Again, thanks to all who have reviewed =) And now in my effort to once again make everyone in the world realize that Jon Crosby is a music God, I have decided that every chapter forthwith shall be named for a VAST song. This chapter's name is taken from the song "You" by VAST from the album "Visual Audio Sensory Theatre".

"Your dress looks good on you my love

And your house looks like it's heaven."

-VAST

The only sound in the kitchen was the clink of silverware against our plates. Emily in her infinite wisdom had decided that since my mother and I were working on rebuilding our relationship, it would be nice to invite her to our weekly dinner. Which she probably thought was great in theory, but since we had exhausted our pedantic platitudes within five minutes there was not much in the way of conversation going on. In fact I think it had been about ten minutes since anyone said anything other than 'pass the peas'.

Sam cleared his throat gruffly and my mother and Emily both jumped. "Well someone should say something," he finally said.

"But this silence is so awkward. I love awkward," I told him.

"Embry," Emily sighed. After a moment she said, "Why don't you tell your mother about the classes you're taking over the summer."

I looked at my mother. "I'm taking Advanced Chem II and Molecular Bio," I informed her.

My mother smiled. "I think it's great that after all these years you still love science."

"Yes I do and will continue to do so in order to avoid suspicion about my deviant leanings," I replied.

Emily gave me a dirty look.

What, I mouthed.

Emily looked at my mother than back at me. "How are those classes going?" Emily asked, giving me a pointed glare.

"Fine." I glared right back at her.

"It's okay, Emily," my mother said. "He'll talk when he's ready to talk. I'm not going to push him."

"Embry didn't you tell me just last week that you scored the highest in the class on your chemistry exam?" Emily pressed despite my mother's statement.

"Well I wasn't so much telling you as bragging about how awesome I am, but take it any way you want I guess."

"Can you not be a smartass for like five seconds? Would that be possible?" Sam growled.

I made a face. "I suppose it's possible, but it wouldn't be any fun."

"Embry's always been a smartass," My mother said. "You just get used to it." She turned to Emily. "So how was Logan's last check up?"

Blech, baby talk. I became instantly bored and resolved to not care about anything being said no matter how important it was.

Luckily I was saved by my phone going off in my pocket. I tried to hide my smile as I reached to grab it. "I'm just going to step outside," I said.

Once I was on the front porch I flipped the phone open. "Hey beautiful."

"What are you doing right this very second?" Jill asked. There was an air of excitement in her voice.

We had been dating for nearly a month now, and so far, to my astonishment, she showed no sign of wanting to boot my ass to the curb.

"I'm having dinner at Sam and Emily's," I told her.

"Can you come down here?"

"What to Port Angeles? Like tonight?" Not that I wouldn't do it, I was just surprised at the request. We had spent the whole morning together after my class so I couldn't imagine why she wanted me to drive the hour to Port Angeles again.

"Yes, tonight. Can you?"

"Yeah sure, is everything okay?"

"Everything is better than okay. My best friend from Andrews flew in to surprise me and I want you to meet her. We're dressed up all sexy like and want you to come out with us."

"Wow, it's kind of early in our relationship to introduce a saucy three way subplot but hey, what do I know."

"Very funny. And by the way your pants come off for me only, mister."

"Ohh, baby, I love it when you talk dirty to me."

"Listen up gutter mind. You have exactly two hours to get cleaned up and get down here or we're going without you, got it?"

"Got it. I'll be there," I said.

I closed the phone and turned back towards the kitchen. There was a flurry of activity at the table as Sam, Emily, and my mother all tried to pretend as though they hadn't been eavesdropping on my conversation. I walked slowly back into the kitchen and said, "Very subtle."

"So who's the girl?" Emily asked with a sly smile.

"No one you know," I informed her. "And don't ask because I'm not going to tell." I turned to look at my mother. "Look, I have to go, but ummm…."

"It's fine. You go have fun." My mother looked down at her hands. "But maybe you could stop over at the house this weekend. I can make you dinner if you want."

"Ummm, well, I mean-"

"Just think about it, okay?"

I nodded. "Yeah, okay. I will. I'll see you guys."

"Hey, don't think I won't find out all about this girl," Emily called after me.

"Whatever you say Sherlock Holmes," I yelled back as I bounded out of the house.

Ta. Tantalum. 180.95. W. Tungsten. 183.85. Re. Rhenium. 186.21. Os. Osmi-

OH MY GOD WILL YOU STOP? You're making my head hurt. Quil whined.

Really Embry, you're driving us insane. Jacob added.

Well excuse me. I just figured you could all use a little education. There is nothing wrong with trying to edify you gentlemen on the Periodic Table. I mean, it exists for a reason.

We don't care! I mean you're all blah blah this and blah blah that. We don't want to hear it. Seth said. And by the way you're not fooling me. I know exactly why we're getting this stunted chemistry lesson. It's because you're still trying to hide everything you can about this girl you're seeing.

And I'm doing a stellar job if I do say so myself. I mean have you even gotten one little smidgen of info out of me? No. That's right. I have completely kept you in the dark about my personal life and I have to say, it's been very gratifying.

Whatever dude. I will get it out of you if it's the last thing I do. Even as you deliver your coup de grace, I will break you. Quil thought.

Coup de grace, Quil? Very impressive. Jacob said.

Yeah well it's Embry's fault I'm getting all smart. I can't understand one thing he talks about so I have to Google and stuff just to have a conversation with him.

Google? I snorted.

You know I'm not a complete moron. I do know what Google is. And it's like enough already. I mean the guy has a thesaurus built into his brain. Quil snapped.

So tell us about this girlfriend Jacob thought.

Hell no. I'm not telling you guys squat. So just quell any thoughts you have of trying to trick me or make me say something without meaning to because it won't work. I'm like a Jedi. I have total mind control.

Technically Jedi's have mind control over others, though they are very disciplined in their way of thinking. Seth thought.

Okay there King Geek of Planet Sci-fi. I said.

I'm the geek? Who was the one reciting the Periodic Table just a moment ago? Who was that? Oh yeah, it was you! You're the King Geek, geek.

Ohh snappy comeback. You are learning well Pinky. Soon I will have you smart enough to take over the world! I tried to do an evil laugh in my mind but it didn't work out too well.

Guys shut up for a minute. Jacob snapped. You smell that?

Sweet, this is gonna be awesome. We haven't taken a leech apart in months. Quil thought gleefully.

I had to admit I felt a sudden rush of exhilaration as the smell of the leech drifted into my nose. I couldn't contain the low growl that bubbled up in my throat. It did seem like it had been forever since we had our last kill. At least all these months of patrolling weren't for naught.

It's heading for the mountain pass Jacob said, his thoughts beginning to rumble with his deep Alpha timbre. Quil you go left, Embry you take right. Seth you stay with me.

What are you guys going to get all the action? Leah questioned as her mind joined ours.

Glad you could make it. Too busy getting it on with that new boyfriend of yours to show up for patrol? Seth growled at his sister.

First of all shut up Seth. Second of all shut up Seth. And third of all-

LEAH!

Leah let out a small whimper as Jacob snarled at her.

Sorry. Where do you want me to go?

You're fastest. Try to get ahead of it to cut it off.

With no further thoughts, Leah took off at full throttle, her light gray fur a blur in the woods as she ran.

I had broken off to the right as Jacob instructed. I darted left and right to avoid trees as I ran, my heart beating a rapid staccato in my chest as I pushed myself faster. I don't have the bulk that Quil and Jake do, so I can run pretty fast, though I'm not as quick as Leah. My heavy paws dug deep into the mossy soil and left long, skidding furrows in my wake. I was getting closer to the leech, it's stench was almost over powering now. I burst into a clearing near the bottom of the mountain pass and saw that Leah was already there, engaged in combat with not one, but two leeches. I snarled and sped towards her just as Jacob and Seth entered the clearing, Quil bursting out from the left a few seconds after them. I took a huge leap and grabbed the leech that had just jumped onto Leah's back, slamming him into the ground. I pinned him down with my front paws and looked at him a moment. Two thick runners of drool poured out of my muzzle and pooled on the leech's face. I couldn't help but be a little pleased that he looked completely disgusted. Then I bit his head off. Okay, well more like I clamped my jaws around his neck and chewed a whole bunch until his head sort of fell off, but biting his head off sounds a lot cooler. I was pretty pleased about taking down the vamp all by myself. It doesn't happen that often.

I turned to see the rest of the pack had already torn apart the leech's partner. I gave a few happy little hops.

Did you guys see that? I tore that suckers head right off! It was freaking awesome. I bounced a few more times for emphasis. Tell me you saw that.

Embry chill out. You're acting like Tigger on crack. Jacob thought, though he did sound amused.

What the hell has him so cheerful? Leah thought. I mean you'd think he's never killed a bloodsucker before.

He found a chick willing to make out with him. Of course he's cheerful. Quil grumbled.

Embry has a girlfriend? How'd I miss this? And who in the hell would actually want to make out with him? Leah shuddered in disgust.

Hey I'm desirable. I stopped my bouncing and gave Leah a hurt look. Well as hurt of a look as one can pull off with a wolf face.

Leah howled laughter, her whole body shaking.

Laugh all you want, you miserable little person. My girlfriend thinks I'm all kinds of desirable. Just the other day she- I cut myself off mid thought when I saw Quil and Seth hovering eagerly over my shoulders. Never mind.

No, no, feel free to finish that thought Seth peeled his muzzle back from his teeth in a happy sort of way.

I head butted Seth in the side. I'm going home I announced.

Umm, still the issue of body parts to burn here Jacob said.

Make Leah take care of it, she was the one who was late. I turned from the group, flicked my tail once in their direction and bounded off into the woods. I had to get away and phase quickly before I wasn't able to keep Nosy and Parker back there from getting any more info out of me.

"I have a thought."

I looked up from my chemistry book and saw that Jill had put down her issue of Glamour and was staring at me intently. "You want to do a sexy strip tease for me? Honey that's so considerate."

Jill smirked. "Yeah that's just what I was planning on doing. Getting naked in a roomful of strangers."

I glanced around the Port Angeles Library. "Well there's hardly anyone here. I doubt they'd notice."

"Will you get serious for a minute, please?"

"Okay, I'm serious," I said with a grin. "What's up?"

Jill gave me a thoughtful look but didn't say anything for a moment.

I pursed my lips. "And this thought was?"

Jill folded her hands on the table top and scrutinized me carefully. "Okay, but promise me you won't get mad."

"I can't promise that if I don't know what it is."

"Embry. You have to promise," Jill said.

"Okay, okay, I promise I won't get mad." I paused. "You're not breaking up with me are you? Because in that case all promises are off the table."

"No, I'm not breaking up with you," Jill laughed. "Why would I do something so stupid?"

"Well I'm glad we both agree that breaking up with me would be a very dumb, not to mention horrible, horrible thing. But since it's not that, please proceed." I gave her a go ahead gesture.

"Okay. Here." Jill reached into her bag and pulled out some papers. She put them on the table and slid them across to me.

I picked the papers up and glanced over them. "What exactly is this?" I asked.

Jill took a deep breath. "It's an application to Caltech."

"I can see that," I said slowly.

The California Institute of Technology, or Caltech, as it's usually called, is a major research college with an emphasis on producing scientists. It was a school I had dreamed about applying to, back before I phased.

"I think you should apply," Jill said.

I put the application back on the table and rubbed my eyes. "We've talked about this," I said, a slight trace of exacerbation leaking into my words.

"So?"

"What do you mean so? I already told you I can't go away to college because of the tribe."

"So?" Jill repeated.

"So, then why are we having this discussion?"

"Because what's the worst thing that happens if you apply? You don't get in? That doesn't matter. But if you do get in…..Embry if you got in this could change your whole life. Maybe if you got in it would be leverage with the tribe. Don't they want to see you succeed? I mean if you got in, they'd have to let you go, right?"

"No they won't have to let me go," I snapped.

I guess I spoke a little louder than I intended because the librarian gave me a nasty look and made a shushing gesture with her finger.

"Calm down," Jill said. "What's the harm in applying? I mean if you can't go then you can't go. I just don't see why you can't take the chance and apply."

"Why are you pushing this? I can't do it."

"Yes you can," she said.

"Oh, you know what you're right, I can do it. Wait, hang on, let me check my calendar." I flipped the pages of my text book quickly then stopped and pointed. "Oh no wait, I'm sorry. Opposite day it is not." I slammed my book closed.

Jill glared at me. "Why are you being such an ass about this?"

"Why are you being so pushy?" I shot back at her.

Jill tossed her hands in the air. "Because I care about you. I want to see you happy. Is that so terrible?"

"I am happy," I sighed.

"Oh honey, you are not happy. You put on a good show, but I can see how unhappy you are. God, Embry you are so much better than that crappy job that you hate. You're so much better than community college. How is it possible that I'm the only person that sees that? I've known you a month. The tribe has known you your whole life."

I frowned. "Are you sure this isn't about you?" I said angrily.

Jill gave me a shocked look. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I saw the way your friend looked at me the other night. What'd she tell you that you can do better than some stupid mechanic? Are you pressing this issue because you think I'm not good enough for you?"

"Oh don't you dare turn this into a fight about social class. This isn't about me, this is about you." She stabbed her finger at me. "And it really hurts my feelings that you would think that this had anything to do with me thinking you're not good enough for me."

I dropped my head, a wave of shame pulsing through me. "You're right," I said quietly. "I'm sorry." I fingered the application in front of me and sighed. "Even if I did think about applying…it's already July. It's a little late to try and get in."

"No, it's not," Jill said adamantly.

I glanced up at her. "How do you know?"

Jill bit her lip. "Because I called the head of admissions and asked."

I gave her a surprised look. "You did that for me?"

She nodded. "Yeah, I did. She told me that if the application was in by July fifteenth it would be considered for fall."

"Really?" I looked down at the application again. "She said that?"

"Yes she did. After I raved about how brilliant you are she said 'I'm looking forward to receiving Mr. Call's application'."

"No shit," I breathed.

Maybe Jill was right. What was the worst thing that could happen? I wouldn't get in. Caltech is a really prestigious school. What made me think I even had a shot in hell of getting in at all? So applying wouldn't really matter because no doubt, I wouldn't get accepted. There really wasn't any harm in sending in an application that I knew would be rejected anyway.

"Okay," I finally said.

"Okay what?"

"Okay, I'll apply."

Jill gave a delighted squeal. The librarian shushed us again. Jill waved her off and jumped out of her chair. She darted around the table and flung herself onto my lap. "I'm really proud of you," she whispered in my ear.

"Yeah well, don't get your hopes up," I told her as I brushed a strand of strawberry blond hair out of her eyes. "Applying doesn't mean acceptance."

"Pish posh," Jill tutted. "Once they realize how amazing you are they'll let you in."

I gazed into her eyes and smiled. Man, if only I could force imprinting to happen, I would make Jill mine forever. It was funny how just a month ago I was praying that I would never imprint, and now I was wishing for the power to make it happen. "You're pretty amazing yourself, you know that."

"Oh please, I've known that for years," Jill grinned.

"I don't doubt that," I laughed.

"Are you trying to say that I'm egotistical or something?" Jill asked with mock hurt.

"No, I'm saying your confidence in yourself is pretty much the sexiest thing about you," I told her sincerely.

"Well aren't you just the sweetest thing," she purred.

I grinned then leaned up and captured her lips in a searing kiss.

"AHEM."

I pulled away from Jill and looked into the angry face of the librarian. "You two really need to take this outside," she whispered angrily.

I felt myself flush with embarrassment.

"No see you don't understand," Jill told the librarian. "My boyfriend is applying to Caltech."

The librarian smiled. "Well that is very exciting. Best of luck to you."

"Thanks," I said.

"I'm still going to kick you out though," she added.

Jill stood up. "It's fine, we'll go."

The librarian walked away as I gathered up my books and the Caltech application.

"So I say, we go celebrate," Jill said to me.

"Sure, you want to go get something to eat? I think I have enough money to spring for the Wendy's dollar menu," I joked.

Jill shook her head slowly. "Nope, I'm not hungry. Not for food anyway. Let's go to my house."

I frowned. I hadn't met Jill's parents yet and I honestly wasn't sure I was ready to and told her so.

"Oh, my parents aren't going to be home for hours," she gave me a wicked smile.

"Let's go." I put my hand on the small of her back and steered her as quickly as possible out of the library.

"What's with that look?"

I wandered dreamily into the house and flopped onto the couch, ignoring Seth's question.

"Hey, Quil, you see that look?"

Quil walked over and peered into my face. "Oh yeah, I know that look. That's the Embry just got laid look. I recognize it because I've only ever seen it twice before."

I frowned at that. "It was more than twice," I grumbled.

"So did you?" Seth asked.

"Did I what?"

"Get laid."

"Wow, that is just really inappropriate," I said.

"What's inappropriate?" Seth asked.

"Asking someone about their sex life. It's just….. tactless."

"Oh and you wouldn't ask me?" Seth said.

"Of course I would ask you, but that's different."

"Why's it different?"

"Because it's okay to talk about you," I said in a tone that suggested the answer was obvious.

"I see. My life is just fodder for your amusement is it?" Seth growled.

"Well….yes," I smiled.

"Yeah, well…you just better hope you don't imprint or that happy smirk you have will get wiped right off your face!" Seth snapped.

I stared at him but didn't say anything.

Seth shifted uncomfortably under my gaze. "What? What! I'm sorry, okay?"

I shook my head slowly. "No it's just….I never really thought about that."

And at that moment I realized I hadn't thought about it. I mean I had just wished that I could imprint on Jill, but the thought that I might actually imprint on another girl never even crossed my mind. The thought horrified me. What if it happened? God it would be like the whole Leah/Emily/Sam situation and that was bad enough to live through once. Plus I didn't want another girl. I wanted Jill. Well okay then. I just wouldn't imprint. It was as simple as that.

"Speaking as someone who has imprinted and couldn't be happier about it, I don't see what the big deal is," Quil said.

"The big deal dumbass is that someone could get hurt," Seth said.

"Nope. No one is going to get hurt," I stated. "Because I'm not going to imprint. End of subject."

"Yeah buddy and denial isn't just a river in Egypt or whatever that saying is," Quil said. "You don't get to choose whether you imprint or not. If anyone knows that it's me."

"Well I mean other than you, Sam, Paul, Jared, and Jake no one else has imprinted in ages. I mean if it hasn't happened by now, I'm guessing it never will," I said.

Quil gave me a sort of pitying look. "Well for your girlfriend's sake, I hope not."

I laughed uncomfortably. "It'll be fine. I'm not going to imprint." I got off the couch and went into my bedroom. Shutting the door behind me, I leaned heavily against it for a moment. I can't believe I hadn't even thought of the possibility of imprinting and hurting Jill. I was such a total idiot. Well, I would just take extra steps to ensure I didn't imprint. I pushed myself off the door and in two strides was in front of my small closet. I flung it open and began rooting around inside. When I finally spied the item I had been looking for I grabbed it with a victorious smile. This would help in my quest to not imprint.

"Hey there Slim Shady," Quil snorted when I walked in the door the following afternoon.

He was sitting on the couch, Claire at his feet. They were both coloring. Quil was looking at the baseball cap I was wearing pulled down so low I couldn't see him unless I tilted my head back.

I slammed the door behind me, snatched the hat off my head, and glared at him.

Quil just gave me an amused grin. "What's with the hat?"

I gave him an annoyed look. "It's to avoid imprinting," I whispered.

Quil frowned. "It's to what now?"

"To avoid imprinting," I repeated quietly. Claire didn't know about imprinting yet. I didn't know if she would even understand what we were talking about, but I didn't want to take a chance.

Quil guffawed and got up from the couch, coming closer to me. "You're trying to avoid imprinting?" He whispered. "How by scaring people away with your…..hat?"

I rolled my eyes with growing impatience. "No," I said haughtily. "It's so I can't accidentally look anyone in the eye and you know, imprint."

"I don't understand," Quil said slowly. "Why wouldn't you want to imprint?"

I stared at him. "Do you remember nothing of our conversation from last night? I mean I guess I can understand what with us discussing this OH SO LONG AGO!"

Quil's brow creased with concentration. I worried his head might explode from the effort. "Ummm…." He stepped over Claire and sat down on the couch again.

"Jesus, Quil. Do I have to start tattooing our conversations on your arms so you can remember shit?" I tossed my arms up in exasperation.

Quil hurriedly covered Claire's ears with his hands. "Do you mind?" He hissed. He dropped his hands and grinned. "That'd be cool though, right? Like that guy in 'Memento'."

I sighed heavily. "I just…I really can't deal with you today."

Claire glanced up from her coloring book, which for the record was much neater than Quil's. "Don't be mean to Quil," she said, her voice serious.

Quil gave me a triumphant smile. "Yeah."

"Sorry, Claire," I said. "But he can be really annoying sometimes."

Claire gave me a thoughtful look. "That's true," she said.

"HEY!"

I snorted with laughter as Quil protested.

"You're supposed to be on my side, squirt," Quil pouted at Claire, hurt in his voice.

Claire reached up and slapped Quil on his cheek. "I am on your side," she said. She slapped him again for good measure. "But sometimes you annoy me."

"Well it's official. You know you're annoying when a five year old confirms it," I told Quil.

"Are you saying that because I'm five, I'm annoying, so that when I said Quil could be annoying it makes him more annoying because someone who's annoying said he was annoying?" Claire was frowning at me.

I stared at her in amazement. For a little kid, Claire was pretty smart. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply that you're annoying," I said.

"You're forgiven," Claire said. She looked back at Quil. "Color!" She ordered him, pointing at his book.

"Yes ma'am," Quil said with a laugh. He picked up a crayon and started drawing again. "For the record Embry, I remembered what we talked about. I was just giving you a hard time. I mean it's a little ridiculous to think you'll be able to avoid…..you know…. by wearing a hat."

"I know," I said. "I just don't want to hurt anyone."

Quil shrugged. "Don't worry about it. I doubt you'll…... you know. I can't imagine the poor girl that would be stuck with you for the rest of her life."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "I could say the same," I said through gritted teeth with a glance at Claire.

Quil frowned at me and shook his head once. He glanced down at Claire too. She was humming under her breath, ignoring us. He leaned forward and kissed the top of her head. "How's that picture coming?" He asked her.

Claire made a face. "It's okay. I think it needs more purple," she said eyeing her picture.

"I think you're right," Quil said. He grabbed a purple crayon and handed it to her.

I sighed. "I'll leave you to it," I said.

I walked towards my bedroom, twisting my baseball cap in my hands. I undoubtedly was being ridiculous. I mean the odds of my actually imprinting were probably slightly less than my odds of being attacked by a shark while on dry land. I went into my room and tossed the cap into a corner. I decided I wasn't going to worry about it anymore. What would be would be.