Chapter 12

*Hey guys, I know the last few updates have been rather sad, I'm hoping to move back into a happier phase. *

Meanwhile, totally unaware of any threat, Bella and Jacob were trundling down a back road with their now finished motorcycles hidden in her truck bed. They were relaxed, enjoying a crisp winter morning as they were looking for somewhere quiet to practise riding.

Jacob was mumbling happily about their project while Bella was absently replaying the last few weeks in her mind.

There was a warmth in her heart as she watched Jake recover from the ditching. He was coming back to his usual sunny self, despite the occasional cloud. Jake had spent the last few weeks, or months, Bella lost track, introducing Bella to the wonderful world of mechanics. Her knowledge of mechanical stuff branched out from airbags and seatbelts to the engine parts and… well barely that. Bella had gotten much better at nodding convincingly when Jake would get excited about something.

To keep her dad happy, she did insist that they work on some homework together and most nights she made sure that she cooked enough at dinner to feed their dads. Billy would often reach up to hug Bella, from the sheer joy of having tasty food, again. After his daughters fled the state, Jacob and Billy tried but they weren't natural cooks. Bella loved taking care of them, it made Charlie happy too.

She knew that Charlie had some concerns about her relationship with Jake, he knew that she saw him in just a friendly way but Charlie wasn't sure about Jake's position.

One weekend, Bella was helping her dad in the yard. It had been so stormy the night before and their yard was full of debris. Taking a break, they sat on the back porch savouring their coffee and talking about their week.

"What's happening between you and Jake, kid?" Charlie ventured suddenly. Bella took a sip from her mug, gazing out onto the yard before she answered.

"He needs a friend, so do I."

"Nothing more?" Bella sighed, understanding his concern.

"I don't want to hurt him, from the beginning I've tried to avoid giving any mixed signals and I genuinely believe that he understands our position."

"Good, I'm glad." Charlie smiled at her, "Are you done?" he gestured at her mug. Bella nodded and rose, reaching for Charlie's mug.

"Let's get to work, Dad!"

They worked together in a companionable silence, sweeping and tidying. Out of nowhere, a grey piece of fabric blew in front of Bella. She did a double take, it was Paul's shirt. She knew it. Cautiously she reached down, and picked it up. She cradled it in her hands like it was precious and fragile, like an injured animal. She looked over to her dad, and he was on the opposite side of the yard, she took a deep breath of the material.

"Oh god," She inhaled. The smell of Paul was still strong and it filled her heart. Knowing that she couldn't let it go, Bella ran up to her room to tuck the shirt under her pillow before finishing with the yard work.

The thought of Paul made her sigh, she was sure the sad little pit in her stomach was him. He was still avoiding her, but Bella hoped that by consistently taking time to try and find him before going to see Jake, would encourage him to gradually reach out to her. The little book of Quileute legends was sitting in her room, unopened. Her same instinct that guided her about Paul told her it wasn't time to check the book yet.

School was passing her by, she occasionally missed the Cullens but she didn't really feel the ache or longing that she had before. Lauren was massively irritating her. In class, Bella would spend time plotting her payback. She had to be careful not to incriminate herself and lose teacher sympathy, and she didn't want to do something that would make life difficult for someone else.

"So, Bella," Jake interrupted her musings, bringing her back to the present.

"Hmm?"

"How are things going with your nemesis?" He grinned over to her, knowing the circumstances very well. Bella laughed heartily.

"She's still trying to piss me off, I've spent many happy afternoons plotting some pranks to pay her back!"

"Do tell?" Jake was curious, Bella was a little too goody-goody to come across as a serial prankster.

"Well, my only legal idea was to cover her car door handle in golden syrup…"

Jake burst out laughing, with tears streaming down his face. "Oh god, that's weak Bells. You need to get a prank consultant. Oh, pull over here, this is the spot."

Bella glared playfully at Jacob as she pulled up on the side of the road. Still laughing, Jake bounded out and pulled the bikes out of the truck bed, and got set up for their first-time riding.

Bella stepped out of the truck and approached her small red bike, looking up anxiously at Jake.

"You're not chickening out on me, are you?" He teased. Taking a deep breath, Bella shook her head and sat on the bike. Jake shook his head and got settled on his own bike.

"Have you done your homework, Bells?"

"Oh yes. Are you ready to ride?"

Jacob kick started his bike in response with a raised eyebrow. Bella mimicked his movements and soon the quiet winter's day was interrupted by gentle rumbles from their bikes. Gradually, Bella eased off her clutch and began to let her bike move.

As she and Jake took off, Bella felt euphoric. Her heart was racing, the wind blowing her hair behind her and she felt free as they soared down the road. They did a few lengths up and down the empty road, gaining confidence in their machines.

The joy the pair felt was interrupted by a chorus of wolves. Their howls piercing the air, distracting Bella and Jake. Bella lost control of her bike and crashed into a shrub.

"Bella!" Jake, still had control of his bike and raced towards her. He gripped her hand and pulled her out of the bush.

"Oh my god, are you ok? You're bleeding." Jake fussed over Bella while she looked around for the wolves. They sounded close. Bella waved Jake off, brushing the leaves out of her hair with her hand.

"I'm ok, it's just a graze on my knee. Did you hear those howls? We need to move."

"No, we're safe from them. They're moving away from here, sounds like the pack is chasing something away."

"How do you know that?" Bella asked, tilting her head to the side to look at him. Jake looked uncomfortable.

"Just an instinct, you know?" Bella nodded, understanding immediately.

"I gotta take you to the ER."

"Why?"

"Because you fell off a damn motorcycle."

"It was barely going over two miles-per-hour. I'm fine. Let's just drop the bikes off at yours and head up to mine for movies and junk food?" Bella tried to convince Jake. He frowned, before relenting. He kick-started his bike and made his way back to Bella's truck after ordering her to stay put.

Jake hurriedly loaded his bike into Bella's truck before driving it along to pick her up. They made their way up to Bella's silently, she was watching Jake carefully, his smile had vanished, replaced by a troubled frown. She wanted to talk to him, but he seemed intent on getting her to Forks. Once they reached her house, Bella reached over to pat Jacob's arm, hoping to rouse him from his reverie.

His skin felt almost flaming hot, Bella gasped.

"Oh, Jacob, you're burning up. Come on, let's get you inside."

Wordlessly Jacob followed her into the house and stiffened. "What's that smell?"

"What do you mean?" Bella couldn't smell anything.

"It's like bleach. Oh god, it's burning my nose." Jacob stumbled out the house with Bella following him, horrified to see his anxiety. He was beginning to shiver.

"You poor thing, let me take you home." Bella went to take her keys out of his hands when he wrenched himself away.

"No, look, I'm ok. I don't want to give this to you. Can I just drive your truck? I'll take it back tomorrow. I'm sure this is just a 24-hour bug."

"Can you wait until Charlie finishes work and we can follow you?"

Jake shook his head, "I promise, I'm ok to drive. I just want to head home now."

After a few minutes of trying to reason with him, Bella gave in.

"Ok, but call me when you get in?" The hairs on the back of Bella's neck were raised, she was worried but Jake wasn't taking no for an answer. Jacob saluted and clambered into the truck.

She wrapped her arms around herself as she watched the taillights of the truck get dimmer. She made her way to her room to seek comfort from Paul's shirt in her bed.

Jake managed to make it home without puking and texted Bella as much, promising her he was ok.

His body ached and he stiffly made his way to the front door when a voice distracted him.

"Where is she?"

Jake turned to see Paul standing next to the truck, his hands clenched by his side. The leeches had gotten away, leaving him feeling uneasy. Something seemed off about the pair, Paul had a niggling feeling, some little voice in his head trying to tell him something. His teeth were already set on edge and seeing Bella's truck without her in it wound him up.

"Home. Why?" Jacob's voice was tired and crackly.

"Why do you have her truck?" Paul ignored his question.

"I'm sick. Didn't want her to get it." Paul narrowed his eyes and took a step closer to Jacob.

"What's wrong with you?" Paul could feel Jacob radiating heat. He suspected that the change was starting.

"Why the fuck do you care?"

Paul blinked, surprised. Jacob never spoke like that.

"Oh god, sorry man. I think I need my bed." Jacob ran a hand through his long hair, pressing his fist against his head.

Paul was certain the change was imminent. He couldn't let Jacob go inside, it would be too dangerous for both him and Billy. The only choice Paul had was to take on his role of king antagoniser, he decided to force the phase. He sneered, baring his teeth

"Sorry man," he mimicked snidely, "what kind of pussy are you?"

"What the fuck?!" Jacob stepped up to Paul. Paul felt the pre-phase energy ripple off him. This would be quick.

"Oh, look at the kid playing 'Big Man'. Do you think you're man enough for her?"

Jacob snarled, unable to speak. He was close to phasing. Paul grimaced internally, it was time to go in for the kill. Paul bared his teeth with a snarl, embracing the wolf.

"You weren't enough for Quil and Embry, why are you wasting her time?"

Jacob roared, pushing Paul away and exploding into a wolf.

Silence fell as Paul looked at Jacob, his long hair reflected in his wolf's fur.

"Holy shit, you're like a shih tzu on steroids!"

Jacob whined.

"I'm sorry kid, look, the legends are all true. Let me phase in and we'll go see Sam. He can explain this better to you."

Jacob's massive head cocked to the side as he watched Paul, seamlessly shift into his majestic grey form, his fur neat and short.

Don't worry, Jake. Sam's fiancée can take care of your hair while he tells you the legends.

Paul's tone was sympathetic as they scampered off into the woods towards the warmth of Emily's house.

The next day Bella woke up to see her truck in front of the house. She fired off a text to Jake.

Hey, thanks for returning big red. How are you today?

Jake replied almost instantly.

-So rough. I hope you don't catch this...

-Do you want me to take you some super special cupcakes?!

-Maybe after quarantine? ;-) I'll text you.

-Ok, take care. I'll check in on you soon. X

Bella made her way into the bathroom to get changed. Seeing as she had an unexpected free day, she would see if her dad wanted to do something.

For the next week Bella's texts went unanswered, leaving her to feel increasingly sad and concerned. She tried to phone Billy but he claimed that it was safer for her to avoid Jacob, that no one wanted her to catch such an aggressive bug.

Bella decided she would give Jake another week before becoming a nuisance. She decided to devote more time to her Paul quest now, wrapping up warmly she would trek to third beach, sitting quietly and enjoying the tranquillity the beach provided. Her daily walks were almost meditative, the sea air left her mind feeling clear and fresh. It would be perfect if she has a mysterious man at her side.

On the Friday of that week, Bella returned to her truck after another trip to the beach feeling parched. She drove to a small store to buy a soda.

Bella had just parked her truck outside the store when her eyes were drawn to a tall Quileute man stepping out of the store. Bella held her breath as she realised it was Jacob. His hair was cut short, and he had gotten even taller. He certainly didn't look sick.

Anger and hurt flashed through Bella as she stormed towards him. Jacob looked up to see her stomp gracelessly towards him, he had the decency to look guilty.

"I guess the quarantine is over?" Her tone was hurt as she unleashed the force of her big doe eyes on him. He shuffled uncomfortably as he avoided her eyes.

"It's still too soon… with some viruses, you're still contagious for a few weeks after."

"You're a fucking liar." She smacked his arm, reeling from the heat coming off him. He was as warm as she remembered Paul to be.

Before he could respond they heard someone yell his name. Bella whirled around to see Quil and Embry hanging out by the treeline.

"Oh, I see." Bella's tone became flat while she glared accusingly at Jacob.

"It's not what you think, I'm sorry. So sorry. You weren't meant to be back here so soon."

Bella arched her eyebrow and strode off, back to her truck with her thirst forgotten. She watched from the driver's seat as Jake slunk towards his friends in the forest, her mind was whirring, putting pieces of the La Push puzzle together.

Acting on a hunch she pulled out her cell phone to call Billy. He answered after a few rings.

"Hello?"

"Hi Billy, it's Bella!" She adopted a saccharine sweet tone.

"Bella, darlin' how are you?" He sounded confused by her tone. Bella put on her best act and coughed delicately.

"Not too good, Billy. Is Jake still sick?"

"Yeah, he is, sweetie. Are you alright?"

"Oh no, is it a long-lasting bug? I think I'm coming down with it too."

"What do you mean?" Bella noticed how alarmed, and almost afraid Billy sounded.

"Yeah, I'm so tired, everything hurts and god, I've got this awful fever."

"What?" Billy's voice was almost silent.

"I better go, I'm going to bed now. I'll talk to you soon Billy."

"You take care, sweetie…"

"Look after yourself Billy." Bella hung up. "Because I'm going to find out what you're hiding." Bella vowed to herself.

She left the parking lot and returned home. It was time to open that book of legends.

A/N

Hello all! I hope you've enjoyed this update.

The truth is coming out! Bella is smart enough to figure this all out herself, she ain't waiting for no one.

If you have any prank suggestions I'd love to hear them!

Hope all is well with you wherever you are.