Author's Note: Hey , guys! First and foremost, I would like to apologize for how long it's taken me to get this chapter out to you. Linzie and Jake were being theirselves and I couldn't quite make them do what I wanted too. I hope that all of you like this chapter. It's not exactly what i had in mind but this is how it came out. The next one will be up as soon as I can get it written. As always, Comments are appreciated and encouraged. I love hearing from all of you. Thanks to everyone who has been commenting even in the absence of updates. I truely appreciate it. Enjoy!

"Ah, come on, Linz! Please!"

"Cam, we've talked about this. It's not safe for friends to come over here, much less stay."

"You want us to act normal. How are we suppose to do that if we can't have friends come and stay? Or if we can't go anywhere without an escort? You act like your in the C.I.A or something."

I leveled Cameron with a glare and sighed. She had a point. I knew it wasn't fair to sentence them to the same life that I had to put myself through. In my line of work, friends weren't exactly safe around me. If they would have stayed with me on the weekends or, hell, even during the week, once they fell asleep I would leave. I had been so worried that the secret would get out that I sentenced myself to a life of exile. Cameron and Levi didn't deserve that. I looked between my two cousins and then Carson. He simply raised his eyebrow and shrugged. He was at as much of a loss as I was.

"Carson, what do you think?"

"I think that one weekend wouldn't hurt."

I sighed again, "Alright, fine. One friend a piece." they wooped, "But if Carson or I aren't here one of the pack will be. Deal?"

"Deal!" They yelled together.

I shook my head as they ran up the stairs chattering away. I hadn't seen them this excited in months. It was a small price to pay to watch them smile like that again. Carson smiled gently at me. I returned it. It wasn't everyday that we got to pretend to be normal, but we loved it one days like this.

"I think some of the younger pack members would work."

"That's exactly what I was thinking. The ones closer in age to Cam and Levi. They won't feel like they're being watched then." I replied.

"So, that leaves who, exactly?"

"Jake, Embry, Quil, Seth, Brady, and Colin. We could have Leah swing by and check on them."

"Yeah, and you might want to tell them to wear more than just their shorts."

"I will."

"Have you talked to Jake?"

"Not in a few days. Him and Sam were going to talk to the Cullen's today about the treaty."

"I still don't know how you got them to agree to backing off."

"I'm just that good." I smirked.

He rolled his eyes at me and laughed before he left for the Cullen's. It was their night to hunt. Carson, Rose and Emmett would be leaving in a few hours. I could hear both my cousins on their phones with their friends, telling them that they could come and stay the weekend. Both had their own cars, so I didn't have to leave to pick them up. I just hope they don't get lost on their way here. They bounded down the stairs, told me that it would be Chris and Brittany staying the weekend, and then went about doing their own thing. I had never seen two teenagers clean their rooms so quickly in my life.

A knock sounded at the door and I opened it to find Jake standing there. I smiled at him and he grinned at me before crushing me to him. I could smell the Cullen's all over him, but somehow it wasn't so bad mixed with his scent. Spice and the forest mixed with the sickening sweetness that clung to the Cullen's and made it's own unique scent. It was odd to think that just a few days ago they were on the brink of war. I moved out of his way to allow him into the house and he headed straight for the kitchen. It amazed me how hungry the pack stayed. We kept the house stocked with food for them. Not to mention that we had to feed myself, Cam, amd Levi.

"I see that you spoke with the Cullen's and no one died?"

He rolled his eyes and grinned, "Did you doubt us?"

"Judging by how you guys were acting a few days ago, can you blame me?"

He shook his head and sat down at the table, "Carson got there as I was leaving. He said he would be gone all weekend instead of just one night. He wanted me to tell you."

I nodded.

"Doesn't he normally just go?'

"Yeah, but we agreed to let Cam and Levi have a few friends over this weekend. That's why you were a messenger."

He went back to eating with a semi-surprised look on his face. He knew as well as I did that allowing that small thing could be disastorious. If something went wrong and one of them phased or a vampire attacked then that would be it. The secret would be out. There was no way that we could control two more teenagers than we already were. Half the time it was hard to keep Cameron and Levi's mouths shut about it, much less two more human teens that we didn't see on a daily basis.

He finished and went to the sink to wash his plate. I sipped the tea I was holding in my hands. This was a fairly normal routine. Jake was here more often than not. So much so, that Cam and Levi had started calling him their cousin-in-law. I placed my empty glass in the sink and leaned against the counter.

"You don't like it, do you?"

He looked at me momentarily in deep thought, "I just think that it's a huge risk. With how strained things are right now, it could be dangerous."

"I know, but I don't want them to have to miss out on things like I did. I never had friends stay over after I got into high school. I went from the top of the food chain to the bottom in little less than a month. They don't deserve that."

Jake wrapped an arm around my shoulder and kissed my head, "I understand. We'll try our hardest to keep any supernatural stuff out of here for the weekend."

"Can you and some of the younger guys come and hang here for the weekend? I have to hunt."

"Hunt?"

"Remember? There have been missing persons and murders galore in Tacoma."

"Oh, right. Of course we can hang here. Who do you want?"

"I was thinking you, Embry, Quil, and Seth. Leah could swing by to check on you guys while I'm gone just in case you need anything or something is going on."

"Sure, sure. I'll tell Sam. When are the other two getting here?"

"An hour at most."

We set about straightening the house after that. Every so often Jake would find something to hurl my way then I would throw it back which would result in some kind of tickling battle that he always won. It really sucked dating a shapeshifter. I could never get the upper hand. As soon as we got settled on the couch, two cars pulled up. Jake groaned and I chuckled but didn't move from the position I was in. Jake's arm was around my shoulders and I was leaning into him with my feet folded under me. When Chris and Brittany walked in I smiled and looked them over. They were normal but good looking kids. Chris had short brown hair and brown eyes, a strong jaw, and a nice smile. Brittany had dirty blonde hair, light blue eyes, and was already bouncing excitedly on the balls of her feet as they were being lead towards Jake and I.

"Linz, Jake, this is Chris Nelson and Brittany Duncan."

"Nice to meet you." I said, standing and shaking each of their offered hands.

"You too, ma'am."

I snorted, "I'm only eighteen. No need to ma'am me. Linz or Linzie is just fine."

"Alight."

Jake reached over me and shook their hands briefly, "I'm Jake, Linzie's boyfriend."

"Hey." they said.

"Well, welcome to our place. Make yourselves at home. We have a lot of different people coming in and out, so don't think anything of it. I'll be leaving for work in a few hours, but Jake and a few of his friends will be here with you."

"Thank you."

I nodded and Levi and Cam lead their friends up the stairs and into their rooms. To kill time, I cooked enough to feed Jake and the other's along with the four humans they would in charge of for the night along with leaving instructions on what could and couldn't go on while I was gone. I wouldn't be gone all night, just a few hours, but I knew how teenagers were. Jake reassured me that everything would be fine and he would call me if anythig even acted like it was going to happen. I kissed him breifly and called the kids down.

"I'll only be gone for a few hours. You two, " I said pointing to my younger cousins," know the rules and I've alerady informed Jake and the other's of what is and isn't allowed. You won't be able to talk them into anything so don't try. Other than that have fun. I'll see you in a little bit."

They turned to walk up the stairs and I heard Chris whisper to Levi, "What does Linzie do, exactly?"

"No idea." I grinned at his response as I left for Tacoma.

There was certainly something going on that shouldn't be. The number of vampires had grown exponential since I had last visited and more than half were newborns. i caught glimpses of twins, a boy and a girl, that I was certain I had seen before somewhere. It made me nervous. I watched their patterns for a few hours and then made my way back to Forks. Half way there I got the call. Bella had went into labour. The little monster would be here soon and Roalie and the other's were on their way back. I pushed my legs to go faster and called Jacob. He didn't freak out, thankfully. He just told me to be careful and to have fun with the little monster. That was putting what he said nicely.

It took me almost an hour to get back to the Cullen's and I froze as I pushed their front door open. Blood was the first thing I smelt and it made my stomach lurch uexpectedly. I turned my head, took a deep breath, and forced myself to enter the house. I could hear frantic voices upstairs and I followed them. Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw. Edward stood there covered in Bella's blood. It was on his clothes and even around his mouth, not to mention the was a lot all over the pale body that lay on the small hospital bed. I watched in morbid fascination and he bit her. It wasn't just in one singular place either. It was everywhere that there was a major artery. Carlsile had made it back and I shivered as he plunged a surenge into her chest. It made a sickening pop.

"Come on, Bella. You can't leave me."

They started chest compressions, which seemed completely pointless. Vampire venom was powerful but I had never seen it work on someone that was already gone. Then I heard it. The sluggish beating of a heart that was fighting to live. The girl had more strength than I gave her credit for. Rosalie left the room, a small bundle cradled in her arms, and I knew what I had to do. I had to ask rude questions about the baby. They were going to be oh-so-happy with me.

"Carlisle?"

"Linzie, I didn't hear you come in."

It was a testiment to how much they cared for Bella that he didn't hear, "Is it human?"

Edwards eyes snapped to mine and I met his stare. Carlisle sighed, "It's humanoid."

"What does that mean?"

"It's not exactly human."

I clamped my eyes shut and felt tears rising. I didn't want to kill a child, no matter what it was. Edward snarled and moved between me and the way to his child. I stared at him. Carlisle looked sad, like he understood exactly what it meant, but I wasn't done with the questions yet. I ignored the snarling father behind me and faced Carlisle again.

"Does it have a heart beat?"

"Yes, he does but it isn't much of one."

"I need to know what he is, Carlisle."

"He's part human and part vampire. He seems to have a particular fondness for blood but his skin is warmer than ours and he does have a heart beat. It's simply slower than normal humans."

"But he looks more like you guys do? Eyes and all?"

"His skin is hard but not quite like ours and, from what we can tell, his eyes are green with a red circle around them. That would be from the blood that Bella drank during the pregnancy."

I swallowed thickly, "I need to see him."

"Never!"

I looked at Edward and glared. Carlisle placed a hand on his shoulder and turned to me, "Come with me."

I followed the good doctor back down the stairs and into the living room. He whispered something to Rosalie and she handed the baby over hesitatly. Then, she glared my way. I knew what it meant. If I hurt that child, I would have hell to pay. I really hated this job. Carlisle moved to stand before me and placed the bundle on my waiting arms. His little hand was sticking out and I allowed it to wrap it's hand around my finger. I shivered. His body temperature was warmer than the other Cullen's but not by much. I strained my ears and listened for the sound I needed to hear to keep from killing him. Finally, after a few moments, I heard his heart give a sluggish thump against his chest. It did this for a while, stopped briefly, and started again. I honestly didn't know what to do.

"Bella will be changed in three days?"

"Yes."

"I'll be back then. I don't know what to do about this, to be honest."

"I undersand."

"I'll keep the pack off your backs, but prepare them for what may have to come."

He nodded sadly and I sighed as I left their home and rushed towards mine. The child was barely an hour old and he had already committed his first murder. There was nothing in the hand book about this. Sadly, my slayer gene was fighting against itself. One minute I wanted to turn around and kill the baby and the next I felt the need to protect it. I was seriously giving myself a headache.

I walked into my home and was so into my own thoughts that I didn't even realize my house was full of pack memebers until Jacob wrapped his arms around me. No one said anything for a while. They let me think and I was grateful. I didn't know what to tell them or how to explain what I had learned and saw at the Cullen's. I didn't understand it myself. Jake's silence told me that he understood something bad was happening inside my head, something that was hurting me, but he knew that I would figure it out. The bad thing was that we really didn't have time to riddle it out all the way. Did I mention I really, really hate this job sometimes?