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Chapter 4: Jacob - Trial period

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I frowned at that, what was I supposed to think about this strange girl? Many things about her confused me. Of course she looked like a vampire, physically, but her scent didn't burn and irritate my nose, like normal, though she still smelled bad. And then that gift of hers, she hadn't been lying about it, otherwise Edward would have said something, it didn't make sense.

Also this story about the wolves, she talked about them as being family. Though it did explain her behaviour outside and how she was looking at me now, asking for permission, like a subordinate. This irritated me, I was foremost human, not some animal and a vampire shouldn't act like this!

But she was expecting an answer and the rest of them wanted her to stay. So, I decided to give her a trial-period, to monitor her and the effect on potential new werewolves she might have.

"Yes, you can stay, for now, you're on trial for a week." You stay on our side of the border and if nothing bad happens, we'll have a pack-meeting on how to proceed." I have to talk to Sam about this, at least let him know."

Timmain nodded and smiled, her eyes lighting up. "Thank you, she said, I'll behave myself, whatever you say." That attitude, still bugged me. I handed Nessie to Bella and turned to go outside, picking the phone out of my pocket.

I heard Alice sigh and say: "Now you're staying, can I convince you to take a shower and get out those rags?"

"Hmm, Timmain replied, they are quite worn, aren't they?" Alright, I guess it'll be nice, you have something casual?" I smiled at that, I couldn't help it, this girl was in many ways the opposite of the Cullens, she placed no value on clothes what so ever, they were just a necessity. Like with us.

They went upstairs and I wondered what Alice would get her. But, quickly I turned my attention to the business at hand.

Outside, Leah and the guys walked up to me, they probably followed our conversation inside and wanted to give their opinion. "I know, we have to talk about this, go and phase back, I'll call Sam." I dialled the number and he picked fairly quick. I explained we had a vampire-visitor and the trial period I gave her. "Yes, I told her about the border too"

Sam wasn't happy about this, we just got rid of a bunch of vampires – "We'll show her where it is, you have to keep an eye on potential members." Make sure no new ones start to phase, if there's any sign, I'll make her leave." Sam protested, but knew it was within my rights to make this decision.

However, I explained, that after the week was over, he and the others would have a final say about it. "Hmpf, he grumbled, alright, but we'll watch her too, one step out of line…" It was clear what he meant. I said goodbye and shut off the phone.

Leah and the guys were back, watching me finish the call. Leah looked pissed, the guys seemed relaxed, ok with my decision. "You're letting her stay?!" Leah started, her voice was loud. "And now we have to deal with this weirdo!" I hope she stays out of my way!" She folded her arms across her chest and put her chin up. Seth put his hand on her shoulder.

"Come on sis, it'll be alright, give her the benefit of the doubt," he said. She jerked her shoulder away from his hand. "She's got guts, Embry filled in, she gave you the chance to rip her throat out and didn't defend herself once." Leah softened her attitude a little. He was right, all her actions said she meant us no harm.

I looked to the house, through the window I could see Timmain was back, now dressed in long, dark jeans, a shirt and sweater. Alice also gave her hiking-boots. By the look of her, these clothes were still too fancy in her opinion. She was rolling up the sleeves of the sweater, before she moved towards Bella, Edward and Nessie, who were now sitting on the couch.

I could tell Nessie was very curious, she wanted to communicate in her usual way. Timmain seemed unsure and Edward was reading her thoughts. "I don't think it'll do any harm for you to feel how Renesmee's gift works," he said. "As long as you don't touch her if you're unsure and don't show her anything distressing, it'll be fine."

My eyes narrowed, they let her test her gift on Nessie first? But of course Edward would be monitoring Timmain and she had touched Aro. And I was sure I would get to see whatever memories she shared with Nessie, who never kept anything from me.

I watched the wonder on her face when the first questions came to her this way. She smiled gently and whispered something, before slowly placing her hand on Nessie's face. I watched them carefully, but Nessie only smiled and was amazed by her own gift. When it was over Timmain got up and said she wanted to go outside.

She passed us by and didn't look at us. She moved towards a tree at the edge of the yard and sat down, her back against the stem. What was she doing? She glanced at us before closing her eyes, taking deep breaths. Was she waiting for us to make a move?

Seth looked at her, he was curious. "I think I'll go over to her and say hello," he said. Leah scowled at him, but he didn't notice and started to move. He walked right up to Timmain, until there was one foot between them. This kid, he had an open mind and wasn't afraid of anything.

"Hello, he said and stuck out his hand, "let me introduce myself, I'm Seth." Timmain opened her eyes and shook his hand. "Hay, nice to meet you Seth, you've got great energy."

I could just see him raise an eyebrow at that remark. Timmain reacted: "All beings have energy, I can feel yours is strong and you have a great healing-capacity." That might help, if I was healing someone hurt real badly." You all have that capacity?" "Yes, Seth replied, so you're saying you could copy that from us?" Timmain nodded and glanced our way. Then it was silent for a minute. Seth sat down next to her.

"You are very trusting," she said. Seth shrugged; "I think you're ok, the Cullens trust you." "Your sister doesn't agree, she's worried about you," she continued. "She's always worried, he answered, and you heard us talk, did you, or is it that obvious we're related?" "Yes I heard you talk, Timmain said, but it was already obvious to me before I entered the house." There are similarities in your scents."

That surprised me, all of us in fact. Did she inhale our scents that much and didn't it bother her? Or was her sense of smell that strong? Of course Seth asked her bluntly. "You could tell from our scent?" How?" Don't you think we stink?" - Now Timmain raised her eyebrows in surprise.

"Stink?" Of course not, it's a bit strong, but I kind of like the mix of human and wolf." Do vampires think werewolves stink?" - "Yes, Seth said, though here they're used to us now." "Oh, Timmain replied, well, I think my sense of smell has developed differently than."

Do you think we stink?" she asked in return. - He looked hesitant to answer that, but decided to anyway. "Yes, at first, like you mentioned, it's very sweet and irritates our nose." Especially when we're wolves." But we're used to it now." She needed to think about that, she fell silent. –

Weird! – Seth felt uneasy and added: "But yours doesn't irritate me, I agree with Renesmee, it's softer." - She smiled; "I'm glad mine doesn't hurt you. And vampires do smell to sweet, don't they, like someone wearing too much perfume." She giggled and batted her eyes. Seth laughed too, he liked her, no matter how different she was.

Leah huffed and then sighed, she couldn't understand her brother feeling so at ease with vampires, especially strangers. But Seth looked at them like people, individuals and didn't judge them as a group.

Timmain noticed Leah's reaction and looked our way a moment. Inside the house I heard Edward gasping a little. What was she thinking, making him react like that? I looked at him, standing right in front of the window, his eyes widened. I turned to Seth and Timmain again, she talked to him real quiet, and I could barely make out what she was saying.

"Your sister has a lot of anger towards vampires, do you think she'd like to vent some of that?" Seth didn't understand what she was saying. Timmain clarified; "I'm offering myself as a punching-bag." Seth's eyes grew big; "What!" he said too loud, "are you crazy?!" She put her hands out to shush him. "Easy, she whispered, I wouldn't let her go too far, I'm just not going to fight back."

I shook my head in disbelief. Was she serious? Judging by Edward's reaction and the expression on her face, she was. I looked at Leah, did she hear that? And what did she think about it? Leah looked appalled and also intrigued. I gave her a silent warning, I would never let her do that and she knew it. Many of the Cullens would be upset and Nessie too, she liked Timmain.

Seth reacted, shaking his head: "Jake wouldn't allow it and the Cullens neither." "But isn't that up to me and Leah?" Timmain said. "No," Seth replied. Timmain raised her shoulders; "Oh well, I'll think of something else then. I like to give, it feels good and I often learn something new."

"Can I give you something? "You can ask me anything you want." "I don't need a thing, Seth said, I'm happy. I might come up with some more questions though." "That's fine, I'll be around," she replied and got up slowly. Seth got up too and started walking towards us again.

She started to move into the forest. Where was she going? It was my turn now. I followed her and caught up with her in seconds.

"Hey, where are you going?" I asked her. "To a big tree I found near the border, I've spend the night in it and I want to follow the rest of the border from there," she said. Hmm, this was probably a scent-thing again. Then it occurred to me, she had no supplies or anything with her, did she leave them in the tree?

"You're gonna pick up your bag too?" I asked. She looked at me in surprise. "No, I have no belongings, except my papers" – she patted her pocket – "Really? I replied, no spare clothes or a tent?" Again she looked at me; "when you're a wolf, do you use a blanket?" Ok, she's got a point there, vampires don't get sick and she could probably find shelter somewhere. We walked on at a casual pace.

"What did Nessie ask you?" I wanted to know. - "Nessie? She replied, Oh right, her nickname." She wanted to see the family and the people in my life. "She also asked about my healing. I showed her the nicest and easiest memories I had." - "The easiest?" I wondered. -

"I mean about the healing, I showed her Peter's, she answered, I thought the woman in the alley might be too frightening." - "Oh, well, that sounds okay," I said. Ugh, weird response on my part. But she surprised me; "You care for her a lot, don't you?" -

Hmm, she was very observant, maybe too much. "Yes I do, I was there when she was born." Bella is my best friend, it was quite the ordeal." She didn't ask further and stayed silent, looking ahead.

Now I started to think about the way she spoke. The Cullens always claimed they'd do anything to be human again, but how serious were they? Especially with Nessie in their life. Timmain talked like she wasn't a vampire, but did she really hate it? With her unusual gift? I decided to ask her about it, she would be open about it, she said we could make any request.

"Can I ask you something, now you're here, do you still consider yourself something else than a vampire?" - "Hmm, good question, she said, well, I guess I can't deny it anymore." Why?" - "Would you want to be human again, if you could?" – "Sometimes yes, sometimes no." A thoughtful look came upon her face.

"I miss a lot about my human life, like being able to express my feelings properly for one." "This body is very rigid, I wish I could cry, or blush, feel my heart pounding. "Things can easily build up like a time bomb in here." She put her hand on her chest. – "Anything else you miss?" I was glad and surprised about the way she explained things. They made sense. –

"Oh yes, Timmain replied, I miss human food, the many flavours and textures. "Blood is boring." "And of course there's the fact of having children. "I must say, I can't see myself as a mother, but if I met my soul-mate, in a manner of speaking, then that might have changed." – Wow, this was a nice conversation, she talked easily. Now about the 'yes'-part.

"And what do you like about being a vampire?" I asked her. – "Well, of course the obvious things; the strength, the speed and the heightened senses," she summed up. "Also the space in your mind; you can solve problems faster, consider multiple things at once and have room for lots of memories. "But I like my healing-gift the most." Timmain's face lit up for a moment when she said that.

Then she added: "There's one thing though, I really hate about being a vampire and that's being toxic!" It's so completely unnecessary and dangerous. "It causes pain and that's why I kill my prey first, before feeding." She sighed and stopped at a big old oak tree. "We're here," she said. -

"Oh, this is the tree you've spend the night in?" I looked up, I couldn't see the top, it was tall. – "Yes, she said, it's got a nice crown to nestle in." Good for meditating, I do it almost every night, process the events of the day." It's also good for getting ideas, a bit like dreaming." She smiled. – "Wow, you meditate every day?" – She nodded; "If possible, sometimes more than once." It's nice to drift away, I can really be out of it." That's why I need safe, quiet place."

Timmain started moving again, staying perfectly on our side of the border. About three feet away. Then we came across the path we had worn out. We walked half a round at a quick pace, before returning to the house. I felt good and couldn't think of anymore questions right now.

Was I ready to answer questions she'd have for me? Hmm, not all of them. But what if somebody else answered them? I think I needed to instruct the others about it. And make her a request.

We stopped at the edge of the yard. She looked at me and asked: "No more questions?" – "No, not right now, I answered, but you probably have some for me?" – "Yes, but you don't have to answer them." – "No, that's not a problem, but I do have a request." I would appreciate it if you direct your werewolf-questions at one of us." – "

"Of course, she said, you're the experts." And if you or anyone else wants to talk, you know where I'll be tonight." "You might have to make some noise for me to come down though." Howling is the quickest way." –

I raised my eyebrows. "Huh? Howling?" – She averted her eyes for a moment. "It's a sound I'll definitely respond to, she said, because of my Russian family pack." – "Oh, alright, makes sense. "You've been very open and honest by the way. Thank you." – Timmain nodded; "You're welcome. I enjoyed our talk."