Hey look! I just got in under a month! Yep, I'm really just flying through these chapters aren't I? They're just whizzing out at lightning speed. Anyway, in all seriousness, I wish you guys could really know how upset it makes me to not write for you as much as I would like, I mean it kills me to lie in bed almost every night and have ideas going through my head and then when I wake up have to focus on other things.

Well I'm writing now, and I hope you enjoy what I present you with for today. I received such a tremendous response for last chapter after my long, long absence and I'd just be so grateful if I got to hear from all of you again (and then some)

Thank you for the incredible….what was it….Thirty-one reviews since last chapter! All of them absolutely blew me away! Thanks so so so much loves, I'll see you at the bottom.

Jacob POV

My eyes fluttered open as the first few rays of sunlight shone through my window and danced across the floor before climbing the side of my bed and washing over my face as a new day begun, and a patrol with Jared soon to begin. I let out a quiet groan and shifted to face the other side of my room, only to turn and find a…back, all thoughts of patrol dissipating in favor of last night. I now remembered the previous night's events, Jack coming over, Jack telling me what had happened, our embrace…..our kiss.

"He was there with an iron grip on my shoulder slamming me up against the cabinet…" I frowned with concern as Jack's words rang through my head once more. I put some of my more enjoyable memories of last night on hold as the protector in me took over. I tentatively raised a hand up to the offending shoulder, gingerly placing my fingers along the fabric of his shirt and tugging downward softly, exposing the patch of flesh.

I felt as if someone had torn one of my organs out as I saw what was once delicate and soft skin, now bruised and darkened. The best way I could describe it was like a patch of asphalt surrounded by white snow….I don't know…maybe I was going a bit far, but it was a bruise, one bad enough to make me want to strangle David for hurting Jack. I was tossed from my thoughts as Jack gently shrugged away from my touch and sighed, alerting me to his state of consciousness.

"Sorry," I said, unsure how he was feeling this morning.

"It's alright," he said, back still to me.

"I'm just concerned," I said, hoping he'd turn towards me, my body longing for a look from those beautiful cerulean orbs.

"I know," Jack said, his back still to me, long pause filling the air, "…..thank you."

I wasn't satisfied with the silence between us, the only sound masking our breathing being the rustling of the covers and the occasional chirp from the birds outside as they fluttered about. It would probably be a foolish act, definitely daring, but I slid my arms across the small space between the two of us and encircled his waist before slowing pulling his back flush against my chest. We stayed like that for a few minutes, just content to have him in my arms, to feel him under me, so I was pleasantly surprised when he took a hold of one of my arms and hugged it tightly. I realized just what was happening, my desires being fulfilled as I held Jack in my bed, no person or thing around to disturb us.

I leaned forward and traced my nose up and down his neck as he let out a heavenly sigh and relaxed more against me, practically melting in my arms. I moved upward away from his neck to his sleep tossed hair, even smoother and silkier to the touch than it had been before. I buried my nose in the fine locks and inhaled his heavenly scent, its aroma trumping the finest and most expensive fragrances. I grew even more daring as I reached around and planted a soft kiss on his cheek.

Jack quickly turned to face me, blue eyes shining bright with a mix of emotions and feelings. I could make out bewilderment, confusion, fear, but also a drop of love. "What was that?" he asked.

"A kiss," I replied simply, "On your cheek."

Jack looked down at where his feet were hidden under the covers as he seemed to think something over in his head, the silence broken with a prompt response, "What are we?"

"What do you mean?" I asked

"Like….what is this…between us," Jack asked as he fidgeted slightly, "What do I mean to you."

I encircled his waist with my arms once more and reveled in the fact that he seemed to relish in my touch and crave more, "You mean everything to me," I said in truth, "I like you….a lot…more than a person should probably…so this…the thing between us…can be whatever you want it to be."

I watched as Jack's peach skin tone heated and reddened as a fine blush was painted across his face. "So….you'd be….you'd be my boyfriend?" he asked.

My heart did a back flip before soaring into space as I inwardly screamed, "Yes…I'd be your boyfriend….I am your boyfriend," I said, "And I'd be so much more if you let me," I thought.

Jack once again looked down before looking back up and resting his head against my chest. "Alright…..boyfriend it is." Jack said.

I held Jack tightly against me as we started to drift back into slumber but not before my stupid mouth reacted before my brain could censor it, or just stop it all together, "Could we do it again?" I asked.

Jack looked up at me with blank eyes until a small smile spread over his face and a slight shine came to his eyes, "Yeah," he said, instantly knowing what I was talking about doing, and I was so glad that he did.

That was all I needed as I slowly started to close the gap between us. Our noses pressed against each others as we took in a breath before our lips met to begin the kiss. I slid my hands down Jack's side and rested on his hips, rubbing small soothing circles as we continued to kiss. Jack released a heavenly moan and his lips parted allowing me to enter and explore the hidden sweetness I longed for. We broke away and I turned so I was now atop of him, my mouth latching onto his neck as I nipped and sucked at the exposed and tender flesh, Jack's mewls being the driving force for me to continue to pleasure him as he submitted to me. I left his neck to go back to his mouth for a deep kiss, my tongue rolling and massaging his as things started to get heated, that was until my door swung open.

"Honestly Jacob, did you forget we have to patrol again?" Jared's voice asked.

I ended the kiss and stared down at Jack's shocked and embarrassed face before turning to find the half embarrassed, but half amused face of Jared as he stood in my doorway. I was infuriated that he had just barged in and shook slightly, causing Jack to tremble under me.

"Okay, okay, I get it," Jared said, "You want me six feet under right now, but-"

"Try six hundred," I quickly interjected.

"Yeah okay whatever," Jared said, "Sorry to interrupt but we still have to patrol."

I growled and grabbed a water bottle off my nightstand and quickly chucked it at Jared who squeaked and shut the door with haste. It wasn't that it would have hurt him; he could just tell that I was livid with him for barging in and interrupting.

I let out a deep exasperated sigh before collapsing next to Jack on my bed pulling him atop my chest and combing a hand through his hair. "I liked that," Jack said.

I couldn't help but grin at him, "So did I."

He lowered his head and rested it in the crook of my neck as we held each other in a loving and warm embrace. I didn't want the moment to end, I mean I had just gotten him and now I had to leave. "I need to patrol," I said solemnly.

"I know," Jack said sadly, "And I need to go home."

I scowled at the thought of David being there, just waiting for him and quickly shook my head, "No," I said firmly.

"I have to," Jack said, "I need to at least go back…just for a bit."

I grumbled under my breath and contemplated seeing Jack home, just to be safe, but I knew deep down that he could handle himself…that he'd want to handle himself and not have to feel babied or seen around by me. "Come back here if he tries something, if he tries anything," I said, hoping to provide him with a sense of security and comfort.

"I will," Jack said as he nuzzled my neck.

As much as it pained me to do it, I slid out from under Jack and stood up before turning to help him out of my bed. I placed a gentle hand on his back and let him lead us to the living room where Jared was, his face lighting up and giving a whistle as we entered. "Shut up," I said as we all converged towards the door, opening it and coming in contact with the chilled morning air. The three of us walked down the ramp and onto the grass, Jack stepping a bit to the right, Jared and I a bit to the left, "So I guess I'll see you later," Jack said offering us one last glance.

"Yeah," I said.

"Alright then….bye," Jack said as he began to walk.

I couldn't take the sight of him walking away and quickly stepped after him and turned him suddenly in my arms for one last kiss. As we broke apart I knew he'd be fine, "Bye," I whispered.

"Bye," he said again, now in a whisper and a smile on his face.

I watched him turn again and walk away, my eyes not leaving him until I felt Jared place a hand on my shoulder, "It gets easier," he said, "Trust me man."

"Right," I said my eyes still unmoving.

"Come on," Jared said, "We need to go."

I finally tore my eyes away from Jack's fleeting figure and turned to follow Jared into the woods for our patrol.

Jack POV

I traced a finger across my lips as my feet continued to carry me home. "Right….home," I mocked. I didn't see how I could consider any location with David home, but I had known that place for nearly my whole life, and despite who its occupants might be…it was still my home. As I moved onward I tried to distract myself from the thoughts of David with thoughts of Jacob.

He kissed me again….and I had kissed back….I had wanted to kiss back….and I did….and he kissed me…Jacob Black kissed me….and I kissed Jacob Black….and I definitely liked it. I couldn't help but blush at the thought of being back in his bed, having him hold me and kiss me all over again. I was swooning and about ready to just fall over, but the damp and frigid ground under my bare feet warned against that. I turned, continuing on my path home, holding my scant clothing tight around me as my thoughts drifted back to Jacob.

It made sense that we'd kiss…I could tell there was something between us...or at least believed there had been, and considering I had spent the night in his bed I figured I was correct. I don't know when we had taken that step past friends and to….boyfriends…but I could definitely see the path we had been on. I mean not many guys hang out one on one for extended periods of time, take numerous long walks on the beach, let you pet them…offer their jacket because they think you're cold…..catch you when you slip and fall….so really, the signs were clearly there.

Still there was something that I was missing, some moment in time were our time together transitioned from a friendship stage to a deeper, flirtatious, dare I say it, romantic stage. I mean Jacob had really opened up to me and I think the only people who knew more about him than I did were Billy and the pack, but I guess that was the difference that I had with the pack; Jacob's mind was on wide display whenever he was with them in his wolf form, but with me, Jacob consciously told me about himself, about who he was. Through all of this though I still felt like I was missing something, like there was some unknown force pushing me towards Jacob, but couldn't place it, my mind raced around all of the events that had transpired and my mind clung to an event, the night Quil had imprinted.

I quickly shook my head, "He would have told me if he had imprinted," I said to myself, shivering in the cold wind. As my home came into view I picked up my pace slightly, wanting to get out of the cold and maybe into a warm shower. I nodded, I'd shower and call Lynn or Alexis and hang out with them.

I walked up the small porch before twisting the knob on the door, stepping inside and quietly shutting it behind me. I was about to make my way back to my room when David's gruff voice shattered my calm. "Where the hell were you?"

I twisted the doorknob slightly, contemplating going right back out or standing my ground, either way I decided it was best just to ignore him. I left the door and started making my way back to my room when David stood from the couch and managed to block my path, "I asked you a question you little shit."

I looked up at him and could tell that he was being very serious, the alcohol in his system having been slept away, leaving a lucid and livid man before me, but that didn't mean I was going to submit to this man and bend at to his will, "I was out."

"Out where?" he growled.

"Stop pretending like you even care," I said, trying to sidestep him, only for him to grab my bruised shoulder, causing me to hiss in pain.

"I do care you little bastard," David hissed at me, "Cause if someone were to find out, then it's my ass that would go down for that shit, not yours."

"Well maybe I wouldn't have to leave if you could at least make this time bearable for both of us," I said, trying to remove his hand from my shoulder.

"You, you're just a fucking ungrateful little bastard," David seethed.

"ME?" I howled, finally up to my wits end with all the shit David had provided me with, "I cook you dinner, clean up after you, put up with the mental and physical abuse and you have the audacity to accuse me of being ungrateful!"

I gasped as I was struck across the face and wobbled back slightly, "How dare you talk back to me," David ground out.

I rubbed my cheek where his hand had connected and rubbed the tender flesh gently. "How dare you strike a child you filthy pig, you're lucky I don't have you taken away at this very moment."

David narrowed his eyes at me before laughing darkly, "So why haven't you faggot? Huh? What are you waiting for, try and have me convicted or whatever the shit it is you'd do. You have zero proof."

I grinned at him before hitching my shirt down slowly to show him the bruise that he had caused just a couple of hours prior, "What do you think someone would say if I showed them this?"

"What do you think they could do if I denied it?" David countered, "You honestly think anyone would believe the bane of this tribe over me?"

"Yes," I said confidently, "While you've isolated yourself from everyone in this tribe with your excessive drinking I've continued to make friends and branch out with new people and show the tribe the good person I am."

David was glaring daggers at me, sharpening them with each word that left my mouth. "If you're so sure of yourself then why haven't you told anyone?"

"What makes you think I haven't?" I asked him, deciding it was his turn to be scared, even if just for a few seconds.

"I don't think you're brave enough," David quipped.

"That's where you're wrong," I quickly said, stepping forward towards him, "I am brave enough, but you can rest easy for now, because I haven't told anyone."

David scoffed and sneered at me, "And why not?"

I paused next to him, "Because unlike you I actually have a reason and people who want me here, who actually enjoy seeing me. While I might also have people who wish I'd just vanish I still have ones who love me and care about me, and if I told someone just how horrible you truly are I'd be taken away from them as well and have to leave this place behind, and to me, getting rid of you just isn't worth it, cause you aren't worth it."

David was fuming at that remark and I could tell he was just itching to hit me again, but I began talking again, not allowing him the chance to lash out, "I have about a year left here with you, so why not just do us both a favor and leave me alone so we can make this as bearable as possible for both of us."

There was a thick and tense silence that followed as David shook. I was about to leave him and prepare for a shower when I was pushed roughly against the wall, before sliding down to settle on the ground. "Fuck you," David said before walking away, "I hope you end up like your mother."

That was a low blow, and knew my hatred must have run the deepest course possible if he was throwing my mother away like that was well, but all I did was remain silent as David stomped to the front door, throwing it open and slamming it shut behind him. I waited a minute before picking myself up and walking back to my room. As I entered I heard the start of a car and looked out my window to see David pulling out and speeding away. I smiled and knew I had struck several chords inside of him, and for once really gotten to David and poked inside of his head.

I picked out some fresh clothes and headed to the bathroom, shutting and locking the door behind me. David was gone and considering I had some peace for the first time in a long time I decided to run a soothing bath instead. Five minutes later the tub was filled with warm water and bubbles. I slowly peeled off my clothes until I was nude before I slowly stepped into the tub and slid down, submerging my body.

I thought back to the confrontation that had taken place and back to the words that I had said. I had said how I have people who loved me and cared about me, and I did, I had my friends Alexis, Mackenzie, Kelsey and Lynn, and I had the pack…..and Jacob….I had Jacob and even if it was just him it was reason enough to put up with the hell storm that was my life.

I decided that only time would tell what my actions would bring me and hoped that things would finally go my way for once. I ended my thoughts on that and slipped all the way under the water.

So that ends off another chapter! A little shorter than usual, but I feel that's okay considering I wasn't gone for three months this time, plus I felt that this was a good place to end the chapter….I mean what else could I have put in there….a lemon? NO! What is this rated M? Oh…it is isn't it….well…it'll come…

Filler, filler, filler, filler, filler, filler, filler…..oh this…this isn't filler if that's what you're thinking. I mean I'm totally not doing this to up the word count…..I mean what….

Anyway thanks for stopping by guys I really appreciate it. Leave me an awesome review and I'll definitely respond to it. And as always stop by my profile for any news and if you have any questions, comments, concerns you've forgotten or like to address feel free to message me.

Much love guys, and hopefully I'll see you soon.