Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, Stephanie Meyers has that right.

Thanks to my Beta's NeeNee246 and toocute24. They are awesome ;)

Chapter 25

The Darkness Is Falling

I was numb as I watched the door. It all felt like a really bad dream. Edward wouldn't leave me; he just wouldn't. But he just did, Bella!

This wasn't how it was supposed to end. I hadn't prepared myself for losing him, not again.

"Bells," my dad came charging in. "It's going to be fine. It's all for the best." I was shaking violently as my dad wrapped his arms around me. "You've gotten over him before, you can do it again." He was wrong. The truth is: I never truly got over Edward, and now I was even more in love with him.

My mind began to recall that my dad was the reason Edward had left me. Suddenly, the rage flared in me.

"Get the hell off me!" I yelled, pushing him away. "This is your entire fault. YOU'VE RUINED MY LIFE!"

"Bella," my dad whimpered. "I'm just looking out for you. Edward Masen is no good for you. I made him see that."

"What did you say to him?"

"I made him see that if he truly loved you, he would leave you alone."

"HOW COULD YOU SAY THAT?"

"Because it's the truth."

"No, it's not. We love each other, dad. You've ruined everything!"

"You'll see that I'm right, in time." My dad wasn't listening to a single word I was saying, and I couldn't stand it a moment longer.

"I need you to leave, dad," I whimpered, looking down at the floor.

"Bells, I'm not going anywhere."

"I don't want you here," I glared, looking up at him. "GET OUT! NOW!" It hurt feeling the hatred for my dad as much as I did, but the emotion was overtaking me.

"I'll go, but I won't be far. I'll call Jacob Black and offer him some excuse as to why you're coming back to Forks with me."

"I'm not going back to Forks!" I yelled, my body trembling with anger.

"Bells, stop being so stubborn."

"Dad, my whole fucking life just walked out that door because of you. I need space."

"Don't hate me, Bells. He would've gotten you killed somewhere down the line. The boy is rotten. I told you this three years ago."

"Just leave me alone!" I sobbed, pulling the blanket over me.

"Bella?" I looked up after hearing Alice's voice. At the sight of her, I broke down, feeling the sobs deep in my chest. "I'm so sorry." Alice rushed to my side. "I don't know what's going on in my brother's head sometimes."

"Has he gone?" I muttered through my tears.

"Yes. Jasper and Emmet tried to stop him, but he wasn't having it. Stupid boy!"

"So, you're all leaving?" I looked up, realising my dad must've stepped out of the room. I hoped he didn't stop until he got to Forks. I hated him!

"We have no choice, Bella. You saw what we're up against. Diego was nothing."

"But Edward told me if I knew who you were, it would make me a target, too."

"You'll be safe. Jasper had already made contacts. Plus, your dad is a cop. The Volturi didn't even know Diego had come here. He came on a whim once Edward bought your diamond necklace. I can't believe Edward accessed our accounts. What was my brother thinking?" Alice smiled sadly, stroking my wild hair from my face. "I'm sorry it turned out this way."

"My necklace is . . ." I couldn't even finish my words. If Edward hadn't brought me my necklace, does that mean he would still have been with me?

"He loves you so much, Bella," Alice sighed. "That's why this is killing me, too. I know how right you two are for each other."

"I'm not giving up on him, Alice," I replied firmly.

"I wouldn't want you to," Alice grinned, kissing my cheek. I heard the door open and saw sad eyes looking at me.

Saying goodbye to Edward's family was excruciating. In a small way, I was thankful for the first time they left.

"Keep away from the Volturi at Cetra Black, Bella," Jasper whispered as he hugged me goodbye. "I have people watching you for your protection, but don't go looking for trouble. It won't help Edward." My eyes widened, realising I still had a connection to Edward. It was clear that he was still trying to bring the Volturi Brothers down, which meant Edward wouldn't be too far away from them. "Do you hear me Bella?" Jasper raised an eyebrow at me.

"Yes," I whimpered, looking towards Esme as tears fell down her face.

"I thought this was it," Esme winced as she hugged me tightly. "I'm so sorry Bella." I couldn't speak, and as Emmet and Rose hugged me, my sobs got louder.

Carlisle was the last person to embrace me. "Take care, Bella. I hope your recovery is quick. This is for the best. Please don't think bad of Edward for leaving you. He's doing it to protect you." I forced myself to look up at him.

"Can you tell Edward something from me?"

"Anything, Bella."

"Tell him it will always be him. That no matter the distance he puts between us, I will still keep searching for him. Whenever I'm in a crowded room, it will be his eyes I search for, and even in my dreams, I will keep hoping he'll come back to me." Carlisle nodded sadly and kissed my forehead before I watched them disappear one by one.

"Take care, Bella," Alice called, tears falling down her face.

"You too, Alice," I sobbed as she closed the door. I took a deep breath before the darkness began to take over.

oxoxoxoxo

I knew I had two choices: I either let the darkness take me, or I fight. With my injury, it was difficult not letting the darkness consume me like before.

I gave in for a few weeks and allowed my dad to look after me in Forks, but after two weeks I couldn't bear it anymore.

Two weeks... how had I done it so far? Not a second passed that I didn't think or wonder about him. How far away was he? Was he safe? Was Alice still begging him to come back for me? I hoped so.

Being back in Forks was bad for me on so many levels. I wasn't the same fragile girl I once was, but being around the memories from the last time had an effect on me. That was the day I made up my mind to go back to DC and fight. If Edward thought I would give up on him, he was wrong.

"I'm going back to DC next week," I muttered, playing with my food at the table.

"What?" my dad gasped, dropping his fork.

"I want to go back home."

"Bells, you are home."

"Not anymore," I glared, lifting myself up from the table. My surgery had left me with a slight limp. The exercises were working, but it was all a healing process.

"Bella," my dad yelled but I didn't listen. I just continued to the living room, slumped down on the couch, and turned on the TV. "Please listen to me. You aren't ready. You're still healing."

"I'm going back home, dad, and there's nothing you can do to stop me!" I yelled. Something in my face made my dad see my determination, and he didn't question it any further.

I only hoped that once I got back to DC, I could start to find him. I was Edward's siren, after all. Could I call to him from the darkness of this ocean we had both fallen into? I had to make him understand we had to be together. There was no other way.

oxoxoxoxo

"Are you sure about this, Bella?" Jacob asked over his desk. "Have you even healed completely from your attack?" My father had made up some story about me being mugged the night I was stabbed.

"I'm fine, Jacob." I forced a smile. "I just want to get back to work."

"What about Edward? Have you heard from him?"

I swallowed hard, trying to find the strength to speak without breaking down. "No, and I'd rather not talk about Edward, if you don't mind."

"I don't understand how he could disappear like that. To leave you when you needed him most." Jacob was shaking his head, pacing the room. "I thought I knew him. He was my best accountant. How could he do that to us?"

"Can I start back or not, Jacob?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

Jacob looked down at me. "You'll be working with Kate. She's taken over all of Edward's clients."

"That's fine by me." Some female company was exactly what I needed.

"Are you sure about this, Bella?" Jacob looked torn, like he wasn't completely convinced that I was ready.

"Yes," I exhaled. "I just want to get on with my life."

"Okay," Jacob grinned, sitting back at his desk. "You start back on Monday morning."

"Thank you, Jacob." I sighed and then stood up. "I won't let you down."

"Bella," Jacob called. "If you need anything, just ask." I nodded, knowing that Jacob was a friend that I could rely on.

oxoxoxox

"So, Bella," Mike leaned against the photocopier gazing at me. "I was wondering if you would let me take you out one night."

"You better not be chatting up my PA in work time, Newton," Kate scolded him from behind me. "I told you last week to keep your dick in your pants. So fuck off!" God, I loved this woman!

"N. . . N. . . No, Kate. I was just. . ." Poor Mike was speechless and rushed off like a frightened little mouse.

"How do you do that?" I laughed.

"I just play the bitch," Kate smirked. "It seems to work. I have all the men in this office trembling in their boots." That was so true.

It only took a week of working with Kate, to notice that behind the bitch attitude, there was a normal girl like me. That gave me a lot of confidence that I could this, that I could fight for what I wanted and be strong.

"You have to teach me." I grinned.

"In time, Swan." Kate patted my back. "I need the paperwork for the Daniels' file. That vile Sonia is coming in after lunch."

"I'll get it ready right after this." I was dreading my first meeting with Sonia. I knew she would ask about Edward.

"Hey, Bella." Tanya smiled sweetly at me as we passed in the corridor. She had been nothing but nice to me since I got back. It was really weird, but I had a feeling Angela or Jacob had spoken to her. "How are you today?"

"Great," I sighed, trying to sound enthusiastic.

"Did you want a cup of coffee? I was just making one for myself."

"Um. . . no thanks," I replied a little stunned as I walked away. What was with Tanya these days?

I made quick work on gathering the Daniels' file for Kate. Work was the one time I could forget the darkness that surrounded me, so I threw myself into it. It was the only time I still felt like me. Nights were the worst. I would cling to Edward's pillow, sobbing until sleep would find me. I never felt rested when I woke up. I was still trapped in this nightmare without him.

"Hello, Beth." I sighed, looking up at Sonia. How many times did I need to tell her my name? Sonia had picked the wrong day to try and piss me off.

"It's Bella," I snarled.

"I couldn't care less. What did you do to my darling Edward?"

"He was not your Edward!" I snapped, standing up quickly. I couldn't control my fury. All the pain from the last four weeks exploded. "He couldn't stand you!"

"Who the hell do you think you're talking to?" Sonia screeched, putting her hands on her hips. "I have a mind to report this to Mr. Black."

"Miss Daniels," Kate interrupted. "Bella has had a difficult month, please excuse her rudeness." Kate turned her stare to me. "Perhaps you should take a break, Bella?" I nodded, somewhat ashamed of myself as I left.

I rushed out of the office, limping as I went, and ignoring all the calls as I reached the lift. Once I was outside, I let the sobs take control.

It didn't matter how much I tried to push the pain away, it always came back. I missed the mere essence of him. How he calmed my very soul. Everywhere I looked, I saw him. There were memories everywhere. I could still smell him on my sheets at home. Bella, it's so sick that you haven't cleaned your sheets in over a month! But I knew if I washed them, another memory of Edward would be gone. I wasn't prepared to let go of any part of him, and I didn't care if that made me sound insane.

It didn't help that I still hadn't had any involvement on the Volturi case. How was I going to become involved with that case, without making it obvious? What if Edward didn't even come back after my attempts? How would I move on?

"Bella?" I heard Angela's voice behind me. "Are you okay?" I turned, knowing my red, blotchy eyes gave everything away. "Oh, come here." She sighed, pulling me in for a hug.

I broke down even more. "I think Jacob is right. You came back to early."

"No . . . I'm fine," I whimpered as I dried my eyes.

"It's clear to see that you're not."

"It hurts, that's all." I looked down at the floor, wiping a few tears as they fell.

"Have you heard from him at all?" I shook my head. "Why would he just leave like that? Did the mugging . . ."

"Please, Angela. I can't talk about all this right now, okay?" I pleaded. "I know you're worried about me, but I need some time."

"You know you can always talk to me."

"I know, and I will when I'm ready." I forced a smile as Angela gave me another squeeze before leaving me alone.

I managed to pull myself together half an hour later, but luckily Sonia had gone.

"What was that before, Bella?" Kate asked with concern.

"I'm sorry," I stressed. "I hate that woman so much. The way she used to pore over E . . . Ed . . . Edward." God, I couldn't even say his name without it burning a hole in my chest.

"I get it," Kate smiled sadly, touching my shoulder. "But, you've to get over him, Bella. No man is worth it. They will always hold you back. You have to embrace yourself, and realise that the most important thing in this world is you. No one else is going to fight the battles and make the success. That's all in your hands."

"You have a real way with words, Kate." I grinned.

"I know," she smirked, throwing her golden blonde hair over her shoulders. "On another note . . . Do you have a nice evening dress?"

"Yes," I asked confused. "Why?"

"Sonia brought in an invitation for the Daniels' annual charity ball this weekend. I think you could do with a night out." Kate had no idea how true that was.

A night out was just what I needed.