*DISCLAIMER: I do not own the rights to the Twilight Saga and it's characters. This is purely artistic fiction drawn in inspiration from Stephenie Meyer's words.

*WARNING: This chapter has a emetophobia risk! The content doesn't start until after the second horizontal cut.

*You guys are spoiled this week! I had a burst of inspiration and banged this out in less than a day. :D Enjoy and review please! I love reading them.

Jake's heightened supernatural senses were suddenly triggered by the sound of creaky floorboards; he came to a standstill, pulling away from her and struggling to focus. His eyes darted from Bella's enthralling gaze to the back door. Jake desperately tried to catch his breath and regain his composure. He knew it wasn't sounds of the house naturally shifting. Someone was inside.

"What?" She asked, reading his expression. "What is it?"

"Shh," he whispered. Bella listened carefully. Jake pulled her into his arms, all the tiny hair standing up on his neck.

He continued, "who the hell is in my house?!"

Jake whipped his head left. He could make out two shadows disrupting the neon light from the microwave clock. A deep, animalistic growl rumbled from within his chest, his whole body vibrating on high alert. Bella was terrified. Was he going to phase? Were they in danger? Her heart skipped a beat as the sconce light to the kitchen flicked on; the blinding column fully illuminating two massive figures.

"Jesus Christ, Black. It hasn't even been half a day and you're already trying to get in her pants."

It was Quil. Bella recognized his sarcastic tenor voice; her eyes hadn't adjusted to the kitchen light yet. Jake relaxed, the heavy tension melting away from his taut muscles. She immediately turned as red as a tomato, hiding her face against Jacob's hot chest. He grumbled unevenly, staring at the two men who interrupted them in the archway. If looks could kill, Quil and Embry would have suffered an agonizing death, having walked in at the worst possible time.

"You'd think he would learn how to wine and dine a girl after four years apart, huh?" Embry rolled his eyes, sporting a wide grin.

"Listen," Jake huffed impatiently, "what are you guys doing here?"

"Well, we're not on patrol tonight and wanted food after work. I figured we'd swing by and invite you. Didn't think you'd be preoccupied, Jake." Quil chuckled, walking over to the fridge to peruse the contents. He stole one Coroja and a soda from inside, smacking them open on the edge of the counter, handing the ICB root-beer to Embry. "Looks like you went shopping. Finally."

Jake rolled his eyes and tried his best to contain his bubbling annoyance. He scrubbed a hand down his face, an exasperated sigh leaving his parted lips. Bella froze for a moment in his arms, eyes wide in embarrassment. She shoved out of his hold and sat up quickly, smoothing down her messy hair. That's awkward, she grimaced.

"Yeah, we went earlier. I was gonna make dinner." Jake croaked, a sudden emptiness filling his chest with the absence of her touch. He picked up his shirt off the ground.

"What're we having, Romeo?" Quil wandered in through the doorway, flicking the light to the living room on. He chucked the remote at Jake who aptly caught it less than an inch away from his face and turned off the static on the television.

"I was making cheese pasta for Bella." He set the remote down and grabbed her flannel, handing it to her. She snatched it out of his hands and hurriedly shoved it on. Her entire face to her chest was one singular shade of rosy pink.

"Oooh, sounds yummy. I love a man who can cook." Embry came into the room and took a pensive swig of his drink.

"You guys are such asshats." Jake stood up from the couch and gazed longingly down at Bella, who was staring into space. "Coming, honey?"

"In a minute, kitten-whiskers." Quil mocked, making a kissy face at him.

"Shut up, idiot." Jake ignored him, extending his hands for Bella to stand up. She accepted it reluctantly, still feeling weak in the knees. Bella gulped nervously, wringing her hands out of habit.

"Thanks, Jake." She replied.

"Ladies first." Quil noted, gesturing toward the kitchen.

Bella shuffled forward a few steps and stumbled, over-correcting her stride until she inevitably hip checked the island, failing to sit down in one fell motion. She wasn't able to stay on her legs very long; they were still jello from earlier. The boys filed in a crooked line behind her. Quil waggled his eyebrows at Jacob, cutting him off from the opening to the kitchen. Jacob mean mugged Quil in return and gave a light shove to his back.

"So—Bella..." Quil started, idly sipping his beer, "how's his make out game? Is he a slobbery fish or a hunky dreamboat with all the right moves?"

"Ateara." Jake warned, brandishing a pair of metal tongs. He searched the cupboards and fridge, gathering the ingredients for dinner they bought earlier. Bella stifled her laughter, her lighthearted spirit returning.

"I dunno, Quil, how's yours?" She flashed a cocky grin, arching her right brow. "Embry? Any complaints?"

Quil choked on his current mouthful of drink, sputtering a few times. Embry lightly smacked his back, and he quieted.

"She got you there," Embry laughed. As he drank his pop, his gaze dropped to the floor. A light blush spread over the apples of his full cheeks. He didn't realize she knew about them already.

"Damn, Swan. You cut me deep." Quil fawned playfully, "I knew I missed you. No one else keeps up with my jokes."

"I learned from the best," Bella said. A timid smile curled on her petal pink lips. She didn't imply who, but Jake proudly smirked in front of the stove. He started a large pot to boil.

"What? Black? No, no, he's as tame as an old lady." Quil nodded, leaning back in his chair.

"You want food or not? Because I don't have to feed strays." Jake tied his hair into a low bun, getting ready to make the sauce for the pasta.

"Wait. I didn't mean it, Jake. Please—I'm starving here." Quil replied, backtracking. The room filled with soft laughter.

Bella washed down a difficult bite of tortellini with her second beer. Alcohol helped her. She struggled with clearing half of her original plate, but they were just finishing their second. Jake surveyed her, noticing the dazed look on her face. The blush that covered her face from earlier had come back with a vengeance, branching over the bridge of her nose and down to the exposed hollows of her collarbones. Bella felt entirely too warm and took off her flannel, throwing it over the back of her chair.

"Slow down, babe. Save some for the rest of us." Quil joked, elbowing her. Bella stiffened and paled a tiny amount. Jake punched his shoulder, discreetly giving the 'cut it out' gesture.

"Ow! Hey—I meant beer. This girl could out drink us all, I just know it." Quil shouted. His left arm encircled Embry's shoulders as he leaned back in his chair.

"Just because you can't handle your—hic—beer..." Bella started, and embarrassingly covered her mouth.

"Alright, that's enough for tonight, Bells." Jake lightly admonished her, "remember. We can't get drunk."

"That's shitty—hic—it doesn't even taste good. Why would you drink it if you can't get dr—hic—drunk?" She defiantly shook her head. "I'm a big girl, Jake. I know when to stop."

"Let her have some fun, dad." Quil stuck out his tongue at Jake. "Bet she needs it after dealing with those stuck up leeches for four years."

"You got that right." Bella stood from the table, drunkenly attempting to wander over to the fridge to grab another beer. Jake intercepted her, scooping her into his lap and locking his powerful arms around her middle. She squeaked and another wild hiccup left her parted lips soon after.

"Listen, honey, I don't want you to get sick." Jake rested his chin on her nape.

"I'm fineee," Bella said in a sing-song tone, "lemme go."

"Nope." He popped the p, softly shaking his head side to side.

"I'm not af—hic—afraid of you, Jake." She giggled, "big bad alpha wolf or not." Bella covered her mouth. Embry and Quil exchanged surprised glances and bust out laughing. Jake glared at them and turned his attention back to Bella.

"You're not helping your case." He resisted the urge to smile, trying his best to keep a serious face.

"C'mon, I promise I'm o—hic—okay." She pouted, wrapping her arms around his neck. Bella pressed her cheek against his, and he felt cold in comparison.

Embry brushed off Quil's arm and stood from the table, placing his empty plate into the sink. Quil followed his lead, staring at the small blue-tooth radio on the counter. He shot a curious glance at Jake and messed with it, connecting his phone in secret. Embry's brows furrowed when he met Quil's eyes, curious of his intentions. Quil grinned, plopping the radio back onto the counter. The first song that played through the speaker was Hey Little Train by Jack Cavern and the Good Apples. Quil bowed in front of Embry, extending his hand.

"Care to dance, Bry?" Embry scrunched his nose but accepted, shyly taking his hand. Quil looked back at Jake and Bella at the table, beckoning them to join. Bella lit up, shaking Jake's arm. She hated dancing, but the alcohol was giving her insurmountable courage.

"Can we, Jake?" She said, a childish lilt to her voice.

"I guess one dance won't hurt." He murmured.

Jake couldn't resist her, especially right now. Bella was too cute the way her voice was raspy, higher in pitch, almost whiny. She wanted to dance? That was new. He lifted her tiny frame into his arms as he stood from the chair, carefully setting her clumsy feet onto the tops of his own. They swayed softly back and forth, dancing in one spot within the kitchen. Jake was worried that too much movement would unsettle her stomach. The slow, melodic beat and entrancing words lulled them. Jacob's eyes never left Bella's, and she knew that this was where she belonged.

Quil and Embry danced beside them, starting off only holding hands, and slowly got drawn into a world of their own. Embry's long arms coiled around Quil's neck, settling on his narrow shoulders. Quil's head rested against Embry's shoulder. He hugged his waist, pulling him closer to him. Both of their eyes were closed. Embry soon set his chin on top of Quil's head. Both men enjoyed the warmth of his respective imprint's body. They felt safe in each other's arms here; a far cry from each of their home lives.

As the music ended, Jake lowered Bella's feet back down to the ground, but she couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness that the dance was over. She looked up at him, glimpsing his content silence and obvious happiness. They were interrupted by the rolling nausea that suddenly built in her stomach. The room spun. Embry and Quil separated at that point. They struggled with expressing their emotions for each other.

"You alright, Bells?" Jake inquired, delicately cupping her flushed face.

"Y-yeah. I think—hic—I need..." Bella struggled to find her words. She shut her eyes tightly to negate the sick feeling that assaulted her body.

"I knew you drank too much. You need to drink water." He frowned, appraising her condition. "Can you stand on your own?"

"I think I can." She replied quietly, forcing herself to swallow.

"I can help." Embry offered, "she can lean on me."

Jake nodded and hesitantly let her go. Bella wilted somewhat against the equally tall Embry, who steadied her mild swaying.

"Th—hic—thanks, Em," Bella mumbled.

"No problem, Bella." Embry said with a fond expression. He brushed it off as he was used to taking care of his mom like this. The only exception being that she was an angry drunk. Bella wasn't.

Jake had filled a glass he grabbed from the cupboard with tap water and brought it back over. Quil was leaning against the island.

"Would now be a bad time to ask if we can stay the night, Jake?" Quil sheepishly traced an invisible line with his index finger on the marble countertop.

"Kinda, yeah," Jake huffed, trying to help Bella hold the glass without drowning herself. "It's fine. You guys are always welcome here, you know that."

"It's just... this is the only place we can be ourselves. You know what our houses are like." Quil straightened.

"So move out. You guys are adults." Jake refocused on Bella, who was drinking the water too fast. Her throat felt dry, like she had been abandoned in the Sahara desert. Embry handed her off to him.

"There's that little thing called money," Quil bristled. "All of it conveniently disappears."

"Do you need me to give you a raise?" Jake said, rubbing Bella's back.

"No, Jake, it's not that." Embry interjected.

"All you need to do is ask. I'm not going to say no." Jake helped Bella shuffle over to the table and chairs, pulling her into his lap. He set the glass down. The spinning feeling was back, and she remained quiet.

"My mom drinks a lot of my money." Embry's mouth formed into a hard line. "I can't say no to her."

"And you know how my grandpa is. Tradition this and tribe that." Quil murmured, standing upright. Both of them looked at each other, a wistful expression drawn on their faces.

"Yeah. We'll talk about it in the morning." Jake nodded, "you can crash on the couch. The spare bedroom is still under renovation."

"Thanks, Jake." Embry and Quil replied in unison. Bella had stilled within Jacob's embrace, her stomach and mind settling somewhat. The water helped.

Jake nodded. "I'm going to take her to bed. Try to keep the sound to a minimum." A heavy blush flitted across both Embry's cheeks. His eyes fell to the ground, and he shuffled his feet.

"Take your own advice, Mr. Handsy." Quil shot back, rolling his eyes. Jake shifted so he could hold Bella with one arm and the water with his free hand.

"No, she's drunk. I would never hurt her like that." Jake growled, softening as he looked down at her peaceful face. "Bella's my imprint."

"I wasn't implying—" Quil recalibrated, "yeah, everyone kinda noticed that at the garage. Your expression and actions were loud."

There was a moment of silence as Jake stood and stabilized Bella against his left shoulder, her head lolling back into the crook of his neck.

"Night, guys." Jake called, heading for the stairs.

"Happy for you, bro. Glad she's back in your life," Embry said, patting his back while he passed.

"You always were the slowest." Quil whispered. A blatant grin plastered on his russet face as he playfully punched Jake's other shoulder. Jake didn't respond as he climbed the steps to the upstairs.

Bella stirred, hearing running water. When she opened her heavy eyes, she was met with the sight of a worried Jake, hunched over her and dabbing at her forehead with a cold washcloth.

"What're..." Her head was pounding. She winced, only managing to say his name. "Jake?"

"Yes, Bells?" He whispered to her. Bella groggily observed her surroundings, eyes sluggish in their reaction speed.

"Wha—" She muttered, her stomach immediately revolting against her.

Bella covered her mouth. Finally realizing they were sitting on the bathroom floor, she turned her head and scrambled forward, attempting to reach the toilet in time to throw up. Jake knew she had too much to drink. He couldn't bring himself to stop her because she was having such a good time. Bella had never drank more than a few sips before. She was too small to have a decent alcohol tolerance.

Jake gathered her long hair in one massive hand, pulling it out of the way. With his other, he rubbed her back gently as she emptied the contents of her angry stomach. They stayed there for a good while until the tremors stopped. Jake hated seeing her in pain; the dry heaving that came next is what really bothered him. Unsure that she was done, Bella sat up on a gamble and was sorely mistaken. Wrong move.

Bella was met with a wave of what she thought was dry heaving. A decent amount of bile and water came up that time, coating the front of her tank top and jeans. She groaned, fighting back hot tears as she slumped forward again.

"Aww, honey..." Jake murmured, "you're gonna need a shower." Bella refused and weakly shook her head. She managed a cough before dry heaving again, this time over the toilet.

Jake continued, "Bells, it's okay. When you're ready, you can get in the shower and I'll put your clothes into the wash. We bought extras of your shampoo and stuff, remember?"

She looked up at him through tired eyes, nodding silently. After a few minutes of bated silence, Bella mustered the strength to speak again.

"I'm s-sorry." She mumbled between sparse, ragged exhales.

"What for?" Jake's brow shot up in question, confusion marring his face.

"Everything," Bella grumbled, "I ruined everything. As per usual."

"Stop." He studied her face, continuing to rub her back.

"But everyone was having such a good time—"

Jake interrupted, "Bella. No bad-mouthing yourself. Everyone gets drunk." He plucked at the hem of her tank top. She blinked, slowly understanding she was covered in semi-dry throw up.

"Yeah, but you haven't. That's not fair," she protested. Jake lifted the soiled shirt, exposing her midriff. "What—what're you d-doing?"

"Gonna help you out of those clothes and into the shower."

"Bu—but... You can't. You'll see me naked." Bella squeaked, covering her reddening face.

"Honey, seeing you in your underwear is no different from a bikini. You can take 'em off once you're in the shower. I'm taking care of you right now." He said sternly.

Jake finished lifting the material of her shirt over her head. He tried to move her hair out of the way so it wouldn't touch the sick, but some of it did. The sudden freeing feeling of not wearing her tank top helped cool her down. She sobered quickly.

"O-okay..." Bella whispered.

A smattering of goosebumps peppered her pale skin. He helped her stand up, and her hands trembled over the button to her pants. She fumbled, undoing it and unzipping them. Jake hooked his large hands over the jean waist band and slid them down her long, silky legs until she could step out of them. Bella was only left in her favorite comfy t-shirt bra and a pair of grey hipster panties. Somehow she lost her socks.

Jake guided her over to the shower. She propped herself against him, still shaky from the aftereffects of the alcohol. Jake turned on the water, testing the temperature intermittently. He didn't dare look at her body. The personal care products she picked out from earlier were already on the shelf inside. Once the water was warm enough, he helped her through the opening and she sat down on the stone bench. Bella held her head in her hands and leaned on the glass, hugging her knees to her chest.

He balled up her tank top and jeans, quickly wiping up some excess vomit off the floor with a spare hand towel. Jake flushed the rest and glanced down at her pitiful form. She was working on evening out her breathing. Dizziness strangled her consciousness. Bella didn't even care that he touched her gross clothes.

"I'm gonna go put these into the washer. Do you need anything else, honey?" He called to her, opening the door to his room.

"N-no," she croaked, "I'm fine, Jake."

"I'll be right back."

Jake didn't close the door. He purposefully ignored the large tangle of dark skin across the couch, only facing forward until he reached the mud room downstairs. There wasn't any movement between the bodies, but he wasn't sure if it was because they heard him walk by or if they were asleep. He bet on the first one. Jake tromped his way down the hall, tossing Bella's clothes into the washer after a good spritz with stain remover. He started it up and went back up to check on Bella.

She unfurled herself, stripping off her underwear apathetically while he was gone. Bella folded them and set them down outside of the shower door. She had no desire to really wash, but when she got sick on herself, some of it got on the very tips of her long hair. Bella lathered a handful of her strawberry shampoo into the damp thick wefts. Jake knocked on the door, slipping in when she was washing the suds off.

"Are you feeling better?" He startled her, causing her to near jump out of her skin.

She ducked down in the shower with a yelp, eyes fixed on his towering figure. His back was to her. She relaxed and resumed washing.

"You scared me." Bella admitted.

"I'm sorry," he replied. "I brought you a towel. Do you need a washcloth?"

The nonchalant nature of their conversation while she showered filled her with a special type of warmth. It wasn't daunting to be around him, and she felt safe. Bella never suspected him of peaking.

"Please." She murmured.

"I'll come closer to the door and hold it out so you can grab it."

Jake did exactly as he said, and Bella snatched it from his hands like a claw machine would. Her head hurt, but at least she could see straight now.

"Do you want me to leave, sweetheart?" He asked.

"No... It helps." Bella squeezed a small amount of her freesia body wash onto the washcloth, lathering it over her limbs.

"I'm glad. You sound like you're feeling better." Jake sat down on the tile by the sink, remaining facing away.

"I do feel better."

"That's all that matters, Bells."

He smiled, keeping his eyes closed out of respect. Bella finished washing and turned off the water, drying herself with the towel he hung up for her. She wrapped it around her middle. The circumference was much larger on her than the ones at Charlie's house. Probably to account for his enormous body. Bella stepped out of the shower and noticed he was standing again.

"I'll get you one of my shirts to change into."

"I need to brush my teeth." She cringed.

He nodded, opening his eyes and placing a quaint kiss to the top of her head. She leaned into his warm touch, but stopped once she remembered she was dripping wet. Jake disappeared into his room for a few minutes and she downed the rest of the water cup before she cleaned her teeth with her new toothbrush. He set a shirt down onto the counter for her and went back into his room again, closing the door behind him.

Bella semi-dried her long hair with the grey towel and then hung it up on the iron hook fixed to the back of the bathroom door. She decided not to put her bra back on and set it down on the counter. Apparently, it got wet in the shower, but her hipster panties somehow remained dry. Bella chuckled to herself, studying the excessively baggy tee, holding it up to her body. She noticed it was a sun faded Clinkin' Perk shirt. When she slipped it over her head, the bottom hem rested a few inches past her knee. It looked like a nightgown.

Bella exited the bathroom and found Jake sprawled out on his bed. Jake changed into his style of pajamas; no shirt and loose fitting basketball shorts. A mild blush heated her face when she saw his muscles gleaming in the moonlight that streamed in from the window.

"Ready for bed?"

"A-aren't you going downstairs?" She asked, suddenly nervous.

"Uhh... not with them down there on the couch." He laughed. "I'm not walking in on somethin' I shouldn't."

Bella fidgeted, "right. I forgot. Make sure you stay on your side, then."

"Of course, honey. It's a kingsize bed. You'll have plenty of room."

She sighed and knelt onto the bed, crawling onto the side he didn't preoccupy. Her temperature buffer from the alcohol and shower had worn off. Bella balled up, covering every inch of herself with the flat sheet. Her teeth chattered loudly, and she hugged her legs to garner heat.

"Are you cold?" He murmured, his back turned to her.

"Y-yeah. H-how'd you n-notice?" She huffed. "It's f-f-freezing in h-here."

Jake said nothing, but silently rolled over and pressed his chest to the curve of her spine, his arm snaking under the sheet to hold her tummy. Bella felt so small compared to him. He was a giant. After a few seconds, the cold dispersed, and she hummed with satisfaction.

"Better?" He chuckled.

"Lots." Bella said with a content, listless smile. She was drifting off already. Sleep took her into its arms, unbiased in its approach.

Her heart was healing.

*Please don't be too heart broken about the opening scene... you'll have to wait for the lemon zesty goodness on the wayyyy. ; ) I thought last chapter might have been too soon for both of them. It's only been ~a day~ after all.

*I'm hard at work on the next chapter. This one will probably take another week. I'm aiming for the next chapter to be a dinner with the dads and or a full pack meeting with the other imprints! We'll see.

*I hope ya'll enjoyed the Quimbry content. They are too cute! :')