Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc of the "Twilight: Saga" are the property of Stephanie Meyer. The original characters and plot are the property of said author. No copyright infringement is intended.

"Passenger"

By, VanessaLoveJoy

Chapter One Bella POV

The following in italics is directly from the book "Eclipse" by Stephanie Meyer - Chapter 22 'Monster', and I take no credit for it in any shape, way, or form. After the italicized portion, my story will begin. Enjoy!

" "Because your space heater has reached his limit," Edward answered quietly. "Truce over," he added, so low I couldn't be sure that was really what he'd said.

"Jacob was listening," I whispered. It wasn't a question.

"Yes."

"You knew."

"Yes."

I stared at nothing, seeing nothing.

"I never promised to fight fair," he reminded me quietly. "And he deserves to know."

My head fell into my hands.

"Are you angry with me?" he asked. "

I played the question in my mind, several answers swirling and trying to escape my lips.

"Am I angry with you?" came out in barely a whisper, more or less questioning myself, and not just attempting to have him clarify exactly what he was asking me.

"Yes Love, angry with me that Jacob overheard our conversation."

"Edward, why would I be… I mean yes I am but not because he…" I was having trouble getting out just what I wanted to say. I was angry with him, and also with myself. But I was also truly worried about how hurt Jacob had to be right now.

The tent began feeling all but too small in that moment – I was suffocating.

"I need to get outside." I tried to suck in air that no longer existed in this tiny space.

"Bella, please, let's finish discussing this," Edward asked, almost a demanding tone escaping past his lips. He grabbed me by my wrist with his too fast and too strong hand, the ice-cold grip of his fingers pushing at the bones, to try and gesture that I should stay and talk with him – though I'm know he didn't intend on it hurting me, there would certainly be a bruise there almost instantly.

"Let go of my arm Edward, please." My voice was strong and commanding, a certain change from the meek tone I often used around him. He didn't budge though, and after I explained that he was hurting me, his arm went limp and dropped to his side.

I instantly began rubbing at my forearm with my other hand, it was already red in a perfect handprint form.

"I am very sorry Bella, I was not thinking. I should not have taken your arm with such vigor. You know I would never hurt you intentionally" He looked at me with pleading and apologetic eyes, but I would not let myself be dazzled by him in this moment, not when I needed to go and make sure that Jacob was alright - not until we talked and he was no longer upset.

"Edward, not right now. I need to go and find Jacob." I unzipped the tent and made my way outside to the chilly, bright early morning. I paused a moment and poked my head back in the tent. "And please don't follow me. I need to handle this on my own. I promise we'll talk about this later." With that, I turned on my heels and walked as quickly as I could to the tree line.

Seth, in his large wolf form, sat back on his haunches, and looked at me with a crooked slant to his head.

"Seth, which way did Jacob go?" He looked at me with hesitant eyes now, still the eyes of the young boy he was deep inside, and lowered his head. He wasn't going to tell me where he went.

"Alright fine, is he all wolfie right now? Can he see me through your eyes – through the Pack mind?" He paused a moment, and then shook his head as to say 'yes' to me.

"Okay, good." I walked over to face Seth and stood tall in front of him. Even though he was sitting back on his hind legs, with his shoulders and head slouched down, we were only eye-to-eye when I leaned up on my tippy-toes.

"Jacob, please come back and talk to me. Let me explain. Please. I'm so sorry you had to find out this way." I begged, fighting back the urge to let tears well over and spill down my cheeks.

I waited, hoping that Seth would give me any sort of indication that Jacob received my message and was on his way to come back and talk to me. But he didn't. He just lowered his head even further, and then lay down on the wet ground, closing his eyes.

"Fine! Be stubborn!" I yelled out, hoping Jacob was still listening. "I'm just going to have to go into the woods and track you down then. You better hope I don't getting eaten by a bloodthirsty newborn vampire!"

Seth made a sound that was a mixture of a whine and a growl but I just waved him away and headed back to the tree line.

"Bella, stop right now." Edward yelled out, and was at my side before the last word was fully off his lips.

"I asked you not to follow me."

"That was before you decided to go off on your own into the woods on some wolf hunting expedition. Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

"You're not going to stop me." I placed my hands on my hips, and tried my best to look defiant and confident.

"Bella." Jacob's husky voice called to me. I turned to see him standing near Seth in just a pair of cut-off grey sweats. I gave Edward my best scowl, and began walking over to Jake. Edward grabbed hard at my wrist again.

"Edward, please stop. You're hurting my wrist again." This time he only loosened his grip, but did not let me go. Jacob was glaring down at Edward in an instant; their faces only inches apart - a growl resonated from both his and Seth's chest.

"You need to let go of her Leech, before I take your arm off for you. You trying to give her a bruise to match the one on her other wrist?" Jake hissed out, his eyes black with fury.

"Try it mutt. I would not mind a fight today since I am missing out on the big one." Edward's voice was stern and calm - though he was challenging Jacob, he still kept himself collected.

"Stop it right now! All of you! Edward I want to talk to Jacob, alone. Now please let go of my arm, and… go down and help your family with the Newborns if you want to get in a fight." I wanted to take the words back the second they left my mouth, especially with the hurt that was now reflecting in Edwards face, but I couldn't. I didn't want Edward to leave the campsite, I just wanted him to give me a few minutes to speak with Jacob alone.

"If…if that is really what you would like me to do Bella." He said solemnly.

I thought for a moment, thinking this as my opportunity to tell him to stay – stay here and stay safe – but I knew deep down that he would be fine if he joined the fight, the only reason I had him stay here in the first place was selfish on my part. And I wanted to be alone with Jacob. I needed to explain everything to him.

"Yes… I want you to go help the rest of the Family, and the Pack. You were right, I know you'll be safe; and they could use all the help that they can get." He looked at me for only an instant, his eyes tight, trying to once again unsuccessfully read my mind, and then nodded his head.

"Alright then Love. I know you will be safe here with Seth, as long as you stay here. So I shall… I will see you after this is all over." He pulled me, gently at least this time, to his hard chest, and wrapped his too cold arms around me, sending a shiver rolling down my spine. He leaned his cheek against mine and whispered into my ear, "I love you Bella, we will begin planning the wedding soon."

The low whine that escaped Jacob's lips made me well aware that, once again, Edward said that more for Jake to hear then for my benefit.

"Goodbye Edward." Was all I left him with, and within an instant he was gone. I longed for him to be back at my side the instant I could no longer see him. No matter how frustrated I was with him, I needed him to feel whole.

I puffed out the breath I hadn't realized I was holding in, and shook my head. Things just change so quickly. I was really beginning to hate change. Why couldn't things, life, everything – why couldn't it just all stay the same. Easy, and the same.

"What did you want to talk with me about Bella because I really need to get down there before the fight starts?" Jacob was tapping his foot on the ground to make it seem as if he was truly annoyed that I was keeping him here.

"Jake…" I walked towards him and then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught Seth still lying on the ground behind him.

"Hey Seth, can you give Jake and me a few minutes?" I yelled over to him. He gruffed out an exasperated sigh - I'm sure all this love triangle drama was getting to him - but then stood on his four paws and lopped off into the woods.

I turned back to Jacob, pursing my lips, trying to figure out what it was that I exactly wanted to say. Just as I was opening my mouth to apologize for what Edward had done, Jake flung up his hands.

"You are insane Isabella Swan, you know that? Just completely and utterly off your effing rocker." Jake began pacing back and fourth, pulling at his hair and shaking his head.

"Um…" I began to try to get some sort of clarification from him, but he just cut me off again.

"When is it just too much Bella? When is it too much for me to love you like this? A vampire? You're really going to go through with this? Marry a bloodsucker, and then become one yourself?" Jacob rambled off question after question to me, but I wasn't really sure if he wanted me to actually answer them, or if he was just venting.

"It's not that black and white Jake."

"Isn't it? I think it is that simple Bells. I think you are being selfish. I think that you are going to go off and basically kill yourself - breaking your parent's heart, and…and breaking my heart."

"Jake, please, why can't you just understand?"

"Understand what? All that you want is standing right in front of you. All that you need, is standing right in front you.* You are just too blind to see it. With us Bells, it can just be easy; nothing would have to change."

"I don't want anything to change." I know my statement was vague, but it truly was how I was feeling. Deep down I loved Jake and knew that if I chose him, things wouldn't have to change. But I needed Edwards – I loved Edward with my whole heart, and I just don't know if I could ever be the one to say goodbye to him. I don't know if I would ever be strong enough to walk away from him, to walk away from spending an eternity with him and the Cullen's.

Jacob began walking closer to me, and I knew he was going to try to kiss me again. This time though, I was unsure if I would try to resist him if he did. He took another step towards me, but the soul crippling sound of Seth's tortured howl in the near distance stopped him, frozen mid-step.

To be continued...

A/N: I hope you all enjoyed Chapter one, and there will certainly be more coming soon!

*The inspiration for this story is the song "Passenger" by OneRepublic.

XoXo - Vanessa