Yay an update! I know it's shorter, but it was a good place to stop, and at least it's something. Sorry it took forever to get it up here. I'm already working on the next chapter, so hopefully I'll get that up within a week. However, even though I know you guys hate it, I want 10 reviews before I update next. Sorry, now on with the story.

Ch 5

The ride back home was quiet. We, meaning Phil, decided to leave the other car in Forks for the night. This was because he didn't want me or Mom driving by ourselves in case we got separated from each other, and mom and I weren't capable of driving just the two of us at the current time.

I sat in the back of the car while Mom and Dad sat in the front, digesting the information I learned that evening. It was late now so I was glad the next day was Saturday. I understood now, Mom's reluctance to talk about Bella.. I doubted I would have reacted in the same way, but also hoped I would never have to find out. Poor Renee. Guilt flooded through me for making her relive it, then running off. She must have been so worried.

She swept me up into a tight hug when she and Phil practically burst into Charlie's office in Forks. I told her I was sorry and that I understood now. She just kept hugging me, then thanked Charlie for both keeping me at the station, and for explaining what she could not. She cried some, then got back into Phil's explorer. Phil and Charlie shook hands and arranged to pick up the car the following day.

It had been an exhausting day, so I wasn't surprised to fall asleep before we were halfway home.

Dad drove with me back to Forks the next day. Mom opted to stay home, but that probably was for the better, given her emotional state.

Unfortunately just as we pulled into the police station he got a phone call from his assistant coach, Bernie Cellence, about something or other and he had to leave right away. That was fine by me though. I had some things I needed to take care of before heading home. With the promise of leaving before dark, Dad gave me directions home and headed towards Seattle.

The deputy gave me my keys, Charlie was fishing, and directions to where I wanted to go.

The places were easy to find in the small town. My first stop was a florist. I needed to purchase three bouquets. The supply was limited in the little shop, but I managed to fine the right things. The clerk looked at me funny when I took her my selection, but I guess I could understand why. Forks was tiny, and I doubt they got a lot of unknown faces passing through. I smiled politely and payed, then left.

My second stop was a lot harder to find. The reason being, that I had no idea where to start. I only had directions to the florist and home. All I had was a picture to go by. I must have looked like some weirdo driving slowly up and down every residential street.

Finally though, after an hour, I got lucky. I recognized the heavily wooded area, then spotted what I was looking for. I pulled to a stop in front of a small two story house. It was old with a shingled roof and a second story window looking out over the front yard. I could almost imagine Bella looking out that window, and assumed it was her room. The house, her house, hadn't changed from the picture I had found only days before.

I grabbed one of the cards I had got with the flowers and wrote a quick "thank you".

Charlie,

Thanks for keeping the car overnight, and well thanks.

For everything. I'm really glad I happened across your path.

It's nice to finally understand. And I'm sorry for invading

your space here. And well, Mom could have been more tactful,

but then, that's never been her strong suit. Thanks again,

Sophie

I left the card, along with a bouquet of daisies and Gerber daisies on the porch.

I approached my third destination with a much more subdued attitude. This was what I wanted, needed, to do most of all. I layed a bouquet of freesia, lilies, and white roses on the head stone of my dearly departed sister. I sat down and just stared at it.

"Isabella Marie Swan Cullen

September 13, 1987-August 26, 2006"

Tears leaked out of my eyes. Seeing it, finally seeing it, her grave, cemented it in my brain. It made her an actual, physical person whom my family had lost. A sister I would never get to meet.

I have no idea how much time had passed from when I sat down to when I heard it. Maybe and hour, maybe more, maybe less. It was the sound of light foot fall coming up behind me. I turned around, but didn't recognize the figure before me. He looked about 25, and towered above me, and was very muscular. Aside from the picture of Edward Cullen, this was the most attractive man I'd ever seen, but in a completely different way. His eyes were dark, sad, and ... confused?

"Who are you?" he demanded, in a deep voice that broke me out of my revery. I scrambled to my feet and wiped my eyes.

"Sophia," I stammered. He just stared, his eyes unreadable.

I should have been scared, I know I should have been, but I wasn't. I was curious. This man clearly knew my sister, but I had no idea who he was. He wasn't in the emails or the letters, and Charlie never said anything about him.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded again. I hate when people demand things of me.

"What's it matter to you?" I retorted. For a second he looked taken aback, but then just annoyed.

"I've never seen you before," he said, but the fact that he didn't answer my question didn't escape my notice.

"I just moved here"

"To Forks?" he asked.

"Well, no," I fidgeted. Goodness I must have looked like an idiot. "I moved near Olympia."

"That doesn't explain what you're doing here," wow this guy was stubborn.

"I got in a fight with my mom yesterday, and went for a drive," I said like it was the most obvious thing. He simply raised an eye brow, amused by my nonsensical babbling. "I got lost and ended up at the gas station in Forks. My parents picked me up, but we left the car here and came back for it this morning."

One would think that my long winded explanation would be satisfactory, but then that person would be wrong.

"Again, that doesn't explain what you're doing here," he put emphasis on the here.

"Again, what's it matter to you?" I could be just as stubborn. Plus I was totally annoyed by this guy.

At that, he almost smiled, almost.

"Who are you anyway?" I asked a little bolder.

"What's it matter to you?" he mimicked my previous words. I ground my teeth together in frustration.

"Well, you know my name, and you want to know why I'm here, and, and Why am I explaining myself to you?!" I hoped he wouldn't notice my foot stomp.

"I'm Jacob," he chuckled. He noticed.

"Jacob...?" I pressed.

"Sophia...?" he mimicked again. What was wrong with this guy? I let out an aggravated sigh.

"Sophia Dwyer. Isabella was my older sister," I explained through gritted teeth. Shock registered on his face. I couldn't help the smug smile that covered my face; bet he hadn't expected that.

"I'm Jacob Black. Bella was my best friend, and is the love of my life."

Wow. I didn't expect that. When I recovered from my shock, I saw the same smug smile I had been sporting moments earlier on Jacob's face.

"But if, then, wait, how? Hold up a second. You're like 25, and if my sister were still ... she'd be in her 30s." I was way past confused. "Plus, if she was the love of your life, then why did she marry Edward Cullen?" He still looked smug, but I noticed the flash of hurt cross his face when I mentioned the marriage to Edward.

"Just because she is the love of my life, doesn't mean I am the love of her life," he explained a little sadder, though still obnoxiously full of himself. "We were best friends back when she was still," he stopped short. "We hung out every day when he was gone."

"But you're 10 years younger than her," I stated. He barked a laugh.

"Physically," he stated.

"Physically?"

"Things aren't always what you'd expect them to be," he smiled, but this smile didn't reach his eyes.

"You're infuriating!" I muttered harshly and began walking away.

He chuckled again. "That's funny. You're sister said the same thing to me a couple times," he grinned now, and I resisted my strong urge to smack it off his face. "Of course that was before she kissed me."

"Kissed you? Right, I'm guess it was the cheek right? Or your forehead?" I mocked in disbelief.

"Ha! No. Right here," he pointed to his lips, "and it was a good one."

"But she was way older than you," I insisted. I know it's weird but I didn't want to see Bella with anyone other than Edward Cullen. Maybe it's because I wanted to believe in true love, as immature as that sounds. It really upset me to hear this Jacob character taunting me about him and my sister.

"Like I said, things aren't always what you'd expect."

"Are you going to tell me what the hell you're talking about?" I asked. Why did he insist on talking like a bad fortune cookie?

He was silent then, thoughtful. A crease formed in the russet colored skin of his forehead. "I may have to," he said quietly, as if he was only talking to himself. I waited for him to elaborate. He didn't. "You should go home."

"What? You're not going to explain your remarks? You're just going to tell me to go home?"

"Hmm, yep," he mused. "Not today." I growled and walked away again.

"You really should go home," he was walking right next to me.

"Why should I do what you say?" I demanded. His smile tightened, making me a little happy.

"Look, there's a storm coming in, and I doubt you could drive safely in it," he said seriously.

"It looks fine to me," I rebutted looking at the rare clear sky.

"I can feel it. Like I said,"

"I know, I know. You can stop using that stupid line now."

"It's true though"

"And you're not going to explain that to me?"

"Not today"

"Eventually?"

"I don't know, are you planning to get lost here again?" he teased.

"Lost no, but I feel, you know, more connected to her here," I explained.

"You should go to First Beach. It's beautiful," he offered. It kind of surprised me a bit.

"Okay, I'll keep that in mind," I said a little unsure.

"I'll take you. Next weekend?" he seemed hopeful but also hopeful I'd say no.

"How do I know you're not some psycho rapist or anything?"

"How about I have Charlie come too. He's"

"I know who he is," I interrupted.

"Good. I hardly get to talk to him anymore. Saturday? We can meet at the police station so you'll know you're safe. Oneish okay?"

"Will you explain what you mean?"

He smiled. "Maybe."

"Okay, oneish then," I agreed, and I have no idea why I did.

"Here's my number, in case you decide I'm a lunatic and want to cancel," he said taking a pen and writing his number on a scrap paper from his pocket. I nodded. "Call me if you need anything too." Again, I nodded. "Now please go home."

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