By the time I walked back into the house the others where leaving. Quil asked where I was, with Sam right at his shoulder, and I told them I walked around the house until I calmed down. I apologized to everyone about my behavior, saying that the exhaustion from the trip mingled in with the raw grief of losing my mother and made me irritable. They accepted my apology and told me how they recently lost someone important to them too. A haunted expression showed in their eyes, and when I asked who had passed they said 'No one. But she might as well be.'

I was confused, but Sam ushered them out quickly saying that I was tired and needed to be left alone, and he wasn't going to hear about that subject in his house. The guys said 'goodbye' and 'see you tomorrow' and 'nice meeting you' before leaving with a final wave. After they were gone, Sam shut the door and looked at me with sympathy in his eyes.

"I'm sorry about bringing up the subject of your mother like that. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again." I smiled a crooked smile, as a show of appreciation.

"Thanks Sam. Look, I'm gonna...go take a shower. See you in the morning." As I walked past, he ruffled my hair. I trudged up the stairs and into my room, grabbed the toiletries and ran into the bathroom. The bathroom was small, of course, but it did have a mirror and a counter with cabinets beneath it. I got undressed quickly, only to realize I didn't bring my change of clothes. I got changed again and ran to my room, grabbed my pajamas (a t-shirt with sweatpants) and ran back, got undressed again and hopped into the shower. The water was cold for a minute, but it warmed quickly, and I just let the water run over my muscles, relaxing them.

After I was done with the shower it only took a few minutes to get dressed and finish up in the bathroom, including brushing my teeth and my hair. I gathered my stuff in the bag and walked to my room, completely relaxed and content. I didn't hear from Pat again, but I'm sure I'll hear from her in the morning. With a happy sigh I lied under the covers and by the time my head hit the pillow I was out cold.

I awoke to the sound of rain pounding above my head. I hadn't seen rain for a long time, and instead of feeling depressed like a normal person, I was actually giddy. I got changed in a long-sleeved shirt, jeans, rain boots, and a jacket. I brushed my hair out, grabbed my toothbrush from my bag, brushed my teeth, and ran down the stairs. I ran past Emily and flung open the door, racing into the rain. The cold bit at my face and open skin, but I didn't care. I spun in a couple of circles, closing my eyes. I tilted my head toward the sky, letting the small drops wash my face. I felt like I was five again, giggling insanely and stomping around in mud puddles.

After I was done I headed into the house. The guys weren't here, and Sam was out. Emily threw me a towel and ordered that I leave my muddy boots outside. I used the towel to dry myself off, but I took off my boots and told her that I would wash them off. She agreed as long as I cleaned up the mess. And I was off to the bathroom. After washing my boots squeaky clean, I washed my face. By that time I could smell Emily's cooking and quickly finished up, cleaning my mess, and rushed to my room, grabbed my cell, and went back down the stairs.

With one hand on the rail I opened the cell, checking the messages. Surprisingly there was one from Taylor. I debated before opening the text.

Hey. I heard that you know about

Stacy and I. I wanted to tell you, I

really did. Your not mad are you?

Look Natalie, I still like you, but its

time to face the facts. You're in

Washington, I'm in Montana. It'd

take days just for you to visit. It'd

just be stressful for the both of us.

You're always traveling around. I

can't be more than friends with you.

I wish I could, you know I do, but I

just can't. I'm sorry Natalie.

Part of me wanted to snap the phone shut and pretend it never happened. Another part of me wanted to reply a nasty text, but I knew that it wouldn't do anything. And yet another part of me yearned to be next to him, have his arms around my waist like they used to be. Like they were supposed to be. I was in the kitchen now, lost in my own thoughts. Then the phone disappeared from my hand, snapping me out of my trance. An automatic screech of 'hey' escaped my lips as I glared at the culprit. Quil stood in front of me, a smirk on his face. He dangled the phone in front of my face, the smirk never leaving his.

"Well, what's this here? A love note via text?"

I grimaced and stared sadly at the ground for a split second before snapping my head up and going for the phone. He yelped and held it up higher, teasing me.

"Give it back Quil, it's none of your business."

"Oh contraire, you are living with Sam. And what Sam's problem is everybody's problem."

I could help but let a snarl out as my glare intensified.

"It's none of Sam's business either, now give it back before I decide to kick your ass!"

The seriousness of my tone only made him more curious. He looked at the screen, starting to read it. Knowing nothing good would come from him reading it, I leaped on him and snagged it back, snapping it shut. But then I ran into Embry. Quick as lightning he gabbed the phone, ignoring my protests. He opened it with ease and started going through it. I went to leap on him, but Quil grabbed me around my stomach, holding me back.

I snarled again and swore at them angrily. Quil covered my mouth; I bit his finger.

"Oh come on, we're just playing." He muttered, shaking the saliva from his finger.

"Found it." Embry called. Then, much to my distaste, he started read it out loud. "It says 'Hey. I heard that you know about Stacy and I. I wanted to tell you, I really did...'" He trailed off, reading it faster without speaking, before looking at me sympathetically. "Natalie, I'm so sorry." Quil was beside him then, reading it over Embry's shoulder, letting me loose. He snatched it away from Embry and walked away a few paces as he finished it. He looked at me angrily.

"Who is this? Where in Montana is he?"

"What's going on?" Jared popped up behind me before whisking over to Quil, who gladly gave my phone over. Paul was just behind him, and much to my humiliation, so was Sam. Emily was Sam's shadow as always. I was embarrassed and angry, but I didn't try to stop it any more. Taylor was safe; we were too far away to do anything to him besides text, and even that couldn't really harm him. Both Paul and Jared took Quil's reaction, demanding that I tell them who Taylor was and where he lived. Emily gave me a hug, and Sam gave me back my phone, a sympathetic look on his face. I snatched it back angrily, tears burning at the backs of my eyes, and ran for the door, only to realize that it was raining outside. I veered right and went the long way to the stairs. I stormed up to my room, ignoring the yells of my name from below me. I slammed the door and flopped on my bed on my stomach. I wasn't crying, and I didn't feel like crying. Surprisingly I wasn't angry or sad because of what Taylor wrote. I was more upset by the fact that the boys invaded my personal life.

A soft knock sounded from my door. I ignored it, and debated on telling them to stay away. I stared at the wall on my right, avoiding the door at all cost. The door creaked open and closed. It was silent for a minute, and then the side of my bed dipped where the intruder sat.

"Natalie, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. The guys are willing to forget if you are." It was Quil. I didn't answer. His weight shifted, and I saw out of the corner of my eye that he put his hand on the opposite side of my leg. In a second, his face was in front of mine, probably trying to make me smile or at least make eye contact with him. I switched my head to the other side, but his face was there too. I growled and put my head in my arms. "Oh come on Natalie. We're really sorry, all of us. I promise not to go through your phone unless it's okay with you." I stayed silent. I didn't know how he was on his word, but even knowing for a day made me pretty sure he was all games and no serious. I heard him sigh, then the next thing I know, I'm on my back staring at Quil, who was sitting Indian style at the end of my bed. He had his arms crossed and his face was unnaturally serious. "Natalie, what happened with him? I know that you liked him, and that he has a girlfriend, but we can't help if we don't know where to start."

I hesitated, measuring him to see if he was joking. He was absolutely serious. I sighed, defeated. I looked at him, trying to make my eyes as guarded as possible, so he didn't know how much it really tore me up.

"Fine. But don't tell the others."

The side of his mouth twitched and he shook his head.

"Sorry, but their gonna find out. You tell one of us, you're telling all of us."

I sighed. Figured as much.

"I was living with my Aunt Nancy in Montana a few months after my mom died, so I was touchy, bitchy, rebellious, you name it."

"So what happened? Your not like that now...I think." He gave me a crooked smile to take the sting out of his words. I shrugged.

"I cracked. One day my aunt and I got in an argument and I ended up telling her my problems while breaking down."

He chuckled and shook his head while giving me a 'your crazy' look. I puckered my lips.

"You're not helping your cause." I stated flatly. He urged me on with a wave of his hand.

"After that, I just...I don't know, relaxed? It was like I woke up from a dream. I became more playful, flirty, started making friends, and not too long after that, Taylor asked me out. We went out the rest of my stay there. I thought it could've lasted but..." I shook my head sadly. "Now I'm not so sure." The whole time I stared at my phone, playing with it and glancing up to see his reaction. I felt his eyes burning at my head, full of sympathy and comfort. I stared at my phone, straitened up and flipped it open.

"What 'cha doing?"

"Something I should've done a long time ago."

I got to the section in Montana and flipped through it until I got to the first of Taylor and I. I felt Quil over my shoulder, and I didn't care. I heard him mutter 'So that's him.' and nodded. Taking a deep breath, I started deleting them. I left one of us kissing and my favorite picture of us; the rest however, had seen their share fair of days. Quil rubbed my shoulder in understanding and encouragement. With a grin I turned the camera on Quil. He stared at me wide-eyed, but then smiled and made a funny face. I took the picture.

He grinned and walked over to the door.

"See ya downstairs." I nodded, saved the picture, and checked to make sure he was gone before texting Taylor.

I'm sorry too.

After that sent, I decided to text Pat, a smirk on my lips.

You're right. I do need to get

over him. Oh, and I've met

some guys. I'll send pics.

I sent that, and then I sent a picture of Quil, telling her that's who he was. With that done I headed down the stairs. I heard Embry say 'There she is!' I grinned at him. I hopped down the last of the stairs and went over to him, snapping a quick picture. I sent that too and searched to find Paul and Jared talking together. I called their names and waited for them to smile before taking the picture. I sent that one too then turned into the kitchen, just in time to see Sam wrap himself around Emily and share a kiss. Quick as lightning I took a picture of them kissing before calling their names and taking a real picture. I sent those two while grabbing a bite to eat; the others had breakfast while I was in my room. Sam waved me over. I waltzed over to him, leaning against the counter, a smile on my lips.

"Natalie, there's someone I want you to meet, and then the guys are going to show you the works. Dress warm."

I nodded and straitened up as he waved someone else over. Another giant walked into the kitchen, easily the tallest, 6'7", but he seemed different from the others. His brown eyes where colder, much more guarded, and (I was sure the others couldn't see it though I could) deeply depressed. Unlike the others his black hair was down to his chin. But overall, he was very, very, very attractive. Sam gestured to me. The man looked at me and visibly stiffened; on reaction I tensed and so did Sam. Emily looked at us all confused, switching her eyes from me to the newcomer and then to Sam. I noticed Sam narrow his eyes at him and spoke.

"Jacob, this is Emily's distant niece Natalie. Natalie, this is Jacob Black."

I nodded politely to him and stuck out my hand.

"Nice to meet you."

He nodded back and turned to Sam.

"Excuse me for a minute." Sam hesitated, but nodded once. With a startling fast and graceful movement Jacob was out the door. Sam murmured something to Emily before following him. I heard a snicker from the opening to the living room, and looked to see both Quil and Embry chuckling with a smirk on their faces. I wanted to ask what was funning, but I felt a hand on my shoulder. Emily was looking at the door as she addressed me.

"Natalie, I think you should get a warmer coat on before the guys show you around."

I was burning with curiosity, but I kept my mouth shut and ran up the stairs, two at a time, to grab my warmer coat.

With my warm coat wrapped over my other two layers of clothes I went down the stairs. The first person I spotted was Jacob. He seemed more relaxed, though his eyes were still expressionless as he talked to Quil and Embry. As soon as I appeared at the top of the stairs, Jacob tensed and glanced at me, making eye contact for a split second before staring at the other end of the room. That split second sent goose bumps crawling up my arms and made my cheeks burn. Seeing Jacob's reaction made everyone look at me, smiling welcomingly.

"Hey you! Come on! Lets go!"

I couldn't help but smile. I nodded enthusiastically, and within moments I was down the stairs and out the door with the boys surrounding me. The rain had died down from the first time I was out, making the walk comfortably cool. I laced my hands together behind my back as I looked at each of the boys, avoiding Jacob.

"Soooo... what are you showing me exactly?"

"Well," Jared started, a grin on his face "Probably a lot of our favorite hang outs. The first, as you've realized I'm sure, is Sam's and Emily's. Next is the beach."

I shrugged.

"Been there, done that. What else you got?"

I grinned as I notice shock leak into each of their features.

"Well, um, we do just hang around the rez. a lot, you know, hop by people's houses, go into the forest..." He trailed off. I quirked an eyebrow at him.

"What's so bad about the forest?" I asked nonchalantly, though even I could hear a trace of jealousy in my own voice.

"It's dangerous, but it's nothing we can't handle." Paul stated matter-of-factly. His gaze became guarded again, as did the rest of them. I groaned inwardly, but it seemed to travel to my chest and out my throat as a sound a dog would make, a small 'gruff'. They all looked at me -except Jacob- with the weirdest expression on their faces. Embry shook his head as he tried to figure out what happened. I cracked a grin.

"What the hell was that?"

My smile grew as a light blush dusted my cheeks. I thought of a response quickly.

"That, my dear Embry, was my impression of Sam getting up in the morning."

They all broke out in a howl of laughter again, and even Jacob cracked a smile. I noticed it happily. He had a brilliant smile. He snuck a glance at me. As soon as he did his smile dropped; he even glared the opposite direction. I felt my shoulders stiffen. I didn't do anything to him! Hell, I even made him smile!

"Hey, Quil?" I asked as he stopped laughing. He answered with a simple 'hmm' "Are there others?" I could swear everyone tensed dramatically, and I thought of a quick add-on. "Like you I mean." They tensed even more. "Like people who you hang out with. Any more to your..."I struggled to find the right word. "Gang?" At that they seemed to relax a bit, though they still seemed guarded.

"Of course. Seth is around us most of the time, but I doubt he's even up right now. And Leah...well, nobody really likes Leah. You could say she's a bitch." His mouth twitched, as if he were sharing a personal joke. The others stifled laughs. I looked at him confused, but his smile grew. He slung his arm around my shoulders and put his face next to mine. I noticed that someone stiffened, but I couldn't tell whom. "Don't worry about her. There are two others, Collin and Brady, but we don't normally associate with them. Hell, I don't think they live around here!"

"Yes the do," Embry argued, "you just don't pay attention."

Quil growled, pushed me -stumbling- away, and got into Embry's face. The group stopped for a minute, rolling their eyes. I noticed Jared's eyes flicker to me before going to push them apart. Paul stopped him, shaking his head. Jared looked at me once again, and Paul's eyes flickered to mine before murmuring in Jared's ear. While my attention was on them, I hadn't noticed the argument had gotten worse. Quil leaped on Embry, and they scuffled on the ground. My eyes lit up. I pumped my fists in the air as I watched them exchange blows.

"Who ho! Fight! Fight!"

Everyone else in the group looked at me with surprise –or in Paul's case delight- as I started to mimic the moves being thrown on the ground. "Nice kick Quil! Right hook, Embry! Hook!" My adrenaline boiled over at that point, and I leaped on top of Quil. I distracted him enough for Embry to squirm away before leaping over me and trying to get to Quil. I elbowed Embry in the ribs, and missed the punch threw at Quil, my breaths coming in shallow gasps. The heat these guys were giving off was suffocating. Then something happened. I didn't see what, but I was on my back, the breath knocked out of my lungs, with both Quil's and Embry's weight crushing my small body. Someone threw them apart and off of me. Jared bent next to me, his eyes scanning mine before checking out my body. I stayed on my back, trying to get my breathing under control. I hadn't noticed I was shaking. Once my breathing got under control I started laughing. I sat up, staring into the surprised faces of my piers. I threw my arms in the air.

"That was awesome!"

I flopped back down, shaking my head and continued to laugh. Once my pulse started to slow and the adrenaline start wear off did I feel the slow pain of the hits I had received. I sighed, not noticing the others standing around me talking, and extended my hands.

"I needs help."

Quil and Embry took my extended hands and pulled me up, only for me to realize the throbbing in my right ankle. I flinched and balanced on my left foot while I rolled my right. Another shock of pain rushed into it. I screwed my face up until the pain subsided, while I was still rolling my ankle. I then relaxed and stood up straighter, and then tested to see if I could put weight on it. A wave of pain shot from my ankle and across my face. I muttered a faint 'yep, that hurts' before I started to limp on it. I noticed that everyone was staring at me in concern as I did so. I rolled my shoulders and popped my neck as I grinned at Quil and Embry.

"Well, that was fun. Wanna go again?"

A grin crossed both of their faces, but with a sharp elbow to the ribs from Paul they both put their hands up.

"We're good."

I shrugged and limped onward; the boys surrounded me in seconds. Paul was grinning from ear to ear, Jared kept shooting worried glances as I limped forward, and Quil and Embry stayed silent. I continued rolling my shoulders and neck, trying to keep them loose. They were hurting pretty bad.

"God, what do they put in the water here? Damn, I never hurt this bad after I fight."

"Are you okay?" Jared pushed Quil out of his spot and stood next to me, examining my neck.

"I think so." The pain was bearable at least. I tried with a futile attempt to keep my sore parts relaxed.

"Here, let me help."

And just like that Jared was behind me, massaging my shoulders. I felt my face heat up dramatically as I tried to dive under his arm, flailing around. I turned around and matched his quizzical look.

"What are you doing?"

"Well, I-"

"You don't just randomly give girls massages as they walk."

The guys around Jared cracked a grin; I matched it. I glanced over my shoulder and spotted a place to sit. It was just a fallen log in the road, by the forest. I ran over to it, gaining curious glances from my followers. I straddled it and flung my hair dramatically to one side, trying to seem 'sexy'.

"You gotta wait till they sit down."

Jared crookedly smiled as Quil, Embry, Paul, and even Jacob gaped at me. Then they –minus Jacob- started giving Jared wolf calls and hooting loudly while smacking him. Jared trotted over to me, also straddling the log before he placed his hands on my shoulders. Almost immediately his hands snapped back.

"What have you done to yourself?"

I loosely grinned at him.

"You mean besides fighting?"

He rolled his eyes and set on work. The other guys stood or sat around us, talking about random stuff that I wasn't paying attention to. I flinched again as he touched another raw spot. His hand snapped back for the hundredth time.

"You want me to stop?" His voice seemed to slice through the others conversation, for it was silent. I shook my head.

"No. It hurts too good."

No sooner was the sentence out of my mouth did I take it in a perverted way. I started laughing as I hid my heating face in my hands. It took a minute, but the others eventually got it. Jared on the other hand, was clueless. I heard Paul say to Jared that he'd get it later. I pulled my head up, still red, and looked around. Quil and Embry where still laughing, Jacob was shaking his head with a perverted smile on his face, and Paul had pretty much calmed down, but he too had a perverted look on his face. Something flickered through his eyes, and his smirk grew.

"Hey, Jared, when did you get so good at that?"

I stiffened, giving Paul a look of confusion. This is going to be bad. Jared gave a sheepish smile.

"You haven't seen Kim and I alone very much have you?"

My face turned to complete horror, immediately getting what Paul was getting at.

"Oh Dear God!" I shrieked and attempted to leap off the log, tripping and stumbling in my mad struggle to get off. I wrapped my arms across myself, touching my shoulders. Jared looked as confused as ever.

"My poor virgin shoulders! I don't even want to know what you have been doing with those hands!" I screamed at him. Quil and Embry burst into a new fit of laughter, clutching their sides as they rolled on the ground. Jacob's face was mixed between horror and disgust. Paul's face was one of satisfactory with that perverted smirk from before. Jared's face was absolutely dark red as he tried to explain that he would never do such a thing. I laughed and walked back to Jared.

"I swear, nothing like that! I wouldn't-"

"I know. Calm down Jared. I was just kidding around." The laughs from behind me started to die down. Jared's look was priceless. He searched my gaze wildly, before realizing I was kidding, and started to calm down a little, though his face was still as red as a ripe tomato. I couldn't help but let a smirk cross my features as I looked at him.

"You know Jared, your reaction kinda has me wondering what you have done..." I trailed off, and his face grew darker if possible. I grinned loosely, showing I was kidding, and held out my hand. Jared took it, making realize with a jolt that his hand was just like Sam's; large and warm. Quil and Embry stayed on the ground, looking up at me with the same perverted smirk that never seemed to leave Paul's face. Quil shook his head, acting like he just saw something horrible. Knowing a guys mind, he probably did.

"Wow. Natalie, I gotta say, you're the first girl I've met who is..." he struggled for the right word. I grinned.

"Perverted?"

He grinned back and nodded. I laughed.

"You haven't been around me when I'm really bad. Trust me, my mind is worse than the gutter. As my friend used to say, 'My mind is worse than the gutter, it's so bad it's in the manhole next to the gutter!'" They laughed at that, shaking their heads. I grinned further. "And I mean that in the most sexual way possible." They laughed again. I joined them.