Chapter Two

"Bells?" Jacob asked, his voice thick with concern. He had moved me to my bed, laying me down over the messy blankets. I couldn't even be concerned that I was wearing too-short shorts and I rather revealing tank top. I was still stewing in my own decision. I knew, as rash as it was, that it was right. That didn't mean it didn't hurt.

He was kneeling next to my side, one hand holding both of mine and the other on the side of my face. His hands were so big and I had never really realized it. His fingertips were at my temple and the heel of his hand was under my chin. He covered the whole side of my face with his warm touch.

I looked at him, wishing the silent tears that were running down my face would stop. He didn't need to see me like this. "I'm okay, Jake." I assured him, sniffling unintentionally. He gave me a disbelieving look and I sighed. "I will be okay." I corrected, just because I knew he wasn't going to accept anything else.

He looked at me for a long time, but I couldn't spare a moment to think about what it was he was searching for in my face. Apparently, he found it, because he nodded and stood up. He was still holding both my hands, looking extremely worried. "Are you going to be okay alone, if I go patrol?" he asked, bite his lip.

I almost laughed. I was always biting my lip when I was worried, and apparently Jake had picked up the habit. I nodded. "I'll be okay. Will... Will you come back?" I asked, looking down when I spit out the question. He chuckled and leaned down, hesitating briefly, before brushing his lips across my forehead.

"I always come back, Bella." he said sincerely.

And he was right. He always came back to me. He came back even when he was sworn to secrecy by his pack. He came back when he knew there was a vampire here that he couldn't hurt, just because he wanted to be sure I was safe. He even came back when I left him to go save Edward. Jake always came back for me.

He jumped out of the window, after one last long look, and I rolled over, pulling my blanket over me. I knew when I woke up, Jake would be back.

"Bells?" his voice was low, but I turned to it instinctively. It was comforting, after restless sleeping for many hours. His arm was beside me and I rolled into it. He wrapped it around my shoulders, pulling me close to a very broad, warm chest. There was a vibration deep inside of him and I realized he was laughing.

Slowly, I opened my eyes to look up at him. He was smiling, showing his very white teeth, and he winked at me. "I knew I'd get you into bed somehow." he joked, making me roll my eyes.

I sat up slowly, feeling very groggy and possibly more tired than I had been when I first fell asleep. I ran my fingers through my knocked hair, wincing when it tangled. I was going to need a lot of detangler and three or four brushes to fix that mess. I climbed out of bed slowly, finally conscious of my lack of clothing.

"Turn around!" I snapped at Jake, who was happily staring at my legs and chest. He wasn't even shy about it, but he rolled his eyes and turned on his side, away from me. I grabbed jeans and a t-shirt from my drawer and nearly ran into the bathroom to shower.

I took my time. All the stress of the past few days, even the last few weeks, was migrating into my shoulder muscles. They ached heavily, but the hot water eased some of the tension. I only got out once it got cold, wrapping in a big fluffy towel. After blow drying my hair and pulling it out of my face with a clip, I got dressed and made my way back into my room.

Jake was still on the bed, lying on his back with his hands behind his head. He was staring at the ceiling, a look of deep concentration on his face. It wasn't a familiar look for him and it made me worried. I sat next to him, stretching out so I could use his chest as a pillow. One arm came down and around me, holding me to him. It was definitely a line-blurring moment, but I didn't fight it.

It was hard to believe before I had seen Alice again, I had been considering giving Jacob the chance he so rightfully deserved. He deserved it even more now, but after having banished Edward, I wasn't certain I could give it to him anymore. I wanted to. I wanted to make Jacob as happy as possible. If it was possible, I was free of Edward's hold at least minutely. That didn't stop me from loving him. And was it really fair to Jacob to start something when I loved someone else? I couldn't decide. I was aware that I should talk to Jake about it, but I couldn't make myself do it.

"There's another bonfire tonight. The boys really want you to come." he said after a long, comfortable silence. I cringed inwardly. They could all hear Jake's thoughts, so they had to know I had left him to save Edward. I thought about all of their reactions and I knew this was going to be a problem. Leah Clearwater was going to rip me apart. "Will you come?" he asked when I didn't reply. His voice as so child-like and uncertain that it crushed my heart.

"As long as you want me there." I told him, putting my chin on his chest and giving him a serious look. He smiled a little and ran his fingers through my hair.

"I'll always want you, Bells. I promise." He closed his eyes after that statement, so he never saw the few tears I cried.

Oh, gosh. I know... Short! I'm already working on the next chapter, I swear! It just seemed to work better seperately! Don't hate me! And please review(: