Updated!

(2018) A/N: In the years since I started this fic, much has changed, especially my writing style and my knowledge to writing. Looking back at this fic, I realize how much of it was written in an unplanned rush and how much of the plot got away from me because of it.

So, after some amazing feedback that allowed me to rethink this whole story, I've decided to begin on rewriting and re-editing it because where it currently stands with the recent chapters I've written, I realize that I don't actually know how to get to a certain point of the story because I let the beginning run from me. So yes, there will be some major rewriting and re-editing on this fic, but the majority of the plot will stay much the same.

At some point I did think of removing the story in order to edit, but I've decided against it. Should anyone want to keep reading it as is, I want them to be able to do so and hopefully when the editing is complete they'll still have the love and energy to start again and see the changes made, and hopefully spot improvements to the plot and writing in general.

The characters that most bother me currently are Edward and Bella. Edward's characterisation changed so drastically from how he was meant to go at the beginning that I don't know what to do with him. So I feel going back, rewriting, will help me fix that. And Bella, oh man did I mess up with Bella. I used to try so hard to make her the villain because I was so stuck in problematic shipper ways that I would do such silly things to her charactisation, so with the rewrite I hope to make her changed heart a little more believable than just 'you stole my man, now die' (I mean it's still that, but more believable and less just me throwing her in a villain because I can).

So yeah. I'm not going to remove the chapters, just edit and repost and I'll be sure to show that chapters are edited at the top of each chapter so y'all know. And I'm not going to catch all the typos and errors, but I'm going to do my best!

And again, I'll never stop thanking everyone for the continued love and support even after all these years! It's greatly appreciated.

A/N: Hmmm *thinking face*, I don't really know where I'm going with this… A-man to me a-man! Oh yeah, and BTW this story is going to be all jumbled up, between like all the Twilight stories… oh yeah, and people should be old enough not to be told that if you don't like it, don't read it!

NOTE: 00000 time pass

Then they fell in love

Chapter 1: It Begins with an Imprint

Bella and Edward were driving down the empty road neither speaking, instead letting the gentle music that played in the car fill the silence. Bella was leaning against the window of the car, pushing her lip between her teeth with her hand, concentrated on listening to Edward breathing. It was a strange thing, knowing what Edward was, and still hearing him breathing, slowly in, slowly out, just like she was doing. It made him seem Human, if she closed her eyes, made him normal.

Edward was doing the same thing, listening to his girlfriend breathe, because her thoughts still evaded him, her mind, when he tried to listen, still remain silent, her thoughts still closed to him. He'd passed the point of it bothering him, but it still made him wonder, made him think: Why can't I hear you?

There was no answer from the universe.

Edward shifted on his seat and straightened his shoulders. He saw Bella sit up and he knew that she'd also spotted Jacob. The teen was dressed in nothing but a pair of cut–off jeans, as per usual. That kid hardly ever wore anything else anymore, and for some reason, it irritated Edward. He couldn't understand why the damned mutt had to constantly prance around half naked like he didn't own anything besides shirts or those damn ugly sneakers.

Edward, now mostly glaring at the half naked teen, read the teen's mind and found that Jacob wanted to speak to him and judging by his thoughts, jumbled as they were, the Shifter was not happy. Well, the feeling was definitely mutual, Edward wasn't happy about seeing the hound either.

The Vampire turned to the girl beside him, the need to beg her to ignore all this at the tip of his tongue, but Bella was giving him a look that told him without words that he had to stop. She wanted to know what the mutt wanted to say.

Edward sighed, annoyance rolling through him. He'd hoped, rather juvenilely, that Bella wouldn't want to talk to the Shifter. But she was the dog's best friend, so what could the Vampire do but allow this, if only to make his girlfriend happy.

Edward smoothly parked his car on the side of the road, cussing mentally to himself. He honestly did not want to deal with the mutt at the moment; he had things to do that were so much better than having to deal with the dog and his issues.

But nothing could be done now. He was parked and the mutt was still looking at them, and Bella now had a determined look on her face so there was really no way that Edward could get out of this. There was certainly no way for him to convince Bella to stay in the car while he tried to make Jacob go away.

With a low, almost inaudible sigh, Edward got out the car. Bella hopped out too and they both walked into the woods where Jacob was waiting for them.

Edward didn't have to wait long to find out what the hound wanted. The moment that he and Bella made it to the woods, Jacob spoke.

"I'll never forgive you for leaving Bella," the Shifter said through clenched teeth, "and I'll never forget about it."

"I understand," Edward said, keeping calm while the Wolf seethed before him. "I'm very grateful for you taking care of Bella while I was gone, helping her the way you did."

The Shifter snorted, clenching his fists. He looked like he was about to burst out of his own skin. That wasn't good.

Bella blinked at Jacob, not sure if she liked where this was going. She knew her friend was short tempered. He could explode at any moment. Bella was worried that Jacob, taken by his anger, would try to attack Edward. She didn't want that, didn't want her best friend to get hurt because of his emotions. He was angry, that much was obvious, and when angry, a Shifter was unpredictable. Bella hoped that Jacob could reign in his anger enough not to try and attack Edward, just so he wouldn't end up being hurt.

"Jake," the word was said sternly, Bella looking Jacob head-on, wanting to appear headstrong and certain, "Edward and I will be together, that's not going to change."

Jacob glared Edward's way for a long moment, different thoughts running through his mind until one came to him. The Shifter smirked icily then proceeded to remind the Vampire of the fragile treaty that was placed so many years ago.

"You remember that if any of you bite a human the treaty is over," Jacob all but growled, still glaring at the Vampire.

"I want it, Jacob, you have to understand," Bella pleaded, her voice shaking with emotion. She would not allow Jacob to try and talk her out of what she truly wanted. She'd already made up her mind, already knew exactly what she wanted. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with Edward, she was going to marry him and he would turn her and they would be together forever.

"You're throwing your life away for a leech!" Jacob shouted, this time turning to Bella and turning his heated glare towards her. Bella wanted to curl back in fright, but she held her ground, glaring right back at her possibly ex-best friend. "How can you want that?"

"I want it, Jake!" Bella said firmly. "I don't have to explain it to you. This is what I want."

Jacob felt the anger surge through his body, pulsing and pulsing and pushing so hard and so quickly that before he could even think over his plan, he'd Phased right there and was growling dangerously at Edward. Edward got defensive very quickly, ready to defend, to attack. He hissed low, a warning, teeth bared and standing in a low crouch.

Bella rushed forward, putting herself between them and holding her hands out as a way to keep the boys apart. "Please," she pleaded, voice shaking with emotion. "I don't want things to be this way. Don't do this! Please." She looked at Jacob and then at Edward, her eyes pleading with both of them not to fight, "at least try to get along, for— for my sake. I love you both too much to lose either of you. I couldn't stand the thought of not having either of you in my life."

Jacob growled, still so angry. A breeze fluttered through the air, a tinkering sound floating with it. Jacob paid it no mind, the anger pulsing through his body making him want to fight, making him want to rip into flesh. He turned to Edward, his glare set intensely. He was about to snarl at the leech, and taunt him with hateful words, but before he could, before the words even formed, their eyes locked.

Something deep inside Jacob seemed to snap and refasten all at once. His entire body filled with a warm fuzzy feeling and something like a breeze seemed to be floating around him, a gentle tinkling sound filling the air around him—the quietest ting-ting-ting sound, calming his anger, almost whispering gently to him.

And then all of a sudden the only thing Jacob could see, the only thing he could smell, the only thing he could hear, think of, dream of at that very moment was the Vampire: Edward Cullen. The most important person in his life seemed to be Edward fucking Cullen. His entire world… entire universe, his gravity, the only thing holding him down on earth, was now Edward Cullen. Edward fucking Cullen was now the sole reason for why Jacob was living on this earth, his only reason for wanting to stay alive anymore, the reason he'd let his heart continue to beat, let himself continue to breathe.

Edward fucking Cullen was the other half of Jacob's soul, his Imprint.

"Fuck!" Jacob screamed in his head, feeling dread and confusion and fear grip his entire body. "What the fuck have I just done?!"

Jacob turned quickly, not wanting the Vampire to even catch a hint of his thoughts—what would the Vampire say, what would he do?—and then he ran deeper into the woods and didn't look back.

Edward stood there for a few seconds, confused by what little he'd caught from Jacob's thoughts—not enough—but he quickly pushed it aside when Bella turned to look at him. He really didn't want to dwell on anything that involved the Wolf right now, or any time at all. Jacob was gone now, that's all that mattered to Edward.

"I think I should get you home now," the Vampire said gently before Bella could say anything first.

"Yeah… um— sure." Bella nodded, looking slightly dazed and very confused. She didn't know what had happened, why Jacob had stopped fighting, why he'd just turned tail and run like that. She didn't question it though, she was just glad that there hadn't been a fight.

After looking at the general area Jacob had disappeared in, Bella sighed and she and Edward walked back to the car. Edward opened the door for Bella and she slid. She let Edward shut her door and watched him speed to his side of the car and get in.

Bella bit her lip, still frowning, staring down at her pale hands. "Edward— —" she started.

"Not yet Bella," Edward interrupted, "just— just not yet."

Bella nodded, not actually wanting to talk about, and looked out the window sighing while thinking about what had just happened, imagining what would've happened if she hadn't been there. She shook her head, not wanting to think about it anymore. She didn't want to think about her boys hurting each other because of her. She wanted them to be happy and she hoped that someday they'd be able to be around each other without wanting to attack each other.

Bella sighed, letting her body relax back onto the seat, fiddling with her seatbelt before settling. She shut her eyes and let soft sounds in the car fill her mind.

Edward too, was thinking about what had just happened. He was thinking about Jacob's last thought just before the Shifter had run off.

What had happened?

Why had the Shifter freaked out like that?

What had happened in those last few moments before the Wolf had disappeared into the woods?

Why had he even bothered to meet them anyway?

He hated Edward, there was no denying it, but he could've just as easily avoided a confrontation and— and what?

Edward frowned, biting back a sigh. His mind played back the moments before Jacob took off, trying to figure out what might have happened. He couldn't think of anything, couldn't figure out why the Shifter would react like that. He hadn't moved, hadn't tried to do anything, not with Bella standing between them, ready to block them with her won fragile body.

What had set the Wolf off? What had made him react the way he had? What had he seen? What had he heard?

"Edward?" Bella said gently, sounding a bit worried, a frown ridging her forehead.

Edward breathed and turned to look at Bella, giving her his infamous half smile as a way to reassure the girl he loved. "Yes Bella?" he said, making sure to make his voice sound calm, unbothered.

It didn't work because Bella's frown didn't leave her face and she asked, "Are you okay?"

"Yes," the Vampire replied, "why?"

"You just seem a bit distracted and— and distant."

"No, I'm right here, nothing's wrong."

"Okay…." Bella didn't sound convinced, but she let it go, choosing to believe that Edward would talk to her when he was ready.

They were quiet once more and Edward continued to cruise down the road, only passing two cars on the way to Bella's house. It reminded him again how small Forks was, how there was so much road but not enough cars coming by this way. It had its advantages, of course.

Edward pulled up at Bella's house and they both got out but Edward didn't move from his side of the car.

Bella stopped talking and turned to look at her boyfriend. "Aren't you going to come in?" she asked, her hands instinctively moving to her hair, tucking the pieces that had fallen to her face behind her ear.

Edward shook his head. "No," he said gently, "not tonight Bella. I'll see you tomorrow though, okay?"

"Oh— okay." Bella went to her boyfriend and kissed his cheek then slowly pulled back.

She couldn't help feel worried as Edward stood there stiffly; not moving to hold her or touch her or anything. But Bella let it go. Edward had a lot on his mind, she would respect that he needed time to think things through. "Good night, Edward," the girl whispered.

"Good night, Bella."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Bella relaxed, a breath leaving her slowly at the response. He loved her. She smiled at her boyfriend then turned rushed into the house. Edward got into his car and drove home.

00000

As Edward drove towards his home he saw a very frustrated looking Alice standing on the porch steps, waiting for him. The Vampire made a sound at the back of his throat and tried to read his sister's mind but all he got was a Beethoven symphony he'd been playing a while back.

Edward shook his head and rolled his eyes as he pulled up with a sigh. He hesitated for only a second—it was long enough for the music that filled Alice's head to intensify—before he stepped out his car and walked towards a foot tapping, arms crossed, looking-very-pissed pixie girl.

"Alice?" Edward said slowly, looking at his sister.

"Where have you been?" Alice asked not bothering to hide her annoyance at her brother.

"I was out. Why? What happened?"

"Here," she gestured to the house with a flimsy wave of her hand, "nothing. In here," she tapped her head, "darkness."

"What does that even mean?"

"Well, you see…" She stopped and looked around like she was trying to see if anyone was listening. "The thing is, well— I was looking into your future with Bella…" She stopped and blinked at her brother.

"And?"

"It came out blank!"

"What?" Edward was quiet confused. How does a future come out blank? Unless— no.

"Your future came out blank, dark, like Bella's did when that Wolf saved her."

Edward had this sudden, inexplicable urge to tell Alice that the Wolf's name was Jacob, in a rather aggressive manner too. But he stopped himself before he could say the words. Why should he care what Alice calls Jacob Black? The Wolf was nothing but an irritating mutt… Right?

"What are you trying to tell me Alice?"

"I'm not sure," Alice said, looking distressed, "but I have this sinking feeling that it's got something to do with you and one of the Wolves, most probably Bella's friend, whatshisname."

"Jacob Black." Edward was surprised at how snappy name came out. Alice looked at him strangely, a brow raised in question. Edward didn't have a response for her, and he refused to think about it too much.

"Yeah," Alice said slowly, "Jacob Black."

"I'm sure it's nothing to worry about," Edward said in a cool manner, trying to come off as uncaring of the situation. "Bella wants Jake and myself to try and get along. It's probably just that." Edward didn't even realise he'd used the mutt's nickname, and Alice didn't ask him about it since it was obvious that he didn't even realise he'd done it. It made her wonder nonetheless.

"Yes, probably." Alice didn't sound too convinced but Edward let it go. "Well okay then."

"Was that all?"

"Yep, that was all."

"Don't worry about it, it's probably nothing."

"Alright!" Alice said going back to her usual perky self. "I'm going to find Jazz now, bye-bye."

"You do that, Alice."

Alice kissed her brother's cheek then rushed off into the woods. Edward rolled his eyes and went inside.

00000

The month that followed the forest incident matched the pace of a snail to the T, it moved so slowly.

Edward spent most of his free time with Bella, as though making up for something. He couldn't help but feel like something had changed between him and his girlfriend since their confrontation with Jacob in the woods, like something had shifted from its place and had created a new space that Edward couldn't quiet settle into. He wasn't sure what it was, couldn't decide since he hadn't since the Wolf in a while.

Edward constantly had to stop himself from thinking about the Shifter, most times he didn't even realise he was thinking about the Wolf till something else made him notice. He didn't want to be worried about the Shifter—the boy was just a constant annoyance to him, why should he care if the Wolf's disappeared for a month. Edward, for all intent and purposes, should've been happy— no, he should've been rejoicing that he didn't have to deal with that insufferable mutt!

Yes, he was damn happy about that! He hadn't had to deal with the insufferable hound for an entire month and it was— it was refreshing if anything, it was a different pace, one Edward could definitely get used to— definitely!

"Don't you think so," Bella said loudly looking at Edward expectantly.

"What?" Edward turned towards Bella; away from the TV he'd been 'watching'.

Bella sighed, shaking her head. Edward was so distracted lately, ever since— ever since the thing with Jacob in the woods. Bella tried not to think about it, not to dwell on it, but it was so hard not to when her boyfriend was constantly acting weird because of what had happened. She wanted to talk to Edward about it. She knew she would have to eventually because she couldn't stand this suffocating distance between herself and the love of her life, but she didn't know how to start.

"Don't you think it's weird that I haven't heard from Jake in over a month?" Bella repeated, throwing a glance at Edward to see what his reaction would be. The Vampire seemed to stiffen but then relax and shrug.

"Oh," he frowned, just for a second, "I guess," he finished, almost lamely.

"I'm a bit worried, Edward. What if like— what if he ran away or something?"

"Don't you think his father would've told you and Charlie by now if he had run away?"

Bella got up from the couch and headed for the kitchen to warm up Charlie's dinner since he was due home any moment. Edward followed her, his pace a little slower, as though he was forcing himself to follow. Bella tried not to frown.

"Yeah," she said instead, "I guess." She shrugged and sighed. She was about to say something else but heard Charlie's car pull up outside.

"I should be going," Edward said, already planning his escape. He could easily use the front door, slip out faster than Charlie could see, or leave through the back. But then how would Bella explain the car. Edward had parked right out front, Charlie had definitely seen the car.

"You don't have to go," Bella said.

"It'd be better if I did." Because Charlie never failed to show his dislike for Edward.

"Bells?" Charlie called from the hall.

"I'm in the kitchen, dad," Bella yelled back. She placed Charlie's food in the microwave and heated it up.

Charlie walked into the kitchen and the first thing he saw was Edward. He didn't even bother to hide the frown, at least he didn't have any comments this time. There usually were a few of them, but Edward was spared.

"Hey dad," Bella said, distracting her father from the stare off he was trying to start with Edward, "you heard from Billy?"

"Yeah," Charlie replied, turning his attention to his daughter. "I went to see him today." Worry coloured the man's face. "Jake's not doing too well. He's been in bed for the last three weeks and he's getting worse each day. Billy's a wreck about it."

Bella's own body seamed to seize and sag all at once, her own worry palpable. "Do you know what's wrong?"

"I'm not sure, Bells, nobody said anything. But I think they probably do. I thought I heard Billy and Sue whispering about something called imprint and how it was making Jake worse being around it, or maybe it was not being around it, I don't know. That wouldn't be a disease though, right? We would've heard something about it by now."

Edward and Bella looked at each other briefly.

Jacob had Imprinted but hadn't said anything to Bella? Something definitely wasn't right there. If he'd Imprinted on Bella he would've made damn sure that she knew, would've thrown it in Edward's face and never let him forget it. Jacob not wanting to be around his Imprint sent red flags.

"No, I'm sure it isn't," Bella said carefully. "I should probably go see him tomorrow."

Charlie smiled at his daughter. "Yeah, that'd be nice, Bells."

"Here you go." Bella placed Charlie's plate on the table in front of him. "I'll be right back." Bella gestured for Edward to follow her. They went out the house to Edward's car. "You'll come with me tomorrow, right?" Bella asked while taking Edward's hand in hers. They were cold as ice, but Bella hadn't expected them to feel any different.

"I can't cross the border but I will drive you there," Edward promised.

Bella smiled, nodding her head. "Okay, I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Okay."

They kissed, making it quick in case Charlie decided to make an appearance, and then Bella rushed back into the house and Edward got into his car and sped home.

00000

At around two in the afternoon the next day, Edward drove Bella to the border of La Push. He stayed in his car and listened to classical music as Bella made her way to Jacob's house. He couldn't help but feel a bit unnerved at the fact that he hadn't spotted a single Wolf since he'd gotten here. Weren't they afraid that he'd attack them or something? Or maybe Jacob's illness was worse than Edward thought and they were all trying to spend as much time with the young Shifter as they could.

No, that couldn't be it. Edward was just being paranoid and over thinking things. He was good at that. The Wolf would be fine and he'd be back to his annoying ways in no time, being all over Bella and pissing Edward off. It'd be like he'd never left, never gotten sick at all. Yeah.

But what about the whole Imprinting thing?

Edward shook his head, trying to clear it. He didn't want to think about anything anymore. He decided, instead, to concentrate on the music that was softly floating though the speakers of his car, deciphering each note, and in his mind playing along with the music, his fingers moving over invisible keys.

It was about half an hour later that Edward was pulled from his mind by the sound of heavy footsteps coming towards him fast. The Vampire's eyes snapped open and he saw Bella running towards the car, tears streaming down her face. Edward got out the car and rushed towards her, to get to her and comfort her, not realising he'd crossed the border line, not caring that he had.

"Bella," he said wrapping his arms around Bella, comforting her as she sobbed loudly against his chest. Worried filled his entire being as he felt his girlfriend— his fiancé weeping against his chest. "What's happened, Bella? What did you see? Is Jake okay? Bella!" Edward's nerves shot up, for more than one reason.

He didn't like the situation he found himself in all of a sudden, didn't like the emotions that ran through him as he held his girlfriend, as he felt the sobs shake her body.

Why did he care so much if Jacob Black was okay or not?

It shouldn't matter, Edward thought angrily.

But it did, it mattered to Edward more than he'd admit at the time.

He wondered what made him feel the worry, what made him think about it so much, about Jacob. Was it because it affected Bella, because he had to see her suffer this way, weeping for her ill friend?

Yes, that had to be it! There was no other logical reason for him to care this much about the Wolf's wellbeing, to feel emotions that he shouldn't—fear, worry, hurt. It was only because the boy's health affected Bella in this way.

"Oh my goodness, Edward. He's— he's dying," Bella wept, taking in deep breaths as she tried to get her words out clearly. "He's dying!"

"What?" Edward felt a tightness in his chest that he didn't like at all. What was wrong with him? He really shouldn't care so much, he really, really shouldn't. not so completely, and not so hard. He'd ignored the niggling feeling well enough before, but now it returned with a vengeance. For each word Bella uttered, for each moment spent not knowing about Jacob, his worry grew, his fear grew. He wanted it to end, but it wouldn't.

"Jake's dying. He's— —" Bella gasped, fists balling around the material of Edward's shirt as she continued to cry. "Oh my goodness, Edward!"

"It's going to be alright, Bella." Was he reassuring her, or himself? Edward didn't want to think about it, didn't want to care. He concentrated on comforting his distort girlfriend.

"No it's not. He doesn't have much time, Edward; he's going to die!"

"It's okay, Bella, it's going to be okay, I promise." A lie, Edward could almost taste it, the lie.

He had to get away from here, get his girlfriend away from here. They didn't need this, not when they were so close to fulfilling their future. Edward would marry Bella as soon as she turned eighteen, then they'd leave and he'd turn her and they'd live the rest of eternity in happiness.

Yes. That was the plan.

"Let's get you home, all right?"

Bella could only cry, could barely bring in another word, her sobs coming quick and hard. Edward sighed gently, picking Bella up and walking her to the car and gently got her into the backseat. Bella curled on the seats, her body still shaking. Edward patted her leg gently before leaning out the car and shutting the door.

I don't need him. I don't need Cullen!

Edward froze, hearing the angry words being shouted. He looked around, recognising the voice and half expecting to see the russet Wolf or maybe the boy himself. But Jacob was nowhere to be seen.

I don't need him! The bloody leech!

Something twisted in Edward's chest, an emotion he didn't think about, something he refused to acknowledge.

But I do need him, I need him. Fucking hell! I wish everyone would just leave me alone. Fuck! Why did it have to be Cullen, of all the… FUCK!

Then Edward saw exactly what Jacob looked like from some else's mind, Edward couldn't care enough to try and find out too, the image coming into his mind hard.

The kid looked so bad, so frail, so life less. He looked nothing like Jacob Black that Edward was familiar with, the cocksure teenage boy who thought himself better than the damned leech.

Edward shook his head and shut Jacob's and anyone else's thoughts out of his head. He got into his car and drove his girlfriend home.

Just his luck, Charlie was home. Edward picked Bella up gently and walked into the house with her. Charlie saw them and got up quickly demanding to know what happened to his daughter while glaring at the Vampire.

"She went to go see Jacob," Edward said, forcing himself to sound calm. He could feel all sorts of emotions building up within himself and threatening to let themselves be known. He couldn't lose himself, not in front of Charlie.

"Oh," was all Charlie said. "I'll take it from here." Charlie took Bella from Edward. "Thanks."

Edward nodded, waiting until Charlie had gotten Bella upstairs and then rushed out the house and into his car. He sped home as fast as the car could let him. As soon as he got home he got out the car and ran into the house. He felt like he was going to be sick, violently so. Edward ran passed his family and straight to the bathroom. He dropped to his knees in front of the seat, pushing it open and dry heaved a few times, waiting for something to come. But of course, nothing came. It felt painful, his chest felt like it was trying move from its location and out through his mouth.

"Edward," Alice called, knocking once then walking into the bathroom. What she found shocked her so much that she let out a gasp. "Edward?" Her brother was lying on the ground in a foetal position looking like he was in deep pain, clutching his chest while breathing in and out slowly. "Edward, are you okay?" Alice knelt down beside her brother. "Edward?" She put her hand on his arm. He was shaking, hard. "Ed— —"

"I did that," he muttered, sounding delirious. A shaky hand moved from his chest and he ran the finger through his hair before the hand quickly went to his chest again, gripping at it as though he was trying to keep his insides inside. "I did that to him."

"What, Edward? What happened? Please tell me." Alice blinked a few times, feeling the tell-tale sign of tears that would never fall from her eyes.

"He's— —" Edward gasped, the image of Jacob slamming into his mind, making him flinch violently. "Oh my goodness he's dying, Alice, he's dying. And it's all my fault. I should've— oh god, what have I done?"

"Who, Edward?" Alice asked desperately, watching her brother, unable to help. "Who is dying?"

"J— Jake— oh my god— Jake is dying, Alice."

Alice felt her un-beating heart break. The way her brother was saying his enemy's name, it was filled with so much emotion. But why? What was the sudden change that caused her brother to act this way? What had happened?

"What happened?" Alice asked. "How?"

"Oh god, Jake! I'm killing him."

Alice frowned, fear gripping her like a cold hand.

Edward couldn't have bitten the Wolf could he? Edward would never? Right? It couldn't be that! Edward had a lot of self-control. He'd never bite anyone, no matter how angry he was at them. He'd never purposely hurt the Wolf enough to actually kill him… right?

"How, Edward? How are you doing that?" She wanted to help, so badly it hurt. But she couldn't if Edward didn't tell her anything.

"Oh God please don't let my Jake die, please."

Alice looked at Edward confused and a little shocked. Had he just said 'my Jake'? He couldn't have. No, he just couldn't have.

"Alice?" It was Jasper.

"Jazz, it's— I don't know." Alice sounded as helpless as she felt, watching her brother break down before her, unable to do anything for him, unable to help him/

Jasper walked in—struggling to keep everyone calm while absorbing all of Edward's emotions—followed by Carlisle and Esmé.

"What happened?" Carlisle asked looking between Alice and the still curled up Edward, who's body shook almost violently every now again.

"I don't know, Carlisle, he just…"

"Oh God, what have I done?" Edward wailed into his hands. "What have I done to him?"

"What is he talking about?" Esmé asked looking worried and close to tears. She wanted to hold her son, and whisper that everything was going to be alright into his hair. But she couldn't do anything, not yet. They still needed to know what was wrong, what had caused Edward to have this level of a psychotic break.

"Jacob Black. He and Bella went there today," Alice said slowly, rubbing her brother's back, trying to soothe him.

"Oh God, don't let him die," Edward wailed.

"Edward," Carlisle said gently, kneeling in front of Edward who was now leaning against the bath tub with his hands covering his face. "Talk to us, please."

"Alone, please, alone, Carlisle. Just you, only you." Edward didn't want to share his guilt with the rest of his family, especially Jasper, who was trying really hard to keep Edward as calm as possible.

"Okay, alone."

Jasper led Esmé and Alice out and shut the door behind him.

"They're gone now. You can tell me, son."

For a moment Edward said nothing, gathering his thoughts. Carlisle waited patiently, a reassuring hand resting on his son's shoulder. After a while Edward let out a long sigh and so began to tell Carlisle what'd happened, starting with the confrontation in the woods and ending on the moment where he'd been sent the image of Jacob by one of the Shifters.

Carlisle sat there, listening to his son, never saying a word, just listening.

"What do I do, Carlisle?" Edward asked, looking at his father with desperation in his glistening eyes.

"Edward, you couldn't have done anything to Jacob that should damage his health in such a way, but…"

"But?"

"Have you ever heard of Imprinting?"

"Yes, a little bit from Bella."

"Hmm… yes, well Imprinting is something that happens to Werewolves, Shifters to be more specific. They Imprint on someone who is to be their Mate. That is how they find their ideal Mate."

Edward nodded not quiet understanding.

"Edward, I think maybe that that day in the woods, when Jacob ran off he— I think that he may have Imprinted— on you."

"What? That's impossible. We're natural enemies. It can't be! It's— it's absurd!" Edward shook his head in denial but something in the back of his mind was mauling over the idea, thinking that maybe, just maybe, what Carlisle was saying could be true.

"Is it really? There is no law saying that it can't happen and if all you say is true then I don't see any other explanation. Jacob needs you Edward. Only you can save him now."

"I— —"

"At least go see him, see if you can talk to him."

"What about the treaty?"

"If what I say is true then they will not care about the treaty rules."

Edward nodded and got up.

"It's worth a try, at the very least. If it is true, if he has Imprinted on you, then not doing anything, even after someone sending you Jacob's state— well the Shifters may see that as a breach of the treaty too. They may try and attack because they feel that you— that we killed Jacob."

"Carlisle, I— —"

"Go Edward. Whatever else you need to say can be said later. But right now I think it's more important for you to see the Wolf."

Edward nodded and then rushed out the house and to his car. He didn't go inside though, stopping just as he'd out a foot in, figuring that he'd get to La Push faster if he ran.

He did just that, running at full speed to Jacob's house, letting all the emotions flowing through him push him further, faster.

And when he crossed the border, no one attempted to stop him and he continued to run.

He saw the little red house and his movement slowed. He stared at the house, not sure what to do, what to say. What if carlisel was right? What if he was wrong? What if—

Edward pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind and hurried into the house praying that he wasn't too late, that he hadn't used up what little time there was. He rushed to Jacob's room, not even knowing how he figured out where it was, and found the boy's father and a few other people in there.

"Jake?" he called quietly. Everyone turned and looked at him, relief filling every part of their bodies as they saw the Vampire standing at the door, looking towards the bed.

"Ed?" Jacob called back weakly.

Edward smiled at the nickname. Bella had tried to call him that before but it hadn't sounded right, but when Jake said it… there was something sweet about the way the Shifter said it, something Edward liked about it.

"I'm here, Jake." Edward walked towards the bed, feeling shaky with relief—I'm not too late. Jacob looked worse than before, skinnier, paler. Edward took Jacob's hand, it was cool, not inhumanly warm like it usually was, and that unnerved Edward. "I'm right here, Jake."

Jacob smiled up at Edward, it was weak but so bright.

"Hi," Jake said softly. Edward chuckled.

"Hello."

The two boys looked at each other lovingly; everything just seemed to fall in place. That slight feeling of emptiness Edward had been slowly developing over the month that Jacob was around seemed to disappear, it was filled up instantly by a Jacob sized space and Edward felt content. The pair was so engrossed in each other that they didn't realise they were now alone.

Edward swallowed and then asked, "Why didn't you tell me, Jake?"

Jacob tried to look away but Edward held his face in place.

"Jake?"

"You have Bella, Edward. She needs you. And besides, you don't even like me."

Edward actually flinched at the words—you don't even like me. That actually hurt Edward quiet a lot. Not only would Jacob die for Bella, but he'd die for Edward too… to make him happy. He didn't want the Wolf to die, not because of him, not because of Bella. He wanted the teen to be happy too, to be alive.

Edward, instead, commented on the less painful of the teen's words. "You need me more than she does, Jake."

Jacob shook his head.

"Bella need you too." Jacob took the hand that was on his check and held it tightly. "Ed, you can't tell her. It'd crush her, just like when you left her. I don't want that to happen to her."

Edward nodded, understanding where Jacob was coming from. He didn't want to hurt the girl either; he did love, even though it wasn't quite the same love as before.

"I know, Jake, I know."

Jacob was such a good friend. In another life, Edward might've quite content with being Jacob's friend—well in a life where he wasn't a Vampire and Jacob wasn't a boy who could Shift into a giant horse sized Wolf.

"So— —" Jacob swallowed, "so you'll just forget about me?"

Edward looked at the Wolf gently, seeing how the boy tried not to let that thought affect him.

"That's impossible," Edward said after a while. "I can't just forget."

"We- we could still be friends."

"Has that happened before? Has an— has anyone just been friends."

Jacob shrugged but the 'no' in his mind was clear to Edward. None of the Shifter's that had Imprinted had stayed 'just friends' with their Imprints. After a while things had turned and they'd become more than friendly.

"If it's what you want, Ed. I'll be anything you want me to be, a companion, a friend, anything." Jacob purposely avoided the 'lover' part because he didn't think Edward would be comfortable with that. He was sure Edward was still in love with Bella and would want to continue his relationship with the girl. "I'll give you any and everything that you want."

"I want you," Edward breathed, leaning closer to Jacob, but leaving enough room for himself to move away if anyone walked into the room.

Jacob felt the heat rush up his neck and to his cheeks at those words. "Ed… I don't think— —"

"I know. I know, Jake."

Jacob sighed—not relief, but something close—and leaned back on his pillow and Edward moved away but only a bit. He didn't want to think at what the rush of changed feelings meant, it had been happening, gradually at first, but now it came rushing to him in a head spinning way. Edward didn't care, not right now, not when he could see the colour returning to Jacob's face, not when he could see the bruisimg under his eyes slowly vanishing, not when he could feel the warmth slowly returning to the Shifter's too-thin hand. He couldn't bring himself to worry about drastically changing emotions now.

"Hey, Jake," Edward said gently.

"Hmm?"

Edward got into the bed and under the covers and wrapped his arms gently but firmly around Jacob's already heating up body. Edward smiled at the improvement, it wasn't much, but it was enough to give Edward hope that Jacob would improve, that he would get better, survive this.

"Maybe I could fall in love with you." It was the best he could do, the most he could admit out loud, but it was the truth.

Jacob smiled, a slight blush gracing his features once again and Edward relaxed, knowing he'd said the right words.

"I can't help it man," Jacob answered back with a grin. The Shifter turned over so he was facing his Vampire and he too wrapped his arms around Edward. The Vampire's smile widened. He gently pushed Jacob onto his back then proceeded to lay his head on the Wolf's chest, allowing himself to hear the soft but solid thump, thump, thumping of Jacob's heart. Edward let out a content sigh as Jacob's arms tightened around him while the Vampire hummed a random lullaby softly till Jacob fell asleep.

"Maybe I already am in love with you," Edward whispered to himself, almost drunk on the sound of the strong, steady beats of the Shifter's heart, before shutting his eyes and concentrating on the thump, thump, thump….

FIN!

Yay! This is the first chapter…. Please R&R… if you be hating on my pairing then you shouldn't have read it in the first place. Hater's are like an eyelash in my eye. If you have nothing nice to say then don't say it at all…

Bye now

(",) Smiles ya'll