She looked at the massive paws on either side of her, bending the wood on the porch underneath them. "Jake." She breathed his name softly, sagging against his leg. Her eyes flew back up to where Alice was, only to find an empty space. Jacob growled above her, and she noticed he was trembling. He didn't chase Alice, instead, he stood there in silence for a moment before stepping softly away from her.

She felt numb, almost as though she was locked in that room again. It wasn't fair. She was happy. Why now? She wrapped her arms around her stomach, trying to squeeze what was left of herself back together. Two hands brushed against her and she screamed, throwing herself back against the side of the house.

Pained eyes met hers as he stared at her. "Bella…" He approached her slowly, as though she were a wild animal. She laughed slightly at the strange twist, and then she couldn't stop laughing. Laughter turned into sobs as she folded in on herself, head between her knees. He pulled her into her arms and she sobbed into his chest. "I'm here honey, I'm here." He stroked her hair softly, and she winced against the pain of her scalp, she heard him hiss between his teeth as he lifted her.

She didn't know where he was carrying her until she heard the water running and the smell of lavender filled the room. He undressed her carefully, and slowly- his rough hands were always gentle with her. She let him lift her into the water and he climbed in behind her in the massive tub. The water was hot and she let herself slowly relax against his chest. He gingerly started washing her, his finger moving softly through her hair as he untangled the ragged mess.

They sat in silence, until she turned, tucking herself under his chin. She wanted–she needed–to feel something. She tilted her chin up until her lips met his, wrapping her arms around his neck. He kissed her back slowly, almost as though he would break her. She raked her fingers through his hair, untangling the wild mane with her fingers.

Slowly, dragging her teeth against his chin she made a trail of kisses down his jaw, against his throat. "Bella…." Her name was an exhale as he shook beneath her touch. "Bella, honey". He sounded slightly more controlled as he grasped her face in his hands, his eyes searching hers with unspoken questions and desire.

"Please, Jake." Her forehead rested against his for a moment. "Please...I just I need-I need you." In seconds his lips were on hers, his hand gently cradling the back of her skull as he kissed her, his tongue flicking against her lips. She gasped as he picked her up, wrapping her legs around him he stepped gingerly from the tub, soaking the floor.

She knew neither of them cared.

He walked her through the hallway, before laying her gently on her bed, their lips never leaving each other. She ran her hands down his arms, across his back, and over his hips until they found what she was looking for. He groaned against her lips.

His hand ran up her sides, across her stomach, skimming her breast until he was cupping her cheek. His lips trailed down her body, leaving featherlight kisses across her skin. He paused, cursing over a newly forming bruise before kissing it softly. She groaned pushing herself against him until they both lost themselves in a blissful inferno.

She was sprawled out on top of him, limbs tangled together and he ran his fingers through her hair. He was waiting patiently, afraid that if he pushed she would fall apart all over again. After a while, her soft voice broke the spell. "She wanted me to come with her so that Edward could change me." He stiffened beneath her and she paused. "She said the Volturi was mad that I wasn't one of them yet, that I was still human and that they were coming for me."

Let them try.

"I'm sorry I wasn't here.." His voice cracked slightly, betraying him. He was sorry, more than she would ever realize. He said he would protect her. And yet one of them had found their way into their home. He had failed her, again. He felt her shuffle until her chin rested against her arm, and she stared at him.

"Don't blame yourself, Jake. I'm fine. You have an entire Pack that you're responsible for." He peered at her, before flipping her onto her side so they were staring at each other.

"Speaking of them...I have to go check on them really quickly. Get an update." She nodded once before he reluctantly drug himself out of bed. He heard her feet hit the floor and she appeared next to him wrapped in a blanket.

"Can I come?" Her voice was small, almost like a child's. She was scared to be alone, and he didn't blame her.

"Course you can, Bells." He laughed as she opened the blanket for him to join and they made their way outside. She sat patiently on the porch, and he watched her.

Jacob, I don't know what happe-

Where did she go from my house?

We followed her back towards Seattle, then the trail went cold.

I want updates, make sure you take turns running Patrols tonight. I'm going to stay with Bella. If anything happens call me. Paul, you're in charge tonight. I want a report in the morning.

His eyes never leave hers as he shifted back. "I'm all yours tonight, Bells. What do you want to do?"

A few hours later they were tangled up in her bed watching t.v.- he had lugged it in from the living room. He didn't blame her for not wanting to be out there, except she was supposed to feel safe in every inch of the house he had built for her.

"Jake..if they come... What are we going to do? I told you about Jane. What she does." Her voice trailed off, fear tangled up in her words. "They were going to kill me for knowing about them..but.." She sat up and stared at him.

"What is it?"

"They didn't want to kill me because of my gifts. I don't know what they were talking about but.. Jane's power didn't work on me." Her eyebrows furrowed. "They don't have any power here though…why would they come? You guys aren't vampires, but my being with you means I would know about them anyways. Wouldn't that make me safe?"

"You're safe either way, Bella. I'm not going to let anything happen to you. I don't know how that all works in the bloodsucker's world, but they don't have control over us." His hands made circles on her back. "Tell me again about this whole Jane thing. What do you mean it didn't work on you?"

She sat up completely, resting her back against the wall. "She did this thing where she looked at you and you would be in excruciating pain– from what Edward said, except it didn't work on me. None of their gifts did. Aro couldn't see inside my mind either. It was almost like I was in some kind of bubble…" She trails off throwing exasperated hands into the air.

He paused for a moment remembering that moment in the living room where he has seen a strange shimmering around her. He needed answers- so did she, but given when she just went through he wondered if he would have to get them himself.

As they lay there in silence he wondered how to get a hold of Carlisle.