Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.

WOW! That's all I have to say after the reviews y'all have left for my first chapter of this fic. I don't know if I've ever gotten such a response for a first chapter. Every one of you deserves my greatest thanks for helping me get inspired for the second - and other - chapters to come! I am so overwhelmed, and just grateful that everyone responded like they did.

As for the questions, the story will answer them in time. (wink)

Playing With Fire
Chapter Two: Breakdown

"You are one strange broad, you know that?"

I sighed exasperatedly at the wolf's comment and focused my eyes on the road ahead. It wouldn't be a good thing if I managed to run off the road, now would it? I'm sure that would make everyone feel just wonderful. Why had I let him ride with me again? Wasn't he a werewolf? He could just phase himself out of here and I could be alone, but no. I have to be Miss Hospitable.

"Broad?" I said the word skeptically, "What are you, a gangster from the 30's?"

"I was the one who put Jimmy Hoffa in a steel drum and pushed him off of Niagara Falls." He smirked at me. I could see him out of the corner of my eye, turned my way, his bare back pressed against the seat of my truck, soaking it through with rain. Oh, well. He thought he was clever.

"You have your timelines all wrong." I said, and even I was shocked at the amount of venom in my voice. I guess I still wasn't too happy with the things he said about Edward and everything, no matter how true they were.

I guess the truth just hurts like that sometimes.

"Ah, now don't be bitter at me." Paul started, his voice rough and wild, just like his personality. What little I knew of him, I knew that much. "Much as I hate to say this, it doesn't suit you."

Scoffing, I retorted, "Really, now?"

"Well, being a bitter bitch doesn't really suit anyone, now, does it?" He said, his lips curved upward as he sank lower in the seat, staring out the windshield. "Unless you're talking about Leah."

I rolled my eyes and tried my hardest to focus on the road and not on Paul's inane comments.

"Maybe imprinting would be good for her? Since Sam left for Emily, she's been really down." He continued, as if the mention of imprinting didn't cause me to grind my teeth involuntarily. "And she and Jake would be good for each other, because he's all sunshine and she's like…I don't know. A thunderstorm? Opposites attract."

I slammed on the breaks; they worked surprisingly well all things considered. I was hoping to throw his stupid ass out the front of the windshield, but nope. He stayed firmly in place, as if he'd anticipated it. I, however, was jerked forward like a rag doll. And I had my seatbelt on, something that Paul lacked.

Damn supernatural beings.

"Are you trying to be an annoying prick?" I snapped after I had collected myself, turning my face to glare at him through the curtain of hair that had flew forward and blocked my vision for the moment.

"You'd probably be a rainstorm." Paul continued, as if I hadn't almost tried to give him a concussion, "Almost like a thunderstorm except without all the flashy lightning. Not like you to stand out, right?"

"You think you're clever, don't you?" I growled at him. Funny how I sounded like the wolf at the moment, when he was in fact the beast in every sense of the word.

"Most of the time, yes."

"Now is sure as hell not most of the time, just for your information."

Paul smirked at me. I was really getting tired of that look. I wanted to smack it from his face with everything I had.

I pushed the thought of giving Paul a black eye to the back of my mind.

Maybe later.

"I'm a regular William Shakespeare."

Most definitely later.

"You're a regular asshole." I hissed at him, feeling my temperature rise as the rain pounded even more heavily on the truck that we were encased in. Stuck together. Stuck with Paul. I don't think I'd ever had such menial torture as being in the same car with someone I absolutely had nothing good to say about.

It was testament to something that I had never openly disliked someone this much. Not Mike and his pathetic attempts at getting me to date him. Not even Jessica and Lauren and their shallow comments that had been said when they thought I wasn't paying attention.

"I can see why Edward left her. She's nothing special."

My fists involuntarily clenched tighter around the leather of the steering wheel.

"Maybe he'll find someone in California that is actually worth his time."

No, I needed to stop this. This was the very thing Paul was trying to get me not to do. Dwell on past things and make myself into some sort of self-pitying machine. I owed him that much, for not putting up with my crap. Maybe that was what I needed after all. I didn't need people treating me like a fragile porcelain doll, because…that might be what encouraged my behavior.

Maybe I deserved to get an emotional wakening up.

Maybe I deserved for Paul to give me a mental slap in the face.

Maybe, just maybe, I should be grateful for it.

But I wasn't.

I was still bitter, still angry with him. Frankly, every time I looked in his direction, I was reminded of his hurtful words, his stinging accusations, his piercing eyes and his rough voice as he told me off.

I was wounded, but maybe by inflicting those wounds upon me, I could start to heal. Not completely, I think I was far past being fully healed thanks to Edward and now Jacob tossing me aside like a sack of bricks, but I think I might could become mature enough to cope. Mature enough to not make Jacob feel guilty. That's the last thing he needed after I had burdened him with my presence since Edward left.

Why couldn't everything be easy?

I had gotten so lost in my thoughts that I didn't even realize that Paul was speaking to me. His deep, husky voice rang in my ears. He was saying my name, and waving his hand back and forth in front of my eyes, a quizzical look to his features. I blinked back my dreamy state and glared at him, "What?"

"Okay, good," Paul said, his voice a drawling sigh, "I thought you had gone catatonic again."

The sharp pang of pain at that memory reared its ugly head, piercing my heart yet again. "Don't mention that."

"What?" Did he honestly not know that what he said just opened about a million other wounds I'd had inflicted since the time Edward left?

"That…about…that." I couldn't even voice it without having a piece of me torn away.

"What, when you were lost in the woods after that leech left you?" Paul said, his eyes boring into mine. It was strange that he could refer to the most depressing, helpless moment in my life with such casualty. It felt almost blasphemous that he was trivializing my pain at Edward's departure.

"Yes," I said, my voice tiny and fragile, like a small child who had done something wrong and didn't want to get yelled at for it. I felt like he was about to berate me again, for loving someone I shouldn't. For loving someone who I had no right to in the first place. For leading Jacob on like some harlot. For being completely saddening to Charlie all of these months. Making all the people that love me feel helpless, just like I felt.

Damn you, Paul, for giving me an epiphany. All the people that were around me, were hurt by me. By my "zombie" phase. And I felt awful.

It made me want to get to Jake, smile at him, and assure him that I would be there, no matter who he imprinted on. We were friends, weren't we? Best friends. And I loved him. I shouldn't hurt those I loved. Hadn't I done that too much already? No matter how much it hurt me, I would be there for him, like he was there for me. I had caused him so much strife already. He loved me - before he imprinted - and he had to deal with that one-sided affection for a while now, and he finally found the woman who was meant for him. His imprint. Couldn't I deal with this? I've been through the ringer too many times to count, and this wouldn't be the first time I came out scathed.

I felt my fingers clench over the steering wheel. Surely there were marks from my nails now as I fought back hot tears.

I could feel Paul's gaze on me, but to hell with him. He should've at least figured how much all of this weighed on my back. I didn't look at him, didn't want to, but most importantly…

I couldn't.

I grit my teeth so tightly that I felt like they might break.

"Hey," Paul's voice broke through my reverie yet again.

"What?" I snapped at him, and felt the traitorous tears slide down my cheeks. He was the last person I wanted to cry in front of, and it seemed that was were I was heading. I felt the thickness of my own voice, and no doubt he heard it as well.

He looked ashamed of what he was about to say, his eyes were downcast and his face seemed to have a shadow over it. I recognized that look - it was the look that came across Jacob's face every now and then. The look I associated with Sam. He cleared his throat and finally looked me in the eye, "It will be alright, Bella."

I looked at him in shock, tears overflowing and falling freely from my unblinking eyes and down my reddened cheeks. A bitter smile crossed my lips and I let out an even bitterer laugh, "Are you…" I said through tears, "consoling me, you mutt?" I couldn't help it, the insult sounded out of my mouth faster than I could reel it in.

This seemed to amuse him, "Mutt, huh? Do you really want to play the mean nickname game with me, vampire lover?"

My eyes narrowed, but the tears continued to fall. The rain still hadn't lightened up around us, it only seemed to pound harder, almost intensifying the already dreary mood.

Vampire, I thought wryly. That dream was gone forever, along with the man that had inspired it. Images of being immortal and glorious, alongside the man I loved, shattered at my feet.

"Really," I said, furiously wiping the tears from my face, only to have more replace them, "you should come up with better insults. Those are getting old."

There was something indecipherable about Paul's expression. His eyes, though intrigued by my predicament, were as dangerous as I'd ever seen anybody's. He looked at me with dark eyes, a dark gaze, a dark shadow over his features. He looked to be warring with himself. Our gazes battled for a moment before he reached and pulled a piece of soft-looking, red-and-white checkered fabric from the pocket of his jeans and handed it to me.

I looked at the fabric questioningly, my eyes then venturing to meet his. I was so shocked at his sudden gesture of kindness that I couldn't even muster a sentence.

When I didn't move to take it, he pressed the cloth into my palm. I could feel the heat of his skin fan over me at just this proximity, and we weren't even that close. Only his hand was close to mine, and I was feeling like I was in an inferno.

I brought it up to my face and started to wipe my tears with it, my eyes looking over his face, as if to catch anything odd or out of place. I found nothing, as I expected. My tears finally seemed to be leaving me. The sudden swell of emotion wasn't unusual, all things considered, but I wasn't expecting to break down and cry in front of him.

"I told you," Paul spoke, his eyes somewhat gentle on mine, and it was a strange sight, "everything's gonna be alright."

"Easy for you to say." I scoffed, rolling my eyes. They felt large and swollen, an awful feeling that I had to deal with too often in the past year.

"Don't tell me what's easy." Paul snapped slightly, his fists started to tremble. I felt my hand clench tighter around the handkerchief he had handed me, scared he might phase then and there. To my relief, he calmed down and finished his sentence somewhat civilly, "Turn into a werewolf after a scuffle with your old man and then maybe you can compete."

"What…I'm…" I started, not knowing what else to say, "I'm sorry."

Paul shrugged, but I could clearly see that he was having a problem from his admittance, as vague as it was, "We all have our scars."

I felt my gaze subconsciously go to the crescent shaped bite mark on my arm, courtesy of James. I suddenly felt as if it were the most prominent feature on my body. I pulled the sleeve of my sweater down subconsciously, as if it were exposed.

It seemed he had to shake himself out of his thoughts this time, for the next words out of his mouth were, "Are we going to La Push before dark or what?"

Blinking, I looked out the window, to see that it had indeed gotten darker than it was before, "Sure."

There was a strange silence that settled over us then. Paul didn't bring up Jake or Leah, and I didn't talk. The only sound in the car was the combination of our breathing, since I had mutilated my car trying to get Emmett's present out of the dash, not that I'd listen to it anyway. Music wasn't my thing, not anymore.

My truck moved over the road quite easily, and I looked out the windshield, squinting through the rain so I could see the turn that led to Jacob's house. Maybe he would still be there.

I hadn't even turned in when Jake burst from the house. I could see that much. Through the rain, I could hardly see anything else, other than the figure of a woman standing in the doorway.

I pulled in and parked the car. Before I even had the chance to get out of the cab, the driver's side door was yanked open and I found myself pressed into a hard chest, his body heat seeping through my sopping wet clothes. He was soaked now, too, of course, but he pressed his face into my hair, muttering, "You little idiot. I was so worried, Bells!"

I mashed myself closer to him, thankful for the contact he was giving me. I wanted so desperately to be held by someone I cared about, and this healed that need, but also opened several other wounds.

Selfish, selfish, selfish… I chanted in my head, as if it would make it better if I was self-aware.

His arms pulled me tighter, "I'm so glad you came back…I didn't think you would."

I buried my face in his chest - he had a shirt on, which was odd - and the wet material made a squishing sound as I pushed my cheek against it. "You're my best friend, Jake. Duh, I'd come back. You're all I have…other than Charlie, that is."

"But - "

I looked him in the eyes, hoping that my expression was fierce, hoping that he couldn't see the telltale signs that I had been crying. I knew that was in vain, because Jacob always knew if something was bothering me, let alone when I was crying. "I know you imprinted. And that's fine." I forced myself to say those words, "I am going to be here and be your friend. I will never leave you, not after all you've done for me. I am going to try to repay you."

"Repay?" Jake croaked out, his eyes skeptical, "Dude, we're friends, there is no repaying. That's just what friends do, Bells. Friends are there for each other."

I smiled at the use of 'dude'. It seemed so out of place in the serious bubble that surrounded us. "Right."

"So does that mean you're leaving?" Jake's tone was teasing; he knew I wasn't going to leave. I loved him too much to do that to him.

"You wish you could get rid of me that easily."

I felt his chest vibrate with a laugh as he brushed the wet hair from my face. "Let's get you inside before you catch cold."

Smiling, I nodded my head and he led me to the door. I looked up at him and watched him turn his head in the direction of Paul, who was gazing at us with a strange look on his face. "Same goes for you, too, Paul. I don't care how much you deny it, but you helped a bunch. And Sue has cooked for us anyway, and I know you're hungry."

Paul quirked a brow and immediately his demeanor was the same as usual. Brash, hotheaded, combined with a snaky sense of humor.

"Why the hell not." He said as he walked closer to us, meeting us on the porch, where we finally were out of the rain's grasp. I was rather cold, I now realized, even though I had basically a human space heater next to me.

Paul looked down at me - I didn't realize how tall he was until now. He was almost as tall as Jake. Then his eyes connected with the beautiful girl standing in the doorway and a smarmy grin appeared over his features, but this one was different somehow. It was strange at how I could read over his expressions and pick out minute details, even though he probably wouldn't like the fact that I kept looking at him.

"You'd better not have helped Sue cook, Leah." Paul said, a glint in his eyes that I had never seen before. "The last thing I need is food poisoning."

Her eyes narrowed, but a devilish smirk appeared on her full lips as she flipped her low ponytail over her shoulder so her dark, pin-straight hair fell along her back, "You'll just have to eat and find out. Cyanide is quite the common item, if you know where to look. Tell me if you feel a tightening of your throat."

"Can't wait." Paul said, grinning toothily at her as he brushed past, but there was something in his eyes that unsettled me, though for what reason, I couldn't be sure.

Rude… I thought to myself as I watched him disappear into the Blacks' residence.

Jacob prodded me forward. I hadn't realized I had stopped altogether just to watch the exchange between Paul and Leah. His large, warm hand was on my soaked back, and I could feel the heat coming from his palm.

I looked up shyly at the only other woman around, and suddenly felt more than inadequate. No wonder he had imprinted on her, she was gorgeous, and if the stories I had heard about her imprinting fiasco with Sam and Emily, she loved like no other, despite the odds. She was a fiery, gorgeous woman, and just being in her presence made me feel second best.

Leah stood in front of me, looking very domestic with an apron strapped around her slim waist. She was only a few inches taller than me, but somehow she felt taller. One of her bare feet propped the door open, and her arms were crossed underneath her breasts. Her dark eyes appraised me and a soft smile curled her lips. "Welcome back, Bella."

I was surprised that she hadn't berated me like Paul had, but maybe there was something kind about this woman who Jake had imprinted on. She might have looked intimidating, but maybe that was just on the outside, because she had been hurt so many times, she had a natural toughness about her. It reminded me of Rosalie…

My heart clenched as I remembered the sister I'd never have. Though she never liked me, she was still a lost family member and I ached for her.

Idiot. I thought to myself as I tried to smile back. My lips were trembling and I realized how cold I actually was.

"For God's sake, Jake, get the poor girl inside." Leah saw what was wrong and surprised me when she reached out and grasped my wrist, pulling me in the house. "Gonna get the poor girl pneumonia."

"Geez, Lee, my bad!" Jacob said, his eyes wide and shocked at Leah's sudden display, "Sorry, Bells."

"Nah, it was my fault." I smiled gently back, "Old feet won't move."

Jacob shook his head and smiled, "Sure, sure."

We were in the doorway now, and Paul was standing beside Sue with a look on his face that screamed hungry. Sue was trying to swat him away with a hand as she stirred something that looked like soup. Jake looked over my head at Leah and asked, "Would you look in Rachel and Rebecca's room to see if there's any clothes in there for Bella to wear?"

My clothes were plastered to my body, and a change would be welcome, but I didn't voice the need, not wanting to complain.

"I think I can dig up something." Leah said, placing a slender hand on my shoulder and leading me back down the hall, past Jacob's room, to one of the rooms that on of his sister's had.

Officially pushing all thoughts about imprinting and Edward to the back of my mind, I only focused on that welcome distraction that I would soon have dry clothes on my back and a warm meal in my stomach.

End Chapter Two.

And there's the end of this second chapter! I hope everyone enjoyed this one as much as they did the first chapter. Y'all have no idea how much your feedback for this fic has meant to me. I have been so extremely happy for this fic that everyone seems to like it so, I couldn't wait to finish this chapter! I had no idea I'd get so much response for just one chapter. It gives me faith for the rest of the fic!

Thanks again, to everyone, for reading!