Babies, Babies, Babies

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

A/N-thanks for the kind reviews, Nikki.

Part Twenty Two

"Now tell me what the hell is going on?" Jacob studied both girls as they avoided looking at each other and instead stared at the floor. "Come on, one of you speak? Bells?" He cupped her chin in his hand and raised her head. A guilty look flashed in her eyes as she tried to jerk her head away but he wasn't going to let it go. "Talk to me, honey." He said in a gentler tone. "This isn't like you."

"I slapped Rachel." Bella confessed as a tear escaped her eye and rolled down her cheek.

"Why?" Jacob used his thumb to wipe it away. He hated seeing Bella so upset. Whatever his stupid sister had said seemed to have rattled Bella greatly and he wasn't going to stand for it.

"That's none of your business little brother." Rachel interjected, emphasising the little.

"Don't try my patience, Rach." Jacob growled. "I know Bells wouldn't have hit you first for no reason. What came out of your stupid mouth this time?"

"That's right, take her side." Rachel huffed as she crossed her arms defensively across her chest. "If you must know she was the one who said something awful. She said that she pitied Paul for having me as an imprint."

All eyes turned on Bella as her face flushed red. Her eyes darted to Rachel and they glowed with anger. Rachel matched her glare as she smirked. "Are you going to deny saying it?" She demanded.

"No, and I don't take it back either." Bella hissed. "You are a disgrace. Paul deserves better."

"I told you." Rachel fumed as her hands curled into fists at her sides. "See what she's like. She's finally dropped her butter wouldn't melt persona and showed herself up for the bitch she is."

"Shut the hell up, Rachel." Jacob yelled at her. "And wipe off that arrogant smirk you've got on your face."

"You can't talk to me that way." Rachel retorted.

"You're frightened." Bella suddenly said as she got between the warring siblings. "This is what it all boils down to. You're frightened; Rachel Black and you want me to be just as scared as you are. You can shove imprinting in my face as much as you want, you can tell me I'm not good enough, but really this is all about you knowing that you are the one who's not good enough. You've built such a hard shell around yourself you refuse to let anyone in. You rant and rave and you push people away, but inside you are a frightened little child."

Rachel fell completely silent as she locked eyes with Bella. They stared at each other for a very long time as if they were sharing some silent communication. Rachel was the first to avert her gaze. Her hands uncurled and instead she wrapped her arms around her midsection as if she was trying to hold herself together. "You have no idea about me." She said sullenly.

"Because you won't let anyone get to know you." Paul spoke for the first time. He had been watching his imprint silently during her confrontation with Bella and her brother. His dark eyes showed immense sadness as if he had finally accepted that whatever he did, Rachel would not have him. "I've tried to be understanding; I've tried to be very patient. None of that is in my nature, ask anyone. If anything I am as confrontational as you, but since I've joined the pack I've learned to keep my cool better, to know when to use my anger to fight, to pick my battles. But you, you fight with everyone and everything. You'd fight your own shadow…"

"This has all been dumped on me. I hardly know you…." Rachel whispered.

"Bella is right, you are afraid." Paul continued as if she hadn't spoken. "I can feel it through the imprint bond, just as I can feel your resentment and that you feel trapped and cornered. We may share a connection, Rachel, but that doesn't give you the right to treat me like scum. I am worth more than that, I deserve more than that. I release you from any obligation that you think you owe me. Go live your life, forget you ever met me or came back here. I'm done." Before Rachel could defend herself Paul strode quickly out of the garage.

"Go after him." Bella yelled at Rachel when she saw the other girl standing rooted to the spot. "You could be losing the best thing that ever happened to you all because of your stupid fears and stubborn pride. You have to fight for what you want in this world, you have to fight to be happy. Put some of that damn anger of yours to good use and go apologise to Paul and tell him what is going on in your head and give him a chance."

"Bells is right, Rach. Go, before it's too late. Do the right thing." Jacob urged his sister.

"What would you know, Jake?" Rachel stated harshly. "You got what you wanted." Her eyes rested resentfully on Bella. "Although what good that will do you when you imprint on another and destroy both your lives in the process is hard to see.

Rachel's words cut like a knife. He saw Bella flinch and he had to breathe deeply to keep his temper under control. When had his sister turned into such a bitter harpy? She never used to be like this, or at least he couldn't recall her being so hard. Perhaps she was right in one way, what did he know, especially about her. But like Paul he was done trying to reason with her. He was tired of her dredging up fears about imprinting. He guessed now that was the catalyst for the brawl between the girls. Jacob slipped his arm around Bella's shoulders and pulled her close. "I want you to leave now, Rachel. Go back to college and live your life. Paul is not the only one who is done with you." He gave his sister one last scathing glance before leaving with Bella.

"I'm so sorry about Rachel, Bells. I really am. You didn't take any of her crap to heart, did you?" Jacob took hold of Bella's shoulders once they were outside and turned her to face him. He was worried about what was going on inside her head. She just looked completely defeated.

"I can't pretend what she said hasn't hurt, Jake." Bella confessed as tears welled in her eyes. "It's like every time I try to overcome the issue, Imprinting is shoved in my face again. I want to get past it and I believe you when you say it won't happen to you, but I can't stop myself worrying sometimes…."

"It won't." Jacob ducked his head and looked straight into her beautiful brown eyes. "I love you, and only you. Haven't I told you a million times you are the only girl I ever see or will see? You are my imprint. You're imprinted on my heart. I don't need any mystical voodoo to know you are my soulmate." He took her hand and pressed it over his chest so she could feel the strong beat of his heart.

Bella smiled weakly at his attempt to reassure her. "When did you become such a smooth talker, huh?" She teased.

Jacob rested his forehead against hers. "Since I met you. You do believe me, right?"

Before Bella could reply they heard the sound of running footsteps. Rachel was sprinting out of the garage. Her face was awash with tears and she stumbled as she ran. "Rachel." Jacob called to his sister but she shook her head at him. She kept running and running until she reached the tree line. Jacob heard her calling Paul's name over and over until her emotions overwhelmed her and she collapsed on the ground sobbing. Jacob went to go to her when he felt Bella grip his hand and motion toward the trees. He watched as Paul Lahote appeared and hunkered down in front of Rachel. He saw his sister say something, it was too quiet and he couldn't catch what she had said to his pack brother, but he saw Paul's expression soften as he held out his hand to help Rachel to stand. They then disappeared into the forest.

"Do you think there's hope for those two?" Bella said softly as she stared sadly toward the encroaching forest.

"Yes." Jacob pulled Bella into his arms and pressed his lips into her hair.

"Then that's all we can do, isn't it? Hope…." Bella hid her face against Jacob's warm chest so she could hide the anxiety which was threatening to shatter her fragile hold on happiness.

A/N-thanks for reading!