Title: Better Than a Soap Opera

Chapter: Come Back To Me

Summary: It's the night before the pack is supposed to meet the Cullens for the fateful decision from the Volturi... And Kim fears for Jared's safety out among so many vampires.

AN: Wow! Better Than has been nominated at the Twilight Awards for Best Werewolf Portrayal! Alright, dutiful and wonderful readers. You know what to do! ;D Head on over to the Twilight Awards website and begin reading all the lovely nominations, and vote for the best! Also, I know this is pretty short, but this is the vision I had for this chapter. Leave me pretty reviews!

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Twilight. That's all Stephenie Meyer. I just like the empty holes I can fill up with my imagination. :3 But, really, who doesn't find joy in fan fiction?

It was hard to face her, to face that look in her beautiful eyes as she stared up at me, both of her hands wrapped tightly around one of my arms. If I looked at her, she might speak. If she spoke to me, I might just listen. If I listened... I was a afraid I would betray my pack.

But she wouldn't ask that of me. I wouldn't be able to deny her, though.

My heart clenched tightly at the way she was trying so hard to get me to face her stare, but I continued to refuse her. Not now, Kim. Don't do this to me.

She spoke my name, though, and I let out an audible sigh. "Jared."

I tried to refuse the call of my beloved. I closed my eyes tightly, standing stiffly there as he hands unfurled from my large arm. I thought maybe that was it, that perhaps she would back off and go sulk with Emily about our decision. Instead, I felt her cool fingers on my face, and my eyes opened to finally face her.

Her eyes were large, shining with a pool of tears that were precariously close to being shed. Her face was so open and honest, and I could see all the fear she was experiencing reflecting out on me. My stomach clenched at the horror Kim was feeling. I wanted to stop it. I wanted to make her happy again. I wanted her to laugh and smile and not have to worry about a huge gathering of leeches in our home. I wanted Kim to be safe.

And that's why I had to go out on the field, following after Sam. I had to keep her safe, had to keep our future children safe from threats such as these. I needed to be there for my brothers, and sister, as we sided with Bella and her husband.

If I could have made it all better with a mere snap of my fingers...

I was the beta, though. She knew that. She should have stopped giving me that fearful glance, letting me know that all her thoughts were leaning toward all the negative aspects of what could happen. She should have not been pleading so silently for me to back out.

"Jared..."

Her voice made me quiver. I leaned my forehead against hers. Her fingers ran through my hair, clutching at the strands desperately.

I didn't want to leave her.

She knew that, didn't she?

"Kim, don't..." I begged her in a soft whisper, wrapping her up in my arms as I brought her closer to me.

She leaned into me, and as she pressed her cheek against mine as we held each other, I felt the moisture on her face that assured me that she had begun to silently cry for me already. I rubbed her back soothingly, trying to reassure her with my hands that all would be fine. How could we fail? There was no reason to be afraid...

Though, worry and guilt nagged at me. I remembered Collin and Brady, and how their earlier human conversation leaked into our wolf minds as we patrolled. They weren't so much afraid for their lives as they were for their families... And for the newest members of our pack. Could we succeed?

"Jared. Listen to me," she whispered into my ear as she clung to me.

I swallowed hard. I prayed that she wouldn't. Prayed that she couldn't ask that of me.

"You have to come back to me. Do you hear me, Jared? Come back to me," she ordered gently, and I could hear all of her love caressing her words.

I smiled despite my worries. Kim knew. She knew that it was wrong of her to ask me to stay, but telling me to come back... I had no choice but to listen to my one and only.

Before I could speak, though, her mouth pressed to mine, stealing all my words with her fierce and passionate kiss.

I would come back to her, no matter what.