All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer

I checked in with Carlisle as soon as I entered the house to see if there was anything that needed to be done. The look in his eyes told me everything I needed to know. I glanced around the room looking quickly at everyone in turn; they had the same look in their eyes, one of pity and sorrow.

"No. Everything is taken care of." He answered in a warm voice, placing his hand upon my shoulder.

I slowly stepped away from him causing his arm to fall to his side. "Call me when it's time to go." I turned and left without another word. I didn't know where to go at first. I knew I couldn't be in the house and face everyone again. It was obvious that they knew all that had happened, and the last thing I wanted was their sympathy.

I decided the back yard would be my safest bet. I found a fallen tree near the edge of the forest and took a seat. I wasn't sure what I was going to do once the battle was over. Where would I go? What would I do? Would I stay, more importantly could I stay?

I leaned forward placing my elbows on my knees and placing my head in my hands. Everything was so messed up! There was no way I could stay and watch Edward hold another—no matter what—there was no way I could endure that.

After the battle I would leave. I would say goodbye this time, and promise to keep in touch—though it would be a while before I knew I would be up to talking to any of them.

I heard someone approaching and I sighed. It was probably Alice. She must have seen what I was planning and wanted to talk me out of it. I lifted my head slowly and looked up. My eyes narrowed to mere slits as Tanya drew closer.

I couldn't help the growl that escaped my lips as she stood in front of me. "What do you want? Haven't you done enough for one day? He's yours. You finally got what you've been working so hard for since we arrived."

She crossed her arms across her chest and smirked. "You're wrong."

I scoffed. "So it wasn't you and Edward I saw kissing earlier? I must have just been imagining things."

She shook her head. "What he sees in you I will never understand. You don't deserve him. He deserves better."

I pursed my lips looking away unable to refute her words. I would be lying if I said they didn't bother me.

"You're right." She finally stated after a brief pause. "I have done everything in my power to make him forget you and show him what he could have. A woman instead of an insignificant, self-conscious insecure little girl, but still he insists that he loves you."

I turned back to her confused by what she was saying. He still loves me? How?

"He loves you." She answered reading the doubt on my face. "In the forest just now, it was I, who kissed him. He broke away as soon as he heard you. He wanted to run after you but I wouldn't let him. I pulled him in for another kiss, convinced I could make him want to stay with me."

I felt sick. They had kissed not once, but twice.

She paused almost dramatically, as if she enjoyed prolonging my agony. "He pushed me away almost instantly claiming betrayal. I tried to talk to him, but he refused to listen. He proclaimed his love for you, which leads me to why I am here." She finished sounding annoyed.

"You see if you don't forgive him, if he loses you, he swore he would never forgive me. The two of us have always been close and I would rather be friends with him than nothing at all. Lasting friendships are rare among our kind. When you have one you hold onto it with all your might."

"I am here now for purely selfish reasons. I do not wish to lose him anymore than you do. I came here to tell you the truth in hopes that you will go easy on him, and forgive him." She smirked. "He's far too trusting for his own good. Far too trusting," she mused. "He would have figured out my plans long before now if he didn't trust me so completely."

I was stunned by her admission. All this time I had been right. She was after him as I had always assumed. I was correct to not trust her. After all she had put me through she honestly had the audacity to ask me to help her?

"What makes you think I would ever do anything to help you?" I asked in a cold voice.

She grinned. "I can see that you love him, even though he can clearly do better. He really was innocent in all this. You would be a fool to not forgive him." She concluded calmly.

She turned and left before I had time to respond. My mind was racing as I contemplated everything she had just told me. I could feel that she was speaking the truth. I tried to deny what I was feeling. I tried to force myself to feel that she was lying, but my ability would not allow it. She spoke the truth. I was sure of it. What did this mean?

I sighed heavily out of exasperation. Why did life have to be so complicated? I got up and made my way back to the house. I knew it was near time to leave and I needed to be close for when it was time to go.

As I approached the house I noticed Edward sitting on the front porch with his hands buried in his thick bronze hair. He looked up at me in an instant, and our eyes locked. I slowly made my way to his side and sat down.

"Bella please let me explain." His voice was low and hoarse. The pain on his face was almost too much to bear.

"You don't have to." I whispered. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I ran into Tanya just now. She explained everything to me."

His eyes narrowed dangerously. "Oh really?"

I nodded my head. "She told the truth."

He clenched his jaw. After a brief pause he asked, "And?"

I sighed. "And…I don't know. I just need some time alone to think. There's a lot going on right now. Between the battle, you, me…I'm just…confused." I admitted. "I need a moment to think things through."

His eyes roamed my face for a few minutes before he nodded his head. "I'll give you all the time you need. Just promise me one thing."

"What?"

"Promise me we will talk before you make any concrete decisions to leave." I could clearly hear the hurt in his voice. I knew Alice must have had a vision of me leaving, and so he had seen what my earlier plans had been.

"Promise." I assured him.

He reached out and gently placed his hand to the side of my face. I turned my face away ever so slightly, but it was enough for him. He dropped his hand instantly. "I love you Bella, forever." He breathed, his voice unsteady.

"I know." I whispered as I got up and entered the house.

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I know this is kind of short but the battle is next. I didn't want you to have to wait for the update. The battle will take a little but to write.

More to come! Thanks!