Chapter 20

Edward ended up staying a few more hours with them, and while Harry was grateful for the vampire's help, he was also relieved to see the Volvo pull out of his driveway. Edward could be exhaustingly overprotective.

James was still asleep the other couch, but Harry had regretfully woken from his nap to find himself not at all tired any more. Which left him feeling sick and miserable with nothing to do but lay on the couch in silence and think over his last two days, and what an interesting time those two days had been. Despite all that happened though, Harry was honestly somewhat appreciative that everything had happened the way it did. Except getting the flu…that did suck. And while he had been so nervous to tell Edward his secret, it did feel great to have no more big secrets to hide from him. The rest of his family has reacted better than he's thought too, minus the destroyed living room and visible emotions, and if he were lucky, that would also be the last time that part of his life was brought up again.

Harry spared a glance at the time shown on the bottom corner of the TV screen before groaning and reluctantly rising from the couch. It was just after 11pm which meant meant that he was in for a long night of restless wakefulness. At the very least he could waste some time by cleaning up, he though, so he wearily began gathering the mugs of now cold soup and the various empty water bottles around the room, trudging his way into the kitchen and dropping them off in their proper places, trying to avoid looking at any food items in fear of the sight making him more nauseous. He made his way back to the living room and snagged a blanket off the floor and the TV controller from the side table, then settled back down on the couch and found some old drama that would hopefully bore him to sleep so he could wake up alone, well-rested, and sickness-free.

As it turned out, when he woke to the early morning light the next day he was not only still somewhat tired, but he was also about as far from being alone as one could be. Not only was Edward lurking, but so was Rosalie, Emmett, Alice, Jasper, Carlisle and Esme.

Harry made a soft sound into the blanket that was balled up underneath his head in some sort of pillow formation before sleepily rolling over and looking up in confusion at the crowd that was gathered in his house.

"Good morning!" Alice chirped happily as Harry stared dumbly at her in silence.

"…morning," Harry finally rasped before gingerly rising from the couch and taking note of the lingering aches and pains in his body curtesy of the flu.

"We just figured we'd all come and check on you. This strain of flu is proving to be particularly harmful to the population and I've already had several emergency cases called into the hospital today," Carlisle followed up, both he and Esme coming into view with a smiles that were tinged with parental concern.

"How are you feeling, dear?" Esme worried.

Harry gave her a smile in return and answered honestly that he felt relatively good this morning. He peered around the corner in the kitchen and saw that James was also up and nursing a cup of coffee. Judging by the bags under the police officers eyes, it was sorely needed.

"I also just woke up," James offered with a small grin, obviously finding amusement at the entire Cullen Clan showing up in his house.

Harry titled his head in confusion at that statement. If James had just woken up, then who let the Cullens in?

Apparently able to sense his thoughts, Edward stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Harry. "We let ourselves in, which means that you need to be more careful with locking you doors at night," he scolded.

Harry gave a sheepish nod and relaxed into the hold, "I suppose you have a point there, partner," he said before turning his attention to his father. "Are you going into work today?"

James groaned and took another long sip of his coffee, grimacing at the taste yet downing it all the same. "Unfortunately."

Harry's frown was mirrored by the rest of the Cullens, especially Carlisle. "If you begin to feel lightheaded or any more sick I must urge you to come in the the hospital or at least take a day of rest," Carlisle insisted in what Harry had now labeled his doctor voice.

"I would love to take a day off," James just smiled ruefully, "Unfortunately town bylaws state that there must by three armed deputies on shift at all time, and I don't really have many deputies to spare."

"I thought you just hired a new deputy on," Jasper spoke up, plain curiosity in his tone. Upon seeing Harry and James questioning gaze, he quickly clarified. "The local newspaper reported that there was a transfer from another department into our local sheriff's office, I had assumed he would be working under you."

"Ahh, yes. I did recently receive a transfer and ideally he'd work under me as another deputy…but there's something about him that I'm not too sure about yet. Purely speculation, of course, but I'd like to wait a little longer before I set him up as an official deputy with access to weapons and information," James said hesitantly, not wanting to speak badly of the new transfer but also not feeling comfortable around him. Harry understood where his father was coming from. He'd heard a bit about this new officer and everything about him seemed like a red flag so far.

"Anyways," James continued, downing his last sip off coffee before heading to the door where he kept his gear hanging up, "Even if I counted him, the town is short staffed enough even without a recent murder spree. I'll be sure to spread word to the rest of my team to do their best to avoid the flu though."

Harry took a travel mug from the cabinet above the coffee pot and poured in another cup of steaming coffee, walking over to hand it to his dad with goodbye and a promise to buy groceries and milk for the coffee while he was working.

"Thanks," James nodded to the rest of the Cullens then headed out the door, after which everyone in the house watched the police cruiser pull out and drive down the road.

"So this new deputy?" Jasper asked once the silence had settled.

"Hm?" Harry redirected his attention to the usually quiet member of the family, curious as to why he was pressing this issue too much. "I haven't heard much about him, but that seems to be a pretty common thread when he comes into question," Harry finally answered, walking into the kitchen to grab himself a cub of coffee.

"What do you mean?" It was Alice pressing this time, and unlike her normal happy expression, hers was now mirroring the frown on Jaspers face.

Harry looked around the rest of the Cullen's in confusion, wondering why this was so important. When he got to Edward, the boy just tilted his head questioningly and encouraged him to speak with a soft head nod. "Well supposedly he came highly recommended, but my dad mentioned that a lot of his credentials weren't exactly traceable. He tried to contact some of his prior references as well, but they basically just looped around suggesting the previous references. Apparently he was also pretty aggressive with showing his interest for field work. I mean, everyone wants to start working the field, but James mentioned that he was particularly pushy in that regard, and kept bringing up the recent murders. Individually, none of those are big issues. Combined though…it makes sense why James doesn't really want to arm him with a gun and full rights as a sheriff's deputy."

Harry leaned back and sipped slowly at his coffee, not missing the concerned places that they all shared. "What's your take on that?"

Edward stepped forward and caged Harry against the counter and pressed a kiss to his forehead, uncaring of the audience he had. "No take yet," he murmured. "Though it is curious."

Harry wasn't quiet sure if he believed that, especially not when he caught Jasper frowning in Edward's direction also. Instead of trying to argue, however, he just hummed softly and leaned into Edward for a brief second before stepping aside and out of the embrace, grinning when Edward playfully tried to capture him again.

"How sick are you still feeling?" Edward asked as Harry danced away from him and leaned against the counter again, this time out of reach.

"A little," the raven-haired boy admitted. "It seems like I missed the really bad strain though," he noted looking up for affirmation from Carlisle, who looked at if he were seriously considering that statement.

"I would hope, but I wouldn't do anything too strenuous still for a few days. Best to give your body some time to recover," He said eventually, not quite willing to assure Harry a full bill of health, but hoping all the same that Harry was correct with his assumption.

"No worries about that," Edward said easily. "We'll just stay inside today."

"We'll?" Harry arched up an eyebrow and grinned amusedly up at the man. "Well that's mighty presumptuous of you."

Emmett laughed at that and even Rosalie broke into a grin which was a new sight to Harry.

Alice clucked her tongue at both Harry and Edward before giving a loud sigh, "Fine, you get Harry today but I get him next weekend," She stated before grabbing Jasper's hand and tugging him to the door, ignoring Edward's noise of protest. Her leaving seemed to be a signal for the rest of the Cullens who also said their goodbyes before following them out the door.

Harry watched and waited for the car to pull out and travel for a distance before turning to Edward with a confused expression. "I did not expect that from Rosalie," he said in a surprised, albeit happy, tone. Indeed, at most he expected a nod. Instead Rosalie had given him a full smile and a personal goodbye and wish for good health.

Edward stepped up behind Harry and wrapped his arms around the smaller boy, leaning in to kiss his neck briefly. He wasn't quite sure what to say to Harry in response to that, not sure it it would be better or worse to tell the human that he and Rosalie had a common chapter in their past, and that was what had bonded them. Ultimately, it wasn't his story to tell either way, and so he just hummed noncommittally and hoped Harry wouldn't press.

"Either way I'm thankful for it," Harry shrugged as he turned around in the embrace so he was facing Edward. Feeling a sudden surge of affection for the vampire, Harry leaned forward and kissed him strongly before pulling away once more, setting his coffee down, and flopping down on the carpet where a ray of sun was shining down.

Edward watched with amusement as Harry stretched out in the sun patch like a cat. He wouldn't have even been surprised in that moment had the human let out a purr. Instead, Harry rolled over to face Edward and propped himself up on an elbow.

"Enjoy me as much as you want today, because tomorrow I'm all Neville's."

"Oh?" Edward arched an eyebrow. "Should I be jealous?"

Harry laughed and shook his head. "I promised Neville that we would study for history together. He's a sweet friend, and I feel bad for all but ignoring him lately."

"You could ignore him more and study with my instead," Edward smirked. "I think you'll find I have a fairly extensive knowledge of the subject of history."

"I'm sure you do, old man," Harry grinned. He was turning his head to look out the window when he saw a glint in the corner of his eyes. Confused, he quickly turned around again to face Edward and the kitchen, surveying the area with furrowed eyebrows to try and spot the shining thing that had caught his eye.

"Problem, partner?" Edward asked.

"Not a problem, just thought I saw something," Harry pursed his lips then just shook his head. Maybe the fever really had gotten to his brain and he was starting to hallucinate sparkling flash lights in the corner of his eyes.

Instead of dropping it though, Edward seemed to find something funny about the situation, judging from the chuckling he could hear behind him.

"What?" Harry said suspiciously.

"Close your eyes," Edward just instructed, and after a second of deliberating, Harry obeyed the instructions. Two seconds later and he could feel a familiar icy hand stroking his cheeks before pulling away as he was instructed to open them again.

"Oh," Harry breathed out. "Yea, that would definitely explain what I saw then."

Across from him Edward was standing shirtless in a ray of sunlight. That wasn't what caught his attention though. No, it was the glistening quality of his skin that made him take a double take. As if he were covered in diamonds…

Harry stared silently at him for several long seconds, eyes only breaking his gaze when Edward broke his concentration by asking, "what do you think?" In an tone that was bordering anxious.

"Of you shirtless or the fact that you sparkle?" Harry asked cheekily.

"Glisten," Edward corrected with a scowl, though if he were human he definitely would have blushed at Harry's question. Emmett would have field day if he'd heard the word sparkle, despite the fact the sun had the same effect on him.

"I think it's beautiful," Harry admitted with a smile as he cocked his head. "Let me touch?"

At that, Edward did groan, unable to stop his reaction at those teasing words. Harry knew what he was doing too, judging by the slight smirk on the pink lips. "But who would I be to deny you?" He said as he sat down next to the human and crossed his legs together.

Fascinated, Harry gently reached forward to touch the skin, finding that it felt no different than any other time. After a few seconds of self-exploration, he turned his curious gaze up to Edward.

"The sun creates this effects for all Vampires. While we aren't allergic to the sun as legends state, its true that we do tend to avoid it's direct rays for fear of being revealed as some different creature in public," Edward explained quietly, carefully trailing Harry's hand as it continued to trace patterns around his upper body.

"And here I thought you couldn't get anymore beautiful," Harry murmured before grinning and catching Edward's lips in a kiss, squealing with laughter when the vampire simply picked him up and placed him on his lap so Edward could continue with his kiss.

"I believe that's my line," Edward laughed when he finally pulled away, giving Harry the chance to catch his breath.

Harry gave himself a few more seconds to wind down before standing up slowly and stretching out again, feeling his joints pot satisfyingly. "I think I'm going to go shower and get ready for the rest of the day."

"I'll be down here," Edward approved.

Harry smiled fondly back at him. "You can come upstairs, you know," he teased before turning around and walking towards the staircase, feeling more than hearing the footsteps that followed his path after a few milliseconds of hesitation.

Harry walked into his room, grabbed a towel, and made his way to the shared second floor bathroom, pausing only to close the bathroom door most of the way before stripping off his clothes and turning on the shower. Deciding to kill two birds with one stone, he also readied his toothbrush and began to brush his teeth as he waited for the shower to warm up, occasionally dipping his toes into the water until he was satisfied it was at the right temperature.

Not wanting to keep Edward waiting, and possibly snooping, for too long, Harry took a relatively quick shower. It was only when he had turned off the water and was drying himself that he realized his new dilemma. Edward might have briefly seen him without a shirt on one previous occasion, but that was before he had spilled his secret, and while his scars wouldn't stand out normally, he knew Edward would probably notice them immediately. Harry groaned silently as he observed himself in the mirror, contorting his body in all sorts of different ways below releasing that there was no way he'd be able to hide the biggest three scars he had.

For a few seconds he debating asking Edward to hand him clothes through the door, but Edward would be curious then too, so reluctantly he just gathered his towel tighter around his body and walked bravely into his room.

He quickly forgot his worries when he saw Edward reclining casually on his bed with the old mythical book in hand, flipping through the pages with a raised eyebrow. "Find anything interesting?" Harry chuckled as he walked over the his dresser and began rummaging around for some clothing to change into.

"In the book or in this room?" Edward questioned, closing the book loudly and leaning forward on the bed with a downright licentious grin.

"The book," Harry said sternly.

"Ah, in that case, nothing too much," He said easily. He rose smoothly from the bed and put the book on the nearby table before stalking forward, easily cornering Harry who let out a small unintentional noise at the quick advancement.

Such cute noises come from his little human, Edward thought, especially when they were cornered wearing only a towel. "Oh, you were trying to get dressed. My apologies," he smirked as Harry's pupils dilated even as he glared at him. Adorable.

"I suppose I better let you continue then," he sighed regretfully and stepped away, all with a smirk still.

"I suppose you should," Harry turned back to the dresser and took out the last of what he needed. He quickly glanced behind him to see that Edward was involved with reading the list of books on his bedside table, and while the vampire was distracted, he pulled his underclothing and pants while he held the towel up. He had almost managed to get his shirt straightened out and on too when he felt the cold presence behind him.

He was going to ask Edward what he needed, but as soon as he felt the fingertips tracing the half-moon on his shoulder, he knew what had caught his attention.

"It's nothing," he tried to shrug off the concern as he twisted to face the vampire instead, smiling sadly at the look on Edward's face.

"What caused it?" He already knew who had caused it and that thought as enough to have venom pooling in his mouth. He gently reached out again to thumb the torn corner of the scar, grateful that Harry didn't pull away this time. He followed to the movement with his eyes, trailing down Harry's unclothed back, unable to hold back the angry growl where he saw the tail end of another scar the surely wrapped around his front.

At the featherlike touch to his side, Harry could hold back the laughter that bubbled up at the ticklish feeling as he flinched away.

"Let me see," Edward asked pleadingly, though a smile was threatening to take over his expression at the sound of the bright laughter.

"Okay, okay," Harry calmed his breathing down form his laughter and obligingly turned to face Edward for the second time so the older male could look at the thin silver line that was drawn across his side. Before he could say anything though, Harry brought his hands up redirected Edward's eyes to his. "I promise it's nothing."

"It's not nothing," Edward growled lowly but allowed Harry to manipulate his gaze away from the obvious scar. "I'll kill him…"

"No you won't," Harry just scolded as he turned around and pulled the shirt he had set aside earlier. Honestly, while his scars looked big, they weren't even that painful while healing, or really even when had had gotten them. One was the result of a too-hard push during a camping trip, and the other one was also somewhat unintentionally caused.

Edward stood there in stony silence as Harry finished getting dressed, only reacting again when Harry turned around and offered him a sunny smile. "Are you ready to go grocery shopping?" He asked cheerfully.

"Grocery shopping?" Edward echoed doubtfully, finally tearing his eyes away from the now-covered old injury. "You shouldn't be shopping at all, you should be resting."

"Oh hush, you," Harry shook his head and reached out a hand that Edward gladly accepted. "James and I need groceries anyways. If he can suffer through work while sick, I can suffer through the supermarket."

"I'm sure Esme would go shopping in your stead," Edward argued but obligingly allowed Harry to lead him downstairs. He supposed he could have just stood still and Harry wouldn't have a chance in the world for making him budge with his human strength, but then he just figured that Harry would gladly go without him.

Harry laughed to himself when he saw how displeased Edward still was about him leaving. Sure, he might still be feeling a tad bit sick, but he also knew that he did not want to eat spaghetti for the third night in a row because they had no food. "You can push the cart," he offered amusedly as he lead Edward to the living room so he could go and quickly fetch the jar of cash James kept in the house for occasions like this.

"Can I also drive?" It's not that Edward hated Harry's car, not really. He just felt more comfortable driving an actual car over a rust bucket that had apparently been build by a mangy pack of potentially future werewolves. Simple, really.

"I suppose so, but one of these days we're driving my car." He didn't know what Edward had against his car, but after telling him that it had been bough from the Blacks, Edward not only refused to get in it, but actively encouraged Harry to not drive it either. "And I'll have you know that my car is mechanically just as functioning as yours."

In response to that, Edward muttered something so quiet that Harry couldn't quite make it out, though he could've sworn he heard something along the lines of Rosalie and mechanics. Hmmm…

It was mid produce aside that Harry actually pieced it all together. He dropped the thing of lettuce in the basket and expectantly turned to face Edward who had been trailing him throughout the store. "Your sister is a mechanic?"

"…Yes?" Edward agreed, confused by the random topic. "At least on the side. We've all picked up multiple trades through the years, and Rosalie loves working on cars."

"That makes a lot more sense," Harry hummed and continued to push his basket around. "I was wondering why she was fixing your car a few weeks ago. Do you not know much about mechanics?"

His question was innocent enough, but Edward still frowned at the insult to his masculinity. "I know enough," He said stubbornly. "Rosalie enjoys it though, so I let her fix up my car whenever it needs maintenance."

"Okay," Harry smirked, immediately able to sense that he had ruffled a few feathers with that question. He grabbed the last few things on his mental list to put in the basket then started heading to the checkout. "Answer me a hypothetical question though…so say my car breaks down in the middle of a deserted road at midnight. Who do I call, you or Rosalie?"

"You don't have to call anyone, because you have a new and better car and ditched the dangerous one you currently have."

"Cute," Harry said dryly.

Edward smiled at that and helped Harry load the groceries onto the checkout counter before putting the cart back in the front, rejoining Harry just in time to grab all of the bags in his hands while Harry finished paying.

"Thank you," Harry shook his head and smiled as he saw Edward's full hands but didn't try to argue, knowing it would be futile. Instead he just fished the car keys out of Edward's jacket pocket and unlocked the car so he could put all of the groceries inside.

Harry expected his driveway to be empty except his truck when the drove up to his house. Instead, however, he was met with the sight of an all-too-familiar old car. Judging from the deep rumbling from the drivers seat next to him, he could tell Edward was just as displeased as him.

"I really don't want to deal with them today," Harry sighed.

"I could take care of them if you'd like. Carlisle mentioned the trouble you had last time…"

"No," Harry pouted. "I'll just go in and drop the groceries off real quick before coming back out. It's not worth it to try and get them to leave."

"Alright, love," Edward kissed Harry's pout and unlocked the doors so Harry could gather his groceries up to take them inside. He then settled back in his seat and waited impatiently for Harry to come back out. If it took longer than ten minutes he was going to go inside to fetch him. Good tribe relations or not, he wouldn't allow anyone to harass his mate, especially not those who had claws and the ability to grow ridiculously mangy fur. He grew steadily more tense as the time allotment ticked down, but after a few more seconds he saw Harry open up the door and exit, quickly shutting it behind him.

When he climbed into Edward's car, all he let out was an extended groan. "I am so thankful for their support and friendship, but they really, really, really need to stop inviting themselves over unexpectedly," Harry grumbled.

"Is James inviting them over, or are they just showing up?" Edward bristled.

Harry buckled himself in and relaxed the tension from his shoulders as Edward pulled out. "A little of both. My dad mentioned that he was worried about working long hours into the night with the house unattended, and they've taken it upon themselves to stop by. I wouldn't mind short visits, but Sirius Black can be a bit much sometimes. Last time he asked me about you," Harry had forgotten to tell Edward about that fact. "That was the day I was feeling sick though, so I just told them I wasn't up for talking and asked them to leave."

Edward would have to mention that to Carlisle. He wasn't sure what Sirius was trying to achieve, but if he found out it was an attempt to intimidate or instill fear…

"I like Jacob though," Harry continued thoughtfully, unaware of Edward's violent thoughts. "He's sweet, and at least seems to have more social cues instilled than his father. Last time he even helped me try to shuffle Sirius out of the house when he was trying to stall."

Edward supposed he could make an allowance then for the younger tribe member. "Still, tell me next time you have trouble. Or at the very least, tell James. I'm sure your father doesn't want you to be uncomfortable or on edge every time you return home."

Harry hummed in agreement as they pulled into the Cullen's driveway.

"Everyone except Carlisle is home right now," Edward offered as he parked his car and opened both his and Harry's door.

Harry followed Edward's lead up the front steps and into the foyer, grimacing as he recalled the last time he was standing in this room. He was just about to ask Edward what the plan was when Alice came bounding into the room with a bright smile.

"Harry!" She said cheerfully."How did I know you'd be coming?" She winked playfully and Harry snickered. When Edward had revealed that Alice had the power of foresight just like he had the ability to read minds he had been amazed, but his favorite part was how often the tiny vampire joked about her abilities.

"Mine," Edward groused as Alice came closer and grabbed Harry's wrist to pull him upstairs.

"You've had him all day!" Alice taunted, relentlessly tugging Harry up the steps despite his efforts to stay with Edward. While he loved the girl, he was also somewhat afraid of what waited him upstairs.

"Be careful with him at least, he's just getting over his sickness," Edward stressed, following them upstairs once he realized that Alice wasn't going stop. "And don't stress him out, it's not good for his immune system."

Alice just laughed at that and dragged Harry into her room where immediately Harry noted with no small bit of nervousness that Rosalie was already sitting on the bed.

"Hello," he said a bit nervously, but Rosalie just offered him another unexpected smile.

Alice lead him over to the bed and pushed him gently so he was sitting down on the bed before sitting on the other side of him, effectively cornering him between them. Alice took a few seconds to examine him with careful eyes before rolling her eyes fondly and shaking her head. "Edward can be a bit overprotective, just ignore it," She advised.

Harry smiled wryly at that. "Tell me about it, I thought he was going to drop in shock when I told him that I still had to go grocery shopping, sick or not. You would think he thought it was some terrible disease, not just the flu," he murmured fondly as he shot a smile in the direction of the wall the he knew led to Edward's bedroom. He was positive Edward was listening right now, both to their conversation and Alive and Rosalie's thoughts.

At hearing that though, both Alice and Rosalie exchanged quick looks. "Did he not tell you the circumstances behind his change?" Alice asked in surprise.

"…No?"

"He was dying of the Spanish Influenza," Rosalie supplemented. "His mother had passed away and Carlisle was their doctor. She begged him to save her son, and so Carlisle changed him into a vampire in order to save his life."

Well now Harry felt like kind of a dick. "I had no idea," he murmured thoughtfully as he thought over the previous nights events. Edward's concern made a lot more sense now, especially his insistence that Carlisle come to check on them twice in the span of 24 hours.

"Still though, you'd have thought we were taking you upstairs to suck you dry by the way he reacted," Alice rolled her eyes then laid down on her back.

"Alice!" Rosalie scolded but Harry just snickered at her statement, not minding one bit, though he was curious as to why Alice had dragged him upstairs.

He got his answer a few seconds later though when Alice sat back up and looked meaningfully at Rosalie so quickly that Harry barely caught it. "Well I'm going to go talk to Edward about something real quick, you stay here," she said casually, and before Harry could even open his mouth, she was already out the door.

"Oh," he just said in the following silence.

Rosalie hesitated too in the quiet of the room, before rising fro the bed and walking to the window to watch the rapidly setting sun. "I don't hate you, you know," she said softly. "I just didn't want Edward to be hurt. You have to understand that pursuing a human was reckless at best and…"

"I understand," Harry comforted, but Rosalie just shook her head.

"You shouldn't have to. I'm sorry, I was selfish and rude to you when I had no reason - "

" - I wouldn't call caring for your brother selfish."

"You still didn't deserve my ire, and I never wanted to make you afraid of me. I would never hurt you," She promised, then after a brief second of hesitation, turned to face him again. "You don't ever deserve to be hurt," and suddenly Harry knew they were no longer talking about the present.

Harry nervously swallowed and tried to avoid Rosalie's piercing gaze. "I - appreciate that," Harry finally settled on, having no idea how to respond to both Rosalie's apology and last statement.

"Did Edward every tell you why I was changed?"

"No, he said it wasn't his story to tell," Harry acknowledged.

"I suppose you and I have a few similarities, Harry," Rosalie hummed. "I wasn't changed in the most favorable circumstances, none of us really were. The details aren't really important," she waved that off and stood up to sit back down next to Harry, taking his hand in-between her two icy perfectly manicured nails. "What's important is that I'm sorry for treating you the way I did."

Harry smiled at her for that, knowing that Rosalie didn't have to apologize but wanted to. "I understand, and I'm sorry for putting you in that uncomfortable position."

Rosalie stood up from the bed, this time bypassing the window and instead walking towards the door. Before she turned the handle though, she turned and gave him one last smile. "And Harry, if you ever need to talk about anything related to your past in London…I think you'll find I might be able to offer some companionship."

While Rosalie and Harry were talking, Alice was skipping over to Edward's room where, as she had expected, Edward was sitting on his bed and listening into the conversations around him.

"Eavesdrop much?"

"I wouldn't have to eavesdrop if you would let me have my mate," Edward complained even as he scooted over so Alice could come join him on the couch. "What do you need? Why have you been blocking your mind from me?"

"I've been seeing some…concerning visions," Alice began, "I wanted to try and get a better sense of them before letting you see."

"So, let me see," Edward demanded, annoyed with Alice's resistance to show him.

Alice sighed and brought the visions to the forefront of her mind so Edward could replay through her memories. As expected, as soon as he was finished rifling through her mind, he was out the door and storming into her room where Harry was still sitting on the bed and reeling from Rosalie's confession.

"Edward?" Harry asked in confusion, only to let out a muffled sound of confusion when Edward walked up to him and crushed him in a hug that was toeing the line of firm and lung-crushing. "Um…hi?"

Edward breathed in Harrys unique scent and savored the burn of his throat, finding that it was now almost a familiar comfort. "Stay over tonight?" He asked and instead of responding Harry just looked over his shoulder to Alice.

"What did you say to him?" He said in an almost accusatory tone, confused about Edward's rapid change in behavior.

"You know I have the power of foresight, right? Well I've been having a few visions that are just a tad concerning. Nothing too bad," she rushed to assure after seeing Harry's expression grow darker with worry. "It's just…you know how Edward can be."

Truthfully though, Alice was just as concerned as her brother. What she had been seeing was so unnerving, yet so vague too that she couldn't get a grasp of the circumstances behind each vision. One of Harry alone in his room, staring out a dark window. Another of him leaving quickly out the back of the police department, taking harried and fearful glances behind him every other second, and another that just showed Harry's face injured in some manner. It made her sick to watch, and helpless to prevent without any other details.

"Hmm," Harry said doubtfully, not quite believing Alice. He would get it out of Edward later though, that was if he could breathe. "As much as I appreciate the hug, you're kinda squishing my human organs," he eventually wheezed and Edward quickly let go with an apology.

"Lets go to your room, okay?" Harry soothed, noting how Edward immediately reached to grab his hand once he was released from the hug. Maybe Edward would feel more comfortable in his own room…sometimes that territorial trick worked for dogs, so he figured it might also work for overprotective and possessive vampires.

Harry waved goodbye to Alice on his way out of the room, feeling half amused and half concerned about the caveman like way Edward was acting. "Can we please talk about what Alice told you?" He pleaded as Edward pulled them down to sit together on the couch.

"Later," Edward suggested with a rough voice.

"M'kay," Harry gave in and allowed Edward to rearrange him however he wanted, which was apparently splayed out on the couch with Edward hovering over him. A few kisses later and Harry could definitely see the merits of talking later.

"I love you."

"How much?" Harry laughed between kisses, allowing his fingers to trail dangerously low until they were tracing the hem of Edward's shirt. Above him, Edward growled deeply at that and readjusted them so he was supporting his weight with one arm, the other reaching down to capture Harry's exploring fingers.
"Little minx," Edward scolded even as his body traitorously betrayed him. And while the offer was tempting, he didn't trust his self control tonight to engage in any of that behavior, not with his instincts already so on edge and ready to claim and protect. He did indulge in a few more kisses though before reluctantly flipping them over so Harry was instead resting on top of him.

"Show off," Harry pouted at the clear show of strength and dropped his head to rest on Edward's chest, though he couldn't find it in him to really complain when he was so comfortable. In response, Edward began to stroke his back in such a soothing pattern that Harry could feel himself begin to nod off. Part of him tried to scold his brain into waking back up, but the other part told him that he deserved this after two nights of restless sickness-filled sleep.

Edward watched the small human drift off on top of him with thinly veiled adoration that overshadowed even his previous fear. Alice's visions concerned him deeply, especially when one took in the recent town's happenings. He hadn't been joking when he'd asked Harry to stay the night, but even if he didn't, Edward would simply follow him home and keep watch there. If Alice's visions continued, Harry would never be left unwatched or unguarded.

He sat there watching Harry and thinking about the recent events for awhile longer, until he noticed the sky shifting from sunset to total darkness and he heard his name spoken by Esme who was standing at his door.

"Shhh, he's asleep," Edward warned in a tone only audible to the vampire standing at the door.

"You have to take him home, Edward," Alice laughed, both her and Emmett coming up behind their adopted mother. "James will wonder and Harry will be angry if you let him continue to sleep."

"Besides, we all know that all you do at night is stalk him in his bedroom too, so…" Emmett agreed in a normal speaking tone, grinning when Edward hissed at him before ultimately growling something distasteful so low that not even vampires could discern it.

Ultimately though he could see the wisdom in their words, though it pained him all the same to see Harry's peaceful sleep interrupted just so he could take him home.

"Did I fall asleep?" Harry asked groggily after being awoken by the feeling of cold fingers gently caressing him. He sat up a bit more and rubbed the sleepiness out of his eyes so he could see Edward a bit more clearly, smiling sleepily at the vampire when he noticed his deep stare.

"You did," Edward agreed, "and I would've kept you here too were it my choice. Unfortunately I was reminded that you do had a father involved in law enforcement, therefore it would be in my best interest to return you home."

Harry cringed at the thought of the panicked phone calls that would surely occur if James couldn't find him. "Good choice."

"Mmm," Edward agreed, "doesn't mean I'm leaving you alone tonight though. Is it too brazen to expect you let me in through your window?"

"Not at all."

"Good," Edward leaned down and abruptly picked Harry up off the couch and carried him over to the window. "And what are your feelings on running instead of driving?"

"Umm…"

Harry didn't get to finish his answer before Edward was jumping out of his window to land on the soft grass surrounding his house and taking off in the direction of his house.

"I think you do that just to show off," Harry said sullenly when they reached his house and Edward picked him off his back and set him down on the front doorstep.

"Possibly" Edward grinned before leaning forward to press a chaste kiss to his forehead.
"I'll see you upstairs," he promised.

James must have been home then, if Edward didn't want to come in through the front. And sure enough, the police officer was laying on the couch when he came in through the door, feet propped up on the table and clearly asleep. He debated waking his father up, but ultimately decided against it in case the man was just taking a short nap as he had just minutes before.

Instead he made a beeline for the upstairs bathroom, where he brushed his teeth quickly and washed his face to prepare for bed before moving on to his room.

"I see you've made yourself comfortable."

"All ready for you," Edward grinned from his reclining position on the bed. The sheets were already pulled back and Edward had set up his pillows so that they were right next to him.

Harry rolled his eyes but quickly shucked off his shirt and pulled on his pajamas, grinning when he noticed Edward's intense stare. When he turned around though, that stare turned into a judgmentally stern expression. "That shirt…"

"What!" Harry defended, looking down quickly even though he already knew what his shirt said. He wore it almost every night after all. Besides, he was against domestic abuse! "If you want it off you're going to have to take it off yourself. I quite like this shirt."

Edward didn't take his bait, though he did break his stern facade at the last comment. "Come to bed…"

"M'kay, m'kay," Harry agreed as he climbed into bed and immediately cuddled up to Edward, finding that the chill didn't bother him much once Edward covered his body with his comforter.

"Night," he yawned.

"Goodnight, love."

"…will you get the lights?"