M I S T A K E N

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, or any of the characters.

I apologize ahead of time for the many shiftings of POVs.

22) goodbye) JPOV)

I waited anxiously, pacing back and forth. Ari was still asleep. Billy watched me, unable to say anything that would ease my fear.

"She'll be okay."

"What if she's dying in there?" I asked. I hadn't been in her room since eight o'clock and it was nine forty-five. Quil was here, too. Billy had called him over to calm me down, but it wasn't working. Quil looked panicked as he hurried out of my room.

"Jake, she's asking for you."

APOV )

The last thing I remembered was the vampire attacking Jacob. I had tried to save him. Had I succeeded? Was I dead? Were we both dead?

"Agh!" The pain was intense. I clutched the sheets, twisting and turning until the fabric was tight against my body. I realized I wasn't wearing clothes as I tried to sit up. Big mistake. A flame of pain spirited down my back. I let out a small wail as I watched a stain of red blossom into a river against the sheet. I searched frantically for the wound and found my stomach sliced. It wasn't deep, but it was large enough to cause me to panic.

"J-Jacob?" I whispered pathetically. The blood kept coming. I fell back against the pillow, shuddering. The door opened and Quil stepped in. His eyes widened at the sight of my naked, bleeding form on the bed.

"Jacob," I whimpered, tears in my eyes. A vampire had to have done this. Could this be anything like the pain Aki felt before? Could it even compare? Was I dying?

Quil left the room. Jacob ran in moments later, his face screwed up into a look of absolute torture at the sight of me.

Swiftly, he retrieved the first aid kit and a towel. He looked away as he pressed the towel against my middle.

"Am I dead?" I asked through shaking lips. "I am, aren't I? It hurts…"

"No you're not dead. I know it hurts, Ari. I'm sorry."

JPOV )

I apologized as I opened the first aid kit. I gently rolled Ari onto her side so I only saw her back and wrapped her middle with gauze. She shook under my touch, crying softly. I finished and took some clean sheets from the closet. I wrapped her tightly in them before gently lifting her and taking her to the couch. Quil stood up to make room for her as I laid her down.

"Try and give her some water."

Quil left to get a cup. I remade the bed with clean linens and threw the bloodied sheets into the washer.

"Um, Jacob…"

Ari vomited the water Quil had made her drink. I used a dishtowel to clean her mess and handed Quil a napkin to clean her face.

"She's really bad, man," He mumbled. "It took her three days to change back, she barely healed at all, then when she did change, she was unconscious for three more days."

I glared at him and he shrugged. "Just saying."

"She has to eat something," I mumbled, brushing her hair away from her face. "She hasn't eaten since…forever ago."

"Jacob…"

"I'm right here, Ari," I offered her a bright, forced smile. "You're going to get better, all right?"

"What about… Seth…"

"He's fine. You saved his butt, distracting the vampire like you did."

"What about you?"

"You saved me, too," I ran my fingers over her troubled features, then sighed.

"I've been asleep for a long time. You haven't missed… Bella's wedding, have you?" Her voice shook slightly.

In my rush to care for Ari I had completely forgotten the date. "I won't go," I said firmly. "I'll stay with you."

"You have to go!" Ari hissed, her eyes flashing. "You have to."

"Why do I have to?" I hadn't noticed Quil leave the room, but I saw Ari look around before answering me with a tired sigh.

"You want to say goodbye, right? It's the last time you'll see her as a human."

I felt my face soften at the site of her. She looked tiny, huddled in her sheet. I felt horrible. It was because of me that she was so hurt, but she insisted I go. She knew I'd hate myself if I didn't. It amazed me that through all that happened, she could read me enough to know what I wanted.

"After… Could you take me home? I-I have to be at their funeral."

"Sure," I promised. Ari gave me a smile. I offered one, not as sincere or as bright. I stood and went to reheat the tomato soup Emily had brought. Quil wandered towards the door.

"Thanks," I mumbled, suddenly interested in the plastic wrap covering the soup.

"Eh, don't mention it." He put his hand on my shoulder, then narrowed his eyes. "You'll be fine, right? I could drive you there or something."

"I can handle it."

"Okay, bye Jacob. Bye Ari!"

I waited until Quil left before bringing Ari's soup to her. I knelt down beside the couch, ready to spoon-feed her in necessary. I pursed my lips when I saw that she was asleep. I knew she wasn't feeling well, but how could she sleep? She must have been suffering from extreme hunger pains…

"You should sleep, too," Billy suggested. "Don't worry, I can watch her."

"Thanks," I muttered. I didn't want to more Ari out of fear of waking her, but I didn't want to leave her, either. I settled with sitting down beside the couch. I soon was lulled to sleep by the sound of her breathing.

----------------------------------------------------

"Bye, Jake," Ari waved as I stepped outside.

"Bye," I offered her a forced smile as I closed the door behind me. With a sigh, I went to the Rabbit and started the car. The wedding was taking place at the Cullens' home. I drove slowly, arriving half an hour early. I'd say goodbye and go back home. Even if she asked me to stay, I wouldn't. I couldn't hear the words I do told to a vampire.

I straightened my collar and knocked. "I'll get it!" I heard Bella call. I heard the other vampires shuffling about. Whether they were getting ready or giving Bella and I privacy, I wasn't sure.

The door was yanked open to reveal Bella in an old-timey dress. Half of her hair was down in curls while the other half was still in curlers. She couldn't have looked more beautiful.

Her eyes widened at the sight on me in the doorway.

"J-Jacob?"

"Hey, Bella," I gave her a slight smile. "You look beautiful."

"Thanks," She lowered her eyes then laughed. It sounded strangled. "You're wearing a shirt. A dress shirt."

"Yeah, it was Ari's idea."

"Carlisle told me… How is she?"

"Well enough," I shrugged, then took one of her hands. I didn't want our goodbye to be any more awkward then necessary. "I didn't come to make you feel bad or to cause any commotion with your blood… Edward. I just came to tell you that I love you, and will always, vampire or not. I want you happy. It took me a while to realize why I tried so hard. I was afraid he might leave you again… You love him more – I understand. If you ever need me…" I felt my eyes moisten.

"Oh, Jacob," Bella squeezed my fingers.

"I want you happy," I repeated, my voice forced. "If you being with him make you…so be it. I'll give you a year without pursuit – as a wedding present. I'll try to distract Sam…"

"You'll be distracted, too."

I laughed and nodded. "Ari's a bit of a distraction."

"I'm glad you're in good hands," Bella whispered. "Maybe she can fix the mess I've made."

"He better take care of you."

"He will. She better take care of you."

"She will," I kissed Bella's cheek. She smiled slightly as I pulled away, standing on the tips of her toes to reach me. I bent down the rest of the way and she kissed my cheek. It was soft – a farewell.

"Goodbye, Bella."

I turned and left, knowing that when I saw her again, she wouldn't be my Bella. The only thing I could look forward to was my Ari. And there was no possible way that she would leave me.

I hope I did the goodbye scene between Jacob and Bella well… I dunno… Anywho - Yesssssss!! Two more chapters and an epilogue before Mistaken's done! Whoooooooo! Please review! Umm, next one's totally Ari's POV and she's goin home. Haha! Sorry, I'm just a wee bit hyper. Anyway, let's see if I can finish today!