Moonlight in Forks

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to SM.

A Waiting Game

A surge of adrenaline sent Bella's heart pounding. The door was locked. Why was it locked? Edward had been with her the whole time, hadn't he? But he was a vampire, he moved so fast, that in the space of one blink of her eyes, he could have twisted the lock and she wouldn't have known.

But why would he?

Had he known the whole time that she was planning to break up with him, and so had sealed her escape route just in case?

Bella tried to calm herself down in order to think more rationally. She told herself that her fear was simply brain chemicals, she then tried to analyze the situation without it. She imagined it from the outside, as if it were a movie and not real life. Then she asked herself what her 'character' in the movie should do.

Scream for help probably.

But this was Edward. He wouldn't harm her. He loved her. This was a simple misunderstanding. That was all. She was making a big deal out of nothing. The lock was probably just stuck. She had to stop panicking.

"Bella." Edward spoke her name softly. "I have something for you."

With one hand still on the doorhandle, Bella slowly revolved to face him. He opened the palm of his right hand, revealing a fine gold chain. He let it dangle in front of Bella's eyes, so she could get a closer look. A brilliant heart shaped crystal hung from the end. It was cut in a million facets, so that even in the subdued light, it sparkled.

Bella stared at it, swallowing thickly. "I said no gifts."

"It was my mother's." Edward shrugged deprecatingly. "I inherited quite a few baubles like this. I've given some to Esme, and Alice both. So, clearly, this is not a big deal in any way. Please, Bella, I would like you to have it….as something to…remember me by."

Bella's gaze flicked to his face, his last words capturing her attention. "What do you mean by that? You're not planning on doing anything drastic are you?" She said cautiously, remembering the whole Italy debacle.

Edward merely smiled enigmatically as he placed the chain around her neck before she had a chance to protest. "There it looks beautiful on you." He murmured approvingly.

"Edward, I can't accept this."

"Yes, you can. Call it a parting gift if you will. It's hard and cold, I thought it was a good representation of me." He continued somberly. "And it throws rainbows in the sunlight."

"Edward, I…"

"Please, Bella, do this one thing for me. I don't think its much to ask, is it? My heart may be silent, but it has always been, and will forever, be yours. Nothing can and will ever change that." Edward's eyes travelled to Bella's face, gazing at her intently, drinking her in, as if he was imprinting this last memory of her into his mind like a photograph.

Bella didn't feel comfortable accepting such an expensive parting gift, but she didn't know how to refuse without upsetting him further. She had already hurt him enough. In the grand scheme of things, it was just a little thing for him to ask.

"Okay….um…thank you?" Bella tentatively touched the glittering diamond heart, watching it glimmer as she twisted it between her fingers.

"No, thank you." Edward replied, wearing a heartbreaking smile. "It's a relief to have you accept the gift so easily."

Bella swallowed down her guilt when he said that. She turned toward the door again so she wouldn't have to look at his sad face and eyes. "I should go. Can you unlock the door please?"

"Its not locked." Edward leaned over her as he reached for the doorhandle. She felt his hard chest press against her back. A tremor ran through her. "The locking mechanism just gets stuck sometimes." With one twist of his fingers, he flicked the catch open. "See?"

"Yes, I see." Bella mumbled. "Silly me."

Edward still hadn't moved. Bella was trapped between him and the door. Her heart rate increased in tempo.

"Listen to your heart fly." Edward murmured close to her ear. "Its fluttering like a hummingbird's wings. I adore the sound of it."

Another tremor ran through Bella at his words as she listened to him inhale her scent. "I'm going now." She said breathlessly.

"Are you alright?" Edward's hand was still on the doorhandle, his chest still pressed to Bella's back.

"I'm great."

Bella was feeling very uncomfortable now. She just wanted to escape, to breathe in the fresh air. She felt his eyes watching her. The cool fingers of his other hand reached over her shoulder and brushed against her cheek. The blood began to pound in her ears. She was sure he could hear it too.

"Bella" Edward whispered, his voice like velvet. "Are you sure you still want to go?"

Bella bit her lip. "Quite sure."

"I've been thinking."

Bella felt his body tense behind her, but his voice remained gentle, coaxing.

"I think I'm ready to give you what you really want."

"What I really want?" Bella echoed him.

Edward's cool fingers slid down her neck slowly, until they reached the sensitive skin of her collarbone. Bella's hands started to shake as she suddenly realized what he was trying to do. He was trying to seduce her. She spun around, pushing against his chest, her chocolate brown eyes shooting sparks of anger.

"How dare you!" She raged. "What a cheap trick! You think that trying to seduce me, after rejecting me for so long, was going to make me change my mind?"

Edward retreated, scrutinizing her face for a long moment, suddenly looking unsure. "I thought…"

"I don't care what you thought!" Bella cut in, glowering at him. "You really do not know me at all! You never have! Stupid vampire!"

"Bella, please." Edward reached for her, his handsome face a picture of agony.

"Just leave me alone!" Bella snapped. She ripped the gold chain off her neck and threw his gift back at him. He caught it swiftly before it hit the floor, the heart revolving at the end of the chain, setting off a myriad of rainbow hues. "Bye, Edward, thanks for making this so much easier."

Then without saying anything further, she pushed on the front door and ran outside, hearing a satisfying bang as it closed behind her.

"I'll kill him!" Jacob snarled. He was pacing back and forth in the garage, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides.

"Please." Bella whispered again, her heartbeat picking up speed. Her words tumbled out as she rushed to take advantage of the sudden uncertainty in his dark eyes. "I just want to forget about it and move on. I only told you because I wanted no secrets between us…and because you could already tell something was wrong."

Jacob's strong arms found their way around her. He pulled her close, his lips close to her ear, his warm breath against her skin soothing. "I'm sorry, honey. I know I'm not helping. It just makes me so mad that you had to go through that."

"I handled it." Bella pressed her cheek against his solid chest, feeling comforted in his embrace. "Edward knows where he stands now. He can be in no doubt. I made myself very clear."

"I could make it even clearer." Jacob suggested darkly.

"Don't, Jake."

Jacob shook his head slowly, trying to get rid of the last vestiges of his anger. He could hear Bella's heart racing, spluttering frantically. "Okay. Okay." He replied, taking a deep breath. "I'm proud of you, honey. I should have said that part first."

"Thanks."

With relief, Bella pulled back a little, gazing up at his handsome face. He did seem calmer now. His head slowly inclined toward hers, as she quickly stood on her tiptoes, until their lips met in the middle. Jacob's hands held her face, the kiss starting off slow and cautious, but soon turning heated and passionate.

Bella locked her arms around his neck, she was burning up from the feel of his heated torso pressed against hers. She trembled, pushing herself closer, wanting to lose herself in him completely.

Jacob did not stop kissing her the whole time. His mouth was no longer gentle, there was a brand-new edge of conflict to the way his lips moved, as if he was trying to erase every trace of Edward from her heart and mind. Eventually, they parted, both gasping for air.

Gosh, he was so beautiful, Bella thought to herself. She was trembling, with want and desire, matched by his. Her fingers traced the perfect planes of his chest, before she pulled his mouth back to hers. One of Jacob's hands was still cupping her face, his other arm finding its way around her waist, lifting her against him, her feet leaving the floor.

In that split second before his touch every nerve in Bella's body and brain was electrified. It was the anticipation of being together in a way that was more than words, in a way that was so completely tangible.

"Jake! Bella!" Charlie's voice calling their names made the couple groan in defeat. The heavy tread of his boots could be heard coming toward the garage.

"Ugh, does your dad have radar or something?" Jacob chuckled dryly. His head fell on Bella's shoulder as he worked hard to calm himself down.

"I really hope you're wrong about that-because otherwise Charlie is about to burst through the door with a loaded gun."

"Charlie is happier when he pretends to swallow your stories. He'd rather lie to himself than look too closely." Jacob pulled his head back, grinning.

Bella grimaced as she pushed away from Jacob and did her best to smooth her tousled hair back in place. She had just about managed to tidy herself up enough when Charlie burst through the doors.

"Hey, you two." He grumbled as he greeted them, oblivious to their flushed faces. "Didn't you hear me calling? Billy said you would be in here."

"I bet he did." Jacob muttered under his breath.

Bella poked him in the ribs to quieten him. "Hi, Dad."

"I've ordered pizza."

"That's good. Saves me from cooking." Bella fluffed her hair nervously.

"Oh, just to let you know, Bells." Charlie said. "I won't be home Saturday. Billy and I are going fishing. So, I'll be leaving quite early."

Bella exchanged a brief glance with Jacob. So that was the Charlie problem sorted then. When she saw Billy, she was going to give him the biggest hug. "That's great, Dad. You go on in. Jake and I will be in shortly."

"Well don't take too long, kiddo. The pizza will be here soon." Charlie quickly took his leave, much to their relief.

"We can't keep going on like this, honey." Jacob said, scratching the back of his neck. "We're gonna get caught out sooner or later."

"I know." Bella shared his frustration. "Is there nowhere we can go where someone won't walk in on us."

"I don't know." Jacob sighed, moving forward to take her hands in his. "But I promise I will find somewhere."

"Well make it soon." Bella stood on her tiptoes again and kissed him on the nose affectionately. "I don't think I can wait much longer."

A/N-thanks for writing!