Thank you guys so much for sticking with me with this story. This chapter has not been beta'd yet so I know there are most likely a lot of mistakes. I cannot edit my own writing very efficiently and my Beta has been horridly ill and unable to edit. Am still waiting on the last chapter to be edited and once that one and this one have been I will repost them. Thanks for all the alerts and favorites and reviews. You guys really are amazing and thank you so much.

Bella's POV

I know I am dreaming; or rather that this all just in my mind. Yet I still feel fear and loneliness and pain. The time in which I have spent in this dream state is unknown to me. There are no clocks or changing light to tell the passing of time. Just the eternal grey mist the shrouds my surroundings in shadows. The noises are still around me, but by having accepted my entrapment within my mind, they seem to have eased off. Still ever present, they seem to know that I know and thus I have come to the conclusion that their tactics were to get me to finally realize that I cannot run from my mind. I had run in circles until I finally stopped here. The same place I keep coming back to. A break in the mist where a lowly tree stumps sits alone. Sitting upon it now I draw my knees to my chest and rest my weary head. I listen to the noises. They come and go in volume like the waves upon a beach. Loud and soft…loud and soft…loud and soft; in and out…in and out…in and out. There is however a voice in the noise that stands out against the others. Not so much as to know what it says, but enough to know that it is different and that it is calling to me. Calling me where I do not know. I cannot leave this place. This island of solitude in a sea of grey. I think about my loved ones. The ones I have lost. What happened to them; to their consciousness or soul or whatever you call it? Are they in heaven or did they reach Nirvana? Is it ascension to a new plain of existence or are they trapped? Trapped just like me in a world caught in-between. Maybe I am dead too. And this is my new reality; forever in the in-between. I wonder if I am a ghost. One of those paranormal entities that can never cause harm or destruction, but one that is there. An echo of something that once was.

I don't want to be an echo.

Realization suddenly flowed through me. If this is all in my mind then I can fight it. The brothers did this to me. I will not let them win. They may have taken my family and my innocence but they will not take my life.

Looking down at my feet I notice a small blue flower. Kneeling down I carefully pluck the flower and inhale its sweet scent. I close my eyes enjoying the feeling of happiness the scent invokes in me. Opening my eyes I notice a trail of the same blue flower leading into the mist. Standing I slowly take the first steps to follow the path. The more steps I take the wider the path the flowers create. Reaching the edge of the mist I take a deep breath before stepping into the grey sea.

Jane's POV

I watched as the seagulls flew over my head in erratic patterns searching for traces of food. The soothing sounds of the ocean echoes up the cliffs to where I sit. The cool rock is a stark contrast to the heat from the sun. The day is hot and it is projected to get hotter as the week continues. A heat wave has announced that summer has arrived and it will be one of the hottest on record. I rest my head on my knees and close my eyes. Concentrating on the sound of the waves as they move in and out; crashing with the rock face of the cliffs. A shudder runs through me as I think of Bella and Demitri. It's been so long. I feel guilty for my part in her current situation. Paul keeps assuring me that none of is my fault, but I cannot help but regret the person I once was. Such a cold hearted killer with no emotions. Paul; my hope for a better existence. I never knew love could exist on such a level as how we love each other. He's a fucking asshole and a pain in the ass, but then again so am I. I don't really know I ever lived without him. My entire existence gravitates around him. Lifting my head up, I look out over the water and see the fishing boats dotting the horizon. It's been a good summer and the community is prospering. The abundant catch combined with an increase in tourism has brought a much needed boost to La Push. Looking to my right at the beach I see people scattered around the sand and in the water. The heat has driven the city dwellers of Seattle and Victoria to the seaside in hopes of cooler weather and peaceful tranquility that can only be obtained when in the presence of the ocean. I moved around to lie face down on the flat rock. Folding my arms under my head I rest my forehead against my forearms. Taking a deep breath of the salt air I can smell the unique scent that is my mate. I feel his presence coming over closer as he makes his way up the cliff to where I lay. I make no attempt to move as he sits next to my body. I feel his hand gentle run through my hair as I turn my head to face him. He smiles down at me and I cannot help but return that smile. The way he looks at me you would think he had not seen me in ages. It's like this every time he looks at me. Clair said I have the same look upon my face whenever I look at Paul. Paul's hand caress my neck and makes it way down my back. Reaching the hem of my thin t-shirt his hand dives under and makes it was back up my back. His gentle caresses soothe me and I feel pure contentment and peace in this moment. He sits next to me in just a pair of dark green cargo shorts. My eyes follow the strings of sweat as they make their way down his strong, broad chest. I met his eyes and I see them darken as he discovered that I have decided to forgo a bra. Sitting up on my knees I lean in and give him a sweet kiss on those delicious lips. His hand, still buried under my shirt, pulls me to him causing me to straddle his thighs with my knees on either side.

"I love you Jane." He whispers against my lips before capturing them with his.

I gasp at the sudden intensity of the kiss and he takes full advantage by plunging his tongue into my mouth. My arms move on their own accord and snake their way up his strong arms and intertwine behind his neck pulling his chest flush with mine.

"I love you Paul." I finally replay as soon as he releases his death grip in me.

He smiles at me but I can tell that he has something on his mind. The joy of his smile does not reach his deep brown eyes.

"Whatever is the matter Paul?"

"I just received a call from Felix. It appears that we are needed in Europe."

"Has something happened? Has there been a change in Bella's condition?"

"He would not say. He just told me briefly that we needed to leave immediately. I have spoken with Jacob and he will be coming with us. He has missed Angela terribly and needs to see her. They are both beginning to feel the pains of separation."

"What do you mean "pains of separation"?"

"When imprints are away from each other too long their heart begins to literally ache for their mate. I have been told that it feels like there is a big hole in their chest that can never be filled without their mate. If separated for too long the pain will become too great and they will wither away until they eventually die."

"I did not know Jacob was suffering so much."

"He is very good at hiding it. He is alpha and therefore feels he needs to be strong for the pack. We spoke the other day and were making plans to send him to Europe anyway to see Angela since she cannot leave yet. We will not be joining him and leave in a few hours."

"So soon?"

"Yes. I am concerned about the lack of information Felix would give me and the sooner we get Jacob and Ang together the better."

We both stood and began to make our way down the cliffs to the little row of houses that lined the beach front. We had plans of eventually building our own home, but for now we are content renting one of the little vacation cabins. It's amazing how much Paul has changed over the past months. Were he was once filled with hatred and malice towards my people; he is now accepting and trusting. All that time ago when we had that huge fight which resulted in me completely shutting down. It was then that Paul realized just how much he was hurting both me and himself. I am so grateful for everything I have with Paul. I hope everyday that Bella will awaken and finally be able to feel and thrive in the love Demitri has for her.