Alright, Beautiful readers, here's the chapter I particularly enjoyed writing. I hope you enjoy reading it as much!

The following content contains some unpleasant situations. Reader sensitivity and discretion is advised. (I tried to make it as light as possible)


inuyashademons14 - Why don't you read and find out, sweetie? ;) ;) ;)


If I was worried about something in the entire book, it was the trip to Port Angeles.

Don't get me wrong, the town itself was pretty with the Bay and the Boardwalk but it was more of what the night enlisted in the chapter that had me nervous and jumpy. Best solution was to not to go at all but I felt obliged to accompany Bella.

Jess and Angela knew Port Angeles well enough to head to a large department store and start perusing dress up clothes. "So, you've never been to a dance, the both of you?" Jessica asked.

"She didn't have a boyfriend and India is not all that big on Dances," I murmured, my eyes fixed on the windows dreading the dark. I'd told Jess that I wanted to go back to Forks before nightfall and she'd agreed, albeit a little reluctantly.

"But you always say no to the boys who ask you here," Jess argued back. "Not Eric," Angela said.

I handed Jess the electric blue dress she was supposed to go for and glanced up at Angela. "What…?" I asked. "Eric said he's taking you to prom," Jess said, holding the electric dress up to her body. I sighed, why did I just know that something like this was going to happen? I mean, Tyler did the same with Bella, now Eric and me? God, help me…

"Angela, do me a favour and set him on fire when the next time you have chemistry together?" I asked, handing her the pale pink dress.

I was trying to rush them along. So, I kept handing them stuff that I knew they'd go for. Christ though, they deliberated a lot.

By the time the ordeal was over – surprising since I actually found retail therapy to work on occasions, I was fidgeting about and Bella suggested dinner in the small Italian restaurant near the corner. I nearly screeched when she told us to meet her there.

"Tulika, let's go to the small book store we saw." She said.

"What, no, let's stick with the girls?" I said lamely.

"Um…fine, I'll go have a look,"

"No,"

"What…?"

I sighed, giving in to the dunderheaded Bella Swan. "I'll come with you."

At least she was less likely to get attacked with me there. I knew how to fight back.


Bella and I meandered through the roads for what felt like an eternity. She had led me to a store that looked like it was more seedy than selling and I dragged her away but she was determined to find a bookstore.

By now, I was severely mad at her and she could tell. She was walking faster and kept throwing me surreptitious glances. "Hey, there," the same words, words I'd read so many times that I knew that they shouldn't make me feel so worried. However, when I glanced out of the corner of my eyes to see the four men eyeing me and Bella, I just knew what a good scare meant.

"Hello," I heard Bella mutter and I grabbed her arm, making her walk with me. "Just walk, don't look or listen to them," I mumbled to her, feeling her nod next to me.

"Wait," they called and loud obnoxious laughter filled the background.

They were going to herd us.

Damn, if only Edward had rounded the corner – or I'd forced Bella to listen to me…

I listened to the footsteps after us and came to a quick decision. The other two were already gone to cut us off from the main road. If I took on the other two, then I might have a chance of making it out of this after all.

"Bella…I need you to listen to me very carefully," I said when I froze.

The other two were right in front of me, watching as they drew closer. Son of a…

Without warning, I swung around, using my hard purse to slam against the face of the man nearest to me. The best defence is offence, right? The man stumbled back and I swung my other fist at the man when I felt running footsteps behind me. They were trying to make quick work of it.

I looked back quickly and slammed my foot at his shin but the other guy grabbed me around the waist, pulling me up high as I yelled, kicking out.

"This one's feisty," the man holding me said and I looked around wildly to see what the hell Bella was doing to see her passed out on the ground. Are you kidding me? Wasn't she thinking of self defence in the book?

"No…" I gasped and the man who I'd hit with the bag grinned, wildly. Lurching forward, he brought his fist down on my face and I dropped, right on my already injured leg.

Another man that I'd tried to punch and the man I'd kicked grabbed me by my hair and chin and turned my face up. "Isn't so fun when done to you, is it?" I growled out a low curse at him when I saw the other two inching towards Bella.

"Don't you dare," I shouted when headlights flew around the corner, nearly running over the guy who was gripping my chin, making him let go of me and stagger back on the concrete.

I gaped as the silver car fishtailed, burning tire on the road, stopping between me and the assaulter.

At least that hadn't changed.

The driver's door opened and Edward stepped out, his eyes narrowed and dangerous. "Get in the car, Tulika." He said in a clipped, furious tone and I didn't argue as I stumbled up to my feet and hobbled into the passenger side.

I watched as he walked, faster than a human but still precise to the attackers and stared at them. The guys glanced at each other before he bent over and scooped Bella up, casting one last look at them as if memorising their faces. Well, maybe he was actually doing it.

He placed my unconscious friend in the back and sat back in, revving the engine and accelerating away even before he swung his door shut.


I stared out into the night, feeling numb and cold as I watched the dark shapes whizz by. I couldn't see through clearly, it was like a haze had settled down on me. I had always been prepared, fighting and learning to get away – but somehow the real thing had seemed much more close to the mark.

I couldn't – didn't want to believe what might have happened if Edward hadn't shown up. The thought made my throat choke up and I blinked madly. Yes, it was still a blow to my pride but I had no trouble accepting it to myself – as long as he didn't know it.

"Are you alright?"

I jumped and quickly looked at him. The passing streetlight cast weird flashes of his beautiful face but I knew he looked murderous. "Are you…?" I asked.

His lips twitched as if he was fighting off a reluctant smile. "No, distract me please," he said. I already knew what he meant so I sighed, relegating myself to a job I would rather be just reading or watching.

"Shouldn't you be putting your seat belt on?" I asked, quietly. Too quietly to sound anywhere lighthearted, I thought.

He turned and shot me a look, the anger melting into an incredulous twinkle. "You put your seat belt on," he said. I didn't answer, choosing to stare out the windshield.

"Did you know Eric's going off about taking me to Prom?" I asked, absently. "Yes," he said. He slowed to a halt and pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose. "You know, I wouldn't mind you helping me dislocate his arm or something," I mumbled.

He hummed and I looked back at Bella. "She seemed so tough – now she's just what the reviews say; unable to fight her way out of a paper bag." I said bitterly. I didn't blame her for passing out but still…the way the men had gripped me was still too fresh in my mind.

"She needs to go home…" Edward said, throwing the car into motion and joining the traffic seamlessly.

Less than ten minutes, we were outside La Bella Italia, the restaurant we were supposed to go have dinner in. "Go stop your friends," he said smoothly and I didn't argue. It was helpful knowing his little tricks; I saved a lot of time speeding things along.

"Jess, Angela…!" I called and winced at how scratchy my voice sounded.

They immediately turned around and walked back. "Where the hell were you?" Jess demanded before slowing down to see Edward leading a dazed looking Bella towards us.

I gave her a quick rundown and begged her to take Bella with her and tell the chief that we were having a sleepover. "What about you?" Angela asked. "I think Tulika should eat something. She's had a shock and some food will be good for her. I would suggest the same for you," he looked at Bella who blinked up at him, "but I'm not sure if you can keep it down." He finished.

"Um…" Jess said, very eloquently but Angela was faster.

"Are you sure, Tulika? You're…hurt," she said, her face faltering and I wondered just how bad the bruising must've been. "I'll be fine; I'll call you later," I said. Angela nodded and moved in to hug me. "I'm so sorry this happened. We shouldn't have let you go off." She said.

I nodded as Jess hugged me too. "See you in school; we'll take care of Bella." She promised then the two of them led Bella to Jess's car.

I turned to look at Edward to see his eyes on me, lingering slightly on the area around my eyes and head. Gosh, maybe I did look bad.

"Come on then," I said and he walked to the restaurant door, holding it open. I walked past and looked around for the inadvertent blond hostess. She bustled out from the side of the reception and gasped when she saw me and Edward. I really hoped she wasn't thinking I'd come for a meal with my abusive boyfriend.

"We'd like a booth please," I said, and her eyes flickered to me before she smiled – a wide, charming white smile. "Of course," she said and led us to the partition mentioned in the books.

"Is this ok?" she asked, gesturing to a small square booth at the very end, facing the Bay. "It's perfect," I looked at Edward to see him smiling his own brand of toothpaste smile at the hostess who looked rightfully staggered. "Um…your server will be right out," she said.

Edward slid into the booth and I sat down in front of him, looking at the people on the bay walk. If only Bella had listened or I'd been a bit more forceful, we could've been among those safe people.

"You're quiet," he murmured and I looked at him. His expression was unreadable. "Usually, you always snap at me," he explained. I shrugged, looking around for the server when a girl with short black hair and mile long legs walked out, smiling…at Edward. Typical women…

"Hello, my name is Amber and I will be your server tonight. What can I get you to drink?" she said in one breath.

As expected, Edward looked at me. "I'll have a coke," I said. God, I needed some iced carbonated caffeine. "Two cokes," he ordered.

She assured him of bringing out the two cokes and I watched her as she did the whole turning on a heel to swish her hair and sway her hips walk back to the kitchen. "Hmm, looks like the whole dazzle thing isn't as overrated if you're surrounded with women like that." I muttered to myself.

"The whole dazzling thing…?" I looked at him with a wry smile as he raised an eyebrow in puzzlement.

"You know, when you smile at girls and they swoon all over you." I said. He tilted his head. "I've never seen you swoon when I smile at you." He said. "That's because I am not dazzled by you," I said, with just a teensy amount of haughtiness in my voice. Seriously, I was not confused by the looks of a, ok I'll admit, gorgeous, well loved character and I was proud of it.

"How do you feel? Are you sick, cold…feeling dizzy, like going into shock? Does your face hurt?" he pressed, ignoring my comment.

Right on cue, Amber came upon us with my cokes and bread sticks. "Are you ready to order?" she asked. He looked at me. "The Chicken sauce pasta with grated Parmesan," I said and she quickly wrote it down.

She turned back to him and he shook his head. "Nothing for me, thanks," he said. "Let me know if you changed your mind," she said but Edward ignored her, looking at me.

When she was gone, I picked up one of the cups and began drinking from the straw. He put one elbow on the table, his chin in palm as he smiled at me. Was he trying to 'dazzle' me? I frowned and pulled the cup away.

"What is it?" I asked but he just shook his head, pushing the second cut towards me too. I blinked, "Thank you," I muttered and he nodded, still smiling. Frankly it was beginning to get disconcerting. It reminded me of the deranged smile he'd worn in my dream. I shuddered at the thought and quickly looked away from him.

"Don't you have a jacket?" he asked.

"Nope, I wasn't planning on staying here this late anyway; we planned on leaving near six," I told him and he nodded before taking off his jacket. "Oh, it's fine, don't bother, Edward," I said but he gave me a look which said he wasn't going to listen to any protests. I sighed, taking the jacket from him and sliding my arms in the sleeves.

"Thanks, now I feel smaller than I already am," I grumbled and he shook his head. "You should be going into shock," he said. "I'm a little shaken up. I mean, I'm not repressive like Bella but…" I said but the arrival of the waitress cut me off.

She dropped a plate of stringy pasta smeared with red spicy sauce of chicken pieces in front of me and turned quickly to Edward, nearly upsetting my Coke with her tray. I scowled at her, making Edward smirk, slightly. "Did you change your mind? Isn't there anything I can get you?" she asked and I nearly gagged at the dripping double entendre in her voice.

"No, but some more soda and some ice would be nice, if you could put it in a pack or something," he gestured at me and so did the server. Her eyes washed over my face and I saw surprise and worry cross it. Great, now she notices.

"Of course," this time her hurrying away actually had purpose.

"You were saying," he continued. "Let's talk about that in the car. I want to know a few things though." I said.

"Of course,"

Amber returned with the sodas and a lemon yellow plastic bag with crushed ice in it. She passed it to me and I placed it right where the man had stuck me on my temple.

"How's your leg?" he asked. "Sore, but it'll get better," I said before leaning forward. "Were you following Bella to Port Angeles?" I asked. I already knew the answer and that he wouldn't answer it so I decided to cut to the chase.

He looked at me with an unfathomable expression, saying nothing and I sighed, already moving to the next. "Say, someone can read minds, with an exception," I began, not sure if I wanted to add 'hypothetically' to the whole measure. I knew what he was and I was pretty sure he suspected I knew so why bother?

He held up a finger though, "Are we talking of an imaginary situation here?" he asked. "Well, since I was attacked, I wouldn't say that it is imaginary," I said.

Meyer had been so vague and convoluted in all of her explanations, of course it was possible that even before she wrote the book, she had had no time to properly map out her new vampire myths.

"You actually believe I can read minds?" he asked, leaning forward, placing his arms on the table. "Look Cullen," I sighed. "I know this is going to sound insane but believe me I could care less. I know what you are and I know what your family is and I know about your gifts. I was trying to keep a closed lid on this so you would never find out I knew but after today…well, you'll just have to deal with it," I said, trying hard not to snap at him.

His face had frozen before he glared at me with full force. I flinched unable to help myself; I certainly wasn't feeling very secure in my own skin at the moment.

"You already knew or did you figure it out? From what I've gathered, you're a lot more observant than you let on, and I admit we haven't exactly been careful." He hissed.

"Yes, you have, you just never thought someone like me would show up." I argued.

"What exactly do you think we are?" he pressed.

"Jonas Brothers," I smiled, remembering 'Vampires Suck'. His expression was priceless as his mouth slacked and his eyes snapped wide open, like he'd just controlled his jaw from falling open.

I giggled at his face and his expression softened.

"Can we talk about all of that stuff in the car? I really want to know how you're in Port Angeles," I continued and his eyes glinted. "Why is that so important? Can't a person just be in the right place at a right time?" he asked.

"Yes, but you don't really expect me to believe that." I said shrewdly, making his lips curl slightly.

"Fine; I followed you and Bella to Port Angeles." He said and I waited for him to continue but his eyes went to the full plate in front of me. "Eat," he said. I forked some noodles in my mouth and chugged at the soda as he talked.

"You have a very obscure mind. I can hear you but your thoughts…they were all ridiculous at the best of times, the only times I have heard a proper sentence in your mind was when we fought or when I find you injured. Of course, now that you tell me you know…well, it's obvious you know how to cloak your mind. I should've known," he said.

I chewed up my pasta.

"It's easy to track you when you don't know you're being followed," a corner of his plump mouth pulled up, "but you still think too much, too many things in that head than I can keep up with. Half of them don't make sense but I always chalked it up to you having a very complicated mind. Today, I was extra frustrated; you were jumpy, nervous and all I got was that you were worried about Bella's safety." His jaw clamped. "Why you would worry about that puzzled me, so I was about to get out and come to you, your thoughts were giving me a headache and the best bet I had was to swipe you and her away. However, when I got there you were gone."

"I followed your mind through the industrial section and then I felt it, your…distress." He balled his fists on the table. "It was very difficult, simply to take the two of you away and leave them still breathing. I was going to just let you go off with Angela and Jessica but I didn't think that I would be very much in control of myself if you left me," he said in a low voice.

"Although, now…looking at what they did to you; I'm not sure if I really want to leave them alive." His eyes flickered up to me, "Are you ready to go home?" he asked.

I nodded, taking one last sip of the forgotten soda and bundling the cream jacket to me, I burrowed in its warmth as Amber moved towards us. He asked for the check, his voice rough.

I saw him dig in his pocket, probably reading her mind to read how much he owed and slipped it into the black folder.

He stood up and I hurried after him as he led us towards his car. He opened the passenger door but I paused, looking at the side view mirror. I tilted it up and winced at my face. My right temple and the portion around my eye was swollen and there was dark finger shaped bruising around my chin and mouth. It was a miracle my glasses had survived the ordeal.

"Lovely, I have a freaking black eye," I moaned, dropping my head on the cool metal door before flopping down into the car. He was – quite gracefully – I had to admit, to the driver's side and pulled into the traffic.

"Now," I looked at him to see him smiling dryly at me.

"It's your turn."


Well...? Please Please Please tell me you loved it!

Tulika just came out a lot more fierce than I was originally planning her to be.

Even Bella passing out was an impulse, you see, I just can't picture her doing any heavy-duty stuff. Plus, she's always shown unharmed and I wanted this to be very very real. People out there who've been through this kind of thing and gotten out by fighting didn't do it without a scratch. I wanted to show some respect to fighters!

Pretty Please with a Cherry on the Top; Please Review! This is one chapter I want all readers to say something about; what did you think of the scene? Was it too much? Was it not real enough? Tell me, Tell me, Tell me, Please...

Much Love!