Nothing all that exciting to report. I do hope you all enjoy this chapter though!

I'd like to take a moment to ask you all to check out "Behind the Velvet Rope" by MCGT. I cannot say enough good things about her and this story. It is an amazing piece of work, and I am thankful to be able to be even a small part of it.

Also - check out "Crooked Halo's and Ink Junkies" by ecandme

There's no reason
There's no compromise
Change in seasons
Living the high life
I don't know you
So don't freak on me
I can't control you
You're not my destiny

Straight out of line
I can't find a reason
Why I should justify my ways
Straight out of line
I don't need a reason
You don't need to lie to me

"Jesus, Bella." Jake took a giant step backwards. He was silent for a few moments as his hand rubbed roughly across the back of his neck. "I said easy questions, easy, Bella. That is far from fucking easy."

I stared at him, crossing my arms across my chest, and waited patiently as I watched a barrage of emotions project across his face.

"Well since you asked me, I guess I'm not breaking any rules here by telling you." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Yes. The legends are true," he whispered.

"Fuck, Jake." I threw my hands in the air and started pacing. "I don't how much more of this I can take. First vampires, now werewolves?"

"So you know about vampires now. Guess the cat's out of the bag about the Cullens, huh?" he said with disgust.

"Yes, Jake. I know about vampires. One tried to kill me this weekend," I answered through clenched teeth, continuing my frantic pacing. I had convinced myself that I was prepared to hear the truth, that I would accept Jake for whatever he was. But I found myself cracking, falling apart after days of being held together by nothing but pure stubbornness. Even the strongest of things eventually cracked.

"Kill you? A Cullen? Those fucking bloodsuckers! I'll tear them limb from limb," Jake hissed.

I stopped and turned to face him. His massive frame was shaking slightly and his hands were curled into fists. My eyes narrowed as I closed the distance between us.

"Goddamn, Jake, it wasn't a fucking Cullen! Some red-eyed nomad in the woods. The Cullens saved me, Jake," I spat inches from his face. Jake recoiled back and after a few moments sighed.

"We couldn't catch him. We tried, but he kept jumping the line, one side of the treaty to the other," he admitted, his shoulders slouching forward in defeat. "I'm sorry that we didn't, and that you were put in danger, and mostly, I'm sorry it was the Cullens who had to save you." He shook his head, turning to absently punch a nearby tree, sending leaves and branches falling unceremoniously to the ground.

I scoffed and threw my hands in the air. "What the shit, Jake?"

"I'm sorry, I don't trust them," he said, wiping the fallen leaves from his hair and shoulders.

I waved my hand in the air dismissively. "That's your problem, not mine."

Jake and I stood in silence, staring at each other for what seemed like hours. Finally, he shoved his hand in his pockets and rolled back on his heels. "So um…now that you know…." he trailed off.

I couldn't help it, I laughed. The whole situation reminded me again why we were friends in the first place. Neither had ever been successful at staying mad at the other. All of our fights ended the same way; periods of silence followed by a change of topic, and suddenly everything was okay again.

"It doesn't matter, Jake. You're still you...just of the over-sized dog variety," I said, laughing. "You can be my new pet!" I ducked out of the way as Jake attempted to wrap his arms around my waist. Standing straight up he pouted.

"Dog? Really, Bella...that hurts," he answered, sticking his bottom lip out even further.

"Aww, come here, mutt. Give me a hug," I responded, opening my arms wide in invitation. He laughed as he closed the distance between us, wrapping his massive arms around my tiny shoulders. He rested his cheek against the top of my head, then pulled away suddenly.

"No offense, Bells, but you reek," he stated, making a show of pinching his nose and backing away.

"I'm sorry, what?" I asked, slightly offended. "Jesus, Jake. If that's the way you speak to the ladies, no wonder you're still single." I watched as Jake's eyes darted quickly behind me, focusing on his house, before returning to my face.

"What I mean is...you reek of bloodsucker. What'd ya do, rub up against one of them? You're covered in it," he answered.

I felt the heat rise to my cheeks as I thought back to the scene in Edward's foyer. Jake's face fell as he noticed my blush.

"Oh, Bells...no," he whispered.

"It's none of your business, Jake. Drop it," I said sternly, shooting him a warning look.

"Fine. But only because there is something I want to show you. But...we will discuss this later, Bella," he answered, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I stared at him a moment before I sighed in defeat. I knew Jake wouldn't let it drop, just as I knew had it been me, I wouldn't have either. We were too much alike, he and I. "So what do you want to show me then?" I asked.

"Follow me." He grabbed my hand and practically dragged me behind him to the edge of the clearing in front of his house. "Ok. You're gonna love this, but you have to stay here, got it?" he said, his eyes dancing with excitement and a tinge of apprehension.

"Sure, sure," I answered, smiling at the way the use of his catch phrase made him laugh.

"Ok, stay there!" he shouted as he ran to the center of the clearing. I crossed my arms and waited, cautious of what he was he wanted me to see.

I stared at Jake as he looked back at me with a Cheshire Cat like grin. He was up to something, of that much I was sure. Suddenly the air around him started to shimmer, originating from his body and rippling outwards. He crouched low to the ground, placing one hand on the earth and the other behind him, before springing up. His body exploded into an unruly mass of reddish brown fur. My mouth dropped open and I instinctively took a step backwards. Standing before me was no longer Jake, my best friend, but instead I was staring into the deep, dark eyes of a massive wolf. He trotted towards me, stopping a few inches from where I stood. A small, nervous laugh worked its way up my throat as I held my hand out and slowly reached to his fur. Jake leaned his head down, pushing the bridge of his nose against my hand.

"Can you hear me?" I asked, rubbing my palm against the thick, course hair of his nose as one might do to the family dog. His head nodded in response. "Jake this is so fucking cool. Can I like…ride you? You know...like a horse?" A loud gurgling sound erupted from him and I realized he was laughing. Slowly he retreated, turning and disappearing into the forest on the other side of the yard.

"Bella, turn around! I have to go get pants," Jake's voice yelled from somewhere among the trees. I snorted as I turned around and covered my mouth with my hand to stifle my laughter. Less than a minute later I heard footsteps behind me. I spun around and watched as Jake jogged towards me, a shit eating grin plastered on his face.

"Well?" he asked

"Jake…that was….that was amazing."

"I know," he laughed. Suddenly his eyes darted behind me again as his mood became serious. "Bella, there is one more thing."

I raised my eyebrow, waiting for him to continue.

"Remember earlier, when you so nicely pointed out that my woman wooing skills were lacking?" I nodded as he grabbed hold of my shoulders. "There's someone I want you to meet," he said as he turned me slowly around to face his house.

Standing in the doorway was a tall, beautiful, dark haired girl. Her face lit up as she looked past me to Jake. I looked at Jake from over my shoulder and saw his smile matching hers. He pushed me forward, forcing me closer to the porch as she stepped out of the doorway. The fading sunlight caught strands of her hair, causing a soft halo to appear around head.

"Bella, this is Michelle," he said softly, letting go of my shoulders as I reached the bottom step of the porch and ascended the stairs to wrap the girl in his arms. He lifted her off her feet and twirled her around as he hugged her close to him, causing her to softly giggle.

I watched the scene, feeling oddly comforted. It was obvious to me that my best friend was in love. The same kind of love I felt with Edward. He placed her back on her feet and stood behind her, wrapping his arms around waist and resting his chin against her shoulder. In response, she wrapped her arms around his and smiled down at me. A sudden pang of jealousy hit me. Not because I had romantic feelings towards Jake, but because I worried about what this would mean for our friendship.

It was obvious as to why he hadn't been around as of late. I was happy for him, but the more selfish part of me cried out for the inevitable restructuring of our relationship. She was now his top priority. Then, insecurity sank in. Would she like me? Would she force him to discontinue our friendship? Would the simple, comforting, physical aspect of our relationship change? Would he no longer be comfortable hugging me? Holding my hand? Letting me curl up on his lap while we watched Grade B horror movies together? Would he even be around to watch them anymore?

"Bella, I know that look. Relax. Nothing will change," Jake said reassuringly. I looked up at him, desperately wanting to believe he was telling the truth. But I knew better. I knew better because I realized that it wasn't just him who was changing. It was me as well. Edward had become my top priority. Edward had already nestled his way into my soul and Edward was the only one I wanted to be with. How could I blame Jake when I was to become guilty of the same things? I knew my time with Jake would become less and less as mine and Edward's relationship progressed. I knew it was Edward I would be snuggling up against as I forced him to watch my awful movies.

Still, part of me cried for the loss of my best friend, both by his actions and mine. My mind reminded me that it hadn't changed yet. He was still here, and he was still my best friend, and I had to do whatever I could to be friends with the woman who had stolen his heart. That in itself would be no easy task as I had never been one known for having girl friends. Except in the case of Alice, but she wasn't having it any other way. I found the girls my age to be petty, fake, annoying, and overly flirtatious.

I prayed that she would be different, that by some grace of God she would make this task bearable. And then it hit me. It didn't matter. It didn't matter if she was different, it didn't matter if she was the same as all the other girls I've known. This was my best friends love, and because of that, I had no other option than to love her, as much as I loved him. And also because secretly I knew that I would fight for some semblance of tolerance between Edward and Jake, hoping against hope they would put aside their differences, their natural revulsion to each other, just for the sake of me, as Michelle and I might have to do for Jake.

I smiled up at Michelle, climbing up the stairs with a new sense of determination. I would prove to Jake how easy this could be. "Hi. I'm Bella. It's wonderful to meet you," I said, extending my hand. She reached out and clasped my hand in return.

"I'm Michelle, but you already knew that," she said, laughing as she looked over her shoulder at Jake.

"So you're the one who's been monopolizing my best friend?" I said, my tone light and joking so she knew I wasn't serious.

"Guilty as charged," she answered, releasing my hand. As I stood in front of her, I noticed how distance had not done her justice. She was even more beautiful up close. She was tall, a good 2 or 3 inches taller than I was, with bright, clear, hazel eyes, a small nose and full lips. Her hair was long and dark, with hints of red shimmering as the twilight sun touched each strand.

"Can you stay a bit?" she asked. I pulled my phone from my pocket where I had stored it before leaving the car, and checked the time. It was only six-thirty.

"Yeah, I have some time," I answered, following behind Michelle and Jake as they walked back into the house. I stood in the doorway and looked around at the house I had spent so many summers in. Nothing had really changed, it was still small and simple, and that fact made me smile. The years may have passed, but this still felt like home.

"Would you like some coffee?" Michelle asked, moving to stand in the tight, cramped kitchen area.

"I see Jake has filled you in on my caffeine addiction, huh?" I answered, laughing as I sat down on the worn sofa in the living room connecting the kitchen.

"Nah, I'm just psychic," she joked as she stepped around Jake to the small coffee maker on the counter.

"Wouldn't surprise me...," I mumbled. Jake shot me a knowing glance and I sighed. "You too with the super-human hearing?" I asked, a bit more loudly than I had the first comment.

Jake nodded and smiled smugly.

"You know, you people are going to start giving me an inferiority complex."

"Don't lump me in with those parasites, Bella," Jake sneered.

"Jake...," Michelle warned softly, placing one of her small hands against his upper arm. I watched in awe as the disgust drained from Jake's face, replaced with sudden calm, and he let the subject drop. The effect she had on him was impressive and already I liked her a little more.

Jake wrapped his arms around her from behind and whispered something in her ear, causing her to giggle and swat at his shoulder. I tried to turn my head to give them some privacy, but still I could see them out of the corner of my eye. Their movements were synced; when one moved, the other countered. They moved in such a way it was like watching a choreographed ballet, yet it wasn't forced. Their movements were fluid, unintentional, and completely natural. Like a solitary flame that breaks into two, each dancing their own part and then seamlessly joining together again.

It struck me as odd in that moment, how they appeared like season lovers. I was sure that they had not been together when I had moved back to Forks mere weeks ago. Which meant their relationship was in its infancy. How was it then that they knew each other so intimately, having only discovered each other in such a short time?

As Michelle brought the coffee to the living room and set it on the table in front of me, I decided to voice that very question.

"So, how long have you two been together?" I asked, picking up the mug and taking a small sip, looking at Jake over the rim of the cup.

I could tell he instantly understood where my innocent question was heading.

"Three weeks. But...I've been waiting for her my entire life, so three weeks has been heaven compared to the years of waiting," he answered, wrapping his arm around her shoulder as she snuggled into his chest.

"Wow, Jake. That's...that's deep. I never figured you for the romantic," I answered, placing my cup back on the table.

Jake rolled his eyes at my comment and kissed the top of Michelle's head. "Michelle is my imprint, Bella. Three weeks, three years, three decades. It's all the same."

"And that means what, exactly? Your imprint?" I questioned.

"It's a wolf thing, really. An imprint is that one person who was created just for you. When you see her, suddenly she is the only thing tying you to this earth. Not gravity, just her. There's an instant connection...deeper than any superficial connection a normal person could make. And most importantly it's permanent; a solid, never wavering connection. No divorce, no temptations, no other person. Just her. Always her," Jake explained, all the while staring directly into Michelle's eyes.

The words and the scene in front of me made me uncomfortable. I wasn't sure I was supposed to be witness to such an intense display of love, yet there I was. And instantly I thought of Edward. And with that thought the pieces clicked into place. How could their relationship have seemed so odd to me a few moments earlier, when it was the same thing I shared with Edward? He had even explained to me in the meadow that vampires mated for life, and it seemed werewolves did as well. I should have seen it, recognized it, because I had experienced it...I was experiencing it. And suddenly I missed Edward. I longed for the comfort of his touch, his kiss, his being.

I cleared my throat, and suddenly Jake and Michelle seemed to remember I was still in the room. They broke apart, though only slightly, and both smiled apologetically at me. I laughed, completely understanding how to them the world had seemed to melt away around them.

"So, Michelle...what about you? Where are you from?" I asked, resuming my earlier inquisition.

"Well I'm from Pennsylvania originally, but my family and I moved to Seattle about two and a half years ago," she answered.

"So how did you end up in bum-fuck Forks then?"

"Umm, actually, Bella, I don't think-" Jake began.

"No, it's okay, Jake," Michelle interrupted, smiling reassuringly at him. "Actually, Bella, you and I have a lot in common. Almost a year ago my parents died as well. They were traveling home from a second honeymoon in Aruba when their plane went down. Since I had just turned 18, and had no living relatives, I was on my own. So I let their lawyer sell our house and I moved into a tiny apartment in Seattle.

"A few weeks ago I took a road trip down here to First Beach, desperately needing a change of scenery for a few days. That's when I met Jake."

I looked at her closely and could see the same pain and loss in her eyes, reflecting back at me. I had never been good at comforting words, so I was at a loss as to how to reply. I knew her pain; it was my own. I also knew that no amount of 'I'm sorry' would bring her parent's back, or lessen her pain.

"It must be hard, commuting from Seattle to here all the time," I said after a few moments of silence had passed between us.

"Yeah, it was. Finally, about a week ago, I decided that I didn't want to be so far away from him anymore. And since Jake had to stay close to the pack, I packed my apartment and moved in here," she explained.

"Here? As in here? This house?" I asked, my eyes widening more than normal in surprise. They both nodded in response. "And how does Billy feel about this?"

"Eh, he understands. He was hesitant at first, I mean, who wouldn't be. Allowing your sixteen year old and his mate to live together," Jake explained, shrugging one shoulder.

My body jerked at the word 'mate'. Edward had used that word to describe me, to describe us. Suddenly, watching Jake and Michelle interact, I realized the seriousness of the bond. They were Edward and I. We were them. I just couldn't see it, being so wrapped up in it. But from the outside looking in, it was clear as glass.

"Are you ok, Bella?" Michelle asked, obviously having noticed the small twitch my body had given in response to Jake's words.

I paused a moment, wondering if wouldn't be better to just keep my mouth shut. But this was Jake, and he was going to find out sooner or later.

"It's weird, isn't it? Being called someone's mate? You don't realize the severity of the situation until you see it through someone else," I said to her, reaching down to refill my mug and avoiding both their questioning eyes. I knew in that moment that I had given it all away, exposing my relationship with Edward for both of them to see. Yet a small part of me still hoped they hadn't noticed. I realized I wouldn't be so lucky when Jake suddenly jumped off the couch and landed a few inches from my face, causing my coffee mug to fall to the floor and spill.

"And what would you know about being someone's mate, Bella," Jake growled.

I took a deep breath. "You're not the only supernatural being that mates for life, Jake," I whispered. Instantly Jake was standing, swiping is arm across the table in front of me and spilling the contents to the floor. A pained moan filled the room as Jake continued to let his aggression out, smashing furniture and trinkets to pieces.

Michelle and I watched his tirade, not stopping him, but not afraid either. We both knew we were safe. We both knew we weren't the source of his anger, and soon enough he would tire himself out. Jake's large frame began to violently shake as the words 'I'll kill him, I'll kill him' repeated under his breath.

"Uh oh," Michelle whispered. Suddenly she was on her feet. "Bella, outside. NOW!"

I stood and watched as Michelle crossed the room and placed both her hands on either side of Jake's face, quietly murmuring 'shhhh' as she rubbed her thumbs across his cheeks. I turned and walked out the door, sitting myself on the top porch stair.

You should have kept you damn mouth shut, I thought as I buried my face in my hands and waited.

Chapter title and lyrics "Straight Out of Line" by Godsmack.

I'd really, really love it if you would take a moment to review. I don't usually beg, but just this once?