(Author's Note: I come to you in peace! Don't impale me with your hatred. I know it's inexcusable to have been gone for so long… and there are excuses yet I won't bore you with them. I will say one thing: I'm sorry! I truly am, I had no intention of deserting the story.

It's unfair of me, I know, yet I bring you this chapter as a peace offering. This chapter probably isn't that great either, but I promise a more satisfying chapter the next time. The plot will finally take its form the next chapters. I've neglected you too long, as well was Gabrielle. Anyway, here is the chapter that I finally finished. I hope you like it… it's in Edward's POV, hopefully that appeals to your forgiving side, hehe.

I'm reading The Host right now, I'm halfway through it! It's actually really good, I'm a little surprised. I didn't think I'd like but I really do. It's not Twilight, but it's still very good.

Chapter 22 is being written as we speak, so be patient. It's coming along faster than I thought it would.)

Dreams

To watch Gabrielle sleep was perhaps my most selfish indulgent yet. Not even seeing her face when she observed the tree house could compare to this. That was simply flattering—it was nothing compared to the contentment and over all peace that formed on her delicate face as she slept beside me. It wasn't like the first time I had seen her sleep, and my emotions got the better of me. And it wasn't like the times she was resting in the hospital. She didn't look in peace in either scene.

Even though it was her that was sleeping and resting, it felt as if I were resting too. I could close my eyes and pretend to sleep any day, yet to feel such relaxation and… safety… felt as if I were truly asleep. Not as in dreaming, yet as if I really could rest my body and soul like a human could.

I couldn't keep my hands to myself. I was very careful, making sure I was exerting the least amount of strength possible in my touch. Fortunately my movements didn't wake her and I could continue on in my most enjoyable indulging. I traced the outlines of her cheeks, her nose, and her lips and was mesmerized by every single detail presented in front of me for my vampire senses to devour. Her skin was silk, and incredibly warm under my fingertips. How simply beautiful she was—unconscious to the danger that her present world presented. As in me—the monster who could crush her instantly if I wasn't aware of control.

I was so lost in my own thoughts that I almost didn't notice Gabrielle's lips moving and words forming in whispers.

"Don't touch me," Her airy voice said, startling me away instantly. Was she awake? Did she notice my touch and was disgusted by my inappropriateness? I really shouldn't have been touching her—it wasn't right when she wasn't aware of it. I instantly felt guilty and perverse for doing that to her while she was asleep. I quickly formulated apologies, yet Gabrielle didn't move nor open her eyes.

"He'll come… for you," She groaned, her face altering slightly into a painful expression. Her breathing was steady, her heartbeat a slow beat—the rhythm of sleep. I relaxed as a breath of relief blew from my lungs and waited patiently to hear more of whatever she was dreaming about.

My relief was short lived when another painful expression came across her face, and my anxiety was increased once again.

"Victoria," Her whispers named, repeating it over and over again. The burning hole inside of me thrashed, and memories of that previous darkness of self hate rose to my mind as I tried desperately not to shutter under the pain of it. The monster that I so urgently caged inside of me growled with hatred from the mentioning of the name. I could feel my hands searching for something to hold, something other than Gabrielle just in case I might exert myself too much.

"Edward, help," Her breathing quickened, and her face crumpled into fear. It took all that was in me to not wake her.

"Edward," Gabrielle sighed, her face relaxing from its terror. She scrunched up into a little ball, a slight smile on her face. I blinked in utter confusion, unsure what to do about what I had just witnessed. What had she dreamt? Had Victoria come—

"I don't care. I want you," Gabrielle's voice whispered, interrupting my thoughts indefinitely. My shock spread through quickly, and though it was impossible to fathom, I was left completely immobile.

"So if she hadn't had come, would you still… want me?" Her whisper quivered, and a ripple went through my chest as I crumpled under the pain in her voice. She dreamt of me leaving her? I could never do any such thing as that. I could never leave her. Even if it would be what was best for her. I was incredibly too selfish. She was too much apart of me now. She was everything. She was my existence. She was my life.

"I will always want you," I felt myself saying, not being able to hold back anymore… even if she couldn't hear me, I couldn't let those words be spoken without my disagreement. I couldn't let her think I would leave her. I wouldn't in a million years. I'd be by her for eternity.

The thought ripped at my chest, causing my entire body to shake.

She won't be here for eternity—not like me.

………………………….

(Gabrielle's dream from that point)

"You say that now, but I know how badly it hurt you when Victoria came. I know you enough to see that you blame yourself. And you think that I deserve better," I said, feeling the tears burn my eyes as Edward stared at me, pain etching his face. We were in the tree house, I was standing in front of him and I could feel my hands shake. He brought me here, after Victoria had tried to attack me again… Edward saved me. Victoria got away, yet he did save me. But as soon as he brought me here, I could see that he was having a silent argument in his head. It was too easy to pinpoint his thoughts, to see that he felt totally responsible for my danger. That he believed that I was better off without him around. He didn't see how utterly incredulous that was, how completely wrong his theory was. I needed him with every part of me, I yearned for him. He was everything I ever wanted… I could never give that away. Not now. Not after all that time of being alone.

I hadn't even considered how bland and lonely the world seemed before Edward became apart of mine. Nothing else seemed to compare to this, like I was seeing all in black and white before him. Being around him, feeling him against my fingertips was the best kind of heaven I could ever imagine. It didn't seem possible that there was a world without him in it, now. I just couldn't see myself walking away, no matter how much danger I was in. I was too stubborn for that. Way too stubborn.

And it hurt. It hurt so much to think of the possibility that he would leave. I know that I didn't deserve him, but I'd hope that he would somehow be apart of my life anyway.

"It's more than that, Gabrielle. I might have more control than before, yet I still have the potential." Edward said through his teeth, his eyes deep with sadness.

"I don't believe that. You couldn't ever hurt me, I know you wouldn't,"

"You put too much trust in me, I can't—"

"No, Edward, you listen to me. I can see it in your eyes, the way you feel. I've never once seen any kind of monster. You will never be a monster to me,"

Edward was silent then, I didn't know if he wasn't really listening to my words or not. He stared at me wordlessly, and I could feel my heart thumping loudly and unevenly in my chest. I wanted to reach out to him, to pull his cold arms around me and to comfort him. It didn't seem possible that such a hard, cold body would be preferable over warmth yet I didn't want anyone else. The differences in our bodies were painful… he was so beautiful and surreal. Yet I couldn't deny that his presence was comforting, either.

"I'm… afraid," Edward said, and it seemed like it was hard for him to say. As if it went against his instincts. My stiff shoulders relaxed automatically at his voice. Fear—that was something I could at least try to fix.

I felt my feet moving underneath me as I wanted to be closer to him.

"Don't be embarrassed. I'm terrified," I said.

Edward's golden eyes lightened slightly.

"Look at us. We are so helpless," He chuckled, yet I didn't think he found any humor in that.

"Helpless, maybe, but I'll take it. If this means we're together, I'll take it."

My words caused a reaction in him I hardly expected, but was pleasantly content.

His lips were crashing down on mine—capturing mine with such force and passion my breath was instantly swept away. My hands easily were lost in the softness of his hair and my body expertly placed itself into the curves of him. I couldn't think, I couldn't move, I couldn't breathe but just kiss him—it was my only knowledge and my only action. My lips were in a constant assault by the power of his mouth, and I drank it all in gratefully. I absorbed his every caress, his every touch. Every single scorching touch until the fire burned me within. He shouldn't have felt so warm to me… I was so used to his cold hard skin. Yet now it was warm and soft—my mind was instantly weary.

He shouldn't feel so…human, I thought to myself through the haze.

I pulled back my face reluctantly, panting, to look up into Edward's eyes. Yet instead of meeting the familiar golden eyes… I met… green.

…………………………………..

(Edward's point of view from then on)

My imaginary heart was throbbing, a painfully continuous throb that would swell and deflate every time that Gabrielle's expression would change. I couldn't make myself wake her up, my selfish side eclipsing the sensible side. I kept arguing in my mind, both sides giving me adequate reasons to either wake her up or let her be.

What would I encounter if I let her dream continue on? I was so curious to see what her mind hid from me—so much as to override the rational thought to wake her. I shouldn't have let that control my better instincts yet I couldn't think of any argument with Gabrielle's beautiful face tilted in my direction.

"Edward," She breathed again, and I was so surprised that she had said my name again. The way her pouting lips formed the sound of my name pierced the center of my chest.

The smell of her breath caused the venom to pour in my mouth, yet I fought that instinct skillfully. The burn, that has now always been a companion in accompany of her presence, increased slightly at my refusal to dwell on my thirst. Still, it wasn't a concern at the moment. The slightest flick of emotion in her face was the pinpoint of my attention.

Now her face was frowning, a deep frown, one that tugged at my own sculptured face until I was sure that tears were about to spill from her closed eyelids. Her breathing changed now, and instead of the simple rhythm my vampire senses have become so accustomed to, they became faster and unevenly. She was upset about something.

"Complicated… you and me. Not fair. I can't," Her voice whispered from her throat. My own throat constricted at her words. What did that mean? What was she dreaming of now? For God's sake, let me read her mind just this once, I thought desperately.

Silence. That dreadful silence was all I could hear coming from her.

Is she having a nightmare? She's having extremely strong emotions right now. Do her words mean anything to you, Edward? A voice spoke to me from somewhere in the house. Jasper. It was only then that I realized that everyone else was quiet and listening to what was going on in this room. Mostly concern, yet also curiosity. The mind of a sleeping human can be quite interesting, and I knew Carlisle's medical curiosity was intrigued.

"I don't know what she's dreaming. None of it makes sense to me," I mumbled, my attention never leaving Gabrielle's sleeping face. A flicker of something flashed across her face when she heard my voice.

"Jasper?"

When you just spoke, her feelings of… something unfamiliar spiked. She must not be having a very nice dream, Jasper thought.

I'd already confirmed that, yet to have my brother second that opinion made it true. Now it wasn't just a matter of my selfish indulging, no. Now it concerned more than just me.

"Gabrielle," I spoke to her, placing my palm on the curve of her cheek. The softness and warmth of it distracted me for a moment, yet more words started tumbling from her mouth.

"Don't leave me," She whimpered, her eyes clenching tightly and her bottom lip quivered. Again, that chest cracking. My own breath shuddered through my lungs as I called for Jasper once more.

Edward, you should wake her up. Her emotions are very strong... Jasper thought desperately. I could sense by the sound of his thoughts that he was uncomfortable.

"Gabrielle," I spoke louder, not wanting to frighten her, but loud enough to wake her up.

Her eye lids twitched.

"Gabrielle."

She groaned and turned over, facing opposite of me. I had to keep my distance so she didn't hit my hard skin and bruise herself.

"Gabrielle."

She groaned again.

"Five more minutes, I'm dreaming a very cute guy right now."

For a split second I thought that this was a humorous moment, yet I still needed to wake her up.

"Love, you need to wake up," I whispered, tilting my head to her exposed neck. There, her human scent beckoned me, drawing my mouth towards the vein that pulsed thickly and warmly under the thin layer of skin. Yet my vampiric instincts were at bay, and I knew without a doubt that when I placed my lips upon her soft skin that it would be out of love, not thirst.

As soon as my mouth touched her skin, she reacted instantly.

"AHHHHH!" She yelped, and twisted away from me and almost off the bed. Yet my sharpened reflexes calculated the exact moment she would tumble to the floor and my body split through the air to the other side of the bed and caught her effortlessly.

Gabrielle's eyes were clenched shut, waiting for the moment that she would hit the ground. Once she realized that she wasn't on the ground, she peaked out behind one eye.

"E-Edward?" She whispered with shock. My mouth tugged slightly, amused.

"Who else did you expect?"

She blinked at me a few times, and then looked around her surveying the room.

"Oh," She sighed. "It really was a dream."

I couldn't understand the tone of her voice, or the expression on her face.

"You talk in your sleep, you know that right?" My voice was soft and teasing, yet within I was filled with confusion and worry. What had made her have such dreams?

Gabrielle looked at me a brief second, and then she her blush was the reddest I've ever seen her blush. She was beautiful.

"I—um—well, I didn't say—anything…"

"Embarrassing?" I finished, Gabrielle flinching at the word. She nodded, gravely.

At this, I couldn't help but laugh.

"What time is it?" Gabrielle tried to divert the conversation, looking around her for a digital clock. Yet she wouldn't find one and I already knew the time.

"2:46 am."

She groaned again, her body shifting under my hands. Only then did I remember that she was still in my arms.

Quickly I raised her to the bed, slipping her body underneath the covers again.

"Why did you scare me like that and wake me up?" She grumbled, huffing once the covers settled around her comfortably. My attention narrowed, curious to why she sounded so disgruntled by that fact. She was having a nightmare—she wouldn't want to actually go through that, would she?

"Like I said, you were talking in your sleep. I was getting concerned."

She frowned again, blushing.

"I—what did I say?" She asked, and though she was slightly horrified with embarrassment, I could see her curiosity in her brown eyes. I grinned slightly at her expression, yet the memory of Victoria's name angered the monster inside me.

"You seemed to be having a nightmare," I revealed first. "You looked frightened."

She thought about this for a moment, still frowning.

"I was…" She agreed, and I could see her eyes glaze over slightly as if she were remembering it. "At first."

She blushed again. I felt my brow rise and she was perspective, thankfully.

"You saved me in the dream. It kind of took off after that," She whispered, as if she were afraid of someone hearing her. This would have been silly, yet I could sense the house listening in on our conversation.

"Stop eavesdropping," I whispered, to fast for Gabrielle to hear.

Sorry man, Emmett's thoughts apologized, yet I could hear his humor perfectly. The rest of them echoed his thoughts, some more serious than the others. Rosalie's chagrin surprised me most of all, no matter how mellow her personality has become.

"Exactly what had you heard, anyway?" She asked timidly, and my attention was back to her and her embarrassment. What did she think I heard?

"You said my name," I smiled—that had been the best part of the night so far. She had already confirmed her interest in me, and yet it was still unbelievably gratifying to know that I was also in her dreams.

She didn't seem to understand my happiness, however.

"Oh crap," She grumbled, burying her flaming red face in her hands. This was mortifying to her. I chuckled lightly.

"It's not the end of the world, Gabrielle. It's flattering, actually." I grinned, the tone of my voice making her peak out behind her fingers. The moonlight made her skin white against the darkness. For a moment I thought her skin resembled the pearliness of Esme, yet I quickly buried it when dreadful thoughts followed it.

"Flattering? I was probably a babbling lunatic!" She groaned, still clearly mortified.

"If I could dream… it would surely be about you, too." I added softly, and I watched her in silence as her stiff shoulders relaxed slightly.

Her hands fell from her face and her eyes softened; her face more pink than red, now. A small smile formed in her lips, and my even breath halted for a moment.

"I… see what you mean."

We stared at each other then, not wanting to break the connection.

What was she thinking?

My questioning was interrupted by a very distinct, obvious yawn. The once alert Gabrielle was starting to feel the effect of my abrupt awakening.

"You should get more rest; it's been an eventful day for you." I said gently, soothing her into doing so. I knew that she wouldn't like feeling weak, just like her sister hadn't.

Her eyes narrowed a little, yet she scooted farther under the covers as if she didn't feel like arguing about it. I smiled; glad she was putting me at ease.

"If I start dreaming again," She began sleepily. "And start talking in my sleep, ignore what I say."

I doubted that would be possible. This was the most excitement I've had in one day than I could remember. It would only mean that I couldn't say anything about it tomorrow, or she would get angry.

I nodded to settle her nerves; her eyes lingering on mine a moment longer before she closed them.

I then settled myself next to her, this time not touching her. She didn't need to be distracted anymore.

Apparently we were a little too anxious, Jasper thought humorously. I laughed quietly at his thoughts.

All this worry over a human. Who would've thought? Rosalie thought gently, trying not to sound disdainful.

"I appreciate your kindness to Gabrielle, Rose. I know it's been a difficult transition for you," I muttered under my breath. Gabrielle was already asleep now, yet I didn't want to push it.

Thank you, Edward. I'm trying, I really am. I don't want to be…like I was.

"I promise you. You're not."

I could hear her contentment and Emmett's thanks as well. He was happy that Rose was happy.

Enjoy your night, Edward. Alice thought to me, the first I heard from her this night. Only then did I realize she had been quiet the whole night. I then seen in her mind that she wanted to be that way, and give me privacy. I thanked her silently, knowing she would understand.

I knew I would enjoy this night, now that I seen what was ahead of me. This time, the night, was perhaps the easiest, simplest way for me to be with Gabrielle. I couldn't deny that having her so close wasn't alluring to me. Yet the closeness was in itself a force of its own. Just her mere company put me in such bliss—I was completely thankful that I had this chance to be with her without having anything else distracting me.

That night I learned something about my immortality, something that I never thought about before. Yet now that I realized it, it seemed painfully obvious to me now.

I don't think I could ever give up the chance to watch Gabrielle sleep.