I don't own anything Twilight related!

This Story will post on Monday and Thursday!

A big thanks to my beta Elodie Whitlock!

The italics portion of New beginnings is from New Moon chapter 16 – Paris.

Why I named this story By Your Side…

You think I'd leave your side baby

You know me better than that

You think I'd leave you down when you're down on your knees

I wouldn't do that

I'll tell you you're right when you want, I

And if only you could see into me

Oh when you're cold, I'll be there

Hold you tight, to me

When you're on the outside baby and you can't get in

I will show you, you're so much better than you know

When you're lost and you're alone and you can't get back again

I will find you, darling and I will bring you home

And if you want to cry

I am here to dry your eyes

And in no time, you'll be fine

By Your Side by Sade

Chapter One

New Beginnings

Jacob stopped the truck in front of my dark house, cutting the engine so it was suddenly silent. Like so many other times, he seemed to be in tune with my thoughts now.

He threw his other arm around me, crushing me against his chest, binding me to him. Again, this felt nice. Almost like being a whole person again…

Wouldn't Edward, indifferent as he might be, want me to be as happy as possible under the circumstances? Wouldn't enough friendly emotion linger for him to want that much for me? I thought he would. He wouldn't begrudge me this: giving just a small bit of love he didn't want to my friend Jacob. After all, it wasn't the same love at all.

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 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 of 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 turned my head and placed a shaky kiss on Jake's shoulder. He pulled me closer and I look up into his brown eyes and smiled. I knew what was going to happen next and I wanted to try...try to be happy. Jake was my sun; I felt warm and safe in his presence. Everything was easy with him. He allowed me to be just me; I didn't have to pretend with him.

"Bella," he whispered as his warm, soft lips touched mine. This kiss was so different than what I was used to. His lips were so cold and hard, but our lips formed perfectly around each other's. I felt his tongue graze my bottom lip and the butterflies in my stomach went into overdrive. I wrapped my arm around his neck and opened my mouth slightly allowing his tongue entrance.

My head spun and I thought my heart would beat out of my chest as our tongues slid against each other's. I had never been kissed this way before and it was stirring up so many different feelings within my body.

Jake slowly pulled away, which caused my already fractured heart to sink. Did he regret kissing me? Am I too broken for him?

"We should get you inside and warmed up. You're still in your wet clothes and I don't want you to get sick," he said as he smiled at me.

"Jake," I muttered and took a deep breath.

"Shhh, we don't have to talk about this now. We need to get you inside," he stated as he jumped out of the truck and opened the passenger door and helped me out. He was right, I was wet and cold.

He helped me upstairs to my room, where he found me a t-shirt and sweats.

"I'm going to start you a hot bath and then I'll make you some tea. Come down when you're done," he said in a loving tone. I watched as he walked out of my room, a few moments later I heard him in the bathroom.

I made my way down the small hall to the bathroom. I stripped my wet clothes off and eased my way into the tub. My mind was in overdrive. Victoria was still after me, I jumped off a cliff and nearly drowned, Jake saved me, and then the kiss with Jake was amazing. I knew I loved Jake, but I now knew that it's more than friendship love. What I felt kissing him proved that. Was I ready to let go of the past and move on? I knew that Jake loved me completely, even as broken as I was. He made me smile and was always by my side. Could I return his love? Be who and what he deserved?

The water started to cool down, so I got out, dressed, and went down the stairs. I found Jake watching TV and there was a hot cup of tea and sandwich waiting for me.

I sat down next to him and he handed me a blanket.

"I made you a sandwich too. I didn't know when you last ate something," he said as he smiled at me. The butterflies in my stomach were back.

"Thank you... for everything," I said.

"I'll let you eat; I want to go out back and phase to see if anyone found the redheaded bloodsucker's scent."

I nodded as panic started to flow through my body.

"I'll be right back...and Bella, I won't let anything happen to you."

He was up and out the door quickly. I drank my tea and ate my sandwich. I was definitely hungry. I guess jumping off a cliff and being hunted by a vampire can work up an appetite.

Jake returned about ten minutes later with a defeated look on his face.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Her scent is nowhere to be found. We will find her and destroy her. I promise you that," he said as he sat down next to me and pulled me toward him.

His body was so warm and soft, I melted into his side. I relaxed in his protective arms and watched some stupid show on TV.

"Bella, can I ask you a question?" he asked in a shaky tone.

"Anything," I replied. I would answer anything he asked. He saved my life in more ways than one.

"Are you really okay? You didn't want to, you know... end things by jumping did you?" he sputtered.

"No! God no! I was stupid, I just wanted a rush. I wasn't thinking, I should have waited for you."

"Okay, I just couldn't bear it if I lost you," he whispered

"Jake," I said as I sat up and looked at him. Our eyes met, and I could see the love he had for me in them. I leaned forward and placed my lips on his. We were soon lost in the kiss as our tongues tangled. His hand started to roam down towards my chest. I stiffened and he pulled away.

"Bella, what is going on? Please don't play with me. What do you want from me?" he asked.

"I'm not playing any games. I realized today that my feelings for you run deeper than friendship.

Jake, I want to try. I want to really try. I just need to take things slow, can you do that?"

"You want to try? Really?"

I nodded.

"Slow is good. I can do slow," he responded as he placed a sweet kiss on my lips. "I have to go, but don't worry, one of us will be protecting you at all times 'til we find her. And I'm sure Charlie will be home soon. I don't want to find out how he would react to finding me making out with his daughter." He let out a laugh.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Will I see you tomorrow?"

"Yes, of course. So, are you officially my girlfriend now?" It was obvious how proud he was to finally be able to ask that particular question.

I laughed. "Yes, if that's what you want to call me."

"Will you be going to Harry's memorial service with Charlie tomorrow?"

"Yes, I want to be there for him, Billy, you, and everyone else for that matter."

We both got up and I walked him to the door. "Do you need me to drive you back?"

"No, I'll phase and run. Paul is outside and he won't leave you alone."

He pulled me and kissed me passionately, my body started to stir as I pressed myself harder up against him.

"I love you, Bella," he said as he took off into the night.

I made my way to my room and crawled into bed. Knowing that Paul was outside made me feel safe. My last thoughts before drifting off were of Jake and how my body responded to him. It was nice to know he wanted me too in that way. I did want to take things slow, but not too slow.