Hey guys, I hope you all enjoy this chapter!

To all of you reviewers….THANKYOU! I had 6! Count 'em 6 REVIEWS! The most I've ever had on one chapter!

Enjoy this chapter. Its pretty "argumentative," let's say.

CH. 21 July 18th (Wednesday)

"You shout it out,

But I can't hear a word you say.

I'm talking loud, not saying much.

I'm criticized, but all your bullets ricochet.

You shoot me down, but I get up.

I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose,

Fire away, fire away.

Ricochet, so take your aim,

Fire away, fire away.

You shoot me down, but I won't fall.

I am titanium.

You shoot me down, but I won't fall.

I am titanium."

-David Guetta, feat. Sia, Titanium.

I sat on the front porch of the Clearwater house. I was alone. Seth had mysteriously disappeared an hour earlier. I hadn't questioned him about it. I knew that he would just make up an excuse.

Things had become very weird in the last few weeks. Emily was treating me differently and Sam just glared at me—a lot. He made me feel like even more of an outsider than before. I'd never thought that Sam liked me, but he had tolerated my presence in his "group." Part of me was upset with him for his sudden dislike of me and part of me respected him for protecting Emily so well. I hadn't attempted to apologize for what I'd said weeks before. I thought the best avenue would be to avoid going to their house. This of course limited my time with Seth.

Seth always seemed to be going to "talk to Sam"—whatever that meant. I'd taken to working extra shifts and saving up my money because of my sudden lack of friends. When I was off, I was usual alone so I would explore La Push and sketch. When Seth was around, he was different with me somehow—almost careful. I found that I missed the old, carefree Seth. I actually missed how he used to flirt shamelessly and hold my hand. It felt like, even though he was with me, he was fighting it somehow. It just made me uncomfortable. Suddenly, solitude seemed friendlier than him.

Embry was still ignoring me. I wasn't too surprised, honestly. I thought maybe he'd found a girlfriend—someone he liked more than me—but I couldn't be sure. Since, I never went to Emily's I never really saw him much. Sometimes at night, I would dream about him. Most of the dreams were a patchwork of conversations we'd had, but sometimes I would see us together—really together. Like the night that he had kissed me for the first and last time. Then, when I woke up, I would remember that he would never kiss me again. I tried to hide my tearstains with makeup, but I think Sue saw through it. She would look at me with sympathetic eyes, and I instantly knew that she understood what I was going through.

This morning, I sat casually on the couch, watching TV. There was a marathon on 90's sitcom pilots playing. I yawned even though I'd gotten a full night of sleep. All of the sudden, Leah hopped over the couch and landed next to me. I eyed her, incredulous.

"Nice moves there, samurai."

"I know, I know. I'm skilled," she replied, smirking at the TV. "90's sitcoms, really?"

"Yeah, well, I don't really have anything else to do," I answered, slightly bitter.

"Boo-hoo. Where's Seth? Aren't you two usually attached at the hip?" she asked, taking the remote.

"You know as much as I do about what he gets up to," I replied. "That is unless you do know." I looked hopeful. "Do you know what he runs off to do all the time?"

"Nice try, chick. I'm not stupid," Leah replied.

"Should've figured," I muttered, mostly to myself. Leah was in on the secrets, too.

Leah settled on a random music channel, turning up the volume. It wasn't long afterwards that the doorbell rang. Leah grunted, so I assumed that was her way of letting me know she wasn't getting up. I jumped up when the bell rang again, multiple times in quick succession.

I grabbed the door and yanked it open, ready to reprimand the impatient culprit. The moment I saw who stood on the front porch, I nearly fainted from surprise. He was the same as ever—tall, well-dressed and statuesque. I fought to form a response to his sudden and unwanted appearance.

"Eli," I breathed, eyes wide.

He stared at me, cold and hard. "Nicole. I thought I might find you here."

"What do you mean?" I asked, browed furrowed. "I didn't tell you where I was."

"We have your previous address on record. I saw your mother," he replied, harshly. "She doesn't seem to want you around."

"She told you I was here," I muttered, ignoring his small jab. Damn woman, couldn't ever do me a favor.

"Yes," he replied, stepping towards me. "And now it's my turn to ask the questions."

Before Eli could take a step in the door, he paused, staring over my shoulder. I glanced behind me to find Leah. She stood close and didn't look at all pleased.

"Who're you?" she demanded, sizing up Eli.

Eli's expression lightened partially, putting on an act, perhaps. He gave her a small smirk. "Elijah Tanner, Nicole's employer."

"Is that supposed to mean something to me?" she replied, sharply, arms crossed.

Eli smiled, probably thinking that Leah was another woman to win. But I knew differently. No one ever messed with Leah.

"Nicole didn't tell me that she had such attractive friends."

Leah's gaze held disbelief, as she turned towards me. "Is this guy bothering you?"

I avoided her eyes as I replied. "I'm fine."

"Do you mind giving us some time alone?" Eli asked, smartly.

My heart sped up, just thinking about his intentions once Leah left. I glanced between them as Leah's eyes tightened. Then, she looked at me, eyebrows raised. I only nodded, giving her my consent to go outside. She sidestepped Eli and disappeared quickly.

Eli's demeanor changed in a flash as he entered the living room. His eyes were cold again and filled with disdain. He glanced around the room, assessing everything. His gaze fell on me and I knew I was in for it.

(BREAK)

Embry's POV.

I was running a late morning patrol again. Quil was with me, as usual. We'd both taken over for Paul and Jared just a little over an hour ago. The sky was dreary and filled with thunderclouds that seemed to promise a bad day.

Of course, most of my days were bad now. I was still fighting a losing battle with myself. I hadn't laid eyes on Nicole in a week and I couldn't help but miss her presence. I was driving a lot of the pack crazy. I tried to hide what I felt for her, but the more I fought my feelings, the more they seemed to resurface. Quil dealt with them the best so it was an unwritten rule that we always patrolled together.

Quil and I were on the southern edge of the border, when we felt someone phase. It was Leah, unfortunately. I could hear Quil's irritation and silently agreed.

Sorry to break up your little love-fest, guys, but I really need a run. She explained.

I saw through her thoughts the subject of her annoyance. I saw a man with very expensive clothes. Leah's thoughts flashed by in quick succession. I did, however, notice that the annoying guy was alone with my girl.

Leah silently snorted at my thoughts as she ran. Jealous, Emmy?

Shut up. I thought.

You're the one who ditched her. What right do you have to care who she's alone with? Leah continued.

I snapped at her words, snarling viciously. Leah was lucky that she was miles away from me or I would've torn her to pieces. You're the one who said I should stay away, Clearwater! I'm doing what's best for her!

Calm down, man. Quil thought. She just likes to piss you off.

I didn't reply to him. My thoughts flew back to Nicole and that guy. Who is he anyway, Clearwater?

Apparently, he's her boss. Elijah Something…I don't remember. He was totally obnoxious. Leah replied. But don't worry, Call, she didn't seem too pleased about his arrival.

Leah's underlying concern was stronger than her words. My intuition flared.

Hey Leah, will you take over with Quil for a while? I turned and ran towards the center of La Push as I spoke.

Sure. She agreed, without a fuss, which concerned me even more.

I was running at top speed, but it still felt like I wasn't quick enough. Nicole had never said much about her life in Miami, but I had guessed she was running from something. She had always avoided issues in the past—running away from home with no word. It seemed probable that she would run again.

I was at the edge of the forest near the Clearwater's house, when I heard voices—one I recognized and one I didn't. I could tell that Nicole's heartbeat was racing, but I didn't know why. Finally, I picked up their words enough to understand the conversation.

"I don't get any notice from you—not a letter, a phone call, or even a text message," Eli's voice accused.

"I don't want the job, Eli, and the letter said that I only needed to contact you if I wanted to stay," Nicole replied, sharply.

(BREAK)

Nicole's POV.

"I don't want the job, Eli, and the letter said that I only needed to contact you if I wanted to stay," I replied.

"I don't understand you," Eli retaliated. "I've always given you anything and everything you wanted, and this is how you repay me?" He took a step towards me so I backed away.

"I'm not your property, Eli. I've always made it clear that what we did together was a part of my job only, nothing more," I replied.

"You're being completely unprofessional!" Eli yelled, coming at me again. This time I walked around the couch so it was between us. I, suddenly, wished that Leah had stayed nearby.

"Unprofessional! You're one to talk after what you made me do!"

"I didn't make you do anything! You could've said no," Eli spewed, face growing red.

"No, I couldn't! If I hadn't slept with you, you would've fired me right off the bat!" I yelled back. "You're completely manipulative."

"Without me, you would've been whoring up every street corner in Miami!" Eli yelled.

I was silent at his painful words. I felt my eyes prick with tears. I'd always felt insecure about my professional life, because of Eli. Anything I tried to accomplish in the company was useless, because I knew that I was only there to be with him—to be is play-toy; his mistress.

Eli's expression changed. He thought he'd gotten to me—that he could talk me back into bed with him. "I'm sorry I said that, Nikki," he said, condescendingly.

Eli stepped around the couch and came towards me. I didn't move, but I wasn't pleased by his proximity. Eli, then, grabbed my hands, which where balled into unrelenting fists. I resisted him, not wanting his skin on mine again. He grabbed my chin, and forced his mouth on mine. This kiss was not pleasant or romantic, but I didn't fight it.

Since the first time I was with Eli, I'd forced my personal will away and allowed him take control. Now Eli was trying to reclaim his dominance over me, but I wanted to refuse. He tried to force his tongue into my mouth, but I clenched my lips closed. His hands were on me, too. I felt nauseous as I relived everything he'd done to me.

Suddenly, the front door flew open with a deafening bang. Immediately, Eli released me as we both turned to the intruder. Embry Call stood in the room, glaring. His hands were shaking, and his skin was deep red with anger. Eli seemed startled by Embry's appearance, standing completely still. I realized that I was breathing very hard and couldn't speak. Eli was the first one to regain his voice.

"I'll be outside," he said, simply. Eli, at least, had a sense of self-preservation.

I was worried that Embry would do something when Eli approached the front door, but he slid out of the way. This did not make me feel better for myself, however. Once Eli walked outside, the room was completely silent. I could sense the anger rolling off Embry in waves. I could barely look at him and his judgmental glare. I clenched my jaw, prepared for the worst.

"How much did you hear?" I managed to mutter out, looking down.

"Too much, I'd say," he grumbled. "So did you come home to see your mom, or just to get away from him?"

"Both," I replied. "Does it even matter?"

I heard a loud crunching noise. Embry had still been holding onto the door knob. It now was formed to fit a hand, with four fingers and one thumb mark around it. I shuddered involuntarily.

"Does it matter?" Embry mocked back. "Are you crazy? Of course it matters!"

His words stung, but I didn't yell back. "What are you even doing here, Embry? You don't talk to me anymore."

"This isn't about me," he replied, pointing a finger at me. "This is about you and what you've been doing with that creep!"

His accusations drove me to the edge and I couldn't control myself. "You don't know anything about what I've been through! I was about to be living on the streets, Embry! I wouldn't have even been able to come home with the money I had!"

"You didn't have to sleep with him!" Embry yelled. I could tell that he was running out of solid ammunition, but I didn't back down.

"Don't you thing that I regret it?" I argued. "I don't need you to tell me that it was wrong! I know that!"

"Then what do you want me to say? What do you want me to do?" he demanded.

I covered my face with my hands, slowly shaking my head. When I looked at him again, he seemed more hurt than anything else. I sighed, sadly.

"I just…need you to understand," I replied. "Running away from La Push was the biggest mistake I've made in my entire life. And…there's no way around what I've done…but it's in the past now. And I can't change the past, Embry…as much as I want to."

Embry didn't say anything. I didn't think he could. He seemed to be taking in my words. I was glad he'd, finally, stopped yelling and listened. It was a few minutes before he spoke again.

"I need some time," he said, softly. "I need to think things through."

I nodded my head. "Of course, yeah. Take your time."

Embry smirked wanly at me. "It seems like every time we're together, we get into some kind of argument."

The corner of my mouth quirked up involuntarily. "Yeah," I replied. "Only every other time it's been your fault."

Embry let out a quick laugh. "Yeah, I guess you're right about that. It's about time I got mad at you instead of the other way around."

I looked him in the eye. "I'm just glad you're not mad at me anymore," I replied, sincerely. "I was beginning to miss you."

Embry's eyebrows furrowed. "You thought I was mad at you?"

"Why else would you stop talking to me?" I asked, honestly.

Before Embry could answer, the screen door opened. Leah stepped inside the door quickly, before shooting a quick glance at Embry and me. Her eyebrows scrunched up.

"Am I interrupting something?" she asked.

As I spoke, Embry cut me off. "Leah, why aren't you with Quil?"

"Cool your jets; Brady and Colin…took over," she replied, eying me.

"I should get going," Embry said, before looking to me. "Unless you need me to stay?"

I assumed his question referred to a certain boss of mine who had been molesting me minutes earlier. I was tempted to take him up on the offer, but didn't want to chance Embry getting angry again.

"No, I'm fine," I replied. "You can go. After all, Leah can always protect me." I grinned.

"Damn straight, I can," she replied, arms crossed. "That douche, ain't got nothing on me."

Embry nodded to me once, smiling, before leaving out the back door. He probably didn't want to see Eli again. I watched him until he was out of sight. Leah was eying me again, but this time with raised eyebrows.

"What?" I asked.

She shook her head and sighed. "Not you, too."

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said, taking a seat on the arm of the couch.

"You have to know the way he looks at you," Leah replied. "The way you look at him."

"We're friends," I replied, though I wasn't sure what we were.

Leah only shook her head and mumbled something about Embry not "needing an imprint." Then, she looked out the window.

"That idiot's still outside, you know?"

I groaned. "Great." I stood up, approaching the window.

Eli was there, leaning up against an expensive rental. Every few seconds he swatted at some invisible insect.

"I guess I should probably go talk to him," I stated.

"I could deck him," Leah offered.

I shook my head. "No, thanks."

This was a battle I had to face for myself. I couldn't allow someone else to fight it for me. Eli knew all my weaknesses, but I had one strength he could not touch. If I could cut ties with Eli and my past, I had a shot with the only guy I truly wanted. I took in a deep breath to steel my nerve, and headed out the door.

"I'm criticized, but all your bullets ricochet.

You shoot me down, but I get up."

-David Guetta, feat. Sia, Titanium.

So? What did you all think about Eli's return?

What about Embry's reaction?

Leah's awesomeness?

Review PLEASE! I beg you! I'll be your eternal slave! (Okay not really.)

The next chapter will BLOW YOUR SOCKS OFF! I promise!

Also, to clear up Seth's absence, he was with Colin and Brady before they went on patrol. Just so ya'll know he didn't just poof away. He'll be in the next chapter along with Embry and a few others.

Also, I didn't want to make Nicole and Eli's argument too "graphic." I kept it pretty PG-13, if you ask me. When I made Nicole as my character, I wanted her to have issues and to have made mistakes. I hate Mary Sue characters so be prepared for plenty of 'mistakes' in the future.

I'm already planning a sequel with the moral support of my friend, FuturePendragon. If any of ya'll get the chance go and check out his profile. He has a few stories. One is from Percy Jackson and there are two short Harry Potter ones. I'm trying to get him to write more so any reviews would be awesome to encourage him!)

And don't forget to review! I don't wanna be left out either!