Another chapter already? Aren't I nice? Haha, just kidding. (but, hint hint, if you like all the frequent updates, how bouts you review?) :P So this is another little short chapter. I realize now that these probably could have been lumped together, especially this and chapter seven, but I A) wanted to get you guys another chapter, and B) am evil so wanted to leave it on a cliffie. :) This one definitely needs to end where it does though, so you get this short, quick update, and then the next chapter will maybe come next weekend. And then, a huge thank you, as always to all my reviewers! I can't say enough how much I love them. :D


Now it was Edward's turn to look shocked and confused. "No. . . it can't be"

"Edward, what else is there? You had no other ambitions, I've been looking all afternoon! Don't tell me this never occurred to you? It's the only thing that makes any sense!"

"It. . .did," he mused, staring abstractedly into space, "But I got over it! I made myself get over it. It doesn't bother me anymore. . ." he rationalized, but I could also see that there was a part of him that wanted it to be that simple.

I also wanted it to be that simple, but, apart from that, I just couldn't see any other option. I'd thought of what he was saying, and I changed my tack, modifying and refining my theory. "Ok, so maybe you are over it. But maybe that's not why you can't leave. You said sometimes spirits can't move on because there was something that they were supposed to achieve, but didn't. You must have been supposed to go! Edward," I pled, but I had the feeling of convincing myself as much as him, "it's the only thing that makes sense!"

I could see he was considering me now. He had to, my logic was watertight. But then his expression changed, and I could see something new was occurring to him. "That would make sense, Bella, but. . ."

"But what?"

"But I wouldn't actually go to war. Setting aside the issue of my age - I assume you were going to have me lie?" he queried, and I nodded. "The war is almost over. It's July. There's less than four months. I wouldn't go straight over, I'd be at a training camp first. That can't be it. I'd never make it there."

I hadn't considered that. But he was right. Unless. . . "Maybe, " I began, formulating a new idea as I spoke, "Ok, you're right. You wouldn't go. But maybe that's not actually what you were supposed to do. Maybe. . . it's not something you were supposed to do. Maybe it's something you weren't supposed to do."

"Like what?" he sighed, and I could tell he thought I was grasping at straws.

"Die." I responded simply. "You weren't supposed to die." I said again, with more conviction. "You had so much talent, so much promise. You could have done great things. You were meant to survive, but the plan went awry. And now I have to fix it."

"And what does that have to do with going to war?"

"You get out of Chicago before the epidemic hits. You're somewhere else, and the conditions are different. You survive."

"I've . . . never heard of changing something that. . . big before," He began, but I could tell he liked my plan. "But it does make sense." Then he became all business. "How were you planning on achieving this?"

"Simple." I smiled. "I'll keep going back. Get to know you, befriend you, and gain your trust. Then, after a time, I'll propose that you lie and enlist."

"You know, " he said, "that there are so many things that could go wrong with that plan? But I like it. I guess you won't need my help much anymore, will you?" he mused.

"Of course not! I was quick to reassure. Partly because he seemed like the type of person who hated to be useless, and partly because I didn't wan it to be true either, which I realized, again, was very dangerous. "I'll still need you to take me back, and tell me how I'm doing. His reaction to me, I mean. You can read his mind, right?"

"Actually, no."

"What?" That was an unexpected snag. "But you said I was-"

"The only ghost or human whose mind I couldn't hear," he interrupted. "I can't hear his, because he doesn't exist in the same context as I do. That's why I can't stay with you when you're there either. I belong to any time after I died. And that part of myself belongs to any time before I died. But don't worry," he reassured me, seeing my anxious expression, "I can still help with his reactions. We're the same person, but different versions. Everything that he remembers, thinks, and feels, belongs to me. Because he is my past. But the things I remember, think, feel, and know, belong only to me. As his present changes, so does my past. I can't hear what he's thinking about you. But I can remember it."

I struggled to wrap my mind around the impossible concepts he was describing. It was all so surreal. "So, how did I do? What did he. .you" I still wasn't sure which pronoun was appropriate, "think of me today?"

He smiled. "I was captivated by you. I found you unlike anyone I'd ever met, and I am anxious to see you again. I'll wait by the newspaper stand much longer than normal tomorrow, if necessary, to see you."

"So I'm going back tomorrow?"

"Yes," he answered "I think it's best if we put this plan in motion straight away. I should leave now, though. Allow you to be human for a time. I'll be back tomorrow morning. The same time." And with that, he smiled and was gone.


It was very hard, and very odd, to get back into normal life after my very abnormal day, but I realized it was something i would have to get used to. It looked like I'd be doing this a lot.

I was, hopefully, relatively normal as I ate dinner with my parents, and spent some quality time with them. They seemed happy, and, with a pang, I realized I'd been withdrawn lately, absorbed in my personal mystery. I vowed that, these next few weeks, along with helping Edward, I would try to spend more time with Renée and Charlie.


The next morning, I woke early, and was unable to settle to anything, waiting for Edward. I told myself that this was purely because of the mystery he presented, but my self had trouble believing.

Finally, as I was lying on my bed trying to lose myself in Jane Austen's elegant banter, I heard a quiet cough behind me, and there he stood. "Are you ready?" I nodded, and he stepped up and took my hand again, pulling me through time once again.


There you have it. :) And next chapter, back to the past. And a little note to add: I'm contemplating (actually, I've started one) doing a few little Cullen couples "origins" one-shots (example, Rosalie POV as she saves Emmett), what do you guys think? Should I? Would you read and review?? :D

And then, here's where I say reeeeeeview!!!!! reeeeeeeview!!!!! (I doing a crazy ghost impression right now. It's great. :D) I see all you adding me to your alerts and favs (thank you :D) Now review!!!!! :D

Always thank you,

SkySong