~A/N I just realized I hadn't posted since last year, lol. Did anyone miss the updates? Here's the deal. FF is annoying me. First, I lost 10 days of views in the middle of December. Now, the review count goes up, but I can't read them except from my email notifications. I hope they'll come back soon. Sometimes, I like to reread them to get a vibe for the story again and some of my readers like to peek occasionally as well. I repeat, you don't have permission not to review if you are led to do so. Something funny that caught my eye last update. I've heard for weeks, "Jake's an asshole, I hate this Jake, this is the worst Jacob ever" etc and last chapter, when he wasn't around, I got, "Hope Jake's back next update" in various reviews. Those made me smile :)

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

Chapter 28: Maintaining the Status Quo

Jacob hoped if he got pulled over, he wasn't going to jail. That's how many laws he was breaking to get the clinic to see what was happening. Charlie could get him out of it probably. He couldn't understand how Leah was a wolf and they were all in the dark. Was she so far away, the mind link didn't work or had Leah been as stubborn as always and shut them out on purpose? If anything happened to Bella as a result of his piss poor planning, he'd never forgive himself.

They made it to into the city way quicker than she expected them. The clinic was slow since it was early in the morning. Bella stopped him at the door with a hand to his chest. He wanted to pull her close and make sure she was truly okay, but she wouldn't have liked that.

However, she answered the questions on his mind. "I'm fine. She didn't hurt me, Atticus is at the apartment with Barry. Leah's getting dressed in some extra scrubs I found in the supply closet."

"I swear, I knew she didn't want this and I told it was strictly voluntary. She's the only one that had that option. I don't know how it happened."

"I ordered her or at least that's what she thinks. I certainly don't know how I did it and if I could undo it, I would. She's upset and I don't blame her."

Seth asked Jacob if he could talk to his sister in private first. Bella answered for him that it sounded like the best idea. "Come on, I'll fix you a cup of coffee and tell you all that I know." Bella and Jacob sat in Collin's office while he had an informal meeting with his staff in another room. As far they were concerned, he'd been ill, so he wanted to hear how the week had gone. She told him how Leah arrived and that Edward was making it worse. "I guess he did what he was supposed to, he reluctantly listened to me and called you for help."

"He's driving you crazy, isn't he?"

"Little bit, but I have a much stronger will these days."

He knew why. Jacob knew she was still mad and said she'd never forgive him, but when the two of them were alone talking, pieces of their exteriors would break away. He slowly guided the rolling chair closer to where she sat on the desk. "How's our son?"

"He's good, but was a little cranky this morning. I'm glad I left him at the apartment."

"Cranky, is he sick? Do you think he's teething already?" She shook her head and said she didn't think so but inquired if he'd been doing some baby care reading and he admitted he had in his free time. "How's Barry working out?"

"Perfect, like I'm sure you knew he would, but we're a little cramped. His grandmother sent him some money and we're thinking about looking at two bedrooms soon." He wanted to say something that would make her call him names again, but she interrupted him. "I think we should wait until everything settles down some. You have my word as long as you behave."

Jacob closed his eyes for a few seconds. She was doing everything he and his pack needed with no sort of instructions or persuasion. That had never been more clear than it was this very morning. "Thanks and I'll try my best. Jesus, this is going to be a mess. I have to take Leah back to the res, Kaleigh's pissed enough. I don't know how to explain it to her. Has she bothered you?" A question he would never even consider asking Kaleigh concerning Bella. What the hell was he doing?

Bella turned away from him and said she'd barely seen her. He thought that really meant that she had done something to piss Bella off, but she didn't want to talk about it. He'd also received a strange call from the bank. She was up to something and the reasons for staying, for trying to make it work were becoming harder to recall.

Jacob was anxious to see how Leah was going to act, so he went to the back to have his own chat with his latest, most reluctant pack member. Bella said she had some work to get started on, so she went the other direction.

"Mighty alpha. Well, here I am, reporting for duty. I'm sure I'm fired from my real job for abandoning my crew at our annual company wide meeting. I could make up a story I was kidnapped, I suppose, but it's not like I can go back anyway, so what's the point."

"I'm sorry, Leah. Bells didn't realize when she commanded Lahote to phase, she ordered everyone to protect Ace. Honestly, we need the numbers, because I have no idea what we're up against."

"Yeah, she's not such a little twit like I remembered. I appreciate how she took care of me, she's our alpha female according to Seth, but I felt it too. Does that mean you dumped Seattle's finest socialite?"

"Not exactly. Look, I really need to go by my house and take care of some shit. I also desperately need to see my boy. Can you hang with Collin and Seth for a few hours and then I'll get you home."

"Do what you have to do, I know the way."

"No, I'll take you. It's my responsibility, I mean, you are, Leah. I want to be the one to take you home."

"Okay, if this little twerp," she punched Seth in the arm, "will go get me some food, I should be good. The woods are close if I need them, but honestly this is the longest I've gone human since it happened and I'm in control. I swear it. She did that, Jake. Are you aware how important Bella is to all of us now that we're a pack again?"

He was.

"Finally, where in the hell have you been?"

"My dad's, I told you. Listen, Kay... "

"No, you listen. Are you aware that tramp has had not one, but two men over since you've been out of town? Honestly, Atticus should not be in that environment."

Jacob was shocked after practically being MIA for a week, she chose Bella's companions as her first gripe. He wasn't going to mention Edward if he didn't have to, but he told her he knew all about Barry, that he was a trusted friend of Bella's and very good with Ace. He trusted him a lot more than that hole in the wall, come and go daycare she suggested.

"Well, the one guy said he was her ex. How many times has she been married?"

"Once."

"But you said it was an ex that causes concern for her safety. It's him?"

"Yes, but he's not the concern exactly." Defending Cullen left a bad taste in his mouth. Most of this was his damn fault in Jacob's opinion, but he was trying avoid more conflict with his wife. "It was someone affiliated with the family."

"And you brought her here to our front door, now this ex is sulking around. Seriously, Jake, what is going through your mind these days? What if they get wind of my family's money? I want her gone. I've put up with this shit for a few weeks, but I'm done."

Jacob told her they were trying to come up with other solutions. He, honestly was ready to take Bella and Ace back to the reservation. He was torn, because he didn't see how he could walk out on his job just yet. They had other things to discuss, finances in particular.

"Did you take out a loan?" She started straightening up the living room the minute he brought up money. Jacob followed her in circles. "I asked a question?"

"How do you think I paid for the contractor?"

"Dammit, I didn't know he was doing much more than some painting. You haven't let me in there. What the hell? I told you we didn't need a nursery. I certainly didn't want to add more debt on top of this mortgage and other things."

She was quick to point out the 'other things' were his fault since he was attempting to support an extra family. He didn't know when he had time to go to the bank. He hoped the message he received meant there was something he could do to stop the entire process. He also needed the name and number of that contractor. Jacob walked over to the counter and picked up a few pieces of mail. She snatched them from him. He knew one was from a credit card company. It was the card he'd given to Bella originally.

"What's going on?"

"Nothing. You've been gone a week and all you want to do is search the mail. You've always let me take care of the bills. Why this sudden interest?"

"That's bullshit. I always pay attention to the finances. Give me the statement, and the two others you picked up."

His eyes roamed over the pages. Of course, he knew about the charge he used for Ace's things, but there were tons more. She was charging fucking everything, night and day apparently pretty much from the day Bells arrived... online, plus all types of stores. Kaleigh liked nice things, but she usually waited for a commission check. She always paid bills first and then would purchase a treat item. This was spending unlike he'd ever seen since they'd moved in together.

He was mad, but more than anything he was afraid. He was already trying to work out a way to take a leave of absence and she'd single-handedly added to their monthly expenses in a few days. That was just what was in front of him. He was pretty sure there was more. At this rate, it would take him years to pay off all these damn bills.

"Why are you spending money like this? You better start returning some shit real quick."

"Screw you. I haven't been myself. Mom's health is up in the air, you brought home a girlfriend and baby and my work has been slow. Excuse me for needing a little retail therapy. We'll catch up in a couple of months."

He doubted that, after reading the totals and adding them up off the top of his head. They could have the fight of all fights if he said what he really wanted to say, but he had more pressing matters. The next fight would be bad enough.

"I have to go back to the reservation for a few more days. Seth's sister is in town and she doesn't have a way home. Plus, Dad's not doing so great." That was an exaggeration, but the stress had caused his father's sugars to be a little out of whack. "I only came back to get a few more clothes and check on everything."

"You have got to be kidding me. What the hell is Rachel doing?" Kaleigh had insulted his sister a few times in the past, about what a waste her college degree had been and rude shit about how Rachel was staying home with the kids while they were small.

"A lot, as usual, Rachel works damn hard. I told you from the beginning we share the responsibilities. I notice you don't have anything to say about Embry pulling his weight."

"Embry has a demanding job."

"Don't we all."

Kaleigh quickly switched the topic from his brother. "What about her?"

"Who, Rach?"

"No," she pointed her head towards the front of the house.

"I'm going to see Ace for a few minutes and then I'm leaving. Bella's working five days a week now. That's what you wanted, correct. She found a job that she likes." Kaleigh huffed something was fishy. "You know what, I was wrong. This arrangement sucks and it's not fair to you. Bella's torn between wanting to help out Collin and staying with her father. I'm just going to take a step back as well. You and I are at each other's throats half the time. I'm thinking about asking her to move back to Forks. I need to be more involved with my entire family, not only my son."

She stopped him right there. "No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. I know I'm being pretty volatile and that's so unlike me. I can tell you've been ill. You have dark circles under your eyes and look so tired, Jake. I believe you. I know you're worried about your father. We have that in common. We both love our parents and want what's best for them. I've been selfish, making you spend too much time around my family and never wanting to visit your old home. Take all the time you need. I might despise Bella, but she doesn't make a peep. She can stay a little while longer, I guess. I would never want to deprive you of your precious son."

Kaleigh pretty much changed her tune on every snide remark she said earlier. Quil was right, chicks knew when they were about to get dumped and Jacob knew his house was crumbling to the ground, but his responsibilities kept him from handling the situation properly. He wasn't going to do it that way. He owed her more than what he was capable of at the moment.

He was trying to be quiet, no idea how she knew he was down there tinkering with the bike. As tired as he was from days on the res, training with Leah and the others, then back to work all day the following week, he couldn't sleep. He had no choice, but to sneak out and take actual runs back to his home turf several nights a week. Embry told him to stop, Leah was actually much better around him than Jake. If he remembered correctly, Emb was pretty scared of her back in the day, but either Leah mellowed or his brother wasn't such a wus anymore, maybe a little bit of both.

"I'm sorry, was I loud?"

"No, I didn't hear you. I felt you." Jacob was used to that feeling, but he guessed it was new for her to recognize it. "Why are you up in the middle of the night messing with the motorcycle?"

Jake continued to work on pulling the carburetor without looking up. He explained how the bike was a bit off the last time he rode it, thought something was up with the fuel line. She listened attentively like she always did when he worked on an engine in her presence.

"Don't you finally have a night off? You should be sleeping."

He set his tool down and looked up at her. Bella appeared shocked. He knew what he looked like as well.

"Oh my gosh, when's the last time you slept all night?" He picked up a rag, wiped his hands and stood up. He tried to avoid the question and started straightening his mess up instead. "Jake, seriously, when?"

"I don't know, maybe a couple of weeks ago."

"How many hours of sleep are you averaging?"

"Two or three, I guess." The truth was, some nights it was zero. He was coffee and energy drink dependent and had a bottle of eye drops with him at all times.

"You don't have to do this. We're all fine. Aro has only chatted me up once since I moved here, the pack is settled again. Atticus is doing great. Embry's handling things at home. No offense, but this is the worst you've ever looked."

Bella leaned up against the worktable. He didn't know if he should say what he'd been thinking, but Jacob felt better in her presence only after a few minutes.

"You know what I wish?"

"No idea." He wondered if that was completely honest. Bella seemed to understand what he was thinking pretty often. He thought she pinpointed all his motives quickly and with little error. She wasn't agreeing with him too much, but she got him.

"I wish we could push the bike out, hop on and take a long ride in the still of the night like old times. There's a place I want to show you." He knew this perfect spot he'd only been to alone. It was like a lost paradise. They couldn't even get there in a regular car. He actually knew of many unique spots for trail riding, his favorite one was on the reservation, but the chance they could run off for hours on the bike was slim to none. Bella would never leave the baby like that. He needed to reign in this fantasy of her clinging tightly to his back with her legs wrapped around him before his body betrayed him and he did something stupid.

She looked at him wide-eyed and completely quiet except for her exaggerated breathing. Barry would be fine with Ace and Kaleigh was sleeping hard as usual. They could manage an hour disappearing to ride out to the local spot, but she'd never say yes. Why would she? He was sending confusing signals and he knew it.

Bella walked passed him and touched her foot on the carburetor, "Well, that's not happening. You have this carb thing on the ground."

Dammit, was that the only reason she was saying no? "I can get this baby back together in ten minutes."

She faked a yawn. "I have work and so do you. Maybe you can live on two hours of sleep, but I sure can't."

"Yeah, sure, sure." He took a second to visualize her taking off with him on the motorcycle again. Maybe, one day the opportunity would present itself in another place and time, but he never asked for a rain check like he wanted to. "Go back to bed, Bells."

"You too or I'm not going to be able to fall asleep." Bella stopped herself directly in front of him. She touched his cheek. "I mean it. We're all doing okay considering the circumstances. You can ease up." She rubbed her thumb under his eye. "Your dark circles have circles. Your eyes are so bloodshot, mine sting looking at them."

"Strange, how you can manage to look at me, I sound hideous."

Bella punched him in the stomach, but he barely felt it. They were closer than she probably planned. She looked down and latched onto her lip with her teeth. He grabbed her fingers when she dropped them to her side, but held them instead of letting her go.

"I'm still mad at you."

"I know." However, she didn't pull her hand away even as he started to slowly stroke her smooth skin with his thumb. Jacob eventually released her before he did something that was going to cause them further distress.

"Go back to bed. I'm doing the same."

She walked to the steps and said goodnight and reminded him about Ace's afternoon check up at the end of the week. "I wouldn't miss it," he told her. He needed to work but he'd already scheduled the whole day off Friday, because there was one other appointment Jacob had early that morning. He hadn't told another soul, but his mind was made up. He was visiting a lawyer.

~Thanks for reading.

We're at the point in the story where I struggle with the muse. It happens to me every time. I really need to slow down, updates will be a little more spread out or least that's my prediction. However, that doesn't mean I don't have more chapters for you. I do, I just need to take my time so I don't miss anything I specifically wanted to cover in this story.

Next chapter preview... Bella has two unexpected visitors. I'd love to hear your guesses.