Everything seemed to switch to slow motion, then, as I heard Irina yell, "NOT FAIR

Chapter 29

BPOV

I always felt better when I was with Jacob. His brightness would chase away even the darkest of moments. I remembered that his very presence made that awful emptiness and the pain that went with it easier to bear.

Although the hole was almost nonexistent now that Edward was back in my life, the blanks in my memory were recreating some of that nothingness that unfortunately I remembered all too well. A shiver spread down my spine, and I tightened my hold around Jake's waist.

"You okay, Bella?"

"I am now."

He pulled the bike to a stop, and turned around to look me in the eyes.

"Bella? What's wrong, Bells?"

"What?"

"Come on, don't play that with me. I know you better! Something's going on, you don't normally leap away from your beloved Edward. Are you okay?"

"Yes…No…I…"

Truth was, I didn't know. I felt Jake's warm, strong arms wrap themselves around me as he gave me one of his comforting hugs.

"Everything is going to be okay, Bells. I know things are a little messed up right now, but one thing that will never change no matter what, is how important you are to your friends and family. We will always be here for you!"

I smiled, and gave him a squeeze.

"I love you, Jake."

He chuckled softly, knowing exactly what I meant. He leaned his head back and gently placed a warm kiss on the top of my head.

"I love you too, Bells."

Yes, we would always be there for each other. Jacob and I were best friends. And, now that he had imprinted, the awkward feelings from before were now replaced with genuine feelings of friendly love and concern. The bond between us was perfect.

Just then I heard the rumble of another engine coming closer. I had forgotten that Tally was riding with us. She slowed her bike, turned it around and pulled up close to us.

"Are you two ready to head back to the house?"

We both smiled and nodded. Jacob revved the engine again, and away we went following Tally. We were enjoying the chance to simply get away from all of the tension and forget the troubles that we were all facing, but I knew Edward would be worried.

I thought about trying to open a channel with his mind, to let him know I was on my way back, but then decided it would be best to have that conversation in person. Besides, I was a little nervous that he might be angry.

I did, after all, just run away with a werewolf, and only moments after he had been lecturing me on being safer. I am positive that riding a motorcycle with a young werewolf was sure to be on that horrid "Do Not" list of Edward's.

I took a deep breath and tried to push the anxiety from my thoughts. This might be my last experience of anything free and fun for awhile, I might as well enjoy it to the fullest.

On the ride back, Jake managed to hit as many puddles as possible, even swerving into the other traffic lanes to be sure to hit them all. I would squeal each time the large splash would hit my legs and back.

By the time we finally arrived at the house, we were both entirely soaked and muddy. My sides actually ached from all of the gasping and laughing. I am sure I looked an awful mess, and was grateful that Alice was downstairs with Jasper.

Tally looked at the two of us, shook her head and then rushed into the house. She returned in a matter of seconds with two towels and some dry clothes for each of us.

I volunteered to shower and change upstairs so Jake could use the bathroom downstairs. I wasn't paying attention really to where I was going, as I was still giggling to myself about being covered with mud.

A stray thought flashed through my mind that made me wonder where Edward was and why he hadn't come up to me yet. I almost went back downstairs to look for him, but then I realized that I should clean up first.

I will jump into the shower and get cleaned up, then find my overprotective guardian angel and show him how much I appreciated his…

My thoughts were interrupted as my eyes were trying to make sense of what they were seeing. I had opened a bedroom door and was staring at two vampires sitting on a couch, leaning into each other's arms. The female was kissing his forehead and face. The male was…my…Edward?

"Come on, Bella; let's get you into the shower."

Rose was standing behind me, her hands on my arms, trying to direct me in the other direction.

"That's what you get for running off with that dog! Did you think he would just sit around pining for you?"

That evil voice was familiar to me but I couldn't place it. I turned my head to see who had spoken to me. I heard Rose hiss as she pushed me forward, past an unfriendly vampire whom I did not recognize. Suddenly, Edward was standing in front of me.

"Bella…I…"

I shook my head and looked at the floor.

"I need to get cleaned up, Edward."

I pushed past him and into the bathroom. As I shut the door, I could hear Rose grilling him.

"What were you doing? I told you she'd be back. How could you…and with her? I know Bella doesn't remember, Edward, but you do!"

"I…Rose, I don't know! I was feeling so vulnerable, and then it just felt so good to forget everything…to be consoled…"

I couldn't listen to anymore. I turned the water on full blast and climbed into the shower, clothes and all.

As soon as the water hit me, it felt like tears were streaming down my face. I gave in to the despair and sank slowly against the wall, sliding down until I was sitting on the floor.

My body was trembling as it remembered clearly the hole that had threatened to rip open my entire insides, not so long ago.

I tried to think rationally. After all, wasn't I doing that very same thing…escaping the stress of it all? I know Edward loves me, and I know I love him. After all, she was kissing him, he just wasn't stopping it. But what can I do? I know I can't live without him.

However, without all of my memories in place it is impossible to just jump back to the way things were.

Edward is so intense with fear. I don't know what I am doing to cause him to be so afraid all of the time. Why would he turn to another? And what was Rose talking about?

I quickly changed my course of thinking. Whatever had happened in the past, might not be worth remembering. Edward had said that he wished he could control what I remembered…maybe that wasn't such a bad idea.

I remember him back at the beginning when I first met him. He was so confident and strong. I loved being protected by him. I knew nothing could hurt me while I was with him.

Now, I feel very unsure around him. It is like I am walking around on eggshells trying so hard not to crack any. I am constantly watching my actions so I don't cause him pain or concern. It is very tasking, and I feel so tired.

But, what if I am actually the one making it worse? What if my being cautious is inadvertently making him feel more worried? Maybe if I act like everything is normal, he will begin to relax.

I took a deep breath in and smiled. My decision was made. Now everything would seem easier. That is how it was with me. I would agonize over something only until the decision was made, then I just carried it out.

I stood up and removed my wet clothes. I scrubbed the mud from my body and hair, and then stepped out of the shower, dried off and got dressed. It didn't take long to blow my hair dry and put just a touch of makeup on.

All the while, I was contemplating on what I could do to bring some normalcy back into my life. I knew one thing for sure; I would definitely have to avoid Edward at first.

He needed to see me having a normal life and enjoying it. I couldn't let him pull me back into that downward spiral of tension.

Maybe a little time apart would help him be more selective with who he allows to comfort him, as well. I hadn't forgotten seeing him in the arms of another. Although I didn't fully understand Rose's words, it was apparent that this had happened before with that female.

A low snarl escaped my lips, as the feeling of jealousy overcame me. While re-building my relationship with Edward, I would need to be cautious and aware of her. It was obvious she was trying to move in and replace me.

This was going to be a juggling act, more or less, and I would need some outside help if I was going to pull this off. I closed my eyes, and opened a channel with the mind of my big brother, Emmett.

"Bella?"

"Hey, Emmett, I need your help."

I sent him flashes of my idea to get Edward and me back to where we left off.

"Edward is very intense, Bella, he has always been that way. That's just Edward. But, I do remember you getting him to loosen up now and then when you were human. It shouldn't be too hard for you to do it again, especially now that you are a little more durable. In fact, I think I have the perfect idea to try first. I'll be right up!"

I laughed quietly to myself as I saw in Emmett's thoughts what he was planning.

"Oh, and be careful when you exit the bathroom. Edward has planted himself right in front of the door."

I closed the channel, and took a deep breath. I could feel Edward's intensity just outside the door as I listened to his unsteady breathing. Without looking, I was pretty sure he was sitting with his head in his hands completely consumed by sorrow and frustration. This was going to be harder than I thought!

"Hey, Bella, come on! You promised me a re-match, now let's go!"

I smiled to myself, grateful for my big brother's distraction, and then opened the door. Before I could take one step, Edward was on his feet and began to speak.

"Bella, please…I…"

As quickly as possible, I put a finger to his lips to silence him. I placed a soft peck of a kiss on his cheek as I walked past him. After taking two steps, I turned back to see if he was following.

The sight in front of my eyes was heart-wrenching. He just stood, frozen in place, hurt and confusion written all over his face. I couldn't just walk away.

I sighed, reached back grabbing his hand in mine, and gently tugged. When his eyes met mine, I smiled and nodded encouraging him to come with me. When we got downstairs I walked him over to a chair and slightly pushed on his shoulders.

"Sit."

It was all I could trust myself to say, trying to keep up the façade that everything was wonderful. He did as I asked, not uttering a sound. I tried not to let his intensity get to me.

I hopped over to Emmett's side and plopped myself down on the floor next to him. He handed me a controller, and it wasn't long before we were both completely engulfed in a good-old video game challenge.

Emmett was enjoying himself thoroughly, finally having another opponent other than himself since Jasper has been out of it for so long. I was laughing, as I tried to control my character's actions on the screen.

Suddenly, my mind filled with flashes of another video game competition. I saw Emmett playing against that evil female vampire that had spoken to me earlier in the hallway. I remembered feeling happy that Emmett was enjoying himself…and then…

"...Everything seemed to switch to slow motion, then, as I heard Irina yell, "NOT FAIR!"

She slammed into Emmett, knocked him off balance, and they both started falling.

I could see where they were going to land but, as I was also moving in slow motion, I couldn't get out of the way in time.

I heard a whooshing sound escape my throat as I felt all of the air being pushed out of my lungs. I moaned, as I felt the weight of both of their bodies crushing mine.

Then came the scream as my ribs snapped into small pieces. The crunching sound was sickening, and I am sure if I was human I would have had the luxury right then of passing out.

Instead, the contents of my stomach decided to erupt out of my body. I was doubled over in pain and heaving blood all over the floor.

I could hear Emmett's terrified voice. "Bella, oh no! Bella, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to…oh crap! Bella, what can I do?"

I could hear growls rumbling through the room, and saw Rose baring her teeth at Irina.

I felt strong arms cradling my body as I continued to expel my insides.

"Rose, call Carlisle." His voice was unusually calm, despite the circumstances.

I thought once my stomach was emptied the muscle spasms would end, but that was just wishful thinking.

Soon, I could hear more voices of concern fill the room, and then Carlisle was there by my side before the dry heaving ceased.

Carefully, Edward and his father laid me on my side. My body was still mildly convulsing, but I could tell it was slowing.

I could feel Carlisle's skilled fingers probing my back and chest, locating the broken ribs.

I gasped each time he found one and winced from the pain..."

My body had stiffened during the flashback. I could feel his gentle arms wrapping themselves around me, pulling me down to sit on his lap. I could hear his velvety voice whispering into my ear.

"Just breathe, love, it's okay. Please, let me in. Show me what you are remembering."

I wasn't sure that was a good idea. The memory was reaching the point where I was sure to be witnessing his explosive anger and I didn't desire to have it played out in stereo mode (one version from the past and a current version as he re-lived it).

I shook my head, and then leaned back against his chest. Burying my head in the crook of his neck, I allowed the memory to finish playing across my mind.

"...Please, don't make me go back downstairs."

A simple request, I thought. Unfortunately, it was too much strain for my husband's calm façade. He exploded!

His anger filled the room. He was yelling at Emmett for being so careless, at Rose for not controlling her husband, at Tally for taking me away in the first place, at Esme and Carlisle for bringing us here, and at me for breaking the rules and ignoring the DO NOT list.

He was shaking from all the emotion and his eyes were turning a darker shade than I had ever seen before.

I began to feel afraid and I shrank back into Esme's arms, burying my face into her shoulder. I was trembling and dry sobbing but not because of the horrific pain from my broken ribs.

I heard Carlisle's authoritative voice. The one he rarely uses, but will if needed to remind everyone he is the coven leader.

"Edward, Go Hunt!"

I felt a slight breeze rush past me, as my husband gently placed his lips to the top of my head before running out the door..."

A/N: Is Bella making the right choice? If she relaxes, will Edward? I can't believe Tanya is still trying after all that has happened!! Bella and Edward were nice to them before, just using Bella's power to shock them. Now, I am wondering if they should have not been so forgiving! Please review!