The Meeting

We didn't have long to wait before I saw Jacob's Rabbit pull up. I watched as he helped Billy into his wheelchair, debating whether or not I should go and help. Carlisle squeezed my shoulder gently, as if sensing my distress over the whole situation. They approached us slowly and for the moment, there was an awkward silence. It was a classic gunslinger moment. On one side, there were the vampires and on the other were the werewolves and then there was me. Stuck in the middle as if I was the cause of this duel.

"William, it's been too long," Carlisle said, as if addressing an old friend.

Billy frowned and Jacob's hands tightened into fists. Jasper must have been working hard to keep them from being violent; his forehead was lined with concentration.

"Not long enough," Billy retorted. "What part of the treaty needs discussing?"

"Well, as per the treaty we are to let you know when visitors like us are to be arriving. We have family of sorts from Alaska coming to visit."

"Oh?"

Carlisle nodded warmly, his smile glued on his face. "Yes, just some old friends who hunt animals like us. They should cause no trouble while they are here. If they do, you can hold me personally responsible."

"Oh, I intend to," Billy said, his face darkening, "But I have a question for you as well?"

"Ask away," Carlisle said, although the surprise was clear in his voice.

"Do you intend on biting Bella?"

My mouth dropped open in shock. My eyes flew to Jacob who looked away, uncomfortable.

"I fail to see how that is any of your business!" I said angrily.

"Bella," Carlisle said, his voice warning me to be quiet.

He turned to address Billy again, his face serious.

"Unfortunately there are some events that have happened recently that have made us think that it would be safer for her to become one of us… however that decision has not been finalized. I know full well that it is under the treaty for us not to… uh… bite a human, but circumstances being as they are---"

"I don't care what the circumstances are," Billy said, his face reddening with anger. "If you break this treaty, Cullen, you will bear the consequences!"

I looked over at Jasper, worried that the rush of emotions would be too much for him. He glanced back at me, giving me a comforting smile.

"I understand." Carlisle said, obviously seeing that it was better to agree and finish this meeting than to irritate them any further. "Any other questions?"

Jacob looked at me and opened his mouth, but then shut it, turning his head away. Billy merely shook his head and continued to glare stonily at Carlisle.

"Well then, I don't see any reason for loitering around," Carlisle said pleasantly. "Come Jasper, Bella."

Jasper turned to follow Carlisle, but I stayed behind. I watched as Billy rolled towards the car. Jacob simply stared at me.

"Jacob?" I asked, tentatively.

"What do you want?" he said coolly.

"I miss you," I said earnestly. "You promised that you'd be my friend no matter who my friends are."

"Things change—"

"So that just gives you the go ahead to break promises?" I asked angrily.

"I'm not breaking any promises," he said angrily, "Your little bloodsucker boyfriend probably wouldn't want you hanging around me anyways!"

"Jake, come on!" I said angrily, "It's not even about that is it? Look I am sorry I couldn't feel the same way towards you that you felt about me, okay? I told you that from the beginning!"

"Whatever," he said, turning away.

I ran up and grabbed his hand, astonished at the heat of it. It seemed to have gotten hotter since the last time I had touched him.

"Look, I'm not giving up on our friendship! It means more to me than that!"

Jacob looked at me, his eyes filled with longing. I knew he wanted it to, I just knew it.

"Jacob!"

His eyes flitted to Billy, and then turned cold as he faced me again.

"Good-bye, Bella."

He walked off to help Billy into the car. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. Brushing them away angrily, I stalked back to the car where Carlisle and Jasper were waiting on me.

"Are you okay, Bella?" Jasper asked, clearly feeling my pain.

"I'm fine," I said shortly, climbing into the car.

The ride home was quiet, which suited me just fine. I stared out the window, angry at the world for making my best friend the enemy species of the love of my life. It was just wrong on so many levels. Why should they be forced to hate each other? Simply because of what they are instead of who they are? I angrily fought back tears at the pain this brought to me. How could a person choose between their best friend and the man they love? It just wasn't fair. It took me a few minutes to realize that we had arrived back at the Cullen's place. Jasper glanced over at me concerned and I flashed him a half-hearted smile. I could see the rest of the family waiting for us in front of the house. Stepping out of the car, I brushed my hair out of my face and attempted to put on a happy face.

"It went rather well," Carlisle said, "Rather quickly as well."

He filled them in on the meeting as I stared at the ground, pushing a rock around with my foot.

"Bella?"

I looked up at Edward, his eyes filled with concern. He opened his arms to me and I gladly accepted, wrapping myself into a hug, allowing the tears to flow freely.

"I'm sorry… if it's any consolation he does want to be friends with you… more than friends actually," he said, his voice bitter. "He's just to shallow and self-absorbed to—"

"Edward, please…" I sobbed, "I just really don't want to talk about it."

"I know, I'm sorry…" he said, stroking my hair. "I'm sorry…"

We stood there for a few minutes, lost in our thoughts. The rest of the family had gone in the house, probably to give us some privacy. I sighed, pulling away to look him in the eyes.

"I know you don't like him, Edward," I said, "But… when you were gone he just helped me out so much… and I know that if you two had met on a separate occasion—"

"And not have been mortal enemies at transformation," he said, grinning half-heartedly.

"That you two really would like each other! You two have more in common then you know! He's really into automotives too, you know, and—"

"We share an admiration of you," Edward said, wrapping a strand of my hair around his finger.

My heart started thumping as he twisted my hair around.

"Well… yes I suppose…"

Edward laughed and placed his forehead against mine, his sweet breath blowing into my face.

"Don't worry; I get your point…"

I chuckled and he pressed his lips against my head.

"You should get some rest though, the Denali's will be here tomorrow already, and they will most definitely want to meet you."

I swallowed, trying not to show my nervousness. Surely if they were 'vegetarians' like the Cullen's they couldn't that bad…