A/N: Okay, so I'm a dummy. I completely forgot a plot point...an important one. So, I had to create this chapter to tie up that loose end. I feel like I also need to apologize for the wait. The last few weeks have been iffy at best and I wanted this to be good. I still don't really like this one, and you'll see why. Also, this one changes POV so beware.


CHAPTER 14:

BPOV:

My hand reached up to knock, but slowly dropped as he opened the door before my fist could hit the door.

"I've missed you." His face illuminated like a child on Christmas day. Scooping me into

his arms, his grip strengthened around my torso; it restricted my breath, but simultaneously a feeling of comfort took hold in my bones.

"I've missed you too Jacob, but I need to breathe," I chuckled with what little air I had.

"Sorry," his voice whispered with an undertone of sorrow. Releasing me, he took quick small steps backward.

"Hey, get back over here." I threw my arms around the back of his neck and sank into our kiss. "Don't leave me."

"I won't," he smiled into our kiss.

The night continued and he never left far from my grasp.


"Bella."

"Yes," I responded as he put a hand around my waist, pulling my body up against his.

"I don't want you to leave. But I also don't want to make you late," his gentle voice whispered into my ear.

"Crap what time is it?"

"8:30."

"Oh no." I could feel all the blood rush out of my face, "I'm going to be late. Crap, crap, crap. I have to go."

Only putting enough effort to put my arms through the holes, I multi-tasked by putting my shirt on while jumping into my pants. His grandfather clock in the hallway ticked on. My belongings had been scattered all throughout his apartment; there was no hope of collecting them in time.

Throwing my bag, only half filled, I scuttered to the edge of the bed and pressed a kiss on his check.

"Bella you can't leave."

"Jacob," I sighed, "I have no choice."

"No, sit. You can spare five minutes."

"I really can't Jake." My heart pumped faster the longer I stayed.

"Your hair is a mess. You can wait five minutes." Once he said it, I could feel the knots brush against my neck. I stood up a little to look into his mirror. A wreck-that's all I could call myself.

"Here." Sitting behind me, he brought the comb to my scalp. I leaned back into him, indulging in our time a little more.

A few minutes had passed, but not enough to my liking. "Okay, you're good to go."

"Thank you," I went in for one last kiss that left my lips a little swollen.

Sprinting to my car, I glanced at the clock in my car. He's never going to forget about this. My feet pushed against the ground in a haphazard manner as I maneuvered around cars.

With the engine on, I pulled it into reverse and exited the parking lot. 9 o'five. A familiar anxiety rushed through my veins. I never did well with being late. Always be 15 minutes early.

A shiver worked its way up my spine as I passed through security. I could feel their stares; they weren't unwarranted. My face had to have been colored with a deep blush from running. That and I was wearing the same outfit as yesterday. Looking down, I was at least pleased I had switched pants. Silently, I hoped that they thought yesterday was laundry day. Hearing a few chuckles behind me, I watched as Em glanced at the clock.

"What's got you so worked up Bells?"

"I'm late."

"By what, like ten minutes? Chill out Bella, no ones mad."

"Thanks Emmett. But I'm not so sure about that." At the end of the hallway, Edward's face formed a completely neutral expression-which I read as disappointment. With as quick of a pace as I could manage, I walked towards him. Our office already had a new stack of cases to begin on. Throwing my bag on the chair, I slide into my chair feeling the silence weighing on me.

"Edward…"

"It's okay Bella. It happens sometimes."


EPOV:

The sight of her relieved the pit in my stomach, but was quickly replaced by something worse-a mixture of jealousy, frustration, and anguish. Her cheeks were covered in a soft blush that was still dying down. I didn't care how late she was. It was just...if she had come on time...I would have known she was okay.

I had woken up last night to the television still blaring. She had taken up a habit of turning it off everytime I accidentally fell asleep on the couch. But since the images blurred as I squinted, I assumed she was still awake. That was until I had yelled her name only to be left in my own echo.

I couldn't imagine the number of calls I had left on her phone trying to get a hold of her.

"Edward…" Guilt laced her voice.

"It's okay Bella. It happens sometimes."

"It still shouldn't have happened."

"Don't beat yourself up over it. We've got something to start on." And that was the moment, I noticed that her shirt was inside out. I could have sworn she...wore that yesterday. Clenching my jaw, I wanted a way to take away this pain. As I took a few deep breaths, I was vaguely aware of her speaking.

Eventually I got to the point I would be able to speak without having my voice crack, "Sorry, can you repeat that?"

"Yeah, I was asking if we have a medical report yet?" It was in the file. Today was going to destroy me.

"It's right here," I said in a stale voice as I reached over her. My arm brushed her and I knew I needed to leave.

"I'm going to go check in with forensics."

"Okay." I heard her say from the hallway.

Ducking into a supply closet, I let the pain take over for a moment. My hand formed a fist unconsciously 5...4...3...2...1. I put on this mask that I had perfected over the years and opened the door. I moved with a new numbness I was forced to acquire.

"Sorry man," Em nudged me.

"Sorry about what?"

"You know...Bells." As soon as the words left his mouth, I knew I had to escape.

"What about her?"

"Nothing."

"Okay," I pressed my eyebrows together to show him confusion, "Anyway...I've got to get back because Bella is waiting."

"Of course."

Five minutes later, I had what little information the forensics department could dig up. As the elevator opened up, I had a sudden realization. I had to get to her phone before she checked her voicemail.

Em laughed through his office door as I darted down the hallway. In a blur, I noticed Director Aro step out of his office. Dodging his movement, I partly acknowledged that I would be reprimanded later, but I pushed that thought away as I reached the office.

My breath calmed as fast as possible.

"I can't find my phone, Bella," Shit, this will go the wrong way if I don't grab it from her before she opens it. I had no choice but to take the risk. "Can I borrow your phone?"

"Sure." Her hand ruffled through her bag before grasping the small object. Please, god, just throw it to me. And thankfully, my estimates of her habits were right. As soon as the phone was in her hand, it was flying through the air towards me.

"If you don't mind, I've got to walk around. I, honestly, have no clue where I put it."

"Yeah. That's fine. I'm still reading through this," she spoke without looking at me. I took it at a blessing; the flush of embarrassment and frustration had not left my face. I could still feel its heat.

Once out of the office, my eternal alarms blared. Someone was staring at me. Pivoting, my eyes locked with Director Aro's.

"I'm so sorry, sir."

"If something's messing up your performance, I suggest you work it out before I have to get involved." His face softened at the end...and he smiled at me? I couldn't really tell, but his lips lifted upwards.

"I won't disappoint sir. But, I really need to get going. I lost my phone earlier." As the words left my mouth, his eyes line shifted towards my pocket that definitely had a clear outline of where my phone is.

"Whatever you're looking for Cullen, I hope you find it." Turning around, he took large calculated steps back to his office. Meanwhile, I looked for that closet again.

Once I had the door closed and had a lock (that I created from what I could find in the room), I flipped her phone open. I left her 17 missed calls. Relief knocked into me; she wouldn't know anything. Emptying her voicemails and missed calls (just the ones from me), I reached for my own phone to make sure I had it in my hand when I walked in.

Five minutes later, I handed her the phone. Again, without her even looking at me, she took the phone and put it into her bag. She doesn't have to pay attention to you.


BPOV (a few hours later):

My eyes ached from the computer screen. Today was practically worthless. Hour after hour I sat in that cramped office, hovering over the case file.

I stepped into my car as Edward stepped into his, and, for the first time today, I really looked at him. His movements were straight and to the point. He looked out his window at me with hollow eyes. I really need to ask him what's wrong.

His head violently snapped to look in front of him. With the engine humming, I pulled out of the parking garage before him. I really needed to find out what happened.


My back sunk into the cushions as my eyes traveled towards him. His posture resembled mine but worse. His back slouched more than I thought possible for his body. He flinched when I looked at him, but he refused to meet my gaze. We both acknowledged my staring. No one acted on it.

Deep dark circles under his eyes yelled at me for attention. What had happened last night? A second later, I watched as his eyelids slowly closed just for him to protest against the exhaustion. His gaze became set on the television, but I had a feeling he wasn't absorbing anything that was playing.

"Are you okay?" I interrupted the code of silence we had carried for the past few minutes.

"Yeah, why?"

"Just seems like you're tired."

"I'm fine, Isabella." Isabella?

It had been years since I heard him utter my full name. Isabella was my past life-something I struggled with. Something inside me screamed to leave. The energy smothered me.

Automatically, I got off the couch and glided across the floor to the key ring. The little clang of them bouncing together seemed to make the awkwardness more palpable. Shooting a quick text to Jake, I took at last look at Edward. He lost the struggle with fatigue. His lips tilted downward and there was nothing peaceful about his sleep, but I decided to not ponder as to why.

Minutes later, Jake's arms encircled my waist. His warm skin on mine was more like home than the apartment today. But, there was another time to think about that. Jake took all of my attention.


It was like Groundhog Day. I overslept, came to the office 10 minutes left, had a weird encounter with Edward, felt guilt that had no specific cause, and then went to Jake.

Except our conversation before I left echoed in my head.

"Where are you going? It's late." His tone reminded me of my father but without the warmth.

I had the sudden urge to roll my eyes. "Jake's place." His expression became like ice with his lips forming a straight line.

"Are you going to be at work on time?" The attitude startled me. I bit my lip and cracked one of the knuckles on my fingers.

"Sorry," I muttered sarcastically, "I didn't think I needed permission."

"You don't." And like that, I saw a glimpse of the regular him. His bright green eyes showed hurt instead of anger, but a second later it changed back.

"I'm sure I can wake up on time," I glared at him. "Sometimes I think you forget I'm a capable adult."

"Be at the office at 9."

"My God, you're so controlling."

"It's your job, Isabella!"

Anger coursed through me as I slammed the door shut.

And now it was 7 in the morning. Yes, I was going to be on time. Jake pleaded with me to stay, but determination struck through me. I was going to show him that he was being a jerk.

Strutting into the office ten minutes early, I put my coffee on the desk and waited for him to show up. It only took a few minutes but there was an element of shock plastered on his face. I enjoyed it.

"Well, I'm glad someone is here on time."

I chuckled. I wasn't about to play this game of him putting me down. "You know Edward, it's okay to be a little jealous."

"Jealous?!" His voice boomed in the hallway.

"It's just that you're putting a lot of thought into Jake and I's relationship. Have you considered that it's because you're lonely?"

"I am not lonely. I'm perfectly fine." And then he broke. Just a little. Only enough that someone who really knew him could see it.


EPOV:

"Sure you are." Her words were another stab. I could barely feel my body-the numbness had seeped into every limb. But I also knew that if I didn't get away soon, the pain would return ten-fold.

"If it's okay with you, I'm going to work elsewhere today."

"Whatever you want." Her stare was hot enough to burn a whole through the file she was studying.

I screwed it all up.

I wanted her to acknowledge me so badly that I pushed her away. And the worst part was I didn't think I could stop.

"I'll be back at the apartment later Bella." As I said the word "Bella," she jolted up and met my eyes. I hoped that my face was enough to show my grief towards the situation.

Exiting the room, I murmured an "I'm sorry," that I knew she couldn't hear.

I sat alone in the apartment staring at the ceiling, pleading for pain to come back so that I could feel something. Instead, my eyes closed and the dullness followed into the next reality.


The moments of anguish wouldn't stop. Self-hatred would envelop me but rightfully so.

"I'm confused."

"I'm confused as to why you can't seem to set an alarm."

"I'm sorry I don't run off your perfect Cullen schedule. I guess I'm just normal."

My hand trembled for an hour after that. I didn't want this at all. I just wanted to know she was okay in my sick twisted way.

"I don't know how to feel about him."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"I don't really like him."

"Well you don't exactly have to do you?"

"Bella," I pleaded with her. I saw through his acts more easily than she could.

Rolling her eyes, she sauntered off to the kitchen.

"Bella!" I yelled a little louder than I intended. She flinched.

"WHAT!"

"I don't think he's healthy for you." I knew that I had judged him on things that I probably shouldn't have, but I couldn't feel him slowly start to control her. She didn't even call Ali anymore.

"You're not healthy for me."

The last heart-breaking conversation sent me into a downward spiral that I didn't know was possible.

"Edward, I'm tired."

"Tired of what?"

"Of fighting." Tears brimmed on her eyes from the emotional stress. I needed to stop.

As I mulled over everything, I missed the creak of the door. Our faces painted a picture of pure disappointment. She sighed, and, without a word, she closed the door back again. I need to get better.


A/N: I'm so sorry for the delay in writing! Everyone has a right to be mad at me. The next chapter will be...different. Can't make any promises ;) Please read a review.