~Thanks so much for the awesome feedback. Ready to reveal some of the predictions many of you made a while back.

Copyright disclaimer: Twilight and all recognizable characters are sole property of Stephenie Meyer.

Chapter 13: Friday the 13th

Bella barely sat down in Jacob's desk chair before he barged in. She texted him from the parking garage.

"You aren't blowing the meeting are you? I'm fine."

"No, luckily we just agreed to a fifteen minute break."

Jacob's brow furrowed at Seth. The room was tense. Bella interrupted. "This was the right move, Seth made a good call. We never had this sort of contingency plan."

She stood up and Jacob hugged her tight. He eventually agreed, he felt better she was close to him. "It's just thinking about those minutes when you two were vulnerable in the city makes me nuts. What if he's here in town, just like we are? Dammit, we answered that call this morning and now we can't go back." Jacob touched base with Quil. He was driving, because going wolf around Seattle wasn't possible. Charlie was bringing some of the younger wolves later. They had to leave Collin and Brady on patrol back home. Embry was sticking by Wyatt. Paul had just made it and Carlisle was already examining him. No real word about that, just yet. Jacob fell back in his chair, Bella kept her hands on his shoulders. "That poor kid is five years old. What the hell is happening?"

"I don't know, Jake. I know you're scared, we all are."

Seth broke in, "Bella got another text from Rose on the way over. I think she should show us."

"What the hell, Seth?" Neither of them looked happy all of the sudden. "I already told you what it said." Stupid wolves, they always picked up on her fibs.

"Give me the damn phone, Bells."

She handed it to her husband. Her head fell forward. Jacob looked like he could burst out of his skin any second. "Why were you hiding this? What the hell? I knew I could never fully trust those fucking leeches. I overreact. Seriously, that's why she's willingly putting you in jeopardy?"

Bella reminded him how often he said Alice's visions were full of shit and how the Cullens still believed it wasn't possible for her to be in jeopardy.

Seth asked if he should get her to reservation immediately. "No, not yet...we wait on Quil, but no way are you going to the meeting now."

"I know," she whispered. Bella walked over to the window. Everything seemed so peaceful and surreal from that vantage point. There was no sign of danger or evil lurking when she stared out at the clear, blue sky. Jacob put his arm around her, but when she turned to look at him, she wobbled.

He grabbed her, Seth ran over as well. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

Seth spoke up, "We were in a major rush. Bella was about to cook breakfast when Rach called. Do you think you just need food?"

Bella nodded, and Jacob retrieved her a water bottle from his desk. He told her to drink, he picked up his phone and covered his hand over the receiver. He said Avery could go downstairs to get her something. He didn't want them traipsing around on the ground floor.

"Ew, gross no...not that dumb bitch. She'll probably spit in my food." Bella still struggled with the fact that she worked with her husband. "Just tell Seth where to go and he'll grab me something."

"No, because Seth stays with you, no exceptions I don't care if you both have to go to the restroom together. I have at least another hour to go. That's how it's going to be, no more breaking the rules."

"I'm sorry, I was going to tell you after the meeting."

"I know, but you can't keep anything from me, baby. This is life and death. You know how stressed I've been." He bent over and kissed her softly. She felt them both settle down a little with that tiny bit of contact.

He told her, Avery was better or tolerable...she moved on, had some rich out of town boyfriend or something that she bragged about. He always walked off when she tried to make sure he heard all about it.

"How's that better? Sounds like she's trying to make you jealous. Ugh, I can't stand that silicone slut." Jacob hit a button on the phone and told her to come to his office.

It greatly disturbed her to have to tell Avery her breakfast preferences, but she did. She told her several healthy choices and Seth chimed in and added a bagel to the order. Avery looked confused as to why Bella couldn't get her own food, but she followed orders and said she'd be back shortly. She kept her phone out on the desk hoping some happy news would come in soon.

Jacob talked to Seth at the door and reluctantly left them alone for what he hoped was no more than an hour tops. A sudden urgency came over her and sure enough she had to humiliate herself even further and pull Seth into the ladies room with her.

"Close your ears," she instructed him while she peed with him on the other side of the stall. She asked if he needed to go while they were in there but he claimed he was good and didn't need to go every thirty minutes like she did. Seth looked each direction to find if the coast was clear. She didn't want to be seen exiting with a companion. They returned to Jacob's office.

"Sorry, for what I did in front of Jacob, but you shouldn't lie to us. We're supposed to be protecting you, not the other way around."

"I know, I'm sorry too, but jeez...you're a narc. I bet Leah kicked your butt growing up."

He told her she had no idea. She changed the subject and asked how Shelby was. She was expecting as well and was only about three months ahead of her. Seth was excited about the cousins to be. They all deserved that happy, normal life she was sure was in their future. Avery walked back in fifteen minutes later. If she knew what was good for her, she'd leave the food and exit, but she didn't. Instead, she stared at Bella and then back and forth to Seth.

"Something's different about you, Mrs. Black. I can't put my finger on it." She studied her with great speculation. "Hey, you don't have those weird eyes anymore. Ugh, they're just brown, no wonder you wore contacts." Avery turned her attention to Seth. "Who are you?"

"My brother, Seth...you met him before, remember?"

"Oh yeah, at the club. Jacob never said you had a brother." She doubted Jake ever discussed her, but she tried to ignore her rudeness.

"You look more like Mr. Black's brother, not hers. Not sure what's up with your group, but my sister says she barely hears from Jenny since she became a part of it."

"Maybe because Jenny's married, taking care of children is why that is. She's busy."

Avery flipped her hair and grumbled incoherent things. Bella ignored that she was standing there and started to nibble on some food. She had really been light-headed before. Avery walked off without another word.

Bella acted like just was going to jump out of her seat. So what if she wasn't a vampire, she could still take her. Seth reminded her about the baby on board and to try and ignore it.

"But I get it, she's a real bitch. I don't how Jake puts up with it."

"I know, I told her so that first Christmas party Jacob and I were together. I took a little bit of aggression out on her, warned her to watch herself around my man if she intended to keep her job. Jacob said I went overboard, but she can't be trusted. She was determined to get her hooks into him."

Half an hour or so, the text came through. It was Embry and he said Carlisle was getting Wyatt's temperature down. He sedated him, set the arm and he seemed to be resting peacefully. Emb wanted to know if Jacob wanted him there and Seth said most likely if Paul was comfortable with the situation. They all had some theories, it happened when Wyatt was really sick and now when he was in severe pain. They would have to dig deeper in the journals, and maybe find some answers. All Bella cared about was that he was better.

Bella hoped Jacob would be out soon. It had been almost forty-five minutes. She just needed him to walk her to the car with Seth when Quil got there and they'd take her back and everything would be fine. She kept repeating it like a mantra.

One of Jacob's co-workers stuck his head in. "Hey Bella, long time no see. I heard the big news...congratulations." She wasn't sure they were telling their special news yet, but Jake worked closely with Stephen, so he must have been unable to hide his excitement and spilled the beans.

"Thanks, we're super excited."

He kept moving and left her with Seth again. Little did she realize Avery was back again for some unknown reason.

"What was that? You're pregnant? How?"

Bella actually laughed. "Well...you see Avery, my man loves me very much and sometimes..."

Avery cut her off, "Very amusing, but I meant I heard you couldn't have kids."

"From who?" This bitch was on Bella's last pregnant nerves.

"Well, Stephen, the guy that was just here. He said over a year ago that Jacob told him you couldn't. He asked if you two were starting a family soon and that was his response. I thought, pity a man like Jacob would be deprived in such a way." Bella shook her head slowly and pinched her eyes to portray her anger. If only she could launch daggers with her eyes. She honed in on the perfect bull's-eye on Avery's face. She added, "We're a close group, you know, spend lots of long hours together." Bella again knew Jacob wouldn't be discussing their private lives, like she was eluding to. She got her information from office gossip.

"Sometimes, miracles happen and Jacob and I are going to be blessed with one, so thanks for your concern."

"Whatever, like I care. I'm probably not going to be around her much longer. My boyfriend wants me to travel with him."

"That's the best new I heard all day," Bella snapped. She waved, "Bye." That was more than a hint she wasn't wanted around.

Avery couldn't stop herself, it was like she always had to have the last word. She walked all the way back in the office. "I can' t believe I was scared of you before. You're nothing. I have no idea what Jacob sees in you."

"No, you just can figure out why he could care or less about anything other than your mediocre secretarial skills." They continued to trade a few insults. Seth butted in and pointed to his chest then to her. Her heart rate was on the upswing. Jacob would sense it and think something was wrong. She needed to calm down. Avery wasn't worth one bit of her time. She was a distraction none of them needed that day.

Bella tried to ignore her instead, but the assistant kept trying to make herself better than she was. She sashayed across the room like she was finally leaving. "I can't wait to work for Masen where I'll finally be appreciated. He's making a name for himself in publishing. I don't know why I waste my time trying to keep up with this stupid job. So long, Bella." As soon as the snide remark slipped off the cheap blonde's lips, Bella felt like the entire room collapsed on top of them. She jumped out of her seat and caught Avery by the arm at the door.

"Let go of me, you crazy bitch."

"Listen to me, who is your boyfriend? Give me his name now."

"No, it's not your business." Seth placed his hand on Bella's shoulder and whispered for her to relax.

"It's him, Seth. I know it. Avery, is your boyfriend Edward Masen Cullen?"

"No, I don't know who that is. His name is Masen Edwards, if you must know. Why do you suddenly care after all your eye rolls and insults?"

"How stupid can you be? It's the same fucking name, switched around. Please, Avery, you have no idea what you've walked into. That's my ex, Edward and he's extremely dangerous. He's been trying to find a way to get to me and Jacob and now he's done it." She told Seth they needed to get Jacob immediately.

Avery said they were all certifiable and tried to leave again, but Bella grabbed her firmer. Avery jerked and pushed off sending Bella straight to the floor. She screamed in pain.

Seth was at her side. "What the fuck, you dumb whore. Oh my god! Bella, is it the baby?" He called Avery a few more choice words. She didn't even apologize, just strutted off like she'd done something to be proud of.

"No, I caught myself with my hands. It's my wrist. It hurts. Seth, you have to stop her. Edward's been using her. Who knows what he's learned." Thankfully, Jacob's meeting adjourned and he walked in to find Seth lifting her off the floor.

"What in the fuck just happened here? Your anxiety's all over the place, so I told them we had to wrap it up."

Seth filled her in on Avery's unwanted visits and what they learned when she was trying to get under Bella's skin.

"Go Jake, find Avery, convince her to stay away from Edward." Quil called about that time. Jacob told him where to wait and they'd be down right away.

He jerked free from his tie and unbuttoned a few top buttons as he walked down the hall to Avery's desk. All his fears were starting to come true one by one. Bella was in danger every second she was not back on the reservation. He didn't know what to think of the little one showing signs of phasing. He had an enormous pack to manage and he'd been juggling enough shit at work to make a normal man's head spin. Something had to give and yet Avery had just pushed Bella which made him feel like he was about to fall over the edge permanently. He was fed up with her shit and of course, she was dating Edward fucking Cullen. He had no idea how bad that bit of information could be. It was the worst revelation of the entire fucking day. He barely talked to her other than work issues but she could find out things fairly easy in the office. He didn't know if she was really clueless that she was pawn in his game or if she was a willing participant. Avery was gathering her things when he cornered her.

"Nice one, Black. You're wife's deranged."

"I think you have that backwards. You're the one that pushed a pregnant woman."

"That's not what happened, she was holding onto me."

"Bella's right, this guy's her ex. He's dangerous." Jacob tried to contain his anger, since she was a woman. She wasn't hearing it, she kept packing her shit up in her cubicle. He grabbed her arms and shook her enough so she'd know he meant business. She dug her claws in his flesh and he let go. He had to remember his own strength.

"Correction, you're both nuts. I'm out of here."

"Good, because you're fired."

"Fuck you. I quit."

"Nope, I fired you. I'm going to advise you to get out of town. Go to your sister's or your parents' house. I'm very serious, all differences aside. This is bad."

"I thought you hated me, why this false concern all of the sudden?"

"I don't hate you, you've been a problem since the beginning and I should have dealt with it a long time ago but please, I'm only trying to help you right now."

She told him what an arrogant son of a bitch he was and how he and his bitch wife deserved each other, etc. He wanted to follow her. There was no doubt he should, but he couldn't until he got Bella to the car with Quil which was the next step. He ordered them to take Bella to La Push and told Seth to figure out where everyone was so they could have an escort along the 101, especially when they got to the dense forest.

Quil asked what he was dong for back up? "I'm texting Rose, moving up the meeting and then I'm getting back there. I need to go to Avery's. I feel like she could be the key to the missing pieces of this puzzle." Jacob kissed Bella. She was holding an ice bag on her wrist, sitting in the backseat with Seth. "I'll handle it, we'll be together later tonight. As long as you and the baby are safe, I can keep my focus." She kept wiping tears from her cheeks with her uninjured hand. Bella begged him to just go with them. Paul was right earlier. It was a terrible day. She had a bad feeling and Jacob was going to be alone briefly.

"I'll be fine. Like I said, if you're fine, I'm fine."

"Edward has to know about me. What else does he know or have planned? I'm so scared, please...get in the car with us. This wasn't the plan you all worked on. You're flying blind and solo. Don't..."

"I love you, Bells, but I can't go. Plans change sometime." He looked to the front seat again, "Go, now...no stops, no fuckups."

Jacob ran back upstairs to acquire Avery's address. He only knew the complex, not the apartment number. His supervisor was in the hall and pulled him towards his office.

"We've got a problem, Jacob."

Jacob had a million problems, but he couldn't tell the people at work about any of them. He couldn't get into that contract shit again. Certainly it could be settled by someone else, but his boss told him specifically what he meant.

"Avery Hammond just went down to human resources and filed a sexual harassment and wrongful termination cases against you. She said you have been making advances at her for a long while but today she turned you down for good and you assaulted her." He needed to contain his anger, but his hands started to shake. That didn't look good, made him look like a fucking maniac.

He blew out his held breath as he tried to calm himself, "Gavin, you know I'm not like that." He gave him a brief synopsis of what really went on. He could just ask the guys on his team. They witnessed her flirting on many occasions. "I rebuffed it. She actually attacked my wife and sent her to the floor because of her jealousy. I confronted her at her desk not thirty minutes ago and I fired her."

Gavin said he believed him but they would have an investigation. It was company policy. "Why don't you take some time off?"

"Are you putting me on leave?" He needed a leave all along, but the thought of it being forced was an entirely different thing.

"Jake, come on...it's not like that. It seems tensions were high today. Hopefully, she'll drop it. I'm sure it's all frivolous. Like you said, she's jealousy. A woman like that isn't familiar with being turned down, I'm sure."

"Maybe I should go talk her again."

"I'm advising against that. It would be in your best interest to stay far, far away from Ms. Hammond. And I'm going to need these filled out before you leave today. We need your version on the record."

Forms, fucking forms. He didn't have time to spare for nonsense like that, but he grabbed them and took them to his desk. The entire reason he came back was to get her exact address, but he kept that to himself. He had access to some personnel files on his office computer, he jotted down the info he needed. He scribbled out an account of the argument as fast as possible, then he grabbed some regular clothes and went to change in the restroom. He threw some cold water on his face. No such luck that he was in a fucking nightmare and it might wake him up. He was staring back at his reflection. He promised Bella, he couldn't fail her.

When he came back to get the rest of his things, his nostrils burned. The stench was heavy and fresh. He rushed down the corridor, looked all around but he was gone. Holy shit, Bella was just in that very room. He had to smell her uniquely human scent mixed with him and their unborn child. A white slip of paper stood out in the middle of his desk.

I know everything. Let's settle this like men, once and for all. An address was written out underneath.

Oh, we're going to settle it, motherfucker...permanently.

~Thanks for reading.

Time to dig deep. You still with me?