Disclaimer: I do not own 'Twilight' or any of the characters!

Rating: T (minor language)

Pairing: JB/EC

Bella! Bella! Bella makes an appearance, a somewhat brief cameo but she will be back! Thanks so much for the reviews and all of your ideas and support and...wow...you guys are awesome! ROUND OF APPLAUSE! and a COOKIE! Yeah...just take the cookie.

To my supporters, reviewers and friends, I would just like to say that your input on this story was very much a help in the re-writing and editing that I've done, so thank you very much and to new supporters, reviewrs and friends, your added praise and criticism is very much welcomed and appreciated. And now....

Enjoy!

Chapter 4: A Matter of Infidelity

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(Edward's POV)

I was surprised to see her when I returned home. She was sitting in the living room dressed as if she were going to, or had just come from, a funeral. Her naturally pale face seemed to be even more pale, her deep brown hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, and her eyes…they showed a deep sadness. She looked as if somebody had died, somebody she'd loved dearly. When she looked up at me, a ghost of a smile passed over that lovely face, "Hello Edward."

Her voice sounded sad as well, it compelled me forward. "Hello Bella." I didn't have to ask as I spotted Alice walking up the stairs. I heard it in her thoughts, Bella was here on account of Jacob. She'd been told that he was dead and had just come from his "funeral." I sat down next to her and without a word, I gently embraced her, feeling her head come to rest on my shoulder.

I didn't know how to console her, because I wanted to tell her the truth, but at the same time I was hoping that Jacob wouldn't show up any time soon. Tears rolled quietly down her cheeks. She sniffled a bit, but otherwise kept silent, not wanting to shatter the silence she was enveloped in.

Carlisle came through, pausing briefly in shock, not having heard or smelled Bella come in. He remained quiet though, did not look at me, and continued on his way to his small medical library off of the main hallway in the room. I could feel her calm down, wipe away her tears, gather a deep breath then say quietly, "I couldn't believe it…Charlie told me it had been an accident and Billy wouldn't tell me anything at all…is he really gone Edward?"

My heart went out to her and I felt guilt surge heavily through my body. Here she was, Isabella Swan, the person that I loved the most, and I could not immediately cease her worries. Jacob was…is her best friend, and I couldn't tell her that he was alright, that in some shape or form, he was still alive. She shifted to look at me and I saw just how broken up she was over all of this. I had to tell her. I didn't know how good or bad her reaction would be, but I knew I had to make things right for her.

Cupping her face gently and holding both of her hands in my own, I gazed at her momentarily. She was patiently waiting for me to speak. "Bella, you've been lied to honey." Her facial expression shifted to one of skeptical shock but she remained stationary. "It wasn't an accident and that funeral that you went to was just a cover-up. It was to mask the truth of what really happened to Jacob….He was bitten by a rogue vampire several days ago and it changed him…he's a vampire now."

Bella didn't move as I gently caressed her face. Her eyes were transfixed on my own, still full of shock. "Bella love, please say something," I gently prompted. It didn't help that I couldn't read her mind at all. A few minutes passed before anything profound happened and when it did, I wasn't shocked at all.

I was merely surprised in a ground shaking way.

I heard his thoughts before his voice reached her ears, before he stepped through the archway from the hall right across from the kitchen. I stood up just as he entered the room, talking with Alice about something. I hadn't seen him since he'd woken up and I was caught off guard by how…breathtaking he had become. The gray skin tone cleared up into a pale brown and it was flawless. His hair cascaded around his shoulders, his smile albeit small, lit up the room. Even his eyes did not seem so horrifying.

With a startling discovery, I realized that, until Bella shrieked his name and ran into his arms, sobbing with relief…I had completely forgotten of her presence.

(End Edward's POV)

***

(Bella's POV)

When I'd heard Jacob's voice, tinged with a new sort of musical quality, and seen him walk into the room with Alice, I couldn't help but run to him and throw my arms around him. For the life of me I started to sob again, unable to control the overwhelming emotions I felt at the moment. He was freezing but I didn't mind, I just couldn't believe that he was here, and alive…well…he certainly wasn't a pile of ashes.

We stood there together and I was so happy that he returned my hug, careful not to crush me. Pulling away to look at his face I gasped at how beautiful he was; he had been good looking before, no doubt, but now…my Jacob was perfect. There was just one thing that seemed to be any different besides his glowing beauty--his eyes were shocking no doubt, but they were striking in their own way.

"Bells you look good in black," he commented, a smile on his face. I saw from the corner of my eye, the look on Edward's face. It was an odd mixture between surprise and embarrassment. I didn't see what he was so embarrassed about. He knew that Jake and I were only friends. I turned my full attention back to said…werewolf? Vampire? Werepire? Jacob. "That's not very funny Jacob Black. I was at your supposed funeral and you weren't even there! You're not even dead! Why did Billy say you were dead? Does he think you are? What the hell is going on--!"

"Bella! My father is going to disown me. The funeral was just procedure in making sure that I don't even exist in the real world any longer," he interrupted my rant, staring solemnly at me with those strange eyes. Why was Billy going to disown his only son? It must have been some kind of mistake. Jake practically read my mind; he shook his head, letting me know that everything his pack and father had done was on purpose. "Oh Jacob I'm so sorry," I whispered, wrapping my arms around him again, feeling tears well up in my eyes.

By the way that he nuzzled the top of my head like he usually did, I knew he was sorry too. I heard someone clear their throat. Turning around I saw Edward standing there, his eyes trained on Jacob. He was frowning and what for? I had no idea but I could tell he was bothered by our closeness. Jake continued to ignore him though, and wrapped his arms around my waist protectively. I could tell that the situation was not at all going in a good direction and I needed to diffuse the growing tension before it got to be too heavy.

"So uh…Jake…I take it that you'll be staying here with the Cullens then?" I felt him nod, looking up I saw that his eyes were also trained on Edward. I disentangled myself from him and he let me go with ease. Me being very naïve about the two of them being in the same room together, I figured that everything was smooth sailing after that point. I was wrong.

They continued to stare at each other, their wary gazes quickly turning into glares of extreme dislike. Alice was back in the room in seconds, toting Jasper along behind her. The room quickly became a little calmer, the air of tension seeming to dissipate ever so slightly. Jake and Edward continued to stare at each other, the glares never fully disappearing from their faces.

Suddenly and unanticipated, anger boiled up inside of me. They both start a fight over me just after I find out that Jacob is still alive! I was out worrying myself for the past seventy-two hours that Jake had just disappeared, then we get a phone call from Billy that he's dead, we go to his "funeral," I ask Billy what really happened and I get no answer, and the same exact day I find out that my best friend is still alive and he and my boyfriend have been living under the same roof for the past ninety-six hours and now! Now, they decide to get all hostile with one another.

I gave them both a look, making sure we made eye contact, then proceeded to get my jacket, and walk silently out of the front door. If I was gone, then maybe they'd get along better. My inexplicable anger towards both of them turned into a deep feeling of grief by the time I got to my old Chevy. Ever since the first time Jacob and Edward met each other they never liked the other and it was because of me. I loved Edward with all my heart, and Jacob was like the brother I'd never had…but I knew that he'd seen me as something more. That made it all the more harder for him to possibly get along with Edward while I was in the surrounding area.

I would call Edward later and ask to talk to Jake if they weren't both still being immature. I was on my way home to sort through some much needed thoughts running rampant through my head. Jake was a vampire now…a hybrid of some sort, disowned from his pack and family, and…and I just really had to think.

(End Bella's POV)

***

(Jacob's POV)

I watched as Bella left. I could tell that she was angry with me--with both of us. Who could blame her? As soon as she had ran into my arms I began to tease Edward by throwing looks and glances his way. I couldn't stand how he thought it was always a good idea to be nearby when I was in the room. Hell, I'd been friends with Bells longer than she's known him. Then he just kept staring at me. I was thinking of ways to be alone with her the entire time and it was almost as if he knew that.

He continued to stare at me. I was getting annoyed and I let him know that much. "Listen Edward. Bella is just as much mine as she is yours. I've known her longer anyway so I think you should just let it go." "Oh really mutt, well I'm the one she loves so you can just let that go." My frown turned into a growl. Immediately I felt a wave of calm wash through the room, but I was too angry to let it influence me. I knew it was Jasper, having learned of his strange ability to feel and control the emotions of others around him. "I don't want you two fighting. He's stronger than you think Edward," Alice warned her brother. "Good," I thought, "maybe I should test it out on him."

Edward smirked, which caught me off guard. In an instant he was gone through the back door, across the wide field in the backyard, and into the surrounding forest. So, he wanted me to chase him huh? Well…I'd teach him a royal lesson then. And I was gone, ignoring Alice's pleas for me not to take the bait. A challenge was a challenge, and I was not going to back down.

(A/N: Ooo! Cliffy! Don't bite my hand off (otherwise how could I possibly write more???) but there will be a continuation of the action in the next chapter! Plus! Don't you love how I used three POV's in this one? Let me know how it's going! Review please! Thanks! Isn't Edward an a**?)