Chapter 6
RPOV
I was ready to kick some ass. All dressed up with somewhere to go. We were all headed to Port Angeles to give a lesson in manners to some evil rapist scum. I was both the bait and the trap. When Bella explained about what almost happened to her in Port Angeles, it brought back the memories of the night my fiancé and his friends brutally raped me and left me for dead. I had my revenge on them after my change and had then tried to put the past behind me. I didn't want to be a murderer. Esme and I always helped the battered women's shelters in each town we called home. I had even spent time as a rape victim counselor via telephone. I was always trying to come to terms with the past, with the violent stripping away of my hopes, my dreams, my future, by the man who had professed he would protect me and adore me until death would part us. I guess when he left me dying he figured his broken promises no longer applied. Little did he know that my death wouldn't part us at all, but his sure did. Surprise, surprise. I was glad I had been able to get my revenge after I was changed. My perfect memory could instantly recall the expressions on his face the entire time I tortured him up until I finally allowed him to die. I sincerely hoped he was burning in hell. I had burned with the flames of hell for three days during my change, and I hoped those same flames burned him for eternity. I hoped the pain was just as intense, the never-ending burn, the consciousness of pain, the begging for the mercy of oblivion, all roasting his body and soul for all eternity.
I thought about Bella, a seventeen year old innocent girl, younger even than I was at the time of my rape. So trusting, so naïve, so blind to the dangers she faced. Just wanting her own happy ending, like all the rest of us raised on fairy-tales of Prince Charming. I had my Prince Charming, at least, even if I didn't end up with my happy ever after. Granted, my Prince Charming still liked to act like a child, even after all these decades. Maybe that was part of his charm for me. He was like a big kid so much of the time, yet always a man when I needed him to be. Sort of like having my cake and eating it too. Unfortunately, cake really wasn't all it was cracked up to be. In fact, it smelled and tasted disgusting. I would know. I still insisted on the 'feeding each other cake' ritual every time Emmett and I got married. The cake was always beautiful but, once sampled, could never live up to its aesthetic appeal.
The idea that my newest little sister could suffer at the hands of four evil men, just like I did, infuriated me. I almost lost it there in her room when she described the ordeal she was trying to avoid. I was glad Edward had rescued her in her original future, but this time she didn't need him. She needed me. I was proud of her for looking past simply saving herself to recognize the danger these men posed to all other females in the vicinity. She needed me to provide justice. The justice these men deserved but would never get under the law. I, Rosalie Hale, will bring down the mighty arm of justice to smite these men tonight. They will never rape and kill another woman. Not on my watch. I would be protecting not only my little sister, but also any other woman that would have fallen into their clutches.
Emmett was eager to knock some heads together, but he recognized my need to do this myself. He knew exactly what had happened to me and what the memories that had been stirred by the current situation were doing to my sense of self-worth and well-being. Because he loved me, he would do his best not to interfere, to allow me the victory that would give me healing. He would take pleasure in my victory, counting it as a mutual victory for both of us. I was truly blessed to have him as my mate.
Alice was so excited, she was shaking the whole car as she bounced in her seat. I took that as a good sign. We would find our quarry tonight and everything would go well. I wouldn't kill them and after I taught them their lessons, we would have some fun with them, courtesy of Jasper. Alice had the video camera ready to capture the entertainment so we could share our laughs with the rest of our family. Well, maybe not Carlisle. I wasn't sure how he would react, considering how much he abhors violence. He allowed me to get my revenge on the slime who'd violated and killed me, but he didn't help, nor did he want any details. He simply turned a blind eye to my actions. So we would probably be watching the video without him. He's at the hospital so often that it won't be hard to find time when he's not home. Also, since Alice is so happy, it must be safe to assume Jasper won't be a problem tonight. I surreptitiously checked his eyes in the rear view mirror. Sure enough, they were a light goldenrod, indicating he had recently fed.
I parked the car in the populated section of town, directly under a streetlight, in front of a restaurant. I didn't plan on taking any chances with my baby getting stolen while we were busy wreaking havoc on unsuspecting rapist bastards. We got out and strolled past the shops toward the edge of town. I felt eyes watching us walk away. I was used to being watched and lusted after whenever I was around humans, but I was hoping our intended victims were watching as well. Once we reached the outskirts of the industrial area, I started issuing instructions to my companions in a voice too quiet for human ears.
"My spidey senses are tingling. Alice, are the men following us from town?"
"Not yet, they're watching us from the bar though," Alice replied, somewhat disappointed.
"Of course they're not following us, silly. Have you looked at Emmett lately? Right now it would be four on four. They can't possibly like those odds," Jasper reminded us. Right. Why didn't I think of that?
"Okay, so you two decide you're going to head back and get some dinner. You can circle around and catch up without them noticing. Stay out of sight and start taping as soon as they start moving. Emmett and I will continue walking. Once they start following, let us know. Emmett and I will have an argument, causing him to storm off, leaving me alone and unprotected."
"Actually, guys, I'm really hungry," Alice claimed, speaking loud enough for the humans to hear. "I think Jasper and I will go get some dinner now. Why don't you two come join us when you're finished exploring?" We all nodded amiably and those two meandered back to town. Emmett and I continued walking towards the warehouse district. Jasper texted us on my cell phone to let us know the men were heading in our direction. We strolled along, hand in hand, trying to let them catch up to us. Once I heard their footsteps behind us, I knew they were close enough for us to stage our fight scene. I squeezed Emmett's hand and we stopped. I heard their feet scramble to find hiding places nearby, trying to get close enough to listen to us.
Emmett held both of my hands in his as he turned towards me. He smirked quickly at me before schooling his face into a frown.
"Rose, be honest with me. Do you have feelings for Jasper?" he asked grimly.
"Feelings? For Jasper?" I choked, trying to hide my amusement. "Well, I promise to tell you the truth, Emmett. Jasper always seems to know what I'm feeling, unlike you, who doesn't have a clue sometimes."
"I can usually gauge your feelings too, Rose," he replied, feigning hurt.
"Maybe so, but Jasper shares my feelings. He's so responsive to my moods. When I'm happy, he's happy. When I'm upset, he's upset. He shares my joy and my pain. Better yet, he's able to calm me down when I get angry. Even when I'm furious, all he has to do is lay his hand on my shoulder, and I feel waves of calm wash through me. Nobody else I know has that effect on me."
"Okay, so he's the sensitive type. I get it. But you two are just friends, right?"
"No, I've loved Jasper like a brother for years. My parents look on him as a son. He's part of my family now."
"I love your parents and I thought they liked me too. I wanted to be part of your family ever since the day you brought me to your house. I wanted a future with you forever."
"My parents do love you like a son too. You know how loving they are. It's just that whenever I feel overwhelmed with lust and desire, I can tell by the look in Jasper's eye that he is experiencing that same overwhelming lust. He never acts on it with me though. Instead, he hunts down Alice and shares that lust with her. That's when I hunt you down and take you whichever way I want you."
"What? You're sharing your lust with Jasper? Even if you two never act on those feelings with each other, I'm outta here," Emmett growled, stomping away from me, back towards town.
"Emmett!" I shouted after him. He turned his head towards me, but kept going.
"I'm going to go talk to Jasper now. I'm sure he'll know exactly how you're feeling," he sneered. I watched him stomp away and pretended to sob into my hands. I heard the men whispering to each other.
"Man, that guy is stupid. How could he just leave her out here alone and crying like this?" one of them asked in surprise.
"Well, I for one am glad he did. Even with the four of us, it wouldn't have been a pretty fight. Did you see the size of his muscles?"
"I can't wait to 'comfort' the little lady and show her how a real man handles her overwhelming lust."
"The little bitch is going to get what she deserves tonight, and we're going to give it to her. Let's get started before Jasper shows up, though I'm certain we can help him feel some of her pain if he arrives before we're done."
"Man, Lenny. That's cold. You scare me sometimes."
"Why, Joey? Are you developing a conscience? You didn't mind taking your turn with the last girl, but if you want out, you're welcome to leave."
"Oh, come on, Lenny. I don't want out. I want in. In her," they all started laughing at his little joke.
I pretended to be startled by their laughter, cowering and appearing frightened. I clutched my purse to my chest, stepping further into the shadows.
"Look, James, she's making our job easier for us."
"Yeah, keep backing into the shadows, baby. You ever seen such a beautiful girl, Stu?"
"Nope. I wonder if she feels as good as she looks."
"We'll soon find out."
Though they were back to whispering, I continued to move back behind the warehouse, out of view of the street. I saw Emmett, Alice, and Jasper sitting on a nearby rooftop, filming the whole thing. The men decided it was time to make their move. As soon as the men turned the corner of the warehouse, I stepped out into the center of the alleyway.
"What do you want?" I challenged, refusing to cower any longer.
"You know what we want, and we're going to take it."
I smiled, putting my hands on my hips. They were so stupid. "If you're smart, you'll turn and walk away right now. If you come any closer, I'm going to have to hurt you."
They all four laughed. The biggest one taunted, "I'd like to see you try. Violence turns me on, so your feeble attempts to escape will just get me in the mood."
They all fanned out and began advancing. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Emmett had disappeared. As soon as the men were within the boundaries of the alley, I chuckled.
"Don't say I didn't warn you, scum. It's time for a little good old-fashioned justice," I announced. I quickly spun around, allowing them to see the blur of me spinning. What they didn't see was me slipping off my dress and putting it in my purse. I grabbed the lasso and crown out of the purse, tossed the purse behind me, put on the crown, and prepared the lasso. Once I was ready, I stopped spinning, facing the men; legs spread shoulder width apart, arms on hips. I had taken Bella's advice and was dressed in my Wonder Woman outfit. I simply stood there for a few seconds while the men's slow brains processed what they were seeing. As I saw the comprehension of who I was pretending to be filter into their consciousness, I began spinning my golden lariat. Before their brains could provoke them to react to the situation, I had them lassoed. My rope was wrapped tightly around all four of them, forcing them to bunch together. I heard someone land, seemingly out of nowhere, right beside me. The men looked at the newcomer in shock. I could smell Emmett, so I turned to look at him. I couldn't help grinning when I saw him in his full Batman outfit.
"So, Miss Diana Prince, fancy meeting you here. Need any help cleaning up the trash of our fair town?" Emmett inquired in a smooth, deep voice.
"Why, if it isn't Bruce Wayne! So good to see you again. I've got everything under control though," I responded flirtatiously. He bent and gave me a kiss.
"Do you mind if I just watch, Diana? I love to see you work."
"Not at all, Bruce. I don't mind an audience."
He stepped to the side, crossing his arms across his chest, and glared at the men. The big one pulled out a knife and cut the lasso. As soon as the lariat dropped to the ground, they all tried to make a break for it.
"He cut my rope!" I roared angrily. "I can't believe the bastard actually had the nerve to cut my rope!" I was furious. How dare he mess up my prop? Emmett and I easily caught the men and stopped them before they could leave the alley. The one who cut the rope tried to stab Emmett with the knife. Of course, the knife simply bounced off of his skin.
"Gotta love body armor," Emmett chuckled, pretending the knife had bounced off the costume instead of his skin. I knew better. I was fuming. How dare that bastard put a hole in Emmett's costume? That was one of my favorite costumes! I decided to save that one for last. He was the one who had called me a bitch, and I was sure he was the ringleader of the little group.
"Hold those two scum until I'm ready for them, Bruce," I commanded.
"As you wish, Diana," he purred back.
I began inflicting violence upon their bodies, careful to hold myself back. I broke a select few of their bones, loving the satisfaction of the crack. I pinched certain nerves. I crushed their family jewels like eggs. Then I tossed them aside. I had left them able to walk and talk, but in immense pain. All movement would hurt, including breathing. They would need months for painful recovery, but they would recover. Other than the excruciating pain, they would all be perfectly able to walk back to town to receive medical help.
"Next!" I ordered, holding out my hand. Emmett, knowing the way I think, held the ringleader back and pushed the other guy into my waiting grasp. This guy was utterly terrified. He had urinated in his pants. I wrinkled my nose in disgust.
"Please, have mercy," he begged. I raised an eyebrow, gazing at him impassively.
"Did you show mercy to the girls you raped?" I asked. The answer showed in his eyes. "I didn't think so. Well, this is their little gift to you."
I proceeded to give him the same justice I had given his friends. Once I tossed him aside, I turned back to Emmett with a smile. The leader glared at me with hatred, but I could see the fear swimming behind it in his eyes. He knew it would do no good to beg.
"Your turn now," I sang sweetly. I particularly enjoyed his justice, but with him, I took it one step further. He needed extra punishment for damaging our favorite costumes. I grabbed his knife and tore off his pants, exposing his privates. Then I used the knowledge I had gained in medical school to make sure he would never be able to become erect again, even with Viagra.
"Talk about cruel and unusual punishment," Emmett laughed. "I almost feel sorry for you, man. But since you deserve it and more, I'm just amused instead. Diana is just so clever."
I tossed him aside with the others and then brushed off my hands. I retrieved both pieces of my lasso and my purse. "I need to wash my hands now after taking out the trash, Bruce. Care to join me?"
"Love to, babe," he accepted, giving me a very passionate kiss. I jumped up, wrapping my legs around his waist, and started grinding against him. He instantly responded. "My place or yours?"
"Both," I smirked wickedly. "What can I say? Justice makes me horny."
Emmett and I laughed. I jumped down, and he wrapped an arm around my shoulder.
"Ta, ta, boys," I taunted. "Enjoy your recovery. See you in your nightmares!" I laughed evilly and strolled off with Emmett. As soon as we were out of sight, we went to join Alice and Jasper at their vantage point.
The men groaned and started cussing. One of them pulled out his cell phone and called 911. In no time, two squad cars and an ambulance arrived at the scene. They were quickly followed by a news van. We waited for everyone to get out of their vehicles and the camera to start rolling before beginning the next stage of entertainment.
Jasper filled all four men with extreme remorse. In no time, all four of them had confessed to every crime and act of wrongdoing they had committed in the past. Once they had confessed to the brutal rapes, and even some murders, Jasper sent them intense levity. They began laughing hysterically, slapping their thighs as they made rude comments to each other about the rapes they had committed together. All the other humans at the scene were shocked and disgusted. There was nothing humorous about what they had done. The men were digging their graves. Jasper calmed them down.
Once they were calmer, the police asked them what happened. Jasper inflicted them with the strong desire to tell the truth. They quickly explained that they had attempted to rape a girl, but she turned out to be Wonder Woman and was having an affair with Batman. Jasper then sent them massive paranoia. They began jumping at shadows, peering around fearfully. They began asking stupid questions and making accusations towards the police. The police read them their rights and began to lead them to the ambulance. Jasper sent them anger and desperation. They instantly started resisting arrest and trying to escape. The paramedics were forced to give them sedatives to make them compliant. We were all holding our hands over our mouths in a desperate attempt to hold in our laughter. The news crew was ecstatic to be getting the whole thing on camera. They knew their tape would be used as evidence, but they would make a copy of it before handing it over. This was a major scoop for their station. The public would want these men hung out to dry.
Finally, the men were carted off to the prison hospital to be treated, and everybody else left the scene. Alice stopped recording and gave me a high five. Emmett and I changed back into our street clothes and all four of us walked back to the car, huge grins adorning all our faces. I couldn't wait to show the tape to Bella, Edward, and Esme tomorrow morning. I turned and bumped fists with Jasper as we got in the car. He grinned and nodded, understanding. Jasper and I had delivered justice, Hale style.
BPOV
I was sitting on the couch at the Cullens' house, curled up next to Edward, my head resting on his chest. Esme was sitting beside me. Jasper was in the loveseat with Alice, while Emmett and Rosalie were stretched out on the other couch. Alice was the keeper of the remote.
"Please, Alice," I whined. "Everybody is here. We're all waiting. Just press play already!"
Alice smirked at me. "Patience is a virtue, Isabella Swan."
I rolled my eyes at her. "Well, some of us are getting older by the second, so get your rear in gear."
I saw several of them startle at my remark and look at me in surprise. Did they forget I was a human?
"Hello? Human here, remember?" I taunted sarcastically. "I don't have 24 hours every day to accomplish all the things I want. So if you want to sit around doing nothing, kindly wait until I'm asleep, thanks."
Emmett laughed. "She's got you there, Alice. Enough stalling."
Alice sighed and pressed play. The movie started by following the bad guys out of the bar and to the warehouse district. I could tell by the angle that it was shot from the roof. Unlike most home movies, the screen was still. Every time I shot a home movie, my hands would inevitably shake a bit, which was obvious once the video played. It must be nice to be able to hold completely still. The quality was similar to a professional movie. I listened to Rose's and Emmett's 'fight' about Jasper and him sharing his feelings. I couldn't help laughing as Rose told the absolute truth, but in such a way as to make it sound much worse than the reality. After Emmett stomped away, the men made their move. They appeared to be huddled together and whispering. Edward started scowling, and I looked at him in confusion.
"Can you hear them talking?" Edward asked me, noting my expression. I shook my head.
"I can see their mouths moving, but I can't hear their words."
Alice rewound the video a bit and then turned up the volume to the maximum setting. This time, I could make out the words they were whispering. I began scowling as darkly as the rest of the family. When the men suddenly chuckled, we all had to cover our ears, as the volume was so high. Luckily, it was brief. They continued whispering for a few more minutes. Alice quickly turned the volume back down when the men started moving. I watched Rose lure them into the darkness behind the warehouse. She even had the decency to warn them. Then Rose suddenly spun around and turned into Wonder Woman!
I gasped. "How did you do that, Rose? I want to see it in slow motion."
Alice rewound and then began a frame by frame through the transformation. At the slower rate, I could see how she removed her dress, put it into her purse, and removed the lariat and crown. I could see how she settled herself into her new persona before coming to a stop, so the rapists could get an eyeful.
"That was totally awesome, Rose! I can't wait until I'm a vampire. I want to be a superhero too."
"We're not the good guys, remember?" Edward reminded me.
"Hmph, Wonder Woman was one of the good guys," I grumbled.
Alice continued the movie at regular speed. I started laughing when Emmett showed up in the scene.
Alice slowed it down again, without me even asking. I saw how he jumped down from the warehouse roof.
"Batman!" I snickered. "I am so going to be a superhero!"
Edward just rolled his eyes while the rest of his family chuckled. I patted his arm condescendingly.
"Don't worry, Edward. You can be the Flash, since you're the fastest," I suggested.
Alice bounced excitedly. "I'll order him a costume, Bella! It'll be perfect."
Edward growled, glaring at her. She shrugged and turned back to the movie, clearly unintimidated.
I winced as I watched Rosalie deliver her justice. I couldn't watch. I tucked my head into Edward's chest. Note to self—do not make Rosalie mad. I was really glad she was on our side right about now.
I turned back to the screen when I heard the bad guys call 911. I thought the show was almost over. I forgot Jasper was part of the plan. I listened to the list of their crimes as they confessed and was extremely thankful they were now off the streets. I watched the faces of the policemen when the men started laughing about their conquests. I was shocked at first that the men would do something so stupid, but quickly realized it was courtesy of Jasper. Even with the hilarity Jasper sent them though, they wouldn't have joked about the rapes if they contained any decency. No matter how hysterically happy I was, I would never say the kinds of things they said. The mood was Jasper's, but the content of the words they used was all theirs. I did relax and laugh when they told the officers they'd tried to rape Wonder Woman, but she and Batman beat them senseless. The faces of the officers were priceless at their admission. Those boys were going to be out of society for a long, long time.
Once it was over, we were all quiet for a bit, each waiting for someone else to make the first comment.
"Hmmm," Esme began. "I am glad to see those men have been carted away by the police and will receive their just reward. However, I do not think Carlisle will appreciate the methods you used to obtain that justice. I think it would be best if your father never saw this video, don't you agree, children?"
We all nodded. Some things are better left unsaid, and sometimes, ignorance is bliss. Rosalie grabbed the video disc and tucked it out of sight.
"So have you decided which superhero you want to be, Bella?" Alice asked cheerfully, deftly changing the subject as Carlisle entered the front door.
"Superhero?" Carlisle inquired curiously.
"I haven't decided yet. I need to think about it for a while."
"May I ask why you are going to be a superhero, Bella?" Carlisle wondered.
"Well, Rose is Wonder Woman and Emmett is Batman. I want to be a superhero too when I'm a vampire. What's the use of having all those super powers if you can't use them? Oh, and Edward is going to be Flash," I explained cheerfully. Edward growled again, but I ignored him.
"I see," Carlisle responded slowly, giving me an assessing look. I figured he was doubting my sanity.
"It's true!" I insisted. "Ask them if you don't believe me."
"Rosalie, are you Wonder Woman?" Carlisle asked doubtfully. She nodded. "You fight crime dressed in a skimpy outfit using a golden lasso?" She nodded again, enthusiastically. Carlisle appeared confused. He turned to Emmett.
"Emmett, are you Batman?"
"Of course, Carlisle, I thought you knew that," Emmett responded cheerfully.
"You fight crime wearing a mask and cape and utility belt, lurking around on the roofs of buildings?"
"Exactly!"
Carlisle appeared to be getting concerned as he looked around at all the serious faces of his family.
"Edward, are you Flash?"
Edward rolled his eyes. "Of course not, Carlisle. Don't be ridiculous."
Carlisle seemed relieved to receive a normal response.
"Not yet, but he will be," Alice mentioned cheerfully, tapping her temple. "I've seen it."
Carlisle's concern was back in full force. I think he was starting to doubt his own sanity at this point. He turned to Esme in desperation.
"Esme? Are you a superhero?"
"Of course, sweetheart. I thought for sure you already knew," she purred. He looked like he would be sweating if he could. He looked around the room again, as if he had somehow walked into the wrong house. It reminded me of an episode on The Twilight Zone. I was glad Jasper was helping to keep the mood serious. Otherwise, I was sure we'd all be rolling on the floor laughing right about now. I wasn't sure how much longer Jasper would be able to hold out against the humor though.
"Which superhero are you, Esme?" he sputtered. I had never seen Carlisle so discomposed.
"Well, if you don't already know, I'm not sure I want to compromise my secret identity," she pondered carefully. His eyes widened.
"Do you have a costume?" he squeaked.
"Of course I have a superhero outfit, honey. Don't we all?" she responded in surprise. She sauntered over to him and ran her finger down his chest. She leaned into him and murmured into his ear. "I tell you what, sweetheart. I'll show you mine if you show me yours…"
Carlisle's eyes lit up and a wide grin spread across his face. "Deal!" he quickly accepted. He grabbed her hand and pulled her up to their room without even acknowledging the rest of us further. That took away the last of Jasper's control, and we all hit the floor, howling with laughter. Even Edward. After a couple of minutes he winced though, covering his eyes with his hands, as if that would help block what he was 'seeing' in his head.
"Isn't it time to pick up the future dogs yet?" he groaned, eager to get out of the house. I glanced at my watch and jumped up excitedly.
"Yep! I'll head on over there and pick them up, okay? Oh, and I thought of a plan so they'll let us pay for everything without feeling like they're accepting your charity. When I mention the terms of the bet Edward lost to Jasper, just go with the flow."
They all nodded to me.
"Bella," Edward started hesitantly. "I'd like to ask you a favor."
"Sure, Edward. What do you need?"
He held out a set of car keys. "I'd like you to drive this car instead of your truck when you're traveling out of town. It has room enough to hold all the Quileute boys, gets good gas mileage, and has an excellent safety rating. I'd feel much better if you pick them up in this and drive this to Port Angeles."
"You bought me a car?" I shouted in disbelief.
"No, no, of course not," he assured me with a smile. "This car belongs to the family, love. I'd just like for you to borrow it for the 'Make Friends with Werewolves' campaign."
"Oh, okay, sure, no problem," I mumbled, blushing. I felt silly for my outburst. Of course he hadn't bought me a car. What was I thinking? Speaking of thinking. "What about Billy though? He'll want to know why I'm driving this car."
Edward nodded thoughtfully. "Pick the boys up in your truck, but then drive back here and change vehicles."
"Sounds like a plan."
"Jasper, Alice, and I will ride in the Volvo."
I nodded.
"Have fun with the dogs," Emmett encouraged cheerfully. Rosalie elbowed him in the ribs. Those two were going to go hunting instead. We decided to keep the numbers nonthreatening at first, and Jasper's talent could prove useful. Three future werewolves, three vampires, and one human. Oh, joy.
BPOV
My stomach was full of butterflies as I drove onto the reservation, headed for Jacob's house. I was hoping and praying the day would go well. Our main concern was whether or not close contact with the Cullens would actually trigger the werewolf gene earlier. The last thing we needed was for the three boys to suddenly turn into giant wolves on the Cullens' front lawn. Not a good plan. Still, better their yard than at the mall or in the movie theater, which is why they were waiting anxiously for me to return with the three boys.
As I approached Jacob's house, Jacob stepped outside, along with Quil and Embry. I knew Jacob had recognized the sound of my truck, since the Blacks had owned it first, and it could be heard a mile away even by human ears. I pulled up and they started piling in, Jacob in the passenger seat and the other two in the back. Billy rolled out as they were getting settled.
"Hey, Bella!" he greeted warmly. Obviously, he was still unaware of my plans. "Where are all of you headed?"
"We're meeting up with some of my school friends and going to Port Angeles. We're going to have lunch, catch a movie, and maybe just hang out afterwards to get to know one another better," I enthused, hoping I could feign innocence once the truth of who my friends were became known.
"Sounds like fun! You kids enjoy yourselves. Just be back by nine at the latest. I know it's not a school night, but since it's your first time out, I want to be sure you get home safely. Besides, once you're home, Quil and Embry and Bella all have to return to their homes. That way, they'll be home by ten."
Jacob groaned, embarrassed. "Dad! I'm not a little kid."
Billy smiled. "I know, son. If you were, I wouldn't let you go at all. Now mind your manners with the pale faces," he teased, looking at me. It was a long standing joke between our families, especially since I was so very pale. Quil and Embry gasped, shocked to hear him say something like that in front of me. I just laughed.
"Relax, Quil, Embry. Billy's just jealous because he's never gotten a sunburn before. Not everybody can turn red and blister painfully after merely an hour of direct sunlight. It's a natural talent," I playfully boasted. All four of them burst out laughing.
"Remember the summer you were seven?" Jacob reminisced. "Your poor feet! You couldn't even wear shoes for a week. Sometimes I wondered if that was why your Mom sent you here in the summers. We get a lot less sunshine. I can only imagine the kinds of burns you got in Phoenix."
"Actually, I just slathered on the spf 100 I custom ordered. After two or three coats of that stuff, I wouldn't have a problem. Of course, it would take me an hour a day to put that much on, but it was worth it," I joked. They all looked at me closely to see whether or not I was serious. I couldn't help but giggle at their expressions. They laughed and shook their heads.
"Okay, Billy, I'll bring him home safely, but we need to head out now if we're going to make it in time for the movie," I mentioned, waving goodbye. Billy smiled and nodded. I hurriedly turned around and drove away, the boys waving goodbye until Billy was no longer in sight. I turned to Jacob.
"Are you ready for this?" I asked Jacob in concern, wanting to be sure he wasn't already regretting his choice.
"Are you kidding? I'm pumped! How often do you get to hang out with your tribe's mortal enemies whom your father claims are vampires?" he exclaimed. Then he clapped his hand over his mouth in horror, realizing what he had just said. I just laughed, pretending I thought he was joking. He smiled sheepishly. "You won't say anything about that to them, will you?"
"Tell them your father thinks they are vampires? Well, Billy doesn't make any secret of his animosity toward the Cullens, so I'm sure they already know his feelings on the subject. However, I won't embarrass you by immediately announcing the fact when we get to their house."
"Thanks," he muttered sarcastically. My answer had not really reassured him, since I didn't promise not to say anything ever. I decided it would be a good time to make my feelings clear.
"You know, Jake, I just wanted to say that with knowing each other for so many years and playing together as kids, I consider you part of my family. It's lonely being an only child, so I consider you my brother, as well as one of my friends. I hope you'll treat me like a sister or at least a cousin, as well as a friend. Family is closer than friends."
"Umm, yeah, sure," he answered in a discouraged tone. He thought for a few seconds, straightened his shoulders and grinned at me. "You know, Quil is my cousin, and you're much prettier by far. I think you'll be my favorite cousin."
I grinned back. "Sounds good to me. Cousins it is."
We pulled into the Cullens' driveway and started winding through the woods to their house. The boys were all looking around them eagerly. I knew they likely had never been in this portion of the woods before. We pulled into the yard and the three vampires were waiting for us. I noticed they were all wearing gloves. I realized they didn't want to give away their cold skin to the Quileutes until the boys had a chance to get to know them. Being actually physically cold would definitely raise too many questions in the boys' minds with regards to the legends. One of the purposes of today's trip was to demonstrate how easily the Cullens could interact with humans in public places.
We all exited the truck, and I introduced them to one another. They shook hands amicably. I grinned happily to see it. I had wondered how they would smell to one another before the gene was activated. I watched carefully. Alice took a deep breath and then smiled and winked at me. She had foreseen my question and gave me a thumbs up to indicate they didn't smell like wet dogs yet.
"Hey, guys," I interrupted the small talk. "We need your help with something. It's a matter of honor."
At the mention of honor, all three Quileutes stood straight and tall, completely serious. Honor was very important in their culture.
"Edward and Jasper made a bet and Edward lost. His penalty is that he has to pay for everybody for everything on all outings for the next two months. He has more money than he knows what to do with, so monetary amounts don't really affect him. He is filthy rich, richer than Bill Gates," I explained as their eyes widened. "So the more money this bet costs him, the more it will be a blow to his pride, though his bank account won't suffer. Normally, we would all pay our own way, but for the next two months Jasper wants us to spend as much of Edward's money as we can, to make the penalty of losing the bet worthwhile. So order whatever you want at the restaurant and think about whatever expensive outings you've always wanted to do, so Jasper can have his fair reward."
Edward pretended to be chagrined, while Jasper smirked. Alice was grinning happily at me. I could tell they were all impressed with my idea. Now the boys wouldn't feel at all guilty about Edward picking up the tab.
"Please, guys, I need your help," Jasper interjected. "Last time I lost, he made me dress like a girl and then go into a bar and flirt with the guys. The really scary part was that one of the guys was really interested. He was filled with lust and determined to take me somewhere private. I raced out of there so fast it nearly made my head spin. I had to take a break and puke in the alley before ripping the dress off and stuffing it in the dumpster. I owe Edward big time for that one. So I need everyone's help to restore my honor by emptying his pockets. What do you say?"
Jacob was shocked and appalled. "Disgusting, man. How could he do that to you?"
Edward quickly defended himself. "Because the last time I lost, he made me go into a karaoke bar wearing my underwear outside my pants, get up on stage, and sing 'I'm Too Sexy for My Shirt' while performing a strip tease. The audience fought over my shirt and hat, and some lucky person made off with my underwear. I had to run out bare-chested. It took ten showers before my body felt clean from all those grimy hands pawing my torso."
The three boys started laughing loudly.
Jacob continued chuckling. "I think I get it now. Somehow, I think our lives just got a lot more interesting. It's going to be a fun ride getting to know you guys."
Quil laughingly agreed. "We'll definitely do our part to help Edward feel the sting. It's only fair. I think he was much too easy on you."
Embry looked at me curiously. "What was the bet about?"
"Oh, well, Edward and Jasper were betting on a race between an Aston Martin and a Ducati," I improvised. Sounded good to me. Edward rolled his eyes at me.
"The Ducati," all three boys said at the same time. Hmm. I guess that wasn't such a good bet after all.
Jasper chuckled. "Absolutely," he agreed.
"Let's get this show on the road," Alice squealed excitedly. We all smiled at her. I led the boys over to the Mercedes SUV, while the vampires settled into the Volvo. The boys were excited about the SUV. It still had the new car smell. I got behind the wheel and tried to follow Edward, but I wasn't comfortable driving at his speed. I allowed myself to fall behind. I knew where we were meeting, so I wasn't worried. The boys had fun playing with the entertainment system and exploring all the bells and whistles included in the interior.
I got a text message from Edward: Planning to arrive sometime today?
I just ignored it. I figured they were probably already there. Alice would know when we were close, so they could just entertain themselves somehow until we arrived. We finally pulled up to the restaurant to see the Cullens smugly waiting for us. I rolled my eyes at them. Edward stepped forward to open my door and help me out. We entered the steak restaurant and were immediately seated. I had found out that Washington had a 'no smoking in restaurants' law, so every section was non-smoking. I was really happy about that, as the smoke usually made me cough and interfered with my enjoyment of my food. I bet the vampires were particularly happy, considering their superior sense of smell.
Jacob and his friends delighted in ordering the filet mignon, toasting Edward with their cokes. Jasper, Alice, and Edward also ordered full meals, in keeping with appearances. When the food arrived, the boys tucked rapidly into theirs, but the vampires didn't even touch their plates. I ate at my normal pace. Eventually, Jacob got full enough to notice that the vampires weren't eating.
"You guys aren't eating?" he asked incredulously. Quil and Embry looked up from their plates.
"Actually, we ate just before you arrived. We figured we'd just save this food for later, unless you guys are still hungry?" Edward replied smoothly. Jacob started to shake his head, but stopped.
"Wow, I'm hungrier than I thought. I think I will take you up on your offer after all," Jacob answered in surprise. He reached over and grabbed Edward's plate. "I'm not usually such a pig."
"You're probably just getting ready for a growth spurt," Alice consoled him. I met her gaze, one eyebrow raised. She shrugged, indicating it was not a vision, but was her opinion. He certainly would be going through a major growth spurt, sooner or later.
Quil and Embry took Jasper's and Alice's plates, gorging on the delicious steak.
"Well, all that protein should help your muscle development," I added, only partially teasing. Everyone else chuckled.
I watched everybody's interactions while I ate, pleased to see the comfort level they each displayed. Jasper spoke with Embry about dirt bikes and motorcycles, Edward talked about cars with Jacob, and Alice and Quil discussed dating tips. There was a definite sense of camaraderie growing as we all enjoyed each other's company. The boys all cheered when Jasper promised we would go to a dirt bike track after the movie and rent dirt bikes for all of us. All five guys started making comments about their riding skills and doing the usual macho competition mumbo jumbo. Alice and I just rolled our eyes at each other, unimpressed with all the big talk.
"So, what movie are we going to see?" I asked the group.
"What movie would you guys like to see?" Edward inquired of the boys.
"How about that new Dracula versus Wolfman flick?" Jacob suggested with a smirk.
Quil and Embry started laughing. "Good one, Jake."
The Cullens looked at them in surprise.
I sighed. "Seriously, Jake."
He grinned. "I am serious. I'd really like to see it. I wonder which one will win."
"It's going to be a stupid grade B horror flick," I protested. "How about a comedy instead."
Alice started laughing. "No, I definitely want to see the stupid horror flick, Bella."
I looked from her to Edward, who was also chuckling. I groaned. Obviously, something amusing and probably embarrassing was going to happen as a result of going to this movie. It was now six against one, in favor of going to the movie. It was useless to protest at this point.
"Fine," I grumped.
"Don't worry, love," Edward teased. "I'll save you from the scary imaginary characters."
I growled and pretended to punch his arm. I knew it would only hurt me if I actually hit him. He rubbed the spot and pouted, pretending to be hurt. Everyone else laughed. Edward paid the bill, leaving a generous tip, and we all walked over to the movie theater, since it was only a few blocks away.
The movie was starting in fifteen minutes. We quickly got our tickets and went inside.
"Hey, Edward," Quil shouted from the snack counter. "We need popcorn, candy, and drinks, dude."
"Yeah!" Jacob and Embry laughed, giving Jasper high fives.
"You just ate two whole dinners each. If you eat any more, you'll explode," I griped.
"You worry too much, Bells," Jacob teased. "Remember, we're growing boys."
"I'll say," I muttered under my breath. The vampires all smiled at my remark.
"Get whatever you want," Edward offered magnanimously. All three of them came away from the counter with their arms full of popcorn, ice cream, and soda. They even had candy stuffed in their pockets. I just shook my head at them. I saw that Edward had bought me a soda and candy. I smiled and gave him a brief thank you kiss. I felt the boys watching us, but I ignored them.
"I'd better take a quick hu- moment to visit the restroom," I murmured quickly, hoping the Quileutes wouldn't notice my slip. Maybe I'd better stop referring to my bathroom breaks as human moments if I'm going to make silly slips in public like that.
"I'll go with you!" Alice immediately added, grabbing my arm. Edward and Jasper snorted. I simply nodded, trying to pretend I hadn't just almost given away the whole thing. We raced quickly for the ladies room, wanting to finish before the movie started. I did my business in record time.
"Why were you laughing earlier, Alice?" I questioned suspiciously, while washing my hands. "What did you see?"
"That's for me to know, and you to find out," she snickered.
I glared at her in extreme annoyance. "Evil little pixie," I muttered grumpily. She just laughed.
JacobPOV
I saw the way Bella leaned into Edward's embrace as we waited in line at the movie theater. I saw the love in his eyes as he looked down at her. My heart spoke the knowledge my hormones didn't want to hear. Those two were made for each other. I had been watching Jasper and Alice too. The unspoken intimacy between them showed a bond I had only heard described in our legends. It went beyond the love I had seen in the people around me on the reservation. They moved and flowed together, as if they were two halves of the same whole. Mates. These two were soul mates. I finally understood what my dad had tried to explain.
As much as I hated to admit it, Edward's behavior toward Bella was exactly like the way a werewolf behaved with his imprint. It was obvious that Bella was the center of Edward's universe, that the sun rose and set with her for him. He was constantly aware of her, even when they weren't close enough to touch. She was obviously in love with him as well. Not surprising. The legends explained that no imprint could resist the pure love and adoration offered by her werewolf. They were tied together with an invisible bond. Neither was complete without the other.
She was looking so beautiful today. I had hoped she might feel something for me, wondering why she had invited me to join her group. Her little speech about loving me like a brother quickly killed my hopes and dreams of the two of us being together. It had hurt a bit at first. I had been fantasizing about her since dinner at her house. I was surprised to find that there was a warm glow in my heart after the initial disappointment. I was happy she loved me, even as a brother. I wanted to be part of her life. I felt like I was supposed to be part of her life, part of her family. So I grinned and called her cousin. The smile she gave me then caused the glow to grow, warming my heart further. I would be her best friend and her protector. I wouldn't let anyone hurt her. She was important to me, to my future, though I had no idea why or how.
Besides, I had never really thought I had a chance with her anyway. I was fifteen and she was seventeen. Technically, I was still jailbait for her until I turned sixteen. I had learned in sex ed. that if a minor under the age of sixteen was intimate with someone more than two years older than them, it was still considered rape in the eyes of the law. Not that I would press charges if she wanted to make out with me, but I didn't think it would go over well with Charlie if someone else reported it. He wouldn't want to arrest his own daughter for statutory rape. So she was out of my league for another year anyway. If she was still available when I turned sixteen, I would make my move then. I knew though that most eighteen year old girls preferred older guys. Why would she want to date someone younger? Then, when she went off to college, she would leave me behind in high school. Our love was doomed from the start. I sighed.
I had been doubtful of Edward at first. After all, he was mentioned by name in my tribe's legends. I couldn't help but be suspicious. Especially when none of the Cullens ate anything. All of them seemed completely comfortable with us though. I couldn't see any reason to fear them. They were interacting with other people in a public setting without any difficulty. I spoke with Edward at length over lunch, subtly poking and prodding. We discussed cars and drifted to music. I could see his passion over both subjects and was surprised to learn he actually composed music for the piano. He was clearly intelligent and self-disciplined. I was surprised to find I actually liked him as a person. I could see myself becoming friends with him. He really listened to me and wasn't condescending, even though I was two years younger than him.
It was his reactions toward Bella that really won me over though. He was so attentive to her needs, unfailingly courteous, like a true gentleman. He never failed to smile at her when he looked her way, as if she was the reason for his existence. I could feel the intensity of his emotions. Our legends described the Cold Ones as being heartless monsters, incapable of human emotion. Either he wasn't a Cold One, or the legends were wrong. I didn't really believe in the legends though. I wasn't a superstitious native. Folklore had no place in the modern world as anything other than entertainment. So obviously he wasn't a Cold One.
I couldn't help suggesting the Dracula vs. Wolfman movie. The coincidence was just too much, considering the history between the Quileutes and the Cullen family. I was interested to see how they would react to my suggestion. Would they be offended? Quil and Embry burst out laughing, knowing the legends as well as I did. I could tell they didn't believe them either. They had both been speaking animatedly with the other Cullens throughout lunch, and I could see they were completely at ease. I trusted Embry's instincts about people. He was usually shy and didn't talk much to people he didn't know. However, he and Jasper had found common ground discussing motorcycles and dirt bikes. Embry was ecstatic when Jasper promised we'd race dirt bikes after the movie. I was looking forward to it myself. To my relief, the Cullens didn't object to my movie choice, seeming to find it as ironically funny as we did. Bella was the only one who objected, mainly because she didn't like horror movies, but Edward reassured her.
Now we were getting seated, our hands full of yummy treats. None of us had much money, so I was very thankful Edward lost that bet. We wouldn't have accepted his charity and would have had very limited budgets, but we had no problem helping him repay his debt of honor. It's a guy thing.
Embry entered first, followed by Quil and me. Bella sat in-between Edward and me. Alice was beside Edward, with Jasper on the end. We settled back to enjoy the movie. It started with the depiction of Dracula. I heard the Cullens and Bella chuckling as the movie brought out every trivial vampire stereotype I had ever encountered. If the legends were true, then most of this was utter nonsense. The movie was dramatic, not humorous, so why were they laughing? The only reason I could think of was because they knew this was utter nonsense. But if they knew, how did they know? I was starting to freak myself out a little bit. I had fully believed the legends when I was a kid. It was only as I became a teenager that I had rejected them as fictional stories.
The movie switched to a depiction of Wolfman. The Cullens and Bella were still chuckling, but this time the three of us joined them. Our legends were certainly more believable than the trumped up nonsense on the screen. Why were the Cullens so amused? Did they know our legends? Why were they so pale? How had they been named and described in our history decades before they arrived? Could they be Cold Ones? I glanced over to see Bella's hand entwined with Edwards, her head resting on his shoulder. Surely if he was a cold, heartless, stone monster she wouldn't be comfortable using him as a pillow, right? I'm going crazy.
I was interested to see how the movie authors would portray the interaction between Dracula and Wolfman. I was engrossed in the scene where Dracula was sneaking up behind an oblivious Wolfman, with fangs bared, going for the jugular. Suddenly, I felt something cold press into my neck, right over my jugular, and felt cold liquid trickling down into my shirt. I shrieked, immediately jumping out of my seat and whirling around. "Cold Ones!" I yelled frantically, arms flailing, heart racing, adrenaline pumping. I quickly realized several things. The Cullens were staring at me in amusement, still comfortably settled in their seats. Bella was staring at me in shock, my popcorn bucket upside down in her lap. Embry was staring at me in surprise and concern, and Quil was laughing his head off, holding his stomach. I noticed the top was off of his drink, and his fingers were wet. I touched my hand to my neck, confirming there was no injury and then sniffed my fingers. The liquid was soda. Quil had stuck his fingers into his ice cold drink and then placed them on my neck. I was going to kill him. Before I could react to my new found knowledge, the manager arrived at the scene and asked us all to please leave, as we were disturbing the other patrons. We filed out and headed back to the cars. I apologized to everyone for messing up their plans. They assured me the movie wasn't really that entertaining.
"Now we can go to the race track!" Embry exclaimed. The others cheered. I was still embarrassed.
Jasper put his hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry about it, Jacob. Just have a good time."
I felt the embarrassment fade away, being replaced with excitement. I grinned at him. "Let's do this!"
We all piled into our vehicles and headed for the track.
JasperPOV
It had been so amusing to see Jacob's panic when Quil played a trick on him, but I was aware of the level of suspicion he had toward us, and Edward could read it in my mind as I assessed them. All three of them had a baseline suspicion and confusion directed toward the three of us, always underneath whichever emotions were otherwise prevalent. They were overwhelmingly excited at the moment, now that we were at the motor bike track, trying on helmets and strapping on protective gear. In fact, if I hadn't been controlling my gift for over a century and a half, I would likely be bouncing off the walls the way Alice usually does. I simply channeled their excitement into Edward and Bella so it wouldn't overwhelm me. Alice had enough excitement on her own. I doubted I would ever need to send excitement her way.
I knew the Quileutes were battling between their intellect and their instincts. Their intellect claimed vampires and werewolves were mythical creatures. Their instincts warned that we were inhuman and dangerous predators. Their experience with us thus far told them we were friendly, compassionate, and loving, able to appreciate humor. Yet the legends they had been taught from the cradle said we were heartless monsters, unable to coexist peacefully with humans, our natural prey. Their minds cried out that the legends couldn't possibly be true, but if they were, then we were their natural enemy. The reality of us was the source of major confusion for their subconscious minds. The subconscious was busy gathering evidence and pointing out clues that matched us with the Cold Ones in the legends. At the same time, the subconscious was gathering evidence and clues showing the differences between us and the Cold Ones in the legends. The subconscious struggled to fit the pieces together, to make sense of the puzzle we represented.
Thankfully, boys will be boys, and they were easily distracted from their internal struggles with the roar of the dirt bike engines and the sight of the dirt track, complete with dips and jumps. I knew their subconscious minds continued to work though, even while they played and joked and laughed. We were careful to give them space, not standing too close to them, so they wouldn't feel intimidated. I constantly monitored the slight edge of fear they all felt. For now, the level was low enough that it merely added to their pleasure, the way a roller coaster or haunted hay ride provides an adrenaline rush. They all had an edge of rebellion too, knowing they were associating with the forbidden Cullens, which would earn the wrath and disapproval of their parents. The knowledge of their rebellion was also fueling their excitement.
I saw Edward strapping safety gear onto Bella. He was using every option they had. He had made her wear chaps over her jeans and a bulky but sturdy jacket over her sweater. She had on gloves, knee pads, and elbow pads, as well as shin guards and wrist braces. I wondered if the poor girl could even walk in all that gear. She reminded me of the little kids in their snowsuits who were unable to move their arms and legs in all their snow gear. I sampled their emotions. Edward was incredibly concerned, worried, and protective. Bella was mildly irritated, but mostly resigned, as she patiently allowed him to plaster her with protective gear.
"Edward," I mentioned, walking over to them. "I think Bella should ride behind me for the first loop." He glared at me, and I felt his jealousy and resentment wash over me.
"Relax, dude, I'm not going to steal your girl," I assured him. "I have experience riding with a passenger, so I can help her get the hang of it, while knowing how to control the bike if she leans the wrong way. You have never ridden a motor bike at all, though I know you'll pick up the skills rapidly. I know I would feel more comfortable if you tested out the limits and responses of the machine by yourself first, before taking on Bella as a passenger."
He nodded reluctantly at my logic, sighing as he realized he couldn't kiss Bella through her helmet. I chuckled as I felt her disappointment when she realized the same thing. He settled for embracing her, whispering, "Be safe." She nodded and winked at him, before coming eagerly to join me. I felt her excitement build now that she was finally going to see some action.
"Don't worry, Edward," I called to him as I escorted her over to my bike. "I probably won't take her over the jumps, well not the first one anyway."
Bella chuckled, but Edward growled at me, stalking toward us angrily.
Relax, bro. I'm just messing with you. You know I would never endanger your mate.
He stopped and nodded stiffly, watching her climb onto the bike behind me. His jealousy spiked again when she wrapped her arms around me.
Like she can even feel me under all this padding you've strapped to her.
He grinned and relaxed, quickly collecting his own gear and heading to another bike.
"Hold on tight!" I shouted to Bella over the sound of the motor. She squeezed her arms tighter, and I pulled out onto the track, gradually increasing the throttle to give her time to adjust to the speed. Soon we were flying, and I could feel her excitement and her fear. So far the thrill was outweighing the fear, so I kept going.
The Quileutes were already working on their second lap. Embry had his own dirt bike he rode on the reservation, which he had generously shared with Jacob and Quil, so all three of them already knew how to ride. I turned my gaze to watch my beautiful wife as she sailed effortlessly over a jump. She had ridden with me many times, so she was very comfortable. I felt her joy as she flew through the air and her pride when she landed cleanly. I could also feel the Quileutes' awe and wonder as they witnessed her finesse. So far everyone was having fun, even Edward.
I pulled to the side once we finished the lap and waited for Edward.
"Thanks, Jasper! That was awesome," Bella exclaimed as she got off the bike. I predicted she would stumble in the process, having come to know her over the past week, so I already had my arm out to catch her when she did indeed stumble. I couldn't help smirking at her chagrined expression as she realized what I had done. Edward pulled up nearby and beckoned for Bella to join him. As soon as she was safely away, I opened up the throttle all the way, peeling out, and raced to join Alice. As soon as I was beside her, she matched her pace to mine, and we flew around the track in tandem, swerving gracefully around the other riders in our path. I knew from an aerial view, it would look like we were dancing.
After a few laps like that, I wanted to have a little more fun. I forgot about our audience, as this was one of the activities Alice and I usually did without the rest of the family. So, I challenged Alice to motor bike X games. She laughingly accepted. On the next jump, both of used the air time to do a handstand on the handlebars, coming back into our seats just before we hit the ground. Of course, for us, it was easy to calculate the necessary timing and strength wasn't an issue. At the next jump, we each did a backward flip, our eyes on each other. The other riders didn't exist for me at that time. It was just me and her in our own little love bubble.
We continued doing various tandem tricks, each adjusting for the other to keep us together, performing the routine we had perfected over the years. It wasn't until the final jump that I remembered where we were and who was watching. Normally, our final trick was to French kiss in mid-air, after which we would park the bikes and make mad, passionate love together under the stars. As my brain processed the realization that we couldn't kiss while wearing helmets, the knowledge of our location flooded back to us. I saw the same comprehension dawn in Alice's eyes as well, and we both looked around for our family and friends. We landed the jump and headed for the exit. We had attracted quite an audience apparently. In addition to our group, there were about ten other guys and gals watching us from the bleachers. I ducked my head when I heard their applause and whistles.
"Wow! You guys were awesome!" Bella shouted, running up to hug us. "How long have you been working on that routine?"
"A few years," Alice admitted with a smile. Edward looked at us with surprise.
"It's one of the things we like to do when it's just the two of us," I confessed. "Now you know our secret."
"Wow! Do you think you could teach me some of those tricks? Please?" Embry begged enthusiastically. I took off my helmet and smiled at him.
"Soon, probably, in a month or two, if you're still interested at the time," I offered. I had no doubt that such close exposure to our family would trigger their gene early. Once he was a werewolf, it would be safe to teach him, as he wouldn't be as breakable and would heal rapidly from any injuries. I just wasn't sure he would still be interested in learning from me once he became a werewolf.
"Cool! Me too!" Jacob and Quil pleaded. I nodded and smiled.
"I'll be willing if you are," I agreed. Right now they couldn't imagine anything making them change their mind about me teaching them, but I knew things wouldn't be the same once we were officially on opposite sides.
"Well, I want to do a few more laps, if you don't mind," Jacob stated. We waved him and the other two off to continue their fun. Several of the people from the bleachers were heading onto the track as well. Alice and I went to turn in our gear and then sat on the bleachers watching the various riders. A couple of them actually knew what they were doing and were performing tricks like Alice and I had. One of the them thought he knew more than he actually did. He was attempting tricks he wasn't ready for yet. He was going to get hurt if he didn't tone it down a little.
Edward and Bella joined us on the bleachers, divested of their gear.
"Where have you been practicing motor bike stunt driving?" Edward inquired curiously, peeved that we had managed to keep it a secret for so long. I chuckled at him.
"We have a plot of land in Oregon, where we built a track for ourselves and a garage for our bikes. It's our private retreat where we go for our 'Alice and Jasper' time," I responded. A few memories of our time together there passed through my mind and Edward shuddered.
"I'm sorry I asked," he muttered. "I really didn't need to see that." I shrugged. Hey, what I chose to do with my wife when we were alone together was none of his business. If he didn't like the images in my head, he should mind his own.
"That guy seems to be struggling a lot more than the others," Bella observed, watching the same guy I had noticed earlier.
"He's pushing his limits. If he pushes any harder, he'll probably lose control and crash," I predicted. As soon as the words were out of my mouth, the accident happened.
The guy had been trying to do a one-handed trick when he lost control of the bike. His legs flew out behind him, and he lost his seat. As he felt himself falling, I could sense his panic and embarrassment, but he foolishly kept hold of the bike.
"Let go!" I screamed to him, but it was too late. He hit the ground, with the bike going in one direction, and he in another.