"Look!" Embry pushed him to look through the window.

There was a disturbance at the park, there was a stampede going on.

"Somebody let his cows loose," Jacob said as he wouldn't imagine what else could be going on. But as they got closer, they realized they weren't cows running wildly to the cave.

"Should we stop them?" Embry asked, wondering what kind of animal they were dealing with.

"Nah. Let's contact the park rangers, probably those are a new specimen of bison roaming free from the park." Jacob answered to Embry as he was already on his radio. It took him some time to hear from one of the rangers who promised to check but confirmed Jacob's suspicions about a bison since the ranger said the animals at the park were quite nervous lately.

Once they considered the subject cleared, they got back on the way to town. This time, Jacob drove and Embry was looking at the scenery.

"You know, I got really scared of those animals. They were too shaggy to be cows or bears." Embry said, a bit ashamed of getting scared; Jacob just laughed. Embry watched too many sci-fi movies.

"I have to give you that the way they run was funny. Like they had really short legs and they were hurt. I considered going down the road to watch them closely." And with that statement Jacob turned on the radio, listening to some soft rock song, while Embry continued to watch around. They were driving through Royce King's land. The own land seemed to miss its owner, as the grass seemed crumpled and unkempt. On a closer look, Embry noticed that there were many patches without greenery.

"Emily is the worst farm owner. Less than a week without Royce and look how she let the land worsen."

"I heard she wants to sell the farm, no reason to stay here when Riley is moving out too," Jacob said without looking to where Embry was pointing. It was perfect for Embry, who thought there was a pattern of the patches... and his crazy theory about aliens coming to Micanopy came back with force. Firstly, those bodies, who nobody with a brain would believe were melted because of the fertilizer; then the strange patterns left on the plantation. But there was no way he would tell Jacob or the Chief, those two mocked him enough. No, maybe if he talked to someone more inclined to listen, like Bella. She was a scientist after all, and she went to face her father with some story about a plague or something like that. Jacob wasn't so forthcoming to share what really went down with her. Yep, tomorrow morning he would go to visit Bella.

xxx

Noah Jones and Lewis Frankston were throwing rocks to the back of the road while they shared a few beers near the cave. They were bored.

"That damn cat could really run for an old ball of fur," Noah said.

"Yeah, too damn weird the others were inside the house. Are you sure we can't break a window? It isn't like someone would believe Old Rachel."

"Nah. We could get caught. Haven't you seen how the police are patrolling around town since Jessica's 'death'." He used air quotes to make sure Lewis knew his opinion on their friend's disappearance.

"Well, we all knew she was itching to leave. She blew me a few times just for a night out of town, but Dad didn't lend me the car too often to take it with her further."

"Really? She never offered anything to me, and let me tell you, Dad sent me out of town frequently for supplies."

"Poor virgin boy. Probably it was when she was dating Riley. Before him, she jumped at the chance to get away even if it was for one day. Well, the prick paid the price. She left with his Dad. No doubt that's why they are leaving town."

"Riley got the scholarship before." Noah then turned and decided to throw a bigger rock to the cave. He loved to scare the bats, and maybe if he was lucky, they would shit on Lewis.

Plop! One rock went but nothing happened.

"You throw like a toddler. Here, let me show you how a man throws a rock." Lewis got a bigger rock and took two steps back to gain momentum and threw it far into the cave.

This time, they only heard a bump.

"Sure, 'let me show you how a man throws'," Noah mocked Lewis with a girlish voice. "My little sister would have done it better."

He walked to the back of their truck and found a broken brick. "This is how it's done."

He threw it with all the force he could get so the brick got deep inside the cave; but instead of bats flying out scared, the disgruntled caterpillar who got hit by the brick crawled out. In its wake, it made a couple of caterpillars follow it.

"Shit! What's this?"

"I don't know man. Let's run."

But in their inebriated state, their legs weren't moving the way they wanted. And those caterpillars were hungry, really hungry. Those plants and leaves weren't satisfying enough, so when the chance arose, they tried a new kind of food. Noah's arm seemed tasty enough to give it a try.

"Aargh!"

The little mouth claws of the caterpillar munched and their venom dissolved what was left of Noah. This was the moment the caterpillar decided those annoying nosy moving things were tastier than the immobile green ones. Everybody should give them a try, as it seemed they were very common around here.

xxx

"Really Angela?"

"Yep, I noticed it when I did my round after lunch. Someone got inside the lab. Nothing seemed moved but you know how OCD I am, I left a few things in certain order and they weren't like I left them before. Anyway, I just wanted you to know. But you'll be glad to hear that Bob ate its whole lunch the three times I went to visit. It's a shame we can't pet it, Bob is quite cute."

Bella shook her head, smiling. Bob stole her heart too. Bella was dreading the day they'll have to leave Micanopy as that day Bob's future would become uncertain. Carlisle would dispose of its body as they didn't have enough space in the lab to keep him. If his growing rate slowed enough, she could keep it in her apartment. But it was too soon to worry.

"So, how are things going with the pretty boy?"

Bella sighed. "Meh, they aren't going. Carlisle and the Newtons are cockblocking any chance we have to talk. It's like they don't want us to be together."

"Yeah, I've noticed Carlisle is a bit wary."

"Pfft, wary? I'm sure the man follows Tony to the bathroom."

Angela nodded, she witnessed how Carlisle almost threw Bella out of the dinner as soon as Anglea came back to get her.

"A bit protective, right?"

"Believe me, I protested. Carlisle spent so much time glaring at Tony, that he missed when MC and I found what we hope could be an antidote to their venom."

"But doesn't the effect is immediate?"

"Well, if you have to choose between losing just an appendix or dying, I guess we can work fast if we want to save some lives."

Angela noticed someone wandering on her lawn. She got up and walked to the closest window to find out Tony nervously pacing.

"I believe you're about to get lucky today." She said, and Bella walked to her side just when Edward finally found the courage to knock on the door.

xxx

Embry and Jacob were finally back after one lousy day patrolling around town. Chief Swan was in an awful mood but he encouraged them to leave, so the guys took the chance before he changed his mind. Jacob was thinking that maybe, just maybe, Embry was right. He needed to take baby steps with Bella. So he offered Mrs. Cope a ride home so in the way he hoped to find answers about Bella's whereabouts. A beer on Friday seemed so right.

Meanwhile, Embry didn't want to waste time, he heard early in the morning that Bella was staying with her friend Dr. Webber. So up to the doctor's home he went.

xxx

"Is it fine if I talk to you here? Your boss is a bit overwhelming and..."

"And he doesn't give you the chance to have a word with me," Bella answered, motioning him to come inside the house. "Well, as you know this is my friend Angela's home." She pointed to Angela who was surreptitiously climbing the stairs.

"Don't mind me. I'm taking a bath and then going to sleep. Nice to see you, Tony." Angela said but then she ran to her room to give the lovebirds a chance to be alone.

Bella looked at Tony, nervously wriggling her hands. "Do you want water? Coffee? Tea?"

"Eh, no thanks." Edward was just as nervous too. He was pulling his hair with his hands, leaving it more disheveled if it was possible.

"Hmm, well." Bella stuttered.

"Oh, well, I wanted to talk to you. Look, I know the way we met wasn't ideal, least now that your boss is aware of my intentions and clearly he disapproves. But I want to know you, you know? Because I like you. You seem compassionate and very patient, I mean, the way you treat the poor caterpillar and how you explained to Harry to not play with it, and you're so beautiful!"

Bella blushed at his ramblings. "I'd like to know you too." When she motioned him to sit on the couch, he stopped mid air and took something from inside his fleece.

"Oh, I forgot. This is for you." He took out a daisy, a bit crumpled but still holding its beauty. "I'd like to bring you something better, but you see, I had to escape your boss and mine. Michael doesn't want me to pursue anything with you too, but Tanya is nice and a romantic and she helped me. This flower was part of her roof garden. I also had to hide my plans from the boys, because they can't keep their mouths closed and they love to tease me."

Bella smiled and took the flower gingerly.

"Thanks."

"I want you to know something, though. I can't be completely honest about certain aspects of my life, right now." Edward noticed how Bella frowned after his statement. "But I promise, to be honest with you with everything else. I can assure you I'm a single man, with no ties to anyone as my only family is living across the sea."

"But then why the need for secrecy? Why can't you be completely honest?" She looked at him with pleading eyes. "Is it something illegal?"

"Oh no. I can't be... I swear to you, it's nothing illegal or something that could make you ashamed of being seen with me."

"But at the moment, you can't tell me everything, right?"

"The mere fact of me telling you I can't be honest could get me in trouble. But I'm willing to take the risk, just to get acquainted with the beautiful entomologist with the golden heart." Edward said as he got closer to Bella. She couldn't resist anymore seeing the sincerity in his eyes. Her hands went up to bring his face closer, he didn't need more encouragement. He kissed her with all his might.

xxx

Embry managed to get to Dr. Webber's home quite fast. He was hoping Bella was still awake so he could discuss his awkward findings without the prying ears of Jacob or the chief. As he got close to the door, he heard a male voice talking to Bella. He stopped, worried Jacob got here first. He walked slowly to the closest window and dared to look through it.

Jacob thought it would be better to leave his car around the corner, just in case the chief decided to make look around at night. In his mind, he was positive Bella would agree to his invitation for beers to talk about old times. He was even considering to add the dreaded ' as friends' like that was a possibility for him and Bella.

He looked up and found Embry looking through the window. Jacob wasn't ready to let anyone stand between him and his chances with true love.

Embry noticed Jacob coming towards him, and he wondered who was the lucky guy inside kissing Bella.

Jacob comes barreling and pushes Embry out of the window, as he's about to demand Embry's reason to be here, he also sees Bella kissing Edward.

"That bastard!"