Jacob had been dreading the end of this week. After the dinner at Emily's house, his anxiety about the entire ordeal had shot through the roof. Keeping Edward a secret from Bella became more and more difficult, not because he wanted to tell her, but because he feared she would learn he had hidden it from her. He'd be leaving her largely unprotected to hunt Victoria down and feared some kind of harebrained heroics from Bella should things not go according to plan. To top it all off, he hadn't had a chance to see her again since the meeting, and the pack had been giving him hell for his uncontrolled imagination. So naturally, the week flew by.

Knowing that he and Paul would not be able to remain civil, Sam and Jared elected to meet with Edward to discuss storm was expected to begin just before sundown on Saturday and reach full-swing by the very early morning. Sam acquiesced to Bella's insistent request to help, and sent Quil to her house to pick up some old t-shirts and hair from her brush to spread around. Not the most prestigious job in the world, but someone had to do it. Maybe it would teach him for being such a smartass.

Charlie had already left for their house to watch some hockey game with Billy, which would give him plenty of time to pick her up and fill her in on the finer details of the night. Much to his chagrin, tonight would have to be all-business until the fight was over. That is, of course, until she opened the door.

She wasn't dressed enough for a night like this. Jeans and her usual shirt-cami combo was a poor choice for a snowstorm. She didn't even have her coat. It looked like she had done something different with her hair.

"Hey Bel-"

She placed her arms around his neck and greeted him with a kiss, pulling him towards her into the doorway, and closing it behind him with her foot. Her fingers curled into his hair as she pressed her body against his, and he lost all sense of focus on the task at hand. His desire had been nagging painfully at him for over a week at that point, and he was very weak to her games. She always loved making things difficult. He carefully pulled her off.

"Hi," she murmured. She was smiling, but he could feel her trembling in his hands. That wasn't just a greeting; there was something going on. She took him by the hand and began leading him into the living room.

"Come inside, it's freezing."

As much as she tried to hide it, she was upset. She barely made eye contact with him as she dragged him away. His pants were still rubbing uncomfortably against him, and now he was stuck between her and keeping to the plan.

"I'm almost done packing everything up."

"We should really get going soon. They're expecting me."

"It won't be long, I swear."

She led him up the stairs to her room. Her bag was sitting on the floor, already zipped up and seemingly ready to go. It felt like he had just stepped into a bear trap

The door had barely closed when she was suddenly on him again, kissing him even more intensely than in the entryway, grabbing and clawing at his back, sucking hard enough on his neck that he was sure she was going to leave a mark. He tried to back away and bring himself back to rationality, but there was no stopping her. The back of his knees finally hit the bed, and that was when she pushed him over completely.

His mind was becoming cloudy with the taste and smell of her, the fierceness with which she had his attacked body. He wanted so badly to touch her again, to hear her say his name again. He had imagined this scenario at least twice a day since the last time he was in her room. First the bed, then their clothes, then…

He needed to snap out of it. Her desire was becoming completely irresistible, but he could feel the same fear and apprehension radiating off of her that he did before. This wasn't Bella. Something else was behind the wheel.

Before he knew it, her hand had found its way to his arousal, rubbing over his pants, and then sliding into to the waistband. Her mouth was at his throat, her nails digging into his shoulder, when she suddenly began fumbling with the button.

"Bells…"

Of course he wanted this. His need had been out of control since the night he first kissed her. There was no amount of cold showers or stroking himself to remain sane. He wanted her so badly, but not like this. Not with a looming deadline and the Grim Reaper watching him from the corner of the room.

"Bella...stop...come on."

He gently pushed her off and rolled over to get back on his feet.

"I-I'm sorry," she said meekly. She wouldn't look at him, and she was clearly hurt by the rejection.

"It's ok," he whispered, pulling her up from the bed and into his arms. She was still trembling, on the verge of tears.

"It's going to be ok." He stroked her hair. "We both are. Just one more night and then I'm all yours."

"You promise?" she asked, her voice cracking.

"Promise."

He kissed her forehead, and looked down to see that she was red-faced and her breath was shaky. He couldn't tell how much of it was lust and how much of it was fear.

"I guess we should get going then," she said, picking up her bag with a weak chuckle. "Can't be late for Emily's slumber party or she'll freeze my bra."

The drive to Emily's house was treacherous. The wind was picking up and the snow had already begun to fall, clumping around the wipers on Jacob's car. As if the evening needed yet another element of danger. She was quiet the entire way, and he worried about leaving her with only Emily to keep her calm. Bella's car stopped in the driveway with a screech, and she hauled her bag into the house, bracing against the growing wind. They made their way inside, where Jacob was practically stripping down to his underwear in the hall before joining everyone in the living room.

"Hey, Bella!" Emily greeted her with a smile and a warm hug. She could read the energy around them, and gave Jacob a sympathetic smile over Bella's shoulder.

"Let me get you two some cocoa!"

No wonder she was the team mom. As terrible as Sam's split with Leah had been after the imprint, Jacob was glad to have Emily around to look after them. The way she seemed to skip around the house, her long hair that fell nearly to her waist, the joy she exuded from every pore, was a bittersweet reminder from years ago. He wondered how Billy could stand it.

The rest of the pack was already in their uniform, talking quietly among themselves and chowing down on Emily's latest baking creations. Sam looked up from his conversation with Jared to frown at Jacob.

"You're late."

"The roads were bad." He gestured over to Bella with his eyes, and Sam gave him a look of recognition. "If I crash my car then you'll be a man short."

Sam made eye contact with Emily, who nodded in return.

"Bella, let me take your bag. I'll show you the guest room."

Jacob planted himself on the couch beside them with a heavy sigh, and waited until he was sure they were out of earshot.

"Where is he?"

Sam looked over towards the window.

"Keeping an eye on your house. He's got free reign over the rez tonight. He's thinking the wolf smell will help him stay incognito."

Jacob bristled at the idea of that leech anywhere near his house, but at least BIlly and Charlie would be looked after. Just smelling him on the reservation set his teeth on edge, but it would be a small price to pay. At least Jake would have one less thing to worry about.

"How long before we head out?"

"About 15 minutes. We're starting patrols as usual. Everyone will keep to their usual routine until she starts following Bella's trail, and he will keep the redhead entertained until-"

They had returned downstairs and into the kitchen, where Emily was distracting Bella with apple pie and photos of her niece Claire, who had just turned two. She had a talent for lifting everyone's spirits, and he was grateful that she would be with Bella while they were gone. Where would the pack be without her?

He watched Bella in the kitchen, laughing and smiling and fawning over Claire, and tried to sear the images of her into his brain. He only had a few minutes left. He strolled into the kitchen and came from behind her, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her cheek. She leaned into him and sighed.

"I'm so glad things worked out for you two," Emily giggled, making Bella blush.

"Yeah, took him long enough!" came a voice from the living room. "The constant monologue was making us all pray for death."

"Hey, Embry," Jacob retorted. "Has Maria called you back yet?"

"...Fuck you, Jake."

Emily's eyed moved between him and Bella for a moment before excusing herself to the living room. They needed at least one perceptive person in this group of dense idiots; otherwise there would be no peace. Well, less peace. He could hear the group beginning to stir. Bella stood up.

"Is it time?"

"Yeah. We're going to head out in a minute."

He brought her into his embrace, and she clung to him like a frightened child, burying her face in his chest. She's been wearing a brave face for the pack, but she wasn't going to be able to keep it up anymore. He watched her crack under its weight, and it broke his heart.

"Don't worry, Bells."

"You're kidding, right?" she sniffed, trying to mask her distress with annoyance.

"Ok, here's a better alternative: Be good and stay put."

"I don't like that either."

He sighed heavily.

"Please trust me, honey."

"I do trust you."

Sam was similarly wrapped up in Emily, kissing her all over her scarred face. How was he able to leave her like this over and over again?

He took his face into her hands and brought her eyes up to meet his.

"I love you, Bells."

"I love you more."

He crushed his lips against her for every second he had left, holding her so tightly he worried might not be able to breathe.

"Jake, it's time to go," Sam called.

He pulled himself away and kissed her hands.

"Wait for me."

He followed his brothers out the door and into the frozen black unknown.