Helloooo! You're comments motivate me so much! This chapter is in Kim's point of view to give us a slight change of pace.

et114141, guardgirl414, Weasleygrlz07, DancinAlways416, HighOnLife, darkgoddess09, and Jane Austen Fan all get a scoop of ice cream!

Love Remains the Same

I never thought that I
Had anymore to give
You're pushing me so far
Here I am without you
Drink to all that we have lost
Mistakes we have made
Everything will change
But love remains the same

Kim's POV

When I woke the next morning, I had almost thought the previous night had been a dream, but the pain still lingered in my heart. The sting of Jared's words still ached. "I had no choice." I was out of bed only long enough to tell my Dad that I didn't feel well and that I wasn't going to school. Then I was back in my bed, curled up under the covers. Who had I been kidding? Jared? I would have laughed at myself it didn't hurt so much. How could I have ever expected him to really love me? No, he was only there once he had no choice, when he didn't stand a chance. The thing that hurt the most though was that I couldn't hate him.

Instead I was angry at myself. I still wanted him, still longed for his love. When I thought of last night, just behind the sharp pain was an even stronger unconditional love. I could still feel Jared's arms around me, his eyes devouring me, the gentle pressure of his lips against mine. Most of all, those too sweet words. "Kim, I Love you." Why was I doing this to myself? I spent the day in my bed moping. I gave myself that time to wallow in self pity, but by the time my dad was home from work, I was bustling around the house, trying to move on, but failing miserably. My father seemed to notice that something was wrong, but said nothing.

The phone rang at the end f dinner, and dad got up to get it as my siblings and I cleared the table. "Daddy?" I asked when he came back in, looking troubled. "Isabella Swan has gone missing." "Chief Swan's daughter?" he nodded gravely. "They thought she might have been with the Cullen's but they moved from town today…" The wheels in my head began to spin with the mention of the Cullen's. I grabbed my dad's car keys and quickly left after telling him where I was going. I thought over what I knew as I drove into Forks. Isabella Swan was involved with one of the Cullen boy's. Gossip like that travels fast, even though our two different communities. That pieced with what I learned from Jared last night lead me to only one conclusion.

I pulled up to The Swan's house to find it surrounded by stranger's cars. I didn't know the Chief that well, but I felt that I had to do something, knowing what had happened. After being lead into the house by a stranger I found Emily in the kitchen, baking something. "Emily?" When she turned I found that her expression matched mine, one that knew more about this situation, more than any of the pale faces in the next room. "Stress cooking." She said sheepishly, turning back to her work. I grabbed a cookie sheet and began to help. "Where's Sam?" I asked attempting to sound like I wasn't really asking about Jared. "Looking for Isabella. They are more inclined to find her." I nodded, understanding what she meant. "Jared came to talk to me this morning. He looked like a dog with his tail between his legs…" She continued without looking up. I looked down at my hands, saying nothing. "Did you know that Sam imprinted on me?" I was surprised, but still couldn't bring myself to meet her eyes. "Did he tell you that he had no choice?" I asked softly. I was surprised when she nodded.

"I'm sure you know about Sam and Leah. Everyone in town dose… I was in town visiting my cousin when I met Sam. That's when he imprinted. He still loved Leah, and I'm sure there is a part of him that still dose, but it's like I was made for him. When he broke it off with Leah, and then came to me, I was furious. Leah was like a sister to me, how could I do that to her? So I tried to ignore him, blow him off, but it got increasingly harder, and before I knew it I was in love with him…" She looked at me, and this time I matched her gaze. "Jared already loved you; he just didn't know it yet…" It looked like she was about to say more, but we were interrupted by cheers off "They Found Her!"

Sure enough, Sam, Paul, and Jared walked in behind Chief Swan, who was struggling to carry Isabella through the door. One look at Jared, and my heart broke again. I made my way swiftly and silently through the now distracted crowd unnoticed. Except for one person. I was already half way to my car by the time he called after me. "Kim!" he was at my side in seconds. "Kim…" he sounded so broken, just like I felt, but I resolved not to break down. "Good night, Jared." I said just as coldly as I had the night before. I had to distance myself in order to stay resolved. I hastily got into the car and left Jared standing at the curb.

The next day I sucked it up and went to school. Sitting next to Jared, and willing myself not to make eye contact was the hardest thing I had ever done. I argued with myself about it the entire time.

He didn't stand a chance…

Does it matter why he's with you as long as he's with you?

He doesn't want me; he has to settle for me.

Then why does it look like he's settling for the winning lotto numbers?

He had no Choice.

I sighed with relief when the bell finally rang, but it was short lived as Jared followed me out "I'm sorry Kim." He said softly wordlessly he followed me out into the rain, reminding me (ironically) of a lost puppy. He followed me all the way home without an umbrella or jacket, getting soaked in the process. I left him standing on my porch without saying a word.

A half-hour later the door bell rang. I opened it to find the porch empty, except for a single red rose. Knowing that Jared had to be nearby watching, I struggled not to show how swiftly he was winning me over. As soon as I was inside, a blush crept over my face and tears welled in my eyes. Maybe he really does care… I found an old vase of my mothers and placed the rose safely inside. It continued all day. Every half hour the doorbell would ring, and another beautiful rose would be waiting. My resolve was crumbling in front of me like Jericho's walls.

By the time my dad walked in from work, there were more than half a dozen roses in the vase. My father looked at the roses and then at me. "D these have anything to do with the young man on our porch?" I nearly dropped the pot of pasta that I was holding. "Jared is here?" My dad chuckled as he took the pasta from my hands. "Yes… in fact, we just had a rather interesting conversation." "What do you know?" I asked slowly and cautiously. "That Jared said something stupid and that he is truly sorry for it… he also formally asked my permission to date you if you'll take him back." He smiled sadly at me as I blushed. "I could obviously see how much he cared for you. Every time he said your name he sounded…awed. I told him that if you want him, then I couldn't stand in your way." He wrapped a protective, fatherly arm around my shoulders. "He loves you, Kim Bean. Even I could see that." "I think that I love him too, Daddy." He gently pushed me toward the door. "Tell him that." He said softly.

Jared was sitting with his back to the door, staring out into the rain. His short hair was plastered to his head, and his clothes were soaking wet. A small bouquet of roses lay abandoned on the ground next to him. I watched him for a moment, he looked so desolate. "How long have you been out here?" He jumped up, turning and grabbing the roses at the same time. "Since the last rose…" he answered sheepishly. He held out the remainder of the roses out to me. "Kim, I am so sorry. I never meant it like that. Without imprinting, it's true that I probably wouldn't have noticed you anytime soon, but it would have happened. You're perfect Kim, you are so much more than I had ever hoped to find… We were made for each other." Jared took in a deep breath and continued. "I love you Kim, so much that it almost hurts. I'll never stop loving you, even if you decide you hate me, I'll still be near, loving and protecting you." I threw my arms around him, fighting back tears that threatened to spill over. "I love you." I whispered, burying my face in his chest. A warm hand raised my head back up. I could feel his grin as his lips captured mine, and a spark ran through my body. "Are you sure you know what you're getting yourself into?" I teased leaning my head back against his chest. I felt his chuckle rumble through his ribs. "I can handle anything you throw at me."

We jumped apart as the front door opened and Brady appeared. "Dad says that it's time for dinner." He looked Jared up once and disappeared. "You're brother is getting tall." Jared commented, sounding distracted. "I should go in." I said, not wanting to go back in yet. Jared left a soft kiss on my lips before disappearing off my porch and into the rain. "I already miss you." He called.

I was nearly asleep that night when I heard a tapping on my window. I tried to ignore it at first and then heard my name. "Kim… let me in… please?" I sat up in bed and glanced over at my window to find Jared smiling widely. I jumped up and opened the window for him. "What are you doing here?" I whispered, closing the window behind him. "I missed you." He laughed pulling me to him. "So you crawled through my bedroom window?" I teased. "Do you want me to leave?" He pouted. "Are you going to stay the night?" He grinned wickedly. "Do you want me to?" I blushed and looked down at the carpet. Jared laughed again and pulled me onto my bed, holding me like he had on the hammock. "How about just like this?" Jared asked, softer and sweeter. I smiled and snuggled closer to him. "Perfect." We stayed like that for a while, and I was almost asleep again, when I remembered something that my dad had said earlier. "Jared?" "Hmm?" I turned around to see him. "What did you say to my dad out on the porch?" He actually blushed. "Nothing important…" I stared at him, raising an eyebrow. "I'll tell you later. You need to sleep." I pursed my lips, but kissed his cheek. "Goodnight Jared."

Hey guys. I can't believe it! 1,026 hits! I seriously just danced a jig! I love you guys so much that I'll start the next chapter right now! It'll be a short one though… Jared's talk with Mr. Connweller. Should be interesting. To answer a question about Paul, I always saw him as a jerk, the way he's always picking fights with the others. I thought that it would fit that he was the school bully too.

Peace, Love, and Twilight! R&R!