"Would you like to go?" Edward had obviously been eavesdropping on the conversation between Bella and Jacob.

"It's no big thing. Don't worry about it."

"You don't have to ask my permission, Bella. I'm not your father- thank heaven for that. Perhaps you should ask Charlie though."

"But you know Charlie will say yes."

Edward smiled at her. "I do have a bit more insight into his probably answer than most people would it's true."

Part of Bella was amazed at the desire she had to run to La Push and hang out with a bunch of idiot wolf-boys when there was so much going on in her life that was so much more urgent. Of course, that was the exact reason she wanted to go. She could be the more immature, reckless Bella that could laugh it all away.

"Bella, I told you that I was going to be reasonable and trust your judgment. I meant that. I you trust the werewolves, then I'm not going to worry about them."

"Wow." It was all she could say.

"And Jacob's right – about one thing anyway- a pack of werewolves ought to be enough to protect even you for one evening."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. Only I hope you won't mind taking a few precautions? Allowing me to drive you to the boundary line, for one. And then taking a cell phone so that I'll know when to pick you up?"

"That sounds… very reasonable."

"Excellent."

*****

Pulling into the Cullen's garage after gaining Charlie's approval to go and calling Jake to let him know, Bella noticed the – vehicle, for it really couldn't be classified with as mundane a word as motorcycle- standing next to her bike. She had decided to take her bike back to Jake's until she no longer needed it. Then it was up to Jake what to do with it. But seeing what Edward had bought to allow her to ride almost made her feel bad for making that decision.

When he explained his thoughts on the matter, she felt a wave of insecurity wash over her. Next to Edward's bike, hers looked like a broken tricycle. Of course, that's how she felt standing next to Edward.

"The insecurity isn't necessary, Bella," Edward's voice whispered in her ear.

"I wouldn't be able to keep up with you."

"I'd keep pace with you, Bella."

Finally, he realized that this was something she shared with Jake. He was okay with it. He asked only one thing of her. He handed her the red helmet he had fished from behind the big motorcycle.

"Please?" he asked, flashing the crooked smile that always destroyed her resistance.

"I'll look stupid."

"No. You'll look smart. Smart enough not to get yourself hurt." Tossing a black shapeless thing over his arm and taking her face in his hands, he continued. "There are things between my hands right now that I can't live without. You could take care of them."

"Okay, fine. What's that other thing?" He gave her the riding jacket to put on and stepped back to look at her. He thought she looked – sexy. She thought she looked ridiculous.

"You're silly. I suppose that's part of you charm. Though I'll admit it, this helmet does have its drawbacks." He pulled the helmet off so that he could kiss her.

****

Jake was thrilled to see her again. He was even happier when he saw that she was going to put her bike back in his garage.

At the bonfire, she felt like she fit in. She wasn't treated like an outsider.

After eating, the stories began. It was the first time that Leah, Seth, Quil and Kim would hear the legends and know they were true. Billy started talking and his rich deep voice painted the pictures of the past. Billy told the story of how the tribe gained the ability to be wolves. Then Old Quil Ateara took up the history with the story of the third wife.

During the course of the evening, Bella fell asleep. She woke up to Jake shaking her arm. "C'mon, Bells. We're here."

It took Bella several minutes to realize that she was in Jacob's car. "Oh crap!" she gasped as she realized that she'd fallen asleep. "How late is it? Dang it, where's that stupid phone?"

"Easy. It's not even midnight yet. And I already called him for you. Look – he's waiting there."

"Midnight?" She noticed the Volvo about thirty yards away and reached for the door handle.

"Here." Jake handed her the phone.

"You called Edward for me?"

"I figured if I played nice, I'd get more time with you."

"Thanks, Jake. Really thank you. And thanks for inviting me. That was … wow. That was something else."

She noticed that Edward was pacing waiting for her. Jake sent her on her way and let her know that he'd be watching out for her that night.

She stumbled toward the boundary line and right into Edward's solid arms. She insisted on walking to the car even though she was stumbling even more than usual. Edward lifted her into her seat and buckled the seatbelt around her.

She was back in her world now. The world where a crazed vampire was trying to kill her and she had to relive the most humiliating night of her life.