To Mend a Butterfly's Broken Wing, 2: I Will Run to You
Title: To Mend a Butterfly's Broken Wing
Author: exquisite_ugly
Rating/Warnings: M (language, sexual situations)
Summary: After the newborn fight things take a different turn with the Volturi. Edward goes missing, the Cullen's leave to search for him, and Bella flees town from the pain of loss. Can Jacob help her deal with the grief a second time? AU, M for language, sex
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fINsjNUZmqo
Chapter 2:
"staying awake to chase a dream/tasting the air you're breathing in/I hope I won't forget a thing/I wish to hold you close and pray/watching our fantasies decay/nothing will ever stay the same" -Muse Falling Away with You
*~*~*
JPOV:
After Bella left, Sam promised he would be back if he found out just what was going on. Something just wasn't sitting right with me, and I couldn't pinpoint it; I was worried about Bella. I shifted around in bed, trying to get comfortable, but unable to settle my mind.
My body was still healing, but it had done enough in the meantime that I decided to try and get out of bed. My body still ached a little as I sat up, gingerly wiggling all the necessary body parts.
I stood, carefully stretching, feeling a little ping in my leg and my ribs. I held still, but everything seemed intact, just a little sore, so I stayed up. I moved carefully around my room, getting the blood flowing again. I went into the living room and spent some time with Billy until he decided to go visit Sue.
I watched a little television. I dozed off for awhile.
I ate nearly a whole pizza that was in the fridge.
I couldn't stand this much longer; I was told not to phase for a couple days, but if I didn't hear what the hell was going on soon I was going to Charlie's house to find Bella. Too much time had passed and my patience had worn thin as the afternoon shifted to twilight.
I had just gone back to my room to get my keys, intending to do just that, when suddenly I smelled a vampire and felt the air stir in my room. I spun around to meet it, but the vampire didn't move into the doorway of my room. It took me a second to realize who it was.
"Alice?" I said in an incredulous voice. What the hell was she doing here? In La Push? In my room?
I was furious. How dare she? But as I opened my mouth to confront her, I hesitated upon seeing the look on her face. Her expression was tortured, her unnaturally golden eyes filled with grief, and her mouth was twisted into a grimace.
"Jacob, you have to go to Bella. She's left town, and she needs you; whether or not she's aware of it."
I stared at her in shock. "What? What the hell happened?" I practically roared at her.
I tried to push past her to go, but she stopped me with her words.
"Jacob, here." She handed me a thick envelope.
One quick look inside and my jaw dropped. There was a thick wad of large bills in it. "I have to go," she whispered. "I want to help her, but I have to go."
I didn't even know what to say. Finally I shoved the envelope back at her, unsure of what was happening except for the growing dread in my stomach. "I don't…" I started to say before she interrupted me.
"Edward has been taken by the Volturi. Something is wrong and my family is leaving to try and get him back." Her voice sounded broken.
Again I was at a loss for words, but I managed to mutter, "What? How? Bella?" The best I could do was short and simple.
"I told her. And I told her we're leaving. I promised to send someone to help her; even with everything that happened I knew it had to be you. You're the only one who can possibly help her. Some of my family left, but I stayed to tell her, to come to you. She up and left with no destination in mind, but she'll end up in Hoquiam."
"We don't know how this happened," she whimpered out loud, but apparently to herself. "How Edward was taken and why my visions were useless…" she trailed off.
My head was swimming with information, but I needed to go to Bella. "Where do I go?" I asked abruptly.
"Go to the Econo Lodge Inn; that's where she will go. It's close to U.S. Highway 101, on Simpson Avenue. And here…" She handed me a cell phone. "Keep that. I don't see a decision either way about her coming back, so I want to make sure I can reach you."
"Haven't you done enough?" I growled.
Her eyes met mine. I couldn't even find the desire to berate her for leaving Bella alone. It didn't take Bella long to run; I couldn't even begin to think about how much she must be hurting. It hurt me to know she was hurting. This fight - and losing Bella because I knew that's what she was going to tell me - had drained all the anger out of me. And peculiarly enough, I actually felt a degree of sympathy for Edward; and all the Cullen's as well.
"I wish I could do more. You have no idea. This is what I can do for her, though. I can send you to help her, I can give you money to get you set-up temporarily, and I can send you anything you need when you find out if she's coming back to Forks or not."
I nodded, needing to go after Bella. I didn't want to take money from the Cullen's, but I was wasting precious minutes not going after her.
"Take care of her," Alice whispered pleadingly as she turned to leave.
I nodded, both of us knowing I was doing this strictly for Bella's sake. "I'm sorry," I added, not knowing what else to say.
"Thank you," she barely breathed and with a soft stirring of the air she was gone.
I finished throwing my stuff together, and I met Billy as he came into the kitchen. My step faltered as we stared at each other. I couldn't not go to Bella, but I needed to know someone would help Billy out while I figured out what the hell was going on. "Dad," I started to say, but he lifted a hand. He knew.
"Go to her. Call me so I know you're both okay."
I swallowed hard. "Thanks Dad," I mumbled. "I think Rachel was planning on coming home soon; I'll call her so she knows to help…"
Billy reached for his wallet as he sighed, "Don't worry so much about your old man, son. I'm not a complete invalid."
I couldn't help a reluctant smile as he smirked at me. He started to pull money out of his wallet, but I shook my head. "I won't take money from you for this. Keep it. I'll be fine, okay?"
He gave me a look, but I stood firm. I didn't want to take money from the Cullen's; we were barely on steady ground with each other, but I let it go because I knew it was mainly for Bella anyway. I couldn't in good conscience take money from my father; his income wasn't much.
He reached out to me instead, and I leaned down to accept the brief hug. I couldn't remember the last time I hugged him. "I don't think Charlie knows she left," I said quietly.
He nodded. "I'll talk to him, but Jake, promise me you or Bella will get in touch with him quickly. My word won't stop him from putting out an APB on Bella, and he has a right to know what's happening to his daughter; he's going to be upset enough as it is. She went to Hoquiam, right?"
I nodded. "I promise. I'm sure she was beyond upset and just wasn't thinking straight. And yes, that's where I'm going."
I squeezed his hand and hurried out the door. I threw my bag in the Rabbit and raced out of La Push, heading directly for Hoquiam and Bella.
*~*~*
I drove the nearly two hours at the fastest speed I could manage without getting pulled over and managed to get there before it got dark outside. I found the Econo Lodge Inn easily enough and hurried inside. A bored, red-haired girl sat behind the desk chewing a piece of gum and playing with her cell phone.
"Excuse me," I said impatiently.
She looked up slowly, brown eyes widening as she took me in. "Yes? Can I help you?" she asked nervously.
"I believe a girl checked in here this evening. Bella Swan? I'm trying to find her."
"I'm sorry, sir, but company policy states I have to respect the privacy of our guests."
Frustrated, I nearly yelled, "She's a friend of mine! It's important that I find her."
The girl's chin shook, and she whispered, "I can call the manager…"
As frantic as I was to find Bella, I couldn't help but feel guilt over scaring this girl. I had a better idea anyway, so I apologized. "I'm sorry, miss, I didn't mean to frighten you. I'll try calling her again."
She looked relieved, and I quickly backed out of sight. Using my wolf senses, I slipped noiselessly by her when she wasn't looking and hurried up the steps. Thankfully it wasn't a big place, so I hurried down the hall, past room after room and listened for the heartbeat and soft breath I would recognize anywhere. Finally, near the end of the hall, I heard her.
A lump in my throat, I paused as I heard the shaky breathing and the wet sound of tears. I knocked on the door. "Bella?" I called out.
The sounds quieted, but there was no response.
"Bella, honey, it's me. I'm coming in, okay?"
No answer.
I worked at the door, wiggling my driver's license into the crack, and managed to unlock it. I pushed the door open and what met my eyes nearly broke my heart. She was still wearing her coat, her hair was a messy tangle, and she was curled up in a corner of the room on the floor.
She glanced briefly at me; her arms wrapped tightly around her knees, her beautiful brown eyes red and tear tracks marking her cheeks. I did the only thing I really could; I got down on my knees and reached out for her.
"No," she whimpered. "I can't go home. Don't even try. Stop it," she babbled.
"Honey, I'm not taking you home," I reassured her. Again I reached out for her and she glanced at my hands.
"Jacob?" she murmured.
"Yes honey, it's me." She let me take her hands this time. They were freezing.
"Edward's gone," she breathed almost silently. Then the tears fell, but her gaze never wavered, and she never made a sound.
I gently scooped her off the floor and held her on my lap, wrapping my arms as tightly as I could around her without hurting her. Her head dropped into the crook of my shoulder and neck and I felt the wetness of her tears on my skin.
We didn't talk. I held her as she lay crumpled against me, breathing in her sweet scent, worried beyond belief about her and what happened. I couldn't fathom how Edward could have been taken; he was nearly invincible.
As I stared at the white walls of the room, I wondered what had happened that had changed. I knew the Volturi were the worst kind of vampires there were, but Carlisle said they were the rulers, the ones who upheld the laws. I had no idea why they would feel the need to kidnap another vampire, a seemingly random one; though I wondered if it had anything to do with the fact that Carlisle had lived with them for a time according to Bella.
I hated vampires; I even hated the Cullen's, so I was surprised that I felt sympathy. Alice had looked so devastated. I wanted Bella for myself, I even threatened to kill Edward myself more than once, but faced with what happened I couldn't help but realize I truly didn't wish this on him or his family. I guess Edward and I really had come to some sort of understanding. A shaky one, considering I was in love with his future wife, but I couldn't even find it in me to realize this could give me the chance I needed.
My only concern right now was for my best friend; the girl who was broken yet again and crying on my lap. Hadn't fate done enough damage to her? My chest ached with every tear that fell from her eyes and I tightened my hold on her, resting my cheek on top of her head. I couldn't imagine what this would do to her; I just hoped I could help her again.
My thoughts drifted to Charlie and I felt guilty. I knew Billy would tell him everything, but I was hesitant to give away where she was. Charlie loved Bella, he was her father, and he had a right to know. I had no doubt Bella just ran without a thought, but deep down, I just had this feeling that she didn't want to be found right now. She knew what she put Charlie through, and she didn't want him to have to deal with it again I was sure, but this wouldn't help either. I really hoped Charlie would agree to give her time, if that's what she needed, even if I had to promise to call him every day.
I didn't know what this was going to entail either; would she go home? Somehow I doubted it if her reaction a little bit ago was any indication. I left behind my pack brothers', though I knew the threat was gone, so it shouldn't affect too much. Plus, I had Billy to worry about.
He was stronger than he looked, though, and I knew Rachel would help me out. For now my concern was Bella, though. No one had been able to help her when Edward left her except for me, and I could only hope my presence would be enough for her.
I realized that Bella had stopped crying and had gone still. I gently shifted her away from me, and I saw she was fighting sleep. Her eyelids were drooping, but then she'd open them wide again.
"You can go to sleep, honey," I whispered. "I'll be right here."
"I'm afraid to sleep," she mumbled. Her voice sounded so lost.
I stood, lifting her up into my arms. She stiffened and struggled for a second until I laid her on the bed. She settled down again, curling into a ball on her side. I sat on the edge of the bed until she drifted off into a restless doze.
Carefully I removed her shoes. She flinched and woke partially, only to doze off again. I managed to repeat the process with her jacket. I pulled the covers up over her and smoothed her hair back from her face. Once I was sure she was asleep - restless or not - I leaned down and brushed my lips over her forehead and lightly touched a finger to the tear tracks on her cheek.
I sat on the floor by the bed, resting my head on my arm, as I wrapped my fingers around hers. I wanted her to know I was here, but I didn't want to freak her out if she woke and I was in bed with her. I felt the tug of sleep even in this not so comfortable position.
All the fear, the worry, and the pain became nothing as I drifted off to sleep, my fingers wrapped tightly around the hand of my best friend.
*~*~*
Chapter 3
Author: exquisite_ugly
Rating/Warnings: M (language, sexual situations)
Summary: After the newborn fight things take a different turn with the Volturi. Edward goes missing, the Cullen's leave to search for him, and Bella flees town from the pain of loss. Can Jacob help her deal with the grief a second time? AU, M for language, sex
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fINsjNUZmqo
Chapter 2:
"staying awake to chase a dream/tasting the air you're breathing in/I hope I won't forget a thing/I wish to hold you close and pray/watching our fantasies decay/nothing will ever stay the same" -Muse Falling Away with You
*~*~*
JPOV:
After Bella left, Sam promised he would be back if he found out just what was going on. Something just wasn't sitting right with me, and I couldn't pinpoint it; I was worried about Bella. I shifted around in bed, trying to get comfortable, but unable to settle my mind.
My body was still healing, but it had done enough in the meantime that I decided to try and get out of bed. My body still ached a little as I sat up, gingerly wiggling all the necessary body parts.
I stood, carefully stretching, feeling a little ping in my leg and my ribs. I held still, but everything seemed intact, just a little sore, so I stayed up. I moved carefully around my room, getting the blood flowing again. I went into the living room and spent some time with Billy until he decided to go visit Sue.
I watched a little television. I dozed off for awhile.
I ate nearly a whole pizza that was in the fridge.
I couldn't stand this much longer; I was told not to phase for a couple days, but if I didn't hear what the hell was going on soon I was going to Charlie's house to find Bella. Too much time had passed and my patience had worn thin as the afternoon shifted to twilight.
I had just gone back to my room to get my keys, intending to do just that, when suddenly I smelled a vampire and felt the air stir in my room. I spun around to meet it, but the vampire didn't move into the doorway of my room. It took me a second to realize who it was.
"Alice?" I said in an incredulous voice. What the hell was she doing here? In La Push? In my room?
I was furious. How dare she? But as I opened my mouth to confront her, I hesitated upon seeing the look on her face. Her expression was tortured, her unnaturally golden eyes filled with grief, and her mouth was twisted into a grimace.
"Jacob, you have to go to Bella. She's left town, and she needs you; whether or not she's aware of it."
I stared at her in shock. "What? What the hell happened?" I practically roared at her.
I tried to push past her to go, but she stopped me with her words.
"Jacob, here." She handed me a thick envelope.
One quick look inside and my jaw dropped. There was a thick wad of large bills in it. "I have to go," she whispered. "I want to help her, but I have to go."
I didn't even know what to say. Finally I shoved the envelope back at her, unsure of what was happening except for the growing dread in my stomach. "I don't…" I started to say before she interrupted me.
"Edward has been taken by the Volturi. Something is wrong and my family is leaving to try and get him back." Her voice sounded broken.
Again I was at a loss for words, but I managed to mutter, "What? How? Bella?" The best I could do was short and simple.
"I told her. And I told her we're leaving. I promised to send someone to help her; even with everything that happened I knew it had to be you. You're the only one who can possibly help her. Some of my family left, but I stayed to tell her, to come to you. She up and left with no destination in mind, but she'll end up in Hoquiam."
"We don't know how this happened," she whimpered out loud, but apparently to herself. "How Edward was taken and why my visions were useless…" she trailed off.
My head was swimming with information, but I needed to go to Bella. "Where do I go?" I asked abruptly.
"Go to the Econo Lodge Inn; that's where she will go. It's close to U.S. Highway 101, on Simpson Avenue. And here…" She handed me a cell phone. "Keep that. I don't see a decision either way about her coming back, so I want to make sure I can reach you."
"Haven't you done enough?" I growled.
Her eyes met mine. I couldn't even find the desire to berate her for leaving Bella alone. It didn't take Bella long to run; I couldn't even begin to think about how much she must be hurting. It hurt me to know she was hurting. This fight - and losing Bella because I knew that's what she was going to tell me - had drained all the anger out of me. And peculiarly enough, I actually felt a degree of sympathy for Edward; and all the Cullen's as well.
"I wish I could do more. You have no idea. This is what I can do for her, though. I can send you to help her, I can give you money to get you set-up temporarily, and I can send you anything you need when you find out if she's coming back to Forks or not."
I nodded, needing to go after Bella. I didn't want to take money from the Cullen's, but I was wasting precious minutes not going after her.
"Take care of her," Alice whispered pleadingly as she turned to leave.
I nodded, both of us knowing I was doing this strictly for Bella's sake. "I'm sorry," I added, not knowing what else to say.
"Thank you," she barely breathed and with a soft stirring of the air she was gone.
I finished throwing my stuff together, and I met Billy as he came into the kitchen. My step faltered as we stared at each other. I couldn't not go to Bella, but I needed to know someone would help Billy out while I figured out what the hell was going on. "Dad," I started to say, but he lifted a hand. He knew.
"Go to her. Call me so I know you're both okay."
I swallowed hard. "Thanks Dad," I mumbled. "I think Rachel was planning on coming home soon; I'll call her so she knows to help…"
Billy reached for his wallet as he sighed, "Don't worry so much about your old man, son. I'm not a complete invalid."
I couldn't help a reluctant smile as he smirked at me. He started to pull money out of his wallet, but I shook my head. "I won't take money from you for this. Keep it. I'll be fine, okay?"
He gave me a look, but I stood firm. I didn't want to take money from the Cullen's; we were barely on steady ground with each other, but I let it go because I knew it was mainly for Bella anyway. I couldn't in good conscience take money from my father; his income wasn't much.
He reached out to me instead, and I leaned down to accept the brief hug. I couldn't remember the last time I hugged him. "I don't think Charlie knows she left," I said quietly.
He nodded. "I'll talk to him, but Jake, promise me you or Bella will get in touch with him quickly. My word won't stop him from putting out an APB on Bella, and he has a right to know what's happening to his daughter; he's going to be upset enough as it is. She went to Hoquiam, right?"
I nodded. "I promise. I'm sure she was beyond upset and just wasn't thinking straight. And yes, that's where I'm going."
I squeezed his hand and hurried out the door. I threw my bag in the Rabbit and raced out of La Push, heading directly for Hoquiam and Bella.
*~*~*
I drove the nearly two hours at the fastest speed I could manage without getting pulled over and managed to get there before it got dark outside. I found the Econo Lodge Inn easily enough and hurried inside. A bored, red-haired girl sat behind the desk chewing a piece of gum and playing with her cell phone.
"Excuse me," I said impatiently.
She looked up slowly, brown eyes widening as she took me in. "Yes? Can I help you?" she asked nervously.
"I believe a girl checked in here this evening. Bella Swan? I'm trying to find her."
"I'm sorry, sir, but company policy states I have to respect the privacy of our guests."
Frustrated, I nearly yelled, "She's a friend of mine! It's important that I find her."
The girl's chin shook, and she whispered, "I can call the manager…"
As frantic as I was to find Bella, I couldn't help but feel guilt over scaring this girl. I had a better idea anyway, so I apologized. "I'm sorry, miss, I didn't mean to frighten you. I'll try calling her again."
She looked relieved, and I quickly backed out of sight. Using my wolf senses, I slipped noiselessly by her when she wasn't looking and hurried up the steps. Thankfully it wasn't a big place, so I hurried down the hall, past room after room and listened for the heartbeat and soft breath I would recognize anywhere. Finally, near the end of the hall, I heard her.
A lump in my throat, I paused as I heard the shaky breathing and the wet sound of tears. I knocked on the door. "Bella?" I called out.
The sounds quieted, but there was no response.
"Bella, honey, it's me. I'm coming in, okay?"
No answer.
I worked at the door, wiggling my driver's license into the crack, and managed to unlock it. I pushed the door open and what met my eyes nearly broke my heart. She was still wearing her coat, her hair was a messy tangle, and she was curled up in a corner of the room on the floor.
She glanced briefly at me; her arms wrapped tightly around her knees, her beautiful brown eyes red and tear tracks marking her cheeks. I did the only thing I really could; I got down on my knees and reached out for her.
"No," she whimpered. "I can't go home. Don't even try. Stop it," she babbled.
"Honey, I'm not taking you home," I reassured her. Again I reached out for her and she glanced at my hands.
"Jacob?" she murmured.
"Yes honey, it's me." She let me take her hands this time. They were freezing.
"Edward's gone," she breathed almost silently. Then the tears fell, but her gaze never wavered, and she never made a sound.
I gently scooped her off the floor and held her on my lap, wrapping my arms as tightly as I could around her without hurting her. Her head dropped into the crook of my shoulder and neck and I felt the wetness of her tears on my skin.
We didn't talk. I held her as she lay crumpled against me, breathing in her sweet scent, worried beyond belief about her and what happened. I couldn't fathom how Edward could have been taken; he was nearly invincible.
As I stared at the white walls of the room, I wondered what had happened that had changed. I knew the Volturi were the worst kind of vampires there were, but Carlisle said they were the rulers, the ones who upheld the laws. I had no idea why they would feel the need to kidnap another vampire, a seemingly random one; though I wondered if it had anything to do with the fact that Carlisle had lived with them for a time according to Bella.
I hated vampires; I even hated the Cullen's, so I was surprised that I felt sympathy. Alice had looked so devastated. I wanted Bella for myself, I even threatened to kill Edward myself more than once, but faced with what happened I couldn't help but realize I truly didn't wish this on him or his family. I guess Edward and I really had come to some sort of understanding. A shaky one, considering I was in love with his future wife, but I couldn't even find it in me to realize this could give me the chance I needed.
My only concern right now was for my best friend; the girl who was broken yet again and crying on my lap. Hadn't fate done enough damage to her? My chest ached with every tear that fell from her eyes and I tightened my hold on her, resting my cheek on top of her head. I couldn't imagine what this would do to her; I just hoped I could help her again.
My thoughts drifted to Charlie and I felt guilty. I knew Billy would tell him everything, but I was hesitant to give away where she was. Charlie loved Bella, he was her father, and he had a right to know. I had no doubt Bella just ran without a thought, but deep down, I just had this feeling that she didn't want to be found right now. She knew what she put Charlie through, and she didn't want him to have to deal with it again I was sure, but this wouldn't help either. I really hoped Charlie would agree to give her time, if that's what she needed, even if I had to promise to call him every day.
I didn't know what this was going to entail either; would she go home? Somehow I doubted it if her reaction a little bit ago was any indication. I left behind my pack brothers', though I knew the threat was gone, so it shouldn't affect too much. Plus, I had Billy to worry about.
He was stronger than he looked, though, and I knew Rachel would help me out. For now my concern was Bella, though. No one had been able to help her when Edward left her except for me, and I could only hope my presence would be enough for her.
I realized that Bella had stopped crying and had gone still. I gently shifted her away from me, and I saw she was fighting sleep. Her eyelids were drooping, but then she'd open them wide again.
"You can go to sleep, honey," I whispered. "I'll be right here."
"I'm afraid to sleep," she mumbled. Her voice sounded so lost.
I stood, lifting her up into my arms. She stiffened and struggled for a second until I laid her on the bed. She settled down again, curling into a ball on her side. I sat on the edge of the bed until she drifted off into a restless doze.
Carefully I removed her shoes. She flinched and woke partially, only to doze off again. I managed to repeat the process with her jacket. I pulled the covers up over her and smoothed her hair back from her face. Once I was sure she was asleep - restless or not - I leaned down and brushed my lips over her forehead and lightly touched a finger to the tear tracks on her cheek.
I sat on the floor by the bed, resting my head on my arm, as I wrapped my fingers around hers. I wanted her to know I was here, but I didn't want to freak her out if she woke and I was in bed with her. I felt the tug of sleep even in this not so comfortable position.
All the fear, the worry, and the pain became nothing as I drifted off to sleep, my fingers wrapped tightly around the hand of my best friend.
*~*~*
Chapter 3