Title: Intrinsic Fascination

Author: pantheradraconis

Rating: M

Pairing: Bella/Rosalie

Summary: The world is filled with billions of people; a new breath is taken every second. A last breath is taken as well. But the cycle continues, on and on; who would bother noticing when someone doesn't quite fit into this cycle…

"After all this has passed, I still will remain. After I've cried my last, there'll be beauty from pain. Though it won't be today, someday I'll hope again and there'll be beauty from pain. You will bring beauty from my pain." - Superchick, Beauty From Pain

"Come, we could all use a good meal and some rest. Bella?"

"Yes, Esme?"

"Call your father."

"Right, of course. I just need a phone."

Rosalie handed one over but asked, "Where's yours?"

"Emmett told me I'm too much of a klutz to bring a phone to a battle."

"But wait, you had it with you just before."

"Oh, yeah, no. I didn't listen to Emmett and now my phone is broken."

Rosalie laughed so hard she snorted.

Bella and Jake sat next to one another with their feet dangling off the cliff edge. They watched the sun slowly set over the waves of the ocean, waiting for night to descend. There were several words to be said but so many of them felt like lead in Bella's mouth. There would be a bonfire tonight, a solemn affair, down on the beach. Several burial canoes were being erected for each of the fallen. It was an old practice, one that had changed with the times, but it felt right. They would burn each of the canoes as the night searched for the dawn, all except for one; the one that represented Sam. Sam's canoe was to be sailed out into the ocean until it found its island, once there it would be erected for time to solidify. It was a great honor for an Alpha.

"I'm going to Egypt," Jake said suddenly, startling Bella.

"Uh, ok, like now?"

Jake laughed, "Obviously not, but soon."

"Why?"

Jake looked down at his large hands. He held them up like he could block out the sun but then leaned back and closed his eyes.

"Benjamin and the others need to bury Tia."

"And he asked you to go with him?"

"Yeah."

"Wow."

"I know, right?"

"So, Benjamin, uh, that's a lot, huh?" Bella squirmed in her seat.

"It's weird." Jake laughed.

Bella laughed back and added, "I never would have thought you had a thing for older guys."

Jake pushed her playfully and shook his head. "It's not really like that. It's not all romantic junk."

"Are you sure? Benjamin is really pretty." Bella shrugged and received another playful push. "I'm just saying, you could have done a lot worse."

"Yeah, I could have imprinted on you!" Jake jumped to his feet before Bella could tackle him. "Last one down has to pack my bag!" Jake yelled out before leaping off the cliff.

Bella screamed out to him, "You barely wear shirts! How hard could that be!" She ran as fast as she could down the rough side to the sandy beach. Jacob fought against the waves to swim to shore but Bella just beat him.

The two laughed but tried to keep quiet, the funeral was only a mile away. They could see the large bonfire at the center, surrounded by the tall burial structures. It was a solemn affair and one that made Bella's heart ache. So many kids were dead and for what? Laurent's greed? His demand for power? Or was it her fault?

She didn't know how to face the guilt she felt, the pressure of knowing Laurent attacked Forks just to get her attention. If she hadn't come, or if she had been able to face him sooner instead of hiding away… She shook her head, and buried the thoughts in the recesses of her mind. It wouldn't due to focus on so many negatives. She had to face what was real and what was needed now. Correct the past by doing better in the present.

Jake looked around and noted Charlie and Sue and his dad, Billy were making their way to the beach.

"I guess it's time." He looked back at Bella. "Is blondie coming?"

Bella rolled her eyes, "Yes, my coven will be here soon. They went up to Alaska with the Denali coven to put Irinia to rest."

"Why didn't you go?"

Bella shrugged, "I didn't know her. I felt like I'd just be in the way."

"Rosalie didn't want you there?"

"She did, I just, look it's complicated, ok?" Bella said, a slight growl to her voice. "I couldn't go knowing it was…"

Jake nodded but said nothing. They made their way to the beach and Jake followed Billy up to the bonfire. Bella saw Angela with Leah and Seth, she saw several members of the tribe she'd known for most of her life, she saw the strain Charlie felt as he held himself from moving to her side. She waved in a pathetic attempt of acknowledgment but stayed far away.

A few words were spoken in the Quileute languages, they were words Bella didn't understand but she felt the sadness and the hope. As she watched Jake light a large torch and pass it to Billy she realized she saw the two great leaders of the tribe, the Alpha and the Senior. It was humbling to realize it was the very family she grew up in.

A soft hand fell on her shoulder and she looked up to see Esme standing beside her. On the other side, her hand was placed tenderly within Rosalie's. She wanted desperately to ask about Alaska, about the Denali's, about everything but the words dried on her tongue.

As the burial canoes were lit and the fires grew into the night, Bella heard a soft, but strong voice from behind her. It was Jasper, singing just loud enough for those around him to hear. A few lines in, she heard Sue from across the way, sing with him and then a few others. He sang a sad, beautiful song, a song about happiness and freedom and release. The words followed Sam's canoe out into the waves and across the sea.

The fires burned through the night. The crowd stayed until the sun rose behind them.

"So I take it you won't be finishing out the school year?" Charlie joked with a weary grin. He sat on Billy's couch at the far end of the living room. Bella was leaning against the front door in the kitchen on the other side of the house.

Bella rolled her eyes and grinned. "It does not seem like a real possibility at the moment."

"We certainly won't be stopping your education, though," Esme noted in a very parental manner. She and Carlisle stood in the kitchen in a very nonchalant manner but both Charlie and Bella knew they were ready to intervene if need be. Bella was careful to breathe through her mouth. "I've already signed you up for online courses and I have a few brochures for online colleges. I've created a packet for you to look over as well, Chief Swan."

"Charlie, please."

Esme smiled, "Charlie, we will work very hard with Bella and be with her every step of the way as she adjusts to her new lifestyle."

Charlie half smiled, half frowned. "I really do appreciate everything you're doing but I wish there was more I could do to help."

"To be honest, keeping up appearances is really the most we can ask for."

"This isn't my first rodeo," Charlie grinned. "Again, thank you."

"Of course."

Bella reached out toward her father but then quickly removed herself from the conversation. The rooms were starting to feel too small and she needed to remove herself.

They were still at the Res, Charlie was staying with Billy to help with the cleanup of the main lodge and the tribe elections, so Bella made her way to the garage where she was hoping to find Jake. She also found a very confused Benjamin.

"So wait, you paid for this pile of metal?" Benjamin asked while pointing at an old, rusty car.

"This a 1970 Porsche 911, it's a classic."

"It looks like a piece of junk."

"Well yeah, now it does. Give it a few years and I'll get it cleaned up. Maybe I'll even let you ride in it."

"So you're a man who doesn't like giving up the driver's seat?" Benjamin asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I, uh, um…" Jake coughed out.

"We will have to see about that," Benjamin added while seeming to size Jake up. "We will definitely have to see."

"Completely platonic?" Bella asked, joining the two in the garage.

"Bella!" Jake yelled out a little too loudly for the confined space. "I mean, hi Bella. How are you today?"

"Oh you know, same as before. Undead, trying not to kill my father, the reason for all the recent funerals, oh but apparently I get to start online classes next week, so there's that."

"I got my complete education online, it was actually very convenient," Benjamin added, completely skimming over the rest of the words Bella said. "But I will excuse myself now. Isabella, I believe I'll be seeing you later at the Cullen's?" He didn't wait for a reply before quickly patting Jake on the butt and vanishing out the door.

Jake's squeak of surprise didn't come out until the vampire was long gone. Bella laughed causing Jake to throw a dirty rag at her face.

"So, what's it like to be imprinted to that?" Bella asked, sincerely interested.

"Weird, very weird." Jake rubbed the back of his neck. "It's crazy to think of the timing though. We made eye contact and there was just this woosh, this hurricane of winds, and then silence. I could see it in his eyes, the way they went from dark and cold to bright and glittery. It was if he was waking up from a coma, seeing the world for real. It was strange."

"That sounds really beautiful, Jake."

Jake rolled his eyes, "Yeah, yeah. I'm just glad it snapped him out of whatever bad Joo-Joo mix you guys were under."

Bella laughed dryly, "I cannot argue with that."

Jake opened the passenger door for Bella and made his way over to the driver's side. "How are you really?" Jake asked while placing his hands on the steering wheel.

It was peaceful in the car, even though Bella knew they couldn't go anywhere in it; she wasn't even sure if it had the engine hooked up. She sighed and looked out the window, imaging they were going so fast they could travel back in time.

"Not good, Jake."

"Why do you think it's your fault?"

"Not entirely my fault, like I know Laurent was the bad guy and all. I just, if I had done more, acted first, maybe…"

"Maybe you'd be dead."

"Yeah, maybe, but…"

"Maybe Charlie and Billy would be dead."

"Not exactly where I was going with this…"

"Maybe Laurent could have succeeded and taken over the Volturi guard and you'd be sitting on a throne in Volterra. And I never would have met Egypt boy and never been offered an all-expenses-paid trip across the world."

"Why do you have to make this about you and your new boyfriend?" Bella laughed.

Jake grinned but let Bella continue. "I get that what is, is what is. Like, you can't change the past and all that but look around you. How many people died in all of this?"

"Five in the first attack, Ten in the battle. We lost half our pack, including our Alpha." He turned and looked Bella in the eye. "They died to protect those that lived. We did good, Bella."

Bella had tears falling down her chin but she felt numb. "We lost family, Jake."

"Yes, we did, and so did the others." He reached out and wiped the tears from Bella's face. "If you knew so many would die, would you have not fought?"

Bella shivered, "I-I don't know."

"Yes you do, Bella. Would you have stood there and done nothing? Or would you have fought for what you believed to be right?"

"But, but…"

Jake turned back to the steering wheel and looked out the open door of the garage. He saw Esme and Carlisle saying their goodbyes and moving toward their car.

"I would have fought." He stated.

"How can you say that with such conviction?" Bella asked softly. "How can you just know?"

Jake smiled, "Because I know I stood by my family. I fought for my family. And because I did that, I know that the family I lost, died for the family I got to keep."

"That's a bunch of bullshit." Bella laughed out.

Jake grinned and turned back to Bella. "The Lawful Good kind of bullshit."

Bella rolled her eyes and wiped away her tears. "I gotta go."

"Look, I know it's not all black and white and easy to tell what was the right thing to do and blah but keep talking about it, ok? Just, don't hold it all in. When you feel like what you did was wrong, talk about it. Try it with that long-haired blondie, what's his name?"

"Jasper?"

"Yeah, that guy, talk to him. I think he might be someone good for you. Just make sure you don't bottle up all those feelings, ok?"

Bella shrugged but eventually nodded. "Whatever you say, bro." She shoved his shoulder and got out of the car.

Before Bella made it to Carlisle's car, Jake honked his horn and shouted, "I'm leaving in two days! Don't forget to come to see me off!"

Bella waved and got in the back seat of the car.

"Did you have a nice chat, dear?" Esme asked as Carlisle took the car out of park. Bella smiled at the fact that both vampires were wearing seatbelts

"Yes, thank you," Bella noted softly. "And thanks for, you know, everything else."

"Don't mention it, dear." Esme smiled. "We knew right from the start you'd be joining the family eventually. We just wish it would have been a little less traumatic."

Bella laughed and shook her head. "Yeah, I don't even know what to say, sorry."

"One thing I have learned in my years," Carlisle said softly as they drove through Forks, past all of Bella's favorite spots. She felt like she was moving through a ghost town. The people were all there but she couldn't reach out and touch them. They were no longer her people. "Is that life never happens the way you expect it to."

Bella huffed and nodded.

We will be holding a celebration of life at the end of the month. We hope you will all be able to attend." Aro said in a softly hopeful voice.

"Of course, Aro, it would be our honor," Carlisle answered in kind.

Bella looked over to see Felix and Afton making their way over to her.

"How are you guys holding up?"

Felix frowned. "We lost Jane."

Bella sighed heavily. Jane had been found to still be breathing but her strength had been pulled to the very last. They were not optimistic but the knowledge was saddening. "Will she and Alec be buried together?"

"They will be cremated, as is the custom in the guard. A plaque is put up in the mausoleum but we will be taking both their ashes around the world and setting them free." Felix answered.

"We would like you to join us when we go," Afton added.

"I would be honored." Bella smiled shyly. "Will it just be the two of you?'

Felix laughed, "Don't worry, Afton is going to bring Chelsea. You can obviously bring Rosalie."

"Chelsea?" Bella turned to Afton. "How is she?"

His smile was brighter than she had ever seen, "She's better than ever, Bella. Absolutely the best."

Felix faked a gag and rolled his eyes. "Anyway, our group is heading out tonight. We will leave after the celebration, so be ready. See you in a month, ok? We'll make the plans and contact you."

The two hurried to follow after Aro and Marcus as the coven ran off into the woods. Their group looked so small compared to the large squadron they seemed to have brought with them. Bella sighed and turned back to the Cullen house. She noted that everyone but Jasper had gone inside.

"What?" She asked, realizing he was watching her.

"You are glowing with rage, insecurity, and sadness." He noted matter-of-factly.

"Yes, yes I am" Bella agreed and sighed.

"Right," Jasper nodded. "When you're ready?"

Bella sighed again, "Thanks, Jasper."

"What are big brothers for?" He smiled largely before running off into the house.

Bella stood in the quiet yard, enjoying the peaceful sounds of her family inside. Edward was playing on the piano, Emmett was yelling at a football game, Esme was busying herself in the kitchen. She noted the sound of a car engine and realized Rosalie's garage door was open. Having never been inside before, Bella made her way over.

When she reached the large, open door, she leaned against its edge and looked inside. The overhead lights were very bright and a small, but very powerful, speaker was blasting out some happy jazz music. Rosalie was leaned over an engine, grime up to her elbows, hair pulled back in a messy bun, shorts too short for the cold weather.

Bella had no idea how long she stood there and watched but seeing Rosalie completely engrossed in her work was seriously starting to make the young vampire sweat.

"Come over here and hold this," Rosalie commented, causing Bella to jump up and squeak.

"Oh, uh, sorry, I didn't mean to bother you."

"You're no bother, just come here and hold the pliers."

Bella rushed over and took the tool from Rosalie's hand.

"Hold it still," Rosalie said with a small laugh.

"Right, yes. Like this?"

"Yes, thank you." Rosalie reached in and fiddled with some other part before leaning back and brushing hair back from her face. Bella smiled at the stripe of grease across her forehead.

Rosalie looked down at her and smiled, "Yeah, I told you I was a mess."

"I think you're beautiful," Bella said softly.

"Can't I be both?" Rosalie quipped. "You can put that down now." She added, taking the pliers from Bella's hand and pulling the shorter girl's arms around her waist. Rosalie looked into Bella's eyes and sighed happily. "How are you doing?"

"A lot of people have been asking me that lately," Bella replied with a small frown.

"I hope you've been answering truthfully."

Bella rolled her eyes. "I just need some time. I promise I'll talk when I'm ready."

"It has been a chaotic week." Rosalie nodded with a twinkle in her eye.

"You're telling me!" Bella laughed out. "Is this what it's always like?"

"Bella, I haven't had a chaotic week since the day I met you. But then yes, every week has been chaotic since." The two laughed for a moment.

"So, tell me," Bella pointed at the car. "What are you doing?"

"I'm rebuilding the engine."

"Oh, is that all? Why not just buy a new one?"

"Building one is much more fun."

"This is seriously fun for you?"

Rosalie smiled a devilish grin. "There are a few other things I find fun." She cleaned the grim from her hands and walked closer to Bella.

Bella gulped loudly as she felt Rosalie run her hands up Bella's sides. A look of pure thirst on her face.

"I wanted to ask you," Bella squeaked out loudly, echoing in the large garage.

"What would you like me to say?" Rosalie whispered into her ear, almost causing Bella to forget her question.

"Uh, wha-what is your power?"

Rosalie let her lips slide over Bella's ear and her voice whispered once more, "I am able to mentally scan and deduce the complex mechanical designs of any engineering based structure or vehicle."

"That sounded incredibly sexy but I have no idea what you just said." Bella shuddered and leaned into Rosalie's arms.

The blonde vampire laughed softly and noted, "I basically just have a mechanical engineering degree ingrained in my brain. It lets me figure things out, take them apart and put them together, all without really even touching them."

"Oh," Bella said as Rosalie pulled at the button of her jeans and began unzipping them. Just before her hand reached down, Bella asked, "So then why take them apart? I mean, if you already know?"

Rosalie pushed Bella against the side of the car, reached her hand down in between Bella's legs, and brushed her lips against the brunette's own. "Just because I know, doesn't mean I don't want to play." Her fingers slipped into Bella's wet folds. "Knowledge is only a small part of the exploration." She listened as Bella's breathing hitched and she began panting. "We still travel the world even though it's already depicted in movies, books, pictures…"

"Ok, ok, ok, I, yes, ok." Bella panted, her eyes rolling into the back of her head, her breath soft. "Yes, explore, touch, soft, ok."

Rosalie giggled softly and kissed Bella's lips until the younger girl came.

The next few days were spent adjusting to the new routine. The Cullens had missed a few weeks of school and therefore returned to all sorts of rumors. One Lauren had spawned was that the family had mafia connections and there was a huge FBI bust. Emmett liked that one the most and told Bella every detail he heard.

"Are you sure you didn't make some of those up yourself?"

"Oh, he most certainly added to the rumors." Edward laughed. He leaned over the computer on Bella's lap and pointed to a question. "You got that one wrong, try again."

She pushed him away. "I don't bother you at school so don't bother me with my lessons."

"I wouldn't bother you if you actually finished them during the school day." He pointed at another question. "This one is right but you forgot the label."

Bella closed the laptop and shoved him away. "Go do your own homework"

"I already completed it."

"When? You just got home!"

Edward rolled his eyes, "In class. I have nothing else to do."

Esme walked into the room and swatted Edward. "Leave her alone, she's been working hard."

Bella stuck her tongue out at Edward only to be swatted as well. "And don't encourage him, you're just asking for it."

"I can't help it, with Jake out of town I have no one to bug!" Bella laughed.

"How is Jake doing?" Esme asked softly.

"Oh, he's having a great time!" Bella laughed. "He's terrified of heights, so Benjamin has been taking him to the top of the pyramids at night. There are a lot of hilarious photos."

Esme smiled softly. "I'm glad those two are getting along." She looked pointedly at Edward. "I just hope you find someone one day."

Edward blanched which caused Bella to laugh. She redirected her attention to Emmett, "What about you, big guy? Any long lost loves we need to recover? Any special someone you've been searching for?"

Emmett's laugh boomed across the room, "I've always had a crush on Julie Andrews."

"Oh, uh, isn't she in her 80s?" Bella asked, attempting to sound sympathetic.

Emmett shrugged, "I'm actually, technically older..."

A/N: Ok, folks. I'll be legit honest, I don't know what else to write here. I think my story may be done! So tell me, what was your favorite part? What was your least favorite? What other fanfics can you recommend? What other pairings/fandoms would you recommend? I may take a break, I may jump right into the next fanfic. I may go crazy and try a different fandom! Any thoughts?

[elliehandesu] I think I covered most of what you were looking for! I hope you enjoyed the ending.

[JenDamn] Rosalie really is messy! But I think it works for her. You didn't miss Rosalie's power but I did get around to it! It was definitely not a power useful in a battle. Irina… I guess she was just meant to die in Twilight. Shrug, I needed some good guys to die, lol!

[Jay aka Jordan] A snorting Rosalie indeed! But I think she came off as a bit smoother this time around.

[Lemonmelons] My vampires definitely differed from SM's. I basically took humans, gave them powers, a need for blood, and strengthened/sped them up. Next time? I'd probably stick with Meyer's powers though. Keeping track of all the changes was hard!

Once again, thank you all for taking the ride and I hope you enjoyed the show!