I'm gonna be honest - this isn't my favorite chapter, folks. But, it's what came flowing out, so this is what it is. I hope you enjoy it anyway (and please forgive me if you don't). LOL. It's a lot of conversation.
As always, SM owns all things Twilight. No copyright infringement intended.
(Bella POV)
As Joe pulled over just outside of Forks, the truck slid a little sideways in the gravel. He parked and checked for oncoming traffic before opening the driver's door. "I can hoof it from here. Go home, and stay away from that creep you were with tonight. You can't trust him." Joe didn't give her a chance to reply as he slammed her door shut and ran toward one of the nearby houses. Bella watched him disappear into someone's backyard and sighed. She pushed down the door locks (a lot of good they'd do against a vampire) and checked her phone for what felt like the millionth time, wondering why Paul wasn't bitching her out with the rest of them for going. In fact, he had not responded at all.
Bella put her phone back into her purse and undid her seatbelt as she intended to scoot into the passenger seat. A loud thump on her truck hood made her scream. She was flooded with relief as she realized it was Paul. The scowl on his face washed the feeling away as she leaned over to unlock the door.
In nothing but rumbled black slacks, Paul climbed into the driver's seat and slammed the door shut behind him. "Bella-" he growled and hesitated as he looked her over. She glanced down at herself and realized she still wore the waiter's white shirt over her dress.
"I'm sorry," she muttered. "I probably smell like Joe now."
Paul scowled in confusion and asked, "Who?"
Bella said, "The waiter that helped me sneak out of the restaurant." Her lip trembled as she waited for him to start yelling. Instead, frustrated, Paul sighed and held his arms open to her. Bella dove into them and wrapped her arms around his waist.
Rubbing her back reassuringly, Paul said, "Honey, when you're on the run, never just wait on the side of the road. Okay?"
Bella laughed and took a deep breath before sitting upright. "Why are you here? I mean, how did you find me?"
"I knew you would come from this direction, so I just tried to get here fast enough to meet you," Paul said, scowling as he scoped their surroundings. "We should go." He checked for traffic and pulled back onto the road.
As they exited town toward La Push, Paul asked, "So, should I assume this was your last date with Alex?"
Bella said, "You assume correctly. I intended to tell him I just wanted to be friends, anyway. I believed we could be friends, but now…" Alex seemed upset when Bella told him how Edward had stalked her, but Alex never flat-out claimed not to know Edward. He had seemed more annoyed by her disappearance than concerned until voicing her accusations against Edward. Bella said, "I don't know if anything he ever told me was true. I don't know if he's connected to Edward. I don't know what the hell Edward wants." She shook her head and shrugged. "I told Joe I should have just stayed and confronted them both. He told me I was right to follow my instincts and leave. Do you think that Joe knew? What Edward is, I mean?"
Paul gaped in silence for a moment as he continued staring out the windshield. "I don't know, babe," he said finally. "I would imagine lots more people know bloodsuckers exist than we realize. They're all over the world, aren't they?"
"I suppose that's true," Bella said. "Edward told me once that sometimes one of them will slip up and kill a human. When that happens, they have to flee. Change their lives around somewhere far away for a while. There must be humans left behind like me that suspect or overhear more than they should, right?"
"Absolutely," Paul said and nodded as he reached over to slide his hand under hers. Bella stared down at their hands incredulously, remembering how Joe had taken her hand precisely the same way.
It has to be a coincidence, Bella told herself. Still, Bella couldn't help but think of the familiarity she had felt with a perfect stranger as Joe tried to comfort her. He had sought to protect her without any thought of his own welfare, likely losing his job and possibly gaining an immortal enemy.
"I hope he's safe," Bella mumbled to herself.
"Who, Bells? Alex?"
"No, Joe," Bella answered. "The waiter. You know, the guy that drove me here. He ran back behind someone's house right before you got there."
"Well, I'm glad someone was there to help you. I'm sure dude is fine," Paul said and squeezed her hand reassuringly. The dismissive tone in Paul's words only made her feel more suspicious.
Is Joe from Forks? Do the wolves know him somehow? Something didn't add up. Bella became more frustrated by the second. She rode most of the way in silence, eager for the safety of La Push and the opportunity to reassess her plans. As the miles dragged on, Bella grew angrier with herself for not confronting Edward. It would have been on a public sidewalk with heavy traffic, far safer than any encounter she might have with him in Forks.
How long had Edward manipulated things around Bella while she had been unaware? Was this the first time Edward had sought her out? Or was it something she had not caught onto until now? Had he always known where she was? The thought of Edward keeping tabs on her only made her despise him more. It would imply that he knew how she suffered mentally with his departure and the danger his family had left her in. Her inner ranting finally concluded with a defeated sigh. Edward Cullen has loomed over my life like a cloud of doom from the day we met. When is it going to stop?
At that moment, she decided that she wasn't going to hide around in fear, waiting like bait. She could always keep a wolf at her side for safety for the time being. If Edward Cullen wanted her attention, he would have to hunt Bella down and demand it.
Near home, Paul asked, "What are you pissed about?"
Bella scowled up at him in confusion. How in the hell?
"Baby, I can smell it," Paul said, chuckling.
"I don't want to do this," Bella said.
Paul glanced at her warily, suddenly seeming very worried. Anxiously he asked, "W-what don't you want to do?"
Shit. Paul thinks I'm talking about us. Bella gave him a small but affectionate smile and squeezed his hand. "I don't want to hide from Edward. He has no right to do whatever he's trying to do. The next time I see him, I'm not running away. I'm going to confront him."
Paul looked relieved and horrified as he released a slow, deep breath. Pulling into the driveway, he said, "No offense, Sweet cheeks, but I hope one of us is with you if that happens." Bella's stomach growled loudly then, making him chuckle. He asked, "You hungry, Babe? Did you even get to eat anything?"
"No," she said. "Alex got to try the Salmon, but all I managed to do was chug a glass of wine. My second glass got bumped and spilled on me. I went to clean it up before I tasted any of the food. When I came out of the bathroom, I spotted Alex and Edward talking outside, panicked, and then booked it through the kitchen with Joe's help. I was looking forward to that Romaine Wedge, too. The pears looked amazing."
Paul said, "Well, it's not even dark yet. We could always salvage what's left of the evening if you want. I'll need to go home and change real quick, but we could go grab some food if you would like."
"I appreciate the thought, but I just want to grab a snack and sleep. The whole thing kind of drained me," Bella said.
"Right on," Paul said. The disappointment in his voice was unmistakable despite the soft, understanding smile on his face. He shut off her truck and handed her the keys. "In that case, I'm going to head home, I guess."
"Okay," Bella said timidly. She didn't want him to go. You shouldn't have said anything and just went with him. As he climbed out of the driver's seat, Bella said, "Wait." She slid across to follow him and shut the truck door behind her. "Thank you," Bella said as she slid her arms around his waist. "I'm glad you met me in Forks. I was worried when you didn't answer any of the messages. I thought you were pissed at me."
Paul reached up to cup her cheek and said, "I'm not sure what I would even have to be mad over, Bella. You can't help the crazy shit other people do. It's not your fault your ex is nuts."
"Jake didn't want me to go in the first place," Bella said. "I should have listened."
"Don't beat yourself up, baby," Paul said. "You're safe now, and that is what matters." He leaned down to brush his lips against hers. Bella responded immediately, sliding her hands up around his neck as she pulled him closer.
They separated at the sound of multiple large feet crashing through the nearby woods. Leah reached them first, phasing into her human form a mere three feet away. Ignoring her nakedness entirely, Leah snatched her little sister out of Paul's arms and hugged her tight. Bella's face pressed against the taller woman's chest as she struggled to peel off the white shirt.
"This isn't awkward at all," she mumbled against Leah's chest as the taller woman refused to let go.
"I could wring your fucking neck," Leah grumbled at her. Bella finally pushed her away and held out the long white shirt. Leah slipped into it quickly as the other wolves phased back and dressed around her. Paul laughed as Bella flushed beet red and hid her face in his chest.
"Where the hell were you?"
Bella looked up into Quil's angry face as he glared at Paul. Bella asked, "What is your problem?"
Quil took a step back to look down at his cousin. He softened his tone as he said, "How the hell did Paul find you first when he had no idea what was going on? He was not phased or answering his phone. None of us have been able to reach him for the last few hours."
Paul said, "Just because I didn't answer doesn't mean I didn't see them. I went straight to Forks and waited for her to reach town."
Bella said, "He met me right on the edge of town, too."
"Convenient," Quil spat at Paul. Bella glanced up into Paul's tired, worried face. Where was the volatile wolf everyone spoke of? He was hiding something, of which Bella was certain. Quil said he hadn't answered anyone for hours. Bella stepped away from him slowly, giving Paul the sweetest smile she could manage as she remembered Joe ignoring his phone.
"We're going to talk later," she whispered and grabbed Leah's hand as she walked toward the house. They barely made it inside before the other wolves all began arguing. Leah rolled her eyes at the noise and pushed the front door shut behind them.
(Paul POV)
Leah had barely shut the door when Quil pushed Paul back against the side of Bella's truck.
"Hey, not the truck," Jacob growled. He lovingly patted the hood, scowling at Quil.
"Jesus, Jake cares more about the fucking truck," Embry mumbled, making Jared laugh.
Ignoring them and the anger flowing through his limbs, Paul asked, "What is your fucking problem?"
Quil said, "I don't know what the hell you were doing today, but I don't fucking trust you, Paul. I don't trust that you weren't out fucking around while no one could find you, and I definitely don't trust you with Bells."
Heat bloomed across his skin, reddening his face as Paul became instantly enraged. He hissed, "Jacob knows I was looking out for Bella today. Where and how I managed that doesn't fucking matter. I did my job. She's home safe, and that's all that fucking matters. Got it?" Paul shoved Quil back a few feet as he tried to ignore the trembling in his limbs.
"Jacob didn't know where the fuck you were, either," Quil spat back.
Paul said, "Jake is the one who sent me after her to keep her safe, and that is what I did."
"How are we supposed to know when you won't fucking respond?"
"I don't know, Quil. Maybe I'm better at keeping my fucking thoughts to myself than you all think I can. The fact that you don't trust me or think I would do anything to hurt Bella tells me exactly how well you know me, bro." Paul shoved his shoulder into Quil's hard as he stomped past his brothers toward the house.
Sam called out, "Where are you going?"
Paul said, "I'm going to go check on Bella. Then, unless she wants me to stick around, Im fucking going home." The screen door slammed shut behind him as he entered the house. "Bella?"
Wearing Bella's clothes, Leah stepped out of Bella's bedroom and quietly shut the door behind her. She whispered, "Bella is lying down. She's really fucking confused about today."
"I can't say I blame her," Paul said softly. "I just wanted to check on her before I go home. I'd rather stay with her. If she wants to be alone, I understand."
Leah asked, "Who the hell is this Joe kid she keeps mentioning? Did you see him?"
Paul nodded and said, "Yeah, I saw him. She will be pissed when I tell her the truth, Lee."
Leah scowled at him suspiciously and asked, "And what would that be?"
Paul said, "I followed her to Port Angeles today. I was there the whole time, and she didn't know it."
Leah's eyes went wide, and she huffed, "Mm-hmm."
Paul smirked at her response and asked, "She's gonna be pissed, yeah?"
"Hmmm," Leah nodded her head once, staring at the floor. "She'll be grateful, too, though. When she realizes that you were keeping her safe, that is."
"I hope so," Paul said. "I love her."
Still not looking at him, Leah nudged him with her elbow and asked, "Did you tell her that yet?"
"Nope."
"And why not?" She finally turned to look at him and grinned at his serious expression.
"Not ready for that," Paul admitted honestly.
"You, or her?"
"Both," he said firmly. Part of the reason Paul had always avoided commitment was because of the permanence of love. While it was a state of being, it was also a tool often used for the wrong reasons. Once you loved someone, they took precedence in your life. Once that person knew you loved them, they could decide what to do with that love. Some would cherish it. Many would cling to it, smothering it to death. Others used the love they received to manipulate, twisting that love to achieve their own ends. Paul's mother had been that type. Bella wasn't the only one who had abandonment issues.
Paul's great grandparents were Ruth Uley and Gene Lahote. Their only son and his wife had died in a car crash while very young, leaving behind their only child, Caroline. Wild from the start, Caroline was spoiled rotten by her grandparents. She found out she was pregnant at sixteen, and Paul's biological father took off (or so she claimed). Caroline never would reveal who he was. Paul still did not know his own father's name. Ruth was well into her sixties when given the task of raising Paul since Caroline was not ready to be a mother.
As a small child, Paul lived for the tiny bit of attention Caroline gave him. She frequently used his love for her to guilt him into things. It began with small favors here, a fib to Granny there. Over the years, he became wiser to her manipulations. When she married his drunkard stepfather and had another child, it became clear that she never wanted Paul. That was when his anger management issues began.
One day, Paul came home from school to find Ruth sobbing, devastated. Caroline and her husband had packed up and left without telling anyone, stealing many of Ruth's family heirlooms and valuables. Paul's grandmother had filed a missing person's report and pressed charges on them. They were living in a different state when located, with Paul's infant sister nowhere in sight. Caroline admitted to relinquishing the child to a hospital in New Mexico and signing away her rights. Paul would never see his baby sister again.
When his great-grandfather Gene passed away, Paul had been twelve. The only father figure he had known was gone, leaving him alone with his ailing great-grandmother, Ruth. She was the only person left that Paul loved, and Paul feared losing her. He was sixteen when that day came, and Paul was instantly a man forced to keep himself alive as best as he could. Paul had never wanted to care that much about anyone, ever again. Aside from Jared and Sam, Paul had managed to keep everyone he knew at arm's length.
Until Bella. He couldn't lose her now. Paul knew with certainty that if he did, he'd never let himself love anyone else again. He would go back to being the lonely one-night-stander, standing drunk in the corner of the bar. Paul smiled as he thought of Ruth and wondered what she would have thought of his girl.
She would have loved her, too, he decided. Paul and Leah turned toward the front door as Jacob and Sam walked in. Leah sighed and sat down on the couch.
Sam said, "Uh, Lee, can you let us chat alone?"
"Not on your fucking life," she said sweetly, refusing to budge. Paul snickered as he sat by her while the others took the recliners.
Jacob asked, "Where were you, Paul? Up until you met up with Bella?"
Fuck my life. Paul knew the day would come sooner or later, but he had hoped it never would. There was about to be a house full of people pissed at him. He asked, "Where is everyone else?"
"They left," Sam grumbled.
Paul stood and walked to the door as he said, "We need to go outside." The other three followed him in silence as he led the way into the woods.
Leah asked, "Where the fuck are we going?"
Paul snapped, "This is just in case you guys get pissy. Come on."
Suspiciously Sam asked, "Why are you getting so worked up?"
Out of sight of the house, Paul spun on them, stopping them in their tracks. He held his hand up for them to wait and said, "I'm anticipating a little fucking hostility, okay? Just watch." As he unbuttoned the black slacks, Leah rolled her eyes.
"Always trying to show off your junk, Lahote," she teased.
"Hush and don't move or phase or whatever," Paul said. He closed his eyes and concentrated before biting back a pain-filled yell as he shifted. He stood upright in front of his wide-eyed packmates as they stared at him in disbelief.
Paul adjusted his voice and said, "Meet Joe. The waiter that saved Bella's ass today." Before anyone could respond, Paul growled in pain as he shifted back. He kept his eyes to the ground as he pulled his pants back up and buttoned them. The air was thick between them, and no one spoke for a long time. Fed up with their silent scrutiny, Paul quipped, "Okay then. Bye." He began to walk past them, and Sam's hand shot out to grip his shoulder.
"Hold the fuck on," Sam snapped, tugging Paul back to face him. "How in the hell did you do that shit, and how long have you known that you could?"
Paul said, "I figured out I could become other things than the wolf years ago. I had never tried to look like another human until today. I just got lucky that it worked. Other than that, I usually become a fox or something inconspicuous. Then I can take off and be by myself. The wolf only connects to the pack mentality in the wolf form. Anything else is just me."
Jacob asked, "Why can you do this when the rest of us can't?"
Paul chuckled anxiously and said, "I don't know, guys. I've asked myself that for years now. The only thing I can think of is that it must have to do with whoever my real dad is. I've wondered if you guys could do anything like it if you tried, but I never knew how to bring it up."
Leah said, "So the fox Danny hit with the broom was you?"
Paul laughed and nodded. "Bells tell ya about that, did she?"
"Oh yeah," Leah said. "Are you going to tell her the truth about this shit? Or the rest of the pack or council?"
Paul scowled at the thought. He didn't particularly want anyone else to know. He said, "I like having something I can keep to myself, honestly. I've never used it to spy on anybody or anything until that day at the restaurant. I do think Bella suspects based on some things she said."
"I kind of like the idea that only we know," Sam said quietly. "It kind of gives us a secret weapon if no one else knows."
Leah teased, "Yeah, but now, every time I see a stray cat or something, I will just wonder if it's Paul being a snoop."
He laughed and said, "I swear, I won't do that. I'll always find a way to let you know it's me." He was relieved as the three of them all smiled conspiratorially. "I'm glad you guys aren't pissed. I was worried about it."
"What you said about trust to Quil," Leah said tentatively. "It goes both ways, you know? You didn't trust us either?"
Paul nodded. "You're right," he admitted, "but I'm trying now."
Jacob was biting his thumbnail as he nodded, lost in thought. He asked, "I wonder if your biological father was another kind of shapeshifter."
"I've wondered that for years now," Paul admitted. He looked up into the trees and said, "I would like to try to be a bird at some point, but I was always afraid I would just crash and die if I tried to fly somewhere." He grinned and shrugged at their collective laughter.
Sam said, "I do think no one should know. If B figures it out, tell her the truth. Other than that, what Paul can do stays between the four of us alone."
Paul said, "How about a solid and you alpha that one, big boy?"
Sam laughed and shook his head before his eyes flashed with gold, and the timber of his voice changed. He said, "Only Bella can be told about Paul's abilities, by Paul, and only if necessary."
"Thanks, Sammy Boy," Paul said and slapped his large friend in the gut. Sam grunted and coughed before shoving Paul in front of him.
"Come on, guys," Sam said. "Let's go check on B and go home."
How do you guys feel about this chapter? Please leave your thoughts, questions, and critiques. THEY HELP! XO.
Also, I want to throw out a big thank you to everyone who comments on this story. I apologize for not responding to everyone individually with every chapter, but I do want to express my gratitude. You guys give me so much fuel, and I appreciate every single review/comment/critique.
Thank you!
Little side note: Info on Paul's parents is never given in canon outside of being the great-grandson of Ruth Uley and Gene Lahote. Caroline and the circumstances mentioned are my own little handiwork.
