Being There

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

Part Six

Bella's alarm went off at six am. She reached over and turned it off. Glancing behind her she saw that Jacob was still fast asleep. He looked so peaceful lying there, his black hair sticking up in spikes and long lashes casting shadows on his cheeks. Bella shifted around so that she was facing him so that she could study him more closely. She loved the colour of his skin and envied his high cheek bones. He was so handsome. She remembered her slip up when they had ridden the motorbikes and she had fallen off. She had called him 'sort of beautiful' but he was so much more than that.

It wasn't just his good looks and amazing body that made Jacob such a special person, it was who he was on the inside. He had been fiercely loyal to her throughout her dark phase; brightened every day with his sunny grin and easy going demeanour. He was like her sun, he made her feel warm and most of all alive. Bella smiled as she thought all this through and she found herself reaching out to stroke the soft skin along his cheek. Her light touch awakened him and his eyelids fluttered open and he gave her a lazy smile.

"Morning," he rolled fully onto his back and stretched each limb individually. Bella was mesmerized by the play of his muscles under his skin.

"Morning," Bella said breathlessly as she tore her eyes away from him. Seeing him like that was having a strange effect on her. She quickly scrambled out of bed. "I'll sneak down and get you something quick to eat before you go."

Jacob watched her flee the room with a frown on his face. What was up with her? He lay back down and put his hands behind his head as he recalled last night's patrol. He shuddered at the thought that the red headed leech that they had been tracking had been in the same vicinity as Bella. He sighed, he really needed to talk to her about it, but they didn't have enough time right now. He couldn't miss another day of school and Charlie would be up soon.

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Bella sat at the kitchen table and pulled out her text books. This was her last day of suspension and she really needed to make a dent in the extra work the principal had piled on her. She put it all in order and decided to do the hardest part first. Picking up her pen and tucking her long hair behind her ears she concentrated as hard as she could and set to work.

Two hours passed before she finally had enough. She flung her pen down and massaged her aching wrist. She had managed to plough through half the work and it pleased her that she had made a significant dent in the pile. Bella stretched her arms above her head and it was only when she stood up from the table that it hit her how eerily quiet the house seemed. She felt cold prickles run down her back and when she glanced at her arms she realised that she had goose pimples all along them.

Bella shook herself; she was just imagining things. She decided to make up a snack. Opening the cupboards she pulled out a loaf of bread and made up a ham sandwich. She boiled the kettle to make a coffee. The sound of it boiling was loud in the quiet room and the same cold prickles went down her back.

"Get it together, Bella," she scolded herself. She poured the boiling water into a mug and made up the drink.

She settled back down and immersed herself in her assignments. More time passed and Bella forgot about the eerie feeling from earlier. She completed the last of her tasks and sat back in her chair with a satisfied sigh. Glancing at the kitchen clock Bella realised it was three thirty. The day had bypassed her and she hadn't even noticed. Gathering up her text books she shoved them in her bag and dumped it in the corner of the room. She decided to have a quick shower and then start dinner.

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Jacob fell asleep at his desk during tribal studies. He had tried to keep his eyes open but the teachers voice droning on about the past made him fall into a stupor. Mr Wildman was not known for his interesting lectures. Jacob felt that his dad would have made a much better teacher, his rich husky voice always drew his listeners in when he told the tribal legends at one of the many bonfires that were thrown on First beach. His head rested on his books as he snoozed and it wasn't until the teacher whacked the side of his desk that he sat bolt upright in shock.

"Keeping you awake are we Jacob?" Mr Wildman sneered.

Jacob ran a hand through his short hair and looked at his teacher through bleary eyes. "Had a long night looking after my dad. Sorry sir," he said by way of explanation.

Mr Wildman's expression softened, everyone knew that Billy suffered from severe diabetes and needed a lot of care. "Okay then, Jake. Just try and concentrate."

Jacob just nodded. He hated using his dad's illness as an excuse but what other choice did he have. The late night patrols were exhausting and having to function all day with little sleep was beginning to wear on him. There was only another few nights on patrol and then the rotation shift would change and he would be able to actually spend the whole night in bed. He sat back in his chair and zoned out again as Mr Wildman continued to drone on. Within another ten minutes Jacob was again asleep at his desk.

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"Hey Jake," Embry caught up with him as he was leaving the school grounds. He was going to head home quickly, check on his dad and then go over to Bella's for a couple of hours. He had been missing her like crazy. Since he had phased they hardly got much time together.

"Hi Em," Jacob replied distractedly as he juggled his school books under one arm.

"Sam and the others have been tracking the red head for most of the day," Embry revealed. "She seems to be circumnavigating La Push now and concentrating on Forks. Have you managed to ask Bella about it yet?"

"No, I went over last night but fell asleep again," Jacob told him.

A smirk crossed Embry's face. "It's becoming a bit of a habit these sleepovers."

Jacob jabbed him on the shoulder playfully. "Ha ha, very funny."

Embry laughed before his expression turned serious again. "You should talk to her though,Jake. I mean she may know something that could help us."

"Yeah, I'm heading out there after I've checked on dad." Jacob stopped speaking as he caught sight of Quil in the distance. Embry looked over in that direction too and they both winced as their friend shot them a glare before stalking off.

"I wish we could tell him what's going on" Jacob said regretfully. "He thinks I've just abandoned him and joined the dark side."

"I know, but Sam won't budge, until Quil phases we have to keep our distance. It's for his own safety." Embry sighed.

"I just hope he forgives us when he eventually does," Jacob watched Quil kick at some stones and then run off until he disappeared out of view.

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Jacob checked in with his dad, Billy had been invited over to the Clearwaters for dinner to discuss some tribal issues. Harry would be picking him up so there was no need for Jacob to drive his dad over there. Now that he knew his dad would be occupied for the evening it made him feel a lot better about heading over to Bella's. He quickly changed into some fresh clothes and bid his dad goodbye.

Jacob was going to drive over in the Rabbit, he hadn't had much chance to use his car since the fateful night when he had first phased. It would be a good opportunity to give the car a good run. When he switched on the engine it turned over a couple of times before coming to life and he knew that it needed a good service again. Pulling out of the drive he headed for Forks.

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Bella heard the phone ringing just as she was checking on the lasagne she had made. She hurried out to the hall to answer it. "Hello."

"Hey kiddo," Charlie sounded tired.

"Hi dad, everything okay?" Bella asked.

"I'm sorry Bells, I won't be home for dinner. A big case has come up and I'm needed here. I probably won't be back until very late." Charlie said regretfully.

"Oh okay. What's happened? Has there been an accident or something?" Bella enquired curiously.

Charlie sighed. "Or something is more like it. Do you remember them hikers I told you about a few weeks ago that went missing?"

"Yeah," Bella felt a chill run through her body.

"Well their bodies have been found. It seems they died in unusual circumstances. We're not sure yet. I am heading up the investigation." He told her.

"Dad, please be careful." Bella pleaded with him.

"Always am." Charlie promised. "Just stay inside kiddo, okay."

"Okay dad, see you when you get home."

"Bye Bells," Charlie ended the call.

Bella put the phone down and sighed irritably, she would have to put some of the lasagne aside for her dad when he finally got home. She wandered back into the kitchen and looked out of the window. The sky outside was overcast and the tall trees cast shadows across the lawn at the back of the house. Something caught Bella's eye; she was sure that she had seen a flash of red. She strained her eyes as she continued to look out of the window, staring out toward the trees. There seemed to be a shadowy silhouette standing under the leafy branches. Her heart began to hammer in her chest as she caught another glimpse of red as the shadowy figure moved slightly.

Backing away from the window Bella ran from the kitchen and out into the hallway. Something about the mysterious figure seemed familiar and it frightened her as she was transported back to the terrifying nightmare of the night James attacked her. She remembered the woman that had been one of James' companions. She had called herself Victoria and her most distinguishing feature had been her long, flowing red hair.

Bella knew she was in trouble. She needed to get out of the house and to a place of safety. Pulling her coat on haphazardly, she grabbed the keys to her Chevy and fled the house. As she stumbled down the steps she glanced up to see Jacob pulling into the driveway. He parked the Rabbit and grinned at her. She hurried over to him, her breath coming in short pants as panic set in.

Jacob opened the door of the Rabbit and his expression changed, the grin fell from his face as a familiar scent stung his nostrils. The red headed leech was close and by the alarmed look on Bella's face she knew it too. "Get in," he ordered her as she drew near. Bella hurriedly opened the passenger door and slipped inside the car.

Immediately Jacob switched the engine back on and floored the accelerator causing the wheels to spin. He reversed out of the drive and headed back toward La Push.

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They didn't speak until they were safely back at the Blacks house. Bella was curled up in the passenger seat, her legs drawn up, hugging her knees to her chest. She was trying to get her breathing under control. Jacob was also battling to stay calm. His innate instinct was to phase and chase down the leech, but he had to get Bella to a place of safety. He switched off the engine and turned to face Bella. Her usually pale complexion was stark white; her beautiful brown eyes showed fear. He quickly reached across and gathered her in his arms, she sank against him gratefully, clutching onto his t-shirt as if he was the only solid thing in her world.

"I smelt the vampire Bells and by the way you shot out of your house I guess that you've seen something. Can you tell me about it?" Jacob asked Bella when she had finally calmed down.

She buried her head in his chest so she could hide her face from him. "I was looking out of the kitchen window and I saw her."

"Her?" Jacob stroked the back of her head soothingly.

"She goes by the name of Victoria, she is the mate of the vampire that bit me." Bella confessed. "I was so shocked to see her again. She must be after some sort of revenge on Edward for killing James, but of course he is no longer here."

"So she comes after you instead..." Jacob closed his eyes and breathed deeply, the thought of Bella being in danger making him angry. "Does this Victoria have red hair?"

"Yes, it's her most distinguishing feature," Bella pulled out of his embrace and stared at him. "Is she the vampire you have been tracking?"

"Yes, she has been scouting the area for a while." Jacob continued to stroke Bella's hair as he spoke. "It's going to be okay, Bells. At least now we know why she has been hanging around the area." He didn't tell her just how close the leech had been to her and Charlie the day before. She was scared enough as it was.

"I don't want you getting involved Jake. She's dangerous. What if you get hurt?" Bella pleaded with him.

Jacob just smiled. He took her face between his hands and gazed into her eyes. "I won't get hurt, Bells. This is what I do, and I have the whole pack for back up. There are five of us and one of her. She doesn't stand a chance."

"Jake, please. I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you." Bella cried out. "I need you."

"I'll be fine. Stop worrying," Jacob placed a finger over her lips as she began to protest again. "You know I love you, Bells. I will protect you."

"Thank you, Jake." Tears spilled out of Bella's eyes at his declaration. It wasn't the first time he had confessed his love for her. She dropped her eyes from his intense gaze and buried herself back in his arms, feeling like it was the safest place in the world for her to be.

A/N-Thanks for reading!