Disclaimer:

Me: The person who has no money, and no claim on anything Twilight

Stephenie Meyer: Owner of all things Twilight, the lucky duck.

A/N: As with the last chapter, this is very similar or almost exactly like parts of New Moon - but with a twist. Pretty much all of the story post this chapter will be AU.

Chapter 2: Dive

BPOV

I awoke, screaming.

I lifted a shaky hand to my head, pushing my tangled hair back off of my face. I couldn't do this anymore. This was no way to live.

Sighing, I collected myself, and got out of bed. I packed a bag, complete with a change of clothes. Charlie knew I was going to down to La Push again, and I didn't want him commenting – he didn't need to know about my plans with Jake. I'd let him think it was books.

I ate a quick breakfast, anxious to get down to La Push.

When I pulled up in Jacob's driveway, I was surprised when he didn't come running out to meet me. Shutting off the truck, I got out and headed to the door. Knocking quietly, I let myself into the house. I didn't see Billy anywhere, so I headed to the back bedroom, the one I knew was Jake's.

"Jake?" I called softly, not wanting to wake him up if he was asleep. I gently pushed open his door to an empty room. Worried now, I turned around and headed back into the living room. Where was Jake? Where was Billy for that matter? The unsettling idea that Victoria had gotten either one of them took hold, and chilled me to the bone.

It would be my fault.

I couldn't seem to suck in enough air, panic flooding through me. My arms wrapped around myself, and I sat down abruptly on the couch. My nightmare came flooding back, interspersed with images of Jake and Billy and Victoria.

A hand touched my shoulder, and I shrieked.

"Bella! It's me!" Jake reassured me, his strong arm holding me down on the couch as I flailed at him.

"Oh, thank God!" I exclaimed, flinging myself at him. "I thought..." My voice trailed off, meeting his eyes. I could only imagine how I looked, my hair disheveled, eyes red-rimmed and puffy from my crying jag last night topped off with little sleep, and fresh tears making their way down my face.

"It's okay." Jake hugged me tightly. "I was just coming in here to call you." I sniffled and pulled back a little.

"Something happened?"

"Embry, Jared, and Paul crossed a fresh trail early this morning." Jake explained. "We think we've got her cornered in the mountains – Sam is hoping anyway. " I shuddered, torn between being terrified at the idea of the Wolves attacking Victoria and ready for the whole mess to just be over. "I'm going with the rest of the pack to go help – there's a good chance we could finish this." He kissed my forehead. "and it's all thanks to you."

"Oh, Jake, no." Guilt, my old friend, how I've missed you.

"Telling us about last year really helped." Jake continued, like I hadn't spoken. "We realized something."

"What's that?" My emotions threatened to smother me again.

"We were underestimating her." Jake actually laughed. "I don't know if it's because she was female, or what, but the moment we started treating her like the real threat she is, she fled, and they were able to corner her." He was almost pulsing with excitement.

"Jake..." I started to say, but he cut me off.

"Listen Bells, I know I promised I'd take you cliff diving today – I'll still take you, but it's time we finished this." He slid out of my arms. "I gotta go. Stay here today. Dad had to run over to the Clearwaters' – Harry wasn't feeling good this morning. I'll be back as soon as I can."

"You better." He looked down at me for several minutes, like he was debating something, but finally just kissed me on the forehead again. He was gone before I could stop him.

I don't know how long I sat there, mindlessly staring at the television. I don't know why it hadn't occurred to me before. Just because Jake couldn't take me cliff diving, didn't mean I couldn't go by myself.

I had counted so much on hearing Edward's voice today, especially after the night before, when talking about him had ripped the scab off the hole in my chest. I needed it.

It took me awhile to get the courage up to leave the house. The feeling that Victoria was out there waiting to pounce as soon as she got the chance had me jumping at shadows. The longer Jake was gone, the more intense the feelings became until I had to do something. I couldn't take it anymore, so I headed out to my truck, and grabbed my bag. I walked down towards the beach, my eyes darting back and forth rapidly, and jumping at every sound. I reached the beach and sat down, putting my bag next to me in the sand. I stared up at the outcropping, still wrestling with my decision. I could turn around, go back in the house, and wait for Jake.

It was that thought that had me up and moving, heading toward the cliff. The thought of Jake and his friends – his family out there, putting themselves at risk for me was no longer bearable. Hindsight told me I should have gone back and gotten my truck, as the walk up from the beach to the road was longer than I thought.

A storm had started to roll in while I'd been sitting at the beach, but I didn't care. I knew I had to hurry before it got too bad, but it added another element of risk – I was sure to hear his voice today. I made my way down the lane that went closest to the cliffs, hunting for the path that would take me out to ledge. I knew Jake had been planning on taking me off one of the lower cliffs, but I didn't have the time or inclination to find a path that went lower. I wanted to jump off the top.

The wind really started to blow, catching my hair and whipping it around me. The rain started when I neared the top. The drops were large and thick, and I was drenched in seconds – it didn't matter – I'd be getting wet anyway. The pain in my chest eased, knowing that Edward was just seconds away. I made it to the edge of the cliff and stood there, waiting.

"Bella." I whipped around, the voice coming from behind me. I gasped. He was standing there, more beautiful than I'd ever seen him. It didn't even register that I'd gone from hearing voices to full-fledged hallucinations.

"Yes?" I asked, staring at him.

"Don't do this." He pleaded. Even upset with me, he was breathtaking.

"You wanted me to be human." I reminded him "Well, watch me."

"Please." It was just a whisper among the blowing rain. I rolled up on the balls of my feet, getting ready. I didn't want to turn around until right before I jumped – I wanted to look at Edward as long as possible. "No, Bella!" He was angry now, and and this made me so happy. I smiled, and whirled around, and flung myself off the cliff.

I screamed all the way down.

The air rushed past me, and I was exhilarated – not only because of the adrenaline rush that the jump and subsequent free fall gave me, but because I'd not only heard Edward's voice, but I'd gotten to see his perfection one more time.

The joy lasted until I hit the water.

That's about when I realized how incredibly stupid it was to jump of a cliff into the ocean, in the middle of a thunderstorm, all by myself. The black water swirled around me and I didn't know which way was up. I turned and twisted in the water, looking for the way out, the current catching me and dragging me down. It got harder and harder to fight against the water, my lungs burning for air – and then I saw him.

Edward.

Again.

His angelic face was visible among the waves, like a beacon in the darkness. It was then, I realized, that even though this would be the last time I would see him, it was worth it. I smiled, and then everything went black.

Everything hurt.

I could hear voices, but couldn't make them out. Something hard hit my chest, and I choked, sea water burning my throat as I gagged it up.

"Breathe, Bella!" Jake was there. Of course, he must have found me. I wanted to open my eyes, tell him I was all right, but I couldn't seem to find the strength.

My chest was hit again, and I gagged up another mouthful of water, coughing as I spit it out. It hurt, but I was able to inhale – a motion which also caused me to open my eyes. I wondered how long I had been unconscious because it had stopped raining, and the sun was struggling to come out. Two faces peered down at me, both wearing worried expressions. Jake's brown eyes were frantically searching mine.

The other set of eyes, golden eyes, belonged to Edward.