Chapter 4

Harry and Jasper were outside the Swan residence, waiting for Edward. Alice told them that he'd be there soon making it useless to go searching for him. When Edward finally arrived, he looked savage. His clothes were barely covering him. His hair was full of mud, dust and leaves, and his skin was filthy. His eyes were pitched black and even Harry could hear his panting. Jasper immediately tensed and pulled Harry behind him; who knew what was going through Edward's mind. Harry quickly armed himself.

"What are you doing here?" Edward roared, "I told you and your damned wife to stay away!"

Jasper was about to reply, but Harry spoke instead, "Maybe it's you who should have stayed away!"

Edward startled, not having noticed Harry. His mind was just as silent as his sister's. Edward looked constipated as he tried to read Harry's mind trying to figure out just who he was. Bella never mentioned her brother, and if she did it was barely worth remembering.

"I'm Harry," he said, pushing out from behind Jasper, "Bella's older brother. You have a lot to atone for."

"Bella doesn't have a brother," Edward said as a matter of fact.

Harry rolled his eyes, "I assure you that I exist just as surely as you do," he said.

"But Bella never said…"

Harry gave him a look, "You've only known her for 9 months and most of it was either the honeymoon phase, or you trying to get her to stay away."

Edward growled, "It was for her own good!" he insisted, "I didn't want Bella to be involved in this life. That's why Jasper and Alice need to leave!"

"I ain't going anywhere!" Jasper insisted, "My mate needs me."

Edward stepped towards him, "What do you mean?" he demanded, thinking solely about Bella.

"He's not talking about Bella," Alice said from behind Jasper and Harry making the two males tense, "He's talking about Harry. He's our mate; mine and Jasper's."

Edward frowned, "But you…"

Alice walked closer to Edward, dodging Jasper's grasping hands. Harry narrowed his eyes and raised his arm higher.

"We're a triad. We're not complete without him. That's why we came back, to get Harry." Alice explained, "And if Bella wants, we can change her too…"

Edward roared at his sister's final words, throwing the small female up into the air. Alice flew towards the house but just before she could fall through the wall, she fell into an invisible net. As Harry helped Alice get down to safety, Jasper raced towards Edward and tackled him for attacking her. The two began fighting in earnest, drawing attention from the neighbors and worse from Bella. She ran out of the house towards Edward and Jasper. Harry barely managed to catch her.

"Stop it!" Bella screamed, "Stop it! You're hurting him!"

"Bella!" Alice cried, "They're going to be fine."

Alice took Bella into her arms and held the sobbing teen tightly. Charlie had followed his daughter out and was now watching Jasper and Edward. He was not amused.

Harry rolled up his sleeves and then almost silently cried, "Immobulus!"

Almost as soon as Harry said it did both Edward and Jasper freeze in their tracks. Spotting the neighbors looking at them in horror, he was quick to levitate the fighting duo into the house and obliviate the ones who shouldn't have seen anything. Charlie was quick to pull Alice and Bella after them to keep the girls from staring like idiots at Harry. Neither of them knew what Harry was capable of. Once everyone was inside Harry unfroze Jasper.

"What was that?" Bella demanded wondering if it hurt Edward.

Harry gave his sister a look, "Do you really think I would do anything to hurt your soul mate?"

Bella frowned, "No," she was quick to say, "But still…"

Charlie spoke up, "Bella," he said, "Go upstairs. Harry will take care of this mess."

"But Ch..dad!" Bella bean but seeing her father's desperation on his face, she went without more argument. Alice followed closely, knowing that she would need a sympathetic ear.

Harry was quick to put magical rope around Edward's arms and legs to keep him still. He gave Jasper a look, telling him that he'd explain later before freeing Edward from the first spell.

"Bella!" Edward cried out, turning his head so he could watch her fleeing back. He tried to get loose, but the rope was too tough.

"That's enough Cullen!" Charlie growled, "You stay away from my daughter! I knew you were bad news from the start."

"Dad," Harry said quietly, "Why don't you go check on Bella?"

Charlie sent Edward one last glare before following his daughter. Edward looked like his puppy just keeled over. He was slumped over in defeat but at the same time was angled so that he could easily get to the stairs once loose. It was then that Harry knew Edward did love Bella and that he was eternally just a stupid teen trying to do the best for the girl he loved.

Jasper felt Harry's understanding and nodded. He knew that whatever Edward had done to Bella was wrong, but he also knew that Edward truly loved her. He was glad that Harry knew that now as well.

"Alright Eddie," Harry said, sitting down so he was straddling the kitchen chair, "Tell me exactly what you were thinking when you left my baby sister out in the woods after breaking up with her."

Edward struggled against the ropes once more but when he realized it was futile, he sighed, "I…" he hated thinking back to those moments, "I left her in full view of the house. I would never leave her in those woods." The last past was said with the utmost conviction, Harry knew he was telling the truth.

"Well I hate to tell you," Harry said, "But my sister wandered in after you and got lost for hours. If it wasn't for Sam, Bella could have gotten really sick, or maybe even killed."

Edward looked disgusted with himself, "It's all my fault," he mumbled, "All I wanted to do was protect her."

Harry didn't argue with that, "She really loves you," Harry informed the century old vampire.

Edward looked up at Harry, his black eyes swimming with truth, "I love Bella with every fiber in my being," he said, "I never want to see her hurt. I only left to give her a normal life."

Harry snorted, "You hurt her more than anyone ever could when you left," Harry said, "After meeting her soul mate how could you ever think that she would just settle? The moment you and Bella began your relationship, you ended the possibility of her marrying some other guy. Bella is a Swan. We love fast, but we love hard. She would have never gotten over you."

Edward gave Harry a fierce look, "You don't know that," he said almost desperately, "Bella could still be happy."

"No!"

Edward, Harry, and Jasper looked over to the stairs where Bella was trying to run down them. Luckily she didn't stumble until she reached the rug at the bottom of the stairs. Jasper was quick to catch her, but not fast enough for her to avoid a bruise. Thanks to the blood pops, he had no blood lust but that didn't mean that he was totally immune to his future-sister-in-law getting hurt.

"Jasper get away from her!" Edward cried desperately, trying to get out of his binds.

Harry rolled his eyes at Edward's theatrics and walked over to Bella who was struggling to get out of Jasper's grasp. He was trying to see where the blood was coming from and she was trying to make her way to Edward. Harry caught her just as she broke free from Jasper's grasp.

"Easy Boo," he said soothingly, "You don't want to do that right now."

Bella looked at her brother, "Please I have to make him understand," she pleaded, "He can't! He can't leave!"

Harry kissed her head gently, calming her down, "Bella," he asked looking into her eyes, "Do you trust me?"

Bella closed her eyes and nodded, "With my life," she said and then looked up at Edward, catching his eyes, "With my soul."

Harry nodded, "Let me handle this," he said.

Bella sighed and nodded. She looked at Edward one more time as though committing him to memory before going back up the stairs where Alice was waiting. Charlie locked himself in his room in order to keep himself from attacking the boy who broke his daughter.

Harry turned back to Edward, "See," he simply said, "She needs you like a fish needs water."

Edward hung his head, "But I'm dangerous…"

Harry snorted, "Dramatic much?"

Edward glared at Harry, "I killed people, drinking their blood. I'm no better than James."

Harry rolled his eyes, "I don't know who this James is, but I have a gut feeling that you are nothing like him."

Jasper nodded in confirmation, "It's true," he said, "James was almost as bad as you could get."

"You don't get it," Edward cried, "I won't damn Bella's soul!"

Harry gave him an incredulous look, "So let me get this straight," he said, "You left my sister because of some Judeo-Christian belief about souls?"

"Why would we have a soul? We are monsters."

Harry snorted, "You have no idea what a soul entails do you?"

"And what, you do?"

"As a matter of fact, I know exactly what a soul is, how it works, and more importantly know who has one and who doesn't. Let me tell you Eddie," Harry sneered, "Every living thing has a soul, from the smallest fruit fly to the largest tree to the evilest vampire. The only difference between souls is whether or not they've been torn and only murder can do that."

Edward gave Harry a look, "I'm a vampire," he said, "I've killed people."

Harry rolled his eyes once more, "But you haven't murdered," Harry said, "Not really. Killing for food does not equal murder, protecting others by killing does not equal murder and becoming a vampire does not make you a murderer. You're holding yourself to human standards and I hate to be the one to break it to you, but you're not human, not anymore."

Jasper looked hopeful, "You mean that even though I had red eyes, my soul is still intact?" he asked.

Harry gave Jasper a smile, "Did you kill someone just because you could?" he asked, "Or was it always for food."

Jasper smiled, "Food," he said.

Edward snorted, "Please Jasper," he said, "You're going to believe that?"

Jasper glared at Edward, "Harry is my mate," he said, "If he says that the grass is purple, I'm going to believe him."

Edward scoffed, "Please,"

Harry had enough of this guy. It seemed that all he wanted to do was drown himself in misery. He knew that Edward was his sister's mate, but right now he knew that the vampire was not ready for her. He was going to hurt her again and if Harry had anything to say about that, he wouldn't let him near her. He knew it was Bella's decision but hoped that she listened to sense.

"Let's get a few things straight. First off, if you ever hurt my sister again you won't even have a chance to blink before you experience a world of pain. She loves you more than words can describe and it was incredibly stupid of you to even pretend that you don't feel the same way."

Edward looked at Harry in confusion. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Secondly, you have no right to make any relationship changing decisions without Bella's input. She is an adult, in an adult relationship. If you fear for her safety, tell her and compromise. She might argue or downright reject what you're saying, but that doesn't mean that you can go over her head and decide to do things your way. You are forever 17. Not only were you changed before your brain could become fully developed, but you're ruled by emotion."

Edward protested, "I'm over a century old!"

Harry shrugged, "Linear time doesn't matter anymore," he said.

"I love Bella!" Edward insisted, "I love her more than anyone and anything."

Harry nodded, "I don't doubt that," he said, "But your loving her is not the issue. You are."

Edward glared at Harry. He did not want to sit and be lectured by a mortal that was barely out of high school. He tried to slip his binds once more, but was proven again how formidable they were. He thought that he was above the rest; that normal rules didn't apply to him. He needed to get out of there.

"Let me go!" Edward demanded, and whe Harry did so he stood up and brushed himself off, "Jasper get Alice. We're leaving."

Harry snarled and using his magic, punched Edward in the face, "You have no right to order anyone around and tell them what to do. If Jasper and Alice want to dance naked in the rain that is their decision. You can give them your opinion but that is as far as your influence should reach."

"My family knows that I can make sound unbiased decisions…" Edward replied haughtily.

"You're joking! I have no idea what your family was thinking to listen to you like that. Not only are you emotionally compromised but you're 17 years old."

"How dare you…" Edward began but Harry just rolled his eyes again before sending Edward into unconsciousness.

Jasper tried to explain but Harry wouldn't hear it. "How old are you Jasper? Why would you let anyone tell you what to do especially when you know it's wrong?"

Jasper finally sighed, "I guess we're so used to letting Edward and Alice make all the major decisions that we didn't question them."

Harry groaned, "This is ridiculous," he stated firmly, "Jasper, before I even begin to consider considering joining you and Alice as a mate things need to change."

Jasper sent out a small wave of fear, "What do you mean?" he asked.

Alice came down the stairs as soon as she heard Harry's comment, "We can change, I promise! Please don't leave us!"

Harry sighed, "Now's not the time," he muttered, running his hand through his messy hair, "I need some sleep."

"Harry," Alice whispered fearfully.

"I think you two should take him home," Harry said, "Make sure he stays away. I need time to go over everything."

"We would do anything for you!" Alice told him.

Harry gave him a sad smile, "But it shouldn't be for me; it should be for us, for you. I promise I won't make any decisions without talking to you two first. I just need time to process everything."

Jasper nodded and took Alice's hand, "We'll see you in the morning?" he half asked half stated.

Harry nodded and watched as Alice and Jasper left. He ignored his heart yearning for their presence as he closed the front door behind them and walked up the stairs. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and texted Portia, asking her where she was. Just before Harry made it into Bella's room, he got a response, telling him not to wait up.

Bella was lying in her bed facing the window with Wilson lying by her feet. Harry sighed and after pulling off his shoes, lay down behind her. He hugged her close feeling her sobs.

"He's doesn't want me," she whispered.

Harry groaned mentally not wanting to get into this right now but knowing he had no choice.

"He loves you Bella," Harry assured her, "Probably more than we know, but he has it in his thick head that not being with you will keep you safe."

"I…" Bella stumbled with her words, tears flowing down her cheeks, "I need him."

Harry nodded into her back, "If I get it my way, he'll never leave you again." Harry promised, "He just needs some sense knocked into his head."

"He doesn't want me…" Bella whimpered.

Harry kissed her head, "He wants you Boo," he assured her, "Now go to sleep."

Bella slowly relaxed in her brother's grip, slowly but surely hoping that perhaps her brother was right. It didn't take her long to fall asleep. Harry on the other hand spent half the night going over everything from Edward and Bella's relationship to his new mates to what he was going to make for dinner the next day. His mind was overwhelmed with information. He knew he had a long day tomorrow, and fell asleep wondering just what was going to happen.