~I'm well aware the angst is turned up almost to a maximum level in this story. I'm sure many of you are expecting the same in this update, but I have a surprise for you. LOL! This chapter will not be what you're expecting. I would categorize it as a huge turning point.

This is Bella waiting to hear word on Jacob.

Chapter 12

"Sit down, please. You're making me dizzy. I think I liked you better when you had the energy of a potato."

Bella couldn't sit still. She paced all over the tiny cabin multiple times. Leah wouldn't allow her to open the door, but she climbed on a footstool to look over the boarded windows once.

The only thing that helped her nerves slightly was eating. She was extremely worried about the way Jacob tore out of there without a plan or the strength he needed to face Edward. She was also strung out on his blood. That was the only way she could describe it. Her appetite activated again and she couldn't consume enough to feel satisfied.

"Why isn't he back yet?"

"Because you had to tell him the truth today of all days. He asked plenty of other times."

"I didn't... I mean, it wasn't planned. It's just, I never could say it, and I thought I never would, but when I opened my eyes and saw him resting next to me, something happened."

"What?"

"It was like I was seeing Jake for the first time again."

"That makes no sense. He's been with you constantly since you woke up."

"Yeah, I know, but today, I saw the old Jake, the one I used to hang out with, the Jacob I... well, never mind. I should have kept my mouth shut. Why don't you phase and see what's happening? That's the least you could do."

"No. Because that would require me taking my eyes off you and I can't break that order."

Another hour passed. Bella hadn't calmed down in the least. She was actually worse. Leah jumped to her feet without a warning.

"What is it?"

"Someone's coming. They're here."

"Who, Leah? Who's here? The pack? Jake? Oh my God, not Edward?"

"No, the guys, Jake's with them. My mother."

"What are you waiting for? Go! Please, run." Leah hesitated. "He said until he got back; you just said he's out there. Now, go!"

Leah ran out the door. Bella stood on the porch and watched. It took a few more minutes before she finally heard for herself. She hardly knew one second of peace since her marriage to Edward, but maybe Bella had experienced some episodes of calm with Jacob after all. Because when she saw the guys, her heart sunk to the lowest depths. She hadn't been at her worst like she so often thought the past few days. Any smidgen of progress was annihilated. Jacob was injured, badly. Six of the guys were carrying him. It resembled the moment after the newborn attack except this time he wasn't screaming in pain. Jacob wasn't moving or making a sound.

Sue and Leah followed. Bella shouted, "What happened? Jake! Jacob, can you hear me?"

Quil responded first, "No way, he's drugged out of his mind."

"Oh, so he's sedated not..."

Sue said she'd been working on him and giving him a large dose of meds was the only way to settle him down, so they could set his ribs. She faced Bella. "Sweetie, he was hurt bad, but he's healing. He needs a few days rest, but I promise if he doesn't run out of bed again when he isn't supposed to, he'll be fine. I wanted to take him to the clinic, but the last time he made any sense was speaking your name. I figured this would be the best place for his recuperation."

"Lee, jeez... remember us? Jake ain't exactly light as a feather. Where do we put him?"

"Shower. He's a mess and he's not going on any of my furniture in that state. Do you know how hard blood is to get out of white linens?

Bella watched from across the room as the guys crammed their large bodies in the tiny bathroom. She was frozen, unsure if there was anything she could do. Leah snapped her fingers in front of her face. "Hey, earth to Bella. Did you hear me? I said go in the bathroom and sit with Jacob, so he doesn't drown. We're having a meeting outside."

"What? I can't. How am I supposed to do that? He's unconscious. Can't Quil or Seth stay with him?"

"No. We all have to be a part of the meeting. Go on. I told Emb to cover his junk so you don't have a heart attack. We'll be back in five minutes."

"Five? Are you sure?"

"Yeah, ten at the most. Anyway, keep yourself busy and start scrubbing. He's filthy."

Bella couldn't believe Leah. She was far too calm. She took tentative steps inside the bathroom. The shower was on full blast with heavy steam already filling the room. Jacob was propped to the side at the back of the tub. His knees were bent and Leah told the truth, a hand towel was draped across his lap. He looked bad, really bad, but Sue promised he was going to be okay. Fear overwhelmed her. What happened? Where was Edward? She was clueless what was going on, but she had a task to perform. Leah said to bathe Jacob, so Bella grabbed a few necessities before kneeling beside the bathtub.

"Jake. I'm going to clean you up, okay? Oh, and it's me, Bells."

He groaned. What a relief that he made a slight indication he understood. First, she attempted to fill a cup, so she could pour water over him where the shower spray was missing.

"Dammit. That's too hot. Hold on."

She stood up to adjust the temperature. Jacob raised his hand and grabbed her wrist. She stiffened from his touch, her heart raced, but she managed to push it down. It was Jake. Bella had to remind herself the contact was coming from Jacob. He would never hurt her, most people on earth wouldn't hurt her. She was safe. Her brain insisted her body calm itself. She needed to take care of him.

He groaned her name as she slipped away from his grasp. "Yes, it's me Bells. I need to wash you up."

"Mmmm, you're bathing me? I think you're not really Bells. I must be dreaming. This scenario is one my favorites."

Bella's cheeks flushed. Drugs. He was talking out of his head. "Umm, hold still. I need to rinse you off. You're bloody and dirty." Where the hell was Leah? It was way past ten minutes.

"But am I, uhh, am I bloody dirty?" He asked in a horrible accent and attempted to laugh. He moaned and winced as he held his middle. "Fuck. That hurts."

"Stop it. Sue said you need complete rest. Stop trying to be funny. Nothing about this is funny, you idiot. I can't believe you risked your life. What if you..."

She hushed since she couldn't say anything else without crying. Bella poured warm cups of water on him. Jacob closed his eyes again. She soaped up a washcloth and started to rub the worst spots of caked mud and dried blood. He had cuts and scraps everywhere. Some were really deep and still oozing blood. As soon as the wounds were cleaned, his skin almost immediately looked better. The debris must inhibit the healing. She needed to be thorough then.

Dammit. What kind of meeting was this important? Maybe Embry could finish this. Bella was afraid to move him around and she hadn't even looked as his back. Damn him. Not Jake. She hadn't heard yet, but hopefully Edward was finished. Damn him for doing this to Jacob. He didn't deserve this. And he did it all for her. She wasn't worth it. Bella knew without a doubt she wasn't worth the risk Jacob took.

"Jake, can you hear me? I need you to turn a bit so I can check your back."

He slowly turned. Bella's hand hovered. She didn't know how to help because she was so afraid of hurting him again. He managed the maneuver without any assistance. Jacob's head rested against the tiles. An audible gasp escaped her lips. His back. He was completely black and blue. A deep gash ran from his shoulder blade down the middle of his back almost all the way to his hip. Her hands shook as she attempted to clean that cut, but she had to do it. Bella got the soapy rag again. She had to scrub.

He screamed. "That burns like hell, Bells!"

"Sorry, but cleaning the wound is important. Just a few more minutes, I swear."

Finally, Bella felt like her job was done. She scrubbed every part of him minus that area under his hand towel. She switched off the water and grabbed some towels. Bella covered his wet body with multiple towels. There was no way she was picking him up out of the tub. That was impossible. Now she needed to figure out what happened to everyone else. He wasn't in danger at the moment. He appeared to be out from the meds again.

Bella spoke up, "I'm going to check on the guys. They're outside. I'll get them to help you into bed."

"Bells, wait. Did they tell you?"

"None of that now, it isn't important. Rest, Jake. We'll talk later."

"No, wait, it's the most important news of the day. You need to know this now. He's gone for good. I ended it."

She nodded her head. Bella thought that was the case even if she wasn't sure until Jacob told her. She should feel something, but she didn't. Not much changed inside of her. There was still numbness. The only thing that made sense was helping Jacob. That was her focus and she hated how he was hurt, but at least this provided her the slightest purpose. Bella clung to that. A purpose.

"I really should snag Seth or Quil to help you. Pretty sure Leah forgot about us in here."

He grabbed the sides of the tub and started to drag his body forward. "Fuck."

"Don't, Jake."

"I got it. It's going to take me a while. Hey, can you help?"

"I... I'm not sure."

Shit. Bella was an idiot. She followed his instructions and soon enough he had both feet planted on the bathroom floor. She kept her eyes shut since his towels all fell away in the process. She would be a terrible nurse. Bella had so much respect for Sue who she wished would come back any second. He complained his ankle hurt too much to walk on his own, so he leaned into her. There was apologizing from both of them. She was inept and he worried he was crushing her from the amount of weight he put on her shoulders. By some miracle, they made it to the bed which presented an entire new set of complications. He couldn't just fall over. Jacob sensed her discomfort. He grabbed the throw blanket off the bed and bunched it up in front of him and halfway around his waist.

"Okay, I'm going down sideways, but right side not the left. We're going to have to hurry, Bells. I'm dizzy."

It took a few tries and Jacob swore a few more times, but eventually he was on the mattress and in one piece.

"Hold on, Jake."

Bella heard raised voices out front. She checked on him again because he hadn't answered or moved since collapsing onto his side. She tugged the blanket to make sure he stayed covered in the right spot before heading outside. The struggle completely wore him out.

The argument outside escalated. Someone was shouting at Leah, so Bella pressed her ear to the door.

"That's insane. Back up, Lee. She can't be responsible for this. This could end in tragedy for both of them."

"Shut it, Sam. You don't call the shots anymore, especially not for me. Mom, truth, is Jake's life at risk?"

"Well, I doubt it. He seemed stable, but he needs rest and the proper pain control which makes him a fall risk."

"I got that. You gave me the instructions. So, bye everyone. I'll be in touch."

"I dare you to ask him. Jacob will agree with me. Your half-baked plan is a disaster."

"No, thanks. I didn't ask for opinions. Get the fuck off my property, all of you. Thanks for rescuing my alpha's ass, but run along except you, Mom. Technically, this is your property. You don't have to get the fuck outta here. I'd never speak to you like that, but hand me the bag and goodbye. Love ya."

"Leah, honey. I'm not worried about Jacob. I'm worried about her. This idea could backfire."

That was all Bella could take. She swung open the door. "What? What could backfire? And thanks so much for the help you promised. I had to take care of Jacob all by myself."

"Did he drown?"

"Of course not."

"Is he clean and on the road to healing?"

"Well, I think so. Once I cleaned him up, his skin appeared to mend a lot faster."

"Is he still bare ass passed out in the bathroom?"

"No, he woke up enough so I could help him into bed."

"So you handled it?"

"Yes, but you said... Never mind. What's all the shouting about? Where did Sam go? Are all the guys gone? Sue, come back to the bedroom and examine Jake. I want to know if moving him messed anything up."

"Mom, don't. Give me the bag and go home. She just proved I'm right about this."

"Well, I... Bella, you can call me anytime day or night. He needs to stay hydrated and…"

Leah pulled Bella back inside the cabin and shut the door in her mother's face.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Why is everyone leaving us?"

Leah was rude, but she was taking it to the next level. Bella had no idea what was going on. She didn't answer. Instead, she turned around and walked back to the bedroom.

"Okay, watch and learn." Leah poked Jacob's side. He groaned. "Does that still hurt like a bitch, Black?"

"Yes, dammit. What the hell, Lee?"

She reached in Sue's big medical bag and pulled out a syringe. Her other hand gripped the blanket to reveal a good portion of Jacob's butt. Bella spun around. That sight didn't phase Leah, but Bella was extremely uncomfortable.

"Turn back around. You can barely see anything. I need you to observe." She plunged a needle into his skin and emptied the syringe.

"Aren't you supposed to disinfect his skin with alcohol?"

"Naw, doesn't matter with us. That was easy, right? Do that every two hours until you can spread it out. When he doesn't hurt at all or very little, you can stop. They're all made up for you. I don't think he needs bandaging. Mom says you could wrap his ribs, but he seems alright. She debated on an IV, but it'll be easier if you just get him to drink water. Feed him when he's conscious. I'll see you in day or two."

"Wait a damn minute. You expect me to give him shots and take care of him while he is practically an invalid? Alone! I can't. Call Sue, call the guys. Better yet, you stay and help since you don't miss a beat. I need help. What if he gets worse?"

"He won't if you follow the directions."

"What about the bathroom?"

"He'll need to go. You'll figure it out."

"No."

"Yes."

"Leah, I get it. You think I'm worthless. Fine, I agree with you. I don't need you to make this point with me. I've barely been functioning for weeks. Jacob's blood wears off. I can't be responsible for him."

Bella eyed the bag after Leah dropped it at the end of the bed. She had no idea what was in that syringe, but it was strong. A couple of doses at once would be all she'd need to close her eyes for good.

"To answer your suicidal thoughts. Yes, the bag has at least 20 ways to die. Scissors, needles, morphine, antibiotics which he needs if he gets a temp, rolls of gauze, etc. Hell, you could wrap a plastic bag over your head and it'd be easy, but you won't. All the things Jacob has forbidden in this house are in that bag. Seth and I won't be here to babysit you. It's you and a barely functioning Jake. He took care of you at your worst. Now he needs you to return the favor. You're not going to off yourself or that would make you a terrible POS. Jacob deserves better, don't you think?"

"But."

"Bella, I mean it. Forget yourself for a couple of days and see what happens. You are over the hump, better than yesterday, stronger than the moment we carried him inside. Prove to me you aren't useless. Better yet, prove it to him and while you're at it, prove it to yourself."

~Thanks for reading.

You have no idea how much I loved writing this chapter. Pain and problems still exist for Bella. There's much more to come, but look at how far she came in a few minutes like Leah reminded her. Let me know how you feel about this. Leah is taking a huge risk. Wonder what Jacob will say about it. Predictions? Comments? Questions? Thanks so much for the support.