Convincing

"It's not serious Edward, do not worry" Carlisle put his hand on his son's shoulder.

"It's just a cut and a minor concussion. She should heal in a matter of days"

"Why does she keep doing this?!" Edward grasped hold of his hair in fury and frustration. "She's making it all the harder to leave-"

"Another issue I have to discuss" Carlisle's lips twitched into a small smile. "Sam Uley called. Apparently he had a visitor tonight."

Edward's head snapped up. Carlisle didn't need to speak.

I think Bella was successful in convincing the clan to let us stay.

"What? You mean, Jacob convinced Sam?" Edward ogled at reading his father's thoughts. His enemy, the one who sought so hard to win over Bella, had convinced an entire pack to allow him and his family to stay.

Alice bounded into the room with a full blown grin. "I've already unpacked everything" she chirped.

"You would know" Emmett folded his arms, chuckling. Jasper reached his arms around Alice, kissing her neck softly in joy.

"Another thing," Carlisle turned to Edward "Jacob requested to speak with Bella when she wakes. Apparently he feels a bit guilty about the accident. He wants to meet you at the border. He agrees that things will be civil."

Edward lowered his head. I've misjudged him. Feeling incredibly selfish with his past actions, Edward trudged upstairs- eager to change himself for his Bella's sake. I should have no reason to fear the dog…if Bella loves me, then I should trust her…he is after all her friend, and took care of her when I was gone…I am forever in debt to him…

Bella awoke to a hard pulsating within her head. It was like a pendulum swinging back and forth, always hitting her temples with each throe. Her joints felt stiffer than usual. Bella shivered when ice cubes contacted with the bare skin of her arms.

"Sorry"

Bella opened her eyes to Edward's painstaking expression. Bella couldn't understand why he was wincing.

"Please, stay" she pleaded when Edward made a motion. He managed a small smile as he laid down beside her, careful not to touch her skin. Bella immediately snuggled as close to him as possible, wrapping her thin arms around his torso.

"Oh Bella" Edward sighed into her hair, wrapping an arm around her "What am I going to do with you?"

Bella sighed contently. "Thank you…"

"For what?"

"For saving me…"

"How did you know it was me?"

"I kind of guessed" she smirked, but the light in her eyes instantly fell away when she peered into his topaz orbs.

"It hardly seems fair, how indestructible you are…and how fragile I am. You are always so careful around me, you're always the one to save me" she buried herself into his chest, frowning "I hate it."

"Well," Edward grinned "I don't mind…I actually prefer it this way."

Suddenly, whilst locked in his gaze, the tears began to run down Bella's pale face.

"I tried Edward, I tried to change their minds …please don't be mad at me…I just…don't know what I'm going to do when you're gone…I wanted to meet you in Denali…"

Edward cleared his throat, and Bella lifted her head to see his crooked smile. Bella didn't know how to react to his expression How could he smile at a time like this? When he's about to leave me?!

"It seems you were successful in convincing the pack to let us stay" Edward grinned, showing his perfect white teeth. "I guess I can forgive you for almost killing yourself."

"Y-you're kidding?" Bella sat up quickly in awe. Edward chuckled and wrapped his arm about her, forcing her back down onto the bed.

"Yes" Edward bent down, millimeters from her lips "We're not leaving"

"You're not leaving" Bella sighed out, closing the gap between the two of them. Bella couldn't help but smile into the kiss as Edward's lips conquered her own. His tongue slowly traced the hidden spots of her mouth while her hands ran down the chiseled contours of his chest and abs. Suddenly Edward's hands held Bella's in gentle steal grips. He slowly drew his lips away from hers. Bella could tell he was restraining himself. Bella wouldn't allow his chivalry to ruin the moment. She let her head fall onto his chest as he lay back on the bed, his hands behind his head.

"However, you do have to talk to the do-…Jacob" Edward corrected, wincing at the name.

Bella's eyes flashed at the sound of Jacob's name. "You seem to be…warming up?"

"I guess I have to." He drew her in closer "Besides, I am in debt to him" he nuzzled his face into her neck.

"Mhm" she sighed, falling into his cold hard body.

"Why are you still crying?!" Edward gawked.

"I'm happy…that you don't have to leave" Bella sniffled, wiping the tears from her red-ringed eyes.

Edward chuckled and drew her in closer "Sometimes you baffle me Bella Swan"

"I'm glad" she smiled, snuggling closer into the crook of his arm.

The car ride to Jacob's was deadly silent. Bella was content to stare out the window at the passing greenery, with the bright yellow sun filtering through the gaps in the canopy. Bella felt agitated, even amidst the peaceful scenery. Perturbed, she turned to her Edward who seemed to be concentrating too hard on his driving…especially for a vampire. She recognized the look on his face.

"Edward, what's wrong?" she touched his forearm.

"Nothing" he smiled reassuringly over at her.

"I know when you're hiding something from me Edward"

Edward chuckled "You can read me, can't you?" he sighed out as he looked into her expectant eyes. He winced again.

"Edward?" Bella's voice rose in concern at seeing the pain in his eyes. Edward turned his head back to the windshield, as if avoiding her outcry.

"Carlisle has a theory for all those flashes of bright light you've been having."

"Oh?"

Edward nodded silently. "He thinks it has something with being an electa una and your mediation between us and…those dogs…"

"Edward" she scowled.

Edward held up his hands in defense "I'm sorry, it slipped." He looked over meaningfully "I'm really trying Bella"

"I know you are" She rubbed his shoulder. A peculiar sensation overcame her and she had to close her eyes.

"What's wrong?" Edward's voice came clear into her void.

"Mm, nothing" the guilt she felt was overwhelming. How can I feel his emotions? Am I turning into Jasper?

The thought struck her. The electa's whole purpose was to mediate and convey emotions, sentiments, and thoughts when they were unable to stand one another…but I wasn't able to feel them before…why now?

Bella was too deep in thought she hadn't even noticed that they had arrived and Edward was staring at her intently.

"You don't have to do this you know."

Edward had taken her silence as a warning, but Bella shook out of her dreamlike state.

"No, I need to do this. I owe him, Edward. And….Jacob was my best friend."

"He still is" Edward knowingly smiled, as if reading Jacob's thoughts "don't worry"

Bella let out a breath before stepping out of the silver vehicle, heading towards the tall teenaged boy leaning against the midget rabbit convertible. It was a comical sight.

Edward stayed by the car, wary not to pass over the line between Forks and La Push. Jacob eyed Bella over, not minding Edward's presence.

Jacob shivered when Bella stopped only a few feet from him- holding him in her fiery glare. He shoved his hands into his pockets like a guilty child, and bent his head from her gaze.

"Jacob Black- why didn't you answer me?!" Bella's chest rose rapidly. "Why?!"

"I'm, truly sorry Bella" Jacob ruffled the back of his hair. He heavily sighed "I didn't mean to hurt you. And, I realized soon after you left and got into that accident, that I didn't want to be the one to hurt you."

Bella stood stunned by his words. Her unrelenting gaze lifted, her cheeks blossoming into a blush. She could see Edward in her peripheral vision, shifting uncomfortably by the car.

Bella moved cautiously foreword and took Jacob's hand, causing his head to snap up from the ground.

"Thank you, Jacob." There were tears in Bella's eyes now. "I know…it must have been hard. I just…don't understand why Sam wouldn't allow the Cullens to stay after they saved me, and rescued you"

"They didn't rescue me" he scoffed, folding his arms. Apparently Jacob didn't like the idea that he needed rescuing. He wanted to be invincible in her eyes.

"Mhm. Right." Bella smirked. Oh Jacob.

"Look, I contacted Sam and made him reconsider to let those…bloodsuckers…stay. That is, unless they break the treaty again" he warned, eyes darkening.

"Jacob" Bella drew closer till she was inches from him. The heat from his body radiated off him in shocking waves. "It's inevitable, what is to happen, you know that."

Jacob sneered "Just don't remind me" he broke his hand away from hers violently, nostrils flaring as he began to fume. Bella jolted as wave after wave washed through her being. She tried to steady her being as they crashed down upon her – hate, fury, and a strong longing for something she couldn't tangibly capture, because she was prohibited by what was looming in the scenery.

Two firm hot hands held her body still. She flickered her eyes open in response.

Jacob's eyes were boring down on hers in concern. "Are you alright?"

"I…I don't know." Her voice held no certainty, and no emotions of her own- except for confusion.

"What is happening to you Bella?" Jacob stared into her face hard. Bella could see the light start to build in the distance behind him.

"I think I'm sick, Jacob." She gulped, her eyes widening as she tried to ignore the brightness taking over Jacob's form. Suddenly it was upon her all too quickly- and Jacob's hands were but a haze of light. Within second she was sucked into the brilliance, the light of his hands sinking into her skin. Her throat closed as heat overtook. She could see Jacob's eyes in her mind – and a fresh wave of emotions hit her – sadness, grief, hate, pain, worry-

She didn't understand it, was this was Jacob was feeling?

But then something different came with the sensations…

What is happening to her? Genuine anxiety pooled into the words. Why does she have to love him- that bloodsucker- he almost destroyed her when he left. Why can't she see that I will always be there for her?

Bella gasped and broke away from Jacob's clutch. Jacob stared on in bewilderment as Bella stumbled back with wild eyes into Edward's car.

"Bella" a musical tone of an angel caught her ears, and Edward's god-like form came into her line of vision.

"E-Edward?" she muttered as he came into her view. Her entire world – the trees- the car- was almost hazed completely in sparkling light that radiated from Jacob. Edward's figure dimmed compared to the surroundings, but when he reached out and touched her shoulder, it was like she had run into a brick wall.

Air rushed quickly into her lungs as a new thrill raced through her. Her veins pulsated and numbed her limbs. All the love she had ever felt for Edward was coming to a surface and radiated between them…combined with confusion and unbelievable restraint. Bella stared in wonder into Edward's concerned face. His form was crisper than before, everything was crystal clear- unbelievably wonderful and bright.

"Ah" Bella clutched onto her abdomen, doubling over as pain replaced her euphoric setting. The rays of light bouncing off of Jacob and Edward were filling her vision.

"Bella!" she could hear both cry out as she collapsed into something hard. Sharp pain began to spread through her body- it grew harder to intake air as the light was crushing in on her.

"Bella" Edward's voice echoed into the depths of her mind. She couldn't find her way out of the suffocating brightness, which was followed by an unbelievable aching pain. Soon the smooth feeling of Edward's Volvo flew from underneath of her.