Edward looked at Bella. Her usual luminous brown eyes were much more dull than they usually were and her deep brown hair was limp and lifeless. He sighed and brought a hand to her face, he watched her eyes flutter close at his touch and couldn't resist a slight smile.

"Bella…what are you doing?"

She brought her eyes to his and he could see the unshed tears fresh in them.

"I…oh Edward…I don't know what to think anymore…ever since she has arrived, it's like all the Cullen's have become obsessed with her…I…oh I'm just scared…"

"Bella. Bella please. I have told you before. My only interest is the fact I cannot read her mind. It is a reason to be intrigued. Not just for me but for all of us. The only other is you."

"Exactly." It was barely audible but he heard.

"What do you mean?"

"I was the only one. I thought it was because you loved me…"

"I do love you."

"I know but now you can't hear her. Does that mean…"

Edward grasped her around the shoulders and brought her towards him.

"Oh Bella. I know what I did to you by leaving is plaguing your mind, but I love you…only you."

Edward said pulling Bella towards him and wrapping his arms around her. He hated to see Bella suffering like this but he didn't know what more he could do. He was struggling to control his intrigue about Milly, especially when most days Carlisle would come home with amusing anecdotes about Milly and now Rosalie…

He looked up to see Milly opening the door of her car and throwing her bag inside only to pat the roof of the car like it was some kind of pet and getting in it herself. He couldn't not smile at her strangeness that never failed to amuse him. Now Carlisle and Rosalie found her as interesting as he did, he had decided to find out more about her. The people of Forks always kept their distance from them, not really knowing why but just knowing that they should but Milly…she wasn't affected by them, it was as if….How was she occupying his mind at a time like this? With Bella, his reason for wanting to live, in his arms a fragment of her former self.

"Look at me Bella." he said gently.

Bella brought her head up and looked sadly into his eyes. He noticed the added lines around them and the slight shadowing beneath.

"You are my reason for being here. My only reason." He said with a smile. His heart lifted when he saw the slight smile that ordained Bella's lips and the flush of colour that crept into her cheeks.

"Then change me." she said quietly.

He turned his head slightly to one side and his eyes drew up slightly as he saw Milly's truck pull away. It shocked him how much he wanted to follow it to wherever it was going even the Reservation, breaking the Treaty.

"Edward?" Bella's shaky voice brought him out of his thoughts and when finally the truck had disappeared around the corner he brought his almost black eyes back to hers.

"You know my condition." he said pushing a strand of hair away from her face.

"Anything else Edward…I can't. Plus Charlie wouldn't ever allow it, not to mention what everyone would think." she said turning away from him. Edward stayed where he was and watched her hair blowing slightly in the breeze.

"You're worried about what people will think? What about that we love each other?" he said slightly more harshly than he should have.

Bella turned and looked at him intently.

"I'm sorry. I'm…"

"Hungry?" Bella continued for him.

Edward nodded, drawing his eyebrows together.

"You sure that's all?" Bella asked, not letting her eyes reach his.

"When have I not been sure Bella?" he said walking towards her truck and pulling open the door for her. She followed behind him, he could hear her footsteps, they were much heavier than usual.

"Why didn't you go and hunt with everyone else a couple of weeks ago?" she asked getting into the truck.

"I was reluctant to leave you. You know this. With Victoria around I couldn't."

"But now you can?" Bella said facing forward.

He hated what was happening here. Bella nervously probing into his thoughts. The forced conversations, but he had to know who this woman was. There was something about her that he knew he had to find out.

"I trust Jacob now. He will never let Victoria near you."

Bella nodded solemnly.

"Bella tell me what I need to say to put your mind at ease? I don't like to see you nervous of our relationship." He said closing the door and leaning slightly inside.

"I'm not nervous. I'm scared. Feelings can change." She said turning her head to face his.

"Not mine for you Bella. Never that." and with that he brought his lips to hers and was once again shocked to find that the usual burn and pain was no longer existent. He should be pleased, happy that he can show her his true feelings for her but instead it made him wonder why. As soon as he had smelt the succulent flavour of Milly, Bella's had paled into significance. He drew back when Bella became more passionate and he leant his nose on hers.

"I love you." he said, his eyes burning into hers.

"I love you." she replied before he ducked back through the window.

"How long will you hunt for?" she asked, starting the engine.

"No more than two days I promise."

"Swear" Bella said almost in a whisper.

He looked deep into her eyes and brought his face to hers lightly placing his lips on her cheek. "I swear" he said gently into her ear and watched as the hairs on her neck sprang up ay his proximity. He would fix this problem, he couldn't have Bella feeling this way. But how was he going to fix it?…