Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight :/

"Tell him." Edward whispered, and prodded me in the side. "Just do it."

"Ow," I hissed, squirming away from him.

"Everything ok you two?" Charlie grumbled in between mouthfuls.

Ok. So you might be a bit confused as to what's going on – Edward is trying . . . no, forcing me to tell Charlie about James and his creepy habits. We had fought about it for the past few days, but never really came to a conclusion. So . . . Edward decided to invite himself over for dinner, where he could physically force me to tell Charlie. At first, I thought he was joking – Well, he wasn't.

"It's for your own safety." Edward had argued, just yesterday. "If this escalates into something big, then you'll regret not saying anything. Trust me."

Right. Well . . . what if James retaliated? What would I do then? Or if it was nothing, and Edward was overreacting? At least I'd get the satisfaction of telling him I TOLD YOU SO.

"Then your Father would already be involved. He would protect you." He continued to argue.

Damn you, you intelligent and logical sex God.

"Everything's fine, Charlie." Edward answered, bringing me back to Earth, with a charming crooked smile. Charlie raised his eye brows at me, skeptical. Edward nudged me in the side once again, and I almost yelped in surprise. "In fact, Bella has something to tell you."

Charlie looked at me with an eye brow raised. Before I could blink, he had dropped his fork and his face went a bright tomato red. At first I thought he was choking – but no, the look of clear anger on his face told me that he had just jumped to conclusions.

"You're pregnant!" He bellowed, leaping up out of his chair. I could have sworn his hand twitched toward the empty gun holster on his belt, by instinct, but maybe I was imagining things. "You're pregnant, aren't you? I told you! I warned you, dammit, and –"

"Dad!" I shrieked. "I'm not pregnant!"

The look on my face must have told him I wasn't lying. He slowly sat back down in his chair, but didn't pick up his fork. I looked over at Edward, who was looking at Charlie with surprise and anxiety. Ha. Serves him right.

"It's nothing like that. In fact, it's kinda funny –" I giggled nervously, looking down at my food and back up at him. "Well, on the plane over here, I met this guy called James."

Charlie looked between Edward and I with confusion. I could see him thinking, trying to come up with a reason as to why I was telling him this. Well, I was just about to rock his world.

"He's kinda stalking me." I shrugged, trying to be indifferent and casual.

Charlie's mouth flopped open. "What?"

"Well, not stalking me." My voice wobbled as I tried to justify myself and calm him down at the same time. Edward squeezed my knee under the table and gave me a proud smile. I turned back to Charlie. "He's showed up at the same places as me a few times, and said some weird things."

"Is he from Forks?" Charlie asked, going into Police Chief Mode.

"Yes. Well, that's what he told me."

Charlie's face turned an unhealthy shade of white. He swallowed loudly and sat back in his chair. "Well, I'll be damned." He shook his head, cursing under his breath. Edward and I gave each other puzzled looks.

"I think Bella has toned it down marginally." Edward interjected. What the hell was he doing? "James has showed up in La Push, Port Angeles and various places in between. He was in this very driveway just a few days ago." He pointed toward the window.

Charlie almost choked. "He was here?"

"Yeah, Dad, what's wrong?" I asked.

"Tell me what he looks like." Charlie didn't answer me directly.

"Blond hair. Tall. Tan... why?" I raised my eye brow. I had this sickening feeling that Charlie somehow knew this guy, and it was already scaring the crap out of me.

Charlie's intake of breath proved my theory. "That's James Laurent."

"How do you know his name?" I asked in surprise. I looked over at Edward, who was watching Charlie with a furrowed brow.

"I arrested him last year. Just before you came to Forks."

Now it was my turn to be shocked into silence. Edward was watching me, squeezing my hand under the table, but I couldn't find the connection between my brain and my body. A million different thoughts were going through my head – what if James was a murderer? A rapist? He was a criminal; and he was stalking me. This was more serious than I had thought.

"What was he arrested for?" Edward asked.

"Drunken behavior. Harassment." Charlie's eyes went to me. "Has he said anything to you, Bella? Tell me what he's been saying."

Thankfully, I found my mouth. "Not much. Just . . . asking how I am, what I've been doing – but I've never told him anything."

"And yet he knew where we lived." Charlie raised an eye brow.

"Dad! I haven't told him anything!"

He nodded. "I believe you." He abruptly stood up and took his plate to the sink. "I'm going to head to the station for a bit. Edward, stay with her and don't move." Charlie commanded as he rinsed his plate and then strode toward the door to put his jacket on. "I'll be back later." And then he was gone.

Edward quickly gathered me into his arms and held me tight. I buried my face into his chest, suddenly more frightened than ever before. I knew the possibilities of telling Charlie, that something like this could happen, but I just never expected it to. Not seriously, anyway.

"It's ok, sweetheart. You did the right thing. It's going to be ok." Edward hushed me, rubbing my back softly and soothingly.

"He knows where I live. What if he comes here again? When I'm not here? When Charlie is here, alone?" I grew more and more hysterical as I spoke.

"Charlie will be fine." Edward breathed.

I knew that. Of course I did. But I still worried.

"What if he's been following me? Then he must know where you live, too. And Alice! What if he goes after Alice!"

"He won't." He shook his head. "He doesn't want Alice. He wants you – I can tell. From that first moment at La Push, I knew. I –" Edward looked down, thinking. He then snapped his head up to look at me. "Criminals often do this. To get revenge on the person who destroyed their life. In this case, Charlie."

"What do you mean?" My mind was nothing but foggy.

"He's hunting you, Bella. He wants the Police Chief's daughter."

Charlie told me to stay at the Cullen house until he can figure out exactly what to do about this situation. I protested, of course – Why would I want to possibly lure my stalker toward my friends? Most of them could take care of themselves, or had protectors . . . but that doesn't mean they can't get hurt.

I packed a bag and left just after Charlie left for the station. Edward kept close to me, though I was sure James would not suddenly appear with Edward around. No, almost every time I've ran into him, I've been on my own . . . is that some sort of freaky coincidence?

"Are you sure Carlisle and Esme don't mind me staying?" I worried at my lip as Edward pulled into his winding driveway. Edward looked over at me and sighed.

"Yes, Bella, of course I'm sure. You'll be perfectly safe here."

I nodded and looked out the window. Edward soon pulled into his family's huge garage and turned off the engine. He swiveled in his chair to face me, looking at me with warm eyes and an open heart.

"I promise you, I won't let anyone harm you or anyone you know. Charlie is checking on him now, my family are aware. Everyone is safe, ok? Just avoid going places by yourself, just in case he's watching."

A shiver ran down my spine, but I nodded.

Edward walked around his car and opened the door for me. I stepped out and threw my bag over my shoulder, letting him wind his arm around my waist and lead me inside.

"Bella!" Esme practically tackled me as soon as I stepped inside, pulling me quickly into her arms and kissing my hair. "Edward told us everything, dear, and I'm sorry."

"Thanks," I sighed, hugging her tightly. "and thank you for letting me stay here."

"It's our pleasure." She pulled away from me, and Carlisle came forward and rested a hand on my shoulder.

"We'll keep you safe, Bella, I promise. We won't let you out of our sight for more than a second."

"Thank you, but I don't think that's necessary." The blush was spreading across my cheeks from receiving so much attention.

Edward frowned from beside me, just as his phone rang. He gave Carlisle and Esme a 'look' and then exited the room to take the call. I heard him say, "Hi, Emmett…" just before he disappeared around the corner.

"Want anything, sweetheart?" Esme asked, taking my hand and leading me toward the kitchen. Carlisle followed silently behind.

"Um… hot chocolate would be nice, if you don't mind." I smiled slightly and slid onto a stool in front of the counter. Carlisle took a seat next to me, and turned in his chair to face me.

"I'm trying to help Charlie as much as I can," Carlisle told me, folding his hands together and leaning against the counter. "He asked me to talk to you."

I mentally rolled my eyes. "Yeah?"

"I know, you think he's overreacting." Carlisle chuckled softly. "But he's only worried about you. We all are. We just don't want you getting hurt."

I nodded. "I know."

"Well . . . has James ever . . . shown any interest in you, that seems, perhaps, unhealthy?"

I frowned. "I don't think anyone seems to get that I don't know him. He's not my friend. I haven't spent any real time with him – only talked to him for a few minutes at a time."

"Alright. Tell me about that, then."

"Um . . . on the plane, we only talked about where we were from, and why we were traveling from Phoenix to Washington. I told him that I had a boyfriend, but never a name. So, I –"

I never told him Edward's name. Then . . . when I introduced them, how did he know Edward's name already? My shock was obviously being portrayed clearly on my face, and Carlisle could see that.

"Bella?"

I explained to him the whole conversation on the plane, all the way up to seeing him in La Push. I told him about how he already knew Edward's name though I had never spoke of him before, and then I moved onto every time I had seen him until now. Carlisle nodded and pulled out a pen and paper, taking this all down. Esme came to sit on the other side of Carlisle, handing me my hot chocolate as I spoke. They both were on the edge of their seats, watching me with anxiety and fright.

And then, Edward returned.

"Emmett, Rosalie, Alice and Jasper discovered where James lives and have gone over there." He told us.

"What?" Carlisle, Esme and I all exclaimed at the same time.

"I tried to talk them out of it. But after I told Emmett what had happened, they seemed hell bent on finding him. They're probably at his house by now."

"Oh no." I put my head in my hands. "Oh no, no, no . . . what if he hurts one of them? And Rosalie! She's . . ."

"Rosalie can take care of herself." Edward told me. "Anyway, she has Emmett." I could tell by the look in his eyes that if he didn't need to stay here and take care of me, he would be head of that Let's-Kill-James Party. He wasn't objecting to it. He wanted it.

"I'm not sure if this is wise." Esme interjected, her voice full of horror. "From what Charlie has told us, James is unstable. He is not safe."

"There are four of them, and one of him. They'll be fine." Edward tried to calm his mother.

"How can you be agreeing with this?" I spat out, staring at Edward with shock and horror. If anyone, I would have thought he'd be the one to think it's better being safe than sorry.

"It's really not as bad as you think." He told me, his voice still patient and smooth. "James may be harmless, as long as he's away from the alcohol. And even if he isn't, he's outnumbered."

I shook my head, looking away from him. My mind was coming up with horrible scenarios that I preferred not to dwell on.

Crap, this was such a bad idea! What were they thinking!

Edward's phone buzzed again, and this time he didn't leave the room to speak. "Emmett – Oh . . . well, then, where are you going next, if . . . ? Oh. Well, be careful, won't you? Ok. See you soon. Bye."

I looked at Edward, my voice bitter. "What was that about?"

He frowned at my tone. "They went to his home, but he wasn't there. They're going to check the town, and then spend the night here."

I sighed in relief. So, they would not be hunting James tonight, unless they found him somewhere in town. I hoped they didn't. Please, please, please . . .

"It's getting late." Edward said to me, his expression slowly softening as I turned back to face him.

I nodded and jumped off my stool, thanking Esme for the hot chocolate and then saying goodnight. I grabbed my bag off the bottom step and then Edward and I walked up his room in silence.

"Bella," He whispered, once we were safely inside his room with the door closed. "Please, don't be angry."

"How can I not be, Edward? You're supporting Emmett, Rosalie, Alice and Jasper in going to find James. You're egging them on to practically hunt him, like we're some sort of animals. It's not right. I refuse to be happy with you when you're encouraging them."

"I don't want him hurting you, that's why I'm doing this. I'm not doing this because I want to see James suffer – though, sometimes I do – I'm doing this because I'm concerned about you."

I sighed, tired and defeated. "I've survived so far, haven't I?"

"Yes." He smiled crookedly and brought me into his arms, kissing my forehead softly. "And you will continue to survive. But for now . . . I think you should get some sleep."

"I'm not going to sleep until Rosalie, Emmett, Jasper and Alice come home safely."

He sighed and nodded.

I picked up my bag once again and carried it to the bathroom, changing into a singlet top and sweat pants. When I returned, Edward was sitting on his bed, waiting for me. I quickly climbed in beside him and huddled close to him, sighing at his warmth and comfort. All worries were forgotten when he was near me.

He started to stroke my hair, my eyes drooping closed. I had to remind myself that before I went to sleep, I needed to check the others got home safely. So, I decided to distract myself with my thoughts.

Renee was going to be arriving in Forks in a week. One week. Will all this James drama be cleared up by then? Or will he still be following me, which will mean also following my Mom? No. I did not want that. But that didn't mean I could call off the trip . . . she was so excited about it, and I could never hurt her like that . . .

I made a promise to myself that I would find a way to clear up these problems with James. Find him and report him to the Police. Threaten him. I would do whatever it took to make my Mom happy.

Alice, Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie came home late that night, no sign of James. It worried me to think that if he wasn't at his house, then where was he? Especially at that time of night. The fact that he wasn't anywhere in town made it even more frightening.

The others stayed with me for most of the day, trying to take my mind off the situation at hand. We played games like Monopoly, Twister and Cluedo, which did distract me. For about five minutes.

I was secretly planning in my head how I would find James, by myself, and confront him about this problem. I would demand to know what his problem is. I would order him to leave me alone and if he didn't, I would call Charlie. But how could I do that without gaining attention?

I didn't have a reason for going outside. I didn't have a car. He could be anywhere – my chances of finding him are slim to none. It looks like I was going to have to wait for him to coincidentally run into me again.

As it turns out, I wouldn't have to wait long.

Three days after I had made the decision to find him, he appeared. I was grocery shopping with Esme when he appeared out of nowhere – literally. Esme asked me to go and retrieve something for her, so I wandered off on my own.

Today, Edward and Carlisle were speaking with Charlie down at the station. The others were at home, 'guarding the fort' as Emmett had said. The only reason Edward had let me out of his sight was because there was no way James would do something law-breaking in a crowded grocery store.

"James," I squeaked, my voice betraying me as he stepped around the corner, carrying no basket or pulling no trolley. I almost dropped the milk I was holding onto the slippery Linoleum floor at the sight of him.

"Hi, Bella." He smiled his unfriendly smile as he always did. It still sent shivers down my spine. "How are you?"

"Fine." I said, struggling to keep my voice steady. "You?"

"I'm wonderful." His smile slowly began to turn into a lopsided smirk. "I saw your friends the other day."

"What?" I blanched.

"I didn't speak to them." He said, his smile returning at my confusion. "Just saw them from a distance. Do you think they were… looking for me, Bella?"

"I don't know." I lied. "Maybe."

"Do you want them to find me?"

I shook my head slowly. "I wanted to talk to you about that, actually…"

"Oh?" He raised an eye brow.

I noticed Esme a short way behind him, her back to him. It would only be seconds before she turned around and saw me talking to him. I needed to act fast.

"Look, I want to talk to you." I pulled a piece of paper and pen out of my back pocket. I had planned for this, as I wrote down my phone number and handed it to him.

His smile widened, placing the piece of paper in his pocket. "Sure. Name a time and place."

Time was running out. "I'll call you. Now I have to go."

I stepped past him, ignoring the sick smell of alcohol, and returned to Esme with her milk. "Here you go, Esme."

"Thank you, dear." She took it from me, and froze mid-action. "Are you alright, Bella?"

Crap. I must have looked pale. "Yes, I'm fine. I'm just feeling a little… ?"

Esme nodded and smiled in understanding. "Alright. We'll head home in a minute, let me just grab a few more things."

I nodded and began walking with her. I was craning my neck down the aisles, searching for James – and right at the last one, I saw him. Striding down the right side, with a smug smile on his face, touching the piece of paper in his pocket.

Stupid Bella! She is a bit of a ditz sometimes, huh? ;P

Ok, this is starting to get more and more exciting. And freaky. Hope you like it (:

Please review!