The Fire of the Sun -- Chapter Eight
Title: The Fire of the Sun
Author: audreyii_fic
Fandom: Twilight (Team Jacob)
Rating: T
Characters: Full cast (Jacob/Bella, Sam/Emily)
Genre: Romance/Angst/Wolfpack!Humor
Warnings: Language, violence, and references to adult behavior. (Click here for more details.)
banner courtesy of untilwebleedoz
Summary:
Sequel to The Movement of the Earth. Bella finds the cost of joining the supernatural world may be higher than she can pay. ( Click here to start from the beginning.)
Chapter Eight:
and my words may bind you to me much too tightly / you may choke upon them if we fall apart
David Bendingfield, "Wrap My Words Around You"
8. Build Relationships
Our land was beautiful, full of trees and mountains and rivers feeding into the gray ocean that crashed against craggy cliffs. Technically almost none of it belonged to the Quileute people, but when it came to contracts between vampires and werewolves official governmental delineations accounted for less than nothing. As far as the treaty was concerned, the line of our territory spanned nearly twenty miles; the full area accounted for about fifty.
It was a lot of ground for eight wolves to cover.
Probably that was why there would be more of us soon.
Hey, Sam? What's that?
I paused my scan of the mountainside and felt the world through Quil's eyes; he was further to the south, looking up at the trees. I didn't see anything unusual. What's what?
That tickling. You're tickling.
He's tickling? That was Embry. What do you mean, tickling?
Shut up, idiots. Sam's not ticklish.
Guess you would know, huh, Leah?
Guess I would. Guess I know lots more than you do, don't I? How's that daddy hunt turning out?
Go to hell.
Hey, guys, come on--
Shove it, Quil. What makes you so sure it wasn't your daddy who cheated, Leah? (couldn't be her blood's through sue who cares) Maybe we're siblings. Better stop checking out my ass.
Keep your fucking mouth shut about my father. (all my fault killed him all my fault) [a body hitting the floor]
Or you'll what?
Quiet. At my command, the conversation turned off in my head like a switch -- but the emotions all remained. At least Leah and Embry were a mile and a half apart. The tickling is new phasings.
Questioning from Quil and Leah; recognition from Embry. He'd felt it before.
No, I don't know who it is. Not ready to phase yet. Don't worry about it. It's not your concern. That was half true -- it wasn't any of their concern, but I did know who it was. I'd been feeling the 'tickling' -- more like a mental itch -- for the last few days.
Two kids. Friends. Collin and Brady. I hadn't spent time with them, but I'd seen them around. Everyone knew everyone in La Push.
They'd just turned thirteen.
The bloodsuckers needed to leave.
Six weeks -- five and a half, now. I had no doubt the leeches wouldn't listen, but I'd given my word. That being said... if a couple of kids too young to shave phased before then, I would dismember Carlisle Cullen bone by bone.
Two voiceless waves of frustration and one of spiteful disdain. No question who belonged to what. All right. You can talk.
Leah had the first word, like always. Why thank you for returning our tongues, O Wise and Merciful Leader. (tongue) A flash of a mental image-- [a musty basement and the click of a belt buckle]
My belt buckle.
Everyone saw it.
Quit being such a bitch, Leah. (thank god she can't be my sister no wonder he left emily's nicer maybe he didn't even really imprint)
Embry. It had been a long night and I had no patience for this. Drop it. Now.
Note to self: Figure out the identity of Embry's father before he became as bitter as Leah. Knowing would be better than the potential damage of his growing obsession. Probably. And after all, it didn't make much difference now. We were all brothers anyway.
Wonder when Jacob's coming back.
Wonder if he'll be less messed up after he sees Bella.
Hope so. Listening to him gives me a headache.
Imprint people are weird. A mental flinch from Quil. Er, sorry, Sam.
[a sharp slap and a stinging palm] (sorry leah i know you don't understand) Don't apologize, Quil, the Grand Alpha's certainly not ashamed of anything soul mate-related.
Get back to work. All of you.
Wordless acquiescence, even from Leah.
Leah.
The list of ways I'd messed up:
One. Fell in love with her cousin, then left without giving her a good reason.
Two. Failed to realize she was about to phase then wasn't there to help through the process, meaning she and her brother couldn't hide their thoughts from the Pack.
Three. Sent Jared to explain about imprinting when too injured to phase, instead of doing it personally.
So now Leah hated me.
Not without justification.
--emilyemilyemily--
--no. Not the time to think about this.
I focused on seeing the land through everyone's eyes at once and organized the images into something coherent. Clean smell, brown trunks, mist rising from the forest floor. Potential entrance points through several clearings, though this one could jump... Always look up. Remember she climbs.
Right.
Okay. (at least no one's fighting now hear enough of that at home)
Sure thing, your Lordship.
That was probably about the best I could hope for. Giving in without a battle had been rare for Leah even before she hated me. I wouldn't be getting far at all without forced Alpha compliance. I didn't mind using my authority with others -- I had to think of the greater good -- but with her...
A few minutes later prickles crawled over my body. Someone just crossed into our land, someone--
--someone who should be here.
Hey, guys. Uh, and girl.
Hey, Jake!
How'd it go?
Call me a 'girl' again and I'll feed you your own tail.
What else am I supposed to say? If I went with 'chick' Quil would try to put you on a sandwich.
Wordless alarm from Quil.
Cute. Did the necrophiliac scratch your fleabites?
What did you learn, Jacob? I interjected before the situation got out of hand. Leah was spoiling for a fight with someone, Jacob would happily provide that fight to her if she insulted Bella, and I didn't have a time for any of it.
I guess it wasn't them after all. Sullenness. The bloodsuckers saw what she looked like from my head (it's my mind it's mine get out don't want everyone inside) and they said they'd get back to us once they consulted with the coven leader. Whatever that means.
How's Buffy?
A welling of warmth and relaxation. She's better. (i'm better) What's next?
I tried not to let my relief be shown to the Pack. Moments like now -- Jacob quieter and happier and better suited for the tasks in front of him -- made the prospect of Bella living in Emily's house more bearable. Hopefully he'd be like this all the time once she was here.
He wasn't so bad when he had it together. It felt like he might become the Alpha he should be.
The psychic leech also had one of her visions, by the way. (creepy little thing) Something's up with that.
Does that even really work? (future seeing sounds like bullshit)
I don't see how it can. (wonder if she sees the past too)
We'll give them some time to contact us. I paused to sniff at a reeking sweetness against an oak. Only a few hours old. The trespasser had been through here. Why? At least everyone's civil. That makes things easier. For now.
A strange feeling.
Smug... guilt?
Why would anyone feel smug and guilty at the same time?
Jacob? What happened?
Silence.
If he didn't answer when I asked, what was I supposed to do except order? Jacob. What did you do?
An unwilling series of images and sensations-- [dislocated jaw and shooting pain] (broke my hand don't care son of a bitch touch her again and I'll--) [a black empty spot and a lot of rage] (more pain shouting crowd kill him can't kill him hurt him at least) [smothered fury and an uncomfortable calm] (damn bloodsucker creepy hate him too get her out of here) [a black empty spot and a lot of rage] (going to kill him going to kill him not her fault why does she think it's her fault he's the one who--) [pine tree warm legs desperate kisses] (love her bellabellabella feels so good) [a comfortable calm] I need Friday night off, Sam.
There were so many levels on which I did not need this right now that I couldn't even list them properly. Damn it, Jacob, why did you fight him?
I couldn't see Embry, but I knew he was grinning. Man, that's awesome.
You stupid mutt. Doing that in front of every teenager in Forks.
Did you win?
Of course I did.
Didn't look like it to me.
Well, I would have if we hadn't been interrupted.
Thank God they couldn't read my thoughts unless I wanted them to. Jacob... just go home. Be back in two hours. At least if he wasn't so stressed out he would need less sleep. I'll deal with you then. If I tried to deal with him now I'd break his bones.
What about Friday? he persisted. Seriously, Sam. I'll run however many extra shifts you want to make up for it. Forty-eight hours straight. Seventy-two hours. Whatever. I just need the whole night.
I closed my eyes, focused on the clean feel of moss beneath my paws, and counted to ten. Why should I? What do you want it for?
Jacob's feelings escaped quickly and accidentally. Hope. Anticipation. Nervousness. Lust. And something about the Brat Pack...
Ah.
He hadn't even slept with her yet.
Things made more sense now.
Dude.
Score!
None of your business, douchebags. (my thoughts mine get out get out)
Positives of giving Jacob Friday night: If he had sex with Bella he'd almost certainly stop fighting the imprint.
Negatives of giving Jacob Friday night: It would set a bad precedent. Also he was pissing me off.
Given the givens there was really only one choice. Fine. But you're here the rest of the week.
[popcorn in the microwave and relieved excitement] (bellabellabella) That's fine. That's totally fine. Thanks, Sam.
Go. Be back by eleven.
Jacob disappeared from the Pack mind. Within seconds Quil and Embry were laughing. Man, that is just funny as hell.
Hey, at least he's finally gonna get some. (i'm gonna be the last virgin in the pack oh wait at least there's seth) Maybe if he's not so hard up he'll quit being all angsty.
Hell, Buffy's hot for such a skinny chick. If she was my girlfriend and holding out I'd be angsty too. (wonder if jenny's busy tonight) [smooth breasts and giggling]
So, Master, if Jacob's allowed time off for booty calls, what do the rest of us get?
I'd seen that one coming a mile away. It's a special situation, Leah.
Right. Because he's got the little (imprint imprint imprint) leech lover to think of. What about those of us who aren't in the soul mate club? (sorry leah i know you don't understand) Maybe we should unionize. I want smoke breaks, for starters.
Since when do you smoke?
I have for awhile. [tangled sheets against naked skin two embers and the taste of tobacco]
I nearly tripped over a log.
Oh.
(eep wish i was anywhere but here)
(are those clouds i like clouds i'll think about clouds now that cloud looks like a bunny)
So, whaddaya say? I think fifteen minutes every two hours is fair.
Can we talk about it later? Fatigue set into my body. I wanted Emily. There are better times for this.
Vicious satisfaction.
***
(hungry)
(hungry)
(hungry)
By eleven o'clock I was dead on my feet and so were Leah and Quil and Embry. We'd all been going since midnight. At least the others had gotten a solid five hours of rest after patrolling for an entire day, so some good had come of such a long shift.
As soon as I felt Jacob wake up -- though he hadn't phased yet -- I gave the release. All right. Leah, go let Jared know it's time to run, then send Seth out once he gets home from school.
He's got a history paper.
Write it for him.
Sam--
Embry, I continued, ignoring Leah's objections, get Paul.
(wake up paul sure might as well poke a dragon in the eye)
Quil, stop by Emily's on the way home and tell her I'll be late for lunch. I needed some time to talk to Jacob privately, before the others joined us. And put on a shirt first, her idiot brother is there.
Shirt. Right. Is there meatloaf yet?
Not until dinner. Go.
Quil and Embry phased and took off. Leah didn't. Note to self: Be more specific with orders.
Seth's [a toddler in a crib] grades are already dropping. He needs to do his school work.
He needs to patrol.
He's a kid.
He's a wolf.
Goddamn it, Sam, I know you don't give a shit about me (sorry leah i know you don't understand) but does the Almighty Imprint mean you have to screw over my brother? You don't care about him anymore either? [two boys one short one tall playing basketball a driveway] Tell him he doesn't have to do this stuff. Leah's mental voice had a tinge of desperation. I'll run his shifts. I'll do double-duty. Just leave him alone.
Pain hit my chest, but this particular emotion was mine, which meant I could shove it away. I did. Seth phased, Leah. He's in this now. It can't be changed.
And if he gets hurt? [funeral harry in a casket turns to seth]
I flinched at the mental image. I hadn't gone to Harry's funeral. I hadn't been able to stand up yet. I'm going to keep him as safe as I can. But there's only so much I can do. I was glad she was a quarter mile away and couldn't see my expression, even as a wolf. For what it's worth, I do still care about him. And you.
(never loved me in the first place)
Leah--
'Scuse me, Sir Alpha, gotta go get the other member of the soul mate club. And she dropped out of my mind.
For about thirty seconds I was the only wolf; I stepped into the river and let it wash over my paws. All I could hear was the sound of the water, the wind in the trees, and my own thoughts--
--leah sorry don't hate me emilyemilyemily--
--no.
Stop.
Sam? There was Jacob.
I'm south. Come here. I changed back into human form. The scar stung. Same as always.
The river water felt colder without fur.
When the red wolf appeared out of the tree line, he hesitated. "Phase," I said sharply.
Jacob hit the forest floor instantly, and the impact made him cough. "Jeez, Sam."
"Don't." For a moment I felt my temper boiling up, trying to escape from the cage I'd forced it into for the last year and a half. Part of me wanted to rip the whelp in half. And it wasn't a small part. "What the hell were you thinking?"
It didn't matter that we were both human and I couldn't read his mind; I was still Alpha. Jacob's resentment and anger hit me hard. "He had it coming."
"I don't care." That stupid, selfish little-- "What did you think was going to happen? Did you think you'd kill Edward Cullen all by yourself in the middle of a parking lot?"
"It was worth a try," he muttered as he got to his feet.
"No, it wasn't! Do you have any idea what you almost did? How many people could have gotten hurt? The treaty? Our secrets? You think watching you get torn apart by that bloodsucker is going to make Bella happy?"
Jacob's face darkened and his hands curled into fists. "Leave her out of it," he growled. "You don't know what the hell you're talking about. If this was Emily we wouldn't even be having this conversation."
I ground my teeth together. "Well, it isn't Emily, and we are having this conversation. You have responsibilities--"
"You don't know what he did to her--"
"Not everything is about Bella Swan!" I exploded.
"Yes, it is!"
I paused. Jacob's face blanched as he realized what he'd just said. All his anger washed away, and he sat shakily on a log and put his head in his hands.
After a moment I murmured, "If you just accept that this is the way your mind functions now--"
"No." His miserable tone reminded me of something, but I couldn't put my finger on what. "It's messed up. This isn't how it's supposed to work. I don't want this."
"Well, you've got it." I waited for him to snap back at me, or even look up, but he just sat with his face covered. His unhappiness soaked into my body.
Focus. It was his unhappiness, not mine. Keep a distance. Sympathy, not empathy.
I sighed and scanned the line of the forest. Huge trees with moss growing up the sides. Soft and steady and always getting taller. "You're not going to tell me what happened."
A long beat. "I promised Bella I wouldn't."
"Ah." Promises to imprints were more or less unbreakable. "But it was bad."
Jacob's shape rippled, and the misery nearly caved under the weight of renewed fury. "Yes," he said shortly. "It was bad. You've never seen them work, Sam. I mean, you've chased them and fought them and stuff, but you've never seen how people react when they talk and how she just--" His words cut off for a moment with a shudder, but he managed to collect himself. "They're like drugs or something. I don't know how they do it, but they do. And they do it to her all the time. Get it?"
If he kept sending off that much anguish and agitation I would get it whether I wanted to or not. And I didn't want to. It wouldn't be useful. "What we want doesn't change the facts."
"But--"
"No." Jacob's shoulders tensed, and I realized that my feet were going slightly numb in the water. "Jacob, you have to understand these things for when you're Alpha."
"That's not going to happen."
"Listen to me. They're not going to leave. You know it, I know it. So we'll fight. But there's seven of them and seven of us--"
"Eight of us."
"I'm not counting Seth." No matter how bad the situation got, Seth wasn't going to be in the front lines. "So it's even numbers, and you're right. None of us have seen them work aside from you. They're not strangers, like the others. They've known this area since the time of our great-grandfathers. They're strong, they're fast, and they've got powers that we don't."
Jacob looked up from his hands, eyes wide. "You think we're going to lose."
I shook my head. "No. We'll win. But it's going to be hard. We're going to need to time things properly and to our maximum advantage. It's going to have to be planned and careful, Jacob. It can't start in a school parking lot because one of us lost his temper."
Shame.
"But," I continued, "I promise that when the time comes, Edward Cullen is yours."
Jacob's whole being lit with fire. Fueled by the imprint. "Seriously?"
"Yes." It was only fair. "I'll warn off the others. You'll have whatever revenge you want. I give you my word." Hopefully this would keep him happy. The war couldn't start before we were ready because Jacob didn't know how keep himself in line.
Jacob stood up. He was the same height as me, and he might not be done growing yet. But I was still stronger. "Thanks, Sam. It... it's just... thanks."
I nodded tersely. "Is your hand all right?"
"Huh?"
I pointed at his right arm. "I saw you break it a few times. Did it heal?"
"Oh." He flexed his fingers experimentally. "Yeah. It's fine."
"Any pain?"
"Nope."
"Don't do that again. If it mends wrong I'll have to break your knuckles to fix them."
"I'll be careful."
"Good."
Then, absolutely out of nowhere, it hit me. Two waves. One of fury and desperation; one of elation and surprise. Both strong. I nearly buckled under the force of the blow.
Emily.
I heard Jacob say, "Did you feel that?" just before I phased. I ran like hell, dodging trees and crushing branches underpaw.
--emilyemilyemily--
Sam? Sam, wait! Jacob, a wolf again, not far behind me. But he couldn't keep up. What the hell are you--
(claireclaireclaireclaireclaireclaireclaire)
Another voice in the mix -- one thrumming loudly with an imprint vibration.
Quil.
What the--
Quil, man, what the hell is going on?
(claireclaireclaire)
Who's Claire? Jacob's underlevel beat got louder almost instantly. (bellabellabella want bella what the fuck)
--emilyemilyemily-- The rush was bleeding into me too, I grit my teeth against it--
Quil! Seriously, say something!
(claireclaireclaire) This is... wow. I don't even. [a twirling girl and suffusing adoration]
I knew what had just happened.
First things first: Get my brother under control. I kept running, changing my course towards Quil instead of Emily. He had gone from her house, but now he was hovering less than a half a mile away from there, just beyond the road.
Jacob pulled up short behind me. Dude... was that a little kid?
(claireclaireclaire) She's the most amazing thing. (claireclaireclaire) She's everything.
What did you-- Quil, man, did you just imprint? (a kid practically a baby oh my god)
I put on extra speed.
Then Leah into the mix. O Fearless Leader, Jared's not at home. Do I have to go drag him out of his one true love's house or can I--
(claireclaireclaire) She's just... wow. Jacob, you have to meet her. She's so cute.
(holy fucking shit) Jacob wasn't managing much beyond incoherent shock. I couldn't blame him.
Claire? Matthew's Claire? What about her?
(claireclaireclaire)
(bellabellabella--) Damn it, Quil, knock it off! I can't think!
[a twirling girl and suffusing adoration] Jake, dude, how can you complain about this? It feels incredible--
DID YOU JUST IMPRINT ON MY COUSIN'S DAUGHTER?
(claireclaireclaire)
A rush of trees and wind, but not against my body. Leah was going for Quil too. And she was much, much closer.
You sick son of a bitch! And then Leah flashed on an imaginary image of what Jacob and I were thinking, deep down: [quil claire a big hand under a little skirt]
Sudden and spectacular rage, high and blazing, and then Quil was running to meet Leah. Don't you EVER think of her like that (claireclaireclaire) she's just a baby, I'll kill you for even picturing her that way, I'll rip your throat out--
Damn it, I was in the middle of lunch. And there was Paul. Can't these shifts start at-- what the hell is going on?
If I could get everyone to just shut up--
(disgusting messed up am i like this bellabellabella don't want to be like this)
(imprinting always fucking imprinting baby cousin kill him)
(claireclaireclaire picturing her like that kill anyone who pictures her like that she's just a baby rip their hands off)
Seriously, what the hell is going on?
Leah and Quil crashed together before I got there, and the mental waves exploded as they tore at each other. I braced myself against the psychic onslaught. Break it up!
When I arrived in the clearing -- it had taken two minutes but felt like two hours -- the fur was still floating in the air; Leah was favoring her right paw and blood was dripping from a long rip in Quil's ear. It knitted itself back together as I watched. Calm down, both of you.
Oh, wait, I forgot, this is all fine and dandy with you, isn't it? Who cares if she's still in diapers! [quil claire a big hand under a little skirt]--
Quil flattened his ears and growled.
Leah, phase and go get Jared from Kim's. Right now.
The gray wolf fell into a female form immediately, and I turned my head as she pulled on her clothes. She noticed. "No reason not to look, Sam." Her voice was acid. "It's nothing you haven't seen."
I kept my eyes averted anyway. But I noticed the long bruise on her forearm as she jogged away.
(claireclaireclaire) I'll kill anyone who thinks of her like that. Including Leah.
(leah's right hate imprinting all wrong)
Quil, you fell in love with a KID? What the hell, man?
I'm not IN love with her! Darker growls and deepening temper. She's a baby! You people are sick!
Everyone shut up for a minute. In the abrupt silence the itching from Collin and Brady felt that much worse. My head was throbbing horribly. Quil, what happened?
I went to Emily's [scratchy starched shirt only thing clean] to tell her you'd be late. She introduced me to her family (my brother matthew my sister-in-law abbie my niece claire) and then it was just... [little girl twirling huge smile whole earth shifting] (claireclaireclaire) [quiet house except for fighting no brothers no sisters old quil lecturing all the time history duty responsibilities] I get it now, it all makes sense (claireclaireclaire uncomplicated no drama no expectations cute smile so cute) I know why I'm supposed to do this (claireclaireclaire grow up safe good life no danger from bloodsuckers)--
Definitely an imprint. Okay.
Positives: Quil would be gaining all the benefits of having found his soul mate -- easier rest, more focus, a sense of purpose. And it didn't seem to be sexual. Thank God.
Negatives: I'd never even heard of a pre-pubescent imprint. There were going to be a lot of problems, not the least of which would be that he'd rarely get to see her. Not to mention... How did Emily react?
Uh... (get out get out get out ouch) she kind of hit me with a broom.
Silence.
Wow.
Like, with an actual broom?
Yeah. Then she chased me out of the yard. I don't think I'm allowed to go back there.
That would explain the turmoil I'd felt from her. Okay. I'm going to go to Emily's. Paul and Jacob, wait for Jared, then run patrol.
Okay. (so messed up don't want it like this not with bella don't want it)
Right. (it's like noah's ark around here)
Can I go see Claire? (claireclaireclaire)
I glared at the brown wolf. No.
I'll wait 'til she leaves Emily's, I just want to--
No. Stay away from that kid.
I knew before I'd even finished issuing the injunction that it wasn't going to work. The words were useless. I couldn't order a wolf from his imprint.
I need to go see her (claireclaireclaire) I haven't even really met her yet (claireclaireclaire) I want to find out what she's like (claireclaireclaire) aside from amazing, of course (claireclaireclaire)--
I couldn't force him to keep clear of Claire, but I could keep him busy. Go to the beach. Swim to the cliffs and back. Two hundred times. In human form.
My headache got worse as I gave the command.
Quil's eyes widened and he made a whining noise. (claireclaireclaire) Are you kidding?
No, I'm not. Two hundred laps. Go.
He transformed -- a bright pink scar cut across his ear -- gave me a dirty look, and ran off in the direction of First Beach.
At least it would keep him busy until I could sort this mess out.
Jesus. Jacob still sounded shell-shocked. Is that what I sound like?
Paul's snarl was no less biting for being internal. You're worse. Quil might have a thing for a baby, but that's better some white leech-lover. (it's okay paul you're doing good shutupshutup) You sound exactly like him, just extra-emo.
A wave of appalled horror.
Paul, knock it off. The two of you wait for Jared. I'll be back as soon as I can.
I phased... and had no shorts to pull on. I'd gotten so used to going naked around the Pack that I barely remembered to dress when I went in public. Great. At least I wasn't far from Emily's; I stayed inside the tree line as I traveled. If her family was still there, I'd turn around and swing by my house from clothes.
There were no cars in the yard. I couldn't hear any talking. All I saw was my fiancee, sitting alone on the front steps, still clinging to her broom.
Emily.
I ran across the road, but slowed down as I approached. Her pain washed over me and made my ribs crack. There were tear tracks all over her face.
What could I say that would make this better?
After a long moment I sighed. "Sweetheart... you know he can't help it."
Emily's laugh was choked; she didn't look up. "Sam, I am so sick of things that can't be helped."
I tried to sit down next to her, but she scooted away as soon as I bent my knees, so I remained standing. "Did they leave?"
"Yeah, after I chased a six-and-a-half foot tall teenager out of my house with a broom, they decided they didn't want to stick around for egg salad. Funny, that."
"Right." I swallowed. "Listen, it's not as bad as it looks. Quil doesn't think of Claire like that--"
"Uh-huh."
"He doesn't. I know what's in his head, Emily. I'm not pretending that this is good, but it's not that. There will be some way to make it all work, something that will keep everyone--"
"I'm pregnant."
I stopped mid-sentence.
"Ten weeks. There hasn't been a good time to tell you."
In the back of my mind I felt Jared phase. The patrol was ready to go.
"What if it's a girl?"
Embry was asleep. Seth was on his way home from school. Leah was throwing rocks at a tree.
"Should I just hold our daughter up in front of Embry and Paul and Seth and see who wants her?"
Quil's happiness was still there; even swimming laps in the choppy ocean couldn't lessen it.
"Will I have to move away from La Push to keep her safe from all this?"
--emilyemilyemily--
"I'm going to take a nap." Emily propped the broom against the railing as she stood; she didn't look at me. "There's sandwiches on the counter if you want them."
After the door closed it took a long moment before I managed to sit down.
***
Chapter Nine: Develop A Work/Life Balance
Sanity Update: So... yeah. I went there. It was damn hard to write. This is kind of almost a filler chapter; not much plot, but a lot of stuff that needed to happen. Everyone needs snorgles.
(Edited in the hopes of increased clarity.)
Author: audreyii_fic
Fandom: Twilight (Team Jacob)
Rating: T
Characters: Full cast (Jacob/Bella, Sam/Emily)
Genre: Romance/Angst/Wolfpack!Humor
Warnings: Language, violence, and references to adult behavior. (Click here for more details.)
banner courtesy of untilwebleedoz
Summary:
Sequel to The Movement of the Earth. Bella finds the cost of joining the supernatural world may be higher than she can pay. ( Click here to start from the beginning.)
Chapter Eight:
and my words may bind you to me much too tightly / you may choke upon them if we fall apart
David Bendingfield, "Wrap My Words Around You"
8. Build Relationships
Our land was beautiful, full of trees and mountains and rivers feeding into the gray ocean that crashed against craggy cliffs. Technically almost none of it belonged to the Quileute people, but when it came to contracts between vampires and werewolves official governmental delineations accounted for less than nothing. As far as the treaty was concerned, the line of our territory spanned nearly twenty miles; the full area accounted for about fifty.
It was a lot of ground for eight wolves to cover.
Probably that was why there would be more of us soon.
Hey, Sam? What's that?
I paused my scan of the mountainside and felt the world through Quil's eyes; he was further to the south, looking up at the trees. I didn't see anything unusual. What's what?
That tickling. You're tickling.
He's tickling? That was Embry. What do you mean, tickling?
Shut up, idiots. Sam's not ticklish.
Guess you would know, huh, Leah?
Guess I would. Guess I know lots more than you do, don't I? How's that daddy hunt turning out?
Go to hell.
Hey, guys, come on--
Shove it, Quil. What makes you so sure it wasn't your daddy who cheated, Leah? (couldn't be her blood's through sue who cares) Maybe we're siblings. Better stop checking out my ass.
Keep your fucking mouth shut about my father. (all my fault killed him all my fault) [a body hitting the floor]
Or you'll what?
Quiet. At my command, the conversation turned off in my head like a switch -- but the emotions all remained. At least Leah and Embry were a mile and a half apart. The tickling is new phasings.
Questioning from Quil and Leah; recognition from Embry. He'd felt it before.
No, I don't know who it is. Not ready to phase yet. Don't worry about it. It's not your concern. That was half true -- it wasn't any of their concern, but I did know who it was. I'd been feeling the 'tickling' -- more like a mental itch -- for the last few days.
Two kids. Friends. Collin and Brady. I hadn't spent time with them, but I'd seen them around. Everyone knew everyone in La Push.
They'd just turned thirteen.
The bloodsuckers needed to leave.
Six weeks -- five and a half, now. I had no doubt the leeches wouldn't listen, but I'd given my word. That being said... if a couple of kids too young to shave phased before then, I would dismember Carlisle Cullen bone by bone.
Two voiceless waves of frustration and one of spiteful disdain. No question who belonged to what. All right. You can talk.
Leah had the first word, like always. Why thank you for returning our tongues, O Wise and Merciful Leader. (tongue) A flash of a mental image-- [a musty basement and the click of a belt buckle]
My belt buckle.
Everyone saw it.
Quit being such a bitch, Leah. (thank god she can't be my sister no wonder he left emily's nicer maybe he didn't even really imprint)
Embry. It had been a long night and I had no patience for this. Drop it. Now.
Note to self: Figure out the identity of Embry's father before he became as bitter as Leah. Knowing would be better than the potential damage of his growing obsession. Probably. And after all, it didn't make much difference now. We were all brothers anyway.
Wonder when Jacob's coming back.
Wonder if he'll be less messed up after he sees Bella.
Hope so. Listening to him gives me a headache.
Imprint people are weird. A mental flinch from Quil. Er, sorry, Sam.
[a sharp slap and a stinging palm] (sorry leah i know you don't understand) Don't apologize, Quil, the Grand Alpha's certainly not ashamed of anything soul mate-related.
Get back to work. All of you.
Wordless acquiescence, even from Leah.
Leah.
The list of ways I'd messed up:
One. Fell in love with her cousin, then left without giving her a good reason.
Two. Failed to realize she was about to phase then wasn't there to help through the process, meaning she and her brother couldn't hide their thoughts from the Pack.
Three. Sent Jared to explain about imprinting when too injured to phase, instead of doing it personally.
So now Leah hated me.
Not without justification.
--emilyemilyemily--
--no. Not the time to think about this.
I focused on seeing the land through everyone's eyes at once and organized the images into something coherent. Clean smell, brown trunks, mist rising from the forest floor. Potential entrance points through several clearings, though this one could jump... Always look up. Remember she climbs.
Right.
Okay. (at least no one's fighting now hear enough of that at home)
Sure thing, your Lordship.
That was probably about the best I could hope for. Giving in without a battle had been rare for Leah even before she hated me. I wouldn't be getting far at all without forced Alpha compliance. I didn't mind using my authority with others -- I had to think of the greater good -- but with her...
A few minutes later prickles crawled over my body. Someone just crossed into our land, someone--
--someone who should be here.
Hey, guys. Uh, and girl.
Hey, Jake!
How'd it go?
Call me a 'girl' again and I'll feed you your own tail.
What else am I supposed to say? If I went with 'chick' Quil would try to put you on a sandwich.
Wordless alarm from Quil.
Cute. Did the necrophiliac scratch your fleabites?
What did you learn, Jacob? I interjected before the situation got out of hand. Leah was spoiling for a fight with someone, Jacob would happily provide that fight to her if she insulted Bella, and I didn't have a time for any of it.
I guess it wasn't them after all. Sullenness. The bloodsuckers saw what she looked like from my head (it's my mind it's mine get out don't want everyone inside) and they said they'd get back to us once they consulted with the coven leader. Whatever that means.
How's Buffy?
A welling of warmth and relaxation. She's better. (i'm better) What's next?
I tried not to let my relief be shown to the Pack. Moments like now -- Jacob quieter and happier and better suited for the tasks in front of him -- made the prospect of Bella living in Emily's house more bearable. Hopefully he'd be like this all the time once she was here.
He wasn't so bad when he had it together. It felt like he might become the Alpha he should be.
The psychic leech also had one of her visions, by the way. (creepy little thing) Something's up with that.
Does that even really work? (future seeing sounds like bullshit)
I don't see how it can. (wonder if she sees the past too)
We'll give them some time to contact us. I paused to sniff at a reeking sweetness against an oak. Only a few hours old. The trespasser had been through here. Why? At least everyone's civil. That makes things easier. For now.
A strange feeling.
Smug... guilt?
Why would anyone feel smug and guilty at the same time?
Jacob? What happened?
Silence.
If he didn't answer when I asked, what was I supposed to do except order? Jacob. What did you do?
An unwilling series of images and sensations-- [dislocated jaw and shooting pain] (broke my hand don't care son of a bitch touch her again and I'll--) [a black empty spot and a lot of rage] (more pain shouting crowd kill him can't kill him hurt him at least) [smothered fury and an uncomfortable calm] (damn bloodsucker creepy hate him too get her out of here) [a black empty spot and a lot of rage] (going to kill him going to kill him not her fault why does she think it's her fault he's the one who--) [pine tree warm legs desperate kisses] (love her bellabellabella feels so good) [a comfortable calm] I need Friday night off, Sam.
There were so many levels on which I did not need this right now that I couldn't even list them properly. Damn it, Jacob, why did you fight him?
I couldn't see Embry, but I knew he was grinning. Man, that's awesome.
You stupid mutt. Doing that in front of every teenager in Forks.
Did you win?
Of course I did.
Didn't look like it to me.
Well, I would have if we hadn't been interrupted.
Thank God they couldn't read my thoughts unless I wanted them to. Jacob... just go home. Be back in two hours. At least if he wasn't so stressed out he would need less sleep. I'll deal with you then. If I tried to deal with him now I'd break his bones.
What about Friday? he persisted. Seriously, Sam. I'll run however many extra shifts you want to make up for it. Forty-eight hours straight. Seventy-two hours. Whatever. I just need the whole night.
I closed my eyes, focused on the clean feel of moss beneath my paws, and counted to ten. Why should I? What do you want it for?
Jacob's feelings escaped quickly and accidentally. Hope. Anticipation. Nervousness. Lust. And something about the Brat Pack...
Ah.
He hadn't even slept with her yet.
Things made more sense now.
Dude.
Score!
None of your business, douchebags. (my thoughts mine get out get out)
Positives of giving Jacob Friday night: If he had sex with Bella he'd almost certainly stop fighting the imprint.
Negatives of giving Jacob Friday night: It would set a bad precedent. Also he was pissing me off.
Given the givens there was really only one choice. Fine. But you're here the rest of the week.
[popcorn in the microwave and relieved excitement] (bellabellabella) That's fine. That's totally fine. Thanks, Sam.
Go. Be back by eleven.
Jacob disappeared from the Pack mind. Within seconds Quil and Embry were laughing. Man, that is just funny as hell.
Hey, at least he's finally gonna get some. (i'm gonna be the last virgin in the pack oh wait at least there's seth) Maybe if he's not so hard up he'll quit being all angsty.
Hell, Buffy's hot for such a skinny chick. If she was my girlfriend and holding out I'd be angsty too. (wonder if jenny's busy tonight) [smooth breasts and giggling]
So, Master, if Jacob's allowed time off for booty calls, what do the rest of us get?
I'd seen that one coming a mile away. It's a special situation, Leah.
Right. Because he's got the little (imprint imprint imprint) leech lover to think of. What about those of us who aren't in the soul mate club? (sorry leah i know you don't understand) Maybe we should unionize. I want smoke breaks, for starters.
Since when do you smoke?
I have for awhile. [tangled sheets against naked skin two embers and the taste of tobacco]
I nearly tripped over a log.
Oh.
(eep wish i was anywhere but here)
(are those clouds i like clouds i'll think about clouds now that cloud looks like a bunny)
So, whaddaya say? I think fifteen minutes every two hours is fair.
Can we talk about it later? Fatigue set into my body. I wanted Emily. There are better times for this.
Vicious satisfaction.
***
(hungry)
(hungry)
(hungry)
By eleven o'clock I was dead on my feet and so were Leah and Quil and Embry. We'd all been going since midnight. At least the others had gotten a solid five hours of rest after patrolling for an entire day, so some good had come of such a long shift.
As soon as I felt Jacob wake up -- though he hadn't phased yet -- I gave the release. All right. Leah, go let Jared know it's time to run, then send Seth out once he gets home from school.
He's got a history paper.
Write it for him.
Sam--
Embry, I continued, ignoring Leah's objections, get Paul.
(wake up paul sure might as well poke a dragon in the eye)
Quil, stop by Emily's on the way home and tell her I'll be late for lunch. I needed some time to talk to Jacob privately, before the others joined us. And put on a shirt first, her idiot brother is there.
Shirt. Right. Is there meatloaf yet?
Not until dinner. Go.
Quil and Embry phased and took off. Leah didn't. Note to self: Be more specific with orders.
Seth's [a toddler in a crib] grades are already dropping. He needs to do his school work.
He needs to patrol.
He's a kid.
He's a wolf.
Goddamn it, Sam, I know you don't give a shit about me (sorry leah i know you don't understand) but does the Almighty Imprint mean you have to screw over my brother? You don't care about him anymore either? [two boys one short one tall playing basketball a driveway] Tell him he doesn't have to do this stuff. Leah's mental voice had a tinge of desperation. I'll run his shifts. I'll do double-duty. Just leave him alone.
Pain hit my chest, but this particular emotion was mine, which meant I could shove it away. I did. Seth phased, Leah. He's in this now. It can't be changed.
And if he gets hurt? [funeral harry in a casket turns to seth]
I flinched at the mental image. I hadn't gone to Harry's funeral. I hadn't been able to stand up yet. I'm going to keep him as safe as I can. But there's only so much I can do. I was glad she was a quarter mile away and couldn't see my expression, even as a wolf. For what it's worth, I do still care about him. And you.
(never loved me in the first place)
Leah--
'Scuse me, Sir Alpha, gotta go get the other member of the soul mate club. And she dropped out of my mind.
For about thirty seconds I was the only wolf; I stepped into the river and let it wash over my paws. All I could hear was the sound of the water, the wind in the trees, and my own thoughts--
--leah sorry don't hate me emilyemilyemily--
--no.
Stop.
Sam? There was Jacob.
I'm south. Come here. I changed back into human form. The scar stung. Same as always.
The river water felt colder without fur.
When the red wolf appeared out of the tree line, he hesitated. "Phase," I said sharply.
Jacob hit the forest floor instantly, and the impact made him cough. "Jeez, Sam."
"Don't." For a moment I felt my temper boiling up, trying to escape from the cage I'd forced it into for the last year and a half. Part of me wanted to rip the whelp in half. And it wasn't a small part. "What the hell were you thinking?"
It didn't matter that we were both human and I couldn't read his mind; I was still Alpha. Jacob's resentment and anger hit me hard. "He had it coming."
"I don't care." That stupid, selfish little-- "What did you think was going to happen? Did you think you'd kill Edward Cullen all by yourself in the middle of a parking lot?"
"It was worth a try," he muttered as he got to his feet.
"No, it wasn't! Do you have any idea what you almost did? How many people could have gotten hurt? The treaty? Our secrets? You think watching you get torn apart by that bloodsucker is going to make Bella happy?"
Jacob's face darkened and his hands curled into fists. "Leave her out of it," he growled. "You don't know what the hell you're talking about. If this was Emily we wouldn't even be having this conversation."
I ground my teeth together. "Well, it isn't Emily, and we are having this conversation. You have responsibilities--"
"You don't know what he did to her--"
"Not everything is about Bella Swan!" I exploded.
"Yes, it is!"
I paused. Jacob's face blanched as he realized what he'd just said. All his anger washed away, and he sat shakily on a log and put his head in his hands.
After a moment I murmured, "If you just accept that this is the way your mind functions now--"
"No." His miserable tone reminded me of something, but I couldn't put my finger on what. "It's messed up. This isn't how it's supposed to work. I don't want this."
"Well, you've got it." I waited for him to snap back at me, or even look up, but he just sat with his face covered. His unhappiness soaked into my body.
Focus. It was his unhappiness, not mine. Keep a distance. Sympathy, not empathy.
I sighed and scanned the line of the forest. Huge trees with moss growing up the sides. Soft and steady and always getting taller. "You're not going to tell me what happened."
A long beat. "I promised Bella I wouldn't."
"Ah." Promises to imprints were more or less unbreakable. "But it was bad."
Jacob's shape rippled, and the misery nearly caved under the weight of renewed fury. "Yes," he said shortly. "It was bad. You've never seen them work, Sam. I mean, you've chased them and fought them and stuff, but you've never seen how people react when they talk and how she just--" His words cut off for a moment with a shudder, but he managed to collect himself. "They're like drugs or something. I don't know how they do it, but they do. And they do it to her all the time. Get it?"
If he kept sending off that much anguish and agitation I would get it whether I wanted to or not. And I didn't want to. It wouldn't be useful. "What we want doesn't change the facts."
"But--"
"No." Jacob's shoulders tensed, and I realized that my feet were going slightly numb in the water. "Jacob, you have to understand these things for when you're Alpha."
"That's not going to happen."
"Listen to me. They're not going to leave. You know it, I know it. So we'll fight. But there's seven of them and seven of us--"
"Eight of us."
"I'm not counting Seth." No matter how bad the situation got, Seth wasn't going to be in the front lines. "So it's even numbers, and you're right. None of us have seen them work aside from you. They're not strangers, like the others. They've known this area since the time of our great-grandfathers. They're strong, they're fast, and they've got powers that we don't."
Jacob looked up from his hands, eyes wide. "You think we're going to lose."
I shook my head. "No. We'll win. But it's going to be hard. We're going to need to time things properly and to our maximum advantage. It's going to have to be planned and careful, Jacob. It can't start in a school parking lot because one of us lost his temper."
Shame.
"But," I continued, "I promise that when the time comes, Edward Cullen is yours."
Jacob's whole being lit with fire. Fueled by the imprint. "Seriously?"
"Yes." It was only fair. "I'll warn off the others. You'll have whatever revenge you want. I give you my word." Hopefully this would keep him happy. The war couldn't start before we were ready because Jacob didn't know how keep himself in line.
Jacob stood up. He was the same height as me, and he might not be done growing yet. But I was still stronger. "Thanks, Sam. It... it's just... thanks."
I nodded tersely. "Is your hand all right?"
"Huh?"
I pointed at his right arm. "I saw you break it a few times. Did it heal?"
"Oh." He flexed his fingers experimentally. "Yeah. It's fine."
"Any pain?"
"Nope."
"Don't do that again. If it mends wrong I'll have to break your knuckles to fix them."
"I'll be careful."
"Good."
Then, absolutely out of nowhere, it hit me. Two waves. One of fury and desperation; one of elation and surprise. Both strong. I nearly buckled under the force of the blow.
Emily.
I heard Jacob say, "Did you feel that?" just before I phased. I ran like hell, dodging trees and crushing branches underpaw.
--emilyemilyemily--
Sam? Sam, wait! Jacob, a wolf again, not far behind me. But he couldn't keep up. What the hell are you--
(claireclaireclaireclaireclaireclaireclaire)
Another voice in the mix -- one thrumming loudly with an imprint vibration.
Quil.
What the--
Quil, man, what the hell is going on?
(claireclaireclaire)
Who's Claire? Jacob's underlevel beat got louder almost instantly. (bellabellabella want bella what the fuck)
--emilyemilyemily-- The rush was bleeding into me too, I grit my teeth against it--
Quil! Seriously, say something!
(claireclaireclaire) This is... wow. I don't even. [a twirling girl and suffusing adoration]
I knew what had just happened.
First things first: Get my brother under control. I kept running, changing my course towards Quil instead of Emily. He had gone from her house, but now he was hovering less than a half a mile away from there, just beyond the road.
Jacob pulled up short behind me. Dude... was that a little kid?
(claireclaireclaire) She's the most amazing thing. (claireclaireclaire) She's everything.
What did you-- Quil, man, did you just imprint? (a kid practically a baby oh my god)
I put on extra speed.
Then Leah into the mix. O Fearless Leader, Jared's not at home. Do I have to go drag him out of his one true love's house or can I--
(claireclaireclaire) She's just... wow. Jacob, you have to meet her. She's so cute.
(holy fucking shit) Jacob wasn't managing much beyond incoherent shock. I couldn't blame him.
Claire? Matthew's Claire? What about her?
(claireclaireclaire)
(bellabellabella--) Damn it, Quil, knock it off! I can't think!
[a twirling girl and suffusing adoration] Jake, dude, how can you complain about this? It feels incredible--
DID YOU JUST IMPRINT ON MY COUSIN'S DAUGHTER?
(claireclaireclaire)
A rush of trees and wind, but not against my body. Leah was going for Quil too. And she was much, much closer.
You sick son of a bitch! And then Leah flashed on an imaginary image of what Jacob and I were thinking, deep down: [quil claire a big hand under a little skirt]
Sudden and spectacular rage, high and blazing, and then Quil was running to meet Leah. Don't you EVER think of her like that (claireclaireclaire) she's just a baby, I'll kill you for even picturing her that way, I'll rip your throat out--
Damn it, I was in the middle of lunch. And there was Paul. Can't these shifts start at-- what the hell is going on?
If I could get everyone to just shut up--
(disgusting messed up am i like this bellabellabella don't want to be like this)
(imprinting always fucking imprinting baby cousin kill him)
(claireclaireclaire picturing her like that kill anyone who pictures her like that she's just a baby rip their hands off)
Seriously, what the hell is going on?
Leah and Quil crashed together before I got there, and the mental waves exploded as they tore at each other. I braced myself against the psychic onslaught. Break it up!
When I arrived in the clearing -- it had taken two minutes but felt like two hours -- the fur was still floating in the air; Leah was favoring her right paw and blood was dripping from a long rip in Quil's ear. It knitted itself back together as I watched. Calm down, both of you.
Oh, wait, I forgot, this is all fine and dandy with you, isn't it? Who cares if she's still in diapers! [quil claire a big hand under a little skirt]--
Quil flattened his ears and growled.
Leah, phase and go get Jared from Kim's. Right now.
The gray wolf fell into a female form immediately, and I turned my head as she pulled on her clothes. She noticed. "No reason not to look, Sam." Her voice was acid. "It's nothing you haven't seen."
I kept my eyes averted anyway. But I noticed the long bruise on her forearm as she jogged away.
(claireclaireclaire) I'll kill anyone who thinks of her like that. Including Leah.
(leah's right hate imprinting all wrong)
Quil, you fell in love with a KID? What the hell, man?
I'm not IN love with her! Darker growls and deepening temper. She's a baby! You people are sick!
Everyone shut up for a minute. In the abrupt silence the itching from Collin and Brady felt that much worse. My head was throbbing horribly. Quil, what happened?
I went to Emily's [scratchy starched shirt only thing clean] to tell her you'd be late. She introduced me to her family (my brother matthew my sister-in-law abbie my niece claire) and then it was just... [little girl twirling huge smile whole earth shifting] (claireclaireclaire) [quiet house except for fighting no brothers no sisters old quil lecturing all the time history duty responsibilities] I get it now, it all makes sense (claireclaireclaire uncomplicated no drama no expectations cute smile so cute) I know why I'm supposed to do this (claireclaireclaire grow up safe good life no danger from bloodsuckers)--
Definitely an imprint. Okay.
Positives: Quil would be gaining all the benefits of having found his soul mate -- easier rest, more focus, a sense of purpose. And it didn't seem to be sexual. Thank God.
Negatives: I'd never even heard of a pre-pubescent imprint. There were going to be a lot of problems, not the least of which would be that he'd rarely get to see her. Not to mention... How did Emily react?
Uh... (get out get out get out ouch) she kind of hit me with a broom.
Silence.
Wow.
Like, with an actual broom?
Yeah. Then she chased me out of the yard. I don't think I'm allowed to go back there.
That would explain the turmoil I'd felt from her. Okay. I'm going to go to Emily's. Paul and Jacob, wait for Jared, then run patrol.
Okay. (so messed up don't want it like this not with bella don't want it)
Right. (it's like noah's ark around here)
Can I go see Claire? (claireclaireclaire)
I glared at the brown wolf. No.
I'll wait 'til she leaves Emily's, I just want to--
No. Stay away from that kid.
I knew before I'd even finished issuing the injunction that it wasn't going to work. The words were useless. I couldn't order a wolf from his imprint.
I need to go see her (claireclaireclaire) I haven't even really met her yet (claireclaireclaire) I want to find out what she's like (claireclaireclaire) aside from amazing, of course (claireclaireclaire)--
I couldn't force him to keep clear of Claire, but I could keep him busy. Go to the beach. Swim to the cliffs and back. Two hundred times. In human form.
My headache got worse as I gave the command.
Quil's eyes widened and he made a whining noise. (claireclaireclaire) Are you kidding?
No, I'm not. Two hundred laps. Go.
He transformed -- a bright pink scar cut across his ear -- gave me a dirty look, and ran off in the direction of First Beach.
At least it would keep him busy until I could sort this mess out.
Jesus. Jacob still sounded shell-shocked. Is that what I sound like?
Paul's snarl was no less biting for being internal. You're worse. Quil might have a thing for a baby, but that's better some white leech-lover. (it's okay paul you're doing good shutupshutup) You sound exactly like him, just extra-emo.
A wave of appalled horror.
Paul, knock it off. The two of you wait for Jared. I'll be back as soon as I can.
I phased... and had no shorts to pull on. I'd gotten so used to going naked around the Pack that I barely remembered to dress when I went in public. Great. At least I wasn't far from Emily's; I stayed inside the tree line as I traveled. If her family was still there, I'd turn around and swing by my house from clothes.
There were no cars in the yard. I couldn't hear any talking. All I saw was my fiancee, sitting alone on the front steps, still clinging to her broom.
Emily.
I ran across the road, but slowed down as I approached. Her pain washed over me and made my ribs crack. There were tear tracks all over her face.
What could I say that would make this better?
After a long moment I sighed. "Sweetheart... you know he can't help it."
Emily's laugh was choked; she didn't look up. "Sam, I am so sick of things that can't be helped."
I tried to sit down next to her, but she scooted away as soon as I bent my knees, so I remained standing. "Did they leave?"
"Yeah, after I chased a six-and-a-half foot tall teenager out of my house with a broom, they decided they didn't want to stick around for egg salad. Funny, that."
"Right." I swallowed. "Listen, it's not as bad as it looks. Quil doesn't think of Claire like that--"
"Uh-huh."
"He doesn't. I know what's in his head, Emily. I'm not pretending that this is good, but it's not that. There will be some way to make it all work, something that will keep everyone--"
"I'm pregnant."
I stopped mid-sentence.
"Ten weeks. There hasn't been a good time to tell you."
In the back of my mind I felt Jared phase. The patrol was ready to go.
"What if it's a girl?"
Embry was asleep. Seth was on his way home from school. Leah was throwing rocks at a tree.
"Should I just hold our daughter up in front of Embry and Paul and Seth and see who wants her?"
Quil's happiness was still there; even swimming laps in the choppy ocean couldn't lessen it.
"Will I have to move away from La Push to keep her safe from all this?"
--emilyemilyemily--
"I'm going to take a nap." Emily propped the broom against the railing as she stood; she didn't look at me. "There's sandwiches on the counter if you want them."
After the door closed it took a long moment before I managed to sit down.
***
Chapter Nine: Develop A Work/Life Balance
Sanity Update: So... yeah. I went there. It was damn hard to write. This is kind of almost a filler chapter; not much plot, but a lot of stuff that needed to happen. Everyone needs snorgles.
(Edited in the hopes of increased clarity.)