A/N: Hey people! Here you go with the new chapter.

Thanks again to EdwardsFirstKiss for editing this for me. Hope you all enjoy!

Twilight belongs to SM. FY is my own world. ;)

Previously...

"What is it?" I demanded.

"If I asked you not to open that door, would you listen?" he asked with his eyes closed.

"Depends on who is at the door?" I raised an eyebrow in question. He sighed and nudged me to get up.

"Of course, you won't listen," he concluded and stood up, facing away from me. My first instinct, which always pushes me to comfort Edward whenever he is upset, urged me to go to him. But another instinct which I had discovered hours ago, which had taught me the art to ignore him whenever he turns into his "Keep-Bella-Ignorant-of-The-Situation" self, commanded me obstinately to leave him be and to find out who the bell-ringer is myself.

Jumping out of my bed, I carefully put on my flip-flops, watching Edward's movements, or lack thereof out of the corner of my eyes. I shook my head to clear off the sleep and stood up to open the "magic door". Irolledmy eyes at that last analogy.

There was a loud knock before I reached the door. I know I should have looked through the keyhole to see who was on the other side, but I think Edward's negligence to tell me this beforehand made me careless.

However, when I saw the monstrous frame in baggy pants standing in front of me, I learned my lesson. Never open the door without looking through the keyhole; that is what they are meant for.

CHAPTER 17

BELLA

"Hey," the monstrous man smiled softly.

"What brings you here, Jake," I motioned him into the room.

"I wanted to apologize," he answered in a low voice, his eyes lowered towards the ground.

"There's nothing to apologize for, Jake. Did you hurt me? Yes, you did. But I was at fault too. I should have informed you about my feelings towards you aren't anywhere near what you feel for me. I am the one who should be sorry," I moved towards him and rubbed his shoulder, half-hugging him.

"No. You don't owe me an apology, Swan. It's just...," he huffed and moved out of my grip to sit on the couch behind us. "I developed strong feelings for you which are hard to ignore. Earlier when vamp was there, it was easy to set those feelings aside. But to see you broken ignites a protective part in me. I...," he pulled at his hair in frustration and I stepped forward to sit beside him. He looked at me, taking my hands in his.

"Swan, I respect you more than I love you. And I respect your feelings for Edward, too. I don't know what overcame me in the hospital to say so many bitter things...," he shook his head in shame.

"Hey... Stop this, Jake. I understand now. Can we just move past it and be friends like we always were before this strange debacle?" I smiled comfortingly.

"I... I don't...," he took his hands off mine and stood.

"Like I said, Swan. Earlier it was easy. But now... Now it's like fighting my basic need to love you...," he closed his eyes in pain.

I don't think I realized the intensity of his emotions. "Jake...," I started, but he cut me off.

"No... You don't need to clarify anything, Swan. It's my problem. Don't worry. I'll always be your friend Jake and not your psycho lover Jake," he laughed at that. "Ok! Forget that conversation ever on, Swan. Tell me how you are feeling now?" he again sat beside me and I realized my friend Jake, as he'd just named himself, had come into the picture again. I wonder if I'm dealing with people having multiple personality's disorder.

"Better," I nodded at him smiling.

"Ok...," he said slowly. He looked around the home, his eyes searching for something. Finally, he looked at me with questioning eyes.

"What?" I asked cautiously.

"Umm... nothing. It's... Are you alone at home? I mean shouldn't Blondie or Shorty be here with you? Seeing that you were in the hospital a handful of days ago...," he motioned at me.

"Oh... yeah," I stammered. "They were here earlier. Rose and Em visited this morning and Rose prepared enough meals to keep me fed for a while. As you can see I am not disabled and hence, I asked them to stop worrying about me; I can handle myself on my own," I shrugged a shoulder.

"Of course, you can," he nodded affirmatively. "So... I think I should leave," he looked at me hesitantly.

"Yeah. You must have prior commitments to see," I stood.

"No... I mean... Yes, yes," he too stood up and walked a few steps towards the door. "Goodbye, Swan. Take care."

"I will. Goodbye, Jake," we both greeted too formally. Ugh! When will these strange meetings between us end?

I closed the door behind him and sighed.

"I told you not to open the door," Edward whispered leaning against the wall.

"Oh," I jumped at his sudden appearance. "I... There wasn't any reason for me to not open that door," I answered. He smiled sadly, raking a hand through his hair.

"Ed...," I was cut off mid sentence by a knock at the door. "Gah! Who's here now?" I rolled my eyes and turned to open the door, yet again.

"Sorry to intrude again, Swan. I just wanted... Woah!" Jake took a step back, his mouth hanging open and his eyes ready to burst out of their sockets.

"What? What is it Jake?" I stepped out of the door towards him, but he was looking at something behind me. Behind me... Oh no, he can't!

I turned to look straight into Edward's eyes who was still leaning against the wall, looking confused.

"Hey, Jake," I moved to his side to shake him out of his stupor.

"Swan! He... How? Dead... Wall… Vamp...," he mumbled.

" Ja-Jake come inside," I motioned his frame inside the door and closed it.

"Sit here," I commanded. He followed, but he was still looking to where Edward was standing.

"How can he be here, Swan?" he forced the words out of his throat.

"Who?" I pretended to be unbeknownst of the situation. Ha! It isn't like he can see Edward.

"Oh, Come on, Swan," he stood up aggressively and jerked me in a position to where I was in a direct line of sight of Edward. "Don't tell me you can't see vamp standing there," he pointed towards the wall with his finger."

Fuck my life!

"You can see him?" I looked at him bewildered.

"Of course, I can, Swan. But... Wait... You are not surprised. That means... Vamp is alive! You... you lied...," Jake moved away from me. "You knew he was alive," he accused.

"Jake... no... That isn't true..."

"Shut the fuck up, Swan. All the fucking times you knew he was alive and still you were being pathetic...," he gasped suddenly as a taller frame loomed over his face.

"Will you stop your verbal assaults and listen to what she's saying, wolf?" Edward spat angrily.

"Edward," I tugged on his sleeve to move him aside. God forbid if I can tolerate these two men's tempers. He finally moved aside but not without throwing a death glare at Jake.

"Jake, you need to sit down," I said authoritatively. He was about to protest, but one look from Edward quieted him. "Good. Now listen. You shouldn't be able to see Edward, and I don't know how you can, but believe me when I say that he is not alive," I whispered the last part sadly and Edward shifted to comfort me. Sighing, I continued and told Jake from the beginning about the strange happenings at the Manor, and then Edward's escape from my ring, leaving out the part where Edward told me about his Captor and Savior. That wasn't my place to tell.

Jake seemed to swallow all the information I gave him. "So, you are saying he is not alive as in living and breathing alive, but he is alive as in magic alive," he concluded.

"Umm... Yea... I think you can summarize it all that way," I blinked at him. "But I still can't understand how you can see him when neither Rose nor Em sensed a hair of his presence," I furrowed my brows in confusion.

"Why don't you ask Mr. I-Am-Magic-Alive?" Jake muttered sarcastically.

"I don't know," Edward folded his hands over his waist and for the first time since his appearance I saw him looking confused too.

"Wow. Now I really want to parade you around town to collect an army of Vamp-seeing-people," Jake laughed.

"Shut it, Jake. This is a serious issue. If I don't know who can or can't see him, then I have to do something to hide him. We can't let people see you," I said the last part to Edward.

"You're right, love. But none except you should be able to see me. How he can...," he waved a hand at Jake, "...is beyond me."

"And we can't be sure that no one else can see you," I challenged.

"But why is he here?" Jake stood.

I was milliseconds away from slapping the shit out of him. Had he lost his mind? Isn't it a good thing that Edward is here... with me... But I stopped myself realizing that he wouldn't understand my perspective. For him, logic said that Edward should not exist.

"That's none of your business, wolf. It's best if you to leave," Edward spat angrily, sensing my small breakdown.

"Edward...," I motioned for him to stop. Breathing through my nose, I stood in front of Jake. "See Jake... You remember the stories your mom told us?" I waited for him to follow. When he nodded, I continued. "Ironically, this situation seems the same to me. Some things are beyond our control. We just have to be anxious passengers on life's train, waiting for our station to come in. Trust me on this," I took his hand in mine, giving it a little squeeze.

"Are you sure, Swan?" he looked at me hesitantly.

"I can never be unsure in any situation involving him, Jake," I pleaded him with my eyes to understand.

"Fine, Swan. If you think you can handle the chaos yourself, then let it be," he sighed and moved to leave. "Vamp. Apologies if I said something hurtful," he smiled at Edward. Edward nodded, rolling his eyes slightly. Oh, these men! Jake just laughed a little and turned to hug me.

"Take care of yourself, Swan. And don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it. My mom and I are there for you," he whispered in my ear.

"Thanks, Jake. I appreciate it," I gave him a smile as he opened the door to leave.

"Goodbye, vamp," Jake smirked, giving Edward a mock salute.

"Good God. What a day!" I huffed, sitting on the couch with my head in my hands.

"Sorry, love. This is all...,"

"Edward Anthony Cullen! For once will you stop taking all the blame yourself?" I looked at him angrily. He raised his hands in surrender and came to sit beside me. Gently he tugged me into his lap and started massaging my head with his fingertips. I moaned at the warm feeling that bubbled inside me from his action.

"Careful, love. I believe by now you've come to know that we can feel each other's pleasure," he laughed softly.

"Mmmhmm... Then it's your fault for being such a good massage-man," I smiled and closed my eyes.

"When are we going to discuss our next move, Edward?" I murmured after some time.

"When you'll tell me about what you meant when you said to Jacob regarding the stories his mom told you," his tone was solemn.

I opened my eyes and looked up at him confused by this sudden change in the topic. How can Sarah's stories be a topic of interest to him?

"I don't understand. Why do you want to know about them?" I remembered what Sarah had said about not telling those things to someone else and added, "Besides I was asked to not discuss that with someone else...," Edward raised an eyebrow at me. Shit! He wouldn't let it go. "I mean she indeed failed to mention if you could tell them to your supernatural fiancé, but still- a promise is a promise," I sat up with my hands raised. Edward chuckled silently.

"Love... Maybe Mrs. Black would definitely make an exception for this supernatural fiancé of yours," he smirked cockily. Oh, and even after so long, I fell for his cockiness.

"Ugh... Fine... So here it is...," I started and told him all the petty details Sarah had told me about my birth mother, Aunt Marie, Charles Black, Billy Black and rest of the family ancestors. After I finished with the tale, I was emotionally exhausted. Edward took me in his arms again and wiped the tears from my eyes. When did I start to cry?

"Hush... Love, I know it would have been a lot to take in. I should have been there for you," he breathed, his face buried in my neck.

"No... It's... It just hurts to know how a mother could abandon her child," I sniffled, hugging him closer for comfort.

"That lady wasn't your mother, love... Forget about her," he soothed me, caressing my hair softly.

"I try," I whispered sadly. Even though I try to ignore it, it has remained in the back of my mind. It's like I can't figure out why would have she left me? For love? For money? Running from responsibilities?

"Don't stress yourself, love," Edward kissed the top of my head.

"Mmhmm...," I snuggled into him.

"Do you want to know, now?" he said quietly.

"Know what?" my voice was muffled due to my head buried in his chest.

"About my Savior...,"

"Of course!" I exclaimed, jumping out of his lap. Sitting straighter, I urged him to continue.

"My Bella," he chuckled. "How much I missed you?" I knew the question was rhetorical; so I just smiled at him. He shifted forward and pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. His fingertips lingered over my cheek. I tilted my face and kissed each one.

"Tell me," I asked again.

"Not all superstitious things are true, love. And those which are, they are interlinked," his stare was penetrating, and I felt a cold shiver running down my spine.

"What do you...," I stared back at him.

"My Savior... you wanted to know who he was?" he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Or rather she is," he looked at me calculating my response.

"She?" I looked at him confusedly. His Savior... A lady... My eyes widened as realization hit me. "Don't tell me Renee Swan is your Savior...," I shouted.

"What? Of course, not! Lady, you never fail to surprise me," he shook his head laughing under his breath. "You made a serious situation sound comical."

"And why am I not finding this funny, Mr. Cullen?" I raised an eyebrow at him, folding my hands under my breast.

"Sorry, love...," he coughed. "No, Ms. Swan is not my Savior. Swasean is."

What the...

ooOOoo

The snow was falling on the ground and the surroundings were covered in a white sheet. The world outside was cold, and every creature was hidden in its respective sanctuary. Darkness was everywhere which caused at some points the snow lakes to glitter. Far away somewhere the tapping of horses' feet was heard. A man stepped down from one of the horses in front of the only cottage in the area; the horse neighed. The man loudly knocked on the door. Three other horsemen stood still in their positions. The place was silent and hence the sound of a fist meeting wood reverberated all around.

The door creaked open, and the man went in stealthily.

"Mahastra called for you," the man informed lighting a cigarette.

"Tell me something I don't know," a coarse voice replied.

"How long are you going to bear it all, Raim? You know you could get out of here. Just tell me where she is," the man said going further inside the cottage.

There were chains everywhere, and a figure appeared tied to a chair. The man in the chair was covered in dirt and bones were poking out under his skin. His face which was lit by moonlight coming from a small window in the room had a long beard and a heavy white moustache. He seemed like he was starving.

"I told you earlier I don't know where she is," Raim replied angrily.

"Of course, you don't," the man laughed. Coming nearer, he sat on the floor so that he was now level with old Raim in the chair. "Listen. You know if Mahastra comes to know I am coming here to meet you, it will be a big problem for us. It is in both our benefits if you tell me where she is."

"You're just like him," Raim smirked.

"No, I am not," the man stood up fiercely. "Don't provoke me, Raim. Tell me...," the man frustratingly ran both of his hands through his hair. "Look. If you tell me where she is, I'll help you get out of here."

This captured Raim's attention. Of course getting out was the only thing he wished for on a daily basis.

"As if you can do that," Raim tilted his face a little. Everyday with the little magic he was left with, he tried to break the barriers to get out. But he had only succeeded until now to open the door for the man in front of him, a couple of times.

"No, I can't. But she can," the man said. He was silently praying the old fellow to tell him where she was. He wanted to meet her once. Just once.

"You really want to know, don't you?" Raim looked at him curiously.

"You know I do," the man pleaded.

"Hmm...," Raim appeared thoughtful. "But I seriously don't know where she is. Last I know she was in some Seventh Street Manor."

"But she isn't there now. I checked yesterday. Her aura was no where near that Manor," the man cried in frustration.

"Calm down, son. You'll find her. You should leave now," Raim advised.

The man stepped back and turned to leave.

"Farewell, Raim. I'll not come again...," his hand touched the door knob. "And don't call me by that filthy name again. I am not anyone's son." With that the man left closing the door behind him.

The snowflakes shone like stars on a dark night. The tapping of the horses was now far away from the place. Inside the cottage the old man lay back in the chair and closed his eyes.

"I know where you are. But no one else can," he smiled as sleep enveloped him.

ooOOoo

So, What say? I know I took too long for this update, but I was really swamped due to my semester end exams. So now you know who the savior is. And who is Raim? And the man? Who was he searching and what for? Wait and see. ;)

Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR, guys. May you have a wonderful year ahead.

cheshire15: Great insight! It was really Jake :)

REVIEW people! It will keep me going for good and faster ;p I would love to hear you all after so long.

Thank you for following, favoriting, reading and reviewing this story.

See you soon.

-K