A/N: Another event many of you have been anticipating: Forks Fall Fest!!!! Let's see what happens, shall we? As always I want to thank HopeAlways for being my patient, awesome beta and her story is pimp. Check it out!

Chapter 11 - Showdown

Bella wasn't ready for Edward when he came to the door the next night. She heard the knock from her bedroom and her pulse started behaving erratically. She reached up and pulled the last curler out of her hair and stared in the mirror. She had tried her best with makeup to conceal the puffiness under her eyes, but she still looked like she had been crying all night--which she had been.

Angela had come back early to help her and Alice had stayed with Charlie. The whole Jake confrontation had been horrible and she needed her friend more than ever. Angela thought that things could have been worse, but Bella thought otherwise. What more could have gone wrong?

Bella heard the front door open so she stood hurriedly, took one last disapproving glance at herself, and descended the stairs.

She had no hopes for the night, only that it might take her mind off of Jacob for awhile.

Good luck with that, her conscience told her.

She was wearing a flowery blouse and jeans which she topped off with her favorite purple cashmere cardigan. It was an outfit that had been gathering dust in her closet from home. She lived in the comfort of scrubs and sweats, so this was a little out of place for her.

Edward's eyes told her that he liked the outfit she had chosen. Her hand skimmed the railing helping her balance. She cast a nervous smile at the small group of friends gathered in the foyer. Edward, Alice and Angela: her lifelines to the real world. Charlie was there too, beaming at her.

She had tried to back out of going out when he spoke another couple of words. Just go, he told her with stern eyes. She was nervous to leave him, but promised to only be gone a couple of hours.

"Ready?" Edward held the crook of his arm out to her and she threaded her arm through his slowly. Angela gave her a raised-eyebrows look behind his back and Bella bit her lip to conceal a guilty frown. They walked to Edward's Honda and Angela and Alice took the back seat before she could say anything.

That's okay girls, she thought,, soon he won't be able to get rid of me fast enough.

The conversation was light as they drove downtown and Bella couldn't help but think that Edward looked dashing in his cable knit sweater and khakis. The lights of the carnival were on the horizon. Forks' Fall Fest was underway. The streets of the small downtown had been barricaded to make room for the cheap rides and game stands. Ropes of twinkle lights illuminated the gates and lamp posts giving it a whimsical feel, and merry-go-round music and sounds of laughter filled the air.

They milled around the fair, playing dunk-the-duck, pie-throwing at the Forks' High principal in whom Edward got a direct shot, and riding the tilt-n-twirl. Alice and Angela seemed to hit it off quite well, which Bella knew they would. They chatted like they had known each other for years. It wasn't long before they fell back from Edward and Bella, lost in conversation. Bella knew it wasn't on purpose, but she felt a pang of uneasiness when she was alone with him.

Soon Bella found herself swinging in a gondola compartment of the ferris wheel alone with Edward. She looked out at the darkening sky as the wheel started to ascend. She could feel his eyes on her.

Crap. She really should have tried to avoid this situation, but Alice and Angela had conveniently gone hunting for elephant ears, practically disappearing before Bella's eyes.

"Are you enjoying yourself? You seem a little sad," Edward said, concerned.

"Yeah, it's been great. The carnival was a good suggestion. I needed to get out," she said only glancing at him briefly.

"Bella, it means a lot that you came out. Charlie will be fine, if that's what you're worried about."

She nodded in part agreement with his statement, but her mind was elsewhere. She was replaying the night before with Jake in her head over and over again. His face, his presence, his anger and hardness had stunned her. He was so close, but unreachable. It would take a miracle for him to ever to forgive her, she knew that much. She sniffed and wished with all of her heart she could get off of the stupid, never-ending ride. She swore under her breath as the compartment ascended again.

"I'm so sorry about your mother Bella. You've had a lot of memories with her here," Edward said suddenly, sensing her distress.

Could the night get any worse, with Edward reminding her of every additional issue that devastated her? She gave him a hard look.

"I don't want to talk about her… or dad. Edward, you aren't my therapist. Just stop trying."

He sat back shocked. "I'm sorry. I won't bring it up again."

They rode in silence for another rotation. She realized that the atmosphere was getting even more awkward.

"Look, I'm sorry Edward. I guess I wasn't ready for this. I'm a horrible date."

He reached over and took her hand and she stiffened, but allowed him to linger there.

"It's okay and you aren't a horrible date. I had one girl puke on me within the first five minutes of meeting her. Trust me, you're fine."

She laughed and the mood lightened considerably.

"Bella, I would like to ask you one thing though, if you don't mind."

She met his amber eyes and smiled stiffly. "Of course."

"Why did you come back? I mean, you had a great job in Seattle, friends…"

The wind rustled her hair and she tucked it back in place behind her ear.

"Charlie. He needed to come back here. I think it has helped him heal. His whole life was here in Forks. Besides, the lifestyle in Seattle was getting less…affordable," she added vaguely, not wanting to drag her father's name through the mud.

"Really? I mean you guys were so well off. Your mom's gallery - her paintings were remarkable. My own mother tried to buy on auction and it even went beyond what she could afford. Of course her real estate business was tanking by then and we had to sell our own house. I guess our lives are similar that way."

He looked down at his hands a little embarrassed.

"I guess," she said looking far off, trying to catch a glimpse of Alice or Angela. "My mother set aside quite a bit for me when I turn twenty-five. I don't know how much and I don't care I guess. But I know I'll be set for a while, so that's comforting."

He nodded in understanding and his eyes gleamed. "I wish my parents would have done the same, instead of investing in such a shaky market. Oh well, life went on for us."

"Hey I think it's great that you and Alice went to college instead of just living off of your parents' money, like so many kids right after high school. I commend you."

He chuckled and shook his head, meeting her eyes. "I'm so in debt, it's insane. When I look back at my high school life, it seems like such a fairy tale - driving a Volvo, wearing designer clothes, the whole bit. I guess this is the real world huh? Living in an apartment, scraping by."

"Life is sooo terrible," she said and feigned a dramatic sweep of her hand across her brow.

He laughed and playfully swatted her arm. She was glad that the conversation had turned and she thought to herself that maybe she was starting to enjoy his company.

Finally, the ferris wheel lurched to a stop and they exited.

"Do you want to maybe get a bite to eat and try to find the runaway girls?"

"Sure."

They meandered across the small fair, passing the concession stands, until Bella selected the one that seemed the most appealing. Fair food was never kind to her stomach.

A corndog seemed safe enough, and Edward bought two of them. She thanked him and they walked along the perimeter of the fair, eating their fried concoctions.

They kept their eyes peeled for Alice and Angela but didn't spot them so they sat at a picnic table to finish their food and grab a lemonade. Edward seemed a bit uncomfortable as Bella watched him shift in his seat.

"What's wrong, Cullen? Don't want to use the porto-potty?" She laughed.

"No, it's not that, and no, I've never been in one of those, never will," he joined in her laughter and they stood to walk again. The air was chilly and she was grateful for her wool pea coat to keep her warm.

When they got to a more remote part of the fair, Edward turned on her suddenly, wiping his palms on his jeans nervously and brought his eyes to hers.

"I was thinking about the time during our junior prom that I almost kissed you. I was so forward about it."

She blushed slightly. "Yes, you were. And you knew I was dating someone."

He lifted his eyebrows. "That made it all the more enticing."

She didn't respond but shook her head smirking. "He wasn't too pleased."

"I guess I wouldn't be either if you were my girl," he said grabbing her hand. His hand felt neither comfortable nor uncomfortable in hers so she let it be held. She remained silent for a few more steps and they found themselves between the empty tent and Ateara Repair Shop. No one was around.

Edward slowed his steps casually and turned to face her. "Bella, this time I want to do it right. Can I kiss you?"

She swallowed audibly and her mind went blank. She hadn't kissed a man in years, but it seemed way too sudden. He came a bit closer and her pulse drove hard, loud pumps into her ears.

"Edward, I…"

He shook his head, his lips smirking. They were mere inches away from hers.

"Don't reject me again. I don't think my heart could take it."

She felt herself give a surprised inhale the instant her lips met with his and her brain slowed. The kiss was soft and lingering. He ran his hands up her arms slowly and clasped one behind her neck. He parted her lips with a quick thrust of his tongue and every muscle in her body tightened. She broke the kiss hastily and pulled back from him. Her eyes were apologetic.

"Edward, I'm sorry. I'm just not good at this. The whole kissing thing." She knew her face was red and she dropped her gaze to the ground embarrassed.

"I thought it was pretty nice actually," he said gruffly, his eyes narrowed with lust. "I want more and I think you do to."

Before she knew it he was crushing his lips to hers again. She let out a sound of protest, but it was muffled by his mouth assaulting hers. His hands gripped her shoulders roughly and she felt caged.

"Edward please!" she said between his bruising kisses. Some might have considered them passionate, but she felt terrified. There was no one around to see or hear them and he was quickly backing them into the dark alley between the buildings. Her feet shuffled and she felt her back hit the brick wall with some force.

He mistook her grunt of pain of one of pleasure and began to kiss her again, shoving his tongue in deep.

"Tell me this doesn't make you wet, my sweet Bella," he said coming up for a gasp of air. Bella felt dizzy and her head whirled with alarm. Edward was a guy who was used to getting his way with women and everything was happening so fast that she didn't have time to think. How was she going to get out of this?

The answer came quick and hard in form of a punch landing squarely on the side of Edwards head sending him sprawling into the dark alley.

~*~

Jacob clenched and unclenched his hands slowly, trying to get the dull ache to subside. He was walking slowly toward the fair, letting the lights and sounds guide him to his friends.

"Jake! Over here!" he heard Leah call him over to the small group. Quil, Embry, Seth, Kim and Caleb were there too, hanging around Quil's repair shop He put on a smile and loped toward them.

Leah held out a cotton candy to him and he laughed.

"Ah, Forks' Fest. Does it get any better?" he said chuckling, shoving the candy into his mouth.

Leah was dressed up, especially by her standards. Jake appreciated the low-cut blouse and tight jeans that hugged her curves. Her eyes glowed with excitement as he came closer.

"Well, Jake, what would you like to do? The ferris wheel maybe?"

Jake gulped down another piece of candy and gave her a look of doubt.

"I don't like those things, they seem so rickety. I will however partake in the kicking-of-your-ass in whack-a-mole," he grinned mischievously at her.

She arched one of her eyebrows. "You're on."

The group of them started to walk toward the attractions and Jacob enjoyed watching Caleb's face light up with excitement. Quil and Embry were busy casting insults at each other as usual and Seth was in his own world.

Jacob and Leah trailed behind and he could feel her move closer to him. He was well aware of her advances toward him by now. It was obvious she liked him and hung on every word that came from his mouth. He thought that Leah might just be the right person to help him shake his past and start anew with. Why did it feel so wrong to hope for that?

Seeing Bella last night had been awkward and painful in more ways than one. It had only left him more unsure than before of where his life was going. He could admit to himself now that he hadn't really moved on. Seeing her again was proof of that. The way his breath stopped and his heart shuddered just because they were in the same room hadn't changed a bit. He wondered what she might have told him if he had allowed her to speak her mind, instead of storming out. The scenario played in his mind all night and sleep eluded him.

What could she have possibly said that would have made the situation better? An apology five years too late was not going to cut it. He could understand a few months, but five years? He was nowhere near the point of understanding how she could abandon him like that, no matter the explanation.

Leah's voice cut through his thoughts.

"Oh, God. Get a room!" She said giggling under her breath. Jacob followed her gaze to the young couple caught up in a passionate make-out session near the alleyway of the shop. The man was obviously having his way with her. Her back was pressed against the wall and her hands were in tight fists balled against his chest.

The rest of the group had wandered on up a bit further, but Jacob instinctively came closer to the couple, sensing trouble.

"Oh brother, leave them be, Jake. It's obvious they want to be alone," Leah said shaking her head trying to drag him back to the carnival.

"No, it's not obvious," he said getting closer.

Leah let out an exasperated sound.

Then Jake heard it. "Edward, please…"

It was her. Edward Cullen was kissing Bella. Anyone else would have thought it to be a random passionate encounter, but Jacob knew the tone of her voice and he was close enough now to see the look on her face. She was terrified.

That was all it took. To see her lips tremble, her eyes wide with fright and to see that bastard's hands all over her, caging her. It was too much for him.

He leapt over the barricade and was in the alley in milliseconds. The adrenaline pumping through his veins caused him to forget about the blinding pain in his hands as his fist collided with the side of Edwards jaw. The guy never saw it coming.

"Jake stop!" He heard Bella's voice, but his eyes were trained on Edward, who was currently reeling from the punch. The side of his head was oozing blood and Jacob felt somewhat satisfied.

"What the hell are you doing Jake?" Leah yelled, running up to the scene. The rest of the group quickly followed behind her.

He turned to Leah and the others. "Nothing to see here, just had to take care of something."

By this time Edward was sitting up clutching the side of his face.

"Cheap shot, you bastard. Can't you see the lady and I were enjoying ourselves?" Edward hissed angrily, as he got up onto his feet.

Jake laughed bitterly, turning his eyes to Bella. She remained speechless, her eyes wide with shock. Her lips were swollen from Edwards and it turned Jacob's stomach.

"Enjoyment? The only enjoyment that was had tonight was when my fist met your face, Cullen."

Bella, shook her head. "I'm fine. I was fine. I was handling it Jake."

He shook his head bitterly. "Sure, sure."

Leah stood with her arms crossed and she gave Bella a bitchy look. "Jake, you coming? I think she said she could handle it."

Jake's gaze didn't waver from Bella's. She nodded minutely telling him silently to go with his friends. By this time Angela and Alice had noticed the scene and were on their way over to the large group that had gathered.

Alice hurried to Edward, noticing his wounds.

"Edward! What happened?" she wailed frantically.

"This asshole couldn't handle that I was kissing his old flame." He wiped some of the blood off of his face with his sleeve.

"Watch it, Cullen," Embry's voice broke in from the back of the group.

"Or what?" Edward laughed darkly. "You and the big bad Indian boys will come after me? I should have Emmett here to even up the fight!"

"Emmett? That bastard wouldn't live to see tomorrow if he came across us and you know it," Kim's scathing voice cut in. She hugged her arms protectively around her son.

"Oh, is that right you Quileute slut? Some things never change Kim," Edward said evilly.

Jake made another lunge at him, but Leah, Bella and Angela helped keep him back.

"Do you have a death wish? What's going on Edward?" Alice screamed.

Embry piped up, his presence domineering. "Emmett Cullen is not allowed anywhere near us for good reason."

"And what reason is that?" Alice asked bitterly, still at Edward's side.

Jake motioned his head slightly to Caleb. "Look for yourself. Does this look like a full blood Quileute boy to you?"

Jake said it under his breath, so that the boy couldn't hear him, but the message was effectively received by the Cullen siblings who gawked at the child.

Caleb's eyes were unmistakable. The amber green in them gave it away clearly.

"Mom? What going on? Why's everybody staring at me?" The boy said distressed.

Kim put on her best smile. "Oh, they are all jealous of that cotton candy you're holding. Let's go ride the merry-go-round shall we?"

The boy nodded, happily distracted, and they left quickly.

"It's not possible," Alice said, shaking her head wildly. "Emmett never said a thing!"

"Because he was ashamed!" Jake bellowed. "Emmett used to cat around the rez. He even made advances toward my sisters, before my dad put a stop to it. Kim rejected him time after time until finally he didn't take no for an answer."

Jake balled up his fists angrily, his hand still throbbing from the punch.

"I don't like what you are insinuating, Jacob." Edward's look was hard in disbelief.

"Think about it Cullen. Why would he go through all of that trouble to push us off the rez all of these years. Why has he been the only one that has hated us for no apparent reason? Don't tell me it's that hard to fathom!"

Edward and Alice stood motionless, letting the words sink in.

Jacob watched as Bella and Angela looked at the siblings apprehensively. Bella looked wholly convinced, which was strange. Did she know about this?

"Five years ago he had the audacity to show up with his new blondie girlfriend and we told him in our own special way to that he wasn't allowed near Kim," Embry said flexing his fingers with menace.

"The rock-climbing accident?" Alice asked dumbfounded.

"Ha! That's what he said? He's lied to you almost your entire life, trying to cover his tracks. Now the truth comes out. Do you ever wonder why he stopped coming to LaPush after that? I think we got our message across loud and clear."

Embry finished his rant and the group of them shifted uncomfortably after bringing up such a volatile topic.

"This whole story is ludicrous!" Edward spat angrily.

Alice breathed heavily and looked at her brother pleadingly. Jake could tell from her expression that she was processing the story as truth.

"Come on, let's go home," she said blankly. Edward brushed the dust of the street off of his slacks and nodded.

"Fine," Edward said stoically. The anger faded slightly from his expression. He turned his attention back to Bella.

"I'll call you."

She shook her head resolutely. "No, I'll call you."

Jacob felt his heart soar a bit at that comment as he watched Edward walk away, dejected. The tone of her voice told him that she wasn't in the slightest bit interested in matching Edward's advances and the thought pleased him more than it should.

He felt a slim arm lace into his, pulling him away from the alley.

"Let's go have fun, Jake," Leah said softly. He didn't miss the desperate undertone. He let himself be led out, now that Angela was by Bella's side. He turned suddenly back to them.

"Are you both good to get back home tonight?" he asked, searching Bella's face. Her hair was mussed and she looked flushed from the whole debacle. He wanted nothing more that to smooth it away from her beautiful face and tell her she would be okay.

Ask me to stay with you. Ask me to take you home. Ask me to be close to you again. Jacob's internal dialogue was in full force and it was pissing him off.

"Yeah, we'll be okay. It's just a few blocks down, remember?" Bella said softly. He saw her face grimace a bit when she noticed Leah's hand clutching his arm possessively. The small gesture couldn't possibly make her jealous after all of these years, could it?

"All right, then, good night," he said lamely.

He let Leah lead him into the hubbub of the carnival and after a few steps, he chanced a look behind him. Bella had turned her head too and was giving him a look of sadness over her shoulder that overwhelmed his heart.

~*~

Wow, so Edward went from gentleman to dick in about 3 seconds! What do you think about how it all went down?

This chapter was inspired by the following songs:

"Possum Kingdom" by The Toadies

"Sometime Around Midnight" by The Airborne Toxic Event

"Far Behind" by Candlebox

"Where I Stood" by Missy Higgins

"Your Woman" by White Town

Thanks to all of the fans of michstargazer on face book. I hope you are enjoying the chapter previews, pictures and discussions. Click the link in my profile if you are interested in joining! It's a lot of fun! =)