Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or recognizable events. They belong to S. Meyer. I do, however, own an overactive imagination.

I want to thank some folks who gave me input on this chapter: leelator, who gave me some nice initial reactions, WolvesCanEatMe for all the great input regarding police procedure, and I'm finally going to name my awesome pre-reader: Taoist Elf. She made some very thoughtful comments very early on in the story, and I asked her to read drafts for me just to make sure I wasn't about to de-rail the whole thing. She is also a huge supporter of the story and she has provided me with a few rah-rah moments when I needed them. Thanks, lady! If you haven't read her story, First and Last, you are seriously missing out.

EnjoyYourJacob made me some lovely banners for me, and you can see them on Jacob Black ~N~Pack.

As always, this chapter would be a oddly phrased, mixed-tense and disordered word pile were it not for Diamondheart. She is the anchor of this fic and I harass her because she's just that good.

Chapter 10.

Sam POV

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As sunset approached Jake grew agitated and, though I couldn't let him see, so was I. This was only my second treaty meeting and it would be without Billy, who had been the rock of this agreement for over thirty years. Billy walked me through the odd little traditions that had grown over the decades- they had met every ten years as a sign of good faith on both sides even though the Cold Ones had not chosen to return for much of that time.

It was these traditions I decided I would concentrate on, intending to give Jake an idea of what to expect as well as keep any extraneous information from him. He had enough to think about already.

I watched him carefully roll the heavy document into the leather case made especially for it. "Jake, I need you to realize that this will be pretty intense for you, being so new and having to bear such close proximity to vamps. Before we reach the clearing I will give you a command to remain calm and stay human until I release you from it." I paused and looked him straight in the eye – he was as tall as I was now – before asking solemnly, "Will you accept my instructions?"

He looked genuinely surprised. "Of course, Sam. That's part of the deal, right? You give orders and we follow, right?" He gave a dark little smirk but meant what he said, which was enough for me. I wasn't sure what I would have done if he'd refused, so I was just thankful he agreed.

When the last of the sun's rays were filtered through the tree tops, we braced ourselves and headed for the forest, the leather carrier securely slung over my torso. Jake astounded me by phasing mid stride, not even pausing to concentrate.

What? He had registered my surprise.

Jake, only Jared and I can do that, even now. Paul and Embry still have to stop and work to phase unless they're provoked. You have a gift.

Huh. Some gift.

Flashes of his haircut, his dad's sad face pleading with him to calm down when he got angry earlier, and a sense of loss for his future began to mingle with unending heartache and loneliness for Isabella Swan. He imagined spending the rest of his life hiding these things from her and, realizing how impossible it was, he just withdrew into himself.

I began playing images in my mind of the series of events we would follow when we reached the clearing. There wasn't all that much, but it was meaningful and we needed to follow protocol.

About a mile away from our destination I slowed my pace to a trot, Jake staying just behind me and to the side.

Are you ready? Jake danced on his paws, antsy and becoming nervous at the waft of leech on the air. The night breeze was slight, but the stench was unmistakable, the same I remembered from many months ago. It was the very same I knew from my memories inherited from the undying pack mind and the additional knowledge I had from being an alpha. Only Jared, my beta, knew about the additional information I gained from my position; I didn't actively hide such things, it just wasn't there for the rest of them.

Damn, it's one thing to know the smell; it's something else to actually get it up close. His nose wrinkled and he pawed his muzzle, trying to wipe away the offending odor.

I know. It'll get worse, but there is something that helps. Let's go. We continued following the scent trail toward the clearing. As we drew closer to the edge of the trees I came to a stop, signaling for Jake to join me.

All right, Jake. After we phase, I forbid you from phasing back into wolf form or getting angry while we are in this meeting. This is a critical step in the maintenance of the treaty and the vamps will expect consistency. Jake agreed to the command silently and shook out his now tidy coat like he was psyching himself up.

We could hear the sounds of wood stacking, and I took that as our signal. I used my snout to signal to Jake, and we stepped out of the trees, standing in plain sight to anyone standing in the clearing. Of course, it wasn't anybody- it was our mortal enemies.

Scratch that. Enemy.

There was only one... where was the second?

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Jake POV

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Sam glared into the clearing and I turned to see where he was looking. Up to now I had tried to follow his movements, knowing that there was a certain choreography we needed to adhere to, but now with the focus moving for us to them... him, I broke from his side, falling back.

He was one of them.

Not just a vampire.

A Cullen.

Sam was sniffing the air, checking for a second scent, but neither of us could sense another one, though god knows, the stench was thick enough for a dozen.

As if on cue, the vamp reached over and lit a match, setting the woodpile on fire and began to place pine boughs on it. Sam stood and waited until the smoke was thick and actually put a dent in the reek wafting through the clearing.

Well, that was thoughtful of him. Sam chuckled darkly at my crack.

It wasn't just for us, Jake. Remember, this is a diplomatic meeting. We stink to him, too, and it's part of the trade-off. Get ready to phase.

Why do we both have to phase? I can just hang back.

No, you're part of the meeting, too. Plus, that's part of the ceremony. He stands near fire, and we arrive human- our weaker form.

Why fire? Apart from being an air freshener.

Sam turned to me and without humor replied, Because that's how you kill them. Vamps burn.

I pondered the information as Sam fed me imagery from past packs and how they dealt with adversaries.

I think I'm starting to understand diplomacy, Sam.

Sam snorted and faced the clearing again. Again my attention was drawn to the fact that a Cullen was here and that was hard enough to deal with, even if it wasn't the one I hated the most.

Jake. It's time, so concentrate.

Let's go.

I reached for the image I loved: Bella- peacefully sleeping, a beam of the sunrise on her face and hair. The cool calm spread and I imagined more in the scene, one arm resting on a dented pillow next to her, soft white sheets draped and rumpled around her and maybe the rise and fall of her chest with her breath.

I phased smoothly moments after Sam. He nodded approval and we slipped on our shorts, his in far worse shape than mine. Sam adjusted the leather case sling on his shoulder, set his jaw and indicated that we should proceed, tapping his ear to remind me that the vamp's hearing was at least as good as ours. I took the hint and buttoned my lip.

We walked toward the fire, stopping a few paces away from the vamp. He had positioned himself so that the breeze blew directly over the fire, carrying the pine smoke between him and us, cutting the worst of the smell. The light from the fire was caught in every crease and fold of his perfectly tailored clothes. His shirt alone looked like it cost more than all my clothes combined. Probably more than all the clothes I had ever owned

My head spun briefly with the realization of what this meant: The Cullens weren't a family, they were a coven, and they had spent the last couple of years putting on a show of attending school and holding jobs, hosting events, and going to town meetings.

They went to the prom.

They brutally dumped their girlfriends.

My train of thought was halted when Sam and the paleface extended their hands to each other. I was beginning to feel the flicker of heat when I remembered Sam's command, and took a deep breath, calming the first tremors.

"Dr. Cullen, thank you for coming on such short notice." Sam and the leech shook hands in a measured grasp, both clearly a little uncomfortable, but the purpose was clear: overcome nature to maintain peace.

"I will always honor our agreement, Mr. Uley. Thank you for doing the same." The vamp made a slight smile and continued, "Besides, you saved me from one of my daughter's shopping excursions. I thank you for that, too."

Sam didn't miss a beat. "What a shame." He raised an eyebrow with humor. "You are so clearly in need of a spring wardrobe." The leech's teeth flashed briefly in a small smile to acknowledge the diplomatic humor.

With the icebreaker was out of the way, Dr. Cullen turned to me. "I have not had the privilege, Mr… Black?" His odd gaze criss-crossed my face and body.

Sam reached an arm behind me, bringing me half a step forward in presentation. "This is Jacob Black. He joined us the day before yesterday." Sam lightly nudged me, sensing my apprehension.

Dr. Cullen was formidable up close. He was small compared to us, but gave the impression of an over-coiled spring. It was his potential that made me hesitate; but I'm not an asshole- the standard had been set and I had to match it. The vamp made no move toward me, but the instant I began to extend my arm he mirrored my every move until our hands met in a firm handshake.

I remember the first time I saw Terminator 2, watching the liquid metal of the robot's body moving like quicksilver and taking shape at command. Shaking Cullen's hand was like clasping a handful of cold, fluid steel and made all my hair stand on end. We withdrew after a moment and just stood.

"You look just like your grandfather, Mr. Black." The doctor's marble face softened. "How is your father?"

I was still shaken a little by the contact with his skin and was surprised at being asked a question.

"Older." I blurted out. Fuck.

The looks on their faces were unsure at first, like I'd mentioned my favorite flower or something, but then they both began to chuckle and I realized I had made an unintentional dig at our… guest. I was relieved to have passed whatever test I had been given.

Sam changed his posture slightly, and I found myself following suit. It was time for business.

"Dr. Cullen, your second should be in attendance, yet you arrived alone tonight. Is there some problem we should be aware of?" He didn't inflect his speech, merely asking, but pointing out the vamp's breech in protocol seemed significant.

The doc did not look away, but his eyebrows knit together slightly, deep creases furrowing his brow and visible through the thick blue smoke coming from the fire for a split second. "My son Edward could not be reached in time to attend, but I understand this meeting is to update your party's signatures whereas ours will remain the same. Is it acceptable, then, that our current signatures be allowed to remain and apply to today's update?"

Edward. Edward was the second, and the other Cold One in the stories.

Edward, who Bella had loved, and who broke her. A century old vampire had held Bella, caressed her, and danced with her. Then he'd left her to crumple on the cold forest ground.

And the vamp in front of me knew it. He had known all along.

Sam and the doc bantered for a few moments and I remained lost in my own thoughts. Sam's command prevented me from feeling true anger, but I could scheme. I was going to say something; I just had to for Bella. But not yet.

"If you cannot reach your second by the end of the week, may I suggest considering another member of your household as your second?"

The doc paused, his face hardening barely perceptibly. "I will take your suggestion under advisement. Thank you, Mr. Uley, for agreeing to continue today's meeting." Sam was playing a little hardball.

The alterations were made to the treaty, and after asking, we were allowed to expand our patrol routes slightly in their absence. It looked like things were about to wrap up when Sam cleared his throat and the doc glanced at him expectantly.

"Dr. Cullen, were you expecting any visitors here?"

He looked at us each in surprise. Sam had informed me over our meal and during the trek here to the DMZ about the trails they had discovered, and the swift glimpse they had some weeks ago of one. There seemed to be three, as far as we could tell, including the odd smelling one that he refused to tell me much about.

"No, Mr. Uley. This peninsula is considered off-limits to those other than my family and a very few acquaintances who share our lifestyle. I would never invite any others here without informing you. What has happened?"

Sam described the rampant crime sprees in the surrounding area, the 'animal' attacks on hikers, and the scent trails the wolves had found. Cullen's face was intense and he absorbed the details and events as Sam recounted them.

"You said you got a look at one of them. What did you see?"

"We saw red. A flash of red hair, then it was gone. We have not caught her trail in a few weeks, but the one that was with her that day has been back a few times. We did not see this second one."

The doc thought for a moment and a look of understanding crept over his face. "This is a treaty concern now." The doc gently unrolled the heavy paper and pointed to section regarding threats to the human population of the territory involved. Nomadic vamps could pass through but could not stay, and were highly discouraged from engaging in 'activity native to their condition'. I almost laughed at the euphemism.

If there were any who chose to stay, it was the Cullens who were primarily responsible for their disposal, by whatever means. Our help was not required, but by convention we were expected to assist.

"I will contact my family and we will plan a swift visit to deal with our obligation. If you will, please keep me informed of any developments until we can deal with the problem. I will be in contact soon." He rolled the document back up and handed it to Sam who slipped it into the case.

He inclined his head to us. "Mr. Black, Mr. Uley. Until next time." He began to turn and I realized this was my last shot. It was now or never. His back was to me and he had taken a single step toward the opposite tree line of the clearing.

"Dr. Cullen, don't you want to know how she is?" He froze. "You know I'm talking about Bella." He was as still as a statue for a few seconds before turning slowly and with unnatural grace. Sam growled at me so low it was only a vibration coming from him without actual sound.

"Jake, not now." Sam muttered out of the corner of his mouth.

"Yes now, Sam. How about it, Doc? Didn't you want an update?" I was almost surprised at how hard and mocking my voice sounded. "Perhaps you can pass along to Edward how she nearly died right where he left her in the woods?" Cullen winced, but I wasn't done yet.

"Or maybe he'd like to hear about the months when she didn't talk, barely ate, and almost got committed. Or how her dad wanted to find and arrest him because he thought that maybe he'd raped her?"

He gasped, eyes wide and horrified. "Edward would never have harmed Isabella."

"Maybe not physically, but he broke her to pieces when he left."

Cullen frowned. "I do not know all the details of that day, he would not tell me. But I do know that my son did what he thought was right to protect her safety, her life."

I shook my head, holding back a sneer of disgust. "Maybe he should have thought about protecting her soul a little."

"I suspect it was that very thing he was most concerned about." We were silent, and faced off by the fire as the breeze mingled our scents together in the bloom of pine smoke, bringing us both to our senses. Sam nervously stood by, watching carefully.

"How is she?" Cullen asked quietly.

I had taken a posture that could have been interpreted as defensive, and immediately relaxed. I may have risked going too far.

"She's better, finally. We've been seeing each other. Bella is acting more like herself again, doing the things she used to do before," I gestured toward him to indicate his family. "All this. I just want her to be safe and whole. Whatever is going on, I don't want it to harm her. She's had enough already."

"I agree," He said with a nod. "Are you aware of any special risk to her?" He raised an eyebrow as if he was aware of the answer.

Sam cleared his throat again. "Uh, there may be."

"What?" A prickle of heat on my back was enough to have me bend over to take deep breaths. "You knew? How could you keep that from me?" I panted. I was unable to speak any more and tried vainly to gather my composure.

While I collected myself I heard Sam tell the doc about the smell from the car and where it went. I felt my edges strain with the pulse of the wolf that was snarling in rage, but I had been ordered to stay human. I tried to imagine the picture of Bella, but a red haze kept obstructing my view and I had to run to the edge of the woods.

There was a vampire stalking Bella. My Bells was in danger and I didn't even know about it. She was at risk and it was their fucking fault- Edward's fault for being a selfish prick by introducing her into their world and not protecting her from it.

I head butted a tree and knocked it over, smashing it to splinters with my arms just to relieve the burn and release the tension. After my fury destroyed a few more trees I sat, panting, and hung my head, resting my elbows on my knees catching my breath.

As I calmed myself, I saw Sam and the vamp shake hands once again before walking away from the fire simultaneously. Sam soon walked up and sat next to me.

"You did good, man. I'm impressed." He dug an elbow into my shoulder for emphasis. I picked my head up and stared at him.

"I could have blown the meeting. I pissed him off and insulted his family, not that I give a damn, but he might have negated the treaty because I didn't shut my mouth." I sighed.

"No, you made us talk, and while you were acting like a two year-old, we actually agreed to work together. And I don't think he'd negate the treaty."

"Why not? If he decided to never come back it doesn't really matter." I huffed and leaned back, resting my back against a broken tree and brushed the half-dried blood off my arms, smearing it into a gory mess.

"Maybe not, but he's got something to prove and he's not about to let that go."

"Prove what?" I snorted. "His innate fashion sense to the poor natives?"

Sam blew out a breath hard in a single snicker. "No, jackass. By holding a legal treaty- one that binds him to us with responsibility- he's exposed himself to individuals outside of his world. There are consequences to the treaty if he fails, too. It's a shred of something human for him." Sam stood, readying himself to leave, and held out his hand to help me up. "He needs to prove he's not a monster."

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Bella POV

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I tossed again and reached for my cell phone to check for the fourth time that I had indeed set the alarm. I wasn't opening the store in the morning, so I could sleep in.

Well, sleep in was a relative term. I could lie in bed longer.

Sleep escaped me and I lay there, eyes closed and trying to ease myself into quiet. I kept feeling as though something simply wasn't right.

I dozed, but couldn't attain real sleep, so I let my mind wander to my favorite places: home, sitting by bonfires and wrapped up in a pair of strong arms, little tables with friends and blankets on beaches.

I pushed my face into the pillow and, comforted by the faintest of snores from my father's room felt myself drift.

It felt like only seconds later when the house phone rang. Through my haze I heard my dad jostling to pick it up, his voice mumbling to the other end. I heard my door open slightly as he checked on me, then close again followed by his familiar footfall on the stairs.

When I heard my door open again, my dad whispered to me. "Bells? Are you opening today?" His voice was gravely and hoarse.

"Hmmm? No... go in at ten. Alarm set." I mumbled. The thinnest tinge of light was visible between the cracks in my eyelids and I rolled over to face away from the window.

"Okay. Go back to sleep. I love you." He slipped quietly out the door and closed it, holding the doorknob to prevent the harsh click from disturbing me.

…

I must have slept wrong, because I was awakened by a raw ache in my arm and, unable to stand it anymore, was up minutes before my alarm went off. I got ready for work quickly and went downstairs to find my dad sitting at the table, staring down at a cup of coffee, not wearing his uniform. Something was very wrong.

He looked so tired. Dark circles and creases of worry were nothing unusual for him, but the emptiness I saw in his eyes was not like him at all.

"Dad," I said to get his attention as I sat down across from him. "Dad, is everything okay? What happened?"

He blinked, and picked his head up. "Bella... Harry had a heart attack last night. Did you hear the phone?" I nodded and reached across the table to put my hand over his arm holding the cup. "He was rushed to the hospital where he lost consciousness. He never woke up. Billy and I were there when... but he had to go and sit with the kids while Sue stayed at the hospital. They were too sick to go and Sue didn't want them there for... it."

His voice was so hollow. I had no idea how long he'd been sitting there holding that cup but I felt no heat was coming off it. I gently pried his unmoving fingers from the handle and warmed it in the microwave, getting out things to make us breakfast. He drank a bit of the coffee while he picked at the plate I made for him, but ate enough that I wasn't worried too much.

I finished taking care of the dishes and grabbed my things before kneeling down by him. "Dad, I'm going to go to work. I'll be back in a few hours, but if you need me, please call." He nodded.

"Are we expecting the guys tonight?" Nod. "Good. I'll have dinner ready by six-thirty." I stood and kissed his cheek. "I love you, dad. You'll be okay and we'll help out however we can. Just let me know what I can do."

He sniffed a tiny bit and I headed out to my truck. I cursed the lack of power steering as a shot of pain ran from my scarred hand all the way to my shoulder. I'd have to bum some aspirin from Mrs. Newton when I got there.

As I drove closer to the store, my first trip into town for a few days, I saw what my dad meant about the parking lot and went across the street. I smiled and waved to John and Drew who were making imaginary fly-fishing casts before seeing me and waving me over.

"Bella, we heard and we're so sorry," John began. "Let your dad know that we understand if he's busy tonight or isn't up for company. We can just go back early, it's not a big deal."

"No, actually I think seeing you guys will be good for him. The last few days have been tough enough and I'm pretty sure there will be a wake and funeral, too. Being around people is good for him."

They agreed and said they'd make sure to let Andy know about the dinner plans and that they'd be ready to leave if they needed to. I was grateful that my dad had such good friends in John and Andy and it looked like Drew was fitting in with them well despite the tension between their departments caused by the investigation itself.

The store was slow this morning, but Mrs. Newton assured me that sales had picked up once all the visitors realized we had a special fishing section tailored to the area. I got my employee vest and nametag and headed to the schedule sheet to check the work list for the day.

"Hi Bella." A shy voice called behind me. Mike smiled sheepishly as he approached from the storage racks.

"Hi, Mike. You look a lot better than the last time I saw you." My voice was flat from the emotional morning.

"Yeah, I lost a few pounds, but I can work a half shift before Mom kicks me out to go rest, so that's a start, I guess. About last week, Bella-"

I cut him off. "Mike, I hope you're not about to apologize for being sick. You couldn't help it and I didn't get sick, though you may have to apologize to Jake. He's been sick the last couple days. I'm not even allowed to go see him yet!" I walked out into the store and began moving the basketball pants to a new rack to mark them down again.

Mike frowned. "So, you and Jake...?"

"Yeah. It was awhile in coming, I guess. I just had to figure it out." I felt my lips curl up a bit, and couldn't help the warm flush I knew was starting on my face. Thinking much about Jake always made me feel warm now.

He just shrugged and gave me a little smile to let me know there were no hard feelings. "Okay, Bella. But if he screws up, promise to let me know?"

"Fair enough."

Work went by pleasantly enough, and I let Mike and his mom know that an old family friend had passed away and I may not be available to work in the next couple days, but I'd let them know. He thankfully changed the subject to the merchandise we were tagging. Mrs. Newton had gotten them at a very special price on line, hoping they would be attractive to hikers as an easily removed layering piece. The catch was that they were 'moisture-wicking', not repellant, meaning that in the frequent rains here, any hiker would be bogged down in wet pants as soon as it so much as misted.

"Hence being seventy-five percent off, now!" Mike snorted. The pants had become a running joke at the store.

My turn at the registers came and went with healthy traffic on the fishing equipment as Mrs. Newton had mentioned during the shift. I was clocking out when my phone rang and saw that my dad was calling.

"Hi Dad. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine Bells, thanks. Do you have plans for Monday afternoon?" He sounded weary.

"I have school, why?"

"The funeral was scheduled for early afternoon on Monday. I'd really like it if you came with me. Don't worry about school, they have funeral passes and I'll call the principal for you."

If Charlie was getting me out of school he was pretty broken up, and I told him I'd be there to support him and do anything I could to help. I mentioned that I was stopping by the store on my way but would be home soon. After bidding goodbye to Mike and Mrs. Newton I hung my vest up and headed to the door.

The three musketeers were gone from the parking lot leaving just the regular cops from Seattle and Port Angeles to guard their DA's territory like dogs over a buried bone. I could see now why my dad was so frustrated with the situation. It was tiresome and I had only seen it for a few hours.

When I got home I saw the cars indicating the guys were already here, and when I stepped in the kitchen I saw the crumby remains of my cinnamon rolls and a lone muffin in the basket. It looked like the kind of devastation that Jake could cause my baked goods. I smiled and hoped he would get better soon.

Hushed voices came from the living room and I peeked around to see the men leaning over coffee cups, plates on the coffee table from the rolls. I went in quietly and began gathering the plates to wash them before I started dinner, stacking them on the arm that wasn't sore. Drew rose and took them into the kitchen for me and I patted my dad's shoulder as I headed in after him.

"So, Drew, you're the odd man out in there, huh?" I observed as he set the plates down. He sat at the table and stole the last muffin as I started the dishes.

He laughed and gave a little rueful grimace, "In more ways than one. I'm from the wrong town, and I'm about twenty years too young to hang with them much, and apparently I'm not part of their little band of brothers yet."

"What do you mean?" I think I knew what he meant, but I wanted to see if he knew anything about the oddly strong friendship between the three men.

"Well, I'm sort of the outsider on that. I don't really know much; just that they worked together years ago before your dad was the chief here and something happened. That's really all I know. None of them talk about it around me."

I was disappointed, but not surprised. It seemed everyone had things to hide.

"How about the case? How is that going?"

"Things keep getting more complicated. A girl disappeared from Seattle a couple days ago, and judging by the missing persons report it looks a lot like the Biers case already." Drew had shifted into cop mode and was talking fluidly.

"The Biers case?"

Drew's face reddened. It was nice to know someone in this world blushed as badly as I did when caught at something.

"I, uh... crap. I probably wasn't supposed to say that. If your dad knew I told you this, he'd skin me, but the registered owner of the car found here in Forks was named Riley Biers. We're currently following the case of the girl and hoping for any physical evidence to turn up, but so far, there's been virtually nothing."

He was quiet as he finished the muffin and I scrubbed the last of the dried frosting off the plates. Drew went to get the coffee cups from the guys, who had grown a little louder as my dad had started telling Andy and John about his favorite fishing spots. I dried the plates as Drew started soaking the dried dregs from the cups.

I had dinner about halfway made when Drew put the last cup up and paused, his hand still on the cabinet handle. "You don't really hike, do you Bella?" I glanced over, surprised at the sudden question.

"Um, no. I'm kind of the clumsy, indoorsy type. I hiked a bit with an ex of mine, but he sort of did all the work."

"You dated an outdoors man?" Drew gave me a disbelieving look, his eyebrows threatening his hairline.

"Yeah, he was really into... wildlife." I cringed.

Drew gave me a puzzled look, but pulled out plates and started setting the table. "Well," He lowered his voice. "Another hiker was found dead. He was on the trails only about five miles from Port Angeles." He paused and folded his arms. "I don't know what the hell is going on. The things we're finding... it's just not normal."

"What do you mean 'not normal', Drew?" A chill shot through me and I felt my chest tighten and ache, a sensation I had not had in nearly a week.

Drew stiffened. "It's not something you should hear about, Bella. I heard your dad say you don't sleep well, and there is nothing about this you need to hear." He brightened before continuing. "Besides, once that car ends up in Seattle they can start working out what actually happened to those kids, and that will free up our people to work out what's happening to the hikers."

"Wait, so the car is going to Seattle? It was decided?"

"Well, it's not for sure yet, but it looks that way. You dad would know more about it."

I finished dinner and invited everyone in. Dad looked better after being able to talk and it turned out he'd gone up to the rez for a little while to make sure Billy had eaten lunch. Without me having to ask, he reported that Billy said that Jake was able to rest now but wasn't up for any visiting yet. He was sad when he mentioned that the Clearwater kids were very sick and being watched by Old Quil for the evening.

"Sue has so much on her plate as it is, the kids being sick is just too much for her right now. I offered to help, but everyone at the rez just jumped and said they would take care of the kids." He looked sad and was clearly confused, but made a comment about understanding the family closing ranks in reaction to Harry's death.

Dinner continued in respectful quiet, and afterward they adjourned to the living room to make a few phone calls while I cleared up. I handed out cups and set out the cream and sugar, retreating to the kitchen to brew the coffee. By the time I brought the pot out to fill the cups the whole room seemed more at ease and my dad was visibly relaxed even though he was exhausted.

John White noted my visual sweep of the room and brought his cup to meet me in the doorway. "Bella, we've just gotten the news that your poor dad has been waiting on since we got here! That car will be leaving town next week."

"That's great news, John!" I filled his mug and handed him a spoon. "You just have to get it towed back, right?"

My dad started laughing ruefully but was smiling, his face less gray and drawn than it had been at breakfast. "I wish it were that easy! We're still working out the final details, and since it's Friday just getting the decision was a surprise. First, the team has to secure the car and basically bag it like any piece of evidence, protecting the interior for the work in Seattle."

Andy spoke up. "And don't get us started on the issue of custody. We'll have to plow through paperwork all day Monday to figure out that issue and how we're going to handle it."

"Custody? You mean like who actually has possession of it? Wouldn't that just be the Seattle PD?" All four men started laughing like I'd told a very funny joke and explained to me that custody was the next big issue to be worked out by the departments and the district attorneys. The good news, they said, was that the Seattle DA was open to concessions with the other involved departments since they would lead the investigation.

I cleared away the cups when they were done and excused myself after telling everyone goodnight and bidding them a safe trip back home. They assured me they would see me again next week when they prepped the car for transport and told me they hoped Jake would get well soon. I thanked them and headed upstairs to read before going to bed early.

My hand trembled as I pushed my door all the way open, fearful of a repeat of the night before, but the window was closed and curtain drawn as I left it this morning. After I heard dad's friends leave, I set my book aside and hopped in the shower, determined to relax for a good night's sleep.

I slid into bed and pulled my extra blanket over my legs, careful not to put my weight on my sore arm. As I settled in, Drew's words echoed in my head. Whatever was going on, it was nightmare-worthy, he had made that much clear. Just hearing that was enough to fuel my overactive imagination. Scenes of images played on the backs of my eyelids, real and imagined, that robbed me of sleep. When I did doze off, they only grew worse and more twisted. Familiar faces were inserted here and there along with nameless and faceless hikers who never came out of the woods, dying in ways that a cop like Drew deemed 'not normal'.

I roused in an awful and confused haze. My legs carried me to the bathroom and, instead of returning to bed, I put on a sweatshirt and boots and went outside to clear my head in the damp night air.

My lungs felt tight as I took in the deep gulps, but the air was cleansing and helped chase the restlessness away. It was an unseasonable chilly night and I pulled my perpetually cold, and now aching, scarred hand inside the sleeve. I set it in the front pocket of the sweatshirt and let my whole arm relax and hang as I stood to stroll around the driveway.

All the lights in the house were off except for the kitchen light and the little lamp in my room, so I walked a bit to stretch my legs that were cramped from balling up in bed during the nightmares. I walked to the backyard and let my mind wander in an effort to achieve a measure of catharsis. If I could logically dispel the imagery my mind had created, maybe I could get some rest.

My feet moved of their own volition, carrying me into the woods near my house, scrunching the old and wet leaves and twigs while I tried to clear my head. The pictures in my mind faded but the comment Drew made kept tickling my mind... not normal.

I didn't even know what normal was, and the things that had made the substance of my life for a year were so far from what someone like Drew would consider normal that nightmares could be the only expected outcome. Until something could come along to chase them away, that is.

Jake- now that was something normal. Good, clean, real, and normal were some ways to think of Jake. There were some other things that could describe him, and I smiled to myself for the hundredth time as I thought of how he made me feel. With him I was… cared for, loved and desired, but not coddled or patronized.

I loved him, and when I was able to see him I would make sure he had no doubts about it. I would do everything I could to make sure he knew it because... he deserved it.

There was a thinning in the trees and I walked towards it, assuming it was the way back to my house.

It wasn't.

Not normal.

.

Oh dear, Bella. Little girls being stalked by vampires probably shouldn't go wandering after dark. (This is a quote from WolvesCanEatMe)

Their paths will come together again very soon. You've been very patient. Be patient just a little longer.

So did we like meeting Dr. Cullen? And what do you think of his motivations? Reviews and comments are better than Christmas. By the way, to the reviewer named EggsNJakey (cute name BTW), I'm honored to have recieved your first review. Don't be shy with giving them out, you may find that the writers are as thrilled to hear from you as you are from them. You should also enable your PMs so we can send you our gratitude! I respond to pretty much every one and I often hand out wee hints. (yes, I bribe my kid, too.)

Thanks so much for reading!