I wish that I could give you some cool reason for why I haven't been able to update for 2 and half weeks.. but my only excuses are the death of a family friend and school. Not creative, huh? But today I'm planning on writing out the rest of the story and saving it on my computer so that if I am still busy it'll only take 30 seconds to update. PLEASE don't bash me for not updating. I understand that it was irresponsible. Instead, try and be thankful? If you can?

Bella sat quietly throughout the explaining of all of the events. I mentally prepared myself for the reactions to Jacob being sick and Mike dying. Even though any other human with a sense of self preservation would have been concerned about their chances of survival, I couldn't even hope that she would act rationally.

"...but he's a werewolf and there is absolutely no chance of him passing." I finished, unsure of how confident the explanation sounded. Bracing myself, I waited for her reaction.

Bella just stood there, staring straight at me. I stiffened at her blank expression, but waited for some sort of reaction.

"Y-you said that things were al right here..." she accused quietly.

"I meant that they were better than the news was describing it as." How could the lies come so easily now?

She nodded. "I..uh- think I want to go home for a little bit..."

I looked down at the ground. Now she was the one lying to me. Without a doubt she was going to go and visit and Jacob. As the door closed behind her I dragged myself to the phone and called Jacob. It answered on the second ring.

"Yes?"

"Hello. This is Edward. Is Jacob there?"

"Umm.. I don't think---"

"Please, it'll only take a minute."

There was a few moments of hesitation before I heard a knock on the other line and a quiet conversation between Billy and Jacob before Jacob finally excepted the call.

"What?" he spat.

"I can't be certain, but I think that Bella's coming over to your house. She's---"

"What?!" he yelled into the phone. "And why would you allow her to do that?! Are you trying to get her sick?! She shouldn't even be in this state!"

I waited patiently as he continued to lecture me about my irresponsibility. "I actually called you to ask that you not allow her to see you. I know that I wouldn't be able to stop her, but you can."

He seemed taken aback at my response. "Oh.. okay..." he mumbled quietly before continueing to accuse me of trying to get her killed. I allowed the lecture to continue for a few minutes before finally hanging up.

I thankfully closed my cell phone, glad that that conversation was over. I was positive that Jacob would survive this epidemic. As sick as he seemed to be, he was far too tough to allow this to keep him down. Within a week he'll be up and arrogant as usual. Bella's concern was understandable. She has always looked at the dog as someone that she had to protect. The fact that he was a ten foot werewolf never told her that not only should she keep her distance, but that the last thing he needed was protection. Seeing him sick like that will definitely take a toll on her...

But Bella couldn't stay in Forks more than absolutely necessary. Perhaps it was my fault that she felt safe enough to come back, but no chances were going to be taken for her safety. If she had family in some other country then I'd send her there. For now, we would have to assume that Florida was a safe enough distance. And it was. She had no symptoms of the epidemic and she didn't appear to be any weaker than usual.

Edward.

Grudgingly I walked upstairs to where the "voice" had come from.

"Yes, Carlisle?"

Carlisle had been especially busy lately trying to help. Whenever he wasn't at the hospital, he was at home doing his private research. What had began as a problem was turning into Carlisle's life. He peered up from his papers, looking almost surprised to see me next to him, despite the fact that he was the one that called me there.

"I am going to need your help, Edward." he began but then switched the conversation to his mind. Apparently no one else was supposed to know about this.

I've been testing the reaction of the flu to vampire venom and---

"You're keeping samples of the Spanish Flu in this house?!" I exclaimed incredulously

"If I had any idea that Bella was coming I wouldn't. But they are controlled. Please try and calm down." he chided, eyeing my balled fist.

I took a breathe and then waited for him to continue.

- and after many tests I've realized that my venom is helpless to the epidemic. It-

"What does that mean? "Helpless"?"

Carlisle looked at me impatiently and I allowed him to continue the conversation in our minds.

It could just be because I haven't hunted in a few weeks and so it's less potent-

I opened my mouth to protest his lack of hunting but he eyed me impatiently and I stopped.

-but if the virus is capable of surviving in venom then it is entirely possible that one of us could get infected with it. However, we'd probably survive it, considering our diets involved constantly taking in more blood, which would dilute the virus.

"So what do you need help with?"

I just need a sample of your venom. As I said, I haven't hunted in weeks so mine isn't as potent. Don't give me that look, Edward. I'm perfectly fine. I may have some extra time tomorrow though.

I rolled my eyes, imagining Esme's face if she were to hear Carlisle's self destructive tendencies. But did he really think that I believed that he was going to tear himself away from his research to hunt?

So if you wouldn't mind- could you please roll up your sleeve?

I rolled up my sleeve, exposing my arm. Carlisle gently stuck me with a needle and filled the small tube with the liquid substance that came out.

"Tell me when you get updates, Carlisle. Don't hide it." I demanded.

He evaluated my expression and then nodded his head solemnly.

Don't frighten the others with this, please. The only reason that you know is because I trust you.

Or because I would hear it in his mind eventually.

Sighing, I left his office with the intent to go hunting. Now that Bella was back I wanted to be extra sure that I was never thirsty, and since I had some of my venom extracted, I was feeling slightly weaker.

As I approached the door, however, Bella ran through, straight into me. Surprisingly, I jumped at the sudden outburst.

"He's going to die, isn't he?" she cried into my shirt. It took me a long moment to regain my composure from the scare and realize what she was talking about. After putting two and two together, however, I carried her to the sofa and allowed her to cry.

"He is, isn't he?" she repeated, clutching my shirt even tighter.

"I don't think there is anything to worry about, Bella." I chided. The first honest thing I've told her since she returned. "Jacob is a wolf. A strong one at that. Carlisle just informed me before you came that he thinks Jacob should be able to walk in a day or two. I was leaving to go and tell you." How the lies came and came!

She took a deep breathe, trying to steady her breathing.

"Really?" her eyes were pleading. But were they pleading for me to tell her what she wanted to hear? Or were they pleading for the truth?

"Really." I said, holding her to me and trying to keep my confident facade up for the sake of her sanity.

There ya go. To proove that I have already continued writing ahead- here's a teaser-

"She's... what?!" I shouted, not comprehending the words that came from his mouth. "They're sinuses Carlisle! She said so herself!"

"Edward. Bella's been infected."

Now plz no hate mail for taking a while to update? I promise to redeem myself.