UPDATE: This chapter has now been beta'd by wolfgrl04 :D

A/N: Thanks for the awesome reviews! I have a lot planned for this story, so I'm excited to continue writing it. This chapter is much longer and I had trouble leaving it where I did, but as it is, it's over 7k words. (*bites nails nervously)

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, all the respective characters belong to Stephenie Meyer.: Rated M : A/U

Chapter 2

BPOV

Gray light filtered through my bedroom window. Stretching, I curled deeper into the mattress hoping for a few more minutes of sleep. My mind was hazy and I felt like I was forgetting something. Breathing in deeply, my lungs filled with moist musty air, causing my eyes to snap open at the realization of where I was. I smashed my face into my pillow and groaned loudly. Reality of the day ahead felt like a hundred pound weight pushing me down. Then I had a brilliant idea – run.

I was never an athletic person by nature. I was more apt to injure myself just walking across a room, let alone play a sport of any type. But when I moved to Florida with Renee one of the things that I found really helped get my mind off Charlie was running.

Phil had a workout room in our house and one afternoon I found myself wandering through. My fingers grazed the machines and I stared in awe and intimidation at the menacing cold metal contraptions. In the corner of the room sat the least intimidating of the equipment, a treadmill. Simply push a button and you were off, running to an unknown destination - sounded nice, so I gave it a try.

What I didn't expect was how good it felt to push the muscles in my legs until they burned with fire. Or how my mind gave way to the exertion of my body and all thoughts were gone. I was hooked from that day on, clocking over four miles a day, most days.

Sliding out of bed, my feet found the cold hardwood floor and I shivered. With one last longing glance at the warm inviting bed, I headed to the bathroom to freshen up for the morning, making sure not to look around as I made my way down the hall. My brain was in a pretty good place this morning, but I knew that was a fragile thing.

After washing my face and brushing my teeth I threw my hair into a ponytail and went back to find some clothes suitable to run in. Luckily I had packed my yoga pants and a comfortable top so I threw those on and grabbed my tennis shoes as I headed downstairs.

Slipping my shoes on, I grabbed my cell phone and started for the door when my stomach made a loud gurgle. I froze in place trying desperately to quell my urge to turn and look at the kitchen. I wasn't ready to look around yet. Swinging the door open then closing it quickly behind me, I dashed down the steps before the tears could come.

Once my legs were set in motion it was easier to think logically - with less emotion. I knew I would be there for at least a few days, if not longer.

God, I hope not longer. I shuddered at that thought.

I would have to get some stuff to tide me over while I stayed in Char- my house. I was shocked after Charlie's funeral when the executor read the will which stated everything had been left to me.

I made the decision then to wait until after I graduated to figure out what to do with the property and other assets. The truck Charlie bought for me still sat parked in the yard, and the boat – well the boat was found capsized the morning they declared Charlie dead.

The pavement was pounding under my sneakers and I felt it give way to squishy rain soaked grass when I realized I had veered off the road. I stopped to catch my breath and turned to go back towards the road. A single drop of rain fell on my head with an almost comical plop. It ran down my forehead and dripped from my nose. I looked up into the tall expanse of the trees surrounding me.

This place really is beautiful, I can see why Charlie stayed here; I thought whimsically

Turning back towards the woods I pushed my legs up the slight incline. It felt good to fight the uneven terrain, my muscles welcoming the challenge. I ran for over an hour before I stopped and turned back to head home. Pretty sure I had followed a path through the woods; I didn't think I would have a hard time finding my way.

An uneasy feeling squirmed its way into the pit of my stomach, despite my attempts to ignore it; it was beginning to get to me. It seemed like I should have already reached the road, but all I could see before me was never ending trees.

I slowed my pace and looked around for any sign of something familiar. Everything looked the same; a vast sea of green. I peered up at what sky I could see through the cover of trees above me. It looked like it was going to open up at any second. In that moment, as if there were some cruel joke the universe was playing on me, thunder clapped through the sky and rumbled, settling to the earth.

"Shit." I stopped where I was to survey my surroundings. There had to be some nugget of information locked in the recesses of my brain to help me get out of there. I began to feel claustrophobic as I stood idle, scanning for a glimpse of pavement or a flash of a passing car. The tall canopy of trees now seemed to be hanging low and intrusive.

The atmosphere shifted and the air grew heavy – thick against my skin. I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand straight as if my body was trying to warn me of some unseen danger. My heart quickened and my breaths came quick and shallow. It felt like there were eyes on me, and my brain screamed at me to just move, but my feet were not cooperating.

A branch cracked behind me, instinctively I spun to look. I couldn't see anything and decided my anxiety was getting the better of me.

"What the fuck Bell? Get it together," I scolded myself. "Okay, think - I was running uphill most of the way, so I'll just follow the slope down. The road should be just at the bottom of this hill." I must have looked crazy talking to myself aloud, but it was the only way I was able to calm my nerves and think clearly.

I started jogging down the hill and the rain began coming down in sheets. I was soaked through in a matter of seconds, but before I could even worry about that I lost my footing on the increasingly slick ground.

As my body perpetuated forward I did the only thing I could think to do and tucked my head, causing myself to summersault down the hill several yards until I smacked into a tree head first. I lay there, covered in mud, letting the cool rain relieve the sting on my forehead.

Why did I decide to take a joy run into the woods? Oh right, it's beautiful, I thought bitterly. Just then I heard a distinctive whooshing sound that was more like a choir of angels to my ears. I jolted up, immediately sitting back down, my head spinning.

Taking a deep breath, I tried once again to stand with only one word as my motivator; car. I felt slightly steadier moving at a slower pace, and I cleared the distance to the road, surprised at how close I had been. Saying a silent prayer of thanks, I made my way down the road and back to Charlie's house.

Once inside I slid out of my muddy shoes at the door, proceeding to the bathroom to check the pulsing gash on my head. It wasn't as bad as some I've had, but it was up there. I would most likely need stitches, which caused me to stifle tears.

Well, I had to go to the hospital for my records anyway, I thought angrily.

Doing the best to clean myself up without touching the increasingly pounding wound on my forehead, I changed out of my soaked clothes and found an old pair of sneakers in my closet. I sat for a moment on the hard floor staring into my closet, which still housed some of my old clothes. Just a few items I told myself I didn't care about so I'd left them.

In reality I knew it was much more than that. I knew I'd left them because I couldn't bear the thought of cleaning out the closet like I wouldn't need to use it anymore. Like I wouldn't ever be coming back to visit Charlie; like I was moving on, leaving him behind.

"God Dad, you would be mocking me so hard right now for this gash on my head," I chuckled to myself, closing my eyes to think of him. I could see his worried expression as I came in the house, drenched and bleeding. Then I could see his twinkling eyes in the emergency room as the doctor stitched me up and he would smile at me, relief visible.

I could hear his words, like so many times before. "Bells, we're gonna have to get you a helmet." Then he would laugh and I would feign annoyance, when I really relished his concern - but just didn't know it myself.

I reached up to wipe the tear from my eye, only to find dry skin. I hadn't even felt the smile that stretched across my lips. "It's nice to think about you, Dad," I said to the house and it was so true.

I'd exerted so much effort not thinking about him, it had never occurred to me doing just that might actually feel good. I let my brain submerge in that knowledge.

Leaning my body against the closet door, I closed my eyes again and allowed the smile to settle into my face. I pushed my hair back behind my ear and the motion caused my fingers to brush over my forgotten open wound. I hissed at the sudden sting and then huffed at my interrupted moment.

"Well, I'd better get this over with. I'll talk to you later Dad - love you." I smiled again into my darkened closet and lifted myself from the floor. Checking my phone, I noticed that it was only 10:15 in the morning. I must have gotten up a lot earlier then I thought as I hadn't bothered to look at the time before leaving the house.

I peeked out the front window and saw what I could only describe as a wall of rain. Grabbing my jacket, I prepared my - sure to be - futile attempts to stay somewhat dry. "Just don't fall again Bella," I said aloud and then made my way the 15 feet down the once gravel driveway, which had become a fast flowing river.

Inside the cover of the rented sedan, I shook off my jacket and was happy to see I wasn't totally drenched. A small, giddy, bubble popped in my stomach and I thought again of my earlier revelation. I need to tell someone, I thought and then reached for my phone.

First, I called Renee but was disappointed with her voicemail. My fingers tapped idly against the screen as I looked out the window, biting my bottom lip. When I looked back at my phone, I had accidentally opened my emails, and saw the name EM109.

Perfect I thought, after all I hadn't responded last night.

Dearest Lighthouse of Mine,

Your signal is indeed strong, and might I add wise to the list? How did you know that when I felt my worst I would find some answers within? I am curious of your secrets to gaining such knowledge.

My heart beats a little stronger today and my lips are curled upward. It feels good, as if after a long bout of sleepless nights they've nestled into the plushest bed ever and are finally satisfied. I am hoping to soon find a bed that fits my whole body, especially my heart, and to be buried deep in the comfort and bliss of its happiness.

My heart does wince at your claims of isolation. Even through my pain I've had family to collapse into. It makes my soul feel heavy to think you have no one like that. Perhaps I can hold a mirror up in hopes of reflecting some of your light and wisdom back to you; or if I could be that light then I would be truly honored.

To know that I have warmed you in any way makes me feel as if I can fly. I can only hope to repay you in part for I know I cannot do for you as much as you have done for me.

A wise man once told me that once seemingly fleeting things can often be found within. Don't be surprised if your marble heart isn't quite as hard as you thought.

Lit with hope,

Eclipsedheart17

Happy with my response, I sent the email and then started the car. Driving to the hospital I was glad that even in the pouring rain it was easy to find. I'd had my fair share of trips as a child, but never had to drive myself. Luckily, it was right off the highway, like most things in that small town.

Parking, I went inside and signed in at the front desk of the emergency room. The nurse behind the desk glanced at me as she handed me paperwork to fill out and then did a double take.

"Did you drive yourself here?" she asked, eyeing my forehead.

"Yes," I sighed, leaving it at that and turning to go sit down.

One thing about small town folks was that they are all too comfortable questioning people. I didn't feel like talking so I was hoping she wouldn't follow me to my seat. I was relieved that she decided to leave me alone; I did however note that she kept throwing me pointed glances. As If trying to let me know she'd get the story on me later. I rolled my eyes and turned my attention to the paperwork in my lap.

Twenty minutes later, all paperwork done, I found myself drifting out of consciousness. I caught my head as it slipped off my palm and tried to sit up straight, blinking the sleep away.

"Isabella, Swan?" I looked up just in time to see shock flash across the nurse's face as she called my name and then quickly tried to hide it. I hadn't stuck around town long enough for anyone to pay their condolences to me after Charlie died. I was hoping it wouldn't be anything like that now, there's a reason I didn't want to endure them then and the reason hadn't really changed.

I stood and followed the waiting nurse back into one of the sheeted off rooms, thankful that she kept it professional and didn't make mention of my father. She asked the routine questions, checked my blood pressure and heart rate. And despite the obvious contusion caked with mud and dried blood on my forehead, she asked why I was there.

She instructed me that the doctor would be in shortly to look me over and left the room. Releasing a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, I smiled at the fact that something had gone my way today. Sitting back, I lazily flipped through a magazine, preparing myself for a long wait.

To my surprise the doctor didn't keep me waiting very long. When he entered and my eyes fell on his face I knew I must have been gawking. I couldn't help but stare into his beautiful golden eyes, and the brilliant smile he flashed at me made my face redden. Something about him seemed familiar, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

"Good morning Isabella," he said, his voice was smooth and rhythmic.

"It looks like you had a fall today. You want to tell me about it?" He sat on a low metal stool and wheeled over to me as he spoke. I opened my mouth to reply as he touched my head to get me to tilt it down. I snapped my mouth shut at his touch. It was icy cold, but not like a normal doctors hands were cold. It felt like there was no warmth what so ever radiating from his skin. I felt chilled and my body shook slightly.

He immediately pulled his hands back and smiled apologetically.

"Sorry, my hands are a little cold." He rubbed them together to warm them and I smiled back, I couldn't help it.

"Um, it's just Bella." I said and smiled again weakly, he nodded in acknowledgement.

"I - I was running and it started pouring rain. I slipped and fell and hit my head on a tree or something," my voice trailed at the end, hoping I didn't sound stupid.

"Well, Bella, it looks like you'll need just a few stitches, nothing too bad, but it was good that you came. Head injuries are nothing to mess around with," He stated very doctor-ly as he pulled out his instruments to sew me up.

"I'm going to clean this up first and it may sting a bit."

"It's okay, I know, I've had worse," I laughed nervously. Watching his lithe hands as he prepared his utensils, I was captivated. He seemed very capable and practiced, as if he'd been doing this for decades, although he couldn't have been a day over 35.

"Bella, I know we don't really know one another, but I wanted to tell you I knew your father." I winced and he paused mid stitch.

"Sorry, I know it can pinch a little. You'd think I could do this without pulling the skin by now." The last part he mumbled so quietly under his breath I don't think he knew I heard him.

"Anyway, he was a great man and a wonderful police chief. We were truly saddened to hear about his untimely passing." I winced again.

"Are you feeling a lot of pain?" He asked, concerned for my level of discomfort. NO. I wanted to scram at him. Just stop talking about my dad!

"No, I'm okay, just a little headache. Thanks - you know, about my dad." The last part came out a little strangled and I saw him glance at me out of the corner of his eye.

He finished in silence and I couldn't bring myself to break the uncomfortable quiet. A small voice in the back of my mind was taking stalk of little subtleties about the doctor. It was nagging at me that there was something familiar about him. The golden flecked eyes, the placid white skin, and the unearthly beauty.

Then it clicked, I'd seen it before. When I had moved here and attended Forks High School. I had only attended for two weeks, but I remember a group of kids that all had the same characteristics. What had that girl told me about them, what was her name, Julie, Jennifer? She'd said they were all adopted by the local doctor and his wife who were young themselves.

I had been so perplexed by one of them in particular. He seemed to hate me, but I never knew why. I internally shuddered at the long forgotten mental image of his deathly stare when I walked into biology my first day.

God I totally forgot about him, I mused. I remember it was so odd because he disappeared the rest of my first week and then came back and tried to be nice. I never got to the bottom of it because I moved shortly after he returned.

"Bella, did you hear me?" I focused my eyes from their haze of memories to find the doctor staring back at me expectantly.

"Um, w..what?" I asked, having no clue what he had just said to me.

"I said I'm writing you a prescription for some pain killers and you should try not to sleep for a few hours. You have a slight concussion, nothing too serious, but I'd like to play it safe. Is there someone to take care of you at home?" My face betrayed my attempts at playing the adult I was supposed to be, and my bottom lip trembled.

"No," I said through a broken sob. Tears came furiously, probably because my brain wasn't working properly. My barriers were missing and my emotions were running wild.

"I just came here to clean out Charlie's house and I came alone because I thought I could handle it. Now I'm by myself in this house that does nothing but shove memories in my face and I haven't even started to pack anything up! I should have listened to Renee and had a company pack the house." I slumped, defeated. Not only had I just laid it all out there to a complete stranger, but I said all the things I was trying not to think – so much for my breakthrough earlier.

At first I didn't notice the hard surface I was slumped against had wrapped itself around me, and then I felt the tightening of his arms. My face flushed as I realized I had thrown myself on the doctor's shoulder and was soaking his lab coat with my tears. I sat up sniffling, and wiped my face.

"Sorry, I don't know what's wrong with me," I muttered, trying to maintain some semblance of dignity.

"Oh, Bella dear, it's okay; I can only imagine what you are going through." He smiled, trying to reassure me.

"Well, I can't discharge you to go home by yourself. You may have to be admitted." I groaned audibly voicing my displeasure at that revelation.

Just then his pager went off and he glanced down at it.

"I tell you what, why don't I get some medicine for you and some lunch and you can decide if you'd like to stay the night here, or maybe you could call your Mom to come be with you?" He gave me a slightly weaker smile as I groaned even louder this time.

There was no way I was going to call Renee all the way here just for one night. She'd never leave and despite my earlier breakdown, my rational mind knew it was better without her. At least better for her, my inner voice whispered.

"You think on it and I'll be back in a minute or two." With that, the doctor turned and pulled the curtain behind him. I put my head in my hands, feeling the soft gauze bandage under my fingertips. I was completely conflicted, I didn't want to spend a night in the ER, and I especially didn't want to get Renee involved. I swallowed hard realizing the lesser of the two evils was going to suck.

A moment later the Doctor returned with a confused expression, he appeared almost worried.

"Bella, I do have a third option for you, but please don't feel like you need to entertain it," he said, something else lying beneath the surface of his words, a warning?

"My son, well, you've met him before I believe. He is doing volunteer hours towards his college credits. He has offered to take you home and stay with you to make sure you are okay." He was boring into my soul with his eyes and my mouth hung slack, I was confused by his words… which son? I hope not the hateful one, my mind voiced my fear.

"This is highly unorthodox," he continued, "and I never would have thought of it or even condoned it, but he has a good base of medical knowledge to make sure you are okay. And he's… well he's rather insistent."

I cocked an eyebrow, unknowingly, until it caused my forehead to sting. "What do you mean - insistent?" I whispered, barely able to force air through my lungs. This was making me very uneasy, but my brain couldn't rationalize why. The hair stood on the back of my neck and the same feeling I had in the woods earlier crept into my stomach.

"Well, he says he knows you and it would help him take care of a lot of his volunteer hours." The Doctor looked away as he said this, suddenly very interested in the chart notes he had taken earlier.

"I guess that makes sense," I sighed, actually feeling a little relieved at the alternative. That way I wouldn't have to stay at the hospital and I wouldn't have to drag Renee up there either. Then it occurred to me to ask, before I got too comfortable "I'm sorry, your son said he knows me? Who is he?" I half expected the answer, but maybe there was some other highly attractive doctor with a child my age in Forks, right.

"He said he had a class with you when you went to Forks High two years ago." I swallowed, my throat catching on the lump that had formed there.

"I'm sorry; I don't think I caught your name." I closed my eyes briefly; my head was beginning to pound. The doctor looked down at his coat and then smiled up, sheepishly.

"Oh, sorry, I forgot I'm not wearing my coat. I'm Dr. Cullen - my son is Edward Cullen." He stared back at me, like he was gauging my reaction. I couldn't even tell you what it was; all I could focus on was the pounding that was pushing in waves through my brain suddenly.

Did he say Edward? Shit. My mind attained that information but couldn't process it properly. I pushed my hands against my forehead as if to keep it from splitting open.

"Bella, are you okay?" he asked cupping my wrists and delicately pulling my hands from my face.

"Yeah, I um… my head hurts?" It came out a question, I have no clue why, I think my brain was broken – concussions suck.

"Here, I brought you this medicine; it will help you with your head. You can relax on this bed but you can't fall asleep." He handed me the pills and then moved behind me to set the pillows up. I swallowed the pills back and shook my head.

"No, I want to go home," I stated before realizing what that meant. He came back around to the foot of the - bed that concerned look dawning his features once again.

"You're sure. You won't feel uncomfortable?"

The wave of pain pounded against my skull again. "No, it's fine." I clenched my eyes shut waiting for the pain to subside. I didn't care in that moment who took me home; I just wanted the pills to kick in, and to get out of there so I could lie down in my own bed.

"Well, let me go get Edward." He paused at the makeshift door and turned back, pulling a card from his wallet. "Bella, here is my card, it has my personal number on it. If you need me, for anything, please feel free to call." I saw the warning flash behind his eyes again and then it was gone, replaced by a smile showing a perfect row of white teeth.

"Thanks, Dr. Cullen." I tried to smile back at him, but it came out as a grimace.

"Please, call me Carlisle."

"Thank you, Carlisle." I did a little better with my smile that time. He turned disappearing behind the curtain. I immediately heard his voice just a few feet down the hall. Leaning forward I strained to hear what were hushed whispers, then a throat being cleared.

"Well, Edward, she's ready to head home." I watched as Carlisle reappeared in the doorway, a shadow that wasn't his cast along his side. He stepped into the room and a tall figure followed.

I stared up at Edward, recognizing him immediately. He looked exactly the same as he had two years ago. His tousled bronze hair shimmered atop his head. My eyes made their way slowly over his perfect chiseled features; the cut of his jaw, the straight line of his nose. His skin was just as snow white, if not whiter then Carlisle's. I remembered it all, just as absurdly beautiful as the day I first met him. I took my time making my way to his eyes because I was afraid of what I would see there.

My shoulders relaxed slightly when my gaze finally caught his, and the once murderous stare that had given me nightmares was absent. Instead his amber eyes were bright and he looked slightly irritated, as if he was straining to hear a sound in the other room.

"Bella," he spoke my name simply. His voice so melodic I wanted to curl up into it and sleep for a thousand years. A smile twitched at edge of my lips and I repressed it to the best of my broken brain's ability.

"Edward." I flushed as my voice came out raspy. My breathing stopped when he flashed a crooked smile at me and Carlisle visibly tensed. It was all my flustered brain could do to snap out of it.

"Edward, you remember the signs I told you to watch for?" Carlisle broke the silence. I tore my eyes from Edwards and fixed my stare on Carlisle, feeling too weak to handle the effect Edward's eyes seemingly had on me.

"Yes, Carlisle, I remember," he said and I could almost hear him rolling his eyes.

Carlisle smiled, pleased, apparently finding whatever reaction he was looking for in Edward.

"And Bella, you have my card," he said more as a statement then a question, staring right at Edward. I took a chance glance in his direction and saw the irritation color Edward's eyes.

"Yes, thank you," I said looking between them both trying to decode the obvious wordless conversation that was playing out between them.

Edward turned his face to me and I looked away quickly, picking at the edge of the sheet on the bed.

"Ready?"

"Okay." I looked to Carlisle who nodded encouragingly to me. I stood to put on my jacket and my body wavered as I raised my hands above my head. All I saw was the room tilt, and before my brain could catch up with the moment I felt cold hands around my waist. I rubbed my face, blinking back the dizziness.

"Thanks, Carlisle," I began before I noticed that he still stood in the doorway to the room. I looked up to see Edward's long arms wrapped around me, a pained look on his face. He was as still as a statue, I didn't even think he was breathing.

I felt my face grow impossibly hot at the realization of our close contact and for the first time noticed the buzzing that had been ignited under my skin. "Uh, I mean Edward," I whispered and he pulled me gently to an upright position. Without looking back he quickly moved to the door, farthest away from me, the pained expression faded from his face, but was still evident in his eyes.

"Let's go," he almost growled and a flash of his face from biology class two years ago snapped through my head. The hairs stood again on the back of my neck and I hesitated before following. Every cell in my body was warning me to stay away from him, for some unknown reason. And yet I still followed, I thought idly of what that said of my fight or flight instincts. Was 'run to danger' even a normal option in most human's instinctual responses?

For now I'll blame it on the broken brain.

I struggled to keep up as Edward moved at a quick pace through the hospital. Heading to some back parking lot I presumed, I lost track of what halls we had gone through.

Finally outside he slowed his pace and I was grateful. I took a second, resting my hands on my knees, my head still lightly pounding. The medicine had kicked in, but practically running through the hospital hadn't helped dissipate the pain, just kept its shadow held there.

"You okay?" He surprised me by speaking, his voice sounding even more harmonious bouncing off the parking garage walls.

"Yeah, I just needed a second. My head still hurts." I stared at the dark thread of my jeans not wanting to look at Edward.

"Sorry, my car's right over there." He gestured and I looked up because he sounded truly sorry. More sorry then he should have been for simply walking too fast for a concussion patient.

I was unnerved by what I saw in his eyes. He looked pained; far more pained then I could ever claim to have felt, even through my issues over Charlie.

"It's okay." I said automatically, wanting to take that pain away, wanting to reach up and smooth away the lines that creased his forehead, and wanting to make him feel just the slightest bit better. I smiled at him and stood up straight, offering to show I was fine.

He smiled back weakly but it didn't reach his eyes, and although I'd only seen it once, my heart winced at the loss of his full smile.

"Let's get you home." He turned towards his car and I recognized the silver Volvo. It had been the only car that stood out to me my short time at Forks High, figures it was his.

The ride home was quiet and despite the unseasonably cold weather, Edward kept the windows down. I shivered in my seat and he glanced at me apologetically.

"Sorry, I like the cold, would you like me to put the windows up?" Something in his eyes caused me to shake my head no; it was as if they were pleading with me.

"It's okay, I like it too."

"I guess I should thank you for agreeing to this. I know it's a little weird, and –," he stopped, seemingly thinking over his choice of words before continuing.

"And it helps me a lot with my volunteer hours," he finished flatly. I detected a hint of disappointment in his voice.

"It's no problem, besides I should be the one thanking you. You've saved me twice now." I smiled, and he raised one eyebrow at me causing a flutter in the pit of my stomach.

"How so?" he questioned, there was a lightness to his voice.

I relaxed into my seat, glad for the easier atmosphere and shrugged my shoulders as if it were obvious. "First, from that deathly hospital food and having to stay the night in one of those uncomfortable plastic beds; and then when I almost fell – you caught me."

He looked down at me as I finished his eyes slightly clouded and darker. The bright amber tinged by a blackish brown and I shrunk away a little. He blinked and they were bright again, I looked out the window wondering if I had just imagined it.

"Well, in that case, I guess you owe me," he said - a chuckle to his voice. It was my turn to raise an eyebrow and I grinned at him stupidly. My inability to control basic facial expressions around the man was highly irritating, and I was praying it was the concussion.

His face shifted to a more serious expression and I tensed slightly. His mood swings were making my head spin, which didn't help my current condition.

"Bella, I need to tell you something."

"Okay," I drew out, baffled by what he could possibly need to tell me. Please don't be about Charlie. I thought.

"I don't think I made a very good first impression when we first met and I wanted to apologize for my behavior." I tried to remember the first moments with him inside the ER but only saw his crocked smile, my stomach fluttered again.

"I don't know what you mean."

"Not today," he said, as if he had read my mind.

"It was when we first met two years ago, in Biology. I believe I was very rude to you, and I am sorry."

"Oh," I said trying not to gape at him.

"I was going through – something - then. I've changed though, I've gotten over my issues, but I never forgot about that and I always regretted not letting you know." The crease on his forehead softened and his expression seemed less tense.

"It's okay, we were young, I don't even really remember what you're talking about to be honest," I offered in a lie. I hoped he didn't see through me, I was never any good at lying. He eyed me for a second before accepting that peace offering and I was pleased.

"Then the things with your Dad happened and before I knew it you were gone." He turned to me then, his eyes smoldering and my body unintentionally leaned towards him.

"I am truly sorry for your loss Bella." I couldn't hate him for it; I couldn't even be a little irritated that he was bringing up my father. I was locked into his gaze and I felt his sincerity to the bone. Breathing deeply I caught the scent off his jacket. I was so close to him and my mouth water slightly.

"Thank you," I whispered with as much sincerity as I had ever accepted anyone's condolences over my father's passing. As much as I was fixed in his gaze, I didn't realize until he stiffened quickly turning away, that he seemed caught in mine as well.

I looked out the window and for the first time since we left the hospital I noticed it wasn't raining. Then I realized we were parked outside of Charlie's house.

"How did you know-"

"Small town." He shrugged with a smile, his lighter mood returning.

He was out of the car almost too quickly and opening my door. I stood, my knees weak, and I didn't think it was because of my concussion. He noticed my hesitation and lightly cupped my elbow. First I felt chilled by his ice cold hand through my sweater. Then the feeling was replaced by a low buzz that pulsed under my skin, and there was an electrical sensation that warmed where his skin made contact. It was the oddest feeling. I stared for a moment at his hand.

Well this is going to be interesting, I thought.

"I'll just help you inside, sorry my hands are cold. I think it's come from working with doctors all summer… must be contagious." He laughed nervously and I pushed away from the car.

"Sorry about the house." I said as we made our way inside. I wasn't even sure what the state of the house would be like, I still hadn't looked around, but I was sure it was dirty at the least.

"It's okay." He smiled and then followed me in.

"I can't offer you anything; I haven't gone to the store yet." I flicked lights on as we made our way to the living room. I heard a low chuckle behind me, like I was missing some inside joke.

"That's okay, really." Then he looked at me with concern.

"Have you eaten today?"

"No, Carlisle said I could eat at the hospital, but we left before I had the chance."

"Oh, sorry about that," he said, running his hands through his hair. Once again, it seemed as if there was more to his apology.

"How about I order pizza since I can't leave you alone?" he said, looking a little nervous, like I might ask him to leave.

"That sounds great," I said truly thankful at the idea, and as if on cue my stomach growled embarrassingly. I blushed and he laughed loudly, making the most exquisite sound my ears had ever heard.

My heart quickened as I caught his face in that happy moment; if it was at all possible he looked even more stunning. To say that I was dazzled would be an understatement, but it's the only word that would come to mind.

I felt it then to my core; I wanted to cause him to make that noise again, to see that joy on his face all the time. I smiled back and couldn't stop the light blush that rose to my cheeks.

I knew I was acting different around him, part of my brain was screaming that at me while the other part was rationalizing that I wasn't in my right mind. So I shrugged it off and decided I'd give it a day; I'd worry about it tomorrow.

For now I would allow myself to enjoy the splendor that was Mr. Edward Cullen, and the electric tension that flowed between us. Stupid blushing blood vessels - be damned.

Thanks for reading - Reviews are like Edward's glorious laughter, I can't get enough!!