*Peers around corner and chuckles nervously* Um, hey guys. *Nervous laugh* So - I know you must be mad at me for not updating, but there's been a lot of stuff going down - school, mainly. That, and the lack of a computer. I'm stealing my stepmom's right now. Hehehe... Anyways, I'm sorry, sorry, sorry, SORRY. I can't think of any other way to make it up to you other than by updating, so that's what I'm doing. Please review. Again, I'm so sorry for the delay.

Disclaimer: I wish I owned Twilight; I really do. Sadly, I don't. And it sucks.


EPOV

I darted through the trees, exhilarated by those last few moments with Bella. She always made me forget my limits, my boundaries. I'd been close to breaking a few of those boundaries tonight. Yet I'd kept myself in check at the very last minute, finding the inner strength to pull away from her.

Ugh. Why are you always at Bella's? Rosalie internally growled.

I grinned. Why wouldn't I be at Bella's house? "I don't see why you care," I snapped.

I heard a frustrated growl, and then she pounced on me. I hadn't seen where she'd come from, but that didn't matter. She hadn't fought in a long time. I'd killed Victoria just weeks ago. I snarled, pinning her to the ground.

"What is wrong with you, Rosalie?" I hissed.

She struggled underneath me, but she wasn't going anywhere. "What do you see in that little human?"

The way she said human was like an expletive. I growled softly at her. "Why do you care what I do in my spare time?"

"She could have exposed us all, Edward!" she exploded, still squirming. I had my hands on her shoulders, keeping her mostly immobile.

"But she didn't," I hissed. "Bella is not a threat to this family."

"Unless she leaves you," she snapped. I froze, feeling my entire body become numb. The idea of Bella leaving me for someone else was... excruciating, to say the least. I couldn't even fathom my life without her. Rosalie flipped us, and now she was on top of me.

"What happens then, Edward? If she leaves you for someone else? Someone human? Where do you go from there?"

The words were out of my mouth before I could even think about stopping them. "I go to Volterra."

She hissed and rammed my head into the ground. "No! Think of what it would do to Alice, Esme. Or do you even care about them anymore?" she taunted.

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Of course I do. I just - when it comes to this, I have to put myself first. You understand, don't you, Rosalie?" I snapped, referring to her murder of her fiance. True, he'd deserved it, but it had been a tad cruel.

Rosalie growled. "He got what was coming to him."

"And I'll get what's coming to me," I muttered hopelessly. Images flashed through my mind that were not my own. Pictures of how I looked when I left Bella. Then my own thoughts began appearing. Bella with a husband and children. Bella aging the way she should. If she stayed with me, that wouldn't happen. She was adamant about being changed.

"Edward, seriously! You're so annoying sometimes. It's just a human; no big deal. Stop acting like it's the end of the world!"

The fire that had consumed me while I was away from Bella was starting to return. I could feel it in my hands and head, trying to cover my entire body. "It is the end of the world," I hissed, taking unnecessary breaths.

"Whatever," she sighed. "She's just a human. I don't even know what you see in her! Not when you have Tanya falling all over you."

A snarl ripped through my chest, and her eyes widened. "Bella is more beautiful than you'll ever be. And if she chooses someone other than me, I'll be happy for her, but I'll be burning on the inside. So, yes, Rosalie, I will go to Volterra and force them to destroy me, because I can't love anyone else!" I shouted.

She sat on her knees, staring at me curiously. You really love her, don't you?

"More than my own life."

"Huh. I hope you know that everything I do is for your own good, right?"

I snorted. "I don't believe that for one moment, Rosalie."

She just sighed. "I guess I deserve that." She smiled weakly. "I was worried about you back then," she finally whispered. "I thought you were never going to come back. It's my fault you ran off to Volterra in the first place."

I was silent for a moment. "It's not your fault entirely. I should have asked whose funeral it was before assuming that Bella was..." I trailed off, unable to say it.

"Dead," Rosalie finished. I winced.

"Yes. Dead."

Those words nearly killed me. Bella was my life, my reason for enduring another night. The thought of her no longer on this earth was worse than her leaving me.

"She's fine, Edward. Alice said you were coming home. Why?" Rosalie asked, starting to walk home.

I shrugged. "It just seems like I haven't been there much. I wouldn't want to neglect my family, now, would I?" I smirked.

Rosalie threw an annoyed smirk in my direction. I chuckled. "I'm glad you think it's so funny," she muttered.

I grinned. "I think it's hilarious, actually."

"Edward!" Alice shouted. I stopped and looked at her.

She had her arms crossed over her chest, and she was tapping her foot. "Why are your clothes covered in dirt?"

Rosalie and I exchanged looks and both burst into laughter. "It's a long story, Alice. I'm sorry for ruining the clothes. I'll buy you a new dress to make up for it, all right?"

She smiled and nodded, skipping off toward the house.

"But Alice," Rosalie called. Alice stopped and looked back, inquisitive. "What would happen if I got your clothes covered in dirt?"

Alice snarled. "Don't even think about it, Rose. You'll never see your car again."

There was a minute of silence. I just snickered and followed Alice into the house. I took a quick shower, getting the dirt out of my hair. That was Rosalie's fault, but at least she'd gotten her share of dust and dirt.

I pulled on new clothes and went downstairs. Esme smiled when she saw me.

How are you? I smiled, and that was all the answer she needed.

I stayed for an hour or so, retelling the fight that had taken place between Rosalie and I to Emmett. He seemed surprised that Rosalie had attacked me. I played a game of chess with Alice. She gave up after a few minutes.

"I hate it when you win," she whined.

I smiled. "Sorry, Alice."

Jasper and I spoke briefly, and then it was time for me to go back to Bella's house. I said goodbye to my family and ran for Bella's. Her room was like my safe haven, my own heaven. It was ironic - in the beginning, I'd thought of Bella as my own personal hell. But now she was heaven. My sanctuary, where I could find peace.

I scaled her window, but froze when I caught an all-too-familiar scent. There, standing in the middle of Bella's room, was Jacob Black.


Bum, bum, BUM!! LOL. What did you think? I know it was a little short, but it's been a while since I've written. And that's not an excuse. Just a statement. I did love the drama between Rosalie and Edward, though. And I love that they got their issues resolved. But that's just me.

When I get 50, yes, 50 reviews, then I will update again. It's a simple trade.

Reviews are better than watching Alice and Edward play chess. (That would be so hilarious.)

XO,

Jessica