Disclaimer: We own nothing. All characters are property of Stephenie Meyer. And we do not get any sort of profit from this.

A/N: We know that all of you are like... "What? Bella's going where?!" haha... Well, you may not like a part of this update but we hope you still enjoy it ;) I'd like to thank my fabulous co-writer, kalejay, for writing this update. It's seriously complete genius as far as I'm concerned.

Again, I'll write you all another little note down south! LOL

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Chapter Ten

Edward's POV:

Statues could not compare to how still I remained as I spent the entire day in my bedroom mulling over the last few days. I hadn't bothered to wash away the doe's blood, and it had dried all over my hands and face, stained my clothes, and caked itself underneath my fingernails. It painted through my hair as I had combed my fingers through it in my frustration. The tangled dried strands of bloody bronze hung in front of my eyes as I had glared out my bedroom window watching the hours go by.

I stewed in the evidence of my inhumanity, hating everything that I was, but mostly hating that she was dying inside and that it was because of me. I needed to see her again and I wanted her to know that I came back for her. I needed her to look me in the eyes again, to see her smile, to see the rosy blush of her cheeks... to tell her that I was sorry.

Pulling the blood-stained shirt over my head, I broke my immobility and made my way to the bathroom to finally clean myself up. I stared into the sink as the red pool swirled down the drain. How easily the blood on my hands could be washed away as opposed to the destruction I had caused between Bella and myself. With an infuriated rage, I slammed my fist into the counter top, cracking the ceramic tiles into a small cloud of dust. Esme would have my head for this when she would discover it.

I decided then and there that I wouldn't wait any longer.

The sky was black when I headed back to her house. I took my time, walking at nearly human pace as I debated how I would present myself and what I would say. Somehow the words 'I'm sorry' seemed to be severely insufficient for the amount of pain I had caused her... caused us.

As I reached the edge of the forest, I stopped to lean against a sycamore and peered toward her bedroom window. It was as if she knew I would be coming. There she was, gazing out toward me, her loose waves gently sweeping around her face in the cool breeze. I could hear her uneven breathing from where I stood. Her short and shallow gasps were coated with a heavy sob as she whispered my name. I knew she couldn't see me but her beckoning call captured me and pulled me forward. I had to show myself to her. Now.

As I took my first step forward, her window violently slammed shut. I narrowed my eyes and froze again, listening as I heard loud thuds and slams coming from inside the house, and moments later, her heavy footsteps running thunderously down the staircase. My eyes whipped to the front door as she came rushing out, tears pouring down her face. She got into her truck and hastily peeled into reverse, backing out of her driveway clumsily, almost knocking into the mailbox.

I sucked in a sharp breath. "Wait!" I begged with a whisper. Something felt extremely wrong.

A torrent of rain began to wash down not a second after the tires of her truck left the driveway. I felt like the rug had been pulled out from underneath me. I could only stare dumbly after her as I put the pieces together: The rain... the hysterical crying... Bella speeding off in her truck... Alice's vision was coming to a head and I was too late to stop it. The only uncertainty was what would happen next that made Alice's vision cut short. I couldn't let anything happen to her. The fear of losing Bella for good nearly kept me frozen where I stood, but before her truck disappeared around the curve in the road, I took off running after her.

I remained within the trees, not wanting to startle her if she saw me. I didn't need to be the reason she would lose control of her truck. The rain soaked me quickly as I dashed through the soaking forest, passing her truck. I looked ahead on the road, searching for anything that might put her in danger. The road was clear for miles. Other than her own driving which was faster than it should be in this condition, I saw nothing that would cause myself to worry.

Swiftly, I turned back around and waited the short few moments as her truck caught up with me again, then continued to run alongside her. Bella, slow down! I shouted in my mind. That old Chevy of hers wasn't exactly able to go anywhere close to fast, but even a slow crawl in this torrent was dangerous. Suddenly, her truck eased off slightly. I cringed, realizing that she must have heard me and another pang of guilt struck me as I knew she must be on the edge of thinking she was crazy, even though I was thankful she had listened to me.

I kept pace with her truck as the unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach refused to disappear. Something was wrong and I couldn't figure out what it was. If I didn't know what the danger was, how could I stop it from happening? I was wracking my brain of possibilities when the answer suddenly hit me. My teeth bared and my body tensed as my natural defenses kicked in instinctually. I wasn't alone in the forest. A menacing growl escaped my throat as I noticed the large russet wolf on the opposite side of the road running parallel to me. I recognized the scent immediately.

"Jacob Black," I spat, acknowledging him with distain. It all made sense now. No wonder Alice's vision cut off as Bella was driving. She wasn't in danger... she just had a parasite attaching to her.

Jacob flashed his teeth in an irritating wolfy grin as he kept his pace even with mine.

Edward. So you are back. Too shy to show yourself to Bella, or is it that you enjoy torturing her?

My lips peeled back revealing my teeth and I snarling at his accusation, refusing to show how much his comment actually pained me. If Bella hadn't been between us in the road I wouldn't have hesitated to launch myself into that insolent pup and rip his throat out. The taste of werewolf blood suddenly intrigued me, until I remembered how awful it reeked.

The Quilute border was quickly approaching and I knew that unless I wanted to start a war, I could not follow Bella past that point. The wolf realized this as well and sneered at me a second time. I reluctantly came to a halt right on the border, grabbing hold of a low tree branch which ripped away from the trunk as easily as a toothpick snapping in half. I groaned loudly in frustration as I watched Bella continue down the road where I couldn't follow, her red tail lights disappearing as they rounded the curve.

I'll take it from here, bloodsucker, Jacob said smugly as he passed me. He pulled his lips back off his teeth in an insolent smile, then barked a laugh as he proceeded to run off after Bella's truck.

Anger boiled up from within my core as images of Jacob's intentions flashed through my mind. It sickened me that he was encroaching on the one thing I loved. I had been too late to reveal myself to her and now that dog was moving in. I stepped out from the canopy of the forest and walked slowly to the center of the road, glaring at the emptiness in front of me. The heavy rain hammered into the pavement violently, ricochetting back upward so it drenched me from every possible angle. I looked down at the invisible line that set the boundaries of where my kind could not infiltrate, clenching my fists so tightly that my knuckles threatened to pierce through my skin.

Was she worth a war? Absolutely.

My anger fueled me forward and I took two steps across the border, but a sick realization flowed through my iced over veins and froze me where I stood: She was going to him willfully. I waited too long and now I may have lost her forever. The visions of Jacob's intentions replayed in my mind: He would wipe away the tears that stained her face. He would hold her close, comfort her, tell her she's better off without me in her life... He would... He would... My features twisted in pain as I forced myself to ignore the part Jacob had emphasized just to hurt me, and took the two steps back from the border.

She'll be back, and I would be waiting for her when she returned. Jacob could try whatever he wanted but Bella was still mine. She had to be...

There was nothing I could do but wait.

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Bella's POV:

The rain started to come down in buckets as I sped down the road toward La Push. I could barely see the road, even with the windshield wipers struggling at full speed. The tears that clouded my vision didn't help either but the desperation I had to escape my pain kept my foot pressed firmly down on the gas peddle. Images of losing control of the Chevy and flipping into the ditch kept replaying in my mind. Maybe that wouldn't be so bad, I thought with despair. I was pretty certain that the physical pain that would ensue from an accident wouldn't compare to the emotional daggers that constantly stabbed my heart. I suddenly recalled that if I died, Edward had said that he wouldn't see the need to continue his own existence... I wondered if he still felt that way.

Bella, slow down!

I sobbed pathetically as his voice cautioned me as if answering my question. It hurt to continually hear his voice and not see his beautiful face. It hurt not only in my heart, but it pierced my mind this time as well. I brought my fingertips to my temple, cringing at the wave of pressure inside my head that disappeared immediately with the sound of his voice. He was always protecting me even when he wasn't around. I eased off the gas slightly as I granted his simple request.

The heavy rain hypnotized me as I drove on autopilot the remainder of the way and it was a surprise when I finally reached Jacob's house. The tears had dried on my cheeks making my skin tight and painful. I rubbed my hands over them and groaned as I put the truck in park and sat behind the wheel, listening to the rumble of the engine as it idled.

A moment later, a soft tapping on the passenger side window startled me. I turned my head to see Jacob pulling open the door, then lean his arm on top of it and bend down to look at me inside. Streams of rain washed down his face and he blinked repeatedly as the shower fell into his eyes. He almost looked as if he was expecting me.

"Can I get in?" Jacob said, squinting through one eye. He was apparently out in the rain for a while as drenched as he was. Then again, it was raining so hard I wouldn't be surprised if he had just come out of his house.

I nodded and he got in, slamming the door closed. The downpour pounded violently on the roof above us, and for a good minute or two, I stared silently straight ahead, just listening to the rain and the engine idle. I wasn't exactly sure what to say, but I knew that once I did, the tears would start to flow again immediately.

I heard Jake take a deep breath and waited for him to speak. Instead, he let out a drawn out sigh, then turned his body toward mine, shaking the truck from side to side as he moved. "I hate seeing you so sad," he said. He took my hand and enveloped it between his palms. Even soaking wet they were radiating warmth. "Talk to me, Bells."

The simple contact was enough to open the flood gates. "I can't lock him out, Jake," I admitted in a shaky voice. I stared at his hands, unable to lift my gaze to meet his. "I know he's never coming back, but I just can't!... I miss him so much," I continued, my voice breaking on the last word.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star. How I wonder what you are. Up above the world so --

Was Jacob singing? I frowned, lifting my head up angrily to look at him. Ripping my hand away from his, I was about to accuse him of being insensitive when another wave of pressure made an appearance inside my head. I cringed, sucking in a sharp breath and immediately brought my hand to my temple instead.

"Are you okay?!" Jacob asked with an intensified concern as he shifted in his seat.

"My head..." I trailed off with a sigh, shaking my head defeatedly. With the amount I had been crying lately, I guess it shouldn't be a surprise that my head would feel like this. I closed my eyes and another stream of hot tears escaped from between my eyelids, running down my cheeks.

Jacob sighed sympathetically and I felt him run the back of his fingers gently along my face. "Here. Let me help," he whispered. I kept my eyes closed, enjoying the heat that emanated from his palms as they came to rest at the sides of my face. I took a deep breath as his thumbs made circles against my temples.

"Better?" Jacob asked quietly, continuing his slow massage.

"Mm-hm," I affirmed with a sigh, expelling my breath slowly. The stabbing pain was already starting to dissipate.

The little movements he made with his thumbs along my temples slowed its tempo considerably, and a second later, stopped completely. His hands remained motionless against my face. I slowly opened my eyes in question and jerked backward slightly as I noticed how intently Jacob's eyes were focused on my lips. His face was only inches away from mine.

I know you can hear me, Bells. Don't be mad, but if I don't kiss you right now I'm going to die.

Before I had a chance to react, Jacob closed the space between us and his lips crashed fervently against mine. He held my face securely against his, moving his right hand from the side of my face to the back of my head.

Please don't push me away.

I whimpered as the sharp pain shot through my head again, lasting only a couple of seconds. Jacob took it as a sign that I wanted him to continue, and he kissed me again. His mouth burned over mine, a complete opposite sensation than I was used to, and my throat tightened as a sob threatened to escape. I was a frozen inactive participant in the kiss, unsure how to react. Drops of water fell from his hair and rolled down my face and down my neck, the cold sensation of it throwing me for a loop. My initial thought was to push away. Edward's lips were the only one's I wanted to ever feel. But Edward was gone... Forever... and before I completely realized it, I found my lips kissing back. They closed tentatively around Jacob's bottom lip as I tested if this was something I could actually want. It was... nice. It was warm and comfortable... but it wasn't Edward.

When Jake realized I was responding, he leaned forward against me eagerly and my head came to rest against the window. His hand found my hip and he squeezed at the nape of my neck before combing his fingers upward, knotting them through my hair. He kissed my lips repeatedly as mine hesitantly danced with his. It didn't take long for me to know the obvious truth of the situation: It felt wrong.

"Wait... Jake, I... I can't," I uttered, breaking away from his kiss. My lips still burned with the heat from his. I placed my palm against his rain-soaked bare chest to nudge him away, feeling his heart crash rapidly against my hand. Jake lifted his hand from my hip and placed it on top of mine, holding it against his chest.

"Yes you can, Bella. You kissed me back. I know you want this too," he justified, hovering himself back toward me.

I shook my head, keeping my arm extended between us as much as I could. It became impossible to control my trembling bottom lip. I sucked it into my mouth, biting down onto it as I averted my eyes from his. This was definitely wrong. Every cell in my being was screaming this at me. My soul belonged to Edward and no one else. Ever. It it was impossible for me to have him then I would die alone. There was no second best. There was no other option.

"I shouldn't have come here," I uttered quietly. "We shouldn't have -- I'm sorry."

"I'm not."

"Jake..." I pleaded, lifting my eyes back to him.

"He's gone, Bella," he said frankly, finally backing off and sitting straight in his seat. He looked away from me to the rain falling onto the windshield, his expression bitter. "No amount of tears you shed can change that. To be honest, I think you're better off without him."

I winced. "God, Jacob. Way to be a jerk!" I snapped, straightening up myself. My sorrow and confusion changed to anger, but that didn't stop my tears from flowing. With the back of my hand, I wiped the tears from face, frustrated at my lack of controlling my emotions.

Jacob sighed and softened his expression. "I'm sorry." I just wish you could see how good we would be together. He turned his gaze toward his side window.

I groaned again. The pain in my head kept coming back and was only getting worse. There were too many things to deal with and I wanted to escape them. Coming here had just added another one to my plate.

I would never leave her like that bloodsucker did. She could have a happy life with me.

Jacob either forgot that I could hear him or he didn't care if I did. My head started to pound so hard that I leaned it forward onto my hands against the steering wheel and groaned softly again. Jacob turned to me.

"Bells, are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah," I mumbled from underneath my hands, dismissing him. "I don't need another face massage thank you very much," I spat.

He sighed. "You don't look alright. Why don't you come inside and lay down?" On my bed.

I lifted my head and narrowed my eyes at him. "You'd love that, wouldn't you?"

"On the couch!" Jake sighed.

I contemplated that for half a second then decided against it. My head was pounding but I was sure if I went inside after what just happened that things would feel even more awkward. It was probably best if I just left. Some great idea it was coming here in the first place...

"No. I'm gonna just go," I replied, lifting my head up, cringing at the heaviness of it.

Jake suddenly threw open his door and got out into the rain. My brow furrowed with confusion at his rash behavior as he slammed it closed. He walked around the front of the truck to my side and opened the door.

"What the heck are you doing?" I yelled over the sound of deafening rain that flooded the inside of the truck. He looked like a statue as the heavy shower beaded down his body, drenching him all over again.

"Scoot over. I'm driving you home. You can barely keep your head up," he replied with persistence.

I was about to argue but he was already nudging me over to the passenger seat and I didn't have the patience or energy for it. I buckled in without saying a word and lifted my fingers to my lips. The feel of Jacob's lips still lingered on them. I passed my fingertips back and forth along them slowly, trying to wipe away the warmth.

Jake looked at me from the corner of his eye as he put the truck in drive and let out a little chuckle.

It wasn't that bad was it?

I frowned. "Just take me home."

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A/N #2: So... last time, I may have alluded to an interesting cliffhanger that occurs in this update... well... it occurs in the next update... lol. Don't hate me. (goes and hides in a corner)

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