A/N : Sorry for the wait. I had to think long and hard about where I wanted to take this. I hope you like it. Ill have the next chapter up soon. Please review!!!

Chapter 5: Nature

It was raining now; I lifted my jacket into a make-shift tent over my head, picking up my pace. By the time I reached my truck it was hailing, pelting the hood and fenders. Before jumping in the cab, I took one last glance towards the beach. I didn't see him. In truth, I couldn't see far beyond the bed of my truck, with the hail coming down in a thin white sheet.

Before I had left for college I felt the lines in our friendship blurring, but I never imagined I would be so desperate now to cross them. In fact, I wanted them gone. Any barrier that would prevent me from loving Jake fully and vice versa, I wanted eliminated. Yet somehow, I was so damn determined to ruin everything that I inadvertently landed front and center in the place I tried so desperately to avoid…in love with Jacob Black.

It's just not enough anymore... My words, spoken with finality from his lips, played like a broken record in my head while I fumbled for my keys. The wet frigid air had rendered my fingers nearly useless, I had to use my palm to shove the key into the ignition. A swift turn of the key brought with it a click click click from the engine. I pumped hard on accelerator before trying it again. Click click click click. I held it longer this time, willing it to start. The white sheet was all around me, I squinted my eyes to see through it, waiting for Jake's large form to emerge. Thunder cracked and I jumped. I was sad, cold, exhausted and in no mood for this. With the irritation ballooning inside me I had to resist the urge to kick out my windshield.

Charlie would be home, peeved that I had made La Push my initial destination, but ultimately was the only person I could count on right now. Not that he would feel the need to probe at the reasons for my hasty visit, or my current state for that matter- trapped in the small confines of his cruiser suffocated by my own thoughts was the last place I wanted to be. Then I thought of the first place I wanted to be… I yanked my key from the ignition, shoved my door open slamming it behind me and headed for Jacobs telephone not bothering to cover myself from the assaulting hail.

Once inside the warm house, I stomped my feet on the door mat before heading to the phone. I dialed the station first; it rang several times before switching over to an automated system. Aggravated further, I slammed the phone down to the receiver with unnecessary force. The clock on the microwave read 10:36 p.m.- I blinked my eyes once, I would have never guessed it to be so late. My mood thawed a little, knowing Charlie would have nowhere else to be but home. I pictured him slumped into his indented place on the couch with the remote resting on his chest, enamored with whatever display of athletics was on tonight. He didn't answer there either. I cleared the line and punched re-dial. No answer. When his voice came on through is answering machine recording, I waited for the beep before I started shouting at him to wake up and answer the phone.

" Daaaddd…heellloo…wake up Charlie! I'm in town, stuck at Billy's actually, I'll explain later…but if you hear this come get me….hellloo? Ok, bye."

Dammit. I looked around the house; its welcoming comfort of earlier today was gone. At one time I believed that Jacobs's warmth caused my affection for it, or anyplace else I have come to know as safe, now I knew all to well that our love swelled inside these walls pressing against the structure and threatening to break through, just like my heart. The refrigerator hummed, I peeked at the counter where Jake had given me the wrong impression only hours ago. Jake. Where was he?

By the sound of it, the storm was unleashing its full force directly overhead now. He couldn't possibly just be sitting contently on a log in the midst of it all…our log. It seemed that Jacob and I existed under the same gigantic rubber band, whenever I tried to move opposite him it wouldn't be long before I snapped back into place.

With no other options, I retreated to the couch for a nap, stopping along the way to peel out of my sopping jacket and shoes. I unfolded the fleece blanket that was lying over the easy chair, it smelled of pine and tobacco; I wrapped it loosely around me before plopping into the cushions. As soon as I buried my head into the couch I knew instantly that sleep was not far away. I purposefully put Jacob in the forefront of my thoughts, I fell asleep warm.

JPOV

Watching Bella Swan walk away from me, knowing it was my words that sent her away, was pure agony. It felt so against nature to not comfort her quiets sobs that she held until she was sure I couldn't hear or see, no doubt. There isn't a mean bone in her body, I know that she didn't intend for any of this to happen, most of it was out of her control anyway- but she was forever fighting against the parts she could. She wasn't like the need of water or food, or even breathing, she was oxygen- without her nothing else mattered. The problem was though, that she needed me as a part of her existence, I needed her to exist.

I shoved my head into my hands, the only person who could understand this sort of pain and confusion was Sam. He was patrolling near here; I could smell him and Seth to the south. I left my clothes under a nearby picnic bench, running at full speed, I start to shake just before the edge of the woods. Although I know Sam heard me as soon as I phased, he waited until I caught up and was running beside him to speak.

Jacob? I sent Quil and Embry to tell you to take the night off...

Ya they did, but that's not why I'm here though,um…Sam I need to talk about something.

Is there a problem on the reservation?

No no, well, sort of...actually, Bella came to see me today. She just showed up in my living room-

I'm surprised you're not more excited, what I mean is, I can hear how much you've missed her, and I…

He stopped. Images of her pinned to the wall, the coolness of her mouth, her telling me she loves me, walking to the beach…telling her she's not enough… all flashed like still shots through my head.

Of course I'm happy she's here, it's just, you know, scary for me to think that she could change her mind in the morning and be gone, or that bloodsucker might show up one day and she'd go running into his arms, or what if I end up imprinting…I think what I'm trying to say, is when she took off the way she did it left me with five months of nothing but thinking Now I've got my own reasons for this not to work out.

I was grateful that the others were minding their own business, I knew that could hear me regardless, but atleast there was no sideline commentary.

Jacob look, it's simple. You love her. She's what you want. And it's always easier to believe the bad stuff, because the good usually seems too good to be true, and a lot of times it is…but sometimes it's not. She screwed up Jake, and if you end up taking her back, she'll probably screw up again, so will you. You're not perfect and neither is she, but the question is, whether or not your perfect for eachother. All that bullshit about persistence you shoved down her throat, I'd be willing to bet she plans on returning the favor.

I thought about all times Bella pushed me away, how irritated she would claim to be with my efforts to pursue her, but I never found what she was saying to be true in her eyes. That's why I stuck around for so long. And I was right. Then I remembered Quil and Embry, and Sam. Sam loved Leah with all his heart, I'd seen it for myself in his thoughts, but it was powerless against the cosmic force that is imprinting.

And if I imprint? What then Sam? I promised to never hurt her no matter what, even if she hurts me, it was an unconditional promise that I won't be able to make good on…

Well, it's a very real possibility that you may have to deal with that one day. Maybe even tomorrow, you never know, but if you want my honest opinion and I think you do, I wouldn't worry about it too much. With the Cullens gone and not other activity to speak of, I can feel the urge to phase lessening now. It won't be much longer before stop all together. And only when phasing for the pack is at its peak, is imprinting the strongest. Basically Jake, if you haven't imprinted by now, I don't see it happening for you.

Everything inside me wanted to believe him. Sam's duty as the Alpha was to maintain whatever was best for the pack. He wouldn't lead me in the wrong direction; it goes against tribal covenant.

I needed to get to Bella. If this was all true, I needed to get to Bella. We were going to settle this tonight, right now, once and for all. I had waited long enough for Bella Swan to be mine, every bone in body was sore from aching for it over the years, and now I could have her. There was no sign of defeat in her eyes when she left me on the beach, sadness yes, but not defeat. Pain pricked my heart knowing I put the sadness in them. Then it hit me, she could be half way back to Seattle by now, or anywhere. I was wasting time.

Thanks a lot Sam, I've gotta go.

You're welcome Jake. Good luck.

I left Sam and headed west through the heavy rain, sprinting through the muddy brush. Billy said Charlie was out of town until Sunday, knowing Bella she went straight there, probably happy to be alone. She could be so depressing sometimes. I could see her now, in her tattered sweats, curled up on the couch with the T.V. on, but not actually watching it. Now that I thought about it, I'd seen Bella in front of a T.V. plenty of times, I don't think I have ever seen her watch it though. She never had enough empty space in her head with all the turmoil she was constantly going through, there wasn't room to let anything else in, even me.

Hey, uh, Jake…

Seth was behind me now.

I didn't mean to listen, but I don't think Bella's at Charlie's house. Last time I checked her truck was parked out front of your place.

I stopped and sniffed the air around me. I was close enough to Charlie's by now that I would have picked up her scent. Seth was right, I couldn't even smell the truck on the road out of La Push. Immediately I sprinted in the opposite direction. I thanked Seth for the heads up, heading back home, the thudding of my paws, hail falling against the trees, and my heart were the only sound that surrounded me now.

BPOV

"Bella..Bella...!"

It was getting louder, definitely closer to the house. I was groggy, but outside someone was yelling my name.

"Bells!"

Jake? I rolled over and perched myself up on the edge of the couch. I heard his heavy footsteps coming up the wooden ramp, the front door swung open slamming against the wall, Jake came storming in soaking wet-yanking his head from side to side, frantic.

"Ja-," Before I could stutter out the rest, Jake snapped his head in my direction, my favorite smile stretching from ear to ear.

"I thought…you…left…but Seth said…your truck was here and…" he said between heaving breaths.

"Ya, um, my truck wont start so I stayed-," With that the smile disapeared, his jaw set, determination filling his dark eyes, and he crossed the small space with long strides.

"Thank God." He moaned, dropping to his knees, clutching my face in his hands, and seizing my mouth.

I didn't hesitate in returning his urgent kiss. My hands wound through the hair on the back of his neck. Whatever he had been searching for he found, gone were the days of protesting his actions, my hands roamed freely over his blistering surface.

Our tongues met, gliding smoothing through eachothers lips. He parted my knees and placed himself between them, yanking me forward. I whimpered when my center slammed into his stomach, dropping my hands I shoved them confidently underneath his sweats and gripped his butt hard.

"Dammit Bella," he growled into my mouth.

His hands left my face, sliding down my chest over my breasts, until he reached the bottom of my wet shirt. Suddenly, I wanted the intruding fabric out of the way, lifting my arms above me, Jake slid the shirt over my heard, it dropped with a thud to the floor. Instantly my torso was wrapped in his blazing arms, pulling me closer to him still, and I couldn't help but feel it wasn't close enough.

"Jake…" I whispered into his mouth.

"Hmmm..." He responded, moving his lips up and down my neck.

"I need you inside me."

He froze. I leaned back trying to gauge he reaction. Jake brought is eyes to mine, they were full of lust as he searched for truth in mine. I held his stare for a second longer before putting my lips to his ear.

"Take me to your bed Jacob."

He groaned from deep within his chest, locking my legs around him, he stood and took my mouth in his. We stayed like this as he carried me towards his bedroom.

Well?? Good? Let me know!