A/N Arghh, I'm so bad at wating for another day to update, so here goes the next chapter.

Chapter Three

„Get away from her; can't you see she's sweating like crazy because of you?" A growl, then something cold pressing to my forehead. Slowly I opened my eyes to see Alice leaning over me as I lay on the couch, with Jacob close to my side as well. My eyes fell shut at instant, it was too hard to keep them opened. Was that a dream, some sick hallucination of mine or did he really call me?

„I swear, I'm going to rip that bloodsucker limb by limb, what does he think of himself, leaving her with a hole in her chest just to call and make her faint?" Okay, so it wasn't a dream, which means my sanity is still with me. At least one nice thing for Bella today.

„He was just checking on her. He was worried."

„Yeah, right, I'm sure he's the one who needs comfort."

„You just don't understand it, mutt. He cares about her. He.."

„Oh, please, cut out the bullshit. If he cared, he wouldn't have left her in the woods in the first place. He wouldn't have left her heartbroken and alone. I care about her, and I don't feel the urge to leave her. We can argue over who cares more, but I bet you I'll win."

Then there was silence. I wondered if Alice agreed.

I felt it was the time for me to 'wake up', apparently they didn't notice my awakening because of all the arguing and I definitely didn't want them to think I have been eavesdropping.

With a groan I opened my eyes once again.

„Hey Bells, you okay?" Jacob was on his knees next to the couch, holding my hand in his. I never wanted him to take the hand away. As well I didn't want to lose Alice's cold touch to my forehead, it was far too soothing.

„Why did he call... me?" If he was wondering about my death, why didn't he just call Alice, it would've been much more easier on me. Then it hit me. Alice would have lied. She would never put her brother in danger by telling him the truth about my death. I just didn't seem to understand why did he even care about me? Was he feeling guilty for letting me fall for him, guilty for using me the way he did. Tears came to my eyes as I realized he probably felt regret about ever meeting me. He didn't love me, that I knew for sure.

„Apparently, Rosalie told him about the cliff diving. He was just checking up on you." Alice spoke quietly as she caressed my shoulder, reassuringly.

„W-what now?"

„Now you should rest, you've been through plenty of stress today. Come on, I'll get you to your room." Jake stood up, bending over to pick me up.

„No! I'm.. I don't think I'd be able to fall asleep." Actually, I was afraid Alice would get away. I just got a piece of my family back and I wasn't gonna give it up that easily.

„The dog's right, you should have some rest. I have to go hunting anyway, I'll be back when you wake up. Though I'm not very fond of the idea of leaving you alone with him."

Once again Jake growled. „Right back at you, bloodsucker." How did they manage not to kill each other while I was unconscious was beyond me.

„Then you both should go. I mean, if you promise to come back." The last part was meant for Alice, and Jake clearly understood that, the hurt look on his face gave that away.

„Fine. But I'm sending someone over to patrol around your house in case the red comes by. And to watch after her." With Jake being a werewolf and everything, I could swear I heardvenom in his voice. „Oh, and Charlie called while you were passed out. He's staying at Harry's tonight." I winced, Charlie must feel terrible, I should be there for him now. As if Jake noticed, he added „Don't worry about Charlie, him and Billy will take care of each other. Believe me, he wouldn't want you to see him in this condition." Feeling the lump in my throat, I nodded.

„So.. I guess we better be going." Alice said calmly, then I saw her stiffen, sniff the air and turn to Jacob with a hiss. „Got another one of yours here already?"

Jake looked puzzled „I guess Sam sent someone over to check up on you. Come on." He held out a hand and rolled his eyes when I didn't move. „Come on, we've got to see who it is and I'm not going to leave you with her alone."

It was Alice's way to roll her eyes, as we stood up and went to the kitchen. Still holding my hand, Jake opened the door to the back yard and yelled. „Hey, who is it?"

I saw a gray wolf come out of the woods. I recognized the color. It had to be Paul. I wondered if his eyes were as warm in his wolf form. I felt an incredible urge to get out of Jake's grip, run towards the wolf and bury my hand in his fur, I wondered what it felt like to touch him.

A loud growl from outside made me get out of my thoughts.

„It's okay, it's one of the Cullens. She's leaving already, though. I'm going back to the rez, I guess I have some things to discuss with Sam. You'll stay here?" I didn't understand if the last one was an order or a question. Hesitantly the wolf nodded. Then I felt his gaze on me. He was too far for me to see his eyes clearly, but I knew he was looking for my eyes to meet his. Before I got caught up in the moment, I shook my head and turned to Alice.

Before I could ask, she already answered „I'll be back in the morning. You could really use some sleep." She smiled. „Oh, and stay away from the mutt." She motioned to the back yard, where the gray wolf was still standing. Her hate towards Paul somehow hurt me more than the one towards Jake. She didn't know that he saved my life today. And if earlier today I was angry at him for taking me away from my dream, now I felt gratitude.

„Well then, bye, Bells. I'll be back as soon as I can." He squeezed my hand lightly before letting go. „After you, leech." He motioned to the door.

Giving me a quick kiss on the cheek, Alice went out. I saw her slowly move past Paul, his eyes fixated on her the whole time. Jake followed quickly after her, kissing my other cheek. He looked Paul in the eye as he passed him before getting into the woods. With a quick glance at me, the gray wolf got back into the shadows he came from.

Would it be smart for me to get out and talk to him? I knew I wanted to, and I knew I needed to to. But I needed for him to want to talk to me. Which I doubted to be so, since he disappeared as soon as I was alone. With a sigh I closed the door and went to the living room. I guess I'll just wait for a better moment to thank him. Somehow I needed him to know how grateful I was about him saving my life. He was the last person on Earth I would expect to care about me. Didn't he hate since he first saw me? Wasn't he blaming me for everything that has happened? I knew from Jake that Paul was taking all werewolf stuff pretty hard, it completely messed up his life. Which means he did blame me, since I was the reason for vampires to keep hanging around here. I was the reason of his life changing.

With the same thoughts spinning around in my head I laid down and tried to fall asleep. Suddenly I realized how tired I actually was. With Jacob and Alice around my mind wouldn't let me relax, but now than I was alone I needed to rest. Now my mind was telling me to sleep, but something else wouldn't let me. My heart didn't want me to sleep. It wanted something else. Or someone.

I sprang up from the couch and made my way to the kitchen. With a moment of hesitation I opened the door to the back yard and whispered „Paul?"