herumtreiber

Title: Accompanied sonata
Author:

herumtreiber
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Bella bashing
Characters: Edward/Jacob
Chapter length: ~4,002 words
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, Stephenie Meyer does, nor do I make any money from this writing.
Summary: After the events of Eclipse, Edward mulls over his upcoming marriage. A relationship slowly develops between him and Jake. But they face opposition from the pack and some members of Edward's family. What will happen to Bella and how will the Volturi react?

Table of contents

Chapter eight

My car rushed through the road to La Push. I watched the green blur of the trees through the windshield, wondering if it would be the last time I saw them. Where would I go if they kicked me out? Could I transfer to another school? More importantly, who would take care of Dad? I'd have to call Rebecca and Rachel. Maybe arrange something with Sue Clearwater. She seemed to have a soft spot for Billy. Perhaps if I said I'd tutor Seth in math in exchange, she'd take care of Billy? Though if they forbid me to enter the Rez, Seth and I would have to meet in the town.

I floored the pedal, wanting to reach the house where the council delivered. I had no idea what I'd say, only that I'd try to make them see my point. That fucking Sam was a homophobe! How would they react to me attacking him though? I still felt a bit guilty about that; I'd let the wolf take control.

The sky was grey and a thin drizzle fell on the windshield. Didn't turn on the wipers though, because I was on the street that led to the hall.

After I parked the car, on my way in I passed that stupid column with the eagle totem on top. I paused for a sec to kick it. Felt so frustrated I needed to let off some steam.

As I opened the door, Sue Clearwater's voice came through.

"…. his song. Just recall the Third Wife!"

"Doesn't matter, the boy no longer belongs with us."

I walked into the big hall. The elders were there; they were talking animatedly and didn't even notice when I came in. How typical!

I nodded to Dad, who was struggling to keep calm. Sue was touching his shoulders. Her black hair was tied in two braids that framed her shoulders; it shined in the gloomy light coming from the windows. She nodded at me and announced to the others, "Jake's here. I think we should hear his version of the events."

Sam was sitting on a chair near the council. He was shirtless and I could see his shoulder seemed to be healed. There was a thin scar though. He growled, "There's nothing to discuss. Black hurt the Alpha."

I snarled. "Sure, because you were hurting Leah!"

There was an uproar. The old men and women apparently hadn't comprehended that.

Sue looked at me with kindness in her eyes. Gazing around, I could see that other people were frowning, perplexed.

She apparently heard Leah's version. Sue would be on my side for sure. "Please elaborate, Jacob."

"We were discussing the issue of me being…"

"Gay. We've heard that part." Billy put his hands on his lap, touching his pants restlessly. I could tell he was nervous. But like always, Dad put on a brave front.

"Then Paul said something awful to me. Leah pounced on him. And then Sam attacked her!" I wanted so much to speak eloquently like Edward but I didn't have the presence of mind to do so. I was sure that if it had been Cullen in that room, he would've wooed them all with fair words and turns of phrases. But I couldn't, I just didn't have it in me at that moment.

Sam stood up and sauntered to the front of the semicircle formed by the council members. His bronzed skin shined in the light. He was sweating, so maybe he didn't feel that sure of things.

"Leah was creating a commotion! I had to restore order on the pack. It's what an Alpha does!"

Lucas Uley frowned at his relative. "Not by attacking a member of the pack. That's plain wrong."

Sam retorted angrily. "But they only understand force! Believe me, when we're wolves we feel different!"

Billy glared at Sam. "You're not complete animals, Sam. The soul of a man is always present inside you."

Sam grinned victoriously, pointing his finger at me. "But your son, Mr. Black? He behaved like an animal. He attacked me!"

"Because you bit my sister!" Seth was squirming on his chair. The usually smiling and good-natured kid was scowling at the leader of the pack. That told me something about the dynamics of the group. Whatever happened here, Sam would have a hard time winning back Seth's trust.

"Well said, kid!" Quil patted Seth's shoulder. He and Embry were seated just behind the boy. Both shot encouraging grins at me as I nodded to my best friends.

"Silence!" roared Sue, sweeping aside her left braid. "We've important matters to discuss. Son, you gave your account earlier. I trust you to keep your silence now."

"Sorry, mom." Seth grinned unabashedly and gave me a thumbs up. Even if his mother shooed him, the stubborn kid had made his point… and helped me.

Abel Ateara, Quil's uncle, scowled at me. "I must say Sam is right. Jacob let the wolf overrun him. That's very disquieting."

Sue turned to the thin man with the weather-beaten face. "You're forgetting several things, Abel." She lifted up her hand and started counting with her fingers. "One, Sam attacked Leah first, we've established that. He didn't try to impose order, Sam let his opinions about Jake' sexuality affect how he handled the pack."

She turned to glare at Sam, who now appeared a bit cowered. "Two. It's correct that Jake attacked him, but you're omitting that Jake was able to control the wolf inside him. If he'd maimed or killed Sam, that would be another matter entirely."

Sue's gaze swept the room. "After all, this council saw fit to let Sam be the Alpha after he attacked his imprint, Emily."

Sam cringed hearing that and I couldn't help but feel a kind of grim satisfaction. Sam had done awful things and he tried to cover them up with the pretext that he was the leader and stuff.

Ateara shouted, "But Sam's right! Jake is unfit to be a member of this tribe because he's with the male vampire!"

The men and women of the council whispered among themselves while the other people in the hall murmured.

Dad yelled, "That's not what bothers you, Abel! Speak clearly if you please. You want to kick out my son because he's gay!"

"Yes!" Abel lifted his arms to the ceiling. "He has no place in the pack because of that!"

I was fed up with these guys discussing me as if I wasn't there! I walked forward until I was in front of the small man.

"For your information, Mr. Ateara, I was," I made quotation marks in the air. "'Gay' when we fought the newborns. Didn't bother you at all, I guess, letting a gay boy fight your battles and keep you safe. It just bothers you now, all of a sudden."

Ateara said angrily, "How dare you!"

"I dare because it's the truth!"I shouted. I breathed deeply to try to remain calm, going on in a softer tone. "As Mrs. Clearwater said, you let Sam be the Alpha after he attacked his imprint. Guess it didn't bother you then because, heck, he was straight and was acting like a red-blooded man should!"

Several elders spluttered and squawked in indignation. Good, it was time someone rocked their stupid boats made of complacency!

"It's not Sam's fault completely, you know." I crossed my arms, looking at the men and women of the council. It was time to give them a piece of my mind. "It's yours, too."

Sue scowled at me. She took several steps until she was facing me. In a stern voice she said, "What do you mean, Jake?"

"You didn't prepare us to become wolves! You just let us stumble through the transformation, I bet..."

Sue held up her hands. "We didn't know you would become wolves, Jacob."

Taking another deep breath, I went on. "After Sam turned… you knew then. But you kept your mouths shut. I guess it's one of your rites? Going blindly through the transformation without knowing what the hell's happening?"

Quil stood up and walked towards me. "Jake's right! When I turned, I wanted to share it with him but Sam forbade me to!" He glared at his uncle Abel. "D'you think it's funny, hiding things from your best friend?"

I squeezed Quil's shoulder. It was good to know that he felt that way, that he had wanted to tell me.

Not to be outdone, Embry stood up and walked to us. His usual smile was lacking; he was frowning at the council. "I just want you to know that if you kick him out?" He pointed at me. "I'm leaving too. Can't speak for my mother, but I'm tired of the way you all say how important blood is. That we share the same language and all? But when it comes down to important things you ignore us-"

"Silence, boy!" roared Abel Ateara. God, he was trying my patience!

"Let him speak!" Billy smiled encouragingly at Embry, knowing how much it took the normally shy boy to speak his mind publicly. He rolled his wheelchair until he was near the small group comprised by the three of us. He said gently, "Go on, Embry."

Embry shuffled his feet. "I was saying you just don't care about us. You expect us to defend the tribe and follow your orders but don't explain things. We're not robots you know."

The door was opened and Leah strolled in. She brushed her hair aside as she frowned at us, studying the scene. She seemed a bit unsure of herself as she sat on the back.

I could see that Seth was squirming on the chair, he wanted to join the three of us but he kept glancing at his mother as if to seek her permission. Sue didn't notice her son though, she was whispering to the old man next to her. My wolf senses served me well for I heard the grizzled man say, "The Blacks don't follow tradition! Those wayward girls, Rebecca and Rachel…"

"Hey, hey. Wait a sec." The geezer had the gall to question my sisters! I was sick and tired of the council's attitude.

I glared at them, turning my face to gaze around the hall. I knew what most of the tribe thought about my sisters and it was unfair!

"I know you all think Rachel and Rebecca just up and left." I went to Dad and touched his shoulder, drawing strength from him. He smiled up at me as he patted my hand. "That they left me alone to care for Dad, but that's wrong! They left because they wanted to make a future for themselves, they felt trapped in the Rez… just like I'm feeling right now. They left to seek their future and that's fine with me; Billy has me to take care of him!"

Dad whispered angrily, "Don't forget I also take care of you, Jacob."

I blushed, recalling the times when I had been sick and Billy did all the cooking and what he could of the chores. "Right, Dad, you're right."

Abel Ateara growled. "That's hardly relevant!"

I turned to face him. "It is! You all are fixed in the past. You expect us to be, too, and that's silly and…"

Billy grabbed my hand tightly, muttering, "That's enough, son!"

Dad had the tone of voice that meant business. I shut up, realizing he knew the council well and what they would be willing to listen. If I blasted them all to hell and back, that wouldn't help me.

Billy looked around, encompassing with his gaze the other members of the council. "I think we have enough information to make an informed decision."

He looked up at me, trying unsuccessfully to smile. "We'll do it behind closed doors, Jacob."

I walked on the shoulder of US 101. I'd been so nervous waiting for the decision of the council, I'd wanted to shift so badly.

At that moment I'd been very close to just going away, leave the Rez and Forks. Meet Edward somewhere else, a place more tolerant. With all his money, the leech could afford that. Talk to dad and convince him to sell the house, just move in with Rebecca or Rachel until I could find a job somewhere. Guess I was tired of Sam overlooking my efforts, fixing only on the 'gay' thing.

But the council ruled in my favor. They even stripped Sam of his leading role, wanting me to step in as Alpha! I shoved that in their butts, so to speak. Told them to give Leah the role.

Paul tried to apologize as I left the house. It was all I could do to stop myself from punching the fucking traitor's smug face. I just ran away, leaving my Rabbit behind. I knew Embry or Quil would drive it home.

I needed time outdoors, to come down from the awful feelings engendered by the meeting and the fight I'd had with Sam.

The woods calmed me down, the sight of the tall trees around me. Knowing that they would be there no matter what happened to me. The scent of the pines and the flowers, the movements of the small animals in the forest; all of that reminded me of my ties with the land I'd been willing to leave behind. Despite how much I loved the woods, they weren't me. I knew I could walk away from them. Though I'd miss them, I valued my freedom to be myself more.

Then I saw the gorgeous and sleek BMW M3 convertible on the curve ahead. After devouring the clean lines of the car with my eyes I ran to it, fearful that something had happened to Edward and his blonde sister wanted to find me.

The blonde, Rosalie, opened the passenger door. "Hop in, dog."

She scrunched up her cute nose. "I can stomach your smell for a while."

"You stench too, Blondie. Is Edward hurt? How did you know where to find me?"

Rosalie smiled wickedly, her gloved hand caressing the black leather of the wheel. "I knew you were here because Alice kept telling me not to come to this place. Edward's fine, he's composing. Now hop in!"

Having nothing better to do at the moment, I climbed in the car. After I put on the seatbelt, the beautiful leech drove straight ahead.

"That way leads to the Rez, Blondie." I didn't want her to break the treaty inadvertently.

"I know, mutt. To get to a place you seek, sometimes you have to meander."

True to her word, after we'd gone two miles Rosalie took a side road I thought only the tribe was aware of.

I tried to make small talk with the female vamp. If she said something hurtful, I was ready to answer in kind. "So Ed's composing?"

"Yeah, I'm helping him a bit."

I turned to look at the blonde, noticing that she was pushing the pedal with her bare foot. Her red high-heeled shoes were just behind her seat. She had tiny, perfect feet, as beautiful as the rest of her. The wind played havoc with her hair, creating a silk golden curtain I wanted to touch. I made the mental note not to think about that when Cullen was around. He was pretty jealous sometimes.

Rosalie said in her sensual, smooth voice. "Edward's composing a sonata."

I nodded as I reclined on the soft leather seat. The flashy dashboard attracted my attention but I wasn't in the mood to wonder about what I could do with it. I was still nervous about what happened at the meeting.

I shrugged. "I've heard some. Sue Clearwater likes the pretty one by the German guy."

"You mean Beethoven?" After I nodded, Rosalie continued. "It's like that one. Edward's trying to do something new and challenging. He's composed piano sonatas before. This time… he's writing an accompanied sonata."

"So it's for piano and other instruments?" I really didn't know much about classical music, except what I had heard from the parents of my friends. My thing was rock.

"Yeah. It seems he has found a fascinating subject. He's having trouble trying to score the other instrument. I'm helping him with that with my meager talent."

I gazed at Rosalie as she kept her attention on the road. I hadn't known that the blonde had musical talent.

"Guess he's busy then, huh?"

"Actually, Edward's struggling to write a crescendo. I guess he's afraid he'll mess up the whole piece." Rosalie turned to wink at me. "He needs a little nudge."

"Crescendo's when things reach a climax, right?"

She nodded, turning the wheel to enter Russell Road. "So to speak, yeah."

After I nodded and crossed my arms behind my neck, I heard her muttering, "Oblivious man!"

I smirked as I ruffled my hair. She was definitely right. Edward could be pretty thick sometimes.

"Mutt, could you pass me my lipstick? It's in my purse on the back seat."

I gazed at the porcelain skin of her cheeks, noting her red lips. Frankly she didn't need the lipstick. Anyway, I turned to face the back and searched the black seat. Her beige purse was hidden by a leaflet. I gazed at the glossy cover; it had two guys holding hands. I browsed the brochure as Rosalie hummed contentedly.

It was a promo for a nightclub in Seattle. It said people with alternative life-styles were welcomed. I goggled when I read that the indie group Bloodtaste was scheduled for Friday! It was my fav at the moment.

Rummaging through her huge purse, I blushed when I touched the slick wrapping of a condom. What would a vampire do with it? Finally I passed her the thin lipstick, growling when I saw her sneering at me.

To my untrained male eye, she didn't do anything. Just brushed the lipstick on her upper lip. I guessed a woman would see that differently. And since Rosalie was the only sympathetic female - although an undead one - that I had available, I asked her something.

"Do you think I'm too forceful and violent?"

She fiddled with the knob of the radio, turning her face to me. "What? What do you mean exactly, mutt?"

"Well, I had a fight with Sam and…"

She waved her hand. "You can skip that part. Already heard it."

"The pixie had a vision?"

"Nope, I heard from someone equally meddlesome. Get to the point, dog!"

I crossed my arms. This talking about my feelings was a bit burdensome, but I had to seize the chance to get the opinion of a woman about where I had gone wrong.

"It's just… I figured that was the reason Bella chose the leech over me. Edward's all cool and collected. Me? I tend to blow my top. I recall Bella cringing when I threw a wrench at the wall in anger and since-"

I couldn't finish. The blonde pushed the pedal to the max and the car shot forward like a breeze. Made me want to drive it. She turned to glare at me, her hair whipping like crazy. "You're nuts, Jacob! Get that idea out of your head at once!"

I frowned. The sarcastic blonde seemed to be really pissed off.

"You, too forceful and violent? Believe me when I say this, Jake. I've seen awful men bent on destroying women. You're not 'too forceful.' At all."

She downshifted, decelerating the BMW as she took a curve with the grace of a professional driver. "If anything, you're too pliable; at least for that girl."

"But then why did she choose-"

"Because Bella's nothing but a spoiled princess! When will Edward and you realize that?" Rosalie turned to look at me, muttering, "You two are very similar you know."

"You think she is really like that?"

Rosalie shook her head angrily. She frowned at the rearview mirror and turned the wheel to let a yellow tank truck pass us.

"Bella's the kind of girl who's never had to struggle. The awkwardness you men find so endearing? It's just stupid clumsiness. She's always had everything handed to her by her mother and father. She chose Edward over you because he coddled her, promising her a fairytale life… that she'd be rich, beautiful and young forever. You never had a chance. Not because you were too angry or a shifter, but simply because you couldn't fulfill her every wish."

She whispered to herself but I heard. "She is a spoiled princess just like I was, before life shook me up really good."

I guessed remembering that made Rosalie sad. She hardly spoke for a long while.

I didn't try to make small talk, respecting her silence. She'd given me a lot to think about. I felt a heavy weight lift from my shoulders. If Rosalie was right, it wasn't my fault at all. I could've been perfect Mr. Manners and Bella would've left me anyway. I had to discuss this with Edward, but that conversation would be pretty awkward.

As we were passing the Chamber of Commerce on the way back to the Rez, Rosalie finally spoke. "Edward needs someone who challenges him. He needs to let his guard down, to be vulnerable and open, to feel free to discuss his deepest secrets. He could never do that with Bella. My brother needs someone who cares about the man and not what he can offer them."

I grinned, caressing the smooth black vinyl of the glove compartment. "Well, if Edward gave me a shiny new car like this one-"

"You'd take it?"

"Hell, no!" Who did the blonde take me for?

I mumbled, "I would drive it, though."

Rosalie smirked, apparently satisfied. "Edward never lets anyone but him drive."

I hit the dashboard in anger, recalling what I'd seen a few days before. "He let Bella drive the other day!"

The blonde laughed. Surprisingly it was a very nice, tinkling sound, like a bell. I thought she should laugh more often since it became her.

"That's because Alice and Bella ganged up on him." She turned to me, smiling. "I bet he'd let you drive though."

Chapter ten