~A/N New fic, long-time idea. I wanted to write a one shot based on "What Hurts the Most" since I first saw a fan video on YouTube. I didn't even write fanfic back then. One shots and me don't go together so great, so this will be a multi-chapter instead. I'm normally not a country music girl, but I'm using lots of Rascal Flatts tunes as prompts to work this story out. It sets my mood. I'll post song suggestions as they apply. This is Tragedy/Angst for a reason, not for the faint of heart. I love taking points in canon and slightly tweaking decisions, so I can watch the chips fall where they may.

"Nothing Like This" by Rascal Flatts

Urban Rose worked out the best banner in the world. She captured this story with all her attention to detail. I'm still amazed.

Summary: An epiphany at the cliff stops Bella from making a huge mistake. Her change of heart will end up forgotten. Unknown forces are at work to change her destiny. Evil has a way of infecting those it touches. Bella's downward spiral is only just beginning. She needs Jacob to heal, without him she'll lose every last ray of hope. Guidance appears from unlikely sources. Is she strong enough to pull herself out of the dark place she dwells in order to rise up and actually save the day? [AU, Jacob/Bella]

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Remember Me

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Prologue: Crossroads

Bella stopped just shy of the edge. Was it really what she wanted? She'd heard him several times and it never gave her the closure she was seeking.

She thought back to the past week with Jacob. He was going through so much and yet he was still mostly concerned with her well-being.

You're a selfish brat. She told herself. She used and abused him for months. She was doing it again. He'd asked her to wait on cliff diving. The water below didn't look at all inviting. The sea was angry and furious. One part of her still thought it was an easy solution. She wished it would swallow her whole and she could finally vanish from her miserable existence.

Bella shifted her eyes upward. There was one sliver of light filtering through the thick clouds. Was it a sign? That's what Jacob was... a light in her otherwise dark world. She said it way back in the beginning, I like this Jacob Black. There was just something about him that brought her happiness even when she was in the pits of despair.

He left, the one whose name she refused to utter. Jacob was there everyday, keeping her company, listening attentively even when she was speechless. Now, he was a protector. He could even defend her against monsters that plagued her for some reason.

Victoria was pure evil and vengeance filled, why couldn't she just leave? It seemed unreal an insignificant human could be her sole focus in the world. She needed to trust the pack. They had proven themselves with Laurent. Jacob would be pissed if he realized she was wandering around in the open. She hadn't even left him a message and she promised him she'd stay out of harm's way.

He deserved better than broken promises, half truths and a few splintered shards of her heart. Bella needed to find a way to be whole again and then she could be worthy. Even attempting to be whole, she sounded pathetic. She wanted to be the friend he needed and then maybe, just maybe more could grow from that. She knew it was his true desire. Was it possibly hers as well and she'd been too blind to realize?

She was ready to turn her back on her blatant stupidity, step away from the cliff, and forget conjuring Edward for the last time. Thunder roared overhead, lightning streaked across the sky. A storm had come out of the atmosphere in a blink of the eye. Rain pelleted her face, she twisted but her feet got caught underneath her. It only took one tiny slip on the rocky ground. She didn't even have the opportunity to scream out. Her body was being hurled with great force to the water below. Fear and confusion swept through her. She was numb before her body broke the surface. Pain didn't register.

Bella fought back but the rip currents were far more powerful than a simple human girl could overcome. She was no match for nature's fury. She whispered in her mind. "I'm sorry Dad, forgive me Mom. I love you both."

Just before darkness overtook her, she saw Jacob's face, heard his laughter, felt his warmth. Almost certain death made her face her feelings. It was true... she loved him too but she'd never get to tell him the truth.

Suddenly, her arms were pulled over her head and air filled her lungs once again. Wait, was it only a vision or was he real? Jacob came for her. They had a second chance after all.

Bella coughed and gagged until volumes of burning saltwater came up and out past her lips onto the sand underneath her.

"Bella, where's Jake?"

She heard several loud voices at once.

"She's alright. Of course, she's unscathed."

The voices got louder until fingers tightly gripped her shoulders and shook her.

"Bella, where the fuck is Jacob?"

First, she repeated Jacob, then she realized it was Embry man-handling her which was completely out of character for him.

She slowly sat up to find members of the pack going in and out of the water. It seemed like they were searching for something. Sam came back again. "Tell me everything."

"I... I was here, I mean up there. It was dumb but I was curious about cliff diving. The weather, I don't remember but maybe I slipped."

"He went in after you. You saw him, right?"

"I think so, someone grabbed me. I'm here on the beach, so yeah Jacob's fine."

Sam looked out at the waves. Paul was making his way back to shore looking completely ragged. His scowl caused her to tremble even more than the chilly temperature. He continued to hate her without ceasing.

Sam approached him. They had words. Embry and Jared were bringing up the rear. All four men were drenched and exhausted. She had no idea how much time had passed since the fall.

Paul yelled back, "You did this, leechlover. It's all on you!" The others looked to be in full agreement with Paul even though no one else spoke up.

Sam helped her off the ground. "I don't understand. Why can't you all find Jacob? I told you he brought me ashore. He's perfectly fine. Where is he though?"

Sam looked grim and his words brought her back to her knees. Her entire body was consumed with great pain and agony. Her legs couldn't even hold her up. "That was me. I pulled you out. No one has seen Jacob since he went into the ocean."

~Thanks for reading.