A/N : Awww, thank you for your review and alerts, the few of you so far who enjoyed the story!! It made we want to put this out even faster. It would have come earlier today, but I went out to get my new tattoo done! Wooo! Ok, so, story.

Chapter 3 – Leaving

Jacob's POV

God, what the HELL was she doing still?! It couldn't take this long to rescue an idiotic blood sucker from death! I paced around the kitchen. I'd done as my dad asked, I gave it a week. Today was the last day. If she didn't come back- I pounded my fist on the door frame to the kitchen.

The other wolves were out patrolling, no doubt because the second the leech got home with my Bella, they wanted to tell me. I paused at the thought. What am I going to do if-... when she comes home? If she brings the leech back, then she's no doubt going to stay with him. And if she doesn't come back with him... I ran my hand across my forehead as pain gripped my chest. If he doesn't come back, she'll be stuck in some miserable state of undeserved grief, devastation and guilt. I didn't know which one I was rooting for right now. I don't think I could see my Bells in that state and not go insane.

I walked into the kitchen and looked out the little window that spanned the beach. I let out a deep breath and then shook my head. Maybe a hot shower would help me out of this-

Suddenly, I heard a howl in the distance. A long, loud howl, made to let me know... I stumbled into my room at lightening speed to grab a pair of the pants I'd boughten for changing. I stuck them in a sack and tied it around my ankle, hopping down the hallway, trying to get outside. As soon as I left the front door, I burst into wolf form. I was assaulted with a flurry of thoughts, all jumbled so I couldn't understand.

God damnit, guys! Shut up! I yelled in my head and there was sudden silence. What's going on, Quil?

She's home, Jake. Bella's back. My heart did a quick flip flop in my chest. She was alive... Or, she was... Walking, at least. She was here! I suddenly swallowed, running to the forest, forgetting that I was a great big wolf, visible infront of my father's home. I made it to the edge of the forest and slowed, finally thinking the last thing I wanted to know.

And?

She's not a vamp, Jake. But she brought the leech back with her. He's with her, at her house now. They're talking and- There was a break in Quil's thoughts and I padded forward a little, in the direction of Bella's house.

And what, Quil? And WHAT?! I cried out in my head. Was the leech biting her right now? Was he changing her? What was going on?

We had to hide, Jake, calm down. Sam's thoughts were always the loudest and clearest. Bella and Edward are leaving the house. I think they're going to the Cullen's. We should let them have their business.

No! I yelled out, suddenly at a run. I had to reach Bella. I had to see her, to see for myself that what my pack said was true.

Jake, please! Talk to her later! She looks exhausted! Embry's voice came across in my head. I slowed my run to a trot and looked around myself. Bella was exhausted? What had happened in Italy? How were they both still alive? Why were they going to the Cullen's?

...Fine. I stopped in my stracks and turned my snout towards the Cullen's. We'll need a lookout while she's there. I'll do it. I said and then tilted my head back and let out a weak howl, trying to work out some of my frustration. I would go to the Cullen's and get as close as I dared. And then I would listen.

Bella's POV

I stepped into the Cullen's house and was immediately greeted with Carlisle and Esme. I threw myself into their arms. It had been so long since I'd seen them. It nearly brought me to tears, thinking that they were back. That this family was mine. And it would never not be mine again. I had to make sure of that. I pulled away, just as Esme tucked a piece of hair behind my ear.

"It's good to be back, Bella... I'm so glad you're safe... And that you brought our Edward home to us," she said, her voice caught with sadness. Surely the thought of losing her oldest son would have devastated her.

"I need to call a family meeting, Esme, Carlisle. Can you guys get Emmett and Rose?"I asked, just as I turned my head up the stairs and saw Alice pulling Jasper down the stairs. I smiled at the both of them. She already knew what was going on, with her crazy prying and mind reading skills, and she was beaming. It was contagious and my smile grew wider. At least I knew I had their votes. But what about the rest of the family?...

Edward's POV

God, she couldn't be doing this to me. They all couldn't be doing this to me. Especially Carlisle... He knew what this meant to me. He understood and agreed with me! I leaned my head back against the back of my seat as I drove Bella home.

The only one who had stood by me, had my same conviction, was Rosalie. I had never loved my sister so much. But even she did it for her own selfish reasons. I was sure of it. Rosalie was not a sweet, caring, wonderful person. She was vain, self centered, and pleasure , she was 10 feet tall when I was on the ground, smudged in dirt. She was probably sitting with Emmett now, boasting about my demise.

I glanced over at Bella and saw her staring at me. I looked back to the road and grumbled a little.

"I can't read minds like you can, Edward... Please, tell me what you're thinking," she asked. I gritted my teeth. She might as well have been able to read my mind, because I knew she knew what I was thinking. She just wanted me to start the conversation so she could argue her point further. I shut my eyes for a moment before I looked back to the road.

"You know what I think. I don't want you to become like me, Bella. You're too precious the way you are, in the state you're in," Edward said. I felt her cross her arms and glanced at her again.

"Your family decided. I will be one of you. What happens if the Volturi come and check on us, and I'm not a vampire? The whole family will die, Edward! I won't be the cause of 6 vampires downfalls!" she cried out and I shook my head, looking at her again.

"Bella, we can take care of ourselves, and I can take care of you-" I started, but a streak of thoughts caught my attention in front of the car and I slammed on the breaks as I looked back to the road.

Bella's POV

I grabbed the seatbelt and any other part of the car I could as we screeched to a stop, right in front of Jacob. My mouth fell open as I watched him. Him in all his shirtless, wonderful glory. I drew in a breath as he looked straight into my eyes and then turned away, walking out of the road.

He looked incredible. I hadn't seen him in over a week, and he looked more delicious than when I'd last set eyes on him...

"He wants to talk," Edward said, breaking my thoughts, and I gasped. What was I THINKING? I tried to gather myself, so glad that Edward couldn't read my thoughts right now. I gave a little nod and we both got out of the car. We followed the same path Jacob had taken. I glanced at Edward along the way and bit on my lip.

I had saved him... He was mine again, the only thing that I ever wanted in this lifetime, and he was mine again. I couldn't believe he still wanted me. That everything he had said in the forest that day so long ago had been a lie. He was stubborn and cold, but he would never leave me again. The thought made me feel safe, and desired.

I stopped because he stopped. I looked up to see Jake and my heart fluttered in my chest. He was standing, facing me, seeming to see only me. My breath caught and I tried to tear my gaze away from his, but it was impossible. He had such an intense stare, it was as if he was trying to read everything about me.

My eyes shut, as if I were blinking, and I was suddenly back in the kitchen that night we kissed. I could feel his arms around me, I could feel his lips on mine, and I could feel my body on fire. The phone was ringing. It was the third ring. But I didn't pull away, and suddenly Jake's hand was sliding over my waist, beneath my shirt. He was so hot, his fingers tracing fire paths along my skin. I moaned and fell into his touch. He groaned as I deepened the kiss. His hands were both on my hips. He was pushing me against the kitchen counter-

"You need to stay human, Bella," Jake's words broke me from my fantasy. God... Had his voice always sounded like that? So deep, so rich? Intoxicating. I mentally smacked myself, for everything. For the fantasy, for being so attracted to my best friend. I glanced at Edward before turning my eyes to the floor, so anxious that someone actually knew what was running across my mind.

"Well, Jake... You can't really tell me what to do," I said, knowing my voice wasn't as strong as I wanted it to be. He gave me a quirky little smile, one that knocked me off my feet. He scoffed, turning his eyes away and looking around at the woods.

"Well, Bells. You're right. I can't tell you what to do... But the minute that filthy leech tastes your blood, the treaty falls apart and we go hunting," Jacob said and I watched his eyes come back to me. He was liking this. Was it because he knew what was going on with my emotions? Or was it because he knew that Edward really didn't want to change me in the first place. The thought put a fire under me. I felt anger scorch through me.

"Jacob Black, if I want to become like the Cullens, there's nothing you or the pack can do to stop me! We'll leave town and you'll never see me again!" I yelled, feeling enraged. I'd never felt this angry before. I'd never let anything anyone said reach me like Jacob's words did. What was wrong with me? Jacob stepped closer to me, his eyes portraying he was less than pleased.

"Bells, please, listen to me," Jacob said, locking my eyes within his again. I think I swallowed my tongue. "You don't know what you're doing," he said, walking closer to me. Edward emitted a growl, making me realize he was still there. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him crouching, waiting for Jacob to make a more threatening move. "If you become a vamire, we can't ever see each other. Ever."

I felt my heart plummet to my stomach. Then I shook my head, in denial.

"I won't ever let that happen, Jake. Just because I'll be a vampire doesn't mean we can't see each other. The Cullens won't keep you away-" I started, but he interrupted, rushing forward and grabbing me by the shoulders. Edward lost control. He reached out to grab Jake and tear him away. Jacob's body pulsed and suddenly Edward let go. His hands were up as he backed away. I realized he knew that if Jacob shifted right here, with his arms on me, I probably would turn out just like Emily. Strangely, I didn't fear Jake. I looked up into his eyes as he turned his gaze back to me, really gripping harder than he had to to keep me there.

"They won't keep me from you. They would never be able to, even if they wanted. But my pack," Jacob said, making me shiver the way he said it. "And me. I won't allow myself around you... Not if you become one of them."

My heart seemed to shatter in my stomach and mix tiny needles into my skin, breaking out all over my body. Jacob? My Jacob would stay away from me? I tried to breathe in, I tried to think. I couldn't though, not while he was staring at me so intensely. I noticed his grip begin to decrease, and I suddenly realized that look in his eyes. It was like the night in the kitchen. I gsped and immediately took a step away from him, out of his grasp.

"I choose Edward, Jake... And when the time comes, I will become a vampire. A Cullen. And you can run back to your pack and tell them that," I whispered. He wanted to hold my heart in his hands? He wanted to know he had all this control and power over me, just because he had comforted me so much lately? He wanted to make me come running to him, just because he thought he could be like Edward. I bit on my lip and glanced at Edward, taking another step away from Jake and toward him.

"Back off, mutt. You heard her choice," Edward declared, reaching forward and tucking me under his arm.

"You did this," Jake said, glaring at Edward. My heart started working its rythmic beat again. I could feel his anger, his jealousy rising to the top, like a steaming kettle. "You left her, and now you've come back into her life like you never caused her any grief! You know what she was like while you were gone?!"

"Jacob, stop," I whispered, shaking probably as much as he was. I didn't want Edward to know what my life had been like while he was gone. He was going to hear it from Charlie, and that was enough. But Jacob saw me more. Jacob was there, in my heart, feeling how badly it had broken. He could tell Edward things Charlie had never even dreamed I'd felt. "Don't..."

"That's enough, Black. I'm taking Bella home," Edward said, starting to turn me away. Jacob's eyes connected with mine once more, and I watched as he let out a snarl and shifted. Bits of his clothes fluttered to the ground around him. He bared his fangs, stamping at the ground with his large paws. Edward pushed me away.

"Run back to the car, Bella," he said, quickly, but I shifted my direction and ran right between them.

"No! You guys can't do this! Edward, you go back to the car! You can't control me like this! I can't be controlled. And Jake, you're my best friend, please, understand how I feel!" I pleaded, looking at his overly large eyes. I felt everything in me going out in that second to him. I don't know what he was feeling, his eyes were still wild, but he seemed to register that with me in the middle, he wouldn't move.

"Bella, I'm not controlling-" Edward started but I walked up to Jacob and reached both my hands out to his furry face. Instantly, his eyes slipped from anger to sadness. I looked straight into his eyes, making sure he couldn't see Edward.

"Jake, I love you. You need to understand that... And I'll always be here. My love will never go away for you. But Edward is my life... Please, I want us both to be happy..." I asked, rubbing my fingertips over his jaw bones. How I wished it was his actual face, and I was pressed flush up against his body... I mentally smacked myself again. Get a grip, Bella I thought to myself. Jacob's body suddenly went limp before he turned and bounded away from me.

I let my hands drop. I couldn't believe he was leaving me... He said he would always be there... But where was my Jacob now?

A/N: So, what's up put there? You like? I'm going to start creating alllll my new stuff after the next chapter, I think. I like the direction SM took with the book, so I stuck with it so far. But soon, the main Jacob action will come in. Yum yum yum.

As you can tell, I think Edward is a controlling butthead. I can't believe I used to be Team Edward. Then friggin Taylor Lautner came in, and geeeeeze. Boy has a body that could break a nun!

Read, Review and Alert, please!