Jacob took off not long after he brought me to his house. He told me to stay inside. Told me he wasn't sure when he would be back. Told me he would speak to Billy and Billy would talk to Charlie about my hanging out at the Rez. It didn't take long before my nervous energy resulted in a cleaning fit. Billy came home sometime at sunset and happily handed over a bag of Harry Clearwater's famous fish fry. I ate beside Billy in the living room, trying and failing to pay attention to a pre-season baseball game. At some point, I retrieved all of Jacob's clothes from the dryer and went to his bedroom to fold. Halfway through the folding and organizing, I laid my head against his pillows. The scent of pine and salt lulled me to sleep within moments.

When I first awoke, I was met with an unbearable sickness in my stomach. I barely registered that I was in Jacob's house, in his bedroom, on his bed, before I felt the familiar rumble in my lower body. Rushing to get up, I stumbled around and alarmingly tried to open the door. I clamped my mouth shut and stumbled blindly back to the bed. Leaning over, my hands went to my stomach. Tears of embarrassment filled my eyes and I tried to hold back the sickness. That's when Jake bounded in the bedroom, flipped the light on, and startled me.

I squealed in surprise. He thrust a waste basket in front of my face and I immediately became violently ill. A meal worth of greasy fish fry made a reappearance. I wanted to tell Jacob to leave me be, to turn his head, get out of the bedroom. Anything but hold my hair back and whisper soft words in my ear as I vomited. After dry heaving and gagging, my throat burned and my back hurt. I slumped backward into his strong chest. We were silent for so long that I began to hear our heartbeats. They were beating at the same pace, both long and hard beats. Thump, thump, thump. When I could no longer take the sticky sweat on my forehead and the hot fever running rapidly through my body, I stood up.

"Jake, could you just leave me alone for a minute..." I trailed off and caught the confused expression in his dark eyes. I stuttered, "I-I need a shower…" I looked down at the gross basket and added, "I'll clean that up. I need to get home. Charlie's probably freaking out. I meant to call him and head home once you were off patrol."

"He knows you're here, honey." Jake stood and my eyes went to his toned stomach. The cut-off denim did little to hide the V-shape pointing between his hips. My heart skipped a beat and I tore my eyes away.

"H-How?" I stuttered, "What does Charlie know?"

Jacob shrugged and replied, "I took care of it. Billy had called earlier in the day to say you were here and we were hanging out. When I got home, you had missed a call from Charlie on your cellphone, so I called him back. I explained that you had fallen asleep. I don't think he quite believed me, so I had to ham it up a bit. Told him you were tired. Told him your nightmares were bothering you. Charlie calmed down after that. Warned me not to try anything funny with you." Jacob sighed.

"Anyway, I told him you were pretty emotional and had fallen asleep on the couch. Charlie said you have to be home in a couple hours from now."

I whispered, "I've got to clean up. I think that fish fry was off."

The shower was warm and my stomach was empty of all contents. The knots in my back refused to leave even after my half attempt at rubbing them away. After blissful time basking in the hot water, I heard a soft knock on the bathroom door. I could smell Jacob's earthy scent and just make out his tall frame through the shower curtain. He spoke gently. "Honey, I got you some clothes right here. I brought my old hair brush and some medicine. I ran down to the store and picked up a toothbrush. I'm going to make you a glass of juice."

"Thanks, Jake." I murmured in a scratchy voice. My head was swimming and seconds after I heard the bathroom door close, I shut the water off and put my hands against the slick shower wall. Get a hold of yourself, Bella. With a shaky breath and even shakier legs I climbed out the tub, wrapped a ratty towel around my body, and stood for a full minute while trying to get my dizziness under control. I was just bending toward the cabinet for another towel when I heard Jacob's angered voice. He was talking in hostile whispers in the hallway.

"She woke up spewing. I wasn't going to leave her like that."

Billy's voice replied in a tone that matched his son's. "You stay gone well after your patrols are over. You don't come home, but I know you're sleeping somewhere. Charlie is dropping hints, fishing around to find out what is between you and her. I keep dodging him at every turn. Now, you keep her here overnight, in your bed? Jacob, you're not ready for this."

He heatedly whispered, "Ready for what, Dad? She's mine to keep safe. Mine to protect. Nobody can change that. Not you and damn well not Charlie. This leech is after her. I'm taking Bella home later. I'll guard her as I've been doing. And I'll stay in Forks with her if this bothers you so much, although you know she's safer on our turf."

"You think you can stay in his house without him catching on?" Billy asked in exasperation. I strained to hear the wheels from Billy's chair as he rolled closer to the bathroom door. He said, "I'm sure Charlie would love to see that you two are sneaking around together."

"What is this all about, Dad?" Jake snapped suddenly. "You know what Bella means to me. You've always known. I don't want to fight with you."

"You're not ready." Billy's voice nearly caused me to jump with the trembling sternness. I quickly grabbed a clean towel and wrapped it around my head. Jacob's voice was hard. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Billy sighed heavily, "You two are sleeping together and have no regard for what could happen. Jacob Black, I've raised you better. She's probably pregnant with all this sickness you're talking about. So much has happened in the last couple of months, Jake, and to bring a child into the world at such a dangerous time is reckless…"

Jacob snorted, "Dad. Bella and I aren't having sex."

There was a pause. Billy said, "What?"

Jacob let out a dry chuckle. "You heard me, old man. We've never had sex."

Billy replied just as dryly, "Don't give me that, Jake. I was a young man once, believe it or not."

"I mean it." Jacob replied with a chuffing sound. "I would admit it if we were."

There was an awkward silence. Billy slowly asked, "Not even…?"

Jacob sighed hotly, "No, Dad. No. Thanks for reminding me."

Billy whispered, "Ah, son. It will work out. You'll see. Have faith in what you have been given. Trust in yourself."

Jacob muttered, "Sure, sure. After all, the spirits are all roses and sunshine, right? I'm sure every mutated freak like me can attest to that."

I quickly grabbed the clothes that were lying on the countertop. Slipping the slightly baggy sweatpants over my legs, I stumbled and banged my elbow on the wall. I heard a grumble from Jacob and then the rolling of Billy's wheel-chair. I rubbed my hair down and had just began brushing when I heard Jacob sigh deeply. He knocked on the bathroom door. I paused in my ministrations as a million questions were buzzing around in my head. The look on his face when I opened the door told me that he knew I had heard.

"Heard all that, did you?" He asked with a grimace.

"Maybe a bit." I replied sheepishly.

"How is your stomach feeling?" Jacob asked as he gestured to the brush.

Handing it over, I said, "Better. Let me go deal with the mess in your room."

"Already taken care of, Bells." He said as he began stroking the ends of my hair. I tensed and stared straight ahead as I waited for Jacob to snag a knot. He never did. Reaching around me with one long arm, Jacob opened a cabinet door and pulled out a bottle of spray. It smelled of citrus and coconut. He liberally sprayed my hair before running his fingers through the strands. It was then I realized his big hands were so soft and sure due entirely to his own personal experience with hair care.

"What are you thinking about?" He murmured as he brushed.

"Your hair." I blurted and blushed red like a tomato.

He chuckled, "What about my hair?"

I shrugged and mumbled, "Just that you obviously know how to take care of it more than I do. It's a bit pitiful of me, honestly."

"Your hair is beautiful." He said, "I love all your colors. When sunlight catches the strands just right, your hair turns reddish like mahogany wood. Most of the time, though, it's a rich brown. Maybe like chocolate."

We elapsed into silence. I felt the slight pull of the brush and listened to our breathing. He sighed, "Did I say too much again? That was corny, huh?"

"No." I cleared my throat and said, "I was always jealous of your hair."

"Jealous?" He asked in disbelief, "What for?"

I mumbled, "It stayed so straight and smooth. Neat, you know."

He laughed, "Except when I crawled under a car."

I smiled and replied, "Yes. Except then."

"You like that my hair was straight?" He asked with amusement, "I think straight hair is sort of boring. I like your curls. They're cute."

I blushed deeper and muttered, "Cute isn't exactly what I'm going for."

"Okay." Jacob replied promptly, "Beautiful then."

"Uh," I stammered, "I wasn't going for that, either."

"Too bad." He said, "That's the label you're stuck with."

I sighed as he gave my shoulders a quick rub. He announced, "All done."

He put his hand to the metal doorknob and hesitated. He carefully said, "Just so you know, I set the record straight with Billy. Not too sure if you caught the whole conversation, but I just wanted you to know I'm not gonna let anyone think badly of you."

"Thanks, Jake." I whispered. My feet shuffled and I suddenly realized how tiny the Blacks' bathroom really was. I was also aware that the door was shut. Jacob's dark gaze was intense and unwavering. I swallowed nervously. He quietly asked, "Did it bother you? What Billy thought of us?"

"No." I shook my head, "I've never much cared what others think of me."

A sweet, dark smile spread across his face. "Good."

I sat with Jacob at the rickety kitchen table while he gobbled down three ham sandwiches and a plate of leftover fish fry. I asked, "Do you patrol today?"

"Nope." He said, "I stick to you like glue until Sam says otherwise."

"Oh. I guess I should head home soon, so I don't upset Charlie anymore."

Jacob nodded. "Sure, sure. Let me grab clothes. I'll have to stay the night."

He insisted on being the one to drive my truck as we walked to Emily's cabin. After retrieving the keys from inside the house, Jacob climbed into the driver seat and I in the passenger. I asked, "What happens once you bring me home to Charlie?"

He glanced at me and explained, "I'll be posted outside your house, right through the tree line at the edge of your property. I won't leave."

"By yourself?" I bit my lip and wrapped my arms around my waist. One of his long arms left the steering wheel and gripped my hand. Slowly, Jacob unwrapped my hand from my waist and intertwined our fingers. I gave little resistance. His heat warmed my damp skin nicely.

Jacob said, "Once the sun sets, Quil will join me when Charlie comes home."

"I don't want you hurt, Jacob." I whispered as I squeezed his hand.

"I won't be, Bells." He soothed me, "This is what we're made for. We aren't prey for those leeches to devour. We're strong and we're something they're scared of."

I shook my head. I couldn't image Victoria being afraid of anything in the entire world, but I didn't voice my doubtful thoughts. I murmured, "Do you think she will go after Charlie?"

Jacob's body tensed and his voice came out like steel. "I'd kill her if she tried to harm him, Bells. I swear I would. I care about Charlie, too."

Nearly quivering with the thought of my innocent father being attacked by a vampire, I curled my knees up to my chest and leaned heavily on Jacob's shoulder. He adjusted his arm until it was laid across my shoulders. I breathed in his scent and opened my mouth. I hesitated for a moment and caught Jacob glancing at me.

I muttered, "Watch the road."

"What were you going to say?" Jacob asked.

"Nothing." I replied too quickly.

"Tell me." He said evenly, "I want to know."

"Will you stay outside all night?" I asked carefully.

He pulled into the driveway and flicked the ignition. The roaring truck engine died as he said, "Quil and I will be done at dawn. I would still want to stay just in case the leech decides to try her luck, but I could get some sleep once the sun rises. We've never seen a leech in the daylight. This one definitely only comes out at night or on stormy days."

I nodded absentmindedly. Jacob said, "I can stay in the forest in wolf form."

I frowned as I glanced at him. He shrugged broad shoulders and added, "To sleep, if my being in your bedroom bothers you."

"No." I mumbled as I opened the truck door and climbed out. "Just come to bed like we've been doing."

"You want me there?" He asked huskily. The tone of his voice caused me to freeze in mid-step. I nervously looked at him before nodding. Jacob gave a sudden lopsided smile. He tossed me the truck keys, which I let slip through my fingers. He laughed as I bent down and scooped them up.

"Go inside, Bells. I'll be watching. If you need me, just call my name. I'll hear you no matter how quiet you are."

I watched him walk to the edge of the treeline before I walked inside and locked the front door. After sending a text-message to Charlie, the home phone rang and I assumed it was him, though I had no clue why he wouldn't call my cellphone. It was Mrs. Newton, asking if I could take an unexpected shift in the morning. I stammered, "Oh. I-I'm sorry, but no. I have plans that can't be changed tomorrow."

After finishing an awkward conversation with my boss, I washed the few dishes in the sink. It seemed Charlie had eaten leftover chili the night before and had nothing but coffee for breakfast. Feeling guilty, I went upstairs and sat in a hot bath. I took my time with grooming and washing. Twice, despite my slow hand, I nicked my legs with a razor. Cursing, I went to my bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed. I dabbed at the cuts with a paper towel before rubbing lotion on my legs and arms. Dropping the towel, I stepped to my dresser and slipped on undergarments. I was pulling a cotton tank top over my head when a flutter caught my attention.

Glancing out the window, I froze with my shirt mid-way down my torso. I blinked. Heat flooded my cheeks. My curtains were open, letting in the mid-morning sunlight. The window was cracked open and a crisp breeze was blowing through my bedroom. Just beyond the treeline I saw a flash of movement. Just a flash. A second in which a hulking, dark reddish-colored form had peeked from behind a large pine tree. Jacob. I knew without having ever seen his other form, that the massive brownish-red shape I had seen was Jacob.

I cooked an elaborate dinner that night. Beef fajita with homemade salsa and all the trimmings. For dessert, there was layered chocolate cake with cream cheese icing. I made sure to sit on the sofa and watch television with Charlie. During a commercial, I went to the kitchen and cleaned up. I brought him out a cold beer and he thanked me. I was sitting back down when he asked, "Are you trying to butter me up?"

I pressed my lips together and said, "Maybe."

"Bella," Charlie sighed and his mustache quivered as if he might smile. He said, "I'm not angry at you, kiddo. It's just that I worry when you go missing in action. Twice now, you've done so and both times I find out you're with Jake. Now, I know you two get along well and both of you are good kids. Just let a man know where you are and what you're doing. Anything can happen, do you hear me?"

I sighed, "Okay, Dad."

Charlie cleared his throat. "While we're on the subject of Jake…"

I squeaked, "Dad, please don't-"

"Well, now, Bells, I wouldn't have to ask if you'd just be honest with me."

I insisted, "I am honest with you. I've never lied."

"You think your old man doesn't know when he's been given the run around?"

I mumbled loudly, "What do you want to know?"

He cleared his throat again and blushed. "Are you two, you know, dating?"

I stuttered, "Um…"

Charlie eyed me with a frown. "Simple question, simple answer."

"You have no idea." I muttered before saying, "Maybe."

"Maybe?" Charlie asked with a cough. "Come on, Bella."

"Kind of." I sighed.

"Kind of." He echoed thoughtfully.

"I'm going to bed now." I abruptly stood up and ran up the stairs.

I laid in bed for hours. I managed to toss and turn so much so that I finally heaved a sigh and turned on a lamp. I cracked the spine of a well-loved book and read until the words blurred and my head tilted to the side.

When the bed dipped and a warm hand brushed against my cheek, I gasped and sat upright. Blinking, I rubbed my eyes and stared at Jacob. He was already wearing the sweatpants he had gathered from his house earlier in the day. His hair was wet and the smell of strawberry was strong. I mumbled, "Using my shampoo again?"

He smiled and whispered, "Maybe. Kind of."

My heart skipped a beat. I swallowed heavily and slowly laid down. Jacob waited until I was comfortably tucked under the blankets before sliding in next to me. He asked, "Do you want the lamp off?"

I shrugged and determinedly shut my eyes. A few moments of silence passed before he whispered, "Are you mad at me?"

I said nothing. Jacob sighed, "I didn't mean to see you earlier. Like that."

I still said nothing, but the blush building on my cheeks only made me angrier. I rolled away from him and stared at the bedroom door. I could see that Jacob had clicked the lock into place, so Charlie couldn't happen upon us.

"Honest, Bells." Jacob said quietly, "I smelt blood. I got worried. I had to check on you, so I came closer. It was just you accidentally cutting yourself while shaving."

There was a pause. I felt his shoulder brushing against my back. He sighed, "I didn't see you naked, if that's what you're worried about."

"You saw me mostly undressed." I snapped, "And you heard my conversation with Charlie. Those were private moments, Jacob. You snooped."

"I didn't do it on purpose." He retorted, "I can't help that I hear and smell so well now. It comes with the package of this curse."

I grumbled, "Whatever. I'm going to sleep. Don't wake me up again."

"Fine. Sorry to be such an inconvenience." Jacob said bitterly.

We broke into absolute silence. I couldn't even hear his breathing. I pressed my lips together and shut my eyes. The sound of rain hitting the roof began and I let it lull me into a slumbering state, but the claps of thunder that began minutes later only caused my heart to jump into my throat. Finally, I rolled over and faced Jacob.

He had his hands behind his head and was staring sternly at the ceiling. I reached out and tentatively ran my fingertips along his bicep. His chest moved up and down a bit faster. I whispered, "I'm sorry for overacting."

"I'm sorry for acting like an ass." He whispered back.

"You aren't an inconvenience to me, Jacob." I said, "Quite the opposite."

"Yeah?" He asked, head turning to the side and ensnaring me in a dark chocolate gaze. There was a pause. One hand reached out and cupped my cheek. Leaning into the touch, I closed my eyes and hummed under my breath.

"You're always so warm…"

"You like?" Jacob rasped lowly.

I nodded, scooting closer until my toes touched his knees. He jolted and opened his legs before trapping my toes between them. He chuckled, "Your feet are like ice."

We stayed like that for some time- one hand on my cheek and my toes between his thighs- before Jacob's thumb began to gently swipe across my bottom lip. The first time he did so, I thought it was an accident. The second time, Jacob slowed his movements to a near crawl. He caressed my lip, pressing so softly. I opened my eyes to find him staring at me. Somehow, our bodies touching was not the most intimate part of our relationship. It was our eyes. It was his eyes. The way he would look at me when I tripped over thin air. The way those orbs would dance when he laughed. The way they burned when he was angry or melted like honey when we touched.

My lips parted and hot breath fanned across his hand. Jacob let out a quiet gasp and leaned forward slowly. The space between us had been small to begin with. Now it was non-existent. Our chests were brushing against each other with every breath. Our exhales lingered. It was him who tilted his head just slightly, letting our noses rub. And it was me that turned and brushed my lips against his like the flutter of butterfly wings.

My breath hitched as Jacob followed my gentle retreat, pressing his lips against mine with a soft smacking sound. Once. Twice. Three times. I watched his throat move as he swallowed heavily. He pulled back ever so slightly. A dark mocha stare was all I saw. In that split-second of time, I tried to remember the feel of his fleeting lips. Warm. Hot. Smooth and full. Leaning forward, my eyes closed and I pressed our mouths together more firmly.

Jacob's arms came around my waist, holding tightly. He parted his lips, tilted his head, and liquid heat flooded my body as his tongue flicked at my bottom lip. I froze for a moment, stunned at the sudden taste and warm wetness. Thumbs began sweeping across my lower back. I followed Jacob's movements, copying the slide and slip of his mouth on mine. When he bent down, nuzzling my neck, I gasped for breath. He hummed while placing soft kisses along my bare collarbone. I squeaked, blushing hotly, as my hands curled around the nape of his neck. Jacob paused before pressing more open-mouthed kisses. I tilted my head back, exposing the column of my throat to his eager movements. He must have noticed because he gladly trailed kisses up my throat and to my chin.

This continued for some time. Soft and slow and sweet. My eyes began to droop and my uneven breath grew deep and measured. Jacob chuckled and whispered, "Going to sleep on me, Bells? Goodnight, honey. See you in the morning."