Okay, I know everyone was probably pissed that Jacob hasn't made an appearance. I was originally going to have her just see Charlie in the house-- it would have shortened the Chapter and I probaby would have included more of this chapter into the next one, but I suddenly got a scene in my mind of an encounter between Bella and Charlie, and how a senario like that would have gone, and I decided to include it.

Well, thanks to my friend nagging me over Messenger to finish it, here's the next chapter, fresh-hot from the griddle.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight/New Moon.

And now since everyone's been so patient...

If you were far away from the small house in La Push, all you could see was the little house, reasonably quiet, light on in the living room and a shadow moving around restlessly. If you were not far away, however, you would have been able to hear angry roars, profanities, and an occasional crash or thump within the house.

Jacob Black blinked, his bloodshot vision only slightly obscured by the vodka. He let out a loud, "HA!" and threw back another swig from the label-less bottle.

"Never liked the fucking chair anyway," he said between swigs and stomped away again from the remains of a shattered chair. It had dented the wall, but not broken it completely. If he had been sober, he probably would have considered the busted TV screen, splintered door/doorframe, and the couch with large chunks ripped out of it unfamiliar. In this particular state of mind, however, it was a normalcy that was given no second thought.

Jacob collapsed his weight down on the couch and stared at the wall. Memories would replay through his head with every drink. Bella crying about how he had treated her or something he had said. Bella apologizing for things that weren't her fault, Bella offering him friendship, despite who he was. Despite what he was. Bella in his arms, their faces only centimeters apart…

Jacob's lip quivered and his eyes clenched shut to stop the moisture from his eyes. Unconsciously, his hand tightened on the arm of the couch, and another large fistful of it came loose. Annoyed, he threw it across the room and buried his face in one hand. Another image came to mind now. The bloodsucker's sneer at him at Bella's prom, the odd weak feeling he had against Edward when he was still human. The same glowering face was directed at him when he had brought the bikes to Bella's house so that she'd be grounded. Guilt and murderous feelings circulated through Jacob's veins once again. An image from his own imagination came to mind of Edward ripping Bella open and indulging in her still-warm blood…

Jacob howled with rage and in lighting speed had thrown the vodka bottle into the wall, shattering the bottle and punching a small hole in the wall a few inches away from photograph of he and Bella hanging there. It had been taken in his garage while he was still human, Bella holding the camera away from them with one hand. They were both grinning broadly; the bikes were almost finished. He sneered at the photograph and grabbed up the lamp next to the couch by its lampshade and hurtled it at the photograph. That was when it happened.

While the lamp was still flying through the air, before it had even hit the wall, it happened. Everything became slow motion for Jacob, his body rigid, his senses alert. The smell was faint, but hit his nostrils like a ton of bricks.

Vampire.

He watched the lamp slowly smash into the wall, not seeing any of it. He was listening, smelling and watching. It was faint, but it was there. Probably no more than two or three miles or so from this very house. He laughed dryly. If Cullen thought that he could show his face back here after killing Bella, he was dead wrong. Jacob had had several chances to fight Edward, several chances to challenge him, but he never actually made any moves for three reasons: Billy, Bella, and the wolf pack.

Billy and Bella were both dead now. The wolf pack was worried that if Edward was attacked, the treaty would be broken and there'd be a fight between them and the Cullens. Well, the treaty was already broken, Edward had killed Bella. An eye for an eye now, and Jacob could tell that the rest of the "family" hadn't come. After Edward was dead, the two groups would be even, and the Cullens would have no right to return for a fight now.

Jacob Black had left the house before the broken remains of the lamp had hit the ground.

I crouched silently in a tree, my eyes dark with bloodlust as I watched the creature below me.

It was a small buck, but it was the only one I'd seen, and it was better than nothing at all. I could almost feel its body heat from where I was, hear it's heart pumping steadily as it walked slowly between the trees. The rain didn't fall nearly as thick through the thick trees, but every so often, a the thunder would sound in the distance. At the sound of the boom, the deer's heartbeats would quicken ever so slightly. It was driving me mad.

I shifted her weight quickly, making no sound. However, the buck suddenly became rigid, as though it was aware of the danger that it was in. It turned and began to try to run.

I quickly jumped from the tree, landing nimbly in front of the deer. Before it could react, I grabbed it by its antlers and sunk my teeth deeply into the side of its neck.

He could almost feel himself sobering, the effects of the alcohol seeming to wash away in the rain and his mind becoming more clear. He was sprinting toward Forks now, figuring he'd be able to get there quicker through the trees. As he ran, he could feel the tremors beginning to stir his body, but he desperately tried to hold them back.

"I want the fucker to see my face before I kill him. I want him to know exactly which wolf will end his existance tonight."

Adrenaline and murderousness circulating through him, he plunged through the quickest shortcut he knew that would eventually lead to Forks. It seemed like he was getting closer now, the scent was stronger. He could smell blood on the air now, and knew that Edward had probably been hunting. His legs quickened as he ran in the direction of the scents, his feet perfectly soundless.

I signed in content, my system full, and my body warmer than before.

The meal was over, and the bloodlust was decently satisfied. After leaving the scene to where the smell of blood was a lot fainter, I was calm, and wandered through the trees peacefully. The patter of the rain on the leaves above me serenaded me as I drifted silently among the trees, the scent of rain in my nose. I looked up and watched in what seemed to be slow motion as a rain drop slowly slid from a high up leave and dripped. I watched it fall until it was close, then closed my eyes and let it plop onto my forehead. I smiled broadly.

But smile faded quickly. Something was coming.

I whirled around, looking in every direction, my senses acute and the hair on the back of my neck standing on end. I felt the anxiety, the foreshadowing danger that something was coming fast. I took off my jacket quickly so that I would not rip it should I have to fight. I felt a rush of air behind me now, but I did not turn. I simply closed my eyes and breathed. I could smell his scent now, it was a pity that I could not smell it before. He smelled of wood and of spice. A warming sensation similar to the effect of cinnamon tickled my nose. I slowly turned and was met with deep brown eyes that had quickly drained from anger to shock.

I knew they wouldn't last that way for long.

It can't be.

It had to be some sort of trick. Some sort of illusion. He had thought he was stalking Edward, the vampire scent stronger and reaching him from a further distance. As he had gotten closer, he sensed something else, but in his rush had ignored it. Now he recognized her scent along with the vampire scent. Floral. And now that he really analyzed it, it wasn't even really the same vampire scent. It was softer somehow. The same feeling peppermint gave. It chilled his nose, like a snowflake had landed on it.

He took in her appearance. She was the same, yet so different. She was paler, but she was somehow more beautiful than he had remembered, if that was possible. Her hair was shimmery, her skin seemed to glow faintly, her lips tinted red as well as her cheeks. Her sad eyes were a warm, soft liquid topaz.

It was at the sight of her eyes that he knew exactly what had become of her. He felt the muscles in his face tighten at the seemingly-apologetic gaze she was sending him. He scowled at her.

"Never," he began quietly, struggling to control his volume, "never had I thought that you would be so heartless. So cruel. So uncaring... to abandon Charlie, to leave him in that house alone just to follow your selfish little ambitions. I know that bloodsucker did this to you... he broke the treaty now." he sneered, his lips curling.

"Call on your precious Edward now, if he's brave enough to come. It's time for him to face his punishment." He watched her body tense. He assumed, if she had a pulse, that it would be speeding right now at the words he was spitting at her. He knew, of course, that Edward hadn't come. He wondered why, but more-so wanted to see if she would lie, or evade the fact that he wasn't there. He watched her hands ball into fists as she spoke.

"The treaty was already broken, and has been broken long before I turned. If anyone deserves to be punished for not keeping their word, it should be you, Jacob Black." She spoke each word with defiance flashing through her eyes, danger in her voice. "Besides... Edward is no coward, but he is not with me. I came alone, and I... I assure you that he will not be back for me," she finished the sentence, almost faltering, but regained confidence quickly.

"HA!" Jacob shouted, jabbing his index finger in the air. He watched Bella struggle to keep her face emotionless as he leaned casually against the tree beside him and crossed his arms. "I can honestly say that I am not the least bit suprised. And I'll not hestitate one bit in saying 'I told you so'. However, he now deserves to die even more now than before for his ignorance in throwing away something so priceless."

At this, Bella raised her eyebrows.

"I'm not sure whether to be insulted or flattered." he started to smirk, but she continued, "But that's beside the point. No matter what he deserves, I refuse to let you touch him. You're going to leave him alone, whether he's ignorant or not, and if you touch him, I will fight you. And let me assure you, Jacob Black, I'm not near as weak as I was," she finished menacingly, keeping her voice very cool. He shot her a cold glare.

"I can't believe after he fucks you over this badly, you still protect him. He makes you give up any life you could have had and condemns you to this half-life, and then repays you by throwing you away, but you STILL protect the bastard! Why?" he shouted finally, his temper beginning to get away from him. He could feel himself quiver just slightly. Her eyes narrowed.

"I may not love Edward, but I care for him, and unlike you, I don't turn my back on those I care about. Speaking of which, how's Billy? What's he think about the fact that you've been drinking to the point you're completely irrational, or do you even care about him or anything he might have to say?"

It happened very quickly. Like a lightning flash.

Jacob sprung forward and exploded into a wolf midair, his lunge aimed at Bella. She disappeared before his eyes. He landed and looked around to spot her sitting in a tree, her legs swinging through the air as though she was amused to watch him. He snarled and leapt into the air snapping at where Bella had been. His teeth had caught something, but barely. He felt a sting in his shoulder as he landed back to the ground. He looked and saw a bit of blood darkening his fur. He growled and turned his head slowly toward Bella. Part of her shirt was torn open on one arm, and a large gash-- though it wasn't bleeding or red in any way-- was exposed and was visibly healing upon infliction.

He ran at her. She sprung out of the way unharmed. The game continued like that, charging and darting, each occasionally landing a blow, but usually both missed. As he was coming at her again, she jumped into the air and landed on his back.

"Jacob, this is enough." she said softly, knowing he could hear her perfectly. He snarled and bucked her off his shoulders. Instead of hanging on, she jumped and landed nimbly behind him.

"I won't be here for much longer. Why don't we agree to a truce?" she suggested, desperation in her voice. He turned and began to stalk toward her slowly. She stood her ground. She continued to try to calm him down, but he continued to slowly stalk forward her, each step slow and precise, a low rumble in his throat. He was only ten feet away.

"Stop!" she said with sternness in her voice. Her eyes looked so determined, her hand raised in the air to signal him to halt. Something in him made him listen, and he stopped stalking. He merely stood still now, his fur still standing on end, the low growl still escaping his throat. When she saw he was coming no further, she stepped forward. He took a lunging stance, but remained stationary.

"Jacob," she said gently, her eyes soft as she walked toward him, "I didn't come here to fight with you, or any other werewolves. I just wanted to be home again and see everything I once loved, even if only for a little while. I don't intend to stay longer than I'm welcomed, and I don't want to fight, so please...let's agree to a truce. I'll not attack you now if you agree not to attack me. Agreed?"

She was about seven feet away. Jacob had stopped growling, and merely stood staring at Bella, now noticing how sad her eyes were. Her words stung him slightly. He wanted so desperately to be able to trust her, but he'd done so many things to her before she'd left. He'd been so cruel to her, and now had attempted to kill her. There were many motives for her to want to get even, to kill him. What the hell could POSSIBLY make her trustworthy at this point?

Little did he know, similar thoughts to these were going through Bella's mind at the same moment.

Suspiciously, cautiously... he walked toward her, feeling his heart rate calm despite himself. She remained perfectly still, as though she was made of marble. He stopped when they were about five feet apart, and for what seemed like hours, they looked into one another's eyes, as if searching for some sign of dishonesty. Slowly, Jacob felt the familiar tingling sensation of needles pricking through his skin, and realized that his fur was sinking back into his body.

He sighed as he felt himself shifting back into his human form. He closed his eyes for a brief moment and opened them again to find Bella missing. He saw something move from the corner of his eye, and looked to see Bella walking toward him, holding out her long black coat. Realizing his... current state of dress, he accepted the coat silently, his eyes appreciative as he covered his naked flesh.

How great this would be to explain to Sam... wearing nothing but a trench coat and walking through the woods with a vampire.

She looked at him expectantly, and he rolled his eyes and began to walk through the trees. They walked at a fast pace in silence, Bella slightly behind Jacob. Paranoia sweeping over him, he slowed until they were side by side and picked up the pace again. She sped up with him this time. They continued two miles without speech, until finally Jacob decided to speak.

"Where are you staying?" She looked at him shockedly, then raised an eyebrow at him.

"Being what I am, I don't really feel too threatened by much here..." he snorted.

"Yeah, a pack of werewolves isn't anything to worry about at all," he said sarcastically. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. She looked thoughtful. "Believe it or not, I didn't think about that." He rolled his eyes, but couldn't help but smirk. Then suddenly he got an idea. He hesitated a little before he spoke.

"...You wanna stay with me for a bit?" popped the question casually. No answer. He glanced over his shoulder and realized she'd stopped walking. She was looking at him with a funny expression that he wasn't sure what it was.

"You don't mind?" she asked, slight bewilderment in her head. He laughed dryly. "Our truce was that we wouldn't attack one another and that you wouldn't fight with the other werewolves. If you hold up your end of the bargain, then I'll have to keep up my end and keep you safe from the pack. I'll have to keep you away from them 'til tomorrow at least, and then we'll have to meet them to discuss it," he told her. She began walking again, up to his pace almost immediately.

"Well, with an offer like that, how can I refuse?"

They continued the walk still tense, but a little more relaxed than before both feeling secure that the other wouldn't turn randomly and slash into them. They sped up when they saw his house in the clearing.

The door was unlocked; Jacob hadn't bothered to lock it on his way out. He opened the door and motioned for her to go into the room. Though it was pitch black now, she could see everything almost perfectly. He flipped the light on, and she raised her eyebrows at the mess. He watched her from the doorway as she stepped over obstacles in the floor, looking around the room with a cynical expression on her face. Something caught her eye next to the sofa and he saw her pause and reach for whatever it was. She held up an empty Vodka bottle and looked at him with one eyebrow raised. He merely shrugged, entering the room and shutting the front door behind him.

"The maid quit?" Bella asked casually as she looked at the busted TV apprehensively. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms as he watched her examine each broken thing as though it was particularly interesting.

"Yep, didn't like the wages apparently." She looked around the house, and then looked at Jacob confusedly. "Where's Billy?" Jacob frowned.

"He died about two years ago," he said quietly. He didn't look at her face as he continued, "It wasn't a big funeral. Sam and the pack were there, and Emily, and some more of the tribe, give or take. Charlie showed up, but left early. He didn't want to be there for the burial."

Silence.

"I'm... sorry," Bella said softly, obviously for lack of words. Jacob just shook his head and looked back at the messy room, hoping she'd take the hint that he wanted to quit talking about it. She did. She turned and squatted next to the TV.

"Well, it'll keep me busy until morning," She motioned to the room with one hand.

"You don't sleep?"

"None of us do." Figures.

"Well, I'm goin' to bed," he grumbled. She waved a hand dismissively and turned her attention back to the TV. He watched her curiously. Since when did she have a thing for electronics? Maybe they just get that bored...

He stifled a mischievious grin as he took off the long trench coat and dropped it over the armchair. He pretended not to notice anything out of the ordinary as she watched him walk across the living room and start to head up the stairs, both her eyebrows raised as high as they could physically go.

He was almost to the door when he heard her call his name.

"Yeah?" he replied at a normal volume. He knew she could hear him perfectly. She had gotten up and walked to the bottom of the staircase, stopping and looking at him, also ignoring the fact he was completely nude.

"Do I smell bad to you now?" she finally asked softly. He barely suppressed a grin, remembering their conversation about all this. He turned and looked at her, his eyes warm and one corner of his mouth slightly raised.

"No, less strong somehow... like peppermint," he told her. She looked relieved and smiled up at him. She started to walk away.

"Bella?" he asked. She reappeared and looked at him questioningly. "What about me?" She smiled without showing teeth, and shook her head.

"Like spice," she said simply and disappeared again. He couldn't help but smile broadly now that she couldn't see, and quietly entered what used to be the attic. And for the first time in almost four years, Jacob Black slept through an entire night.

Well, there it is. Have you ever noticed that every time I write a chapter, they seem to just get longer and longer? Crazy… well, thanks for reading. Feedback is GREATLY appreciated and encouraged, as always.

Rosarita