A/N: Hey guys! I finally finished this chapter. I know it took a while, so I made it a long one. I hope you all like it. It has LOTS of B&D interaction, now we're getting to the good part. Watching how these two start getting to know each other. I was in a bit of a hurry to post this chapter so I didn't run it through my betas. If you find something misspelled or if a sentence doesn't make sense, I'm really sorry!

Don't forget to review!

Chapter 13

I hadn't slept at all.

Charlie came home about an hour after I had gotten his text. He came into my room and found me sitting by the window. He asked if I wanted to go to the hospital, I told him that it wasn't necessary, and that I was already feeling better. He left my room and told me to get him if I started feeling not so well again. I agreed and he walked out.

I just sat there, staring out the window into the night until the sun came up the next morning. Mr. Crow had stayed quiet in his nest. He hadn't cawed at all. He just watched me. It was as if he knew that I needed to think and that I needed to process something.

The thing is, I hadn't thought about much, I had just stared out the window. No thoughts were running through my head. No questions were formed. I just sat and stared.

I hadn't even cried. Not after I broke down at the Salvatores and Stefan had calmed me down. The tears weren't coming. For some strange reason, I felt this wasn't like last time. I actually felt… glad.

I had finally found someone who understood me. Elena was in a relationship with Stefan. Stefan was a vampire. She was more than likely dealing with some of the same things I had dealt with while Edward and I were together.

So really, all I felt was relief.

By the time the sun was coming out I glanced over to Mr. Crow. He hadn't shut his eyes. He was still very much awake. He kept looking at me intently.

I gave him a small smile.

"Thanks. I really needed some quiet."

He nodded.

I had decided that indeed my crow could understand me, and that I understood whatever he was telling me. If different kinds of vampires existed and werewolves too, why couldn't there be talking animals?

I, Bella Swan, was going insane, I was befriending the supernatural and welcoming it into my life without any prejudice. We were, after all, outsiders.

The crow suddenly stood from the nest and jumped onto the branch.

"What are you doing?"

He started walking towards me, and when he reached the end of the branch he jumped to the window pane. He looked at me and then looked at something inside my room.

I turned around, trying to figure out what it was that he was trying to tell me. I then realized that he was looking at my bed.

He started pecking my hand and pointing to my bed.

"Hey! Stop it!"

He continued to peck. The bird wanted to get me into bed.

"Okay okay! I'm going to bed!"

I got up from the window and jumped into bed.

"Are you happy now?" I asked him.

He jumped back into his nest; I could tell he was content. This bird was used to getting his way.

Brat.

As I started to get comfortable I heard Charlie strolling down the corridor. I quickly shut my eyes. He came into my room and checked up on me. He felt my forehead.

A warm feeling ran through me. Charlie was worried. I loved how he did little things like this, thinking that I didn't notice.

When he made sure that I was okay he walked out and closed the door behind him.

I opened my eyes and looked out the window.

The little monster was smirking. I had a feeling he knew Charlie was coming into my room. He was so happy with himself.

"Arrogant bird," I said under my breath.

He cawed and flew away.

I then closed my eyes and sleep quickly overtook me.

By the time I woke up again, it was almost ten. I had only slept a few hours. I tried to go back to sleep but it just didn't come. I decided to get up and clean up the house a bit. I got up and took a quick shower.

When I went into the kitchen to fix something to eat I found a note from Charlie.

Went into the office. I'll be back later. Call me when you read this. – Dad.

I took the phone and dialed his number.

"Mystic Falls Police Department, this is Chief Swan speaking."

"Hey Dad."

"Hey Bells, how are you feeling?"

"I'm okay Dad, I'm feeling much better."

"You sure?"

"Yep. How come you went into the office today? It's Saturday."

"I know, I just have a bunch of stuff to catch up on," he explained.

"Are you coming for lunch?" I asked.

"No, I don't think so. You go ahead though, don't wait for me."

"Okay, I'm going to stay in then. I was going to clean up a bit and maybe get some groceries later."

"Okay kid, I'll call you later."

"Bye Dad," I said and hung up.

I looked for the box of cereal and served myself a portion. I remembered the time when I had felt self-conscious about eating something as simple as a bowl of cereal.

Edward never ate.

The Salvatores had had dinner that night at Elena's. They seemed to have enjoyed cooking. Specially Damon. Could they eat? Or were they just pretending? That question would go on my list.

I ate my cereal quietly and calmly. I took my time with every bite. Trying not to give the whole vampire issue too much importance.

After I was done, I took some of my dirty clothes from the week and threw them into the washing machine. I cleaned up the kitchen and the living room. I went upstairs and did the bathrooms and both Charlie's room and my own. I only had to clean up the study and I would be done.

I went down stairs and entered Charlie's study. It was a mess. A complete mess. There were books everywhere. I had never considered Charlie to be a reading kind of man, but apparently this was a new habit he had developed since we got here. I took a few books from the desk and started glancing at the pages. They were handwritten and by the looks of them, they were pretty old. I would have to read them sometime. But not today. I knew what kind of information I would find in there, but most of the information I had been thrown yesterday would be in there, and I didn't want to think all that much about it.

I started organizing the files he had left spread across the desk. They were all animal attacks. Bodies drained from blood. Open wounds to the neck, savagely ripped apart. There were some pictures too, pretty explicit stuff. I closed the files, I didn't want to see blood.

As I was organizing the files, beneath all the papers there was a book that caught my attention. I had seen it before. I turned it over and I recognized it instantly. It was my book. The same book I had bought that night in Port Angeles when Edward saved me from those drunken men. It was the book on Quileute legends. Why would Charlie have it? What was this book doing here?

I opened it and quickly saw that he had marked a few pages. I turned to them, the first one was marked on the legends about the Cold Ones. Crap. Did this mean he knew about the Cullens too?

The next mark was on a page that explained what Jake had told me about them being descendents from wolves. It was all there. The legend of how they came to be. The third wife.

Crap. Crap. Crap.

He must have asked Billy about this. He went directly to the source. This had to be the reason why Jake was so mad.

He thought I had told Charlie.

How else would have Charlie figured this whole thing out if it wasn't from me?

I took my cell out of my jean's back pocket and dialed Jake's number. I was going to get things straight with him and tell him everything. Well, almost everything. I was going to leave the Salvatores and Mystic Fall's vampires out of it. I would explain about the book, and why Charlie was asking the questions he was asking.

It went directly to voicemail. I dialed again, voicemail.

"Jake, it's me. I really need to speak with you. I'm not sure why you're mad at me, but I have a pretty good idea why you might think I said something to Charlie about you guys. He found out, but it wasn't from me. I can promise you that. Anyways, please give me a call, I want to sort this thing out. I hate that you're mad at me for something that I didn't even do. I miss you."

I hung up after I had left the message. I put the book back into the pile, and decided to leave the study just as it was. I wouldn't move any more stuff.

As I was walking out of the study the doorbell rang.

I went over to the door and looked through the glass window, it was Elena, carrying the stuff I had left over at her house last night.

I opened the door.

"Hey," I said with awkwardly.

"Hey," Elena said with a small smile, "I brought your stuff," she said showing me my overnight bag and pillow.

"Yeah, thanks, I… I was going to pick them up later," I said as I ran a hand through my hair.

"I just thought that I could use this was an excuse to come and check up on you," she said shrugging and giving me another smile.

I sighed and let out a little chuckle.

"I'm… okay. I guess I'm just trying to let it all sink in," I told her honestly.

"I know that it might have come as a surprise. I just want you to know that when you're ready to talk about it I'm here," she said with concern.

"Thanks," I said.

"When you're ready to hear the rest just come on over."

"The rest? There's more?" I asked with disbelief.

"Yeah… there's more. You just got the basics last night, but there's tons more," Elena explained.

"Wow… okay, I'll come over when I'm ready so that you can fill me in. I know that you probably want to get some stuff off your chest too Elena. I've been there, done that," I told her sympathetically.

Elena nodded.

"So... here," she said handing me the bag and pillow, and then added, "I have a good feeling about this Bella."

"Strangely, so do I," I said, agreeing with her. She smiled and said goodbye. I watched as she crossed the street and went inside her house.

I went upstairs and took my stuff out of the bag. I was just about to put the bag away when the doorbell rang again.

I went down stairs and through the glass I saw who it was.

It was Damon.

I stopped and thought about what to do once I had opened the door. Should I invite him in?

He waved through. I gave him a small smile and opened the door.

"Hey you," he said leaning on the doorframe.

I stood behind the door, holding it open, with one hand in my jeans pocket.

"Hi," I said awkwardly.

He looked at me intently, and then glanced inside the house.

"Charlie's not here," I told him.

"I know that," he said as he tapped his ear.

Right, super hearing. There was only one heart beat inside this house and it was mine.

"Aren't you going to invite me in?" He asked bashing his eyelids.

I crossed my arms across my chest.

"I don't think so…" I said as a small chuckle came out, and Damon rolled his eyes. Then I added, "at least not yet."

A smirk of satisfaction appeared across his face.

"I have time, I'll wait. It's a matter of time before you succumb into my smoldering good looks," he said shrugging.

I rolled my eyes. He was so full of himself it was irritating.

"What do you want Damon?" I asked him.

"I came by to check up on you, after all, you did get some pretty big news last night," he said.

I scoffed.

"Why are you all so worried? It's not like this is the first time," I said, trying to act as if this all didn't matter.

"Exactly," he said smiling.

"What?" I asked shrugging.

"It's not like this is not the first time," he said, repeating what I had just told him.

"You know, it's rude to leave someone standing outside your door," he stated.

I came out of the house and closed the door behind me. I walked to the left and sat on one of the chairs that were on the porch. He stood there, looking at me.

"Well? Aren't you going to sit down?" I asked as I pointed to the chair next to me.

He looked at me out of the corner of his eye and then walked over. He sat down.

"What? You said it was rude to keep you standing. I'm inviting you to sit down, outside."

"Touché," he said without taking his eyes off me.

I grinned.

"You were scared last night. Why are you so calm now?" he asked.

"I… I guess I just… needed to let it sink in," I answered.

"Mmm hmm," he said.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Here we go… one hundred questions," he said as he laid back in his chair and let out a sigh, putting his hands behind his head.

"How come you were so calm about me finding out about your secret?"

"We knew that you knew, it was bound to happed eventually," he answered.

"And you're not upset?" I asked.

"Why would we?"

"I don't know… from the little I know vampires like to keep their existence a secret. Or at least that's what the Volturi want. Or that was what I was told."

"Yes, we like to keep our existence a secret. Elena trusts you, and we trust Elena, therefore we trust you," he answered shrugging.

"Why would you trust me? You don't even know me," I stated.

"Like I said last night, you are alive for a reason. If not, you wouldn't be here. They trusted you to keep their secret, why can't we do the same?" he said carelessly.

"You don't really care that I know, because odds are, that if it doesn't work out, you could always just kill me," I said looking straight into his eyes. He didn't respond, so I took this as a yes.

Damon wasn't so hard to figure out as maybe his outside seem to show. The guy was determined, curious, a pain in the ass, obnoxious, sly, smart, and very strong minded. At least that was what he portrayed. On the other hand, I felt it was all a charade. A mask he put on to hide the loneliness inside.

The guy was over five-hundred. He had probably seen the world more than… I don't know… twelve times. He had seen it all, lived through it all. He obviously had a rocky relationship with the only person that grounded him to his humanity and that had actually known him before any of this had happened to both of them. Stefan had Elena, and they seemed to be in love. Who did he have? Did he have someone and then lost that person? Damon was lonely. But this didn't mean he wouldn't kill me if I gave him reasons to do it. This I knew for sure, without a doubt.

"I'm sure it wont come to that now will it?" he said seriously. I slowly shook my head while keeping my eyes locked on his. My heart didn't even start racing. I was very calm.

"Can I ask you something else?"

"Sure… why not," he said and let out a sigh.

"Why are you suddenly answering every question that I have?"

It was a while before he answered my question, he studied me and then said, "I'm curious. I don't like being in dark. There's something about you that I want to know and I won't stop until I know what it is. You're… odd."

"Gee… thanks?" I answered.

"I'm not insulting you. It's a compliment. You're different. I just want to know why."

"A compliment, really?" I asked making sure, because it didn't really sound that way.

"Yes. To be honest, I haven't been this interested in something since… well… a few months ago."

"Am I really supposed to believe it's a compliment? I know for fact that you vampires get distracted easily."

He laughed.

"What?" he asked.

"You get distracted easily, you have distractions, like the sorority girls you like to feed from," I answered.

"Sorority girls are no distraction. They're kind of boring really," he said smiling. He then started laughing again. He sat up and then leaned forward closer to me.

"Who on earth told you that absolute and stupid lie?" he asked seriously.

I couldn't say anything. I looked away and shrugged.

"Come on, seriously? He said that?" he laughed and then by taking my hand he grabbed the attention of my eyes again and added, "Isabella darling, when something or someone grabs a vampire's attention it is almost impossible to let go. We get fixated. News flash gorgeous, he lied."

Blank.

That was how I can describe the state of my mind at this point. I didn't know how to respond to that. I did not know what to think. Was he telling the truth or was he lying to me?

"Speaking of him, how did it all work?" he asked as he let go of my hand.

I broke out of my brief trance and stared at him. What had he just asked?

"I'm sorry?"

"The mind reading, how did that work? Could he pick a brain to eavesdrop in and then shut it out or what?" he asked. He was curious about Edward's power. Man this guy could change subjects fast.

"Umm… I'm not sure how it exactly works but he said that he couldn't control it. He could listen to every thought in a room, and miles and miles away. He was more in tune with vampires and his family. He could listen in even though he didn't want to. It was inevitable"

"And he couldn't read yours?"

"Nope. Or so he said. It always irritated him that he couldn't read me."

"Huh…"

"Huh? That's all you've got to say? You said it last night too… huh."

He chuckled.

"You are very observant."

"Yes, I've been told that before."

"I can imagine you have," he said smirking.

"Can I ask you something else?"

"Yes Bella, go ahead, ask away," he said as he rested his head on his right hand.

"Last night, I mentioned someone, and your head shot right up…"

He leaned backward and looked away.

"You know him don't you?" I said.

He was looking towards the tree that was outside my bedroom window and then turned to look back at me. He didn't answer.

"Well… do you?"

"Do I what?" he asked.

"Do you know him?" I asked him a little irritated.

"Do I know who?"

Ugh, could this guy be a pain in the ass! Did I have to spell it out?

"Carlisle, do you know Carlisle?"

He stared at me and raising his eyebrows, as if he was answering out of boredom, said, "I know who he is, yes."

My heart started beating fast. I was right, he knew Carlisle.

"Hold it. Don't get excited; tell that heart of yours to slow down. Don't go making assumptions," he told me seriously.

I looked away, trying to make my heart slow down, but all I could manage was to make it beat faster.

"I know who he is because he lived with the Volturi for a while. Aro enjoyed his company, and found him odd, because of his life choice. He thought that we could persuade him to embrace his nature, but Aro couldn't convince him, and then he left."

"Do you keep in touch with him?" I asked.

"No."

"How come?" I asked.

"Just because he's a vampire, and I'm a vampire doesn't mean we all keep in touch Bella. We don't have Facebook, we are not friends, we don't inbox each other and we don't comment on our statuses."

I let my eyes explore the wooden floor of the porch. It needed a hand of paint. I needed to tell that to Charlie.

"Sorry to break your bubble of hope sweetheart, no, I don't know where he is," he said as he took his hand and lifted my head to meet his eyes.

"The guy was weird. He reminded me too much of my brother. He was too self-righteous and had too much compassion for humans. Compassion makes you weak."

"What do you mean? How can compassion make you weak? It makes you a better person," I said, I was a little mad, and I didn't even know why.

"Compassion is a feeling, feelings get you attached. If you're attached to something that means you have a weakness. Weaknesses are no fun. No fun at all. No feelings equals no attachment, no attachment equals more fun," he said quickly.

"huh," I said.

"Huh what?" he asked.

"Just… huh," I said.

"What?" he asked a little irritated.

"Sucks to be on the other side of the huh doesn't it?" I said.

He smirked and tapped my leg, "tell me, what are you thinking?"

"Nothing… just that who ever it was that you got attached to Damon, pulled quite the number on you."

He stared at me and then rolled his eyes.

"There's no one. I can assure you of that," he said sternly.

"Right… I believed that," I said.

"I'm serious," he said.

"And I believe you," I answered.

"Seriously, there's no one," he was irritated, there was someone.

"If you say so," I said shrugging.

"I do," he stated.

I nodded and looked away. Charlie was still not home. I let my mind wonder back to what Damon had said about Edward lying to me. Why would he say he, vampires, got distracted easily when he left? Did that mean that he never wanted me?

"He left Bella, he sucks," Damon said as he tried to grab my attention again.

I turned to him, letting my thoughts linger a bit longer.

"Fuck him Bella. Live your life. You're eighteen, you should be doing stupid things and enjoying life," he said as he leaned closer to me and looked at me with challenge in his eyes.

"Fuck him," he said again, pronouncing each word separately and emphasizing on each one. He gave me a quick nod and then stood up. He extended his hand to me.

"Come with me."

I looked at his open hand. Wondering where he wanted to take me and if I was safe if I decided to go with him. My eyes met his questioning him.

"You need to let loose, come on," he said as he leaned his head to the right.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"You'll see…"

"Will I be safe?" I asked.

"Yes," he said rolling his eyes.

I remembered Elena's words from last night. Damon kept his promises; he was a man of his word. In order for me to believe that I was going to be truly and completely safe around him I needed him to promise me so.

"Do you promise?" I asked.

He sighed, and acting annoyed said, "Yes Bella, I promise. Now, get off your pretty little ass and come with me."

And just like that, throwing my better judgment out the window I took his hand and let him help me get up. He guided me down the stairs. His grip on my hand was pretty strong, but nothing harming, he wasn't hurting me. He also wasn't letting me try to squirm away from his grasp.

I followed him silently for a few blocks. We then reached a street that had no way out. It ended were the woods began. Damon was guiding me into the woods. My heart started beating quickly. I didn't want to go into the woods. Not just the two of us.

He pulled me along toward the east side of the yard, where the forest encroached. I followed unwillingly, trying to think through the panic. It was what I wanted, I reminded myself. The chance to talk it all through. So why was the panic choking me?

We'd gone only a few steps into the trees when he stopped. We were barely on the trail—I could still see the house.

Some walk.

Edward leaned against a tree and stared at me, his expression unreadable.

"Okay, let's talk," I said. It sounded braver than it felt.

He took a deep breath.

"Bella, we're leaving."

I stopped dead in my steps. I was thinking that having agreed to going on this walk with Damon wasn't a good idea after all. Damon turned around and looked at me a little exasperated.

"What is going on? Relax. I'm not going to hurt you Bella, have a little faith."

"I… believe you, but… why are we going into the woods? I don't like going into the woods," I told him quickly between stutters.

"We're going to my house. It's a short cut, trust me," he said as he leaned closer to me.

I looked to the woods and then back to him. I closed my eyes.

Take a risk Bella. Don't be such a wuss. Get. Over. It.

"Look, I'll let go of your hand," he said releasing his grip on me.

I nodded quickly and when Damon turned around I followed right behind him again.

We went into the woods. I stayed close behind him as I tried to maneuver my way through all the tree roots that were on the ground.

The deeper we went into the forest the more I thought about that last time I had seen Edward in the woods. What was going on with me?

I realized it was getting difficult for me to breathe, it was hard to catch my breath, and it wasn't because I was tired of our little walk. No, that wasn't it. I was having a panic attack.

"Why are you freaking out? You didn't have any problem running through these woods last night," Damon said, I could tell that he was very irritated.

I shook my head as I tried to gasp for air.

He studied me and while rolling his eyes he came forward to me.

He gently placed his arms around my shoulders and guided me towards a fallen tree where I could sit down. I sat down and closed my eyes, trying to breathe in and out steadily.

"You should put your head between your legs," he suggested and I did as he said.

Once oxygen had regained it's normal course through my lungs and my heart wasn't beating erratically I looked up at Damon.

"You okay now?" he asked.

I nodded.

"Okay then… now spill," he said seriously.

"What?"

"Why are you freaking out? You didn't have any problem running through these woods last night," he asked again.

"It was different last night. Elena and Stefan were here, and I didn't know," I answered.

"So you're scared now?" he asked.

"What? No, that's not it," I told him, trying to avoid the subject.

"Then what is it?" He asked.

"I don't want to talk about it," I said looking away.

"Ugh! You were so much more fun last night," he said aggravated by my answer.

"Last night? Last night I was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage," I said.

"You were drunk, and chatty," he told me.

"No I wasn't," I said disagreeing with him.

"Yes, you were."

"No. I was a little tipsy, but not drunk," I stated.

"If you say so," he said, obviously his words meant something completely different.

"I wasn't drunk Damon," I said as I stood up. Damon started walking through the woods again.

"You keep telling yourself whatever helps you sleep at night darling," he said smugly.

"Well, for your information, I don't sleep much," I told him as I started walking behind him, trying to catch up.

"I know," he said under his breath.

"What?"

"I mean, I can tell. Your eyes always look tired," he said pointing to my eyes.

"They do?" I asked as I took my hand and ran my fingers beneath my eyes.

"A little. Nothing the human eye can tell if that's what you're worried about. Why can't you sleep?" he asked.

"I have nightmares, or I used to. Not since I moved here though," I said realizing that the nightmares that had clouded my sleep for the past couple of months had been absent since Charlie and I moved here.

"Okay, if you don't have nightmares anymore, what is keeping you up?" he asked intrigued.

I was going to be honest.

"A bird."

"A bird?" he asked and I could tell that a little smirk was starting to form on his face.

"Yes, a bird," I ratified my answer.

"What kind of bird?" he asked.

"A crow."

"A crow?" he said, like he couldn't believe what I was saying.

"Yes, a crow. You know... it's very annoying that you repeat everything I say and use it as a question," I told him.

He smirked.

"Crows are bad omens," he told me.

"Not really," I said under my breath.

"I'm sorry? I didn't quite get that," he said pretending he hadn't heard what I had muttered.

"I don't believe that they are bad omens," I told him.

"Please do elaborate," he said suddenly interested in what I had to say.

"Well, most people consider crows to be a bad omen. They think of them as death. But I don't see them that way. A few months ago, I read somewhere that in many cultures, it was considered that crows were the keepers of knowledge, because nothing escaped their keen sight."

Damon studied me, expressionless I couldn't make out what it was that he was thinking about my little rambling on crows. I continued.

"The article described how crows were known to build false nests way up high in treetops, only to confuse their predators and use the height of their nests to watch everything that was going on around them. They are adaptable to any type of environment, and can survive in any situation. Their caws have different meanings; they are very wise and mischievous." I explained.

"It also said that if a crow flew into your life, you should get out of your familiar nest, open your eyes and look beyond your present range of vision, listen to its caw and act accordingly."

I ended my little speech on crows and Damon had not even uttered a word. I was impressed that he hadn't interrupted me.

"Huh. Interesting," he finally said and after a brief pause added, "Only a few people know about that."

"Do you believe it then?" I asked.

"This other version? I do," he said nodding.

"So this crow, he doesn't let you sleep?" he asked.

"No, he's persistent, and very stubborn. But, I actually enjoy his company. I've never had a pet before."

He stopped dead on his steps and turned around to look at me.

"A pet?" he asked a bit annoyed, I don't know why… since I hadn't said anything about him.

"Renée always thought that if I had a pet I would always end up killing it," I explained with a little shrug.

Damon looked up to the trees and with a small frown said, "Yeah, I can picture that happening," he then turned to me and smiled.

I rolled my eyes and gave him a small punch in his forearm.

"Ass," I said.

"Klutz," he answered back.

"I know I'm a klutz," I told him.

"And I know that I'm an ass, I work very hard on it," he joked.

I looked at him, all jokes aside, and asked, "Seriously, you enjoy being an ass?"

He leaned closer to me and whispered to my ear, "I don't care."

I stopped where I was and stared at him as he walked out of the woods. Apperantly we had reached our destination. Behind the trees I could make out the back of a very large house. I walked till I reached the end of the tree line. The house was a bit bigger than what I remembered it to be last night. Of course, last night, my perception had been a little compromised. I remember thinking that it was beautiful, but it did not compare to what I was looking at right now. This house was gorgeous.

Damon walked over to one of the sides of the house, he turned around and signaled me to follow him. I began walking again towards him. I follwed him into what seemed to be a garage. A very fancy garage. None of the Cullen's cars could compare to these. These cars, they were fancy.

He looked back at me, mischief in his eyes. I couldn't help but wonder what the hell he was up to. He finally stopped.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"Ready for what?" I asked a little confused.

He looked to his left. There was something standing there covered by a black sheet. I looked at him questioningly. He smirked and in a quick swish the sheet was off.

Oh. My. God.

It was beautiful. My heart started pounding. I didn't know if what he had planned was a good idea. I hoped he wasn't thinking what I was thinking. What I was thinking was very dangerous, and if I tried it out I would more than likely end up road kill. If Charlie ever found out he would kill me.

"No," I said instantly.

"No? You're really saying no to this?" he asked with challenge in his eyes.

"I can't drive this," I said as I shook my head.

"I believe otherwise," he said and handed me a helmet, "put this on, we don't want Charlie freaking out, now do we?"

"I can't, I have never been on one like this before. This is way out of my league. I'll crash it, and there's no way I can ever pay for having it fixed."

"I won't let you crash. Now put it on," he said as he shook the helmet, "Come on, live a little. How often do you get the chance to ride a Ducati Monster 1100? Hmm? Take a risk, and act impulsively for once. Be stupid."

Just as those two final words came out of his mouth I took the helmet without even thinking and put it on. His face showed nothing more than satisfaction. Damon always got his way, and having his way made him happy, of this I was sure.

"Let's do this," I said as I finished putting the helmet on.

He put his on and pointed to the bike.

"After you."

I walked over to it and wondered how the heck I was going to get on it. It was huge and I didn't want to make a fool out of myself by falling off once I managed to get on. As I wondered how to approach this delicate subject I felt two firm hands grab my waist and quickly place me on the bike. I turned around and looked at Damon, who was already sitting behind me.

I knew he was smirking under that helmet and just imagining him doing so drove me mad.

Obnoxious vampire.

I turned around to stare the bike's handles. It was very different to the one Jake had helped me fix back in Forks. Now… how do I do this?

Without noticing it Damon took my hands and placed them on the bars. He quickly turned it on and the only thing I could hear was the roar of the engine coming to life. I had goose bumps all over. My heart was beating fast but I wasn't scared. I was genuinely excited.

With his help we took the bike out of the garage, God knows this bike was heavy and that on my own it would be impossible to hold it up and keep my balance. It was a disaster trying to keep my balance on my own two feet, now think about trying to keep it on a pair of wheels. CATASTROPHY WAITING TO HAPPEN.

Once we were outside and made it to the front of the house Damon took my hands again and with a very gentle movement he applied throttle and just like that we were off.

It. Went. Fast.

And I loved it. Every freaking second of it. I had never felt so much adrenaline running through me.

I wasn't driving the bike, he was. Always in control, so Damon. I was glad he was though. I wasn't completely accustomed to this bike, I was scared of it's power and speed. So he could drive all he wanted. I didn't care. I just liked having everything running past me at such a high speed.

Ironic huh?

A year ago I wouldn't have liked this. A year ago I got sick at the thought of Edward running with me on his back through the woods. Now, I wanted the speed. I needed it. I felt free.

From time to time Damon let me guide our direction. I had no clue where we were headed, and it didn't matter.

At some point Damon slowed the bike down and we stopped by the side of the road. Once the engine was silent I realized why we had stopped here. His phone was ringing.

He got off the bike and with a swift movement took off his helmet. I tried to keep the balance of the bike but I felt how I was quickly falling to de left. Damon grabbed the bike just before it touched the ground. He placed the kickstand on the ground and made sure I was okay. Then he put his hand on his jean's pocket and took out his phone.

"Why hello Elena."

I looked at him a little embarrassed by my clumsiness. He winked at me.

I rolled my eyes and turned my head, avoiding his gaze. To our left there was a little creek. The scenery here was lovely.

"Why yes, I have. She's with me," he said.

I instantly looked back at him, I knew they were speaking about me.

"She's fine Elena. After last night she just needed to let loose a little. Yes, okay, we'll call him."

And just like that he hung up.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Charlie came home and didn't find you there. He called but you left your phone. He called Elena and when she didn't know where you were he started freaking out."

Crap.

"Can you lend me your phone to call him please?" I asked.

He pressed a button and placed the phone to his ear.

"You have Charlie on speed dial?" I asked with disbelief.

He shrugged.

"Chief Swan, it's Damon Salvatore. Hello Sir. I just received a phone call from Elena, and wanted to let you know that Bella is safe, she's right here with me," he said as he looked at me and wiggled his eyebrows.

"No need to worry Sir, I was just showing her around a bit. She was alone in the house and thought it would be best if she came out for a while. I'll have her home before dark. Alright Sir, goodbye."

He hung up the phone and looked at me.

"Problem solved," he said with a smile and just like that he took me by my waist again and placed me on the bike. Before I knew it the engine roared and wind was hitting my face.

By seven we were pulling up in front of my house. We had switched places, Damon was now riding in front and I was sitting on the back. It felt really awkward having to hold on to him, because I knew he was enjoying every minute of it while I died of embarrassment inside.

He parked the bike and got off first. He then took me hand and helped me to get down. I took my helmet off and I saw that Elena was standing across the street outside on the porch of her house. I turned around and saw Charlie with a concerned look on his face standing by the door.

"I hope you have an explanation for Charlie, he'll kill me now," I whispered to Damon.

"Don't worry, I'll handle it," he said with a big smile on his face as he waved hello to Charlie while he said it.

He walked over to Charlie and I stayed next to the bike. I observed their interaction, at first Charlie was mad, I could tell, and then, in a second his face grew calm and agreed to something Damon had told him. I walked over to them.

"Hey Dad," I said quietly while running a hand through my hair.

"Hey kid," he said while he avoided my eyes.

"What's going on Dad? Are you okay?" I asked.

"Bells… I need you to go upstairs and pack a few things for the next three or four days," he said.

"What? Where am I going?" I asked confused by his sudden directions.

"We're going back to Forks," he said and looked to the ground.

"What?" I asked shocked by this news. I turned to Damon who all of a sudden was very serious.

"Harry Clearwater died."

There it is guys. We'll have some Jake in the next chapter for all you Team Jacob fans out there.

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