s, I grumbled. Will you come and get me, please?

Im on my way, he said at once. Whats wrong?

I want Carlisle to look at my hand. I think its broken.

It had gone quiet in the front room, and I wondered when Jacob would bolt. I smiled a grim smile, imagining his discomfort.

What happened? Edward demanded, his voice going flat.

I punched Jacob, I admitted.

Good, Edward said bleakly. Though Im sorry youre hurt.

I laughed once, because he sounded as pleased as Charlie had.

I wish Id hurthim.  I sighed in frustration. I didnt do any damage at all.

I can fix that, he offered.

I was hoping you would say that.

There was a slight pause. That doesnt sound like you, he said, wary now. What did hedo ?

He kissed me, I growled.

All I heard on the other end of the line was the sound of an engine accelerating.

In the other room, Charlie spoke again. Maybe you ought to take off, Jake, he suggested.

I think Ill hang out here, if you dont mind.

Your funeral, Charlie muttered.

Is the dog still there? Edward finally spoke again.

Yes.

Im around the corner, he said darkly, and the line disconnected.

As I hung up the phone, smiling, I heard the sound of his car racing down the street. The brakes protested loudly as he slammed to a stop out front. I went to get the door.

Hows your hand? Charlie asked as I walked by. Charlie looked uncomfortable. Jacob lolled next to him on the sofa, perfectly at ease.

I lifted the ice pack to show it off. Its swelling.

Maybe you should pick on people your own size, Charlie suggested.

Maybe, I agreed. I walked on to open the door. Edward was waiting.

Let me see, he murmured.

He examined my hand gently, so carefully that it caused me no pain at all. His hands were almost as cold as the ice, and they felt good against my skin.

I think youre right about the break, he said. Im proud of you. You must have put some force behind this.

As much as I have. I sighed. Not enough, apparently.

He kissed my hand softly. Ill take care of it, he promised. And then he called, Jacob, his voice still quiet and even.

Now, now, Charlie cautioned.

I heard Charlie heave himself off of the sofa. Jacob got to the hall first, and much more quietly, but Charlie was not far behind him. Jacobs expression was alert and eager.

I dont want any fighting, do you understand? Charlie looked only at Edward when he spoke. I can go put my badge on if that makes my request more official.

That wont be necessary, Edward said in a restrained tone.

Why dont you arrest me, Dad? I suggested. Im the one throwing punches.

Charlie raised an eyebrow. Do you want to press charges, Jake?

No. Jacob grinned, incorrigible. Ill take the trade any day.

Edward grimaced.

Dad, dont you have a baseball bat somewhere in your room? I want to borrow it for a minute.

Charlie looked at me evenly. Enough, Bella.

Lets go have Carlisle look at your hand before you wind up in a jail cell, Edward said. He put his arm around me and pulled me toward the door.

Fine, I said, leaning against him. I wasnt so angry anymore, now that Edward was with me. I felt comforted, and my hand didnt bother me as much.

We were walking down the sidewalk when I heard Charlie whispering anxiously behind me.

What are you doing? Are you crazy?

Give me a minute, Charlie, Jacob answered. Dont worry, Ill be right back.

I looked back and Jacob was following us, stopping to close the door in Charlies surprised and uneasy face.

Edward ignored him at first, leading me to the car. He helped me inside, shut the door, and then turned to face Jacob on the sidewalk.

I leaned anxiously through the open window. Charlie was visible in the house, peeking through the drapes in the front room.

Jacobs stance was casual, his arms folded across his chest, but the muscles in his jaw were tight.

Edward spoke in a voice so peaceful and gentle that it made the words strangely more threatening. Im not going to kill you now, because it would upset Bella.

Hmph, I grumbled.

Edward turned slightly to throw me a quick smile. His face was still calm. It would bother you in the morning, he said, brushing his fingers across my cheek.

Then he turned back to Jacob. But if you ever bring her back damaged again  and I dont care whose fault it is; I dont care if she merely trips, or if a meteor falls out of the sky and hits her in the head  if you return her to me in less than the perfect condition that I left her in, you will be running with three legs. Do you understand that, mongrel?

Jacob rolled his eyes.

Whos going back? I muttered.

Edward continued as if he hadnt heard me. And if you ever kiss her again, Iwill break your jaw for her, he promised, his voice still gentle and velvet and deadly.

What if she wants me to? Jacob drawled, arrogant.

Hah! I snorted.

If thats what she wants, then I wont object. Edward shrugged, untroubled. You might want to wait for her tosay it, rather than trust your interpretation of body language  but its your face.

Jacob grinned.

You wish, I grumbled.

Yes, he does, Edward murmured.

Well, if youre done rummaging through my head, Jacob said with a thick edge of annoyance, why dont you go take care of her hand?

One more thing, Edward said slowly. Ill be fighting for her, too. You should know that. Im not taking anything for granted, and Ill be fighting twice as hard as you will.

Good, Jacob growled. Its no fun beating someone who forfeits.

Sheis mine. Edwards low voice was suddenly dark, not as composed as before. I didnt say I would fight fair.

Neither did I.

Best of luck.

Jacob nodded. Yes, may the bestman win.

That sounds about right . . . pup.

Jacob grimaced briefly, then he composed his face and leaned around Edward to smile at me. I glowered back.

I hope your hand feels better soon. Im really sorry youre hurt.

Childishly, I turned my face away from him.

I didnt look up again as Edward walked around the car and climbed into the drivers side, so I didnt know if Jacob went back into the house or continued to stand there, watching me.

How do you feel? Edward asked as we drove away.

Irritated.

He chuckled. I meant your hand.

I shrugged. Ive had worse.

True, he agreed, and frowned.

Edward drove around the house to the garage. Emmett and Rosalie were there, Rosalies perfect legs, recognizable even sheathed in jeans, were sticking out from under the bottom of Emmetts huge Jeep. Emmett was sitting beside her, one hand reached under the Jeep toward her. It took me a moment to realize that he was acting as the jack.

Emmett watched curiously as Edward helped me carefully out of the car. His eyes zeroed in on the hand I cradled against my chest.

Emmett grinned. Fall down again, Bella?

I glared at him fiercely. No, Emmett. I punched a werewolf in the face.

Emmett blinked, and then burst into a roar of laughter.

As Edward led me past them, Rosalie spoke from under the car.

Jaspers going to win the bet, she said smugly.

Emmetts laughter stopped at once, and he studied me with appraising eyes.

What bet? I demanded, pausing.

Lets get you to Carlisle, Edward urged. He was staring at Emmett. His head shook infinitesimally.

What bet?I insisted as I turned on him.

Thanks, Rosalie, he muttered as he tightened his arm around my waist and pulled me toward the house.

Edward . . . , I grumbled.

Its infantile, he shrugged. Emmett and Jasper like to gamble.

Emmett will tell me. I tried to turn, but his arm was like iron around me.

He sighed. Theyre betting on how many times you . . . slip up in the first year.

Oh. I grimaced, trying to hide my sudden horror as I realized what he meant. They have a bet about how many people Ill kill?

Yes, he admitted unwillingly. Rosalie thinks your temper will turn the odds in Jaspers favor.