Author's note: So, I think I'm going to take the leap and turn this into a chapter fic. I started writing it a few days ago and I could not stop! Everything is just flowing so easily and I have a few chapters done already. :) This is my first stab at a Twilight chapter fic and, just for clarification, this will be Jacob/Bella. Also for the record, I know absolutely nothing about cars or how you would even start going about fixing them, so bear that in mind while taking in the mechanics scene! :) Feedback would be very much appreciated; at the very least what you honestly think would be nice. It just really helps people to grow as writers, ego boost aside. Thanks so much for taking the time to read this! :)
Out of Nowhere
Two
The room seemed to spin around Jacob as he held her tighter in his arms. Her words echoed, raw and honest, in his ears: "I saw it and I didn't care anymore." The weight of her confession stunned him and it was all he could do to hold her, to absorb her tremors and tears.
His mind raced, trying to come up with something comforting to say. He's not worth it, You'll be better off in the long run, and Everything happens for a reason came to mind, but he couldn't bring himself to speak. And as he held her, his shirt slowly becoming wet with her tears, he realized that he didn't need to say anything, that just being there was enough and that in itself was all she needed.
They stayed in that moment for what seemed like an eternity, her clinging to him as if she would drown without his embrace and him stroking her hair as gently as he could. The passage of time was only indicated by the tingling in his knees that eventually gave way to numbness.
When they finally broke apart she could barely look at him. Her eyes flickered upwards to meet his concerned gaze but quickly fell, her head dropping and resting between her knees. Moving from the floor, Jacob sat beside her on the edge of the seat, the box springs digging into his body. He loosely wrapped an arm over Bella's back, rubbing her shoulder lightly as if to relieve the pain.
"You must find me so weak," she mumbled, her muted voice directed at the floor. "An idiot who can't survive without her boyfriend…"
"No." His voice was strong and sure.
Slowly, she rose, her eyes meeting his fully for the first time. His gaze was unflagging and certain and she felt it all the way to her toes; it made her shiver.
"What do you think of me then?"
"I think," he began slowly. "That you're just a girl who is pain. And feelings get mixed up sometimes and you don't know what to do. But the pain will go away, and you'll feel better and happy again. It's just something you have to work at everyday…"
Bella could not bring herself to reply but found herself lost in his dark eyes, focused on his pain. She could see it there, lying in wait, a cloud hiding just above the sun, always threatening to swoop down and cover it up. She thought of previous conversations with Charlie about his mother. Jacob Black was speaking from experience.
Bella swallowed hard and returned his steady gaze until he stood and reached for her hand, pulling her up easily. When had he gotten so big?
"You know…you're pretty insightful for a fifteen year old," she said, offering a small smile.
"Sixteen, now," he replied, a low grin spreading across his features. "You missed my birthday…"
"Oh, I'm sorry," she began apologetically before he cut her off with a hand.
"No big deal. I'm just messing with you Bella." His mouth pulled up at the edges again as he walked back outside. "Now, I believe you wanted this truck fixed?"
"Yes." She stumbled into the sunlight once more, slightly taken aback by the sudden lightness between them, watching him open her truck's door and brush off the glass on the seat with his sleeve.
The broken shards of glass glittered in the grass like crushed diamonds and rubies as he swept all remaining traces of it out of the cab. Glancing back up at her he smiled again.
"Well, you've come to the right place then." The steady look he fixed her with was a mixture of hope and determination as he patted the seat. "Hop in. Put it in neutral and I'll push it into the garage."
Nodding, she did as she was told and the truck began to move as she steered it into the open spot.
"Kill the engine!" He panted when the truck was fully in the garage. "Great job," he encouraged, trying to catch his breath as he leaned against the cab.
She merely stared at him from the driver's seat. "You did all the work…"
He tossed his hand, as if dismissing her words and expression. "We're all about teamwork here Swan. Get used to it."
The faint smile that lined her features was unmistakable as she slid from behind the wheel and landed beside him on the ground. "Okay then," she challenged. "What's next?"
His face lit up at her enthusiasm. "Hand me my toolbox. We need to take a look under the hood."
She cast him a skeptical glance before bending over and lifting one corner of the rusted metal contraption. Dropping it in a heap of frustration, her eyebrows knitted together as she stared up at him.
"I think this requires two sets of hands," she said, placing her own on her hips as he walked over, pulling up easily on the handle.
"Nope, just one," he replied quickly with a good-natured wink.
Bella rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile as he set the toolbox at his feet and hopped into the cab, starting the engine with a roaring jolt. He listened for a moment as the truck made odd noises in the confined garage and quickly cut the engine as it sputtered abnormally.
"What is it?" she asked fearfully as he got out of the cab.
"The engine's going to need some work. But it's going to take some time…and money…" he replied, walking over to the hood and propping it up with his arm.
"Anything you need, just ask me," she offered, coming to stand beside him and looking down at the complicated scene before her.
He looked over at her, almost finding it hard to believe that not even an hour ago her eyes had been red with tears and now they shone with excitement and anticipation.
"Alright," he replied, his head dipping into a nod.
She smiled in return. "You're right. I think we'll make a pretty good team."
A shadow of a smile danced across his features as he glanced up at her once and hastily returned his gaze to the engine. He found it difficult to concentrate with her standing so closely.
His eyes scanned over the motor, occasionally feeling around in it, twisting and tightening things with his hands and checking the oil. Bella watched him work intently, retrieving rags or wrenches whenever he needed them.
Surveying the state of her truck, a chill rushed through her body. The front end was sunken in, the windshield sharply cracked down the middle and the driver's side window was almost completely gone, the remains of broken glass on the ground proof of that. The paint was more chipped and rusty than it had been before and according to Jacob her front right tire needed to be changed.
As Jacob took an inventory of all the new parts they would need, Bella quietly jotted down a list. He patiently spelled the various components he called out and couldn't help but grin when she looked at him questioningly after he named a particularly odd sounding item.
They worked steadily for another hour, planning to meet the following day to buy the parts and get to work. And when Charlie finally came to get Bella, they were both surprised at the golden tint to the sky and the sinking sun behind the trees.