As usual I want to thank you all for the awesome support and reviews. I read them all and answer as many as I can. I hope you like this chapter…it's well, you just have to wait and see…

Thanks to Starshine who betas on Friday nights, OCD who holds my hands in all kinds of failness, Angstgoddess who I managed to trump on the interwebs this week by knowing more about FaceBook than her. (bhahahahaha TAKE THAT!) and the girls on my forum…you own me, almost as much as Rob. Well, that's a lie but you know what I mean. Come visit. We pretty much just talk about Rob.

Chapter Song-Angels & Airwaves-The Gift

EPOV

From high above we watched the police attend to the crime scene. Emmett was with me and we were standing up on the roof of a tall building behind the coffee shop where James had taken his latest victim, sacrifice style. The discarded and drained woman was lying on her back with her arms to the side. Her skin was torn and the thick, coppery smell filled the air from the congealing pools of blood under the body.

"Fuck," I muttered under my breath as the heavy piece of metal snapped off the railing. I aimed at the blank wall of a building in the distance, preparing to throw it at but once it left my hand Emmett stopped it mid-air with is palm and dropped it casually to the ground. I growled in frustration as it landed with a resolved thud on the cement floor.

"Knock it off Edward." Emmett said glancing back towards the crime scene. I know you're angry but making a bunch of noise will only distract them and not help us.

I sighed heavily because Emmett was right and I hated it when he was right. Once again we had been tricked. James was playing us and it was getting old. Earlier that night, when Alice called, I knew it must be important. Alice wanted this relationship with Bella almost as much as I did. She wouldn't have interfered if it wasn't an emergency. From upstairs I could already see the vision she had received. The vampires were going to Bella's apartment, and were pictured rummaging through her belongings while Angela was in her room.

It pained me to leave Bella at that moment. We were so close to pushing through this thing, coming out on the other side together. She was accepting me. All of me. My phantom heart was close to bursting at the thought. But I had to make her safe, and surprisingly she agreed to stay. Of course it took a bribe, which I willingly acquiesced to; anything to keep her out of harms way. As I placed the key in her hand, I knew what she would find inside the locked trunk. I wanted her to know. I wanted her to know everything and what better way than through my own words?

Forcing myself to leave her, I found Alice, Jasper, and Emmett waiting on me downstairs and we quickly drove to the apartment. Angela was inside asleep and the others quietly surrounded the building while I snuck inside. Hours passed and unease settled into my bones as neither James nor Victoria appeared. I slipped out the door and found Jasper, alone, by the edge of the parking lot.

Something's wrong.

I nodded in agreement and we searched out Alice and Emmett to reassess our plan.

"Alice, what are we missing?" Jasper asked as he rubbed her back soothingly with his hand. She was visibly distressed but began calming under his powerful touch. Without speaking she began apologizing to me and showing me the darkness of her mind. Her visions were muddled and she felt like she was failing all of us, especially me.

I reached out for her and wrapped my arms around her. "This isn't your fault. We're putting too much pressure on you." She buried her face into my chest and I looked helplessly at Jasper and Emmett.

Alice shuddered violently under me and fell limp and I tightened my arms around her. It only lasted a moment but I could see it all as it flickered through her mind.

Black hair, russet skin, deep brown eyes, scratching and kicking, tearing, bleeding,

I saw a flash of neon and wet alley and knew immediately where we were supposed to be. "You need to stay here," I said to the others, releasing Alice into Jasper's arms. "I know where they are, but it could be another ploy. Keep Angela safe and stop them if they show up." Jasper nodded and I ran into the woods behind us.

A moment later I heard footsteps behind me and Emmett's thoughts shouting through the dark. Wait up Edward! At least tell me where we're going…

I slowed my pace. Emmett was the biggest of our group, huge for any vampire really, but I was fast and when I was going full speed there was no way he could keep up.

"I told you to stay behind."

Yeah, and when did I start listening to you? I am not allowing you to go alone into this…

We were leaving the density of the forest now and could see lights in the distance.

"We are going into town. There is a shop I frequent. Bella does as well. That is where James has found his next victim." I explained.

So this person is connected to you and Bella…

"She is," I said as we darted through the edge of the business district. I ducked into an alley and scaled the brick wall of the nearest building, my fingers reached the top, and I leveraged myself over onto the roof. Emmett followed with a heavy thump as his feet hit the top.

We made our way, roof top to roof top, leaping over edges and railings, until we were over the darkened alley I had seen in Alice's mind. The smell hit us before we saw the scene below and I could hear the distraught, frustrated police below.

The girl, the Quileute, was stretched out on the pavement lying in her own blood. Her neck, snapped, jutted at an odd angle but her beauty wasn't lost even in death. Deep crimson splatters patterned across her white apron and her left knee would have bruised from the impact of hitting the ground. I noticed her typically creamy tan skin was already losing color from the loss of blood. My eyes traveled over her lifeless body and settled on her ankle where I could see inked into her skin the primitive outline of an animal.

As if he could read my thoughts Emmett said aloud, "What's on her leg?"

Placing my hands on the metal railing in front of me, feeling the hard metal soften and bend under my pressure, I realized James had stepped into territory he was unequivocally not prepared for. His list of enemies just tripled.

"A wolf."

Xxx

BPOV

Tentatively rolling over, I was surprised when I didn't feel the edge of the couch underneath me. Instead I continued flat onto a smooth, soft cushion. I opened one eye and found myself in the middle of a huge bed surrounded by pillows and covered with a warm blanket. I sat up slowly and got my bearings by looking around the room. It was light outside. Gray, early morning light filled the room, making it easy to see the furniture and décor of the room. It only took me a second to realize I was in Edward's guest room.

The room was painted steel gray, and like the rest of the house, had high ceilings with thick moldings at the top of the walls. The furniture was a dark wood, almost black, and there was a dresser, chest and nightstand as well as the large bed I was currently inhabiting. The light filtering into the room came from a high dormer window that nestled into the wall with a bench seat underneath.

I tried to remember how I got to this bed last night and I couldn't. The last thing I was able to recall was dozing on the couch, waiting for Edward and reading his journal. Confused, I glanced around the room again until my eyes settled onto the small leather journal that had been placed on the nightstand. I picked it up and ran my fingers down the smooth, worn front.

Edward was a vampire.

I found myself at moments over the past week chanting these words. I knew it was true, but I almost had to constantly remind myself, because who really does what I was doing? Who else would fall for someone like this? He was a demon. He had said so and his diaries proved it. But he was also caring and loyal and beautiful.

I sighed to myself and turned on the lamp next to the bed. Throwing the blanket back, I realized I was still in my clothes from last night. Or rather part of my clothes and part of his. I began quickly walking over to the adjoining bathroom when I saw something on top of the dresser. I stopped and realized it was clothing from my house, neatly folded, and waiting for me. Picking them up, I pushed open the bathroom door and walked inside flicking on the lights. I had been in here before of course. In fact I knew it was fully stocked because I was the one who had done it. The cabinets and closet were filled with anything I would need for the day and suddenly I was grateful for Edward and his obsessive nature.

Reaching into the shower, my hands found the brass knobs inside and I twisted them until I reached the right temperature. I stepped under the forceful stream of water, allowing the night to wash from my body and I began preparing myself for what waited for me on the other side of the guest room door.

I needed to know where Edward had gone last night. I wanted to know exactly what he was feeling about me and the journals, and us. Turning off the water I found a plush towel hanging on the wall and as I dried off I felt my chest clench with anticipation. I knew that everything in my life was going to change once I left this room. The barriers were down and Edward and I needed to talk.

Xxx

Still barefoot, I exited the guest room and stepped into the hallway. I assumed Edward was home but I wasn't sure where he was. I paused for a moment and wondered if I would still be invited into his room this morning or should I go back downstairs to the common areas? Before I had the opportunity to decide I heard a loud crack and the sound of splintering wood from the dressing room.

I felt myself jump at the harsh noise and sucked in my breath wondering if James or Victoria were in the house. My heart was hammering and I steadied myself against the wall. Unsure of what to do or where to go, I essentially froze on my spot in the hallway. Only a moment passed before Edward's head popped around the corner of the dressing room and his hard eyes immediately softened as they met mine.

Immediately he was at my side. "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you," he said and I felt his cool breath wash over me, calming my nerves instantly.

I looked him over, and the shaky fear I felt before quickly turned into something else. His hair was wild and his face was beautiful as always. I was drawn into his deep yellow eyes, brighter than yesterday and although I wasn't afraid, my heart beat quickened further.

Engrossed in his eyes, I swallowed thickly and said defensively, "I wasn't scared."

A small smile tugged on his lips, which drew my attention away from his gaze, and he said, "Really? Your heart tells me otherwise." And still frozen in my spot, I watched as he tilted his head before reaching out and pushing my hair aside, over my shoulder. I held my breath at the contact and reveled in the electricity coming from his touch. His fingers hovered over my shoulder for a moment when his face suddenly became determined and he gently grasped the back of my neck. I felt his thumb stroke lightly along the tender skin before settling in one spot. "Yes. Your pulse is fluttering like a humming bird's wings."

A tremor of fear rushed through me but it wasn't due to his touch. As I remembered what I learned last night about Edward and his abilities I felt my face burn in embarrassment. My attempt to squelch the grimace that formed on my face was futile.

"What?" he asked, but never removed his hand. His hand was cool against my overheated skin and it felt so right. So good. Damn it. Those were the thoughts that he didn't need to know.

"Don't act like you don't know," I told him, and I swear his body was leaning closer into mine. Why did he choose now to get so personal?

Total confusion crossed his face so I continued, "Edward. I read your journals. I know you can read my mind." This came out as a humiliating mumble, as I was horrified to say it out loud, and my brain had turned to simple mush under his touch.

Recognition replaced the confusion and his own face contorted as he said, "No Bella. That is the thing. I can read every other mind, and every other thought of every mundane, immature, ignorant person out there but yours? Yours is closed to me."

He was so close to me now, pulled together like magnets. My hands were on the wall behind me, fingers pressed into the surface, afraid that if I didn't hold onto something that I would crash into him.

His thumb was fixed on my pulse while my eyes were forward, fixed on his smooth, angular jaw.

"Why? Why am I closed to you?" I whispered, confused by this revelation.

He chuckled softly, the hair over my ear ruffling. "I have no idea Bella. But it is a dual version of heaven and hell for me. The peace I feel with you is incomparable. The desire I have to know your mind is consuming. Everything about you is so…conflicted."

We stood for a moment processing this information when I realized I had to say something before I stood here all day, weak in the knees, completely absorbed in this man. "What was that sound then, if not a group of vampires searching your house for me?" I said, attempting to make a joke.

At my words he dropped his hand and distanced himself. His eyes flashed with anger and darkened. It was like I'd slapped him.

"I'm sorry? Too soon for vampire humor?" I asked in a lame attempt to repair the damage.

His face softened but it didn't reach his eyes. "We need to talk," was all he said, and I felt

his cool hand slip into my own before he walked me down the hall toward his rooms. As we entered the dressing room, I noticed the door was off its hinges, the long screws torn from the wood and the door frame cracked and splinted. My feet stopped as he attempted to gently pull me forward, past it, and I asked, "Is this what made the noise? Did you do this?"

He stopped and sighed, "Yes."

I eyed him suspiciously and he squirmed with guilt.

"Are you the one that pulled out the intercom system downstairs?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

He reluctantly nodded and I made a face, "Really? What on earth made you do something like that?"

He looked at me like I should know this answer as well. I had no idea what would cause him to tear up the house. With a deep sigh he said, "You Bella. I ripped up the house because of you."

"Me?" I asked, still several steps behind in his thought process.

We were standing in the middle of the dressing room. He was so much taller than I was, at times it seemed like he towered over me. I looked up at him and when he spoke his voice was low, "Bella you barely survived that night. It was almost the end for you." He paused and cast his eyes down, "It was almost the end for me. It was either the intercom or both of us. I think I chose well."

His words hung in the air. The idea that it all could have gone differently for both of us was staggering. He tightened his grip on my hand and tugged me past the damaged door and into his room. With one last glance towards the broken door he shook his head. "I should have learned my lesson about breaking stuff last time anyway."

I walked over to the couch to sit down. "Lesson? What are you talking about? You know, I can't read minds either." I laughed and settled into the cushion.

He sat down next to me leaving a wide strip of leather between us. I frowned at the distance. He pushed his hair back, "When I broke the intercom system we had to call the electricians, which is how you met Tyler who asked you on a date." He explained. The look on my face must have shown my confusion because he continued. "On your date you met Victoria and well, you know what happened after that…"

"But I don't know. And I need you to tell me exactly what is going on." I told him and I meant it.

He hesitated and I watched his long fingers rub across his cheek as he mentally began editing his words. He opened his mouth to speak but I stopped him. "I need to know all of it Edward. If this," and I gestured between the two of us, "has any chance of working at all you must be completely honest with me."

Edward leaned back in his seat and I heard a quiet groan from his throat. His fingers were back in his hair and he finally said, "Okay. I'm going to tell you everything that I know. But understand this is really hard for me." He scooted a little closer and put one arm on the back of the couch. "It's in my nature to protect you and what you are going to hear is the ugly side of my life. I don't want to scare you off." He admitted, and his amber eyes reflected his emotions.

My hand found his and I said, "That's a choice you have to let me make. But I need all the facts first."

I watched as Edward's lips formed the words to explain the terror James and Victoria had inflicted on the community. He spoke of murders, sacrifice and spilt blood across the city. Bitterly he explained how he found out these losses were due to a vendetta against him and possibly his whole family. That James had been hunting him while he attempted to protect others. I could tell, as he recounted the times he had failed, how much this pained him. How he carried the burden of lives lost in this battle between James and himself. At times during his long story he trembled in anger, rage boiling beneath his skin.

By the time he finished my teeth were clenched and my fists were bound tightly. "So what you're saying is that James is murdering people, turning humans into vampires, and stalking me, in an attempt to get back at you."

Edward nodded and he pried open my fist, smoothing out my fingers one at a time.

"What makes you so important to him?" I asked, not fully understanding, and having a feeling Edward was leaving something out.

Twisting the silver and turquoise ring on my right hand between his fingers he said, "James is convinced I have something that is his. So far we can't figure out what this is."

I wanted to ask more questions. I had more questions but Edward was distracting me. I wasn't sure if he knew how much his touch affected me but it did. Just by rubbing my hand I was lost to most levels of coherency.

Once again his fingers found my pulse. Gently inching away from my hand and roaming around my wrist,he zeroed in on the pulsating vein and covered it with his thumb. His head was down and his hair was brushing against my bare arm.

"Why do you keep doing that?" I asked, truly curious.

"Because I like to feel your heartbeat. Your life." He answered, skimming his thumb across my wrist.

I shivered and with his face turned down I could see the faint smile playing across his mouth. "I can hear it, you, through the entire house. Sometimes even outside." He mused, watching to see my reaction. I said nothing, longing to hear more of his confession.

"Your heartbeat has become my compass. At first though, it taunted and provoked me. It betrayed you. But now, I'm at a loss when I can't find it."

His voice was so soft, almost musical. He hypnotized me with the sound of it and the gentle pressure of his touch. I was lost in him and couldn't find the words to speak.

"And your scent, Bella." He pulled my wrist under his nose and inhaled. "It's like nothing you've ever imagined."

This struck me as amusing and laughter escaped my mouth before I could suppress it. Looking through his thick lashes he asked, "Is this funny?"

I shook my head and said, "No. but you're wrong. I can imagine."

Edward rolled his eyes at me. "You can, you say? Because Bella, when I catch your scent I am overwhelmed by the desire to find you. To hunt you. I want to consume you. I have never in all my years wanted anything or anyone more than you."

He was challenging me. But he underestimated the feelings and emotions that coursed through my body. I extracted my wrist from his clutch and pulled his hand towards me, resting it on my knee. "So when you say you want me, what you really mean is that you want to eat me, right?"

His eyes narrowed at my crassness but he gave me a short, "Yes," in response.

Picking up his smooth hand I turned on the couch, tucking my knees underneath me, and faced him. "And you don't think I understand this…desire?" I asked.

His eyes were no longer narrow but focused intently, following my every movement. I pulled his hand up to my nose and inhaled, replicating his actions from earlier. "Edward, I haven't lived as long as you, clearly, but I have been around people, other men, and none of them have ever appealed to me the same way you do."

He opened his mouth to protest and I stopped him by holding up my hand and guiding him to place his palm and fingers flat against my own. "Do you feel this between us? The energy? That has nothing to do with me being your dinner. But it has everything to do with me and you."

"You say this…but you don't understand. When I hear your heart beat my mouth fills with venom, in preparation to take you. The nature of my demon is to appeal to you, and attract you. We are all like this. Me, James, Victoria…its how she led you away that first time"

"Jasper and Emmett? Alice?" I prompted.

He nodded solemnly, his fingers folding into mine and once again they laid atop my knees.

"Well, Alice does smell nice I admit. And Jasper and Emmett do have an alluring thing going on…but that really has nothing to do with their scent as much as…well other things." I smirked at his alarmed expression, "You're the one I want Edward, do not misunderstand." I said quietly.

Comprehension flickered across his face and I think he finally caught up. "Some of what you're feeling isn't just blood lust although I accept that is there. But when two people are attracted to one another other things come into play. Chemicals and hormones." I continued. "Don't deny me my feelings."

"I won't." he promised, "But tell me. What are your feelings? Not being able to read you is unbearable."

He was right in front of me, this exquisite creature, and he had been so honest with me. I needed to be the same in return. "This terrifies me." I said and he attempted to pull away but I clutched his hand. "Not because you are a vampire, but because I have never felt this way either. I feel like I am ready to jump in this thing head first with you."

His eyes locked with mine, steady with resolve, "Even if it's wrong?"

"Definitely."

Edward lifted my hand to his mouth. With his perfect lips he gently pulled the skin stretched across the back of my hand with his lips and sent shivers down my spine.

"It's wrong." He whispered.

"I know." I replied but I couldn't keep the grin off my face.

Xxx

Over the next several days a new routine replaced the old one. After my first night sleeping at Edward's I went to my apartment with Alice in tow and explained to Angela I had to house sit while Edward was away on business. I encouraged her to pack her own things and move in with Ben if he approved. The apartment wasn't safe for either of us as long as James was still hunting me and Edward assured me that I would be safe in his home.

Edward also told me about Leah, the girl from the coffee shop. Her death stunned and saddened me in an unexpected way. She would have been safe at home, under the traditions and safety of her tribe. She hadn't believed their legends, which had horrific consequences. Befriending me had been the nail in her coffin and I told Edward so.

He'd laughed sarcastically and admitted that I did seem to attract trouble, but that this one was on him and no one else could take the blame. I smiled lamely and pretended to agree, but part of me knew I was responsible.

What he didn't tell me was why his attitude had suddenly shifted about James. He was still focused and determined to find him but the dynamic had changed. He mentioned Carlisle and treaties, which I assumed had to do with the Quileute Tribe, but it wasn't clear. The tension shifted from James and his coven to a broader anxiety including the mysterious residents of La Push.

With the level of stress we were all experiencing I was surprised at how quickly Edward adapted to my presence in his home. Rooms and doors that were formerly off limits were opened and I was eagerly invited in. I discovered he had a full office/safe room off of his bedroom, equipped with security monitors and computers and he even showed me the stairway to the attic, where he spent much of his time. Edward respected my privacy by never entering my room or asking me to work past my regular hours, although my job description had changed some since I moved in. I resumed my regular work, but Edward accompanied me out of the house if I had business to attend to and we both devoted all our extra time researching possible leads on James and his newborns.

I had spent the morning going over recent breaking and entering reports from the police records Jasper had hacked into. The guys were convinced that James must have a pattern for the homes he was invading, and we were all desperately trying to connect the dots. Regardless of the involvement of the fabled wolf pack, no one wanted any further deaths in the city. Alice's visions were still vague and clearly being manipulated by the others, although we still could not determine how they knew so much about how her gift worked. Unfortunately though, this meant Edward could no longer rely on her for support and had to go back to his basic forms of investigation.

On this sunny day, I had been given a stack of documents to highlight, and upon completion I ran up the stairs as quickly as I could in a denim skirt and flip flops to find Edward in the attic. Breathing heavily I reached the last step and paused at the entrance of the room. Edward had rows of papers lined up across the floor organized in some way that I was unable to decipher. He was standing, tall and lean, over the lines of papers deep in concentration. He knew I was there. I'd come to find how truly amazing his senses really were. He could hear sounds from streets away. Or the ruffle of my sheets as I slept. He easily could see the small print on the papers below him from six feet away. And he could hear my thundering heartbeat at almost any distance.

Edward told me these things at random, like he needed to get them off his chest, and I lapped up every drop and detail like a woman dying of thirst. He was becoming my sustenance, the water and air I breathed.

From the doorway, I absorbed him. His thick, dark hair, the sharp lines of his face. His skin looked smooth as glass and I was dying to run my hands over it, claim it, but I hadn't summoned the courage. Quietly I skirted around the papers and perched myself on the desktop across the room. The large desk was underused as Edward preferred to spread out and see everything at once in an attempt to crack the pattern he was convinced was there.

I'd made this my place in the room. It was out of the way, yet gave me the perfect view of the imperfect man in front of me. The professional in me said I was observing, learning from one of the more powerful men in corporate America. The woman in me knew I was simply ogling him behind his back.

As welcoming as Edward had been, the tension between the two of us was thick and becoming almost unbearable. The moment in his room, when he kissed the back of my hand, was amazing. But I wanted more. And he wanted more but something was holding us back.

I was tired of holding back.

I had decided I was going to have to take the lead here. Falling for a man who lived during the repressed times of the early nineteen hundreds was fascinating. And frustrating. If I waited around for Edward to make a move I could be as old as he is.

Taking the opportunity of an empty house and a distracted Edward I decided to try to make some leeway. Watching him study the papers, I realized he wasn't going to stop working on his own and notice me, so I began to swing my legs from the edge of the desk noisily and let my shoes drop from my feet one by one in an effort to get his attention.

Nothing.

I huffed a little and arranged my hair over my head in a ponytail, knowing the movement would send waves of Bella smell in his direction. I pulled and fluffed and twisted all while running my fingers though my long tresses, hoping to lure him out.

Giving the scent of Bella a moment to travel through the air of the room, I looked at my personal vampire hero. He was wearing a blue button down with a white t-shirt underneath, and light khaki pants that rested gently at the top of his navy sneakers. Pausing my eyes on the back of his legs, I wondered for a moment what he would look like in shorts.

I wrenched myself from my daydreams and realized my efforts to gain his interest were failing. I recognized that if I wanted this man to notice me I was going to have to push harder than that.

Determined I called, "Edward," while still swinging my legs back and forth off the side of the desk.

He turned and looked at me, a smile on his face, eyes soft but distracted, "Yes?"

I returned his smile, "I've been thinking," I hesitated making sure I had his attention, "about your thing here…this side business…you tracking bad guys."

Edward's brow furrowed, "What exactly have you been thinking about?" Although Edward was open and honest with me, I often had to press him for details. I could tell he attempted to protect me from his world.

My fingers wrapped over the edge of the desk nervously, "Well, publically you work for PNT. Doing all those fabulous things you do for the community."

He nodded, his eyes narrowing as he attempted to follow my train of thought. I knew the fact he couldn't read my mind frustrated him, sometimes, though, I was sure he thought I was an imbecile.

I took a deep breath and continued, "But during the rest of the time you research and study looking for people to help, crimes to stop, right?"

I smiled warmly at him and his eyes lit up. "I guess that's kind of what I do. I try to help people. Using my abilities."

Looking around the room I pointed to the huge filing cabinets and bins of papers, the maps on the walls. "But it's more than that, you have a whole process here. And you have Jasper who helps and Alice assists with her visions. It's really incredible."

His eyes followed my hands as I spoke and instantly he was in front of me. "Thank You. I'm trying…it's my attempt to make up for the time before."

I nodded in understanding, and I did understand. We spoke of his rebellion. The early years he left his family to live a different life. It worked for a while, killing murderers and rapists, but in the end it wasn't enough or maybe too much and eventually he returned home.

I was happy he had moved closer to me, but now he was distracted again, this time by the past.

"Edward," I said, and baited him back to present times with my voice. I waved him over and he obliged, stopping inches from my legs.

Better, but still dissatisfied with the distance, I sighed and in a move that caused my face to burn I reached my shaking hands to his hips and pulled him towards me.

I looked at his face, which at this distance was only several inches higher than my own. He had a flawless eyebrow arched in amusement and very willingly allowed himself to be settled against my knees.

"So what I've been thinking is that you really are kind of like a superhero." I said, and the amusement dropped quickly from his face and was replaced with a grimace.

But he didn't move.

"No," I said, and I tentatively reached my hands to his face. It was as if he was molded from clay. Perfectly symmetrical, flawlessly aligned. I ran my fingers over every inch of exposed skin, memorizing his features. His eyes fluttered shut at my touch and I ran my fingers across the crease in his forehead and over the faint purplish smudges under his eyes. With a sigh I let my palm ghost over the length of his jaw, beginning at the wide spot beside his ear all the way to his chin. "Don't let that upset you. You're doing a good thing." I told him as I eyed his Adam's apple bob with a deep swallow. My skin pricked at the sight of him struggling and as much as my body craved more, my instincts were on alert.

With his eyes still shut, his hands found my legs and he trailed his fingers over my skin. "I don't know if that's true. I try or tried, until I met you. But now it is all a mess. James wants you because of me. He killed Leah because of me. Superheroes don't let people die." He breathed and opened his eyes, the pain evident.

I rubbed my finger over his lip as he had done to mine in comfort countless times, and I struggled to remain lucid as his tongue darted out in response. "You are not responsible for his actions. But you and your League of Justice will take care of him. I have faith."

He shifted forward infinitesimally as I let my fingers spread behind his ears and slip into the tangle of hair on his neck. He was close but it was still too far, the void between us was wider than the actual physical distance.

I felt his fingers pressing into my knees as though he was resisting something. Me. I searched his face and the conflict was clear. The want in his eyes was unmistakable but the fear threatened to overpower his desire.

In a moment of pure self consciousness I began second guessing my attempt and I felt the burning heat creep up my neck and face. I loosened my trembling grasp from his hair and began to pull away slowly. Before I could fully extract myself Edward shuddered and exhaled, "God, I want you so much." And my eyes flew to his and I nodded silently, willing him to understand I felt the same. I was giving myself to him. Sacrificing my comfort for the next step with him. I needed him and would take whatever he could give back, even if it had disastrous results.

His hands moved from my knees to my waist and he leaned in so slowly, head tilted, close enough to feel the tension rolling off his body. I licked my lips once and shifted my hips under the weight of his hands. "Don't move," he whispered and I froze under his spell, willing to submit to his every whim. I closed my eyes and I could feel Edward's labored breaths washing over my mouth. I wasn't sure what where his emotions were or where his desire was leading, but I knew I wouldn't stop. He wanted to consume me and I wanted to be consumed.

"Please," I murmured and his lips were on mine. Smooth, cool, and gentle.

Wonderful.

I moved my lips in response, following his pace. It was slow and restrained, burning with an underlying desire. I wanted more but I would take what he would give me. My fingers eagerly tugged the thick strands of his hair, pulling him towards me, and he tenderly pushed my legs apart and pressed my body into the desk. His lips felt like he had run them over with ice while mine were boiling, on fire, melting his as they worked together.

Abruptly he stopped and pulled away, his hands resting on my hips. He dropped his head to my shoulder and let out a deep sigh. Edward's left hand scaled my arm and up my throat, his thumb searching for my pulse.

I stroked his hair, combing it downward with my fingers and I asked, "Are you okay?" into the soft snarl of hair on top of his head.

He nodded into my shirt and tilted his head, running his nose along the skin of my throat, whispering kisses along the way. His lips reached my ear and he said, "All these years I thought I was working towards redemption, preparing myself for enemies against humanity and disciplining myself for the challenges that came with my choices." He lifted his head and focused his darkened yellow eyes on my own. "I was wrong Isabella. Those days of restraint and self-depravation were in preparation for you and your entrance into my life."

Wide eyed and with a hammering heart, I was captivated by the man in front of me. There was an energy coming from him now that was not present earlier. "That was the hardest thing I've ever done," he said and he leaned in kissing me deeper and more forcefully than before. Confident now, he pulled away with a final tug on my bottom lip and said, "But I now understand, it was all worth it. Every step, every sacrifice, every moment I strived to be better, to be stronger, was worth it."

He wrapped his long arms around my shoulders, enveloping me in his chest, burrowed in, safe, protected for the moment. Squeezing my eyes shut, and my arms tight around Edward's waist, I couldn't help feel relief that another barrier was down and we had made it past another hurdle. The journey ahead of us was destined to be difficult and painful. but now we knew we would be making it together.

Huh? How was that? You guys didn't think I would do it did you? BUT I DID. Now, in return i need some feedback. I was all nervous. THAT KISS MADE ME CRAZY NERVOUS. It's over now, i can breathe.

Also. I if you need some popcorn fic to make you happy…a little fluff, some action and A COMPLETED STORY go to my profile and link to Thallium81's Earthquake. It is fun, fun, fun. Excellent.