**You know the drill. I don't own Twilight.**

Chapter 2: Concessions

--Jake's POV--

I knew that trying to fix things with Bella would ultimately lead to having to spend time with the bloodsucker, but did it have to be this soon? I thought maybe he and I would build our relationship slowly -- a handshake, a cup of tea, and then an entire afternoon in a confined space. It would be better for me if I could just shake Bella out of my system, but that attempt had worked for all of three minutes after our last encounter (fight), and even then it was iffy.

I had done my best to break them up -- I couldn't help not trusting Cullen; he had hurt her so badly before, and besides, I had trouble believing that bloodsuckers could feel enough for others for him to be worthy of Bella.

But then I had seen them one day together. I had decided to supplement my attempts to gain Bella's forgiveness by apologizing in person, so I had phased and run through the woods to her house. It had been a rare sunny day, and I stopped at the edge of the woods to see Bella sitting on a blanket in the sun, reading. I was about to go up to her when she looked to the shade under the porch, where I saw the bloodsucker sitting. He had been staring with hostility in my direction but immediately looked at her. She beckoned to him; he shook his head and smiled at her. "Please, Edward?" She had said, and I saw the resolve drain from his face. He walked to her and sat down, the exposed skin on his face and arms sparkling unnaturally. "I am powerless against you," he had said.

I resisted a howl of pain and retreated into the woods.

After that, I decided that my only chance was to try to be friends with her. I wanted badly not to want even that from her, but some Bella was better than no Bella. I would do what it took to make her forgive me.

So here I was, standing outside of her house and willing myself to knock on the door.

She beat me to it: the door swung open. "Hey, Jake," she greeted, a wide grin spreading across her face. I wished she would just hate me and leave me in peace, yet I'd have done anything to keep her smiling at me like that.

It was so unfair.

"Hey, Bells," I said smoothly, and smiled. At least she didn't have to know she was ripping me up.

I walked in and saw the bloodsucker standing in the kitchen. He knew, I suddenly remembered. As if being my mortal enemy wasn't enough, the guy could hear my innermost thoughts like I'd put them on a billboard. "Jacob," he said, and held his hand out for me to shake.

I sighed. This was the deal. Kind of like having to sign up for a credit card to get a free pizza, I reasoned. I shook his hand as he raised his eyebrows at my unspoken analogy. I ignored him. "So what are we doing, kids?" I stuffed my hands into my pockets. The guy was cold.

"I was thinking," chimed Bella, clearly satisfied that we were going to play nice, "That we could see a movie?" She said it like a question.

"That sounds nice," Edward said immediately. "What would you like to see?"

"Well, Jacob likes horror movies, and you like old ones, so I was thinking we could go to the dollar theater. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is playing. The 1931 version."

Edward laughed. "I remember that one. Very racy for 1931."

Ugh, how old was this guy?

"Well, we can see something you haven't seen…" offered Bella, looking up to him with clear adoration. I had expected this, but still. Ouch.

Edward snapped his eyes to me but directed his response to Bella. "No, it's been a few years since I've seen it. I wouldn't mind a repeat." Then he gave me an understanding look. "Jacob?" he asked.

"Sure, sure. Whatever works." It couldn't be worse than that slasher film with the puking guy. After all, one good thing about vampires -- no puking whatsoever.

Edward chuckled, and Bella looked at him quizzically. "What's funny?"

"Jacob."

I resisted the urge to bow theatrically. At your service.

"I'll drive us," Edward offered, and Bella took his hand. This was going to be a long car ride.

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When we arrived at the theater, Edward walked faster than he should've to open Bella's door for her, and I couldn't help watching for her grimace at his doting.

I wasn't disappointed. "I can open doors all by myself, Edward," she chided.

"Yes, when you're not running into them."

She slapped him playfully, which I doubted he felt at all, but he caught her hand in his.

Ouch. Again.

Edward looked to me and, to my surprise, dropped her hand. "How about you and Jacob go inside and get some refreshments? I'll buy our tickets."

I was going to argue with the idea of him buying my way in, but then I realized this was his attempt to include me. I conceded. "Sure, uh. Thanks."

He nodded, and Bella took my arm. I looked at her in surprise and waited for the bloodsucker to get territorial, but he didn't seem to notice. She led me inside.

"I'm so glad you agreed to come, Jake. It means a lot."

"Sure, sure," I said offhandedly. "What do you want? Popcorn?"

"Yes. Get a large one."

"The vampire doesn't feed you?"

It was my turn to receive a playful slap. Nope: not a thing. I pretended it hurt, though, and she seemed pleased. "Jeez, Bells, only kidding." I ordered our popcorn and two Cokes.

"Thanks, she said," and Edward appeared at her side with our tickets.

He grimaced as he sniffed the popcorn. "Does that really qualify as food? It smells more strongly of preservatives than it does of anything organic."

"It counts. Wanna try it?" Bella held the tub up to his face, and he gave her a weary look.

Maybe if you toss it in O-neg, Bells, I thought, and shuddered.

Edward rolled his eyes at me.

Jeez, that's annoying. Can't this guy turn it off?

"I wish," he said aloud.

Bella looked confused. "You wish you could eat popcorn?"

"God, no," he said, but didn't explain further. "Shall we?" He motioned toward the theater, and I took a deep breath before following. This would be a long two hours.