Disclaimer: Oh boy! Here we go again. Please, loyal audience, try to contain your disclaimorative enthusiasm. Here, have a teaspoon. What? Oh, that's too big a container. Well, maybe if you dump everyone's conglamoritave enthusiasm levels in there, it MIGHT be filled. I own nothing from SM's wonderful world.
ALMOST TO THE BIG THREESIES...And I owe it all to you, my lovely lovely reviewers. Air XOXO's to you all.
Shinobi Shinigami: I had to look back at my review page about twenty million times to spell your name right. Twas one of my better twists admittedly. More coming along though. Be prepared.
Nobodyparticular: (joe-zee-us) as in Joe, the name PLUS the first syllable of 'zebra' PLUS what you and me together make (us)...fun name, eh?
Mattybabe: Here, have a tissue...they're the special kind (brussel sprouts) with Vics on them (brussel sprouts), just in case you get a cold (brussel sprouts). Lily T. Has got your back.
Albnal33: Whilst I am firing the personal bodyguard of Emmett Cullens I hired, I shall respond to your fun comment. Thanks...And I mean, I got a cookie out of it. MMMMMM peanut butter. My favorite...hold on a sec. Why in the world am I FIRING emmett? What's wrong with me? What'd you put in that cookie? Room spinning...(passes out).
Ten past midnight: Ironic that I'm writing this at 12:10, isn't it? Ah well. You said more with fourteen letters than I have with this entire sentence. And I am not mean to the fourth...your face is mean to the fourth...jk lol. Thanks for reviewing. Stop by again.
INVX: (looks down on invx in her hole and says the following: mwuhahahahtehehehehehahahahah. In that exact order. Then, after annoying conscience kicks in, throws her a Reece cup king sized pack) Thanks for the compliments. They meant a lot, especially coming from someone falling to her death after I pushed her off a cliff...Ah guilt...Bella, put a trampoline under INVX...Bella: er...mmmkay... and by the way, duckie is coming back as a ghost mallard to haunt you.
Kersicca: Wow, your comments are like new story updates. I get really excited everytime I read them. I think I'll keep BTHEFM over here for a while, let you suffer in the CR...You and Pjotter should do something...other than play dressup. Maybe you could go out and have cappucinos together. Coffee, I hear, is the ultimate cure for strange, turtle-induced, murderous rampages. DRAT! The netherlands...why didn't I think of that? While Josius does not have a volvo, he does have a lilac colored school bus you could kindly stick somewhere it won't sparkle, as in up his butt, that is if my new slicem dicem contact lenses don't decimate him first. Die Josius. Stares intently...Crap! they're a dud...KERSICCA SAVE ME!
Euphoria falls: Alright, but I claim his head...and his left arm...and BOTH his knees. UPDATE YOUR STORY YOU BOZO...lol
Thefuturemrs.edwardcullen: Thanks...I get that I'm not a horrible bastard surprisingly a lot. Thanks for adding culture to my review page. TE Amo...i think. What exactly did I just say?
Melody Cullen: Thanks...for both the AWESOME OPOSSUM review and for sparing my life.
MeyaRose: mmmkay. Pretty pen name.
Chapter 11
Jake ran me all the way back to La Push, occasionally murmuring meaningless words of reassurance when he wasn't lost in thought.
I heard him occasionally when I myself wasn't lost in thought. Images and snippets of Edward and what he told me crowded out everything else, even the pain my nerves vaguely acknowledged as the twigs scraped across my face.
So my blood was super special. That, I made a mental note to tell my stubborn fiancee, was an optimum reason for changing me.
People, human and vampire alike, desperately crave power, which makes the means of attaining it, me in this situation, the target of many.
And about this Josius fellow. I'll bet Satan wishes he could hold a candle to that vampire. I had half a mind – correction: I had a full mind to beat his hawkish face in with a shovel. No, a cinder block. No...something bigger – ah hah, Australia. I'd beat his face in with a continent.
Poor Carlisle – and all because of me. Look at the trouble I'd caused everyone. My mind cautiously wandered to the subject of suicide...maybe I could finish myself off...sure would save everyone grief.
"NO! Don't you dare even THINK that, Bella!" reprimanded the miniature Edward Cullen in my head. Of course, the flesh and...well just flesh, life-sized Edward would just hop on the next jet to Italy.
Sadly, I pondered when I would get to see him again.
That last kiss and his loving words were like the cracker given to a child by its mother, expecting it to hold them over till dinner. Only the cracker is a crumb, the dinner is a 5-course gourmet banquet, and the kid is starving.
Sensing a change in pace, I glanced up.
Ahead the windows of Jacob's house illuminated the lawn.
Jake pulled me from his back and walked away without a word. I followed.
"Hey Bella...How are you?" Billy asked once we were inside.
I smiled, "I'm just..."
Jake cut me off tersely, "Tired."
I looked at him with a look that had "are you kidding me?" written all over it. Rudely finishing my sentences when my nerves were this shaken was a dumb idea.
Billy shot me an apologetic smile, but didn't seem surprised by his son's actions. Frankly, neither was I, but if Jacob was planning on objecting to my being with Edward again he'd have hell to pay.
Billy's hand reached around to scratch the back of his neck awkwardly, "I'll just go...pull out the couch." Then, he walked towards the living room.
Jake openly glared at me.
"What?" I snapped.
He just shook his head and walked towards the cabinets. While opening the door, he accidentally wrenched the top end of the handle off its nail. Anger didn't suit him.
"Good job, Sherlock," I bit sarcastically. This kind of scorn was unwarranted. Well, mostly...
He didn't even spare me a glance as he pulled out one container of Tomato Soup at Hand and violently shoved it into the microwave.
"You better call Charlie," he grumbled.
"Drat,"I mumbled, taking steps towards the phone.
I dialed my number. "Hey Dad, Jake wanted to show me his," I struggled to come up with a solid lie, "new motorcycle – No, I won't ride it – It's late and I think I'm just going to spend the night at Emily's – Yes, dad, Emily's – Embry's fine – Well, not peachy keen fine, just moderately broken leg fine – doctor says he should be great by next week – yeah, well, Embry's a quick healer – yeah – yeah, ok – bye." I hung up the phone.
"Happy?" I asked Jacob.
His attention never wavered from the Creamy Tomato Blend, of which he was consuming in gulpfuls.
I raised an eyebrow, "Since when do werewolves eat Campbells?" I asked.
"Since, I started liking it," he shot back.
I grinned a little, "Jacob, you're ridiculous."
"You're face is ridiculous," he muttered between swags.
I laughed. His mouth twitched a little. A happy Jake made for a happy Bella.
He glanced up at me for once, "Bells, are you still going to marry that bloodsucker?" he asked, apparently thinking that my smiling meant that he could insult my future husband.
"Yes. We've been through this," I responded robotically, "I love him with all my heart and I don't know where I'd be without him."
Finally, all the cards were layed. Hurting Jake's Emotions vs. Defending my love for Edward. It was a fair fight, but the latter would always win.
Always.
I could see the pain flash across his features as I said this. He responded, "You'd be happy," he suggested,"But, what if he never escapes Josius. You'll be wasting your life away!" he exclaimed, slamming his fist down on the table.
The wood splintered and cracked underneath it.
I sighed. "I could never be happy without him...not now that I've had him," I explained, trying to make Jake understand. I turned the most pleading gaze I could muster on him, "Plus, you're going to imprint someday, and forget all about me." The concept of Jacob forgetting me hurt deep down inside, but maybe it was what we both needed.
His head bowed, "I'll never forget you...and what if I've already imprinted."
My hope lifted some, "On who?" I asked.
"You," he said, looking up, "I know the others tell me that it's different, but..." he closed his eyes, debating whether to speak what was on his mind, "I don't think I can ever feel for anybody else stronger than the way I feel for you." His voice came out of his lips in a bashful tone, surely not the one he had been trying for.
I was speechless. These confessions always unhinged me some. Forcing my mouth to speak, I assured him, "You will." It sounded more like I was convincing myself though.
He seemed to sense that I wanted this conversation to terminate. "You look beat, Bells. Get some rest," he said, finishing up his soup and chucking it at the waist bin, football style.
I nodded, "Night, Jake...Be careful."
"Night," he responded, before disappearing out the door.
That went surprisingly well. Hurt feelings were kept to a minimum and no one raised their voice. The only victim was the poor table.
Entering the living room, I spotted Billy in the recliner, pretending innocence, like he hadn't chose this spot to hear every word his son and I exchanged.
He gave me a sad smile before rising and exiting the same way I had come.
I stretched out on the couch and closed my eyes. Sleep, though, was slow in finding me. But when it finally did, I dreamed.
I dreamed of Edward. We were walking around Forks, sun blazing, Edward glittering, but no one seemed to care that a living gemstone was walking among them.
Holding hands, we just talked and enjoyed each other's company.
"Bella," he addressed me in his silky voice.
"Mhmm," I replied.
"Do you love me?" he asked.
What a silly question, "Of course."
He smiled my favorite smile, "Would you prove your love to me?" his eyebrows wiggled enticingly.
My brows furrowed, "Anything," I answered, and it was the truth.
Looking around, I noticed the surroundings had transformed, from a sidewalk in Forks, to a tunnel. Edward started backing away from me.
"If you can catch me, you love me," he stated, a laugh in his voice.
I was entirely too confused now. Of course I couldn't catch him. He was super fast. But he didn't appear to be running.
I moved a few steps closer. Then, I blinked a few times. Although I had moved towards him, Edward had remained the same distance apart from me. The laugh in his eyes dimmed, and a slight frown appeared on his angel's face.
My feet carried me a couple more steps closer. Still, I received the same result.
This time, Edward's expression was outright scorn.
I sprinted for him, running as fast as I could possibly go, but it was like running on a treadmill specifically designed to match your speed.
"I do love you!" I called to him.
His frown remained. To the right, Tanya stepped into view. She wrapped her filthy arms around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder, taunting me. Daring me to challenge her.
I ran harder. My breath was coming in quick gasps.
Edward's head fell as Tanya's smirk widened. He grabbed her hand and strolled out of my nightmare.
"No!" I cried uselessly.
Behind me, I could hear cruel laughter. I pivoted. Josius was standing behind me, holding something - a rope I noticed upon further investigation. My eyes followed its braided cords all the way to...me.
Josius was holding me back with the rope. He was the reason I couldn't reach Edward. I lunged for him, but he disappeared, his booming, manic laughter echoing after him.
I smashed my palms to my ears, trying to block the brutal mockery. The booms became louder and more spread out. They sounded less like laughter and more like thunder now.
The thunder woke me.
Boom! There it was again.
Funny. There wasn't a cloud in sight tonight. This sure was a sudden storm.
Boom! I listened for the rain, but heard none.
Sweeping back the covers, I rose from the bed and peaked through the blinds. Stars dotted the heavens above, undisturbed by light pollution here at the reserve. No clouds. No rain. No storm. Maybe I had imagined the thunder.
Boom! Nope. It was real.
I stood there at the window listening for a while. The booms kept reverberating at odd intervals. They sounded like thunder crashing. Like something crashing.
Oh, no. My breath halted. They sounded like something crashing...or someone. They sounded like, say, the noise a vampire and a werewolf would make were they to collide.
Oh, God no... I stepped into the nearest pair of shoes I could locate and ran out the door.
No one was going to die or fight for me any more. Not if I could help it.