Hi all! I am almost finished with the end of the story… Don't worry… there is still lots to go! I hope you all are enjoying it and please feel free to give any advice… or compliments! Thanks… Ann

When I awoke in the morning, I found Edward sitting on the edge of my bed staring out the window. He seemed to be in deep thought as I watched various emotions flicker over his pale features. He slowly turned to me and brushed my cheek lightly with his hand.

"Good morning, love." He whispered. "How are you feeling?"

I thought for a moment about that and realized that physically I felt fine. However, I was still terrified about my attacker. Edward's presence helped, but the fear still lingered.

"Ok." I answered. "Tired. I don't think I slept well."

"No, I suppose you didn't. You did talk a lot in your sleep."

"What did I say?" I was instantly worried that I might have said something about Jacob. Or maybe about my attack. "Did I say anything about my attacker? I cant seem to remember anything that might help. Did anything I say help?" I was hopeful.

He shook his head. "No."

"Then what?" I asked. I wasn't sure that I wanted to know.

His mouth lifted into the small lopsided smile that I loved. "Well, you mainly called out for me."

"OK…" I waited, knowing that there was more.

"I have a question though. You promise to answer truthfully?"

My heart dropped. He knows. "Yes, Edward."

"Have you seen Jacob lately?" Edward's eyes turned cold at the utterance of Jake's name.

I could answer that honestly. "No."

"But, you have talked with him?"

I looked down and swallowed. "Yes."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I wanted to," I mumbled. "But, I was afraid, then you went away, then last night…" I trailed off.

"You should have told me." He sat down next to me and lifted my chin with his finger. "Bella, please don't feel you have to hide things from me. I love you. I know that Jacob was there for you when I was not. He saved your life and for that, I will forever be grateful to him. He essentially gave me my heart back." I could tell from the tone of his voice that this was not easy for him to say.

He continued on. "I don't wish to take a friend away from you, honestly I don't. But my main purpose in my life, my responsibility, is to keep you safe. And happy. But a werewolf is not safe. A young one at that. Please, Bella, try to understand."

I studied my hands, trying to understand. Jacob was my dear friend, and though his absence from my life did not leave a gaping hole like when Edward left, I felt incomplete without him. I couldn't imagine trying to tell Edward that.

"Bella, please. Talk to me," he pleaded.

"Edward, I, don't know. He will always be just Jake to me. Not a werewolf. Just Jake. He was the reason why I was still here for you when you returned. He held me together when I could not. And it kills me to know that I have hurt him." I sighed, not knowing how what I said would effect him.

He stiffened slightly but relaxed when he exhaled loudly. "I'm sorry Bella. I can't let you see him. He hates me for what I am, for loving you and for you loving me. There is nothing that you can do, short of sending me away that will allow him peace in regards to you. The fact that you will become one of us, like me, will make you his enemy. You will become his enemy just by your mere existence. Do you understand that?"

A tear traced a path down my cheek. A cold finger wiped it away. All I could do was nod. I knew that, deep down, I knew that Edward spoke the truth.

"Bella. I don't want to see you so sad. Just say the word, and I will leave. Your happiness is only second to your safety in my heart and in my eyes."

I shook my head rapidly back and forth. "No." The remnants of the hole in my chest just throbbed at the thought of Edward leaving again. "No, Edward. I need you. I would die without you. Don't you understand that?"

He answered my question with a puzzled expression. "But, can't you see that you cannot avoid hurting Jacob as long as you are with me?"

I nodded and leaned my forehead against his. "Yes. I guess I just wanted to convince him otherwise," I whispered.

He stood up from the bed and produced a crumpled paper from his pocket. He tentatively held it out to me. I un-crumpled the grey paper and my eyes grew wide when I saw who it was from. I recognized Jacob's scrawled handwriting and my heart skipped a beat. I skimmed over the short note and drew in a sharp breath.

Dear Bella,

Please be careful. While I was out walking in the woods, I came across the path of a wild animal. Do not go walking in the woods and stay close to safety. The pack of us will keep you informed and alert you to any sightings.

Take care and be well,

Your forever friend,

Jake

His coded language spoke loudly; he knew about my attacker. I looked anxiously at Edward for an explanation.

"He came by last night while you were asleep. The note was left on your truck. I heard him come, but I did not speak with him. I did hear his thoughts though, and it appears that while on patrol in the woods north of here he came across the scent of this other vampire. He came directly here and wanted to speak with you, but he knew I was here, so he left you the note."

"Oh." I tried to imagine Jake outside of my house and placing the note on my truck. Then I envisioned him fighting with the vampire. That thought sent shivers down my spine. Now I was not only endangering my family and my love, but now my best friend. Was this ever going to end?

I folded the note and dropped it on my nightstand. I stared at it for a minute and then stood up. I walked over to my closet and yanked a sweater and shirt off a hanger and threw them on my bed. My jeans were laid across the chair, so I tossed them onto the bed as I walked by. I went to my bureau to pick out my underwear, but I hesitated. I glanced over my shoulder at him. Edward was watching me with curiosity. I yanked open the drawer and threw my blue pair on the bed next to him.

"Bella?" He questioned.

"What? I feel totally useless, helpless and, and….just less. What else can I do besides just do? Just me being endangers everyone that I care about." A sob threaghtened to break forth, but I stifled it. I grabbed my towel and stomped off to the shower. "I'll be back."

The warm water ran out before my tears. I hoped the sound of the shower drowned out my sobs, but with Edwards hearing, that was doubtful. I quickly dressed and returned to my room. Edward was not there, but I heard some noise in the kitchen, so I headed downstairs. I was surprised to see Edward pouring a bowl of cereal. A smile broke through my resolve and I sat down at my usual place.

"What's this?"

He gave me a puzzled look. "Breakfast?"

"Well, yes, I see that," My grin grew wider when I noticed that he was wearing my blue apron. "And, you look very nice as well."

"Oh… well. Thank you. I thought that it might brighten your day a little. Juice?"

"Why, yes. Thank you." He poured the apple juice and then sat down next to me. He watched me as I ate.

"Mmmm…. Very good. Complements to the chef."

He quickly stood up and soon the apron was back on the refrigerator door. Charlie walked through the door carrying an empty coffee mug.

"Good morning Charlie." Edward stood next to me with his hand on my shoulder.

"Hi Dad," I chimed in.

Charlie looked surprised to see us. "Mornin' Bella," he muttered and then gave a curt nod to Edward.

Taking a second glance at Edward while he poured his cup of coffee, Charlie added, "Edward. I didn't hear you come in this morning."

I almost choked on my juice. I gave Charlie a look of consternation, but before I could answer, Edward spoke.

"Yes sir. I came in early this morning. We were quiet in hopes of not disturbing you since you worked all evening. I apologize if we woke you."

I considered his response and looked to Charlie to gauge his reaction.

"Oh, well, you did not wake me. I had trouble staying asleep. It was a very long shift. We spent most of the night searching the woods by the Three Creek camping site."

My heart lurched. "Why?"

"Oh, there is a hiker who was reported missing by his brother. He must have gotten lost, I believe. I mean, there haven't been anymore reports of wolves roaming around here. We'll continue this morning. We have some dogs coming from Port Angelos."

I felt Edward stiffen slightly.

"Dad. You're not searching the woods, are you? I mean, shouldn't you be coordinating the efforts?" The worry in my voice betrayed my fears.

"Search and Rescue is heading the search. We're just the support and media liaison, if necessary . I'm not sure what we'll be doing from here on out." He looked at me for a moment and then he smiled. "You're worried about me? Don't be. I know the woods here like the back of my hand." He chuckled lightly as he walked out of the kitchen.

I abruptly stood up and emptied my bowl into the sink. My stomach started lurching. I gave Edward a worried look and he came up to me and held me.

"Don't worry love. We will take care of things," Edward whispered in my ear.

"It's happening again." My voice was shaky.

He grabbed my hand and led me out to his car. We drove in a nervous silence as we headed to the Cullen's home. My imagination ran wild as I ran through all the scenerios that laid ahead. Most all of them ended in the death of someone I loved and a few of them ended in my death. I much preferred the later as long as my curse of danger went to the grave with me.

We passed the place where my truck was disabled and my heart skipped a beat. Though the woods were a blur as we drove by, I thought that my eyes picked out a pale face staring out of the woods at me. I knew that it was impossible and that both my eyes and my mind were playing tricks on me, but I couldn't shake the feeling I was being watched. The urge to run was strong and I turned my face away from the window. For the next few minutes I forced myself to stare at the dashboard. Eventually I gave into my yearning to look out into the woods. My heart quickened as my eyes darted back and forth scanning the forest. Edward must have heard my anxiety because at that moment he reached over and squeezed my hand. I turned and afforded him a quick smile before returning my search of the woods. I was growing increasingly restless. I found myself needing to see that face again. It was then that I realized that I was wanting to find that mysterious, horrible face. But why? Shouldn't I be wanting to hide or run away screaming at such a horrible monster? Before I could ponder such paradoxes, Edward turned quickly up the drive that led to his home.

The only one home was Esme. Rosalie and Emmett were out hunting and Carlisle was at the hospital. Jasper and Alice were due home later that day from their own hunting trip. Esme sat with us for a while and I could tell that she longed to help ease my worry and pain. She was so compassionate and loving that it was difficult to remember that she was a vampire. It was only when I observed her pale skin or the purplish shadows under her eyes and her deathly cold hands did I remember that she was no longer counted among the humans. I thought sadly that she would have made a wonderful mother.

She eventually left Edward and me alone, so we went up to his room to listen to some music. I found that I could not sit still, so I wondered around his room aimlessly. He just sat there on his sofa watching me with some amusement and a lot of worry. He tried to relieve my anxiety but I was not able to oblige him. My deliberations were dark and my thinking muddled. I repeatedly looked out the window but dusk made it difficult to discern anything beyond tree trunks and branches. I knew that he was out there and despite the fact that I was sure that he meant to kill me, I found myself not entirely frightened by him. And that was the thing that was most alarming and terrifying to me. Why wasn't I terrified to see him again? It was as if I was actually wanting to see him again. Wanting? Wasn't that a strong term? Was I truly eager for my own horrible death? Yet I could not deny that I the urge to run out of Edwards house and search out my attacker was growing stronger by the hour. My head started to throb and my pace slowed a bit. The pain dulled my need to run, but not entirely.

"Are you ok? You appear to be quite anxious," Edward finally asked.

I stopped for a moment and turned my back on him to gaze out the window. I saw his reflection in the window, but I looked through the image to focus my eyes in the dark void behind it. Only I knew that it wasn't a total void. He was waiting for me. I took a step toward the window before I stopped myself and turned to face Edward.

"I think so. Just nervous. Anxious. I don't know…"

My voice faded and I sat with a sigh on the chair next to me. I was also worried about Jacob, but I didn't want to mention this to Edward anymore than I wanted to talk to him about my claustrophobic feelings and my need to run into the woods. Both things would put undue stress on him. I wanted badly to call Jacob and tell him to leave this whole matter alone. I wouldn't be able to bear it if something happened to him because of me. Were all my friends and loved ones doomed because of me?

"Nothing is going to happen to you. Please believe me. I would surely die, cease to exist, before anything should harm you." His eyes burned with a dark intensity that forced a shiver down my back.

I got up and settled next Edward. He placed his arm around my shoulder and I laid my head on his chest. Even through his sweater I could feel the coolness radiating from him. My eyes grew heavy and I allowed myself to fall asleep. But my sleep was not comforting; since I was not able to search the woods while I was awake, I was forced to endure that mission while asleep.

Edward brought me home before Charlie came home from the night shift he was working. Before falling asleep, I peeked at the alarm clock and realized with some relief that there was not much more time before I would have to get up to go to school. Sleep no longer seemed to bring me comfort. He stayed with me the entire night during my restless slumber. My dreams were filled with my attacker, but I found myself not fearing him, but seeking him out. A name kept repeating in my mind, but I was not certain how I knew it or to whom it belonged to. I could only assume that it was somehow connected to the vampire who haunted me.

Edward's gentle kisses on my neck woke me in the morning. He was stretched out behind me and held me close to his cold body.

"Is it morning already?" I whimpered.

I rolled onto my back and gazed at the ceiling. Parts of my dreams replayed in my head and I found myself feeling too guilty to look Edward in the face. My dreams confused me. They did not follow logic. Why would I have such thoughts, such fantasies, as I did about a vampire that is out to kill me? His face filled my imagination and I became more and more obsessed with him as the hours progressed. I felt as if I was betraying my love. And I was. My dreams and fantasies were filled with Edward just days ago and then I was attacked by a vampire and now for some absurd reason this evil bloodsucker replaced my love as the object of my thoughts. How utterly maddening. Has this recent attack finally pushed my psyche over the edge of reason into insanity? Was I subconsciously wishing for a final death, not one where I would come back as a vampire, but one that would doom me to forever be parted from my Edward?

Edward's groan brought me out of my self analysis.

Still staring at the ceiling, I asked, "What?"

"I don't think I will ever feel comfortable with the fact that I cannot read your thoughts," he sighed. "I have been watching you for the past five minutes and you have had such interesting expressions come across your face and I haven't a clue what they are for. You seem upset or frustrated."

I sighed heavily.

We were silent for a while. I pondered the various shades of white on my ceiling while Edward pondered me. I was thankful once again for my private mind.

"Who is Samuel?" Edward softly asked.

My heart stopped and my body went rigid. The name from my dreams…

"Bella, are you ok?" he questioned. His voice was filled with alarm.

"I don't know," I answered.

"You don't know how you feel, or you don't know a Samuel?"

"I don't know a Samuel," I lied. "Why do you ask?" I already knew the answer to that question. I wished I could keep my mouth shut while I slept.

"You spoke that name while you slept."

"Oh."

"A lot"

"Aaahhhhh."

He stroked my cheek with his cool hand and I closed my eyes. I didn't need to see his eyes to know that they were filled with worry for me.

Edward left a short while later and would be returning shortly to pick me up from school. I showered and dressed on auto-pilot. Besides this Samuel—I could only assume that was my stalker's name—Jacob came to mind. I stared at the phone for a few minutes trying to work up the courage to call him.

I finally picked up the phone and dialed. I held my breath while the phone rang. Jacob's husky voice answered on the third ring.

"Hello?"

"Jacob?"

"Bella? Are you ok? Did you get my message? Did that bloodsucker of yours show it to you?"

"Yes. Edward did." I stressed his name.

Jacob grunted in response.

"Listen. I don't have much time. I wanted to ask you to stay away. Please don't try to do anything brave or stupid."

He laughed harshly. "Really Bella. Give me some credit. Do you really think that stinking bloodsucker can hurt me?"

My anger flared once again. "Argh. Just stay away. I don't need or want your help. You are not going to get hurt because of me. Do you understand?"

I heard nothing on the other end and I thought that he had hung up on me.

"Well? Hello? Jacob?" I snapped.

"Yes."

I softened my tone. "Listen. I don't want you to get hurt, Jake. Not on my account. It's frustrating. You don't want to hang out with me, yet you are willing to risk your life to guard me. I don't understand."

He sighed. "It's not just about you. It is what we do. But for me, a lot of it is about you. I, uh, I… care about you a lot. Much more than you know and much more than even I wish for. Especially now." He stopped suddenly and I heard him draw a few deep breaths. Was he crying?

"Jacob?"

"I have to go now Bella. Don't worry." He paused and I heard the phone move around a bit. "And please remember that I will always be here for you. If you ever need me, I will be right here. Bye Bella."

I heard a click, but I said goodbye anyway.