Impasse

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to SM.

A Visit to the ER

Jacob's expression was dark and forbidding as he glared down at Paul.

"Hey now!" Charlie cautioned Jacob. "Ease up now, kid. You've made your point."

Paul was already climbing to his feet, nursing his swollen jaw. Bella looked at him with little sympathy. She was familiar with the wolves quick healing ability and knew he would be fine within a few minutes.

"Don't worry yourself, Charlie." Jacob said sourly, keeping his eyes trained on Paul. Paul gazed back at him, looking very uneasy.

"I will always worry. You're a part of this family, Jake."

A resentful look crossed Paul's face when Charlie said this. Charlie caught the change in his expression and his own hardened again.

"I can go put my badge on if that makes things more official." He declared, looking directly at Paul as he spoke.

"No need." Paul muttered.

"Why don't you arrest me, Dad?" Bella piped up. "I'm the one throwing punches." She was trying to lighten the atmosphere but her attempt fell flat.

Charlie raised his eyebrows at her, shaking his head.

Jacob glanced her way, fighting a small smile. "No, don't do that."

Paul grimaced, his eyes darting to Bella.

"Dad, do you have a baseball bat somewhere in your room?"

"Why?"

"I want to borrow it for a minute."

Charlie looked at her evenly. "Enough, Bella."

"Let me take you to the hospital so they can look at your hand." Jacob said, moving closer to Bella and putting his arm around her.

"Fine." Bella agreed grudgingly. She leaned against him. She wasn't so angry anymore, now that Jacob was with her. She felt comforted by his defense of her, and her hand didn't bother her as much.

"I suggest you get out of here." Charlie snapped at Paul, poking him one last time in the chest.

Paul scooted backwards. He truly seemed a little intimidated by Charlie in a way he wasn't by others in authority. Bella found this quite laughable. She allowed Jacob to lead her out of the house toward the sidewalk. One glance over her shoulder showed that Paul was following close behind them.

"Can't you get rid of him?" Bella whispered to Jacob irritably. She had forgotten all about Jacob's Alpha order, which meant that Paul was still bidden to keep close and protect her.

"With pleasure." Jacob promised as he stopped in his tracks, slowly turning to face Paul directly. The timbre of his voice changed suddenly, becoming much deeper, more authoritative. "Get the fuck out of here and go home and stay there, Lahote. I don't want to see your face again until I say so."

Paul opened his mouth to protest but nothing came out. He had no choice but to comply with Jacob's new command. All he could was throw his Alpha an acrimonious glance before heading off toward the trees.

"Thanks, Jake, he was beginning to get on my last nerve." Bella admitted.

They had reached the truck. Jacob helped her in the passenger side. Bella glanced toward the house. Charlie was visible through the drapes in the front room. He gave her a thumbs up when he caught her looking, causing her to burst out into laughter.

"What's so funny?" Jacob asked as he climbed into the driver's side and slammed the door shut.

"Dad being an idiot." Bella answered, making a quick gesture toward the house with her good hand.

Jacob gave her a half smile as he switched on the truck's engine. It rumbled to life, the cab juddering slightly with the engine revs.

"How do you feel?" He asked as they drove away.

"Better now that Paul is out of my hair."

Jacob chuckled. "I meant your hand."

Bella shrugged. "I've had worse."

"Yeah." Jacob murmured, frowning. The thought of Bella being hurt in any way just about killed him. When he had learned what Paul had done, he had major difficulty stopping himself from tearing the guy apart. He had shown remarkable restraint in the circumstances. Even though she had gotten injured, he was also proud of Bella for standing up for herself. Her confidence was increasing more with every passing day.

"Perhaps we should stop off in La Push first and grab you a jacket." Bella mused aloud as she snuck a covert glance at his naked torso.

Jacob chuckled again. "Why? Does my being half naked bother you?" He teased.

Bella rolled her eyes at this comment. "Actually, I'm surprised Charlie didn't tell you to cover up."

Jacob had one arm over the back of Bella's seat. He played idly with the ends of her long hair with his fingers. "Charlie has gotten used to seeing me like this now." He surmised.

"I suppose." Bella kept her eyes trained on Jacob's face. He really did look older than his age – he could be mistaken for a man in his mid-twenties. He was so tall now, well over six and a half feet. She felt miniscule beside him when they were both standing. He had the muscular build of a pro-athlete; his muscles were the long wiry kind. They rippled invitingly under his smooth skin. His skin was such a pretty color it made Bella jealous.

Jacob noticed her scrutiny.

"What?" He asked, suddenly self-conscious.

"Nothing." Bella mumbled, her cheeks burning with embarrassment at being caught ogling.

Jacob didn't call her out on it, his smug grin saying it all instead.

It seemed like they were at the hospital forever waiting to be seen. As the hours slid slowly by Jacob filled Bella in about the fight with the dreadlocked vampire.

"I sent Paul back to guard you because I thought he would be better protection for you than Quil right now. I was worried that Quil would freeze if he had to fight, considering what he's been through recently. To me Paul was the best option. I know he's an idiot but he's confident. Of course, I regret that now."

"Hey, Jake, you weren't to know." Bella comforted him. She rested her head on his broad shoulder and squeezed his arm with her good hand. "You had to make a spur of the moment decision. Anyway, this is really my own fault." She held up her injured hand, a chagrined expression taking over her face. "I shouldn't have let him get under my skin like that. I lost my cool."

Jacob's eyes darkened. "No, Bells, you did the right thing. Paul should have behaved himself. I should have made sure of it before I sent him to you. I just didn't think I would need to issue an Alpha command to control his mouth as well as his actions. I'll know better next time."

Bella rubbed his arm soothingly, and he leaned down to kiss the top of her head.

"Killing the bloodsucker with the dreads proved easier than I thought. With Sam's help it didn't take long to take him down. He didn't seem much of a fighter."

He grinned a tight, fierce grin at the memory of the quick takedown.

"Laurent- his name was Laurent." Bella whispered as the blood drained from her face.

Jacob blinked twice, and cocked his head to the side. He always found it astounding that these bloodsuckers had names.

"How do you know his name?"

Bella tried to sort out the chaos inside her head so that she could answer. She gulped a few times, nausea making her stomach churn.

Jacob took in her panicked reaction and he put one big arm around her, drawing her close. "What is it, Bells? Talk to me, honey." He pulled her face toward him, holding it steady in his hand. He stared intently into her eyes.

"While I was with Paul – when he spoke about the dreadlocked vampire you were chasing- it unlocked a memory."

Jacob's eyes flipped wide in surprise, then narrowed into slits. "What did you remember?"

"Laurent was a part of James' coven."

"The one who attacked you?"

"Yes." Bella whispered. Jacob was now holding her so tightly that Bella could scarcely breathe, but she was glad of it. He kept her in one piece. "I don't understand why he was here…unless…. unless he was helping her."

"Her?"

"The redhead – Victoria – James' mate. I have a feeling she's here for some kind of vengeance. Against me. Against the Cullens. I don't know." Bella swallowed hard.

Something like a growl – not a real one, just a human approximation- rumbled in Jacob's chest under her ear. "She will not get close to you, Bella. I will protect you."

"I know you will." Bella buried her head in his chest, closing her eyes and breathing in his musky scent.

They were interrupted then as her name was called by a nurse. Jacob cussed quietly under his breath at the awful timing. He stood up, pulling Bella along with him. He kept his arm tight around her waist as they followed the oblivious nurse to one of the cubicles.

Bella had just gotten settled on the bed when the doctor walked around the corner, and she groaned in despair. It was none other than Carlisle Cullen. She noticed the nurse's face light up in admiration as she stared at Carlisle's handsome face. He looked like an old-fashioned movie star with his shining blonde hair and good looks. He was pale, though, and tired looking, there were circles under his eyes.

"Hello, Bella." Carlisle greeted her with a small nod. His eyes then drifted to Jacob. "Hello, again, Jacob. Its good to see you. How's Quil?"

Jacob had stiffened, his eyes dark and wary looking. "Doing better." He responded curtly.

"Good, good." Carlisle murmured as he lifted Bella's injured hand and gently probed along it with his fingers.

"Tender?" He asked.

"A little." Bella admitted. She was feeling very uncomfortable. Of all the bad luck, Carlisle had to be the one on duty in the ER.

"We'll take an X-ray." Carlisle continued, his brow furrowing.

Jacob suddenly let out a low growl as the curtain surrounding the cubicle was jerked back and Edward appeared, his face frantic with worry. "Bella, are you alright?" He demanded, pushing past Jacob, and rushing to Bella's side.

Jacob shoved him backwards, stepping in front of Bella and taking a protective stance. "Stay away from her." He warned.

"Or what?" Edward retorted.

"Edward!" Carlisle admonished him with a weary sigh. "You shouldn't be here."

"How could I possibly stay away?" Edward said indignantly. "I warned you this would happen, that she would be hurt under his watch."

Carlisle raised his eyebrows in disbelief, looking more exhausted than ever. He placed himself discreetly between Jacob and Edward, forcing them to step further apart.

"Your posturing is not helping the situation. I would prefer it if you both left me to treat Bella in peace. You don't want to cause a scene."

"I'm not leaving." Jacob immediately refused, his arms crossing over his chest.

"Neither am I." Edward said, matching Jacob's physical stance.

Bella noted the frustration in Carlisle's eyes and felt a smidgeon of sympathy for him. It must be hard dealing with a drama queen like Edward day in and day out.

"I would like Edward to leave." She said aloud.

"Bella?" Edward's amber gaze turned pleading as he swung around to face her.

Bella just stared back at him stonily. "And Jacob stays." She added, her sharp tone brooking no argument.

Jacob visibly relaxed in front of her as he turned and reached for her good hand. "You heard her." He said dismissively to Edward.

"Edward, Bella is the patient, which makes it her choice." Carlisle pointed out gently.

Edward glared at Carlisle for a moment, and then turned his back and strode away without another word.

A/N-thanks for reading!