What would have happened if Jacob had never opened the door and smelt Alice? What if Alice saw Bella and stopped Edward on her own? What if Edward and Bella never saw each other again[Before Eclipse

The Italics are directly from New Moon. I know it's mostly from New Moon but I didn't want to write much unless I knew people would read it, so review and there will be more. I don't own anything. All credit goes to Mrs. Stephenie Meyer. Enjoy!!

"It didn't take Jake long. The roar of my truck's engine broke the silence before I expected it. He helped me up from the couch without speaking, keeping his arm around my shoulder when the cold air outside made me shiver. He took the drivers seat without asking, and then pulled me next to his side to keep his arm tight around me. I leaned my head against his chest.

'How will you get home?' I asked.

'I'm not going home. We still haven't caught the bloodsucker, remember?'

My next shudder had nothing to do with cold.

It was a quiet ride after that. The cold air had woken me up. My mind was alert, and it was working very hard and very fast.

What if? What was the right thing to do?

I couldn't imagine my life without Jacob now-I cringed away from the idea of even trying to imagine that. Somehow, he'd become essential to my survival. But to leave things the way they were. . . was that cruel, as Mike as accused?

I remembered with that Jacob were my brother. I realized now that all I really wanted was a claim on him. If didn't feel brotherly when he held me like this. If just felt nice-warm and comforting and familiar. Safe. Jacob was a safe harbor.

I could stake a claim. I had that much within my power.

I'd have to tell him everything, I knew that. It was the only way to be fair. I'd have to explain it right, so that he'd know I wasn't settling that he was much too good for me. He already know I was broken, that part wouldn't surprise him, but he'd need to know the extent of it. I'd even have to admit that I was crazy-explain about the voices I heard. He'd need to know everything before he made a decision.

But, even as I recognized that necessity, I knew he would take me in spite of it all. He wouldn't even pause to think it through.

I would have to commit to this-commit as much of me as there was left, every one of the broken pieces. It was the only way to be fair to him. Would I? Could I?

Would it be so wrong to try to make Jacob happy? Even if the love I felt for him was no more than a weak echo of what I was capable of, evil if my heart was far away, wandering and grieving after my fickle Romeo, would if be so very wrong?

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.

I thought he would be thinking of Harry, but then he spoke, and his tone was apologetic. 'Sorry. I know you don't feel exactly the way I do, Bells. I swear I don't mind. I'm just so glad you're okay that I could sing-and that's something no one wants to hear.' He laughed his throaty laugh in my ear.

My breathing kicked up a notch, sanding the walls of my throat.

Wouldn't Edward, indifferent as he may be, want me to be as happy as was 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 the 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 a 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, clear as if I were in immediate danger, Edward's velvet voice whispered in my ear.

'Be happy,' he told me.

I froze" for a moment, and obeyed his lovely voice. I turned my head to the side and gently pressed my lips to Jake's warm skin.

I felt him stiffen slightly where our bodies were touching. He lifted his cheek from the top of my head and I looked up into his dark eyes.

"Bella. . ." he said softly. I felt his hot breath against my cheek as I saw him lean in towards me. "Do you feel the same way I do?" I couldn't say or do anything. I love Jake, but I'm not sure if I love him in that same way. Jacob took my silent stare as a yes and closed the distance between his mouth and mine as if he was afraid that I would change my mind, which was very possible.

But I didn't. His kiss was very different from Edwards. I could feel his desire for more, but also that he didn't want to push me farther than I could take. Jake has always known exactly what I needed. Maybe it's time I try to pay him back for putting up with me.

I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around Jakes neck. He pulled my body closer to his own as his warm, soft mouth, so different from what I was used to, moved against me own. Kissing Jacob was so different from kissing Edward; there were no boundaries, no worry about him hurting me with the simplest touch. It was odd, yet comforting at the same time.

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