Hey ladies and gents! It feels like FOREVER since I've given y'all an update. I love, love, LOVE writing chapters that involve fluff. And my oh my, this chapter has a lot of it. Again, no lemons, but heavy making-out was involved in the writing of this chapter. So remember, you were warned :). So far, this story has gotten over 3,500 hits! So thanks to all of you! Especially to the lovely reviewers of the previous chapter: spnvin4eva (repeat reviewer!), Ready123 (repeat!), MsBookWorm7, kaska245, AnimeLoverGirl1234, lovably17 (repeat!), Eve of Faith, AmberBreath, and SaaamForLife. This chapter is dedicated to Ready123, who has given me a tremendous amount of advice for the direction this story is going to take. Thanks! I present to you . . . Chapter 10!

Whoever said that life was fair?

When you live without a care

When you're invincible

When you're invincible

When you're invincible

Who thinks about

Leaving when you're living?

-Invincible, Jesse McCartney

Chapter 10

The next day, I was woken up by someone kissing my cheeks. Then my forehead. Then my lips. Then the person kissed my collarbone and left a trail of fire all the way up my neck. I peeked open my eyes. Jacob smiled down at me before kissing my neck again.

"Now who's the one being tortured?"

"I guess I am." He pecked my hand and traveled up my arm, up my neck, finally landing on my mouth. I kissed him back this time, wrapping my arms around his neck. We came up for air, touching foreheads. I could never in my wildest dreams imagine being this happy. I closed my eyes, soaking it all in. I wanted to file it away; to remember this for the rest of my life. Then Jacob kissed my eyelids. He whispered in my ear, "You know we have to go to school today."

I groaned, "Do we have to? I'd much rather stay here."

"So would I."

I pulled his face back to mine and raised my eyebrows. "So let's stay." I yanked him in for another kiss, but he managed to get away. "Come on now Ce; I can't skip any more school."

I glanced up at him, "What about the vampire?"

He visibly tensed. Now I was sorry I mentioned it. "We're gonna look for him after school. We will find him Cecily. And I will personally rip him limb from limb." He tightened his grip on me. I gave him a short kiss on the mouth, to calm him down. "I'll be worrying about you."

It seemed to have the desired effect. Jacob kissed me on the cheek. "Don't. I'll come back in one piece. Always do."

I turned away, contemplating the worst. "I don't know what I'd do if you got hurt Jacob. Or even if – "I couldn't finish that thought. I didn't let myself finish that thought. I couldn't imagine living without him.

He ran his fingers through my hair. "Don't worry about that, Cecily. I will never leave you. You always have me around whether you like it or not."

I smirked, "I think I'd like that." I placed my lips on his neck and worked all the way up to his ear. "This is your reward for protecting me," I breathed in his ear.

"I think this is acceptable payment."

It ended all too soon when I heard my mom calling from downstairs, "Cecily! In case you forgot, you still have school today!"

I moaned and half-heartedly dragged myself out of bed. Jacob gave me a peck on the cheek before he ducked out the window and leapt off the porch roof, landing gracefully on both feet. I watched as he jogged into the forest, the thick trees engulfing him.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

After school, Jake invited me to go to a pack meeting with him. When he told me they were going to track the vampire . . . Well, let's just say I wasn't thrilled. But, Emily, Rachel, and Kim would be there, and he persuaded me that it would be good for us to be together.

I had to dance at the football game, but as soon as halftime was over, I ran to my car and sped over to Sam's house. I switched on The Civil Wars. Their mellow sound somehow kept me calm on the ride there.

I walked across the porch, hesitating at the door for half a second. I closed my eyes, exhaled, and pushed opened the door. As soon as I came in, nine pairs of eyes fixated on me. Everyone was spread out in various positions: squished together on the sofa, straddling chair arms, lying out on the floor. Um . . . this is awkward.

A girl, I think her name was Leah, smirked when her eyes made contact with mine. "CeCe!" Uh, what? I saw eight pairs of eyes roll in the direction of the ceiling.

Sam spoke in an authoritative voice, "Alright guys, let's head out."

Seth whispered in my ear as he worked his way outside, "Better get used to CeCe. That's all she'll call you for the rest of you effing life."

I grinned, "So what's yours?"

His cheeks reddened, "Um . . . Crooner. Apparently, I like country music WAY too much." I snorted.

Jacob made his way over to me. "Y'all didn't have to wait for me." Jacob stared at me with his brown orbs. "I had to say goodbye." I drew in a breath, trying to steady myself. I grabbed him into a hug, squeezing him tightly with every ounce of strength I had. I started to shake. He ran his fingers through my hair. "It's okay Cecily. Look, I know that nothing I can say will make you worry any less. But I will fight to come back to you in one piece. You are what I live for, and I will not let that monster take you away from me."

And with that, he left to join his brothers.

Emily walked over to me, her hand finding mine, "Try not to worry too much. They always come back."

I turned to her, "You know that?"

She looked back at me, anxiousness filling her eyes, "No. But we have to hope. It's all we can do."

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

Someone had brought a pack of cards; we played games to pass the time. Go Fish, Speed, War. It's probably awful to say, but this forced time waiting for our boys to come back brought us closer together. It turns out that Kim has a wickedly dry sense of humor; Rachel is the most competitive card player I've ever seen. After we got bored with our games, we sat around the kitchen table and learned about each other. It was then that I truly realized how deep Emily's love is for her people. Not just the Makah tribe, but the Quileutes as well.

If I had been alone that night, I probably would've lost my mind.

It was hours upon hours before we heard them at the door. Emily, biting her nails, snapped her head up and sprinted for the door. She swung it open. Sam walked in first. He had bruises all over, and a long gash on his side, but he was fine. Relieved, Emily threw her arms around his neck. After him trudged in Paul, and Quil, both badly beat up. Quil's arm hung at a funny angle. The rest followed. Except the person that mattered the most. "Where's Jacob?"

And then Embry came in, carrying someone in his arms.

My worst nightmare transcended into real life.

"JACOB!" And I ran to Embry and the seemingly-lifeless body in his hands. His eyes hung closed, his body limp. He had a black eye and dried blood completely covered his body. I could barely recognize him. He looked so . . . "Is he . . . is he- ?"

Sam interrupted, "No, no Cecily. He's not dead. But . . . he's in a bad way. He's got a couple crushed ribs and his leg's broken. The vampire did a number on his chest." It was only now that I noticed his shallow breathing. The tears streaked down my sallow cheeks. He's not dead. He's not dead. He's not dead.

And then it all started rushing back. Literally. I barely had time to make it into the bathroom before I emptied my stomach into the cold, porcelain bowl, the breakfast I had choked down that morning deciding to make a re-appearance. Emily held my hair back as it repeated itself a couple more times. I whispered to myself over and over, "He'll be okay. He'll be okay." Emily embraced me and stroked my hair, "Shhh, it's alright. It's okay. Jacob's not dead. You have to be strong for him. What if he woke up now and saw you like this? His heart would break."

Sam turned to me, "Embry, Seth, take her back home. And guard her house tonight. We don't need any surprises from that filthy bloodsucker."

I stopped him. "No, I have to stay with Jacob. I have to. I'll just spend the night here." He looked at me for a long time. "I mean it. I'm not leaving."

Sam sighed impatiently. "Fine. Emily, will you call her house and inform her parents she'll be staying here for the night?"

She smiled warmly, "Of course." She turned to me, "Come on Cecily, I'll get you some pajamas and you can sleep in the spare bedroom, next to Jacob."

I weakly nodded my head and she put her arm around me, ushering me into a bedroom. She pulled out some sweatpants and a tank top. I numbly pulled the fabric over my body and trudged into the room that Jacob was placed in. I pressed my hand over my mouth, trying not to get emotional again. He just looked so weak, so . . . frail. So different from himself.

Emily had left a bowl of water, a washcloth, ointment, and some bandages by his bed. Dipping the cloth into the water, I started to scrub off the blood. I soon had him cleaned off and bandaged up. He was breathing better now, but he hadn't woken up. I crawled up on the bed and sat cross-legged, just taking him in. I pressed my hand to his cheek. He moved, and exhaled. Smiling, I ran my fingers through his hair, brushing it away from his face. He'll be just fine. Exhausted and emotionally drained, I moved the covers and maneuvered myself under them, carefully so I wouldn't disturb him. He definitely didn't lose any of his warmth. He was still my sun. I rested my hand on his shoulder and dreams overcame me.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

I woke up early the next morning. Too early. I groaned and flipped over, burying my head in the wrinkled pillow case. I looked over to the other side of the bed. Jacob was still sleeping, his eyes remaining closed. I turned to the window and saw the sun shining happily through the glass. Smiling lazily, I drifted back off to sleep.

12:08. The alarm clock greeted me as I woke up for the second time today. Rubbing my eyes, I sat up and stretched, amazed that it was still bright outside. Feeling someone stir next to me, I glance over to the other side of the bed. Jake is exactly how I left him. Still sleeping somehow. I just wanted to try one thing, to see if I could wake him up. I reached under his shirt and started moving my finger in little patterns on his taut stomach. He groaned and fluttered his eyes. My eyes widened. I can't believe that actually worked! His eyes opened, glazed from being shut for much too long. He glanced over at me, seeming confused, "Cecily?" He spoke barely above a whisper.

I was ecstatic. "Jacob! You're awake!" I smoothed back his hair, moving my hand to his cheek, completely soaked in sweat. "Wait, how are you already awake?"

He smirked, "Wolf gene." He started to chuckle, but ended up wincing instead.

"Oh my god, Jacob, you don't know how scared I was. He almost took you away from me." I whispered.

He managed a weak smile, "Didn't I promise you I'd come back in one piece?"

"No, you said you'd try."

He sobered, "I know. And sometimes, I regret bringing you into this world. Putting you in danger, it kills me." He jaw clenched, "My imprint was never supposed to be stalked by a vampire. Our job is to keep them away."

I sighed, "It's just like parents that try to protect their 'little baby' from the 'big, bad world'. They can never completely shield them from it." I laid back down next to him, pulling myself into the fetal position, and rested my chin in the crook of his shoulder.

He spoke again, "I hate being hurt like this, having to stay in bed for days. I feel so useless."

I wrapped my arm around his stomach and touched his far cheek, and gently kissed his forehead. I whispered in his ear, "Just . . . get better. Okay?"