Firstly let me apologize for the wait. I know I warned you guys but I still feel bad about it. I thought it would go quicker but I also don't want to give you something that is rushed and cheat you out with something that could have been better.
I'm going to try and morph the change into the existing part in the next chapter so that shouldn't delay and then I have to redo some things for the end. That's it…we're almost at the finish line.
Leibeezer…you're my star in all the darkness when I feel like throwing in the towel…I just can't do that to you…
Jacob pulls me roughly away from the wall towards the passage. No, I can't handle that again, I won't survive it this time.
I pull and yank with all my strength but his hand is like a vice. This must irritate him because he turns on me and the butt of the gun crashes down on my temple. I lose my balance and fall, black spots swimming before my eyes, the pain so intense I can't breathe.
Somewhere in the distance I hear my cell phone ringing and I pray it's the alarm company. If they can't get hold of me they'll phone Edward. Edward, God, please don't be in the water yet.
"Why do you always insist on doing things the hard way Bella? You always make me out to be the bad one but you force me do this. Instead of listening you always seem to disobey."
I hear him talking but the pain is just too much. I touch my fingers to the source of my agony and when I pull them away they are covered in blood…my blood.
I don't know where it comes from but a surge of anger courses through me. I glare up at him from the ground. I wish I could wipe that smug look off his face.
"You know what Jacob? Fuck you."
His smirk slightly narrows. I see his boot lift and I close my eyes just before it connects with my ribs. My cry ends in a pained coughing as I roll over on my back. There was a time when I was so used to this kind of pain I just went with it, but not anymore. I'm used to light touches and whispered kisses and I don't want to go back to this. Whatever happens, this needs to end today, even if it means him killing me.
He looms over me, a foot at each side of my hips. He bends over and lightly drags the gun down my throat, between my breasts, down my stomach.
"Just enjoy it Bella. You know you do. Pretty Boy doesn't come close to me and you know it."
I manage a sarcastic laugh, which darkens his eyes from anger. "You aren't half the man Edward is you sick fuck."
For a split second he looks surprised. I've never spoken back to him, this is all new.
He twists his fist in the front of my shirt, lifting me up towards him. "You keep talking like that Bella, and I'll find a way to shut that mouth of yours for good."
His hand with the gun lifts as he aims to hit me again and I close my eyes, opting not to see it coming.
But it doesn't come. Instead I feel Jacob being ripped away from me, my shirt tearing as he refuses to let go. He takes a piece of material with him as I see Edward's fist connect squarely with Jacob's jaw. He stumbles back but straightens quickly and starts lifting the gun toward Edward. My heart constricts as panic overtakes me.
I soon learn that Jacob is fast, but Edward is faster. The gun goes flying from Jacob's hand as Edward kicks it.
Both of them stand back a bit, on guard and waiting for the other to make a move. I watch them circle each other like cobras poised to strike.
"So, we meet at last," Jacob sneers.
"Finally," Edward replies. "I've been waiting for this day too long."
"Why? Did you want to meet the only real man that Bella's ever been with? She loves a good fuck, doesn't she?"
Edward loses it. I see his control slip at Jacob's words.
All hell breaks loose. They lunge at the same time and I jump back as their bodies crash to the floor. Edward is on top of Jacob in a flash but before he gets a good grip on him Jacob rolls again. As soon as he's on top of Edward he takes advantage and I cry out as his fist connects with Edward's beautiful face.
Somehow they're up again and Edward lays into Jacob again, his fist pummeling down in Jacob's ribs like a freight train, grunting sounds echoing around me. I take a few steps back and I make a split decision. I race down the hall to the bedroom and grab my phone, calling Jasper with shaky hands.
"Please pick up," I cry to myself as it starts ringing.
"Bella, is Edward with you?" Jasper's worried voice sounds in my ear.
"Jazz, please hurry, bring Emmett." I hope he gets my words because I can't wait any longer.
I throw the phone down and run to Jasper's room, opening the safe and taking the loaded gun into my hands. Jasper's words echo in my head. Can I really do this if I have to? I don't allow myself to think on it for more than a few seconds.
As I run into the lounge I see Edward swing a dining chair square into Jacob's chest. Both their faces bloody and bruised.
Jacob falls and I think it's over as I lower the gun to my side.
But it's not.
Edward spots the gun inches away from Jacob's hand at the same time as I do and he grips Jacob's legs, trying to pull him away but his kick catches Edward off guard and he goes sprawling into the dining room table.
My blood runs cold as Jacob scrambles for the gun and as Edward jumps to his feet he turns on him, gun lifted.
"Not so strong anymore are you?" Jacob taunts. The look of hate and disgust doesn't leave Edward's face as he continues to stare at him.
"Now all you've done is managed to really piss me off. Maybe I'll let you watch me fuck her before I put you out of you misery," he laughs.
The gun in my hand is burning my skin, reminding me that I can do something about this. I can take his attention away from Edward. Even if he shoots me, Edward will have enough time to take him down again. Edward will live.
In a flash the weirdest things run through my memory. How I still believe in mermaids and how Edward is the only one who doesn't think I'm crazy because of it. The look on his face in the mirror as we made love. The first time I saw him, the first time I heard his voice. He's all I see as my arm starts lifting.
"Jacob." My voice sounds small and foreign and filled with tears.
Both their heads snap to me, as though they have forgotten that I am here. My arm that has the gun lifted in front of me is shaking. I grip it with my other hand but it doesn't help. I chance a quick glance to Edward, not wanting to lose sight of Jacob for longer than necessary. His face is filled with anger and hate for another second before his eyes connect with mine. Then all I see is how much he loves me, how scared he is for me.
For a few seconds there is silence. And then Jacob bursts out laughing. I'm having trouble seeing him through the tears.
"Really Bella? You're going to shoot me? Do us all a favour and put that thing down before you hurt yourself."
A little bit of that anger breaks through my terror again and I somehow manage to still the shaking in my body somewhat.
"Put your fucking gun down Jacob. I'm not joking." My voice is a bit more forceful this time around.
"Bella, you're really getting on my last nerves. Now why don't you put that fucking gun down before I shoot you in the fucking head?"
"In order for you to shoot me you'll have to have the gun pointing at me you idiot," I taunt him back. Please, I pray silently in my head, please let him shoot me and not Edward.
I think God hears me right then because I see Jacob's arm start turning towards me at the same time I see Edward lunge at him and a shot rings out in my ears.
I drop the gun and it clatters to the floor.
I try to make sense of what I'm seeing as I fall to my knees, unable to stand any longer.
Jacob is on the floor, blood covering his chest. I know I've hit his heart, that's what I was aiming for; to shatter it as he has shattered mine. Edward is bent over Jacob with his fingers on his neck, checking for a pulse. I could have told him not to bother if he had asked.
"Holy fuck," I hear Jasper's voice. I look up to see him and Emmett rounding the kitchen counter. I realize that Jacob must have come through the back door.
Emmett rushes to where Edward is kneeling as Jasper pulls me up and into his arms, carrying me to the kitchen counter. He puts me down and I steady myself with my palms down, my fingers curling around the edge. He doesn't talk, just moves swiftly and pulls out the first aid kit.
"Edward…" I manage, feeling dazed and confused. Did I just shoot someone? Did I just shoot Jacob?
"He's okay Bella," he says as he pours some strong smelling liquid on a clean cloth. "He's with Emmett checking on Jacob. I need you to stay calm."
"He's dead," I whisper.
"That's not for sure Bella, that's why they're checking."
I look up into his beautiful worried eyes as he holds the cloth against my temple. Whatever is on it burns like hell and the throbbing in my side won't stop.
"He's dead Jazz," I say as I grip hold of his other hand. He holds it tightly. "I know he is because I wanted him to be and I aimed my shot for it to be so. I murdered him."
Anger flashes in Jaspers' eyes as he lets go of my hand and cups my face in his hand while the other still has pressure on my temple.
"Don't you say that Bella. Do you hear me? It was self-defense. Any one will say the same."
I exhale audibly and close my eyes, nuzzling into his hand, needing the touch for comfort. "But I know it wasn't Jazz."
"Bella, look at me." I open my eyes and focus on the hard line of his jaw. "You need to listen to what I'm telling you. This was self-defense, end of story. You saved both your and Edward's lives by firing a shot that was supposed to just scare him but somehow ended up lodged in his chest. You and I know the truth, but as far as everyone else is concerned, that's what happened."
It dawns on me what he's trying to say. I need to keep this a secret because if I don't they'll try me for murder. If I keep quiet I'll probably have to go to court but chances are good it'll be thrown out because it was self-defense and because all the evidence points to Jacob breaking in and attacking me and Edward. His gun is proof that he was armed and I had no choice. The alarm company's records prove that he entered the house illegally.
"And Edward? What do I say to him?" I ask Jasper, pleading him with my eyes to tell me what to do because I can't figure it out myself. But as usual, Jasper knows best.
"Oh Bella, you know I can't answer that one for you."
The pressure on my temple disappears as he starts giving me a once over.
"But Bella, if it was me, I'd tell him. Keeping a secret is easy enough, but keeping it from someone you love is a totally different ball game." I nod my understanding.
"Bella…" The tears start again immediately when I hear Edward's voice, the only one I need. I shove Jasper one side and jump off the counter.
That was the wrong thing to do.
The pain that shoots from my ribs through my chest is excruciating and I can't keep my legs from folding in under me as I cry out.
I hear Edward, I hear Jasper, I hear Emmett…and then there's nothing.
I open my eyes to blinding light. The dull ache in my head turns to a stabbing pain and I close them again.
After breathing deep for a few seconds I try again. I turn my head to the side so that I am not looking directly into the light above. The pain isn't so bad this time.
I feel a bit lost but soon realize that I'm lying in a hospital bed. My hand is weighed down and my eyes travel to the cause. Edward's hand is covering mine, his head on my bed. He's fast asleep. I don't dare wake him. I feel tears running down my face as I stare at the bruises marring his beautiful face.
And all of a sudden everything flashes before my eyes, Jacob and Edward fighting, the gun, the blood, Jazz. I try to stifle a moan but it comes out anyway and Edward's head jerks up. The relief that floods his face is evident as I see his mouth whisper 'thank you God', even though I don't hear a sound from his lips.
"Bella, thank God you're okay."
"Edward," I whisper simply. I pick up my hand to touch his injured face but a pain to my side has me lowering my arm again and I wince.
"Lay still Baby. You have two broken ribs."
"Your face…" I cry almost silently. I want to touch him so badly but the pain is just too much.
"Superficial. Don't worry about me, I promise you I'm fine. Dad insisted on me having a full check up. It's all just bruises."
He shakes his head as he starts crying.
"Oh Bella. I'm so sorry…for not staying. For letting him touch you again." He gets up and lays his head in my neck, careful not to put any pressure on my chest.
"Edward, please, you can't blame yourself for this. Isn't this a good thing?"
He lifts his head and looks at me like I've grown two heads. "A good thing? What the hell are you talking about? You have two broken ribs and a concussion and you think this is a good thing? Bella, you could have been shot. Things could have been a lot worse than what they are."
I smile at him sadly, willing him to sit down and he does. He doesn't let go of my hand though, as if he can't.
"No, that's not what I meant. I mean it's over. Jacob is never coming back. He can't hurt us anymore Edward. That's the most important thing to remember right now. That and what you just said, that it could have been a lot worse."
He seems to think it over.
"And Edward?"
He looks up, waiting for me to talk.
"Thank you for protecting me. I was so scared for you. When I saw the gun…"
"You saved me," he whispers. "You saved my life."
"Just returning the favor Baby. Kind of nice saving your ass for a change," I joke.
Even though the tension is still within us about what is going to happen next, the relief is also flooding our souls. Jacob is not coming back, we are free.
There's a soft knock on the door before it opens and Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie appears.
"Bella!" Rosalie just about shouts as she beelines for me. As she bends down to hug me I brace myself for the pain I know is going to come.
"Softly Rosalie," Edward warns.
"Oops, sorry," she smiles as she hugs me carefully.
Emmett sheepishly takes his turn, also careful as his big hands grip my shoulders.
Jasper doesn't hug me. He merely runs his fingers lightly over my cheek and smiles. "Hey," he says softly.
"Hey back to you," I reply just as softly. Our relationship feels different. We share a secret no one else yet knows, one that I'm not sure I want to share with Edward because I don't know how he'll feel about it.
We all get comfortable and Jasper fills me in on what's going to happen. I'll have to give my statement to the police as they had. It should be pretty clear cut.
"The law is very straight forward in this regard," Jasper tells us. "You can defend yourself against an attacker but there are boundaries. For example, you can't shoot someone that has slapped you as there has to be reasonable comparison between the attack and the defense. The fact that Jacob had a gun pointed at you when you took the shot falls into those boundaries, I think. I've discussed it with a police friend of my father's and he agrees. The fact that you meant to fire a warning shot and not actually shoot him counts in your favor as well apparently."
A long meaningful stare occurs between Jasper and me and when I finally break away from his gaze I see Edward watching us with a questioning look. I pretend not to see it. We have enough to deal with right now. This can wait…forever if it has to.