"Come with me I am going out of town for two weeks and I would like it if you would come with me…"

"Yes" I breathed out my answer without hesitation… what was I doing? My heart began to beat frantically in my chest. It did not matter that I barely knew him. It did not matter that my world was turning upside down as we speak. Even if I didn't want to, I knew I didn't have a choice. This was what my instincts were telling me… "Where are we going?"

He looked at me and smiled that breathtakingly gorgeous smile and said, "Chicago."

EPOV

Honestly, was I really planning on going to Chicago?

No, sort of. Kind of. Maybe? I wanted to go, does that count? I debated with myself.

But was I going to let her 'get away' alone, considering the fact that she's a danger magnet?

No. Final answer.

I was angry. I remembered why I was here in the first place and it made my blood boil… so to speak.

I could not help but be angry with myself that she was hurt once again, that Jacob Black was the cause, that I was not there to protect her. If only I had been here when he brought her to the hospital, then I would have been able to see into his mind. I would be able to know how he truly felt about her, what exactly happened. I needed to meet Jacob Black.

When she is ready, she will tell me…

I needed a moment to think this through.

I was doing things a little backwards here. I could barely handle a room with her scent, let alone a whole two weeks alone with her. Could I really handle this?

Who am I kidding? The pit of my stomach churned as my loathing self-hatred won out again. It's YOU she needs the most protecting from.

She is the embodiment of my weakness or the epitome of my strength. But nonetheless, I wouldn't bet on my self control to get me through two whole weeks with this fragile, fascinating human.

I can't risk her life for my own peace of mind. She would be much safer without me. But someone could hurt her. She was vulnerable, and sweet, and much to trusting. Hell, she could hurt herself walking over a flat surface.

Oh Bella. Why do you have to go away and think? Why do women always do that? I need to get away. Could I get her to stay?

I could request for her to stay in the hospital longer. Yes. I can keep her here for observation. Then, hopefully in a day or two, she would get that notion of 'getting away' out of her pretty little head.

Hopefully.

I saw her move out of the corner of my eye. I saw her skin flush pink… I saw her eyes on me, but she wasn't looking at me. She was thinking about something. Something that caused her to blush and smile, I was watching her, momentarily distracted by her and her beauty.

Penny for your thoughts, beautiful girl. Actually, I would give anything to now what you are thinking right now.

She caught me staring at her and averted her eyes quickly. She began to comb her fingers through her brown tresses, exhaling and bringing her eyes back up to mine. She looked at me expectantly.

I faced her, and couldn't help the smile that played on my face.

But then I remembered what I was going to say. She was going to hate me. Hopefully she doesn't see through my lie too easily. "Bella, I'm sorry, but your condition-" My pocket buzzed and vibrated. I reached for my cell phone.

Alice.

"Just a moment, I need to take this call."

"Sure." She breathed as she lay her head back down on the bed. She smiled slightly and I began wanting to go with her, I began to want it more than anything else in the world.

I pulled back the curtain and unlocked the door, shutting it behind me.

"Alice-"

"You are gonna be ok. Leave now. Take the jet. I arranged it already… but when you're in Chicago you're on your own. No more hints from me. You won't hurt her I promise."

"But-"

"I already told you. You will be fine. Carlisle will understand."

The tone in her voice made me nervous. Almost as if she was keeping something from me. No. I had made my decision already.

But I wanted this too much. I took a deep breath hoping that I could put my faith in her. Betting against Alice was something I never did. I wasn't going to start now. I needed this too much; so much so that I forced myself to believe her.

I forced myself to believe that I could control my demons and maybe, just maybe, I could have a glimpse of what happily ever after might be like.

I let out my breath and just accepted it. I even let myself feel a little happiness underneath all of the angst and nervousness and excitement and self loathing.

Emotions were beginning to get exhausting around Bella.

"But I need to pack clothes. I need to stop by the house and-"

"Everything will be waiting for you in Chicago: a car and your belongings, a suitcase for Bella. The rest is up to you."

"What?"

"Edward. Just go. For crying out loud, live a little and stop over analyzing things and just go." I would have been angry at how lightly she is taking this and how dark the outcome could be if things went wrong but her twinkling laughter set my spirits soaring and hope was all I could feel. Leave it to Alice to make me feel better. A moment later the line went dead. What the hell did she mean 'the rest is up to you.' Everything was happening so fast.

But Alice said that she would be safe and right now I needed to trust that…

I was so caught up in my emotional rampage that I only noticed Bella standing behind me when her scent hit my throat. I turned around, knowing full well I moved too fast. My mind needed to comprehend the scent and her together. Looking at her calmed me. Her eyes widened at my swift movement and I grinned contentedly at her. I wanted to tell her everything about me… in time. Currently, I was just pleased to see that she was dressed in her street clothes.

"Perfect." I could not help the smile that played on my lips. My throat was literally on fire, but it was an intense pain that I lusted for now. I was reconciled to deal with the pain if it meant being able to be with her.

Be with her.

"What's perfect?" she looked up at me with her big brown eyes, so full of innocence and trust and so much more than I could ask for.

You. I stared at her heart shaped face, her kind eyes, her wonderful lips and wished that she could hear my thoughts at the moment. Her blush crept up into her cheeks and she looked down. "The fact that you are ready to go. I have a plane waiting for us and we need to go now."

"Now, as in this instant?"

Stupid Stupid Edward… you could have asked her first.

I brought my hand up to my neck as I searched for a response. "Um… yeah?"

"Oh. But what about-"

"I've taken care of everything, trust me." I smiled at her, trying to convince her to trust me, to let me take care of her, and hoped that she would see it. I hoped that she wouldn't be afraid.

"Ok." She was breathless. Her heart was pounding. Her blood was racing. She smelled glorious and her lips, I couldn't help but notice, were pink and slightly swollen from crying.

"Ready?" I wasn't sure if I was asking her or if I was asking myself.

She nodded and I turned around and began walking towards the hallway that led to the exit, expecting her to follow me.

Wordlessly she slipped her hand into mine, and her skin left a trail of electricity on me. The feel of her soft hand in mine felt amazing. I was exhilarated that she let me share this intimate gesture with her. I was holding her hand and it felt right. Perfect fit. I led her out into the parking lot and into the Aston Martin, driving in the direction of the Cullen jet.

We drove in comfortable silence through the nighttime streets of Forks and into the small suburb of Seattle. I was relieved that she began to doze off again as we reached the highway. I pushed the gas past eighty. I don't want to waste any time with her. For a while, at least, she will be mine.

BPOV

"Well, Mr. Masen, now that you have me, what will you do with me?" I peered up at him from under my parasol and smiled as the sun reflected off of his bronze hair.

His hair was messy and free. His face was a Greek sculptor's dream-come true: chiseled jaw, strong brow, and a body built from hard work and sweat. His white shirt was loose and untucked, he kept the three top buttons open, "to appreciate the breeze". I clearly saw the outline of his chest, the tan continued farther than what I could see…

"It's a surprise." He kept his face forward but I saw his eyes looking down at me. His lips formed a lopsided grin and I could not help but return the gesture.

"You probably don't know this about me, but I hate surprises."

"You'll like this one. Promise."

He slipped his hand into mine silently and led me to our destination. I was wide eyed for a moment. I had never been touched by a man, and at 17, I was pure as the driven snow. My hand was on fire.

Wordlessly I followed him, walking through the busy streets of the town without saying a word, just silent glances and shy smiles as the town looked on at us in amazement.

The whispers were almost audible:

"Is that the Mason boy?"

"Oh that Isabella Swan better hold on to her heart before he shreds it to pieces…that Mason is a heartbreaker."

And the most amusing ones were from girls I've seen lusting after him for months:

"Isabella Swan? I can't believe he chose her over me!"

"I'm sure of it now, Edward Masen is either blind or stupid."

"He probably has a death wish…she could hurt herself with a feather when it comes down to it. She is the most ungraceful … ugh!"

I looked down in embarrassment, hoping that he wouldn't hear their sniveling remarks and change his mind about being seen with me. My heart dropped when he dropped my hand. I felt my breath catch and my eyes starting to burn; he probably did hear them and now he didn't want me to be near him.

I began to slow down preparing to turn around at any moment and run home. How could he possibly want to be seen with me, the awkward Swan girl always tripping over her own feet.

I began slowing down and let him ahead if me. I wouldn't embarrass him anymore; I would just let him walk away. He turned around and looked at my confusedly. "Edward it's fine just go."

"What are you-" He stopped mid-sentence and understanding dawned on his face as my shameful blush crept into my cheeks. Snickering came from the opposite street and the beautiful girls who were throwing evil eyes at me were now batting their eyelashes at him and it made me turn a shade red darker.

His gaze went from confused to glaring as he looked at the group across the street. He took a step closer to me and lowered his hands to my face and lifted it up to him began whispering gently. "I thought you didn't want me holding your hand, I thought you didn't want me to be so forward in front of everyone. I didn't want to embarrass you."

"Edward it's OK. You don't have to lie, I understand if you don't want to be seen with me." I tried to turn my face away and avoid his piercing green eyes.

"Is that what you thought?" I looked into his eyes and saw nothing but truth emanating from them. "Do you honestly think I care about what anyone else thinks?" I couldn't help a few traitor tears that fell from my cheeks. His voice was no longer a whisper as he continued. "You are the most clumsy, stubborn, and strong-minded woman in this city." I looked down in humiliation, so he was going to leave me, but did he have to embarrass me in the process? "But you fascinate me beyond reason, you beauty leaves me speechless, and I am completely enamored with you and only you, Isabella Swan."

I looked up at him confused at what he said, but his eyes confirmed what I heard, and I just smiled, mirroring his own crooked smile. "Ok." I whispered to him.

He lowered his voice to a whisper. "May I have the honor of holding your hand?" I nodded and slipped my hand into his once again and he pulled my close to his side. The muffled gasps from across the street were ignored but not unnoticed. Their evil glares changed into jealous stares. "We are almost there. It's just beyond the city, into the forest."

"The forest?" I couldn't think of anything interesting to do in the forest except get dirty and get hurt. Neither of which were appealing to me.

"Trust me."

"Alright. I trust you."

He led me into the forest, my hand tightly in his until the trees were so thick only small beams of the strong summer sun's rays peeked through the canopy. The forest was cool and fresh, a clean feeling of nature and freedom enveloped me. It felt wonderful. He gently let go of my hand and walked forward underneath a beam of the sun's ray and basked in the heat, his smile was slight but enough for it to reach his eyes. He looked so peaceful.

Then he did something strange, he opened his mouth and a noise I could only describe as tribal escaped, it came from deep within his chest and echoed into the forest. He repeated the call twice.

Silence followed, I dared not say a word for his face was drawn in concentration.

Then somewhere from an eastern point in the forest, it was repeated back, by a different voice, someone foreign to me.

"Perfect timing." He said to himself, and he looked to me. "Are you ready Bella?" Bella. No one ever called me that, and I liked it. "You do trust me right?"

"Yes." He took my hand again and I was intrigued and overwhelmed by excitement. I've wanted for so long to escape the world I've come to know; a world of parasols, dresses, uniformity and boringness. With Edward I was seeing the world through a different filter. A filter of color I've never seen before. A world of sounds foreign to me, of emotions I did not know could be so vivid, so true, and so pure.

We walked toward the direction of the answered call. I was getting more and more frustrated by the dress I was wearing. It was getting caught on the underbrush, on the twigs and roots; and it was just so heavy. "Just a moment please." I reached underneath my skirt and lifted it enough so that I could unbutton and unfasten the petticoat that weighed down and puffed up the dress. I let the bunches of petticoat fall to the floor and was left with a dress that fell just on the curves of my hip, my figure completely seen without the puffiness, I was embarrassed but it was a necessity. I stepped out of the petticoat and began straightening out the dress. "Sorry, it was just so ridiculous to be wearing such a large dress while trekking in the forest. At least now I could hold it up and walk much easier."

"You look perfect." I looked up and what I saw made me feel warm and dizzy and breathless. He was smoldering, his green eyes dark and inviting. I couldn't help but look away, he was just so intense. He took my hand and walked with me closer to his side.

We reached a clearing and he stopped and put me behind him. "Just wait a second, you'll know when you can step out."

A figure appeared in the forest ahead of us. He was tall and his skin was russet colored. His long black hair was pulled into a ponytail and his eyes… Oh my.

His eyes. His eyes. His eyes.

"Jacob!!" I woke in a cold sweat on a jet headed to Chicago.

A/N:

Ok Chicago soon… I haven't forgotten… I just don't want to rush it… im trying to make it perfect for you guys…

edit** 02/01/09** - i realize that the first couple chapters are in 3rd person. I am currently re-editing them into 1st person. 1st chapter done!

Thanks and review….