Hey Guys, I know it's been a really long time since I last updated but I have to say that this semester is seriously kicking my ass. I've had to write an Abstract for my Shakespeare paper. A paper that's worth 50% of my grade, so I've definitely been stressing about this. I've also had to do writing comps, which for those who don't know it's a test that has to be past it I want to graduate next year…but of course here it is. I really hope you like it and PLEASE review. I would greatly appreciate it.

Chapter Nine: A Passing Moment

Jake walked through the back door, following the alluring sway of Kristy's hips as she made her way down the hall, towards the kitchen. He made sure to shut the door tightly behind him before following her. No pictures of old friends stared back at him as he made his way. He wondered if any had yet been unpacked this morning. Probably not, he thought as he walked down the narrow hallway. Kristy had been so anxious to leave as soon as most of her things had arrived. He had sensed her uneasiness since then and he couldn't help but wonder where it came from. Memories she no longer wanted to remember was his first and only guess, especially after the conversation they had had that morning in her bedroom.

He stood in the entryway of the kitchen, admiring her figure once again. Her hourglass shape leaning against the counter as she stood on tiptoes as her long boney hand reached up into one of the cabinets, her small fingers wrapping around two glasses before pulling them down. Just looking at her had the ability to make him feel like her was burning alive. He didn't know yet what that burning meant. It was all so new to him. No one was every prepared for what imprinting did to you, both physically and mentally. It always came like a blow to the chest, a wound you never wanted healed. Not once had he heard any of his brothers complain about the sensation. Jake found himself lucky that he finally found her.

Too deep in thoughts he heard something as if it came from a great distance. He immediately looked towards her, she held him captivated. It was only when their eyes met that he knew she had spoken and was waiting for his response. "What?" he said wanting to take the word back as soon as it left his mouth. "Sorry," he continue, this time thinking before speaking, "what was the question? I wasn't exactly paying attention."

"That's alright. You seemed a little caught up in your thoughts. I just asked if you wanted something to drink. I can offer you water and lemonade."

He now noticed that instead of the glassed she now held a pitcher of what he knew to be lemonade and a bottle of water. Nodding to the bottle he said, "Water would be great, thanks."

She chucked the bottle at him, throwing it like she would a football. He caught it before it had a chance to come up short and smack into the ground. He then watched as she pulled a bottle out for herself. She walked by him, heading back to the front of the house. The smell of strawberries invaded all of his senses as she walked by. He couldn't help but follow her back into the living room. Again he waited in the large entryway, not wanting to invade her space too much. He didn't want to frighten her away.

She threw herself down onto the couch and looked at him. She looked around the room and as her eyes fell on him her smile was radiant. Like the sun it seemed to have this way of warming him to his very soul. He was going to need that warmth come this winter. She patted the seat next her and he smiled as he walked into the room, making his way through the piles of empty boxes, not wanting to make an even bigger mess than there already was, or worse yet embarrass himself by tripping over one. He sat down next to her, a smile broadening across his face.

"I have to say," she spoke again, staring straight ahead at what was reflected into the blank TV. After a few more moments of silence passed she added, "Your friends are amazing. I thought it was going to take me weeks to get fully unpacked. Then you bring in a couple of guys and you get most of it done in only a couple of hours. Have you ever thought about being professional movers?"

"Nah, there's no money in it here," he said jokingly. When their eyes met again and he saw confusion written all over her face he added, "You're the first person to move in or out of here in a long time."

He saw her happiness faultier a little and couldn't help but wonder if she really wanted to be here or if there were reasons behind her move to such an obscure place as La Push. "No one ever moves away?" She asked after an uncomfortable silence fell between them.

"People go away for periods of time, but they always seem to find their way back here."

"Have you ever left?"

"Yeah, once," Jake said, hoping his tone at least hinted to the fact that he really didn't want to talk about that time in his life. He had been stupid to run away. Nothing was going to stop Bella from marrying that bloodsucking leech and turning into one herself, he understood that more clearly now. "I stayed away for a few months, but I eventually came back. My dad needed me."

She looked at him smiling, "So, I'm guessing that means you and your father are really close."

"We were," he sighed as even thinking about that brought up sad memories, "he passed last spring."

"Oh, Jacob, I'm so sorry."

He heard the tremble in her voice and knew by the look on her face that she truly meant what she said. To reassure her a bit more that her comment did no harm he said, "It was his time and he went peacefully."

The silence spread out between them. It felt like ages before she finally spoke up, "So, what are your plans for tonight?" As she asked she no longer made eye contact with him. She stared again at her reflection as it was reflected in the television.

Jake realized then that he was doing the same and quickly stared down at his hands. The nervousness wasn't something he was used to. He waited a few minutes before finally saying, "Nothing much, I guess." he cursed at how awkward he sounded around her. He was beginning to feel like a teenage boy who was on his first date. This wasn't even a date, let alone his first one.

"Would you want to stick around for dinner, maybe watch a movie a little later?" He could hear the hesitation in her voice. He couldn't help but smile, knowing she was probably as nervous as he was. "I mean, it's the least I could do to thank you for helping me today," she spoke quickly and he wondered if she was just looking for a reason for him to be around.

"You've thanked me enough, but dinner and a movie with you would be great." He stood up before adding, "But do you mind if I go home to shower and change. I know the smell of sweat is alluring, but it's got to be giving you a headache. Plus I think Bella's going to need to be taken out if I'm going to be gone until last tonight."

"I don't mind your sweat, but I can understand if you wanting to take a shower," she said, standing up next to him. "I'll probably take one myself and get changed into clean clothes."

Jake looked down at his watch before saying, "I'll be back in a few hours. Do you want me to pick up something for dinner on my way back?"

"No, that's fine. I'll make dinner for us. You have a big appetite, right? Is there anything in particular that you like to eat."

Jake couldn't stop the smile that spread across his face. The fact that she was beginning to remember certain things about him pleased him, but what pleased him even more was the fact that she was willing to cook for him. No one besides Emily ever attempted to cook for pack members. He got up from the couch and walked, with her by his side, towards the front door. He stood in the doorway, waiting a few somewhat awkward moments before saying, "I'll be back by seven at the latest. I need to swing by Sam's before I head back."

"Okay, I'll see you then. I'll probably just do a little more unpacking while your gone."

"Alright, I'll see you later." Without even thinking about it he leaned down to her level and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before turning and walking away. Why had I kissed her? He thought as he got into his car, shaking his head as he did so. He felt like he was beginning to lose his mind, over a girl non-the-less. He had promised himself a long time ago that he wasn't going to let another girl control his emotions. That had happened once before and there was no way in hell he was going to let it happen again, especially with how the first time turned out.

Instead of heading in the direction of the apartment he found himself heading in the direction of Sam and Emily's. He wasn't sure why he was heading over there first. What he wanted to talk to Sam about could wait until later. Everything was beginning to get jumbled up. His feelings for Kristy felt way to strong for him having just met her. He wasn't sure how he was supposed to keep them under wraps until the right moment. He couldn't stop thinking about how long it might take Kristy to fully trust him enough for him to be able to tell her about himself completely.

Jake pulled into the driveway. The cars lining the drive was a bad sign, one that told him he wasn't going to be able to talk to Sam the way he needed to. A part of him wanted to turn the car around and head to his apartment, taking a shower, and then heading back over to Kristy's place. That's what he should have done, instead he found himself getting out of the car and walking up the gravel road to the front door.

"Come on in, Jake." Emily yelled through the screen when she saw him standing there. He was about ready to knock to announce his impromptu arrival.

"Sorry to be barging in like this," he said, making sure the screen was latched before heading into the house. He walked into the smoke filled hazed, looking around to what the cause of the grey haze was. Before he could ask, though, Emily spoke up.

"The kids were trying to make cookies. It didn't go so well." As she said this she wiped her hands off on what looked like dingy dish towel.

He couldn't stop the laughter the spilled out of him. It rumbled through his whole body. The girls definitely took after their father more than their mother, especially when it came to the kitchen. "Where's Sam?" he asked looking around the house, but seeing no sign of the other alpha.

"In the backyard, with the boys," she sighed, shaking her head before adding, "they're trying to build the girls' new swing set, but I don't think it's going exactly as planned. Especially with Embry and Jared heading the construction team."

"Alright, thanks Em." He gave her a quick hug before heading out to the backyard. The sight that met him shocked him. Embry was chasing Jared with a hammer, yelling a string of profanities as they passed Jake. He immediately began laughing when he saw the pile of twisted metal laying untouched in the center of the yard. The girls were crying alligator tears over the swing set that would most likely go unfinished until Embry caught Jared and gave him a good pounding.

Jake walked over to where Sam sat, watching the younger boys chase each other with various tools. "What are you doing here? I thought you would be at Kristy's helping her unpack."

"Taking a break. I wanted to shower and I'm pretty sure she did too though she didn't say anything about one." Jake said, sitting in one of the lawn chairs that were sitting next to Sam. "I think I'm losing my mind." The words came out fast and slurred together. It amazed him that Sam even understood what was being said. "I don't know what I'm doing anymore. I'm afraid I'm going to scare her off."

"That's how it always is." Sam said, taking a drink from one of the beers that sat on the small patio table. "You remember how freaked out Claire's mom was when she found out that Quil had imprinted on her two year old?"

Jake smiled, nodding his head at the memory of Sam telling Claire's mom about the whole imprinting situation the lady hadn't taken it very well. Like most normal people she saw it as a type a pedophilia. Of course, she later learned that that wasn't the case, especially when the person who gets imprinted on is so young. After Sam had explained everything Claire and her mom left the reservation, thinking it was safer for Claire to be away from Quil, at least for a little bit. Jake winced at the memory of the pain Quil had gone through during that time. They all realized then that it was literally painful to be away from ones' imprint. Jake never understood exactly how Quil dealt with the pain he was going through over that six months.

Jake remembered that Quil wouldn't get out of bed for anything for about a month and even after that he only did it because Sam dragged him out of the bed and outside. That was definitely an amusing sight to see; Quil in only his boxers being drug across the lawn by his ankles. Sam had been pissed that he'd given up his duties for the pack, but he in no way blamed Quil for what was happening to him. Sam was blaming Claire's mom more, especially since she knew what would happen. Jake was glad he wouldn't have to deal with Kristy being torn away from him. At least he hoped he wouldn't have to deal with her leaving.

It was like he knew that Jake was thinking about him because soon after Quil came walking out of the small two-story house. As he walked towards the group he slipped his shirt back on. When he was finally about a foot away he said, "Hello ladies."

"Who are you calling a lady?" Embry yelled, pausing only for a moment from his chase of Jared. "If I remember right you're the one who dressed up like a girl last Halloween."

"Oh, come on, that's Halloween. That doesn't count for anything." Quil said, sitting down on the ground. Jake noticed him breathing heavy and wondered what he'd been chasing.

"Then how do you explain why you always spend so much time in the bathroom every morning?" Jake asked, knowing it would piss Quil off having everyone know his morning routine.

"Gotta look good for my girl," he replied quickly, not losing a step in the conversation.

"How was the watch?" Sam's voiced cut through whatever anyone else was going to say.

"Boring as usual. Man, once I wish a stupid bloodsucking leech would come around this way every once in a while. You know, just to shake things up a little."

"Be careful what you wish for my brother." Sam said, knowing exactly what the rest of the guys were probably was thinking.

Every few months one, maybe even two, would somehow make the mistake of coming onto the rez. Of course, that was always their last mistake. Ever since the Cullens' departure no vampire, whether they were vegetarian or not, was allowed in this area and for the most part that's how the pack liked it. Since vampires still roamed in and out of the area the boys of La Push were still turning, the only difference was that they weren't changing as early as Seth had back when the Cullens were still around.

"So, how is she?"

Sam's voice brought him out of his thoughts about the Cullens and other vampires in general. It was then that Jake began to think about imprints again. He knew Quil wasn't the only member of the pack who had had an imprint hurt him. Quil wasn't even the only member who had had an imprint leave. "How's who?" he asked, no longer wanting to think about the pains imprinting could cause.

"Kristy," Sam said with amusement as he shook his head. "Who else would I be asking you about? How's she doing at her new place? I know moving here must be a shock for her."

"I guess she's fine. She hasn't complained yet, though I think she's bored. I think that's the only reason why she's wanting to hang out with me so much." Jake said, laughing to himself. He knew how boring La Push could be at times, but he had always had the pack to keep him busy and give him company. His couldn't help but wonder who or what would keep Kristy company once Jake had to go back to pack business. Hopefully she would become quick friends with some of the other females on the rez. He especially hoped that Emily and her would also become friends so that Emily would be there when Kristy found out the truth. He hoped their friendship would help her adjust to the imprinting process.

"That's good," Sam said, taking another drink from his beer can. As if it were a second thought he added, "Don't forget you're on rotation tonight."

"I know, I'll head out as soon as I'm done at Kristy's."

"You're going back there?" Quil asked, sounding more frustrated than anything else.

"You know how it is?" Jake and Sam said in unison. Jake went on to add, "I just can't stay away from her. Tonight we're watching a movie and having dinner."

"Are you sure that's all you'll be doing?" Quil asked suggestively. His tone sounded like something he would use when talking to Claire.

"Dude, I just met her. Why would I do anything else with her." Jake said, taking offense by what Quil was saying.

"Man, I have seen you do way more with girls you just met at the bars and clubs in Seattle."

"That was different. Those girls meant noting to me and I knew they wouldn't be anything more to me than what happened that one night. Kristy's different, she's my imprint."

"Yeah, yeah," Quil said, getting up from his seat on the ground and heading over to where Embry and Jared were again working on trying to build the swing set. It was obvious that they had settled their argument, whatever it had been, and were now working steadily on the metal that was now looking more like a swing set and less like a pile of rusted scrap metal.

Jake watched in silence as the three of them went to work and was surprised that in no time at all they had the swing set built to even Sam's specifications. The girls came running out of the house upon hearing Sam yell for them; they were happy to finally be getting their new toy after weeks of waiting for it to be built.

"Are you happy?" He asked Sam suddenly, knowing by the look on Sam's face that his question shocked him.

"Of course, what more could I want?"

""I just can't help but wonder where we would be if the whole imprinting thing had gotten started. I mean, would you have kept being the pack's alpha for as long as you did? Would you have stayed with Leah?"

"I don't know about Leah, but I would have definitely stayed the pack's alpha." Sam said, giving Jake a weird look. It was as if he was asking Jake what he was thinking about.

"It's nothing, don't worry about it." Jake said, hoping that answer sufficed for Sam's unasked questioned.

Jake sat there for a few more minutes lost in his own thoughts, each revolving around Kristy. He couldn't help but ask himself how he could feel so strongly for someone so soon after meeting her. He found it strange that imprinting caused such strong feelings inside of himself, it was stronger than any other feeling he had had before. The feels he had for Kristy were even beginning to surpass what he had felt for Bella, something he thought would never happen. He had seen so many of the other guys imprint on their own true loves, but it had never occurred to him that it would affect him so strong or that it had affected them so strongly.

He looked down at his watch, not realizing time had passed so quickly since he had left Kristy's place. "Alright guys, as much as I love watching you guys play on a swing set I think I'm gonna take off." Jake said, getting up from his lawn chair, nearly knocking it over in the process before adding, "I told her I'd be back around seven and I still need to get home to take a shower and walk Bella."

"Dude, that dog needs a new name," Quil yelled from the swing he was currently jumping from.

"Don't forget you're on duty tonight. I want you out there by midnight." Sam's voice was strict as he pushed the girls in their swings.

Jake nodded his head as he walked back into the house. It was a lot less smoky now and smelled more like fresh baked cookies than burned charcoal.

"Bye, Em. I'm heading back over to Kristy's. I'll see you tomorrow night." Jake added, remembering about the weekly spaghetti night.

"Oh, here," she said, handing him a tin foil wrapped plate, "Take this to Kristy for me and remember to invite her to dinner tomorrow night."

"Will do, Emily," he said, leaning down a giving her cheek a small peck before heading out the door and back towards his car.

The drive back to the house was a boring one. He used most of his concentration on navigating the twists and turns of the narrows streets that curled their way around the steep cliffs and away from the treacherous waters below. As he drove he wondered how the night would play out. He couldn't help but wonder how close he would get to Kristy before he finally felt able to tell her the truth about himself and about the pack. He wanted to wait for as long as he could before he felt like he would be lying to her about himself. He was going to have a lot of explaining to do about himself and about the Quileute Tribe.