A/N - ok…hoping this chap answers some of the questions some of you had regarding Jake... sorry for the confusion! LOL

Many thanks and much love to my beta, changedbyEdward.

Stephenie Meyer owns everything Twilight – no copyright infringement intended. One last thing…David Slade is a GENIUS!

Chapter 37

(Jacob's POV)

The words sickened me as I replayed them in my mind so the rest of the pack would know the sordid details of my phone conversation with Carlisle. I couldn't believe that Bells was now one of them. It broke my heart to know I would never again see that soft blush colour her cheeks whenever I joked with her. I knew that it had been a mistake for Charlie to allow her to go and live with the Cullens, but how was I to argue? Carlisle had promised to keep her safe, but obviously they had failed and now Bella was paying the price.

I listened intently to Sam calling everyone to order. I had taken off ahead to where the gypsy vamp had said she thought Newton had taken Bells. I wanted to get there first; wanted to be the one to destroy him for taking Bella's humanity from her.

"Jacob, wait for us before you attack." Sam's alpha order came through loud and clear. Just because I couldn't ignore his request didn't mean I had to like it. I growled in response and continued towards the clearing. Their scent was in the air and my stomach churned when I realized that Bella now had this putrid stench stuck with her for eternity as well. How would I ever be able to stand being near her again?

I approached the opening in the trees, and heard them before they actually came into view. Emerging from the forest, I watched them carefully as I crept forward, stunned by the vision before me. The sun was directly over the meadow and I watched it reflect off their skin, tiny crystals flashing everywhere.

My eyes adjusted and I moved soundlessly towards them; biting back the growl when I saw how tightly Newton had Bella in his grasp. Words flew between them and I could see that he was agitated. The snarl escaped from my chest and Bella's shocked scarlet eyes met mine.

Newton's reaction was immediate; shoving Bella behind him and turning to face me. He sneered in response as he back-stepped, forcing Bella to do so as well. I took a step forward with each step they moved back, ignoring the voices of my pack members as they rushed to join me. "Jacob, stand down!" Sam's voice overpowered the rest and I fought against the alpha order; terrified that if I obeyed, Bella would be gone. I knew the pack was still at least five minutes out, far too much time for them to be able to run.

I growled again, holding my ground but not moving forward. I could feel Bella's eyes on me, but I kept my vision locked with Newton's; sensing he was looking for any opportunity to attack and run. A flash in the trees caught my eye and Bella's shrill scream came a moment too late. Newton flew at me, his iron grip catching my shoulders and flinging me hard to the ground.

"Jacob, no!" I heard the worry in Bella's voice when Newton came in for the kill; his jaws snapping at me as I rolled away from his attack. My left paw was broken, it had shattered on impact and I knew that if my brothers didn't get there shortly, I would be in serious trouble.

Newton rushed towards me again and I prepared for the inevitable; my eyes searching for Bella one last time only to see her running towards my attacker. I watched as she tackled him, a sickening pride filling my being when her jaws locked onto his neck and she snarled. Bella was strong but he was stronger, shoving her off of him as his eyes blackened in anger. I saw the flash again, and watched Edward Cullen appear from out of nowhere. He caught Newton in a death-hold, their bodies flipping across the field while each one fought for dominance.

Two of the other Cullen vamps, the big one and the scarred one, stood watching from the edge of the meadow; neither of them in any rush to go to Edward's aid. The gypsy was holding Bella back, trying to keep her safe; but finally relenting and releasing her grasp.

I watched Bella fly towards the blur, launching herself onto Newton's back and grasping his head in her hands while he pummelled Edward. I heard the quick snap when his head left the rest of his body and watched the two sideliners jump into action; building a fire and tossing the head into the flames. My eyes moved back to Bella and I was in awe of my friend as she threw the mangled remains of Newton's body onto the pyre and then ran into Edward's arms.

I looked away, grateful to still be alive, but devastated that the Bella I knew and loved was lost to me. There was a flurry of movement when the rest of my pack came through the trees; I glanced up to see the Cullens all standing together, Bella in their midst.

I limped towards Sam, begging for him to make sure that no one attacked. I knew that he had ordered the pack to stay back, but was not confident that there wouldn't be some argument from the younger ones. Crawling into the trees, I changed quickly, wanting to speak with Bella one last time.

(Bella's POV)

I knew that Jacob didn't stand a chance against Mike; he was too strong, too fast. I heard the snap of a bone breaking when he landed and had no doubt that Mike had heard it as well. Glancing over at my captor, I saw the gleam of murder in his eyes and knew that I had to move quickly if Jake was to survive.

Soaring threw the air; I landed on Mike's back just as he attacked again. I wasn't sure I could defeat him, but I hoped it would give Jacob enough time to run or for the rest of his pack to show up if they were close enough. I felt Mike tense beneath my stranglehold and his strength astounded me when he tossed me across the clearing, snapping and snarling at my obvious betrayal. Any hope I had of convincing him that I wanted to be with him had now flown out the window.

I sensed him before I saw him, my body so in tune with my mate. I watched Edward emerge from the trees, attacking Mike with a strong hit from the side.

"Stay with me, Bella," I heard Alice whisper softly when I moved to follow Edward and Mike's death dance across the field.

"Alice, please!" I begged her to let me go, knowing that Mike's newborn strength was a serious detriment. She hesitated only for a second; knowing I was right, but still wanting to give Edward the opportunity to get his licks in.

As soon as I felt her release her hold, I threw myself after them; getting to Edward was the only thought I had. Landing on Mike's back, my hands grasped the sides of his head and twisted. I felt the snap of his neck and knew I had succeeded; his eyes locking with mine as his lips whispered my name one last time.

I heard Emmett call to me and I tossed Mike's head to him; then tossed the rest of his mangled body to Jasper to dismember and burn. Everything else slipped away as I felt Edward's arms cocoon around me and his lips on mine. Nothing else mattered at that moment. We were together. We were safe.

I pulled away, clasping his face in my hands and covering it with tiny kisses. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. Please tell me you know that." I had re-lived my final words to him every moment we had been separated.

"I know, Bella – I know." He pulled me tight into his embrace again. "I was so afraid that I had lost you again."

"Jacob." I turned in Edward's arms and watched him disappear into the trees. The rest of the pack was congregated at the edge of the clearing and I realized our problems were far from over.

"He wants to talk to you, Bella – he'll be back in a moment." Edward's lips moved across my forehead and then down to my ear; speaking softly. I sighed in his arms and he chuckled. "They have been told that Victoria changed you." He whispered so low that only I could hear. "We have told them that you will join us and follow our lifestyle."

I nodded and snuggled closer in his embrace, hoping that it would be enough to keep the treaty intact. "What about Angela?"

"Later." Edward ended our conversation abruptly when Jacob emerged from the trees.

I watched him move towards me, his disdain for Edward obvious, even though he had in reality saved Jacob's life. I felt Edward resist as I pulled away from our embrace, but he relented when I looked up at him and smiled; I needed to do this alone.

I moved towards the center of the field where Jacob stood and smiled tentatively. I saw that the rest of the pack remained at the edge of the field, a few growls rumbling, but otherwise in control. Sam had also changed to human form and stood a few feet behind Jacob; I nodded to him also.

"Hey Jake." I greeted him as if nothing had changed or at least how I thought I would have done. The look that washed across his face told me I had it all wrong. "What?"

"You sound like Tinkerbelle over there." He motioned towards Alice who was standing with the rest of the family. She rolled her eyes and I smiled, turning back to face him.

"So, you're a werewolf," I started.

"So, you're a vampire," he retorted.

"Where does that leave us, Jake? I don't want to lose your friendship, but I know it changes things."

He looked at the ground, kicking a stone with his shoe. I waited for his answer, unsure if I really wanted to hear it.

"Vampires and werewolves generally don't mix, Bells." He looked at me carefully. "But I can't hate you, Bella. It isn't your fault how things turned out, right?"

I swallowed, not needing to physically, but I knew he was looking for me to slip up. He was really asking me how it had happened, and my family's very existence depended on this one moment.

I stared into his eyes, praying that he would accept what I had to say. "No Jake, it isn't my fault. Things happen. Fate steps in and takes control but when it all comes down to it, I really believe things end up the way they are meant to." I glanced back towards Edward briefly, and then continued. "There are a lot of things I would like to change, but you know that this was how it was meant to be."

"Meaning what, Bells? Meaning that you were supposed to be a bloodsucker?" I saw the anger in his eyes.

"No Jake, not that. Although it happened, so there must be a reason for it."

His jaw set, the anger subsided, but the resentment still loomed in his eyes. "So you mean what was meant to be was you and …him." He glared at Edward then turned back to me. "You still love him, even after all he did to you."

"Yes, Jake." I responded, answering both questions at once. I took a step towards him and heard a couple of snarls from behind him. "Oh for God sake, I am not going to hurt him!"

Jake grinned. "Like you could!"

And there he was. Jake, my old friend. "Don't push me, Jake. You know I could kick your ass all over this meadow." I heard Emmett snicker behind me.

"Will I see you again, Bells? What happens now?"

Carlisle appeared by my side, nodding to both Jacob and Sam in greeting. "We feel it would be best that our family leave the area for a time. We'll head to our home in Scotland and give Bella a chance to adjust to the lifestyle and then we'll decide from there." Sam nodded as Carlisle continued. "We would like to return to Forks someday, Sam. May we do so?"

I watched while Sam and Jake spoke quietly together. I felt Carlisle's hand on my lower back and looked up to see him smiling back. "I'm glad you are safe, Bella."

I grinned back. "You should know by now that you can't get rid of me that easily!" Our attention was brought back to the topic at hand when Sam stepped back from Jacob's side.

"Carlisle, the treaty remains intact. Your family may return here, but we would like for you to let us know if you plan to do so."

"That's only fair, Sam. I am sure that Bella and Jacob will keep in touch, so she will relay any plans we have that may be of concern to the tribe. I thank you for your faith in us." Carlisle turned towards me. "Bella, we will see you back at the house."

I watched Carlisle and the rest of the family retreat, Edward remaining as he patiently waited for me. "Thank you, Sam. Jake, I will keep in touch, I promise."

Jake moved towards me and pulled me into a quick hug. "I just want you to be happy, Bells. That's all I ever wanted." He pulled away, screwing up his face. "God, you reek!"

"No more than you, Pooch!" I responded, smiling as I stepped away. "I think you need a bath!"

"Hey, Cullen!" Jacob looked towards Edward, their conversation silent while Jake conveyed his thoughts.

Edward's jaw tightened briefly then he nodded. "I will Jake. I promise."

I looked at him questioningly as I approached him. Taking his hand, I turned back and waved goodbye to Jake and Sam; watching until they and the rest of the pack had disappeared into the trees. "What did he say to you?"

He pulled my hand up to his lips and kissed it gently. "He told me not to screw up again or he would hunt me down and tear me limb from limb and bury each of the pieces."

"Lovely," I laughed as we began our trek back to our waiting family.

"He also told me to make sure that I took care of you for eternity." He stopped, pulling me into a hug, his lips pressing against my forehead. "I want that, Bella. I want to take care of you and love you for all eternity. Will you let me? Will you marry me, Bella?"

I stared into his golden orbs, so full of emotion and felt the last piece of anxiety of the last year fall away. So much sadness – so much pain. Yet it all became a distant memory as I placed my hands in his and offered the answer I knew at that moment I was able to give without hesitation.

"Yes."

End of chapter – not begging anymore, but y'all have rocked with your support so far!