AN~ Had 173 hits last chapter. Want to thank those who added the story as a fave or alerted it. Thanks to sujari6, bookworm. love. x, and Pudding In Great Pain for reviewing, great ideas.

~Bookworm- I will be doing a chapter in Edwards pov. Not sure yet if I'm going to add it to this story, or make it a one shot or something, depends on how much he has to say. But I'll be posting that after chapter 8. I'll keep you guys posted.

~Pudding-your idea about the hunting game made me laugh about how ironically it goes alone with the title of the story that I just chose only to give this a title

~keep them coming guys!

this chapter has 8,079...the longest chapter yet! didn't even know I had it in me. that's about 19 pages.

~I don't own Twilight...and neither will my imagination allow me such privileges.

Chapter 7


Bella

Edward and I woke up early the next day.

And when I say we woke up early, it's because he made me. It's eight o'clock on a Monday morning! I don't even get up that early when I have class. And I probably still wouldn't even if I did.

I was a little harder to wake up than Edward was. I think it may have been because Edward didn't go to sleep, or that he slept on the couch that I'm sure had springs sticking in his back, where he couldn't go to sleep, but I couldn't be for sure.

I'm also pretty sure that I may have broke my head board when Edward grabbed me, and started dragging me out of bed. I'm pretty sure that I heard a crack. But that doesn't really explain why he's dragging me out of my bed?

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I grumbled, face first into my pillow. "Didn't anyone ever tell you that it's rude to just drag someone out of bed without trying to wake them up by simply telling them it's time to get up?"

"I've been trying to wake you up. Actually we've had a whole conversation with each other."

"Wha?" I was too tired to even get the whole word out.

"You know, you talk in your sleep right?"

Well, that woke me up. I raised my head where I was hiding it, trying not to think that I was looking at Edward, at eight o'clock in the morning without being able to even try to glam myself up.

Or brush my teeth.

"What did I say?" I asked, trying not to blush. Because I'm pretty sure that anything that comes out of my mouth without me being conscience of it is pretty blush worthy.

"Well, you told me to leave a couple of times." That I believe "You also said 'damn him and his perfect male specimen self'.

I blushed, dropping my head to my chest, not looking at him. It wasn't really hard to figure out who I was talking about there.

"So, who were you talking about?"

"Uh..." I made the mistake of looking up at him, instead of making up a name. "Taylor Lautner?" I looked away.

"Taylor Lautner, huh?"

"Yep." I nodded my head. "No one should have abs that look that damn hot!" But something told me that Edwards abs probably looked a whole lot better. I looked back up at him when I heard him laugh. "What? He's hot, okay."

"I wasn't laughing at that. I was laughing at your hair."

My hand automatically went to my hair. "What's wrong with my hair?"

"Your hair looks like a haystack." He looked at the top of my head. "I don't like it." He shook his head in thought.

"Well I'm sorry that not all of us can wake up in the morning looking like a super model." I said to him sarcastically.

"You just not trying hard enough."

I hit him with a pillow. A feather one at that, I hope he gets poked, that cocky bastard!

After dodging my pillow a few times, and after calming down from laughing he spoke again. "Saw Charlie." I groaned, this probably wasn't going to end well. I flopped back down on the bed on my back, pulling the pillow to cover my head. " He gave the speech of not hurting you, or he'd have to hurt me. I'm wondering if he ever had that conversation with Jacob. He could have used it."

"So why are you telling me this?" I mumbled from beneath my pillow.

"Well, Charlie has already asked me, all hopeful like, if I was staying with my parents tonight.

I pulled the pillow down with an annoyed expression. Apparently he wasn't going to stop talking, which means, at this rate, I wasn't going to get to go back to sleep. "What did you tell him?"

"Well, I didn't want to get his hopes up too much, so I told him that I wasn't sure yet, that I might be back tonight."

"How did he take it?"

"Well, it whipped off the smile he had on his face. He also left without taking to me anymore after that. Which I'm sure that only thing he wanted to speak to me about was the whole 'don't hurt my daughter' crap he was on about."

"Don't annoy Charlie too much, or he'll shoot you. No...wait. On second thought, annoy him all you want!"

"Don't kid yourself. You know you'd be lonely without me around."

"Believe me, I could survive."


"Are you sure this truck can't go any faster?" Edward complained, yet once again, rubbing his palms over his jean clad legs. A nervous tick? He was starring out the window at the passing trees. Apparently they weren't going by fast enough.

It was his idea to take my truck to the bed and breakfast to meet up with his family, instead of calling Alice to come get us like I suggested that we do. I knew that she would be up, and be more than willing to drive her dads new red Audi TTs that he bought. At least, I think that's what he has. She starts talking about cars, and it's like math to me. I just don't get it. The only part I understood was the color.

I rolled my eyes, refusing to answer.

I was still pissed that he woke me up at such an ungodly hour. He sighed at my actions. I found out that Edward couldn't go longer than a few minutes without letting everyone know that he was still around.

Like they could forget or something. It's not usual if someone could forget a guy that could pass for a Greek god.

He apparently he doesn't do silence either. Who knows, maybe he's a afraid of it.

"I'll be so glad when I get my rental." Yeah, he called Carlisle yesterday and complained about how slow my truck is. He made it sound like if we needed to make a quick getaway, that my truck wouldn't do the trick.

All I know, is the only kind of get away that I would want to do, would be to get away from him. And I'm sure my truck can go faster than that.

I think Edward was still upset that he couldn't bring his Vanquish (I only know this name because he won't shut up about it. Vanquish this, Vanquish that) to Washington, and this was the cause of all the complaining he was doing. At least I hope it is. Since that's the only type of complaining he has right now.

"Me too, that way you can drive yourself everywhere, and I won't have to deal with you." At least my truck wasn't sensitive to his shenanigans.

"You'll still have to deal with me. We just won't be riding in you slow ass truck anymore."

What if I refuse to ride in this car with him? What's he gonna do then, force me into the car?

"Can you seriously not go longer than five minutes without bad mouthing something?"

"No, it's not really in my abilities."

I bit down on my lower lip so I wouldn't scream at the smug smile he gave me. It was times like this I remembered that I hated Edward Cullen with a passion. The part that really sucks though is that the passion isn't always hate.

Again I say, Damn him and his perfect male specimen self!

"Anyway." He's still talking? "I can't really let you out of my sight. I'm your body guard, remember?"

"Can't someone else be my bodyguard? Why not Rosalie? She's scary enough as it is, with that cold black stare she had going on." I turned my head towards him to smile sweetly, I did after all just talk about his sister. "Not meaning anything bad about Rosalie, don't really know anything about her, except that she's a little distant. But I'm assuming she doesn't trust many people at first." he nodded his head, a smirk upon his lips. "I just really don't like being in close vicinities with you. Hell, I don't even like to be in the same continent as you." Mainly because he's a constant reminder of why my life sucks.

"You should really stop fooling yourself." He smiled. "You would mess me. Maybe not much, but some little part would."

I tried to keep my mind from the parts that actually would miss him, because that usually turns to parts that want to be able to miss him. "Why are you always so cocky?" I turned to look at him sternly in the eye. His eyes widened a fraction a she turned his head away from me, shrugging his shoulders.

I turned back to the road in front of me. Where the hell is that road? The sooner I get there the sooner I can get away from Edward! Edward sighed loudly once again and mumbled something under his breath. I barely caught what he said, and before I could ask him to repeat so I could make sure I heard him correctly I spotted the hidden driveway and slammed on my brakes.

Edward, not wearing his seat belt like I told him to, had to put his arms out in front of him so he wouldn't hit the dash. "Hey!"

From the corner of my eyes I saw him turn sharply to me with a menacing look.

"Whoops! Sorry." I turned the wheel sharply left to pull the truck down the long driveway. Edward mumbled again. I wonder if he knows I hearing everything he's saying. Although, that 'yeah, sure!', I get. The whole 'defense mechanism', I don't so much.

Why would Edward need to act cocky as a defense mechanism?


After driving about what seemed a mile (or maybe even longer, who knows) down the tree canopied driveway, that made it look like a tunnel, we finally could see white through the trees. As I made my way around the last bend, and pulled to a stop, somewhere out of the way of all the work trucks next to stacks and stacks of wood, I finally took a look at the house. And was awestruck.

I had always loved this house, even through over the past ten years it had been falling apart. But the house in front of me was not the one of my memories.

Esme had only been here for roughly three days, but the outside of the house already had a whole new makeover. The graying siding of the house had been replaced by a newer, fresher white. The dilapidated wrap around porch had been rebuilt, and now painted in hues of whites, browns and blues. Esme had even had one whole wall replaced with nothing but windows. It was beautiful, and a vast improvement to the house that used to sit here, falling apart. And even though the house was having a modern update to it, it still looked completely historic.

I wondered how Esme had accomplished all of this in the short time period. But then I realized all the work trucks that were there lining the drive, that were pretty much forgotten by my inspection of the house. Electricians, carpenters, plumbers, among others, all dotted along the outside, and I'm sure the inside, of the house. Many of the trucks I noticed were from around Forks, but others were from Port Angeles and Seattle.

I bet the economy here was loving Esme right now.

"Wow!" I breathe, finally finding the words. "It's beautiful!" I turned to find Edward watching my expression carefully, his green eyes scrunching at the corners from his smile. "What?" I asked, when he turned away from me quickly.

"Nothing." He shook his head, looking up at the house. "It's just...Esme had that effect on people, you know?"

"Yeah."

And she wasn't the only one. I looked back at the house. "I can't believe she had all of this planned. It's just...wow!"

"She had a long time to plan." He acted like it was nothing. But I guess he's used to seeing things like this, Esme being his mom and all.

"How long?" I was curious how long plans had been in effect for this. I knew that they would have probably been out here redoing this house this December even if things had turned out differently.

Like say, the vampires hadn't ambushed us on campus.

"Since around September, early October." He looked away shyly, as if he said something more than he should have. Why would he do tha...wait...September? The families been following me since September?

"Still, I don't think I could pull it off." I mentally shook myself. I didn't really want to think about Edwards stalking right now.

"Mom's a very determined person, when she decides to do something. She does it."

"I wish I had that kind of determination."

"Me too." He said softly.

I snorted. "You do have that kind of determination, Edward." Since he was determined to drive me crazy.

"Not really." He shook his head, disagreeing with me.

"I think you do." I told him honestly. From what I know about him already, he is very determined, why would he think he isn't? Anyway, he's been following me around for two months...scratch that...probably since September, trying to find the reason the vampires are after me, and hasn't given up yet...that's determination.

"No, there are some things I would like to do, but I... can't" He reached his hand up to his face, one went to his hair, the other squeezing the bridge of his nose.

The classic signs that Edward is very annoyed at this moment.

"What do you mean 'cant'" What were the things he wanted to do that he couldn't?

"I just can't, okay?" He huffed as he grabbed the door handle, jerking the door open as he got out of the truck. "Come on." He said, I'm assuming to me, before he shut the door. I slowly followed behind him.

I climbed out of the cab, watching Edward make his way up the drive without me.

So much for being my body guard!

I turned to look at the door as I shut it, because I usually have a habit of closing something in the door; coats, hair, fingers, and I really didn't need that right now. I sighed, looking at my feet as I made my way towards the house...alone.

I had only took a few steps when a pair of gray and green Nike's came into my view. I looked up to see the side of Edwards angry face. Great...he's angry...and it's sexy. Why? Why does anger have to look so sexy on him? It just makes me think how good the make up sex would be...and I should not be thinking about that.

I was going to ask what I did this time, since I have a habit of pissing him off at the most random times, but he wasn't looking at me. His gaze was angled passed the stacks of wood. When I turned to see what he was looking at, he took my hand in his pulling me behind him.

"Edward, what?" I turned to look in the direction he had been looking at. I saw a group of workers, all men, all ages, most were grinning at me.

"Hey, baby!" The short fat pudgy one called out. "When you want a real man, you should come and find me!" The other guys cheered him on.

Ugh, pigs!

"Seriously?" I asked in disbelief, mainly to myself.

Edwards reply was to put his arm around my neck. But I could hear his teeth grinding.

"You should stop doing that?" He put his hand to the small of my back as I made my way to the porch.

He looked down at me in question. "Stop doing what? Saving you?"

Saving me? That's what he called that display of male domination? I rolled my eyes, as he opened the door and held it open for me. "No, grinding your teeth. And calm down, your practically steaming here."

He slightly smiled. I could see him trying to fight it "I am not."

"Yes, you are." I walked into the foyer and turned to look at him as he closed the door. "Just so you know, I don't like the way you do that."

"Do what?"

"When you go all macho on me like that." I crossed my arms over my chest.

"So, you wanted those guys to make those cat call you like that?" He pulled on my arms, grabbing the front of my coat. I tried to slap his hands.

"What are you doing?" I shrieked.

"Stop." He said as he grabbed my hand that was hitting him. "I'm taking off your coat." He started to undo the zipper.

"I could do that you know." I said, watching as he pulled the zipper all the way down. I wasn't making much of a fuss now, so it was a lot easier for him to do it.

I should have turned away from him, and took my coat off my own self. Because I know that this will never be the same as the real thing. And now that I've had a little taste of Edward taking off my clothes...I wanted more.

I took a deep, shaky breath as I looked up into his eyes, as his hands pulled down on the shoulders of the coat. I may have been wearing a hoodie underneath the coat but I could still fill the warmth from his fingers as they slide down after the garment.

Once I was free from the coat, Edward held it tightly in his hands, making his knuckles turn white. He took a step closer to me, which I thought would be impossible since we were so close to begin with. He inhaled a deep breath, staring down at me. I could smell the mint from his toothpaste this morning...and it was good.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" He said softly, his breath fanning my face.

Physically I could feel myself shacking my head slightly, even though I don't know how I had the will power to tell myself to do so. I was also getting light headed from the lack of oxygen. Since I hadn't taken a breath since he started to undo the zipper.

But I didn't want to ruin the moment. It would be best for everyone.

I felt his arm move, than his hand as he lightly touched my fingertips with his, slowly making his way up my fingers. I wanted to yell at him. To tell him he was taking to damn long. But I also didn't want to rush him, to see what he had planned. I could see his other hand coming up slowly, but I didn't know where it was headed, and didn't care really, because he leaned forward.

His attention only on my lips.

It was finally going to happen. I was going to kiss Edward Cullen. Oh, happy day. Could this get any bet-.

"Bella!" Alice's high pitch shrill could have probably been heard in New Zealand.

Crash and burn! Fuck my life!

Edward flinched back away from me but my hand was still in his, as Alice rounded the stairs holding hands with a very happy looking Jasper.

Actually they both looked happy, and I just wanted to bash someone's head in...Like Edward Cullen's. Because if he had just kissed me already, we wouldn't be having this problem.

But no...he has to take his time about things.

"Hey, Alice." I took a step closer to her. I really needed someone to talk to this about, namely Edward. But when I tried to detangle myself from his hand, he tightened his grip. I turned to look at him. He didn't have to keep holding my hand, so what was the problem?

Edwards eyes flashed from Alice and Jasper's direction with a sneer. "We have to talk to Carlisle, now." With that he turned away from them, pulling me along with him. I shot the universal sign of 'I don't know' to them, before Edward dragged me out of their sight completely.


"So...you'll never guess what Charlie did." I said to Alice once everything had clamed down (and when I say everything, I really mean Edward) and I way allowed to be out of Edwards sight for longer than a second.

Alice knew by my expression that it couldn't possibly be good. "What did he do?" She asked, bracing herself.

"Charlie invited Jake for Christmas dinner."

"He did what?" Alice asked shocked. "I know Charlie doesn't know the real reason you and Jake broke up, but he does know that it was nasty. Why would he do that?"

"Oh, I can think of many reasons why he would invite Jake. The number one would be being introduced to the love of my life." I shot Jasper a dirty look. He blushed, looking away sheepishly.

"Oh, and we ran into the HOFH's in the store. They acted like we were all friends or something, to impress Edward." Alice snorted. Even Jasper laughed, so I guess Alice and told him all about them.

"I can believe that, they were always trying to pick up your men."

"What do you mean 'trying'? They succeeded." I said grimly.

"Yeah. But you could do so much better than those guys."

I think she's wrong. But it's not like I want to do better. All I really want right now is Edward.

We were sitting in one the only room in the house that seemed to be finished, or at least the only one not being worked on right now. The rest of the family had already left the room, claiming they had other things to do. Edward said that he had to discuss more things with Carlisle, but I couldn't figure what else he needed to talk to him about that he didn't find out about the first time he talked to him.

Which was nothing.

So here we were, sitting on a two person love seat with three people. Alice and I were still eating our lunch, while Jasper looked on. I guess it's a good thing that Alice and I are so small.

I really wanted Jasper to leave so I could tell Alice about how I thought I was going crazy. Whether it was from lust or whatever. Because no one should want someone that much, the way I want Edward.

It shouldn't be normal.

And the fact remains that I never wanted any other guy this much...so what was going on?

Even when I though he was following me around, I never told Alice this, but I wanted him even then. But it started to weird me out that I felt that way about a complete stranger. I guess it could make a difference that I only want him psychically. Though, the more I know about him, the more I like, but he keeps trying to push me away. I can tell this is all going to end badly.

I started shifting from foot to foot, Alice looked at me expectantly. She knew I needed to tell her something. I looked from her to Jasper, who was looking down at heir entwined hands lovingly, then back again.

Alice understood. She turned to jasper with the sweetest smile she could come up with, and called his attention. "Jazz?" He looked up and practically melted at the sight of her.

Damn, I wish I had that kind of control over a guy!

"Hmm?" Jasper matched his smile with hers. Alice smiled deeper, staring into his eyes. I hope this doesn't go on too long, because at this point I don't know if I should be disgusting and start making gagging noises, or saw 'awe', because it's sweet.

Hell, I might just do both and live a little.

"Jazzie," She said sweetly. Jazzie? "do you mind leaving us in here for a bit, for us to do some girl talk?"

Jasper looked from Alice to me back to Alice. "You know, you guys could have just told me to leave."

"We didn't want you to think you weren't wanted."

"Alice, you could never make me feel that way."

They were both gushing with love a the seams. Awe...barf!

I opened my mouth to tell them to get a room, or to get a room later after I was done with Alice, but a voice sounding form behind me got to them first.

"You guys should quit. You're probably grossing Bella out." Said Edwards velvety voice.

"And why do you say that?" Alice asked at him.

"If I had been in here, it would gross me out."

Alice huffed. But Alice was also one of those people that liked to make out in public. It wasn't that she tried to make out in public, she just thinks that when your in love you should show other people. That way it will help them find love once they see how great it is.

I never had the heart to tell her that making out is sometimes gross.

I groaned when Edward smiled, I knew that he was going to say something that he shouldn't. He looked at me, smiled wider, then shook his head.

"Jazz, dad wants to see you." Jasper nodded his head, as he stood up, kissing Alice on the forehead. Edward looked at me and winked, then turned around and walked out the door.

Wait...what? Edward didn't have a cocky comeback. I was sure he was going to say something like it wouldn't be gross if it were him she was making out with.

Huh...I guess he has more respect for Jasper than I thought.

After Jasper left the room, closing the door behind him. I held my breath as I counted to twenty. I wanted to make sure that they were both gone from the door before I said a word.

After twenty five, and feeling like my lungs were about to collapse, I turned back to Alice, her eyebrows raised in question.

"I want him."

"Yes?"

"I mean it Alice, I want him."

"Bella, remember that conversation we were having the other day? I already knew this."

"You don't get it Alice. I want him. It's not normal how much I want him."

She looked to the door that Jasper just exited, her lips curling up in a smile. "Trust me, it's normal."

I just shook my head. It's not normal at all. Jake never even made me feel half the lust I have for Edward. Before or after I started dating him. And I thought I'd never meet anyone as hot as him.

Boy was I wrong. So, so wrong.

"Alice, I think I'm going crazy!"

"Bella." She huffed annoyed, rolling her eyes, and shaking her head, all at once.

"No, it's true. Maybe it's because he saved us." I nodded my head, trying to reassure myself more than to actually get her to agree with me. I turned to look at her, that had to be the reason now that I thought about it. "Is there a psychological term for being obsessed with ones savior?"

"Yeah, it's called being female! We all want out own knight in shinning armor."

"I'm serious Alice."

"So am I. If it was because he saved us, then I'd be in love with him to. But I'm not. Don't get me wrong, he's hot, and I'm pretty sure he knows it. Its something in the way he walks."

Hmm, and here I thought it was in his voice, or eyes, or smile, or...never mind.

But I don't really even like him in simple social scenes." She continued. "I don't like the way he treats Jasper."

"I don't either." I sighed, sitting back down on the coach next to her.

"He acts like he thinks Jasper is beneath him or something."

"Yeah."

"How can someone treat their brother like that?"

"I don't know Alice." I told her truthfully. I was still waiting for the moment that Edward told me what his deal was. I believe that I may be waiting for a while.

"Did you see the way he acted this morning? I mean, he just looked at Jazz, then turned around and walked away." She looked at me. "Then he dragged you behind him. What was that about?"

"He said we needed to talk to Carlisle. To find out about the surroundings and stuff."

Alice sighed standing up, she never likes to sit down when something bothers her. "I don't hate him, not really. He's Jasper's brother, and Jazz respects him. I even asked his about it, the behavior. He told me that he understood more about why Edward acts the way he does more than anyone. That he might feel a little hurt with the way his big brother acts, but he's okay with it. He said that when Edward accepts him again, that he wouldn't hold it against him and..." She trailed off.

"Well, that good that Jasper is okay with him acting like that, to an extent." I said, playing with a piece of string that was lose from the cushion, twirling it around my finger. "Me, I think that they should have to duke it out or something. To get rid of all that bent up frustration that they have with each other. Ooh, maybe mud wrestle. Shirtless. Guess it would have to be indoors. Anyway," I looked up at her smiling. "Hopefully Jasper could kick his ass"

Alice just stood there in thought. I guess thinking it over. I wonder if she's like me and thinking mainly about the shirtless part. I stood up to look her in the face, she didn't even blink,

"Alice!" I laughed. I couldn't believe I shocked her so bad, but I did. I looked closer at her surprised face. Something wasn't right. "Alice?" He eyes were glazed over. "Guys!" I screamed. "Jasper!"

"Whoa." Alice muttered, swaying. I grabbed her before she could hit the floor, just as the door flew open with Jasper and Edward fighting to get through the door first.

"What's wrong?" they both asked in union. They may not spend time together, but they were brothers. Jasper, I think, was the first to notice that I was holding Alice up.

He rushed to move her from my arms, her eyes were fluttering rapidly. "Alice?" Jasper ran a hand over her forehead.

Edward narrowed his eyes at them, to where they were just slants. Then he made his way towards me, never talking his eyes off them as he put his hands on my shoulders. "It's okay, she's going to be fine." He said. I wasn't sure if he was talking to me or Jasper or if he was just speaking to both of us in general. But Jasper looked to him, and nodded his head gently in thanks.

The door opened again as Carlisle stuck his head through the door to see what the commotion was about. By this time Jasper had moved Alice to the coach, taking her had gently. When Carlisle saw Alice laid on the coach, with us crowded around her, all wearing worried expressions, he rushed into the room all but pushing Jasper out of the way kneeling in front of her. He took her wrist in his hand, checking her pulse, then asked us what happened.

"I don't know." I said, after he looked to Edward, who in turned, looked at me. "One minute we were talking and the next she got this vacant look in her eyes, like she was here, but not really here."

He nodded his head in thought, then turned to Alice who was looking at us with worried confusion. "Alice, can you tell me what happened?" He asked her softly.

"Well... I-"

Alice was cut off my the door opening once more. "What's going on?" Esme asked once she came into the room, Emmett and Rosalie following her. Emmett shut the door, before pulling Rosalie with him to the couch they were sitting at earlier.

"Not too sure." Carlisle answered her. "Alice was fixing to tell us."

"Oh." Esme said softly, coming to stand beside me and Edward.

"Alice, now can you tell me what happened?"

Alice rose to sitting position, despite Jasper's protest. "If I'm going to talk, I'm going to talk sitting up." Jasper took a step back, smiling that Alice was okay. I let out a loud breath that I'd been holding in, causing Edward to rub my back.

"Well, Carlisle, I'm not really sure. Once moment Bella and I were talking," she looked up to Jasper then Edward. With the collect 'ohs' going around the room, there wasn't any questions about what was talked about. "and the next, I don't know, it's like my imagination just took over." she shook her head from the memory. "Like I was having an out of body experience, but everything was so fuzzy, I don't know what to make of it." Alice looked to me. "I just know I heard Bella's voice."

"I was talking to you when all of this happened. I thought you were still with me listening." I explained.

"Not like that" she said softly. "It wasn't related to anything we were talking about." She looked back at Carlisle. "The only thing I can really pick out is Bella telling someone what seemed like 'don't hurt me', but why would I think that?"

Carlisle look towards me, then to Edward, causing me to look at him to. He was staring intently at Alice. It was creepy. I reached up with my hand to slightly squeeze his arm. He turned to look at me slowly, then back at Carlisle when he started talking. "I'm not sure Alice." He sat down on the couch beside her. "We haven't really talked since that night." Alice started playing with her fingers, she didn't like to think about it. Much less talk about it.

What she can remember anyway.

"Has anything happened that's out of the ordinary? Dizziness, shortness of breath, anything?"

"I don't think so." she shook her head. "Not that I've noticed or anything." She looked at Jasper, then back at Carlisle. "Are you thinking what happened just now is a side effect from the vampire bite?" she lowed her voice when she said vampire.

I do have to say that she was much more accepting of vampires than I was, when we were told, and she doesn't even remember that part of the night, and I did and I still have trouble believing it.

"It's a possibility, I guess." Carlisle said to her. "You clearly didn't change into a vampire, but that doesn't mean that something else didn't happen."

Alice bit her lip. "Are you going to want to study me now?" She looked at Jasper, she had tears in her eyes.

Carlisle laughed softly. "Why would you think that?"

Alice shrugged her shoulders, looking down at her feet.

"No studying, but I will make some phone calls, see what I can find out."

She nodded her head. She took a quick look at Jasper, then whipped at her eyes.

Oh, Alice. I knew that look. She thought because something strange was going on with her that Jasper wouldn't want her anymore. That silly girl.

I nudged Jasper in the side, the same time that Edward cleared his throat trying to get his attention. When he turned to look at us, we both motioned to Alice. I turned to look at Edward once Jasper figured out what he needed to do, sitting down beside her, taking her in his arms kissing her forehead.

"What? How?" I started once Esme moved from beside us to go to Carlisle, even though I couldn't even figure out the question I was trying to whisper to him.

"That Alice wanted to know if Jasper would still accept her? Wasn't hard to figure out." He muttered, looking at the couple. "Besides, no matter how weird Alice get, I'm sure that Jasper will already know someone weirder."

"Yeah, besides, he does have you as a brother." I laughed. Edward sharply turned his head to look at me. "I was meaning it as a joke, gosh!" I said, after several silent moments from him.

"Um, yeah" He faked smiled at me, then he turned to resume his intent staring at Alice and Jasper.

What was his obsession? Seriously?

"Okay, how about you guys take Alice and Bella outside to get some fresh air. That might help Alice and clear her head a little." I only then noticed that Emmett and Rosalie was already making their way out the door.

"That might be good." Alice smile from the couch as Jasper stood up.

"Can you walk?" He asked her. She nodded her head at him. He helped her up from her spot.

Edward placed a warm hand on my back, steering me towards my coat by the door. "If I were him, I would have totally used that moment to carry her."

"I'm sure, I just don't know if it would be for her sake or to cop a feel."

He put his hand over his heart, mockingly. "Bella, I can't believe you think of me that way." He smiled. "I carried you last night, you didn't seem to complain."

That because I have the inability to do so with anything Edward!

He helped me on with my coat, and waited until Jasper helped Alice with hers before he opened the door for us.

"Um, Edward." Carlisle call out to him. "I'm going to need to talk with you."

About what now?

"But..." He looked at me, then back to his mom and dad.

"Edward, let her go, don't suffocate her too much she does need to breathe. Besides Rose, Emmett, and Jasper will be with her. Don't fret." Esme said to him. I don't think I actually know of a time that Edward doesn't 'fret'.

"But," Edward looked at me again. "Are you sure that's a good idea?" Edward really didn't want me out of his sight. And I'm guessing that whole situation with Alice didn't help much either.

"It won't take to long." Carlisle reassured him.

"Okay." He nodded. Then turned to me. "Stay with them." He pointed to Jasper and Alice. "Don't let them out of you sight." He turned to Jasper. "That goes for you to. I'll be right out." that last part went to me. I could tell by the look he gave me that told me not to do anything reckless.

Good luck with that. I'm Bella Swan, I'm clumsy. Everything I do is reckless.


I didn't like being outside. It was cold. I don't like cold. It was the whole reason for moving to warmer climates. And I had to keep watching my feet as I walked in the snow, because after the first couple of steps I made a nose dive into it that really didn't help the whole cold part. And I couldn't go back in, I'm pretty sure that whatever Carlisle was saying to Edward was private. Meaning that non family members couldn't hear.

If you must know, Carlisle, I would love to be in the family. Then I had a better thought.

A one night stand.

With Edward...not Carlisle. Just to make my self clear!

It was probably the thinking of having a one night stand with Edward that had caused my current predicament. But hell, if I'm being truthful, any type of thinking about Edward would have done the same.

I was lost. And did I mention that I didn't like being outside?

"Isabella"

I stopped walking, standing in almost knee high snow. I took a look around at my surrounds.

Tree, tree, tree, snow, oh look, another tree.

Not only were all the surrounding the same, but I was also starting to hear things. It's just my over active paranoid imagination. I blame it on the snow, which was now seeping through my shoes. I didn't bring boots because I didn't plan on doing any hiking in short distances in the snow. I tried to think warm thoughts as I looked for Alice and Jasper through the trees, or figure out where I am, and turn back.

Texas, Edward, white hot chocolate, Edward...shirtless?

Well, I still don't know where I am, or really how to turn back, because it seems as though I had been traveling in circles. Why does this always happen to me?

All I knew was that I wasn't with the happy couples anymore. So much for keeping an eye on them.

Granted, I could still hear Rosalie's giggles through the trees. And Jasper calling out to Alice that he was going to catch her, while she was laughing with him. On a normal day I would have loved to be a spectator and know that my best friend was happy and in love, specially with the day she's been having, even if I did feel a little envious about it.

"Bella"

There it was again. My name being whispered in the wind. I turned around in circles, looking for something that shouldn't be there. But all I saw was the same. still

A snow blanket covered forest floor.

Trees that were giving off odd shadows from the setting sun.

But nothing that should be saying my name.

Then I heard something that made my blood run colder than it already was, and a lump to raise up my throat.

A thump sounded from behind me, muted by the snow.

I didn't turn around at first. I was to busy praying that it was an animal. But as I peaked through my cracked eyelids, I saw rainbows being reflected off the trees in front of me.

What the?

I took a sharp intake of breath once I realized what was behind me, and my heart skipped a beat...maybe even two.

A menacing chuckle sounded. I whirled around.

There was a man standing there, if man is what you want to call him, wearing nothing but a pair of blue jeans and biker boots, his blond hair was pulled back into a low ponytail. The sun had peaked through the trees causing rainbow sparkles to shine where ever it hit his body.

The first thing I noticed, other than him being shirtless in the snow, was that his eyes were red. Which made me think of what Carlisle said about the different types of blood drinkers.

Or at least I probably would think about that if my mind wouldn't keep going back to wow! They really do sparkle! .

"Ah, Isabella." The vampire said, giving me a slow smile, showing his teeth. "You've come home."

I swallowed thickly, was this the reckless Edward was talking about. I took a shaky breath as I said the words that I didn't think I'd ever use.

"Please, don't hurt me."


Read and review. Any type will do. Helpful hint, ideas on how to make it better, or straight out critical bashing, I accept all.

~Sky