Thanks once again for all the encouraging reviews. I'm really enjoying writing this story, I hope you are enjoying reading it! I need your opinions though, should I write a sort of spin-off for this story from Carlisle's POV? Please leave your thoughts in reviews. :)

Chapter Seven - The Truth

I could feel several pairs of eyes boring onto my face, waiting for my reaction. Everything seemed to shimmer around the edges and I felt myself stumbling forward. Carlisle caught me with a firm grip and spun me around gently so he could look at me.

My breath became sharp and he watched me carefully, "Bella?" he asked in a soft voice that melted my heart.

"Yes…" I whispered slowly.

"I'm waiting for you to say something."

"What do you expect me to say?" I said, looking up at him. He certainly didn't look like a vampire; he didn't look like he could kill me with his bare hands.

He didn't reply and I sighed.

"Are all of you..?" I asked in a voice that was barely a whisper.

"Yes," he replied quietly, "All of us."

He led me to a memorial bench and we sat down. It was strangely difficult to swallow, but a sense of relief was flooding through me. Finally, an answer to all of my questions.

"How…?" I began and trailed off.

"I was attacked several years ago by another vampire," I felt his eyes on my face, "He bit me and I transformed into what I am now."

"There are more of you?" I spluttered.

"Yes, there are plenty of vampires out there."

I paused as something occured to me. "When you said Jacob Black is 'your job'…?"

"Yes, he's a vampire as well."

I swallowed.

"And when you said you were attacked several years ago…" I breathed.

"I meant 400 years ago."

Everything around me seemed to tilt at a weird angle. I felt myself swaying and Carlisle gently steadied me with his hands. To my surprise, I didn't protest. But then again, why would I? I trusted him deeply.

The rest of the Cullens had gone now, to my surprise. I hadn't even noticed them leaving.

"OK," I said slowly, "What about everyone else?"

"I found each member of my family dying and so I changed them." I saw a pang of pain flicker across his eyes as the memories briefly attacked him.

I gazed at him and began to truly study his beautiful face.

His eyes seemed completely full of concern; not of thirst.

His teeth were gleaming and white; not sharp like they could tear me apart.

He didn't look old; just wise. I frowned.

"Some of us have special… talents as vampires," he continued warily, "Edward can read human minds," he paused when he noticed my face, "But he couldn't read yours for some reason," he frowned, "Alice can see the future based on people's decisions."

"Wow," was all I could say. He laughed.

"That's one way to sum it up."

There was a long pause.

"Aren't you tempted to… eat me?" I asked warily.

"No," he said seriously, "I would never, ever do anything to hurt you." He stared at me intensely, "Besides, we're all vegetarians."

"I'm sorry?"

"My family and I only feed on animals. Jasper's having trouble sticking to our way of life; he's the newborn of our family. That's why he leapt at you that one day," my memories flashed back, "He was… well…" he trailed off and I nodded.

We remained silent for a very long time. It was when I sighed and looked at him that it was broken.

"Tell me more," I said.

"What do you need to know?" he asked, relaxing a little now. It shocked me just how comfortable I was around him.

"Your eyes…" I prompted.

"You're very observant, other humans don't usually notice it," he smiled, "Our eyes are darker when we're… thirsty," he chose the word carefully, "and lighter when we've just… fed."

"Right," I nodded, "And your skin…?"

"We don't know why we're so pale, or cold," he said, "But I've been researching it lately and it's very interesting."

"I'm sure it is," I replied; my words were forced, "Very… interesting." I glanced up at him again and asked, "D-During that storm, you… you held up that tree…"

"Ah," he sighed as he remembered the events of that day, "That was all rather unfortunate."

I waited for him to explain.

"I was…" he paused, "I was outside your house, checking how you were, when I saw you leaving. The tree was hurtling down towards you and I knew I couldn't just let it crush you."

I was secretly pleased that he had been thinking about me. I tried to hide my smile.

"Am I scaring you?" he asked suddenly, his hands clutching mine.

"No," I said, "Why would I be scared of you?"

"Well, I am a vampire," he replied.

"You're a doctor," I countered, and suddenly thought, "Hang on, doesn't the smell of human blood… tempt you?"

"Not at all," he smiled, "Years of tolerance and practice have helped me become immune to the smell."

"That's… impressive," I said slowly.

I ran everything through in my head and sighed.

"All of this… it doesn't change anything," I said.

"What do you mean?" he asked, still looking at me.

"The way I…" I trailed off, colour flushing to my cheeks, I instantly regretted my words.

"The way… what?" he asked softly, inches away from me now. He clutched both my hands close to him, and I could feel him breathing slowly on my face. I forgot how to breathe myself, and I felt my heart accelerate, causing him to laugh.

"Breathe, Bella, your heart can't take it," he chuckled. I frowned and inhaled deeply.

"I can hear your heartbeat," he explained, "I have very good hearing. And sight, and smell. Everything really."

"Don't show off," I said and he laughed again. His laughter sound like a bell chiming and I closed my eyes, savouring the sound. I was jolted from my thoughts when I felt his cold hand on my face. He was gazing at me and gently stroking my cheek.

I slowly pressed my hand up to his heart. There was nothing; it was still. I glanced up at his face.

"It stopped as soon as I became what I am," he said, "Does that bother you?"

"I don't think so," I said, "Should it?"

He smiled, "Not really." He twirled a piece of my hair with his hand.

I sighed. This moment was so perfect, it was a shame I knew he would leave me again.

"What are you thinking?" he asked me, gently placing my hair back in place.

"I'm thinking of how I don't want all this to end," I breathed.

"End?" he repeated, "What do you mean?"

"You're obviously going to leave me again, now that I know what you are," I shrugged, "I guess I should make the most of it."

He cupped my face in both of his icy hands, "Bella, we're not leaving. I can't even bear to think about living without you."

"But…" I began and he continued.

"I trust that you won't tell anyone," he said, and although it wasn't a question, I nodded.

"Of course I won't," I laughed, "They'd think I was crazy anyway."

He chuckled once and then sighed.

"Bella, you mean so much to me," he smiled, looking at my face again with his dazzling eyes, "I've waited so long for you."

"I don't understand…" I frowned.

"The thing is Bella…" he said slowly in a dreamy voice, "I… I think I'm in love with you."

Next Time: Will Bella and Carlisle get together?