A/N - So close yet so far... I was waiting to see if anyone would push the reviews over 200, but alas, I'm too impatient to wait. So here's the next chapter. Thank you to all who continuously review! I appreciate your thoughts and kind words!

I suppose it is a miracle that I'm posting this chapter... I was in a car accident this past weekend. Long story short, I was hit in the back end by a semi truck after I had to come to a complete stop on the highway, going 80km/h(in one-lane construction area) following someone who decided to suddenly stop on the road for no reason at all! I have a feeling that person was high on drugs or something because despite me just narrowly missing their bumper, they took off from the scene when it was impossible to not realize that a semi truck had collided with me. So, my car is in the shop for the next month...and I get to drive a loaded 2017 Dodge Caravan. ;) I guess that's the only bright side of this whole thing.

Please review for me! :)

An alliance with the two Cullen's wasn't something the wolf pack would have ever expected. The treaty had been temporarily altered, allowing the wolves to come within Forks town limits, but they were unable to cross onto Cullen territory. The whole agreement went against the wolves nature. Vampires were supposed to be their enemies - creatures to be destroyed, not to work alongside in an uneasy accord. While the pack certainly didn't hide their dislike to the arrangement, they all agreed that Edward Cullen had to be stopped and he was as much of a threat as Victoria was. Sam had to admit that he found it difficult to even consider Dr. Cullen's side of the story as truth but after piecing it together with what Bella had told them, it was clear to them that Edward had manipulated her.

With this new information, Sam increased the number of wolves running the patrol rotation near the Cullen's land. No one was happy about that - the vile stench of the Cullen's permeated that area. It took every ounce of inner strength to keep the wolves from giving into their primal urge to hunt down the source of that smell and destroy it. When Dr. Cullen returned a few days later with two more vampires to inform the pack that he had reached out to some family members who were willing to help them Jared couldn't even calm down enough to turn back into human. Emmett smiled and found it entertaining to see the angry wolf pacing anxiously along the border. Next to Emmett, Rosalie crossed her arms before snorting and remarking rudely that she remembered the wolves of the previous generation being bigger.

While Sam wasn't impressed that there were more Cullen's in their area, he was pleased to know that they would have more support. It was clear from Jared's memories that both the blond and the big vampire weren't happy to hear about Edward's manipulation of Bella and his subsequent intentions on taking Daniel from her. Despite their clear dislike for the wolves, they obviously had a soft spot when it came to Bella and her son and were willing to help the pack protect them from Edward as well as Victoria while Bella was outside of La Push.

The desire to protect Bella and Daniel had strangely brought them all together. At the same time and to Sam's surprise, he began to notice the packs opinions of Bella beginning to change. Whereas many of them were still a little indignant for her past association with the Cullen's and in the past had blamed her for Jacob's depression, there was more of an understanding there. They weren't the only ones to feel this way.

Sam noticed that Jacob was more often than not, preoccupied with thoughts of Bella and Daniel. It was a nice change compared to what they had endured for the past two years. Whenever Jacob wasn't on patrol, he tried to spend as much time as he could with Daniel and Bella. Sam could sense a change in Jacob whenever he thought of Bella; that resentment and anger towards her that had been his constant companion was gone. He was aware that Jacob had never apologized for his behaviour due to having to somehow explain to Bella the backstory that included him being a part of the wolf pack, Sam knew that they had come to some sort of understanding. It was clear the moment he heard Jacob laughing as he walked along the beach that evening with Bella at his side while Daniel sat happily up on his shoulders, holding an envolope in his small hand.

Sam watched with a smile on his face as Jacob lowered Daniel to the sand before the little boy dropped the envelope onto the sand before nervously grabbing ahold of Bella's knee just as Embry and Quil approached them.

Daniel was obviously afraid of these tall strangers that suddenly towered around him. When Quil suddenly crouched down to Daniel's level and held out his hand towards him, Daniel pleadingly reached up for Bella to pick him up. It wasn't until he was safely in his Mom's arms that he bravely slapped Quil's hand. The boy became a little more bold when Seth walked up to them, having recognized him. Daniel happily passed him the envelope while Bella wished Seth a happy birthday.

As the others arrived, it was more of the same. Daniel chose to stay close to Bella.

At one point, Paul and Rachel had approached Bella. While no one around them were actively listening to what was going on, Sam could sense a cautious apprehension from the pack on the beach. They weren't the only ones. Jacob glared at Paul warningly just as Bella passed Daniel to him. To all of their surprise, Rachel began to apologize for her behaviour from earlier in the week before she reached out and pulled a reluctant Paul forward. Sam smiled, hearing Paul's soft voice admitting to Bella that he had been an asshole. While he couldn't promise that he wouldn't behave like a jerk again, Paul assured her that he'd beat Edward Cullen into a pile of shit if he ever touched her or Daniel. Coming from Paul, this was big. It was the closest thing Sam had ever heard to an apology that Paul had ever given to anyone besides Rachel.

Based on the small smile that appeared on Bella's lips, it was apparent that everything was all right. It wasn't long before Rachel was talking with Bella, laughing together at the young men goofing off beside them with Daniel. Paul was making silly faces and covering his eyes at the baby while Jacob held onto him. Sam chuckled, watching as Jacob tickled Daniel's stomach causing the little boy to start giggling. To their surprise when Paul tentatively held out his hands towards Daniel, the little boy reached forward and climbed into his arms, surprising Paul. He was even more surprised when Daniel put his small hands onto Paul's cheeks, forcing his face to constrict into the goofy faces he was making at him.

Rachel seemed eager to hold Daniel and took him from Paul, holding out a bright green sand shovel towards the little boy. With a few words, she turned away from Jacob and Bella while Paul followed beside her.

Sam sighed as a hand slipped into his own.

"Eavesdropping again?"

He turned to Emily as she looked up beside him. He shook his head.

"Just happy to see everything is as it should be. Even though we're still under a constant threat, the pack as a whole is happy. It's been a long time coming."

Emily smiled, looking out to where Daniel was now walking along the sand, a shovel in hand as he held onto Rachel's hand to keep him steady. Her eyes went back to Bella and Jacob as they walked out towards the rough surf before she pulled at Sam's hand.

"Don't you dare listen to their conversation, Sam Uley," she warned.

He snorted and smirked.

"I couldn't if I tried. I think Jacob is purposely bringing Bella towards the waves to mask their conversation."

"Then leave them be. They haven't had a decent conversation alone yet. If they're going to get back together, it wont happen if they're constantly surrounded by the pack or busy with Daniel."

"What makes you think they're going to get back together?"

Emily shrugged and looked out to where Bella and Jacob walked along the sand, a good space between them. The wind blew hard up from the ocean, blowing Bella's hair over her shoulders. She carried her sandals in her hand as she walked barefoot.

"I've seen how he looks at her. He'll deny that there isn't anything there anymore but there is. If it's that bond they have or if it's just by Jacob's own feelings, it's there. They just need some time."

Bella sighed and closed her eyes before taking a deep breath. It had been so long since she had seen the Pacific Ocean once again. That early evening scent was starting to wash ashore. It felt and smelled like home. There was a familiarity and sense of comfort being back in La Push. The roar of the waves crashing against the rocks before the water eventually lapped at the beach was soothing. Whether it was the water or knowing that there were mystical wolves roaming the woods around the reservation that caused her to feel just a little more relaxed, Bella welcomed the feeling. She felt safe again.

Her bare feet dug into the sand as she stood beside Jacob. Bella glanced at him, noticing that his eyes were back on the group of Quileute's gathering around a pile of fire wood that was quickly getting larger. Her eyes scanned the group before finding Daniel sitting in the sand with that green shovel beside a little girl. Embry knelt across from him, his arms pulling the sand away from them to make a deep hole.

"Daniel is having a great time. It didn't take long for him to warm up to everyone," Bella commented, chuckling as she saw her son throw a shovel full of sand over his shoulder onto Jared's lap behind him. "He'll sleep well tonight."

Jacob smiled before meeting Bella's eyes as they had locked on him.

"He's a great boy. You've done a great job raising him."

She shrugged.

"I'd like to say that it was easy but you wouldn't believe how stubborn he can be for a one year old."

Jacob winced. "Oh, I've already seen that side of him. My Dad says Daniel reminds him of me at that age."

"Then, I suppose we're in trouble when he becomes a teenager."

Jacob could hear the teasing tone in Bella's voice and he smiled as he looked out at the ocean in front of them. Hearing her speak of the future caused something to stir within him. It was hope. Something he hadn't felt in a long time. Since Bella's return, a fear had been lodged deep within him that perhaps one day, Bella would still leave again. Jacob knew that his feelings for Bella were returning despite his denial that he didn't feel the same way as he had before she left 2 years ago. While he was determined not to let her go again, that would also mean admitting that he was falling in love with her again and he wasn't sure if he was ready to admit that.

"Yeah, I suppose you're right."

Bella turned to him, concerned over his lack of emotion in his voice.

"Jake, are you okay?"

He smiled weakly. "I'm fine, Bella."

His words had a resolute tone to them, concluding that he wasn't wanting her to pry any further. A few seconds passed before Bella sighed and turned.

"Well, I should head back and make sure Daniel's not causing any trouble."

She had only taken two steps when Jacob quickly reached out.

"Wait."

He gently grabbed ahold of her wrist, instantly causing her to stop. Bella gasped, a tingling sensation racing up her arm from Jacob's warm touch on her skin. It lasted for just a beat before it was gone. She looked up at Jacob, finding his eyes locked on hers before his hand slid over her skin to her hand.

"I wanted to talk to you first about something without the others around."

Jacob had gone over this a hundred times; how he would explain to Bella what he had learned from the Cullen's and the information that he felt she should know - that the Cullen's were here in Forks and would do what they can to keep Victoria and Edward away from her and Daniel. It had turned into an entire script that he had gone over with Quil and Embry for the past few days. Quil chastised and urged his friend to tell Bella the truth about himself and how he had come to find out what the information. Knowing that one day it would come to that, Jacob opted to just to tell her about what he had found out from the Cullen's.

Nodding, Bella turned to him.

"I drove to the Cullen's house yesterday."

He watched as Bella's eyes widened.

"You...you went to the Cullen's house? Were they back?"

A smirk appeared on Jacob's face, seeing the shock in Bella's eyes.

Jacob nodded. "Don't worry, Bells. The bloodsuckers didn't bite me. My blood must not have been sweet enough."

"That's not funny, Jake."

Jacob chuckled despite her warning.

"Come on, Bells. Remember that treaty that I told you about a long time ago between our people and the Cullen's? If they had killed me, the wolves in the woods would have the liberty to rip them apart."

Bella was not impressed with the smile on his face as he talked about himself being killed.

"You can't joke about something like that, Jake. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you. Even though the Cullen's aren't dangerous, there are some out there that wont care about that treaty and would kill you without a second thought."

Jacob nodded solemnly, his mind going to the red headed vampire that was hellbent on killing Bella. "I know. The Cullen's were surprisingly friendly for disgusting bloodsuckers. They even asked about you and if you were safe from that red-headed vampire you were telling me about. They seemed genuinely concerned."

Knowing that there was no use arguing, Bella sighed.

"And what did you tell them?"

"Nothing. It's none of their business. I only went there to threaten Edward Cullen, but unfortunately he wasn't there."

Bella rolled her eyes. "Jake, that's not a good idea."

"Why not?"

"He could hurt you."

"You just told me that the Cullen's weren't dangerous."

Bella scoffed and crossed her arms.

"Who was there?"

"The doctor and his wife and this blond woman and this big guy."

"Rosalie and Emmett," Bella breathed out their names.

"What?"

"The blond and the big one, that's Rosalie and Emmett. Did they...happen to mention anything about Edward? Where he was or if he was coming back?"

Jacob snorted and shook his head. "They haven't heard from him. But they are worried that he's going to come for you and Daniel. I'm not going to let that happen and if he steps one foot on the reservation, the wolves will get him."

"But while I'm at my house in Forks...?"

"The Cullen's have agreed to keep an eye on your house now that they're here. I don't like it though."

A smile pulled at Bella's mouth and she squeezed Jacob's hand.

"I trust the Cullen's-"

"-like you trusted Edward?" Jacob sighed. "Unfortunately, outside of La Push, they may be your only protection."

"What about those wolves?"

"With the Cullen's being back, they have to stay on the reservation."

Bella looked down at the sand beneath her feet.

"Jake, I still don't think you should have gone to the Cullen's to threaten Edward. Edward may know that he's not allowed to kill you, but he knows how I felt..." she paused and cleared her throat, "how I feel about you and I'd be afraid of what he could have done to you."

A smile pulled at Jacob's lips as he looked at his hand holding Bella's. His thumb gently rubbed against the skin of her hand.

"I still care about you, Bella. That's why I did it." He paused for a moment, hearing Bella's heart sudden speed up. "Besides, I had waited two years to punch the bastard in the face. I figured that was long enough."

Bella looked up at Jacob and smiled before a light chuckle broke from her lips.

Letting go of his hand, she walked up to the water and stepped into the small waves as they came up onto the shore. Only a few seconds had passed before she heard Daniel's familiar giggling coming up from the beach behind her. Bella turned to see Daniel being carried in the air by Embry as he ran over the sand towards Jacob. The little boy's unruly hair blew in the wind, his smile the widest Bella had ever seen. It only mirrored the one that Daniel was suddenly passed to.

"There's Daddy!" Embry exclaimed delivering Daniel into Jacob's hands.

Daniel put out his hands, instantly wanting Jacob to fly him over the beach as Embry had been doing, but the moment he saw Bella standing in the water, he wiggled out of Jacob's grasp. He placed him on the sand, taking the little boy's hand to keep him balance as they made their way into the cold water. Daniel instantly stopped upon feeling the chilly water touch his toes. The sound of the surf and the rush of the waves out in the ocean was suddenly too much. He turned to Jacob, instantly wanting to be picked up. Jacob's wolf could sense the fear coming off of Daniel as he clutched ahold of his neck.

Wanting to make it a pleasant experience for his son, Jacob smirked and whispered to Daniel as they set their sights on Embry who was standing in the water a few feet away, looking out at the horizon. Turning, Jacob quickly kicked the water, splashing Embry.

"What the hell, Black!?"

Jacob laughed, quickly reminding him that he was holding a baby and he'd hurt him if he retaliated. Embry's expression of shock and anger quickly melted upon seeing Daniel's smile. He looked past the pair to where Bella was standing. With a smirk, she approached and kicked up the water, instantly hitting Jacob in his back, drenching his shorts.

Jacob gasped, feeling the cold water hit his back.

"Remember Jake, you're holding a baby," Embry cackled, before running off.

"Uh oh, Daniel," Jacob taunted, holding the boy close to him. "I think Mommy is going to get wet."

Daniel smiled, wiggling to get out Jacob's arms. The moment Jacob had placed him down in the water, Daniel turned to hold his hands. With his foot, he kicked out causing a small splash. Bella feigned being afraid causing Daniel to burst into a fit of giggles. Taking his hands, Jacob picked him up, wrapping his arm around Daniel's small waist and rushed forward, kicking his own splash of water at Bella.

She gasped, suddenly loosing her balance before falling back into the water.

"Oh shit," Jacob mumbled under his breath.

Quickly he placed Daniel on the sand, far from the water before rushing back to help Bella to her feet.

"Bells, I'm so sorry."

She laughed, shaking her head as she pushed herself up to stand. "No, it was my own feet that I tripped over."

Her lips were already blue and with the cool evening wind blowing over the beach, she was quickly getting cold. Jacob put his arm around her shoulder and walked beside her out from the water.

Embry hadn't had gone far and was holding onto Daniel, who watched with concern over what had just happened to his Mom.

"You're going to freeze now," Jacob stated, rubbing his hands over her upper arms in an attempt to help her warm up.

"We've got that bon fire started up on the beach," Embry mentioned, walking up to them with Daniel in his arms. Knowing he had a clean blanket in the car, Jacob ran off to the parking lot, leaving Embry to carry Daniel back to the blankets for Bella so not to get him wet.

In the time that they had been away from the group, Charlie, Sue and Billy had arrived. While there were certainly the jokes about how Bella managed to get wet, she simply laughed at her own expense. Upon seeing Billy, Daniel quickly crawled over the sand towards him, remembering the fun he had when his grandfather would come over allowing him to sit on his lap as they rolled around in the wheelchair.

Bella stood in front of the fire, her body still shivering from being wet and cold. Emily searched through her bag for a dry shirt or bottoms that Bella could wear, but unfortunately with her pregnancy, nothing would fit her. Upon Rachel's suggestion, Bella took off her long sleeve button down shirt, keeping a blue tank top on underneath.

"You'd think these boys would know better," Rachel commented, glaring at Embry as he stood by the fire to dry himself off. He rolled his eyes.

"I might have instigated thi..." Embry began to say before his eyes looked over at Bella. His words were lost to him upon seeing an unusual mark just below Bella's collar bone that his wolf instantly recognized.

"At lease you and Jake had the decency to not put Daniel in the middle of it," she said, rubbing her arms with her hands. "I would have flipped my shit if I knew you guys had gotten him wet."

Without saying a word, Embry nudged Quil in the side as the guy walked past before whispering to him. Quil glanced over at Bella, his eyes widening before a smile came to his face. He shook his head in amazement before he sat down beside Paul where he sat on a log before whispering in his ear. In the matter of a minute, the entire pack had come to see the mark that Jacob had left on Bella was still visible even two years later. Jacob was completely oblivious to their interest on what they had seen on Bella as he came up behind her with a large fleece blanket.

"Here, this might help."

She recognized it as one that she had seen sitting in the backseat of the VW Rabbit beside where Daniel sat in his car seat while on their way to the beach.

Her mind suddenly brought back the memory of the last time she had been in Jacob's VW, when they had unknowingly conceived Daniel. It felt surreal to have come full circle, the product of that night sitting in the backseat chatting away happily while they had driven to the beach as Daniel held onto the card that had been made for Seth's birthday.

Jacob wrapped the blanket over Bella's shoulder, carefully sweeping her hair out from under it. His fingers lingered slightly when they had touched her neck. Bella felt it; a flush of warmth suddenly washing over her, warming her to her very core in ways that the fire in front of her would never be able to do.

It wasn't until Jacob stood up to get some food for Daniel that Paul walked up to him and winked.

"Nice to have some visual proof of that bond you and Bella have going on."

The confusion on Jacob's face was obvious. "What are you talking about?"

"Don't you see it? It that's bite mark that started your Quileute voodoo bond with Bella," Paul stated, glancing over at Bella as she sat in front of the fire, the blanket wrapped around her shoulders.

There, just barely hidden from view from the blanket, Jacob saw the small blemish that looked nothing more than a birthmark. But for the wolf within, he instantly recognized it for what it really was and Jacob knew that if his wolf knew what it was, the rest of the pack clearly was aware of it. His eyes widened.

"It's still there," he breathed.

After two years, Jacob would have guessed that it would have healed up and if anything, it would have left a pale scar.

Jacob could still remember the moment it had happened, the same moment that unbeknownst to them at the time, they had created a new life - Daniel. The wolf had that strong desire to lick the blood from the wound he had created and Jacob could still recall the taste in his mouth; a strange, yet fulfilling sensation. He couldn't help but suddenly remember the thought that had raced through his mind at that same moment.

'Mine.'

"Jake, you okay?" Jared asked, having come up to him and Paul. "You're looking a bit pale."

"I'm fine," he mumbled.

Somewhere deep down he knew that the chances of breaking the bond he had with her was unlikely. Strangely enough, he was starting to wonder if that was really a bad thing.

As the evening progressed, Daniel had found his way to Bella's lap and had curled himself under the blanket with her. In no time, he had fallen asleep between her legs, the sound of soft conversation, the crackling fire and distant waves lulling him to sleep. Charlie, Sue and Billy had gone home, leaving the pack behind around the smouldering bon fire.

"Your Dad had mentioned to me about he and Billy wanting to go fishing next weekend," Jacob said softly, leaning over towards Bella beside him. "It sounded like he was asking if they could take Daniel along with them for the day."

"He didn't mention anything about it to me."

Jacob nodded.

"I thought it was strange cause he was techincially asking me if it would be okay if he could take Daniel."

A smile came onto Bella's face.

"Well, you are his father. You could have made the decision if you wanted to."

Jacob smirked. "I suppose so. But regardless I wanted to make sure that you were okay with it."

Bella shrugged. "Sure. I'm all right with it if you are."

Jacob stretched his legs out in front of him towards the fire before glancing down at Daniel sleeping in front of Bella.

"I...I think your Dad was hinting about it giving us the chance to get out together."

"Together?"

"Yeah, I though it was a good idea. If you're wanting, we could do something. It doesn't have to be much. We could go out for dinner somewhere or see a movie, if you'd like."

A smile pulled at Bella's lips.

"You mean, like a date?"

"I...uh..." Jacob hesitated, and studdered slightly while Quil chuckled softly beside him. "It doesn't have to be a date. It could be a night where two parents who have a child together go out...together...alone."

"Like a date."

Jacob shrugged, his face starting to flush.

"I suppose."

Quil leaned forward, unable to hold it in any longer. He had to say something.

"Dude, just ask her out if you want to ask her out! If you need help-"

"-I don't!" Jacob snapped, glaring at Quil beside him.

Quil held up his hands in mock surrender and leaned back, the smile still remained on his face.

"My offer still stands. Hell, I helped Embry ask Leah out and look..."

Swiftly, Jacob elbowed Quil in the ribs. While Quil gasped for a breath, Embry and Leah glared dangerously at him. Their relationship was still a secret within the pack and Jacob had assured Leah he would help them keep it that way. The last thing she wanted was for Sam to find out. It was obvious that despite their past relationship, Sam was still protective of Leah to the point that it drove her crazy. She didn't need her growing relationship with Embry to suddenly be under Sam's microscope.

Knowing this, Jacob quickly glanced over at Sam behind them, expecting that he had overheard the remark, but as it looked, he was safely distracted by Emily.

He turned back to Quil, and leaned in to his ear.

"You really need to learn to shut up."

"I'll shut up, if you grow some balls and ask Bella out like a man," he whispered back.

Jacob leaned away from him and sighed, before he found Bella's hand reaching out to take his.

"You don't have to ask me," she told him softly. "I would've said yes before you said anything."

Jacob looked at her, and smiled, finding how immensely happy he felt with that assurance that Bella had given him. That feeling didn't leave him, even during the entire ride back to Forks. Neither he or Bella said much during their quiet ride back to her house. Behind them, Daniel slept soundly in his car seat and Jacob couldn't help but notice how natural this felt to him. Jacob's eyes would often drift up to the rear view mirror to catch a glimpse of his son sleeping, his head tilted to the side in relaxation. When they arrived back at Bella's house, Jacob helped her carry her things into the house. He offered to carry Daniel inside and made his way quietly past Charlie, who was watching television. The Sheriff smiled at Jacob as the young man walked up the steps with Daniel resting peacefully against his shoulder.

Coming into Bella's room, Jacob's eyes keenly scaned the darkness as he inhaled, instinctively searching for anything that could be a danger to his son. Finding nothing, Jacob gently placed him down in his crib, relieved that Bella had gotten Daniel changed before they had left the beach so that he could go right to sleep when he had gotten home. Jacob grabbed the blue blanket that had become a staple during Daniel's naps and covered up the little boy who had yet to move. Jacob gently placed his hand over Daniel's chest, feeling his heart fluttering beneath his palm before his eyes glanced up at the dream catcher sitting against the wall. A smile pulled at his lips allowing his fingers to brush the bangs away from Daniel's eyes before he walked out of the room, closing Bella's bedroom door behind him.

Once again, Charlie said nothing but he merely smirked at Jacob as the young man met Bella in the kitchen.

"Well, I'm going to head back out."

Bella nodded, insisting that she'd walk him out.

"So, Embry and Leah, huh?"

Jacob chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck as he turned to face her on the front porch. He watched as Bella wrapped her arms around herself to keep her warm in the night air.

"Yeah. They're keeping it to themselves for the time being. It makes it easier for them."

Bella nodded in understanding.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Why did you ask me out?"

Jacob was taken aback slightly by the question. He smiled before answering.

"I supposed because I wanted to. We've never gone out before, just you and me. And I'm not counting all those times we grabbed pizza after working in the shed on those bikes all those years ago."

Bella smiled ruefully.

"It's just that when I came back home, you seemed to not want anything to do with me. And I get that - you were upset and hurt. Then, you met Daniel and things began to change. You suddenly became like the old Jacob that I always knew. I hate to think it, but I don't want you to feel like you have to try to find your old feelings for me again just because we have a child together. We can just be friends, if that's what you're wanting.

"I love you Jake. I never stopped loving you but honestly, I'd be happy just knowing that you're my friend instead of starting something with you that possibly ends with us in a place where we no longer speak to each other. I couldn't live my life without you being in it."

Jacob took a deep breath and looked up a the dark sky above them before looking back at Bella.

"You are right. I was angry and upset. It felt like that knife that had been shoved into my chest suddenly twisted a little and dug a little deeper."

He paused and sighed.

"And at the time, as much as I hated to admit it, I still felt something for you. And it has nothing to do with Daniel. My feelings would have been the same. But I think seeing you with Daniel and watching how you interact with him, it made me realize that I am falling back in love with you."

Again, he paused as a smile came to his face. He took a step closer to Bella, finding her hand was reaching out to his which he instantly took, warming it within his palm.

"I guess that's really why I asked you out."

Bella nodded, a smile on her face. "Sounds like a good enough reason for me."

Jacob looked down at Bella in front of him, the scent of lemongrass swimming around them on the porch. He could hear her heart beating swiftly in her chest, and when he saw her tongue gently wet her lips, Jacob all but forced his eyes away from her mouth. He couldn't help but lean forward, being drawn in to her while his other hand brushed against Bella's cheek. When a sudden strong and bitter acidic smell overpowered the lemongrass in front of him, Jacob paused and clenched his teeth before smiling at Bella, her lips just inches from his own.

He cleared his throat and sighed.

"I really should get back. My Dad's going to need some help before bed."

Bella swallowed thickly, confused over Jacob's sudden change in mood. She could have sworn he was going to kiss her. She had dreamed of this for as long as she could remember and Bella couldn't help but feel disappointed and frustrated all at once. As much as she wanted to believe him, Bella couldn't help but think that Jacob was making an excuse for some reason.

"Of course, you should go."

Still, Jacob brushed his thumb over Bella's hand, feeling extremely protective considering that vampiric smell was so close. The wolf beneath was bristling, eagerly wanting to chase it down to destroy it for coming so close to Bella and his son.

"I wish I could come over tomorrow. I'm hoping to work on Sue's car for a good part of the day. If I get done early, I'll come by. I have a surprise that I've been meaning to bring by all week. And then maybe we can talk about what were going to do this weekend."

"I'd like that," Bella said as Jacob turned and made his way towards the Rabbit in the driveway. He looked back at her before opening the door to climb in. "Good night, Bella."

"Night Jake."

Jacob waited until Bella had disappeared into the house before pulling out of her driveway. His eyes darkened while his hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as he quickly sped away from the house. Jarring the car to the left, he made a turn towards a nearby wooded park that he knew had enough cover for him. He jumped out of the car and raced into the woods. The scent was still strong and he barely had the chance to pull off his clothing before the heat of white hot anger licked up his spine. The wolf burst out from his body and inhaled, before quickly giving into the chase.

'Jake!' Jared exclaimed, having sensed his brother's consciousness suddenly join his own and recognizing where he was. 'Are you sure it's not one of the Cullen's?'

Jacob suddenly came to a halt when he saw the bronze haired vampire that he had envisioned killing for years. With a smirk, Edward turned and ran. With a snarl, Jacob began to race after him.

'He's here!'