Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns everything in the Twiverse. I'm just playing around in New Moon with Rosalie.

Thank you all for your encouraging words about the pace of this story. I'm still nervous about how you'll take it... even though we're already about 25% through this thing... but as usual, I have come to realize I have THEEEE BEST READERS in the fandom.

So thank you again. And happy Thursday! :)

What Have We Done?

Chapter 14

It takes another three minutes for Bella to actually head toward the door, two of which are spent searching for her towel—a mission I eventually call off in favor of unearthing a fresh one.

Though "fresh" might be an overstatement.

With a shaky hand on the doorknob, she turns to me once more. I make an elaborate show of sitting in her rocking chair and folding my hands. She gasps, not exactly pleased, and I prepare to change seats.

"No!" she yells then covers her mouth. "You can stay there."

I study her gaze, learning nothing, and lean back. "Then I will."

She nods, watching me longer than I expect, and exits the room. Another door closes nearby, followed by the sweet sound of running water.

I release a weary breath and clasp my head in my hands, trying to wrap my mind around the events of the past several days. Beyond her tears and fears, there is something else. Something huge and important and so damn obvious, I will surely feel foolish when I later realize what it is.

But revelation will have to wait as my phone buzzes in my pocket. I needn't check the clock or Caller ID to know who it is, and I answer the call without delay. "I'm sorry."

The relief in Emmett's voice floods my soul. "Please don't ever do that again."

"I'm sorry." It is all I can say as I am now on the brink of tears. "I shouldn't have left without telling you."

"Why, Rosie?" He is only concerned—not angry—and I don't think I have ever loved him more. "Why did you do that?"

"I…" I bite my lip, dying to be honest. But some dissenting impulse stops me, and I rub my tired eyes. "I just... I had to get away."

"From me?"

"No, Emmie. Never from you." I look around the empty room, thinking of all I have heard and seen here. "I did it... for me."

He doesn't press the matter, choosing as usual to respect my boundaries and my refusal to disclose my location. He likely assumes some suppressed memory from my human past prompted my hasty departure, and I feel surprisingly little guilt allowing him to believe that.

But to my surprise, he doesn't mention the family as he tells me about his past week. And the more he talks, the more I realize that's probably for the best. Until we are whole again—all of us—the less said there, the better.

Yet with Emmett, there is no real need for words at all, and I content myself with the peace of his silence for another 10 minutes. During that time, the distant sound of Bella's rumbling stomach reminds me of another human need, and I make a mental note to insist she eats after she gets dressed.

And as if on cue, the water in the shower cuts off.

"I have to go," I say.

"Okay." Though I know he hates this as much as I do, he hides his feelings better. But then, he has always been stronger than I am. "I love you, Rosalie."

"And I you, Emmett." There are no words. "Thank you for... for letting me do this."

"Anything. Always."

The phone goes silent, and I cover my mouth, suddenly overcome with longing. I miss him powerfully, the distance between us crashing over me like tidal waves. And I can barely fight the tide.

I hold the phone in my hand, tapping it lightly against my chin, and briefly consider flying out the front door and back home to my man on the first plane smoking.

Until the bedroom door opens to admit the sad-eyed girl who needs me.

I tuck the phone in my pocket and greet her with a gentle smile, knowing somehow Emmett will understand.

Awww, I just love Emmett, don't you? I don't write him often, but when I do, I just wanna give him a big ol' hug :)

See you Saturday! XO