Chapter 11:
"They're going to go get themselves killed." Paul grinned "What other reason is there to be excited?"
I rolled my eyes. Majority of the pack did exactly what I predicted and got excited that the Cullens' numbers would diminish. What a surprise.
"You're not at all jealous that they get to kill about twenty vampires and you don't?" I asked casually not looking at him.
I still wanted to kill him but the urge was diminishing with time.
I was trying to convince the wolves to help out, in a subtle way. They'd never let me be if they knew I was worried about their natural enemies.
They were all silent, they were jealous, but they'd never admit to it nor would they ever agree to join forces.
They'd do it in a heart beat if their tribe was in danger.
I couldn't force them into anything and other then Carlisle, the Cullens wouldn't accept it either. Unless they were desperate.
Sam wasn't all that happy about the Cullens going alone, you could see that in his expression. But he wouldn't do anything to help or anything to stop them. And that was evident too.
"What's happening with Bella then?" Jacob asked, I looked up at him, surprisingly this was the first time he'd asked. Leah rolled her eyes.
"She's probably staying here." I said
"Alone?"
"Well the Cullens need all of them so probably… though Edward will think of something as soon as he realises this is a problem." I muttered. I bet Edward hadn't thought of this one.
I saw the look on Jake's face and knew he was scheming, probably planning to take Bella when they left, keep her safe.
Better not let that one slip to Edward. He'd immediately think of some counterpart, whether he let her over here or not, something was bound to step in the way.
"So Lex, exams," Leah asked slyly. I groaned. The bloody quileutes were already out for the summer. But then, the majority of them still had a year or so to go.
"Shouldn't you be studying?" Emily said worried.
"I've done all I can for tomorrow and you never cram right before the exam, it puts pressure and stress and you end up freaking out in the test." I said wisely.
I was interrupted then by my phone going off.
"Hello?" I asked
"Do you live on your phone?" Bella asked
"Nice to talk to you too." I grumbled. She chuckled a little, I heard another voice and knew that Edward was with her. No surprise there.
"And no I don't, I just keep it on me because it's either me or Emily that get contracted when the wolves are needed." I answered. "You want Jake yes?" I asked
"I just wanted to tell him I am coming over tomorrow." she said, I raised an eyebrow as Jake grinned
"You have an exam. Two in fact." I reminded her
"After those." she said obviously. She probably rolled her eyes at me.
"Yeah, yeah, you ready? They're the last ones."
"I've just taken a break from studying." she answered
"Hope Edward's not just giving you all the answers."
"Course not." she said offended. I giggled
"Just checking. So am I bringing you down with me after the exams?"
"Sure…"
Pause.
"I'm sure a seven minute drive with me in the car wont hurt her, Edward." I grumbled. I waited and looked at Jacob, he looked annoyed too.
"I promise to kidnap her and send you a message when I'm over the boarder." I threatened "It's either that or you hand her over willingly."
"I can—" Jacob began, I had my hand over his mouth before he could propose to pick Bella up at the line.
"I'm coming this way anyway." I added.
"I'm sure Alex can keep me safe, she's done a good job so far." Bella said. I waited.
"Alright." Edward allowed.
"See that wasn't to hard. I'll even send you a message when we arrive at Jake's safely." I grinned.
"Don't get too confident." Edward warned
"Look Jake will probably run beside my car after I cross the line anyway just to be sure." I muttered "That's two minutes in my car."
"A lot can happen."
"Think positive and stop worrying yourself, it's not good for your health." I sighed. Paul scoffed and I shot him a gold look.
He rolled his eyes. God I wanted to kill him.
I got to school the next day completely set. I was going to crack these exams and have it over with.
Well… I hoped so anyway.
I had history with Bella and then my trig. That was it, the last ones, and I walked out feeling rather proud with myself.
I found Bella straight after, she was tied around Edward in the parking lot, probably saying a lengthy goodbye.
I was too excited to let any of it get to me. Finals were over.
"Jeez you two are dramatic, you'll see each other in a couple of hours, I promise. Well unless Edward decides to have more fun and take longer." I shrugged as I took Bella's hand.
Both smiled, but I could see from Edward's expression that that wouldn't happen and from Bella's that she didn't want it too. I rolled my eyes.
"I know you two find it difficult to be away from one another but doesn't the thought that you get to see each other and actually have something to talk about afterwards make you happier?" I questioned. They shared a look before Edward sighed.
"That's a point."
"Good, now go make memories and we'll make our own. You wont be able to stop talking when you're together." I grinned. I released Bella's hand as they shared a kiss before practically dragging her to my car.
"You're in a rush." Bella noticed
"If you ask me, we should get back before Jacob falls asleep." I rolled my eyes as I started the car and drove from the parking lot. We both waved to Edward who waved back and Bella's eyes lingered on him through the rear window.
"What do you mean?" she eventually asked me.
"The guy hasn't slept for more then like four hours in a week." I rolled my eyes "And that was just because I made him."
She was silent.
"Is this because he's been watching me?" she asked.
"Dude just doesn't listen to me." I grumbled. She was tortured by this. "Don't worry, when ever he gives me the slightest opportunity I force him to sleep. And then I call Alice or Carlisle or Esme and tell them he can't come. After a little begging they agree." I shrugged "That reminds me, I still owe Alice something…" I muttered.
Bella was still torn.
"So, what's happening with Seattle?" I asked wearily.
She frowned.
"They're going in a week." she said softly "After Alice's graduation party." she grumbled. I laughed
"That's still on then." Bella nodded, obviously not excited.
"She's got sixty-five people coming." she complained
"Of course she does, it's Alice." I grinned. "How are they going about Seattle?"
"They're trying to round up some friends." Bella sighed
"Non veggo friends?" I wondered. She nodded lightly.
"They said it's okay though…"
"Like they'll go somewhere else?" I wondered. Bella nodded again.
"How's that working?" I muttered. She didn't answer.
I sighed.
"I've almost been tempted to ask if I could go." I confessed. She looked at me with wide eyes completely shocked.
"Alexis you can't!" Oh, full name.
"I know. If I was more confident or knowledgeable in what I can do I'd suggest it in a heart beat. But I know nothing about what's up with me. Plus the wolves would murder me for thinking about it. And the Cullens probably wouldn't allow it anyway." I rolled my eyes.
"But if it helps them isn't that good?" I wondered. She pursed her lips. "Yeah, my thoughts exactly." I sighed.
I caught a flash of russet from my right and turned my head slightly. Another flash.
Yeah Jacob was following.
Bet he heard me and I'm now going to die.
I sighed.
"So, what's being going on lately?" Bella asked, trying to change the topic.
"I broke Paul's face." I said casually with a shrug. She looked at me stunned
"Why?" she questioned.
"I'm going to kill him." I said simply. She stared at me.
"What did he do?"
"He was a dick-head and I'm never going to forgive him." I said "He brought me catnip."
I saw the confused look.
"Cat remember. I'm effected my the aroma it gives off, makes my hormones and pheromones go crazy, or my emotions flare up. For example I get angry over nothing, extremely angry. It effects me in the most ridiculous way. And I've been telling him and Jared to get over it and leave it but they didn't listen." I ground my teeth and took a deep breath.
"So, next time Paul spoke to me, I punched his face and broke his nose and cheek bones." I shrugged. "Still want to kill him though."
"Jeez…" she muttered
"It was embarrassing." I muttered
"Anything else?" she wondered. I thought… other then the pheromone thing. Not really. But I couldn't mention that with Jacob listening. No way was I telling anyone! And if I did it would be to Emily, Kim and Leah… but Leah's mind is connected to the boys… so no.
If I told Emily, she'd feel guilty every time she was with Sam and I had to leave the room… same with Kim.
For now it was just better if no one knew.
I looked at Bella. She would be embarrassed every time I was with her and Edward. Her face would be a permanent tomato.
I wonder, would vampires give off hormones? Their entire body is frozen after all… did that sort of thing still work for them?
"No, nothing else." I shrugged.
She looked back out the window and I glanced at Jake as he kept a pace with my car and ran in and out of trees. He was too deep for Bella to be able to see him.
I turned back to the road.
"It isn't nice to ears drop." I muttered so quietly Bella couldn't hear a word. But I knew Jake would.
As we got close to Jake's house he zoomed towards it and got there first. I parked outside his house and the two of us made our way into the house.
"Hey Jake." I called. He walked out of his room.
"Hey, Bells. Lex." Jake's tone was cheerful, but his voice dragged. He really needed sleep.
His eyelids drooped and his face was drawn. His shaggy hair stuck out in random directions; it was almost to his chin in some places.
He walked over and gave Bella a hug before high fifing me. I sighed
"Are you all right, Jake?" Bella asked
"Just tired," he managed to get out before he was overcome by a massive yawn. When he finished, he asked, "What do you want to do today?"
Bella eyed him for a moment.
"Let's just hang out here for now," Bella suggested. He didn't look like he was up for much more than that. "We can ride our bikes later."
"Sure, sure," he said, yawning again.
I sighed and made my way over to the couch, the two followed me and Jacob made the hole thing shake when he sat down.
Bella sat on his other side.
"Where's your dad?"
"Over at the Clearwaters'. He's been hanging out there a lot since Harry died. Sue gets lonely." he answered
"Oh. That's nice. Poor Sue."
"Yeah… she's having some trouble…" He hesitated. "With her kids."
"Sure, it's got to be hard on Seth and Leah, losing their dad…" Yeah that was the problem.
"Uh-huh," he agreed, lost in thought. He picked up the remote and flipped on the TV without seeming to think about it. He yawned.
Bella gave me a look and I sighed with a nod, telling her this was cause of his double shifts.
Jacob stretched his long arms slowly, and I could hear the joints crack as he flexed. He settled his left arm along the back of the sofa behind Bella, and slumped back to rest his head against the wall.
"You really haven't been sleeping." she muttered. Jake looked at her then at me. I looked away.
"It's no big deal." His eyes were abruptly more alert. "Hey, did you ever find out who was in your room? Is there anything new?"
Bella ignored the second question.
"No, we didn't find anything out about my, um, visitor."
"Then I'll be around," he said as his eyes slid closed.
"Jake…" she started to whine.
"Hey, it's the least I can do — I offered eternal servitude, remember. I'm your slave for life."
"I don't want a slave!"
His eyes didn't open.
"What do you want, Bella?"
"I want my friend Jacob — and I don't want him half-dead, hurting himself in some misguided attempt—" He cut her off.
"Look at it this way — I'm hoping I can track down a vampire I'm allowed to kill, okay?"
"Yeah but if you don't sleep you wont have enough energy to kill anything." I admitted. "You need the energy before you can even think about helping." He didn't answer me.
"So, any special plans next week? You're graduating. Wow. That's big." His voice turned flat, and his face, already drawn, looked downright haggard as his eyes closed again — not in exhaustion this time, but in denial.
I sighed and looked at the TV.
"No special plans," Bella said carefully, hoping he would hear the reassurance in her words without a more detailed explanation. "Well, I do have to go to a graduation party. Mine." she made a disgusted sound. I grinned "Alice loves parties, and she's invited the whole town to her place the night of. It's going to be horrible."
"It's not going to be bad Bella, you just don't like attention." I smirked
"That's why it's bad." she grumbled. I rolled my eyes.
His eyes opened as we spoke, and a relieved smile made his face look less worn.
"I didn't get an invitation. I'm hurt," he teased.
"Consider yourself invited. It's supposedly my party, so I should be able to ask who I want." "Thanks," he said sarcastically, his eyes slipping closed once more.
"I wish you would come," Bella said without any hope. "It would be more fun. For me, I mean."
"I agree. It's definitely be a party with my musketeers there." I sighed, leaning my head back and staring at the celling.
"Sure, sure," he mumbled. "That would be very… wise…" His voice trailed off.
A few seconds later, he was snoring.
Bella studied his face for a few minutes before flicking through the TV channels. Like me there was no way she'd wake him up.
As he slept Jake's snores got louder and Bella just turned the sound up on her cooking show. Eventually I grew tired of it and I took the remote, turning it off. She didn't complain, she just relaxed and nested into Jake's side. She looked like she was going to go to sleep also, only Jacob's snores were way too loud to even bother.
It felt weird, sitting here and finally coming to the realisation that, I had finished high school… well I had to graduate too but… I wasn't going back, I had finished the high school part. I didn't have to go back tomorrow or afterwards. Sure college was to come but that was different. If I made it into one… and then there was the question of which one. Stuff it I'd be happy if I was accepted into any.
But then there was the fact that I'd have to leave… I'd leave behind my musketeers, my family, my friends… my secrets. All except the one about myself, one which I was still having trouble controlling.
It seemed safer and much more rational just to stay here. But the council would never have it, they'd never allow it. They threw a stink when Rebecca turned down her scholarship. Not unless I told them what was going on with me, and I didn't want that. I didn't need my parents realising they had a wolf son and a cat daughter. That would just be one messed up family.
It is one messed up family.
I wonder why I'm like this in the first place… James is how he is because of a gene on Dad's side. Was it possible that there was something on my mother's side? Like James had suggested what felt like eons ago? It couldn't just be a random thing right? I mean people didn't randomly start acting like animals. Not unless there was some reason… right?
Jacob snorted and rolled to his side. His arm swung off the back of the couch and pinned Bella against his body.
I couldn't help but cover my mouth to contain my laugh as to not wake him. Bella tried to slide out from under his arm without waking him. I got up and grabbed his arm, moving it a little to help release Bella.
Unfortunately we woke him. Jacob jumped to his feet and sprang at me before he knew what he was doing. I heard Bella gasp before Jake was on his back.
"Dude calm down." I said as I sat on him. Bella was standing by the couch looking worried.
"Oh Lex sorry." he mumbled. I waved my hand
"No bruises." I looked at Bella, "You frightened Bells though." He turned to look at her, blinking and confused.
"Bella?" she seemed to relax as I stood up
"Hey, sleepy."
"Oh, man! Did I fall asleep? I'm sorry! How long was I out?" he asked. I held my hand out and helped him to his feet.
"A few Emerils. I lost count." she confessed. He flopped back on the couch next to Bella. I sat down with him
"Wow. Sorry about that, really." Bella patted his hair, trying to smooth the wild disarray.
"Don't feel bad. I'm glad you got some sleep." He yawned and stretched.
"I'm useless these days. No wonder Billy's always gone. I'm so boring."
"You're fine," Bella and I assured him.
"Ugh, let's go outside. I need to walk around or I'll pass out again."
"Jake, go back to sleep. I'm good. I'll call Edward to come pick me up." she started patting her pockets as she spoke, I guessed they were empty.
"Shoot, I'll have to borrow your phone. I think I must have left his in the car." She started to unfold myself.
"No!" Jacob insisted, grabbing her hand. "No, stay. You hardly ever make it down. I can't believe I wasted all this time."
He pulled Bella off the couch with him and to the door. I sat there for a minute. Something was up…
I walked to the door and stood in the doorway as Jacob paced just off the porch, he was pulling Bella with him.
"I'm an idiot," he muttered to himself.
"What's the matter, Jake? So you fell asleep." she shrugged.
"I wanted to talk to you. I can't believe this."
"Talk to me now," she said.
"Yeah, before you dig a trench." I muttered. He looked at me and I saw a look behind his eyes. I held my arms up and walked back into the house, shutting the door. I walked to the couch, sat down, turned the TV on and flicked through a few stations for a minute.
So he didn't want me to witness…
"What are you talking about?" Bella demanded. I might not be able to see, but with my ears it was difficult not to listen. I tried to concentrate on the TV but it wasn't working.
"I want to tell you something. And you already know it… but I think I should say it out loud anyway. Just so there's never any confusion on the subject."
What could he want to tell her thats so important… My eyes widened. I'm an idiot, what else could he want to talk to her about.
They stopped pacing.
"I'm in love with you, Bella," Jacob said in a strong, sure voice. "Bella, I love you. And I want you to pick me instead of him. I know you don't feel that way, but I need the truth out there so that you know your options. I wouldn't want a miscommunication to stand in our way."
Being the girl I am I grinned my face off and covered my mouth to try and hide the giggle. I wanted to squeal. But I bit my tongue. I wasn't listening. He was braver then I gave him credit for… in some areas.
There was silence and the TV might as well have been off.
"Okay," he said, grinning. "That's all."
"Jake —" It sound like she was choking on something. "I can't — I mean I don't… I have to go." I heard her turn to leave.
I sighed. I knew that would be the outcome, but so did Jake.
"No, wait. I know that, Bella. But, look, answer me this, all right? Do you want me to go away and never see you again? Be honest."
It took her a minute.
"No, I don't want that," she finally admitted.
"See." I was so mean, listening in, but being the best friend… and being a girl, I couldn't help it.
"But I don't want you around for the same reason that you want me around," Bells objected.
"Tell me exactly why you want me around, then." Bella was silent for a second
"I miss you when you're not there. When you're happy," she qualified carefully, "it makes me happy. But I could say the same thing about Charlie, Jacob. You're family. I love you, but I'm not in love with you."
"But you do want me around."
"Yes." she sighed. He was impossible to discourage.
"Then I'll stick around."
"You're a glutton for punishment," she grumbled.
"Yep." I don't know what he did but she obviously didn't approve.
"Do you think you could behave yourself a little better, at least?" Bella asked, irritated.
"No, I don't. You decide, Bella. You can have me the way I am — bad behaviour included — or not at all."
That's always a bad call to make if you asked me.
"That's mean." she said frustrated
"So are you." Silence. And I knew she was taking that to heart when I heard her take a step back.
"You're right," she whispered. He laughed.
"I forgive you. Just try not to get too mad at me. Because I recently decided that I'm not giving up. There really is something irresistible about a lost cause."
"Jacob. I love him, Jacob. He's my whole life."
"You love me, too," he reminded her. "Not the same way, I know." I guess she was going to protest. "But he's not your whole life, either. Not anymore. Maybe he was once, but he left. And now he's just going to have to deal with the consequence of that choice — me."
"You're impossible."
I sighed. I was happy he could admit it, but I now had a feeling that he wasn't going to be any happier.
"Until your heart stops beating, Bella," he said. "I'll be here — fighting. Don't forget that you have options."
"I don't want options," she disagreed "And my heartbeats are numbered, Jacob. The time is almost gone."
"All the more reason to fight — fight harder now, while I can," he whispered.
"N —" Bella was suddenly cut off. And they were silent. Well, except for Bella's accelerated heart beat.
Two guesses what happened.
Dammit Jake. That one was going to cost you.
"Are you done now?" Bella asked in an expressionless voice after a period of silence.
"Yes," he sighed.
Suddenly there was a crunching sound.
"Ow! OW! " Bella screamed. I opened the door to find Bella frantically hopping up and down in agony while she clutched her hand to her chest.
Shit I was in so much trouble.
"Bella." I said as I stood next to her. Jacob stared at her in shock.
"Are you all right?"
"No, dammit! You broke my hand!"
"Bella, you broke your hand. Now stop dancing around and let me look at it."
"Jake." I sighed, no way was she going to allow that.
"Don't touch me! I'm going home right now!" Thought so.
"I'll get my car," he said calmly.
"No, thanks," Bella hissed. "I'd rather walk." she turned toward the road.
"Bella, I'll take you." I sighed, she looked at me and nodded before walking to my car.
I gave Jacob a look. He just looked right back at me.
I walked to the car as Bella sat in the passenger seat. I got in and turned the key when the back door opened. Jacob got in.
I looked at him through my rear view mirror.
"Really?" I questioned again.
"Get out." Bella said angrily.
"I'm not letting you to go alone." I rolled my eyes. If I was right, Edward was going to kill him and yes he still wanted to come. I looked at Bella.
"Fine!" she growled. "Do! I can't wait to see what Edward does to you! I hope he snaps your neck, you pushy, obnoxious, moronic DOG!" Glad to see we thought alike.
Jacob rolled his eyes and buckled up.
I took one more look at Bella before I reversed and drove away from Jacob's house.
Just to make the atmosphere worse, Jacob started whistling.
He was stupid.
"Didn't I hurt you at all?" Bella asked, furious and annoyed.
"Are you kidding? If you hadn't started screaming, I might not have figured out that you were trying to punch me. I may not be made out of stone, but I'm not that soft."
"Want me to punch him, I could dismantle his face." I admitted. I saw Bella contemplating it.
"Come on." Jacob leant forwards. I didn't answer.
"I hate you, Jacob Black."
"That's good. Hate is a passionate emotion." I groaned. Every time he opened his mouth, I wanted to punch him.
"I'll give you passionate," Bella muttered under her breath. "Murder, the ultimate crime of passion."
"Oh, c'mon," he said, all cheery and looking like he was about to start whistling again. "That had to be better than kissing a rock."
Guessed it right. He kissed her. Awesome.
"Not even remotely close," Bella told him coldly. She hadn't even turned to look at him. He pursed his lips.
"You could just be saying that."
"But I'm not."
"You know he might actually kill you." I admitted. "And I don't think I'll stop him." He rolled his eyes at me this time.
"Don't underestimate anger Jake, it's a great motivator." I confessed.
"You're just mad. I don't have any experience with this kind of thing, but I thought it was pretty incredible myself."
"Ugh," Bella and I both groaned.
"Cocky much." I mumbled.
"You're going to think about it tonight. When he thinks you're asleep, you'll be thinking about your options."
"If I think about you tonight, it will be because I'm having a nightmare."
Silence for a second. Jacob watched her intently.
"Just think about how it could be, Bella," he urged in a soft, eager voice. "You wouldn't have to change anything for me. You know Charlie would be happy if you picked me. I could protect you just as well as your vampire can — maybe better. And I would make you happy, Bella. There's so much I could give you that he can't. I'll bet he couldn't even kiss you like that — because he would hurt you. I would never, never hurt you, Bella." I huffed as Bella held up her injured hand.
He sighed.
"That wasn't my fault. You should have known better."
"How? She's never tried before." I muttered
"Jacob, I can't be happy without him." Bella said seriously
"You've never tried," he disagreed. "When he left, you spent all your energy holding on to him. You could be happy if you let go. You could be happy with me." He was right on her hanging on to him.
"I don't want to be happy with anyone but him," Bella insisted.
"You'll never be able to be as sure of him as you are of me. He left you once, he could do it again."
"No, he will not," Bella said through her teeth. I could tell that memory brought back a little pain. How could it not?
"You left me once," Bella reminded him in a cold voice
"I never did," he argued hotly. "They told me I couldn't tell you — that it wasn't safe for you if we were together. But I never left, never! I used to run around your house at night — like I do now. Just making sure you were okay."
Silence. Bella looked at me. I put my foot further down on the peddle and drove faster.
"Just think about it, Bella."
"No," she said stubbornly.
"You will. Tonight. And I'll be thinking about you while you're thinking about me."
"Like I said, a nightmare." He grinned at her.
"You kissed me back." I was going to punch him. He actually knew nothing. Did he actually think her attitude was just stubbornness.
Bella gasped and then hissed as she balled her broken fist.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"I did not." she snapped
"I think I can tell the difference."
"Obviously you can't — that was not kissing back, that was trying to get you the hell off of me, you idiot." He laughed a low, throaty laugh. He really is an idiot.
"Touchy. Almost overly defensive, I would say."
Bella took a deep breath.
"You're an idiot. You need to be educated." I muttered
"In what?" Jacob wondered
"In girls." I said obviously. "I mean seriously?" it was rhetorical and he didn't answer. Bella groaned.
"I'm really sorry about your hand," Jacob said, sounding almost sincere. "Next time you want to hit me, use a baseball bat or a crowbar, okay?"
"Don't think I'll forget that," Bella muttered.
I guess Bella finally realised what was going on outside the car.
"Why are you taking me here?" she asked when we were on her road. I sighed.
"Unfortunately, I'm not really allowed to take him to Edward's house. Jake has to get out first. At least here, you're home and you can call Edward to come get you." I glared at Jake through the mirror.
"This is your home, Bella," Jacob said quietly.
"Yes, but do any doctors live here?" she asked, holding up her hand again.
"Oh." He thought about that for a minute. "I'll take you to the hospital. Or Charlie can."
"I don't want to go to the hospital. It's embarrassing and unnecessary."
"Jake, just get out of my car before I drag you out." I said angrily.
He didn't move.
I ground my teeth and cut the engine off.
"Come on." I said to Bella.
We both climbed out of the car and walked to the house. Another door sounded behind us and Jacob followed.
"What are you going to do?" he asked.
"I am going to get some ice on my hand, and then I am going to call Edward and tell him to come and get me and take me to Carlisle so that he can fix my hand. Then, if you're still here, I am going to go hunt up a crowbar."
He didn't answer as we walked in. He gave me a look but I just ignored him.
He wanted a death wish obviously.
We walked silently past the front room where Charlie was lying on the sofa.
"Hey, kids," he said, sitting forward. "Nice to see you here, Jake. Hey Alex."
"Hi." I said before following Bella to the kitchen
"Hey, Charlie," Jacob answered casually, pausing.
"What's wrong with her?" Charlie wondered.
"She thinks she broke her hand," Bella went to the freezer and pulled out a yea of ice cubes.
"How did she do that?" I thought Charlie ought to sound a bit less amused and a bit more concerned. Jacob laughed.
"She hit me." Charlie laughed as well. I took the ice, wrapped it in a dish cloth and handed it to Bella.
"Why did she hit you?"
"Because I kissed her," Jacob said, unashamed.
"Good for you, kid," Charlie congratulated him.
Jeez.
I walked to the phone and dialled Edward's number as she put the cloth to her hand. I held it there lightly while she used her good hand to hold the phone.
"Bella?" he answered on the first ring. He sounded more than relieved — he was delighted. I could hear the Volvo's engine in the background; he was already in the car — that was good. "You left the phone… I'm sorry, did Jacob drive you home?"
"No, Alex did." she said
"But Jacob still came." I said.
"Will you come and get me, please?"
"I'm on my way," he said at once. "What's wrong?"
"He's not going to blame me for this is he?" I asked Bella, she shook her head.
"Blame her for what?" Edward asked. "What's wrong?" he repeated
"I want Carlisle to look at my hand. I think it's broken."
It had gone quiet in the front room. I saw Bella grin.
"What happened?" Edward demanded, his voice going flat.
"I punched Jacob," Bella admitted.
"Good," Edward said bleakly. "Though I'm sorry you're hurt."
"You're not going to be so casual about it when you find out what happened." I admitted in a mutter. Of course he heard me but didn't say anything. Bella laughed once.
"I wish I'd hurt him." she sighed in frustration. "I didn't do any damage at all."
"I can fix that," he offered.
"I was hoping you would say that." There was a slight pause.
"That doesn't sound like you," he said, wary now. "What did he do?"
"You're not going to like it." I said seriously. "Jacob's got a death wish."
"What?" he asked
"He kissed me," Bella growled. All I heard on the other end of the line was the sound of an engine accelerating.
"Yep, someone's going to die." I nodded. I was worried again. "I can't be held liable right, I mean I was supposed to be there to protect you from him…" I muttered. Bella looked at me seriously and shook her head.
"It's his fault."
"Still," I muttered
In the other room, Charlie spoke again.
"Maybe you ought to take off, Jake," he suggested.
"I think I'll hang out here, if you don't mind." I hit my forehead.
"Your funeral," Charlie muttered.
"Is the dog still there?" Edward finally spoke again.
"Yes."
"I'm around the corner," he said darkly, and the line disconnected.
"I'm not sure whether to feel concerned…" I said to Bella. She smiled and we heard the Volvo approaching.
The two of us walked to greet Edward.
"How's your hand?" Charlie asked as we walked by. Charlie looked uncomfortable. Jacob lolled next to him on the sofa, perfectly at ease. Bella lifted the ice pack to show it off.
"It's swelling."
"Maybe you should pick on people your own size," Charlie suggested.
"Maybe," she agreed. I followed her as she opened the door. Edward was waiting.
"Let me see," he murmured.
He examined her hand gently, he was so careful.
"Sorry Edward." I muttered. He looked at me.
"It's not your fault."
"Isn't that why I'm there, to keep her from getting hurt?" I asked. He sighed.
"How is it?" I changed the subject, looking at her hand.
"I think you're right about the break," he said. "I'm proud of you. You must have put some force behind this."
"As much as I have." she sighed. "Not enough, apparently." He kissed her hand softly.
"I'll take care of it," he promised. "You don't care if I kill him do you?" he asked me.
"If you don't I will." I shrugged "Maybe not as violently but…" He didn't wait for me to continue.
"Jacob," his voice still quiet and even.
"Now, now," Charlie cautioned.
We heard Charlie heave himself off of the sofa. Jacob got to the hall first, and much more quietly, but Charlie was not far behind him. Jacob's expression was alert and eager.
"I don't want any fighting, do you understand?" Charlie looked only at Edward when he spoke. "I can go put my badge on if that makes my request more official."
"That won't be necessary," Edward said in a restrained tone.
"Don't worry Charlie." I smiled
"Why don't you arrest me, Dad?" Bella suggested. "I'm the one throwing punches." Charlie raised an eyebrow.
"Do you want to press charges, Jake?"
"No." Jacob grinned, incorrigible. "I'll take the trade any day."
Edward grimaced. My eyes flashed.
Now he's on my death list… not sure if Paul over rules him yet. He was being such a prick! I saw Edward's eyes flash to me. No I didn't care if he killed him.
"Dad, don't you have a baseball bat somewhere in your room? I want to borrow it for a minute." Charlie looked at her evenly.
"Enough, Bella."
"Let's go have Carlisle look at your hand before you wind up in a jail cell," Edward said. He put his arm around her and pulled Bella toward the door.
"Fine," she said, leaning against him.
"Alex, you coming?" he asked me.
"Why not." I shrugged. I looked at Jacob, I needed something to distract me. "I'll follow you."
"What are you doing? Are you crazy?" Charlie asked Jacob anxiously
"Give me a minute, Charlie," Jacob answered. "Don't worry, I'll be right back."
Jacob followed us, stopping to close the door in Charlie's surprised and uneasy face.
Edward ignored him at first, leading Bella to the car. He helped her inside, shut the door, and then turned to face Jacob on the sidewalk.
Bella leaned anxiously through the open window ad Charlie peeking through the drapes in the front room.
Jacob's stance was casual, his arms folded across his chest, but the muscles in his jaw were tight.
I stood between the two supernaturals. Mainly cause I wanted to punch Jake if Edward didn't.
Edward spoke in a voice so peaceful and gentle that it made the words strangely more threatening.
"I'm not going to kill you now, because it would upset Bella." I bit back a disappointed expression.
"Hmph," she grumbled. Edward turned slightly to throw her a quick smile. His face was still calm.
"It would bother you in the morning," he said, brushing his fingers across her cheek. Then he turned back to Jacob.
"But if you ever bring her back damaged again — and I don't care whose fault it is; I don't care if she merely trips, or if a meteor falls out of the sky and hits her in the head — if you return her to me in less than the perfect condition that I left her in, you will be running with three legs. Do you understand that, mongrel?"
It was an empty threat. I could see it as Jacob rolled his eyes. Though as he spoke my guilt was rising slowly.
"Who's going back?" Bella muttered. I looked at her, guess I'd rather go to her if this was how all her LaPush visits were going to go.
She would forgive him though, she always did. She had a soft spot for Jake. Like me unfortunately.
Edward continued as if he hadn't heard Bella.
"And if you ever kiss her again, I will break your jaw for her," he promised, his voice still gentle and velvet and deadly.
"What if she wants me to?" Jacob drawled, arrogant.
"Hah!" Bella snorted.
"If that's what she wants, then I won't object." Edward shrugged, untroubled. "You might want to wait for her to say it, rather than trust your interpretation of body language — but it's your face."
"Not that it's going to last much longer."
Jacob grinned, ignoring me.
"You wish," Bella grumbled.
"Yes, he does," Edward murmured.
"Well, if you're done rummaging through my head," Jacob said with a thick edge of annoyance, "why don't you go take care of her hand?"
"One more thing," Edward said slowly. "I'll be fighting for her, too. You should know that. I'm not taking anything for granted, and I'll be fighting twice as hard as you will."
"Good," Jacob growled. "It's no fun beating someone who forfeits."
"She is mine." Edward's low voice was suddenly dark, not as composed as before. "I didn't say I would fight fair."
"Neither did I."
"Best of luck." Jacob nodded.
"Yes, may the best man win."
"That sounds about right… pup."
Jacob grimaced briefly, then he composed his face and leaned around Edward to smile at Bella. She glowered back.
"I hope your hand feels better soon. I'm really sorry you're hurt."
She turned her face away from him.
Edward walked around the car and to the drivers side door. I debated for a minute, I could punch him now, or later…
I ignored him and turned to my car. Charlie was still here.
I got in the car and followed the Volvo — keeping up — to the Cullens house.
I followed him around to garage were Rosalie was under the bottom of Emmett's jeep. Emmett was sitting beside her, one hand reached under the jeep toward her. He was acting as the jack.
I jumped out as Edward helped Bella out of the Volvo. Emmett watched curiously before he spotted her hand. Emmett grinned.
"Fall down again, Bella?" She glared at him fiercely.
"No, Emmett. I punched a werewolf in the face." Emmett blinked, and then burst into a roar of laughter.
As Edward led her past them and I followed, Rosalie spoke from under the car.
"Jasper's going to win the bet," she said smugly. Emmett's laughter stopped at once, and he studied her with appraising eyes.
"What bet?" Bella and I both demanded, pausing.
"Let's get you to Carlisle," Edward urged. He was staring at Emmett. His head shook infinitesimally.
"What bet?" she insisted as she turned on him.
"Thanks Rosalie." Edward muttered.
"Edward…" Bella grumbled. I shot him a look, she wouldn't let him go.
"It's infantile," he shrugged. "Emmett and Jasper like to gamble."
"Emmett will tell me." she tried to turn, but I guess his arm was like iron around her.
"I'll ask and then tell you." I went to turn back but Edward grabbed my wrist with his free hand. He yanked me with them — I might have fallen over if not for the cat that stabilised my balance — and sighed.
"They're betting on how many times you… slip up in the first year."
"Oh." Bella grimaced "They have a bet about how many people I'll kill?"
"Yes," he admitted unwillingly. "Rosalie thinks your temper will turn the odds in Jasper's favour."
"Jasper's betting high."
"It will make him feel better if you have a hard time adjusting. He's tired of being the weakest link."
"Sure. Of course it will. I guess I could throw in a few extra homicides, if it makes Jasper happy. Why not?" she was babbling, her voice a blank monotone.
I sighed. Of course she was freaking out.
"Bells with everyone around helping you I bet the amount will be low." I tried to cheer her up.
"You don't need to worry about it now. In fact, you don't have to worry about it ever, if you don't want to." Of course she didn't like that and groaned. Edward pulled us to the house faster, as he still had my wrist.
Turned out Bella was right, her hand was broken. However, it wasn't serious, just a tiny fissure in one knuckle. She refused the cast, and Carlisle said she'd be fine in a brace if Bella promised to keep it on. She promised.
"I should kill him." Edward muttered as Carlisle worked on fitting the brace.
"I think that every time I see Paul." I grumbled. We were talking quiet enough and Bella seemed distracted by her thoughts that she wasn't paying attention.
"Why?" Edward asked, trying to distract himself.
One of the reasons I was glad Edward couldn't read my thoughts. I did not need him of all people knowing about my new problem.
"Long story." I muttered, not looking at him. I saw him raise an eyebrow though.
The visit to the Cullens didn't completely distract me as I'd hoped. I plotted on the best way to punish Jacob. There were a few options. I knew if I hurt him he'd just heal… depending on how bad it was depending on how long it took to heal.
That was the problem. No matter what I did, he wouldn't be punished for long, unless it was a sort of mental punishment. And I didn't know how to do that unfortunately.
I wonder if me ignoring him would be punishment enough…?
It might not last long as I live at my house or Jake's or Emily's, all of which Jake lives at.
This might be harder then I thought.
I drove home, flashing my lights to Edward when they turned off to Bella's house, and continued to LaPush. If Jacob was waiting for me, I was going to punch him. If he grinned at me tomorrow, I was going to punch him. If he brought up today and was happy and hadn't realised his idiocy, I was going to punch him.
Either way, his face would be mangled worse then Paul's.