Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter Twenty-One: Alex, The Traitor

Bella POV

It felt like just a few days since Alex and I had been in Forks last. The only thing that reminded me how long it had been was how often Alex kept saying it. By the time Charlie was pulling into the town, I felt like renting her and Embry a motel room and locking them in there, just so I wouldn't have to listen to her babbling anymore. I tried not to think that maybe I was just bitter that her love-life was going so well when mine was a pile of smouldering ashes.

I had ended up keeping my promise to Josh to stay friends. We weren't exactly friends, per se, more like acquaintances who kept in touch, but I could tell that it made him feel better that I didn't hate his guts. I knew better than anyone how persuasive Edward Cullen could be. I was worried that The Pack would have heard that I'd been in contact with Edward again, but when I asked her about it, Alex assured me that Embry was way more interested in my drunken shenanigans. I just wanted to block that whole day out of my life – although the second half of it was mainly fuzzy anyway due to tequila and my erstwhile best friends Francine and Carolyn. Those ladies had a whole life of man-hating compared to my few years, but they were sympathetic to my wailing and insisted that I had to go home as soon as I sobered up and break up Jake's wedding. I can't begin to say how thankful I am that it never would have had to come to that. Now I just had to live with Alex's smug teasing, but I was sure it wouldn't be long before she made a fool of herself and I got to exact my vengeance.

She was practically vibrating in her seat when we turned on to my street. I hadn't yet mentioned that I only planned on going to La Push once during my visit – for the wedding. Maybe Embry could come and take her out? I had a feeling I couldn't keep them apart even if I'd wanted to, and I really didn't. I was happy to see my best friend find happiness with someone as amazing as Embry, and she didn't even know how amazing he really was yet.

"Looks like you've got company," Charlie drawled as we approached the house. I couldn't help the groan that escaped me from my place in the passenger seat with my forehead pressed against the window. I didn't even turn to see who he was referring to, I could tell from the excited squeak Alex let out from the back seat and I winced. I hadn't slept on the plane because she hadn't shut up since waking up this morning, and I was banking on just taking a nap in my old bed as soon as we arrived. It wasn't my fault I was cranky, it was hers. Couldn't Embry give us an hour before coming sniffing around her?

Charlie pulled to a halt and nudged me, thinking I was dozing off again.

"Come on, Bells, don't you want to say 'hi 'to your friends?"

Friends? Plural?

I turned towards the house and was greeted with the sight of a beaming Embry, who was about three seconds away from jumping up and down with excitement, but that wasn't what made me gasp in shock. Beside Embry, leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets, one leg slung casually over the other and an ecstatic grin on his face, was Jacob.

And he was smiling at me.

Okay, is it two years ago?

Alex was out of the car and in Embry's arms so fast that she could have made Alice Cullen's head spin. I guess love gives everyone special abilities. She was raining light pecks all over his face before they melted into a kiss I was pretty sure shouldn't have been witnessed by anyone, making Charlie's ears turn pink as he passed them carrying Alex's suitcase.

"I'll just leave you kids to your 'hello's then..." he muttered as he disappeared inside. I gave Jake a suspicious look as I grabbed my suitcase out of the trunk. Why was he smiling at me? Why was he looking at me like I was the best thing he'd ever laid eyes on? Like he used to? And where was Addie?

As I neared the three of them, Jake shocked me by walking over to Alex and holding out his hand.

"Hey, Alex, I'd like to re-introduce myself. I'm Jake, and I was Bella's best friend before you snaked me and stole her," he joked, giving her his heartbreaking, Jacob smile as he shook her hand gently. Alex just stared at him in shock, I think the smile was disarming her for a second from any witty comebacks she would usually have formulated.

"Um, hey Jake, it's nice to meet you properly," she said, before looking over at me and raising an eyebrow. She looked back at him and appraised him unabashedly. "I guess our first meeting was a little tense, you had something stuck to your face for most of it," she said sweetly. Jake let out a loud, hearty laugh and smiled at her again.

"I can see why Bells and Embry like you so much, you're beautiful and sharp," he said, his voice still cracking with mirth.

"It's all part of my charm, sweetie," she said taking a small bow as she presented herself.

"I really am sorry about that," he said sincerely. "You're a big part of two of my favourite people's lives and I should have made more of an effort not to be rude to you." Alex just shrugged it off, as if they'd been best friends for years and all was forgiven. Damn, there goes my ally.

I studied him carefully. He didn't look drunk and he didn't seem to be messing around. He was genuinely trying to make a good impression on her. I couldn't help but let my mind wander back to the last time I'd spoken to him, when I'd stormed off from our encounter on Emily's porch. I sighed and began dragging my suitcase up the steps, deciding that whatever he was selling, I wasn't buying it. This was far too confusing for me to let myself get caught up in, especially after the whole Josh fiasco. Guys and me didn't mix, I knew that now. Jake raced down the porch steps to my aid, trying to pry the suitcase from my hands.

"I got it, Jacob," I said evenly. I was still far too grumpy to even hide it from my voice.

"Let me just get it inside for you, the thing looks like it weighs a tonne!" he smirked, but I wasn't going to let him just ease back into my life like he hadn't been playing mind games the last time we spoke.

"I said I got it!" I snapped. Jake visibly recoiled from the anger in my voice and the hurt expression in his eyes almost cracked my resolve. I began dragging the suitcase up the steps determinedly, flashing Embry a look warning him not to even try to help. It was a few seconds before I heard Jake's footfalls following me inside.

"Bells? Do um... would it be okay if we talked, maybe... if you wanted to, I mean? It's okay if you don't, I could just leave," he stammered at the doorway. He sounded so unsure of himself it made my heart hurt, and I couldn't help turning around to face him. I renewed my resolve before speaking.

"I don't think talking does us any good, Jacob. Anyway, you've got Addie for that now. Go talk to her," I spat. I knew I sounded jealous and childish, but I was so mad at him for putting me in the position of 'other woman', like a cheap slut he met in a club.

"But it's really important, Bells, I swear I wouldn't bother you if it wasn't," he pleaded. I just sighed out of sheer exhaustion. I didn't want my lack of sleep to let him break down the walls I was building up around myself and Jake always knew just what to say to make me forgive him. I owed it to myself to keep my distance. He'd probably just change his mind tomorrow anyway, and I'd let myself get my hopes up all for nothing. I turned my attention back to Alex where she and Embry were watching the whole exchange in fascination.

"Alex, I'm beat and I'm going to take a nap. Do you want to come in and unpack or are you going to hang out with Em for a bit?" Embry squeezed her hand and smiled at her hopefully. I knew that smile would persuade her to do anything.

"I think I'll hang out for a while, if you don't mind," she said, eyeing me warily. She knew I was upset, and didn't want to leave, but I couldn't let her pass up on precious Embry time. I smiled reassuringly.

"That's cool; call me if you need a ride home or anything okay?" I asked and she nodded, giving me a relieved smile. I turned to go into the house when Jacob spoke again.

"Bella, I know you're mad at me but I really think we need to-"

"See you round, Jacob. Bye Em," I said, cutting him off before he could get the sentence out and slamming the door behind me. I ignored Charlie's disapproving look as I trudged up the stairs and faceplanted on my bed.

It was the next morning before Alex made a reappearance. She had that post-coital glow on her cheeks and she seemed to be bursting at the seams with happiness. Of course, Jake's charms had won her over, and she couldn't stop singing his praises to me for most of the day as we ran errands in preparation for the wedding. I was getting pretty frustrated with her and her switching sides. She was supposed to be on my team, and dammit if I wanted to give Jake the cold shoulder she should be right there with me.

"I really think you should give him a chance to explain, Bells," she said. Oh, hell, now she's calling me Bells?

"If and when I decide to do that, it will be just that: my decision. How is it that you're so eager for him to get his way?"

"It's just that Embry told me what happened," she began, and I looked at her suspiciously. What did she mean something happened? "He made me promise to let Jake tell you himself, but all I'm saying it I really think you should listen to what he has to say, you'll regret it if you don't," she said cryptically. I sighed, tired of the conversation already.

"Look, Alex, Jake and I seem to do nothing but hurt each other, all the time. I'll talk to him eventually; I'm just not ready yet." She nodded sadly, conceding defeat. She knew I couldn't be forced into something if I really didn't want to be.

Somehow, Jake didn't seem to get the message to leave me be. Each morning when I woke up, there was freshly cut wild flowers on my front porch with a note in Jacob's signature chicken-scratch.

Note 1:

Bells,

I'm sorry I was an asshole. I'll keep trying every day until you talk to me. I can't lose you again. There's so much I have to say if you'll just listen. I'll be waiting for your call.

Love,

-Jake

Note 2:

Bells,

I knew it wasn't going to be easy, and I don't deserve an easy forgiveness, but I just want you to remember how easy us being together was. Easy as breathing.

Love,

-Jake

Note 3:

Bells,

I know you kept the other flowers. I can see them in the vase in the window. That tells me you're at least considering forgiving me. That's all the hope I need. Please talk to me?

Until you're ready to let me be your friend again, I'm prepared to be annoyingly persistent.

All my love,

-Jake

Alex cooed with romantic excitement at each bouquet I received. Traitor.

This was definitely a new approach for him. I wasn't used to being wooed by Jacob; he really did seem to be sorry. What piqued my curiosity, though, was how he signed off the third note.

All my love.

What did that mean? Was it just an expression or was he actually being literal with me? How could I have 'all his love' if he was imprinted to Ms. Centerfold? I decided not to dwell on it too much. I was here for Charlie and Sue, not to sort out the mess that was my love life.

On the fourth day, his tactics changed. I was briefly disappointed when I ventured out to get the morning paper and there were no flowers on the porch. Had he given up? I realised then that more than I wanted Jake to leave me alone, him giving up hurt so much more than his constant apologies could. Then I saw her.

My old had truck appeared in the driveway overnight, fully serviced and he'd even detailed the interior to a standard I'm sure would have cost hundreds of dollars had I been paying for it. I was surprised to see the old girl again, since I'd told Charlie to leave it at Jake's garage before I left for college. I had thought maybe he could strip it down for parts and make a little money off of it. It just held too many memories for me.

I felt tears stinging my eyes as I took in the sight of her. She was beautiful. I was instantly transported back to the days when I was Jake's Bells and we'd spend hours making out in this thing, rain pelting down the windows and giggling as we reshuffled positions to accommodate Jake's massive size. I opened the door, and my heart leapt in my chest. Despite the cleaning job, she still smelled the same. I found myself climbing in, wanting to be closer to her and the memories she held when my foot nudged against something beside the brake pedal. Reaching down, I realised it was a shoe box. It was definitely one of Jake's; I didn't know anyone else with such huge feet.

Opening it, there was a hand-written note laid over tissue paper. It felt a little heavy, so I read the note quickly, curious to get to the contents.

Bells,

This box holds the reasons I fell in love with you. I think, if you look through them, and they make you feel anything at all, you'll agree that you and I deserve a chance.

Until your heart stops beating,

Jake

The tears were coming full force as I peeled back the tissue paper. The first thing I noticed was a generic brand can of soda. I picked it up – it was warm, just like they always were. I smiled before I set it on the seat beside me and investigated further. The next thing I found was a small, glass jar, containing what looked to be sand from First Beach. It was nestled beside a little piece of wood that I knew instinctively was taken from our driftwood log. I played with them in my hands, letting the memories wash over me.

Lazy afternoons with the pack.

Languid kisses in the sand.

Watching the sunset on a blanket, me huddled close, stealing his warmth.

My tears rained down over my hands as I looked at them. My chest was heaving for all I thought I'd lost forever.

Next in my treasure chest was a small, toy motorcycle. It was an exact replica of the ones we'd rebuilt all those wasted afternoons in his garage. If it wasn't for those bikes, I would probably never have been healed, and I wouldn't have slowly fallen in love with the man who cradled my broken heart in his strong, skilled hands and painstakingly pieced it back together.

The last two item in the box finally brought a smile to my face. The first was a photograph I'd never seen before. I realised it was taken the night of the fateful bonfire that had broken us up. Jake and I were sharing a 'movie kiss' as he called them. He had lifted me up to his height, cradling my butt in one of his strong arms and captured my lips to his. I could tell he was smiling through the kiss and I could detect a faint blush on my cheeks at the spectacle he was making. On either side of us, Quil was air-humping Jake's back as Embry made a gagging face, popping out behind me. Emily and Kim were slightly in the distance, Jared's arm slung protectively around Kim's shoulder and both girls looked to be cheering. Even Leah had a small smile on her lips from her place on a sun lounger in the background. The photo captured exactly how our relationship had been. Easy, fun, carefree, full of love and warm with camaraderie.

Underneath the photo was something I thought I'd lost a long time ago. I'd left it in my room after I'd done my disappearing act, finding it too hard to look at where it had held pride of place on my wrist – Jacob's bracelet. When I'd gone to look for it during my last visit, hoping it might endear Jake into speaking to me kindly again, it was gone. The diamond heart had been taken off a long time ago, and the wolf held pride of place as the only charm on its links. I held it up to the light, marvelling for the hundredth time how he'd managed to stain the wood the exact colour of his fur. Behind the bracelet, my attention was drawn to movement through the windshield. Jake was exiting the tree line, hands in his pockets with an apprehensive look on his face. Our eyes locked, and the last of my resolve crumbled.

It was time to have that talk.

A/N: Did you really think she'd just let him get away with the booty call moment? My Bella demands much more respect than that!

Next chapter is the talk, and I wanted to take a little vote as to whose POV you guys want it in. Bella or Jakes?Let me know in the comments and I'll do up a tally when I've hit at least fifteen reviews. (I was going to do ten, but it may as well be an odd number in case it's 50/50) Then all the fun, fluff and lemons begin. Are you excited? I'm scared. I can do suspense, but can I do romance? How did I do in this chapter?

Opinions? Comments?