Washington is around the corner! There's a ton in store! For now, sit back and enjoy the (train) ride. ;)

Twilight does not belong to me; it is 100% owned by S. Meyer.

REVIEW!!! School is starting next week, and I need the motivation to continue. This story exists because of the reviews I get, even the ones that are one word. Thanks, all of you! You know who you are, because I send you adoring messages.

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I glided over the rooftops with Bella in my arms. She buried her ivory face into my sweater to avoid the dizzying scenery. Even through my clothing, I could feel her hot breath on my stomach. My muscles involuntarily tightened in response, but it was wholly enjoyable. I wanted to lift up my sweater and have her keep breathing. I imagined her breath trailing down my stomach… I pulled her tighter to my body in anticipation, and then loosened my grip immediately. I needed to stop fantasizing and focus on getting her out of here safely.

We got to the train station in record time, and I scaled down the side of a building when no one was watching. It was overcast, and it looked like it might rain. I scanned the crowds, listening to the thoughts of those around me. Was Joshua here? I'd hoped we'd beat him, and it seemed as if we had.

"Bella, we're here. If I hold you, do you think you can walk?"

"Yes." She lowered her voice. "Are we in the clear?"

"So far, so good."

I sat her down and put my arm around her slender waist, pulling her body close to mine. My body heated in response, making me fantasize more about Bella touching me, and I her. The burn was still there, but it was taking a back seat to other feelings that I was experiencing. Seriously, Edward! Are you no better than a hormonal teenager?

For once, I started to sympathize with my human admirers. I was having a harder and harder time controlling my indecent thoughts. I'd never had my own before, and it was entirely distracting. I was completely unhinged, and it was totally inappropriate. I frowned as I tried to get my feelings in check. Angry vampires could be here any minute for Bella and me. I needed to think about that.

We walked into the train depot and checked departure times. Luckily, there was a train departing for St. Louis in the next twenty minutes. We could connect to Denver from there and then continue northwest to Tacoma. The whole trip would take three to four days. I purchased our tickets and booked a private cabin, the largest they offered. I would be alone with Bella in a confined space with few places to go, and I needed as much space as possible. It would be torture and heaven all at once.

I kept close to the loading dock, waiting impatiently for the train. Bella sat on a bench, her eyes fixed on my pacing figure. I tried to get her to eat something, but she insisted that she wasn't hungry. Seventeen more minutes to go. I could hear the train rumbling in the distance, and it would be on time. I gave Bella a smile, trying to reassure her. I knew my smile wasn't very convincing. I was obviously tense.

Nine minutes to go. With each passing minute, I grew more impatient. I could taste the freedom. Bella chewed on her lower lip out of nervousness, temporarily distracting me from my agitation. Who could focus while she did that? I intentionally averted my eyes so as to avoid another fantasy.

Four minutes to go. The train would arrive, and it would take only a few moments for them to load passengers. I had my tickets anxiously in hand. Bella heard the train coming into the station, and she looked up eagerly, meeting my eyes. Now, she gave me a reassuring smile. Almost time.

Two minutes to go. Still nothing out of the ordinary in the minds of those around us. A younger guy walked by and noticed Bella, which irritated me. He thought she was cute, but then hurried away when he saw me glaring at him. Bella was much more than cute, and the guy was in for extreme disappointment if he tried to hit on her. I would've humiliated him. I amused myself with this as the train arrived into the station. One more minute to go.

The train came to a halt and started unloading the few passengers and luggage it was carrying. We should be able to board in no time. Still nothing in the thoughts around me, until…

Carlisle Cullen.

I froze. Some had thought my father's name.

Is it…no, it can't be? Since when did he start a coven? I've never known anyone else to drink animal blood, and the eyes… Joshua was right about that.

Someone was here, and he was thinking about my father, about me. I frantically scanned the crowd, looking for the voice. Finally, I saw the man responsible for the thoughts. He looked in his mid-thirties and had dark brown hair. He was extremely muscular and wore sunglasses, just like Joshua had. His eyes showed a deep burgundy. The man looked like a lumberjack, and he knew my father. My body tensed in preparation. I didn't care who he knew. If he intended to hurt Bella, then I was prepared to fight.

We locked eyes, and a slow smile crept over his face. He looked at Bella, and then back at me, raising his eyebrows. "What do we have here?" he thought. Hmm… The boy looks like he's found a little pet. Poor girl. I bet she's completely smitten and has no idea what he is. It's hardly fair. I wonder how Carlisle is involved. Wow, look at how defensive he is! That's strange to be so protective over a human. Easy, boy…

I tried to relax my features, but I was coiled in anticipation. He walked up to me, a smirk on his face. In his thoughts, he was completely relaxed and amused. I saw that this was George, the leader of Joshua's coven. When Joshua had told him about my eyes, he had decided to come check things out for himself, remembering Carlisle from many years before. He had known Carlisle when Carlisle had first arrived to the New World. He had liked my father and didn't want to miss a chance to meet one of Carlisle's very own 'followers.' He was also curious about my human companion.

Bella looked up from the bench in shock as the man walked up to me. Her shock quickly morphed into fear as she realized what he was. Bella remembered my warning that they may be coming for us. I could smell her fear; the adrenaline was palpable. George smelled it, too.

The girl is afraid of me? Do I look that frightening? I wonder why? Is she running from something, with him? This whole situation is peculiar, that's for sure.

"Hello, Edward. I'm George. You met my associate, Joshua, earlier today. I decided to come and welcome you myself, and I'm glad I'm not too late."

"Yes." I kept my voice controlled and smooth, but the tension was all but rolling off of me.

"So, you're headed back to your coven, then? Tell me, who leads your coven, if there is one leader?"

"Carlisle Cullen. I joined him over a decade ago. I'm returning to him now." I didn't want to reveal my younger age, so I made it sound like I joined up. He didn't need to know that Carlisle was my creator.

"Ahh, Carlisle. I've met him before, many years ago. He is the only other I've heard of besides you who dabbles in alternative sustenance, shall we say. Although, I see you've been expanding your palate." He smirked, and looked meaningfully at Bella. "Are you packing a lunch for the long train ride, Edward? Would Carlisle approve?" He smiled in amusement.

Fury boiled in my veins. I spoke tight lipped. "No. It isn't like that."

"How is it, then?" George was laughing from his amusement. I didn't want to reveal the power of Bella's blood over me, but I didn't know what else to do. If I was rude, it may instigate something further, and I needed to do what was best for Bella. I fought for self control before I spoke.

"The girl is…a family friend. Carlisle is expecting her."

He eyed Bella, and then looked at me. "Will you not introduce me to your family friend?" She has an interesting scent, more floral than most humans. It's definitely refreshing...

"Maybe another time. We have a train to catch, so if you'll excuse us..."

Not so fast. "Surely you can catch a later train, Edward. Carlisle wouldn't want you to be rude. We should talk privately, get to know each other better."

"I don't think so, George." I gave him an uncompromising stare that made my intentions clear. There was no way that I was leaving this station and taking Bella to a coven of vampires. I would rather fight him than submit to his demand. I searched his mind for any signs of relenting. He may be stronger, but I had a few advantages of my own.

He measured my determination, and any remaining amusement he had disappeared. He wasn't accustomed to being refused; anger contaminated his thoughts. He weighed his options as we stared at each other. On one hand, he could force me to obey him, but that would cause a public fight; he knew that I would make him drag me out of here. He had more to lose than I did by exposing himself, and he recognized that; after all, this was his area, and he had worked hard cultivating it. Plus, he had a whole coven to consider. He'd always liked Carlisle and would regret making an enemy out of his old acquaintance. However, I had offended his ego, and he wanted to make me pay for that. He could care less about Bella's safety, so that wasn't an issue.

I almost sighed with relief when he made up his mind: He would let us go, but he wouldn't forget this. He may like Carlisle, but I had made an enemy out of George.

"Edward, have a good trip. It's unfortunate that we couldn't become better acquainted. I expect that you'll give Carlisle my regards." With a menacing tone, he added, "You and I will meet again, I'm certain." As long as they didn't hurt Bella, I didn't care what happened to me. I could handle anything as long as Bella was safe. And for now, we were getting out of here.

"I look forward to it," I said formally. "Please send my regards to your coven, as well, especially Joshua." I turned to Bella, keeping with my formal tone. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes," she said in a small voice. George watched as I grabbed Bella's bag and helped her off of the bench.

He touches her so carefully. Hmm, the girl is pretty. There is something almost translucent about her. I wonder if she has any idea that she's probably going to die. What does Carlisle want with a human? One thing is certain: Edward is a bastard. Carlisle should keep better company. Maybe Edward will leave the coven; he did recently have human blood. If he does, then I can teach him a lesson about being polite. I'd enjoy that.

I listened to his thoughts as Bella and I boarded the train, elated that George intended to leave us alone. Never did George directly suspect that Bella was my singer, which surprised me. Maybe the legends were not that well known, after all. I felt like my feelings about her were obvious, but I was clearly a little biased on the matter.

Bella's breathing still hadn't returned to normal as we headed down the aisle to find our cabin. We passed through a dining room and a lounge area before finally finding our room. Ours was in the back of the train and was definitely larger than some of the closet-sized rooms. Nevertheless, it was still tiny. There was just one narrow cot in the room with a bench about six feet from the bed. This would be interesting, sharing such close living quarters with Bella.

Once we were alone, I took a deep breath in the confined space, closing my eyes. Fire ripped through my body and caused my hands to tremble. Her scent quickly permeated every corner of the room; it was mouthwatering. I felt like I was trying to breathe underwater. It swirled around me and clouded my vision. I took note of the pain and let it wreck me, but I never lost control. I still felt strong and remained convinced that my strength was due to the human blood. I would keep Bella safe. I could do this.

I opened my eyes and looked at her. She was standing very still against the wall and watching me breathe. I composed myself so as to not scare her anymore. Today had been traumatic enough, even for me. I felt a little tired, despite my inability to sleep.

"I was just...adjusting, Bella. I'm sorry to scare you." I felt ashamed by my weakness.

"Edward, stop apologizing. I'm just trying to make it easier on you by not moving. Are you …okay? Are we safe?"

"Yes, I'm fine. We're fine. They're going to leave us alone. They didn't want a fight and decided it wasn't worth it. I'm sorry." For as relieved as I felt, I felt equally horrible for endangering Bella. I should've been more careful and visited her aunt in person. And what was I thinking, staying in a hotel with her like I was…normal?

She looked exasperated at my martyred expression. "You have to stop apologizing and beating yourself up."

"Bella, I put you in constant danger. I have a lot to apologize for. I cannot deny that."

She looked angry. I wanted to read her thoughts and figure out why. Was I irritating her? Even if I was, it was important for her to know how badly I felt.

"Edward, I meant what I said. I want to be here with you, and I don't care that it's dangerous. Again, I'd be dead if not for you."

Now, I was the angry one. "If I'm not to apologize anymore, Bella, then you're not to keep saying that." I raised my voice in frustration. "Is that why you want to stay with me, because you figure you should be dead, anyway? Who cares if I kill you, because you're living on borrowed time?" I didn't want Bella to view her life in such a way.

Something else occurred to me. Was Bella with me because she felt indebted to me? Well, I would leave now if it meant life for her. She deserved better than a life of guilt. "You don't owe me anything," I said.

"I'm here because I want to be," she whispered.

"Why, Bella? Why would you want to be here with a vampire?" I couldn't read her mind and was about to lose my own in the process. What were the real reasons that this creature wanted to be around me? I noticed that she flinched when I'd said vampire, but she needed to hear it. It was the truth.

"I should ask you the same question," she retorted, raising her chin. She didn't play fair but was completely right. Why should she have to answer a question that I wasn't willing to answer myself? Because I want you, Bella, in ways that I shouldn't, in ways that I never have wanted anyone before. Because I find you fascinating, and brave, and irresistibly beautiful.

We stared at each other, both unwilling to speak our minds. After a few long moments, my anger subsided; it was ridiculous to have this tension between us. I wanted to enjoy being with her for as long as that may be, and we had a whole train ride ahead of us. We didn't have to figure everything out today. Besides, it would be harder for me to find ways to touch her if she was mad at me. She was so irresistible.

I grinned at Bella, lifting an eyebrow. She continued to stare at me, a smile eventually tugging at the corners of her mouth. I could tell our argument was over, at least for now.

"Really, Mrs. Cullen, we shouldn't fight. We are newlyweds, after all. What will the other passengers think?," I asked in mock horror.

She laughed a musical laugh. "I suppose you're right, Mr. Cullen. How thoughtless of us."

I joined in her laughter, admiring how exquisite she looked when smiling. "Let's go look around, shall we?" I offered her my arm. She took it with a smile, her heart pounding in her chest. Again, I hoped fervently that her heart sped out of attraction.

We had a long trip ahead of us, and I would have plenty of time to figure out exactly what Bella thought of me. I tried not to think about how selfish I was being; regardless, I knew that I couldn't stay away from her. Bella had said that she wouldn't leave me unless I told her to go. I would adopt the same principle. I wouldn't leave her unless she wished for it.

A wicked thought occurred to me. If Bella did like me out of guilt, I could always change that, right? Once we got into Denver, I would try this the old-fashioned way. I would take Bella out on a real date. She deserved to be wooed. One thing was certain: I would figure out Bella's interest in me before we got to Washington.

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