"Got any threes?"

"Go fish" I try to say but the words are lost to a yawn. I've been fighting sleep for about an hour now. I think it's morning but my legs fell asleep a while ago and I can't get up to check. My eyes are blurry and I'm so ready to curl up in my warm bed.

But I can't because he's not back. I have no idea what the hell is happening and it terrifies me. I'd much rather be the one out there fighting. At least I wouldn't be trapped in this house dying from anxiety. I don't even know what's happened. What little information Emily and I were given hardly clarified what was going on. I don't even know if this is the real thing or if it's just a close run in.

I yawn again and almost laugh. Turns out I actually do have some threes. I don't think Emily cares though. She's asked been asking me for twos as well and she already has all four laid on the floor. Neither of us is really into the game. We're both sick with sorry and near exhaustion.

I yawn again. I want to sleep but I know that I can't. I need to be awake for when Jake comes home. I have no idea what I'll be needed for. I don't know if anyone is hurt.

But no one can be hurt. Jake promised me that they can handle this. He always sounded so confident. They're fine. A few bumps and bruises maybe but nothing major.

I bolt from the floor the second I hear a foot land on the porch. I swing the door open just as a very naked Sam walks through. My cheeks burn but I don't care right now. "What happened?" I beg as he embraces Emily quickly. Not a good sign. I've seen how Sam returns from patrolling. His embraces with Emily always last for minutes. And now that he's returning from war, he should be holding her for hours. But he's not. And he doesn't seem at all worried about the fact that he's naked.

Emily notices as well and grabs his shoulders. "What's wrong?"

"Jake's hurt" he says and grabs the two of us.

My heart sinks and I become dead weight. Sam is dragging me now because my feet don't work. Nothing works. I'm not even sure that I'm breathing. Maybe my heart stopped. Am I dead and no one's noticed yet? Because this can't be real.

Jake can't be hurt. He promised me. He told me he'd be safe and he told me that they could do this without a problem. So how could he be hurt? How could it be him? He is more experienced. He is stronger. He is able to do this. How can he be hurt?

Maybe I'm overreacting. Sam didn't say how he was hurt. Maybe he just broke an arm and is freaking out. But when Sam suddenly pushes us back and phases right in front of us, I know that it's more than a broken arm.

We scramble onto Sam's back. I clutch Emily for dear life and she clings to his fur. It has to be bad if we're doing this. It has to be horrible. I shiver and for a moment I think I'm going to be ok.

Emily says something to me but it's either lost in our speed or I can't hear above my own thoughts now.

I recognize Jake's house and jump from Sam's back. I land hard on the ground but I don't stop and start running for the house. I don't see anything but the door keeping me from Jake and so I shriek when something lifts me in the air just feet from the door.

"Jake!" I scream and thrash against my captor. I'm met with an ear piercing scream that makes my heart shatter into a thousand pieces that tear me up inside and make me bleed. I keep kicking even when I'm set on the ground. Tears stream down my face and I'm sobbing so hard that I can't let out another scream for him. Jake. He's in there in pain and I can't go in. I punch Paul who is unlucky enough to be my captor. My wrist throbs terribly and he only looks down at me with sympathy which makes it all so much worse. Paul Lahote is not supposed to feel sympathy. Oh God how bad is it?

I collapse in his arms and sob and cry my heart out. Another scream comes from the house and I start shaking terribly. I'm set on the ground next to Billy who's in just as bad a shape as I am. He has his jaw set firmly and without looking, he offers me his hand. We squeeze the life out of each other's hand until he stops screaming. Oh God! What is happening to him?

Emily asks because I'm unable. I'm trying to lie to myself and at least tell myself that it will all be over soon and whatever is wrong can and will be fixed. He's ok. Or at least he's going to be.

"He followed the redhead and she got him. Broke a whole bunch of bones on his left side" Embry says sullenly. He takes a seat next to me and offers me his hand. I take it with my free on and hold on for dear life as if his hand is a life preserver. I'm going to start drowning soon.

Everyone is here and everyone winces at the next scream. It's awful and loud and full of so much agony. I'm terrified and shaking so badly now that I'm not sure if I'm scared or having a seizure. "Easy Em" Seth says and places a hand on my shoulder. I only cry out because how many times have I heard Jake say that before? This can't be real. It's surely a nightmare.

His scream jolts me to life and I try and jump to my feet. Embry more than Billy holds me in place. His eyes are sad and longing, but he won't release my hand. "You can't Emma. Carlisle asked us all to stay out."

His eyes say more. That may be true but he doesn't want me to be in there. And I can understand why. As much as I want to be in there to hold Jake's hand and to comfort him the way he's always comforted me, what good will I be to him if I'm a crying mess. Jake's trick has been to always remain calm when I'm panicking. I owe him the same.

I sit back down and squeeze their hands so hard the next time Jake screams that I think I've broken even some of Embry's fingers. He doesn't let on and gives my hand a little squeeze back. This is hard on all of us.

"He shouldn't have gone alone" Leah mumbles.

My eyes snap open but I wince as Jake continues to let out howls of pain. Oh God was that him before? But what did Leah say? He was alone?

Sam snaps his head in her direction. "Shut up Leah" he yells at her for the first time I can remember. Emily is carefully nestled in his arms in her pajamas. I wish Jake was alright. I would do anything to take his pain. Why can't imprints do that? Why?

I cry out and sob freely this time because for the first time, Jake's scream forms a word. "EMMA!" The boys squeeze my hands harder for me and I wail like a toddler. I can't do this. Why does he have to be hurt? I kick my feet out and dig my heels into the dirt.

We all look up when we hear an engine purr in our direction. It's a nice engine that's almost silent. Surely not from La Push. It's a beautiful silver car that Jake would surely know the name of. I moan at the thought and rest my head on Embry's shoulder. He smooths my hair the way Jake does and it's almost as calming.

Only one person emerges from the car and I hear a few of the boys growl. I look up and see Bella standing a safe distance away from us. Rage builds up in my blood. It's her fault.

Sam steps forward. "Tell him to get out of here now! The treaty still holds!" Paul begins to tremble but no one does anything to stop him.

Bella turns and nods to whoever is in the car. Probably her leech. I glare and wish that I could burn her with my gaze. Her fault! The car speeds backwards until it's out of sight. Paul begins to calm but he remains standing as do almost all of the pack.

I stand and break free from the boy's hands. "What do you want?" I snap in her direction.

She jumps from my hostility. Good. "I wanted to see Jake. I heard he got hurt."

"Get out!" I growl like one of the boys. I can feel Paul step forward to enforce my threat. I'm starting to like him more and more each day.

She's stunned and then it passes from her face. "I want to see him. He's my friend."

"Friend?" I laugh. "What friend brings another friend into all this drama. It's because of you that the stupid newborns were even here! Everything that happened is your fault! It's your fault that Jake's hurt!"

"I didn't do anything" she defends herself like a mouse.

"You brought them here! They were after you! He had to fight because of you! The whole pack put their lives in danger because you can't seem to understand that you're not supposed to date murderers!"

"They fought to protect La Push…"

"From what you unleashed! Do you honestly think that the newborns would have even existed if it wasn't for you? The Cullens probably wouldn't even be here anymore. This is all your fault! Now get out! You're not Quileute and you never will be. You are not family! Leave! None of us wants you here."

I can only imagine the cold looks she's getting from the rest of the pack because she takes a step back and her face sinks. "Jake would" she chokes.

"No. He wouldn't. Get out" I say through clenched teeth.

Another scream rips through the night. It's so much worse than all the others. He's in so much pain. And it's a long scream where his voice breaks half way through. I can't do this. Tears sting my eyes and fall down my cheeks. I clench my fists so that my nails draw blood from my palms. My teeth nearly bite holes in my tongue and I'm about ready to break down.

Bella steps back and my eyes fly to her. I take two steps forward. "Bella I'm on the edge right now and you need to leave now! Get out! I'm not asking. Leave!"

She retreats slowly and I don't return to Billy and Embry until I can't see her anymore. I don't really care if she gets hit by a bus. I hate her so much right now.

When I sit back down, no one says anything about what I've just said. No one argues with me and makes me feel guilty. The only one who comments is Leah with a surprised, "Wow".

Emily rubs my back. I pull my knees into my chest and try not to think about what's happening inside. But I'm painfully aware of the lack of Jake's presence.

He doesn't scream anymore. But I can hear labored breathing. Maybe it's because we are imprints. Maybe it's because I'm listening so hard I don't think I could hear anything other than him. I think it may finally be over.

But no. Then there's another scream and for the first time I hear a sickening crack. I feel my stomach drop and I gag. I swallow vomit because I don't think I can open my mouth and I start shaking again.

Embry wraps something around my shoulders. It's a jacket and it smells just like Jake. It must have been from before he phased because he has no need for a jacket anymore. I curl it around myself and revel in its warmth. Oh God. I feel sick to my stomach but I refuse to move.

"You look kind of green" Brady points out.

I nod at him and resort to covering my ears like a child. The noises still break through my barrier but I try and pretend… There is no pretending. I know exactly what that noise is and I want to be with him.

I'm done playing patient lover. Screw it. I'm going to be by his side.

I wait for the next scream when he calls out for me again. It fuels my movements and I bolt for the door. Embry is on his feet quickly and jumps at me. His arms lock around my waist and I'm ready to fight. "Let me go."

"Em…"

"I don't care what the doctor said. He needs me" I plead and start to cry again. I'm so desperate to get in there. I can't wait out here anymore. I don't care what I have to see. I just need to see him.

There is a sigh and probably some kind of assurance from Sam because Embry sets me down and actually holds the door open for me. Before I step through though, he grabs my shoulder and looks me in the eyes. "Help him ok?"

I nod. "I will."

It's not good when I step in the house. The atmosphere is heavy and it's hard to get myself to walk to Jake's room. But I push myself and I tell myself that I have to do this. And I need to do this for Jacob. He whimpers and I run for his room. I throw the door open and bite my fist. It's bad.