Destiny

~26.1~

Jacob was driving. Bella was wearing a fleece jacket but still shivered.
"Hundred and eight degrees over here.She tucks herself into him."
He pulled her closer when she scooted over and wrapped an arm around her.
"Must be nice, never getting cold", Bella meant.
"It's a wolf thing."
"It's a Jacob thing. You're just... warm."
"Like the sun", Jacob noted grinning.
"Like the sun."
"Which always comes back. You can count on me."
She nodded. Then there was an awkward silence between them. He filled it.
"There are other cool things about all this, like... I heal fast. Wanna see me stab my hand?"
'No!'
"Yeah, 'cause that would be fun."
The truck pulled up to the curb. It was pitch black outside. Jacob was still holding her close as he shut the engine off.
"So... this wolf thing's not all bad?" Bella asked.
"It's better. Now that you know. But..." Jacob trailed off.
"... but..."
"It just... comes so easily to me. More than the other guys."
"That's a good thing, isn't it?"
"Maybe. Or maybe it makes me less... human than the others.
... Sometimes I'm scared I might... disappear, you know? Who I really am."
Bella faced him and looked directly in his eyes.
"I won't let that happen.Their faces were close... and stayed close for a few moments. They could kiss, their lips were that near... but Bella blinked herself back to reality and pulled away.
"Thanks for driving for everything", she said as she pushed open her door.
Wind wafted in Jacob reacted to a repugnant smell outside.
"Holy crap...!"
He abruptly pulled Bella back into the truck, slammed her door shut and started the truck.
"There's a bloodsucker out there."
"How do you know?" Bella asked curiously.
"I can smell the stink. I'm getting you out of here.
As Jacob whipped the truck around, the headlights illuminated a black Mercedes, which was parked in front. Bella spun to the rear window as Jacob floored it.
"Stop!" she exclaimed, "It's not Victoria..."
"Forget it..."
"It's Carlisle's car! They're here. Go back!" she interrupted him.
"It's a trick..." Jacob argued.
He was still flooring it. Bella cracked her door open while they were moving. He slammed on the brakes while she jumped out.
"Damn it, Bella..."
"Werewolves are not vicious", Bella said.
"Until they lose their tempers."
"They saved me from Laurent, they're protecting me from Victoria..."
"Victoria?" Alice asked shocked, "I didn't see her. I didn't see you get pulled from the water either."
"It was Jacob who saved me. More than once. I couldn't have made it without him. You have no idea what it was like."
"Yes. I do. I knew leaving wouldn't be good for you. I tried to tell Edward, but he wouldn't listen."
"Does he know you're here?" Bella asked hesitantly.
"No. He's been... away..."

Bella walked Charlie to his cruiser. He wore his usual police uniform.
"Don't worry about me. Are you gonna be okay? Tell them that I'm happy that he's okay."
"Yeah... Sue, and those kids, Leah and Seth will appreciate it and be happy about it."
She hugged him. He held on a little too tightly. Then he bucked up and climbed into his car.
"I might stay late."
Bella nodded, then waved as he drove away. She turned to headback inside but found Alice suddenly at her side. She jumped.
"You're not going?" Alice asked.
"I'm not the most popular person on the werewolf rez right now", the brunette answered.
"Because you're friends with me", Alice guessed, saddened.
Bella shrugged. Alice heard something, then looked down the road. Jacob's rabbit appeared in the distance.
"Huh. Didn't see him coming. Didn't see him pull you out of the water maybe my visions are allergic to dogs."
"Alice."
"I'll go do some hunting", Alice said as she jogged off.
The rabbit pulled up. Bella approaches him.
Jacob climbed out.
"Hey. Shouldn't you be at the hospital?" she asked.
"Had to talk to you first."
Jacob followed Bella into the house and the living room. She turned to him.
"Look, Jake, I'm sorry I..."
"This place stinks to hell."
She saw that he was shut down, a cold expression in his face. She shut down as well.
"You're welcome to leave. In fact..."
"How many Cullens are here and how long are they staying?" Jacob asked, snapping.
"Just Alice", Bella snapped back, "And she'll stay as long as she wants."
"Are the rest coming back?"
"Not that I'm aware of. Anything else?" Bella wanted to know.
"That's it."
"Better go report to Sam. Jacob turned and started to leave. He looked back and saw her anger turn to hurt. He stopped.
"I've done it again. I keep breaking my promise not to hurt you", he meant.
"It doesn't have to be this way", Bella said.
He moved back to her and looked into her eyes with sadness.
"Yeah, it does."
"Am I gonna lose you this time, Jacob?" Bella wanted to know.
He couldn't answer that, but he pressed his hand to her cheek.
"It was easier when we were both human, wasn't it?" Jacob asked.
They looked at one another, Jacob's hand still on her face, his eyes searching hers. Slowly, he started to bend toward her lips. Bella didn't pull away. She missed him too much and needed him too badly. This time, she'll let it happen. A kiss was a centimeter away. Suddenly, the shrill ring of the phone made them both jump. Jacob, the closest to it, didn't move his face, he just kept looking into her eyes as he reached for the phone and answered.
"Swan residence."
Bella smiled. But he instantly bristled, voice going cold.
"He's not here..." Jacob said, "he's in the hospital."
Then the phone went dead. At the same time Edward stared at his phone crazed, enraged and grief stricken he hurled the phone against the wall, shattering it.