Jacob's point of view:
Bell was, to say the least, the most beautiful person I had ever seen. My sketchy memories did not do her justice. She was different though. Her beauty was more defined and her features more angular. Her iridescent skin glittered in the moon light. She was a vampire, I sighed. I should have seen it coming, yet it still took me by surprise.
I stared into her eyes, no longer the deep chocolate I remembered, but a shimmering topaz. However, to my relief, they were still just as deep and thoughtful as before.
"Jacob," she breathed. Just one word, my name, sounded like it had been spoken by a seraph. It almost didn't seem right that one person should have a voice so smooth and enticing, but when I looked back at her face it made sense.
A thousand things seemed to run through her mind before a smile lit up her face.
"Jacob," she exclaimed, "you're . . . alive!" She closed the space between us and locked me in her iron grip. Her body was hard and cold, but I felt unnaturally warm and comfortable in her arms. She let go after only a few seconds and stepped back. I didn't want our contact to end so abruptly, but she continued to smile at me and I couldn't help but to smile back.
"Well are you going to invite our guest in or not? It's nearly fifty degrees out here." I looked up to see Edward standing in the doorway with a smug grin on his face. I felt an unreasonable feeling of hatred bubble up in the pit of my stomach.
"Jacob, please come in. I'm so happy you came; I thought I'd never see you again." Bella's smile faltered slightly and her eyes grew concerned.
They led me into their living room and gestured for me to sit in the chair closest to the fireplace. Bella sat on the couch as far away from me as she could possibly manage, and Edward sat in between us making conversation even more difficult.
"So, Jake how long have you been . . . um conscience?" Bella seemed genuinely concerned and that was comforting. Edward, on the other hand, shifted his glance from Bella to nothing in particular and back again. I knew he was avoiding my gaze.
"Oh, well I woke up a few weeks ago. Things have been kinda slow getting back to normal you know. Billy is over protective and won't let me do anything." I didn't want her to know how much of a right Billy had to be concerned. I was screwed up, but I didn't know if she knew how much so.
"Tell me, what have you been doing and what brought you up here," Bella asked interestedly. I told her all about learning of the severity of my injuries and how I couldn't phase anymore. She knew that part already, but didn't know about my memory loss. Bella would nod and "hmm" at the appropriate parts as she listened intently. Edward just sat back and laughed as he got the unedited version from my thoughts.
When I had finished telling them of running into Alice and the ride up here I looked over at Bella to see a puzzled look on her perfect stone face.
"From what you've told me of your memory and focus issues I'm surprised you made it here alive," her eyes were scrutinizing, but soon became understanding as she saw my ashamed expression. "But I'm glad you did," she added in warmly, "However, you are going to need a ride back home; I refuse to let you drive in your condition. By the time you leave you'll hardly be able to concentrate for more than a few moments without your medication."
I never told her I forgot my medicine; how did she know? She looked up as if I had asked her directly, but I was sure I hadn't said anything out loud.
"I can make myself immune to the powers of others, but, if I'm in close enough proximity, I can temporarily 'borrow' their power. Since I'm sitting close enough to Edward I can use his ability to read your thoughts," Bella stated nonchalantly, "But we need to get back to finding you a ride back home." She looked over at Edward.
"No, wait. Bella why can't you dive me back," I demanded once I comprehended what she was trying to do.
She bit her lip and looked back and forth between the two of us. "Being in a small space for hours with a newborn vampire is not the best idea for someone who isn't considering suicide," Edward finally added bluntly. "Bella is fighting with every one of her sadistic instincts to sit here and talk with you right now," he added in when he saw that I was about to argue.
The silence grew and no one spoke. Bella, becoming uneasy by the growing tensions, suggested they make sleeping accommodations for me. I looked at the clock and it was nearly four in the morning. I rested my head against the back of my chair; I hadn't realized how completely exhausted and drained I felt.
"Would you mind sleeping on the couch? We really don't have much need for beds here." Bella walked down stairs holding a pillow and blankets for me.
I got up and shuffled over to the couch and set up my "bed". Despite the fact that my feet draped over the armrest, the couch felt like one of the most comfortable places I've ever slept. With that thought the memories of the fight last June popped into my head. In particularly the night I had spent as Bella's space heater. I missed the good old days when Bella was human and I wasn't half of the time. I finally fell asleep reminiscing about the hours Bella and I had spent in my garage so long ago.
The morning light made the white walls glow. The effect gave me a headache. I would have asked for painkillers had there been even the slightest chance that I would find any here. I slung my legs off the couch, put my head in my hands and rubbed my temples. My stomach gave an embarrassing gurgle as I sat. A cold hand touched my shoulder; I shivered. I turned my head slowly- not wanting to be caught off guard by her breathtaking beauty again- and smiled at Bella. She returned the gesture flashing her brilliantly white teeth as she did so.
"You need to eat," she accused. It was true, but I was sure they wouldn't have much in the way of human food.
"Don't worry about me Bella, I'll get something later." She looked at me incredulously.
"You don't have any money and you haven't the faintest idea of where we are." It wasn't a question. Dammit, Edward must be near by.
She sighed, "Yes, Edward is in the next room, but I wouldn't have needed his help either way. Now, you stay here and I'll run up to the store and get you something to eat."
Staying in the house alone with Edward - his "sister" and "brother" had avoided coming home last night- was not very pleasant. He refused to talk to me, but walked around with a smug look on his face. If I had to guess, I would think it was due to my lack of ability to phase. Now that I was appealing to Bella- in more than the normal sense of the word- she seemed to shy away from me whenever I was close. Edward had already won, I knew that, but now my presence was just reinforcing that fact.
Bella was back within a few minutes, a few very long minutes, with an armful of various breakfast items. She laid them across the table and told me to eat as much as I liked.
"How was the trip," Edward asked raising an eyebrow. I had missed the underlying meaning until Bella answered.
"It was very nice, only a few people were in at this time in the morning. However, the clerk did smell quite appetizing today." She smiled, embarrassed, at the latter. I was stunned by how casually they could talk about Bella's urge to feast upon the clerk's blood. "All in all, no trouble." She glanced at me apologetically as she assessed the disgust apparent on my face.
The rest of the day was spent with Bella in front of the fireplace talking about what has been going on in our lives. She described the wedding, too ostentatious for her taste, but she loved every minute of it. They had moved up here with Alice and Jasper shortly after the honeymoon, I tried not to think about that part. She skipped over the transformation, not that I wanted to here about that anyway. However, when she turned her head, sometimes the light would catch the faint scars on her neck that were slightly raised and whiter, if that were possible, than rest of her flawless skin.
To my pleasant surprise, Edward had left us alone the entire afternoon. That ended shortly after four. He glided into the room silently and placed his hands on Bella's shoulders. Jealousy reared its ugly head. I was almost embarrassed by it, mainly because both of them could clearly see every one of my thoughts. I turned my head towards the fire place so as to not see their incriminating stares.
"I think I should take you back now Jacob." It was spoken more as a command than a suggestion. Bella looked at me warily and nodded. "Resistance is futile" I quoted silently.
Edward chuckled, "Looks like the boy has some sense in him afterwards." I glowered at him. "Boy" I wanted to spit.
"Please don't we just polished the floors," Edward pleaded sardonically. Bella was by his side before I had time to blink.
"Edward," she spoke condescendingly, "just go get the car ready."
"What ever you wish," he pledged raising an eyebrow. I didn't miss the underlying meaning that time.
Once Edward was outside Bella shook her head and smiled ruefully. I stood up as she floated towards me. She was so graceful now it almost took me by surprise. I realized, to my discomfort, that I hadn't notice this before because I was too entranced by her face. I blushed and she cringed back.
"Sorry," I murmured. She grinned halfheartedly and sauntered forward, slower this time. It took me a moment before I realized that she wasn't breathing anymore.
"No harm done," she forced out breathlessly, "See." She wrapped her icy fingers around my biceps and pulled me close. My body grew rigid and she pulled back to see my face. I'm not sure what she saw, but it was displeasing.
"Jacob, you must know that there is no way I could ever hurt you." As she said this her topaz eyes smoldered. With the sweet scent of her breath overpowering my fear, there was no way I could doubt her. My head spun and my body felt numb, but somehow I was able to pull her back against my chest. Her cold stone body seemed to fit perfectly in my arms. She was engulfed in the warmth from my skin.
"You have no idea how incredible this feels," she mumbled into my chest, "The warmth is something you forget after a while." It was then that I realized it: I would always be her personal space heater, her sun.
She inhaled, "Mmm, just like I remember," she inhaled again, "only better."
The moment ended too quickly. She dropped her hands and smiled apprehensively. I didn't need enhanced senses to know that Edward was back. I turned just to confirm my suspicions.
"Jacob everything is ready, you should get in the car now so we can get you back at a decent hour." He was calm, too calm; he knew something. I glared and turned away.
"Bye Bella. I'll miss you, and please keep in touch as much as you can." Her eyes were filled with sorrow and I pulled her in for another short embrace before turning towards the door.
I trudged to my Rabbit and leaned against the hood. Edward was in the doorway with his arms around Bella's waist. Although I couldn't hear the conversation, I could still imagine the sickeningly romantic good-byes from both sides. The next thing I knew they were kissing. I was fuming. I clenched my jaw and balled my hands into fists. My fingers dug so far into my palm I wasn't sure if I would be able to open my hands again.
After a solid minute they broke apart. I thought I would need to bring out the Jaws of Life before they separated. With another quick peck they said their final good-byes and Edward ran to the car.
I got in silently as did he. With the waves of fury emanating from my body, Edward was in a better mood than usual. The disturbing images swam to the front of my mind. I was nauseated. With a quick snigger Edward pulled out onto the main road and we headed back to Forks.
A/N: The end is approaching only two chapters left. Sorry this one took so long; my schedule has been very hectic lately. I will finish it by the end of Thursday guaranteed. If not, may I be kicked in a hole by SCKATHERS.
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