Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight, the New Moon dialogues, parts of the plot and character names. All other plotlines, dialogues, characterizations, and details belong to the author: Bronzehyperion. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without the author's authorization. ©2009-2010 Bronzehyperion. All rights reserved worldwide.

EPILOGUE: TREATY

Almost everything was back to normal.

As far as anything in my world could be considered normal.

There was still a rogue vampire on the loose with the desire to kill my only love.

There was a new pack of young and volatile wolves. One of them friends with my only love.

So maybe things weren't all that normal after all. Even for someone used to abnormal this was unfamiliar territory.

A few things had gone back to the way they'd been before.

The hospital had welcomed Carlisle back with eager arms, not even bothering to conceal their delight that Esme had found life in Los Angeles so little to her liking.

I had resumed my schedule from the beginning of the year, which put me in most of Bella's classes. Jasper had easily forged some transcripts with grades from classes we had never taken at Beverly Hills High school - he had copied the school letter head and logo perfectly - which meant we were on track to graduate in little over a month.

Because Bella had missed a Calculus test when we'd been in Italy, she had to make up for that in order to graduate too. I helped her study for that as much as I could because I felt guilty for being the reason she needed to make up for the test in the first place.

I was allowed inside the Swan house again, though Charlie was not happy with me; he ignored me completely during the visiting hours he had set ebcuase Bella was on house arrest. During those hours, we'd fill in stacks of college apllications much to Bella's disapproval. She was still hoping to be changed after graduation, meaning she didn't see the point of applying at various school across the country. I had to explain to her that we needed to keep up a pretense of going to college, regardless whether or not we went.

I of course hoped we would, because it would buy me time and keep Bella human for a while longer, preferably at least a few more years. And she deserved to have the college experience too. She was a smart girl and shouldn't throw away her human life because she was afraid of getting older than me or because monsters were lurking in the dark to claim her.

That included me. I wanted to claim her too.

Right now, my terms were a little precarious. If Bella wanted me to be the one to change her, she'd either marry me or give me more time.

Either choice didn't appeal to Bella very much and I tried not to bring up the condition of marriage too much because Bella managed to distract me every time I did

It was mainly physical distractions she tried on me - successfully, may I add. After all, we had to make up for lost time and were "grossly affectionate" according to Emmett - who shouldn't talk, giving his extra curricular activities with Rosalie.

At school things had settled into a slightly strained social structure. Bella's friends left her alone for the most part now that I was back at her side. Angela was the only one who seemed genuinely happy for Bella that my family had returned, while Mike Newton and Jessica Stanley were skeptical whether or not we would stay. I understood from their minds that Bella had lived in almost complete solitude during the time my family and I had been away.

Her friends had seen her deteriorate in the months of my absence going from depressed to near apathic. She'd barely gone out and the only person she had kept a regular company with was Jacob Black.

I was grateful he had saved her life, because she could have drowned after jumping off that darn cliff had he not been there to get her out of the water. But I did struggle with my own emotions in regards to their friendship. Bella didn't notice, because I kept it pushed down and only responded in a polite manner whenever she mentioned him.

I tried not to feel envy and jealousy when I thought of how he'd been the one to support her. He had managed to get her out of a black hole and I should be grateful for that too. If he hadn't, she might have jumped off that darn cliff with the purpose of suicide instead of extreme sports.

But I was also aware of the feelings he harbored for Bella. And months ago, when he didn't see her often, those feelings had been merely a crush, like a boy his age would have.

Now, things might be different. After all, he had spent months in her presence. Surely his crush would have bloomed into true romantic feelings. This was Bella after all and most of the males in her surroundings were inclined to feel a need to date her.

Bella was happy for the most part. She always wore a smile for me and seemed at peace when I was around. This was good because it meant she was starting to trust me again.

But not everything was perfect. Bella was distracted sometimes, her face crumbled in a mask of worry or pain. There was something missing.

Or rather, someone.

Jacob Black.

And so, while I was certain he wished me gone so he could willingly take my place, I also had to take into consideration the idea that Bella had developed stronger feelings for him as well. They weren't the same kids who had made mudpies together. They were sharing something deeper now.

While I wasn't human enough to comprehend how deep those feelings were and whether or not they were romantic feelings, the regular dropping of his name told me she cared for him enough to make me feel uncomfortable.

I didn't want him to have a piece of her heart but her occasional mood swings did seem to hint at the idea she missed him.

More than I wanted her to.

I worried about the danger he presented to her too. He was a wolf, she was a human. I may have impeccable self control, but a young wolf certainly didn't.

I dared not voice my opinion though. Whenever Bella would mention him, I'd simply remain as neutral as I could.

"It's just plain rude!" Bella vented one Saturday afternoon when I picked her up from work.

I didn't enjoy the idea of her having to work for her money – I had plenty but Bella was already too stubborn to accept any gifts, the mention of money usually got us into an argument, so I didn't try to reason with her about it - often.

I also detested the idea of Mike Newton's close proximity because as ever his thoughts demanded me to beat them out of him, which I couldn't do for obvious reasons- Bella warned me to tune Mike out, if he bothered me that much.

I had tried but it seemed impossible. The only thoughts I ever wanted to hear were the ones I was never able to reach. Unless Bella voiced them.

"Downright insulting!"

She'd been doing this for a while. Vent about the fact Jacob didn't want to see her anymore. I supposed it was wrong for me to be secretly pleased with the fact she was grounded and the fact he didn't want to be in contact.

Bella was already in as much danger as she could possibly be with Victoria on the loose and the Volturi lurking. Jacob and his pack would only be a distraction to us all.

The last thing Bella needed was to hang around a pack of young wolves.

And if I was truly honest with myself, I didn't want to share her with him. But I couldn't tell Bella that. I had to be supportive and perhaps I was feeling this jealousy because I didn't have a clear picture of what their friendship entailed.

Alice had told me they were close, but that Bella's future hadn't changed.

"She will still become one of us," she'd told me a few weeks after we were back. "Jacob Black can't change that."

"Billy said he didn't want to talk to me," Bella fumed, as she glared outside, watching the rain wash down the windows of the car.

"That he was there, and wouldn't walk three steps to get to the phone! Usually Billy just says he's out or busy or sleeping or something. I mean, it's not like I didn't know he was lying to me, but at least it was a polite way to handle it. I guess Billy hates me now, too. It's not fair!"

"It's not you, Bella," I said quietly. "Nobody hates you."

"Feels that way," she muttered, as she folded her arms across her chest stubbornly.

A part of me didn't want her to care so much, but I also loved her for caring about her friend. The two feelings couldn't be reconciled.

"Jacob knows we're back, and I'm sure that he's ascertained that I'm with you," I explained. "He won't come anywhere near me. The enmity is rooted too deeply."

"That's stupid. He knows you're not… like other vampires."

I had picked up on Jacob Black's thoughts on me a long time ago. He would hate me regardless of the fact I was his mortal enemy. I was also the one standing in the way of his affections for Bella.

"There's still good reason to keep a safe distance."

"Bella, we are what we are," I explained quietly. "I can control myself, but I doubt he can. He's very young. It would most likely turn into a fight, and I don't know if I could stop it before I k—" I broke off, and then quickly continued phrasing my word differently. "Before I hurt him. You would be unhappy. I don't want that to happen."

I silently kicked myself for uttering the words, knowing Bella wouldn't be pleased that I had uttered such a threat, even in passing.

"Edward Cullen," she whispered. "Were you about to say 'killed him? Were you?"

I had to look away from her, and opted for staring in the rain instead. The red light in front of us turned green and I started forward, driving very slowly, which was not my usual style.

"I would try… very hard… not to do that," I finally said.

Killing one of the Quileute's would undoubtedly cause a war but I'd be willing to start it if Bella would get harmed at their hands. Or paws.

Bella stared at me with her mouth hanging open, but I ignored her and continued to look straight ahead. We were paused at the corner stop sign.

"Well," she said, and took a deep breath, shaking her head in a way that made me wish for one single glimpse into her mind.

"Nothing like that is ever going to happen, so there's no reason to worry about it. And you know Charlie's staring at the clock right now. You'd better get me home before I get in more trouble for being late."

I kept to Charlie's strict curfew. I was allowed to pick her up for school and from work - and get her home on time - because thankfully Charlie had enough common sense to not let his accident prone daughter wander around town alone.

She turned to look at me, smiling halfheartedly.

Our eyes met and for a moment all I could see was her. And I had no doubt she loved me and finally believed I would never leave her. The electricity crackled between us, humming thickly in the small space of the car. I wanted nothing more but to kiss her and bask in her warmth, but something broke through the wonderful barrier of being in our own little bubble before I could act on the impulse.

Charlie.

He was angry. Very angry. I caught images of a bright red motor cycle in the Swan's yard, while Charlie was huffing and giving Jacob angry glares.

Jacob Black. He had dropped off a little surprise for Bella. Not a pleasant one.

The motor cycle she had mentioned. The vehicle which recklessness had brought Bella closer to me in her mind.

Charlie was ready to revoke any kind of freedom Bella had regained after our return. He was seething at the idea of Bella using her saved up money to buy that monstrosity and behind his back too.

I had to agree with him on that. It was a monstrosity.

"You're already in more trouble Bella," I whispered through unmoving lips.

Bella slid closer, clutching my arm as she followed my gaze to see what I was seeing.

But there was nothing there for her to see. The words were all in my head. Jacob was smug, Charlie was screaming.

"What? What is it?"

I took a deep breath. "Charlie…"

"My dad?" she screeched.

I looked down at Bella then, giving her a calm expression as Charlie's words echoed in my head.

I am going to kill her. And then she is going to be grounded for life. Motor cycles, cliff diving? I don't think she ever gave Renée this much trouble. What has gotten in to her? Edward Cullen I bet, he silently huffed.

"Charlie… is probably not going to kill you, but he's thinking about it," I told her. I started to drive forward again, down Bella's street, but I passed the house and parked by the edge of the trees.

"What did I do?" she gasped.

I glanced back at the house. Bella followed my gaze, and she noticed for the first time what was parked in the driveway next to the cruiser. Shiny, bright red, impossible to miss.

Her motorcycle, flaunting itself in the driveway.

"No!" Bella gasped. "Why? Why would Jacob do this to me?"

I didn't have to read her mind or be Jasper to sense the emotions that were coursing through her. They were all there, evident on her face.

Shock, pain and then murderous anger.

"Is he still here?" she hissed.

"Yes. He's waiting for us there." I told her, nodding toward the slender path that divided the dark fringe of the forest in two.

Bella jumped out of the car, launching herself toward the trees, her hands already balled into fists to throw the first punch.

I was not going to let her fight her friend. Even if it would be enjoyable to watch him get pummeled. But I couldn't risk her getting hurt. And she would get hurt, even if he let her pummel him.

I caught her around the waist before she made it to the path.

"Let me go! I'm going to murder him! Traitor!" she shouted toward the trees.

"Charlie will hear you," I warned her "And once he gets you inside, he may brick over the doorway."

Bella glanced back at the motor cycle and her fury rose up again.

"Just give me one round with Jacob, and then I'll deal with Charlie." She struggled futilely to break free.

"Jacob Black wants to see me. That's why he's still here."

The confession, picked up from Jacob's mind , stopped Bella in her track. She went limp against me and let out a shuddering breath.

She was afraid.

"Talk?" she asked.

"More or less."

"How much more?" Her voice shook with the question.

She was worried we would fight. And given my sincere threat in the car, I supposed her feelings were semi-justified.

He wanted to fight me too and was currently entertaining thoughts of ripping my throat out. He knew he couldn't do it without starting a war or hurting Bella, but he enjoyed the visual nonetheless.

I smoothed her hair back from her face. "Don't worry; he's not here to fight me. He's acting as… spokesperson for the pack."

"Oh."

I looked at the house again, then tightened my arm around Bella's waist and pulled her toward the woods.

"We should hurry. Charlie's getting impatient."

We didn't have to go far; Jacob waited just a short ways up the path. He lounged against a mossy tree trunk as he waited, his face hard and bitter. His thoughts were screaming profanities at me but I ignored them.

His eyes left Bella's moving frame and landed on me.

If looks could kill and I wasn't indestructable to begin with...

His mouth stretched into a humorless sneer, and he shrugged away from the tree. He stood on the balls of his feet – which were bare, leaning slightly forward, with his trembling hands clenched into fists.

He was trying very hard to stay in control – and with that in his human form. But the sight of Bella and me walking up to him – walking so closely together – made it hard for him to remain composed.

I stopped as soon as we saw him, leaving a wide space between us in case he wouldn't be able to restrain himself.

I turned my body, shifting Bella so that she was behind me. But Bella, stubborn and curious as she was - leaned around me to stare at Jacob—accusing him with her eyes.

"Bella," Jacob said as a greeting, nodding once toward her without looking away from me.

"Why?" she whispered, trying to hide the sound of the lump in her throat. "How could you do this to me, Jacob?"

The sneer vanished, but his face stayed hard and rigid. "It's for the best."

If Bella is grounded, the bloodsucker has to stay from her.

"What is that supposed to mean? Do you want Charlie to strangle me? Or did you want him to have a heart attack, like Harry? No matter how mad you are at me, how could you do this to him?"

Jacob winced, and his eyebrows pulled together, but he didn't answer.

The thoughts about his motives hadn't reached that far. He had solely acted on the need to keep me away from Bella and the other way around. He hadn't even thought about what his actions could possibly trigger in Charlie and how that could affect his health.

"He didn't want to hurt anyone—he just wanted to get you grounded, so that you wouldn't be allowed to spend time with me," I murmured, explaining the thoughts Jacob wouldn't say.

Jacob's eyes sparked with hate as he glowered at me again.

Get the hell out of my head, bloodsucker.

"Aw, Jake!" Bella groaned. "I'm already grounded! Why do you think I haven't been down to La Push to kick your butt for avoiding my phone calls?"

Jacob's eyes flashed back to Bella, confused for the first time. "That's why?" he asked, and then locked his jaw, like he was sorry he'd said anything.

So the bloodsucker didn't keep her from me, it was Charlie. Good. And I know she wants to see me.

I didn't like the idea his thoughts wrapped around the idea of Bella being kept from him. She was not his. She belonged with me.

"He thought I wouldn't let you, not Charlie," I explained again.

"Stop that," Jacob snapped.

I didn't answer.

Jacob shuddered once, and then gritted his teeth as hard as his fists. "Bella wasn't exaggerating about your… abilities," he said through his teeth. "So you must already know why I'm here."

The treaty. He wanted to remind me of the key points.

"Yes," I agreed in a soft voice. "But, before you begin, I need to say something."

I owed him my gratitude. Even if I didn't trust him and didn't like him, I was still fair enough to thank him for keeping Bella alive.

Jacob waited, clenching and unclenching his hands as he tried to control the urge to phase in front of us. This would be easier for him to be in his wolf-form in order to handle this, I realized.

"Thank you," I said sincerely, because I truly meant it. "I will never be able to tell you how grateful I am. I will owe you for the rest of my… existence."

Jacob stared at me blankly, his shudders stilled by surprise. He exchanged a quick glance with Bella, but she seemed just as mystified.

Huh, what is he talking about?

"For keeping Bella alive," I clarified my voice rough and fervent. "When I… didn't."

"Edward—," Bella started to say, but I held one hand up, my eyes on Jacob.

Understanding washed over Jacob's face before the hard mask returned. "I didn't do it for your benefit."

I wished she wouldn't have saved you. You didn't deserve to be saved, you deserve worse than hell.

"I know. But that doesn't erase the gratitude I feel. I thought you should know. If there's ever anything in my power to do for you…"

Jacob raised one black brow.

Give her up. So she can be with me.

I shook my head. "That's not in my power."

"Whose, then?" Jacob growled.

I looked down at Bella. "Hers. I'm a quick learner, Jacob Black, and I don't make the same mistake twice. I'm here until she orders me away."

Bella and I locked eyes and for a moment none of this existed. I couldn't hear Jacob's thoughts because he wasn't here. I was too lost in Bella's deep eyes and she was lost in mine. It was just the two of us.

"Never," she whispered, still locked in my eyes, forgetting Jacob black and her father ranting in the background.

Jacob's gagging sound broke our reverie.

Bella unwillingly broke free from my gaze to frown at Jacob.

"Was there something else you needed, Jacob? You wanted me in trouble—mission accomplished. Charlie might just send me to military school. But that won't keep me away from Edward. There's nothing that can do that. What more do you want?"

I was thrilled by her words and glad she dismissed him like that. But her voice sounded strained and betrayed her emotions. She was angry but she also missed him and felt sad about their separation.

Jacob kept his eyes on me as he spoke icily.

"I just needed to remind your bloodsucking friends of a few key points in the treaty they agreed to. The treaty chat is the only thing stopping me from ripping his throat out right this minute."

"We haven't forgotten," I said at the same time that Bella demanded, "What key points?"

Jacob still glowered at me, but he answered Bella. "The treaty is quite specific. If any of them bite a human, the truce is over. Bite, not kill," he emphasized. Finally, he looked at Bella. His eyes were cold, his thoughts even more so.

That's what you want right. Bite her, turn her into a bloodsucker. It's not going to happen. Not unless you want me to finish what you should have finished yourself before Bella was stupid enough to save you.

"That's none of your business," Bella said wryly, understanding why he had specified his answer like that.

But Jacob had assumed I wanted to change her. Not that she wanted to herself.

What the hell…she wants him to?

"The hell it—" was all he managed to choke out.

Bella's answer sent Jacob into near convulsions. He pressed his fists hard against his temples to try and restrain himself but it was difficult. His thoughts were in a frenzy, as he tried to control the spasms. His face turned sallow green under his russet colored skin.

Clearly he was losing control and possibly about to phase. And I could not let that happen around Bella.

"Jake? You okay?" Bella asked anxiously.

She took a half-step toward him, but I caught her and yanked her back behind my own body.

"Careful! He's not under control," I warned her.

My words triggered something in him and his thoughts hissed at me in disgust.

Don't compare me to you, bloodsucker, I only *save* her.

He scowled at me with pure hate. "Ugh. I would never hurt her."

Unlike you.

Neither Bella nor I missed the inflection, or the accusation it contained. A low hiss escaped my lips. Jacob clenched his fists reflexively, hoping for a fight.

Bring it, leech.

But it never got to that, because Charlie interrupted us.

"BELLA!" Charlie's roar echoed from the direction of the house. "YOU GET IN THIS HOUSE THIS INSTANT!"

All of us froze, listening to the silence that followed.

Bella was the first to speak; her voice trembled. "Crap."

Jacob's furious expression faltered. "I am sorry about that," he muttered. "I had to do what I could— I had to try…"

To keep *him* away from you.

"Thanks." The tremor in Bella's voice ruined the sarcasm. She stared up the path, probably half-expecting Charlie to come barreling through the wet ferns to come gether and lock her up for life.

"Just one more thing," I said to Bella, and then looked at Jacob. "We've found no trace of Victoria on our side of the line—have you?"

"The last time was while Bella was… away. We let her think she was slipping through—we were tightening the circle, getting ready to ambush her—"

He spoke the words aloud for Bella's sake, whose face faltered at his answer.

"But then she took off like a bat out of hell. Near as we can tell, she caught your little female's scent and bailed. She hasn't come near our lands since."

I nodded. "When she comes back, she's not your problem anymore. We'll—"

"She killed on our turf," Jacob hissed. "She's ours!"

Don't you dare touch her.

Jacob Black was fooling himself if he thought we were going to let her slip if she came near Bella.

"No—," Bella began to protest both declarations.

"BELLA! I SEE HIS CAR AND I KNOW YOU'RE OUT THERE! IF YOU AREN'T INSIDE THIS HOUSE IN ONE MINUTE… !" Charlie didn't bother to finish his threat.

"Let's go," I said.

Bella looked back at Jacob, torn up. She didn't want him to go, not while things were this strained between them. But what she failed to understand was that the world she lived in most of the time - my world - collided with Jacob's. The two only meshed. Even he knew that.

"Sorry," he whispered in a low voice.

"Bye, Bells."

"You promised," she reminded him desperately. "Still friends, right?"

Jacob shook his head slowly, and I felt Bella tremble beside me.

"You know how hard I've tried to keep that promise, but… I can't see how to keep trying. Not now…"

Now that he is back, there's no room for me. Not until he leaves.

Jacob sounded defeated, he struggled to keep his hard mask in place but it wavered for a small second in which I realized how much he was hurting. He loved her. It wasn't the way I loved her – he didn't have centuries of loneliness to reap from - but he did love her.

And so, I couldn't hate him. I could never hate anyone who loved Bella.

It still didn't mean I liked him nor that I didn't see him as a threat with being a wolf, but I no longer resented him for caring about Bella so much.

"Miss you," he mouthed at Bella before his tough composure reappeared as he glanced at me.

So much.

One of his hands reached toward Bella, his fingers outstretched, like he wished they were long enough to cross the distance between them.

"Me, too," she choked out. Her hand reached toward his across the wide space.

"Jake…" Bella took a step toward him...

I pullerd her back out of protection, because Jacob's thoughts were still mixed and all over the place. He was emotional and wolves in an emotional state were unpredictable.

It was wrong and I hated it when Bella looked at me with trust, trying to assure me Jacob wouldn't harm her.

"It's okay," Bella promised me, looking up to read my face with trust in her eyes.

"No, it's not," I argued.

"Let her go," Jacob snarled, furious again. "She wants to!" He took two long strides forward. A glint of anticipation flashed in his eyes. His chest seemed to swell as it shuddered.

I pushed Bella behind me, wheeling to face Jacob. He was volatile and I had the right to protect Bella, even if they both didn't understand.

"No! Edward—!"

"ISABELLA SWAN!"

"Come on! Charlie's mad!" Her voice was panicked, but not because of Charlie now. I realized she worried Jacob would hate her. Only I knew he never could

"Hurry!"

Bella tugged at me and I relaxed a little. I pulled Bella back slowly, always keeping my eyes on Jacob as we retreated.

Jacob watched us with a dark scowl on his bitter face. The anticipation drained from his eyes, and then, just before the forest came between us, his face suddenly crumpled in pain.

He loved her and this hurt him. Everything he had built in months had been shattered by our reunion. But I couldn't bring myself to feel guilty for I had known worse pain than Jacob Black would ever be able to comprehend.

So I kept my arm tight around Bella's waist, holding her close, hoping to comfort her as she watched him retreat.

We had some serious problems.

Very serious problems.

But they were nothing compared to the darkness that had surrounded us for months.

I squeezed Bella gently. "I'm here."

She drew in a deep breath and released it with a sigh.

I was here. With Bella.

As long we had each other we could face anything.

Together.

Well, this is it. Fallen Horizon is complete. Lots of blood, sweat and tears but thanks to all the support I hopefully managed to create Edward's world when he was away from Bella.

Thank you all. Hope to see you for a round of Eclipse :)