We drive the rest of the way in silence, which of course leads me to reminisce about our moments in the kitchen and in my bedroom. This then leads to me being tomato red when Jacob finally pulls up in front of his house. I turn to him inquiringly and he lets out one of his deep laughs and pinches the tip of my nose, much to my annoyance.

"I have to jump in the shower real quick and change." I nibble on my lower lip and he lets out a groan. "You have to stop that. Right now. Look, come in, I promise to behave if you do."

I nod and open my door and he's already there. I forget that he's surprisingly quick now that he's a werewolf, even in human form. We make our way to the front door and he opens it, shutting it closed after I enter. I've been to Jacob's house countless times, but now things are different between us and sort of murky. Yes, we're ridiculously attracted to one another but I'm still broken and I know we love one another, but the last time for me? Well, love wasn't enough. I shake my head and realize he's staring at me quite intently.

"It's amazing to see so many emotions and questions flit through your eyes and across your face in mere seconds and you not explode. What are you thinking so hard about Bells?" His hand reaches out and I take a step back, making him cringe.

"I'm sorry, but right now isn't the time. You need to get ready and I need to calm down. I'll wait out here, okay?" He looks dejected and I feel ashamed for hurting him again. I take two steps forward and reach up on my toes to kiss the spot where his neck meets his massive shoulder. He sighs and rests his jaw on the top of my head. He takes a step back and I smile at him. "I know I'm being weird but please know that I love you. That I'm in love with you and it scares the living hell out of me. Don't. It's okay. Just shower and get dressed. Your friends, your pack, they need you right now; even more than I do."

He nods and shrugs off his t-shirt making me gasp at the sight of him. He smirks at me while dropping it on the floor. I see him kick off his sneakers and when he starts to lower his sweats, I abruptly turn around and curse him when he busts out cackling like a banshee. Hmm, I wonder if those exist too.

"Oh, come on Bells, I know you wanna look…" His voice is full of mockery and I stay rooted to my spot and only turn around when I hear the shower start and the door shut. I release the breath I have been holding in and turn to make my way to the couch and my mouth comes unhinged as I take in the sight before me.

Jacob Black, werewolf, vampire slayer, hotter than any teen idol or movie star on the planet is buck naked, shaking his ass at me. And I collapse, laughing, on the edge of the coffee table, holding my sides as he booty shakes his way into the bathroom looking at me over his shoulder with a shit eating grin. He winks and closes the door behind him as I try to catch my breath.

That alone shows part of the reason I am completely taken by him. He knew that I was slowly working myself into a tizzy and he did what he does best, makes me smile and that warms me up.

The Clearwaters - - -

Jacob pulls up and parks on the lawn beside some other car haphazardly parked. He is once again at my door before I can even unbuckle my seatbelt. I take in the sight of him, freshly washed, and splendidly dressed in a pair of dark chinos and a black button down that stretches tightly against his massive chest. I can feel saliva pool in my mouth and swallow. He holds out a hand and helps me out of the car.

We hold hands and make our way to the house and he just goes inside without knocking. I am getting more and more anxious and nervously yank at my dress, but he gently tugs at my hand. A few conversations falter as we pass and it's really no wonder. We are quite the sight to behold. Him with his midnight colored hair, unbelievable form and russet colored skin towering a foot taller than me while I am alabaster-toned, petite and quite frail looking. Yet, my tender giant loves and desires me.

We make our way further into the house and pass by Quil, Embry and Jared. Quil just glares while Embry attempts a smile. Jared keeps talking as if I don't exist. I am somewhat taken back by their behavior. A few weeks ago we were all hanging out together at Sam and Emily's. Of course, it wasn't like we were bosom buddies, but they were friendly enough. There were even hints or moments of time when I wasn't the ex-girlfriend of what caused them to phase. I was just Bella.

We make our way towards the back of the house where I catch a glimpse of Charlie and Billy who seem deep in conversation. I keep up with Jacob and he stops in front a woman I do not recognize. He lets go of my hand and gathers the woman in his arms, causing her to laugh.

"Oh Jacob, my boy, you're crushing me." He releases her with a sheepish grin on his face. She pats his face and he lowers his forehead to hers. It was an intimate moment that seems to make only me uncomfortable as people pass by and squeeze her hand or pat Jacob's back. He finally takes a step back and she smiles warmly at me. "Thank you both for stopping by. Bella, it's a pleasure to see you again." The smile slides from her face. "I am sorry it is under such…"

I rush on, "I'm sorry for your loss. Ch…Dad always spoke so highly of Mr. Clearwater."

She smiles again, nodding. "Those old fools and their fishing. Well, Seth and Leah are about somewhere." A cloud of unease slips into her eyes and Jacob nods. She bites her lip. "Please help yourself to some of the food and Jacob, make sure the girl gets fed before you inhale it all."

Jacob manages to look affronted at her comment and she chuckles softly. He takes my hand again and before I can ask about what just passed between the two of them, Jacob pulls me outside through some side door to the backyard. He makes his way over to a rather lonely and desolate looking tree. I look at him oddly as my phone vibrates in my purse. I take it out and see that it's Alice. I ignore the call.

"Leah used to be with Sam before Emily." I shrug my shoulders, not quite grasping what was so important about this fact. He runs a hand along jaw. "Sam was going to marry Leah but her cousin, Emily, came to visit and he imprinted. Not on Leah…"

Oh, my heart breaks for her. "But on Emily. And they're here and she's here and I get it."

He nods. "Leah's never been the easiest person to get along with. She's rather abrupt most of the time, but when she was with Sam, she was…almost lighter. She would smile and laugh and it was like me and every other kid had a massive hard on for her. Then when he imprinted on Emily, he broke his heart along with hers. I just wanted to let you know about it before we ran into her."

I nod and squeeze his hand reassuringly. I see my dad step outside onto the concrete patio and wave to him. He looks downright astounded to see me. "Look me being here is a bit awkward; don't even try to deny it. We both saw what happened when we passed by some of the…boys. I'll go check up on my dad and Billy. Just know I'm here. Here for you."

He leans down and brushes my lips with his before making off. My phone goes off again and I don't bother checking it. I walk towards my father and into his open arms. He kisses the top of my forehead, which makes tears sting my eyes. "I'm so glad you're here Bella. I didn't think it was going to be so hard to say goodbye."

I take one of his hands in mine, glad that I could be here for him. We make our way back inside and find Billy and they both share wonderful stories of Harry Clearwater and bad fishing expeditions. Somehow we manage to find a couch and Seth joins us, telling his own tales of fishing and other stories about my dad I didn't know. It really opens up my eyes to how I really didn't know him so well. And here is Seth, who obviously worshipped his dad and lost him. It makes me realize I've been wasting time. There is a lull in the conversation so I squeeze my dad's hand.

"Maybe you could take me sometime?" My father drops my hand in amazement and I blush. "Well, you guys telling me all these stories and um, I guess, I'm…"

Charlie nods and Billy laughs slapping my dad on his thigh. "That's good Bella. Now you'll see how horrible your dad really is at it. Then he won't be able to embellish his tales and act like he catches the most fish." Jacob passes by and deposits a plate of food in my lap. I gape at him when I see how much he gave me. He smirks and saunters off.

My phone vibrates again and I choose to ignore it. I eat for a little as Seth wanders off and my dad and Billy start talking about Harry again. I people watch and see a girl a couple years older than me stalk through the house. There is no other word to describe her gait. She's tall, remarkably tall, and beautiful in an indescribable way. Her features are sharp and her long hair seems even blacker than Jake's. I guess someone calls her name because she rolls her eyes before turning. Then I see who's calling her and flinch. Sam is approaching her with an embarrassed look upon his face. I turn away because this seems it should be a private moment but how can it be with so many people in the house. Then all the noise and talking stops as Leah's voice booms through the house.

"I DON'T CARE! I DON'T WANT YOUR FUCKING CONDOLENCES! GET THE…!" Then she stops and just turns on her heel, walking away as Sam watches with misery in his eyes, but I catch a glimpse of something more. I see love, unadulterated love. He turns away and the chatter starts up again, somewhat more subdued than before.

I rise wanting to be with Jacob and I feel desperation start to work its way through me. What if he imprints? Then what happens to us? Are we even an us? And what about that little bomb about becoming alpha? I stop thinking about all that because this isn't the place for us to have a serious heart to heart and become conscious that I'm standing next to Sam who stares at me making me uncomfortable.

I speak before I can stop myself, "She knows. That's why she's so mad because she knows and she's hurting so much because of it."

Sam looks wide-eyed at me and growls, "Knows what?"

I roll my eyes, "That you still love her. Regardless."

His back tenses and I regret saying anything at all but I feel for Leah. I feel for the girl that loved someone so deeply and completely that she didn't know where she ended and he began. I recognize the haunted look in her eyes because I have seen it so many times reflected in my own. I didn't get the whole imprinting thing but I did get love and hurt. And regret.

He opens his mouth to say something or perhaps just curse me out but he looks over my shoulder, eyes fiercely concentrating on something and he takes a quick sniff of the air. He goes rigid and I take a quick look around and see that Jacob and the others have similar stances.

Oh God, Victoria? Not now. But why would she come to La Push? That seems practically suicidal on her part. To come to where there's a whole damn pack of wolves who are more than ready to rip her head off her body and use it as a chew toy. In the flash of an eye, they are flanking Sam. Jacob's eyes are on me.

"There's one here," Sam whispers. He quickly glances at me and I know he blames me for bringing this to his people. I blame myself. The pack turns and people part for them and I trail behind them meekly. We get outside and Jacob turns to face me.

"We're going to go check this out, but I need you to stay here with your dad and mine. Please don't fight me on this. Quil is staying here, making sure everyone's safe. I'll be back quick." I shake my head, wanting to beg him to stay but I know I can't. He scoops me up in arms and collides his mouth against mine. I can taste his fear and excitement. He puts me down as the pack runs off towards the trees and I seem to have my heart in my throat.

Quil stands besides me; I hadn't heard him approach me. "We don't blame you." I look at him skeptically. He grins and I roll my eyes. "It was bound to happen. The Cullens aren't the first leeches that have come through here. There were bloodsuckers before them and there will be some after them. We don't worry about them because of the treaty. Besides you said just that one was here. That the others weren't returning."

I nod incapable of saying anything more. I just wanted Jake here with me. Quil sees my unease and places a hand on my shoulder, scorching my skin through the material of my dress. "He will be fine. His bloodline is the strongest among our people."

He removes his hand and I can feel my skin instantly cool. Quil walks off to check around the house. I just stand in front, hugging myself, willing Jacob to come back even though it's only been minutes since he took off. And I know I'll keep standing there until he comes back to me.