Warnings: Some weird implied stuff. You'll see. A shorter chapter than expected-sorry! Bella being a little whinyish, but not because I don't like her, but because I think it's warranted. And remember what I said about Charlie's and Edward's personalities last chapter; they will be showing up more often, so consider yourself informed on the matter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight-now or ever. All rights to Stephanie Meyer.

Chapter 12: Fatherly Support

Jacob's POV:

After laughing their eyes out at Charlie's question, Jacob looked at Charlie to find that he was totally serious. That sent Jacob back into another fit of giggles, clutching at his stomach, chest heaving.

"What?" Charlie asked, hands on his hips in a self-righteous gesture. "If you liked cock, well, there's nothing wrong with that. To each their own, I suppose. I'm just a little offended— I thought you thought of me as a second father. What's with all the secret keeping?"

"Charlie, it's not that," Jacob began struggling not to laugh. "I do think of you as a father— that's just the thing. Out of all the things I thought you'd say—and let me tell you, I imagined plenty of scenarios—that was not even remotely close to being on my list," he finished, a little breathless from all the laughter.

"Yes, well, I suppose you have a point," he grumbled looking at Edward distastefully. "But, it's an honest question. Were you into man junk before this whole Imprint thing? Or is it some sort of side effect, since your Mate's a male?"

"I would assume it was a side-affect, Chief Swan," Edward said, speaking directly to Charlie, so as not to be ignored any longer. "Jacob never showed any… attraction towards the same sex, so far as I know, and I can read his mind."

"Yes, well, I also didn't show any signs of liking the opposite sex, either," Jacob interjected. "Werewolves are innately pansexual until they find their Imprint, so as to not find the idea of whatever gender Mate they receive as repulsive. I was merely curious about either sex without really having a preference to either, until now."

"That's interesting," Charlie mused.

Bella was gaping at them, like a fish out of water, as she had throughout their whole conversation. When her father said that, however, his incredibility transferred to solely him.

"Surely you can't think this is okay?" she asked, eyes wide as she stared at her dad. "Or just 'interesting'. Edward just broke up with me today, dad! Jacob's my best friend—how could this happen?"

"Now, now, Bella, surely you can tell I'm mad about the situation. But the fact of the matter is that there's not much we can do about it. Jacob Imprinted on Edward the same day you guys broke up; seems like Fate to me. You can't mess with Fate," Charlie said sternly, unknowingly paraphrasing Edward's words to Sam and everyone at the Black house from earlier. "As for Jacob, it doesn't seem to me like he had much of a choice in the matter. Now that it's happened, I doubt he'd even want to change it, and you asking him to, accusing him of being a bad friend for feelings he can't discourage is wrong, Bella. You know Jacob would never have chosen this. He loves you too much," he finished gently, trying to make her understand.

Bella had begun crying as Charlie spoke, making tears prickle at Jacob eyes to see his friend in such obvious distress. Edward gripped his hand tighter to give him silent comfort, for which Jacob was grateful. Bella looked up at Jacob when her dad finished and gave him a watery smile that was small, but genuine. It lightened Jacob's heart.

"Can I please speak with you alone, Jacob?" she asked, her voice cracking slightly. Jacob nodded, releasing Edward's hand as he followed Bella upstairs and into her room.

As he closed the door, he could hear Charlie's distinctive voice saying, "So, I guess you suck more than just blood, huh? That explains a lot," he heard him say, taunting.

Jacob could've sworn he heard Edward's amused chuckles before the door shut.

…TBC…

Full disclosure here, I did change the 'Werewolves are innately bisexual' line to pansexual because I figured it made things broader, like the Wolf can Imprint on literally anyone of any sexuality and bisexuality keeps at two genders. But then again, people term bisexuality in different ways, so it doesn't really matter one way or the other I suppose. Anyway!