Previously…

I leant in and whispered, "I think you should add that as a bonus track to your next album."

She looked at me thoughtfully. And then she shook her head. "Nope."

Jake rolled his eyes at me. "I've been trying to get her to do a track like that for years. She won't have it."

I looked back at Bella and pulled out the pouty face. "Not even for me?"

"Not even for you 'sweetheart'," she teased, sticking her tongue out at me. Then, she turned back to the game and picked 'Pictures of You' by the Last Goodnight. That was much tamer and less surprising and much more beautiful and Bella.

I was almost disappointed.

~VTN~

I've never felt like this before

I'm naked around you; does it show?

You see right through me and I can't hide

I'm naked around you; and it feels so right

-Naked, Avril Lavigne

Victim of a Teenage Nobody

Chapter 24- Different First Impressions

Bella POV

Eventually, I excused myself from our Guitar Hero session to go and shower, leaving Edward and Jacob sat next to each other on my sofa, intensely focussed on the game.

When I got back, though, it was a different picture altogether.

The game had been packed away out of sight and Edward had moved to the other side of the room. One of them had made hot drinks and they were glaring at each other over the rims of their mugs. I didn't fail to notice that both of their mugs were empty.

I ran my hand through my damp hair and asked suspiciously, "What's going on?"

Jake's head snapped to me and he forced a smile on to his face. "Nothing," he said instantly.

My eyes narrowed. Jake was pretty good at lying to the press, and I suspected that he'd be able to sneak a lie past me, so I turned to Edward who still hadn't looked up. "Edward?" I prompted.

He shifted his gaze from Jacob's face to mine. "Nothing," he muttered as well, though he looked down into his empty mug and stared at the bottom of it for a while, allowing the three of us to sink into silence.

I shifted awkwardly on my feet, debating what to say to break the silence and, hopefully, the tension too. Luckily, though, Edward's phone broke it for me. Jake and I jumped when it rang, but Edward didn't move and let it keep ringing.

"Edward?" I said again. "Are you gonna get that?"

He sighed and pulled his phone out of his pocket. He grimaced when he glanced at the caller ID, but said, "Excuse me," anyway and left the room.

I bit my lip, but then flopped down in the armchair, not wanting to favour either Jake or Edward by choosing their sofa.

"Bella, I need to talk to you," Jacob said in a hushed voice then, coming and perching on the arm of the chair.

I glanced at the door and then back at Jake. "What is it? What's going on?"

"Nothing's 'going on', as you put it." He wrung his hands together. "It's just… Bella, I don't like him."

I rolled my eyes. "Why not?"

"He doesn't seem… honest."

I scoffed, but didn't comment on how hypocritical that was.

"Seriously!" Jake insisted. "He's up to no good. For instance-" he slid down the arm so that he could whisper in my ear "- you're paying him enough aren't you?"

My mouth popped open and I turned to glare at him. "Of course! Bloody hell, Jacob, why would you ask that?"

"Because I saw him the other night – and he was sleeping in his car." Now he had that satisfied look on his face, presuming that he had proven his point to be true.

I scowled. "Jake, that doesn't mean anything. He probably just fell asleep while waiting for something; he's done it before."

"Let me get this straight- he lay across the back seat with a blanket for a ten minute nap while he waited for you… at eleven o'clock at night?" He quirked a brow. "Right."

"I'm sure he had his reasons," I blew it off, thinking of his little apartment; I'd prefer to sleep in a Volvo to that place. But, then again, surely he could afford a new place now?

"Really?" Jacob pressed, taking advantage of the hesitation displayed on my face. He didn't give me a chance to say anything before he continued. "So I came to the conclusion that either you haven't been paying him enough for him to own or even rent an apartment… or he's up to no good."

"Jake," I whined, dragging out his name. "Please." I sighed. "Look, I trust Edward."

Jacob stared into my eyes for what seemed like forever. Then, eventually, he nodded and whispered, "You love him."

I pursed my lips and looked away, unwilling to admit it but determined not to say anything.

He drew in a deep breath and then blew it out through his teeth. "That's it."

"That's what?" I asked hesitantly, instantly defensive.

"That's why you're blind to his faults. You won't accept the fact that he's doing something idiotic with his wages because you think he's so damn perfect!"

I blinked at him, shocked for a moment. Then I regained control of myself and hit his shoulder. Hard. "You…" Lost for words, I just shook my head. "Don't you dare insinuate that my boyfriend is a… a…"

"Druggie?" Jake supplied the word I was searching for.

I hit him again and then crossed my arms over my chest and sunk back into my chair. "You're wrong."

"But… don't you get the feeling that… that he's dangerous?"

My eyes narrowed. Why did everyone come to the conclusion that Edward was dangerous? I thought back to when I had first met him. My first impression hadn't screamed danger; I had fallen into his eyes and melted under his gaze. Like… almost like love at first sight. I hadn't really believed in love at first sight- I had presumed that you'd have to get to know someone before you could fall for them but, in retrospect, I realised that the feelings I had for Edward had snapped inside of me the moment I saw him. It was like… gravity moved, and he was the thing holding me where I was, holding me on the surface of the earth. Without him, I was nothing, even though I barely even knew him. The fact that I had fallen in love with him on the spot probably contributed to me not finding him dangerous. Also, the fact that the first time I met him, he was saving me from possibly never coming back to the hotel- that might have been another possible contribution.

I looked back at Jacob and stared him right in the eye as I said, "No." But, though I said the word firmly, a shiver went down my spine as I remembered another time. When I had come home from the spa day to find that he had let himself into my suite and then proceeded to annoy the shit out of me, and then turned me to mush with a touch and an-almost kiss. It wasn't that bit that I was remembering, though. It was the very second later- when he had shoved me to the floor and started to yell profanities out of the window. In that instant, he had scared me a little. Actually, he had scared me quite a lot.

And then it was like that one memory broke the dam and a barrage of others came flooding into my mind.

The time that he had told me that I shouldn't trust him, down in the public gardens- when he had defended his point with vicious vehemence. The time that he had ranted in the coffee shop about people being upset about things that they shouldn't be. The time that that man had told me to learn to trust Edward if I wanted to stay alive. The things Edward had told me about his parents and the possibility that he had a second family.

Edward was hurt, scarred, and hiding a heap of secrets. I knew that. But was he dangerous? I thought it over for a second and came to the conclusion that Jake's first impression was possibly right. There was every possibility that Edward was dangerous, every possibility that being with him wasn't the smartest thing. But I was in too deep to back out now, and backing out was the very last thing I wanted to do anyway. Besides, I wasn't about to give Jake the satisfaction of being right.

I sighed and lifted my gaze to look him in the eye again. "You're wrong," I said again, but even I could hear how much surer I was of myself this time.

Jacob sighed and pushed off of the sofa, understanding that I wasn't going to accept his suspicions. He took his mug to the sink and I heard running water.

I hesitated, and then went after him. "Jake…"

"And, by the way, have you seen this?" he asked, shutting the tap off and going over to the bag he had brought in with him.

"Seen what?" I followed him and watched as he pulled a magazine out of the carrier bag. I rolled my eyes when I saw the glossy back cover. "Jake. You know as well as I do that gossip magazines are complete rubbish."

"Really?" He turned it over and showed me the cover. "This is an interview, Bells."

"Oh. What's wrong with it?"

He flipped it open and turned to the huge spread of me on it. I cringed at the photos but luckily Jake flicked past the spread to the interview. He pointed to a paragraph and told me to read it, so I did.

"The next question we put to Bella, as she fiddles unconsciously with her hands and bites on her bottom lip, is about her love life- a topic unavoidable for young stars as she has already realised. When we ask about her rumoured relationship with LA footballer Jacob Black, she laughs and rolls her eyes. "I knew that one was coming," she says, "but I can honestly tell you that there is nothing there more than friendship there.""

I looked at Jacob, confused. "What? It's true."

He waved a hand at me dismissively. "Keep going."

I frowned and looked back, continuing to read.

"So, of course, we asked her whether there was someone special in her life. As is the case with most celebrities these days, we expected her to do as her agent told her to beforehand and deny, deny, deny. So we here at the editing HQ were astounded when she ducked her head and blushed like the teenager she is as she said, "Yeah, there's… someone. But… it's complicated." She wouldn't say any more about that, but we noticed the way her gaze moved to the man who came in with her- something that had happened numerous times since they entered the room.

"He's tall, and well-built, and extraordinarily good-looking, and we're unsurprised that Bella Swan has been able to snag herself such a man. Moreover, his eyes do not move from her face during the entire interview and it seems that he is as absorbed by her as she is by him. But there is something about him that intimidates us. We can't read what until Bella reveals him to be her bodyguard: "My agent hired him to scare off anyone who wants to kill me," she laughs, clearly not worried about such a thing. "I think it's all a bit ridiculous but I'm glad Em [my agent] hired him- we get on really well and I can't imagine my life without him." We don't fail to notice the way her eyes light up as she speaks of the unnamed bodyguard. It's very clear that…"

I stopped reading then, not wanting to read their speculations- however true they were. "What, Jacob? What is wrong with any of that?"

"Nothing's wrong as such," he replied, but he frowned taking the magazine back from me and said, "But, come on Bells, even the magazine people can tell that there's something about him…"

I decided to toy with him a bit; it was better than taking him seriously and getting into an argument. "So Jake… you think Edward is 'extraordinarily good-looking', huh?"

He glared at me. "You know what I mean- he intimidates them!"

"Yes, I do," I conceded, annoyed, "but I don't know what you're trying to get at."

Jake hesitated and then said, "Do you know what he told me when you were gone?"

"What?"

Jacob quietened his tone. "He said that…"

But Jake was cut off by Edward coming back in, slipping his phone in his pocket. I looked up at his face, noting how different he looked from when he had left the room. He looked tired – worn down – and almost hopeless. He met my gaze with eyes that harboured so much regret and pain that it seemed impossible.

I was instantly at his side. "What's wrong, what happened?"

"Nothing," he assured me, the dark cloud of agony disappearing from his eyes. Though they were still the most gorgeous emerald green colour, his eyes were empty, and it sent a pang of panic through me; I knew that he was lying.

I heard Jacob sigh behind me, but I didn't turn until he said, "I'll be on my way, then, Bella."

I looked over at him and smiled slightly. "Okay, Jake. I'll see you at school."

He nodded, but didn't say anything else as he left. He didn't take the magazine with him and I wondered if that had been intentional until Edward broke into my chain of thoughts.

"I should be going too," he murmured.

I whipped my head back around. "No!" I took his hands in mine and whispered, "Stay, please."

Edward smiled sadly and looked down at our linked hands. "But I've been here all day."

I bit my lip, also staring at our hands. I knew that he had other places to be, other things to be doing, but I couldn't help but want him here with me. I never wanted to let him go, especially not when he seemed as down as he did now.

I was still thinking about what to say, when Edward gave a huge sigh and gave in. "Okay. I'll stay for a little bit more."

The corners of my mouth stretched into a huge smile and I wrapped my arms around his waist, pressing my face into the crook of his neck and breathing him in. "Thank you."

He relaxed in my arms and slipped his own around me as well. "You're welcome," he breathed into my hair, and then he muttered "It's the least I can do," so quietly that I wasn't sure that I was supposed to hear.

Edward POV

I stayed true to my word and stayed with Bella all evening, until late twilight morphed into pitch black night time. I knew that she knew that I had been lying when I had told me that nothing was going on after that phone call, but she didn't ask again, and I was thankful for that. I mean, what was I supposed to tell her?

Yeah, that was a work friend – who I'm not actually friends with because he tried to shoot you a couple of weeks back – calling to tell me that he had the poison I asked him to get a few days ago. The poison is actually for killing you to keep my baby son – who you actually think is my nephew – alive because my uncle is a shithead who wants you dead for reasons I can't work out. FML and LOL! But, anyway, what do you want for dinner- Chinese or Indian?

That would have gone down a storm.

Plus, I had my suspicions that Jacob was stood outside listening to our conversation for a good half an hour after he had left. That could have just been me being paranoid, or it could have had something to do with the conversation we had had whilst Bella was in the shower.

When Bella fell asleep on my lap while we sat on her sofa that night, I picked her up and carried her through to her bedroom, laying her gently on the bed and then going back through to the sitting room to write her a note. I wrote:

Bella,

I have to go home to collect a delivery in the morning. I'll be back by nine am.

Love,

Edward x

I guessed that that would appease her if she woke, even if it wasn't entirely true, and left it on the pillow beside her before slipping out into the night and getting into my Volvo. I drove a few blocks away to a part of town I doubted I'd be seen in before setting up camp in the backseat for the night. I wasn't stupid; I knew that Jacob would likely drop by to see if I slept in the car again, or get Emmett to watch me from his window. If he wasn't doing that already.

~VTN~

He was waiting for me already, as he'd said he would be. My mouth mashed together into a hard line and I took a deep breath before approaching. Aro's back tensed when he heard my approach and he turned in a defensive stance, ready to knock me out if I was a passing police officer. He relaxed when he saw me. "Edward, my man."

I skipped the pleasantries, taking the cash out of my back pocket and tossing it to him. "Two hundred, it's all there."

Aro hesitated, but then tucked it in his front pocket. In return he handed me an envelope. It didn't look too out of place or suspicious, which was a good thing.

I took it off of him and pushed it into the pocket I had just taken the money out of, before turning and heading back in the direction I had come from; I didn't want to stay with him for any longer than was absolutely necessary.

But he stopped me. "Edward, wait."

I briefly debated ignoring him, but I felt like I owed him – despite him taking the money for the medication-slash-poison, even after he had promised that it would be free – so I turned back to face him. "What?" I asked flatly.

He came closer. "There are eight doses in there. You're supposed to take one dose every twenty-four hours, so four would probably do the job. If I were you, though, I'd give her six or seven and leave the rest in one of her cupboards so that it does look like an overdose. BUT, if you do that, make sure that you don't leave any evidence. No fingerprints on the packets, the mug… anything. Got it?"

I nodded slowly. "Yeah. Thanks." I turned away again.

"Edward, wait."

I whipped around. "What now?"

Aro looked as though he was debating telling me some kind of shit, but then he chickened out and came forward to slap my arm again. "Good luck."

I narrowed my eyes at him, wondering what his bag was. Sometimes he was a bastard to me, but other times it was almost like he was trying to be really fucking nice and I just didn't get what the fuck that was all about.

Aro laughed, as though he could hear my thoughts. "Edward, I know what you're thinking."

"What then?" I challenged.

"You're confused because I'm being nice." He laughed again, to himself this time, though. "You know-" he was serious again then "-just because I work for James doesn't mean I'm a cruel bastard. I care about things too, you know."

I just raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, fine," he said, holding his hands up. Then, he dug into his front pocket and brought out my money. He held it back out to me. "Take it back, then."

Now I was really fucking confused.

"You don't think I can do good," Aro explained, "so I am. Take the money. Your son needs it more than I do, Edward. He deserves it."

I hesitated.

"Just take the fucking money!"

I took it with a sigh. "Why?" was all I could say.

Aro appraised me with his eyes for a second, as though he were sizing me up. But then he shook his head, a sad smile on his face. "One day, I'll tell ya, kid." Before I could ask any questions he nodded his head in the direction I had to go. "Now, fuck off, Edward."

I rolled my eyes. "Thanks." Then I got out.

The moment I got into my Volvo, though, my phone rang. I sighed as I got it out of my pocket, expecting it to be James checking up or something, so I was surprised when 'Carla' flashed across my screen. I frowned and answered, "Hey, Carla, what's up?"

The moment she spoke, I didn't like her tone. "Edward, you need to get here now."

I started the engine immediately, though I didn't end the call. "Why, what's wrong?"

"It's Cody," she said quietly. "He won't come out of his coma."

"Shit," I hissed as my heart dropped into my stomach. "I'll be there as soon as I can." I hung up, without waiting for her to reply. Then I tossed my phone and the envelope into the glove compartment and sped off to the hospital.

~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~

Sorry, sorry, sorry! :( Sorry about the cliffie! Really, I am.

Before anyone asks, the interview in this chapter was (obviously) not the same one that they did the day before. Nothing gets published that quick :L

IMPORTANT- If you check out my profile frequently, then you will know that I'm participating in the FANDOM GIVES BACK auction. I'm auctioning a one-shot, two-shot, three-shot or outtake. Honestly, I'm not expecting anyone to actually pay for anything I write (mostly because I think a lot of you guys are teenagers who, lets face it, can never buy anything online) but, God, I would be majorly happy if one person paid, like, a dollar.

It can be anything you want and it's written exclusively for you so if you want, say, to hear what really happened with Alice and Jasper when the baby revelation was made back in chapter 14 and how they made up- you can make it happen. I'm even willing to give you a pre-prologue or post-prologue sneak preview: so YOU will be the ONLY ONE to know how Bella dies… if she dies ;)

It's for an EXCELLENT cause and anything is really, truly appreciated by me and by the children being helped by this auction. I'm just so proud of the Twilight fandom for doing this and the women in charge are just incredible. So if you can spare a dollar, or maybe a little more, then that would be GREAT. If necessary, I'd be more than happy to put more one-shots up for auction. There are links on my profile if you want them :) Thanks :)

OMC GUYS! 5 FRICKIN DAYS TIL I CAN SEE ECLIPSE! I am mega mega mega excited beyond belief :D I know, I know, some of you guys can see it before me but… well, 5 days! :D I'm soo looking forward to the tent scene :) And the proposal. They're my favourite chapters in the whole saga so they better have done them right :S

And, I feel like saying this, Kristen Stewart is really impressing me recently. I mean, I've loved her for ages now (not like that you pervs :P) but recently she's really kind of come out of her shell which is brilliant! The Eclipse PR is much better than it was with NM :) And, Lord almighty, Rob actually is starting to be a halfway good Edward *cheers* (judging by trailers and clips- only a few of which I have watched because I don't want to watch the whole goddamn movie in two minute sneak previews like I did with NM :L)

And! More exciting stuff! I've finished my exams and broken up from school :D And it's my prom on Wednesday- though that's kinda scary :L

Anyways… I'll stop blabbering now. Well, actually, there is one more thing.

Thanks so much for all of the wonderful reviews! I was having a conversation with Emily on facebook (there's another mention for ya ;)) and she said that she was surprised that I replied, which really quite shocked me. And I just want you guys to know that I wish I had enough time to reply properly to every review, but then you'd never get updates… :S

So I came up with another solution. I will send out a preview to every signed reviewer because that won't take up a lot of time and it's also a kind of reply… you think? Well, whatever, if you review, you get a preview now so yeah :)

Plus, the next chapter is where it gets exciting ;)

Please review! (But please don't brag about how you get to see Eclipse before me- I will cry)

Thanks :)

-Steph