Chapter 26

The moon lit blur stopped suddenly, taking the shape of Victoria once more. Bella stood frozen, staring into the sneering face of her would be killer, but she didn't seem to be her focus anymore. What stood behind Bella was.

Soft fur brushed against the bare skin of Bella's neck. A wolf's large body cradling her in his protective warmth. His muzzle hung low over her shoulder, bearing sharp teeth, a vicious growl tore from his throat. Bella reached up blindly, gripping a fistfull of thick fur.

There was fury burning in Victoria's red eyes. Time seemed to slow as Seth shot up off the ground, the vampire turned to flee but she was too late. He leaped forward, gripping her head in his jaw, a russet colored wolf charged from the right sinking his teeth into her torso, and Edward slid under them from the left, like he was sliding into base, grabbing her legs. As one, the group tore the redhead apart.

Bella turned her head to see the wolf she was grabbing on to. "Paul?" His dark brown eyes met hers in the dim light. Pushing his chin into her shoulder, he pressed her body more securely against him. Was he… hugging her?

"I don't understand." Bella said. "I thought…"

Paul's low growl interrupted her sentence. She followed his eyes to see Edward slowly approaching them. At least that's what she thought, but then he was gone in the blink of an eye. Did she hallucinate him? Just as she had the thought he was back again, handing Jacob a blanket.

Jake, already clothed, was wearing a pair of Charlie's sweatpants, the legs ending at his upper calf.

Paul growled again. Edward was standing just out of reach. "No," he said to the large wolf. "I will not f off."

Jake walked toward them with Leah cradled in his arms wrapped up in the blanket. "Let her go, Paul." he said walking past them and into the house.

Paul walked away from them grumbling loudly.

Cold arms wrapped around Bella causing goosebumps to form on her skin. "There are a few expletives I would like to call you too." Edward said in the wolf's direction.

"It's fine," Bella said. "He calls me those things all the time. I just ignore him."

Edward smiled down at her. "No, love, I'm sure he has never called you any of those names before."

"Oh," she asked, "What did he say?"

"I would rather not repeat it."

Bella frowned at him. "I don't understand. Why was he even over here? He told me he wouldn't protect me."

"Well, it seems your most volatile wolf has found a new respect for you." clenching his jaw he looked away from her. "I just wish it didn't take you risking your life for that respect."

"I didn't. I'm fine."

"Bella, if we were a moment later!" Letting go of her he stepped back and gripped the bridge of his nose. "What were you thinking!"

"I was thinking if I didn't do something Leah and Seth were going to die!"

"It is not your job to protect them!"

"Somebody had to. And where did Alice go?"

"She went after what was left of Rylie."

"What was left?"

A prideful smile graced Edward's lips. "Seth got a few chunks and an arm out of him before Alice came out and he tried to retreat."

"Go Seth! What happened after that?"

"Seth tried to help his sister. Victoria's gift of evasion gave her an advantage." Edward looked to the house. "I'll tell you more later. Right now we need to get inside."

He took her hand and together they headed in the back door.

Leah was laying on the kitchen table with Jake sitting behind her, her head resting on his shoulder and his arms wrapped around her. A led weight settled itself in Bella's stomach. It looked so much like a lover's embrace she had to wonder, was there more than friendship there? She wouldn't be surprised, even with Leah in pain they looked perfect together. She should be happy. She would be, they should be together. Bella was determined no matter how much it hurt she would be happy for them.

"The doc needs to check you first." Leah ground the words through her teeth determined to get her brother checked out. Seth sat in the chair to her left.

"I'm fine, he needs to fix your legs." the boy argued.

"You had a head injury!"

"My head is fine! You can't even walk!"

"I'm not going to die because of my legs. Head injuries kill people!"

"Maybe I wouldn't have a head injury if you weren't being so overprotective in the first place! It's not my fault you were so focused on me that that bitch got the drop on you." His words broke off in a cry.

"Seth," Leah reached out for her brother. "I don't blame you." She gripped his hand. "It's not your fault."

His only response was a small nod and a sniffle.

"Seth," Jake cupped his hand around the back of the boy's head. "You did nothing wrong. Although mistakes were made. You weren't at fault. If the two of you had a third from the start." Jake's body trembled violently. He took a few deep breaths to calm down. "The leaches would have been destroyed before we got here."

"He blames Alice?" Bella heard herself say.

"No," Edward whispered. "Not really. He blames the situation." he stiffened. "Speaking of, we are about to have another.

Jake looked up at them. "Seth, come over here and support your sister." Seth taking his place freed Jake to join them.

Edward led them to the living room.

Charlie was sitting on the couch, Carlisle kneeling in front of him. Hearing them enter, he turned toward the noise revealing the breathing apparatus he held to his face. His complexion was so pale he rivaled the Cullen's. He pulled the mask off when he saw his daughter.

"Charlie," Carlisle chastised. "Put the mask on or I will be bringing you to the hospital."

"Dad!" Bella cried. "What happened?"

"Nothing." Charlie grumbled, "I'm fine."

"Dad."

"Fine! You want to know what happened. I just almost saw my daughter get herself killed! Again! Along with two kids I happen to care about! Somehow all three of you survived, and now I will too. I'm okay, so get that worried look off your face."

"You don't look okay." She pointed out.

"He will be," Carlisle assured. "It's just all that has been revealed and then the attack tonight has put a little too much strain on his heart. The medication he is breathing will help him relax."

Edward cleared his throat. "We have a small complication." A car's headlights shone through the window. "That would be deputy Mark."

"Why is he here?" Charlie asked. "I told him I had it handled!"

"There have been more calls." Edward told them. "No one could see anything but the noise had their attention and fear on high alert. Then the smoke from the fire became visible. Even the dim moonlight showed enough smoke that people were worried. He figured he would stop here before investigating further."

"The fire!" Bella panicked.

Jake touched her shoulder. "Don't worry honey. The remains were brought back to the rez."

She blinked up at her best friend. He had been so quiet she forgot he was there. "The rest of the guys are bringing the" Bella stopped not sure how to phrase her thoughts. "them all the way back to the rez?"

"No. Sam was on his way here when he ran into the other vamp. Alice was hot on his trail but didn't catch him yet. He stopped to help her and by the time they were done we were here." the corner of Jake's lip jumped up. "He suggested we bring both the vamps on to the rez to dispose of them. Gave the Cullen's a pass so they could help with cleaning up. He's a stubborn ass but he does care about us."

"Your deputy is considering coming to the door or going around back." Edward announced.

"I have to deal with him. He won't just leave" Charlie tried to stand up but fell back onto the seat before he could.

"I got this." Bella told him. She turned and ran to the door only to see Jake already outside.

Deputy Mark was pointing a flashlight at him. "Who are you?"

"Mark, It's me." When the deputy still didn't seem to recognize him he clarified "Jacob Black."

"Billy's son?" his eyes grew wide.

"Yep." He popped the p.

"You're huge! What the hell happened."

"I grew. Kids and teens do that."

"I know it's been a while, but… that's still one hell of a growth spurt." the deputy shook his head. "What are you doing here?" looking over the boy again he added. "Barely dressed."

"Sleeping over."

"The chief lets you sleep here… like that? With his daughter home?"

"Deputy Mark." Bella ran out to stand by Jake. "What are you doing here?"

"I was just stopping by on my way to investigate a fire. We've had a few complaints about smoke being spotted. Thought I would check in, make sure everything is ok here."

"Yeah, I was in the kitchen when you called. My dad told you he had things handled. You don't want him to think, you're questioning his ability to do his job, do you?"

"Of course not. I was just… You know what? I'm going to go. I need to find that fire."

"No!" Bella opened and closed her mouth like a fish but no more words would come out.

Placing his arm around her shoulders Jake lied for her. "That fire is nothing to worry about. Just a celebration on the rez."

"Now? At two a.m.? During winter?" Mark asked skeptically.

"Technically, it's officially spring. As of two hours ago."

"Right… Okay then. Just have your father make sure the fires are put out… Properly."

"Sure, sure." Jake said, throwing his arm around Bella's shoulder and heading back into the house.

"Quick thinking, with that lie about the fire."

"What lie? We are celebrating. We finally got that bitch, and it is spring. I never said one thing had anything to do with the other." He smirked down at her.

"You tricky little…" She pressed her lips together.

"Who are you calling little?" They laughed.

Charlie was standing against the wall, watching them come through the door. He no longer had the mask, but Bella had to wonder if he got there on his own or someone had to help him. A feeling of guilt darkened her Jacob induced light heart. If it weren't for her, Charlie's heart wouldn't be stressed.

"It worked." Edward told them. "He's going back to the office."

Someone had put Leah on the couch. She laid there limply, her legs sticking out of the blanket were twisted like a gnarled tree branch. When she noticed Bella staring She attempted to pull the Blanket over them but failed. Bella looked away embarrassed.

Carlisle was waving a flashlight in Seths eyes. "It looks like you do have a concussion."

"I told you." Leah couldn't seem to hold her tongue.

"But I'll be fine in no time." Seth shot back.

"If you were a normal human this injury could have killed you, but you're right, with your wolf healing you will be better soon." switching his focus from brother to sister he said, "Now, lets see what we can do about these legs."

Bella swore she saw Edwards lips move but she didn't hear anything.

Leah's voice confirmed her suspicions. "She's not a child you fucking asshole."

"What did you say?" Bella asked.

"I just thought it would be better if you didn't have to witness what has to happen."

"Why, what has to happen?"

Edward looked away from her. "She asked you a question." Charlie said from behind her.

"Her bones healed wrong. We have to rebreak them. We have morphine but with her metabolism and high temperature, it won't make much of a difference." Again, Edwards mouth moved without sound.

"Oh, for fucks sake!" Leah yelled.

Bella narrowed her eyes on her boyfriend. "That's not about him." Jake assured her. He then went to open the front door.

Sam walked in with a bag in his hand. "How is she?" he whispered to Jake.

"She is skilled at communication and can speak for herself!" Leah answered.

Stepping forward Sam held up the bag. "I thought you might like some comfortable clothes." He reached in and pulled out a large cloth. "I can help you put them on."

"I could put my own clothes on." She reached a hand up for the items.

The cloth in his hand was a t-shirt. He handed it to her with a somber look on his face. Leah held it in front of her. With tears welling in her eyes, she hugged the shirt and buried her nose in it.

"It was Harry's," Edward whispered to Bella.

"There are more clothes in here." Sam said, blushing a bit. "Your mom's on her way here."

Leah snatched the bag out of his hand. "Get out. Everyone. Bella, Get your ass over here and help me."

Everyone except Edward left the room. He stood hesitating by Bella. "Go," she told him. "She deserves privacy." He stood a moment longer before nodding and walking away.

Bella took the shirt and pulled it over Leah's head pushing the blanket down with it. Leah tried to push herself up but couldn't move anything below her ribs. Bella tried but didn't have the strength to lift her. "Okay, it's fine." Fishing in the bag, Leah pulled a pair of cotton panties out. "Just get these on me."

"Okay," Bella started carefully pulling the garment up the other girl's legs. She winced thinking they must hurt, but Leah didn't make a sound. Once the underwear were right above her knees Bella couldn't pull them up any further.

Leah looked down at her legs as if they betrayed her. "I think my back is broken." She sobbed.

"You're going to be okay. You're strong and we have Carlisle. He will fix you up and you'll be as good as new."

"Is that faith in him or in me?" Leah laughed through her tears.

"Both of you. But for now, what do we do?"

"Ugg, Jake!" Leah called. Jake came in with Sam trailing behind him.

"I'll do it," Sam announced.

"No, I called Jake."

"Leah, what's the big deal? Let me help. It's not like I haven't seen you naked."

"You think you're so special? Jake has seen me too. It's nothing new to him, and if one of you has to touch me in this state, I would rather it be him." Leah spat.

Jake pulled his lips into his mouth, and looked away from them, his ears turning pink.

Bella swallowed thickly looking down. She was right about her earlier thoughts. More than friendship. She blinked her stinging eyes, willing them not to tear.

Clearing his throat Jake said, "Sam, why don't you go back in the kitchen. I'll take care of Leah."

"If you had taken care of her properly in the first place this would have never happened!"

"Don't put your inadequacies on him," Leah snapped. "He's not the one who abandoned me." Silence..

"Leelee."

"Us, I meant us." Wrapping her arms around herself she stared down at her twisted legs.

"Leelee. I…"

Jake put his hand on Sam's shoulder. "Now is not the time." Nodding Sam left the room.

Leah unwrapped herself letting the blanket fall, keeping his eyes averted Jake lifted her from the couch while Bella finished pulling her panties up. With Jake's help the shorts were much easier to put on.

When everyone was back in the living room Charlie's cell rang. "Hello?"

Edward smirked. "It's Deputy Mark." Bella frowned at him.

"Yes Mark. I do know about the barely dressed teenage boy sleeping in my house." Bella looked up at her father wide eyed, but he was looking at an amused Jacob. "Yes Mark, I understand. Thank you for telling me. Have a good night."

Leah scoffed. "Can you imagine what he would have said if he showed up when we were in the yard, butt ass naked?"