I do not own Twilight.

Edward's only been in Washington for two days of his Spring break before he's leaving for Emmett's apartment. They're going to visit their dad today and, despite my hesitation, I'm beginning to think it's a good idea.

Emmett's been talking more with Esme, so this seems like the natural next step. Carlisle was going to stop by the apartment, but they had both agreed they'd rather come to him. They'd have an easier escape that way; Edward would have an easier escape that way.

I know from Charlie that their dad has been doing better. He's given up the bottle for chips. The AA program is accountable by the sheriff's office and Charlie's been able to check in once in a while. It's anonymous, so he hasn't been able to tell us anything more than that.

When I tell Edward, he only forces a smile. I can tell he isn't holding any high standards for this reunion and I have a feeling he's only doing it to appease Emmett. He's still protective, despite being the younger brother.

"Please be careful," I say as we sit outside of Emmett's complex, my car idling the way my reluctance is. I wanted to come with them, but Edward was steadfast against that.

He glances at me as he unbuckles. I don't know what he sees on my face but it makes him sit back against the seat. "I promise you, everything will be fine. I'll have Emmett drop me off at your house when we're done, okay?"

I chew on my lip and nod. He leans towards me, so close that I can see the specks of yellow that hint against his pupils, and places his hand against my cheek. "Nothing's going to happen. And, if it does, I'm going to leave, okay?"

Again, I nod. It feels like the only response I'm capable of. He pulls me forward and kisses my forehead and then my lips. Emmett comes out of the complex and spots us. "I have to go," Edward says. "I'll text you when I'm leaving."

"I love you," I say. It's the only thing I can get out without crying.

He smiles. It's the first real smile I've seen from him since he got to Washington. He takes my hand and kisses my palm. "I know." He squeezes once, "I love, too," and then the door is closing behind him.

I sit in the parking lot for what feels like hours after they've driven away, but a glance at the dashboard tells me it's only been five minutes.

I'm lying on my bed in near darkness, staring at the ceiling when he opens the window and climbs inside. My heart restarts just as he's crawling in next to me. His hands are cold but his mouth is warm.

"You could have used the door," I whisper when he moves his mouth to my throat. I shiver and hold him tighter. He kisses me harder as his answer.

"Was it okay?" I ask after a few minutes. I've turned on the lamp beside my bed and I'm secretly tracing his features with my eyes for any hint of red that will become a bruise. He looks fine. He looks perfect.

His brow furrows and he looks away. "It was fine." I'm desperate for information, for details. I want to know everything. I want a fucking play-by-play but I know I'll never get that.

"Was he…nice?"

"I mean, as nice as he can be, I guess."

"Is he different?"

"He's sober." He smiles. It's small, but it's there. "He's cleaner than I've ever seen him. No grease stains on his shirt." He sighs and closes his eyes. He looks exhausted. I'm sure it's more mental than physical. "He's trying, I guess."

I study his profile for a few seconds, leaning on my side next to him. I try to rein in all the questions that threaten to spill from my tongue. My fingers tap distractedly against his chest. He opens his eyes and presses his hand over mine, stopping my fingers. They curl against his shirt regardless. "What?"

I want to yell what do you mean, what?! but I bite my tongue. I know he's trying to take this all in stride and I know from what he told me earlier in the morning that he wasn't expecting much out of visiting his dad, but it feels like a major step to me. It feels like he should feel…something.

"I mean…" he's looking over my face and I just have to go for it, "how do you feel? Are you happy you saw him? Are you going to see him again? Do you think it'll last? Do you—" He kisses me to stop me which is probably good because I think I could have gone on for an hour at least.

"I'm happy I saw him." He kisses me again. "But I'm happier that I went with Emmett because I didn't want him going by himself."

"You wouldn't have gone if Emmett didn't?"

He shakes his head.

"And I don't know if it'll last. I don't ever remember a time when he went clean, so…I don't really have anything to compare this to."

I nod after a few seconds and decide to swallow the rest of my questions. I'm sure I'll get some from Rosalie later anyways. Emmett's bound to be more open than Edward. "I'm proud of you for going," I decide. "I didn't want you to at first, but I think, maybe, it's a good thing?"

He shrugs and moves closer to me and I know that's all we're going to talk about for the night. Besides, I can feel his warmth seeping through my thin shirt and it's very distracting, almost as much as what I can feel pressing against my thigh.

Despite the conversation I was just trying to continue, I hook my leg around his waist and smile. "How are you hard right now?"

He only grins and draws his hand down my back, stopping to press me tighter against him. My smile fades and I'm dangerously close to letting go of the moan I've been trying to swallow while he sucks lightly on my skin. His fingers toy with the hem of my sleep shorts. "Why wouldn't I be hard right now?"

I choke out a laugh and he's quick to drown out the sound as he pulls me on top of him.