Thank you to my lovely Betas: Kitty aka Cat(Rhodes11) and Shamika aka October Skies! I love you girls so much, and I appreciate everything you've done, all the hard work to help me get this chapter out and the support! Also, Kitty, thank you for the banner - still loves it!

Chapter title comes from Ever After - Marianas Trench, I don't own any of the characters or songs used. Thank you for reading and being so patient with me on this chapter, I hope you enjoy it!

*I Know You See Me*

**Jacob's POV – Don't You Pull Away From Me Now*

I ran as fast as my paws would carry me. Nothing else mattered to me at that very moment except getting to Bella as quickly as possible. I had been stupid to let her walk away from me – foolish to believe that I could just let her go. I should have known better than to let her leave; Bella had never been very smart when it came to doing the right thing for herself. It wasn't even about me at this point – though she had pretty much ripped me apart and left me to bleed out and die. This was about Bella and keeping her safe. She was mine to protect, and I would do my job. I would never fail her again – no matter what.

All the time we had wasted and all the unnecessary hurt and pain; for what? All because we were stupid and stubborn, and I couldn't place all the blame on Bella. It was my fault, too. I had kept something important, something vital and life changing from her. I knew what was going to happen, deep in my heart I knew…

I'd kept the imprint a secret; she would be hurt, maybe even devastated. But, she had hurt me, too. We were always hurting each other – it was just what we did. We were made for each other, but because we couldn't be honest and just let our relationship become what it was meant to be, pain had become a constant reminder that we were both fools – hard headed, stubborn fools.

I could feel the burn in my legs intensify as I pushed myself harder. I had to be fast enough… I had to make it to her in time. No one would ever take Bella away from me again. I would make it to her in time; I would make her see that I was always the one that was meant to take care of her. She would not push me away again; I would not allow it. No matter how hard she resisted, I would make Isabella Swan mine… in every way possible.

I wasn't going to waste any more time, fighting against fate. I'd already been away from her for five years – time I would never get back. She and I would make new memories; I would show her new reasons for her to love me. I could be everything she'd ever need and more. I was hers… no question about it. Bella Swan owned me, heart and soul.

Now, if only I could make her see that no one could – or would – ever love her the way I did.

I had to focus; I knew that. I had to reach Bella before Edward did something stupid. He was already going to pay for scaring her – she should never feel uncomfortable or unsafe – ever! If he took it upon himself to lay a finger on her, I would take immense pleasure in ripping him apart piece by tiny fucking piece along with anyone else who tried to get in my way.

The question was would Edward really hurt her? Deep inside I knew, I knew the answer to that question – and with that realization, I pumped my body harder and faster still. There was no doubt in my mind that he would do just that. He was mad, upset; maybe even a little hurt that Bella had finally done the right thing: turned him away.

The trees began to thin a bit, more buildings began cropping up and I felt as if I were going to collapse due to exhaustion, but still I pushed toward my mate. I couldn't stop, not until I saw Bella with my own eyes and knew she was safe. If anything happened to her –

No… I couldn't think that way. I would make it to her in time. I had to…

"I'm coming, Bella – just hang on baby…"

*Our Surprise Guest POV*

"Don't touch her, Edward. You don't want to do this." Even as I said the words, I knew they weren't true. The lie tasted foul and foreign on my tongue, and I didn't like it. My stomach felt as if it was churnin', which I knew was impossible, at the knowledge that I was bold-faced lyin' about Edward's intentions. I would never again lie for this man I'd once considered 'family'. His feelin's stated very clearly that he was enjoyin' this much more than he should; but Bella was what was important here – gettin' her away from Edward, far away.

Brother or no, I would kill Edward if he hurt her. I could feel how much he wanted this; he wanted to taste her blood more than even I'd ever wanted to. This wasn't the man I'd come to admire, trust, even love. This man was the monster that haunted people's nightmares, and he was out for revenge.

He wanted to hit Jacob Black where he knew it would hurt him the most – and he would do whatever it took to accomplish that goal.

Even hurt the woman he'd once claimed to love more than life itself.

"Ja…"

I finally looked to Bella, her tiny frame dwarfed by my so-called brother's – her eyes filled with tears and the scent of her fear hangin' in the air, so thick you could slice through it with a knife – as Edward ran his nails down the soft flesh of her throat. The angry red stood out against the paleness of her skin, marking and marrin' its way down her neck and onto her clothing.

I heard the dull thud as her skull collided with the wall behind her, but the scent of her fear became overshadowed by the thick and heavenly scent of blood. I swallowed impulsively as venom pooled in my mouth. I wouldn't be the monster that I had been – that Edward was now. I was better than that, and I would save Bella. I would be the good guy in this story…

I started to move toward them, my eyes never leaving Bella's, as Edward let her go and we all watched as her body crumpled to the floor. Her eyes – once filled with such joy and laughter, only held fear as she lay there. Her blood was beginnin' to clot and the wounds looked angry and ragged as she looked up at me, her eyes crossing as she began to lose her hold on consciousness. Her emotions – still so pure and beautiful – wrapped around me:

Trust, appreciation, love… Her love for us – And her love for her Jacob.

Edward moved toward Bella again, his eyes wild as he read my thoughts. Without even having to think, I put myself between him and Bella.

Was this it? Was this what the end looked like? Siblings – together as a family for centuries – squaring off against each other?

No words were spoken; the shock of this reality was too much for all three of us. But I knew – deep inside I knew that there was no way to change what was. I was prepared to do what was necessary to keep Bella safe, and I didn't bother to hide my thoughts as I stared into Edward's cruel, crimson eyes – the man we had all once considered 'brother'.

I'd never tasted such dark emotions from him before, and they only fueled my new-found hate for him even more. He didn't care about any of us anymore. He had a new agenda, a new purpose: To kill…

He wouldn't get another chance – not if I had anythin' to say about it. I hissed, lowering myself into a crouch, and listened to the steady beat of my sister's heart. I felt, more than saw Emmett and Alice do the same. If he wanted Bella, he would have to go through all three of us to get to her.

"This is far from over, brother," Edward spat angrily and turned quickly, crashing through the window, and disappearing into the night. The three of us didn't have time to think about anything else. There would be no fight tonight – but we all knew it was coming.

I had once said I would always protect Edward, back him no matter what. But I couldn't, in good faith, do that this time. He was no longer my brother, and I would never call him that again. My family was what mattered now – keeping them safe. There was nothin' more important to me than family – and Bella was, and always would be, my sister.

Emmett's emotions were clouded with worry and hurt as we took up the task of bandaging Bella and waiting for the inevitable arrival of one very pissed off shape shifter. We were all feeling the loss of Edward – Alice especially. They'd been the closest out of all of us, and she felt betrayed. Edward had run to the Volturi he had sold us out for his own personal gain.

"He's coming."

Alice's words startled me. Was Edward really foolish enough to come back and face us all? But then I realized who she meant –

Jacob Black's emotions were dark, out for blood, and tinged with the most honest love and worry I'd ever felt from anyone as he neared Bella's apartment building. I was worried that he would attack first and ask questions later – vampires in his mate's house wasn't going to be good, especially when he was this out of sorts with his emotions – but I could sense as he calmed slightly the closer he came.

He just needed to be near her – to see that she was safe… for now.

But there was going to be no stopping him later when he found out that Edward was really willing to hurt Bella. There would be hell to pay – and Edward would die.

The sad thing was, I couldn't even make myself feel upset about that fact…

*Jacob's POV*

My bare feet hit the cold pavement outside Bella's apartment and I could feel the tension leave my body slowly as I inhaled the scent of my mate. Vampires were around; I could feel them – smell them – but I could also tell that they didn't want to hurt me or my Bella. They were with her, standing guard.

I inhaled again as I pulled on my cutoffs, taking in every scent I could. The scent of leech burned my nostrils – too sweet and the aroma of bleach. I had to fight back the urge to vomit.

Three of them were with Bella, but none of them were the one I was looking for. His scent was here, but not concentrated anymore. He'd gotten away.

Edward had escaped. But not for long; I would make sure he got what was coming to him – and I would derive nothing but pleasure from giving him exactly what was owed. I would make him hurt – that much I knew.

I walked into the building, letting the pull to my mate guide me as I walked through the dimly lit hallways, finally coming to the door that stood open. I was met by the sight of three vampires that I knew all too well: Cullens. But that wasn't what mattered to me at that moment; all I cared about was seeing that my mate – my Bella – was safe and unharmed.

"Jacob." Jasper, the tall blond vampire, stood just inside the door, his arms folded over his chest and his eyes fixed intensely on me. "It's a pleasure to see you again."

"Mmhm, and the pleasure's all yours. Where is she? She better be safe, or so help me…"

"She's banged up, but I assure you, she is just fine. We've been watchin' over her. He – he's not the man he once was, Jacob."

"No shit, I'm going to make him pay. No one touches what's mine and gets away with it!" I was fucking seething – Bella was banged up, which meant that that piece of shit had laid one of his filthy leech hands on her. His ass was as good as dead, never mind just hurting him – and this time there was no coming back from where I was going to send him. The fiery pits of hell weren't going to be fast or hot enough, so I was going to have a little bonfire of my own, a-la-Bitchward.

Would it be too much if I were to piss on the ashes?

"I need you to calm down; she has already been through so much tonight. Seeing you lose it and hunt down Edward – or whatever brought that disturbin' smirk to your lips – wouldn't do her any good."

"Jasper, he has every right to be upset." Alice, the demented Pixie, walked up behind her husband and wrapped her tiny arms around his waist as she looked up at me. "I'm sorry we didn't get to her before he did. I couldn't see anything until she got to Charlie's, and by then it was already too late. Edward informed the Volturi about Bella still being human, and now he is planning on one of two things…"

"Pixie, Jasper – while I appreciate the fact that you're both here and looking out for Bella when I couldn't be here with her, I don't think you want to tell me any of this shit right now."

"He's right guys; it'll only make him more upset – and though I think watching him go all wolfy and shit is pretty cool, I don't think it's in our best interest to have a vampire-hunting wolf on the prowl while we're here… do you?" Emmett's arms folded neatly over his chest as he looked at me. His eyes were pained – full of the hurt and sadness that his brother had caused.

Seeing that didn't change what I was going to have to do in the end… and that I'd probably enjoy it. Okay, so there wasn't even a probably about it – I'd really fucking enjoy ripping Edward apart. He wouldn't get away with this – he had to pay.

I had always known that he was no good – especially not good enough for Bella – and that he would eventually show his true colors. He wasn't the man he had always pretended to be, though he was good at persuading and mind-fucking people into believing whatever he wanted them to. His mask was off, all of the lies pushed aside. No more pretenses – he was a fucking bloodsucking monster, and I would make sure he never hurt my Bella, or anyone else, again.

"Jacob, it's good to see you again – though I'm sorry it has to be under these circumstances," Emmett said as he tried to smile.

I wouldn't feel bad about what needed to be done – they were vampires, and I had no pity for killers, no matter how 'tame' they may be.

"And, umm, I believe you have some explaining to do to your girl here – she looked awfully surprised when Edward told her you had imprinted on her."

"Shit – he told her?" Of course he did, the prick. "I kept it from her because I was so hurt –"

Why in the hell was I talking about this shit with these three? I didn't owe them any-damn-thing!

"Hurt or not, dude, you fucked up. I know she's hurt you; she is kind of naïve in that way, Jacob. She's never done the right thing when it comes to herself – or her heart for that matter. But don't you think she deserves the truth? If you are going to be with her she needs to know everything. She had a man that lied to her, kept things from her and treated her like she was made of glass. You best bring your A-game if you want Bella Swan because even though she's not marrying my brother she's my little sis, and I will fuck your shit up – understood?"

Well hell, when did big guy get so damn smart – and protective as hell over my girl? She needed more people like this in her life. And, though I didn't like the fact that they were vampires, they had saved her life… That didn't mean I had to like them – and I didn't.

I nodded once as Emmett stepped aside.

There she was, lying on the couch covered in bandages and bruises – and I hadn't been there to protect her. I couldn't help but feel grateful that Emmett, Alice and Jasper had been here to help her.

I kneeled down on the floor beside her and ran my fingers over the skin of her right cheek. She was so damn soft.

"Bella, you have to wake up, baby. I'm here now, and I'm so sorry," I whispered hoarsely. I was on the verge of breaking down into tears like a fucking baby – but I couldn't bring myself to give a shit. I had almost lost her – again – permanently.

There could be no more stubbornness. We had to get over that, and fast, because I couldn't live without her. I wasn't going to fight it anymore – she was my life, everything that I needed and wanted and that was the only truth I would ever need to know.

"Bella, please wake up," I implored.

The room was silent – the air still and heavy as I held my breath. I was looking down into the face of an angel, her brown eyes focusing on me as a small smile pulled across her lips.

"Jacob… you're here?" She sounded unsure and groggy, her voice small and shaky as it wrapped around me like the sweetest sound I'd ever heard. Of course she wouldn't believe I was there with her, after all she'd done to push me away.

My stubborn, stupid girl.

"We'll just, uhh… we'll be around," Emmett said with an uncomfortable chuckle and I listened as each one of them left the room, the door closing with a soft 'snick' behind them.

"God, Bella," I whispered, my fingers still tracing across her cheek softly. "I'm so sorry – I should have been here. I always should have been here. I thought I'd lost you for good this time. How could you be so stupid?"

"I thought I was doing the right thing?" It came out as more of a question than a statement. This girl really was naïve…

"Bella, come on. He's a vampire that's hunting you – and you thought leaving the rez, where we could protect you, was a good idea?"

"I'll admit it wasn't the brightest plan, but I wanted you to be safe."

"Ugh, you stupid, stupid girl," I sighed heavily, the urge to kiss her getting stronger and harder to ignore as I looked into her eyes. The fact that she was alive made me giddy like a teenage fucking girl – seriously, sissy shit. "I love that you were thinking of me, but this was a half-cocked plan at best. You could have been killed. Did you even for one second think of what the consequences could have been? You could have died, Bella!"

"I know, and I'm sorry." Her eyes were slightly wet as tears began to build up in their depths, her bottom lip trembling. "I'll never run away again – I swear. It was stupid, and I'm so sorry for everything. Please, please, Jacob. I'm yours… I'll never run away again and I'm yours if you still want me?"

"I shouldn't have let you leave. I should have kept you there and made you listen," was all I could say. The hurt in her eyes as I blatantly ignored her previous admission cut through me – but there was just so much shit still hanging in the air between us. I wasn't the stupid, horny sixteen year old she had left standing on the street outside Charlie's house. I was going to do this right this time: slow, one day at a time and on my terms.

"This is my fault; I left – I didn't want to listen. I wanted to be the one to save you – to give you what you've always given me – protection. I wanted you to be okay…"

"No, I – "

"Jacob, it's my fault, for once let me take the blame. Please," she interrupted. She was staring straight into my eyes. "I pushed you away and hurt you so many times. So many wasted years – I have dreamed of what would have happened had I not left that night. We'd be married by now, just settling into a new home. Maybe with a baby on the way… I know now why you kept it from me, the imprint."

I bowed my head in shame; I couldn't bring myself to look her in the eyes at that moment. I'd always told her that I wouldn't hurt her, but I had… I had hurt her. No matter how much I wanted that to be false, it wasn't. I'd done the one thing I'd promised her I wouldn't do.

"I was hurt at first, surprised mostly, but I understand now. I don't deserve someone like you, Jacob. I don't deserve my dreams to come true – the ones of what we could have together. I think I've always known that…"

"Bella…"

She held up her hand to silence me and continued on.

"I don't deserve you; God knows I don't, Jacob. I've never done anything in this life to merit such a gift. But I love you, and I want all of those things with you. With all my heart and soul, I love you."

My eyes found hers once more, a smile pulling across my own lips. I had waited so long – so very long – to hear those words and know that she meant she 'love' loved me. I could see the honesty in her eyes as she waited for me to say something – anything.

"I love you, Bella. I always have."

"D-does this mean we can be together? I mean, I know we have a lot of things we need to get out in the open, but…"

Could I do this? Could I put my heart out there for her again – Bella Swan, the only girl who had ever broken me – and make this work? I knew in my heart that I would never love anyone like I loved Bella, but could a relationship between us really be anything more than us hurting each other all the time? And honesty, that was a big one. We were always keeping things from each other. But I also knew that I couldn't be without her – I couldn't picture my life without her in it.

"I still need some time, Bella, to sort shit out in my head. But I would like to try. I won't make any promises as to what might or might not happen. We'll just take it a little bit at a time, okay?"

That was the only thing I could give her. Because even though I loved her – so fucking much – I was also still my own person. I wasn't going to just drop my own life and pick up where we left off. There was so much to do, so much to learn about one another.

Jake and Bells were a thing of the past. This was the time for Bella to get to know Jacob – the man I had become because she had broken me. This would be the real test, because imprint or not – I wouldn't be pushed aside when she got tired of me and I sure as hell wouldn't be her puppet. The imprint would always bind us together, though I had loved her even before the magic had done its work; but I wouldn't allow her to hurt me anymore, she had to know where I stood.

"That's all I can or will ask of you, Jacob."

"But one thing, Bella," I said with conviction – my voice strong and sure. I would leave no room for her to question my intentions. I made sure she was listening before I continued on. "If you ever run away from me again, don't count on me chasing after you. No matter how much I love you and how much it would hurt to let go, I will not allow someone to hurt me that way anymore."

"I don't want you to hurt anymore, not because of me. I promise, Jacob – as long as I live and breathe, I belong to you. I'll never pull away again."

"Then you understand me better than I thought, Bella, because you're right… you do belong to me, you always have."

With that, I crushed my lips against hers roughly – taking from her everything I could and giving back just as much. Tasting, feeling… but not regretting. We were tongues, teeth and heavy breaths. Moans and whispers of love filled the air before we collided together again and again.

This was bliss – everything I'd been missing for so long and for the first time in five years, I was whole – I was home.