A/N: Hi guys! Thanks to everyone who read the last chapter, and especially to those who reviewed! I'm having a lot of fun writing this story… I'm in the middle of some really juicy stuff right now, and I can't wait to see what you guys have to say about it. For now, however… here's chapter two!

A note about the narrative: This story changes perspectives a lot. It's in third person limited, and the chapter alternate between Jacob, Edward and Renesmee's perspectives. I decided not to go with the first person narrative from the books because I find it disorienting reading stories where the narrator changes every 2000 words. I'd rather just look over different peoples' shoulders and keep some consistency in the telling. To those of you who prefer first-person narrative, I apologize… the choice was completely a matter of personal taste where long fics are concerned. I should have some one-shots up soon that stick closer to the first-person style of the books.

In this chapter: a bit of Jacob Introspection! I love Jacob… expect a lot of him in this story.

Thanks for reading! Please review!

Chapter 2: As If Any of This is Within My Control. I Mean, Really.

When Jacob heard Bella sigh, he knew exactly what the reason for it was. He was actually shocked that she'd been so restrained with her emotions these last few weeks. She hadn't said anything to him about what was happening, or what she expected from him when he and Nessie were living together. She hadn't threatened or yelled or cried, she'd just… accepted.

That was what worried him the most.

Jacob was certain that Bella was not fine with the idea of him living, unsupervised, with her only daughter. All of the Bloodsuckers had their reservations, even the ones who were on his side, but Jacob knew Bella was probably the most uneasy. He couldn't blame her. He'd had all of his answers lined up before they even broached the subject with Bella, but Edward had blocked him at every turn, getting to him first. He hadn't even had a chance to talk to his best friend about the whole situation before the move (was she even his best friend anymore? Jacob pushed the thought aside). Edward, on the other hand… they had spoken. Exhaustively.

"I am not happy with this, Jacob."

Jacob grimaced. "I know you're not." Edward was pacing back and forth, his eyes never leaving the Shapeshifter's face. He looked like he was stalking his prey. Which was actually entirely possible.

"I'm not going to bite you," Edward said disdainfully. "You'd taste like wet dog."

Jacob knew this wouldn't be an easy discussion, not with the mind reading leech taking the lead like this. Why couldn't he just explain things to Bella?

"Bella doesn't need to be concerned with this right now," Edward said stiffly. "This is between us."

"And Renesmee," Jacob said firmly. "She should be here." He figured he might as well say everything he thought from this point onward, seeing as Edward could hear it all anyhow.

"That's a wise decision. And no, we are not involving Renesmee in this. I want to make this as simple for her as possible… it's obvious I've caused her enough anguish already." Edward's expression was guarded, but Jacob could see a tiny line appearing down the center of his smooth brow, what Bella sometimes called her husband's 'Needless Regret Line'. Jacob actually felt sympathy for the Bloodsucker.

"Don't beat yourself up over it… she's not leaving because of you. She's leaving because of her."

Edward let out a dry laugh. "Jacob Black, Philosopher." He shook his head. "We're not talking about me. I need to make some things clear to you before you take my daughter to New York City, away from her parents and her family, to be alone. With you."

Jacob was suddenly even more uncomfortable, but he recovered quickly enough. "Technically, SHE'S taking ME away. It was her idea."

"And I'm sure you raised many objections."

Jacob rolled his eyes. "Look, Edward, I'm going to protect Nessie, make sure that she's happy and safe. That's. All."

"Jacob, I can hear your thoughts." Edward had stopped moving entirely, and was staring Jacob down. It creeped Jacob out when he did that… it wasn't natural to be so still. "They've changed recently, with regards to Renesmee." Jacob flinched. So that hadn't escaped his notice, then. "No, it has not. It has, in fact, been impossible to ignore."

"Edward," Jacob said, putting his hands up as the vampire advanced on him, "We all knew this would happen some day. And I think it says something about my self-control that it hasn't happened before now."

"Before now, Renesmee was a child. If there was anything for you TO control, I would have been forced to destroy you the second I became aware of it." Edward said the last part casually, which did not make Jacob any more comfortable with hearing it. "I must admit, I am thankful that these… feelings didn't emerge any sooner. Renesmee is grown now, physically and mentally, and even emotionally. I cannot stop men from being attracted to her, including you. At least in your case I know that you have her best interests at heart."

"Always," Jacob said vehemently. Edward threw him a sharp look.

"I'm not done yet, Jacob. I cannot stop you from being attracted to my daughter. That does not imply that I am happy with it, or that I have to allow you to act on those impulses."

Jacob felt his heart sink. So that was the 'but'. "You're giving me an ultimatum," he guessed.

"That's right." Edward's eyes were still boring into Jacob. The irises were dark at the center. He needed to hunt soon. "You may accompany Renesmee to New York. You may stay with her in her loft and you may continue your friendship with her as usual. But you will not act on these feelings you've been having. You will not make any advances towards her, and of course you will not do anything that might make her conscious of the bond between the two of you. This rule will stand until she decides to come home, at which point we will discuss informing her. If you break these boundaries, you will be removed from Renesmee's life."

"Is that so?" Jacob felt the wolf stirring inside of him, and he pushed the feeling back down as hard as he could. "I wonder how Renesmee would feel about your threat."

"She would vow to never forgive me," Edward said casually, "But she would, eventually." Now he smirked at Jacob. "We DO have eternity."

"So do I." Jacob saw his chance to reclaim the upper hand. "I'm never going to leave Nessie. Nessie's always going to be with you and Bella. And as long as I'm around you bloodsuckers, I'm never going to change, and I'm never going to die. Forever's a long time, and as long as I have that…" Jacob sighed. "I can wait a little longer."

The conversation had happened several times over with other members of the Cullen family. Rosalie had spat methaphorical venom at him for about thirty seconds before Jacob silenced her by phasing and planting a giant wolf-lick up the side of her face. She hadn't spoken to him for two weeks over that one. Emmett had insisted on talking to him 'mano a mano', phrasing his warning like an abstinence-only sex talk. Even Jasper, who was firmly onboard with Jacob going to New York, had sat him down at one point, although in that instance the vampire seemed more worried about his adoptive brother pulling out the Shapeshifter's throat than anything else.

Alice was the only Cullen family member who didn't seem at all concerned with Jacob's ability to control himself when left alone with Renesmee. "I can't see anything that's going to happen while they're gone," she said with a hint of irritation in her voice, "But there are certain things I can see from their return that make me think it'll be just fine." She patted her miserable brother's shoulder. "I'm sure if I could see him at all, I'd know that he's made up his mind to listen to you. Let it go."

And Jacob had made up his mind. He wasn't going to pursue Renesmee, not now. This period of her life was her own, and she was doing this for herself. She needed to go about it unencumbered, and Jacob didn't want the weight of his imprint to sully the experience she was set on having. What Edward didn't understand was that Jacob physically could not do anything that would be harmful to Renesmee without causing himself great pain. And if he ruined this experience for her, it would be harmful to her. Jacob would never be able to bear that.

Of course, if Renesmee wanted…

No. Jacob stopped his thoughts in their tracks. He needed to think of something, anything else. Cars would do. He started reciting the names of different makes and models in his head. A soft chuckle came from the driver's seat.

Get the hell out of my head, Edward! He screamed mentally. Edward actually looked startled. And then he surprised everyone in the car by turning to his wife.

"Bella," Edwards said smoothly, "Would you mind shielding Jacob and Renesmee? I think they could both use a little privacy, and I'm having trouble tuning out." Bella quirked an eyebrow at her husband and then shrugged. Jacob tried to feel the moment when her shield encompassed him, but he never could, no matter how many times she did it.

Renesmee, evidently, could feel it. Jacob watched for a sign. There it was; her shoulders dropped slightly, the tension that held them up near her chin disappearing. Jacob could sympathize… having Edward in your head wasn't the most fun thing in the world, and being his daughter couldn't have made it much easier.

And now he was staring at her. Renesmee was still slumped low in her seat, but now she looked at little more comfortable. Her lower lip protruded a bit in a subconscious pout. Jacob tried to think of something other than those full, pouting lips. Even though Edward wasn't listening to his thoughts, it made his life easier if he avoided thinking about Nessie like that. Pure thoughts only, Jacob reprimanded himself mentally. She is really beautiful. That was a pure thought, wasn't it?

Nessie must have felt him staring, because she turned to look at him then, a helpless expression on her face. She wanted out NOW, Jacob could tell. He caught a flash of something going by outside the car—a road sign. "Look, Nessie," He said, pointing. "15 miles… we're almost there." Renesmee sat up straight in her seat and looked at the road sign, then craned her neck to look past her mother out the front window.

"We're so close… shouldn't we be able to see the skyline by now?" Jacob peered forward as well, curious.

"It's there," Edward assured his daughter. "You should be able to see it in a minute or so."

Renesmee looked like she was trying very hard to contain her excitement. "What do you think we should do first?" She said to Jacob. "It'll only be six-thirty when we get in… we'll have the whole night." They'd timed it this way on purpose, arriving around dusk so that the vampires could help with the moving in without having to worry about unexpected sunlight.

"Pizza?" Jacob replied hopefully. Renesmee wrinkled her nose.

"No thank you. I just hunted last night… it'll be a while before I have to resort to eating. Maybe we should go down to Times Square. Or go see some music. We'll have to figure out where all the good places to go are."

"You'll be helping your uncle unload your things," Edward intoned from the front seat. "And then you'll be putting them away and getting yourself settled." Renesmee rolled her eyes.

"Fine. Jake and I can wait until you're gone to do all the things you so clearly disapprove of." Jacob nearly choked on his own breath. She wasn't implying anything like that, he mentally admonished himself, get a grip, Jake. Bella hissed quietly, as if she knew what he was thinking.

Renesmee peered at her mother, looking slightly concerned. "Mom?" she asked cautiously.

Bella didn't turn to face her daughter. "Don't… don't talk to your father that way, Renesmee," she said quietly. Renesmee raised an eyebrow.

"Oka-ay..."

"Look," Edward interjected, taking one hand off the wheel to point. The car was now driving towards a very visible New York skyline, just beginning to light up in the darkening sky. Renesmee was suddenly transfixed, and Jacob felt her excitement as though it was his own.

"Wow," she breathed. "I can't believe we get to live there." As the said the word 'we', she reached over and gave Jacob a light shove.

In the front seat, Jacob heard Bella sigh again.

Thanks for reading! Please review!

In the next Chapter: Bella glowered at Edward. He'd seen that look on her face before, many times, but never directed towards him. It was terrifying. "I have never felt so betrayed by you," She said in a quiet voice that sent a tremor through his entire body.

Stay Tuned!

~Crit.