A/N: Hi, guys, sorry about the wait. Things are very…on edge for me at the moment, and I've been pretty distracted. Apologies!

HUGE thanks and cookies to SasoLOVE111, Ravenclaw Slytherin, TempusSimia, Puckabrina Alee, UnperfectButLovingIt, Wolf-follower, kikikiki, RealWriter, rae-rae89, dragonrain618, MAMfanfic, 'Lil Obsessed, brightglo, 1sweetmoment, xxxNinaxxx, 3 3 3, MusicIsAlwaysThere and SamMorgan13 for your reviews! I truly appreciate it :)

. : Chapter 29: Back to the Beginning : .

I did finally get some sort of rest on the flight back to Seattle, though it was really only dozing and I jolted awake every time I heard a strange noise. Or any noise, really…But the flight was uneventful, safe.

When we touched down and got off, I found Maddy had organised two black SUVs to be waiting for us. A detail I hadn't given a second thought to, in all honesty. My head had been in another world since they'd mutinied and dragged me into this.

I felt the weight of the small box and the strange pendant in my pocket, a last minute decision that I couldn't back with any sensible argument, just that I'd suddenly felt that I'd had to. The items didn't make me smile, but I did feel a little less grey.

I wasn't ready to admit that Maddy's suggestion might've been true yet. I didn't want to believe that I'd forever suffer like this if I wasn't in Jacob Black's presence.

A tiny part of me wondered, guiltily, what he was feeling. But the rest of me jumped all over the top of that part and buried it. I don't want to know! My mind repeated over and over.

I held Benny as Jay herded us into the SUVs. He was giving me some form of comfort, so Maddy had just let me have him, though I knew she'd missed her son. I felt selfish, but it was like I needed to hold the smaller life in my arms, needed something to anchor myself to, as the closer we got, the more foreboding filled me.

My godson had been wide awake for the first half of the flight, but now he slumbered again. I didn't even risk putting him in his car seat, fearing that if I did he'd wake.

The car ride from Seattle to La Push was very quiet. I was in the first car with Jay, who was driving, Benny, Yas and CJ. Danny, Maddy and Tess were following behind us, with most of the baggage, which had turned out to be quite extensive.

We only really spoke when I gave Jay directions, otherwise, I stayed silent.

We stopped in Forks to get fuel and the groceries we'd need to stock the house. That's when Maddy started drilling me on information about the council.

"Wouldn't it be better to ring ahead and arrange a meeting?" She asked as we waited for Jay to pay for the fuel. "A more formal approach?"

"Yes, under normal circumstances. But I don't want to deal with any of the pack, and if they know in advance, Sam will undoubtedly be there."

"What if we left it until the last minute, they might not have time to tell him."

"They'd know pretty much straight away. All the council members have children in the pack. You'd probably get a wolf answering the phone. We're better off going in search of Billy once we get there."

"Billy?"

"Billy Black, tribal elder and chief, if you will. Father to Jacob Black and about-to-be father-in-law to another of the wolves. His daughter, the one getting married, is also Tasha's best friend." I announced dryly.

"Well, that's just brilliant, isn't it?"

"Yep."

"What about other council members? Any of them less connected?"

"Not really. Quil Ateara, senior, has a grandson in the pack and Sue Clearwater, has a son and daughter with the furry gene. Usually, most of them hang out at Sam's, so hopefully we'll get lucky and Billy will be home alone. So long as he's not out fishing. Someone will probably notice the cars and tell Sam anyway. We'll likely be undetected for five minutes, at the max."

Maddy muttered something under her breath. I didn't catch it, but I could imagine and chuckled anyway.

oOo

I seemed to be acutely aware once we'd crossed the line into the reservation. Every muscle in my body strained with tension, ready to run at a moments notice. My heart beat loudly in my ears. I couldn't sit still, couldn't relax.

I directed the way to Billy's, jumping at every person we saw, though none of them were pack as far as I knew. As predicted, we were openly gawked at, and I was immensely thankful for the heavily tinted windows.

My panic only got worse when we pulled up outside the Black's. The shed doors were open, and I could see that the rabbit and both Jake's bikes were inside. It doesn't mean he's here. I reminded myself. I'd never once seen him actually use them after all. I doubted the wolves really had a use for cars.

"You guys wait in the car." Jay told us firmly. "Maddy and I will speak to Mr. Black. Evie, I'm sure you can understand that all hell will hit the fan if you get out."

"Get out?" I echoed disbelievingly, giving him a look that clearly conveyed how insane I thought he was. "Yeah, right. You couldn't drag me out."

He grinned. "That's my girl. Sit tight, hopefully this won't take long."

He slid out and shut his door behind him. CJ reached a hand over the seat and squeezed my shoulder.

oOo

NO ONE'S POV

"How do you think this is going to go?" Jay asked Maddy as he fell in step beside her, together the pair of agents ascended the steps up to the had-seen-better-days veranda.

"Well, it has to work, doesn't it?" She returned quietly, reaching up and knocking on the door. A glance behind her revealed that none of the others had gotten out, and there were no other beings that had suddenly appeared. They'd actually listened for once. She made a note to be shocked about that later.

She held her breath as she heard movement beyond the barrier, and a few seconds later the door opened. The seasoned field agent and mother of one blinked in surprise at the aging man before her. His black hair beginning to grey, his black cowboy hat well worn, and his hands, wrinkled and scarred from years of labour, were folded in his lap. Evie hadn't mentioned he was in a wheelchair.

"Can I help you?" The man asked politely, though both agents were aware of how he carefully took in their appearance. The man was watchful, no doubt very clever.

"Mr. Billy Black?" Jay inquired, sounding almost painfully formal.

"Yes? Though you can leave off the Mr, son."

Jay smiled. "I'm Jay Cleaver, and this is Madison Livingston. We've been told you're the man to talk to regarding permission to take up part-time residence in the old Hanson house?"

Billy frowned. "You have the owner's permission to do that, son?"

"We do, sir."

"Both owners'?"

The pair exchanged a look. They both knew that Tasha hated their guts, and would never grant them anything of the sort.

"No." Maddy replied, taking a leap and going for honesty. Billy Black should've been the kind of man to appreciate that. "No, sir, I'm afraid we don't have both owners' permission…only Eva's."

His eyes widened. "You know Eva?"

They both nodded.

"Would you like to come inside?" The Elder offered.

They exchanged another discreet glance. "For a moment, sir. But we really don't have all that long. We've got family waiting in the cars."

Billy raised his eyebrows, but wheeled himself backwards nonetheless.

The pair followed him inside, running their eyes over the little house and it's messy, but homey, interior.

"Have a seat," The Elder offered, gesturing to the table. He paused, eyeing the papers and whatnot spread over it. "You'll have to excuse the mess, wasn't really expecting guests."

Maddy smiled. "It's alright. I doubt Jay would've even noticed."

Billy smiled back at her, chuckling a bit as the young man let the insult roll off him with only a small scowl in her direction. "So, you want permission to stay in Oliver Hanson's house?"

"Yes, sir."

"But you only have Evie's permission? Have you…spoken to her, recently?"

He's fishing for information on her. Maddy thought as Jay answered. "That's correct."

"How…How is she?"

"She's in good hands." Jay replied smoothly. "Now, I hate to sound pushy, sir, but we really do need your answer on this as soon as possible."

"What's the rush?"

Jay hesitated, but in the end opted for Maddy's approach. "We're in need of a safe place for a while. I swear we won't disrupt goings on here, though. You won't even know we're here."

Billy chuckled. "You'll make a stir, boy, whether you go out or not. But I don't need any trouble brought on my people. So if you're in some kind of trouble…"

"I honestly don't believe it's likely that we'll be found here, sir." Maddy interrupted. "Hence why we chose this place. I apologise for the late notice, forewarning was not really an option. Please, Chief, we need your answer now."

He folded his hands again, linking his fingers together, thumbs resting on top. "Did Evie tell you to come to me?" He didn't appear in any hurry to answer them.

Maddy wasn't entirely sure if she should be respectful or annoyed. "Yes. She said it would be best if we got the council's permission."

"Is she with you now?"

They remained silent. Finally, Billy sighed, and nodded. "You have my permission, on the condition that you don't put my people in danger."

Jay and Maddy nodded and rose. "Thank you, sir."

"Tell…tell Evie that she's dearly missed, and I'd appreciate it if she'd visit an old man sometime, or just call, to let him know she was alright."

Maddy paused at the door and looked back over her shoulder. "I'll pass on the message, sir."

"Thank you."

Jay waited until Maddy was out before closing the door behind her and following her down the steps.

"You let slip to much information." He chided her.

"Billy Black is no enemy to us, Jay. We needed to convince him that we were trust worthy, and the best way to do that is to tell the truth." She returned. "I know what I'm doing."

"I hope so. I dunno if I'll be able to keep my promise to Evie not to shoot any of her relatives if they start breaking down doors trying to find her."

"I don't know if Evie would be able to help herself, she's on edge enough as it is. She'll shoot first, ask questions later." Evie, even though it might not be openly obvious, was teetering dangerously close to the edge. Maddy would do anything to bring her best friend back from that edge, the one she'd seen destroy many others.

"Maybe it wasn't a good idea to bring her back here."

"She needs to be full strength if all these barsteds are coming after her. And the only way that will happen is if she's near Jacob Black." She paused at the passenger door to her SUV and put a reassuring hand on Jay's arm. "Trust me, Jay. I won't let anything happen to our little sister."

"Good," The older man's stare was hardened, the muscles in his neck taught. "'Cause neither will I."

oOo

EVIE'S POV

"How did it go?" I asked anxiously as Jay climbed back into the driver's seat. "Well?"

"Well, you'd better remember the way to this house of yours."

My jaw dropped. "He granted your request? Just like that?"

He grinned at me. "Just like that."

"What did you tell him?"

"Nothing. But it turns out your quite the wild card, he would've handed us the keys personally after he found out we were friends of yours."

"You told him I was here?"

"Nope." I didn't miss the flicker in his eyes. I swallowed.

"Oh, thank god." Shit.

"You know they'll probably find out though, right?" He asked. "I doubt their really that stupid, baby girl."

"I know." I whispered. "But I'd like to postpone it as long as possible, thanks."

"You can't hide forever, baby girl." He muttered lowly to me as I directed him up a side road.

I didn't answer, didn't have to. I knew that.

oOo

We got to the house without issue. Even got inside and mostly got all the bags out of the cars without anyone turning up. To say I was surprised would've been an understatement. It didn't stop me from being jumpy though, and scanning the trees every five seconds, half expecting to see a wolf standing among them, watching.

I nearly leapt out of my skin when a hand landed on my shoulder. I whirled around to stare, wide eyed, at Maddy.

"For shit, woman!" I hissed at her.

She raised an eyebrow. "Why don't you wait inside? We're just going to set up a bit of surveillance gear and then we'll be right in."

I nodded quickly in agreement. "Sounds good. If you want me, I'll be hiding under my bed."

"Evie." Her voice stopped me mid-step. "I've been asked to pass on a message. An old man wishes that you'd pay him a visit, to let him know you're alright."

"Ah shit." I muttered, trudging the rest of the way inside, taking care to step over all the bags that nearly blocked off the short hall. "He does know. Damn the old insightful bugger."

I went past the lounge and kitchen, where CJ and Tess were putting away the food and learning their way around. I also noticed the younger of the two setting up small sensors around the windowsill above the sink. I took the stairs to the second floor and once again bee-lined for my old room. I'd only been half joking about what I'd said about hiding under the bed. It actually sounded rather appealing now.

"How has my life turned out like this?" I asked the empty air around me, crossing the room to look out the window. I stuck to the side, hiding most of myself behind the faded curtain, studying the forest below and beyond the over-grown yard.

I knew it'd only be a matter of time before the idiots turned up.

oOo

"What are you doing?"

I looked up from strapping up the knee-high black combat boots to the doorway, where Maddy was watching me, eyebrows at her hairline.

I grabbed the hunting knife from the mattress and slipped it down the top of the boot, into the slot on the inside of the leather.

"Going to visit an old man." I replied, monotone.

"You think that's a good idea?" She asked, leaning against the doorway as I zipped up the black jacket, hiding the pendant that now hung around my neck and the gun holsters around my arms.

"Not really, but I don't think any of this is a good idea, so…"

She gave me a thoughtful half-smile. "You really do care about them, don't you? The older ones, I mean."

I shrugged, unable to deny it. Those people had meant a lot to my Daddy, after all. "I shouldn't, they lied to me just as much as the rest of them did."

"Once you get a soft spot for someone, you never quite loose it." She finalised.

Not true. "Look, Mads. If you didn't want me to go, you wouldn't have told me. Are you gonna stop me or not?" I was too tired to try to play mind games.

"No, I'm not going to stop you. If I didn't think you'd be safe here, I wouldn't have made you come." She replied, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a flip-top silver phone. "Here, yours might be traceable."

I reached out and took the phone, smiling at her. "Thanks. Just as well, I accidentally left mine on my kitchen table anyways."

She grinned at me and chuckled. "Off you go then, before it gets to dark!"

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, Mother." Walking over to the open window, I slung one leg out and then slipped through the rest of me.

"Be careful, Evie." Maddy whispered to me from inside as I tested the branches of the tree that grew right next to the house. This was the way I'd always managed to sneak in and out when I was younger.

"No worries, boss." I smiled back, beginning my steady descent. I landed on the solid ground on silent feet, and hastily jogged into the cover of the forest before anyone managed to spot me. Never hurt to be in top sneaking condition.

My senses were on high alert as I trekked through the forest on the well-worn path I knew would eventually take me to the Black's. But when it was normally so alive, today it seemed oddly quiet, almost unnaturally so.

My mind brought up the time I'd walked to the Clearwater's and the strange thing that had followed me most of the way. At the time I'd thought it was just a stray dog, but now, I couldn't help but wonder if it'd been something a bit bigger then that…

This time there were no leaves crunching under heavy feet, or soft footfalls on the damp earth. Just silence. I think it unnerved me more then being followed did.

When I could see the Black household through the trees, I crept off the path and hid in the thickest ground-growing ferns. I watched the house for a good ten minutes, yet no one came or went, and I could hear no noise coming from within it.

Once satisfied that none of the horde were here, I tiptoed out of my hiding place and made a quick, silent dash across the open ground to the back door. Now that I was closer, I could hear the muffled noise of the TV, but nothing else. Which hopefully meant that Billy was still home, and everyone else was out.

I knocked, just loud enough for him to hear, before stepping aside to be better hidden in case someone else did open the door.

"Hello?" Billy's deep voice rumbled a few moments later.

I closed my eyes and breathed in, then stepped into view.

"Evie." He murmured softly, staring at me. Like he couldn't quite believe it.

I rubbed my arms as if fending off a chill and smiled sheepishly. "Hello, Billy."

"Come in, honey!" He gestured, wheeling backwards to give me room to do so.

Tentatively, I did enter, scanning the house quickly.

"He isn't here, honey." Daddy's best friend said, sadly. "It's all clear."

"He's not the only one I'm avoiding, if that makes you feel any better." I offered lamely, following him as he went back into the lounge room. There was a football game on TV. "Now I know why I haven't seen any. Their all at Emily's, glued to the damn TV."

He chuckled at my attempt to lighten the mood. "Probably. Sit, honey, you look…worn out."

I did what he said, kind of numbly. "I am sorry for how things have turned out, Billy. I didn't mean for it to be like this, but I can't be what you want me to be."

"And what do you think I want you to be?" He asked gently.

I shrugged. "I don't know. Jake's soul-mate? Another Emily? That's not who I am, Billy. I won't ever be like her."

"No, honey, that's not it at all. I want you to be whatever you want to be. You seem to think that it's all some kind of curse that'll keep you locked up here forever. It's not like that."

I gave him a sad smile. "That's what it'd be like for me if I stayed here, and just took it all. I wouldn't be happy with the life Emily has. It's nice, but it's not me. Jacob would mean that for me…" That and I simply can't be in that situation again. "The world got it wrong; we're not meant for each other."

"The world is never wrong, sweetheart. It'll just take some working out, not everything is perfect on the first go, you know." He said, sounding like the council elder he was. "Would you like something to drink, or eat?"

"No, thank you. I really can't stay long…"

"Don't want to risk running into one of them huh?" He smiled at me, amused.

I shook my head. "That…and I don't want to leave my friends alone long, in case they run into them first."

"Why are you here, Evie?" He asked, suddenly sounding very serious.

"I got a message that a worried old man wanted to see me." I smiled, but it faded when he didn't smile back. "You mean here on the res, don't you?"

He nodded. "Are you in trouble, honey? The young couple here before gave off the impression that you were, and were in need of a safe house."

"I am…sort of." I replied carefully. "It's…complicated, but nothing we won't be able to handle. We just need some time to get organised without worrying about being interrupted."

"You realise it won't be real peaceful once they find out your back, right?" He fixed me with knowing, old eyes. "I will have to tell them, you know. They'd find out anyway."

"I know." I muttered, a little miserably. "Just…give me enough time to get back before you start making phone calls. I'd like enough time to barricade myself in."

"This wasn't your idea, was it?"

"No." I replied, flatly. "No it certainly wasn't. Sorry."

He chuckled. "It's alright. But you'd wanna get going, there's only fifteen minutes left in the game."

I yipped and stood. "Thank you, Billy. I'll be seeing you soon, no doubt." I dropped a kiss to his old cheek and darted for the back door, but brought myself to a sudden, grinding holt before I reached it.

I turned to look back at the wise old chief, and found myself tentatively asking. "How is Jake?"

Billy was silent for a moment, contemplating his answer, before saying. "He's…around. I haven't spoken to him since…"

Since I left.

Something in me wilted, like a flower without sun.

I nodded tensely, and was gone.

A/N: This one took a bit of effort to get finished. I'm having a similar go-slow with the next one, too. I've got the ideas, but it's just taking me a little to feel like I've gotten it right, you know? I hope you enjoyed this anyway :)

I can't tell you when the next update will be. There's so much happening, now only an earth-shattering 4 days until we move, which is always a hellish experience in my family. Then directly after that I'm hoping that I'll be on a bus to my best friend's for a fortnight, then back to work for I-don't-know-how-long. I'm probably not going to be home for like 3 weeks-a month. I will try to update in that time though, I'll have internet at my friend's so yeah.

My Grandpa is back in hospital, he's getting worse and worse and still doctors can't tell us what is wrong. My whole family are starting to get very worried, which is making me ten times as worried and…I'm just stressing, again. Lol.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, please review to let me know what you thought!

Love,

-Meg xx