We slept late the next day, which was wonderful, and much needed. He joked that I should have been wide awake for days after my little 'post-bite' nap. I was glad he was over the whole thing enough to joke about it. We were still unsure what it meant for us, or if it even meant anything at all.

I think the dream thing still disturbed him, and while I tried to brush it off as just one of those weird things, deep down, it kinda bothered me too. The fact that he was able to describe that place so accurately, and yet it didn't even exist in real life. It was bits and pieces from different times and places in my life I had put together in my head to form my little perfect place. So yeah, that part was really weird, but there was so much more to worry about right now, than some crazy dream.

We lounged around most of the afternoon, venturing out only to grab some food, and replace the sheets we had thrown out. The later the evening got, the more I could feel the dread seeping in.

"Babe, you alright?"

"Yeah, why?"

"You just seem really tense."

"I just really don't want to go back." I said as I snuggled into his arms. He leaned back on the couch pulling me with him.'

"I know, I don't either, but just think about it this way, the sooner we kill the leech, the sooner we can get our lives back to normal."

"I just, I feel like there's this dark cloud hanging over that entire place right now."

"Well, seeing as how it rains two thirds of the year-"

"You know what I mean."

"I know, I know." He said with a chuckle.

"And since we've been here, I've just felt more free, like a weight has been lifted off of me, well, off of us. Can't you tell that we've seemed more normal the past few days than we have in the past several weeks? I know it has to do with us not having to worry about that psycho getting to us."

"Bells," he said seriously, "you know I would never let him get to you. I would die before I let anything happen to you."

"That's what I'm afraid of." I mumbled.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means I don't want you going in half cocked and getting yourself hurt, or worse. You would just be running on pure anger-"

"Damn straight."

"But that isn't a good thing! I know I don't know much about him, but what I have been told is that he's pretty indestructible, and I don't know how you're expecting to take someone out that can't be killed!"

He blew out a sigh and rubbed a hand over his face.

"Ok, yeah, I guess you really haven't been given all the information you need. So, the indestructible part is pretty much true. He can't be killed by bullets or knives, and definitely not wooden stakes. There are pretty much only two things that can kill a vampire. Another vampire, or us. They are the only reason we exist. Well, that the wolves exist, not us as actual people. If there were never any vampires living in the area, none of us would have ever transformed. We do that because we can kill them. It's a protection thing."

I was still hesitant about it all, but his logic did make sense. It also made me angry.

"Why here? Why did they come here? They ruined everything!"

He chuckled and wrapped his arm around me, calming me down.

"Well, as much as I hate to admit it, they aren't all bad."

"What? Then why do you have to change?"

"Well, it's kind of like a built in thing. Whether they are a danger or not, we change. And if they ever went away, we would stop. It's kind of like a just in case thing."

"Then why don't you just kill them or chase them away or something."

"Because like I said, they aren't all bad. In fact, this particular coven made a treaty with the elders several generations ago, and agreed that as long as they don't eat people, just animals, and as long as they didn't go anywhere near the rez, they could stay. It's apparently never been a problem until, well, until you came along."

"Excuse me?"

"Well, after talking to the two that had been helping you, they said that for some reason, your particular blood, or scent," he cringed as he spoke, "calls to him. They said you were his 'singer', and apparently each vampire might have one every couple hundred years, or they may not ever have one at all." He shuddered and pulled me tighter to his side. "Anyway, that's you. And I don't know about you, but I really don't want to continue talking about it." He said tightly. I agreed and wrapped my arms tightly around his torso.

I tossed and turned all night that night. Between being worried about returning, and how all this was going to end, if this was ever going to end. I laid there for what felt like hours before I found myself stretched out on a light coloured couch, in a large, bright living area with low ceilings, the wall lined with floor to ceiling windows facing a beach. The waves were large and rough, and there were dark clouds rolling in, beginning to cover over the bright grey sky. I leaned back content in watching the storm, and felt two warm arms encompass me.

"I wish I could just take you away from all of this. Take you far away and never return." Jake mumbled into my hair. I sighed with a smile and turned my cheek to rest on his chest.

"Can we just stay here? I like it here." I closed my eyes as I listened to the rain beat against the windows and roof, while the waves crashed against the shore.

"This is my favorite place to come, it's so peaceful, and now that I have you here, it's absolutely perfect."

"It really is." I said, settling back down against him. I closed my eyes as his fingers lightly traced up and down my arm.

"I love you so much Bella. I wish I could explain to you how much I do."

"Baby, I know you do, you show me all the time. Besides, I can feel it. I don't know how, but I can feel how much you love me."

And I could. I could feel his warmth, not just on my skin, but inside too, starting with my heart, and radiating out, filling me completely. I closed my eyes and melted into him as he peppered my hair with kisses. Wherever this was, I just wanted to stay here. Here I had my Jacob, and it was just us, no one and nothing else. I closed my eyes as I listened to the rain beat against the windows and roof, and I could hear the dull roar of the waves crashing on the shore.

Much too soon, the dream faded, and I woke up to the smell of bacon and coffee. I stretched and smiled at the thought of Jake making me breakfast, until I realized he was still in bed with me, sleeping soundly. I sat up on my elbows, hearing someone moving around in the kitchen. I leaned over Jake's side to whisper in his ear.

"Hey baby."

He grunted in response, but just turned and wrapped his arm around my torso, pulling me to him.

"Babe, I think someone broke in here."

"What?" he asked confused, barely opening his eyes. I giggled.

'Somebody's in the kitchen." I whispered. His head jerked up when I said that. At the sound of plates, he sat up quickly.

"The hell…?"

"Good morning!" Rachel said loudly from the doorway. I laughed and Jake fell back against his pillow.

"Damn Rach, I thought someone broke in here."

"And made us breakfast?" I joked getting out of bed. "They can break in on us anytime they want. Hell, I'll give them a key to the place!" I heard him grumbling as I made my way out of the bedroom.

"You must have left early." I said as we sat down at the bar.

"Yeah, I was ready to get back. I missed Riley."

"Ah yes, the infamous, possibly non existent boyfriend." She pouted at me.

"He exists! And I actually came in last night, I just ended up staying with him." She giggled.

"You what?" Jake yelled from the bedroom. Rachel just rolled her eyes.

"Canine ears. They hear everything." I joked.

"I heard that!"

"We know." Rachel and I said at the same time, and laughed. Jake walked out already dressed.

"You spent the night with him?" He genuinely seemed mad, but I couldn't understand why. Rachel wasn't phased though.

"Yes Jake." She said exasperated with him already.

"Rachel! What the hell?" Now that got a reaction. She slammed down her fist on the counter and made me jump.

"Excuse me?" She yelled back at him. "First of all, you don't get any say in what I do or don't do."

"Or who." I quietly added, which I received one evil glare and one smirk for.

"Second," she continued, "don't you find that extremely hypocritical? How many times have you spent the night with Bella?"

"I don't care! I don't want my sister sleeping around!" I froze at his words, as did Rachel. I had never wished to be invisible so much in my life. His face was instantly regretful, but before he had a chance to take his words back, she grabbed the entire pot of coffee and threw it at him, which shattered as soon as it his his chest. He roared out as the glass and hot liquid hit his skin. She stomped off to her bedroom and slammed her door.

"Jacob! Are you ok?" I asked as he peeled his soaked shirt from his body.

"Yes." He gritted out, picking shards of glass from his arm and neck. "It just stung." He said. "Go take care of her." I slipped off the stool, but he grabbed my arm gently. "I really didn't mean it." He said apologetically. I just nodded. I wasn't the one to apologize to. I opened her door quietly and found her laying on her bed with her back to me. I sat down rubbing her her shoulder gently.

"Is he ok?" She asked.

"Yeah." I said quietly.

"Damn." I couldn't help but giggle at her.

"You know he didn't mean it."

"It doesn't matter. He said it."

"Since when do you care what he says?" I asked. She sat up and faced me on the bed.

"I know, I just, I don't know what to do" She said breaking into more tears. I pulled her into a hug.

"What do you mean?"

"I love Riley, I really do. He's been the first guy I've ever even liked, much less been in love with. And he's perfect."

"But….?" She took a deep breath.

"Jared imprinted on me." She said barely above a whisper. We both looked toward the door waiting to see if Jake had heard her. When it stayed quiet, she continued. "He's really understanding, and he knows I'm with someone, but I also knows how it works, and if I decide against being with Jared, then he won't ever be in love again. And I can't help but to think that there must be some reason that Jared imprinted on me. Some reason bigger than me and Riley." She looked so broken, it hurt me too. "So anyway, I went to be with Riley for New Year's eve, and I was kind of hoping that something would be different for me, that I would feel different about Riley. But I didn't." She said crying. "I'm still just as much in love with him as I was before. And now, now he's talking about marriage. What am I supposed to do?"

Before I could answer, there was a knock on the door. We turned to see Jake open it slowly and take a step in.

"Rach, I am so, so sorry." He said, truly regretful. She just shook her head, waving him off.

"Jake-" I started.

"No, wait, there's something I need to say." He looked at Rachel and continued. "Rach, you need to do what makes you happy. If this Riley guy makes you happy, then screw Jared." We both looked at him in shock. He came over and sat on the opposite side of the bed. "I know how he feels, obviously." He said, nodding in my direction. "But in the end, it would hurt him more for you to be with him and unhappy, than away from him and happy. He loves you Rachel, and he wants whatever makes you happy."

"Ok, that just kinda makes it worse." She sniffed. He chuckled.

"All you need to know, is that right now, you don't need to make any life changing decisions. For all we know, things may change between you and Riley eventually, or maybe they won't. But don't worry about Jared. He'll be fine, as long as you are happy."

"Really?" She asked with a watery smile.

"Really. But, uh, I just wouldn't bring the guy around the rez for awhile." She nodded.

"Gotcha."

"Ok, well, the eggs are getting cold, and I'm starving." He said clearing his throat. He got up and left, and Rachel and I shared a smile before following him.

"Is all that true, what you told Rachel?" I asked on our drive back home.

"Yeah, I mean for the most part." He shrugged.

"The most part?" He rolled his eyes.

"Well, all except the 'Jared will be fine' part."

"Jake!"

"What? She doesn't need to be worrying about all that. Chances are, her and Riley won't last anyway."

"They've been together for 6 months."

"And?"

"That's longer than us."

"Nah, we've been together a lot longer, we just didn't know it." He turned and smiled at me.

"How is he going to handle it though?"

"Oh, not good. I'd say they're having to nearly tie him down, if he didn't already follow her back up here."

"That's not weird at all." I said sarcastically. He just chuckled.

"No, he just has to make sure she's ok. Not weird, just extremely overprotective.

His words reminded me of his own protectiveness over me, how it seemed he was never far away from me since his change. and even then, he said he hadn't been far away. This reminded me that in a few days I would be without him once more at school, and most likely at home. I shuddered remembering everything that had happened in the past couple weeks.

"I don't know how I am going to be able to stay in my house." Tears burned my eyes as I thought about how he had been there, inside my house, more than once, both while I was there and when I was gone. For all I knew he was camping out there right now waiting on me, which disturbed me to no end. That was my home, my haven, and it had been violated.

"Well, you definitely won't be alone, you might as well just get used to the idea of us living together from now on. But really, I think it would be best if you moved into my place instead of us staying at yours." My heart broke at the prospect of giving up my home.

"But you can protect me at home if you're always around-"

"That's just it though Bells, as much as I want to be, and can try to be, realistically you know I can't be glued to your side 24/7. I mean, something as simple as me taking a shower, he can get to you in the instant I'm not there. I can't take that risk. With you on the rez, you'll have protection constantly. The wolves are made to protect the tribe, that's why there are so many of us. But they have to stay near the tribe, your house is too far away to ask them to watch you too."

He was right, but it still hurt to know I wouldn't be able to go to my own home. Although, could I really call a place home if I didn't feel safe there?

"I just hate that this is even an issue!" I yelled. "I hate that they are around, that they even exist! If it weren't for them, everything would be fine! You and the other guys wouldn't be turning into mighty morphing werewolves, I wouldn't have some psycho chasing me out of my own home, and right now my biggest worry would be trying to finish up my senior year, just like everyone else, and figuring out what I wanted to do after school. But at this point, I may not even live to finish school!"

"Stop it!" Jake yelled, pulling the car to the shoulder sharply, and grabbing my shoulders. "Look at me Bella! Don't you trust me?" I flinched at the hurt in his voice.

"Of course Jake, but-"

"But, nothing. I will get you through this, get us through this." His tone softened. "I know babe, I know this is hard, but you have to believe me when I say that I will watch over and protect you until my final breath. And I will not rest until that psychotic bloodsucker is reduced to ash." He pulled me into a tight embrace, and we sat there holding each other, giving each other the strength and support we each needed.

The rest of the ride home was quiet, between the issue with Rachel, Jared, and Riley, and our collected dread of returning to face the crap we left behind. We were nearly to the rez when I remembered the dream I had and smiled when I remembered his words.

"I had a dream about you last night." I said smiling.

"Oh really?" He said suggestively with a smirk. I just rolled my eyes.

"Not like that. We were in a beach house, and you were just holding me. It was perfect, just watching the waves while-"

"While it stormed?" he asked.

"Yeah. Wait, how did you guess." He just tapped his temple.

"I was there. I remember holding you and telling you how much I loved you and how I wanted to take you away from all of this."

I was shocked. This was officially weird, and now I couldn't just brush off his own dream from the other night.

"So, what, now we have the same dreams?"

"I don't know." he shrugged thoughtfully, staring out the windshield. "I honestly don't know what it-"

He slammed on his brakes hard, and the seat belt caught my shoulder painfully. I hissed until I saw the reason he had stopped, and I gasped at the white figure standing in the road.