I took my time on this one. I hope I did justice to the perils of a rejected imprint. This one is a long one. You might need a tissue or two. I know I did. At any rate enjoy...

Language...

I don't own it but I bring it! Haha!

Chapter 14…

A single tear slid down her cheek as she looked back on her life up to this point. How did they get here? What happened to them? How can they get past this? Will they get pass this? Hope seemed to be nowhere in sight. She didn't know what to do at this point. As she pulled into the parking lot and found a space, she sighed heavily and decided to push this to the back of her mind. Right now her father needed her and there nothing more she wanted right now than to be there for her father.

As she entered the hospital, she was vaguely aware of the glances she elicited from those around her. The women were intimidated by her beauty while the men were intrigued by it. It was something she could never get used to, although, at the moment, she wished her own husband would look at her that way again. Lately, he's had an angry look in his eyes and it all seems to involve her. She knew she could provoke him to feel so many emotions, positive and negative, however, the only ones she has seen from him lately have been negative. The shouting has gotten bad the last few years. The screaming. The arguing. Every hurtful word she spewed and every one he spat, she remembers them all and will always remember them thanks to her vampire memory. Promises broken and words choked on. She never wanted to shout at him. She never intended to go into marriage with such a sour heart but here she is. She felt so empty and ugly inside. This is tearing her apart and she did not see an end to it soon.

She sighed again and she reached the waiting room, searching for her father. She spotted him with his head in his hands, elbows on his knees. His shoulders softly shuttering as he fought the tears that streamed down his face. She could smell the salty drops as they escaped his eyes. She could hear the quiet sobs that escaped his lips. He was distraught and nothing seemed to comfort him. Leah was sitting two seats away, never comfortable with emotions. She and Charlie were never really close so she couldn't offer any comfort in the moment of need. Leah was lost in her own thoughts and worries about her mother.

Charlie looked up as she approached him with such pain and worry in his eyes. He informed her the doctors and staff were still working on Sue and running all kinds of test. He hadn't heard anything for the last forty-five minutes and he just about had enough of waiting for information. She gently hugged her father and promised to get some information. He smiled at her appreciatively and thanked her for her help. Getting up she saw Leah shift in her seat, probably not wanting to be in close proximity with the enemy. Leah never did warm up to her, not even after their parents wed. Technically, Leah was her step-sister but Leah would never admit to the title. Seth was the only one who welcomed her into the family.

Seth. Such a gentle soul. He was, is a great friend and step-brother. He was even a great uncle to her daughter. She loved him like a real brother. Now, as she wandered over to the nurses station, she found herself wondering how he was? What was he up to now-a-days? She never had a chance to say good-bye before they left the area but in a way she knew she didn't have too. Her father still lived in the area and it was almost guaranteed they would come for a visit sometime in the future. Unfortunately, the circumstances demanded them to come back sooner than expected. A small part of her was glad she was back.

The nurse at the nurses station looked up at her and had a brief moment of terror flashed in her eyes at the sight of Bella standing before her. Bella asked for an update on Sue Clearwater. The nurse did not even question Bella's relationship to Sue before she found herself handing Bella Sue's chart. Momentarily dazed by the beautiful smile Bella flashed. Looking at the chart, Bella discovered Sue did have numerous broken bones that would heal up in a couple of months. Nothing major. She knew that the staff was just waiting for the x-ray results to find out if any internal damage had been done. She knew they would find some bruising but nothing major. She handed the chart back to the stunned nurse before thanking her and walking towards the waiting room. Car crash. So that was the cover story. She wondered how much her father knew about the real story but decided not to dwell too much on it knowing his stance on the whole supernatural thing…need to know. And he seriously did not need to know about this.

As she reached him, he raised himself from his seat, hoping she carried good news. Just broken bones and they are still waiting on results of some x-rays and CAT scan but other than that she is okay and the doctors should be with him shortly. He hugged her and thanked her for the information. Leah nodded her way as a thanks. This was about as much as she was going to get from Leah and she knew it.

As Charlie released his daughter from his embrace, the doctor walked into the waiting room.

"Charlie, she is doing good. No internal damage. Just some bruising which is to be expected from the impact. She is lucky she does not have more damage then what she already has. The nurses are setting her casts and then they will be around shortly so that you can go in to see her."

"Oh my god! Thank you doctor! Thank you so much!" Charlie stated while shaking the doctor's hand vigorously. He turned to hug his daughter once more, relieved that his wife would be okay. A few broken bones he could handle. He turned to Leah and smiled at her. She sighed in relief but stayed sitting until the nurses gave the go ahead to see her mother. She wasn't going anywhere until she saw her mother. She had to see her mother. She was lost in her thoughts about what had transpired in the last couple of hours. Leah was glad she had been the one to separate the leech's head from her body. She wanted to reattach it just so she could do it again and again. The leech should suffer as much as her mother was. She was also aware that she needed to call her brother and let him know how their mother was doing. Mentally berating herself for forgetting her cell phone. In all the chaos, she had forgotten to bring it with her. It must be on the forest floor where she had phased. She made a mental note to go look for it when she got back. The call to Seth will have to wait. She really did wish he was there with her but understood why he couldn't come. Serves him right. He should really keep his fucking mouth shut. She had told him many times in the past. She knew his verbal diarrhea would get him in trouble and she proved her right when he gave information to those fucking bloodsuckers! To this day she still fumes about it. Why did her little brother have to go and be friends with those filthy leeches?! Nothing good can come from it. Even now with Bella so near, she was thinking of ways she could rid the world of her presence. She sneered towards Bella. God she wished her brother would get here already! Any of her brothers. She needed some support.

The nurse finally walked into the waiting room and informed them that Sue was ready to accept visitors but that she was sedated to help with the pain so she was not conscious at the moment. Charlie looked at Leah and let her lead the way. Stopping at the doorway, Leah prayed for the strength to handle the sight of her mother before she entered the room. Charlie entered after her but let her have a moment with her mother.

There she was. Cast plastering her body. An IV drip to help keep her hydrated, another drip which she assumed with morphine for the pain, and a monitor beeping in rhythm with her mother's heartbeat. Her skin bruised, with the marks of fingers around her neck. A low growl escaped Leah's lips as she took in the sight of her mother's fragile state. A silent tear fell from her eye as she approached her mother, kissing her gently on her forehead. Leah closed her eyes and thank whoever was up there for looking after her mother. She knew a minute later and she would not be in this hospital room kissing her mother. There was so much she wanted to tell her mother. So much she needed her here for. Her mother had been her rock for so long and now it was time to repay the favor. She vowed to be there for her when she got out of the hospital. She knew Charlie could not handle it all and she was more than willing to help her mother out. It was the least she could do. She squeezed her mother's hand one more time before letting Charlie have his moment with her.

Now, she didn't hate Charlie, although in the beginning she did resent him. She wasn't about to call him dad either. That title was reserved for her own father. No one would replace her father. No, Charlie was not a bad man and now she was glad her mother had someone in her life that loved her. She always thought her mother was a very lucky woman. She not only had her father who loved her to pieces but now she had Charlie that loved her with all his being. She knew her pack jokingly said Charlie had imprinted on Sue and Leah was upset at first but now she was okay with it. Her mother had found love twice in her lifetime. Leah envied her and she wished she would be able to have that in her life. All she had known so far was heartache and pain.

As she stepped back and let Charlie come closer to his love, Leah smiled at the sight as her heart broke for her own predicament. Why? Why couldn't Sam imprint on her? She loved him with her everything. He was her world. He was her everything. He still held her heart. He would always have a piece of her heart. She hated him. She hated Emily. Her own flesh and blood took her happiness away and she was never going to let them forget it. If she had to be miserable then they would be too. Far worse, she phased and now she has to take orders from Sam! She knew her pack brothers hated being in her head. She held such hatred and animosity towards Sam, it was not easy for them to get along. And then when he used his nickname for her! That! That right there down right infuriated her! He no longer had the right to use any term of endearment towards her! As far as she was concerned he could go to HELL and take his WHORE with him!

Leah found herself trembling and decided she had overstayed her welcome. She stormed out of the room passing Bella in the waiting room.

Bella looked after Leah and decided to go check on Sue and her dad and see if anything transpired that would have Leah leaving in such a manner. She knocked lightly on the door before entering, announcing her presence. Charlie looked up at her with a small smile. He shrugged his shoulder to let her know he had no idea what was wrong with Leah. Bella didn't let it bother her anymore. She was just glad Sue was in good hands. No, she was glad herdad was in good hands. Leah is just going to have to accept the fact that Charlie and Sue were married and there was nothing she could do about it.

"How are you doing Bells?" her dad, ever so concerned about his only daughter, asked her.

"Don't you think I should be asking you that, dad?" She chuckled lightly, shaking her head with amusement.

"Um, okay, I guess." Charlie again not doing so well with emotional situations. "Where's Edward and Nessie?"

Bella shifted uncomfortably as she looked over at Sue, avoiding her father's gaze. "They're at home."

"Everything okay?" Charlie was now concerned as her watched his daughter trying to read her features but unable too. He was now concerned because in all the years he had known them together, they were rarely apart, especially at a time like this. Edward would not let Bella out of his sight. Charlie even thought he was too possessive of her.

"Yeah dad. We just came into town and they are unpacking at the moment. I just decided to come over when I heard Sue was already here. Don't worry. Everything is…fine." She lied, sighing. "Besides, I'm sure they would want to give us some privacy before coming over and bombarding you with questions."

"Well, I can't wait to see my granddaughter. I miss her. Phone calls are nothing compared to seeing her in person." He smiled at the memory of his only grandchild.

"I'm sure she misses you too dad. I'll bring her over later. I'm going to go and let you have some time with Sue. Call me when she wakes and we'll all come pay her a visit. Reneesme would like to see the both of you I'm sure." She hugged her father before leaving him with his wife. As she left, she turned briefly and surveyed the scene before her. Sue was laying there wrapped in plaster with Charlie ever so gently holding her hand in his and whispering into her ear. She could clearly see the love in his eyes that he held for the woman laying helpless on the hospital bed and she silently wished Edward would have that look in his eyes again. She missed that look. She turned and headed out the door.

She climbed into her car and closed her eyes, not wanting to return home right now. She wasn't sure where to go. She silently cursed the treaty they held with the Quileute's because this barred her from going to the cliffs and sitting in peace, looking out into the ocean. She needed a quiet spot to sit and think before she went home to face her husband. She didn't like the way she left but she had left none the less. Why was she fighting with him so much? Dammit! If she could cry tears, they would be falling down her face right now. What had become of her life? She yearned for the early years. She sat there with her thoughts, wishing she didn't dread going home. This is not the way it should be.

Then her thoughts wandered to her daughter. She half smiled at the thought. Her beautiful daughter was a blessing. She loved her with all her heart. Why didn't she see that? She loved her more than her own life. She would do anything for her. Since the moment she found out she was pregnant, she had loved her little 'nudger'. She smiled at the memory of feeling Reneesme kick and her hand absentmindedly move towards her stomach. She never dreamed she would ever become a mother and now that she was, she wished her daughter could just see how much she truly loved her. Her heart broke at the memory of Reneesme saying she was forced on them. And then her heart broke again as she remembered her daughter finding out about her and Jacob.

Jacob.

Her best friend. He was a fool to think she would ever be with him. That didn't stop him from trying. In hind sight, it was because of Reneesme but they had no way of knowing that. Reneesme didn't believe it. She wouldn't even hear of it. She considered herself second choice. Second place. Why couldn't she see Bella could never compete with her when it came to Jacob? Bella would never be his choice. Not after Nessie came into this world. Not that she wanted a chance with him. She already found the love her life. She smiled at the thought of Edward. Edward and that crooked smile of his. Just the memory of it, made her melt and sent chills up and down her spine. God how she loved that man! No. She didn't want Jacob. She never had wanted Jacob. And truth be told, he never wanted her either. It was Nessie his soul was waiting for. It had always been her. Why couldn't her daughter see that?

And now her daughter was miserable. Absolutely miserable! And that misery was seeping out of every pore in her body. Her daughter didn't deserve this. There was no way her daughter should live like this. Her heart shattered at the misery her daughter was in. Silently crying vampire tears, Bella made a vow to end her daughter's misery. There had to be some way to help out.

She was silently praying when she spotted something in her rearview mirror. Could it be? There was no way? That couldn't be him. This guy looked thinner. His clothes hung on his frame. He had a dead look to his eyes. So gaunt and ghost like. A shell of the man that use to be. Still the same built but wasting away. His dark russet skin taking on a pale grey shade of sick. He looked like death on legs.

But it was him! There he was. Here he was. She couldn't believe her eyes. If she hadn't seen him for herself, she would never believe it. Jacob Black was slowly dying without her! Without Nessie. How had he lived this long without her? How did he have the will to go on? He looked as miserable as her daughter did and in this instant, Bella knew they could not live without each other. They could not go on another day without each other. They would die without each other. She knew now what she had to do. This was her one shot to give her daughter the happiness she deserved. This was her one shot to bring her back to her heart. She quickly got out of the car and shouted in his direction.

"JACOB! JACOB!"

She waved frantically trying to get his attention. She knew she couldn't leave without speaking to him. Her heart soared when he looked her direction. Recognition slowly filling his face. Damn, he looked horrible! This was not the Jake she knew. He smiled at her as they both ran to meet each other. They stopped short before looking each other over. His dead smile displayed the pain in his heart. Her tight smile apologizing for his misery. They both just stood there for a moment before she delicately reached out to embrace her best friend. He fell into her embrace and begin to sobbed as his body shook violently, his body racked with pent up emotions. He was broken and her still heart broke into a million pieces for her best friend.

He held onto her for dear life as his knees buckled and he crumpled onto the floor. She understood. She was his only connection to his heart…his Nessie. She pulled him away and looked at his tear streaked face before embracing him again. He was as lost as her daughter was. She pulled him away again.

"Hey Jake. It's okay. It's gonna be okay." She cooed while rocking him back and forth, Her motherly instincts taking over. "Look at me Jake. Please, " she begged him.

He was still hanging on to her, not wanting to let go. His body shaking with relief and fright. If this was a dream, he didn't want to wake up. Gasping for air and crying loudly, he willed himself to open his eyes.

"Hey," she whispered and smiled at him. He had a lump in his throat and was unable to respond. He was never so happy to see anyone in his life. He looked at his best friend and just couldn't get a hold of his emotions. She was here. She was here!

"Jake, it's okay. I'm really here," she was comforting him, stroking his hair and his back while assuring him that he was not dreaming. She hated to see him this way. She had never seen him this way. All she could do was hold onto him until he was able to gain his composure but it didn't seem to be any time soon. She could feel all of his raw emotions running through him. She knew what he needed. She knew who he needed although she also knew it was not going to be easy to get him what his soul really needed. Right now she would have to be enough for him.

"B-B-Bel.." he squeaked, not being able to truly form the words as he continued to cry and his body continued to tremble.

"Shhh, shhh, shh. Don't speak. It's okay," she held him as she comforted him. He held on even tighter and she let him cry on. She pulled him away when she felt him gasping for air. His body betraying him and not letting him take on a full breath. He struggled and began to hyperventilate. Bella felt his panic as she watched his eyes begin to roll to the back of his head right before his body gave up and he passed out.

"Jake! Jacob!" She lightly slapped his cheeks trying to get him to open his eyes. "Jake, open your eyes! Come on Jake. Please! Open your eyes sweetie!" She continue to plead with him with no luck. She did not know he was not alone until she saw a set of hands reach out to him.

"Seth!" She was startled. It was hard to startle a vampire but she had not been aware of her surrounds. Her concern solely focused on the broken body of her best friend in her arms.

"Jake! Man, come on, Jake! Wake up!" Seth was slightly shaking Jacob's body to try to rouse him out of his state of shock. Panic begin to settle in him. "JAKE! PLEASE WAKE UP!" he was half shouting at this point. Bella took hold of his wrist.

"Seth, we need to get him out of here. Can we take him home?" she questioned.

"I-I I don't know. L-L-Let me call Sam! Shit! Fuck!" Seth was at a loss at what to do. Full blown panic settled in his being. He pulled out his phone and dialed the number as quick as possible. His mind never leaving the shattered body lying in Bella's arms. She was gently rocking him back and forth, cooing, and trying to get him to open his eyes. And for the first time, Seth really looked at Jacob. He was death. His body wasting away. Once muscular figure now just an emaciated shell of the former man he use to resemble. His cheeks drawn in as his cheek bones threaten to tear through his skin. Dark circles permanently making their home under his eyes. His once brightly russet color had taken on a pale greyish hue. Seth realized he was in denial about what this separation was doing to his alpha. He had been looking at Jacob through rose-colored glasses, hoping against hope that the alpha would be okay. And now thinking back to the wolf he saw earlier, he can now remember seeing ribs protruding from his skin. His fur hung on him, no longer having a shiny coat. Tears begin to build up in his eyes as the realization set in. His alpha was dying.

"S-Sam! J-Jake!" was all he manage to choke out.

"Seth! What is it? What happened to Jake? SETH ANSWER ME DAMMIT!" Sam shouted into his phone.

"H-H-He, Sam!" still unable to talk and he felt his phone being yanked away.

"Sam. This is Bella. Jacob just passed out and he is not responding. I am willing to take him to his house. I don't think Seth in any condition to drive right now. I'll call Carlisle. Sam. It looks bad." Bella had to deliver the message. The other Quileute boy begin to fall apart.

"Hurry!" was all Sam ordered before he hung up the phone. She was quick to her feet. Her car just a few feet away but it might as well have been half way across the world. For once, luck was on her side as no human was in sight. She grabbed Seth's shoulders, shaking him roughly.

"Seth, I need you to get a hold of yourself right now! We need to hurry and get Jacob back to his house. Carlisle will be on his way. SETH!" she yelled snapping him temporarily out of his shocked state. He nodded his head in agreement and help picked up Jacob's limp body. It would only take one of them to pick him up but they couldn't risk being caught so, even though this was a state of emergency, they had to keep up the façade.

They placed him into the back seat, gently lying his lifeless body down as Seth hopped into the passage seat and Bella quickly followed into the driver seat. Like a bat out of hell, the car sped away from the hospital and race against time to get Jacob back to the reservation.

Bella threw her phone to Seth and told him to call Carlisle and tell him to meet them at the Black residence and to hurry! Somehow Seth was able to do as he was told. The ride seem to take an unnecessarily long time. It gave Seth enough time to think back to the phone call he received before making his way to the hospital…

"Nessie?"

"Seth…"

"W-What, I mean, h-how?" he stuttered into the phone. Words seeming to fail him today.

"Seth, how is he?" she asked quietly, almost a whisper. Had he not had his wolf hearing, he would not have known she had even spoke.

"Ness, he's… he is hanging in there." He informed her, knowing if the council caught wind of this call, he would be in deep shit.

"No Seth. Really. How is he?" she pleaded with him.

"Ness, look he is doing the best he can but I don't really know because no one has given me an update in a couple of weeks, ok?" he sighed and he heard her breath hitch.

"What do you mean? You haven't been updated? What's going on? What is happening? Why won't you just go see him? Seth you know he's like your big brother! Why would you depend on others to give you an update?" she was nearly screaming at him, furious that he had not checked up on him like he had promised her.

"Nessie! Nessie!" he tried to get a word in edge wise. "Ness, everything is screwed up right now. I'm in a shitload of trouble for…"

"Giving me the loophole," she finished his sentence. Silence for a few seconds.

"Yeah. I screwed up and I'm paying for it. I'm not even supposed to be talking to you. I could be kicked off the reservation if anyone finds out I'm even talking to you." He informed her.

"Seth! Oh my god, Seth! I didn't know it got that bad! I'm so sorry! Please forgive me! I never meant to…"

"I know," he interrupted.

"What have I done? I'm so sorry!" guilt laced her words.

"Nessie, it hasn't been good. We haven't been the same. He hasn't been the same. Please Ness! Please come back!" he took this opportunity to plead with her. Hoping against hope he could talk her into coming back to right all the wrongs that plagued everyone.

"Seth, please. I just called to check up on him. I already told you before. I'm not the one for him. I can't be," she said so sadly.

"But why?! Why not?! Ness? You know that's not true! He imprinted on you! The spirits are never wrong! You're wrong! You two belong with each other! Please Ness!" he cried into the phone.

"The spirits are forcing him to love me! Fuck the spirits Seth! This isn't the way it supposed to be! Why can't you fucking see that? You know what never mind. I have to go. Please don't tell anyone I called."

"Wait, Ness!" Seth tried in vain to plead again before the line went dead. FUCK! This was all screwed up and it was his own fault! He pulled on his hair as he laid his head on his laps just as there was knock at the door.

His head snapped up and he was jolted back from his train of thought. They had arrived at Billy's and Sam was knocking on the passenger window, trying to get Seth's attention. Seth shook his head and opened the door. Jacob was already being hauled into his house by his pack brothers. Everyone had a sick worried look on their faces. Everyone knew it was bad but since Jacob was still walking around and patrolling, they didn't want to believe it would really be this horrendous. Paul gently eased Jacob's limp body onto his bed. Jacob just laid there, not moving. If it wasn't for being able to hear a faint heartbeat, Paul was sure Jake was dead. A tear escaped his eyes as he stood there assessing the broken man before him. The once vibrate soul, was now lifeless and at death's door.

Carlisle arrived shortly after Jacob was laid on his bed. Quickly, Carlisle began to assess Jake and began to set up machines and drips. He placed his ear to Jacob's chest, listening for a few seconds. He then proceeded to feel for Jacob's pulse on his wrist. Carlisle frowned and shook his head. Heavily sighing, he worked at vampire speed to get Jacob's body set up with the various IVs that he had brought along with him. A vitamin drip to get some much needed nutrition into Jacob's body, another IV to keep him hydrated, monitors to make sure his heart was actually still beating, albeit slow, and a morphine drip in the event he was in pain. Without a word out of Jacob, not even a whimper as needles after needles penetrated his thin, loose, pale skin.

Sam ordered the pack to wait outside the Black residence to give Carlisle a chance to work on Jacob. Sam stayed in the living room with Billy, waiting on Carlisle to finish. Once he finished, Carlisle exited the room with a grave look on his face. Sam stiffened once he caught the look on Carlisle's face.

"Sam," he extended his hand to him. Sam took it and shook the doctor's hand, slightly noting the difference in their temperature.

"Well," Sam was running out of patience and wasn't sure he had any left as he waited for the doctor to give him a status report.

"He's resting. His body has taken a toll with everything that has happened. I set him up with a vitamin drip for the vital nutrients his body is lacking and saline drip to keep him hydrated. I also set up a morphine drip in the event he wakes up and is in pain which I know he will be. I can come over later to check up on him, with your permission of course," the doctor nodded at Sam.

"Of course," Sam confirmed with a nod.

"Sam, I'm not sure how he is hanging on but he barely is. I made a quick assessment out in the clearing as I was helping Sue and I am still amazed he was standing much less phased. I'm sorry I couldn't give you any better news," Carlisle extended his apologizes.

"To be honest, I don't know how he has managed all this time doc," Sam confessed. "At any rate, thank you again for your help. We really do appreciate it. Now if you excuse me, my brothers would like an update on Jacob. Thank you again." Sam finished as he walked out of the house to deliver the grave news to the pack.

Carlisle nodded as he gathered his things, preparing to leave. His heart was heavy and his thoughts wandered to his beloved. He could never imagine being a single day without her and here Jacob had survived three years without his heart. He was truly amazed and disheartened. He was stopped short at the door by a rough hand. He turned around to see Billy looking up at him from his wheelchair with a grateful, sadden look on his face as he extended his hand to Carlisle. Carlisle took it and shook his hand while nodding his head at Billy.

"Thank you."

That was all that needed to be said before Billy turned and wheeled himself into his son's room, letting the good doctor find his way out. Outside, Carlisle encountered a sad, tearful group as he made his exit. Each taking their time to thank him as he promised to return to keep an eye on their dying alpha. Tears, guiltlessly, staining the cheeks of each pack member as the news set in. The heavy, mournful atmosphere was almost too thick to walk through. In the distance, a mournful howl could be heard piercing the night sky and the pack members hung their heads in respect of their dying brother, their alpha. It was then that they knew, the rejection of the imprint had caught up with the russet wolf.

Inside the Black residence, Billy held his son's hand as Jacob barely hung onto life.

Hope no longer seeming to be an option…

So please R&R. I would like to know if I did this chapter justice. I'll still finish the story regardless of the results or lack there of but it would nice to know how I am doing. I probably won't have another chapter up until the end of the week. I'm a little sadden by this one.

Sorry for any grammar and/or spelling mistakes!

Much love...