Author's Note: Woo, new chapter up. Be proud of me. But, it's very, very short. Sorry about that. See, I was going to type more, but I couldn't resist the cliffhanger. :D

As with all good things, Edward's plan had just one flaw. Even though his love for me was overwhelming – at least, he assured me that this was true – thirst is a part of being half dead that you just can't avoid. And so, his plan was restated as this: he, Alice, Emmet, or Esme will be at my side at all times. Rosalie was deemed too likely to leave me, Jasper was put off for fear of lack of control, and Carlisle had an obligation to the hospital. It would cause unwanted and possibly exposing attention to the Cullen family if the doctor were to quit his job, just to hang around me. Of course, though I held all of my new family members close to my heart, I preferred Edward's presence over all other. And so, as Edward leaned in to press his lips to mine, and my heart accelerated to what was almost a supernatural rate, I was more than content. I was also utterly confused, as I always was when around my beloved. And yet, through my daze, a lone question tugged at my mind. I asked what I had failed to notice before. Of course, I got the most out of our controlled embrace before speaking. "Edward, that night, the one before graduation, where were you, really?" A few emotions took their turn on Edward's face. First confusion, then shock, pain, followed by sadness, then evolving into a controlled mask of nothingness. Though, I knew Edward too well; I saw through his composed face, deep into the feelings that played with his dead, but still prized heart. "What do you mean?" His eyes grew wide with a bit too much innocence, but his lips remained serious and pursed. I sighed, exaggerating my exasperated gesture. "You know perfectly well what I mean. You said you were going to go hunting, but the next morning, you went again. So, you didn't go hunting the night before. Right?" It had been a while since Edward kept anything from me. This is a change that I was going to prevent.

Edward was good at keeping a secret. Or keeping his mouth shut. Or being stubborn. Whatever you wanted to call it, he did it very well. It became apparent that this something was one of those cases where knowing less made it easier to be brave. Nonetheless, I wanted to know. This is why I chose my petite, yet so much more superior sister as my target. When it was Alice's turn to act as my personal guard, Edward planted a last kiss on the crown of my head. Perhaps this was to daze me enough to distract me from the glance that the two vampires exchanged. Their two expressions were very different, however. Edward's face carried a look of tiredness, and pleading. Alice on the other hand, though I knew her as well as a biological sister, I couldn't read clearly. Though, I could make out determination in her steady gaze. Yes, determination was clearly there. As soon as my ears picked up on the nearly inaudible click of the door shutting, I didn't hesitate to begin the questioning. "Alice, what was Edward doing that night, before graduation?" I was being blunt on the matter; after all, prolonging the conversation didn't get answers. I learned that well enough with Edward. To my surprise, Alice's expression didn't change at all. Though, I did think that I saw a small smile play along her lips. Or perhaps that was just wishful thinking on my part. Two firm hands were gripping my shoulders now. Two deep, intelligent eyes bore holes in my head. I cocked my head, waiting. "Bella," Alice's voice was wary, as if she had been thinking very deeply. "I don't know. It'd be better…" A struggle for words was evident. "Bella, I don't want to hurt you." Alice's eyes were pained, obvious conflict raging within. Her promise to Edward and her brain were pulling her in opposite directions. "Fine, Bella. But you should sit down." I complied gladly, and sat very still as Alice told me something that I hoped never to hear; anything that came between me, Edward, and eternity.

Disclaimer: I lost it. D: It'll be mad with me once it finds out that I haven't used him. Eep. But for now, take my word for it: I do not own any Twilight material. I only mixed in my own ideas.