The Only Exception

I felt so weak.

I felt too vulnerable.

My heart was pounding erratically, uncontrollably, as my frantic thoughts became clearer and clearer. I couldn't move any part of my body, couldn't open my eyes, could hardly even breathe. I felt my chest cave in at least twice as I tried to set things in order from the mess in my head. Maybe this is what it felt like to die.

My mind was made up a long time ago. I'd known that I would have never made it this far. And maybe God had given me a spare, and this was it. He was taking it all away from me now. The numb feeling was proof, the brightness of lights also proof. I could see again.

That Angel was the biggest proof of all. His light glowing form hovering over me skeptically, as if he was observing me. His beauty was no exception, and neither was it for the other Angel who made their way into my view. His bronzed hair proving he must be a special kind of Angel. I could have laughed at that, but as I said before, I couldn't feel anything.

I was afraid that if I even tried to move, laugh, cry, yell, anything of those sorts, the numb feeling would go away and I'd be left here to lie and suffer and watch as the Angels looked into my eyes and try to help find my way out.

But why was I hearing voices, now? They were muffled, of course, but I could hear them. They sounded noticeable. I could have recognized them if I tried; but I was too tired now. I didn't want to do anything but close my eyes and just listen.

If I could have shaken in surprise, I would have when a hot hand grabbed on to mine. The scorching hand held mine tightly, but I wasn't afraid of the feeling. It felt nice and relieving. I could feel like someone was there with me, feeling everything that I was feeling. Like the one holding my hand coud've been my other half, persay.

Jacob's POV.

She looked so lifeless. My heart was breaking into pieces as I watched Carlisle look her over. My breath was getting caught in my throat as I watched Braylin suffer and try to gasp for air. Her chest rising and lowering with trouble.

I couldn't help but think all the wrong things. How could I let this happen to her? Why wasn't I there for her, fighting before? This wouldn't have ever happened if I fought better; she'd be breathing with ease and her body wouldn't be battered up from that brutal beating.

I knew this was going to happen - the feeling in my gut told me so. But I let her get out of the car and walk out of my life. Or at least try. I didn't push her to let me take her home when it was pouring at the beach. If I had, I would have heard her screams and the banging around that must have gone on in her house. I could have saved her from all of this, but I wasn't strong enough.

I couldn't help but beat myself over what happened, my mind was doing it's worst.
I was too caught up in thought to flinch when Edward Cullen placed a cold hand on my boiling hot shoulder. I did listen as Edward explained what Carlisle was going to have to do, which wasn't much. Edward told me how he felt, how he knew what it was like to watch the one you're destined to be with, barely be able to breathe on a hospital bed. Edward knew what it was like.

"I'm sorry for how you feel, Jacob," Edward had said. He sighed, still standing as we watched Carlisle begin to cut off her shirt so she could breathe a little easier. Edward knew that now wasn't the time to speak over his love who was perfectly fine. I was sort of glad when he left the room, leaving only Carlisle and I, along with Braylin.

Carlisle took off her jeans and shoes, leaving her in her bra and underwear. Now was not the time to dream of her in any other way, it wasn't right. I shook off any inappropriate thoughts as I watched Carlisle.

"Jacob, would you come here please?" Carlisle called over his shoulder. I got up and walked to his side, then gasped in the sight of Braylin. My heart shattered right then and there and I could hardly breathe.

"What is that?" I asked with a shakey breath.

Carlisle sighed as his golved hand ran over Braylin's neck. "He tried to strangle her, you see the finger marks?" I hardly had to look to see the darker lines that ran around her throat. My blood began to boil, my body shaking and trembling with a large about of force. A cold hand rested on my shoulder and instantly I relaxed.

"So what does that mean?" I asked him.

"Well I was just pointing out that this will be further evidence that will need to be observed. Sam told you that he and the Elder's were going to take care of this problem, am I correct?" I gave him a firm nod. Sam and the Elder's were sickened at what happened to Braylin, they'd said that they would do everything in their power to make sure that the sick bastard gets locked up.

Carlisle sighed, "She has many abrasions up and down her arms and legs. It looks like she only has two bilateral bruises from being grabbed numerous times." He explained as he put his hands on the spots. I couldn't lose control, not now, now while Braylin was in here, half conscious but not enough to even notice what was going on.

Carlisle continued, "I'll wait for her to be fully awake to re-break wrist." I gaped at him and looked over the bed to see her arm covered up in God knows what.

"Wait, her wrist is broken?" Carlisle nodded.

"It's not as bad as you think it would be. But it's best if she's awake - she'll still be on the IV." Carlisle's head gestured over to the tube trailed down to Braylin's left arm. "She must have taken a big fall for her wrist to snap." He sighed.

"So what's going to happen with her?" I asked. My palms began to sweat as I waited for an answer and searched for one expressed on the doctor's face.

"Well, she'll heal up fine but that could take awhile. She'll need lots of rest and support." Carlisle took off his gloves and put them in the trash. He covered Braylin with a blanket and turned to me, a small smile on his face. "She's going to be fine, Jacob." Carlisle assured me before walking out of the room.

~

Braylin's POV.

My body was aching - to an unfamiliar extreme, and I didn't like it at all. My head was pulsing and throbbing non-stop, numbness radiating throughout my body, but at the same time a very strong nagging feeling that pulled at my chest. I knew that pain wasn't from Oliver. It was the emotional turn, changing it's way into a physical pain that I knew only Jacob and I could both feel.

My eyes were still closed, I'd keep them closed 'till I felt the need to open them. I didn't want to wake up right now, I didn't want to see how battered and broken I really was. I didn't need to see the shame and guilt on Jacob's face, the blame he'd put all on himself for not being there for me. But the truth was, it wasn't his fault in the least.

I mentally sighed, I didn't want to give it away that I was awake. Though I didn't know who was in the room, I wanted to be cautious and at least fake it for awhile longer. Surprisingly I heard someone come in, but their footsteps were very light and I faintly heard them. A cold hand touched my arm, making me flinching barely but letting me know it must have been Carlisle's careful touch.

"Alice said you'd be awake sooner or later," He said softly. I sighed this time, and opened my eyes. The room was different than a normal hospital room would be. It was dim in here, but just enough light had shown through for Carlisle and I both to be able to see.

Carlisle helped me up into a sitting position and I tried not to winced or let out a cry in pain. A small groan escaped anyways, and I regretted it instantly. I didn't know what he was doing when Carlisle walked over to the other side of my bed and unwrapped my right arm. I gasped at the sight a minute later.

"What -" I hardly choked out.

"Your wrist had snapped when you apparently fell to the ground - am I right?"

I nodded, remembering faintly when I fell down onto the ground, my hands saving another painful fall. The seering pain in my wrists, my right one more prominent. I chewed on my bottom lip and nodded to Carlisle.

"I'm going to have to snap it back into place, Braylin." He warned me. My eyes went wide, I gaped at Carlisle for a second. And before I could react to what he was doing, with the snap of his own wrist, he'd taken mine and snapped it back. I let out a high, painful scream and shut my eyes tightly. Large footsteps bounded their way upstairs and before I even opened my eyes I knew whose warm arms were holding me.

"What the hell, Doc?" He hissed. I opened my eyes slowly and watched as Carlisle gave an apologetic smile.

"It hurts less when you don't see it coming, and when it's quick," He explained simply before going to my tubes and checking whatever he needed to check. I let out a small sigh and pulled myself into Jacob's arms. Carlisle soon after left the room so Jacob and I could talk.

"I'm so sorry," I began, my shakey voice was barely above a whisper. It hurt to even try to talk, the screaming that had gone on before had strained my voice almost entirely. I looked up at Jacob, trying to read his emotionless face.

"Don't be sorry, Bray." He sighed. "It's my fault that this happened to you. If - if I made you get in the car with me, and if I was there as you got inside your house, it wouldn't be as bad as it is."

I shook my head, I wouldn't allow him to take blame for my stupidness. "Knock it off Jacob, stop blaming yourself!" Jacob nodded slowly before scooting me overly gently and pulling himself onto the - bed?

Jacob must have read my facial expression as my eyes wandered into where I was. He let out a small laugh, "Alice moved you into her bedroom - she even changed you into some clothes." I looked down at myself, gazing at the petite white knee-length dress she had put on me. I sighed and gave Jacob a warm smile. Jacob then mumbled something like, "Stupid leech made me stay out in the hall, not letting me get a peak at -"

"What?" I gaped, stifling a small laugh. He smiled at me and shook his head before kissing my temple.

"Nothing," He sighed. "So, how are you doing? I'm going to have to tell this to Sam and the rest of them - they're pretty worried." I gave him a small shrug, but instantly regretted it when a painful stab bounced up and down my back. I winced in pain, a small whimper coming out of my mouth. "Braylin -"

"I'm alright, just very sore." I answered earnestly. And that was all mostly true, except that I felt even worse than sore. My whole body ached with a massive amount of throbbing pains. It circulated from my toes and up to my head, and I wanted to cry at the pain but I knew I couldn't, not after what just happened - not after seeing Jacob's pained-filled eyes that glossed over from controlled crying.

"Don't lie to me," He whispered into my ear, his voice sending shivers up and down my back, making me feel a whole lot better than before. I'd definitley prefer the shivers over the stabbing pain any day.

I sighed and gave him a small grimace, "I'm just very sore, like I said before." I could have said this with less force and irritation, but I was just too tired to control what I said and how I said it.

"Doc said the painkillers should start kicking in -"

I nodded, all while scooting down into a comfortable position so my head and left arm lay over Jacob's chest. "I can feel it already," I mumbled sleepily. My eyes began to close slowly as I listened to Jacob's heart beat. It countered with mine, making rhythmic beats at the same time. The soothing sounds vibrated through my ears, signaling to my brain that it was okay to sleep now, that I'd be safe with Jacob holding me.