Author's note: Chapter has now been edited. Thank you to my beta Fainting Fancies 08/23/09

Chapter 10 – Driving Forces

June 2009 – Present

Glorious. His face was the face of an angel. It loomed above her as pale as a ghost but solid and unmoving with the stillness of a statue. The marble god hovered over her.

Perfection. His skin was flawless and sparkled with the light of a thousand diamonds. Tiny gems as fine as petunia seeds coated his body. They are as numerous as the stars, Amy thought. The pinpricks of light that blinked on and off across his neck and chest were reminiscent of a forest full of fireflies. But never before had she seen anything this dazzlingly bright. He was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

Recognition. The man that loomed over her was Edward, her Edward, and his sweet voice had just spoken to her.

"Oh God, please wake up. My dear, sweet Amy …"

Golden, honeyed eyes as radiant as liquid sunshine gazed down at her, the expression in those shimmering orbs clouded with worry and fear.

Other sensations, however, tempted her thoughts away from him. Unbelievable strength and power moved through her body. It coursed down to the bone with an invisible will, forcing energy through her limbs. The surging vigor electrified every inch of her flesh and muscle. Unable to stop herself, she sat up, driven by need. The powerful energy boost that drove her craving body needed fuel. As inseparable as a shadow bound to the movement of the sun, the tsunami of thirst followed her actions.

"What's happening to me?" she croaked, not from physical pain, but from the ache of need. "How can you be here?" Grabbing her own neck, her face contorted wildly, her black, empty eyes pleading with the ghost of the man before her.

"Help me!" she whimpered.

"Amy," Edward said her name so softly and tenderly that it melted through her craving.

Gasping with desire, she started to reach out to him, but something stopped her. A hurt so dim, so faded it was hardly alive, but that flicker from a leftover memory stung her through the pain. He was dead. He had left her. Why was he here now? To leave her again? To cast her off and run away? I am in hell, she thought.

"You are … different now," he murmured. "I will help you, but you must understand."

"What? What do you mean? God, I'm so thirsty, I can't think … I …" Amy's eyes grew wide. The whiteness circled the black like a target. With a single flash of motion, she leapt off the bed, crouching into the form of what she had become. Like switchblades her arms spread out from her sides assisting her to balance. She pivoted in a circle, instinctively searching the room for … What? she thought. What am I looking for?

"Please. Listen. You need to feed. It is the only way to stop the thirst."

"Take me. Give me …" Amy cringed, not wanting to say it. The image of red, thick liquid played across her thoughts and blotted out all else.

"Blood," Edward finished.

Without hesitation, he held out his hand, and she lunged for it. Their fingers touched and slid together uniting in a desperate grip. Her need was for sustenance, the urge for food driving her forward. His need was entirely different, and when they made contact, his worried frown shifted slightly into a hopeful glimmer of happiness.

"Come with me. I must be your teacher … again."

xxxxxxx

November 2008

The beer in Jake's hand was ice cold, but not as chilly as the wind that twisted through the parking lot in sweeping gusts. Unlike the others in the party of fans, he enjoyed the refreshing breeze. Happily he welcomed the caress of maritime air that blew across his cheeks. As he puttered with the portable grill, he hummed to himself, concentrating on the sputtering gas flame that licked the bottom of the kettle. The large pot of liquid had just started to boil, the bubbling brew almost ready to consume the fresh crabs.

Unzipping his hoodie, Jacob let the breeze invade the space beneath it, easily dispelling the excess heat from his t-shirt-clad skin.

"Oh, yeah," he sighed with pleasure. "Much better."

The Seattle Seahawks game was still more than an hour and a half away, and the weather was changing. As the afternoon progressed, the wind had turned into a wet and bitter gale. Despite the thick, wool pea coat she wore over several layers of clothes, Amy had grown progressively colder. But sensing an opportunity to reverse the weather's effects, she crouched down next to Jacob and slid her hands under the material of his sweatshirt. Engulfed in waves of shivers, she reveled in the raw warmth of his body and the sensual feel of his muscular frame against her palms. Snuggling closer, she couldn't help blushing as her fingers innocently stroked the thin fabric of the cotton shirt.

But, she thought, had she appeared too bold? Realizing her mistake, she began to pull her arms away, but Jake reacted quickly. He set down his beer and grabbed her hands, wanting nothing more than to halt the departure.

"Where do you think you're going?" he asked softly. Flicking his dark eyes to the side, he smiled invitingly, his brilliant white teeth flashing with invitation. It was a rare occasion for Amy to be so forward, and Jake found it had aroused more than his interest.

"I think it's time to add the crabs," Amy quickly advised, trying to change the subject. "How can you be so hot? I'm freezing," she commented in astonishment.

"Oh, it probably just comes with working outside a lot," he explained evasively, letting his eyes travel back to the pot. "But, I think you're right. Let's throw in the goodies."

They both stood up, but Jacob continued to hold tight to Amy with one hand as he picked up the crabs with the other. One by one, he dropped them into the boiling froth.

"So, do I pass?" Jacob asked softly as he eyed the group of Amy's colleagues from the Seattle Times. The boisterous bunch had been observing the couple all afternoon between rounds of beer and servings of Bloody Marys.

"Of course. How could they not? You're the prince of tailgate." Grinning, Amy returned Jake's glowing smile, the sensual feeling of his touch launching a flood of desire that swept unchecked through her body. At the moment, she didn't care what her friends thought. The look in Jake's eyes had touched her more than she was willing to admit.

The past few weeks had caused a whirlwind of emotions to overtake Amy's normally reserved personality as thoughts of Jacob slowly replaced the horrors of past. The truth had become clear only recently as she searched her heart. The attraction to the dark-haired man beside her could not be denied, but was it only lust that drove her need? Or had her feelings grown beyond the physical? The argument consumed her waking moments like an alluring fantasy. She could think of nothing else.

Jacob already knew. He had admitted to himself weeks ago that he loved Amy, but had kept his decision securely locked inside as he attempted to protect his heart. It had already been broken once, and he did not relish the idea of another wound. He would wait until Amy was ready. Smiling to himself, he knew it was only a matter of time.

But the smile diminished as Jacob remembered. This would not be so easy. The last hurdle in their relationship had yet to be overcome. Their future depended on her acceptance of him, yet how could she accept that which she did not know or could never know? He was forever sworn to secrecy. But as he stirred the pot, an idea formed in his mind and the smile returned. Maybe, he thought, with a little luck, it might work.

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After a spectacular Seahawks win, the group had relaxed in a nearby sports bar to review each stunning replay, but as the evening wore on, Jake could tell that Amy was getting tired. Many of their friends had already gone, and the chairs at the long table were mostly empty.

"Are you ready to go?" Jacob asked, his arm draped comfortably around the back of Amy's chair. "I see your eyelids are droopy." His finger brushed a stray lock of hair from the side of her face as she blinked in a valiant effort to stay awake.

"Sure," Amy said with a sigh, her mouth forming a weak but tired smile. "Maybe if I get some fresh air? We can get a cup of coffee—"

"No, I'll take you home. We can walk. It's only a few blocks. Then I'll tuck you into your warm little bed with your teddy bear," he teased.

"You aren't tucking me in. I can tuck myself in, thank you."

"I was hoping I could raid your refrigerator," he quipped, half serious before he pulled her out of her chair. "Besides, you have to go to work tomorrow."

"You're right. But," Amy paused thoughtfully touching his arm. "I can take the bus. Why don't you go right home?"

"I will," he answered. "Later."

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Standing in front of the door, Jake took hold of Amy's arm and gave her a kiss gently on the lips. It was already quite late, and both of them were extremely tired, yet neither of them wanted to end the evening. As Amy struggled to unlock the door, Jacob stood back and watched. Her delicate fingers manipulated the keys skillfully as she jiggled the mechanism, reminding him of her skills on the piano, her talent obscured over time. After Edward's disappearance, she had lost the desire to play, the pleasures of creating music fading with his memory.

"Ah, there it goes." Amy sighed as the lock gave way. "Well," she said straightening. "Thank you again. I had a wonderful time."

"Amy," he said softly, taking a step forward. His hand slipped around her waist, and he couldn't help himself. The urge forced him to press his body into hers. Silently, he leaned in and kissed her again, his tongue moving insistently between her lips.

Although consumed by a similar feeling, her arms moved into the space between then. She laid her hands flat against his chest, gently warning of caution. Jacob refused to yield. His body pressed closer, and in response, Amy's hands moved around his torso and up his muscular back. Her feelings for him were battling anxiously with her logical mind.

"I don't want to go," Jake murmured in a soft but husky voice.

"I … don't want you to either, but …" Amy pleaded. "Please, understand."

"What?" he demanded, his body aching for her. "Understand what? Is it still Cullen?"

"Well, yes," she said at first, but then she shook her head. "But maybe …"

Closing her eyes, an unbidden tear formed and tumbled down her cheek. She had grown so attached to Jacob that she couldn't refuse him, nor could she refuse herself. At that moment, her mind was made up. Her attraction to him could no longer be denied.

"No 'maybes' Amy. I need you. I need you now," he whispered into her ear, his hot breath warming her neck like a torch.

Taking a deep breath, Amy looked up, and the two locked gazes. Somewhere in her heart, a golden fire had erupted. But was it too soon? They had been dating now for only a few months. But why should it matter? Time was a trickster. Hadn't she loved Jacob as a friend all her life? Was true love now just a small leap away? Or had she already crossed the stream?

"Jake," she replied. "I'm scared."

"No, baby, don't be afraid. Give me a chance. Please," he pleaded. Moving closer, he buried his mouth on hers, and in an explosion of need, he forced his tongue deep into her mouth. A low moan rumbled from his throat as he crushed her against the door.

Pushing him away, she gasped, fully overcome by his passion. And, she had to admit, she was overwhelmed by her need for him. Her fear was not of involvement, but of abandonment. If she gave her love to this man, would he leave her as easily as Edward had? Would Jacob walk out of her life, too?

Deciding he had waited long enough, Jacob pulled her to his chest. "Don't worry. I'll never leave you. Never. I promise."

"I know," she breathed softly, her heart racing.

Reaching past her, Jake opened the door. The two slipped inside, the door closing softly behind them.

xxxxxxx

June 2009 – Present

"Please," Amy looked up at Edward, her eyes wide with panic. "What's happening to me? Why are you here?"

"I am … as I've always been. I haven't changed. But you have. Amy," he said pulling her close. "You are no longer alive."

"What?" She shuddered in disbelief and then looked down at her hands and body. Her arms sparkled as vividly as Edward's. The morning sun that streamed through the window reflected off her skin, reminding her of a glitter toy she had made as a child. But the toy had transformed into a work of art.

"But I feel alive. I feel better than alive. I … I'm—" she sputtered.

"Let me show you."

With the speed of a comet, Edward lunged forward, pulling Amy along with him. Slipping out the window and into the forest, they charged ahead, traveling miles as they moved toward the mountains. In a burst of speed, their bodies dipped between the trees like dancers, rolling along as smoothly as a stream of mercury in a spindle of glass.

Sensing prey, Edward halted. Their bodies froze. He had led them halfway across the state to an animal track positioned fifteen miles from the nearest trailhead. They were now deep within the boundaries of Mount Rainier National Park.

The elk were grouped in loose bunches as they grazed, the nearest cluster standing several yards to the couple's flank. Snow still dotted the meadow, even at this lower elevation, causing the fog to obscure the tremendous vista of rock above them.

"Edward," Amy called to him in confusion. "What are we doing here?"

Motioning for her to be silent, he smiled and mouthed the word, watch.

Readying himself for the kill, he crouched, a look of anticipation on his dazzling features, but suddenly, he stopped. Two things happened at once. His keen senses detected a group of hikers that had split off the trail. They were headed directly toward them. In that same instant, Amy had turned her head. She had smelled blood – human blood.

"Edward?" she asked softly, her nostrils flaring. "What's happening? What am I?"

Gulping, he knew he had to answer. In a hiss he spoke the cursed word. "Vampire."

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