Chapter Two

Bella

You know I turned up at the Cullens some years ago having seen that they existed with my gift?"

I nodded,

"Well, on the way I met Garrett and another vampire, one who was deeply unhappy. I told him about the Cullens and he was interested in joining me on my journey but I knew it would be wrong at the time. He was depressed and lost, he was also a man hunter and an empath and that meant constant pain for him"

"An empath?

"It meant he felt the fear and pain of every human he drained, every human life he took"

"How did he exist like that?"

"Not well"

"Why was it the wrong time for him? Wouldn't have joining the Cullens helped him?"

"He wasn't quite ready for the change, he would have failed besides which at the time I decided I preferred Garretts company. I was very selfish then, very defensive and he wanted to know things I didn't want to talk about."

"Why tell me this? Wouldn't it be better if you spoke to Carlisle?"

"I'm telling you because his future is dependent on your actions. The future, his future wasn't clear until recently. I wasn't very nice to him, I was scared in those days and as I said he asked too many awkward questions. I'd fallen for Garrett you see and I didn't want him to know my past so I lied and I forced him to leave."

"Is he coming now? Is that why you're upset? He's not angry with you is he?"

"No, he wont come here, although it's where he should be."

"So where is he?"

"I don't know"

"Did you try to find out?"

"No, my visions became very cloudy, I couldn't see much at all. It was as if I had misused them and was paying a penalty"

"But they're back? And he's in them again?"

She shook her head sadly,

"No Bella I think he's lost for ever. My visions cleared at the same time you came to Forks."

"Me? But why then?"

"I have no idea yet but I have a feeling that something is going to happen soon. All I do know is that Edward isn't the right one for you. His future and yours aren't the same."

"You've seen my future Alice?"

"No but I've seen his and it isn't with you. Now if I'd told you that a year ago, even a few months ago you would have argued with me but you aren't now. Why?"

"I guess I worked the same conclusion out all by myself. I just don't feel the same way I did about him. Is that because he's seen his real mate?"

"No, not yet, I would have seen that but something has changed. Someone has made a decision which is affecting your future with Edward."

"Who? What?"

"I don't know yet but be careful with Edward, he doesn't know it yet and he's going to get more possessive before he realizes."

"OK Alice, but you will tell me if you see anything?"

"Yes Bella I will. I'm as curious as you about all this. Who knows maybe there's someone coming for me too. What about Garrett?"

"Oh he'll be leaving soon, he knows he and I aren't mates, just friends. Remember not a word to Edward or the others"

"How do you keep secrets from Edward?"

She laughed,

"I drive him crazy reciting War and Peace over and over, he hates that book...well now anyway."

I was about to get out of the car and invite her in for a while when I noticed she'd gone very still and her face was blank.

"Alice? Are you al right? Can I do anything?"

She shook her head and looked up the road,

"I'm fine Bella but I have to go, you have a visitor."

"But Edward knows I'm going out with you tonight"

"It's not Edward but I'll go for a drive or he'll know we didn't go out. I think you'll want to see this visitor. See you at school tomorrow."

As she drove away she waved gaily back towards me, and I turned to see Jake standing, arms crossed, in the middle of the road.

"Hey Jake."

"Bella. Cullen not here tonight?"

"No. You coming in? Or would you rather stand there and sulk"

He grinned suddenly and I saw my old friend,

"Why not. You sure Charlie wont mind?"

"I think he'll be over the moon. Its been a long time."

"Yeah well its hard to find you without Cullen at your side and he wouldn't appreciate my company"

I ignored this but he was right.

When Charlie saw who I had with me he beamed,

"Jake, great to see you. Come in and sit down. You come to take Bella out?"

He looked at me and I shrugged with a grin,

"Sure Charlie. I thought Bella might like to go to the Pictures"

We went out laughing like a pair of school kids bunking off,

"You wanna go to the movies or the Res?"

"Let's go see the others. Its been ages since I saw Quil and Embry."

He got in my truck and held out his hands for the key,

"Hey, my truck, I drive."

"Bella, get in"

"How did you get here?

"I ran"

"You ran? Really Jake? All the way?"

"Hey, if the Leech can do it so can I"

Well, he'd told me the legend of the cold ones so I guess he was entitled to know about the Cullens.

"You'll be telling me you're a wolf man next."

"Would you believe me if I did?"

He sounded so serious and as he drove I thought about the Quileute legends he'd told me. If the Cold Ones were real maybe the wolves were too.

"I guess I would Jake. How else could you be built like Emmett Cullen in a matter of weeks?"

"Months Bells. I haven't seen you since the Prom at School last year."

He was right and I felt guilty about it, I liked Jake but Edward was adamant I had to keep away from him.

When we got to the Res they all made a fuss of me and I noticed all the boys had grown...and I mean grown, they were all built like Em now. Sam wasn't happy when Jake introduced me.

"So Bella. Still hanging with the wrong crowd?"

"That depends on your definition I guess. If you mean am I still dating Edward Cullen then yes."

"And he let you come here?"

I didn't say anything and he smiled,

"He doesn't know does he? Well its your hide when he finds out"

"And how will he do that if I don't tell him"

"If he's got a nose he'll know."

Jake dragged me away then and I sat by the bonfire listening to the guys talking about a fight they'd been to see in Seattle. It sounded pretty interesting if a little violent but I guess boys will be boys.

Jake

Sitting with Bella I could smell leech on her but not Edward Cullen this was sweeter than that, more flowery.

"Was that Alice or Rosalie Cullen in the car?"

"Alice why?"

"Didn't she warn you to stay away from me?"

"No."

"I wonder why. She'll tell him though."

"No, but according to Sam his nose will."

"Take a shower and use plenty of that strawberry shampoo, you might get away with it."

"Do you smell then?"

"To the leeches yes. Like they smell to us"

"How come?"

"You've already worked out the answer to that Bella"

"Wolves?"

He nodded and I sighed.

"Sometimes I think I've fallen through a black hole. Into a planet inhabited by werewolves and vampires."

"Maybe you have and maybe you chose the wrong side."

"Don't start Jake, its my life, my decision"

"Your funeral"

I hit him and immediately wished I hadn't. As I shook my numb hand Quil came up laughing.

"We should take her to a fight with a right hook like that"

"A fight? You're going again?"

"Yeah the guys who organise it get some real freaks sometimes. You should see some of them"

Jake was shaking his head, never a good thing to tell me I can't do something he should have known that.

"Thanks Quil I will. Let me know when you're going next."

"Friday night but we wont be back till Sunday morning, the fights take place overnight away from the authorities."

I was already thinking it had been a bad idea when Jake interrupted,

"Bella's not going. Charlie wouldn't let her anyway."

I turned on him furious,

"Butt out Black. What time Friday?"

Quil grinned,

"We'll pick you up about seven o'clock Bella. Be ready."

"I will"

I had no idea how I was going to pull this off or how I'd slip out of it but for a little while it would be a nice secret to have.