Edward didn't even attempt a kiss when he returned Bella home. Trying to make up for his earlier slip of the night, he walked her to her front door, and, after staring into her eyes long enough to make her breathing hitch and her heart flutter, he grabbed one of her hands and held it gently in his.

"Goodnight Miss Swan. I hope you'll permit me to see you again?"

Bella shivered. Even knowing that his manner of speaking was put on, an act, it still achieved the purpose of making her feel like it was only the two of them in a world that could be anywhere, at any time.

"Of course," she mumbled, almost begging him in her mind to lean closer, to allow her to see if he was the man she had loved in more than just appearance.

He didn't. With a grin quite similar to that of a small boy thrilled with his latest conquest, he leaned away, dropping her hand.

"I'll call you then."

She nodded dumbly and watched as he walked away.

Everyone was already asleep when she silently entered the house. She passed a long night, not able to sleep, lying in her bed with Luned snoring softly at the other end, dreaming of what she could have asked for, but hadn't.

* * * * *

"C'mon sleepy head. It's after ten, and we have big plans for today."

Bella groaned, rolling over and dragging the quilt over her head. "Can't you survive without me?"

"Nope." Alice giggled. "Not even for five seconds."

Bella groaned again, but flung the covers off herself. "Fine," she huffed, soundly distinctly unimpressed. "But whatever it is, it had better be good. And not shopping."

Alice laughed cheerily. "Is that all you think I'm capable of? I'm insulted, truly, I am."

"No, that's not all." Bella swung her legs over the side of the bed, unsurprised to find Luned was already well gone. "I also think you are an evil pixie that knows just how to irritate poor sleeping people like me."

Alice giggled again and danced from the room. "Either way, hurry up and dress. Things to do. Has Luned ever seen the ocean?"

Bella rolled her eyes and began digging through her drawers for something appropriate to wear. She was almost completely dressed before Alice's words sunk in.

The ocean.

The only ocean she could be referring to would be La Push.

Bella froze, one arm in her shirt. The last time she had been there…my god, was when Jacob had sworn he would marry her. It wasn't that the memory was painful anymore; it wasn't. Nothing could be, not after Edward. It was just…strange.

Well, at least I won't have to face him. She thought, resuming dressing. He'd left La Push not long after. She'd laughed at him and said that wasn't in her plans, thinking he'd been joking. In fact it turned out he couldn't have been more serious, and after her humiliating reaction, he had told her as much. It had signaled the death knell of their relationship, and after she broke it off he had moved away. Seattle was the last place she'd heard he was. She'd tried not to notice much, after all until now, he was her biggest life regret.

She trotted down the stairs for breakfast to find Rosalie in her usual state of absolute perfection (the girl never had bed hair), Emmett serving her cheerios, and Alice buzzing in Luned's ear about La Push.

"You can try surfing, you know. Or watch the whales."

"What are whales?"

Shaking her head in wonderment at how much Luned had yet to know, Bella hunted out her own bowl and spoon, snatching the box of cereal from Emmett's hand.

"Hey! I wasn't done yet!" he growled.

"Yes, but I am," Rose said calmly, smiling at Bella.

Bella grinned back. "Exactly. Ladies first, remember?" She poured the last of the cereal into her own bowl. "Oops, sorry Em."

Emmett frowned, and Rose and Bella erupted into giggles.

"What?" Alice asked, glancing back over her shoulder at the two women. "Did I miss something?"

Rose continued to giggle into her bowl as Bella attempted to straighten her features. "Hopefully not breakfast, that's all."

Alice rolled her eyes, grinning almost as much as Rose and Bella, and turned back to Luned. "There's some hot guys too."

Bella rolled her eyes. "Don't trust Alice, Luned. She hasn't looked at a male since…what, five?" She stuffed a spoonful of cereal into her mouth, smacking away Emmett's hand trying to pinch her bowl. "Other than Jasper, of course."

Again, the tension. Alice went silent, and Rose and Emmett exchanged a meaningful look. Bella frowned. There was something seriously off here. Ever since…well, forever, when anyone mentioned Jasper's name, Alice would light up like a Christmas tree. Suddenly—it was as though someone had pulled the plug on those pretty fairy lights, or all the bulbs had busted at once. Alice was clearly hurting.

"So, surfing, huh? I'll be in for that."

Emmett exploded with laughter, and the haunted look disappeared from Alice's face. "You sure, Bella? It never seemed to be your kind of thing."

"There's always a first time, huh?" And anything to distract you, to rid you of that misery.

* * * * *

Apparently there's a last time for everything too, Bella thought, trying desperately to keep her balance on the board. She could see, far off in the distance, all her friends chuckling at her plight. Well, all except Luned, who was wringing her hands, completely unable to understand why anyone would swim off into the vast expanse of steely grey with nothing more than a long bit of foam.

Bella paddled, waiting for just the right wave. Many passed her, and each time she ignored it, not quite ready yet, but blaming it on the lack of froth, or height, or even sea life.

"C'mon!" She heard very faintly from the beach. "You'll be floating right on in soon!" It could only be Emmett. This far out his would be the only voice she would be able to hear.

Sighing and copping a mouthful of salty sea water, she gave in. When the next swell came along, she closed her eyes and leapt to her feet.

For the merest second, her feet found purchase, and she grinned in the belief she had finally mastered something that required skill and balance.

It was only a fraction of time, and then she tumbled head-first into the waves, hitting her head far too hard on the edge of the board and knocking herself out.

Luned frowned, twisting her hands desperately. It wasn't natural, simple as that. Waves were not intended for humans to attempt to ride on, they were a physical manifestion of God's power, a warning. She watched fearfully as Bella paddled gently, lying on her stomach on the 'surf board,' turning her head to the side to watch the swells that passed her.

"C'mon!" Roared the mountainous man nearby, cupping his hands around his mouth in order to encourage his voice to reach Bella, far out over the water. Luned cringed. Madness it was, utter madness. Clearly, the lack of tourneys and daily practice lead men to much less desirable pursuits. Encouraging a woman to risk her life? She shook her head, still wringing her hands.

Lund watched, saw the stiffening of Bella's body. She held her breath as her friend jumped to her feet, watched the momentary grin of satisfaction pass across her face. Watched as she stumbled and fell, her head sinking below the waves.

"Do something!" Alice screamed beside her. Luned squinted, waiting breathlessly for Bella to emerge. Bella had tried to calm Luned, told her she was a capable swimmer, if not much good at anything else, and only to worry if her head didn't come back up. "Which it will," she had said, smiling. "Although I guarantee I will fall off."

Luned waited. Still nothing. Nearby, Emmett was ripping off his shoes. "Hurry, Emmett!" Rose was saying urgently. "She'll drown!"

He only had one off when a breeze indicated the rush of another figure past Luned's left shoulder. This new person was diving into the water before she had time to think, clearly a man with a broad back and long dark hair. He swam with rapid, steady strokes, and was followed quickly by Emmett.

Luned waited, her heart thudding painfully in her chest.

* * * * *

"This was not how I envisioned our hello's."

Bella coughed. It wasn't the voice she had hoped to hear when she died.

"C'mon, Bells. Stop fooling."

Emmett. And…

"I really don't want my time seeing you to be quite so dramatic Isabella." Really? No way. Jacob?

She flicked open her eyes, still coughing against the burning, salty feeling in her throat. "Jake?"

"Ah." The warm voice laughed, relieved. "So you haven't forgotten me after all."

Soft footsteps sounded nearby. "Jacob?" A gentle voice choked, laced with agony.

Jacob's smiling face spun around, his eyes locking, shocked, on the woman behind him.

"Leah!"