A.N: Finally an update! I'm so sorry for yet another long wait =P ENJOY! (Don't forget to review!)

Chapter 11- Issues

APOV

A rustle. A movement. Slight shifting.

"Bella?"

"Yes?"

"Are you okay?"

I heard her breath hitch.

"Erm..yea, I'm fine."

Chancing a glance, she looked anything but fine to me.

"Are you sure? You look a bit pale to me. Look, if you don't feel comfortable with this, I don't mind turning back-"

"No no no! It's okay! I really am feeling all right! Just a bit…nervous. It's okay, just keep driving."

I gave her one last look of concern, pursed my lips, and then turned my attention back onto the road. We were traversing down the long gravel road leading to my home. There wasn't any special occasion on, no; just another ordinary Sunday. It was just that Bella wanted to pop by and say hi to the family.

We have been together for two weeks now, still counting. I have never felt this…euphoric and warm before, not until she stepped into my life after that night. But we have been taking things slowly too; one step at a time. I don't want to rush her into anything. After waiting for a hundred over years, it doesn't really make much of a difference to me now.

But one thing that I seriously did not expect was her wanting to meet the others so early into our relationship. I was literally frozen with shock when she told me about it.

I mean, one vampire, you would think that the shock would be enough for a normal human being to handle. No; make that an eccentric human being. A normal human being would most likely stay away in self-preservation. But no, this girl next to me wants to meet five more.

Sometimes I could not help but to wonder where her sense of self-preservation went (if she had any in the first place). How reckless can one get?

But I guess I should not be complaining.

Bella may be reckless, but she is by no doubt sweet. And no, please don't get me wrong; I was not referring to her scent. I would not deny that is sweet as well, but it would be totally wrong for me to think that. I like her for who she is, not her scent. But I guess when you like someone, everything about them would appeal to you. I suppose that was what true love was supposed to be-

-No, not love. Like. Love would be moving too fast; and I really don't want to rush her into anything. But 'true like' does not make any sense. Perhaps if we change it to 'truly'...

Damn Bella, you sure are able to reduce me into a lovesick, babbling, rambling fool.

A job well done too, Alice. I feel like some teenage boy in love for the first time.

Bella must have noticed a frown creasing my forehead, for she daringly reached out her hand and lightly grazed it across my skin, so lightly that I barely felt it, if not for the brief shock of heat that was emanating off her. Thankfully there were seldom any cars taking this road.

"Now, are you all right?"

I nodded my head, but it was more like a jerk of acknowledgement. "I am…it's you whom I'm more worried about. I mean, why would you be so keen to meet my family? A bunch of…vamps?"

She shot me an incredulous look. I stopped the car on the road shoulder. Something told me that we needed to talk.

Bella unbuckled her seatbelt and daringly shifter closer to me. I held my breath. "What?"

"Alice…I'm just trying to become a part of your life. I mean, I hardly know anything about you, or even you family. I know you are afraid to let me in (what?!) because you want to protect me. It's sweet of you, but also stupid. I want you to know that I really am serious about this." Bella grabbed my hand and held it tightly.

I did not know how to reply her. She effectively dug up my insecurities and fears and smashed them into smithereens. I was totally at a loss, sitting there dumbly with my hands still on the steering wheel, one of hers' on mine.

My head was turned so that I was looking into her eyes. Her warm brown ocher eyes that always seem to be able to pull me in. I was appreciating the emotions swimming within them, allowing myself to drown deeper and deeper into the chocolate-brown depths that seemed to be moving closer and closer, engulfing me slowly. She cupped my cheeks lightly, tracing my skin with the soft pads of her fingertips. The burning warmth of her hands shook me from my trance just in time to feel her lips on mine.

Slowly, steadily, Bella moved her lips over mine, leading them in a slow dance. I felt teeth biting and scraping softly over my bottom lip, pleading in her own quiet way for me to let her in. But I kept my lips tightly locked together.

I heard a click as Bella unbuckled my seatbelt. The next thing I know, she has moved over to take its place, nestling herself on my lap. Chevy's spacious enough, but I sure did not appreciate its roominess at that moment. The spontaneous and unpredictable woman sitting in my lap daringly leaned into me, arms on my chest, lips on mine, fighting for entry. I didn't even know who she was anymore at that instance. She was a totally different person from the Bella I knew.

The stranger ripped and tore and crashed against my barriers; however, the more she tried, the more unyielding I became. She slowly pulled away after what seemed like a million years, chest heaving slightly as she looks at me with a hard face. She was not very happy with me; I knew that. My arms were dead weight by my sides as I stubbornly continued to stare straight ahead, trying to keep my barriers up to protect my insecurities.

Bella's arms slowly slid down my front, making a great show of moving back onto her seat. I knew that she was doing that on purpose, running the tips of her digits daringly over my chest and my stomach and my hips before pulling away, taking the heat and warmth away. But I stubbornly kept my eyes on the gravel road ahead, even though I was close to breaking inside.

She is just so…wild. I started the engine that roared into life. I don't even know whether I'll be able to handle her. She shouldn't even be here with me; her being human and me being a century-old blood-drinker.

I am not good enough for her.

It wasn't long before we turned into the driveway of my family mansion. The rest of the ride after our awkward exchange was filled with tension and even…weirder than the situation itself. Her face was scrunched up into a scowl and she steadfastly refused to take even a single look at me.

But I trust that Edward would sort things out. I know.

My loyal brother, as I expected, did not let me down. He was already waiting in the entrance hall, behind the main door for us. Of course, Bella did not know that, so it wasn't any surprising to see her jump in shock when he opened the door the very moment we arrived at the doorsteps.

Edward seemed to not have noticed Bella's jump.

"Hi, I'm Edward, Alice's brother." He extended his cool hand and smiled that smile that never fails to melt any girl. I frowned.

Bella reciprocated with a smile and grasped his hand warmly, no pun intended.

"Hi, I'm Bella. Pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure's mine. I know who you are," Edward glanced at me, "I've heard a lot about you." Bella raised an eyebrow and threw a side-glance at me, but she did not say a single word.

Damn you, Edward Cullen. Stop making things any more awkward than they already are.

Edward's mind-reading ability sure comes in useful at times like this. But I know that Bella would not like it if she ever finds out that I had gotten my brother to snoop around in her head. Oh well, what she does not know would never hurt her.

Strangely, Edward seemed slightly disturbed. He gave me a weird look and I received a sudden flash of an upcoming talk. I nodded subtly. Our little exchange ended in a matter of seconds, with Bella being totally oblivious to it all. Her handshake with my brother ended milliseconds after our silent agreement.

"Come on in; the family's waiting."

Edward led us into the parlour. I floated along next to Bella and grasped her hand encouragingly. Thankfully, she did not wrench it away. I could tell that she was feeling nervous though she did a pretty good job hiding it; she was tensed. I rubbed my thumb consolingly over the back of her hand. Petty arguments can stay away for the moment; now, I need to be here for her.

The moment we entered, Esme came over with a warm smile and drew us, minus Edward, into a tight hug. I could feel Bella tense up next to me, but she gradually relaxed into Esme's motherly embrace. Pulling away, Esme smiled warmly with a slight twinkle in her eyes.

"Hi dear, I'm Esme, Alice's mother."

"Hi, I'm Bella." My love smiled, and then glanced at me with an unsure look on her face. If my hunch was correct, I would say that she was wondering why Esme looked so young. I think she has forgotten that we don't age.

Ah, but she looks so cute when she is lost.

I let go of her hand, and Bella jerked at the sudden loss of contact, but instantly relaxed the moment I wrapped my arm around her waist reassuringly and pulled her closer to me. Edward was already starting to introduce the rest of the family.

"Bella, that's Emmett over there standing behind the couch." Emmett waved with a wide grin. "And that's Rosalie sitting in front of Emmett." Rosalie merely nodded her head in acknowledgement. "Standing over there, next to the grand piano, is Jasper." Jasper smiled nervously. I could see him fidgeting slightly, and instinctively, I drew Bella closer to me. It was not that I did not trust Jasper; in fact, I do trust him, but not that creature within him.

Jasper just joined the family not too long ago, and he was still getting used to our lifestyle and our special diet. He was getting along pretty well, but there was no saying that he would not lose control of himself because of Bella. I would be damned if I let anything happen to Bella.

"And here's Carlisle," Edward gestured with his hand as Carlisle came over with a gentle smile.

"It's nice to have you here, Bella. I'm Carlisle, their father. I work at the local hospital in Seattle."

"It's nice to meet all of you, Mr Cullen."

"It's all right. Please, call me Carlisle." He took Bella's hand. "It is okay, Alice," he nodded towards me. I reluctantly let go of Bella's waist and allowed Carlisle to lead her over to the couch. I presumed that they were going to have the usual get-to-know-you-better talk.

"Hey sis," Edward was beside me. "Fancy giving me a hand with some of my stuff upstairs? I need some help sorting them out."

"Sure."

It was time for our little talk.

After double-checking and triple-checking that Bella was fine without me there, I headed to Edward's room. He had gone on upstairs first, and was pacing his room anxiously while waiting for me to arrive. That was something that I didn't get to see often, and it did made me rather nervous myself.

"What's wrong?" He stopped pacing as I locked the door behind me.

"This is going to be hard to say-"

"Is she fuming mad at me beyond hope?"

"No, no; it's not that. It's…" he struggled to find a suitable word. "Strange."

"What's so strange? You've lost me."

"It's just… Bella. She's…different."

"How so? I know that she's a female; hell, you knew that! Don't tell me you are going all homophobic on me now. You were the one who nagged me to go for it in the first place, brother."

"No no! I don't mean that! I'm fine with you two girls together, but this is a different matter altogether."

"Okay, stop. Breathe and stop going around in riddles; you're not making much sense. What do you mean by 'different'?"

"I can't hear her thoughts."

He looked at me expectantly, as though he was waiting for an answer from me. But I was as lost as he was, and he realized that too. No, it's not possible; how can he not be able to hear her thoughts? Unless she is a-

"Werewolf?"

"No, it can't be! I can see her future just fine! She can't be a werewolf. Furthermore, she doesn't stink like them."

"Yea, you've got a point there. She smells nothing like those stinking dogs."

"Are you sure you can't hear her? Maybe you did not tune in properly?"

Edward rolled his eyes. "Gosh sis, did you think I'm five or something? Of course I did! I am never wrong."

Everything was giving me a splitting headache. I walked over to his bed and sank down in it with my head in my hands. It was not possible… this can't be happening-

"Well, it is; like it or not."

"…"

"We can ask Carlisle about this after she's gone," he offered helpfully. "I would love to find out for myself why I can't tune in to her."

I nodded numbly and thought of Bella. Then, I received another flash that made me shot straight up.

"Edward. Downstairs. Now."

Not waiting for his response, I was out of the door and on my way down in a flash.

I heard a crash. Bella. I was too late.

I dashed into the parlour only to witness what I saw just three seconds ago. Bella was kneeling next to a pile of broken glass with a cut on her hand and drops of crimson liquid dotting the marble floor.

Blood.

I stopped breathing immediately and got to her side. Emmett and Rosalie had backed off to a far corner. And Jasper…he was trembling uncontrollably.

"Edward, get Jasper." Edward, who had dashed in after me, immediately started to head towards the blonde. But he wasn't fast enough; Jasper had a headstart.

Jasper lunged towards us before Edward could reach him. A loud crash resounded as I tried to block him myself and push him away from Bella. He was stronger than me, obviously, and he had clearly lost his senses due to the thirst. I snarled at him and stood protectively in front of Bella. I would never allow him to get close to her in this state. Jasper's face was contorted in hunger and his eyes had turned coal black. He would have been impossible to restrain if Emmett and Edward had not help to pull him back.

"Edward, Emmett, Rosalie; take him out." Esme firmly pointed towards the back door. The two males grabbed Jasper, who was still growling and struggling to break free, dragging him towards the back door held open by Rosalie. I did not break my stance until the door clicked firmly shut.

Carlisle was trying to stop the bleeding from the deep gash on her hand, working methodically like the professional doctor he was. Esme rushed into the kitchen for the first aid kit and returned with it as well as a bottle of bleach.

"I'll do it." I made an attempt to take the bleach and the cloth from Esme. "It's okay, I can handle it. You join the rest."

Esme shot a glance at Carlisle, who turned to look at me before giving her a reassuring nod. She murmured a quick "thanks" before rushing out of the parlour.

I hastily mopped up the mess with bleach and dumped the blood-soaked cloth into bleach before burning it. It was hard to focus with the overpowering smell of Bella's blood beckoning to me. But I knew that I had to do it. For Bella's sake, I must.

Carlisle had stopped the bleeding by the time I finished mopping up the mess. I moved to Bella's side and sat down next to her on the couch as he started to bandage the wound. I wrapped my arm around her waist again and brushed a few strands of hair that was sticking to her face due to perspiration. I must have scared her.

She turned to look at me with apologetic brown eyes. This was good for me, for focusing on her eyes helped to take my mind off the tempting wound on her hand.

"I'm sorry." She seemed to be feeling really guilty.

"Don't be. I'm the one who should be sorry." I leaned in and kissed her lightly on the lips. "I gave you quite a scare, didn't I?"

"Not really. I felt safe with you around." I dropped my gaze. I am anything but safe to be around.

"Really," she used her one good hand to lift my chin up and met my gaze steadily. "I mean it."

"I'm sorry about Jasper. He's new to our diet. So he is still learning how to stay under control around humans."

"It's me who should be sorry. I'm too accident-prone for my own good. And for others' good."

Carlisle had finished wrapping her hand up and left with the stuff, deciding to leave us alone. He gave me a smile before exiting into kitchen to clear up.

"We're not safe to be around. I'm not safe to be around."

"I feel safe with you, that is all that matters."

Bella lifted my chin again, then moved her hand to rest on my cheek. She leaned in. I moved my head forwards and closed the rest of the distance between us, allowing our lips to meet. It was a kiss of reassurance, from her to me. It was a kiss of trust.

"I promise I will do all I can to keep you safe."

"I know you will. I love you."