Oh yes I updated! And promptly! I just saw the Last Airbender and the Karate Kid today. They were very good. Planning on seeing Eclipse on Tuesday. Well here's the next installment so I hope you like it.

Chapter Twenty: Hardly a Hero

Jasper followed me out of the forest and back towards the road. I told him where we were supposed to go but I knew he wouldn't be letting me out of his sight anytime soon. Seth hadn't talked since we found him. He was sleeping, his head lolled against Jasper's shoulder as we made our way to the hotel. It didn't take us too long. I winced when I saw the Escalade in the parking lot. Crap, they were here.

Using his vampiric speed Jasper slipped past everyone's prying eyes and into the elevator. I stuck to the stairs. It would give me time to think about what to say to Edward and give Seth and Jasper some private time. As I trudged up the stairs to the 17th floor where the Cullen's were staying I thought about what exactly I could say to my imprint to make him forgive me. I knew he was only worried and would never hurt me but I still couldn't stand the thought of him angry with me.

"Okay okay calm down." I said, taking a breath as I reached the 17th floor. "He won't be mad, you know that. Just…apologize. Ugh fuck it."

I pushed open the door with a groan. Taking the key-card out of my back pocket I slid it into the door. I took another breath and stepped over the threshold. As I walked into the room I saw instantly that Edward wasn't there.

"Jacob thank God!" Esme said, rushing over to me and giving me a hug.

Carlisle gave me a tight-lipped smile from his place beside the bed. Seth was laying out, twitching and breathing heavily, as Carlisle tried to stitch him up. Alice was practically dry-sobbing as she held his hand. Jasper stood over her with his hand on her shoulder. His eyes looked empty.

"Where's Edward?" I finally asked when my voice started to work.

Esme took my arm and led me out to the balcony. She shut the sliding glass door just as a particularly loud cry came from Seth. I shuddered and leaned against the railing.

"Edward was very hurt by you leaving, Jacob." Esme said, mimicking my stance albeit more gracefully.

I sighed, "I know he was. And I wanted to apologize…but he's not here." I turned to face her, "Is he all right?"

"Physically Edward is just fine." Esme said, "Mentally he's very fragile. He's not as strong as he thinks he is and he's just as reckless as you. He just won't admit it."

I swallowed hard, "He went after me alone, didn't he?"

Esme smiled sadly, "Once Edward sets his mind to something there's no convincing him otherwise. But if you call for him I'm sure he'll come back."

I watched her go back into the hotel and thought. Call him? I honestly doubted that he took his cell phone on a dangerous suicide mission to bring back his idiotic head-strong mate. Wait a minute…call.

'Now you're getting it.' Damon said.

Duh, I was a wolf and Edward was part of my pack. The light-bulb went off in my head as I contemplated what I was about to do. I was going to howl like an idiot from the balcony and hope Edward heard me. Yes crazy I know. Looking over my shoulder I pursed my lips and let a low howl drift through them.

"Awooo?" I said, feeling like a total assclown for thinking this would work.

Shaking off my nerves I tried again; this time a little louder. "Awooooooo!"

I jumped when I heard the front door of the room slam. Holy Hell it actually worked. Edward was staring at me behind the glass with anger and relief. I gulped; glad there was something in between us. I saw him converse quickly with Carlisle and obviously offer his condolences to Alice and Jasper. Closing my eyes I focused on my how rapid my heartbeat was becoming. Edward had this affect on me. I heard the door slid open.

"Jacob Black get in here." Edward ground out.

I didn't look at him, "Nice to see you too."

"Now."

"Not so nice." I said under my breath as I turned to face him.

His eyes were as black as tar and his face looked harder than usual. He was exuding a frustrated scent and I knew better than to try his patients. I walked past the best where Seth was now sleeping fitfully and into the nice little sitting room in our suite. Edward leaned against the wall with his arms folded over his chest. I rocked back on my heels.

"I'm sorry." I said slowly.

Edward's eyes dropped and he ran his fingers through his hair, "Jacob I'm not looking for an apology. I want an explanation."

He hugged me so fast I didn't have time to react. I sank into the embrace. I'd missed my imprint. Being away from him for two days had been hard. It was hard for us both. As I inhaled Edward's wonderful scent I tried to come up with something to say to him. I wanted to put his mind at ease but I also wanted to tell the truth. Edward's lips pressed against mine in a desperate kiss.

"I thought I'd lost you." He whispered, kissing me again, "What were you thinking, going off on your own like that? It was irresponsible Jacob. I don't know what I'd do without you, love."

"Okay so I figured I'd go after Seth and Bella. I mean, you just left me here out of the action. What'd you think I was gonna do?" I said a little fiercer than intended.

"You're right." Edward said, "But I just want to protect you."

I sighed and wrapped my arms around his neck, "This imprint thing is a two-way street. I protect you, you protect me."

"Jacob…"

"Don't get all mushy. I'm here, I'm intact. Let's worry about Bella. She's out there all alone and as a friend I'm obligated to go after her." I left out the part about me thinking I was some sort of champion; Edward really didn't need to know my own conceited opinion of myself.

I looked up when I heard Carlisle clear his throat. His hands were tinged red from Seth's blood; I saw Edward's nose wrinkle.

"Is Seth okay?" I asked.

Carlisle nodded, "He'll survive. I'm worried about the depth of those gashes. He isn't healing as quickly as I would expect."

My attention peaked, "Not healing? That isn't possible, even a puppy like Seth should've healed partially by now."

The familiar pulling feeling hit me and I staggered in Edward's embrace. I shut my eyes tightly. Edward helped me over to a chair.

"What's wrong?" he and Carlisle asked almost in unison.

I clutched my head, "Vision incoming."

"Stop!" Alice suddenly cried.

The Escalade lurched to a halt. The vision was strangers still. This time I could see myself. I wasn't corporeal so I just kind of tagged along in the backseat with my future self and Edward.

"What's wrong Alice?" Esme asked.

Alice already had the car door open and was running into the night.

"Damnit Alice." Edward cursed, throwing his door open to chase her.

"Edward!" Carlisle called after him.

Great. We were all running after Alice who was full on vampire sprinting towards something we couldn't see. I stopped, totally out of breath, when I finally caught up to them. Alice was kneeling on the ground, her body completely closed in, as her shoulders shook. She was gripping a piece of fabric in her tiny fists. I recognized it as the blue checked shirt Seth was wearing when he left.

I sniffed, catching a whiff of a strange scent on the wind. We were being watched.

Damon growled, 'She's here.'

Everyone stiffened. Edward instinctively moved in front of me. Oh fuck this.

"Hey!" I yelled into the darkness, "You wanted me so now I'm here!"

"Jacob." Edward rumbled, "What the hell are you doing?"

"Getting a look at who we're really fighting." I said.

Why was I being so stupid?

A powerful feminine voice hissed at us, "Cold ones…more cold ones…"

"Get used to it sister." I said under my breath.

'Make them leave,' Damon said, 'She'll turn them against you.'

'I can't. What the fuck am I supposed to say 'thanks for the help but hit the bricks I got it from here?' they're my family!' I retorted.

'We've gotta get away. You're not safe around them. She possessed life-size Barbie before what's to stop her from possessing the whole clan? She's engineered her magic specifically for vampires, because of me. Because of who I loved so long ago. She'll make them turn on one another until they come after you.'

Fucking hell this was getting too complicated. I gulped, getting ready so shift and run.

'I love you Edward.'

"Jacob what are you-?"

That was all my imprint had a chance to say before I dashing towards the voice. My wolf burst forward as I charged headfirst into God knows what. It was the second time in a week I was running into jeopardy.

I sniffed. Seth was very close and so was…Jasper? Was that who I smelled? His scent was different…darker. I couldn't smell Bella at all.

'He's following.' Damon said, 'Get rid f him.'

Edward was indeed following me.

"Jacob stop!" He yelled frustration clear in his voice.

'No can do. I've got to do this alone.'

He growled, "This is suicide!"

What I saw next surprised me. It was Leah; as in 'thought she hated my guts Leah'. She had her nose to the ground and was obviously tracking something.

'Leah? Really?'

Yuppers that's it for now. Next chapter I think we'll meet Sia and get down to the nitty gritty but I'm still not sure yet. It depends what I think of when I see Eclipse again. Ha I'm so terrible. Please review, I really love them. They make me feel so good. XOXO- Ellie Cullen