How long have I
been in this storm
so overwhelmed by the ocean's shapelessform
water's getting harder to tread
with these waves crashing over my head

if I could just see you
everything will be alright
if I'd see you
the storminess will turn to light…

Lifehouse-Storm

Things kind of fell into a pattern around Bella and I. Without my knowledge my parents had asked if Charlie could keep an eye on me and I was thankful for it even if I was 18. So usually I slept over at Bella's house, so we would wake up get ready in an incredibly small bathroom, go to school, get done with school, go to La push, Charlie would come by for dinner at the Black's or Clearwaters and then we would all go home. Saturday's though, they were a bit long. Bella had to work and I didn't have anyone to hang out with until she got off. All the boys were busy patrolling and so I was one my own. Usually I would just relax on the beach and listen to my music, it helped.

That happened to be what I was doing one day when I got scared shitless.

I saw the shadow before I heard anything and quickly turned around ripping out my earbuds.

"Calm down, It's just me," Paul sighed obviously tired.

"Hey," I gave a small smile, "How's it going?"

"You mean…"

"Yeah her," I nodded.

"You're kind of a straight forward girl Piper." He asked a little surprised.

"I don't like beating around the bush when my life is concerned. Might as well just find out," I shrugged.

"She hard to get to, it's almost like she can sense us coming."

"Oh," I frowned.

"Why don't you go over to Emily's it will be warmer there?" He gave a small smile.

"It reminds me to much of another place," I muttered.

"Where?" He asked and I could see him fighting sleep.

"You're not going to like it," I gave a little smile, "Why don't you just go to sleep?"

"Because I want to talk to you," He gave a wide smile. "Now tell me."

"It reminds me of the Cullen's."

"Emily's reminds you of the leech's mansion," He sounded disgusted and I could see his anger rise.

"Calm down Paul," I whispered looking in his eyes while putting my hand over his. I saw him blink slowly and shake his head. "Better?" I asked and he nodded. "You have to remember they aren't my enemies. They were like a second family to me. It was comforting there, Edward would play his piano, Emmett and Jasper would be playing a complicated game of chess or wrestling." I felt my eyes start to tear. Remembering that Emmett hadn't called in awhile, "It might not sound joyous to you but to me it was."

"Sorry," he muttered and I nodded a bit surprised by the apology. "How come you can talk about them and Bella can't." I gave him a confused look, "The wolf mind thing, Jacob thinks about Bella a lot."

"Oh umm I guess I got closure with them, Bella didn't get to say goodbye."

"Oh," He nodded.

For the next couple hours I talked to Paul until Bella got there and then he went off to get some sleep finally.

"So are you ready to get out of here for spring break?" Bella asked as we walked into Billy's.

"Not really, I don't want Victoria to follow me there," I muttered talking about my cousins in Eastern Washington.

"It's only a couple day's I'm sure that they will keep her distracted."

"Yeah remember I'll be back Thursday don't do anything stupid until then so I can try and talk you out of it."

"I'll try," she rolled her eyes.

oOo

Sunday afternoon I arrived in Pullman, Washington to stay at my cousin's rental for a couple days then would drive back to Forks.

I got to her place on the campus quickly enough and pulled into her driveway. "Piper!" she called running out and practically jumping on me.

"Heyyyyy," I smiled and hugged her tight.

"You're just in time my roommates were going to go down to Granite Rock and now we can go to."

"Goodie," I laughed as she helped me lift my bag out as I slung my purse and shoulder bag over my shoulder.

As we walked in I saw a two pretty blondes, "Piper this is Brook and Rachel. Guys this is my cousin Piper."

"Hey," I gave a tiny wave.

"It's good to finally meet you we've heard tons about you."

"Thanks…I think," I furrowed my eyebrows and they both laughed.

"Well come on cuz, if we hurry up we can grab some Cougar Country before we go."

"Alright!" I groaned and we walked into her room where an air mattress was already set up. Quickly enough I got changed into my swimsuit and a pair of shorts to hide the scars. I pulled a striped tank top over my top and we were off to the legendary rock.

We split up into two cars and I got to open up the top of my Jeep for the first time in a long time on the drive down there. For the first time in awhile I actually felt like a teenager driving with the radio blasting and my sunglasses from Devan on.

"So Pippa?" She asked with my family's nickname for me once we were settled on large boulder as the side of the river.

"Yup cuz?" I smiled.

"Last thing I heard you had a boyfriend, so hows that going?" Smiling I looked down at the ring on my finger.

"It's going great actually."

"Ooooh," She smirked and followed my eye line, "is that from him?"

"Yes," I smiled and she picked up my hand.

"Are those bears?"

"Yup," I laughed, "if you saw a picture you'd understand."

"You don't have a picture?" she gasped faking hurt.

"I didn't think about it."

"I guess you'll just have to describe him," she smiled.

"Well ummm," I smiled picturing him perfectly in my head, "he's tall and muscular, a bit pale but it works for him, his eyes are kind of a golden color, he's got dark brown almost black curly hair, he's got these amazing dimples that show whenever he smiles." I was fully aware of the dreamy tone my voice had gotten but didn't care.

"How old it he again?" she giggled smirking over at me.

"19," I lied going with his age in school, "he goes to Dartmouth."

"Wow," She smiled. "Forks to Dartmouth."

Giggling I settled back onto my towel.

oOo

The rest of the week went by pretty quickly but I was disappointed the Emmett didn't call. It was usually when he did but for some reason he hadn't.

The drive back to Forks and I had started early in the morning getting me back there at around noon. I didn't even bother going to the house just driving right into La Push knowing that's where Bella would be.

As I skipped up onto the Black's porch- the first place I had gone- I wished I'd worn jeans back here instead of shorts.

I knocked but no one answered and figured that the only other places would be the beach or Emily's so, and since the beach was closest I tried there first.

I pulled up just as I saw her start walking up a path towards the cliffs, quickly I turned off the engine and got out jogging down to the beach, confused as to what she was doing. I looked out to the water and saw what appeared to be a storm brewing, causing the waves to crash violently into the cliffs.

'I don't even get a day for rest.'

"Bella!" I called out and she stopped on the lane I jogged a bit faster and caught up. "What are you doing?"

"I'm going cliff diving," she said determined and I looked over at the crashing water, then back at her like she was crazy.

"Bella I don't think today is a good day," I frowned and she started walking with a new vigor. I had to rush to keep up but quickly fell behind not used to this pace up a freaking cliff. "Bella this is a bad idea!"

"I'm doing it Piper," she said as we started on a little path that lead us to the top edge.

"This is a horrible idea." I voiced yet again and the incoming storm started to reach us. "What about waiting for Jacob, or let's do it together tomorrow?"

"No," was all she said.

"Isabella Marie Swan," I growled as she stepped out to the edge, but she had tuned out, listening to Edwards voice most likely. I mean this would be the prime time for it to come out. The wind whipped my hair around as rain started.

"This is idiotic and reckless!" I shouted but it fell on deaf ears. I watched as she rolled up onto the balls of her feet and reached out trying to catch her lurching forward but she was already gone.

"Bella!" I screamed and moved the edge just seeing her go in. I watched as she surfaced and then get pushed back down under.

"Help!" I screamed hoping someone was near and I got on my hands and knees watching helplessly. What good would I do jumping in after her, I'd probably just kill myself.

"Bella!" I screamed again hopelessly suddenly I watched as I blur passed me and leapt off. I just caught the tan skin and black hair as it went under the water. It was a couple of long seconds before he surfaced again with her in tow. Quickly I got up and raced down the path tripping and falling a couple times in my haste. I felt hot tears rolling down my cheeks mixing with the hard cold rain. I had to have made it down that path in record time because when I got to the beach Jacob was pounding on Bella with Sam standing over them.

"Breathe, Bella! C'mon!" Jacob begged and I skidded to a stop. He pounded another time and thankfully got some water out this time.

"Bella?" Jacob asked. "Bells, honey, can you hear me?"

"How long has she been unconscious?" Sam asked

"I don't know," he reported and both eyes turned to me.

"She was only in a few minutes," I mumbled and broke down kneeling and putting my head in my hands.

'It's all my fault, I shouldn't have left her alone.' I felt a hot hand on my shoulder and Sam kneeled down beside me.

"She's breathing. She'll come around." He soothed and I looked up watching her chest rise and fall, "We should get her out of the cold, though. I don't like the color she's turned."

"You think it's okay to move her?"

"She didn't hurt her back or anything when she fell?"

"I don't know." Jacob said and I shook my head.

"Jake?" she croaked after a few minutes.

"Oh!" He gasped and I felt Sam pat my back and I glanced up at him with a small smile. "Oh, Bella! Are you okay? Can you hear me? Do you hurt anywhere?"

"J-just m-my throat," she stuttered out.

"Let's get you out of here, then," Jacob said and slid his arms around her lifting her up. Holding out his hand Sam helped me up my knees groaning in pain and I looked down to see both cut up from the falls.

"You got her?" Sam asked as I followed behind.

"Yeah, I'll take it from here. Get back to the hospital. I'll join you later. Thanks Sam." Jacob called.

"How did you find me?" Bella asked as I followed behind the two running as Jacob jogged.

"I was searching for you," he said. "I followed the tire tracks to your truck, and then I heard Piper screaming…" I saw him shudder. "Why would you jump, Bella? Didn't you notice that it's turned into a hurricane out here? Couldn't you have waited for me?" He asked and then suddenly turning on me and I skipped to the stop halted by the look on his face. "And why didn't you stop her! Pull her back!"

"I-I," I stuttered looking down at the ground like a scolded child.

"Don't yell at her," Bella's voice came out raspy but strong, "she tried to stop me. It was all my doing, it was stupid, sorry." She ended in a mutter and I slowly followed behind again as he started.

"Yeah, it was really stupid," He agreed. "Look, do you mind saving the stupid stuff for when I'm around? I won't be able to concentrate if I think you're jumping off cliffs behind my back."

"Sure," she agreed, "no problem. What happened today? Did you…find her?"

I saw Jacob shake his head, "No. She took off into the water the bloodsuckers have the advantage there. That's why I raced home, I was afraid she was going to double back swimming. You both spend so much time on the beach…"

"Sam came back with you…is everyone else home, too?" I asked softly.

"Yeah. Sort of."

"You said…hospital. Before, to Sam. Is someone hurt? Did she fight you?" Bella's voice jumped up worried.

"No, no. When we got back, Em was waiting with the news. It's Harry Clearwater. Harry had a heart attack this morning."

"Harry?" Bella asked and I frowned. "Oh no! Does Charlie know?"

"Yeah. He's over there, too, with my dad."

"Is Harry going to be okay?" I asked.

"It doesn't look so great right now."

"What can I do?" Bella asked as we walked in Jacobs house.

"You can stay here," Jacob commanded as he dumped Bella on the couch. "I mean it, right here." He gave me and hard stare and I nodded. "I'll get you both some dry clothes and you some bandages Piper."

"Thank you," I whispered softly still a little thrown back by him yelling at me. I heard him rummaging around in his bedroom for a bit before emerging with a handful of gray cotton.

"These will be huge on the both of you but it's the best I've got." He threw a pile at Bella and walked over handing my mine along with some Band-Aids.

"Thank you," I whispered again avoiding his eyes.

I heard him sigh slightly, "I'm sorry for yelling at you Piper."

"It's alright," I gave a little nod.

"I'll, er, step outside so you can change," He started.

"Don't go anywhere. I'm too tired to move yet. Just stay with me." Bella said from the couch.

Jacob sat down on the floor next to her leaning his head back against the cushion of the couch and yawned, "Guess I could rest for a minute…"

Both of their eyes slid shut and I yawned too, seeing them and tired from the long drive. Sighing I sat down on the floor in front of the chair close enough to Jacob to warm up. Quickly enough my eyes slid shut and I fell asleep.

Next thing I knew a light flicked on and I startled awake, or maybe what woke me up was gigantic Jacob jumping to his feet either way I was awake.

"Sorry," Billy grunted. "Did we wake you?" Looking up I caught his expression and the sadness was back.

"Oh, no, Billy!" Bella moaned. Quickly Jacob hurried to his father's side. Sam was behind Billy pushing his chair.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered.

"It's gonna be hard all around," Billy nodded.

"Where's Charlie?" Bella asked.

"Your dad is still at the hospital with Sue. There are a lot of arrangements to be made."

"I'd better get back there," Sam mumbled and ducked out the door. Billy pulled away from Jake and rolled into the kitchen and he stared after him for a minute before coming to sit on the floor again.

"How are you feel? Are you okay? I probably should have taken you to a doctor or something." He sighed.

"Don't worry about me," she crocked.

"How about you Piper?" He looked down at my legs and I looked down to seeing the dried blood over my knees.

"I'm fine," I frowned. His head turned back to Bella.

"You don't look so good."

"I don't feel so good, either, I guess," Bella croaked.

"I'll go get your truck and then take you home, you probably ought to be there when Charlie gets back."

"Right." She nodded as he got up.

"Wait I'll get my Jeep," I followed him and he slowed down some so I could keep up.

"I'm really sorry Piper," Jacob muttered when we were about half way there.

"It's alright Jacob, I needed someone to say it to me," I looked down at my feet.

"I'm sure you tried everything Piper," He stated, "I've never seen someone try so hard to protect someone. Even putting themselves in danger."

"Yeah well this time I didn't and look what happened. I just stood up there yelling." I muttered

"I watched you step in front of her in that meadow," He said his voice strong, "And what would have jumping in done. You both would have just died."

"I could have tried, or tried to get her to stop more. I don't know."

"No," He stated firmly. "I'm sure you did all you could."

"Thanks Jacob," I nodded as we got to the vehicles. "So umm I'm going to go check on the house, drop off my bag and stuff. Then I'll be over to Bella's." I said prompting him to keep up with the guard schedule.

"Alright," he nodded.