Thanks to all of the new hires as well as the long-term employees who have faithfully punched the TFB clock every week (or so.) There's a light at the end of the tunnel and I admit I'm reluctant to see Slayerward & Bella's story come to a close. Thank God for outtakes and auctions;) The Twilight Saga and its characters are Stephenie Meyer's property and no copyright infringement is intended. TFB and its stockholders are mine, all mine. But I love to share;)

The Family Business

SuzsPetals © 2010

Chapter 21 – Damage (Bella)

The hours passed too quickly as I watched Edward sleep. There was a discernable difference that night. His brow was less creased with tension, his tossing and turning was more shifting and rolling. Even in sleep he would reach out for me. I tried pulling away when I felt him shiver from my touch, but he just held on tighter. A lifetime in the overcast, drizzly northwest must have acclimated him, or he was just as afraid of letting go as I.

I memorized the features I had carried with me, often unwillingly, for three years. From his forehead — usually hidden by a tangle of reddish brown hair — to his slightly crooked nose, to his defined jaw, Edward was still beautiful. There were a few extra lines for someone so young and definitely a hint of the world-weary man who would rather work at Starbucks, but his inner strength and innate kindness shaped every angle and curve of his face.

And of course I thought about all I had discussed with his mother the previous night.

Esme Cullen was an amazing woman, and not just because she bore and raised the man I was crazy about. She had signed on to the Cullen mission early in her adulthood and seemingly never looked back. It was clear as I watched them interact, that hers and Carlisle's relationship was an equal one. Edward's father may have been the one in charge, the one everyone looked to for answers, but Esme was the one he looked to for guidance and grounding.

I had walked into the Cullen house anticipating horror and shock and loathing, so when Esme grasped my hand and ordered me to use her given name, there were no words. I was relieved for both of us that Edward's false bravado regarding their reaction was validated. It was easy to see how important they were to him, in spite of the careful distance he had been creating.

My own mother had been more of a buddy and a peer as I grew up — at least until I was perceived as competition. I didn't doubt her love, but Renee's feelings for others were often eclipsed by self-interest. It was an unusual experience for me to have someone so wholly concerned for my wellbeing and future, but Esme had just taken on these unknown facets of my life as a matter of course. If for no other reason than she loved her son unconditionally — and seemed to take his love for me in stride — I adored her already.

Unfortunately, she'd had hard truths to share, truths I had already suspected and Edward would need to face them as well. The upshot being that Charlie could never know what happened to me, and therefore building an afterlife, so to speak, in Forks was not realistic. I accepted these facts with a heavy heart while watching him sleep peacefully, a tiny trail of drool completing his picture of calm.

The sun had been stretching its lazy rays over the horizon for a couple of hours when Edward finally fidgeted his way into consciousness. Wiping his hand over his face to clear the cobwebs, he opened bleary eyes and blinked a few times. As awareness sharpened he looked over at me and smiled lopsided.

"Mornin'," he mumbled. He seemed pleased and relieved to see me there, and when I recalled the previous two mornings I couldn't exactly blame him.

"Hi there," I chuckled. "Don't worry — no evil vampires, angry wolves or bloody bathrooms today. Just morning breath and life altering decisions. Weekends aren't what they used to be, huh?"

"Your breath is fine, baby," he retorted with a mock pout. "It smells like sparkles and stuff. And I know you're not talking about mine." Rolling onto his side to face me, he grabbed my ass and gave it a bawdy squeeze. I could see we were going to completely bypass the decision-making portion of the conversation — before coffee anyway. I had no problem with the delay tactic.

"Sparkles, huh?" I whispered, leaning in to properly say good morning with a kiss. Edward pressed against me, returning the kiss. His lips weren't the only parts happy to greet me. I slyly slipped my hand under the covers and brushed my fingers along his ribs. He didn't flinch as he had the day before and he grinned against my lips when he realized what I was doing.

"Much better, Dr. Swan," he murmured, kissing down my neck. "Am I released for duty? Hmmmm?" His hum vibrated against my throat and sent little tremors through the nerve endings that led ... well, everywhere. My head lolled back as he pulled down the V-neck of the jersey, trying to plant kisses as far south as the shirt would allow. I had been propped up on my elbow but I flopped back on the pillow, allowing him better access. He stopped his descent and sat up.

"There are way too many blankets between us," he huffed.

"You were cold."

"I was not."

"You were sha— oh, for God's sake!" Exasperated, I threw off the covers and pulled the shirt over my head before throwing it out the door into the hallway and lying back down. I probably did it faster than necessary because Edward's expression was frozen in mid-argument. Slowly, his lips rose into a delighted grin.

"That is a very handy little skill," he said with a leer.

Reaching between us, I took a handful of morning wood and whispered, "I have other skills as well."

With a quick intake of breath he hardened beneath my fingers as I gently squeezed and stroked. He groaned and closed his eyes, running his hand over the slope of my hip and over my belly. He briefly visited my navel ring before slipping his fingers into my underwear. Even though I expected it, I couldn't suppress a gasp as a warm finger skimmed my clit and slid inside. I reflexively grasped his cock and he moaned, but I wasn't worried that he reacted out of pain — my sense of strength and control was fine-tuning itself with each passing day. I didn't doubt it would be perfectly driven by instinct before long.

"Baby," he said, barely above a whisper, "you have no idea what you do to me."

"I have a pretty good idea," I answered with another squeeze. I had to let go when his finger found that spot again and I jerked and whimpered. "Oh, damn you."

He watched me, grinning as he continued to test my limits of self-restraint. Eventually, he shed his own clothes, then slowly — painfully slowly — he pulled my underwear down my legs, leaving a trail of feathery kisses along the way. Once the last of the clothing was discarded, he traveled back up the other leg. By time he reached my inner thigh I was writhing. And begging.

"Please, please, please, honey, please," I mumbled just before his tongue teased my lips. I threw my head back and grabbed the iron struts of the headboard in case my control was more tenuous than I believed just moments before. He paused.

"Are you okay?"

"Mm-hm," I whimpered again, loosening my hold on the bed. Reassured, he simultaneously pushed his finger back inside and sucked my clit. "Aaahhhh, god!" I yelled.

He kept going until I was making unintelligible noises and bucking on the bed. Control became an abstract concept and I bid my dignity farewell. When I was seconds from begging him to stop before I imploded, he ended the torture. Grazing his lips up my body and running one hand along my hip, ribs, breast, he eventually tucked his face in my shoulder and pushed inside of me.

Almost immediately I fell off the precipice he had expertly led me to. I chanted his name over and over as he increased his rhythm, kissing and sucking my neck, chin, and mouth. Before I could recover, my stomach tightened again as Edward growled with his release. My back arched as I kept my hands firmly gripped on the headboard.

I wasn't sure how long we laid there, neither of us willing to move.

"You're not going anywhere without me," he finally breathed in my ear and kissed my jaw.

What could I say with him pressed against me, filling me both physically and emotionally? He didn't play fair.

"Okay."

I told him what we both wanted to hear, pulling my hands from the wrought iron and burying them in his unruly hair.

We got showered and dressed in relative silence. I waited while Edward had coffee and toast.

"That's not a very healthy breakfast," I pointed out.

"Really? What did you usually have in the morning before ... now?" he asked around a bite of sourdough. These were the little things we missed. Inconsequential maybe, but they reminded me it had been only a week since we had recovered what was lost. It felt like so much longer.

I concentrated on his question, recalling my ritual that also seemed like eons ago. The caramel macchiato and granola bar I usually scarfed down before class was tasteless and dry in my memory, and I wondered how I sustained myself.

"Just shut up and eat," I retorted with a good-natured smile, but it didn't entirely cover the tension I felt. "We should get going."

Edward brushed the last crumbs from his hands and took mine in his, pulling me toward him. "It's going to be fine," he whispered, pushing his hands into my hair and forcing me to look at him. To believe him.

With a nervous laugh, I asked, "Were you always such an optimist? Because you used to seem way too broody to be this optimistic." He kissed me lightly and I could taste the butter and preserves on his mouth.

"I was not broody. I just had a lot on my mind," he defended lamely.

"That's what brooding means, you goof."

He shrugged and kissed me again, running his thumbs along my jaw. "I guess there's more to be hopeful about now."

I pulled back and laughed at the fact that our surreal and uncertain future made him hopeful. "You're so strange."

He was leaning against the counter with his back to the window when the sun broke through a passing cloud and slipped fingers of light through the blinds. It danced and sparkled on my shoulder and face, reflecting dimly off of his. His smile froze as he scrutinized my face.

"What?"

"Your eyes. They're definitely different today. There's a little halo around the iris that's darker, but less red. Maybe my dad could look at them later — if you'd be okay with that."

That was rich. "Honey, I think his comfort level might be more of an issue," I laughed.

"Oh, something tells me Dr. Cullen would be thrilled at the opportunity to examine a vampire who wasn't bent on killing him." My alarm must have shown, because he rushed to assure me. "Don't worry – he's not a mad scientist. And I'm sure it's nothing, but it will be interesting to see what he thinks."

With one last kiss, Edward cleaned up his dishes and we headed to the garage. Since this was the first time I had ventured out in daytime, he provided me with a ball cap and sunglasses, which I donned before sinking low in the seat. The windows were slightly tinted and he only cracked his a little to allow fresh air in the vehicle.

"Stop!"

On my command he pulled the SUV up short, just past his house. He glanced around nervously and looked back at me, inquiring with his eyes.

"Roll your window down a little more," I said, inhaling deeply when he did so. I waved him forward before we could attract attention and he accelerated slowly down the street.

"What is it?"

"She was here. The same person from your parents' house last night. I don't think she got out of her car and maybe she didn't even stop. I think I would have heard that." Edward's street didn't see a ton of traffic, especially at night, but I heard the occasional vehicle passing without giving it any thought. His house had been such a safe haven for me in the preceding week that the thought of someone encroaching on our space made me anxious. And angry.

"Shit," Edward hissed. "What's going on?" I had no answer, not that he expected one, and we drove on to the Cullen house in thoughtful silence.

When we arrived everyone was occupied. Alice's shoulders were hunched over a computer, fingers flying as her eyes scanned the monitor. Emmett and Rosalie were poring over newspapers from the region and beyond. Jasper was still there, his clothes rumpled, holed up in Carlisle's library surrounded by old history tomes. He glanced up and waved at me, his eyes bright with excitement. The books undoubtedly contained the likes of events throughout history that he'd never read about at UNF.

Esme was on the phone at a built-in desk in the kitchen, furiously jotting down notes as she listened, occasionally punctuating the conversation with an interested "Hmm" or "Really?" The only one missing was Dr. Cullen.

"He's at the office," said Esme, answering Edward's query as soon as she hung up. "No one showed up today and he's trying to make sense of some files so he can get paperwork done and focus his attention on... business." She smiled at me before continuing. "He'd rather be here now, but I hope he gets an attitude adjustment on the way home. Office work makes him cranky." She rolled her eyes, trying to appear long-suffering, but there was too much affection to pull it off.

"Good," said Edward. "I want him to look at Bella's eyes. They seem to be changing and I don't remember reading anything that would explain it."

"If he's comfortable with that," I hurried to add. It was difficult for me to accept that a man who considered me a mortal enemy would want to get up close and personal.

Esme laughed. "Believe me, Bella. He was up all night thinking about the ramifications of your... nature. He'll be beside himself to hear you're amenable to a closer look. The question is, would you be comfortable?"

"Um, sure. This is all a mystery to me too."

"Speaking of mystery, the same visitor here last night drove by my house," interjected Edward. Esme's eyes tightened as she considered the news.

"We have a lot to talk about when your dad gets back."

She informed us that Jasper was indeed filling in certain blanks in history with now plausible explanations. Emmett and Rosalie were scouring the newspapers for accounts of vampire activity and possible overzealous eradication, exposing the possibility of other hunters acting on Aro's authority. Alice was hacking law enforcement records for the same type of information.

I had easily read the notes Esme had been taking before she subtly slid them into a folder. She didn't elaborate on her duties and for Edward's sake, I was glad. There would be time later to discuss her findings and craft a decision from them.

Edward showed me around the house while telling me more about his family's business. It probably should have struck me as horribly morbid, but his mother's workshop and pottery enterprise had me laughing my ass off. I sobered up when he led me into the bunker with all of its chains, firepower and lethal looking spikes.

"So if you can't actually stake a vampire, what are these for?" I asked, fingering one of the long, sharp weapons.

"We – uh – use them to restrain a newborn before we... finish," he answered, his voice low and pained. I understood his hesitance to elaborate, but there was clearly more bothering him.

"What's wrong?"

His eyes shifted guiltily and he grimaced.

"When I found you I panicked and dropped one. I accidentally... hurt you. I'm sorry," he murmured, reaching out to slip his hand under my shirt and stroke my lower rib cage. I realized that explained my change of shirt when I woke up. He wouldn't meet my eyes.

"Edward, I don't remember. The pain was obviously inconsequential in comparison to ... the other. Don't beat yourself up — none of this is your fault." I kissed him firmly. "Come on. I think your father's home," I said, hearing the approaching vehicle as it turned down the long drive.

We all convened in the living room as Carlisle Cullen joined us, running his hand through his hair in a very familiar manner. It was evident he hadn't slept much, confirming Esme's words. He did a quick double take upon looking at me, but surprisingly, his heart rate relaxed almost immediately as he flopped in an overstuffed chair.

"I don't know what that girl has done to my records, but when she shows up Monday there's a shitload of explaining to do," he groused. Dismissing his office woes, he looked around the room. "So, what have we got?"

Emmett and Rosalie sat at the far left on the couch so he began, seeming to falling into a familiar routine.

"We found an article buried in a Seattle weekly. Several unrelated arsons spread out over a hundred-mile radius are just similar enough that the state cops have been contacted to investigate a possible connection. Five of the six fires were abandoned or seedy houses, but one was very upscale. No bodies in any of them, but they were all thorough. Burned to the ground."

Emmett relayed the news efficiently and Carlisle nodded before asking, "Whose area are we talking about? Biers?"

Edward whispered to me that there were several hunters in the Pacific Northwest and a man named Riley Biers was responsible for much of the area in question. I was fascinated, in spite of myself.

"My research backs that up," Alice chimed in. "Several law enforcement agencies are seeing a pattern. It's taken a while because the timing and jurisdictions have been so spread out. The properties have been reduced to ash — exactly as we would have done it, if deemed absolutely necessary." Almost everyone looked down uncomfortably, but Edward related what no one wanted to.

"Sometimes a newborn left alone by its maker is insane with thirst when it — I mean, when he or she — comes to. If there's an unfortunate innocent in the vicinity, the newborn will kill them — not turn them." He was trying to be gentle, but I winced, seeing where this was going. "Because they're not careful, because the end result is clearly not a normal crime scene, we have to be thorough in removing all evidence."

Jasper and Rosalie both gasped when they understood what he was saying.

"I see," I simply said. Yes, I was horrified by the implications of covering up murder scenes, but I kept coming back to the incalculable risk Edward took by saving me. He had no basis in experience to think I wouldn't rip his throat out once the change had completed. It boggled my mind and increased my love for him tenfold.

"Needless to say, we avoid those measures at all costs," Carlisle explained. "Besides the fact it draws too much attention from an already confused police department, it denies a family closure when a loved one disappears."

Closure. There was that word again, the one I hoped to avoid as long as possible.

I cleared my throat unnecessarily. "We may as well address that issue here. I realize a happy reunion with my father isn't realistic. So what now?" My bluntness sent another tangible ripple of unease through the room, but I didn't care.

"I have an idea," Edward said, the reluctance dragging his voice down like quicksand. He tightened his grip around my waist and plunged ahead as everyone looked to him expectantly. "Bella was ... hurt ... that night. I still have her shirt, stained with blood. They already suspect foul play and we could plant it somewhere, solidifying their theory."

I closed my eyes against the image of some nameless cop breaking the latest news to Charlie. He would be forced to face the raw truth in the evidence he had always respected. Esme and Alice both made soft, choked noises and Jasper swore under his breath. When I opened my eyes they were pulled instinctively to Rosalie. She was staring at me, the pain of her own unresolved memories coloring her expression. We connected briefly with our respective grief.

"No." Carlisle's voice brooked no debate. We all swung our attention to him, his authority in the room absolute. He locked eyes with Esme for a moment before meeting mine. "As a parent, there's no way we could do that to your family. It's bad enough making these decisions for total strangers, but we know Charlie Swan. It's a solid idea, Edward, but your mother and I are working on something else. Something less painful."

He looked decisively at his son and back to me. It gave me great solace to see so much of Edward's fortitude reflected there. This was a man I could respect and trust with my future. I nodded to him, willing to put this decision in their hands.

After some discussion, it was universally agreed that the Volturi family was acting aggressively and their interest in Edward was cause for concern. Carlisle planned to call Aro later and confront him outright.

Most everyone had retreated to their areas of research when Edward approached his father.

"Dad, Bella's eyes seem to be changing. I don't recall learning anything about this so I thought..." he trailed off, awaiting Carlisle's response. As he and Esme had predicted, his face lit up and he left the room briefly before returning with his medical bag.

Dr. Cullen approached me slowly, and sat on the ottoman in front of me.

"Do you mind if I take a look, Bella?"

"If you're okay, I'm okay," I said with a wry smile. Surprisingly, he didn't seem bothered in spite of the fact he had lurched out of his chair at the news of me less than 24 hours prior. He pulled an ophthalmologic tool from the bag and leaned forward. As keen as my new vision was, the bright light was not comfortable by any means, but I remained as still as stone for his examination.

"Fascinating," he breathed, peering intently. After looking at both eyes, he leaned back and smiled, clearly excited. "There's minimal archival records of vampire physiology, and I've only been able to examine the real thing after they were destroyed."

He visibly winced and held his hands up. "I'm sorry, Bella, that was insensitive."

I chuckled, waving off his chagrin.

"It's fine, Dr. Cullen. It's not like I was asked to Grand Marshal next year's vamp pride parade." He laughed out loud and visibly relaxed.

"I bet you keep Edward on his toes," he said, tilting his head. His tone was amused, but his expression thoughtful. "Anyway, the structure of the eye is obviously different from human, but I can see some change taking place. The retinal blood vessels are altered. They seem to be affecting the iris, though I'm not sure how or why."

I could see him working it out and I withheld my questions. Suddenly, his eyes widened and his mouth twitched with a smile.

"Bella, when did you drink — the cougar, I mean? And was that the only time?" he asked, excitement mounting. I explained it was just the once, two nights before, and he nodded thoughtfully.

"Let me check again, will you — after you've fed again? I'm wondering if the animal blood is significant." He looked meaningfully at his wife. "Without the red irises, it would make passing as human even easier."

"Bella," Esme began, taking his cue. "I've been looking for a good place for you to relocate. As we agreed last night, staying in Forks — or the immediate area, for that matter — just isn't practical. If anyone saw you it would raise too many questions, and of course, put your father through fresh hell."

"I know," I admitted. Edward exhaled loudly, but didn't argue. How could he?

"I'm looking into several towns within a couple hundred miles of here. They're rural, with similar weather patterns so you wouldn't be confined indoors. There are some remote properties available that would give you the privacy you'll need. Rosalie will make the real estate arrangements once we decide on a place."

"It'll need to be big enough for two," Edward interrupted. "I'm going."

Esme just smiled crookedly at him, but Carlisle sputtered, grasping for words.

"B-but, Edward, you have a home and a life here, and it's not so far that you can't visit. I know this changes things, but we still have a mission. We still have to keep innocent people safe."

"You're kidding, right?" Edward laughed bitterly. "I'm done, Dad. And I'm not letting Bella hole up alone in the middle of nowhere like some hermit — not after she's lost so much already."

"Okay, but —," Carlisle started.

"Did you not hear anything I said last night? I let her go three years ago and it's not going to happen again. End of discussion," he finished, his voice rising in anger. His father raised his hands, placating.

"Son, I got it. I may not 'get it' but I hear you. I just think you need to wait a while, at least until we find out what Italy's up to. If you take off now, Aro will be even more suspicious and you sure as shit don't want him finding out about Bella."

I patted Edward's leg and sat there silently while they discussed my future. I knew it was the smart way, the only way, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared. I was more loner than social butterfly, but it was an easy lifestyle choice when it was mine to make. The idea of living alone in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest and avoiding human contact was daunting, and I loved Edward too much to expect him to become a recluse for me. Not to mention the fact I had no money, no job, no reasonable prospects in my condition, which meant I'd be completely dependent on others. I hated the thought of relying on anyone, especially to this extent.

They threw around names of towns such as Concrete, Mossy Rock and Twisp — some I recognized, but most could have been on the other side of the planet, for all I knew. I couldn't picture living in any of them and I felt melancholy wrap around my shoulders like a heavy blanket.

For a male, Edward was amazingly perceptive — or possibly as unhappy at the thought of being separated as I was. He leaned in close while his parents discussed shopping, amenities, plumbing and other necessary crap.

"Are you all right, baby?" he whispered.

I am when you put it like that.

"Just overwhelmed. Again. Don't worry, I'll be fine," I replied softly. He opened his mouth to offer more reassurances, but his phone buzzed against his hip, cutting off his thoughts. Esme and Carlisle stopped talking while he answered.

"Hey, Jake. What's up?"

I could hear every word of the conversation, but had no idea what Jake Black's news meant to us. From Edward's expression, I surmised it wasn't good.

"Yeah, that's interesting. It fits with some stuff we found out. Thanks, buddy, I'll call you back when we know more," he replied after listening to the update, and hung up. Alice had drifted to the doorway, mid-conversation, and leaned there watching Edward for an explanation.

"Well, I guess that explains why Bree Tanner was a no-show at work today" he said to his father. "Jake says it was her outside the house last night — and at my place, by default."

"What? How —?" Carlisle sputtered.

"Leah gave Jake a ride today and he picked up the same scent on her. They traced it to Bree who had stopped at the hospital to pick up some files ... supposedly for you." Edward cocked an eyebrow at Carlisle, who dragged his hand over his face at the revelation. "She apparently hugged everyone, which Leah thought was weird considering she sees her five or six days a week. That explains why the scent was familiar to Jake, but he couldn't place it. He probably only got it secondhand."

"Oh, my god," Esme breathed, the alarm on her face vivid. "She knows everything."

Edward nodded. "She didn't know my address two days ago when she happily gave my number to Jasper, but obviously someone gave it to her."

"Who is she?" I finally asked, trying to catch up.

"She's my — she was my assistant at the practice, but she was also aware of the bigger picture. I only hired her on Aro's recommendation. Within a month I was fucking clueless as to why he spoke so highly of her. Now, I have to wonder..." Carlisle trailed off.

"Whenever she spoke to me, it was about Italy. I always thought she was bucking for a good word from us so she could secure something at headquarters. But, if she's been snooping around, maybe she already had the in there," Edward suggested.

"Shit!" Carlisle buried his face in his hands before shaking his head in disbelief. "I thought I was dealing with her messed up filing system today, but she was obviously digging and didn't bother to put anything back. That's probably where she got your address, Edward. Thank fuck most of my business related info is here."

"I'll be right back," muttered Alice before darting down the hall.

I looked nervously at the three of them, wondering if they were thinking the same thing. "So, do you think she saw me last night? Really saw me?" I asked.

The silence was thick as everyone considered the possibility. Alice reappeared a moment later, her eyes flinty with anger.

"I think we should assume Bree knows everything. She's on a flight to Rome as we speak," she said.

"What the hell's going on?" demanded Emmett, who entered from the dining room with Rosalie trailing behind. Jasper walked in and gave Alice a querying look. Chaos erupted as everyone tried to explain and conversely absorb the implications of the girl's betrayal.

The anxiety in the room was palpable, but I had taken so many gut punches in one week that I found my concern less centered on myself, and more on this family who had so quickly taken me in. Until Carlisle spoke, that is.

"I think given the circumstances, it's best if we get Bella out of Forks right away. The cabin outside of Twisp would probably work best."

My dead heart stuck in my throat and Edward jumped to his feet.

"That's a day's drive from here! It's too far — I can't — that won't work," he stammered.

I felt my emotions struggling to manifest somehow, and since tears wouldn't come I really wanted to cause some supernatural damage. Good thing Martin the guitar was safely at home or I might have taken it out on him.

"Okay, honey, calm down. We'll see if we can find something in Concrete. It's closer and smaller," soothed Esme.

Ah. There was sure to be something I could break in a town called Concrete, I thought with satisfaction.

"But your dad's right — who knows what Aro would do with the knowledge of Bella's existence. We need to keep her safe. You know that," beseeched Esme. Her words were like salve and Edward sat back down next to me, considerably calmer. I knotted my hand in his and he squeezed it. His mother pulled the notes from her folder and scrutinized them before adding, "Concrete's only about four hours away."

"Make that two, the way you drive," I whispered so no one else could hear. It worked. Edward chuckled and kissed my temple.

"Smart ass," he murmured. "Let's go home, okay?" I nodded, not needing any encouragement.

"I'll take her there," Edward announced. "And I'll come back before Aro has time to take Bree's intel and decide what to do with it. But I'm telling you now; I won't stay here for long. Let's find out what bullshit he's up to so I can get the hell out." I wasn't sure if anyone else in the room knew what he meant by getting out. He may not want to live 200 miles away, but I knew he wanted to be a million miles away from the family business.

Esme and Rosalie promised to set up living arrangements for me by the next day. With Aro and his mysterious agenda halfway around the world, we figured on a couple days of cushion before we had to leave. Fortunately, I had very little to pack and my grocery needs were minimal, to say the least. Edward dragged us out of there before anyone could come up with yet another dilemma to deal with.

The impending separation — no matter how short or long it turned out to be — seemed to press down upon us the closer we got to his house, and he drove like the devil himself was on our heels. And just in case the devil couldn't find us, we left a trail of clothing from the back door to the bedroom. Our lovemaking was greedy and desperate, and although I saw him wince in pain a few times he wouldn't let me pull away or slow down.

The sun had set by the time we'd spent the last of our fear-driven lust and lay sprawled out on the bed. I played with the hair on his chest waiting for his breathing to even out with sleep, but he was fighting it.

"Do you want me to make you something to eat?" I asked when his stomach gurgled. He just grunted a "no" and pulled me closer. I don't know how long it was before he finally drifted off, but I was watching his eyes move restlessly behind his lids when the phone vibrated loudly on the nightstand.

I swore at the intrusion, but Edward was out cold so I carefully reached over him to turn the phone off, or answer it if I thought I should. It was fairly late for his family to call, but who knew what were typical hours for the Cullens. As soon as I tipped the screen it was easy to read. There was a long number that had to be international, and one word.

Jane.

Although I heard the name in passing the night before, I had no idea who it could be. He looked so peaceful sleeping, but as events seemed to be coalescing without our knowledge, I hesitated to make the decision for him. After two rings worth of debate, I shook his shoulder.

"Honey, it's your phone," I said, loud enough to cut through his deepening sleep. His eyes popped open immediately and he looked from me to the phone a few times until his head cleared.

"Thanks," he mumbled, taking the phone from my hand. He achieved full consciousness as he glanced at the ID. His expression shifted from surprise to unease to anxiety as I watched him deliberate answering. His eyes slid tentatively to me before he hit the 'send' button.

"Hi."

Not 'hello' or 'this is Edward,' but 'hi' to a woman calling in the middle of the night. Huh.

"Hi, yourself," the disembodied voice answered. It was high and feminine, but with an underlying edge. She didn't say anything more. Whatever her reason for calling, she was making Edward work for it.

"Are you okay?" he asked as his eyes met mine with genuine discomfort.

Not 'what can I do for you, Jane?' or 'what the hell are you calling me for at this hour?' but 'are you okay?' Shit. I realized this Jane person must be the "thing" in Italy Edward told me about. A coil of ice formed in my stomach, but I tried to ignore it. Hadn't he said they decided they made better friends?

"Peachy," she answered. "So is it true?" Although a stranger, I could hear the effort she made to keep her tone conversational. But there was a drawstring of tension pulling her words taut, and the icy coil in my gut tightened as well.

Clearly thrown by the call itself, not to mention the vague question, Edward's forehead creased in confusion.

"Is what true?"

"That you have a new girlfriend, but she seems to be lacking a pulse."

I gasped and jumped off the bed as though this woman could reach through the phone to physically smack me. Edward's heart pounded loudly and his eyes widened in shock.

He continued to stare at me without answering and Jane squeaked on the other end of the line.

"Oh my god, it is true?" She laughed, but it came out bitter and chopped. "Passed over for a dead girl. This is a new low for me, Edward."

He made some unintelligible sound and I was suddenly sure I didn't want to hear the rest of this conversation. Within seconds I gathered my discarded clothes and flew through the house and out the back door. I dressed on the fly and launched myself over the fence. By the time Edward reached the porch and called my name, I was a hundred yards into the forest. After a few miles of flat out running I found a better release for my unmanageable emotions when I came across a hapless buck. I snapped its neck and drained it dry, then ran some more.

I received the usual priceless feedback from FicBitches HeidiTown, texaskatherine and McWinn77 – and even a little from mamapetals;) I'd be a hack without them. I'm also very appreciative of the regional advice from VitaminR70 and HeidiTown. Thanks to everyone for reading!