A/N: I know I said this morning but things happened. Please don't kill me!! Anyways, thank you soooooooo much for all the reviews. I was oober stoked. I really enjoyed seeing familiar screen names from my last story. Makes me really happy. Hope everyone enjoyed the preivew!! Without further ado...

Chapter 12: Helping Each Other Heal

BPOV

The last few weeks have been both good and hard. I didn't think that there was a worse feeling then what I felt when Edward left me. Boy was I wrong. Losing Jacob as a friend and having him tell me to stay away just tore open the wounds that were healing with great force.

The first couple of days were hard. After the trip to the beach with Quil that day, we vowed to stick with each other. We needed each other to heal and I wasn't going to abandon him when he needed a friend most like my friends did. I'm not even going to begin to say that I'm not hurting still but hanging out with Quil is making it easier.

He's a great friend and I feel myself needing his friendship almost as much as I needed Jake's after they left. I just didn't want to get too dependent on having him around. In the back of my mind, I was afraid of him leaving me too. Everyone else did. He promised he wouldn't but so did Jake. I was just trying to believe him. He was my best friend.

We did everything together. We started getting together after school to work on homework either at my house of his. We tried to stay mostly at my house because Jake and his goons are always lurking around somewhere. They didn't seem to stalk us in Forks. It was getting a little annoying and just making it a little easier to get past him abandoning us.

After we did homework, we usually just sat around and watched movies or played some kind of game. My favorite times were when we just walked along the beach. Sometimes we talked or he would crack a joke that had me doubled over laughing. Other times we would just walk in silence. He seemed to just know when I needed to be in my head space and I knew the same of him.

We would occasionally drive into Port Angeles to catch a movie. I've actually become a big fan of comedies. Especially with Quil. He tends to reenact the entire movie when we get out. Voices and all. I usually end up in tears following the laughter. I felt so care free around him. Like everything around just disappears.

It's not the same like when I was with Jake. Yes he was my sunshine and helped me forget them, but I always fell asleep the same way. Crying. Jake helped keep the demons away during the day by joking and keeping my busy. But I never got to just think. He would always try to keep me talking or laughing. Every once in awhile I just need to clear my head. Quil managed to keep the demons away at night too.

With Quil, it doesn't hurt so bad. He let's me just think and doesn't pressure me to talk about it. He also isn't pressuring me to move on so he can jump at the opportunity. I never found myself with him in the future as anything more than friends. I just couldn't. I was too wrapped up in my ever present Edward induced haze.

Quil knows the 'human' version of what happened. Unlike Jake, he didn't judge him and throw around names about him, knowing I didn't like it. He might not like what he did, but he's respectful enough to keep his comments to himself. There were a couple times when I just wanted to cry. He let me. I would curl up on the couch with my head in his lap and he would just rub my back. Never saying anything, just being there.

I remember when Charlie started to get curious as to why I was spending so much time with Quil and never talked to Jake anymore. It was an interesting conversation.

*Flashback*

Quil had just left after dinner. I was cleaning up the rest of the dishes when Charlie came in and started to help me dry the dishes. I knew something was up because he never helped.

"What's up dad? I know there's something?" I was a little worried at first but really had no clue what was going on.

"You seem…at peace lately. I mean, you were starting to live again but you still weren't whole. I don't know, you just don't seem as on edge." He looked down at his hands. I could tell he was uncomfortable.

"I don't know what to tell you dad. I'm really starting to remember how to have fun again and just forget all the crap that goes on." He was still staring down at his hands but I could see a small smile play on his lips.

"What happened with Jake though? Seems like I never hear you talk about him anymore. Now I see you spending a lot of time with…what's his name?" I knew this conversation was bound to happen. Charlie always preferred Jacob to Edward and now that I never saw him, he was getting curious.

"Quil. His name is Quil. Jacob is a jerk and decided that he'd rather be in a gang than be friends with us and made it perfectly clear that neither Quil or I were welcome around him anymore. Quil and I started hanging out cause we had no one else." I hoped that worked but I knew deep down that I really did enjoy spending time with Quil. I actually looked forward to it.

"So you and this Quil character? Are you…dating?" I dropped the cup I was washing into the water and turned to look at Charlie. Didn't see that coming.

"Um…no dad. He's just a friend. He kinda is the only one that still wants to talk to me. Jacob ditched him too." I could feel the tears starting to come. I quickly wiped my face before Charlie could see.

"I didn't mean…I…he's a good kid. Seems to have a good had on his shoulders. And…I noticed the change in your mood…when you…when you started to hang out with him." He was right. I owed a great deal of my happiness to him.

"It's cool dad. I'm gonna go to bed. See you tomorrow." I started to head upstairs and then remembered I had made plans for all day tomorrow.

"Hey, Quil and I are going to be at the beach all day tomorrow. We might go to a movie so I'll be home late or I'll just crash on his couch again." There have been a couple times when we stayed out late and I was too tired to drive so I would just crash on his couch. His parents and grandpa were cool with it.

"Okay. Just call if you're not coming home. I'll see you later." with that I turned and headed up the stairs.

*End Flashback*

After that conversation, I started to think about my friendship with Quil. Yes I relied on his presence to keep sane, but I could keep together without it. He always left me feeling happy and free. The feelings lasted even when I wasn't with him. With Jake, as soon as he was gone the pain came flooding back. I just couldn't wrap my head around it.

I can't help but compare my relationship with Quil, to that of Jacob. I think in the end, it comes down to their motives. Jake was always wanting to get me to move on and get past everything. Yes he wanted me to be happy and be able to live, but he was always putting pressure on me to get better so I could be with him. In the end, he just wanted me to be happy so he could get what he wanted.

Quil only seems to have my best interest in mind. We keep each other grounded and let each other go psycho when need be. He only wanted us both to live and be happy again. No secret motive. I was thankful for that. It got tiring constantly wondering if Jake was making a move or truly encouraging me to move on.

Thinking about Quil brought a smile to my face. I couldn't help it. Speaking of Quil, he should be here soon. We're going to go do some grocery shopping and then just hang out. I was currently staring in the mirror trying to get my hair to cooperate. But of course it wasn't. I know Quil didn't care but I found myself lately trying to at least look somewhat decent.

Alice would be proud. Nope…not going there. I put the finishing touches on my hair and headed downstairs to finish making my shopping list. I hadn't been I a couple weeks so we needed quite a bit. Especially with Quil around. That boy could eat! Could do with the fact that he had sprouted about five inches in the last few weeks. It was crazy.

I was just finishing the list when there was a knock on the door. I put the list in my purse and yelled for Quil to come on in. While I was reaching for the grocery money Charlie left, I heard the door open and close and was pulled from my spot into a huge hug as Quil twirled me around.

"Hey pretty lady!" I smiled and laughed when he put me down. He had taken to calling me pretty lady or Bell a couple days ago.

"Hey Crazy Q!" I kissed him on the cheek and reached for my bag and keys, and we were out the door.

The drive to the store was full of laughter and very loud singing. Mostly off key from Quil. I will never listen to Queen the same way again. I think my ears are still ringing. I couldn't help but smile today. Quil is very infectious and I can't help but love being around him.

We pulled up to the store and hopped out of the truck. We were currently arguing over who the better singer was. Quil was trying to convince me that he had 'mad skills'. I just shook my head at him.

"There is no way what you did could be considered singing. It was like Skuttle from The Little Mermaid. Or like gurgling water." He looked at me feigning hurt.

"Oh yes because strangled cat is such an amazing sound. Move over Carrie Underwood, it's Bell 'Strangled Cat' Swan." I smacked him in the shoulder and started to walk away.

"Well excuse me Simon Cowell, I forgot you had that secret Grammy hidden somewhere." I had to turn away quickly or the smile on my face would give me away.

I was almost at the door when I felt a pair of arms grab me from behind causing me to squeak a little. Something else happened when I felt his arms on me though. A spark of electricity passed through me causing my breath to hitch. I turned my head to look at Quil and noticed he had the same look of shock on his face telling me he felt it too. I shook it off and started for the doors.

"Come on Skuttle. Let's go shopping." He seemed to shake himself out of his haze and he put a huge smile on his face. He let me go and grabbed a basket to start pushing.

"Alright Kitten, where do we start?" I rolled my eyes at him and linked my arm through his.

When we were about halfway through the store, my worst nightmare appeared in the form of the Forks High crew. Coming down the isle were Mike, Jessica, Lauren and Tyler. This could not end well. I took a deep breath and grabbed tighter onto Quil's arm. He noticed and followed my eyes. He stood a little taller and puffed out his chest. Damn when did those muscles appear?

As the group came closer, I swear I heard Quil growl. I brushed it aside though and slapped on a fake smile. Quil had moved his arm around my waist and pulled me closer when Mike stopped right in front of me and seemed to look me up and down.

"Hey Bella. You look nice." That's Mike for you, always the charmer.

"Thanks Mike. Hey guys. How's it going?" I looked at everyone and notice Jessica looking at Quil like he was a piece of meat. This for some reason did not sit well with me. I felt the need to stake a claim on him. What the hell was wrong with me?

"Hey Bella, who's your friend?" Jessica managed to sneer my name as she continued to appraise Quil.

"This is Quil. Quil, this is Jessica, Lauren, Tyler, and Mike." He nodded in acknowledgment and pulled me closer. What was his deal?

"So is he like, your boyfriend or something? What, Cullen didn't want you so you're bouncing from guy to guy? What happened to the other guy from La Push?" That was my breaking point. She had crossed the line.

Quil must've noticed the spike in my anger because he grabbed my hand and started to push past them. I was so ready to kill her it wasn't even funny. My anger was at a high and I really needed to calm down before my emotions got the better of me. I would not cry for them. We rounded the corner and I turned to see Lauren and Jessica following me.

"Hey, I asked you a question!" Jessica grabbed my arm and spun me around. Now I was seeing red.

"I don't have to answer to you or anyone else. You wouldn't understand true friendship if it wore Prada and smacked you in the face. Now take your skank friend, and leave me the hell alone." I whipped around and grabbed a stunned Quil's hand pulling him to the checkout. I needed out of here.

As soon as we paid for all of our stuff and loaded it in the truck, we headed for home. Quil was driving because I was still too mad. By time we pulled up to my house, I was a sobbing mess. Stupid emotions. Curse you!! Quil turned the truck off and pulled me to him.

"It's okay Bell. She's just and evil bitch who is insecure and needs to make others feel bad to lift herself up. Besides, she looked like a Barbie doll and plastic isn't my thing." I had to let out a small laugh. Always the charmer.

It took about five minutes for me to fully calm down. As I was sitting there in Quil's arms, I remembered the spark from earlier. Something had seamed to change between us. It was like I was seeing him for the first time. I mean he's been by my side for weeks, but it's almost as if he completed my happiness.

When Jessica asked if he was my boyfriend, part of me wished I could say yes. The other part was too damn jealous to make anything of it. But why? We were just friends right? I still loved the idiot vampire even though he broke me. Didn't I? I sucked in a huge breath when it dawned on me.

I'm falling for Quil. Oh crap.

QPOV

Today was going to be a good day. It was Saturday and I had plans with Bella as usual. We were supposed to go grocery shopping since the cabinets were looking a little bare at her house. It should be interesting. Either way it'll be fun. We always have fun.

The hurt that Jacob had been numbed by Bella's presence in my life. Yeah it still sucked that he ditched us but hanging out with her and knowing that she needed me as much as I needed her helped a lot. I still saw Jake and the idiots hanging around. No one has approached me yet and for that I was thankful.

I was just putting my shoes on when my grandfather came downstairs. I looked over at him and smiled. He came over and gave me a pat on the back but let his hand linger. That was strange but whatever. I stood up and grabbed my keys off the hook by the door. I went to say bye to my mom when my grandfather stopped me.

"Quil, are you feeling okay? You felt kind of warm when I put my hand on your back." He was looking at me with concern in his eyes. Truth be told though, other than the growth spurt everything else is fine.

"Yeah I feel great. Maybe it's because I was running around the house this morning. I'm sure it's nothing. I'm off to Bella's." He shook his head but still looked worried. I shrugged and headed out the door.

Bella and my friendship has been going great. We did everything together and I couldn't think of anyone I'd rather hang with. I still missed my best friends but I'm not the one who chose to stop hanging out. I still don't understand what went wrong and I guess I never will.

I pulled up to Bella's house and went in to find her putting something in her purse. I could tell lately that she was starting to wear clothes that flattered her figure. I'll say it again…she's hot! She hadn't looked up yet so I picked her up and spun her around using my nickname for her. She laughed and greeted me back. We joked with each other the whole way to the store. She really thought she could sing. It just made me laugh.

When I put my arms around her waist to pull her back, I felt something change. It was accompanied by a spark the stunned me into a haze. I wasn't sure what that was but I really didn't want to let go. She looked back over her shoulder at me and I could tell that she felt it too.

We were having fun doing our shopping until we ran into some of her classmates. I felt the strong urge to knock that Mike characters teeth down his throat for staring at my Bell. Wait…my Bell? I internally shrugged and continued to stare daggers at him. Bella introduced us all and then one of the bimbos, Jessica I think, opened her trap.

I was stunned stupid. I could feel the anger pouring off of Bella then so I just grabbed her hand and pulled her away. You think they would have taken a hint. Oh no. They came after us and bimbo one grabbed Bella's arm and swung her around. Big mistake. Bella has a lot of pent up hostility and I wouldn't push her. Obviously someone didn't get the memo.

I was ready to step in, but Bella held her own. Now bimbo was stunned stupid and just continued to stare after us. We left the store shortly after that. I had to drive because Bella was still too angry to do much of anything. By time we got back to her place, she was a tearful mess.

I assured her that it was okay and she eventually calmed down. I looked down at her to wipe her tears away when I noticed a look of what seemed to be realization of something in her eyes. I wasn't sure what it was and I wasn't going to push her.

We put the groceries away and headed to the living room to watch a movie. We didn't feel like going anywhere so we just lounged on the couch. I was sitting at one end and Bella was sprawled across my lap curled up in a ball under a blanket. She had changed into some lounge clothes and pulled her hair into a messy bun. This was my favorite look on her. What was happening to me?

"You're my best friend Quil you know that right?" The movie had just ended and we were just laying there relaxing. She looked up at me with an emotion I wasn't sure of.

"Of course Kitten. You're one lucky lady." I smiled down at her and she just rolled her eyes at me and started to laugh. That's when I realized I was falling in love with Bella Swan. Shit.

BPOV

It had been a few days since the grocery store run in. I was still mad about what was said and Jessica knew it when I saw her at school. She seemed to avoid me like the plague more so than usual. Whatever. She could think whatever she wanted to.

Today, I was heading over to Quil's after school and we were going to go to the beach to hang out. It had been about a week since we went so we decided that it was needed. I packed us some sandwiches to eat and grabbed a book to read. Sometimes I would read while he played in the water. Depended on how cold it was determined whether or not I joined him.

That was something that had me a little concerned. He didn't seem to be bothered by the cool water like he did last week. What had me worried was that he was starting to feel really warm, like he had a fever. That, combined with the growth spurt reminded me of how Jake was before he decided to join up with Squanto and his followers.

I shook the thoughts away though because I didn't even want to think of not having Quil in my life anymore. I think it would finish me. Especially now that I've admitted to myself that I'm falling for him. Oh Jake would love that. Three weeks with Quil and I was smitten. Months with Jake and all he would ever be was a friend. I just couldn't help it. There was something about him. Oh well.

As soon as the final bell rang at school an raced for my truck. A little eager perhaps but I couldn't shake the feeling that my time with Quil was limited. I cleared the thought out of my head and headed towards my best friend.

I pulled up to Quil's house and was met outside by a happy looking Quil. His mom was working in the garden so I said hi to her before being dragged to the beach. Was he eager much? I had met his parents and grandfather awhile ago. They welcomed me with open arms.

Once we made it to the beach I spread out the towels and put down my backpack. I had just taken my shoes off and pulled my hair up when the next thing I knew, I was being carried cave man style down the beach to the water.

"QUIL ATEARA YOU PUT ME DOWN!!" He just chuckled and walked into the water. He pulled me down into a cradle position and made like he was going to drop me.

"Not in the water you big oaf!!" He chuckled and set me down on the sand and grabbed my hand. The water actually felt good on my feet as we walked along the edge.

I hadn't noticed until now that he was wearing nothing but swim trunks that hung dangerously low on his hips accentuating that lovely v shape. His muscles were well defined and I wondered why I hadn't noticed before. He looked…amazing. I heard a laugh and felt a tug on my hand. I turned to look at Quil with a smirk on his face. Damn I was caught.

"See something you like?" Now he was just going to tease me.

"Oh shut up." I turned to stomp off and was pulled into his chest. That's when I noticed how warm he was. A small frown pulled at my lips and he must've noticed this.

"You okay Bell?" I didn't want to ruin our day but I didn't want to be surprised when he decided to leave.

"I'm just worried I guess." He grabbed my hand again and we started to walk back up the edge of the beach.

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want. I'm always here though. Anything I can help with?" I could see the sincere concern in his eyes. Maybe it would be okay.

"Well, it's just…You're starting to go through some of the changes I noticed in Jake before…" I couldn't finish. I just hoped he understood and didn't go running for the hills.

"Bella I want you to listen to me." We had stopped walking and he was facing me, waiting for me to look at him. I looked up and met his gaze. It was so intense that I couldn't bring myself to look away.

"I promise, I'm not going anywhere. I know they both promised you that but I am swearing it to you. Nothing will make me leave you. I don't care if Sam and his band of idiots try and fight me. I'll take them all out." He was cupping my face now and was extremely close.

"You're stuck with me until you tire of me. You are too special to just toss aside." My breath caught in my throat and the tears started to spill.

Could it be possible that he felt the same way I did? The look in his eyes told me that he was serious and meant every word he spoke. He wiped away the tears that managed to fall. we were standing pressed against each other on the beach. He looked into my eyes and I stared into the depths of his. Just as he was leaning in, we heard a howl come from the forest and turned to see a pissed off looking Jacob.

Not wanting to fight with him, we pulled apart and ran back to our stuff. We picked it all up and headed back to his house to chill for the rest of the night. Nothing else happened between us. We just sat there, both processing what had transpired on the beach. All I knew was that I was truly falling in love with Quil and I was happy.

A/N: I don't know who actually reads these things but thanks to those that do. Okay, so if there's someone you can think of that would make a better Quil, let me know and I'll use him. I just couldn't find anyone. Tyson is adorable but i need a really cute Quil. Let me know what you guys think!! I promise the story will definately pick up next chapter. I have it planned for one but if it gets too long that just means you get a double update. Yay!!! Loves and Hugs...