A/N: Okay, so I'm wondering if my timeline will match up correctly, but I think it will work. Here's what I'm thinking. Because Bella was still human at the time of Alice's vision and because she wasn't allowed to 'look' for her – Alice saw Victoria watching Bella from the forest moments before it actually happened. So – it took about 14 hours to get to Alaska from Forks the first time they went, and it only took Edward about 10 hours to get back… so Bella is about one third of the way through the transformation when Edward finally reaches her. Hope this makes sense… lol

______________________

What Happened Last Time…

Edward's POV

"No" I gasped as I pulled her shirt off her shoulder to examine the damage. I then saw the light pink scar that was left of the bite. The venom had healed it already, sealing it into her body. She was changing.. Victoria bit her. I let out a growl that shook the windows panes with its strength.

______________________

Bella's POV

I thought I would die from the fire running through my veins. But no, dying would be bliss compared to this. I knew I would live through this, living as much as a vampire can I thought bitterly. I was mad, bitterly mad, furious even. I had begged Edward to change me when he still wanted me.. nut now.. it was too late.

I tried to hold in my sobs because I knew that if I let my composure down I would scream from the pain and I didn't want anyone to find me. No, I wanted – needed to suffer alone, and in silence.

I focused completely on the music I heard filtering from my room, down the stairs and to my strengthening ears. I could feel that my palms were healed, no more cuts to be seen. I knew that I was gaining strength, I could tell that if I wanted to move I could, but not without screaming.

I wondered what I would do after I found Victoria. As I thought of her a hiss escaped my lips… I was shocked to hear that sound. I tried to figure out how long I have been laying here, trying to do anything to keep my mind off the awful burning.

I thought about how I fell when Victoria dropped me; I wanted to figure out how I was positioned so I knew which way to look for a window. I figured I was sprawled just inside the kitchen, so if I looked to my left I would see wall and to my right I would see window. I took a deep breath and opened my eyes, slamming them shut as soon as I saw it was dark out. I didn't know what hour but I almost screamed in pain from opening my eyes.. I couldn't imagine what it would feel like to move.

My thoughts drifted to Charlie, but I couldn't go there yet. That memory needed to remain unvisited because I couldn't deal with the pain of the fire creeping through my veins and the pain of grievance that was sure to double me over when I finally allowed myself to think about it.

I thought back to the first day I met Edward. How I thought he hated me when he didn't even know me, and how I thought I stunk that day in Biology class when he moved as far away as possible and did everything but clamp his hand over his nose in disgust.

I almost giggled when I thought about the irony there. I didn't stink, but was instead the most delicious thing he'd ever smelled. He wanted to kill me, not because he hated me but because my blood sang to him. I mentally sighed at all the things that had happened in the last week.

I didn't want this, I didn't want to become a vampire when I couldn't share it with Edward. After I destroyed Victoria I was planning on seeking out the Volturi myself. I remembered the day we were on my couch watching Romeo and Juliet - Edward's silky smooth voice breathing Romeo's lines into my ear as we watched. Edward told me that if after I died, which he was planning on happening when I was old, he would travel to Italy and seeking out the royal vampire family that policed their race. He said that they would kill any vampire who was a threat to their secretiveness. The golden rule of vampirism was to stay hidden. Don't let humans know they… we exist.

I hadn't thought my plan through much more then that when I heard a car screech to a stop in front of the house. I briefly wondered how I knew it was in front of the house and instantly knew that had it stopped two houses down the street I would have known. My senses were already greatly improved. I heard the whoosh of air as the front door opened and shut in a split second.

I held my breath, thinking that Victoria came back to finish me off. A small part of me wished this was true and she wasn't just here to torture me further. I lay deadly still in hopes she believed she went too far and I was dead…

I was doing really well playing dead until I heard the sound that made my heart race.

"Bella?" a voice whispered. I pulled in a soft breath and my chest hitched as that melodic voice danced to my ears. I knew exactly who it was and wondered why he ever came back, I briefly wondered if maybe he really did love me, when I remembered… Alice. Of course, she would have seen Victoria changing me. He didn't come back for me at all, he came back because he felt guilty.

All of these thoughts ran though my sharp, new mind in a second. The next thing I felt was the pain intensify a thousand times. It felt like hot pokers skewering me over and over. I didn't even have time to clamp my muscles down before a blood curdling shriek escaped my lips. I tried to cut it off but I couldn't, the pain was too much and Edward was here now, no one else would stumble upon me. As this realization hit, I let all the screams out I had previously repressed. Even though it didn't make the pain any less, it gave me something to do. I kept screaming as I heard Edward tell me not to scream, that it was just him. I knew it was him, that was the problem… he came back to ease his guilt, not because he felt anything more for me than as a weakling that needed his protection. Not anymore I thought. As soon as I'm a vampire I'm killing Victoria and getting on the first plane to Italy. You won't have to deal with my weaknesses or your guilt any longer.

I couldn't help but mentally scream that he put me down, it hurt too much being in his arms, the fire was intensified and it reminded me how much I used to love being there. I wanted to be left alone on the floor… he knew I was changing, Alice had to see this is a vision, that's the only reason he would come back for me. I kept mulling this over in my head until I felt him pull my shirt aside to examine my shoulder when she had delivered her bite.

"No," I heard him gasp, and then I stopped screaming. He didn't know… He didn't know? How could he not know? Why was he here if not to try and stop Victoria from attacking me and killing Charlie… Charlie. Another mangled scream escaped my lips when I remembered my father, lying dead across the room, dead because of me. I tried to form words, to tell Edward to put me down, to leave, to let me suffer alone, that I didn't need his pity or guilt, but all I could manage were screams and sobs.

I felt his arms under me as he pulled me to his chest and stood up. I couldn't help but breathe in his delicious scent. It was magnified with my new sense of smell and I loved it. It smelled like honey and sunshine. It was sweet and light, perfect in every aspect. I couldn't imagine a better smell. I wondered how humans would smell to me when I was finished. Then we were flying, Edward was running, out of the kitchen and into the woods. I managed to squeak out a small "no" as we left Charlie behind.

I wanted to pass out and seek refuge from this pain. Nothing cooled me off, not Edward's ice cold, marble arms, not the cold whip of the wind as we cut through the forest; nothing. I was like a ball of fire. I imagined I could melt metal with the heat running through my veins. I wanted it to be over, I wanted to fall asleep and never wake up, that's when I remembered that I would never sleep again.

I remember the last night I slept, when things were still 'normal,' when Edward still wanted me. He crept into my window that night, and snuck up beside me as I read in bed. I was ecstatic to see him even though he'd only left 30 minutes before. One second I was reading Wuthering Heights, and the next a cool arm was snaked over my waist, I gasped and looked over only to find myself an inch from Edward's gorgeous face and totally mesmerized by his liquid topaz eyes. My breath caught in my throat as he brushed his cold lips over mine, and pulled back… always leaving me wanting more.

That night was perfect; it was the next day that my world crumbled. I couldn't even think about the day Edward told me he was leaving, that we were too different species and he didn't want me anymore. I sobbed softly as tears slid down my face.

I felt cold fingers on my face catching the tears and I realized we had stopped running. I was on something soft. A bed maybe, I wasn't sure. I wondered where we were and realized we must be at the Cullen mansion in the woods. I felt strangely confused and frustrated at being here. This was the last place I wanted to be, they all left me, why did they have to come back and bring me here. For what? So they could leave after I was changed? What was the point of this? I was absolutely furious that he would have brought me here. Despite the protests from every cell in my body I made myself move to sit up, I wanted to be out of here. I couldn't be in this house, no, I wouldn't let them see me so vulnerable. Where I would go I hadn't a clue, but I had to be out of there.

As I moved to sit, I felt to iron hands on my shoulders forcing me to stay. "No Bella, love you can't move. It's almost over, I know it hurts but the worst is over." Edward whispered softly.

I felt suddenly angry and let out a growl at this new emotion, who did he think he was to force me to stay against my will? I may be a weakling now, but in few hours I would be stronger then him.. then he would feel my wrath. Stop it Bella. I thought. What's wrong with you? You don't want to hurt him.. you're just out of your mind right now. I took a few deep breaths and settled back down into the couch. I assumed I was in Edward's room, on his black leather couch.

I felt hands stroking my face and fought the urge to move towards his touch, seeking comfort. "Bella, love.." He choked out. "I'm so sorry. I can't even begin to tell you how sorry I am. I thought you were safe here. I never thought Victoria would come back here. Oh Bella, my Bella.. what have I done." I could hear his tearless sobs and instantly wanted to comfort him. I wanted to tell him no, that this wasn't his fault. I needed to absolve his guilt, he was a perfect creature, beautiful and wonderful. He didn't deserve to hurt, it was my fault I was just a weak human, I didn't have anything to keep him, nothing to hold his interest.

I tried to tell him no, but could only shake my head. I began to cry harder, the tears spilling from my eyes over my cheeks and onto beautiful, pale fingers.

____________

Edward's POV

I had to get her to safety, we couldn't stay here. I picked her up, her scent as potent as ever, but now it wasn't completely human, I could smell the vampire in her and it made her scent that much sweeter. I ran out the kitchen door and into the safety of the woods, stealing one more glance at Charlie's body and completely forgetting the Volvo on the street.

The whole run there I wondered how she would ever forgive me. I only wanted to keep her safe, instead she was tortured and robbed of her soul. I wanted to scream and cry, destroy everything around me until I felt better… but I knew nothing would help, and I was holding my angel in my arms. My soul.

I lay her on my couch in my room. We wouldn't be able to stay here… once my family arrived and Bella was okay to leave – we would have to flee. It wouldn't look good at all, I could picture it now. The talk of the town, The Cullen family killing Charlie and stealing away his daughter.. I knew that's not what happened but what else would it look like? Maybe we could come back to 'visit' or something, once Bella was well, come back and clear our name. We couldn't allow suspicions to arise.

As I sat there I strangely found myself remembering the last night I spent with Bella. But something was wrong… I could remember that night extremely well, vampires never forget anything – but this memory, something was different about it… it was … cloudy almost.. like I was remembering it though plastic wrap. I couldn't put my finger on it, but the only thing I can describe it as was cloudy. I felt surges of joy, contentment, and bliss as this memory continued to play before tapering off as Bella fell asleep.

I didn't understand it at all, I continued to think it over, trying to figure out what was different about that memory, when I saw Bella crying. I reached for her face to wipe the tears away, she shouldn't be crying. I was so confused that she was crying, I knew it must be because of the pain, but she looked so sad. I couldn't shake the feeling of confusion until frustration took its place. I was frustrated that I couldn't comfort her better, that I couldn't take this pain away from her and leave her in peace. This wasn't supposed to happen, she wasn't supposed to hurt like this. My poor Bella.

I wanted to scoop her up and hold her to myself like I used to when she was sad or scared. I used to soothe her, but now all I do is cause problems. I should just run away, I should just get up and leave, but I couldn't. Ironically as the thoughts ran through my mind Bella stirred. She tried to sit up, and I noted that she was moving a lot faster than a human would. It's almost over I thought bitterly. I was quicker than her though, "No Bella, love you can't move. It's almost over, I know it hurts but the worst is over." I whispered in her ear.

I was so angry that I caused her this pain. It was strangling my dead heart. Then she let out a growl, I was astonished that the sound came from my beautiful Bella. I instantly knew she must hate me. How could I be so stupid, she thought I didn't want her, she believed I didn't want her anymore, I had to fix this.. and quickly.

Sobs racked my body as I tried to find the words to make it okay, "Bella, love... I'm so sorry. I can't even begin to tell you how sorry I am. I thought you were safe here. I never thought Victoria would come back here. Oh Bella, my Bella.. what have I done."

She began to shake her head at me, but it wasn't because she didn't believe me, as I had feared – but because she didn't want me to feel guilty.

"No love, I do feel terribly guilty for leaving you, but not in the way you are thinking.. Bella, I love you much more than you know, I only left to protect you, I will never forgive myself as long as I exist for doing this to you. I'm so sorry Bella. I just…."

I stopped mid sentence as my thoughts caught up with me. How did I know that she didn't want me to feel guilty, I focused intently, thinking maybe I would be able to hear her thoughts. I was a mind reader, but Bella was always blocked, I could never hear her. That was what intrigued me the first day I laid eyes on her. The lack of her thoughts and her scent.

I quickly shook my head to focus on the present, the memories could wait. I focused again and I couldn't help but feel something in my mind. I felt, crowded? No, that's not the right word. I felt… completed. But I didn't know I was incomplete before. I knew Bella completed me and without her I would feel empty, but I never noticed this in my mind before. I quickly sorted though all my memories, thoughts and feelings that were my own and found that I had a few that didn't fit into any category.

One of the memories I couldn't place was the last night I spent with Bella in her room. Suddenly it dawned on me… it wasn't my memory. It was Bella's memory! It was a human memory! I gasped aloud as I wondered how this could be. I rehashed the last few minutes I spent with Bella, trying to find something, anything else out of place.

Oh My. When I was thinking about running away, Bella tried to get up… is this even possible? How? …. Could she really? No… impossible.. My thoughts were incoherent at this point. I couldn't even begin to imagine what this meant if it were true.. but was it true?

Only one way to find out…I thought. …Bella? I called out unsurely with only my mind.

_____________________

Bella's POV

I lie there crying, trying to figure out how I could possibly tell him not to feel so guilty, that it wasn't his fault, that he shouldn't be beating himself up over this.

"No love, I do feel terribly guilty for leaving you, but not in the way you are thinking.. Bella, I love you much more than you know" I was shocked that Edward knew exactly what I was thinking, and I wondered if he could hear my thoughts now. But I quickly realized that wasn't right because he would have heard me be so angry and would have responded to the questions of where we were. He would have said something sooner if he could hear my thoughts, wouldn't he? "I only left to protect you, I will never forgive myself as long as I exist for doing this to you. I'm so sorry Bella. I just…." He suddenly stopped and I wondered why.

I couldn't fathom how he knew exactly what I was feeling, I tried to think of how he could have known and finally decided that he could read it on my face, I was my mother's open book after all.

Then I heard it, clear as day... in that perfect bell voice that I'd grown to love immensely over the past months.

Bella?... he called to me, I gasped loudly as I realized that he didn't speak my name, he thought it.

A/N: YAY! I love this chapter :) One of the really fun ones to write, I hope you caught all the similarities between Bella's POV and Edward's ;) This was a toughie to write, I wanted to it match up as good as possible. I know it's another cliffhanger – but this was really the best way to end it! Hehe, review if you wish! More to come tomorrow!!