Disclaimer: I do not own the Twilight series!

Bella's Point of View

I had the nightmare again tonight, after Jacob keeping it at bay for so long. Charlie told me I was screaming in my sleep again. He kept looking at me strangely and asked if anything was wrong.

This was rare for him. Charlie had never been a big talker.

So I asked him if anything was wrong. He just looked embarrassed and changed the subject.

About an hour later, Jake came over. He was acting all weird and edgy, and he wouldn't tell me what was wrong. I kept pushing until he left with a lame excuse about needing to talk to Sam.

I was mad at myself for driving him away, but I was angrier with him. Didn't he remember how I hated anyone keeping secrets from me? After he kept the secret from me for a while? That he didn't love me?

I couldn't let my mind wander down that path again. If I let myself get in too much pain, I might start stalking the hallucinations yet again.

I had told Jacob about them, and he had been hurt, at first, that I had used him before. Then he was angry, not because of my reasons, but because I had put myself in danger for a figment of my imagination. He had made me promise not to pursue them any longer, and I had reluctantly agreed. The cliff diving had put everything in perspective for me.

I couldn't afford to do anything dangerous. Life certainly wasn't worth living without Edward, but I couldn't think of only myself. Too many people needed me. Renee. Charlie.

Jake. Jake had been extremely disagreeable when it came to me still loving Edward. I think he finally became frustrated with the fact that I would never let go of him.

He was only thinking of me…mostly. Of course, I had figured out he wanted much more than friendship a long time ago.

I couldn't put him through all that pain. He deserved someone better than me. I couldn't ever love him the way he wanted me to.

I used to think that Edward and I were made for each other, but now I see I was only half right. Edward could move on with his life, but I was stuck in Forks, unwilling to leave the place that reminded me of him.

I was on treading the line between obsession and avoidance, shying away from anything that reminded me of Edward, like music, but putting all my effort into staying in Forks.

I was going insane, and Jacob was getting worried about me. He said I needed to let go of Edward, to forget him and move on.

I would never forget.

Never.

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Jacob's Point of View

Charlie called me early in the morning, telling me that Bella was having nightmares again. I rushed over to her house, thinking about what I was going to say. She hadn't been responding when I stated the obvious, that her bloodsucker wasn't coming back.

One time, she had gotten angry and refused to speak to me. I was willing to wait a week for her to cool down, so she would have more time to think and there would be less bad feelings between us, but she beat me to it. On the third afternoon, she called, hysterical, begging me to forgive her.

Of course, I did, in a heartbeat. I told her there was nothing to forgive. I know what my heart is telling me. I'm in love with her.

And that's why I have to keep her away from the Cullens.

This morning, when I was over and Charlie had left for work, I smelled one of them. It was from their coven, I was sure of it. I scanned the view outside the window, but of course I didn't see anything. I think I must have been acting jumpy, because Bella asked if anything was wrong.

She wouldn't take no for an answer, and of course I couldn't tell her the truth. It would just hurt her or scare her.

Finally, I couldn't take it anymore, and I told Bella I was going home and left the house. Naturally, I was going to see Sam, and tell him that the bloodsuckers were back.

On my way out, I found a note slid under the door.

Bella,

I love you and am so sorry I left. I never should have said what I did. It was only for your own good. Please come to our meadow so we can be together again. I could spend this whole letter apologizing, but that would, I'm sure, get tedious for you. I'll see you soon.

Love, Edward

Needless to say, the letter smelled exactly like their coven. That bloodsucker was trying to get her back, after what he did to her! She would get her hopes up, and soon, he would crush them again. He would break her, maybe beyond repair this time. I made a quick decision.

I couldn't let her see this letter.

I stuffed it into my pocket and walked out the door, walking to my Rabbit and driving home as fast as I could.

I couldn't tell Sam what I was doing. He would say it went indirectly against the treaty.

I knew what had to be done. I had to go to the meadow Bella and I had found a few months ago with Quil and Embry and force that bloodsucker to leave Bella alone.

I would have to do it.

For Bella.

&&&&&

A/N: Ah, did you see the repetition right there between this chapter and chapter 5 at the end? Anyone? Oh, well. I'm sorry for not updating, but I've had a lot to do. I won't bore you with the description.

I hope the next chapter is up faster, but I can't make any guarantees. Reviews inspire me, though!