CHAPTER 22

*****JACOB POV*****

ANOTHER OF THE GUYS had imprinted. It was the first thought on my mind this morning and I still couldn't quite believe that it had happened. Both of them seemed to handle it well, so hopefully everything would work out for them, but it was still frustrating. In so many ways what Bella and I had was more special because we came to love each other on our own, not because some magical influence power made us. It still left us vulnerable, open to the potential that I would be forced to leave her someday. I tried not to think about it, but with another pack member imprinting, all the worry and fear of what our future would be came creeping back in. It was looking less likely that imprinting was the rare exception we all thought.

I pushed those thoughts away… it was useless to dwell on them. I focused instead on the beautiful girl pressed against my chest, breathing deeply in slumber. My thoughts drifted to our time in the clearing the day before. It touched me that she had asked about my mom and wanted to know more about her. It had been a long time since I had spoken of her with another person and it felt good to remember and share those things, especially with Bella. The fact she said I was like my mom meant more to me than I think she realized. My mom had been my favorite person in the whole world and getting over her death had been the absolute hardest thing I had ever gone through. Bella remembered so little of her childhood visits in Forks, so someday I would tell her about how much she had helped me heal back then. I may have helped her come back to life after that bloodsucker nearly destroyed her, but she saved me first.

Lying on my side I had a perfect view of her peaceful face, which was turned toward me… my hopes and dreams realized. God, I loved her! While I hated that she was injured so badly, I was thrilled to get to spend all of my time with her. It would end all too soon, so I was determined to soak it all up and enjoy every second.

My thoughts then wandered to the more intimate moments we had shared, and an excited heat curled in my belly. I closed my eyes, smiling, and let my mind play through every kiss and every touch and every look. I could spend days on end like that with Bella and it would still not be enough. Would any amount of time be enough with her? Probably not.

I opened my eyes again to find a pair of rich brown eyes looking back at me, and I laughed.

"What were you thinking about?" she asked, smiling.

"I was remembering our time together in the clearing yesterday," I said and ran my fingers over her cheek. "Remembering kissing you."

"Oh…" Her smile became shy, and her face flushed… and I sensed her body responding to the memories, which communicated more than any words could.

I took a big breath and reigned myself in. "So, we have kind of a big day today. Em's gonna help you with your bath this morning, then we've gotta go to the Cullen's after lunch to get those x-rays done of your arm and get your stitches out. Then, if you're feeling up for it, we can go by my house to get the photo albums. I asked my dad about them last night and he told me where to find them. But I don't want you to get too worn out, because tonight I wanna take you to a bonfire up on the cliffs."

She turned on her side so we were facing each other. "That's a pretty full day for me, though the bonfire sounds like fun. I may need a nap in there somewhere."

"I'm sure we can figure something out."

"Did you tell Charlie about this evening, so he doesn't come here for dinner?"

"Yes, I let him know last night."

A small knock at the door drew our attention and we turned as Emily came in with a big, warm smile and a tray full of fruit, bagels, and sausages for us. I helped Bella sit up and put a few pillows behind her so she could lean against the headboard comfortably.

"Emily!" Bella exclaimed in embarrassment. "Breakfast in bed!? This is too much, really."

"Nonsense," she said. "I know you've got a lot to do today, so I'm just trying to let you relax as much as possible. Your body is working hard enough just to mend itself, no need giving it extra things to do! Just accept it and say, 'Thank you' Bella."

Bella sighed. "You're right, I'm sorry, I'm just not used to being taken care of like this. So, thank you Emily. I do appreciate it."

"That's better," Emily said, "you're forgiven and you're welcome. Your medicine is on the tray. We'll give it an hour to make sure it's taken effect before your bath."

Settled beside me again after getting cleaned up, Bella fell back to sleep quickly. The pain was worse than it had been in several days and it had worn her out. We would need to let Carlisle know, but at least we only had to rely on the medicine for short amounts of time.

After lunch, the four of us headed to the Cullen's. Sam and Emily were going with us so we could go pick up Bella's truck afterwards. We didn't have another vehicle available that would allow me to drive and remain close enough to Bella to keep her pain away.

The doc was the only one there, as promised. He led us up some stairs and to a large room that he called his office, but it appeared to serve multiple purposes. One and a half walls were lined with overcrowded bookshelves. The two far walls were all windows, which let in a massive amount of light, even though it was overcast and rainy. The view outside was nothing but trees as far as the eye could see. The other half of the second bookshelf wall was full of medical equipment and monitors. In the corner where the bookshelves met the windows was a desk with neat piles of papers, and in the middle of the room was an examination table and other medical equipment.

With Bella perched on the examination table, and me standing next to her, the doc got to work taking the stitches out of her head. She didn't waste any time and took the opportunity to discuss Edward with him. I groaned internally… I had kinda hoped she'd forget, but I should've known better.

"Carlisle, I have a few questions I'd like to ask you about Edward, if you don't mind."

"No, I don't mind," he said glancing up at me to gauge my reaction.

"I'm not going to be able to stop this conversation," I said, my voice sounding annoyed, and then I sighed, "but I'm also not going to freak out about it."

Sam and Emily gave me questioning looks and I just shook my head at them. That was the best I could do in trying to be okay with this.

Bella watched my interaction with the others, but ignored it and continued speaking to the doc.

"Do you know why Edward came back Carlisle? Why was he in my hospital room like that and what was he doing? And what has happened to make him look so tortured and lost?"

He took her barrage of questions in stride and continued to work as he answered. "I figured you would be asking these questions soon and I'll answer as best I can. He came back because he wanted to check on you… to make sure you were happy and safe. Then, when he got here and found out the wolves were back, you were in the hospital, and one of them was with you and not leaving your side, he jumped to the wrong conclusions. He thought Jacob was the one who had hurt you and was trying to control who saw you."

Sam and I both grunted and made quiet "Psh" and "Hmph" noises at that, but didn't comment.

The doc had finished removing Bella's stitches and was tidying up as he continued. "Even though he saw things in Jacob's thoughts that contradicted what he had assumed, he convinced himself Jacob was somehow trying to deceive him… that Jacob knew Edward was listening and was planting thoughts. So, Edward was trying to get you to see how dangerous your relationship with Jacob was… or rather how dangerous he perceived it was. If he had taken the time to talk with me or Alice, we could have helped him realize he'd gotten it wrong."

"Wait," Bella said, looking confused, "how did he expect to convince me of anything if I was unconscious?"

The doc got a torn and pained look on his face as he sat on a stool in front of Bella and answered her.

"I do not wish to cast a bad image of Edward for you all, but you have been through enough because of our family, Bella, so I feel I must tell you all that I know. Although, even what I have is not a definitive answer for you.

"A couple centuries ago, I heard of a rumor… no it was more of a legend… that it may be possible for our kind to learn to use our natural lures, particularly our scent and voices, to manipulate humans." I tensed, already guessing where he was going with this as he continued. "Besides being curious about the validity of the legend, if it were true, I wanted to learn all I could about it so I could avoid using it myself unintentionally. So, for decades I searched off and on for anyone who might know anything, and I came up empty. I found a few who had also heard of the legend, and some of them had tried to figure out the manipulation themselves, but no one had been successful. I wondered if it might only be because none of them had the self-control to not kill those they were trying to manipulate, but I was not willing to try it for myself and I finally decided chalk it up to legend and let it go.

"Edward has also known of this legend, and during his absence he travelled to many new places. I have begun to suspect that perhaps he sought to find information about it as I did long ago. It's possible he discovered something or met someone… that maybe he has learned how to do this manipulation himself.

"I firmly believe that he set out to acquire this knowledge with good intentions and just to give himself something to do. Perhaps he wished to avoid using it unintentionally, as I did when I searched all those decades ago. I questioned him about it directly and he denied pursuing any such information, but I have known him a long time, and I do not believe he is being honest with me. The time away from his family has not been good for Edward, and he is not behaving like himself right now. He is more tormented than ever before, and though he seems more himself every day, he is hurting and not always making the best choices right now."

My hands were trembling ever so slightly as this new information sunk in. Bella seemed relaxed and I don't think she'd fully realized the implications of what the doc had just told us. I kept my voice even as I spoke to him.

"So, you're saying that you think he may have learned how to use his scent and his voice to manipulate a human? Could he do something like plant thoughts in a person's mind with this ability?"

"Yes, theoretically, planting thoughts would be one of the main things the ability could be used for, if that is indeed what he's discovered."

Bella looked up at me wide-eyed, finally understanding that this would explain the thoughts that were hers, but yet not hers… and the unsettled feeling she got when Edward was in her hospital room. It would also explain why he was breathing on her and why his voice sounded so strange.

Holding Bella's startled gaze, I spoke firmly. "I don't want you anywhere near him, Bella. More now than ever. There's no telling what kind of crap he could do to you with this manipulation thing, because I'm positive that is what he was trying to do to you in the hospital."

She had recovered from her initial shock and her face was calm again. "Jake, whatever he was trying to do to me didn't work. Even unconscious I knew the thoughts weren't mine, they felt wrong."

"Because I interrupted him. If he'd been left alone with you long enough, he might've been successful."

"Then I won't be alone with him. Your scent overpowered what little hold he had on me, so—"

"No Bella, I won't let you do this."

Her expression hardened and turned defiant. "You won't let me? Really Jake?" She turned to the doc. "Carlisle, do you think it would be safe for me to speak with Edward? Do you think it would help him if he could talk with me?"

I noticed Sam's eyes widen at her question. His frustration had been growing while Bella and I were talking. He didn't like this idea any more than I did.

"You would be willing to speak with him?" Carlisle asked, surprised.

"You can't be serious, Bella," Sam blurted, unable to stay quiet any longer. "I'm with Jake on this. Why would you want to speak with him?"

Bella gave us both an icy stare. "I want to speak with him because I feel bad for him. I know what it's like to be lost and tormented in your own mind."

"Yeah, and how is it you know that feeling, Bella?" I asked, unable to keep my voice from raising, beside myself with frustration. "It's because of him! He's the reason you ever had to endure pain like that. He's the reason you nearly lost yourself. You don't owe him a thing and he certainly doesn't deserve your pity or you risking yourself for him."

Her shoulders slumped ever so slightly, and she turned her head away from me. I took a deep breath and softened my voice before continuing. "I love how much you care for others, baby, and I know your desire to help him is coming from a good place." I moved to stand in front of her and gently took her face between my hands to get her to look at me again, both defiance and defeat in her expression. "I'm sorry I got all demanding. The last thing I want to do is try to control you, but this isn't your problem to fix… and it could be dangerous for you." I leaned forward to rest my forehead against hers. "Please let this go. Please don't try to meet with him."

"Jake…" she said softly but didn't continue, still clearly torn.

After several moments of silence, the doc cleared his throat from behind me. "If I may, I think I might be able to help you decide."

I moved back to Bella's side, putting my arm firmly around her and she leaned her head against me.

"Bella, I don't believe you would be in danger from Edward," the doc continued. "He wouldn't attack you, or even harm you, and if you weren't alone, he wouldn't be able to manipulate you, if that is indeed what he's learned to do. I also think speaking with you could help him. However, I agree with Jacob. Edward made his choices that brought him to the place where he is. As much as I appreciate that you still care for him, you should not take the burden upon yourself to try to fix him, especially considering the strife it will clearly cause between you and Jacob. He's going to need to work through it for himself."

Bella let out a big sigh, the defiance leaving her eyes. "Alright, I'll let this go. I got most of my questions answered by Carlisle anyway." She looked up at me. "I'm sorry I was being so stubborn. I truly don't want to do anything that would upset you like I know meeting with him would. I just wanted to try to help him."

All the tension left me, and I pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I know you did, honey. Let's just let the doc finish checking you out so we can head home. You sound tired already."

"I am a little."

The doc got the x-rays taken and he said everything looked good in both the shoulder and the forearm. We let him know about the increase in Bella's pain that morning. He had me step away from her for a little while so he could figure out what might be causing the increase and if there were any potential problems. It was difficult standing by and watching her be in pain, even though it was only for a few minutes.

When Doc was done with his examination I quickly returned to Bella's side. She leaned on me heavily and it took a minute for her to breath normally again.

He handed a new bottle of pills to Emily. "She should take these twice a day, whether she has pain or not, until they are gone. I would also recommend icing the areas as best you can a couple times a day for the next four or five days. And then just continue to use the pain medication that you already have when she is going to need to be away from Jacob for any length of time."

Emily nodded, "Got it. Thank you, Carlisle. Is there anything we're doing that we should change to help this?"

"No, you're all doing an excellent job taking care of her. Just being out of the hospital has given her a little more freedom to move around more, and it sounds like she did more yesterday than she had done prior to that, so things just got a little irritated. By the time that medicine is gone, she should have adjusted to the extra movement enough for it not to be such a big issue anymore."

He gave Bella a pointed look. "You still need to make sure you're resting as much as possible, and you need to be very careful with anything you do… being pain free sometimes causes you to do things you shouldn't. And remember, avoid walking as much as possible for now to keep stress off your spine. We would normally have you in a wheelchair, but your situation is very unique in so many ways."

Bella nodded. "I remember. These two won't let me forget." She pointed to me and Emily and gave a tired smile. Her eyes were starting to droop a little, so I went ahead and picked her up to allow her to relax completely.

We spoke just a bit longer about how Bella was doing and her continued care. By the time we left, she was sound asleep in my arms.

"Man, their smell so concentrated like that really burned my nose," Sam said as we drove away.

"I know. Just imagine how much stronger it would be if they were all there."

"I don't want to," Sam said and we both grimaced.

"It's worth it though, to get Bella taken care of," I continued. "This situation with me taking away her pain would be nearly impossible to deal with if a normal human doctor were treating her… she'd probably still be in the hospital, and I would have probably been banned from setting foot in there by now… and that would have been very bad for both of us."

"Yes, it is really fortunate that he was here and willing to care for her. I'm also glad that she saw reason and changed her mind about trying to speak with Edward."

"Me too! She brought it up to me several days ago and I wasn't able to convince her then, so it's been eating at me the last several days. I was surprised the doc discouraged her."

"I was too—"

"I wasn't," Emily interjected. "It's obvious that he cares a great deal for Bella and wants to keep her safe… even if it's from his own family. Maybe even more so because it's his family. Also keeps Edward safe from his own bad decisions he's apparently making right now."

Emily had been quiet through most of the visit, and I hadn't been able to read her face at all, though I know she was listening intently. There were several times during the Edward conversation it looked like she wanted to say something, but she never commented.

"That's a good point, Em," I said. "Whatever his reasons, I'm thankful it was enough to convince Bella."

Bella was still passed out when we reached her house, so Sam drove her truck back to La Push and Emily drove us in her car, to avoid moving Bella around anymore than necessary. I just wanted to get her back to Emily's so she could rest, still hoping she'd feel up to going to the bonfire tonight. The photo albums would have to wait until another day.

.

*****BELLA POV*****

WHEN I WOKE UP again, I was laying pressed against Jake's side; he was on his back, one arm around me and the other behind his head, staring at the ceiling. He smiled down at me when he noticed I was awake.

"Hi baby. How're you feeling?" he asked.

"Very well rested," I replied. "How are you doing? You looked so bored just now. I feel bad that you have to just lay here while I sleep."

"What in the world are you talking about Bells? There's nowhere I would rather be than with you, whether you're awake or not. I actually slept a little too and haven't been awake all that long… and I wasn't bored, I was just thinking about stuff." He sighed and adjusted so he was propped up, looking down at me. "Honey stop making yourself feel bad for things that aren't even an issue. You need to let us take care of you without constantly making yourself feel guilty."

He was right. I'd been more of the caretaker for so much of my life I had trouble letting others do things for me.

"Sorry I keep doing that. It's just so hard to get used to being taken care of. I understand what you're saying though, I'd feel the same way if the situation were reversed."

"I know it goes against your nature, but things are going to be this way for a while, so you just need to accept it. Maybe even enjoy the attention," he teased as he trailed one finger over my face and down my neck, to the exposed skin on my chest, sending a shiver of pleasure through me as his fingers drifted lower and lower.

He chuckled as I captured his hand and whispered, "Jacob Black, you need to behave," but there was very little conviction in my reprimand.

"Sorry Miss Swan," he said half-heartedly, lacing our fingers together and leaning down to kiss me, letting it linger, another shiver running through me.

He was grinning wide when he pulled back and I gave him a chiding look, but I was flushed and a little breathless and I wasn't fooling either of us.

"It will be time to leave for the bonfire soon. Do you think you feel up for that?"

"Yeah," I replied, taking a settling breath, "I'm kind of excited to see everyone. Who exactly will be there anyway?"

"All the guys and Leah, plus Emily and Kim, and then the elders: my dad, Old Quil and Sue Clearwater. Oh, and Angela is coming."

My eyes widened at that news. It would be fun to have her there… and to be able to share everything with her. My day had been so full, I had nearly forgotten the imprinting had happened the night before.

"I still can't believe that happened! How did it go last night after I fell asleep?"

"It went good, I think. Dad and Charlie left soon after you crashed, and Angela stayed pretty late. You seemed comfortable, so I stayed up and we all talked and answered her questions. She asked me about some things she'd noticed between you and me, so she knows about my need to be with you and how I take away your pain. I hope you don't mind. I didn't go into a lot of detail."

"No, I don't mind at all. I would have told her everything yesterday, but I figured she had enough things to process. She is so observant and perceptive I knew she'd already noticed some odd things between us. Did she get to talk to Emily?"

"Yep. Sam, Embry, and Quil had to go on patrol, so Emily helped me get you to bed and then she and Angela got to talk alone. I have no idea how late she stayed, but it was after ten when we came to bed."

"Knock, knock," Emily said from the doorway. "Sorry to interrupt, but we will need to leave soon to head up to the bonfire and I thought you might need a little extra time to get going Bella. No bathrooms up on the cliff."

"Oh, right… good thinking," I said.

"Here, this is your next dose of the new medicine," she said coming over to the bedside. "Carlisle said to go ahead and give you the first two doses close together today."

"Thanks Emily." I took the pill and glass of water from her, and we set about getting ready to leave for the bonfire.