BELLA POV

I was finishing making dinner when the phone rang. I'd had a great day, Edward got back from hunting in time to meet Katie. Even though their meeting was polite, it was strange. Katie seemed wary, kind, but wary. Edward could read her mind, but after she headed off to class his first comment was "She smells strange." I looked at him curiously and said "Strange how?" He shrugged, somehow making the movement graceful, and said "She smells like you, faintly, but it's wilder, like she grew up in the woods" When he saw my look he amended his previous statement saying "It's not bad, per say, just different." The rest of school went smoothly, I saw Katie at lunch and she seemed happy and got along great with Alice, Emmett and Jasper. She also made some human friends, not that she knew the Cullen's weren't. She did mutter about stupid football boys, when someone catcalled her in the cafeteria. But overall I was happy she was settling in.

After school, on the drive home I was still appalled at what my cousin had told me before we left. "Five miles! She's insane!" Edward just laughed at me and said "Some people prefer an active lifestyle, besides, if her scent was any indication, she probably hates being indoors." "Yeah, maybe. But will she even make it home for dinner?" Edward remarked "not everyone moves as slowly as you do." I glared at him and he laughed. "I'm sure she's fine, she seems like quite the little athlete." Since it is a Friday, I decided to be a typical teenager and put off my homework, I sat on the couch with Edward, just talking and enjoying being near him. Keeping up the taking part was difficult because every so often, Edward would graze his nose along my neck, or kiss my cheek, or just look at me with those mesmerizing eyes and I would lose my train of thought. Which was probably his point because I was talking about Jacob. "I know you think it's not safe, but he needs me, he's been so sad and bitter and angry..." Edward cut me off and said "I get it, I really do, I just don't trust you around a new werewolf. You attract danger like a magnet" I glared at him and said "Jacob would never hurt me." He pulled me up and said "I know, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you, I just worry." We hugged and then I started suddenly "Charlie's dinner!!" I internally curse myself and get started on it as Edward calmly walks around helping. I'm almost done as Charlie walks in and collapses next to Edward on the coach and mumbles "Smells great" before zoning in on the game. And then the phone rings. My hands were busy, so I shouted over to Charlie, who reluctantly walked over and said in a gruff voice "Hello?" His demeanor changed instantly when he said "Oh Sam, it's great to hear from you, how can I help you?" It again shifted when he said "What? How did this happen? Is she okay? Where is she?" I looked up in concern and saw Charlie putting on his boots and getting his keys. I put down the dinner I was finishing as he said, "Thanks Sam, for everything, we're on our way." Then he turned to me and said "Grab your shoes, let's go." "Why? What happened?" He responded with "Katie was attacked, Sam and Jacob found her fighting them off, she was injured, they're at Emily's" I was stunned, then my mind went into overdrive, if the pack was involved was it a vampire attack? Is she dying? I could feel myself to start to hyperventilate, then Edward was there, he put his hands on face saying "Calm down, it wasn't a vampire attack, and she's fine, Sam says she was up and alert but is sleeping now. Relax Bella. Breathe." I calmed down from his reassurances, then ran to put my shoes on and jumped in Charlie's cruiser, not even caring about my car. Katie was practically my sister and she was here less than 24 hours and was already hurt.

Charlie didn't waste anytime, he blazed down the road and into the Rez, Edward couldn't come because of the treaty, but promised to be there if I called him. I turned my head to face Charlie, he face was set in a hard line, he considered Katie a daughter and loved her to bits, she was the only one who could talk sports with him and she positively exuded happiness and energy. He pulled up outside of Emily and Sams house, and jumped out of the car, practically running to their door, I was close behind him, trying not to trip over my own two feet. Charlie banged on the door and Sam answered saying "Come in, but be quiet. She's sleeping on the couch. I'll explain everything I can, you should talk to her when she wakes up." We followed him in to Emily's quaint house and she came up to give me a hug and said "welcome back" then addressed me and Charlie saying "I assume you want to physically see her, she's in the living room, come on, but don't wake her please, she's had a long day" that's an understatement, I thought. She showed us to the living room where Embry and Quil were playing video games with the volume on mute, then I glanced to the couch and saw something that shocked me. Katie wasn't sleeping on the couch, she was sleeping on Jacob. Wait that sounds wrong, she was resting her head against his chest and his arm was draped protectively across her shoulders, she was even wearing his sweatshirt. Anyone walking in would think that these kids had been friends for years, not just hours. Jacob raised his hand in a friendly wave and mouthed "Hi" Charlie looked shocked that he was this close to Katie and went up to get a closer look at her to make sure she was alright. He walked up and brushed her hair back examining a cut on her temple. Then faced Jacob saying in a whisper "What happened?" Katie stirred and moved at the noise, then nestled into Jacobs side again, making him smile. Smile, I realized, Jacob was smiling how he had before he phased, it was my Jacobs smile. But it wasn't directed at me, no, all that quiet happiness was directed to the girl curled up in his side, my cousin.

Once Katie settled again, Jacob whispered "I don't want to wake her, Sam will tell you what we know, but she's okay, just tired and a little bruised." Charlie seemed to relax at his words, probably because his trust in Jacob has always been absolute. Charlie stalked to the kitchen to interrogate Sam about the incident but I stayed and gave Jacob a meaningful look, like a "we'll talk about this because you were just in a depression and now you're the happiest I've ever seen you" sorta look. He just gave me a content smile and gestured with his head to the kitchen. I gave another glance at Katie, then walked into the kitchen to her the story.

————don't mind me, just a line break————

Woah. My cousin is a badass. Those were my only thoughts after I heard the story from Sam. Charlie looked just as baffled and impressed as I felt. Then he growled out "If I see those boys again I'm gonna..." Sam answered with"I know, I feel the same, but I don't think they'll try anything again, if they do they'll have us to answer to" Charlie relaxed and said "I'm in your debt Sam, thanks for helping her." He waved him off "Eh. She hardly needed any help. She's one tough kid" Charlie smiled and said "Yeah. She sure is." Then Emily added "Jacob and Katie have gotten super close, they talk and banter like old friends." I smiled and said "I'm glad she found a good friend and that Jakes happy." She smiled warmly and said to Charlie "would you like to stay for dinner. Then maybe Katie would wake up, or she's welcome to sleep over tonight if you don't want to move her, seeing as tomorrow is Saturday." Charlie shook his head and said "You've been so helpful already and we wouldn't want to intrude." This time Sam shook his head and said "Nonsense, were practically family, stay as long as you need" I cut in for Charlie saying "Thanks Sam, we really appreciate it."

Charlie stayed in the kitchen with Sam and Emily to talk more, while I headed into the living room to talk to Jake. As I walked passed Quil and Embry (who are currently laying on the floor) I ruffled their hair and, in return, they swatted at my legs. As I approached Jacob he scrunched up his nose and said "No offense, but you stink." I glared at him and he just huffed a laugh, careful to not disturb the girl currently using him as a pillow. I perched on the arm rest next to him and said "Be honest, how bad was it? Sam only said she was "bruised" to not scare Charlie. I want to know exactly what happened. Please tell me." Jacob sighed and answered with "I was running patrol when we saw them chasing her, it was a group of four guys. Later we found out that it was actually eight, she took care of four by herself. But they tackled her, they touched her..." He shuddered then continued saying "I wanted to rip out their throats for that, but rules are rules and we technically can't interfere with human issues unless it's life threatening, Sam held me, Quil and Embry back from helping with Alpha orders. Then she bit his fingers and he slapped her" Jacob gritted his teeth as he pointed to a bruise marring Katie's cheek. "And when she wouldn't let go, they dislocated her shoulder, she fought back but they caught her again and were punching her, so Sam let us go help her, even though she really didn't need that much. Her shoulder is sensitive right now, but better, she'll be pretty sore for the next few days, but she seems fine, tired, but fine."

He smiles at Katie as she murmured in her sleep again. I let out a breathe and said "Okay. But what happened here" I gestured between the two of them "You haven't been like this since...before you phased." He grimaced, carefully removing Katie from him, which he had a hard time doing because she had fisted and grabbed at his shirt to keep him there, while she was still asleep. He smiled at this, gently laid her down on the couch and motioned for me to follow him to the hallway right next to the living room and said "Don't freak out" I stopped suddenly and said "I'll try." He turned to me and blurted out in a rushed whisper "I imprinted of Katie" Wait. What? He imprinted on my cousin. My cousin! "YOU WHAT?!?" The boys stopped playing video games and stared at me. Katie stirred in her sleep at the noise and Jacob clamped a hand over my mouth. He hissed "I said don't freak out, besides it's not something I can control, I just saw her and my world shifted, it's not my fault; it's a wolf thing." I flashed through everything I saw him do since I walked in, the quite happiness he seemed to exude, the small smiles directed at Katie, the near reverence and gentleness he used around her, how Emily mentioned how they bantered and teased like old friends. Suddenly I understood, he loved her like I loved Edward. Irrationally and irrevocably in love. That kind of love that made Jacob want to do anything, be anything for her. So I removed his hand from my mouth and whispered "I'm sorry I shouted, and I get it, I'm not mad." He loosed a breath and I cut him off before he could continue saying "But if you hurt her, I'll get Edward to break your jaw" Jacob chuckled at the memory, and walked back into the living room.

JACOBS POV

Well that went better than expected. I thought Bella would freak and then try to force me to not see Katie, which would have been horrible. But after her outburst, Bella looked as if she had understood how deep my feelings went for her. I walked back in to the living room to find Katie sitting up on the couch rubbing her shoulder as talked to Bella. While she was talking she was scanning the room for something. "Really Bella I'm fine, nothing broken, I'm alright. Calm down before you give yourself a stroke." Then her eyes fell on me as I walked in and her shoulders relaxed. She smiled at me then took Bella's hands and said "Look Bells, if you don't believe me, ask Jacob." Bella faced me and I drawled "Yeah she's great. Ready to take on the world and all that jazz." Katie turned to glare at me, but their was no hate behind it, just playful irritation and she answered sarcastically "Gee, thanks Jake, super helpful. What ever would I do with out you?" I gave her a mock bow and she threw a pillow at me. I chuckled as I caught it and sat down next to her on the couch. She yawned and rubbed her eyes saying "How long was I out?" I looked at the clock on the wall and said "About three hours" her stomach growled loudly, which caused Quil and Embry to laugh. Instead of getting embarrassed, Katie just laughed and said "Oh please, I saw how much y'all ate, if anyone should value the sanctity of food, it would be you guys." Bella stood and went to the kitchen to grab some food for Katie.

I turned to look at Katie who was wincing as she touched and inspected her bruised cheek. She turned to watch the boys playing video games and they paused it to look at her with a devious look. They said "Soooooo, Katie. We have some very important questions for you." Katie sat up, her eyes bright, suddenly interested and answered "Okay. Shoot." Quil turned to smirk at me then said to Katie "First off. Favorite pet?" I groaned I knew where this was going. But Katie answered with "Dogs obviously." Embry smiled as if she had passed some big test, then asked "Warm or Cold?" Katie didn't miss a beat and said "Warm." The questions didn't end "Do you know anything about mythical creatures?" "Yeah...I guess" Katie answered hesitantly. Oh my god. They are trying to decide if she likes werewolves...uggg Sam is going to kill them, if I don't kill them first. Quil this time asked "Vampires or werewolves?" Katie made a face, and drawled "Obviously werewolves. Vampires are cold and dead, that's kinda gross. Werewolves are warm and always outside, so yeah werewolves for sure." Katie finished with a laugh and my heart soared. I was so relieved and happy I thought my chest would burst. Embry finished the questioning with things like: favorite color (green), favorite sport (running or swimming), favorite meal of the day (breakfast).

Just as they were getting ready to ask more Bella walked in with food and I said "Okay that's enough questions, guys." Katie whipped her head to Bella and breathed in deep saying, "That smells fantastic". When Bella handed her the plate she practically devoured it. Then got up to get seconds, and thirds, finally she sat down saying "Okay I'm stuffed." Emily came in and laughed saying "She almost eats as much as you boys" Katie protested and saying "Hey I'm a growing girl." Then Charlie and Sam emerged from the kitchen and Charlie saw that Katie was up, and said "Hey champ, how ya feeling?" Katie returned a reassuring smile and said "Doing great" Charlie walked over and I moved up so that he could sit down next to her. To my surprise, he turned to me and pulled me into a hug saying "Thank you for helping her, and for everything you've done for us." Wow, I thought, he must've really been scared if he's showing emotion like this. I briefly hugged him back saying "no problem, she's a fighter" He sat down next to her and pulled her into a hug as well. She sighed and said "Charlie, I know you won't believe me, but I really am fine." This time Charlie sighed and said "I know, but I was so worried and I promise, those boys" he scowled and continued "those boys will be thrown in jail and bruised so bad they won't come near you again." Quil laughed and said "Oh they're already bruised, and if they come near her again, they'll have us to deal with" The rest of my pack nodded their agreement. Charlie thanked us again and Sam shrugged it off.

Charlie then looked at his watch and said "Well we better head home, I've got fishing in the morning." Bella grabbed her coat and shoes and started walking to the door. Katie stood up to follow them, and I came with her to walk her to the car. As we cleared the door and headed to the long driveway to where the cruiser was parked. Emily and Sam came to wave goodbye telling Katie to not be a stranger around here and such. She smiled, waved and thanked them. About halfway down the driveway (with Bella and Charlie already in the car) Katie stopped to look at me and said "Thanks for everything Jake. I feel like..." she stopped and tried to collect her thoughts and blurted out"I am going to see you again, right?" She stopped suddenly, her face going red, as if she didn't want to say all that. She shook her head and turned away, I grabbed her hand, her muscles tensed in surprise, and as she turned I said "Yeah, I would like that, if you don't mind seeing these losers every once in a while." The corner of her mouth tugged up she tried to keep her face serious and she said "It'll be a challenge, but I think I could stomach it." I smiled broadly and said "I'll see you tomorrow, then." She gave me a smile and said "As much as I would like to hang out with you, I don't have a car and Bella is spending the day with Edward."

I stiffened at the name, but where I expected a roar of jealousy and rage to blind me, it wasn't there. Well, there is the rage that comes from your mortal (well, immortal) enemy trying to turn your best friend into a lifeless monster. But, I digressed, Katie was still waiting for a response as she carefully surveying my expression and posture. I calmed the subtle tremor in my arms and said "I can pick you up, around 9ish, if you want" Charlie honked the horn Katie waved at them and said with a broad smile "I got to go, see you at nine Jake." She turned and jogged to the cruiser mumbling "Alright, alright, I'm here. Don't get your taser in a twist." I chuckled loosely and waved at Katie and Bella as they drove away.

As soon as they left I phased and took off. Running from pure elation. The forest flew by in blurs of green and brown. In my head I was whooping and yelling with joy. Seth spoke into my mind, Hey dude what's with all the hollering? I answered back a bit drily Seth you can see into my mind. He was quiet for a few moments as he sorted through my memories of today. Then he responded with Wow! Jake you imprinted! That's so cool! She seems so cool! Can I meet her tomorrow?

Jeez Seth calm down. And yes you can meet her tomorrow, just please be normal. Seth just laughed and laughed as we ran.