Hands on Me (A Twilight Fanfiction written by IndependentIndividuality)

In Which The Blame Train is Stopped in its Tracks

A/N: Okay, y'all. I really like this chapter and had oodles (yes, I said oodles) of fun writing it. I think my bruise theory is possible, even if a little unlikely. Plus its convenient, and conveniency is my friend. I'm starting to earn my M rating a little, piece by piece, so I'm just going to warn you now. I promise nothing will get extremely graphic or vulgar. Or vulgar at all, really, so please don't be put off.

Now, that said: read and then vote! Or vote and then read, whichever. You can find the info in the previous chapter.

Disclaimer: Not mine, none of it. It's sad, really. Ooh - but I will own a laptop again in a few days and I'll get back to writing!

In Which The Blame Train is Stopped in its Tracks

so what if i want to kiss

from your toes up to your lips?

it don't mean that you've had me yet

you're gonna be good, i bet

- fefe dobson, don't let it go to your head

"What?"

"It's . . . it's a hickey."

Jacob reached up and took my face gently in one hand, guiding my chin up to look at him.

"Nessie, it's a bruise," he said seriously, like I imagine I would tell someone they had cancer.

"I know that," I said, restraining myself from rolling my eyes. "What's the big deal?"

"You don't bruise, Ness!" Jacob exclaimed. "You're half-vampire - you never get a mark on you. Ever. And now you've got a bruise. I - I mean, I was being careful, but I didn't know I . . . bit you that hard - "

"You didn't, Jake!" I interrupted, before he could push his blame train into full-steam ahead. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, pulling myself closer. "It was . . . nice. Really nice."

"Nessie, don't lie to me, it's not funny - "

"I'm not lying!" I exclaimed, louder than I probably should've. "I wouldn't lie to you, Jacob. It was really nice and I didn't even notice it until you brought it up!"

"You mean to tell me it didn't hurt you at all?" He asked, skeptical.

"Did I react like someone in pain?" I returned, and Jacob's face changed a little as I hoped he began to see reason. "Jacob, think about it: you're a werewolf - your teeth are strong. They're made to cut through vampire skin. I know, of course, that they're not as strong when you're human but I'm only half-vampire, so it evens out."

"All that means is that I'm strong enough to hurt you," he said quietly, and his face grew unbearably sad. He was serious about this.

"It didn't hurt, Jake," I said simply. "I'm telling you that, honest and simple. I mean, what do you want me to do? Bite you back? Will that make you feel better?"

I had meant it rhetorically, of course, because the entire situation was so ridiculous. But Jake hesitated for the space of two heartbeats, and then nodded.

"Yes."

"Are you serious?" I asked suddenly in disbelief.

His jaw tightened as a resolved look settled onto his face and I knew he wouldn't give this up easily. I wouldn't win this one, not in the traditional way at least. An idea occurred to me.

"Okay," I said, nodding and attempting to look compliant and agreeable. "All right, Jake. I'll bite you if that's what you want."

"Nessie, I'm being serious here," he warned, and I could tell he was. Good, because I was too. "I really want you to bite me like I bit you."