Telling the Truth

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

A/N-This is my first and probably my last attempt at a Paul/Bella story. Paul is such a complex character and I know that it is hard to capture him as I picture him in my head. He is an angry young man, but what is behind that anger? Who is the real Paul? This is just a one shot that popped up in my head and I thought I would post it...

Paul glared across at the leech lover. He had been assigned to watch out for her that morning and he was pissed that he had been the one chosen. Jacob was the 'sap' who was meant to be all in lurrve with the pale faced brunette. Why was he not here? Oh no, Harry Clearwater was ill and Jake had been called away to help out his dad and the Clearwater's. Paul had argued with Sam about why Jared could not carry out this banal duty, but Sam had insisted, saying that Jared was tired after a long patrol shift and as Jake's time was taken up, he was the only one left to take on the task.

Paul had punched a hole in the sheetrock of Sam's house as he finally acquiesced and agreed to take up what he deemed 'leechwatch.' Sam had been about to punch him back but saint Emily had intervened and pulled him aside, giving him some drivel that they need to support 'Leah in her time of need.' Paul had rolled his eyes at that statement. As if Emily had ever supported her cousin in the past, she had stolen Sam right from under Leah's nose for god's sake. The last person Leah would want support from was her.

So here he was, bored out of his mind, following the petite leech lover through her boring ramble to the cliff's edge. She was standing there, arms outstretched, spouting some crap about the absent leech when to Paul's surprise she leaped from the cliff's edge and jumped down into the icy water. Paul Lahote was many things, but he was no coward. He immediately sprang into action, followed her swiftly over the ledge and down into the frozen sea. He could feel the wind ruffle his fur on his descent and his body shook with the impact of the water.

The gray sea closed over his head momentarily and he struggled against the current. His wolf body was making it hard to swim in this type of environment so Paul transformed back into his human form, which allowed him to use his strong legs to kick his way to the surface. He gasped and took in a lungful of air as he tried to see across the foaming waves where the brunette had gone. There was no sign of her. His heart beat faster in unaccustomed fear. For all his bravado and talk about not caring about the girl, he did not want her harmed. Jake would kill him for one...

Paul dived down under the choppy waves and tried his best to see through the murk. He caught a glimpse of a pale arm and he started to swim in that direction. It was not long before she was within his sights. He was appalled to see that she was just floating there, seemingly not making any attempt to help herself at all. Her brown eyes were closed and her chestnut hair floated out behind her like a banner. A lump came into Paul's throat as he feared the worst. Was she already dead?

He swiftly made his way to her and pulled her limp body into his arms. She weighed nothing at all. He used the current to help him pull her to the surface and he took in another lungful of air as the cold bit through even his warm body. He studied her chest briefly to see if he could see movement to indicate that she was breathing. He felt instant relief when he saw it move. Bella was alive!

Bella...he had actually called her by her name and not by her nickname 'leech lover.' He gave himself a mental slap. She was not getting to him, he had no interest in her other than his duty to protect her while she was in his care. He could not understand what the hell Jake saw in her...He couldn't...she was just an annoying little girl who did not know what was good for her. Paul snorted through his nose and he turned Bella onto her back and towed her toward the shore.

She was making whimpering sounds as they reached the shoreline. Paul was getting seriously irate as she kept moaning Jake's name. She was mumbling some shit about how 'sorry' she was and how she wasn't 'worth it.' Too right girlie, Paul thought in his head as he hauled her small body up into his muscular arms and walked with her down the beach.

He placed her limp form gently on the sand and assessed her injuries. Apart from a few scratches and bruises she appeared okay. Involuntarily Paul found his hand stroking her face and he pulled it away as if it burned when he realised what he was doing. He sat back on his knees as he continued to watch her breathing in and out. Faint redness was tingeing her cheeks as warmth began to seep back in to her cold body. Paul recalled the fact that Jake had often mentioned that Bella always blushed. The redness accentuated her paleness and made her full lips and long eyelashes stand out. Paul's hand shook as he again stroked her cheek.

"Jacob..." Bella mumbled again as she started to come to. Paul snatched his hand back.

Bella's eyelids fluttered and she suddenly opened them wide as she took in the fact that it wasn't Jake kneeling before her but...Paul?

"Wha...what are you doing?" Bella's voice was husky as the soreness from inhaling seawater made her voice raspy.

"Me? What am I doing? Are you serious? You're the one who jumped off a cliff...I am the sorry son of a bitch who just saved your pathetic ass." Paul hissed at her.

Bella flinched from his harsh tone and she closed her eyes again as if to shut his image out. "You shouldn't have bothered...I can see that you regret it..." Bella whispered, her throat felt raw as she spoke.

"You selfish little cow..." Paul shot back at her. Bella's eyes flew open as she saw the rage emanating from Paul's gaze. His hands were clenched into fists and he hit the sand with one of them, making it spray up into the air.

"W...what...I want Jake...please just get me Jake..." Bella pleaded softly. "He understands..."

Paul looked down at her as if she was mad. He raised one eyebrow at her and laughed bitterly. "I can assure you he doesn't 'understand' as you put it. He puts up with your crap for one reason only and that is because he is in love with you. But you already know that, don't you? Still you continue to use him and the lovesick idiot falls for it every time..."

Bella's cheeks flushed red and for the first time, Paul saw life behind her chocolate eyes. "No...I...Jake and I are just friends. He knows this, he is my best friend..."

Paul glared at her fiercely and he enjoyed watching her quail away from him. "Right, I don't need to hear anymore because frankly I am not interested. I have places to be...so, just let me take you home and I can take off."

Bella gave a sigh and struggled to sit up. Paul watched her momentarily and then, rolling his eyes, he grabbed her arm and hauled her unceremoniously to her feet. She staggered and fell against his body. Reaching out her hands she tried to steady herself and ended up touching his toned chest. Paul laughed at the irony.

"Trying to cop a feel are we? All you had to do was ask..." Paul laughed again as Bella pulled her hands away swiftly.

"My truck is parked not too far away. I don't need your help. I will be perfectly fine driving home." Bella protested as she swayed on her feet. She stumbled again and fell right into Paul's arms. He gave a heavy sigh and ignored her cries as he hoisted her up into his arms and proceeded to carry her to the truck.

A few minutes later they arrived at the truck and Paul, with a lot of cursing, managed to manoeuvre Bella inside the passenger seat. She seemed to be getting a kick out of just laying limply in his arms and he swore he saw a smirk cross her lips as he shoved her in the passenger seat. He slammed the door shut and stalked toward the driver's side. All the way back to her house Paul refused to acknowledge her. Bella made no conversation, she just stared out the window unseeingly.

They reached her house within fifteen minutes and Paul rolled the ancient Chevy to a halt, putting it in park. He switched the loud engine off and it rumbled into silence. Quietness entered the cab of the truck as neither of them made a move to leave its confines.

"Thank you..." The words finally slipped from Bella's lips as she sat up straighter and looked over at Paul.

"I didn't do it for you..." He spat out.

"I know...but thanks anyway. You are right I have been selfish, not only with Jake but you all...I'm sorry..." Bella mumbled. She dropped her gaze and shoved the passenger door open to make her escape. A warm hand halted her movement.

Glancing up she saw Paul, for once his expression was softer, a hint of understanding shone in his eyes. "I know how it feels to be lost Bella...my life...it hasn't been easy. I feel lost most of the time...but you can't let it destroy you...The pack it keeps me grounded, gives me focus and a reason to get up every day...What I am trying to say is..."

"Don't give up?" Bella prompted, a small smile hovering on her lips.

"Yeah...something corny like that..." Paul released his hold on her hand.

Bella gazed at him for a moment and she saw the mask drop and the real Paul was shining through. She edged her way across the seat and gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek. "You are worth more than you realise Paul Lahote...thank you for saving my life..."

Paul swallowed thickly and turned his head, but Bella was already out of the truck and making her way indoors. For the first time it became clear to Paul why Jake fought so hard for the girl. He sat in the truck for a long time, just thinking. Occasionally he would touch his cheek where her kiss lingered.

Paul pondered for a long time...

A/N-Thanks for reading! Nikki :)