Okay, so I was going to do this chapter is Jacob's POV and have the next update in Bella or Edward's, but I decided to do both in one! So, here's Jacob's POV first and then it goes to Bella's POV.
ENJOY!
*Jacob's POV*
I waited until I was sure Renesmee was asleep before I slid her easily out of my arms. I didn't want to risk her waking up while I carried her to her room, so I tucked her in my bed. I wasn't going to be sleeping tonight anyway. I hated lying to her, but I couldn't let her know I was leaving her to run patrol. It would scare her more than it terrified me. I would be able to hear her every step of the way, so I wouldn't be far. I just wanted to check out the area around the house to make sure nothing was close to her. It's not like there was someone who would be able to sit here with her. I was on my own.
Renesmee sighed heavily as I slid my arm out from underneath her, but she didn't wake up. I was grateful for that. Before I left, I bent down and kissed her forehead. Her hand came up slowly and laid against the side of my face. She patted it lightly and rolled over. I smiled as I watched her sleep soundly.
I walked into the kitchen and wrote her a note incase she was to wake up. I knew she'd be disoriented that she was in my room, and figured she would come out here to see if I was asleep on the couch. I scribbled quickly on the piece of paper.
Nessie,
I'm just outside. I already heard you awake and am on my way in. Go back to bed and I'll be in to tuck you in again. Don't come outside to wait for me.
Jake
I laid the note on the back of the couch so she would see it as soon as she came to see where I was.
The night air was warm and muggy as I stepped outside. I jogged towards the trees that lined the backyard, ducking out of view to phase.
I ran quickly through the lines of houses in the surrounding neighborhoods. There were a few people still outside, in their pools, but I was too fast and quiet for them to hear me over their chatter and music.
The woods around me were clean. I didn't pick up on anything besides the animals that lived here.
Jake? Sam's voice startled me. I faltered in my step, but got back on track.
What's going on? I asked him.
Same thing you're doing.
You're patrolling?
We're just making sure things are staying in the south and it's nothing to do with someone trying to find you and Ness, or the other Cullens.
Ah, so you're protecting the Cullens now, Sam?
No way, bro. We're just running patrol with them. They don't need protection. There's only one Cullen who needs looking out for. Speaking of which, where is she? Sam listened carefully in my head to see if he could hear her around me.
She's home, sleeping. I shifted my attention to the sleeping girl back at the house. I'm not too far from her, see.
I'm sorry, Jake. It must be tough having to run patrol by yourself and then have to listen for the one you're protecting. Do you want me to send someone? I'm sure Leah would like to get away for a while. I could even send you both Leah and Seth; would be like old times, eh? Sam chuckled at his words.
I rolled my eyes. No, no need to send anyone. I've got it under -
"Jacob!" Renesmee yelled. Her voice echoed from the high ceiling. She was in the living room.
She's quiet. Sam pointed out.
Yeah, she must have read my note. She called my name in frustration, not panic.
I went to turn back towards home when I caught whiff of a scent I was looking for. Damn it! I snarled.
I say go back to her. The scent isn't leading towards the house, and it only smells like one. Might just be a wanderer passing through on a hunting trip. Go back to it later. I'll send Leah in the morning.
I sighed. I could use the extra hand. Thanks Sam.
Good luck with the wrath of Nessie. He laughed and was gone from my head.
I darted in a straight line towards home, leaving the scent behind me.
I phased and tripped over myself as I tried pulling my shorts on and run into the yard at the same time. I burst through the screen door to the pool and leaped over the pool, reaching the glass door to the house, throwing it open.
Renesmee was there, glaring at me from the counter. She sat holding the note I left her.
"I thought I said go back to bed and I would be right in."
"I thought you said you weren't leaving me."
I held in the laugh that was bubbling inside me. I couldn't believe just how much she looked like Bella. Everything about her screamed Bella. The way she was sitting and glaring at me, to the tone of her voice.
"Well?" She demanded when I didn't answer.
"Well, I think that I'm here now and you should go back to bed."
She shook her head quickly, her curls flying out around her head. "No way. I was scared, Jake. This house is freaky when I'm all alone."
"I'm in for the night." I bit my bottom lip. I wanted to go back out and follow that trail, but it could wait until Leah was here to… baby-sit while I patrol. Oh, she's going to love me.
"How do I know you're telling me the truth?" She asked, folding her arms against her chest.
I walked up to her and placed my hands on the counter on either side of her, and leaned in so my nose was an inch away from hers. "I swear to you, Ness, I'm not leaving again tonight." I stared her in the eyes until she believed me. It didn't take her long.
She relaxed and smiled, wrapping her arms around my neck. I pulled her against me and lifted her off the counter. She laid her head on my shoulder as I brought her into her room.
She slid her hands down my stomach as I laid her in her bed, her fingers searched for something to hold onto. I smiled and sat on the edge of her bed while her eyes drooped. Her fingers found my shorts and she gripped them tightly.
"I'm here, Ness." I whispered, patting her hand.
"Why did you go out there? Vampires? Bad? What's going on?" She mumbled, half asleep.
"Stop worrying." I chuckled softly, and reached out to swipe a curl out of her face.
"I cant help it. Did you find anything."
"No…" I trailed off when she peeked at me through her lashes. "Yes."
She sprang up into a sitting position, her eyes wide with fear. Her hands flew to my face as she demanded details.
I shook my head, taking her hands and pulling them from my face, and quickly pulled her trembling body into my arms. "You know I would never let anything hurt you. It's just one, and he's going away from here. Leah will be here tomorrow to look after you while I find out more."
"Leah?" She asked against my shoulder.
I nodded.
"I don't want Leah to come watch me. I can help you, Jake. We're a team, remember?"
"No way are you coming patrolling with me."
"I could help!" Her voice was pleading. "I'm big enough to help."
I shook my head. There was no way she was going to get me to let her go. I admit, there's a lot she could make me do, but not when it involves me going against her safety. That would always come first. No matter what.
The concentration of her safety was enough to bear the power of her eyes she was forcing on me. I leaned in to kiss her forehead, and moved to lips to both her eyes. "Not gonna work, Ness. Go to sleep."
She pushed away from me, throwing herself face down into her pillow. I couldn't help but smile at her. She was cute when she was mad at me. And I knew it wouldn't last long. She would come to terms that I was just keeping her safe. After all, what pre-teen likes having a babysitter.
*Bella's POV*
After Bella's phone call to Jacob and Nessie
I kept the phone to my ear, refusing to let go of the conversation I didn't expect to happen. I only wanted to call Jacob to warn him about the outbreak in Texas. I didn't think I was going to have the chance to talk to her. I also didn't expect the guy she threw at me. Couldn't wait to tell Edward about that one. But I knew that wouldn't last long. The pride in her voice when she spoke of Jacob was evidence that she didn't have anymore room in her heart to love someone else. I smiled at that as I walked back to where I knew Edward would be hiding. He couldn't have me out here alone for too long, since I was supposed to be back underground five minutes ago.
I flipped the hood of my cloak down when I stepped into the shadows of the alleyway. Sure enough, Edward stood leaning against the stone wall. "Hey, stranger." I smiled, leaning against him and kissed him.
"You look cheerful."
I nodded. "I am, very."
"You enjoyed your conversation with whomever you had to call?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Your daughter says she loves you." I watched Edward's face light up and his arms tightened around my waist.
"You went through all this to call Renesmee?"
"No, I wanted to call Jacob. I don't know where they moved to, but I wanted to make sure he had her away from where we're going."
"So you talked to Jacob?"
I nodded. "I was just about to hang up when Renesmee's voice appeared in the background." I reached up and touched his face, remembering the sound of her voice clearly.
He gasped, holding my hands to his face. "She sounds so big."
I nodded. "Yes."
"Wait -" He tensed when I remembered her telling me about her new friend, Ben. "I hope Jacob intervened."
I rolled my eyes. "You're such a Dad. I'm sure Jacob wouldn't let her…" I trailed off. There was no way I would picture my tiny little girl dating. The last time I saw her, she was no bigger than a seven-year-old. She's just a baby in my eyes.
"We need to get back." Edward hissed, and slipped his arm around my waist as he hurried back towards our prison.
Further around the corner we met up with Felix and Demetri. They were sent to escort me to make sure I wasn't going to try and escape. They both relaxed when they saw me walking beside Edward.
"No," Edward growled at Felix. "I told you I just wanted to make sure she was okay. It's the middle of the day, why would we expose ourselves?"
I raised an eyebrow at Felix. Whatever he was thinking was not going over well with Edward.
When we got back to Aro, he was standing and waiting with the rest of the guard. "We want to leave soon. More are being added to this army, and I must say, they're not clean about this." Aro said as he walked swiftly over to me. Edward tightened his grip on me. Aro ignored his movement and reached for my hand. "Show me, my Bella." He demanded in his soft voice. "I know you can, my dear."
I sighed, defeated. I lifted my shield just enough to show him my conversation with Carlisle. I even let through that I was asking about Jacob and Renesmee because Carlisle didn't know where they were, as I wanted. But I knew I had to ask him for this very moment. I had to make it look like I tried to Aro. And it worked.
"Well, I'm terribly sorry Bella. I do wish you could have found your little one, maybe she's a part of this situation you're going to stop?"
Edward shook his head, growling. "You're staying away from her. You're guard is not to go in search of her. That's not their mission right now. And we've followed your orders. There's no reason you need to look for her."
"Calm, dear Edward. I was only pondering over the idea. I would have loved nothing more than for you and Bella to see her. That would be the reason for my thoughts."
"Liar." Edward snapped. My teeth bared as I growled at Aro. I didn't have to hear his thoughts to know he was lying. She was still my daughter and I would do anything to protect her.
"Ah, to have that power." Aro sighed heavily and reached up to touch Edward's forehead.
I took a protective step in Aro's direction. I didn't like the way he reached out for Edward. Edward reacted faster than me. He stopped me, locking his muscles in place. I couldn't move.
Aro grinned widely at us and turned his back as he walked back to Felix and Demetri to get their side of the story. They knew nothing, so my story was the only one he could take. I was grateful that he skipped over Edward. He probably thought I was angry enough to have my shield around him. He was right, so Aro wouldn't have gotten anything from Edward anyway.
"Aro, wait!" Edward called after him. He turned slightly to face him. "There's no danger to the guard. I ask of you once more, leave Bella here. I'll… I'll still go, but let her stay-"
"No!" I yelled. "It's fine, Edward." I said through clenched teeth. "Where you go, I go. No matter what."
"Bella…" Edward started to shake his head, but I turned my attention on Aro.
"I'm going. I will do my duty and protect who I need to, as long as I constantly know the whereabouts of the guard. No one leaves my sight. No one goes in search for my daughter. I find out you sent someone to look for her, I will no protect them against any -"
"Bella, I tell you what the plan is. You -"
"Aro, I mean it." I growled. I knew he had to listen to me. I was the only one who could protect them all.
"I believe we have some discussing to do. Edward, if you would excuse us." Aro stepped between Edward and I.
"Where she goes, I go, Aro." Edward spoke coldly.
Aro knew he wouldn't win this fight. He's tried many times and it was nice to see him giving in more easily than he used to.
I explained to Aro that I wasn't going to give up. I didn't know where Renesmee was, and by her not being anywhere near the outbreak, she he will know that she's not the threat.
Edward and I were dismissed for the remainder of the day. We were leaving as soon as the sun went down. We were the only ones in our corridor, since the others were drinking the meal Heidi brought back for them. As soon as I walked into our room, Edward had his arms around me. His lips found mine hungrily.
My head spun as I tried keeping control of myself. "What is this?" I gasped. Edward and I have barely touched each other since we arrived here. Mainly because we've been watched round the clock.
"I'm in a good mood, and the way you took charge over Aro was quite sexy, love." He muttered against my neck. He nipped lightly and I lost all train of thought.
