Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.

Jacob hadn't seen Bella in almost a week. He had been spending most of his time with Leah. She had yet to open up to him, but he was making process. He knew that it wasn't going to be easy, but the outcome was worth all of the effort that he was putting into it. He stood on Bella's front porch on Friday night waiting for her to open the door.

"Since when do you knock?" she asked as she opened the door.

"I heard someone else in there with you. I didn't want to be rude."

"It's just Paul," she said laughing lightly.

"No wonder I didn't hear you talking," he said rolling his eyes.

"He's leaving, you can come in," she said opening the door.

Paul brushed passed him a few seconds later. Jacob shook his head with a smile before walking into the house.

"Finish saying goodbye to him," he said to a blushing Bella.

"We've been saying goodbye for almost an hour. I was supposed to meet Jared twenty minutes

ago," Paul said as he walked down the stairs.

Bella gave Jacob a sheepish smile as she shut the door. Jacob gave her a teasing smile before she smacked him in the chest. He draped an arm over her shoulders before leading her into the living room. She sat next to him, turning to face him.

"So what's up? I haven't seen you in a few days."

"Something has happened," he said forebodingly.

"What happened?" she asked as her eyebrows furrowed in concern.

"I've imprinted."

"Jake, that's awesome," she said as her eyes lit up.

"I wanted to tell you without Leah."

"Leah? You've imprinted on Leah?" she asked as her eyes lit up with excitement.

"I wanted to be the one to tell you," he explained.

"Does she know that you were in love with me?"

"I still am."

"Jacob, do you know how much it would hurt her if she found out?" she admonished.

"I'm trying to get over you. It's taking longer than I planned on," he said with a sigh.

"Are you going to tell her?"

"I will, once things work themselves out," he promised.

"Did it happen the night that you two were supposed to come over?"

"Yeah," he confirmed.

"I'm okay with it. You made me think something was seriously wrong. Why would do that?"

she asked smacking him in the chest.

"I didn't know how you would react. I'm glad that you're happy for us," he said with a laugh.

"Call Leah, invite her over. The three of us haven't hung out together in years."

He pulled out his phone while Bella went into the kitchen. He was closing it when she came back in.

"She can't come over," he said quietly.

"Why?"

"I have to go," he said as he stood.

"What's going on?"

"Seth just joined the pack," he said before walking out of the room.

"Call me later," she called as he shut the front door.

She fell onto the couch with a grunt. Why were more people joining the pack? Was it because the Cullen's had come back? She hoped that wasn't the reason. Only Sam and Paul had changed while they were there before. Now Seth had joined the pack. He was only eight the last time Bella had seen him. At fifteen he would be the youngest member of the pack. Something was going on, and she wished that she knew what it was.

XXXX

Charlie sat at the table on Saturday morning reading the paper when Bella came downstairs. She made herself a glass of orange juice before coming to sit at the table.

"Why didn't you tell me that the Cullen's were back?"

"I thought you knew. They've been back for over a week."

"So the kids are back in school?"

"Mm hmm," she said grabbing the Lifestyle section.

"Has Edward given you any trouble?" he asked in concern.

"Jasper and Alice have been keeping him away from me. I've only talked to him once."

"They weren't doing a good job of keeping him away from you then," he said flatly.

"They weren't with him," she said shaking her head.

"I ran into the older brother last night. I pulled him over for speeding."

"Emmett?" she asked with concern.

He nodded as he took a sip of his coffee. Emmett knew better than to let himself get caught. Something must have distracted him. They read the paper in silence until someone knocked on the door. Charlie let Sam and Paul in while she made breakfast. He had asked them to come over to look at the house to see if it needed any work before he put it on the market.

Charlie and Sam were upstairs while Paul took a look around downstairs. He came into the kitchen as Bella was frying eggs. He wrapped his arms around her from behind before kissing the side of her neck.

"Why is your dad selling the house?"

"He wants something smaller. He's talking about looking for an apartment."

"Why?"

"With me leaving for college in the fall he thinks that the house will be too empty."

"Hasn't he lived here his entire life?" he asked.

"Mm hmm," she answered as she flipped a piece of bacon.

He stepped away from her as her dad and Sam came down the stairs. He stood next to her chewing a piece of bacon as they came into the kitchen.

"Have you eaten?" she asked looking at Sam.

"No. Emily wasn't feeling well this morning. All I've had is coffee."

"There's plenty here. Grab a plate."

Paul showed him where they were before grabbing one of his own. The men talked about the house while Bella continued to read the paper. She was reading about an onslaught of disappearances in Seattle. There were over thirty people missing and so far there weren't any leads. How could thirty people disappear and no one see it? Her eyebrows furrowed in concern for all the peoples families.

"Are you alright Bells?" Charlie asked.

"Yeah, I was just reading something," she said once she regained her composure.

"Was it the article about the people missing in Seattle?"

"Yes sir."

"I don't see how it's happening. People don't just vanish into thin air."

Bella nodded as she folded the paper. Charlie said that he needed to leave for work and Sam walked him out. Paul looked over at Bella with a worried look.

"People are disappearing in Seattle?"

"Thirty people in the past year, it's like they've just vanished without a trace."

"Didn't somebody disappear from around here last year?" he questioned.

"Yeah, back in April," she said absentmindedly as the news sank in.

"Do you think your dad will go up there?"

"He hasn't mentioned it," she said with a shake of her head.

Sam came back in with Jacob and Embry behind him. The three of them went into the living room and Bella looked at Paul curiously.

"The house needs a lot of work before it can be sold. We're going to need them."

"How long is it going to take?"

"Less than a month, you'll be staying with me or Jake on the nights that your dad works so that

we can work on the house."

"Will I now?" she teasingly challenged.

"Do you have a better idea?" he asked giving her a pointed look.

"No," she said with a teasing smile.

"I'm going to take my written driver's test on Saturday. Sam said that he would take me."

"Do you think that you're ready?"

"I've been working with you and Emily for the past two weeks. My migraines are gone."

"As long as you think you're ready," she said with a smile.

"I'd like you to go with me, but I wasn't sure if you were working on Saturday."

"I'm not," she said with a shake of her head.

"Then I'll tell Sam that he doesn't have to take me."

"I'll help you study as much as I can, then first thing Saturday morning you and I are going to the DMV," she promised.

He stood and made his way to the living room. Bella gathered the dishes from breakfast and washed them before going upstairs to get ready for work. When she came downstairs Paul was the only one there. He walked her to the truck then pinned her against the door.

"I have wanted to do this since I got here," he said before leaning down.

He cupped her face in his hands before lightly pressing his lips to hers. Her fingers threaded in his hair without her realizing it. He stepped closer to her as he gripped her shoulders. She opened her mouth to him and his tongue assaulted hers. He pulled away giving her a lustful look.

"You should go. You're gonna be late."

"One more," she said leaning back in.

His chuckle was cut off by her lips. She kissed him hard, biting at his bottom lip until he opened his mouth to her. He growled deep in his chest before pulling away.

"You're late," he said looking down at her watch.

"I'm going," she said opening the truck door.

He stepped away watching her with a smile.

"Be here when I come home. We aren't finished," she said before pulling away.

Every time she was with him she felt closer to him. There were times like the one that had just happened that she didn't want to leave him. She wasn't in love, but she was falling fast.

XXXX

Bella was at work on Friday when Leah came in. She was in the back when she heard Mike say something and Leah answered him. Bella came from the hall to see Mike looking Leah up and down. He was taking her in, and he liked what he saw. Bella bit her lip to keep from smiling as she walked the last few feet to her. Leah had her back turned to Mike, giving Bella a 'Get this guy away from me' look. Mike crossed the few feet to stand in between them a few seconds later.

"Mike, this is Leah, she's Jake's girlfriend. Leah, this is Mike."

"You're dating Jake?" Mike asked as his face fell.

"Yes, I am," Leah said with a curt nod.

"Did you need something?"

"My mom wanted me to invite you to dinner at our house. Your dad is already there."

"Okay. I get off in an hour, I'll see you there."

"See you later," Leah said before walking around Mike.

"Bye," Mike called.

"Bye," Leah said over her shoulder.

"Why is it that all of the pretty ones like that kid?" he muttered as he scratched the back of his neck.

Bella's body shook with laughter as she walked back to the back of the store. She didn't want to point out to Mike that Jacob's appeal was all in how he carried himself. He was a nice guy who was funny and always there for her when she needed him. She couldn't ask for a greater best friend.

When she got to Leah's everyone else had already eaten. Sue heated up a plate for Bella while Seth pulled her in for a bone crushing hug.

"I didn't think that you would remember me," she said with a nervous laugh.

"That's the way he greets everybody," Leah said rolling her eyes.

"My dad and Charlie told me about you, Jake too," Seth said.

"I didn't hear you come in," Charlie said as Seth handed Bella off.

"I just got here."

"The kids were hungry and your dad hadn't eaten all day. So we ate already," Sue explained.

"That's fine."

Bella sat at the table with Leah on one side and Seth on the other. She and Leah talked and Seth interjected when he felt the need. It was like when they were kids. He still had an untapped amount of energy, and he still had the ability to make her laugh. It was hard to believe that he was a member of the pack. He was taking it a lot better than Jacob had.

Once she was done eating Leah pulled her back to her room. Seth tried to follow them and Leah shut the door in his face.

"Come on Leah, let me in!" he whined.

"He may be a member of the pack but he still acts like he's ten."

"I don't mind if he comes in," Bella said with a shrug.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he's listening right outside. Just wait until I tell Embry and Jake how he's been acting."

There was a scuffle in the hall then Leah sighed in relief.

"That's more like it," she said as she sat on the bed.

"Is he really that bad?"

"You just don't know. You're lucky that you're an only child."

"How are things going with you and Jake?"

"They're going slow. I still can't open up to him. It's not that I don't trust him, because I know

the kind of person that he is. I don't like hurting him, but I know that I am."

"He understands more than you think he does."

"He talks to you about us?" Leah asked slowly.

"Just like we are right now, I don't want you to make me choose sides. I won't tell you anything that he has told me, and I won't tell him anything that you tell me," she reassured her.

"Thank you. I feel better now that you've said that."

"Am I really the only person who knows how you really feel about what happened?"

"Yes. And until I am ready I would like it to stay that way," Leah said with a sigh.

"It will."

"It's good that we get to talk face to face now. I don't have very many friends in college."

"Are you going back?"

"When things settle down," she said, dragging a hand through her hair.

The girls talked well into the night before Bella realized that the sun was coming up.

"Crap. I'm supposed to go to the DMV with Paul this morning. He wanted to be there when they open. I need to sleep."

"I have to run patrol. Feel free to crash here."

"My dad already thinks that I'm sleeping here anyway."

"I'll go by Paul's and tell him that you are here," Leah said before walking out of the room.

"See you later."

She was in the bed when the window a few feet away slid open. Paul climbed through the window and she watched him through sleepy eyes.

"Go to sleep," he said sliding into the bed.

"Does Leah know that you're here?"

"Yes. She told me that if I even tried to do anything to you in her bed that she would castrate me."

"I guess you had better keep your hands to yourself then," she said burrowing underneath the covers.

He wrapped his arms around her and she rested her head on her arm before closing her eyes again. She was asleep a few minutes later.

XXXX

She hadn't planned on the DMV being so packed. They had been one of the first people there, but the person who gave the driver's tests didn't come in for another half an hour. There wasn't an empty seat anywhere. They called Paul's number and he went to the registration desk with the paperwork that they had given him to fill out. Bella had to help him with it but she hadn't minded.

Someone stood next to Bella asking if the empty seat was taken.

"It is. I'm sorry," she said apologetically.

"That's fine. I think I see one in the back," The woman said before walking away.

Paul came back with more paperwork to fill out and Bella helped him as much as she could.

"Are you sure that you want to do this?" she questioned.

"I'm positive," he said with determination.

"They like using big words. I can see that," she said dauntingly.

"That's why you're here."

"They shouldn't do that on the test. They didn't when I had to take mine last year."

"I thought you got your license while you were in Arizona."

"I had my learners in Arizona. That's when I learned how to drive."

"So you had to take your driver's test here?"

"Yeah," she said as she read over the paperwork.

Paul's number was called just as he was finishing with the paperwork.

"Good luck," she said squeezing his hand.

"I'm gonna need it," he said squeezing her hand back.

Bella watched him walk to a room off the side and let go of the breath she was holding. She was nervous enough for the both of them. She hadn't gotten much sleep. He had woken her up an hour after she had fallen asleep because they were running behind. Her eyes fluttered closed before she slouched in her seat and rested her head against the back of the chair. She fell asleep within seconds.

Paul ran a hand down her arm to wake her up an hour later. She groaned before opening her eyes. He looked down at her, giving her an easy smile.

"How did you do?"

"I have my learner's, that's what matters," he said with a sigh.

"Do you have to wait for anything else?" she asked sleepily.

"I'm done," he said with a shake of his head.

"I'm sorry for falling asleep."

"It's fine. Let's go back to your house so you can get some sleep."

"My dad is off today, and Billy and Jake are going to be there."

"Then we'll go to my house and you can sleep there."

"Aren't you supposed to start working on the house today?"

"Monday," he said shaking his head again.

She gave him the keys and he was able to navigate the truck back to his house with ease. She moved to open her door in a daze but he told her to wait. He was at her side opening the door less than a second later. He picked her up from the seat and held her close to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and placed her head on his shoulder as he walked them through the yard.

In the house Paul said something to Bo and the dog's nails clicked across the wooden floor.

"No," he said firmly before closing the bedroom door.

"He can come in," she said quietly.

"You asked for it," he said opening the door.

The dog was on the bed when Paul set Bella down a few seconds later.

"Leave her alone," he told the dog.

A deep sigh could be heard as he covered her with the blanket. He was in the bed with her before her head could hit the pillow. She gave him a small smile before closing her eyes. She felt the bed move and the dog was between them a few seconds later.

"He's fine," she mumbled.

Bo got situated on the bed before laying flush against her. She patted him absentmindedly as Paul watched with an amused look. Her hand stilled a minute later and she finally fell asleep. Paul continued watching her wondering how he had gotten so lucky. She was the most patient, accepting, forgiving person he had ever met. Everyone said that he had changed once she came into the picture. Most of the imprints weren't like her. Emily was an angel, but even she wasn't like Bella. He could have an imprint like Leah. He thanked God every day that Leah wasn't his imprint. He didn't have that kind of patience. He felt sorry for Jacob when he saw the two of them together. They were complete opposites.