Okay we all know the dreaded disclaimer. I own no one but Mel and anyone else you don't recognize. Jacob Black and OC. Bella is the Observer, Jacob will have his points of view as well as Mel.

Jacksonville. Fl

Bella strode out her mothers four-bedroom house. It was yellow, happy, sunny, and worse of all had no Edward. Not that he had abandoned her but he just possibly couldn't step foot in such a sunny place. If she thought he glittered before he would certainly sparkle like a treasure mine exploded. She sighed as she looked up and down the street. Dressed in shorts and a tank top Bella decided to head to the beach.

"Might as well." She mumbled. Bella had only one friend since she came to visit her mother for the summer. Renee was at work and Phil was coaching. Most of her days passed by in total silence until the duo came home to do family evening outings. Either way it was up to 19-year-old Bella to entertain herself. Bella crossed the street beach bag slung over her back and knocked on the door. She listened as an over excited person bounded to the door.

"Bella! YAY!" the girl grinned.

"Hey Trace. What's up? You ready?" Bella smiled. Sometimes Tracey could be a little too excited for things.

"Yeah let me just get my keys." Tracey disappeared for the moment and then stepped out the door. They got into Tracey's BMW started their drive to the beach.

Upon arriving the two girls made their descent to the shore. It was a hot smothering day and the beach was crowded. Bella and Tracey picked their way down to the beach and settled in a spot next to a group of 3 guys and a girl. Through he sunglasses Bella was able to better scrutinize the group as she and Tracey set up the umbrella and the towels.

The guys were average in looks. One was a bout 6'ft creamy tanned dirty blonde, the second was a little shorter, looked mixed with a short curly hair, and the last was dark skinned, he was fully black. They were all kidding around with heavy southern accents that didn't belong to Jacksonville. It was the girl Bella scrutinized the longest. From where she could judge, Bella realized the girl was about the same height as Bella, 5'4, she had flawless skin the color of burnt sienna, and long thick black curly hair that fell around her collar bone, full lips that faded from a burgundy- pink to brown, and a defined nose. The girl also wore sunglasses; Bella could not see her eyes. Inside Bella cringed with envy; she thought the girl was beautiful. What annoyed Bella even more was how effortless she made it look.

When the girl opened her mouth to speak it was an effortless French. And Bella couldn't help groaning. The guys were looking, the girls were looking, and kids were looking. It wasn't like this girl wanted the attention, it just happened that way. Suddenly the girl turned to face Bella, who whipped her head around immediately. She heard one of the guys laugh and say something in return. Bella and Tracey tanned for a bit speaking idly about things. Edward, fall semester, over seas trips, and such. Suddenly there was a shadow.

"Hey…"

Bella sat up suddenly and looked at the figure standing next to her. It was the same girl from before. "Hey." Bella replied as well as Tracey who smiled from ear to ear.

"I was wondering if I could sit with you guys for a bit. I think my presence is killing my boys flirting game." She said huskily, she also had a heavy French-southern accent. Neither of them had heard anything like it before. Bella nodded and Tracey responded, "Sure! I'm Tracey this is Isabella!" she extended her hand.

The girl shook it and then said hers. "Melisandre."

"Nice to meet you, Mel. Where you from?" Trace always was able to start a conversation easily.

"Louisiana. I live in of the bayous near the old French quarter. Not far from New Orleans."

"Ah." Bella smiles, "That explains the French I heard earlier."

"Yeah." Melisandre smiled. "Are you two native to Jacksonville or..?"

"I'm not. I'm from Phoenix but I'm living in a small town called Forks in Washington State. It's a few hours drive from Seattle. Trace is from here though."

"Oh cool. What a coincidence. I'm heading to Seattle in September. The band," Melisandre pointed to the group of guys who were now splashing around with a couple of other girls. "And I are actually going to do a show there. And then I was going to head up to… La Push or La Plush- I could never remember the name." she smiled.

"La Push. I like the way you say it better." Bella corrected. "Really I guess we could exchange numbers and emails? Maybe hang out?"

"Sure. The band is playing at Plush tonight and we're leaving tomorrow to head back to New Orleans. You guys are invited."

"Thanks!" Tracey grinned. "We'll definitely come!" she sounded excited to find a place to hang out that night.

Bella nodded. She wasn't one for shows but that night she enjoyed Melisandre's husky accented voice. Who wouldn't? The lyrics of their band were something Bella couldn't forget. It almost sounded as though Melisandre had known Bella for her entire life. How weird. She would definitely have to tell Edward about her new musical interest.

--

2 months later, Sept. 13th Seattle, Washington

The Showbox nightclub and concert hall was packed from the front all the way to the bar. The events tonight showed up and coming bands and Ephemeral Resonance, Melisandre's band was one of them. In fact it was the main show of the night. Bella was fidgeting; she managed to drag along Edward, Alice, and Jasper to the event. After two months of exchanging emails and a few phone calls, Melisandre and Bella were going to meet again. At first the trio were a bit worried about Jasper being around so many humans but he made sure to feed and promised to flee at the first sign of any struggle with his… issues.

"Do you see her?" Edward asked watching Bella's impatience. Alice was grasping Bella's hand eager to see the new friend. Bella had not described her but Alice had an idea of whom the girl might be considering she did some research. Jasper simply waited quietly out of curiosity. Finally the lights dimmed and a male voice spoke.

"Hi, I'm Edmond, most of you know me as Mondo." His southern accent made some people chuckle. "I'm the manager and keyboardist of the band. I thank all of you in advanced for coming out to see us. Our First song of the night will be 'Hundred Petal Rose Drop.'" Edmond finished his introduction and the other band members shuffled onto the stage, Melisandre being last. Bella, who stood the middle, left of the stage and Melisandre's right, pointed directly at the petite girl onstage.

"There!" she said excitedly.

The music then started and the entire hall was filled with the crooning of Melisandre's husky second soprano voice. With the change of every song came the change of her voice. Bella nodded her head at the right moments and there were times when her and Alice caught themselves attempting to sway and dance (Bella with great difficulty) in their small space. Every now and then Melisandre would stir up the crowd by jumping in to it and performing right in the middle. By the end of the two hours Melisandre's neat curls were messy and frizzy but still managed to cascade nicely around her shoulders.

"Hey! Everybody! I know it's a little late in the game to say that but at least I can comfortably say that now that I know everyone enjoyed the show!" Melisandre grinned. There were cheers from the crowd and a few people called out different things.

"E.R.! E.R.! E.R.!" some started to cheer.

"You're southern accent is sexy! WHOOOO!!" someone yelled.

"Hahaha! Thanks! I appreciate that!" she returned, trying not to blush.

"Outfit is HOT!" screamed a girl.

"Thank you but I didn't choose it. I know some of you got an eyeful though." Melisandre responded smoothly. "Anyway I have two announcements. One, I have a friend here and its her 21st birthday today! If who ever is with her could just point her out. Bella?"

Bella did her best to duck under but wicked Edward lifted her effortlessly and the spotlight landed on her. She was embarrassed and furious. She'd get Mel for that later.

"Thanks! If everyone could wish her happy birthday, buy her a drink. Don't get too close though she's got a bodyguard boyfriend!" the crowd laughed and a few chimed in the happy birthday tune. "Oh yeah can't forget my buddy Jake standing in the back who came to support me despite how out of the way it was!" Mel waved at him. And lastly we are having our after party at Trinity nightclub! Be there drinks are on us BUT you have to be 21 to drink! Just say E.R. at the door and they'll tell you where to go. Thanks again for being here and enjoying the show. Thank you again to the club coordinators who were a big help and to the scouts who came out! Be safe!" she smirked bowed and blew a kiss at the crowd, and stepped off stage… not without tripping over the microphone cord first and then laughing at herself.

--

Melisandre ran up to Jacob Black and hopped on his back. Even he was surprised by how high she sprinted in a mini-dress and 3 inch heels. She was his pen pal that he had been writing to for the past two years. Even then Jacob had found it weird how from the very first letter he sent through the Reservation Pals Network he was able to click with a complete stranger. The small ad he had come across with her name and picture on it made him curious. Although he never told her about the werewolf part, everything else she practically knew about his life. It wasn't until two nights ago that he finally met her that he realized there was so much about this woman that he did not know about. All the same she had treated him no different to any of her friends and corky outgoing and sharp disposition, intimidated as well as drew people to her.

Jacob cradled the girl on his back as she locked her arms and legs around him. This had become her habit since she met him, it must be the height, he thought to himself.

"You were great! I didn't realize how nice you're voice is. Warm up was nothing!" Jacob congratulated, slowly spinning around.

"Blleeeaaarrggghhh!! I was major nervous!" she whispered into his ear. "You're the first to know. Shhh! Tell no one. I'm a major narcissist by heart so I do not feel such silly human emotions such as fear, nervousness, and regret!" she laughed as Jacob snorted.

"Like hell you don't!"

"Fanks much!" she rubbed her face in his long thick pitch-black hair. He allowed it to grow out in the time frame and was glad that he did. Melisandre seemed to appreciate it a lot. Suddenly she was humping his back.

"Hurry up! To Bella we go! We must deliver the presents!" Mel said in a whiney voice. "I want to get to my drinking buddies at Trinity! Free drinks don't last all night!"

Jacob laughed. That was one of her vices, although she wasn't violent, Mel could get very… touchy feely. And was very persuasive at doing it too.

"How about you go? I am not really on great terms with her boyfriend and their family, remember?"

"NO! We go together! Or you no give present at all!?" Mel tightened her vice grip around his neck. "NOW!" she hissed.

Jacob smiled. "Fine Fine!"

He walked over to the group waiting for Mel at the doors. He stopped 5 feet away from them and nodded in the direction of Edward, Alice, and Jasper. Out of polite courtesy, the trio returned the acknowledgement. For a moment Jacob wondered whether Edward could hear the thoughts of Melisandre. To Bella he turned and bowed.

"A gift for the birthday girl." He grinned crookedly, as Bella came face to face with Mel on his back.

"Surprise!" Melisandre said holding out a small green wrapped box.

"You IDIOT! What was that shout out!? I told you I am not comfortable with the topic of my birthday! And I'm not 21, I'm 20!" Bella grabbed the box absentmindedly.

"Oh! I only said that last part so you could drink at Trinity." Mel smiled, sliding off Jacob's back. She was wearing a turquoise v-neck spaghetti strapped shirt that was pleated under the breast and stopped mid thigh, a large glittering amethyst broach pinned in between. Under it she wore sleek black tights and on her feet were loose suede purple 3inch heeled boots that resembled jack sparrows. Once again Bella felt like she was way too plain even though that was a simple outfit, Mel still had the curves and boobs to pull it off. Bella had…. Enough.

"I'm not drinking…" Bella added

"Just one!" Mel coaxed.

"No!"

"Why?"

"Because… I'm under aged…" Bella stated the only thing that she could think of. She had no clue what she was like when she drank.

"That's a week ass excuse. You're not driving home. You're not getting drunk, only one drink. Plus you may get an extra make out session with your beau. Seriously, you look like you've been struggling in that department."

Bella's mouth dropped open. Edward's eyebrows furrowed. He was starting not to like this girl. Bella chucked the box back at Mel who caught it aimlessly.

"You… bitch!" Bella growled.

"That was just a guess, but I see I hit a nerve. Ooo sorry." Mel responded effortlessly.

"That doesn't sound like a very sincere apology." Edward growled.

"Its not." Croaked Bella, Melisandre, and Jacob all at once. It sort of caught him off guard. Alice chuckled and Jasper smiled.

"Sir Edward Cullen!" Melisandre taunted. "Apparently Lady Isabella Swan did not give you a hint into my personality. So allow me to fill you in. What ever I think chances are I speak it. I may sugar coat or add some spices make it sound pretty but the over all affect I get across is that I…. just don't give a fuck about what you or anyone thinks about me. I don't go too far out of my way to please assholes, stuck ups and bullshitters. But I'm pretty easy to get along with"

"Well. Now that I know I'll keep that in mind." Edward added promptly. He really was not going to like this girl.

"I mean even if you may not like me and I may not like you I still try to show you a level of respect and privacy. So! I'd kindly appreciate it…." Melisandre took a step forward closer to Edward and leaned in slightly. "If you would stop trying to pick my mind." She finished and leaned back.

The astonishment in Edwards eye could not be hidden and Bella slightly drained of color. She didn't tell Melisandre anything about Edward's gifts… nor that he was a vampire. Bella looked automatically at Jacob. He shrugged half-heartedly and looked away, apparently he hadn't told her about the werewolf thing either. Now he too wondered what Melisandre knew about him. Melisandre laughed at their reactions. Jasper's smile widened. He liked this girl… she smelled really, good. Even more so when she seemed happy. Better than Bella. Better than any human he had ever encountered. Perhaps it was best that he took his leave.

"What do you know?" Edward gritted through his teeth.

"Nada!" Melisandre grinned and started to walk away when Alice pounced on her grinning from ear to ear.

"Aaawww don't let my brother's attitude ruin the mood." Alice smiled.

"Its fine, fine. I'm not mad. He has every reason to be suspicious. I just feel like now isn't the time." Melisandre grinned at Jasper although talking to Alice. "C'mon C'mon! To Trinity, it's not going to be Bella's birthday for much longer." The group of them marched out headed to the club.

At the club things were taking a better turn. Obviously Bella refused to dance, Edward did his best to make her, Alice sat with Melisandre at the bar chatting up the bartender, and Jacob danced with a few girls. For Bella it was a first time going out with her friends in a "normal" social gathering. Even when she is at college her and Edward stuck to each other like supa glue. Bella watched as Alice and Melisandre mingled with other guys and girls who approached them. It was as it the two attracted a buzz of attention. For a moment she thought of flies to honey, where they would be trapped a die a slow, starving death. Because although they came to gain something from the two girl's presence, they would get nothing but honeyed words that would render them useless. Bella sighed; she was never like that sort of enigma. Maybe to Edward when they first met but after that, there was nothing much left. Bella was just simply Bella. While Alice was the cute, friendly, funny, mysterious pixie girl and Melisandre was the outgoing, sophisticated, funny, mysterious elfin girl. Now that she thought about it. Melisandre and Alice were in some ways more compatible to be friends.

"What are you thinking about looking over at those two?" Edward interrupted her thoughts. "You're just as beautiful as those two and possibly as fun." He smiled. They were married now. Youngest married couple in all of Forks, and Forks wasn't that big. Now that they were in this club they were probably the only married couple there. Bella smiled, well that was at least something special, her love for Edward.

"In some ways I am glad that you are able to observe me instead of reading my thoughts. At least there is something private in that itself." Bella kissed him on his lips. "I should warn you though that beauty is the least of my concerns when it comes to those two. Mel in particular. She's like me."

"What? She's clumsy?" Edward bantered.

"No, dummy. She's a magnet for trouble. However she's so used to it that she's a lot more equipped to handle it than me." Bella paused for a moment. "Think of her as Cat woman who's not really evil but instead has a knack for attracting trouble from good and evil and me who… is just plain Rachel... or Louis Lane." Bella smirked.

Edward rolled his eyes. "Forget about them. What shall my wife do for me tonight?"

"That depends on how nice you are to my friends."

"Well then I guess we'll have to get super friendly then! Lets go take shots with Alice and Mel." He emphasized as he tugged her over to their direction.

"And what about Jacob?" Bella knew that this was a sore subject. She watched as Edward's face went through a series of expressions.

"Bella, you know how that's going to work out already. Can we not go through this tonight… please."

"Fine."

Bella watched as Jacob stood on Melisandre's left, speaking into her ear about something. As Melisandre furrowed her eyebrows she looked to look from the corner of her eye at Edward. It was no a direct gaze, but although she did not turn her head, Bella turned to see the frown appear on Edwards face. Melisandre gave a sharp reply to Jacob that he suddenly changed his facial expression to surprise and anger. Bella noticed then noticed Edwards face lighten and continued the two continued on their path. When they reached their destination the mood was tense but neither Alice nor Mel allowed that to stop their drinking games. Jacob stood a little further from the group but not too far from Melisandre. Normally Jacob never hung around this long without a reason. Didn't the two only meet a few nights ago? What kind of leash did she have on him and was Edward getting the gist of this as well? Bella could do nothing but observe. She tried to keep her mood as light as possible to get the mood lifted.

Gradually Jacob's facial expression lifted to worry. Alice and Melisandre were both drinking way too much and the worry it was beginning to cause was evident on his face. Alice may get away with five mixed drinks and shots back to back to back but Mel was human. Alcohol poisoning was the main problem that might come up. Even Alice was starting to get a little weird, she had nearly groped Edward in the nether regions but missed by grasping his thigh, which caused him to hiss and promptly yank her hand away.

"Oops. I'm so used to Jasper standing behind me!" Alice chuckled but that didn't stop her from shooting Edward a sultry glance. "Can you find my huzzzzy for me?" she laughed again. Bella's face was red with embarrassment and jealousy. Look how easy it was for the all knowing Alice to just brush off and friendly grope Edward. Why was she always so self-conscious when it came to things like that?

Edward turned to Jacob, just looking at him for a moment. Then he spoke in a soft tone.

"Jacob?" Edward started.

"What?"

"I really think you should do what you're thinking. Melisandre doesn't look like the type to just walk away easily. We'll take care of Alice." He was looking straight ahead of him.

Jacob gave him an annoyed look. That damn gift of his had its annoyances.

"You don't know that Melisandre can do. If I tell her that she had enough I think she would listen to me. The 'ready to go home' part may take some coaxing." Jacob glanced down at Melisandre next to him and gently tugged on her hair strands and whispered in her ear. To Bella observing this that gesture was a little too familiar and it annoyed her.

"Alice come on. I'm sure Jasper will be more than thrilled to relieve your… stress. Just keep your ass as happy go lucky as possible until we get back home." Edward hoisted Alice off the barstool. "Bella?" he realized she did not hear him; she was looking at Melisandre and Jacob exchanging words. Edward read Jacob's mind enough to know what Jacob was worried about and it wasn't just alcohol poisoning.

Bella was at Melisandre's side and smiled as best as she could.

"Thanks for the drink Mel. The Birthday shout out I'm still pissed off about but I'll forgive if you answer my question."

"Oh? What question?" Melisandre looked baffled.

Bella whispered in her ear. "Are you into wolves and younger men?"

"Get the hell out of here! What kind of question is that? Age is nothing but a number, babes. You should learn that. It doesn't matter as long as the younger man is mature. And the first was just plain…. ugh. For one I hate the smell of wet fur." Melisandre thought for a moment. "But wolves are cool. Wait… what did I say before I am never going to remember this shit in the morning. Why did you ask?"

"Yeah, Bella? Why did you ask whatever you asked?" Jacob interjected.

"I'm curious myself." Edward said.

"No reason." Bella wondered why Mel had to answer so loudly. Bella rolled her eyes. Oh right. She's drunk.

"How old are you anyway to be drinking so much!? Jeeze you're doing to pass out any second from liver failure." Bella snapped

"21." Mel stated promptly, taking a chocolatini from the bar tender. "Besides this is my last one and then I'm heading to Port Angeles."

"As of when were you 21?" Jacob asked. He realized in the entire time he had been emailing her she had never told him her birthday.

"As of," she took out her cell from her clutch, " five minutes ago at 3:15 this morning."

"September 14th?" Bella asked incredulously.

"Yup!" Mel answered jovially. " I usually forget because I'm working or something but now that you mentioned it," she laughed at herself. Suddenly Jacob hoisted her over his shoulder after taking away the empty glass.

"Time to head back now. Say bye bye." Jacob said.

"Bye, bye!" Melisandre copied obediently.

"Say bye bye to Alice now." he said again, as he turned her to face the grinning pixie.

"Bye, Bye, Alice." She waved.

"Bye Bella, Cullen, Alice." Jacob nodded and then left. Tonight was going to be long and hard. Mel would certainly be pitching up all her drinks, sleepless, and hungry. Maybe he might be able to get her over her hang over enough to enjoy her birthday.