A/N: So here's the thing: I've gotten a lot of hits, so many author favorites, story favorites, story updates, the whole shebang. Thank you so much, to the people who do that. I appreciate it so much! Very much. It helps that so many people message me and help me out. I really can't express how grateful I am to you all. This chapter is dedicated to you.

Another thing: Review, Review, Review!

I can't tell you how much that makes me happy. Maybe we can shoot for 75 reviews before I update? I know it seems like a lot to ask for, but it makes me happy.

Important Shit: Chase got shot. With a bullet. Did anyone not catch that?

This chapter is very complex for anyone that doesn't pay attention. I can't tell you how many people didn't fully comprehend the last chapter.

The Morgue is a Perfect Place For Kids or After All, We're Only Human

"Chase."

"Chase."

"Chase!"

With tears streaming down my face, I feebly attempted to make his eyes open. I couldn't smell blood, and that was one of the most odd things ever since my tendency to faint at the slightest mention of the red liquid hadn't acted up yet.

Chase lay motionless on the ground, so still he didn't even seem to be breathing. My own became so shallow that I was on the point of hyperventilating. I rested my forehead on his chest and mourned for his untimely demise. I didn't know how long I laid there, kneeling on the ground wishing he was still alive.

I pried open my eyes to search for the horrible bullet wound that should've gone through my chest. I searched diligently and still couldn't find anything. It made no sense. His body had been on the ground, I heard Chase moan in pain, what the hell was going on?

At that moment I didn't care. All I cared about was wishing he was still alive. Wishing I wouldn't have to miss him. Wishing he would kiss me again and hold me in his arms.

Realization dawned on me as I realized what I had feared all along:

I had fallen in love with Chase Fox.

Life couldn't have been more cruel to me.

I fell in love with someone who was always vicious to me, someone who could've cared less whether I lived or died. It was all too confusing. This made me sob more.

As I sobbed for my loss, strong arms wrapped around me and tightened around my waist.

A soft voiced breathed in my ear, "Shhh Bella. I'm here. I won't ever leave you."

I must've looked like a deer caught in the headlights. My surprise at the sound of his voice was evident on my face.

Before I knew what I was doing, my lips were everywhere I could reach, planting kisses on any patch of his skin I could find. Desperation was all I knew. His hand softly grasped my neck as he pulled my lips to meet his.

The kiss was soft and sweet, very gentle. He rested his forehead against mine as he smiled sweetly.

"As much as I'm loving this, what are you doing?"

"Kissing you. I thought you were dead! You should've died. Why aren't you dead?"

"Bella. Do you see any bullet holes in me?"

"You…you were on the ground. You were in pain. You moaned. I heard it."

"Maybe I was just really glad to see you." His cocky smile was back; I hadn't realized how much I missed that in the past week. It was good to see again.

"Ha-fucking-ha Chase. Wait… what's that?" Right over the left breast pocket of his shirt was a bullet hole he'd been trying to hide.

I proceeded my inspection for injuries by quickly unbuttoning his shirt as quickly as possible.

"Whoa whoa whoa there big girl. I didn't know I was that drop dead gorgeous. OK, I did know, but a library isn't exactly the place for this."

I ignored his comment continued unbuttoning his wrinkle free shirt. My hand smoothed over flawlessly smooth, muscular chest. His rigid muscles relaxed at my touch. His well defined six pack distracted me momentarily from my mission.

I shook my head to clear all distractions.

When I finally did ignore the burn of his skin against mine and the slight hum of electricity that passed through us, I found the bullet hole I had been searching for, before it healed right in front of my eyes. I pretended not to notice. I smiled a tight smile at him, before placing a soft kiss on his bare chest. He shuddered slightly.

I kissed my way gingerly up his neck and nibbled slightly on his earlobe. He tried to kiss me unsuccessfully; I pulled away every time. It took every ounce of my self control, but I had to ask my questions and get answers. He owed me that much. I needed to ask the one question that would answer everything. The one that would explain how he hadn't bled, how he healed a bullet wound before my eyes, and most importantly, how dangerous he was.

"Chase?" I whispered.

"Yes Bella?" his voice was strained, scratchy, probably due to my strangely flirtatious behavior.

I looked dead straight into his eyes with a hard expression coloring my face.

"What are you?"

The horror-struck look on his face was priceless. For some odd reason, the pain and panic that flashed in his eyes sent an odd feeling to my heart.

He was speechless for what seemed like hours, when it was probably no more than five minutes.

"Bella I…"

The SWAT team picked that one inopportune moment to waltz through the doors of the library.

Dammit.

We were quickly rushed out of the school, and had to give statements about what happened.

I heard the story Chase gave the police and went off that.

Apparently we hid in the library from the shooter, who Chase referred to as Stephen Philips, and waited until we could be saved. We didn't know why he committed suicide, but we knew he wasn't aware we watched or he probably would've killed us.

That was all he said. So I went with the same story.

The entire time Chase watched me, but his eyes wouldn't meet mine at all. When we did finally lock gazes, I sent him a look that said this wasn't over. Our conversation would be continued whether he liked it or not.

He pretended not to notice.

I needed to know what he was, what secret he was hiding. What really got to me was the fact that he probably wasn't even human. He healed a bullet wound! How the hell was I going to explain that one? He had some explaining to do, and if I didn't get answers soon, I would make it clear that I wouldn't see him again. It would pain me, but I figured that if I got through it twice, then I would get through it a third time.

I then ignored him from that point on, not wanting to hear some lame excuse about how I imagined it all, how it was all in my mind. If he wanted to talk to me again, he'd have to find me and explain everything. No more of this bullshit, I was tired of everyone hiding from me and ignoring me for my "safety". Enough was enough.

Whoa. When did I become this…fierce?

When everything was said and done, I was finally on my way home.

A relaxing day in my pool seemed so comforting. I knew it was late, but school was cancelled for two weeks due to traumatic losses of student life and damages left by Stephen.

Into the pool I went, wearing a skimpy, white, two piece bikini with brown stones on it that Alice bought for me.

As I swam I thought about how only a short time here in California had healed me enough to wear I could now say their names. I had healed, even when I figured I was just escaping the memories. It was invigorating.

I kept swimming for three hours, reminiscing about all the good times in Forks, and all the bad times. I wasn't too surprised when I realized how many more bad than good times there were.

I had a silent debacle with myself, naming the pros and cons of moving here to California rather than staying in Forks. I found myself amazed at all the redeeming qualities of my bright, sunny Heaven.

I exited the pool and dried off before flipping my hair and drying that too. From my point of view I saw how ghostly white I looked. It was almost haunting.

As I was patting dry my smooth legs I heard the voice I had been needing to hear.

"Bella." He stated simply. His eyes darted everywhere, he looked frightened. I would've laughed if the situation hadn't been so serious.

I wasn't going to speak. I was just going to sit and listen open mindedly to whatever he had to say. Whatever it was, I would be able to handle it.

I nodded to acknowledge his presence.

"Bella. I don't know what to tell you, but I guess I'll tell you everything, knowing you'll keep an open mind. You know about werewolves and vampires, and that means you probably won't run away screaming from me. Who knows? You may once you figure out how much of a freak I am, you will. Keep in mind that I would never, ever, hurt you. I would keep you safe at all costs. I would protect you better than they ever could. I am capable of that. Which I'd like to ask, what the hell were you thinking? Do you know how dangerously unstable they both are? They could've offed you at any moment! Never mind that. Just listen. Please?" The last part of his rant came out in a broken whisper.

Still, my silence continued.

"Bella? Aren't you going to answer me?"

The desperation in his eyes was enough to break my resilient resolve.

"I'll listen. I'll listen and I won't judge at all. Just….Just don't lie to me. One lie and were over. Anything you say will be thrown out the window. And we'll never speak again."

His sigh of relief echoed throughout my backyard.

"What do you know about vampires Bella?"

"I know everything. Like I said, the Cullens' are vampires. There were seven of them. They kept me well informed." the bitter tone that colored my voice even surprised me.

"That's good. Do you believe in Heaven and Hell Bella?" "I do. Ask Jaycie."

"What do you mean… never mind that. This may not seem right but…Jaycie and I were both born in 1772."

"Wow Chase. You're really really old." I smiled so he would tone down on the seriousness. It was kind of scary on him, being the jokester he is.

"I know. Don't interrupt." He poked my stomach while I pretended to zip my lips.

"We were changed into vampires at the age of 21 years old by a man who had also changed our friends. The man and his coven had slaughtered the entire village, and we were the only ones who escaped. Jaycie was bitten. It pained me to see her thrashing and screaming in agony, but I finally restrained her and somehow got her out of there. We escaped. Her change lasted for ten days before she woke up with brilliant ruby eyes. She frightened me. Looking back, I know now she should've attacked me due to hunger, but because she was bound to me by blood relations, that's probably the only reason she didn't. We're really are twins, and our bond is stronger than most. She kept most of her humanity, and decide not to feed off blood. She ate actual human food. We never could understand why, and to this day we still don't. We were on the run for months on end, scavenging for what we could, and stealing what we couldn't. Townspeople everywhere thought Jaycie was a witch because of her eyes, and often that brought a lot of trouble for us. The wonderful invention of colored contacts hadn't come until after 1950."

Chase had been a vampire? In human years, he was 21! This newfound information was hard to process.

"Jaycie was as strong and fast as a vampire, but she couldn't ever bring herself to kill anyone that attacked her. On top of that, she had to keep up with me, and I knew how much going slow killed her, so I finally begged her to change me. When it was done, we traveled the world. We were strong, we were beautiful, and we could do whatever the hell we wanted. It was grand. We were content."

A beautiful smile graced his face as he relived the memories of his past. Still, I remained quiet.

"We lived that way for forty years until the day that destroyed us forever came and kicked our asses."

Anger flashed in his eyes.

"Jaycie and I met two people, both brother and sister named Cassie and Zach. We had thought they were vampires at the time. They were much like us, only they had pure blue eyes and didn't kill like normal vampires. We blamed their eye color on they powers. Zach could get anyone or anything to surrender to his will. Cassie was very accepting, and had eons of wisdom. She made you feel at peace. We thought they were far too good for us, but we refused to accept it."

So Chase had been in love before, it wasn't like I expected him to never love, but some hypocritical part of me hoped he hadn't.

"We were in love. We fell head over heels for them. Life was great, until I found Zach in bed with another vampire. Jaycie wasn't upset, just heartbroken. Cassie tried to defend her brother, when it finally came out that she had done the same. I was livid, I was upset, I didn't know what I was. I just knew that I wanted her and her brother out of our lives for good."

I hugged Chase's waist for support.

"It's ok. Her mistake led me to you." I kissed him sweetly to show compassion.

"Are you guys still vampires?" It wouldn't explain how he could walk in the Californian sun now.

"No Bella. We're not. We're much better and worse than that."

"Tell me." I said softly after he hesitated for a moment.

How can he be both better and worse than a vampire?

"Cassie and Zach weren't vampires either. They were actually Angels when we met them."

"Angels? As in from Heaven?" I asked confused.

"No Bella. Angels as in from New York." His sarcastic remark made us both bust out laughing.

It took us awhile to sober up.

"Yes. From Heaven. They were actually known as Cassiel and Zacharael, angels of Temperance and Surrender. We said some pretty hateful things to them, not knowing their heavenly status, and this caused the Devil to burst forth from the Underworld. He wanted us appointed as angels of New Beginnings and Judgment. God himself didn't like that. He wanted us to be safe from the Devil. There was a massive fight for us, and in the end, the Devil bit us, knowing we would belong to him. Vampires and the Devil are similar, that's why they are often associated with evil. God saved us from fully belonging to the Devil though. We are half and half. Half angelic, and half demonic, therefore the most powerful beings on Earth."

Whoa.

"You saw the gold and black in my eyes, I know that much. That's the reason."

Holy shit! I knew I wasn't crazy.

"Oh Bella, you're thoughts aren't as scrambled as normal. It's kind of hilarious."

You can hear my thoughts?

"Of course I can Bella. It makes you easier to read."

So why don't you sparkle in the sun? Or are you just angel? Not vampire anymore?

"No. Like I said, half-angel, half-demon. The demon isn't ever brought in me though. It's only when I'm filled with absolute rage. Even then, I don't get out of control. It's manageable."

Everything now made so much more sense. It explained everything about them that I could never comprehend. Life would be simpler now that I knew what they were.

"Does Jaycie know you're telling me?"

"Of course. She and I have a telepathic link, if you will."

Relief.

"Bella?" he grasped my head and looked directly into my eyes, pleading with his eyes to whatever he was about to say.

"Bella I'm sorry, if I'm not what you want. If I'm not what you expected. Believe me, if I could just be human for you, I would. But I need you to know, I love you too. I heard that thought in the library. It made me feel more joyous than Cassiel ever could. But I need to hear it out loud. I need you to tell me you love me. Tell me I'll never have to worry about you walking away from me. Tell me everything, because hearing it from your thoughts without you knowing isn't enough. I'm sorry for that by the-"

I kissed him. He was talking way too much. His rant was driving me crazy. He mumbled against my lips in protest to that last thought.

The fire burned in the pit of my stomach once again.

"I love you. I always will. You make me feel whole, like I can forget every tragedy I've gone through. You make me feel alive once again. Those butterflies resurrect in my stomach anytime you're around. I'm have closure because of you. I have a new beginning because of you. I. Love. You."

His radiant smile brought up those butterflies I was talking about.

He then carried me into my house where we put on a movie and watched it until I fell asleep.

I dreamed of my angel that night, relishing in his grace. It didn't matter to me that he was half demon. All that mattered to me was him. Having him next to me was all I could ever need and want.

I woke up in his arms, feeling his soft lips on my hair, sending tingles to my scalp.

As I stretched, I saw something shiny glinting off my hand.

On my third finger lay the purest, most stunning ring I had ever seen. The main stone was a beautifully cut blue diamond that matched his eyes perfectly. It lay nestled in between two smaller oddly cut stones that coordinated with the thin band amazingly.

It was…words couldn't even describe it.

I loved it.

But I couldn't and wouldn't expect something as wonderful as this.

"Yes. You will. You'll wound me if you don't"

Damn mind reader.

"I'm sorry. But it would mean a lot to both me and Jaycie if you accept this. It was our mother's, but I know she would've loved you. Originally it was just the blue stone, but I had someone who really loves me put in the other stones to make it better."

"Who?"

"Someone who cares about you a lot. It's a gift Bella. Please just accept it?" His damn puppy dog eyes were worse than Alice and Jaycie's.

I had to accept.

So I kissed him to say yes. I vowed to myself I'd make this up to him somehow. I'd find him a gift equally amazing.

Why did you give this to me though? I don't understand.

"I'm asking you to be my girlfriend Bella. This is how I do it. I know it sounds possessive to want you to wear this to show you belong to me, but I couldn't resist. Really."

I just laughed at his idiocy.

"You're so amazing Chase Fox."

"Oh I know that Bella Swan."

I slapped his chest playfully when realization dawned on me. I gasped.

Jaycie!

Chase groaned before saying something about meeting me over there. I didn't even get to hear because I was already out my door and across the street. I didn't bother knocking. I just busted in and ran up to her room. She was asleep until I jumped on her bed and threw the water by her bedside table on her face.

"Ahhhhh! Bella! What the fuck is wrong with you? You don't just go barging into people's houses and rooms and….wait. Bella? Bella!"

I hugged her and we screamed like the girls we were.

"Don't ever do that to me again! I will kick your ass if you ever, ever, throw water on me again, or ignore me."

Her eyes saddened at this.

"I'm sorry Jaycie. Never again. I promise. I was just trying to listen to what Chase told me. I know I was stupid."

"Yes, you were. Don't ever tell her to do something like that again brother. I will hurt you both."

I looked over to see Chase in all his angelic/demonic glory, with a slight bed head and a playful smirk on his face.

He looked so sexy.

Yummy.

"Ok, ewwwwwwiiie. Do NOT think about my brother like that again Bells. Too disturbing."

Jaycie mock shuddered as Chase mouthed thank you and winked.

I was blushing at Chase when Jaycie squealed and grabbed my hand.

"I knew you were gonna give her mom's ring! Aww it looks amazing on her. I finally get a sister!"

"Calm down Jay. You're embarrassing her." Chase came around and wrapped me in his arms. I buried my face in his chest to hide the red.

"We don't have school for two weeks. Lets go do something!" I chuckled at Jaycie and her annoyingness.

"I heard that."

You were supposed to.

"Whatever. C'mon. Go get dressed you two. We're gonna go shopping today."

Again with that commanding tone.

Chase and I trudged from the room before departing to get dressed. I suddenly realized I wasn't horrified at the mention of going shopping. I was kind of excited. Not to mention Chase would be there.

"Atta girl Bells!" Jaycie yelled from her room.

I chuckled as I closed the door to their house and entered mine.

This was going to be a long two weeks. That much was certain.

At the mall Jaycie, Chase, and I had a blast. We took lame ass pictures that would be posted on my bedroom wall according to Jaycie, and had the most fun I'd had in…forever. It was invigorating.

I felt alive.

The laughter that rung in my ears was strange and unfamiliar, so much that I when I was about to ask, Jaycie and Chace whispered that it belonged to me.

My eyes stung from the happy tears after that.

The rest of the day was spent eating junk food supplied by the food courts, trying on clothes, spending money and getting kicked out of a few stores due to the way we acted.

It was fantastic.

My favorite part was when Jaycie mentioned how we should go ahead and buy our prom dresses since my boyfriend pleaded with me to go. I just couldn't resist.

It shocked me, considering Alice and Edward had to literally drag me to my last prom. When did this become okay? When did I heal enough to say their names? When did it become okay to heal? I had no answers for any of those questions.

When Jaycie and I tried on dresses, Chase would mess with Jaycie and say nothing but how horrible she looked in them. How she should wear a paper bag over her face for the rest of her life. She simply countered by reminding him they were twins.

When I tried on dresses or anything at all, Chase would smile and say nothing but amazing things about me.

Jaycie pouted at that.

After much convincing from both Chase and Jaycie, it was decided that we would go to either New York or Milan next week for prom dresses, seeing as it was only a month away.

Apparently being around since 1772 made you accumulate a shitload of money. This evidently meant they would spend all their money on me in order to make me annoyed.

When we finally left the mall and headed home, I went to my house where Jaycie and Chase would meet me so we could all eat dinner. Having no legal guardian or parental figure, they hadn't had a home cooked meal since the 1900's. Jaycie had one that first day I fainted, and since Chase was sad that he had been "left out", it was decided they would come over so I could cook for them.

Chase and Jaycie left across the street to go get a few dvds we would watch while I set up everything.

I opened my door and flicked on the light, illuminating the dark hallways of my grandeur house.

When I reached the kitchen and opened the door, I saw the hulking figure of someone I had never thought I'd see again casually leaning against the wall. His eyes looked pained, and at one time that would've made my heart throb, but right now I couldn't care. I wanted him out now, I wanted him to forget he had ever found me, forget I even existed. He would ruin my life here in California, Jaycie and Chase would protect me now and I didn't need him. He was practically dead to me.

Again with the hate, Bella. When did you become this person?

At that moment both Chase and Jaycie happily waltzed into my kitchen, laughing at something that I couldn't quite catch.

When they saw the traitor, their faces became masks of calm so serene, it was hard to believe they had been laughing a few seconds ago.

I looked at both of them, silently pleading with them to get him the hell out of my house, wishing they could use some angelic mojo to make him leave.

"Mojo? When was that term adopted Bella?" Chase asked with a slight smirk painted on his face.

"Oh shut up. Be serious for once." Jaycie commanded with a playful glint in her eyes.

I hate you two.

"No you don't! You love me Bella." Both Chase and Jaycie sang.

I snorted. They didn't know how much they meant to me. I knew they were listening, and I mentally slapped them both on the back of their heads.

"Ouch!"

It never surprised me how immature they both could be.

"Would someone please tell me what the fuck is going on!" that demon yelled.

"Ouch Bella. Watch how you use the D word." Chase said while Jaycie laughed.

A small smile was earned from me as I replied, "Oops. I forgot."

"Bella! Care to explain to me what you're fucking talking about with theses people? You owe me that much."

"I don't fucking owe you shit!" He looked astonished that I had even said a cuss word. I remembered the last time I had seen him, he had that same puppy dog expression on his face, trying to convince me not to leave to California in the first place. I was glad I hadn't listened to him, considering what I now had. How he found me was beyond me, but I knew I didn't want this mess in my house at all.

I can take care of that Bella. Chase's voice sounded in my mind.

How?

I know a guy…

You aren't in the damn Mafia Chase.

It took awhile for our laughter to die down from that.

Silent conversations between us would help out so much.

Chase planted an image of him kissing me and holding me after this was all over.

"Stop that! It's bad enough I have to listen to you out loud, do you really think I wanna hear it up here?" She gestured to her head.

I forgot about that.

At that instant a very vivid mental image of Chase and I kissing with Chase on top of me flew through my mind.

I blushed while Chase laughed and Jaycie said, "Ewwww! Really Chase? C'mon. Bella's my sister! Stop that shit. No more provocative positions of you and her. Gross!"

"Provocative? What the fuck is he talking about Bella?" again, that monstrosity asked. He spoke when not spoken to. I was really getting annoyed with him.

"Bells? Care to introduce us to your…friend?"

God I hate you Jaycie.

"Jaycie, Chase, this is Jacob Black."

A/N: Yes? No? Hate it or love it? I know something confused someone, tell me if you have any questions.

I'll put a pic up of the ring, because I lovee it a lot:)

Ps. If anyone finds any mistakes, please let me know. I have no Beta, but I think I do pretty good without one.