Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the authors. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended. This is just a tribute.

As always, a huge thanks to willowbae for her beta-ing. There's a small addition to this chapter, just for her... :)

Chapter 14.

Nessie – the unconscious mind

As I whispered the word, Jake buried his head in his hands.

"I'm sorry, Nessie." He sounded completely anguished. "I was so angry… it was hideous, I thought Bella was dead… I didn't know what you were…"

I wasn't aware of feeling shocked, or angry, or even hurt. I just felt vaguely disorientated. Jacob's voice seemed to be coming from a long way away. It was strange, considering that the window was open, how little air was in the room. Why hadn't I noticed this before?

I took a deep breath, but it was still so airless that I felt suffocated.

And Jake's voice kept getting further and further away.

"… I was out of my mind…"

Taking another empty breath, I noticed that the room seemed to be tilting. That was strange too…

It was pouring with rain and I had been pacing the shoreline for hours. Oppressive, black, storm clouds hung low over the ocean. I was chilled to the bone and completely rain soaked, but my eyes continued to scan the horizon. I wasn't sure what I was looking for, but I knew that it was important.

With a sigh, I turned away from the sea; it was no good, I hadn't found anything. My eyes travelled along the beach and I caught sight of Leo, approaching me across the wet sand. I instantly felt very anxious; he shouldn't be here, the wolves wouldn't like it.

He hardly seemed to notice me; his eyes were fixed on the distant waves. Halting a short distance away, he finally turned his gaze upon me, and I was shocked to discover that his irises were a blazing red.

"What have you done?" I cried, stumbling forward in dismay.

I didn't really need to ask, I already knew that she was dead, and a weight of sorrow pressed down on me so hard that I felt as if my insides were being crushed. Seeing the grief-stricken look on my face, Leo closed the gap between us. He reached out and drew me into his arms. My tears spilled over as I laid my cheek against his chest.

"Why...?" My tone was pleading. I needed to understand why he had done such a terrible thing.

He held me securely and spoke in a low voice. "You can help me, Red."

I shook my head, hiding my face in his shirt. "I can't."

"You can… not now, but soon."

"Nessie… please, honey. Please… wake up!"

Jake was close, but I couldn't see him on the shore.

My eyes flickered open and I found that I was in a dark room. My room… and I was stretched out on the bed.

I felt a warm touch on my forehead and I shuddered.

"It's ok, you're safe… don't be afraid." Jacob was sitting on the edge of my bed.

"Jake…?"

I could only manage one word before I was hit by the most horrible feeling of sickness. I gasped and rolled onto my side, in an attempt to stop the room spinning. My temperature seemed to plummet, from hot to cold, in an instant. I can't remember ever having felt so terrible before. The sensation didn't last long, but what I did experience was bad enough.

"Do you want me to fetch Sue?" Jake leaned over me and his voice was full of concern.

I tried to pull my shattered wits together. Did I want Sue…?

"No…" I tried to say more, but my teeth started chattering from the cold, in fact my whole body seemed to be shivering uncontrollably. I felt my bedspread being pulled up and tucked tightly around me. I was still shaking as I stammered. "I… feel… funny."

"Honey… I'm so sorry." Jacob sounded really upset; I was worried about him.

"What's… w…wrong?" I wished my teeth would stop chattering.

"You passed out; I only just caught you in time."

It was coming back to me now. I closed my eyes again, and tried to make sense of what Jake had told me.

He had wanted me dead.

Worse than that, he'd wanted to commit the actual act.

No wonder I had felt as if the ground was being torn from under my feet. It was as shocking as if I'd been told that my mother had felt the same way. And it made about as much sense. Jacob's unwavering affection for me was the linchpin of my life. Was everything that I'd been led to believe really a lie?

And then I thought about the very first time that he had looked at me, on the day I was born. I remembered the expression which came into his eyes when they met mine, and I knew the truth. Jacob had never hated me. Whatever he'd thought about the idea of me, he had loved the real me, completely and without condition, from the very start.

This beautiful memory cut straight through my pain and uncertainty, and I gave up trying to speak; instead, I slipped my hand out from under the covers and rested my fingers on his arm.

Don't worry, I understand. I showed him my memory.

He leaned forward and rested his forehead on my hand. "I had a lot of stupid, preconceived ideas about you, Nessie. I didn't understand anything… but when I saw you… things made sense, for the first time in my life. I can't tell you how much you mean to me, how much I love you…"

I know. I love you, too. I then added, as an afterthought. I feel cold.

Shifting his position, he lay down on the bed, wrapping his long arms around the bedspread and me. I wiggled and pulled one side of the cover loose, then draped it over him too.

"That's better," I said, nestling against his warm body.

"I'm a space heater."

"Huh?"

"Nothing…" He put his arm around me protectively, and kissed my hair.

I pressed my cheek against the smooth skin of his chest. I'm sorry I fainted. I don't know what happened.

"It was my fault, I didn't mean to shock you so badly," he said remorsefully.

Don't worry about it… I hope you weren't scared.

"That's an understatement." He held me closer. "I didn't even know that you could pass out. For a second I thought that the shock had killed you."

I chuckled and kissed his collarbone. Sorry!

"Not half as sorry as I am," he said, resting his head back on the pillow. "How do you feel now?"

I still feel strange. I slid my arm around his waist and tried to get warm. Will you stay for a little while?

"I'll stay as long as I can."

Good. I closed my eyes and listened to the reassuring sound of his heart. The last thing I could remember was Jake saying quietly.

"I never meant to put you through this, Nessie. But would you understand if I told you that I'm glad you know everything?

With my arm lying across his bare skin, I could answer without moving a muscle. I understand. Secrets are bad… I'm glad you know mine too.

I then slipped into a deep sleep. Jacob's presence kept the nightmares at bay, and I was too tired for any other kind of dream.

I was woken a few hours later by his quiet voice in my ear.

"I've got to go now."

"Huh?" I took a second to wake up. I opened my eyes and saw that the room was getting lighter. I was now lying with my back to Jacob. His arm was wrapped around my waist, holding me close.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, but I didn't want you to wake up and find me gone," he said quietly. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," I was more awake now and could manage a coherent reply. "Thanks for staying."

"It's ok. I could get used to this." He kissed my shoulder and then sat up. "But I'd better not…"

I rolled over as he got out of bed. "How long have we been asleep?"

"It's seven. But you're the only one who's had any sleep." He grinned.

"Didn't you feel tired?" I asked innocently.

"Sure I did, but do you really think that I was going to risk being caught asleep in your bed?" He shook his head in disbelief at the idea.

"Oh!" I blushed at the thought of being found by Grandpa or Sue. And then I pictured Grandpa telling my parents and cringed. "You're right, they would kill us."

He smiled ruefully. "Not us – let's be specific about this – they'd kill me."

I had to admit that he was probably right.

"It doesn't help that my dad is so old fashioned. In his day, no gentleman would go into a girl's bedroom," I said meditatively. "My dad would never dream of doing such a thing. I feel sorry for my mom; he must have been really boring when they were dating."

Glancing at Jacob, I noticed that he was wearing a particularly blank expression as he said. "Um… right."

I started to warm to my theme and added in a hushed tone. "When I started seeing you, Uncle Emmett warned me that I had to be very well behaved, because my dad didn't even kiss my mom until they were engaged."

Jake made a strange choking sound and I looked at him with concern. "Are you ok?"

"Sure, sure," he nodded briskly and leaned over me. "Honey, I've got to go." He brushed my hair out of my eyes and gave me a tender kiss. "I'll call you after I catch up on some sleep."

I watched as he climbed out of the window, and heard the light thud as he landed on the lawn. I lay back down and was sound asleep within minutes.

It was late morning when I finally reawakened. There was gentle knocking at my door. I reluctantly opened my eyes and called out.

"Come in."

Seth poked his head around the door and spotted me, lying in bed. "Oh, sorry… I didn't realise you were still asleep."

"Don't worry." I glanced at my clock. "It's about time I got up."

"Mom was wondering if you wanted a cooked breakfast."

I sat up and smiled gratefully. "Could you tell her, thank you for offering, but I'll just make myself some toast or something…" Seth nodded at my words, but his expression was slightly distracted. "Seth, are you ok?"

He seemed embarrassed. "I'm fine."

What was with him? His eyes darted to the open window and then I realised that he must have noticed Jacob's scent. I instantly turned scarlet and blurted out.

"It's not what you think."

Seth looked uncomfortable as he said. "What goes on between you two is none of my business."

I felt utterly mortified as I protested. "But that's my point, nothing did go on."

"Ok, Nessie, whatever you say," he answered, beating a hasty retreat.

I knew that he would never rat me out, and not just because Jake was his Alpha, Seth just wasn't a snitch. But it was still humiliating to see how determined he was to pretend that he believed me.

Jake was going to have to clear this one up; he was the one who'd decided to show up in the middle of the night. I gave a little sigh.

He was so wonderful…

Author's notes:

Thanks to everyone who has reviewed this week, the comments have been lovely, and a special thanks to Joanna and Emy (because I can't PM you) it was great to read your thoughts :)

Please keep reviewing, I love to have the feedback.

Also a massive thanks to everyone who has added this story to their alerts. I'm so pleased!

Have a great week everyone, Mad :)