A huge thank you to my second pair of eyes, tekmlb06 for pre-reading this chapter.

A 48 Hour Relationship

-November-25-5pm-

Edward,

Writing your name sends chills up my spine, but since you have asked me to do this, and you have given me your own journal to do so, it only seemed fitting. But, I have to admit I don't really know what to say, and I cannot imagine ever having the courage of allowing you into my head. If I did that, it would surely send you running for the hills! I would be lying if I said I am not utterly terrified of having to face you again. yet I am even more afraid of when you will leave in two days. What happened today- well I am embarrassed, yes, but I am also thankful. I have not slept so well in many years! I do not understand it one bit, but I have awoken feeling calmer, and I don't know cleansed? I am sorry that I am not a nice normal girl, but it is clear to me that I am not. My bottom is burning, my throat is sore from crying, yet I cannot remember a time I have ever felt more loved or happier. Edward, I think I have fallen in love with you, in a way that I have never felt with Jake. I can now honestly say I understand why he did what he did. All our kisses combined did not ever feel like the one brief kiss you gave me.

Jake is not a bad man, he is amazing. What happened to me is my own fault. All he did was leave me, everyone has that right. And really, Why shouldn't he have? I am nothing worth holding on to. It was my choice to run out of our home in the middle of the night. It was my stubborn self who refused to go back home ever again. What did I think would happen if I lived on the streets? It was a good neighborhood too. His name was James... He, well I guess you can imagine what he did to me. I will never forget the smell of his breath, or the feel of his grimy hands. He had me for days. You see Edward I am not clean anymore. He has left his scar, both mental and physical. This is all the detail I can give you. I do not want to think about it anymore and I do not want to you to remember me only as some victim. I use to be afraid that I would run into him again, even though I always avoid his neighborhood. I am not afraid anymore though. I haven't cared about what happens to me for a long time now. I should probably just go home and meet my fate of becoming just like my parents. I do feel so much guilt about being so far away from them. They need a lot of help. But the idea of being there is just too exhausting, and I don't really have the money to make that move anyway.

As you can see Edward, I am a mess. You deserve someone much better than me. Ever since Alice told me all about her big protective brother I have dreamed of you. You far exceeded all expectations, but I refuse to muck up your life. I am sorry I have forced you to do such intimate things to me, a person who is not your responsibility whatsoever. No one has ever done that to me before though, so I will cherish the memory forever. Do not feel any obligation towards me, I do not expect anything to come out of this and I promise never to burden you with my problems again.

Thank you my friend,

Bella

The letter had poured out of Bella easily. It was the decision of whether or not to give it to Edward that took a long time. For hours she paced around the confines of her tiny room debating the issue. If she had any choice at all Bella would of love to just pretend like nothing had happened. But, from what she has seen of that man, doing that would be an impossibility. So, after much thought, she decided to go ahead and give it to him. She needed to get it over with, to let him know her feelings, but also to let him know that she did not expect or want anything to come of them

Bella could hear Alice's soft laughter and the low murmured of the television set filtering in from the living room. It sounded like they were all curled up watching a movie, probably suffering through Alice's favorite the Devil Wears Prada. Bella decided it was the perfect time to just get it over with. Come on just rip the band aid off stupid girl, she coached herself, as she set about picking out some type of decent clothing to wear.

Thanks to Alice, that was not such a hard task. At some point the sneaky little pixy had snuck into her room, and stocked up her closet full of the spoils of her day long shopping extravaganza. The fact that Alice probably saw her bright red bottom did not escape Bella's mind. But, she didn't really care if Alice knew, she was her best friend in the world and Bella had not ever really treated her properly. She probably deserved to know her whole story as well, but that would have to wait for another day.

Bella chose a pair of purple tights and a cozy long white turtle neck sweater, which appeared to be cashmere. Alice had at least restrained herself, sticking to the more comfort friendly clothing Bella enjoyed, rather than the restricting high fashion pieces she always choose.

As Bella tip toed her way into the living room, her heart rate picked up and her stomach started its normal flip flopping. She would have to be diligent in order to avoid another panic attack. She simply had to do this, no matter how afraid she was.

The sight that met her in the living room brought a smile to her tense face. Alice sat on the sofa curled up on a sleeping Jasper's lap. She looked so carefree and content in his arms, mouthing the words right along to her favorite movie. It was so innocent and intimate that Bella did not wish to disturb it. Plus, there was no Edward.

"He is in my bedroom Bella." Alice knowingly stated, keeping her eyes trained on the screen.

"Thanks Alice... and um, thank you for all the clothes. I'm sorr-"

"You're welcome and I don't want to hear it. Now please go put my brother out of his misery."

"Actually Alice- um, could you, um could you just go give this to him for me." Bella stammered holding up the black mole skin journal.

Alice sighed and paused her movie, stealthily sliding out of Jasper's grasp. "Sure Bella, but I'm sure he would rather see you."

"That is doubtful."

"Tisk tisk," Alice mock scolded, "People in this house just need to go ahead and admit it to themselves- Alice Cullen knows all and sees all... but alas I shall be your messenger." Taking the book, Alice skipped down the hallway, leaving Bella standing alone with her nerves.

But she was not the only one in that house battling anxiety. Edward was just as much a mess, if not more so. He was lying wide awake in his little sister's obnoxiously large and soft bed, replaying over and over again his conversation with Jasper.

"I really cocked up this time man. I spanked her, I actually spanked a grown woman who I barley know. I'm probably going to jail."

"Hey now, just calm down a second and tell me everything that happened, Edward. I know you, and you wouldn't do anything that was not necessary or needed."

"No, even if she asked for it, and I do mean really actually asked me to do it, I should of known better. She was not in her right mind. What if, what if..."

"What if nothing. Christ Edward, my mama always said you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.. and boy was she right. How many times do I gotta spell this out for you. Isabella is screaming for your attention... she, she is perfect for you."

"No man, she needs someone who can take care of her, who can worship her, who won't beat her," Edward hissed in disgust.

"Dude, you need to stop shooting yourself in the foot. You are a good man, you are just... you have not ever beaten anyone and you damn well know it. Now, I am only going to say this one more time before I make my way to hang out with your sweet little sister, there is nothing wrong with you. You are just a traditional man living in a modern world, a world that could use a little more tradition. And, Bella.. well she seems to have the same mindset as yourself. Just... look, take a yonder over to these websites and see for yourself," Jasper chuckled, before jotting down a number of places for Edward to go to.

"Now Eddie, if you don't mind, one of us wishes to spend some time with your sister," He winked.

"Thanks man, but hey Jasper, We are going to have to talk about this, this thing with you and my sister. I am preoccupied now, but not blind."

"I know buddy, but for now, just know I have no intention of hurting that woman in any way."

"If I doubted that you would be on the floor already."

Since then, Edward had been lost in a sea of information online. And, he had to admit, Jasper was right. There was a whole world out there or like-minded people, and people who seemed even much more extreme then himself. Domestic displacement, BDSM, the Spencer plan... it was all a little overwhelming. So when Alice swept into the room and curled up next to him, peaking at his swamped computer screen Edward was slow to notice.

"Well, well big brother, it took you long enough. You may want to call Emmett up," she snickered.

"Christ Ally can't you knock."

"It's my room doofis, and don't worry you're not looking at anything I haven't already seen before. It is you who is the slow one," She said sticking her tongue out at him.

"WHAT!" Edward truly did not think he could take anymore new information.

"Ok, ok, I'll say no more. Don't you worry your pretty little bronze head about it, just call your brother for once, and here, Bella asked me to give this to you."

Edward's heart skipped a beat at the sound of Bella's name. He glared down at the matte finished journal in Alice's hand, almost afraid to touch it. "She's awake? How, how does she look? Are you sure she wanted me to read this?"

Alice shook her head at her poor sap of a brother. "yes. Nervous. Yes. Now goodbye dear brother."

Edward waited a full 15 minutes before he got the courage to read the letter Bella had penned for him. And, once he had read it, he wished he had waited longer. He was not prepared for the gauntlet of emotions that attacked him, rage, being the most prominent of them all. Someone, no two someone's had hurt his Bella in horrific ways, James and Jake. No matter what Bella tried to do to defend that man, in Edward's eyes he was just as much at fault.

He let her live on the streets! I will rip him apart, Edward seethed, as he read and re-read her tragic words. The women had no sense of just how badly he yearned for her, of just how special she was. And, why would she? He wondered, it seems as if she has never been treated right once in her life. Edward was boiling and filled with more questions than answers. He had to read the one reassuring line of her letter hundreds of times, she is falling in love with me, falling in love with me, while he tried to figure out what to do next.

There were so many things going against them, especially time. All Edward wanted to do was run and find his Bella and hold her close to him. But, he needed to get his anger under control first, and in order to do that he would have to do something Bella would probably disapprove of greatly. He was going to call Jake.

Fuck it, that bastard should be tormented with it, he needs to know what he has done. Edward scrolled down his cell phone list until he came to the entry labeled "dog." It rang two times before cutting over to voice mail. Jake was most likely screening the call.

"This is Jake you know what to do" beep.

"You wanted to know how she is, well she is not well and it is your entire fucking fault dog. You left her to fend for herself on the streets of a fucking city she doesn't know. YOU LEFT HER HOMELESS AND ALONE FOR, FOR, FOR I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW LONG. I bet even your worst imagination of what she went through won't even come close to the truth you scum. If, no when, I see you again you can be sure I am going to put you in your place… ON THE GROUND AT HER FUCKING FEET."

When Edward was done ranting his phone was covered in spit and his hands were trembling to grasp onto it. He had yelled much louder then was necessary for a phone call, and the eerie silence that met him when he was finished meant that the entire house had heard. That Bella had heard.

Edward ran out to the living room as fast as his feet would carry him, this was not the way he wanted Bella to hear his reaction to her letter. He was met by one very pissed off tired looking Jasper and a sad looking Alice.

"You better fix this; above all else Edward a man like you must always be in control of his own damn self before he can earn the right to control anyone else," Jasper drawled out in anger. He seemed to actually be sheltering Alice away from Edward, which was both endearing and infuriating to him.

"How, How do I fix it?"

"Jesus Edward," Alice sighed, "I don't know, I am not even sure what the hell is going on anymore. But, you can start by stopping her from going on another damn run, it is the last thing she needs right now. And, who knows if she will even come back this time."

Edward turned towards Bella's room only to see her striding down the hall dressed in full workout clothes. Her head phones were on, her face taut with determination. She was in full flight mode yet again. But, there was no way in hell Edward was letting her through the front door. At some point Jasper and Alice had slipped away, leaving the two of them to battle out an epic staring match.

Bella broke the silence first, and stunned Edward with an apology. "I am sorry for making you angry."

"Never have you ever made me angry. Why would you think such a thing?"

Bella shrugged slightly, "Well, you were yelling, and... and... " She slumped against the wall and closed her eyes. "Please I really need to run."

"Not going to happen, love."

"Who exactly do you think you are?"

"Bella, I was angry but not at you, never at you. I am angry at what happened to you. And I, I want to thank you for being so honest with me, I don't deserve your trust."

Bella's nostrils flared at this. "Edward you and Alice are the only people I trust in the entire world. But I'm done with this. I am done hurting the people I-"

"The people you love." Edward finished for her, watching as she flamed up beet red.

"Don't be embarrassed- I am honored to have your love, because well, I love you too."

Bella gasped "impossible."

"Yet, so very true," Edward whispered, grabbing her by the back of her neck and pulling her in for a fierce kiss. A kiss that left her lips swollen and sore, "And I am not letting you walk away... I know you are scared... but I am not going to hurt you," Edward panted into her ear.

"It is not me who I am afraid of getting hurt. Edward I'm... I'm broken."

"So am I. And, I did not even know it until I met you."

"You live so far away, you don't even know me, this doesn't make any sense."

"And, yet it is still true."

"Yes, yes it is," Bella sighed, resting her forehead against his.

"I love you Isabella Swan."

"Marie, Isabella Marie Swan."

Edward smiled, "I love you Isabella Marie Swan."

"I love you Edward Anthony-Mason Cullen."

Edward raised one eye brow at this, wondering how Bella had come to know his full name. "Boy Alice sure has told you quite a bit about me, hasn't she?" He chuckled nervously.

"Yes, I will be sure to never go into the woods alone with you," Bella snickered; now causing Edward to blush for the first time in his life.

"Oh, so you know that, I am, I am not a violent man."

"Don't be stupid Edward, I think you are perfect."

"So, what now?" Edward asked.

"I have no idea."

"Well I do," Chirped Alice from behind her closed bedroom door. "How's about we forget about all this heavy stuff for once. Let's play some charades! Let's enjoy the time we have and leave the worrying for later!"

"Way to ease drop there Alice," Edward dryly stated.

"Well, she is right," Bella and Edward heard Jasper laugh through the door. "If there ever were two people who could benefit from letting a sleep dog it was ya'll."

"Um, I am not sure what your buddy just said, but I think I agree with Alice," Bella laughed. " instead of charades let's play Pictionary I want to see your drawing skills!"

And, that is what they did for the rest of the weekend. The four of them held up inside the loft, playing game after game, watching movies, cooking, drinking, laughing and even dancing. Bella taught Edward how to bake, and Edward began to show Bella how to draw. Late at night he would read to her from some of her favorite authors until she drifted off to sleep peacefully. No one dared to talk about any of the many elephants in the room, and Edward even shut his phone off. Bella had never been so happy or carefree in all her life, momentarily forgetting all her worries. She even forgot to ask Edward who he had been yelling at.

There were hugs and innocent kisses shared between Edward and Bella over that weekend. But, Edward made sure to keep things light and easy for her, not wanting to overwhelm or bust their blissful bubble. Alice and Jasper, on the other hand dived head first in love, doing any and everything they thought they could get away with in front of Edward.

Sunday morning snuck up on everyone much too quickly, and with it all the harshness of real life awaited. After breakfast, the boys would have to say goodbye and Bella would be left alone once again. She awoke that morning just before sunrise. Edward was still fast asleep next to her, a copy of Wuthering Heights sprawled open across his chest. His breathing was shallow, and his face so very peaceful, it brought sharp pains to Bella's heart.

She fell for him quickly and completely. It terrified her, and now he was leaving, and they had not one plan made. Bella suddenly felt so compelled to write to him. She needed to write down everything, to send him away with a piece of herself, so that even if they never saw each other again he would at least have known her.

It did not take long to find the journal she wrote to him just two days prior and once she began to scribble away. She wrote for hours while the rest of the house slept in silence. She wrote even after Edward awoke and began to rub her shoulders, barley acknowledging his presences. She even allowed Alice to cook up breakfast so she could continue to write all through the morning. Bella wrote until all but one of the pages of Edward's journal was filled with her messy ramblings, and then she packed the journal into Edward's carry-on bag before she could change her mind.

Edward was also busy the morning of his departure. When he awoke to find his Bella's brow furrowed in deep concern, hunched over the small desk writing, he knew he was the cause of her new pain. He watched as she cowered over the pages protectively, writing in fast erotic bursts that followed periods of deep contemplation. He was afraid to know what she was writing, afraid to read the words 'goodbye' from her once again.

He also wanted to leave something behind for the beautiful girl whom he desired nothing more than to take care of. And, so with reluctance he left Bella to her writing and sat down at his computer to type an e-mail message to her, one that she would hopefully read well after he was gone.

TO: WuthernSwan

FROM: .com

SUBJECT: GOING FORWARD

Dear Isabella,

Thank you for an unforgettable weekend. Meeting you was more than I could of ever hoped for. I know our time together was short and weathered by some tough issues, but it was still the best time I have ever had. I think there is no denying that I feel an incomprehensible connection to you sweet girl. I do not want to let the miles that separate us scare us away from exploring what I believe we both so strongly feel. I have never once felt this way about anyone, not even past girlfriends.

Yet, I do understand that this is overwhelming. So, know that I do not expect much. But, what I do expect from you really must be followed, even if you do not feel the same way as I do. I beseech you to follow these expectations I have for you because I only have your best interest at heart. I know that moment we shared Friday morning has not really been discussed, or really anything between us for that matter. Yet, still I would like to make it clear to you what I would expect you to do for your own well-being.

Rules for Isabella

Always eat three meals a day

exercise at least 4 times a week but no more than 6 times

never ever run in a bad neighborhood

Never run without the proper gear for protection and identification.

Sleep- or at least try to sleep 7 hours a night.

Keep writing out all your thoughts.

Never talk bad about Isabella

Start thinking about your goals and working towards them- whatever they are, you can do them.

Do not let people walk over you.

Call or e-mail me everyday

That last one is optional, of course, though I would be very sad if you do not stay in touch with me. And again, even though I am not going to 'punish' you for breaking these rules, since we have not discussed something like that, (and since I myself do not know how I feel about that quite yet) I still just needed you to know what I wish for you.

Isabella, you are beautiful, special, intelligent and funny. I want you in my life, in some way shape or form, from now on. Please don't shut me out. And, if you can, keep an eye on my crazy sister, between the two of you I may be bald before I am 30.

Love Edward.

By the time Edward sadly walked into SFO airport, he was well beyond emotionally drained. As was sulking Jasper, who had not gotten the kiss goodbye from Alice that he had been hoping for. They both had so much to think about, that the two men hardly spoke on the long journey home. What was supposed to have been a fun holiday weekend had ended up totally and completely changing them both. Edward knew that Jasper was falling in love with his little sister, and as much as he hated to think of his sister with anyone, he could not come up with a reason to not trust his best friend with her.

In fact, he was a little relieved to think he had another person looking out for Alice. Yet, he was still concerned and burning with questions over what he had learned from Jasper, and what his sister had hinted at. He had a feeling that he was out of the loop majorly, and couldn't wait to give his brother a call. But, first he had to face the music, and start to read the novel Isabella had slipped into his bag.

She had been so nervous, he was afraid she would get sick right in front of the gate.

"Um, well I don't know why- it is really stupid actually, but uh, I wrote some stuff down... Maybe you can read it when you are board at work those, um, late nights," she stammered as beads of sweat dripped down her forehead.

"Thank you little Swan," Edward had soothed. "And, please check your e-mail when you get back."

Edward had to basically peel Bella out of his arms when it was time for them to board, placing her in the hands of Alice. Her vacant dead eyes were a sight he knew would be haunting him for nights to come. But, they also filled him with a new found resolve; he was going to find a way to make it work with that woman. He simply had to.