Written for the October WitFit

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October 1, 2012

Word Prompt: Scarf

Dialogue Flex: "Do you need a ride home?" he asked.

"Damn it!"

Only a few miles away from her final destination, Bella's car decided to give up on her in the middle of nowhere. In the dark. On Christmas Eve. As she banged the hood closed, having figured out nothing wrong about the engine with her little knowledge of mechanics, she thought that this disastrous night was a very fitting ending to her five months of things falling apart in her life.

Bella got into her car again, feeling the desperation creeping up on her slowly, like a vulture waiting for the right moment to attack its prey. She was alone, with no one to come to her aid and no way to call for help. And that was the final straw for her. After witnessing everything she knew about her life being torn to pieces for so long without an emotional outburst, Bella found that moment of solitude to cry all the tears she had been holding in. And even though the inside of the car was getting colder and colder as the minutes passed by, her face was hot from crying and wet with endless tears.

She was still sitting there, her body shaking from the cold and the fear, when she saw lights cutting through the fog. She turned around and she saw a car approaching. The tremors got worse, a full blown panic attack threatening to take over. Being from a big city like Phoenix, Bella was no stranger to dangerous situation, although she had never been a victim herself. She locked the car and tried to hide as much as possible, hoping that whoever it was they would leave without taking any notice to her. But still there was a small part of her that whispered sensible words, like 'they might be able to help you'.

It seemed that she would get to find out whether she would be saved or lost anyway, because the car slowed down and came to a stop a few feet in front of her car. Bella wrapped her mother's scarf tighter around her and her right hand fisted the pepper spray in her bag. As she spied the tall figure that emerged from the unknown car, she tried to convince herself that she was a fighter. That she hadn't gone through all the heartache of the last month only to be killed by a psychopath in the middle of nowhere. Especially before finding what she had come all that way for.

As the figure got closer, Bella was able to distinguish the form of a young man, barely older than her. His body was lean and he could definitely take her if it came down to that. But when his face got into view, she knew there was no possibility that such a kind, warm face could belong to a criminal. His soft, green eyes made an amazing contrast against his angular face. If angels could walk the Earth, that man must have been one of them. Or it was devil himself and no one but him would be the wiser.

Even though Bella was looking at him intensely as he made his way over to her window, she was startled when he gently rapped his knuckles on it. She shook her head to get out of her stupor and focused on what he was saying instead of the captivating smile on his face.

"Hey, are you alright? Need any help, here?"

The pane muffled his voice but Bella still appreciated the honey that melted out of his lips.

"Miss?" he asked again when she didn't answer.

"Oh, yeah, I've got everything under control" she squeaked, trying to sound convincing enough to make him leave. Even angels could be dangerous, right?

"Is there something wrong with you car?"

"Yeah, but no worries. Help is coming." Please, just leave! Please, just leave!

"I could stay…" he started but Bella was quick to interrupt the suggestion he was about to make.

"No! Definitely not. You must have somewhere important to be tonight of all nights and I wouldn't want to be a bother."

"Oh. Ok, I guess. If you're sure." His expression turned into a contemplative frown and Bella couldn't help but think that even that small crease between his eyebrows was attractive. "Merry Christmas, then," he said and turned to leave.

"Merry Christmas" Bella whispered and left a sigh of relief. But when the stranger reached his car he turned around abruptly and came back to her door.

"Look, I realize you might think me a serial killer right now, but I promise I'm not. I only want to give you a hand if you need anything."

"How do I know that?" she challenged him with surprising bravado and pulled the window down.

The man looked at her as if trying to find the perfect words to make her believe him. Bella recognized the good in him and in his eyes saw only the wish to help someone in need. And even though she knew she was fighting a losing battle, she let him say his piece anyway.

"You don't. There are some times in our lives when we just have to trust our instincts. When that crazy voice in our head is right. I promise that no harm will come to you," he said with a serious tone in his voice. But then his previous smile returned, this time playful and cheesy. "Besides, my mother would kill me if I was to leave a young lady alone and unprotected."

Bella's lips twitched into an almost smile and she quickly collected herself, though there was no hope for the shine that started to light up her dark eyes.

"Do you need a ride home?" he asked with that sultry voice of his and she knew that she could never deny him.

"Yeah, I do."

"I'm Edward Cullen, by the way," he said extending his hand through the open window.

"Bella… just Bella." she sighed taking his hand and reveling in the comfort he made her feel.

"Just Bella?"

"For now."

Ten minutes later Bella was sitting in Edward's car, enjoying the warmth and the low music that played on the radio. While they drove, they made small conversation. Edward was going back to Forks from U-Dub to stay with his parents for holidays.

"So what are you doing in Forks, anyway? I've lived my whole life there and I don't think I've ever seen you before."

Edward was touching a very personal matter there but Bella thought that he could help her.

"I'm looking for my biological father, actually."

Edward was obviously taken aback but her answer but didn't seem to be fazed.

"Do you know who he is?"

"No. All I have is a first name and this scarf. My mother said he would recognize it. It was a hand me down of sorts."

The scarf she had around her neck had always been special to her mother. The few times during the year that it was actually cold enough to cover up in Phoenix she wore it even if the vibrant oranges and yellows didn't match her clothes. Bella never learned the significance of the scarf until after her mother's death.

"And the name?"

"Charlie."

Edward realized immediately who was Bella's father and after the initial surprise he chuckled.

"Of course! Now I can really see the resemblance. You have his eyes!"

"You know my father?" Bella asked anxiously.

"Everyone in Forks knows Chief Swan."

Chief? So he was Chief of the Police?

Bella had many questions for this stranger who obviously knew her father better than she did but she didn't get to voice a single one before he spoke.

"Let me ask you something, Bella. Do you have any plans tonight for dinner?"

That truly was unexpected. "Umm, no."

"What do you say you come spend the night with my family then and tomorrow I'll take you to your father myself?"

"I wouldn't want to impose."

"You wouldn't' be imposing, Bella. We owe Chief Swan a lot."