Hey, guys! New chappie, just as promised! Hope you like, and PLEASE REVIEW!!! XD

Previously…

"When Edward left, I almost died, Jake. I had no will to live, but you changed that. I just wanted to thank you for bringing me back," I softly answered, my breaths shallow.

He looked over again, a little longer this time and smiled brightly. My heart jumped in my chest.

"I wanted to, Bella. I hated seeing you so sad all the time." He sighed.

I smiled, basking in the glow of the warmth of my friend's love.

It's like part of me is missing

We drove on in relative silence after that. Nothing more needed to be said just then. A comfortable silence settled over us, and I watched the scenery change out the tinted windows of Jake's truck.

Forks was still the same town. It looked more updated, and a few of the worst potholes in the roads had been fixed. I briefly remembered my first encounter with a pothole. I was in my beloved old Chevy truck Charlie had bought from Billy, Jake's dad…which reminded me.

"Hey," I turned towards Jake and gasped, "Where's my truck?"

Jake laughed wholeheartedly, throwing his head back. How he kept his eyes on the road, I'll never know. But, I didn't want him to stop laughing. It was such a beautiful, warm sound. His face was joyous and carefree, a way I had always loved seeing Jake.

"Bella, she has long passed on," he chuckled, "You really did love that old thing, didn't you?"

"Do." I whispered.

He looked over at me, then back at the road, his smile fading a little.

"What?"

"I do love my truck. I still have it, Jake," I explained.

His face immediately sobered, all humor gone from his face, as we were both thrown back into reality. I slumped in my seat, feeling the lingering happiness fade away. There was only tension in the air now. You could feel it. Jake wasn't smiling, and I wasn't either.

We were both quiet for a minute, but Jake's surprisingly soft voice broke the awkward silence that I didn't have the courage to.

"You said that you passed out and woke up here this morning. Where were you when you passed out?" he asked me.

I paused before I answered.

"I was in my room," I told him.

"Alone?" he prodded. Yeah, he would ask that.

I wouldn't lie to him.

"No," I whispered.

"Was it Edward?" he questioned again.

"Yes," I breathed.

"What were you doing when you fainted?" he asked, still just as calm as when he began.

I paused again, unsure if I really wanted to tell him exactly what Edward and I had been talking about.

"Well, I…Edward had j-just asked me to m-marry him, and…I was about to reply w-when…I woke up here," I stuttered, looking anywhere but at Jake's face.

He was silent for a moment, and then I heard, "What were you going to tell him, Bella?"

I immediately tensed.

"Jake, please-"

"What were you going to tell him?" he interrupted, putting force behind his voice.

I cringed and took a deep shaky breath.

"Yes," I exhaled, and closed my eyes.

I didn't want to think about Edward right now, not when I couldn't be with him. I managed to will my eyes open and forced myself to look at Jake. He was still driving, the picture of calmness…except for his hands. I could see the white showing on them where he was gripping the steering wheel too hard.

"I don't know what you ever saw in him, Bella." He spat.

I flinched and leaned further into the window. He noticed and sighed, his tension leaving his body immediately. He closed his eyes briefly, but I looked away from him. I knew Jake hated the idea of Edward and I together, but hey, he asked me those questions, and I knew I could never lie to Jake.

"I'm sorry, Bells. I didn't mean to snap at you. I just…I just don't like the idea of him proposing to you or the idea of you accepting him," he apologized.

He was sincere, and I knew he didn't mean to hurt me.

Welcome back, silence. Jake again was the first to break it.

"Are we friends or at that horrible part of my life where we weren't speaking?" he asked, chuckling a little.

I smiled, happy for the awkward silence being over, and then sighed, not wanting to talk about what he's brought up.

"We're not really speaking, Jake. Not really," I honestly replied. "I wish we were. I've missed you so much. It's like a part-"

"-of you is missing?" he finished for me, stealing a glance at me. "Yeah, I know."

I looked back at the road, and it wasn't there. But, my house, Charlie's house, was.

I didn't know whether to smile and run up to the door or try to talk Jake into leaving. I wanted to see my Dad, but I was kind of afraid I'd freak him out by saying something weird like, "Dad, wow, you haven't changed at all in five years!"

Jake pulled the truck into the driveway and turned it off. I looked over at him. He paused before his eyes met mine.

"Are you ready?" he asked, his eyes light and warm.

"Uhh…kinda," I sighed, looking down.

"Hey," Jake said, his hand lifting my chin up.

I shivered when he touched me. Why did my body do this? It was like I was on fire when he touched me, and not just because of his temperature. He smiled at me.

"It's just your Dad, Bella," he whispered.

I returned his smile and laughed. "Yeah, I…I don't know why I'm so scared. I mean, Charlie couldn't have changed that much, could he?"

"I don't know. You might be surprised," he chuckled and opened the truck door.

I gulped and opened my own door as he stepped out…and then I was falling, my foot caught on…well, nothing. Warm arms caught me before I hit the ground, pulling me up against a warm chest.

"Gee, Bells, you are sure awkward with your feet," he laughed, his chest rising and falling against mine.

I giggled and playfully punched him on the shoulder. "Hey, don't make fun of me. I can't help it!"

He smiled at me, but didn't release me. Our smiles eventually faded and we became aware of our situation, our closeness. I tried to pull away, but he wouldn't let me.

"Bells…" he breathed, his warm breath caressing my face. His arms tightened around me until my face was inches from mine. His eyes were black…and I have to admit, I was afraid. My body was doing something unexpected. I was responding to him on a level that I had never experienced before. Edward had never let me get this close to him. He always kept me at a distance, always being so careful with me. Jake certainly wasn't being very careful with me. His grip on my arms was almost painful.

My mind screamed 'No!', but my chest was tingling as my heart sped up. Jake's hand came up and touched my cheek, and I closed my eyes. However, I was afraid of what Jake may try to get away with when my eyes were closed, so I immediately opened them. Jake was staring into my eyes, but he was even closer. His forehead touched mine, and he closed his eyes.

"Bella, I'm sorry that this has happened. I'm trying to help you, to understand what's happening to you, to us. But, I just want you to know that you'll always have me, Bells. Edward will never be with you, Bells…I kept fighting for you…," he whispered, sending chills through my body, then he laughed, "Besides, we both know you can't resist me."

I laughed halfheartedly, the situation too tense to appreciate Jake's attempt at humor. He noticed and turned serious again. I just stared at him as he closed his eyes again. His face contorted, almost like he was in pain, and then he kissed my cheek, his hot lips causing me to gasp.

He pulled back quickly and looked me in the eyes. His eyes were dark and warm.

"Are you ready, now?" he asked, a smirk on his lips.

I couldn't reply immediately, but I did give him the best death glare that I could muster.

"Yes," I seethed and turned toward Charlie's house once he let me go.

He walked beside me up to the door and knocked. I could hear Charlie's distinct voice yelling, "Just a sec'!"

Jake grabbed my hand, giving me a reassuring squeeze. Then, Charlie opened the door.

Yay, Charlie! I love him! Lol. Charlie is so awesome. I love him in the books and the movies! I hope you guys liked the new chapter! PLEASE REVIEW!!!!