Truths, Lies and Alibis

by Eternally Addicted

FBI psychologist Bella Swan is being stalked by one of criminals she helped put behind bars. Forced to leave her home and lay low for a while, she meets the most gorgeous man she has ever seen. Is he who he says he is, or is he working for the stalker?

26. Run To You

Hello everyone, sorry this chapter is a little late. Real life has a way of rearing its ugly head when you least expect it. Anywho, my eternal thanks to My-Bella and Hope4more, you guys are the best. Thanks to all of you, my fantastic readers, for voting in the Indie Fic Pimp's readalong contest for the month of February. Truths, Lies and Alibis won and it will take place this Saturday the 26th at 8pmCST/9pmEST. I'll be there and you can chat with others who have read TLA and can ask me anything you want. If it doesn't give anything away about future chapters, I promise to answer. The readalong takes place on Twitter and my ID is edward620.

For more info on how it works, go to Indie Fic Pimp's blog http:/indieficpimp(.)blogspot(.)?zx=315df6ffbb79f6a3 . Just remember to remove the () from the dots. Thanks again, see ya at the bottom.

This world keeps spinning faster
Into a new disaster so I run to you, I run to you baby
When it all starts coming undone
Baby, you're the only one I run to, I run to you

We run on fumes, your life and mine
Like the sands of time slippin' right on through
And our love's the only truth
That's why I run to you
Run To You by Lady Antebellum

~*BPOV*~

August 4, 2010

Having tossed and turned, rolled from my side to his several times and after I'd completely destroyed the bed, I drug myself out of its warm confines after realizing that I was not going to be able to go back to sleep. I felt excruciatingly alone in Edward's huge king size bed. The fact that his scent and his things were surrounding me did nothing to alleviate the fact that he wasn't here right now. The bed was too empty and Edward's presence was painfully missed. It had been weeks since I had slept alone and I wondered if I would ever be able to do so again. For that matter, did I ever want to again?

Edward had been home with me all day yesterday but had returned to work today. His absence had never been more pronounced, not even when we had just returned to Seattle and I spent those first few nights home alone. He had actually gone to work yesterday morning only to return about an hour later explaining to me that Jasper had more or less demanded he should be home with me. Jasper had told him if he was going to insist on working that he should do it from home. Edward had said Jasper felt we needed some time to recoup from all we had been through in such a short time—the notes, the break-in at my house, and Jacob kidnapping me. I couldn't deny being grateful and torn at the same time. I was happy Edward was home with me, but sad that I was once again affecting Edward's life and normal routine. I wanted things to return to normal, but figuring out what was normal anymore and how I was supposed to get back to it was not an easy task. Because so much had changed, at this point in time I didn't have a clue how to get there. The normal my life was before this mess with Reynolds and Black no longer existed. At that time I hadn't met Edward, hadn't been put under his constant watch, hadn't become accustomed to living with him, and hadn't been forced to live in his home because mine had been invaded. The only thing that had remained somewhat normal had been my job and for the next few days I didn't even have that.

A chill ran through my body as I thought about it all. I wanted so badly to be able to just forget about what had happened and move past it, but it wasn't that simple. I would be having my first appointment with Dr. Bartholomew since the kidnapping today and I hoped she had some ideas for me. I also wondered what kinds of things she would say to Edward when he had his first appointment with her on Friday. He seemed like he was handling things pretty well to me so maybe it would be about ways to help me deal with what had happened. I also had an idea that maybe she was going to talk to him about not beating himself up over my being kidnapped. Edward had felt guilty and responsible when I had been hurt during our investigation into the anonymous tip we had received on that old house. So if he were feeling guilty over that, I could only imagine how he might be beating himself up over this. Maybe I would ask Dr. Bartholomew about helping him cope as well. We could lean on each other to get us both through this.

Edward hadn't been gone long, but that didn't stop me from missing him and wishing he could be here. However he had a business to run and under normal circumstances I would be at work myself instead of here alone. Surely I could entertain myself for a couple of days. How hard could it really be?

I found myself sitting on the couch fidgeting and trying to figure out what to do. I flipped through the channels on the TV trying to find something to watch, but the only thing remotely entertaining was the movie Men in Black. It didn't hold my attention for long, but I did laugh a little at myself for thinking I could sure use Agent K and his mind erasing device right about now. Get a grip, Bella, I thought to myself. No Agent K and no giant people-eating cockroaches from another galaxy.

However there were real monsters in this world. They were real living and breathing humans who were warped and demented enough to think they could do what they wanted and get away with it. Or well he used to be living and breathing. I put an end to that. And even dead he was still affecting my life. I was sitting here in the state I was in because of him. I knew on some level he probably would always have an effect on me given the fact I had taken his life. Not because I was sorry I did it, because if you ask me he still got off too easy. But Edward and I had met because of the turmoil James Reynolds had brought into my life and that was something we would never be able to forget.

If I had been honest with myself and Edward I would have agreed to him working from home again today instead of insisting that he go to his office. He had offered and told me it wasn't a big deal, that he had brought home everything he needed for a couple of days yesterday. But as much as I wanted him here with me I felt like now that I was no longer in danger, his life shouldn't be interrupted by having to be here with me. He was going to leave work early as it was to take me to my appointment and I just didn't want all the other areas of his life to suffer because I was feeling a little insecure. I knew he wouldn't see it that way, but it was how I felt and compared to the decisions we still had to make, it was not a big deal and I would just have to deal with it. After all I was twenty five, not twelve. Edward and I had yet to discuss what we were going to do as far as our living arrangements or about possibly picking up my car and bringing it over here now that I could drive myself again. We had settled into a comfortable routine and I wasn't quite sure how Edward or I felt about changing it. All of the changes that had taken place before were done out of need and now that we could make changes because we wanted to it was a little overwhelming.

Not wanting to think about the decisions we would have to soon make, I got up and walked around the loft and tried to find something to occupy my time. Nothing seemed to catch my interest and that left me feeling a bit lost. The loft felt entirely too empty and too quiet and I really needed something to occupy my mind so it didn't drift back to what we had just been through. When it did, all the images would come crashing back to me and I really didn't want to be subjected to them again. It was all still too fresh, too scary, and too painful to think about. Even if I was here and neither one of those men were a threat to me anymore , the image of Edward with a gun to his head or the sensation of my skin crawling when Reynolds had touched my hair, was more than I wanted to deal with right now. At least not while I was here alone.

I went upstairs to graze through the books Edward had in his spare bedroom. One whole wall of the room had a built in book case that spanned the entire length and width of it. It was probably ten feet tall and more than that wide, with every shelf filled to the brim with books.

I picked a random spot, starting right in the middle and began to scan over the various titles. He had several classics…Moby Dick, Huckleberry Fin, Ulysses, Catcher in the Rye as well as some Shakespeare, Dickens, and a few of Bronte's books. Edward even had a copy of Mary Shelly's Frankenstein and Bram Stoker's Dracula. There were several more recent series, like The Lord of the Rings, several books of poetry and even a complete set of the Harry Potter books. I smiled as I ran my hand over the spine of the Potter books. I had my own set at home and knew that the love of the series wasn't cornered by young readers. People from every age group loved them.

Finally choosing one of the Bronte's, I pulled it from the shelf and walked across the room to the French doors leading to the small balcony off the room. Opening the door, I sat down in one of the chairs next to the small bistro table. As I looked more closely at the book, I noticed how worn it was, as if it had been read several times. I would have to remember to ask Edward what he was doing with an obviously well-used copy of Jane Eyre. It wasn't something a man would usually read. He had said I was the only woman to have ever been here in the loft other than his mother and sister so it didn't seem likely it had been left behind by some other girlfriend of his.

Propping my feet up on the other chair, I dug into the book.

I had been reading peacefully and enjoying the warm morning sun until I was startled by the loud popping sound of a car backfiring on the street below. "Shit," I gasped as I sat there clutching the book to my chest while I tried to catch my breath. The sound had been eerily similar to a gunshot and my heart had nearly jumped out of my chest at the noise.

After that, no matter how hard I tried, I was unable to relax and concentrate on the book. I found myself constantly looking up from the page and checking my surroundings every few minutes to make sure no one was there with me and that I was still safe in Edward's loft. As a result I had read the same paragraph in the book four or five times. It felt pointless to continue trying. Frustrated, I gave up and I went back inside. After making sure the balcony door was locked, I set the book back in its place on the shelf and headed towards Edward's bedroom.

I had just finished tackling the tangled mess I had made of the sheets and comforter when I noticed the laundry hamper was full. Thinking maybe some house work would keep me busy I dug my cellphone out of my jeans pocket and pressed the contact key that would automatically dial Edward's number.

"Hello, Sweetness. Everything okay?" came Edward's velvety voice through the phone.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I said trying to sound convincing and not let him know that I was having a hard time being here by myself. If he did he would be on his way home immediately.

"Bella, what's wrong?" he asked. I must not have sounded as convincing as I thought.

"Nothing, I just wanted to ask you where your washer and dryer were. Oh and I read one of your books."

"Sweetness, I know you haven't been there alone much, not at all really. But what did I tell you this morning?"

"Before or after you kissed me senseless?" I asked with a smile spreading across my face as memories of this morning's kiss popped back into my head. The kiss had been toe curling and had left me breathless and wanting more.

"Before," he said with a combination of a snort and laugh coming out as he did.

"Um… I forget."

"That kiss must have really boggled your mind," he teased.

"Your kisses always boggle my mind."

"Hmm, that powerful huh?"

"Yes they are that good."

"Well then I guess it's a good thing yours have the same effect on me."

"They do?" I asked. I was kind of shocked that I had such an effect on him. I had never affected any of the other men I had dated before so much. Of course none of them were Edward and none of them had loved me the way he did either. So the knowledge that I had as much of a hold on him as he did on me made me extremely happy and brought a huge smile to my face.

"Everything about you affects me that way, Bella. Sometimes I think I could get lost in my mind just watching you."

He was so sweet and always knew just what to say to make me melt. "I feel the same way. I love you."

"I love you too. Now are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes."

"Good, and about the books…Sweetness, read any or all of them. I told you this morning, you can do anything you want. Help yourself to anything there."

"Ok, but where are your washer and dryer?"

"In the closet with the folding doors at the end of the second floor hall. I thought I had showed you that and I hope you know you don't have to do my laundry, Bella."

"I know I don't have to but I'm bored and I need something to do." I miss you and I miss the warmth and security of your arms around me, was the other thing I wanted to say, but I knew he'd be in his car and here before I could even get the first load of wash started.

"Ok. As much as I hate to, I have to go. Jasper and I have a conference call in about fifteen minutes. I'll see you in a little while to take you to your appointment."

"It's ok, I understand. I know you have work to do. See you soon."

We said our goodbyes and then I set about doing the laundry. About an hour and a half later when he called to check on me after his conference call, and for the rest of the morning I found myself calling Edward constantly, asking questions about his laundry. What do you want for dinner? Where do you want me to put your mail? Where's this, where's that and by the time late morning rolled around I was worried he was getting frustrated. I hated that I was aggravating him and interrupting his work, but for whatever reason I couldn't stop. I was just feeling so weird and out of sorts. I didn't quite know how to explain it. I just knew I felt off and out of place and Edward seemed to soothe that feeling somewhat.

So before I even realized what I was doing I had my phone in my hand and was pushing that magic button that would let me hear his voice again and as quickly as he said "Hello again, Sweetness" it dawned on me that I didn't know why I had called him this time.

"Um, I just wanted to make sure chicken fettuccini is what you wanted for dinner," I said softly, realizing how pathetic I must sound.

"Bella," he sighed into the phone. "Why would I choose something for dinner if it wasn't what I really wanted?"

"I don't know now that you mention it. Maybe because it's easy?"

"No. While that might be the case, I chose it because I like it. It sounded good. Do you not want chicken fettuccini? Is that why you are asking?"

"No, I just wanted to make sure it was what you wanted. I'm sorry, I know you are trying to work and I keep bothering you. I just…" My words trailed off. I was about to say I just couldn't help myself, but again I knew if I did he would leave work and I had to figure out a way to get through this. I couldn't keep disrupting his life.

"Sweetness," he sighed again and I just knew his hand was in his hair. I could hear it in the tone of his voice; I was frustrating him. "You're not bothering me. And what were you about to say? You just what?"

I was about to answer him when the buzzer telling me someone was downstairs and wanted to be let in echoed through the loft.

"Bella, is that the door buzzer?" Edward asked and I thought I had heard a sense of relief in his voice.

"Yes."

"Ask who it is first, but it should be Alice."

"Alice? What is Alice doing here? I mean, not that I mind, your sister is great. I just wasn't—"

"Sweetness, listen to me. You are obviously so bored you need something or someone to help you occupy your time so I called Alice. I thought the two of you could go out to lunch or something and then she'll drop you off here in time for me to take you to your appointment this afternoon. Is that ok?"

"Yeah," I said softly into the phone. "I'm sorry."

"Bella, there is nothing to be sorry for. You have more free time on your hands than you have had in a very long time. And you are not at your own house where you are used to being able to do your own thing. Jasper mentioned Alice wasn't doing anything today, so I called her."

"Great. Now they know that I can't entertain myself for a few hours. I feel like such a big baby," I huffed.

"That's not true. Besides, Alice is dying to spend some more time with you. So go out to lunch and have some fun. After all, that ball and chain of a security guard you had isn't permanently attached to you any longer."

"But I love my ball and chain of a security guard."

"He loves you too, Sweetness. No go get the buzzer before Ali breaks it," Edward said as he laughed lightly, no doubt hearing the buzzer ringing again. Alice definitely gave the impression she could be really impatient if she wanted to.

Alice entered the loft with the energy of a mini tornado. She was practically bouncing in place.

"Hurry, go get changed. Mom is going to join us for lunch and then we are going to head to the mall."

I looked down at what I was wearing and realized I still had on the t-shirt of Edward's I had slept in last night. I had knotted the end of it so it didn't hang so long when I put my jeans on this morning. Alice was of course dressed fashionably. She had on a sleeveless flower print dress and natural colored wedge heels that tied around her ankles. It was simple, cute and looked great on her. Then again, Alice was one of those women who could wear anything. She could make a potato sack look good.

I hurried upstairs and grabbed the first thing I came across in the closet. It was a thin strapped green tank that had tiered ruffles and pulled my denim jacket on over the top. Once I had that on I slipped my feet into a pair of black wedge heels. After quickly running a comb through my hair and applying some clear lip gloss, I made my way back downstairs.

"Ok, I'm ready," I called to Alice as I reached the bottom step.

"Don't you look cute," she replied when noticing the change in my appearance. "Let's go."

I grabbed my purse off the counter and followed Alice down to her car. I shook my head slightly to myself when I saw that she drove a Porsche. A love of fast cars must run in their family, I thought as I climbed into the bright yellow sports car.

We met Esme at the same restaurant in the mall where Edward and I had met up with Emmett, Rose, Alice and Jasper a few weeks ago. Alice had called her mother from the car and had suggested it since it was convenient and Alice wanted to shop.

The three of us chatted while eating our lunch. They both asked me how I was doing. I had told them that I was good, and everything was a bit weird but I was trying to adjust. Esme assured me that she felt in time everything would work itself out, to just remain patient and take things one day at a time. She also told me she was there for me with anything I might need, that all I had to do was call. The love I felt radiating from her was nearly overwhelming. I was surprised, but truly touched and grateful for how Edward's parents had come to care for me in the short time they had known me. The way they had opened up their house to my family this past weekend was more than I could have ever asked for. It was something I would never forget.

Alice told us some more about her honeymoon and Esme talked about the latest remodeling project she was working on. The turn of the century home she was restoring sounded amazing. I could see by the expression on her face, as well as hear in her voice, how much she loved her work.

I was surprised and nearly choked on a bite of my lunch when Alice changed the subject by asking her mother, "So, Mom, what did Caroline say when you told her you wouldn't be going to Chicago to redecorate Chelsea's house?"She popped a green olive from her salad into her mouth and went on like she had just asked her mom about the weather. However Alice being totally unaware of my gift, didn't realize that I could sense what she was doing. I got the feeling that Alice had a reason for bringing it up and it wasn't merely because she wanted to know. For some reason she wanted me to know. So I listened to see why.

Esme smiled as she looked first at Alice and then to me. Noticing the slightly confused expression on my face, Esme clued me in as to who Caroline was. "Caroline is Chelsea's mother." Esme then continued on to tell us that Chelsea's mother had been disappointed when she declined the job of redoing her daughter's home.

"She isn't mad at you?" I asked wondering how Esme's longtime friend felt about her refusal. And even though I didn't want Esme to have any hard feelings between herself and her friend, I was doing cartwheels inside knowing that Chelsea and her smug little self wasn't getting her way. She had been so sure and so confident that Esme would jump to her demands and I was thrilled that it hadn't worked out that way.

"No she wasn't mad. Disappointed yes, but not mad." Esme sighed, setting her fork down and then taking a long drink of her iced tea. She then said, "You see, as much as I didn't want to hurt Caroline's feelings I had never had any intention of going. Chelsea might be one of Alice's closest friends, and I would never dictate to my children who they should or shouldn't associate themselves with, but I'm simply not as fond of the girl as I used to be."

"She has changed a lot," Alice added. "I'm not so sure I know her as well as I thought I did anymore. I've even had the thought that our friendship might only be salvaged by the fact that she is now living in Chicago and we will see far less of one another."

Hearing and feeling the sadness Alice was experiencing over how her supposed best friend had changed and treated her only caused me to feel more disdain towards the bitchy redhead. Chelsea's apparent disregard for the feelings of her friends and others around her was affecting two women who I was quickly coming to care a great deal for and I didn't like those effects at all. It made me very glad she had moved half way across the country and there was very little chance of me ever bumping into her again, because if I did, I didn't think I could hold back from slapping her as I had last time.

I was pulled from my own thoughts on the subject when Esme began talking again. "In all honesty, I probably wouldn't have been able to go. With the house I am currently working on, Chelsea would have had to wait until I was finished with it and lord knows that girl has not been known to be a patient person. I'm sure she would have thrown a fit that would have rivaled that of a three year olds. She used to be a sweet caring girl and now she is nothing more than a manipulative materialistic bi—"

Esme stopped herself just short of calling Chelsea a bitch. As she did, Alice and I both erupted in a fit a giggles from seeing Esme clamp her hand over her mouth in an effort to keep the word from coming out. Once Alice and I had gotten a hold on ourselves, I realized that despite the smile on Esme's face, I felt the wave of resentment coming from her. I had to wonder if her refusal to redecorate Chelsea's house was more because of the way Chelsea had ended her relationship with Edward and was less about the changes in her personality. I might never know if that were the case, but one thing I did know was that she would never have to worry about me hurting her son like that. I loved Edward with my whole heart and hurting him was the last thing I would ever want to do.

Once we finished eating and paying for our food, we were off to shop. The three of us made our way through the mall, going in and out of several stores. I had never seen someone spend so much time in a Victoria's Secret store in all my life. Sure I liked pretty underwear like any other woman, but Alice seemed to be buying a whole new lingerie wardrobe.

I was perusing through a rack of their sleepwear, looking to find something I thought Edward might like on me, something red to be specific, when I felt as though I was being watched. It was quite strange; when I glanced in the direction of the door to the store I caught a movement and could have sworn I'd seen someone darting past it just as I had looked up.

My heart began to race as I darted over to the door and stepped out of the store. However I didn't see anyone that resembled the person I thought I had seen. No matter how loud the rational side of my brain was screaming at me that it was impossible, the less rational side was panicking and thinking that I had just seen Jacob Black. It left me standing there unable to move as my eyes kept scanning my surroundings looking for him.

I felt a huge surge of nervousness and apprehension coming towards me and turned my gaze briefly to see one of the store clerks approaching me. Although it wasn't until she tapped me on the arm and pointed at my hand, asking me if I wanted to purchase the item I was holding, that I realized what I was doing and that I still had the garment in my hand. I was horrified to think the clerk thought I was attempting to steal the nightgown.

Of course it was that same moment when Alice noticed the clerk speaking to me and came over to us. With the amount of confusion rolling off of Alice on top of the clerk's emotions, and my own embarrassment over the fact it appeared that I was trying to leave the store without paying for what I had, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed.

"Hey, Bella, what's going on?" Alice asked.

"Oh I um…I thought I saw someone I knew. That's all," I replied, trying to hide the uneasy feeling and embarrassment that had come over me.

Noticing the sales clerk still standing there beginning to get agitated and poised like she was ready to pounce on me, I made my way with the nightgown that was still in my hand over to the register and paid for it. Alice paid for her items next and we were off to another store.

A little while later, after we had been in and out of a few more stores and had stopped to peek in the windows of several more, it was time to go. On the way back to the car Alice stopped to use the restroom. While Esme and I waited for her, I was surprised when Esme asked, "Are you ok, Sweetheart?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Oh, Sweetheart, you must not even realize you are doing it."

"Doing what?" I asked confused by her statement.

Reaching up and placing her hand on my arm in a caring gesture, she then said, "Sweetie, you keep looking over your shoulder and at times glancing all around you like…I don't know, maybe like you're on some sort of a stake-out or you're searching for someone. There have even been a couple of times when you have nearly spun around as if you thought someone were behind you. And when someone was behind you, you flinched at times or actually jumped like it frightened you."

"I did?"

"Yes, Sweetie, you did."

"Oh," was the only reply I could think of to give her. I hadn't even realized I was doing the things she pointed out and I didn't really know what to say to her. Not only was I lost on how to respond to what she had said, but I was worried that I had been next to her for the last couple of hours and I hadn't picked up on her worry. I knew it wasn't because she was like Edward and unable for me to read because I had done so in the past. But was I really that lost in my own head that I was missing out on things that I would normally pick up on almost instantly? The thought of that happening worried me. Actually it scared me. It had me afraid that in certain circumstances I might not be able to perform my job. And then what would I do?

"Bella, Sweetheart, it's ok. You have been through so much," she cooed as she pulled me into a light embrace. "I'm certainly not a psychiatrist, but I am sure it is going to take you some time to fully get over what has happened. Just remember to talk to your doctor and remember that we are all here for you if there is anything you need. Especially Edward, he loves you so much. Let him help you through this. Let him be there for you."

"I will. And Esme…thank you." She was truly a remarkable woman and I could see so much of her son in her and vice versa. They both had that natural nurturing quality about them and I considered myself very lucky to have both of them in my life.

"Just make sure you tell him. Ok?" she requested.

"Ok."

A minute later Alice returned from her trip in the restroom and we left the mall; Esme heading home and Alice and I heading to Edward and Jasper's work.

Once we were inside the building, I thanked Alice for a great afternoon and we said our goodbyes. Climbing up the stairs to the area where both men's offices were, I stood in the doorway and waited when noticing Edward was on the phone. He was deep in conversation with a client. Just seeing him was enough to begin to ease the tension I was feeling. I watched as he thumbed through several papers he had scattered across his desk while he spoke to the person on the other end of the line.

He was totally in the zone as he went about taking care of business. Completely relaxed and comfortable in his element and even a little sexy too. There was just something about him sitting at his desk completely engrossed in what he was doing that held some sort of allure to me.

When Edward leaned back in his seat and looked up, he finally noticed me standing there ogling him. A huge smile flashed across his face as he raised his hand and motioned for me to go over by him. As I reached his desk I started to sit down in the chair in front of it, but he shook his head no while scooting out from his desk and patting his leg, indicating he wanted me to sit there. I had no sooner sat down when he ended the call, telling whoever it was that he'd take the additional details into account and get back to him in the next day or two.

Immediately sliding his hand up to gently grasp the back of my neck, he pulled me down to him for a kiss. His lips were soft and eager at the same time as he slipped his tongue between my lips to deepen the kiss.

"Mmm, I missed you today, Sweetness," he murmured as he pulled away and placed a kiss on my forehead.

The moment I had made contact with him, I felt so much more at ease and relaxed. Safe. It was as if he grounded me and cleared the fog in my head.

"I missed you too," I said leaning in for another kiss.

This time when we broke apart he said to me, "Just let me put these papers away and I'll be ready to go."

I nodded and stood to get up. Edward gave me a playful smack on my rear as I did.

"Hey, what was that for?" I whined, and rubbed the spot even though it didn't really hurt.

However I was unable to fight off the smile that was forming on my face and Edward's only answer came in the form of his sexy smirk that caused my heart to beat faster every time I saw it. I knew I had been busted in my poor attempt to act as if his playful smack had actually hurt. Truth was I loved it when he was all flirty and playful.

I looked out the large window of his office while he finished up what he needed to do. I must have zoned out a bit while gazing at the downtown skyline because next thing I knew Edward was behind me asking me if I was ok.

"Yeah, of course I am. Why?" It felt like I had already answered that same question several times today. Maybe because I had.

He turned me around and cradled my face in his hands. After brushing a light kiss on my lips he said, "That's the second or third time you've jumped when I've come up behind you. You never used to do that. In fact you always used to know I was there as if you could feel my presence. What's going on, Bella?"

My head fell forward, resting on his chest as I mumbled, "I'm not sure."

"Sweetness," he said softly as he lifted my chin, forcing me to look at him. "Don't hide from me."

"I'm not hiding, I'm just frustrated," I told him and it honestly was the truth.

"What has you so frustrated?"

I went through what had happened in the store; how I had thought I had seen Jacob Black. Then I told him about my conversation with his mother. I told him how much it bothered me that I wasn't even aware that I was doing the things she said I was. He understood and said he could see how it would be frustrating.

"You are going to talk to Dr. Bartholomew about it right?" he asked. His voice was filled with concern.

"Yes. Although I already have an idea of what she is going to tell me."

"What's that?"

"My guess is that I'm experiencing a mild to moderate case of Post Traumatic Stress syndrome."

"That's kind of what I was thinking too. It's common in the Army with some of the missions we go on and the things we see. They give us a little bit of training in the Special Forces, usually just enough so that we can recognize the signs and symptoms in our fellow soldiers. I'm sure you would be more aware of it too, if you weren't the one experiencing the symptoms."

"You're probably right."

"Just remember that I'm here for you. You can tell me anything, Sweetness. I want you to tell me if something is wrong. I'm not going to think any less of you or judge you at all. I want to do whatever I can to help you get past this."

"Thank you. It means a lot to me to have you helping me through this. I honestly don't know if I could get through it without you. I need you with me."

And I really did. I was probably being a bit overdramatic in saying that I couldn't do it without him. I had gotten through the mess with Garrett on my own. But knowing Edward would be there with me certainly made it a little easier to bear. He had become my rock, my source of emotional support. I had never had that before in my life. Sure I had my family, but it wasn't the same. I didn't know quite how to explain it. Maybe it was because with my family I could always feel their emotions too. But Edward was my solace. With him I didn't have to worry about feeling guilty when the pain of what I was going through was reflected back to me in his own emotions like it was with everyone else. Not that I wanted to cause him any emotional distress, but not being able to read him allowed me to only feel the love and support that he was giving me.

"Sweetness, I need for you to know that even though I am no longer working for Emmett and the FBI, my dedication to you hasn't changed. Keeping you safe was never about doing a job or out of any sort of obligation I needed to uphold. It was always about you and my love for you. Keeping you safe is just as much for me as it is for you. If that makes me selfish then so be it. I love you, Bella, and the thought of you hurting emotionally is just as painful as the thought of you hurting physically. "

"I just don't want this to weigh you down. I don't want you worrying about me all the time and I don't want to feel weak. I…I feel like I've interrupted your life enough and you should be able to get back to it now. I love that you are here for me and I need your love and support to get through this, but I hate to see it causing you pain. I don't want to be a burden on you."

I could see a mix of emotions on his face. Frustration, concern, determination; they were all there, but the one I saw more than any of the rest was love. It was so hard for me now to think that I had at one time doubted his love for me. There was no way I could do that now. Nor would I want to. I had finally found someone who loved me wholly and completely for who I was and never once asked me to change and it made me love him even more for it.

"Damn it, Bella," he sighed in annoyance while tugging on his hair. "I want you to listen and listen good."

I slowly nodded letting him know that I was.

"First you need to know I am not upset with you. Second, you need to know that my life has been forever changed because you are in it and I wouldn't have it any other way. I love you so much and I would do anything for you and no matter what it might be that I do, I do it because I want to. I could have chosen to walk away at any time. But I didn't then and I won't now. You could never be a burden to me. As far as I am concerned you are perfect to me and for me. Tell me something and you have to be completely honest with me. Will you do that?"

"Yes," I answered softly. I could see a fire and determination burning in his eyes.

"If our situations were reversed, if I was the one who was in your shoes, would you let me go through it alone? Would you insist on being there for me no matter what? Would you demand to be there and love me no matter how hard it might be or how long it might take? Would you, Bella? Think about it for a minute, think about what you would be willing to do for me. Because once you have, I think you will see where I am coming from and you will see that you love me just as fiercely as I do you and would be willing to go to the gates of hell and back for me just as I am for you."

When he put it to me like that, it was like some switch inside me was suddenly flipped and I understood what he was saying, how he felt. He was one hundred percent right. There was no way I would let him go through something like this alone. Never. And for the first time in my life I realized what it was like to be really truly loved by someone. I knew Edward loved me, but I guess I had never completely comprehended just how much and how deeply. We were a team, a couple, two halves of a whole that supported each other through everything, the good times and the bad.

"You understand now don't you? I can see it on your face. I saw it the moment it hit you, Sweetness," Edward said as he wrapped me in his arms and kissed the top of my head.

Looking up at him, seeing all the emotion swimming in his emerald eyes I told him, "I do. I really do and I am so thankful that I have you here with me to help me through this. It means so much to me, Edward."

"Where else would I go, Sweetness? You will never have to be alone. With you is the only place I want to be," he whispered just before his lips covered mine and he backed his words with his kiss, pouring all the love he felt for me into it.

"Now let's get you to your appointment," he said a few minutes later as he broke the kiss to breathe.

I nodded as he released me from his arms and turned to walk back over to his desk. But then knew I had to come clean about what had happened this morning.

I reached out and grabbed his hand. He stopped and turned back to me.

"There's one more thing that happened today that I need to tell you about," I said to him as his right eyebrow raised and he questioned me with his eyes as to why I had stopped him.

"Ok," he said taking my other hand into his and waiting for me to tell him.

I told him everything about the incident on his balcony this morning. He was completely understanding as to how and why it must have startled me. While holding me in his arms and stroking my hair, he reiterated that he wanted me to share everything with him. I promised him that I always would from now on, no matter how good or bad.

After that he kissed me again and then we left for my appointment with Dr. Bartholomew.

That afternoon during my appointment, I spilled every last detail about what I had been through today, what I was feeling and all about my conversations with Edward and his mother. I didn't leave anything out. I had entered her office with a new determination to lay it all out there in order to hopefully speed the recovery process. Holding back and holding it in would only prolong it.

Dr. Bartholomew was grateful for my honesty. She said if I could adhere to that motto then it would go a long way in speeding the healing process. She explained to me that everything I was experiencing was completely normal. That there would be things that would trigger reactions in me like the car backfiring had and that even though James Reynolds was an awful man that it was normal for me to regret having to take a human life and in time she would help me come to terms with it. She told me to form a support system around myself and to lean on them and let them be there for me. I knew I would rely on Edward the most, but that I also had my family, his family, and Emmett and Rose I could rely on. However Dr. Bartholomew also told me to be careful not to use them as a crutch. That I had been a strong independent woman before this whole fiasco happened and that I could be that woman again. That I had to dig deep down inside and find her and use my strong will to propel myself though this time of healing.

She encouraged me to begin to take the steps to return my life to how it was before. Obviously it wouldn't be exactly the same as I now had Edward in my life and I hoped that that would never change. Dr. Bartholomew said to take it in steps. She said that one way to start would be to get my car and begin to drive myself to work and to other places I needed to go. She also told me that if I was going stir crazy sitting home alone to talk to Emmett and see if I could go back to work early, that there was no reason I couldn't and she would back me on that if need be. If Emmett was not willing to budge then she suggested I catch up on some of the things I had missed out on doing while I was under protection.

By the time I left her office I was feeling much better and more confident than I had all day.

That night Edward and I went to my house and got my car. At first it felt a little strange to be behind the wheel of a car again, but after a few minutes I found that I really enjoyed the freedom of it. We also went inside the house and I was a little unnerved as we went into my bedroom for me to get some more clothes. Edward had asked me if I thought I would ever be able to sleep in that room again and I told him I wasn't sure. He reminded me that I never had to if I didn't want to, but also told me there was no pressure. I could take all the time I needed and whatever I chose, he would support me one hundred percent.

I knew sooner or later I was going to have to make a choice as to my living arrangements. I knew what Edward wanted, and I knew what I wanted before last weekend had occurred. But now I wasn't so sure. I made a mental note to talk to Dr. Bartholomew at my next visit and get her opinion on the situation. The only thing I knew for sure right now was that it was too soon at this point in time for me to decide and I knew that I had to make the choice based on what I really truly wanted to do, not what I felt like I had to do.

When I woke up the next morning I decided instead of asking Emmett about returning to work, I would spend some time with Rose. Our friendship had gotten shuffled to the side while I was housebound and I had really missed her. After making love in the shower, Edward and I got dressed and had breakfast together. We then left the loft at the same time.

As we stood next to my car, Edward teased me and asked if I remembered how to drive. I assured him I did and could drive just as well as he could. He teased me some more saying he doubted that and before I could protest any further, he kissed me senseless like he loved to do. He mouthed he loved me as he turned one way at the corner and was off to work and I went in the opposite direction to Rose and Emmett's house.

On Friday, Edward had his appointment with Dr. Bartholomew and she gave him tips to help support me without it seeming as though he was smothering me, as well as telling him to take the energy from any guilt he was feeling over my being kidnapped and use it to support me instead. She also explained to him that the possessive feelings he had been feeling right after I came home were completely normal. She told him that he had come very close to losing me and it was his minds way of reassuring himself that I was really there and ok and that he hadn't lost me. Dr. Bartholomew told him that as time went on he would feel more secure with what had happened and would be able to move past it. She also had him promise to tell her if it lingered or felt as though it was becoming more severe instead of fading as time went on. He agreed and thanked her for her help.

Then on Monday the ninth, I returned to work ready to accept and tackle my next case. Later the same week on Friday, Edward and I attended a farewell party for Jessica. It was the first time I had met her partner Lauren and it was easy to see that they were very much in love. Near the end of the evening when Jessica was giving a short speech and saying goodbye to all of us, she made the announcement that just yesterday her and Lauren had learned that their most recent attempt at in-vitro had been successful and they would be welcoming a baby into their lives next spring. Apparently Lauren had made amends with her parents and they had helped them with the financing for the procedure.

Over the course of the next couple of weeks, Edward and I both began to settle into a new routine. We were taking things little by little and it was gradually becoming easier for me to function normally.

I was sleeping better, I was more comfortable being out in public and wasn't looking over my shoulder so much anymore. There were still times now and then that would trigger a memory, but I was learning that I could still be an independent woman and run to Edward for support when I needed to. It was all about balance and we were finding it together. I had even ventured to the store a few times by myself. Edward and I enjoyed doing things like going to Pike's market and going for walks through the park and I had even gone running with him a few times. We had been so inactive while being stuck in the house together that it was a bit of a challenge for us both. But it was also a great way to relieve stress. Well besides Edward's favorite way which was in the bedroom. There was rarely a day that went by without us making love and he certainly wouldn't find me complaining about that.

We had been back to my house a few times and each time it was becoming easier. We began to spend short periods of time there and it got better each time. Edward had also begun wooing me, as he put it. He claimed we never really got to enjoy the early part of a relationship of dating and the little things that went along with it and he wanted to experience that with me. Edward would send me cards and flowers asking me out on dates. The first time he sent flowers it was identical to the ones he had sent in Capri. The orange and lavender roses were gorgeous and I found myself falling even more in love with him. We went to the zoo, he took me to a Seattle Mariners' baseball game, and on an evening dinner cruise out on Puget Sound. It was a beautiful and romantic night as we watched the sun set over the water. It was one of my favorite dates we had gone on and I was thrilled to learn that the small yacht we had been on belonged to his parents so we could do it again whenever we wanted.

Life wasn't perfect; things were still changing and evolving. But whether we were spending a lazy evening relaxing on his rooftop patio, having dinner with friends and family, or out on a romantic date, I still had that one big decision looming over me. Do I move in with Edward or move back to my house? Sooner or later I was going to have to make the choice. I just hoped that I made the right one.

Loved it, hated it, let me know. Don't forget to join us for the Indie Fic Pimp's readalong of Truths, Lies and Alibis this link is on my blog along with the polyvore for this chapter. Blog link http:/eternallyaddicted(.)blogspot(.)com/

Thanks for reading, see ya next time,

EA