Ch. 14

A Familiar Tune

Edward:

I watched as the last of the radiant, orange globe sank beneath the tree tops and sighed. It had been another long, wasted day, and following it would be another long, wasted night. It loomed before me, bleak and gloomy, promising the usual—misery.

I had grown so accustomed to spending my nights with Bella, listening to her breathing, her intermittent, humorous private thoughts revealed to me only through sleep. With all of that taken from me, I felt barren, desolate, empty.

Empty of everything except thoughts I didn't want. Jacob's. Even in sleep, he had the most obnoxious mind I'd ever intruded in. These loathsome thoughts and images burned my eyes. Literally, they caused me pain. They made me angry. And it was wholly justified, too.

When he'd said he had an archive for all his fantasies, he hadn't been lying. No, that was an understatement. He had so many different fantasies in that muddled head of his that it was a wonder he could even think. Although, I wouldn't ever consider his thoughts high quality musings. It's more like a toddler rambling on and on about his favorite toy. Maybe not even that interesting.

I winced as his current dream kicked it up a notch or two . . . or five. I tried to drown out the distastefulness.

I couldn't understand why Bella had gone with him. So far, I had no reason to suspect Jacob of not playing fair; I hadn't witnessed anything in his thoughts that claimed otherwise. But then again, he had fought dirty in the past. Like making Bella ask him to kiss her before he went off to fight the newborns. That had been the most obvious ruse—he would have done it whether he'd had her permission or not. It was Jacob—I should suspect a lot more, just like Alice said. But still, Bella seemed happy. If she were taken against her will, she'd be protesting by now. Bella wasn't one to keep quiet. No, she'd let you know when she wasn't pleased. And she was just as chipper as Alice right now.

Could I have been so incredibly wrong about her? That maybe she had loved Jacob more. Or maybe she preferred his aggressive behavior rather than my submissiveness. She had begged me to fight for her, to make her forget Jacob Black. I recalled that episode in the tent far too well. Others might call it submissiveness, but I called it being noble. Maybe she didn't care for my methods. Maybe I'd really lost her in that exact moment, when I had refused to play like Jacob. Maybe I really should have fought for her, but I'd thought I was doing the right thing—because I loved her that much. But now I didn't know what to do.

I heard Alice's light laughter a few feet away and turned. Good. I needed a distraction. "What's so funny?" I asked quietly, still trying to keep an ear on Jacob.

She plopped down across from me, sending dirt in all directions. "Another vision."—I raised my eyebrow—"Not of Bella, no. The stinky little dog still blocks everything, for now," she muttered. "Sorry, I know that's not what you want to hear. But my vision was funny, nonetheless. Apparently, Emmett ruined one of Rosalie's favorite pair of shoes, you know the ones. Anyway, she's declared war against him. It's turned into quite a nasty battle, pretty involved pranks and all. It's getting good now; Emmett's stepping up his game. Very amusing and highly entertaining, especially considering I'm bored out of my mind. But you could change that easily, Edward. I've got something in mind for our little doggie friend," she hinted, her narrow eyes glinting with mischief.

I smiled out of politeness, ignoring that last part. Not the distraction I was hoping for. "Hmm, must've missed it." When I'd tuned into her thoughts momentarily and found that they included Rosalie, I'd drowned them out. She was the last person I wanted to hear about right now.

I went back to monitoring the canine's thoughts, while she sat observing me. It was quiet for only a few minutes.

"Edward, if you're just going to sit here and be all passive, then am I at liberty to go pummel his—"

"Shh, did you hear that?" I whispered almost inaudibly.

Her eyes darted around. No, nothing. What did you think it was? She thought.

I shook my head. "It was just the wind, I guess. False alarm."

She bounced to her feet and started in the other direction.

"Where are you going?" I asked her retreating figure.

She snorted. "You don't really think I'm going to sit here all night and be bored and miserable like you, do you? I'm going to find some better company." And with that she was gone.

I was all alone again. Well, partially—Jacob didn't count.

I leaned my head back, staring up at the night sky and the tiny specks of stars. Bella had once said she loved nighttime. Her voice rang loud and clear in my mind as she said, "Without the dark, we'd never see the stars." Well, she was right, but that still didn't change my aversion to the night. I only tolerated it when I was with her.

Suddenly, I just couldn't stand it another moment. I needed to be near her. My sanity depended on it. I sprang to my feet and began to run. It felt good to stretch my muscles that had been taut from staying still for too long. I strained my body, throwing my mix of emotions into energy.

In less than a minute, I was standing on the small patio outside the bedroom window. I could hear everything, every tiny noise, but I centered in on only one—Bella's slow, steady breathing. I could hear Jacob's, too, much heavier, and within inches of Bella. I felt my fist clench involuntarily. I imagined all sorts of creative things I could do to him with just that one fist. I knew of a way to wipe that ridiculous grin off his face.

I had only needed to be near her; I hadn't decided on actually going in the room, but suddenly this wasn't enough either. I had been around Jacob before while he slept, and for someone with such heightened senses, he was an unusually deep sleeper. It wouldn't matter if he woke up anyway—what could he possibly do to me with Bella so near?

In a split second I was in the dark room. I listened closely, but the heavy breaths hadn't changed one bit. I was right. Deep sleeper. I remembered 'accidentally' tossing him out of the sleeping bag a few months back and smiled. It would be wrong, but I just couldn't resist causing him just a little discomfort. After all, he'd given me my share, both in the past and present.

I lowered myself silently into the chair adjacent to the bed. Technically, it was on Bella's side, but she was so far over in the bed, curled up against the mangy dog, that it was impossible to be as close as I wished.

Almost in response to my unspoken want, she rolled away from Jacob, out of his arms and closer to me. Her hand now dangled off the side of the bed; it tempted me. Why not? Tonight was a night for giving in to temptation. With that thought at the forefront of my mind, I gently interlaced our fingers. The warmth was inviting, appealing. I missed her touch on my skin.

Surprisingly, she didn't draw back from the cold. Her hand was firm and strong as it clung to mine with a certain urgency. With my other hand, I caressed the smooth skin on the back of her hand. It was strange that everything I now loved and cherished about her had almost gotten her killed the moment I saw her. The gentle thrum of her pulse, the radiating heat, her intoxicating scent—all of these things I relished.

I was still keeping an eye on Jacob. His breathing was the same, and his thoughts hadn't changed. He was still deliriously happy in his inane dreams. If he hadn't awoken yet, then I hardly expected him to now.

I leaned closer, resting more on the bed now, and began to hum Bella's lullaby. I watched her face, which was aglow from the moonlight, wary that she might wake up. Her features were completely still except for the slight upturn at the corners of her lips. She was dreaming. How I wished I could read her mind, if only for a brief moment, to know what she was thinking.

I couldn't be sure how long I stayed like that. Time passed me by so slowly anyway that it was difficult to judge. It seemed like hours had flown by, when she moaned softly and mumbled, almost incoherently, "I love you." But there was no mistaking it with my ears. I was sure those were the exact words she had muttered. I just wasn't sure to whom she meant them.

I stayed there an indeterminate amount of time after that, just hoping to hear her voice again. I got nothing. But then Jacob's thoughts changed abruptly. There was a sense of awareness that hadn't been there before. He was waking up.

All under a second, I quickly bent and pressed my lips to Bella's, and then went around to the far side of the bed. In one quick move, the blanket beneath Jacob had been snatched, sending him sprawling towards the wood floors. Before he'd even left the edge of the bed, I was outside, racing back through the trees, my face contorted into the most mischievous grin ever. Maybe playing dirty wasn't so bad after all. Now I knew why Jacob enjoyed it so much.

*****

Bella:

My eyes fluttered open, my hand flying to my mouth. My lips tingled like I'd been out in the cold wind. And so did my hand. It was cool, too.

I heard a groan and rolled over, expecting to find Jacob right beside me, but the bed was empty. The sheet was still warm, but—hmm, that's weird, the blanket's gone. He'd been lying on top of it because he was always too hot to get under the covers.

And then a head bobbed up from the side of the bed, growling low and soft.

"Jacob? Are you okay?" I stifled a laugh as he picked himself up off the floor, tossing the wadded blanket across the room.

"Just wonderful," he grumbled, his voice gravelly with sleep. "I just love getting thrown out of bed in mid-sleep."

I frowned, confused. "I didn't, did I? I didn't think I was a kicker, but—"

He ran his thumb across my cheek. "No, Bells. It wasn't you. Go back to sleep, honey." He smiled, and in the dim moonlight, I could see his hair sticking straight up in all directions—he looked like he'd been tossing and turning all night. He must have rolled himself right out of bed. "Bold, leech . . . very bold," he muttered.

I looked at him. "What?"

"Cold feet. You're feet are freezing, Bells." He grabbed the blanket that he'd just tossed and tucked it around me, and then climbed back into bed. He pulled me close again, and within minutes, he was fast asleep. I couldn't be that lucky.

I was tired, my eyes were heavy, but something kept nagging me in my head. It had been another night with my beautiful illusion frequenting my dreams, nothing out of the ordinary, but yet something was different. I looked down at my hand, where the coldness still lingered. The heater was on, I could hear it faintly in the other room, and the windows were closed tonight, so why was my hand—and only just one hand—freezing cold?

I laid there for several minutes, contemplating, until my eyes starting drooping and my thoughts weren't making sense. I started to drift towards sleep, when my eyes flew back open with a sudden jolt. I remembered it now. The soft humming of a familiar song. Like a lullaby, it had comforted me, held me within the confines of sleep, but I didn't recall Renee ever singing anything like that in the past. Nor my dad, nor the crazy old babysitters from my childhood, nor my grandmother. Not even Jacob, who was always humming some sort of tribal tune. I couldn't even recall ever having heard it on t.v. So why did it keep nagging me like this?

And then somewhere far off, I thought I heard the soft chuckle of my illusion. But I realized a second later, as the darkness gathered around me, that I was only imagining the pleasant sound. I was projecting my silly little delusions onto reality and getting them confused. It wasn't possible that I could actually be hearing someone's voice who only existed in my mind. No, just another dream, which I welcomed with enthusiasm.

*****

Jacob:

I was suddenly aware of the warm, soft body pressed tightly against me. Bella. I smiled, keeping my eyes closed to enjoy the moment. I was enjoying it even more just knowing that Edward was somewhere out there, alone, invading my thoughts, while I was snuggled up close to her. I snickered internally. Being bad felt so good.

I remembered last night and rubbed my shoulder from the memory of the impact. It didn't hurt now, of course, but the thought still bristled me.

You're gonna regret that, leech. Just wait, I thought.

"Sure, sure," Edward's faint voice mimicked me from the forest.

Humph, funny.

I rolled out of bed, quick and easy, being careful not to wake Bella, and headed to take a shower. I could smell vampire stink on me, and it wasn't very appealing. I'd have to start wearing some cologne or something, though that probably wouldn't cut it. But it might detract just a little from the awful burning stench.

I pulled my shirt up over my head and looked at my reflection in the mirror, thinking of another way to egg Edward on.

You see this? This is what Bella really wants . . . a real man. I grinned, cocking my head to better hear the vampire's response.

Edward sighed in exasperation. "Sorry, pup, I think you're confused. Technically, sixteen year old punks aren't considered real men yet. Bella prefers her men far more mature than your mere sixteen years can yield. And also, real men hardly compare to a vampire's beauty, if you want to get all superficial. It's a good thing Bella isn't that shallow, though."

I laughed. Oh, that's right. I forgot how you're really just a century-old, perverted monster who preys on nice girls like Bella. I mean, how could I possibly think anyone wouldn't want you? I thought mockingly.

He growled in irritation. "You forget, dog, that you're still entirely mortal, and therefore, easily killed. Don't test me. My patience and temper are nothing like they used to be. I could slip at any moment," he snarled far off in the forest, but his voice sounded like it was getting closer.

I grinned. The game is on, leech. Come and get me.

He growled again. "Oh, there is no game, mutt. I'll show you that you've already lost."

I gave up hope that he was going to follow through with his threat and jumped in the shower. I kept waiting, expecting to hear his response or footsteps as he came to try to carry out the threat. But all I heard was the steady stream of cold water—cold because I was burning up—pouring down from the faucet.

Within five minutes, I was out, a seed of worry spreading roots in my head. Why wasn't I hearing him? And not just him. Why wasn't I hearing the usual sounds from the main house? Or people's laughter from the beach? Where were all the noises? Why was it dead quiet?

I threw on a pair of shorts, not bothering with a shirt, and started for the door leading to the patio. As I rounded the corner of the house, I came to a halt. Edward was standing less than a foot away, his eyes blood red just as they had been the previous day.

"Why didn't you answer me?" I asked him.

"I did answer, you daft little dog. I cannot help it if you're terribly unobservant."

"I'm not unobservant, thank you very much," I muttered bitterly, taking a step back. "Man, you reek . . . Can't you stand over there? I just washed that stench off." I wrinkled my nose in disgust.

But Edward didn't move a muscle. He seemed fixed on something as he studied my face.

"You're having trouble hearing?" It was meant to be a question, but spoken like a statement. He already knew the answer . . . he'd just my thoughts again. I wondered whether aluminum foil might keep him out of my head; it had worked on the aliens.

"It won't," he verified. "That's very interesting, Jacob, that you're having problems with your heightened senses. Hmm, very interesting. I wonder why?" he asked rhetorically.

"If I knew why, I'd fix it and not be standing here talking to you." I wondered if he would try anything knowing that my special abilities were all haywire. He might follow through with the threat.

"Relax, dog, I'm not going to attack you now. That would be too easy. Where's the fun in that?" Of course, he'd read my mind again.

"Would you stop that?" I said, irritated with both myself and him. "And besides, I could take you even now. My strength's still the same."

"Thanks for the invite, Jacob, but I think I'll decline until further notice. Keep Bella's feelings in mind."

"Pacifist," I taunted.

"Antagonist," Edward responded.

We glared at each other, neither of us knowing what to say. Or maybe I just didn't know what to say, and he was just reading my thoughts. I scowled.

Alice suddenly appeared by Edward's side, a tiny smile on her little bird face. "How's your shoulder, dog?"

I turned my scowl on her. "What, was that your idea? To throw me out of bed?"

"Oh, no. That was all Edward. But I enjoyed hearing about it." She laughed.

All three of us turned at the sound of a twig snapping. Alice snarled. Edward threw his weight forward, assuming a defensive crouch. I laughed.

A large black wolf was standing half-hidden by the trees, staring at me with what I supposed was an anxious expression.

"What is that?" Alice growled.

Edward straightened, a puzzled look on his face, and frowned at me.

"That is my cousin." I laughed.

This was too funny. I couldn't wait to hear what triggered Walker's transformation. I'd been waiting on this for days now. Just as I was about to speak up, Edward's face changed. He wasn't scowling anymore, and his body was relaxed.

Then he smiled. "You're the one who saved Bella." He paused. "I cannot express the extent of my gratitude."

The wolf eyed him uneasily, taking a step forward.

Edward crossed his arms over his chest. "Ah, Bella and I go way back."

Walker strode over to me, still keeping a keen eye on the other two.

Edward closed his eyes for a second and then stared at me as he spoke. "Yes, I do love her, too." His frightening gaze flickered back to the wolf who now looked amused. Great. What else could go wrong now?

My werewolf cousin and eternal enemy were conversing. Without me. Just great.

I stepped forward, blocking Edward's view, although I knew that wouldn't stop him from reading Walker's mind still, and held up my hands. "Enough with the chitchat, vamp, we've got things to discuss."

Alice reluctantly pulled out from her crouch. "So what is this?" She asked again, waving her perfectly manicured hand at Walker.

"He has the same bloodlines. It was only a matter of time before fate caught up with him, too. And then when you sent that damn leech after Bells, it just sped up the process. He had to change because there was a threat, thanks to you," I growled at Edward.

Edward's eyes narrowed into tiny red slits. "You think I sent Felix after Bella? I know you don't think very highly of me, Jacob, but I thought we at least agreed on one thing—Bella's safety. Why would you ever assume that I would send one of the Volturri after my own Bella?"

My heart skipped a beat. "The Volturri? How the hell did he find her? And if he isn't here to bring her back to you, then why is he here?" I wanted to strangle Edward right now. Why hadn't he said something to begin with?

"Because I thought you'd realize that I didn't send one of the worst of the Volturri's guards after Bella! And I'm not sure how he found her. I'd love to know because he found her quicker than I could. I don't understand; he's not even a tracker. But he's here anyway, so all we can do is protect Bella from him, which you're not doing a very good job of, might I mention. If I hadn't made it in time, he would have killed her the other night. You should have been watching her more carefully. Now that I know your abilities are defective, for whatever reason, it explains why you weren't with her, but it doesn't excuse the fact that you almost let her die!"

"Wait. You saved her? How? How did you find her?"

"Alice had a few visions. We saw her on the cliff with Felix. Fortunately, I was able to get over here fast enough, since you were just going to let her die," he growled.

"Watch yourself, leech. I'm kind of in the mood to rip your head off right now," I snarled back. I turned to Alice. "What other visions did you have?"

She glared at me. "Not many, thanks to you." In a flash, she had flitted to my side, slapped me across the face, and was back at Edward's side before I could even flinch. "That was for what your cousin almost did to Bella, and this"—slap—"is for her near death experience. Did I forget any, Edward?"

He shook his head, deep in thought.

So every vision she'd had coincidentally occurred when I was unaware, when my senses were just as average as the next guy. I thought about it. Could there be a connection?

Edward lifted his head from his own musings. "Quite possibly. It does seem to make sense. Every time Alice had a vision of Bella, it was because you weren't blocking her anymore, like you weren't a part of her future. But being a werewolf is something you can't change. Like you said, it's in your blood. Jacob, did you ever once decide that you didn't want Bella or didn't want to be in her life?"

I frowned. "Of course not. That's stupid. I love her."

He was silent for several minutes. "I think I have a theory. Jacob, do you remember the story your father told about the third wife?"

"Of course I remember. I'm the one you heard it from," I growled.

"Well, technically, I heard it in your mind, but yes. And I was just checking; I know how humans' memory is not as proficient, but anyway, my theory. In the story, once the chief imprinted, he decided he wanted to quit his wolf form and continue aging along with her. Isn't it correct that the longer you forego changing, the more your abilities decline? How long has it been since you changed?"

I thought about it, knowing that he was one step ahead. Irritating. "About a week. So you think that's why I've been having trouble hearing and stuff. Because my body thinks that I might be quitting my wolf." It wasn't meant to be a question; I already knew the answer, but Edward still responded.

"Yes. Perhaps because you are the rightful alpha, it is a great deal stronger for you. It's in both your bloodlines, so it probably affects you differently than the others."

"Thanks so much, Edward. I appreciate your help," I muttered sarcastically.

It didn't matter whether I changed or not anymore. He'd already found me. The pack couldn't do any damage now.

I waited for him to respond to my thoughts, but he kept quiet, surprisingly.

It was Alice who spoke up. "So where's Felix then?"

"How would I know?" I grumbled with irritation. "He disappeared after Bella jumped off the cliff. I'm sure he's just regrouping somewhere nearby."

"Has anyone ever told you that you are the grumpiest person this side of the country?" Alice smiled.

"Yeah, well I hope you don't like that pretty little head of yours'—"

"He's right," Edward spoke up abruptly. We both turned.

"I am?" Now I was confused. About what?

"He is?" Alice asked.

"No, not about that. About Felix regrouping, he's right. I doubt Felix will just back off now. That's not his style. We have to be more careful than ever. Jacob, that means watching Bella's every move. Don't be so irresponsible this time. And your little friend over there can be of some help, too."

I felt a small tremor run down my back. He was really starting to get on my nerves, seriously.

Walker whimpered from behind me, and I remembered that he was still stuck like that.

"Alright, alright, I'm changing. Chill," I said over my shoulder and turned back to a weary Edward. "Why don't you both try to see where Felix is while I take care of this." I jerked my thumb over my shoulder.

Edward glared. "Who's going to watch Bella?"

"I'm not going anywhere. It'll take five minutes to try to teach him how to change back. Maybe less. Bella'll be fine. Once I change and your theory no longer exists, then nothing will happen to her. I'll make sure." Why was I having to reassure him? It wasn't like she belonged to him anyway.

"You just make sure nothing happens to her, or else I'll make sure you don't walk ever again, dog."

"Yeah, I'll be waiting, leech. Just name the place and time." I shrugged.

They both disappeared into the trees, leaving a trail of stink behind them. I'd probably have to take another shower. I reeked now.

I let my mind drift toward my inner wolf, no longer shying away from the surge of tremors that started in my spine. I let the fire consume me, feeling the vibrations take over my body. It had been way too long.

With one last wave of heat, I felt my body change and the process was over in a second. It felt good to be back, although, the fur was a lot longer and shabbier than a week or so ago. Other than feeling like I was stuffed in an oven, I felt great. But I would have to cut the hair sometime soon; it was getting in the way.

Could you get me out of here before I go gray? I've got plans later, Walker grumbled in thought.

Calm down. You got yourself into this mess. . . Speaking of, how did you change? What set you off? I felt like a good laugh, and with Walker, there was always something or other to laugh at.

My girlfriend dumped me . . . through a text message. I could feel his anger now and something else. Pain, maybe?

Whoa! Are you actually sad? Wow, never thought I'd see this day! I laughed. If I had hands, I'd be slapping my knees right about now. Or rolling on the ground. This was too funny. Here's proof that karma does exist . . . Wait, that's bad for me. . .

Could you please just help me? I'm really not in the mood right now.

Wait, wait, wait . . . this is good. So which girlfriend was it? And what was her reason? I tried to stop laughing, really, I did, but it was just so funny.

The blonde. And apparently girls talk . . . They found out about each other. I'm just waiting for the second dumping of the morning. He frowned.

I told you your Casanova ways would come back to bite you in the ass. 'S not fun, is it? So your plans later?

A date with this new girl. I saw her face flash by in his mind. I know what you're thinking, Jake, but save it.

You'd think he'd learn. . . I thought in exasperation. Some people are hopeless.

Hey, I'm just trying to mend a broken heart here. He was trying to justify his actions, but I already knew that he'd asked the girl out the other night. I don't think he's realized that we share every thought, no matter how tiny and buried it is. I hear everything; he hears everything. Pretty much sucks.

Whatever, I sighed, 's your life. Just don't go bothering me with your thoughts on the subject. I don't want a play-by-play, so try to control that when you change. 'Kay? Alright, so this changing back thing, it's not really all that hard. You just have to think about other things, not anything that has to do with what set you off. For instance, your ex's . . . push them far from your mind and— I grimaced –think about your date and just follow my lead. Focus on exactly what goes through my mind and try to copy it . . . it's kind of hard at first to get in the mind set, but after awhile it'll come naturally.

I concentrated on launching a new set of fiery vibrations and let the pulses ripple through me, keeping half my attention on Walker. He was struggling, but after a few tries, he got it, and we both phased back easily.

Being alpha to him was hard. I really did feel bad for Sam, having to coach every one of us. I didn't see how he had the patience, but then again, Sam and I couldn't be more different. That's the biggest thing I lack . . . patience. I even have trouble waiting on syrup when I eat pancakes, so you know it's gotta be pretty bad.

I trudged back to the bedroom to check on Bella. Didn't need the old leech checking up on me every minute. She was still sound asleep, probably from all those tranquilizers the doc had given her. I'd like to get my hands on some of those, especially those times when Sam made us do two and three shifts. If I had some of those, it'd probably knock me out for a few days, and I could finally catch up on all my beauty sleep.

I settled into my spot beside Bella on the bed, already bored to death. Just another day of waiting. God, I wish I had some patience right now.