Chapter Four: Tears and Smiles

Disclaimer: Yet again, I own nothing.

Kim

"Did he just…growl?" I asked Emily. She looked pale.

She opened her mouth several times, but nothing came out. Finally:

"I think he thinks your stepfather beat you." Emily turned to me. "Did he?"

"That doesn't matter, did you see Jared? He's going to fucking murder somebody!"

I ran out the door, and looked for Jared. I looked right just as Sam ran after Jared around the corner. Quickly, I set after them. It got harder and harder to keep up, the boys were so fast, and we were nearing the forest. We left La Push, heading across a small empty space. Right before Jared entered the forest, I screamed, "Jared, stop! Wait!"

Sam stopped, turning to me in shock. Jared had stopped, but he was still facing the forest.

"Go away! Jared's not safe right now! You need to leave!" Sam told me, with the same authority he used on Jared.

I ignored him, walking towards Jared slowly. When I was near enough, I reached out to touch him on the arm. I kept the contact as I walked around to face him.

Our eyes met. I could still see the anger in him, boiling just beneath the surface. His body was hot, like he was running a fever. Yet, at the same time, his body shook. I smiled softly at him, then reached up to lightly press my lips to his.

I pulled away to whisper, "Calm down."

Jared looked at me, then his eyes filled with tears and he went limp. Both of us crumbled to the ground, ignoring the fact it was still wet.

"Kim", He choked.

I climbed into his lap, hugging him. I winched a little from the hurt. Any normal human wouldn't have noticed, but Jared did. He burst into tears, clutching me closer. His sobs shook my entire body.

Emily

I broke the egg a little too hard, and it went everywhere.

"Damn it!"

I hated this. I hated that I had to stay behind while Sam and the pack we're out there in the line of danger. Well, not really now, but they always seemed to be! The oven beeped, and I pulled out my third batch of cookies. Carefully, I placed another in, set the timer, and closed the door.

As I pulled the oven mitts off, I sighed. Even Kim had gone out after Jared (In the back of my mind, I knew it was only because Kim was Jared's imprint. If Sam and Jared's situations had been reversed, I would be out there and Kim would be inside twiddling her thumbs nervously).

I went out to mixing dough, enough for three more batches. Right when I decided to make more brownies, the front door opened. I rushed out to find it was Sam.

"Sam! What happened? Where are Kim and Jared?"

Sam didn't say anything, just pulled me into a hug.

"Saaam." I whined. My voice was muffled by his chest.

"Kim and Jared are fine." Sam told me gently. He ran his hands up and down my back.

I sighed, finally hugging him back.

"But where are they?"

Sam didn't say anything, and I gave another sigh. This time it was out of annoyance.

I didn't even have to look to know he was smiling.

Jared

I didn't stop crying until I felt her shivering.

"Kim, are you okay? Are you cold?"

She nodded, trying to press herself closer to me. My heart beat faster, and I was suddenly grateful for my extreme body heat.

"It's raining." Kim whispered. "Can we go back?"

I nodded quickly. If Kim got a cold I would never forgive myself.

I stood, scooping her up into my arms. Kim gasped, but relaxed almost immediately. I looked down to see her trying to hide a blush.

She was so adorable!

It wasn't that far of a walk to my house, but Kim fell asleep during it. I had to knock on the door, being unable to turn the doorknob. I heard Emily's feet patter over, and then the door was open.

"Jared!"

"Hey. Kim fell asleep."

Emily smiled at the peaceful look on Kim's face.

Jared shuffled in. He carefully placed his imprint on the couch in his living room, then headed straight to the kitchen.

"Do I smell cookies?"

Kim

When I woke up I wasn't in Jared's arms anymore. The only good thing about that was that I was out of the rain.

A booming laugh came from the kitchen. I followed the sound too find Sam, Jared, and Emily sitting around the little table. Jared and Sam made it, and Emily, look smaller than they really were.

I kind of hovered in the doorway, unsure what to do. Suddenly, Jared's eyes shot up, and when he saw it was me, he smiled.

"Come in."

Hesitantly, I crept in. When I was close enough for him to reach me, Jared grabbed me and pulled me into his arms. Sam and Emily didn't say anything, but I saw their knowing smiles.

I caught sight of a plate on the table.

"Are those cookies?"

"Yeah, there cold but…"

"That's fine!"

Quickly, I grabbed some. Jared chuckled and stole one of mine.

"Hey!" I protested as he shoved the whole thing in his mouth. "Get your own!"

He chewed and swallowed loudly.

"But then I'd have to reach over to get one. This way, you do all the work."

I smacked him. It wasn't that hard, but it hurt. I looked at my hand curiously, then glared at Jared.

"Are you made of rock or something?"

"Or something." He said, laughing.

I resisted the urge to hit him again.

First Off, I'd like to thank all my reviewers. Your awesome! It totally makes my day when people review. Secondly, I would like to know what you think of these possiable story ideas:

A. A vampire kidnaps Kim

B. Jared's old girlfriend

C. Deranged Stalker

D. Deranged Father

Or

E. Paul and/ or Jared phases in front of Kim

I would really like your opinion on what I should lead the story to. If you want, all you have to say in the review is the letter. I don't care. Any review makes me happy.

Thanks,

Serena's On A Sugar High