Bella

"Jacob!" I called, bounding over to him as Evie started to drive away.

"Hey Bella!" He wrapped me in a warm bear hug. I had just seen him on Saturday, but it somehow felt like it had been years. Similarly, we had just reconnected on Saturday but I felt we had been best friends our entire lives. "Dad, this is Bella."

Billy appraised me with black eyes full of intelligence. "Oh, I remember. How are you, Bella?" his question seemed to ask more than that. I wondered if he had noticed who had dropped me off.

"I'm doing great, now. I'm really happy to be living here with my dad." The words that I never thought I'd say in my lifetime were more true now than ever. "And speak of the devil…"

Charlie's cruiser pulled into the driveway while the three of us moved out of his way.

"Billy!" He jumped out of the car and greeted his friend, then they proceeded to chase each other around the driveway. I had never seen my dad act so goofy.

"Are they always like this?" I asked Jacob.

"It's getting worse with old age," he cracked, and I laughed all the way to the front door.

Once inside, I asked if anyone was hungry. I myself was starving, having only managed a few bites of food in between answering Evie's questions at lunch. They all answered yes so I proceeded to fry up some grilled cheese sandwiches for us all. I listened to my dad talking to Billy. His voice brought back a rush of memories from my childhood. Things like going fishing and camping that at the time had seemed dreadful but looking back were some of the most fun I'd had. I was starting to realize that my mom had painted a very one-sided picture of Forks whenever she talked about how glad she was to have moved away.

"You're staying for the game, right?" Charlie asked as we wolfed down our sandwiches.

"That's the idea," Jacob answered. "Our TV just broke." Billy shot him a look that said if he could have he would have kicked him for that.

Charlie just laughed at his expression. "You know you're welcome anytime. It's been too long." I was glad to see Charlie in such a good mood. He worked so much that I worried he never had time for much else.

"Weather's supposed to be good on Saturday, you up for some fishing?" Billy asked him,

"You bet!" Charlie agreed immediately, then looked at me sheepishly.

"Sorry Bells, I know you wanted the truck this weekend, but when the fish are calling…"

"Don't worry about it Dad. I had already decided not to go up to Seattle by myself anyway. Besides, we're getting low on fish. We must be down a two, maybe three year supply." I razzed him and he grinned.

"Good deal. So it's settled then." He and Billy left the table to watch the basketball game in the living room.

"Hey, if you need someone to go up to Seattle with you I'm game." Jacob told me.

"That would be awesome!" I pictured us checking out the best bookstores and restaurants, and hanging out by the water. "Just not this weekend. I sort of have other plans."

He caught on right away that I hadn't mentioned this in front of Charlie for a reason. "Oh yeah? Would this have something to do with your mysterious chauffeur?"

"Shhh!" I wacked his shoulder with the back of my hand. "Let's go upstairs." He helped finish up the dishes and then we snuck up to my room. I closed the door, then ran to my window to make sure Evie wasn't still out there listening. Though I wasn't entirely sure how far away she could listen.

"So? Is she your girlfriend?" He was practically bouncing on the bed.

"It's not like that. She's...different." How to explain Evie Cullen?

"If by different you mean insanely hot!" Jacob enthused.

"Well yeah, I mean obviously." I had to agree with him. Initially I had thought Rosalie to be the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen. But that was before I'd seen Evie smile… "But there's more to her than that."

"Really? Like what?"

"Like, she's even more amazing behind the face."

Jacob snorted. "Yeah like that's even possible."

I sort of agreed with him again. How could someone be so beautiful both inside and out? The vampire that saved people, who didn't want to be a monster.

"So do you like her?" Jacob pressed. I considered that. It hadn't occurred to me that Evie could be a romantic interest. Do vampires feel love? But even if she could, what would be the chances that she could ever feel that way about me?

"I don't know. Honestly, it's hard to even think coherently when I'm with her."

"Yeah I bet." Jacob nodded sagely, like he had experienced similar incoherency at some point. "There's this girl in my class, Leah. Whenever she's around I turn into a complete idiot. It's not fair."

"Definitely not fair." I commiserated.

"So what's your girl's name?" He asked.

"Evie….Cullen." I barely whispered her last name, fearing his reaction.

"What?!" He jumped up from the bed. I definitely wasn't expecting this. "Bella, are you insane? Didn't you listen to anything I told you?"

"Yeah, I did." I was defensive now. "You don't actually believe any of that, do you?" I went for derision, hoping to mask the fact that I knew now it was all true.

"There's a reason why they're still not allowed on the reservation. They are dangerous. Please, you have to stay away from them. I don't want you to get hurt." His deep brown eyes were large with worry. I realized that the tribe's mistrust of the Cullens ran deeply.

"I'll be okay, Jacob, I promise. I can handle it. Evie is...good."

"I don't know what kind of spell she's got you under, but you can't trust her. Any of them."

"Jacob, she saved my life." That stopped him in his tracks.

"What? How?"

So I told him everything, from the day I saw her face in the mirror to the man in the alley in Port Angeles.

"Wow." He breathed. "It's all true then."

"I know."

"I always thought it was an exaggeration, and they were just like a mob family or something and that's why they weren't allowed here."

"Crazy, isn't it?" I mused. "But the part about them not hurting people is true too, remember that."

"Okay, but just….just be careful. Please?"

"I will. I mean, I am. I promise."

"Good."

"Jake?" Billy called from downstairs. "Time to go, son!"

We trudged back down the stairs and hugged goodbye.

"Call me on Saturday," Jacob told me pointedly.

"You got it." He wanted to make sure I arrived back home safely after spending the day with Evie.

He wheeled his father out to their truck and they drove off into the night.

Evie

When Thursday morning dawned I was ready with another onslaught of questions for Bella. Since none of my easily answered questions had produced any clues for me, I decided to dig a little deeper.

"So what did you and Jacob talk about last night?" I began.

She gaped at me, looking scandalized. "Uh uh, no way. That's strickly best friends' stuff."

"Ok, fine. How long have you and Jacob been friends?"

She told me about her childhood visits to her Dad, going to the reservation and going on camping and fishing trips every summer. She mentioned Jacob's two sisters, and her face blushed a deep red that extended over the tips of her ears and down her neck. I was finally getting somewhere. I filed the information away for later.

I asked her about her friends back in Phoenix and there wasn't much there. She was reclusive due to her debilitating shyness. She worried about her mom a lot, and studied a lot. And read books, endlessly books. That topic kept her talking for the rest of the day. We were in the middle of an argument about who loved each other more truly, Heathcliff or Cathy. My pick was Heathcliff, of course, but she stubbornly refused to see that his vengeful actions were indicative of his undying love. We decided to call it a day as the rain poured down around us where we sat in my car in her driveway.

"So is it my turn tomorrow?" She asked before leaving.

"Absolutely not! I'm not finished yet."

"What else is there?"

"You'll just have to find out tomorrow."

"That's not fair!" She pouted.

"Hasn't anyone ever told you? Life isn't fair."

"I believe I have heard that somewhere before." She was grinning again, and I was happy to leave her on a high note.

The next morning I picked right up where I'd left off, arguing for Heathcliff.

She jumped right in. "You just can't expect me to believe that someone who treats others with such wanton cruelty is capable of the kind of love you're describing!" She was glorious when she argued, her face flushed, eyes bright and pulse racing. As much as I admired her conviction, I wanted desperately for her to see my side. For if Heathcliff wasn't deserving of love, then how could I ever be?

"And you know this from personal experience?" I goaded her.

It worked. Her flush deepened and her pulse accelerated beyond the excitement of the debate.

"Um, well no, uh not exactly." She stammered, nervously fiddling with her hair and not meeting my eyes.

"First question today: how many people have you dated?" It was time to get personal. I knew I was getting close to the truth. She was more uncomfortable now than she'd ever been in my presence before.

"None." She whispered, and I could hear intense pain behind her answer.

"Why not?" I pressed.

"Next question." There were tears in her eyes.

"Bella, have you ever been in love?" I was pushing her now, but I was so close and I just had to know.

"Next." The word was sharp and definitive, and now she was making full eye contact and glaring at me forcefully. If I pushed her again she would snap. I decided against it, not willing to risk shattering the trust we had so carefully built between us. We arrived at the school parking lot and she hurried out of the car, slamming the door behind her while I sat there perplexed.

She ignored me all morning, and I was starting to worry that I had in fact pushed her too far. Then Alice pulled me aside before lunch.

"What are you doing?" She hissed, and I could hear in her thoughts that her vision of us this weekend had returned. That meant that Bella wouldn't be with us after all, and she would be vulnerable to the visitors. I could have kicked myself. There was too much at stake to be worrying about what secrets Bella was hiding. I had to make it right, and fast.

I found her in the cafeteria. She was already sitting at what had become our table, so she must not hate me too much. I sat down across from her and tried my best to look remorseful.

"Bella, I am so sorry. I had no right to pry into your personal life. Can you please find it in your heart to forgive me?" I looked up at her from under my lashes, trying for contrite for the first time in my long life. To my surprise, her heart started beating a staccato rhythm and she had stopped breathing altogether. What had I done wrong?

I was about to apologize again when she finally regained her composure enough to speak. "You're forgiven." Her voice came out in a squeak. Then her eyes widened as Alice appeared suddenly at my shoulder.

"Evie, since Bella will be spending the day with us tomorrow we need to go on a long hunting trip tonight." She whispered so only I could hear. I searched her mind, and to my relief- and Alice's continued frustration- our entire day tomorrow was completely blank. I sighed: Bella would be with us. Bella would be safe.

I looked back across the table at Bella, and she was watching us expectantly.

"Bella, this is my sister Alice. Alice, Bella."

"Hi Bella!" Alice gushed in her soprano voice. "It's wonderful to finally meet you!"

Bella looked taken aback by Alice's enthusiasm. I stomped on her toe under the table and she pinched me in the side. Neither of our expressions changed, and Bella was none the wiser.

"Nice to meet you too, Alice." Bella returned, though she sounded a bit intimidated.

"Bella and I were just discussing the plan for tomorrow." I said. "Do you still want to spend the day with me?" I asked her, though I already knew she would say yes.

"Yes, I would like that. Are you sure it's okay with your family?" I could tell she was nervous about meeting all of them at once. I didn't blame her.

"Don't worry Bella, we are all looking forward to getting to know you." Alice told her with her unfailing optimism. Bella smiled hesitantly.

"Then I will see you tomorrow." She told Alice, who finally took the hint and turned to leave. On her way she landed one last painful pinch to my shoulder. There would be payback later.

"Alice just informed me that we have to leave on a hunting expedition." I said to Bella.

"You're leaving now?" Bella actually sounded disappointed.

"I'm sorry I won't be able to drive you home this afternoon." I told her honestly.

"That's alright, I'll be fine."

"What time would you like me to pick you up tomorrow?"

"Oh, it doesn't matter."

"It's a Saturday, don't you want to sleep in?"

"No!" She answered quickly and I smiled. "I mean, I'm not big on oversleeping."

"Then I'll be there at the usual time." I smiled, glad to know that I wouldn't be spending another tedious weekend indoors. Bella would be with me, and she would be safe. She smiled back and I took my leave.

When my family hunted as a group, we liked to travel into the wilderness so that we wouldn't impact our local wildlife too drastically. Alice and I left the cafeteria and met Emmett, Rosalie, and Jasper in the parking lot at Emmett's jeep. It was a monstrous vehicle, lifted for high clearance and complete with roll bars and top lights. The five of us settled in for the long drive. Carlisle and Esme would meet us there. We all wanted to be well satiated when the human came to visit tomorrow.

I was anxious once again to be away from Bella.

"Stop worrying," Jasper told me, picking up on my mood with his special talent. "Alice saw them coming during the thunderstorm, not before." He reminded me. I could feel his power working on me as my muscles started to relax.

"Thanks Jazz," I told him. "Are you okay with this?" He was the newest one to join our group and was still adjusting to not feeding on humans.

"I feel ready," he answered confidently in his Southern drawl. "This will be an excellent test."

I pressed my lips together. I would prefer if he did not use Bella as a test, but Jasper was never one to walk away from a challenge. "If you feel yourself losing control…" I warned him.

"Of course I will remove myself." He assured me quickly. "I am not going to put her in danger. But I want to know if I can do this."

"You can," Alice told him with complete confidence. Then they were looking into each other's eyes the way perfectly matched lovers do and I had to look away. It was never easy, being the seventh wheel in a household with three pairs of married couples. I was still mystified as to how they continued to hold each other's attention after so many decades- centuries in Carlisle and Esme's case. They had tried to fix me up over the years, of course, but I had never once felt that draw, that attraction that everyone else seemed to feel for their partners. I was quite content on my own, but sometimes I wondered if I was missing out on something..

It's an eight hour drive to Okanogan National Forest; with Emmett driving and me scanning for highway patrol, we made it in just over five. We parked in our usual clearing, and Carlisle and Esme were already there. We fanned out in teams, each group heading in a different direction. I ate the most. I wanted to leave no chance that I would be even remotely hungry when Bella arrived tomorrow.

Emmett was laughing at me as I devoured my seventh moose. "You know that's not gonna make your girl any less tempting tomorrow." He was covered in blood, his shirt hanging in tatters, and he had a giant smile on his face. He had found a grizzly just coming out of hibernation. For Emmett, there was nothing more fun than wrestling a bear. It wasn't only the challenge of overcoming a large predator: Emmett had been mauled by a bear as a human hunting in Canada when Rosalie had found him and brought him home to be transformed into one of us. He'd never gotten over it.

I glared at him. "No point in taking undue risks."

He shook his head. "I still don't get why you're putting yourself through this. It's like you and Alice both took a crazy pill or something."

How could I explain how Alice and I felt to have encountered someone our gifts don't work on? "Look at it this way: how would you feel if you ever met someone stronger than you?"

He scoffed, confident that could never happen. But then comprehension lit his face. "Oh," he said, suddenly getting it. "So you think you're gonna find a way to unlock her brain?"

"That would be nice, but I'm not counting on it."

"So, why keep torturing yourself?"

"I don't know. It's like, ever since I realized I couldn't read her thoughts, I suddenly had to know what she was thinking. It's driving me mad."

"I noticed!" he gibed, and I tackled him. We wrestled for a few minutes, but since my hearing alerted me to every move he was about to make he quickly started losing in spite of his strength.

"You're no fun! Can't you just turn it off for once and fight fair?"

"Oh please, like you would even consider giving up your strength to even the odds?"

He nodded in agreement before grabbing me in a headlock and mussing my hair.

"Aw c'mon Em let go!" I twisted out of his grip nimbly and danced out of reach.

Our play-fighting almost always ended this way. We ran back to the clearing, out of breath and grinning. I was so full of blood I felt sluggish and sleepy, but happy. I knew it would do little to counteract the extreme bloodlust I felt for Bella, but I had to at least try. I fell asleep on the drive home, content in the fact that Alice's vision- or lack thereof- hadn't changed while we were gone and Bella would be with me tomorrow.