DISCLAIMER: I do not own Twilight, any of the characters, or anything else Twilight related. Stephenie Meyers is the genius behind it all. The only thing that I own is the plot. Also, no criticism for the non-canon pairing.

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Alice had me fed and dressed in no time. Carlisle and Esme smiled sympathetically as she paraded me around the campsite to show off the new clothes she had bought and all but forced me in to. The jeans were nice; dark and casual. The shirt was a different story. It was a midnight blue, scoop neck shirt with ruffled sleeves and an empire waistline. At the center of the top were two crystal buttons for decorative purposes. It attracted far more attention than I was willing to hold. The silver, metallic, open-toed flats that she had chosen to accompany them screamed disaster as well. I could very easily stub my toe without full frontal protection in them. They did, however, match the small silver clutch that she insisted I carry with me. She had already explained that since she couldn't see my future with Jacob that I needed to be prepared for anything. Obviously, for Alice, being prepared meant severely overdressed.

Alice had also insisted on being the one to drive me to the treaty line where Jacob would be waiting for me. She claimed that she really just wanted some quality girl time with me, but I saw right through that charade. There was something else that she wasn't telling me; something that had to do with Emmett.

When I questioned her about him she said that she would explain after I returned home that night. There was a distant look in her normally sparkling eyes. She was hiding something and I could tell. It bothered me that she was keeping secrets from me. She was my best friend. Best friends share everything with one another, especially boy talk. Usually I wouldn't delve into this as I like to keep to myself. But this is Alice that we are talking about. She never passes up an opportunity to gossip or make love predictions; or predictions in general. That could only mean one thing; whatever it was that she was hiding, it was that bad.

:-:-:

Jacob was propped up outside his car on the side of the road waiting for me with a goofy grin when Alice pulled up. His nose automatically scrunched when Alice stepped out of the car with me and he sent a scowl in her direction.

"Like you smell any better to me," she told him with a dismissive wave of her hand. "I just wanted to warn you that if she isn't returned to me in perfect condition by five tonight that you will have hell to pay."

"She's safer here than she is at your coffin, bloodsucker."

"Enough!" I interrupted. "I'm tired of my best friends fighting. Will you two please try to get along for two minutes?"

Alice sent me an apologetic smile and Jacob huffed in annoyance but otherwise nodded his head in compliance. Alice hugged me quickly and skipped back into her car, waving and calling out that she would be back at five to collect me. As soon as she was tucked inside her car, Jacob enveloped my in a nearly bone crushing hug.

"Good to have you back, Bells! And looking really good, too. Expecting a hot date today?"

I blushed and tried to shake off his compliment as I sat in the car next to him. He drove in silence down to First Beach. The entire drive he kept stealing sidelong glances at me, though I did my best to ignore it. I sincerely hoped that we were not about to have a repeat of the conversation that we had the last time that he was alone with me in a car. If that were the case I would be more than willing to tuck and roll out of the car and suffer those consequences instead of the consequences of having to reject Jacob yet again. How could he possibly understand that only a vampire could hold my heart? That only a vampire held my heart?

Thankfully, Jacob did not feel the need to break the rather uneasy silence. He merely drove until we reached the cliffs at the edge of the beach. Once parked, he hopped out of the car and I followed suit. I followed him down the trail to the beach. He walked down to the water's edge and plopped down rather ungracefully on a log and patted the small space beside him as an invitation for me to join him.

"You care about him."

It was an accusation. I sighed loudly. "Of course I love Edward."

"That's not who I was talking about, Bells. The big guy that was all protective of you last night. You look at him different than the rest. You care about him."

Jacob had always been incredibly perceptive about me. He was spot on that I cared about Emmett; he just had no idea how right he was. Of course, I would never admit that to him. While I could discuss a lot of things freely with Jacob, loving vampires was not exactly easy conversation.

"Emmett and I are in a similar situation right now. His mate left him when Edward left…"

"You said his name," Jacob mused with a smirk, interrupting my speech. "Twice now."

"And?"

"You're getting over him. The last time Edward left, you couldn't say his name until after he came home. Same thing just a few weeks ago when I saw you. Now a month later and you can say his name without hesitation."

"Anyway," I continued, choosing to ignore his comment. "Emmett understands how I feel and can relate to me because he is feeling that same hole in his heart right now."

Jacob looked at me quizzically. "You know he doesn't have a heart, right?"

"Jake, he has a heart. It just stopped beating a few decades ago."

"Agreed. But how can his heart ache if it doesn't even beat?"

I punched him lightly in the shoulder, aware that I did not want to come out injured by attempting to damage mythical creatures. "You know what I mean, Jake."

"Sure, sure. You're getting over Edward and your buddy is emotionally distraught. You two are quite the pair." He smiled at me brightly. "I'm still bored out here most days. I do my regular patrols and just wait around to see you, you know?"

"Jake!"

"What? I'm just saying that you don't have to go sulk with your bloodsucker buddy. You can come here and hang out with someone with a pulse once in awhile. You know? Remind yourself that you're alive and all."

"Duly noted."

Honestly, I know that Jacob was just looking out for my best interests. No matter how he felt about me, in the end, he would want me happy. Granted, I doubt he would willingly extend that to a vampire given the choice. But this was not about seeking Jacob's approval or permission. Jacob just needed to come to terms with the fact that I always had, and always will, just consider him a great friend and nothing romantic.

"So, what do you want to do today?"

"How about another round of cliff diving?" I asked excitedly.

"Cliff diving?" he questioned with a smirk. "You do remember what happened the last time you went cliff diving?"

"Yes, I know. I wound up nearly dead because I was stupid enough to do it alone." I folded my arms across my chest defensively.

"That, too. But I was referring to the fact that the last time you went cliff diving you ended up bringing Edward back home as some sort of screwed up result. Are you sure that you aren't subconsciously trying to do the same thing now?"

I had to pause and examine that. Really, I would like to believe that I just wanted to go cliff diving for the heck of it with my good friend. But, was I subconsciously trying to relive the event that ultimately reunited me with Edward before in hopes of reuniting with him a second time? I wasn't even sure that he would return to me this time; not after the vision that Alice had. Besides, while I was in Jacob's company Alice wouldn't even see what we planned to do. Even if she could, she had no way of contacting Edward.

What's more, I wasn't sure that I wanted him to return just yet. I wanted him to wallow in agony and depression as penance for leaving me for a second time after just barely returning to me. He knew how much it hurt me the first time. He knew how badly broken I had been. He had to know that I would fall apart again and he left anyway.

The problem was, I didn't fall apart this time. It hurt, yes, I can admit that. I was teetering dangerously close to my breaking point again. But I never quite fell over that edge; not with Emmett there to catch me before I fell.

Emmett. Suddenly I found myself craving his company. It was a strange feeling. I always enjoyed my time with Edward and I was usually anxious to see him. It was similar with Jacob that I missed my time with him and was anxious for time that I could spend carefree with him. Yes, I missed them both when I wasn't with them, but this was different. Thinking about Emmett, it was almost painful how much I missed him. At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to run as fast as humanly- pardon the pun- possible to reach him.

Jacob nudged me. He was silently telling me that I had escaped into my own thoughts and had yet to answer him. He knew that I was working through my thoughts and emotions and needed a minute to figure out what I wanted without interruption. Like I said before, Jacob always was incredibly perceptive when it came to my quirks.

"I suppose that you're right," I muttered in concession. "How about if we just go hang out in your garage for the day? You can teach me how to change the oil or tire or something."

"Seriously, Bells? You don't know how to change a tire?" He shook his head at me in mock disapproval. "Alright, let's go teach you some real life lessons."

The rest of the day with Jacob was spent comfortably. We joked and talked easily about school and the pack gossip. It was almost as if the past month had never happened and we just picked up back where we left off in an easy, carefree friendship.

He was visibly relieved when I mentioned that Alice had had a vision of Edward and Rosalie killing Victoria. Apparently she had been too close for comfort a few times before and was starting to make the pack anxious. He explained that she was the reason for their increased patrols. I had suspected as much to be honest so I couldn't find it in me to be upset that he had withheld information from me.

Before I knew it, it was nearly five and Jacob was dragging me reluctantly towards the car to take me back to the treaty line to meet Alice. He joked the entire trip about my needing to make excuses to my vampire baby-sitters to visit him more often. He said that they should look at him as my pet since they insisted on referring to him as a dog. Of course, I mocked him saying that I was not going to be responsible for his feeding and clean-up if he was, in fact, my pet. That earned a hearty laugh from him.

When we approached the treaty line, it wasn't Alice that was waiting for me. Emmett was propped up against the side of his jeep with his arms folded across his chest and watching Jacob's car approach anxiously. Jacob began to tremble beside me when he spotted Emmett. I instinctively reached out for him and rubbed his arm soothingly to try and calm him down. He gave me a small smile and calmed slightly.

Emmett was still as a statue as we approached. Even his blazing amber eyes were unblinking as his gaze stayed fixed on me. I opened the door to the car hesitantly. I was anxious to see Emmett again, and I really wanted nothing more than to throw my arms around him. But the thick tension surrounding us was suffocating and making me unsure of my actions. Emmett's focused stare was more than a little unnerving as well. I didn't like the fact that it appeared that he could see right through me and my intentions and didn't seem pleased by it.

Jacob was at my side a few seconds after I exited the car. He put his arm around my shoulders as we walked slowly towards Emmett. I couldn't be sure if he was doing it as a precaution for him or for me, though. His trembling had calmed but there was still a slight quiver in his body.

I decided to break the silence after realizing that neither Jacob nor Emmett were particularly inclined to speak to one another. The silence was excruciating.

"Where is Alice?"

Emmett answered so quickly I barely saw his lips move. "She sent me so that she and Jasper could have some time alone together."

"Oh," I replied, my tone disappointed. I guess Emmett was just the messenger, not here willingly like I had hoped.

Jacob squeezed my shoulders lightly, likely sensing my discomfort and wanting to offer what little support he could. At that moment, thanks to Emmett's standoffish attitude and Edward's refusal to come back to me, I wanted nothing more than to be able to let myself love Jacob the way that he loved me. It would be easy once I got started. All I had to do was allow myself the possibility of loving something other than a vampire. Unfortunately, I never had a choice in who or what I loved.

Emmett let out an unnecessary breath. "I'm sorry, Bella. Let's get you home before your dad starts to worry."

I nodded at him and turned to face Jacob. He gave me my favorite goofy grin and hugged me fiercely for a long minute before letting go. Then, I walked over to the passenger side of Emmett's jeep to climb in for what was going to be a long ride home. Emmett surprised me by appearing at my side before I could open the door. I refused to look him in the eye as he strapped me into his jeep to take me home.

I kept replaying the interaction in my mind, utterly confused. Just earlier today I had been missing Emmett so much that I couldn't wait to see him and was willing to throw away my day with Jacob just to be with him that much sooner. Now he was here and appeared irritated at that fact. Obviously I had misjudged everything again. He had never wanted me. He just didn't want me to be hurt by his masochistic brother again and didn't want me around werewolves for similar reasons. Traitorous tears began to well up in my eyes at that revelation. I fought them back, unwilling to spill tears over something as silly as a crush on someone that was supposed to be a brother to me.

Five minutes later Emmett abruptly pulled the jeep over alongside the rode and shut it off. He turned to face me with a pained grimace. I watched him from the periphery, still refusing to meet his gaze head on.

"Bella, I think I should apologize to you." I nodded for him to continue, not quite trusting my own voice. "I didn't mean to seem so cold back there. I was… less than thrilled to see you with him. And then he put his arm around you…"

"You were jealous?" I asked, caught off guard by his admission.

He smirked at me for the first time that day. "I thought that Jasper was the one that could read emotions.

"You were jealous!"

"Is that a crime?"

"Not in the state of Washington."

"Well, in that case, can you forgive me?"

I looked up at him finally. "There is nothing to forgive."

He smiled at me, big and full of dimples. It wasn't the infamous crooked grin of Edward's, but it was just as breathtaking. His razor sharp, white teeth shone brilliantly in the light. His eyes sparkled with amusement. He appeared simultaneously innocent and mischievous.

"So I was thinking," he began. "You should go have dinner with your dad since you haven't seen him much in awhile. Then when he goes to bed for the night maybe I could come keep you company?"

"You mean sneak in through my bedroom window," I stated. He grinned at me sheepishly. I pretended to consider for a moment. "That's the best idea you've had yet, Emmett. I love it!"

:-:-:

When I walked inside Charlie's home my nose was assaulted by the aroma of marinara. For the briefest of moments, confusion and panic set in. Had Charlie seriously tried to cook for me? Wasn't he supposed to be at work still? Who cooked?

Just as I thought that, Emmett appeared before me in the kitchen. He had even thrown on a black apron with blood red lettering that read 'I'd tell you the recipe but I'd have to kill you.' Oh the sweet, sweet irony! I laughed at him and walked up the stairs for a quick human moment while he finished dinner.

I couldn't believe that he had cooked for me. Not just for me, he had cooked a meal for my dad and I. All this after I had just spent an entire day with his mortal enemy. I had thought it before about someone else and now I would think it again about him; he really was just too good to be true. And it was too good to waste on silly things like "human" moments. I rushed back down the stairs as quickly as I could manage.

"You know you didn't have to do this, right?" I was still too flabbergasted to think to compliment him.

"I wanted to."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, Bella. I like doing things for you. I like taking care of you. I know that you're an independent woman, but it's nice to let someone take care of you once in awhile. Isn't it?"

This conversation was quickly taking a turn from him cooking dinner for me so that I had one less chore to do, to him doing something for me because he wanted me to let him care for me. I didn't entirely object to the idea. I was more curious about the motivation prompting it. After all, he and I had spent hours together lately, but that didn't mean that he needed to take it upon himself to look after me.

"I appreciate the gesture, Emmett, I really do. But it isn't your responsibility to look after me. And you don't have to feel obligated to pick up the slack just because Edward isn't here to do it either."

"Bella," he sighed. "I said I wanted to take care of you. I meant that, honestly. With or without Edward, you are an amazing woman, one that I would be honored to have the privilege of caring for."

My emotions were beginning to cloud my judgment. While I sincerely appreciated the gesture, it made me feel like Emmett cared about me, really cared about me. His emotions were flipping from hot to cold in less time than it took for me to blink. First he appeared irritated, angry even, when he met Jacob and I. Then he was apologetic in the car and confessing to being jealous. Now he seemed as if he were trying to impress me. His mood swings were nearly as bad as Edward's. It must be a vampire thing.

"What about Rosalie? Shouldn't you be concerned with taking care of her right now?"

His smile faltered. "Rosalie isn't here now."

"That's exactly my point. You should be going after her now that you know where she is. You should be trying to take care of your mate."

He shook his head slowly at me. A small grin began to creep up to the corners of his mouth. A small dimple highlighted each of his perfect cheeks.

"My mate," he repeated quietly. I nodded slowly at him. "And what if she was no longer my mate?"

That comment took me completely by surprise. I had longed to hear something to that effect from him, but I have never allowed myself to hope for it, not consciously. Yet, here we were. He was suggesting that Rosalie may not be his mate any longer. There was only one obstacle left in this equation.

"I still have Edward."

"Hmm…" he hummed, his grin growing even larger. "And if Alice is correct and he doesn't plan to return? Would you rather grow old without him?"

I knew what he was suggesting. I would be a fool to misinterpret what he was telling me now. I still could not bring myself to accept it so easily though. I needed him to tell me bluntly, to tell me in true Emmett fashion exactly what was on his mind.

"I would rather you tell me exactly what it is that you are thinking. Is Rosalie your mate?"

Emmett pulled me into a tight hug. "Not if I can help it," he whispered into my ear. "Do you really want to give Edward another chance after all that he has put you through? Do you really want to risk giving him your heart for him to hand it back to you again? Or would you rather take a chance on someone else? Would you rather take a chance on me?"

My breath caught in my throat. My heart began to beat frantically. Emmett's close proximity, his cool breath wafting across my face, and his unrelenting embrace was too much. I knew what I wanted, but he was dazzling me out of consciousness.

"Emmett, you're dazzling me," I murmured against him.

He chuckled as he pulled back, still keeping his hands on my shoulders. "I forget how easy you humans are to distract." He paused and tensed. "Your dad is home. I'll see you in a few hours, sweetie." He winked and ran up the stairs.

My dad walked in not even a minute later and sniffed appreciatively. He made quick work of removing his jacket and gun belt while I set the table. He commented minimally, giving me small praises on the food. I abstained from saying anything about it since I didn't want to lie to him about making the spaghetti and garlic bread dinner. My dad seemed content enough that I was at home with him on the weekend, though, and didn't question my quiet behavior.

After dinner I practically sprinted to my room after washing the dishes and cleaning up the kitchen. Unsurprisingly, Emmett was not there. That didn't change the fact that I was disappointed. I busied myself by pulling out my homework to occupy the time.

A couple of hours and a massive trigonometry headache later, I decided to give up on my homework. I sat up from my desk and turned around to grab my pajamas but was instead startled by Emmett standing behind me and leaning as if he had been watching me over my shoulder. I clasped my hand over my mouth to prevent myself from screaming out and alerting Charlie. Emmett smirked at me. I slapped his chest in my annoyance and had to bite my tongue to stop myself from yelping in pain, although that one might have been easier to explain to Charlie if he had heard it. Emmett backed away and threw his head back as he laughed silently at me.

"You are such a strange little human."

"And you," I said while poking his chest, "are a cruel vampire that likes to try and frighten this strange human."

"Admit it, Bella. I scared you." He winked and grinned at me.

It was impossible for me to stay mad at him. The way that his dimples lit up his face and the playful gleam in his eye softened my heart every time.

"Alright, now that you are done scaring your human, what do you want to do?"

"My human?" he questioned, quirking his eyebrow with a suggestive smirk.

The blush that covered me was quick and forceful. I tried in vain to cover my face with my hands but Emmett was quicker. He gently pried my hands away and forced me to look at him. Despite my humiliation, he asked again, with a larger grin, and waited patiently for my answer. When I had no reasonable explanation to give he decided to break my awkward silence for me.

"Is it too much to ask, that I want you for myself?"

I hesitated for just a second before replying. "Is it too much to admit, that I am falling for Edward's brother?"

He leaned forward slowly and bent down to my level. His strong hands cupped my cheeks firmly but gently as he pulled me towards him. His cool, marble lips grazed my own. A low purr emanated from him as he kissed me. It was slow and sweet. My lips parted slightly as his cool tongue slid into my mouth, massaging my own tongue and tasting his deliciously sweet venom. My own arms wrapped around his neck and my hands played in the soft curls at the back of his neck.

All too soon, he pulled back. My fingers reached up to touch my lips. They were still cool from the contact with Emmett's lips. He reached across to trace my lips with his own fingers.

"So warm. So beautiful," he murmured.

I smiled warmly at him and reluctantly gathered my things to go change for bed and have my human moment.

Emmett sat in my rocking chair as he waited for me. Where Edward had been my personal Adonis in that spot, Emmett was a paler but much more alluring version of Hercules in the same place. He was my hero. He was saving me not only from Edward, but from myself. He was saving me from any more unnecessary heartache. He was saving me from a lifetime of misery knowing that I could never love a human as much as I could love a vampire. I loved him for that. I loved him.

When I returned to the room he joined me on my bed. I snuggled deep into the blankets and nestled myself into the crook of his arm. We talked for hours about my day with Jacob. When I mentioned the cliff diving to him, he suggested that he take me another time. Apparently the thrill of jumping off a cliff was too much for him to resist and he found it incredibly attractive that I could have such reckless abandon. After hearing his positive reaction to the cliff diving, I mentioned the fact that Jacob had previously taught me to ride a motorcycle. To this, he beautifully scrunched his nose in disgust. He preferred his jeep over a motorcycle. He claimed that he was too large to ride a bike without looking ridiculous. I had to laugh at the image that my mind conjured for me, only proving his point.

Eventually, sleep found me. Emmett gently coaxed me to give in and get some rest. I protested, not wanting to waste time with him. He convinced me by promising that so long as I wanted it, he would ensure that I was changed to a vampire after my graduation as previously agreed upon in the family vote.

:-:-:

The next day was uneventful. Charlie had the day off work and spent it down at La Push with Billy. I spent the day at home with Emmett. We talked and walked a little in the woods behind the house. He made sure that I was fed often enough for my human needs. He claimed that it was irritating but I could see in his face that he was enjoying the chance to take care of me.

I couldn't help but wonder if Rosalie ever let him take care of her in anyway. She obviously had no need for him to cook for her. But I wondered if she ever allowed him to do simple things such as running a bath for her or brushing her hair. I had a feeling that she did not.

By the time that Monday came, I was exhausted from spending so much time with Emmett as I scarcely allowed myself to sleep when I was in his company. It was such a new experience, the rush of first experiencing love with someone. I didn't want to miss a single moment of it. Of course, it didn't help that Emmett never needed to rest. That thought sent my mind into a tailspin of other possibilities that I had me blushing without saying a word.

My day passed quickly. Alice chattered away endlessly about her plans for a graduation party during the lunch period. While I strongly disagreed with her need to throw a graduation party for me, she ignored me. She claimed that the graduation party was for both she and I, and Edward should he return in time. I wasn't fooled; I knew that the party was for me since this would be my first of many graduations and the only one that I would experience as a human.

Charlie had called to let me know that he would be working late so Alice insisted that I come over to the house with her after school. She knew how anxious I was to see Emmett again. He had been out hunting again while I was in class and was just returning to the house when we arrived. Alice and Jasper took the opportunity to slip out for their own hunt after she advised me that I needed to tell Emmett soon. What I was supposed to tell him, I had no idea.

As Emmett and I sat in his room watching television, a thunderstorm began suddenly. The clap of the thunder cause me to jump and Emmett laughed at me in response.

"Sure, a little storm scares you but being a house of vampires is just a normal day," he remarked while shaking his head at me in disbelief.

"I was startled, not scared."

Then, for good measure, and because Alice was rubbing off on me, I stuck my tongue out at him. In that same instant his mouth was on mine. He kissed me in a frenzy, not taking the time to be as gentle as he usually was with me. His cool mouth attacked my own as if he needed this to survive; not just the blood that ran through my pulsing veins, but the kiss, the love, me.

He broke away, resting his forehead against my own. When I opened my eyes I found that his were still shut but that he had a serene look upon his face and a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Thanks for the invitation," he said quietly. "I've been waiting to kiss you all afternoon."

"Me too," I admitted shakily.

"I'm sorry if I hurt you."

"I'm not worried about physical pain, Emmett. I've hurt myself plenty of times that a little bruise here or there is nothing major. It's the heartbreak that I can't handle. The heartbreak is what renders me useless."

"I'll never break your heart," he promised, looking deeply into my eyes. His own liquid gold eyes sparkled brilliantly with emotion. "I may take away its beat, but I will never break it."

I nodded at him, not trusting my voice. I finally realized what Alice meant when she told me that I needed to tell him. I needed to tell him that I loved him. I needed to prove to him that I was just as committed to this as he was.

I never got that chance.

"Emmett?"

We both turned to find Rosalie standing in the doorway looking very confused. She glanced briefly at me before resting her gaze on Emmett. Her eyes were wild with confusion and even a little anger and her clothes were slightly tattered so that they hung off her body suggestively. Even then, she was more beautiful than I could ever hope to be.

"Rosalie?" My heart broke as I heard the longing in his tone.