Time passes, even for me. Even when it seems impossible. It passes irregularly, roughly, changing everything, but pass it does. Even for me.

The next morning, I spent most of the time doing whatever possible to shake off the latest nightmare. The scenery had changed to something completely out of the ordinary, or familiarity and the dream in itself was just plain odd. Sleeping was hopeful yet nonexistent. Hoping to get a full night's sleep was the only thing I was excited about at the end of the day-but it was obvious, the next morning, when I hadn't slept at all. Today was definitely one of those mornings. I couldn't help but catch the unmistakable aroma of a smoking burner rising from the kitchen. I laughed to myself as I shoved the battered copy of Romeo and Juliet into the pocket of my shorts, and ran downstairs. "Breakfast is ready!" I announced teasingly to my mother.

"Shut up, Raeleigh, and help me!" Mom called, fighting with the forever-growing smoke. Thankfully, it hadn't taken me long to revive the gas stove and to clean the burnt bacon pieces, which were scattered on the counter surrounding it.

I sighed heavily and turned to my mother, who sheepishly returned the gaze. She looked as if she were a child scolded by her parent or guardian. I wanted to laugh, but kept the stern expression across my face. "Remind me to teach you how to cook, ok?"

She glowered, "Sure, sure," she growled, imitating me. This time I did laugh. "It's official!" she announced, her tone much happier now, "Our first day home. What do you want to do today?" She asked, swaying from side to side slightly.

"I was actually thinking about going over to Jake's," I told her.

Despite the constant stomach churning in the pit of my stomach, I was thankful for the distraction when Jacob was with me. He was perpetually a happy-go-lucky kind of kid, and he carried that happiness like an aura. An aura he shared with whoever was near him. Like an earthbound sun, whenever someone was within his gravitational pull, he warmed them.

"Oh," Mom replied, frowning. She slouched slightly and I knew telling her my plans for the day had upset her. I sighed softly to myself, tossing the damp rag on the counter.

"Mom, I don't have to go. I mean, Jake doesn't even know I'm coming over," I told her, trying to sound reassuring. However, the expression on Mom's face hadn't altered, so I knew my attempt failed; I instantly felt guilty. "Mom…"

"No," She answered, waving her hands in front of me while shaking her head. "No. You go and have fun. Besides, it'll be good for the both of you to get your mind off of things."

I guess Mom was right. I needed the distraction, and it seemed that Jacob needed a good one too. "What're you going to do?"

Mom sighed and looked around the house. "Clean and unpack, more than likely. And since I can't cook worth a damn, maybe I'll persuade Charlie into going to the Lodge for lunch…maybe take Billy along." She crossed her arms and watched as I moved the pan from the stove to the sink. "What about you?"

Brushing the grunge off my hands, I slowly turned back to Mom and exhaled deeply. I shrugged my shoulders and shook my head a little, "I haven't the slightest idea," I replied dully. "Is it cool if I borrow the car? I don't think Jake has a license yet."

"Sure." She pulled the keys from the belt loop of her jean shorts and tossed them at me.

"Thanks!" I turned my back on her but stopped myself instantly and faced her once more, "Are you sure you don't m-"

"Go!" Mom yelled, waving me on. She followed me to the door, "Go have fun, get dirty, get into trouble…I don't care, just have fun doing it," she demanded in a firm yet playful tone as I stepped out onto the front step. Unfortunately, I'd forgotten my coat.

I turned to her, "You want me to get into trouble?" I asked, though my words sounded more declaratory than interrogatory.

"Yes!" She called out. A look of bewilderment crossed my face. I crossed my arms and decided to let her think about her answer. "Well…okay, don't get into too much trouble, okay?" She asked. I smirked at her. "And…and try not to get too dirty. Those are nice clothes."

"You worry too much," I muttered as I made my way toward the car. "Don't worry about me, Mom," I started once I got to the driver side, "I'll be with Jacob."

"It's not being with Jacob I'm worried about," she mumbled back and disappeared into the house. My head already began to hurt and I'd only been awake for less than an hour. It seemed that no one was making any sense, and I'd become irritated with it all. I sighed heavily and climbed into the car.

Driving through La Push, I immediately found myself intrigued with its scenery. Despite the cold weather, I could definitely see myself living here again.

Pulling into Jacob's driveway, I noticed him in the small shed-like, homemade-like garage, working on something. Jacob was a big fan of machinery. If something were to ever to wrong, I knew just who to call. "Jake!" I called out excitedly as I pulled myself out of the now stuffy car and made my way toward him. He looked up and smiled-his white teeth shining brightly at me.

"Raeleigh!" he called out, his walking becoming a jog now. We met sooner than I expected, and he lifted me into a tight hug. "What're you doing here?" He asked and set me down.

I gasped for air and chuckled, "Thought I'd come by and say hi. What're you working on over there?" I asked, gesturing toward the garage.

Jacob glanced back at the garage for a mere moment before returning his gaze on me, "Just this bike I got from a friend," he told me…the sparkle in his eyes dimming at the last word. "I'm just changing out the tires, nothing too special."

"What kind of a bike is it?" I asked, honestly interested.

"A classic," he told me, smiling. "It's an old Harley Sprint," he explained-his smile growing.

"No way!" I called out excitedly, grabbing his forearm. "I have one too! Mine's a sea green color-"

"Wait, wait, wait," Jacob interrupted and held his hands up to stop me. He'd stopped walking, and I did the same. "You have a Harley Sprint?"

I smiled and nodded, "Yeah! Mom hates that I ride…but it became a hobby of mine. I used to motocross too, but I gave up on that after I shattered the left side of my body."

Jacob grimaced and shuttered, "Sucks, don't it?" he asked. His words sounded as if it'd happened to him before. I scrunched up my face in confusion and his cheeks turned a reddish hue. "What? I got into a fight…"

"With what, a bear?" I asked incredulously. "There's no way in hell I could ever picture you getting into a fight, Jacob Black. You're too sweet; you get on everyone's A-list."

"Not everyone's," he muttered as he began walking toward the garage again.

I shoved my hands in my pockets and realized I'd forgotten all about the cold. Jacob's aura took hold…embracing me…welcoming me…

"Oh c'mon…name one person who doesn't like you!" I challenged him, chuckling as I did so.

He laughed and walked fully into the garage. Sitting down behind the bike, still facing me, he grabbed a dirty rag and looked up at me. "Alright, fine. The Cullen family."

"The who?" I asked, trying to sound confusing. I could only wish it were paying off.

"The Cullen family," he repeated. "Edward especially. Edward is Bella's boyfriend-I'm sure Charlie's mentioned him," he assumed with his tone gruff. I shook my head and sat down across from Jacob. "Well, I wouldn't expect him to. He isn't really fond of the guy," he explained lowly as he continued to change the tire on the Sprint. "I'm sure you'll meet them one day. Edward and I, well…we never really got along."

"Damn," I muttered and bit my bottom lip in thought. "I bet Bells really hates it when you two argue, huh?" I asked softly.

Jacob scoffed in a chuckle manner, though the grin he wore was almost invisible. "Always. But it's not just me they despise," he continued. "They aren't really fond of the guys either."

This was news to me. My eyebrows rose with surprise as I waited for him to continue. I couldn't picture anyone hating Sam or the other guys, even Paul and his hothead temper.

"Believe me, we've all wanted a good shot at 'em from time to time," he added on, his eyes now focused on the bike as he worked, "but we could never really do it without hurting Bella somehow."

"It shouldn't have to be that way," I whispered softly. "But I'm really sorry that it is."

He didn't reply, though I waited for a long moment-a moment that seemed incessant. He started working on the bike again. It was moments before he spoke again. "Where'd you learn to ride?" he asked, changing the subject, and I could tell he was more comfortable with the new topic.

"I taught myself," I told him with a small shrug. "It took me a lot of time, a few scrapes, bruises, and hospital trips to get it perfect…but once I got it, I never got off."

Jacob chuckled and shook his head. "How's the bike?" He asked and glanced over at me.

"It needs gas, new brakes and new tires…but other than that…it's great!" I called, sarcasm included.

"If you want, I can help you fix it," he offered the help and glanced at me again. "And in turn, maybe you can teach me how to motocross."

"Oh Jake, that would be amazing!" I called out excitedly. He winked in return. It wasn't long after when he finished his bike. "When do we start?"

"Today if you want," he muttered unenthusiastically as he gave the Sprint a quick wipe down with a much cleaner rag. He looked up at me and smiled. "We can go right now if you're not busy," he added on with a chuckle, finding the humor in his own joke. "But before we do, can we grab a bite to eat? I'm starved."

"Yeah, you look starved," I teased and poked him in the side. He squirmed away, laughing. "Where do you wanna go?" I asked, leading the way out of the garage. "Oh, we can go to the Lodge. Mom's supposed to be eating there with Charlie and Billy."

Twisting his face up in distaste, Jacob groaned. "Do you really wanna go to the Lodge and sit with our parents?" He asked, looking over at me. "And Charlie?" He added on.

"Good point," I grunted and looked up at him. "Well, if you can come up with a better idea…I'm all for it," I told him, pleasantly. Being pleased around Jacob came natural-like his aura. Leaning on his arm, I took hold of his hand. "Anything you want, we'll do it!"

"Really?" He asked, beaming. "You're seriously willing to put up with me?"

"Yeah, why not?" I asked and pulled away from him though my hand, which was still attached to his. I walked backwards and he forward. "Jake, you're a good kid. And I'm so grateful that you're taking the time to fix the bike…"

He laughed and shook his head slightly. "It's just a few minor adjustments," he told me, his smile still beaming as ever. "It's nothing serious."

"Well, still…it means a lot to me. I haven't ridden in a long time because I couldn't afford a mechanic. And I promise I'll pay if-"

"No," he interrupted quickly. I think I offended him. "I don't want your money," he told me simply. "I don't want you to feel like you have to pay me."

"But Jake…"

"How about this," he started and slowed to a stop, "If you can afford the parts, then we have a deal. I fix the bikes you give me motocross lessons. It's fair share."

I nodded, agreeing to the deal. "Wait a sec; do you have a license to drive one of these?" I asked and gestured toward the bike back in the garage. "How old are you?"

"Oh c'mon," he started in a tease, "I'm not that much older than you. And considering the maturity level between most guys and myself…that makes me about ten years older."

"Not even. More like five," I replied, disagreeing. "Considering the maturity level between guys and girls," I started, imitating him, "that automatically gives me twelve years."

"You have to average in height too;" he added quickly, "Guys are more than likely going to be taller. I'm pretty tall, so that gives me six years."

"What? No way. I'm less than a foot shorter than you, so I'll have to knock off three years."

We bantered on the subject until we got to my house-arguing over the correct formula to determine age. I lost five more years because I didn't share the same mad skills in the mechanical field, but gained two more for giving him motocross lessons. Jacob gained five years for fixing the bike.

By the time we got to my house, I was twenty-four and Jacob was thirty. Luckily, we were able to buy the parts in one load at a decent amount and haul it all back to Jake's before Billy came back with Mom. Because the bike wasn't too horribly damaged, Jacob promised to have it finished by lunch. Of course, I had to pay in turn for helping in such short notice, but I hadn't minded.

Jacob went right to work the moment he pulled his toolbox out, and I helped when needed-which wasn't much. We continued to laugh and poke fun at each other while his fingers expertly combed through the tools lying before him. The skill Jacob possessed with his hands was fascinating to watch. They seemed all too big for the delicate tasks in which they performed with simplicity and accuracy. While he worked, he seemed graceful. Otherwise, he was just as clumsy as me-tripping over his own too large two feet.

The connection between Jacob and I hadn't changed, not even in the slightest. We were more than comfortable around each other-and I was even more so with him than Sam.

It hadn't taken long for Jacob to finish the bike-just like he promised. "You still haven't told me where you wanted go to for lunch," I announced as I helped him put the tools away.

"I honestly don't care where we go," he told me, his tone somewhat dull. It took me by surprise, the dullness, after all the playing around we'd done.

"That's not much help," I teased, nudging him friendly. He turned to me and smiled one of my many favorite smiles. "We can go to…"

"Let's just go to the Lodge," he suggested with a shrug, "It's the nearest restaurant and the cheapest. I don't want you to have to pay for everything. How about we split the bill?"

"No," I answered instantly. "It's the least I can do."

Guilt. It burned through my veins roughly the more I began to believe that I was only taking advantage of the young, yet older than me, Quileute native. I wanted…no, needed, a distraction, and a distraction I received…only now I wasn't entirely satisfied with the outcome. There was something different about him, something I couldn't quite pinpoint what that particular difference was.

One major difference was the change of temperature in his skin. It was much hotter than I ever remembered (though he was often warm-skinned as a child). Looking over at Jacob, I immediately noticed how distant his mind was-another difference. The expressions he wore were uncomfortably too thoughtful for my liking. "Jake," I called out, firmer than I wanted, "Jake-Jake, stop! You're going to gnaw your lip right off!" I called out, grabbing his arm to grasp his attention better.

He turned to me and smiled sheepishly. I couldn't help but chuckle at the playful expression. "Sorry," he apologized semi-dully with a shrug-noticeably embarrassed-and returned his gaze on the road. He was such a cautious driver, I noticed. Maybe even more so than me. "I was just thinking about something." I figured it was something on his mind that he hadn't wanted to share with me-with anyone in general-typically he would have if it had been something that was truly bothering him.

Silence consumed us once again. It was painful-tearing at me like a caged animal clawing its way out-furious, scared. I looked at Jacob, a frown line forming between my eyebrows as I concentrated on his expression, trying to read him for the umpteenth time. I sighed heavily, growing more impatient with his persistent silence.

When we arrived at the small, well-known restaurant, I immediately turned to Jacob and took his face in my hands so we were now only inches apart. "What?" he asked, a smile forming.

"Jake," I started after a few moments, "…I'm going through a rough patch right now," I started softly, "And to be honest, I don't know if you are either. But it's very obvious that whatever is running through your head is driving you insane. And-" I started to continue but then snapped my mouth shut. Narrowing my eyes in thought, I mentally rehearsed what to say before just blurting it out. I didn't want to ruin anything between Jake and me.

"And?" he prompted.

And I had absolutely nothing. Nothing that would help, at least. And I sure as hell didn't want to say anything insulting-or Jake just might have a convulsion. I exhaled deeply, bracing myself for the convulsion to begin. The creases between my eyebrows returned and this time I didn't want them smoothed out. I slouched in my seat and removed my hands from his beautiful face, but before they could fall into my lap, he caught my wrists.

"What? Rae, tell me," he said, pushing me to continue as another crease formed between his brows. I rested my hands against his chest, feeling his heartbeat. He seemed to enjoy it as the thumping in his chest began to quicken. I bit my lip in thought of how to word what I wanted to say without hurting Jacob's feelings. It was always so painful to watch him frown, to watch his aura almost cease to exist.

My mood seemed to change the moment he ran his large hands through my hair, feeling the silky sensation against his rough skin. I smiled a little and closed my eyes-melting into his warm embrace. He felt too damn good to pull away from. With his touch, it was as if I could feel him in my veins-the happiness, the aura-like a drug. A pleasurable, healthy drug with all the same effects. With his touch…I felt like me again. "You know I feel…" I started in a whisper, almost lost in the embrace, "I feel different when I'm with you. I feel like I can be happy again."

I opened my eyes, his thumb catching a fallen tear on my blood-filled cheek-his other hand still tangled gently in my hair. "Are you happy?"

I smiled and nodded, "Yes."

He gave me a serene smile and a reassuring nod. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

My stomach growled just as he said this. I fought the urge to laugh. "Hey, Jake?" I started.

"Yeah, yeah. Let's go."