A/N: Disclaimer: These characters belong to Stephenie. Damn it.


"Forks Police." I sat at my front desk, fielding calls for the small but strong department. "Hold please."

I intercommed my Dad, the Chief Charlie Swan. "Yes, Bells?"

"Reggie's on the phone. Line one." I transferred the call; my Dad spoke to him on a daily basis.

Having a family in law enforcement had its major ups. Both my parents are cops. My Dad had worked here a long time with a few other people. When Renee came to town expressing her interest in working as a cop, Charlie was awestruck. He couldn't believe a beautiful woman like my mom wanted to get involved in such a dangerous job.

My mom Renee had been searching for the right kind of occupation for herself for a long time. She would hold jobs for no more than a year before she got bored or wasn't promoted. It wasn't until she saw how beneficial being a cop would be. She never stopped to think about how she was putting her life on the line every day, when the victims in a crime were in far worse condition than her.

My uncles Tom and Teddy, Charlie's brothers, were both cops in San Francisco. My great grandfather was a judge in a district court in Oregon. The Swans of the Northwest made it their life's work to be part of the justice system.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue that specific legacy. Manning the phones was only a temporary position while I got myself together again. It was also the least public job I could have without people commenting to me about my situation. This trip was looking much better every day.

"Good morning, Bella." My mom placed a steaming cup of coffee with milk and sugar on my desk. "Any calls yet?"

"None yet. But you do have a hair appointment at 1:30 today." Apparently, I was also an appointment keeper to my parents and the handful of cops that worked here. I didn't mind it, but I worried what will happen when I'm gone on my trip.

I knew my family wanted me to do things, but I know I surprised them when I said I wanted to road trip across the country. They thought I was going to do weird things like in Easy Rider or worse, end up like Thelma and Louise. I had to reassure them that I was strictly going to the festival with no sex, drugs or meeting crazy people along the way. I couldn't discount the alcohol though.

Around twelve o'clock, I went out for lunch for the crew. Typically, we'd order from the diner once a week, usually on a Monday to brighten everybody's mood after the weekend.

This was my least favorite part of my job. This was where I would face everyone everyday. The looks of scrutiny. They'd have the looks of sorrow on their face. I knew what they were thinking; 'oh that poor girl'. As if I needed that in my face everyday; this was one of the reasons I was leaving this place for a while. Everyone had a side in the matter. Some felt sorry for me and eventually, people were on Edward's side. I didn't understand what they could feel sorry about for him; he was the one who fucked up.

I stepped into the diner and a hush came over the air. Eyes darted toward me, scanning for signs of sadness. There was nothing for me to hide behind but my face. I prayed the tears wouldn't betray me. The lump in my throat threatened to choke me, but I swallowed it down. I kept my head high as I made my way to the counter.

I was lucky that Alice was there; she was usually watching over the cash register, but was sitting on a stool on the customer side today. Her stomach looked oddly more pronounced out in public as opposed to the dimmer lighting of my home.

"Hey, Bells. Got the order up right here." She slid the two bags toward me on the counter.

"Thanks. Say, what are you doing later?"

"Nothing, why?"

"I need some help packing for my trip and since you're so organized, I thought you might want to help me."

"Of course."

"Seven sound okay?"

"Sure." I wish I had a bright smile like Alice. She breeded optimism like it was going out of style.

Handling the bags, I walked to the front door. I couldn't push it open from the front, so I backed into it. I felt the pressure give way under me as someone from the outside opened it for me.

And there he was; all tall and rustic. He had grown a beard, his hair longer than ever before. He wasn't on the level of cavemen unkempt, but it was definitely not what I was use to.

We briefly stared at each other, our worlds connected again for the first time in a while. I saw my reflection in his and it stung. Under my eyes were bags. My hair could've used a brushing, maybe a haircut. I could tell that he wanted to help me out to the car with the bags, but I left quickly. He was not going to help me ever again. He wasn't going to hold doors open for me again. Most of all, he wasn't getting back in my heart again.

I placed the bags on the roof of the car, as I opened the door. I stuffed them on the seat and shut the door. I sat in my seat and took stock of the moment. There was nothing I wanted more than to move on. I didn't want to feel this way around him. I wanted to be better and be the bigger person. Why was it so hard to do? My hands shook as I put the key in the ignition and started the car. Before I pulled out of the parking lot, I looked up.

He was still standing by the door, watching me. He was not the same person as before, there was no joy. I saw so much masked under that beard and hair. It was his rebel cry and my trip would be mine. I wish I had it that easy.


A week later, I was stuffing my old tan Volvo's trunk with an even older, brown leather suitcase. My small cooler sat in the passenger seat, stuff with soda, water and snacks. My mom even packed a couple sandwiches for me.

"Oh baby, please check in with us." Renee hugged and kissed me.

"I will."

Charlie hugged me as well, before handing me some pepper spray. "Don't be afraid to use this."

I had to roll my eyes. "If you would've taught me how to use a gun…"

"I don't need more nightmares." He playfully joked, his smile showing through his mustache.

I said my goodbyes to Alice, Jasper and Emmett, promising to call or text them at various points of the trip. They didn't know this, but I was going to try and find some points of interest they might like and send them pictures. And if I was lucky, bring home some souvenirs.

"Bye everyone!" I stuck my hand out the open window and waved as I drove away. I caught the reflection of their waves in my side view mirror.

As I passed by the various buildings in Forks, I felt the weight of the world leave me. I had butterflies in my stomach about what was to come, but it was such a wonderful feeling. I hadn't felt anything but numbness for so long, it was refreshing to have them fluttering around in there. In my head, I said my goodbyes to the little strip of shops that made up downtown Forks. I watched the supermarket, hospital and tiny government buildings disappear behind me.

Ahead of me was the open road, full of things I had yet to discover. Paths I had yet to come across and travel on. And I was going to be a big girl and do this for myself. All by myself.

A small, hopeful smile came across my face. I was glad, but scared. I truly was doing this on my own. I had a map and GPS, so I wasn't lost. I also had the radio, so I turned that on. Unfortunately, it was a country station playing another song about heartbreak and drinking beer to drown your sorrows in.

Shit.

I hadn't invested in an iPod and I regretted it instantly. I hadn't thought about needing music to fill my days. I would be driving for miles without a radio station to listen to.

This truly was going to be a long trip.

As I was about to leave Forks officially, a car sped up behind me flashing its lights. I waved him to go around me, but he honked his horn.

Who knows? Maybe it was my family telling me I forgot to pack something. I pulled over to the side of the road. Stepping out of the car, I saw who it was.

Edward was coming toward me. "You're really going?"

I didn't want to answer him, but the faster I did, the faster I'd get out of dodge. "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

"I don't know. It's not like you to do rash things."

"Well, there's a lot you don't know about me then."

"Same here."

I wasn't about to stand here and discuss my plans with him. "Listen, I'm on a time crunch and you are taking it up yet again."

"Can we please have a conversation without…"

"Without what?"

"The…condescending attitude. I just want to talk."

"Oh." I paced back and forth, laughing in disbelief. "You want to talk? You really do have shitty timing."

"Actually, I don't."

"Why is that?"

He walked back to his car, opening his trunk. He pulled out a stuffed duffle bag and threw it over his shoulder. "Because I'm coming with you."

My response was without thought. "Absolutely not."

"Bee, you are not-"

"Do not call me Bee."

"Fine, Bella. You are not going across the country alone."

"You are not babysitting me. I've been babysat over the past year and don't need it for this. But wouldn't it be a delicious piece of irony if you ended up doing so on this trip?"

"No actually, it would be a pleasure to travel with you across the country. Plus, I know you don't have an iPod and I happen to have one." He gestured to his duffle bag.

I shook my head, bringing my lips between my teeth. "Why are you doing this to me?"

"I honestly don't know, but I know you can't do this alone. I know Charlie gave you pepper spray, but that's not going to protect you out there." He tilted his head toward the road leading out of town, the great wide path to freedom.

"So you're saying I need a man?"

"No, a…" I knew he wanted to say companion, friend, but he was not good enough for those. "…travel buddy."

I didn't want to have a breakdown on the side of the road. This trip was supposed to be about me. This was about me doing something unexpected and seeing myself in a whole new light. But, part of me always craved to go back to what was. I wanted what we never got. I wanted to this trip to heal wounds and give me a new slate to work with.

I wasn't sure if Edward was anywhere in this future. I'm not sure I wanted him there. Was there a difference between the two? Was it worth finding out?

"Bella, if you let me go with you, once you get to the festival, and you never want to see me again, I will honor that wish."

I stared at him. I hated having that kind of decision on my shoulders, but the potential weight that would be lifted from them could be tremendous. If I wasn't so angry at him, I could respect him.

I closed my eyes and muttered my words. "Yes, you can come with me."

Edward placed a call to Alice to pick up his car, as he stuff his bag in the back passenger seat. He hopped in the back as well.

"I'll sit back here." He weakly smiled.

Why did it hurt to know that he knew that's what I wanted, but also not what I wanted at the same time?


A/N: This chapter is a little longer. I hope to keep updating this fast. Review if you are so inclined.