I don't own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.

Cheryl and Gabby, thank you for pre-reading, and April, thank you for editing. Any mistakes left are my own.

Ch. 17

"Are you sure you don't mind sharing a room? I can switch with one of them," Edward asked, placing his bag on the bed nearest to the door.

"It's fine. It's only one night. Besides, doesn't Emmett snore?" I didn't really want to share a room with him. But making a fuss over it seemed a little juvenile.

"You'd have to ask Rose." The corner of his mouth twitched.

There was a knock on the door that joined our room with Emmett and Jasper's. Edward opened it, and Jasper came in with a laptop. He set it on the table and plugged it in.

"Emmett went to go pick up dinner. While we waited, I thought you'd like to call your dad," he suggested.

"That will be great. Am I able to call my mom too?" I asked.

The guys exchanged a look. Jasper sighed. "Possibly. Just so you know the risk of her phone being tapped is greater than your dad's. There are also going to be some ground rules."

I frowned as I contemplated this. "What kind of rules?"

"More like some strong suggestions. Like, don't tell them where you are. It also would be best if you don't say who you are with," he pointed out.

I nodded in agreement. "That sounds like common sense."

"Also, I wouldn't mention what happened earlier. We're hopeful we can make it seem like those men dropped off the radar before they reported they found you," Jasper continued.

"Again, that's more than reasonable," I agreed. "So should I make it sound like I'm visiting a bunch of college campuses? Sort of throw a red herring at them," I asked.

"That's a great idea," Edward said.

Jasper nodded. "Okay, Alice says you're ready to go. We'll be in the other room to give you some privacy."

I dialed my dad's number and waited as it rung. Edward hesitated in the doorway between the rooms before disappearing inside. I wasn't going to get the answers I wanted, but at least I would hear his voice.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Dad." I tried to sound cheerful.

There was a moment of silence before he responded. "Bells…how are you, sweetheart? I wasn't expecting to hear from you so soon since you were just here a few days ago."

"I'm doing well. I was visiting Columbia's campus today. Tomorrow I'm going to head up to Boston to see what Harvard's campus is like," I told him.

"The northeast? Why there?" he played along.

"There are some good med schools up here. Besides, I'm young, this is my best chance to explore the world before settling down," I said.

"This is very true. I've been more of a homebody myself. I hate to travel." Dad chuckled.

"Well if I end up in Boston, I hope you visit me. I read you can go deep sea fishing in the Atlantic."

"Would you even have time for your old man on top of medical school? You've been awfully busy these last few years," he stated.

I instantly felt bad. "I'm sorry, Dad. I'll make the time."

"I'm only giving you a hard time, Bells. I'm proud of you," he said.

"Thank you. I should go. I want to get an early start tomorrow. I wanted to check in to let you know I was good," I explained.

"I'm glad you did. Have fun in Boston. Have a lobster for me. Just don't go switching to the Pats on me. Brady is a cheat," Dad ordered.

"I won't," I promised.

I didn't put the phone down and dialed my mother. I was more anxious for this one, because even if her phone wasn't tapped, Phil might be close by. The phone rang twice before the line connected.

"Hello?"

I froze when I heard Phil's voice.

"Hey, Phil, it's me. Is my mom there?" I asked.

"She's at the club for her garden committee meeting. She forgot her phone," he answered.

I glanced around for a clock because it seemed like an odd time for a meeting.

"Where are you, Isabella?" he asked sternly.

"I'm in small city in western Massachusetts—I forget the name. After visiting Columbia, I decided to check out Harvard for grad school. The drive was longer than I thought, so I stopped for the night. I wanted to check in," I lied.

"A bit of a far reach for you don't you think? You didn't inform us you were leaving. We couldn't reach you," he scolded.

It wasn't lost on me how different he was than my own dad. "I left a note. It was a last minute decision, I figured since I had a few days off together it was the best time to go. I didn't realize I forgot my phone. Like Mother like daughter, I guess."

"Get home, Isabella," he ordered.

"I'm twenty years old and not a child, Phil. I'll be home in a few days before the next semester starts. Please, tell my mom I called. I'll try again later." I hung up before he could respond.

I tossed the phone down and tried to scroll around on the computer for the clock. But I couldn't find it.

"Food is here." Edward spoke from the doorway.

"Thanks. Why can't I find a clock on this thing?" I glared at the computer.

"There isn't one on your phone?" Edward questioned as he pulled out his own.

"I didn't even think to check it." I groaned and grabbed it.

"It's ten of seven." I read the time just as he told me.

I felt a feeling of dread, as it would almost be ten o'clock on the east coast. Mom wouldn't be out this late.

"Is everything okay?" Edward walked closer.

"No…Phil answered. He said my mother was at a garden committee meeting. She wouldn't be there this late at night." I shook my head.

"I'm sorry. Perhaps, he took her phone because he doesn't want her to contact you. And she's okay," he suggested.

"Can you call Garrett?" I asked.

I saw the answer in his eyes, but I could tell he didn't want to tell me. Instead, Jasper answered.

"Remember we talked about his in the car. He always contacts us so we don't blow his cover. And, you agreed it is best that Garrett doesn't know you're safe with us," Jasper said sympathetically.

"You're right," I agreed reluctantly.

"He should be contacting us soon. When he does, we can find a way to ask about Renée," Edward promised.

"Thank you." I gave him a small smile.

Days

The boys wolfed down their dinners as I picked at mine. I didn't have an appetite but knew I had to eat.

"So, Bella, what have you been up to?" Emmett asked.

"I'm studying to become a Physical Therapist. The plan was to graduate this spring with a Biomedical Science, B.S., but I don't know if that's possible now." I grimaced.

"Wow, you're going to be done in three years? That's great," Jasper commented.

"What about you guys?" I asked.

"I have a degree in Criminal Justice. I've been working as a clerk for Uncle Anthony. But as soon as I'm out, I was going to apply to a police academy," Emmett said.

"I've been studying forensics. I should be graduating in the spring. You know we can talk to Alice and see if she can get you transferred into online classes," Jasper suggested.

"Maybe. But that would only account for a couple of classes. There are a few I need which would require Labs." I frowned, then turned to Edward. "Did you still go into Prelaw?"

Edward, who seemed to be dozing, shook his head to wake himself up. "That's always been the plan."

"You don't sound so enthused. Is law what you want to do?" I asked.

He shrugged and stuffed a fry into his mouth. "It doesn't really matter."

"Why wouldn't—"

His dad calling cut me off. Edward excused himself and left the room. I watched him go and sat back in my seat. I think I already had my answer anyway. I waited for a few minutes before heading back to the room. Edward was off the phone and lying on the bed with his arm across his face. I assumed he had fallen asleep, so I tiptoed in. I shifted through my things, planning to take a shower before bed.

"Bella?"

His voice made me jump and I turned. "I thought you were sleeping. Do you mind if I take a shower?"

He yawned and shook his head. "No go right ahead."

I took my time in the bathroom, hoping he would be sleeping when I was done. My shoulders sagged to see him leaning against the headboard, wide awake, watching the television. He looked terrible.

"Edward, no offense but you're starting to look like a zombie. You need to get some sleep." I sat on the edge of my bed.

"I'll either sleep on the plane or back in Chicago. Someone has to stand guard tonight. Jasper needs to fly, and Emmett drove a lot today." He didn't look up from the news.

I stared at him for moment, then grabbed the remote and turned off the television. He blinked and glanced at me.

"I'll stand guard then. Get some sleep," I told him.

"I can't let you do that." He swung his legs over the side to face me.

"You're right. You're not letting me do anything. It's my decision to make." My face softened. "Seriously, Edward, you need your rest if you want to really help me. If you keep burning yourself out, you're going to end up sick."

"Fine. We'll do split shifts. Wake me in four hours. Agreed?" he conceded.

"Goodnight, Edward," I said.

Five minutes later, he was out like a light. I chuckled to myself. There was no way I was going to wake him up—he needed to sleep. I leaned and grabbed his phone, putting it on silent. My smile fell slightly as I watched him—he was as handsome as ever. I was starting to get confused how I felt about him.

I understood why he didn't want me in Chicago. His dad sounded like a hard ass, who seemed to be controlling him. Edward didn't appear to be happy at all. The only thing I could figure was it had to be loyalty to his parents that was making him stay. However, it was plain as day it was taking a toll on him. I wished he would leave like his cousins, for his own sake.

I knew I was beginning to forgive him. It still hurt he had kept it all from me, but it was said and done at this point. It made sense why he would have to keep being a vigilante… or an assassin, quiet. I would've freaked if he'd told me he was responsible for James' death years ago.

I also didn't know how to feel that our time with each other was his escape from reality. In a way, it should be flattering, but it still stung at the same time. I couldn't give him anything but friendship. I knew I wouldn't be able to be okay with the path he was on. It would only eat away at me. Starting a doomed relationship would be wrong.

While Edward slept, I watched some late-night movies on the lowest volume so I wouldn't disturb him. I sipped one of the sodas Emmett brought back to keep me awake. Around six in the morning, Emmett walked into the room.

"Rise and shine, campers," he said way too cheerfully for it being so early.

Edward shot up in bed and looked about, dazed. He grabbed his phone and checked the time. He glanced at me with a confused look.

"You agreed to wake me after four hours." He yawned.

"I never agreed. You needed your sleep more than me. I call the bathroom first." I got up from the bed without looking at him.

When I came out, he was leaning against the wall across from the door. His arms were crossed, but he didn't look upset. He gave me a small smile.

"Thank you. I guess I needed sleep more than I was willing to admit," he said.

"You're welcome. You don't look like you're a member of the living dead anymore," I teased.

"Funny." He chuckled. "I'm going to take a quick shower."

He started to pass me to go in, and I stopped him. "Hey, Edward, why wasn't there anyone after me?"

His smile faded. "The look on your face gutted me when I saw you last. It was why I stopped chasing after you in the storm. I hated I had hurt you. Not only did I never get over you, but I knew it'd always end badly with any other girl. I didn't want to hurt someone else."

I was about to tell him I forgave him when his phone rang. He hurried over to it.

"It's Garrett," he announced.

A/N: The walls are coming down between them. I know a few thought they should be down already. But to be fair this was Bella first chance to really stop and think everything through.

Since a lot of reviews have asked about Alice. She is not related to any of them. She was the girl found abused in James' basement when the Masens went to go take care of him. I think my last A/N confused some of you. I meant we had learned more about Alice and also Edward's father. I see how the wording made it sounded like he was both their dad.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.