I woke up early Monday morning knowing that I had to be at Sam's. It was my turn to patrol, plus I wanted to make sure Jacob didn't do anything stupid.

After my shower I ran downstairs for a quick breakfast. My mom was sitting at the island with a cup of coffee. Eve was rinsing out her cup before turning to see me.

"you look happier, what happened?" Eve asked. My mom turned to look at me her eyes narrowed, studying me.

"you do..."

I paused "um, it's nothing you have to worry about I promise"

"well i shouldn't have to worry about you being happy" my mom stated.

"who is she?" Eve asked, "only a girl could get this kind of reaction."

"I could be happy just cause" I replied grabbing some breakfast. Eve walked up to me examining me closer.

"no, it's a girl. You have this love-struck gaze in your eyes" my mom chuckled looking between the two of us.

"is it a girlfriend or another exploit?" My eyes widened and I looked at Eve trying to decipher if she said anything, but her eyes were just as wide as mine. I heard my mom laugh "did you two really think you could hide that from me. I could see it that morning you showed after your first time. Mothers intuition"

"god, she's terrifying" Eve whispered. I nodded slightly watching the smirk show up on my mom's face.

I swallowed a lump in my throat "she's not an exploit... she's... more than that. She's the one and I hope its forever"

"who is it?" My mom asked.

"ummm. She's one of Dr. Cullen's children." My mom gave me a look expecting more information "Rosalie."

Eve cackled and I couldn't help but furrow my brows, bristling a little. "I can't believe it." she continued laughing "Our baby Alex fell in love with a blonde, just like her dad"

I sighed a smile coming to my face as I realized what she was talking about. I shook my head "it's not because she's blonde. It's because she's...."

"perfect?" my mom asked a light in her eyes, almost as if she were thinking about my dad.

"yeah, she is but its more than that... I don't know how to explain it"

"Sometimes you can't" My mom said. Eve sobered up before looking at me with a small smile.

"we're happy that you found someone who can be your forever. Val and I know that at some point we'll be gone, and I know you're technically not my daughter, but sometimes it feels like it. I want you to be happy and if Rosalie makes you happy, and from what I can see she does, then I'm happy. The same way that Demetri made Val happy... and I'm starting to see a bit of it with Charlie."

I could see the tears in their eyes. We were broken out of the emotion when the phone rang. My mother who was closest answered it.

"Hello?. Yeah, she's right here"

She handed me the phone, then mouthed 'Sam' I nodded.

"hey Sam, what's up?" I purposely kept the discussion brief; I couldn't freely discuss vampires with my family. I wasn't sure how to tell them Rosalie was one, I couldn't but I couldn't explain why she didn't age either. Maybe I could throw out the existence of other supernatural and hint that Rosalie was a part of it, without telling them everything.

"Alex, Jacobs going to the High school to talk to Edward, I want you to go as well just in case. We all know what happened last time"

I nodded, remembering the face full of blood and cuts "okay, I can do that. I'll meet back at yours afterwards"

"good, because we have some good news." His voice was jubilant, and I couldn't help but feel happy as well. After saying goodbye, I looked at my mom and aunt.

"you seem happier, good news?" Eve asked grabbing her lunch from the fridge, handing me a smoothie.

"yeah, Sam said there was. But I need to stop by the high school. Just to make sure Jacob doesn't act out. Seeing Bella and Edward might do that"

"I don't understand what the issue is" my mom added, she had heard a little from Charlie, but as far as she knew Bella was purposefully avoiding us. "it seems kinda rude to avoid you all"

"well, she's been grounded. Edward is also a little controlling, I guess. He doesn't want Bella on the reservation. He knows about Jacob because he phased in front of him, and he feels like he's dangerous."

"sounds kinda reasonable"

I smiled "yeah, it would be a lot better, and I think easier if Jacob wasn't convinced, he could get Bella to leave Edward for him."

Their eyes widened.

"Jacob is convinced Bella loves him, but won't admit it. And I get it she kinda led him on before... it's a weird and uncomfortable situation. But Edward's right Jacob is dangerous if he's mad, I mean we've fought half a dozen times in the last month. Full on wolf on wolf"

Their eyes widened even more; it would have been comical if I didn't realize I never told them the extent to the fighting "I never told you guys that. It's fine, no one gets really hurt"

"you better go before you give us a heart attack" Eve joked slightly. I nodded and entered the garage, heading straight for the motorcycle. My mom was on the fence to allow me to get one, but I convinced her it would be fine, and Eve mentioned that it was a teenager thing.

Of course, I amended her fear a little by promising to wear a helmet (even though I was practically indestructible, by everything except silver bullets for some reason). It was a blue sport bike, but like everything else it was very safe on the roads, my mom ensured it had all the safety available.

Izipped up my brown leather jacket slightly, before getting on my bike. It waspurely for show, I couldn't get cold, I also didn't get hot wearing the jacket.But it was too cold to not wear something.

When I showed up Jacob was waiting in the parking lot, he looked at me with confusion.

"what are you doing here?"

"Sam called, asked me to show up"

He huffed and looked away "of course"

"I don't like having to babysit any more than you like having me here"

I looked away, from the boy who illegally parked his motorcycle on the sidewalk. Jacob's face was a calm mask that I recognized well. It was the face he used when he was determined to keep his emotions in check, to keep himself under control. But just because he was determined, or he looked under control doesn't mean he was. I knew that very well.

He was receiving a lot of looks, mostly because no one had seen him around, but also because he was bigger than most guys and taller at 5'10, wearing a tight black shirt that looked like he would Hulk out of any minute. Strange the men of Forks were not very big at all. I too got a few looks, but it was understandable. I disappeared last October and hadn't been back since.

Jacob's face hardened as the couple we were waiting for walked toward him, hand in hand.

Edward stopped a few yards away from Jacob and me, I could tell that he was uncomfortable having Bella so close to a wolf, or Jacob. He drew his hand back slightly, pulling Bella halfway behind his body.

"You could have called us," Edward said in a steel-hard voice.

"Sorry," Jacob answered, his face twisting into a sneer. "I don't have any leeches on my speed dial."

"You could have reached me at Bella's house, of course. Or Alex could have called."

Jacob's jaw flexed, and his brows pulled together. He didn't answer. I scrunched my face up "I was a little busy"

Of course, Edward knew this, he nodded before looking back at Jacob. "This is hardly the place. Could we discuss this later?"

"Sure, sure. I'll stop by your crypt after school." Jacob snorted. "What's wrong with now?"

Edward looked around pointedly, his eyes resting on the witnesses who were just barely out of hearing range. A few people were hesitating on the sidewalk, their eyes bright with expectation. Like they were hoping a fight might break out to alleviate the tedium of another Monday morning. I saw Tyler Crowley nudge Austin Marks, and they both paused on their way to class.

I'd imagine Mike was around somewhere, hopeful that the two boys would get into it. He didn't like either of them much, but I think he liked Edward the least.

"I already know what you came to say," Edward reminded in voice so low that humans wouldn't be able to hear it. "Message delivered. Consider us warned."

Edward glanced down at Bella for a fleeting second with worried eyes.

"Warned?" she asked blankly. "What are you talking about?"

"You didn't tell her?" Jacob asked, his eyes widening with disbelief. "What, were you afraid she'd take our side?"

"That's enough Jacob" I said sternly at the same time Edward said, "Please drop it, Jacob,"

"Why?" Jacob challenged.

Bella frowned in confusion. "What don't I know? Edward?"

Edward just glared at Jacob as if he hadn't heard her.

"Jake?"

Jacob raised his eyebrow at her. "He didn't tell you that his big... brother crossed the line Saturday night?" he asked, his tone thickly layered with sarcasm. Then his eyes flickered back to Edward. "Paul was totally justified in -"

"It was no-man's land!" Edward hissed.

"Was not!"

"it was an accident" I told Jacob "you weren't there, it was a misunderstanding and I'm sure Emmett will think twice about trying it again" I glanced at Edward who nodded.

"of course, you would defend them, with your leech" Jacob was fuming visibly. I responded with a deep growl that only he and Edward heard. Jacobs hands trembled. He shook his head and sucked in two deep lungful's of air. He didn't want Bella to think he was unstable, so he would calm down.

"Emmett and Paul?" Bella whispered. "What happened? Were they fighting?" her voice strained higher in panic. "Why? Did Paul get hurt?"

"No one fought," Edward said quietly. "No one got," he looked at me for a brief moment "seriously hurt. Don't be anxious."

Bella looked at me "Alex?"

"it's fine, we were running and had a collision. It was a complete accident"

Jacob was staring at us with incredulous eyes. "You didn't tell her anything at all, did you? Is that why you took her away? So, she wouldn't know that -?"

"Leave now." Edward cut him off mid-sentence, and his face was abruptly frightening - truly frightening. He glared at Jacob with vicious, unveiled loathing.

Jacob raised his eyebrows, but made no other move. "Why haven't you told her?"

"She doesn't need to know" I hissed trying to separate the boys. I agreed with Edward, if Bella knew she would break down and freak out at every little sound. It's the only thing she didn't need a say in, she could choose everything but this.

"She came back for me," Bella choked out. Quick gasps filtering through her lips. She was having a panic attack.

"It's fine," Edward whispered to her. holding her tight to his side, angling his body so that he was between her and Jacob. I guess Edward didn't see me a threat. At least not to the extent of Jacob. "It's fine. I'll never let her get close to you, it's fine."

This didn't help though because Bella was getting worse, her fear taking over. "Bella, you need to breath okay." I replied looking at her racing chest and hearing her racing heart. "just deep breaths"

Edward glared at Jacob. "Does that answer your question, mongrel?"

"You don't think Bella has a right to know?" Jacob challenged. "It's her life."

"She can't do anything about it Jacob. That's like reminding a victim of their trauma" I growled, why was he trying to make things worse? Stupid question he wanted Bella to be scared to run to him, to choose him.

Edward kept his voice muted; even Tyler, edging forward by inches, would be unable to hear. "Why should she be frightened when she was never in danger?"

"Better frightened than lied to."

I shook my head glaring at the boy who was trying to find anything to nitpick at. Granted Edward shouldn't lie to Bella, but Bella can't do anything about Victoria it wasn't like he lied about cheating or sleeping with someone. He omitted the fact that Victoria came back.

"Do you really think hurting her is better than protecting her?" he murmured.

"She's tougher than you think," Jacob said. "And she's been through worse."

Abruptly, Jacob's expression shifted, and he was staring at Edward with an odd, speculative expression. His eyes narrowed like he was trying to do a difficult math problem in his head. I knew what he was doing, though.

Edwards face contorted in what could only be described at pain, and of course Bella mirrored this.

"That's funny," Jacob said, laughing as he watched Edward's face. Edward winced, but smoothed his expression with a little effort. He couldn't quite hide the agony in his eyes. Bella glanced wide-eyed between the two boys. From Edwards grimace to Jacobs sneer, and my rolled eyes.

"What are you doing to him?" she demanded.

"It's nothing, Bella," Edward said quietly. "Jacob just has a good memory, that's all."

Jacob grinned, and Edward winced again.

"Stop it! Whatever you're doing."

"Sure, if you want." Jacob shrugged. "It's his own fault if he doesn't like the things I remember, though."

She glared at him, and he smiled back impishly - like a kid caught doing something he knows he shouldn't by someone who he knows won't punish him.

"The principal's on his way to discourage loitering on school property," Edward murmured, glancing at me slightly "Let's get to English, Bella, so you're not involved."

"Overprotective, isn't he?" Jacob said, talking just to Bella. "A little trouble makes life fun. Let me guess, you're not allowed to have fun, are you?"

Edward glowered, and his lips pulled back from his teeth ever so slightly.

"Shut up, Jake," Bella said, I smirked at her. Finally, she starts telling him off.

Jacob laughed. "That sounds like a no. Hey, if you ever feel like having a life again, you could come see me. I've still got your motorcycle in my garage."

"You were supposed to sell that. You promised Charlie you would."

"Yeah, right. Like I would do that. It belongs to you, not me. Anyway, I'll hold on to it until you want it back."

"Jake . . ." and there was, Bella falling back. Why couldn't she just decide, its only making things worse between them. And for everyone involved.

He leaned forward, his face earnest now, the bitter sarcasm fading. "I think I might have been wrong before, you know, about not being able to be friends. Maybe we could manage it, on my side of the line. Come see me."

"I, er, don't know about that, Jake."

I nodded, she couldn't be friends with Jacob, he wouldn't settle for that. I saw Edward look over at me and nod slightly, like he heard my thoughts. Strange, but maybe I can decide when to allow his access – like the wolfs.

"I miss you every day, Bella. It's not the same without you."

"I know and I'm sorry, Jake, I just..."

He shook his head, and sighed. "I know. Doesn't matter, right? I guess I'll survive or something. Who needs friends?" He grimaced. I looked at him eyes wide. Seriously he had Quil and Embry. The whole pack (minus Leah) practically worships the ground he walks on.

I shook my head at Bella "don't fall for the charade, he has other friends, just none like you"

"Okay, get to class," a stern voice sounded behind us. "Move along, Mr. Crowley." I heard the principal start walking through, so I moved slightly to my bike preparing to leave. Mr. Greene pushed through the circle of spectators, his brows pressing down like ominous storm clouds over his small eyes.

"I mean it," he was threatening. "Detention for anyone who's still standing here when I turn around again." The audience melted away before he was finished with his sentence.

"Ah, Mr. Cullen. Do we have a problem here?"

"Not at all, Mr. Greene. We were just on our way to class."

"Excellent. Ah, Ms. Uley, our early graduate. I thought you were out of town until graduation"

"I was supposed to be sir, but the issue resolved itself. I just came to drop off something for Edward"

Mr. Greene nodded accepting my lie. "I don't seem to recognize your friend." Mr. Greene turned his glower on Jacob. "Are you a new student here?"

Mr. Greene's eyes scrutinized Jacob, and I could see that he'd come to the same conclusion everyone else had dangerous. A troublemaker.

"Nope," Jacob answered, half a smirk on his broad lips.

"Then I suggest you remove yourself from school property at once, young man, before I call the police." Jacob's little smirk became a full-blown grin, and I knew he was picturing Charlie showing up to arrest him.

Jacob said, "Yes, sir," and snapped a military salute before he climbed on his bike and kicked it to a start right there on the sidewalk. The engine snarled and then the tires squealed as he spun it sharply around. In a matter of seconds, Jacob raced out of sight.

Mr. Greene gnashed his teeth together while he watched the performance. I gave a small wave and like Jacob started my bike, though I was a little more respectable about it.