“That was a very brave thing you did, Bella.” He didn’t return my gaze as I turned to look at him.

“Thank you, Sam.”

“I… uh….was very impressed by your talent at tracking. Jacob owes you….. I mean, we, all of us, owe you Jacob’s life.”

I gulped. I had not expected this kind of graciousness, from Sam especially. I nodded in acknowledgment, not knowing what else to say. He retreated to his position among his pack.

“He’s right you know.” Edward spoke, “You kicked ass today, Bella. I was shocked at your instinct and talent in a head to head battle.”

“I know. Its very out of character for me to be good at something.” I mocked lightly.

“No, Bella, you know that’s not what I meant. You saved his life today. If it weren’t for your fast thinking and impulsive actions, we wouldn’t have caught him and Jacob would probably be dead or in the hands of the Volturi right now.”

“I know.” I turned my head down to stare at the limp figure in my arms. I felt suddenly hostile and angry at Jacob’s stupidity and wondered what on earth had possessed me to save his ass after all he had put me through the past two months.

“Dumbass.” I muttered grudgingly under my breath.

Edward chuckled openly, clearly pleased with my lack of sympathy for Jake.

We reached the lawn twenty minutes later to find Billy pacing eagerly along the driveway. Luckily for him, he had spent so much time around the pack that he even smelled as repulsively as they did.

A genuine look of shock crossed his face when he saw me carrying Jacob, and his reaction grew only more severe when he noticed the Cullens mixed in the with the pack emerging from the trees behind us. He shook his head from side to side to focus his thoughts as I approached him with Jacob in my arms.

“He’s alive.” I answered his unasked question.

He responded my nodding in relief and opening the door for me so that I could carry Jacob inside. I needed no further direction, I knew my way to his room. I struggled momentarily with his door handle before letting myself into the bedroom. It was just as I remember, nothing had changed. I laid him cautiously onto the bed. My hand brushed briefly against his skin and I winced at the contact. His skin was searing hot to the touch and I flinched and withdrew my hand hurriedly. As if I had electrocuted him through the contact, he gasped loudly and his eyes flew open and locked onto my own.