As I heard those words, I stopped. Was he serious? It was a sunny day today, and he was out now. Did he think I was that stupid, that I wouldn't notice. Why did he feel the need to torment me?
"Bella, please" he said behind me. I spun around to face him. His eyes seemed pained somehow.
"Edward, I don't understand. The sun is out right now, and you're here." I felt the tears form in my eyes, waiting to spill over at his lame excuse
"I can't go into direct sunlight. My skin reacts 'differently' than normal," he said softly
"What do you mean by "differently"?
"Please, don't press this, I truly can't explain right now."
I looked into his eyes and decided to not continue this line of questioning. This wasn't over, not by a long shot.
"Whatever Edward. I need to get back home. Would you like to come with me?"
"I'd love too, but…" he gestured up to the tree covered sky
"Oh" I looked away and then began to walk away.
"But I could come over later tonight" he said hopeful
"No, don't worry about it. I'll see you around" I waved as I made my way back towards the trail
I finally found the house and noticed Charlie had company. The Black's, Fantastic I mumbled
I entered the house to hushed voices, and as I went into the living room I saw them and tried to smile.
"How was your walk?" Charlie asked, "You didn't over do it. Did you?" he asked cautiously
"No dad, I'm fine." I said turning my gaze to Billy.
I walked over to where he sat; I passed Jake who watched me intently. I bent down and took Billy's hand, holding it in both of mine. "I never got a chance to really thank you Billy, for yesterday. You saved me." I stated simply "You and Sam saved me. If you hadn't…" I trailed off imagining the horrors that could have befallen me
"Bella, I'm just glad we were able to help you." Billy said his eyes sweet and kind. I let go of his hand and placed a kiss on his cheek.
"Thank you" I turned to meet Jake's eyes. I looked right past him to Charlie, and walked toward the kitchen "Dad, is there anything I can fix you for lunch?"
"No Bella" Charlie said with an angry tone "You should be resting. I'll bring you up something." I rolled my eyes at him
"I insist" he continued and I just gave up and went to my room.
Charlie was right; I was feeling a bit tired after the walk. I went to the bathroom and got a glass of water. Gulping that down, I looked into the mirror and noticed a slight sheen of sweat on my forehead.
I wiped my forehead, and it felt warm to my touch. I grabbed a washcloth and ran it under the faucet. I stumbled to my room, and crashed onto the bed. Placing the cloth on my forehead. The coolness felt wonderful against my hot skin. I closed my eyes to relax, but then heard a knock at the door.
Without opening my eyes I said, "Come in dad"
The door creaked open "It's me, not Charlie" Jake said softly he must have really looked at me because the next thing he asked was if I needed to go to the hospital.
I felt the bed indent as it took his weight. I felt him cup my cheek "Oh, Bella" he sighed "I will never be able to forgive myself for the way I treated you."
When he spoke like that, I couldn't stay angry with him. I pulled the cloth off my head and opened my eyes.
"Oh Jake!" I cried and I sat up and wrapped my arms around him, catching him off guard. He chuckled at my reaction
"I should make you angry with me more often" he laughed softly but soon his laughter was cut off by him crushing his lips to mine. My eyes widened at his abruptness but then closed my eyes and kissed him back.
His kiss was different than Edward's. There was more heat, more desperation with this one. I pulled away from him and began to sob on his shoulder "Oh Jake, I was so terrified. I was so alone."
"You'll never have to be alone again Bella" he said, as he kissed the top of my head. "There is something I'm going to tell you, and I don't want you to freak out"
I looked at him confused, and he just smiled. He seemed very happy about something, and I didn't know what"
"What is it Jake?"
"Well, that's what we are here for. When I was sick at home and you came over…"
"Oh crap!" I said falling back on the bed
"What? What is it Bella?" he asked quickly
"That's what must be wrong with me. I must have caught this from you that day. Billy warned me to stay away." I muttered
"You wouldn't have caught anything from me, I wasn't contagious" he smiled briefly and then his expression turned worried "What's wrong Bells?"
"I'm just feeling a bit out of it"
"Bella, I'm going to get Charlie" he said and moved towards the door.
I jumped up and tried to block him. "Jake, please don't worry Charlie. It's nothing. I promise. Just a little cold, that's all." I smiled and placed my head on his chest. I heard the rhythm of his heart and it calmed me.
"I can't let anything happen to you. Now that I've found you," he said as his eyes moved over my face and as his hand caressed my check I closed my eyes and fell into blackness.
Through the darkness I could hear Jake's worried voice. I felt myself being rushed downstairs
"Charlie, something's wrong with Bella."
"Jake calm down" I heard Billy say calmly
"I can't loose her already dad. She's mine…I cant live without her," he cried
"I know son," Billy said, his tone trying to sooth his son
"Her Doctor is on his way" Charlie interjected or so I thought. This all occurred in a haze as my eyes fluttered open.
"What happened?" I said disoriented
"You fainted Bella" Charlie said I felt his hand on my forehead "And you're burning up. I knew you should have rested more. You over did it," he scolded, but he seemed angrier with himself for not stopping me when he had a chance
"I'm sorry dad." Was all I managed as I heard the doorbell ring. Billy must have gone to the door, because I saw Jake and Charlie hovering over me, both had concerned faces.
It seemed like time stopped as I waited for the Doctor. What was taking Billy so long at the door?
"Dr Cullen thank god you're here!" Charlie cried
But Jake's reaction was totally unexpected. He pulled me up into his arms, and I thought he was shaking violently, or was it me. I couldn't tell.
"He's not going to touch her!" Jake cried out
"Please Jacob Black, please just put Bella down" Dr Cullen pleaded with him
"Jake" Billy said firmly "Do as the Doctor says"
"But he's a va-" Jake began but was cut off
"Enough!" Charlie screamed "Jake, please put Bella down. She's sick Jake, she needs help."
Jake seemed to calm and I felt the hesitation as he placed me down on the sofa.
"I'm watching you"
"Bella?" Dr Cullen questioned, "How long have you been feeling like this?"
He waited for my answer, as I looked at his face and smiled "Doctor Cullen" I sighed
"Yes Bella. I'm here"
"I feel cold." As I felt a chill rock through me
"But she has a fever" Charlie added
"She has and infection of some kind. Further testing will determine what it is and the best treatment option."
"Is it from the treatment?" Charlie asked
"She most likely was getting sick before we started the treatment. If we had known we would have waited to begin the chemotherapy"
"Is there a problem?" Charlie asked anxiously
"Well, the Chemotherapy as you know weakens the immune system. But if she already had a weak immune system from an infection, well we just need to get her to the hospital for some further test." Dr Cullen said
"No" I croaked, "Please don't make me go to the hospital"
My expression must have been frantic, because each of the men had the same look of concern on their faces
"I know that this would be unorthodox, but I could treat Bella at my home." Dr Cullen said
"NO WAY!" Jake shouted and everyone turned to him "She will not stay in a house full of…"
"Watch yourself young one" Dr Cullen said calmly
"No, it's not possible" Jake continued
"I couldn't ask you to do that Dr Cullen." Charlie said and then looked at me "Bella, you need to go to the hospital"
I got up slowly and walked slowly to the sink. I felt thirsty again and drank some more water.
"Bella?" Charlie said
"May I speak with Dr Cullen alone?" I said noticing Billy practically had to restrain Jake, but Charlie just nodded his head and soon we were alone.
"Bella?" Dr Cullen question
I turned to look at him, "What's wrong with Edward?" I asked and my question took him by surprise
"I'm sorry what?" he hesitated
"He told me today why he couldn't take me to the hospital-"
"He told you?" he seemed surprised and looked at me skeptically
"Yes, well I knew that the 'camping' was a lie."
"What exactly did he tell you?"
"He told me…" I paused as I remembered exactly what he had said
"What, what did he tell you?" Dr Cullen pressed and I felt his hand squeezing my arm a little too hard
I tried to pull away, but I couldn't escape his grasp "Please, Dr Cullen. Let me go." He didn't respond, he just stared at me intently waiting for my answer
"Carlisle please" I cried as the tears fell
He seemed to come out of some type of daze "Oh, Bella. I'm so terribly sorry!" he cried out disgusted with himself as he release my arm.
I looked down and saw a bruise forming, and I looked up. "What are you?" I managed before I passed into the darkness once more.
I woke up in the hospital, to the sound of beeping. My heart, I realized and closed my eyes. I opened them quickly, because out of the corner of my eye I saw Edward was sitting in a chair.
"Edward?" I croaked
"I'm right here Bella." He said brushing some hair from my face
"Where is Charlie? Jake?" I questioned, as I spoke the last name I noticed a scowl cross Edward's face
"What?" I asked
"It's nothing. I'm just not sure your 'friend' Jake isn't too happy to know we are acquainted" he smiled
"Is that why he seemed to freak out when your dad came to my house?"
"Something like that."
"Where's Charlie?" I asked again
"He's talking with Carlisle, you were just dehydrated from the treatment. The gave you some IV fluids and they're going to send you home soon."
"Thank God" I said relieved "I hate hospitals"
Charlie and Carlisle came into the room talking; when they noticed I was awake they stopped. "Bella" Charlie cried and bent down to hug me
"I'm fine dad. When can I leave Dr Cullen?"
"I just need to sign your discharge papers, then you can go"
"Thank you," I said as I swung my legs over to the edge. Charlie helped me up and we walked out of the room together.
As we approached the waiting area, Jake and Billy had been waiting.
"Thank god!" Jake breathed as he rushed to take my hand.
"I'm fine. No worries, just a bit dehydrated"
"I'll go get the car." Charlie said as he wheeled Billy out with him
Jake wrapped his arms around me and held me close to him desperately. His heart beating erratically "Bella, I couldn't bear to lose you."
"Bella" I turned to see Edward watching us. I extricated myself from Jake's grasp and moved towards Edward. Jake tugged on my arm and I looked at his face, he was full of concern, but why?
"Just a sec Jake" I said
I walked over to Edward, and he too held me close to his chest. I closed my eyes and heard…nothing! I opened my eyes, and looked into his as his mouth came down on mine gently. I swear I heard Jake growl.
"Bella, would you mind if Alice and I checked in on you tomorrow."
"That would be great. I haven't seen Alice in a while, and we need to talk" I smiled and waved as I went back toward Jake. He was glaring at Edward and I was shocked to see Edward was also staring daggers at Jake.
I stopped in my place, almost directly between the two of them. I was frustrated by their reactions
"What the hell is wrong with you two?" they both stared at me in shock at my reaction.
"It's not like your mortal enemies!" I mumbled under my breath and walked out the door to Charlie's cruiser