At first I was going to give you a really long chapter, but it was too much to handle in more than one way. I split it.

Chapter 4

The next few days Jacob fell into a routine with Bella. The pack was near but not intruding. He knew that would end soon if Sam didn't get answers. Jacob tolerated Dr. Cullen and Rose, but no one else. He took small breaks to go outside, eat and freshen up usually when Rose would tend to Bella's personal needs. She remained stable but Bella never woke up. Jacob would lie next to every night and talk to her, and every night tears would escape her closed eyes and stain both their cheeks. He was reaching her, but it wasn't enough. It was like he could never get a true grasp because if he had, he would have pulled her back into life with him.

The tick made his presence known too often, but given the constant presence of the wolf pack and the threats by Jacob, he always retreated after a quick update from the doctor. Jacob listened to the last update Carlisle gave at the door. When he came back inside, Jacob challenged him.

"She's leveled off, no more improvements." Jacob didn't tell Carlisle about the tears the first night, but when it happened again, he asked him if it was a reflex. That prompted him to tap all over Bella's arms and legs for common muscular reflexes. The reaction was little to nothing. Jacob hated those bulky casts on her arms.

"How long does she need these?"

"Maybe another month."

"Bella's arms should not be broken. I want to know why they are."

"She is accident prone. You're aware of that, I take it."

"Yeah, but I'm not buying that excuse because I'm pretty fucking sure it's related to her husband sucking the life out of her. I'd really like to know why she has two broken arms. The truth."

"Well, Edward mentioned she had a great fall."

"Yeah, that's what they all say. Are they even healing? Have you x-rayed them?" Jacob suspected Carlisle never painted the full picture. He constantly watched him write things down in a leather-bound book. He really wanted to get his hands on that book, but the vampire always carried it out of the room when he went upstairs.

"Right before you arrived, I did an x-ray, and they showed a small amount of healing. I set them when I arrived in Brazil. Her condition might slow the process. I really need her blood count to show more improvement. It would help if she was eating a nutritious diet, but that's not possible if we can't wake her."

"What about a feeding tube? How good is this IV nutrition?"

"It sustains her, but I'd like to try a gastric tube. I was planning to discuss that with you today."

"Where is this donor blood coming from?"

"Edward acquires what I need."

Jacob thought of something the last time he watched Carlisle hang a new bag of blood.

"He is bringing you junk blood. Her count never improves. I have an idea. What about some hearty wolf blood?" Jacob stretched both his arms out. "Take as much as you need. I'll regenerate quick and it could be exactly what she needs. You've seen how we heal."

"Um, yes, well. Rose asked me that yesterday, but I'm afraid, I can't."

"Why not?"

"You're not the correct blood type."

"How do you?"

"I sampled some of your blood after your injury for research purposes."

"That's creepy as fuck. Did my Dad say that was alright?"

"No, I apologize. I didn't ask permission. I was curious about the wolf healing and wanted to study the composition of your blood. I'm afraid I know little about a shifter's makeup. What I know about true werewolves is more legend and folklore. It was for my own personal knowledge. I never meant any harm."

Jacob never fully accepted any of Carlisle's many apologies; he was always sorry for something. Sorry wasn't good enough. "Take my blood. Give it to her."

"It could cause a bad reaction."

"She can't get much worse. Admit it. Other than stabilizing her vitals, Bella hasn't shown other improvements. She isn't waking up, and she's not getting stronger or gaining weight. Take the damn blood. Start slow. Monitor her. I insist."

"Wouldn't you like to discuss it with your family and the others?"

"Why? There's no fucking risk for me to donate blood. I'm not dumb. I'll ask one of the guys to step inside and make sure you don't bleed my dry."

"I would never do such a thing."

"Well, I'd rather have back up."

"You'll allow them to see her?"

"Sam just went home to sleep. I will allow Embry. He is the best at keeping secrets."

"I'll need Rose to assist and I have a few things to set up so that we're prepared for complications."

"Fine. I'm going to speak to Emb and you make your preparations. Don't tell him."

"Yes, I don't think that's wise. Edward would protest for certain. Fine, I should be ready in thirty minutes."

"So will I."

Jacob suffered a brief bought of wooziness, but Embry came through with a sugary soda and few sandwiches from the pack's stash. Carlisle admitted he took more than the standard donation and that Jacob would need to take it easy for a while that afternoon.

He was wrong about her having a bad reaction. It had been almost an hour and Bella showed no signs of a complication. She hadn't miraculously woken up either, but he was going to be patient. It had to work. Nothing else worked.

Embry couldn't stop staring. "I can't believe that's Bella. No wonder you've been so crazy. What do you think it is?"

Jacob evaded his questions until Carlisle stepped out of the room. He pulled himself out of his seat and walked closer to Bells. "You can't say anything. Not yet, but I'll show you." Jacob gently extracted Bella's right arm from under the covers. Carlisle had covered her other arm with a sterile drape, so that Embry couldn't witness the blood transfusion.

"Look what he did to her. That's only a portion. They're everywhere."

Embry stumbled backwards. He held his hand over his mouth to suppress his reaction. "Holy fuck Jake. She's a vampire."

"No, you idiot. Use your senses. She's alive. She didn't turn. Bells can't turn."

"How do you know?"

"Because Dr. Fang told me."

"I wonder what Bella will think about that."

"What the fuck does that mean?"

"I don't know. Wasn't that the plan? She seemed determined."

"Everyone needs to shut the fuck up about the plan and you're missing the point. Edward Cullen whisked Bella away on a secret honeymoon and unleashed his true nature on her. This is the result. I don't want to hear another word about her going along with any of it, because that's a damn lie. Bells didn't want this."

"Sam's gonna freak."

"Sam is going to chill the fuck out before I tell him and I'm not telling him until Bella wakes up to tell her side of the story. All these fucking bloodsuckers only lie."

"Even the doctor? You two seem fairly chummy."

"Trust me, we're not chums. He tells lies of omission, but I can tell he wants to help just not enough to turn over his sadistic son to us."

"We're going to war with the Cullens, aren't we?"

"We'll do what needs to be done when the time is right. Embry, swear to me this stays between us until I say so."

"I won't say anything, but Sam's getting more restless each day. He knows you're hiding something."

"Bella will wake up. We need to wait for that day."

"What if she doesn't Jacob? I'm sorry, but she looks real bad. What if this is it for her? I've heard of people stuck in coma for years before the family pulls the plug. Can you do that for her? Because keeping her like this seems wrong to me."

"There's no plug. Bella listens to me every night and cries. She's trying. It's hard, but she'll get there. She's not a vegetable. I think you should go before the others wonder what's up."

"You sure? You still look a little green."

"I'm fine. Go. But promise me again."

"I promise Jake."

A few hours later, Carlisle decided to take one more blood sample before letting Jacob sleep for the night. Jacob was used to the process. He didn't even turn away now like he had the first few times. He passed the time by asking questions and almost felt like he'd gained some medical knowledge. Once Carlisle invited him to look at some slides through the microscope. Given a different set of circumstance with another patient, Jacob would find the whole process interesting.

As soon as the doc swiped an alcohol wipe over Bella's skin, she flinched. She'd never reacted before. Carlisle held her arm straight. He and Jacob both stared wide-eyed. This time Bella jerked her arm with some force.

Jacob cautioned him, "Wait, don't stick her. Bells. Can you hear me? Dr. Cullen wants to take a blood sample."

A gargled whimper came from Bella's mouth. She was waking up. Carlisle spoke to her. "Bella you're going to feel a slight stick."

"Noooo," came out like a groan followed by shrieking. They were completely taken aback how loud she was. Bella went from silent to breaking Jacob's eardrums. The screams hurt her. She tried to reach for her throat. Jacob could read the frustration and confusion written all over her face. Carlisle spoke up and Bella reacted again.

Jacob motioned for him to back away. He wanted to try. "Bells, it's okay. You don't have to do that blood test. No more sticks or painful stuff. Just relax, take deep breaths. It's me. I won't let anything hurt you."

Her eyelids fluttered until she got them to stay open. He watched her expression change. She wasn't as upset, maybe still a bit confused. Bella's lip trembled, and the tears followed. She'd cried a lot with Jacob beside her, but this time it was like she actually knew why she was crying. He reached over and wiped a few away, "Shh, it's okay. I'm really here."

She moaned and groaned a little before acting like she wanted to get up. Carlisle put his hand on her shoulder. "Not yet. Lie still. I'd like to give you a quick examination."

The shrieking started up again. Bella really didn't like the sound of Dr. Fang's voice. Her head moved side to side like she was searching for something or someone. Her whole body started to shake.

"She might be having a seizure. It could be a reaction."

"Yes, to you. Back up. Let me talk to her." Jacob took her hand first. "Hey, it's okay. No one is going to touch you. Look at me Bells." He tried to turn her chin so she would only focus on him, but even that simply gesture frightened her. At least she calmed some when he talked to her. She blinked rapidly but found Jacob's eyes. He smiled. "Yeah, me. Only look at me. Does it hurt to talk?"

She nodded.

"Okay, no talking then. Breathe with me, 'kay." Bella's mind was totally with it. She understood. Jacob practiced deep breaths in and out. She was doing the same. "Much better. You don't have to do anything you don't want to do. You're awake. That's all that matters. Is it okay if I talk and tell you what's going on?"

Jacob chose his words carefully. She was upset waking up and it wasn't the time to make her think of anything else unpleasant. She was in some discomfort that much was obvious.

"Bella, you are back in Forks. You have been sick. Look at this." He pointed to one of her lines. "See. You're getting fluids, medicine and nutrition in an IV. Dr. Cullen has been treating you." The panic set in again as soon as she heard the name. "It's okay. I'm overseeing. Do you understand? No one comes to see you without my approval." She tried to look around the room again. Jacob was certain who she was looking for, but he wasn't sure what all she remembered. "He's gone. It's for the best since he and I never get along in close quarters. Is that okay?"

She blew a loud flow of air from her lungs. She remembered plenty since hearing Edward was absent was a huge relief. Carlisle motioned for Jacob with his head. "Hold on, Bells. Can I step across the room for a second?"

She hadn't let go of Jacob's hand and she squeezed harder.

He was going to lean in and kiss her forehead, whisper some reassurance again to her. but Bella turned away. The hand contact was fine, but she was skittish even of him.

"I'm going over to the desk. I swear I'm not leaving."

She finally relaxed her fingers and let him go.

"Jacob I need to examine her."

"She's awake. That's all you need to know for now."

"No it's not. I need samples: blood, urine, and I need to check her vitals."

"We can hear them. She's stable, but she's afraid. You will not touch her until she says it's okay. Did you see that shit earlier?"

"Maybe I should acquire an EEG."

"What the fuck is that?"

"It measure brain functions."

"Her brain is fine. Bella recognizes me. She is communicating to me with her eyes and they say she wants to be left alone. Either you back off or she and I leave."

"You cannot leave with her. She's far too fragile. Edward wouldn't hear of such a thing."

"Edward is out of the equation."

"I understand there is an ongoing feud between the two of you, but he is her husband now."

"No, that's over. I don't accept the marriage. Bella's isn't married to him."

"I was there. I hired the minister. They have a marriage license."

"Oh yeah, how do you all acquire ID's?"

"Well, we have someone that keeps that in order."

"Forged, right?"

"No. I prefer not to use that term."

"Yes. Forged means fake. Bella can't marry a fake person. She isn't married. Case closed. Bye."

"God ordained it. That's what matters most to our family."

"Really? God ordained Bella's marriage to a demon? Try again. You can go. My idea worked. Bells is back. As soon as she's stronger, we're leaving."

Jacob hoped that was sooner than later.

~Thanks for reading.

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