(A/N: Hello everyone :) This is the first proper fic I've even written, I hope it pleases :) Alot of really traumatising things happen to these teenage characters in the Twilight series and I've always been interested in exploring what would happen if they weren't as well adjusted and mentally healthy as they were in the books. Inspired by the comparison between Romeo and Juilet and the Bella/Edward/Jacob love triangle in New Moon, and two questions. What if Bella leaving Jacob to save Edward in Italy had a much more devastating effect on Jacob's psyche? If Romeo and Paris do fight, will Paris fall?
This fic is based on the aftermath of the story arc in New Moon, and is a continuation of the storyline from when Edward brings Bella home from Italy.
Last warning: This story will get dark, and will not have a happy ending. If that's not for you, turn back now.
Comments and constructive criticism very much welcome. Flames, not so much, but who am I to judge how people spent their free time? )

DISCLAIMER: Twilight and its characters belong to Stephanie Meyer, not me.
I am only borrowing them for the weekend.

CHAPTER ONE

After a long lingering kiss, Edward - as usual - pulled away first; still holding me in his arms.

Edward and I were sharing a goodbye kiss at my bedroom window, a long one at that.

I had hated it when he left me before, even for a little while.

Now, after Italy, the Volturi, Victoria, this whole year... being apart felt unbearable.

I pouted, which made him laugh. He took a hand off my waist to stroke my hair.

"Bella" he said softly, chidingly. "You know why I have to go."

I sighed and rested my forehead against his marble chest.

"Yeah yeah, I know. Charlie's curfew."

"Bella, love…" Then he sighed. "You know I'm lucky he's even letting me into his house at all."

A stab of guilt cuts through me.

I felt terrible about the pain and worry I caused Charlie, especially when one of his oldest and dearest friends had just died. He was suffering enough. I should have been there for him, supporting him through his loss.

And Jacob. The look on his face when I got in the car with Alice and left.
I rang his house as soon as I got back. Billy answered, then hung up when he heard my voice. I cringed internally at the memory.

"Edward…"
He shushed me and wrapped his arms around me tighter.
"After what I did, and what I did to you… I still cannot believe you forgave me for it all. Your goodness knows no bounds."

Oh Edward… if I had to make that same decision again… of course I would go. You are my everything. If only he could read my mind and see. How deep my love for him is. How I would forgive him anything…

I tried again to interject, but he raised my head up and put a finger to my lips, his topaz eyes burning with so much pain and passion my heart quickened.

"Not just the pain and agony I caused you, but… by leaving you I put you terrible danger. Victoria could have…" Edward closed his eyes and shuddered at the thought.
He recovered quickly and again those glorious eyes burned into mine.

"Victoria is nothing. I will protect you. From her, from any danger, from any pain."

Edward moved us to the bed and sat down. He gently took his hand in mine then turned it over, revealing the two raised crescent moon scars on my wrist. The scars from when James bit me. I remembered the agony of the venom burning through my veins, Edward at my side, his eyes filled with horror and helplessness.
Edward must have been remembering the incident too as he softly traced each scar. Gently, he turned my hand back over and took it in his.
He looked up at me fiercely and tightened his grip.

"I will spend the rest of my existence making it up to you. I am yours, Isabella Swan. I love you. I will be with you always…"

He paused, then smiled my favourite crooked smile.

"But for now, I'm yours between 6 o'clock to 9 o'clock and…" He winked. "When Charlie goes to sleep."

I smiled and sat down next to him, our hands still entwined. I looked at my patchwork bedspread, studying the designs until I figured out how to put into words what I wanted to say. I looked up at Edward, then back down at my quilt.

"Though… everything that happened… you leaving… Victoria… all of it, all the pain…" I blushed then looked Edward in the eyes.

"But... if it hadn't of happened, I would never have had my epiphany. I would never have known for sure that… you loved me."

Edward's eyed widened, he became absolutely still for a second.

Then he started roaring with laughter.

I looked down again, my cheeks blazing red.

Edward's hand came into my line of sight, he put his fingertips under my chin and lifted my head so we were eye level.

"Oh Bella, my Bella. You, not an accident magnet but a danger magnet, needed all this life threatening drama to finally realise that I love you?"

He began laughing again.

"Bella!" I heard Charlie bellow from downstairs. "It's Nine-oh-three!"

I rolled my eyes. "Thanks Charlie!"

Edward had regained his composure, but still had a small smile on his face as he looked in the direction of Charlie's voice.

"What is it?" I asked suspiciously.

"Oh, nothing" He replied still smiling, "Charlie just very much enjoys being able to kick me out of his house."

I sighed.

Edward stood up and kissed me quickly on the lips and then forehead.

"You stay here, love" he said "I don't want your father to upset you. He treats me far better than I deserve, Bella."

Actually, if I hadn't jumped off that damn cliff, none of this would have happened...

I sighed again and stood up.

"Fine, but only if you kiss me again," I said.

"Anything for you, even something as harrowing as a kiss."

I smile and move to meet his lips, but out of the corner of my eye I see something through the window and pull away.

"What is it?" Edward demands, following my gaze to the window.

Good question. What was it? A faint glow in the woods? An ember?

"Nothing." I say uncertainly, then look down, because the woods has reminded me of something else. Someone else.

I make sure my face is as unreadable as possible, but when I look at Edward, he's not looking at me at all.
He's gone as still as a statue, looking intently out the window, eyes moving back and forth, his cold hands gripping my shoulders a little too tight.

"Edward?" I cup his cheek with my hand and, after some resistance; he comes back to me, and lets me move his face in my direction.

"What is it? Is there someone out there?"

When he doesn't answer straight away, I feel a stab of fear and my heart begins beating faster.

Edward notices this of course, and startles me by suddenly pulling me down onto the bed.

Before I can open my mouth in protest, he begins to trail kisses as light as a feather over my face, neck and collarbone.
I sigh at each brush of his lips, moving to meet him, my shirt raising up and revealing my navel, which is then assaulted with butterfly kisses too.
My heart now racing for other reasons. I wonder dimly if Edward is trying to distract me, and I almost swear I hear a howl from somewhere very far away.

As abruptly as he started, he pulls himself up and lies next to me, one hand in mine and the other tracing my bellybutton, a wicked smile on his face. I relearn how to breathe, flushed and frustrated. I try to compose myself and remember what on earth I was about to say, or ask where all that just came from.

I don't have the chance to do either.

"BELLA!" Charlie screams from outside my bedroom door.

I jump, sitting upright, my free hand over my heart. Edward doesn't move and chuckles quietly.

"YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS TO LEAVE MY HOUSE, BOY!"

I stare at the door in horror, but Edward is already up with lightening speed and turning the doorknob to face my enraged and possibly armed father.

"Forgive me, Mr Swan." Edward purrs, his voice smooth as silk. "We were just talking universities and the importance of Bella's higher education, and time just got away on us."

Charlie's face, purple with anger, is miraculously downgraded to a scowl. I will never cease to be amazed at the dazzling affect vampires have on us mere mortals.

"I will take my leave now." He says before Charlie can stop sputtering. "I thank you for your hospitality." He turns his head and looks at me.

"Goodnight Bella. I'll see you tomorrow morning." He winks at me, knowing full well he will be back when Charlie goes to sleep.

He slips past Charlie and silently makes his way down the stairs and out the house. The only noises heard is the soft click of the front door opening and closing behind him.

I lie back on my bed, throw my arm over my eyes and take a deep breath.

I hear the wooden floorboards creak as Charlie shifts his weight awkwardly.

"Bella…" He begins.

"Dad," I say, rearranging my limbs so I can see him. "Not tonight. Please. I know. I know and I'm sorry. What I put you and everyone else through. We can have the talk tomorrow, I promise. After some sleep."

He stares at me for a while, suspicious that this is just a stalling tactic.

"Please."

Charlie sighs then nods his head once in agreement.

"Fine, fine. Goodnight Bells." He says, pulling my door shut. Then he stops, and opens it again a crack.

"And Bells…." He looks down for a moment then back up at me.

"I love you kid." He says gruffly. "I'm glad you're okay."

Tears spring to my eyes.

"I love you too."

He nods again, then closes the door. I listen to his heavy work boots clunk down the hall and into his bedroom.

I pull my legs up to my chest, looking out my window, feeling confused and ultimately, drained in every way.

Jacob. I was going to talk to Edward about Jacob.

Maybe Edward was distracting me.
Did he see the glow in the forest? Did he hear the howl?

I sigh and rub my weary eyes.

No. It was probably nothing. I haven't had a proper sleep in 48 hours. If I don't get some sleep soon, I'll probably start smelling colours.

I take off my jeans and bra and leave them in a pile on the floor, then climb into bed and under the covers.

I squirm around for a bit and get comfortable.
My limbs grow heavy instantly, and sleep washes over me like a comforting black wave as soon as I close my eyes.

(If you're reading this, you made it to the end of the first chapter! Thank you so much for reading! If you enjoyed it, review! If you didn't, review! More to come in the next few days :)