Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or New Moon.

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I didn't want to do this. How could I talk to him? I had to, though. I had to talk to him, and only him. I didn't want Bella to worry unnecessarily. If the red-head came within a hundred foot radius of her, I knew I would be there to protect her, and, no matter our differences, I had a feeling he would be, too.

I slowed to a human walking pace as I approached the house. I became filled with dread and hesitation. How was I to get his attention and convince him that I only wanted to warn him? I knew he could read minds, but would he believe I was trying to trick him, trying to lure him with thoughts of Bella in danger? No, he had to know me better than that. I shuddered at the thought of putting Bella in imagined danger when there was already so much to worry about.

Maybe I didn't need to warn him. I began thinking to myself about the bloodsucker. What if this is what he wanted? What if he was in cahoots with the red-head, looking to "off" Bella for all that she knew about his family and their inhuman nature? Had he left Bella to face this demon alone and then returned not out of love but rather to ensure that we, the werewolves, the protectors, couldn't save her by restricting our patrol to our own lands? He could intentionally be allowing her to be in danger while seemingly doing nothing wrong – besides existing. I trembled violently with these thoughts, more at the realization, though, of the untruths that polluted them rather at the possibility of them being true. He loved her, I knew, as much as…. she loved him.

I took a deep breath, struggling to calm myself. There was nothing to worry about. I was there to give a warning, a polite, heartfelt warning. At a bare minimum, I only need to tell the bloodsucker that the other bloodsucker who actually wanted to do some blood sucking was in the area. Ugh.

I settled on climbing the same tree I had before. I assumed that he would still be lying next to her and I could only hope he would catch the tenor of my thoughts if he didn't hear my approach. I was startled to find, however, upon reaching the branch level to Bella's room that Edward was not by her side, but rather at the window staring off into the forest, he face etched with pain. The grief and hurt I saw there mirrored my own feelings and I felt an unexpected wave of sympathy. We were mutually hurting, and though I could not fathom the reason for his pain, I understood it. It was then that we made eye contact.

I was startled by the black orbs that I was met with. I couldn't help wonder if they had been that color earlier, surely I would have noticed. The time it took me to wonder, though, was all the time it took him to disappear. I looked down to see him at the base of my tree and I leapt down to meet him.

"Hello, Jacob," he said, his voice quiet. I straightened up from the crouch I had landed in. At full height, I noticed that I was considerably taller than him, more so than I had thought. He apparently read my mind. His eyebrow quirked up and he questioned, "Considerably?"

I laughed. It was a light laugh, not entirely heartfelt, but I suddenly seemed more at ease. I still, however, rushed through my words.

"Sam contacted me a little bit ago. The red-head, Victoria, is back. She's not on our land, so there's nothing we can do, but I wanted to warn you. I wasn't sure if you were aware she was back and I just didn't want Bella to be left unprotected. You have to know that we would help if we could. Sam and the pack know that you wouldn't do anything to hurt Bella intentionally, but we have to keep the treaty in mind. I know we aren't supposed to be on your land, but I had to make sure and tell you that…" I took a deep breath. I was completely rambling. I shook my head, trying to sort my thoughts. I had come here for one reason: tell the bloodsucker that the red-head was about. That's all. There was nothing more that needed to be said.

He seemed to notice the end of my announcement, for he looked at me and said, "Thank you. Alice visited a bit ago to mention that she had seen Victoria on the prowl in a vision, but your concern is appreciated. It's… nice to know that Bella has friends that love her."

I couldn't believe what I had just heard. My mortal, or I guess more appropriately immortal, enemy had just thanked me for my concern? Had he actually said that he was glad that I cared about Bella? I couldn't help asking, "Why?"

"Why? Bella… seems to attract more trouble than she can handle." He chuckled humorlessly. "Perhaps it is best that she knows both vampires and werewolves. Balances things out a bit, I guess. Though," he stopped, seemingly struggling with whatever he wanted to say, "I'd… prefer if you could limit your time with Bella to when I'm not around. It's not going to be often, but I'd hardly call you and I being together comfortable and I trust you to… well, keep in form around her. I know you…care about her. It'd be best for us to be on good terms, for her sake."

I full-heartedly agreed. Within those few words, he had managed to sum up my feelings exactly. Yes, we were enemies. He hadn't said it in as many words, but he had admitted it all the same. However, he was promising me time with Bella. I could still be her friend. It meant more to me than he would ever know, even if he could read my thoughts.

"So you'll keep an eye out for the red-head?"

"Of course," he said simply, but the sincerity was impossible to miss.

I'm not quite sure what possessed me, but I offered my hand. He seemed slightly startled, but a smile crossed his lips and he took mine and shook it. In the past, I had always associated "coldness" with people who were distant from one another; cold was alien to the warmth felt between friends. At that moment, though, his unnaturally cold hand was an overwhelming symbol of amity.