Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Blood And Steel

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 14:

Winter and Leah walked along First Beach while Jason and Bella visited with Charlie, Sam and Emily.

Winter had been nervous and excited when she woke this morning. However, after the initial smile and good morning she received from Leah, nothing had been said. Winter waited her out. Leah had asked her here. She obviously had something to say.

After five more minutes of walking and trying to ignore the awkward lack of conversation, Winter decided to break the silence.

“I don’t think I have ever seen a more beautiful beach. You must really love it here.”

Leah stopped walking and sat on the sand, crossing her legs under her, staring out at the waves.

“Leah? Are you okay? If you want I can go. You just look really uncomfortable and honestly I’m not sure what is going on. You asked me here and now you won’t talk. I haven’t tried to do anything to you but you are kind of making me feel awkward right now.”

“Sit? Please?” Leah asked, looking up at Winter.

Winter took a deep breath and sat on the ground next to Leah, curling her knees to her chin.

“What do you know about… did Bella ever mention imprinting?”

“Yeah… she told me what happened between you, Sam and Emily. I was sorry to hear that.”

“Figures she couldn’t keep her mouth shut.”

“We have no secrets from each other.” Winter told Leah quickly and became defensive instantly.

“Yeah? You two are sword buddies or something so she is attached to your hip or what? I mean are you her bodyguard? You will have to stand in line. She attracts people who want to protect her like a moth to a flame.”

“I’m her friend. I was her… you know growing up in Phoenix was a bitch. My sister and I lived with some pretty shitty families. The one we stuck with? They were big on getting checks for us from the government but they weren’t big on spending the money on either of us. They were more interested in drugs and alcohol. We were skinny, poor orphans in a school of two thousand kids, 99% of whom had a much better life than we did. They let us know about it too. Only one person was brave enough to be our friend. Bella. The first time I met her was after a guy knocked my tray down at lunch and she helped me clean it up. Then she shared her lunch with me. She hung out with us even though we were targeted all the time by evil fucking bitches who felt better about themselves by tearing us down. She stood up for us. You don’t know her.”

“Maybe you don’t know her anymore.” Leah told her.

“Why? Because she got caught up in a vampire’s shit? That’s her fault? She broke away. She did that. You should have seen the shithole I found her in. Outside of my sister she is the only person I trust completely in this world. You don’t know who she was in Phoenix and you don’t know who she was after she left here. You only saw the girl who was a victim. I got news for you, she isn’t a victim any longer. If you brought me out here to talk shit about her you can go to hell.”

Winter stood up until Leah grabbed her arm.

“I’m sorry. I’m nervous. I shouldn’t have said that. I guess when I get nervous I kind of act like a bitch and she has always been an easy target.”

“She isn’t an easy target anymore.” Winter told her.

“Please stay?”

Winter took a deep breath and sat back down.

“So what are you so fucking nervous about? I’m getting very tired of your games Leah.”

“I’m not playing games.”

“Really? You call to tell me you aren’t gay even though I never asked, and then end the call by telling me I’m beautiful? That’s not a fucking game?”

“Look would you please just shut up and listen?”

“You know I carry a big fucking sword right?” Winter asked.

Leah ignored the comment and looked back at the ocean.

“I imprinted on you. The first time I met your eyes I knew. It took me by surprise but I knew what it was. I had seen it in the minds of the other imprinted wolves. It’s why I was going crazy not being near you. Have you had any problems in the past week?”

Winter sat in shocked silence. After a minute she admitted she had.

“I felt more restless than normal if that is what you mean.”

“Felt like you were having trouble breathing even though you weren’t?” Leah asked.

“Yeah…”

“Yeah.”

“But… you and Sam… you aren’t gay. You said so.”

“Yes. I’m confused. Imprinting is supposed to be a gift from the spirits to show the wolf their perfect match. It has for the other imprinted couples. I even can admit now that all my jealousy over Sam is gone, that he and Emily are a great fit. Emily is everything I wasn’t. Perfect home maker, supportive. I… could never have been that. It isn’t in my nature.”

“But you aren’t gay.”

“I’ve never been attracted to a woman before I saw you.”

“Holy shit.” Winter whispered.

“Yeah.”

Then it hit her.

“Bella said a wolf is whatever an imprint needs. That’s why Quil is like an uncle to that little girl right?”

“Yeah. What’s your point?”

Winter felt a dread come over her. She wanted to ignore it but couldn’t.

“I needed a lover. I need a lover. I’ve wanted someone for so long to be… and then my sister died and I have felt so lonely. Even with Bella here we have been so busy training and fighting vampires and drug cartels and… this is my fault.”

“What is your fault?”

“If I didn’t need a lover you wouldn’t be attracted to me. That’s why you are having these feelings now. You want to be whatever I need. If I didn’t need a lover, you wouldn’t want me.”

“That’s not true. I do want you! Do you… do you want me?”

“I did. But now… I don’t know if I want this for you. I want you but not like this. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I had in my mind that maybe when you met me you discovered something in yourself. We could maybe hang out, be friends, get to know each other naturally after all this vampire bullshit is done. Maybe fall in love at some point. But don’t you get it Leah? How can you be happy with this? This imprinting thing decided you had to be what I wanted so you had to be attracted to me because that was what I wanted! How can you be okay with this?”

“That is not what this is about! You don’t understand… I thought you wanted this?”

“Not like this. I have to go. I’m sorry this happened to you Leah.”

“Please don’t leave.” Leah begged.

“Don’t you get it? When I was younger I was convinced I was in love with Bella. I was only 14 but I knew… she knew everything about me. I knew everything about her. We had been friends for years. She was my best friend. I had her and my sister. Bella was the first person I ever told I was gay and then I tried to kiss her! I thought I could convince her she loved me. She did, but not like that. But if she was a wolf and imprinted on me, she would have been whatever I wanted.”

“That’s not true.”

“Yes Leah, it is. You don’t deserve that. I have a friend, mentor… I told you about Chris. If anyone can break this he can. If not he can find out who can. He can probably talk to this Taha guy Bella told me about in person. I will get you out of this Leah.”

“I don’t want out!”

“You don’t know what you want! You think Quil wanted to be an uncle to a toddler he didn’t know? You think Sam really wanted to leave you? He and Emily fought over it and her face was ripped off! It’s fucking brainwashing and I won’t let it happen to you, because I would care about you with or without this damn imprint. I will talk to Chris. I’m sorry this happened to you.”

Winter turned and ran before Leah could say another word.

Neither girl saw the tears in each other’s eyes.

Bella sat with Charlie and Sam in Sam’s kitchen catching them up on her life since she left Forks in the middle of the night. Charlie fought back tears as well, hiding behind a smile as Bella laughed about her living arrangements in the desert. He wanted to cry. Scream. Hit something.

He wanted to kill Edward Cullen. Bella had already staked that claim though. While the three talked Jason charmed Emily while the two cooked side by side. He was making an egg casserole recipe he had picked up in Hong Kong and asked her once if she had any fresh octopus around. The look of shock on her face passed quickly when he grinned.

Still he kept an ear on what was going on at the table. He knew how Charlie must be feeling. Sam as well to some degree. It was easy to see he was protective of Bella.

Sam had no idea Bella didn’t need protection anymore. Still he supposed once you take someone’s wellbeing into your hands, it can be hard to let go.

The conversations were interrupted by Mina. She walked in unannounced. Even Sam seemed surprised by her presence. Jason guessed Sam had been so engrossed in Bella’s stories that he missed the sound of her entering his home. He hoped Sam was better at hearing vampires.

“Bella we need to talk.”

“Okay. Do you want to have some breakfast?”

“No, we need to talk. It won’t take long.” Mina said smiling.

Emily was tense. She did not trust this woman. She could sense the darkness surrounding her. She was wild and had no reservations about life or death. The British soldier she met was charming. She could tell he was dangerous but also a professional. This woman was a professional as well but she was not a soldier. A killer yes, but not a soldier. Sam had explained that Mina was an Israeli spy. Emily knew there was more to it though. This was a woman who would assess who she needed around her and have no reservations about killing the rest.

“About what?” Bella asked.

“Training issues. Please follow me.”

Mina walked out with the quiet room, Bella watching her as she left. Bella looked at Connolly.

“Don’t look at me. You are her protégé. Next time you pick a mentor maybe pick one who isn’t an assassin. Just sayin.”

Bella shot the finger at Jason and walked outside. She could see Mina in the tree line waiting on her. She didn’t look happy.

“What is going on?” Bella asked, walking to her. Mina motioned with her finger for Bella to be quiet and follow her.

They hiked for five minutes into the woods.

“Mina where the fuck are you taking me?”

“Where we can’t be heard. Vivian are any wolves around?”

“No. You know I have to sleep sometimes right? I can’t just stay holed up here 24/7.”

“When we are on a mission you can. Bella and I will be out of com for ten minutes. If something happens text me.”

“Yes ma’am, sir.” Vivian replied.

Turning off her earpiece she looked at Bella.

“Where is your com device?”

“At Sam’s on the counter.”

“That is dumb. What if something happens and you need help? What if I need help and you can’t hear me? That annoying earring is all of our life lines. It is more important than your gun. You can call in airpower and a multitude of guns with it. Without it we are without you and you are without us. Don’t leave it behind.”

“You kind of rushed me out!” Bella told her, becoming angry. “Are you PMSing or what? I didn’t hike out here to get bitched out.”

“Too damn bad. That is exactly what is going to happen. Your situational awareness sucks. You are too comfortable here. Just because you are back at your favorite Indian reservation doesn’t mean you forget who you are now.”

“What do you mean my situational awareness sucks?”

“Last night when we exited the craft. Do you still want Jacob Black?”

“No! I’m not even sure I did when I was here. Jake helped me. He was my best friend. If not for him I would probably be a vampire now.”

“He loves you. Did you see his face when you told your Dad you were in a relationship with Connolly?”

“No. I was…”

“Avoiding it. Like I said your situational awareness sucks. It isn’t just about using drones to look for temperature signatures and high speed objects in the vicinity of an LZ. It’s not all about figuring out where the nearest weapons, prevalent threats and escape points are when you walk into a restaurant. It’s also about people. How the hell can you tell what those around you are thinking if you don’t look at them?”

“I did look at him.” Bella said defensively.

“When you first landed. But not at the most important part of the entire exchange. He loves you. You did manage to accidentally catch the look he gave Connolly.”

“Yeah…”

“Do you love him? Jason?”

“Yes.”

“Do you want to see him hurt because of a jealous old friend of yours?”

“You think Jake would hurt him? Jake isn’t like that.”

“All men are when it comes to women they are passionate about. He will hurt Jason. But Jason will kill him. You need to take control of this situation. You need to talk about this situation with Jake and make sure he understands what he is and is not. I know from your face last night you are hoping to avoid it because you don’t like conflict with those you love but it’s for the best.”

“You… Jake wouldn’t do that and Jason can’t kill a wolf… can he?”

“As much as I hate to admit this, the man can kill anything. He was cooking breakfast and had a knife and two handguns capable of killing vampires on him, and no one in that room besides you knew. Bella you must have a talk with Jake.”

“Okay.”

“No avoiding it. It needs to happen today. You and Winter are going to Forks this afternoon. When you arrive at Charlie’s the countdown begins. It could be a matter of minutes or days until the enemy descends. We can’t afford to have any distractions. You can handle this. You will handle this.”

“Okay.” Bella said, taking a deep breath.

“The next time we land somewhere look at the people there. Read their faces. Every person on the team did last night except you and Winter.”

“Okay! I get it.”

“Jake has a girlfriend. I saw her for those three days I was here once or twice. He isn’t really into her. I suspect he began seeing her in an attempt to get over you.”

“She might be his imprint. I haven’t had time to talk to him.” Bella said, secretly relieved that Jake had imprinted and feeling sorry for him knowing how he felt about the idea of imprinting.

“No. I watched Sam and Emily and that Jared boy and his airhead girlfriend. I know what an imprint looks like and I know what a rebound girlfriend looks like. Do you know why?”

“Why?” Bella asked with a sigh.

“Because I have situational awareness. I look at everyone and read faces. You need to do the same. I taught you to do this. I don’t like repeating lessons Bella.”

“Back off okay? What the hell is your problem?”

Mina at least smiled a bit.

“Sorry. I hate it here. It’s wet and boring and I am anxious to kill these fuckers and move on. I have no idea how long this is going to take and I’m irritated. Perhaps La Push may grow on me like fungus seems to constantly grow on these trees. This is just a bad place for us. I don’t like it. Mexico was a good place for us. Not here. Do you know why?”

“Because the constant cloud cover will make vampires stronger and the dense forest will make chasing them and tracking them with the Auroras more difficult. We also can’t use drones in the forest. If it come to a fight we will have to rely on cover and camouflage to defeat an enemy that is stronger than us and can jump to the tops of trees in a minute. Trees the majority of the team, outside of Winter and myself, would have to climb. Not even the wolves are effective in the trees. A vampire could run across La Push using tree branches and jump into the ocean and not one wolf could stop him if the vampire had half a brain.”

Mina stared at Bella in shock.

“You know all this but you won’t look at the faces of the people around you?”

“I’ve been spending a lot of time around Jason.” Bella said, smirking.

“Under him at least. Okay, you also need to talk to your friend Winter. She has some issues going on. She will probably be upset today. Or happy. I’m not sure yet. But of all the fucked up things that this mission did not need an imprint has to be at the top of the list.”

“An imprint?” Bella asked her, confused.

“Yes. I told you I had watched imprinted wolves, studied their interactions. Leah Clearwater imprinted on Winter when we visited the first time. It must have been when Winter stayed with your Dad for that week.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I have excellent…”

“Situational awareness.” Bella finished for her.

“See? You can learn. The bigger question is how did you not notice? She is your best friend and you didn’t notice. It was all the guys could talk about at camp. Leah and Winter were practically holding hands last night while you were having your emotional reunion. I swear Edward Cullen could have killed you with your own sword last night. Letting your guard down can be a good thing in certain places. Places we know are safe. In the dark surrounded by people who are not us, is not a good place.”

“That pack is like family to me.”

“Sam and Jacob are like family to you. Leah can’t stand you. The Paul guy can’t decide if he wants to fuck you or kill you. The rest of the men stare at your ass. I never had a brother but I am guessing if I did he wouldn’t stare at my ass. How is that family looking now?”

Bella ignored her question. She was right.

“So you think Winter will be upset? How do you know Leah will even tell her?”

“Leah begged her to go to the beach this morning. What do you think she wanted to do? Stare at the pretty waves or hunt seashells by the seashore?”

“Okay. Why do you think she will be upset?”

“Look at it from her point of view. Wouldn’t you be if you thought someone was forced to love you, especially someone who was not gay previous to the imprint? Bella you can be so smart at times and ignorant at others. I need you smart all the time. We are females in an arena that has been reserved for men since the dawn of time. I’m not a soldier but I am here now so the three of us have to stick together. Plus if Tyrone Gavin notices two girls giving smoldering glances at each other you should be ashamed that you didn’t.”

“Got it. Don’t let my guard down. Pay attention.”

“Bella you aren’t the only one in danger, coming here.”

“I know. The team is as well as the wolf pack.”

“We can take care of ourselves and so can they. Your father is here. Be alert at all times. Now follow me. I will walk you to Sam’s. Do you know why?”

“Because I don’t have my com device and I need you to be my lifeline until I do?”

“See, there is my smart woman. Now let’s move. You have to break a friend’s heart and console another before we have a team meeting and then I’m sure your boyfriend will want us to train to get used to the terrain. I swear I should have killed him. It’s his fault I’m here.”

That said Mina walked off. Bella slowly walked behind her.

She remembered Mina telling her she would say things to her that she would not like to hear. Bella supposed that was the first of many ass chewings she would receive from the woman.

Still she was right. Bella had been hoping to avoid the Jacob situation. Hoping it would go away. Just like the vampire problem though things like this don’t go away. They have to be dealt with head on.

When Bella walked in to Sam’s she went directly to her room and grabbed her com. She placed the device in her right ear. When she walked into the kitchen Jason noticed and smiled.

Bella sat down and listened to Charlie talk about how great the food was. Bella barely listened. Mina was right. It was going to be a long day.

“Hey Bella? Winter came in while you were out bonding with Mina in the woods. I was going to offer breakfast but she was crying and walked straight to the bedroom.” Jason told her.

“Did you check on her? Ask her what’s wrong?”

“No.”

“Why the hell not?” Bella practically screamed at him.

“I checked to make sure she wasn’t running from anyone. She wasn’t. I was prepared to lay down cover fire for her while she retreated. I am not getting involved with a crying woman I’m not in a relationship with.”

“God you can be an insensitive asshole.” Bella whispered, frustrated that Mina’s prediction had come true so soon.

“That remark hurt. Shouldn’t that show you how sensitive I am? Let’s face it Bella. What could I have possibly said that wouldn’t make it worse?”

“I don’t know, how about what’s wrong Winter?!”

“I suppose that would have been a good opening tactic but what if she actually told me? Besides you know it has something to do with Leah.”

“Leah?” Sam and Charlie both asked.

“You knew right Bella?” Jason asked. “I mean you had to have seen it last night.”

“Yeah… I knew. Uhh… I will go talk to her.”

“What about Leah?” Sam asked. Before Bella could stop him Jason answered.

“You are the Alpha and you didn’t know? Leah imprinted on Winter. Least that is what it looked like to me from what I have read and heard about imprinting. Nobody knew?”

The silence confirmed the fact that nobody did know.

“I swear I am the only one who pays attention to anything.” Jason mumbled and took another bite of bacon. “Hey Bells do you think you could have Winter squared away and then go have a talk with Jake before the meeting at 2?”

” What… what do you want me to talk to Jake about?”

“The simple fact that if he looks at me again like he did last night I am going to shove a knife into his eye socket.” Jason said casually and then took a bite of toast.

“Yeah… uh… I was just going to do that. I’ll see to Winter.” Bella said quietly.

“Thanks darlin. Love you.”

Bella walked quietly down the hall, dreading the conversation that was about to take place. She didn’t bother knocking on the door. Even out here, she could hear Winter’s quiet sobbing.

“Hey you. What’s going on?” Bella asked, sitting on the bed and brushing a strand of hair off of Winter’s face. She was curled onto the bed on her side. Bella had not seen her cry since they were 14. So much had happened since then to both of them.

“You remember what you told me about imprinting? How much you hated the idea and how it basically made slaves out of the wolves to their imprints whether they liked it or not?”

“I don’t think I said exactly that, did I?”

“Yep. Exact words.” Winter confirmed.

“Oh.” Bella said quietly, wishing she would have kept that opinion to herself.

“Just because I said it doesn’t mean it’s true. Look at Sam and Emily. They are in love. It wasn’t easy for them but they made it work.”

“Leah imprinted on me.”

“I know.”

“You knew?!” Winter practically screamed, looking up at Bella.

“No! I mean I was told this morning by Mina. She noticed last night. Hell Ty noticed. I’m sure everyone knows and Hawk is in his bunk as we speak. She told me while you were on the beach, she was bitching me out in the forest for not noticing. That and a few other things.”

“God she has a great body but she can be such a bitch.”

“Leah has just had to deal with a lot of stuff. She is our age and…” Bella tried to explain.

“I was talking about Mina.” Winter clarified.

“Oh.”

“I don’t know what I am going to do Bella. She wouldn’t care for me if this hadn’t happened. I’m supposed to take advantage of that? She wants me to take advantage of that! She is too brainwashed to know what is happening to her.”

“Leah right?” Bella asked to be certain of who they were talking about.

“Yes Bella. Leah.”

“What does your heart tell you?”

“My heart? My heart is… who gives a fuck what my heart tells me?”

“I do. Maybe we should call Chris.”

“Yeah. He can break this imprint.”

“I meant maybe he could give us some advice on how to deal with this. Maybe it shouldn’t be broken.”

“How can you say that? You hate imprinting.”

“I…”

“It’s no different than what Edward did to you. The only difference is I’m the vampire and didn’t realize it.”

“Winter shut up. You told me before that I felt sorry for myself too often. You are doing a hell of an impression of the old me.”

“Go to hell. You wouldn’t understand.”

“I understand more than you can imagine. I have been around these guys. I will tell you one thing and you can decide what you want to do. But make a decision. Quickly.”

“What are you going to tell me I don’t already know?”

“The imprint is the center of the universe to the wolf. She is everything to them. But the imprints? They aren’t linked to a wolf like that. They are not slaves to the wolves. Honestly I was wrtong when I said the wolves were slaves to the women. Sort of wrong anyway. Despite this, Emily and Kim love Sam and Jared. Sam told me Paul imprinted on Jake’s sister and they seem to be getting along. Maybe imprinting is just a way to push the pack member to where they are supposed to be. I mean they don’t have a lot of time to date in the traditional sense.”

“Paul imprinted? The guy who can’t seem to decide if he wants to fuck you or kill you?”

“Did you talk to Mina today?” Bella asked, suddenly suspicious.

“I realize I was kind of focusing on Leah last night but I did look around. Half those guys were staring at your ass. I mean Mina talks about this all the time. Reading faces, noticing what others notice. I mean you caught those expressions and glances last night. Right?”

“Yeah of course. I just didn’t want to bring it up. You never know who might be listening.” Bella lied.

“You going to talk to Jake before Connolly kills him? We need the wolves in this battle Bella. Killing the beta and the son of the chief of the tribe would not be a show of good faith.”

“Jason isn’t going to…”

Bella stopped at the look on Winter’s face.

“Yeah I’m going to talk to him. But that isn’t the point. The point is that maybe imprinting is just speeding things along. I mean let’s face it, Leah could have imprinted on a guy if he was her perfect match. Since she didn’t maybe there were some things that she didn’t want to face about herself. Do you remember how scared you were when you told Summer you were gay?”

“Yeah. I made you stay with me while I did.”

“Maybe Leah was bi sexual. Maybe she is gay and didn’t want to admit it. Sure she had Sam but no one before or since. Maybe the reason Sam didn’t imprint on her was because some fucking spirit knew that she would never be truly happy with him. I’m just saying, you shouldn’t just run from this. Leah isn’t brainwashed. She is too stubborn for that. She knows what happened. She could have pretended to be a friend and just stayed near you. She went out on a limb this morning. By the way, how did you handle it? I’m guessing not very well by your appearance.”

“I told her I didn’t want her like this. I wanted her naturally.”

“There is nothing natural about our lives. I mean look at us Winter. We are strong and fast. You can move things with your mind and see through walls. You think it’s your sisters ghost! The crazy thing is I believe you. I can block vampires gifts. We have these swords that can slice through anything. What the fuck is natural about our lives?”

“I don’t know. I just don’t want to feel I am forcing her into anything she doesn’t want.”

“She came to you. You didn’t push her into anything. You told me to stop being a coward once. It’s time for you to do the same. Go find her. Talk to her. I promise you she is not brainwashed by anything. Just consider that maybe it’s meant to be and don’t run away from the first person who wants to have sex with you that isn’t an assassin.”

Bella stood and walked to the door.

“Where are you going? We need ice cream.” Winter pleaded.

“No, you need to go find your wolf and straighten this out instead of freaking out and feeling sorry for yourself. Me? I have to go have a talk with Jake. We aren’t cowards.”

“Bella?”

“Yeah Winter?”

“Fighting those vampires in Mexico. I know we took a hit as a team but inside the cave, inside that pit. I wasn’t afraid when I was fighting. Why am I scared now?”

“Because despite our lives not being natural we are human and we have flaws and fears and wants and needs. Now I need to go talk to Jake because I don’t want Jason to kill him. See how that works? Find her. Talk to her. It’s okay to be scared. Do it anyway.”

While Winter asked Sam for directions to Sue Clearwater’s house, Bella walked the familiar dirt paths to Jacob Black’s house. She heard noises in the garage and bypassed the house.

There he was. Bella was swept up in a feeling of déjà vu. It seemed so familiar to her. It was familiar. Jake’s back was to her, buried under the hood of a car she had never seen before.

“New car?”

“Hey there. I wondered when you were going to show up.” Jake said without looking at her.

“Here I am. We probably need to talk, don’t you think?”

Jacob turned around and smiled at her. He wasn’t wearing a shirt and had his trademark grin that used to bring sunshine into the darkness that was Bella’s life.

“Is this the part where you say it’s not you, it’s me?”

“We weren’t actually together so I don’t know if that would work Jake.” Bella said bluntly. She didn’t want to be rude. A part of her had loved this man. That part was the reason she ran from Edward Cullen. That part of her still loved him.

It just wasn’t the love he wanted.

Jake made her see the importance of life.

“Well you missed your chance anyway. I have a girlfriend.” he said winking at her.

“I heard. Congratulations.”

“Thanks. You too. Your man seems like he is… interesting. How are Charlie and him getting on?”

“Pretty well I suppose. I mean Charlie has had a lot to take in but he seems to be taking it in stride.”

“He missed you. He would love anyone you brought home that wasn’t a vampire, so long as you were home. He wasn’t the same without you. I suppose none of us were.”

“I thought nothing changed much around La Push.”

“You have a tendency to change things Bella.”

“That’s what I hear.” Bella admitted.

“So how is the whole sword wielding, commando super hero thing working out? The new look is hot.”

“Thanks.” Bella told him and then laughed. Jake could always make her laugh. “It is… weird.”

“No kidding. At least you get to stay on two legs and don’t rip your clothes off when you use your power. Not that I wouldn’t mind seeing that.” Jake told her with a smile.

“See that is the kind of statement that can get you killed Jake.”

“You going to kill me Bella? It was a joke.”

“No it wasn’t. Not really. No, I would never hurt you. Not me.”

“Your boyfriend? Please Bella. I understand he is some kind of bad ass Navy Seal with poor grammar and a Texas accent but he isn’t a wolf.”

“No, a wolf protects human life at all costs. A Seal will take a life if he is threatened. They also consider certain looks to be the same as threats. Believe it or not, he isn’t a live and let live kind of guy.”

“Really?”

“Jake he has killed as many if not more vampires than you. I don’t want to see you hurt or worse. I don’t want you to hurt him. We have a common enemy and we need to focus on them.”

“I am. Bella I get it. You don’t love me. Not like I love you. I’m sorry about last night. It just caught me by surprise. I mean two UFOs land and men in black jump out holding rifles, then you are there and I have you in my arms. I never thought I would see you again. Then John Wayne walks out, complete with cowboy hat and tells Charlie he is your boyfriend. It caught me by surprise. I’m sorry if your sensitive boyfriend doesn’t like the look I gave him. I’ll be sure not to offend him again with a look.”

“Jake,… I would appreciate it. You know how important you are to me. Jason is important to me. I love him. You have a girlfriend. But you mean the world to me. I am sorry it can’t be the type of love you are looking for.”

“Best friends right?” Jake asked.

“Yeah.” Bella said with a relieved smile. Jake understood.

“Not really.”

Bella stood speechless for a moment at that remark.

“What are you talking about?”

“The girl? Your partner? She told Charlie all about your friendship. Growing up together, meeting again, training together, shopping together, throwing millionaires out of casino windows together. She is your best friend. That’s okay. I’m not jealous. I guess… nevermind.”

“No. Say it. Tell me what the problem is Jake. Please tell me you aren’t jealous of my friend.”

“It’s not like that Bella. I’m jealous of the whole thing.”

“What whole thing?”

“When you were with Cullen, everyone knew that you were really one of us. When you left him it was solidified. We fought to convince you to stay human. To stay with us in the land of the living and not the undead. You were a part of this pack. It didn’t matter that you weren’t an imprint or you couldn’t phase. You were one of us. I guess last night it just hit me. We can work together, be friends, be whatever you want. What shocked me was the realization that you weren’t one of us anymore. That girl left in the middle of the night with Sam. You are a part of them now. They came out with guns for God’s sake.”

“We do that everywhere we go.” Bella quickly explained. “We have to treat any situation where we land as if it is hostile until we determine that it isn’t. Until then we have to be prepared. Those guns weren’t to control you or threaten you. They were there in the event that vampires were in the area, setting a trap and using the pack.”

“See that’s what I’m talking about. You never would have thought of that when you were one of us. That isn’t a bad thing. You have grown up and learned a lot. You are different. You are going to have to forgive me if I am jealous. Jealous of your boyfriend, jealous of your best friend, jealous of the family you have now. I always wanted you to be a part of the pack family. It’s okay. I’ll be fine. I will hide it. I will get over it. But last night caught me by surprise. I’m fine. I will always love you. But just like an imprint I will be what you need me to be. I wasn’t lying when I told you I didn’t care who you were with so long as you stayed human. I didn’t expect him, but if it works for you I will be happy for you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Really. Last night just caught me off guard. I’ll be good, I promise. No more dirty scary looks at your big tough soldier. Does he wear that hat when he gets in shoot outs with vampires?” Jake asked, goading Bella. Despite herself she smiled.

“No. He wears special night vision goggles and when he fires he never misses. Never. That’s why I want you to be friends Jake. At least not hostile towards each other.”

“Bella I will be friends with him. No joking. Maybe the two of us can take our significant others on a double date. You should meet her. She… actually she would probably give you the same look I gave your man last night.”

“Maybe you should have a talk with her then. I would hate to kill her if she is as nice as you say.” Bella told him, raising an eyebrow and crossing her arms.

Jake laughed when Bella was unable to keep a straight face.

“Hand me a soda out of the fridge and help yourself. Unless you have to go? Fire arms training or hand to hand? Maybe practice firing some RPGs at trees?”

“Fuck you Jake.” Bella told him, shooting the finger at him with a smile.

“See that’s what I mean. You are theirs now. That’s okay. You seem good where you are at. Just remember you will always have a home here if you need one.”

“Thanks.” Bella told him honestly.

“I mean you never know when you might get betrayed by a double agent and need a safe house to hide out in.”

Bella threw the soda at him.

Jake caught it before it hit his face. Barely.

“Still throw like a girl I see. Take this wrench and help me out. I need some bolts loosened up underneath and I’m too big to get under there. Plus if the engine falls on you, you are strong enough to catch it right? I have to hurry. Top secret”

“Not sure. My sword is back at Sam’s. The farther away I am the weaker I become.”

“Why did you leave it then? You have to be ready at all times Bella. Be aware of your situation at all times. I realize you have a team of super soldiers but you need to protect yourself. What is that thing in your ear?”

Bella took a deep breath.

“Give me the fucking wrench Jake.”