Thank you Kamerreon for Editing! This is now where Edward's thoughts are no longer separated. It's easier now that they're closer together. If You've read my other stuff you know what I mean.

Chapter Six

Neville came by after school, his eyes were wide with concern and he looked worried. So, Harry had no time to sit and ponder the mystery that was Edward Cullen and his beautiful family.

"How are you? Everyone's talking, what happened? No one's sure but Cho said she was there, she'd been in a minor collision with an SUV and she saw your car flip and catch fire!" It was spoken so quickly that Harry hardly had time to register everything that had been said.

"Oh, Neville!" Harry patted him on the arm. "I'm fine, Edward saved me. He saw the ice and the intersection up ahead before I did. He threw us from the truck."

Neville stared wide-eyed. "Really? Wow… what was Edward doing with you?" He asked interested.

Harry smiled sheepishly. "He came by to make sure I got to school safely."

"That's nice." He said earnestly. "As far as I know the Cullens have never spoken to anyone, more than a few lines. You're the first."

Harry blushed and placed some pieces of his hair behind his ears. "Hum, well, Edward saved me from the worst of it. I think I got the concussion when the top of my head collided with the truck."

"Ouch." Neville winced. "I'm so glad you're alright. You're my first real friend Harry…" He was nervous and blushing right through his hair. He stared wide-eyed at the cover over Harry's frame, afraid to look up.

"Nev?"

"Hm?"

"You're my first best friend too."

Gaping, Neville raised his head. "Wha-? Are you serious?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah, you're the first friend I've ever had and even more than that now."

"How can I be your first friend? You're so - nice and easy to get along with. You make an entire room happy with just your presence!"

It was Harry's turn to blush. He twisted his fingers together nervously. What did he say to Neville? "I - don't know. I suppose that those from my old town and school were too - hum - immature for me maybe. London is huge and so I'm one in a thousand students in school."

"Yes, but out of a crowd you are easy to spot!" Neville declared. "I mean - as a friend Harry, you're notoriously beautiful…"

Harry choked, his cheeks blazing with Neville's. "No I'm not." He shook his head quickly. How could Neville think that?

"Dammit, Harry you are. Edward Cullen talks to you." Neville pointed out. "That is proof right there! For the two years that him and his family have been in Forks they have never spoken to anyone in lengthy sentences."

"That was a fluke, an accident."

"No, it wasn't. Please, as your best friend, believe me?"

Harry shook his head again and chuckled quietly. "You're silly Nev, but I'll drop it. You're making me blush and feel all funny." All funny, because you mentioned Edward didn't talk to others… and he talked to me… why me? Harry asked his mind. What was so special about me? "It's weird you say that - I didn't think Edward liked me that first day."

Neville stared. "Oh? Why not?"

Harry shrugged. "I simply got that impression."

"Hmm, is that why you were sad?"

"Partly. Let's not talk about this here. His father Dr. Cullen is around here somewhere."

Neville laughed. "Okay I gotcha. So when are you getting out of here?"

"No idea… have you come to spring me?" Harry asked hopefully.

"I could hoist you on my back and try and make a run for it -"

Harry laughed happily. "Hmm, well that has merit. How far do you think we'd get before we got bombarded with nurses?"

"Or I fall over."

"I'm not that fat!"

"I'm not that strong." Neville pointed out dryly.

Edward is. Harry thought to himself. Edward Cullen was very strong. He pried Harry's doors off, he held Harry as though he were a rag doll and launched himself out of the truck and made absolutely sure that he was the one who hit the pavement back first and not Harry.

… no human being in this world could have done that, except perhaps Superman. Harry snorted inwardly at the thought, but then he started.

Was it possible that there was a human Superman in this world? It sounded so bogus and preposterous to the logical mind but Harry mentally slapped it. He needed to think of all possibilities here, even the loony-bin-worthy-ones. He would tell no one of this, ever. He would take it to his grave. Whatever it was that Edward and his family were, they were obviously trying to keep it a secret from the small town.

A small town that was stuffed up everyone's butts. Ouch, it was bad. He wondered if Edward's family had flipped out over this. He wouldn't have been surprised and in fact, he could see the massive one threatening Edward and cringed at the image.

"You okay?" Neville asked touching Harry's shoulder.

Whoops, he must have cringed visibly. "Yes, I was just thinking of what the outcome could have been." Harry fibbed. "And I'm hungry!"

"Ooh! What do you want?"

"Candy?" He said sheepishly. "Lollies, chocolates, liquorice oh my…" His mouth was watering now. "-And a lemonade to make me flinch and pull faces to wash it down."

Neville laughed.

"I wonder if dad tried blowing up the house yet." He then wondered aloud.

"Blow up the house?" Neville squeaked. "How?"

"Trying to cook."

"Ooh!"

"Perhaps, he would purposely blow it up if Snape was involved." Harry mused. Sounds nice!

"Snape?"

"My stupid step father. I hate him." Harry hissed.

"Ah," Neville nodded in understanding. "How's the head?"

"Better, a dull headache but nothing I can't deal with outside of the hospital."

When Neville left, Harry sat back and grimaced at the annoying one pillow that didn't help the stiffness of his neck and body. He was tired of lying in this brightly lit hospital. But while he was here and momentarily alone he began to think about Edward again… the Cullens.

What were they? His mind screamed. He opened up the creative part of his mind and crossed his ankles over each other. He pinched the bridge of his nose. He could simply ask… but he knew the answers he would get.

'I don't know.' Or something along those lines.

So, this meant that Harry would have to work it out himself. How Edward created the impossible.

Harry knew he should be dead right now. He should be all burnt up and his father should be in the morgue right now identifying him. But he wasn't. Here he was with a small concussion and a stiff neck.

Edward was unharmed, 'minor scratches' yeah right. There wasn't a blemish on Edward. Nothing; not even a mark.

He was cold, his hands were freezing, and he felt like porcelain. Like a walking statue and the fact that he sometimes 'didn't' blink.

Dr. Cullen was cold too, even though that was a hospital, and a doctor trait, Harry was going to believe that they were always cold. The whole pale family.

A family of enigmas trying to hide in a small town. That was why; Dr. Cullen wasn't in a big town being paid big bucks for his medical experience. They were hiding.

Harry knew he shouldn't pry but his curiosity niggled his mind. What could it hurt if only he knew? He didn't want to spread it, he wanted to know and for himself and nobody else. He wished Edward would trust him enough to know that Harry would keep his secrets.

But, then, why would Edward trust him? Edward didn't know him. There were no grounds to trust Harry Potter.

"A penny for your thoughts?" The beautiful voice of the man on his mind stood gracefully at the foot of his bed, hands shoved into a dark brown leather jacket that was thin and looked to be made from the finest material. Tousled hair that annoyed Harry to no end, simply because he had the instinct to run his fingers through it… his heart raced as he stared into the concerned, rare eyes of gold. A strange feeling of giddiness overwhelmed him. Edward was here to see him! His heart raced faster and harsher if it were possible. The excitement coursed through him in a rare factor. He'd never been so thrilled to have someone show up at the hospital for him. God his eyes…

That was another thing. The family wasn't related specifically, but they had the same eyes, though Harry liked them on Edward the best.

Harry willed his heart to slow down and smiled gently. "Nothing of importance." He fibbed.

Edward arched a perfect eyebrow. "I don't believe that. It took you two whole minutes to notice my presence." He teased.

Edward had gotten to the hospital a little over twenty minutes ago, but he saw Harry's friend Neville and the concerns running through the boy's mind and so, he decided to wait and let the human talk to Harry and what he found out through Neville's mind had shocked him through the core. Neville was Harry's first real friend. Edward had focused on the image in Neville's head, the outline of Harry's sweet face, the sincerity… those emerald eyes.

How the hell could this be? Edward's mind had growled. He demanded to know how Harry never had a real friend all his life. This was impossible! Harry was- well - Neville said it, perfect in all human rights. He was sweet, playful, funny, and easy to get along with. What warranted such actions? Harry's voice was sincere and then when he spoke of the day Edward had nearly killed Harry, he went motionless. He hadn't wanted to be reminded of that day. The burn in his throat was enough every second of the hour. He couldn't help but grin, when Neville mentioned that if Harry hadn't been beautiful, Edward wouldn't have given him the time of day.

That wasn't true. Edward wasn't vain like Rosalie. Harry's beauty was just a large part of who he was naturally. It wasn't a generic beauty. It was genuine.

"Hm?" Edward pressed.

Harry was floored. He'd been standing there for two whole minutes? He gulped. How could he have not noticed Edward Cullen's presence? Edward was so silent in his movements. How was this possible? "Hum."

Chuckling, Edward pulled out a packet of chocolate. Harry perked. "Ooh! You gots chocolate."

"I do." Edward turned it over in those flawless hands. He loved how Harry looked eyeing the chocolate with childish fascination. "I don't really know what to do with it though…" He said offhandedly. It wasn't like he would want it. It smelled good but he knew it would taste so awful.

Tease! Harry's mind groused. "I do…" He said cheekily.

Edward paused in his movements. "Do you? Tell me what you're thinking and it's all yours."

Hey! Harry thought. That's not fair! "Why do you care what I think?" He settled on. Harry didn't want to lie to Edward but he certainly didn't want to tell him the truth either. He tried to slow his heart rate down. For some reason, seeing the beautiful teen caused such drama inside of him. He didn't know why either.

Edward resisted telling him the actual truth and instead kept it vague. He listened to Harry's pulse as it quickened and surged. He must have been thinking hard for Edward's comment to drive his body to race that fast. "Plenty of reasons." He remained at the foot of the bed; just this small distance was agonising bliss, if there was such a thing. Harry was all over the room, the covers, the bed, and the pillow. Edward would give anything to lay down in it and consume it. He swallowed the venom down his throat. Still becoming barely bearable and if it wasn't for the creature laying in bed staring up at him with the most expressive eyes and personality Edward had ever seen, he would wonder why he was allowing such misery to consume him.

Harry could feel the heat burn his face; he nonchalantly raked his fingers through his hair and tugged at the ends. "Thank you, by the way."

"For what?" Edward asked, enjoying the blood flooding Harry's cheeks. He wanted to reach over and slide a finger along it, but he knew that was a no, no. He couldn't touch, as much as he wanted too.

"Saving me."

The way he said it, so sincere and so modest. If he only knew, that Edward had wanted to tear him in two and drain him of every drop of blood that inhabited his sweet little body. But now, he wanted more than his own life for Harry to live. To remain alive, breathing, and whole. He pushed back the thoughts of what Carlisle said and what Emmett briefly mentioned. He wouldn't allow that. He would not curse Harry with something so horrible as their existence. He couldn't. He vowed to protect not hurt. Not anymore. "What else was I supposed to do? I don't think that warrants a thank you, for doing what I had to do." Edward knew how his tone sounded.

Always so damn cryptic! Harry groused inwardly, he was unconsciously relishing the fact that the arcane man was using so many words in his sentence. The more words he used, the longer he stayed. It was Harry's sense of logic.

"I think it does." Harry reciprocated. He wondered how to word what he wanted to say next. "Especially, when I know you put your family at risk of exposing your secrets."

Edward's face, while expressionless, revealed everything at the same time. He stilled completely and turned into the statue of marble Harry had suspected. There was no blink and the chocolates were immobile, encased in those pale hands.

"So I want to thank you, for trusting me to keep silent."

Edward was completely and utterly perplexed, by Harry's words and statement. He was shaken from his reverie and spoke as calm as he could, although, he knew it was futile. "I don't - know what you are talking about."

"Edward," Harry admonished shaking his head. "Don't act like that. I am far from stupid. I am not going to question you…"

Edward kept from smiling again. The way he was admonished, the sweet essence of his voice and the way the words rolled off his tongue. Oh, Harry, I know you aren't stupid. I know very well. I can't tell you though. "No?" Edward asked, allowing his surprise to shine through.

"Not like I'd get a straight answer anyway." Harry put in. "Resorting to stomping on your foot for all the 'I don't knows.' might actually put me in danger of bruising myself."

The instinct to laugh took Edward over and he allowed it to come out, low and humble, keeping in mind that he was 'human.' If that didn't deserve what Harry wanted… he looked down at the chocolates in his hands and then tossed them with ginger ease toward Harry.

Catching them with perfect reflexes, Harry recognised the freezing cold sensation of the chocolates through the plastic. Hmm, very cold, as though they had been in a refrigerator.

Edward's hands.

Hmm.

"Thank you!" Harry chirped. "Anyway, I know it's none of my business. I won't lie and tell you I'm not curious." He mused pulling out a chilled chocolate and popping it in his mouth. Oh man, that was heavenly, as heavenly as what was standing before him. Edward seemed speechless. "Why don't you stay awhile?" Harry asked hopefully. "Or… you could call that Dr. father of yours and get him to spring me early-" He tried his best to play innocent and all it got him was a low musical chuckle.

Edward inched closer, like he was afraid of something. Harry didn't understand and every step he took seemed to be a struggle for him. "That depends, how is your head?" He asked with worry. That had been the main reason he was here. To make sure Harry was safe and unharmed.

He crept along the bed and resisted reaching out and touching the foot that was stuck out. He wondered what would happen if he grazed his fingers across Harry's under foot. Was he ticklish?

"It's fine!" He tried to will Edward to believe him. "I'm just bored… hungry... Thirsty!" His throat was dry as a bone.

Whoops! Human needs. "Oh." Edward said. "You need a drink."

Harry sheepish. "Can I get up and get it?"

Not likely beautiful creature. "No." Edward shot him a look. "I'll get it for you. Lemonade?" Even though he had no idea why Harry would want it when every time he drank it he'd make a face as though he didn't like it.

Harry nodded. "Thank you."

Edward smiled too wistfully while walking out. Harry's words were turning him human with a fiery burn in his throat. He found that he was able to control the burn and will it down. It wasn't easy, took a lot of energy and if Edward had been remotely human with human energy he'd have died trying.

Harry was left to marvel over Edward. He was also left with a speeding heart and a flush so radiant on his cheeks that when he touched them he could feel the heat.

No one had ever done that before. How did he do it? Harry huffed visibly and then moaned when he realised he probably looked like crap where he was. He looked around for a reflection. Something! Anything!

But there was nothing and when he moved a ding in his head caused him to yelp and fall back to the bed "Ow." He breathed rubbing the surge in his head.

As Harry shifted, he continued to flinch at the pain. Edward swept back through, his eyes wide with worry. Harry had been caught, cause his eyes were watering with slight pain and he had no idea how much it unnerved Edward to see such pain.

"I heard you-"

Harry gushed and lowered his head. "I'm fine…" How'd he hear from all the way outside?

"No you're not…" Edward gripped the bottle of lemonade in his hands. "You're in pain…"

Harry's shoulders slumped. "Just an ache…"

Edward was stony. "Did I cause this?" The swallowing seemed to be continuous, like he had a mouthful of something.

Harry gaped. How could Edward think such a thing? His heart raced but for an entirely different reason. Edward was not to blame for anything. "No! My head hit the top of the roof when it went up… I know that much. You didn't cause anything. You saved my life…" He then looked at the lemonade. "Drink?"

"Oh, yes." Edward was shaken from what were obviously troubled thoughts. He held it out.

Harry watched him, the slow extension of his hand as though he were afraid of insulting Harry by moving too fast. The lemonade was suddenly out of the picture and instead of taking it like he was supposed too, Harry took a plunge and while making the lemonade fall from Edward's grip, plopping into Harry's lap.

Harry replaced it with one hand inside and the other on the outside. A sizzling shocking sensation made Harry resist flinching. His heart raced and his blood boiled over like it was on a stove.

Jesus! He was icebox cold.

It was Edward who flinched. "Wha-?"

"Wait!" Harry pleaded, holding as tightly onto Edward's hand as he possibly could. "Don't yank away…"

Oh, God! Edward's mouth and throat caught on fire. Something inside was begging to lose control. He groaned inwardly, what was Harry doing? Why was he doing this, oh his hands were so warm, filled with hot blood surging. Gentle, sweet, scent. Edward thought he might convulse, his mind clouded over. "Harry-" He hissed in weak warning. "Don't-" Please beautiful creature, don't! Edward's mind screamed. Don't do this… you feel so good.

Harry however, continued to breath heavy, while twisting his hands into the still ones that did feel like porcelain. Something was taking Harry's entire mind over. He drew his legs closer and something inside longed to launch himself at Edward, why? He didn't know! It was terrifying.

"Wait…" Harry stuttered. "I like your hands…"

"No you don't." Edward's teeth were clenched and he nearly choked on all the venom. "Harry…"

"Am I hurting you? Just touching…?" Harry asked with concern.

How did he answer? Edward couldn't describe the feel. It was hot to touch, sizzling even. He could feel that blood flow through those fingers and palm. Feel the lines on said palm and he longed to bring it to his lips… kiss… and then his throat longed to go further. The venom told him so. "Harry… you don't know what you're doing…"

"Don't I?" Harry's beautiful voice whispered so clearly. "Are you sure?"

"Definitely." Edward turned and stared Harry in the eyes. Deep gold on deep green. "You - are -" He stopped. "When I told you that you smelled too amazing for your own good, I was not kidding." He bared his teeth, showing off the razor sharp whites just behind his perfected pink lips.

Harry resisted the convulsive shiver when Edward told him this. So they weren't human… too beautiful for humans. Too cold for humans… a human this cold would be dead. Keen senses, amazing reflexes to the utmost extreme. Strength beyond all that was possible.

Harry didn't flinch nor did he move away from Edward. Instead, he continued to play with Edward's hand, tracing his index finger along the open palm. Edward allowed him some leeway, by turning it over almost too fast and showing no ridges. No small indention lines on the inside palms. He was perfect.

He wasn't sure if his mind could wrap around the word. But he knew now that there was no way Edward and the Cullens were human. That was a fact that even his logical mind could comprehend.

"God - feels - good." Edward's eyes went shut and Harry smiled minutely. "You've- no idea…" No one, nowhere, and no how had ever touched him this way. It was like a flame gliding around across him. A warm nice flame, the jolted currents making his body feel like a human.

He felt real… Harry's warm, pulling human touch was worth going to hell over. His entire life of damned eternity was all worth it for this one second… to have this beautiful sweet little human so close, so delicious, and so… "Harry…" They couldn't do this here; not with a hospital full of people, nurses, anyone could walk in. What would Carlisle say?

But at the moment, he didn't particularly care. He had never felt so - so - alive. ALIVE, really truly… alive. Not dead or undead. There was life… he felt life. If Edward had the ability to cry with overwhelming fright and happiness blending together, he would have.

Harry watched Edward's face. He was so inevitably still but somehow, Harry could see past it. He saw a brief second in relaxation of revelation as though Edward had been waiting and waiting for a touch so simple. Harry wondered what it was doing to him. "Yes, Edward?"

"It's killing me -"

"What is?"

"You." He groused.

Giggling, Harry arched an eyebrow, still following the paths of his fingers going around and around Edward's strange skin texture. What kind was it? A man made of porcelain or marble? "How?"

"I can't read your mind." Edward said knowing he made no sense at all.

Harry licked his lips and continued to play with the cold hands. He pressed the palm to Edward's palm and sized them up. It was funny how much bigger Edward's were than his. They looked miniature and thin. Edward's were slender but they were bigger. How did this work?

Edward's eyes reopened and he saw that Harry was comparing them. "Why is my mind so special? I don't see you trying to pry into others." He asked, trying his hardest to keep his voice even and steady but he felt as though he may go into cardiac arrest.

"They're easy to read." Though, he knew Harry had no idea he meant literally. He knew that Harry was also on the verge of figuring out what he and his family were and it was without even asking. He was touching ice cold hands that he knew couldn't be human. Harry had to know this. So why wasn't he freaking out? Any normal human would. They're instincts would tell them so.

"Right…"

"You're -"

"What?"

"Impossible." Edward whispered exasperatedly. "Mystery."

Laughing good-naturedly, Harry shook his head. "Not like you can read others…"

"Can't I?" He murmured.

"Can you?" Harry suddenly asked snapping out of the trance, marveling at the hands. He looked up into Edward's beautiful face.

Edward smiled. "What can't I do, Harry?" He reciprocated. "I am in enough trouble as it is… I'm a freak."

Harry scowled. "Shush. You are not."

"Aren't I?" He asked desperately, eyes penetrating Harry, wishing to see into that lovely soul.

"No." Harry snapped a little more viciously than he intended. "Don't say such things. You may be different and an enigma - but you are not a freak."

Edward wanted to cry out, grab Harry, and hold him down simply to hold him and listen to him breathing all night. Jesus Christ, what was wrong with him? He'd become obsessed. He was obsessed. In that moment, everything seemed to become clear. Edward's throat, he didn't give a fuck that it was parched and longing for Harry's blood more than it had ever longed for anyone before. But he had to be honest with Harry, at least - tell him. "I'm dangerous."

Harry wasn't surprised by this remark for some reason. As he squeezed around on Edward's hand, he tried to be as discreet as possible about how hard he was squeezing. He was getting not a flinch. He tightened his muscles and still nothing. Edward's hand remained open, stiff, and firm. "Are you?" He asked intrigued. He got a nod for this. "Well, Edward, perhaps you are dangerous." Edward stared struck at the statement. "But you know…? I don't really care."

"You don't value your life?" Edward asked slowly. Harry Potter better value his life! Edward would make him if he didn't.

"I do, Edward, you are overreacting, reading too much into it. I mean for the fact that whatever you are, I don't care, I don't mind…"

"Even if I'm disgusting?" He asked lamely.

Harry scoffed. "You're not."

"I am."

"Not." Harry stuck out his tongue.

Edward chuckled darkly. "I assure you Harry James Potter…"

"And I assure you, Edward - uhm - Cullen…"

Edward smirked. "Anthony Masen."

"Hmm, Anthony Masen." He repeated fondly. Edward's hands were still cold but not as much. They seemed warmed against his own skin, still tingling and made Harry feel all giddy and girlish inside. But nonetheless fine. Harry was cold but he would deal with it.

"Masen was my mother's last name." Edward hoped he wasn't giving out too much. It couldn't hurt could it?

"That's pretty. What was her first name?" Harry asked curiously.

"Elizabeth."

To Edward, Harry smiled so sweetly. "Finally, no quizzical responses that leave me annoyed."

"Somehow I'm managing." He said aloud, more to himself than anything.

"Managing what?"

"Not to-" Edward paused, "react."

Harry was afraid to ask what he was. He didn't want to be rude about it. He wanted to know so badly and he had a feeling he did know but to admit it would make it seem weird and real and he didn't want to accuse. He was curious but he didn't care. "So is touching you okay?"

Edward laughed lowly. "What do you mean by that? This?" He asked curling his fingers around Harry's in the most delicate way.

Harry's heart skipped beats and his voice became lodged in his throat and he wanted to scream out things he ought not. He felt delirious. He wondered if the bump on his head was worse than he thought. God, he needed to be sent to a mental institute. "Something like that."

'Son what is it that you are doing with that boy?' Chuckled a familiar voice in a familiar head from far down the hall. Edward stilled and gave a human roll of his eyes. "Carlisle is coming."

Harry blinked and stared at Edward. "How did you know?"

Edward smiled slowly. Maybe he would break the rules. He would talk to Carlisle first. He would know the best route. "Maybe…" He gently squeezed Harry's hand. "Bear with me please?"

Harry tilted his head. "So long as I don't get another weird riddle, Edward, I think I can."

'Are you telling him everything? He seems very relaxed and how are you feeling, Edward? Don't let the family influence you and your decisions. Do what you wish, Esme would be delighted, you know that.'

Edward laughed quietly, stunning Harry. Leave it to Carlisle to say one thing and mean another. 'Don't let the family influence you.' then he adds Esme's two cents into the mix.

"Manipulative old man…" Edward mumbled aloud, leaving Harry blinking and Carlisle chuckling happily in his head.

When the gorgeous doctor came through the door, he beamed when he saw Harry's hand was clasped in Edward's. "Well, it looks like you're up and about - and eating sweets." Carlisle teased noticing the lemonade and chocolate on his lap.

Harry pointed to Edward. "His fault." He said cheekily.

Edward scoffed playfully. "So it is."

'Oh Edward! I am so delighted. I really like Harry. I think you are safe with the truth, just this once.' He walked around to the other side and began to check all of Harry's vitals without the use of anything but his fingers.

Edward watched everything, without letting go of Harry. Was Carlisle right? Could he tell Harry the truth? What if it killed him? What if it scared him? What if … so many.

'Relax Edward.' "Heart rate is going great…"

Harry blushed and ducked his head. Could they hear that? He certainly hoped not.

Edward snickered.

"How's the head?" Carlisle asked pressing a gentle hand on top. Harry took in the texture of the hands and noted that it was similar to Edward's, though Edward's made his heart speed like a rabbit, and the Doctor's didn't.

"It's-"

"Don't lie… you were in pain earlier." Edward said softly.

"Naturally!" Harry sulked. "But it's not severe. This hospital bed is uncomfortable…" He swayed from side to side to show effect.

Edward wished now that the lemonade would douse his need for a drink… Harry's hair swooshed up and almost hit Edward in the face, causing him to be engulfed under the scent. Edward swayed slightly.

'Breath very gently Edward.' "Is it? I get that a lot." Carlisle mused.

Edward straightened, his fingertips unconsciously brushing along Harry's tender little digits. Perfectly fragile… so thin.

"No kidding." Harry took one hand to grab his lemonade. He didn't want to take his other out of Edward's and wondered how to go about opening it. He brought it to his teeth, but a second a later, Carlisle had it twisted off. Harry smiled. "Thank you!" He said, knowing it had been too fast for a human, but he wasn't going to freak out. He already knew that these - uhm - gorgeous men were fast, strong, gorgeous, pale, and golden eyed. What else were they? Oh, yes, they were cold.

Edward glared at Carlisle. 'Are you glaring at me because I opened it too fast and he didn't flinch or because you wanted to do it?'

"Chit." Edward scowled.

Carlisle laughed lightly and Harry snorted into his lemonade, and burst into a million giggles.

"I've taken a liking to that word." Edward admitted swept up in Harry's giggles. "So I stole it."

Harry had to keep from letting the lemonade spill. "Your head is still a little tender and you have a few pulled muscles around your neck. I believe I will release you in a few short hours if all goes well. I would like to have a couple more tests ran…"

"Do I have too?" Harry sulked.

"Yes." Edward and Carlisle said at the same time.

Harry made an 'uh' sound and stuck out his tongue at both of them. Even though he didn't know Carlisle, he liked him "Thank you, Doc."

Carlisle chuckled. "Call me Carlisle, Harry." He expressed cheerfully.

"Hokay." Such a fancy name. Harry thought.

Edward and Carlisle glanced up toward the doors.

"Your parents are here." Carlisle said quietly, "-And stepfather."

"Argh." Harry muttered. He did not want to see Severus.

Edward slowly and regretfully unwound his hand, which had become extremely warm from Harry's grasp and straightened up.

"Your father and stepfather are arguing." Edward told Harry.

"Oh?"

"Apparently, they stayed at your house last night."

"Joy."

A second later, the curtain was pulled back revealing Lily, James, and Severus.

"Harry!" Lily crossed the room and gaped at the gorgeous men on both sides of Harry. "How are you feeling, sweetie?"

"Fine." Harry insisted. She hugged him and kissed his cheek before James grabbed him in the warmest of hugs.

Severus was standing back eyeing Edward and then looking at Carlisle shrewdly.

"How's my Bambi?"

Harry laughed weakly. "I'm good. Carlisle said I can go home in a few hours."

"Who?" Lily asked.

"Me." Carlisle held up his pen in acknowledgement.

"Ooh!" She was obviously shocked at Harry being on a first name basis with the doctor.

Harry felt Edward's long stare. James and Lily took turns bombarding Carlisle with questions while Severus continued to look on. When Harry finally locked eyes on Edward again, there was something that caught him. Intense, alight, serious, and resolved. He also seemed to stand in wonderment. As stoic as he was, for some reason Harry could read him.

He didn't understand how, but he wondered what Edward meant about being able to 'read' people. He glanced at Severus who was now glaring at Harry, like he was made of something disgusting. Harry slid his eyes back to Edward and that was when he saw it.

A look of hate in his eyes for Severus Snape and a very tiny frown tugged down Edward's mouth.

Harry didn't like the frown, he decided. It looked so tragic on his lovely face. To perfect; too sad… too…

My God, what have I gotten myself into? Harry asked himself.

-

Edward was grinding his teeth as the rage flowed through him like lava. It equaled the burn in his throat. He could hear Snape's rapid thoughts and wanted to walk over briskly and rip his head off. The blood the man held wouldn't even interest him; Edward was so pissed.

It wasn't the degrading insults he used when he saw Carlisle or the inward insults on his own being. No, insults were an every day thing for Edward Cullen, where the straight male was concerned.

No, it was the way Snape wrapped around Harry in a hateful and spiteful manner. 'I can't tell Lily to choose between me and the brat, that wouldn't fly well. How do I get him away from her besides killing him in his sleep? America doesn't seem far enough. God, I hate this kid and dammit, I hate James Potter! The ridiculous bastard. Pampering his son like he was a bloody girl, making him even more spoiled and who the hell does this rich little shit think he is? Always flittering around Harry just because he saved him. How did that even occur? Why hadn't Harry died? Would have been so much better on me, though I wouldn't want to hear Lily crying for months and years on end that would be unpleasant. But it would work well in the long run. Harry Potter would no longer be a problem and James Potter would have no tie to her ever again.

-stupid Doctor, I wonder if he would be willing to show me his degrees to prove that he's really a doctor? How could he be a doctor looking so young… what's with the perfection? James should forbid Harry from seeing that little bastard, for his own good. I'll talk to Lily if anything. She'll listen to reason... I'm sure of it...'

Talk about mutinous. Edward wondered how the nurses would take it if he painted the walls red with this man's acidic blood. He wouldn't even be tempted to taste it, if it was spilt. A fire raged beneath him. If this man so much as touched Harry with a cruel word or hand, Edward would rip his limbs from his body and sell them off to the highest vampire bidder.

Oh yes, he would. He inched closer to Harry, feeling a strong protective lurch deep inside him. He longed to crouch and shield, but he knew better. That was not a human way of protection. That was an animal instinct.

Harry gazed up at him with those doleful eyes, Edward's resolve to break down and tell Harry everything and anything he could no matter the consequences were growing. Harry could despise him - could be revolted - or not believe him.

But Edward saw the curiosity, the intrigue, the - light. Harry was a good person, a warm person, and I'll be damned if they attempt to harm him in anyway. Rosalie and Jasper included in those factors. They would not touch Harry…

Carlisle thought Edward was selfless… that was laughable. He wasn't selfless, because he was selfish. He wanted Harry. He would never be able to break that resolve, break that - instinctual vampire emotion.

It was so quick. How did it turn out this way? How did Edward Cullen, eighty-years of solitude find someone so innocent, young, and beautiful all at once? How did he fall in love so quick?

The thirst was overpowered once again and this time it was love.

Snape will learn one of these days. He's opinionated and hates James so it's inevitable. So no griping over Snape's crabbiness! Hehe. Thanks for all the reading and the reviews. The alerts FINALLY came back. So, here ya go.