Chapter 2

JACOB

Daylight streamed in through the tiny window of his apartment, causing Jacob to wince as his eyes adjusted to the uninvited light. "Crap" he muttered to himself when he saw the clock. It was his last day of classes before he took off for the holidays and he had already missed over half of it. Well no use in going now, he thought to himself as he made his way to the empty kitchen. Not fully awake yet, he managed to find the fridge and pull out a carton of milk. He swallowed a gulp and set it back on the counter before heading to the shower.

Winter had just begun and already the temperature was in the low thirties. The pellets of hot water felt nice as they skimmed across his back. He stood in the shower for a long time thinking about the upcoming week. He was not looking forward to his visit home; it had been over a year since he had left La Push and made a life for himself here in Pullman. Things at home had gotten pretty bad for a while, Billy's drinking had gotten out of hand and eventually he just couldn't take it anymore. Jacob had hoped that by leaving, his father would find a way to put himself back together, so after a bit of hard work he managed to acquire an early admission to Washington University, find himself a job as mechanic at a local shop, and get himself set up in a small apartment. Billy on the other hand had not gotten any better, and after numerous calls from the Clearwaters, Jacob decided it was time to pay home a visit. Billy was his father after all, and regardless of what may have happened between them in the past, Jacob could never turn his back on him.

After his shower, he quickly pulled on a black t-shirt and hoodie; exchanging the towel that hung around his waist for a pair of old jeans. The keys to the Volkswagen Rabbit he had just finished rebuilding were hung on a hook by the door, the small green bag he had packed sat on the floor next to them. He grabbed both before climbing into his car and heading towards home.

Jacob made it to La push in a little over seven hours. By the time he made it to First Beach, the sun had already started to set. As he scrambled out of the car he couldn't help but admire the view of the tide rising and falling against the colorful backdrop. He slowly walked towards the coast and was surprised to find someone already there.

Usually during this time of year, the beach was closed to the locals and tourist. Even if it hadn't been he couldn't imagine who would want to be out here in this weather. He walked towards the petite figure sitting on the sand, curiosity getting the better of him.

"Do you make a habit out of trespassing?"Jake called out as he neared the pale girl-her arms wrapped tightly around her.

"I..I'm sorry, I didn't realize anyone else would be here" she blushed as she looked up at him. Chagrin colored her face.

Jake chuckled to himself, pleased by her reaction. He sank down into the sand besides her, intrigued by her presence. "I grew up on this reservation, my father still lives here" he pointed towards the row of houses barely visible behind the trees. "I like to come here and think sometimes, I just wasn't expecting any company" He continued; flashing her his most cunning smile. Already he was enjoying having her around.

"Oh" she replied a bit flustered. "Charlie, my dad, used to bring me down here a lot when I was a little girl. It's been a while since I've been back here. I guess I just wanted to see it again" she explained without prompting.

"Charlie, the chief of police, is your dad?" Jake questioned her. The girl nodded.

"You're Isabella Swann" Jake commented, it was more a statement than a question. He studied her face as if trying to connect it with some distant memory. His stare only made her turn a pale shade of crimson.

"Just Bella" she replied. "How did you know?"

"We used to play together when we were young. Our dads' were good friends for a while. I'm Jacob Black." He stated smugly as he offered her his hand.

"I remember!"She exclaimed. He noticed as her face lit up. It was as if she had just remembered something she hadn't even realized she'd forgotten. Then just as suddenly, the smile faltered. "Were?" She asked confused "What happened?"

"It's a long story" Jake tried to shrug it off.

"I have time" Bella pressed on.

"Billy has sorta been out of touch with the world for a while." He didn't really feel like getting into the specifics just now, and he hoped that answer would satisfy her. "Are you living in Forks permanently? " He inquired, trying to change the subject. He was relieved when she took the bait.

"No actually, I'm just here visiting Charlie, he hasn't been doing well."

"Charlie's always been tough, I'm sure he'll pull through soon enough" Jake tried to reassure her, and with that they fell into an easy rhythm of conversation that seemed to come almost naturally for them.

Several hours had gone by before either of them got up to go.

"Hey why don't you come by tomorrow night? La Push is known for its bonfires, the local kids throw one almost every weekend. You might have some fun." Jake asked as he shook the sand of his jeans.

"Yeah, sure, count me in" Bella said before she turned to walk towards her car. "Bye Jake"

"See ya around, Bells" He waved goodbye as he drove off towards the small red house he had grown up in.

The pungent smell of whiskey hit him the moment he walked through the door. Home sweet home, Jacob thought to himself, as he tripped over Billy's drunken body sprawled on the floor. With a sigh, Jacob carefully lifted his old man onto the tiny sofa and covered him with a blanket, before tackling the half empty liquor bottles that were littered all over the floor. He picked up the bottles and one by one emptied them into the kitchen sink.

It killed him to see his father this way. Jacob had always admired the man his father had been, but after the accident everything had changed. And Jacob wasn't sure he was strong enough to fix it.

ALICE

It was cold. Alice sat huddled in her sheets reluctant to get up. She hadn't gotten much sleep lately, and last night was no exception. Her mind had continued to race back to the haunting dream she'd been having, trying to interpret its meaning. She didn't believe in coincidences or luck. To her everything had a meaning; she'd gone through this before, too many times to simply dismiss it. She had always had this uncanny ability to know things that she shouldn't. They came to her as dreams, fuzzy mysterious visions that almost always came true.

Alice was lost in thought when the phone rang and snapped her back to reality. Quickly she reached to pick it up, thankful for the interruption.

"Bella, finally; it's about time you called!" Alice practically sang into the phone.

"Sorry Alice, yesterday was a bit…" Bella paused for a moment, trying to find the right word "…interesting."

"Interesting? How so? Is everything alright with Charlie?"

"No, he's fine; he's doing better every day. Anyway, I'd rather tell you in person. How was class?"

"Boring" Alice replied "I hate that you don't have classes on Fridays, the day is torture without you."

"I believe you." Bella teased her a bit before continuing. "Ali, I need a favor, come over…Pleaseeeee"

"To Forks? Bella are you sure that everything is okay?" Alice was concerned now.

"Yeah, yeah. Everything is great… It's just I was invited to this thing-"

"A party, why didn't you just say so!" Alice interrupted her, excited at the idea now. "I have to go down to the hospital for a few hours this morning, I need to get a couple of my volunteer hours in this week, but I'll head down as soon as I get off. Don't touch anything in your closet till I get there."Alice chirped as she hung up the phone and leaped out of bed. She was suddenly eager to begin her day.

She danced to her closet and pulled on her pair of purple scrubs. She secured her short hair back with a head band and quickly examined herself in the mirror. Perfect, she thought to herself as she headed out the door.

Fifteen minutes later Alice was walking down the hospitals' winding halls, headed towards the oncology ward, when she suddenly found herself on the floor.

"I am so sorry, I didn't see you there." She heard a voice call down to her. She opened her eyes and saw a tall young man standing over her; his gorgeous green eyes piercing through her.

"Here let me help you up" the man offered, his hand held out towards her.

"It's okay, I'm fine really." Alice said regaining her composure and lifting herself up.

"Are you sure? You hit your head pretty hard, you may have a concussion. Let me help you." He tried again.

"No really, I'm okay. But thank you...I have to go now." Alice turned to walk away "You really ought to watch were your going." She added quickly before disappearing around the corner. She walked a few steps down the hall and stopped in front of the big reception desk that blocked the small rooms in back.

"Morning Salene!" Alice smiled at the head nurse. "Is my dad around?"

"He's in his office, why don't you go on in dear." She replied warmly.

"Thanks" Alice beamed, before heading into her dad's office.

"Morning dad, sorry I'm late." Alice grinned sheepishly at her father. "Some lunatic was in a hurry and nearly tackled me out of existence."

Dr. Cullen couldn't help but laugh at his daughter's flustered expression.

Alice had always gotten along well with her father. He and his wife Esme had adopted her when she was only a few months old, and she considered herself incredibly lucky to have found such a loving family.

"Actually Alice, there is someone I want you to meet." He said waving in the same young man that had ran into her earlier. "This is my new intern"

Alice could feel her cheeks turn beet red as embarrassment washed through her. "Hi" was all she managed to say to the bronzed haired man, with dazzling green eyes, standing in front of her.

"Edward Mason,the lunatic. It's nice to meet you- again" He chuckled to himself as he shook her hand.