The Moon's an Arrant Thief...

"I'm back." I say as a puff of smoke erupts from my lips at the sigh that followed.

It was so great to be back. I was in my front yard...not anywhere near Forks but I swear I could smell her everywhere. Every breath I took was heaven, and I couldn't take in enough. I felt my throat tighten as I thought of how long I'd been away and what it had done to her. Would she ever forgive me? No one had fully explained this whole Imprinting thing to me...Does she love me as much as I love her?

Love? I grinned to myself. The word was inadequate; she holds me to Earth, makes life worth living, and each breath I take each day means everything because it is all for her.

I shook my head. Of course, she's my first priority but I have to see Pops. I looked back into the woods; a curse at my back. I'd seen nothing but trees and stupid muddy terrains for months. I was exhausted and not in just the 'tired' sense. I was mentally and physically exhausted; my body and heart ached. I brushed my hand over my face; a gesture that immediately made me smile.

*FLASHBACK*
"What's wrong, Jacob?" came a tiny voice. I looked up from the fireplace where I'd been staring for a while.
"Nessie...what are you doing out of bed?" I stood up and headed towards her tiny form.
"You weren't there. I had a nightmare." she lifted her arms, signaling me to pick her up.
"I'm sorry. I was just..."
"Thinking about something that's frustrating you." she stated matter of factly.
"Well....wait, yea. How'd..."
She put her little hands on my cheeks and showed me; myself rubbing my hand down from my forehead down to my chin.
"You do it when your frustrated or agitated." she again stated.
I shook my head as I headed back up the stairs to place her in bed.
"Don't miss a thing, do ya kid?" I said sitting on the floor next to where her pillow was.
"Not with you. So you just better watch yourself." she says, playfully pushing the back of my head forward while giggling.

Here's that damn smile again. If she was on my mind, a smile was played out on my lips. I let out another heavy sigh. I've made a mess...now it's time to clean it up. I rub my hand down my face one last time and head towards the house.

I make it to the crooked step up to the porch and stop. Billy understood why I had left, hell he'd been the one to push me out the door, but Nessie.... Stop it! You'll deal with it, you fool. You'll get on your knees if you have to! I stare at the front door...then march right up to it and open it wide. The small kitchen looks a bit cluttered but otherwise the same. Like I could expect different; same old Pops.

I hear him before I see him...and he looks good, luckily. "Son." he calls as he wheels into the kitchen. I walk up to him and bend down to get in eye level with him.
"Hey old man. You're looking pretty good there." He smiles at me and pulls me into an awkward hug.
"I'm glad your back." he pats me hard on the back a few times. I stand up straight and look at him.
"Did you take care of it?" he asked, looking at me intently.
"I wouldn't have come home if I hadn't." I said, gruffly.
He stared, hard, at me. "Wouldn't you?"
"No...not when it threatened her..." I had propped my hip up against the kitchen counter and crossed my arms over my chest.
"You're different..." He said. I stood up straight and dropped my arms to my side.
"Bad?" I asked, worried.
"No, you're a man." he stated, proudly. He then turned and wheeled into the living room. I let out a sigh of relief. They say you wear your battles for the rest of your life; that a trail stays with you forever. I didn't want to be different; I wanted to be her Jacob.

I follow my father and go to sit on the couch, when he stops me. "Go to your room and sleep, Son. You look like terrible."
I chuckle. "Gee, Pops, thanks a lot."
I clap my hand down on his shoulder as I pass him, heading to my room. Just a few hours of sleep and then I'll head over to see her. This thought wouldn't have occurred to me even once but I was asleep before my head hit the pillow. Besides, I'm pretty sure I was afraid; afraid of what she'd say, do, and act.

<<<DREAM>>>>
" Don't hurt her, she's got nothing to do with this." I growl, pulling Renesmee behind me.
"Well whether she lives or dies is entirely up to you, my friend." Chase says coyly, slowly getting closer. My eyes turn black, a subtle warning to make Chase back off. But he smiles as his eyes turn black as well. I give Nessie a small shove back as he lunges at me and knocks me into the bathroom. I hit the mirror and shards of glass cascade down on me as I crumble to the floor. Chase jumps on me and grabs my face to make me look him in the eyes. Nessie rushes at him in an attempt to get him off; he pushes her away roughly...causing her to hit her head on the floor. I snarl at him and try to push him off, but he's got me pinned down.
"What do you want?!" I scream at him.
"It's not what I want...it's what they want." he says glaring down at me.
"Who?" I demand.
He laughs. "You'll know soon enough. Now, I'm going to make a deal with you and you're going to accept it because it'll mean she gets to live." he says, pointing at Renesmee.
I look over at her little figure lying limp on the ground and gulp, noting it hard for me to swallow. I looked back up at Chase and nodded.
"You're going to come with me, Mr. Black. We're going to Scotland..."
I interrupt him by laughing. "What? We're going where? Not a chance." I continue laughing, so he slams my head into the floor.
"I'm not asking. The leaders demand your presence...not your pack...just you."
By now I've noted that Chase is also a wolf. But his scent was different, almost foreign.
"The leaders?" I groan out the question.
He chuckles, again. "Like I said, You'll know everything soon enough."
I look back at Renesmee. "I need time..." but he cuts me off.
"You've got one day. I'll come for you at sunrise on the second." with that he gets off me and heads for the door. "Oh, and don't forget...it's her life or yours." he calls back as he leaves.
I roll over and assess the damage to my body. I feel a bit cramped from him sitting on me but otherwise fine. I crawl over to Renesmee and cradle her into my chest.
"Nessie..." I push her hair out of her face and rub her cheek. She slowly opens her eyes and I smile down at her. I bring her hand to my cheek and she shows me Chase; I shake my head.
"He's gone." I pull her into my arms and stand.
From downstairs I hear Bella and Edward. "Up here!" I call.
"Renesmee!" Bella takes her into her arms and Edward engulfs them both into his arms.
"She's fine..." I start to say. But Nessie's already showing them what had happened up till she'd been knocked out.
Edward looks at me. "What's the meaning of this Jacob."
I could hear the anger in his voice. Bella had grabbed a broom and was passing it to me and pushing me towards the bathroom.
"I think we should talk..." I was saying as she pushed me.
"You're damn right we should, but not now. I mean what the heck Jake?" Bella said firmly.
Nessie stared at me and all I could do was stare back.
"You're right...but we have to talk tonight." I say.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZooeZxPSRYM&feature=related