Troubleshoot

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to SM.

The Jump

The cliffs were like a black knife edge against the brightness of the sky. Warmth radiated from above, soothing the anxiety that seemed a permanent fixture in Bella's chest. Squinting in the unaccustomed sunshine, she held tightly to Jacob's hand as he led the way up the lane that passed closest to the cliffs. The lane narrowed to a little path that would take them to the ledge.

As they followed it, Bella looked for the turns or forks, knowing Jacob had planned to take her off the lower outcropping rather than the top, but after careful consideration and much discussion, Bella had insisted that they jump from the very same place that she had so nearly lost her life.

"If I really want to kick the bad memories for good, I need to jump from the top. It's pointless doing it in stages."

Jacob went along with her decision, knowing it was pointless to argue. He knew that when Bella made up her mind there was no changing it.

A light breeze ruffled Bella's hair as she clung onto Jacob. They had reached the place where the dirt path fanned out into the stone precipice. As they continued om their way, Bella found her resolve faltering. It had been her idea to jump from the very top, but the image of what had happened the last time she was here lingered in her head, bringing with it the usual doubts.

"I'm not alone. I'm not alone." She recited over and over in her mind. "I can and will do this!"

The little voice in her head, the one she called the voice of doom, began to whisper that this was the stupidest, most reckless thing that she had done yet. The thought made her pause, causing her to hang back, her steps slowing.

Jacob glanced down at her; his expression sympathetic. He knew Bella well enough to imagine exactly what was going through her mind right now.

"You've got to stop second guessing yourself, honey. Put your fears to one side and concentrate on the moment."

"I only wish it was that easy. I've lived a lifetime of self-doubt."

The ocean sounded far away, somehow farther than before, when she was on the path in the trees. She grimaced as she thought of the probable temperature of the water. Jacob had assured her that it was going to be nothing like the last time she had jumped. Then a storm had been blowing in. Today was a bright and sunny. He had chosen this day especially because he knew that the ambient temperature of the water would be a good deal higher.

"And don't forget." He had reminded her. "You'll have your own personal space heater along to keep you toasty warm. Don't sweat the small stuff, Bells. It'll work out perfectly. Trust me."

There was no one in her life she trusted more than Jacob. She wouldn't have even made it this far if he hadn't been with her holding her hand.

The breeze picked up, whipping Bella's long hair around her shoulders. They were at the edge. Still clinging tightly to Jacob's hand, Bella used her toes to feel blindly ahead, while keeping her eyes fixed on the horizon. She drew in a deep breath and held it…waiting.

"Bella?" Jacob questioned, squeezing her hand gently. "Are you ready?"

Bella smiled and exhaled.

"Yes."

The stiff breeze continued to toss her hair around like a whirling dervish. Salt spray coated her skin. The smell of brine in the air was strong. She rolled onto the balls of her feet, copying Jacob's stance.

"Just promise you won't let go?"

"I won't let go." He affirmed.

Bella nodded, letting Jacob raise their joined hands in the air. She lifted her face up to the sun, feeling the warmth on her skin. She leaned forward, crouching slightly, as did he….

And then they leapt off the cliff together.

Bella screamed as she dropped through the open air like a meteor, but this time it was a scream of exhilaration and not fear. The wind resisted, trying to fight the unconquerable gravity, pushing against her, trying to force her apart from Jacob. However, his grip on her hand was too strong. His greater weight seemed to make them both plummet faster, like heavy rockets crashing to earth.

I did it! The words echoed through Bella's head as she sliced through the surface of the water. It was cool, but not as icy as it was the first time she had jumped, then she feared the chill would stop her heart. This time she wasn't worried. Two strong, muscular arms wrapped around her immediately she surfaced from the water, supporting her, guiding her close, enveloping her in a warm cocoon.

She was safe. Protected in Jacob's warm embrace.

"We did it!"

"Yes, we did!" Jacob laughed loudly and exuberantly.

Bella's face was flushed with excitement. The wet tendrils of her hair clung to her face. Her pale skin glowed translucent. Her smile was the prettiest thing Jacob had ever seen. She looked so vibrant and free that he couldn't help himself. He leaned in and kissed her.

Taken by surprise by his sudden move, Bella froze, her hands gripping onto his wide shoulders to keep herself afloat. His lips were warm, soft, gentle, not daring much.

A sudden burst of love coursed through Bella. One hand moved from his shoulder to caress his cheek. Jacob tilted his head, angling it to gain more traction as her lips parted under his. He was on a high. It made him feel heady. Dizzy almost. He couldn't quite let himself believe that she was reciprocating, wondering if this was some kind of tortuous dream that he was going to wake up from any second.

But no, it wasn't his imagination playing tricks on him. Bella was indeed right there with him, her mouth flowering under his. He felt a shot of adrenaline run through his veins when they tongues made contact. He had to fight the urge to deepen the kiss. He had to be careful. He didn't want to push her too hard, too soon. He quietened the animal inside of him. Instead, cupping her face, letting his lips glide over hers tenderly.

When they parted, they were both catching their breath, bobbing together on the surface of the water. With heart rates accelerated they stared at each other, neither able to voice aloud how they were feeling. Instead, they just gazed deep into each other's eyes, exchanging shy smiles, and soft caresses on cheeks, face, and hair.

Jacob carried Bella back to his house. She was content to rest in his arms, her head resting on his shoulder, she closed her eyes and sighed happily. Jacob grinned, shaking the water droplets out of his hair as he increased his strides from a slow walk to gentle jog.

A light rain was beginning to fall. By the time Jacob reached his house it began to turn into a full-on downpour.

"Woah, we made it just in time."

"We did!" Bella laughed, opening her eyes. The rain pounded on the roof, matching the steady rhythm of her heart.

"You rest here. I'll get you a change of clothes." Jacob said as he deposited her gently on the short couch. "I mean it – right here. No going off to the kitchen to make me something to eat. I want you to rest."

Bella's chocolate brown eyes sparkled with amusement. He knew her so well. It was an automatic response as far as she was concerned. She just loved feeding him. It was her way of expressing her gratitude for everything he did for her.

Bella waited until her eyes adjusted to the dark room while Jacob banged around in his bedroom. The cramped front room seemed empty without Billy. He was over at the Clearwaters, becoming almost a permanent fixture there. Paul and Rachel were over at Emily and Sam's place, so for once Jacob had the house to himself.

Soon he was back. He threw one of his t-shirts at Bella, as well as a pair of sweat pants he had pilfered from his sister's collection.

"Won't Rachel mind me borrowing her clothes?" Bella asked mildly.

Jacob shrugged. "I won't tell if you don't. Anyway, she has so many, I hardly think she'll notice. I'll step outside so you can change."

Bella snorted with laughter. "Jake, just chill." She rolled off the couch and stood up, clutching the clothes to her chest. "I'll go change in the bathroom. You sit down and relax."

Jacob nodded, lowering himself onto the floor, with his back against the couch. Bella wondered when he had slept last. He had been doing much of the night shifts when patrolling to avoid having to be around Paul Lahote, catching the odd nap here and there during the day when Paul was out of the house doing his own patrols.

Bella thought it was increasingly unfair that Jacob was being forced to work around Lahote's schedule. Sam seemed to favor the imprinted couples, thinking their special relationships were of higher priority than any others.

When Bella returned from the bathroom, she found Jacob had already fallen asleep. Laying her damp clothes on the radiator, she sat down on the sofa, reaching out a hand to touch Jacob's tousled hair. It was almost dry now. Hers would take a lot longer, but she hardly cared, she was still too buoyed up from the successful cliff dive, and the unexpected pleasure of the spontaneous kiss afterwards.

Wow, that kiss! It had been an unexpected, spur of the moment culmination to the sexual tension that had been building up between them since Edward had left.

Jacob had been so incredibly patient. Instead of jumping in with both feet, he had kept his own feelings in check, being exactly what she needed-a friend first and foremost, without the pressure of any of the usual romantic implications, he had prioritized her mental wellbeing above his own. She truly didn't deserve him.

Jacob began snoring softly, and the sound of it soothed like a lullaby. Bella slipped off the couch and settled beside him, leaning her head on his shoulder as she let her eyes slide shut.

For the first time in a long time, her dream was just a normal dream. Just a blurred wandering through old memories-blinding bright visions of the Pheonix sun, her mother's face, a ramshackle tree house, a faded quilt, a wall of mirrors, a flame on the black water…she forgot each of them as the picture changed.

The last picture was the one that stuck in her head. It was of herself, holding the hands of two, small, black-haired children running off toward the rising sun.

A/N-thank you for reading this chapter!