Vampires and Werewolves and a Phone Call

Carlisle dialed the number quickly before he lost his nerve. Calling the chief of the tribe and telling him his son needed to stay away from Bella could have been a mistake, even if his oldest and dearest friend wasn't Charlie Swan, the fact that he was so close to Charlie could put their treaty on dangerous ground, but he had to try and make Billy see that this was what was best for Bella and Jacob for now.

"Hello," Billy answered

"Chief Black, this is Dr. Cullen. I think you and I need to meet and talk."

"What could we possibility have to discuss Dr. Cullen, unless it is the timeline in which your family will leave, I don't think we have anything to discuss."

"It is about your son's friendship with Bella Swan."

"Now I know we have nothing to discuss because who my son is and is not friends with is not of your damn business doctor."

"When it concerns a patient of mine I have a right to make it my business, not to mention Bella and Charlie live on our side of the treaty line. Look Chief, I just want to talk that is all. It is more about Bella than Jacob and as much as I hate to admit it I need your help, so please meet with me tomorrow?" He asked quietly.

"Where and what time," Billy asked with a sigh, if it was for anyone else but Charlie and Bella he would not even be considering it.

"My office at the hospital at three o'clock tomorrow."

"I will consider it and get back to you in the morning."

"Okay, thank you," with that Carlisle hung up the phone and waited for Rose and Alice to come out.

Billy slammed the phone down with more force then he intended causing Jake to jump and give him a weird look.

"Who was that Dad?"

"Dr. Cullen," Billy said through his teeth.

"Oh, what did he want?"

"He wants to talk about Bella."

"Oh, is everything okay?"

"Everything is fine son, don't worry."

"But, why does he need to talk to you about Bella?"

"He is just trying to figure out the best way to help Charlie deal with all of this son. I told you Charlie is having a hard time with all of it. He feels guilty for letting her leave, so try not to worry too much."

"I can't help it dad. I mean seeing Bella laying there in the bed, she is so sad. I want to fix it and I know I can't and I get so mad, I feel like I am going to jump out of my skin. How could he have left her like that? I mean yeah she is broken, but she is still Bella and she is still beautiful as she always has been."

Billy watched as the tears sprang up in his son's eyes. He knew sending Jake to see Bella like that would be tough for him. He remembered better then the two of them just how close they used to be, before Renee became the selfish bitch that she was now. Bella had stopped coming three summers before they had lost their beloved Sarah and Renee would not even let Charlie have her for the summer after.

After that Jacob withdrew from the day to day world and retreated to the garage. Sure he was the dutiful son and did everything he was asked. He even had friends and did well in school, but the spark wasn't there anymore, the sunshine was hidden by clouds most days. He had seen the sunshine return since Bella had and he was glad, because with the Cullens' return his son was about to face the biggest challenge of his life. In his fifteen years Jacob had faced more heartache and loss than most people face in their whole life, but the biggest loss is yet to come, his childhood, and his chance to be a normal teenager with normal teenage problems. Billy wished the Cullens had stayed away a few more years, but he couldn't really blame them anymore then he could blame himself. He wheeled himself over to the couch where his son was sitting and threw his arms around him and let him cry into his shoulder like he used to do when he was smaller and missing his mom. Rubbing his back in gentle circles Billy finally spoke.

"Jacob, Bella is going to be okay son."

"What if she isn't Dad?"

"She will be, because she has us and even if she never walks again, will you love her any less?"

"No"

"Did you love her any less when she left all those years ago for Arizona?"

"No"

"Did you love her any less when she came back and took up with the Cullen Boy?"

"No"

"Okay then you need to stop crying and remember she is still here. She may be sad and angry and hurting, that is what you are here for, to help her get passed all of that. You have to make her see that whether she is able to walk or not she is loved and cared about by all of us and nothing will ever change that. I know this is hard for you Jacob and I wish to God you did not have to deal with this possibility again, but you do and I know that you will with all the grace and compassion you always have. I have no doubt that by the time this is over either Bella will be up walking around or she will be secure in who she is. Now go wash up for dinner. I have to make a phone call and then we will eat."

Billy watched as Jacob head into the bathroom and shut the door before he went over to the phone to call Harry Clearwater. He knew Harry was not going to be happy at the latest developments but he knew for Jacob's sake he had to meet with Dr. Cullen because there was no way Jacob was going to be separated from Bella again, phasing or not.

"Harry, listen I have to talk but I only have a few minutes while Jake is getting cleaned up for dinner. Dr. Cullen called earlier. He wants to meet with me tomorrow at the hospital around three. He wants to discuss Jacob and Bella."

"I told you, you should have let him go over there Billy, not as long as the Cullens were still around. He is essentially breaking the treaty."

"Harry Clearwater, I have told you and the council not to tell me what to do in regards to my son, Bella, and Charlie. Charlie is my best friend and yours to, Bella is his daughter, and she is Jacob's imprint so it is our job to look out for her."

"She is not his imprint yet Billy and you know it not until his wolf comes to the surface anyway."

"I really don't give a damn about that little fact, their bond goes beyond the imprint it always has Harry. I am not calling to discuss this with you; I am just informing you so you can inform the council as to what is going on tomorrow. I am gonna call Sam after Jake goes to bed and get him to escort me to the hospital. I will then call a council meeting to update all of you about what was discussed."

"Okay Billy, Be careful."

Billy hung up the phone just as Jacob came out of the bathroom. He wheeled towards the tiny kitchen and began preparing their dinner. He knew it would not long before Jake's body would change from that of the gangly teenager to the muscle packed body of the shape shifter he was destined to be. For now Billy just planned to enjoy his time with the teenager he loved more than anyone else in the world.

Jacob had been in bed for thirty minutes when Billy wheeled over to the phone again and dialed Sam's number. He hated keeping Jake in the dark especially when it came to Bella, but until his wolf came to the surface he would have to keep everything secret.

"Hello," Emily answered.

"Hello, Emily is Sam there?"

"Yeah, Billy hold on," Billy could hear Emily talking to Sam before Sam came to the phone.

"Yeah Billy what's up? Is it Jacob?"

"No, not yet. Remember I told you about Bella and how the Cullens were helping her and Charlie out. Well Jake finally made it in to see her today and he fell asleep and did not wake up until the Cullens arrived. Anyway I got a call from Dr. Cullen after Jake got home; he wants to meet with me tomorrow at three o'clock at the hospital to talk about Jake's relationship with Bella. Can you go with me, if not I can get Jared, but I figure since you are currently Alpha I would take you and make the introductions."

"Why is it his business about Jake and Bella anyway? His son left her broken and battered without a backward glance. I don't think this is a good idea Billy, but if you want me with you I will be there. I would really like to bring Paul with me but with his temper I don't think that is a good idea. Where will Jake be?"

"He is headed to Bella's tomorrow after school."

"Are you sure that is wise Billy?"

"Look Sam and know you and Paul and the council all think I don't know what I am doing and that I am knowingly putting Bella and Jake in danger by letting him visit her when he is so close to phasing but I know my son and I know the last thing he would ever do is hurt Bella, wolf or not and he needs to be with her. Not to mention my best friend is dealing with a daughter who as it stands now can't walk and may never be able to again and he asked for Jake and I couldn't say no. I wasn't able to warn him what she was walking into but I can damn sure make sure nothing else happens to her in the meantime, so I am sorry if nobody likes the choices I have made for my son and his imprint but that is just too bad, because as of right now I am still chief and I have the final say."

"Calm down, Billy. I said I will go with you and support you. I just know what can happen when you phase remember. I wouldn't want Jake to suffer any of that pain."

"I appreciate that Sam, but I can't keep them apart."

"Okay, well if Dr. Cullen tells you that he doesn't want Jake there then what because Bella and Charlie are on their territory."

"I can only hope that I can convince him not to separate them without telling him the reason why."

"Okay, I will see you after lunch. I am headed out for patrol now."

Billy hung up the phone and turned out the lights and wheeled toward his bedroom and hoped he had made the right decision.

The next morning Billy watched Jacob get ready for school. He could see that Jake was getting less and less comfortable in his own skin and he knew it would not be long now.

"Jake I am definitely need you home before six tonight. I have a meeting with the council tonight."

"Yes, sir."

"And make sure you get your homework done before you come home too. You were up way too late last night. Otherwise I may have to keep you from seeing Bella during the week."

"Aww Dad please don't do that. I will do better I promise."

"Okay," was all that Billy said, hoping he wouldn't have to keep him away from her for a bigger reason than that?

Sam arrived at Billy's place about two o'clock, they did not need to leave for the hospital until about 2:30 but Sam wanted to talk to Billy about Jacob and what they were going to do about Bella after Jacob phased. He knew when Jacob found out what the Cullens really were he would not want them taking care of her even if she wasn't is imprint, but with her being his imprint it will be hard for him to let Dr Cullen continue to treat her. And as much as Sam hated them, he knew the doctor was Bella's only hope of a full recovery. He and Billy needed to figure out what to do now, before Jake phased which would definitely be sped up now that he was spending so much time at Bella's He knocked on the door and enter the Blacks' little red house.

"Hey Billy, How are you doing today?"

"I am worried Sam as always. How are you and Emily doing?"

"Okay, I guess the scars don't bother her as much anymore, but losing Leah has taken its toll on her."

"On you too, Sam I know that and I know her scars will always bother you."

"I am just glad Jacob won't have to deal with imprint drama now."

"You think not."

"Edward is gone."

"I know, but the Cullens remain."

"Well talking from personal experience I know it will be hard for Jacob to reign in his wolf where Bella is concerned, and even more so when his human side realizes what they are and that they are the reason that Bella is laid up in bed now."

"I know, why do you think I am worried."

"Is he close do you think?"

"Yeah, I was hoping he would hold off until he was at least sixteen but spending time with Bella is definitely hastened the process."

"Well we better get going if we are going to make it to the hospital by three."

Sam wheeled Billy out to the truck and they headed into town.

Jake arrived at Bella's at around 2:30; he was actually excited to see her today. Yesterday was really rocky, but by the time they had fell asleep it felt just like it had before she left. He missed her so much it hurt physically, his mom told him that one day she would come back and they would be friends again. He didn't believe her then and he really didn't believe her when she died and Bella didn't even come back for the funeral. Jake has been excited when Charlie said Bella was finally returning to Forks and had bought Billy's truck and asked him to fix it up for Bella. He knocked on the Swan's front door.

"Come on in Jake."

"How did you know it was me Charlie?"

"Because besides you and the Cullens no one visits and the Cullens are not due til after six."

"Sorry to hear that Charlie, I feel bad for Bella. I mean I know she just moved here but what happened to all her friends that she had with her that day at La Push?"

"I don't really know what happened Jake, it just seemed like when she started dating Edward everything and everyone else didn't matter anymore. I am worried about her Jacob."

"Charlie, she is just going through a lot. We talked a lot yesterday and she is just taking it one day at the time, if I could just get her out of that bed and in a chair Charlie I know she would be better."

"Well, go on up, she is waiting for you. I took her lunch up earlier and she said she wanted to wait until you got here. I will bring some sandwiches up in a bit and Jacob make sure you do your homework. I don't wanna have to ban you from here on school days."

"Sure, sure, Charlie," Jacob mumbled as he ran upstairs towards Bella's room. "Hey Bells, did you miss me," he asked with a smile.

"Jacob," she said with a smile. "Yes, I missed you."

"Charlie is coming up with lunch in a bit and then for some reason I have to do homework under threats of banning me from visiting. I don't understand why they are so worried about it, it is not like I am going to college or anything," he said as he sat down in the chair at her desk.

"Jake, you're not thinking about quitting school are you?"

"Yeah, I mean it is not like I need it to do what I want to do anyway."

"No Jacob, you will not quit school."

"Why not? If I quit school I can go to work and help Dad."

"Jacob, you know Billy is not gonna let you become a statistic."

"So, you are saying if I quit I will become just a stupid injun who will never make it off of La Push," he asked angrily.

"Calm down Jacob that is not what I am saying. You are not stupid and you are amazing, which is why you can't quit. Now bring your books and the chair and come closer so I can help you, besides I kinda miss school."

"Sure, sure," he mumbled as he lumbered over to her side of the bed.

Two hours later lunch and homework done they were lying in companionable silence on Bella's bed. Jake knew he really should be leaving but he just couldn't seem to tear himself away from her. She was running her one good hand through his hair with her eyes closed. He was sure she was asleep and he didn't have the heart to wake her, but if he was gonna leave he had to soon.

"Bells wake up. Honey wake up. I gotta go."

Her eyes popped open and she snatched her hand back pulling Jake's hair in the process.

"Ow, Bells, that hurt."

"Sorry Jacob."

"S'okay, I don't mind."

"I don't know why I do that but I love your hair."

"You can run your hands through it anytime Bells, but right now I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow yeah?"

"Yeah," she said as he reached down and kissed her on the forehead and left the room.

Sam and Billy arrived at the hospital at three o'clock on the dot and made their way inside. They quickly found Carlisle's office and made their way there. Carlisle door was open. Sam could smell him from the hallway and his wolf was itching to come out.

"You don't have to come in Sam."

"I will not leave you alone with him Billy. I don't care if he feeds on people or not," Sam whispered.

"Well you are gonna have to reign in the wolf. I can feel you shaking from down here."

"Sorry, he said as he pushed Billy through the door.

"Welcome, Chief Black," Carlisle said from his position behind his desk. "I see you brought a friend. If he wouldn't mind shutting the door we can get down to business."

"This is Sam Uley, the pack Alpha; I thought it was time you two were introduced. Now can we get down to business, I would like to be home before Jacob.

"He is with Bella I take it."

"Yes."

"Are you sure that is a good idea?"

"If I didn't he wouldn't be there it is that simple."

"I wish I had the confidence you do in your son, but I have seen how dangerous the wolves can be, isn't that right Mr. Uley."

Billy felt Sam's hands tighten on his wheelchair. "Sam, calm down. Dr. Cullen you don't know enough about my son or his relationship with Bella to sit her in judgment of what he may or may not do to Bella once he phases. Besides the fact that your son was just as dangerous for her and you let him be with her."

"That is true Chief, and I am living with that regret every day. I don't want you to have to do the same or young Jacob for that matter. I know from Charlie, your son has had a pretty rough childhood and I do know the last thing he would want to do is hurt Bella, but it can happen."

"I know it could happen but it won't and I will not ever leave my best friend and his daughter unprotected again. Do we understand one another?"

"And if Jacob hurts Bella?"

"Then that will be my cross to bear, just as it is yours to bear that she may never walk again."