A/N: Wow, the feedback from you reviewers has just blown me away. Yes, to answer many questions part 4 will be given to all those reviewing this chapter. Given that I'm keeping in the T rating there is a pause in the middle of this chapter. I couldn't get it write to a T so I hope if time allows that I'll get a chance to put it as a seperate one-shot. No promises, I get a lot of ideas, and zero time to turn them into something.
Disclaimer: Twilight belongs to SM, and she'd probably hate what I've done to it, but hey.
I took the keys from Jake's hand and jangled these in front of his eyes. He hadn't moved for several seconds. He blinked rapidly. "Bells, did he just…?" I laughed "Yes, he did. Jasper has clearly worked out how to get in your good books". His expression shifted, became guarded and I recognised the Alpha look that he wore. Over the last few days I had come to be able to identify it quicker. His voice grew quieter as he took my hand. "Bella, do you trust him?" I tilted my head to the side, it was an odd question, and honestly one that I didn't expect him to ask. Previously, Jake would have automatically assumed that I trusted him, but now, was it what Jasper said to him? Or was it that he was more certain in my position by his side, rather than something he needed to hold onto? "I don't know if trust is actually the right word" I answered finally. "What he is saying and his actions seem to have the same purpose, does that make sense?"
Jake looked at me deeply "Go on". I tried to put my thoughts into words "When Edward was here, nothing ever made sense. I couldn't understand why he wanted to be with me, it never exactly sat right. What Jasper says, as alarming and unpleasant as I find it, does make sense, it feels understandable. As for Jasper's actions, he wants you to tolerate him, he did not once ask you to trust him did he?" Jake shook his head. "He has openly said that he wants something from you, and is prepared to offer you things in return – the car, his training ability, and by the sound of it his allegiance in a battle. His actions and words seem quite transparent". Jake nodded. "Do you feel safe around him?" I took a deep breath, I had never felt as comfortable around Jasper as the others, even before the attack and he had never in any way seemed relaxed in the school environment, yet he had seemed truly comfortable this afternoon, as if he had no thirst for me at all, and even when he had shielded me whilst I was bleeding before, I mean I knew he had been holding his breath and he'd wrapped up my hand very tightly, but hadn't showed any inkling of blood lust. "I actually don't think he finds me appealing anymore, and he seems very comfortable around you guys. Obviously your natural scent to him is sufficiently off-putting."
Jake smiled and put his arms around me rubbing them up and down me, a naughty twinkle appeared in his eyes "Well we'll have to make sure you are well and truly scented at all times". He picked me up and carried me over to the car "C'mon, let's get back to the res, this place gives me the heebie-jeebies". He drove masterfully, clearly enjoying the vehicle. "Do I have time to go home and change?" Jake looked at me strangely then broke into a huge grin, "Did you mean Charlie home or home-home?" I blushed deeply, "Sorry, I meant your house, I…" I trailed off, wow that had been a bit Freudian. I'd just referred to my boyfriend's house as my home. I know there was a whole supernatural imprint relationship and my dad had imposed me as a temporary lodger but wow, did I really feel that, did it already feel like home? I felt Jake squeeze my thigh "Do you have any idea what you do to me when you do stuff like that?"
I giggled, feeling embarrassed, "Like what?" I don't know why I said it and I started to chew my lip as soon as it came out. I felt like some cheesy seductress in a movie. I knew that he reacted to it. I saw earlier that wearing his name had brought his wolf right to the fore, I knew that he was excited but something in me wanted to hear him admit it. I wanted to know what it made him feel. I shifted around in my seat, feeling little uncomfortable in the slim jeans. I wanted him, I wanted to hear his words of desire. I moved again, shifting in my seat, the uncomfortableness more recognisable now. Jake let out a moan as he breathed in deeply. "Bella" he hissed. I looked at him as he drove, his knuckles gripping the wheel as his free hand continued to hold my thigh. "Like what?" I whispered again. Jake swung into his drive way and drove right down to the garage area. It was empty thankfully as the Rabbit had been taken out to make room for Michael's truck initially and that was now over at Leah's. He leapt out of the door almost as soon as it stopped and kicked the garage doors closed forcefully. I stepped out shakily, my thoughts making me feel light-headed and my legs unresponsive to my commands.
Jake's body was pressed against me in an instant "Where are you going?" His mouth found mine and kissed me. It was a kiss that said so much that I blushed again. He was making me feel reckless and wild and at the same time so loved and safe, it was a feeling I'd never had before, a feeling of utter belonging. I felt brazen, desireable, adored and it made me feel powerful. I broke off the kiss, watching as his eyes blazed as I did so. "I don't want to wear these jeans to dinner". He looked at me oddly, then his eyes widened as I unfastened the button and began to slide them down. His tongue ran across his upper lip. I turned around and paused to slip them off my feet. I heard the deep growl and it pulled at something inside me. Jake wanted me, he wanted me so badly he could barely control the wolf in him, it made me breathless. He moved behind me "Baby" his voice was hoarse as if it was taking him every effort just to sound out the syllables. "Baby I love you and I respect you…" his voice trailed off, but I knew what he was trying to say. I loved him too, I loved the beauty in the way he loved me and caressed me, but right now, right in this moment, this was about the Alpha wolf and his mate.
I leaned forward a little, resting my hands on the car, letting the fabric of the top slip away from his name on my back and looked over my shoulder, into eyes that were fierce with desire. I found my voice eventually and whispered "Claim me, Alpha Black".
I lay my head on his shoulder as we stood under the shower. I felt exhausted, yet beautifully satisfied. He shut off the water when we heard the phone ringing. I lazily rubbed a towel through my hair as Jake went to answer it. He leant on the doorframe "Dinner in 20 minutes". My stomach growled loudly in response. I was surprised, the lunch I'd eaten should have filled me up for a whole day, but I suppose I'd used up a lot of calories in the last hour or so. Jake stood there with a dreamy expression on his face "You know you are amazing" he smiled. I nodded "So you keep telling me". I wandered into the bedroom and pulled out some clean clothes. He pouted as he dried off. "Do you have to cover it up?" he looked so sad, as if I'd killed his puppy. "Jake, its dinner with Charlie, I'm not sure he would appreciate it". He nodded and whined reluctantly "I guess so, does that mean we'll take the Rabbit instead? I'm not sure explaining a new sports car would be very easy either". I nodded, it was probably for the best.
For a second my mood darkened, I wasn't sure what this dinner was about and if Billy and Harry were cooking up trouble it was probably best to minimise the other complications. Jake came up behind me as I was tying my hair back, and kissed me on my neck. "Thank you for earlier" he said with a cheesy grin. I smiled "No thank you!" I turned round to look for my shoes and realised they were still in the garage. "There was one thing I meant to ask, you know with the whole protection thing, I mean I guess I should have asked before but you do have it under control right?" Jake nodded and smiled "It's all in the scent apparently. One day you'll smell really really good, and that's when we don't, apart from that it's ok." I frowned a little "So how do you know what really really good smells like?" Jake frowned as well and made a little face. "Hmm" he said uncertainly. I glanced at the clock "Shoot Jake, we're going to be late!" I hustled him out of the house and we jumped in the Rabbit.
Everybody was already around the table when we rushed in. Harry was sitting at the head of the table with Billy and Charlie on one side. Michael sat next to Harry on the other, his hand wound tightly in Leah's who was sitting next to him. Harry motioned to the empty chair at the opposite end of the table for Jake and I squeezed in next to Leah. I gave Leah a quick hug and looked her straight in the eye. I wanted to see how she was doing, but her expression was relaxed and calm, if slightly intrigued as to what we were all doing here. She kissed my forehead. "It's all good", then her attention returned to Michael and she leaned against his arm.
Harry motioned for Jake to serve and I caught Charlie's expression. Charlie and the others were of the old school and on occasions like this, it was always the man of the house who would serve. That old 'hunter provider' thought process. Jake stood and portioned out the fish with ease. He served Harry, Billy and Charlie first, then myself. He took three plates and heaped them equally for himself, Leah and Michael. I smothered a giggle as Charlie's eyes grew wider and wider.
As the food started to go down contently Harry cleared his throat. "You kids might be wondering why us old folks wanted you for dinner tonight". Jake leaned back in his chair "Is it our sparkling wit and dinner party conversation?" He played with his fork whilst eyeing Harry intently. Harry cleared his throat again. "Well, given recent events" he paused and clapped Michael on the back with a cheery smile, "we've been doing some thinking". He stopped and looked at us all. "Now we had an idea that we thought might suit, but it sort of depends on all of you". There was the noise of cutlery being set down as Leah, Michael and myself all stopped eating and gave Harry our full attention.
"Well, as it stands Michael is a bit between places at the moment. Now it would get a bit crowded for him to remain with the Black's, and well as much as he is now part of the family, it might not be the most appropriate for the two of you being here. I mean there is Seth to consider." Leah's face turned hot pink and she stared down at her plate. I was desperately embarrassed for her. Harry continued, appearing to ignore the fact that his daughter wanted the ground to open and swallow her. "And I think it's highly unlikely that you two are going to be comfortable living apart. So, well your mother and I have been putting money aside for a while, you know for a wedding and things, but we got to thinking that you might prefer it as the down payment on a place of your own for the two of you".
Leah's eyes went as large as saucer and she inhaled sharply. Michael looked like he couldn't quite decide whether to laugh out loud or pass out. I smiled, a moment ago the poor guy had been floating through life feeling lost, sick, confused and abandoned. Now he had a family, a life partner, a pack, and now a home. I let out a little happy giggle. Harry went on "Now, the two of you would need to make the payments, but between the hospital and the teaching stipends, and the price we've negotiated it should be quite manageable. Leah threw her arms around Michael "Our own apartment!"
At this point, Charlie was the one to clear his throat. "OK, well, not exactly". He turned his attention to me and shuffled in his seat "Bella, when you and your mom left…" his face clouded and my smile faded whilst he shuffled again "well, I started using the apartment at the station house. You should see it, it's a great place, has a bedroom and a pull-out in the lounge for sport's nights." He turned to Billy and they clinked their bottles of beer with a smile. "It was just a perfect size, but the lawyer's said you needed your old room so I kept the house on, and then when you moved back, well I moved back in there". Now it was my eyes that were wide. For the second time today pieces of a puzzle that had always seemed odd fitted into place. Was that why the house felt like it was stuck in some kind of time wrap, never altering never changing, and Charlie's chair and the flat screen seeming like the only parts that actually had any attachment to him. I had always been concerned that Charlie was still in some way pining for my mom, but was that just because he never changed anything in the house, never bought a female friend over for dinner. "So is Harry buying the apartment at the station house?".
Charlie's eyes flashed suddenly with emotion, "No! that's mine". He then looked bashful, "I mean well…" he trailed off and Billy shoved his shoulder "What your father is trying to say Bella, is that if you wanted, he would continue to run the house for you, but if however you were happy with the current arrangements, then he would like to sell off the house and move into the station house apartment permanently. It had always been the plan once you went to college, we just thought given the circumstances, we may be able to move up the schedule a little to suit everyone". I stared at Charlie and then jumped out of my seat running round the table. I threw my arms around him "Why didn't you ever say, I'd have been fine on a pull-out if it's what would have made you happy". Charlie hugged me back gently "It wouldn't have been right, you needed your own space". I stood behind him with my arms wrapped round his neck, I couldn't believe how many sacrifices he had made for my happiness, and I'd been ready to throw my relationship with him away to follow a foolish dream of becoming a vampire.
"So you're saying that Leah and Michael would buy the house?" I suddenly realised excitedly. Charlie laughed and patted my hand "Well, there is one condition". He reached out for Leah's hand and squeezed it. "You have to keep a bed and a desk available for her for if she needs to escape this one and his bunch of ya-hoos". Charlie motioned towards Jake who was still leaning back in his chair. I caught his expression and stopped. Jake was regarding Harry again
"There is a second condition" Harry spoke seriously now. "Given the status of the two of you, it would need the consent of the Alpha for you to move outside of the reservation". A silence settled over the room and all eyes turned to Jake. "What are the views of the Elders?" Jake spoke, his voice rang with power and authority. Billy was the one to answer. "The Elders believe that it will offer a peaceful opportunity for the Protectors to expand their base, but it has been left for you to decide". Jake nodded and turned his face to me. I unwrapped my arms from Charlie's neck and went to him "What are the views of my Beloved?" he asked. I felt the energy ripple through me and I smiled "I think it's a wonderful idea, a fresh start, a little space, and I can't think of anyone I would want living there more". Jake took my hand "And you do not want the house for yourself?" I looked at him and shook my head "I already have a home, don't I?" I saw his face soften and break into a smile. He pulled me into a hug as he turned to Leah and Michael "You have my blessing". Leah squealed and jumped, she ran around hugging Harry, hugging Charlie. Michael got firm handshakes from each of the men.
Jake just sat, with his arm wrapped around me, a calm expression on his face. I kissed him gently and after a while said softly "Are you ok?" He nodded as if pulled from deep thoughts and blinked his eyes. "Do you think there is any pie?" he asked quietly, I smiled and headed off to the kitchen turning in the doorway to regard them all. Whilst Leah was talking animatedly with Harry and Charlie about her ideas for the house, Michael was deep in conversation with Billy about the hospital.
But Jake was just sat there, not talking to the others, his expression still calm but concentrated, as if he was trying to work out a complicated maths problem. Once again I wished I had the mental connection with him that the others did, so I could see what he was thinking.
