Chapter 16

Was it possible to be run over by a freight train and survive? That was how he felt as awareness came back to Jake's mind. A groan left his lips as his leg shifted against the soft fabric covering his naked body.

Where am I?

His wounded lungs worked hard and each rise in his chest made his ribs feel like they were on fire. The pain caused his eyes to roll up into his head and he had to fight to keep conscious. Fluttering his eyes, they squinted against the bright sunlight pouring in through his bedroom window. In his mind, he remembered flashes of red and the sparkle of dead flesh as it became exposed to the sun's rays. His body shook, and he groaned again.

How did I get here?

Looking around the room, objects appeared fuzzy until he blinked enough times for his body to focus. Through the window, the colors of the sun painted a picture in the morning sky. Everything appeared familiar except for an additional padded chair between his dresser and closet door. It had once sat in the living room and would be too difficult for Billy to move it. With her body curled into a ball, he saw thick black hair draped over a scarred cheek. Emily.

No one had ever looked more beautiful, and he felt his breath catch at the sight. He didn't know how she had learned of his injuries, but felt honored to have her close by. There was a million other places she could have been, or more specifically one major place; with Sam. Instead, she slept in a chair Jake knew to be lumpy and had a few springs loose.

Staring at her, he saw the image blur and then refocus. Was she his imagination? He wanted to touch her, to know what was real. Rolling to his side, the twist in his ribs made him shout out in pain. The movement reminded him of his labored breathing and wounded body.

"Jake, be still," he heard coming from the chair, his eyes pinched together. He felt a tender touch start at his calf and softly move to his hip. "How are you feeling?"

"Emily?"

"Yes."

"I'm okay," he lied. "Where's everyone?"

"Seth is in your sisters' room with Leah. The leech sliced through one of the nerves on his back. He didn't have any feeling on his right arm. Aunt Sue feels confident once the nerve heals he will be fine."

Jake's hand found hers and threaded their fingers together.

Emily smiled and continued. "It was easier on her for you and Seth to be in the same house. Embry carried you here, stayed until late last night, and then needed to get home so his mother wouldn't worry."

He noticed she never mentioned Sam and though he felt curious, he really didn't care. But he did want to know what happened with the fight.

"Was Embry hurt? What all happened?"

"He wasn't hurt badly. Supposedly after you fell, then Paul and Jared joined Embry in tearing the female apart. Sam burned her and the other. Seth initially was brought to our house, and you were taken here."

Our house.

The acknowledgement that she was Sam's hurt. Maybe there wasn't anything Jake could do. He knew Emily cared for him, but the pull of imprinting must have been too great. Jake took a labored breath and released it slowly, letting go of their joined hands. Her smooth fingertips trailed up his arm, resting gently on his shoulder.

"God Jake, do you seriously have to flash the room?" Leah said, making her entrance.

"It's nothing you haven't seen before," Jake countered and rolled his eyes.

"True," Leah acknowledged.

"I'll let Sue know you're awake. But, uhm, you might want to cover up a bit." Emily blushed.

"Thanks, Em."

From Jake's movements, the blanket settled on the bed exposing his nakedness. Along his side medical tape attempted to keep his ribs in place and he guessed there wasn't much of him Sue hadn't already seen.

Emily smiled and leaned towards Jake, giving him a peck on his lips. Jake's eyebrows lifted in surprise, his eyes glancing over at Leah while his lips temporarily forgot how to function. Why did she kiss him?

Emily blushed again and left the room.

"Good God, Jake. I haven't wanted to kiss you, but that pretty much sealed the 'never' deal. That looked terrible."

"Shut up, Leah. I wasn't expecting it."

"Why not? You guys have been messing around for a while. Right?" Leah plopped on the side of the bed next to him.

Jake winced slightly from the bed shifting. "Yeah, I guess, but-"

"But what?"

"I don't know. I'm trying to figure out what is going on after waking up from… How long was I knocked out?"

"Almost two days. You actually gave us a little of a scare."

"Awww, you do care." Jake smiled at Leah, in return she punched his shoulder sending pain down his arm. "Oh… just kidding."

"Better." Leah nodded and stood to make room for her mother to come closer to Jake.

"How are you feeling, Jacob?" Sue asked.

"Like I'd been run over by a vampire."

"Seems accurate." Sue nodded and moved the blankets from his torso, making sure the tape was still tight across his skin. "I'm going to give you some pain medication, and Emily will be bringing you some soup. As your body heals, you'll be more hungry. It'll be important to drinks lots of water and get as many nutrients as you can."

"Alright, thanks Sue."

"We are all glad you made it through," she smiled and ruffled his short hair in a motherly gesture.

"I am, too." Jake shifted on the bed and hissed as pain tore down his side.

Leah sighed and helped place some pillows behind his head allowing him to sit up slightly. It made eating and drinking more comfortable. When Emily brought a tray of food with her Leah moved.

"Your mom wants you to bring the same to Seth." Emily lifted the tray in her arms. "I left one on the counter for you."

"Thanks." Leah paused for a moment staring at her cousin and former best friend. Jake saw sadness in the two women as they passed each other. They missed each other, and he wondered if either said the words out loud.

Emily sat where Leah had been on the edge of Jake's bed and held the tray in her lap. She handed him a tall plastic bottle with a straw. The cool water felt good against his dry throat and the food disappeared as quickly as Emily brought it to his mouth.

It reminded him of when he had first met her. He had been taken to her house after phasing back for the first time and she fed him breakfast and helped him to the restroom. He was shy and unsure of himself, especially when it came to women. In many ways he felt the same now. What should he say to her?

"You are starting to slow down. Are you full?" Emily asked.

"No, just thinking."

She nodded and gave him another bite. Her patience amazed him. Was she not curious about his thoughts? That seemed unlikely and if it were the case, Jake wondered about hers and not speaking wasn't one of his strengths.

He took a bite of the roll and crumbs sprinkled on his chest which Emily brushed away. Her fingertips tickled. Jake laughed and immediately wished he hadn't. His lungs and ribs burst into flames inside his chest and he cursed in pain.

"Jake! I'm sorry." Emily balanced the tray in her lap and winced in sympathy.

"It's not your fault." Jake took several slow breaths to settle the throb which consumed his body. "I'm actually really glad you're here."

Emily smiled. "This is where I want to be."

She leaned forward and gently pressed her lips to his. Jake kissed her back, unsure of what the affection meant for them, but wanted to show he wanted her as well. In his fight with Sam, Jake admitted he loved Emily, and he did, but felt unsure about saying the intimate words out loud.

Did that make him a coward? He hoped not. There was nothing for him to lose by being honest and sharing his feelings, but he still felt uncertain. What if Emily didn't feel the same? What if she did? Could she leave Sam to be with him? What if she already had?

The thought made him gasp against her lips. Emily leaned back and his hand found her face. His thumb could feel the ridges of her scarred cheek.

"I don't want to keep hurting you," she said.

"You're not, not at all. I need to know what's going on. Have you talked to Sam?"

"Yes." She turned her head, her long hair covering her face. He wanted to see her eyes and mouth. Was she happy or sad, or both? Emily moved the tray from her lap to the dresser. Her hands twitched at her sides.

"It was really hard, but I told Sam that I didn't want to be with him anymore." Emily brushed the tears from her cheeks and continued. "He was, for good reason, upset. Whether either of us want it or not, we are physically and emotionally tied to one another. I hate that this has happened. Right now, Sam just hates me and you, but I hope in time he'll see that this is all for the best. Unless…"

Her sad eyes turned to Jake, he could see the pressure and uncertainty she felt. She had laid her emotional life down for him and he needed to reassure her that it was for the right reasons.

"Emily, come here," Jake said, reaching towards her. She took his hand and sat down next to him. "I want you to know that I think you are strong, beautiful, and kind. I've never known someone who takes care of other people the way you do. You need to know and I want to say it; I love you."

Jake pulled her towards him, capturing her mouth with his. Emily's hands found his shoulders and he could feel her trying to keep a safe distance. He didn't care about his injuries or the pain it might cause he wanted to feel her body against his and melt into one another like they had when they made out in the rain. Their tongues danced together and he could feel the curves of her chest against his. It felt like heaven.

Though it had been fun to sneak around and knowing it was naughty had its own excitement, now the relationship felt more real and substantial. As Jake kissed her and felt her body, for the first time he was with someone he could call his own.

"Seriously, break it up!" Leah said, making her entrance. "I almost didn't come in here because I thought for sure you wouldn't be stupid enough to make out with him half dead. Clearly, your pain medication is working…"

"What do you want Leah?" Jake asked, taking a much needed breath and kept his arm around Emily.

"Oh, I just thought I would inform you that your dad is back home and I assume he'll want to see your face and not the back of Emily's head."

Emily blushed and moved her hand to straighten out her hair.

"Thanks, it's appreciated," Jake said. "Where has he been?"

"His wheels were getting ready to tear a pathway in the living room, so Charlie insisted they go out for some fresh air. Of course that happens to be the day you decide to come back to the land of the living."

"I should go check on Seth, that's why your dad thinks I'm here," Emily said.

"Did you normally sleep in that god-awful chair?" Jake asked, nodding towards the corner.

"Yes. Leah stayed in Seth's room, Sue's on the couch, and so I volunteered to be in here. Do you think he suspects anything?"

Leah snorted out a laugh. "He's been too worried about Jake, but even he would probably notice your faces fused together."

Emily blushed again and walked towards the door.

Jake heard the wheels of Bill's chair roll across the hardwood floor towards his room. He took a much needed breath. "Thanks for the cover, Lee."

"Don't mention it, literally." She gave a wave. "I'm out and good luck!"

She dashed from the room and a moment later Billy's chair charged into the room. It was good the ladies left because they most likely would have been run over. Jake had never seen his father so upset. If smoke could come from his ears, it would have complimented the red flush over Billy's face.

"What the hell were you thinking!?"

"Uh… I don't know…?" Jake panicked and stared at his father. How could he explain the unexplainable? He was in love with his alpha's imprint. His labored lungs worked hard as his pulse increased.

"You damn near killed yourself!"

Oh… that… He wasn't upset about Emily, but his crazy stunt with Victoria. Jacob nodded, feeling that he should have figured that out sooner. "Sorry, Dad. It was all I could think of at the time. She has run away too many times, it needed to be stopped."

Billy sighed and touched his son's shoulder. "Not like this."

"Maybe you're right." Jake leaned his head back against his pillow. With a mostly full stomach, exhaustion had settled over him. His eyes felt heavy.

"I'm glad you wanted to protect Bella and that this whole ordeal is over."

"Has Bella been here?"

"Yes, her and Charlie both. It was her idea to say you were in a freak camping accident. It is hard to explain half of your body shattering."

Jake winced. "I'll have to thank her for the cover. Maybe with Victoria gone, I'll have time to be a better friend to her."

"Charlie said she went to Embry's house, you might call over there. I'll bring you the phone."

"Nah, not now. I'm feeling tired. If there is anything more to eat, I'd take some and then hopefully go back to sleep. I'm sorry, I worried you."

"Things happen, just don't do it again." Billy gave Jake's shoulder a squeeze and then rolled himself back to the kitchen.

Jake heard movement and voices, but not the specific words. A few minutes later, Sue brought him a meat filled sandwich. He managed to feed himself, but allowed her to hold the water bottle. Once finished, she asked if he needed anything, with a shake of his head Jake quickly went back to sleep


Jake awoke to complete darkness. The sun had set, and the moon was nowhere to be seen. Only the twinkle of tiny stars lit the black sky. An ache made its way across his chest, but felt less painful than when he had first awaken hours earlier. His body was healing.

Taking a labored breath, he listened. He didn't hear anyone snoring across the room, but he did hear voices from the living room. After another pause, he heard a commercial indicating it was the TV.

His legs tingled, and he wanted to get up. With caution, he shifted his legs to the side of the bed. It wasn't the only thing that groaned from his moments. Purple and black bruises covered his left side, but he didn't see a cast or anything to indicate he had broken anything down there. Pain stayed at a consistent low throb. He remembered twisting the previous time he woke up and knew he had to avoid doing that again.

Taking a long breath in, he slowly tried to rise his torso to a seated position.

"Oh god…" he moaned.

"You're such an idiot." Leah stood leaning against the doorframe as she watched Jake try to get himself up.

"You could've said you were there. Jeez…"

"And miss seeing you torture yourself for no reason. No way!"

"And you're so annoying."

Leah grinned. No one else would take it as a compliment, but then again Leah wasn't like other people. With her arms crossed over her chest, he was going to have to ask for her help to receive it.

Jake took another slow breath. "Would you help me figure out if I can walk?"

"Can I take a picture first if you fall over?" Leah smirked.

"No, I'm naked."

"Right, like that's the real reason." She rolled her eyes.

"Shut up, Leah, and get over here."

She sauntered over to him and put her arm around his back. Jake placed his arm across her shoulders and leaned into her as he stood up. His head fell forward as his torso inflamed from the inside out. Leah used her strength to keep him upright and kept her usual snarky comments to herself. What did that mean? Was Leah being a civilized person? Who knew?

Once standing, Jake found he could walk without too much discomfort. After a trip to the bathroom and the bedroom for some shorts, they then went towards the kitchen. Along the way, Jake saw Emily on the couch, with a book in her lap and headphones over her ears. Seeing her made him grin.

Leah made a gagging sound. "You are so damn sappy."

Jake kept his grin. "I know."

"Ugh… I'm out." Leah grimaced. "Em, your guy's up!" She yelled.

"Yay! How is he?" Jake heard the book flap closed and the pitter-patter of dainty feet moving quickly towards him. Emily stood in front of him, her hand touching his chest slowly.

"I'm awesome. I have you!" Jake placed his hands on her hips and brought her closer so their lips met. Leaning against the kitchen counter, he ignored the mild ache across his ribs as his mouth danced with Emily's. Everything felt perfect and Jake never wanted to move unless it was to bring her body closer to his.

His stomach had another plan and grumbled in protest.

Emily giggled. "I can fix that."

"I'd rather just make out."

"The more you eat, the faster you heal, and then… we can really, really be together." Emily smirked as her cheeks reddened.

"I like the way you think."

Emily unloaded the refrigerator and Jake consumed the contents equally fast. His stomach rumbled in protest and threatened to explode if he put another crumb down his throat. He wanted to heal more than he had wanted anything else in his life.

"Okay… stop…" he finally groaned and accepted the fact that he couldn't eat anything more.

"I've seen many bottomless pits, but jeez Jake, you are clearly the winner." Emily returned the uneaten ingredients to the refrigerator.

Jake smiled, feeling grateful to have Emily in his life. The glow on her cheeks told him she felt happy and content. Her gentle hand on his shoulder made him feel loved in a way no one else could. She had every reason to pick someone else, but she didn't. Jake didn't want to hide their relationship anymore, but how could he explain the unexplainable?

Maybe, he could start with his family. The thought of telling his father scared him more than chasing vampires. An icy chill slithered down his back. Regardless, it needed to be done.

Cautiously, Jake stood from the table. He could feel Emily's gaze on him as he moved one foot and then the other. In the hour it took to fill his belly, he could feel his muscles strengthen and the pain weaken.

Taking a moment to listen, he heard Seth and Leah in the other room. He felt ready to leave, but Leah wanted her brother to wait for Sue to return before going home. It made him wonder where their mother and his father were. He didn't hear anyone else in the house.

"Jake, are you alright?" Emily asked.

He nodded. "Where's my dad?"

"Him and Sue were called to an emergency Council meeting. They've been gone for hours..."

The blood drained from Jake's face as his pulse leaped into over-time. Sam. He told the Council about Emily and Jake. The opportunity to tell his father had come and gone. Now, what would he do?

"We have to go! Now!" Jake took hold of Emily's hand and marched to the door.