Just Talking [Edward]

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You're suicidal, Jacob reminded himself as he parked the Rabbit in the Cullen's driveway. That was okay with him, though. He felt slightly buoyant and lightheaded as he approached the door. He needed to have a chat with Edward Cullen. Alone. He figured that there would be no better place than the Cullen's residence.

Jacob wasn't looking for a fight. Instead, he was looking to negotiate the treaty. Or, as well as try to. When Sam got back from wherever the hell he had been, Jake was going to ask him to step down. Being on his own for how long, Jake had realized that he was ready to head the pack. He was ready to take on his role as chief. Besides, even if Sam didn't step down, Jake could probably persuade him with the negotiations.

In a way, this was all part of Jacob's bigger plan that involved Bella realizing that she wanted to be with him and not her stupid bloodsucker. But, in the ever likely event that she still chose Edward over him, this could be Jake's way of making sure that none of his brother's ate her... or her new family. Jacob, in the event of Bella choosing Edward, was getting the bum deal out of it, but he didn't care. He wanted Bella to be happy, 'cos he loved her.

Cullen could think of this as a wedding present from Jacob, although he knew that he didn't want anything to do with him. At least the feeling is mutual, Jake thought as he knocked on the front door.

[Edward Cullen]

His eyes flew open as he heard two quick raps on the door. He rose quietly, his eyes growing wary. The visitor wasn't Bella. That was obvious enough, if it were then Edward would've noticed because of her mouthwatering scent. His eyebrows pulled together briefly and rose to his feet fluently and exited his room, flying down the stairs. He paused at the bottom of the stairs and looked around the vast living room. Was anybody even here? Probably not since nobody seemed to care to get the door. Just as Edward was approaching the door, one hand extending, he halted dead in his steps. It seemed as though the light bulb seemed to flick alive on the top of his head. No wonder the scent smelled too familiar. He wrinkled his nose in disgust and pressed his lips together firmly, narrowing his eyes. Disgusting Werewolves, He thought grimly as he opened the door with a bit too much force, nearly ripping the door off. Jacob Black stood before him, well, towering above him. Edward took a step back so he wouldn't have to incline his neck to look at Jacob's face. "What is it, Jacob?" Edward muttered, his voice velvet and deadly. Usually he would be more polite around others, but werewolves were a different cause. And Edward was so grateful that Bella wasn't here at the moment. Before Jacob could reply, Edward was already in his mind, taking his hint. His eyebrows rose as he blinked rapidly, taking in the new knowledge. "Come on in," He said, grimacing.

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"It's nice to see you, too, Cullen," Jake spat as Edward stood gawking. When Edward invited him in, however, he hesitated. He didn't know if he wanted to go in. Was anyone else home? He listened and didn't hear anything. The smell of the house was disgusting, as he knew it would be, but Jake pulled a face and stepped inside. He could play nice, if that's what it took to win Bella's heart again.

Jake let the door close behind him. He had been in this house once before, crashing a party that was intended for Bella, Alice and Edward's graduation from high school. Not much had changed with the interior decorating, but Jake was glad that there was no music pumping through the house this time. Also, he was glad to see that the red lights were gone.

"So," Jake said, his lips pulling into a sneer. His arms folded neatly across his chest. He surveyed Edward, thinking of course Bella likes him. He's just so perfect in every way. He hated the way that Edward was always so pulled together, made of money. Whatever - it infuriated Jacob. "I guess you know why I am here," Jake added, even though he had kept his thoughts relatively clear of his plans. It didn't really matter.

[Edward Cullen]

Edward backed up gracefully as Jacob stepped into the house. He casted one glance around the vast room before he stepped around Jacob and closed the door, keeping his dark eyes on the boy. "I guess you know why I am here," Edward raised his eyebrows and looked at the ground, walking towards the couch and sitting down lithely. He raised his eyes to meet Jacob's eyes and said, "More or less. What about it?" His voice went colder, his spine stiffening. The treaty clearly declared that the Cullens could not bite a human, and that was what Bella wanted. After all, they did make a deal. He and Bella, that is. If she agreed to marry him, then he promised her he would be the one to change her into an immortal--like himself. The treaty was the only thing that was stopping him.

o.o.c;; No muse. D:

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Jacob looked down at Edward with a tortured face. He didn't want to have to say the words; he didn't want to even think the words. "I'm... not giving up on Bella. I'm not giving in; just because you're engaged to her doesn't mean that you've won," Jake clarified for Edward. He inhaled deeply, his hands starting to shake. Jacob closed his eyes and thought of all the days that he had spent in his garage with Bella. After a moment, Jacob relaxed.

"I'm not giving up," he repeated, trying to remember where he left off. "But... I'm... I... You know I just got back?" Jake wasn't really meaning that as a question. He meant it as it was. "You know that I left, I mean. I ran away." Thanks for the invite, Bloodsucker. The thought was errant, but it still got through Jake's mind before he could stop it. He didn't look apologetic, though. "And, well, I'm gonna talk to Sam. You know that I am supposed to be Alpha..."

Jake groaned. He was just... ugh. He couldn't do this. This was admitting defeat. He turned his back to Edward and placed his hand on the wall. He bent his head and pinched the bridge of his nose for a moment, trying to clear his head. Trying to re-convince himself that this was the right thing to do. After a few moments of silence, Jake composed himself enough to turn around. "...Bl-...Edward," Jake tried to say nicely, although it sounded like he was gagging. "I am...going... to try to renegotiate... the treaty..."

By the time that simple sentence had escaped Jake's mouth, his body was shaking and he was panting. The effort that simple sentence involved was... wow.

[Edward Cullen]

His eyes narrowed suspiciously as Jacob started to speak, "I'm... not giving up on Bella. I'm not giving in; just because you're engaged to her doesn't mean that you've won," Truthfully, Edward didn't want to win this easily. Yet, he didn't want to fight for her either. He didn't want to brew up anything that could break Bella mentally, if he did come to a fight with Jacob..he would try his inner best to not kill him. It would take all of his brute strength but he would try. Question was: would Jacob do the same? Edward exhaled, his voice seeming peaceful as he spoke quietly, "I didn't think I won." This wasn't over yet. That was clear, Jacob wouldn't give up. He would probably find a way to try to crash the wedding. Edward soared through his mind, trying to pick up certain things that he could piece together to understand why he was doing this. Unfortunately, Jacob had kept a good hold on his thoughts. "You know that I left, I mean. I ran away." Edward sighed and nodded once, his jaw hardening. "Yeah, I know." He said, his eyes wary as he peered at Jacob. One side of his mouth pulled up into a minuscule, uneven grin at Jacob's thought. "My pleasure," Edward shot back with a bit less velocity. However, Edward perked up at Jacob's next words. His eyebrows shot up and he pressed his lips together. Yes, he had known about Jacob not wanting to be Alpha up until now. A low hiss escaped his lips as Jacob turned away, placing a large hand on the delicate white wall, one hand pinching the bridge of his nose like Edward often did when Bella's scent became a bit too much. His face became cold even when Jacob turned back to him. It was quite obvious how..difficult this was for him. Though, Edward felt no sympathy. "I am...going... to try to renegotiate... the treaty..." Folding his arms across his marble chest, Edward pursed his lips as he considered this. The treaty was the only thing stopping him or well..his family, too. But renegotiating the treaty as in allowing him to..bite Bella? Possibly not since that would be committing defeat. If Jacob did step up onto the higher rank and allowed Edward to bite Bella, well..then Bella and Jacob couldn't talk to each other anymore, right? So why in earth would Jacob do such a thing? Such thoughts brought on newer provoking ones as Edward peered up at Jacob's face, his neck inclined slightly. Finally, he spoke; his voice more serious then before. "Interesting, what are you inquiring to change about it?"

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When Edward said that it was his pleasure for the invitation, a feral growl tore through Jake's body. Jake was vibrating as if he was a tuning fork; his shape was blurring furiously fast. "Argh," Jake cried out, panting. Finally, he got himself under control. If it came to a fight between Edward and Jake... Jake wouldn't hold back. If he killed Edward, so be it. It wouldn't matter to him; Bella would one day understand why he did it. He didn't care if Edward was going to fight fair. The main thing was that Jacob wasn't.

"It's not admitting defeat if I change it," he said slowly. "I told Bella... surely you know... I promised Bella that we're to keep in contact after.. after... after..." Jake took a couple of deep breaths. His tone was serious the whole way. This was just harder for Jake than for Edward. "I told her that I could get used to the stench," he finished, a taunting tone in his voice. It wasn't the tone he had used when he had promised Bella that he would always be there for her.

Jake's dark eyes met Edward's for a moment before he looked away. Jake crossed his arms across his chest tightly. With a grim realization, he thought, great, now I probably look like Bella-honey. "Well, I would either put a territory restriction on it - there isn't one now... as I am sure you know. Or I would change it completely, putting a special loophole in there just for Bella. I think the territory thing would work best though," he mused. Finally, he added, "You can consider it your wedding gift, since i don't want to spend money on you."

[Edward Cullen]

He didn't flinch as the wild growl rumbled within Jacob. His eyes remained calm, no signs of fear. However, his hands balled up into fists, his jaw clenched as if he were prepared for a fight. He did promise Bella though..He opened his mouth to warn him about exploding but he spoke first: "It's not admitting defeat if I change it," he said slowly. "I told Bella... surely you know... I promised Bella that we're to keep in contact after.. after... after..." Edward arched a brow. He did know about that, but, he wasn't expecting it. The very thought of vampire and werewolf remaining friends was next to incredulous..absurd! His eyes narrowed at Jacob and he gritted his teeth together. It was clear that the idea didn't appeal to Edward in any way at all. It would be as if the treaty was for nothing if it was just going to be broken just so Bella and Jacob could remain friends. Besides, wouldn't the 'tribe' or 'pack' have to approve of it first? Edward remained composed as best as he could manage. "I told her that I could get used to the stench," A low growl escaped Edward's lips. "I wonder if she can get used to your stench," He mused aloud but paused abruptly. "Wait, I would still have to prepare her. She's not going to be changed with golden eyes, after all." He closed his eyes, gnawing on the inside of his cheek. He still didn't fancy the thought of him being the one to change Bella..but then again, Bella didn't fancy the thought of matrimony. Compromise. Edward reopened his eyes and locked eyes with Jacob Black, before Jacob averted his eyes away. "Well, I would either put a territory restriction on it - there isn't one now... as I am sure you know. Or I would change it completely, putting a special loophole in there just for Bella. I think the territory thing would work best though," A grim smile was sketched on his face gradually as he pondered this. It didn't sound half that bad but that wasn't up for him to decide. Carlisle would have to approve of it as well. Edward glanced down at the floor, folding his arms across his chest tightly and breathed out a sharp sigh. His attention was diverted back to Jacob as the boy spoke again, "You can consider it your wedding gift, since i don't want to spend money on you." A smug smile lit Edward's face. It actually pleased him that Jacob loathed him so much. "Fine," Edward acknowledged, nodding his head once brusquely. "So that means you're attending the wedding?" Edward asked, adding a false note of delight in his voice.

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Jake's lips pulled into a menacing grin as Edward growled. He was happy that he had struck a nerve with the leech. He needed to not show any kindness now - Edward would run crying all the way to Bella about her mean little werewolf friend. There was only hostility between the two of them. Bella was the thin strand that they both pulled and held onto, the ends fraying ever so slightly. As if he did have a death wish, Jake closed his eyes and thought about Bella. The memory was clear; it was of when Edward was 'gone'. You could tell that by the way Bella looked weaker than normal, pale, too thin. They were in his garage with brown paper bags and warm cans of pop and then Bella smiled at Jake. The room absolutely lit up when she smiled. Jake held onto this memory, re-memorizing the way that he had felt that day.

"Bella wouldn't hurt me," Jake said surely. He knew that she wouldn't. She would never, ever hurt him. No matter what. Never, ever.

Almost as if Jake could hear Edward's thoughts, he said, "I know you probably have to talk to Carlisle," he spat the name in disgust. He hated using the leeches names. "But think about it. Would either of you really want to risk your family? Our pack.... it... grows still..." those were words that Jake was allowed to say. The pack was even larger now than it had been before Jacob had run away. "We outnumber you. You would be no match to us," he hissed. "Would you want that? Condemn Bella to your hell for eternity... only to have her killed or you killed or one of the other leeches?"

"You have to see the advantages to doing it my way," Jake added in a persuasive tone. "I will be talking to Sam soon; it's time that I reclaim my Alpha status. It's my blood right..." Jake was mostly talking to himself, but whatever. It happened.

"Bella wouldn't have it any other way. She even offered me one of your suits before deciding that I could fit into one of Charlie's. I'm not coming to your wedding for any other reason than for the fact that Bella wants me there. Her best man or something other, I do remember her saying." He closed his eyes and thought clearly of the conversation that Bella and him had shared the other day on First Beach at La Push. Yeah, she mentioned something about talking to Edward about him being a Best Man or something like that... apparently she hadn't spoken to Edward yet, though, like she said she would.

[Edward Cullen]

His topaz eyes narrowed at Jacob, his jaw tightening and fists straining. The desire was becoming too strong, to where it reach where he had to struggle not to bowl Jacob over at the moment. If he did, Bella would be devastated and of course Edward didn't want to do anything that could possibly damage the wedding. Edward couldn't help but to rack through Jacob's mind, his spine stiffening as he sensed what the vile werewolf was thinking of. Bella. A low feral growl ripped from his through, his eyebrows pulling together as he conjured the day where he had said his goodbyes to his true love. He would never forget it, only because the look in her eyes. It was as if she really believed there was no place for her in his silent heart. What an absurd thing to think! Especially for her! Edward loved her more than anyone could tell, their love was so robust that even Jacob couldn't break it. Hopefully. Edward kept his face collected as he stared evenly at Jacob, his posture slacking the slightest bit. "You never know. She could lose control, she could slip." His voice was quiet as he peered at the werewolf with unwavering eyes, his emotions composed neatly. "You can never be so sure, Jacob. What if you became so mad that you lost control of her? I know how you act around my kind and soon Bella will be one of them too, you need to be careful around her even though she'll be ten times stronger." His voice became more dangerous, his velvet tone strengthening.

"Your way?" Edward hissed, interrupting impolitely. His eyes narrowed coldly and he corrected Jacob plainly:"Our way. The deal won't be complete unless Carlisle approves of it. Even though you will be Alpha, everything won't be considered 'your way'. With this deal, you have to realize that things will be different. You would be breaking traditions. Well, we would be breaking traditions." Blood right. Hah, yeah right.

His muscles locked into place at the mention of Jacob being the best man. Evidently..Bella hadn't talked to him about that. A flicker of pain flashed across his face but he immediately hardened his expression, composing. No, he wouldn't be upset with this. He couldn't let Jacob see his weakness about the wedding. Edward had only one fear at this moment: Would Jacob wreck the wedding? The alternative was frighteningly possible. A sharp sigh blew out from his mouth and Edward leaned against a sturdy wall, crossing his arms across his chest and glaring at Jacob with brass-colored eyes. "Best man?" He echoed, retracing the alternatives in his head silently. Surely his family would prevent anything terrible from happening, right? Inhaling a deep breath, he began to speak more slowly, cautiously. "Look, Jacob. I'm...I'm not going to let anything happen to this wedding. So don't get any smart ideas, okay? If you even think of ruining this, then Bella will know your treachery. Heads up, I will be cautious and I will know if you're going to try something." Edward struggled for his words, his marble forehead wrinkling. Yes, he could be in Jacob's mind most of the time. It was the only way to be sure.

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"Bella would never hurt me," Jacob said with a great conviction in his voice. "How can you even say that? She'd hurt me as soon as she would hurt you. You know how likely that would be. And, we don't have to hang out right away. I can wait. It's not like my life is going anywhere anytime soon," Jacob said. It was true. When he closed his eyes, he saw Bella. There was no way that Jacob was ever going to imprint. As his days went by, the chance became less and less likely. Quil had Claire. Sam had Emily. Jared had Kim. Maybe that was it. The pack was big enough that those could be the rare cases.

"Sure, sure," Jacob said, not really caring. Yours, mine, ours. It didn't matter at all to Jacob. "Traditions that Ephram Black started," Jacob retorted. It was Jake's blood right. He knew it. He knew that he had the right to rule the pack. Sam would step down. Sam would let Jacob have the pack. Besides, even if he didn't want to, Jacob could always argue that Sam would then get more time with Emily. He saw no reason for Sam to put up a fight in handing down the pack.

Jacob nodded his head. He could sense the fear that was seeping from Edward. "Yes. She said that those big brothers of yours won't give me any trouble. It's what Bella wants," he said in a sickeningly sweet tone. Edward could never say no to Bella; it was his weakness.

A look of pain shot across Jake's face. He was truly hurt. "Edward," he said slowly, composing himself again. He didn't even let the normal acid seep into Edward's name. "Edward," he started again. "I... love... Bella... I know that she's not thrilled about the wedding, but she's agreed to it. What can I do? I wouldn't ruin this for you, for her. I wouldn't ruin it for Charlie or for your family. My pack wont ruin it, either, I promise," he assured Edward. "I... need to be there. I need to... because, because..." Jacob couldn't finish his sentence. He bowed his head and ran his hand through the hair that Bella had neatly cut. He couldn't ruin her wedding because he still wanted her to chose him. He wanted to be on his best behavior. Even if she chose Edward in the end, even if she chose to end her life like that, he would still love her.

After being silent for a long time, Jacob resigned himself to saying, "I just want the best for her. If you're the one who has to give it to her, fine. But I'll always be waiting in the wings."

[Edward Cullen]

He arched one perfect brow. It's what Bella wants, His jaw muscle tightened and he grimaced sourly. How could he say no to Bella? After all, he didn't want to ruin her decision. Might as well go along with it, right? But now there was new suspicious. Bella had visited him? Edward felt horrible for the mistrust he now felt within him, coursing through his veins. How could he? How could he actually be suspicious of Bella and Jacob? With a hefty sigh, he shook the thought away vigorously. No, Bella loved him more. Right? But she loved Jacob too..She was just human. He had to believe that, soon she would be his officially. It would be official soon. His eyes brightened a bit at that notion but the fact that Jacob would always love her sent a dark shadow casting over the brightness. His brass-colored eyes seemed a tad glazed at the moment, his mind elsewhere. He wasn't even paying attention to what Jacob was saying until he mentioned one word that snapped him out of his train of thought: wedding. Edward lifted his chin and stared at Jacob, narrowing his eyes. Not thrilled. Did Jacob just fathom that one? Edward had known all along, which hurt a bit. He wished that Bella could be at least more optimistic about the wedding. From that point on, Edward listened intently to what the boy was saying. It was odd, especially coming from Jacob. Edward had never known that the werewolf had such a depth to him, to him. He had mostly assumed that Jacob hardly cared about anyone or anything besides him self. Self-centered as most would describe it. Stubborn. "I just want the best for her. If you're the one who has to give it to her, fine. But I'll always be waiting in the wings." Muscles finally relaxing, he nodded once and said in his velvety voice: "She loves both of us, of course you know that already though. What else did she happen to mention to you?" His voice was steady but behind his carefully composed words lurked a prowling, burning curiosity.

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Jacob was happy that Edward didn't seem too mad at Bella. He didn't want that. Okay, maybe he did, just a little. Because if Cullen was mad, then maybe that meant that he would yell at Bella, scare her off. And if he scared her off, then maybe that would buy Jacob just a little more time.... Jacob sighed, he knew that it was wishful thinking. He knew that no matter what Edward did, Edward would always be just a little more perfect for Bella than Jacob would be.

"Of course she loves us both!" Jacob exclaimed, a smile in his eyes. "How could she resist my good looks and charm?" He asked. He was just kidding. He didn't think he was that good looking. Cunning as a wolf, perhaps, but not horribly good looking. Maybe Bella thought differently. It's hard to know what a fish was thinking, after all.

Jacob stared at Edward for a hard moment. "She yelled at me," Jacob said as he started to think. He remembered the day he came home in perfect detail in his memory. Collapsing on First Beach, Bella running to him. Hugs. Yelling ("how could you take off?"). Promises. A kiss. The kiss was the last thing that Jacob thought of before really trying to reel his mind in. He knew that Edward could see memories - something that he had tested towards the end of the school year. He hadn't meant for Edward to see the kiss. Jacob just got wrapped up in the emotions of seeing Bella again. Besides, it wasn't like the kiss had been anything more than a kiss. Jacob had been the one to break it. At that point, he was too drained emotionally and physically to take control of the situation. Bella had kissed him, not the other way around.

"She took me back to her place. Made me shower. Gave me a lovely hair cut," he said. "She didn't say much. She just yelled. She was mad at me for leaving, for not telling her where I was. She was worried sick, I guess." Jacob's dark eyes were hurt. He had caused Bella pain after he promised he wouldn't. "She wanted to know where I was. She reminded me that she loves me." More than a friend, but not enough. More than a friend, but not enough, he repeated to himself in his head, a mantra for why he had to try.

"Oh, and she talked about the wedding some. Just that I was in it, your brothers wouldn't hurt me. Same ol', same ol'," he said. That was true.

It's not right, Jacob thought errantly. He knew that Bella loved Edward, but she should chose Jacob. She could have kids, a family. Bella could be choosing life. He closed his eyes and once again saw the two black haired children - his and Bella's - running through the woods. They were beautiful. The memory (from a kiss before a fight; Jake's promise to come back alive, because he just wanted to hear Bella ask him to kiss her) was fleeting at best. It was over way too soon.

[Edward Cullen]

At what Jacob said, Edward couldn't help but to fabricate a smile. Had Jacob ever been this amusing? Or did he always hide his..friendly behavior with his stubborn one? Possibly. It was definitely an alternative; one that Edward would be eager to consider. Edward wasn't surprised at what he said next. She yelled at me. Of course. Ever since Jacob had run away, Bella had been moping around - to be a bit accurate of the knowledge. She wasn't optimistic and she often voiced her fears for Jacob to Edward. But something that Jacob didn't say caught him by surprised. She kissed him. Usually it was Jacob who kissed Bella first but now that was reversed. Even now, he felt his eyes darken. But he couldn't be mad at dear Bella. She was just human after all. But he didn't want her to seem as though she had to choose. As if he was forcing her to choose between him and Jacob. Even if she did choose Jacob, Edward wouldn't contest in her decision. Though he would be hurt. Edward could sense that Jacob, too, still seemed stunned about her abrupt acts. But what could Edward do about that? Bella was Bella. Edward nodded as Jacob continued to speak, his movements becoming more and more deliberate as Jacob mentioned Bella being worried sick. "She was, indeed." Edward assured him, blinking rapidly. His marble face was composed into a tranquil mask, even when Jacob said what Bella had mentioned to him. "She really missed you, I was afraid that I had to go and track you down myself just to keep her quiet by her worries." He joked, not entirely true but still. Bella did complain a lot. With a sigh, Edward nodded again. "I'll tell them not to hurt you, and if that doesn't help then I'll tell Carlisle to watch over them." Edward couldn't help but to agree with Jacob when he unconsciously thought. And he was right. The mutt was completely and utterly right. This wasn't right. Sometimes Edward just wished Bella could've at least fell for guys who were normal. However Edward found himself wincing at the boys' next thought. Why would he even think of that? He voiced to himself mentally, picturing the two bobbing heads of the kids in his mind. The picture in which Jacob had thought. Again..he was right, unfortunately. If Bella chose Jacob, she could have that life..

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Jacob was being his normal self. His Bella self. Her Jacob, not Sam's Jacob. Edward had only gotten to know Sam's Jacob. But today.... for a while, still, Jacob wanted to be Bella's Jacob. It was part of his plan. Even around Edward Jacob had to be on his best behavior. Jacob had to prove to Bella that he was her sun and that the sun could fight an eclipse. Jacob needed Bella to open her eyes and realize that she could see if she only bought sunglasses or something of the like.

"She says you're like a drug to her," Jacob commented in a low voice, off handed. He was thinking about it. The initial conversation that had him thinking about running, the conversation that happened right before the wedding invitation. If Jacob were her sun, Edward was her cocaine. It was hardly fair, but Jacob knew that he could try and fight hard enough. Even the hardest of users had an opportunity at rehab, right?

"You wouldn't have found me," Jacob reported confidently. He had hidden himself well. He had been trying to hide away. He had succeeded. Not even his pack had known where he was.

"Regardless of your brothers... will you talk to Carlisle about why I came here today? Edward, I'm willing to make any negotiation that is necessary to ensure Bella... can live... happily ever after or whatever." Jacob grimaced at his choice of words. He didn't know how to phrase it else wise though. Bella had to die before she could live. Jacob realized that it was going to come to that. It drew closer each day.

"She knows," he muttered, lowly. "About... her possible future, if she chose me," he added in an even softer tone. "She saw it too. But she's still choosing you. I guess that says something about how much she loves you." Jacob kept repeating his mantra in his head. Sure, his heart had been broken in a million spots now, but it still beat and it still hurt. That was the big difference between Edward and Jacob. In the end, Edward's heart could be broken, but it wouldn't keep beating. Jacob's heart would have to do both in order to survive. From the moment Bella said "I do" till the moment that she said her final goodbye... he would be her Jacob. He was afraid to know what her death would mean to him.

"Would you... give me a day with Bella... if she wants it, I mean, before she's.... before you change her?" Jacob was terrified that Edward would say no. After all, Jacob constituted a risk. Even though he had proved himself reliable as a werewolf, Jacob had also shown that in moments of stress he was hot headed, didn't think and was prone to run away. Edward might worry that Jacob would whisk Bella away, but he wouldn't. Jacob was playing by Bella's rules (with a couple of loopholes here and there) until her last breath.