This is a work of fanfiction. I make no money, I'm not Stephenie Meyer, and I'm just fooling around with her characters.
Welcome back, and I'm sorry this took an epic length of time. The holidays are only a small part of my excuse. The truth is, this chapter intimidated the snot out of me, and it got re-written four times until I was happy with it. The pre-readers: Little Furry Cannibals, Taoist Elf, and WolvesCanEatMe were incredibly helpful, and Chef Diamondheart must have lost sleep doing such a fast and wonderful beta job on it. Every one of these people suffered my repeated emails and updates regarding this chapter, and I thank them from the bottom of my little black heart.
Please enjoy chapter 21.
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Bella POV
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The pack ran in a loose single file, and while I kept my head buried in the thick fur behind Jake's huge head most of the time, my occasional peeks to either side revealed great shadows weaving around and through the line of running wolves.
It was wet out, and the splatters of mud kicked up by giant paws whizzed by my head, occasionally landing in my hair or clothes. I refused to acknowledge the cramping in my hands, arms and legs until we finally stopped in a tiny opening in the trees. My throat stung from the wind and my own harsh panting.
I was more tired than I realized, so when Jake's haunches finally lowered, I gratefully slid down until my feet hit the mushy ground. My ears were ringing from exertion, and I stumbled to lean on a nearby trunk to rest my burning legs. The backpack I'd been given was lifted off my slumping shoulders and carried away by unseen hands. Thick mist filled the air around me as my breath condensed, and I watched it dissipate, drifting toward a tangled wall of bramble, vines and twigs.
My tired eyes were untrustworthy, but I could swear the wall was…moving?
I shook my head to clear the buzzing, barely hearing the quiet voices and the movement of cloth. Jake's became clear to me first, and he stepped out from behind the dripping branches, brushing the water from his hair as he walked to me.
"Hey," He said as he wrapped an arm around me, using his free hand to brush flecks of mud from my shoulder. I leaned into him, stealing his warmth, and saw the other members of the pack filing out from behind the bushes. The only exception was Leah, who must have changed nearby but not with them, for she was walking alone from another direction, tightening the drawstring of her…pants.
Long pants. They were all wearing them, perfectly matched but for the black top that Leah wore. She walked by us to join the rest of the pack and set the backpack down next to me without a word. The snaps on the sides of the pants winked brightly in the last glimmers of evening light.
My mouth was dry from nerves; the bravado I'd displayed at the kitchen table having fallen away on the run. I tried to respond to Jake, but only a hoarse cough came out. He bent and pulled a bottle of water out of the bag and I drank gratefully.
"Thank you. Um, are we there, yet?" Jake took a quick drink and handed out a couple other bottles to the others.
"Almost. We're taking a break to get ready."
I nodded. Before we left La Push, Sam and Jake had held a meeting to tell everyone the order of events, and how they wanted the meeting to proceed. I'd taken it in stride then that I would be seeing the Cullens -all of them- but now I wasn't feeling quite so bold.
The pack waited as my legs regained strength, and I pulled on gloves and a hat I'd stashed in the bag- I would have lost the hat mere minutes into the run, and I'd needed my hands bare to grip Jake's coarse fur on the way. When I zipped the bag closed, Jake took it and slung it over a shoulder.
"Are you ready?" He asked. The words No, never tickled my tongue, but there was no turning back now.
"Yep. You said we walk from here?" I pushed away from the tree and took Jake's hand, falling into step with a pace that was clearly easy for them, but had me huffing to keep up and stay on my feet. The pack, one by one, came by to speak with Jake and Sam, talking so quietly I could hardly hear more than the clicks and rolls of consonants.
The light was nearly gone, and the forest became an impenetrable and confusing mess of wood and moss. Jake steered me around and over stumps and protruding roots, letting me hang onto his arm for balance.
We slowed, and Jake leaned down and put his face within inches of mine. I could just make out his features in the darkness, and was able to decipher the words that he mouthed silently, tapping his ear and pointing over his shoulder.
Close…quiet…stay with Seth…wait for signal.
We'd talked about this. Seth would stay behind with me when the rest of the pack went to the treaty line. When they were ready, Jake and Sam would call for us to join them in the large clearing. In a voice so quiet I could not hear, Sam gave instructions to Seth. He nodded back at Sam, wrinkling his face and wiping at his nose periodically. I noticed that the rest of the pack were shaking their heads and fanning the air. I glanced up at Jake and pointed, then mimicked the behavior.
"They stink," Paul blurted in a stage whisper. "That answer your question?"
Sam glared at Paul, but said nothing, motioning instead to keep walking.
My eyes could barely see it, but within a few more minutes of walking, Jake and Sam both fixed their attention on something up ahead. Even inside the warm gloves I borrowed from Billy, my hands were growing clammy and damp from my nerves.
As a single unit, we all stopped walking and Jake bent down again. He mouthed words again.
Here… stay with Seth…right next to you…wait.
I nodded and felt my breath catch. I knew this meeting was business, and I wasn't the focus, but I couldn't help but feel like a spotlight was waiting to shine on me. Tears burned my eyes and I felt the hurt of rejection again. It wasn't just Edward's actions that hurt either- they had all left that day. While the sting of their abandonment was duller now, I still felt like I'd been thrown away.
They had all been my friends, my surrogate family, and they'd left me without a word. Edward didn't want me anymore, and apparently neither had they. Still…
How many times had I begged the darkness of the woods outside Charlie's house to show him to me? How many nights did I wake from dreams of his cool arms, only to discover that I'd left my window open again? Would I crumble when I saw him, and beg for his kiss?
Could I be so cruel to the one who loved me, healed me?
Jake wrapped me in the hug only he knew how to give and I held him tight, not sure if it was the 'who' or the 'why' of the meeting that frightened me more at that moment. His warmth penetrated my jacket and I felt comfort I'd never known from anyone else.
Jake released me and rubbed my shoulders.
Love you.
I formed the words back to him and he gave me a brief smile, then motioned to Seth to stay by me before joining Sam. They walked side by side with the rest of the pack, minus Seth, in single file behind them. I watched them as they moved with easy, perfectly matched strides. I knew from the night of Laurent's attack that their easy gait hid the power to spring and kill.
I also knew what a vampire could do… very well.
They faded a little in the darkness until I saw them silhouetted by faint light as they moved free from the trees. Seth and I both inched forward for a better view and settled on a recently fallen trunk that, strangely, seemed to have some deep wounds in its bark. Seth noticed too, and shook his head with a low snicker.
The pack stood still at the edge of the forest and I saw a tiny flash of light below in the clearing. The wolves stood and waited until a strong fire was crackling loud enough for even my ears to hear, then they walked in a loose formation until they were in a semicircle by the fire, Jake and Sam in the middle.
Seth and I craned our necks forward and watched every move made below. Smoke was pouring off the fire now, and though it blurred the proceedings below, I could still see what I came for.
I could make out Carlisle, elegant and dignified, as he shook hands with Sam and then Jake . Beside him was Jasper, whose sharp eyes darted up to search the trees, penetrating them, and I felt a new wave of nerves clench my stomach. Carlisle swept a hand behind him to the shadowy figures behind the thick haze. Esme stepped forward, and shook hands with Jake and Sam, and flashed a faint gentle smile up in my direction.
I gasped and Seth threw a hand over my mouth. He held me still as Esme appeared to exchange pleasant words with Jake, smiled graciously at something Sam said, and then gracefully stepped back behind the vapor.
Seth released me only when I assured him with a nod that I would not scream or speak, but I mouthed words like 'they know' over and over. He put his hand on my shoulder and clamped me to the log we were sitting on to quiet me, then he tapped his nose and pointed to the formation below. He sniffed, then pointed at me. My eyes widened, realizing that my scent had probably heralded my presence.
Rosalie stepped forward and shook hands, glancing for the briefest of moments up to me, before stepping back before Jake or Sam could say anything. The moment she faded into the blur, a huge shape moved.
I grinned, tears pricking my eyes again.
The giant teddy bear I called Emmett smiled broadly and gave both Jake and Sam full-arm handshakes, laughing loudly at whatever was said, and gazed unapologetically with that same smile up at me.
Seth leaned over and nudged me, plainly concerned. I waved my hand dismissively and let the first tears drop to my chin before bothering to wipe them away. I leaned forward, knowing that the last two would be hardest.
But nothing happened for long moments. Carlisle was speaking with Jake and Sam, and gestured with his hands, palms up. They were waiting. My stomach knotted.
Suddenly, Jasper turned and disappeared with a streak of motion. A couple minutes later, a ripple came barreling through the smoke, followed by Jasper.
The black hair was smoother now, and settled in softer shapes around her face, but the spikes still possessed a mind of their own. Alice could work miracles on me, but not her own hair, it seemed, and the odd curls bounced with her as she rose up and down on her toes. Like Emmett, she gazed up at the trees, searching for me, as she spoke with Jake and Sam. She leaned to the side and spoke in Carlisle's ear; he nodded and exchanged a glance with Jasper, who took Alice's hand and led her back to where the others stood.
The introductions with the pack proceeded in much the same way, with each approaching to stand with Jake and Sam, shaking hands with Carlisle and Jasper. There was a brief exchange, then they returned to stand in the semi-circle behind their leaders. Jasper reached into a pocket and, excusing himself with a shrug, stepped away from halo of light made by the fire.
Sam and Jake spoke with Carlisle for a few minutes, and by their body language, appeared to be reaching some compromise. I was searching for details in the smoke when Seth jerked forward and stood.
"They're asking for us, Bella." He reached down to assist me in standing. While I brushed the dirt off, he slung the bag onto his back and we started walking together.
It was only when I emerged from the trees that Carlisle looked up, the gentle smile I remembered playing over his alabaster skin.
I walked carefully, avoiding rocks and patches of wet leaves that would ordinarily have sent me sprawling onto the damp ground. Glancing at the sets of bright, topaz colored eyes, I realized that I carried a certain degree of their fate. I remembered my birthday, and resolved that my clumsiness would cause no one's downfall this night.
Seth walked by my side, one arm extended slightly to catch me if I took a misstep. I kept my eyes on the ground, watching for hazards the entire way, and it was only when I arrived by the fire that I saw his relief.
Jake squared his shoulders and rested a hand on Seth's shoulder. "Dr. Cullen, I would like to present our youngest pack mate, Seth Clearwater, brother of Leah."
Seth stepped forward and steeled himself to shake hands. He'd been watching very closely from the trees and had seen the stiff set of the rest of the pack's shoulders as they did this.
"Mr. Clearwater, an honor." Dr. Cullen appraised Seth. "Miss Clearwater mentioned in no uncertain terms that you were to be guarded especially carefully."
"My big sister is very protective of me." Seth said tightly, allowing the handshake to freeze in place.
Dr. Cullen tilted his head. "She means well."
Seth smiled. "She is family."
The Doc thought for a moment. "Then she is precious. Family always is." Dr. Cullen swept his gold eyes over us all, pausing when he reached me before settling on Seth again. "No matter what."
They parted and Seth stepped back to stand behind us with Leah. Jake clenched his jaw and put an arm behind my back, lightly guiding me forward into the spot that had been stamped flat by the entire pack as they were introduced.
The false calm I'd managed to cling to cracked when I saw the pale, serene faces turn toward me. While I was hidden in the trees they had all at least glanced up, and now, standing in front of them under the full power of their gaze, I wanted to wilt. I stared at my shoes, stuck in my scrambled thoughts.
"Bells?" Jake said softly.
I had dreamed of this moment for so long, and now it was here…sort of. No matter what happened between Edward and me, I had thought they were my friends, my family, and wasn't family always precious? Is that what Carlisle was saying?
My heart was pounding nervously, my breath coming in shallow pants. I focused on Carlisle's ankles and I knew I could only do this on my terms, despite my pounding heart and sweaty palms.
"Isabella?" Carlisle said, his voice snapping me from my reverie.
"You know," I began, "you could have sent a postcard."
His face froze in the 'concerned doctor' smile. "Isabella, I am so sorry." He replied simply. He looked as though he wanted to say more, but was at a loss as to where he should begin. Over Carlisle's shoulder I could see Alice fidgeting, as if she was going to say something, but hadn't quite chosen the words yet. Her arms outstretched minutely, as if wondering if I would rush in for a hug.
Part of me was desperate for her acceptance and love again. I felt the twitch in my muscles that heralded the idea of moving in her direction, and I looked down to see if my feet had indeed followed through.
Right next to my mud encrusted shoes, were Jacob's bare feet. His feet were dry even after all the slogging we'd done, any signs of the damp long evaporated off by his heat. Those feet , in both forms, carried him through the forest, along sand, paved roads, over gravel, and in my kitchen. Those feet had carried me a time or two.
And they'd never walked away from me.
"Bells?" Jake said again. This time his voice was still gentle, but thick. When I looked into his dark eyes I saw the creeping nerves and fear. He'd seen my faint movement, maybe just sensed it, but he did nothing to stop me. He'd let me walk towards Alice if I wanted to, but he was breathing hard as if he was fighting himself.
I met Carlisle's patient eyes again, and saw Alice stepping forward, a few feet away from Jasper now, as if concerned that I didn't want to go too close to him. Emmett and Esme were even leaning as if hoping to see the moment I started a reunion. I took a deep breath and everyone stopped.
"Carlisle, I need-" I held up my bandaged hand, "some help." His attention immediately locked on my hand and I felt Jake step closer to me. I kept my focus on Carlisle, who'd begun to examine my exposed skin. The others made no effort to hide their disappointment but they stepped away, further into the darkness and haze of smoke, joining Rosalie near the trees.
"What happened, Isabella?" He asked in a professional but gentle voice, his gaze intense as he scanned over my body for injuries. Jake stayed in contact with me, one arm around me loosely, protectively.
"Well, I…um…" I started to peel up an edge of the bandage to show him the scar and cut, but Jake grabbed my arm.
"Be careful – don't make it bleed again." He muttered, pleading.
Carlisle raised both pale hands, palms facing us, in a gentle surrender. "Please, allow me to look? I am a trauma doctor, and have never…taken…human blood. You can stay, if you wish." The moment Jake nodded, Carlisle's jacket was on the ground and he was rolling up his sleeves. Seth opened up the backpack and had the fresh bandages ready and allowed Carlisle to pass. Jake watched every move he made.
Carlisle delicately pried the bandage off, flipping it immediately into the fire and wiping the tiny seep of red that appeared along the incision line that Billy had made. His fingers felt the ridge of scar and the pucker made by last night's cut.
"What happened?" He said dispassionately.
"Something was wrong," I began, and told him about the dreams, nightmares, and depression. His face twisted, stricken, when I described the months of being lost in my self-neglect, and the physical changes. He merely nodded, lightly probing my hand and arm when I told him that I had aches and pains, but stilling his examination when I described my physical changes- the weight loss, brittle hair, the gray pallor. Then I told him about the breathing and pains that streaked up my arm.
He asked me to pull my arm out from my jacket and set my hand on his shoulder, much like the time he plucked shards of glass out of me on my birthday.
"And now?" Carlisle asked, pressing my shoulder and along my neck.
"I'm better. Much better now that…" I gestured to the cut and Carlisle took my hand again.
"I need you to tell me everything about that incision and how you got it." I cringed. The truth was, I couldn't say. I only remembered the walk from the beach, the flash of the light on Billy's blade, and the clawing inside me as he pulled it out.
"I…um…" I stammered. "I don't remember, exactly."
"It was swollen." Jared said, shocking us all. Carlisle inclined his head toward the normally silent Jared, encouraging him to continue.
"The back of her hand, right under that scar. It was red and swollen. She looked sick at last night's bonfire and kind of freaked out when Jake bumped her arm. She fell when she tried to stand and couldn't hold her own weight on her hands."
Carlisle listened so intently that he appeared to be absorbing the words. "Why did you decide to open it up?"
Jared looked at Jake and frowned. "Because Bella told us about what happened to her in Phoenix." Carlisle blinked, but made no other indication that he heard anything. "She said she was attacked, and that the scar was from a bite from James. His venom got in her, but that… Edward sucked it out."
Jared's chest rose and fell quickly and he covered his mouth, holding back a gag. The other wolves close to us were grimacing, too.
Jared's words tumbled out calmly but quickly. "Bella said that Edward couldn't taste the venom anymore, but Billy thought he may have left a tiny bit behind. That's why he cut her open and…"
Carlisle waited, but his patience was only so saintly. "And? What happened?"
"A thing came out."
The blonde eyebrows rose but the face stayed blank and expectant.
"She screamed. I've never heard a scream like it, and Billy pulled it out." Jared shivered. "It was lumpy with strings. He had to pull them out through the cut in her hand."
"How long were they?" Carlisle pressed, all business.
"Foot and a half, maybe two feet long. Kind of silvery, and when we burned it stunk like…like vampire."
I breathed through my nose, holding back heaves at hearing it described so clearly and plainly. Carlisle took my hand and stroked it soothingly, waving to Jake and Sam to step to one side to join him to speak privately. I trembled and backed up, as if stepping back would put space between me and what had been said…and what had happened.
I stumbled slightly, but a gentle hand under my elbow kept me from falling; it was Quil, serious for once. Embry carefully held out the sleeve of my jacket so I could maneuver my still tender hand and arm back in. The edges of my anxiety were smoothed off, eased by the helping gestures of my…friends.
The three returned within a few minutes and Carlisle took the rolls of bandages and tape from Seth. "Isabella, I would like to collect some samples."
"What kind of…samples?" I asked. Jake's jaw was tightly clenched.
Carlisle held my hand, running a finger over the ridges of scar that remained. "Blood, a few tissue scrapes, possibly a needle biopsy." He let go and quietly covered the cut and taped down the bandage.
"Why?" I asked softly, as he smoothed down a bit of tape.
He paused. "There is no other way to be sure what long term exposure to venom, even a tiny amount, can do to you. I have some ideas about what to look for." He shrugged, a wry smile spreading across his face. "Besides, I have a scientist's curiosity and nothing but time. This is the best project I've seen in a hundred years."
I felt my lips spread in a sad smile. "You have to share your notes."
Carlisle laughed. For a split second, his face looked almost human. Almost.
The wolves broke their formation into a loose line as the three men walked back toward the fire. Jasper joined them three and they all began to speak. I laid out a folded towel on the ground near the fire to sit limply, tired and overwhelmed by the run, the cold, and the shock of seeing the Cullens. The dull roar and crackles of the fire lulled me, and I chanced a peek through its flickering edges at the remaining Cullen family. Alice had made no attempt to hide, but she seemed to be afraid to look at me. Emmett looked like a puppy dog who desperately wanted to greet a visitor, but they all stayed on their side of the fire.
The trail of smoke that had thinned considerably since our arrival and from the corner of my eye I noticed Rosalie toss a few pine branches on, clutching her fist beneath her nose. I rested my head on my knees, watching the curling wisps fade into the darkness.
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Jake POV
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My skin crawled the whole time Dr. Cullen was touching her, but I was able to relax once she fell asleep by the crackling fire. Bella needed to sleep now, because I had no idea what the Cullen's plans were for the rest of the meeting.
I had watched the forest edges all evening, and there was no sign of…him. The Doc and Whitlock looked uncomfortable when I asked if they had anyone left to introduce before I called Seth to bring Bella. Whitlock left to make a few phone calls, and it wasn't hard to imagine who he was trying to contact. Part of me would be perfectly happy if Edward Cullen stayed away, but it meant one less fighter.
"Perhaps," Dr. Cullen began, "Mr. Whitlock could lead some demonstrations? It might be a more…comfortable way to introduce you to our movements and presence. After a few sparring sessions," Dr. Cullen looked over at Bella, napping by the fire, "we can decide where to go from there."
"So," he began, "are we ready to get started?"
Heat rose up my back at the idea of being taught by a leech, but I knew we needed this. Dr. Cullen gestured for us to sit near where Whitlock was talking with the other Cullens, and gave he us an encouraging smile to prod us along.
No one moved.
Then I remembered that they were probably waiting for me.
I took a seat front and center and listened as, one by one, the rest of the pack came and sat down beside me in a loose semi-circle .
Mr. Whitlock surveyed us and I felt like I was in school again. It reminded me that I had to make sure to turn in my alternate school paperwork and get everyone else to, too.
"Vampires use hand-to-hand fighting techniques that might seem familiar to you, but with the added factor of speed, strength, and near-indestructability. You already know that to tear us apart is not enough, the pieces must be completely destroyed." Mr. Whitlock fished around in his pocket.
"That's why a well prepared fighter always carries these." He pulled out a lighter. His hand flashed over the top and a flame sprang up from the steel case. "If you don't already, you should start." He flipped the case closed and slipped it back in his pocket. The big one named Emmett came forward and made a show of flexing his hands. The knuckles didn't crack.
Mr. Whitlock waved his hand at the bigger leech. "We'll start by showing you how newborns fight. Emmett is as strong as a newborn and lacks the finesse he should have given how old he is."
"Hey!" Emmett yelled back. Embry and Paul sniggered.
"But given his typically sloppy style," Whitlock continued with a smirk, "he'll give you a very good demonstration of how a newborn fights."
Emmett reared up and lunged.
…
The whole pack watched in amazement as the Cullens set up in different pairs, demonstrated a new style, move, or approach, and then put it into action for us. They were almost silent as they faced off and sparred for us. Low growls mixed with the sounds of tearing earth and the metallic thuds from their bodies colliding.
Between the pairings, Whitlock lectured. "You must organize your assets and resources to best advantage, and then build your tactics around your core strengths. It is absolutely necessary that an army identify its abilities and weaknesses in order to emphasize the one, and create defenses tailored for the other." As much as I wanted to resist it, he made perfect sense; I imagined each pack member and all the little quirks and differences between us, and how it all fit together.
The biggest surprise had been how Dr. Cullen fought: ferocious hits, controlled baiting, and deadly accurate strikes.
"Vampires are aggressive and territorial beings." He said. "You don't live to three-hundred by being a pacifist." Sam and I were speechless.
"Holy shit," was all Quil could say as Alice pressed her lips to Whitock's neck, again. The spar with Emmett had been like watching wrestling, but this was more like dancing. She spun, hopped, and sidestepped just out of his reach, then hopped on his shoulders and mimicked the kill.
Alice landed on the ground and joined the group that was standing behind the little arena they had scratched out. The grappling, slides, and pounding from their jumps and landings had torn the ground and exposed the dense black earth beneath the spring shoots.
Mr. Whitlock straightened his collar and brushed the dirt from his shoulders. "You've seen how we fight, and that there are a few things to watch out for. Mr. Black, Mr. Uley, will another time be convenient for us to begin working with you and you pack? I would suggest starting tonight but…" he motioned at Bella, who was just beginning to wake.
Bella blinked at the heat from the fire and lifted her head from her arms. Dr. Cullen frowned as she swayed a little from sitting up. I pulled a bottle of water out and handed it to her, then glanced around into the faces of the pack.
Sam was looking at me, and we both seemed to be thinking the same thing. We'd been away from La Push for long enough, and needed to return. I readied my answer.
"Tomorrow. After sundown?" Bella drank a few gulps of water and handed off the bottle to a waiting hand.
"Perfect." Dr. Cullen replied, and we lined up by the edge of the fire to close out the meeting. The pack stayed behind me and Sam, Bella was off to the side and looking like she was ready bolt for the forest. Seth set an arm around her and she stayed put.
We kept the goodbyes between the Doc, Whitlock, Sam and me. It was late and Sam and I were getting antsy to get back. We started to walk, but the Cullens just stood still.
They weren't just hanging around by the fire, or taking their sweet time. They didn't move at all until Whitlock started looking around again. I eyed the spot of the trees that he'd fixated on repeatedly through the evening, and took the same stance as he did.
"What are you doing, Mr. Black?" He asked me.
"I could ask you the same, Mr. Whitlock." He said nothing. The pack watched us both, and I could see Sam starting to get annoyed. I knew there was only one reason why the Cullens had been watching the trees since we got there, and there was no way I was going to let this sneak up on me, the pack, the rez, or Bella.
I kept my voice very low so Bella wouldn't hear. "He's here isn't he, Whitlock? Waiting for us to leave?"
Whitlock's silence was answer enough. So he wanted to get one group of us alone and either have a reunion with his family, or try to talk to Bella. I wasn't willing to gamble which one.
"We aren't leaving until he greets us. Clear?" Whitlock's eyes snapped from the trees to mine. "If he's here, then a party to the treaty did not introduce themselves to me or my second."
Whitlock blinked. I think I blinked, too, but at least that shit is natural for me. The fact that I just went toe to toe on the treaty wasn't exactly diplomatic, but I at least took away the lesser Mr. Cullen's ability to skulk. If he wanted to talk to someone, whether it was the Doc, me, or Bella, he was going to have to do it in front of everyone.
"He heard that, right?" I asked.
Whitlock blinked one more time and then nodded. "He'll come. Give him a minute."
I sighed hard, maybe a little childishly. "Unlike you, I don't have unlimited time." Sam turned to the pack and made a circling motion with his finger. They formed a circle around Bella and faced it towards the spot where Whitlock had been staring.
We waited, but not very long. As soon as Bella shivered, there was a rustle in the branches and soft thud in the darkness.
The breeze changed and the faintest waft of vamp came from the trees. I could hear Bella's breathing becoming panicked and shallow.
"Jake," she stopped to puff a few breaths. "What's happening? Who's there?" Her voice was thin and she moved to get closer to me. Bella's forehead wrinkled and she shivered again.
I had been afraid it would come to this. Since he hadn't troubled himself to show all through the meeting, I'd been hoping that maybe he wouldn't bother. Edward Cullen wasn't just a founding member of the treaty; he was someone who Bella had loved. Maybe she still did.
"The last signature on the treaty is coming." Fuck. It had taken everything in me to not step between her and the little one, Alice, when she tried to get Bella to talk to her. Vampires sounded tinny to my sharp ears, but I could tell their voices were beautiful- like running your hand along the edge of a glass bowl. What about when he opened his mouth?
Bella's face had been pink from the cool air, but she went almost gray as she turned back to watch the tree line with the rest of us. The movement came closer, and finally we could see branches being nudged aside.
He was dirty; the clothes that were too fine for crawling around in the forest were torn in places. He ran a hand through his mop and knocked a leaf loose. The beat-up messenger bag he carried banged against his knee as he walked down the little slope, towards the fire where we had reassembled to keep up the formalities.
As far as I was concerned, if he was going to come, this was going to be business.
Bella swayed a little to one side, and Edward looked up as if he was going to rush to catch her. She set a foot out and balanced herself. He smiled at her.
He smiled.
She didn't.
Dr. Cullen swiftly put his arm out in greeting. "Mr. Black, Mr. Uley. May I present my son, Edward Cullen. Please forgive his late arrival, but he has just returned from…travelling." The Doc used his arm to shepherd Edward to his side, and turned him to face us. He extended his arm to Sam in the careful, measured way we were getting used to. I watched closely, and remembered what Bella said about Edward's little talent. I resolved to keep all my thoughts to the immediate task, then he turned to me and extended his arm politely.
When I felt the cold rock hit my palm, I cracked.
I saw him in his tuxedo, dancing with Bella at the prom, acting like a combination crutch and wheel chair through the whole thing, even though he was the reason for everything that had happened to her. I imagined him leaving her in the forest, saw the huddled figure that Sam had shown me, balled up in the mud and filth, freezing and lost. Before my eyes, I saw her vacant ones, handing me a soda, but not acknowledging my thanks. I X'd out a mental calendar of all the days she was checked out, until those first days when she would actually speak more than a single word, or the amazing day that she laughed.
She laughed with me.
Did she laugh with you, Edward?
He yanked his hand away from me like I'd burned him. I might have, for all I know.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Black." He kept that face as blank as a sheet of paper.
"Likewise. Tell me, was your trip for business or pleasure?" I asked as lightly as I could.
"Neither. I was tracking." Edward turned to Mr. Whitlock. "I was at the border. My notes are in here." Whitlock's face reacted for a split second before going still again, and he took the bag by the strap that Edward pulled over his head.
Edward fell silent and looked past me to where Bella stood, my brothers and Leah still around her in a protective ring. Her hands hung limply at her sides, only to be wrung and dropped again.
"Bella?" He whispered to her. Her tired eyes widened, and her shoulders went stiff. He took a step towards her and she didn't react at all. Another step.
I wanted her to run away from him. Scream and throw rocks. Call for me to take her home. Anything but stand there as Edward walked slowly, like he was approaching a wild animal, wincing at the things I was sure were in the heads of my packmates. I forced my head to stay clear- I needed to for Bella, but only she could do this.
She looked down, not meeting his gaze as he got closer. I walked parallel to him, leaving a couple feet between myself and Bella when he finally came to a stop in front of her. She shook her arm, and I could see the little wolf charm peek out from the sleeve of her jacket.
"Bella?" He said again, and her lip began to tremble. "I never wanted any of this to happen, Bella. Please believe me. If I had known…I only wanted what was bes-"
Her hand cupped the charm. "Please, Edward. Don't."
Edward's face lost the mask, and he looked tired and sad. Like the Doc when he laughed, he looked almost human for a moment.
"I just…I can't Edward. Not now. Maybe we can talk another time, but…not now. It's just too much." She angled her head back and looked him in the eye. "Not today, Edward. Goodnight." Her shoulders drooped back down and she rolled her neck tiredly to face me.
"Jake, I want to go home now, please."
I hurried to her in one long stride and put my arm around her. Seth took her backpack and Sam said a polite last goodbye to Dr. Cullen before beating it towards the woods. I waited for Bella to say a last goodbye to the Cullens, but she just looked up at me, and turned to follow Sam. I stayed close and expected her to slide on the sheets of wet leaves, but I felt her hand slip into mine before we got to the hill and she only needed to lean against me once on the way.
I didn't look back, but plenty of the pack did, and on the run back to La Push, they kept flashing the still shots in their minds of the Cullens' shock at Bella's behavior. Had they expected her to come back? Run to them like it was a family reunion? Or did they figure it would happen, and were still surprised when it actually did?
With Sam's guidance, the pack turned its attention to the sparring demonstrations, and debated ways of countering the speed and strength they had. I was grateful that I wasn't getting interrogated and only got flashes of curious interest from them all, except Seth, of course. He simmered with irritation at not getting to spar with them, and fantasized about doing damage to the one called Rosalie.
Hey, slow down a sec. I felt Bella's grip slipping again and had to slow down for her to get a better hold on me.
She okay, Jake? Quil asked as we picked up the pace again.
Fine. Just really tired. I was pissed because she probably wouldn't be so tired if Edward hadn't shown up. She was tired before he decided to finally show up, and afterwards she was near collapse. No one bothered to agree out loud. We all knew it.
We approached the familiar paths and trails that led us home.
Man, I don't want to go home yet. Quil whined.
Why the hell not? Sam said, annoyed, his mind full of Emily and the hope that she had a hot meal ready for him.
Well, there's that. Embry added. You have someone cooking for you. I don't feel like going home to cereal…again. A chorus of agreement ran through the mind, minus Leah, along with the accompanying hunger pangs. Leah just stayed quiet.
You're not all raiding my house tonight. Sam declared. Emily doesn't need to hear everything about this night yet and besides, she needs a break. She cooks for you furballs enough. That's final.
We continued loping slowly, Sam leading us through the roots and mud to my house. We needed to check in with my dad to make a report to the Elders before he could go home anyway. When we reached the edge of the trees leading to my yard, every nose twitched furiously.
Is that what I think it is?
Oh, thank God.
Dude, I always liked your dad, now I love him.
I hope he ordered enough!
Hells, yes- Pizza!
Bella's feet had just barely hit the ground when half the pack was phased and jogging, pants halfway pulled up and tripping on the trailing legs, to my front door. I pulled my pants on, all the way, before joining her in her slow, unsteady trek. I could see the ache she was feeling in her stiff movements, and I couldn't imagine what she was thinking, or what she thought about what had happened. All I knew is that she did something unexpected.
She told them no.
"Bells, do you regret it?" I said outright.
She gave me a sad and very tired smile, only just managing to make to the door without stumbling. We stood on the porch and she stood, thoughtfully tugging at the ties on her coat.
"No. I don't regret it, but it took a lot out of me to do it." She blinked fast a few times, her eyes bright with the beginnings of tears. "I've never told them 'no' before. Any of them. Especially not him."
I folded my arms around her and stroked her hair, the smell of rain, forest and Bella finally cutting through the awful tang of leech that had lingered in my nose.
"I'd be lying if I said I was sorry," I admitted.
"I'd be lying if I said it was easy," She leaned back, frowning. "But I told them the truth. I don't want that right now. Maybe I can talk to them later. Not now."
"Do you miss them?" I asked, not sure I wanted to hear the answer.
She looked down.
"Sometimes. But not like I used to." She said simply, and laid her head against my chest. My chest.
The evening news was on, and they announced that it was nine thirty. Bella's stomach growled, and I reached for the doorknob. She put a hand over her tummy and gave me a grateful smile as it swung open.
The activity inside the house made her stop for a moment, stunned.
There were pizza boxes flying open like they had wings and emptying at a furious pace. A stack of paper plates sat ignored on the edge of the counter and I could only see flashes of my dad through the moving bodies. Bella shrank a little to my side and started to head to the sofa, away from all the jostling and scrambling.
"Where do you think you're going?" I asked her, just loud enough for her to hear me. The wolves were sitting in a huddle around the table; every chair occupied, the hunched shoulders crouching over slices of pizza, clutched in both hands. I could understand why she felt a little intimidated by the pack…it really was a pack, and they were eating like dogs.
"Um, I'll just sit over here and wait. I don't want to be in the way." She did a long blink. "Besides, you probably need to talk to your dad about the meeting. Just save a piece for me, okay?"
Quil and Embry's heads popped up and they both put their pizza down. Smacking the wolves sitting next to them, they got up and walked over to where we were standing and, linking their arms together they swept under Bella's knees and lifted her up. They carried her over to the table and nudged the chairs around until there was space for her at the table. An assembly line of hands formed: Jared grabbed a paper plate, Paul dropped a slice of pizza on it, Seth held a cup and Leah filled it with soda. Sam pushed an empty chair into place.
By the time Embry and Quil were at the table with their cargo, the plate and cup were in front of the chair and they set her down a little roughly. Paul went right back to shoving his face, though the rest sat up a little straighter now.
Bella looked around as if she wasn't sure how she got where she was, and my dad just chuckled as I heading to the boxes.
"Welcome to the pack," he said as Bella looked over at him, confused. "You better hurry if you want a second piece." Most of the pack was on their fifth and sixth slices, so I hurried to grab some pizza, spreading my hand under it to support the flimsy paper plate thing. Sam and I stood at the counters next to my dad, and reported in about the meeting, minus Bella's talk with Edward. That was for her to tell, if she wanted. We could fill in any details later, and there would be more information coming the next night anyway.
"We'll have to have a debriefing with the Elders after tomorrow night. I think this was a meet-and-greet as much as a training session." Sam said between bites. He was glancing toward the door, clearly wanting to get home to Emily. He wasn't even eating much pizza, but saving his appetite for her cooking.
My dad hummed thoughtfully. "That's probably good. You should at least be familiar with them all before you are expected to move around them, and have them around you. So, they want to show you more tomorrow?"
The voices faded away as I saw Bella hop up from her chair. She tossed her pizza crust into the trash and started searching the living room. I'd already emptied my plate, so I left it behind and motioned to Embry and Quil to just keep eating.
"Jake, what time is it?" She asked frantically, her face flushing as she dug in the bag that was tossed in the corner. I followed her as she jogged into the guest room and tore into her bags.
"Almost ten. What's…Oh, Charlie!" It dawned on me immediately that she needed to call her dad so we didn't have a replay of the morning. I picked up the house phone and dialed Bella's number. A few seconds later she cringed and pulled the phone out of her pocket.
"Sorry." She said as she ended the call. "I promised Dad that I'd call him, and I can't forget again!" Bella rubbed a bloodshot eye and started yanking her hair out of her face roughly. There were bits of shredded wet leaves, pine needles, and mud globs tangling it so badly she couldn't get her fingers through it and she started to pull in frustration. When I could hear a few strands snap I knew her night was over.
"C'mon, Bells. Let's get you someplace quieter." I put my hand to her back and gave a little push towards the hall, thankful that no one from the table decided to tease us for leaving in a rush.
When I walked in the room, she was fumbling with the phone and dropped it. I sat and patted the floor next to me and she sat down heavily by my side. "What are you going to say to Charlie?"
"I better figure it out quick. I can't wait any longer to call him. We watched a movie and lost track of time?"
"Sounds good." I said, plucked a leaf out of her hair. I carefully pulled a clot of mud free, too. "Maybe we swung by your place and picked up one of yours and I fell asleep while you watched it? A little reality goes a long way if you're going to lie, right?"
Bella turned and frowned at me. I had a couple more bits of mud and some shards of bark, too. "You really are too good at this." You should try living two lives, I thought. She held the phone out to me. "Maybe you ought to do this one, too."
"Oh hell, no. Twice in the same day? No way."
"Fine." She huffed. I tossed a handful of leaves and mud into the trash and started to leave the room when she stopped me. "Jake, please. Stay while I talk to him?"
"Let me just say good bye to Sam, I think he's about to leave."
Almost everyone was about to leave, as it turned out. My Dad seemed to have made it clear that it was late, and the diner known as our house was closing. Jared and Embry pulled the short straws and had the next patrol, but would have only one quick shift the next day before the meeting. They grumbled as they headed back to the woods, but at least they had a big break the next day. I had the second shift of the night, so Sam warned me to get a few hours of sleep before Embry came to get me.
I walked everyone out to the yard, and they split off towards their houses. Embry and Quil waited for me.
"So, man? What was it like seeing Edward around Bella?" Embry asked. "Did you want to tear him apart? Damn, think she did a better job than any of us could have. He was floored."
"Seriously. What were you thinking at him? I kept thinking about the thing in her hand and what it smelled like when I burned it. It was awful." Quil shuddered, and I tried not to think about that thick purple smoke.
"I wondered if he knew how far you guys had gone." Embry said, his eyebrows rising. I felt a growl start in my throat. "Oh come on. You can't tell me you don't feel kinda happy about that?"
"Please, Embry. Please tell me you weren't thinking about that while he was there." I held my head in my hand, squeezing my temples.
"Of course I did. You should be proud, man. He should have been taking notes."
"For the love of god, we only forced him to play by the rules of the treaty meetings. The fact that he decided to be a dick was his own choice." Embry looked at me expectantly so I kicked a bit of gravel at him. "Okay. So it crossed my mind for like…a second. Happy?"
"Yep!" He chirped cheerfully.
"Go patrol, Embry. Night, Quil." I turned and headed back to the house without looking back. I could hear them walking away slowly and getting in a few last parting shots.
"And what the fuck was up with his purse? A vampire who carried a purse? A man bag?" Embry laughed.
"Dude, it's a satchel. Indiana Jones carried one!"
"Quil, that leech was no Indiana Jones, I don't care if he has treasure falling out of his ass. Later!"
I closed the door, grinning over the exchange, and hurried past my dad. He smiled as he piled up the pizza boxes and tossed the few paper plates that were used, and pointed to the guest room. Bella's voice was drifting through the closed door, so I tapped on the frame and let myself in.
"No, Dad. Of course I didn't go to the house alone. Jake was with me…Yep. Yes, I was careful to lock up…Uh-huh…No, he slept right through it…period romance. No, no, like a period in time! Jeez!" Her face turned a little red and I held back a laugh.
"I'll make sure to record the game tomorrow. If I'd known, I would have set it up to record while we were there. Aren't you going to see it while you're there?" She paused, listening very closely. I could hear most of the conversation, but it was garbled by the fact that my dad had fired up our TV and cranked the volume on the news. I heard Charlie say words like 'follow-up' and 'just for clarification' mixed with a few background words from John and Andy.
"Oh. I see. And so Drew is going to meet Deputy Steve in Forks for the paperwork tomorrow, and take it to you in Seattle, then? Can't Steve just take it to you?" She listened again. "Oh, of course Steve shouldn't be so far away from his wife. Sorry, that was stupid…Sure, sure, I'll tell Drew hi if I see him. We'll need to go into town for some groceries tomorrow, so Jake and I may run into him."
She listened a little more and laughed at something Andy said. "Yes, I'll let him know that Detective White says hi to Mr. Black." She said, rolling her eyes. "Actually, yes, he's here. Want to talk to him?" She nodded, her eyes wide and gave me a thumbs-up. I shook my head back and held out my hand to take the phone.
"Okay, Dad, here he is." I took the phone from her and tried to forget my evening. Act like a kid. Just a kid. I sat next to her on the floor so I wouldn't get dirt on the bed.
"Hey Chief Charlie!"
"I'd give you crap for that, but at least you didn't call me 'sir'."
"Oh, I never do anything like that, sir."
"Knock it off, Jake. Liked the movie, huh?"
"Oh yes. I was just fascinated by the story. So realistic and relevant. Know where I can get a cravat or maybe a top hat?" Bella gave me a dirty stare.
"Bella says you slept right through the whole thing".
"She lied. I heard every word they were speaking. It, uh, was in English, right?" Dirtier stare.
"Don't worry, I sleep through those damn movies, too." He lowered his voice a little. "Hey, so I told Bella I'm doing a little legwork with John and Andy tomorrow. I don't want Bella to worry, okay? It's just routine stuff and only slightly more interesting than writing parking tickets."
"Okay. So…?"
"I want you to remind her that it's no big deal and not let her get upset. It's really nothing, okay?"
"Done. I'll even let her watch the movie again if I have to."
"Well, let's hope it won't come to that." He laughed. "Alright. You kids need to get to bed soon. Let Billy know what's up and tell him I have ten on the game tomorrow. If he won't take it, I'm calling him Chief Chickenheart for the rest of the season."
"Done and done. I'll let him know about the Chickenheart thing, too." Bella looked very confused over that one. "Here's Bella again. Goodnight, Charlie."
Bella took the phone from me and said goodbye to her dad. She was laughing when she hung up because he'd explained the bet.
"Feel better?" I asked as she leaned her head on my shoulder.
"Much. Thanks a lot. I don't think my dad and I have laughed this much in a long time together." She picked her head up. "Do you really hate my movies that much?"
"Naw. They're not too bad, but they really could use some pyrotechnics. Maybe a car-jacking or two. Wait, make that a carriage-jacking. And pirates. That might help." She rolled her eyes and grabbed fresh clothes and her shower caddy. "Time traveling robots?"
She took a shower and combed her hair out while I took one and helped my dad to bed. By the time he and I finished coming up with a good comeback for Charlie, Bella's room was dark and quiet.
"I'll, uh…Just be heading to bed." I mumbled.
"Same rules as last night, Jake." He deadpanned. "The door."
I hid my smile. "Yes, sir."
Bella was curled around a pillow, crushing it, and mumbling in her sleep. "Why? Why? Too much. Just…normal."
I scooted her over a little and shushed her. She quieted down and I knew she must have been more upset about the night than she really let on, but she needed the sleep, and so did I, so there was no point in waking her to talk things over. We had come so far, and we would have time to deal with this. This was nothing compared to everything else.
She relaxed in her sleep and the pillow fluffed back up as she released her grip on it. I took it and tucked it under my head, and started to fall asleep right away. She rolled over and resettled with a hand on my arm. We didn't smother each other, and just that little contact was enough for us to sigh and sleep heavily for the rest of the night.
Or at least until Embry woke me up to patrol.
I know some expected a big face-off, but it didn't seem to suit the formality of the treaty. Besides, they're growing as people, and after what Jake and Bella have been through, they aren't going to react like they used to. Bella has some more to go, though, and we get to it soon.
At some point, everyone learns that they are not the center of the universe.
Thanks for reading. Please review if you're so inclined. :) Bonus points if you can identify the two jokes from the movie "The Hangover" (one is in this chapter).
sfiddy