I Do Not Own Much, Please Do Not Sue!

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Edward bolted upright and looked around groggily, his head felt fuzzy and it took a moment for his surroundings to sink in. He was sitting in the middle of a frozen wasteland, butt naked; his clothes scattered around him. And not too far away lay the half frozen body of a . . dead . . . animal. His eyes widened with shock as he remembered what had taken place and he quickly scrambled to get dressed. Bloody hell! Once clothed he looked around again realising Jacob was no where to be seen, the only proof he had been there were faint traces of his scent. Following it, he came to the conclusion that the werewolf must be heading home seeing as the trail led South. He raced back to the cabin and packed everything into the SUV as quickly as possible. He drove as fast as the vehicle would go, stopping at regular intervals to make sure Jacob was still heading towards La Push. He was hoping to catch up to Jacob so that they could . . . talk?! Something they hadn't done in a long time.

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Carlisle sat in his favourite armchair in the lounge, taking in the quiet around him. Esme, Rosalie and Alice had taken Eva and Sarah to spend the day on the reservation with their other grandfather and the wolf pack. And Emmett and Jasper had left early that morning to go hunting, although if he knew his sons they were probably wrestling somewhere. He found himself wondering how Edward and Jacob were doing, there was no cell service where they were so they couldn't call. He was rather glad the imprint would prevent them from killing each other. Because judging from the animosity between the two of them before they left, it's highly likely they had at least come to blows by now. But as long as they resolved their issues and made up, he didn't care much. He was jolted from his thoughts at the sound of a vehicle speeding towards the house, he did not recognise the sound of the engine. By the time he got to the front door, the unknown SUV had stopped and Edward was leaping out of it.

"Edward, what are -" "Carlisle is Jacob here?" He looked agitated and not waiting for an answer, he brushed past heading inside. He was already searching upstairs when Carlisle's brain caught up to the situation. "Edward, why would young Jacob be here? The two of you are meant to be in Canada, so obviously he isn't here . . . . What did you do?" He hadn't meant to be accusing but he had thought his son would smooth things over with the wolf. Clearly something had happened if Edward was looking for Jacob in Forks. "I didn't do anything . . . it, it just happened . . . and when I came to . . . he, he was gone and . . . I followed his trail . . . where is he?" Clearly upset, he was pacing faster than a human can run. "I'll call Billy and ask if they've seen him. Then you are going to tell me what happened."

Hanging up after his conversation with Billy and Sam, Carlisle sighed, "None of the shapeshifters have seen him but they did pick up his scent outside the Clearwater's home, they believe he is with Sue. I asked that they not go looking for him, he obviously needed someone to talk to. Edward, what happened?" He slowed his pacing as his father spoke. Carlisle seated himself once again in the armchair he had vacated not too long ago. Edward had stopped moving and breathing, a clear indication that he was deep in thought.

"Whatever the rest of you thought would happen in Canada, it didn't. The last time we spoke was the first time we've spoken in . . . I don't even remember how long. And it wasn't really a conversation but rather an argument. I had been feeding when I noticed him creeping closer to me, I'm sure you know how much I dislike people seeing me like that, so obviously I got angry and then we argued. Yes I admit I handled the situation wrong but . . . you should have seen the look in his eyes, as if it were the most fascinating thing in the world! I saw his eyes cloud over just before he grabbed me and knew . . . just knew what was going to happen next. But I couldn't stop it even if I had tried because my mind went foggy almost immediately. I woke up naked and he was gone." Carlisle was in shock, he and Edward had had a similar conversation, before they had discovered he was with child. He and Jacob had . . . "What I can't fathom is why, why did it happen again. I'm sure that is what freaked him out more than anything else." Edward resumed his pacing. Perhaps, thought Carlisle so that Edward wouldn't hear, it is for the same reason as before.

Their thoughts were interrupted by the sound of an old truck pulling up in front of the house; they were both outside before it had even been put in park. Jacob was driving with Sue seated next to him and she gave him a reassuring smile before they both got out. Carlisle held the door open for her and then helped her into the house; Edward and Jacob were standing there looking everywhere except at each other.

"What should we do Carlisle?"

"We give them a chance to talk things through. And if that doesn't happen, we make them. Would you like some tea?"

"Yes please, that would be nice."

Carlisle led her into the kitchen where he set about making tea while she stood by the window watching the two boys. With her tea done he joined her; they were still standing there staring off into the distance.

"How long should we give them?" Carlisle was still considering the question when Edward yelled at Jacob.

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Edward was trying very hard not to think but in doing that he unconsciously tuned into Jacob's thoughts. I don't know why I was worried, it's not like a wild animal could have done any damage to him. I still can't believe Sue asked me that! What was she thinking? Maybe it's old age setting in and she's going senile. Yes, that must be it. I wonder if dad's gonna go senile as well, ha ha ha ha Charlie's problem now. I wonder how they're doing. And the pack. And the girls. And the Cullens. Wonder where the other bloodsuckers are? Probably somewhere sucking blood out of some poor defenceless animal. Much like Edwa-

"DON'T YOU DARE COMPLETE THAT THOUGHT BLACK!"

"THERE'S NO REASON TO YELL AT ME BLOODSUCKER!"

"I HAVE EVERY REASON TO YELL AT YOU, YOU FILTHY MONGREL!"

"THAT DOES IT!" Jacob dived at Edward, knocking him to the ground. The two of them exchanging blows and insults as they rolled around on the ground. Carlisle rushed outside, trying his best to pull them apart but it didn't work. When Sue emptied a bucket of water over them, they moved away from each other immediately.

"The two of you are meant to be sorting out your problems, not adding to them! What kind of example is this for your daughters! You should be ashamed of yourselves, I know I am! No-one is going anywhere until the two of you talk things through! Carlisle, perhaps you should let the rest of your family know not to return home anytime soon."

"I think that is a good idea Sue, I'll be right back."

While he was gone, Sue glared at the two males before her. If they didn't start talking soon, they'd be here whole night. Edward I know you can hear me. It's up to you to get this ball rolling, Jacob is still a little freaked about what happened in Canada. Start off with something simple, like moving in together. But don't jump down his throat about stalling, the idea scares him. She hoped her gentle nudging would work. When Carlisle rejoined them, he brought with him her forgotten tea. "If you'd like I could rewarm it or make you a fresh cup." Shaking her head no, Sue drank it as Edward sighed.

"Look Jacob, I'm sorry I yelled at you. I'm sure you understand how . . . no, never mind. Sue is right, we have a lot to sort out, might as well get started."

"I'm . . . I'm also sorry . . . about everything. I know you want us to live in the same house . . . I'll agree if you stop . . . protesting the fact that I want to work. About that girl -"

"There's no need to bring that up Jacob!" Edward had not meant for that to come out as harsh as it did.

"Obviously there is, if that's your response! I just don't understand why it's such a big deal!" Jacob was seething; he honestly didn't understand what the problem was or why Edward was being such a pain about it.

"IT'S THE DAMN IMPRINT YOU FOOL! HOW WOULD YOUR WOLF REACT IF YOU SAW ME WITH SOME WOMAN?"

"DAMMIT! NOTHING HAPPENED THAT NIGHT!"

"That is enough! If the two of you shout at each other one more time I'm going to make you regret it! Understood?" They both nodded in understanding and Carlisle took a deep breath before continuing, "I want both of you to promise me that from now on, you will talk throughall your problems. No more arguing, no yelling and definitely no fighting. And if at the time you're both too angry, you'll take a time out. But that does not mean you shouldn't discuss it, just do it when you're both calm. Promise me."

"I promise Carlisle."

"Promise."

"Good! I don't know nor do I care about what happened with this girl but it is not important. What is important is that Jacob has agreed to live under the same roof as you Edward. And Jacob, Edward won't bemoan the fact that you wish to work. Now that you have both apologised, you need to forgive each other. You need to move on from here with a clean slate but never forget what has happened to bring you here. You have Sarah and Eva who depend on you, who look up to you, who love you no matter what. You need to work together to ensure that they are always happy and healthy. That is what it means to be parents, to be a team, to support your children through all the ups and downs in life. And as a team, you need to support each other as well. Now shake hands and get down to La Push, your daughters miss you both."

They watched as Edward and Jacob shook hands briefly, then turned to them and took turns hugging and thanking them. With that done, the boys took off in the direction of La Push. Carlisle and Sue were thinking along similar lines; they were worried about the reason behind what happened in Canada and hoped the boys could handle the consequences.

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