A/N: Wohoo, an update! Thanks for reading, as always! And thanks to spookymiss for her superb beta skills. And thanks to fuzzball0611 for your rec'ing support on LJ! Enjoy!
The weekend had been particularly uneventful for everyone – save Emmett, who had been preoccupied with his teammates, much to Rosalie's chagrin. When Sunday arrived, everyone took their time getting ready to head downtown to the stadium for Emmett's big game.
Bella had made no headway on her decision of whether or not to meet with Renee and Phil, nor had she read any of the letters. No one brought it up again either, much to Bella's delight. If she was going to wallow, she preferred to do so silently.
Rose and Jasper arrived at the Cullen house with hours to spare and Rose huffed and paced around the house until Alice finally couldn't tune her out anymore and they all left. When they were in their seats and had watched the teams practicing for almost 30 minutes, Alice sighed and dropped her head onto Jasper's shoulder.
"What time is the game supposed to start?"
Jasper fumbled in his pocket for his watch. "In 45 minutes or so."
Alice groaned and slipped her hands inside Jasper's pockets, digging thoroughly for something.
"Hey shorty," Rose called across Edward and Bella. "Save it for the backseat."
Alice paused in her spelunking to stick her tongue out in Rose's direction. When she found what she seemed to have been searching for, she made a quiet noise of triumph and Jasper let out a throaty chuckle.
Bella turned to see something metal glint in Alice's hand as she threw her head back quickly.
"Pass it," Bella said as she thrust out her hand. If she was going to have to sit through another 45 minutes of mindless ball passing on top of the actual football game, Alice was going to have to share.
Alice winked as she handed over the flask and Bella threw her own head back quickly. She made to pass it back to Alice, but suddenly, Rose's perfectly manicured hand was held out in waiting. Bella obliged, and Rose did her own quick shot while Jasper let out a groan from the end of their row.
"Don't waste all the good stuff before the game even starts, dolls. Edward?"
Edward pushed the brim of his hat to up with his index finger. "I'm all over it." As Jasper's flask slowly made its way back towards him, becoming lighter as each girl passed it along, Edward dug out his own.
"All right, guys and dolls," Edward threw his arms around Bella and Rose, drawing them in closer while Alice and Jasper leaned in from the side. "See here now, the name of the game is Emmett and the rules go a little something like this – Emmett throws the ball, you take a swig. Emmett makes a tackle, you take a swig. Emmett runs down the field, you take a swig. Emmett receives a tackle, you take a swig. Got it?"
"We're going to need a refill right quick with this game," Alice said rolling her eyes.
"Not to worry little sister, Jasper and I have it covered." Edward pushed up his hat with his finger again and they all sat back in their seats.
Jasper bought them all peanuts when the vendor walked up the aisle and they had resorted to covertly flicking them at each other to pass the time. When it appeared that all the warming up was over, Rose leaned forward onto the empty seat in front of her.
"I think Emmett's heading this way." She quickly smoothed her hair down and flipped it over her shoulders.
Bella rolled her eyes and stood up to wave at her brother.
"Who's that with him, Bells?" Jasper asked, draping himself lithely across the empty seat in front of him.
Alice giggled and waggled her eyebrows at Bella. "It looks like your muscled friend, Bella."
Edward's eyes narrowed in concentration as he took in the figure accompanying Emmett. He recognized the kid as Jacob Black, the guy he had seen pawing Bella when they came to watch Emmett practice the past week. Rose broke in before Edward could ask what Alice meant.
"Bella, you never mentioned that Jacob would be playing too. At least now there are two people I'll be able to recognize out there."
"I didn't know – I guess Jacob is doing better this year." Bella sat down as Jacob threw her a wink and Rose leaned over to provide Emmett with some serious motivation.
"Hey Bells!" Jacob bellowed from the field even though only the small wall and one empty row was in between them. "How's my favourite Swan doing? Be sure and let Charlie know I'm thinking about him!"
Bella nodded and threw Jacob a big grin in reply. He turned around and started jogging back to the player's bench, but stopped halfway when he noticed Emmett was still receiving his encouragement from Rose. Jacob jogged back, latched onto the back of Emmett's jersey, and towed him back to the bench.
"That Black kid has almost as many muscles as Emmett, Bella." Rose winked at Bella and she could feel herself blushing involuntarily.
Edward stiffened in his seat and looked at Bella from the corner of his eyes.
"Something going on between you and this Black kid, Bella?"
Bella looked at Edward and furrowed her brow.
"You don't remember when Jacob Black and I went out, Edward? It really wasn't that long ago."
Edward cast his gaze around for help from one of their friends, but the only one who made eye contact was Jasper and only to shoot him a look of warning. Edward took his hat off and ran a hand through his unruly hair. How could I not have noticed Bella dating this kid?
"Are you tanked, Edward?" Rose shoved at his arm. "How do you not recognize Jacob Black?"
Edward wracked his brain for a time he had seen Black other than at the practice with Bella. Edward pinched the bridge of his nose with his forefinger and thumb while he thought. He clearly remembered Bella dating Mike Newton in her last year of high school when he had already started college. Edward reflected on how much he had disliked Mike and how he had ignored him during all group outings. He smirked to himself as it dawned on him why exactly he had disliked the boy and then scowled when he thought of how much sooner he and Bella could have been together if he weren't so blind.
"Edward." Alice's voice cut through his thoughts and he snapped his head up to see that she had moved into the seat beside him while Jasper, Bella and Rose had moved into the empty row in front of them. Bella and Jasper were engaged in a ridiculous game where Bella tried to pull her hands out of the way before Jasper could slap the tops of them with his own. Jasper was losing and Bella was laughing freely. Edward let himself stare at her; he watched her mahogany tresses sway each time she pulled her hands out of Jasper's reach, caught the sparkle in her eyes as she grinned at Jasper playfully. Edward's eyes roamed along the curve of her jaw, down her neck, letting his eyes rest on her exposed collarbones. He longed to reach out and caress her neck… and collarbone… and if no one was looking, to continue down the smooth expanse of her skin to cover her perfectly shaped…
"Edward!" Alice swatted her brother's arm fiercely. "Are you listening to me at all? I'm giving you an earful here."
Edward hadn't been listening.
"Sorry, Alice, what did you say?"
Alice groaned and shifted in her seat. "I told you I'm trading you in for a sister. As much as I love you, sometimes you are such a drag."
Edward scowled at his sister. "Why did they move down there? And why am I the only one who doesn't remember this Black kid?"
"If you had been listening to me…" Alice grumbled and smoothed her skirt out subconsciously. "Jacob joined the university paper after you graduated. He asked Bella out at least three times before she said yes… Emmett was even somewhat supportive. Still not ringing a bell? She talked about him for awhile before she agreed to go out with him… probably hoping you would get jealous and tell her not to."
Edward vaguely remembered conversations about someone new at the paper that Bella saw potential in… but he was so busy at the Tribune that first year, he hardly paid attention to much of anything.
"Did she bring him to the Christmas party?" Edward's mind formed a hazy picture of a russet skinned guest, much taller than Bella, but who had left significantly early.
"Yes! But he left early, his father has been sick for awhile…" Alice trailed off while she sought out the boy that was the topic of their conversation on the field. Jacob had told Bella that his father had been sick almost as long as he could remember. Alice assumed that was why Jacob had taken such a liking to Charlie; he was able to fill a void that a sick parent had left. Unfortunately for Jacob, Bella had given her heart away years before they had ever met.
"That was the same party with the mistletoe." Edward's voice was contemplative.
Alice smiled at the memory; Esme had hung extra sprigs purposely that year, always trying to meddle in her children's lives from afar.
"Bella told Jacob she only wanted to be friends a week later."
Edward smiled. "She did, did she?"
Bella turned her head slightly to look in Edward's direction.
"Yes, she did. And as I recall, you haven't had a date since that party. Maybe you were carrying your own torch, Eddie m'boy. Ouch! Damn it, Jasper!" Bella rubbed the top of her hand while Jasper's body shook with silent laughter.
"That the name of the game, doll. Distractions aren't conducive to winning here. You're up!" Jasper thrust his hands, palms down in Bella's direction and it was her turn to slap. She missed twice before accidentally slapping her own knees with a little too much force.
"Horsefeathers!" She spat, rubbing her knees vigorously to stop the stinging.
Rosalie scoffed silently from beside Bella. "I don't know why you two even play that game anymore; you know you always lose Bella. Or hurt yourself. The game's starting, pay attention!"
Bella ignored Rose's comment and knocked Jasper's hat off his head instead. He feigned hurt and while leaning back to pick it up, lifted Alice out of her seat and onto his lap. She laughed heartily and draped her tiny arm around his massive shoulders.
Edward, being left alone in the row now, leaned forward slightly and placed both his hands on Bella's shoulders, allowing one hand to gently caress her neck. She hummed in pleasure and leaned into his touch. He absently continued the motion as he considered Bella's words. It was true he did remember that Christmas party as his favourite of all the ones thrown in the Cullen household. He didn't remember exactly how he and Bella ended up under the mistletoe the first time, but he remembered the way her lips felt under his own. The second time they found themselves under the sprig together, they laughed and the kiss lasted slightly longer than the first. The third time had Bella shooting suspicious looks at her friends, but Edward had been oblivious. He only recalled the third kiss lasting an indecent amount of time and being rudely interrupted by someone clearing their throat.
Edward had not dated anyone since that party and chided himself for being so slow to discover his feelings and true motivations regarding all things Bella. He shook away the thoughts and concentrated on the feeling of Bella's warm skin under his fingers.
The game was more Emmett-centred than Jasper or Edward had anticipated and so their flask supply was depleted well before half time began. They gorged themselves on peanuts and popcorn and when half time arrived, Alice shooed Edward and Jasper away for more 'provisions'. They hurried out to the car.
"Bella, can you take us to see Emmett?" Rose asked.
Bella thoughtfully twirled some hair around her finger as she tried to decide if they were sober enough to walk that far and if she was even able to get them in. Alice laid her head down on Bella's shoulder while Bella continued to think. Rose tapped her nail against the armrest impatiently.
"I think so," Bella finally responded. "We can at least try. Come on, Alice."
Bella stood up slowly and after a few uncertain seconds, gained her balance and looked down at her tiny friend.
"I'll stay here," Alice slurred as she draped her legs across Bella's seat. "So Edward and Jasper don't have a fit if we aren't here when they get back."
Bella was about to suggest they all wait when Rose grabbed her arm and tugged her out the row towards the stairs.
"Thanks, Alice!"
Bella stumbled so Rose locked arms with her.
"Are you being Bella-clumsy or giggle-water clumsy?"
"The locker rooms are this way," Bella led Rose towards a service corridor, ignoring her dig. She smiled sweetly at an old man sweeping and he tipped his hat as they passed.
When they came to a fork, Bella stopped and thought carefully on which way to go. She hadn't been to the locker room more than once and couldn't remember which way was the correct way.
"I'm not sure which way, Rose. Sorry."
Rose huffed and darted her eyes from one hallway to the next.
"Well, they have to come out somewhere, don't they? Let's try this way. But get the lead out in case we have to double back."
Bella obliged the best that she could, but Bella-clumsy plus giggle-water clumsy did not make for a fast moving Bella. Halfway down the hallway, Bella was sure it was not the correct way.
"Let's go back and try the other one, Rose… this doesn't seem familiar."
But Rose continued ahead, pulling Bella with her.
"I would have believed you more if you hadn't just hiccupped, Bella Swan. Your brother is right; you really can't hold your liquor."
Bella ignored Rosalie and let herself be pulled along. She knew Rose wasn't being intentionally mean, that was just Rose.
The hallway turned sharply and they spilled out into some sort of maintenance area that was dark and smelled unpleasant.
"Definitely the wrong way, Rose." Bella pulled on Rose's arm to double back.
"Wait, I can hear voices. Maybe it meets up with the other one around the corner." Rose pulled harder on Bella and she was dragged further into the darkened space.
When they rounded the corner, Rose stopped short and pulled Bella down behind a trash bin with her.
"Ouch! Rose!" Bella hissed as her knees collided painfully with the concrete. Rose's hand was over her mouth in an instant and Bella's eyes widened in shock. Rose pointed past the trash bin and motioned Bella to be quiet. They both peered around the bin and Bella bit back a scream.
Three men with rather large guns and one with a baseball bat were circled around a muscular russet skinned man. They seemed to be having an argument.
"I'm not sure you fully understand the terms of our agreement, kid." Baseball bat man slapped the bat into his palm several times as he spoke.
"Yeah kid, you don't seem to be doing what the boss asked." One of the men with a gun prodded it into the shoulder of the muscular man. He twitched away from the barrel.
"There's still half the game to go, boys. I've got lots of time left to make a few mistakes, a couple fumbles." The muscular man's voice caught and broke at the end; he was rather frightened of his companions.
Bella and Rosalie were equally scared, but didn't want to move and risk being seen if they could get away with hiding until the men left. They held hands fiercely and were as quiet as possible.
The second gunman prodded the muscular man in the back of the knee, sending him to the floor. When he landed, he fell into a pool of light and Bella and Rose were able to see that he was wearing a Bears uniform. When he turned his head to glare at the gunman who had brought him to his knees, his face was fully bathed in light and Bella stifled her gasp. Rose's grip tightened around Bella's hand. Jacob Black was in the midst of three men with guns and one unhappy man with a menacing looking baseball bat.
"It's that Swan kid, ain't it?" The third gunman sneered and looked at the man with the baseball bat. "You shoulda asked him to help ya out on this one, Black. Unless you want to pay all the money back to us right here?"
Jacob looked at the ground before looking back up at the men.
"You know I can't do that… all the money's gone. I told you, my dad's real sick and hospitals ain't cheap."
Bella squeezed her eyes shut and tried to tune it all out. Jacob borrowed money from mobsters to pay for his father's medical bills and in return he was supposed to… What? Throw the entire game? Oh, Jacob… Bella looked back up at the scene before them just in time to watch the baseball bat collide with Jacob's ribs. He doubled over and clutched his middle protectively.
When the man with the bat turned around, Bella was disgusted at the fact that he was smiling, until she realized who it was. She pulled on Rose's hand desperately and inched away from the trash bin silently, hoping they wouldn't be seen. But they weren't that lucky. As Bella pulled on Rose's arm, Rose lost her balance and instinctively pushed on the trash bin to right herself. It tipped to the side and then back again, echoing loudly in the small enclosure. Rose's eyes went wide with panic and she tore off the ground, grabbing Bella's arm as she went. But Bella stumbled and they weren't fast enough.
"Who's there?!" Two of the three gunmen moved away from the grouping and towards the girls. "Well, well, well! Look what we got ourselves here, boys."
Bella and Rose were seized roughly around the upper arms and pulled towards where Jacob was still kneeling on the ground.
"Let go!" Rose hissed and tried to pry her arm free, but the gunman simply shook her roughly and swung her around so she was looking him straight in the face. He smiled sadistically and leaned in to her neck, inhaling deeply.
"You smell too good to let go now, sweetheart. Whaddya say you and your girl here spend a little time getting to know us a little better?"
Bella struggled against the hand that held her as well and went so far as to stomp her heel onto the man's toes. He swore and threw her roughly onto the ground in front of Jacob.
"Bella?!" Rose and Jacob said at the same time.
"Bella, what the hell are you doing down here!" Jacob was on his feet instantly and stood protectively in front of Bella. He squared off with the man holding onto Rosalie. "Let her go, they don't know anything. Just the wrong place at the wrong time."
"Dollface! Fancy meeting you down here." The man with the baseball bat swung it towards the floor and used it to lean upon. "Don't tell me you miss seeing me so badly at work that you've been out looking for me?"
Bella snorted from behind Jacob but clutched at his shirt at the same time. She didn't want to risk offending James if there was the chance he was going to let them go.
"And who's this you've brought with you?" James sauntered over to Rose and gripped her chin in his hand before she jerked it roughly out of his grasp. "You're not as beautiful as my dollface over there, but I'm sure the other boys will like you just fine."
James lazily swung the bat in the air before suddenly turning and allowing it to collide with Jacob's ribs again. This time Jacob was ready for the blow and tried to grab for the bat. But when he had it in his hands, the forgotten gunmen were on top of him instantly, burying the barrels of their guns into his flesh. He let go of the bat instantly and pushed Bella a few feet away from his body as James sent another blow his way. It sent him to his knees again and Bella cowered against the wall.
"Since you know my dollface, I'm going to make a new little arrangement with you." James went down on one knee so he was face to face with Jacob. "You get back out there and throw the rest of this game and maybe you'll get to see these ladies again. You win the game and you let Swan know I'll be taking good care of his little sister."
Jacob's face twisted with disgust and hate when he met James' gaze. He sneered at the man holding so many things over his head and cursed himself for getting into the entire mess in the first place. Maybe if I tell Emmett… explain what happened, he'll help me out. If he doesn't kill me first for getting his little sister and girlfriend involved. He can kill me after.
"You can't do this, James. It's Emmett's little sister and girlfriend… it's not right, they aren't involved." Jacob tried pleading.
James stood up swiftly and sauntered back to Rosalie with a disturbing smile plastered across his face.
"So you're Swan's squeeze," He addressed Rosalie and gave her the once over. "I don't think we could have asked for a better pair of visitors tonight, could we boys? Listen up, kid." James turned back to look at Jacob again. "You get back to your locker room and you find Swan and tell him that his ladies are spending some quality time with me and my boys. You make sure he gives you a helping hand in throwing the game the way you should have been throwing it already. If you do it right, you can come back here after the game and pick up whatever's left of the girls."
"What!" Rosalie spat. "You're crazy! Emmett won't do that; he'll kill all of you as soon as he hears about this."
James' hand unconsciously flew up to gently probe his still tender nose. He didn't doubt Rose's words, but they were irrelevant now; he had the upper hand. He was going to teach Swan and Edward a lesson in one easy night.
"Your Emmett will do what's best for you two, if he knows what's good for him. And you." James briefly considered the implications of angering both Emmett and Edward. He already knew that Emmett was huge and not afraid of a fight; but the prospect of truly angering Edward concerned him more. He knew that Edward would stop at nothing to get his revenge and he already knew that they weren't exactly matched evenly in a fight. James took solace in the comfort of his well-armed friends and considered never returning to the paper again.
Bella resolved to stay strong and brave; she remembered what Alice had said about James. She wouldn't show him fear and give him the upper hand. He really was just an average bully with some really mean friends.
"You should just let us go now, James. It will make everything easier for you… maybe Emmett and Edward won't even bother coming after you." Bella crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes at James.
James barked a humourless laugh. "No chance, dollface. We've got a date that I ain't gonna break."
"It's your funeral," Rose hissed. "I'm sure the police will love this story almost as much as Emmett and Edward."
"Oh, right." James said. "Detective Swan's daughter! I'm sure he'll be a big help from his hospital bed. It's a shame we didn't aim a little higher, maybe you'd have come to me for a little comfort, dollface."
Bella's face drained of all its colour and she balled her hands into fists. She would have lunged for James had Jacob not been in between them. And if his friends weren't carrying guns.
"You shot my father?! Why you lousy piece of no good-"
But James made a dismissive motion with his hand, cutting Bella off. "I didn't say I, dollface. Your father was getting a little too good at his job though. Maybe this stint in the hospital will teach him a little something about looking the other way."
Jacob was shaking with anger and frustration. "You're all crazy! I'm crazy for ever getting myself involved in this! Charlie Swan is a better man then you could ever dream of being."
James swung his bat lazily again, providing Jacob with a warning. "Seems like it's about time you got back to the locker room, Black. Be sure and give Swan our warmest regards. We'll see you after the game to return our dates – if you do things right this time."
One of the men opened a door that seemed to lead out into the parking lot and propped it open with his foot while another led Rosalie outside – though she went anything but willingly. James pushed the baseball bat against Jacob's arm to move him out of the way so he could reach for Bella's hand. Bella smacked his arm away forcefully and pressed herself into the wall.
James smiled the smile of an unhinged man and roughly grabbed Bella's wrist, twisting it at an awkward angle, causing Bella to cry out in pain.
Jacob looked at Bella helplessly as she was forced to comply with James.
"Bella… I'm sorry. I-"
"Don't speak to me, Jacob Black. You tell Emmett and Edward what you've done." Bella scrambled to keep up pace with James as she cradled her most likely broken wrist against her side. "I'll never forgive you." She whispered as she was pulled out the door.
Jacob sprinted back to the locker room, trying to push the images of James with Bella and Rosalie out of his mind.
**//\\**
Jacob had to fight his way through the throng of players heading out of the locker room and back towards the field. He ignored the calls and slaps from his teammates and scanned over their shoulders for the familiar curly hair of Emmett. Luckily for Jacob, Emmett was bent over the laces of his shoes, the last one in the room.
Hesitating just behind Emmett's shoulder, Jacob was suddenly struck with the notion that he didn't know what to tell Bella's brother. Hey buddy, I borrowed money from some mobsters that I'm pretty sure work for Capone. I can't pay them back and now they've got your sweetheart and little sister. Oh yeah, they're also responsible for shooting Charlie. Help me out? Sure, no sweat.
Emmett finished with his shoes and turned around, smacking into Jacob.
"Say, Black. Ready to head out?"
Jacob looked down at the floor and didn't move or speak. Emmett raised an eyebrow and took a step back.
"What's eating you? Look, don't worry about the game, I've gotcha covered this half. Now, get the lead out." Emmett motioned for Jacob to move and sighed loudly when he didn't.
"I'm in trouble, Emmett." Jacob spoke barely above a whisper and Emmett had to lean in to be sure his lips had even moved.
"What's that, Black?"
Jacob looked up and stared at Emmett from behind dead eyes. "I say I'm in trouble, Emmett. I need your help."
Emmett would have let out a laugh if he hadn't been looking right into Jacob's eyes. There was no denying there was something wrong with the kid.
"What kind of trouble?"
"I made a deal with the wrong kind of people and now…" Jacob trailed off, unable to bring himself to say the words he knew Emmett would kill him for.
"Now what, kid? We haven't got all day for a bull session here, we gotta get back out there."
Jacob rubbed the back of his neck with his hand and inhaled sharply. "We need to lose the game today."
Emmett guffawed and slapped Jacob on the shoulder hard enough to jar him. "Good one, kid! But I'm not taking any wooden nickels from you, today! Need to lose the game… you slay me, Black. I'll see you out there."
"NO!" Jacob bellowed and blocked Emmett's exit. "We have to lose the game, Emmett or Bella and Rosalie are…"
Emmett's face contorted into something Jacob had never seen before, so he braced himself for whatever was coming. But Emmett spoke clearly and calmly, his words the complete opposite of the expression on his face. Jacob wasn't sure what was more frightening.
"What about Bella and Rosalie, Jacob? Where are they?"
"They're gone, Emmett. They weren't supposed to be there, they walked in at the wrong time… I don't even know what they were doing down here… But James seemed to know Bella and you. I borrowed some money from some guys I met for some of my dad's hospitals bills. He's so sick and I can't afford to keep him there, I needed some help. I heard rumours that they might be connected with Capone… but they never said... they told me I could take my time paying them back if I lose a couple games in return. But you… you're just too good, Emmett. I couldn't keep up…" Jacob was rambling, his eyes flitting wildly around the room, settling on anything other than Emmett's face.
"You borrowed money from a mobster in exchange for throwing a game. And now James has my sister and Rosalie." Emmett grabbed two fistfuls of Jacob's jersey and pulled him closer roughly. "Where did they take them?"
Jacob didn't struggle against Emmett's grip. "I don't know. Somewhere close, I guess… they said if we lose, they'll be back after the game… in the maintenance corridor. But if we win…" Jacob couldn't finish the sentence.
Emmett let go of Jacob and smoothed down the wrinkles he'd made in Jacob's jersey. Jacob relaxed and took a step back, only to be punched squarely on the jaw by Emmett's rock of a fist. He recoiled and was sure some of his teeth had just loosened. He spat blood out onto the locker room floor and wiped at the side of his mouth with the back of his hand. He was beginning to think he'd have no problem playing badly now with his most likely broken ribs and almost broken jaw.
"Let's go, Black." Emmett sneered over his shoulder. "We have a game to lose."
Jacob hung his head and followed Emmett out onto the field.
Well, I'm obviously not a Jacob fan… so who better to be the biggest stooge in the story? You know it's fitting. Reviews? :)