authors note - this chapter is a bit of a filler and just getting some characters in the story and its all Bellas POV.

Editing these chapters im falling in love with the characters even more so than i was before and im so glad others are enjoying it so far

Charlie glanced over at me, driving at an incredibly slow speed. La Push isn't far but with him doing 10 under it would take us 45 minutes if not longer to get there.

"So.." He started, pausing for a moment. "How are you doing?"

Without thinking my hand rubbed at my chest, dull ache present but not too bothersome. "I'm good."

"Really? You know it's okay to be sad?"

Not meaning to, I burst into laughter. Charlie gave me a cold look. "Sorry. I am sad. Really sad and it hurts. It comes in waves. Sometimes it just hits me out of no where and it hurts so bad."

He nodded. "I remember that from when your mom left. I'd be fine, then something would remind me of her and the pain would hit all the sudden. Of course it was different for me cause I also lost you."

I looked out my window. I wasn't sure where this emotional Charlie was coming from and it was freaking me out a bit. "You didn't lose me, dad."

He shook his head. "I did though. I missed so much of you growing up. I'm sorry about that."

I tensed, unsure of what the point of this conversation was. "It wasn't your fault. Mom just…. she made the calls and then later I just… I don't know, dad. It's in the past."

"You're right," he nodded. "It is, but still worth talking about right? I don't want there to be a wall between us, Bella. I know you don't want to talk about boys and heartbreak with your dad. No girl does, I don't think but still I want you to know you can. You can talk to me about anything. Your ol' dad may know more than you think."

He gave me a long stare. What does that mean? "Umm…

there just isn't much to say."

He nodded. Seemed to be doing a lot of that. "Okay."

I looked at him for a moment. I don't know why all the sudden he is trying to be so different from what I know him but in a way it's… nice. I suddenly realized that how I knew him to be wasn't how I actually knew him but how my mom had portrayed him to be. I reached deep into my thoughts, trying to remember how he was during my visits as a kid. We did go fishing quite a bit, but he always included me, trying to teach me until I demanded not to go. We watched lots of sports, dad trying to teach me how each game works. Suddenly I remembered a silly little celebratory dance we made up we use to do when his team won. I smiled at the forgotten memory.

"Dad?" He glanced at me, eyebrows raised. "I know I can talk to you and I appreciate it. Truly. I just…. I don't know what to say."

He smiled and grabbed my hand giving it a squeeze. He didn't say anything else and neither did I. I wondered if things would have been different if I didn't get tied up in Edward and our relationship so quickly and took the time to get to know my dad when I first moved back. I sighed, rubbing at the pain in my chest. Maybe it hurts, but maybe… just maybe on the bright side him leaving gives me a chance to form new relationships outside of him. Of course I still love him and want him back, but maybe I should try to look at the glass as half full.

Now that we were done talking Charlie sped up and in no time we were pulling up to a lake. I could see Billy, Jacob and two boys I didn't know sitting by the dock. I helped Charlie carry a small tackle box and poles while he got the cooler and large tackle box.

"Bella!" Jacob smiled, seeming happy to see me. "Hey, I didn't think you'd actually come."

I smiled back at him, sitting the stuff down beside Billy. "That makes two of us."

Charlie chuckled, patting my back. "Three of us."

I watched as they quickly got stuff set up. Jacob held out a chair to me and I sat down with a smile in between him and Charlie.

Jacob turned to me, jabbing a thumb behind him. "That's Quil and Embry. Guys this is Bella." He said then turned back to the water. I waved at them and they smiled back.

"Here Bella." Charlie said, handing me a pole and a plastic bowl of worms. I took them both but just stared down at the worms wiggling in the cup. Suddenly I remembered why I didn't like fishing.

"Need help?" Jacob offered.

"Umm yes please."

With expert hands he got my pole ready and baited it for me. Then showed me how to hold it and throw the line. Line in the water I dropped my chin on my knuckles.

"Now what?" I asked, sort of bored already.

"Now we wait to get a bite." Charlie answered.

I nodded and I stared at the water for a few moments. Listening to Billy and Charlie chatter on like two old ladies about town gossip. "How long until we get a bite?" I asked.

Jacob laughed. Charlie sighed and turned to look at me. "It can take a while, just enjoy the view and relax. That's 75% of what fishing is about."

Okay relax. I can do that. I looked out at the water. Water. Grass. Trees. Mountains. Great. Now what?

"There is a really cool trail up that way that leads to a hole in the wall diner," Jaocb pointed to the direction he was talking about. "We spend an hour or two with the old men and then we hike. You can join us if you'd like."

I nodded, grateful. No way I could do this all day. Suddenly I realized the perks of a cell phone. I should get one, I thought. Edward was always bothering me about it but I never saw the need. If I'm going to be going on any more fish trips, it's a need.

The morning passed slowly. I did in fact get two bites but I wasn't quick enough reeling them in. The guys caught a few, laughing at and poking fun at my failures.

I was impatiently waiting for Jacob to say we could go. Laying my pole down, I rubbed at my chest. It almost felt like something was tugging at the deep ache, pulling me.

"What's wrong, Bella?" Billy asked. I looked at him. He had a weird smile on his face. Like he knew something I didn't. It was kind of creeping me out.

"Nothing." I said, quickly dropping my hand. He gave me a strange look but didn't say anything else.

"Alright dad," Jacob said, reeling in his line. "It's been fun but we are going hiking and we are stealing Bella….if that's okay

Chief."

Charlie shrugged, telling me he didn't care just to be careful and not to get lost. I rolled my eyes. Jacob dug around in the cooler, pulling out a couple water bottles. He threw them to

Embry and Quil then went back in for two more, handing me one. I nodded my thanks and we started heading toward the trail.

Embry and Quil quickly got ahead, while Jacob stayed back following my slow pace. We've only been around one another a few times and I was struggling to come up with something to fill the silence.

"Oh, how's the car coming?" I asked, remembering he was fixing up a car for when he got his license.

"Slow. Every time I think I'm almost done, I find a new problem." Jacob smiled. I realized he had a really nice smile. It made me smile in response.

"That stinks."

He nodded in agreement and then more silence. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence so I stopped trying to fill it and just walked beside him. One of things thing I do like about Jacob is it's so easy and comfortable to be around him.

Once again my hand came to my chest, rubbing gently. The tugging was getting aggressive. Almost making me want to turn and go off the trail, deeper into the woods. I turned my head in that direction and gasped, dropping my water. The wolf. It was there. Just inside the tree line. Was it following me?

Jacob picked up my water, looking in the same direction. "You okay?"

"Uh… y-yes. I just thought I saw something." I mumbled while taking my water back. I shook my head. Was I imagining it? Why would it follow me here?

Jacob started walking again and I followed after him, glancing in the tree line. I saw him. He was there. I shook my head. Maybe I really am going crazy.

It took us about an hour to get to the diner. When Jacob said the diner was a hole in the wall he wasn't lying. It was small, only 4 tables set up and a small counter with 3 bar stools for extra seating. It wasn't dirty at all, just extremely outdated.

Paint chipped and peeling in some spots. Decor was very 80's and wooden floors needed to be refurbished. We were the only ones here. It made me wonder how this place stayed open, being so small and empty during breakfast rush. As soon as we walked in, an older plump lady came out of the kitchen, her brown eyes crinkling when she smiled at us.

"I was wondering when I'd see you boys again." She grabbed some menus and directed us to the table. "Best table in the house."

"Sorry Ms. Beth, school has kept us busy." Jacob answered, smiling at her. He pointed to me. "This is Bella. She's Charlie's daughter."

"Oh. So nice to meet you, Bella." Her smile was kind.

I smiled in return, taking the menu she offered. It was small. Basic breakfast items listed on the top. Dinner and lunch on the bottom. On the back though there was a large menu of desserts, cakes, pastries and chocolates. I looked around realizing there was a large glass display case in the back. On top there were a couple covered cakes, but in the case were chocolates. So many chocolates. I'm pretty sure I drooled.

"Handmade?" I asked, pointing toward the case.

"Yes, they are." She answered, smiling proudly. Some of those were definitely coming home with me. I went back to the breakfast menu, deciding to order pancakes. The guys ordered and she took our menu with another smile, saying she'd be out soon.

"Does she not have any help?" I asked, realizing she was the waiter and the cook.

Embry shook his head. "No, not any regular help. Not enough income to pay anyone, but a bunch of us help out with different things and small jobs to keep it running. The place has been in her family for years."

I felt a pang of sadness for her and wondered why she didn't have anyone that could help day to day, but I didn't push for more information. None of my business, I told myself.

The guys carried on conversation. Cars, school, something about going to Port Angeles tomorrow.

"You wanna go, Bella?" Embry asked.

I thought about it for a moment. It could be fun. Plus I was just thinking earlier about getting a cell phone. "Okay."

"Great," Quil chuckled. "That takes care of the ride."

I laughed, realizing they didn't have cars or have a license to drive. "Is that the only reason I'm invited? You do realize I have a truck, no back seat."

"No not the only reason, just a bonus." Quil smiled. "We can take my moms car. She won't mind."

"I'll call you tonight." Jacob said, a slight blush on his dark cheeks. "To let you know what time to come I mean."

I nodded, smiling at him. Embry and Quil chuckled. I felt like I was missing out on a joke. I shook my head. Boys. Ms. Beth came out with our food pretty quickly, carrying it all on a large tray. Just as she sat our plates in front of us, the bell above the door rang. I looked up seeing two large guys walk in and stand at the bar.

"Be right with you guys." Ms. Beth called. I noticed the guys at my table tense and raised my eyebrows at them as Ms. Beth went to talk to the two guys.

"What's wrong?" I asked. All three of them were tense, shoulders hunched over their food.

Jacob shook his head. "Nothing, those guys…." He trailed off, shaking his head. I looked over at them. Ms. Beth was smiling at them and they were chatting with her.

"Later." Jacob smiled at me, but it was forced. "I'll tell you later."

I nodded, cutting into my pancakes and glancing at the guys at the counter. They seemed harmless enough. The conversation the rest of the meal was tense. The two guys were here to help it seemed, they went to the kitchen for a bit. I could hear the banging of them working on something. Not long after they went back to the counter, Ms. Beth telling them to sit while she made some food as repayment.

They ate quickly and stood. They talked for a moment and one left. The other was heading our way.

Jacob nodded when he stood by our table. "Can we help you,

Sam?"

Sam looked at Embry. "Just wanted to see how you guys were doing."

"We're perfect." Embry was tense, so tense in fact it almost looked like he was shaking.

"Let me know if I can help you with anything." Sam sighed, shaking his head. He looked at me for a moment, a small smile on his lips. "How are you doing, Bella?"

I looked at the guys in confusion. Did I know him? "I'm fine, thanks."

"Anything else?"Jacob glared.

Sam shook his head. Outside someone called his name. Another guy had joined them. Sam nodded at us and left. It was obvious they all worked out. Their shirts tight against their chest and arms. Just barely peeking out under their shirts they all had a tattoo, their hair cut short. If I didn't know better I'd say there was a gang running around La Push.

"Are they some type of gang?" I asked, voicing my thoughts while staring at one guy in particular. He kept glancing in here, not exactly meeting my eyes but looking at me. I felt something tugging at me. Pulling me outside. Toward him? I rubbed my chest. So strange.

"Not exactly." Jacob answered me. The guys started walking away toward the woods, I assumed to walk the same trail we did. The tugging got more intense and the pain… I gasped, dropping my fork. I shook my head. What is happening?

"Are you okay?" Embry asked.

I nodded. "I'm fine, sorry."

They relaxed a bit, but stayed tense until we paid and left. I did buy a couple dozen chocolates. I offered some to the guys, but they all shook their heads. Once back on the trail Embry and Quil walked ahead of us again.

"So," I started, swinging my bag of goodies at my side. "What's up with Sam and those guys?"

Jacobs' shoulders slumped. "I don't know. They're just… they… you asked if they were a gang earlier. They kind of are. Not a beat people up, drug dealing gang but they all stick together and do work for the tribe."

I frowned. "That doesn't sound bad."

"A couple years ago Sam was supposed to go to college. All of a sudden he disappeared for a couple weeks. When he came back he was different and working with the counsel. He broke up with his girlfriend, Leah and started dating someone else. Then Jared, the guy that was with him, is missing from school. A week or so goes by and he comes back, working with Sam. Same thing happened with Paul. We used to hang out with him sometimes, and since he started hanging out with them he won't even talk to us. And I mean the guy always had a short fuse but now it's like everything sets him

off."

"I don't understand.

They work for the counsel. How bad could they be?"

"They aren't, I guess." Jacob shrugged. "It's just strange. There is something going on there and they keep bugging us. It's almost like they are waiting for us to join them."

"Would it be so bad to join them?" I asked, not understanding the problem.

"They are like some cult and Sam is their leader. I've seen Paul ready to rip someone's head off and Sam said stop and the dude just stopped. He went from so pissed he was shaking to just completely calm. It's weird. They are weird and I don't want any part of it."

I nodded. Still not understanding but not wanting to push. Jacob didn't say much the rest of the walk and I didn't know what to say. The silence was comfortable. The pain and tugging in my chest however was not..