Disclaimer: I do not own 'Twilight' or any of the characters!

Rating: T (language!)

Pairing: JB/EC

Hello to you! Thanks for all of the reviews! Everyone is absolutely fabulous! I tried to give as many cookies as possible and to anyone who did not receive one, then this is for you: ***COOKIE**** mmm....look at it's virtual chocolate-chippy-ness....yeah they were cheap. I really do appreciate all the buzz this story has received (Jake is very please as well). Without you all it would be pointless to continue...

To those of you who have read this story before...yeeeah....well see about that. I sorta got rid of chapter nine. After countlessly re-reading it and running through the story a couple of times, I realized there was no point to it. I tried for it to be a hypothetical filler, but its not necessary. To new readers, don't worry your pretty little heads about it :]

I have re-written/edited this chapter, throwing in a bit more detail and things, you know...right? Lol, its okay if you don't, I understand. But I really hope that, once again, you all enjoy this (old and new friends) and leave me a thought or two on what you think!! PLUS! I know that last time around when I was rambling and whatnot that I needed a good way to end things, I've also edited the next two chapters to fit better and I hope you find those enjoyable as well! Thank you so much! I've written so much! This note goes for the next chappie as well! (It should be up shortly)! So please...

Here is your story....*********

*Special thanks to 'Paramore' for uh...helping name this chapter.*

Chapter 9: All We Know Is Falling

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(Jacob's POV)

I sat up in bed, startled awake by the thunder pounding outside of my windows. I glanced to my left to make sure that Alice was still there and was relieved to find her buried in a thick book.

"Nightmare?"

I nodded, choosing to remain silent. The thunder had been the thing to wake me up, but the dream I'd been having was also part of the reason. My hands were resting on my stomach but my mind was resting on other things.

"Is everything alright?"

I glanced at her to convey that I'd rather just be quiet. "Okay then, just trying to figure out why you're heart is still beating so fast," she sighed, enticing me to reply. I smiled, I remained silent. My heart was beating as if I had just run a marathon--it was going at a normal pace. A chuckle escaped my lips at her decidedly lame attempt at getting me to talk.

Why wasn't I talking? The reason--the memory--struck me sharply,

"I didn't believe that it could be true or possible or likely or…it just wasn't probable…until today. You," I felt her hand glide gently over my stomach, exciting little goose bumps as it went, "have been…carrying something very extraordinary for the last two weeks and three days. I don't know how to say this so I'll say it--" "I'm dying?" "No dear Jacob, you're pregnant."

It was too strange and far-fetched to really believe her…but I'd figured out that Alice never told a lie…well…she never told a lie for no reason. Carlisle had even explained it to me and but….It explained so many things but it left so many questions in spite of everything. I didn't want to believe them--I still don't--but every moment we spent together, Alice would try to broach the subject.

"Where are you going?" she asked without looking at me as I pulled on a pair of jeans and flip flops. "You should know--" "You don't even know where you're going. And I hope you're not thinking of going outside in this weather. You're human again remember?" "I'm just going for a stroll, is there anything wrong with that?" I asked, trying not to raise my voice. I was too tired to fight.

She gave me a look, "You're not just taking care of yourself anymore Jake--" "Don't start with that Alice. You know I how I feel about it," I hissed, anger flashing unexpectedly. I rushed to get to the door. She beat me to it, holding an arm out to stop me; her eyes held a strange look to them, as if she were silently begging me to listen. "Jacob I know you're hurting--" I tried to pull away, "and I know this all just seems too weird for you--" she held me still, "but I'm telling the truth, Carlisle too."

"I just need to get out," I muttered, refusing to look her in the face. The struggle ended right there--she let me go and I walked away as fast as I could. Adrenaline was steadily building in my veins but I was too tired to go any faster than what I really knew I could go. By the time I reached the staircase I was gripping the wall for support, lethargy settling in like dust on old furniture. Someone fix my brain please….

The floor looked like a comfortable place to sit for just a minute, so I sat begrudgingly, glancing back to see if Alice or anyone had followed me. My senses were so out of whack that I couldn't even smell the sickly sweet stench I knew surrounded the house.

"…you're pregnant."

I frowned. The thought just wouldn't leave me alone no matter how hard I tried. Alice didn't lie but I didn't believe her. The Doc said any of them could smell it for crying out loud! I just didn't want to believe it all. But…maybe it was true. Maybe it explained why I was human, er…partly human again, why she always gave me eggs…for the cravings? Maybe it really was the reason that I was still alive…because Alice saw someone else's life in danger.

A sigh rushed from my lips and a pang of deep sadness struck me suddenly and without much warning at all. I knew Alice was right, I knew it…her predictions worked the best on a family member and…Edward is part of her family and….My hand found it's way to my stomach. I choked on a sob, overwhelmed with emotions so strong and heavy. Tears like the ones I'd experienced before I'd been knocked out in Carlisle's examination room the day before, fell and splashed in my lap, on my hands.

Edward wasn't anywhere near nor had he been since the day he left me…and he still managed to cause me so much pain. My family had abandoned me, disowned me then made it so I was dead to the rest of the world. I'd lost a best friend for absolutely nothing, then was abandoned by the one I'd always cared for since the moment I'd laid eyes on him.

Alice was right. Carlisle was right. I was…with child--his child. I didn't want this, didn't want it…didn't want to be what I was: a creature the only one of it's kind cursed to eternal damnation. This really was hell on earth no matter which way you tried to look at it or hide it. "I can't take this," I whispered into the darkness, suddenly struck with an idea.

Once I was outside and sure that no one would follow me, I made a run for the trees. The rain had me soaked in seconds but that didn't matter, "Nothing matters anymore." I kept running until my knees gave out, I was so tired. Glancing around myself I had to admit I'd done pretty good; there was no sign of the Cullen house or the familiar forest that surrounded it--I was lost.

It took a while, but as the rain came down and the lightening flashed and the thundered pounded, I was struck with the most crushing pain I'd ever felt in my life. "Stupid hormones." But I knew, as I leaned against the base of a giant sycamore and pulled my knees into my chest, that it wasn't just the hormones making me hurt.

The wind was cold and I could feel it as I tried to stay warm huddled against myself. The pain was almost unbearable and tore at my conscience as well as my heart. I was surprised when the first tear spilled and splashed on my knee. When the rest came I knew it was dumb to try and stop them.

"Damn you Edward Cullen," I cursed, voice coming out in a strangled gasp as my eyes fluttered and the all-too familiar tug of darkness at the corners of my vision threatened to overwhelm me. I struggled to stay awake, needing to go back before anyone (especially Alice) noticed that I'd snuck out, but the pain in my chest and chill that had started to press into me, won out. Just before I completely blacked out, I thought I heard a low snarl, but it didn't matter before I shut my eyes and fell into the blackness that I just couldn't seem to avoid.

Edward.

(End Jacob's POV)

(Edward's POV)

I paced frantically back and forth on the living room floor. I didn't care that everyone's eyes were on me. Bella was there on the couch, worriedly biting her lower lip. It vaguely struck me that she was worried about Jake at all. She never spoke of him over the past, close to, three weeks now. Three weeks. It seemed like forever ago since I'd acted so cowardly, so unfaithfully--since I'd held Jacob in my arms . Now it seemed I would pay the price of losing the one closest to my heart.

Still Bella sat there and it was moments like these that I wished I could read her mind. Mentally it was silent in the room, everyone had blocked off their minds to be alone with their thoughts. That was good. I didn't want to know what everyone was feeling or know of the doubts that Jacob might not wake up….

My fist slammed into the nearest wall. I was angry with myself. If I'd been honest and understanding then this would have never happened! I'd been with Bella. Rosalie was the one to tell me when I returned that my wolf seemed to have vanished. Reading her thoughts I could tell she'd known the moment he'd left. Alice then told me she knew where we would find him, but that we'd have to hurry--he'd made a split-second decision and the rain would make it harder to follow his scent.

I know it was because of me that he was even in this whole mess. Of course, Alice was always there--Carlisle, Esme, Jasper…but…Jake so easily slipped through our fingers and the slowly beating heart upstairs sounded as if it were slipping too….

I shrugged her away as she made an attempt to hold me, I didn't want to be comforted by Bella at the moment. "Edward please, let me in. I'm here for you," she pleaded. I snapped at her words, knowing that she'd meant no harm by them. "WELL I'M NOT HERE FOR ME BELLA! I'M HERE BECAUSE JACOB IS LYING IN A BED UPSTAIRS ILL AND NEAR DEATH FOR SOME REASON WE CAN'T EXPLAIN!" I could tell everyone was shocked, but I was too angry to stay in that room. I lowered my voice, harshly grinding out, "Here for me? Your best friend is dying upstairs," before I found myself back at the dark and empty cabin I'd spent a moment of eternal happiness in.

I was in the bedroom within seconds, fisting the finely made sheets on the bed that he and I had shared. I could still smell him in those blankets, over the artificial scent of bleach and laundry detergent. Even if we'd only shared a night and part of the next morning, those were truly the best moments I'd ever had. Jake opened up to me here, let me claim him so fully here, gave me his heart here….Why did I ruin it? Why was I so weak?

I truly felt like I did not deserve someone like him and that he deserved someone better than me. I cried silently, tearlessly, wishing that I could feel the wetness running down my face. "I swear I'll do whatever it takes to get you back Jake. Just promise me that you'll pull through this," I whispered into the sheets I held onto.

Alice stood silently just outside of the bedroom door, but I ignored her, feeling the need to be alone. She understood, leaving me in peace with a nearly silent prayer to the heaven I hoped would be listening, the image of an unconscious Jacob huddled against a tree filling my thoughts and consuming my heart.

(End Edward's POV)

(Carlisle's POV)

I watched the slow rise and fall of my patient's chest as he lay quite still on the bed set up for him in my examination room. I was closely monitoring his vitals, baffled at how slow his heart had become and how he seemed to switch between human and what he'd become subsequent to being bitten. It had been truly surprising when Edward, Alice, Rosalie and Jasper had all come rushing in late the night before, Edward carrying Jacob who had been limp and soaking wet, chilled in the most abnormal way for someone such as himself.

The poor boy shivered nearly constantly before his body broke out into an inferno of a fever. It was even more surprising when they'd informed me that he'd run away into the forest. I had to act quickly if I wanted to be assured that my patient would wake up, sending Edward and Jasper for some ice so as to stabilize Jake's natural temperature of one oh eight which had escalated to nearly one-twelve. Alice hardly moved from his side, muttering apologies and telling me to be very careful with him.

His eyes started to move around beneath closed eyelids which slowly started to flutter as he tried to adjust to the light. A groan escaped his lips and I made it to his side in time to stop him from sitting up. "It's alright Jake, you need to lay still--" "It…hurts," he wheezed. I successfully laid him back down before taking out my penlight and checking his pupils, "What hurts?" He answered with a little difficulty, hands holding his stomach as he said, "Everything."

"You were near hypothermic and developed a fever shortly after I was able to get you warm again. Do you remember what happened?" I asked, listening as his heart started to beat a little faster.

"Ran…away…got lost," he groaned softly. I was concerned about the amount of pain he was experiencing. Something just wasn't right, something was prohibiting him from healing properly and I had to take a chance if I wanted to be sure. "Jake, I know this question is private, but I need to know if I'm going to help you. Did something happen between you and Edward?"

I watched his face to see if he reacted in any way that would be cause for me to quickly dismiss the question altogether. He reddened slightly and looked away from me. So it was true then…this more than confirmed my suspicions. I asked in the calmest voice I could, making sure to convey the message that I was okay with what I knew he would more than likely tell me, "Are you pregnant?"

Three minutes passed by; he remained so still that I was starting think that he didn't even know it himself. Just the other day, when he'd been in the small infirmary, I'd picked up an unrecognizable, yet sharp scent that had me wondering…but at Alice's request Emmett and I'd left the room to give them time to talk. I'd come back in just as he'd started to go into shock. I suppose that perhaps this was the reason. Another minute passed by and I began to worry…but when he answered my question I gave him a gentle, fatherly hug. "Yes," he whispered, voice thick and choked with emotion.

We remained embraced even when his shocking words spilled forth, "I'm so sorry. I want to die, I want this thing inside of me to go away but…I feel so…I'd rather be--" I shushed him right there and he started to sob even harder. I knew that he was upset and heartbroken and I knew that he would've regretted losing the life so deeply connected to his and my son's.

"Things will get better Jacob. I promise you that. Things will get better," I whispered as I rocked him gently, willing his tears to go away.

(Edward's POV)

I sat completely motionless just outside of Carlisle's small clinic, contemplating on if I should go in…if my presence…if the sight of me would upset Jacob in any way that could prevent him from healing properly. It was my fault after all, that he was in there in the first place, that it could have all been prevented.

Bella had left earlier the previous evening, Alice had driven her home, she'd been too upset to drive herself. That was also my fault and I felt guilty for having yelled at her like that. I'd known what she'd meant, that she was there for me incase I needed someone to talk to, incase I wanted the comfort that she'd been given on so many occasions. It was heartless of me to believe that she didn't care for her own best friend…she'd even told me herself that she'd forgiven Jacob, that she'd forgiven me.

My fists tightened at these thoughts and I tried desperately not to punch another hole in the wall. It was beyond me how caring Bella could truly be, how selfless she acted when I so selfishly took the easy way out. Not only had she been offering me comfort, she'd also been offering me a chance to tell her what she already knew…to tell the whole truth.

It wasn't easy, and it never will get easy, to see her face and knowing that I couldn't really make her happy like I once did…that she could never be happy because she was so in love with me….

"Edward?" My head snapped up at the sound of my name. I stood immediately, knowing that it was Carlisle come to give me news. "Carlisle I--" He held up his hand, his thoughts startling me.

"Impossible," I whispered, and rushed quickly into the room he'd vacated. I hesitated by the doorway, unsure of how to proceed to the person I wanted the most…afraid of his reaction to me. Afraid of what Carlisle's thoughts revealed…it was impossible.

Jacob lay motionlessly on the bed, the steady rise and fall of his chest indicators that he was alive, that he was still with me. His eyes were closed, his mind a blur of colors and motion--he was dreaming. Slowly I made my way to the bed, hesitating at the sudden gasp from its occupant. I'd hardly taken twenty steps before Carlisle was at my Jacob's side, assessing his sudden pain and quickly adding another dosage of morphine to the I.V. hooked to his arm.

I could feel the horror on my face as I saw Jacob's dream switch from a relatively pleasant picture, to a very frightening scene within seconds. He was standing in the clearing, the one in which we Cullens played baseball that he'd never laid eyes on before, and was shielding someone. The person was so small that I assumed it to be a child and as his focus shifted, so did mine, and I was shocked to see that I was right.

Then the dream started to melt away, and fade into gray senseless shapes before completely disappearing. I found myself gasping, unnecessarily, at what I'd seen. That child's face had been coated in fear--completely similar to my own expression when I was faced with such a gripping emotion. Jacob's own face was a mask of cold hard determination, a fierce growl ripping its way from his throat as he'd glared at the opposition I could not see….He'd seen a threat and was protecting who I now believed to be our…child. Why hadn't he told me?

My head snapped up at the sound of my name being called and I realized that I hadn't taken one step from where I'd stopped, shocked at the images I'd started to see so suddenly. "Son, I think it would be wise if you stayed here with Jake. I think you both would benefit from doing some talking once he wakes up," Carlisle cautioned, an understanding smile present on his face. I could only guess that he knew of Jacob's condition and that Alice, of course, had known as well.

I agreed to stay, trying to dispel the feeling of…disappointment at not having been informed of the life Jacob now carried. "He was having a dream." My father in so many ways stopped at the door, turning around to look at me. I felt that he was giving me space to continue, "It was more of a nightmare I believe, but…he was standing before a child that strongly resembled myself and…there was something that he was protecting it from. It was something that I couldn't see because the vision in his nightmare had been so indistinct…." I trailed off, unsure of the emotions running through me.

Carlisle was at my side in an instant, a comforting hand on my back as he offered me words of understanding. "I know that it is hard for you, Edward. From what I can tell, it's been hard on Jacob as well, suffering this alone--" I flinched at the word, "but I do believe that with you by his side, he will come to love this child as much as I feel that you already do." "I don't think that he doesn't already," I whispered, remembering the startling revelation in Carlisle's thoughts from earlier. I wasn't so sure if my feelings towards the child were anything I could describe.

Then at that moment, it came to me. Startling me so much that I took a few staggering steps back. I could see that Carlisle was deeply confused and concerned by my sudden reaction to the revelation I just made. I could see that he wanted to say something but I stopped him before he could even utter a word. "It was me….It was me he was protecting him from," I choked out. I knew that Carlisle was right. It would only get better, if we talked when he opened his eyes to the world.

(End Edward's POV)

(Jacob's POV)

"Why didn't you tell me Jake? I could have been there for you."

"Don't call me that," I snapped, looking off to the side, ignoring the IV in my right arm. I'd only been awake for two hours and he wanted to talk.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I found out after you left."

The look on his face made me a little happier on the inside, he looked guilty enough for the both of us and true, I had things to be guilty about too but it wasn't about me now. He shifted in the chair, the sun caught his face and I was hit with the full effect of the vampire he was. It sparkled like tons of diamonds or something like that--it made me blush and look away. "Stupid sparkly vampire."

"It can't be helped," he answered my thoughts. "I would have been able to be there for you Jake, I honestly don't know what more I could have done than be there for you." I looked up in time to see him look away. I growled, grinding out, "And what if I were to tell you that being there wouldn't have been enough, hmm? What the hell Edward? You think I can just turn off the way I feel about you? You think I would have been able to ignore you while you tended to my every need and all that bullshit with the knowledge that every night you would run off to be with Bella? Sure," I spat, feeling the tears prickling my eyes, "you being there would have made a whole lot of difference."

Once again I got my satisfaction from his silence. He knew what I was saying would have been exactly how everything worked out had he just "been there" for me.

(A/N: Hey! And your verdict is...? Just leave me one (review)...right. Still trying to be cool here! Isn't it just so sad how Jake just keeps on getting the short end of the stick? *Don't hit me!* I promise he'll see some sunshine!)