A/N: A quick thank you to everyone who added this story in their alerts and/or added it to their favorite list. It truly means a lot to me.

Chapter 15- An unexpected turn of events

Bella's POV-

"No." a loud shout resounded through the room, reverberating as it hit the thin walls that surrounded us. "No way in hell. I will not let this happen, over my very dead body!"

I rolled my eyes, sighing heavily at the raised levels of melodrama in the room, cursing myself for believing that this situation could have gone any better than this. Of course it could not. It was doomed from the very beginning. Lucky me!

"Jake," I sighed, trying to keep myself as calm as could be. "Look…"

"Are you out of your fucking mind?" he interrupted me, rudely much, glaring at me. "They are our enemies. Have you forgotten that fact? I understand you want to find the killer of your parents, and I fully support you…but going with him….going with one of them? I was- and am- ready to come with you. Let's do this- you tell that leech no. I will get my stuff packed. We will leave today itself….No need to wait till you graduate."

I saw Billy's face drop in the periphery of my eye and that seemed to cement my decision. I was taking the correct one. I was sure of that now.

"Jake, no," I sighed. "I don't really like him- that is no secret, but I have to do this, on my own. You are my family, and I will always love you, but on this journey- I can't take you with me."

"But," he opened his mouth to protest, but I shook my head at him- silently telling him that I was not yet done with what I had to say.

"I will be okay, trust me, and if he tries anything- a barbeque is what is awaiting him." I tried to keep my voice as light as could be, adding a brief chuckle towards the end….but it didn't seem like anyone was fooled by my attempts.

Jake sighed, taking his head in his hands. "What about when you sleep? Who will look after you then? You will have to sleep, right?"

Okay, so I had really not thought about that one…but there had to be some solution, correct?

"I can go with her."

Every eye in the room turned to the person who had just spoken…my eyes wide in shock and disbelief.

Wait….what?

"I have already graduated, and have no such commitments holding me back, and I am also a wolf- so the added protection of two versus one. I know- I know that I will also have to sleep, but we can always draw out a schedule wherein we each rest for a few hours and then wake up to let the other one get some sleep."

"But…Leah…." Seth was the one to break the silence, a question in his eyes.

Yes, that's correct. Leah Clearwater had volunteered to join me on this journey, surprisingly so. It wasn't that I didn't like her or we weren't friends, we were, but we weren't exactly the definition of close. I liked her enough to spend a few hours with her when we met during the weekly pack events… but traveling with her for months…yeah, that was certainly an unexpected development.

A good surprise or bad, I was not yet sure of.

"No, Seth," Leah shook her head, a tired look in her eyes. "I need this break. You are grown up now. You don't me as much as you did before, and mom- she will be okay. She has been getting there since a while now. I need some time for myself, you know. I am tired of pretending to be okay. I am not."

"Leah…. why didn't you say anything…." Jake enquired, hesitantly- as was norm for talking with Leah Clearwater. Not to be rude, but she was indeed intimidating.

Leah simply shrugged at him. "Look, I am not doing this for sympathy, or anything. I was just declaring a fact here. No need to make a mountain out of a molehill."

Jake sighed, but kept his mouth shut, everyone in the room- pack, Billy and imprints- to be particular- still stealing glances at the two of us.

I sighed, audibly.

I so did not like or need the added attention on me.

"Leah," I started to speak. "Can I talk to you….in private?"

She shrugged, getting up from her seat on the floor of Billy's living room, following me out of the room and house.

"So…" I drawled the word out. "I am not as self centered, or a complete idiot, to believe that you are doing any of this for me."

Her lips rose in a somewhat smirk, silently agreeing with my words.

"But…Leah," I continued. "This trip to wherever I am going….it really means something to me. It is important to me. Don't take offense, but if you are going to mess up in my plans, or tell me why I should let go of this anger deep in me- I don't need or want you there. As simple and honest as that…."

I wasn't trying to be rude or attempting to dissuade her from coming, but this trip really meant something to me, and I would not let anyone ruin it for me- friend or not.

She smirked at me, pointing a finger towards her own self. "Have you forgotten who you are talking to? I would be the last person on this planet to tell someone to let their buried deep down anger go in vain. Heck, I still detest Emily and Sam, and guess what, I am well aware that it was hardly their fault." She scoffed towards the end, gaining a half sigh from me.

I knew that what she was saying was the truth, and that she really did believe in not letting bygones be bygones- a fact that really pained Emily and Sam….anyhow, but still I could not let go of this worry of mine. There was just so much scope for it all going wrong that I just couldn't relax and let it go.

"Jasper is a bloodsucker. You do remember that…right?" I had to confirm. I just had to.

She sighed. "Look, no one hates them as much as you do. That is a fact. If you are okay with spending excess time with him in the immediate future, my struggle will seem like a walk in the park. And anyway, it is not like I have to talk to him or anything. I don't mind the silence. In fact, I will gladly accept the silence. Sharing a mind with rowdy, hormonal teenagers gets old really fast."

I sighed. Yup, this was going to be a long journey.

"Bella," she sighed, looking towards the ground. "I need this break. I will take anything to get out of here. I am going crazy in here…and this is an out for me, even if it is only temporary. I don't even care about the foul bloodsucker smell. I have to get away from him. I have to get away from the two of them. Did you know, they are thinking of starting a family?"

I stared at her. I had not known of that. Then again it was not like people went around publicizing this stuff.

She sighed, her eyes starting to water- showcasing a side of hers that I had never seen before. I had never seen her like this- vulnerable and defeated. It was certainly strange. Leah had always been the strong one, the one who shouted instead of cried. I was aware that she was hurting, but never had I expected it to come out like this.

"I can't be here for that. I just can't….." she sighed, shutting her eyes briefly.

"Why now?"

This question had often bothered me. I had always wondered of why Leah had never left La Push. She did not like it here- that was hardly a secret. And once Jake became the Alpha, he turned out to be a pretty liberal one. He would have definitely made an exception for Leah, letting her leave her past demons behind.

"They needed me." she whispered. "Seth could not have handled everything on his own. My mom…she needed me. Dad's death really devastated her. But, she is doing better, and Seth is older. He does not need me around as much. I can finally start to move on. I know I will have to still come back here, but I can keep hope that things will be better by then."

I nodded my head- more to myself than to her. Maybe that is what we both needed- a journey to get rid of our buried down pain and to finally move on in life.

"Okay," I gave her a half nod. "I need to confirm with Jasper, but I don't think he will have much of a problem."

She gave me a half smile in response- a first real smile that I had seen on her face.

I sighed, starting to walk back towards the house. While a part of the problem had been solved, I had yet to talk to Billy and Jake. It was not going to be fun, I already knew of that.

As expected, all eyes were once again on me as I entered the room, looking from me to Jake- waiting for either of us to break the silence.

I decided to be the bigger person in the situation- speaking first, a big mistake apparently.

"Jake,"

"No," he cut me off. "Has he given you anything? You were alone with him, right? Maybe we need to see Old Quil? He will know how to get a person out of a vampire's influence. I have never heard of anything of this sort…but those creeps certainly keep their secrets. We will find a way out, though. You don't worry."

I rolled my eyes, almost harshly- resisting the urge to scoff at his words.

"I am under no influence, Jake. I am in my complete senses."

"And yet you take such a decision?"

"Hey!" I glared at his condescending tone. "I have not asked you to come and live my life, so you can very well keep the attitude to yourself."

He sighed, opening his mouth to speak something, but I cut him off. "No, Jake. I am fucking done with this conversation. You can't stop me. I am eighteen, and while you consider me a part of your pack- let's not forget that you have no real powers over me. I have taken my decision. I am going with Jasper. You may not like it, and that is perfectly fine with me."

"I knew it- he has brainwashed you." Jake raised an eyebrow, nodding his head to himself, determination clear in his eyes.

I rolled my eyes- a headache almost developing.

"Jake…."

"Bella," Billy rolled to where I stood; a question in his eyes. "I can't stop you. I am aware of that. All I ask is for you to be sure of your decision. I don't know why you are doing this- I have my guesses, but either way, I can only hope that you will be careful. I don't trust him."

"Nor do I, Billy," I added in a whisper. "But, this is good for everyone, believe me. I have thought well on this."

"I agree with Bella." Sam spoke before anyone else could protest or give away their viewpoint.

I turned to look at him, surprise evident in my eyes. I had so not expected this.

"It is a hard decision, indeed, but it is for the better." He continued, maturity and the fact that he had seen a bit of life shining through his eyes.

He knew why I had taken this decision- I could see it in his silence. He could read it on my face. I met his eyes, a nod confirming my thoughts.

"Oh, come on!" Paul growled. "Not you as well; I can understand that Bella has lost her fucking mind, but even you?"

Sam sighed at him. "Just because you don't understand something, doesn't mean it is wrong."

"It is wrong, Sam. He is our enemy." Paul stated, glaring at the two of us.

"It does not matter." I clarified. "I don't care if you think it is wrong. I am doing this."

"Now Bella - Paul," Jared sighed, attempting to placate the heavily tense room. "Let's not lose our temper…."

"She is fucking out of her senses." Paul argued, shrugging at Jared in nonchalance- almost as if he were talking about a fact that no one could refute.

My eyes narrowed in annoyance. How dare he? Just because he couldn't understand something, it didn't become wrong.

I was so done with the holier- than- thou attitude that was shining brightly in this room.

Don't get me wrong- I had no sympathy in mind for Jasper, or any of his kind. But, I did deserve a little bit of trust.

I knew what I was doing. I was confident about my own decision.

Why couldn't my family and friends just get this simple fact?

It was unbelievable!

"Enough."

Billy's sharp tone cut through the room, stopping all conversations midway.

He turned to look at me, sighing.

"Bella, you will always remain a daughter to me. If this is what you think is correct and needed, I will not stop you or stand in your way."

I gave him a small smile- his words meaning a lot to me.

I felt relieved that I had got his acceptance. I did not want to hurt him by my actions. That had never been my intention.

"But…Dad…"

"No Jacob," Billy cut him off. "This does not concern you. Bella can do whatever she wants. She does not require your permission or acceptance, contrary to what you believe."

Jake hit the wall behind him with force, Emily and Kim almost jumping at their seats at the sound, making Sam and Jared turn to glare at him.

"I am telling you- she has been brainwashed." He repeated, unable to believe that I could take such a decision willingly.

I sighed, shaking my head. "Jake…please….I know what I am doing."

Paul suddenly got up from his seat, looking directly at me. "While this has been fun, I have no patience in me to interact with a leech lover. I really hope that you will come back to our side one fine day, after realizing your blunder."

"I didn't know that there were sides." I whispered to his retreating form.

I hadn't known that I would be kicked out from my own family, my own brothers deserting me, if I chose to somewhat speak in a vampire's favor. I did not even like Jasper, but yet that did not matter to them. All that mattered was that I had chosen to go with Jasper, instead of going with one of my own.

I wanted to shout at them. Didn't they understand or even guess the reason behind my actions?

Were they that blinded by the hate in their hearts that they couldn't see the fear in my eyes?

I did not want this, but this was what was needed.

I met each of my brother's eyes- their silence telling me all I needed to know- they agreed with Paul, all except Sam and Seth- but the latter did not count, Seth just did not have a mean bone in his body. He just couldn't think badly about anyone, no matter who the person was.

I sighed, watching as one after another all my brothers and their imprints walked out of the room, not even meeting my eyes one last time, leaving only Sam, Emily, Leah and Jake behind.

"I will talk to them." Sam reassured me.

I nodded my head, halfheartedly. I could not help but feel betrayed.

"You take care," Emily gave me a hug. "And call me, whenever you get the time to. I will wait for your calls."

I gave her a small smile, nodding my head.

I would miss her.

At least she had turned out to be a true friend.

Sam and Emily left the house, Leah leaving as well after informing me that she will meet me in some time, going to her house to pack her bags.

Jake muttered curses under his breath, finally turning to leave the room- his body shaking in suppressed anger. He was leaving to phase. I could see that on his face.

"Trust me, Jake. I will be home soon." I said to the wind, a scoff the only indication that he had heard my words.

I sighed. I had so not expected it to go this badly.

"I will be in my room." I mumbled to the last member in the room- Billy, walking towards my room.

I was upset- indeed, but I had no time to waste.

I had to find and kill my parent's killer and Jasper was the best way to achieve that.

I had a goal in mind, and I would stop at nothing to achieve it.

Jake would understand one fine day- I truly believed that, and for the others, I was better off without fake people in my life. If they couldn't respect my decisions, I did not want them or need them in my life.

I sighed one last time, opening my closet to pack a bag.

I had no time to waste.