Rating/Warning(s)/Note(s): T, Shadows
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Prompt: Eavesdrop
Dialogue Flex: "No thanks, I'm trying to cut back," she said.

I told a few of you I was giggling, thinking about the conversation between Jacob and Marta. I couldn't get it out of my head, so here it is!

The silence in the truck was deafening as Jacob pulled into traffic. Marta's body was flush with the door, one hand on the handle and the other on the latch of her seatbelt in case the man at her side had another episode. She kept close watch on him even as she realized that Bella's father's car, carrying Alice and Jasper were getting farther and farther ahead.

"Great, he's making sure there's enough distance that it won't be noticed if he veers off some exit and kills me, burying me in the weeds like that serial killer," she muttered to herself, wondering if she could outrun him and deciding probably not given the length of his legs.

She was surprised when he snorted a laugh. "Trust me, I'm the last person you have to worry about doing you bodily harm," he said, but then looked pensive. "Well, I hope."

That made her feel just so much better.

While she was trying to remember if it was better to talk to a potential murderer, trying to get him to see you as a person, or remain quiet next to a psycho, lest she push him over the edge, he began to talk.

"I know you think I'm crazy." His voice sounded almost hopeful, for some strange reason. "I really don't blame you if you did." She couldn't decide whether or not to answer, still torn between the possible murderer/psychopath conundrum. "I really did have a reason for behaving that way back at the airport. I wanted to make sure you were safe from the leeches." His hands began to tremble, the shiver going up his arms. "When that little one reached for you I just about took her arm off. Good thing Bella's parasite stopped her."

Okay, murderer it is, she decided. Best get talking, then maybe she could survive this trip.

"Alice is a friend," she said, chancing a glance over at Jacob, who snorted another contemptuous laugh. "She is! She's been really nice to both Bella and me."

Marta then thought that maybe antagonizing him wasn't a good idea. Better to have him talk about someone he obviously cares for. "How long have you known Bella?" she asked, wanting to change the direction of the conversation. It didn't escape her notice that she could no longer see Charlie's car.

"Since I was in diapers, most likely," he said with a fond smile. "Although, we didn't see much of each other until her mom remarried and she came to live with her dad. Charlie and Billy, my dad, are best friends, so we spent a lot of time together while she was here." A scowl came over his face and he slowed down some more. "That's why I was so upset to see what her boyfriend is."

That annoyed her. Marta really liked Edward. Granted there was something off about him that made the hair on the back of her neck stand up, but he was always perfectly polite and treated her friend like she was the most amazing woman on earth. She'd watched Edward be noticed by other girls on campus, but he never noticed them, no matter how hard they tried. He only had eyes for Bella. Then something Jacob said struck her.

"What do you mean, what he is?" she asked.

"Can't tell you, against the treaty." Then his voice dropped so low she wondered if she was supposed to hear what he said next. "At least while they can still eavesdrop on our conversation."

"What do mean, eavesdrop? They've got to be miles ahead of us by now," she said, waving her hand in the direction the cruiser had disappeared.

"Think so?" he asked. Jacob was obviously happy about that thought. "Great, let's stop and get a soda."

"No thanks, I'm trying to cut back," she said. The idea of stopping scared her. Yes, this was Bella's friend, but that didn't mean she knew everything about him. Wasn't there some story back home in Spain about some American pastor who was a serial killer and no one in his congregation, not even his wife, knew? Her mother had copies of the articles about it plastered all over their home she was so afraid of having her daughter come to school at Dartmouth.

"Fine, we'll go for a walk. Either way we need to talk." Jacob suddenly swerved, taking the exit much faster than the truck was made to handle and Marta was sure they were only on two wheels for a second. If she wasn't so afraid of being killed she would scream with excitement. Now she was building up a scream of a different kind.

"We can't talk in the truck? On the way? Won't they be expecting us?" Every possible argument ran through her head, but he scoffed at them all, insisting that what they were going to discuss required wooded privacy.

Marta had never been particularly religious. She'd been raised Catholic, going to First Communion, attending mass during Christmas and Easter, but it had never been a large part of her life. Now she was surprised to find that she could remember the rosary prayer without hesitation. Something in her mind was whispering the reminder to talk to serial killers, try to get them to see you as a person who wants to live, but fear had replaced rational thought as soon as Jacob turned down a dirt road and took off into the most remote section of forest she'd ever seen.

"It won't be long, then I can show you what I need to. You won't believe me otherwise," he said with a smile.

"Believe what?" she choked out.

"What I am. What Edward and his family are. Why Bella's in trouble." He took his eyes off the heavily rutted road for just a second. "Hey, don't be nervous. I've been doing this long enough that I've learned enough control to keep from hurting you."

"Oh." She glanced over to him, and was shocked to see how happy and relaxed he looked.

"I promise," he said, reaching over and prying her fingers off her seatbelt latch, "you are in the hands of the one person who will always have your best interests at heart." Somehow she doubted that but was too frozen to make a run for it.

Finally they stopped. "This looks like a good place," he said as he hopped out of the truck, being careful with the mangled door. "No one around to interfere."

This was her last chance. In a flash she had her seatbelt undone and was throwing open her door, but he was somehow already there. And shirtless.

Marta was terrified, but there was no denying that he was easily the most beautiful man she'd ever laid eyes on. Yes, Edward was incredibly gorgeous. Any woman with a pulse would agree with that, but something about Jacob was alluring. It was like she felt a pull to him, even while her mind was screaming to her to run.

"Sorry about the clothes thing," he said, motioning to his chest, "but I didn't bring a spare set and don't want anything to happen to these."

Instantly the pull was gone, replaced once more by fear. "Please don't rape me," she whispered. Her voice pleading as tears formed in her eyes.

"Rape?" Jacob asked, stunned immobile for a moment. "No, Marta. No, no, no," he said, moving forward slowly. His large hands were out as if approaching a frightened animal, which she undoubtedly was. "No, Marta, I would never do that to any woman, least of all you."

"Then why?" she asked, waving around to the barren wilderness and his being partially undressed.

He sighed and dropped his hands. "Because I need to show you something and explain something where no one else can see or hear."

He paused a moment, thinking, head hanging down. Marta shifted on her feet after a while, drawing his attention. "Marta, do you have horror stories where you're from?"

"Spain? Um, yes," she said.

"Do they involve any monsters?"

"Yes. We have the same ones as you Americans. There are zombies, witches, vampires, trolls, werewolves…"

"And do you believe in werewolves or vampires?" he asked, cutting her off.

Now it was her turn to scoff. "Children's stories, told to make them go to bed."

Jacob began to back up, stepping over a large tree without even looking as if he could see behind him. "What if they're true?" he asked. "What would you do?"

Her laugh was nervous. "Probably run screaming."

By now he was fairly far away. Large ferns covered the bottom half of his body, but it was still plain to see he was removing his pants and shoes. "Do you think you could stay by the truck instead? Maybe lock yourself inside? I promise not to hurt you."

Marta didn't get a chance to say anything else before hair began growing out of Jacob's body at an alarming rate. His body swelled, taller than his already impressive height, as his face elongated and he fell down on his hands. In seconds a giant, russet-furred wolf stood in front of her with large, brown, pleading eyes.

She was motionless, staring at him. He couldn't tell if it was in fear or awe. A small whine came from the beast's throat. A large paw was lifted as if he would step forward, but then placed back down on the ground. Another whine, and the wolf began to shrink. Just as fast as he exploded he imploded, the giant animal's body folding in on itself until only a man remained.

"This is what I am," he said, spreading his arms out wide, turning in a circle. His back was muscled like a weight lifter's, narrowing down to a trim waist and hips. Just above the tops of the ferns the swell of his backside could be seen. Once again, Marta was drawn to him.

"What are you?" she asked, still not moving from the safety of the truck.

"A werewolf," he said, reaching for his pants. Marta was shocked to find that disappointed her.

"Why are you telling me, showing me this?"

"Because we imprint, and when we do we have to tell her, or him," he added with a grimace, "everything." With his pants back on he moved toward her again, slower than he had before. "When we see the one we imprint on, she becomes everything to us. It's like our source of gravity shifts from the earth to her. We are the perfect friend, boyfriend, lover." He continued walking until they were standing close together, almost touching. "I am whatever you need me to be."

She didn't really know what to think. "Right now I need you to take me to Bella's."

He nodded and reached behind her to open the door. Marta climbed in somewhat reluctantly but knew there was no other way to get to where she needed to be. Thankfully it was only a few minutes before they were back on the highway.

Once again silence filled the air. Hours passed with nothing but concerned glances from Jacob and blank stares out the windshield from Marta while they both processed what happened. He almost jumped when they passed the sign welcoming them to Forks and she spoke.

"So you have to tell me everything?" He nodded. "What are Edward and his family?"

"Vampires."

Apparently I could go on and on with this one, but I think I've gotten it out of my system. Back to Edward and Bella tomorrow.