A/N: Well, since the last chapter was so short, I figured I should put this one up now, even though it's short as well. Sorry bout this. :P Oh well, it's a new chapter! Hurray! The next one actually sticks to the book/movie, for the most part. But enough of this, to the story! Much love! ~Kasha


Chapter Four: Movie, Please?

Jake watched Bella closely over the next few days. He came over under the guise of helping carry boxes, and he did do a lot of heavy lifting, but he really just wanted to watch Bella. Sometimes, when she thought no one was there and let her guard down, she had a look that scared Jake, but made him angry at the same time. He remembered how terrified he and Billy had been when Bella had gone missing. He hadn't been able to sit still until Charlie had called and said she was alive. Not okay, alive. Jake hadn't understood the difference until now.

In those moments when she didn't put on a brave front, she looked so broken and alone. Her arms wrapped around herself as if to hold herself together and she shivered as if she was freezing.

What had that... that... he couldn't think of a name dark enough for the asshole who had done this to her. What had he done? Jake didn't want to talk about it and upset her, but Jake could only think of one reason that would haunt her like this, and it sent him into a rage to think of someone hurting her in such a despicable way. Who could do that to a girl as soft and gentle as Bella?!

He felt something hot move through him, and he jolted out of the bed. What the hell? Scared out of being angry, he forced himself to calm down.

Jake, man, no more soda before bedtime. He laughed it off, thinking he had just imagined the feel of something feral rising under his skin.

He was feeling fine the next day, and even Bella seemed to be in a good mood. The darkness that had clouded her dark eyes seemed held off and the warmth of her gaze made him smile as he hefted boxes.

"So Jake, a few of my friends and I are going to a movie. Feel like coming?"

He looked shocked, but managed to keep it under wraps when he turned to look at her with an eyebrow raised.

"Maybe. Depends. What movie? Love spelled

backwards is love?" He laughed when she rolled her eyes and fake shuddered.

"Why is it that girls can only like romance movies and novels to guys? No, Mr. Black, it is not a chic-flick. It's Face Punch."

Now he outright laughed. "You. Going to Face Punch." He crossed his arms. "Should I bring stomach pills for you?"

Bella threw a bag at him, shaking her head as she walked away. Jake allowed himself one tiny moment to admire the view before running to catch up.

"Alright, alright. When is it?"

Bella's face lit up and he had to work to keep his smile to himself. She'd never know just how much she made him feel like hero or something cheesy like that by looking at him like she was now. It was like he'd given her some kind of gift just by saying yes.

"8. Can you make it?"

Jake acted like he might have a problem and laughed when she looked worried. "Sure sure, Bells. Not like there's much to do on the res anyway."

She smiled like a loon, something he was sure he was doing as well by now.

A car honked, and they both turned to see Billy in the Black's car. Jake gave her a quick hug, one of his big bear ones, the kind that she seemed to love.

"I'll come get you at about 7:30-ish so we can get there in time!" Bella shouted as he trotted to the car. He gave a grin and a thumbs before tucking himself into the now too-small-for-him vehicle.