Chapter 6: Strictly not lies …

"What? What happened?" Jake exclaimed loudly, jovially.
Sue smiled gently-"Bella has something to tell you 'son."

I froze – sending her an incriminating look. And looked up to Jakes eager eyes.

BPOV

At first he was so still I wasn't sure he heard me. His eyes glued to mine- hands clenched. Sue was looking at me in horror. Quill and Leah, who were standing behind Jacob, froze too. All eyes were on me.

"A vampire spoke to me." I repeated, my voice hollow in the motionless room.

"When?" My husband's words cracked across the silence like a physical blow, making me wince. I immediately answered, looking down guiltily.
"Two days ago. Right before … "I swallowed hard; "our anniversary party. He… he left just before you arrived."

"WHAT?" Jacob's eyes widened and his jaw clenched with frustration.
"Did your friends see it?"Quill demanded, leaning slightly over Jake's shoulder to talk to me.

"No. He … it has a … an ability. He made time stop … or slow down at least. So o-only I could speak with him. He -he … just …" I was stuttering so much I shut up.
I lost my words in Jacobs stern eyes, my knees began to shake unsteadily. I felt Sue's hand touch my lower back gently.

Jacob's nostrils flared; his eyes wide. Sue withdrew her hand gently and made a sad, disappointed noise with her lips.

Jacob walked suddenly forward, around the couch I was standing before and grabbed my upper arms tightly in his big hands. He pulled me forward and for a second I thought I might fall over, but he yanked me to his chest. And wrapped his arms around me, so that I was cradled to him.

Utter surprise filled me, and then grew as he began to stroke my short hair affectionately, crooning softly. "I'm so sorry Bella-by … I'm sorry I let it find you … so sorry …"

I lifted my arms to stretch around his trim, muscled waist and snuggled my head into his shoulder. Unsure if I was reacting correctly … it wasn't this serious. Was it? Jake kissed the top of my head gently, his hot lips searing straight to my skin.

Something in the pit of my stomach stirred. My eyes snapped open and I drew in a sharp breath.
Jake, obviously misinterpreting my reaction, tightened his hold on me, and I felt his head lift from its cushion in my hair.

"Quill, go get Sam- please." His voice was terse, and he never released me.
Vaguely I heard Leah say; "I'll come with brother."

She obviously didn't want to be in the middle of … whatever was going to happen here …"

Jacob nodded against my hair. I lifted my face, to look over at Sue Clearwater. She stood gazing at me in obvious confusion and concern. Her hands were folded to her waist, her head was hung slightly.

"Sue – I would like it if-"
She shook her head and stepped closer to us, she lay a rough hand on my exposed arm, Jake loosened his hold and I chanced a glance up at him. He wasn't looking up at me, but from what I could see; his expression was one of severe regret and guilt …

"I have to go and see Charlie, I came over to invite you but … it seems you both have too much to digest right now. I'll go." She turned to leave but then turned back to me and very discreetly mouthed- wait.

"Thank you Sue." Jake said softly, he didn't lower his head again until she was out of the door and we could hear the purr of her dodge.

"Jacob-"I tried to explain to him but he immediately swept me up and practically carried me to our bedroom. He lay me down and then stood inspecting me. As if he could see through me and tell if I was lying … His eyes moved to mine.

"Bella, don't you dare down play this now. Be honest and be serious. Did it hurt you?" Jacob asked tersely, sitting down on the high bed and taking my hand in both of his.

The question shocked me- did I look hurt? I frowned and bit my lip gently between my teeth- if I said I was 'fine' Jake would never believe me and I would most likely get a stern lecture on communication in the best case and a 'pat down' at the worst.

The thought made me want to giggle, but Jake was still staring at me in concern.
I took a deep, steady breath and answered; "He never even touched me Jacob. I promise."

Surprise lanced across my husband's features, and he frowned deeply.
"Why not? He … He attacked Seth."

Because he thinks I'm his friend … he knows my old family …
my mind screamed the answer, but I clamped my lips together. "He … didn't even threaten me …"

"None the less, we must catch him. And destroy him. He won't get another chance to speak with you. He will not be allowed to scare you again." With that he released my hand and reached forward, to stroke the side of my face.

He leant down and kissed me gently. His fingers working up my face and into my hair.

The gesture should have been comforting, but it only made me anxious.
Jake would kill him … and I would never know if they were ok …

Jake pulled away from our kiss and looked me in the eyes again, I couldn't take the guilt and pity they held.
"He said he knew the Cullen's." I whispered shakily.

Jacob drew back so fast I may as well have slapped him in the face. He was scowling, his face pulled into a sneer. "So?"

He hissed scathingly. His eyes cold.

"So- I want to know if … they're ok …"
He growled lowly and I drew my hands away from his in surprise. "What? I'm … I just want to-"

"What? You want to check on them, to see if they made it out ok? Yeah! Because they really tried to look after you when they were around!" He barked a hard, humorless laugh and rolled his eyes exaggeratedly. "That is so like you Bella! They didn't give a flying hoot about you then- so maybe they will now huh?"

He was making fun of me… The realization hit me like a punch in the gut and I just barely resisted the urge to jump off the bed and storm out. I did however, sit up and glare at him as if he had just stabbed me.
"It's not bad to have a conscience Jacob." I spat his name like it was a cuss and then rolled down and onto my side, my back to him, blocking his shocked features from my view.

"A conscience? That is not what we're talking about! You are talking about going back to the leeches that tore you- and Charlie I might add- to bits. To check if they're 'ok'!" He exploded, talking to the back of my head.

I sniffed as I felt tears well behind my eyes. Why couldn't he see? I owed them! I owed Alice and Jasper, Carlisle and Esme, Emmet and – hell- I even owed Rosalie. I owed them all because it was my selfish actions that cost them their brother. It was me who couldn't run fast enough, who wasn't strong enough to save him.

"Aw! Bella! Please!" I heard the difference in Jake's voice immediately, he sounded like I had deeply wounded him, and it was that second I realized I was sobbing bitterly.

He stood heavily and came around the bed. Lying down to face me, he draped an arm over my waist and dragged me forward. Bringing a load of duvet with me, he gathered my shuddering form to him.
"Bella! Baby, I'm sorry. That was wrong to say. I – I didn't mean to make you cry! Honest! Please baby- please stop?" He sounded so sorry, so intense and sincere that I forced myself to swallow my tears.

My sobs soon resonated as little hiccups and sad whimpers. Jacob had begun to gently run his hands through my air, an old habit from when it had been long and he could dray his hand out at the small of my back. I sighed amidst a little hiccup and he sighed back.

"Bella …"
"Don't."I near snapped, then softened my voice and said; "Don't ruin this moment Mr. Black. Just allow me to enjoy being held by you … Please."

Jake nodded lowered his face to nuzzle my cheek, a motion he knew I loved and then nodded into my face. "Alright Bella-by … Alright."