Subconscious

"Hey, Jake! Didn't expect to see you here so late in the morning!"

"Morning, Charlie," I said groggily, "Bella's still asleep. She hasn't said anything, but I think she's having her nightmares again. I figure she aught to sleep in whenever she can." Charlie smiled warmly at me.

"You really love her don't ya?" I nodded. "I'd never say this around her, but ditching that Cullen boy was the best choice she's ever made. After her left her the way he did…" he shuddered as he remembered Zombie Bella, "well, you two are just perfect for each other. I know you won't take her away from me like he would have."

I chuckled uncomfortably. He was more right than he knew. "I just want to make her happy, and I'm selfish enough to make sure that I will always make her happy."

Charlie guffawed, "Ha! Well, I see the way she looks at you and let me tell you, you won't have to true too hard! She adores you!!"

I genuinely laughed, "Who wouldn't?" We sat in comfortable silence for a while before Charlie asked,

"So, what are your plans for tonight?"

I looked at my watching, "Well, I thought we might go hang out to go the beach and then go out for dinner tonight. But it's getting late in the day so we may have to skip the beach and just hang out here."

"Sounds good. I gotta head to work, but you kids have fun!"

"We will, Charlie, thanks!"

After he'd gone the house was silent. I crept upstairs to see if Bella was still asleep. I opened her door and saw her all curled up ad breathing peacefully. I was about to leave when I noticed that her window was open. She never left it open…she said it made her uncomfortable.

I crossed the room and started to close it when I smelled something I'd hoped I'd never smell again. I slammed the window and took off down the stairs and out the front door. He'd been here. Edward had actually come here last night! I caught the scent again and followed its wide circle around the house to Bella's window. He hadn't gone in, just looked through her window.

He's checking up on her! I thought, outraged.

I rand back up to Bella's room and threw open her closet. I grabbed a pair of jeans and the frumpy blue sweater that was, for some reason, Bella's favorite. I put these things over my shoulder and went over to the bed to scoop Bella up. I cradled her still-sleeping body and started down the stairs, thanking God the whole way that I'd drive here last night instead of run.

I gently placed her in the passenger seat and buckled her up, somehow managing not to wake her, and pulled out, driving like a madman toward the line. Once we reached it I eased up and turned in my seat to see Bella slumped over, still deeply asleep. She must have had a rough night. I reached over and smoothed her hair down as we pulled into my driveway.

Bill rolled out, "What's going on, Son?" I was halfway to the house, Bella cradled in my arms again. I ground my teeth.

"Later." I growled softly. He nodded and gave me room to pass. I carried her into my room and laid her on my bed where I covered her with my thin blanket, then grabbed another from the closet. Heading was not a priority here. I closed the door quietly and went to find Billy.

"Hey, Dad," I said when I found him in the living room.

"Jake, what's the matter? Has something happened?" He asked, concern etched in every line of his face.

"Nothing really, Edward was just outside her house last night."

Billy was horrified, "He didn't touch her did he? He didn't hurt her?"

"No," I said tiredly," He didn't even go in the house. He was just making sure I hadn't mauled her!" I flopped down on the couch and covered my eyes.

"Jake-"

"Save it, Dad, I need a nap!" I snapped. I heard him roll away, and promptly fell asleep.

I don't know how long I slept before I felt Bella inching her way between my crossed arms. I opened my eyes and she smiled up at me.

"Your room is freezing." I looked at her sarcastically.

"Yes, well I'll have to get my dad to fix that! I may get hypothermia!!" She laughed. God, how I loved that laugh.

"Well, we mere mortals don't do well in arctic environments!"

"In that case, let me warm you up!" I pulled her face up to mine and kissed her.

I remembered so clearly the first time I'd tried to kiss her, how unresponsive she was, how in happy it had made her. All because she was so crazy about that parasite!

She pulled away, "Jake, what's wrong?"

"What do you mean?" I asked, praying my voice came off as innocent.

"I mean, I went to sleep in my bed, and woke up in yours." I waggled my eyebrows,

"Sometimes you just go where the passion takes you!" She giggled and slapped my arm playfully.

"Seriously Jake, it's not gonna happen! Now, really, what's going on?" I faked disappointment before lying through my teeth.

"Well, I've been cooped up at your house for a solid week; I could use a change of scenery. And since I never go anywhere without you and you ere asleep…well, I didn't think you'd mind."

"Jake, if you wanted to get out somewhere you should have told me! Seriously, let's go out tonight!"

"I was actually going to suggest that. I'd like to go to a decent restaurant though, no McDonalds!"

She laughed, and in that one moment I felt guiltier than I'd ever felt. Should she know that Edward was keeping tabs on her? Would that help or hurt her? I was pondering all this when she began to push her way out of my arms.

"Where are you going?" I asked, sad to have all the empty space between my arms again.

"If we're going somewhere nice, I need to get ready!" She laughed and disappeared into my room.

"We were on our way back from dinner, completely stuffed and completely content. I thought Bella had drifted off, but suddenly she turned toward me.

"Jake, I'm sleeping at my house tonight, and I want you to sleep at yours. You're right; it isn't fair of me to coop you up all the time. Go home!"

"Aw Bells," I said, rolling my eyes, "come on! You had to know that wasn't going to fly."

She sighed, "It was worth a shot."

"Isabella," I said, looking at her intently, "I will always and forever be where you are."

She smiled, "Do you promise?"

"I swear."

"Good. Look, Charlie didn't even wait up for us!" She said, giggling again. When was the last time she'd been THIS happy?

"No, no he didn't" I responded tonelessly. I unlocked the door and walked her up to her room where I kissed her goodnight and left her to sleep.

I lay down on my makeshift couch-bed and tried to sleep. It was impossible. I couldn't stop thinking about Cullen in her window, watching her sleep. After about an hour of this mental torture I threw back my blanket and crept upstairs. I silently opened her door and padded over to the window, locked it, and crossed the room to her bed. She was sleeping peacefully, curled up in a little ball. I lay down next to her, wrapping my arms around her. I within seconds she was thrashing around mumbling frantically.

"Can't…too hot! Can't find…dark! Can't find…Edward!!"