DISCLAIMER: I am in no way connected to Stephenie Meyer, nor do any of the characters in this story belong to me. This is written merely for my enjoyment, and the-hopeful-enjoyment of the readers.

This is my first Twilight fanfic! Please review! Please please please! I would love you forever! =] Thank you!

Jake pressed his warm cheek against the top of my hair.

If I turned my face to the side—if I pressed my lips against his bare shoulder… I knew without any doubt exactly what would follow. It would be very easy. There would be no need for explanations tonight.

But could I do it? Could I betray my absent heart to save my pathetic life?

Butterflies assaulted my stomach as I thought about turning my head.

And then, as clearly as if I were in immediate danger, Edward's velvet voice whispered in my ear.

"Be happy," he told me.*

I felt tears prick my eyes. His final farewell.

I blinked and a single tear squeezed out of the corner of my eye. Could I do it? I asked myself again. I knew in that second that I could. I would.

I summoned all the courage I had left, and turned my head slowly to the side. Jacob's skin scorched my cheek is it brushed his shoulder. I pressed my lips gently to his hot shoulder.

"Jacob," I whispered.

His arms tightened around me. I tilted my head back and looked up into his face. "I do love you."

He took in a sharp breath. "Do you really mean that Bella?" His face looked tortured and ecstatic, afraid and happy all at once.

"I do, Jake." And in that instant I did. I did love Jacob Black. Although a part of my heart would always belong to Edward, my Romeo, what was left was completely and wholly Jacob's.

Jake looked back and forth between my eyes searching any hint of a lie. He found none. His bent towards me hesitantly, still searching my face. I closed my eyes, waiting. At last, I felt his warm lips brush mine. He pulled back, and I opened my eyes. "This isn't right, Bells." His face looked tortured again.

But when I had felt his lips against mine warm and soft, something Edward's never could be, I felt something stirring in my chest. Fragments of my heart that for so long had been absent, came back, and I felt almost completely whole. There was still a tiny shard missing, but it would heal in time. "I need you Jacob," I whispered. "I love you."

He was still unsure, but he bent towards me again. His eyes closed, and I felt a twinge of pain from the tiny hole in my chest. I ignored it and met Jacob's lips. At first we were both hesitant, but I forced myself to open my lips, just a little bit. Jake responded. His hand tightened around my waist, and his other one tangled itself in my hair. My own arms went around his neck and our breathing grew ragged. Our lips moved together in perfect harmony. This was new to me. I had never ever been kissed like this before. Jacob's lips were soft and hot, moving with mine in ways Edward's never had.

All to soon we broke away, gasping for breath. Jacob pressed his forehead to mine.

A gush of cool air gushed through the open windows in the truck.

"OH!" Jacob exclaimed. He pulled away, keeping one arm around my shoulders still. "Holy crap!"

He revved the engine, and stepped on the gas.

"Jake, what's wrong?" His outburst frightened me.

"Vampires!"

I felt my face go white as the blood rushed downwards. "How do you know?" My voice quavered. Not again, I pleaded.

"Because I can smell it! Dangit!" His eyes searched the dark street wildly looking for a sign of the familiar white skin; the flash of orange. My eyes were wide with terror.

"Phase or get her out of here?" Jacob whispered to himself. He looked over at me, taking note of my panic-stricken eyes, and pale face. "Right. Get you out."

He put the truck in reverse and the tires squealed against the wet pavement as it spun around. As the headlights flashed into the driveway I saw a familiar sleek black car.

"Wait! Jacob! I know that car!" I gripped his arm tightly.

Jacob ignored me and put the car in drive. "Jacob! Stop! That's Carlisle's car!" Jake slammed on the brakes and I flew forward. He caught me before I hit the dashboard.

"What?" he hissed. His eyes flashed.

"Jake, that's Carlisle's car! The Cullen's are here!" Despite my declaration of love for Jacob, I felt a sudden boost of excitement. I could see Jacob's face become lined with pain.

"Oh." That was all he said. Just "Oh."

I had hurt him. I had hurt my Jacob. I felt a pang of regret. "Jake… will you come with me?" I honestly did want him by my side. But what if Edward was there? What would I do? I loved Jake! But my heart still wasn't quite whole; a part of it still belonged to Edward. Perhaps if Jacob stayed next to me, he could keep my heart from flying apart again.

Jacob hesitated. "Please, Jake?" I pleaded.

"Okay." He paused. "But if there's any sign of danger, I'm getting you out. I don't care what you say."

I stared at him. "Oh, thanks Jacob," I said sarcastically. "There won't be any danger. The Cullen's would never hurt me."

He gawked at me. "Bella, did you see yourself after they left?"

I was at a loss for words. "I… I … They were just doing what they thought was best for me, Jake."

He glared at the black car in my driveway. "Well, they were wrong weren't they?"

I put my hand on his arm, and he looked at me. "Jacob? Can… we go in?" He was thinking hard about something.

"Sure, sure," he said distractedly. He opened his door and stepped out into the thick, heavy air. Jacob pulled me out his door and held me tight against his side as we walked to the front door. I reached for the spare key above the door, but Jacob swatted my hand away and grabbed it easily. He unlocked the door and opened it. The hallway was dark. I searched the wall with my fingers, looking for the light-switch.

"Bella, when did you get a puppy?"

I gasped at the familiar voice. "Alice?" My fingers found the switch and I flipped it. There was Alice, beautiful and pixie-like, standing in my home. Her nose was wrinkled in distaste.

"Hello, Jacob," she greeted him, trying to smooth out her face.

I squeezed Jacob's hand; he was standing stock-still, staring at Alice. His face was contorted into an almost identical mask of disgust. He nodded. "Alice."

Alice's eyes swiveled to look at my hand firmly clasped in Jacob's, and then back at me, questioning. "Bella?"

I looked at the ground awkwardly. "Hm?" I could feel my cheeks turn pink. Would she be angry with me for moving on after Edward left? After she left?

"Would you please explain to me why you're alive?" It's so nice to see you too, Alice.

"Should I not be?" I asked confused. Then I remembered. That must be why she was here. "You… saw me fall?" Again, I stared at the floor, too ashamed to meet her blazing eyes.

"No, Bella. I did not see you fall. I saw you jump." I coughed. "I told him this would happen. But of course he wouldn't listen to me! Oh no. Of course he would do everything his own way! Because Edward knows best!" I met her eyes, and my own grew moist. Edward. The tiny hole in my heart ached for him. I blinked rapidly.

"Oh Alice," I whispered. I let go of Jacob's hand and ran into her arms. I had missed her so much. I had missed them all, but Alice the most besides… I didn't want to think his name. My heart felt like it was about to break apart again. I needed Jacob's touch. He was the glue that held me together.

"I know, Bella. I missed you too." She spoke in a breathless way, as if she was trying not to breathe. Of course.

I stepped back. "Sorry," I said apologetically, wiping the tears from my cheeks.

"It's alright. I had forgotten how good you smelled." I grinned as I took hold of Jacob's hand again.

"So… the two of you…?" Alice let her question trail off suggestively, and my cheeks burned.

"Yes." Jake's answer was curt. "The two of us." He leaned down to kiss my forehead gently.

Alice stared hard at me, her black eyes boring holes right into me.

*Quote from New Moon pg. 378

REVIEW!!! Thank you. =]