A/N: Sorry and a million times sorry for keeping you waiting. To say that life has been busy would be an understatement. I've just done an internship of sorts, which robbed me of all my free time. Just when I thought I'd have time to write, lots of events happened with my family - all good things, though. I hope that things have all been going well for you. I hope that you enjoy this chapter and I will tell you now that I've already started chapter 30. Thank you for sticking with me. Believe me, I hate not being able to write and provide you with chapters sooner.

By the way, your comments, tweets and reviews are very much appreciated.

Disclaimer: Twilight belongs to the amazing Stephenie Meyer. I only wish I had dreamt up Edward! Audrey and Mavis belong to me.

Copyright: karry4harry 2011


29. Fact is Fiction

"Audrey, what's best for me is you."

Everything seemed to still as the smooth tones of Edward's voice faded to become merely a memory. The only thing I could feel was a powerful sinking sensation at the base of my sternum. I couldn't move my eyes away from his. No one had ever looked at me with such force and no one's gaze had ever had such power over me. All the while, I tried to comprehend the words Edward had spoken. Was I mistaken in thinking that they were spoken with undoubtable sincerity, or was I merely wishing for it to be the case?

If he'd met Bella first, would he think the same?

"Please tell me what you're thinking."

Edward's voice startled me out of my contemplations and I found myself automatically complying with his request.

"Only that I wish it were true," I breathed, my heart pounding in my chest. A tear fell from my eye and mingled with the drops of water dripping onto my face from the loose strands of my wet hair.

"Why can't it be?"

With deliberate slowness, Edward's hand found its way to my face and delicately wiped away my tear, before cupping my cheek. My skin tingled at his touch and I closed my eyes, instinctively knowing that my other senses would be heightened. I was totally aware of his being, as his thumb soothingly caressed my cheek. The blended scents of honey, vanilla and sandalwood surrounded me and, for the first time in a while, my worries seemed to leave me and I felt content in the moment.

Yes, why can't it be true?

And then my brain was awoken from its inebriated state.

Because your time here is based on pages... Bella is meant for him. You don't belong in his world.

My heart and intuition protested.

Then why are you here?

The words didn't need to be repeated in my head for my eyes to be instantly opened. There had to be some purpose to my appearance in the Twilight world and, as I looked directly into Edward's eyes, I couldn't prevent the thought entering my mind that perhaps my purpose for being here was, quite literally, staring me in the face. Yes, my time here was limited, but surely my presence here had to fulfil some function. After all, no pages had been filled when I'd isolated myself from the Cullens. Surely that meant that I was supposed to interact with them.

Four weeks ago I would have considered it crazy to even think that my actions could have any bearing in a fictional world. Now, I couldn't shake the thought that this world – this moment – was very real and that the decisions I'd made, and those that I would make, would influence my future and Edward's.

Although I'd never entertained the idea that I was what was best for Edward, I had considered, in another world, that he was what was best for me. As he moved his hands to encase my own, that thought resurfaced and I realised that Edward had pushed me over the edge of a precipice, but he had also caught me safely. Even now that he knew I was leaving, and that I was from a different time, he didn't shy away and that caused my chest to tighten. I was still compelled to consider the doubt that had crept into my mind. Did Edward want to spend time with me simply because I was a puzzle that needed solving or because I was something… more? I exhaled, trying to release some of the strain.

Edward's brow furrowed, his shining eyes watched me expectantly, seemingly waiting for me to divulge my thoughts. I arched an eyebrow as I regarded him and garnered enough courage to speak.

"I'm not just an unsolved puzzle to you, am I?" As I spoke the words, shivers dispersed from my chest all the way down to my toes. Edward's unwavering expression seemed to convey an answer that both thrilled and terrified me.

No.

"This is so complicated," I sighed, looking down and shaking my head.

"I can't disagree with you on that."

My head snapped up and met Edward's chiselled expression, but I couldn't help the faint smile that formed on my tear stained face.

"You mean we've found something else to agree on?" My voice held mirth and seemed to signal a minute breakthrough, even to my dreary head. The heavy air that had filled the car lightened as Edward's crooked grin slowly etched itself upon his face.

"And I think that we can also agree that we definitely need to continue this conversation inside, but only after you've gotten dry and cleaned up."

Before I had a chance to respond, Edward was by my side, having already opened the door and extending his alabaster hand to assist me out of the car. I was no stranger to his chivalrous nature, but Edward's current gesture seemed to hold so much more meaning to me. Edward was assisting me out of my concealment and confinement and encouraging me to bring Audrey Darling out into the open.

Glancing up at Edward from beneath my lashes, I swallowed before reaching out to place my hand in his.

"Thank you." The words left my lips so easily.

My heart thundered in my ears when Edward placed his arm around the small of my back and gently guided me towards the front door, shielding me from the light drizzle of rain, and quickly into the shelter and warmth of the hall. My wet joggers squeaked against the hardwood floors and so, with great reluctance, I moved away from Edward to kick off my shoes and pull off my drenched socks. As I did so, my hands collided with the dangling ear pieces of my iPod. Having been reminded of its presence, I quickly withdrew my iPod from the waistband of my exercise tights and used the towel still draped across my shoulders to remove some of the moisture from the screen. I was startled when Edward's face was reflected back at me and I swiftly turned around – perhaps too swiftly. Edward's hands found my forearms to effortlessly steady me and I laughed as I unconsciously rested my forehead against his chest.

"Gosh, I nearly stacked it!"

My small chuckles were stilled as I became aware of my positioning.

Edward's chest remained still. I didn't feel his diaphragm rise and fall until his voice reverberated around the hallway.

"If I can help it, I will never let you fall, Audrey."

A rollercoaster of emotions seemed to twist and turn in my stomach. Edward released my arms, seemingly aware of my need to take a step back. My eyes flickered up to his sincere face.

"I might just hold you to that," I whispered, taking another step back. Edward smiled softly at me. I averted my gaze and fiddled with the towel rather awkwardly. Suddenly, there was a change in the atmosphere of the room. The air felt thicker as Edward's tone shifted and his expression became more intense.

"In the car you answered me honestly. Can you continue to be honest with me?" Edward probed, moving towards me and extending his right hand, which held a piece of slightly worn, folded paper. With his eyes, Edward implored me to remove the paper from his hand. I peered at the paper perplexedly before tentatively picking it up and unfolding it. My breathing hitched when I saw my own handwriting adorning the page and recognition filled my features when my own words were read to me.

"Trust me when I say that I can be trusted." Edward's phrasing and tone made my simple words sound so much more profound. I slowly looked up from the page, all the while considering the fact that he carried the note I'd left him. "That's what I've held you to, Audrey," Edward admitted, motioning towards my hand. His face held hints of apprehension. "Despite what I may have implied on the day that you wrote that note, I'm asking you to trust me." I was transfixed as he moved towards me and delicately brushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Before you go upstairs, I need to know that you trust me," Edward breathed, running a hand through his rain-darkened auburn hair. "I need some reassurance that when you come back down here, after being left to your own thoughts, that you won't shut me out again, Audrey."

"You know me too well, Edward," I instantly conceded.

The room seemed to still and I became acutely aware of time passing with every inhale and exhale. The man before me suddenly appeared so vulnerable and it pained me to be confronted with the consequences of my recent actions. This was the time to tell Edward truths – to show him that I did trust him. My eyes stung as a burning sensation filled my chest.

Give him the reassurance he needs, Audrey.

It didn't take me long to come up with a solution.

You just got it back and now you're going to give it away?

Chewing the inside of my cheek, I tossed the wonderfully troublesome iPod in Edward's direction and he caught it in a way that made the whole situation seem choreographed and not spontaneous. I shook my head.

Him and his vampire reflexes.

Edward's expression instantly brightened and there was a hint of a smirk on his face as he regarded me.

"Do I get to keep this?" He queried, playfully.

I shifted my stance and raised an eyebrow.

"Think of it merely as collateral." I paused and pointed my index finger. "I want it back when I come back down here." I began to move towards the stairs. "Remember, I've been deprived of my music for a month…" I trailed off when I felt Edward's hand touch my shoulder. I turned around, more carefully this time, to see him looking fixedly into my eyes.

"Thank you, Audrey," he murmured in his flowing tone. I was immediately blanketed in tingles, but, somehow, in my dazzled state, I managed to nod before ascending the stairs. Breathing in Edward's lingering scent and remembering how it had felt to be cared for and have him place the towel over my shoulders, I heard Edward's words replay in my head.

"If I can help it, I will never let you fall, Audrey."

As I reached the final step and moved towards the doorway of my room, I realised that Edward's statement couldn't be upheld, because I had already fallen.

I had fallen for Edward Cullen.

I stood, holding the doorhandle, staring at nothing, but taking a close look at myself.

I hadn't made a difficult situation any easier. I'd neglected Mavis' advice and pushed it to the back of my mind. Suddenly, my inner voice seemed to come to an agreement with my heart.

If you knew you were dying and had a limited number of days, wouldn't you make each day count?

If you knew someone you cared for was leaving you for eternity, wouldn't you want to spend as much time with them as you could, Audrey?

You've always believed that things happen for a reason and have a purpose, why should this experience be any different?

"Make every page count, Audrey."

Mavis' advice seemed to blend with Edward's voice.

"I need some reassurance that when you come back down here, after being left to your own thoughts, that you won't shut me out again, Audrey."

With a deep breath and smile, I turned the door handle and hurriedly grabbed a cardigan, shirt and jeans to change into after my quick shower and I had every intention of making it a very quick shower.

I wasn't going to shut Edward out, again.

-()-()-()-

After my cleansing shower, it didn't take me long to find Edward. Call it strange, but I seemed to intuitively know where to find him. It was almost as if I had left a piece of myself with him.

Edward's eyes looked up from my iPod in his hand and found mine instantly as I crossed the threshold to the kitchen.

"Hi," I smiled, wrapping my cardigan around me and moving to lean my back against the counter.

Edward's crooked grin beamed back at me. "Hi."

How does he manage to make the simplest of words sound so wonderful and as comforting as a good cup of tea?

Suddenly, I craved a good cup of tea. As if pre-empting my movement towards the kettle, Edward reached behind him and pulled out a mug of steaming, tan coloured liquid. Gently brushing his cool fingers, I took the handle of the mug and appreciated the warmth contained within it.

"It should be okay to drink." I quirked an eyebrow, hoping that Edward was only referring to the tea's temperature and not the makeup of the beverage. Edward tipped his head to the side and watched me closely. Tea-sing him, slightly, I slowly moved to take a sip.

I almost hummed in contentment as I swallowed the ambrosia.

That was definitely an Edward induced hyperbole!

Hugging the cup with my hands, I shook my head at him in awe. "It should be okay to drink," I mimicked in my best Edward impersonation, to which he raised an eyebrow and looked at me as if I'd grown another head. "Edward, seriously, it's much better than okay. You knew exactly how I like it. It was almost like you could read my mind," I grinned, taking another sip.

"Lucky for me, I can still read Alice and Esme's, then," he smirked. "Although, it would be wonderful to know if your mind does my voice more justice," he continued, taking a step towards me. I rolled my eyes. Despite this gesture, the tone of the conversation and the energy of the room became more serious. "And, it would be wonderful to know what ran through your mind while you were upstairs." A look of… contentment found his face as he looked down at me. "I like seeing this side of you."

My heart fluttered.

"What side is that?" I managed to choke out in my dazed state.

"The side that I'd like to see and learn more of," Edward baited.

I looked down at the rippling contents of the mug. Whilst it was true that a lot had run through my mind upstairs and that I had come to a decision to not shut Edward out, I still hesitated in my response. It was like I'd made the decision to knock down a brick wall in a house and replace it with a glass window, but I didn't have enough courage to pick up a sledge hammer and enact my decision.

Come on, Audrey! Knock down that wall!

I took another sip of my tea as if it were some form of liquid courage, before glancing up at Edward and moving towards the lounge room.

"What do you want to know, Edward?" I said, getting comfortable on the couch. A moment later, Edward was seated beside me and gazing at me with scrutiny and an undercurrent of something else that I couldn't quite place. He ran his free hand – the one not holding my iPod – through his relatively dry bronze hair.

I gripped the mug in my hands tighter. His smooth voice soothed my nerves marginally.

"What compelled you to have Metallica on your iPod at all, let alone on the same playlist as Nat King Cole?" Edward questioned playfully and incredulously.

I smirked. "Of all the things…" I muttered, resting my mug on my lap. Seeing that Edward was indeed serious, I answered honestly. "Well, if you must know, I like some of Metallica's work. I dig a good riff." I grinned, cheekily. "I have very eclectic tastes when it comes to music and, one day, I just wanted to please the side of me that you want to see and learn more of and the side of me that you've supposedly already become acquainted with."

Edward stared at me amusedly and I raised a challenging eyebrow.

"How old are you, Audrey?"

My eyebrows instantly rose at Edward's diversion and I smirked as I cast my eyes downward and swirled my tea around. I peered up at Edward from beneath my lashes.

"I thought you of all people, Edward, would know it's not considered polite to ask a lady her age," I quipped. Seeing the frustration coupled with abashment contained on Edward's face, I quickly continued, "I don't know what you'll think of this, but I'm almost twenty-one… at least, that's what I think."

Edward didn't respond instantly. I ducked my head and fiddled with a strand of hair near my ear, needing to find something to do to use up some of the energy created by the extra adrenalin flowing through me.

Edward's voice soon commanded my attention.

"You look good for your age." My eyes and eyebrows rose simultaneously. Edward's crooked grin crept into place as my attempts to contain my own grin failed.

Oh, Edward, you're too kind.

"So, I take it, you've attended college?" He continued when I didn't respond.

"University," I amended, with a nod of my head. "So, I can empathise with having to do the 'high school thing' again. Although, I have to say, it hasn't been too bad," I admitted, staring directly at Edward.

We held each other's gaze momentarily before Edward asked, "What did you study?"

"Science… Mathematics mainly," I clarified. Edward nodded, but the room fell stagnant. I experienced that unnerving sensation telling me that the conversation was about to shift up a notch in intensity.

I took another sip of my tea and then placed the mug on the coffee table. Edward took one of my free hands in his and my warmed hands made contact with a new, but very different source of warmth. Edward seemed to breathe deeply as he mulled over how to phrase the thoughts buzzing behind his amber irises.

"What am I to you in the future, Audrey?" Edward's voice showed a need for answers and he didn't provide me with a moment to think before he began justifying his questions. "You've never gained your knowledge about my family from dreams. All evidence points to you being acquainted with us intimately, because you know the intimate details of our existence." There was no malice or forcefulness in Edward's tone, only an eagerness for the truth and that made it all the more difficult to come up with a considered answer.

How do you tell someone that, until a month ago, they were a fictional character to you?

My heart beat out a fast bass line. I swallowed and opened and closed my lips a number of times prior to voicing one of the myriad of answers my mind had conjured.

"I learnt about you from Bella," I began, pausing after every second word.

That's true, but he deserves the whole truth, Audrey.

My jaw unclenched as his eyes held mine. I ran my hand through my hair.

"Edward, where I come from – the world I come from – it's different." Edward's eyes seemed to narrow in concentration. I exhaled. "This is a case where a lie may seem more credible than the truth, but I assure you that what I'm about to say is the truth."

Ironically, in your case, Audrey, fact is fiction.

Edward's thumb rubbing soothing circles on the back of my hand gave me the assurance I needed and encouraged me to continue.

With a deep breath, I came clean.

"I learnt about you and your family by… by reading about you."

There was silence for an instant and then Edward probed, with a furrowed brow, "From Bella's diary?"

I closed my eyes, scrunched up my face and shook my head.

"No, not her diary… although I guess it is like a diary of sorts… forget that…" My head felt like it was splintering because of my indecision. My pain was slightly soothed by breathing in Edward's comforting smell. I opened my eyes and looked deeply at Edward.

"You asked me what you are to me in my time. You're someone who I liked and who I wished that I could know better… but I never expected to be able to meet you. To me that was… improbable."

Edward's expression hardened and he withdrew his hands from mine as if he was fighting a war within himself.

"I've upset you. I'm sorry," I quickly offered, hoping to lighten the strain held in his features.

"How could you have wished to know me better, knowing what I am?" It felt like Edward rebuked. "Did you deliberately bring yourself here and intentionally put yourself in danger?"

Taken aback, I breathed deeply before even contemplating a response. My words came out more forcefully than I'd planned.

"Believe me, I didn't intend on coming here at all." I folded my arms across my chest. "And I'm not even going to justify that first question with a response. We've already discussed it and, unless my memory is failing me, vampires don't forget."

As Edward had chance to mull over my words, his expression softened. Like he always seemed to do when he was nervous or strained, he leant forward and ran his overwrought fingers through his hair.

The air felt thick as Edward looked up at me.

"Will I ever understand how your mind works?" He eventually breathed. His hand found mind and a fire seemed to ignite in my stomach. "Do I know you in your time, Audrey?"

No, but I wish you could.

My lips twitched and my eyes began to tingle.

"No," I revealed in a mere whisper. "No, Edward, you don't even know that I exist." I ducked my head, trying to hide my watery eyes. A soft caress beneath my chin forced me to not shy away.

"A part of me is trying to convince myself that it's better that way," Edward conceded, his golden eyes glistening. "But that future no longer exists. Your presence here has changed everything," Edward encouraged, his eyes both gentle and intense, but my spirits weren't lifted.

He thinks that because he's met you now that his future –your past- has changed… that they've become linked.

I swallowed, trying to alleviate the lump forming in my throat.

"If only it were that simple."

Edward's brow furrowed, but he didn't say a word and deep in my gut I knew that I needed to expand on my statement. Wetting my mouth, by reaching over and taking a sip of my tea, I tried to form the words that needed to be said, so that we could finally be on the same page.

"Edward, I read about you in a… in a novel."

"A novel by your cousin?" Edward pressed, his eyes searching. My head shook of its own accord.

"A novel by a woman called Stephenie Meyer," I corrected. Edward's eyes looked beyond me and his face held anger and worry.

"How did she find out about us? How many other people know our secret because of her book?" He spoke fiercely to the wall, before staring intensely at me, conveying his need for answers.

"That doesn't matter," I hastily responded, trying to squeeze his hand, but my efforts were futile. Edward stood up from the couch, moved towards the window and ran both of his hands through his hair.

"It doesn't matter?" His hard voice spoke with a mocking edge, as he turned towards me, his expression incredulous. "Do you not have any idea about what this means for my family…" I stood up quickly and firmly interrupted him.

"I wasn't being callous. I know how important your secret is." Edward stilled like a statue upon hearing my words. Realising that I had his attention, I softened my tone. "Please, rest assured that your secret stays a secret." From everyone but Bella, but you don't need to know that at the moment.

The tension in Edward's face appeared to lessen, but I knew the words that I was about to utter would soon make it reappear. I caught my breath before moving forward and taking Edward's hands. He followed my actions.

"Although some might live in hope, in my world, it is no secret that you exist only because of words written on a page."

I watched as comprehension seemed to dawn in Edward's shadowed eyes. My voice quaked as I answered his unspoken thoughts.

"Yes, Edward. You're a fictional character and I've somehow been sucked into your story."


I know... another cliffie, but that was where this chapter had to end. It didn't feel right any other way.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. I will eventually respond to every review and send a preview of next chapter.

Favourite part of the chapter?

Least favourite part?

How do you think Edward will respond?

Anyone watching the Tour de France? Cadel Evans for the win!

I'll say it again, thank you so much for reading.

All the best,

Karry.