Title: Crash and Burn
Genre: Angst
Rating: T
Pairing: Bella/Jake, Paul/Rachel, story is Bella/Paul
Words: 500
Prompt: "Objects in the Rear View Mirror" by Meatloaf
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

AN: This one is kinda dark. A little background- you'll get some in the story, but it wouldn't all fit. Bella and Paul built a relationship after he found her in the woods. Jake phased, imprinted on Bella, but Bella never completely got over Paul. Then Paul imprinted on Rachel, but never got the imprint "blinders" like the other wolves. He was with her, but he hated her.

~oOo~oOo~oOo~oOo~oOo~oOo~

Crash and Burn

Even though I can't hear it anymore, I know my heart speeds up as I walk closer to her. I don't hear the guard give his usual orders as he shows me to the table—each and every one of my limited human senses are trained on her. My Bella. Well, she hasn't been my Bella for a long time now, but she will never truly be his either.

"Hi, Paul," she says softly, that blush I love so much coloring her face a deep rose. I think of the countless days and nights spent with her in my arms, her face flushed from lust and not from embarrassment.

"Bella." It's a soft whisper, but it's all I can work past the knot in my throat. She is still so beautiful.

She holds my eyes and I can see her working through the memories herself, her dainty hand curled in a fist against her aching heart. I remember how it felt to even think thoughts that were traitorous to the fucking imprint. I don't have that pain now.

Breaking our stare, she looks me over and I feel my face pull into a smirk. Her eyes trace over my muscles, taking the path her hands used to follow, and she clearly speaks without stopping to consider her words. "You look good, Paul. Real good."

At my soft chuckle, she covers her face, completely mortified. I glance back at Sam—her guard for the day—and see him fighting a smile as well. At least the top dog didn't send one of his little lackeys to escort them on this visit.

Bella moves, reaching down beside her to pick up the only other person left on earth that I have any ties to—my son. I stand slowly so I can reach across the table and take him into my arms, making sure I touch as much of Bella's skin as I can at the same time.

When his dark eyes look up at me, I actually forget about my first love for just a moment. Caleb is a beautiful baby, and I do love him, but I can't help but secretly wish that his skin was just a shade or two lighter, or that his silky black hair held a hint of auburn wave. I wish he was hers.

I bury my face in his skin, fighting back the memories of the night he was born. Drinking myself into oblivion, and then racing her to the hospital when she said it was time.

The icy road, the truck, the unavoidable crash, the blood… the end.

My wolf leaving me as soon as her heart stopped, my human body betraying me in the breathalyzer test. It seems a man can live without his imprint, but the wolf won't stay around.

Intoxicated manslaughter, eight years in a state prison. My future shattered once more.

"Take my baby, Bella. Please! I need to know he'll be loved."

She could never tell me no.