It's been a long while since my last update. :( But here is another chapter at last. I hope you like it. :)

Chapter 11: Where Does This Lead Us?

Story Song: "Love Song Requiem" by Trading Yesterday

Edward didn't let me out of his sight for the rest of the evening… or for the rest of the week. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a bit annoying, but I felt safe; protected. I knew that with Edward by my side, I would hardly have anything to worry about. But the most important part was that it also kept Jacob away from me.

Jacob was nice in his own little way, but I knew better. I wouldn't just immediately trust him after everything he had done. Especially when he pretended not to know us. That was what really scared me and made me wonder what he was up to.

The way he held himself, all mighty and proud, as his black eyes seemed to dig deep into mine was extremely unsettling. I had the strange feeling he was up to no good. I was probably right.

Edward often had to leave to hunt or scout around the area, and he didn't like it. He was always leaving me in either Jasper's or Seth's care. But they would usually let me wander around, not wanting to babysit me the whole time. And for this, I was eternally glad. I could explore this new and captivating world I had never known to exist.

But it was also during these times I felt myself being followed or watched the most. I would never see or hear anyone, but I knew they were there. I just had that feeling. The feeling that you're not at all alone or the one you get when there is danger nearby.

It was also during these times that I tried to avoid Jacob altogether.

It was getting late in the afternoon and Edward had gone to scout around us for any signs of trouble. The top of the trees were swaying from the wind as I approached the tree line that lead into the woods. Seth was supposed to be watching me today, but wasn't paying any attention. He was more interested in arm wrestling Emmett, who must have been amazing at the game if he could still win in his bear form.

"Argh!" Seth yelled. I chuckled at hearing Seth's defeat.

I stepped between the trees.

Little specks of light filtered from the trees above, lighting the forest ground. I stepped around a bunch of pine cones and took in the sweet smell of the afternoon air. I found a creek a few yards in and decided to sit on a large rock, dipping my toes into the freezing water.

The sound the splashing water made was soothing and I closed my eyes as I listened. They say your sense of hearing is heightened when you can't see; I could hear the many birds, the animals surrounding the area, the wind blowing through the trees… A branch snapping.

My eyes snapped open and I saw the reflection of him standing behind me. I whirled around, hoping that Edward would come out from somewhere to rescue me.

"Why, hello Miss Bella. Long time no… talk." He winked before giving me a devious grin.

"Hi," I squeaked.

He stood staring at me, almost to the point where I was really beginning to get nervous.

"What are you doing here, Jacob? I thought you had gone somewhere with Jasper?"

He scoffed. "I don't really see the point of searching the premises even more. Doesn't your vampire guy already do that? We're only wasting our time." He took a moment to inspect our surroundings. "If your vamp missed something, how do you think we'd be able to spot it the second time around? Some of the stuff Jasper has us do is so stupid, if you want my opinion."

No, actually, I didn't. "Well, Jasper likes to make sure everything is guaranteed safe. It gives him something to do, and a peace of mind." He continued to stare at me. "I would imagine you would want the same for you pack…"

He didn't say anything, and I began to grow more uncomfortable.

"I must be on my way," I said hastily. "Edward will be back soon and then he'll start searching for me." I quickly stood from my place near the creek and started to walk away.

"Yes, Bella. Better not keep him waiting." I tried to walk faster.

I felt him grab my arm and yank me back.

Oddly, a memory from back home flashed through me.

"Jacob," Edward spat. So, this thing was the werewolf who had captured Edward for Aro if the story was true. This was the Jacob Black. Another good reason for me to hate him.

"Aro wishes to see you again, prince. Better not keep him waiting."

"You!" I was outraged. How had I missed this before? "You're planning on taking him to Aro, aren't you? That's the only reason you're here!"

He laughed at me. "Well, now, I'm on your side, remember?" Was he mocking me?

"Why are you really here?" My voice was hard as I demanded an answer from him.

He tilted his head to the side. "What ever do you mean, my sweet Bella?"

I ground my teeth together. "What are you playing at, Jacob Black?" I spat. "You have no reason to be here unless you're up to something that will only benefit you. Don't think I don't remember my first encounter with you in my living room! What game are you trying to play, exactly?"

During my whole accusation, I had managed to step out of his grip and back away from him.

But now he walked back towards me, grabbing my upper arm and yanking me to him again. I yelped as I collided with his chest, the impact forcing me to look up at him. "I am here to help all of you, sweetheart. Why else would I be here? You really think I would deceive you like this?"

I yanked my arms back and created a larger distance between us than the last time. "I would never doubt it."

He chuckled humorlessly. "Why the distrust, Bells?"

I winced at the nickname Charlie gave me. It sounded so wrong coming from him. "Think real hard. Maybe you'll eventually figure it out."

A growl sounded from back within his throat. "I am only here to help you, Bella. Why can't you see that?"

"How can I? You are a horrible person, Jacob! And people don't change that fast!" I took a breath. "Just leave us all alone! You've done enough damage!"

I started to walk away again, but he ran in front of me to block my escape. "Move, Jacob." When he didn't, I began to panic. "Now!"

"I want to change," he said. His eyes wanting me to understand, but I didn't want to. I wouldn't. "I don't want to be the bad guy anymore, Bella."

"What?" I gasped. He had to be lying. It was a trick.

I tried to step around him, but he wouldn't let me. "Just let me help you," he said. "Trust me."

I stared into his black eyes, seeing red. How dare he? "Get. Out. Of. My. Way."

"No." He tried to grab my arms again and I struggled to get free.

"Get your hands off her." Edward's voice was low and threatening. It gave his voice a frightening demeanor, but I had never felt so safe to hear another's voice in my life. Not even when I had gotten lost in the supermarket at age three, waiting until Charlie had found me.

Edward was here.

"Edward," Jacob sighed. "Just let me and Bella talk, okay? You don't need to appear every time I get the chance."

A snarl ripped from Edward's throat. "Yes, I do."

I spun around in the opposite direction, facing away from Jacob, and saw Edward. He was crouched low, as if in position to pounce. If I wasn't right in front of Jacob, he probably would. His face held the look of a murderer.

"Bella," Jacob whispered. "Tell Edward to leave."

I felt my eyes widen from his command. Was he crazy? Snarls erupted from Edward's chest at his words.

"He'll listen to you," he tried to compromise. "Tell him, Bella. We really need to talk."

I shook my head. "Edward, stay."

I heard Jacob curse as he growled. "Why do you always have to intrude?" He barked at Edward. I could feel him shaking right behind me. "You don't own her, bloodsucker!" I turned back to Jacob. He was shaking so hard now, I thought he would explode.

"Don't!" I heard Edward yell. "Bella, get away from him!"

I stumbled backwards, trying to get as far from Jacob as I could. I got a few feet before I felt cold, steel arms wrap around my waist, pulling me away in a blur. In only a matter of seconds, I was staring at Jacob a few yards away from behind Edward.

With a ferocious growl, Jacob turned into the wolf he had been while in my house.

Another ripping of snarls and growls fell from Edward's lips and I shakily placed my hands on his back, hoping that by remembering my presence, he wouldn't do anything crazy.

A howl to the left of us alerted Seth's presence. He stalked over to Jacob in his wolf form and nudged him backwards with his large nose. After a stare down between Edward and Jacob, Jacob finally made a nodding movement with his head toward Seth and turned around, running deeper into the forest. Seth followed close behind him.

Edward slowly turned to look at me. I was both surprised and a little frightened to see that he still wore his murderous mask. If I didn't know better, I would almost think he saw me no different than Jacob.

"Are… is everything alright?" I asked.

"No," came his sharp reply. "Everything is most definitely not alright."

I gulped. Uh oh…

"Do you have any idea what could have happened to you?" he roared. "What if he changed right next to you? What if I hadn't gotten here in time?" He was furious.

"I-I was just taking a little walk…"

"You could have been killed! What were you thinking?"

I snapped. "I don't know, Edward! Maybe I was sick and tired of having everyone watch me all the time! Is it such a bad thing to go for a walk for a few minutes? It's not like I told Jacob to find me here!"

"You knew he was dangerous, Bella! You could have at least stayed with the others! How can I know you're safe if you venture off like that?" His eyes were wide with fury, his jaw constantly clenching and unclenching.

"I'm not a little girl," I ground out.

"No? Well, you act like one," he snapped.

That blow hurt.

"You're such a hypocrite! I go from being ridiculed by one to the next! You're just as much of a monster as he is! If I should stay away from all that is dangerous, then maybe you should just add yourself to the list!"

Edward's eyes widened at my words and he took a small step back.

I gasped as what I said caught up with me. "I'm sorry." I looked down at my feet, ashamed. I felt horrendous; disgusted. If anyone was a monster here, it was me.

A tear fell on my pretty shoe and I sniffed, trying to hold back all the horrible things I wanted to scream at myself. I was the monster. A sob escaped from deep in my chest.

"Bella," Edward gasped. I wanted to look up at him, but the guilt of my actions wouldn't allow it. Another wretched sob forced its way out of my throat.

Cold hands suddenly grasped mine, but I didn't make any attempt to move or acknowledge him. I was frozen with grief. I had just called Edward a monster. Edward.

I clenched my eyes shut, no longer wanting to see. I wanted to fade away and never come back. I deserved nothing more.

"Bella. Bella, please." Edward's soft plea only made me hurt more. He was too good. And I was bad.

I tried to pull my hands free, feeling undeserving of his touch, but his grasp only tightened.

"No, Bella… Bella, don't go. I'm sorry." Millions of tears filled my eyes and I desperately attempted to blink them all away. He shouldn't be the one apologizing… It was me who was the fiend… Why couldn't he see that?

My throat felt dry, and no words would slip out. I didn't know what to do. I was at a complete loss. I could never remember feeling so helpless.

He freed one of his hands to cup my cheek, trying to coax me to look up at him. I turned my face away and his hand dropped.

I slowly let my eyes look up at him, wondering if they would get lost in golden ones. But his eyes were closed tight and his free hand that wasn't holding mine was clenched in a tight fist. His head was slightly bowed and remorse was evident in his features. He looked like he was in pain.

I sought to disengage my other hand from his firm grip so that I could wrap my arms around him for a little comfort. But when I tried to, his eyes flew open in what I assumed as panic. I almost cringed away from the hurt and dread his eyes held.

"Please let me apologize, Bella." His hand held mine even harder if that were possible. "I didn't mean… I've been on edge lately since Jacob arrived, and I took it out on you. Please forgive me, Bella. You didn't deserve that. Please."

I shook my head and Edward's face was devastating. I realized he had misunderstood.

"No, Edward. I'm not accepting your apology because there is nothing to forgive. I was the one who blew up on you. I'm sorry."

I wrapped my one free arm around him gently since I was pretty sure I wasn't going to get my other hand back anytime soon. Edward responded immediately by pulling me into his chest and my nose got snug and cozy in the softness of his cotton shirt. His scent wafted around me in perfect doses, and I wanted my face to stay up against him forever.

Something moved against my head and a cool breath tickled the side of my neck. It took me a moment to recognize that Edward's face must have been pushed into my hair. I blushed, hoping I smelled good.

"I'm really sorry, Edward. You are always there for me and I should have known better. I promise I won't do anything so reckless again. I promise." My voice sounded a bit muffled from his shirt, but I knew he wouldn't have much trouble understanding my message.

He tightened his hold on me and took in a deep breath from my hair before blowing another soft gust of cool air onto my neck. "Bella, Bella, Bella," he whispered over and over again.

I smiled against his shirt, enjoying the way his voice wrapped around my name.

I gave him a little squeeze and slowly began to withdraw from him, but he wouldn't let me go.

"Edward? Are you alright?"

It took a minute, but he eventually nodded against my head and released me. His eyes burned into mine with a searing intensity.

"Edward?"

He had let go of my hand when he was hugging me and he now reached for it again, cradling it in his palm. He gave me a gentle smile and I noticed how his cheeks got adorable little dimples in them. He was so charming.

"How did your scouting go? Was everything okay?" I asked.

He nodded, beginning to run his thumb along the back of my hand. "Yes. There wasn't any danger I could sense."

I nodded. "Come on," I urged, pulling him behind me. "Let's go see what the others are up to."

He followed behind me. "Bella? Jacob didn't… hurt you, did he?" He sounded strained.

I shook my head. "No. You were my savior once again before that could happen." I grinned at him and he gave me a shy, almost timid like, smile back.

"Bella, may I ask you something?" He looked incredibly shy now and I was instantly wary. "Something has been on my mind, and I can't seem to ignore it."

What was he going to ask me? I didn't want to say yes and regret it, nor did I wish to say no. "That depends on what you ask, Edward," I said quietly.

I listened to the bird's cheery tones to help calm my panicking heart.

"Days ago… before Jasper had found us…" He swallowed. "You and I were sitting next to the fire I had built while Seth was asleep… and I had asked you something…"

Oh no! I didn't want this! Not now! What would he think of me? I had been hoping he would forget, but that obviously hadn't been the case. Nothing can surpass Edward's memory.

He continued while my heart nearly killed me. It felt like it would rip itself from my chest. "You had told me I had been a doll, and I was wondering…" It was strange to see him at such a loss for words. It was fascinating as much as it was horrible. He looked at me then, and I was surprised at the softness in them. Perhaps he hadn't figured it out yet. "Who kissed me, Bella?"

His question was so soft, so delicate; I almost didn't quite catch it. But I did, and he knew it.

I was so screwed.

I couldn't seem to get enough air, and yet I didn't take one breath. I couldn't lie to him. But I couldn't very well tell him the truth, either, could I?

"Edward…" I began.

"Edward!" a voice shouted.

We both turned to watch Jasper running up to us. "Edward," he panted, nearly out of breath. "There are others… other vampires here… they must have been sent from Aro! I saw them approaching Rose and Emmett from a distance before they saw me. I ran here as quickly as I could. Someone must have told Aro of your whereabouts."

Edward's hand clenched almost painfully around mine. "Are the others safe?"

I instantly thought of Emmett in his bear form and poor Rose surrounded by a bunch of red eyed monsters. I shivered in fright. They had finally found us.

"I do not know, Edward." Panic was coming from Jasper in waves. "I do not know."

"What should we do? We must do something before they catch scent of us!" I whispered.

Edward didn't hesitate. I was in his arms before I knew what was happening. "We have to leave. Now."

I panicked. "What about the rest of them? Seth doesn't even know what's going on!"

Edward turned to Jasper who in turn was looking at me. "Bella, do not worry. Everything will be okay here. I'll send word to you somehow of what happens. But right now, you need to go with Edward. Get as far away as you can. Perhaps I can persuade them to believe that this was all a misunderstanding."

"Jasper, they're vampires sent from Aro! They will kill anyone!" I was hyperventilating. I didn't want anyone to get hurt; especially my friends.

"Bella, Bella," Edward crooned. "Nothing is going to happen. We have to go now." I looked forlornly at Jasper and Alice came to sit on his shoulder. She looked sadly at Jasper before giving him a sweet kiss on the cheek and flying to me.

"Goodbye, friends," Jasper smiled. And then we were off.

The landscape sped past us in a blur. Edward never stopped and I soon began to think that he never would. Eventually, though, it grew dark and before long Edward had set me down. I could barely make out his face it was so dark.

I felt something brush against my knee and squealed, only to find it was just Alice settling in for the night. It was incredibly cold out, and for once I wished a miracle would happen and Seth would emerge. I also wished someone had brought Edward's pea coat.

Edward didn't dare build a fire and seemed a bit frantic. "Bella, you're freezing," he said stated with voice full of distress.

Before I could say a thing, he had already pulled off his shirt. Under any normal circumstances, I would have probably drooled, been dazzled, and then died.

But I was so tired and so cold to bother. He pulled his shirt tight around me and vanished for a minute. I had almost fallen asleep when he came back. He had gathered a ton of sticks or something and was building a shelter around me.

The day's events were finally starting to catch up with me and I could feel my consciousness slowly slipping. "Ed…ward… d-don't w-wor-rry." Edward gave me a look of alarm.

"Bella? Bella, are you alright?" When I slouched over his voice was dreadful. "Bella!"

I had closed my eyes a long time ago and couldn't see him anymore. "Bella! Bella, open your eyes! Please!"

"Mmmmumph," I grumbled. "Charlie… Charlie… laundry?" I couldn't think straight anymore.

"Bella?" Edward's voice was slowly fading. My head hurt. I couldn't control myself anymore.

"Edward?" I asked. I heard a muffled response, but it didn't make sense to me. "Edward… I'm sorry… it was m-me. I kissed y-you."

A coldness brushed what I thought was my face, but I didn't care.

All thought was finally extinguished and my mind went blank.

Well, there you are. Leave a review if you wish... :D

I was surfing youtube, so to say, and I found THE perfect song for Twilight. (the original one, hehe)

It's called "Lion" by Rebecca St. James and I think it is WoNdErFuL! Here is a little video I found on youtube with the song if you would like to watch. http:/www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=cSf1IY1yVck XD

But I thought the song was so fitting for Twilight, that it was almost scary. But it's such a pretty song!

Also, *sigh* I have started the next chappie already, so hopefully it will get finished on time. :)

-Natasha

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Right down there. :)