Bella POV

(hope you guys don't mind the switch in POV.. also, warning, sexual content in this chapter.)

I can't imagine my life without Jacob now—I cringe away from the idea of even trying to imagine that. Somehow, he'd become essential to my survival. But to leave things the way they were… was that cruel, as Mike had accused?

I remember wishing that Jacob were my brother. I realize now that all I really wanted was a claim on him. It doesn't feel brotherly when he holds me like this. It just feels nice—warm and comforting and familiar. Safe. Jacob is a safe harbor.

I can stake a claim. I have that much within my power.

I'd have to tell him everything, I know that. It is the only way to be fair. I'd have to explain it right, so that he'd know I wasn't settling, that he was much too good for me. He already knows I am broken, that part won't surprise him, but he'd need to know the extent of it. I'd even have to admit that I am crazy—explain about the voices I heard. He'd need to know everything before he made a decision.

But, even as I recognize that necessity, I know he would take me in spite of it all. He won't even pause to think it through.

I would have to commit to this—commit as much of me as there was left, every one of the broken pieces. It is the only way to be fair to him. Would I? Could I?

Would it be so wrong to try to make Jacob happy? Even if the love I feel for him was no more than a weak echo of what I was capable of, even if my heart was far away, wandering and grieving after my fickle Romeo, would it be so very wrong?

Jacob stops the truck in front of my dark house, cuts the engine so it is suddenly silent. Like so many other times, he seems to be in tune with my thoughts now.

He throws his other arm around me, crushes me against his chest, binds me to him. Again, this feels nice. Almost like being a whole person again.

I think he will be thinking of Harry, but then he speaks, and his tone is apologetic. "Sorry. I know you don't feel exactly the way I do, Bella. I swear I don't mind. I'm just so glad you're okay that I could sing—and that's something no one wants to hear." He laughs his throaty laugh in my ear.

My breathing kicks up a notch, sanding the walls of my throat.

Wouldn't Edward, indifferent as he might be, want me to be as happy as possible under the circumstances? Wouldn't enough friendly emotion linger for him to want that much for me? I thought he would. He wouldn't begrudge me this: giving all of the love he didn't want to my friend Jacob. After all, it wasn't the same love at all. Maybe.. It could be a healthy love.

Jake presses his warm cheek against the top of my hair.

If I turn my face to the side—if I press my lips against his bare shoulder... I know without any doubt what would follow. It would be very easy. There will be no need for explanations tonight.

But could I do it? Could I betray my absent heart to save my pathetic life?

Butterflies assault my stomach as I thought of turning my head, changing my future course.

You're not good for me, Bella. Edward's previous words float through my head. Is that something Jake would ever do to me? Even if something like my birthday party happened with the wolves? No, because Jake cares too much about me, he wouldn't want to risk hurting me. He would only leave if I truly wanted it.

Knowing my actions, I hesitantly turn and press my lips to Jacob's bare shoulder. Jacob seems to start in his seat, and twists his head to look down at me.

"Bella," He starts, but doesn't finish, because I lean up and press my lips against his, leaving no room for argument.

Our lips lock, and I feel a new heat spread through me that has nothing to do with my personal sun next to me. At first, we move slowly against each other, getting to know us both in new ways.

Jake tangles his hands in my hair, and I run my hands gently along his toned chest, relishing in the fact of how warm, and human Jacob is. So different than the cold stone that.. He, was.

Noticing my slight pause, Jacob pulls away, and I instantly need him back, need more of a distraction from my thoughts. So without giving it much thought, I swing my legs over his lap, straddling him. I press my lips against his own, and trail down to his neck, sucking on the tender skin I found.

Jacob moans, and I feel his warm hands on my hips, pushing me down on his bulge. I let out a small moan at the new sensation, and let my hands roam down his chest, his arms, his stomach, his hair, everywhere, while I work on sucking on his neck, because suddenly I can't get enough of Jacob Black.

Maybe, because my dating history consisted of a lethal creature who could kill me with the slightest twist of their fingers, I hadn't given to much thought to the sexual side of relationships. But now that I have the warm, living, breathing entity known as Jacob Black right in front of me, I realize what I would have missed out on.

After he realizes that I won't regret what we're doing, Jacob takes control, letting his hands roam over my body, caressing my hips and thighs. I grind on him, and he thrusts his hips, making me let out yet another moan. His lips move down to my neck, and I want nothing more than for him to mark me. He nips at my collarbone harshly, and I know it will leave a mark.

In that moment, I realize that i truly am in love with Jacob. How could I not, after what he's done for me, what he's been for me? I had been so clouded by thoughts of the one who had destroyed me, that I didn't think of the one who had built me up, sewed Bella back together again.

Jacob pulls away, and I almost want to stomp my feet childishly, wanting to continue. He seems to read my face, because he chuckles a bit breathlessly.

"Bells, Charlie will be home soon." Jacob states, running a hand through my hair.

"Oh," I slump down, still feeling his protruding hardness. "Yeah. You're right."

"As much as I want to continue," He says, looking at me with dark eyes. "You should probably be inside waiting for him."

"Mhm." I say, suddenly embarrassed for how I had acted. I practically jumped Jake, how could I do that? "I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry?" Jacob asks, bewildered.

"Because I leapt at you liked a sex crazed teenager." I state matter-of-factly.

"Isabella," Jacob admonishes me, his tone serious. "Haven't you realized I'm completely in love with you?"

I feel something inside me shift, and break. This is exactly what I had been afraid of, because eventually, he will leave me too.

"Maybe now you're in love with me," I tremble, feeling the hole in my chest lash out. "But when you imprint, you'll leave me like he did."

"Not possible, honey." Jacob's eyes are kind, and he lays a hand on my shoulder.

"How is it not possible?" I demand. "Imprinting is uncontrollable!"

"I realize that," Jacob nods. "But I already imprinted on someone."

I feel myself begin to numb, feel zombie Bella start to come back. Jacob had given me all of this, and is about to rip it away? How could he even do what we had just did, knowing his imprint was out there?

"Who did you imprint on?" I ask thickly, my voice catching in my throat.

Jacob looks at me with those kind eyes I know so well.

"Bella, honey, I imprinted on you."

yasminasfeir1: indeed. I'm glad you loved paul/Rayna, I'm looking forward to writing more chapters involving them asap!

serenaonthestar: youre welcome! I may be doing another seth pov in the near future.

the undiscovered gypsie: ah, thank you so much! that means a lot to hear!

alrightie, so now we've started to deviate from the original plot points of the twilight saga. I don't think I will do another Bella POV chapter, as I only needed to do this one to explain why she doesn't end up going to Italy, and why her and Jacob suddenly are acting coupley. I dunno if all of you will like the direction I took with jake/bella, but I wanted to try it out. hopefully you all still enjoy.

once this hits at least 125 reviews, ill update! leave me thoughts, questions, comments, whatever you would like to say! I always appreciate your inputs.

-theflyinggraysons