The next day, Kelly came to my place before we headed to the garage. I still can't believe we're doing this. Approaching the Rabbit, I got a lump in my throat. Holy crap. I'm doing this aren't I...I'm gonna see her again. The first time since-since the wedding. It seems like a freakin' lifetime ago. I was different then that's before I met-

"You okay?"

I looked over the roof to see two blue eyes staring intently at me.

"Yeah…" I shrugged, looking downward, "I think."

"Hey" she said, making me meet her eyes again, "If you're changing your mind...that's fine. We don't have to go."

"No..it's fine," I sighed, "Besides, it'll be nice to get out of La Push for a bit."

We got in, shutting our doors. As we put on our seatbelts she added, "Haven't been in here since...since we went to Port Angeles."

"That was a good day," I smiled.

"It was," she smiled back at me, then at her tattoo.

Damn I love her. As nervous as I am to see Bella again...it's like when she looks at me I forget it all. Maybe this won't be so bad...I mean...my imprint wants to meet the one who crushed my heart into pieces...what could go wrong? Oh just you know...everything. At the same time, maybe she's right. Maybe this is what I need to get out of the past and move on to the future...if she wants one with me. She hasn't said anything either way. I mean...I know what I could say that might help...

I stepped on the gas as we hit the road out of down. Forks ain't too far away. Not enough time to really drop this I-totally-imprinted-on-you-and-didn't-tell-you-please-don't-hate-me thing on her...Still something else ate at me. I really don't want to screw anything else up. I glanced over to her and said, "Are you sure about this? I mean...why do you want to see her?"

Glancing back at me she replied, "I don't know really...it's like I said yesterday. She's such a big part of your past I feel like I kinda need too. Besides, maybe they've heard something about Drake..smelled him or whatever."

"Not worried it's going to be awkward?"

"Of course it is," she chuckled, "But it'll be better afterward. I know it."

"I just-" I paused, "I just don't want you to question what I said. I mean it, ya know, I-"

"I know," she smiled, leaning into the seat and looking at me, "Don't worry. I haven't forgotten what you said."

She squeezed my hand and I relaxed a little. It really didn't take long to get there. I pulled into the familiar drive with the police cruiser out front. A Volvo sat next to it. I used to hate that damn car. But now somehow today it didn't bug me as much. At all actually. Damn this imprinting stuff can really change everything. I pulled to a stop and gulped. Bella's still in there though. I glanced over at her as she looked at me. "You ready?" she asked,

"Not really," I confessed, "But what the hell. Oh-and careful whatever you're thinking. He can uh-can hear them, your thoughts. There's another one who can see the future. It's weird."

"Thanks for the heads up," she said, putting her hands in her pockets, "But you know I'm not too great at hiding what I'm thinking anyway."

"Then we're in this together," I said, "Right?"

"Right," she smiled.

We walked up towards the door and I knocked. Charlie answered, bringing us inside. Once I walked in, some memories came flooding back. Time I spent there...God when I almost kissed her in that kitchen...when I did outside and got a punch to the face. So many of them...but that's all they were now: memories. I looked at the girl beside me and she's all I could see. Her smile when she saw Charlie...I'm the luckiest guy alive.

Then I heard her. I gulped. I turned to see Bella. But this time...it was different. She's not how I remembered her. I used to be able to picture her and find everything I loved about her but as she stepped forward...nothing. Just a normal brunette with brown eyes, eyes that lit up when she saw me. She rushed over and hugged me. I did back, lightly. I can't believe it. All that time I hung onto her and an image in my head...and it's gone. I glanced over at Kelly. God I don't want to her her feel-I heard him say something to me but I wasn't really listening. I mumbled 'hi' or something, I can't even tell. I'm just in shock. When I looked back at Bella, I started to notice things...little things… that I hadn't before. Like I used to see her in like a shining light but now she was just really freaking pale...and...I don't know...I can't even describe it she's just not the Bella I remember. Huh. Guess imprinting did the trick.

When the leech suggested going outside, I agreed. Bella's dad didn't need to know what we're talking about. Nice guy and all but most humans would look at us like we're crazy if we mentioned anything. We sat on the grass, looking at each other. My eyes kept drifting to her then back to Bella. I mean, there's definitely one question that needs to be asked but...she already knows. Still I tried to keep it light so I asked, "So..how was college Bells?"

Smiling she answered, "It's been great. I did surprisingly well in all my classes."

The leech glanced at me and answered, "Bella's decided to stay in college for a while yet before any…changes take place."

"Is that true?", I asked. God I hope so. I don't want the guys and I to have to tear her apart when the treaty breaks.
Bella nodded, "I still want to be one of them Jake but I actually do like college. One more year won't hurt."

College...like Kelly wants to do. God I hope she's changed her mind...don't think anyone in the history of our tribe who's imprinted were ever separated for-The leech kept eyeing me. Shit. Of course he knows how I feel...about both of them. Yes...I'm done with Bells. Just don't hurt her, she's still my friend. And...don't Kelly what you just saw about the imprinting. I haven't told her yet and I wanna be the one to do it. Please...?

The leech only nodded before we looked back at the girls. "None taken," he replied, "You're being targeted?"
Kelly just shrugged, "Apparently. Have you or your…family hear or seen anything? The pack hasn't been able to cross on this side."

Leech shook his head but Bella asked him, "Maybe Alice has seen something that might help?"
Again he shook his head before turning back to Kelly and me. "We haven't seen anything. Is it just one?"
"His name's Drake," Kelly said with a nod, "He's part of a coven. I don't know why he's obsessed with me but he is. The pack took down one of the members that tried to kidnap me a while back but otherwise nothing. He's hell-bent on changing me."

I fumed. Just thinking about that stupid-no offense, I know you can hear this. But it's frustrating. "He's still been following her," I added, "but he always crosses the line before we get him. He sticks to your side because he knows we can't cross. He's playing the waiting game."
"And the scent's only by her house?" he asked me and stared.

Yeah. Since you can hear this, yeah it is. Don't tell her...but I did fight him one on one but he still ran. He doesn't care about sacrificing his own kind. Look in my head, you'll see it. If you know anything...please. I can't let anything happen to her. She's...well hell you can see what she means to me.

He looked at me before glancing at Kelly & Bella before stating, "You have helped us in the past Jacob. The debt I owe you for Bella's life can never fully be paid but I will check into this, if you allow me."
I glanced to Kelly. She's everything. If they can find something-"Do it."
"Thank you," Kelly replied before facing me, "Why don't you catch up with Bella? You two haven't seen each other in a long time and you should."

I swallowed. why the hell would she say that. She knows I-I don't want to mess anything up. I don't want her to feel-

Like she was reading my damn mind, "I'll be fine but you guys are the besties. We'll have time later. Go."

I squeezed her hand but she was going to go regardless. I cast one more look at the lee-Edward. Please...Please don't tell her. He only nodded and walked away with her. I walked her go for another sec or two before turning back to Bella.

"Guess it's just us."

"Guess so," she smiled slightly.

"It's good to see you Bells."

"You too," she said, "After the wedding...I was worried about you."

"I was too," I sighed, "But I'm fine. I swear. "Everything's different now."

"I can tell...she's nice."

"She's amazing."

"You love her, huh?"

I chuckled, "Am I that obvious?"

"A little, which is good because Edward wasn't really excited for this-you know us hanging out."

"Of course not," I replied, "Can't blame him."

"Who is she?" she said, "I don't think I've ever seen her before."

"She uh-she just moved to La Push after the...the wedding."

"Wow," she said, "I guess I'm just surprised you love her...even feel like that way about someone else- I mean you told me-"

"She's my imprint, Bells."

"It happened?"

"Yeah, it did."

"So everything you told me...about imprinting…"

"Was true," I glanced at her, "With her it's-it's more than love. She's my world. I'd give anything-be anything she needs."

She smiled, "I'm glad. I was worried about that...about you finding someone."

"It took awhile...actually it didn't," I chuckled, "I met her and found her yeah but...we've only just started really being together."

"Why the hold up?" she asked then stopped, "Oh."

She paused a sec then added, "But I thought you said when you imprinted everything sort of fell away…"

"Most of the time," I sighed, "But I still loved you Bells and I couldn't let you go right away. "

"She's a lucky girl, Jake," she smiled.

"I'm the lucky guy," I said, pausing a sec, "Bells…"

"What?"

"I need to tell you something…" I paused, "Look don't get mad, kay'? I just...It was hard to get over you but I did. And while I was getting over you... I put her through hell in the process. So we can stay friends...but that's all you'll ever be to me now. A friend. And this time...I hope we can do it better," I paused, sighing, "You hurt me Bella, in more than one way. Sure you picked him and that sucked but...you also kinda led me on there and only used me to make yourself feel better. I was so in love with you I just let it happen but now...now I just hope we can do better. And...you need to know if they ever break the treaty I have to-"

"I know," she sighed, "And I'm sorry. I'm sorry I put you through that. I guess both of us made some mistakes."

"Yeah," I said, sighing. I paused and second then asked, "Do you know yet...when?"

"Not really," she sighed and shrugged, "I want to be with him. Forever. But college has actually been fun. So maybe it's not as big of a rush as it was."

"You don't have to Bells, I mean," I glanced over seeing Kelly and Edward in the distance, "Even one life is better than none at all."

She followed my eyes, "You're going to do it aren't you? You're going to stop phasing and live a normal life?"

"Eventually," I said, turning to face her, "First she's gotta accept me."

"She will," she said, hugging me, "I'm glad we did this...you know...talked."

"Yeah," I said, "I guess...I guess we needed to."

Once he appeared closer, Bella immediately went to his side. As Kelly approached mine, we smiled at each other. I got caught in those baby blues again before he cleared his throat. He looked at me and said, "I'll check out her house tonight. Be sure to let Sam know and the rest of the pack. I'd prefer not to be mauled."
I nodded, all of us saying our goodbyes. I gave Bella one more hug but honestly...I didn't feel anything. All I feel is worried about what the leech said to her. Hell I wonder what she even said to him. I never want to be like them but damn if I didn't wish I could know what he heard. She does show a lot on her face but right now-nothin'. As we got into the Rabbit, we didn't talk right away and it was killin' me. Once we had our seatbelts on, I hit the gas. As we drove she asked, "So how'd it go? I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable I just figured you should probably get some closure."

"It went good, surprisingly," I confessed, "It didn't hurt as bad as I thought it would. I guess I am over her after all," I flashed a smile at her, catching her eyes before looking back at the road, "I think a lot of that is just because of you."

Hell, I know it's because of her. I said things...things I've meant to say to Bells forever and now...it's like a damn weights been lifted. And I couldn't have done it without her.
"I'm sure I helped but I didn't do everything," she grinned, glancing out the window.
"And how was your walk with the leech?"
She chuckled, "Interesting to say the least. The thought reading gets kind of annoying."
I laughed. She has no idea. Although it could be useful from time to time…

"Agreed."
"But I'm glad we went," she stated, "It was nice to meet her. I could tell how great of friends you were but I have to say it doesn't seem like you are so much anymore."
"Yeah" I answered, "I think a lot of that is just everything that's happened. And since she's been away I just haven't thought about her as much. I mean, I meant what I said, since I've known you it's like everything's different. We're still friends and just normal friends at that, not best friends," I looked over at her and smiled, "That's just us."
"You wanna know a secret?" she said with a grin.
"I thought I knew them all…," I said, raising a brow as I pulled into her driveway, "Do you have any secrets left to tell?"
"Just one," she smiled, our eyes meeting.
I glanced at her as I stopped. I gulped. What the hell could it be? Oh no...she's gonna say that it can't work...she's going to college far away...but wait. She's smiling. Maybe she's changed her mind? Maybe…? The anticipation was killing me. After a few moments I said, "Well?"
Then she did the damn thing I love...she bit her lip and smiled before she said, "I think I might be ready…soon."
"For…" I began as she tilted her head at me. What is she talking about...ready to...HOLY SHIT. I opened my eyes wider than I'd ever done, "Us? Y-you want to…?"
"Give me tomorrow," She said and smiled, "And I'll give you my answer. Okay?"

"Okay…"

Kelly squeezed my hand and opened the door. I watched her go...stunned. Me...she wants to be with me. Today didn't screw anything up. Did the leech tell her? Is that why-WHO THE HELL CARES?! She wants to be together. Well almost. I have to wait for her answer. Finally. I can tell her the truth...the whole damn truth and finally...finally everything thing will work out. Yet there's this tiny voice in my head that's telling me something will go wrong. But I can't listen not today. Not with what she just said. I got out of my car, leaning against it for a second. I laughed out loud in disbelief. Is this really happening?

I smiled then went around to the window. She was already on her bed when I sat beside her. As she went to sleep, I just kept one arm around her and her head stayed on my chest. Tomorrow. Tomorrow she'll have an answer...God I hope she'll be mine. I'll do anything to make sure she does. Bella...hell after today...I don't think I love her anymore. Did I ever really? Or was it just because she was the only thing I knew? No idea. All I know, is I will never let that leech lay on hand on the treasure I got next to me. Kelly...I'll do anything for her. Even wait. Until tomorrow. Even if the waiting kills me.