Hi Everyone! :)

I'm so sorry I haven't been updating. I was sorta busy for the last ten days since I just got back into school, so it's my bad. I'm forgiven I hope?I've seen new reviews, so that makes me happy. I have seen some confusion though, but that's where la-suspence comes in, so you'll have to find out the answers once I've stopped being lazy and typed them. x'D

xxJaksxx: Thank you very much! I will try to update more often. :) And the reason that Bella was affected was because she somehow allowed her shield to lower for the female, but she doesn't know how as of yet. Keep in mind that while the female was in her head, Edward couldn't read her mind still, and also that the female said that some parts of Bella's mind were still blocked off from her, and that she wasn't able to fully use her power.

Also, the female's power isn't just involved with the mind, it physically affects the body (Bella choked, coughed up blood, her back arced, blahblahblah) so that's also why Bella's affected. More on how it physically affects the body later though, it has to do with the full extent of the female's power, and I want that to stay secret for a while. ;D

Thanks to the rest as well, your compliments keep me typing! (Even after ten days of badmoodunawesomness)

Chapter 4: Questions, But No Answers

Bella's Point Of View

After the 'family discussion,' everyone had left to give Edward and myself privacy. I expected him to lecture me on my safety or even blame himself for the entire situation, though it did pain me to think and expect that of him. He continued to hold me, but didn't say a word. He was also shockingly still, moving no more than a statue.

I had tried to peek up at him through my lashes inconspicuously, but lowered them instantly. The anger and pain on his face had made him look demonic, but beautifully so. His eyes were dark with anger, but still had some fragments of his gold tint in the irises, and were turned towards the living room window. I suspected that he was watching and listening for anyone within the range of his hearing, both inhuman and mind-reading wise.

He remained in that position for several minutes, and I felt my body beginning to grow stiff. My neck and shoulder was especially sore though. I imagine it was because I fell down while Edward was chasing me in that dream. I suppressed a shiver as the horrific thought crossed my mind and stretched slowly to ease some pain. I turned my head farther into the crook of Edward's neck and closed my eyes. His arms squeezed me in a affectionate gesture, and I snuggled farther into him.

I felt myself beginning to fall asleep, and it was then that Edward turned his face to my ear.

"Do you want to go back to your home so you can sleep?" I couldn't suppress the shiver this time, and Edward held me closer. "I'll make sure that you and your father are safe; I won't let that monster hurt you again." I felt a sudden ray of light hit my eyes, and I opened them in time to see the sun beginning its ascent into the sky. As I turned my eyes turned to Edward, I felt my heart drop at the heartbreaking sight.

Edward's eyes were fathomless, but I could see the pure love and sadness in his golden depths. All of his face was concealed from the sun except for his cheek as he tore his face away from the window to gaze onto me. The cheek that was caught in the sun sparkled dimly somehow, as if sadness had reduced his shine. He looked as if he was crying, tears running down his cheek and sparkling in the sun. I closed my eyes tightly and pressed my face into his chest. I felt my eyes beginning to sting as they tried pitifully to produce tears; tears that wouldn't come because they had long since run dry.

What am I?! I asked myself bitterly. All I ever do is get in the way and make their lives harder. If only I could do something. . . Anguish and savage hatred burned deeply inside me in an uncontrollable wildfire. How I longed to do something. How I longed to be strong, to be able to comfort and protect Edward when he needed it. How I longed to rid my family of Victoria, and get the Volturi off of their backs.

"What is it, love?" Edward whispered into my ear, taking me from my inner Hell. I shook my head and laid my ear against his chest so that I could speak clearly.

"It's nothing, Edward. Don't worry about me, I'm fine. I promise." I closed my eyes and pressed my head further onto his chest, where his heart had once pulsed. I could only imagine how his beautiful heart would have sounded when it was beating. My imagination began to come up with what his heart could have sounded like, and I smiled at the simple beauty of it despite the current situation; it was soft, but full of life and passion. It's song was stirring and serene, beautiful and poetic. It fluttered, excited by the feeling of happiness and love. This music told the story of his soul, and was just as beautiful as he was. I felt my own heart empty itself of the resentment and come alive with love for this man: my lover, my savior, and my angel.

"I won't force you to go back Bella. It's perfectly alright if you don't want to. . ." he whispered suddenly. I realized that I had never answered his question about going home, and he probably misinterpreted my silence. I raised my palm to his face and caressed his smooth features. I didn't want him to worry.

"This isn't your fault Edward, please don't let yourself think that." He sighed and closed his eyes, leaning his cheek into my palm. His eyebrows creased, and his pain stroke me with unrelenting guilt. Someone so kind and selfless shouldn't be in so much pain. "Edward, please. Please don't put this on yourself!" His eyes opened again, but his expression had not changed.

"You don't understand how useless I felt Bella. I saw you in so much pain. I touched you, spoke to you, tried to wake you, but nothing worked. And when you begged for me to kill you. . ." His eyes squeezed shut again and he buried his face into my hair. His body was quivering slightly, and I'm sure that if he could have produced tears, I would feel them at the nape of my neck where his face was. "You dreamed of me about to kill you Bella. . ."

I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed his neck softly. "It wasn't you Edward, it was her. I know you would never do that to me."

"That's what you said earlier." I nodded and stroked his hair before laying another kiss on his neck.

"It was true then, and it is now." I pulled away and moved to his face and waited until he opened his eyes. When he did, I spoke again. "I love you Edward, please don't worry okay? I'm fine, and I'm fine because I'm with you." I pressed my forehead to his. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the entire world."

I pressed my lips to his softly in a chaste kiss. He kissed me back just as gently, pulling away before I could throw myself all over him. "Charlie will wake soon. Are you sure you want to go back?" I nodded and he stood up, went to his door, and held me tightly to him as we raced back to my house with inhuman speed.

As soon as Edward laid me in my bed, he said that it was safe. I nodded, but felt uncomfortable about going to sleep. Edward must have noticed my hesitance and nodded grimly. "If anything begins to happen, I'll bring you back to Carlisle." He leaned forward and began peppering my face with butterfly kisses before pulling away and giving me another stiff nod. "Charlie's coming. I'll be in the trees, keeping an eye out. If I so much as hear you squeak, I'll be back before you could even take in another breath."

I nodded and curled myself into the middle of my bed, closing my eyes. There was another cold kiss on my cheek before I heard a soft swoosh, then my door open softly after another second. "Sleepy kid. . . Good thing it's Saturday," I heard Charlie mumble before he closed the door again and walked quietly down the stairs.

Everything slowly faded, and I thankfully drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

I was awakened by a soft shifting on my mattress, and I knew it was Him. It felt like only seconds had passed since I fell asleep, but I knew it must have been more than that; the sun was shining at a completely different angle than it was this morning. I rolled onto my other side and got comfortable in his already open arms. He hugged me to him and rubbed my shoulder in slow, soothing circles.

"Forgive me for waking you Bella," he whispered softly into the hollow of my ear. His breath tickled, but I ignored the urge to giggle. "I was becoming anxious." I nodded and tried to speak, but my throat only produced a slurred mess. He chuckled quietly, shaking me slightly as I lay pressed to his chest. "Go ahead and go back to sleep love." I shook my head and pulled away to sit up and stretch. When I was finished, I found him giving me a disapproving look.

"I'm awake Edward. What are we going to do today?" He was suddenly in front of me as I stood up from the bed, but it didn't come as a shock to me anymore. He simply took my hand in his and smiled, making me almost teeter while I swooned.

"What would you like to do today love?" I shrugged, not really expecting him to agree with me so soon after 'the incident,' as I referred to it.

"Why don't we go for a walk or something?" Edward automatically tensed and shook his head. I smiled and squeezed his hand encouragingly. "We don't have to go far, I just want to go outside." I tilted my head to the window and continued. "It looks nice out today, and we're free from the wrathful watch that is Charlie." I purposely widened my eyes and raised my eyebrows to add to the 'creepy' effect. He laughed full-heartedly and pull me closer to his side.

"How can I possibly resist when you tempt me with such an alluring look?" I jabbed him in the gut, probably giving my elbow a bruise. He laughed again at my frustrated expression before taking me fully in his arms and lowering his face ever closer to mine. I put my finger to his lips before I got caught in the moment, and he looked at me with a somewhat stunned expression. Sure of ourselves are we? I laughed at his puzzlement and moved my finger to brush along the cool marble of his cheek. He closed his eyes and purred almost inaudibly at the warmth my fingers were laying upon his skin.

"I require a human moment. Morning breath," I clarified. He pressed his face into my hand, still making the soft sounds before continuing.

"I like your morning breath," he mumbled. I chuckled again at the sound of his voice; like a small child who wanted a cookie before dinner. He peeked at me with one eye opened and he smiled again. Swoon.

"Wait for me downstairs ok? I'll only be a few minutes." He nodded and kissed my palm before disappearing again, probably to sweep the woods before we took our walk. I continued on to the bathroom, wondering if Edward would find anything interesting or important on his quick search of the area.