A/n: Twilight and its characters are not mine.

I have to say I am amazed by the reactions to the previous chapter. Thank you so much for the favorites, plus wonderful reviews and comments. It really keeps me motivated! Seems I wasn't the only one eager to see them finally getting somewhere. Here's an entire fluffy chapter for you guys, enjoy :)

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Chapter 21

His arms never let go of me. At one point I wondered who was holding on to whom in our embrace. Our bodies merged into one, I didn't know where I ended and where he began.

His presence by the cab had immediately released the fear I had kept restrained, there had only been room for the survival reflexes before he showed up. I had to get away and I had to be safe. There had been no room for pain and terror. As I became aware of him, I let everything slip and fell into despair.

Had I learned something the past few months, it was that whenever I was in need of a savior, Edward would stand strong and catch me. He had wrapped his arms around me and sheltered me from the menace, muttered soothing words into my hair while stroking me pacifying.

Of course, I didn't calm down, but I could let it all go. I dared to rest my guard and the darkness came rolling in. I hadn't kept it at distance for the fear of facing it, I just did not have the mental capacity. And I took it, I let it take me under and I sank to the bottom in my misery. It would be wrong to say I cried, because it didn't feel like it was me. From the second he appeared Bella, me, I took a break. I had fought bravely against Eric, I had withstood the terror and acted on instinct retreating and exiting safely. But what I went through when Edward's protecting arms held me, it wasn't me.

What was it? I guess one could say it was my body reacting. It closed completely down on me, limiting itself to fetal position and sobs so deep that I would cough hoarsely from the continuing strain. My vocal cords were unable to make any sound above the average whimper, I could not press myself into experiencing a single meaningful reflection. I was a primal being, my body completely in control – my body dominated by the need to react to the danger I had faced.

I was barely aware of the fact that we'd moved when the ringing of his phone alerted me back to somewhat consciousness. It pierced my aching brain and disturbed the cleansing process my body was performing, so I reflexively pulled it out of his pocket and urged him to take it to make it shut up.

His eyes fell on mine for an instant before he answered it. I flinched back and hid myself in his protective arms, not ready to face the outside world, and then let the darkness engulf me again.

He never left my side, not a second. And as my body slowly let me have the reigns again, I was increasingly aware of how close he actually was. I began detecting his warm palms brushing me in a subduing manner, I could smell his sweet scent from his black shirt, and the mellifluously tenderness in the velvet words he kept muttering into my ear. I feel his heart beating repetitively, drumming steadily underneath his clothes, soothing me further. My cries ebbed in tact with my resurfacing from the darkness.

Soon, I lay still and somewhat stiff, unsure of how to act when in this close proximity to him. I tried to stop my remaining sniffles, but they wouldn't cease. He apparently took notice of my change and leaned slightly back to have a view of me. The sun from the bedroom window fell on my face. It was morning.

Edward kept silent, he just stared down at me with a worried, yet relaxed peer. He rested his head on the white linen and sighed, raised his hand and brushed my cheek gently. I spotted a difference in his behavior, there was a surprisingly little amount of restraint in his movements. His face shone freely with emotion, his touches were conducted without any hesitation.

I stared back at him, fixing his gaze with mine, refusing to let go. We lay like this for what must have been hours. He kept on meticulously stroking me, running his fingers up and down my bared skin while keeping a secure gaze.

After some time he broke the silence. "How do you feel?" he asked silkily.

"My head hurts," I muffled back, he stifled a chuckle by my response.

"Your body must be pretty dehydrated from the water loss," he remarked, continuing his caressing gesture with his fingers to my cheek, running up and down my cheek bone and then to line my jaw. "Do you want me to get you some water?"

"Thanks," I muttered, grimacing as he eased his grip loose from me. I smiled when I saw his hesitant release of me. "I need a bathroom break anyway," I added and got up as well. I stumbled as blood rushed to my head and black dots flickered on my retinas. Edward was by my side in an instant, steadying me.

"I will make you some food as well," he added concerned. I nodded slightly. He let his hand slide down mine and reaching my fingers I felt his intertwine with mine. My face flew up facing his, shock painted across it. He held my hand now? Did I die and wake up in bizarro-world? This wasn't far from how I imagined heaven.

Edward smiled confidently at me and caressed my cheek once more, before dragging me after him into the hallway. He kissed my forehead before unlinking his hand from mine and turning to the kitchen. I stood lightheaded in the hallway a few seconds before I could remember what I had intended to do preceding the kiss.

I grabbed my suitcase with my belongings in it and freshened up in the bathroom quickly, eager to get back to this new Edward before I woke up or he turned all self-disciplinary on me.

When I met my own gaze in the mirror I had a flashback from the night before. I cringed and averted my own terror-struck peer, sweat breaking out on my forehead. As the fear passed I found myself clutching the sink, knuckles white like the porcelain it held. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

I left the bathroom and went carefully into the kitchen where Edward was making me everything from omelet to steak and cake. I smirked by his obsessive caretaking initiative.

He smiled widely when he saw me and rushed over to hug me tightly. I couldn't help but freeze by the weirdness. He looked down and let me go abruptly, thinking he'd done something wrong.

"Did I hurt you? Are you in pain?" He asked worriedly. I shook my head dismissively.

"Uh, not that I mind the sudden change, but I have been depressed and wailing all night before and that didn't lead to this kind of behavior," I stuttered and his concerned face smoothened over.

"You don't mind?" He asked assuring. I shook my head again.

"I don't mind at all. I am just wondering why," I said, somewhat concerned that questioning it would make him stop.

"I have decided it's not worth it anymore. I am not going to fight it, I am going to let myself love you, Bella." He declared melodiously. "If you want me to," he ended and cupped my chin. I could do nothing but stare dumbfounded into his eyes. Was it possible that this was happening?

"I don't remember hitting my head," I whispered confused, getting a lopsided smirk in return from Edward. He leaned in towards me, his lips meeting mine tenderly and passionately. I swooned and reached out to hold him. I was not going to make a fool out of myself by fainting now, this moment was too perfect to be ruined by my frequent embarrassing scenes created by the lack of body control.

He ended the kiss slowly, and as I opened my eyes I met his. I was sure if you put a plug in me the electricity inside of me could've lit up the entire room.

"I want you, too," I replied mesmerized by his beautiful face. He kissed me quickly then, a happy kiss, then released me and ran to the frying pan to save the remains of what must have been bacon.

We ate in silence, exchanging smiles and holding each other's hand. Again, he was the one who broke the silence in the end. This time it was a less then happy subject.

"I have to ask you, Bella, about last night…" he began, but voice tailing off in insecurity on how to approach the situation. I stopped chewing immediately and felt my muscles tense by the mention of it. He paused patiently as I signaled him to, contemplating how to describe it. And details I would be able to make myself elucidate.

"He went ballistic, having discovered we shared feelings for each other, and felt humiliated because of our… dance," I began, my eyes staring at the table cloth, my mind currently in the car, reliving the episode. My voice rambled hurriedly, as if I could make myself say it quickly it would not hurt as much. "He changed in a way I have never before seen."

I caught myself in the lie after I'd said it. I had not intentionally eluded the truth from him, I had in fact forgotten I had experienced a transformation like that in a person before. I let it slide and focused on telling him the rest.

"He pulled in to a side road and…" I felt tears stream freely from my eyes now, but the emotional disturbance was not really consciously registered by me – I was reliving the numbness I had encountered at the time. Edward leaned over and kissed my tears while I spoke. "I couldn't move, I was paralyzed by fear, unable to break free. And he kept undressing me, touching me. I was unable to move." My voice broke into a high pitched sound, and I looked pleading at him. He had to understand, I didn't want it to happen just because I had let him do it without any resistance, I hadn't asked for it. I needed him to understand. "I feel so dirty, like he has tainted me and like I am to blame for it. He told me he could feel I wanted it, Edward, but you have to believe me, I didn't want it. I just couldn't move, I just couldn't."

I cried hysterically now, Edward embracing me tightly, rocking me steadily to calm me. "I know, it's not your fault. It is normal to react like that, it has nothing to do with compliance," Edward explained determinedly. "Don't think that for a second, this is all him, not you." He pressed, and I nodded slightly.

"Why did you come for me?" I asked then, realizing he'd actually shown up out of the blue.

"He has done this to others, that's why I came looking for you, Laurent told us," he whispered and lifted me to his lap to hold me closer.

"I managed to escape before he could rape me," I said between sobs and I could hear Edward exhale heavily in relief. "I fought the fear that paralyzed me and I eventually was able to run off," I recapitulated hoping it would soothe him even further. I felt better when I realized it did.

"I am so amazed by your strength, Bella," he whispered and leaned down to kiss my cheek. I eyed him skeptically.

"I must be the weakest person on this earth, I am overcome by every small thing I am faced with," I objected. He shook his head.

"You are fighting so bravely, I have never seen anything like it," he said and kissed me tenderly again. I let him hold me again, his gentle rocking mollifying.

He carried me to his bed again after my weeping stopped and positioned himself next to me, holding me tightly like before. His heart beat faster then it had earlier, fluttering.

I put my palm to his chest to feel the light thumps through his skin. He looked curiously down at me. "What?" he asked humored by my touch.

"Your heart beats faster," I whispered in reply. He pulled me closer to him, our noses touching and our eyes inches apart.

"It's because it's so marvelously happy now that it's finally allowed to love you," he said sweetly, and his lips found mine. My face crimsoned by the intensity of his kiss, urgent lips covering mine, the taste of him overwhelming. I didn't think I would ever be able to break free from this.

The sound of the front door slamming caused us to stop, but hardly break free. We continued the deep kisses, but Edward kept a curious glance towards the door.

"Edward? Bella?" Alice's chiming voice sounded from the hallway. Edward sent me an apologetic stare as he broke free from me and got up. He fixed his messy hair with a sheepish grin directed at me, straightening his black shirt and coughed to clear his throat.

"Yes, Alice, in here," he called and awaited her entrance standing next to the bed where I lay. I noticed Edward was still wearing his suit from last night then. I, on the other hand, had ripped my dress off and wore my slack pants and a white top – my hoodie tossed the floor earlier.

Alice entered quickly, not pausing a second before running to my side and hugging me tightly. "Are you ok, Bella? What happened? Edward said you weren't ok, did Eric...?" She asked concerned.

"I'm ok. I got away from him," I assured her slowly, not wanting to get into details at the moment, not when I had finally been able to stop the water works. Edward excused himself and generously gave us some privacy.

"You're not hurt at all?" She pressed and examined my body with a scrutinizing look. I shook my head, but then realized that when I thought about it, I did feel a dull throbbing pain from my ankle.

I lifted my foot absentmindedly and drew my grey pants back up to my knee. Alice gasped horrified by the sight, even I couldn't help grimacing. My ankle looked absolutely horrible. It had the dark marks from the powerful grip that had surrounded it last night, covered with long bloodied scrapes from what I presumed was his nails that had dug into my skin. The cuts were all over my leg, some even reaching to my knee. Stained blood surrounded the wounds ominously.

"Holy crap, we need to get this cleaned up," Alice muttered unable to take her eyes off my leg. She brushed my bruise slightly, I winced. "That bastard."

"I think I broke his arm," I offered silently. She veered her head back to face me and smiled sadly.

"I will do more then that when I get a hold of him," she said without a trace of humor in her voice.

"No, Alice, leave it alone," I begged, she sent me a disgusted frown.

"Are you going to let this slide? Think of all the other girls he will do this to, you were lucky!" She roared in vexation. I recoiled as she mentioned other girls being in danger, I hadn't even thought of that.

"I want to forget this, Alice. I… I don't think I can bear not moving on," I whispered, my voice slurring as I strained to keep from breaking into sobs again. Alice hugged me comfortingly.

"Don't worry, Bella, I will take care of it," she assured me and hushed me when I began to question the meaning of her words.

Alice stayed for dinner, which was really only left over's from the enormously versatile breakfast Edward had cooked up earlier. She said she would stop by Rose and pick up her gift while reassuring her with reports of my wellbeing. She explained that Rose was sorry she couldn't be here as well, but she had to pack and leave in time for her flight. I thought to myself that it was fortunate, I didn't know how much more pitiful glances I could take.

At one point I excused myself to call dad and tell him I wouldn't be home just yet. He replied his infamous line, 'ok'. It felt weird that he was unaware of my recent traumatizing experience's impact. It rocked so deep into my foundations that him being oblivious to it made me feel like I eluded him from information that he was entitled to. Yet still, I never thought for a second that he would be better off knowing; we didn't even share that kind of relationship.

Edward carried me to bed after Alice left. I was somewhat exhausted, but not unable to walk the short distance from the kitchen to the bedroom. I didn't object to being carried, though, it was quickly becoming my second favorite position in the world. First being laying face to face with Edward in the bed, on our sides and our arms pulling us together closely.

There was no denying the sexual attraction I experienced being this close to him and while kissing intensely like we frequently found ourselves doing. The desire for him flamed up inside of me, and I couldn't help but inch closer to him. I even found myself letting out a low moan as I slid my leg over his and pushing impossibly closer to him then I already was.

He caught his breath by my advance, his hands on my back shoving me towards him. I felt the kisses being interrupted then, and he breathed heavily when he spoke. "Bella, are you sure you're ok with this?" he didn't leave any space between the words and the continued kissing.

I shook my head to avoid further separation by having to speak. I couldn't imagine what could possibly be amiss, why Edward would ask a question like that was unconceivable to me. This felt glorious and I wanted it really, really bad.

I wasn't a virgin, in theory. Once on a drunken impulse I had let it go further then only the usual petting with a guy, and we'd gone all the way. It had been a pitiable first time, he'd hardly even been inside of me for a second before he sighed in happiness and went limp besides me. He'd even had the nerve to ask if it had been good for me. I'd snorted and decided the whole sex thing was overrated then and there.

It didn't really compare to what I felt now, lying close to Edward, pressing myself towards his body and being unable to stop touching him. I felt like I would die if I could not touch him.

This felt so right, compared to the previous feeble attempt I'd had at sex. There had been no feelings involved the last time, I had not had what seemed as six months foreplay either then. No, I couldn't see any reason for Edward asking that.

Until I did. It hit me like a thunderstorm, engulfing my entire body. I was fine, more then fine, until Edward ducked his hands under my top. His hands caressed my naked skin greedily, running up and down my back and then moving over to stroking my stomach. I heard him groan under his heavy breath by the touch of me. My mind involuntarily brought me back to the way Eric's hands had roamed my body, and suddenly I was back in the car with him and not in the bed with Edward. Eric moaned and pressed closer to me.

My body froze instantly. Panic spread inside of me, surrounding me completely and I re-experienced the same bodily reactions I had during Eric's assault. Edward halted when picking up on my sudden paralyze and jerked back quickly.

"Bella?" He asked worriedly. He drew back and moved away from my stiff embrace. I could see he wanted to lean forwards and hug it out of me, but he kept himself on a distance. "Bella? I am so sorry," his voice twisted in culpability.

Fear still had its hold on me, restricting me from any movements or conscious thought. I was on complete mental lockdown. My body merely shook in response to the memories Edward's touches had evoked.

For several minutes I was there, in the car. It smelled dusty all around me, his hands roamed my body mercilessly and I felt venom build up in my mouth from the fright. Worst of all was the silence, I realized. Thinking back the wretched silence in the car was the detail most noteworthy to me. I hadn't been aware of it at the time, but I saw it now. I felt how the silence made it all so much more real. It contrasted Eric's deep panting, the sound of fabric being shuffled, how his feet slid on the floor mat when he pushed himself excitedly towards my body.

The horrible silence.

Edward's voice brought me back to the present, releasing the mental grasp the memories had on me. He took away the silence.

My shaking increased, but he understood as well as I did that only meant I was regaining control over my body again. And then the sobs. He read the situation perfectly and confidently wrapped me in his arms again.

"I'm so sorry, Bella," he repeated over and over again into my hair. I tried to stop crying to tell him it was not his fault, but it seemed out of my reach to bring the weeping to a close. Of course he had no fault in this, I would have begged him to continue if he had ceased to touch me. I had wanted it with all my heart.

Darkness faded gradually and I stormed to the opportunity to tell him he could not hold himself responsible for this.

"I didn't even know it would happen," I pointed out between sniffles. Edward shook his head remorsefully.

"I should have expected it, I knew there was a possibility that it would trigger…" His voice broke in misery. I grabbed his face between my hands and fixed my gaze on his.

"Don't blame yourself for this," I deliberately said slowly to get the point through. I had never before realized the depths of sorrow one could feel from others grief; seeing him writhe in despondency was different from any emotional pain I had ever experienced.

"I should have known better," he whispered. "Any moron would hold himself back thinking it might cause you to associate it with what happened. My selfishness caused you pain, oh, Bella, I am so sorry."

I was the one to hold Edward this time. This affected him in ways I could not have anticipated. I understood where it came from, of course. He had put himself in a guardian position to me, and it was a necessity for him to save me from harm. He now found himself faced with reviving the terror in me, all though unintentional, he had let his desire for me overcome his better judgment and put my safety in second order to it.

I got it, I did. But I couldn't deny, after the darkness had faded from my horizon, that the fact that he had been overcome by desire for me was flattering.

"It's ok, I am fine now," I soothed Edward and hugged him tightly. "Retrospectively, I am as much to blame as you. How about we let our fault cancel each other's out?" I offered while raking my hand through his soft hair.

I glanced up at him while sending him a lopsided smile trying to ease the atmosphere. I had already gone through the whole reaction, there was no use lingering at who was to blame for what.

"I will never let myself put your safety second like that again," he promised softly and kissed me. There was no doubt in my mind that his words were truthful, I trusted him with all my heart. Still, I found myself grimacing by his words. His forehead creased by my gesture and he cupped my chin interested. "What?"

I shifted nervously. "Never?" I asked and blushed. He smiled incredulously and kissed my forehead.

"I think we have established that I want you, maybe too much. I think we should slow down, I want to be perfectly sure you're ready before anything else," Edward explained.

"You'll have to fend me off," I muttered dryly.

"Bella, you're so incredibly reckless at times," he said chastising. "I sometimes think you're too brave for your own good. I mean, you're unbelievably strong, considering. I'm afraid you don't know where to stop when you challenge yourself. When you decide to face something you do it with such marvelous defiance, throwing yourself into it head first."

"Were you really afraid I'd plunge when at the ledge?" I asked regarding him curiously. His interval of silence spoke for itself.

"I find it hard to predict how far you will end up pushing yourself," he said finally. "You're so cowed by your fear, but at the same time your innate strength is so fierce. It's hard to foresee when you'll be intimidated and when you will break free."

"I am surprised you have taken my ambivalence into such consideration," I remarked and chuckled.

"I have been analyzing you since I first met you, you're my greatest psychological challenge so far," Edward smirked. "You are fascinating, and irresistible. God knows I tried."

"What if the challenge is met, what if the fascination is reduced to the mundane… How can you be sure that your feelings won't subside and fade with it?" I asked then, my heart beating faster as I awaited the response. The look he sent me questioned my sanity.

"Don't ever think that," he said harshly. "I have a strong need to help you, but I don't love your darkness, I loathe it. I want to rid you of it because I want you. The Bella I want is the one I know as free and strong."

"Really?" I asked flabbergasted. This emotional pour I was getting from him still felt unreal. Only hours ago I regarded him as forever unattainable.

"Yes. I am more afraid that you will have no need for me when you are fixed. I can't help but think you might only be attracted to the protection I serve you." As he said the words his voice became increasingly inaudible, the final words nearly covered by his breath. His eyes widened, as if he hadn't planned on telling me this, and now found himself having displayed his hidden suspicions to me.

"That's just crazy," I replied instinctively. There was so little truth to his qualms that I dismissed it instantly and with a little snort. But looking at him again, his features were still locked in the same vulnerable posture. I felt a pinch of guilt for having treated him so disrespectful when he'd taken my worries seriously. "I am thankful for your help, Edward. And I am undoubtedly attracted to that part of you, I am amazed by your empathy and endless compassion. But unless Dr. Cullen performs a lobotomy on you and removes that trait in you, I will love that part of you regardless if you use it to help me or not."

Edward chuckled inaudibly by the mention of lobotomy and hugged me closer. "It's good to know," he whispered.

"I don't mind being close to your godlike beauty either," I added sardonically, he grunted as to say my claim was preposterous.

"You are quite easy on the eyes yourself," he said kiddingly. It was my time to snort at his absurd statement. Next to him I faded into the wallpaper. Hell, I was sure most of the time the wallpaper outshone me. "You are mind-numbingly attractive, Bella," Edward said unsmiling.

"Honestly, you don't have to do this," I said fretting over what I considered he viewed obliged to say.

"Do what? I am serious, Bella. I was rendered breathless by how lovely you looked last night. I wasn't the only one, people were outright staring at you when you walked into the ballroom," he informed me.

"You think I am pretty?" I stammered, feeling like a little school girl dying for confirmation.

"I think you are the most stunning person I have ever met, in every single way," he ended. His hands reached up to my neck and pushed my lips towards his. Once again, I found myself lost in his kisses.

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I hope you got somewhat emotional release from them finally being together, I know I did!

Reviews and comments are accepted happily! :D