Dinner at Charlie Swan's house was never considered to be an idea of a good time in Jacob's book. He knew that the man couldn't cook to save his life and since Bella had left home, Charlie had survived more on TV dinners, eating out and frozen pizza than he had in years. In the months following her husband's death, Sue Clearwater had spent a good deal of time at his house and it was well known around La Push that Sue was an excellent cook. The pair had gotten close yet none of her cooking skills had yet rubbed off on the bachelor. As much as Jacob liked the man, he could think of a dozens of other things that he could be doing on a Saturday night. Hell, he had even volunteered to take Jared's place on patrol that evening just so that he could keep close to La Push and ultimately, Jo.

He hadn't seen her for a few days and although he had stopped in at the Clearwater's place four times over the course of that week, each time he came by, she wasn't home. The first time he brought flowers and a gift - a compass. It had been sitting in a special keepsake box on his shelf for years. As unimportant as one would think it was in his room, the moment he saw it, Jacob knew that he'd have to give it to her. The only disappointing thing was that he didn't get the chance to see her reaction when she opened it. He had wanted to be able to explain not only its meaning but also significance.

It began to seem that the only time she was home, was when he was patrolling out La Push. Those times, his wolf would make an extra special trip past the Clearwater's home, much to the dismay of Embry who was patrolling along with him and thus heard the wolf's thoughts of his imprint in his head. As much as Embry liked Jo and had come to think of her as a sister, he wasn't too thrilled to overhear Jacob's thoughts of her. He knew that Jacob was desperate to see her again and the whole pack knew it.

"I don't know why you need me to come along with you if you're just going to be spending the evening at Charlie's," Jacob grumbled from the passenger seat as his father drove his old pickup down the streets of Forks.

"You're just having a barbecue and watching the Mariner's game."

The real reason behind Jacob's contempt didn't go unnoticed by Billy. Although he didn't understand the entire concept of imprinting, he did notice a change in Jacob when it came to how he looked at Jo, spoke about her and the desire to spend as much time near her as possible. It made keeping this evening a secret all the more difficult.

Sam had mentioned to him about the few certain members of the pack who had been antagonizing him that night after he brought Jo home. Billy had personally seen how aggrevated his son was that evening when he finally came home. It made sense to him after speaking with Sam regarding the circumstances. Knowing this, and the fact that he had been planning on going to see Charlie later that week for the Mariner's game, he spoke with the Chief of Police about possibly having a barbecue. It didn't take much instigating before Charlie even suggested that perhaps he should invite Sue Clearwater and her kids. But it was Sue who ultimately convinced Jo to come along with them, telling her that she was as much as one of her kids as Leah and Seth were and that Charlie wouldn't mind one extra guest. Billy knew that Jacob would soon be glad that he came with him to Forks.

"Jake, you need to get out of La Push tonight and relax a bit," Billy told him with a smile as his eyes were glued to the road. "I really think that this evening will help."

Jacob scoffed, not at all convinced.

It wasn't until they came around the bend and Charlie's house came into view that Jacob sat up straighter. He glanced over at his father for confirmation. The small smirk on Billy's face was enough to show him that he knew exactly what Jacob was wondering.

"She's here?"

Billy nodded and smiled as he pulled into the driveway. "The Clearwater's were invited as well. And that includes Jo. I suppose I forgot to mention that."

Jacob scoffed as he pushed the door open. He knew very well that his father didn't 'forget'. Billy had talked often about Jo's unexpected visit the other day while she had been jogging. He had been the one who persuaded Jacob to go over and call on her again all those times. Jacob was very well aware that his father had purposely kept this information to himself.

He glanced up at the house as he pulled his Father's wheelchair out from the back of the truck. Jacob had so many memories from being at the Swan house over the years, although not all of them were happy. As much as it was in the past, it still hurt. Knowing that Jo was inside made that ache quickly subside as he came up the driver's side door. Silently, Billy climbed into the wheelchair as Jacob took a deep breath, searching out for Jo's scent.

"You should thank Sue later," Billy said, as Jacob moved the wheelchair up towards the sidewalk along the driveway before tugging it up every step up to the porch. "She helped arrange everything. She felt bad that you never had a chance to see Jo whenever you came over."

As they stood on the porch, Jacob could feel his heart pounding in his chest. Billy glanced over at his son, seeing the sudden anxiety cross his features before he reached forward to knock on the screen door.

"Relax, son," Billy said, as he smiled at Jacob. Billy was just as amused to be able to see his normally confident son succumb to not only the excitement of seeing his imprint again but also the chance to speak with her without the pack nearby.

When they suddenly saw Seth's face appear behind the glass before he opened it, Billy smiled.

"Seth!" Billy exclaimed, as Jacob helped him get the wheelchair over the threashold of the door. "Good to see you, son."

Seth smiled at the pair. "Hi Mr. Black. Hey Jake."

"Something sure does smell wonderful in here," Billy said, as he wheeled himself away from the door and towards the kitchen. He met Charlie halfway as he came to the door to greet him. The police chief held out his hand and smiled at his friend as Billy shook his outstretched hand.

"Well, you can thank Sue for that," Charlie said, smiling at her as she was mixing a pot on the stove while Leah was cutting vegetables for a salad. "She and the other two Clearwater ladies here have been busy."

Sue smiled warmly at Billy and Jacob as they walked into the small room. She could see Jacob's confusion when he began looking around, wondering where Jo was. She was about to tell him when he seemed to quickly figure it out on his own.

He sensed her before the screen door even opened. Jo walked back into the house from the back patio, a strong scent of charcoal followed her into the house. Charlie turned, seeing her walk in.

"And apparently, I've heard that Jo here can cook up a mean fish fry, Clearwater style," Charlie said happily, as Jo walked into the kitchen, wiping her hands on her jeans.

"Is that so?" Billy asked, smiling broadly at the younger woman as she greeted them.

"It has been a while since I've made it," she told him, before looking over at Sue. "I'm sure Aunt Sue is probably more of an expert than I am."

"If your talent for making pies is any indication, I think you'll figure it out on your own quite easily," Sue stated proudly, putting her arm around her niece's shoulders.

"Is that what I'm smelling?" Billy suddenly asked, a smile on his face as he looked from Sue to Jo.

"Fresh cherry pie," Sue said, as Billy looked up at Jacob beside him.

He found his son hadn't looked away from Jo since they arrived.

"Well, how about that! Cherry pie is Jacob's favourite," he said, nudging his son in his side. "I remember when you were young you'd purposely pull the cherries out of your Mom's pie just so you could eat them last."

Charlie chuckled and nodded. "I remember that. Jake's hands and face were covered."

"Thankfully, I have grown up a bit," Jacob said with a smirk, shoving his hands into his jean pant pockets. He went back to looking at Jo as Charlie turned to Billy.

"I have the smoker going out back. Seth and I were just about to go sit out there to keep an eye on it. You fellas are welcome to join us."

"Yes, go and relax. Jo just brought some drinks out there," Sue urged, looking from Charlie to Billy before Jacob spoke up.

"I'm happy to help out in here."

A silence seemed to pass as Jacob met Jo's eyes. Knowing that his son simply wanted to be in Jo's presence to further fuel the imprint, Billy was about to agree just as Leah stood up.

"We've got it all under control, Jake," Leah suddenly said, before she turned to get a bowl from the counter. "You really need to check out Charlie's new smoker."

Before Sue could interject at her daughter's obvious interference with what Jacob was intending to do, Charlie turned to Jacob, excited to show off his new barbecue.

"It is a thing of beauty," Charlie said, proudly to Jacob. "I also was wanting to talk to you about the engine light that has come on in my car. I've been told it's just an oxygen sensor and one mechanic I've talked to said it was the catalytic converter."

Charlie turned and walked out towards the patio door with Jacob walking sullenly beside him. Charlie seemed to miss the menacing smile that Leah sent Jake, and the following reprimanding stare that Sue shot her just as Charlie and Jacob left the room. Sue knew exactly what Leah was doing. As much as Leah was punishing Jacob for initially refusing the imprint, Leah was inturn also hurting Jo for causing the pair to be separate once again.

Knowing that Billy Black had to live with the frustrated wolf, Sue smiled sympathetically towards Billy as he glanced at Jo while the unsuspecting young woman went back to cutting up vegetables with Leah. With Seth's assistance, Billy rolled himself towards the patio, overhearing the conversation outside and smelling the savoury aroma of meat on the barbecue.

"I don't know who to trust. I was hoping that you could tell me which it is. One is obviously pricier than the other."

Charlie grabbed a beer from the middle of the table and sat down just as Jacob sat in the chair beside him. When he noticed Billy coming around the table, Jacob instinctively moved to help. Billy politely waved him off as he reached for a beer for himself from the table. Seth sat down in an empty chair beside Jacob.

Jacob turned back to Charlie and smiled.

"Sure, that's not a problem. I can come by later this week and take a look at it. If it is just a sensor, I can switch it out for you."

"There's no rush," Charlie said, holding up his hands. "I'm sure you're busy with things now that you're back home. Billy here must be keeping you close to home."

Jacob chuckled, glancing to his Dad before turning his attention back to Charlie.

"No, it's fine. I know that I can find some time."

Charlie took a big gulp from his can before speaking again.

"If you ask me, you should think about setting up your own car shop somewhere in town. All the guys I've seen, I can trust as far as I can throw them. What this town needs is a honest and talented car mechanic, not just some bozo who has read a few books, gone to school for it and claims they're an expert on it.

Billy nodded, turning his attention to Jacob across the table.

"That sounds like a good idea, son," Billy said, his eyes brightening. "I know you always enjoyed taking things apart, even as a boy. I'm sure you'd do well if you opened a shop."

"You'd be awesome at it, Jake!" Seth exclaimed. "There isn't a mechanic on the Rez at the moment. We all have to go into Forks."

"And I, for one would make the trip out to the Rez if it meant you were the one working on it," Charlie added.

Jacob leaned back and shrugged. "I've never really considered it."

"If I were you, I'd put some thought into it," Charlie said, just as the patio door opened. "There could be a good sustainable future for you there."

Their attention was turned towards the door opening and then to Jo walking out with her hands full. Both Seth and Jacob stood up, ready to help. But as soon as Seth caught Jacob's eye, he backed slightly.

"Sorry to interrupt the conversation. Aunt Sue sent me out with these," she said, watching as Jacob wordlessly lightened the load she was carrying and placed the cups and pitcher of water on the table. Jo looked towards Seth and Jacob. "She thought that you guys might be getting thirsty out here while waiting for dinner."

"Sorry boys. Sue thinks of everything before I do," Charlie said with a smirk, as Jo once again caught Jacob's gaze.

She finally tore away again and looked towards Charlie. "Supper should be ready in about ten minutes, if you're ready with the smoker."

He nodded. "Yeah, we're just about done here too."

Jo smiled and informed him that he'd let Sue know before she walked into the house.

As the evening wore on, Charlie was even beginning to notice the occasional glances that Jacob was giving to Jo from across the table. Billy was certain that she noticed Jo almost trying to avoid his gaze at one time by turning to Leah beside her. He found it amusing to watch this game they were playing. He could tell that Jacob was itching to spend time with her, so when dinner was done Billy was the first to suggest that they should have the young people clean up.

"Sounds like a great idea to me," Charlie agreed with a broad smile. "Leave us older folk to relax outside."

Seth sighed as he pushed himself up to stand to collect the plates around him while Jo and Leah followed suit. Jacob was the last to stand, giving his father a nod before grabbing Billy's plate. He silently followed Leah into the house, closing the patio door behind him.

With a large sigh, Charlie leaned back in his chair before turning to Billy.

"I know that Jake has been gone for a while and so I may not be as familiar with him as I usually would be, but is there something going on between him and Jo?"

"What do you mean?" Billy asked, effectively playing ignorance as he quickly glanced over at Sue.

"Come on," Charlie said, glancing at the closed patio door to ensure that no one was about to come out and hear their conversation. "You didn't notice the looks those two were sharing? It was like they were having an entire conversation on their own while we were sitting here."

"You're probably just imagining things, Charlie," Sue covered easily.

"Imagining things," he scoffed. "I'd wager that before the summer is over that those two will be stuck at the hip. And it's a good thing too. Jacob deserves someone like Jo in his life. As from what I've seen in the short time of knowing Jo, she has her head on straight. She's tough. That's exactly the type of young woman that Jacob needs."

"I completely agree with you, Charlie," Billy said before taking a drink of water and glancing over at Sue, knowingly.

Jo placed the stack of dirty dishes that she was carrying beside the ones on the small kitchen table that Leah had just left. It wasn't until she noticed Seth and Leah putting on their jackets that she realized they were leaving.

"Where are you guys going? You aren't going to help?"

"Can't," Seth replied quickly. "We have to be at work in fifteen minutes."

Jo had given up trying to ask what Leah and Seth's particular job entailed. She simply assumed that it was various jobs around the Reservation and sometimes into the town of Forks. It didn't mean that she wasn't still curious.

Jacob looked up at the clock in the kitchen seeing the time and realizing that Seth and Leah were right. Their patrol time was about to begin to allow Sam and Jared the evening off.

"I'll go let Mom know that we're heading out," Seth said to his sister as he head towards the patio door while Leah made her way towards the front.

"Have fun washing dishes, Suckahs!" she exclaimed teasingly, causing Jo to laugh at her cousin before she grabbed the nearest dish towel and threw it towards the doorway hoping to hit her cousin. Except Leah had already disappeared. Jacob walked over and picked it up off the floor before shaking his head at the front door.

"They planned this," he told her, as he glanced at the screened front door to see Seth and Leah disappear into the woods.

"Oh, I know that they did," Jo agreed, walking over to the sink. "But don't worry, I'll get them back somehow."

Jacob smirked and nodded. "I'm sure you will."

Jacob wasn't at all upset that they had left.

Jo proceeded to fill one side with water, tossing in a bit of soap and waited as it filled up.

"I'll wash if you want to dry," Jacob offered. Already preferring to dry, she moved aside and began to gather the dishes, rinsing them before stacking them in a pile ready for Jacob to wash, beside him.

"I want to thank you for the flowers and the compass," Jo said, causing a smile to come to Jacob's face as he began to wash the first set of dishes. "But they weren't necessary."

When he felt her presence beside him, he glanced over at Jo. "I think they were. We both know how directionally challenged you are and I like to think that my great-grandfather would've liked you to have it."

Jo quickly looked over at Jacob in surprise. She chuckled in shock as she shook her head. "Jake! Now, you know that I can't accept that. It belongs in your family."

Jacob turned to her and smiled. "Jo, it's all right. My Dad even agreed with me when I suggested giving it to you."

For the first time in a long time, she didn't know what to say.

"Wow," she finally uttered. "I'm honoured."

Jo smiled as she began to dry the clean dishes that Jacob had begun to place in the other side of the sink.

"I still don't know what to say."

"I think the proper thing would be, thank you."

Jo smirked and nodded. "Thank you Jake."

"You're welcome."

As though a comfortable silence passed between them, they both turned back towards the sink in front of them. Jo suddenly walked away from the sink where Jacob washed and he momentarily felt a longing to have her close to him once again. It wasn't until he heard the music from Charlie's old am/fm kitchen radio on top of the fridge that a smile came to his face.

"There is one thing I know how to do," Jo said, causing Jacob to look over his shoulder at her. "It is how to make a tedious task like this a bit more enjoyable."

Jacob could already admit that he was having fun considering he was having the opportunity to wash dishes with a woman he never thought he'd meet or want to meet. Just spending time with her was enough for him, but knowing that she had a playful side was a plus.

When the first few beats of the next song began, Jacob groaned. He knew it well only because his older sisters listened to it when they were younger and thus, he was forced to hear and unfortunately memorized it.

Wannabe. Ugh...

"What? You don't like the Spice Girls?" Jo teased, turning up the volume.

"Not particularly," he replied, to which Jo began to laugh before she lip synced along with the lyrics with as much gusto before coming up beside Jacob to continue drying the dishes.

"I don't blame you! They are known for some pretty annoying ear worms."

He couldn't help but smirk at this woman dancing beside him with a dish towel over her shoulder. Watching her was almost bewitching to him. It was obvious that she didn't much rhythm but she didn't care and that simply made her more enduring to him.

"Come on, Jake! Loosen up a bit," she urged playfully, elbowing him in the side.

Jacob looked over at her. "Fine, fine!"

When he finally figuratively threw in the towel on maintaining his internal vow to never utter a word of that song in his life, he began lip syncing along with Jo before he spun around once in front of the sink, hands covered in suds. His actions caused Jo to burst out laughing momentarily before she joined in with him again. It wasn't long before Jacob was laughing at their antics as much as Jo was. She turned and reached up to the radio to turn down the volume just as the song ended.

"What just happened in this kitchen does not get back to any of my friends," he told her. Jo nodded and laughed again before grabbing the clean plates and stacked them on the table.

"Agreed. Your secret is safe with me."

Having worked in Charlie's kitchen while making dinner, Jo had quickly found her way around it. It wasn't that large - a few drawers, a few shelves.

She picked up the stack of dinner plates and moved across the kitchen towards the spot where Leah had pulled them out of the cupboard earlier that evening. Reaching up on her tiptoes, she strained to get them onto the top shelf. As though he could sense that something bad was about to happen, Jacob turned from the sink and quickly came up behind Jo. He reached up and over and placed his hand on the stack over Jo's hands. Suds slid down his arms.

"I've got it," Jo assured him sternly, noticing the extra hand and arm reaching over top of her.

"No, you don't," Jacob quickly argued. He wasn't about to let go. Together, they pushed the stack of dishes onto the top shelf before Jo lowered herself down to her natural height.

Jacob had never stood so close to her. It was just so overwhelming; her hair, her skin, her scent. He could smell it so much more that he had before. As much as he fought that eager wolf within him, he found that he, himself couldn't move away.

"I could have gotten it on my own," Jo insisted, turning around in place to find Jacob was still standing almost flush against her.

She could feel the intense heat readiating off of his body and noticed his eyes were staring right into her. She had never seen such intensity in someone's eyes before. They were so dark and she was certain that her own were dilating in response. A part of Jo was nervous. Something was happening and she wasn't entirely sure if she was ready for it, but at the same time, she wanted it. Her mind was conflicted. This was happening too fast; this was too much. Another part of her was desperate for Jacob and anticipated the moment that he would simply touch her skin. Jo took a deep breath, attempting to quench those butterflies that simply couldn't sit still within her.

"I mean, I may be shorter...than you and I may not be able to run as fast...but I can certainly handle putting dishes away on a shelf," she said, her words getting softer and softer as she spoke. Although she knew that Jacob was clearly within her comfort zone, she didn't move, nor did she look away. Jo placed her hands on either side of the counter directly behind her, just as Jacob leaned forward and put his hands beside hers, effectively pinning her between his arms against the counter. She had no where to go and she found that she didn't want to move.

An unusual predatory look flashed over his eyes and although Jo knew that it should frighten her, surprisingly it thrilled her. Jacob hadn't spoken as she watched his expression. As Jacob moved closer, Jo found that she couldn't stop talking. Whether it was due to nerves or the overwhelming sensations within her, she wasn't sure.

"Just because you're...you and you're...tall and...gorgeous...and..."

Jacob chuckled lightly upon hearing her words as he slowly slid his warm, soapy covered hands onto her hands before moving them up her bare arms. He smirked upon sensing a chill race over her skin causing her to pause speaking. He leaned forward and brushed his cheek against her own and whispered into her ear.

"Jo."

His voice was barely recognizable to his own ears as he spoke her name. He had to force his voice to speak and it came out almost as a deep growl.

His hands had reached her neck; his fingers brushing her dark hair from her face.

"Yeah?"

It came out almost breathlessly. If he didn't feel her warm breath brush against his face, he wouldn't have heard it.

"Shhh," Jacob replied, his eyes closed. He could hear her heart racing just as his lips met her own.

A/N - I know, I know...how dare I stop it there! But never fear, the next part is nearly complete. Oh, and if anyone is wondering, the kiss isn't a dream...I'm not that cruel. I'm hoping to have the next part up by mid-late this week... There's a snowstorm supposed to be coming on Wednesday so I may get some free time then. Please review. You know how much I enjoy reading them. Even if you review the story more than once. :)