(Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.)

Nessie

"Look Nessie! I found something for you!" Jacob said, jumping around the field of grass and flowers. He was in wolf form and seemed overly excited to show me something. I skipped to where he was bouncing about like a foolish puppy - when suddenly he was one. Or rather, a little fluffy wolf cub. I bent to pick him up, the russet creature licking my face ecstatically.

"Jake! Stop!" I laughed and he paused, his soft little ears perking up. "What?"

"Incoming!" I heard his voice shout in my head and looked around frantically for the source of his alarm. There was the loud sound of an explosion followed by rapid weapons fire. I looked down at the Jacob wolf cub and he had a dome shaped helmet over his head. "Let's go!"

I opened my eyes with a start. The sounds of creative chaos were coming from the large television in the pack's house where they were playing video games. I stretched and looked up at the one who I was resting against. Jacob had one of the wireless controllers and I could tell he was trying hard to remain still as he played so he wouldn't disturb me. Embry and Seth were jumping up, their arms moving around as if it would make a difference. All three were growling and cursing as they tried to keep each other organized. I smiled and sat up. Jake glanced at me quickly and then leapt up to the edge of the couch, holding his arms out as his guy ran across the screen. I laughed and rested my hand on him, scratching his back through the cotton shirt he'd thrown on. He flexed his back against it and I kept doing it, knowing it felt nice to him.

"I wonder if my dad is sending anyone over," I mused and Jacob turned to look at me, gesturing to the armchair on the other side of the couch. I looked over and Emmett waved as he handled a controller with quiet ease.

"Hey, you," he said to me.

"Hey. How is everything back home?" I had to ask. It was not a pleasant task they were undertaking.

"It's being taken care of. Don't even think about it," he said as his fingers flicked deftly over the buttons in his hand. His eyes were staring, unblinking at the screen.

"Well, it's my house, too. I'll go over tomorrow," I said as if challenging him to prevent me from it.

He nodded. "By tomorrow it should be cleared up."

I sighed and yawned, more tired than I wanted to be. Keeping his eyes on the screen, Jacob asked in a hushed tone, "Why don't you go upstairs? Leah put fresh sheets on my bed for you before she turned in." He glanced at me for a second and smiled. "I'll be up soon."

I glanced at my uncle, but he pretended not to hear us. Instead he shouted with my friends when they'd secured a particularly tough area. "And the vampire dominates the playing field!", he shouted with a triumphant grin. Pillows, television remotes and other such things were then chucked at Emmett, who dodged them all and laughed. I found myself smiling, glad both sides of my life were finally finding common ground. I stood up and ruffled Jacob's silky black hair.

"Night, guys," I said to everyone and headed out of the room. I heard them all call back to me as I made my way up the stairs to the second level. Walking down the hall, I thought of how much the house reminded me of my first house growing up. It was rustic and was more of a glorified cabin than anything else. It was warm and comforting. Esme was really good at reading people and knowing what they'd prefer. I walked past the closed door to Leah's room and wandered down to the end of the hall to Jacob's room. I'd been in there countless times before, but now it would be different. Well, now everything would be different when it came to the two of us.

When I was little, Quil explained to Claire and I what dream catchers were. I was only four and she was six at the time, but it was as if I were almost twice her age. He showed us how to make them and I followed his instruction, creating one of my own. I added beads, feathers, and long leather ties. I was so proud of it and presented it to Jacob. I told him it was to keep his bad dreams away. He must have been impressed because it remained over the head of his bed all these years. So did some of the drawings I'd scrawl. My mother framed one I'd done of Jacob and I and it was sitting on his dresser.

I sat on the edge of his bed, looking at the clothes he'd thought to grab for me. I pulled out some pajamas and was quick to change into them, rolling up my dirty clothes. I found his hamper and dumped them in, believing it to be the right thing to do. Esme took care of those kinds of things at my house. Not always being certain of the correct way to do things tended to be a problem sometimes. My vampire family did things differently than humans did. Bella remembered being human more than the others and tried to raise me as human as she could. Jacob and the pack filled in the gaps for me when I was at a loss.

There were some skills that I had yet to pick up. For example, I had no idea how to really cook. When I wanted something apart from my liquid diet, I usually called for take out, or used the microwave to heat frozen food. Bella liked to make me dinner, and I'd watch her and my father try to create things they'd see in books or on food network. When they'd make too much, I'd bring the leftovers to the pack and it'd be gone in no time.

I smiled at the thought as I crawled over Jacob's bed to settle near the wall. I knew that half the time he liked to sleep outdoors in wolf form, but the duvet and blankets smelled like his wild, woodsy scent. I gripped the pillow and curled up, looking out into the room. The lamp by his bed was casting a soft glow over everything, creating friendly shadows along the walls. I noticed a book on the bedside table. Sitting up, I reached for it, dragging it to the bed. I flipped it open and saw it was a mechanics manual of motorcycles and engine parts. I settled the book on the covers and leaned on one elbow, flipping through it idly. Jacob was good with trucks and engines. I knew that, but I just assumed with great ignorance that it was simply a thing a guy would know. How could I have missed this part of who he was. Obviously it was something that really interested him. Was I really so self absorbed in my own life that I'd allowed his to disappear? I closed the book and dragged it to me, pulling it under the pillow.

I could hear him downstairs, telling the guys he was leaving them for the night. I laughed when Emmett warned him to be good and he assured Emmett that he'd be virtuous. Of course he said this in his snarky, snappy way. Oh, Jacob. Just get your tail up here. I quickly snapped off the light and hugged the blankets to me, pretending to sleep.

I could hear his quiet footsteps down the hall and heard the door open as the air stirred very subtly. I cracked my eye open a mere fraction to see him move around, trying so hard to be silent. He reached back to grip his shirt, pulling it over his head, his hair sticking up all over as he tossed the wadded up cloth into the hamper. He turned and I could see from his silhouette that he was watching me. I tried to keep my breathing even so he wouldn't suspect I was awake. When he went to undo his pants, I snickered and flung the extra pillow at him.

"You little sneak," he growled and jumped on the bed, fighting to tickle me. "I was about to wolf out and take the floor. I thought you were asleep!" I was much stronger than he was but let him pretend that he could get me before flipping him onto his back, pinning his arms over his head. I grinned down at him, my long hair a curtain around my face.

"Half vampire. It's my nature to be sneaky," I said, justifying my impeccable ability at being stealthy. I stared at him in the dark for a few seconds before releasing his wrists. I could see him as shadows and could feel his very warm body under me. I bent my head over his and kissed him. These kisses were quickly becoming a new experience I couldn't get enough of. I heard him growl, and he broke off the kiss when he found his strength, sliding out from under me. He pulled me under him, his fingers stroking the hair away from my face. I felt his warm breath before he kissed me back. My hands slid up to his shoulders and neck as I responded to him, a warm tingling coursing through my body.

It was an addiction. My Jacob addiction. "Jake?" I said once my lips were able to form words.

"Hmmm?", he murmured as he nuzzled my neck, nipping the soft skin. I laughed.

"We should probably stop. We promised we'd be good and it gets harder every second." He bit my shoulder and I hissed, clutching at his hair, finding my will to stop dying fast.

"You're not kidding," he groaned and flipped to his back. I lay next to him and rolled over on my side. He reached out to gather me closer, and I slid over to rest against him, my head against his shoulder. He was quiet for a while and I was content to just be with him again. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Always," I responded, shifting so I could look down at his shadowed face. "I want us as equals, Jacob. It's how this will work the best, I think. You can ask me anything." I stroked his head and then settled myself back down against the warmth of him, waiting for him to continue.

"If I ask you to wait - if we wait for possibly even years - will that upset you?" His question was something I didn't expect. I had told him it was up to him but I was amazed that he would be able to wait. He was always so eager and impatient for most other things. This was a pretty big thing.

"No," I said. I didn't want him to know that I was screaming inside, wondering how I would be able to wait for that when he was around me practically all the time. It might possibly prove to be torture. "I already said you can choose. I won't go back on it."

"But you're disappointed."

"Jacob. Most people are still in elementary school at my age. I understand and I can wait. I'll survive." I wrapped my free arm around him, resting it on his chest. I was curious to know why he wanted to wait, but I wouldn't ask. I had my own misgivings about rushing into things, myself. I had wanted to talk my fears over with Jacob and it seemed like the best time. "Waiting for a few years might be best. We don't want to give the Volturi any reason to do anything more any time soon, if they were the ones who sent those vampires against you." I had been concerned about them since my visit with Aro. Now, the thought of danger returning to hurt Jacob and the pack was more than I was willing to deal with right away.

"Don't let them scare you, Ness."

"We'll always be dealing with them. They're interested in us. They were interested in me when I was just born. It's one of those unsavory things that just comes with being what I am," I said, sitting up. "I'm really sorry to bring that down on the pack. They never asked for any of this."

He shifted himself and sat up, reaching to snap on the light. I could see him clearly now. He leaned against the headboard and watched me, those deep set eyes staring into mine.

"They're free to go. I don't force their will." He paused for a moment before continuing. "The same goes for you. There's no way on earth I'll ever stop loving you, being here for you. But if you're afraid of a relationship with me, you can always bail out," he said softly, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Bail out of what? Of us?" I knew I sounded a little offended, but I was. "I chose you, Jacob. Doesn't that count for anything? I chose you. I want you. You're the one who knows me best. You know everything about me and you aren't afraid or judgemental. You think I'm cute but you don't fawn all over that. You treat me as an equal and no other guy ever can. Well, an equal smothered in unconditional love." I paused in my little rant, gathering the remainder of what I had to say. He was patient, but now he was starting to smile.

'If some ancient vampire coven insists on getting involved with my happiness with the one I choose, well then I'll fight them!" I tried to sound braver than I felt. "You are the best thing in my life and I'm not giving you up. When a vampire chooses her mate, it's forever." I was quick to finish and when I was done, I sat patiently. I was aware that I probably looked like a prim little princess in pajamas, stating her mind. Jacob was just looking at me, smiling. "What?"

"I wish I had that on digital. Can you redo that so I can play it over and over when my esteem takes a hit?" He reached out to take my smaller hands in his. "You are incredible." He said to me. I bit my lower lip, the nails I would normally pick at unavailable, and broke eye contact. "How did I ever get so lucky? The most amazing girl in existence just had a rant about me. You'd even fight the vampire mafia for us." He was obviously very amused by my little declaration.

"Fighting? We both know I'm no fighter. They'll just take one look at me and run."

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah. My fierce werewolf protector is a very scary monster and he never leaves my side." I smirked and dared a glance up at him. He looked so irresistible and I couldn't help but crawl to him and kiss those lips I craved. He was very responsive, as always

"Oh!," I broke away and sat back. "I wanted to ask you something." He raised a brow and settled back down. I slid my hand under the pillow and pulled out his book about motorcycles. I held it up my hands face out, and looked at him. "What's this all about?" He reached out and took the book, flipping through it absently.

"It's just a book. Something I used to mess around with."

"So, why don't you mess with it now?", I asked. If he had this on his bedside table, he was obviously interested in it.

"I dunno. I just have someone more interesting to pay attention to now. Nessie, why are you asking?" He seemed agitated that his interests would be of importance to me.

"Because I just want to know what makes you happy. I want to know what makes Jacob tick…besides me," I was quick to add the last bit. I could see him ready to respond with something referring to me. Trying to break through the imprint to get to who he was would be an adventure I was very willing to take on. "I want to know who you were before meeting me. Obviously, you are a motorcycle guy." I smirked.

"Well, I do know how to fix bikes and make them faster," he said and I could detect a flash of excitement awakening in him.

"Yeah?"

"I just never thought this would interest you. Engines and stuff." He tossed the book on the bed and I picked it back up, hugging it to my chest. I could see that he was opening up and pushed further.

"We should get some bikes. You could teach me how to ride!" I tried to keep my voice low and hushed, my excitement threatening to wake up Leah. I didn't need a snarling she wolf angry with me. Jacob seemed wary about the idea, like he was having an inward struggle.

"Are you afraid I'll get hurt? Jacob, I won't. Even if something happened, which it won't, I'm really strong and heal really fast," I said, resting my hands on his shoulders. "It'll be okay."

He seemed to melt under my insistance. "Okay," he said. "But, you have to ask Bella for the bikes."

I bit my lip, knowing how protective my mother could get. I would make sure I asked both my parents. They could discuss it together. Sometimes that worked in my favor, unless they were both wildly opposed.

"Alright. I'll ask her."

Jake smiled in a secretive way and I wondered if there was some reason I had to ask my mother specifically. They had a history of friendship and I still didn't know everything, which was probably for the best. He took the book and put it back on the table before reaching down to pick up the pillow I'd thrown at him. Stuffing it back in it's place, he snapped off the light and lay back. I settled against him, and he wrapped his arm around me, lazily running his fingertips along my back.

"Want to get under the covers?", his voice broke the silence.

"You're warm enough," I answered, content to use his high body heat to keep me comfortable. I let my eyes close and only then was I reminded of how much my own body needed sleep. Then Jacob moved a little and I waited for him to settle. I felt a whisper soft layer of cashmere fall on me as he gently covered us with the blanket than had been at the foot of his bed. Curled up against my werewolf, it was the first real sense of calm in days.

I surrendered to my dreamland.

Where my little Jacob cub was waiting for me.