Disclaimer: SM is the queen of the Twilight universe. I am but a humble servant.

A/N: Thanks to timeaovergain for her beta skills. And to CatMasters for telling me to shut-up and post! ;)

Let's give poor Bella a break, shall we?

Chapter 10: The Thinking Place

BPOV

I pulled into the parking lot the next morning and saw Edward and Alice standing by his Volvo. Alice was waving me over, so I got out of my truck and headed towards them. She was obviously irritated with my slow pace because she came running to meet me halfway, excitement exploding off of her.

"Bella! Bella! Guess What? Oh never-mind, you'll never guess… we're not going to school today! I talked to my dad last night…"

I could feel the blood drain from my face and my eyes widen with shock.

"You told?"

"Geez Bella, don't you trust me at all? Of course I didn't tell, but I didn't really lie either. Just listen. My dad called me into his study last night and started to ask about you. He was concerned because you looked like crap yesterday. Well…you did. Anyway, he asked if there was anything you needed and I suggested a week off from school. I told him you were always getting grief from the kids at school and the stress of it was messing with your sleep and eating habits. He said he should talk to your dad…oh calm down Bella, let me finish… I told him that you and your dad don't get along so good and he may not be inclined to authorize your absence, so my dad went into 'doctor mode' and said he could probably arrange to have you stay at our house during school times, without telling your dad. Then before I knew it he had talked himself into letting Edward and me stay with you so that you wouldn't have to be alone. So this morning he called the school and bada-bing… you're home with the stomach flu and Edward and I have food poisoning! Isn't it great?"

I was stunned. I didn't know what to say. I wasn't even sure what I had heard.

"So… I don't have to go to school?" I began slowly, trying to comprehend. "And I can stay at your house with you and Edward everyday for a week? And Charlie will never know?"

Alice was nodding furiously with a huge grin on her face, as Edward walked over calmly to stand next to me, taking my hand.

"Is the arrangement okay with you Bella?" He asked with slight reservation. I could tell he hoped I would agree, but I also knew that he would do just as I wanted if I didn't.

I closed my eyes and sucked in a huge breath of freedom. I opened my eyes, looked at the anticipation in their faces and said…

"Heck yes! What are we still doing here? Let's get going!"

*0*0*0*

As soon as we got through the front door Alice was pulling me up to her room.

"You don't mind giving us some girly time do you Edward?" She yelled back to him as we climbed the second tier.

"Nope. Just as long as I get some time with her later. Have fun Alice. Good luck Bella." He walked off chuckling.

"What does he mean? Alice? What are you going to do to me?"

"I just got some new products and I need someone to try them out on, that's all. Just relax. It'll be fun."

If this 'fun' was going to be anything like shopping 'fun' then I was in for it. She hauled me into her massive bathroom and flung me into a chair. She was buzzing around at a dizzying pace before she stopped suddenly, gave me a devilish grin, and then attacked.

I was primped, preened and other things I don't have words for. She went after my fingernails, toenails and eyebrows. My skin was scrubbed, polished and moisturized. She made the tisk' sound a lot. I don't think she approved of my grooming habits, but it's not like I had a lot of choice. If I was in the bathroom for more than ten minutes at a time there would be hell to pay.

Alice was very gentle with my sore cheek and avoided my back all together. We didn't talk about it, and I sensed she was trying to make things as normal as possible. Or at least as normal as an Alice makeover could be. No matter what she did to me though, my mind still kept wandering to Edward. He confused me so much, and suddenly I realized that maybe Alice could help me. I mean, she was in love with Jasper after all, so she must know the answer. My desire to understand overrode my anxiety, and so I quietly asked.

"Alice?"

"Hmm?"

"Um…How do you know when you're in…love?"

I felt the hairbrush pause mid-stroke and looked up to see her staring at me with an almost smug, but quizzical expression on her face. I squirmed a little, regretting my inquiry instantly, but the hairbrush quickly resumed its ministrations and Alice's face settled into a smirk before she answered.

"Well, I think it's different for everyone. For me, it's the way I feel grounded and calm when I'm with Jazzy. We've known each other our whole lives, and he's always made me feel like he's the one thing that's holding me to the earth. It's like no matter where I am, I can feel his pull. His very soul calls to me and I need him like I need air to breathe."

I was too stunned to speak. Her words were amazing, but what had me stupefied was the look in her eyes as she spoke of Jasper. The love and devotion was clear and reverent. And I had seen it before…in a similar pair of green eyes. Blood pulsed loudly in my ears as my mind struggled to convince my heart that it must've misunderstood. There's no way Edward could feel anything remotely that strong towards me.

"Come on, Bella." Alice said, pulling me from my delirious imaginings. "We're almost finished."

With my make-up and hair done, she moved me into her bedroom where she began digging in her enormous closet. She emerged only moments later with arm loads of clothes, some of which looked suspiciously familiar from our shopping trip. She helped me get in and out of so many outfits I lost count, and just as I was beginning to think it would never end, she suddenly stepped back, slowly nodded in triumph and sighed.

"Oh Bella, you're beautiful. Look."

She turned me towards a floor length gilded mirror in the corner. I looked in and gasped. I had never seen myself all done up before.

"Is that…me?" I couldn't believe what I was seeing. My make-up was very natural looking, but highlighted the good parts of my face perfectly. She had pulled my hair back into a simple barrette, and I'm not sure how she did it, but it looked so shiny. The outfit she settled on was a pair of jeans (designer, of course) and a cobalt blue v-neck top.

"Oh, it's definitely you." I turned three shades of red as Edward's voice entered the room. "And I must say Alice, that blue top is amazing. A perfect color for a perfect girl."

"I know, right? She's magnificent! Now why don't you two run along so I can clean up? And don't even think about trying to help me, Bella. I insist. Go have fun with Edward." She said with a wink.

"You don't have to tell me twice. C'mon Bella, I have something I want to show you." Edward said as he held his hand out to me.

I think I actually achieved a forth shade of red in my cheeks as I took his hand and allowed him to lead me from the room.

*0*0*0*

EPOV

The instant she took my hand I could feel warmth spreading through my body. She was so beautiful. And not just Alice's makeover, though I would have to thank her for that later. She herself, inside and out, was beautiful. And her blushing was so endearing that it too, made her even more beautiful. But I also knew that she was hiding something. Something that was causing her a lot of pain. I think Alice knows, but she's not giving anything up, which is so frustrating. Sometimes I wish I could read minds, it would make things so much easier. I can't protect her if I don't know what's wrong. I truly don't want to believe that someone could hurt her. It's almost beyond my comprehension. But if someone is, and I find out, that person will wish for death.

But none of that matters right now. I have Bella with me, and that's all that matters. I'm taking her to my favorite thinking spot and I hope she likes it. I hope it gives her the same peace it brings to me. I hope time will stop and I could have her near me forever.

We walked in silence. We never have a lot of words between us, and we don't seem to need them. Even though we haven't known each other very long, things between us just seem comfortable. I led her out the back of house and down a path into the woods. After a while we climbed a rock formation to the top. I helped her to her feet and heard her inhale sharply as she took in the view for the first time.

"It's amazing, Edward!" She whispered.

The peak of the rock formation overlooked a clearing that was filled with wildflowers. Beyond the meadow was a view of the mountains where a tall, narrow waterfall flowed serenely into the small lake below. It was a magnificent sight. I loved it.

"This is my thinking spot," I explained. "Where I come to relax. Do you like it?"

"It's perfect. Thank you for bringing me here." She said in a small voice.

We sat down and with some encouragement from me, she leaned into my chest. I couldn't help but notice a slight flinch when she first made contact, but then she made an adjustment and settled fully into me. It once again stirred uneasy feelings that there was something wrong, but the feel of her body against mine spun my mind in new directions. It was an indescribable feeling. I slowly wrapped my arms around her small frame as she laid her head on my arm. She sighed quietly. It was a sound of contentment that I fully shared. I never wanted to leave this spot. I wanted to hold her and protect her from whatever was causing her pain.

I leaned down and kissed the top of her head, inhaling her sweet scent. She turned to look up at me. There was such a yearning in her eyes to be safe and loved, as well as a silent plea for me to not hurt her, that my heart nearly broke from pain and exploded from love at the same time. I could feel an almost tangible pull to her. So much so that before I even realized what I was doing my face moved slowly towards hers. I watched carefully for some sign that I might be frightening her. Her breathing sped up but her expression was one of more quiet determination. I was so close now that I could feel her warm breath on my face. Gently, I placed my lips on hers. They seemed a little hesitant, but not resistant to mine. Her lips were so soft and full, and they bewitched me as their willing servant. We moved in perfect synchronicity, fitting together as if we had been made for one another.

After what seemed like an eternity, and yet also not nearly long enough we broke apart. It was chaste and sweet and perfect. She turned her face away, leaning her head back against my chest and I rested my cheek on the top of her head. We sat silently for a while, each of us lost in the magic that the meadow creates. But as much as I wish it could, our moment of pure joy could not fully erase my feelings of dread that she was in trouble.

"Please tell me what really happened to you." I pleaded quietly in her ear. She took a deep breath before she spoke just as quietly.

"Please, Edward, not now. For the first time in a long time I feel safe and at peace. I don't want to waste one second of it. Please just hold me."

I tightened my hold a bit and sighed. I would not push her, no matter how much it was killing me. Nothing was more important to me than her. And from this moment on, I knew that no matter the cost, I would never be able to refuse her anything.

BPOV

Laying in Edwards arms was the most surreal feeling. It has been so long since I felt secure, wanted and even loved. My head was still spinning a little from our kiss. He was so sweet and gentle. I couldn't imagine a more perfect first kiss. I was so glad it was Edward, and I knew I never wanted to kiss anyone else. Being here with the Cullen's made me feel like a real person and it became obvious to me the horrible state in which I existed. I was like a zombie. Wandering aimlessly through a pitiful existence of slavery, beatings, and humiliation. Being here, especially with Edward, I was becoming human. As happy as I felt though, I also realized that breaking down my defense was dangerous. The next time Charlie beat me; would it be worse because I finally knew what it felt like to be loved? Maybe it would be better. Maybe thoughts of Edward, Alice and their family would give me strength to help me endure. I hoped so. I shuddered a little as I also realized that I wouldn't have to wait too long to find out.

"Are you cold?" Edward asked. He must've felt my tremor. "We could go back."

"No. Not yet. Just a little longer. Please?"

"Of course." He kissed the top of my head, and I turned my face upward to once again invite him in. He smiled before leaning down to send me back to nirvana.

*0*0*0*

We stole away to this special place that Edward renamed 'our spot' as many times as we could during the week. Each time I was even more amazed at the view and the company. We talked about many different things and our innocent kisses slowly began to evolve into more meaningful ones. I never wanted to leave. It was like this place was magic, and Edward was my own personal magician. He made everything here seem so real and my home-life feel like the illusion. When I was here, Charlie didn't exist. When I was here, I was alive.

A/N: Thanks for reading! I'd love to know what you're thinkin'! :)

To help brighten her Friday, I'd like to give a shout out to my new friend from across the pond, hev99! *waves* Check out her story "Empty". It's intense and very well done. 8D