I do not own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.
Fran, thank you for taking your time to edit for me. I hope you enjoy your vacation.
Ch. 9
(EPOV)
"Sometimes being personally involved can mess with a person's judgment," I tried to reason with her calmly. Showing my agitation and being confrontational would just make her defensive. I held her gaze; I could see the turmoil in her eyes.
She looked down into the cup. "So you know that it was the Striker family that killed Charlie. Because of them, a good man lost his life way too early. I want justice for him. They not only killed my dad, but they're hurting others, and possibly killing them. Those innocent people deserve justice, too. They can't get away with it." Her beautiful eyes filled with tears, and a few leaked out to stream down her face.
I had to fight the urge to reach out and take her in my arms. I wanted to wipe her tears away and promise that everything would be okay. She was no longer the shy girl that doubted herself. She was stronger, but I could tell she was burying her pain. In front of me was a woman that had matured faster than she should have. This time of her life should be trouble free.
"They deserve more than to rot in jail. It was Chase Striker that killed Charlie, but Carver was there too, in the passenger seat. He only got a month in juvi before he was back out on the street as though nothing happened. It isn't fair."
I understood her more now. She wanted and needed justice or revenge depending how you looked at it for peace of mind. However, I was worried she would be so focused on it that she would get hurt in the process. She already neglected to realize that Dylan wasn't on the same side, and I feared what else she might be missing.
I knew I couldn't stop her mission, nor did I want to for a bunch of reasons. I also couldn't force her to let us help. I made a mistake in how I went about things in the beginning. I knew I couldn't order her around, and expect her to do what I say. When I left that meeting, I was determined to run all the way to Forks and speak with Charlie myself. I was hoping he would talk some sense into her.
I never got there though. I had realized halfway through my run that I was going about this the wrong way. I lost her trust before by leaving her. If I wanted her to trust me again, I would have to play by her rules.
"You're still playing a dangerous game," I stressed. I covered her hands with mine and pulled them away from the cup. I rubbed small circles on the back on them the way I used to do when she was upset in the past. "I know I messed up by leaving. I know you don't believe me when I say that I love and I won't leave you again. But at least give me a chance to try. I can help you." I made a promise that I would never break.
"Okay," she whispered.
Elated that she was finally willing to give me another chance, I pulled her hands to my lips and kissed the back of them. She looked startled and pulled them away.
"I meant, okay I will let you help," she explained looking flustered. She chewed on her lower lip as she clutched her cup again. "I know you say you love me, and you won't leave, but…"
"You still don't believe me." I smiled sadly. I would just have to prove it to her. In time, she will realize that I won't run away again like a fool.
Her mouth opened and shut a few times, and she gave a guilty look. "Ed…"
"You don't have to apologize or explain. I know why you don't. I should have been honest with you that day; instead of making up horrendous lies and used your own self-doubts to my advantage. It's my own fault you don't trust me." I paused until she looked up so I could see into her warm brown eyes. "I won't stop trying to earn back your trust. Will you at least give me that chance?"
She took a sip before answering; she seemed to be thinking it over. "You can try. However, I'm not ready for anything but friendship right now."
"Friends." I detested the word to describe what she meant to me. She was my mate and so much more than a friend.
It was already a struggle for me to stand here and not claim her as my own. She was wearing a tank top that fit her curves leaving nothing to the imagination, and a pair of shorts so short I think they might actually be underwear. The Bella I knew in Forks would've been mortified standing like this in front of me. However, it was tame compared to the outfits she wore at the club. With how sinful she looked in those sexy outfits — I wanted to gouge out the eyes of any man who looked at her. I wanted her more than ever and yet I was kept at arm's length.
"We can start there." I agreed with reluctance — I wasn't known for my patience, but I would be for her.
"Good." She smiled genuinely at me.
I found myself smiling back at her. Despite not getting what I entirely desired, I still hadn't felt this good in a long time.
"Bella, forgive me for asking, but you said you saw Charlie get killed. I know you change your appearance for the club, but you don't at school. How come Carver or any of the other Strikers don't recognize you?" It seemed too big of a slight for her to have missed.
"They never saw me in the car. I was in the backseat when it happened. Charlie had turned on his camera so everything was caught on tape, plus the gun was still found on Chase Striker, so they had enough evidence without my testimony. The police department and D.A. hid the fact that I was there for my protection. They thought it the least they could do for Charlie, to protect his only daughter."
I bit the inside of my cheek from retorting that now she was doing the opposite by going after the Striker family. She already agreed to let us help, and I would do my very best to keep her safe.
SG
"So how exactly do you plan on helping me?" Bella asked.
"Do you want to talk about this now?" I asked in surprise.
She looked exhausted leaning against the counter. I knew with the schedule she had been keeping, she wasn't getting nearly enough sleep.
"Why not? I won't be able to sleep anyways."" She shrugged.
"Why can't you sleep?" I grew concerned.
"It seems every time that I go to sleep, I have bad dreams." She ran her hand through her hair.
"About Charlie again?" I asked.
"Not this time." She shook her head.
"Would you like to talk about them? That's what friends do. Right?" I offered.
She seemed to be hesitant, so I decided to suggest something else.
"Or we can talk about anything. I'm sure I could find something completely mundane to talk about that will bore you until you fall asleep."
Her lips twitched into a smile. "I rather not talk about my dreams. I prefer to forget them and talk about something else. You asked me once to distract you, now it's your turn to distract me." She challenged me.
"Should we sit?" I suggested.
She shrugged and walked around the counter to her small living room. She gestured to the chair before taking a seat on the floor. I followed her example and sat down across from her. I knew she was trying to do the hospitable thing by offering me the only chair. However, at the same time, I was raised to be a gentleman, and allowing her to sit on the floor as I sat in the chair wouldn't be right either.
"You want a distraction, okay." I thought for a moment before smiling innocently. "I plan on running over Tyler Crowley after school tomorrow," I teased.
She rolled her eyes and laughed. It was a beautiful sound, one that I haven't heard enough of in so long.
"You will have to break him out of jail first."
"He's in jail? What did he do?" Her news caught me by surprise.
"Seems he never learned his lesson after that first accident, though this one might not be all his fault. He was driving drunk after prom, and Lauren decided it was the perfect time to give him road head. He crashed right through the display window at Newton's." She finished off her milk and set on the floor beside her.
"Was everyone okay?" I worried more about her than the other two. I wasn't sure if she was still working there at that time.
"Cuts, and bruises, mostly; and Lauren bit down so hard that Tyler supposedly almost lost his manhood. However, I'm pretty sure that last part was a rumor started by Mike, who was pissed he got stuck with clean-up duty. Tyler is in jail for driving drunk, and Lauren got community service for her part in the fiasco. And I used to think Forks was boring." She snickered.
"Seems like the guy's has been punished enough then." I winced. He was an idiot, but I imagine that to be bitten that area really has to be very painful.
"Did they allow him at graduation?" I tried to keep the conversation going.
"I don't know I wasn't there. I dropped out after Charlie died. I got my GED and focused on getting myself in better physical shape to get into the academy." She shifted over and leaned her back against the chair.
"What did Renée think about that?" I questioned. Her name hadn't come up at all in our conversations before.
Bella hesitated then looked very guilty. "I haven't told Renée anything. I haven't wanted her to worry about me or about what I was doing. She thinks I'm at U-Dub. I call her at least once a week, so she hears from me and doesn't make any surprise visits." She started rubbing the bottom of her foot.
I glanced down; her feet were slightly red, swollen and had small calluses that never used to mark her feet. I'm sure it was the work she did and the heels she has taken to wearing. I never understood why women wore those shoes when the results were painful. Sure, they made her legs look longer, but it wasn't worth it.
Bella cleared her throat causing me to look up at her. She was looking at me with a curious expression.
"I was just looking at your battle scars. Can I do anything for you?" I offered. Rub them? I wanted to offer but held back.
She snorted lightly before tucking her legs under her. "I'll be okay. One of the hazards of the job. I'm just glad my balance has gotten better, or I would've probably broken my ankle or neck by this point."
"I've noticed. You surprised me the way you climbed the rope in gym class. I was worried that you were going to fall, and I was about to run out there to catch you until Alice stopped me. I have to say I was very impressed." I complimented her.
She blushed lightly. "I've worked hard with Jake."
Jake as in Jacob Black, Ephraim Black's grandson? He was the boy who showed up at prom and said my Bella looked merely 'pretty'. I guess the wolves did descend when we left. I felt a surge of jealousy that yet another guy was close to her while I was gone.
"By the way, how did you not laugh at me?" She accused.
"Why would I ever laugh at you?" I asked confused.
"When I believed the part about the cold ones in the Quileute legend, but totally ignored the fact that Quileutes could change into wolves. You could have at least told me, it technically wouldn't have broken the treaty since Jake already did that," she scoffed.
"I didn't think much of it since there were no wolves around at the time we were there. We had thought they had all died out," I replied truthfully.
"You were wrong. There were at least two maybe three when you left. There were a total of seven when I left Forks." A shadow covered her eyes, leading me to believe that something had happened.
I didn't know where to start. Part of me wanted to lecture her for hanging out with adolescent wolves that wouldn't have been able to control their tempers and could have hurt her. The other part of me wanted to know how close she got to Jacob.
Bella let out a big yawn that appeared to be exaggerated. "I think we should say good night. I won't be able to keep my eyes open much longer."
"I think I failed at distracting you." I apologized.
"That's okay. I'm so tired that at this point I don't think it will matter much. I can catch up on sleep during the day. I only have to shop for food before work." She stood up.
"I'll be on my way. We will talk about a game plan soon. Perhaps on Sunday once you're rested?" I rose to my feet and stood very close to her. I fought the urge to pull her into my arms.
She took a step back, wrapped one arm around her and rubbed the other arm with it. "That sounds like a good plan. Good night, Edward." She gave me a soft smile.
"Good night, Bella. I hope you have pleasant dreams." I whispered as I looked directly into her eyes.
She blinked and looked quickly away. I held back a laugh realizing that I must have dazzled her as she once accused me of doing. I headed to the door and paused checking the surrounding area. It was safe, and I realized I forgot to mention something to her when I first arrived.
"Is there something wrong?" she asked from behind me.
"You should know that Dylan is out there in his car." I turned to look at her.
Confusion flit over her face, quickly replaced with fury. She went to the window and peeked out.
He's two houses down on the left." I informed her.
"Did he see you arrive?" Her eyes squinted to see in the dark. She dropped the curtain and spun to face me.
"No, he was asleep. As far as I know, he hasn't been there the previous nights." I kept my hand on the doorknob waiting to see her reaction to this news.
Her eyes tightened, and she gave me a sharp nod. "Thank you for letting me know."
"Would you like me to stay out there, and make sure he leaves you alone as you sleep?" I offered. I was staying anyway, but I thought she should at least have a say.
"I'll be fine. I'll make sure the door and windows are locked so I don't get any surprise visitors." Her lip twitched slightly. "I also keep my gun on my nightstand at night."
"You're sure? I could soap his windows or egg his car; maybe it will teach him a lesson." I suggested.
"That sounds something that Emmett would do — not you." She snickered. "Seriously though, I'll be okay. Besides, we both know you're staying no matter what I say."
She casted me an amused smile.
I shrugged sheepishly that I was caught. I opened my mouth to tell her I wouldn't, but I promised her no more lies.
"Good night." She didn't seem mad. She headed into her kitchen area and cleaned up.
"Good night." I echoed and disappeared out the door.
SG
I rounded the house and entered the woods. Emmett was standing by a group of trees with a bag at his feet.
"What, she said I could do it?" He grinned mischievously.
I snorted and shook my head. "That isn't what she said. She said it sounded like something you would do."
"So that's a no?" He sighed. Then why did Alice hand me the bag and send me here?
"I haven't got a clue. You will have to ask her." I leaned against a tree near him and watched the house.
The light went out in her room, and I could hear the movements as she got into bed.
"Are you staying the whole night? Remember it's going to be sunny later." Emmett warned me.
"I'm staying as long he does." I crossed my arms in front of my chest.
Emmett didn't argue, but just nodded his head. I'll keep my eye on her at work. You know that, right?
"I know you will, Emmett. Thank you." I smiled at him.
In fact, he was one of the ones I trusted the most to watch her back. He may be a goof, but he was also fiercely protective of Bella since he thought of her as sister.
"How are you doing with all this?" he questioned.
"She is slowly letting me back in. I have to earn back her trust. Right now, I'm in the friend zone."
"There is nothing wrong with that. If you remember, I was in the friend zone with Rosie for a while since she didn't trust men at first." He recalled.
"I remember. She was a lot easier to be around after you came into the picture." I smirked.
"Well, the same can be said for you. Bella changed you for the better, too." He elbowed me.
"Yes, she has," I admitted wholeheartedly.
I gazed at the back of the house where Bella's heart rhythm and breathing let me know that she had fallen asleep.
"Well, I'm going to head back. Are you coming, bro?" Before she wakes up and arrests your ass for stalking or for being a peeping tom
I shook my head. She thought I was out here. What if something happened before I get back to her? I didn't want to disappoint her again.
He turned to leave and waited for me to follow him. Alice will let us know if that guy will be a problem.
"I'll be home before the sun rises," I promised, half ignoring him.
He watched me for a moment and clasped me on the shoulder. "All right have it your way."
He took off in a flash, and I settled myself against the tree for a long night.
A/N:
So it was Dylan that was giving her the creepy feeling of being watched. Although tempting, it would be juvenile or Edward or Emmett to egg the car.
A little more information learned in this chapter. The Strikers didn't know Bella was at the scene of Charlie's death. Walls are still coming down.
Should I had let them egg the car? I know most of you want Dylan to disappear, but by whose hands? Bella's, Edward's, Strikers, or another like Emmett or Rose?
Some of you may know Fran on Facebook and know she is going on vacation. She was nice enough to edit another chapter for me this week, so next week's posting will still be on schedule.
Thank you for all the love and reviews for this story
