(Twilight theme by Stephanie Meyer)

EPOV

We held each other until the sun rose and we heard Charlie stir. Bella convinced me to go home while she talked him down. She was visibly nervous about what he would say about my family being back in town. She pulled on a hooded sweater and made her way downstairs, I was going to stay and listen, but she had asked me to let her handle this. I would find out all about it from Charlie's thoughts and maybe screams later.

Bella pulled into the school and the whole student body's attention was fixed on her and what she would do once she realized that Alice and I were back. I had already been to the main office and reenrolled. Luckily I was able to maintain my schedule from the beginning of the year and I had all my classes with Bella.

We stood in the parking lot and no one dared to come near us, but they were all hyper aware of us. When Bella stepped down from her truck she was mobbed by her classmates. They tried to tell her and began pointing in the direction of my Volvo. Bella freed herself from the small mob and gracefully made her way towards me. After a second of hesitation she threw her arms around me and I returned the affectionate gesture. I took her hand and we made it to our first class with only a small group of onlookers.

At lunch Alice and I sat at the end of Bella's usual lunch table and she would split her time between us and them. I was glad to see that she had not let my departure affect the relationship she had with her friends. Although they way they spoke made me believe that the friendships were only newly rekindled. Their thoughts were comparing the Bella they knew after I left and the recently awakened Bella. Alice and I moved the food around our trays and listened to the conversations. I listened to the thoughts and one person's in particular stood out; Mike Newton.

I guess they got back together, wonder what happened to her thing with Jacob, they looked like they were pretty much together when we went to the movies. She wouldn't even hang out with us during Spring break, she spent all her time in La Push. It is nice to see her smiling like that again. She is so pretty…

I held back the insane jealousy and looked at Bella instead. She did look happy, and I knew I had something to do with it. That was enough for me, she caught me looking at her and her cheeks lit up in a beautiful color. How could I live with myself if I took that away from the world. The rest of the day I wrestled with the decision I needed to make. I asked for time, but I knew that she would only give me days, maybe weeks before she demanded a decision.

One thing I didn't need time to decide was her safety. I would not let anything hurt her again. She would definitely not be going to La Push anytime soon. I knew that I owed them my gratitude for keeping her alive, but from my experience I knew it was dumb luck that she was left unharmed. Young wolves were unpredictable and extremely unstable creatures. Bella only saw her friend, little Jacob Black. She would never understand.

BPOV (Two weeks later)

"Bella, Billy invited us to a barbeque tonight at Sue's house."

I made it a point not to look at Edward knowing the disapproving look I would get. Anything related to La Push or the wolves was off limits for me. I missed Jacob so much. He doesn't come to see me anymore or pick up my phone calls. Well, when I am able to call. Edward pretends to leave each night and then my attempts continue until something tells me he is back in my room. So that makes it a 25 minute window each night, if that. The last two weeks have been completely mixed for me. I am ecstatic that Edward is back, that he loves me, but in his absence Jacob became such a big part of me that it has been hard to be away from him. I have not seen him since he dropped me home from the airport. I have a feeling that Edward being in my room at night may have something to do with it. I was honest with him, throughout our relationship, but actions speaking louder than words I know it is my fault that he had hope of more from me. I stopped the mental scolding I was giving myself and resolved to try and mend fences if he would see me tonight.

Edward couldn't stop me if I went with Charlie; could he? I began to wonder, but Charlie was giving me a look that let me know I had gone too long without speaking and I took a chance.

"Sure Dad, I wanted to check on Seth and Leah. I haven't seen them since before the funeral."

"Great we will leave in an hour or so." He didn't even pretend to be polite and invite Edward.

"Do you want me to whip up a side dish to bring over?"

"Yeah, that would be nice, or, if you want or we can stop in town on the way."

"I'll make a fruit salad it won't take long at all." The less time we spent on this side of the line meant less chance of Edward stopping us.

I kept my head down until Charlie left the kitchen. I felt his eyes burning a hole in my cheek; I took a deep breath and cleared my face when I finally looked at him.

"You can't go Bella." He spat.

"Yes, I can!" I whispered "I have barely spent any time with Charlie and I want to go Edward."

"It is not safe, I can't watch you there."

"Well, I will be safe. The pack hasn't let anything bad happen to me before." I immediately heard the implication in my words and wished I could take them back. I looked at him apologetically. He hid any hurt behind his piercing stare. I stood up and began to cut the fruit from the fridge. We actually did not have as much as I thought, but a trip to the store was not an option at this point. I grabbed a carton of strawberries and the bunch of bananas from the fridge and a scoop of sugar. Edward was silent as he watched me and I decided to stay silent until he was ready to speak to me. I finished cutting the fruit without cutting myself and I smiled as a celebration over the small victory. I turned around to see Edward staring at the table. I mixed the fruit and sugar and covered the large bowl with cling wrap.

It was killing me not to say anything to him, but I needed to get dressed. I was in sweats and a t-shirt and the thermometer on the window told me that I would need to wear a little more. I placed the food in the fridge and ran up the stairs to my room. I shut my door and began to look through my closet for something to wear. I didn't care, but thinking about clothes was better than lingering in the kitchen with that tension between us. The weather called for layers tonight. I put on a beater and a black thermal shirt and put a t-shirt on top. That with jeans and sneakers and I was dressed. It only took 5 minutes to do all this and I had to open my bedroom door and deal with Edward head on. I brushed my hair and clipped the bangs out of the way and went back downstairs. He had not moved an inch. Charlie must be in his room changing into civilian clothes.

"Bella, I cannot let you go to La Push."

"Edward, you haven't let me go anywhere since you came back!"

"Why not call Angela and go out with her?" He said desperate to keep me in town. I had had enough of his overprotective act. I enjoy his company, but I am suffocating. I need to take care of this. Who knows when I will see Jake next, what if I have changed before I do. I will never get to apologize. I decided to stick to my guns and my inner teenager came out to answer him.

"Sure, I will call and see if she wants to come to a barbeque I am going to tonight." I know I sound stubborn, but I was not going to let him stop me today. I was feeling determined.

"NO" He said slamming his hand down on the table. I jumped and he must have seen the fear that was now coursing through my veins. He was at my side so fast and he held me to him. I wanted to cry but something kept me from doing so.

The door bell rang and I heard a growl erupt from Edward's chest. I pushed away from him and went to get the door, but he beat me there. He opened the door and there stood Jacob Black.

I squirmed in front of Edward putting myself in the middle of the two growling men in my doorway.

"Jake!" I exclaimed. My voice broke through his eye lock with Edward and he smiled at me. "What are you doing here?" I said unable to hide my excitement.

"Oh well, I am here to pick you up. Charlie is going straight to Sue's but the guys are at the beach, we don't want a cop rolling up on us if we can avoid it."

"She is not going anywhere with you." Edward spat as he pulled me behind him.

"I think Charlie would disagree with that leech. Oh and Bella wants to go. Don't you Bella?" He said without looking at me for confirmation. He knew I did, but I am not stupid enough to take a side here.

"I am going regardless. You two need to stop fighting, Charlie is coming."

"Bella, who is at the door?"

"It's Jake Dad. He wanted to drive me over; the kids are at the beach."

"Sounds good, did you want me to bring the food?"

I walked to the kitchen and pulled the dish from the fridge. Charlie gave me an 'is everything okay?' look. I nodded and handed him the large bowl. "You think you made enough kid?"

"Trust me dad those Quileute boys can eat." I heard a laugh come from the front door. "I will see you at Sue's later ok?"

He followed me to the door and his face lit up noticeably when he caught sight of Jacob. "Hey Jake, good to see you kid!" He composed himself and put on his dad face. "Keep Bella out of trouble tonight and no matter what she says an overnight trip anywhere is not ok."

"Sure sure Charlie." Jake offered his hand to me, but I grabbed Edward's instead and led him to his car. We waited until Charlie left the driveway, "Edward, I will be fine. I just need this time with my family okay?"

I knew that by wording it this way it would be easier to get him to let go.

"What time will you be back?" He said in a defeated tone.

"Not too late, I promise." I smiled and kissed him gently. I heard a growl behind me and I broke the kiss quickly. "I am going to get going. I will see you tonight."

He stood staring after me and I jogged over to the Rabbit. Jake grabbed me up in a big bear hug knocking all the wind from my lungs before putting me down abruptly. "Wow, Bella, you reek…"

I rolled my eyes and he grabbed me up again this time exhaling into my hair. He sniffed, "Much better." I heard a growl now from the other side of the lawn and I was too much of a coward to look over at Edward. I quickly got into the car and unlocked the driver's side for Jake and we sped down my sleepy street towards the beach.

Once we got past what I assume is the borderline Jake slowed his speed considerably.

"Jake, I'm so-"

"Don't Bella. Just don't. I want to enjoy tonight and if you say what I think you are going to, I won't be able to."

"Ok" I said, "but I will say it eventually…" I stubbornly added under my breath.

"I know Bella and I know that when you finally get to say it you will mean it." He smiled his cocky smile and it set me at ease immediately. We pulled up to the beach soon after and I was excited to see the pack, but I hadn't thought our reunion through. I was met by a wall of hateful glares. I was vampire girl again.

"C'mon Bella." Jake said as he grabbed my hand. I did not know what to do. Should I let him hold my hand? I sighed then realized that being here I was already hurting people's feelings, and if you are going to break the rules you may as well do it right. Besides that, it made me feel a bit safer with Jacob so close to me.

"Hey Bella! Howz it?" A familiar friendly voice called from the other side of the bon fire. Seth Clearwater, he was growing at an alarming rate too. He was a lot smaller the last time I saw him.

"Hey Seth, I'm doing okay, how are you? How is Leah?"

"We're doing fine. You know, we are mainly taking care of mom."

I nodded my head and felt so guilty I missed the funeral. "I haven't seen you in a while." Another voice joined our conversation; Sam Uley.

"Sorry, I've been grounded. I am unable to come over here until Charlie gets over my little spontaneous trip."

"To save the leech?"

"C'mon Sam. Leave her alone."Jacob said coming to my rescue from Sam's verbal attack

"No, if she is going to be on our turf she can take it!" Paul chimed in.

"I don't understand how you can stand by them… after what they did to you." Sam said ignoring the side conversation going on.

"I don't expect anyone to understand why I have chosen this." I wasn't even sure how long it would last this time. The volturi could show up any day and since my heart still beats I would be dead on sight. I was not going to bring that up though. They were still worried about Victoria lurking in the woods somewhere. I did not need to add to their anxiety. A new hole tore in my chest and Jacob pulled me away from the pack.

"They are just worried about you Bells. They care about you a lot." He said looking embarrassed.

"I should have come down here sooner to explain."

"Why didn't you tell me you were grounded?" He demanded

"Why do you think I haven't been down to La Push to kick your butt for avoiding my phone calls?" I countered.

He grabbed two glasses and handed me one. I drank reflexively and made a face at the bitter tasting drink in my hands.

"Since when do you drink Jake?"

"Our body temperature runs so high that it burns off the alcohol almost immediately. No biggie… you want something else?"

"Well, I would prefer a soda if you got it." The alcohol would help warm me, but the added coordination issues would be a bad idea.

"No problem one coke coming up."

The next hour passed by in the same rhythm we had before the Italy incident. We talked cars and bikes, school, and patrol / pack life.

"Jacob, time to eat!" Someone called from down the beach.

Jacob stood and took my hand leading me towards the rabbit. We arrived at the Clearwater house and my mouth began to water at the smell of the barbeque. Most of the pack was already seated at the table when we rolled up. I scanned the crowd and Charlie was easy to find. He was next to Sue and Billy, and waved me over.

"I made you a plate; you were right about those Quileute boys." He said handing me a decent sized portion of everything.

"Thanks dad."

"I'm glad to see you and Jake hanging out."

"Yeah, I've really missed him. Maybe after I am off house arrest we can hang out more often." I hinted.

"We'll see. Go eat Bells."

The pack had forgiven me by the time the meal was over. Mainly because Jacob and I were back to our usual relationship and if he accepted me then they did. Charlie drove home and I was given the option to stay so I took it. It was still before midnight and I considered it to be early.

Half the pack went to Sam's to watch a movie while the other half took first patrol. Jake was technically on patrol, but since I was the target he was allowed by Sam to hang out in human form with me. We decided to go for a walk and ended up on the cliffs. Jacob picked up a rock and threw it off the cliff watching it as it hit the water. It was too dark for me to see it, but I assume that's what he was doing. It was silent for a while then he said it, "I was so scared, Bella." He said without turning to look at me. "What if I had not been there to pull you out? Then you just pick up and leave on a suicide mission!" He was trembling as he spoke. "And by some miracle you come home, unharmed, and you choose him."

"Jake-"

"Yeah yeah, you are sorry. I know. I am not mad anymore. I can't be, I've missed you too much."

"So even if I am with him, you'll still be my friend?"

"Yeah, I'll always be your friend. No matter what you love." He paused, "It was easier when we were both human, wasn't it?"

He said sitting at the edge of the cliff. I sat next to him and he draped his arm over my considerably smaller frame. The warmth from his body kept me protected from the icy Washington wind.

"Yep, but I guess that a normal life was not in the cards for either of us. I will say that it was fun while it lasted."

He smiled and we sat watching the waves below us until the inevitable night rain began. He drove me back towards Forks, but we were met at the border by a less than friendly looking Edward.

"It would probably hurt my car more than him if I went through his roadblock huh?" Jacob said half pissed half amused.

"We should probably stop." I said feeling Edward's gaze penetrating the car straight to my guilty conscience.

(A/N: Sorry I realized I was drifting from my original timeline/ outline so I decided to condense and spend some time with Jacob in this chapter. Sink into me is coming to an end and I really want to get it out. Send me some love and let me know what you think :D )