, "What in the hell does he mean when he says that I don't understand? What does he mean when he says that they're needed and important to the tribe? That doesn't make any sense. Every single person is important to the tribe. Each of us is what makes our tribe, yet he and the elders single out Uley, Lahote and Cameron. What makes them so special? Why are they on such a high pedestal?"

His warm hand drifted gradually for mine and I didn't halt his progress once he finally intertwined his fingers around my own. I glanced down and gazed at our hands; his dark skin and big palm dwarfed my tiny, pale one. After a while he spoke again, "They look at me sometimes."

Frowning, I asked, "Who looks at you, Jake?"

"Sam Uley and his two idiots." He answered mutely, "A few weeks back Sam came to the gymnasium during my P.E class. He sat in the stands all hour and watched the students while we ran the track. I caught him staring directly at me a dozen times."

My frown deepened as he explained, "The week after you first came to my house, Quil and I were here, on the beach, goofing around and throwing a football, when we saw Lahote and Sam walking along the opposite side of the sand. It was pretty late in the evening and we were sure that they would come and escort us home because we were outside after curfew, but they hung back and just watched us. Quil got so creeped out that we finally left."

Slowly I said, "That…isn't good, Jake."

He said, "I know. At first, I thought I was being paranoid, but I know I'm not now."

"Why do you sound so sure?"

"Because Sam has been sitting outside of school every single day since I left to stay with you."

My throat constricted and my heart skipped a beat. When I finally gained the capability to speak I asked, "Has he spoke to you?"

Jake shook his head and whispered, "No."

"What did he do?"

"Just stood across the lot from me and watched. He walked away seconds before your truck pulled in the parking lot every time."

"We have to tell Charlie."

"It won't help, Bella.

"I have to do whatever I can. My God, Jake, he's stalking you."

"Billy knows it, and if my own father won't do anything to stop a gang from watching me, what do you think Charlie can do?"

I stuttered, "I-I'm not sure, but, you can come back to my house. You can't stay here, Jake. I have a terrible feeling about this."

"No, Bells," Jake's voice was gentle now; "I won't let them run me away from my own home. I'll figure it all out; don't you worry about it."

How could I not worry? Jake being in danger was the exact same as me being in danger. If Jake was hurting, then I was hurting. If he was sad, then I was sad. If he was being threatened, then I was being threatened. What could I do? I gnawed on my bottom lip anxiously as I curled my smaller body tightly against Jake's side; we fit together like two puzzle pieces. My body was just small enough to slide comfortably against the slot underneath his arm.

Jake joked quietly, "You'll have to start visiting me daily now that I'm staying in my own house again."

"Of course, Jake," I answered just as quietly, "You know I will."

Author's Note: I would love more reviews on your opinions:) particularly on what you think might happen or what you're afraid might happen. After all, I worked hard to update twice! :) Thanks for reading.