Authors Note: This story has been sloshing around in my mind for some time now, so I finally decided to have a crack at writing it. I'm very nervous about how this is going to turn out. I'm new to this whole fanfic thing and don't think I have nearly enough experience to write a crossover, but hey – no harm in trying right?

Love Hurts

Epilogue

"Pleasure of love lasts but a moment, Pain of love lasts a lifetime"

Staring at Bella, Edward knew she would not let him leave her so easily. And why would she? If it were the other way round, he'd fight for her. He took a deep breath and slowly and regretfully said the words that would allow her to let go of him,

'Bella, I don't want you to come with me,' he watched painfully as his words were reflected in the pain on her face.

'You...don't...want me?' she seemed confused by his words; he knew she wouldn't believe them at first. How could she? His love for her was the strongest thing about him.

'No' he said, hoping his voice showed no emotion.

'Well, that changes things,' she whispered.

Edward paused, slightly surprised by this reaction. How could she believe him so easily? His love for her was everything he had, she knew that. Didn't she? He had to turn away from her; he couldn't bear this much longer. Bella in pain was what caused him most pain.

'Of course, I'll always love you... in a way. But what happened the other night made me realise that it's time to change. Because I'm... tired of pretending to be something I'm not, Bella. I am not human,' he took a deep breath before forcing himself to look at her again; to say she was hurting would be an understatement, 'I've let this go on much too long, and I'm sorry for that.'

'Don't,' she whimpered, 'Don't do this.'

Edward fought to keep his eyes cold, to make his face looked resigned, it's best for her, he told himself. Don't let her think otherwise, 'You're not good for me Bella.'

He watched as he mouth opened. He waited for her next argument, but nothing came. A moment went by before she said, 'If that's what you want.'

Edwards nodded. It wasn't over though. He knew Bella better than anyone. She was too rash, and acted impulsively. He knew he had to force her to stay safe.

'I would like to ask one favour though, if that's not too much trouble,' he said.

'Anything,' she whispered, her eyes now intrigued almost hopeful.

'Don't do anything reckless or stupid,' he order, 'Do you understand what I'm saying?'

She nodded, and he could still sense some hope in her eyes. He couldn't allow that. If there was hope, she would hold on to the memory of him, and he couldn't let that happen. He had to force her to let him go. Making himself seemed distance again he said,

'I'm thinking of Charlie, of course. He needs you. Take care of yourself – for him' and for me, he thought helplessly.

She nodded again, 'I will.' She whispered.

Relaxing, knowing she would keep this promise he said the rest, 'And I'll' make you a promise in return. I promise that this will be the last time you'll see me. I won't come back. I won't put you through anything like this again. You can go on with your life without anymore interferences from me. It will be as if I'd never existed.'

Edward could hear her heartbeat fasten, she was panicking. The realisation of what was happening was sinking in. He had to get out. He knew she'd be ok; he wanted her to know that.

'Don't worry. You're human – your memory is no more than a sieve. Time heals all wounds for you kind.'

'And your memories?' she asked, she sounded on the verge of tears.

'Well,' he paused knowing that his memories would stay forever, and so would the pain of not having her close, 'I won't forget. But my kind...we're easily distracted.' He tried to smile, but couldn't, so he stepped away hoping he wouldn't catch it, 'That's everything, I suppose. We won't bother you again.'

Her head snapped up, 'Alice isn't coming back,' she barely managed to say.

He didn't take her eyes of her as he shook his head, 'No. They're all gone. I stayed behind to say good-bye.'

'Alice is gone,' she said, her voice now failing to show emotion.

Please Bella, he thought, let me go.

'She wanted to say goodbye, but I convinced her that a clean break would be better for you,' he watched as she fought to breath at hearing this.

Get out now, he thought, you won't be able to leave her if you watch her break.

'Goodbye Bella,' he said.

'Wait!' she reached for him, and he grabbed her wrists pinning them by her side. He wasn't going to do this, but he couldn't resist. He lightly kissed her on the head, breathing in her scent one last time,

'Take care of yourself,' and before she could respond he ran.

He ran straight back to her house, he was there within a second. But he could smell Bella's scent going further and further out into the woods. She was after him, thinking he had ran deeper into the forest. He grabbed a piece of paper, and mimicking Bella's scrawny handwriting he wrote Going for a walk with Edward up the path. Back soon.

He knew she would be found, and Esme promised to remain until she was sure that she was.

He ran up to her room, he didn't pause. He didn't want to be around anything that reminded her of him for too long. Quickly he grabbed the cd out of her player, and the photos from her album. He knew her heart would break when she found these missing, but he couldn't let her hold on to him. He lifted a loose floor board and placed the items under the floor. It was stupid, almost childish. But he felt as if they were there, even hidden, his presence would stay with her but without holding her back.

He didn't even take a final glance as he fled the house.

Don't look back...Don't look back...Don't look back...

"What happens when he's your prince charming, but you're not his Cinderella?"

'I made a decision that I was in no condition to make,' she pleaded desperately, stepping towards him.

'But your clear headed now right?' he spat.

'Yes,' she nodded.

'Then you understand perfectly clear when I say I want nothing more to do with you Blair,' Nate muttered looking at her with nothing but pure disgust. Any love that he once felt for her had dissolved, and all that was left was the consequences of her actions.

"I myself am the only friend I have."

'Did you? Or did you not tell him' Blair accused, looking desperately for someone else to blame.

Serena shook her head, realising her fault, 'I did,' she whispered as Blair looked away in disgust, 'but only because you weren't dealing with it and I wanted advice on how to help you.'

'I can't believe you don't get it. The rules are different for the Serena Van Der Woodesens of the world. People expect you to party, be wild, sleep with whomever you want, run away, come back,' Blair ranted.

'Wait! Are we really going back there?' Serena asked.

'You shot your reputation to hell a long time ago, it doesn't matter what you do,' Blair spat not caring how much her words hurt her best friend, 'but I'm a Waldorf!'

'Well, since you and your reputation don't need me and my low rent taste, you and the Waldorf name can weather the storm alone,' Serena shot back, shaking her head at her friend. She turned on her heel, her blonde hair near flicking her friend in the face and marched back to the elevator.

Blair stood not sure if she was glad or sad to see her friend go, 'With pleasure,' she whispered.

"It's amazing how someone can break your heart and you can still love them with all the little pieces"

'You held a certain fascination when you were beautiful, delicate, and untouched. But now you are like one of the horses my father use to own. Rode hard and put away wet,' he paused starring her out, as if daring her to say something, 'I don't want you anymore. And I can't see how anyone else would.' Chuck said the words as if they meant nothing, as if he were saying something she already knew.

Blair didn't answer. She just stared at him for a moment, pleading with her eyes for him to offer her some comfort, to tell her it was just another game. But Chuck sat staring straight ahead, resting his elbows on the bar, his hands clasped in front of his face so she only see half of it. She looked around wildly, as if hoping for someone else to swoop in and save her. With one last glance at Chuck she stood and left the bar.

"Running awaywill never make you free"

'Are you ok?'

'I'd be a lot better if I could spend a semester going to school in France,' Blair pleaded with her mother.

'A semester?' Her mother frowned, 'I already spoke to Harold about a visit and he was thrilled.'

'So can I go?' Blair pounced on the opportunity taking steps towards her mother, trying to be strong.

'Now?' her mother asked in confusion.

'Mum,' Blair gave into her emotions and cried, falling in front of her mother on her knees and burying her head into her lap, 'please try to understand.'

'Blair I am very concerned,' Eleanor shook her head still confused but now worried.

'So book a flight,' Blair begged.

Eleanor didn't understand what was upsetting her daughter but she knew she had to help her, 'We'll get you out tomorrow.'

Blair breathed a sigh of relief, 'Thank-you.'