HEATHER

The news was plastered all over the headlines the next morning - fortunately for my sanity. I'd been tossing and turning all night… Jacob hadn't called, what could have gone wrong? Then Drew sent for the paper in our hotel room. When it arrived I almost fainted in relief: MYSTERIOUS, UNPREDICTED EARTHQUAKE HITS FORKS was the main headline. In smaller letters below: Forks Evacuated by Miraculous Tip. All had been successful then - Jacob hadn't been caught, nothing had gone wrong.

"But why hasn't he called?" I sank back onto the bed and bounced up and down on the thin hotel blankets.

The crackling of paper told me Drew had folded the newspaper - the article was over. "I don't know. Maybe his phone is out?" He came over and sat next to me, one hand on my shoulder to stop my nervous bouncing. "Look, I'll take you shopping today - we can go check on the animals in that pet sitting place - and if he hasn't called by the end of the day I'll drive back up to Forks and see what's going on, okay?"

"But what if it's not safe still?" I protested. "There could be falling buildings, and fires, and… and…"

I blinked as he shoved a stack of clothes into my hands. "Get dressed."

"Fine." I pouted as I began pulling off my pajamas. "But it's your own damn fault if you die."

Drew sat down on his own bed across the room and his rustling clothing showed he was getting dressed as well. "You know, that's something I've been kind of curious about for a while."

"What?" I pulled on the black leather boots again and started working a brush through my hair.

"You weren't worried at all to let Jacob stay in Forks - it's like you think he's invincible or something. He may be tall and muscular, but that doesn't mean he can't be killed by a falling light pole or something."

I frowned, trying to think of the right way to phrase my answer. "Well… Jacob has this weird thing - you know how in X-men, Wolverine can heal really fast?"

"Yeah." Drew laughed suddenly. "You're saying that Jacob is a superhero?"

"Er… not exactly. He has this genetic ability to heal more quickly than the average human. He told me about it last week. That's why I'm not quite so worried about him. Of course, I'm nearly frantic now that he hasn't called me."

"Hmm." Drew looked puzzled for a moment, then shrugged. "I guess it's possible. People are born with abnormal mental abilities all the time - why not abnormal physical ones as well? I don't suppose he'd let some of my friends conduct a few tests on him? I'm sure a biologist would be interested…"

"No!" I almost shouted the word. Then I smiled nervously. "Um… too much publicity. He's a very solitary guy at heart."

"Right." Drew sat down beside me. "Ready to go? Your pets are probably missing you."

"Yeah, let me grab my cell phone." I turned it to the highest volume again and stuck it into an easily accessible pocket. "Okay, let's go."

JACOB

I was in such a hurry that I almost flashed past Charlie and Billy without realizing it. I screeched to a stop and backtracked a few paces, then stopped and waved cheerfully. "Morning Billy, Charlie. Have a pleasant night?"

"You mean between all the banging and clanging and spraying noises you boys have been making?" Billy looked tired and bored. "Are you nearly finished?"

"You know, as weird as this may sound, it's difficult to put an entire town back together in twenty-four hours… even if we are were -" I stopped and looked at Charlie. "Um, even if we are exceptionally tall and strong."

"All you need to do is get rid of the danger zones so people can come back and begin their own construction," said Billy. "I demand that you let Charlie and I return to the house. I need to be directing operations."

"I could argue with that, but there's no time," I said. "Where's Leah?"

"Off in the woods somewhere," said Billy impatiently.

"When she gets back, let her know that you two can now be safely returned to the house. Embry and Seth spent a couple of hours fortifying the structure, so it should be perfectly sound." I turned to Charlie. "How are you doing?"

His color looked a lot better than it had the last time he'd seen me, though he was staring at me now with wide eyes. "I have a feeling that you guys are going to tell me not to speak of the strange things your family is capable of?"

"Sure, sure," I said. "Use your discretion. Look, I need my cell phone back. I just remembered - I never called Heather, all day yesterday and the day before. She'll be frantic."

"Oh. Well…" Charlie looked faintly embarrassed.

"It's still in the police building," I guessed with a sigh. "Thanks, Charlie."

I turned, nodding to Leah as I flashed past her and into the woods. I cut through the Cullen's now-empty property, cringing as I passed the borderline. Old habits die hard. I'd almost reached Forks when impatience overcame me and I phased. Immediately Sam's persistent voice hit my mind.

Jake, there you are. Listen - something really weird happened. You know how Emily had a little workshop of her own behind our house?

Yeah, I said, confused. I take it this is relevant somehow?

Well, our whole house got completely wrecked, but her shop remained untouched. A tree fell on top of it and nothing inside even got jarred. Sam sounded mystified and excited - like he always sounded when he was making new discoveries about the Pack issues.

Weird, I said. Then I froze in my tracks, right in the middle of Main Street. Wait a second… Heather's house was directly in the path of the earthquake and it wasn't touched either.

Claire's house wasn't damaged either, Sam replied. I talked to the Pack, and none of the other imprint's houses got damaged in the slightest.

Strange… I started off down the street again at a slower pace, thinking. Do you suppose it has something to do with… what? I can't think of any explanations.

We were thinking maybe some of the invulnerability of werewolves is spread to their imprints, through their bond, said Sam. But we're not really sure.

Hmm. Well, we'll have to experiment later.

Sam snorted. Yeah, right. Who out of us is going to let his imprint be subject to experiments testing her invulnerability?

True. A surge of protective anger flared hot in me at the very thought of voluntarily putting Heather in any sort of danger. Guess we'll just leave it a mystery, then. It's a little comforting, though.

Yeah. Well, go do your thing, man. I know Heather's probably worried.

Thanks. Seeya, Sam.

I had reached the police station by now, and I quickly phased into my human form, slipped on my shorts and stepped inside. The building had miraculously stayed standing, somehow, but the inside was an absolute wreck. I had to kick through several ceiling beams and sneeze my way through acres of dust before I reached Charlie's desk. The desk had fallen over, there were papers everywhere and everything was smashed to bits. Including my cell phone. I groaned and picked at the pieces hopelessly. Maybe… Heather had a house phone.

I dashed through the streets to her house, barely pausing to push the locked door open with my shoulder. I could always blame it on the earthquake later. I picked up her phone, closed my eyes to recall her number and dialed quickly.

The phone rang four times and I was about to hang up when Heather's breathless, puzzled voice answered the phone.

"Hello? Who is this?" Her voice trailed off in a giggle. "Stop that, I'm on the… that tickles!" she said to someone.

I couldn't help a flash of heat and a growl. "Heather? You'd better be with your brother."

"Jacob!" Genuine relief and joy colored her tone, then the background noises faded, and I heard the anger in her voice. "Why the hell didn't you call me! You son of a bitch! Bastard! Do you realize how worried I was? I thought you were… dead, or sick, or… I just didn't know, okay? I hated not knowing. Why didn't you call?"

I wished I was with her - I wanted to sweep her up in my arms, kiss her worries and anger away, make everything better. Instead I made my voice light and gentle. "Shh, Heather, it's okay now. I'm sorry, but Charlie took my phone and then it was broken and… well, it's a long story. But everything's fine, I promise."

"Yeah, well I sure as hell hope you've got a lot of roses, because it'll take a lot more than 'I'm sorry' to make me forgive you."

There was a long silence, and I slowly grinned. I knew she'd break down first. Finally she expelled a long breath. I could practically hear her rolling her eyes.

"Okay… Jacob, I forgive you." She paused, then her tone softened. "I love you. I'm glad you're safe. I was so worried."

"I'm sorry," I said again. "Look, it seems like you'll be able to move back a lot sooner than I'd thought. As long as either Drew or I are with you the whole time, Forks should be safe. Your house survived undamaged."

"Really?"

"Yeah." I chuckled. "Well, okay… there's this mysterious hole in one of the pillars on the porch, and apparently somebody forced the door open, but nothing too catastrophic."

"Jacob." All the anger was gone now, leaving only fond exasperation. "Are you in my house right now?"

"Um… would you believe me if I said no?" I asked hopefully.

"Most definitively not," she said with a soft laugh. "When can I come home?"

"Tell Drew… tomorrow afternoon at the earliest," I said. "The Pack is still trying to secure the town, making sure nothing's going to collapse on people."

"Won't there be lots of reporters and people?" she asked anxiously.

"Maybe, but not near your house. You're lucky - you're the only house on a very quiet, back street." I laughed. "I might be hiding out at your house to get away from the publicity, in fact."

"Well." She stopped for a moment. "I love you, Jacob."

"I love you too. See you soon. I'll call you."

"You'd better."

She hung up and I stared at the phone for a long time, shaking my head and grinning foolishly. Heather was the best thing that had ever happened to me, earthquake and all. I headed out the door, suddenly invigorated. I had to get Forks ready for Heather's return.

Chapter Fifteen

HEATHER

I couldn't help myself - Drew's hand on one elbow and Dad's hand on the other couldn't even hold me down. I was hopping from foot to foot, energy bursting from me. This was how Jacob felt when he phased, I was sure of it.

"Heather, honey - he's not even in the hotel parking lot," said my mom, perplexed. She just didn't understand - Jacob was coming closer, and I could feel him. I could feel his pull, like a rubber band stretched from heart to heart, and it was getting looser and looser. I couldn't help it.

"But he's coming!" I replied.

"I know, dear," said my dad. "I'm just a little disturbed - you've only known this guy for a month. How can you be so sure?"

"Sure enough that I dragged you down to my hotel from Spokane to see him," I pointed out. "Besides, the guy's a hero! You saw yesterday's headlines… he saved Forks in the earthquake."

"That's true, Tony," my mother said gently. "Heather could do - has done - a lot worse."

I scowled. "Oh, right, drag up Caleb now and ruin my mood."

"Well, we're going to give this guy a chance," said my dad with a grin. "But only if you stop jumping."

My feet immediately planted to the earth. "He's coming," I said. "Look out the window now, mom."

My mom gasped in surprise as she glanced out the hotel window. "Heather… how did you know that? Have you developed psychic powers since we last saw you?"

I laughed nervously. "No. Now you guys, be really nice. I didn't tell Jacob you were going to be here, so if he's a little rude, just give him the benefit of the doubt."

"True gentlemen are kind at all times," said Drew in his stuffy teacher voice.

"Look who's talking," I said, poking his arm. "Okay, he's coming up the elevator… he's in the hall… he's outside the door, and…"

A thunderous knock shook the door and my dad's hand tightened on my arm.

"Heather? Heather, are you there?" Jacob's low, rumbling voice sent shivers through me.

Drew led me to the door and I pulled it open. I barely had time to register the blast of heat from Jacob's shaking form when he swept me up into his embrace. His arms provided a cage of protection around me as he pressed me up against the door frame, my legs dangling three feet above the ground. He was raining kisses on my cheeks, my neck, my forehead, landing on my lips at last. I melted into him, my legs wrapping instinctively around his flaming-hot body, sighing into his mouth as it pressed into mine. His calloused fingers passed along my cheek, up into my hair, anchored at the roots of my braid and held me still, kissing me even more thoroughly.

Finally he pulled reluctantly back, smiling against my lips slightly before expelling a huge sigh and letting me sink slowly to the ground.

"Heather," he breathed, sounding almost as blissfully happy as I felt. "Heather, I've missed you so much."

"Oh…" I swallowed, trying to expel the heat from my lips and cheeks as I remembered my parent's presence. "Um, Jacob - my parents were passing through Seattle and I thought this would be as good an opportunity as any for them to… um… meet you."

Jacob's arms froze around my body for an instant, then he sighed and leaned his forehead against mine. "Well, at least I can get it over with, finally." He flipped me around in his arms and propelled me forward, nodding to Drew as he passed through.

"Mr. and Mrs. Champion." I heard the charmy-smarmy smile in Jacob's face and shook my head with a grimace. "I was most fortunate a little less than a month ago to make the acquaintance of your daughter, Heather. She is a remarkable girl."

"Indeed." My dad didn't sound impressed. "Call me Tony. This is my wife, Ruth. I'm sure you've already met Drew?"

"Yes, indeed." Jacob grinned wryly. "We've… er… met."

"So Jacob, have a seat," my mother said with a gentle smile.

Jacob led me to the bed and sat down, pulling me unabashedly to his lap and wrapping his arms snugly around me. "I'm sorry, Tony and Ruth, if I seem a little possessive," he laughed. "It's just that I haven't held Heather for three days now, and I'm not going to let her go unless I have to."

"That's fine." My dad sounded a little appeased at this display of affection.

"Tell me, Jacob… what do you do for a living?" my mother asked politely.

"Well…" Jacob hesitated for a very long, tense moment. "I'm a mechanic, sort of. I do a lot of odd jobs for people around town." He must have seen the disapproval dawning on my parent's faces, so he added hastily: "I'm also Fork's fate-appointed protector… apparently."

I laughed nervously. "After that earthquake, it would certainly seem that way. I'm so proud of you, Jacob."

My parents were silent for a long time. Then my father said in a stiff voice: "Indeed."

HEATHER

"That was awful!" Jacob groaned, hitting his head repeatedly on the wheel of the car. It was raining, so he had brought the Rabbit instead of his bike, to my relief. And my parent's, I'm sure.

"Nonsense." I felt across the seat until I reached his leg and patted it. "I thought it went pretty well, considering. I mean, they loved Caleb when they first met him, and look how that turned out."

"They thought I was a stupid brute," he wailed. "They'll never approve of you and I."

"Of course they will," I assured him. "Believe it or not, that was my parents being nice. You should have seen them when I brought home my first high school date."

"They didn't even want to let you come home with me," said Jacob. "Did you see their faces when Drew said he wasn't going to be staying with you anymore?"

"No, I didn't," I said sharply.

"Sorry, Heather," Jacob said, immediately remorseful. "But still."

"At least Drew understands that I don't need him anymore," I pointed out. "He knows that you'll take care of me."

"He just wanted to get back to his job," Jacob scoffed. "No, your whole family hates me, and with good reason. Seriously, who am I to have a girl like you? I'm a werewolf, Heather. Vampires are my natural enemies - filthy, bloodsucking leeches. As long as you're with me you'll always be in danger. If I left you for even a second, there's no telling what could happen."

I bit my lip and scowled for a moment, then turned abruptly. "Jacob Black. You pull over right now." I held up my hand to forestall his protests. "I know it's raining. Pull over."

"But we're almost to Forks," Jacob said, then stopped. "Fine."

We swung over to the side of the road. I unbuckled myself and stepped out into the sheeting rain. I crossed my arms and leaned against the car, waiting. Jacob's warm arms enveloped me and lifted me up. He carried me off the road, leaping the barrier and down through some wild blackberry bushes, through the greenery. Suddenly the rain lessened and he stopped. We must have been under some trees. He set me down and framed my face with his hands, stroking my cheekbones with his thumb. I shook him off and poked him in the chest, prodding him forward until he came up against a tree trunk. I scrambled up until I was standing on his bent knees, level with his face. I scowled darkly and leaned forward.

"Jacob Black, you are my life. You are the one I should have loved in the past, the only one I love now, and the only one I could ever love in the future. I know you love me that much, and that you'll die protecting me, and I trust you. I feel safe with you. I love you. My parents will come around - but what if they don't? Who cares? It's just you and me, Jacob. Nobody else."

Jacob was quiet for a moment. "Does this mean you'll marry me?"

I scowled even harder and punched him on the shoulder. "No! You stop that! I'm being serious. I'll love you forever, and nobody can get in the way. I won't let your stupid misgivings get in the way of your own happiness, or mine."

There was a long silence, with only Jacob's chest rising and falling, pushing me up and down on top of him, and my panting gasps of breath, to break the silence.

Then he reached down, took me by the waist, and flipped me around. He thrust one knee forward, sat me down on top of it and leaned my back against the tree trunk. He leaned forward until I was completely enveloped by his warm, piney scent, mixed with the chilled, wet rainy smell.

"Heather," he sighed and his breath warmed my cold features. "You're so sexy when you're declaring your undying love." He lowered his lips to mine, nibbling my bottom lip, tracing his heated tongue over the outline of my upper lip, brushing his fingers across my face. "I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you t-" I gasped as his warm lips pressed against the icy, wet skin of my neck. "I've missed…" He traced back up to my mouth, enveloped my lips in his mouth and tongue. His hands trailed down my neck, down to my waist, pulling me closer to his solid body. "I've… missed…" My hands curled in his hair, pulling his mouth tighter to mine. I smoothed my hands down his back - he was wearing a shirt for once - rubbed the solid muscles in his shoulders, sighing into his mouth. "I've…" I couldn't even remember what I was saying.

"Heather, stop talking," he murmured against my mouth, then laced his fingers through my hair, anchoring my face to his, pressing me harder back against the tree trunk.

I decided to take his advice. I only had one more thing to say, and it was really important… I struggled to think past the haze of sensation, letting my head fall back as his lips passed down my neck - his finger hooked into the neckline of my blouse, pulling it far down below my collarbone, then tracing the newly exposed skin with his lips.

Ah! I remembered. I put my hands on either side of his head and pulled him away from my skin for a moment, panting, the grey mists in my head colored a vivid scarlet. "Jacob…" His fingers caressed the skin under my shirt, pulling it slowly up.

"Spit it out, Heather," he said with a grin.

"Jacob…" I sighed and wrapped my arms around his neck. "Jacob, I love you so much."

"I know." He brushed his lips over my eyelids. "Now shut up."

SIX MONTHS LATER…

HEATHER:

I sat in the kitchen, eyes closed, listening to Beauty and the Beast. I know, call me juvenile, but I really liked it. For some reason that I couldn't quite pin down, the pair really reminded me of Jacob and I. The story always made me smile, and I listened to it when I was missing Jacob. Which was pretty much whenever he wasn't with me.

I heard a knock on the door and stopped the CD, turning slightly. "Come in!" I called, listening intently. The door swung open and the footsteps that came in were masculine - but it didn't sound like Jacob.

"Jacob? Is that you?" My voice cracked a little and I tensed. Meth was under the kitchen table, a constant low growl sounding in her throat. Her body was tense, as well, against my leg, and her tail was definitely not wagging.

"Jacob? Who the hell is Jacob? Heather, it's me. Caleb."

The voice that sounded from the kitchen doorway made me catch my breath. It was a light tenor that now sounded remarkably weak when I compared it with Jacob's deep rumble. I groaned and placed my head in my hands. Just when everything in my life was perfect, along came the remnants of my worst nightmares.

"Hello, Caleb," I said softly. I grinned a little as I remembered something we'd happened upon a couple of weeks ago in a Reader's Digest. "Hey, want to know something interesting about your name, Caleb?" I asked innocently.

He was taken aback by the greeting. He was probably expecting tears or a hug or something. "Um… sure," he said warily.

"It actually means - are you ready for this? - 'rage like a dog.'" I laughed heartily. That had amused Jacob and I to no end. "Your parents must really have liked you as a baby."

He was spluttering, unsure of what to say now. He'd come in so sure of himself, so egotistical, just like he used to be. I remembered vaguely the arrogant tilt of his nose, the haughty tenor of his voice - I scowled. How could I ever have imagined myself in love with such a little shrew of a man?

"Why are you here, Caleb?" I asked tiredly, sobering suddenly. "You should leave before Jacob gets here if you want to get out alive."

"Look, Heather," he said swiftly, coming closer. "I really want you to train our dog. It's wetting the carpet all the time, and nobody can do anything about it. You're the best trainer on this continent, Heather."

Hmm. He did sound a little desperate - I heard an edge to his tone that made me smile grimly. "What on earth makes you believe even for a second that I'd be inclined to work with your dog?"

"Look, Heather, I'm sorry about… our past… but you can't let your feelings get in the way of a good business relationship," he said reasonably.

I sniffed. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"I can see it in your face, Heather," he said softly, sitting next to me. He placed a cool, fishy hand on my arm and I jerked away. "You know you're not over me."

I paused for a second, letting that remark sink in, then started howling with laughter. I couldn't help it. The thought of not being 'over' this man (this married man, by the way) when I had Jacob - warm, affectionate, generous, kind, amazing Jacob! - it was ludicrous. Caleb sat there staring at me, tense and puzzled, irritated.

When I could finally control my laughter I strained, still giggling a little, and shook my head. "I'm sorry, Caleb, it's just that - wow. I never realized you might think I was still carrying the old… er… flame." A helpless giggle escaped and I clamped my hand over my mouth.

"Why else would you refuse to train our dog?" he asked, still confused.

That sobered me up fast. I put on my best evil scowl and spoke each work slowly, as if he were dim-witted.

"I'm going to talk slow so you make sure and catch every word. This has nothing to do with my emotions. This has everything to do with ethics." I took a deep breath and leaned forward, fixing my gaze at where I knew his eyes would be. My blindness always creeped him out, so I used it to deliver my final line.

"I don't work for assholes."

Sudden loud applause filled the air and I started. In my intensity I hadn't even heard Jacob approaching. He was standing in the door of the kitchen, chuckling darkly and clapping.

"Couldn't have put it better myself, sweetheart," he said. He came up behind me and put his hands on my shoulders, bending to give me a heavy lip lock before rising up. I could feel him giving Caleb the evil eye.

"You have no idea how long I've waited to meet you," he said, leaning forward over my head.

"Caleb, you really should leave," I suggested quietly. "Right now."

Jacob growled, and Caleb rose hastily.

"I just came to ask an innocent question," he protested, stumbling in his quick retreat. "Just an innocent question," he mumbled, continuing out the door.

Jacob's deep voice halted him in the doorway. "Oh, and Caleb?"

"Er… yes?" Caleb's voice was laden with dread.

"I strongly suggest that you never, ever come back, because I will not hesitate to separate your arms from the rest of your body." Even I, who knew Jacob as a light-hearted, friendly guy, couldn't doubt the absolute, dead certainty in his ultimatum.

Jacob sat in his place and took my hands in his, and we laughed softly together as we heard the engine rev up in the driveway and the screeching of tires that signaled Caleb's hasty getaway.

"Will you marry me?" Jacob asked his daily question with a resigned tone, as if he already knew the answer.

Instead of giving my usual 'no,' I thought for a moment. "How long has it been since we met, Jacob?"

He looked at his watch briefly. "Six months, two weeks, three days, thirteen hours and twenty-seven minutes."

I paused for a moment at that. "Well, I was asking for more of a generalization, but I guess that works, too." I tugged at a lock of my hair, wrapping it around my finger, thinking. "Guess what I was doing before that jerk showed up?"

"I'd try, but I'll just get it wrong. I can never guess with you," said Jacob, grinning.

"I was listening to Beauty and the Beast," I said, stroking his hand slowly. "I was just thinking that the Beast really reminds me of you - but I couldn't think why. I think now that I've figured it out."

"This had better not be really insulting," he warned me. "Because I know all the ways to exact excruciating revenge."

I laughed. "Promises, promises. Anyway, it's not insulting. You remind me of him because - well, your personalities certainly have similarities, too, but - he proposes to Beauty every single day, without fail. He never gives up, even though he already knows her answer."

"Hmph." Jacob sounded disgruntled and sour. Pouting again. "Yeah, but the main difference is that Beauty eventually said yes, and you never do."

"Note the absence of a 'no' in this conversation," I said quickly.

His hand froze beneath mine, then he was suddenly on his knees, eyes burning into my face, hands closed firmly around mine. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

I hesitated a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Yes, Jacob. Yes - I will marry you. Yes. Yes!"

He pulled me down to him and wrapped me in an enormous hug, planted a long, steamy kiss on my lips, and pulled back, an huge grin emanating from his features. He set me gently on my feet, stood back, and just stared at me.

JACOB

She said yes! Finally!

Unable to help myself, I whirled my arm in the air, winding up, putting all my energy into it… and did a heavy-duty, first class, state-of-the-art, massive fist pump.