Jacob arrived home late that night, having spent the day making conversation with Bella as Edward sat idly by over on the couch. A week ago he'd say Edward was trying to control Bella, but he now realized that Edward simply didn't trust Jacob to protect her. Edward didn't want to leave Bella alone with a poorly contained wild animal like himself, and he didn't fully blame him. Everyone had seen what had happened to Emily, and who was to say Jacob wouldn't do something similar. A simple peck between Edward and Bella had him irate to the point that Jacob didn't even know if he trusted himself at that point.

When he entered his house Billy was sitting on the couch watching TV, and seeing him immediately gave Jacob a pit in his stomach. This past week had undoubtedly been horrendous for the both of them, and he was unsure how much his father knew about the reason for his behavior.

"Hi dad," Jacob said warily, "sorry for staying out all night…"

Billy glanced over at him with a faint smile, "It's fine Jake, Sam told me what happened. If you only–" he sighed, "You see, son, I know I might not understand the extent of imprinting like Sam does… and that you might not want to talk to me like you used to do with your mother… but I'm here for you no matter what, you understand?"

Jacob's chest felt tight, "I know that dad, I just… was really messed up about it, you know… but I feel much better now." He really did feel better, not great, but better. "Sorry for scaring you. It won't happen again."

Billy nodded, "Well, how is Bella doing then?"

"Bella's good," Jacob felt flustered, "I haven't… told her what happened or anything," He cleared his throat, "Edward's with her and everything, you know… so…" Fuck, this was hard. It felt terrible lying to his father, and omitting the truth felt unnervingly close to lying.

"I see," Billy said, "I'm sure she'll come around." Would he say the same thing if Bella was a guy? He sure as hell wouldn't say the same about Edward. He knew how strongly his father distrusted the Cullens, and vampires in general. Billy had even tried to get Bella to break up with Edward on several occasions; there was no shot he would ever approve.

"I don't know about that," Jacob said dismissively, he didn't even want to think about it. It was too painful knowing that Edward would never come around.

"You wouldn't have imprinted on her otherwise," Billy smiled, "A mate is supposed to be there to make the shape shifter stronger, she's your ideal mate and you're hers. She'll realize that eventually." Jacob sighed, he felt detached from the conversation at this point. Sam had said the exact same thing, and it only made him feel worse than before.

"Maybe," he stated, "But I'm going out with Bella again tomorrow, so I better get some rest," Before Billy could respond Jacob was gone. As soon as he entered his bedroom his knees buckled and he slid to the ground.

How could nature get this so wrong? How could Jacob ever become Edward's perfect match? Edward needed someone like Bella; soft and gentle and calm. Jacob was the polar opposite, he was rugged and brutal with a turbulent temperament. Maybe nature, the gods, or the ancestors simply didn't care if Edward ever loved him back. Maybe the imprint didn't affect vampires the same way it did everyone else, and he was doomed to agonize in his one sided love until it killed him.

Seeing Edward again for the first time after the imprint had made him realize he didn't want Edward to change. He'd thought he wanted him to be human, to be a woman, but now the thought repulsed him. Edward was perfect just the way he was, and he could be no other way.

Edward was caring and romantic, he always made Bella his priority and did everything he could to make her happy, and Jacob craved that attention. Jacob had always felt uncomfortable with his strength around Bella, but Edward was unyielding and capable, and Jacob longed to surrender some of his power. Even Edward's cynicism balanced out his own careless nature.

All through the night Jacob's mind was racing with thoughts of Edward. His body wouldn't shut off when he didn't know what Edward was doing, thinking, feeling. Vampires didn't need sleep, so Edward was surely awake somewhere across town, doing something Jacob wasn't privy to.

When the sun rose in the morning he hadn't gotten a wink of sleep, and he was counting down the minutes until he could see Edward again. They were meeting up outside the reservation this time, and Jacob had spent a long time pondering where to bring him… them. Edward didn't seem like the type to run around town looking for adventure, so how hard could it be to find somewhere he hadn't been?

As he made his way to the border he finally made up his mind. He knew a place Bella would love, meaning Edward would be happy. And there wouldn't have been a reason for Edward to have been there before either.

"That's not the worst idea ever," Edward said as soon as Jacob arrived where Bella's car was parked. Of course it was impossible to keep anything a secret around Edward.

"What is it?" Bella asked eagerly, leaning against the side of her truck.

"You'll just have to wait and see," Jacob smirked, sending Edward a stern look, "Don't spoil the surprise."

Edward rolled his eyes, but simply pulled Bella gently after him towards the woods. "I know the way," he said arrogantly.

"You… know where it is?" Jacob was sure Edward wouldn't have any reason to know this place. "Why would you ever–" But Edward was already too far away to answer him, laughing with Bella on the path into the woods.

Shit. Why would Edward have been there before? Jacob had really tried his best to find something random and unknown. As he chased after the… couple… down the path, Jacob kicked himself internally for not picking something better.

They made their way between the trees, eventually venturing off the beaten path. The longer they walked, and the more he stared at Edward's hand grasping onto Bella's, the hotter he felt. He was about to suggest they turn around to do something else, something less intimate, when he suddenly heard Bella gasping.

"Oh, Jacob!" She had a hand on her cheek, "It's beautiful."