Back to the Start
Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to SM.
Meeting of Opposites
The deep black of the night was just beginning to fade – the sun brightening the clouds, though it hadn't cleared the horizon yet, far away on the other side of the large, graceful house that the Cullens called home.
Billy didn't know what he expected, but it wasn't this. The building was large and well proportioned, painted a faded white. The southern wall was almost made entirely of glass, with a view of the Calawah river.
"Wow." Harry said from beside him, staring up at the house. "This is as far removed from a being a vampire's crypt as one would expect."
Old Quil tutted irritably. "What did you expect, Harry? Some old gothic castle, complete with a moat, dungeons, and coffins?"
Harry's lips twitched in amusement as he glanced across at the disgruntled elder. "Maybe some bats." He quipped.
"This is no time for jokes, Harry Clearwater. This is serious business." Old Quil scolded him.
"Sorry." Harry quickly apologized, schooling his features into a stern expression.
"Now you look like you're sucking on an egg." Old Quil complained.
"Will you two knock it off!" Billy snapped irritably.
The tension had been building inside him for days on the lead up to this crucial meeting with the Cullens. Harry and Old Quil's petty arguments weren't helping his ability to stay calm and focused. Billy took a slow, controlled breath. He could feel the fear in his chest waiting to take over. Perhaps it only wanted to protect him, there really was no danger, but it still sat there, like an angry ball, propelling him toward an anxiety he didn't need.
"Why did they want it so early in the day?" Harry whispered as he took the handles of Billy's wheelchair and slowly pushed him forward.
"I don't know, Harry." Billy answered testily. His friend had been bombarding him with questions throughout the drive to the house, a sure sign that Harry was feeling nervous, though he was trying to cover it up with his usual lame jokes.
"We need to stay firm." Old Quil's thin tenor voice sounded strained. He shuffled along on Harry's other side, leaning heavily on his walking stick as he moved along at a snail's pace.
"We are merely going to say what we came to say." Billy said grimly. He folded his hands on his lap to stop them trembling. "There is to be no negotiation."
"You think they're really going to take notice of a bunch of old men like us?" Harry said doubtfully.
Old Quil shot him a dark look. "You are a tribal elder, Harry Clearwater. With all the responsibilities that come with it. Act like it. We cannot afford to show weakness in front of these creatures."
Harry frowned indignantly, not being in the mood to be lectured by the ancient old man. "I didn't know there was rulebook for these things."
"Will you stop with the pointless bickering?" Billy said through clenched teeth. "We need to be united here."
Old Quil mumbled something under his breath, but he did quieten down after giving Harry one last ferocious glare from underneath his bushy brows.
They finally reached the deep porch that wrapped around the front of the house. As soon as they approached, the front door opened as if on command, letting out a pool of bright light which blinded them.
"Welcome, gentlemen." Carlisle's smooth voice greeted them coolly. "Do you need any assistance?"
"No." Old Quil declined sharply just as Harry was just about to open his mouth to say yes. He sighed heavily, puffing out his cheeks, feeling the strain as he pulled Billy's chair up the steps backwards. There was no ramp.
Billy felt every jolt, he gritted his teeth, enduring the pain that wracked his body in stoical silence. Old Quil followed behind, easing one foot up in front of him at a time, balancing on his walking stick. By the time he reached the top step, he was perspiring profusely.
Carlisle was suddenly standing in front of them. "I just want to say what a privilege this is – "
"You can stuff your pleasantries where the sun doesn't shine, Dr. Cullen." Old Quil cut in rudely. "We're not here on a social call, as you well know."
Carlisle's expression froze. He stepped aside, nodding curtly as he gestured for the men to come in. He then led them through the open front door, flipping on more lights as they passed. The inside of the house was open and bright, with few internal walls, with a wide central staircase to the left and a raised area with a grand piano in the center to the right, as well as a rarely used dining room and kitchen.
Billy took all of this in, his dark eyes lingering thoughtfully on the grand piano and the white couches, and the pale massive staircase. It was like a show home. There was no dust, no clutter. None of the general chaos you'd expect from a normal, human family.
But the Cullens weren't normal. Or human. Everything about them was fake.
"We'll talk in the other room?" Carlisle said, well aware of Billy's scrutiny.
He led the way through the bright living room, around the corner to the dining room, turning on even more lights as he went. The walls were white, the ceilings high, like the living room. In the center of the room, under the low-hanging chandelier, was a large, polished, oval table, surrounded by eight chairs.
Carlisle pulled out a chair at the head for Old Quil to use. The elder looked at him suspiciously, before carefully easing his aching joints into the offered chair as he sat down.
Meanwhile Harry moved another one of the chairs aside so there was space for Billy's wheelchair at the table, before lowering his bulk into the one beside Old Quil. He breathed a sigh of relief. His chest felt tight, he was badly out of breath, his heart palpitating wildly with all the unaccustomed exercise. He noticed Carlisle gazing at him curiously, as if he could hear his heart fluttering like a baby bird inside his chest. He cleared his throat and tried to look stern and authoritative.
Once the old men were settled the rest of the Cullens filed in. Esme was at the front. She sat down next to Carlisle on his right, while Edward took a seat on his left. Alice skipped over to the vacant chair next to Edward, a bright smile pinned on her exquisite face. Emmet and Jasper followed more soberly. Jasper didn't sit down, instead stood behind Alice, his body ramrod straight, his hands folded behind his back. Emmet pulled out a chair for the one who came last, Rosalie– the old men drew in a collective breath at her shimmering beauty, mesmerized by her blonde good looks and icy manner- she sat down gracefully, her expression indifferent.
Carlisle nodded toward the old men. "We are all here. The floor is yours now, gentlemen."
Billy swallowed thickly. The Cullens penetrating gazes made him feel nervous. His eyes travelled over each family member, lingering on Edward the longest, taking note of his fierce expression.
"We, as a group, have come representing our tribe." Billy motioned toward Harry and Old Quil. He paused to clear his throat, raising his voice a little to make what he had to say next sound more forceful. "We think – "
"Its time you all left." Old Quil cut in impatiently, annoyed at Billy's vacillating. A fierce light lit up his dark eyes as his keen gaze landed on Edward Cullen. He scrutinized the boy carefully, taking in his designer clothes, the perfectly tousled hair, a grimace on his sickly white face. He had a feeling that the boy knew everything he was thinking- he must be the mind reader.
"The original agreement was ten years." Carlisle interjected calmly. "Isn't that so, Billy Black?"
"What?" Billy blinked in confusion, startled by the sudden turn around in the conversation. He hastily tried to collect himself. "I have no knowledge of such an agreement."
Carlisle placed his hands on the table, smiling tolerantly. "I would remind you that I made our intentions perfectly clear in the original phone call I made to you, advising you of our plans to relocate to the area, and for how long. You did not dispute any of this at the time, so assumed you were in complete agreement with those terms. And, as only a fraction of that time has passed, I really don't believe you have any grounds to request that we leave ahead of schedule."
"That's not how it was. Your phone call took me by surprise. I agreed to nothing." Billy blustered.
"I assume you discussed the phone call with the others at the time?" Carlisle questioned innocently as he widened his gaze to include Old Quil and Harry. "No one voiced any objections when we arrived."
Billy thought back to the phone call. He knew the Cullens were vampires, but had no history with them, only the tales of his grandfather, as passed to him by his father. He had never believed that the Cullens were as harmless as they presented themselves to be. He feared that without a strong pack to enforce the treaty, the Cullens would take advantage. Despite Billy's anguish of their return, he nevertheless reluctantly granted them permission as long as they abided by the treaty. No other terms had been negotiated during that call, especially not the duration of their stay.
When the Cullens did return to Forks, it was a dark time for the tribe. Billy knew exactly what this would mean for his son, and he mourned for the safe and commonplace life Jacob would lose. The elders had taught the histories to their sons, but the entire tribe had begun to believe that the stories were only legend. All his fears were now coming true.
He worried for his tribe, and for his friends in Forks. He tried to warn Charlie to stay away from the Cullens, but his warning backfired. Charlie had already taken a liking to Carlisle, and he was upset about Billy's prejudice against the newcomers. When Charlie learned that members of the Quileute tribe were boycotting the hospital, it caused a rift between Billy and Charlie for a few years. Although, that had now changed due to Edward Cullen's obsessive stalking of his daughter. Charlie wanted them gone as much as he did.
Billy put a warning hand over Quil's when the old man opened his mouth to argue. Old Quil snapped his mouth shut, glaring furiously in Carlisle's direction.
A sudden change came over Billy as he regarded Carlisle Cullen coolly. Fear left him, to be replaced with sudden determination. He may be an old man in a wheelchair, but he was also the direct descendent of a long line of powerful, magical chieftains. He shouldn't be leaving it to an ancient elder like Old Quil to take the lead and assume authority. He was the chief; it should be coming from him. He was no longer willing to let Carlisle walk all over him.
Meanwhile the Cullens were all waiting patiently for Billy to order his thoughts. Only Edward Cullen showed signs of impatience. The stunning blonde looked preoccupied and thoughtful, though the little pixie like one (the psychic as Bella had told him) was still smiling, as if she found the whole thing amusing. As for the burly one and the other male, they kept exchanging significant looks, Billy would love to know what they were thinking. As for the 'wife,' she appeared nervous and ill at ease, often glancing at Carlisle, waiting for him to take the lead.
"The only thing we agreed on during that phone call was that you promised to abide by the terms of the treaty once you returned." Billy said shortly. "Nothing about the length or duration of your stay was ever discussed. You threw out a number and hoped I would not protest."
"That's not how I recall the conversation." Carlisle clarified. "I clearly stated that we were intending to stay for at least ten years or so – "
"All of which is irrelevant now." Billy interjected abruptly. "Your continued presence here has already caused a considerable amount of harm."
Carlisle's brow furrowed. "How so?"
"You know very well." Billy continued forcefully. "My son, and those close to him, have lost any chance at a normal life because of your selfish desire to return to this place. You knew what would happen if you stayed for a significant length of time. We have had no real vampire activity in the area for decades, but as soon as you relocate here, it has become vamp central. I don't call that a coincidence, do you?"
"You have no proof!" Edward began to argue, until Carlisle hushed him.
"Like attracts like." Billy snapped as he glared in Edward's direction. "And you?" His dark eyes narrowed in intense dislike. "You have the temerity to come here and dare to harass the daughter of one of my best friends." He saw Edward scowl, making his anger rise. "I'm telling you I won't stand for it. You can try as much as you like to twist the terms of the original treaty to wriggle out of what you've been doing, but that was then, this is now."
"I am the one keeping her safe!" Edward retorted. "I have done nothing wrong!"
"Edward!" Carlisle scolded him. "Be quiet!"
"Why should I?" Edward argued petulantly. "He comes in here, making demands, twisting things to suit himself. You know what Alice saw- "
"Enough, son." Carlisle silenced him.
Billy exchanged a long look with Old Quil and Harry. "What do you mean by that?" He asked.
Carlisle smoothed his expression, smiling blandly. "Nothing."
"Which one is the seer?" Billy demanded.
Alice held up her hand as if she was answering a question in class. "That would be me."
Billy watched as the blonde male put a comforting hand on her shoulder. Instantly a wave of calmness took over the room, dispelling the rising tension.
"Can you explain your gift?" Billy asked cordially, now feeling completely relaxed.
"Of course." Alice chattered eagerly. "I see things-things that might happen, things that are coming. But it's very subjective. The future isn't set in stone. Things change."
"And you've seen visions of Bella? Is that correct?" Billy questioned. He smiled kindly to ease the tension when he noticed Alice's gaze flicker to Carlisle, then Edward. "Bella told me that you saw something regarding her future."
"Yes, I did." Alice admitted.
"But you said yourself those visions change, they are not set in stone."
"No." Alice frowned, glancing uneasily toward Carlisle and Edward again.
"I don't feel that what Alice sees or doesn't see is relevant to this conversation." Carlisle said smoothly. "That's not what you came here to discuss."
"Oh, it is very relevant." Billy glared at the slick coven leader. "Especially when it involves the daughter of one of my best friends. Bella is like a daughter to me and she is attached to my son in a way you could never understand – "
"Imprinting!" Edward scoffed, reading Billy's mind. "He's going to try and convince us that Alice's vision isn't true, that his son has some sort of soul bond with Bella that can't be broken. That's the excuse he's going to run with to get us to leave, Carlisle. Its all nonsense."
"Soul bond?" Rosalie spoke up for the first time. "What do you mean?"
Billy's eyes turned bleak. "Imprinting is the involuntary mechanism by which Quileute shape-shifters find their soulmates. It is a profound, intimate phenomenon that exists among the Quileute shape-shifters. Its described not so much as like love at first sight, really. It's more like… gravity moves… suddenly. It's not the earth holding you there anymore, she does… You become whatever she needs you to be, whether that's a protector, or a lover, or a friend."
"And this is what your son feels about Bella?" Rosalie asked curiously.
"Yes, I believe so."
"And Bella?"
"Feels the same." Billy confirmed. "Though in retrospect I feel their bond goes much deeper than a standard imprint-the feelings have been there on both sides since childhood, only to be renewed when Bella came back to live in Forks with Charlie."
"And if they're separated for any reason? Or someone else puts themselves in the way of this bond? What happens then?" Rosalie glanced meaningfully in Edward's direction, a touch of anger rising in her tone.
It was Old Quil who answered. "What would happen if a wolf is rejected by his imprintee is unknown, though this is assumed to be virtually impossible. The imprinter is deemed to be the "perfect match" to the imprintee—he will be anything she may want or need, making rejection unlikely. Should it happen, however, the imprinter may feel unspeakable pain, and may even want to commit suicide."
"My god!" Rosalie rose from her seat, her eyes narrowing dangerously as she glared at Edward. "You would have known this. You've been around them both long enough to have read their thoughts, yet you still – "
"I can't read Bella's." Edward revealed angrily, his revelation silencing everyone in the room.
A/N-thanks for reading!