~~Chapter Six~~

Bella couldn't help but roll her eyes over Garrett's shoulder at Kate and Rosalie as he once again triple checked that her life jacket was secure properly. Both her friends just laughed as they watched the scene, the traitors.

"Gare enough, you're acting as if I have never worn a life jacket before!" She hissed below her breath at him as Emmett and Randall came into view. "If you don't stop mother-henning me Garrett Dwyer so help me god I will tell mom who broke that ugly ass vase she made and loved."

The reaction was instantaneous and had Bella nearly doubling over in laughter as Garrett jerked back to the point of nearly tripping over on the invisible 'root' behind him and going ass overhead to land at Kate's feet.

"Ouch." Garrett wheezed and got to his feet dusting himself off. "Not cool Bells."

"Serves you right, she's a grown woman Garrett," Kate informed, clearly unimpressed when he turned his puppy dog eyes to him.

Garrett pouted and turned to Jasper, Paul and Peter who equally held up their hands and shook their heads. They had tried that years ago and learnt their lesson well. Bella may look fragile, but she was anything but and her revenge was always drawn out and unassuming. You never know when she would strike till it happens, mainly Paul was the one with the permanent reminder, he pissed her off and when he came of age and had an all-out drink fest, ended up with beast boy and a full moon tattooed on his ass.

"Alright everyone, unfortunately, one of our guides called in sick, thankfully Randall has the experience and has volunteered today, that way Jazzy can enjoy being a guest and not a worker." Emmett informed, giving said 'Jazzy' a dimpled grin.

"We're not late, are we?" Maria called out as she, Nettie, Lucy and two more joined them.

Emmett grinned and shook his head. "No, just in time. I thought you girls were busy today?"

"Oh, we were, but it can wait till after," Lucy replied as she looked her husband up and down with hungry eyes. "For those of you who don't know, this is my sister Nettie and our neighbours Charles and Makenna."

After a few hello's Emmett clapped his hands to get everyone's attention once more. "Did Jasper go over all the safety equipment and guides?"

"Ya know I did," Jasper replied as he strapped his helmet on.

"Okay, so we will only have two boats today, each one of us will take a spot and carry it down to the river. It's a rough start but then it'll smooth out for a little bit till we hit the rapids, but if you're worried, don't be, since the opening of TA we haven't had an accident yet." Emmett explained while gesturing to the boats. "I suggest you pick your spot now and that will be your carry point. Alright, any questions? No, sweet let's go!"

The moment Emmett turned his back to pick his spot at the back of the raft he heard the chaos around him and laughed to himself, unbeknown that all the woman bar Bella struck to manoeuvre said woman to sit next to him. Though really, Rose and Kate realised what was going on once they saw the others and laughed to themselves when they realised that only them and Jasper seemed to be on the plan to bring those two together.

Bella blinked in surprise as she found herself sitting next to Emmett and gave him a pleased smile ass she picked up her side of the boat, surprised by the fact that it was lighter than she expected. Though it was a little awkward considering she was marginally shorter than the behemoth next to her and she wasn't too sure-footed as they made their way down the long ramp to the river.

The water was loud and angry, she could see rocks peek out and then disappear under the water as it rushes downstream. It made her nervous and a little bit regretful she decided to try this instead of something less extreme, but she could just hear her brother, her dad and all her friends in her head, 'just try it, you may like it.' It bugged her… but as she glanced over to Emmett whose muscles seemed to bulge with each flex of his arm, his eyes flashing as he grinned at her, there was for once no thought of Edward or his stupid voice in her head.

"Excited?" Emmett asked over the loud roar of the water as Bella turned to look at him, she laughed slightly and grimaced. "I take it more nervous?"

"A little, I'm not really too coordinated and I doubt that will change with this." She shouted back before stopping as everyone came to a stop.

She watched as Randall got his group in the boat before dashing into the water and soon enough it was their turn, She kept a tight hold on the side of the raft as Jasper and Peter got in the front followed by Rose and Paul, when it was her turn Lady Luck's cruel way decided to kick in and she slipped, her whole body windmilling backward before a warm hand clutched her own and she was pulled forward into a warm chest.

"Thanks," She squeaked out staring up into Emmett's eyes briefly before taking her seat quickly and picking up her oar.

The chill of the river instantly melted away at her touch and Emmett felt himself swallow hard as he took his place and automatically shout his orders as they dipped into the rough part of the river. He had just met this woman last night and already it's causing his stomach to flutter in warmth and smile in a way he hadn't since before the accident.

Though it was a rocky start that had Bella's heart beating near out of her chest, she couldn't help but love it by the time they reached a smooth patch of water. They were all drenched to the bone and Rose had managed to score the first hit of water from her oar right to Paul's face. There were parts she screamed, the boat twisting violently that caused them to float backward, only with Emmett's muscles were they able to push off the rocks they were jammed against to right themselves.

"Are you having fun?" Emmett asked Bella once they finished laughing at the two bickering people before them.

Laughing still Bella turned and grinned. "Surprisingly yes, I'm glad I came today instead of backing out."

"That's good, better get ready, we're about to hit the last part of the rapids and it's the most violent," Emmett warned and grinned to himself as Bella seemed to shift closer to him till their legs were pressed together from hip to knee.

The next five minutes was both a blessing and a nightmare a blessing could he could see the smile in Bella's face as she helped steer and a nightmare the moment the rocks came into view, he could see Randall's group waiting in the calm waters and saw the moment Randall realized that there was nothing Emmett could do to stop the boat hitting the rocks, and hitting them hard.

Bella screamed as water splashed around her, covering her and filling her lungs as she was thrown from the boat. Panic settled within her and it reminded her of the time she jumped from the high cliff in La Push during a storm in spite of Jacob, she didn't expect the current to take her and it was thankfully Sam was on the beach and saw what happened that she was alive today.

It wasn't spoken of but because of that moment, it bonded her and Sam like family, only a plus that she and Emily got along so well and it resulted in Jacob getting a broken nose and swollen eye for being a dick. But that experience taught her she couldn't fight against the current and didn't even try, just let her body move freely in the water. Though what felt like a lifetime to her was only a few seconds as Emmett dove in right after her, catching her around the midsection as he did and relying on Jasper who was leaning over to catch them both.

"Bella!" Jasper yelled as he hoisted her into the boat passing her to Peter to prop her up as Paul and Rose hoisted Emmett up into the raft. "Isabella!"

Emmett moved quick and took the girl into his arms, pressing his ear to her chest, sagging in relief as he could hear a steady heartbeat, her eyes were open and alert and thankfully she coughed up the water but still, she had yet to respond to those calling her name.

"Fuck," Paul cursed as they came to a stop next to the other boat. "Stay the hell there Garrett, she doesn't need you over here too."

"Fuck you, Paul, that's my sister!" Garrett snarled as he went to try and climb back into the raft only falling back as Randall and Kate both yanked him down.

Kate didn't even blink as her love turned his ire upon her. "He is right, now wait. It was a shock to us all, but Emmett got to her in time, she just needs to recover."

"She's just in shock, Jasper, Randall can you get us safely to the docks? I'll take her back to see Marcus while you all carry on your day." Emmett replied as he nodded in thanks to Peter who pulled out the blanket from the kit he kept on board as both replied in the affirmative. Honestly, he was so glad that Randall joined him today, fuck, it's been a rollercoaster of a day for sure.

Author Note: uhhhhhh… well shit.