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Bella woke with a start and Edward was right there to comfort her. She said nothing to him of what had seen in her dream nor did she want to. Yet as she curled up closer to his body she realized how much of a bother that dream really was. Bella was literally clinging to Edward and perhaps may potentially rip his shirt.

"What is it?" Edward whispered, brows furrowed, though he had a pretty good idea of what the dream was about. Bella looked into his creamy ochre eyes and loosened her grip.

"Sorry. It was nothing." She whispered trying to steady her voice. It wasn't that it was anything bad but it didn't change the fact that her breathing was irregular.

"That's hard to believe," Edward he mumbled, "What's the mongrel done now?" the term was more out of habit now and not anger or annoyance.

"Nothing. It's fine. It was just a dream." She mumbled settling back down.

"Bella…" Edward sighed. "You were talking in your sleep. Telling him not to go with her." He tried to hide the slightly pained expression. Bella thought about it for a moment.

"It was Jake. He was in the forest near La Push but that's not what bothered me. Jake had a metal ring attached to his body where his heart is. Out- or I should say attached to that were several chains that wound around him loosely and around him in a pool. I could see the beginning but not the end. He sat there looking like he was waiting on something. As if the burden of the chains were too heavy for him alone to carry. Then I heard a female calling his name. At first I thought it was me but it didn't sound like my voice, nor Leah, or anyone else I know. On hearing the voice, Jake stood up and walked a few steps but stopped as though unsure. The sound was getting closer now, I could hear the footsteps, and I could recognize the voice. It was Melisandre. I saw now that the ends of the chains were connected to her in several places. Her neck, her heart, her lower abdomen. She reached up and strokes his cheek but there is something different about her. Her eyes are glowing like when you shine a light at night and it reflects off a cat's eyes. Although her gestures seemed harmless enough there was something like a predator. It was like baiting prey. When he tried to embrace her she would move away in lightening speed, then he would wait again and they would repeat but when she finally decided to walk away he follows her. She doesn't even so much as looks back at him when he phases in to his wolf form and runs after her. I'm calling to him to tell him she's only taking advantage of him but he would hear none of it. He just keeps going out of sight but not yet out of mind." Bella finished. She was looking at Edward as though looking for answers but his face was completely smooth. Behind his eyes she could see him thinking about what she said.

Then he grinned. "Perhaps Jacob's got a crush on a dangerous Melisandre." Bella shook her head and sighed.

"It seems more than that. Melisandre seems too intuitive. She is closer to Jacob after all but it she playing with him?"

"Bella, Jacob is old enough to handle his own. I think you're thinking to hard on it." Edward said softly. His expression eased her qualms and she shook her head again.

"Perhaps, you're right." Bella reached up ad traced his facial features. "What do I care if I have you?" she chuckled and kissed him and then pulled him closer for her to snuggle up to.

-39438543

Jacob stepped into work at the Seattle Customs Body Shop. About a year ago he got lucky and ended up working for one of the best auto body shops in Seattle. It took him about two hours to get there for 9 in the morning but it was better than just working for himself doing favors for half the reservation. He looked around the large warehouse of a garage and sniffed in yesterday's faint remnants of oil, paint, and wax. This was where he belonged. This was where none of his problems could touch him. Jacob knew that all brain function went into over drive once he got under a car and then all concentration went into painting, and if he got lucky, maybe even graphics. By now his boss trusted him to open and close if need be, take transactions and appointments, order parts and work on the newest brands of cars without a hint of doubt. There was no doubt that Jacob loved what he did and there was no doubt that he was extremely good at what he did. Work during the day, college classes at twilight, and sometime parole at night.

Sometimes he would feel drained but lately he found himself rushing to get back home. Any amount of time spent with Melisandre was worth it, even if it was a fifteen minutes or an hour, something was better than nothing. It had been five days since he realized his adoration, love, and obsession with this woman. However, he had been real fidgety every time he had to think about telling her. His pack knew already, so did Billy, Sam and Emily and Leah who permanently lived in Seattle. He had yet to tell Bella. Not that he had a need too, but it was common courtesy to a best friend. Jacob shook his head no time for such thoughts there was a new Porsche he had to get to work on.

Today however, was the day he decided to get it the imprinting off his chest, of course with the help of Sam and Emily. He would take her to their place under the pretense of meeting Emily for the first time, who just came home from giving birth. Emily would then start the conversation, and if all went well, Mel wouldn't be bolting for the door mid conversation with him trying to get her to understand. As the day passed Jacob managed to focus all his energy into his work, albeit fumbling and cursing under his breath and muttering to himself that even his boss got to wondering.

"Hey, Jake! What's up?" Boss stood next to him leaning under the hood of the car.

"Nothing much, Carl. Just, you know, trying to get by." Jacob mumbled absentmindedly.

"Oh yeah? Well tell me why you're acting like a man who just got caught cheating on his girlfriend and is cursing his own luck for it."

"Hehe." Jacob chuckled half-heartedly. "Something like that, but she's not my girlfriend…yet…hopefully… if she accepts."

"Son… You're too young for marriage!" Carl whispered quickly. "I mean can you really sustain that with all other things on your plate? You're still in college for god sakes. No rushing… take your time okay?"

"Okay." Jacob mumbled. It was rather awkward talking about this with Carl. And besides he'll be lucky if he gets a pass on the girlfriend part, marriage was nowhere in the distance at this point. Yet thinking about these things didn't make it any easier. Mel was leaving tomorrow for Beijing, claiming she would be gone for a year. Jacob couldn't wait a year. Let alone last a few days without and contact with Melisandre. He even got agitated at work think about what she might be doing in his absence. Jacob looked at the time. 1:27pm that means he had about another hour and a half before he left to go to class and then head back home. Jacob took a deep breath and waited. That was all that was left for him to do.

-98765

Melisandre was waiting on the front step for Jacob. She watched as his red 1994 Mazda Rx7 pulled up to the garage. Mel said nothing as she watched him fumble with his backpack and his door. It was nothing new, just the usual routine, she'd be on the step waiting, head phones on, dinner made, and Billy in front he TV. Jacob strode up to her with a smile on his face, and she just looked at him and tussled his hair, turned around and walked back inside.

"Have you been waiting long?" he asked casually.

"Hmm. Not really." Mel responded, watching him take his shoes off at the door and run his fingers through his hair. Jacob found that she was being unusually observant this evening.

"What you do today?" Jake strolled into the kitchen avoiding her eyes. He pulled a dish and shared himself some food. As he put the first spoon in his mouth his brows went up. Mel wasn't a bad cook it was just that her cooking seemed to reflect her mood. Today she seemed… slightly annoyed. The food a tad bit too much salt.

"What's got you a little annoyed?" he asked casually.

"Billy's been fidgety all day. You're avoiding my eyes and Embry keeps grinning from ear to ear saying there is a surprise waiting for me." Mel said very softly to the unknown ear it would seem a tone of indifference. Jacob knew better. It was her trust-me-I-won't-get-angry-but-you-know-I-will voice.

"I don't know what their problem is but I know personally mine is not." He lied. Melisandre quirked a brow. It wasn't a complete lie, she must have hinted as much. Why did she have to be so damn observant now?

"Very well." She poured him a cup of juice. "I'm leaving from LA International airport first thing in the morning."

"Wait. How are you getting there? We should have left since yesterday to get you there on time. Damn it, you should have told me sooner." Jacob whispered bitterly.

"Its fine the helicopter will pick me up from the parking lot of the beach before all the tourist decide to gather."

"Its hard to believe you have a helicopter at your beck and call." Jacob swallowed.

"I have plenty of things at my beck and call." She whispered almost sarcastically.

"I'll go shower before we leave." He got up, went to the room, grabbed his stuff and went to the bathroom. Jacob set the water, and started undressing. In the corner of the mirror he saw Melisandre by the door, cigarette in hand, looking at him with one of the most tantalizing expressions he had ever seen. Her head was cocked to the side, looking at him through half lidded eyes.

"You're jumpy, Jake." She walked over to him and slid her hand down the middle of his back. He shuddered slightly. "You weren't paying attention to the fact that I was there. Too many things on your mind?" she peeked out from behind his back so he could see her eyes in the mirror.

"Maybe. Maybe some really dangerous and dirty thoughts if you keep this up." Jacob teased.

"Sorry, mate." Melisandre spoke in her normal voice. "Not open season. Maybe next time." Melisandre grinned. "Hurry up. I'll be waiting outside. I want to spend my last moments with you, ya know." And then walked out the door.

Jacob pressed his head against the door after closing it. Damn. Its like she already knows.

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As the two walked to Sam's house Jacob felt bad that Melisandre had to walk in the rain. Of course he held the umbrella over her and took slower strides to keep pace with her. However the thing that bothered him was how she held onto his arm like a little child. It was very endearing to see her serene face as she passed all sights and sounds. People in their shops gazed on as the two passed by. One looked like a towering muscular man and the other a doll.

Melisandre wore a simple sand colored dress that stopped above her knees. An Emerald belt was clasped under her breast allowing the dress to flow, her flat sued boots were the same color and a vibrant scarf the color of a peacocks tail was draped around her shoulders. Her hair was messily pulled into a ponytail allowing her natural curls to frizz and bounce, eyes shadowed by black kohl, lips gloss, and a gift bag swinging from her dark green gloved hand the other in other lightly holding on to Jacob's sleeve. Jacob watched the simple doll walking next to him and felt the urge to kiss her. Why not? The colors looked really good against her burnt sienna skin.

"Are you cold?" he asked casually as he could.

"A little." She murmured. Melisandre's gaze went from looking down to looking up at him from under her lashes. "Even if I was, you have no coat to give me, Jacob Black." She smiled, her teeth gleaming.

"That's very true. I could always carry you, keeping you close so that way you wouldn't get cold." Jacob responded.

"More or less." Her eyes went back to the road.

Jacob guided her in silence after that and upon reaching the house he led her by hand up the steps. Embry was the first to open the door.

"HHHEEEEEYYYY SSSSIIIIIISSSSS!!" he greeted her enthusiastically, with his favorite nickname. It was one he had given her when he told her about his fatherless childhood. Mel had told him to call her sis and that the good for nothing old man wasn't worth shit if he couldn't man up to his own child. "Come in! Come in! Emily is dying to meet you! By the way, don't stare."

"Huh?" Melisandre stated crossing the thresh hold to be bombarded by the other guys and finally meeting Leah. Introductions with Emily were short.

"Hey! I'm Melisandre!" Mel stated alert.

Emily looked up and grinned from mouth to ear. "Hey! Nice to finally meet you. I'd been hearing a lot about you!" extending a muffin in Mel's direction.

"Oh shit!" Melisandre choked upon seeing Emily's scars and then rebounding. "Muffins! Oh. My. God. I love muffins and pastries. I hope you heard nothing bad about me."

The two laughed and Jacob breathed heavily. He thought it was over for sure once the 'oh shit' came out Melisandre's mouth but as usual she was smooth. Time passed and Jake wondered when it would be before Sam or Emily decided to bring up the topic. Then it happened and Jacob tensed. Sam guided him into the room as Emily was now starting the conversation.

"So what's you're family like?" Emily asked casually?

"Hmm. A bunch of over achievers." Mel laughed. " My mother's a fashion designer, hence the one of a kind baby clothes. I have three sisters. The eldest lives in NY with her two daughters, she works in geriatrics. The second is a chef who still lives in Baton Rouge with my mother. Then there is my twin, who is working towards being an interior designer. And finally my little sister who is still in high school."

"No father?" Emily asked curiously.

"He's an Engineer in Cote D'ivoire." Mel saw some puzzled faces. "My father lives in Africa, the Ivory Coast. He never really played that heavy a role in our lives. My mother is also from there but moved here in her mid twenties with my two older sisters."

"Oh so have you been there?" Leah asked almost spitefully.

"Not recently. When I was younger my sister and I were forced to go every summer. My youngest sister has never been." Mel finished cocking her head to the side thinking slightly.

"Do you have boyfriend in New Orleans?" Emily teased.

Melisandre laughed. "Nope! Well… there was someone, but he's like me always traveling and plus he is my best friend. We don't like to meddle much on that. Didn't work out twice before, it won't work out now." She finished with a wry smile on her face. "What about you, Emily? You're seemingly happily… er- married?"

"No not married." Emily laughed. "Not yet though. We're still in the planning phases of that."

"Well let me know if you need a pastry chef. I'm wicked at baking goods! I'm all there!" Mel grinned.

"You're at the top of my list!" Emily smiled. "Do you want to know how we met? It's a bittersweet story really."

"I'm all ears." Mel said casually.

"Well I came down from my home in the north to visit my cousin Leah. Upon meeting Leah I also met Sam whom she was dating at the time. When Sam saw me it was like love at first sight for him. He instantly knew he couldn't live without me." Emily smiled wryly thinking about it.

"That's fucked up… I mean for Leah's part at least. I mean… damn… aaaawwwkkkkwwwaaaarrdd!" Melisandre drawled.

"Yes well in many ways you were right. I was furious with Sam but he felt just as guilty about it and so eventually I was comforting him instead of chastising him."

"Damn. Sam did you get hit headfirst with a love potion or something? I mean that's cold. I'd be bitter about that- just a little bit at least." Melisandre's southern twang was the only sound in the room at this point.

"It was something like that." Sam shifted lightly. "It's much heavier than that. At least a Love potion wares off. Imprinting does not."

"I- Im-prin-ting…" Melisandre said every syllable, cocking her head to the side as she bunched her eyebrows.

"Yes." Emily began again. "Its what a werewolves do when they find their significant other. It cannot be changed, or evaded. They are destined for that one person for life." Emily finished staring Melisandre in the eyes. As if beginning to grasp an understanding, Melisandre took in a harsh breath.

"That's deep." She nodded. "Let's hope no one imprints on me." Jacob's jaw locked. He moved lightly so he could sit on the floor next to Mel, who, without thinking about it, rested her hand on his head playing with his hair.

"Oh?" Leah snapped. "And why not?"

"Because they'd get their heart broken." Melisandre stated promptly with a smile on her face.

"You're a cruel woman." Leah snapped.

"LEAH!" Emily hissed.

"Its fine. I know. Why is it of importance to me to know about Imprinting?" Melisandre's hand paused playing with Jacob's hair.

"I believe you already know." Emily said quietly.

"Perhaps." Melisandre's voice held a slight edge. "What good does it do that person? As... quaint and this town is, it does not suit me and I'll do nothing but bring trouble to your lives. Aside from that I am not staying. I cannot stay and will not stay." She finished.

"That sounds rather selfish." Emily said quietly. "Don't you even want to know who is it?"

Melisandre sighed. "Perhaps its best that I don't."

"AAAAAWWWWW! SIS! C'mon!" Embry started and then was cut off.

"I really hope it isn't you!" Melisandre's usually vibrant green eyes were dark like the calm before the storm. "Not like that!" she sounded stressed for a moment realizing her harsh words. " I just meant I don't see you in that way!"

"No, trust me if I was me. I would have been crying my eyes out by now. It takes a stronger man to take you on." His eyes drifted a little and Mel went rigid and she felt Jacob's hands enclose hers.

"Melisandre…" he started, but all he could feel was her sudden plummet in body temperature. "I wasn't sure how to tell you," he continued slowly. "I just-."

"When?" Melisandre stated sharply.

"Listen for a-!"

"WHEN!" it was a demand and not a question anymore.

"The first time we met in Canada."

She thought for a moment, "YOU! You were that wolf!" Melisandre stood up, clearly she was angry. "Why did it take this long to tell me?" Jacob stood up still holding onto her arm.

"Back then I couldn't, I was confused, and it wasn't something I could be sure of through emails and phone calls." He explained quickly because Melisandre was already trying to move. Suddenly she stopped.

"Thank ya, Emily, for invitin' me. I had a really great time. Hon'stly, I did. I jus' wished this, coward tol' me on his own time so dat way I could freak out lak I wants to!" Melisandre stopped suddenly. "Sorry, my heavy southern accent comes out when I get mad and then you'll never be able to understand a word I'm saying. I'm going. Thank you, really." Mel bowed slightly and kissed the scarred side of Emily's face and turned to walk out the door. Grabbing her scarf from off the hook by the door, Melisandre turned around to see Jacob blocking the door.

"Ya betta move 'fore I break ya nose again!" Melisandre threatened, she was having trouble breathing now.

"That's fine! I can live with that." Jacob said. Heard some snickers in the background behind Mel and thought how little they knew her statement to be true.

"Bullshit. MOVE!" her breathing was ragged now.

"No Lise. You have to hear me out."

"I promise you I can and I will once I get to freak out a little bit!" She snapped at him. Quickly and agile like Jacob swooped her into his arms and kissed her on the lips. He pressed hard as though trying to make her understand. A kick flew up to knee and he cried out letting her go.

"God Damn it, Jake. You always do irrational shit!" it felt hard to catch her breath when she hissed at him.

"ME?!"

Just as she rushed out the door Mel heard Jacob's voice soft but endearing. The voice that he used whenever he thought she was being unreasonable and was trying to find a way to make her compromise. The voice that always made her feel guilty even when she was miles away.

"M& Ms. Lise. I love you. I miss you even if I'm gone a few hours at a time. I love you!"

As if being shot in the back on her rush down the steps, Melisandre trips and begins to fall face forward. It was like Alice in wonderland falling into the rabbit hole. Her curls bounced as she hit what she thought were the bottom of the steps and blacked out.

-554534

I sat on the bedroom floor under the open window. I closed my eyes and listened to Lise's even breathing as she slept. It had been an hour or so since she fainted on the steps. I panicked then but not so much now. She told me to allow her space. I didn't listen. I was a fool. Maybe she wouldn't have fainted. Then again what if she fainted while she was trying to be by herself. I couldn't help but think of all the possibilities. It was my fault. Why was I always so hasty and headstrong at the wrong times?

I felt a cool breeze blow from outside and sighed. Was Melisandre really more fragile than she appeared to be? I kept my eyes closed as I listened to the sounds of the night. An owl fluttered by, beyond that was the old men playing cards at the shop, further was the crashing of waves against the cliffs. I could listen for miles, but it wouldn't have mattered. I was still conscious on this one room. From the grains in the wood floor to the spider in the ceiling corner, I never forgot Melisandre's presence. How could I? She smelled absolutely mouth watering. I felt like I was in a totally different world, and only she could bring me there.

I had no idea when I fell asleep, or if I fell asleep, I just remember feeling cool breath on my face. When I opened my eyes I jumped, hitting my head on the windowsill. Melisandre's face was less than a foot away from mine. She was staring into my eyes with a blank expression. I turned my head and she mirrored the movement.

"Lise?" I asked slowly. I was wondering what she was doing and how long had she been there looking at me. "Hey, what ar-?" She placed her hand gently on my mouth. Her expression became soft as she used her hands to trace the contours of my face, hair and neck.

"You shouldn't worry so much about things. You'll grow old quickly." Melisandre whispered. It was soothing as she nuzzled her face into the crook of my neck. I had no idea how to react. I wanted her but I didn't move. Crawling away from me now and I realized why I hadn't noticed her there before or when she stood by the bathroom door earlier. He footsteps were almost too quiet to be heard. Her dress billowed around her as the wind blew in from the window and her ebony rimmed eyes were glowing green. It looked scarily magical.

"How long had I been asleep?"

"Maybe three, four hours now?" I guessed, given that I fell asleep myself.

"I'm sorry to have worried you. I sometimes have trouble breathing when my emotions go into shock." She said still looking down at me.

"It's not your fau-!" I started.

"If you keep taking the blame on yourself for everything that happens between you and another person you're going to become sick, sorry, and pathetic later on down the line. I overreacted and in this instance I am the one to apologize. However, there are things you don't know about me, things that might be hard for you to accept."

"How can you say that?! After all I just said to you! I have to accept you Lise." I began to get up but she placed both hands on my legs trying to make me listen and I felt like I was immobilized.

"You say that Jacob but you don't understand. I am not who you think I am. I realize that imprinting is not a choice but a pre-chosen fate, but I am warning you. I am cruel. I will break your heart beyond repair. In a way you might be able to handle me if the wolf in you is strong enough, but right now, until you know all sides of me, I am not for you."

"So you're saying that I'm too weak to handle the woman I love. That I'm not good enough because I don't own an eight bedroom house, or a private helicopter, or the fastest cars and can't give you everything you want." I was angry now. How could she sit there and tell me that she was not for me. "The wolf in me had not chosen wrong! When we choose a mate we are never wrong!"

"None of that has anything to do with it!" Melisandre stood up and stalked across the room in an unearthly airiness. Her steps seemed like a ballerina's. I wanted to curse myself for still being mesmerized while angry. It made me question whom I was really angry at.

"I can't believe you think I'm so shallow!" She was angry now. Damn I had ruined the mood. Here she was being more patient than earlier and I had to go and ruin it.

"You know I don't think that, Lise." It started to rain outside and the drops were bouncing off the sill onto my head but I ignored it. Melisandre was stuffing the last of her things in a carry on bag.

"I'm not so sure anymore." She mumbled. "I'm leaving in a few minutes, by the way. I was contemplating whether or not to wake you up. You're already awake so I suppose it's not an issue anymore."

"Why do you always have to runaway?"

"Because it's the only thing I know how to do best. That and be cruel." She answered and swished out the door to the bathroom to freshen up. I could hear the helicopter approaching the beach in the distance. It would be here in about 15 minutes maybe. Melisandre was smart. That was enough time to freshen up, load the car with her bags and head to the beach, and get on the Helicopter and go. It would fly her directly to the airport, two hours of flight time, less time than it took a car to drive there, leaves her with an hour and a half to check in her things, boarding pass get comfortable and head to Beijing. There would be barely enough time to pan things out between them.

In the car there was silence and the helicopter was already at the beach. I helped the pilot load the bags into the back while secretly wishing he'd suffer a minor heart attack so that way there would be a reason for Mel to stay. That didn't happen. I then hoped he would break his hand trying to lift the bag…. That didn't happen either because of the damn convenience of wheels. No matter what, I either wanted her to stay or for her to take me with her and both options were absurd.

Before she stepped into the helicopter to go, Melisandre did her second act of cruelty for the night. The first was bearable the rejection and then the feeling of her hands mesmerizing me as she traced the contours of my face. This is the second.

"Jacob?" Lise hesitated for a moment.

"Are you going to take me with you, since you won't stay?" I responded hopefully.

She chuckled. "No! But there is something else." Melisandre locked her hands around my face and stood on her toes. Lise kissed me. And like the idiot I melted right into it. It was soft, guiding, tongue tasting and exploring. I felt my body tense as I realized the minute was nearing its end and I clenched the hip of her dress. Don't go… Don't go! I pleaded in my mind. Take me with you at least! And it was done. Mel danced away from my grasp with ease.

"That is how you kiss a woman, Jacob Black. Till next time!" She stepped into the helicopter buckled up, lifted off and I buckled down. On my knees, my body shaking, breathing harsh for the first time in a long time I felt the sheer ripping of my separation from her. The last time i suffered it i thought it was just my pain from the loss of Bella but now i knew better. Goodbye for now, Lise.

(A/N: Okay! I don't want this to be one of those long ass drawn out stories. I've never written one more than 13 chapters and its not going to start now i guess. I'm trying to get things flowing, thing happenening so there will be a few time skips. Keep Up. I will tell you when. These chapters were in sept. Shall be moving right along promptly)