Author: Slightly AU, but not really. Set after Jacob kisses Bella, Edward's proposal, and Victoria's attack. I just wanted to try something... different.

How can you just walk on by
Without one tear in your eye
Don't you have the slightest feelings left for me
Maybe that's just your way
Of dealing with the pain
Forgetting everything between our rise and fall
Like we never loved at all – Like We Never Loved At All: Tim McGraw ft. Faith Hill

Like We Never Loved At All

Jacob kept his eyes trained on Bella, waiting with a pained heart. She had chosen him. The cold one. The one that would, in the end, break her. His eyes smoldered as she smiled. It was the same smile that had started to appear in his presence after that damned vampire broke her heart.

I love you!!

The words screamed themselves in his head, but he would not let them escape. Not yet. She knew, even without the words. He had proved it to her with his actions. His heated lips pressed against hers in a kiss. Jacob loved Bella in a way that Edward never would.

The vampire tilted his head, locking eyes with Jacob. He didn't seem… upset. Irritated, to be more exact. Apparently the vampire didn't like his thoughts about the soon-to-be Mrs. Cullen.

Get over it.

Edward narrowed his eyes, but said nothing. Bella looked up at him, and even from this distance Jacob could hear the worry in her voice. He smiled though, working to soothe his fiancé in a way the wolf could not. Jacob could see the slight upturn of his lips. Damned vampire.

Bella, don't you SEE me?

The thought made it's way to the forefront of his mind, even as the werewolf backed away from the scene. It wasn't meant to be, even though his heart still screamed for her life. For her to be near him at all times.

This must be hell.

Did you forget the magic...ohh
Did you forget the passion
Did you ever miss me
Ever long to kiss meeeee...

Bella turned toward the shrubbery when she heard a small sound. At first, she believed it to be her imagination. Then she noticed the look on Edward's face. Strained, but relieved in a way she couldn't understand. Unless… Jacob had been there.

Suddenly, the earlier look on Edward's face made sense. Pain gripped at her heart, squeezing it like a vice. She looked away from the woods, and tried to focus her attention on Edward. On the man that WAS her heart, but even so… Bella's words still rang true within her ears.

She had loved Jacob.

Loved and Lost.

… and it was better that way.