A/N: Don't worry. Jake will be fine. There will not be a love triangle. Calm down. I love all of you oh so much.

I am also trying to set the Guinness Book of World Records for the fic with the most betas. They all serve a very important purpose, and I don't want to gyp any of them from having the title. If you're interested in being one – I can send you an application (that was a joke). Thanks to Daisy, Profmom, LTR, Twikers, and now LMC who has come on as research support. Ha ha .

MORE LIFE OR DEATH INFO AT THE END!

Controlled Burn

Chapter 11 Sparks

"Time to go," Jasper called from the living room.

"Shall we?" Jacob said, and held his arm out for me to take. I put my hand through it, and we walked toward the door. Edward stood up from his chair at the kitchen table and followed behind us after putting the frozen broccoli back in the freezer.

The front seat of the car had a huge flower arrangement in it. "Sorry guys, I'll have to chauffeur you tonight," Jasper said. "We had to stop and pick these up for Alice on the way here."

Jacob held the back door of Jasper's car open for me, and Edward went around to the other side. I climbed in and scooted to the middle. The Cullen boys sat on either side of me. Jasper started driving, and it was the longest 12 minute car ride of my life.

Edward seemed tense beside me, and all I wanted to do was to turn my head and sniff him. Jacob acted jittery, shaking one of his legs and drumming his fingers on his thigh. I finally sneaked a glance over at Edward and found him glaring at my bare knee. That's when I felt Jacob's hand resting there. I rolled my eyes, picked up his hand, and placed it back on his own knee. I looked over at him, and he had a cocky smile on his face. Oh god.

We finally arrived at the mansion where the event was being held. The two boys climbed out, and I almost followed Edward on his side. Unfortunately, Jacob was already bending down, holding his hand to help me out. I took it, and when I stepped out of the car, instead of extending his arm to me again, he just kept a hold of my hand. I didn't want his parents to think I was some sort of perverted freak, so I quickly grabbed my hand back and held my clutch with both hands in front of me. Jacob put his hand on my back and led me inside. He was starting to annoy me.

We got inside, and I excused myself to go find Alice. She was the perfect hostess, greeting more people than I could have ever remembered by name, welcoming them, and making small talk. She had a huge smile plastered on her face, and I was a bit in awe of her skills. I went up to her and congratulated her on the wonderful turnout. She introduced me to a few of her friends and then excused herself to go check on the silent auction pieces.

I scanned the crowd, not looking for anyone in particular. I found that certain no-one-in-particular standing alone against a pillar with a drink in his hand. He looked at me and smiled. I smiled back, and it was like I could feel goodness and warmth and loveliness flowing through my veins. I was about to walk toward him when Edward's smile turned to a frown. He huffed and slumped his shoulders ending our moment.

"There you are," I heard a voice behind me say. I almost gagged when I thought I felt him blow on my neck. Jacob had found me. My sweet, innocent, young buddy was acting all sorts of weird, and it was making me uncomfortable.

"Dance with me?" he asked.

"I guess, but I'd rather wait until the Electric Slide later," I smiled at him. He just winked at me and started walking toward the dance floor. Eww, I did not like young boys winking at me.

The song was a slow one. I put my hands on Jacob's shoulders, and he instantly pulled my body flush against him and started rubbing his hands up and down my back like he wanted to feel me up.

"Jacob, give some room to breathe," I said grabbing his arms from around my waist and pushing him back until there was some space between us.

"Sure," he winked at me again. We danced the rest of the song with Jacob staring at me intensely while I looked everywhere but at him. I was uncomfortable to say the least. I finally found Edward dancing with his mom and made the sight of them together my happy place. As soon as the song ended, I told Jacob I had to pee and headed for the bathroom.

When I came back out, I tried to be covert, but Jacob saw me, and started walking towards me. I pretended not to see him and turned a different direction. Of course, I literally ran straight into Edward.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" I said and glanced back over my shoulder to see if Jacob had caught up with me yet. Edward followed my eyes to see what I was looking at and frowned when he saw Jacob. "Save me?" I pleaded with a whisper. Edward looked down at me and smiled. His smile was my new happy place. Edward grabbed my hand and pulled me to the dance floor. He kept me at a respectable distance, and we kept eye contact.

"Thank you," I breathed after I saw Jacob sulk off.

"Looks like someone has a little crush," Edward smiled at me.

"Oh no, I swear I don't! He's much too young for me. I mean not that I wouldn't date someone younger. Younger is okay, just well, he's too young. He's barely past puberty." I couldn't believe I had been giving them that impression. Edward must think I was some sort of sick freak.

"I mean that Jacob has a crush on you," Edward laughed.

"Oh! Oh, of course that's what you meant. I don't know what I did to bring this on. We get along so well. He's like the little brother I never had."

"Bella, I don't think you have to do anything but breathe to attract everyone you meet."

"Whatever, you're just being silly." I pursed my lips at him and tried to play it cool, but on the inside my heart started racing.

"I'm serious. You're gorgeous and funny, and everyone loves you."

I wondered if he included himself in everyone. I just smiled at him and kept dancing. I loved going to formal events.

The song ended, but he didn't let go when the next one started. Jacob came up and tapped Edward on the shoulder. "May I cut in? You're hogging my date."

"Get lost," Edward said and pulled me closer wrapping his arms around my waist and making our bodies touch. It was similar to what Jacob had done, but this time I couldn't find it in me to care. Jacob stomped off, and I rested my head against Edward's chest letting him lead us. This was my new happy place.

That song ended, and the music picked up tempo. Edward slowly undid his arms, and I reluctantly pulled away. Before I knew what was happening, Jasper grabbed my hand, and spun me around to dance with him. I laughed as we did some sort of hip-hop swing tango. "You're wild!" I said through my giggles.

"You seem to be the one having a wild night," Jasper said back trying to make his voice loud enough for me to hear over the music. I laughed again as he dipped me, and I caught a glance of Edward over to the side of the dance floor smiling at us. I smiled back and then let out a shriek as Jasper spun me again.

When the song finally finished, I was out of breath and thirsty. I made my way over the refreshments, got a drink, and scanned the room for my happy place. I caught a glimpse of Edward walking out the door to the patio. I felt compelled to follow him. I didn't know what I would say when I got to him, but being near him was the only thing I could seem to focus on. I got outside and didn't see him anywhere. It was a beautiful night. The temperature was perfect and we were close enough to the water that you could hear it in the distance. I took a seat on the stone ledge surrounding the patio, listened to the sounds, and thought about Edward.

"Bella, there you are. I wanted to talk to you," Jacob interrupted me and was making his way toward me from the door.

"Oh, hi Jake. I was just getting some air."

Jacob sat down next to me, picked up my free hand, and held it in his. He started rubbing circles on it with his thumb. I tried to pull it back, but he held on tighter.

He looked up at me, took a deep breath, and said, "Bella, I've loved you since the first time I saw you at Alice's wedding. I was too young for you then, obviously, but I'm a man now. I know I don't have a full-time job or a car or even a driver's license, but I can get all that eventually. The important thing is that we love each other."

My mouth must have been touching my lap, it was hanging so far open. Why was this happening? Had I led him on? Was I really some sort of sick freak who flirts with young boys?

"Jake, I don't know what gave you the impression I might be interested, but you really are too young for me. I – I think you're adorable, but more like little brother adorable."

His face fell, and he let go of my hand. "But, it's not that much of a difference. In 40 years you'll be 71, and I'll be 59. I love you. I know it can be enough. Besides, you told me to go for it."

The look on his face broke my heart. I didn't feel bad enough to risk getting arrested though. "I'm sorry, Jake, I had no idea you were talking about me. I thought it was a girl at school or at your dog-sitting job. It would never work. I'll always be your sister though."

"Okay," he nodded. I reached out to squeeze his arm, but he jerked it away, stood up, and ran off down the steps and out into the gardens.

I felt awful. Who knew Bella Swan could be such a heartbreaker? I sat there for a long time staring at my glass in my hands. I was such an idiot. I did have a crush on a younger man, but the wrong younger man had a crush on me. It figured.

I felt him sit down next to me before I saw him. I looked up to find Edward with a soft smile on his face looking back at me.

"I've been looking for you," he said.

"Well, you found me." I smiled back, completely forgetting about Jacob. My happy place had arrived. I turned to the side and set my glass down beside me. When I turned back toward Edward, he was sitting even closer to me and leaning in.

"Bella, I wanted to talk to you."

Oh. My. Gosh.

"Uh huh?" My mind was going a million miles a minute. I couldn't think. I couldn't see. What was happening?

"Bella, I… I…," Edward sighed in frustration like he couldn't get the words out and looked down at his hands.

He took a deep breath and looked back up. "I…" but instead of talking he leaned forward with his eyes trained on my lips.

I leaned forward. Yes! He was about to kiss me!

I leaned back. No! He was Alice's kid brother!

I leaned forward again. I'd been fantasizing about those lips for two weeks.

I leaned back again. He was young. So very young.

I probably looked more like Rain Man than an alluring woman with all the rocking back and forth. Edward took control and put his hand behind my head, threading it through my hair and pulling me toward him. He placed his lips softly on mine and held them there. I felt the kiss from my lips down to my toes. It was soft and sweet and gentle and flawless. It was over too soon.

We were interrupted by an angry yell. The next thing I knew we broke apart, and I opened my eyes to see Jacob tackling Edward backwards. Edward nearly fell off the ledge, and I grabbed onto both of them trying to keep him and Jacob from falling over into the grass several feet below. Jacob shoved my arm off of him throwing me off of balance, and before I knew what was happening, I found myself laying on my back in the garden looking up at their horrified faces still on the patio above me.

Ouch.

Edward jumped down over the ledge, while Jacob ran down the steps. "Bella? Bella, can you hear me?" Edward grabbed my hand and kneeled over me.

"Sweetheart, are you okay?" Jacob said taking my other hand.

"Sweetheart? Jacob, you're delusional," Edward snapped at him angrily.

"Well at least I didn't try and suck her face off, you pervert," Jacob growled.

"Excuse me? I just fell off a ledge! Would one of you please help me up?" I interrupted. Luckily nothing felt broken.

"What is going on? Mr. Carey just came and told me there was a fight out here." The three of us looked up simultaneously at Alice who was standing up on the patio, looking at us with a furious expression on her face.

"Oh no, nothing like that. You know how clumsy I am. I just lost my balance and fell. This is so embarrassing." I started to get up, and Edward and Jacob both jumped to their feet and grabbed my elbows to help me. "Will you two stop!" I snarled too quiet for Alice to hear me.

Alice rushed down the steps to my side. "Are you okay? Oh your dress is all wrinkled, and your hair!"

"She looks fine, Alice," Edward said and reached up to smooth my hair down. I think I must have hit my head, because I just looked up at him, smiled, and let out a loud sigh.

"Come on, Bella. Let's go inside." Alice tugged on my arm, and I went with her back to the party. "I'm so sorry I haven't gotten to pay more attention to you tonight. Were you having fun before you fell?" Alice asked once we were back inside.

"Yes. I've been having a nice time," I answered her, but in my mind I was busy playing that kiss over and over.

"Good. The program is about to start, so you can just stick with me now. I've noticed Jake being a little clingy. Sorry about that. I think he has a bit of a crush on you."

"Yeah," I said. All I could think about was Edward leaning, Edward touching, and Edward's lips touching mine.

"Bella, are you okay? You seem out of it."

"Uh huh." Edward's smell, Edward's hands, Edward's lips.

"Come on, let's go sit down." Alice looked at me with concern and led me to the front row of chairs where they would be holding the auction. The room started filling with people. Jacob took the seat on the other side of me and put his arm around the back of my chair. He could not take a hint. I didn't see Edward sit down behind me, but I swear I felt him. I glanced over my shoulder, and there he was. Our eyes met, and the faintest hint of a smile crossed his lips. I looked away quickly, and sat in my seat grinning like an idiot.

I didn't get anywhere near my happy place the rest of the night. After the program and auction, Alice had me helping her pass out gift bags and making sure people left with their purchases. I found him with my eyes every chance I got, but when I did he was sitting by himself and appeared deep in thought. When the gala was over and it was finally time to leave, Esme and Carlisle both hugged Alice and congratulated her on a successful event.

"Bella, I don't know if we'll see you again before you leave. You need to come back soon. You're practically a Cullen now." Esme pulled me in close for a hug.

"Sooner or later, mom," Jacob said and grabbed me as soon as she let go and before I could stop him. He hugged me tight against his chest and whispered in my ear, "I'll wait for you."

"Stop." I gave him a stern look and heard Edward snarl something angrily behind me.

"Sure, sure." Jacob winked at me. I don't know where this cocky little jerk came from, but I wanted the old Jacob back who was cute and played with me.

"It's been a pleasure having you here," Carlisle said and held out his arms to hug me. "You're welcome to visit us any time."

"Thank you." I hugged him and felt sad that it was the beginning of the goodbyes. They left, followed by Rosalie and Emmett.

"Do you want Edward and Bella to take my car, and I'll ride with you?" Jasper asked Alice. Yes! I wanted to ride with Edward! I wanted to be trapped in a confined space with him! I wanted to talk about that kiss. I wanted to figure out what was going on. I wanted to be near him.

Jasper looked at Alice. Alice looked at Edward. Edward was looking at me, and I tried my best not to make eye contact with anyone. I was feeling exposed or like I'd been doing something naughty.

"No, I think I want to spend as much time as I can with Bella. Why don't you drive Edward?" There was something in Alice's voice that didn't sound quite right. What if she knew I kissed her brother? Well technically he kissed me. I didn't do anything wrong.

"Sure thing, I'll see you ladies at home," Jasper said. He turned toward the door, and Edward turned to follow. He paused and looked back at me. It was a quick glance, but I felt like he was telling me something. Like we would talk later or kiss later. I gave him a quick nod and waved goodbye.

I helped Alice get the rest of her things together, and she didn't seem upset with me at all. She didn't mention anything about Edward or Jacob. We discussed what a great night it had been, and Alice told me how much money they had raised.

When she pulled into the driveway, I noticed Edward's truck was gone. It was late, and we were both exhausted, so I told Alice goodnight. Tomorrow would be my last full day in Seattle. I wasn't ready to leave. I wasn't ready to tell Alice goodbye, and I had no idea what was going on with Edward.

I got ready for bed, and lay awake listening for him to come home. As ridiculous as my feelings for him were, they were real. I never would have imagined he would feel something for me too, but apparently he did. I just didn't know what any of it meant. Was it just a kiss, or was there something more? It was after two in the morning when I finally heard the front door close. I'd planned to get up and talk to him when he got home. I wanted to ask him how he felt, or what he'd been thinking when he kissed me. I might have even been hoping to try the whole thing out again when Jacob wasn't around to interrupt us. Now that he was home though, I found myself chickening out. I waited. I heard him come out of the bathroom. I waited more. I didn't hear anymore movement. I waited a little longer working up my nerve. By the time I made it out of bed and into the living room, he was sound asleep.

I watched him sleep, and I ached for him. It felt good but painful all at the same time. I worried it couldn't work. I worried that it could. I considered waking him. I thought about kissing him just to find out how he'd respond. I thought about reaching out and running my fingers through his hair, but in the end all I did was sit there, because I couldn't find the courage to do anything else. After a couple of hours I got up, bent over him, lightly kissed him on the cheek, and went to bed.

I woke up later than usual but still hadn't gotten much sleep. I thought I should probably try and at least check my appearance and brush my teeth before I chanced running into Edward. I started to sneak toward the bathroom when I heard Alice crying in the living room.

"Alice! What's wrong?" I followed the sound of her voice and found her sitting on the couch in the living room. She was holding a page ripped from a legal pad in one hand and a tissue in the other.

"It's Edward," she sobbed. I froze. What did she mean?

"What about him?" I asked calmly trying to hide the chaos raging inside of me.

"He's gone."

A/N: This is a BRIBE chapter, and that cliffie was beta approved, so blame them. The EPOV will help you out. I'll send it to you in my reply if you review. I'm telling you it's worth it. Don't be lazy.

NOW we need to have a talk. My entry in the For the Love of Jasper Contest is rated T. I think it takes a lot of guts to rate a fic T knowing you will automatically lose some readers because of the rating. I try hard to write stories that are good enough that you don't miss the smut. It's not that the smutty stories are bad, but doesn't a clean fic deserve a chance too? It seems impossible – for a smutless story to beat out the others. But hey, the colonies beat the motherland. David beat Goliath. Edward beat James. Daisy told me that saying it's a battle of good vs. evil was too dramatic, but you be the judge. Let's do something different here. Let's show that fan fic isn't just a celebration of porn. It's only partially a celebration of porn. Vote for two of the three T rated fics. Mine – Unspoken, Daisy3853's Underexposed, and Profmom's More than a Feeling. It would mean a lot. Link on my profile. Thanks to those of you that already voted.