A/N: WOW Ten chapters

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Chapter 10

In a white home, at the edge of the forest.

I perched on the edge of the sofa, watching each breath he took. Edward had been through so much in the past few hours. He seemed calmer when I placed my hand on his head, so I left it resting there; my fingers brushing his forehead and occasionally twirling his hair, his soft bronze hair that had curled slightly after the dampness of the woods. His face was so soft, so approachable in the act of sleeping. His eyelashes were thick and dark against his cheeks. The colored flush that had angrily spread over his continence had lightened to a soft, healthy hue. I stared at his lips, trying to lose myself in thought.

When I reached home, I had found Carlisle in his study and I asked him to hunt; so we set off from the edge of our property, following a herd of deer as they drifted toward civilization. This ridge was rarely frequented by anyone in town. A few years back a heavy rainstorm had washed out much of the old logging / fire road and it had now been abandoned by walkers and joggers, the trail entrances obscured, grown over and forgotten. It was our close, convenient spot.

We didn't get a chance to really talk, with the scent and the sound; as the perfect essence of HIM was born on the breeze. Almost the same instant as that reached us, the steady heartbeat stuttered, sped up as "SHEE….T!" Echoed off of the tree walls.

We reached the end of the ravine where the trail had edged along the steep side, leading down to the creek that ran along the bottom. Edward seemed to have awkwardly rolled to the bottom, but he was a little too still for either of our sensibilities.

It only took a blink for us to reach him. He was lying just out of the water, eyes mercifully closed against our speed.

"His ankle looks sprained, not a worry, but his head seems to have taken a solid hit," Carlisle commented as he quickly examined his sudden patient. Before he was fully alert we got him to the top of the ravine, Carlisle then left for home to get his car as I stood watch.

What was coming over me? I had not been able to breathe until I saw his cheeks flush with color and his chest expand. I would have given… given anything to see his bright green eyes. I sent a silent prayer to a God I wasn't sure would listen.

I was rewarded with a flash of emerald.

"Whaaa?" He mumbled, trying to sit up against my hold, as gentle as I could figure to make it.

"Shhh Edward, you ran right off the road – or the road just left you."

"Bella!"

"Bella? Why are you here?" His eyes were pretty.

Pretty focused.

Full on curious, looking at me.

Why, why was I here?

You.

You Edward are a big reason why I am here. I couldn't admit that to him, at least not yet. I could barely admit it to myself.

" You are almost on my land now – so I should be asking you." I chuckled a little bit in my response. He rewarded me with a sheepish grin as the sound of Emmett's Jeep growling up the trail drowned out any of his possible speech.

A short trip via the ER for an x-ray to rule out the worst of my fears ended with Carlisle assigning me care duties until Charlie came home. Edward had been a bit embarrassed to

find himself in this situation, but glad to have the offer of resting at home. Going home with Charlie in the cruiser – it just made him cringe a bit.

So here I sat, gazing at his lips – his beautiful lips.

They were parted ever so slightly in his sleep.

I had never been this close to a human, since, well ever.

Sleeping under the stars, under a wing? It was almost an errant thought, it three pointed on the edge of my train of thought, distracting me – or enticing me to move a bit closer.

Tempting.

Tempted.

I

Was

Tempted.

Tempted to brush my lips with his.

He shifted on the couch, leaving me a bit more space. He didn't wince at the contact his shoulder made with the cushion. Carlisle had to pop it back in, he remarked it was pretty limber, but he had still kept him out for that part.

"So soft, your hand feels perfect and soft" Edward mumbled,

He was talking in his sleep – or maybe the Percoset was.

"Magical.." He reached for my other hand, lifting it to his lips.

I held my breath

He kissed my hand, sliding it along the velvet and bristles of his cheek.

I felt off kilter, almost dizzy. Ohhhhh so, so…

"Magically Delicious"

"So, so I'm an Elf?" I tried to keep my voice light, but it felt thick to my ears.

"No, no you're too special for that, Beauoo… Bella?"

I knew it was the drugs, I knew it.

"Sorry, I'm drifting here, tell me about it later." Edward finished

I brushed his head again, the hair whispering on my skin, sending jolts along my arm, all over...

He continued to hold my other hand, pulling me closer to his face.

"No worries. Laters," I ghosted my fingers across his forehead.

"Laters, laters, I'll kiss you better, laters, better, …..Bella…in my dream…"

I froze, waiting for the venom to well up…

waiting, waiting.

I felt his breath on my cheek as his scent soaked into my skin.

I brushed my lips across his.

Oh God,

It was warm velvet, sweet and smoky.

Damm Carlisle, what are you planting, making me wait here. Who was I kidding – I could be sitting across the room in what I guessed was the Chief's favorite chair.

I was old enough to know better – wasn't I?

I sat up, twisting his hair. His hand had fallen with mine to his chest; I could feel each breath and heartbeat.

They were my reality.

My world.

I was in Love

A Fathers' concern….

I'd been startled by the cell ringing on my hip, just after a good long cast into the river. I recognized the hospital ring, wondering why a deputy hadn't taken the call. It was a slight jolt to hear Carlisile's voice

"Chief Swan, it's Carlisle Cullen. Not to have you worry, but Edward had a fall and got a bit banged up. I'm going to bring him over to your house and have Bella stay there until you come back." His voice was informative, not at all anxious or concerned. That helped.

"Dr. Cullen, ah thanks. What happened? How banged up?" I am sure my worry leaked into my delivery.

"Not exactly sure, he was on the old fire-log road on the wooded parcel that we brought on our southern border. Bella found him; his ankle's sprained, he loosened his shoulder and took a good bump to the head. He'll be tender on the ankle for a week or so, the rest should be better by Monday, but the bump on the head...well, Bella can stay."

"I was planning to be back in a few hours, but I can be there in one."

"Oh, good, though he's in good hands- He'll be more alert by 6 or so, and probably hungry, we found him a little before noon, I made sure all was well first."

"Thanks again, Dr.."

"Chief, call me Carlisle," he cut me off.

"Ok… say, what does Bella like on Pizza? The least I can do is feed her for staying."

Carlisle didn't hesitate, "Oh, not necessary, but Bella would be fine with anything."

He sounded warm, and that gave me a bit of ease. I had forgotten to tell Edward that the old road he used to run and play on had been lost to a heavy rain. I had forgotten that he didn't realize Forks had different dangers than the desert.

The phone rang again, this time I would be delayed. Something had killed a maintenance worker at the refinery. I called Carlisle back, warning him of my delay.

Duty called, again I felt I was putting Edward in the back seat, at least I knew he was in Bella's care.

Good hands.

I hung up, and looked over at Bella.

"I don't mind." She replied with almost a real smile

"I figured as much. Bella, we'll do whatever we can for you."

I knew she heard my thoughts. Care, my daughter, I know about Alice's vision; the other vision.

I drew in a sharp breath. Alice had come to me early this morning. She had shared with me a startling glimpse – of Edward and Bella standing in a snow covered field. Edward was in a blue oxford shirt and jeans. Bella was in a dress. – She NEVER wore dresses, at least since the sixties.

Edward's eyes were red

Not crying red.

Newborn red.

Alice had called it their destiny. I worried she'd see it as a disaster.

I hadn't made up my mind.

Yet.

A/N

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