Chapter 3

Disclaimer: You all know this but Stephanie Meyer is the true author of Twilight. I am the author of this Fanfiction.

Now, I know it has been forever and a day since I last added a chapter to this so thanks to those fans who have stuck with me. =] I'm still taking title suggestions so let's get those creative minds working! Until then, I'm just going to use my own title that's not Bella's Talent 2 because obviously Bella has found her talent and this has nothing to do with that anymore. TITLES PEOPLE!

Bella's POV

I pulled the jeep in front of Jake's home and cut the motor. I sat there for a bit, tears streaming uncontrollably down my cheeks. I was thinking about Edward, his perfect face bearing a look of loss and betrayal as I left. To know I had brought on this reaction and could have prevented it brought on a new wave of tears. I looked out the windows to see the starting drops of rain. How fitting, I thought, that when I cry the sky cries with me. The depressing rain came down harder, doing nothing to help my mood. I attempted to blink away the tears and failed, instead sending them down my face. I let the truly horrific idea of this new vampire ruining the Cullens' peaceful existence wash over me. I was at the point where this, coupled with my going against Edward's wishes was enough to put me over the edge when I heard a loud tapping at my window. I squinted to see through the water streaming down the glass. I sniffled and wiped at my eyes, preparing to face whoever was on the other side of my door. I cautiously reached for the handle and pushed open the door quickly. Then I heard a thud and my door shook and refused to budge.

"I am so sorry." I heard the familiar voice of Jacob Black tinged with concern. I swung my feet out the door, instantly soaking my shoes. Jacob came around the door. His long, dark hair was plastered to his head and water ran down his face and dripped off his chin. He offered me a closed umbrella. I took it from him then thought, what's the point? I was already soaked up to my knees from having my feet out of the jeep. A few raindrops had blown in as well leaving spots on the outfit I had borrowed from Rosalie. I pulled myself out of the vehicle, immediately drenching myself. I handed the umbrella back to Jake and shut the door. I stuffed the key to the jeep into the pocket of my jeans and walked leisurely toward Jake's home. I glanced back and saw him following me, his eyebrows furrowed with worry. I also saw the dent in the door Emmett's jeep that Jake had apologized for. Emmett wasn't going to be happy, I thought glumly. I made it to the front door and, finding it open, stepped inside. I stood for a moment, water dripping off of me and onto the floor. Jacob followed me in. He squeezed past where I was standing and disappeared down the hallway. He came back holding a fluffy, green towel. Jake came and draped it over my shoulders. I wrapped it tightly around myself and headed towards the couch. I sat in the corner and curled myself in a tight ball; my teeth were chattering.

"What's wrong?" Jake asked, sounding years younger than he usually did. He joined me on the couch, keeping his distance. I noticed that he was already dry. I didn't answer his question immediately and instead just looked at him. Jake was shirtless as I had seen him many times, and he was wearing a pair of warm-looking sweatpants. He had dark circles under his eyes and a twig or two snarled in his hair. Jake offered me a small smile when he saw me taking him in, but his eyes were still glazed with concern. Then I felt moisture sting the back of my eyes as a dreadful thought crept into my head. If the Cullens' lives were ruined by this vampire, no doubt the wolves would be her next targets. Jacob and his friends would be hunted and even possibly—I couldn't bear to finish the thought. Jacob noticed my rapid blinking and reached his hand towards me and let it rest on my knee.

"Bella?" Jake asked slowly as if waiting to see how I was going to react next. He moved a little closer but still giving me more than enough space of my own. "Bella, it's okay." I wasn't quite sure what he was talking about but inside of me some barrier snapped and the tears I had been trying so hard to hold back spilled over and flowed freely down my already tear streaked face. Jacob opened his arms to me and I eagerly closed the distance between us. I buried my face against his warm chest, drops of wetness falling onto him where they seemed to sizzle away. Jacob's arms held me tightly against him and I was grateful for his warming embrace and comforting words.

"New vampire..." I managed to choke out between sobs. Although I knew he was fully aware of the new vampire's presence, I was saying it so Jacob wouldn't think I was breaking down for no reason.

"I know...I know." Jake repeated soothingly. He traced calming circles on my back with one heated hand. I bit my lip, trying to hold back the shuddering sobs and compose myself. Jacob's hand came up to my face and gently wiped at my tears. I enjoyed the reassuring warmth of his hand against my cheek and he let it rest there a while. "Help me Jake." I whispered pitifully, still trying not to completely melt down. I closed my eyes and curled up closer to my friend.

"Sure, anything Bella." Jake answered, his hot breath blowing on the top of my head. I pulled back so I could look at his face. He wore a gentle, caring expression.

"Does Sam know?" I asked quietly. Jake shook his head slowly.

"I just woke up a short while ago," he offered as an explanation. I nodded, not really thinking too much about it as long as the news got to the pack eventually. I moved my hands from their place around Jacob to take the towel off my shoulders. Being this close to Jake had started drying me. Outside I heard the beginning rumbles of thunder. My thoughts drifted to Edward and the Cullens. I thought of them waiting in and around the remaining car. Given the current circumstances, I guessed that they would be waiting in silence.

"The Cullens want the help of the whole pack, don't they?" Jacob guessed. I realized that I hadn't quite gotten to that part yet. I nodded slowly. "You do know how difficult it could be getting them to agree to any sort of alliance..." he added unsurely.

"That's why I came to you. I know you can convince them. Or at least try. Once you tell them of the new vampire, they'll listen. They have to!" I said while trying to keep the desperation out of my voice. Jake looked at me then out the window. He turned back to me, his expression thoughtful, and smiled slightly.

"Do you have any suggestions on how to go about telling them?" Jake asked. I grinned and threw my arms around his neck.

"I knew you would help!" I said with much more excitement than the situation required. I pulled him in for a tight hug. I didn't let go until I heard Billy clearing his throat from somewhere behind me. I released Jake immediately. Some time during my hysteric outburst I had found my way practically on Jacob's lap. Now, I scooted as far from him as the couch allowed without seeming too rude. I pulled my knees up to my chin, trying to hide the embarrassed blush that I felt on my cheeks. For a dad who just happened upon his son with a girl on his lap, Billy acted very calmly.

"Is there something you're not telling me?" Billy asked, amusement coloring his tone. Unsure of who the question was directed to, I turned to Jake. He was smirking at Billy like they were sharing some unspoken joke. Then his grin quickly faded from his face.

"There's another vampire in Forks." Jake said gravely. I turned back to Billy to gauge his reaction. He had closed his eyes and was nodding slowly. This certainly wasn't quite the reaction I was expecting.

"Have you alerted the pack?" Billy asked. I stared at him in shock. He was reacting so calmly to the fact, as if he had known it would happen eventually.

"I was getting to that." Jacob responded with a roll of his eyes. He looked me in the eyes. "Are you going to be fine by yourself for a few minutes?" He asked carefully. He tensed, as if preparing himself for another emotional meltdown. I nodded but still felt the pricks of unwanted tears at the back of my eyes. I blinked them back and watched as Jacob got up to leave. I moved one of my hands from its place around my knees and caught Jacob's hand in mine.

"Thank you." I whispered with a small smile. Jacob grinned at me then let go of it, his expression regretful. A couple of fluid strides brought him to the door. He walked out the door, not bothering to grab an umbrella. When the door shut, I sat in silence. I heard Billy maneuver his wheelchair as he turned to go into the kitchen.

"Wait, Billy!" I called out. "Can I use your phone?"

Edward's POV

I dashed through the trees in pursuit of a frightened deep. Flickers of thoughts and indecipherable images flashed in my mind.

I hope he's alright... Esme.

...always overreacting... Rosalie.

...maybe baseball later if he's up to it. The weather... Emmett.

Then, an image of Bella, her beautiful face streaked with tears, seated on Jacob's lap, laying her soaked head against his bare chest brought me to a sudden stop. I growled ferociously at the image. I heard and smelled the deep trample away from me, its relief obvious. I gritted my teeth and looked skyward. A single drop of moisture landed in the corner of my eye and streaked down my cheek. More rain found its way through the covering of leaves, its smell just beginning to overwhelm the scent of prey.

I closed my eyes and focused all of my predatory senses on the quickly fading scent. I honed in on the deer that I had let escape. It was grazing not too far away, completely forgetting the imminent danger it had been in just moments ago. I moved in the direction of my prey as swiftly and stealthily as possible until the deer was in my sight.

The deer, a strong, young buck, was just beginning to notice the rain. He raised his head majestically and glanced around, wide eyes unblinkingly scanning the clearing. For a moment, I thought I saw recognition in the buck's dark eyes as they rested on the tree I was peering out from behind. I crouched low, the muscles in my legs tense with anticipation, preparing to lunge. I was about to spring on the animal when I felt the low vibration of my cell phone in my pocket. A deep growl escaped my lips. The buck's eyes widened with fear and it leaped gracefully out of the clearing. I whipped the small phone out and held it to my ear, too annoyed to even bother to check who it was.

"Hello?" I said through clenched teeth, barely restraining my frustration.

"Edward?" Bella's voice was quiet and hoarse and yet, music to my ears. I relaxed instantly and felt the anger of losing the hunt melting away.

"What is it, love?" I asked. I heard Bella let out her breath in a sigh of relief.

"It's good to hear your voice." Bella admitted shyly. I could picture her blushing. I smiled to myself.

"How did it go with the wolves?" I asked.

"Jacob is going to talk with the now." I cringed as his name conjured up the image I had seen before. "I've told him all I can." Bella said. Refusing to let that image control my thoughts, I responded,

"That's great. Will you be back at the border soon then?" I questioned hopefully. Bella paused. There was a rustle and a crackling noise on the other end. "Bella?" I called into the static.

"Hmmm..." Bella murmured, "maybe. I guess I've done all that I can. Should I ask Jake?" Bella asked quietly.

"No," I responded a little too quickly. "I'm sure he's busy. Just let Billy know where you're going and have him or Jacob get a hold of Carlisle with any information." I added, my mood already lifting rapidly.

"Shouldn't I at least wait for Jake to come back?" Bella asked carefully.

"Please Bella. It could be a while and you have done all that you possibly can. Plus..." I paused for half a second. "I really want to see you, Bella." I told her truthfully. Bella's breathing quickened adorably. I found myself beaming.

"Okay, of course. I'm coming right away." Bella decided hurriedly. "I love you," she added softly.

"I love you too," I responded. She said her goodbye and I heard the click of her hanging up. I snapped my phone shut and took one last look in the direction that the buck ran off in. Then I turned my back on it and ran in the other direction, back towards my family where I would be reuniting with Bella.

Alice's POV

I looked down at Japer's hand which was entwined in mine. My gaze traveled up to expensive Italian watch he wore on his wrist. I sighed impatiently. Both Edward and Bella had been gone a long time. Plus, I had no way of seeing when they would return. Jasper's grip tightened and he pulled me closer to him. We were sitting in the back of Edward's car, waiting out the rain that had suddenly started up. In the front seat Emmett and Rosalie were seated as close as the separate seats allowed.

"I'll bet you any money that Edward comes back first." Emmett was saying to Rosalie with a challenging grin.

"My money's on Bella then." Rosalie said with a roll of her eyes, but returning the smile. Jasper let out an exaggerated sigh. I leaned my head on his shoulder just as I was taken into a vision.

Edward materialized out of the shadows just as Emmett's jeeps crossed the border. Edward was opening the door and Bella launched herself into his waiting arms.

The vision ended as suddenly as it had started. "Name your price." I announced with a sly smirk.

"Alice, honey, there are no more options." Jasper whispered sweetly.

"They could, and will, arrive at the same time." I said certainly. Emmett and Rosalie exchanged looks. Then both turned to look at me skeptically.

"I thought you didn't have visions anymore." Rosalie said with an arched eyebrow. I didn't respond and instead adorned my most innocent expression and blinked demurely. Emmett was grinning wildly.

"$500?" Emmett suggested. I lifted my head off Jasper's shoulder and tilted it in shock at the low offer. "$5,000?" He asked. I nodded with a satisfied smile.

"Alice..." Jasper warned. I gripped his hand even tighter. Jasper sighed again, this time with a smile.

"I'm betting against Alice." Emmett said smugly, clearly proud of that fact yet completely unaware of my advantage. Then again, how did I know that I could even trust this vision and that it's not just what the female wants me to see. Rosalie's dark eyes shifted to the border.

"C'mon Bella." She whispered so softly I wasn't sure anyone was meant to hear. I lowered my head back onto Jasper's shoulder. His hand that was linked with mine untangled itself and wound around my waist, pulling me tightly to him. I sighed with pleasure and cuddled up closer to his sturdy form. A loud crack of thunder made the frame of the car shudder with force.

"Baseball tonight?" Emmett asked turning back to face me and Jasper.

"Of course." Jasper and I said in unison. I smiled. Despite everything that had happened, there was one thing we would never do and that was back down from a game of baseball. Emmett grinned in satisfaction and took Rosalie's hand in his.

"How about you, Rose?" Emmett asked, squeezing her hand in his. Rose smiled wryly.

"Did you even have to ask?" She answered. I sighed contentedly and toned out the rest of the conversation. Listening as far out as my vampiric hearing allowed, I waited for the return of Edward and Bella. After only a few moments, I heard the crunch of sticks underfoot signally Edward's swift return. Simultaneously, I heard the flawless running of Emmett's jeep's motor making it's way to the borderline. I smiled knowingly, closed my eyes, relaxed and waited to be proven right.

Okay, REVIEW!!! This is another long chapter and another is in the works. I'm still taking title suggestions so...yeah!