Midnight Rounds

Disclaimer: Characters and events from the Twilight Saga are owned and copyrighted by Stephanie Meyer. The following stories that I create involve these characters, therefore I am claiming entitlement for the published material. Please enjoy and comment.

Chapter 12: Friends

The forest never seemed so different for me.

I remember taking Bella through here so many times. Then I got caught up with killing vampires and making sure that she was protected that everything almost meshed together.

I remember when we went after the dark-skinned vampire with dread locks. He was almost faster, but I found myself clicking at every step, every motion through this forest like I knew it inside out. Obviously that was then, and this is now—now it's eery.

I waited for the opportunity to burst through my mind and phase on the spot, but I never felt that urge while I continued walking. Secretly, I kind of wish it would come back for me. That side that brought out the wolf in me was the side that made me so unforgiving for those that tried to hurt my friends. That rage I felt grow inside of me felt almost normal.

Thinking I could get a sense of things again, I found myself at the one place I didn't want to visit, not even dreams.

I walked by the barren high story house that was covered in clear glass panels, and I couldn't help but look and notice how barren it felt.

I almost wanted Edward to come out and interrogate me, but something told me that wasn't possible. Still, I smiled at the thought, and found myself at the front door.

Something made me open it, peering through just barely before turning my head nearly freaked.

"Jacob!" I felt the shout, trying my best to make out the location.

"Edward?" I asked, thinking it was just in my head for a second. Undoubtedly though I guess I wasn't that senile yet.

It was the vampire that grew more muscles in his body than a grizzly bear, Emmett.

He swung his head at me, his red eyes trying to glimpse into the reason why I was here, but I wondered the same. I scoffed and sighed. "I was told no one lived here anymore."

The giant grinned before pushing me into the house where I noticed Alice sitting alone on the couch. Now things were really getting to me.

"Where's Bella?" I asked, thinking about my question for a second before realizing how stupid it was to ask. Luckily Alice smiled and pointed up stairs. "She's redecorating. We've had a bit of a riot here recently."

I grinned at her for a moment. "Is that so."

From the corner of my eye it looked like Emmett was trying to..sniff me. I gave him a strange look and he shrugged his shoulders. "No dog stink on you this time...What's your secret?" he chuckled. Alice even looked at me before eying Emmett.

"Good thing Carlisle was prepared." she spoke, tilting her head before examining me from top to bottom. "I actually kind of see what Bella spoke about you, Jacob.." she obviously teased. I frowned and ignored any further conversation, walking up to the stairs before coming into contact with a huge chest blocking my way.

"She's not really up for company." Emmett explained, looking up from the stairs. "That feral woman kind of got to her as well."

I stared at him for a moment. "What feral woman?" watching Emmett take a seat on the fifth step before trying to pronounce the name."

"A'lk Natoak Lepira." Alice spoke for him, sighing gently with that small pixie voice of hers. "You can just call her Lepira. It's much easier."

It was nice knowing that I wasn't going absolutely bat shit with this new woman in my life, but the familiarity drove me to ask even more questions.

"Wait..Hold on." I walked up to Alice and stood in front of her. "Do you know what happened to my phasing?"

She looked at me for a moment before whispering, "I promised Bella that she would be the one to tell you." I smiled at her and leaned in like a smart-ass, "Then can you get your hulk of a brother to let me talk to her?"

Alice pressed against me slightly, causing me to force myself back as she stood. She nodded her head and sighed, "Of course. You stay here, and I'll speak to Bella first." she glanced in Emmett's direction and then back at me. "I would remain here though-for your safety, okay?"

I nodded, feeling a little better knowing that the vampires still kind of viewed me as a threat.

I waited a few minutes, passing the time by asking Emmett where the other Cullens were.

He explained that Edward and Carlisle were trying to get involved in the interference this woman had with our treaty, so they traveled to speak with Aro.

Rosalie and the mother-figure Esme were out with Jasper visiting other vampires in South America, and they also had Bella's child Renesmee with them.

"So why did you guys stick around?" I questioned, crossing my arms for a moment.

"Alice." he grinned. "She knew you were going to come, so Bella decided to keep me around in case anything got a little catty around here-or doggy, if you'd prefer." the bear teased.

I grunted and sat back down on the couch, waiting.

"Was she okay?" I asked suddenly, kind of curious about what happened to Bella after I left.

"Who? Bella?" he smiled, causing me to nod my head slowly.

"Yeah man! You gotta see her in action." he chuckled. "Totally owned me in an arm wrestling match-Rose won't ever let that one go."

Alice scoffed, "Sure Emmett."

I raised my brow for a moment, smiling at the thought that Bella finally got what she wanted. If even a little bit more. Suddenly I remember the night that she asked me what I liked about being different, she called it.

Speed, I told her.

"Jacob?" I heard a voice from above. A voice that made me smile before it even clicked on who it was. "Bells..."

I raised my head and saw her walk down the stairs before running up to me as I stood off the couch. I pulled her into a hug and couldn't help but wince for a second.

"B-Bella...Bella Bella!." my voice sounded strained.

She smiled and pulled away from me, her eyes gleaming this perfect sort of gold in them.

"That was revenge, Black." I couldn't help but laugh at that one. I thought I had it coming.

She took a seat next to me and adjusted herself even more properly than an average girl would—much less clumsy Bella.

"Well?" she asked, continuing to look at me. I stared back. "Huh?"

"Did you have questions or what?" Bella sounded a little rough, and I almost felt her anticipate my words.

"I can't explain it really," I began, "It's like it was a dream...and then I woke up and Sam-" I stopped for a second, when suddenly smiled. "Don't worry. Alice kept me up to date."

I looked at Alice, kind of wanting to hug her for saving me an explanation, but then I focused my attention back to Bella and sighed.

"I'm guessing she told you about Emily and Leah then, huh?"

Bella only clutched my hand, gently thank God, and tilted her head.

"You need to stop blaming yourself for all of this Jacob, I mean.." she widened her eyes some and nearly looked like she was being sarcastic, "It sounds like you're getting kind of too used to being human again."

I smiled at her comment, still a little disturbed that she wasn't too upset about their deaths, but I understood what she was trying to say.

"So how did the doggy lose his tail?" Emmett asked, causing me to glare at him—but Bella beat me to it first.

"Right.." she sighed, looking at me again. "I don't know everything about it really. It was Carlisle that knew more. About her, I mean."

"She did something to my phasing?"

"Not really Jacob. She just manipulates boundaries." Bells corrected me, betting that I looked even more confused then before.

"It means that she can...kind of block someone from reality. Not to mention she found the hand of her dead mate-that's the tough part."

"Her mate was the one who originally attacked the Quileute." Alice added in, "He's the one who can block abilities like your phasing."

That relieved me some.

"So it's just a hand that's driving me insane?"

Bella shook her head and sighed, "No, Jake listen." she stood up and looked out one of the glass windows. "I ran into her too, and I was pretty sure she was going to try to get to you."

"Were you hurt?"

"No, I protected myself..long story, but the important part was that I know what she was trying to do. "

"She was going through Bella's memories and plenty of them involved you." Alice looked at me and lowered her hands onto her lap while sitting down next to me.

"I'm sure she tried to find information about all of you. Sam, Emily and Leah."

"Oh she did." Bella crossed her arms on top of the couch and stared down at me. "So we've already agreed to help you." she smiled.

"Bella.." I looked up at her for a moment, about to reach for her hand before Emmett rushed in front of us.

"She skipped the food." he whispered, "Going straight for the dancing."

Alice stood up and looked at Bella.

"Will you be alright?" she asked, sounding concerned, where as Bella only shook her head and smiled. "Don't worry."

That's when Alice and Emmett left, and I found myself alone with Bella.

I couldn't help but take a few extra glances at her as she paced up and down in front of me. Her posture was perfect, her personality was perfect, and she still felt like Bella for the most part.

That made me feel like an ass-originally, I wanted nothing to do with Bella changing when the whole time she supported me with mine.

"Hey Bella?"

She stared at me for a moment before scoffing.

"Don't worry about it, Jake. At least you're here now."

I bit at my lip and dropped my gaze. "I thought Alice was the only one who could do that.."

Bella laughed, "You're kind of predictable now, Jacob." I gulped at hearing her say that and grinned. "We're perfect for each other now."

"That's a nice way of putting it." she giggled and looked into the window once more.

She turned to me quickly and I before I knew it, I was flipped over on the ground with Bella clutching herself around me.

I couldn't make everything out, but I managed to hear Bella whisper something,

"You're not welcome here."

"I didn't feel the need to ask for an invitation."