A/N: There's more of the back story sneaking out here, so you know. Not all of it's bad...

Billy and Jake got their first taste of Bella, sitting that next morning.

She'd got up in the night to rearrange the tea and coffee pots so they couldn't find anything. She hadn't put her hearing aids in yet and Billy worried that she was so still.

"Don't worry about Bella. She'll get up when she wants." Claire's voice was dull and resigned. Her sister was a heavy sleeper and heaven help anyone who got in the way!

Billy watched as Claire riffled through her sister's things pulling out the laptop and dongle to set up her first film. She reached back in to pull out a packet of Oreos and a jar of peanut butter and jelly and dunked the first biscuit. She shrugged when she noticed they were watching her.

XxX

Bella stirred at noon to find her knee had swollen making her even more of a grouch. She still hadn't put the hearing aids in and awkwardly made something to eat.

She'd made more than enough for the others which made her moods easier to bear. As she hobbled about the kitchen, she settled the dishes to her own style, not even bothering to care that it wasn't actually her home.

Having stumbled back to the couch, she settled down as Claire finally claimed her seat, armed with 'the Jungle book' and Bella's laptop.

Billy watched as the sisters sat curled up with each other, wondering how long the peace would last.

XxX

Jake found he liked having Bella around. He never knew what to expect from her. In the mornings, she was either moody and sullen or bubbly and sociable. With the cooked breakfasts, the Black household was even more popular. Especially with the Pack. They managed to time their arrival as Bella was dishing out the grub. They soon learned that whilst the packaging was small, her temper was mighty, especially when they attempted to come between her and her food.

Jared was the first to learn his lesson. Bella was loading up a plate with pancakes, when he reached over to help himself. Of course, he didn't realise the plate she was holding was, in fact, her own. From the corner of his eyes, Paul watched as her expression turned from shock to anger.

'She looks cute when she pouts', came the unexpected thought. Shaking his head, he almost missed the sight of Bella pouring syrup over Jared's head before grabbing back the stolen pancake and leaving the house.

XxX

Used to his father's mood-swings brought about his own disability, Jake found Bella refreshing and cute. He admired the support Claire offered and how well adjusted she was. She reminded him of himself at that age when his world had ended with the death of his mother and the decline in his father's health.

Claire knew exactly how to deal with her sister and when to back off.

Embry and Quil were often at the house and were on hand to support the young girl. It was on the third day that things changed and not for the best.

Bella had been invited to the beach with Leah and some of the other members of the Pack.

Claire wasn't happy. The day before, Tyler had shown up and monopolised most of her sister's day.

She'd been looking forward to a baking day followed by a trip to the beach.

Hanging out with Jake and his friends wouldn't cut it in her young mind.

Bella was aware of the tension but did not want to deal with it. Sometimes a girl just needed her boyfriend. The pair were on the beach when Claire snuck up on them.

"Got you. I scared you, didn't I?"

Bella shook her head, sounding bored. "Not really."

Tyler grinned, "You nearly made me jump there kid."

Claire failed to acknowledge his words.

Tyler watched as the younger sister continued to impose on their private time. He supposed he should be more understanding, Bella was one special person. But he didn't like how she was invading on their personal time and as an only child, he didn't understand the bond as well as he could.

He heard the little voice rise further with petulance. "Bella, you promised!"

Bella shrugged. "I didn't say today."

Claire's voice pitched even higher. "But when?"

"We have until the end of the week Claire."

Claire saw Tyler move closer and whisper something to Bella. It made her sister's face red and she hit him. Claire almost cheered at the mistake, until they started kissing! Bleh! When her fake-vomiting failed to gain her sister's concern, she stood up and was about to run when Tyler moved over, causing his I-pod to fall out of his pocket.

Claire swiped it before running off, the couple too blissfully unaware.

XxX

Jake and his friends were on their way to Emily's when they saw the little girl running along the cliff edge. They were with the rest of the Pack, having just finished a meeting and thoughts were turned to food.

Quil waited until Claire was far enough away from the edge to shout a, "Hey Claire."

She kept running.

Jake was worried. "We'd better go after her."

They agreed to meet the others later and followed the young girl. Quil arrived in time to see Claire throw something onto the floor. She was about to jump, when two strong arms pulled her back.

"Take it easy honey, you'll fall over." The sunny voice and smile hid a laugh as he lowered himself to her level.

He smelled the salt and saw the tears.

"Hey, what's up?"

The disappointment proved too much for her as she sobbed, "It's not fair."

His voice was calm and gentle. "What isn't?"

His probing caused her hurt and anger to feel all the more real. "He's always around and Bella forgets me."

The tears begun to flow at the mention of her sister's name. Heavy shakes sent the girl to sobs and Quil held her against him, eye to eye.

Jake approached them and seeing the worry on his friends face, went to take over but the girl wouldn't let go. Quil had clearly made an impression and Jake wouldn't add to her distress.

Instead, he laid a gentle hand on her back, Embry mirroring the other side.

When the sobs had eased, Quil lifted the girl, taking the mud filled I-Pod along. Claire's head was buried in his shoulder by the time they reached Emily's, the Pack having chosen to wait.

Sam stood as soon as her saw the foursome, his eyes gentling at the sight of the previously impish child.

Quil made the introductions, his voice soft and caring. "Hey Claire, you remember Sam from the wedding?"

She nodded.

The four sat down and tucked into the muffins. Claire remained on Quil's lap, tentatively eating.

"Can I get you anything else Claire?" The girl looked up at the woman. "You don't seem to enjoy that."

She shook her head. "It's okay."

Emily smiled. "So what brings you here, sweetheart?"

Quil pulled the damaged I-Pod from his pocket.

"Oh, is that…"

He grinned, shaking his head. "No, it's Tyler Crowley's."

There was a murmur of appreciation from the group.

"He's always around." Claire offered no other justification.

Sam smiled. "What do you think Bella will say?"

The young girl hung her head and curled further into Quil's lap. Trying to break the ice, Paul laughed and said, "Well I hope you don't go taking my things Claire."

She turned on Paul then, her distress forgotten. "Why would I? You're not dating my sister, pinhead!"

XxX

When Claire was finally returned to Bella, it was to find that Tyler had left, moaning about his I-Pod.

Claire held it out for Bella's inspection, fearing her sister' ire.

"What did you do?"

Reluctantly, she confessed her crimes. "I threw it about!"

Bella gave a sigh, pressing her palm to her head. Her little sister's lack of awareness for material possessions had been a sore point in the past. Not all of it was her fault though. Phil Dwyer had established a life-style where the word 'No' was forbidden, especially for his little princess. It had taken years of arguments and tears for Claire to realise that even though her dad was rich, she couldn't go through life behaving like a brat.

The I-pod was different though. It had never belonged to her. "Do you know his parents got him this? You'll have to replace it."

Claire's mouth wobbled. "How?"

"I'll buy one and you can pay me a dollar a week until it's all paid up."

I-pods were expensive, her mother said. She didn't quite understand the term but Charlie was always saying how 'money didn't grow on trees.' She'd once told him it was in her daddy's wallet but her mom had pursed her lips and muttered bitterly that 'that was true '

Claire had only just started receiving pocket money and that was only after washing Charlie's cruiser and tidying her room. She'd thought two dollars was a lot but if Bella was serious about this, she was in deep trouble. "What? But that'll take ages."

Bella was triumphant. "Then you shouldn't go around breaking other people's stuff!"

XxX

Bella had gone to Portland with Leah to get the I-pod and on the way back, it was suggested they would meet the others at the beach.

The weather was surprisingly warm and they'd decided it would be a shame to waste it.

Privately, Leah thought Bella was strange. She understood how hard it was, having her leg so damaged but that didn't explain the long sleeves or the extra layers.

"You ought to be sweltering in that Bella, come on in and cool off."

"I'm ok, I'm not too bothered."

"Rubbish." She'd had enough of the excuses and hedged towards the girl, reaching for an arm to pull her to the water.

The moment Leah's hands closed on her arm Bella panicked.

"Please don't."

She didn't see the good intentions or that she was in a safe environment.

The hold tightened and Bella lashed out.

"Let go of me you stupid Bitch!"

She stumbled back, away from the crowd, avoiding their eyes and gathering their belongings.

"Bella wait, she didn't mean it!"

She barely heard Paul, so intent on escape. Reaching Billy's house, she grabbed her tablets, threw some clothes in a bag and threw herself in the truck as Paul arrived on the scene.

"Bella wait!"

"I can't stay here."

Blindly she drove to the one safe place other than Forks and La Push.

XxX

It was late when Billy returned to see the state of Bella's things.

Jake arrived with Quil, Embry ad Claire. The Pack had filled them in on the events but they hadn't told Claire yet.

"What set her off?"

"Leah said she only wanted to help her cool off. She was all layered up."

"Bella has bad skin."

They turned to the girl.

"What was that honey?"

"It hurts her. That's why she was in the hospital."

The men exchanged glances. "When was this?"

"Christmas. That's why we didn't go to Mexico. Bella was in the hospital for a long time. She had bandages on her arms and the Doctor said it would take time to heal and she mustn't scratch. Then the Doctor called mom and Charlie to his office and I was sent to the kid's place."

Charlie had never mentioned that. He'd known the wedding had been cancelled and had joked that Renee had changed her mind. Charlie had gone quiet then and rang off soon after.

The phone rang, pulling them from their questions.

"Hello Mr Black, this is Johnny, Bella's friend. We met at the wedding."

"Oh hello Johnny, Bella's not here…"

"I know. She's here and will be for tonight. She needs some space, you know. I'll let you know when she'll be back. Just don't tell Renee. She'll worry and that won't do any good."

"We won't. Can Claire talk to Bella?"

The phone was passed on and Claire was pleased to speak to Bella. "When are you coming back?"

"I'll be back in a couple of days Claire, I promise."

"Can we make Barkin?"

"Whatever you want. Take care Claire. Bye now."

XxX

Those two days, Jake and Billy kept Claire occupied with the help of the Pack.

Charlie and Renee had agreed not to call as they knew the girls would be safe.

When Bella returned, she apologised for leaving and devoted the last day to baking with Claire.

The girl wanted to make a welcome home cake as a well as a thank-you cake for Billy. Bella explained that they would have to make a special one for Billy as he was diabetic.

"What's diabetic?"

"He has too much sugar in his blood. He can't have anymore or else he'll be sick."

"Is sugar in chocolate?"

"Yes but we can get some that hasn't got any in it."

They hit the shops in the surrounding area before finally finding any stuff. Once home, the girls tried a bit, just for quality control.

Claire pulled a face. "Bella, promise me you'll never get diabetic!"

Bella laughed and promised to try.

XxX

With the cakes cooling, the sisters left to restock supplies for the barkin. They were pleased with their afternoon's work and gave no mind to the danger an unattended cake presented.

The smells enticed Jake, Quil and Embry in from the garage and by the time they returned, all that was left were crumbs from their parent's welcome cake and a third missing from Billy's.

The little girl stood frozen, her eyes shifting from the three stooges.

"This is great Claire!"

"The other one has a bit of a strange taste to it though."

They looked up when she didn't answer and saw the tears.

"Oh sorry honey, the other one is great too, just different."

Bella arrived to see Claire run off upstairs in floods of tears and three guilty faces next to the cakes.

"What did you do?"

"We didn't mean to upset her. The other cake tasted a bit funky is all."

She crossed her arms. "That's because it's diabetic friendly!"

It took a few minutes for her words to sink in.

"Oh!"

"Claire didn't want your dad to feel left out and we found a recipe suitable for him."

"Sorry Bells, we…"

"Save it." She dumped her bags and made her way to the stairs, slowly lowering herself to commence the ascent.

"You're going to clean up the mess and then you'll make new cakes. You should know how to. Then you can think of a way to make it up to the eight-year old who is currently crying her eyes out!"

Her anger was diminished slightly by the shuffles and thuds as she made her way up the stairs.

XxX

Claire looked up as the door creaked, revealing Bella.

She scooted over then turned into the embrace her sister offered. Bella didn't often express this so she'd take full advantage.

The girls leaned back against the wall, until the tears had subsided and she settled in.

"The boys said they're sorry for eating the cake."

Claire nodded.

"They're trying to make new ones as we speak. You'll have to think of some way to punish them."

This cheered the girl a little.

"Come on; let's make sure they're not eating the mixture."

XxX

They heard the shuffles and thuds and were met by the freshly washed face of Claire.

She did her best to look cross but with their faces covered in flour, it was hard to resist the smile.

She shook her head and pushed them out of the kitchen, rolling her sleeves to salvage the mess they made.

Bella grinned from the side-lines.