Ok then, had a bit of a rough time with this chapter. These guys just made me want to scream and pull my hair out, they did NOT want to cooperate with the vision I have. Also kids out due to snow and ice kinda puts a crimp in my time—sorry.

Understanding

EPOV

After leaving Bella I ran as fast as I could to the treaty line near La Push and waited. I didn't have to wait long until I heard the thoughts of a couple of the wolves as they approached. Just then three gigantic wolves stepped out of the woods.

I told you guys it was him.

What's he doing here? We need to get Jake.

"Yes, please get Jake for it is he that I wish to speak with." They all jumped back a little like they were surprised I was answering their thoughts.

So it's true then? What Bella said about you being able to hear our thoughts?

"Yes, it's true; I can hear your thoughts. Now, I really would like to speak with Jacob." I reiterated to them in caps they had forgotten.

As we stood staring at each, I could tell by their thought that Jacob knew I was here and that I wished to speak with him. Jacob came out in his human form and told the others to step back that we were just going to talk.

"Cullen."

"Jacob," I replied, "thanks for speaking face to face with me."

"It's the least I could do after what happened with Bella," he sounded like this truly upset him.

"Yeah, um, Bella told me, or tried to, what happened. I thought she was all that you ever wanted, so could you please explain it in your terms? Maybe I can understand it better coming from you."

"Okay, sure, I guess so." Then, I "listened" as he showed me from his view.

"Wow, Jacob, I've never seen or felt anything quite like that before." Well, maybe close and only once.

"Yeah, when it happens it's for life. Like all strings tying you down to this world are cut and then retied to the one you were meant for. Its life changing, there's no going back."

"Yeah, I know how that feels," I whispered. "And what, Bella just accepted that? No questions asked? Doesn't sound like her?" Wee, not the Bella from five years ago.

"Yeah, well she's been around other imprinted couples so she understands how it works."

"So what now? All your feelings that you've had for her are what, gone?" How could that be? Once you found someone like Bella how could you just stop loving her? I certainly haven't.

"No, no, don't get me wrong, I still love Bella, just not the same as before. It's more of a friendship love now, but Paige is my life." They way he said her name was pure adoration and love.

"Okay, thanks for explaining things a little better for me. Even though she knows and understands, she's still very upset."

"Yeah, she told me how she had been holding out hope for you to come back. It was only about a month ago that she had decided to let go and try again. What happens, I screw it up." God, she must hate me.

"No Jacob, she doesn't hate you, she understands, it's just going to take time to heal. What I don't get is all these years, whenever I've come back, I've seen your thoughts of you and her."

"All for your benefit. I knew you were there, so to keep you away I just thought of what I'd like to happen. I guess it worked cause you never stayed long enough to find out the truth."

"What do you mean the truth?"

"Well, to be honest, nothing ever happened between us. She never really opened herself up to anyone after you left."

"NO!" I wanted to scream "I only left her so she could live a normal, human life. You know, get married, have kids, and grow old."

"All I can say is it didn't do any good. For the first couple of months after you left she was like a zombie, it was pretty bad. Then, she started hanging out at the rez with me and slowly she started coming back to life." He showed me his memories of what Bella was like after I left. I cringed, it was horrible.

"Didn't like what you saw? Well, that's how it was. I tried for years to help her get over you and move on and I finally succeeded, only to screw it up." Jacobs's voice got softer and he was now wearing a frown.

"I know and I truly appreciate all that you have done for her. She needs someone to look after her and I thank you."

"Well, we did take down that one dreadlocked bloodsucker a couple of months after you left, but another one got away. Every now and then she tries to get past us." I saw the pack take down Laurent in the meadow after he had tried to kill Bella. Then I saw the many times the pack had chase Victoria.

"Victoria" I snarled.

"Yeah, that's what Bella said her name is. She also told us how your…family… took out her mate and now she thinks this... Victoria is after revenge. So why does she want Bella so bad?"

"Well, you've seen the scar on Belles wrist?"

"The crescent shaped one that sparkles?"

"Yes, that's the one. Did Bella ever tell you how she got it?" So not what I want to go into with Jacob.

"Not really, she just said that she cut it in Phoenix when she broke her leg."

"That's not exactly how it happened. See, Victoria's mate, James, decided he wanted Bella but he wanted to make it a game. You know, get her away from her protectors and torture and kill her. Anyway, my brother and sister took Bella down to Phoenix to get away because James was chasing her, well he found out where she was and he went there. He lured her to her old ballet studio and was tormenting her when I arrived and stopped him. He was relentless; he got away from me and ended up biting Bella right before the rest of my family showed up. We destroyed him and I ended up sucking James' venom out of her arm before it could change her."

"So, you're saying that instead of letting Bella change and be one of you, you stopped it? Why?" He was truly confused by this.

"I wanted her to be able to live a long, happy life with someone who could give her children and grow old with her, I can't do either. She should be able to have all the human experiences she deserves and her changing would take those chances away."

"Well, that certainly explains why this Victoria wants revenge then. You all killed her mate and now I guess she wants to kill yours." He looked at me with eyes so intense I almost took a step back.

"Yes, my mate, how do you know?"

"That Bella is your mate? It makes perfect sense now that I know that you all have soul mates or whatever."

"What makes perfect sense exactly?"

"Her feelings for you, even after she finally agreed to marry me she would still have that lost look in her eyes. She still loves you, after all these years."

""And I love her, I never stopped and never will. Mates for life. I could never love another as I love her. It hurt so much to be away from her and then thinking that she was with you, it almost killed me. When I would come to check up on her it was better but it still hurt."

"Yeah, uh, sorry about that I didn't know, never even thought about you. I just wanted her only thought about my feelings, no one else's, even Bella's' but especially not yours. I could never figure out why you kept coming around. I guess now I know."

"Yes, now you know." I added for my own personal benefit.

"Okay, now that we have that settled, what is this mess about Victoria? When was she in the area last?"

"I guess it was about one week before the wedding. We almost had her but it's like she has this weird sixth sense for escaping, it's unreal. When we get close enough to grab her it's like she gets this extra boost of power and can get away from us, no problem. The closest we ever came was about three years ago, Bella and were at the beach and I had fallen asleep. That's when Victoria decide to try and grab for Bella, as I pulled her away, Victoria grabbed for her again and scratched Bella all the way down and across her chest and torso. She had to have almost two hundred stitches and a transfusion since she had lost so much blood. I thought she was going to die but I got her to the hospital in time. "I saw the attack in his thoughts and couldn't believe how close I came to losing my love, my mate.

"There was nothing you could've done differently Jacob. You did well; you kept her alive and got her help in time to survive. I thank you."

"I didn't do it for you."

"I know, but still, thank you."

"I never understood what Bella saw in you until now."

"Meaning" I was extremely curious about this new realization.

"Well, you're okay Edward. Instead of coming here to attack me for what happened, you came with an open mind and listened."

"Like I said, Bella understands. I just needed to see for myself"

"So, does this mean that you are back?" Jacob was all business now.

"Yes, it does."

"For how long and are the others coming back also? I need to inform my pack brothers so there are no unfortunate accidents."

"I am here for as long as Bella wants me. I can't exist without her, I tried and it hurt too much. So, I'm here and I'm not leaving. As for my family, that will be up to Bella, I am going to talk to her about that. They miss here as well."

"Well, just make sure you let us know beforehand, just to be on the safe side. Also, need I remind you about the treaty and its boundaries?"

No, you don't. I was there when it was made."

"Just make sure you stick to it. ALL of it" he glared at me while saying this.

"Don't worry mongrel, I will."

With that he turned around and ran off into the forest. I turned and ran toward my home when my phone started to vibrate. I knew who it was without even looking.

"Hello Alice, what can I do for you?"

"Oh, Edward, thank goodness. What happened? You disappeared; did you go to Forks again and run into one of those dogs?"

"Whoa, Alice slow down. Yes, I am in Forks, and this time I plan to stay. I am going back to Bella's' tonight to talk."

"She saw you? I thought you didn't want her to see you, to know that you have been checking on her."

"Things have changed. I am on my way to the house for a while; I will let you know everything once I speak with Bella."

"But, can I just come…"

"No! Absolutely not. Let me speak to her first and I will call you and let you know if she is open to seeing everyone again."

"Oh, well, that's an easy one. I can see our reunion now. Yea."

'Please, Alice, let's take this slowly, she's been hurt so much. Give her time to adjust to me me being here before everyone bombards her." Plus, I wanted time with her all to myself first.

"How long do you need Edward? We have all missed her as well."

"I'm not sure, I will be at her house tonight, and I'll bring up the family coming back."

"Okay then, just let us know when, we'll be ready."

"Alright, I will. I've got to head home for a while and then hunt before I go to Bella's."

"Okay then. See you soon."

"Bye Alice. Tell everyone I said hey." I closed my phone and headed to the house to open it up for when everyone gets here.

Soooooooooooooo, good, bad, sucky?

Let me know what ya think

Review=teasers

-Kris-