A/N: any ideas are greatly appreciated especially while I am in inspirational struggle town. Cheers.

Music- The Truth about Cats and Dogs (is that they die): Pony up!

Chapter 11- ~The truth about Cats and Dogs (is that they Die)~

I don't know how much longer it was before I came too. I lay on my back; my arm was being delicately handled. It felt like a hot poker iron was burning the skin. A rush of noise came very suddenly and I was aware of what was happening. About three ambos' were standing over me trying to find an injury that caused me to faint. Ridiculous. I had passed out because of the blood; this all seemed a bit dramatic. My eyes fluttered open. I could hear low mumbled voices. My arm throbbed. Alice sat hyperventilating on the gutter, her hands clasping her head, tears evident on her face. My eyes focused on Edward, he was right by my side and holding my hand. My teeth clenched down when I saw his head was stitched up and his shirt stained with his blood. The sight of his blood made me feel somewhat woozy.

"Edward, can you lose your shirt." Alice's head snapped up, Edward's hand gripped mine slightly.

"Still, trying to get me out of my clothes Bella?" despite the humour I could hear his fear.

"Blood."

"Blood?"

"I can't stand the sight or smell of blood. It makes me faint… can you?" He nodded and with one swift movement his shirt was off his body. I didn't get a chance to stare, my eyes were already closed again as the smell of blood attacked me.

"Thanks."

I heard an ambulance man shuffle beside me, I opened my eyes again and he directed his words at me. "We think you've got a broken wrist miss."

"Thanks."

"Of all the people in the world, it could only be you Bella that feints when my brother gets bottled by your psycho friend and only you could fall in a weird as position breaking your wrist in the gutter. " I chuckled and then nodded Alice was right.

"Sorry about that guys."

The ambulance guy helped me stand up. "Let's get a plaster on you."

I realised the cost of the ambulance would be far more than the cost of going by taxi to the hospital, as long as Edward wasn't too badly injured. "I'm fine, I can get a taxi to the hospital… how are you Edward?"

"I'm fine. I just need stitches…" I nodded again. The ambulance man fixed Edward up and finding Edward, Alice and I a taxi, my wrist was x-rayed and plastered in under two hours. I was going to kill Jimmy; the great night I had planned with Edward was nothing but a dream now. Fantastic.

***

It had been three days since the night club incident. I still wasn't talking to Jimmy, despite his 36 calls. It was his fault Edward had four stitches above his eye and I had a nice fat plaster on my left arm. I had four weeks of a plastered left arm. I sighed, Edward was treating me like was made of china. Mostly I hated it, he acted like I had never had an injury before and refused to enter into any tempting situations until the cast was off. Great. Sex free Bella for four weeks.

"Bella!" my head snapped in the direction of the noise. I smiled. Alice stood tapping her foot in front of my counter.

"Alice!" It was just another day at Angela's yet today I finished early. My manager had decided I could get off at 12, there really weren't that many jobs I could do one armed. Suited me fine, Edward had promised me, we would have lunch together. I smiled and glanced at the clock, 11. Great one hour.

"Earth to Bella."

"Yes Alice?"

"So I was wondering, you finish at 12 yeah?"

"Yes. And sorry mate but no shopping trips Al, I still haven't recovered from yesterday when you made me buy that hideous, over priced dress…"

"It was on sale but that's not my suggestion."

"Oh?"

"Have lunch with me!"

"Sorry Al, I promised your step brother id grace him with my presence."

"Geez, you two are so much of a couple now. It's sickening." I could tell she was joking and it made me smile because in an Alice way, it was how she said she was happy for us.

"Hey, I'm offended we're no Rose and Emmett."

"Speaking of which, have you heard if they are back yet?"

"Rose messaged me about my arm. Warned me to lock the doors in case Jimmy comes by but no. Nothing about her return to our lovely little town."

"I like her thinking… well if you or my brother change your minds, give me a call yea?" I nodded. Alice was preoccupied by a thin blonde that had walked in. She reminded me of Rose, one of those women who made your self esteem plummet by just being around her. Her dress clung tightly to her body, and like Rose she wore clothes that accentuated her shape. Stupid genes.

"Oh and Bella if Edward asks can you say I seemed like I was in a good mood? He has been a bit annoying lately; he doesn't believe me when I say I am fine!"

"Sure thing, I guess….See ya later Al." she waved and walked out the door, her eyes still trailing on the blondes back. I day dreamed about Edward and my lunch for a few minutes until an annoying noise brought me to the present.

"Excuse me." I looked up. It was the blonde, she had a pissed off look on her face.

"Yes, how can I help you?" I suddenly realized she wasn't very old. She could be about my age actually.

"Do you sell that moisturizer that's on TV at the moment?" There must be about eight current commercials on television blondie.

I wanted to roll my eyes; instead I plastered a fake smile. "I'm sorry which one?"

"The one on the ad with the lady in the green dress… do you sell it?" I coughed to hide a laugh.

"The only moisturizers we have are the ones over there." I pointed in the direction of the beauty stand. The blonde didn't even bother to move her head, she merely rolled her eyes.

"It's not there."

"Oh then I'm sorry but perhaps you should try the bigger stores sometimes they get products before us."

"It's on TV at the moment." Yes! I heard you before. "Are you sure it's not out the back?"

"Oh ok, sorry I haven't seen the ad, I'm not sure what one you're referring to. And all the stock out the back is already on the floor, we don't hold stock out there just to mess with you." Ahhh, visions of my first encounter with Edward caused a real smile to fill my face, oh I missed Emmett.

"It's on TV." I was tempted to roll my eyes but I felt that would be too rude. Clearly Blondie here was one short of a dollar. Instead I just stared at her. Her eyes starred back, they thinned out and I felt like I was in a death stare.

"Perhaps you could try the beauty shop just around the corner, opposite the food court? They may have it there."

"Well, what do I ask for?"

"Ummm, the new moisturizer?"

"What's the brand name?"

I sighed. How was I meant to know? Didn't we just have this exact same conversation, clearly she wasn't listening. Why ask questions if you don't bother listening to the answer? This lady was infuriating, not only was I intimidated by her beauty but I felt like she was scolding me despite how correct I was. How was I meant to know the name of a product I hadn't even seen yet?

"I don't know….I haven't seen the ad so I'm not sure which product you are after." I glanced up at the door. He walked quietly in and stared at me. I couldn't help the smile that spread over my face. Edward grinned back equally amused. I tried to avert my eyes back to the snarky blonde but she was merely muttering insults. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Edward wink and my heart started pounding. I focused back on the lady. She was still mumbling.

"……..pathetic."

"Excuse me?"

"Never mind," with the most sarcastic expression on her face she continued, "thanks for all you help."

My face matching her tone I smiled back, "no problem." She through her expensive handbag over her shoulder and tuned around. Edward was standing just behind her and he focused on me for a second before I heard this blonde screech.

"Eddddddddie!" his eyes dropped to the girls face. I expected him to scrunch up his nose, he hated the nickname Eddie, instead his face split open into a wider grin.

"Oh my god, Tanya! How have you been? I haven't seen you for ages! What's news? How's your course going?" she wrapped her arms around him in response. I struggled to swallow. Edward had apparently forgotten I was here. He seemed far more impressed with seeing this blonde lady than seeing me. I glanced the clock and noticed the time. 12.01. I grabbed my drink bottle when Belinda walked up to the counter, "You're off Bella."

"Ok, Are you sure you will be fine? I mean it is peak hour out there?" she rolled her eyes. It was a joke we shared. The store hadn't had anyone besides that "Tanya" and Alice since five past nine in the morning. That was why I never seemed to get in trouble when Edward or Alice popped by, they usually bought something if my manager complained and that at least was a sale. These days, shoppers asked us for directions around the center rather than buying anything. "Ok, see ya later!"

"Bye Bella. Are you working tomorrow?"

"Ummm yep. At 7pm though… have a good day?"

"You too." I expected Edward to be standing at the back door like he had done for the past three days, with the plaster on my arm I couldn't carry my bag and he felt it was his duty to carry my bag for me. He blamed himself somewhat for the accident. He wasn't there however. He wasn't in the shop either. This Tanya wasn't either. I swallowed the jealously again. He must be out the front then waiting.

He was. Tanya still had her arm wrapped around him. His head was thrown back as he laughed. They were good friends, clearly. The jealousy pumped around me. She lent in and said something else that sparked his untamed laugh. She ran her hand through her hair and I felt my old self confidence take a further dive. This was who I expected Edward to be with, someone who matched his physical beauty.

"Umm hey?" Edward spun around. The look on his face made me worry. It looked like someone who was busted. What had they been doing?

"Hey." He smiled. It didn't reach his eyes. It was an uncomfortable look.

"Hello. I'm Tanya and you are?" she eyed my uniform up and down, way to go Bella, at least I had done my hair responsibly well this morning.

"This is Bella." She smiled sweetly at Edward and I felt sick. Why didn't he introduce me as his girlfriend? Clearly this Tanya liked him. "So Bells, me and Tanya are going to go bowling this afternoon. It's something we used to do way back when…did you want to come? I know it's not your think but…." he trailed off. Great. This Tanya was a past conquest.

"Oh that sounds like fun. I wish I could come but I can't." it was a forced invite anyway. Obviously Edward didn't want me with him when he went 'bowling' with Tanya.

She seemed offended, or perhaps she wanted to appear polite. "Why not?" I blinked at her for a few seconds, wondering if it took her an hour in the morning to put that much make up on. It was coated so thick. No wonder she need a moisturizer to give her skin a chance to drink after all that shit she put on it.

"I…ummm…. "I waved my cast in their general direction. It dawned on her than, she slowly began nodding.

Edward looked relieved. "Yeah, your arm. How could I forget?"

"I don't know Edward. How could you forget?" fuck. I had said that out loud. He gave me an angry glare and suddenly I wasn't sorry that I had said it. I wanted him to realise he was being an egotistical jerk. It was partially his fault that I broke my wrist. If he hadn't been such a dick to Jimmy then he wouldn't have been bottled and then I wouldn't have…yeah Swan, why don't you blame Edward for having blood in his body as well, that's as just his fault as that stupid he was being a dick to Jimmy argument. I settled for an apologetic look. Inside I felt crushed. We have lunch plans Edward don't you remember? You were going to pick me up for a lovely lunch together before Blondie here wanted her stupid moisturizer.

"How about we have diner instead Bells? I can catch up with Tanya and then I'll come pick you up yeah?"

"Ok. Nice to meet you Tanya. I'll see you later Edward." I turned my back and quickly walked towards the food court. I heard Edward call out my name but I pretended to not hear. Why was I being so childish? I trusted him. What was wrong with me?

I flipped my phone out. Thank god Alice had popped in, at least now I could salvage my 12 o'clock freedom. She answered on the third ring, I explained Edward cancelled and she promised to meet me in the food court in five minutes.

I had a voicemail call. So while I waited for Alice, I listened. I deleted the message as soon as I had heard half of it. Jimmy wasn't being very nice. I thought he was joking. But then I realized he was getting off on my voice mail, explaining his next attempt to attack me, because 'you are mine Bella, not his.' He must have called me last night because he sounded very drunk. I wanted to rush to Edward and have him comfort me. I wanted to be sick. I wanted to forget everything I had heard. I felt violated. But Edward was with Tanya and they were bowling.

The look on Alice's face put all thoughts of Jimmy out of my head. I had waited 7 minutes for her arrival. I had been getting impatient not only because Alice was never late but because now I didn't feel safe sitting here at an exposed seat in the shopping center. Suddenly she rushed over, talking at a million miles an hour.

"Oh my god Bella! I am so sorry I'm late… I just saw him again. He works at the movies and I was going there because my friend Vanessa wanted to catch up and I was like sure thing, I'm meant to be meeting Bella for lunch but there's no issue in having a quick cuppa but she asked me to pick her up from her job… which just happens to be at the cinemas and I saw him! He's an usher there…well it is his last shift because he got a job somewhere else but…his name is Jasper and Nessie, that's my friend Vanessa, planned some sort of foursome date thing that's not a date because apparently he has a thing for this girl or something…. I don't really know and we're going out at 5 tonight so I need to grab a bite to eat and get home and get ready yea?" I nodded. Who was she talking about? I tried to remember some boy she had seen and all I could think of was mystery boy from the club.

I didn't trust my voice to question her though. What was wrong with me? All I could hear was the laughter that came from Edward caused by Tanya. Alice was babbling away about this boy. Apparently I was right; he was the same one she had seen at the club that night. Usually I would have cared by I was completely zoned out and I'm ashamed to admit I was obsessively checking my phone hoping Edward would call. But everytime I looked at my phone, Jimmy's voice mail echoed in my head and I wanted to be sick. Alice knew something was up but her excitement over the semi date clouded her questioning. I wanted to forget it. I wanted to see Edward but all I could think of was Tanya and him. Finally I had, had enough I couldn't deal with the growing fantasies involving Edward and Tanya. I decided to dig around as much as I could.

"So Al, what do you know about Tanya?" Alice flinched at the sound of Tanya's name. Her face immediately conveyed fear, it was infectious.

"Tanya Delani?" Alice nodded after saying her name as though giving herself permission to speak. It gave me butterflies.

"I suppose, I don't really know her surname." Alice continued to nod.

"Oh…. I thought I saw her earlier… in your store right?...So…Ummm has she been in contact with Edward?" again I nodded. Alice tried to be subtle but I saw her jaw clench and her hand scrunched up her serviette.

"Alice, please you're freaking me out… should I be concerned?" I expected Alice to immediately jump to Edwards's defense, chastise me for failing to have trust. She didn't. Her eyes dropped to the table and she began tracing the pattern on the tablecloth. "Alice?" my voice sounded very soft. Weak. Fake. Scared.

"I suppose you would call her Edward's ex. except they never really dated." I nodded, trying to understand, trying to get Alice to continue explaining. "Bella, how much did you know about Edward before you started dating?"

"Know?" my heart was beating quickly now. Tears were prickling my eyes. What was wrong with me?

Alice took a few deep breathes, seeing her do that was scaring me more than anything. "What kind of reputation did you hear he had?"

"Well, Rose said he was known for having a lot of random girls and yea…"

"Yea."

"And Tanya?"

"She, how do I say this…."

"Just say it Al, I'm freaking out enough as it is."

"Edward always came back to Tanya. Always."

"In relation to?"

"If Edward was seeing someone consistently they usually broke up because of Tanya…or if he was not with anyone…Tanya was Edward's quick fuck girl." I swallowed. Alice finally looked back up; she noticed the panic in my eyes and immediately jumped into friend mode. "Oh Bella, you have nothing to worry about, Edward would never do that to you! I mean seriously the boy is a one woman show at the moment."

"At the moment?"

"Yes! As long as he is with you… I just told you about Tanya so you keep an eye on her. She is always, always after Edward, wanting a relationship with him and she's a nasty piece of work so just watch out. Yeah? There is nothing to worry about."

"Edward broke our lunch date to "catch up" with Tanya." The silence that engulfed our table, spoke volumes. The tears built in my eyes. They threatened to spill. Alice said nothing.

"Umm Al, have a nice date this afternoon. I have to go alright?" I stood up abruptly and grabbing my bag I tossed it over my shoulder. Don't think Bella. Don't think. Don't think until you're at home. Alice stood abruptly.

Her voice was a soft whisper, it didn't comfort me. "I'm sorry Bella." A sob broke out of my silent crying and Alice's faced caved in. she could see my pain. She thought… Edward must be….I couldn't think. I had to get home. I raced out of the restaurant and to my car.

My phone vibrated suddenly. If it was a call I was going to let it go to voice bank, there was no way I could talk right now. I could barely drive as the tears clouded my face. Even his own sister believed he was cheating on me. Even Alice.

I pulled up to my car spot. Finally home I allowed myself to check my messages.

"B, sorry about lunch. Extra special dinner yea? I'll pick you up at 6. E. x"

I fumbled with the letters as I hastily cancelled the diner plans. I couldn't see him now. Not after what Alice had confirmed. I didn't know if I could take it.

"Feel sick. I'm cancelling." I had barely put my phone down for a second when it began ringing. Without thinking clearly I answered.

"Hey." His voice was croaky.

I responded, my tone gave nothing away I hoped. "Hello."

There was a long pause. "So you're not feeling well?"

I snapped eager to get off the phone. "No."

"Oh… is something wrong Bells? I feel like something is up."

"No. nothing." I shoved my fist in my mouth to stop the sobs that were beginning. What was wrong with me? Had I turned into some pathetic girl over night? A few good times with Edward Masen and suddenly I was a blubbering mess when he did what he did well? "I'm going to sleep now so…."

"Can I call you later? "

"I'll let you know."

"What does that mean Be-"I hung up.

I couldn't deal with his voice. My phone rang again and I rejected the call. It rang three times before I turned it off. My body dragged its self up our apartment stairs. I tried to keep it together at least until I was inside. I didn't know who would be in the apartment and if Emmett was with Rose I'm sure he would call Edward which would result in a snowball effect and end up with an argument and more tears. I desperately needed time to get the strength to dump his sorry arse. I pushed open the door and glanced at the kitchen clock. 4-30pm. Shit where had the last four hours gone? Had I really been sitting in the car that long?

I heard shuffling in the lounge room. I peeked my head in the room and saw a familiar friendly blonde pony tail hunched over the coffee table.

"Rose," her head snapped up in my direction. She smiled in greeting; I tried to mimic her action but failed miserably. I watched as her face became confused with my expression. I hurried out the words, "is Emmett here?"

"No." I let out a soft sob.

"Ok….good"

"Why?" I couldn't hold it in much more then. I wrapped my arms around my stomach and; let the tears fall. I sort of crumbled to the floor. Rose stood up quickly and ran towards me.

"Oh shit Bella what's wrong?"

Between the hysterics I managed to get out what I needed to say to Rose.

"Can we have a girl's night tonight?"

"Sure. Did you want me to call Al-"

"No. please. No Cullen's, no Masen's." At the mention of their surnames Rose snapped into action.

"Ok. Is everything alright with Edward, Bella?"

"I….think…he…might….be….fucking…Tanya…Delani…."

She swore loudly and began muttering to herself. "Bastard, I'm going to kill him," her eyes darted back to mine for a brief second. The tears were coming hard and fast. My body was shaking with the pain. I closed my mouth trying to stop the tears falling. Trying to stop the snap shots of memories flashing through my mind. Rose interrupted my attempts.

"Oh Bella I'll get some choccie and we'll watch movies yea? You go have a shower, get into you pjs and we'll make a night of it." I tried to talk but I couldn't instead I just nodded.

I came out of the shower, not feeling much better. I snuck down the hallway; I could hear Rose on the phone.

"I'm sorry Emmett, but he is a fucking dickhead and if you expect me to even side with him, you have another thing coming. Do you know where he has been.....Tanya Delani? Of all the girls... Jesus Em. Tanya?! I thought he might have taste…. Fuck off….ok fine….no I promised her a girl's night…can you call Alice and tell her not to come over? I'm serious….no…she is his sister Em…yes, I know…I am not letting him in you can tell him that…the door is padlocked and dead bolted….I love you to." Her phone snapped shut and mimicking and Edward action Rose pinched the bridge of her nose. Reminding me of my pain caused another cry to come out. The soothing of the shower long gone, now I sounded like some sort of strangled cat.

She rushed at me, holding me tight. I whimpered and suddenly remembered the two conflicting feelings in my body; fear at Jimmy and betrayal of Edward. Knowing there was nothing I could do I quickly snapped at Rose through my tears. "Rose, don't ask why but can we please just lock all the doors and windows?" She nodded and locked them all; she also took the phone off the hook. I smiled at her gratefully. Now only the horrors of what could get me would hurt.

We made it half way through the first movie before I started sobbing so loudly that Rose paused the movie to comfort me. I couldn't deal. All I could see over and over again was Tanya's blonde hair and her gorgeous smile. I mumbled her name and the look of hatred on Rose's faced confirmed my fears of her. Eventually I fell asleep. Rose and I lying next to each other on the coach.

A loud noise woke me up. Followed by Rose swearing and swinging the door open. I closed my eyes and pressed myself further into the couch.

Rose only let the door open half way. I heard her sigh. "Edward, it's two in the morning and she doesn't want to see you now. Stop calling, her and my mobiles are off. The house phone is off the hook. Go home, get sleep. Call her later." My head snapped up and I felt the sinking feeling re-emerge in my gut. I closed my eyes again hoping Rose would get rid of him before I had to face him.

"I am not leaving Rosie until I see Bella." I heard Edward stumble and fall into the wall. He giggled. I had never heard Edward giggle like this before. What the hell was wrong with him?

"Edward. Are you drunk?"

"Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. I am not. Please let me see Bella."

"Edward, as I said before she doe-"

"Rosie, let me in. let me in. I have been everywhere else. You won't let me talk to her! I want to talk to her." I heard some thumping on the door. It continued. As did Edwards chanting, "Let me in, let me in, let me in."

"My name is not Rosie. Now go home."

"I'm sorry Rose, I just need to see her, let me in, let me in, let me in please?" Rose did what she does best; she slammed the front door in his face. It didn't stop Edward though, he just continued, this time his voice smothered by our wooden door. The begging began soon after. "Please Bella. Please let me in. let me explain. Bella? Please." She spun around to see how I was doing. Her hands on her hips I waited for her to critisise me for the tears that had begun again, waited for her to yell at me for being so weak. But she didn't. A sad look crossed her face and I realized despite how little of her I had seen lately she was always there for me. I slowly stumbled to my feet. She put her arms out for me to hug her. I did and she spoke quietly in my ear. The thumping in the background continued.

"I'm in my room if you need me Bells." I nodded and she walked down the hall. "Get him inside before the neighbours call the cops."

With my arms wrapped around my stomach I slid down the wall. I pulled my knees up to my chest and took a few deep breathes.

"Edward?" the thumping stopped.

"Bella."

"I'm listening."

"Tell me I haven't fucked it up."

"Fucked what up Edward?"

"Alice told me what she said to you. Nothing happened Bella. Nothing. Tanya tried but I told her to get lost. Listen to me Bella. Nothing happened."

"Fucked what up Edward?"

"Us Bella. Us."

"If nothing happened why would you, think you fucked it up?"

"Because you're not speaking to me obviously."

"Where have you been Edward?"

"Everywhere. Alice was on a date but I tracked her down…crazy little pixie yelled at me for being an idiot. She's not talking to me. I found Em, he yelled at me because I ruined his plans with Rose, you won't answer my calls, your phone is off the hook… and there was no other choice…I am here. I wanna seeeeeeeeeeeeeee my girlfriend Bella. Not talk through a fucking dooooooor. Knock knock." He knocked on the door. I ignored it. I tried to think. But I had a million thoughts in my head. Edward's knocking wasn't helping either. Nor was he being drunk. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. I stood up and pulled the door open. Edward tumbled backwards through the door. Apparently he had been leaning against it, a mirror image of what I had been doing. I put my hands on my hips. His head was hanging low and I couldn't see his face. The shadows of the hallway clouded his face.

"Edward Anthony Masen, get up now and sober up I can't deal with you being drunk right now." I grabbed his chin and pulled it into the light. I gasped when I saw his right eye was black. Fuck. Edward had been in a fight. I pulled him towards the couch and pushed him down. He stood back up, his hands trying to grip my arms, trying to pull me closer to him. I pushed him back down and he pouted and stood back up.
"Seriously Edward, sit down I need to get you some ice for your eye." He tugged at my non-plastered arm. I shrugged him off, almost smacking my cast into his already bruised eye.

"No." he grabbed my pajama top and pulled me back down to him. I untangled myself and stood up.

"Yes." He went to grab me again but I screeched for Rose and she came running.

"Bella are you alright?" her eyes darted to Edwards and narrowed. He laughed.

"Hey Rosie, you were wrong she let me in." she snorted and looked back at me.

"Rose, can you please get me some ice? Edward won't let go of me and he has a black eye." Her eyes looked back down at Edward.

"Shit. Was he in a fight?"

"I don't know, I haven't had the chance to ask." Edward tugged on my good arm again and I looked down at me.

"I am right here you know Bells."

"Yes Edward I can see that." I looked back towards Rose.

Anger littered his tone. "Then either look at me or fucking talk to me. God dam it!"

Rose glanced at him. "You don't have the right to say shit like that to her Edward." He bit his bottom lip and made a startled noise. He relented his hold on me a bit and looked down at the floor. I sighed. I glanced at Rose, pleading with her; she nodded and raced towards the kitchen. I sat down on the coach; I folded my leg up so that there was space between me and Edward. He had caused me to be enough of an emotional wreck tonight.

"What Edward? What do you want me to say? I have so much to say that I don't know where to start. That is why I need to get you sobered up and get your eye fixed up." Rose returned then. Shaking her head she dropped the ice in my lap. I almost jumped out of my seat on contact, it was so cold. Rose had given me and frozen peas and three ice cubes. Geez how thoughtful. I pulled Edward closer towards me and his stupid crooked grin littered his face. I shoved the frozen peas on his eye and he flinched back.

"Don't apply ice to my eye. It's really bad for the cornea." Stupid doctor in training.

"Ok." I pulled the frozen peas off and started tracing his eye with the ice cubes. His stitches were bleeding, thank god they hadn't come out, nor was there enough blood to make me feel queasy. We sat in silence for a few minutes. Edward was staring at me through his good eye. He reached over and grabbed the peas putting them on the back of his neck. He was trying to sober himself up.

"Bella?" I sighed. This was serious Edward tone.

"Yes?" I tried not to stare back at him.

"Tell me I haven't fucked us up, please."

"Why do you keep saying that Edward?"

"I…I'm not very good at this Bella. I have never… but I want to… I tried…no I am trying." I continued to dab at his eye. My plastered arm resting in my lap. The confusion on Edward's face and the fear caused me to try and make sense of what he had said before I spoke. I knew he was struggling to be sober.

"What are you saying Edward?"

"It's been what a week? And I've already fucked up at this boyfriend stuff. I don't know what or how to act and I told myself it didn't matter whatever I did it would be fine as long as I didn't hurt you. And a day after I make that promise I hurt you." I didn't say anything. I could see how he was struggling to make me understand.

"Edward, you didn't fuck it up."

"I love you Bella." it wasn't the time for us to declare ourselves. I wanted to slap him for callously throwing the L word around. Who says they love someone after a pseudo break up, a black eye, a night of crying all when they are drunk?

I nodded. It hit me then. "Edward, who did you get into a fight with?"

"Two guys actually."

"Who?"

"Your fan club. Jimmy and Mike." I wanted to be sick. Jimmy had contacted Edward tonight. I felt my body swaying at the realization that Rose and Alice had always been right; Jimmy was not a safe man.

Reflect Bella, reflect the fear. "Mike? Who's Mike?"

"Some guy in some of your English classes. He was at the pub. Talking about you. I didn't like it."

I shook my head. It wasn't ringing any bells. Who was Mike? "Let's get some sleep yea? And we'll talk in the morning. I want to know about your black eye." Nodding, he jumped off the couch and pulled me along to my bedroom. We walked to the hallway, I turned around. "Edward. Can you please sleep on the couch?" I wanted nothing more to have him hold me and fight away the Jimmy night mares but I couldn't. Not yet.

"Bella, please believe me nothing happened with Tanya."

"I heard you before."

"Then why?"

"I just need tonight ok?" He pulled his hand through his hair and punched the wall before walking back towards the lounge room.