Tension was very thick within the small living room. Bella sat on the arm of the couch uncomfortably, her confusion only growing with each tick of the clock. Edward Cullen stood defensively beside her, his back rigid and his arms crossed strongly in front of his chest. His golden eyes never left Olivia, who was lunging in the arm chair without a care. She stifled a grin when she noticed the skin on Edward's knuckles stretching even whiter over the bone as he clenched and unclenched his fists. She'd always found it amusing when Nikita was irritated, and she only found it more comical when Edward forced his cold glare upon her. As long as she knew no harm would come to her, her confidence remained unfathomable.

Bella fidgeted, staring somewhat impatiently at Edward. She was anxious for an explanation of his unusual behavior towards Olivia, a girl he'd never even met. How could he possibly be so bitter towards her so easily? Surely her thoughts weren't all thatwretched.

Olivia sighed, observing the obvious awkwardness between the three of them… well, between her and the two of them. Why aren't you going to tell her? she posed the question in her mind, knowing full well he could hear her.

His gaze only tightened.

You afraid?

She saw his head move slightly from side to side, shaking his head in a 'no'.

If you don't, I will. she threatened, quirking one eyebrow mischievously.

"No." he spoke between clenched teeth and tight lips.

"Edward, what's going on?" Bella asked quietly, placing a hand on his arm. Her brown eyes flickered momentarily to Liv.

Tell her.

His head shook again, the movement bigger this time.

Yes. Olivia had the determination of a five year old, only without the tantrums.

"I said no." Edward hissed, glowering.

Olivia heaved another loud sigh and hopped to her feet. She took a few steps toward him, showing him that she wasn't kidding and that she definitely was not afraid.

"Edward, tell her." she spoke slowly, exaggerating every syllable clearly.

He took a step forward, attempting to intimidate her by towering over her menacingly. Before he even opened his mouth to retort, Bella tugged anxiously on the sleeve of his burgundy button-up shirt.

"Tell me what…?" her voice was feeble.

"Not now Bella." She flinched at his words, but still clung to his shirt. She looked at Olivia pleadingly, but her green eyes were on Edward's angrily.

"Tell her or I will." Liv said aloud, gritting her teeth together. She hated stubborn vampires, they were the worst. At least Nikita let her get her way… most of the time.

"I heard you the first time." Edward spat, his eyes brooding.

"You heard but you didn't listen." She shot back quickly.

He rolled his topaz eyes in annoyance. "Can you leave now?" he said, ignoring her previous reply.

"Do you find it acceptable to lie to her so plainly?" she waved an arm loosely towards Bella. Olivia wasn't giving up, not now. He wasn't getting away with this. Bella deserved the truth. She deserved to know what was going on, especially since it involved her. It pretty much revolved around her, this whole fiasco.

"I never lied." He defended quickly.

"You never told the truth."

"Neither did you." The way he said it was almost funny, as if he were a child and was having a stupid and juvenile dispute over a cookie or piece of candy. If Olivia weren't in such a sour mood, she might have laughed. Too bad her bitterness was stronger than her sense of humor at the moment.

However, what he said made her pause. He did have her there. She'd lied to Bella numerous times within the short time span of which they had known each other. But Olivia, of course, refused to back down.

"I never claimed I loved her, though. I had no previous commitment of which I had to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth!" her voice raised. She sounded like she was in court, using that line.

He pursed his lips, Olivia smirked. He stepped back and Liv knew right away that she'd won.

"Edward." Bella said, her tone getting sharper. "What is she talking about? What's going on?" she pleaded for an answer.

"Tell her, now." Olivia said for the last time.

Edward fired one more glare at the blond girl, but sighed. His posture loosened and he considered how he would explain it to his dear Bella. Finally, his lips parted as he prepared to say something, but he suddenly froze. His butterscotch eyes shifted to the front door and his jaw tightened reflexively. Quickly so fast he was nearly a blur, he grabbed Bella and put her behind him protectively. His legs parted and his hands were balled into strong fists, flanking either side of him. He prepared himself for whatever he knew was coming. Olivia went to the far side of the room and Bella clutched Edward's shirt with shaking hands. This was all too much for one day.

A large series of bangs echoed through the small house, and Liv recognized it as someone slamming their fist furiously on the front door, presumably knocking. Whoever it was, they didn't knock for long, since soon after the windows stopped rattling, they flung the door open with such force that it hit the wall, denting it. Bella ducked behind Edward while Olivia stared wide eyed at the figure in the door.

"Bella." a husky voice called, infuriated.

Bella 's head surfaced from behind Edward. "J-Jake..?" she stammered, her voice cracking.

"Bella." He said again, approaching the living room. It was a tall, very tall, young man with copper colored skin. His glossy black hair was just past chin length and, at the moment, in a shaggy, wet mess. The boy's eyes were sharp and cold, their dark brown irises locked onto the brunette who hid fearfully behind the crouching vampire. Olivia noticed that his whole body was shaking, quivering uncontrollably.

Edward snarled loudly, his lips curling over his teeth to bear them threateningly. Observing his defense, Olivia shuddered. She hardly ever heard Nikita growl, but the very sound of it was excruciatingly frightening. She loathed the sound, and whenever it came upon her ears, she wound cringe painfully.

"Back off, mutt." Edward spat.

Mutt…? Olivia's green eyes widened. A WEREWOLF?!. her mind raced, spinning all over the place wildly. Attempting to calm her thoughts, she held her breath. This couldn't be good: she was in the same room as a vampire and a werewolf; eternal enemies.

The young man growled in a rougher tone; like that of a dog's. "You back off, leech. This has nothing to do with you." He held up a crumpled piece of paper. Olivia noticed there was writing all over it; two different types of writing, in fact. It was similar to the type of note kids would pass around during class.

"Jacob, I-" Bella began, but couldn't finish.

Jacob took one large step forward, approaching Bella. Unluckily, he came closer to Edward as well and they both wrinkled their noses in distaste to one another's scent. No one seemed to realize or remember that Olivia was still there. This was usual for her, being ignored. She was so accustom to people showing off their drama right in front of her and none of them noticing her presence. It was like watching T.V.. However, this time, she felt too involved. It was more like a horror movie.

"Bella." The boy said for the third time. "What do you mean 'I'm sorry'? What are you sorry for? Are you sorry we became best friends? Are you sorry I feel stronger for you than you for me? Are you sorry that I love you? Are you sorry that I told Charlie about the bikes? That I made your time with this freak," he glared at Edward, "much more limited? Are you sorry that I'm a werewolf and he's a vampire? I didn't ask to be what I am, you know!" he was screaming now, and Olivia was sure if he were any louder the whole town would hear.

Edward growled. "I didn't ask to be what I am either, dog!"

Jacob ignored the interrupion and took a few deep breaths, attempting to calm himself. It didn't work. "Are you sorry we ever met, Bella? Do you wish I didn't exist, so that you and Cullen," he sneered as he said the name, "can live happily ever after as dead, cold-skinned, blood sucking monsters?!" His shaking was becoming more and more obvious as his anger was building. Olivia knew that any moment he could burst and a war would lash out between him and Edward. She found herself wishing dearly that Nikita was there to keep her safe…

… wait, what? Since when did she need Nikita at every moment in her life? She was perfectly capable of standing on her own two feet! With her new found self confidence, Liv jumped right in between Edward and Jacob, between vampire and werewolf.

Everyone stared in shock at her quick, and suicidal, action. Jacob's surprise was short lived since it soon melted into pure anger. He clearly hadn't noticed this girl, and his first impression of her wasn't necessarily a good one.
Edward and Bella, however, were astounded. Edward's brow furrowed in confusion and even worry at her sudden decision and Bella looked like a terrified goldfish, her brown eyes as wide as they could possibly go.

"Move." Jacob growled sternly.

Olivia turned to face him directly, and she forced a smirk to play upon her lips. Confidence was a must. "Nuh-uh." She shook her head from side to side with each syllable.

His muscles tightened as he restrained himself from violence. He, instead, decided a threat would get her out of the way. If she didn't take his warning seriously, well then…actions would definitely have to be taken.

"I could tear you to shreds." Jacob said in a low, harsh whisper.

Olivia snorted, rolling her eyes dramatically. She shoved her face forward so that it was a mere inch from his. "I'd like to see you try." She returned in the same tone.

Jacob's face twisted, each of his features transforming to resemble that of a beast, of a dog, of a monster. A devastating snarl ripped from his chest and his nostrils flared as his whole body began to quiver all over again.

Olivia, despite her fear, was still smirking; a cover up.

The tall young man stepped back a couple steps slowly, then all at once, leaped at Olivia. She squeezed her bright green eyes ridiculously tight, but no scream escaped her lips. Before Edward could even react, let alone save her from being cleaved to shreds, a different, and familiar, growl erupted from a different direction. It was followed by a loud thud on the floor and the sounds of a nasty struggle. Olivia opened one eyes to see if she really was still breathing, and why. She gasped when she saw Nikita standing up slowly, his back to her. Then, she saw beyond him: Jacob lying on the floor with blood dripping from his mouth, most likely after being slugged brutally in the jaw. He stared at Nikita incredulously, as did everyone else.

"You don't try." Nick hissed.