Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of the characters they belong to Stephenie Meyer; I just like to use the characters for my own twisted amusement.

Thank you for all the reviews, story alerts and favourite stories. The reviews for the last few chapters have overwhelmed me. I cannot believe the response to this story. I just hope I can keep most of you happy.

Also I am very sorry about the delay on this chapter; I actually wrote it twice and was never very happy with it.

Fool Me Twice Chapter 13 – August - Part III

Jasper looked at me probingly, his eyes narrowed into tiny slits as he watched me squirm. I tried to look nonchalant but he knew me so well.

My heart pounded in my chest as I met his gaze and stared right back at him, hoping against hope that he did not click onto the fact that a war was going on under the surface. I so desperately wanted to throw up. I could feel the tears starting to threaten and I blinked three times in rapid succession to fight them back down.

"What's going on Bella?" He hissed through his clenched teeth. "Why the sudden concern about James?"

Fuck he was mad! I thought as I gulped down the bile which pooled in the back of my throat.

"Nothing, Jazz." I finally managed to stammer out.

"BULLSHIT!" He shouted making both Alice and I jump. He glared at me hands on his hips and his eyes cutting me dead.

"Jazz!" Alice warned.

"What?" He spun on Alice in irritation.

"Bella just had a little run in with James, no biggy." Alice sounded so convincing.

I shot back as he spun around to face me fire in his eyes.

"Did he threaten you?" He demanded.

"No it was a misunderstanding." I managed to choke out, hoping I sounded more convincing than I felt.

"If he threatened you I need to know."

"Why would he threaten me? He doesn't even know me." I said quickly, maybe a little too quickly.

"Do you?"

"Do I what?" I tried playing the dumb card.

"You do, don't you?"

"I do what?"

"FUCK BELLA!" He bellowed making both Alice and I shrink slightly.

Jasper's eyes closed and he started breathing strangely as he fell onto the couch. Alice and I looked at each other then back at him.

"Jazz, are you Ok?" Alice asked in concern, putting a hand on his shoulder.

When he opened his eyes to glare at me, his face had turned very red. "It's him isn't it?" He asked quietly.

I took a deep breath realising I was so busted. I just nodded mutely.

"FUCKING GREAT!" He shouted as he stood up and stormed out of the apartment.

Alice and I just stared at each other in shock.

After a few seconds just staring at each other Alice leapt into life and followed him out the door. I was suddenly left alone in the middle of the room biting my bottom lip nervously wondering what the fuck would happen next.

After pacing around the apartment for three hours in a total state of panic, Alice came bounding back into the apartment a big smile on her face.

"It's not as bad as we first thought." She stated as she sat on the couch.

"Huh?" I grunted stupidly at her.

"Ed…ward." She stated slowly.

"Why? What?"

"The other guy actually started the fight."

"Was it James?" I had to ask.

"Oh no," she sighed. "It was Laurent."

I looked at her expectantly. She looked at me then realised I didn't know who the hell the guy was.

"Tanya's husband."

"And who the fuck is Tanya, Alice?"

"Oh yeah of course," she stumbled over her words. "Edward's ex fiancée."

"So Laurent is the guy who she dumped Edward for?"

"Yeah, he kind of is."

"Well is he or isn't he?" I shook my head at her evasiveness.

"It's a little more complicated than that."

"I have the time."

"Look Bella I really think that is something for Edward to tell you."

"You do realise I have told him to stay away from me don't you?"

"Yeah, right," Alice rolled her eyes, "as if he'll listen after his latest stunt."

"What do you mean?"

"Dad has got involved and will more than likely drag him back to Forks to live."

"Why?"

"Bella he is in some serious shit with work after the stunt he just pulled in Vegas."

"He's in Vegas?"

"You didn't know?"

"Alice, Edward and I are not talking, remember."

"Oh, yeah."

"Why did he go to Vegas anyway?" I heard myself asking.

"Knowing him to get drunk and laid."

I had to ask didn't I?

"Jasper's furious with us." Alice stated.

"I knew he would be, I'm sorry."

"No I was wrong to tell you to keep it from Jazz."

"Well it's too late now."

"Bella, I think you should tell Edward."

"What?" I whipped my head up to look her in the eyes, "why?"

"I have a feeling that James had something to do with this fight."

"What makes you say that?"

"Edward, James and Laurent all went to college together."

"I just don't think it will make any difference,"

"Of course it would."

"Alice he would most probably think I am lying or jealous or something."

"Bella, my brother despite being a shithead, cares for you very much."

"Whatever."

"Fine," she holds her hands up in surrender. "You win but I really think he needs to know."

"Well if what you say is true. It won't matter anyway."

"What do you mean?" She asked in confusion.

"Well if Edward is moving to Forks, the likelihood of us seeing James is close to zero."

"Yeah I suppose you're right I never thought of that."

"Look I am going to my room," I said giving her a quick hug. "See you tomorrow."

"Sleep well."

That night I had a restless night. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Edward telling me that I was a liar and was jealous about how much time he spent with James. I saw James in the background smirking at me and giving me sexual or violent hand gestures behind Edward's back. I woke sobbing the last time.

I don't know how I managed to get through the day without falling asleep on my desk. At dinner time Alice met me at the cafeteria and I was not surprised when she announced that she and Jasper were going to spend a few days in Forks.

That night I just collapsed on the couch and let sleep take over my body. The shrill of my cell phone roused me from my slumber. I fumbled in the darkness trying to find it. I answered it without looking at the caller I.D.

"Hello?" I said groggily.

"Is this Isabella Swan?"

"Yes."

"This is Carlisle Cullen," his voice sounded forced.

"Hello Mr Cullen, what can I do for you?"

"Cut the politeness. I don't like you."

I remained silent; I mean how could I answer that? I was stunned.

"Are you still there?" He asked impatiently.

"Yes." I replied hoping he would not detect the tears in my voice.

"I want you to move out of the apartment you share with my daughter."

I was still in shock.

"I want you to stay away from my family and their partners."

"But…" I stammered.

"I have met women like you before," he said angrily, "you like the idea of being a doctor's wife, so you fake accidents turn up in ER and flutter your eye lashes at all the young naïve doctors, and then you stick your claws in and devour them for everything they've got."

"How…" I tried to butt in but this guy was on a roll.

"You could see how vulnerable my son is at the moment and you just had to have him," he spat down the phone, "you really are a femme fatal."

I laughed; this man had to be on drugs or something. I mean me? A femme fatal? What planet was this man from?

"This is not fucking funny you little bitch, this is my family you are trying to ruin."

I couldn't take anymore I just put the phone down on him.

My heart was pounding as the adrenalin pumped through my body. Great another sleepless night.

My first thing that went through my mind when I should have been getting ready for work was Alice. She knew me well enough now to realise when something was wrong. She also knew when I lied and how do I tell her that her father thinks I am not good enough. In the end I rang in sick from work. I just could not face another day without any sleep or the possibility of lying to Alice. Suddenly I had an awful lot to think about.

I came up with a few plans one of them was moving back to Forks or Seattle myself. I mean, it would be great to spend some more time with my dad and his family. Also I remembered that some guy I met at the seminar in May offered me a job at his magazine. I think I really needed a change of scenery. New York was starting to get on my nerves a little.

I went for a walk mid-afternoon just to try and calm my erratic thoughts, of course; this did not help at all.

I even tried ringing Jasper but he was definitely avoiding my calls. I then made the mistake of ringing Rose.

"Why the fuck didn't you tell anyone!" Rose bellowed down the phone.

"Hello to you to." I laughed nervously.

"Shit Bella this is big."

"I take it Jasper rang?"

"You bet he fucking did," she huffed. I think she moved her phone because the sounds became muffled. "He wants to tear the bastard limb from limb."

"You would stop him. Right?"

"Fuck no. I want the bastard first."

"You haven't said anything to Emmett have you?"

"Not yet but I will."

"You cannot."

"Why the fuck not?"

"Because he will say something to Edward."

"What are you afraid of?" she said, seeing right through me. "If this is about that fucker, James. Then don't."

"You don't know what he's capable of." I muttered in a small voice.

"I know exactly what the coward is capable of."

"Rose please?"

"I don't like lying to Emmett."

"Please?"

"For now I won't," she sighed in defeat. "But if James threatens you I will tell him."

"He doesn't know where I live."

"Bella if he threatens you tell me or Japser. Got it?"

"Jasper isn't talking to me at the moment."

"He's just angry."

"I know I should have told him but I couldn't."

"Bella, it's not only that he's angry at you realise that don't you?"

"Why else would he be angry."

"I cannot believe you are that dim. He is angry because of everything he wants to do to the bastard. Also it reminds him of how you were when the two of you first met."

"Oh!"

"You do realise my brother loves you like a sister right?"

"I kind of did."

"You mean the world to both of us."

"Can we change the subject before I start to well up?"

"Are you coming with Alice and Jasper tomorrow?"

"No."

"Is everything alright?"

"I'm fine, just busy at work."

"How come you're not there now?"

"I am working from home today."

"How's the dating going?"

"It seems to have been put on the back boiler slightly. But I have got a couple of internet dates in the pipeline."

"Who's Garrett?"

"How do you know about him?"

"Alice!" we said together and laughed.

"We are just friends."

"Do you like him?"

"He's a nice guy but…"

"You're hearts not in it?"

"God! When did my life get so complicated?"

"When you slept with a Cullen."

"It was just the once, but shit!"

"I think he's in a tailspin too."

"Alice explained about Laurent."

"What happened between you and Edward?"

"I don't know what you mean?"

"He rang Emmett from Vegas saying he had fucked up big time and he didn't know how he would ever be able to fix it."

"Fix what?"

"That I don't know, Edward was pissed and not really making a lot of sense."

"I told him to get help and not to bother seeming me again until he was in a better frame of mind and then maybe we could try and be friends."

"Do you think that could happen?"

"What?"

"You and Edward? Friends?"

"Why not?"

"Because you love him."

"No I don't." I shouted down the phone.

"Really?"

"OK," I sighed in defeat. "I do love him."

"It's a bastard isn't it?"

"You can say that again."

"If it helps he loves you too."

"How could you possible know that?"

"Because he's going into rehab voluntarily."

"Rehab?"

"That's why Alice and Jasper are coming here to say their last goodbyes to Edward."

"Where's he going Timbuktu?"

"No he's going to some kind of retreat that deals with his kind of problems."

"What kind of problems."

"Bella you of all people should know that he is a sex addict."

"What? No? Really?"

"Please!"

"OK, so he has finally admitted he has a problem."

"I think it's more like he realises what he is losing."

"Whatever!"

I heard a door slam. "Emmett's back. I have to go."

"Take care."

"Bella if you need anything please ring."

"I will see you soon, I hope."

Instead of answering me she disconnected the call.

Now I had even more to think about. Is Edward really going to rehab because of me or did his stupid ass father threaten him?

My stomach suddenly grumbled letting me know it needed nourishment. I decided to cook myself something.

While I was cooking my dinner my cell rang. Yet again I answered it without looking at caller I.D.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Hello, Isabella." That voice sent shots of pure ice down my spine. I gulped nervously.

"What do you want?" I asked shakily.

"That's no way to greet an old friend. Now is it?" his voice was full of venom.

"We both know you aren't an old friend." I stumbled on my words.

"Oh, Bella." He laughed maliciously.

"Look cut the crap. What do you want?"

"I just wanted to catch up on an old friend."

"What do you want from me?"

"I hope you haven't said anything to anyone about anything?"

"About what?"

"Come on Bella, even you were never that thick."

"Please just stay away from me," I whimpered.

"That depends."

"Look I will do whatever you want. I promise."

"See this is why we got on so well."

"What do you want?"

"I want you to keep your mouth shut about our acquaintance."

"And if I don't?" I asked nervously.

"You know what I am capable of Isabella."

"Why are you so worried about me saying something?" I blurted out.

"Don't push me. I know where you live." He disconnected the call, leaving me sweating and sobbing on the couch.

My dinner was thrown in the bin as I had lost my appetite. I tried to watch T.V. but my mind was so worked up about what James had just said. To say I was terrified was an understatement.

Sleep finally came sometime in the night but it was restless.

I decided to just have the rest of the week off work. Alice came home midmorning to pack. Letting me know she would be back next Tuesday. I almost asked her where Edward was going into rehab but I just felt like it was not my place to ask.

The rest of the day went by slowly and I almost wished I had gone to work, but my phone call the previous night had left me anxious and scared of my own shadow.

So you could imagine how I felt when I was woken from my nap on the couch. Someone was pounding impatiently on our front door. I nervously walked to it and shouted timidly. "Who is it?"

"Edward. Please open up?"

I flung the door open and was shocked at what was in front of me.

Edward's jeans and t-shirt looked like he had been in them for at least a week. His eyes were drawn and bloodshot. His jaw was rigid, with at least three days' worth of stubble. His lips were thinned with stress. He looked like a drowning man, in desperate need of a lifeline. Would I be able to give it him?

We just stared at each other for a few moments.

"What are you doing here?" I finally managed to squeak out.

"I had to see you before my flight." His face seemed to slacken slightly as he gave me a tight lipped smile.

"When do you fly?" I asked.

"Tomorrow at six," he looked at me expectantly. "Are you going to let me in?"

I gestured with my hand for him to come in. I was surprised when he picked up a large bag and walked passed me.

"What if I didn't let you in?"

"I would have gone straight to the airport from here. I just needed to see you." He gave me an impish smile.

"Why?"

"I…" he closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, he took a deep breathe then stared me straight in the eyes. "I love you. Bella."

I just gapped at him. He didn't really just say that did he? I shook my head trying to make sense of what my ears had just heard. A sob escaped my mouth.

Suddenly I was in his arms on the couch. He was holding me close to his chest as I sobbed against it.

"Shush…" he whispered in my hair as he gently stroked my back. "Everything will be OK. I promise."

I pulled away slightly and put my hands on his stubbly jaw. "You didn't mean it."

"Bella, I love you more than I ever thought it was possible," he said sadly. "That's why I need to go into rehab. I just need more help than I thought I did."

"Will you tell me about Laurent?" I sniffed. He stiffened and his arms tightened around me.

"It's too painful."

"What did he do to you?"

"I don't really want to talk about it."

"Will you tell me ever?"

"I want to but, not now."

"We aren't having sex you know." I blurted out, making him laugh.

"To be honest, that is the last thing on my mind at the moment."

"Really?" I asked in shock. Maybe he loves me but doesn't actually fancy me.

"Fuck, Bella the next time I see you it will almost be Christmas."

"How long are you going into rehab for?"

"Around twelve weeks. Maybe more, maybe less."

"Where is it?"

"

"Somewhere near Forks. I am not allowed visitors for the first eight weeks."

"What happened in Vegas?"

"Laurent saw me and for some reason he attacked me."

"Why would he do that?"

"Bella I did not come here to talk about this."

"Why did you come then?"

"To tell you I love you and please try and give me another chance."

"Edward, I don't know whether I can."

"Don't give me an answer now wait until after my rehab and we can talk again. Just please let me stay the night."

"I don't…" I really wasn't sure whether this was a good idea. There were so many reasons for me to turn him away, but at the same time I was so thrilled that he had come to say goodbye in person.

"Don't, please?" Edward begged.

"Why did you come back to New York, surely you should be in Seattle now."

"Like I said I had to say goodbye to you."

"What about your dad?"

"I gave him some shit about me being on a later flight."

"Edward!"

"Look I will only be a day late. I am not going to rehab till Saturday so I have plenty of time with the family."

"Would you like a shower?"

"No."

"You look and smell like crap."

"Thanks for the confidence booster babe!" He laughed.

"What do you want to do now?" I asked nervously.

"I want to take you to bed in a non-sexual way"

That night I slept in Edward's arms, both of us with clothes on and before I finally succumbed to sleep I whispered 'I love you' against his chest. I think he must have heard me because his arms tightened around me and I think I felt his lips brush gently against my hair.

When I woke the following morning I was alone in my bed, but as I lifted my head up off the pillow I noticed a folded slip of paper. I quickly sat and picked the paper up and unfolded it.

Dear Isabella,

Thank you for last night. You will never know how much it meant to me, letting my hold you in my arms.

I hope you don't forget me over the next few weeks, to me it will feel like a lifetime.

It will all be worth it if you will be willing to let me back into your life, even if it is just as a friend.

Take care of yourself the best YOU can.

Love always

Edward.

I held the paper close to my chest and turned back into my pillow and sobbed. Wondering how things would be between us once we saw each other again.

Authors Note: I am still not very happy with this chapter because it somehow felt forced. Please forgive me if you are unhappy with it and I promise I will make it up to you with the next chapter.

Also I am not going to make any promises with the next chapter, because until my little one goes back to school my time is very limited for writing.

Thank you for reading and I look forward to your reviews.