Disclaimer-Still not mine.

A/N- Thanks to my Fabu-beta Lillie Cullen for fixing my boo boo's and thanks to Lea for keeping me writing, and making sure I get this done before heading to Oz to harass her in person ( 34 days and counting babe!). And a big thanks to all of you readers for your support and kind words!

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Chaos. Pure and utter chaos.

My mind was reeling with the situation at hand, and the situation that had only barely begun to pass. Edward was gone. Charlie was here. I was…alone. Alone in a house full of similar creatures; like minded, like bodied and all focused on containing the threat that had just stormed into the house. He was here because I was. But he didn't know that. Not really. And, I didn't want him to know. As much as I loved him and as deeply as I missed the father that I had just begun to reacquaint with, I didn't want him here. I didn't want him to be part of this life and see me this way.

This was a world he couldn't safely and sanely be a part of. It really would be best for everyone if he believed I was gone and moved on with his life. And it took him, being here in a room full of creatures like me, for me to realize that. I wanted him to leave. I wanted him far away from here and as quickly as possible. I knew the draw of human blood first hand and although the Cullens were all very well controlled, I didn't want him anywhere near us.

Slosh…slosh…slosh…

His heartbeat beckoned me, but at the same time disgusted me. Two weeks ago I would have ripped the door to shreds as I tore through it in a desperate attempt to taste the delicious fluid that coursed through his veins. But now…I was better controlled and I could discern his scent form other humans. He was home. He was me. And I didn't think I would ever hurt him. I hoped not anyway.

Slosh ..slosh…slosh…slosh..

His heartbeat was wet and steady. The sound felt oddly out of place here.

The voices were growing in intensity and I listened now as the sound of his heartbeat both accelerated and began…moving…

"I saw her!" He yelled, his heavy footsteps now frantically moving through the house; punctuated by the clatter of closets and cupboards opening and closing, and the softer, more subtle footsteps of the Cullens moving behind him, their voices trying to soothe him, placate his determination.

"Charlie..." Carlisle's calmest voice reasoned. "I believe you saw her, I do. But your daughter isn't here Charlie…she isn't here."

And it was true in a way. The daughter he knew was no longer here. I was someone else now.

"Bullshit!" Charlie challenged. "I know what I saw god damnit. It was her. You have her somewhere, what have you freaks done with her? Where is Edward? I have some questions for him!"

Edward was gone.

The chaos moved closer, now making its way through the second floor. Doors continued to open and slam - Charlie's heavy footsteps and pounding heart only building in intensity as he continued his search.

"Chief Swan," Carlisle's voice pleaded, "I promise you sir, you're not going to find what you're looking for here."

That was true. The truest words any of them had spoken yet.

"I will determine that for myself." His gruff and beautiful voice snapped back.

I looked at the open window and considered running. I should. I should jump out now while he was distracted and run. I could disappear into the forest the way Edward had. I could wait…and come back when he'd left. Or…I could keep running and leave this whole tangled mess behind me.

It was tempting. .Tempting. A fresh start, on my own somewhere. It sounded so very tempting. But it also sounded…lonely, and cowardly. No. I had to stay and try. I had to fix the mess I'd made. Like Edward, who was…gone.

And there was another reason I couldn't leave. Not right now. Charlie was here, and although I wanted him gone, I couldn't tear myself away from the sound of his voice and his scent, and the steady moist beating of his heart. It kept me riveted to the spot, captive but terrified. It was hauntingly beautiful, and as much as it tormented me, I knew I would miss it dearly when he was gone.

The clatter and commotion continued…systematically moving from room to room closets opened and closed, clothes being moved around, but the intensity was waning. His footsteps were slowing and the once frantic pace of his breaths were deeper now, steadying into the gruff pattern of a man exhausted and nearly defeated. He was slowing, but he was still moving closer.

His solid boots rattled the floor as he climbed the last set of stairs and rounded the corner to the hallway, nothing but a flimsy door and several steps separating us. The lithe footsteps of the Cullens surrounded him, the contrast of their movements so obvious to me. I wondered if Charlie really listened…if he could hear how they didn't make a sound, at least not to his human ears.

"Bella…hide," I heard Alice whisper, clear as day to my ears.

At the other end of the hall, Edward's closet opened and closed. Charlie's boots paused. He touched nothing else in the room, and the slow pattern of his breath changed yet again, but this time the catch as he inhaled, punctuated by the raspy sound of him sniffling broke the bond I had welded to the floor, freeing me from the place I had become rooted. Suddenly, I found myself at my closed door, frozen again, but willing him closer. I had never seen Charlie cry before this day, before the river, and knowing how my death had broken him made it hard to stay away, hard to keep myself from flinging open the door and giving him what he sought…what would free him from the sadness and grief. But I couldn't. I knew he didn't belong in this world and the part of me that wanted him happy and wanted him back also wanted him to go away; flee quickly and not come back. Ever. I held my breath as I listened to him move closer and stop just outside my door.

As the knob turned, and the door slowly opened, I forced myself to move, plastering my body to the wall behind the door, as it slowly swung open, concealing my form behind it.

The sniffling had turned to quiet gasps as Charlie stood just inside the doorway, mere inches from me, but a lifetime away. Lightly, and slowly I raised my hands, pressing them to the thin piece of wood that now was the only thing between me and him. Heat from his body soaked right through the wood, and my head swam with his delicious, yet forbidden scent.

Charlie took two steps into the room and stopped, his fruitless frenzy having run its course, leaving a wake of emptiness behind. Still as a statue I remained hidden as he took a few deep breaths, ran his fingers through his thinning hair and turned, trudging the two steps back to the hallway, his feet now dragging with the weight of resignation. He wouldn't find me here. I knew it, the Cullens knew it, and now, at last Charlie knew it too.

His daughter was dead. I was no longer that girl.

"She's not here," he sobbed, finally broken as the Cullens led him back down the stairs to where the others waited. Carlisle's calming voice uttered words of support and kindness as they led him into the living room. The sofa gave an awkward groan as Charlie slouched into it roughly.

"I saw her…" Charlie insisted, though with less conviction. "She was right there. I know it was her."

"I believe you," Carlisle assured. I could picture his years of soothing broken humans coming into play. He would be leaning toward Charlie, his eyes would be soft and kind, perhaps he would reach across and make physical contact, a hand on the shoulder, rubbing reassuringly as he listened with a sympathetic ear. I couldn't help but admire him. He was a strong man, kind and gentle and completely worthy of the respect he was afforded. I could see why the Cullens all admired him so.

Charlie's sobs were weakening and Alice's tiny footsteps moved across the house, then back, ending in the whoosh sound of a tissue being pulled from the box. These vampires truly thought of everything.

"It's not uncommon to see a loved one who has passed Charlie, and I for one believe those closest to us do in fact visit us after death, to bring us closure and reassurance."

"She looked beautiful," Charlie sighed resigning to Carlisle's words. "She was the same, but…different. But still my angel."

Charlie was two floors below me, calming, finding some peace, but I was anywhere but a peaceful place. The turmoil within me flared with every word he spoke. I wanted him to miss me, but I wanted him to let me go. I wanted him to be happy and I wanted to be happy too.

Carlisle's voice continued its efforts, slowly convincing Charlie that the ghost of his daughter wanted him to move on, to find peace. There would be no real peace for either of us, not quite yet. Someday maybe, but no, not yet.

I sat on the floor, curled into a ball, rocking myself, but finding no comfort. I tried not to listen, but couldn't stop because the sound of him soothed my need. I sat and rocked and tried to pretend I wasn't dying for a second time as I listened to my father lose me all over again, as I listened to him…let me go.

The talking seemed to go on forever, but no time at all and at last the front door opened and closed and the sound of his engine slowly faded into the distance.

And still I sat and rocked.

Tiny, graceful footsteps made their way up the stairs and a fraction of a second later Alice's petite frame appeared in my doorway.

"Bella…" Alice breathed, "He's gone honey, are you okay?"

She crossed the room and kneeled down beside me. Her eyes were calm and warm. She regarded me with a kindness I neither expected nor felt I deserved.

I wasn't okay, but I was still there. And that was something.

"Do you need anything?" She asked, brushing my hair behind my ear.

And I did. The need was all I had now. I had other emotions, but there were so many and they flickered so quickly. The need however was always there, growing stronger by the moment. It was the one emotion I was completely sure of, and knew was real and true.

I needed calming, I needed comfort. I needed to be held and soothed and loved. I needed Edward.

I flew to my feet in a frenzied gesture, desperate to soothe the ache, fill the void. I began a search of my own, rummaging wildly through the house just as Charlie had, in a search that I knew would ultimately be just as fruitless, but that I still couldn't stop myself from doing. I looked for him, frantically, although I knew he wasn't there. My mind wouldn't accept that he had run from me. He had promised he wouldn't - he must still be here somewhere. Alice watched me as I tore through the house searching every closet, every bedroom, and every corner once then twice. She watched me sadly, but she didn't try to stop me. She knew it would do no good. After I had looked, everywhere, twice, I collapsed, my chest heaving in dry sobs. He had left me. After all his trying, all his promises, all his determination. He had left.

I had pushed him away.

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E/N- Reviews are win! There are only 2-3 more chapters and an epilouge to go, so things will start moving more quickly from here.

If you havent already checked out Lillie Cullen's original work Manhunt, run don't walk to www(dot)textnovel(dot)com/stories_list_?story_id=1521 (You know the drill of removing the (dot )'s…). and give it a read, if you love it, which Im sure you will, please vote and follow the story. Lillie is currently in the running to win a publishing contract, and can use your support! The contest ends November 1st, so its the last yard of the homestrecth. Lets rally to support one of our own wonderful fanfic authors in this exciting endeavor!