*JPOV*

Several weeks passed without any incidents. Seth and I continued to patrol and watch over the people of La Push. Thankfully no one questioned me when others began phasing. I closed the shop for a few days so that I could focus on my duties without further distractions. Seth agreed with me on my decision and promised to help with whatever I needed.

I sat in the darkness of the living room watching the shadows dance in and out through the trees. Tonight I would remain human and keep watch by the front window. I tilted my head back and closed my eyes, allowing my hearing and sense of smell to completely overtake me. It seemed all was quiet on the reservation tonight. I opened my eyes and settled in for another long night.

After several hours I decided that I no longer felt like sitting. I was suddenly feeling very nostalgic, so I headed out to the garage. The light of the full moon cast a pale glow over the yard. I stepped into the musty dampness and felt along the wall until I found the light switch. A single yellow bulb illuminated the dusty space. Silently I scanned the room with my eyes until I found the object I was seeking. I walked to the center of the room and removed the blue tarp that covered the old red Chevy. My heartbeat sped up as I ran my fingers slowly along its faded paint leaving trails of dust in their wake. I was very glad that I had not taken it to the junk yard all those years ago. Almost instantly I was taken back to the day that Billy and I had driven the truck over to Charlie's. It was the first time I had seen Bella since we were children. I smiled as I slid behind the wheel, remembering her awkwardness when she had accidentally hit me with the door. Those were simpler times, before our lives became tainted by the supernatural world of werewolves and vampires. We were just two friends trying to become reacquainted with each other. Despite all of our insecurities it wasn't long before we became inseparable…" Just Jake and Bells…" I thought as I ran my hands over the steering wheel. Billy and I had countless arguments over the years regarding the truck. He was anxious to sell it right away, but I was adamant. It was the only link I had left and I refused to give it up. Eventually the memories faded and lost their color though they were never completely forgotten. The years passed by excruciatingly slow, though my resolve remained forever constant. But one day I finally came to the realization that she wasn't coming back and that was the day I parked it in the garage and vowed never to look at it again. And I had kept that promise to myself until now.

I sat there in the truck for hours it seemed, lost in the memories of the past. Sometime before dawn I shook out the tarp, and draped it over the truck once again. As soon as I stepped outside the garage the sweet sickly smell of death and decay hit my nostrils. Instantly I was on the alert, though I controlled the urge to phase. "Jacob Black…" The phantom voice seemed to float on the breeze. "Cullen…" I spat the word with all the hatred I felt. I quickly scanned the yard and found nothing. But I knew he was out there. I could feel it in my blood. "Still alive I see…though you look quite different." I felt a growl erupt from deep in my chest. "What do you want?" I asked as I took two steps closer to the house. "Only what is mine…" I frowned at his cryptic choice of words. "I have no idea what the h*ll you're talking about." I yelled as I tried to pinpoint his exact location. "I know you're lying Jacob…have you forgotten that I can hear your every thought?" "You don't know shit." I mumbled as I clenched my fists at my sides. "Why don't you show yourself you fucking coward." There was a flash of white and suddenly Edward Cullen stood inches away from me. "Let me rephrase my earlier statement. I came for…" I cut him off mid sentence as I realized exactly why he was here. "You came for Bella…" Edward nodded and stepped closer to me. "I know she was here. I can smell her, though the scent is weeks old. Tell me Jacob did you find her revolting?" I felt the anger shoot like hot lava across my skin. "Stay the h*ll out of my head." I felt my quiet control quickly slipping away. "Of course Jacob, but first I would like you to answer a question for me. Where is she?" I snarled and got right in his face. As I was about to speak I felt a light flutter in my mind, almost like an invisible wall were sliding into place."What the hell?' I thought briefly as I stared at Edward. The slight twitch in his expression was the only indication of anger. "Impossible…" He muttered as he shook his head. I decided to use this momentary lapse of conversation to goad him. "What's the matter Cullen? Feeling a little confused?" Edward let out a snarl of his own and I welcomed the challenge. I had been waiting for years for the excuse to rip him apart. "You know where she is…" I shoved him back a few feet, not putting all of my weight behind the gesture. "Find her yourself…I won't give you the satisfaction." Edward actually laughed. "Always and forever the loyal guard dog; Even though you've been kicked into the dust countless times." I couldn't hold the anger in any longer and I was dangerously close to phasing. "Edward stood his ground and actually looked amused. "Sorry I can't stay and play Jacob, but I have more pressing matters to attend too. I'll give Bella your regards…or rather your lack thereof." Edward whispered before he disappeared. I could have followed but decided against it. I needed to alert Seth to the situation as soon as possible.

I retreated back into the safety of the house. and searched for my cell phone. My hands were trembling and I dropped it several times before I was able to dial Seth's number. But there was no answer. I cursed out loud and threw the phone across the room, hearing it shatter as it hit the wall. I paced back and forth like a caged animal while I pondered the reason for Edwards's sudden inability to read my thoughts. It seemed to puzzle and infuriate him as well. I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair. All of my old feelings of protectiveness seemed to be coming back with a vengeance, the primal need to protect her most of all.

I jumped as the phone in the kitchen rang shrilly through the silence. "Hello?" There was a steady silence on the other end and I was just about to hang up when I heard a sharp intake of breath. "Jacob…" Bella's musical voice shattered the momentary lapse of thought in my brain. I couldn't seem to speak and I wanted to hang up, but I froze instead, not able to move a muscle. "Jacob… There are some things you should know. And I need to explain it to you in person. Can we meet at the treaty line in a few minutes?" I frowned and swallowed past the growl threatening to burst from my lungs. "No Bella…" I paused as I considered my options. If we met outside then there was a chance that Cullen could be waiting. And even though I felt a certain hatred for Bella I couldn't let her be so open and exposed. "Always and forever the loyal guard dog…" I shook my head to clear the negative thoughts his words were creating in my was obviously a threat, though I didn't exactly know what kind. "Meet me here at my house in ten minutes…" I muttered and hung up. My breathing was suddenly very shallow and fast. "What in the hell are you getting yourself into?" I muttered to myself as I went into the living room to wait for Bella's arrival.

A knock sounded outside the door seconds later. I hastily looked at my watch and realized that it had only been ten seconds since I had hung up the phone. I stood on the other end of the door and tried to mentally prepare myself. I silently counted to three and opened the door. Bella stood on the front porch looking just like she did all those years ago. She was dressed in a plaid purple button down blouse and skinny jeans. Old dusty converse sneakers adored her feet. My heart would have stopped beating in my chest, had I not noticed the dark orbs staring back at me. "She hasn't fed…" I thought frantically. My mind screamed at me that this was a monster, but my heart seemed to have other plans. It seemed to be the one controlling my body instead of my brain. I stepped aside so that she could join me in the tiny hallway. I closed the door and awkwardly made my way over to the couch. "What's so important Bella?" I asked as I tried to avoid looking directly at her. She sighed as she crossed the room, a gesture I knew she only did to appear more human. "I know Edward was here Jake…and I know he's looking for me…"

I nodded and ran my fingers nervously thorough my hair. "Tell me something I don't know." My old sarcasm was making an appearance tonight. "Edward wouldn't have caught my old scent if I hadn't been so careless a few weeks ago." I watched as Bella took a seat across from me once again in Billy's armchair. "Do you remember when we talked about the different "abilities" that Alice and Edward have; and how each is unique to the individual?" I remembered but I had no idea where she was going with the conversation. Bella glanced up briefly to see if I was still paying attention and continued. "Did you feel a tug in your mind? Something you can't explain?" I looked up at her in confusion and then quickly averted my eyes when I remembered their unnatural color. "Yes" I muttered wishing she would hurry up and get this over with. "That tiny flutter was my shield…I have the ability to block or protect others within my force field." I actually found myself laughing. "You mean you're like a superhero bloodsucker?" The look of pure annoyance on her face was enough to quiet my laughter. "I wouldn't exactly call it that, but yes in a sense. I blocked Edward from reading your thoughts, just as I can cover or mask my scent to keep him from finding me. Edward doesn't know about my little talent…which is why he was so furious and confused." I stood up and began pacing the floor as I tried to absorb all that she was telling me. "When I approached you that first night my guard was down. I felt as I always did in your presence, like I could be myself, even if what I had become was something you hated, I knew you would accept me no matter what…" I turned away from the window and regarded her with a dark glare. "And what made you think I'd be so trusting and accepting?" Bella rose from the chair and came to stand in front of me. "If I were any other vampire you would have ripped me to shreds without a second thought. And I wouldn't be here now if there wasn't some small part of you that still loves me…" I felt the goose bumps rise along my skin as Bella reached up to touch my cheek. I fought not to flinch away from her. I closed my eyes and took slow even breaths. I waited for the tremors to come but nothing happened, perhaps my control was getting better. Suddenly the coolness was gone and when I opened my eyes she was nowhere to be found. I searched the shadows in the room and found nothing. I wondered where she had disappeared too.

I sighed and fell back down into the chair I had occupied hours earlier. As I shifted my eyes back toward the window I noticed it. The pale light of dawn was just beginning to creep over the trees. Bella had left because it was morning and it appeared that the sun was determined to make an appearance today. I yawned and stood up to stretch. It was definitely time for bed. As I made my way to my room, I thought back to all that Bella had told me. Everything made sense, except for one large and very important detail. She had failed to mention exactly why Edward was so determined to find her and why she was just as determined to stay hidden? I made a promise to myself that I would find the answers, no matter what it takes.