If you're in, I'm in.

Chapter Nine: Edward

"Bella!" With lightning speed, I caught her, and laid her gently down on the bed.

"Damn it, Edward, we made her freaking pass out!" Jacob exclaimed, as he jumped to his feet with his hands in his hair, and a frantic look in his eyes.

I brushed my fingers across her cheek and watched her carefully for a moment, then straightened and turned my attention to a quite panicky Jacob.

"Jacob, calm down. Its a lot to process, and honestly I'd be a little surprised if she didn't react this way." I reassured him.

His breathing began to slow, and he glanced over at Bella's unconscious form.

"She'll never forgive me." He whispered.

This really bothered me.

"You? Why would she blame you?" I asked, deciding for the moment, to stay out of his mind. He was stressed enough.

His eyes shot up to mine, causing a phantom jump in my unbeating heart.

"I did this. I imprinted on you! I'm the reason shes going to lose you again. Shes gonna hate me!" He explained, turning frantic again.

I shook my head, and stepped towards him.
"No, this is not your fault. I will not have you thinking that way. From what I understand, imprinting is completely involuntary, and uncontrollable. You did not do this on purpose, you had no choice in the matter. She will not hate you, I promise."

Slowly, I reached out to him, but he snatched away. I pulled back, feeling as if he'd just slapped me in the face.

"How do you know she won't? You can't get into her head like you do everyone else!" He almost yelled.

"Jacob, please, this is Bella we're talking about! You know her as well as I do, and I know her better than almost anyone. You know she's not the type to just turn on the ones she loves no matter what." I stepped closer to him as he stared at me, and this time I allowed myself to dip into his thoughts.

She'll never forgive me, she'll hate me! I'm taking him from her! This must be what Sam went through with Leah and Emily...

Suddenly, he spoke aloud, causing me to pull out of his mind quickly.
"I don't see how she could ever forgive me. But, I hope like hell she does. I'd never do anything to hurt her. At least not on purpose."

"I know you wouldn't."
Jacob jumped nearly out of his skin, and I whirled around to find Bella fully conscious and sitting up staring at us from the bed.

"Bella, I'm so sorry.." Jacob whispered.

"Bella.." I was sitting at the end of the bed in front of her in an instant.

She slowly looked up at me, uncertainty and fear shining bright in her eyes.

"So, I guess this means its over." It was a statement, not a question.

"Bella, I'm not going anywhere. Sure, things are going to be different, but I swore I'd never leave you again, and I won't." I answered anyway.

"He's right, we will still be in your life. Always." Jacob added, standing close behind me.

Bella looked from Jacob to me, tears filling up in her eyes, threatening to spill over. She shut her eyes and looked down before they could.

"I need time to process this." She whispered.

My immortal heart was shattering into a million pieces as I nodded and stood to leave. I never wanted to cause her this much pain ever again.

"I'm sorry Bella, I really am." I whispered, then leaned down to kiss the top of her head. She didn't react at all.

Straightening, I motioned for Jacob to follow me, and we left through the window without another word.

Once outside, Jacob barely made it to the wood line before he phased and took off, leaving me to my own miserable thoughts.

I started running, heading straight for home. At this point, there was only one person I wanted to speak with. One person that could tell me for certain if and when things would be okay again.

Alice.