A/N: First, I don't know if I've ever said this, but thanks to marsbareater12, who told me my experimental "Jacob chapter" sucked. (You used nicer language, but when I looked again after your comment, that one really did suck). While I do like being complimented in reviews (who doesn't?) I really want to know if any readers think something just isn't working, or I make a glaring error. I do it with other people, and appreciate it when others do it for me. That said, here we go.

The morning after Jacob took off, we had an unexpected visitor. I heard the sound of someone shifting from wolf to human, and looked out a window. I was surprised, and (I think) pleasantly so, to see Leah striding across the open yard, stark naked.

Da-yamn. Regardless of her ancestry and affiliation, she did have a hot body, all slim curves and toned muscle. If not for the inevitable repulsion between us, I would do her in a heartbeat.

She walked up to the front porch and stood with her arms across her chest, hips cocked, waiting for someone to notice her.

I gave in and went to the door.

"Can I borrow some clothes?" she asked as soon as she saw me.

"Uh, yeah," I said hesitantly, a bit put off by her blunt manner. She no longer had any shame about being naked in front of a guy, it seemed. "I think some of Rosalie's things ought to fit you okay. Don't worry about her being mad about it," I went on, before she could voice the question. "She's actually away from the house, for once." That was true. Carlisle had somehow convinced her to come hunting with them, on the excuse that she would be stronger and better able to protect them, or something like that.

Whatever the reason, Rosalie was gone, and I was pretty sure that's why Leah came at that time, too. I gestured for her to follow and led her into the house.

I let her take anything she wanted to wear from Rosalie's room. It's not I cared; it wasn't my stuff she was rifling through. I couldn't help but notice with amusement that Leah chose all delicate fabrics like thin silks and sheer tops-things easily shredded. She did it on purpose, the minx, just to be sure they would be shredded. This Leah was turning out to be almost likable.

"Where's Jacob?" she asked as she pulled some pants on.

"Out. He's...hoping to find the girl he's destined to Imprint on, if that makes any sense."

She raised her eyebrows. "Oh, really? What brought that on?"

"Just...another interaction with Bella. Her...child...can communicate now."

"Uh-huh." The considering look she gave me was a little disconcerting.

"Hey, while you're here, do you want some food? Eggs, or...something?" I offered as she pulled the last top over her head.

She looked at me uncertainly. "Um...well, I haven't had bacon in forever, so..."

"Okay," I replied. "Cool. Bacon it is."

"Crispy!" she said quickly. "I like it crispy." She didn't lie, but her thoughts told me exactly why she asked for bacon. Mmm, bacon...Also, it was something simple to make, so I'd be more likely to agree, but it took a while, and she needed time to do what she had suddenly decided to do.

"Can I just...go speak with Bella while it's cooking? I haven't talked with her in so long..." she said, idly twirling a lock of hair in her fingers. If I didn't find her plan so potentially amusing, I would have had to expose it, just on principle; she did not do stealth well.

"You can do whatever you want, honey," I said as I walked into the kitchen. "Just don't do anything I'd have to kill you for."

She hesitated at my parting words, but decided it was worth it, and went in to talk to Bella. Through her mind and thoughts, I could hear everything that went on in their exchange.

Leah padded almost silently across the room, until she was standing next to Bella's bed. It took Bella a moment to realize she was there. She gasped. "Leah! I didn't...what are you doing here?"

Leah remained silent a moment. "I guess I just figured that if I'm going to risk my life protecting some unknown entity, I'd at least like to see who-or what-I'm protecting."

Bella caressed her stomach. "His name will be Edward Jacob."

"Oh, really?" Leah asked scornfully.

"If he's a boy. For a girl, I've picked Renesmee."

"Renee-what? What kind of stupid name is that?"

Bella got defensive. "It's my two moms combined. Renee and Esme."

"That...is the stupidest way to name a child I think I've ever heard. What would your name be if your parents had decided to combine their names? Ren-lee? Char-nay?" She drew out the syllables of the "names" to a ridiculous degree.

"It's not stupid. This baby is special; he or she will have a special name."

"Special. Right." She folded her arms over her chest and leaned against the bedframe. "So what's so special about 'Edward Jacob'? They're both common names, probably together, too."

"They're the names of the two men I love most," Bella said wistfully.

At that, Leah's temper stretched almost to its breaking point. "Bull shit," she spat out.

"What?" Bella looked up at her, bewildered.

"You heard me. I said buuuuullllll shit. Bull shit you love them both. I know what's going to happen, what you're counting on, and I can see right through you, you cold-hearted bitch." Bella stared at her, stricken into silence. "You only want the eternal youth that Edward can give you, and you love jerking Jacob around, because he'll let you, though Lord only knows why."

"I-I'm not!" Bella protested. "I love them both; I want them both to be-"

"-with you? Is that right? Let me tell you something, missy: If you really loved them both, Jacob wouldn't be hanging around you anymore. You know why? Because you would have let him go."

Bella looked up at her pleadingly. "No, he's my best friend, I-"

"-like to lead him on, don't you?" Leah turned so she was directly facing Bella, and leaned down until they were face to face. "Do you have any idea what it's like to watch you and Jacob do your little 'dance' from both the outside and the inside?"

"What?"

Leah tapped her forehead. "Pack telepathy, remember? We not only see everything through our own eyes, but through each others' too, and that includes Jacob. We saw; every time he was about to break away for good, you'd give him a look, a smile, 'kiss me, Jacob.' Made me sick."

Father, stop this...

I ignored it.

Bella's lower lip trembled, and she started whimper. "Why are being so mean? It's just so hard to be without him, I just want-"

"DON'T talk to me about how hard your life is," Leah hissed at her. "You forget who you're talking to, Isabella." She started pacing the room. "You whine about how your life is so hard, when you have a cool dad, a boyfriend, and a family all ready to let you join their ranks. When your life's been ripped up by the roots, and the only people who could understand don't want you anywhere near them, and your fiance ditches you for your cousin who also happens to be your best friend, THEN come talk to me about how life isn't fair." She whirled and began striding toward Bella where she lay.

AUNTIE! The creature screamed.

Leah continued her rant while walking toward Bella. "You know what? I'm happy that they're gonna turn you. In fact, I'm a little excited that in the near future, you will no longer be human. You know why? Because right now, you're among the ranks of humans, and there are social conventions preventing me from harming you." When she reached Bella, she leaned down and grabbed Bella by the collar with both hands, lifting Bella's face up to hers. "But when you're a vampire, you know what else you'll be?" She leaned closer until she could whisper in Bella's ear, "Fair. Game."

I decided that was enough. And besides, the bacon was done, and Rosalie was on her way, answering the "baby's" cry.

I popped in with a plate loaded with bacon. "Hey, extra crispy, right?"

"Edward," Bella whispered, stark terror in her eyes.

I rushed over to the bed. "Hey, what's going on here?" I asked innocently, but with a worried tone. "What has she been telling you, Bella?"

"Tch. Just calling her out on her immature behavior for once in her life," Leah answered, backing away. Bella's eyes were welling with tears.

I sighed roughly. "Well, whatever it was, you upset Bella, so I think it's time for you to leave."

"Be glad to," she said as she snatched the plate of bacon from me. Guess she really did like bacon that much.

Not one minute after she left, Rosalie came tearing into the room and went straight to Bella's side. "What happened? Is she okay? Did that bitch-?"

"Settle down, she's gone, it's over and done," I said calmly, trying to alleviate some of her anger and worry.

"I don't want that girl near Bella ever again," she demanded, eyes flashing.

"She won't be allowed, not now that we know how she really feels," I said placatingly.

"Damn right she won't!" Rosalie said, still itching to go after Leah. "If she ever steps foot in this house again, I'll kill her!"

About an hour later a car pulled up; it was the one I had lent to Jacob. Damn it. Even though I had enjoyed the free "show," I knew I would have to make at least a token effort to "punish" Leah for her perceived crime. I went outside to meet him. "A few things, Jacob," I said as soon as he cut the engine.

He took a deep breath and held it for a minute. Then, slowly, he got out of the car and threw the keys to me. "Thanks for the loan," he said sourly. "What do you want now?" He thought he would now have to repay that "loan." I suppose he sort of would.

"First of all… I know how averse you are to using your authority with your pack, but . . ."

He blinked, astonished that I would even dream of commenting on that.

"What?"

"If you can't or won't control Leah, then I—"

"Leah?" he interrupted, clenching his teeth. "What happened?"

"She came up to see why you'd left so abruptly. I tried to explain. I suppose it might not have come out right."

"What did she do?"

"She phased to her human form and—"

"Really?" he interrupted again, shocked this time. He couldn't process that. Leah let her guard down right in the mouth of the enemy's lair?

"She wanted to… speak to Bella."

"To Bella?"

I was starting to get a little frustrated. "Is there an echo in here? I won't let Bella be upset like that again. I don't care how justified Leah thinks she is! I didn't hurt her—of course I wouldn't—but I'll throw her out of the house if it happens again."

"Hold on. What did she say?"

I took a deep breath, as if I were composing myself. "Leah was...unnecessarily harsh. I'm not going to pretend that I understand why Bella is unable to let go of you, but I do know that she does not behave this way to hurt you." Ugh, why was I still doing this? How much sappier could I sound? "She suffers a great deal over the pain she's inflicting on you, and on me, by asking you to stay. What Leah said was uncalled for. Bella's been crying—"

"Wait—Leah was yelling at Bella about me?"

I nodded sharply. "You were quite vehemently championed."

He paused. "I didn't ask her to do that."

"I know."

Jacob was stunned by the fact that Leah had gone to such lengths to defend him, and it came out in his response. "I...can't promise to control Leah," He said. "I won't do that. But I'll talk to her, okay? And I don't think there'll be a repeat. Leah's not one to hold back, so she probably got it all off her chest today."

"I would say so," I responded sardonically.

"Anyway, I'll talk to Bella about it, too. She doesn't need to feel bad. This one's on me."

"I already told her that."

"Of course you did. Is she okay?"

"She's sleeping now. Rose is with her." That's what the creature demanded I call her now, on threat of kicking Bella again. I hated the little monster. "She's… better in some ways. Aside from Leah's tirade and the resulting guilt."

Better. Because Edward can hear that monster and everything is all lovey-dovey now. Fantastic.

"It's a bit more than that," I murmured. "Now that I can make out the child's thoughts, it's apparent that he or she has remarkably developed mental facilities. He can understand us, to an extent."

His jaw dropped. "Are you serious?"

"Yes. He seems to have a vague sense of what hurts her now. He's trying to avoid that, as much as possible. He… loves her. Already."

I love my host-mommy...the predatory tone almost made me sick.

He stared at my, eyes wide. He thought my attitude was due to the fact that Bella's baby loved her now, and so I couldn't hate it. Only a month in and already dabbling in blackmail. I went on, "The progress, I believe, is more than we'd judged. When Carlisle returns—"

"They're not back?" He cut in sharply. He thought of Sam and Jared, watching the road. Would they get curious as to what was going on?

"Alice and Jasper are. Carlisle sent all the blood he was able to acquire, but it wasn't as much as he was hoping for—Bella will use up this supply in another day the way her appetite has grown. Carlisle stayed to try another source. I don't think that's necessary now, but he wants to be covered for any eventuality."

"Why isn't it necessary? If she needs more?"

"I'm trying to persuade Carlisle to deliver the baby as soon as he is back."

"What?"

"The...child has to avoid rough movements, but it's difficult. He's become too big. It's madness to wait, when he's clearly developed beyond what Carlisle had guessed. Bella's too fragile to delay."

He stared at me in shock. This was all happening too quickly for Jacob. Poor love-sick cast-off. I waited while he recovered, and a new realization began to take hold.

"You think she's going to make it," he whispered.

"Yes. That was the other thing I wanted to talk to you about." He didn't say anything else. After a minute, I went on. "Waiting for the child to be ready was insanely dangerous. At any moment it could have been too late. But if we're proactive about this, if we act quickly, I see no reason why it should not go well. Knowing the child's mind is unbelievably helpful. Thankfully, Bella and Rose agree with me. Now that I've convinced them it's safe for the child if we proceed, there's nothing to keep this from working."

"When will Carlisle be back?" he asked, still whispering.

"By noon tomorrow."

His knees buckled. He grabbed onto the car to hold himself up.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I am truly sorry for the pain this causes you, Jacob, but Bella is going to survive, and I know that's what really matters to you. So I hate to do this now, while you're already dealing with too much, but, clearly, there is little time. I have to ask you for something." It was just so easy to mess with him.

"I don't have anything left," he choked out.

Oh, this was too beautiful. What a number Bella had done on him. He was about two steps away from some kind of breakdown, I was sure. I wondered what would happen if I just...pushed him a little. I lifted my hand again, as if to put it on his shoulder, but then let it drop and sighed.

"I know how much you have given," I said quietly. "But this is something you do have, and only you. I'm asking this of the true Alpha, Jacob. I'm asking this of Ephraim's heir. I want your permission to deviate from what we agreed to in our treaty with Ephraim. I want you to grant us an exception. I want your permission to save her life. You know I'll do it anyway, but I don't want to break faith with you if there is any way to avoid it. We never intended to go back on our word, and we don't do it lightly now. I want your understanding, Jacob, because you know exactly why we do this. I want the alliance between our families to survive when this is over."

Sam, he thought. It's Sam you want.

"No. Sam's authority is assumed. It belongs to you. You'll never take it from him, but no one can rightfully agree to what I'm asking except for you."

It's not my decision.

"It is, Jacob, and you know it. Your word on this will condemn us or absolve us. Only you can give this to me."

I can't think. I don't know.

"We don't have much time." He glanced back toward the house.

No, there was no time. Jacob's few days had become a few hours.

I don't know. Let me think. Just give me a minute here, okay?

"Okay."

He started walking to the house, and I followed. Suddenly there was a movement in the brush at the edge of the big lawn, and then a low whimper. Seth shrugged through the ferns and loped over to us.

"Hey, kid," Jacob muttered.

He dipped his head, and Jacob patted his shoulder. "S'all cool," he lied. "I'll tell you about it later. Sorry to take off on you like that." Seth barked. "Hey, tell your sister to back off now, okay? Enough."

Seth nodded once.

He shoved against Seth's shoulder this time. "Get back to work. I'll spell you in a bit."

Seth leaned against him, shoving back, and then galloped into the trees.

"He has one of the purest, sincerest, kindest minds I've ever heard," I murmured when he was out of sight. "You're lucky to have his thoughts to share." He would have been a fun one to corrupt, if I'd had the time, opportunity, and motivation. The innocent, fun-loving ones always were.

"I know that," Jacob grunted.

We started toward the house, and both of our heads snapped up when we heard the sound of someone sucking through a straw. I hurried inside.

"Bella, love, I thought you were sleeping," I said when I reached her side. "I'm sorry, I wouldn't have left."

"Don't worry. I just got so thirsty—it woke me up. It's a good thing Carlisle is bringing more. This kid is going to need it when he gets out of me."

"True."

"I wonder if he'll want anything else," she mused.

"I suppose we'll find out." Probably the hard way.

Then Jacob walked through the door.

Alice said, "Finally," and Bella's eyes flashed to me. A radiant smile broke across her face for one second. Then it faltered, and her face fell. Her lips puckered, like she was trying not to cry.

Jacob suddenly wanted to punch Leah right in her stupid mouth. Tsk, tsk, Jacob, you can't get anything done when you're fighting amongst yourselves.

"Hey, Bells," he said quickly. "How ya doing?"

"I'm fine," she said.

"Big day today, huh? Lots of new stuff."

"You don't have to do that, Jacob."

"Don't know what you're talking about," he said, going to sit on the arm of the sofa by her head.

She gave me a reproachful look. "I'm so s—" she started to say.

He covered her lips with one finger.

"Jake," she mumbled, trying to pull his hand away. Her attempt was so weak it was hard to believe that she was really trying.

He shook his head. "You can talk when you're not being stupid."

"Fine, I won't say it," it sounded like she mumbled.

He pulled his hand away.

"Sorry!" she finished quickly, and then grinned.

He rolled his eyes and then smiled back at her. When he stared into her eyes, he suddenly saw something different, and unexpected.

I heard something unexpected as well.

Puppy...the young voice whispered in my head. I want you...and I want you to need me...

It felt like I could almost see the spell this creature wove through Jacob's mind, a spell of need, want and desire. I almost sighed in relief when I realized that it didn't quite get him. He was still connecting all his feelings with Bella, assuming they were all about her.

Jacob thought about the fact that tomorrow, she'd be someone else. But hopefully alive, and that was what counted, right? Aside from the incomprehensible love he felt for Bella, there was still that other bond, and it ran bone deep; the new one that he didn't want to sever. Tomorrow, they would be enemies. Or allies. That distinction was up to him.

Finally he sighed. Fine! he thought, Go ahead. Save her. As Ephraim's heir, you have my permission, my word, that this will not violate the treaty. The others will just have to blame me. You were right—they can't deny that it's my right to agree to this.

"Thank you." I whispered low enough that Bella didn't hear anything.

"So," Bella asked, working to be casual. "How was your day?"

"Great. Went for a drive. Hung out in the park."

"Sounds nice."

"Sure, sure."

Suddenly, she made a face. "Rose?" she asked.

Rosalie chuckled. "Again?"

"I think I've drunk two gallons in the last hour," Bella complained.

Jacob and I both got out of the way while Rosalie came to lift Bella from the couch and take her to the bathroom.

"Can I walk?" Bella asked. "My legs are so stiff."

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Rose'll catch me if I trip over my feet. Which could happen pretty easily, since I can't see them."

Rosalie set Bella carefully on her feet, keeping her hands right at Bella's shoulders. Bella stretched her arms out in front of her, wincing a little.

"That feels good," she sighed. "Ugh, but I'm huge. "One more day," she said, and patted her stomach. "All righty, then. Whoops—oh, no!"

The cup Bella had left on the sofa tumbled to one side, the dark red blood spilling out onto the pale fabric. Automatically, Bella bent over, reaching out to catch it.

It's time. I'm ready!

There was the strangest, muffled ripping sound from the center of her body. She gasped and shuddered violently. Then she went totally limp, slumping toward the floor. Rosalie caught her in the same instant, before she could fall. I was there, too, hands out, the mess on the sofa forgotten.

"Bella?" I asked, and then I heard LOOK OUT, WORLD, HERE I COME!, and I began to panic.

A moment later, Bella screamed. It was not just a scream, it was a blood-curdling shriek of agony. The horrifying sound cut off with a gurgle, and her eyes rolled back into her head. Her body twitched, arched in Rosalie's arms, and then Bella vomited a mouthful of blood.

A/N: In case anyone was wondering, I think I have discovered the most romantic bit of text that Meyer has ever written. The irony is that she never meant it to be romantic at all. Here it is, from page 251 of the PDF, in Jacob's POV:

I sighed big as I thought about what Leah wanted from me, because I knew now that she was going to get it. I was still pissed at her, but I couldn't ignore the fact that I could make her life easier. And—now that I knew her better—I thought she would probably do this for me, if our positions were reversed.

It would be interesting, at the very least, and strange, too, to have Leah as a companion—as a friend. We were going to get under each other's skin a lot, that was for sure. She wouldn't be one to let me wallow, but I thought that was a good thing. I'd probably need someone to kick my butt now and then. But when it came right down to it, she was really the only friend who had any chance of understanding what I was going through now.

I thought of the hunt this morning, and how close our minds had been for that one moment in time. It hadn't been a bad thing. Different. A little scary, a little awkward. But also nice in a weird way.

I didn't have to be all alone.

And I knew Leah was strong enough to face with me the months that were coming. Months and years.

See? She can write real romance; she just doesn't recognize it when she does. Either that, or she refuses to let it play out naturally, because she has an aversion to natural romance.