Chapter 12: Come back to me

They were sitting on his couch. Edward's arms were wrapped tightly around Bella, and her head was tucked under his chin. Her throat was in flames, but she fought to ignore it. She knew it wouldn't be long until she had to feed again, but for now, she would enjoy this. Just them. Alone. Each reacquainting with the other's body, and scent, in her case.

She smelled the salty water before she heard him sniffing. Bella kept rubbing his arm, knowing that he wouldn't like her to see him crying. He was a boy, after all. When the sniffles turned into full sobs, she titled her head and stroked his hair.

"Shh, shh. I'm here. We were so stupid," she murmured.

"I feel like a freaking hormonal girl. Since that day…" He hiccupped and wiped his nose "…I cried everyday, like if I didn't cry one day, the world would end, or something," Edward confessed.

She was sure that it was incredibly hard for him to admit that. She stroked his cheek, wiping his tears in the process.

"I will take part of the blame. I simply…ceased to exist once I sent you out the door. If Leah hadn't come to me…let's say, that centuries could have passed and I wouldn't have taken notice."

"You'd have needed to hunt."

"Edward, that was the last thing on my mind. I kept imagining what could have happened, thought of how I hurt you," she traced a finger over his fading scars, "I was catatonic if that term applies to a vampire."

"I'd take catatonic every day and leave you with the tears. You are the girl, after all." He chuckled.

"I'd take the tears gladly," she told him softly. "I wonder…" Bella caught a fresh tear on her finger and eyed it.

Edward watched her, amused. She brought her finger to her nose, inhaling the salty texture then she flicked her tongue out and caught it. It tasted as expected – salty.

Edward's green eyes caught her and soon, they were laughing so hard the couch started shaking.

"That was disturbing. Have you changed your diet?" He teased when he got a hold of his laughter.

"If I could live on tears, I'd be happy." She grinned at him.

As they gazed at each other, he grew serious. "You must be…famished. I have never seen you so…your eyes are so black."

"Don't worry about me."

"How can I not, Bella? I love you so much! Please, do it." He took his hand off her hip where it was resting. "I'm begging." He gave her his hand. "Please."

She wished she could cry. Bella hugged him again, and when she retreated, she planted a small kiss on his cheek.

"Is there an ulterior motive why you insist on me feeding?" she asked, tracing a finger over the visible vein on his forearm.

His face turned red and she bit her lip to keep from laughing. "I want to kiss you so badly. I missed you so much. You have no idea."

"I think I have an idea. Because I love you even more," she whispered, leaning closer. His eyes widened but she rolled hers at him. Bella ran her nose over his square jaw, feeling the little stubble there then ever so slowly, she inhaled, ignoring the burning as best as she could. She nuzzled in his neck and then gently pressed her lips to the scars she found there. They weren't very big, but they were a reminder of what could have happened.

His heartbeat sped up and Bella heard another heart beating steadily as it entered the house. She had to move. She had to leave before they saw her eyes; although they were a very human black, she was sure she looked different. She pressed a final kiss on Edward's neck, and before she could move away, someone screamed.

"ARGGHHH!"

Edward shouted, startled by the scream. Bella hissed, as she raised her head, which was still bowed over his neck. She watched as Elizabeth dropped her papers at her feet and was watching them, scared. Her eyes were round and filled with terror, fixed on Bella.

"Mom," Edward squeaked. It would have been amusing if Bella wasn't sure what Elizabeth was thinking of. She could almost hear the word in her head. And she was right.

Bella moved off her son and looked down, trying to find a way to depart. There was too much adrenaline for her burning throat to withstand.

"Bella," Edward's mom breathed. Bella couldn't quite put her finger on her tone. Shocked? Worried? Angry? Scared?

"Hello. I just…dropped by," she whispered, glancing at Edward and pleading him with her eyes. I must go.

"What's going on?" she asked, her voice shaking badly.

Bella invented a lie on spot. "Uncle Peter was in hospital. I was telling Edward how I had to leave. I am incredibly sorry. I forgot my phone home…"

Elizabeth beamed at Edward with an 'I told you so' look.

"Could I have a word you, Bella?" Elizabeth said to her, kindly.

Bella glanced at Edward then nodded to his mother. Elizabeth went to the kitchen, and before Bella could take a step in her direction, Edward caught her wrist, looking up at her with big, worried green eyes.

"I'll be okay, sweetie." She ran her fingers though his hair and was rewarded with a blinding smile. He kissed her hand quickly before releasing it.

Bella entered the kitchen slowly and found Elizabeth at the sink, helping herself to a glass of water. She tried not to scare her – honestly, she did – but the woman still jumped when Bella whispered her name.

"Bella, how are you, sweetheart?" she asked, worried. There were conflicted emotions in her eyes.

Bella shrugged. "Uncle Peter is fine, now."

"I'm glad to hear that, but I was speaking of…what my son did."

She frowned. What had Edward told her? They still had so much to talk about. "I…we were talking when you came in," she explained.

Her eyebrows shot up. "It looked to me like you were ready to bite his throat." She laughed unsteadily. Bella giggled nervously then froze as the words sank in. All her muscles froze and her eyes widened. WHAT had Edward told her? "If that was talking, Bella, then I'm sorry. Maybe I'm too old and I forgot how teenagers talk." She shrugged, offering her a small smile. She was joking. Thank God!

Bella looked down, happier than ever that she couldn't blush. "We were talking, but we got a little…"

"Distracted," she supplied, finishing her sentence with a kind smile.

Bella nodded, returning her smile. "I am so sorry he suffered. I was in pain, too." Bella wished she could tell her more.

Elizabeth came closer and hugged her. Bella felt like a deer caught in the headlights.

"Mom, I think I'll have Bella back," Edward said from behind them.

His mom released her and Bella closed her eyes, swallowing the venom that had accumulated in her mouth. She had to feed. She felt her heart breaking at the thought of hurting Edward. Elizabeth waved them off and Edward took her hand, leading her upstairs.

"Uh huh! Couch," she snapped loudly.

Edward grumbled under his breath about 'paranoid' and 'jumping on conclusions' and changed his trajectory. Bella didn't understand him.

"What did you do, muffin?" she teased him, bumping his shoulder.

"Lied to save my ass," he whispered and slumped on the couch.

"What did you tell her? If my heart still beat, she would have stopped it," Bella told him. "She thought I was sucking your throat – no pun intended."

"I'm sure it looked like that to her."

"So? Does she know? I mean…she looked differently at me."

"No, Bella! I haven't told her anything. If she suspects anything, it's Billy's fault."

"Billy who?" Bella asked confused.

"Jake's dad."

"Oh." She contemplated that then focused on Edward. She hoped no one spoke of her true nature with his mother. "You said you lied. What did you tell her?"

He groaned softly and rubbed a hand over his face. "Making the whole thing short, I told her I forced myself on you and that you left. Then she asked about…protection, I didn't answer and she stopped talking to me. She hasn't looked, talked, or even cooked for me in a month. Yesterday, was the first time she spoke to me since the day after I left your house, and that was only because I broke down in Jacob's garage. Long story," he added quickly when she opened her mouth to ask.

"How could you tell your mother such a thing, Edward? No wonder she was upset!"

"Upset," he huffed. "She wasn't even looking at me."

"If I knew what you did… If only I'd been human enough, argh, Edward! How could you?!"

He shrugged and rubbed his eye. "It's too early to fight. Please, Bella."

"Oh, right. Typical male answer," she muttered and rose.

"Where do you think you are going?" he exclaimed, panicked.

"Home? I will come back later."

"I'm coming with you," Edward told her, getting up.

"No, you aren't! You stay here with your mom and talk to her. You will see me later. I promise."

"You're thirsty, admit it." He smirked, folding his arms in front of his chest. It was then that she realized she still had his shirt over the skirt of her dress and he was wearing a thin undershirt.

"You can have this back. You must be cold." Bella handed him the shirt.

"Don't change the subject, Bella!"

"Yes, I am! Happy?" She challenged as she started to walk to the front door.

"Then stay," he said softly, shrugging the shirt on and coming to her.

"You need to explain yourself to your mother and I need to calm down. Prepare for later," she added suggestively.

He watched her intently, his brows knitting in the middle of his forehead then a slow smile formed on his face. She wondered what was running through his brain.

"I'll tell you later," he whispered and led her to the door.

"You don't have anything to tell me. That was just to make me curious and make me come back!"

"You guessed." He chuckled. "But, no. I really have to tell you something important."

Bella caught his face in her hands and kissed his forehead soundly. "Be good. I'll be back at twilight."

"I'll be counting down the minutes."

"Don't be corny."

He shrugged and she turned around, rushing to the woods and hoping his mother didn't see her.

She knew it was impossible, but she still tried.

Bella went to Port Angeles and walked around, looking at the humans walking hurriedly past her, engrossed in their little lives. She didn't have the heart to snatch anyone and feed. She knew she should, but she couldn't. She stumbled over a homeless man that was rocking in an alley and knew this was her chance.

She scrunched up her nose at the repugnant piss and alcohol smell, combined with his atrocious blood it made her want to retch. He saw her coming and cowered in his blanket. She crouched in front of him and turned his chin to the side, looking at his dirty neck. He eyed her in panic, trying to shout, but being too tired to even fight.

"Just kill me," he said in a low voice. "Do it. I know it's been coming."

"I won't kill you," she found herself answering. She never made small talk in such situations.

"Please, do! They killed my friend. I knew someone would come after me. I shouldn't have seen it," he said in the same low voice.

"Who? What are you talking about?" Bella realized she was talking with a crazy person.

"The red headed woman and the blond guy! They killed my friend. Sucked her dry."

She looked at him and realized he knew what she was.

"Kill me."

She looked in his eyes for a full minute, searching them. He really wanted to do die, but she couldn't kill him.

"I may spare you the pain if you tell me in which direction they went," she whispered.

"Spoons or something."

"Forks." She smiled softly then her face fell. Forks meant Edward. NO!

"Yeah, that one! Still silverware to me."

"I'll be quick. What's your name?" She asked.

"Tom."

"I hope you find your friend, Tom. It's better dead than…this, trust me. Good bye, Tom."

He cocked his head, making room for her to bite and for the first in a long time, Bella opened her mouth to do so. Then she thought better of it and sliced his throat open with her nail. She drank his warm blood, trying not to gag. I am ridiculous! There was something wrong with her! She should drink any kind of blood, right? She had promised him to do it and she couldn't leave him to bleed to death. That would hurt, she was sure. So she kept drinking. When Bella was sure he was dead, she licked the wound and pushed him behind the garbage bags. She hated leaving him there like that, but she had to know who was going to Forks.

She ran home to grab her contacts and then went to Edward. On the way back, it started pouring, and she was soaked by the time she made it to her house. Bella hadn't smelled a thing on her way there, but she was sure they were already in town. She had to tell the wolves about this. If those the nomads killed anyone, the wolves would blame it on her. She had finally become friends with them, if she could call it that.

She ran faster than ever to Edward's house, only to find it engulfed in darkness. No one was home. What the hell? She was about to turn around when she smelled it. Blood. Edward's blood.

Bella opened the door, not caring if she had to find excuses for ripping it off the hinges. She followed the scent and it led to the kitchen. There was a big knife on the floor and lots of blood around it and on it. On the counter were the forgotten bread slices soaked in the tantalizing blood. She sighed in relief, but still, he was hurt.

She looked at the door and wanted to slap herself. What was she going to do? To her luck, she saw Edward's phone on the coffee table and picked it up, scrolling to Jacob's name.

"Yeah," he answered quickly.

"Jacob, it's Bella. I have a sort of an emergency."

"What did you do, now?" He groaned, exasperated.

Bella explained to him in a few words everything, including the nomads, and he said he'd come over to repair the door. When he arrived, she left to get her car and drive to the hospital. She'd raise too many questions if she appeared there looking like a drowned rat and told them that she ran. No one would believe her.

Bella parked near a black car she recognized as Edward's dad's and rushed inside the hospital. How badly was he injured? She was out of her mind to go inside a hospital, full of fresh blood, but the things she did for Edward…and she was in control, she had just fed.

"Hold on, young lady!" Someone shouted after her. "Where are you going?"

Who was this woman? The police? "My boyfriend…" God, that felt amazing to say aloud.

"Name?"

"Edward." She grinned, rocking on her heels.

"Full name, miss," she told her in a bored voice.

"Masen. Edward Masen."

"I don't have any Edward Masen," she replied after five minutes of tapping. "You should go to E.R., you might find him there."

What hospital was this? Bella scowled at her. She had managed to kill her fun. She rushed in the direction she pointed and saw a big area with a few people on chairs, waiting. She saw Edward near his mother, in the far corner. They couldn't see her. She hurried there and stopped in front of them. She realized he was seriously injured from the now red cloth around his hand, his head was lolling on his mother's shoulder.

"Bella!" Elizabeth exclaimed softly, careful not to wake her son but clearly shocked by her appearance.

Bella looked at her, panicked for a second, not having an explanation if she asked how she knew that they were here.

"Bella? Where?" Edward groaned, opening an eye. He blinked rapidly when he saw her there. "What are you doing here?" he asked, tiredly, but his voice was laced with worry.

"You're hurt," she whispered and looked at his injured hand.

"He decided to cut the bread," Elizabeth explained, rolling her eyes. "Can you stay with him for a second, I have to see where Ed went," she added.

Bella nodded quickly and took her seat next to Edward. His head fell on her shoulder and he sighed.

"You're insane, Bella. This is a hospital. I'm bleeding."

"Yeah, not the way I wanted to feed," she joked, whispering in his ear.

He didn't even laugh.

"Are you in a lot of pain?"

"There's a huge gash between by forefinger and thumb. Mom thought it was funny to start talking about when she found us on the couch. She asked, and I'm quoting, 'Is she a vampire or something?' My knife slipped and here we are," he murmured, wincing when he flexed his hand. "It hurts like a bitch."

She moved the hair from his forehead and kissed the damp skin there. "It will heal."

"How did you know…?" He asked quietly, pressing his lips to her neck.

"It's a long story, but I sort of broke down your front door. Don't worry, Jacob is repairing it as we speak," she promised in a whisper as she saw his parents approaching.

"Come on, son," his father beckoned him, extending his arm. He offered her a small smile.

Edward got up, swaying, and Bella caught his elbow before he fell. She put an arm around his waist and let him lean on her.

"Come here, she's so small. You'll kill her before we reach the doc's door."

"She's tough," Edward grumbled, but allowed his father to help him walk. He had lost so much blood. What were those doctors thinking, leaving him to wait for so long?

"Will he be okay?" she whispered to Edward's mom.

Elizabeth put an arm around Bella's shoulders. "Don't you worry, sweetie. He's in good hands."

She shot her a weird look when she stopped her from following them inside the room. "You don't wanna see that, kid. As much as you may love my son…it's ugly."

Bella swallowed and nodded. She knew when the cloth bandage was off because his scent became so potent she nearly salivated. She kept swallowing and politely answering every question Elizabeth had. When Edward yelled in pain, Bella couldn't take it anymore, and wrenched her hand from Elizabeth's, bursting in the small room where the doctor was torturing her little muffin.

Her heart constricted as she saw Edward gripping his dad's hand as the doctor stitched his. Before she could be scolded for being in there, Edward whimpered her name. She moved too fast, but she could care less. Ed moved out of the way and she squeezed his son to her chest, kissing his cheek.

"I'm here, love. Grip my hand."

He squeezed as the needle entered his skin. Weren't they supposed to anesthetize the spot? She bit her lip as she watched what the doctor was doing. For the first time since she had met Edward, she could feel his grip on her hand and feared for his bones. Could he break his hand? It was possible. Bella tried to relax the grip a little and he whimpered loudly.

"Shh, he's nearly done."

The doctor rose and went to clean his hands. Was it over? When he returned, he instructed Edward how to keep the suture clean and to be careful. She paid great attention, knowing he wasn't even listening.

They left the hospital and Edward seemed glued to her side. Elizabeth nodded to her and Bella led him to her car, silently thanking her. If she tried to pry him off her, he'd throw a tantrum.

When they were safely in her car, he started shouting, probably letting it all out. When his fist – the good one – hit the dashboard, Bella caught his hands.

"Hey, don't hurt my car. And you're hurting yourself. Calm down."

He raised his pained green eyes at her. "Come inside with me and stay the night. Let Mom know you are there. I don't care. Please, Bella."

"Okay. Buckle up," she whispered and released his hands apprehensively. "Can I ask something?"

"Sure," he agreed.

"Didn't the doctor use anesthesia?"

"It didn't kick in! Fucking shit! Now, it's starting to get numb," he hissed under his breath.

"He should have stopped and-"

"Don't you think Dad didn't try to stop him? But the son of a bitch had another emergency. Like I wasn't important! I nearly cut my hand off!"

"Shh," she soothed him, reaching for his hand. "I'll find some painkillers when we get to your house, if you want."

"I told you I can't feel it, now," he said, amused. "You can probably feed if you want, I can't feel it."

"Maybe blood loss is best friends with brain damage," she said lightly. "You already lost so much blood and you want me to feed! You're insane, Edward! Besides…I already fed." She grinned, proud of myself.

"You did?" He sounded astonished.

"Yep. That reminds me, for the next few days, stay close to me. We're having some visitors."

"Uncle Peter?" He joked.

"Nomads. I don't know them. I'll tell you everything when we get inside."

She parked the car next to his and helped him out. He slung his arm around her neck and slumped in her side, laughing loudly.

"Should I carry you inside, Princess?" she mocked him.

"Yes, please! My brave knight!" He batted his long eyelashes at her and wrapped his other arm around her neck.

"Did they drug you there?" she joked and dragged him to the house.

"I just realized I have you back. For good. I missed you so much, Bella."

"Whatever you say, Princess." She kissed his cheek and opened the front door.

"I preferred the muffin analogy."

"Why? Princesses are much better than muffins. Muffins aren't important in fairy tales."

"Then I'm the ginger man or whatever his name is," Edward declared.

"Yeah, that sounds better. You smell a little like ginger."

"I was kidding!" he exclaimed.

"Oh, you came here," Elizabeth said surprised from the top of the stairs.

"Let's go to yours, she doesn't want me," Edward said loudly in Bella's ear. She was positive they gave him morphine.

"What are you doing to the poor girl, son?" Ed asked, coming out of the kitchen. He looked at Bella sympathetically.

"We're going to her house. Bye!" Edward turned her around, still clinging to her neck.

"Morphine and Valium," she saw Ed mouthing to her, confirming her thought and adding the idea of Valium, which proved his happy state. It should have kicked in earlier.

"Have fun! Don't do anything I wouldn't d-"

Bella clasped her hand over Edward's mouth, smiling apologetically to his parents and rushing him to her car.

"Shut up, kiddo! Before they decide you should stay home."

"I'm not a kid," he insisted, pouting and contradicting his own words.

It was going to be a long night. She couldn't believe it had only been this morning that Leah had come to her and announced what had happened to Edward. And now, some hours later, she was watching a stoned Edward, trying to assault her in her own car. Bella knew the saying 'when it rains, it pours' but this was ridiculous.