/AN: Please enjoy this newly updated chapter/

/DISCLAIMER: Nope. I own very little in my life, especially not the rights to Twilight/

NEW!

Jacob watched in amusement as the chicken fight began, still standing next to Embry and Paul. Jared was regulating the countdown and remembering team wins while keeping track of the interchanges between rounds. Seth and an unwilling Angela were up against Mike and Jessica. The lack of cooperation in team A caused their almost immediate downfall. Replacing Seth and Angela was Quil and Bella. Jacob found, to his surprise, that this didn't upset him. He was glad to see Bella smiling and happy without him being caught in the middle of it.

Mike lost his footing, just when the fighting was getting good, and both he and Jessica slipped into the water, which made her quite unhappy with poor Mike. She stormed off, arguing heatedly with her apologetic follower. Jacob saw Seth approach Vivianne and was beginning to wonder how Seth managed to make such fast friends with everyone, when his friend suddenly scooped Vivianne off her feet, earning an amused reprimand from the squirming girl. He wasn't sure how he felt about it. Jealous, sure, but also proud and happy, eager, also, for his opportunity to become so close with her.

He watched them take position in the water, Seth helping Vivianne to get resituated on his shoulders, and then the two girls grasping hands while smiling competitively at each other. Jared called out the countdown, and the battle began. Knowing Vivianne's slim chancing of winning this fight, Jake slipped out of the crowd and waded silently into the water, knowing almost everyone would be too distracted with the battle to notice.

As he had expected, Bella managed to push Vivianne clean off Seth's shoulders, leaving him standing without a partner in the waist deep waters. Vivianne let out a squeal, mixed with fear and delight, as she fell toward the ocean. Easily, he caught her, only the tips of her hair grazing the surface. Her eyes fluttered open in surprise as her body subconsciously responded, her arms wrapping around his neck. A strong, nearly intolerable current struck up between them. Time seemed to freeze as he stared into her iridescent, purple orbs.

"Now that was interference!" Quil suddenly shouted, a smile on his face.

Without looking up, Jacob chuckled, "Rematch. You in?"

Vivianne's face broke into a smile and she gave a short nod "Game on!"

He nodded in return and let her legs drop into the water. She gave a quiet gasp in shock to the sudden cold and nearly clambered back into his arms. He chuckled, lowering her entirely into the water, which reached a bit higher than her belly button. She was more than compliant when he pulled her out of the water, by her waist, and lifted her over his head, settling her on his shoulders and shaking his head to free his locks of the water that had dripped onto him.

"Hey, he stole my partner!" Seth exclaimed, earning laughs from the onlookers.

Bella had an odd look on her face as Jacob got into position, his hands resting gently on either of Vivianne's thighs. Vivianne and Bella once again grasped hands, a dark glint behind the latter's gaze. Jared called the countdown and the fight began. Bella's initial push was much stronger than Vivianne had prepared for and she nearly lost her balance, but Jake took a calculated step back to help her keep herself upright. Regaining their structural integrity, Jacob recharged their opponents, adding to the force behind Vivianne's counter attack. Quil, unable to keep both him and Bella upright against such a force, fell backward immediately, bringing Bella down with him. The fight was over. The crowd erupted with cheering and hooting as Jake helped Vivianne back down into the water. She turned to face him, a huge smile on her face, which he readily returned. They were, once again, lost in each other's gaze when a splash of water falling over them brought them back to reality. Bella was making her way forcefully back to the shore.

"Hey, cool off, Bells! It's only a game!" Quil called after her.

Vivianne turned from Jake, to his disappointment, to face Quil, "She's angry?" She didn't wait for a response before she started following after Bella, "Bella, wait!"

Jacob and Quil glanced at each other briefly before they both burst into laughter.

Charlie glanced up as his daughter stomped up to the towel they had set up for the picnic and then threw herself onto it with an irritable sigh.

"Something wrong?" He asked in concern.

Bella wrapped herself forcefully in her towel, "How long is she supposed to be here again?"

"Vivianne? Why, did something happen?"

Bella didn't answer, as Vivianne had finally caught up to her, "Bella? Are you angry? What's wrong?"

Sam turned from the fire curiously, listening intently and hoping beyond hope that this drama had nothing to do with Jacob or any of the others.

"Nothing, I'm fine… Just hungry," Bella lied through gritted teeth.

Vivianne blinked, her gaze falling to the ground, "Oh… okay,"

"Vivianne, was it?" Emily chimed in, diffusing the tension.

Vivianne met her gaze and nodded, "And you're… Emily, right?"

Emily smiled and nodded, inviting her to come and sit down, to which she obliged, glancing again at Bella in concern.

"Charlie tells me that you grew up in Germany? It must be strange to be suddenly moved to another country…"

Vivianne nodded, "A little… but Charlie and Bella have gone out of their way to make sure I feel at home here. I also comfort myself with the thought of a speedy return. I give my mother a month before she realizes her mistake,"

Emily raised her eyebrows, unable to hide her surprise, "Whatever reason your mother had to send you here, it was probably for your own good. Mother's intuition is a powerful thing, dear,"

"True, however she seemed to be acting too hastily… she didn't even give herself time to explain to me what was happening,"

"Well, in any case, I'm glad you're finding a way to encourage yourself while you're here, while also making friends and having fun along the way," Emily was smiling as she said this.

Vivianne nodded, returning the smile, "Yes, me too. I've been treated with great kindness since I've arrived,"

"Well," Emily chuckled as though they were sharing a secret, "The boys certainly seem to enjoy your company,"

Vivianne blushed, her smile widening, "I hope so. They're all so nice,"

Silence settled over the group as they waited for their meal, Vivianne's heart lifted by the mostly friendly atmosphere.

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