AN: thanks for the reviews and thanks to my beta and co-author Georgia Dawgette.

Rec story: Once Upon A Full Moon by naranwien, amazing Bella/Jacob a must read for a true fan.

Chapter 21.

Jared had taken Bella in his arms, to reassure her and himself that they were both okay and that nothing had separated them. He pushed away the nearly overwhelming urge to stay wrapped up in his Bella forever and instead ran quickly to Emily and Sam's house.

He entered with Bella still curled into him. He sighed, desperately wishing that he didn't have to leave her there. "Bella, we are here. I'm going to leave you with Emily. One of the wolves will look after you two, but you have to promise me that you'll stay here." He had put her down on the couch and taken her chin into his hand. When their eyes met, he felt how upset she was, but he didn't have time to reassure her like he wanted to. There would be plenty of time for that when he disposed of the threats to her life. "I'll come back, but I need to know that you'll wait here, I cannot worry about you while I fight."

Her eyes were full of unshed tears. "I... promise you. I'll stay here but... Jared can't you stay here too?"

Jared smiled softly at her; he wished he could never leave her side. "I can't ask anyone else to fight my battles. The leech wants my mate, and I need to be there and make sure that she is destroyed. Bella... I know it's not the right time but... I want you to know that I have fallen in love with you. And I accept the imprint fully."

Tears started to pour out of her eyes. "I'm in love with you too. Jared... please... be careful."

He kissed her softly memorizing all of the things he loved about her. "I'll try."

He turned to leave but her hand stopped him. "Take care of Jake... please."

Jared took a deep breath. He knew that he was going to live his life with her with the constant ghost of her love for Jake. But he would take what fate had given him; she promised that she would be his, and that was enough. She had accepted him, ghosts and all, and it was his turn to do the same. "I'll do my best; but don't worry, Jake is strong, and he's our Alpha. Nothing will happen to any of us, we were made to kill vampires."

She bit her lip and nodded. He left swiftly before he lost the will to leave at all. Outside he met Sam. "Sam, who's going to be with the girls?"

Sam was tense but focused. "I left Leah and Seth, and before you say anything, I won't let Leah in the fight. Seth is young but strong, they'll be ok."

Jared knew why Sam had left the Clearwater's' behind, he didn't like it but he knew that the others would be strong fighters and nobody was supposed to reach Emily and Bella. After all Sam would not risk Emily's life, not even for Leah. "Alright, I trust you. Let's go."

Sam nodded and they phased. The moment they did a cacophony of thoughts assailed him. Sam shouted for them to calm down, and they started to assess the situation. The Cullen's had reached the clearing, and they were waiting for the wolves to get there too.

Sam and Carlisle had divided them into groups. Emmet, Alice, Paul and Colin would protect the right side. Rosalie, Carlisle, Quil and Brady would be on the left side. The final group constituted by the more skilled ones, Edward, Jasper, Sam, Jake, Embry and himself would be in the front. Esme would move between the various groups and light the fires when necessary.

Jared wasn't thrilled to be fighting with Cullen, but he knew that the leech could read minds and would be useful.

"I'm not exactly fond of you either." Edward hissed at him through barred teeth.

I don't give a fuck about what you are 'fond' of! Stay on your side and do your job! Jared mentally growled back at him.

"She'll eventually tire of the uncouthness of your manners, and soon come back to me." spat Edward.

In your fucking dreams leech! He pushed their last kiss on the bed to the front of his mind. Even though it was his memory, Bella's eagerness still surprised him.

Edward snarled, but what hurt Jared was the intense pain coming from Jake.

Fuck man! You aren't hurting just the leech! Embry said.

Jared felt ashamed; he had forgotten Jake so to soothe him he sent his way Bella's thoughts about him.

Jake sighed, it's not your fault Jared, but please bro, no more!

Of course Jake, I'm sorry this is not the right time to start a fight between us, said Jared

"Victoria and the newborns are coming!" shouted Edward.

From then on, it was chaos. Jared focused on the leeches that were coming at him. His mind was on autopilot. Move, bite, dismember. Move, bite, dismember.

Jared tore through the last leech in his way, and not far away from him saw Edward and Victoria locked in battle. Edward was a mind reader, but Victoria being a human blood drinker had the strength on her side. He thought about whether or not he should help him, and then an image of a disappointed Bella came into his mind. Ashamed that he even considered leaving Edward on his own, he ran towards them to save Cullen's ass.

He jumped onto Victoria from behind, and Edward took that moment to break her neck. Jared though, was thrown away and crashed onto a tree. Another leech came to him, he was trying to focus but the slamming into the tree had slowed his movements. The leech managed to bite him deeply on his shoulder and Jared fell almost immobilized by the searing pain of the venom.

It was the end; his last thought before succumbing to darkness was... Bella...

Bella's POV

Bella was pacing back and forth, when she looked up she saw the same fear and worry she felt etched on Emily's face. How were they going to wait for who knows how long without any information? Jared, Jacob and the others were in a fight that might result in one of their death.

The fear was gripping her heart, and she decided to try to distract Emily as well as herself. "I just can't believe that Victoria would go to this length to hurt Edward." she finally said thinking once again about the role that even Kim was forced to play in this nightmare.

Emily looked at Bella and sighed. Bella knew that Emily didn't just have Sam to worry about, she loved Leah and Seth deeply too. And even though her cousins were here patrolling the perimeter, nobody knew if some newborns might make it to them. "Well, he did kill her mate. Wouldn't you do anything to avenge Jared?"

Bella thought about it and then nodded. "You are probably right. I would seek justice, but the methods she has used for seeking vengeance just seem insane."

Emily shrugged her shoulders. "I think that vampires have a different frame of mind. They don't see right and wrong the way we do. That's probably the only way she knows."

Bella bit her lip. "She could have gone to the Volturi, the royal vampire family. I know they settle problems, maybe she could have laid her case and see what they thought."

Emily tried to smile but it came out more like a grimace. "Do you think that this Volturi would have been partial to her?"

Bella smiled back. "Hmmm... with them it could go either way... Actually if they thought that they could take advantage... maybe they would have asked Edward to stay with them, they would love to have a mind reader in their midst. Aro, the king, can read a person's mind just by touching them, but imagine if he had Edward..." she shivered then, reminding herself that the Volturi were after her too did nothing to calm her fears. She shook her head to clear her thoughts, those were worries for another day.

Emily must have seen her fear because she asked, "Are you scared of them? I know you met them when you went to save Edward in Italy."

Bella nodded. "The problem with them is that they expect the Cullen's to turn me. I was left free to go only because of that. If they come back and find that I've stayed human... I don't know what will happen... And I can't even tell them about imprinting and werewolves... It's another problem we'll have to worry about... I'm sorry I've made a mess of so many lives!"

Emily hugged her. "Bella it's not your fault. You fell in love with Edward, and he was a vampire. I think it was his responsibility to keep you safe. If you ask me, he should have never started dating you. I know that you fell in love, but he should have known better. All his family should have."

Bella wanted to refute Emily's words, but she knew deep down that Emily was right. "I was stubborn too... he didn't want to get involved but I kept pushing... and he finally gave in..."

Emily shook her head. "No Bella, you told me that after your first encounter he ran away for a week. He shouldn't have come back; he knew that he was endangering you and his family."

Bella wanted to reply, when a searing pain squeezed her heart. A moment later Leah burst into the house with a frantic look on her face. "We won... but Jared has been badly hurt. Bella you need to come with me."

Bella's heart exploded in fear, she ran out the door and Leah followed swiftly shocking her when she lifted her into her arms. "We'll be quicker this way."

They reached the clearing only moments later, Leah put her down and she stumbled towards where Jared was lying. "Jared please don't leave me, please, I ... love you... you promised me you would stay with me forever..." Bella cried as she caressed the still form of her mate.

Jake kneeled next to her, and tried to listen for a heartbeat. "It's low, but it's there. Bella we need Carlisle to take a look at him. It's his only chance."

Edward walked closer. "Let me take him back to our house; you are hurt too Jacob and I'm faster."

Bella watched Edward carefully; she felt sick for such traitorous thoughts but she didn't know if she fully trusted Edward with her Jared. She had to trust him though, there were no other options now; she nodded, "Please Edward ask Carlisle to do everything in his power to save him. And thank you..."

Edward picked up Jared, and turned a moment to look at Bella. "No need to thank me, he is what you want, and I'll do anything that I can to see you happy. Beside he saved my life, I think he did it for you... he is an honorable guy and it's obvious that he loves you very much... at least now I know you'll be happy, that was what I always wanted for you..."Then he turned and started running with Jared in his arms.