Chapter Twelve

January, 2001

"Hello, everyone! Lady K here, coming to you live from the "love shack" in lovely downtown Sydney and of course everyone is talking about the big concert tomorrow night. That's right, BREAKDOWN. And as you all know, Lady Kassmett loves her some Emmett. So do you think I'll get some of the lovely Big E? We shall see! We're all very excited by the fact that Edward is joining the band once more! I'll be on scene at the concert tomorrow night up close and personal with the boys…I hope I get sweated on…"

Emmett flipped the radio off and blushed as they other guys started ribbing on him. He smiled and the limo came to a stop outside the studio they were going to be filming their next video at. "We're here." He said, hoping to detract from the DJ's fascination with him. Of course, the guys wouldn't let it go. But he had to admit…she sounded sexy as hell. Hmmm…note to self…check her out. If she's hot…yeah, bone her. Now.

He was still having issues. He'd gone home over Christmas and found…Jamie was engaged. She'd met her prince, he guessed. He knew that she wasn't his soulmate, but still, it stung to see her so happy. She tried to play it cool, but he could feel the happiness radiating from her. And the guy was a nice guy, he really was. So, he had to do the whole 'big brother' routine on the guy. And surprisingly, he was kinda decent.

"Yo, Em! You coming? Or you wanna dream about your DJ again?" Jasper yelled.

Emmett flipped him off and followed them into the studio. Once there, they were surprised to find… "Bella! Alice!" Jake said cheerfully. They both wrapped him in a hug and Emmett watched as a familiar blonde head said her goodbye's and walked over to…Royce. Emmett was seething. He didn't know what it was about the guy, but he didn't like him. Rosalie seemed better than him.

"Please don't tell me you're going to kill us with choreography this time, Ali." Emmett said, determined to put Rosalie out of his mind.

She giggled. "Nope, I'm not. Actually, I'm going to be in the video again. You director said something about chemistry…which is why Bella's here…"

Bella blushed and her handbag…barked? "Shhh! Ollie!" She opened her bag and out popped a little dog. She smiled as she set down her bag and pulled him out.

"Whoa, cute critter. His name is Ollie?" Emmett said, coming closer. He'd always loved dogs.

She nodded. "Yeah, it's short for Olympia, which is, of course, the capital of my home state."

"I thought you grew up in Phoenix," Edward asked.

She nodded. "I did, but I was born in Washington. Actually, it's near where Jake grew up too. I'm surprised we never met."

Jake smiled at her, but something else had caught his attention. A girl. And not just any girl…the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen in his entire life…and suddenly, his whole life changed. In that instant, he knew…she was his. His mouth fell open but he was jarred out of his reverie by Edward growling.

"No. No, no, no, hell the fuck no!"

Lynessa smiled as she approached. "What, Edward? Not happy to see me?"

Jake's face fell. Of course. She was one of Edward's conquests. Why? Why does one of my best friends, my partners, have to be such a whore? Why did he have to have her?

Edward's eyes narrowed. "What are you doing here? Where's Mom?"

Lyn yawned, acting bored. "Dad brought me. He had business. Mom was busy with one of her charities. I got a part in your video! I thought you'd be excited to see me, big brother."

Jake's eyes lifted and he felt his heart soar. Sister? She is Edward's younger sister?

"I don't want you here." Edward growled before storming off.

Lyn's eyes filled with tears as her mouth fell open. Bella wrapped her arms around the girl, feeling the need to protect her. "Shhh, I'm sure he's just…"

"Don't." Lyn said, sniffing and wiping her eyes. "He doesn't want me being an actress, never has. He doesn't want me to be a sex symbol or something." She smiled sardonically. "He doesn't want me to be like him."

"He's being an ass." Alice supplied as she too, rubbed Lyn's back.

Lyn shrugged. "Yeah, that is an apt description for my brother."

Jake's eyes narrowed as he watched the exchange and he stormed off toward Edward. Bella smiled as she saw the determination on his face. She didn't need the gift of foresight to know what Jake was feeling for Lyn.

Jake caught up to Edward and gave him a shove to the shoulder. "What the fuck, man?"

"What?" Edward asked angrily.

"You hurt her feelings!"

"What business is it of yours?" Edward asked coldly.

"I…uh…well…I'm your friend, Edward. Don't be pissed at her because of your dad."

Edward's brows furrowed. "Huh?"

Jake shot him a look. "Please. You can get off it, Edward. You love your sister. You're just mad at your dad for encouraging her when he constantly puts you down."

Edward hadn't realized he was quite so transparent. "I love her, Jake. I don't want her…I don't want her to be like me."

"She won't be, Edward."

"How do you know that?" Edward asked softly.

Jacob grinned. "I have the feeling her head's on straighter than yours."

Edward looked up at him and smiled. "Jackass."

"It takes one to know one." Jacob shot back.

They both laughed and walked back toward the girls. Just then, Edward heard his name being called. He stopped dead and rolled his eyes. "I'm going to kill my father." He turned back around. "Tanya! What a surprise!" He said as he wrapped her in a hug.

Jacob sneered. There was something about Tanya. He liked her, she was nice enough, but she just…it was wrong, she was wrong for Edward.

Tanya was wrapped around Edward as they walked back to the group. Both men noticed Bella's attitude turned to ice and she refused to speak to Tanya. Edward let Tanya go and wrapped Lyn in a hug. "Sorry, sis."

She smiled. "It's okay, I'm used to your asshole tendencies."

"Hey, watch it. Language, missy." He stated, tapping her nose lightly with his finger.

She did the mature thing and stuck her tongue out at him. He laughed and hugged her tighter.

"Okay, everyone! It is time! I need you lovely boys over here!"

Jasper grinned. "Is this dude flaming or what?"

"Be nice." Bella chided as she poked him with her elbow.

He laughed and hugged her. Edward watched in jealousy. Why was it everyone else was so easy with affection for Bella, but he had to watch himself? He couldn't even be as affectionate with Alice as he would normally be, not with Tanya around. Why did his father have to bring her along? He let out a slight growl and Lyn smiled. "What's wrong, Edward?"

"Nothing." He bit off as he walked over to the director. They were told how the scenes would work. It would be shots of them as a group in a tunnel of sorts and then the individual shots would be of them in different 'rooms'. The girls would come in at the end of the video.

(AN: Would you believe the lyrics didn't work into this chapter at all? It's "I'll Never Break Your Heart" just FYI.)

"Are we clear?" The director asked. Everyone nodded. "Okay! Wardrobe and then places everyone!"

They all hurried to get dressed. Everyone seemed to be watching Edward closely, and that irritated him further. He knew he was still a bit pale from his surgery, but he'd rested. The doctor had given him his clearance, he was mended. Granted, he was told to take it easy during his down time, and he was secretly glad there wouldn't be a lot of chorography in this video, he was fine and tired of being babied. Especially by Tanya.

Carlisle watched Edward also…much like a big brother would. Being the oldest of the group, he felt the need to be somewhat protective over them all. He noticed during the shooting that Edward's hand often strayed to his chest, especially when he hit the high notes. He really did hope that Edward was doing as his doctor instructed him.

When it was time for the girls to be brought in, the director looked over the five lovely women. Bella, Alice, Rosalie, Lynessa and one other girl, a friend of one of the locals. Carlisle's eyes lit upon her. She was a beauty with her soft chocolate hair. He remembered his promise to Esme…he was going to wait for her to be ready…but a man had needs. And he knew that Esme would not begrudge him an occasional…dalliance. His heart belonged to her already, and he eagerly longed for the time when his body could as well. But until she had properly mourned her husband, they could never be anything publicly. So, until that time, he must continue along his path, enjoying himself and his status until he could be with her, Esme, his soulmate.

Laurent continued to look at the women for the shoot, attempting to figure out who would be best paired with whom. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm…very well then. Let's see…"

Just then, Bella's little dog jumped out of her handbag and ran over to Edward, who scooped it up. "Hey, little guy. Who are you?" The puppy licked his face and he laughed.

"Magnifique!" Laurent, the director called. "He belongs to you, Miss Bella?" He asked.

She blushed. "I'm sorry, Laurent. He's new, a gift from my boyfriend to keep me from being lonely…"

Edward scowled at the mention of Mike, Bella's…he couldn't even think the word, but the puppy licked him again. He had never been around a lot of dogs, his mother was allergic, but it was sweet, tiny little thing. It kind of reminded him of Alice. The thought made him laugh.

"No, it is brilliance!" Laurent went on. "He will be in the video too, with Edward and you."

"Huh?" They both said.

"Yes, yes," now Laurent was talking to himself. "Of course. And the young girl, Lyn, she will be with Jacob…" Jake grinned. "Sweet, little Alice will be with big, strong Emmett…and my blondes, Jasper and Rosalie will be paired together." Now it was Emmett's turn to scowl. He'd barely gotten a chance to say 'boo' to Rosalie, who, he couldn't deny he still felt some sort of odd pull toward.

"And that leaves…what is your name, dear?" Laurent asked the other woman.

"Aileen," She said softly, almost shyly.

"Yes, you will be with Carlisle…"

She grinned. "Kass is going to flip."

"Kass?" Carlisle asked as he came up to her.

Her eyes grew wide and she opened and closed her mouth a few times as he spoke to her, as if in shock he would do such a thing. She blinked and blushed. "Oh, uh, my friend. She works for the radio station. Another of our friends, Louise, she…uh…she got me the job…because she knows I like you, uh, I mean…your band."

He smiled at her and kissed her hand. "Thank you, Aileen. And while your name may mean 'pleasant', you are more so even than that."

She blushed again.

"Carlisle! Quit trying to panty drop the girl! We've got work to do!" Emmett yelled.

Carlisle sent him a rather rude hand gesture behind his back and said, "Shall we, love?"

She nodded silently, not trusting her voice any further. The shoot went most of the day. Emmett and Alice had fun doing their part, and had a hard time looking serious when they were supposed to be snuggled into each other sultry and sexily. Rosalie and Jasper were very cordial to one another, Carlisle literally charmed the pants off of Aileen as she was nervous being in a strapless bathing suit in a bathtub filled with bubbles to look as if she were bathing. Luckily, he was able to talk her into it. Edward was somewhat shy and nervous around Bella, which also made her shy and nervous, but they managed quite nicely, often finding things to joke about while the camera was shooting them interacting with Bella's puppy.

Lynessa and Jake, however, got along spectacularly and their shoot wrapped up the fastest and with the least amount of takes. "Brava, brava, you two! Excellent work. Go, play, whilst I work with these other amateurs."

Lyn giggled and Edward growled. "Is Dad still not back?" He asked her between shots.

She shook her hair, her bronze curls bouncing. "No, I'm afraid not."

"Well, go wash your face. One of us will take you back to the hotel. I assume you're staying in the same one as we are?"

She nodded. "Of course. And there is nothing wrong with my makeup. I'm supposed to look like a skater girl slash pop star."

"Well, your shirt is too revealing and your makeup is too thick."

"And yet, you're not Dad, so you can't tell me what to do!"

Edward pinched the bridge of his nose just as Laurent called him back over to the bed where Bella was waiting for him. "Lyn…"

She sighed. "Edward. I'll be fine. There is a limo out there. I came here by myself…"

"I can go with her, Edward." Jacob said quickly. "He's done with me too. I was just going to go back to the pool and maybe swim some. Nothing big. You know I'm not old enough to get into much…or I'm not supposed to, anyway."

Edward smiled at him. "You don't mind babysitting her?"

Jacob paled and Lyn shouted, "I do NOT need a babysitter, Edward!"

"Keep screaming like a toddler and you're going to need more than that."

"You are not the boss of me, Eddy-kins." She retorted.

"Lyn…please…"

"I'm only like, a few years older than her, Edward. It's not babysitting…it's protecting. I'm protecting her. Like…a bodyguard." Jacob added.

Lyn smiled at him and Edward said, exasperated, "Fine. Be careful. I love you, Lyn." He kissed her cheek.

She rolled her eyes. "I love you too, you idiot." She kissed him on the cheek as well and hurried to change clothes, all but vibrating with excitement.

"Okay, Rosalie, Jasper, you two are done. Great job." Laurent told them.

"Thanks, Jasper." Rosalie said, almost shyly as he helped her stand from where she was perched upon the white leather chair.

He smiled and bowed to her. "My pleasure, darlin'."

She giggled. "You are a charmer, aren't you?"

"But of course."

Her smile faded as she looked behind him. Royce was standing there, a scowl etched into his cold face. "I, uhm, I guess that's a wrap, then. I'll see you later, Jasper."

He had seen that look before, had worn it himself, on occasion. It was a look of fear. And he hated it, because he knew what it meant. He grasped her hand tightly. Her eyes caught his. "Don't, just listen. I can see what it is he's doing to you. If you want help…"

Her back stiffened and she pulled her hand from his. "Thank you, Jasper. I appreciate working with you. I'm sure I'll see you again sometime."

He nodded. "You aren't the only one that's ever been abused, Rosalie. I could help…"

"Good day," She said, before her ice queen persona rose and she moved over to Royce. Jasper watched her go, but he saw her bite her lip hesitantly before Royce guided her out the door, hand wrapped tightly around her upper arm.

He blew out a breath. "Hey, Jazz!" Emmett called out.

"What, Em?"

"Me and Carlisle are going out tonight. Bella and Alice are gonna meet us, as well as Carlisle's new lady friend and some girls she knows. Wanna come with?"

Jasper looked in the direction that Rosalie and Royce had disappeared to. He had a feeling Rose would have a few new bruises in the morning and his flirting would be the cause of it. But unless he could prove the abuse, accusations would do no good. So he sighed and said, "Sure, Em. I'll go." He had his own demons to face without worrying about this girl he hardly knew and her issues.

Edward and Bella shot a few more scenes before they too, were finished. "Great, lovely work, you two. The chemistry…excellent."

They both smiled shyly. "So…" Edward started.

"Uh…" Bella started at the same time. They both laughed. Edward motioned for her to go ahead. "So, Alice and I are going out tonight. We're hanging out with Emmett and Carlisle, Jasper too, I think. Do you want to come?"

"I'd love to…"

But then he was accosted by Tanya, who had been watching them like hawks. "Edward! Brilliant! I knew you were a natural actor! Lyn didn't get all the acting genes!"

Edward had the feeling she was referring to how he acted with Bella…but the sad thing was, that was when he felt the most like his real self, was when he was with Bella. It was like she brought out the best in him.

"Eddie? Do you need to rest? Because…I was kind of thinking you could take me out to dinner and some dancing!"

He held in the groan as Bella looked saddened. But she put on a smile and said, "See you guys later."

Edward watched her leave with a heavy heart. But he turned to Tanya and put on a dazzling smile. "Of course, I'd be glad to."

PAGE BREAK

Jacob and Lynessa rode back to the hotel in slightly strained silence, so both were eager to get out of the car when it pulled to a stop and the door was opened. "So…I guess we should go change." Jake said.

"You don't really have to come with me, Jacob. I'll be fine by myself."

He looked at the sky, now lit almost orange with sunset. "No, I really want to."

"Oh! Okay." She smiled at him.

He smiled too and said, as they stepped into the elevator, "Say, I'm kinda hungry. Why don't we change into our swim stuff, throw some clothes on over them, and grab a burger or some pizza, okay?"

"I'd like that." She said softly.

He felt like his heart was going to explode. "Okay. What's your room number?"

She told him and he said he'd be back down in thirty minutes…if that gave her enough time. She laughed as they arrived on her floor. "I may be a beauty queen, but I'm a simple girl. I don't like all that makeup and crap they put on me."

"You don't need any of it." He said, blushing.

She blushed too. "I'll…I'll see you in a few, okay?"

He nodded. "Until then," He said as he watched her head down the hall to her room. He rode the elevator up the next few floors and hurried into his room. Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit…what am I doing? What can be done…what…?

He flopped down onto his bed. I'm in deep doo-doo.

Of three things he was absolutely certain; one, Lynessa was Edward's sister. Two; there was a part of Edward, and he wasn't sure how big that part was, that would kill him if he realized how Jake felt about said sister, and three…that after only one afternoon with her, he, Jacob Black, was completely, and irrevocably in love with Lynessa Masen.

I'm so fucked.

He managed to get himself up and changed and standing outside her door twenty nine minutes later. He knocked and the door was thrown wide. She was wearing a beautiful green sundress that accented her eyes and made her skin look like ivory. "Hi!" She said cheerfully, shutting the door behind her.

"Wow. You weren't kidding, were you?"

She giggled. "What can I say? The beauty queen guise is just that. Now you get to know the real me. Be afraid, be very afraid!"

He laughed and held out an arm for her. "Okay, then, you little monster. Let's see what you're made of."

They snuck out the employee door and hurried down the road where they found a small pizzeria. They found out two things about themselves; that they both loved pizza with pepperoni, onion and green pepper, extra cheese, and they had to drink Coca Cola with their slices. "I'm not supposed to eat this. Mom will kill me." Lyn said as she eyed the gooey deliciousness Jake had heaped onto her plate.

"But your mom isn't here right now, is she?"

Lyn grinned evilly at him. "Are you leading me astray?"

He nodded. "Yup." He said, popping the 'p'. "I'm contributing to the delinquency of a minor."

She snorted and he laughed at her snort. She looked mortified but he just smiled. "You're too cute, Lyn."

She blinked. "Cute?"

His face fell. "I'm sorry. Was cute not acceptable?"

She shook her head. "No, it's just…I'm not used to…"

"Surely people call you beautiful, don't they? You are, after all. Beautiful, I mean."

She blushed again. "I…uh…I'm not used to…ya know, boys saying it."

"Are they blind, or just stupid?" Jake wondered aloud.

"I think…intimidated might be a better word. And then, because I'm not home much, I'm not in a normal high-school…so I haven't, you know, had a lot of normal experiences and stuff…"

His hand reached over to cup hers on top of the table automatically. "I'm sorry."

She smiled, but he could almost see a hint of a tear in her eye. "Hey, it's okay. At least I'm living out someone's dream…"

"And what's your dream?" He asked softly.

She shook her head. "Don't worry about it."

"Can't you tell me?" He prodded gently.

"To be normal." She whispered.

He grinned. "Well, the circumstances aren't exactly normal, but, consider this your first, regular, normal, boring old date."

Her eyes lit and she gasped. "A date? This is a date?"

"If you want it to be." He said, his bravado failing slightly.

"Oh! I'd love for it to be a date! And not one I was set up on, or forced into, or primped and prepared for…it's perfect, Jakey, I love it."

He smiled. "Jakey?"

"Oh, I'm sorry…you don't like it…?"

His hand tightened around hers once more. "No, I do. No one's called me 'Jakey' since my mom died. I forgot how much I liked it." Well, no one besides Bella. And for some reason, when she called him that, it gave him that warm feeling, just like with Lyn, only slightly more familial than when Lyn used it. Almost like a sister. And Lyn was nothing like a sister.

They ate, enjoying the rest of their meal together and since he had done it in the restaurant, Jake thought nothing of reaching out and grasping her hand again. Lyn smiled at him as he led her back through the employee entrance. "Shall we continue to the pool?" It was now almost completely dark outside.

She nodded and tugged him out toward the terrace where the pool was all but hidden in a lagoon style area. It was private and Jake was momentarily uncertain if this was a good thing or not. He was doubly concerned when she slipped off her shoes and dress revealing a miniscule bikini. She had beautiful curves, already carrying a womanly flair of someone older than she. He sucked in a breath and she smiled at him. "Jake?"

His hands reach out and grasp hers. "I feel like I know you, Nessie."

"What did you just call me?" She asked.

He blushed. "Oh, God, I'm sorry…" He looked away, shamefaced. "Sorry…it's just…you don't make me think of a 'Lyn' but rather a 'Nessie'. Lyn seems too stuffy or something."

She laughed. "Nessie?" She rolled the name around on her tongue and he felt a strong stirring in places he ought not to be stirring. "I like it." She added.

"Really?" He asked.

She let out a giggle and jumped into the water. "Come get your little sea monster!" She yelled as she dove underwater.

He gave a grin and jumped in after her. He caught up with her just as she reached the rope separating the deep and shallow ends, and pulled her back into the deep. Her legs wrapped around his waist automatically, and the stirring he'd been trying to ignore came back in full force.

She let out a gasp and he felt as though his face was on fire. He tried to dislodge her grip on him but she only tightened her hold. Her hands travel to grasp his face. "Tell me we could be something," She whispered against his lips.

"Ness…"

"Tell me, Jacob. Please?" She was all but sobbing at this point.

"I've waited my whole life for you, Nessie. But you're underage…"

She grinned wickedly. "Well…what's a few more years, right?" She asked as her lips descended to his.

I'm going to hell…he thought to himself. But what a way to go…

PAGE BREAK

The next morning, everyone met for brunch. Emmett, Jasper and Carlisle looked tired, Edward looked irritated, and Jacob looked…giddy. "Thanks, man, for looking after Lyn last night." Edward said softly to Jacob.

Jake choked on the sausage he was currently eating and said, "It…it was nothing. We went and got pizza, went swimming. It was fun."

"Yeah," Lyn said softly. "It was like being a normal teenager for once."

Jacob blushed, and the only one that caught it was Bella. She smirked at him and his blush deepened. She would get the truth out of him. "So," She said, getting the attention off of Jacob. "What happened with those girls last night, Em, Jazz, Carlisle?"

All three grinned stupidly. "Well, hell, let me tell you, Kassandra…that chick is fucking awesome." Emmett stated.

"Your stalker from the radio station?" Edward asked, his attention now on his friend, rather than the woman sitting next to him, pouting because he said he wanted to eat with his friends this morning instead of a nice, romantic brunch just the two of them.

Emmett nodded. "Yeah. She's coming tonight too, to the concert. We're gonna hook up then too."

"And you, Jasper?" Bella asked. She loved hearing their stories. It was fascinating to watch them. Though, it was remarkably similar to how Mike's band was.

"Yeah, her friend Louise was there. She loved my southern accent. She…yeah…well, she's still asleep in my room…" He attempted to pull off a bashful face and couldn't quite manage it.

"Carlisle? Anything you wish to add?" Edward asked.

"Yeah…you and that chick from the video were pretty hot and heavy in the corner last night!" Alice tossed in from where she was sipping her Mimosa.

"A gentleman never tells…"

"Come on! What a bullshit play!" Emmett growled.

"I will add…" He continued with a baleful glance at Emmett, "That her friends call her 'Lammy' for some reason…but that girl is all lion." And he pulled down his shirt to reveal the bite mark on his shoulder. "We are having another…tryst tonight after the show as well. She called me 'God' last night. I rather liked it."

They all laughed at him and made plans for the rest of their stay in Sydney, which would only be one more day before they were off on to their next stop along their world tour.