A/N: I own nothing...we know this. Sorry for the long delay, i know you all are just DYING for my awesomeness. lol. no really I'm sorry and here's this chapter...i don't like it, but it's a means to the end, I'm just not feeling my own writing these days, that's not a good thing 'eh? lol

thanks to neutron phantom for correctly my grade school level grammar and what not. also guys and dolls don't forget to check out blackpack's new fic library on our main site blackpacklivejournal. oooh and what else? mmmm...nothing I guess.

Table For Two

Chapter 7

.

What u doing?

Getting ready, what's up?

I was going to punch that kid when I saw him again, he'd been texting me all damn day. Seth and Bella were working a split together and ever since lunch rush was over and he and Bella were basically sitting around the club with nothing to do, he'd been taunting me with texts.

The past week and a half had been amazing. I was getting ready to start school after the holiday weekend and Bella and I have been getting closer. Since our first putt-putt non-date, we've hung out almost every day at work and a few more times outside of work. Only once was our second non-date since Seth was with us the other times, and we were really only hanging around my apartment.

Our second non-date had been on Monday when we were both off again and it was her turn to pick. So we went back to the pier to watch the boats and have a picnic that Bella made before she took me to the movies. Of course she insisted on paying since I did last time, heaven forbid she let herself think this was a real date. Even so, it was an amazing afternoon filled with amazing food. Bella could really cook.

And as promised, I answered a lot of questions. She didn't get too personal asking me about growing up on the rez and my relationship with Seth. I learned that her dad knew Seth's parents and that's how they met when she first moved here, and he was roped into helping move her stuff into his house. He was the first person she met here and even helped put in a good word at the club for her.

I wanted to tell her about my mom, fill her in on my past, hoping it would make her feel more comfortable about opening up to me, but I just couldn't find the words. I was afraid of spoiling a perfectly good time with my sob story. So we fought about age again for the umpteenth time since we met and ended it with her conceding that I was older than most twenty one year olds, and that she was younger than most thirty year olds. But that didn't mean she was willing to get over the physical years that separated us.

So it's now Thursday and I'm sitting on my couch an hour before I have to go into work, yet completely dressed and ready to go because I knew as soon as I got there she would already be there. I jumped when I heard my phone vibrate. Seth again…

Eating the most amazing food.

Oooh you got the cooks to feed you, why are you bothering me?

Why the hell was he bothering me with this shit? Oh yeah, because he's an ass.

Oh no my brother, Bella brought me food. She's a great cook ;-)

I felt my temperature flare and I squinted my eyes at my phone like it was the source of my instant jealousy. Really it was the asshat on the other end. Bella's food, for him?

No response? Hmmm. Ur not upset are u honey?

You better sleep with one eye open douche.

Really? Well Bella said she brought enough for you but…

I was already out the house and halfway to my car before I realized what I was doing. Damn, this woman had me hooked and she wasn't even my girlfriend. Not yet anyway. The nice thing about Port Angeles was that while it was bigger than La Push, it was still pretty small so I pulled into the employee parking lot only five minutes later.

I flew into the break room but quickly stopped before entering and tried to act like I was just strolling in like I normally would. Seth laughed loudly as I pulled my things out of my locker. He knew why I was there but I prayed to the Gods that he would just keep his fucking mouth shut.

"Hey Bella," I said cool, calm…too bad I was still huffing and puffing like an out of shape truck driver.

"Jacob, why are you out of breath?" she asked, laughing with an evil glint in her eye while she and Seth sat there eating. "Wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that you practically ran in here would it?"

"Now Bella, why would Jake come to work," –Seth looked down at his watch— "almost an hour early? He must have just been out for a jog." He laughed and winked at her to which she shook her head and kept laughing. I squinted my eyes at both of them.

Seth moved to sit sideways with his plate in his hand and was about to lift his fork to his mouth when I grabbed the plate and fork. "Why thanks Seth," I stared at him waiting until he huffed and got up so I could sit in my seat across from Bella.

"Boys…" Bella warned as Seth moved to sit next to her, wrapping his arm around the back of her chair looking all smug. "Here Sethy, you can have this one." Bella magically produced another helping of what looked like lasagna and placed it in front of Seth with a pat on the hand. Yeah, I was fucking jealous.

"Dude, manners," I said, watching him shovel the food in his mouth.

"Just wait 'til you taste it you tool," he said with his mouth full. Seth and I, both used to diets of Ramen noodles and tuna in a can, considered ourselves lucky to eat the employee dinner they served at the club, which usually consisted of chicken fingers or whatever else was breaded and deep fried.

"So what is all this anyway?" I looked to Bella finally seeing she had a huge cooler and drinks and everything.

She shrugged, "I hate eating what they cook so I always bring dinner when I work a split. I knew Seth was here so I brought extra."

I took a big bite of my pasta and was in heaven, it was so good. "And you had time to cook a homemade lasagna when?" I looked at her in awe; every time we were around each other I found myself happily surprised by the little tidbits of her that I got to see.

"I cook in the mornings, for my dad, so he can eat while I'm here. This was last night's dinner."

"It's wonderful," I watched her waiting and she didn't disappoint when the crimson color rushed up her cheeks. She looked down at her papers she was working on and bit her lip. I was still watching her when Seth spoke up. I had forgotten he was even here.

"So Hells Bells, I was at the park yesterday and saw a flyer for a putt-putt tourney. Since I know you're thinking of going pro, I thought you might want to sign up." Seth had been ragging her about that ever since I told him what an awful golfer she was.

"Sure, sure," Bella answered not looking up from whatever she was doing, "as soon as you stop denying your fate and join the Seattle Ballet Troupe."

I laughed loudly choking on my food as Bella giggled lightly letting her hair fall in her face to shield herself from Seth. "So funny, Bella," Seth said, obviously flustered and trying hard to come up with a comeback. "You're real mature there woman."

"If you dish it you should take it. And I never said I was mature…just old." And she laughed again at him as she pretended to comfort him by putting an arm around him.

"Well, between your 'sense of humor', your video game skills, and that oh so cute blush," he mock pinched her cheek and I stifled a growl, "I am having a hard time believing you're that much older than us."

We all laughed again and chatted for a bit waiting for our dinner shift to start. I liked Bella like this, not shy or reserved, not trying to hide the real her; just being Bella. She was open and funny and had a great personality when she let it show. It made me wonder all the more about what it was that happened to her to make her turn into a shy little girl around most people.

Around ten 'til five people started coming and clocking in to work. Most of them sign in and then leave to grab some dinner and head outside, still soaking up the warm weather on the outside patio designated for employee breaks.

Tyler and Ben stopped when they saw our trio in the corner and came over, greeting Seth and I with the typical male fist bump greeting. Angela scooted past Seth to sit in the chair behind Bella and both turned sideways to talk and Bella showed Angela some papers she had while I watched them out of the corner of my eye.

"So man, Monday still on right? BBQ at the complex?" Tyler asked with a lot of enthusiasm. We all lived in the same apartment complex, he and Ben sharing one a building over. Last week they had mentioned to us that they always rent out the clubhouse and pool for a Labor Day party. Seth and I offered to help host this year since our friends from Seattle would be by for the weekend.

"Yep man, we're stoked," Seth said with a little too much enthusiasm, but the kid was young so I decided not to ride him about it. I was excited too but my reasoning was that between Angela, Seth and myself we somehow managed to talk Bella into 'stopping by for a minute'. I thought there was no way in hell she would come to a party, let alone a work party.

But just like any BBQ, ours was going to have ants; ants in the shape of big haired, fake nailed vultures. Speaking of which…

"Oh you guys I'm like sooo excited for the party on Monday. I so haven't even worn my new bikini yet!" Jessica made herself known, storming into the middle of our bubble and bursting it with her talons. "I just hope it's not too revealing," she said turning toward me and leaning on the table that Bella, Seth and I were still sitting at.

Bella snorted but never shifted her gaze away from the booklet of papers she was still holding. Jessica whipped her head around to glare at Bella and then smirked before taking her papers away from her. "Whatcha got here Bella?" Jessica said looking over the papers while Bella chipped away at the flaking linoleum on the table.

"Bella," she screeched before cackling loudly, "you're going to school? Our school?" she laid the papers down and I saw that Bella had been looking at a course schedule, deciding what to sign up for before classes started next week.

"What's your problem Jessica?" Bella looked up shooting daggers.

"Oh, well," Jessica sat up off our table and straightened out her skirt and apron. "I just had no idea you were taking classes. What you going to do, work here full time and take a class at a time? You'll be older than Nancy before you graduate, not that you're much younger than her now."

Jessica looked at Bella like shit on her shoe and it pissed me off so bad that I was shaking; like I literally felt like I was going to burst out of my own skin and go after her. But Bella just sat there, blank expression, not saying a damn word and I was pissed at her for that. My Bella would have called Jessica Stanley on her bullshit and stood up for herself.

"Go fuck off Jessica." I heard it, it was soft and quiet and I had to do a double take, but I sure as hell heard it and I smiled across the table at the mousy girl who spoke those words.

"Excuse me Angela, what the fuck is it to you? What, you're BFFs now or something?" I kept staring at Angela, and Ben beamed at his girl but she held her steadfast glare at Jessica waiting for her to back down first. "Fine, whatever, but you may want to tell the lifer she can't take 300 level classes as a freshman." And with that she sauntered out of the break room.

After a few awkward seconds everyone else started punching in and leaving too with the sounds of Mike bellowing for everyone to come to pre-shift. Angela got up and whispered something to Bella who was still just sitting there staring at the papers on the table.

Bella started to gather her things and walked over to her locker still not speaking. "Why do you let her talk to you like that Bella? As a matter of fact, why do you let everyone do that? You walk around like a god damn zombied-out little girl afraid to speak." I know it was harsh and I felt guilty the moment I watched her shoulders flinch from my words.

"Dammit. Bella I'm sorry, really. I 'm just mad at Jessica and I didn't mean it…"

"It's fine Jacob, ignoring her is easier. She wants a reaction out of me," Bella slammed her locker shut and turned to face me. "I'm not going to give her the satisfaction of getting to me." She looked up to me and smiled lightly.

"Are you sure you're okay? I mean that was a pretty intense slap in the face, and did you see Angela? Who knew!"

"Oh I knew about Angela, don't wake the sleeping dragon," Bella said with a laugh and nudged me as she walked by. "Thanks for that though, I know most people see me as a doormat, but I'm not. I just…now maybe you see why I don't bother, with people I mean."

I watched her walk away and one thing was made even clearer to me, I was going to find out who or what broke Bella Swan and I was going to prevent it from ever happening again. I walked out of the break room through the kitchen and into the dining room for pre-shift where the vulture was at it again.

"I don't see why we all have to, some of us have lives you know." I heard Jessica screeching at Mike about something. I slipped into the meeting and pulled up a chair beside Bella, poking my finger into her side; she still looked a little upset but smiled and elbowed me before turning back to the 90210 drama that was happening in front of us.

I saw Jessica watching us the whole time and just smirked at her, and I think I literally saw steam coming out of her ears. "Can't you just make Bella or Nancy volunteer? I mean it's not like either of them have plans anyway."

"What's going on?" I whispered in Bella's ear causing her to shiver. Yeah, deny it all you want Ms. Swan.

"Monday work shift, we're closed but the Yacht Club wants some more help since it's their busy end of year party. Mike's trying to weasel out some volunteers before he 'draws straws'."

Mike's booming voice interrupted, "Sorry Jessica, unless anyone wants to volunteer then I have no other option but to pick one of you randomly. I suppose you aren't willing to give up your plans…"

Jessica looked at him as if he'd gone mad. Of course she wouldn't be giving up her plans to work so others could have the day off, selfish bitch.

"I have no problem working Mike, I could use the money anyway," Nancy peeped up from the last row of tables. I hardly spoken one word to the older woman since I started here and it wasn't because I was avoiding her it was just because she usually worked in the women's locker room or banquet hall. But she was a nice woman in her late forties with a family at home. And yes, she was a 'lifer' as Jessica called her, but that didn't make her anything less. I admired her hard work; she reminded me of my mom.

"Thanks Nancy, as always I can count on you," Mike smiled warmly at her before looking at the rest of us, waiting for someone to volunteer. I saw Bella shift in her seat and I knew what she was thinking. I looked over to Seth who hadn't seen her but I did, the eyeballs-wide-sideways look at her so he'd get the point.

"Don't you even dare Swan, I've got a beer and hamburger waiting for you at my BBQ," Seth said winking at Bella from across the table.

"It's just a few hours, I can stop by after, it's really not a big deal," she hushed back at him. Selfless, my girl was big hearted, broken…and selfless.

"I can work Mike, not a problem," she said and everyone relaxed a little knowing they wouldn't have to work on the holiday. Jessica grinned evilly and proud.

"Of course, you'll be fine Bella. Besides, Dr. Cullen should be there, but you probably already knew that."

Several things happened in that moment. Mike yelled at Jessica to go to his office and wait for him, several people started laughing, and Bella got up and ran out of the room before I could do anything. What the hell was going on? This really was some Melrose Place shit going on around here. I looked at Seth, I know I hadn't been here long but I'd never seen this shit before. He just looked at me sadly.

"Everyone. That's enough." Mike yelled, "Angela, please if you would, go check on Bella," he asked, smiling at her before leaving to go deal with Jessica.

I waited until everyone else was walking out and turned to Angela, "If you don't mind, I'll go find her."

"Yeah," she nodded at me smiling kindly, "that would be good." She winked at me before leaving.

I walked around the club a little bit, going into the break room and then outside to the employee area but didn't see Bella. I walked towards the front of the house and the receptionist looked at me sadly, pointing toward the coat check by the main entrance. I nodded my thanks and kept going.

I found Bella in the corner of the coat check room sitting on a chair picking at her nail polish. She didn't seem to be upset or crying like I had expected. I walked over and knelt down in front of her pushing her hair out of her face.

"Bella, honey, are you okay?" She looked up at me, glaring. Yeah right, smart question there Jakey boy. "What can I do for you?" She just shrugged.

"You know Jessica is the only one that believes that shit right?" Again she shrugged.

"You heard then? Why didn't you tell me you knew? She told you and you said that she hadn't said anything else. You know, if you talk to her that's fine, whatever do what you want, but you should have told me."

I sighed deeply. Bella trusted no one and I was this close to losing what trust she had put in me. "Bella, I didn't tell you because I didn't believe her for one second and I knew none of what she said was true."

Bella lifted her head and looked at me with questioning eyes like she was searching my face for any tick of deceit. "Really?"

"Really. Besides, I wanted you to tell me when you were ready."

"I didn't, I mean Jacob you have to know, I didn't ever sleep with him," Bella looked up at me with pleading eyes and while I didn't understand everything that was going on with Bella and Edward Cullen I did believe her.

"I know Bella," I rubbed her arms while kneeling in front of her, I wanted to pick her the fuck up and squeeze until she felt safe but that might be overstepping thngs just a bit.

"But I know Jessica, she thinks she saw something she didn't and I know how manipulative she can be but I don't understand why she hates me. Just promise me Jacob, tell me that you won't listen to her, be careful what you tell her."

"I don't talk to her Bella, I wouldn't lie about that. I'm not interested in talking to her and I would never hurt you like that. Besides, if I did I would tell you, I'm not going to sugar coat shit for you. That's not what we do right?"

She nodded smiling at me then rolled her eyes sitting up straight and stretched. I couldn't help the natural tingle that moved through my body when she did. I knew she felt better when she started to try and fix herself up, "God, I'm just so fucking embarrassed," she growled out and damn if hearing her angry and cussing certain parts of me didn't twitch.

"Come on," I stood up quickly, pulling her up with me and wrapped my arm around her shoulder, glad that she didn't flinch away from me. "Never let 'em see you sweat doll, I'm right there behind you."

"You and me against the world?" I nodded and laughed serious as a heart attack about that shit. "Team Jacob/Bella huh?" I laughed again and she pulled her hair into a ponytail and straightening her apron.

"Team Belcob maybe?" She scrunched her nose up and me and shook her head. "Jalla? Jella? Jello!" and now I had her laughing and I knew she was going to be okay. Fuck the Jessica Stanley's of the world.

"Awe, well isn't this just the cutest thing." I swung Bella and I around, arm still draped over her shoulder, to come face to face with the good Doctor himself and his half drunk before 5 PM wife. "Bella, sweetheart, I didn't know you had a fella," Tanya Cullen said while smiling away unaware of the rest of the world, alcohol induced bubble making her "perfect" world go 'round.

Bella's blush grew to a bright red and only increased when Alice and her husband came up behind them. Alice was beaming at us "Dr." Cullen looked enraged. His fists were balled up at his sides and I squeezed Bella's shoulder but she pulled away from me. What the hell?

"Bella, may I have a word with you for a moment?"

She nodded and without looking back walked out the front door. Again, what…the…hell?!

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