Jasper POV

I just knew something was going to go down. It's just the way things are now. There hasn't been peace since… well… since our leaving, so I honestly wasn't surprised when Edward darted off like a bat out of hell toward the back yard of Bella's new place.

They were having a pool party, and it looked to be a lot of fun, but when Edward saw that guy lift Bella, and carry her up the rocks, he freaked the hell out.

"What the hell does he think he's doing?" he voiced.

"Ed… calm down, they're just playing around," Emmett responded.

"You know Bella, Em… she could get hurt! I can't just sit here and not do something," he stated.

"Edward…" I started, but didn't get very far.

"No… no… no… put me down… Oh my God! Rob put me down… I can't do this," Bella screamed in panic, and before I could even glance to my side, Edward was gone.

"Shit! Where the hell did he go?" I asked in frustration, already knowing full well where he was headed.

"Yep," Emmett answered. "You already know, dude."

The next thing I knew, I could hear Edward, telling someone not to fucking touch Bella.

"Oh, for the love of God, please tell me she did not get hurt!" I contemplated out loud. But before the words had left my mouth good, I heard Edward again. "Bella, you're going to need stitches," he said, before asking her to let him take her to see Carlisle.

I knew that I couldn't let him run again. He was being reckless enough in having run to her like he did in the first place. I had to enforce some damage control.

"Emmett, you stay here and keep an eye on the place; I'm going to bring the car around. He's gonna bring the whole damn Volturi clan down on our heads if he doesn't start practicing some fucking discretion," I shook my head and strode off to pull the car around to the house.

Edward came out carrying Bella, and I knew that I had made the right choice to bring the car. Their emotions were tense and heavy laden with frustration; all was not well between the two of them, but she had agreed to see Carlisle nevertheless.

I jumped out of the driver's seat as Edward began restlessly attempting to buckle Bella in. It didn't take long for her to grow impatient with his attempt. I figured he had everything under control, and the thickening tension between them was weighing me down, so I quietly made my escape and headed back to keep watch with Emmett.

As I approached I was flooded with amusement, and a slight bit of embarrassment. It was an intriguing combination, and quite a relief to the emotions from which I had just escaped. It instantly made me curious as to what Emmett had been up to while I was gone.

I plopped back down beside him and bent my knees, resting my elbows on them, before turning my head to eye him suspiciously.

"What?" he responded defensively, but the 'kid in a candy store' smile never faded from his face.

"What the hell are you smiling about?" I asked, genuinely intrigued.

"Nothing Dude, just the crazy shit humans do to amuse themselves. Check out the shit that Bella has gotten herself into while we were away," he answered chuckling, and pointing at the backside of the house.

I turned my sight back to the patio, realizing that I had been gone longer than I thought because everyone was now fully dressed. Well…. almost fully dressed. They were no longer in their swimming clothes, but there were a few articles of clothing; something missing from each of them tossed to the side on one of the loungers.

"What the hell is going on?" I looked back at Emmett both confused and entertained.

"Well after Edward took off with Bella, they decided to lighten up the mood a little. They're playing a jacked up version of 'I've Never', but they ran out of alcohol, so they changed the rules up to make it where they would lose an piece of clothing instead. Watch this shit, they're fucking insane," he shook his head, smiling a large goofy grin.

I proceeded to watch all of Bella's friends make complete asses out of themselves. They were drunk and absolutely uninhibited in their actions.

The next thing I knew Jason was un-doing his pants, following along with that round of the game, when all of a sudden Emmett jumped up and started covering his eyes while mumbling something under his breath.

Immediately I felt bewildered and flooded with embarrassment.

"No… No…No… you've got to be fucking kidding me! This guy is a bad mother fucker! He's an amazing mixed martial artist! He's "Mayhem Miller" for God's sake! I don't believe this shit, I don't care how long I live, I'll never believe this shit!" he exclaimed, shaking his head, and waving his arm in the direction of the patio.

I couldn't help but laugh whole heartedly at the site before us. Jason, bad-ass, tough guy, "Mayhem Miller" was wearing pastel pink boxer briefs, and was dancing around everyone else to the song "Don't you wish your girlfriend was hot like me," blaring on the stereo.

Jason's girlfriend seemed to really be enjoying the show, as she grabbed the waist band of his boxer briefs and popped the elastic.

Emmett was flabbergasted. He stared in shock as one of his more recent idols of the MMA world was dancing around like a fairy princess in pink drawers. I couldn't contain my laughter… that was until he got that look in his eyes.

"Oh no! No… no… no! Emmett don't you even think about it! Rosalie will have you by the balls, man… just to make sure they're still intact!" I laughed.

"What?" he asked, shrugging his shoulders. "I was just wondering if Rosie likes pink…" he smiled suggestively and waggled his eyebrows.

Edward POV

After returning Bella home, and having finally told her that I was setting her free to "find herself," I was thoroughly depressed, and I just couldn't keep watch anymore. I feared that looking upon her lovely face would just be too much, and I would buckle under the pressure. Not to mention, he was still there, and would surely be making a huge deal over her. I knew I couldn't handle that. I couldn't watch her feeling sympathetic for him, when he's the fucker that got her hurt in the first place.

I called Emmett and asked him to keep watch for the rest of the evening. He readily agreed, not prying into my reasons for not coming back.

"No problem man; hey Jasper wants to talk to you right quick," he said, before passing the phone to Jasper.

"Hey Edward, everything alright man?" Jasper asked in concern.

"You already know the answer to that Jazz," I replied somberly, as memories of me and Bella during happier times flashed before my eyes. Everything was far from alright.

"Come on man, this is Bella we're talking about. She's always adored you, Edward. She'll come around; she's just in shock. I really don't think she believed you'd ever come back; so it's a lot to take in."

"I can't hope for that Jazz… because if she moves on with that guy Rob, or anyone for that matter, it would destroy me. So, I have to distance my heart and care more… objectively. I love her enough to do that; enough to let her have the choice."

"Alright, well… what are you gonna do now? We haven't seen or heard anything from Victoria. Are you sure it was her? Are you sure she's still after Bella, or could you have been mistaken?" Jasper asked.

"Without a doubt it's her!" I replied instantly. "She's just biding her time; waiting for me to slip up and make a mistake. I can't do that, Jazz. Bella's life depends on it, and that means mine does as well. I just can't live in a world where she doesn't exist; even if she's not mine anymore."

"Okay, so what do you suppose we do?" he asked.

"I have something in mind, but it's not going to be easy for me to do. I… I'm… Shit! I'm going to call Jacob Black," I answered hesitantly.

"Awww shit, Edward! We can handle this… there's no need to call in the dogs," Jasper whined.

"He's the only one she'll trust right now. And I'll do whatever it takes to make her safe again," I replied.

"Alright, but don't say I didn't warn you if shit goes down all wrong. Wolves just can't be trusted," he stated.

"Dually noted," I replied before clapping my phone shut and ending the call.

I sat and stared at the cell in my hands, willing Bella to call me… text me… something, but nothing happened. So without further hesitation I dialed up the number to the Black residence, which I had snuck from Bella's phone during her short stay with us.

I dialed the number and waited for his frustratingly familiar voice to fill the line.

"Hello?" he answered.

"Jacob? Is this Jacob Black?" I asked.

"Well that depends on who the hell is asking," he stated.

"It's Edward Cullen," I replied.

"Holy, fucking shit! Edward Cullen, huh? Well… you'll have to forgive me if I'm not dancing with joy to hear from you; you know with you being a damned leech and all," he said sarcastically.

"Yeah, well you can trust that I wouldn't even be attempting this call if it weren't for Bella," I answered.

"What the fuck are you talking about? What's happened to Bella?" he asked, concern drowning the sarcasm.

"She's in danger," I stated.

"Well no shit, Sherlock. What the hell else is new? She's been in danger since the moment she laid eyes on you and your damned family," he spat.

"I am not the danger you mongrel," I seethed.

"Well then, do you mind getting on with whatever the fuck it is that you've called about… this conversation is testing my patience, and I've not had much tolerance for bullshit lately," he answered.

"There is another of my kind… a female, which does not respect rules, or treaties. She's after Bella, and reluctantly… I am requesting your help," I managed thru gritted teeth.

"You want my help? Really?" Jacob asked, surprised.

"She's still angry with me and somewhat untrusting. I don't want to admit this… especially to you, but… I think you may be able to get thru to her in a way that I can't…. with this anyway," I replied hesitantly.

"Are you saying that you need me?" Jacob antagonized.

"No! I'm saying that Bella needs you!" I corrected.

"Well, if Bella needs me she can let me know, and I haven't talked to Bella lately," he continued.

"I know that she's tried to call you, Jake. It isn't exactly her fault if you don't answer."

"And how the hell would you know that? If she's so untrusting, you wouldn't be around her to know that," he replied.

"Extra-sensitive hearing…. it's one of the perks of being a damned leech," I replied sarcastically. "And… when you left in your little fit, Bella knew something was off about you, so she came to me. She knows what you are, Jake."

BPOV

It had been a several days since my fall, and my leg seemed to be healing nicely, thanks to Carlisle's handy work. I hadn't seen Rob since I had asked him to leave, and even though my heart had decided that Edward was my choice, my head still had a hard time believing in him enough to let me give him a call. The call… the one where I would tell him that I still loved him with every breath of my being and that I could no longer deny my heart what my stubborn pride refused to admit. He was the only one for me, and without him I would always be missing a piece of myself; the most important piece of myself.

The days passed by, one by one, and I couldn't get him off my mind or out of my heart. I had never been more confused in my life. I wanted Edward, even if it meant risking my heart again, but I was surprised to find that I was also terrified of losing the strong part of myself. The part that had made me get up and face each day that he hadn't come back. How could I let her go? How could I just start over and forget everything that she had been thru to make me what I had become.

What have I become? Does this make me weak? I don't even know who I am anymore.

As I sat contemplating everything that had transpired, I heard Lala's voice bounding through the shop.

"Bella! Hey hooker, you've got a customer requesting you out front," she said, bouncing happily to the back room where I had decided to work for the day.

I had just needed some time to myself. I was still pretty annoyed with my friends and their significant others for thinking they had the right to talk all the shit they were talking that night in the kitchen. I still loved them, but I didn't have to like how they had been acting.

"Okay, tell them I'll be right out," I replied, sighing.

I rounded the corner, and took a few steps toward the counter, when I saw the full head of red spiraling tendrils. She turned to face me, and the devilish grin that spread from ear to ear gave me a chill. The kind of chill my mother used to say happened when "someone walked over your grave."

Oh my God! What the fuck? How? Why? What is she doing here? You know what she's doing here… she's here to finish it. You're going to die, and Edward will never have known that you've forgiven him; you'll never see him again.

The thought of never seeing Edward again made me blanch and get weak in the knees, as my heart sank. I always knew this day would find me eventually, but Edward had always been there to protect me. Where was my protector now? I had pushed him away, and made him feel unwanted. He was probably at home distracting himself, and forgetting about me.

"Bella, Bella, Bella." She called out my name slowly and deliberately; her eyes fixed on mine. "It's so good to see you again. You have no idea how long I've been waiting for us to get… re-acquainted."

"What do you want?" I asked coldly, already knowing the answer.

"Now Bella, is that any way to treat a dear old friend?" she asked in a condescendingly sweet tone. "I know your sweet lover boy has come back to you, and that just isn't going to work. See, it isn't fair that he gets to have you, when he took my James away from me. Look at it as evening things up, if you will."

"Edward will come for me; he's probably watching now," I replied, attempting to sound threatening, but it came out as more of a hopeful plea.

"I don't think he is," she replied unfazed.

I followed her gaze, shifting from me to look behind me. She was watching my friends. Ana had come in and was speaking with Lala and Lauren, who were both glancing in my direction, curious of the beautiful stranger. Joe had just unloaded a new box of supplies and was restocking everyone's stations. I quickly looked back at her, eyeing her with fear laced hatred. I had to get her attention focused back on me. I didn't want her hurting my friends.

"So what happens now?" I asked, waiting for my death sentence.

"Well Bella, now I'm going to let you get back to work, but don't worry I'll be around. We'll definitely be catching up on old times very soon," she replied. "Your friends look sweet; I wonder if they are as sweet as your boyfriend was the other night. He was so eager to please; I honestly don't know what you see in Edward that kept you from choosing him."

She has Rob? Had Rob? Oh God is he alive? What has she done to him?

"What have you done with him?" I demanded.

"Bye Bella, see you again soon," she answered, and then disappeared out the door.

I ran around the counter and barreled through the door to the sidewalk, but she was gone. She had Rob. That would explain why he hadn't called or been around the shop. Is he dead? How could I have let this happen? Why didn't I believe Edward when he told me that she was back? All of this could have been prevented if I had just listened to him.

As terrifying thoughts twisted around in my head, slamming into my skull, I quickly went back into the shop. Everyone was looking at me like I had lost my mind. Am I that transparent?

"Bella, what's going on?" Lala asked, concern furrowing her brow.

"Has anyone seen Rob?" I asked, trying to hide the quivering panic in my voice.

"Not since the pool party," Lala answered.

"Nope, he's been kinda distant after all that went down that night," Ana replied.

Turning my back on them, I dialed Rob's number from my cell; and his voicemail instantly picked up. "This is Rob, sorry I missed your call, you know what to do, beeeep!"

"Rob, this is Bella. Hey, I really need to talk to you, okay? Please just call me back as soon as you get this!" I clasp my phone shut.

Ana stepped forward grabbed me by the shoulders, spun me back around to face her, and shook me just a little to get me to focus on her.

"Bella, why are you freaking out? Honey, we need to know what's got you so spooked," she asked.

I blinked a couple times and shook my head to clear my thoughts before answering.

"That woman who just came in to see me… that's Victoria, and I think she's done something to Rob," I replied hesitantly. "It's complicated. I can't really explain right now," I continued, and as confusion overtook Ana's countenance, I picked up my phone again, and frantically began dialing the number that I had been so hesitant to call… until now. I had to call Edward.

EPOV

Five Days, that's how long it had been since I heard her sweet voice; the love that had become the reason for my existence. I sat kicked back on a bed that had never been slept on, thinking how lonely forever really would be without her.

How I had been hoping to someday watch Bella sleep in my bed; to watch her chest rise and fall, as her breathing slowed. I longed to hold her close; to hear her talk in her sleep, hoping to once again catch my name falling from her lips in adoration.

I closed my eyes and rested my head on the headboard, wallowing in my fantasy, when suddenly Alice bounded into my room in a panicked frenzy.

"What the hell has gotten into you, Alice? What's going on?" I asked in irritation that no one seemed to know how to knock around this place.

"Where's your phone?" She demanded, while rummaging through my room, knocking over anything in her path while she searched for my cell phone.

"What?" I retorted in confusion.

"Bella's going to call! Where's your damn phone?" She demanded again, but before I could inquire further, my cell phone, which had been carefully tucked away in the pocket of my jeans, began to ring.

"Bella?" I greeted hesitantly answering the phone.

"Edward! Oh Thank God you answered! Listen… I'm sorry, okay! I should have listened! You know me better than I know myself, and I should have trusted you! I'm sorry I didn't believe you! I'm so sorry, okay? Oh God, I'm such a fuck up!" she rambled.

Something's wrong.

I glanced at Alice and she somberly nodded her head. Something was definitely going on.

"Hold on, Bella. What are you talking about? You're perfect, "I replied, trying to calm her down so that I could get a grip on what was happening that had her so upset.

"She's here, Edward! You were right, she's really fucking here! I think she took him!" she replied, as she began to cry.

"Okay… calm down… tell me what happened!" I begged, beginning to panic myself.

"Victoria came to the shop. Edward, I think she has Rob."

It suddenly felt like my skin began to boil. Victoria got to Bella? She talked to her? How the fuck could I have let this happen?

"Where are you at right now? Are you hurt? Bella, what did she do?" I asked frantically.

"I'm still at the shop. She didn't touch me, she just warned me that she is around and that I'll be seeing her again soon. Edward, I'm really fucking scared now. I need you… I always have," she sighed heavily.

"You stay there, you hear me! I'm coming to get you!" I replied, already headed out the door and toward my car. "I love you Bella! I'm on my way, just… be safe. I'll be there soon," I replied.

Before hanging up, she whispered through the line "I love you too; I'll be waiting for you."