Part IV.

Jasper and Rosalie were kneeling in the sun, a lush meadow spread out around them, tall wheat waving in the wind, two images of perfection, he in faded jeans and a wife beater, she a simple cotton sundress. Their tanned faces smiling cheshire grins at each other, unthinking and emotionless. Their hands were extended towards each other, proudly offering their heart for their twin, warm and beautiful. As she watched, a third wheel, an outsider, the heart in Rosalie's hand expanded- just so slightly. When it shrank again to its normal size, the shape had changed.

It was a real heart now, pumping madly, blood spewing onto Jasper's face and onto Rose's white sundress. The two hearts bumped up and down, beating now and shooting pillars of blood. And the twins kept smiling, expressions frozen with time.

Bella woke with a start, sitting up straight in her bed, her heart pounding.

"Bella?"

"Oh, Edward, you're here!"

"Of course."

Only one of the dreams Bella had last night was actually a dream, then- the bad one, thank God.

Edward wrapped his arms comfortingly around Bella, his face pressed to hers. The night air was still, but heavy with something Bella couldn't place.

"Edward, how long was I asleep?"

"Not long," his voice whispered in her ear. "No more than twenty minutes, actually. Did you have a bad dream?"

Bella's lip pulled into a pout. "Yes." She breathed in deeply. "So what time is it?"

"Almost one in the morning."

Bella leaned peacefully back against Edward's chest, grabbing his hands where they sat on her stomach. Her heart slowed, her body relaxed, and Bella thought she had never been more calm.

"I hope we can always be just like this, Bella," Edward said suddenly. "I don't want ever to be disturbed when I'm with you."

Bella smiled, about to agree.

The phone rang shrilly, and she stiffened. "You said it's one in the morning?"

The phone rang again.

"Yes."

They listened for a minute while the ringing continued in the hallway, and finally the messaging machine picked up.

"Bella? It's Emmett, oh God. I... Oh, Bella, I'm sorry, I know it's late. Wake up! Please, Bella, I need you. I... I went to see Rose. You know..." Emmett was sobbing. His breath hitched. Edward sighed and disentangled himself from Bella, casually walking into the hallway.

"I couldn't sleep without her. I went to Jasper's, I just had to talk to her. Oh my God, Bella, Jasper, and Rosalie! I don't... Bella, the poli-"

Edward lifted the phone gently off the hook, and Bella heard a click as he set it back down. He seemed to drift back to her, a phantom moving like death. Or an angel. Moving like the light of God.

"Like I said." He grinned crookedly. "We don't need to be disturbed right now."

Bella's heart once more went into a frenzy, and her breath caught in her throat. She realized that she wasn't tired anymore, wasn't relaxed or calm. She didn't want to have a nap, or to lie and chat.

"Edward," she moaned, her tone hungry. He raised his eyebrows and she threw herself onto him, kissing him with all the force she could manage.

Their bodies twisted and entertwined, her legs wrapped around his waist, his knee beneath her, their arms thrown around each other. Bella pushed the navy jacket he was still wearing off of him; something heavy in one of the pockets made a loud thunking noise as it hit the ground, but Bella hardly noticed.

Already she was fumbling with the buttons of his shirt, and his hands were slipping down from where they rested on her shoulder, tracing a thin line with his nails towards her waist. Bella finally had the last button unclasped, and as she opened the shirt she couldn't hold back the gasp, couldn't pull her eyes away.

A massive scar ran down his chest, and he followed her gaze to it. Bella knew he hadn't gotten it from one of his crime sprees. It was from what had happened to him. What it was that made him go... crazy in the first place.

Edward stiffened as she stared, a growl ripping from his throat- the sound was almost animalistic, and his moves were more graceful than she thought possible as he twisted from her embrace and onto the floor.

"Edward!" she cried out, following him, but stumbling on her feet.

She was kneeling before him, a sacrifice offering to some heathen God. Or just a scared little girl who wanted the one she loved to hold her again.

"Edward?" she murmured. "Hey, turn around, look at me."

Edward spun, ducking into a crouch so their eyes were level. His gaze was wild and fierce, his jawline tight and his breathing was heavy.

"Bella," he rasped huskily. "Bella, I love you."

"Edward, I-"

"Bella, I have never wanted anything more in my life than for you to love me back."

"I do, Edward, I-"

"I'm so sorry!" Edward wailed, and tears began spilling down his cheeks.

"What? What for?"

"Everything! I've ruined everything, Bella!" Edward snapped, his voice angry now. His eyes were furious as they stared her down, and if you had enhanced senses you would have heard her arteries dialate to support the extra blood her heart rapidly pushed out, would have smelled the adrenaline coursing through her with her fear. Your eyes might have picked up the deep reddening of her cheek, her face, her shoulders, even in the darkness.

"What are you talking about?" she pressed on bravely, ignoring her instincts. This was Edward, her Edward. The man she loved.

"Bella, don't you see?" he seethed, grabbing her arms and shaking her. "Are you blind to what I've become?"

Edward stood and turned, grabbing the jacket on the floor.

"Edward, no!" Bella shrieked, but he wasn't leaving her. She didn't have to worry about that. He dropped the fabric once more; this time it hit the ground with nothing more than a soft fop.

"Edward?" Bella stuttered, squeezing her eyes shut against threatening tears, only concerned for him. Only wondering if he was okay. After all, nothing was more important than his safety, his happiness.

Edward swivelled at the sound of her voice, and a cool presence at the center of her forehead relieved the heat there. Something clicked.

Bella opened her eyes, her next words strangling themselves in her throat as she realized she was staring down a loaded gun.