Chapter Eight

There was nothing more beautiful than watching Bella sleep. Ever since I began to lie next to her she hadn't had any more nightmares, though she would still mumble in her sleep sometimes. Every time my name slipped past I would thrill to it, and spend the rest of the night hoping to hear it again. Often Bella would toss in her sleep, her hair fanning across her face. I would take the opportunity to brush her hair back off her face, and sometimes she would open her eyes, others she would simply lean into my touch.

For once I truly dreaded the return of the sun. It would be the first time I was away from Bella since the mountain incident, and my whole being seemed to repel this idea. I was now beyond desensitized to her scent. If I was being honest with myself, Bella called to me in a different way; a way I never would have thought possible.

Bella stirred slightly as sunlight began to peek through the window. I tightened my grip on her a bit more, not quite ready for her to wake so soon. But then she snuggled closer to me and I felt the tension ease out of my shoulders. Somewhere in the expanse of my mind images cropped up. Alice, Edward, Carlisle, the rest of the family. I wondered where they all were now, wondered what would happen if they were to see Bella and I like this.

For a moment I entertained the idea that they would never find out, and I could spend countless days with Bella. But a more realistic scenario invaded the pleasant thought. One where Edward returned to reclaim Bella, and I found myself back at Alice's side. Oddly the idea was both alluring and repelling. The past months had been devoted solely to this human girl, someone so vulnerable and tender, a completely new experience than I was used to.

"Jasper?"

Startled I looked down into Bella's chocolate eyes. "Good morning."

Bella stifled a yawn with one hand and rubbed her eyes with the other. "When are you leaving?"

"When you're ready to visit Jacob."

Bella sighed then and snuggled deeper into the comfort of my arms. "Five more minutes then."

I smiled slightly and used my free hand to brush the hair away from Bella's face, throwing it over her shoulder and exposing her neck. For a moment my instincts took over. The creamy white of Bella's neck called to me, her heartbeat resounding in my ears, and the warm pulse of blood undeniably flowing through her veins. My mouth was already on her neck before I realized it was there. I snapped my mouth shut and instead placed a quick kiss on the exposed skin.

Bella yelped in surprise at the touch and sat up straight, her cheeks flushing a bright red. I couldn't help but laugh. "Sorry," I managed to say, sitting up alongside her.

Bella gingerly touched the area that I had kissed, her cheeks still a nice pink, and muttered distractedly, "I'll go get ready."

I heard the shower turn on but opted to stay in Bella's room lest Charlie wonder what I was doing here if I decided to make breakfast for Bella. Instead I planned out my hunting trip. With the whole day ahead of me I could venture up to Canada if I wanted.

Eventually the water shut off and Bella returned, her hair still dripping. She sat on her bed as she toweled off her hair. "How long will you be gone?"

Bella's voice was nonchalant, but she couldn't hide her true feelings from me. "I'm not sure. Perhaps tomorrow morning."

Bella nodded her head pensively. After a moment she hung her towel on the back of her door and turned to face me. "Well…have fun," she offered, her voice chipper, but her eyes sad.

I turned to the window, preparing myself to jump out. I sighed as I turned to face her. "Don't do anything too reckless," I half pleaded. I suppose this is exactly how Edward always felt.

Bella bit her lip to keep her jaw from trembling. "I can't promise anything," she joked, half a smile trying to work its way onto her face.

For a moment fear swept through me and I lost my resolve to go hunting. What if something did happen to her and I wasn't there to protect her? Lord knows she's been in more trouble than one human should have to suffer in a lifetime. I moved quickly enough that Bella was startled to find me in front of her. I took her hand and placed it against my face, reveling in the warmth it held. "Be safe," I murmured. Bella nodded her head mutely. I kissed her palm and left before I could find another reason not to go.

The run up to the border of Canada was expedited by my nerves. I never liked to leave Bella alone for long. It was still cold in Canada, despite it being the middle of March. A light snow was still falling, adding to the thick layer already adorning the ground. It took a while before I was able to catch any scents, but at last my instincts began to take control and I slipped into predator mode.

I spent a long while following the trail of arctic fox. It twisted through hills and under hidden tunnels, but at last I caught up. I stalked forward stealthily as I prepared to take my prey. The vixen was pure white, its figure blending easily into the landscape. I crouched down and was just about to pounce when a quick movement near the fox stilled my movements. A tiny figure shot forward from the bushes and skid to a halt near the vixen. For a moment I watched as the kit cuddled up to its mother, capitalizing its moment alone before four other young foxes tumbled forward to share the little patch of berries their mother had found.

Sighing I stood from my crouch, the snow crunching below me as I did so. The sudden sound alerted the family to my presence and they took flight. Instead of chasing after the family I resigned myself to find another trail. This time it took longer. I spent a few hours chasing cold trails until at last I caught a fresh scent. A Canadian Lynx.

I was lucky; it was young and healthy, ensuring ample blood. It was an easy hunt, almost a challenge. I had to chase it up a tree, but from there I had it cornered. I broke its neck quickly before sinking my teeth into the silver fur. The blood pulsed thick and meaty, a result of the lynx's absolute carnivore lifestyle. I drunk the lynx dry, the burning in my throat slightly appeased. But it wasn't enough.

After discarding the corpse I went back on the hunt. Again it took me a while to catch a fresh trail. This time it was badger. This hunt was more of a challenge. The badger was able to dig itself into the ground every time I got close, but at last I was able catch him in time. I was satisfied now, but still felt that there was room for more. However the sky was dark and the stars were out; it was time to start heading back.

The thought of Bella grounded me once more, as the frenzy subsided somewhat. Still, I took the run back to Forks slowly, hoping to catch another animal along the way. The more I fed now, the longer I would have before I had to hunt again. I was deep in the Washington forest before I was lucky enough to catch another animal. It was a buck, well into its adulthood. The familiar taste of its blood was welcoming, and I lapped greedily until he was dry.

The sky was already light by the time I entered Forks. I took my time to make it back to the Swan house, running deep in the forest in an effort to avoid human eyes. I was within a mile of the residence before I smelled it: werewolf. Dread filled me then, and I raced back to the house. The window was still open wide and I did not waste time in scaling a tree to jump through it and land with a soft thud on Bella's floor.

My eyes canvassed the room quickly, searching for any sign of danger. When I couldn't detect anything I let my eyes alight on Bella's bed and found her twisting fitfully in her sleep. Relief washed over me as I took in her form, unhurt physically, but emotionally turbulent. I nearly melted in relief as I sank down next to her on the bed. I placed my cool hand on her cheek, trying to calm her.

"Bella?" I called gently, my ears straining to keep track of Charlie's snores. He was still deep in sleep, so I called louder, "Bella?"

Her face was scrunched up in a mixture of worry and fear, and I shook her awake. "Jacob!" she gasped, her arm reaching out as if to grab him. She looked around wildly for a moment, and I grabbed her outstretched hand in my own. "Jasper!" she whispered, almost inaudible.

I nodded, perturbed by her behavior. But Bella collapsed into my arms, exhaustion and tears permeating the air. Chagrined I rubbed soothing circles on her back and murmured, "It's all right, darlin'. I'm here."

After a few minutes Bella pulled away, wiping her eyes with her sleeve. I could tell she was upset, but I couldn't quite figure out why. "Jasper?"

"Yes?"

Bella stared at me for a long while, as if trying to determine something. At last she spoke again. "What do you know about Jacob? About the Quileutes?"

My eyebrows arched up in surprise. "What do you mean?" I asked in an effort to avoid the subject.

Bella's eyes narrowed dangerously and I knew I wouldn't get out of this one unscathed. "Are they really werewolves?" she asked slowly, exaggerating the last words in skepticism.

I sighed and ran a hand down my face. At last I looked back at Bella, who was simply staring back at me, waiting for a response. "Yes."

"Oh." I let the information sink in, feeling the shock resonating throughout Bella. Suddenly it changed to dread and…determination. "I have to talk to Jacob."

My mouth opened in surprise. "What?"

Bella started to get up, moving about the room to grab a new set of clothes. "I need to talk to him."

My mind worked quickly, trying to find a reason for her to stay. "It could be dangerous," I managed.

Bella laughed, but it wasn't kind. "And hanging out with a vampire all day is the safest thing in the world?" she asked, irony lacing her tone.

I pursed my lips, unable to respond with a better reason. Bella was right after all; I was quite the threat to her life. "Werewolves, especially young ones, are erratic and unable to control their transformations. He might hurt you."

Bella's face crumpled then and she sat down next to me on her bed again. "Jasper, please. I need you to understand. Jake is my best friend. He won't hurt me."

"How do you know?" I countered, still swamped with fear that something might go terribly wrong.

"I just know. Just like I know that you won't hurt me."

I deflated then. It was true; as much as I was loath admitting it, Jacob did love Bella, and far be it from him to cause her any harm. If it had been perhaps a few months later, when he was more accustomed to his new state I wouldn't have worried so much. By the looks of it, Jacob had only turned maybe a month ago at the latest. This was definitely a danger zone. But it was Bella's choice, and I was under no authority to stop her. And I couldn't go with her.

"Don't upset him," I finally told her.

Bella blinked in surprise. "What?"

"If you're going to go, I might as well give you a few tips. Don't upset him, especially don't anger him. If you would please, try and stay a bit away from him; in the case that he does transform, you'll be safer if you have some distance." Bella nodded, taking in all that I was saying. "And maybe take a shower. You don't want to go about smelling like vampire."

Bella's eyes widened then. "Oh!" she moaned. I waited for her to continue. "Jake came into my room last night. I bet he was able to smell your scent all over the place. Oh god." Bella dropped her face into her hands, the beginnings of stress staring to get the better of her.

I pulled one hand away and held it firmly in my own. "Bella, be safe. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if anything happened to you. Remember what I told you." I smiled at her then, trying to lighten the mood for the both of us. "Now go take a shower. You reek of werewolf."

Bella cast me one more worried glance before she grabbed her towel and went to do as I said. I grimaced then, trying to block the earthy scent from my nose and mouth. It was definitely laundry time.

**

Time seemed to be playing a cruel joke on me as it ticked by slower every second. For as many years as I'd been alive I swear time had never gone quite so leisurely. It was exactly at times like these that I wished I could sleep, to wile away the hours in a quick fashion. The more time passed by the more worried I got. I was frozen to my seat near the window, all traces of human charades long gone.

I should have been doing something to distract myself, but my mind was working overtime, imagining a thousand different situations in which Bella might find herself in trouble. At long last, the sun slipped below the horizon, and as the stars emerged I could hear the chug of Bella's truck in the distance. These last few moments were the most excruciating and yet relieving.

I was outside the house and opening Bella's door before she had even had the chance to park. She practically reeked of werewolf, but relief that she was back was overpowering my other senses.

"Bella," I breathed, closing my eyes and breathing in her scent as best as I could. It was her absolute silence that had me really scrutinizing her. "Bella?"

Her eyes were wide, a look of pain etched into her face. "Can we go inside?" she whispered.

I disentangled her from the steering wheel and lifted her carefully out of her truck. I opted for the door, knowing that Bella wasn't particularly fond of heights, and carried her up to her room. Charlie wasn't home yet, but would undoubtedly be making his appearance any moment now. Bella clung to me desperately, her breathing becoming sharper with each step closer to her room. By the time I managed to sit her up on the bed tears were swelling in her eyes. "Bella, sweetheart, what happened?"

Bella let out a strangled sob, pulling her knees to her chest and crying into her hands. Flustered, I tried to send calming waves at her to no avail. "Bella?" I asked, tentatively trying to sweep some hair back from her face. Instead she curled herself in closer, as another wave of tears overpowered her. I struggled to keep my own calm demeanor and not be sucked into the pain Bella was currently radiating.

"Things didn't go well with Jacob?" I prompted. Bella shook her head. "Do you want to tell me what happened?" Bella nodded her head and made the attempt to calm down.

Bella turned to face me on the bed, rubbing at her eyes to clear her vision. "W-when I went there, things didn't go s-smoothly. B-but then I told Jake I didn't mind him being a werewolf. We talked about it for a long time, b-but then, he asked about the vampire scent in my room. I-I couldn't lie to him," Bella beseeched me, her eyes pleading.

I nodded my head in understanding, though dread coiled up within me. "What happened?" I urged when she didn't respond. Bella opened her mouth to continue, but another strangled sob made its way out instead. She clutched at her heart, much like she did when she thought of Edward, and this warning sign was enough for me. I pulled Bella close to me, cradling her between my legs so that she could curl up and tuck her head under my chin. For a long while she merely cried into my shirt, and I had to wrap a blanket around her when she started shivering. I rocked her back and forth slowly, whispering soothing noises into her ear as she tried to get a hold of herself.

I froze when I heard Charlie come home and make his way up the stairs. I quickly disentangled myself from Bella and ducked inside her closet as Charlie opened the door of her room. "Bella?" he asked, and immediate became worried. I watched as he stood awkwardly in the doorway, half stepping towards her as he deliberated what to do. "What's wrong honey?"

I was surprised when Bella managed to answer. "Jake and I got in a fight."

"Oh." Charlie shifted uneasily, then crossed the room and patted Bella's shoulder a few times. Both Bella and Charlie took this as an intimate moment, and for a moment I could feel the love radiating off each human. Then Charlie stepped back and said gruffly, "I'll be downstairs watching the game if you need me."

I slipped out from behind the closet door as soon as Charlie shut Bella's door. Bella curled up on the bed, hugging a pillow to her as I sat down next to her again. I waited patiently for Bella to begin her story again.

"When I told him that you were here, staying with me, he started shaking. But then I remembered what you said about not making Jake upset, so I soothed him. But after that, he got all defensive and mechanical. I think he went to tell Sam, because when he got back, his face was that cold, bitter mask once again. We argued for a while, but at last he told me, 'We can't be friends Bella.' I was so shocked, and upset. He told me that he couldn't be my friend if I was going to stick around with his only and mortal enemy.

"I asked him not to do this, told him that he had promised he wouldn't leave me. And for a moment he was my Jacob again. He hugged me, asked me to stay with him. But I told him I couldn't. When he let me go, he was the new Jacob again. 'Goodbye, Bella.' And then he left, walked away into the forest and didn't turn back. I found my way back to my tuck somehow."

Bella pressed her face into the pillow, her tears soaking the pillowcase quickly. I sat staring at her for a long moment, guilt eating me up. "Bella, I'm sorry."

Bella lifted her head to look at me, her brows pulling together. "What?"

"It's my fault that Jacob can't be your friend," I told her.

"Don't say that!" Bella cried, sitting up fully. "Jasper?" she asked me, her voice soft and scared. At last I looked at her. "Don't leave."

Ah, she was always so perceptive. "Bella, how can you want me to stay here? I've disrupted your life so much."

Bella closed her eyes tightly, fresh tears sliding down her cheek, as she pressed her hand to her heart once again. "Don't do this." I didn't respond, and she opened her eyes. "I want you here," she said fiercely. She reached over to tug at my hand. "You can't leave."

I stared doubtfully into her eyes. I knew that I should. Everything would probably fall into place once Bella's life was vampire free. But looking into her warm brown eyes, with all their determination and passion melted me. "I'll stay for as long as you want me here. I won't leave." After all, I'd already promised.

Bella calmed down after that, her breathing returning more to normal. She leaned back against her headboard, closing her eyes as the stress of the day finally caught up to her. Her face was still a mask of worry, hurt and hopelessness drawing her brows down. I took this moment to lift Bella and pull her under the covers. "You should sleep," I told her gently, laying the thick covers over her.

Bella opened her eyes to look up at me, searching my face. "What am I going to do about Jake?" she asked, her voice defeated.

As much as I hated to do it, I knew that this was a friendship that Bella needed in her life. "We'll work it out," I sighed. To think that a vampire would try to get along with a werewolf. Next thing you knew, mermaids were probably going to start swimming along the coast.

"Yeah," Bella sighed, her eyes fluttering closed. Then she was asleep.

I clicked off the light, my eyes instantly adjusting to the sudden change. I sat down on the chair opposite from Bella when it hit me. Jacob was here.

My mouth worked to form a snarl, my body taking a defensive position automatically. I glanced at Bella, relieved to find that she had slipped into a deep sleep so quickly, before I jumped through the window to meet Jacob in the outskirts of the forest behind Bella's house.

He was in human form when I caught sight of him, wearing nothing but a pair of cut off sweats. I stopped a good ten feet from him, neither one of us making the effort to close the distance. "Jacob," I acknowledged. He was working hard to keep himself calm and that much I could appreciate.

"So you're the leech that's been staying with Bella. Jasper." Jacob's mouth curled around my name with dignified distaste.

"I don't want to see you any more than I have to, but I do have a bone to pick with you, if you'll pardon the expression."

"If this is about Bella, I already told her we wouldn't be friends," he hissed, his face hardening.

I had to force the words out. "She needs you."

Jacob's mouth dropped open in surprise, his face twisting into one of shock then quickly morphing to hurt and longing. "I can't," he whispered.

"Why not?" I ground out, quickly losing patience.

Jacob's face took on a disgusted look as he growled, "I'm not allowed to."

His anger wasn't directed toward me, something I was surprised to find. I took a different angle. "Don't do this to her," I told him gently. "She's been hurt enough."

Jacob's face tightened, his jaw clenching. "That filthy bloodsucker," he muttered, gripping a tree has tremors ran throughout his body. He fixed me with a glare then. "Why are you here?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but couldn't find it in me to give a good answer, so I merely shrugged. "The same reason you are."

Jacob clenched his fists at his side, narrowing his eyes at me. "I love Bella." Of course. He practically oozed it.

"As do I." Jacob wasn't the only one shocked at the words. I felt the emotion erupt from myself with the admission, and for a moment I wasn't sure if I had really said the words myself.

"What?" Jacob asked, the word coming out of him in a whoosh of air as though he had just been punched. I couldn't find my voice. Jacob grit his teeth, his hands visibly shaking. "Tell Bella bye for me." He turned to leave.

"Jacob." He stilled at my voice. "Don't think I don't know the danger you pose to Bella. Or that danger I myself pose to her." Jacob turned to face me then, his eyes guarded. "I just want to see her happy. And being with you makes her happy."

Jacob's face crumpled, pain becoming the dominant expression. "I know."

"I won't stop her if she wants to visit you," I told him, all the while hating myself for knowing that this was true.

Jacob's eyes snapped up to my face, searching it for signs of deceit. "I promised her that I wouldn't leave her," he told me softly.

"So did I."

Jacob was quiet, undoubtedly contemplating. His emotions danced from hopelessness to anger to defiance as I waited. "Okay." He looked me full in the face, brown eyes meeting gold, as we both searched the other for something; lies, honor, hate, I'm not sure. Then Jacob turned and stalked off into the forest. This time I didn't stop him.

A/N: Well...I know this must not have been the most interesting chapter, but I was fighting writer's block the whole way. I had to interject Jake into the story in a more prominent role; after all he'll more likely than not be playing a large role in the following events. If any of you remember, I mentioned earlier that I had written a chapter from Jake's POV; this will be the next chapter up. It was refreshing to write and is pivotal to getting the story moving. Of course you could gloss over it, but I find Jake to be a fun read.

As promised, Jasper and Bella's relationship will be reaching new levels of intimacy, especially once the story gets back on track after Jake's POV. But what do you guys think of it all? Was it good or bad? Are you okay with Jake or do you hate him? Please let me know what you guys thought of this chapter; it was difficult to write and I'm not exactly satisfied with how it turned out... :[

As always, if you have questions, comments, critiques, suggestions, please let me know! Thank you all! :]