I sat down with my tray filled with prop foods, hoping that Bella found the assortment palatable. I had chosen a leafy salad, a ham sandwich, a red apple, a bag of crisps as well as a large chocolate chip cookie. I had chosen to sit at the same table we had occupied the previous day, and I was extremely excited to be able to sit and talk with her some more.

I watched the doors with rapt attention as the students filed in, and I deliberately ignored my siblings as they sat down at our regular table. Rosalie and Jasper were the confused and on edge, not trusting Bella or my instincts in regards to her. Emmett was wary, upset because his mate was upset, but otherwise unbothered. Alice was the strangest of all, our conversation last night not doing much in the way of settling my concerns. She was hesitantly hopeful, her bright eyes happy and expectant. I did my best not to think too hard about that, and honour my promise of staying out of her head as much as possible.

Finally, Bella entered the cafeteria. Her dark brown hair hung in loose waves around her head, bouncing lightly as she walked across the room, black jeans and a green tank-top under a long-sleeved plaid button up, which was mostly unbuttoned. Casual and unique, and utterly beautiful. Bella caught my eye and I smiled as I beckoned her over with a wave. She smiled back and danced over, pausing briefly to promise her friend that she will be right back.

My smile widened as she approached, "Bella," I greeted her with a welcoming nod. My smile turned into a confused frown as Bella didn't respond, instead she grabbed my lunch tray with one hand, an empty chair with the other, and marched across the room to the table that housed her human friends. The rumbling noises of various conversations died down to an eerie silence as the hard plastic chair squealed loudly against the linoleum tiles of the cafeteria floor.

I was stunned, and I watched with wide eyes as Bella continued her demonstration. With her head held high, shoulders back and spine straight, she didn't seem to mind that every eye in the room was on her. She was bold, and confident, and yet I could detect no arrogance to her stride, just a sense of single-minded purpose. Bella reached her friends and dropped the tray on the table with a clattering noise that seemed to echo about the room. She spun the chair around, placing it next to the Stanley girl, before taking the seat on the other side.

Bella glanced over her shoulder, smirking at me mirthfully. She raised her hand and beckoned me over in a movement that seemed to be a mockery of my own. Bella's eyes blazed with mischief, and it was like she was issuing me a silent challenge. I braced my hands on the table top in front of me, never once breaking eye contact as I gracefully stood up and walked over to her. I tried to mimic her confident stride as I followed in her footsteps. I then slowly sank into the unoccupied chair.

I had to admit, I was more than a little confused by her actions. Bella seemed to have an uncanny ability to throw me off kilter. It was like the most intense game of chess I had ever played, and I found myself unable to anticipate her next move. Just when I thought I had her beat, she did something entirely unexpected, like steal my lunch and force me to sit with humans.

Bella's smirk broke out into a toothy grin, "Edward, so nice of you to join us." She teased.

I tried to mirror her playful tone and expression, by the twinkle in Bella's eye I think I pulled it off. "You didn't give me much of a choice, you stole my lunch." I jested.

Bella sniffed obstinately, "If it were up to you, you would spend all your time in brooding seclusion. As your friend it's my duty to get you to open up." She declared with a careless shrug. My friend. The words seemed to resonate in my mind, a tender bloom of longing unfurled in my chest as I stared at Bella with hidden adoration. How I yearned to be considered more than just a friend. My dead heart ached in my chest with want, I craved her touch like a man dying of thirst craved water. I was resolved not to push her, however, I would not force the violence of my affections upon her, and I would be grateful for whatever she deigned to give me.If Bella noticed the full strength of my emotions she gave no indication. She playfully snatched the bright red apple off the plastic tray and took a comically large bite of the juicy fruit, "Friends don't let friends brood alone." She mumbled around the food in her mouth, her cheeks puffing out adorably like a chipmunk hiding acorns. A trickle of juice escaped the corner of her mouth and dribbled down her chin, she blushed furiously, turning as red as the apple in her hand as she swiped at it with the sleeve of her shirt.

"You shouldn't speak with your mouth full, Bella." Angela Weber chided playfully. Just like that it was as if a spell had been broken, and I became aware of an entire world that existed outside of Bella Swan and her ivory skin, and pink lips and dominate personality. "Hello, Edward. It's nice to meet you." The girl said politely, offering me a kind smile.

The rest of the lunch went along without incident, and although I enjoyed being close to Bella I silently mourned the fact that I hadn't had her all to myself. I tried not to resent having to share her with the humans, but as they stole her attentions and held her captive in asinine conversations I couldn't help but detest their existence.

We walked together towards biology, "That was some stunt you pulled at lunch," I groused, still emotionally wounded by her actions. Did she not want to spend time with me alone? Bella had called us friends, and yet she had made such a dramatic show of avoiding spending time with me unaccompanied.

"Honestly, I don't know what you expected me to do." Bella huffed indignantly, "I didn't want to abandon my friends."

I had to admit, she had a point. I guess I couldn't expect her to give up her human friends in favour of spending time with me, no matter how much I would like her to. I opened the door to our class and held it open for her, "I suppose that is fair." I relented as I took my seat next to her, I smiled at her playfully. "Although why you made me sit next to Jessica Stanley is beyond me. The girl is insufferable." I chuckled as I thought back to the girl's lustful thoughts when I first moved to town.

I turned, expecting Bella to laugh along with me, surely she had noticed how the teen was always there, in your space, demanding your attention. Instead, Bella is frowning angrily at me. She raised her hand and swatted my arm, a sharp sting of pain shot through me when her hand connected with my skin. "Jess is nice, and she is my friend. So shut up." She grumbled bitterly.

I brought my hand to rub at the sore spot where Bella struck me, confusion clear on my face at how she managed to strike me with such force as to actually cause me pain. "I'm sorry, Bella. I didn't mean anything by it." I say diplomatically, I hoped that it was enough to placate her.

"Yes, you did." Bella snapped angrily, "I get it. Jess is loud and some people can't handle that. But that doesn't give you the right to insult my friends." Bella seemed to deflate a little bit, her shoulders hunched and she turned to stare down at the table top, "She's the first person who has ever been genuinely nice to me. I didn't have any friends back in Phoenix." Bella confessed in a small voice. That bothered me more than I thought it would. Surely Bella would have had a gaggle of friends at her old school, who wouldn't want to be her friend? I mulled the thought around in my head for a moment, and then a realisation hit me. The way Bella moved through a crowd, inhuman and unseen, her unnatural strength and domineering personality all clearly indicated her less than human nature. The humans of Forks had always been… less than observant, the innate human instinct to flea from a supernatural predator seemed to be absent from the population of this small North Western town. It was why we returned here time and again, it was easier for us to go to school and Carlisle enjoyed being welcomed and revered instead of barely tolerated. Had the students at Bella's previous school sensed something other about her? Had they perceived her true nature? A predator amongst prey?

Sorrow pinched painfully in my chest, Bella was such a sweet girl, so nice and open that it pained me to think of her alone and isolated. I placed a comforting hand on Bella's shoulder and she looked up at me with hurt eyes. "I really am sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. It was just my poor attempt at humour, I didn't mean to be so callous." I murmured softly to her.

A watery smile tugged at her lips, "You're forgiven." Bella declared.

As the class was winding up I purposefully slowed my movements as I packed away my things. I could hear some very entertaining thoughts from the Newton boy, he was hyping himself up, trying to talk himself into something, and I was interested in seeing if he would manage to follow through with them. Flashes of images fluttered in the boys mind, pictures of Bella in a low cut floor length gown, hair curled, lips bright red and eyes sparkling with purple powders. It wasn't a memory, no it was too inaccurate for that. Bella was shorter in Newton's mind's eye, her lips thinner and hair a lighter shade, the entire thought was hazy with the feeling of hope and desire. No, this wasn't a memory at all, this was a fantasy. My lips quirked in amusement even as the heat of possessive anger roiled inside of me. I couldn't find it within myself to become too angry at the child, his hopes and desires, while irritating, where more of a humorous annoyance than an actual threat.

Newton finally plucked up the courage to come over to our desk, and he stood there for a moment and nervously shifted his weight from one foot to the other. Just say something. His thoughts chided him and he was about to open his mouth and speak when Bella noticed his existence. "Hey, Mike." Bella chirped happily, "What can I do for you?"

I tried to seem nonchalant as I listened into their conversation. Newton cleared his throat awkwardly, "Well, you see… Jess asked me to the spring dance."

"That's great!" Bella crowed and I could hear the genuine joy in her voice. I almost felt sorry for Newton. Almost.

That's- That's not what… god I thought this would be easier. "Oh, I haven't said yes yet." Newton scrambled and I had to bring my fist to my mouth to stop myself from audibly laughing at the train-wreck this was quickly becoming. I noticed Newton's eyes flicker to me, this would be a hell of a lot easier if Cullen wasn't sitting right there. God what is that guy's problem anyway? Newton had a remarkable gift for turning his shame into anger.

"Why not?" The pure innocence of Bella's confusion just made it all that much worse, or better, depending on your perspective.

Newton puffed himself up like a peacock, "I was kinda hoping that you would ask me."

From the corner of my eye I saw Bella physically wince, "Uh, Mike. No. I'm not going to the dance." She blurted.

Newton was wounded by this, but I had to give him credit as he pushed ahead regardless. He was either very brave or very stupid, I couldn't decide which. "Why not?"

Bella started to hastily stuff her things into her book-bag, sweeping her arm across the desk and letting all her belongings fall inside before she started to push them down with a hurried hand. "I'm going to Seattle that weekend. You should really tell Jessica yes, it's rude to keep her waiting." Bella babbled as she crammed her belongings into her bag. She tugged the zip closed and slung it over her shoulder before she raced out the door. I couldn't stop the scoffing chuckle that time, and Newton levelled me in what he thought was a threatening glare. Would the comedy of errors that was Bella Swan's life ever cease?

That afternoon as school was letting out and everyone was heading home, I got my answer in a stray thought from Tyler Crowley. He had been informed of Newton's failure and had figured that he may have more luck. My lips twitched in amusement, I could only hope I would get a front row seat to that disaster waiting to happen. I was waiting in my car for my siblings when I saw Bella get in her truck. I frowned, that wouldn't do, poor Tyler wouldn't get his chance. I started the car and abruptly pulled out, blocking Bella in as I pulled the handbrake and left my car idling. I looked in the rear-view mirror to see Bella frowning and waving her hands at me in agitation, and I couldn't help but laugh lightly at her.

I watched with eager anticipation as Tyler bounded over to the driver's side window of Bella's truck, he wrapped on the glass loudly with his knuckles which caused Bella to jump slightly, she rolled down the window and grumbled "Sorry Tyler, I'm stuck behind Cullen."

I chuckled at Bella's tone, the way she spat out my last name in irritation.

"Oh yeah, I know!" Tyler beamed as he rocked back on his heels, "I was just wondering if you wanted to go to the spring dance with me?"

I watched through the rear-view mirror as Bella's face fell into deadpanned despair. "No. I'm going to Seattle that day." She said in an annoyed monotone and a forced smile.

"Yeah, that's what Mike said." Tyler shrugged with a goofy grin.

I watched as Bella's patience slowly crumbled, her warm eyes going cold as she sighed in exasperation. "Then why bother asking?" She bit out.

"I thought you were just letting him down easy."

"No. I am really going away that Saturday." Bella almost growled out, her anger was clearly rising and for some unknown reason I was finding it utterly hilarious. Maybe it was the disproportionate nature of her anger. Bella was becoming increasingly vexed over what amounted to nothing more than a small irritation.

Tyler didn't seem to notice Bella's foul mood as he grinned his goodbye.

My siblings were just getting in the car as I caught Bella's eye in the rear-view mirror once more, she flipped me off and honked her horn loudly which caused me to howl with laughter as I pulled out of the parking lot.

"I thought you were trying to be her friend, not irritate the girl to death." Rosalie muttered from the backseat as she typed on her phone.

"We are friends, haven't you heard." I announced smugly.

Rosalie just rolled her eyes, "You owe me, by the way."

I raised my eyebrows at her, and our eyes briefly met through the mirror. "What's this then?"

"I'm picking up that stupid wing mirror for you this afternoon. Took me less than 4 hours to find it." She sniffed.

"A new record," I made sure my voice sounded appropriately impressed, and to be fair, it was a rather impressive feat.

"Whatever." Rosalie rolled her eyes but I could tell she was quietly preening under the praise. Rosalie truly took after her namesake, she was beautiful but with a prickly exterior. If you weren't careful you would find yourself cut and bleeding from one of her many thorns, but those thorns were essential to her, they kept her safe, protected. I could understand that, respect it, and I knew I just had to tread carefully where Rosalie was concerned.

XxXx

The moment Rosalie handed me the wing mirror I begged her to let me borrow her tools so I could fix it to Bella's truck. She relented, although she made sure to let me know that secretly fixing a girls truck in the middle of the night was quote 'Fucking weird.'

I happened to think that it was sweet, a subtle gesture to simply let Bella know I was thinking about her and cared about her safety.

I ran to Bella's house and quietly stalked over to her truck. Using bolts and hand tools I secured the mirror to the side of the door, a task that would have required power tools had I been human. I stepped back and looked over my handy-work, and I was proud at what I saw. The mirror looked almost perfect, it matched the other side perfectly other than the fact it was significantly less rusted, but there wasn't much I could do about that. I tilted the mirror into the correct position before I packed up Rosalie's tools and started to head home.

As I raced through the forest, I caught Bella's scent, it was unmistakable and made me pause. I couldn't fight the urge the follow the scent, not that I wanted to, as the sweet and captivating nature of it drew me in. I quickly found the source, Bella's sneakers, caked in mud and muck, tossed and forgotten at the base of a tree. I chuckled slightly, remembering her venture into the woods and the time she had spent fossicking in the creek bed. I carefully picked up her shoes, determined to clean them and return them to Bella as another sign of our friendship.

As I returned home I was quickly humbled by the realisation that I had no idea how to go about cleaning the sneakers of their filth. I didn't want to do anything that would damage them, and after having spent many days and nights soaking in the mud and moss they were more than likely stained something awful.

"Esme, could I ask you something?" I gently called out as I stood in the foyer of the house, grasping Bella's sneakers with both hands.

Esme came dancing down the stairs, her caramel hair was tied up about her head and she smiled warmly at me. "What can I do for you, son?" She hummed as she came to stand in front of me.

I smiled bashfully and presented the sneakers to her, "I found Bella's shoes in the woods, I wanted to clean them for her but I don't know how."

Esme took the shoes and examined them, "I see. Come with me, dear." She smiled as she handed them back to me.

I dutifully followed Esme as she led me through the garage to the attached mud-room, Rosalie's head perked up from under the hood of Emmett's Jeep as we passed. I watched as her nostrils flared and her eyes flickered to the shoes in my hands. She smiled at me condescendingly, "Fixing her truck is one thing, Edward. But stealing a girls shoes is just creepy."

"I didn't steal them!" I snapped sharply, "I found them."

"Uh-huh, sure you did." Rosalie replied sarcastically with a nod of her head.

"Rosalie, leave your brother alone." Esme chided sternly as she placed a hand on my forearm to coax me towards the mud room.

I breathed a relieved sigh at Esme's defence, "Thanks, mom." I murmured softly as I placed Bella's shoes in the large stainless steel basin in the small room.

Esme beamed at the familial term as she rummaged in a cupboard, pulling out a bottle of cleaning vinegar and a little jar of baking soda. She handed me a hard scrubbing brush, "Here, start by brushing off as much dirt and muck as you can." She directed and I nodded obediently.

I started my task as the sharp smell of vinegar filled the room. Esme poured some into a jug before adding a few scoops of the baking soda. The mixture fizzled violently before settling as Esme stirred her concoction with a metal spoon. I had managed to rid Bella's shoes of the large chunks of dried mud and moss, but they were still awfully stained.

"Here, spoon this on the stains." Esme placed the jug in my hands and I quietly did as instructed. "Good, now scrub it in a little bit and then we will rinse it all off. It may take a couple of goes, but soon they will be as good as new." Esme promised with a beaming smile. I carefully scrubbed Bella's shoes under Esme's watchful gaze, and soon enough they were clean. Completely free of any stains or marks.

I smiled proudly as I looked the shoes over, turning them this way and that to inspect them for any spots I may have missed. "Thank you, Esme. For helping me." I grinned over at her.

Esme's soft hand cupped my cheek as she smiled at me warmly, "Anytime, my son."

XxXx

Bella's truck came sputtering into the school parking lot, new side mirror proudly jutting off the driver's side door. I could feel excitement bubble in my chest, along side a curling ball of nervous anxiety. My desire to spend more time with Bella, alone and without the interruptions of others, was mounting. And as such I had decided that my best course of action to remedy the situation would be to ask the girl outright. I would simply request the pleasure of her company, and since I knew she was free the night of the spring dance I had the perfect date in mind. I smiled as I waltzed across the lot to greet her, she jumped out of her truck with youthful exuberance causing her keys to clatter to the ground. She sighed heavily, as if this small setback was a heavy burden. I smirked as I darted to pick them up off the ground just as she bent over to do the same.

Bella righted herself with a half-shocked expression, and I held out her keys to her, playfully dangling them from the end of my finger. Bella swiped at her keys, grabbing them in a movement that was agile and so frightfully fast that I didn't have time to teasingly pull them away again as I had planned. "Ah, Edward Cullen. The fasted man alive." She snickered.

I chuckled as well, more out of politeness and confusion than actual humour. "What?"

"The fastest man alive?" Bella raised both her eyebrows expectantly, "Barry Allen? DC Comics? The Flash?" She rattled off, getting increasingly annoyed by my ignorance. "Jesus Christ on a cracker. It's not funny if I have to explain it to you." She muttered as she turned around and started to march towards the school building.

I made a mental note to look into this comic book that Bella seemed fond of as I jogged to catch up to her, "Hey, wait up!" I called out and when I caught up to her I started to walk next to her, matching her stride. "I had something to ask you, before you went and ran away from me." I teased.

"I didn't run away from you." Bella pouted adorably, and then sighed dramatically with an energetic wave of her hand, "Well go on then. Ask your question." I smirked at her theatrics, she was always so bold, so forthright with her actions and emotions. And yet, I had seen first hand the way she could lock it all away at a moments notice, become calm and stoic as if she were a ship becalmed at sea and nothing could ever hope to crease her sails. The only giveaway when Bella became like that was her heartbeat, and I was grateful for my extrasensory hearing. It was a marvellous trick, being able to feign indifference with such artistry was not an easy task. I had been witness to it a number of times, and I couldn't help but wonder how she became so proficient at such deception, and why it was a necessary skill for her to learn.

"I was wondering, if a week from Saturday, you know the day of the school dance-" I started my painstakingly prepared and rehearsed speech, only to be cut off by Bella abruptly turning on her heel and staring me down with her eyes ablaze.

"Do you think you're being funny?" She hissed irritably, pointing an accusing finger at me.

I raised my hands in surrender, smiling at her teasingly. "Are you going to let me finish, Bella?"

Bella squinted at me, as if she were trying to uncover my nefarious plot with her eyes alone. "You're on thin fucking ice, buddy." She grumbled and I baulked at her profanity. I had never become accustomed to the casual use of such obscene language.

I took a moment to compose myself, "What I was going to ask was. Did you want company on your trip to Seattle?" I asked as I offered her a warm smile. I tried not to let my nerves be known as I awaited her response.

She frowned slightly, not exactly the response I was hoping for, before she tilted her head to the side curiously. "I'm not actually going to Seattle on Saturday," She whispered, "I just said that to get a bunch of hormonally charged teenagers off my case." Bella eyed me suspiciously.

I chuckled at her suspicious glare, "I figured at much. Still, since you wont be going to the dance, did you want to do something together?" I asked with as much confidence as I could muster. I nervously shifted my weight and tried to keep my eyes trained on hers, but I couldn't help but look down anxiously as I waited for her to speak. She was taking her time, and I could see the gears behind her eyes moving as she formulated her reply.

Her gaze shifted from carefully calculating to light and teasing, "Like a date?" she jested lightly.

My eyes widened as I inched closer to her, "If that's what you want." I stared at her in amazement, completely baffled by the fact that I had somehow gotten everything I had wanted.

I could feel the warmth of Bella's body as she moved closer to me, reaching up to whisper softly, "You should remember to blink more." Bella then whirled around and walked away, a happy little jaunt in her step. It took me an embarrassingly long moment to collect my thoughts as I shook my head and walked to my first class.

XxXx

I unfortunately arrived at the school cafeteria before Bella did, and not wanting a repeat of yesterday's dramatics I figured it would be best to simply sit with Bella's human friends to begin with. When I had taken my seat at the table, tray of prop foods for Bella placed in front of me, the easy conversations of the teenagers came to a stuttering halt. Even their minds were almost silent, just a soft impression of shock and curiosity at my behaviour. I gave them what I hoped was a polite smile and their chatter bubbled up once again. I did my best to smile and nod along at the right places, but I didn't try and offer anything more to the conversation.

When I spotted Bella come through the doors I couldn't help but smile in relief. As she walked across the room I saw her glance over to my usual table, to where my siblings were still sitting. When her eyes met that of my siblings I couldn't help but notice the unmistakable shift in her demeanour. When Bella had first entered the cafeteria, she was relaxed, calm and comfortable. Her face was in an easy-going smile, her eyes bright and unguarded and her posture was fluid and restful. As her eyes scanned the quartet of vampires on the other side of the lunch room she transformed, it was like I was witnessing her become a different person entirely.

Bella's posture shifted, her muscles tensed and she squared her shoulders determinedly. Her gait transformed from an easy-going amble to a tense and purposeful stride. Bella's face was no longer the picture perfect example of calm happiness. In it's place was that stoic mask that I was quickly becoming acquainted with. Her mouth was a grim line, her eyes somehow both flat and flaming, and in her chest her heartbeat was thundering out a rabid beat. Bella watched my siblings with a wary eye as she continued to walk towards me, and then she clenched her jaw, so hard I could see the movement of it, and then slowly, purposefully, she turned her back on them to face me completely.

I saw her chest heave with the weight of a large breath, and as our eyes met it came whooshing out of her lips in a single gush of air. A sigh of relief. It confused me, her reaction to my siblings and then her reaction to me, completely at odds with each other. Especially since she had run from the class room on her first day to avoid sitting next to me, and now… now she seemed to gain some measure of comfort from my presence.

I could physically see her relax as she took her seat next to me, and she smiled at me but the expression was weak and seemed forced. "I don't think your siblings like me stealing you away." She whispered to me quietly, her eyes flickered to my face and away again.

"They will just have to cope." I whispered warmly back as I nudged my tray of food over to her.

Bella watched my movements intently, and the ghost of a smile playing on her lips turned into a soft smile. Her eyes were warm as she studied my face and I wished I could read her mind and understand what she was thinking in that moment. I was about to ask her what she was thinking when her body tensed and with lightening fast reflexes her hand snapped up and caught a plastic bottle before it could slam into the side of her head.

I hadn't even noticed the Stanley girl who was sitting across from us, she had apparently been trying to get Bella's attention, but Bella had been just as consumed by my company as I was by hers. The movement was entirely inhuman, no human could possibly have reacted that quickly, Bella herself seemed almost shocked by her reaction. It was as if her body had moved without the express permission of her brain.

"Whoa, good reflexes." Jessica muttered.

"What the hell, Jess?" Bella forced out a laugh and threw the bottle back at the girl. Her face was flaming in a red blush and her eyes darted to me and the others at the table, clearly trying to see if her faux pa was noticed. The human's didn't notice, not really, but I did. As Bella talked with Jessica about dress shopping I couldn't help but replay the moment in my minds eye. It would have been an impressive show of agility for me, a vampire, let alone Bella. Whatever Bella was, she was strong, and fast, and possessed a level of intelligence she kept well hidden. I know I had promised her that I wouldn't try and uncover her secret, that I would leave well enough alone, but I couldn't help it. I would do anything I could to figure out what Bella Swan was.

XxXx

If there was a God, he had a strange sense of humour. Carlisle and I had spent countless hours debating the existence of God, the nature of the human soul, religion in general. And while I liked the thought of a God, I wasn't entirely sure he existed. Even so, if he did, he probably got his jollies by making the skies of Forks unusually sunny, just to mess with me. I couldn't attend school or see Bella for the remainder of the week, and it vexed me to no end. I used those days to go hunting, alone. I didn't want to deal with the thoughts of my family members as I mourned Bella's absence.

It didn't take much to convince myself to follow Bella on her shopping trip to Port Angeles. After three days without her, the desire to see her felt like a physical thing lodged deep in my chest. I would follow her, just to make sure she was safe, that was all.

I followed Jessica Stanley's car at a distance, far enough away that she would not see my car, but still close enough that I could view Bella through her mind. Bella was excited, and it once again showed just how alone she had been before she moved to this small town. When the girls reached the department store I dutifully insured that they made it inside safely, before I diverted my mind. It wouldn't do to snoop inside their thoughts while they were trying on dresses. While I had been witness to many private moments and thoughts due to my gift, I was still a gentleman, and I would endeavour to give them their privacy.

A few hours past, and I decided to dip back into the minds of Jessica and Angela, just to check on Bella. But when I did, I realised she was no longer with them. At some point, Bella had left the department store, and now I had no idea where she was. I growled to myself as I started the car, I had to find her. Who knew what sort of trouble she could find herself in?

I cracked the window a small amount so I could sample the evening air as I sped along the darkened streets. I used every tool at my disposal to track Bella down. I rapidly flipped through dozens of minds as if they were the paper thin pages of a phone book, looking for the one person whose mind I couldn't read. I caught the faintest whiff of Bella's scent on the wind, and at the same time I found her in the mind of another.

I jerked the steering wheel and started in the correct direction. The image of Bella in the man's mind was of her walking from behind, and as Bella cast a worried look over her shoulder I grit my teeth against the foul thoughts in the fiend's head. Pretty little thing. She'll do nicely, oh yeah can't wait to bury my-

I snarling growl echoed in the empty car around me as I stepped down on the accelerator. The devil wasn't alone, and his companions thoughts were no better than his own. I weaved dangerously through side-streets as I sped towards them. I knew Bella was strong, and fast, but I also knew it was possible for her to be hurt. I could remember the bruising on her face with crystal clarity. Whatever Bella Swan was, she was still vulnerable, and I couldn't allow these despicable men to hurt her.

"I see you brought a friend." A third voice jeered and I slammed my hand against the steering wheel as I urged the car to go faster. I needed to go faster, I needed to get there and save her, protect her.

"Leave me alone." Bella spat, and I could feel the sicking humour in the three men's minds, apparently they liked their victims to have a little fight in them. I had three different perspectives in my mind, three unique vantage points in which I would have to endure and bear witness as Bella was assaulted. All because I had let her out of my sight, and because this damn car could not go any faster!

"Where do you think you're going?" The third man leered suggestively as he reached out and clamped his disgusting hand around Bella's dainty wrist. Bella came to an abrupt stop and through the tall man's mind I could see her slender body tremble in fear. I didn't want to watch this, I didn't want to be inside the mind of Bella's rapist as he took her innocence, and yet I couldn't bring myself to pull out of the man's thoughts.

When Bella spun on her heel and grabbed the man's arm with her free hand, I am not sure who was more shocked, me or the man. Bella's lips twitched as a monstrous growl echoed in her chest, I never would have thought I would describe anything Bella did as monstrous but it was the only word that came to mind. It was a sound unlike anything I had ever heard before, animalistic and primal and absolutely terrifying. Bella's eyes flashed with an untamed fury, her twitching lips formed into a sinister smile as she twisted the man's arm violently. I could feel the man's shock and pain as he fell to the ground, his knees hitting the hard pavement.

I watched through his eyes as Bella glared down at him, a feral look in her eye. "If you so much as look at another woman again, I will find you. And I will rip your heart out with my teeth." Bella's voice didn't sound like her own, it was deep and growly as she threatened the man. Bella leaned down closer, and I spun around another corner as I closed in on their location. "Do you understand me?" She hissed venomously. I was inside the man's mind, he was terrified and could not think a single coherent thought let alone speak. "DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!" Bella roared, and the man's mind turned a blinding white with pain as Bella twisted his arm, snapping it in a single violent motion.

Finally. Finally, I came screeching around the last corner. I yanked the steering wheel to the side as I reached over to fling the passenger side door open. I looked up through the windscreen as my headlights illuminated the scene in white light. Bella looked up, startled by the sudden noise and bright light and she dropped the man's mangled arm to shield her eyes from the brightness. For the briefest of moments, her eyes flashed, reflecting the light back at me like a wild animal. I didn't have time to dwell on it as I finished my manoeuvre, pulling the car to a stop sideways as the passenger door finished swinging open.

"Bella!" I shouted,

The feral look in Bella's eye evaporated, and as realisation sunk in she turned and looked at the whimpering man at her feet. She started to shake, trembling in shock. I needed her to move, "Bella! Get in the car! Now!" I thundered at her, and it seemed to break her out of whatever spell she had found herself under because in a few jerky movements she threw herself into the car and yanked the door closed.

I didn't hesitate as I sped away, out of the alley and out of the small city. I was afraid that if I didn't put as much distance between me and those men as possible, that I would finish what Bella had started. I went over the incident in my mind, re-watching it from all three perspectives, as I drove dangerously fast out of Port Angeles. Bella had snapped that man's arm as if it were a toothpick, she didn't even seem to notice she had broken it until I arrived and snapped her out of furious rage.

The men had gone from jubilant and aroused to horrified in an instant. And yet, I couldn't help but think that Bella looked positively stunning in her rage. Her eyes ablaze and her hair wild about her, she looked like a warrior priestess, and I very much wanted to worship at whatever alter she guarded. Bella had held that barbarian's life in her hands, and she looked just about ready to take it when I had arrived. The thought sent a shivering jolt of desire through me, and a devilish part of me wished that she hadn't stopped. It was completely mad, the very facet of my own being that I despised with such earnest, is what made Bella so utterly desirable to me. What would she have looked like, bathed in that human's blood? Would she had made good on her promise to tear his heart out with her teeth? My answer came to me within an instant as a reviewed the scene, of course she would have.

A single image clouded my thoughts, unbidden I saw it as clear as day. Bella, crouched down over the still warm and twitching corpse of that savage, blood staining her chin and dripping off her ravishing face, the still beating heart clenched between her teeth. I expected to feel some sort of revulsion at the brutal imagery my mind conjured up, but I found none. I could only feel an endless longing, a desire that burned hotter than the sun, and a strange sense of… companionship. Of belonging. Bella held a darkness inside of her, and it rivalled and challenged my own.

I was pulled out of my musings as I noticed Bella's breathing had become laboured. She had bent over in her seat, hunched over at the waist and was gasping desperately as if she were drowning. "Pull over." Bella wheezed.

"What?" I blurted, still caught up in my internal dreamings.

"Stop the car." Bella was louder this time, but her voice still wavered as she struggled to breathe.

"Bella, we are in the middle of nowhere." I tried to reason with her, even though I was beginning to worry. Bella's face had become pale, her lips were no longer pink and were becoming an unseemly grey, a sheen of sweat was covering her entire face.

Bella turned to face me, her eyes were wide and her pupils were blown, the chocolate irises a mere ring around the dark void. "Edward Cullen, stop the damn car!" Bella screamed at me, her voice broke several times as tears started to streak down her face.

I jerked the steering wheel and came to an abrupt stop on the shoulder of the road, gravel crunched loudly under the tyres. We had barely come to a complete stop before Bella flung open the door and hurled herself out of the vehicle. Bella staggered out of the car on unstable legs, stumbling towards the treeline with a mindless intensity. I opened my door and quickly followed her, I didn't want her to get lost in the woods. I approached Bella cautiously, I wasn't completely sure what was happening and I didn't want to do anything to further upset her.

Bella braced herself against a thick tree, she bent at the waist as she dry heaved a few times before trying to suck in some desperately needed breaths. Panic attack. Of course, how stupid could I be? She had just survived a horrifying ordeal, she had been followed and then attacked, was about to be viciously assaulted. And now, now that all that adrenaline and anger had had it's time to work its way through her system, it was finally hitting her. Her reality was crumbling down around her, Bella's sense of safety and sense of self had been attacked in the most appalling of ways. A sudden urge to comfort her filled me, warmed me to my core, Bella needed me now more than she ever had before.

"Bella," I began cautiously, not wanting to spook her. "It's alright." I gently took her warm hand in my own, relieved when she didn't flinch or pull away from me. "Take one deep breath for me. Just focus on your breathing." I whispered the words warmly, serenely, hoping to imbue her with a sense of peace. I slowly traced small circles on the back of her hand with my thumb, and as her breathing evened out I smiled, "It's okay, Bella. You're safe now." I promised gently.

Bella straightened up and observed me with a startlingly calm expression, her hair was a wild mess, it was half covering her face as she stared up at me. "Safe? What are you talking about?" She muttered in a hoarse voice.

I carefully raised my hand to brush her hair out of her face, "Those men can't hurt you now." I assured her confidently.

Bella looked at me as if I had gone insane, "That's-That's not what I am freaking out about, Edward!" She cried and yanked her hand out of mine, "Didn't you see what happened?" She demanded in a broken wail, "I broke that man's arm, I snapped it clean in half!" She took a stumbling step backwards, away from me.

Anger flooded my veins, "He deserved everything that was coming to him." I snapped. I could hardly believe it, Bella's panic attack was not brought on by what had happened to her, but rather what she had done to that pile of human filth.

"You're joking right?" Bella scoffed, her voice dripping with scorn. "He didn't even do anything!" She shouted at me, the words sharp as a blade.

"Yet." I spat back.

"What?" Bella asked incredulously.

"He hadn't done anything, yet." I heaved an exasperated sigh, "Bella, you have no idea the foul things those men were thinking."

"Oh, and you do!?" She shrieked as she moved towards me, that same fiery anger from earlier was burning in her eyes. "I seriously injured that man, Edward!" she howled as she continued her advance. "I was going to do worse! I WANTED to do worse!" Her eyes never left my own as she screamed at me in her beautiful rage.

"Yes, Bella!" I shouted back at her, my voice thundered around us in the otherwise vacant forest. "I do know what they were thinking! And I am glad you hurt that man!" I fumed, "I would have done a lot worse if I had the chance!"

My bellowing voice echoed into a still silence, and a watched in abject terror as Bella's righteous fury crumpled. Her face fell into one of complete devastation, tears springing forth and gushing down her face as a terrible sob choked it's way out of her throat. Regret and shame flooded my soul, I didn't mean to make her cry. I wanted to comfort her, to apologise for yelling, but how to you comfort a person when you are the reason they are upset to begin with?

As another anguished sob wracked her small frame she closed the small distance between us and threw her arms around me and buried her face in the crook my neck, gasping in desperate gulps of air in between her wretched sobs. I recovered from my shock and gently curled my arms around her shivering body, I slowly caressed a hand down her hair, hoping I was bringing her some measure of comfort. "Shh, Bella." I whispered against the top of her head, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry for yelling at you." My voice was desperate, I could only hope she would forgive my outburst.

I continued to card my fingers through her hair, taming it's wildness into gentle waves with my fingers. I felt Bella nuzzle her face closer against me, breathing in deep lungfuls of air, and the more she breathed in my scent, the more she calmed. Her sobs quietened and her crying stopped, but even then I didn't release her, I wouldn't let her go until she asked. I don't think I was even capable of letting her go.

We stood there, intertwined in each others arms, alone in the woods by the side of the road, for was felt like hours. But at the same time, it felt like barely any time at all. Eventually Bella spoke, "How can you stand it?" She whispered, her voice was rough from her screams and sobs, and her whisper was so soft that it was little more than a ghost of a breeze spoken against the side of my throat.

"Stand what?" I whispered back, afraid to speak any louder because I didn't want to break the strange enchantment we had fallen under, here in this evergreen forest, it felt as if we could simply remain here, tangled in this embrace until the end of days.

"Being close to me?" Bella whimpered, "I'm a monster, Edward. Can't you see that?" Bella confessed miserably, I wanted to argue but before I could she continued. "If you hadn't turned up with you did, I honestly don't know what would have happened."

I did. I knew that she would have killed that man, and then most likely turned on the others. I had seen it on her face, in her eyes as she took pleasure in that mans pain. I didn't say this, however, I knew that it wasn't what she needed to hear. Bella saw herself as a monster, a feeling I could most certainly identify with. But the most startling difference between us, was Bella's regret. The only lives I regret taking where those of the innocent, men like the ones who had accosted Bella were not on that list. Bella wasn't a monster, she was much too sweet for that. She cared for the well being of her would-be rapists, that kind of compassion can not be faked or forced, and was a mark of Bella's pure soul.

I chuckled sadly and Bella was startled by the noise and pulled back to stare at me quizzically, her eyebrows bunching up over her tear reddened eyes, "Oh, Bella." I sighed sadly, a soft smile tugged on my lips, "I'm pretty sure monsters don't have existential crisis's in the middle of the woods."

Bella's lips quirked up in an amused smile, and that made my smile widen, I was glad to see I had managed to cheer her up. Suddenly her eyes flashed, it was like she had a literal 'light bulb moment' "Oh shit!" She gasped, "Jess and Angela are probably so pissed right now. I'm so late for dinner." Bella bemoaned as she started to look fitfully around the small patch of woods.

She's looking for her phone. I realised after a moment, "You left your bag in the car." I commented.

"I need to call Jess." She stated, somewhat bewildered and I offered her an encouraging smile.

"Wait here." I ordered and started towards the car. Bella had left the passenger side door open and I ducked in and quickly found Bella's cellphone. I scrolled through the contact list as I ambled back the way I came. I pressed Jessica Stanley's name, ignoring Bella as she silently demanded her phone.

The line rang once before the Stanley girl answered. "Bella! Where are you!?" She shrieked. I was surprised to hear genuine concern in the girls voice.

"Actually, it's Edward. Edward Cullen." I shot a smile at Bella as she quietly fumed beside me.

"Oh, uhm where's Bella." the girl stuttered nervously.

"I'm so sorry, Bella and I ran into each other and got to talking. I didn't mean to make her so late for dinner." I lied easily, my voice dripping in charisma.

"O-okay, well we kinda already ate and-" Jessica stammered.

"That's alright. Bella really should have some dinner, and I am more than capable of taking her home." A assured her, pulling her in with my deep and hypnotic voice.

"Could you put Bella on the phone please?" She squeaked out and I raised my eyebrows in surprise, it wasn't very often a human evaded my charms.

I handed the phone to Bella who took it with a smug smirk. "Hey, Jess."

"You're good, right? Edward hasn't, like, kidnapped you or anything?" I scoffed a chuckle and the girls concerns.

Bella laughed too, "I'm fine, Jess. Sorry for missing dinner."

"Okay, well you can make it us to me by giving me the deets on Monday." Jessica teased

"Goodbye, Jess." Bella intoned sarcastically before she ended the call. Bella stashed her phone in her pants pocket and looked over at me, "Thank you." She said earnestly.

I frowned in confusion, "Thank you for what?" Bella had nothing to thank me for, or at least nothing I could think of.

"For stopping me." Bella scoffs as if it was obvious, and when I go to say that even if I hadn't stopped her, the world would have been a better place her hand comes up to silence my words. "It doesn't matter what you say, Edward. If you didn't stop me, I probably would have killed that man. So thank you." Bella's voice was calm and confident, her face was no longer flushed with tears or anger and she smiled serenely at me as if I had made everything right in the world.

I stepped closer to her and gently took her face in my hand, my thumb grazed down her cheek and she leaned into my touch. "You amaze me," I breathed reverently.

"What? Why?" Bella asked in an astonished voice, her own brilliance was a complete mystery to her.

I smiled lovingly at her innocence, "You're so concerned about the well-being of a man who wanted to do terrible thing to you." I chuckled sadly with a shake of my head. Part of me also knew that she was thanking me for stopping her for an entirely different reason. Not just out of concern for that man's life, but because she didn't actually want to kill anyone. Bella was so kind I was sure that such a thing would have destroyed her completely. "Come on, we better get you some dinner." I grabbed Bella's hand and led her back to the car.

Bella settled down into the passenger seat and when I got in the car she replied, "Actually, I'm not really that hungry."

I frowned at her as I started the car, "Bella, you should eat something." I chastised.

"Really, I'm fine." Bella stressed, "If you could just take me home, that would be great." She implored.

I considered everything that had happened that night, and figured now was not the time to argue with her. "Whatever you want." I agreed.

Bella was silent during the drive back to Forks. She just stared contemplatively out the window as the trees passed her by in a green blur. I didn't want to interrupt her, or annoy her with needless chatter so I simply allowed the soft melody of the classical music on the stereo to fill the silence for us.

I pulled into the driveway of the Swan house and Bella quickly gathered her things, "Thanks, Edward. For everything." Bella murmured softly.

"Of course, Bella." I smiled adoringly at her, hoping to convey that I would do absolutely anything for her, all she need do was ask. I gingerly took her hand in mine, revelling in the warmth of it, "I was wondering, if it would be okay to call on you tomorrow?" I inquired.

"Call on me?" Bella scoffed.

"Just to make sure you're alright." I assured her, I didn't want her to feel pressured or pursued.

Bella's brown eyes studied me intensely, and then she lunged at me with a furious hunger. Her hand that wasn't still held in mine came to cup my jaw as she pressed her hot lips against mine. The kiss was scorching, I had touched her a number of times but not until her lips were on mine did I realise just how hot Bella's skin was. I relaxed into the kiss, and I rested my free hand on the back of her neck, light enough so I wouldn't hurt her but firm enough to ensure she knew her attentions were wanted. Oh lord, were they wanted. Bella's lips moved against mine and just as I felt the flicker of her tongue against my lips, she pulled away with a gasp. Bella leaned her forehead against mine, her hot breath fanned across my face as she regained her senses. "I'll see you tomorrow." She whispered against my lips, and then she was gone.

Like a hurricane she whirled out of the car, taking all her delicious warmth with her. I wasn't sure if I could survive without her scorching touch against my icy skin, I wasn't sure how I had survived this long without it. Bella Swan was like a wildfire, blazing out of control, and I would willingly throw myself into the flames if it gave me the promise of her touch.

A/N: Damn, that was a long ass chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it! Also, in case you missed it, the sequel is now posted, it's called Blood Moon Rising and will be regularly updated so stay tuned! Thanks for reading!