Whilst all copyright and trademarked items and all the Twlight characters and the background story from the Twilight Saga belong to Stephenie Meyer, the new characters and rest of the storyline belong to me.

Chapter 14 - Scents

I listened to them argue as they left. The main reason they usually argued was Jake, lately though they had been arguing a lot over me. I hated it more than anything in the world. Why could they not just agree for a change?

"I told you she was not ready to hear all this. Now she is even more confused and frightened. I can feel it in her mind."

"She will be fine Edward. She needed to hear it now. She needed to know what could happen before she makes her choice. Before Jacob tells her the rest. Anyway Alice said everything will work out."

"Do you think she wants to hear what Jacob has to say right now? We just shattered her world again. Hasn't she been through enough this summer without being hurt anymore? Anyway Alice can't see Nessie's or Jacob's future and you know it. She never has. She only sees ours when Nessie is not around. So how can you believe her when she says everything will work out." His voice was so loud and heated I was sure anyone within a mile could hear him.

I chased after them and put myself between them. "Stop it! Please!" I begged them. I could not take this anymore. They both looked at me shocked. When they continued to stand there I raced back to my room and grabbed the first bag I laid my hands on and started stuffing clothes into it. As soon as it was full I headed for the door grabbing my cell and stuffed wolf as I passed my bed. I took the wolf because it was the one thing that reminded me of Jake and I wanted nothing more than for him to be here right now and explain everything then sprinted down the stairs. I snatched my keys off the table and raced out the door before anyone could think to stop me although I was sure dad knew what I was doing.

I was so mad and so very confused. After everything that had happened this summer they still would not take the confusion away and even worse they were still making decisions for me.

"I'll be at Grandpa's. When you think I am ready to hear everything since you obviously think I am not and have finished living my life for me, I'll think about coming home." I yelled back towards the house.

I jumped into my car and sped off. Dirt spraying out behind my car at my hasty departure. Once I hit the highway I put my foot down. Who was going to pull me over anyway? Grandpa? I laughed out loud at the thought of him stopping me and issuing me with a ticket. As I laughed I felt some of the anger leave me.

Even though I had said I was going to Grandpa's it was Jake I wanted and needed to be closer to so I headed to La Push. It did not take me long to reach the old treaty line. The treaty was still in effect but there had been changes made to it after the Volturi visit. The main reason for the treaty was still there, being we could not kill or change a human however the biggest change was the removal of the treaty line. Since we had moved the wolves now patrolled the whole area and we were given permission to enter the reservation. This allowed me to spend the summer breaks with Jake and the packs at La Push. Some of the relationships between the wolves and vampires were still strained but everyone made an effort to get along.

Once I got to the reservation I headed for Jake's house. He would not mind me staying there and I knew it would be empty since Jake, Rachel and Paul had all gone to be with Rebecca. I pulled up out the front and looked out into the darkness. The empty house had an ominous feel to it. Maybe this was not the best idea, I thought to myself. For the first time tonight I looked at the clock. It was almost ten p.m.

Stop being such a scaredy cat I said to myself. It is only dark because there are no lights on. Just go inside and turn one on. I got out and headed for the house. I turned the handle on the front door. It was unlocked. I remembered Jake had said he never locked the door as the guys stayed here when they came to visit. Did that mean Embry would be staying here? If he was, then was he on patrol? I felt just inside the door for the light switch. When I found it I flicked it on. The lounge room lit up.

I could smell Embry, Rachel and Paul's scents strongly but Jake's was faint, very faint. I did not understand. It was his house. He had been here the whole summer. I moved through the house and into his room only it was no longer his. Rachel and Paul had set it up as their room. Both of their scents were overpowering but they were not fresh. I closed the door and headed for the other bedroom in the small house. This had been Billy's room. I turned the handle and again it was not Jake's room. Embry's scent was everywhere in here. His scent was fresh. It was less than an hour old. He must be staying here. Now I was thoroughly confused. Where did Jake stay? Where had he been sleeping all summer?

Disappointment ran through me. I had been holding onto the hope that maybe with Jake's scent filling my senses I would able to find some of the missing pieces to my memories. Maybe I would be able to fall asleep knowing that even though he was not here physically, he was still with me in some small way. Suddenly his house held nothing for me. I did not want to be here any longer. I left, turning the lights off as I went. I did not want to go back to the main house but where else was there to go?

"Nessie!" A familiar voice called as I was about to get into my car. I swung my head around at the sound of my name. It was Sam.

"Hey Sam."

"Nessie. What are you doing here? Your parents are looking for you."

"Grrrrrr." I muttered angrily to myself. I could not even storm out the house without being tailed.

"They called Charlie to see if you made it. When he said no they rang and asked me to check if you came here. They said you were upset. They are worried."

"I needed some air." I lied innocently to him.

He raised an eyebrow questioningly at me and looked towards the house. Jake would have told him what had happened I was sure of it.

"I could not take it anymore. They will only tell me bits and pieces because they think I either do not want to hear it or because they promised Jake he could tell me so I packed a bag and I left. I was going to Grandpa's but I decided I wanted to stay at Jake's. I wanted to be closer to him but when I went in it did not feel right." It was not the whole truth but it was close enough.

Yes it was true what I had told him but if I was honest with myself and I was finally starting to trust myself I was hanging on to reality by a thread. I had been given so much to think about, so much to process. My head was swimming. The new information mum and dad had given me about Jake aging and dying whilst I lived scared me. Actually it was more than that, it terrified me. I wanted to be closer to Jake because I was hoping that having his scent fill my senses it would hold off the nightmares. I was hoping it would stop them from returning the moment I closed my eyes. I could feel the tears building but I was determined not to cry. I had done enough of that lately. Sam seemed to sense it too and he wrapped his arms around me.

"Why don't you come and stay with me and Em tonight. Tomorrow you can go to Charlie's if you still want to." I thought about it. At least I would not have to back to the main house.

"Are you sure I will not be intruding?"

"Positive. Em would love to see you again before you head off to Astoria."

At the mention of Astoria my heart sank even further. I was counting on Jake to help me get through being the new kid. The rest of my family had each other. I was not looking forward to starting a new school as the odd one out. I tried several times to convince mum and dad to let Jake start with us but they were adamant that he could not. Alice could not see what happened with Jake and I around.

"Thanks. Would you like a lift?"

"Sure. Why don't you let me drive." I handed Sam the keys and noticed my hands were shaking. He held the passenger door open for me and then jumped in the drivers side and we headed to his house.

He helped me out the car and as we headed inside I was surprised at how relaxed and safe I felt. The fear that had been building had left me. It was if Jake was here with me, holding me. I could smell his scent everywhere. I inhaled deeply.

Without thinking I asked, "Sam, why is Jake's scent all around?"

"He was here when Bella picked him up to go to the airport." Sam replied.

"No. I mean, when I went to his house his scent was faint, very faint. It was as if he had not been there in months. Here, I can smell him everywhere. His scent seems to cling to everything. It is just as strong as yours."

"He does hang out here a lot." he offered.

It was more than that, I was positive. There was something he was not telling me. That was when it hit me.

"Has Jake been staying here?" I asked. It was the only thing that made sense. The only reason why his scent was so strong here. He had to be here often and for an extended period for it to cling to everything like Sam's.

Sam took a deep breath thinking about how to answer and I knew I had guessed right. "On and off all summer. He always does though. Every time he comes here he stays with Em and I. I think Rach and Paul make him feel uncomfortable." There was more that he was not saying but I did not push it. I was glad he at least had somewhere that felt like home to him.

"Nessie!" Emily called excitedly as she came out of her room. She rushed over and hugged me. I could not help but smile. I dropped my bag and hugged her back.

"Hey Emily." She let me go and looked down at the bag that was now on the floor at our feet.

Before she could ask what was happening, Sam interceded. "I invited Nessie to stay the night. I found her out the front of Jake's house. She was going to go to Charlie's but I thought you might like to catch up."

'Thanks' I mouthed to Sam over Emily's shoulder. He nodded.

"Sorry about the intrusion." I apologised.

"Not at all. You are always welcome here. You are family anyway. Come on." She grabbed my hand and pulled me along after her. "You can sleep in the spare room."

"Sam. Ring Bella and Edward and let them know Nessie is here and she will be staying with us tonight." she called after us. I heard Sam pick up his cell and move outside to make the call.

She led me to the spare room in their tiny house. When she opened the door the scent that flowed out threatened to overwhelm me. I gasped in shock at how powerfully it hit me. Jake's scent filled my senses. Emily's head whipped around to look at me.

"Nessie. Are you alright?" she asked.

I ignored her question and continued on into the room taking in as much of Jake's scent as I could. It was the smell of the woods and bracken after a sun shower. It was the smell of fresh cut timber and it had a hint of musk. It was Jake and it filled me up making me feel completely safe. I sat down on the bed and I smiled. Really smiled. It was one of those smiles that no matter how hard you tried you could not make it disappear. It was my smile, just for Jake.

"Nessie?" She asked

She searched my face and her face lit up in recognition of what she was seeing.

"You know. Did Jake tell you?" She beamed.

"Tell me what?" Before she could say anything Sam entered the room and wrapped his arms around her.

"No Em. He hasn't told her." he said.

"Then why is she smiling like a Cheshire cat?" She frowned as she looked back and forth between Sam and me confused.

"Because I worked out I love him." I answered. My voice filled with love for him.

I was not sure how much Jake had told Sam of what had happened the last few days so I thought I would find out. I was not sure why but Emily believed I was family and I felt connected to her and Sam. I wondered if it had something to do with the pack and the answer I was yet to find.

"Sam. Em. How much do you know of what happened to me the last few days?"

"When Jake came back today he only grabbed some clothes, waited for Bella to get here and then left. He did not leave the room or speak to anyone. He was so upset." Emily answered she looked sad at the memory.

"Sam?"

"I know what happened. Jake asked to speak to me in wolf form before he left. He has shown me everything. I'm sorry Nessie. Sorry for what we put you through."

"Sam. No. Do not apologise. I am starting to understand why you made the decision you did. I am not there yet but I am getting there." He nodded.

"Sam? Nessie? What are you talking about?" Emily asked him.

"It might be easier if Nessie shows you." he replied. "Nessie?" He turned to me.

"Sure." Emily deserved to know what happened. She needed to understand why Sam felt the need to apologise. I stood up and put my hand to Emily's face to show her what had happened. I did edit a fair bit but I gave her the most important parts - from the concert and the killing, our fight and my reaction to Jake at the main house, the nightmare and then to this morning. I wanted her to understand why Sam felt the need to apologise and why I reacted the way I did. To my surprise when I removed my hand she was crying. She surprised me by pulling me in close and hugging me lovingly but protectively. She reminded me of Esme, so caring.

"I am sorry too Nessie. So sorry for what you have been through." Emily apologised. What was she apologising to me for? She had done nothing to me.

"Emily. You have nothing to apologise for." I assured her.

"Actually Nessie. We do. We all do." She pulled me to the bed and sat us both down. "All of us have known for some time what has been happening to you but…" she stopped and looked at Sam. He nodded.

"We all promised Jake we would not say anything. He didn't want you to feel pressured. He wanted to wait until he was sure you loved him before he told you the rest." She looked down at her hands as she said it.

"What do you mean Emily. I do not understand. No one explains anything they just say Jake will explain."

"Nessie. As much as you want us to tell you and as much as we want to tell you we can't. Jake put an injunction on the packs. As an alpha if he commands you to do something you have to obey. His pack has no choice. I tried to tell you when you came to face your punishment but I couldn't. That is when I realised the injunction affected all of us. I am not sure why but it even affected my pack as well including me. Jake seemed just as surprised as I was about it but it was what he wanted. It is the only time he has forced his alpha status on anyone. What is happening to you, Jake wants it to be your choice, not something that was forced upon you." Sam explained.

"Is that why when you start to say something you stop? The injunction stops you?" He nodded. "Did my family agree as well, even though they are not affected the way you are, to the same injunction?" He nodded again.

I sat there for a few minutes gathering my thoughts. It explained the evasiveness to the questions I had asked my parents earlier. Why they would not give me a straight answer. Another question popped into my head.

"Sam. This afternoon before dad interrupted us, was Jake going to tell me everything?"

He shook his head. "No. Jake was hoping when he kissed you it would trigger your memories. The last part you have to remember for yourself. Jake has no choice about…." He stopped and swallowed hard. He could not seem to speak. Nothing would come out. "Aargh. Damn injunction. I guess I got too close to telling you."

"And that is where everyone loses me. Everyone keeps telling me I have the memories but the more I search the less I seem to know. I do not know what it is I am supposed to remember." I said frustrated again.

"You will work it out, I promise. We'll let you get some sleep" Sam kissed me on the cheek. "Night Nessie." He waited in the doorway for Emily.

"Sweetie. Try not to think about. As much as we want to we can't say anymore but I know you will work this out. It will come back to you when you are ready to remember, not because you are supposed to." She kissed me on the cheek, got up and took Sam's hand.

As she was about to close the door turned back to me and said with a large smile, "You and Jake are destined to be together." Then she left.