~A/N Thanks so much. You guys are keeping the muse alive.

Chapter 12

Bella never expected such a reaction from Jacob after finally hearing the name. He started shaking and sweating profusely. He had to be ill. "What did you just say?" He barely managed the question.

"Carlisle Cullen. I met him in New York. He said he practiced in New Hampshire and Vermont and came to the city for consults. When I got the papers, it stated he was established in Seattle in a medical practice. I guess he moves around. Jacob, I think you need to lie down. I probably have some aspirin or ibuprofen."

"I've heard that name before."

"Are you sure? That seems unlikely."

"Yes. Positive. I was eavesdropping on Dad, Old Quil and Harry years ago. Everyone was being shifty. Harry wasn't feeling well. Dad was upset about something. Hell, I don't remember. I was probably fifteen or sixteen. This doesn't add up. I need to call..."

Jacob stood up, but fell to his knees. Levi ran to his side. The animal made pained noises, but the agony from Jacob overshadowed his. She swore he said something about not being about to see. That scared the hell out of her. Jacob seemed healthy and strong. What if he had a heart condition or he had a brain bleed or something? Jacob put his hand on Levi. He whispered, "help me."

Leviathan howled the most bloodcurdling noise.

Bella got down beside Jacob to help, but she didn't know how. She needed to take him inside. She didn't know what else to do, maybe call her father. After a few minutes on the ground, Jacob came around. "I need to lie down. Come to bed with me, Bells."

"No, you need to go to the hospital."

"No hospital, I need to rest, but I need you next to me."

"Jacob, you need a doctor. You said you couldn't see and you're burning up."

"It was only temporary. I can see fine. I'm exhausted. Let me sleep it off."

Levi followed them all the way to the door. Bella assured him she was getting Jacob help. He was able to walk again, but she had to support him on one side. She didn't think going upstairs was possible, but he begged her again.

Jacob tried to stop her from leaving him when she got him under the covers. "I have to find a thermometer. I have one in the bathroom or in Sadie's things."

Bella gave up trying to read the thermometer. The inside of the digital area appeared to have melted. "This isn't possible." It was 105.8 and then quit. She shook Jacob. He was moaning and not making any sense. "Jake, I have to call Dad. You're burning up. It could be dangerous."

He grabbed her hand. "No. Stay. Bells, lie down with me."

She didn't think that was a sane choice, but he seemed worse if she wasn't right next to him. Bella slipped in behind him. He told her to take off her robe, it was too hot. She did so, but the heat was overwhelming against his burning skin. However, Jacob's respirations slowed and his shivering subsided with her next to him. He took her hand in his. She kissed his back.

"Can you rub my head?"

Jacob needed a hospital, but wanted her naked with him and a head rub instead. The strangest thing happened. He cooled down. Not to normal, but not near the danger zone any longer. Bella was exhausted. She tried to stay awake until he fell asleep so she could slip away and call her father, but she and Jacob both succumbed to their fatigue. His illness and her confession had drained them of any and all energy.

Bella woke up to the slightest evidence the sun was on its way up. She heard a sound at the front door. Poor Levi. He sensed Jacob's distress. Animals were aware of a lot, apparently. Bella checked on Jacob. He was feverish, but finally resting sound. She was as stealth as possible to get out of bed, dressed and downstairs. Bella grabbed water and food for Levi, but he ignored the bowls which wasn't normal. She picked up her phone and called Charlie.

He took forever to pick up, but he had the weekend off. He might be sleeping in.

"Hello there, Bella. Where is my son, eh? You keeping him prisoner over there?"

"Um, Billy?" She had no idea why Billy answered her dad's phone

"Yeah, the old man had to take one more trip to the little boy's room. We are heading out on the water in a minute. I saw your name pop up, thought I'd say hi and do a little teasing. I guess you and Jacob made up?"

"Yes we did, but Billy I'm afraid Jacob got sick last night."

"Sick?"

"Actually, it's really bad, and I was almost positive he needed to go to the ER. He refused and I was so tired, we feel asleep. I hate to bust up your fishing trip, but I think I need Dad's help. Jacob really should see a doctor or maybe Sue first. I don't know. I'm afraid."

Billy asked a couple of questions about Jake's symptoms. "Is he hot?" was the first one.

"Yes, so hot, but if fluctuates."

"Bella, listen to me carefully. I'm going to fill in Charlie, and he'll be over soon. I need you to listen and follow my instructions. Don't go in the room with Jacob until Charlie gets there. You understand?"

She didn't. "No, I have to. Whatever it is I'm obviously exposed. He gets extremely fretful if I'm not close."

"I'm telling you for your own good. No matter what he says, don't go to him. Promise me."

"Billy..."

"Promise. I'm protecting you. Trust me please. Jacob would want you safe."

"Okay. I promise, but tell Dad to hurry."

Jacob appeared at the top of the stairs as soon as Bella let her father inside.

He told Bella to get Jacob's keys.

"Why? Let's take the squad car sirens blazing."

"We can't. None of it makes sense, but Billy says I need to get Jacob to the reservation and no way could he ride on the inside with you and me."

"That's insane."

"I know, but Billy knows something. I don't know what, but I'd never seen him more serious. Can you walk, son?"

He nodded, but Bella worried he would fall. Charlie stopped her from going up. "I'll help. You get in the truck and tell Levi to load up with Jake in the back. Another instruction of Billy's. Sue's meeting us at the clinic."

Bella did everything her father said, but she honestly thought Jacob needed an actual hospital. She had finally opened up to Jacob. He was no doubt the love of her life. They were just beginning. He had to be alright. Bella couldn't take one more heartbreak. She was hanging by a thread before Jacob.

Leah brought Bella a hot mug of coffee. She had stepped outside to sit vigil with Levi. He was just as distraught as she was it seemed. "Any news? Can I go see him?"

"Mom keeps coming back out to talk with Billy and Old Quil. No idea why that old fool is here. He barely gets out of the house anymore." Leah said last thing she heard Sue say was Jake definitely needed to go to the hospital. As soon as she picked up the phone to call a doctor friend of hers in Port Angeles, Old Quil snatched her phone out of her hands.

"Charlie refused to leave, but Billy said for everybody to get out. I've seen them act mysterious a time or two, but this doesn't make sense. Why doesn't Billy want to help his son? Hopefully, Charlie is talking some sense into them."

Bella pulled her phone out of her back pocket. She looked at Leah. "What if I called 911?"

"Let's give it a couple more minutes and see if Mom and Charlie make Billy face the facts. But you might be right. Keep your phone in your hand."

Bella wanted to know if she'd ever seen anything like this and Leah said no. She'd worked as her mom's receptionist for years and seen several emergencies and strange illnesses, but this blazing hot temperature thing was a new one. "In all honesty, Mom can't even get a proper reading and if her guess is right, Jacob could be at risk for brain damage. Somehow, he's still talking."

"What did he say?"

"He's talking about you. That's all I know."

Levi whined again. Bella leaned over and wrapped her arms around his giant furry neck. "He has to be okay. I feel responsible."

Leah heard her. "How? This isn't your fault."

"I should have taken him last night. I told him some upsetting news when he was already feeling bad. I don't know. My judgment has never been great."

They continued to wait. No one came out from the clinic. Bella had no idea how they could debate this long. She looked up when a car door slammed. It was Quil and Embry.

"What are you two doing? Black's on isolation."

Someone must have told them because Bella saw the worry written all over their faces.

"Grandfather called. He told us to come."

Leah said Quil needed to get his grandfather's senile ass back to the house. He was confusing Billy and acting crazier than normal.

Quil agreed. "I think he's having a spell. He told me I had to be here because it was part of my destiny. He wants Sam too."

"Sam's with the kids."

"That's what Sam told him, but Jared said he'd stop by after work and Paul's MIA. Woman trouble."

Bella was even more confused. She was so relieved when her father appeared. "Are we going to the hospital?"

"Um... Bells, could you come in for a bit? We need to ask you a few questions."

She stood up and met her father at the door. He put his arm around her to walk inside. He looked grim and pale, and she was suddenly consumed with fear Jacob took a turn for the worse. He ushered her into Sue's private office so it was just the two of them. Her knees buckled, but her father caught her.

"Oh God, no." The most horrible realization came to her. "Jake."

Charlie calmed her down. "He's still the same. Sorry. I didn't mean to make it seem so dire. Sit with me, kiddo."

"Bells, Billy recited some rather wild stories. Some of it was stuff I'd listened to since we were kids, you know legends and such, but he got real serious and told me some things I can't exactly wrap my mind around. I guess what it boils down to is I need you to listen since they involve you now."

"Me? How?"

"You told Jacob about Sadie?"

"Yes, it was way overdue. He and I have gotten very close."

"You love him?"

"Yes, sir. So much."

"He loves you too, so obvious. You two crazy kids thought I was blind, didn't you?"

"No. I don't know. I thought everyone bought the friend thing."

Her father humphed at her. "Wasn't born yesterday, Bells."

"Are we taking him to the hospital now?"

"Jacob said you should tell me something. He couldn't or wouldn't."

"He's talking? I want to go see him."

Charlie held her arm. "Bells, the truth. I'm not trying to cause you more pain. My heart breaks for you already and our precious Sadie. We need to get her back. This is about protecting her now. Help me understand."

She looked down at her hands folded in her lap and then back to her father. "He drugged me. I'm not sure why. We were enjoying each other's company. I thought I loved him and that he at least cared about me. That's the real reason I hid Sadie from him. It wasn't just because he was married. He can't be trusted."

"Filthy bastard. I knew there was more. I should have pressed, but maybe I was afraid to hear the truth. You're my little girl."

"I'm so sorry, Dad."

Charlie pulled her close. He told her to stop that. "Don't ever apologize. You're the victim. I've heard it before. So many women apologize, but it's not your fault. Carlisle Cullen. Billy has some pretty unbelievable stories. In order to get to the bottom of all this, I'm afraid you're going to have to share some of your ordeal. It's up to you who stays and hears it."

"Dad, Jacob wanted me to tell Embry so he could explore our legal options, but I honestly don't know all these people well and right now, I only care about Jacob getting proper medical treatment. Can't it wait?"

"Well, what would you say if I told you there isn't proper medical treatment for what ails Jacob?"

"I don't understand."

"I barely do either, but if you would allow Billy to tell you his people's legends, I think it might shed some light. Listen first and then maybe you'll be able to add to the tale."

Bella was stunned when Sue wheeled Jacob into the biggest room at the clinic. The others filed in and had a seat. She took the spot at the end of a long sectional so she could be next to Jacob. He looked a little better than when they arrived. Sue had a couple of IV's in his arm.

She mouthed, "Are you okay?"

He brought her hand to his lips. "When I see you I am."

Billy started up. He asked Bella if she'd rather be alone with just him and Jacob, but she looked around at the faces and felt at ease. Honestly, the only one that gave her anxiety was Old Quil.

He interrupted right away. "Was he cold?"

Jacob shook his head at the old man and he clammed up. Quil scooted his chair a little closer to his grandfather.

Billy told a mesmerizing story about the history of the Quileutes. As soon as he started talking about the wolf in his story, Bella's thoughts went to Leviathan. Maybe the spirit wolf wasn't merely symbolic. He truly was unique the way he seemed to interpret everything the humans spoke in front of him. The nice story turned dark when Billy introduced the cold ones plaguing the tribe in the ancient times. She shivered even though Jacob's warmth flooded her with his close proximity.

This had to be one of the stories Jacob told her about when he said they got far-fetched and embellished over the years. She still felt humbled to be included. Everyone else in the room had heard the tales, even her father, so it was being shared with her for the first time for a good reason. Billy eventually moved forward to a more current time. He told a story about his grandfather meeting a unique group of cold ones. They were feeding on Quileute lands, but not on humans. At that point, Billy paused and instructed Embry to go retrieve a box that was locked away at the council hall. Embry didn't hesitate. He took off to do what his father asked.

"Embry will bring back the facts. You've all heard the story and I know more than half of you think that's all this is: a story. I tell you the truth. I'll swear an oath before you when I open the box given to me by my father, you'll know it's the truth. I was going to pass it onto Jacob next year on his twenty-fifth birthday. Those vile creatures tried to settle back here years ago. I put my foot down when I saw Dr. Cullen arrive for an interview at the hospital."

That stunned Bella. "Wait, you know Carlisle?" Jacob trembled again and Bella rubbed his arm. "It's okay Jake."

"I knew of him and I told him the treaty had expired. He needed to leave."

"Treaty? Wait, you just told us about Ephraim and the coven of cold ones that drank from the animals. How does that pertain to Carlisle? I'm lost now."

Jacob found his voice. "Bells. That's what I meant. I'd heard the name because Harry, Old Quil and Dad were upset and talking about the Cullens. It's Carlisle. The same Carlisle. Dad said there's pictures. I barely believe it, but Dad wouldn't lie to me about such a serious situation. Let's take a breath and wait for Emb to come back."

"No, I need to know now. That's my daughter's father. He has her. What the hell is going on?"

Everyone had stayed quiet while Billy talked, but the room erupted. "Wait. What? You're a mom? Oh, and why is that kinda hot?" Quil was the first voice.

Jacob growled and Quil apologized.

Leah said, "Oh, Chica. I get it now. Poor you."

Then Old Quil blabbered on. "Is she normal? What am I saying? She can't be. This is impossible. We're doomed. This is hell on earth and damnation just around the corner."

Charlie spoke loud and clear to shut them all up again. "I told you already. My granddaughter is beautiful, brilliant, extraordinary and a pure soul. I don't like one damn insinuation you've made old man. Stop it. Bells doesn't need to hear that nonsense."

"Extraordinary you say? She's agile and fast, perhaps?"

Charlie was about to speak again, but Bella stopped him. "No, Dad. I can answer this. Sadie is a blessing. She is the best person I've ever met. She is sensitive, sweet and shares my artistic abilities. Although I'm sure she'll be way better." Bella squeezed Jacob's hand. "Some of the art in her room is hers." He smiled at her and for a second she thought he was healing himself. "I'm not sure what you mean Mr. Ateara, but Sadie is a normal five-year-old, maybe a tad bit advanced since I taught her to read around Christmas time. She paints and draws well. She colored inside the lines by two and a half. As for fast and agile, no. She trips and skins her knee as often as I do."

Charlie joked, "More. She's worse and I thought you were the clumsiest child, Bells. I tried to teach Sadie to skip last time we were together. It was hysterical. Poor kid has two left feet."

Bella missed her. She missed her so much. It felt strange to talk about Sadie in front of so many other people that didn't know her. The last time Bella spoke to Sadie she coughed and Bella worried she was ill. Carlisle took over the call and said it was nothing but the common cold. She had a physician as a father so no need to worry. She cried herself to sleep that night because even if it was a cold, Bella should be taking care of her daughter not him.

"But has she ever bit ya?"

"Grandfather!"

"Quil, I swear to God. Get that old man home now. It's past his naptime."

Old Quil waved his finger at Leah. "Don't you disrespect me, girl. Your Poppa knew the truth. He agreed with me not Billy. Billy interfered and now there's trouble and we have no one to protect this tribe. I had the vision. This generation had a destiny to fulfill. I warned ya, Billy Black."

"Grandfather, Leah's right. I think you need to rest. Where are your nerve pills?"

Old Quil pulled out a flask. "Don't need the damn pills from Sue. She's a pill pusher. Hey, girlie. You look like you could use a hit. When Billy drops the bombshell, you'll be glad you took a sniff."

"What is that?"

"Special recipe for anything that ails you."

Sue shook her head. "I told you to stop drinking that homemade moonshine. It interferes with your medication."

"Good thing I quit 'em. Here Quilly, pass this to Charlie's kid."

"No thanks, and to answer your question. I told you Sadie is sweet. She was never a biter."

He grumbled under his breath, but Bella heard him, "She will be. Give her time."

A sound filled the room. Sue's automatic blood pressure machine went off. Jacob jerked the wrap off his arm and kicked the expensive piece of equipment across the room. "Jacob! I need to monitor your blood pressure. It's dangerously high."

"Change, boy and end this misery."

"I can't! I don't know how!" Jacob yelled. The sweating started back up. Sue pushed a syringe into Jacob's IV drip and his shaking subsided.

Bella didn't know what they were talking about. "What does he mean by change?"

"Yeah, change into what, bro? I thought you liked being a dude."

"Hey Lee, can you go knock the shit out of him? I'm too weak at the moment." Leah stood up and knocked Quil in the back of the head with her hand.

Then Leah walked back to her seat, "But seriously though, Black, what kind of change?"

"Have none of you whippersnappers paid attention since you were born in this tribe? Spirit warriors are real. We just haven't seen one in our lifetimes."

"Oh, for fuck's sake. Not that myth. Damn Grandfather. They're right, you need to go home and sleep it off. Sorry Jake. Sorry Bella."

Bella looked at Jacob. She took both his hands and faced him. The rest of the room faded into the background. It was like it was only the two of him. "Billy said the warriors transformed into wolves. Is that what Old Quil means? He thinks you can change into a wolf."

"Bells, it doesn't make sense, but I had a dream about a week ago. It scared the hell out of me. A loud voice spoke from the darkness. He said, 'join me.'"

"Well, it was just a dream. I have weird dreams sometimes."

"No, I don't think that it can be dismissed after what I've heard today, and how I feel like a war is taking place inside me. Bella, it wasn't just a random voice. Don't ask how I know this, but I recognized the voice. At least my spirit did."

"Who was it?" Quil stopped trying to pull his grandfather up. The whole room hung on Jacob's last words.

"It was Levi. Levi spoke to me, but in my dream he wasn't a wolf, he was a man."

~Thanks for reading.

Sorry. I can't tell you everything in one long chapter. LOL! Is anyone confused? Who predicted this? What about Old Quil? I am going to do my best to write the rest of the story ASAP. I don't want to get distracted and lose the muse, but my book is coming out soon! Yeah! It's a dream coming true for me. Feel free to PM if you want to know the details on my publishing.