A/N- I'm pretty sure this chapter makes up for my delay on a chapter, some fluff sprinkled in here ;), enjoy beautiful people.

Caution: It's long.

Chap 5.

Secrets, butterflies & Cliff diving

My brother and his friends are shape shifting wolves; their job is to protect their land by hunting down and killing each threat and vampire that steps on it. That leads to vampires or the cold ones being real which means that there are probably a whole lot of other things floating around in the world to. But the main thing it means is that the legends my father tells are true, my brother being proof. That's what I had learnt over three hours, I mean they'd told me about all the enhancements and that the Cullen's, a whole bunch of supposedly 'adopted' kids that lived in Forks, are vampires but are vegetarian and we have a treaty with them that allows both sides to not rip each other to shreds unless someone crosses borders. I got a play by of why Emily and Kim both know as their imprints, like soul mates, to Sam and Jared. Once everything was running fresh in my mind and I knew everything, well mainly everything, there was to know I decided to head down to First Beach to get some air. Accepting it was easy; knowing that someone could get hurt just as easily scared me, a lot. Emily admitted it herself that when one of the boys or Leah run off for patrol she fears that it will be the last time she sees them, Emily is the mamma of the gang. As I sat on a rock, looking out onto the water that looked as freezing as possible, I thought about how the secret was now mine, which I couldn't tell a single soul in the world and couldn't speak about it with people who were out of the 'loop'. I wondered over that before Leah came and plonked next to me.

"Being the best friend and only as hot tempered girl, I got sent to see if you'd fallen apart, which is pointless really because I'm sure I know Rachel Black better than any of those people in there and she doesn't fall apart easily" She said as she looked out to the ocean as well.

"I guess I should be glad it's you and not some worried sympathiser, why didn't you tell me Lee, Emily and Sam, the whole being on your own, they wouldn't have known if you'd come to me" I said, facing her now. It was weird seeing her with her hair so short.

"You forget the whole mind reading part already or did you zone out on that" She said, tapping her temple. "Look I got over it okay and think of it this way, there's someone, somewhere out there that's made for me, that's enough to keep you going don't you think" She said, her brown eyes scanning my face for an answer.

"I could have helped you, supported you" I said, feeling sick inside.

"You did that anyway" She said quietly. "And besides, sometimes we have to move forward on our own, I guess I owe you a secret then, I got hold of your room mate, one day when you were gone, she knew I was your best friend and I said some stupid thing that had her babble out everything, she was saying things like depression and anxiety attacks, what happened Rach" She said, worry glinting in her eyes.

"It's too much in one day Leah, I don't wanna think about the past okay, I'm moving forward, like you did, are" I said and snuggled further into the jacket I was wearing as the breeze blew.

"I saw it in Jake and Paul's head, how someone had hurt you back at that snooty college, I'm your best friend Rach, I want to help you" She said, a plead in her voice. I felt the tears form in my eyes but held them back, I wouldn't let the pain and hurt take over, the fear, it was over, he wouldn't find me.

"When I first arrived at the college, you get a person from the grade above you to show you the ropes, kind of like a mentor, mine was Cooper McCain and he was very, very good looking, you could tell he was the kind of guy with lots of money in his pocket just by the way he walked, anyway he showed me around, sweet talked me and after a month and a few dates later we started dating, he took me out on the weekends and everything was perfect, I was happy and he treated me right, bought me anything I wanted, then he started acting different, he told me he wanted to settle down so we got engaged" She gasped and I looked up to me her confused eyes.

"You were engaged and didn't think to tell any of us" She said, sounding hurt.

"Believe me I was, would have called you, he proposed to me at lunch time over a picnic that day at one of the local parks, then straight after that we went out with friends, we had too much to drink that night so most of it is kind of blurry anyway we came home and he told me to make him something because he was hungry and since I was giddy already I said make it yourself, he turned around and slapped me, hard enough so I fell over and hit my head on the door way, I guessed I got knocked out, the next morning I woke up in bed with a bruise on my cheek and a killer headache with blood on the back of my head, I asked him what happened and he shrugged and left for his morning class but I remembered what happened, perfectly fine, when he walked in the door that afternoon I accused him and sober this time he hit me again but continuously and with his fist and his feet even after I fell down, he told the ambulance I had fallen downstairs and I got taken to hospital and patched up before he threatened me, saying that if I told anyone he'd deny it and then kill me, things got worse from there on, I couldn't leave but I couldn't stay either, so I waited around a month or two and scavenged what money I could, all up we were together for about a year and I had never told him where I came from, he only knew Washington, I got money that I saved and jumped on a plane and left while he was at work, I destroyed everything he had ever given me, broke my phone and left the engagement ring on his bed, my name there was Rachel Smith, I had it changed like a stage name so he doesn't even know my real name, I figure I'm safe enough but while I was there I went through depression and had constant anxiety attacks, because of him but he told everyone it was because my family was killed so here I am" I finished and before I could even see it coming I was in another one of Leah's lung crushing hugs.

"Oh Rach, I'm so sorry, I should have heard it in your voice when you called, should have seen it in when I visited, he hasn't contacted you since you left?" She said, worry in her eyes.

"No and I don't think he will, you can't tell anyone, don't even let it slip when your with the guys okay, I don't need people fussing over me" I said, standing up and dusting off the sand on the back of my shorts.

"Rach you should at least tell Jake, he has a right to know" She said and I spun around.

"A right to know, no one has a right to know, I can tell people if I want, god why do you think I haven't told anyone Leah, I knew people would want to tell others, to talk, to try bring the police in, he's got both money and ears, if people find out he will, no matter where he is, I need you to promise you won't say a word to anyone" I said, walking back to her and taking her shoulders.

"I promise but you have to promise that you'll at least think about telling Jake or your dad, even mum" She said and I sighed.

"I'll think about it, let's go get something to eat, I'm starving" I said, looping my arm through hers as we headed to the local diner.

"So any other secret's I should know about while were laying stuff on the table" She said as we shared a burger and fries.

"Well Paul kissed me last night" I said and her eyes widened as she choked on her burger.

"What" She gasped and I shrugged.

"I mean it wasn't take your breath away melt in the moment kiss but it was nice, I haven't had anyone kiss me since Cooper" I said and she blinked a few times. "And before you say it, I know Paul is a sweet talker with the ladies but I guess I feel protected around him" I said and a small smile played on her lips.

"So a kiss for comfort, a kiss goodnight, what" She said as I rolled my eyes.

"A thank you kiss, I'm probably just in over my head but I got butterflies, it's been a while since I felt them" I said and she laughed. "Okay now I want some dirt on you, can't have you black mailing me" I said and she rolled her eyes before she bit her lip and thought.

"Alright, I've seen all the pack's packages, they've seen all mine, I made out with Josh Marcus" She said and I started laughing.

"Josh Marcus, from high school, the kid you scared half to death whenever he saw you" I said, trying to catch my breath.

"That would be him, I had a little too much to drink, it was right after Sam and I saw him at the bar and lured him in with my charm" She winked and I leaned over, holding my belly as I laughed.

"I just can't imagine did you attack him or is he over his fear" I asked and she brushed me off.

"He's actually a really good kisser, well I think he was" She said and I popped another fries in my mouth.

"So you haven't imprinted on anyone yet" I asked in all seriousness.

"No, we don't even know if I can, I'm the only girl wolf so far so we just play it as it comes I guess" She shrugged, finishing off the plate.

"So there's never been another like you" I said and she shook her head. "I always knew you were one of a kind" I smiled and she laughed.

"I always knew you could bullshit to make someone smile" She said and I joined in, laughing with her.

"God I missed you Leah" I said and she smiled over at me.

"Not as much as I missed you" She responded and I picked up the right hand and jingled the bracelet on my wrist, the little charm dangled freely away from the woven bracelet. Leah rolled her eyes and pulled out a necklace which held the same charm, two small little hands wrapped together with and R and an L on either side.

"So, how's the sex life" I asked and she narrowed her eyes at me.

"Pretty dull actually, but I've got a few nice kisses that easily smashed our top ten kiss list in high school" She grinned and I smirked back.

"Alright, whose the top three" I asked and she flushed a slight red, Leah blushing, I'd probably be the only person she'd ever done that in front of.

"Well number one was this Canadian exchange college student that came to recall the legends here, he was amazing, no slobber, no hard hip gripping, the smooshed faces and no clinking teeth, just wow, took my breath away, second would be Lachlan Player, he had a great body and third well Sam I guess" She shrugged and I took hold of her hand.

"Boys have cooties anyway, who needs them, nothing but bad news" I said and she smiled.

"Were going cliff diving the sarvo and then having our own bonfire, probably camp on the beach or go back to Emily's, come, I could use another girl to have a few drinks with, besides the imprints and the girly girls the guys bring, someone who will actually play tackle football and not squeal" She said and I scoffed and put my hand on my chest.

"Me, play football, but I just got my nails done" I said and she rolled her eyes and punched my arm.

"Let's pay this and get out of here, I'll drive you back to Paul's house to get your stuff, we'll have a little warm up party at mine before we head out" She said and we both got up, splitting the bill before heading back to home.

"Wanna come in or wait" I asked and she got out, following me inside, of course she wouldn't pass up a chance to see the boys and Amy. I unlocked the door with my key and was greeted with hugs when I walked in. "I'll just go check with Sarah first" I said and headed to the kitchen where I knew she'd be. When I walked in she looked up beaming.

"I hope you're going with them tonight, you deserve a break after looking after my babies for a week" She said and I smiled directly back of those kind eyes that would always remind me of my mother.

"I was just coming to ask you, I'll be back in the morning, you start at eleven tomorrow right" I asked and she nodded.

"Yes and Rachel about the things I said yesterday, I don't think you fragile, I actually think you're one of the strongest girls I know, I know how difficult it is, to share what happened, especially when you thought he loved you and hurt you, I've been through that too Rachel, and your even stronger than I am for walking away" She said and I stared at her, wide eyed.

"How did you know" I whispered and she gave me a sad smile.

"Don't forget I've been through the same thing" She said and I wiped at my eyes. She stepped around the table and pulled me into a warm motherly hug. "It's scary and I know that you're confused at what will happen but you'll be fine, you're a survivor Rachel, no matter what you think, remember you can come to me to talk, have fun tonight okay sweetie" She said and then kissed my forehead as I clung to her.

"I'd say you're the world's best mother but that'd be an understatement, thank you and I'll be back in the morning, just call me if you need me" I said, feeling her give me one more squeeze before we separated. I headed up stairs and chucked some warm clothes, a towel, some camping essentials into a bag before changing into some swimmers and black board shorts before sliding into a light jumper.

"Where are you going" Paul's voice said and I turned around to see him leaning against the doorway.

"Same place your going, the beach" I said and he frowned.

"With who" He asked as I searched the closet for ankle ugg boots.

"Leah, she's downstairs, were going back to hers first then heading down for some cliff diving but you already know that part" I said as I sat on the edge of the bed and pulled on the boots.

"I guess I'll see you there then" He said, walking off as Leah came in.

"Trouble with lover boy" She whispered and I scowled up at her.

"Shut up, ready to go" I asked and she nodded, grabbing my bag and heading down stairs. "Bye Sarah" I called out and she called out back as I kissed the kids goodbye then left. "Sarah knows" I said as we got in the car and she blinked.

"You told her in the two minutes you were in the kitchen" She asked and I shook my head.

"No I walked in and she said some things and I asked her how she knew and she said she'd been through the same thing, then she gave me a mother hug" I said smiling and Leah laughed.

"I always knew I loved Sarah" She said as we drove to hers. I chatted to Sue while Leah got ready and grabbed a bag of whatever she needed. We were there for about half hour before we drove to the beach and parked next to the four cars that were already there, Paul's was there I noted. We left our bags in the car and just took our towels, sunnies and phones before heading down. Jake, Embry and Quil were here along with Bella Swan and a girl who was tall and skinny with glasses and dark hair whipped up in a ponytail. She was smiling at Embry as they talked and I saw Bella talking with Jake while Quil waved like a lunatic at me. Paul was there and annoyance ran through me when I saw a girl with bleached blonde hair and a makeup covered face snuggled into his side as they talked or flirted I should say. Butterflies were dead now. I ignored that and looked over to Jared and Kim who were beaming at each other while Seth was cliff diving with two other boys that looked around his age. There were a few other people there, some friends of the guys or some random girls that decided to flirt with the pack.

"Interesting turn out" I mumbled to Leah as we headed towards Jake.

"Yeah, your much more real than the fake bitch Paul's with, all bone's isn't very much of a turn on, she looks freezing even with the gorilla next to her" She said and I looked up at her as she winked at me. "I saw your face turned to pissed when you saw them, that's my Rachel" She laughed as she linked arms with me. "Make sure when you take off your shirt, do it in front of him, have some fun with it" She said before we reached Jake, or hearing distance.

"Rach, Leah" Quil said as we walked up, making the other two boneheads and the girls look at us. The girls went shy instantly, the guys nodded a greeting.

"What no introductions, I'm Rachel, Jake's big sister, nice to meet you girls" I smiled and they both sent me wary smiles. "Bella, childhood memories, I'm not sure I've met you" I said, nodding at the girl with glasses.

"Angela" She said, holding out a shaky hand. Was I really that intimidating. I took it gently and gave it a shake.

"Pretty name" I said and she blushed as she murmured a thanks.

"Introductions done, let's go jump" Leah said eagerly as she chucked my towel on the ground.

"Your jumping with them" Bella said, her eyes slightly widened as she nodded to the cliffs where Seth jumped off.

"Yep" I said, making sure Paul was watching when I peeled off my jumper and chucked it on the ground. I saw Quil's eyes widen and watched Embry avert his gaze as Jake glared at his friends.

"Come on Rach" Leah said, grabbing my wrist and pulling us towards Paul's direction, making sure he got the full view as we walked past.

"Oh hey Paul, hey Paul's friend" I smiled as I pulled Leah to a stop in front of them. Paul nodded stiffly as the girl eyes me off. "Gunna introduce me or do I have to do it again" I said and Paul shook his head as if he was day dreaming. His expression was hard, as were his eyes as he met mine.

"Rachel Black, meet Cindy Reynolds, Cindy meet Rachel, Jacob's older sister" Paul said as Cindy held out a perfectly manicured hand. Amusement shone in my eyes as I shook her hand.

"Nice to meet you, wanna come cliff diving" I asked and she looked at me in disgust.

"It's like ice in that water, no way will I mess up my hair up for that" She said and I shrugged.

"It's fun" I shrugged and she snorted.

"No thank you" She said through her teeth and I met Paul's eyes before walking off.

"Nice work, couldn't have done it better myself" She said as we made the climb. The tree's were all fresh and green and the slight breeze up the top left goose bumps on my skin, stupid wolves and their warmness. Seth was waiting at the top with one of the boys while the other was on his way into the water.

"Well hello sexy, Brady at your service" The brown haired boy said and I laughed.

"Hi Brady, just out of curiosity how old are you exactly" I asked and he winked.

"As old as you want me to be baby" He said and Leah and I laughed as Seth growled.

"Rachel's pretty much my sister, back off, he's sixteen" Seth huffed and I nodded.

"Ready Lee" I asked as I headed toward the edge of the cliff, the wind slightly stronger there.

"As I'll ever be, together for the first" She asked, holding out her hand.

"Sure" I said taking it before we counted to three, ran and jumped. Our hands let go as soon as we went spiralling down towards the dark water. The wind whooshed past me as I plunged through gravity then hit the ice water. It took my breath away as I went deeper, the more deep the more cold. In total I'd say I was under for about thirty seconds before I broke the surface, laughing as I treaded water.

"Nothing beats the first jump, race ya" Leah said as she took off towards the shore. I shouted cheater before following her and jumping about fifty more times before the guys declared to dark to jump and it was getting pretty cold.

"God I haven't cliff dived in years, I forgot the rush" I said as we headed back towards the rest of the crew. A few more people had come now and introductions were made as some guys built up a fire. I had a beer or two before I began to shake and I saw Paul heading up to his car. "Lee, I'm gunna go get the bags, can I have the keys" I asked and she chucked them to me as she opened her fourth beer. I walked up the beach and heard Paul banging around in his car as I walked past the front and went to Leah's car. I was unlocking the door when I was grabbed and spun around, then trapped between the car and Paul's body as he stared down at me angrily. His hands were on either side of the car's hood as I glared up at him.

"Something you needed" I asked and his eyes smouldered.

"I know what you're doing and I want you to stop" He growled and I raised an eyebrow.

"Oh yeah, and what am I doing exactly Paul" I asked and bared his teeth at me, much like a dog...or a wolf.

"Flaunting around in that bikini, making small talk with Cindy as if you like her, teasing me" He said as I shoved him to back off, which he didn't budge.

"Why would I want to tease you" I said as I glared up at him.

"Because, you want me to want you" He said and I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah Paul, that's it, you win bingo" I said and he gripped my hips before his hands trailed under my jumper, warming my skin, which was once again goose bumped, but not from the cold this time. His hands never went higher then my ribs as they caressed my skin and I fought off the sigh that wanted to escape my lips and tried to keep my body and my face composed, my head was a jumble when his body trapped mine against the car.

"Hmm, two can play at your game" He said and I shook my head, to distracted to talk. An idea popped into my head, one that would wipe the smirk off his face. My hand snaked up around the back of his neck while the other grabbed onto his arm and I took his bottom lip into my mouth and nibbled on it before easing his mouth open and devouring him in a hot kiss. His hands had stopped on my skin as I pressed against him, making sure my chest was pressed to his as I fought his now willing mouth. When I heard the moan in his throat and the hunger pour out from him I pulled back and leaned to his ear.

"May the best player win" I said before stepping away from him smirking. His eyes were wide, with shock I was guessing, as I walked around the other side of the car and got the bags out. My lips were still tingling as I left him there but I had a smile on my face as I chucked Leah the keys followed by her bag.

"I like that face that is the 'I just did something crazy that has Rachel Black written all over it' face" She grinned and I smirked.

"Oh yeah, I guess old Rachel Black is back but this one has a job and money and college degrees" I said as she handed me a beer and tapped hers to mine.

"Good, I was waiting for her to show up" Leah said as I took sip. I looked over as Paul walked down the beach, a very pissed off look on his face.

Game on

A/N- I like this new Rachel, she seemed to just jump at me. Hope that was worth the wait, Review and make my day now would you?