We're nearing the end. This chapter is for everyone who has stuck with this story and supported it. (:

When I woke up, the bright white was stunning me. I let my eyes adjust to it. The room was painted white with light wooden furniture. I was in a railed bed, tucked under clean, white sheets. Tubes were put in my left arm and hand. I was wearing a hospital gown.

My mom was leaning over me, holding the hand without the tubes. She pushed my hair back.

"Jacob," she breathed in relief.

"What happened?" I asked. My cranium felt heavy and my thoughts were fuzzy.

"You got hit by a car," Mom said. She looked sideways at a nurse holding a tray whom I hadn't noticed before, "A hit and run. We're getting out of this city. But the doctor said you'll make a full recovery. You'll be fine in time for football season." Mom chuckled quietly.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. Mom shushed me gently and grazed my cheek. She glared at the nurse. The startled young woman set the food down and left.

"Mom, he told me he kidnapped Gwen," I immediately began giving her my explanations to begin to make up for the pain she was in when she found me. That I remembered clearly, "I didn't want her to die. He told me he knew where we were and that he would come and get all of us." My voice was raspy and breaking and not very strong.

Understanding registered on my mom's face. She breathed in relief again.

"I couldn't understand why you wanted to leave, to die," Mom whispered, "You were trying to be brave."

"I'm sorry, Mom," I said.

"I know, baby," she said, treating me like a child. I didn't mind it at all.

"Thank you, for saving me," I said.

"I'm sorry you needed to be saved," Mom said remorseful.

"No, it's all my fault. He tricked me. I was stupid," I told her.

"Well, he's never coming after you," Mom said, "We got him."

"And his girl?" I asked for confirmation.

"She was there?" Mom hissed.

"Yeah," I said, "She spoke to me on the announcer speaker thing." I yawned. I was having trouble speaking again.

"The doctor gave you a pill to help you sleep," Mom explained in a murmur, "I have to speak to Carlisle." She sat up.

"Please don't go," I begged. I had almost died and was feeling a little needy. I didn't want my mom to leave me. I sat up, but a shot of pain in my torso had me lying down again. Mom sat down too.

"He broke a couple ribs," Mom mumbled, looking down at me with a sadness I couldn't place She squeezed my hand gently, "What am I going to do?"

"About what? The girl? You guys will get her," I said.

"No, about you. Jacob, you didn't end up here by accident. Something's wrong. You've never had a cavity, and now, you're in the ICU."

"I was stupid and forgot Gwen was in California. This was my mistake."

"Maybe it's Forks," Mom murmured.

"Maybe it's because I'm fifteen, and I'm an idiot," I said.

"This never happens to other fifteen-year-olds."

"Well, I'm not a normal fifteen-year-old," I said with a smirk.

Mom looked at me strangely and her face took on a severe sadness.

"Mom?" I asked. Did I say something?

"You're only human," Mom said, "I never should have expected you to be able-to keep up with the supernatural. I never should have-" Mom's body shook with sadness. I took her hand.

"Mom, that's crazy," I said, "Don't say that. If it wasn't for you, James would have gotten me."

"If it wasn't for us, he never would have found you."

"If it wasn't for you, I would have frozen to death when I was three weeks old," I reminded her. She closed her mouth.

"Still," she murmured. She shook her head, "I shouldn't bother you with this. You need to rest. He broke a couple of your ribs, your arm, leg."

"What about my head?" I asked remembering how it banged against the floor.

"No concussion thankfully. It's a pretty nasty wound. When the doctor was checking you out, he wanted to shave your head, but I know my kid. I told him no way. Remember when you tried that out one summer?"

I chuckled, and my chest ached. "Thank God you stopped him." I added another favor I owed my mother on the extensive list.

"And thank you for sucking out the venom. I wasn't ready," I said. Mom's body got really still.

"I knew you wouldn't be," she said.

"It must have been really hard," I added.

"The blood...doesn't bother me a lot. I was more afraid of losing you. And to be honest, Jakey, as far as people go, you don't taste that good."

I feigned shock. "I don't taste as good as I look?"

Mom laughed. The phone rang. She picked it up.

"Hello? Hello, Gwen. Yes, Jacob's awake. I think he's up for it." Mom handed me the hospital corded phone. I took my free hand with all the tubes in it and put it to my ear.

"Hey Gwen," I said. I was trying to make my voice sound strong but failed.

"Jacob! I was so worried about you. I heard you got hit by a car. Are you really messed up?"

I chuckled. "Yeah, I just woke up. I broke my arm, leg, and a couple ribs, but the doctor said I'll be fine."

"Thank goodness. You're in Phoenix, right? Why?"

The lies came easily. I had been practicing them with Bella in that hotel room for when we came back. I was going to have to come up with some new stuff though. "My biological grandma died. The funeral was in Tuscan-"

"I'm so sorry."

"It's okay. I never knew her. My older brother and sisters took me down. But then Edward's girlfriend-"

"Isabella Swan, right?"

"Yeah. She and him had this weird break-up so she came to Phoenix since she used to live here. Then my dad took Edward there to talk to her so we met up with them. I was crossing the street in a bad neighborhood, I guess, and this car just came out of nowhere and hit me."

"That's so awful."

"Yeah, I lost a lot of blood, but I'm going to be fine."

"I can't believe you almost died. Forks has been scary too. Someone broke into our house while we were on vacation! They didn't take anything though thankfully."

It must have been Victoria. She had called me from Gwen's home. "That's so weird," I said.

"Yeah. When are you coming back to Forks?"

"I don't know. Soon, I hope."

"I hope so too," Gwen said softly.

"I know this is gonna sound corny, but I really care about you, Gwen," I said. If I couldn't tell her the truth, she should know that. I wouldn't face a vampire for just anybody.

"I feel the same way," Gwen said.

"I just wanted to tell you," I said, "I gotta go. I don't wanna fall asleep on you."

Gwen chuckled. I liked how she laughed. It was genuine and warm. "Good-night, Jacob. I can't wait to see you again. There'll be a plate of cookies waiting. Go, you sound awful."

I chuckled too. There was a click on the other end.

I had been looking down when I talked, pulling on the sheets, moving my hand and the tubes. Mom had silently left. I ignored my protesting arm and used my left to sit up and look around for her.

"Mom?" I weakly called.

Mom came back in. "Sit down, Jacob! I can't leave you alone. How's your stomach feeling? You should eat something before they give you more pills."

My empty stomach made itself known with an ache of hunger. I nodded, and pulled the tray over my body. I took the chocolate pudding only.

"By the way," Mom said, "You have some visitors."

Before I could ask who, all the Cullens -plus Bella- spilled into the room.

"Jacob!" they called. I smiled weakly. I was too tired for the wave of excitement.

"How you doing, slugger?" Dad asked.

"Same old, same old. You?" Dad let out a booming laugh. He looked relieved too.

"Jacob, I'm so glad you're okay," Bella said. Her eyes were sad, but she looked better than the last time I saw her. She was like a vampire before and after a hunt. After she got her Edward back, she looked brighter and healthier.

"If our hearts were still beating, you would have given us all heart attacks," Aunt Alice said.

"Do not ever do that again," Dad said, "Although Rose did tell us he lead you there."

"I'm sorry everyone," I said.

"Well, all that matters is that you're okay," Grandma said. She was always the most forgiving.

"I've talked to the doctor. You will be able to come home in a couple days."

"Only a couple?" I asked, pleasantly surprised.

"Well, Jacob, you've been out for five days," Carlisle said.

"Are you serious?" I asked. How many drugs did they put me on?

"You were in a lot of pain. They had to operate, allow you some time to rest so your body could heal."

"Did I miss anything? Bella, how are you still here?"

"Your grandfather has excellent negotiation skills. I'm going home with you guys."

"I've spent most of my time burning down minor league baseball stadiums," Aunt Alice said.

"Huh?"

"We had to burn James right in the Stadium," Alice said, "I've planted a few firecrackers. Police suspect hoodlums. We've actually really been freaking out the surrounding neighborhoods. A hit and run and arson in one day in one area."

"I didn't see you guys burning anyone."

"We waited after the fight," Jasper said, "There was a lot of blood."

"Oh," I mouthed.

A disgruntled nurse came in.

"One visitor at a time, immediate family only," she scolded. All the new visitors left. My mom did too; she said she was going to get me some more pudding.

I rested my head on the pillow and stared at the white ceiling, trying to put my mind to rest. Bella silently opened the door and crept in.

"Bella?" I whispered.

"Hey, Jake. I just wanted to tell you that I think what you did what was very brave," Bella said quietly.

"And stupid," I said.

"You didn't know Gwen was safe," Bella said, "Yet you go there to rescue her like a knight in shining armor. You risked everything to save her."

"Well he was going to come after my family, and you. I made a promise to protect you."

Bella looked a bit flabbergasted but pulled the corners of her pink lips up. "You Cullens are a special bunch."

"Birds of a feather flock together," I mumbled, too tired to think of anything better,

"I should let you heal, Sir Jacob," Bella said quietly. She turned and left. I saw her meet Edward on the other side of the door. As it swung closed, they embraced and walked off.

Ahh, and all was well once again. I have an epilogue prepared and then Book 1 is done. I'll announce plans for the sequel after that. Please review and have a great day (: