I just want to thank everyone who reviewed!! I hope you all enjoyed your Emmett POV as much as I enjoyed writing it. It's fun using words like ba-donk-a-donk'! BHLB now has over one hundred reviews, and I am simply amazed. Also, Twilighted finally got back to me, so I am now on that site as well. :)

Okay, about the last two chapters, I had a reviewer who said that she could not see Edward compromising his values for gratification. It was a good point, and I just wanted to take a moment to clear it all up. Edward was, and is still, confused. He can't grasp the full effect that Bella has over him. He was in the shower, excited, and here comes Tanya, a willing participant and already a vampire. He won't hurt her. Her life is not ending. He knows where he stands with her. It is easy...emotionally. It is almost him saying – See, Bella, you do not affect me like I am terrified that you might. In the end, though, he can't shake her, and he is finally coming to terms with his feelings. Does that help explain it a little more? If you have further questions or concerns, review. I will address them as best as I can. ;)

Well, this chapter's song is Wake Up by Arcade Fire (which BTW can make me cry and then break out my dance moves – just listen)

Also, I do not own Twilight. It hurts me to say that, but it's the truth.


Emmett made silent and lewd comments all night after the heart to heart we had in my room. He, surprisingly enough, actually made some good points. According to Carlisle, I need to go with the flow, and Emmett supplied me with the wisdom of following my heart.

Now, how do I combine the two?

What am I supposed to even do? It's not like I can just go to her and confess my, quite literal, undying love. I am not even sure if I love her. How do you know?

I have never felt this way about anyone else, and, of that, I am sure. But, I have only been in her presence twice. She probably doesn't even remember my name. There is no way my feelings, whatever they might be, are reciprocated.

Then again, when she was speaking to Carlisle, she asked about me. That has to mean something, right? Well, I know not love, but at this point, I will take merely interested on her part.

I spend the entire night debating the situation, and, once again, nothing is clear.

The only thing I am completely sure of is there will be no more running. I am not going to let fear control my future. Hell, I am supposed to cause fear in others. There should be no fight or flight confusion in my head. I am a vampire; therefore, I should always fight.

So, I will fight tomorrow. I will fight not to eat her. I will fight not to let myself be scared away. I will fight letting myself fall deeper into the abyss of the unknown that is Bella Swan.

She is just one more hurdle I have to jump. I am sure once I speak to her, she will be like all others. The fascination will end, and the mystery will be unraveled.

Her silent mind locks me out, but I have become too dependent on my ability anyway. This will give me the opportunity to deconstruct someone the old fashioned way, by paying attention.

As the sun rises, there is a knock on my door.

Edward?

Her mind is unusually tranquil, and I can't help but think of a hurricane, the calm before the storm. I am waiting for the dark clouds to quickly roll through the sky and the lightning to strike.

"You can come in Alice," I say to my closed door.

She opens it slowly, walking into the room, stopping in front of me.

Are you alright?

"I suppose. What do you mean, exactly?"

She raises her eyebrows in question, and shakes her head slowly, crinkling her nose.

Well, unfortunately for me, I saw what happened between you and Tanya. What were you thinking?

"I don't know, Alice. I guess I was just trying to prove something to myself," I say, shrugging my shoulders.

Did you?

"Well, in a way I did," I say, forcing the words out of my mouth. "I now know, without a doubt, I want Bella for more than just her blood."

So, you have feelings for her? Do you love her?

"No," I say, laughing nervously. "I barely know her."

So what?!? I knew I loved Jasper before I even met him! Also, Jasper told me about your emotions earlier after my vision in Carlisle's study. You don't have such intense feelings for someone who you just like a little bit!

Her mental decibel lowers, and she looks me right in the eyes.

If there is anything at all you would like to talk about, I am always here to listen.

"Thank you," I reply. "I'm fine, though, really." I am a liar.

I lower my eyes to the floor, trying to hide the feelings I am fighting so hard to keep inside.

I know this is scary. You have been alone for a long time. I managed to keep my original vision a secret from you before, but would you like to see it now?

I just shake my head.

You were really happy.

Simple words, but they throw me off balance, catapulting me back to brown eyes, blushing cheeks, and awe inspiring words – I just want to be happy.

The unexpected image of Bella makes my chest swell, and I can feel my face break out into an uncharacteristic smile. Well, it used to be out of character for me, but that was before Bella. What has she done to me? Is it possible that I do love her? There are too many questions and not enough answers.

I place my head in my hands, groaning into my palms.

I finally look back up at Alice, and a comforting smile graces her face. She nods, pursing her lips together to keep her emotions under control.

Please, just try to embrace it. If anyone deserves happiness, Edward, it's you. You are a great person, friend, and brother. I love you.

I can't help but smile again at her sappy musings.

Alice wobbles slightly, placing her hand on the dresser to steady herself, and her eyes glaze over as the vision starts.

Bella is in her hospital bed listening to music with headphones. She is singing to herself, bobbing her head and tapping her hand on the rail to the beat. The tempo changes, but I can't hear the music. She turns her head to stare out the window, and her emotions are splayed freely across her face.

She looks heartbroken.

I enter the room, and she slowly turns her face away from the window. Her eyes are laced with tears, but she smiles warmly the moment our eyes meet. I giver her a crooked grin in return, and it is genuine and heartfelt. As her first few tears fall, her smile grows, and it lights up her entire face.

There has never been a more bittersweet, beautiful moment than this.

We just stay like that, in the moment, for an unmeasurable amount of time.

"What are you listening to?" I ask, breaking the silence.

"Chicago," she states simply.

"The band?" I ask, confusion covering my features. It is hard to believe she likes the chart topping adult contemporary band of the eighties.

A small laugh falls from her lips as she shakes her head.

She pats the bed next to her, and I eagerly walk over to sit down.

Alice blinks once, and then turns her stare on me. Her normal exuberance is coming back, ten fold.

"It's not too late!!" She screams, launching herself at me, throwing her arms around my neck.

She breaks her hold suddenly, and pushes back to look me in the eye. Her eyes are black, and she looks completely terrifying.

"You better not screw this up!" She growls, jabbing me hard in the chest.

My eyes widen on their own accord, and I nod while slowly trying to disentangle myself from Alice.

She doesn't budge, but, fortunately, her eyes lighten and her face softens. She hops up, and she dances around the room, twirling and laughing.

I have to go tell Jasper about my new best friend!

With that, she exits my room, and like a hurricane, she leaves a trail of destruction in her wake, me.

Alice has managed to shake up everything I have planned. My idea was to talk with Bella, and let her ruin my infatuation with mundane human dribble. Now, I'm not so sure that my foolproof plan is going to work. In the vision, it was obviously not my first time speaking with her, and I did not look bored, at all. I looked enamored.

Going with the flow is turning out to be a lot harder than I thought it would be.

Around six, I decide it would be best to go for a quick hunt. I take down two deer about a mile from the house, and then I run back to get ready. It is just another day at the hospital, but I feel different. I'm nervous, although, I think the most dominate emotion is excitement. I can't remember the last time I looked forward to something, and the thought perks me up as I walk down the stairs.

I walk out to my Volvo, longing for the time alone in my head, but Carlisle stops me from behind, placing his hand on my shoulder.

"Edward, I would like if you ride with me today."

I turn back to his pleading eyes, giving in and nodding my head in agreement. I get into the passenger seat, and I prepare myself for yet another talk.

I don't have to wait long.

"Son, I just want to let you know that you are stronger than you realize."

I let out a long sigh as I focus on playing with the collar of my shirt.

"I just don't want to hut her, Carlisle," I say quietly.

"I don't think you will, and Alice told me earlier that I shouldn't hover when you are in her room. She doesn't foresee any problems," he states.

"Alice has been wrong before. Her visions are not infallible."

"I know, but I am choosing to not bet against Alice." He nods his head, confirming the idea in his thoughts. "Just try to heed my advice. Go with the flow. You should never swim against the current..."

I interrupt him. "Please, enough with the water references."

Carlisle chuckles slightly. "Okay, no more, I promise."

We ride in silence the rest of the way, and I let my thoughts wander to Bella. She has no idea the upheaval she has caused in my life. What if she doesn't want to talk to me? I don't want to burden her with my presence.

My phone chirps, alerting me I have a new text message, so I open it, reading it quickly.

Remember my vision. Bella wanted you in the room with her. Don't doubt it now. -Alice

Right, she invited me to sit on the bed with her. She didn't look scared. Okay, I can do this.

As we pull into the hospital parking lot, I take a deep breath, steadying myself for the day, for Bella.

Ready?

I nod my head, opening the door. I was just here yesterday, but that feels like a lifetime ago. Everything is different now.

Entering through the sliding doors, the thoughts of the humans bombard my mind, but it doesn't bother me as much as normal. I nod greetings to the nurses and other doctors, but everyone only gives me shocked expressions and confused thoughts in return. Have I never even acknowledged their presence before? Hmm, maybe not.

I even greet Sally with a bland smile which turns out to be a huge mistake. Her vulgar thoughts increase, and she can be rather...creative. I am not sure some of it is even logistically possible.

Needless to say, I will not be smiling at Sally again.

I try to work, but I just can't seem to make myself do anything but think about Bella. I steadily encourage myself to just go talk to her, but I cannot seem to convince myself.

What am I going to say? I am sorry you are dying. I don't want to inconvenience you, but I think I might love you. You smell mouthwatering; can I have a taste?

A resurgence of venom fills my mouth at the last thought. I swallow it down, letting it coat my throat. I miss her smell. I even miss the pungent odor the cancer emits. I miss Bella.

With a confirming nod, I get out of my chair and walk to the door. I stare at my hand which is suspended in the air above the doorknob for longer than a minute, trying to force it to open on its own with just my mind.

It swings open, and I have to step back to avoid being hit. I don't want to break the door with my body.

Before I even have time to contemplate if I have belatedly developed another gift, Sally walks into my office, shutting the door behind her.

"Dr. Cullen, I'm back from lunch," she says, letting her tongue lick her top lip with the word lunch.

She bats her eyelashes excessively, and she looks as though she is about to faint. Is this her idea of seduction?

"Alright, you can handle this right?" I ask. She nods, smirking at me. "Good, good. Well, I will be back."

I push past her, avoiding physical contact completely, and there is no hesitation at the door this time.

Her thoughts are sad but still hopeful. That poor girl is deranged. I suppose she is as good of a catalyst as any to lead me back to Bella. Sally, along with her disgusting mind, turns out to be the push that I need.

Still shuddering, I make my way to the third floor. I slow to an almost crawl when I walk past her door, listening for a sign of Bella behind the wooden barricade. A quiet, silky yet throaty melody delights my ears, and I close my eyes, picturing her as she sings, over emphasizing the words, biting her lips with her teeth.

Edward!

I open my eyes, slightly disoriented. I am not sure how long I stood outside her door, lost in her voice.

Come with me, please.

I look at Carlisle then back at her door, multiple times, trying to make up my mind. Once the decision is made, there is not going back. I turn back toward Carlisle, and I shake my head.

"You and Alice are right, and she told you not to hover. Everything will be okay," I say, too low for any human ears to hear as I lift my hand to knock on her door.

I don't move at all during the 5.3 seconds it takes her to respond.

"Come in," she calls out, finally.

I enter, keeping my head down, concentrating on keeping my control. I am still unprepared when her scent hits my nostrils. If possible, she smells even better. The sickly undertone is there, but it is easy enough to ignore.

"Ms. Swan," I say, lifting my eyes, "how are you feeling?"

She looks beautiful, lying there before me. She has one earbud in, and the other hangs dangerously close to her breast. The music pours out of it, into the room, filling my ears with the haunting melody.

She fiddles with the iPod in her hand, pausing it, pulling the other earbud out. She looks up at me, smiling, warming my heart. "I told you to call me Bella," she lightly chastises.

"You did," I say. "My apologies."

She waves her hand at me, scoffing slightly. "No apology necessary. Just don't do it again!" She punctuates her mock anger with a small growl which causes her to laugh lightly.

"So, Bella," I say exaggerating her name, "what are you listening to?"

She rolls her eyes at me, and our playful exchange is almost overwhelming for me. I want this. I want this all the time.

"Nothing, really," she mumbles out. "It is just a bit of music. I am actually playing the same song on repeat."

"I love music," I croak out, very quickly. "I mean," I start slowly, trying to regain my dignity, "I would truly like to know what you are listening to."

"Well, Dr. Cullen," she starts.

"Call me Edward," I interject.

She looks up at me, and her eyes are sparkling. She is breathtaking, and I feel my lips turn up into a crooked grin.

She gives me a little smirk as she moves her finger in little circles on the bed rail.

"Well, Edward," she pauses, widening her eyes in amusement, "if you must know, I have been listening to Arcade Fire."

I know the band. I can easily lose myself in a number of their songs.

"I saw them in Seattle," I blurt out.

"We're they amazing?" She asks, genuine interest on her face.

I nod. Not as amazing as you, though. I move closer toward her, and her heartbeat picks up. Am I not moving at a human pace? Am I scaring her?

I stop, taking a step back. I glance back at her, trying my best to not alarm her further. She looks a little angry. I shouldn't have moved toward her. I deserve her mirth.

The silence between is thick, and I want our banter back.

"Well," I start, awkwardly, "I just came in to see how you are feeling."

She sighs, and I can hear the fluid in her lungs. Bella turns her gaze to the window, refusing to meet my eyes. I have probably overstepped my welcome.

"I feel as good as possible," she says, placing one earbud back in.

"I would like to check up on you again tomorrow. Would that be fine?" I ask.

"No problem, Dr. Cullen," she emphasizes. "It is your job, after all," she finishes sullenly.

She pushes the play button on her iPod, putting in the other earbud, drowning everything else out with the pulsing beat of the familiar song.

I quickly leave the room, berating myself for being so rash.

I go home early from work, feigning illness, and I lock myself in my bedroom.

I immediately locate the CD, placing it in the stereo, turning the song on repeat.

I try to imagine what Bella is thinking and feeling as it plays, and they music taunts me with the fact that I have no clue. I listen to it for hours with my eyes closed, immersing myself completely. Every time the song starts again, it is the last line that clings in my thoughts and heart.

You better look out for love.

So, I really love that song! :)

I don't think Edward is as good at picking up non verbal clues as he thinks he is. *wink, wink*

I am sorry for the delay in posting this chapter, but, as a few of you know, I was in the middle of moving last week and over the weekend. Everything, even my mind, were in a state of disarray.

Also, I beta for Mombailey, and she has finally started posting her story called Say it Out Loud. Everyone should check it out! She gives me a lot of encouragement and praise that I am not sure I even deserve. Go give her some love!

Anywho, I would love to know what you think! Please review, and I will send you a peek into Bella's head!