EPOV

Two weeks passed at a snails pace. I couldn't understand why I was so damn anxious all the time. Ever since Bella had arrived I'd been walking on glass. Everything about her was mystery. I found myself orbiting towards her as the days passed, but keeping my distance...afraid to overwhelm her. Afraid to say or do something stupid.

I found myself watching her often, catching little details about this captivating, tortured girl. There were so many questions I had for her, I wanted to know her.

And as the week went by and Bella began to ease her way into the family and crew, I felt like I was starting to. Little by little.

One thing was for sure, Bella was always a surprise.

Growing up sort of disconnected from normal society, and constantly adjusting to new crew members, I was a quiet, observant kid. I had learned to read people. Faces, voices, body language. It was easy for me.

But Bella was a different story. She never did anything I expected. I was constantly wishing I could get inside her head, even for just a minute.

Like earlier this week when Newton took Bella on a tour of the ship, shamelessly flirting with her the entire time.

Fucker.

Jesus. Protective much?

....Shut up.

It was a quiet day. The water had calmed significantly since the day Bella had first spoken. I hadn't heard too much more out of her since other than a rare whisper, which she would only do if absolutely necessary. She had become stronger with a few more nights of rest.

Even though she was much better and well on her feet, there was something about Bella that struck me as extremely.... fragile.

That morning I was helping Emmett set up a new piece of equipment. It was a radar device that would hopefully - if it worked - help us locate any or all of the six Japanese whaling ships now out on the water for the beginning of whaling season.

And here comes Newton. Long time crew member and royal kiss - ass, he took the liberty of talking Bella's ear off as he ushered her around deck. I kept my head down but my ears alert, only taking glances when I felt it was safe to do so.

I could tell by the smile on Bella's face that she was being polite, but her wandering eyes gave away her boredom. Mike was clueless, yapping away about how long he had been aboard and how much he knew about boats.

"You know, there are several different kinds of useful knots you can use on board here."

I snorted as I heard Emmett scoff under his breath.

"Fucking boy scout."

I watched Bella closely. Did she just roll her eyes? Ha. Take that Newton.

Mike had approached the large life rafts we kept on top deck and proceeded to release its ties. He knelt down, motioning for Bella to watch him closely. Bella stood behind him with her hip cocked to the side, her stance giving away her annoyance but he face giving him nothing but courtesy and patience. She was being so kind to him.

Her benevolence made me want to be a better man.

She was wearing one of my extra coats. It was thickly padded and its outer layer was tough and water proof. It was entirely too big on her small frame but the way it hugged her and enveloped her, it made me feel at ease knowing she was warm enough. In a way it felt as if I were embracing her without touch.

Mike was instructing her slowly on how to tie the knot, talking to her like a two year old.

Condescending asshole.

While he continued to talk I watched with a grin and Bella left her spot behind him and made her way to the other side of the life boats.

"Emmett - Emmett, look." I said, tapping his shoulder to get his attention.

We both stopped and watched with goofy smiles as Bella succeeded in tying all the knots on the loose ties in the same time it had taken Mike to tie one. I was impressed. Bella could have done it with her eyes closed. Emmett laughed out loud, catching both Bella and Mike's attention.

He applauded loudly, earning a triumphant grin from Bella and humiliated scowl out of Mike. Bella's eyes turn to me for a moment and beautiful blush crept up her ivory cheeks.

I wished I could read her mind.

I noticed small things like that as the weeks progressed. The way she bit her lip when she was uncomfortable. The way her face lit up whenever it was meal time. The way her hair was always a perfect mess of long brown curls.

The way she was never far from me.

Bella took to chores like it was the most natural thing in the world. She clearly had experience on boats and she shined, completing tasks before some of our oldest crew members.

New recruits bitched and moaned every morning when waking up to do early morning work. Bella was usually the first one up.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner I usually liked to eat alone. Usually it was because I wasn't too keen on getting chummy with the new crew, and sometimes it was because sitting with my siblings and their significant others made me feel...alone.

But lately, I'd make sure to leave the seat beside me open because Bella sought me out every time. She never really spoke, but we were always finding a way to communicate. One morning, Rose made a giant breakfast complete with eggs and bacon and home fries.

Right on cue, Bella's eyes lit up at the sight of the steaming meal. I couldn't help but laugh at her excitement, catching her by surprise as I sat down across from her.

"Morning, Bella." I chuckled. She blushed and gave me a playful pout as I laughed at her. But she couldn't hide her smile. She picked up the ketchup bottle and took my plate, squirting sloppily beside my home fries. She pushed it back at me and dug into her meal.

I turned my plate to see the word "Hi." and a smiley face squirted out in bright red ketchup.

Little things like that helped us communicate. If she needed to ask a question, or figure something out she would come my way first, whispering to me or passing me a note like I was her own private translator. Sometimes if we were with a lot of people and no paper was in sight, she'd take my hand and spell out letters on my palm.

I fucking loved that. She trusted me. I don't know why or how, but I was so thankful.

More often then not when she was finished with AM duties she retreated back to her room. She was staying in Alice's cabin. She was usually curled up in one of her books, wrapped in a blanket.

She had left her science books in her bag and had been reading through Wuthering Heights non stop.

I figured she was probably bored with it by now so this morning after chores I went through my old collection of various novels I had accumulated over the years and picked out a few I thought she might like.

I couldn't shut off my brain as I walked to her cabin door.

I'm so stupid.

Why the hell am I nervous?

She'll probably hate these damn books. Why am I even doing this?

Shut up.

Carefully I knocked on her door. It opened slowly to reveal Bella, her hair down in loose waves, her cheeks and nose still slightly pink from morning work. She had a thick green afghan wrapped around her frame.

And she was beaming at me. God, she was gorgeous.

"Uh...hi." I finally spoke.

Smooth, Cullen.

Bella's eyes traveled to the books in my hand and I suddenly remember why I had knocked on her door in the first place.

"Oh...right! Uh...I just thought that maybe you'd want a few more books to choose from.....not that you have to read these, I just thought that I'd...."

There was a small sound that stopped me mid sentence. It was Bella.

She was laughing, watching me fumble with my words at her door. It was a quiet laugh, but it was there. So that was what her laugh sounded like. It was the first time I had ever heard it.

Somewhere in my head I made it my new goal to make her laugh like that as often as possible.

And that smile.

I couldn't help but just shut my stupid mouth and grin back at her. She reached out hesitantly and took the books from my out stretched hands.

"Thank you, Edward." she said, soft but clearly. I was surprised she hadn't whispered. I looked up to see her blushing again. With a little nod and a small smile, she returned to her room, leaving me standing there, clearly elated but feeling like a school boy at the exact same time.

I finally snapped out of it and turned on my heel, making my way to the galley for a cup of coffee. I spotted Alice sitting at a table by the window with a magazine.

Everyone was sort of biding their time lately. The radar equipment was working properly, but hadn't alerted us to any near by ships. I was sort of on call, so to speak. As soon as we got a blip on that screen, it would be my job to take the helicopter and scope it out. A new crew member was constantly on watch every couple of hours.

"Hey, Al." I said as I sat down across from her, warming my hands around my mug of coffee. She followed my gaze out the window. The sky looked dark.

"We're in for some bad weather." she said, studying the horizon. "It's going to be a rough night. I hope Bella will be okay..."

She said that last bit almost to herself. I could see that Alice had grown to really care about Bella over the past week. Everyone was concerned about the new stranger, but my family especially seemed to immediately want to protect and care for her.

"Has she spoken to you, Alice?" I asked. I figured if they were rooming together, she would have had to hear from Bella by now.

"Not to me." she said strangely.

"What do you mean, not to you? Who else was she talking to?" I hated to admit the feeling that suddenly came over me but I couldn't deny what it was once I recognized it.

It was jealousy.

I wanted to kick myself. Get a fucking grip, Cullen. She can talk to whoever she wants. It's perfectly fine if it's not you.

But I wanted it to be me.

"Bella talks in her sleep, Edward." Alice explained.

"She does?"

"Yeah," she answered, stealing a sip of my coffee. Damn pixie. "At first I didn't notice it because it was so quiet. But especially the past few nights I can hear her."

Bella talks in her sleep? What I wouldn't give to just sit and listen.

"What does she say?" I asked.

"Well at first I couldn't really understand. But once I noticed it, I started to listen harder to see if I could make out words. Even in her sleep she's quiet. But she's....sad. She cries sometimes. I've heard her say 'Dad, I'm here.' a few times. I've also heard the name James."

James? Of course. I felt disappointment settle upon me against my will. James was probably Bella's boyfriend.

What does it matter to you?

I don't know. It just....does.

"And last night..." Alice continued. "She said your name."

I almost choked on my coffee.

"She what?"

"She was really starting to toss and turn," Alice said, studying me suspiciously. "she started to cry a little, but I heard her say your name and soon after she was out cold. She slept like a baby the rest of the night."

I gulped loudly as I swallowed more coffee. I couldn't help but feel elated at the simple fact that Bella had been dreaming about me.

"Oh Edward," Alice snorted. "You have so got it bad for Bella."

"What?"

"You are utterly transparent. Have you seen yourself lately?" she laughed. "Suddenly you give a shit about what you wear in the morning, you don't sit alone anymore because you're attached to her hip, you can't take your eyes off of her and you laugh."

"So? What's that supposed to mean? I laugh!" I retorted poorly. Jesus. She was right. What the fuck. "I don't 'have it bad' for her, Al. I'm just....making sure she's... okay."

"Yeah," she laughed. "And I'm the fucking Queen of England."

I glared at her. She knew me too well. So I had a crush. I felt my cheeks grow warm. I was so caught.

Shit.

Alice's eyes softened at the sight of my embarrassment. She was the best big sister there was. Tiny as she was, she always took my side. I felt her place a hand on mine.

"Don't worry, Edward. Your secret is safe with me." she promised. She rose from her chair to go and take her turn taking watch in the radio room where the radar screen was. On her way out, she turned to me and said,

"You know, I think it's great. Really. I think you two might just be what each other needs."

Winking, she left me dizzy with thoughts.

What's happening to me?

One thing was for sure. I didn't know what it was yet...but I knew I felt something for Bella. I really didn't truly know her yet, but something in me had attached itself to her and all of her mystery.

I didn't know her, but I knew I couldn't possibly let anything hurt her. That was my natural, physical and mental response to her presence. Could I explain or define that as...love...? No. I didn't really know what that felt like yet.

I ran my hands through my hair and took a deep breath. I had to start getting my head together. Focus.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of maps and charts. I sat down with my family in the wheel house as we examined the major bodies of ice we would soon have to navigate along with possible locations of the Japanese fleet based on whale migration patterns.

It was a tiring conversation. Both of my parents were frustrated at the two weeks that had passed without any sign of the fleet.

The other problem on the table was the idea of confrontation. There would no doubt be weapons on both sides. We had guns - not many - but we did have them for self preservation only. Carlisle and Esme both hated having them even on the ship, but after concern was voiced from old crew members who had been with Carlisle his first confrontation, they gave in. The weapons hadn't been used in a long time, and Carlisle wanted to keep it that way.

I could sense his anxiety. He did not want to have to bear arms this season.

Night came quickly and so did bad weather, just as Alice had predicted. Heavy rain pelted the windows of my cabin. I slept restlessly and without dreams for only a few hours, only to be woken by loud, cracking thunder.

After that, sleep eluded me. Finally giving up, I rose from bed and made my way to the wheel house, hoping to take a turn in the radio room. I needed something to do if I was going to be awake this late and I'm sure whoever was on watch now would be only too happy to be relieved of their duties.

A sliver of light underneath the door of the room guided me through the dark wheelhouse. Just as I was about to open the door I stopped short as I heard the scratching radio come to life.

I heard the sound of a man's voice. It was a familiar voice. I never knew who it was but often times we would pick up radio transmissions from deep sea fishing boats. I listened to the transmissions, trying to pick up the conversation, all the while wondering why anyone up this late would have switched the channels to this commercial fishing banter.

It was nothing urgent or special, simply a few fishing boats communicating with their usual jargon.

"This is The Swan 197, coming to port. Billy, you meet quota today?" came a deep voice. I heard the radio go static before there was a reply.

"Nah man, came close though. Too much dead weight this time around. Next month will be better...."

The door creaked loudly as I finally opened it. I was shocked to find Bella there, jumping to her feet as I entered and scrambling to turn off the radio, wiping her eyes frantically.

She sat down in her chair quickly and gave me a weak smile accompanied by that perfect pink blush.

"Bella...? What are you doing up this late?" I asked, concerned she wasn't getting enough sleep....and also extremely curious about her reaction.

Bella tapped the radar screen and shrugged. She was on watch. She was hiding her face just slightly behind the dark curtain of her hair, but I could see something was wrong.

"Were you...were you crying?" I asked softly. I could see as she looked up at me that she had been, but she denied it by shaking her head no. I looked down in her lap to see one of the books I had lent her. It was an Oscar Wilde play, The Importance of Being Earnest.

She caught my gaze and smiled, marking her place and turning to me. "It's good." she said as quietly as humanly possible.

"I'm glad you like it." I responded. I wanted to know what had upset her, but I was afraid to push it.

"Well, I'm here to relieve you of your watch if you'd like to get some sleep. I can't sleep much myself so I thought I'd come and take a turn for whoever was here." I said, my hand in my hair again - a nervous habit.

"Can't sleep either." Bella replied simply, shrugging her shoulders. She was wearing a pair of plaid flannel pajama pants and a thick black zip up sweater that she almost disappeared in. The sleeves were far too long and she was swimming in it.

Absolutely adorable.

"Would it be alright if I kept you company?" I asked, unwilling to go back to bed when I had this rare time alone with Bella.

"Of course." she said softly. I sighed contentedly at the sound of her voice. It was like my own personal brand of heroine. I opened my eyes to see her questioning my reaction with her eyes.

"I just really like the sound of your voice, Bella." I answered her silent question in a quiet, breathy response. She smiled at me for a moment, before her expression became distant and pensive. I couldn't stop myself from asking, I had to know what she was thinking.

"What's wrong, Bella?" I asked carefully. "You know you can tell me. You're safe here. It's just me."

She studied me carefully for a moment, as if choosing her next move. She opened her mouth several times as if to speak, but closed it each time, her expression that of defeat.

After what seemed like a long moment of silence, I gave up and busied myself with the radar, checking it over pointlessly, trying to hide my disappointment. My heart leapt to my throat when I heard her voice break the silence.

"I...I don't know where to begin, Edward." she said, her voice growing stronger and more confident as the words left her lips. I tried to keep my face from showing the shock and awe that hit me as she spoke. It was the most I had ever heard her say and from the look on her face...she wasn't done.

"I know you must have a million questions for me, as you should." she said slowly, taking a deep breath. "And I'll try to answer them as best as I can."

I was grinning ear to ear now. She smiled weakly at me and my enthusiasm, but her eyes were full of worry.

"But you need to know...." she continued. "The answers to some of your questions won't be what you want to hear...."

I felt my grin retreat from my face as I saw fear - the same fear I had seen in her eyes the first day I saw her - return to her features.

"...and they sure as hell won't keep you safe."

Hey guys, sorry it took me a little longer to punch this one out. Next chapter will have the answers you have been waiting for. Well most of them. I know I will probably get a divided response on this one. Some of you will be glad that Bella is talking and also revealing some very important things...and some of you will probably wonder why I'm letting it happen this early. I originally was going to make you wait a bit longer, but then I had a few good plot ideas that can't really take place without some of this background info. Because of that I kept this chapter focused on Bella and Edward's growing trust. So in order to keep this story moving, next chapter will be the big one (in BPOV). I'll update as soon as I can.

Thanks for sticking around, guys. :) Please let me know what you think! ~Hippie.