Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of the associated characters. All characters/settings/etc. are property of S. Meyer.

Thank you so very much for the wonderfully kind reviews, they make me so happy! Here's the fourth chapter…enjoy! : )

Chapter 4: Beginning

Bella couldn't help the small smile that crept across her lips as she navigated the dark roads home and recalled the events of that night. Jake had dropped her hand as soon as they had reached the campfire, but that didn't bother Bella, she could feel his resistance, his desire to keep holding onto her despite his actions. They had carried on the night as though nothing had happened, both joking and laughing easily with the others until they returned to Sam and Emily's house to watch the movie. Bella claimed a spot next to Jake on the worn out couch, exchanging a quick glance with him as she settled in. The heat that radiated from him was comforting and she relaxed into him slightly, subtly, to avoid the suspicions of the others in the room. As Emily entered the room, distributing bowls of popcorn to the waiting boys, she flicked off the lights and took a seat next to Sam, resting her head on his shoulder as she started the movie.

The darkness concealed Jake and Bella's frequent glances at each other and the smooth movement of Jake taking Bella's hand in his own, rubbing the back of her hand tenderly with his thumb. She blushed, feeling the more intimate intent behind the gesture. She was used to holding Jake's hand, but it had never felt quite like this before, like their intertwined fingers trapped their secret between them, holding it secure where only they would know of it. Bella's heart clenched at the thought of keeping such a secret from Edward, knowing that he was and always would be faithful to her. But she had banished that thought from her head, convincing herself that what had happened with Jake was a onetime thing, and although she didn't regret it, she knew she could prevent it from happening again. But their joined hands contradicted her own lie, mocking her, asserting that she wouldn't stop it if it happened again because she enjoyed it…it had felt right. It had appeased that feeling, the feeling that had been scratching at the back of her mind for weeks, and as much as she didn't want to admit it, she knew what that meant.

As Bella continued to drive, her mind revisited Jake's farewell and her smile grew wider. After the movie ended, he had walked with her back to his house, not a far distance, but enough to allow them time to discuss the movie and share a few more laughs. As they approached her truck, Jake grabbed Bella by her arm, swinging her around to face him. He looked at her for a moment, his eyes dark and intense, fierce, almost daring her to try to leave without appeasing the desire that she had awoken within him. She opened her mouth to speak but her words were lost against his lips as they crashed against hers. He pushed her against the truck, wrapping his arms around her as he slid his tongue into her mouth. She was ready this time and she moved her tongue against his, the feeling was new, exciting, something she had never enjoyed before…Edward never kissed her like this…he couldn't. But this…this was what she had always wanted. She felt his passion, his strength, his desire, his care, she felt it all, passing between them as their bodies pressed together. He snaked his hand up the back of her shirt and let it rest on the small of her back, holding it there, reveling in the feeling of her skin against his. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver up her spine, and she knew he had felt it as he smiled lightly, never breaking the kiss. His hand traveled farther up her back as he pushed against her harder, deepening the kiss, before pulling away slowly, placing a small kiss on her lips before resting his forehead against hers. He licked his lips, her sweet taste still lingered there, making him want more, making him want to keep her there and never let her leave his arms. That's where she belonged…his Bella.

"Wow…" she felt stupid, but that was all she could say. She was still breathless and his subtle movements against her didn't help…his hand rubbing slowly, steadily up and down her back as his other hand caressed her face gently. He smiled at her and she felt herself smile back.

"Yeah, well, not only am I creative…I'm also an amazing kisser." He joked, finally removing his hand from under her shirt and taking her hand in his, placing a light kiss on top of it before maneuvering her out of the way and opening the truck door for her.

"I think I've figured out the secret to all your self-appointed success…" Bella mused, climbing into her truck.

"And what's that?" Jake asked, raising an eyebrow questioningly.

"Your cocky arrogance. I mean, that's gotta be it, right?" Bella insisted, smiling slightly as she teased him, ruffling his dark hair.

"Ah, sounds like you've got me figured out, Bells. You better keep my secret!" He threatened, crossing his arms playfully.

"And you better keep mine…" she replied, her voice quiet, reflecting the newfound worry that crept up from within her as she thought of the livid Edward that she was sure waited at her house. Jake didn't miss a beat, noticing immediately her change in demeanor as he took her hand.

"Bella, if he so much as raises his voice at you, you call me, got it? I'm serious. He has no right to give you shit after what he did to you." he said, referencing Edward's extended absence in Italy. Bella frowned, feeling small tremors pass through Jake's hand and understanding that that meant he was getting upset.

"Hey, calm down, Jake. Don't worry, I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself." she assured him, gripping his hand tighter, secretly wishing that he would insist on going with her but knowing that that would end badly.

"I mean it, Bella, if you want me to come there, just call, alright?" He said, and she felt his tremors subside as he calmed down. Bella shook her head in response, offering him a small smile as she kissed his knuckles gently, his warm skin hot against her cool lips.

"Thanks, Jake. I'll text you later." She said, releasing his hand and closing the door of her truck quietly. She smiled at him again as she started the engine, but he did not return her smile and she knew that he was still upset. Upset that he had to let her go…back to him.

Bella shook her head slightly, vanquishing the mental images of Jake that floated through her mind as she neared her house. She took a deep breath, steadying herself for what she was going to have to deal with.

As she approached her house she was surprised to not see Edward's car there. Surely he wouldn't have just brushed this off, he had called and texted her countless times throughout the night. Maybe he was just so upset that he didn't want to be around her right now, Bella thought to herself as she got out of her truck and made her way to the front door, fumbling with her keys in the darkness.

"No need to ask where you've been," Bella jumped and gasped at the sound of the voice from behind her. She whipped around, her heart beating out of control as she saw Edward standing there, his jaw clenched tightly, eyes narrowed, "I can smell him all over you."

"Edward, what the hell are you doing? Why are you…where's your car? Why are you waiting outside for me?" Bella asked, still breathing heavy from the scare.

"With all respect, Bella, I think I should get to ask the questions first." He stated simply, but Bella heard the anger he was trying so hard to contain. He was mad, and Bella was not used to being the focus of his anger.

"Well, go ahead then. It's not like I've done anything wrong." Bella could feel the blood rush to her face as she stated this lie, thankful now more than ever that Edward couldn't read her mind.

"What were you doing there, Bella? You were just there yesterday, and you went back today for hours. You didn't even let me know, if something had happened…"

"Edward, I've told you this already, Jake's not going to hurt me. And you agreed that I could hang out with him more often." Bella countered, already getting upset with this conversation. Who was he to tell her when and where she could go? She had every right to visit her friend, she thought to herself.

"I understand that, but you also agreed that you would tell me when you were going there. I don't think you understand how much I worry about you, Bella." He said, the anger was still there, but laced with concern and desperation. "It's my job to protect you, but I can't do that if you run off with a werewolf every chance you get."

She could see his anger flare up again as he spat the word "werewolf", his eyes flashing dangerously. At that moment, Bella was extraordinarily thankful that Jake hadn't accompanied her back home.

"Look, I don't know what you want me to say, Edward. I wanted to talk to Jake about something and we just got caught up doing things with the others. It was kind of a…spontaneous decision to go there, so I didn't think to tell you about it." Bella explained, shrugging her shoulders while trying to keep the guilt buried beneath the thin layer of resentment.

"What did you want to talk to him about?" Edward questioned, searching Bella's eyes for some kind of unspoken explanation. She looked away, swallowing hard.

"Just…I just…" Bella searched her mind frantically for something that would appease Edward's curiosity without being an obvious lie, "My truck was making some weird noises. I just figured I'd take it to Jake instead of making my dad take it to the mechanic or something." Bella knew this was a mediocre excuse, but it was the best she could come up with on the spot. She looked back at Edward, wondering what exactly she'd gotten herself into.

"Why didn't you have Emmett look at it? You know he's just as good as Jake when it comes to those things."

Bella cursed silently to herself, knowing she had overlooked something in her alibi. "I thought Jake would know more about that truck since it used to belong to Billy. I didn't mean to offend you or anything." Bella said, growing tired of Edward's probing questions.

"The only offense being committed here is that lately, you seem to take more pleasure in being around that…that animal, than your own boyfriend." the hostility was present in Edward's voice, but he still retained the cool demeanor that was so characteristic of him.

Bella let out a heavy sigh, shaking her head slightly, "Look, Jake and I are just friends, you're going to have to deal with it. He was there for me when you… He was there for me when I needed him most, and I can't just let that go unappreciated."

"And how is it, exactly, that you're showing him your appreciation?" the words tumbled from his mouth before he had the sense to stop them, but Jake's smell on her was too strong, like they hadn't been more than two inches from each other the whole night. But as he looked at Bella's face, he wished he had kept his foolish insecurities to himself.

"I can't believe you, Edward. You can leave. Now." it was spoken not as a request, but as a command. As much as she loved Edward, she wanted nothing more than to be alone right now, distancing herself from what he had just implied.

"Bella, I'm sorry. I don't know why I said that. Please, just try to understand where I'm coming from…" Edward begged, his voice now soft, submissive.

"Just go, Edward." Her voice came out quietly, almost meek despite the torrent of emotions that coursed through her. He hadn't moved from where he stood, so she gave one final command before opening her front door and disappearing into her house.

"Go."

Bella sat on the floor in her room, her back leaning against her bed, her hands cradling her head as she thought of everything that had transpired that night and in the last few days. She didn't even know how to deal with the reality of her actions, her lies, her thoughts, and she didn't understand why this had to be so hard. She tried to reason with herself, tried to understand her own motivations for everything that she had done that night. It seemed that, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get her emotions in order. The logical part of her told her to call Edward, to apologize, to assure him that her relationship with Jake was purely platonic and to make said platonic relationship a reality despite her confused feelings for Jake. But her more emotional part told her that that wasn't what she really wanted, that what she really wanted was to give Jake a chance because something about them, together, felt perfect, and even though she loved Edward…she also cared deeply for Jake, a different kind of feeling than she had ever felt before.

Ever since Bella had returned from Italy with Edward, something felt different between them, like everything was more strained, each feeling more troubled. She was sure it was more than just her broken trust with Edward, but to pinpoint exactly what was off in their relationship was causing her great difficulty. Maybe it had been because Jake had filled that void in her when Edward left, he had made her whole again, made her heart melt with each crooked smile and warm touch, he had healed her when she found herself broken, he had become her world. But when Edward returned, that world had to be divided, those feelings had to be redistributed, refigured, and Bella didn't know how, it was like that divided world was warring within her. It had been so easy before Edward had abandoned her. She had resisted so many of Jake's affectionate advances with ease, and then Edward left her, and Jake was there, he made things easy, fun, and she loved him for that. She loved him…but did she love him?

Bella sighed, a sound laden with emotion as she ran her hands through her hair in frustration, an angry tear slipping down her pale cheek. Then she heard someone climb through her window and she froze. She didn't want Edward to come back, hadn't he understood that she wanted to be alone? She held her breath, knowing she was hidden from view by her bed and hoping that just maybe he would think she wasn't here and would leave, and she could resume her frantic thinking. She heard his footsteps getting closer, hesitant, like he knew he shouldn't be there. Bella closed her eyes tightly, willing him to turn around.

"Bella?"

Her eyes snapped open and she turned her quickly toward the sound of the voice, his voice.

"J-Jake? What are you doing here?" She was still shocked, she had not been expecting Jake and much to her chagrin she was pleasantly surprised.

"Why are you on the floor? And why are you crying?" his voice was angry, but it was a soft anger, like he was holding back his rage for someone who wasn't present. Bella was certain she knew who.

"I was just…I like sitting on the floor. And I'm not crying." She stated matter-of-factly, raising herself from her position on the floor and inconspicuously wiping away the single tear that had escaped earlier. She knew Jake had already seen it, but she didn't feel like explaining right now. "You didn't answer my question…what are you doing here?"

"I came to make sure he didn't hurt you. But from the looks of it, I came too late." he hissed the words, his strong hands making fists at his sides. Bella let out a small, ironic laugh as she sat herself on her bed, looking up at Jake.

"He didn't hurt me, Jake. I was just thinking about something else, you caught me at a bad time." she shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly, wanting him to remove the worried look that adorned his handsome face.

"Uh huh. Then why is he gone? If you smoothed things over shouldn't he be here with you…making out or something?" Jake grimaced at the words, and Bella understood at that moment just how much it hurt him to think of her with Edward.

"I told him to leave, he made me upset but I took care of it." she assured him.

"What did he do to upset you?" he asked, his jaw clenching as he attempted to remain calm.

"He just…made some implications about…about what you and I had been doing tonight." Bella had debated admitting this to Jake, but she knew he had a right to know, he was involved in this as well.

Jake's body began to tremble, his breathing increasing at an alarmingly fast rate and his eyes narrowed into dangerous slits. Bella stood up quickly, covering the short distance between them and taking Jake's hand in her own, feeling the tremors pass beneath her fingers as she looked in his eyes.

"Jake." She spoke his name gently, soothing him, massaging his hand as she looked up at him, silently pleading with him to breathe, to calm down.

"Who does he think he is…implying something like that about you?" He spoke through his teeth, concentrating his energy on not jumping out the window and hunting Edward down that very minute.

"Jake, please. C'mon, it's not that big of a deal." She moved her hand up his arm, his muscles tensing at her feather-light touch. She brought her hand up to his face, stroking his cheek in a gentle rhythm, searching his eyes for the warmth that she was so used to seeing in them. Finally, he took a deep breath, his shaking body growing still under her calming touch. He looked at her for a moment longer before taking her in his arms, gently, as if not to break her.

"Welcome back." she joked, wrapping her own arms around his neck and breathing in his familiar, earthy scent and smiling.

"Sorry. I mean, I knew he was a jerk but for him to imply something like that…" he explained, smoothing her hair as he placed a ghost of a kiss on the top of her head.

"Yeah, well, I can't really blame him. Things have been kind of…different…between me and him lately. I think it's been stressing him out." Bella didn't understand what part of her was making her defend the blunt insinuation Edward had made earlier, and she was sure Jake didn't understand it either judging by the disgusted look on his face.

"You don't need to stick up for him just 'cause he's your boyfriend, Bella." Jake removed his arms from around her waist, looking down at her seriously.

She shook her head in reply, walking slowly over to her bed and laying down on it, suddenly more tired than she had realized, "I know. I don't really want to talk about it anymore, though."

"Right. Guess I'll get going then." he said shortly, turning and walking toward the window.

"What? Wait…I didn't mean that I didn't want to talk at all anymore." Bella explained hurriedly, sitting up in her bed as she noted the dismal expression on his face and the fact that she suddenly had no desire to be alone anymore.

"So…you want me to stay?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.

Bella nodded, patting the space next to her on the bed, smiling as she saw his expression change in an instant from one of disappointment to surprised joy. He made his way over to her bed, plopping down next to her rather unceremoniously, folding his arms behind his head as he turned to give her his characteristic grin.

"I'm all yours, Bells. What do you wanna talk about?" the happy edge to his voice made Bella laugh as she smiled back at him, the warmth of his body inviting her to come closer, and she did not deny such a coveted invitation. As she curled into him she let her mind jump from topic to topic as they talked aimlessly, enjoying each other's company.

Bella didn't know what time it was when she let sleep claim her, dragging her eyelids down despite her fervent effort to keep them up. But she knew that Jake was there, and she listened as his voice grew heavy with sleep as well, his words becoming jumbled and disjointed. Bella smiled slightly, pressing her head against his chest as his arms encircled her, holding her tightly against him, their legs intertwined, every inch of her warm from his heat. She sighed, listening to the steady beating of his kind heart, his rhythmic breathing, his strong arms her protection, and as she finally allowed sleep to overcome her, a fleeting thought flashed through her mind, a thought too profound to deal with now as her mind was too hazy to understand its significance. She loved him.

Alrighty, there's chapter 4. Sorry for the longer wait on this one, but I hope it was enjoyable! Please let me know what you think!