A/N: This is my baby, and was stopped after Breaking Dawn was written and after he imprinted. I loved this story with all my heart, and was the only one I wrote without encouragement from others. I still think about it, and hope that you find the same enjoyment out of this that I did. Please give me your thoughts on it, I do believe it would have been my best work.

Disclaimer: I own those characters you do not recognize, and the others, I must say, belong to the talented Stephenie.

Category: Books: Twilight

Genre: Romance/Drama/Action/Adventure/Suspense

Summary: The war is raging, the blood being spilled. Lines must be drawn. Which side are you on?

Midnight
by: Dark Huntress
Chapter Six: A Talk With Billy

Needless to say, I'm a coward, and by the next morning all the intentions of confronting the Native Americans had vanished. And so I delved head first into my studies, ignoring everything else around me. It was a good plan, a solid plan, and it work for let's say, oh, about three weeks. Apparently, Emily was more attached that I had hoped.

"Evelyn! Get your butt down here, now!" a loud, annoying pig squeal called up to me at six o' freaking clock in the morning.

Grumbling, I rolled out of bed, and stumbled down the steps, almost tumbling to my doom at least four times. Damn stairs and their evil plot to snap my fragile neck.

"What?" I hissed, not at all interested in being pleasant to the wicked witch of the northwest.

"You have a visitor, dipshit, so don't be bitchy to me," Lauren snarled, and it took all of my might not to stick my tongue out at her. I had grown braver, I am proud to say...in some areas. One being in the cousin department, let's just say ever since the spider incident, things had gone down hill.

"But why anyone would want to visit you is beyond me," she snapped before flouncing up the stairs, now why couldn't they have it out for her too?

Rolling my eyes, I stumbled into the greeting room, and suddenly, I was so not tired anymore. I seriously think the blood in my veins froze and my eyes were going to fall out of their sockets. Oh no, no, no, no, this wasn't supposed to be happening. Hell, I was even considering making a break for it.

"Lyn, please, can we talk?" Emily asked, her voice was so quiet, so vulnerable, that I felt my own heart crack, and I relented.

I went and sat by her side, unsure of what to do or what to say. I hadn't spoken to her in so long, the temperatures had dropped considerably, the seasons slowly changing, the days moving on, and our friendship had come to a stand still. I knew she was confused, she had a right to be, but in my own reasoning, didn't I have the right to be nervous?

She was a wonderful, kind person, who was gentle enough to actually wish to be my friend. The men, all of them, had been kind, they didn't exile me because of my strangeness, no, I was welcomed. Why did it matter what they were? If that was what they were (which I was still questioning), it didn't change who they were on the inside. No, I just needed to grow a nerve, and confront this thing head on. What could possibly happen? They could think I was crazy and I could lose their friendship forever? So what? I'd been down this road before, nothing new, nothing unusual.

Great.

Biting my lip, I looked into her almond eyes, and my resolve strengthened. I owed her this, I owed them all this, and I wasn't going to hurt them anymore. I smiled at that thought, I had never really been important enough to anyone (minus my mother) to be able to hurt them. Its not that I wanted to, but it was a warm feeling to realize that I had that power, that someone else beside my mom actually cared.

"Emily, I'm sorry I ignored you, I should have came to you way before now," I whispered, I looked away from her, down to my sock clad feet. "Come with me."

Taking her hand I wound my way up the stairs, glaring at my cousin who had so obviously been eavesdropping only moments before. Stupid gossip, probably wanting to catch something juicy to spread to her friends and psychotic Mike. Okay, I was starting to come around to the fact that Mike wasn't crazy, but every time I thought of him I instantly thought of insanity. Needless to say, we were not going to be bosom bodies anytime soon.

Shutting the door once we reached my room, I sighed, glad to be away from my 'family' and at the fact that a door had slammed in the hall. With that, I effectively knew Lauren had given up, and therefore I was free to converse with Emily without hindrance.

Looking at my stereo, I quickly turned it on, just in case.

"Ok, so a lot has happened since you last saw me," I started, scrunching up my face slightly as I thought about the way I was starting the conversation, probably not right, but oh well.

"What?" Emily asked, her head tilting to the side so her long dark chocolate hair fell in a shiny wall of strands, why couldn't my hair be that pretty?

"Well, first off, I met the Cullens the other day," I stated, watching her from the corner of my eye as I walked to the window to look outside, she had instantly stiffened.

"Really?"

"Yep, quite interesting too, turns out they don't like being snuck up on in the middle of the forest, oh, let's say, about midnight. But I really do like Bella, she seems nice," I commented, watching further as her eyes narrowed slightly and her mouth frowned.

"I see," she murmured, a strange look flashed in her eyes, and I raised a brow, there was definitely animosity between the two. I especially noticed then when the word traitor danced across her lips without her realizing.

"Anyways, I didn't like her right away however, something about her kidnaping me, and then drinking my blood," I said off handedly, waiting to see a reaction, I was not disappointed.

"What!" Emily cried, jumping hastily and racing toward me, I let off a surprised shriek as my neckline of my shirt was forcefully shoved down to expose my shoulder.

A dawning came across her eyes because she quickly retreated once she realized I was unharmed, her body was tense, and honestly, she looked about ready to bolt.

"You know?" she whispered, and if I hadn't been paying close attention, I would not have heard her.

"Yeah, I caught her hunting, so they kidnaped me so they could explain things. It was really an interesting experience, not one I wish to relive however," I said, turning my gaze on her.

"I...why are you telling me this?" again she looked like she was going to run, or maybe cry, I'm not exactly sure which one at the moment.

"Because, Emily, I like the Cullens, despite what they are," I mumbled, and bracing myself for any ridicule I may gain, I pulled out the envelope that Mike had sent me. "Just like I like you despite what you are."

Her breathing stopped then, her gaze tracing me before she turned with trembling hands to pick up the envelope I had thrown on the bed. I felt terrible, I didn't like her being like this, but hopefully with the reassurance that I liked her and wasn't planning on telling all of Forks, she'd relax.

Gasping, she collapsed on my bed, her tears now freely falling from her gorgeous brown eyes, and I felt my own tear ducts going into overdrive.

I gently sat beside her and pulled her into a hug, giving her some form of comfort, or at least I hoped I was.

"Its Sam," she said softly, and I nodded my head, not trusting my voice with my snot filled nasal cavity and tear soaked face.

"Where...where did you get these?" she stuttered, her flabbergasted manner was slowly slipping away, she was accepting it.

"Mike, I told you, he believes this stuff, you guys need to be careful," I stated, watching as she slowly tore each one up, I didn't try to stop her. "I was going to tell you, thinking that he was a completely lunatic and stalking you guys, but things kind of went haywire after that."

She nodded her head as she got up and dumped the bits into a nearby trash can, her hands once more trembling uncontrollably. I instantly thought back to the time that she had stood in her kitchen, her whole body shaking, it looked like the same scenario.

"Why do you shake like that?" I asked, inclining my head towards her hands, she clenched them briefly before relaxing.

"It's a reaction to when we're upset, its usually followed by us transforming unless we get it under control. I'm still fairly new at this, so its harder for me to control it," she stated, sighing, and sitting back down beside me.

"I see," I replied, eyeing her up and down, unsure of what to say or do, I had imagined this turning out differently.

"Let me know one thing, Lyn, did they tell you?" she said, and I shook my head, knowing who she meant instantly. "Then how did you finally decide all this?"

"Mainly Mike planted the seed in my head, even when I had dubbed him as psychotic. After that, it was only time, though I must say me learning there are vampires, let alone in the vicinity, certainly didn't help your case," I stated, glaring halfheartedly at the stupid light fixture, I was starting to get tired again, and it was just so damned annoying.

"So, is this going to be weird, or are you going to ignore us again?" she questioned, and I was surprised to hear such a question from her, it wasn't like her.

"Sorry, no, I hope it won't be, and I certainly don't plan on ignoring you. But, I was kind of freaked out, not in I'm scared of you way, but more in I'm friends with something that's not supposed to exist kind of way," I tried explaining, hoping it would work. "And plus, I didn't really know how to break it to you, you know?"

"Sort of, I guess it would be awkward and uncomfortable. Wanna make it up to me?" she asked, the anger from earlier slowly slipping away.

"Sure, what do you have in mind?" I questioned, fully deciding I was not getting any sleep this morning, and went to my closet to get clothes.

"Well, I'm going grocery shopping, and I could use some company," she announced, and I agreed, I was going to try to make this as un-weird as I possibly could.

Slipping on my clothes, we left the house, my mind completely off the fact that I was hanging with a werewolf.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"Ugh, Emily, I hate you!" I complained, glaring at her, I was totally disheartened when she laughed in my face, how totally not fair.

"Its not that bad, Lyn, its just a few groceries," she said, already she had started putting the things away in the cabinets, me, I was still panting.

"A few? This is crazy, I think there is like eighty bags here!" I exclaimed, pointing to the very bane of my existence, the kitchen was overflowing.

"Don't be silly, there's only sixty," she replied, and I laughed, shaking my head as I decided to help her out, there were a lot.

Ten minutes later I was forced into the living room, dropping eggs apparently is not a good thing. Though she even had to admit it was partly her fault, with the whole sneaking up behind me and growling like a wolf, I was still not totally accustomed to this. It was strange though, her demeanor had changed since I had learned about it, she was much more open. Which was to be understandable, but still, it was like a weight had been lifted.

Yawning, I snuggled back further into the cushions of the couch, my eyelids heavy. I was happier now, knowing that everything was going to be okay between myself and Emily.

Shifting slightly, I grumbled as the scent of a lunch filtered through the air. It was causing my stomach to growl, and I was perfectly satisfied where I was, dosing in the warm sunlight. I hated waking up early, and Saturday mornings were reserved for the noon risings. However, this day, this glorious day, had been shrouded in that rather non-awesome aspect.

"I think she's dead," a none to welcomed voice said, and I scowled, willing them telepathically to leave me alone, they however, must not be telepathic.

Cracking an eye open, I glared with said one eye heatedly at the aggravating Quil. He had woken me and I was not pleased with it in the least. The couch was so soft and comfortable, that is was just so unfair to be roused from my rather pleasant oblivion.

"Quil, leave her be," Emily's voice carried in from the kitchen, and reluctantly the huge guy left for other things, much to my pleasure.

Sitting up I stretched my arms above my head, still slightly tired, but better now because of my short nap. I wasn't sure how long I had been out, but the others had obviously returned during my outage.

Looking around the room, I raised my brow, never before had I taken the time to actually look around it. The walls were a neutral shade of cream, and every space was filled with random shots of all of them. Some were of Emily and Sam's wedding, another of Paul and Jared drinking a beer on the beach, a little further down was of Quil and Embry with a small girl, and finally one of Jacob and his father, both laughing heartily. I smiled at each one, all of them of when they were bursting with joy.

Leaning further into the plush tan couch, I twirled the fine threads of the decorative pillow between my fingers, chuckling to myself at the strange sensation. The tiny threads tickled my palm, a jittery sensation shooting up my arm.

Looking up startled, I smiled warmly at Sam, yet his gaze back at me was not as welcoming. I gulped, looking away quickly to the pillow which had fascinated me so thoroughly only moments before. Yet even with my eyes diverted, I was strangely conscious of the gaze he was directing my way. I felt weary, unsure of what was going to happen, yet knowing that it would come to a head very soon.

Shifting, I crossed my legs, feeling even more uncomfortable with the unusual posture. It was a defensive maneuver on my part, one I knew he was aware of. I didn't like being the center of attention, and it wasn't helping with the fact that more were joining us in the living room.

All of a sudden I felt claustrophobic, the room suddenly so much smaller than I had originally perceived. The air was stale and haunting, and I was acutely aware of the danger that lurked within these medieval creatures. They were dangerous, they were something to be wary of, something to fear, but they weren't evil, never that.

"Lyn," Sam's voice broke me from my revery, and I directed my skittish eyes to his steady ones, the breath hitching in my throat.

At once I noticed the way they stood, the earlier air of welcoming missing completely. They were in a specific formation, Sam was first, seated, and looking in complete control. Behind him, and almost as far forward as Sam, was Jacob, his eyes darker and more nightmarish than I had ever seen. Behind him stood Jared and Paul, their arms crossed, their mouths set, a snarl in their eyes. Quil and Embry stood just in view, the kitchen table blocked from view by their wide bodies, their earlier jokes lacking. And Emily, stood in the back, their bodies clearly protecting her from the outside world. It was fascinating.

Shaking my head, I concentrated on the annoyed leader, fully aware that everyone's eyes were on me, and that hostility, weary hostility, was on me as well.

"So you have learned our secret," he said, and as he said, he leant forward, his eyes trained on me. "Do you know the significance of this?"

I nodded my head mutely, inching further away, my muscles were twitching and I could feel my face heat up. I was nervous, above this, ready to run at any opportune moment. Unfortunately, they seemed reluctant to give me that.

"Do you really?" he snarled, and my eyes doubled, I was sure, I swore he was ready to transform at any moment. "Because I do not believe you do."

I gulped, for at that statement, I swore I saw everyone of them take a predatory step forward. It wasn't necessarily an actual step, some were too close for that, but it was an action meant to bring them closer.

"This secret is of upmost importance, and I do not believe you have the right to know it," Sam growled, his body was alive with a shaking twitch, and from Emily had told me earlier, I knew this was dangerous.

They were all shaking, all except two. Emily stood in the background, she had maneuvered herself in away that she could see and I could see her. She had a nervous step, her body swaying side to side as she bit her lip. She was worried for me, and with good reason, her bodyguards didn't seem all that friendly in my book. No, they seemed like they wanted to rip each of my limbs off and feed them to the wolves, no pun intended.

And the second, surprisingly, was Jacob. Unlike the others' eyes his eyes weren't hard, no, they were unsure. As the rest seemed to advance, he seemed to stop, silently questioning the others with his face. Unlike me, his pack members didn't seem to notice this, only me. And despite the others still advancing, it gave me some since of security, if only for a brief moment.

That moment swiftly died.

My eyes which had previously been transfixed on his face, were now directed back towards the still very intimidating men that wanted to scare me witless. They were succeeding.

"Sam, please," her voice was so quiet I barely caught it, but that could have been because I was inching back along the cushions until my lower back rested on the opposite armrest.

"Emily, be quiet," he was harsh, much more than I had ever heard him be to one of his own, and I knew, at the moment, he was mostly wolf.

Just as I saw my life flashing before my eyes, well, not literally, the shrill ring of the telephone cut through the air. Everyone stilled, and all eyes directed themselves towards the kitchen where the phone was. Emily quickly shuffled off to answer it. A few seconds later, she returned, a nervous step in her gait.

"Its...its for you, Lyn," she whispered, and I blinked, uncomprehending until she directed her head in that direction with a swift nod.

Nodding my head, I slowly, and as gracefully as I possibly could, rose from my seat. Hardly breathing, I sucked in my stomach as I gently maneuvered around their very stiff forms. A warm gladness filled me as I entered the safety of the kitchen, still aware their eyes were on me, but happy to be actually away from them.

Picking up the receiver, I tried to steady my shaky hands, but was finding it especially difficult. Taking a deep breath, I put the phone to my ear and tried my best to ignore everyone else.

"Hello?" I winced at the low, shaky quality of my voice, but figured that it couldn't be helped, and I only hoped that whoever was on the line could get me out of here.

"Lyn?" the deep voice clarified, and I tried to place it, but was unable to, and nodded my head in affirmative before realizing they couldn't see me.

"Yes," I replied, once more glancing over my shoulder at the looks they were giving me, the chill that went down my spine was justified.

"Do no ask questions, cup the end of the phone as best you can," he instructed, and I did as told, unsure of where this was going.

"Act upset, and walk slowly into the next room, as far as the chord will allow you," I had to strain to hear this, his voice was hardly a whisper.

I did as told, hiccupping slightly and letting a few tears slide down my cheeks, the fear racing through my veins helped with the act. Slowly, and at an unsteady pace, I hobbled out of the kitchen and into the hallway, as far away as I could.

"Are you there?" he asked, and I affirmed that I was. "Good, now I want you to do exactly as I tell you to, you are in a lot of danger."

Once more I agreed, glancing around me, and hoping that he was still keeping his voice low enough that they would have trouble hearing.

"Now, I want you to go into that room, crying, and tell them that Lauren was in accident, they will learn it's a lie later, but right now its of the upmost importance, that you escape," he explained.

"How do you know...?" I was able to finish, a growl was heard from the other room and I shut my mouth, scared beyond belief.

"Sob," he ordered, and I did as told, unsure if I was convincing or not, but reacting out of self preservation. "Do it now, and then as soon as you're out, come to me, I will explain."

"But how do you know all of this?" I asked quietly, letting out an extra hiccup in hopes of convincing everyone out there that I was for real. "And where do I go?"

"No more questions, it will become suspicious. I'll explain when you get here, and there's a car waiting for you outside," he explained. "Get in, and he will take you to me."

I agreed and stumbled back into the kitchen, I made sure quickly that tears were flowing down my cheeks at a steady pace. Fear inspired it, and I clenched my fists to my side, releasing them once I decided everything was in place.

I was sure I was a sight, the look on Emily's face confirmed this, I was not a pretty crier, and at this point I was in full on sob mode. I tried to keep my frame under control until I realized that it would most likely further help my case, so I let the shaking continue.

"I've...I've got to go," I stammered, and rushed forward, shoving passed Embry and Quil in such an abrupt movement, I saw them stumble because of it.

"Lyn, what's wrong?" Emily called, her body was once again restrained so she couldn't approach, but I didn't mind, I didn't want to her too close at the moment.

"Lauren was in an...accident," I said, making sure to through in a hiccup that sounded fake to my ears, but I hoped it didn't to their's.

I pulled on my sneakers hurriedly, happy when my long hair fell to block their view of my face. My hands trembled so that it took me several tries to tie the shoes. A few mumbled curses followed my tries, I wanted out, and fast.

"You act very upset for someone I've heard didn't get along with their cousin," Sam said, and I blanked momentarily, before I righted myself with an indignant glare on my face.

"She's my cousin," I simply said, and with tears still streaming, my mouth firm, I silently challenged them with my eyes, hoping that I was pulling off an insulted air.

Pulling on my hoodie, I yanked open the door and scurried outside, making sure to run as if I was desperate to escape, which I kind of was.

A small Chevy truck sat running on the road leading away from the house, and I could only assume that it was the ride I was to be looking for.

Opening the door, I slid into the passenger seat, the warm heat instantly drying the droplets from my chilled face. Rubbing my hands together in front of the vents, I refused to look over at my chauffeur, and instead concentrated on controlling my rampant emotions.

"Are you alright?" I looked over at him, surprised to see the store owner at the wheel, but grateful for a friendly familiar face none the less.

"Yeah, I will be," I stuttered, surprised to feel my jaw paretically coming undone with the force of my chattering teeth.

"Good, Billy called a little while ago, I hurried over as fast as I could. He mentioned your cousin being in an accident, but he wants me to take you to his house, I wasn't sure why," he said, and he wasn't prying, but I felt obliged to answer none the less. The problem was, I didn't know what to say.

"Yeah, he didn't want me to go home where there wasn't anybody, my uncle and aunt are already at the hospital in Seattle. He thought it'd be better if I had someone around me," I replied, trying to make it sound convincing, and trying to look sad, knowing now that he believed the same story.

"I see, good old Billy," he said, and I thought he was going to say more, but he didn't, instead he opted to remain silent for the rest of the drive.

I thanked him once we arrived, grasping the door handle and then slipping out, waving him off even though the rain was pouring down.

The home was small, like a cabin you would find in the middle of the forest, yet was not. It seemed out of place in away, with a house directly across the street from it. There was a shed off towards the side and back, hard to see when you first came, but just discernable enough once you reached the front door.

I knocked on the door, grateful for the porch with the overhang, the rain wasn't hitting me anymore. Unsure of myself, and intensely aware of the fact that this was Jacob's father, I waited for him to arrive. I couldn't figure out how he knew exactly that I was in danger. Why did he disagree with how Sam was handling it? It was a conundrum, but I was safe at the moment, so I wasn't going to argue any.

The door swung open, revealing a haggard and disheveled Billy, his expression wise yet watchful all at the same time.

He ushered me inside and locked the door quickly, his hands then moving quickly to close the drapes in the front room. The house's layout was similar to that of Emily and Sam's, but I could on guess this was because of the fact both were extremely small.

Sitting on his couch after removing my hoodie and shoes, I waited for him to begin speaking.

"Lyn, you must be careful, the way you handled things were not of the best choice," Billy said delicately, his gaze turning to the locked door once before settling back on me.

"What do you mean?" I asked, I knew of now that I had handled the situation badly, however, I wasn't sure why they reacted as they did.

"They fear for all of their safety, to them, the pack is the most important aspect, much like a real wolf. Males are much more protective and territorial than females, which is why Emily reacted as she did, and the others acted as they did," he explained, and I fidgeted, still uncomfortable.

"You didn't know this, in fact you know very little, but for you to understand, you must learn a few things. It will be hard for you to be accepted by them, but I think in time it will happen. Ever since Bella chose the vampires over us, their trust in others as decreased. They accepted her readily, and by her leaving, to them, it's the ultimate betrayal. And Jacob, took the brunt of it.

"Two years ago, Jacob was in love with Bella, and though she cared more so for the vampire, I do believe that she loved Jacob in a way. Jacob, after awhile, closed down. The longer the absence, the more the wolf took over, and the more Jacob drew into himself. I fear for my son, Lyn, the wolf is strong in him, much more so than any of the others.

"I cannot teach you what you need to know, the wolf side of them is so strong in each one, that the only way for them to accept you, will be as a part of their pack. Its hard to explain, the human portion of their mind realizes things, like the fact that physically we are not one of them, that we aren't part of the pack, but the wolf, the predominant part, has to accept you as one of their own before they truly trust and warm to you. Its complicated, and it will take time and practice.

"Lyn, you must make a decision, before you get in too deep. You must decide whether or not you are willing to stay here, even after you graduate. If you are not willing, you must leave the reservation and not return, you must not come into contact with them anymore, it would be dangerous," he stated, a severe strain crossed his eyes and mouth.

I choked, I was leaving this place, but did that mean I would never be able to be friends with Emily and them again? Suddenly I wished more than anything that I had been left ignorant, if only I had gone on like nothing was wrong, ignoring the situation rather than confronting it. I was stupid. Now, I was facing a year of loneliness, a year without friends.

"I see the decision in your eyes, but give it some time, I do not want you to make a decision that could be bad for you. Not in a danger sense, but what is best for you in the long run. You need to know them longer, better, before you make your decision. You will know their ways before you decide," he stated, and I agreed, I would learn, get to know them, and make a decision then.

"But, how did you know I was in trouble?" I asked out of the blue, intently I watched him as a slow grin spread across his face.

"Jacob had called me, to check up on me, when I heard Emily telling the rest of them about you in the background. I could tell they weren't happy, and decided then I would need to find a way for you to get out," he explained, and I nodded my head, accepting his answer.

"Why do you disagree with Sam? I mean, I'm sure you're very protective of them as well, being that Jacob is your son, so why are you here trying to save me from them? For all you know I might go out and tell everyone, tell them things that would make them believe, and ultimately threatening them," I said, needing to know his reasoning.

"If it had been any normal person, I would have let Sam and the others do as they pleased, but I couldn't with you. I can't tell you why, but there is a reason, you are very important Lyn, to all fo us. And I know you would never endanger those you care about, and despite them scaring you, you care about them," he said calmly, and I blushed, unsure of how to take such praise.

"You're wet," he said, and I glanced up, my brow raised as I glanced down at my soaked through white t-shirt, acutely aware of my bra showing.

Blushing three shades darker, I tried to cover myself, a low chuckle forming in his throat as he waved me to follow him.

Trailing behind, I pulled absentmindedly at the shirt, and at the jeans that were heavy with water, I hoped I hadn't got their couch too wet.

"Here, wear these, their Jake's," he said, I took the proffered clothes and smiled in thanks, thinking how ironic it seemed to continue ending up in Jacob's clothes.

Walking to the bathroom where he directed, I changed my clothes, resigning myself to wear the underclothes I had on, its not like they would have anything. Once again I was in athletic shorts that fell passed my bony knees, and in a classic white undershirt that fit snug, but went passed my hips.

Reemerging, I went into the laundry where Billy pointed and put my clothes onto dry, sighing at the warmth the machine gave off. It was dark outside, but not from the time, but rather from the dismal weather that had rolled in so suddenly.

Sitting back on the couch, I ignored the slight dampness that sank into the back of my legs. Billy had gone off into another portion of the house, presumably his room or Jacob's, since it was one of the few places I hadn't been.

Cleaning out my fingernails, I jumped at the sound of the lock undoing itself. Staring fixedly at the door, I felt fear grip me as it swung open, lightning and thunder in the background, and Jacob walked in.

As he entered, he hung his jacket up, took off his boots, and then, as though he knew I would be there all along, stood straight and stared at me. It was neutral, not mad, not threatening, not welcoming, just neutral, and despite the rather cold, unfeeling stare, I felt my nerves relax. The muscles in my arms and legs instantly un-tensed, and leaned back with a sigh.

Hey, at least he wasn't about to attack me.