A/N: Hey guys! I've been busy with repairing all the stuff that's been breaking down around here. Just one thing after another. : P

Somebody should send some repairmen over, and it wouldn't hurt anything if they happened to look like Jasper.

But HOORAY for some writing productivity! Yay, me!

Hope ya'll are all having a great Summer!

BIG Thank you to GeezerWench for pre-reading!

Hearing only two heartbeats from within the cabin, Jasper lunged up the stairs and slung open the door, startling the women in the kitchen.

Seeing Bella was safe and sound, he immediately calmed. "Where's the boy?"

"He just left." Bella squeaked out, nearly choking on her breakfast.

Leah's eyes were round with fear, but Jasper didn't pause to reassure the young woman. Instead he moved quickly, securing the front door, before storming off into the bedroom to collect whatever belongings that they'd need for their impromptu journey.

He hated the feeling of being forced to flee, but thoughts of Maria closing in on them, and especially Bella, made him move quickly. They had to leave. No matter how she protested, Bella would be coming with them.

He was a strange sight. Jasper, with his back turned, wearing a fresh white shirt, his hair clean and golden, his movements so angry, tearing through her belongings, but it didn't surprise her. He was a puzzling man with mercurial moods. Her suitcase lay open on the bed, and he roughly shoved her things inside. He had said she should leave, then told her he wanted her to stay, but after his attempted, failed early morning seduction, he had obviously changed his mind again. Sighing softly, she leaned against the doorway, watching Jasper pause as he gingerly picked up the corset Peter had purchased. He studied it . . . sniffed it?

An unexpected wave of fury washed over her suddenly, and she shouted out. "Peter said I could stay."

He turned and glared daggers at her.

Bella threw her hand over her mouth, wondering how she had been so bold to utter her thoughts.

Jasper's attempt to respond was cut short by the sound of heavy footfalls on the front porch.

Leah scrambled away and hid in the back room as Peter slammed open the door, red eyes blazing fire. He was not in a jovial mood. On the contrary, he looked like he'd just been dragged through hell, hit every bramble bush on the way, and was still fit to fight the devil. "Bella!" He called loudly, his voice rough with emotion.

Jasper was suddenly standing between the gaping girl and his brother, arms raised. "I thought I told you to go feed!"

"I did!"

"Liar!"

Reeling with anger, Bella shouted over the arguing brothers. "There's food in the oven!"

They both turned and stared at her.

"What?" She shoved her hands down into the pockets of her apron and looked between the silent brothers with wide, expectant eyes. "I can't stay with you any longer. I'll just go finish packing my things, and as soon as I'm done, Peter can drop me off in town."

Just before she turned away, she noticed Peter's lips curl into a smirk. Jasper must have noticed it too because she heard him utter a few choice words as she left the room.

Her resolve to leave the feuding brothers, and to make her own way in the world, solidified more than ever. It was plain that she'd come between them already, and that was something she didn't need weighing on her conscious. It only took a few minutes to freshen up and complete the job of packing that Jasper had started. She had spent all morning talking with Leah, trying to convince her that she was still worthy enough to go back to her people, but if she truly didn't want to return, Bella would be glad to have her as a traveling companion.

She stepped into the hall and met Peter and Jasper in the kitchen, surprisingly, they hadn't killed each other. "I'm ready to go. Where's Leah?"

"She's still in the back room." Peter had cleaned up, smoothed out his hair, and put on his dark glasses. "But, honey, we don't want ya' to leave." He made a move to reach out and touch Bella, but thought better of it, and pulled his hand away.

"We won't fight around you again." Jasper promised as he bowed his head, his words a solemn vow.

Bella was about to launch into a long drawn out explanation that detailed all the reasons she couldn't possibly stay, but she had lost the brothers' attention.

Simultaneously, they had turned to the front door, as if they had heard something, or sensed danger, but she hadn't heard a thing. "What is it?"

Jasper held up a finger, signaling her to be quiet.

Her mind began to spin wild yarns. Had James followed them somehow? Icy cold fear shot down her spine at the thought.

Before Bella could take to fainting, she heard a familiar, youthful voice call out. Had Seth returned so soon? Surely, he hadn't made it home and back that quickly.

The brothers stood tense, shoulder to shoulder blocking the door.

Bella heard more voices then and scurried over to the window to peek out. The sight shocked her. Four of the biggest natives she had ever seen trailed behind Seth. They were giants. Especially the one she thought to be their leader. He was magnificent in form, his bare thighs as big around as tree trunks, his hair long, raven black and flowing. Just the sight of him was enough to catch one's breath.

Seth happily hopped down off the horse, as the four braves stood behind him with grave, stony faces. "Halfway back to camp I found Chief Blackwolf and his hunting party out searching for Leah. I told them about how you'd helped us, and how Miss Bella makes the best pie." Seth worriedly searched the brothers' faces. They both looked even paler than usual. Peter had covered his mouth and nose with one hand. He looked downright ill. "Thank you for letting me use your horse, sir. She's a good horse. Where's my sister?"

Chief Blackwolf tensed.

"In the back room." Jasper said stepping aside so Seth could pass.

The boy jogged by, eager to retrieve Leah, to tell her of their good fortune. The Spirit Warrior braves had brought plenty of meat and rations with them from the north. Everyone in the tribe was overjoyed that Jacob Blackwolf had returned to his boyhood home—there was to be a great feast in celebration—and Chief Blackwolf had offered to escort Leah back into their camp, an offer too good to refuse. Not only would that assure her place in the tribe, but also that she be welcomed with open arms.

The four giant warriors refused to enter the cabin. The Chief stood still as a statue. He seemed to be wary of the brothers, despite his tremendous stature. The other three braves milled around him, nervously pacing, not even attempting to be civil.

Finally the leader broke the silence. "Seth has told us of your kindness, although unexpected, we are grateful."

One of the natives, trembled with rage, and spat out a phrase in his own language. He seemed to hold no tolerance for the white men, or the white man's tongue.

Blackwolf held up his massive hand to silence the warrior. "We know what you are, pale brothers. Will you assure us of peace with our people?"

Jasper nodded his head. "We are leaving this place today. You are welcome to have any goods left in our cabin after we're gone, and Seth can have that mare. We'll only be needing one horse to pull the buggy."

By the time Jasper had finished talking, Seth and Leah had joined everyone in the kitchen. The boy, ecstatic about his good fortune, shouted his thanks as he bounded out the door and down the steps to go collect his horse.

Leah stood in the doorway staring out at Jacob Blackwolf, as if her feet were glued to the floor.

He extended his hand to her, his eyes alight with quiet intensity.

She went to him then, and to everyone's surprise, he enveloped her in his arms, and spoke to her in hushed tones of reassurance.

Bella felt drawn by the tender moment, and tentatively stepped out onto the porch. Such a powerful man, yet so gentle.

Peter and Jasper crowded around Bella, not allowing her passage.

The bad-tempered warrior pointed at Bella and growled out a few words.

Jacob Blackwolf lifted his head, taking notice. "The girl. Is she your slave?"

"No. She is under our protection." Jasper explained.

"Strange. I wish only to understand. If we can speak peacefully before you leave, I will welcome you to our feast tonight. You have helped my Leah. I assume you will have no trouble finding us?" he raised an eyebrow in question.

Jasper nodded, and the natives left in good spirits.

Except the angry one. He looked suspiciously over his shoulder many a time.

"I don't like him." Peter spat. "Did you see the way he was drinkin' in Bella with his eyes?"

"I'm not sure we can trust any of them." Jasper shook his head.

"And the smell!" Peter gasped.

"I didn't smell anything." Bella said, looking annoyed. "And they were kind enough to invite us to their feast. I think we should go. I didn't even get to properly wish Leah farewell before she went all moony over Chief Blackwolf."

"Oh, honey, there is no way in h—"

"We're going." Jasper interrupted Peter easily and slipped into the cabin.

All Peter could do was stand slack-jawed on the porch and stare after his brother in shock.