B-POV

I snuck another peek at Angela sitting across from me in the library. A bad habit I couldn't break, since the seat's usual occupant had a particularly adorable expression when he was engrossed with schoolwork. So far, Angela hadn't noticed. But it was only a matter of time before I embarrassed myself.

When Angela admitted she needed to skip her afternoon classes to rewrite an essay that was due the following day, I was happy to lead her to my spot in the library. Not only because she was my friend and it felt nice to help her, but because Angela and I rarely spent any time alone. Between her roommates, shared coursework with Jessica, and boyfriend, it was never just us two. Which was a shame, because secretly, Angela was my favorite. I liked my friend group just fine, but Tyler or Jessica often dominated the conversation. I knew Angela and I preferred it that way, but it was also nice to get the chance to know her. Because time spent with Angela felt like my time with Edward: effortless, comfortable, and easy.

And just like my time with Edward, we worked in amicable silence. It was so calm and quiet, we both jumped when her phone went off. Then, laughed at our identical reaction. She frowned at the text and tossed her phone back in her bag without responding.

I waited a beat before I asked, "Everything okay?"

"Yes," she said in a voice that hinted the answer was actually no. "Everything's fine."

I was prepared to drop the subject, like Angela did for me so often, but she elaborated, all on her own. "It's Ben," she said with a sigh.

I did my best to hide my pleasure that she trusted me enough to share her thoughts. "Is he alright?"

"He's alright," she paused, considering whether she wanted to use a different word. "He's okay. He and the boys discovered a new video game. They're obsessed. They play every second they can. Jessica and Lauren manage to wrangle Mike and Tyler away to be with them, but I feel bad forcing Ben to do something when I knew he would rather be doing something else."

"I get that," I sympathized. "You don't want to feel like the controlling type."

"Exactly! I pulled him away once for Valentine's Day and I felt guilty the entire time."

"Did he make you feel guilty?"

Her pretty features pinched in horror, "Absolutely not! It's all in my own head. Which, of course, makes it more difficult to explain to him why there's a problem." She sighed, resting her cheek in her hand. "I just miss him. I guess my only choice is to wait for the obsession to fade..."

"Your needs are just as important as his, Ang. Sometimes with—," I ended the sentence there, tucking my lips between my teeth. I never talked about Edward with my human friends. Not because of all the secrets surrounding our relationship, but because I knew no one liked him.

Lauren and Jessica made that abundantly clear.

"You can talk about him, you know."

I peeked up at her, unsure.

"I'm sorry you think that none of us supports your relationship, but I do. I trust your judgment. Edward has to be a good guy. Otherwise, you wouldn't be as happy as you always seem to be."

"He makes me so happy," I confided in my bravest voice.

"I'm glad," Angela reached her hand across the table and gave mine a squeeze. "Give Jessica some time to adjust, and she'll be glad, too. Between you and me, she's a little jealous."

I figured that was the case, though she played it off as concern for my well-being. I couldn't blame her, either. Edward inspired strong reactions from he had been taken when we met, I had no idea how I would have handled it. As much as I liked to think I would have been happy as his friend, part of me said I would have bitten the person's head off.

"Come on," Angela encouraged. "Tell me what you two did for Valentine's Day."

I smiled. Valentine's Day was perfect. Perfect for me, at least. I told Edward I didn't want anything outlandish or over-the-top. So, while his family took trips to Paris, Barcelona, and Amsterdam, Edward and I stayed at his house. Alone. I spent the day cooking an elaborate meal in his fancy kitchen, having the time of my life. While I cooked, Edward played music. He arranged a small set in the kitchen nook that previously held a table and chairs. Then, he performed an entire concert. On piano, guitar, or violin. Sometimes with lyrics, or just the music when the chords spoke for themselves. We spent the Day of Love doing our favorite activities, right beside our favorite person. With frequent breaks to partake in activities that demanded two people, obviously.

I summarized for Angela. "We had a quiet night at his house. I cooked dinner; he played music that he wrote for me."

With a delighted gasp, Angela brought her hand to her heart. "A musician?"

I nodded, quite pleased with her delight.

Angela shook her head, almost reverently, "You are one lucky girl, Isabella Swan."

I couldn't deny it. All my life I had been ultimately unlucky, from the genes I acquired from my birth parents to the choices I made in high school. It seemed all my good luck had been stored up to be spent on Edward.

"You know…" I said, considering. "That's probably what you can do with Ben. Let him know you want to be in the same room, doing your things. He games; you read. Together but separate."

"Bella! That's a great idea!" She fished her phone out of her bag and started a text, grinning. "I'll ask him right now. Thank you!"

"You are so welcome." And I meant it. It pleased me immensely to help Angela.

"Why don't I nudge Jessica towards the pro-Edward side this weekend? Do you mind? It's the least I could do."

"That would be really nice."

Sharing one last smile, we turned back to our assignments. We spoke once more when Angela shared Ben's pleasure with their new plans that evening. Other than that, we remained in comfortable silence until Edward arrived to pick me up.

"Hello, love. Hello, Angela." His expression was more tranquil than it typically was in crowds.

"How's the group project going?" We stayed at campus later than usual because Edward had a meeting with students from another class. He offered me the keys to his car, but I was happier to spend the time with Angela.

He scratched the back of his head. "They all have interesting insight. A few peculiar takes."

Angela grinned at him. There was a light blush on her face, but otherwise, her expression remained neutral, if not kind. The opposite of Jessica's obvious ogling. "Is that your way of saying you're going to redo the entire thing yourself?"

Edward nodded once, unashamed. "Absolutely."

"I hear that," Angela laughed. Edward joined in. My heart squeezed with pride at their comradery. Edward was so lonely—built such high walls because he thought he had to. It thrilled me to see him at ease with another one of my favorite people.

"Are you ready to go?" Edward asked me, to which I nodded.

As we packed, bundled up, and said our goodbyes to Angela, the serine smile never once left his beautiful face. I waited until we were halfway to the car before I noted, "You seem happy."

He hummed, thoughtfully. "Angela has a pleasant mind. She doesn't have an endless inner monologue, but clouds of thought, if that makes sense. I like being around her."

"I do, too. Actually, I was just thinking we should double with her and Ben sometimes. If you didn't mind, of course."

His hand rubbed up and down my arm before he squeezed me closer for a moment. "I don't mind."

"Feel free to change your mind after this double date," I teased as Edward opened the passenger door for me.

That night, we had plans to meet Charlie and his boyfriend. Though I heard plenty about Billy, I hadn't met him yet and I still wasn't sure what to expect. Especially since his son would also be joining us, to meet Charlie. It was going to be the strangest double date to ever grace the Bloated Toad. I expected a meal chock full of awkward silences and tactless segues.

At least I could expect a good meal. The Bloated Toad had always been Charlie's favorite. It was the closest thing to a fine dining establishment we had in Forks. Edward and I walked up the restaurant like any other same-species couple: my arm laced through his; Edward holding the umbrella over us both. The hostess recognized me, but her greeting got caught in her throat when she saw Edward. Poor Amanda tripped on her words, then her feet, and fumbled with the menus as she instructed us to follow her. I felt for her. It was difficult to be a functioning human so close to Edward's perfection. As I followed Amanda around the corner, Edward grabbed my arm and yanked me back.

"Edward!" I gasped. He had never been so rough with me before.

"Shh…" he whispered, towing me back to the front door.

It took all my concentration to remain on my feet while walking backward. So, it wasn't until we were back outside in the drizzle that I could properly give him a piece of my mind. When I looked up at him, his jaw was hard, his eyes unfocused and searching. Immediately, panic set in. "What's wrong?"

He didn't seem to hear my question. Several long seconds passed before he finally said, "I have to leave."

"What? Why!"

His jaw flexed as he chose his words, carefully. "There's a Hunter here."

Hunters were common in Forks, but I knew right away the Hunter that caused Edward's reaction didn't hunt animals.

"How do you know?" I whispered.

"I'll explain everything later. Right now, it's important that I'm away from you. Far away."

Common sense tried to reason with my heart, but I could not help but feel rejected. "Edward…"

Sensing my hurt, he cradled my face in his hands. His butterscotch eyes were alluring and adoring. "Bella, my love, you know it pains me to deny you anything, even my presence. But I cannot breathe thinking what would happen if a Hunter knew how much I care for you."

I nodded as confidently as I could manage.

"I love you." His thumbs brushed the blush along my cheeks before he released me. He handed me his car keys, "Drive yourself home or to my house. I'll figure something out either way."

"So, I will see you again?" Talk of leaving and Edward going far away made me desperate for reassurance.

He regarded the naked panic on my face with a soft, sympathetic smile. "Of course, you will see me again. I wouldn't survive any other way." He kissed me with so much passion that I could not doubt him, no matter how rattled I felt by his sudden departure.

Numb, dazzled, and confused, I stood under the awning as Edward disappeared.

Back inside, Amanda welcomed me again. If she wondered why we didn't follow her, she didn't say. "Hi, Bella. Your dad's already back there. Same table as usual." Amanda lifted her hand to her forehead, as if checking for a fever. "I have no idea why I didn't remember that before."

I knew the exact reason why her mind turned to goo, but I didn't mention it. I thanked her and made my way back.

Charlie rose to greet me the moment he saw me. "Bella, sweetie." He helped me with my jacket and generously praised the outfit he had picked out for me that morning. He pulled me in for a side hug and proudly displayed me to his boyfriend, "I would like you to meet Billy."

I smiled and waved, trying my best not to look awkward. Billy had dark russet skin, a strong nose, and long, black hair fashioned into a French braid. I could see why Charlie found him attractive. He was, in a dad sort of way. "Hello, Billy."

"Good to finally meet you, Bella."

I waited for Charlie to scold him for not standing before I had a seat. My father was a man of propriety, especially when he was trying to impress another man. Then, I realized Billy was in a wheelchair. I prayed to whatever deity compelled me to keep that comment to myself and spared me that horrifically awkward moment. Then, I internally cursed Charlie for keeping that fact to himself.

"She's every bit as lovely as you said and then some."

Thank you," Charlie patted my shoulder affectionately. "At first, I named her Astuta, but as she grew up, I knew I had to change her name to Bella."

Billy laughed, as they all did when Charlie told that same joke. Already, I yearned for Edward and the wry smile we should have shared.

As if he could read my thoughts, Charlie asked, "Edward parking the car?"

"No," I swallowed, the wound of his abrupt departure still fresh in my heart, "He had an unexpected emergency. He had to bow out this evening."

"I hope everything's okay," Billy said in a deep, baritone voice.

"It will be."

"I'm sorry, baby." Charlie placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, "Look at the bright side, it gives us an excuse to do this again."

I nodded, trying to seem as pleased as Charlie would want me to feel. I switched subjects. "Will your son still be joining us, Billy?"

"He's here." Billy nodded his head towards the back door, "He needed to take a call."

I nodded. With nothing more to say, I pulled a menu off the stack in the center of the table.

"We both know you don't need that," Charlie teased, "You order the same thing every time."

"I need to make sure it's still an option."

"Yes, Bella, the crab and gouda grilled cheese is still an option."

I smiled at it on the menu. I had been thinking about it all day. The conversation shifted to everyone's orders. Billy listed the sandwiches he was choosing between, to which Charlie gave his option on each. I suggested they order different sandwiches and split them so Billy could try two things. The men loved the idea, until they both had to agree on the same two sandwiches. They were still narrowing down their options when my name was called.

"Isabella Swan."

Suddenly, I was in high school again. Beckoned by that very same voice.

My bullies had gotten more creative than they were in elementary school. Instead of oinking or calling me cruel names, Jacob Black told me I was beautiful. Later, he told me he loved me. But only in whispers underneath the bleachers or with hidden caresses in the shadows. Out in the open, he would turn the other way, often with a sneer on his lips. The lips that had kissed me in secret moments before.

Jacob was my high school boyfriend. A fact that only I knew. Any other person at our school would claim the two of us didn't even know each other.

I often asked why he never acknowledged me in front of his friends or why our dates were always at least an hour away.

"Isn't it more fun this way?" he would say, "Keeping it our little secret?"

The hopeless romantic in me would always agree, ignorantly mistaking us for Romeo and Juliet. For two years, I trusted him. I let him date other girls to protect our secret. I would go out of my way to meet him in secluded areas. I stayed at home on Friday nights while he would go out.

It wasn't until after the spell was broken that I realized I had been under one at all. After the water filter at the school on the Reservation was fixed, Jacob returned along with the other Quileute students. Because of the secrecy, we didn't know where the other lived or even the other's phone number. We had only communicated in hand-written notes. I found it romantic, but I realized later Jacob was so ashamed of me, he didn't want a single, traceable connection between us.

My first relationship ended as abruptly and mysteriously as it began. Apart from him, I finally saw how horrible he was. It was the reason I was able to convince myself that I had been pulled under another spell just as easily.

It was Jacob's fault that I doubted Edward's intentions. It was Jacob's fault that I broke the heart of the boy I loved.

I tried to keep my eyes on my menu as the fourth member of our party joined the table, but he deliberately shook the table, forcing me to snatch my water glass before it could spill. Then, I was face-to-face with my tormentor for two whole years.

He had gotten more attractive with age. Jacob had always been stocky, but now he was huge. There was obvious muscle under all his bulk. His smile was still the same—the one that drew me to him in the first place. Perfectly white, shining against his russet skin. Dark, deep-set eyes that twinkled with adoration. He still wore his hair long, though it was thrown up into a messy bun.

"Hi, Bella."

"Oh, do you two know each other?" Charlie asked innocently. "I didn't realize you had friends on the Res, Bells."

Charlie had never known my dark past with Jacob Black. First, because Jacob wanted to keep us a secret and I wanted to please Jacob. Then, because I was deeply ashamed.

"W-w-we-we," I stammered.

"We went to school together," Jacob said, lightly. "Of course, I was a grade up."

"Oh, that makes sense. You would have run into each other those years the school on the Reservation was shut down from water damage." Charlie looked to Billy for confirmation on his timeline.

"Small world," Billy grinned.

Jacob's smile spread into something devious, as if speaking the word small in my presence was a joke in itself. To him, it probably was. I violently cursed the Hunter in this restaurant that forced Edward to flee.

Since introductions were clearly not needed, the conversation returned to dinner selections.

"That crab grilled cheese looks good," Jacob commented, "Will they let you replace the fries with a salad?"

"I don't see why not," Billy answered, not realizing that Jacob's question had been directed at me.

"House salad comes as an appetizer," Charlie informed them.

"That might not be enough…"

Charlie smiled. "Has your father enlisted you in his quest for better health, Jacob?"

Jacob patted his father on the shoulder. "I've never been as bad as the old man. They have his order ready at Arby's every day at noon."

"Not for several weeks now," Billy said proudly.

Charlie acknowledged his pride. "Bella and I have always eaten intuitively. If your body wants a salad, eat a salad. If your body wants a grilled cheese, eat a grilled cheese. It's been working perfectly fine for us, right dear?"

Jacob's smile widened. "Oh, that's definitely working for Belly." He cleared his throat and corrected himself, as if he had misspoken rather than use my nickname in middle school.

Again, Billy and Charlie were too preoccupied with their playful bickering to notice. "Exactly," Charlie agreed.

I could have burst into tears right then. Instead, I kept my head down, begging the ground to open and swallow me whole.

"Jacob recently got into powerlifting," Billy mentioned.

"I can tell! I see that definition." Charlie said. "It's a damn shame Edward canceled. You two would have gotten along great. Isn't that right, Bella?"

I remained perfectly still, horrified at the thought of Edward meeting Jacob. Reading his thoughts… Reliving his memories…

"Who's this?" Jacob asked.

"Bella's boyfriend. I'd say he's as healthy as a horse, but I don't think a horse would do him justice." He elbowed me, trying to get me to participate. "Isn't that right, Bella?"

"Boyfriend, huh?" Jacob leaned back in his chair, his voice insultingly skeptical.

"He was supposed to be here tonight but had to cancel at the last minute. Family emergency."

Sensing the smirk on Jacob's face, I nodded absentmindedly. My cheeks grew hot, as if I was nervous about getting caught in a lie that was entirely truthful.

"How convenient," Jacob murmured in a low voice. I doubted Charlie picked it up over the hum of the conversation around us.

The waitress came. A new girl—a high school student I didn't recognize. She went to take Jacob's order first, since Billy and Charlie were still debating on their dinners. Jacob ordered exactly what I was going to get, down to the dressing on the house salad appetizer.

He nodded in my direction, "She'll do the cobb. No dressing. Lemon wedge on the side."

My mouth opened, but no sound came out.

Under the table, I felt his foot rub up my leg. "You're welcome, honey," he mouthed.

I cringed away from the memories of his exact scenario in high school. Back when I found it so romantic that Jacob would order on my behalf, though I always walked away from meals unsatisfied. I couldn't do it again. I couldn't sit through an entire meal with him. Billy seemed like a perfectly respectable gentleman, but his son could not have fallen further from the tree.

As if on cue, my phone rang. Though I figured it would be spam—Charlie was the only person who actually called me—I excused myself and rushed out the back door.

Alice was halfway through a sentence when I picked up the phone, "—vision two weeks ago. Isn't that wild? I had no idea why I would call you. I even said to Jasper, 'Why would I call Bella?'. But just now, Edward crashed through the backdoor in the same way he had in the vision, so I knew it was time. I need to say: Bella, we need you home right now, immediately."

I could cry. Bless Alice and her crazy physic visions. I fell more in love with this superpowered, supernatural family more and more with every passing day.

"Thank you so much, Alice. I needed this. You really came through!"

I could hear her smile through the phone, "I always do."

At the table, I rushed to gather my things. "Sorry—that was Edward's sister. She needs me."

Charlie's brow pinched with concern, "Is everything going to be all right?"

I figured it was best to keep my response vague and mildly ominous. "We'll see."

Billy and Charlie exchanged a brief look of concern. I could see a million questions and concerns brimming in Charlie's wide, childlike eyes. Billy slyly took Charlie's hand in his. "Let me know if you need anything."

"Will do, Dad." I kissed his cheek. "Bye!"

In the parking lot, I fumbled with Edward's keys. He had far more keys than any sane person would keep on one key ring. Some for older vehicles, and some sensors for buttons.

"Honey."

I cringed away from Jacob's voice.

"Do not talk to me." The command held nowhere near the amount of authority I needed it to.

"I can't believe it's really you. I've missed you so much." I felt him get unbearable close. His large hand cupped my elbow, the palm of his hand had a slick sheen of sweat. Though his touch was tender, his next words were insulting. "How is it possible that you've gotten bigger?"

I ripped my elbow out of his hand, but he caught my arm, tightened his grip.

"Please," my voice shook. "I have a boyfriend, Jacob."

"Bella, Honey. We've talked about this. You know I'm the only one who could truly love you."

I jammed another wrong key into the lock. Jacob chuckled, affectionately. He took the keys from my hand and flipped through them. He held up one of the sensors, "It's this one, Honey."

"Thank you," I reached for the keys, but he held them up too high for me to reach. "Now, please, let me use it to get to my boyfriend."

"What did he tell you?" His breath had the sickly-sweet scent of an energy drink. "That he could look past the weight? Or did he lie and say he preferred big girls?"

"Neither," I hissed. My appearance meant as little to Edward as his meant to me.

"Doesn't matter which lie he used." Jacob closed the keys in my hand, then. "Now that I know where you are, we'll be together again."

I ripped my hand out of this and finally clicked the correct button to unlock the car. "How could you possibly think that?"

"Because I am just right for you." Jacob held the door frame as I climbed in. He let go the second before I could slam his fingers in the door. Through the glass window, he said, "Us together is as natural as breathing."

Staring straight ahead through the front window, I whispered between my teeth, "I would rather suffocate."

E-POV

Jasper wasn't thrilled when I told him the news.

It had been years since one of us had encountered a Hunter. Jasper evaded two Hunters on his tail for over three decades, making him the expert on the subject, whether he liked it or not.

Few humans were humans blessed with the speed and strength required to take down the supernatural creatures that plagued the earth in secret: vampires, werewolves, sirens. And less than that assumed the roles. Most lived their entire lives without realizing the power they wielded. Though few and far between, Hunters were deadly to my kind.

Jasper leaned back on his chaise, he had one foot up on the coffee table and his arm draped over his eyes.

"What happened, exactly?"

"Bella and I arrived at a restaurant in Forks. Out of habit, I took a quick scan to see how many people were inside. I like to know what I'm getting myself into. That's when I heard someone on the phone, hoping to receive confirmation of a rumor of vampires in Vancouver. He hadn't killed in a while and was growing restless."

"And you left?"

"I had to. Bella is in no danger from a Hunter, but she would be if she were seen with me."

"Hmm."

"I don't want to cause alarm. But I don't think we should ignore this, either."

"If they're following rumors in Vancouver, that means they don't know we're here." I straightened up at the sound of Rosalie's voice, though her statement was directed at Jasper, not me.

My brother did not feel the same pressure as I did on Rosalie's arrival. He remained prone; eyes still covered. The reluctance in his thoughts was because he would be required to speak out loud.

"That's correct," he said in his slow, Southern drawl.

"But," Rosalie extended her favorite word into three syllables, "only a few weeks ago, we were listening for rumors about Edward. Is it possible that the Hunters in the area would pick up on those?"

"Bella confirmed that none of her friends are suspicious about me. They enjoy the joke that I'm a serial killer more than I want them to," I admitted, reluctantly. "But they don't take it seriously enough to do anything about it."

"Besides," Jasper continued, "They would take one look at Edward and dismiss the theory. He keeps his eyes gold."

"You don't think they know about golden eyes yet?"

Jasper's jaw twitched, unwilling to elaborate. "It's a safe assumption. Even as a vampire, I wasn't aware such a thing was possible until Alice found me."

I exhaled a great breath that had me collapse over my knees with relief. I already planned several conversations with Bella about why we could no longer be seen in public together anymore. Every one of those scenarios went poorly, so I was pleased they would never come to pass.

Bella would be safe with me. Safer, even, if I could detect a Hunter without them recognizing me.

"Oh, thank god."

"Still, we should be prepared for the worst scenario…" Rosalie started.

As she spoke, the familiar purr of my car sounded down in the driveway. I glanced at the clock. Bella was home earlier than I expected. Alice called my girlfriend's name from the porch.

"The boys are in a very important meeting," she said in a mocking tone, though she knew how important it really was. "Do you want to watch a movie or something while we wait?"

"I'd love to," Bella agreed, "But first, I want to shower."

That was odd. Bella typically showered right before she went to sleep. I figured she spilled something on herself at dinner. It was certainly in character. And it would explain her early departure. Alice was busy thinking of the stores she could reach to acquire Bella new clothes while she was in the shower, so she didn't look at Bella to confirm my stain theory.

I listened as Alice supplied the guest bathroom on the first floor with all of Bella's needs while Rosalie listed the precautions she thought the family should follow, now that there was a confirmed Hunter in the area. Jasper agreed with half, entertained some for her benefit, and outright refused others.

"As always, Edward and Alice are our greatest defense," Jasper said. "We already have the upper hand because we know of their presence while they don't know ours."

"But Edward didn't think to find out what he looked like," Rosalie pointed out, correctly. I had been so concerned with Bella's safety, practicality slipped my mind.

"He knows where they're going next," Jasper held up a finger. "He and Alice will go to Vancouver, find out if there are vampires, and find out if anyone's hunting them."

"Tonight?"

"Gotta strike while the iron is hot."

"After Bella falls asleep." I couldn't abandon her twice in one day.

Realizing that his peace and quiet had been officially ruined for the night, Jasper got up from the couch. "Can't imagine vampire hunting any time before midnight."

At that, Jasper and Rosalie left the room, deciding how they were going to break the news to Carlisle. It was good that there was already a plan—Carlisle was always more willing to receive bad news when there was already a solution in place.

Remaining in Jasper's study, I listened to the sounds in the house. Bella finished up her shower just as Alice returned home from the store. I heard Alice lie about their origin, and Bella's skeptical yet grateful response.

I waited until Bella turned to Alice and asked, "Is Edward—?"

She didn't even finish the question before she was in my embrace, a surprised giggle bubbling from her lips.

A vision flashed in Alice's mind. "Looks like Jasper and Rose are going to want to talk to me." She tossed Bella a wink. "Another time for that movie?"

Bella pressed her cheek against my chest. "For sure."

As Alice flitted away, I led Bella to her favorite spot in the house—the sunroom out front. It was the first room she saw in the house, and—from what I could tell—hadn't stopped thinking about it since. Knowing her imminent arrival, I switched on the space heater when I got home, so the room was already toasty. I beckoned her to sit on the swinging daybed, but she chose the wrought iron loveseat, instead.

"What happened?" I asked once we were settled, rubbing the soft spot above her hip I loved so dearly. "Why are you home so early?"

"I don't really want to talk about it."

That riled up my nerves more than any other answer could. I had no clue what event could cause her to flee from a casual dinner with her father and his boyfriend. My mind immediately went to the extremes—assault, aggression. I hoped she would at least tell me if she was in physical danger.

"Yet," she added, as if she sensed my dread.

It calmed me—slightly—that she would tell me. I could wait until she was ready. Patience had always been a virtue as an immortal, though I couldn't seem to find mine at the moment. I had to swallow my questions and bite back my demands.

"What do you need from me?"

She smiled at my response, which made me happy that I fought the instinct to pry. Even if it did pain me not to know. A fleeting moment of Bella's happiness was worth hours of my own suffering.

"Just you," she murmured, wrapping her arms around my waist. "I only ever need you."

I kissed her hair.

I knew the feeling.

We remained in our embrace until her stomach growled.

"Ugh," she mumbled, nuzzling her face into my armpit.

"Hungry?"

"Yes," she said from her hiding spot, as if she were admitting a great defeat. "I left before we ate."

"No grilled cheese?" Earlier that day, she mentioned it was one of her favorite things to eat in Forks.

"No." Her soft voice was glum.

"Would you like me to get it for you? I can call and pick it up."

Her face softened in a way I hadn't expected. "You want me to have my grilled cheese?"

The question was strange to me. The concept seemed simple enough. She wanted it—she should have it. I couldn't tell whether there was a joke I had missed or a social faux pas I had broken.

"Of course," I said, at the risk of sounding like an idiot, "If you want one, you should have one."

A smile blossomed across her lovely face and she snuggled closer. "Thank you. You're so good to me."

I didn't understand the reason behind the adoration in her expression, but I was thrilled to see it, nonetheless.

I know what you all are thinking. Is this Jacob plotline a thinly veiled Eclipse fix-it fic? Maybe so. It is exactly how I wished Bella reacted to Jacob after how badly he treated her in that book. And he is going to be the 'villain' in this. If Jacob is your sweet, sunshine boy and you don't wish to see me disparage his good name, I would suggest stopping here and reading my one-shot Flaws to wrap up this story.

Either way, yes Jacob is going to be a Hunter in this fic instead of a werewolf. I think it's a simple fix that avoids most of the issues with Twilight. The Hunters won't be associated with a single Native American tribe, the vampires won't refer to Native boys as dogs, and no one has to run around shirtless. Clean. Easy. Effective.