*I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING RELATED TO TWILIGHT*
Hi everyone, a bit of a change from Gilmore Girls. This is a Jacob/Bella story, I must say this is definitely NOT a story for Edward fans he is not the hero of this story. Bella is a little OOC but mostly true to her character. I hope you all enjoy, constructive criticism only please. Or if anyone would like to proofread this story before its posted I welcome someone to DM me.
I sat in my truck, contemplating leaving Forks in my rear view mirror and go looking for the Cullen's. But I know one thing, if the Cullen's didn't want to be found…they wouldn't be. I sighed, Charlie said I had to do…something or he would send me to Jacksonville to be with my Mom and that maybe that would get me to 'pull myself together'. So I drove. I was driving hoping to find something to do, something to help me get my act together. I thought about driving to La Push but Jacob had changed since that day we went to the movies with Mike, he grew, got more muscular, got a tattoo…I wasn't sure if he wanted to see me but I had nowhere else to go. I drove to La Push, and drove to the part of the beach he told me about where they went Cliff Diving. I stood on the edge of the cliff, the mist of the water on my face. I stepped back a few feet and ran as I jumped off the cliff, I hit the water. Hard, I broke through the surface for air but was suddenly hit by another wave. The water was rougher than I had anticipated, I couldn't catch my breath, I wasn't strong enough to swim for shore, and I was trapped. I was going to die. I let the water take me down…suddenly warm arms wrapped around me which was refreshing change to the cold water that had engulfed me, I was placed on the shore,
"Oh shit, Bella, Bella! Bells you gotta wake up. C'mon wake up," Jacob's voice came through the crashing waves around us, he pressed down on my chest and I coughed up a lot of water,
"Shit, thank god." He breathed, I coughed up more water. As Jacob fell beside his short hair dripping with water, his muscles visible through the wet t-shirt he wore. He pulled me into his arms, rubbing mine trying to warm me up,
"C'mon Bells, lets get you warmed up." He sighed, picking me up, he carried me to my truck at the top of the ridge.
"Thank you," I breathed, as he cranked up the heat in my truck, driving me toward his house,
"What were you thinking Bells?" he demanded, "First cliff diving rule, never go alone. Second cliff diving rule, NEVER go when there is a storm coming in."
"Why were you there?"
"Were you trying to kill yourself?" he demanded, slamming the brakes on in truck. "Should I be driving you to the hospital? Cause Bells, just because some guy leaves you isn't reason enough to end your life. My understanding is girls, eat a tub of ice cream, dye or cut their hair and kiss a girl. Not go jumping off a cliff." He rambled, and I laughed. It felt good to laugh, a smile touched Jacob's lips,
"I wasn't trying to kill myself, I was trying to have fun…feel something besides emptiness." I sighed, rubbing my arms, while Jacob began driving again,
"Is that the same reason you got those bikes for us?"
"Yeah, that and I wanted another reason to spend time with you. I like you Jake, you're my best friend. I want to spend time with you."
"Still?"
"Yeah, still." I insisted, as he pulled up at the house.
"Billy is at Harry's, we got the place to ourselves. He won't ask why you're wet, I'll load your clothes in the dryer. I can find some of Rachel's stuff that might fit you." He got me out of the truck, he let me inside. I liked his house. It was warm, familiar, native art and familiar quilts, pictures hanging, it looked lived in, not necessarily tidy but real.
"I can get you some towels, if you want to take a warm shower."
"That's be great, thanks Jacob." I smiled, as I followed him down the hall. He handed me two towels, mismatched but what did I expect from two single men. Billy was widowed in the accident that left him paralyzed, it killed his wife, Sarah. Rachel was Jacob's older sister, her twin Rebecca both had left the reservation to go off to school, find careers and husbands. I took the towels, and went to the washroom. I had a hard time believing that Jacob's large frame could fit in this shower. I quickly peeled off my cold, wet clothes and climbed into the shower. I sighed as the warm water hit my body, warming me up instantly. I hoped Jacob wouldn't mind but I used his shampoo and body wash. I liked the smell, it reminded me of Jacob. I climbed out of the shower and dried myself, only then realizing that I hadn't gotten the clothes from Jacob, I poked my head out of the bathroom,
"Jake?" I called,
"Yeah?" he rounded the corner and almost dropped the apple he was eating,
"I don't have any dry clothes,"
"Oh yeah, uhm I'll go get you some." He hurried away to where they had stored Rachel and Rebecca's things. He grabbed me a t-shirt, sweater and some jeans. I thanked him and slipped back inside the bathroom. The clothes were a bit big on me but it was better than sitting around in a towel. I came out of the bathroom holding my clothes, I walked into the living room, and Jacob looked silly sitting on a small couch,
"Could I put my clothes in the dryer?" I asked,
"Yeah, I can do that." Jacob took my wet clothes and opened a closet where there was a washer and dryer stacked. He put my clothes in and some dryer sheets, before setting it up.
"Alright, Bella I'd like to show you something." Jacob gently tugged at my arm, I followed him willingly down the beach where there was a man about Jacob's size outside, his black hair was cropped short too, and his name was Sam Uley and a woman was standing next to him, her back facing us. This was the man Jacob had told me about, he started a gang on La Push.
"Why are we meeting with Sam? You said he was bad news."
"There was a reason, the guys were hanging out with him. I am too, and it's not for a bad reason…well not for a really bad reason."
"That brings me no comfort." I commented,
"Sam, Emily. This is Bella Swan," Jacob announced our presence,
"Hey Jacob, this the girl you told me about?" he asked,
"Yeah," Jacob replied, the girl with Sam turned around, she had horrible scaring covering the right side of her face but was still beautiful,
"Bella, I'm Emily. Its going to rain soon, please we should go inside." She insisted, wrapping her arm around my shoulders and leading me inside, the men followed us, "Would you like some tea Bella?"
"That'd be great, thank you." I smiled politely, and Sam sat across from me,
"Bella, I'm sure you've heard a number of things about me from Jacob, and Charlie. I'm sure the Cullen's had a thing or two to say about the people of La Push including myself. I need to ask you some questions before I could potentially offer up an explanation." He explained, he was very polite, very confident and I felt the need to trust and respect him but I didn't have any information in which to do that yet,
"Okay," I replied,
"Sam, don't scare the girl." Emily chastised him, he smiled up at her kissing her hand delicately,
"Bella, do you have any contact with the Cullen's at all?"
"Not anymore, no. I haven't heard from them since they left."
"Okay, do you know what they were?"
"Excuse me?"
"Did you know they were vampires?" he asked, I hesitated,
"Yes, I do."
"Is the red headed vampire still after you?"
"Yes. E-Edward killed her mate, so she wants to kill me for revenge. She doesn't seem to care that we aren't together anymore, she still holds me responsible."
"Bella, I need you to know. We will protect you."
"Sam, I'm sure you're very nice and you seem very strong. But if you know anything about vampires you know how strong they are, and how fast. A group of men from La Push can't take a vampire. Even a single one." I explained, he chuckled? Jacob smiled, and Emily grinned too,
"Bella, have you noticed how Jacob had grown? Taller, stronger, broader shoulders, shorter hair?" he asked,
"Yes, I have." I said, feeling like I was stating the obvious, "But he's sixteen. I figured he was going through one hell of a growth spurt."
"Something like that," Jacob smiled,
"Bella, we can protect you because we're something different than simply human. When the Cullen's were still around, with this red head around…the cold ones triggered the defenders of La Push. We are bound to protect humans, we are bound to protect everyone from vampires, particularly you because you're a target. We are werewolves Bella." He explained, I stared at him for a moment processing what he just said,
"I'm sorry-what?" I stammered out,
"I understand that it's a lot to process. That was why we had Jacob…scare you off for lack of a better term until he learned to control his phasing. We phase when we get angry, it triggers it. As we get more experienced we can do it on demand, but Jacob is still young he's still learning."
"So your 'gang' is-?"
"More of a pack really, I'm teaching them how to control it, what to do and how to handle things. I'm teaching them how to fight."
"To protect me?" I asked,
"To protect us all," he confirmed, I glanced over at Emily making tea and eyed the scars on her face, "That can be what happens if someone gets too close to a young werewolf. They get in a fight, he gets angry, phases…until he realizes what has happened…its too late."
"I didn't-,"
"Didn't ask, but its okay." Emily assured me, as she set the tea down in front of me, she kissed the top of Sam's head,
"Bella, we want to explain something else to you that may come up."
"More?" I laughed breathlessly, he smiled slightly,
"More, yes." He chuckled, "I used to be in a relationship with Leah Clearwater, I was madly in love with her. We had discussed marriage, kids…we had our lives planned out. But then…I met Emily. She is Leah's cousin."
"I feel like this doesn't end well for Leah." I commented,
"I imprinted on Emily, instantly. Sometimes it takes a while, sometimes it's in an instant. It doesn't matter, who, where, what she or he is…its magic. When it happens you'll be whatever it is she needs you to be a brother, a friend, a protector or a lover. I've heard legends of men imprinting on younger girls, and in that moment she becomes his entire world, he takes care of her, he protects her, teaches her, its nothing sexual. Not until she becomes much older and wants it to be."
"And what happens to the girl? If she rejects the imprint?"
"She wouldn't, when it happens it changes her too. She needs him as much as he needs her, its stronger than anything this bond they form. Like I said, he will be anything she needs or wants; they may never be in a relationship like Emily and I…but its rare."
"So imprinting happens to everyone in the pack?"
"No, for some it never happens."
"So you imprinted on Emily, and not Leah…what happens to Leah?"
"She hates me, and Emily. After I felt what I feel for Emily, I knew it was wrong to be with Leah when my heart belonged to someone else."
"So…has Jacob imprinted on me?"
"No, he hasn't." he explained, "I just wanted you to understand. I must ask that you keep this to yourself, you cannot tell Charlie. Its not safe for him."
"I understand now…can Jacob still be my friend?"
"Of course, now that you know it will be easier. And safer for you, if you stay around Jacob more, we can more adequately protect you." He smiled, as I sipped on the tea Emily gave me, it was peppermint. I spent the rest of the day, with Jake, Emily and Sam eventually the rest of the pack came by to say hello and meet the girl that caused this…transformation to happen. Most of them were okay with it, felt that it brought the brotherhood together…with the exception of Leah who was quite pissed off that I caused her to change, causing her to have to spend time around Sam. She came down to meet with, she spat my feet,
"I don't care one way if you live or die." She said and walked away. I felt hurt, I had never felt someone hate me this deeply for something I never intended anyone to be hurt because of anything I did.
"I'm sorry about Leah, she's having a hard time with this. Sam is alpha which means she has to do what he says. And it's hard for her having to see him with Emily all the time."
"That would be really difficult. Jake listen, I don't want anyone to be hurt on my account."
"Bella, we're looking out for everyone. You just need a little…extra attention." He assured me, nudging me with his arm. I looked up at him and smiled slightly,
"C'mon lets get you back to the house. Its getting late, you should probably get home." Jacob, helped me down off of the log we were sitting on.
"I need to get my clothes from your place," I told him,
"Your truck is there anyway." He smiled,
"Damn Jake, her clothes are at your place." Paul joked, Emily slapped him in the back of the head,
"Don't be inappropriate!" Emily scolded him,
"It's okay," I smiled,
"C'mon Bells," Jacob led us down the beach to his house, "You're taking this surprisingly well."
"I'm good with weird," I laughed lightly,
"We're going to protect you Bells, just as well as the…Cullen's could have. Probably better." He assured me,
"I'm not terribly worried, makes me feel safe actually." I admitted,
"I'm glad. I want you to be happy Bells,"
"I know Jake," I sighed, "And I will be, its just taking me a while."
"I know,"
"I wish you went to school with me…I'd have someone to talk to. To sit with at lunch."
"What do you do now?"
"Sit at the table I sat at with the Cullen's….by myself. Angela still talks to me though."
"Okay, please, please sit somewhere else. I don't care where, but try and move on Bells. You'll be happier for it, I know its hard but it'll get better. I promise."
"Thanks Jake,"
"Sure, sure." He smiled, we arrived at the Black's house. We went inside, Billy was sitting in the living room,
"You explain things to her?" Billy asked,
"Sam did," he replied, pulling my clothes out of the dryer.
"I borrowed some of Rachel's clothes, mine got wet. I hope that's okay."
"Of course Bella, no worries about that." He assured me, I went into the bathroom and changed back into my own clothes, and went back out where Jacob was talking seriously with Billy.
"I'm going to head home now, I don't get back Charlie probably doesn't eat." I laughed lightly,
"Let your Dad see you smile Bella, you have a beautiful smile. I know he misses seeing you happy." Billy said softly,
"Thanks Billy, I'll try." I smiled,
"I'll walk you out." Jacob got up off the small couch, it groaned at his large frame being lifted from it. We went outside, and I gestured to the garage,
"How are our bikes coming?" I asked,
"You can come down tomorrow and help me work on them."
"Sure, there is some kind of ball game tomorrow I'm sure. Charlie won't mind if I'm gone for the day." I replied,
"Especially if you're out and about," He rubbed my arm, it was warm and familiar. I think I may have leaned into it a little bit without meaning to, but his touch was so comforting.
"With you," I smiled,
"With me."
I arrived home and hopped out of my truck. Adjusting my clothes, my hair secured back in a braid, Emily did it for me. I went inside and heard the television on, and smelled pizza. I smiled to myself, Charlie was a creature of habit that's for sure.
"Hi Dad," I called as I took off my sneakers, I walked into the living room,
"Bella! I was getting worried, we need to get you a cell phone. You've been gone most of the day." He commented, getting up from his seat, looking over me making sure I was okay.
"I'm fine Dad," I assured him, "I went to La Push to see Jacob."
"Oh good! Good, you're talking again?"
"Yeah, it was just a misunderstanding. We're good now." I smiled at him, as per Billy's request/suggestion,
"I'm glad. I ordered some pizza if you'd like some." He gestured to the large pizza on the tv table,
"Sure, I'll grab a plate." I went into the kitchen and the phone rang, "I'll get it."
"Hello?" I asked into the receiver,
"Bella?" a familiar voice said to me,
"Edward?" I demanded quietly,
"You're alive?"
"Um, yes?" I said, it sounded more like a question,
"Be safe." He said softly and hung up the phone, I shook my head. Had that conversation just happened, had Edward just called to see if I was alive only to hang up on me? Does he enjoy this? Am I some kind of game to him? Why would he do this? The more I began to think of it the more angry I became as opposed to a feeling of a hole growing in my chest, I picked up the phone and called Jacob,
"Black Residence," Jacob replied,
"Its Bella,"
"Hey Bells, everything okay?"
"Uhm, I don't know." I said softly,
"What's wrong? Did you see the red head, is Charlie hurt?"
"No, nothing like that. But Edward just called."
"He what? That damn leech," he growled,
"Don't call them that, but he asked if I was alive, told me to be safe and hung up on me."
"That's weird," he said, taking some deep breaths.
"If you're going to go all wolfy, go outside."
"Its called phasing, but that actually just calmed me down." He chuckled, "But back to the vamp calling you. He didn't say anything else? Nothing about coming back, or about the red headed one?" he asked,
"No, nothing. I answered the phone, he said Bella? You're alive? Be safe. And hung up."
"That's super weird." He replied sounding like a real teenager, "Don't call him back, or try and find them. We'll do a sweep to see if anything shows up."
"I won't call him, first thing I thought to do was call you." I admitted,
"That's reassuring," I could hear his smile through the phone. We hung up and I went back into the living room,
"Telemarketer," I told Charlie,
"Okay," he shrugged and continued watching the game, I sat with him for a while. Eating some pizza, before going back upstairs. I showered and brushed my teeth getting ready for bed, I heard Charlie already snoring when I got out of the shower. I crept into my bedroom, closing the door behind me,
"Hey." I jumped a foot in the air and a hand smothered my scream as Jacob grinned at me,
"What is wrong with you? I thought your goal was to keep me alive, not give me a heart attack!" I whispered harshly, as we sat down on my bed.
"Oh come on Bells, you wouldn't have a heart attack. Small panic attack maybe," he smirked,
"So what are you doing here?" I asked,
"Checking on you," he admitted, I suddenly became very aware of him in cut off shorts and he wasn't wearing a shirt, his chest was impressive. Very muscled and defined,
"Why aren't you dressed?"
"Am I naked again?" he demanded jokingly, looking down at himself,
"No," I laughed at his sarcasm, "Why are you only wearing shorts?"
"I ran over here in wolf form, and phased back in the woods. I tied these shorts to my leg."
"That makes more sense," I laughed,
"How are you?" he asked,
"I'm still recovering from being terrified by a mystery man in my bedroom," I laughed weakly,
"I meant about Edward calling," he explained,
"I thought I would feel more, feel empty again…feel pain. But I feel angry, I got angry. How dare he? How dare he say he doesn't want me anymore and leave me stranded in the middle of the woods only to call months later and want to know if I'm alive? And tell me to be safe? What was he checking to see if Victoria had gotten me yet? Is he twisted and wants to torture me? Why would he….what is wrong with him?" I demanded while standing up, crying. "Why?"
"Bells," Jacob came closer and wrapped his arms around me, I nuzzled into his chest, crying into his shoulder, and I loved how warm he was. I loved how safe and comforted…how at home I felt. I never felt quite this way with Edward, it felt good and after a while familiar but always cold and I could never quite get comfortable with that. Jacob was already so familiar it felt like this is where I was meant to be…in his arms. He let me stay there until I had finished crying, I gently pulled back and he wiped my cheek with his thumb taking the last tear away, his thumb casting gently across my face it felt a little rough but again familiar and safe. His mechanic hands would never be smooth,
"Thank you," I whispered,
"I'm always here for you,"
"I know," I looked up at his big brown eyes and leaned forward gently pressing my lips against his, it was warm and felt so very right, our lips molded to each other. Jacob breathed in, and moved his hands to my hips, gently pulling me towards him. I breathed him in, familiar smell, familiar, at home in his arms. Like this is where I was supposed to be all along. I continued to kiss him and he kissed me back, I gripped his shoulders, and slowly moved my arms to be wound around his neck, pressing myself into him.
"Bella," he whispered in between kissing me,
"Jake," I smiled as I pressed my lips back against his, his tongue tentatively pressing against my lips, I could feel his hot breath against me. I opened my mouth and slipped my tongue out touching his, our tongues battled for dominance before I felt Jacobs tongue in my mouth, and it felt right. I thought tongue kissing would be gross but it wasn't, it was passionate and erotic. Jacob had me pressed up against the wall, I could feel every inch of his body, feeling his muscles, his skin, how warm he was.
"Jake," I moaned as he kissed down my neck, it felt so good and right, but I didn't want us to get carried away. I certainly did not want my first time to be quiet and with Charlie in the next room over, "Jake, we should mmm, we should slow down." He kissed me once more passionately on the lips,
"I'm sorry," he said, though the smile didn't disappear from his face,
"I'm not," I replied, kissing his cheek.
"I wanted this for so long, I guess I got a little carried away." He chuckled,
"That's really okay, I initiated it." I admitted,
"Bells, this…this isn't because you're upset about the bloodsucker is it?"
"Don't call them that…but no its not. I feel at home with you Jacob, you're so familiar I feel so safe…it's like nothing I've felt before. Not with Edward, not with anyone." I told him,
"That makes me happy," he smiled, but he looked far away,
"Hey, what are you thinking about?"
"Why haven't I imprinted on you?"
"Maybe you will, or maybe you won't imprint at all. We'll cross that bridge if it ever comes up…I just want you in my life Jake. Friend, girlfriend or any combination."
"Girlfriend?"
"Maybe," I smiled,
"I'd like that." He smiled, I heard a wolf yip outside,
"Duty calls?" I asked,
"Yeah," he chuckled,
"Who is watching out for me tonight?"
"Seth, and me."
"Well get out there, I feel bad making Seth sit outside alone." I pushed him playfully,
"You still coming down tomorrow?"
"Absolutely," I smiled, he kissed me gently and climbed out the window. I left there smiling, gnawing on my lip but because I was happy not nervous. I climbed into my bed, and slept and this time I dreamt of Jacob not of Edward leaving me, but of happy things. Potential, and future…more than I ever wanted.
"Morning Dad," I had dressed in jeans, and a long sleeved shirt and my sneakers were by the door. I went over to the fridge and got myself some orange juice,
"You slept through the night," he commented, looking over at me,
"Yeah, I slept well." I smiled,
"No nightmares?" he asked,
"Nope,"
"I didn't even hear you talk in your sleep when I checked on you this morning. Why was your window open? It got cold last night,"
"I like the fresh air," I lied smoothly, he nodded.
"I'm going down to La Push today, do you want to come and spend some time with Billy?"
"He's actually coming down here, maybe Jacob could give you a ride to la Push." He smiled,
"That's a good idea," I nodded, and had some breakfast. I was brushing my teeth when I heard a knock on the door downstairs. I rinsed out my mouth and hurried downstairs, Billy grinned at me,
"Hello Bella," he smiled, that meant Jacob had told him probably a more G rated version of what happened last night.
"Hi Billy, where's Jake?"
"Right here," he stepped out from the kitchen with Charlie,
"Hi," I smiled,
"Ready to go?" he asked,
"Yeah, its nicer today then yesterday maybe we can walk on the beach?""
"Sure," he smirked, and Charlie and Billy shared a knowing glance. I followed Jacob outside, picking up my backpack I left by the door.
"You Dad knows, doesn't he?" I asked,
"I can't keep anything away from the pack, we can read each other's minds when we're in wolf form. I think it's so we can communicate during battle but some of the guys use it for evil. Seth was teasing me this morning when we got back home and Billy heard. So he's probably telling Charlie a version of it right now."
"Oh great," I laughed, I looked around for Billy's old truck, "Where's your truck?"
"Right here," he sat on the hood of a car, "The rabbit,"
"A rabbit is a woodland creature, this is a car."
"Called the rabbit, I've been fixing it up and its finally ready to go." He smiled,
"You fixed this car up?" I asked,
"Impressed?"
"Very," I smiled, I moved to open the door
"Wait, wait, wait!" Jacob ran over to the door and opened it for me, "I'm nothing if not a gentleman."
"Then why haven't I gotten a kiss yet?" I smiled with a blush, he grinned widely and kissed me gently on the lips. I smiled back at him, "Now that was gentlemanly." I climbed in the car, and he got in the driver's seat driving away to La Push.