Rosalie and Carlisle dashed upstairs to get some blood from the supply Carlisle had been maintaining in his office for the time when Bella...delivered. I sat in the chair next to Bella's bed, holding her hand, listening to Rosalie and Carlisle debate whether or not the blood should be warmed up, and absorbing Jacob's thoughts about how utterly revolted he was by what he was hearing, and what he was about to observe.

While I certainly understood the sentiment, I was tempted to tell him that he needn't stay to watch if it bothered him so much. But I knew that Bella wouldn't like it if I spoke to him that way.

Besides, I still had to acknowledge my debt to him for what he had done with the pack and for his suggestion regarding the blood, whether he wanted to own that one or not. Seven vampire brains in the house including a physician and two others with medical degrees, and none of us had come up with that idea.

Of course, I was also aware of the residual jealousy in his mind as he watched Bella and me together, out of the corner of his eye. At one time I might have revelled a little in that jealousy and been tempted to rub it in, doing something to mark her as mine.

But now...we owed him too much.

In any event, the situation was still far too serious to indulge in that sort of behaviour. Frankly, I was not in the mood for anything other than taking whatever steps were possible to save Bella's life. For now, Jacob was my ally in achieving that goal, and I would do nothing to exacerbate his pain. I had enough of my own to deal with.

Suddenly, Rosalie dashed down the stairs and flew into the kitchen, on a quest for a glass. Through her mind's eye, I could see her open a cupboard, and cringed when I saw her reach for a clear tumbler.

"Not clear, Rosalie," I muttered, rolling my eyes. She had no appreciation whatsoever for what a human might think upon being handed a clear glass of human blood, its bright red colour emphasized by the light shining through.

Bella glanced at me, but I just shook my head.

Just as quickly as she had appeared, Rosalie flew through the room and vanished back up the stairs.

Now Bella turned her gaze toward Jacob. "This was your idea?" she asked, her voice still gravelly.

"Don't blame me for this one," he replied. "Your vampire was just picking snide comments out of my head."

She smiled slightly. "I didn't expect to see you again."

"Yeah, me, either," he told her.

She swallowed heavily. "Edward told me what you had to do. I'm sorry."

He shrugged. "S'okay. It was probably only a matter of time till I snapped over something Sam wanted me to do." He was lying to her, but I was grateful for it. Despite her apparent uncharacteristically calm acceptance of the news that he and Seth had split from the pack, I knew it troubled Bella greatly. She wouldn't be Bella if it didn't.

"And Seth," she whispered.

"He's actually happy to help." That part was true. For whatever reason, Seth was a good friend to the Cullens. It was almost easy to think of him as a younger brother.

"I hate causing you trouble," she sighed.

Jacob laughed once, and could not keep the sarcasm out of it. I resented that a little. Perhaps she could have done a better job from the start of defining the boundaries between them so that he didn't develop unrealistic expectations—hopes—but even when she'd made her choice clear, he had refused to give up. He'd made it worse for himself, and had no one else to blame for it.

And I certainly resented him making Bella feel badly about anything at all, given the present circumstances.

"I guess that's nothing new, is it?" she answered him softly. She was virtually on her death bed, and she still had plenty of capacity to feel guilty.

"No, not really."

"You don't have to stay and watch this," she went on, barely whispering.

He thought that over and considered leaving before Rosalie and Carlisle could come back with the blood, knowing it would save him the anguish of watching her do something he found so alien and so repulsive. Something which would signify in a way nothing else could the beginning of the end of her life as a human.

But he also recognized how dire the situation was, and didn't want to miss the last few hours—or minutes—of her life.

The thought was a realistic one, but it still made me gasp a little to hear it so clearly in the mind of another. The sound was too quiet for Bella to hear, but Jacob did not miss it.

"I don't really have anywhere else to go," he finally replied. "The wolf thing is a lot less appealing since Leah joined up."

"Leah?" she repeated, shocked.

"You didn't tell her?" he looked at me inquisitively, but I just shrugged. I hadn't had a chance...and there had been other, more pressing things to worry about than wolf politics.

"Why?" Bella asked him.

Now it was Jacob's turn to shrug. "To keep an eye on Seth."

"But Leah hates us," she murmured.

I didn't miss the 'us', and neither did Jacob. It made him flinch imperceptibly to hear that she already considered herself part of this coven.

"Leah's not going to bug anyone. She's in my pack so she follows my lead." He definitely was not comfortable with the idea.

Bella looked at him sceptically.

"You're scared of Leah, but you're best buds with the psychopath blonde?" I suppressed a chuckle at his question, especially after hearing Rosalie's low hiss from upstairs. She knew full well who the 'psychopath blonde' in the equation was.

Bella frowned. "Don't. Rose...understands."

Rose understood all right. She understood the opportunity being presented, I thought bitterly.

Jacob was on the same page. "Yeah," he grunted. "She understands that you're gonna die and she doesn't care, s'long as she gets her mutant spawn out of the deal."

"Stop being a jerk, Jacob," Bella whispered.

I didn't disagree with what he had said, but did think it was a little harsh to say out loud to Bella right now.

"You say that like it's possible," he smiled slightly, trying to lighten the mood with a joke.

She managed a weak smile in response just as Carlisle and Rosalie returned. Carlisle was holding a hospital sipping cup, the white plastic kind with a lid and a bendable straw. He extended his hand to offer it to Bella, but didn't miss the nervous expression on her face.

"We could try another method," he offered quietly.

"No," Bella whispered. "No, I'll try this first. We don't have time..." Reflexively, one hand fluttered down to her swollen abdomen as she let go of mine and reached for the cup with the other.

I could smell the human blood as easily as if it had been spilled in a puddle on the floor. A burn made itself known deep in my throat, but it was surprisingly easy to ignore—the last thing I was interested in at the moment was feeding. The smell didn't bother Carlisle at all, but Rosalie was acutely aware of it. She was so focused on feeding the creature, however, she, too, was finding it relatively easy to ignore.

Bella struggled to prop herself up on an elbow. Before I could react to help her, Rosalie was already there, her arm under Bella's shoulders, her other hand supporting Bella's head.

"Thanks," Bella whispered, glancing from face to face of those watching her.

Rosalie guessed that Bella felt self-conscious at the attention. "Don't mind them," she urged.

Tentatively, Bella lifted the cup to her face and sniffed at the end of the straw. It wouldn't smell like much to her human olfactory system I knew, but she still flinched and made a face. It vaguely occurred to me that it was the same face I'd seen her make once when Charlie had tried to get her to sample lamb stew.

She hated lamb stew.

I was suddenly overwhelmed by the fact of her humanity and what this act would signal. I wasn't ready to watch her drink the blood of one of her own kind. "Bella, sweetheart, we can find an easier way," I said quickly, reaching for the cup. I wasn't sure if my offer was more for her sake or mine at that moment. The idea that it had come to this, that my human wife was about to drink human blood...The idea was almost as revolting to me as it was to Jacob.

This wasn't right.

It was unnatural.

It wasn't Bella.

Everything in me screamed at me to snatch the cup from her hand, to refuse to allow her to do this.

Rosalie huffed impatiently and glared at me. "Plug your nose," she suggested, remembering back to her life as a human, when she'd used that technique to get down unpleasant-tasting medicine.

"No, that's not it. It's just that it—" Bella sucked in a deep breath. It's monstrous? Repulsive?

But of course Bella would surprise me, as always. "It smells good," she finally admitted, shyly.

I heard Jacob swallow against the bile rising in his throat. If I had had bile, I might have done the same thing.

Rosalie, however, was encouraged. "That's a good thing. That means we're on the right track. Give it a try."

Before I could protest again, in one surprisingly quick motion Bella had the straw between her lips. She squeezed her eyelids shut, wrinkled her nose and took a sip. Her hand was shaking slightly, but I didn't know if it was a reaction to what she was doing or a reflection of how weak she had become. Perhaps both.

I held my unnecessary breath as she drank.

When she moaned quietly, I assumed she was struggling to get the liquid down her throat, and leaned forward to stroke her face. Monstrous. Repulsive. "Bella, love—"

"I'm okay," she whispered, opening her eyes to look up at me. Her expression was confusing, but it wasn't the revulsion I expected. It was a strange mixture...apologetic. Pleading. Fearful. "It tastes good, too."

I could feel my eyes widen in surprise. What? How could that be? Had the thing taken her over already to such a degree?

Or was she really just that prepared to join us?

I couldn't make sense of it, but Rosalie was jubilant. "That's good," she said again. "A good sign."

I could do nothing but stroke Bella's fragile human cheek as she took another pull on the straw, swallowing down a larger mouthful of human blood.

"How's your stomach?" Carlisle asked. "Do you feel nauseated?"

Bella shook her head. "No, I don't feel sick. There's a first, eh?"

Rosalie beamed. "Excellent."

"I think it's a bit early for that, Rose," Carlisle murmured. Yes, it was too early to celebrate this as some kind of breakthrough. Far too early.

As Bella gulped down another mouthful, she cast her eyes up at me again. "Does this screw my total? Or do we start counting after I'm a vampire?"

She was trying to make a joke, but the question pulled at my dead heart. I didn't want this for her!

Nevertheless, I forced a weak smile. "No one is counting, Bella. In any case, no one died for this. Your record is still clean."

Jacob was understandably confused. "I'll explain later," I murmured to him.

Bella overheard. "What?"

"Just talking to myself," I told her. I wasn't interested in getting into that discussion now. Her impending transformation had suddenly become too real. Assuming she made it that long.

I shuddered at the thought. I knew I needed to stop doing that to myself, but the tendency to pessimism was too ingrained.

Jacob's thoughts distracted me. If she makes it, you're going to have to work on that honesty thing once she's a vampire herself, man. You won't be able to get away with as much.

He was quite right. It was already difficult to slip much past her. The thought amused me, and I fought back a smile.

Jacob watched Bella drink, still repulsed. He assumed that he was the only one in the room who felt that way. They're probably all struggling not to yank the cup out of her hands.

I rolled my eyes. How weak did he think we were, anyway? We lived among humans every day.

Jacob noticed the eye roll and grumbled internally. Jeez, how can anyone stand living with him? Too bad he can't hear Bella's thoughts. Then he'd annoy the crap out of her, too, and she'd get tired of him.

That one made me chuckle out loud, and Bella's eyes turned to my face. She smiled a little. "Something funny?"

"Jacob," I told her.

She glanced in his direction. "Jake's a crack-up."

He gave a weak rim-shot impression: "Bada bing."

After another long pull on the straw, we heard empty air. She had drained the cup. Jacob flinched at the sound.

"I did it," Bella declared, sounding quite pleased. Her voice was still rough, but better for the first time today. Having something liquid in her throat—whatever it may be—was probably a great help in itself, as long as she didn't throw it back up again.

She looked at Carlisle earnestly. "If I keep this down, Carlisle, will you take the needles out of me?"

"As soon as possible," he smiled at her. It was a cautious smile, but it was something. He was feeling hopeful. "Honestly, they aren't doing that much good where they are."

Rosalie patted Bella's forehead, and they exchanged an equally hopeful glance.

And it appeared that the hope might be well-placed for once: already Bella looked better. Her breathing was less laboured. Her heartbeat seemed to have evened. She was still leaning against Rosalie, but seemed more able to support her own weight.

Best of all—as I watched, the rosiness was gradually returning to her pale, ashen cheeks.

She looked like Bella again.

Could it be? Could this really be the answer that would save her?

Everyone else had clearly seen and was thinking the same thing. Rosalie nodded toward the now-empty cup. "Would you like more?" she offered.

I saw Bella's shoulders slump slightly and glared at Rosalie for pushing. "You don't have to drink more right away," I told her.

But it wasn't reluctance that had made my wife's shoulders slump: it was embarrassment. "Yeah, I know..." she replied quietly. "But...I want to."

In a surprisingly tender gesture, Rosalie ran her fingers through Bella's lank, still sweaty hair. "You don't need to be embarrassed about that, Bella. Your body has cravings. We all understand that." She didn't bother looking at him, but added for Jacob's benefit, "Anyone who doesn't understand shouldn't be here."

Carlisle took the cup from Bella. "I'll be right back."

After he disappeared upstairs, Bella turned and focused on Jacob. "Jake, you look awful."

"Look who's talking," he retorted.

"Seriously—when's the last time you slept?" With her question, I looked at him at little more closely than I had bothered to up to now. She was right: he looked drawn, exhausted. Stressed.

He considered that for a moment. "Huh. I'm not actually sure."

"Aw, Jake. Now I'm messing with your health, too. Don't be stupid." She frowned at him, concerned. "Get some rest, please. There're a few beds upstairs—you're welcome to any of them."

I was glad that Bella thought of this as her home enough to make the offer, but felt Rosalie bristle next to me.

There was no way Jacob was about to curl up in a house full of vampires anyway. "Thanks, Bells, but I'd rather sleep on the ground. Away from the stench, you know."

She made a face. "Right."

When Carlisle returned with her cup, she reached for it without a second thought and started to drink, her mind clearly elsewhere. The further improvement was almost instantaneous: without assistance, she scooted herself into a sitting position and drained the cup again with a few long swallows.

"How do you feel now?" Carlisle asked.

"Not sick. Sort of hungry...only I'm not sure if I'm hungry or thirsty, you know?"

The notion made my stomach clench again, but I knew I should be nothing but grateful for the improvement, no matter what caused it.

I was really going to have to get over this aversion to the idea of Bella as a vampire.

"Carlisle, just look at her," Rosalie said smugly. "This is obviously what her body wants. She should drink more."

"She's still human, Rosalie," he replied. Yes! Yes, she was! "She needs food, too. Let's give her a little while to see how this affects her, and then maybe we can try some food again. Does anything sound particularly good to you, Bella?"

"Eggs," she said immediately, and turned to me with a smile. I knew she was thinking of the island, and I couldn't help but smile, too. Despite its ending, our time on the island was still something worth smiling about.

I noticed Jacob's eyes slide closed. "Jacob," I said quietly. "You really should sleep. As Bella said, you're certainly welcome to the accommodations here, though you'd probably be more comfortable outside. Don't worry about anything—I promise I'll find you if there's a need."

He knew what I was saying and nodded. "Sure, sure," he mumbled. You'd better wake me up if something happens...you owe me.

"I do," I agreed simply.

He nodded again and reached over to place his hand over Bella's. Hers felt cold to him, but next to his radiant body heat, anything probably would. "Feel better," he told her.

"Thanks, Jacob." She turned her hand over to give his a squeeze.

He headed for the door, muttering over his shoulder, "Get her a blanket or something."

Before he had a chance to step outside, two howls pierced the still morning air. They were urgent, warning. No false alarm this time. "Dammit," he snarled, yanking the door open. I stood to follow him just as he threw himself off the porch and phased in midair, running west at full speed in wolf form.

What is it? I heard him shout in his head.

Seth answered. Incoming! At least three.

Did they split up? Jacob demanded.

I'm running the line back to Seth at the speed of light, another voice added—Leah. So far, no other point of attack.

Seth, do not challenge them. Wait for me, Jacob commanded. It was odd listening to him in leadership mode. While he obviously didn't relish the role, it was interesting how easily he assumed it when it was necessary.

I had stepped out onto the porch as I listened. Emmett and Jasper were already at my elbow, waiting for my assessment of the situation, ready to spring into action. I heard Alice, Esme and Carlisle join us, also waiting. Rosalie remained with Bella but was listening and was prepared to explain to her what was happening.

"Edward," Emmett began. "Should we...?"

"Shh. Just a second," I held up a finger so everyone would stay quiet and I could focus. "I don't think it's what we thought. Some of the other wolves have come to talk to Jacob, but they're not attacking." While Jacob, Leah and Seth were now cut off from the thoughts of the other, now-separate pack, I had the benefit of being able to hear all of them fairly clearly.

I started to narrate for the benefit of my family while I listened. "Sam's not with them, but he's sent four to talk. He wants the other three back...They've spoken to the tribal elders and decided not to take immediate action against us."

"'Immediate' action?" Emmett repeated. "What the hell does that mean?"

"Keep quiet and I'm sure Edward will tell us," Alice snapped in a low voice. She was irritated, as always, that she hadn't seen this coming and didn't know how it would turn out.

Huh. So the elders had decided not to kill Bella now. They would wait until after she had...delivered the creature, and reassess the situation then.

I absorbed that for a moment without relaying it to the others, trying to work out in my mind the best way to handle that information. I didn't necessarily disagree with the Quileutes' strategy, but knew that some of my family members would. Rosalie, for one, might think it a perfect excuse for a pre-emptive attack, and she might be able to convince Emmett to side with her.

Moreover, Jacob was having a moment of struggle with this information as well. He knew that Sam's pack were banking on Bella dying, too, and that he would be so angry with us—with me—that he'd join their attack against us in an instant, no matter how Seth felt about it.

My family was waiting for more of what was transpiring with the wolves. With both Jasper and Emmett ready to spring off the porch and sprint into the forest at a blink of an eye, I couldn't continue to keep them entirely in the dark. "Jacob phased back to human form so he can talk. They're still discussing whether or not he, Seth and Leah will rejoin Sam's pack. Jared is pointing out that the three of them have no home to return to with things as they are."

I heard Esme murmur words of concern from behind me.

Jacob's response to the invitation was immediate. And unexpected.

Once again I had underestimated Jacob Black.

"What? What?" Emmett demanded. I must have made some kind of noise aloud.

"Jacob is turning them down. Sam's pack says they're planning to wait and see how...matters unfold, and Jacob says he plans to do the same thing." I had been staring into the forest, but now I turned to look at my family. "He says this isn't just about Bella any more. He believes they have to protect everyone who should be protected, and that includes us." I omitted the last part of his thought: that that protection may or may not include me and Rosalie, depending on how Bella's...situation turned out.

Carlisle slipped an arm around Esme's shoulders and gave them a squeeze. He felt vindicated in his views about preserving the peace with the wolves. Esme was simply distressed about the circumstances Jacob, Seth and Leah found themselves in as a result of their decision to help her family. She was already trying to think of ways to help them.

Jasper and Emmett looked sceptical.

Alice was reserving judgment.

"Jacob has told the other wolves to let Sam know that they're not coming back right now, but that they're not looking for a fight, either. He, Seth and Leah will continue doing what they've been doing. He's told them to tell Sam the other wolves need to stick to their own territory for now."

Emmett raised an eyebrow at me. "Meaning that Jacob, Seth and Leah will be where? With us?"

"Absolutely they will," Esme stated flatly, stepping forward. "Look at what they've sacrificed for us. What they are sacrificing. They're more than welcome with us."

"You're assuming they'll want to stay with us," Jasper said wryly.

"Even if they prefer to stay in the forest. We'll do what we can for them." She looked to me for agreement. "You'll tell Jacob that for us, won't you, Edward? Let him know that our home is their home?"

I nodded. Obviously, it was the right thing to do. In any event, it was clear that Jacob still had his suspicions about Sam's intentions. It would only be wise to keep any allies we had close at hand.

One by one, we re-entered the house.