*A/N: Hey guys! It's going to be harder to post as often as I like. Life just keeps getting in the way. :-) Who knew that my real-life friends would actually want to spend time with me? It's hilarious. They actually complain about how much time I spend writing this story.

I want to thank the sudden 'influx' of readers, reviewers, commenters on my story. Thanks you so much, because it means a lot. To all those that I could not respond back to, thanks for reviewing.

I quoted straight out of SM's saga in this chapter. I wonder if you guys can guess what scene, book, and the page that it's on. I'm sure you can. We're all in love with SM's Twilight.

Read, review, recommend. Come on-it's so much fun!

Chapter Summary:

Jacob's sacrifice to be more to Bella, even more than she could have ever thought possible, is taking its toll on Jacob and everyone around him can see it. Jacob hasn't been himself for quite some time, but he refuses to acknowledge just how unhealthy and one-sided his relationship with Bella is drastically changing him. Can he continue to keep his promise to her or will Bella have to be strong enough to let him go?

*Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, but it would be a dream to be in between TL and Jacob.

Chapter XV Title: 'In Between,' by Linkin' Park

(BPOV)

Two weeks later…

"Ms. Swan? Dr. Chad will see you now."

My hands were clasped in front of me as I walked through the Port Angeles doctor's office. I had driven a little over two hours to get here so that I would have some privacy. Too many people in Forks liked to talk. It was a little strange to not have my mother here with me and Charlie himself was at work. Jacob would have come, but I didn't think an almost seven foot Timber wolf would go unnoticed in an office. The thought of Jacob sitting in one of those hard metal chairs in his wolf form trying to look as comfortable as possible made me snicker.

I was still laughing quietly when Dr. Chad walked in not too long after I sat on the examining table. He flipped through his clipboard quickly. I was sure he already knew what I was here for.

"Isabella Swan, what can I do for you today?" His eyes narrowed at me through his glasses. He looked so mediocre and normal compared to the company that I had been keeping lately, that I barely bothered to analyze his appearance. I knew I would only need him for today.

I didn't bother to correct him with my name as I usually did. This was too important for me to be petty. "Birth control," I blurted out.

"Alright, let's get you examined and we'll see what we can do."

The examination was quick and he wrote out the script after a brief lecture on responsibility, the dangers, and asked if I had any questions. I kept my head in the same "no" motion for most of it. I had a lot on my mind.

It wasn't as if I was planning on being with anyone, but with my hormones being out of whack, my acne starting to resurface from stress, and a fear of not wanting kids at the tender age of eighteen, I figured the pill was the best alternative. I secretly wondered if the pill would have any other side effects on me. Well, I guess that was a question you should have asked Dr. Chad, I harshly told myself walking to my Chevy.

Rain clouds were descending quickly and made it very dark for three in the afternoon. I had left school early to make it on time for the appointment. I also figured that there would be less people for me to run into during a school day.

I was right. The parking lot was pretty empty, except for a dark, shaggy figure sitting on the parking lot edge by my truck.

My eyes rolled in minor annoyance, but a smile played on my lips. "Jacob, I thought I told you to go to school. I think you've been skipping."

My wolf trotted to me and placed his head in my waiting hands while I leaned beside him on the cement ground. His fur had gotten a bit disheveled in the past two weeks since he had phased that afternoon at my school, and started following me around, showing himself to keep me company whenever I was alone. I was grateful and I rubbed behind his ears roughly.

"I think I still like you better as a wolf. Have I mentioned that? You stay pretty quiet," I joked. "And you're cuter."

Jacob snorted.

"Okay, maybe that part's not true. Want a ride back home or do you want to run alongside my truck?" I grabbed the fur on the back of his neck a little to pull myself up from the low ground. He hopped into the opened door of the passenger seat and I began to drive us back to Charlie's. I talked a little bit along the way about the doctor's. I hadn't told Jacob why I was going, but I hadn't wanted to keep the visit a secret either. Jacob merely looked me and perked his ears up every time one of the topics got good. It was a clear sign for him when I blushed.

We were just pulling the truck up into the short graveled driveway. I started to tell Jacob about a planned senior trip to Seattle in a few days when a chocolate-brown wolf with spots on his back darted in front of the truck. My brakes screeched in protest as I mashed my foot down, afraid to hurt one of Jake's pack mates that had come to call. Jacob growled from the seat, wrapped his paw around the handle (with amazing dexterity), and pushed the door open with his nose. I was still digesting what had just happened when snarls erupted from a slightly bigger, silver wolf. This wolf was a bit smaller than Jacob, but bigger than the chocolate wolf. The two circled my Jacob and Jacob veered his head back, concentrating his aggressions and thoughts toward the silver wolf.

After a few moments the silver one retreated, bounding back into the forest and the chocolate brown one looked empathetically toward me and walked away from Jacob after a short howl.

"You guys okay?" I asked.

Jacob wagged his tail and licked my hands. I guess he wanted me to forget about the questions I asked. It worked.

"Ew Jake, gross. You know, kissing hands as a sign of affection is less disgusting when it's between two humans." I scratched his head and felt a tug at my heart. I suddenly found what I was doing horrible. Jacob was not meant to be a wolf for my own selfish reasons; he was human. "Jake—"

Jacob's head suddenly gave a sharp turn; he stood on his hind legs to give me a quick lick, and ran into the forest edge. Seconds later, Charlie pulled in from work early.

"Bella? Bella, what happened? Are you alright?"

I was confused. "I'm fine. What happened?"

"You skipped your last few classes."

"Oh yeah. I had women stuff to deal with, but I'm okay now." I knew the subject would be dropped. Charlie hated talking about that kind of stuff. Another reason birth control was out of his element of "father-daughter skills."

"Ah, that's fine. I'll write you an excuse. Just be careful, will you? Around town even, because there's been some attacks in Seattle. Animal attacks. It's starting to become a regular thing and I was thinking that maybe you shouldn't go on that senior trip—"

"Dad, you're overreacting," I replied, shaking my head.

"It's my job."

"I want to go. Please? Its a few days trip and it'll do me some good to hang out with my friends for the last time."

Charlie shifted from foot to foot. "Okay, but if I hear anything, I'll be driving up there to bring you back. And Bells, try not to bring home any strange animals."

Think it'd be strange for Charlie to see his daughter being kissed by a seven foot gentle beast?

(JPOV)

You're a common dog! You're a disgrace to our tribe! Protector? You're her pet wolf!

Paul was livid. His jaw was pulled back in a horrible grin as he continuously advanced toward me, unafraid and determined to tear me down.

Leave me alone. I was in no mood to fight. I was already anticipating the next time I would be able to see Bella. I was already fighting the urge to turn around and just wait outside of her window until later that evening, when Charlie would be glued to the TV, watching a game. Bella might be able to slip outside without him noticing her. Then she could sit with me in the forest. I'd lie in her lap while she rubbed my head. I would nuzzle her face as she would smile shyly at me. My tongue fell from my mouth as I continued in a slow run, circling a small area of the woods not far from Bella's house as Paul continued to bait me with his thoughts.

Your very tongue shames the land it rests upon as it drags and salivates for her, you dog! Paul cried, showing himself not too far from where I had been circling. I saw Quil and Jared not far from him.

Quil and Jared stepped closer toward me, to get between us, if necessary. My paw and thoughts were already gearing for an attack.

Paul, quit it. Bella is his imprint. He has to be what she needs him to be, Jared thoughtfully sympathized.

Don't side with him, Jared! Did you see him? He licked her! He gets to keep her company all fuckin' day while the rest of us pick up his patrol shifts! And the increased shifts are for HER!

Paul snarled at me again and I kept my legs somewhat apart, ready to jump the distance it would take to land him on his back and teach him a lesson.

You know what? You've been on my last nerves, kid, Paul began. Ever since our pack let you in, you and your imprint have been the damn focus of all this bull—

Paul! Sam bellowed, suddenly appearing. He then turned to me, Jacob, you need to phase back to human and come home. Your father hasn't seen you in two weeks. You've been a wolf for her for too long. And your coat is becoming shaggy too. It makes it dangerous for battle. What if a leech is able to grab onto you—

I need to be like this. She won't see me any other way, I begged. I still hated that the pack could read minds, but at least it cut back on talking out loud.

I heard Sam's sighs even in thoughts. I understand what you're feeling, but she won't choose you for the right reasons if you stay like this for her. He chose his words carefully. I swallowed hard, feeling even more insignificant.

I just want her in my life. I continued to whimper as Paul looked on angrily, hearing every word that transgressed. And imprinting proves it. She's supposed to be in my life. Sam, let me do this, I pleaded.

But she may never be what you want. She may never be yours even if you're hers.

The words stung, but I forced the effect they had on me away. I would stay like this until she was ready and Sam couldn't come in between us.

None of my pack could.

(BPOV)

"Isn't this great, Bella?" Jessica squealed in my ear as she dropped her bags down on the ground floor hotel suite. There were four beds in a room connected with a shared living space and small kitchenette. I prayed that Angela would grab the bed next to mine. My luck almost held; Jessica grabbed it, but at least I wouldn't have to share with Lauren who was also in our room.

The bus ride to Seattle hadn't been so bad. Jessica and I were on more friendly terms now that she and Mike were back together and Angela had always been a great friend. Lauren was not so forgiving. I shook my thoughts of her as I opened the patio door to the bedroom to let a little sun in though the sky was overcast again. I couldn't wait to spend some time with Jacob as long as no one was around. The hotel backed into the nearby forest, but I wasn't sure how he could sneak around without being seen. Seattle had so many people and the streets could have been dangerous for my wolf if Charlie was right and there had been increased attacks.

"Earth to Bella. You coming?" Jessica snapped her fingers in my face.

"Leave her here." Lauren replied nastily. "She's probably ignoring us again and feeling all depressed. I think she relapsed." She smiled sweetly.

"No. No, I'm fine. Just tired."

"You rode the bus, Bella. You didn't push it."

"Leave her be." Angela piped in. Lauren shrugged, grabbed a short form-fitting coat and walked out of the room. Jessica followed. Angela squeezed my arm and walked out.

I sighed and fell on the bed with my thoughts in a million places. I hoped that Jacob wasn't fighting among his pack. His wolfy appearance had me concerned since I was worried that he hadn't been taking care of his human responsibilities, but I knew I wouldn't see him otherwise. I was still embarrassed about what had happened between us in his room, but I also knew that I wouldn't have traded the feeling of his kisses and affection for anything. They were almost worth all the memories of Edward.

Almost? Huh, I wonder why I admitted that.

I had just pulled out the book with Edward's picture in it when I heard light scraping on the deck. I smiled and saw Jacob looking nervously through the opened glass door. I nodded and he walked in, jumping onto my bed to bury himself in my arms and sheets.

"I missed you. I was afraid you wouldn't be able to get here. Seattle is crowded, huh?"

Jacob stared at me in admiration. A guilty stab went through me as I forced a smile. "I think we need to get you a girl dog. One for you to play with."

Jacob continued to stare and I blushed for an unknown reason. I was suddenly bold. "Jake, you don't have to answer—well, you don't have to shake or nod your head—but have you ever…" I trailed off, trying to implicate a delicate situation with a few hand gestures.

Jacob got the point; my wolf shook his head.

I sighed in relief that I wouldn't have to keep doing dirty motions with my hands. I was also relieved that Jacob and I had something else in common. "Me neither. Edward and I never made it that far. Edward was a virgin too. I think it sucks because I wanted to, but he was always weird about it. I hated that part the most. Like it was some unnatural thing for two people to be that way."

Jacob let out a very human scoff and placed his head in my lap. His breathing became very slowed as I rubbed his head idly. "Ready to be read to?" I asked him rhetorically. I placed the photo far in the front flap of the book and began reading Jacob's favorite part:

'With a wild gasp, he brought his mouth back to mine, his fingers clutching frantically against the skin at my waist.

The jolt of anger unbalanced my tenuous hold on self-control; his unexpected, ecstatic response overthrew it entirely. If there had been only triumph, I might have been able to resist him. But the utter defenselessness of his sudden joy cracked my determination, disabled it. My brain disconnected from my body, and I was kissing him back. Against all reason, my lips were moving with his in strange, confusing they'd never moved before – because I didn't have to be careful with him, and he certainly didn't have to be careful with me.

My fingers tightened in his hair, but I was pulling him closer now.

He was everywhere. The piercing sunlight turned my eyelids red, and the color fit, matched the heat. The heat was everywhere. I couldn't see or hear or feel anything that wasn't—"

"Hey Bella," Jessica's voice sang through the room, "we got all the way to the small club down the street when we realized we forgot to bring ID—AAAHHH! It's a wild animal! BELLA, GET AWAY FROM IT!"

Lauren screamed right after Jessica while partially blocking Angela from view. Jacob's head whipped around and took off through the still opened glass door. I gasped in shock from their sudden arrival back into the room and Jacob's departure from it.

"What the hell were you doing with that monster on the bed? We are sleeping with this patio door shut and that bed is YOURS!"

Lauren frantically called the police and I sat there on the bed feeling as if it was my entire fault again. Jacob had been found and I knew Charlie and the locals would be here soon to try and find him. I hoped with all my heart that he had ran back home.