Separation Anxiety

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

A/N-thank you for the kind reviews.

Part Three-A Soul Takes Flight

In the early hours of the morning Jacob finally regained consciousness. Nothing could have prepared him for the pain from his physical injuries but this was nothing like the pain he was being forced to endure seeing Bella lying comatose on the camp bed beside him. He cursed the fact he couldn't move. When he had first awoken he had tried to do just that. His memories of Edward's attack came back in a rush. He had forced his body upright, pulling out the IV line that was administering his meds and tried to haul himself over to Bella. But all that achieved was another cracked rib and his wounds opening again. Sue had rushed over after being alerted by all the noise and tried to placate Jacob as he demanded answers and groaned with pain. He wouldn't listen to her at first, it was only when Billy intervened that he calmed down enough to take in what they were trying to tell him.

"He drank from her?" Jacob's world was pulled asunder as he listened in horror to what Billy was telling him. The last thing he recalled before his strength gave out was Bella holding something in her hand before she cut her arm. She had sacrificed herself to save him. His heart broke as he stared across at Bella. She looked so small and fragile. Her hair had been combed and draped across her left shoulder. Sue, along with Leah's help, had washed and dressed her injury. There was little else they could do but keep her hydrated and monitor her vital signs. No one could tell Jacob whether any venom had gotten into her veins. It was a waiting game and the more time passed, the more likely that Bella was losing the fight.

"Jake, I know it's easy for me to say but you have to remain strong, for her sake." Billy begged when he watched the light die in his son's eyes. Jacob was retreating into himself. His eyes were fixated on Bella and he didn't seem to hear his father's words. "Jake, did you hear me?"

Jacob didn't respond he just kept focusing on Bella. He watched as her chest rose and fell with each faltering breath she took. He could hear her heart beat but it was very faint and unsteady. Her complexion had turned white and there was a blue tinge to her lips. He felt despair wash over him the longer he gazed at her. He could feel her soul slipping away from him with every second that passed. Jacob still hadn't told anyone about the imprint, he was certain his thoughts had been too muddled for the pack to pick up on it right before Cullen attacked. He could feel Bella's struggle as she tried to remain with him, he wished he didn't feel so weak himself. He wanted to gather her up in his arms and hold her tight so he could add his strength to hers, but he couldn't move. He cursed his weakened body and felt angry tears well in his eyes. It wasn't fair; he had lost so much already. He couldn't lose Bella, not like this, only when they had just found each other again. He reached across, ignoring the jarring pain in his body as he fumbled for her hand. She was cold, so cold. Fear shot through him as he curled his fingers around hers and held on tight.

"Stay with me, Bells. Don't leave me." He whispered brokenly.

Sue and Billy glanced at each other sadly. Both of them had lost the people they loved and knew how badly Jacob must be suffering. But at least they'd had time with Harry and Sarah, Jacob hadn't been given that, and their hearts ached for him. They wished they could offer words of comfort, but found nothing to say.

Bella was lost, everything was dark. She held her hands out in front of her as she tried to feel her way through the pitch black night. Her legs felt unsteady and not strong enough to support her. It was scary; she hadn't felt fear like this since being locked inside the Volturi stronghold. But at least then she had been able to see. She stumbled onward, tripping over her own feet as she continued onward, because what else was she supposed to do. She called out for Jacob, for her dad, for anyone. But all she got in response was her own voice echoing back to her. Bella felt cold too. She felt goose pimples prickle up her arms although she couldn't see them. Why was there no light? She was surprised she hadn't fallen. Her clumsiness always got the better of her. She wasn't sure which way was up or down.

"Help me, somebody, anybody!" She whimpered.

There was still no response…then something…..heat blazed across her right palm and she could swear she felt warm fingers curl around hers.

"Jacob?" Bella raised her right hand in front of her face but couldn't see it, but she could still feel the heat. "Jacob." She whispered again as she placed the palm of her hand on her frigid skin. She could still feel the warmth emanating from it. Something inside her told her that Jacob was close, that he was nearby, then why couldn't she see him. The comfort was small but it gave Bella faint hope. "Save me, Jake. I'm here."

Slowly the new day dawned. Jacob had refused all offers of food and drank only water as he kept his attention focused on Bella. He was afraid if he looked away for even a minute she would disappear right before his eyes. He could sense that Bella was close, he couldn't put it into words but he could feel her soul hovering as if it was caught somewhere between two worlds and he knew instinctively that he was the one thing holding her here. He didn't let go of her right hand, even though his fingers ached with the pressure of doing so. He ignored his injured body and blocked out what was going on around him. He heard people coming and going and presumed it was the pack. Jacob ignored Billy when he tried to engage him in conversation. His brow furrowed in irritation at the unwanted distraction. He had a fight on his hand, a silent battle of wills with the entity trying to take his Bells away from him.

Bella wandered onwards in the dark, trying to make sense of her surroundings. Her right hand still blazed with heat and feeling this somehow offered her comfort. Jacob was somewhere she was certain. She just had to find him. Not being able to see only heightened her other senses. Bella's fear began to fade as she continued on her journey. There was nothing threatening here, in fact once her initial panic dissipated she felt quite calm and at peace. It was as if she was taking a trip through her own head and, as soon as this thought entered her mind, the darkness disappeared to be replaced with vibrant swirling colours. Bella had to cover her face with her hands to block out the intensity of the light. The colours sparkled and glimmered in a rainbow effect as they swept around her, until eventually they coalesced into something very familiar.

Bella felt grass under her feet as she stood barefoot on the porch of the Black's little redwood house. She was in La Push. She was home. Joy filled her heart as she gazed around in relief. It had all been a bizarre dream. The sun was out chasing away the clouds after a recent rainfall. Bella could smell the fresh earthy scent in the air around her. A light breeze blew her hair away from her sweaty neck and she smiled, turning her face toward the sun as she welcomed the warmth. She knew Jacob was nearby, she could sense his closeness. His soul was calling to hers and she answered. Bella felt two small hands tug on hers and she opened her eyes to find two young children, a boy and a girl, obviously twins as they looked the same age. They were bouncing impatiently on the balls of their feet and pointing into the distance. Bella instinctively knew that they belonged to her. She was their mother, and as she knew she would, Bella saw Jacob in the distance. His tall frame blocked out the sun as he drew closer and closer, a radiant smile lighting up his handsome face.

The twins tugged again on Bella's hands and drew her down the porch steps toward Jacob. She felt her soul soar high above the clouds as she ran to meet him, the two children guiding her steps all the way. She could hear Jacob's deep voice calling her name, begging her to come back to him, begging her to live…

Bella opened her eyes.

A/N-thanks for reading!