Noah Bennet: You can hate me all you want but right now this has to be contained, which means you have to stay put!
Claire Bennet: What, you want me to play dead? I'm sorry, I'm not Mr. Muggles!

(Company Man)

"Don't think…I haven't…noticed… you're avoiding….me."

I don't think that. Really, I don't. I just wish you were a little less observant.

"Well…you can't …forever…"

Obviously, but that wouldn't stop me from trying. Can you take a hint?

Edward was right about me getting ambushed later. It really wasn't that much later. It was in gym class. While running our two laps in shorts, in the rain, Jessica questioned me, or tried to that is.

"What happened…yesterday?" She huffed.

I consider speeding up and leaving her behind. But then my guess would be she'd just ask me later in the locker room or even worse, at La Push in front of everyone. And no, actually there was no guessing about it. She would hound me until she got what she wanted. Might as well take the bullet I had been avoiding all day. At least this way I could control the how part even though not the if.

So I slow down my run, keeping pace with her, knowing I might as well get it over with. Now that she knows she has my attention she bursts into her tirade.

"You sat with the Cullens! Nobody sits with them. The whole school is talking about it."

That's probably a bit of an exaggeration, not the sitting part but about the whole school talking about it. Sure, I've gotten a few inquisitive stares which means people are curious and are taking more notice of me (damn my impulsiveness). Yet, that doesn't mean everyone is talking about me. I'm not talking about it! I've been actively trying to not talk about it. As of now I'm not entirely sure what I think about that specifically, Edward, the Cullens and my current situation as is. But of course that isn't going to slow Jessica down any.

"Then you sat with just Edward today!"

Yes, yes I did. I'm quite aware that you noticed. Should I just let her work it out of her system so then we could move on and put it out of our minds? Yes?

"What's going on?"

No. Looks like I'm going to have to participate. Time to continue to follow the simple formula: ignore, evade, deny. Ignore has been crossed out and I've been trying to evade all day so on to my next option.

"Nothing is going on." I insist.

"Okay, I might not be prepping to go to Harvard or whatever but that doesn't mean I'm stupid." I wince at her insinuation of the incident in class today. I really shouldn't be surprised she heard about it. There goes my blonde image I've tried to promote on occasion to get people to over look me.

I sigh wearily. "I figured it would be polite to introduce myself."

"Why would you do that? Nobody does that!"

"That is why I did. As far as I can tell nobody has in the past either." At least not successfully…

"That's it? You just wanted to introduce yourself? I'm sure you were both aware already of each other so-

"That isn't the point!" It was the principal of the thing. Did I have to spell it out for her? "They're always sitting by themselves and nobody makes any effort to speak to them and-

"Save the self righteous indignation for some one who'll buy into it." She narrows her eyes at me. "We have made an effort to talk to them." I remember Jessica's words from the first day here at Forks High, and know indeed Jessica did try, like some of the freshmen girls have tried and failed to get the Cullens' attention though she never directly said as such. At least when I did it wasn't for the same motives as she.

"Besides the street goes both ways. They've never tried to really interact with us either." Her eyes pin me down. A slow smile spreads across her face. "What did you all talk about? Come on, you didn't just introduce yourself."

I gradually pick up my pace as I look ahead, away from her. She pants hard trying to keep up to hear my response. "Of course I didn't. I also invited them to La Push tomorrow."

"What!" She excitedly, quite loudly I might add, squeals. I don't know where she got the breath to do that considering how hard she was breathing a moment ago in an effort to keep up with me. As I said before she has quite the power set of lungs.

In the next moment she is right beside me, grabbing onto my arm. "No way! You did not!"

"Yeah, I did." I shrug my arm out of her death grip.

She lets out another excited squeal. "Well? What did he say?"

"They are not coming so could you drop it? It's no big deal. And hey, what do you mean by he?"

"When you say they you mean especially is not specifically Edward." She pats my arm sympathetically. "I told you he doesn't date."

"It wasn't a date." I grumble.

Jessica rolls her eyes. "Sure it wasn't." I glower at her.

Those eyes that she was rolling just a moment ago freeze wide open. In slow motion I see her body pitch forward. Tripping, she impacts into my side, knocking me onto my front, my face scraping the cement.

I lay there for a moment, the breath having been knocked out of me. I can feel a sting on my cheek. I sit up, or try to anyways. It is rather difficult with Jessica sprawled awkwardly across me also trying to regain her feet.

After she is up and turns in my direction I put a hand over my scraped cheek as I get up too, feeling it healing. Jessica is too busy brushing herself off to notice though, how very typical of her. I breathe a sigh of relief.

"You alright?" My eyes assess her condition. She looks rumpled but for the most part fine. I took most of the impact. A regenerative ability can be pretty handy sometimes. That's me, I think smirking, the human cushion.

She nods though doesn't even bother to ask me if I am. She straightens her shirt as she mournfully looks at all the other runners that have now passed us up. Together we start running again and I match my pace to hers, keeping her company as she jokes about something she saw the other day. I smile, happy for the light hearted conversation after an already nerve inducing day and also just grateful that the fall, though inconvenient, got us off the subject of the Cullens, especially one in particular.

I walk to the kitchen and kiss my mother hello. Lyle, who is already home from taking the school bus home, is spread across the arm chair in the living room with his legs dangling over one arm rest as his head is propped up by the other. His eyes never leave the screen of his game he holds in his hands but I know he knows I'm home for he acknowledges my presence by sticking his legs out to trip me for banging into him with the bathroom door this morning in a vain, yet legitimate attempt because after all, it is the thought that counts.

I roll my eyes at him and when I walk past to hang up my coat. I let my bag slip a bit just barely missing his face and earning me an indignant look. I smirk, adjusting the bag strap back up on one shoulder, hanging up my coat and then climbing up the stairs to my room.

When inside I flop against my bed, staring at my glow in the dark star decorated ceiling. I turn over on my stomach, pulling out my home work. I flip through the sheets, organizing them into little 'To Do' piles on my bed. Since I'm going to La Push tomorrow I'd best get this out of the way now. I'm not really the type to leave work for Sunday, the day before school.

I take out my Algebra 2 homework and look over it with a sigh. It wasn't that I had trouble with the problems it was just that our teacher thought we had 'all the time in world' and that 'practice makes perfect,' not a good combination. This was going to be monotonous, so many problems…

My hands touch a smooth surface. I pull out the CD case from my bag. The CD had sort of slipped my mind after Edward ..well… I can feel my face beginning to heat up at the memory of how he said goodbye to me at school today. I really didn't know what to think of that.

In an effort to push unwanted thoughts from my head as well as from my own curiousness I open the case and carefully put the CD in the stereo I had set up on my night stand by my bed.

Soft piano music floats out, like pings of rain on a window pane. I reach over to turn up the volume, filling my bedroom with its vibrant sounds. Time seems to pick up and slow down, my hand and mind operating automatically as it scrawls out answers on the page. My ears and heart are elsewhere, savoring the music as I lean back comfortably on my bed.

I understand how some of these could be Edward's favorites. It would be an understatement to say they are simply beautiful. Each spoke a different language, conveyed various emotions, every one like a separate unique person. One would be lively and playful while the next could be whimsical and dreamy. I was entranced. Many of these were fast being added to my list of favorites too.

Through out, I try to name the song, the artist or even guess the era. Inside the CD case is the paper listing the song titles and artists. After each song comes to a close I uncover the listing a bit more with a piece of paper to see if my guesses to the song I just listened to were right or even close. Apparently my education is expanding in more than just math. I only got a few right.

I finish my homework right when my mom calls from downstairs to tell me dinner is ready. I stop my CD at the end of the second to last song on the disc, setting my book bag and case besides my night stand as I hurry down.

While I'm setting the table Dad walks in the door, hanging up his rain coat. The eyes behind the horn rimmed glasses surveys the room, locating each family members' position.

Dad ruffles Lyle's, who is the closest, hair. Lyle looks up, blinking. "What?"

Dad gives him a stern look. "Put the game away. Have you done your homework yet?"

Lyle's silence is answer enough. Dad gives him a very clear message via his eyes. From Lyle's face one can tell the message is received. The game is shoved in his pocket as he then trudges into the kitchen and takes his seat.

Dad circles his arms around my mother's waist, hugging her from behind. "You're going to make me drop it." Mom complains but turns her head to kiss my father, welcoming him home. He then lets her set the pot on the center of the table as he pulls me into a hug as well. I smile against his chest, liking the feel of strong arms around me.

It wasn't the same as when I was a little girl, back then I was a lot smaller and a whole lot more trusting, that having changed with due cause. But, sometimes, in a moment I can almost picture that I am just an ordinary girl and my father is nothing more than the new manger at the local mill…just…almost...

We sit down to eat. Mom has prepared a casserole dish. It looks delicious. Apparently Mr. Muggles agrees because he stands on his hind legs giving her the puppy dog look in attempt to gain a tidbit or two. Mom chides him as she picks up the serving spoon.

We all take our seats and get dished up. Mom asks Dad how work went and Dad gives a brief overview of his day, finishing with saying that it was really just like any other. Mom says that some of his colleagues sound nice and wouldn't it be splendid if we could host a dinner party. She doesn't press the issue letting it drift off as nothing more than a wistful passing thought though. She knows better. Unlike me she knows when to let go and not press. I don't know how she does it.

Mom then inquires of Lyle how school went today. Lyle is too busy shoveling food into his mouth to give anything more than a brief one word answer to whatever she asks of him. After a reprimand from mom about slowing down so he won't choke or get indigestion she gives up, taking long drink from her wine glass. She scratches Mr. Muggles behind the ears and coos at him, saying what a pity it was that there were no local dog shows.

"How did it go today Claire?" Dad asks me. We both know exactly what it means.

"Same old…" I shrug it off and leap into slightly different change of subject, my mouth moving automatically as I talk about classes, touching on nothing in particular or important, nothing that he is looking for. I don't know if I truly consider this lying. Though it feels like much has happened with me recently (my slip ups) there has been nothing concrete in regards to my secret. If I said anything he'd think more of it than need be. He'd over react and probably want to move us again. I don't think I could do that.

Besides, we're safe now. Nobody has figured it out, they don't know. No one could really know exactly what was different about me. They would have to be a telepath or an extremely lucky guesser. What are the chances of that?

The tense moment has passed, the conversation moves on. "So, honey, make any new friends?" Mom asks, always the one to push for the ideal family, the kinds that are always open and comfortable with one another, wishing for the Hallmark card version. She yearns for normal, though none us quite know what that is anymore.

Might as well be up front about something… "Actually yeah, I have. My classmates have been very welcoming."

Mom smiles; happy for a good report.

I figure I might as well throw it out there now, get it over with. "I've been invited to go to La Push's local beach with a group of friends tomorrow." The fork rising to my Dad's mouth takes pause. "It's going to be really fun…" I say as an after thought as I note my Dad's reaction. This wasn't good.

Dad opens his mouth like he is going to give a lengthy speech. He closes his eyes as if bracing himself for an onslaught. "No." He says, cutting to the main point than taking the bite of food that was cooling on his fork.

Well, I wasn't going to disappoint. "But Dad-

"We're not having this discussion now. You know the reasons why and I have given you my answer. Finish your dinner."

Oh, he was so not going to just cut me off. I was just getting started. "Oh really! Well tell me again. I am asking why not."

It wasn't like I even want to go that badly. I just like having the option that I could go if I wanted. Ever since I've come to this damn, wet, green place I've been slipping, more and more. Just like in class today I just can't shut up. I should but maybe it is because I don't want to. I've been holding this back too long. At least if I let out a little of it here it won't endanger us; just make Dad put me under lock down. Really, if he is this worried he should just home school me and save everyone the stress.

Dad sets his silver ware on his plate knowing he was going to be in for the long haul. He starts off with the patronizing voice; wrong move. "Claire-

"You know what? No! I already know what you're going to say: Act natural, blend in, and above all don't draw attention to myself." My freaking motto... "Did it ever occur to you that by me blending in too much that would actually make me stand out? Its high school, everybody has to be somebody."

I know I should take what Dad has been saying and live by it fully. It is logical, in fact reasonable given the circumstances. It would keep my family and me safe. I just need to keep my head low and play the game. I definitely should not be getting so emotional over something like this. I'm not exactly giving him much reason to let me go considering how mature I'm being. I really shouldn't even bother to argue with him. He won't change his mind. He is really stubborn, like me.

Yet knowing this my tongue leaps into action, aiming, striking one more blow. "It may be easy for you to pretend you're the boring mill manager of a typical suburban family but I can't be this…I have to be me to some extent… whatever that is."

"Can't or won't?" He doesn't give me a chance to respond. "Claire, do you think I enjoy going to such lengths? I may not like the situation anymore than you but I'll do whatever it takes to keep this family safe. I'll take whatever precautions I deem necessary. You must also." He uses the finality tone. "Stop being a child and start thinking about more than your self."

I take a deep breathe, steadying myself to voice my opinion in a calm, mature fashion. "I'm sorry. I do understand what you are trying to say, really, I do. But don't you think just maybe you're being a bit extreme about this? What's the worse that could happen?"

Dad gives me a pointed look.

"Never mind, don't answer that. My point is that something could happen at the beach just as it could at school, or even when I'm driving. Anything can happen and we cannot plan for every eventuality yet that doesn't mean that I should hide away for the rest of my life in case that does."

Surprisingly, he is listening, so I continue. Maybe this is my day for lengthy speeches…

"We should take it one day at time, cross the bridges when we come to them and in the mean time remember what we're trying to stay free for; just take the time to smell the roses or whatever. Just because we're hiding doesn't mean we can't live."

Dad stares at me for long moment, takes off his glasses and rubs his eyes tiredly, considering. Lyle is staring at me like I've grown a second head and though lately it kind of feels that way and with my genetics it probably is not quite in the realm of absurdity I look to check the reaction of Mom.

She has taken her eyes off her plate that she had been quite intent on before when Dad and I were verbally sparring. "Let her go Noah." She states quietly.

Lyle's eyes grow a little wider at this development though Dad himself doesn't look at all surprised at this point. I am a little however. Mom rarely inserts herself in the disputes between Dad and I, like Lyle, taking a more passive approach. The situation has been wearing on her too. Before she used to take Mr. Muggles to dog shows, hold dinner parties with her friends, go shopping. Life now for her in comparison is much more constrained like it has been for all of us.

"I don't like what we've become. When did we all get so paranoid?" She clasps her hands in front of her as she meets her husband's gaze straight on, appealing; always the peacekeeper. "You're right but Claire is right too. Can't you just compromise?"

A ringtone fills the air. Without looking Dad whips his cell phone out of his pocket and answers. Dad gets up and leaves the table, walking little ways away, only indistinguishable murmurs to be heard. Than a minute later he snaps his phone shut again and rejoins us at the table.

"That was work. I need to attend a last minute convention. I'll be leaving early tomorrow morning and won't get back till next Sunday morning."

"Oh, that is quite sudden." Mom says. "Well, I'll help you pack after dinner."

"Needn't bother, I'll just throw a few things together." He brushes off her offer.

"You'll be gone for over a week." She says incredulously. I know she is already picturing it in her head, imagining all the horrible possibilities like, heaven forbid, just his tooth brush and a clean pair of sock!

"I like to pack light." Before mom can object again he turns his attention to me. "You can go on one condition. You must promise to be extra cautious and if anything happens while I'm gone you call and tell me straight away."

That goes without saying. "I promise."

"Alright then," He is punching a number into his phone, I guess calling his work back to get details on the trip when he points a finger at Lyle while walking out of the room. "Do not "forget" to do your homework."

I laugh, standing to help mom put away the leftovers. Maybe things were going to start looking up.

When I went down stairs in the morning I noticed that Dad's coat and shoes were gone. Looking out the window and seeing his car was not in the driveway confirmed he had already left. He was serious about having to leave early in the morning then.

When I myself leave at around mid morning I take my truck. It was decided that I would meet everyone there. Mike was picking up Jessica, Angela and Ben in his car and Tyler was picking up everyone else in his van. Though part of me did wish I was riding with the rest of the group I figured this way I'd get a better feel for the land that I now call my home. Just as long as I don't get lost…there was a reason I left extra early after all.

After a few wrongs turns I do manage to make it to the La Push First Beach. I park and climb out. The first thing that draws my eyes is the view. Maybe I really do miss Texas, the warmth, the earthy colors, the sun… But here it has its own unique beauty.

Pine trees are on the main land, its scent mingling with the salty smell of the sea. Drift wood is scattered across the beach, from where or for how long I can only guess. There is an island not far off shore, standing like a sentinel to what lies in the endless distance. It is that seemingly endless distance that truly draws my gaze, making my eyes widen for it is what I had seen before in movies and pictures but they truly don't do it justice.

I was from Odessa, land locked Texas. I've never been to the ocean, swimming pools and even lakes yes, but never the ocean. So I wasn't very surprised to find myself running towards the water's edge, pulling off my shoes and socks along the way. I roll up my pants leg and hesitantly put one toe in than hurriedly pull it back out again. It was really cold!

Steeling myself I slowly immerse both my feet, moving out as far up as my mid calf. I close my eyes and just breathe in, holding my arms up to better feel the breeze. I can imagine I'm soaring. I hear a seagull cry somewhere off to my left. I feel the water move around me in a rhythmic, soothing motion.

My name is not Claire Butler nor is it Bennett or Petrelli. I have no identity, no ability and no past. I'm simply in being, a soul drifting in the wind, like on wings of eagles. Where the wind takes me I do not care, no one cares where I go. I am free.

As soon as I think this my thoughts stop, considering. Would I be? Could I be? Maybe, if I look at it in one light having a few chains is not so bad. It tethers one to Earth, like gravity; giving us just enough lee way to enjoy what is on the earth and just enough to let us brush the sky. Without any a person would just float away, disappear perhaps…

Wow, creepy, I really just sounded like Edward there, doing the whole philosophizing thing.

I snap my arms back to my side feeling silly.

"You act like you've never seen the ocean before." Angela says from behind me.

I don't let myself act startled. I just turn around with a content smile on my face. "It has just been a while."

"I'll say. You walked right past us back there." Jessica says one hand on her hip, her expression indignant. "You could have helped us collect some drift wood for the fire." Jessica then takes the same hand and looks it over, checking for splinters.

"Oh, but isn't that why we brought the boys along?" I smirk and Jessica gives one to match.

Angela tilts her head slightly. "You aren't used to the rain either…"

"What was that?"

"During school whenever it rains you always stare out the window all wistful like."

While my body stiffens Jessica just laughs. "Oh my God, yeah, it is like you're from Arizona or something cause aren't they supposed to be like really tan?" Her eyes appraised my sun kissed skin, baked to a light brown, definitely a contrast to their more cream colored.

I make myself laugh with her and even Angela cracks a smile though her eyes remain a little too serious behind her glasses. …Thank you Jessica.

"We had some really nice weather last summer. I guess I got used to the sun and then." I wave at the overcast sky. "I came to the rainiest place in the Continental U.S." Whew, that was one fact I did remember when doing research about Forks before I came here; something like that doesn't slip one's mind easily when they are reminded of it daily.

"Yeah, yeah, can we go back to the fire now?" She rubs her arms like she is cold but the glance she casts over her shoulder to where Mike is gives her away. This time when Angela looks at me it is with a real smile this time. "Well I do admire your enthusiasm. Aren't you cold by now? You've been in there for a while."

Now that she mentions it my feet do feel rather numb. I was little distracted. Oops… I wonder if I could die by freezing to death? Somehow, I doubt it but then why risk it?

As I walk out of the water to put my socks and shoes back on I feel the breeze pick up a bit and the first few pinpricks of icy rain. I pull up my hood. Even if the cold can't kill me it doesn't mean it is particularly comfortable. I'll probably always prefer the sun.

I walk very fast to where the bonfire is being built up by the guys. I take a seat on part of one of the logs set up by the fire pit. The heat warms my front though my back is to the elements, the unfortunate part about fires. I hold my hands up in front of me and look into the fire. It crackles, several sparks wavering into the air.

I'm reminded of the time when I raced into the train wreck and pulled the people out. I also think of when Ted, the radioactive man was going to explode and I had to race into our burning house and stop him.

I had walked through fire and didn't get burned.

I inspect my hands. They are flawless; no freckles or scars. Many people would wish to have hands like these but I don't. As mom used to say when I was little those marks are signs of where you've been, like a map. This scar on her finger represented the time when she dropped her wedding ring at the lake and spent over an hour scouring over the rocks to find it. Another one on her finger was from when Lyle was teething and had bitten down particularly hard. The list just went on. I'm rather envious. I know it is rather odd but I am.

I fold my hands neatly in my lap looking across the fire at the rest of my company. Eric, Ben and Angela keep talking about the tide pools they found last time and decide to go down one the trails to visit them since the tide was out. Lauren came to the La Push outing but didn't seem particularly energetic, running her fingers over the many signatures she had received on her cast as she demurely fluttered her eye lashes at Tyler who was in the midst of telling not exactly what would be called an appropriate joke to Mike who looked like the sip of soda he just took was going to come out his nose. Neither of these things are a turn off to Jessica who has also decided to remain behind, sitting by Mike.

I muse. Is love really blind? That is kind of a scary thought. How does one know it is simply like or infatuation? How can anyone put that level of trust in another? It was mind staggering when I really thought about it.

I need to get out of this morose mood so I decide that I would go too. Seeing tides pools like this would be another first experience though I manage to keep all signs of excitement in check. I was not a little kid. Besides this way I also wouldn't seem like the rain was holding me back; now I was just one of the group, like everyone else.

The trails we walked down were slightly muddy but I persevered though I did end up lagging behind the rest slightly as I tried to circumnavigate the worst of the patches. Not much luck with that.

A minute later we were at the tide pools. Ben bent down next to Angela, naming the different marine life they found, their heads close together. Eric pulls something particularly slimy out and holds it over Angela and Ben in big theatrical movements. Startled, Angela falls back with a little shriek and then succumbs to a few breathless giggles as Ben glares at Eric for ruining their moment as he then subsequently splashes Eric accidently on purpose. Eric stands there for a full second, water dripping off him in a rather comical stance. I try to suppress my laughter, leaving them to their banter as I turn to investigate my own little tide pool before me.

The water is clear, perhaps a foot deep. I see a flicker of movement, realizing it was a small fish darting about between the seaweed, blending in exceptionally well. A crab scurries over a barnacle covered rock. It is like a whole other world in there. The creatures have hardly a care in the world except fulfilling their daily needs, only really aware of what is immediately there in front of them.

It seems like it isn't a very complicated existence. I'd fit right in actually, being able to regenerate limbs just like that starfish is. So yes I'm a freak but I'm not an alien from another planet. I just got classified wrong on what species I was.

Perfect.

A mother of pearl shell catches my eye and I reach in and pull it out, disrupting the water, making the critters hide and the water murky. I brush off some wet sand and examine it. It is really pretty. I pocket it and wander back down to the water, tossing rocks, attempting and failing to skip some of the flat ones until Eric Angela and Ben decide to head back.

Angela and Ben, in an effort to have some one on one time continue strolling down the beach holding hands. Eric heads to the water, surf board in tow. Lauren, even with her cast on, some how manages to drag Tyler off with her to go see the tide pools now, alone. Figures, but then it might have something to do with the extra people who are now sitting at our hot, most welcome campfire with Jessica and Mike.

"Jacob!" I call, running up. He grins at me, giving me a big hug a bit to my surprise.

"Just Jake," He corrects.

"Right," I amend, "Jake."

Over his shoulder I can see the rest of his company includes Leah, (of course) and her younger brother Seth. Jacob and I let go, him rustling my hair like I'm the younger one; only empathizing my lack of height in comparison to him. I scowl up at him and he laughs.

Seth wears that easy going, always happy to see you smile and follows in Jacob's footsteps, also giving me a hug perhaps a little too enthusiastically; I, almost losing my footing. I quickly disentangle myself from his embrace because after all he is a young teenage boy about my brother's age and I do know what they think about, though yes, the almost me getting knocked over played a large factor as well.

I turn to Leah opening up my arms wide. "What? No hug?"

She cracks a smile, it coming easily and lighting up her face. For a moment I can see what he sees. His sunshine must really have been melting that ice around her heart. She is here with him after all. I give Jacob a covert thumbs up.

To Jacob I say: "What are you doing here?"

"You're on our reservation, remember?"

I laugh and shake my head. We sit there in companionable silence.

Seth, like most teenage boys, finds great delight in playing with fire. He quickly becomes bored with just putting driftwood on. He leaves then come back with great arm loads of dry brush to set on top, making the flames leap forth to scorch the sky, sparks flying.

This, having startled us, prevented us from stopping him from putting an arm load of old pine tree branches to the mix creating quite a lot of smoke pouring out. Coughing, we leap away, the smoke stinging our eyes. When it clears quite a few of us glare at a very sheepish looking Seth who gets berated by his sister who's complexion is flushed with beads of sweat on the top. Unasked I pass her a bottle of water which she accepts gratefully, drinking the whole thing.

My eyes drift off, looking out into the distance. What my eyes alight upon makes me leap up, pointing. "Did you see that? Those guys just pushed this other guy off that cliff!"

"Oh my God where?" Jessica's eyes frantically follow to where I'm pointing, slightly excited. Everyone else looks also but doesn't get quite as worked up as Jessica, a bit skeptical.

"Relax," Jacob says. "They're just cliff diving."

"Cliff diving? Isn't that dangerous?" I do relax though as I see the guy's head surface the water, apparently fine. I sit back down.

"Not necessarily." Leah says; her voice growing dark in her matter of fact monotone. "Though most of us jump from much lower; we leave the showing off to Sam and his gang."

Oooh, so that was Sam up there then… Not the best topic of conversation for this group…

Looks like it would be quite the adrenaline rush. Hey, I mean it is not like I haven't jumped from that high before; this way I'd have great excuse and wouldn't break any bones in the process…most likely. I mean if I did hurt myself I'd be fine.

"Kind of looks like fun…" I muse out loud to fill the uncomfortable silence that suddenly cropped up.

"Uh, yeah, if you think you're like invincible or something." Jessica rolls her eyes. "What is wrong with just riding a roller coaster?"

Well, I do not think I am invincible. I pretty much am. So maybe the whole cliff diving thing isn't such a good idea. I'm sure it'd raise a few flags if some blonde girl starts doing dare devils stunts with out getting nervous about dying or doing serious bodily harm to her person. I mean did promise Dad I'd be careful… Oh well…

Jessica seems bored already of the conversation. She speaks to Mike. "Come on, let's go to the tide pool." She grabs his arm not really giving him any other option. She looks over her shoulder to Seth, a mischievous smile on her face that can only mean trouble. "Keep her company. Her date failed."

Yeah, definitely trouble.

Mike's facial expression contorts. "What date?"

Jessica obviously isn't pleased with his reaction. He immediately looks down upon her reprimanding glare. Jessica just laughs it off though, giggling, showing exactly what she thought about my 'date.' "She invited Edward." She manages to get out.

"Only to be polite that's it." I mumble knowing it was pretty futile. Assumptions would be drawn. I felt my face grow heated though not just because I was embarrassed. "Nobody ever does."

Mike masculinity must still feel threatened because he sputters, "Yeah, cause Cullen is a freak!"

"Got that right." Leah speaks up, actually participating in the conversation then finishing off a second water bottle, wiping her brow with the back of her sleeve. Seth just looks down, clearly embarrassed.

I bite my tongue, keeping myself from saying something impulsive. What was with everyone thinking the Cullens are freaks? He was strange, definitely a bit odd but certainly not a freak, not like me. These people didn't even understand the definition of the word.

I turn to Leah. "Do you know them?"

"More like we know of them," She replies.

I'm about to ask another question when typical easy going Seth's voice hardens, his eyes remaining downcast. "The Cullens don't come here."

Jacob fidgets slightly beside me. I chew on the bottom of my lip. Jessica, not really caring, hooks her arm through Mike's and leads him off. Leah gets up, her voice slightly ragged, complaining that the fire is too hot and stumbles off down to the water's edge where it is cooler though she seems to shiver slightly, rubbing her arms. Jacob follows her with a concerned frown on his face.

Seth almost looks like he is going to follow but then doesn't, knowing it best not to intrude upon the both of them. He takes Jessica unsolicited advice and stays there seated by me keeping me company as requested. I don't mind though. It is nice not to always feel like the third wheel.

Again, I kind of wish Edward was here. I could see us joking around, just talking. I'm really comfortable with Edward now. If one just gets past that cold impenetrable exterior he wears then one can discover something unexpected. Why can't the others see that?

I'm about to ask Seth what he and Leah meant by their comments when I hear a shout from behind me.

"Leah!" Seth and I spin around to see Leah collapse, crumpling but caught by Jacob who scoops her up in his arms. He kneels with her on the ground, gently cradling her head. We both race over.

"What happened?" Seth demands; falling down to his knees beside his sister.

"I don't know; she just collapsed." He places a hand on her forehead. "She's burning up! We have to take her home, now!"

"But Leah was the one who drove us to your place and we walked from there to here." Seth points out.

"I'll drive. We can take the truck. Just tell me where to go." I offer.

Jacob nods and picks Leah up. I race ahead, pulling my keys out to open the door. Seth goes to tell everyone else we're leaving so they don't worry. Jacob situates himself in the back seat with Leah and Seth hops into shot gun right when I'm turning the engine on.

"Isn't this kind of sudden? Should we take her to Forks to see Dr. C-

"No, we were told if one of us ever gets one of these types of fevers we need to visit my father." Jacob says. "He knows what to do. We've dealt with this kind of thing before Cullens ever arrived."

"Right, okay," Seth agrees. "Let's go see Billy Black."

I don't question. Their normal was a different kind than the normal, like mine. I pull out and drive off; listening to the directions they fed me.

We are there in about five minutes. When we pull up Jacob carries Leah to the door and Seth opens it up; both disappearing inside. I turn off the engine and climb out. I glance around the yard not exactly sure what to do with myself, if I should wait around or just go or…

The comfortable looking house has a porch on the back side that opens into a big yard that extends off into the trees. A little over the other way is a red barn looking shed, garage place. I'm not positive but from what I remember of my conversations with Jacob I'm guessing that is where he spends most his time.

I smirk a bit to myself. After all, he is a 'brilliant mechanic.'

I hear the screen door slam shut and Jacob comes walking out. Before I can ask he holds up a hand. "Billy is with her. He says she'll be fine. Seth is just calling their parents. Sue will take them back and Harry will drive Leah's car home."

We both move to sit on the steps. He runs a hand through the top part of his long hair, clearly upset. "She had been acting a little off lately. I had asked her if she was alright and she insisted she was fine so I didn't pester her. But I knew something was up I should of taken her home. It was just so strange, it like the mention of the Cullens triggered some sort of reaction…"

That was a little strange. Leah normally seems so calm and suddenly she was very biting. Even Seth and Jacob's reaction weren't exactly warm. It wasn't like they even knew the Cullens or….did they?

I decide to steer his mind from his guilt and instead satisfy my curiosity. "What did Seth mean by 'the Cullens don't come here'?" I quoted.

He shrugs. "I'm not really supposed to say anything about it."

"Hey," I give him my gentle, friendly smile to prod him forward. "I can keep a secret." You have no idea how well.

"Um, well," Jacob begins, "Really, it is just like an old scary story." He shrugs a little embarrassed.

"Well I like stories."

He bites his lip, considering it. "Okay, um, did you know that Quileutes are supposedly descendents from wolves?"

"Really, wolves? Real wolves?" I say incredulous. Well, it is just a legend after all, a story.

He gives a small laugh as agreement of the ridiculousness of it. "Yeah, well that's the legend of our tribe."

"Okay," I allow digesting this strange fact. "So what's the story about the Cullens?"

"Well supposedly they are descendents of this like, enemy clan." He gives a shrug not being able to come up with a better way to word it. "My great grand father caught them, the Cold Ones, hunting on our land. But they claimed to be something different so we made a treaty with them. They promised to stay off our land if we didn't expose what they were to the Pale Faces."

Not that bad; I've definitely experienced stranger. What was that saying again? Reality is stranger than fiction?

I grin, letting him know that I didn't think him weird. "I thought they just moved here." That was my poor attempt at humor to put him at ease.

"Or they just moved back." Jacob banters back, saying it in what is supposed to sound like a creepy voice because this story was supposed to be scary or something. I laugh with him then shrug the story off. After all, I had asked.

Still, it bothered me that Leah, Seth and Jacob were told such stories. It was a little too far fetched to be labeled a rumor but it certainly didn't have a positive effect on their outlooks of the Cullens. I know Jacob is trying to make light of it but I wonder how much he actually buys into it.

I almost didn't notice Billy Black in his wheel chair at the top of the steps watching us. When he sees that we have noticed him he informs us that Seth is with his sister. Casting me one last look he wheels himself back inside.

A few minutes later and a car pulls up and Leah and Seth's parents come out. The woman walks inside with measured steps not looking particularly worried. The heavy, elder man doesn't rush. He gets at the top of the porch just in time to open the door for Seth who supports a grumbling Leah. "I'm fine. It was just a dizzy spell. I can walk on my own."

The woman strides out in front of them, leading the way back to the car. "Honestly Leah if you weren't feeling well you should have said something. You got everybody all riled up. When your brother called we thought somebody had died." She gives a reproving glare to Seth who looks away.

Seth nods to me as we pass. "Thanks for the ride."

"No problem." I reply.

They try to help Leah into the back seat. She brushes them off and slips into the front.

Their father fingers the Leah's car keys as he stands in front of it. "I think she is going to be fine." He says openly in our presence but he looks at Jacob, knowing he was probably still concerned.

Their mother brushes her hands off as she opens up the driver door of the car they had arrived in. "She just needs a bit of rest." She nods in a curt fashion to Billy Black and Jacob, and slips in. The engine turns on and she backs out, driving away.

I walk to the driver car door of my truck but pause, seeing the two men through the windows on the other side of my truck. "Thanks Bill." The man says. I see the man shake Billy Black's hands. "Another change… Are you going to let him know?"

"I think he will know before we know it is complete." Billy replies. There is a crunch of gravel and then they are not directly in my line of sight anymore.

Jacob shoots me a questioning look. I put a finger to my lips. I'm not exactly sure why I'm doing this myself but...

"She isn't going to like this. I can't imagine he will either. This is going to be rough." Her father sighs.

"At least she'll understand the why when she didn't before." Billy points out.

"True, but the link will be the salt on the wound. She is the first to… Why? Why her?"

Both of them come around the other side, stopping when they see us there. "Oh," Says Harry Clearwater but Billy Black with his unshakeable composure startlingly similar to a certain Cullen's, says. "Weren't you going to show your friend around Jacob?"

Jacob and I both recognize a dismissal when we hear one. We troop back to the house. "You really have a thing for listening in to other people's conversations don't you?" He says.

I ignore his jab about the time at the Newton's Hardware. "What was that about?" It seemed like they had been talking about something important and they obviously didn't want us to know about it. It had something to do with Leah and her being sick…

"Ah, just Elder stuff." Jacob brushes it off but his expression shows curiosity too.

"Elders?" I question as Jacob does what his father requested and proceeds to show me the bottom half of the house.

"Yeah, the Quileutes still have tribal meetings and all that. Both my father and Harry Clearwater are Elders on the council." We climb up stairs. On the landing a window over looks the front portion of the yard. I hear a car motor turn on and see Leah's car drive away driven by said Harry Clearwater.

"Huh," Is all I say in response.

Jacob has this self satisfied smile slide on to his face and he can't help but laugh a little when he says; "You know, when Leah gets better Seth and you should join us on a double date to the movies."

Obviously Jacob read a bit into that hug too. I ignore his obvious insinuation about Seth and I and slide to base, hitting home. "So you and Leah are dating now?" I poke him in the ribs as I pass him as I go back downstairs.

He in turn also ignores my jab. "Oooh, so you and Seth do-

"I asked you a question." I cut him off.

"I asked one first." He reminds.

"Ladies first." I counter.

"You're no lady." He laughs as I stamp on his foot only proving his point.

"But you're right in that-

"You're secretly in love with Seth!"

-we should all hang out together sometime; though now I'm having second thoughts." …Which implies that I had first thoughts…

Jacob drops his teasing. "We should all hang out maybe after Leah feels better. We could all go to the theaters or something."

"Definitely," I agree as I walk back to my truck.

"Claire Butler isn't it?" Billy Black comes up next to me. "I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself before. I'm Billy Black, Jacob's father." We shake hands. He has a surprisingly strong grip.

His eyes assess me. "So I hear you're interested in the Cullens. How do you know them?"

I don't like the accusatory tone in his voice. "We go to school together. Edward and I are lab partners in Biology. We're friends." I emphasized the last part. He better not go on a Cullen dissing spree too. Seems like a hobby for some people.

"Well don't get too interested. They seem like pleasant folks but I should warn you they have an unpleasant reputation here on the reservation."

Why do they not like the Cullens? Just what did they do to become so generally disliked by the Quileutes? What was that in the legend? Their family trespassed on their lands three generations ago or something? But that is ridiculous; both generations must be long dead. Talk about holding a grudge…

"So I gathered. Any particular reason why?"

He pats my hands tiredly, his face showing his years. "Just be careful." He says dropping the subject.

"Wow Dad, way to scare the newcomer. You're going to give her nightmares."

"I'm just giving her friendly, practical advice. You're the one who are telling her stories."

"Yeah, well thanks anyways I think. I better head on back. It is getting late."

"See you around." Jacob stops at the top steps of the porch and waves.

I climb into my truck and make my way home. When home I pull the shell out of my pocket placing it on my night stand next to my stereo and CDs Edward has given to me. I shrug my coat back on and head back down stairs and outside, sitting on the front steps as I stair upwards to the clouded evening sky, trying and failing to see through the mist.

A/N: I know I said probably the end of August, not the beginning of September… Sorry! I've been super busy with school, work, school and just life in general. So if my updates are a little irregular then don't worry, I haven't died nor has this fiction been abandoned. Real life likes to monopolize my attention.

I write whenever I have a spare moment, little bursts at a time. Not the most efficient or speedy way but that is the most convenient way right now because of my busy schedule. I enjoy writing as always and hope you enjoy the chapters too when they come out. :)

And since some of you maybe wanting something to occupy yourself with until then… I figured I'd throw this out here; is any one here a fan of Vampire Knight? Who do you prefer, Zero or Kaname? If you don't know what I'm talking about Vampire Knight is an anime and manga series. Not your thing? Well I highly recommend it. Give it a try! If you like Twilight you'll love this!

Note: the anime does have an English dub out but the Japanese with English subs is so much better!

Also, one more thing… I'm sure some of you may be wondering when Edward and Claire are Finally going to find out about each other. All I can do is be vague and tell you soon because I don't want to give it away. Just, in the next several chapters perhaps…. I actually have a rough draft of that whole part written out. I just have to write the stuff in between now. So patience please! We'll get there!

Thanks for all the support! It really does mean a lot! Leave me comment, tell me what you thought! If you have a question or concerns don't hesitate to ask! You are all awesome! Thanks for reading!