New Born

Carlisle instructed the medics bring Seth to his house so he could be best prepared for anything. The family members all watched as they brought him into the living room placing Seth into a hospital bed they had prepared for him. Carlisle had everything ready; a portable ventilator and an AED unit to monitor his stats. Once the medics left, Carlisle requested that everyone leave the room to give Tara some privacy. She sat on the bed next to him and held his hand. It was still warm under her fingertips. Though she felt the blood pumping though his veins, his heart sounded weak. It no longer thumped with the same strong tempo she was used to.

Carlisle stepped in to check his pupils again, then routinely checked all the equipment. He listened to Seth's heart rhythm and thoroughly examined the wounds once more. The injuries caused a lot of discoloration throughout his mid-section. He knew this would only worsen with time and there wasn't much left.

"If you are going to do this Tara, you need to do it soon." He cautioned. "He's still bleeding internally. Even with a respirator, he doesn't have much time left now."

Tara nodded, keeping her focus on Seth's face. Everything became even more real to her now and the fear started to creep over her as she truly thought about what she was going to attempt. As she sat holding his hand, listening to his heart beating, she realized this could very well be the last time she would feel him, or the last time she would see his face. He was close to death now and the thought of biting him scared her just as much as letting him go. She was completely torn. Her memory of the pain he endured when she bit before still lingered in her head. She knew he'd have to go through nearly three days of it before the process was complete and even after all that he could still die. The last thing she wanted to do is make his death an agonizing one.

"Carlisle?" she said just before the doctor exited.

"Yes Tara?" he stopped and turned.

"Do you think I'm making the right decision?"

He sighed and stepped back over to her putting his hand on her shoulder. "I can't make that choice for you. You just have to do what your heart tells you."

She nodded again. "No matter what happens though…." Her voice began to fade until it was almost a whisper. "I'll have to watch him die."

She put her face in her hands. When Carlisle heard the dull sobs he wrapped his arm around her shoulders to comfort her. "Either way, he has a chance for a second life," he assured her. Carlisle's faith came into play with every situation. It always gave him hope.

Her lips quivered and she bit down to make it stop. Carlisle seemed so much like a father figure to her. She was so very thankful the Cullens came into her life and pulled her out of her world of loneliness and isolation. She felt some guilt for all the burdens she'd placed on his family and friends ever since the day she arrived though.

"Do you want me to leave you two alone?" Carlisle asked.

"No. Actually I'd prefer you'd stay. Please?"

"Of course…whatever you need of me," he said soothingly.

Carlisle kissed her on the head and stepped back to give her some room and a bit more privacy.

She scooted closer to Seth's body and caressed his face. Then she let her hand travel down his neck to his shoulder till it came in contact with the previous scar he had where she bit him once before. Her fingertips circled the oval pattern on his skin. It was the coolest part of his entire body. Not wanting to give him a second scar, she thought it best to bite the same spot. It was also closest to his heart, in hopes the venom would work faster.

She slowly leaned in, pausing just before her lips met his skin. The heat from his body rose up and warmed her face. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I never wanted it to end this way, but I can't bear the thought of never seeing your face again." Then she sunk her razor sharp teeth into his skin. The venom expelled from her mouth quickly spreading into Seth's blood stream.

Tara waited for a reaction. Usually the pain was instantaneous once the poisonous toxin entered the body but Seth remained motionless still. She bit down even harder releasing more into his system. Then she licked the wound, sealing it with venom to stop the bleeding and sat back, hoping for a sign but received none. He didn't move.

"Please…please come back," she whispered while caressing his cheek.

"Perhaps it's the morphine." Carlisle told her. "Bella didn't respond at all during her entire transformation. We had no idea until she started healing."

"Would you please ask Edward to come in?" she requested.

Before Carlisle could leave the room to get him, Edward entered from the hall. "Uh, sorry… I've been listening," he admitted. He walked over and stood next to Tara. She didn't take her eyes off Seth.

Edward looked him over noticing the fresh bite mark on his shoulder.

"Do you hear him? Is he in pain?" she asked, hoping he was in there somewhere.

Edward listened intently for any spark, any sound at all from him. "I'm sorry. I don't hear anything right now." He said sadly. "But don't give up hope." Edward put his hand on her shoulder, trying to give her a shred of reassurance. He really had no idea at this point however.

His words didn't comfort her though and she worried that it might be too late.

"Tara, Bella was near death when I turned her and so much worse than this physically. The venom saved her. There's always hope." Edward said, trying again to give her confidence.

Carlisle suggested she give it some time. Nothing more could be done except to just watch his progress.

She sat with him alone for a long while, watching his every movement, listening to his heart beating. It hadn't stopped at least, she thought.

An hour passed by and still nothing. Edward returned to check on them but Seth's mind was still silent. So as the night went on, Tara became more anxious, getting up several times, pacing the room, watching the rain outside the large window. Thunder shook the glass as it rolled through the clouds. It couldn't have been more of a drearier setting.

Some of the others peeked in to check on them during the evening, offering Tara encouragement and support. Bella came in and sat with Seth for a while, talking to him and making jokes. She rambled on about some stories of Jacob and some of the stupid thing he would do to cheer her up the summer they all that time together. She hoped she would spark an emotion in him, even if it was a moan. Anything to give an indication he could hear her. Then Bella noticed the footsteps of someone coming. It was Edward. He was returning from his phone call to Jacob to update him on Seth's condition and to also check on his daughter. She was doing fine but sleeping a great deal lately and Jacob didn't like being away from her for long periods. Though he needed to care for her and the business, he still promised to stop by and check on his friend as soon as he was able. Edward also promised to keep him closely informed of his condition.

"How's the patient?" he asked Bella as he approached. She looked up at his face as he put his arm around her. Even in moments of sadness or stress he was beautiful to her. She never tired of seeing his face. She tried to smile but it he could tell it was a forced smile. Her eyes didn't light up like when she was happy.

"No change," she sighed.

Edward listened, hoping to hear even a mental cry from him. Anything that gave the indication Seth felt pain. He studied his friend's face closely. Something seemed off. Edward didn't pick up on it at first but then he realized Seth's color was all wrong - he was in fact…paler.

"Um…you sure?" Edward said to his wife making her take another look. At first he thought Seth's condition was worsening but he noticed something else; his wounds were actually healing. The bite mark on Seth shoulder was nothing but a scar now. It matched the one Bella had on her wrist. The cuts and bruises on his body were fading and barely noticeable. The purple skin on his ribs faded to a more blanched hue.

Bella gasped when she looked at Seth. She had just looked at him only seconds ago and noticed no difference, now his completion was taking a whole new appearance. Tara's mind was far away she blankly stared out the window, not even listening to what was going on behind her.

"Tara!" Bella called out to get her attention. "Look at his skin!" She finally snapped out of her trance and rushed to the bed. Her eyes widened as she witnessed what was happening and she reached out to feel his chest. "It's cooler!"

"He's healing." Bella said cheerfully.

Edward ran and got Carlisle. He was delighted to see the improvement, feeling more hopeful now. "This looks good. I think your plan might've worked."

"But why is he still so quiet?" Tara asked.

"I don't know." His head shook. "My only guess is it's the morphine in his system." The doctor checked his pupils again but they were non-existent. The warm brown eyes he once had before were black now. He knew that meant the change was really happening, but he had no way of knowing what was going on in Seth's brain. He had to have hope that the venom would do more than just heal his body - he needed for Seth to show signs that his soul was still in there somewhere too.

Bella remembered her transformation and cringed, worrying he might be in pain but couldn't move or scream or do anything to let them know. She wondered if he could feel what was happening to him and prayed he wasn't in agony right now. "Should we remove the respirator?" she wondered.

"His heart sounds stronger now. I think it would be a god idea to test it," Carlisle replied.

The machine hissed when he turned it off, pushing the last rush of air into his lungs.

The room was silent as they waited and listened to the monitor. His heart continued to beat still. A few more minutes passed before Carlisle removed the tape and pulled the tube out.

Tara pushed his chin up, closing his mouth and caressed his face. She hoped for some kind of response but there was still none. She leaned down and kissed his forehead. It was so much cooler than she was used to. "I love you," she whispered.

They watched and waited for a several more hours. Tara stayed by his side the entire time watching as skin completely transformed. It was much smoother now, completely flawless. She never thought he could have looked more perfect than he did before but now he appeared so much more brilliant, superlative – exquisite, she thought.

Tara ran her finger tips up and down his arm. It felt so different. The fiery sensation she remembered was replaced with new cooler surface, closer to her temperature. His body was like a finely polished stone. His warm bronze complexion had lightened several shades, though not as ghostly as the Cullen's but clearly paler than he before.

While her hand traveled back and forth she suddenly felt a tremor underneath her fingertips. His hand moved. She focused on it closely to see if she was imagining things but it moved again. She took Seth's hand in hers and held it and felt it start to tremble. The shaking movement traveled up his arm until it reached the center of his body and then his legs began to shake as well. Edward was the first to realize what was happening. "He's gaining consciousness!"

Carlisle quickly moved in to get a closer look.

Seth body started to vibrate even more violently and Tara stood up still holding his hand. "Seth! Seth Can you hear me?"

Edward realized he was starting to feel everything now. His body was reacting to the pain of the venom and he suddenly arched his back as every muscle in his body spasmed.

Tara let go of him. She watched helplessly as he thrashed on the table, knowing there was nothing she could do to help him. His hands balled into fists and his teeth clenched together tightly. A fierce growl came deep from his belly until he finally he sucked in a deep breath and then bellowed loudly. He had no idea where he was or what was happening. Finally his blood red eyes opened for the first time and he screamed so loud the others in the house came running to the room. Seth hands clenched the side rails, crushing the metal as he kicked and flailed. The pain was pure torture. The last memory he had was falling into a canyon, only remembered the crunching sound when he hit the rocks and then a sudden burst of pain until his body felt like it exploded. Seth feared he was dying.

He gasped for air. "I…I can't breathe!" he finally spoke.

Edward heard every painful thing going through his head and began explaining what was happening, thought it was quite obvious.

"His lungs can't expand anymore - all of his organs are shutting down now."

Rosalie who watched silently from the behind them, suddenly spoke. "Uh, yeah we know all that Edward, thanks for the re-cap," she said sarcastically.

Edward turned and scowled. He realized he'd said too much in front of Tara though. She felt a horrible sense of remorse now as she watched him wreath in pain

Seth's heart beat sped up so fast he thought it was going to break out of his chest. I'm dying! he screamed in his head

"It's almost over Seth," Edward told him.

"No!" he thought. He wasn't ready to die. As his heart sped up even faster he jolted and threw his body onto the floor. Tara knelt down next to him wanting to help, willing to do anything to stop the pain but she knew she couldn't.

When his heart finally came to a complete stop, he curled into a ball on the floor clawing the tile with his fingers nails. The ceramic crumbled under his fingertips. They all realized the change was nearly complete now. Then when his screams finally silenced, his body became idol. Still unsure of what was happening to him, he lay motionless on the floor trying to determine if he was dead or alive.

"Seth," Edward broke the silence, "Can you hear me?"

"Of course he can! He could hear you if you were standing in the middle of town dummy!" Rosalie interrupted.

"You're not helping Rose! He's confused."

"Tara" he finally whispered.

She reached for his arm "I'm right here Seth." Her gentle voice soothed him and he exhaled, relaxing the tensed muscles. He expected to feel her cool hand when she touched him but it felt strange when her fingertips rested on his skin. He slid his hand out and touched the top of hers. He recognized the feel of her smooth skin under his but something was very different.

"Your hand is warm," he said.

"No… yours is cold…like mine," she replied.

He exhaled and then sucked in a breath tensing up again.

"Am I… dead?" he asked, scared to open his eyes.

"No, you're not dead … well, not exactly."

Seth's eye popped open and took focus on the first thing in front of them. It was his hand. Something didn't look quite right about it however. Its paleness made him wonder if he'd lost a great deal of blood. He wiggled his finger just to make sure it was in fact his. Then he noticed something else; every hair, every pour, every line stood out so perfectly defined. He counted each one instantly. Another hand reached out to touch his face and he grabbed it. Seth's head lifted as his eyes followed the arm right up to the face connected to it. It was Tara's. He almost didn't recognize her. Her features were so unbelievably radiant and breath-taking.

"Are you an angel?" he asked.

She smiled a little. "No sweetie, it's just me," she said.

He looked at her again blinking several times trying to adjust. He noted every strand of hair on her head, instantly counting them. Then he counted her eyelashes and focused on every feature on her body. He'd looked at her so many times before but never saw anything so clearly.

He blinked again. "Something's wrong with my eyes."

"There's nothing wrong with them Seth, you're just not used to them." Carlisle answered.

"What?" He looked around the room now confused. Everyone came into view but it was like seeing them all for the first time. Everything looked so perfectly clear, so sharp, so vivid. Colors and detail he'd never noticed before. Finally, he recognized where he was.

"I don't understand. Why am I in your house?" he asked. "What's going on?"

"We had you moved from the hospital. They agreed to release you to your family so we could take you off the life support," he replied.

Seth was still confused. "Remove the …..? But if I'm not dead...what am I?" he said and then turned his eyes toward Tara.

"Plan A." she replied.

Then it clicked. He gasped and snapped up as fast as lightening.

"Easy Seth!" Edward said. "You have to adjust to your new body."

"My…my new body?" he gasped and his eyes widened. He quickly spotted a mirror on the wall and decided to see for himself.

"Wait!" Tara shouted, but it was too late. The second his mind processed the thought his legs were already moving and he shot across the room, crashing into the table that stood just below the mirror which cracked in half.

"Damn, Esme just got that off ebay too," Emmett chuckle under his breath.

"You've got new legs. You'll destroy the house if you're not careful." Edward warned.

Seth ignored him though and just stared at the reflection in the mirror. His crimson eyes gazing back at him. His hand traveled down his chest, examining his new body.

Tara zipped to his side. "Seth, I'm so sorry….I thought you wanted… you said….I…I .." she pleaded, unable to get the words out. She feared this was not what he wanted now.

Seth turned to face her, hearing the despair and guilt in her voice. He lost his train of thought, becoming distracted by her beauty. She looked so lovely to him and he reached out gently to touch her cheek. "You're absolutely sobeautiful," he said staring deeply into her eyes. She expected anger, panic, disgust, even profanity to come from his from his mouth, anything but compliment. It surprised her. Everyone else smiled with relief.

"But, aren't you mad at me?" she asked keeping her eyes on his.

"I dunno what I am. There were hundred different emotions running though my head until I looked at you…now all I can think is how incredibly stunning you are. I mean I thought that before but now I can see…everything. You're total perfection."

She exhaled a smile and touched her hand to his. If she could cry, she would have.

"Do you remember what happened to you Seth?" Carlisle asked.

Seth tried to recall his last memory. "I remember hearing Jacob screaming my name…and then falling. Then there was nothing but darkness and …pain." He paused. "I don't recall anything after that." He paused again, trying to remember. "Why was I falling?" he asked, still unsure.

"You were chasing a vampire," Edward said. He could clearly see Seth's human memories were a blur to him.

Just then he remembered Derek's face. It was the last thing he saw before he fell. If his blood could boil, it would have at that moment.

Edward detected his anger and worried what he might do.

"Calm yourself Seth, you could really hurt someone right now," he warned.

Normally that amount of anger would trigger his phasing ability but it was gone. He no longer sensed that part of him. He only felt a rage swelling inside as he thought about the vampire that did this to him but as soon as Tara touched his hand he snapped out of it and the fury slipped away.

"So…I really did die then." he said looking for an explanation.

"You were being kept alive by machines. There was no brain activity. Without the respirator, your body couldn't sustain itself. Technically Seth, You weren't even human at that point," Carlisle told him. "Your mother wanted to take you off life support at first and let you go. I would have been forced to had Tara not told us you both got married recently. That changed things."

Alice suddenly perked up "Married?...You guys are already married?" she frowned.

"Wow! I wish I saw the look on their faces when Tara pulled out that trump card!" Emmett chuckled.

Seth looked around the room. "My mother?" Seth said wondering where she was, or if she even knew.

"She's safe at home. We couldn't allow her to be here. It's too dangerous."

"Was she against it?" he asked looking at his reflection in the mirror again.

"At first… but once Tara and Bella spoke with her, she changed her mind. She couldn't stand through thought of losing her only son."

He nodded.

"Now you understand what we face when put in the same situation…the desperation…the desire to do anything to save the ones you love," Edward said.

"I understand." He agreed. "Well what about Leah?" he wondered.

Edward's expression hardened. "She may be a bit of a problem for us. She wasn't happy about the transformation and she's planning to convince the pack to destroy Tara if she went through with it. Not knowing if you'd survive that transformation, they were waiting to know the outcome. You progressed quicker than we expected."

"Really? How long?"

"Less than two days." Carlisle answered.

"So…what's that mean?"

"We don't know. But we are very curious," he grinned. "It's a first," he added.

"They can't hurt Tara though, she's my imprint." Seth reached out and took her hand in his.

"Well, Leah feels that rule doesn't apply if you're dead. It doesn't matter to her that it was your decision, only that you were bitten. She's seems willing to fight regardless" He paused for a moment before asking. "This was your decision, correct?" Carlisle said just to be sure.

Tara's eyes panned up, starring Seth in the face. As he gazed back, suddenly the memory of their conversation returned to him. "Yes, I gave Tara permission to turn me we were ever to be separated by death. It was my alternative to her…taking her own life as well." He touched her face.

Carlisle nodded. "I see. Well, in all honesty, though I'm not happy about your accident, I am glad that I didn't have to lose two family members today." he admitted.

"So am I." Esme smiled and Seth smiled back.

"That was the plan," he said.

"Yeah, well I have to say… you're quite an improvement," Alice said. "Much easier on the eyes." she winked.

Everyone chuckled at the comment. Rosalie added one more. "Ugh, and our noses!"

Suddenly, Seth's thoughts became distracted when he took in a breath and the blaze in his throat diverted him.

"What…what is that?" He wondered, picking up a scent at least mile away that made his mouth and throat very hot all of the sudden. But it smelled good.

"That…is food," Edward answered sensing Seth's uncomfortable state but before he could yell "Stop" Seth was already on the move.

Everyone tried to grab him before he could get out of the house but he was incredibly fast. Too fast. Fortunately for them he paused in the driveway, staring out at the forest, taking in his new surroundings. Though everything looked familiar, was still all different somehow.

When Tara caught up to him she instantly leaped on his back wrapping her arms around him to try and keep him from moving further. Without hesitation, Seth instantly grabbed her arm and threw her to the ground onto her back he leaped on top of her. She sucked in a breath. Suddenly he realized what he did and jumped off. He pulled her close and held her. "Tara! I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, did I hurt you."

"Ow!…Yes! Geeze, take it easy!" She shoved him back and then rubbed her head still feeling the sting from the impact.

He stroked her head running his hands through the soft strands of hair over the spot that hit the pavement. "I don't know why I did that. I didn't mean to hurt you."

She shook it off and then smiled. "I know. Your instincts are kicking in. I shouldn't have jumped on you like that. I just didn't want you to run away. You could hurt someone and you wouldn't think twice before doing it."

Seth suddenly felt horrible, realizing he was dangerous. "Please, don't let me do that." "We won't," Edward said, realizing they needed to be very careful with him. He didn't think they would be as lucky with him as he was with Bella.

Seth lifted his nose to the air again. He was thirsty - very thirsty.

"He needs to hunt right away. I suggest we all go together so we can keep an eye on him if he tries to take off," Carlisle said.

"Do you want me to show you how to hunt?" Tara asked.

Seth had already seen Tara hunt dozens of times. He'd seen how it was done, but he never thought he'd be hunting animals for blood one day. "Okay… let's do this. I have to learn who at some point, right?

"Don't worry. It's no big deal - everything that seemed completely disturbing about drinking blood before…will all seem perfectly natural to you. You won't even hesitate. Trust me," Bella said.

Seth nodded with a smile.

"We'll have to break you into those new legs of yours. Just stay close to me. Concentrate on not running off. Understand?" Tara ordered.

He nodded. "I'll try my best." he was eager to hunt but even more eager to run now tat he knew he's be able to run as fast as Tara and on only two legs. Something he could never do before in human form.

They all quickly dashed into the forest. Seth's legs felt almost weightless. Each foot barely touched the ground before the other one lifted and moved. It was like flying at a low altitude he thought. Suddenly Tara stopped and grabbed Seth hand. He came to quick halt obeying his new teacher. "Do you smell that?" she asked him.

He nodded. "Elk." he said, remembering the scent of it from many times before as a wolf. The scent of its blood teased his pallet.

Tara nodded and pointed at the trees in front of them. About a hundred meters ahead a large buck lifted its head to sniff the air sensing a predator. Before Tara could instruct him further, Seth bolted for the animal. "Wait!" she said but it was too late. He was much too fast.

The animal barely had time to turn its body before he was on top of it and sunk his teeth into the animal's hide.

Within seconds, Tara and the others caught up to him. "Hmmm, it certainly looks like he's got this part all figured out," Jasper chuckled.

Tara shook her head and exhaled deeply "You gotta stop taking off on us Seth" she scolded.

When he finished his meal he dropped the animal and leaped up. "Uh…sorry. I'm new at this," he said grinning at Tara like a guilty kid who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

"Yes. We know." She chuckled wiping the blood off his chin. Not that you could tell after witnessing that though."

"Is that bad?" he asked?

"No, it's really good actually. You're a natural. But we have to be really careful. You didn't even stop to think about your prey once you targeted it."

"Yeah, that's bad," he frowned lowering his eyes with guilt.

"No worries Seth, we'll help you until you learn on your own to control yourself," Jasper assured him with a small pat on the shoulder.

"Bella?" he turned to his friend. "How did you do it so quickly? How did you learn to restrain yourself?" he asked knowing she had almost no problem transitioning into her new lifestyle.

"I'm not really sure," she replied. "I expected to be this monster and hunt anything and everything that got in my way. I didn't feel that way though. I kept thinking about Edward and Renesmee and how much I needed to be stronger than the hunger. I didn't want to kill. I just kept telling myself that and it worked. The thought of hurting the ones I loved was a far stronger than any desire I had to kill."

"Really? That's it?"

"That's it for me anyway. I'm sure it's easier said than done though."

Edward smiled proudly. "Not to brag about my wife, but she is rather unique. It's rare that this could happen. I'm not saying it's impossible, I'm just saying she's sort of one of a kind.

"Well, Seth is a one of a kind too," Jasper added.

"He is?" Alice asked.

Seth's eye brows rose. "I am?"

"Yes…you're a hybrid. None of your kind has ever been turned before."

"Oh ...right."

As Seth pondered the thought, Edward suddenly remembered something. "Twenty-four chromosomes," he said wondering what this would have done to his count now.

Carlisle quickly picked up on what he was getting at. "I should run a test on you." he said. "I'm even more curious now."

Great. I graduated from dog to lab rat. Seth thought.

Edward chuckled being the only one who could hear Seth's sarcasm. Seth understood the chromosome counts because he'd been linked to Jacob at the time Carlisle explained it to him. Humans have twenty three chromosomes, shape shifters, twenty four and vampires, twenty five. So he wondered now what this transformation did to him

"I can't phase though. I don't even feel that part of me anymore. My body can't change," he said sadly. It was a part of him that he would miss.

"True, but you may have gained something in trade. A new gift of some sort…I wonder," he said curiously.

"Well, I can't read minds, or see the future, or disappear. So how do you know if you've gained some sort of gift?"

"With some gifts, it's immediate. With others, sometimes it takes an emotion like anger to draw it out,"

"Well then…" He grinned sort of devilishly. "Don't make me angry…you won't like me when I'm angry," he said quoting a Hulk movie he recently watched.

Emmett's laugh echoed in the woods. He was the only one who enjoyed those kinds of movies and the only one who got the humor in his quote. The others just looked at him blankly like he spoke in gibberish.

Seth just rolled his eyes. "Never mind," he shook his head. He wondered how so many of them could be around for hundreds of years and not have watched every movie on the planet by now. Superheroes were a bit far from their tastes however.

Edward was about to speak again and answer some of Seth's mental questions, but before he could get the first word out he realized they weren't alone - they were surrounded.

The giant wolves stood in the shadows of the forest watching. They'd arrive only seconds ago, wanting to see if it was true. As soon as they spotted Seth's red eyes, they knew. Leah whimpered. The other wolves stood in disbelief of their own eyes communicating amongst themselves.

"Holy crow dude! Look at Seth!"

"Wow, he's really a vamp now!"

"Yeah, look at his eyes!"

"Ugh bet he stinks like em too!"

Jacob's eyes widened when he saw his friend for the first time. He had difficulty wrapping his head around the situation and he wanted to see him up close. He could only hope that Seth's transformation was much like Bella's but he wasn't about to let his guard down.

"He's my responsibility; I'm going to handle this... stay here." Jacob ordered, and then cautiously proceeded towards him.

"I'm coming too!" Leah started to follow but Jacob turned and snapped around. "No they'll see it as a threat. I'm going alone. STAY HERE. That's an order Leah."

She whimpered.

Seth watched carefully as his friend approached. It seemed almost like Jacob moved in slow motion as he walked directly towards him. Before Jacob even managed to get close Seth studied ever inch of the wolf's body and frame, even counting every hair on his massive body. He waited patiently and completely still, watching and wondering what his friends planned to do. He didn't want to fight but he wasn't about to let them hurt Tara, or the Cullens.

When they finally stood face to face, Jacob leaned in, putting his nuzzle very close to Seth staring straight down at him. Jacob's snout exhaled a warm breath of air on Seth's head. They stared at each other harshly at first until Seth's sensitive nose couldn't stand it anymore. "Whew, man! You totally stink Jake!" he complained and put his hand over his mouth and nose.

Jacob let out a small wolfy laugh. He knew that was something the old Seth would say.

Edward let out a chuckle upon hearing Jacob's response. "The dog says you're much worse," he translated.

Suddenly Tara stepped around from behind her husband and spoke up. "So what's the deal Jake? Are you here for business or pleasure?"

Jacob turned to the vampire staring her down.

She gestured a nod at the pack behind him. "You bring them here to kill me?" she asked bluntly.

Seth quickly glared at the pack wondering if that was their next move.

"He says he doesn't want it to come to that," Edward told them.

"Neither do I. It doesn't have to be like that. We can still be friends. I'm still ime/i." Seth said loudly for all of them to hear.

Leah growled. Then Jacob just huffed and quickly turned, running back into the forest to leave. Seth felt betrayed that his best friend could simply just turn his back on him.

"Wait…" Edward said holding up a hand in gesture. Within a few seconds, Jacob appeared again but no longer as the wolf…he was human. He only left momentarily so he could dress.

"He's coming back. He thought it would be better face to face." Edward explained.

As Jacob appeared and headed back in Seth's direction, now in human form, the wolves became agitated, whimpering and growling. He turned to them and held up a hand. "No. I can handle this," he ordered and then proceeded to confront Seth, man to man.

At first he just stared at Seth, saying nothing. Then he circled him, giving him a good once over. Seth's head turned with Jacob, watching him as he went around behind his back and then stood right back in front of him again. Seth gave him an odd look but then Jacob finally spoke. "Wow, dude this is just…creepy."

Seth let out a tiny chuckle.

"You're like… a tall...ugly...In-jun...albino." Jacob teased.

Seth burst into laughter "Thanks. I don't think I'm that pale though."

He chuckled. "Okay, maybe not. But you sure are ugly." he jested again.

Seth laughed. He was glad Jacob was in a teasing mood at least. It was a good sign.

Jacob shook his head. "Well, I must admit, you sure do know how to break all the rules."

"Yeah well …I just figured, why stop at just one? I'm on a roll now." Seth grinned.

"Ha! I don't think there are too many more left you could break!"

"I guess not…but we can still be friends," he said with hope in his voice. "And business partners, right?"

"Just so long as you don't try and eat the customers," Jacob winked and they both laughed..

Meanwhile the pack still observed from a distance in total confusion as to what was happening.

"Uhhh, what's going on Sam? Is Jake gonna take out the blood sucker or what"? Quil asked.

"I really don't know." Sam replied

"Why's he being all chummy? I just knew he'd back out now that he's married to a vamp. Coward!"

"Shut it Embry." Quil said.

"No! We're not leaving her with her still alive!" Leah demanded.

"Well you can't get to her. Seth won't let you. Are you planning to kill your own brother?"

"No, just her…unless he gets in my way".

They all gasped. "Damn, that's cold." Quil thought.

As Seth and Jake continued to make jokes, Rosalie starting getting annoyed by the amiable banter. "Ugh, geeze! Could you both just kiss and get it over with? My stomach is turning over here."

Jacob turned and without missing a beat threw out one of his jokes. "Hey Rose, know what the difference between a smart blonde and a UFO is?"

Her eyes narrowed as she waited for the inevitable punch line.

"There's been actual sightings of UFOs," he finished.

She hissed and started to take a step towards Jacob in a threatening advance. Emmett grabbed her arm to hold her back but it was too late, Leah was already charging towards them.

"Leah!" Sam and the others all shouted in their heads in unison. She ignored them however. Before she could reach Tara, Seth instantly leaped in front of his wife to protect her.

"Leah! I said stay back!" Jacob yelled. The wolf growled and snarled at them before letting out a fierce bark.

"Get out of my way Seth," she ordered.

"No, Leah. Don't do this! Don't make me choose!" he said fiercely. He read her body language and knew exactly what she wanted.

"That vamp broke the treaty! She destroyed my brother and now I'm going to destroy her!"

"Seth gave her full permission. He wanted it." Edward told her.

"I don't care! It doesn't make a difference! He's dead to me now."

The wolves all gasped at her words. Edward's face became extremely hardened and cold. Seth and the others could tell whatever she was thinking, it was not good. "I won't let you hurt my wife!" Seth warned her. "It's my life. Let me live it MY way, okay?" Though he meant it he truly hoped he would not have to choose between his wife and his sister. "Please Leah…I love you…I don't wanna fight you," he pleaded with her more softly.

Leah looked at the two of them huddled together. His red eyes stared right through her soul and it sickened her. "No! No! No! Look at you! You're one of them! You're a monster! You're not even one of us anymore! She killed you!" She growled low and deep.

Edward spoke up. "Leah, Tara didn't kill him. He was dead already. We were taking him off life support. He wouldn't even be standing here if she didn't turn him."

"Well I won't accept it! She's not gonna get away with this!" She had Tara in her sights and moved forward.

"Leah, don't!" Seth ordered.

She growled and snapped at him but the moment Seth reached out to grab her, Leah bit his arm, hard. He didn't even notice though, because it didn't even leave a mark. Not even a scratch.

Quil gasped. "Did you see that Sam? She bit him and it didn't penetrate the skin. It didn't do anything, he said

"Yes…I saw," Sam replied.

"What's that mean? He's unstoppable?"

"I don't know what it means, but I think we should get Leah outta there before she really gets hurt." Sam's suggested.

But before they could reach them Seth already retaliated. Leah had snapped at him again and this time he bit her. His decision was completely an instinct reaction without thinking about it and the others didn't have time to react to his immense speed. She let out a loud bellow in pain and he let go immediately realizing what he'd done.

"NO! Oh God no!" he thought. Her blood dripped from his teeth. He never wanted to hurt her.

They all quickly ran to Leah's side. Her howls turned to screams as she crumpled to the ground and phased back to human form.

"No!" She cried

"Leah, I'm sorry, please, I'm so sorry!" Seth pleaded.

The wolves prepared to attack but Quil had a thought that stopped them quickly. "Wait!" They all paused to hear him out. "If Leah's bite didn't even injure him, ours won't either…what if he bites us too?"

Sam debated the thought. "Stand down." He ordered not wanting to risk it.

While Leah sat crying in pain, Edward listened carefully to her thoughts. She was hurting, but not as he expected her to. He tried to get a closer look but Jacob yelled at him to stay back. "I just want to help. Let me examine her. No one's going to hurt her." He explained.

"No! Keep them away!" she growled.

Edward quickly turned to Carlisle and informed him of what he was thinking. "Leah, can you describe what you feel?" the doctor asked.

"My arm, it's killing me!" she said through her tears.

"Does it burn?" he asked again.

Leah thought for a moment. She shook her head gripping her arm. Edward listened to her thoughts again trying to sense what she felt. She was hurting but clearly not injected with any venom. The vampires all exchanged glances.

"What is it?" Jacob asked.

"I don't think Seth is venomous," he said.

"You mean…she won't turn?" Seth asked.

"No, she can't. Not without venom."

He was relieved though he still felt horrible about what he'd done.

"Leah, why don't you allow me to take you to my home where I can treat your wound," Carlisle suggested.

"No! I'm not going anywhere near your place!" She leaned away from him. The doctor frowned.

"Yeah I don't think that such a hot idea Carlisle." Jacob added.

He let out a sigh. "Alright then, let me treat you at yours. Your arm is broken, you need treatment right away." The doctor said.

Leah started to protest but Jacob ordered her to agreed, knowing her stubbornness would only worsen her condition. She had to obey.

Bella took off her flannel leaving just her grey tank on and covered Leah's body with it. Carlisle carefully picked her up and then carried her back to the reservation, escorted by the pack. Seth's watched grimly as they left with his sister, disappearing into the trees. The anguish built up inside him. He wanted to cry but no tears would come. Tara could see it in his face that he was hurting. She put her hand on his chest. He was breathing heavily trying not to burst and scream his head off. "I need to get out of here. Please take me back," he said in a whisper.

She nodded and then they all headed back, trying to keep up with him.