I Do Not Own Much, Please Do Not Sue!

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Jacob was so tired. And hungry. But he couldn't stop. He had to get to La Push. He had to talk to Sue Clearwater. He couldn't phase though. The pack didn't need to know he was back. It sure was a long trip on foot from Canada.

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I was drying the dishes, my thoughts about my children when I heard sharp, insistent knocking on my front door. Now who could that be? As I moved through the house towards the door, the knocking became more insistent; opening it I was in for a surprise, "Jacob!?!"

"Sue, I hope you're not too busy, I need to talk!"

What was he doing back so soon? If I remember correctly, they're meant to be gone for two weeks. Come to think of it, young Jacob looks dead on his feet. "You know I'm never too busy for you Jacob, come on in." I opened the door further and stepped aside for him. But he didn't move.

"No offense Sue but I don't really want to talk about it here."

Of course, if it's a private matter, he wouldn't want anyone to overhear. "I just have a few things I need to attend to and then we can leave." As I made to go inside, a thought occurred to me. "Jacob, are you hungry?"

"To be honest, I'm starving!"

"There are some leftovers in the fridge, help yourself." The poor dear looks about ready to collapse, I wonder when last he had something to eat.

"Thanks!"

I got done as quickly as possible, then left a note for my kids telling them I'd gone for a drive and would be back late. When I got to the kitchen, the young wolf was pacing, "I'm ready to go if you are." He looked relieved which made me worry more, whatever had led to this must be very important. Or something terrible had happened.

"Thank you Sue. Could I drive please?"

"Yes dear." I followed him out of the house and got into the passenger side of the truck. Once we were both safely inside, he took off. I spent the drive staring out the window but would sneak a peek at him every now and then, he was tense and deep in thought. Eventually when we were a good distance from both La Push and Forks, Jacob pulled over onto the side of the road. Taking the keys from the ignition he turned to me on the verge of tears.

"I . . . I don't know how it happened! I don't understand why . . . it wasn't necessary! There's . . . there's no point! What if . . . what if . . . "

"Jacob! You need to calm down. Take deep breaths and gather your thoughts, then start at the beginning. Okay?"

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Deep breaths. Gather my thoughts. Which beginning? Deep breaths. Gather my thoughts. Deep breaths. Maybe I should start where this whole thing started, just don'tthinkabouttheend! Just the beginning. Deep. Breaths.

"As you already know, I'm an apprentice at a mechanic in Port Angeles and work long hours from Monday to Saturday. And because I have to travel so far, I'm hardly at home so I don't get to see the girls much. So Edwa, no the Cullens and I came to an agreement; I would pick the girls up every night when I came from work, so that I could put them to bed and then every morning I would get them ready for Esme to pick them up after I've already left. I also get to keep them for the whole of Sunday. It's not the best scenario but . . . I don't want to depend on the Cullens for everything, no matter what they've said."

I was feeling a bit claustrophobic and constricted in the truck, so I got out and began pacing. Waiting till Sue joined me before I continued, "There's been so much tension between Edward and I, for so many reasons. And because of it we weren't spending anytime together, which was putting a strain on the imprint. I was beginning to feel a tightness in my chest and it was getting worse as the days went by. It's my own stupid fault! We'd been arguing on and off about the fact that I want, no need to work but mostly about the whole 'moving in together' business and sometimes we even argue about the girls. Even though I know living under the same roof is for the best, I . . . I don't want to! This . . . thing between us . . . it isn't permanent! I just don't want the girls to get their hopes up about us being a 'happy family' only for us to go our separate ways! The last thing either of us wants, is to hurt them."

I stood staring at the ground, my hands stuffed in my pockets. I didn't want to go on. I didn't want Sue to know what I'd done. "Jacob?" I looked up at her then, she had a concerned look on her face, in her eyes. I shook my head at her, silently asking her not to interrupt. I had to go on. I had to get it all out before I lost what courage I had left.

"One Saturday, some time ago, after finishing our work the boss let us leave earlier than usual. Some of the guys were going to a nearby bar to grab a few drinks and asked if I wanted to join them. It had been so long since I had had fun without worrying about the girls, that I agreed without thinking. I awoke the next morning to Edward standing over me with an empty bucket in his hand, the water it had held soaking into me and my bed. And he looked pissed! I wanted to sit up, so that I could remove my wet clothes but there was a weight across my chest. I looked down to find an arm strung around me, holding me tight, the arm belonged to some girl that lived in Forks. I think her name was Jessica, I was supposed to give her a lift home. I was probably so tired I forgot about her and she just followed me into the house when I got there, then fell asleep next to me on the bed. Edward stalked from the room and I followed him, wanting to know why he was there. And that's when it hit me – I hadn't fetched the girls! I didn't even call to let them know I was gonna be late! I don't even remember what time I had gotten in! We had a huge argument in the kitchen; waking dad, Charlie and the girl. Apparently his family and the girls had been worried about me, so he had come down to check that I was alright. And he had brought Sarah and Eva with him, although he had left them in the car. Which, according to him, was a good thing because then they didn't have to see their father in bed with some hussy. Nothing happened between us! At least I don't remember anything happening. But there was lipstick in my neck and on my right ear and a smudge of it by my mouth. When she stumbled into the kitchen in just her underwear, the bloodsucker left taking the girls with him! I was so furious! It was Sunday! My day with the girls! I tried calling him on his cell but he wouldn't answer! Esme visited later that day, she was clearly disappointment in me. She said she was the only one who knew what had happened and that it wouldn't change our arrangement. But if anything like that ever happened again, they would take the girls and leave. I was shocked speechless, THEY would take them away from ME! After that, whenever I fetched Sarah and Eva, Edward was never there. I know I did a stupid thing but . . ."

I trailed off not knowing how to justify my actions or if I even could. I didn't look at Sue, I didn't want to see the disappointment. Sighing, "When the boss called me into his office, I was so scared, thinking I had done something wrong. But he was smiling and then he gave me shocking news: I was being given a whole month off. He wouldn't tell me why, just said I was to leave immediately and to enjoy my vacation. A few days of absolute bliss later, dad woke me up really early for no reason. And then Carlisle was at my window asking for permission to enter my room. Once he was inside, he started telling me that I was going to some cabin in the middle of nowhere with Edward for two weeks, TWO WEEKS! And that I was leaving that morning! Of course I protested but he wouldn't take no for an answer and that's when I smelled him! I stomped down into the kitchen to confront him but he seemed confused. And then he was yelling at his dad and I was like, what the hell! He started yelling at me next and THEN, dad yelled at us both! After kissing the girls goodbye 'cos they weren't going with for some reason, I made my way outside. Edward took off the moment I was in the car, he's an even scarier driver when he is pissed off."

I took a few moments to catch my breath, Sue just watched me as I continued to pace. I was thankful that she was letting me get everything out before saying anything. "The drive was silent and uncomfortable, neither of us wanting to be the first one to speak. Although he had an unfair advantage 'cos he could hear my thoughts. So when I wasn't sleeping, the radio was on so that I could have something to distract me from thinking. After what felt like forever we finally got there. It really was in the middle of nowhere, the cabin was surrounded by a frozen wasteland. Once we were settled in, he took off and didn't return until the next day. Not that I cared, it was nice to finally have my head to myself. We coexisted in a sullen silence. I spent the time eating, sleeping and running in wolf mode because there was nothing else to do. I don't really know what he did to pass the time. He has this rule, he doesn't like anyone, besides his family of course, to see him hunt. Not that its something I would want to see anyway. I was out for a run when I stumbled across him, draining the blood out of some poor defenceless animal. I found myself watching in morbid fascination and without realising what I was doing, I crept closer. When he finally noticed me, he snapped. I changed into my human self, to try to reason with him but to no avail. I couldn't just stand there while he shouted at me, so I shouted back! I should have seen the warning signs but . . . but he was all up in my face and I was so caught up in the argument. And before either of us could react . . . before we could stop ourselves . . . it IT happened! AGAIN!"

I leaned against the side of the truck, blood red from embarrassment and only hoped Sue would understand what I was trying to tell her. I couldn't, wouldn't look at her.

"Jacob, are you saying the two of you . . . . . . mated?"

I groaned, hiding my face in my hands and gave a tentative nod.

"Oh! Oh my! Well then . . ."

She was at a loss for words, which made two of us. I was too scared and embarrassed to even think proper thoughts.

"Jacob, did you want it to happen?"

"What!?! No! Of course not! This . . . this imprint is to ensure Sarah's existence! She exists therefore there's no reason . . . no reason at all!" I can't believe she just asked me that question!

"So . . . where is Edward now?"

I was dumbstruck, I had been so focused on getting away that I had totally forgotten about him. "When I came too, he was still in the trance thing, so I fled. Other than that I have no idea!"

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