~Surfacing~

Laying his head on the hospital bed, Jake watched as Bella breathed evenly in her sleep. It was a little over nine o'clock at night and Jake has yet to leave her side. He held her wrapped hand in his warm one and kissed it before kissing her forehead.

"I'm sorry." he said before placing his head back onto the bed. He stared at her and tears started up again. He held her hand in his and placed it near his heart and played with her hair to keep from breaking down.

"Son?"

Jake didn't turn to meet his father but gave a quick sigh as a reply. Billy wheeled himself in and placed a firm hand on Jacob's shoulder.

"Come on, son. It's time to go."

"No." Jake growled and held Bella's hand closer to his heart as if someone would take her from him. Billy sighed and said, "I know you're upset but..."

"I imprinted."

Billy blinked and stared at his boy. Jake turned to him and gave a man to man stern look. One that was saying he wasn't backing down or saying don't even try.

"Dad, I imprinted. I'm not going anywhere. Go home. I'll still be here. Maybe you can catch a lift with Charlie but I'm not leaving Bella."

Billy sighed and patted his son's back. He gave a nod and wheeled out of the room. Jake rested his head on the bed and stared at his perfect match. She didn't know what imprinting was but when she gets stronger he'd tell her.

"Hear that, Bells? I'm not leaving you alone. Ever. I promise." Jake frowned and felt someone watching him. He turned his head to be met eye to eye with Sam. Sam looked at him then back to Bella.

"Sam...I don't...I don't know how...I owe you." Jake said looking at the leader of the wolf pack. Sam smiled and shuck his head. He said, "All I did was pull you off her."

"But if you didn't...I might of...oh god." Jake turned back to Bella and stared at her in agony. He kept her hand in his and placed his face on the bed. Tears fell as he stared at his deathly injured match. Sam placed a hand on Jake's shoulder and smiled.

"She's going to be fine."

"I won't be. I won't ever forgive myself for what I almost done."

"Don't be so hard on yourself. She's not mad at you."

"I know that but I almost...I almost...I almost killed my match! Sam! You don't understand! I imprinted and I almost killed her! I feel horrible and she's going to be scared for life! My paw print is literally planted on her face!" Jake shouted as he jumped up and yelled at Sam.

"Get a hold of yourself! You screwed up that part is true! But look at her! Look at her right now!" Sam pushed Jake and made him look at Bella. Jake's heart ripped right in half when he saw her sleeping soundly but still damaged.

"It's now your job to keep her safe from anything and everything. Don't you understand? Her life now is in your hands and I suggest you do more care to her than hurt to yourself. Make her happy and make sure she knows you'll always be there for her. Stop being an idiot and take care of Bella, Jacob." Sam growled the last sentenced. Jake looked back at him and bowed his head.

"Okay, Sam. Okay."

****

The next morning everyone was back to work or school. Minus Bella and Jake. Bella was awake and talking to Jacob about his wolf form. Jake explained the legend again and sighed from shame. He also hinted at imprinting but didn't much into detail of it. Yet that is.

"So when are you going to show me your wolf form again?"

"What?"

"I'd like to see you as a wolf. I mean. Last time didn't really count. I was too scared to get a good look at you." Bella said explaing the situation. Jake flinched and grimaced when she said she was scared to look at him. He sighed and looked into her eyes.

"You're not going to see me turn into a wolf, Bella. Not ever again."

"Why?"

"Why? You have to ask why? Look where you're at, Bells. I can't take that risk with you. I can't lose control. If I show you and I can't contain myself you'll be...the answer is just no, Bella."

Bella sighed and looked at her wrapped hand. She made eye contact with Jake again and said, "Please, Jake? Just once. When I'm better. Only one time. I won't ask again. Please, Jake."

jacob frowned and looked at the tiled floor ground. He stood up and kissed her forehead. He said, "I'll be right back, sweetie. I haven't eaten and well I'm pretty hungry. I won't be long. Okay?"

"Alright. But please. Once? Just one time."

Jake sighed and looked at her. He finally said, "Alright. I promise you can see me as a wolf. But not so soon. Okay?"

Bella smiled and said a sweet thank you. Jake smiled and squeezed her hand before leaving to the cafe that was on the first floor of the hospital. There he ate whatever he saw and headed back upstairs. He was greeted with a horrible scent and wrinkled his nose. It was Dr. Cullen. He was in the hallway speaking to a nurse.

Jake reached Bella's room and found her reading a book that Charlie brought her before heading back to work. Also he was helping find that 'animal' that attacked Bella. Jake was quiet the whole time Charlie anted on how he's love the thing's head as a trophy.

"Hey, Jake. Done eating?" Bella smiled. Jake nodded and sat next to her. He stared at her as she read the book. He looked at the cover and saw that it was something called 'Mythical Legends'. He rolled his eyes and chuckled.

She yawned and placed the book on a small table that was beside her bed. She opened her arms and Jake filled them with a warm hug. He sat on the bed and she laid on his chest. The medication that was being fed to her through a tube and needle finally kicked in.

Jake watched as she was asleep and at peace on his chest. He frowned and pressed his lips onto her head. He said, "You won't see me as a wolf unless you're in danger. I can't risk it, Bella. I can't." He heard her sigh and she breathed in deeply. Jake stayed by her side until she awoke again.

****

Outside on a hilltop stood the very first female wolf of the pack. She looked out to the water and frowned. A black wolf came up from behind her and sat next her with his chest out and looking at to the water as well.

What's wrong, Leah?

Huh? Hey, Sam. Nothing is wrong. My cousin, Emily, is coming here to visit next week. Want to meet her?

Hehe. Of course. I'd love to meet a family member of the most gorgeous wolf alive.

You're sweet, Sam.

The black wolf placed himself in a leaning position on her. Leah looked up at him and returned her gaze to the water. She frowned and thought, Why isn't it happening?

Why isn't what happening?

Leah's eyes widen and she looked at the wolf that stood beside her. She quickly thought, It's nothing, Sam. Just speaking to myself.

Yes I know Leah wasn't a wolf before Emily came. No need to remind me of that one. Thanks for the reviews so far. Glad you're enjoying the story.