A/N- Hello! So, here's the next chapter. Everything is a bit fast paced right now, I know, but it will all get back with book again pretty soon, I promise. Hang in there with me, and if you have any questions, then let me know!

SparklingTopazEyes- I'm glad you find it so interesting. Thanks for the review!

karathomas08- What about? Let me know and I'll try to help you. This chapter clears a few things out so hopefully that will help you.

Nadya20- Bella is the narrator. Pretty much, think of DM as Twilight with one big twist. I'm trying to keep everything as close to the book as I can, but without completely copying it.

We had decided that I would return home and make some excuse to Charlie about leaving. I wasn't exactly sure what it would be since I couldn't really tell him the truth. "Hi Charlie, you remember Edward? Ya, well I'm leaving with his sister and her boyfriend because there's a vampire trying to kill me. O ya, the Cullens are all vampires too." Ya, that would go over really well.

"Fifteen minutes." Edward warned me when we were in front of my house. He had wrapped me into a hug that I never wanted to end.

"I can do this." I sniffled. My tears had given me an inspiration.

I stopped on the porch and took hold of his face in my hands. I looked fiercely into his eyes.

"I love you," I said in a low, intense voice. "I will always love you, no matter what happens now."

"Nothing is going to happen to you, Bella." He said just as fiercely.

"Just follow the plan, ok? Keep Charlie safe for more. He's not going to like me very much after this, and I want to have the chance to apologize later."

"Get inside, Bella. We have to hurry." His voice was urgent.

"One more thing," I whispered passionately. "Don't listen to another word I say tonight!" He was leaning in, and so all I had to do was stretch up on my toes to his him. It would have been our first kiss, but Edward pulled back.

"Not like this." He whispered. I smiled and nodded in understanding.

"Go away, Edward!" I yelled at him, running inside and slamming the door in his still-shocked face.

"Bella?" Charlie had been hovering in the living room, and he was already on his feet.

"Leave me alone!" I screamed at him through my tears which were flowing relentlessly now. I ran up the stairs to my room, throwing the door shut and locking it. I stood in the room awkwardly since Edward had already packed my bag for me earlier. I threw another one together eventually knowing that I'd need one to complete my ruse.

Charlie was pounding on my door.

"Bella, are you okay? What's going on?" His voice was frightened.

"I'm going home," I shouted, my voice breaking in the perfect spot.

"Did he hurt you?" His tone edged toward anger.

"No!" I shrieked a few octaves higher. I turned to my dresser, and Edward was already there, throwing clothes at me.

"Did he break up with you?" Charlie was perplexed.

"No!" I yelled, slightly more breathless as I shoved everything into the bag. Edward had stopped, realizing we were packing way too much.

"What happened, Bella?" Charlie shouted through the door, pounding again.

"I broke up with him!" I shouted back, jerking on the zipper of my back. I noticed Edward flinch at the statement before he pushed my hands away and zipped it smoothly. He put the strap carefully over my arm.

"I'll be in the truck – go!" he whispered, and pushed me toward the door. He vanished out the window.

"What happened?" Charlie yelled when I stepped out of my room. "I thought you liked him."

Charlie wasn't about to let me escape so I knew what I was going to have to do.

"I do like him – that's the problem. I can't do this anymore! I can't put down anymore roots here! I don't want to end up trapped in this stupid, boring town like Mom! I'm not going to make the same dumb mistake she did! I hate it – I can't stay here another minute!"

It worked, better than I wanted it to. His hand dropped and I turned away from him hoping he didn't see the pained expression on my face.

"Bells, you can't leave now. It's nighttime." He whispered/

"I'll sleep in the truck if I get tired."

"Just wait another week." He pled, still shell-shocked. "Renee will be back by then."

"What?"

"She called while you were out. Things aren't going so well in Florida, and if Phil doesn't get signed by the end of the week, they're going back to Arizona. The assistant coach of the Sidewinders said they might have a spot for another shortstop."

I shook my head trying to get my thoughts together.

"I have a key." I finally muttered, turning the knob. "Just let me go, Charlie." I repeated my mother's last words as she'd walked out this same door so many years ago. "It didn't work out, ok? I really, really hate Forks!"

My words did there job and Charlie remained frozen. I was able to escape to my truck where I through my bag in the back before climbing in. "I'll call you tomorrow!" I yelled, hoping I'd be able to tell Charlie the truth at some point. I gunned the engine and pulled out.

"Pull over," Edward said as he reached for my hand.

"I can drive." I said through tears. Edward yanked me across his lap and slid into the driver's seat within a second. He mumbled an excuse about me not being able to see the house.

Lights flared into the truck and I stared out back, scared it was the tracker who I had yet to meet.

"It's just Alice." He reassured me. Once more, he took my hand and I calmed down a bit.

"The tracker?" I asked, not being able to get the image of Charlie out of my head.

"He heard the end of your performance." Edward said grimly.

"Charlie?" I asked in dread.

"The tracker followed us. He's running behind us now."

"Can we outrun him?" I asked.

"No" but he sped up anyway.

Emmett had also now arrived, scaring me more than I was. I knew I was safe with Edward, but I was starting to get anxious. He would be leaving me and putting me in the protective care of his sister and brother. I couldn't help but worry for him, I hoped we'd get that first kiss.

"Why did this happen?" I asked. "Why me?"

"Because I couldn't leave you. I shouldn't have come near you. I should have remained in Denali and left you here until you'd moved on. I should never had admitted my feelings nor should I have acted on them."

"Edward, stop. That's not what I meant. I don't care about that stuff. I just want to know why James picked me? Why did he decide on me and not some other random person?"

"He smelled you on my jacket and realized I had been able to remain around a human without drinking from you. Your smell intoxicated him and he became curious. When he mentioned it he saw me get defensive he realized how much of a challenge you could be. One human with seven vampires protecting her. He couldn't resist it. He lives for the challenge hunting brings him and you are the ultimate challenge in his eyes. We've just created his most exciting game ever."

I remained quiet and thought it over. "So I smell the same to him as I do to you?"

"No, slightly different, but enough to get him interested." Edward replied. "I think I'm going to have to kill him now, even thought Carlisle won't like it."

"How can you kill a vampire?"

"The only way to be sure is to tear him to shreds then burn the pieces."

"And the other one will fight with him? They'll try to kill you?"

"Bella, don't you dare waste time worrying about me. Your only concern is keeping yourself safe and – please, please – trying not be reckless."

"Is he still following?"

"Yes. He won't attack tonight, though. Not tonight." Edward said. "When he leaves to meet up with the woman, then we'll leave. You'll go with Alice and Jasper to Phoenix, and we'll go somewhere else…"

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"I don't know… where ever I need to I guess." Edward sighed. We pulled into his driveway and Edward leaned back in his seat.

"We'll get through this." I said. I held his hand and squeezed it.

Edward just nodded before helping me out and leading me inside. He didn't stop for anyone, instead just leading me to his room. He sat me on the couch before pacing nervously in front of me. Eventually he stopped and sat down on his piano bench.

I stood up and walked over to him cautiously. He reminded me of an animal in the zoo. Sometimes they could be tame and loving, but in an instant they can return to their natural instincts. At other times, you never know what you might get.

"Edward?" I said quietly. I patted a spot on the couch next to me and tried to ask him to come over with my eyes. Hesitantly he followed my plea and sat next to me. As soon as he sat down and curled into his side.

Becoming bold I looked up at him. He was already looking down at me and I blushed under his scrutiny. Leaning into him more, I brought my head closer to his. Edward seemed to figure out what I was going to do and I watched the emotions play across his face. I waited patiently, and eventually, I was rewarded with him wrapped a hand gently into my hair and pulling me closer.

Our lips touched and I felt the sparks fly from the simple kiss. There were so many emotions in the simple gesture that I couldn't believe. Edward remained still, and I did the same. Before we could pull apart the door burst open and Alice started to walk in.

"Woops, sorry." She said before retreating back outside. Edward and I had broken apart immediately and now I was blushing furiously.

"I… I wanted to try before I had to leave." I whispered. Edward cupped my cheek and I leaned into his hand. He just smiled and said nothing.

He stood up only moment later, helping me up as well. Before making any other move, Edward bent down and kissed the corners of my mouth lovingly. That had been a perfect first kiss in my opinion, but I knew what would come next was anything but perfect.

"We need to go. Now is the best time to get away from James and Victoria." Edward whispered against my cheek. Although his voice was still laced with concern and worry, it was a bit happier, something I would keep in my memory till I saw him again.