A/N: GUYS! So sorry this took a hundred years, I had to work on the last chapter to my other story but now that that's done, here it is! Chapter 11!

As always, thank you all so much for the reviews, I love them. To my anonymous reviewers, thank you for reviewing! I love reading each and every one of them.

So without further ado.

Chapter 11: Picture This

"You talk in your sleep," a voice, low and husky, whispered into my ear. Warm breath washing over my sensitive skin.

Fighting to keep my eyes open, I took in my surroundings and realized that I was laying in Jacob Black's arms in the woods across the road from his house. Apparently, I had fallen asleep while he was carrying me— when I could have been enjoying the moment! Very smooth Nina, very smooth.

Did he just say I talk in my sleep?

"What did I say?," I asked him as he stared down at me with an amused expression.

"I think I should keep that to myself." He grinned. "Wouldn't want you getting all embarrassed now would we?."

A blush crept into my cheeks as I wondered what it was I had said. "Jacob please."

"Nope," he said, popping the 'p'. "You'll have to earn it."

"Earn it? It's my words!."

Nodding, he set me down on my feet. "My ears."

With a sigh, I took a wobbly step backwards. "Maybe I'm better off not knowing anyway."

"Aw, you're giving up that easily? Too bad."

It wasn't until then that I started shivering with the cold, my damp clothes clinging to my body, chilling me to the bone. I should've stayed in Jacob's arms, he was always so warm and he smelled good too.

Noticing my chattering teeth, he swept me back up in his arms again and jogged across the road to his house. Nothing ever seemed heavy to him, I'd seen him pick things up— including me but I wasn't a thing… or maybe I was— but from observation, he never used any of his strength.

Both weird and attractive at the same time.

Once we were inside his house, he took me straight to his room without a second thought. Setting me down on his bed, he threw a sheet over my shivering body then darted across the room to his wardrobe and started rummaging through his clothes.

The room— no actually, the house, was absolutely tiny. From what I saw as he carried me down the hall, the living room was small and so was the kitchen. Yet, there was this warm, homey feeling to the place which made me feel more comfortable than I'd ever felt in a strange home.

Jacob's bedroom wasn't anything interesting, just big enough to fit a single bed and a wardrobe. It was pretty messy too, things scattered around the place, mostly clothes. Just a typical boys room, nothing special… well the fact that it was his room made it special but you get my point.

"Here, these will do for now," he said, placing a t-shirt and shorts onto the bed next to me. "Just get changed and I'll put your clothes in the dryer."

For a moment, I found myself staring at him in all his half-naked glory. He was definitely the most beautiful man I had ever seen in my life, there was absolutely nothing flawed about him, he was perfect. Every muscle defined under the glow of his bedside lamp, begging to be touched.

The girl he decides to marry will be very lucky…

"Fay?."

Blinking my eyes, I jolted upright on the bed. "Yeah yeah, sorry, I'll get changed. Thanks."

With a smile, he left the room, shutting the door quietly behind himself. Leaving me sitting there with butterflies fluttering around my stomach as my heart hammered against my chest. All because I was in his room. How pathetic was I? jeez.

Practically tearing my wet shirt off, I threw it onto the bed post and picked up his large t-shirt. As crazy as it was, I brought it to my nose, taking in its distinct musky smell. He obviously hadn't worn that t-shirt in a long time since his scent wasn't strong on the material… or maybe I was just overanalyzing everything. After all, I was sniffing his clothes.

Once I was completely undressed, standing in the room in only my underwear, I decided that I'd leave my bra on even though it was wet. There was no way I'd give it to Jacob to 'dry', way too embarrassing. So without analyzing things again, I quickly threw on his t-shirt and shorts. Yeah, they were big but they were Jacob's.

"Are you done?," he called from behind the door.

I moved to swing it open. "Yep, where should I… what?."

For some reason, he had the strangest expression on his face as his eyes scanned me from head to toe, causing the hairs to stand up on the back of my neck. When his gaze finally drifted back to my face, I couldn't help but notice his eyes seemed a little glazed over. Sort of like when someone's in a daze.

"Cute," he mumbled before taking the wet clothes from me and disappearing into the bathroom.

Following him, I watched as he threw the clothes into the dryer. "Thanks again." For calling me cute, I added mentally.

He shot me a smile before starting the dryer. "Don't mention it, it's my fault you got wet anyway."

If Kara had been here, she would've taken his words in a completely different way. Having thought that, I found myself stifling a giggle while I hoped that Jacob wouldn't notice because that would be awkward.

"Aren't you cold?," I asked him as we exited the bathroom and headed into the living room. "You might get sick."

He chuckled. "What would you say if I told you I was one hundred and eight degrees?."

I raised my eyebrows. "I'd say that's impossible."

Plopping down onto the sofa, he grinned. "But you wouldn't think I was lying would you? I'd be terribly hurt."

"How's a girl supposed to believe that Jacob? It's impossible for humans to be that warm," I told him. Crossing my arms as I stood in front of him.

"Are you human Nina?," he joked. Grabbing my hand and pulling me down to sit next to him. "Yup, humans are so fragile."

"Hey!." I poked him in the side, his skin surprisingly soft beneath my fingertip and very warm. "You could've dislocated my arm! Oh and I think you're coming down with a virus or something."

Pulling a hair band out from his pocket, he gathered his long silky hair in his hands and tied it back. "Told you I was warmer than you humans."

"Oh and you're not human?," I asked sarcastically.

Jacob turned his body slightly towards mine, a stray hair falling into his face as he stared deeply into my eyes. Right at that moment I could see the true color of his beautiful eyes, they were a deep brown and under their gaze, I felt naked. Like my soul was bare to him.

Our knees touched and I jumped slightly from the friction, goose bumps rising all over my body. My own heartbeat suddenly sounded very loud in my ears and I wondered briefly whether he could hear it.

"Have you heard any of the Quileute Legends? About who we're descended from?," he asked quietly, watching me carefully.

I nodded in response. "Yeah, you're descended from wolves right?."

His face lit up at that. "Yes! Yes we are, how did you know?."

"My mom told me about them once when I was younger. I remember feeling so intrigued, that I guess it kind of stuck with me." I smiled in remembrance.

"Do you ever wonder whether there was any truth behind those stories?."

"No, I don't question stories or fairytales, it's obvious they're not real. It'd be awesome if they were though, maybe there'd be a prince waiting for me out there somewhere."

For a brief second, Jacob's face hardened at my words but it disappeared as quick as it came. Yet, I couldn't ignore the fact that his body had noticeably stiffened. Sometimes he confused me, I hadn't said anything wrong. Unless he thinks I'm childish for bringing up fairytales.

"I'm sorry for earlier, I shouldn't have left you. It's only natural for you to worry about me- people I mean," he said quickly. "Anything could've happened to you out there in the sea."

Shrugging, I leaned back into the sofa. "I don't think cliff diving is such a good idea anyway."

"I've been doing it for a few years now, I can handle it. Trust me."

"But what if… never mind, you see my point."

Raising himself up off the sofa, he stretched. Every muscle in his body working by that simple movement, causing my eyes to drift over his god-like muscularity, from his broad shoulders to his thick muscular legs. Though the area that was staring me right in the face was where his well defined abs bulged, and I found myself following the dark trail of hair that started right under his navel, disappearing into his cut off's— which were practically hanging off him.

If he didn't put on a shirt anytime soon, I was going to combust. Literally.

Giving me a knowing look and a grin to go with it, he excused himself a moment to change into something a little warmer.

Yeah, because walking around half-naked is normal. Not.

Just then, I realized that I hadn't seen his father Billy around. Strange, considering it was probably around half-nine but a relief at the same time because I had no idea how he'd react to seeing me here at this hour of the night.

Then again, I had more things to worry about considering I wasn't supposed to be here in the first place. Why can't my parents just accept the fact that Jacob is eighteen but looks way older? There has to be a way of proving it to them.

"Miss me?," Jacob asked with a smirk as he sat down next to me once again. He was now wearing a tight fitted, red t-shirt and a pair of jeans—yes, not cut off's— for a change.

"No, I was actually enjoying the peace," I joked.

"Ouch." He pressed a hand to his chest. "I'm deeply hurt."

"Aw, you're a softie behind all that muscle."

He bit his lip in an attempt to look innocent. "You have the power to destroy me."

"Do I have the power to fix you too?," I asked with a giggle.

"Yes," he answered before taking my hand in his and placing it over his chest. "Fix me."

"Hmm, well…" I scooted closer to him on the sofa. "What if I don't want to?."

"I'll cry… like a baby and I won't talk to you ever again."

"That's not too bad."

The hand which held mine, pressed my palm harder against him. His pulse racing beneath my touch. "Please," he begged with an adorable pout.

"Oh Jacob," I sighed, in fake misery.

"Make it go away." His free hand cupped my cheek. "Please, it hurts so bad."

"I don't know how."

"Just tell me you're sorry."

I pressed my tongue to my cheek. "Umm no."

"Nina!."

"No, I just can't find it in me Jacob."

"Once more, please."

"No!."

Then suddenly, I was screaming so loud, I was sure the whole population of La Push could hear me. Jacob's fingers were digging into my sides, tickling me and I was trashing all over the sofa. By the looks of things, he wasn't going stop.

His laughter echoed throughout the house as he continued to tickle me. "You want me to stop?."

"Jacob!," I yelled. Slapping at his hands but he wouldn't budge. "Jacob stop!."

"Aw, you're ticklish under all those clothes," he said. Repeating my sentence to him earlier, changing the words up a bit.

"Please!," I screamed. Almost head-butting him.

"Nee you're so adorable when-."

All of a sudden, I fell backwards off the sofa with Jacob landing on top of me on the hard floor. The back of my head throbbed with the hit, and I hissed with the pain as I tried to look up into his face.

"Nina, I'm so sorry! I'm a freaking idiot, I should've stopped. Let me help you." Scrambling to his feet, he slid one arm behind my neck and another under my thighs, lifting me up off the floor. "I'll take you to my bed, it's comfier there."

Once we were inside his room, he set me down on my side on the soft mattress. The bed creaking under his weight as he sat down on the edge. Although I was in pain, the smell of him everywhere soothed me… as weird as that seems.

"That hurts," I winced as he pressed a wet cloth to where it hurt.

"Honey, I'm so sorry," he whispered. "I'm so careless with you today, I'm sorry."

"These things happen," I told him as I stared up at the window. "Don't worry about it."

"You have every right to be mad at me."

I was facing away from him but I knew he'd have a miserable expression on his face. "Jake, please. It's fine."

So for a while after that, nothing but the sound of our breathing filled the room as he continued to press the cloth against my scalp. Around him, I always felt that he genuinely cared for me, and that if I needed to confide in him, he'd happily listen.

Never in my life have I ever felt so connected with someone, and to think I only knew him a couple of weeks… it was unbelievable. I'd never tell anyone that though, they'd probably think I was crazy.

Then again, maybe I was.

"Can I?," he asked quietly. Hesitant about laying next to me.

"Yes."

Jacobs arm wrapped around my waist, holding me close to him, his body warming me almost instantly. He also managed to keep his distance, making sure our bodies didn't touch to avoid awkwardness between us.

In the back of my head, I knew that laying with a boy I barely knew was strange and to some people, inappropriate. However, with Jacob everything was different, it felt as though we'd known each other for years. Everything was as easy as breathing.

And normally I'd be squealing internally with joy, but for a change I just felt content. I must've hit my head pretty badly…

"You're cold," he stated quietly, sounding sleepy.

Remaining still, I allowed my eyes to close. "Maybe it's because you're warmer than us humans."

"Or maybe it's because I notice everything about you," he replied. His arm tightening around me, as if to prove his point.

"Or maybe I'm not cold and you're just imagining it," I said. Feeling sleepy myself.

Suddenly, I felt his chest press into my back as he leaned in to whisper into my ear. "You're warming up, I can tell."

A shiver travelled up my spine, but it hadn't got anything to do with being cold. "Can I keep you?."

Wait.. did I just say that out loud?

With a soft chuckle, he asked. "Why would you want to keep me?."

I was blushing profusely. "Because you're warm…"

"And?," he urged.

"It's a secret."

Shifting against me, I felt more of his body press into mine. "Can I ask you something?."

"Yes," I answered automatically. Relief washing over me as I realized he wasn't going to push the subject.

"Have you ever had a secret you couldn't tell anyone because it wasn't your secret to tell?," he asked carefully. His breath hot and heavy against my ear.

Thinking his question over for a long minute, I opened my eyes and gave him an honest answer. "No."

"Would you keep a secret for someone you cared about?."

Although the questions about secrecy confused me, I kept my mouth shut. There was something about the way he asked me that made me think deeply into his questions, even though they were pointless.

"Well yeah, but I wouldn't keep a bad secret."

"Describe bad," he said.

"For example, if Kara was holding someone hostage." I chuckled. "I wouldn't keep that a secret, I'd go straight to the police."

Mindlessly, Jacob started drawing patterns with his fingertips on my abdomen. "If I told you that I was a merman, would you keep that a secret for me?."

Frowning, I looked over my shoulder into his handsome face. "But you don't look like a merman."

"Just say I was, and I showed you."

"But-."

"Picture it, me taking you to a secluded part of First Beach. We're the only ones there, you sit down on the sand and watch me make my way into the sea. Then a minute later, I swim back to you and there I lay on the shoreline, my legs replaced with a tail. You see the truth with your own eyes, what do you do? Do you keep my secret or do you tell on me?."

His eyes searched mine as we stared at each other, the story playing over and over in my head. In my imagination, he was as beautiful as he is now with a beautiful tail to match. We're closer than we are in real life, and he asks me with scared eyes to keep his secret. My lips part and the answer leaves my mouth…

"I'd keep your secret Jake, I wouldn't tell anyone," I whispered.

Biting on his lower lip with his perfect teeth, he asked. "How would you feel if your merman friend was your soul mate? That he couldn't be without you, his feelings for you were so strong that it would tear him apart if you ever left him."

"I… I don't know, if I cared about him then I guess… we could work something out."

"Before you find out about his secret, one day you tell him that you want to keep him because he's special to you. Would you want to keep him after he reveals his true identity to you?."

That awakened my blush again. "You can't keep a person…"

"But he's inhuman," he starts. "He's yours anyway, you're soul mates. He'd do or be anything you want him to be."

With a nervous giggle, I wondered out loud. "Is he warm or cold?."

"He's warm, very warm. His temperature higher than anyone you'll ever know." He smiled.

"Well then I'd still want to keep him, he sounds perfect as weird as that seems."

His smile grew wider, revealing his pearly whites to me. "It's not weird at all honey, not weird at all."

No longer looking over my shoulder at him, I sunk deeper into his pillow. "I'll be dreaming of you as a merman tonight."

"I hope so," he breathed against my ear. "Now rest, I'll take you home in a while."

So for the second time that night—thinking it was okay since I'd done it earlier—I fell asleep in Jacob Black's arms.

Three hours later we were standing in the shadows nearby my house, his Rabbit parked down the road. Though we would definitely be caught together if my mom or dad decided to take out the trash or something.

But we both knew there was no chance in that happening. Why? Because it was one in the morning!

Jacob had fallen asleep next to me and much to my utter embarrassment, Billy Black woke us up. Which had me scrambling out of the bed, muttering my apologies as I ran into the bathroom and threw on my clothes, fresh from the dryer.

Much to my surprise, Jacob didn't seem bothered by the fact that his father had found us together on his bed. He'd just told me it was no big deal and that Billy understood. What he meant by understood I will never know, but I made sure I was on my way home within minutes.

"That was mortifying Jacob," I whined. Covering my face with my hands.

"Aw Nee, don't be like that. It's all cool, trust me."

I shook my head, dropping my hands to my sides once again. "What must your father think of me now."

"He thinks you're a nice girl," he said, taking my hands in his. "And we both want you to come to a bonfire held on First Beach this Saturday."

"Billy's going to be there?."

With a nod, he added. "Yeah, it's a special bonfire. They're going to be telling us the stories about the Quileute Legends. We want you to be there."

"You mean the Elders are going to be there? And I'm invited? That's just… wow."

"Yeah." He chuckled. "You wouldn't want to miss it."

Feeling more than a little overwhelmed, I smiled. "That's really nice of you and Billy, thanks."

Which it was. Everyone knew that whenever the Elders were having a bonfire, only a certain group of people were allowed to attend it. Apparently, Jacob and Billy were part of that particular group so I was shocked that I was invited.

Kara was not going to believe her ears!

"Well you better be getting home, it's cold out here. Wouldn't want you sick on Saturday would we?," he smirked, letting go of my hands.

"No, we definitely wouldn't, so I guess I'll see you at school tomorrow. Goodnight Jake."

"Goodnight Nee, hope I don't scare you as a merman in your dreams."

Laughing, I turned on my heel. "Not at all, goodnight."

I had only taken a few steps when I felt his warm hand latch onto my shoulder, stalling me. "Nina."

"Jake?," I asked carefully. My whole body stiffening.

His lips brushed against my ear, causing me to shiver. "Be there on Saturday, it's important to me… there are things I need you to hear."

"Of course, I'll be there. I promise."

Then the warmth disappeared from behind me and I knew he was gone, but it didn't stop a goofy smile spreading across my face. Telling myself not to look back, I ran the rest of the way up to my house. Adrenaline bursting through my veins.

What I didn't realize was, through my dreamy state, I unlocked the front door and slammed it shut behind myself. When I should've closed it as quietly as I could, like normal. Darting up the stairs and into my room wasn't an option, because I had already woken my mom.

This was not happening.

"Nina? What are you doing down there?," she hissed. Making her way down the stairs and into the hall to stand in front of me. "Where were you?."

"I.. was… I thought I heard something so I came down to check," I offered lamely.

Her eyes hardened. "I wasn't born yesterday."

"Mom I know this looks bad but I can explain."

"I'm listening," she said expectantly. Crossing her arms over her chest.

Bile rose up my throat as I thought up an excuse for my being out at this hour of the night. Sleeping with Jacob in his house, in his room definitely wasn't going to go down well with her. Too bad she didn't have Billy's attitude and I didn't have sense.

"I was at First Beach," I mumbled.

"With who?," she questioned.

"Myself."

"Nina," she warned. "Your father is upstairs sleeping, I doubt you want me to wake him up and tell him that his daughter has been sneaking out."

Sliding down against the front door, I sighed. "Why don't you believe anything I say anymore? I've always been honest with you and dad."

She snorted. "Honest? Look at yourself. You're lying right to my face now, and I know why. You're protecting that Jacob guy."

"Mom!." I blushed.

Shaking her head in disgust, she sat down on the floor in front of me. "Nina, I'm your mother and all I've ever wanted was to look out for you. To teach you right from wrong, and to put you on the right path. The path where you graduate from school, go to college and university without a Jacob in your life. Yes, he may be good to you but is he right for you? No, a man like that is not for you."

"There's nothing wrong with him mom! Jacob is everything I'd ever want in a guy, you can't judge people when you don't even know them and you can't speak for me when you know it's not the truth."

"When I speak for you or for your brother, it is the truth. I've met men like Jacob sweetheart and believe me, they were nothing but bad news in the end. Picture this, you and him getting married and having children and living in La Push. How does that look to you?."

So I pictured it; Jacob and I standing at the altar, saying our vows, friends and family surrounding us. Jacob and I at the reception, laughing and reminiscing. Jacob and I having a slow dance. Jacob and I leaving for our honeymoon. Jacob and I having children. Jacob and I living happily in La Push. And the final thing I pictured was waking up next to him on a cold morning, how much I'd love that.

With a weak smile, I looked her in the eye. "It looks perfect."

For a moment, she just stared at me until realization dawned on her face. "You're in love with him."

"No, I'm not in love with him. I'm not. I don't…" I trailed off, knowing I was trying to convince myself that I wasn't when I wasn't sure what I felt.

Gulping, my mom took in a deep breath. "I hate myself for having to ask you this but please tell me you're using protection."

Oh hell no!

"Oh my…" my jaw dropped. "We're not… mom… no… we haven't-."

"Nina, you can't hide everything from me, especially when you come home looking disheveled."

"Stop it mom, please!"

Firstly, your mom thinking you were sneaking out to have sex was bad, very bad. Secondly, looking like a mess because you walked chest-deep into the sea and having no excuse was bad too. But thirdly, picturing yourself for that split second in the heat of passion with your crush because your mom mentioned was the worst because she was sitting right in front of you!

Though I still can't make up my mind whether Billy seeing me in his son's bed is worse.

"Nina," she sighed. "I don't know how many times your father and I have talked to you about this situation but tonight you've taken it a step too far."

Burying my face in my hands, I squeezed my eyes shut. "It won't happen again, I swear."

"You're right," she said. "You're grounded."

"What!," I shrieked. Dropping my hands into my lap and staring at her wide eyed. "Until when?."

Pushing herself up off the floor, she stared down at me. "Until you let this whole idea of you and Jacob go."

"But mom-."

"No buts. Like I've said before, he hasn't got anything to offer you. He will stay in La Push for the rest of his life. Why? Because he's obviously doing drugs with that gang of his, have you seen them Nina? Walking around half-naked! He hasn't even got a job, he has nothing to offer you. Your father-."

"It's him isn't it!," I hissed. Scrambling to my feet. "Dad, he's got you wrapped around his little finger. All you ever do is listen to him, what about what you think? I never knew you were this bad mom, not until now. And it disgusts me."

"Don't you speak to me like that! I am your mother, don't you forget that."

"And I'm your daughter! What about my happiness?," I asked, my voice breaking at the end.

"Jacob cannot give you happiness, why can't you see that?."

With tears blurring my vision, I told her. "Because Jacob has a good heart and if he wants to live here for the rest of his life, then I respect that. You don't have to worry mom, there is a girl out there that will marry him and have his children but it's not going to be me."

"Nina," she whispered. For once, looking guilty.

But I couldn't stand there any longer, my heart breaking with thoughts of him and another woman together. So I brushed past her and ran up to my room, clasping a hand over my mouth to muffle my sobs.

My mom never said another word.

Ten minutes later, I found myself laying on my bed, staring up at the ceiling while silent tears ran down my cheeks. An arm wrapped around my mid-section as I closed my eyes and imagined it was him holding me, like earlier.

My parents could ground me all they wanted, but it wouldn't stop me from going to the bonfire on Saturday. I'd jump out my window if I had to. That night was important to him, and I wasn't going to bail on him to keep other people happy.

Though I do blame myself for everything that happened tonight, I shouldn't have fallen asleep in his arms. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't do it again, I've never felt as safe and content in anyone's arms but his. If only I really could keep him…

Everything about him drew me in; from his smell to his touch, he was just perfection.

That cold, lonely night, I realized something. Something my own mother could see.

I was indeed, in love with Jacob Black.