Rating/Warning(s)/Note(s): T, Shadows
Disclaimer: All copyrights, trademarked items, or recognizable characters, plots, etc. mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without their express written authorization.
Prompt: Song
Dialogue Flex: "Be careful," he warned.

Finals flew by, even though I only had five of them to take. It seemed that one moment I was preparing for them and the next I was setting down my pen, turning in my little blue book, and running into Edward's arms to be swung around in celebration. "Alice said you did really well," he whispered in my ear as I squealed with relief.

The next man to have his arms around me was my father, welcoming off the plane in Port Angeles. "It's good to have you home," he said, followed by, "the Newtons asked if you were going to work this summer."

"Oh, that would be great," I exclaimed, only to hear a groan from behind me. Turning from my father I looked to see Edward pinching the bridge of his nose. "Is there a problem?"

"You know you don't have to work. The scholarship…"

"Is someone else's money and should only be used for school," I said, my hands on my hips and giving him a pointed look.

Charlie began to chuckle beside me. "Looks like you were told," he said, reaching out a hand to shake Edward's. "Welcome back."

"Thank you, sir. It's just that I know Miss Hale would want Bella to spend the money, that's why she was given it." Edward's words were directed to my father but he was looking sternly back at me.

"Okay, kids, let's take this out of the airport before you have a fight," Charlie said and then turned to give Alice a big smile and a hug. "It's good to see you again, too." He bent down and whispered in her ear, "You could have left your brother home."

"Not and live to tell anyone about it," she stage-whispered back.

"Dad," I said, trying to keep the whine out of my voice and pulling Marta forward, "this is my neighbor at my dorm, Marta."

"Thanks for letting me come," she said, smiling brightly as she shook my dad's hand. "Bella talks about home so much, I'm excited to see it."

"Always nice to have another pretty face in the house," Charlie said. He turned to the group. "Bella, Jacob is waiting out front with your old pickup. I knew the cruiser couldn't hold everyone and their luggage, so I thought we'd put that in the bed of your truck."

"Oh, good idea, dad," I said, letting Edward pull me toward the now-moving luggage carousel. "You want to go bring him in? Maybe he can help carry our things out?"

We stood around talking, watching luggage being shot up a ramp and onto the moving turnstile when I noticed the vampires in the group wrinkle up their noses. "What is it?"

In an instant Edward was turned around, pulling me behind him as Alice and Jasper grabbed Marta to protect her. Looking around his body I could see Jacob. He was much taller and broader than the last time I'd seen him with his body quivering for all that he held it rigid with his fists clenched tightly at his sides.

Raising my hand I waved. "Hey, Jacob, over here!"

Edward pulled me back behind him again. "Be careful," he warned. "I don't want you to get hurt."

"Don't be ridiculous, it's just Jacob," I started, but stopped when I looked up and saw the fury on my friend's face as he stalked toward me.

"Let her go leech," he said through gritted teeth, his voice barely loud enough to be heard.

"Not on your life," Edward spat back just as quietly.

"It might be on yours," Jacob said back. He took another step closer, bringing him toe to toe with Edward. "I know what you are and I will not allow you to make a meal of Bella or Charlie."

"That's exactly why we're here, to make sure others don't," Edward told him, the coldness of his voice belying the calm tone. "I also know what you are, Jacob Black, grandson of Ephraim, and suggest you don't do anything here you might regret."

"Is there a problem boys?" Charlie asked beside us, looking worriedly from one to the other.

"No problem, sir," Edward said. "We were just getting acquainted."

"Looks to me like you were getting ready to fight, something I can't allow," Charlie said, his cop voice coming through strongly.

"No, sir," Edward said, taking a step back, pushing me back since I was still behind him. "Bella, why don't you go with Alice, Jasper and Marta?"

"Why doesn't Bella come with me?" Jacob said, reaching around Edward to try to grab my arm.

Edward growled low in his chest and knocked Jacob's arm away. "She's been with me for months now and is just fine. Why don't you do what you were brought here for and fetch the luggage before Charlie gets upset?"

A tremor ran down Jacob's arms as his hands clenched into fists again. "This is not over leech," he said.

"Tonight, when they're asleep, we can meet and discuss the treaty," Edward said, stepping back again. "Let's not give Charlie anymore reason to look closer."

"Agreed." Jacob walked over to where Jasper had piled the luggage while the others were arguing and picked up more than any normal person should have been able to carry.

"Go to Charlie, he wants to talk to you," Edward said. "I'll rent us a car. Tell your father we decided it would be a good idea to have alternate transportation."

"Great, throw me to the wolves," I said Charlie looked about ready to burst with annoyance.

"Certainly don't plan on it," Edward said. Then, looking at Jacob he leaned over and placed a kiss on my temple.

When I got over to Charlie he asked me what the argument had been about. "I think they disagree about the best song," I mumbled.

"Cut the crap, Bells. I was a boy once and I know what they were fighting about. I haven't seen a pissing contest that big in a long time. Looks like Edward has some competition on his hands."

No hating Jacob! He only wants to protect Bella.