Chapter 7

EPOV

The air was charged with tension as I slowly made my way to her car. She eyed me skeptically during my approach, but never made reach for the ignition. She had run from me a few moments before, and yet it was as if she were now waiting for me. I'd give anything to know what she was thinking; the unedited version that is. I knew Bella well enough to know that she was holding back. Whether it was for the protection of her sanity, or because of her complete loss of faith in my ability to care, I couldn't tell.

I approached the driver side window and she looked up at me from under her lashes. She lowered the window, and the moon shone against her pale skin giving her an iridescent glow. She focused on the gauges behind the wheel waiting for me to say something. I contemplated her statement from before 'Love isn't enough. It has to be more than love.'

I cleared my throat as the venom began to pool at the back of my mouth. She finally made eye contact with me again. I could sense her impatience and I knew if I didn't say something soon, she would leave just as Alice had said.

"What about need? What if I need you, Bella? Love isn't the only thing I have for you."

She closed her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose. I smirked internally at the unconscious habit that she had apparently picked up from me. It made me feel that in some small way I had been with her all along. If I had a pulse it would have been racing in anticipation of her reply, but as I didn't I stood quietly awaiting a response.

"Edward, why are you doing this? Why now?"

She opened the door and stood to face me. Closing the door behind her, she leaned casually onto the side of the car crossing her arms over her chest. I took this as a gesture not to approach her.

"If you had offered me immortality before; I would have jumped at the chance. Hell, Edward, I practically begged for it. But you refused me. You told me you didn't want me and you disappeared.

You know, I can't help but wonder if I hadn't run into Alice that night at Eclipse… if you would have ever come to find me. I can't help but doubt that you would have. Actions speak louder than words, Edward, and yours did just that.

So how can I now decide that I'm ready to give up my life for you?

I was ready to walk away from everyone I ever loved, my friends, my family… all for you, and you said no. You made me feel that the decisions I had made were insignificant.

I really want to believe that you love me. In a way that thought brings me comfort, but it also makes me think about how everything has changed. I have changed. And that forces me to realize that the consequences and risks of being with you are much greater now," Bella finished as her eyes wandered from me and back to the evening sky.

She couldn't look at me when she spoke those final words. It was as if she had settled to the fact that we weren't meant to be after all. I won't lie, I was scared.

There wasn't an enemy in sight, but the sting of her words threatened to undo me where I stood. I began to question whether she wasn't the most fearsome predator alive.

The fire laced in her words rivaled the pain of transformation. In their own way they represented a transformation that had taken place in her when I left. No! Not when I left… It was when I never came back.

What could I say? What did she want to hear? I began to think that I would have no choice but to hang my head and take the loss, but my heart battled my mind and I just couldn't give up. Not yet! Fight for her you idiot! There is no other option. Stop apologizing and start proving yourself!

"I'm sorry… I'm sorry I offered to change you. Not because I don't want to, and not because I don't want you, but because you're right… I don't want it to be like this.

I want the decision to make that transformation to come from love, and a desire to spend all eternity together. I can't explain why I didn't want it before. I felt like I was protecting you from becoming a monster; from losing all the things that you were so eager to dismiss.

I understand now that I was wrong. It wasn't my choice to make.

It should come natural in a relationship to want to take things to the next level and I refused to budge. I can't blame you for loathing me, but please understand that I want to be a better man for you, Bella. I'm not ready to give up on you. I'm not going anywhere! I'm not going to stop trying to re-gain your trust and with any luck… your love."

Seemingly emotionless she stared back at me before she replied.

"We've never had a natural relationship, Edward. Everything about our relationship is completely un-natural."

I was just about to object to her statement; to point out that Love is natural even if you are a monster, but I never got the chance. Her cell phone began ringing, and she climbed back into her car to retrieve it from her bag.

BPOV

I should have just driven away when I had the chance. Standing there arguing with Edward over what should or shouldn't have happened wasn't changing anything. I wanted him to change me, but I wanted him to want it more. I didn't want him just giving in because he felt forced to trap me into eternity with him.

The more he talked the more prevalent it became that he didn't really want that. He just wanted me not to reject him. He was willing to compromise everything he believed he had been protecting me from all along for this sudden urgency to 'claim' me. Funny how a little competition affected him so strongly.

As flattering it should have been, I couldn't help but feel that he embodied a silver tongued devil at that point. I couldn't believe anything he was saying because I didn't know if he truly meant it, or if he just assumed it was what I wanted to hear.

I came here to get answers about Jake. I got them alright! I would say that I'm shocked beyond all belief, but the truth is that it wasn't all that long ago that I didn't believe in vampires. So why couldn't Jake be a wolf? I mean what's one more monster in my circle, right?

While replaying all this new information in my mind, Edward opened his mouth about to say something. He never got the chance. My phone rang interrupting him.

It was a Text from Ana:

OMG!! Bella where are you? Please reply!! I just need to know you're okay – someone broke into our apartment. The place is a mess! Please be okay!! – Luv U – Ana

I couldn't keep the panic off my face, and Edward must have read me like a book.

"Bella, what is it? Is everything alright?" he asked.

"Um… give me a minute okay… I need to call my friend Ana, something terrible has happened."

He didn't question me further; just shook his head to let me know that he understood, so I stepped a few feet away and dialed Ana's number. Please pick up! Please pick up! Why aren't you answering?

"Hello?" Ana finally answered on the fourth ring.

"Oh thank God, are you okay Ana?" I asked in panic, still startled from her text.

"I'm fine. Where are you? I've been so freaking worried! All of our shit is thrown everywhere! The place is a wreck, but it doesn't look like anything is missing," she replied, her voice quivering.

"I just needed to know that you were okay, Bella," she sighed. "After the incident at Eclipse… and your Ex and his family coming back around, I didn't know if they drug you off in the desert to eat you or something."

How appropriate that she would say something like that at a time like this.

"I'm coming home. I'll be there in just a bit okay? Keep the doors locked and keep your phone handy. I'll be there as fast as I can," I replied.

"Okay. I've called the Police… they should be here any minute. I'll see you soon, Bella, be careful."

"I will. You be careful too. I love you girl, I'm on my way," I replied and then ended the call.

I turned and faced Edward, walking back toward my car.

"Edward, I have to go… can we finish this conversation later?" It was more of a statement than a question.

He stepped forward to open my car door for me. I glanced into his ochre eyes momentarily, as he held the door for me. He reached to envelop me into an embrace before my departure. It felt awkward at first. We had just been debating the nature of our relationship, and I couldn't find it in me to reciprocate, but I allowed him to hold me for a moment.

"I wish you didn't have to leave so soon," he replied, but didn't fight me.

It felt good to be in his arms, but I was careful not to put too much enthusiasm in my response. He leaned his cheek down to rest atop my head, and I felt his breath across my face as he sighed in… relief? After a moment I found that I was allowing myself to get too comfortable in this position. Jolting at the realization that I needed to be on my way back to my apartment, I hesitantly pulled away from him. I needed to see Ana. I needed to assess the damage, but most importantly I needed to determine just who would do such a thing, and why?

After climbing into the driver seat and rolling down the window, Edward stepped back and shut my door. I told him that I would give him a call, and we could plan a time to finish our conversation. He agreed, asking that I not wait too long before calling him. I just nodded in response. I didn't know how long it would take me to come to terms with what we were, or weren't for that matter. I just needed some time to think about what I really wanted.

I cranked the car, and the engine roared to life. I gave a small smile that felt foreign on my face as I pulled away, travelling back down the long drive. As I glanced in my rearview mirror at the Cullen's house and Edward falling behind in the distance, I felt stricken. I came expecting disappointment in knowing that he would never change me. I didn't expect to leave in disappointment that he had offered to change me but I had refused.

I cursed myself for making the trip, because I had come for answers from Edward, but I had very much been looking forward to seeing the rest of the family as well; even if it wasn't the best idea. I've missed all of them so much. I just wanted a chance to hug Carlisle's neck, and see Esme's soft smile. I wanted to see Alice bouncing around in excitement and hear Emmett's roaring laughter.

Jasper's southern charm would have flooded the room, and surprisingly I even wanted to see Rosalie. She would have probably just scowled in my direction, but she was part of the family. Even with her bitchy disposition, in my own way I had missed her as well.

I never got the chance. I had gotten in so deep with Edward upon my arrival, and fled so quickly in frustration of him 'giving in' for the wrong reasons that I had completely forgotten about my desire to see them.

To deter my frustration on that fact, I cranked up the radio and headed home deep in thought.

EPOV

Silently she turned away from everything that I had been trying to say. But tonight I realized something important. I'd lived over one hundred years and never felt anything like this before. I had never been in love… until Bella.

With all that I have seen, learned, and endured; the complexity of a relationship was foreign to me. In my short time with her, and the unbearable time without her, I've learned that love is complicated and yet amazing. It's enough to drive you mad, or make you turn to mush. It's infuriating and yet fulfilling. It will probably take me every day of forever to understand it completely, if that is even possible.

But I would do that willingly… for her… for my love… my Bella. I have to make her mine again.

Pulling myself from my thoughts, I watched her taillights fade into the distance. I began replaying the conversation she had just had with Ana in my mind. Someone broke into her apartment. Ana was worried for Bella's safety, and I had to admire that quality in her friend. I knew that I would follow shortly behind Bella, even if I had to watch over her from a distance. I would make sure that she was safe, but first I needed to go inside to calm the devil pixie that I just realized was screaming and cursing me in my thoughts.

"ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME EDWARD? What the fuck? I know you can hear me!" Alice screamed in my head.

I had been blocking out the thoughts of my family during Bella's visit, and apparently Alice had been trying to get through to me for quite some time.

"Edward, get in this house this instance! I had a vision while you've been screwing things up with Bella. I need to tell you about this. It's about a break-in at her place!"

That's all it took and I ran at full speed until I was standing face to face with a very angry Alice.

"Were you blocking me? Seriously?" she asked, eyeing me in suspicion. Her voice was laced with venom as she hissed at me when I nodded in confirmation. From the scowl on her face you would have thought that I had told her that her fashion sense was a joke. "What did you do? We wanted to see her too, you know!"

I cut her off before she could give me her full lashing. "Her friend called. That's why she left. Someone broke into her apartment and ransacked the place. She's heading back there now. What did you see? Who was it, Alice?" I asked impatiently, not giving her much of a chance to respond. "I'm going. I can't risk something happening to her… not now… not when I'm so unsure of where she stands with her mortality," I replied morbidly. "I can't lose her again."

APOV

"Well it's about damn time! Now, if you would just shut up for a minute I can tell you what I saw!" I screamed over Edward's anxious rambling. He continued his nervous pacing, but he had in fact shut up.

"I don't know who it was. This vision was different. It's like I could see everything through the intruder's eyes. I don't know if it was a man or woman, but they tore the place apart. It's like he or she were searching for something. I felt pure unadulterated rage, and then… confirmation. I don't know what it means. It's very frustrating! I do know that the intruder left. As the vision faded they were leaving the apartment, confident they had found what they were looking for. But they left with nothing, it doesn't make sense."

I had barely finished speaking when I looked up and realized that Edward was gone, leaving the front door standing wide open.

BPOV

I parked my car next to the red and blue flashing lights of the police cruiser that occupied my normal spot. I was grateful that they had arrived. My worry for Ana's safety calmed a bit knowing that they were here with her. I walked into the apartment and gasped at the utter destruction before my eyes.

There were vases broken, cabinet doors ripped from the hinges and clothes were thrown all around. The television was smashed, mirrors all shattered, and the couch was ripped; the stuffing bulging from the gashes. Ana was sitting on a bar stool near our kitchen counter giving a policeman a statement when she noticed me walk in. She jumped up and ran to me, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"Oh my God, I'm so glad you're okay! I just didn't know. You weren't here and glass was all over the floor. I didn't know what to do… I thought you had been taken," she sniffled into my hair.

I pulled away from her enough to look at her face. Her eyes were swollen and red. I knew she'd been crying for a while.

"I'm okay. I went to see Edward. I haven't really been gone all that long; they must have come in right after I left. How about you, are you going to be okay?"

She didn't have a chance to answer me, as the very nice Officer Landry interrupted us.

"Excuse me ladies, I hate to trouble you… but we need to wrap this up. You must be Bella?" he asked, lifting his pen from his clipboard and pointing in my direction.

"Yes, I'm Bella," I replied.

"Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?"

"Not at all, I'm happy to help anyway I can," I answered nodding nervously, still shaken from the chaos of it all. Ana nodded in agreement with me. She was still in shock, and I could feel the vibration from her trembling just standing next to her.

"You mentioned that you were out tonight. What time did you leave the apartment this evening?" He scribbled down notes while awaiting my answer.

"Um… it was around 8 p.m. I went to see a friend."

"Have you noticed any strange behavior from anyone around you? Friends? Family? Is there anyone that you can think of that would do this? Any enemies?"

He was thorough, I'd give him that.

"No; no one. I don't know who would do this. None of my friends would ever do something like this, and I have no family in Nevada. I've only lived here a few years," I answered, but didn't feel like the information I was giving would help much.

"Where did you live before coming to Nevada?" he asked, still scribbling.

"Um… Forks… Washington. My dad is the Chief of Police there. I lived with him until I came here."

"Did you have any enemies in Forks, before coming here?"

I was just about to answer his question, when there was a knock at the door. Ana jumped, and I patted her on the arm. "I'll get it," I told her. I opened the door to find Edward standing with a very serious look on his face, toeing the line of panic.

"I need to talk to you," he replied quietly.

I knew that he must have over heard me on the phone at his house, but he didn't say anything, so I didn't either. Apparently he still had not learned the value of personal boundaries. Now here he was.

Truthfully, I should have known better. He never would leave well enough alone.

"I can't talk right now; the police are taking a statement," I spoke hurriedly in a whisper, trying to shoo him away. He didn't budge. So, rolling my eyes, I stepped aside letting him come in. We were looking rather suspicious whispering in the doorway while Officer Landry stood patiently watching and awaiting my return.

I turned and stepped back in, walking past Edward into the living room. Ana's eyes widened at seeing Edward, and I could feel her stare drilling into me. I looked at her briefly and shrugged my shoulders to let her know that I didn't know why he was here.

"I'm sorry. What was your question?" I asked Officer Landry.

"I asked if you knew of any one that you would have considered an enemy while living in Forks?" he replied.

I was only half listening as I became further distracted watching Edward as he took in all the damage. Staring at the broken glass beneath his feet, a strange look pained across his face. He quickly looked up at me softening the furrow between his brows. There was something hiding behind those troubled eyes. I felt a shiver rush up my spine. I recognized the countenance he bore. It was the same look he had given me the day that he left me in the forest; like he knew something that I didn't.

I felt the blood drain from my face and my stomach clinched in remembrance of the succession of events the last time he had gotten that look in his eyes. I was suddenly heartbroken and I wasn't even sure what for. As if I had turned to stone; numbness traveled over me. I could feel a tangible darkness closing in; despair setting in my eyes. Edward glanced between me and Officer Landry, and then Ana nudged my elbow signaling me to answer his question.

I snapped out of the trance I had been in, but still felt the impending ache of nothingness waiting to pull me under. "Um… No. No enemies that I know of," I answered in a struggled whisper, trying to force the words past the knot that had formed in my throat. After glancing me over, thankfully he seemed satisfied with my answer.

"Alright, I can see that this has taken a toll on you ladies, and that's all the questions I have for now. If anything else comes to mind, anything at all… you can always give me a call," he replied, handing me and Ana a copy of his business card. We both nodded.

"It looks like a case of vandalism at this point, since nothing was stolen from the premises. These types of cases usually don't reoccur in the same place twice; so it doesn't appear that they have any reason to return. It might still be a good idea for you to stay somewhere else for a little while, but that is completely up to your discretion. I appreciate your time. You ladies be careful, and call me if you need me," he finished, nodding and giving a small wave as he walked out the door.

EPOV

Officer Landry didn't so much as get the door closed behind him before Bella countered on me.

"What are you doing here?" She whispered.

Ana had gone into her bedroom and began cleaning up the aftermath.

"I heard your call; I couldn't just stay there. Also Alice had a vision of someone breaking in here. She couldn't tell who it was, but they were searching for something. She said they found it, but they left with nothing. It didn't make sense… until now," I sighed.

"What are you talking about, Edward?" Bella's gaze never strayed from my eyes.

"Bella… it was Victoria. She's been here; I can smell her scent everywhere. She's back, and apparently she's still seeking vengeance for her lost love." I waved pointing at the destruction for example.

"You've got to be kidding me?" Bella was stunned. "But… why? I mean, I know why… but why now? It's been three years since you left; she's had plenty of time. She could have gotten to me at any point," she stated.

"I don't know for certain. Maybe because I'm here… maybe she's been around all along, biding her time. Who knows? The point I'm trying to make is that it's not safe for you here anymore," I stated matter-of-factly.

"What are you suggesting, Edward?" she asked, cocking her head to one side and throwing her hand up to rest on her hip.

Her smart ass little attitude was kind of cute, and under any other circumstances, it would have been a major turn-on. But right now I needed to focus on keeping her alive. A smile formed on my mouth on its own accord as I let the words slide from my lips. "Move in with me, Bella."

"What? No… I mean I can't… Edward, you know that can't work," she replied laughing a little, and running her fingers through her hair at the scalp.

"You can't stay here, it isn't safe. What if she comes back? The safest place you can be is with me. Beyond everything else that has happened between us, you must realize this, right? Bella, the fight for you is all I've ever known. Please come home with me. Let me protect you," I was pushing it, but she had to see reason.

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"What about Ana? I can't leave her here. What if Victoria came after her because of me? I could never live with myself," she replied, shaking her head.

"She can come too. It will be difficult, but not impossible. Who knows maybe I can actually convince her that I'm good enough for you, despite her current opinion of me," I replied, hopeful.

"Watch yourself, Edward. I haven't even decided that for myself yet," she warned. My ego took the strike and I didn't further that conversation.

From the moment I walked in with Bella, Ana was thinking about the ways that she would kill me if I hurt Bella again. She had all kinds of random thoughts of torture for me. I think the most creative was to render me helpless and tattoo the word 'loser' on my forehead. I laughed a little internally at that one. She was a feisty little woman, and she didn't trust me. I would have to work on that.

"I'm not as naïve as you think, Edward. It doesn't matter where I stay; you could really protect me from just about anywhere."

"Yes love, but there is strength in numbers and if you are at my house, then there are seven of us to protect you around the clock." I smiled. "Plus, Esme and Alice would love having you around. And I'm sure Ana would fit in just fine." I wasn't really sure, but hopeful. I didn't know Ana well enough to make that call, but she was a good friend to Bella, and that made it important to me.

"Okay…" she replied hesitantly, but I'll need to talk to her about it. She's not going to like the idea at all; it's going to take some convincing."

And it did. Bella must have talked to her for hours. It was getting late, and they were both exhausted. I attributed her caving partially due to that fact, but also Bella had convinced her that it would be the safest thing for them both. She also agreed that if it didn't work out she would happily move with Ana to somewhere else. I shuddered at that thought, but agreed.

VPOV

Watching them wonder around aimlessly, unsure of what to deal with first, was rather humorous. Did she really think that I had forgotten all about her? She always was a little naïve. When James had lured her to the Ballet studio with the video tape of her mother's voice, it was priceless. You would have thought she would have learned her lesson, but no, here she stood in the apartment I had just destroyed; still obliviously confused as ever.

I knew the second I entered the door that he had been there. His scent was unique and impossible to forget. Honestly I'm a little surprised that it took him this long to come back to her. Despite her being human, he had obviously chosen her as his mate. I knew that he would never be able to stay away, so I patiently watched her move on in her pathetic little life waiting for my opportunity, and now the time had arrived.

Sure, I could have killed her long ago, but what would have been the fun in that? He wouldn't have been around for the grand finale, and that just wouldn't have served my James justice. No, he would watch her suffer; watch her beg for her life as I slowly took it from her, and then he would know what hell truly feels like. All in good time, vengeance would be mine.