Sorry for the long gap but sixth form has been so busy recently, exams coming up in Jan and I lost enthusiasm in the story. Thanks for adding the story and the lovely reviews: penpaperaser, EdwardLuvr4life. You encouraged me to get back into it. :)

Disclaimer: All these wonderful characters belong to Stephenie Meyer.

Italics are used for character's thoughts, flashbacks and visions. When Edward hears a thought it is in quotation marks as well as italics.


Bella's POV

I woke up again in the hospital, only this time there were no irritating beeps that somehow I'd become accustomed to. It felt eerily quiet without them. Only you could actually come to miss hospital beeps. The thought reminded me of something Edward would say and I felt my mouth lift without instruction.

"Bella?" Charlie's voice pulled me totally out of my dream-like state.

"Dad!" I smiled, opening my eyes then raising a hand (miraculously IV free) to shield them from the sun pouring in through the open window. The sun?

He chuckled at my confused expression. "Yeah, the weather thought you deserved a break after what happened in the woods. Although why you'd go walking through the muddiest parts…" he trailed off shaking his head.

"You know me, dad." I smiled, feigning understanding. How typical that they had spread the cover story before even filling me in! Vampires! "What day is it anyway?"

"Monday. Don't worry, missing one day of school won't kill you. Dr. Cullen wants to talk to you, then I'll drive you home." He patted my hand "Please be more careful Bella." He looked like he wanted to say more, but it just wasn't Charlie to go into deep emotions so he smiled sheepishly and left. Moments later Carlisle had entered- once again I could not help but notice his amazing looks. It was the sort of face you expected to see on TV, maybe in Casualty, rather than in a real life hospital.

"Bella," he smiled warmly "how are you feeling?"

"Fine, thank you Dr. Cullen." I returned the smile, sitting up in bed. The movement made my head spin a little, but other than that I felt perfectly normal. "But where's Edward and Alice? Are they going to be ok? What about that vam-"

He laughed, raising his hands to cut me off. "Bella, Bella, calm down! First off, call me Carlisle. Victoria hasn't harmed either of them but she's still running. Alice will probably come round as soon as she hears you're up and healed." He hesitated and pain shot through my heart…But Edward won't? "Edward…according to Alice is tracking Victoria."

"What?!" I gasped, feeling my eyes widen with panic. "But…but…what if she hurts him? Why's he doing it?"

Carlisle was frowning slightly but otherwise seemed at ease. "He'll be fine. He just wants to protect you Bella. Why do you think he's been doing everything he's done so far? Besides…" He grinned "he's not the best tracker in the world, Alice thinks he should be back soon."

Stupid though it was, I could feel my heart rise with this news. He avoided me to…protect me? Carlisle checked me over and recommended that I rest for the day and avoid bumping my head for a while to prevent the wound reopening. Luckily it was hidden beneath my hair so didn't make it obvious I'd just been attacked by a vicious hunter. Or rather, slipped on mud and grabbed at an overhanging branch which- weakened by the wind and rain- had snapped off and landed heavily on my head, ripping through my scalp. Story courtesy of Alice, who I suspect has this whole humans being fragile idea even more out of proportion than Edward, if such a thing were possible.

When I finally got out the hospital I couldn't help but grimace slightly at the sight of Charlie's Cruiser in the car park. It made me long for the comfort and safety of my truck, or maybe it was just the fact my truck didn't haveblue and red lights on top of it. We lapsed into a familiar, comfortable silence whilst he drive, which I only broke when we reached the house to inquire whether Charlie was working.

"Bells, they can cope without me for one day." But his hesitation was the opportunity I needed.

"Dad, seriously, I'm not planning to go out and hit my head again." I smiled "You go to work, I'm just going to get some rest today so there's no point in you sitting around doing nothing." He protested a few times but I was persistent so when I climbed out the cruiser he left for the station as usual and I had a whole day ahead of me to absorb and think everything through- not to mention have Alice finally come over explain some things to me.

Quickly, I slipped inside the house keeping my gaze focused on the door, purposely avoiding looking at the woods. Once inside I locked the door, something I've never done in Forks, then reached for the bolts. I forced my hand to stop- nothing I was scared of was going to be deterred by a locked door. It was a very unnerving thought, and lonely too, to be the only human in Forks who knew.

When I'd finally managed to stop my hands shaking, I realised how famished was I was so darted to the kitchen and stuck some pop tarts in the toaster, then poured myself some milk. After I was done I went upstairs and showered, lightly shampooing my hair, wincing as my fingers brushed my tender scalp. It was a relief to finally feel like I had washed away the grime of the forest and his touch on my skin. I shivered despite the heat of the water. Back in my small, cosy room I dressed for comfort in some sweats and a baggy tee, pulling my damp hair back into a ponytail.

Sighing, I turned to my window. Taking a deep breath I walked forwards and looked out into the green forest. My fingers gripped the windowsill as my heart rate accelerated. The green spread out in front of me…I waited for the full terror to hit me yet somehow it still radiated serenity with the gentle changing hues of green and swaying branches with the leaves dancing on the breeze. I reminded myself that he…James…was gone. He would never terrorise me again. Turning away from the window I turned my computer on, meaning to check my emails and keep my mind distracted from his psychotic, revenge-thirsty mate.

When it finally loaded up, goading me as each start-up screen seemed to stay up for an agonizingly long time- letting my mind wander, I began the colossal task of checking my mail. I quickly clicked the 'X' on each add that popped up, in a vain attempt to stop the screen filling up, rolling my eyes at the never ending smiley offers, wallpapers, screen-savers and laughing slightly hysterically at the life insurance page that opened. What life insurer would accept me? "Well, you see I have this ability to attract anything dangerous to me. In the past month I've been stalked by four men intent on some dark purpose, attacked by the one of the most dangerous tracker vampires and now his grief-crazed mate wants to kill me. Do I qualify for insurance?"

I groaned as I saw a list of emails from my mom. The first two were concerned, then the next three were obviously after she'd phoned Charlie and found out what had happened to me. She was frantic with worry, I could tell that even from the typed words and, of course, she wanted me to come back to Phoenix where the weather and landscape "is not a death-trap." I spent an hour typing a convincingly reassuring email back telling her I wouldn't risk going romping through the woods again. Something inside was telling me any normal person would go runny back to the sun, where monsters could not lurk in the pale shadows of the shrivelled plant life, but I didn't want to go back. I didn't fit in in Phoenix. I had friends here, it suited me. And of course there was Edward…

I allowed my mind to drift along that train of thought, remembering the hospital, where he had sprang through the window.

His eyes were unbelievably soft as he held my gaze

I could barely breathe as he stroked my face with smooth, cool fingers

a smile lifting the corners of his mouth as my heartbeat rose

Downstairs the phone pierced the air with its sharp ring, making me jump up from my chair, rudely waking me from my day-dreams. I sprinted down the stairs, remembering that I had dropped my mobile in the woods and grabbed the house-phone just before it rang off.

"Hello?" I said, trying to get my breath back without panting into the receiver.

"Bella?" Alice's voice was apologetic. "How are you feeling? Look, I'm really sorry but I can't make it round today." Déjà vu hit me. It was happening all over again, disappointment hit me, twisting bitterly in my stomach.

"Oh, I'm fine thanks, that's ok Alice." I bit my lip, hoping the hurt didn't colour my tone as much as I thought it had.

"I'm really sorry Bella" Alice murmured. "Take it easy ok?"

Sighing, I hung up the receiver and walked dejectedly back up to my room. I'd barely made it up the stairs when there was a gentle knock at the door. Frowning, I retraced my steps wondering who it could be. Everyone was at school, Charlie was at the station…and anyone…dangerous…wouldn't bother knocking. I slipped the key back into the lock and had a minor struggle with it, before managing to turn it. I wouldn't bother locking it again. Then I opened the door, still scowling from Alice's second cancellation.

And Edward stood before me.

"Edward!" I heard myself shout and rashly, before my mind caught up with my body, I had thrown myself forwards and wrapped my arms around his neck. He froze for a second under my embrace before I heard his quiet, musical chuckle- huskier than usual- and his wonderfully strong, secure arms wrapped around my waist. He held me very gently, like I was a porcelain doll and he was scared to break me, but I was in heaven. Or at least my own version; it was enough for me in any case. I rested my head on his chest and closed my eyes, smiling.

"So…are you actually going to ask me in, or would you rather wait until you get unbearably cold out here?" He laughed.

"Oh unbearably cold, definitely" I smiled up at him, his eyes were wonderfully soft as they held mine. It felt like my heart was melting despite the fact I was already starting to shiver slightly agaisnt his frozen body.

"Unacceptable" he whispered, shaking his head "so little self-regard!" Then he lifted me up and forcibly carried me inside.

"Put me down!" I protested, but with very little enthusiasm. When he just smiled his breathtaking crooked smile at me I looked away, grumbling that it was blood testing in biology all over again.

"Except this time you're not feeling faint" he pointed out "and that awful Mike Newton isn't trailing behind like a possessive guard dog, shooting daggers into my back with his eyes."

I laughed despite myself, I couldn't really protest when I had already compared him to that myself. Also, if I was completely honest with myself, I was thrilled by the obvious jealousy in Edward's voice. He put me down in the kitchen, up on one of the sides so my that face was level with his. I felt excitement shoot through me- my stomach felt shivery and light. He stepped back slightly and I noticed his eyes had darkened.

"I'm sorry," he said softly "I shouldn't be so rude about your friends, please forgive me."

I shook my head, still smiling. "So…when Carlisle told me you were tracking Victoria, and Alice said she couldn't make it…"

He flashed me a dazzling smile. "It's so much more fun to catch you unawares."

I attempted a serious face but I couldn't quite hold it when I met those devastating topaz eyes. "I was worried!".

"Well I was tracking Victoria…but I lost her scent somewhere and then Alice called to say you were up and…I just couldn't stay away from you." His usually perfect speech and articulation came out rough and rushed- at least for a vampire. The atmosphere seemed to charge with an energy between us and I felt my insides churning but at the same time yearning for something…

Edward's eyes grew soft then hesitant as he moved closer, he seemed to be testing himself, I could see indecision raging in those usually certain, set liquid eyes. I waited, the feeling growing more intense...


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xox