Sup y'all. Been another minute. (oops) Heres another chapter for you guys. Hope you enjoy it, review if you feel like it. I don't own twilight.

DANI

Slowly I blearily open my eyes. Shapes, pictures and colors are all bright smears across my vision as I look around my surroundings.

I groan painfully as I pull an arm over my eyes, but that movement sends so much pain through me that the only thing I could do was gasp as it winded me, and then slowly release a groan.

Seconds later Kensi and Jacob explode into my bedroom. I'm in my bedroom? What happened? When did this happen?

"Dani!?" Jake cries kneeling beside.

I release a sound that can only be classified as a crazy man's ramblings.

"What happened?" I finally slur.

Kensi smirks at me, her russet skin revealing her pearly white teeth. "I'll let Jake fill you in on that, I'll grab you some water and some pain killers. You're going to need those."

I look at Jake, befuddlement on my face.

"You were in a lot of pain, at Emily's the other day?" Jake asks.

I close my eyes against a pounding headache. "Emily. Sam's fiancé… Jake. I'll be honest. I don't remember her much at all."

Jacob nods. "Kensi warned us this might happen. That memory loss is a symptom."

"Jacob?" I whimper. "What happened?"

Jake smiles. "Don't worry. Nothing bad. Do you remember Katherine?"

Katherine. Katherine. Katherine. Oh. Oh. Shit.

I try to sit up but pain flares through me so strongly I'm forced back down. Jacob's forehead creases with worry as he gently pushes me back down against my bed. "Don't try to sit up, Dani. The leech broke your ribs."

The beach comes back to me, and I suddenly wish I could go back to those albeit confusing, but blissful ignorant moments a few seconds ago. "Right. Katherine."

Kensi's voice telling me that Katherine is Tift's mate, Tift being the monster that killed my father, and Tift being the brother to Morrow, the monster that Kensi and I killed a few days ago. And then her telling me about a war.

"The war. Morrow and Tift's relationship. Damn." I groan. Tears sting my eyes as everything hurts. I feel like I'm going to throw up, and my head is pounding.

"What did she do to me?" I groan.

"I don't really know." Jake admits with a warm smile that gives me butterflies. His warm and generous smile turns a bit bashful. "I'll admit I might've lost my mind and made Embry wake her up at three AM to help with your pain. I wasn't really in the state of mind to be concerned about what she was doing, just that she was helping."

"What did she give me?" I ask.

"Lotus Corsinthius." Kensi declares coming in with a glass of water and two Advil. "Jake freaked and Embry woke me up like the dumb shank he is and I ended up brewing you some true Elemental Moonshine."

I sigh tiredly. "I'm hungover." I groan. "And feel like I'm going to puke."

"Nah." Kensi assures. "I'm making sure you aren't going to with your broken ribs. See, you were drunk and felt no pain. And you passed out after a while too." She relents.

I nod slowly. "How long have I been out?"

Kensi narrows her eyes. "About a week, I think. I'm sure your ribs still hurt something awful, I can smell your pain here. But at least the bones ossified correctly."

"Cullen." I mutter. "He was there and reset them, didn't he?"

Kensi nods. "And then I performed a Traumatic Pneumothorax."

"Oh I'm so proud." I groan rhetorically. "So proud."

Kensi smirks. "Anyways. Jake here hasn't left your side in that entire week. I talked with Mara, and you're off the hook for your duties for two months."

My eyes widen. "Two months?"

Kensi nods. "I'm running a few patrols with the guys here and there to keep fit and in practice, but other than that I'm not doing anything either."

"So we're staying for two months?" This sends a shiver of elation through my body. This of course makes my ribs flare with pain.

"Yeah." Kensi says. "Do you want something to eat? I can make you something."

"Not yet. I'm still seeing double." I'll be angry at her for getting me drunker than a skunk later.

"Great. I'm going out for a little while then. Jake, don't burn my house down. And she can get up but only to go to the bathroom. Otherwise you're carrying her everywhere."

Jake doesn't seem to mind but I do. "Jake, you really don't have to."

Kensi narrows her eyes at me. "The hell he doesn't. Argue all you want but neither of us are backing down."

"I won't either." Paul stands in the doorway and I try to fathom his presence.

Kensi growls. "I'm still not all too cracked up about you being in my house Pauline."

I snort. "Pauline?"

"Paulina is my favorite though." Kensi mutters. "Don't touch anything Paul. I'll know and burn you at the stake."

"Isn't she just a joy?" I groan lying back down on my bed. These walls already feel like a prison.

"Well we've been getting along well since both of our undivided attention is directed at you." Jake smiles.

"I don't know if her attention is undivided." Paul hesitates.

I raise my eyebrows at Paul. "Meaning?"

"Should we tell her?" Paul asks.

"Embry is going to be pissed, Paul." Jacob starts.

"What does Embry have to do with it?" I ask harshly. I don't know him, hardly, aside from the fact that my sister mentioned him a time or two. But I don't like their tones.

"He imprinted on her." Paul says with a smirk.

My eyes widen. "No."

I try to sit up but Jacob snaps his arm across me, blocking my ability while glaring at Paul. "Embry is going to kill you and then beat me with your dead body." Jake informs.

Paul waves him off. "You both deserve it really." He doesn't specify but this time, Jake is the one who looks downright murderous.

"Ladies. As much as I'd love to have a chick fight, let's not." I mutter.

Paul laughs. "Hey I've got patrol, I'm going out now." He crosses the room quickly and places a feather soft kiss on my forehead, leaving me growling after him. He's quick.

"Feel better Dani." Paul encourages as he disappears out of my house.

I look at Jacob. "Alright I have to ask although I'm afraid."

Jacob cuts those beautiful chocolate orbs to me. He'd glued himself to my side for the few hours I was conscious and we'd talked. A whole lot. I found we actually had a lot in common. A mutual dislike for country music and an infatuation with literally anything else being two of the things we have bonded over.

"Yeah?" Jacob asks. His voice even gives me the chills.

"What kind of absolute nonsense was I spouting?" I blurt. Jacob laughs and I try to talk over his laughter, while trying not to laugh with him. "Kensi always tells me I'm a funny drunk, but also a psycho one too."

Jacob grins. "Well you certainly are funny. But did she tell you that you're a flirty drunk?"

My jaw hits the proverbial floor.

"Jacob, was I flirting with you?" I ask.

Jacob laughs and nods while a very dark blush covers my cheeks. "I am so sorry you had to listen to that. I'm not very good at that art, Kensi is, because her flirting is mostly all lies but… I mean I can flirt with people I'm comfortable around, like my one boyfriend in middle school, but I haven't flirted since and I didn't think I was very good at it. I mean I haven't tried, and I don't think I ever will, but I'm sorry you had to listen to that, and you probably think I'm some kind of crazy psycho-"

"You're adorable when you ramble like that." My amber gaze cuts to Jacob in shock.

"Huh?" I echo. I know I heard him right but what he said made no sense.

"When you ramble, and get all embarrassed and flustered like that… it's pretty cute." Jacob confesses. He doesn't seem nervous with the confession, but his cheekbones acquire a fine red hue, and damn does a blush look damn fine on him. However his heart also pounds in his chest so I know that he was kind of nervous giving me that compliment.

"Sorry." I apologize with an even darker blush that seems to fall to the roots of my hair. I can feel the butterflies inside of my stomach that float to my throat, and threaten to spill out in the form of another word-vomit paragraph. "Rambling is one of my nervous tendencies."

"You've got nothing to be nervous about." Jacob assures. "Besides, less talking I have to do right?"

"How's the headache? The painkillers working yet?"

I shake my head. "Everything hurts."

Jacob smiles sympathetically. "You know I had a similar thing happen back when I first phased. Or around that time at least. Do you remember Bella Swan?"

I burst into a fit of giggles. "She ran into Kensi at the store one time. I think Kensi scared her shitless."

"Kensi scares me shitless." Jacob admits. "She's scary. Especially after she killed Katherine like that. And then brushed it off like it was nothing. And after she screamed at Paul in the grocery store… holy shit."

"Embry has his work cut out for him doesn't he?" I tease.

Jacob shrugs with a sly smirk. "Between you and me I don't think he minds. He likes her fire. And being around her is like a constant adrenaline rush for him. He just craves her. I don't want to say it's like a game, but he loves chasing after her."

"How does he chase after her?" I ask.

"I asked that question too because she invited him to go to the beach with her, invited him for supper already. They went to swimming together-"

"What!?" I blurt.

Jacob smirks. "She told him, and I quote, 'I'm not skinny dipping with an audience.' You can imagine that got Embry going."

I laugh. "He's got his work cut out for him."

"So he's heard from Paul." Jacob says. "Paul says she was a firecracker growing up."

I scowl at the mention of Paul. "Yeah. Paul Kensi and I were thick as thieves. Never separated for long really. And Paul and Kensi were easily the scariest dynamic duo I'd ever seen. Give them a package of firecrackers and I promise someone is going to be seriously hurt."

Jacob shakes his head. "Paul knew he'd get his ass beat for kicking his sisters out, so he hid it. But now he doesn't and he shamelessly shows Embry memories of Kensi from childhood."

My eyes widen. "OH hell, don't tell her that. She'll ash him!"

Jake nods. "Didn't plan on it."

"What has he shown you about me?" I ask.

"Oh you know. This and that." Jake answers. Clearly whatever it was he isn't ready to reveal yet.

"I see." I say nodding. "What else can you tell me about Embry and Kensi?"

"They're on patrol right now. With Paul. So this should be interesting. Paul listening to Embry's thoughts while staring at Kensi."

I wince. "Damn I wish I could be there."

"It's not like Embry can help it." Jake defends. "I mean, I've heard all the imprinted wolves and their thoughts. And they can't help their thoughts."

"I can't help mine. I guess it's like me touching someone and maybe or maybe not hearing their thoughts. I can't control that."

"Kensi explained it to us. She can control it though right?"

I nod.

"Good. I'd hate for her to accidentally brush Embry and catch one of his thoughts, you know?"

"Yeah, especially since you and I both know. We worry about her accidentally brushing us too."

Jacob's eyes widen. "Valid point."

"Yeah." I mutter. "Truth be told, I never foresaw Kensi being easy on any guy no matter how she felt about him. She loves her job too much to quit and settle down with someone."

Jacob shrugs. "She wouldn't have to. It's Embry. Seth is already phasing for the rest of eternity with Nessie. Embry wouldn't mind joining Seth I'm sure. I guess it's easier for Kensi."

I hadn't thought of that. "In our world." I start. "Elementals use their powers to keep them, like you guys with your shifting. And Marnie, she's the Queen of the Elementals, she requires that you use your elemental powers until you find something worth aging for. Love. Something worth dying for. Once an elemental finds someone she truly loves, and would die for, she stops using her powers. She can still use them, but once she stops intentionally putting herself into dangerous situations she starts shifting."

Jake nods. "That's why she has to keep 'fit?"

I nod. "I won't lapse because I'm injured, but Kensi would. Kensi, as far as I know, never planned on ever not being an Elemental. She honestly didn't believe there is someone out there for her. And up until this point she's assumed that true love associates a choice between her job and her lover."

Jake smirks. "Guess they're the same thing. But, that's as long as that's what she wants, assuming she doesn't want that then Embry won't force her into that."

"Of course." I smirk. "You know Jacob, I didn't peg you as a gossip."

"What more do I have to do besides gossip with you?"

"Patrols?" I suggest.

Jake waves me off. "Nonsense. That's ludicrous. Sam let me off the hook until you're better."

I raise my eyebrows. "And why is that?"

"Is it a crime to want to spend time with you, Dani?" Jake teases.

I give Jacob a look. "No. However. I doubt Sam would just let you not go on patrol over me unless there was a good reason."

There's an unidentifiable look in Jacob's eyes and I briefly scan over his features.

"No comment?" I ask.

"It's too soon." Jacob murmurs.

I furrow my eyebrows. "Meaning….?"

Jacob sighs, raking his fingers through his hair. "I don't want to scare you off yet."

"You plan on it?" I tease feigning offence.

"No." Jacob immediately says with enough conviction and inflection to raise the dead from their tombs. "I don't."

Said conviction and inflection sends chills down my spine.

"So then…? What happens if I just…?" I reach out and brush against his coppery skin and am not disappointed when his thoughts reach my brain.

Tell her? Don't tell her? Make the best of the two months you've got before she's gone.

"Jake." I sigh. "What do you need to tell me?" My tone is teasing but when he gives me a serious look that turns my stomach I can't help it.

"Jake?" I question. "Sorry, I guess that was a little too far, reading into your thoughts. I-"

"It's alright Dani." He assures me. "There's nothing up here that I don't want you knowing."

"Then why aren't you telling me what you want to tell me?" I ask. I'm worried. I've known him for a few days, but he seems alright after waiting on my drunk ass for the past few days.

Instead of letting him answer, I cut him off. "Jake… have you spent this entire week with me? Glued to my side while I was either drunk, asleep, or rambling nonsense?"

Jake nods.

I close my eyes thinking through the fog. Short pieces of our conversations come to mind. Enough for me to put together that we talked a lot. It takes a few minutes longer than recalling days of conversations through a drunken haze than it should've, even with my headache, but I get enough scratched together.

Jake has seen me at what's easily been my worst and he's still here. He never left my side, not when I was conscious at least, and if he did, he always came right back.

"Dani-"

"Sh." I whisper. "I'm trying to think."

Jake closes his mouth and I think back to those painful moments before Dr. Cullen broke my bones a second time, and before Kensi poked me with her bigass needle. She was talking to Paul.

"What did she say?" I whisper.

"What?" Jake asks. "Who?"

"Kensi." I answer. "She was talking to Paul about something. I don't remember what she said or what they were talking about now, but I know I heard it and they thought I didn't. I know that I was surprised…"

I furrow my eyebrows and with a snap in my mind it lets go.

"Oh fuck." I whimper. "I think I get it now."

"Get what?" Jake asks

"Kensi figured it out didn't she? She knows your secret."

Jake looks to the side. His breath catches in his throat.

"Say it." I order quietly. It takes all the strength inside of me to turn to look at him. Jake's beautiful brown eyes gaze at me.

"Dani-"

"Jacob, if I'm right, and I heard Kensi and Paul correctly while I was eavesdropping, then I don't see how this information could hurt."

"I imprinted." Jake whispers. His heart races inside his chest, and his palms are sweating. The look of absolute terror on his face is evident. He didn't want to tell me this soon. He didn't want to put this on my plate.

"On you." He finishes in a soft voice.

And I smile at him. I feel at peace with this information. It explains the sudden attraction to Jacob, and let's face it. He is definitely not a bad person to be tethered to for eternity.

"Was that so hard?" I tease.

"No." Jacob answers, he's still terrified. "I should've been able to tell you on my own terms without Paul running his mouth and spilling the beans to you."

I laugh quietly, a giddy giggle that I couldn't keep inside. Jake seems to take that as a good sign because he perks up. "Kensi actually attacked Paul for threatening you I think."

"Well I still should've been able to tell you without their interference."

"You were torn between telling me now, and having possibly two months with me, or doing things right?" I offer.

Jacob nods.

"Well I say fuck the norms." I reply with a smirk. "Kensi is usually the spontaneous and flighty one, with a wild-fire temper and fierce loyalty, but I can be rebellious too."

Jacob looks nervous and slightly irritated.

"Don't be mad at Paul and Kensi." I chide gently. "Kensi was protecting you, and me, and then she's never going to pass up the opportunity to piss off Paul."

Jacob laughs. "Of course she couldn't. It's Kensi."

"I'm glad you told me." I whisper. "And maybe I only feel this way because of the imprint, but I'm okay with this."

"Didn't think I'd get this lucky." He admits.

I laugh loudly. "I live in my sister's shadow, Jacob. We walk into a diner, the perverted old men flirt with her because of her aura of confidence she oozes. And not me. She's the lioness to, me, her cub. I honestly never thought I'd ever find someone living in her shadow. And the only time I would, is when she passes on them and they go to their second best option."

Jacob shakes his head. "Your sister is too rough around the edges for me." He allows. "I guess whatever almighty deity that chose Kensi as Embry's imprint decided to go with the opposites attract."

I shake my head. "They're compliments actually." I amend. "They don't- Kensi doesn't- see it yet, but I can. They're soulmates. Same taste in music, passion for literature, both are obsessed with action and adventure movies, and love fast cars."

Jacob smirks. "Your sister truly is one of a kind." He admits. "But I like your kind better."

I can't help it. I blush back to the roots of my hair again and meet Jake's eyes. I'm not brave, but I'd like to consider myself brave for looking into those beautiful brown eyes, and risking losing myself in their depths.