A/N: The reviews have been staggering, thank you so much! My life has suddenly gone from droll to I cannot even explain it. I will reply to your reviews and PMs. This is a long chapter.

I am still holding out on some more opinions on when Edward should turn her… or should she even ask HIM to do it… we assume that Carlisle will do the job when he talks about it, she's talking about him. That should be interesting... without the quid pro quo marriage proposal.

Read and Review! Choose your own adventure.

Stay Safe.

Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight. No copyright infringement intended.

Chapter Three: It's A Matter Of Trust.

'You're welcome!' I heard Alice's thoughts outside of Bella's house.

Alice was no longer there, but my Volvo was.

Thank God. My family must really hate that truck. I jumped out of the window. Bella was taking an exceedingly long time getting ready. Nerves, I guess.

I opened up the driver's door, spotting a note Alice left.

Check The Trunk

Oh god, the damn thing was bursting with too much crap. And another letter from the omniscient one.

Edward,

One bag is for you, clothes, etc. The second bag is for Bella. I found comfortable clothes in her style and a substitute hospital gown, which Carlisle has approved. Toothbrush and her special toiletries. The extra blanket and pillows are for her. See! I've learned my lesson. The third bag is random stuff for the two of you, mostly.

Notice the garment bag contains Charlie's dress uniform. Leave all of that in the trunk. I wanted to make sure somebody had it, and it is available. Hurry your ass up. Carlisle is getting impatient and Esme is going between utterly thrilled you are back and murderous about the damage we've caused.

See ya!

A

I did as she instructed, checked my watch, and my hearing. Bella isn't one for long showers and longer sessions of getting dressed, but she sure was today. I tilted my head, looking at the hunk of junk truck. It really did not matter how much my family loathed the thing. My opinion has been clear since I first saw it. Not Safe. Built by the dog in love with her. I'm not going to talk about her truck. Even though it really isn't safe.

I wanted to buy Bella a car, a safe one with airbags, and one that goes as faster than walking speed. She loves the mutt's truck, and that's all that mattered. I noticed there was a spark plug sitting on my console.

Subtle Alice, really?

No, not today. It took me less than a minute to replace it and notice something else, there was something in the truck's bed, with a tarp covering it.

I wanted to look.

I needed to look.

There's something substantial underneath the tarp.

I caved... I wish I hadn't.

The tarp concealed a motorcycle.

Motorcycle? How is that even possible? Does my Bella ride this?

This seemed like a drastic measure of stupid and reckless. The bruises, the wounds.

Bella rides a motorcycle. Where is her helmet?

STOP IT!

I'd gotten used to being able to drown out noises in thought, so it wasn't until Bella cleared her throat, that I spun around to see Bella fidgeting with her fingers, but looking straight at me, waiting for my overreaction.

"This is yours?" I tried to take the bodyguard tone out of the question, as I was also curious.

"Yes, it is. I built it, I ride it, and I'm surprisingly good at riding. Shocking, I know..."

"Wow," I replied, scowling. Bella HAD changed, "so does that mean you're good with the whole speedrunning thing? No more fights over it?"

"Yeah," she squeaked, "you aren't gonna freak out about the bike?"

"I'd like to know more, and I would feel better if you wore a helmet. You are an adult, Bella. It frightens me, one of those deaths that I cannot stop. It's your choice." I gave her a nod as I attempted to smile.

"You're trying…" Bella beamed.

"I really am, Bella. I really am."

Bella took confident strides toward me, putting one hand on each cheek. With an audible breath, she had another monologue coming. This would not be pleasant.

"Look, Edward… the bike … some other things … they are all connected. Everything that happened to me before you left and after, they're connected. You will think I am insane once I explain, but for now, let's just say I needed it. I think it best to see the conversation Alice had with Charlie. I don't want you to constantly feel guilty… there are some things to know … we just don't have the time right now… I feel like I need to tell you two things… First…"

Bella was dazzling me with the intensity of her gaze.

"I love you. I am happy you are back. I am also angry with you, and angry at myself more than anything. Hindsight is 20/20 and foresight has shown me Alice doesn't want to tell me anything about my dad. I am so angry at you, and me, because he will probably die won't he?"

I looked down.

"I figured. Edward, you do not understand what I put him through. I was insane. Over the last 7 months, the last 7 months of his life, he had no relief from worry about me. He was right to worry. I planned on cliff jumping this week."

I winced.

Bella hesitated. "Edward, you don't know what it was like for me! Did you even know that I went after you? In… the…" she tilted her head toward the forest.

IDIOT! YOU DIDN'T EVEN CHECK TO SEE IF SHE GOT HOME OKAY? Now she has a fear of the trees across the street?!

"I ran to the Volvo. I was so ashamed of what I'd just done. I knew if I spent a minute longer near you, I'd lose my will completely. Another mistake. You got lost, I take it?"

"Uhm yes, and then I didn't really care anymore. I kinda crawled under a rock until Sam Uley found me, just before the sun came up."

Fuck Me.

I swallowed. Why is she even talking to me?

"The entire town was searching for me. Then there's the week immediately after, I never want to talk about. Renee threatened to admit me to a mental hospital. I went back to school and work. Do you remember that we sat next to each other in every single class before you left? That seat was empty. Your ghost haunted me every single day. I became the town's guessing game. Ultimately, the mob came to the consensus that you finally figured out that I am so out of your league you left. They humiliated me. They humiliated my father."

I internally kicked myself again. "You know they are wrong, if you don't they are. You are in a league of your own, far above me. I'm so sorry, Bella." I couldn't look at her anymore.

Bella pulled my chin back up so she could look at me, "I need you to take this as seriously as anything I've ever said because this is a promise, I hope I don't have to keep. I don't know how I would deal with it, and I don't know if I could. The one thing I know I cannot do is this all over again. If you leave, Edward, to be blunt, don't bother coming back. That cold shoulder of yours was so painful, so many times! I'm not that girl, Edward! I'm just not. No matter how much I love you, there are no more chances in running away. I'm out. Do you believe me?"

"Without a doubt," I answered.

"Good. The second thing I need to tell you, and I am sure you know this, but my Father is not your biggest fan in the world… that's an understatement. It's hard to see how he would be. I need to see him before I become the property of Forks Hospital and I will not bring you and me up. He may, but I don't want to upset him. I need him to know that I'm sorry, I'm okay, and he doesn't need to worry about me when he should worry about himself. No matter what happens. I will find my way through life, and I won't let anyone else define me. He has to know that I can move past loss as an adult. I'm sorry. I want to tell him."

"Don't." The word left my mouth before I had thought it. "You're right, I'll get details from Alice. He's your father, and I'm sure Alice is ready to escort you. I'll go see Carlisle or something, so you need not worry, I won't listen. I think those are all monumental things, Bella. You're so much stronger now, but also more lighthearted."

She gave me a slight smile. "I guess there is one more thing… I don't trust you. I don't trust you not to get scared and leave. I don't want to hear any double-speak; I don't want to hear debates with yourself about what is best for me. We… you… me... we're supposed to be equals. Physically I can't be, yet, but I will eventually. So join me in the 21st century, will you? No more secrets, editing, plotting, without me knowing and having input, respect my decisions, and meet me in the middle if you disagree. I need some commitment, a tangible commitment, something to hang on to. I know you say you will not leave until I tell you. I really hope that is the case. I'll probably be as moody as you as the overwhelming amount of drama comes into focus, but it's just as relevant today as it was a month ago. Spring break sucks."

Bella brushed her lips against mine, "I love you, Edward. It will take time, but those are my demands. Can you handle that?"

"Trust is easy to lose. Time is usually the answer. So, yes."

"Oh, and Edward, we are mates in the truest form…" Bella blushed, "If you ever find yourself in a situation that threatens your ability to come home to me, turn the world to ash if you must, or I will... just come back. Okay?"

I nodded. Bella's statement affected me more than I expected. I would turn the world to ash to find her, she feels the same.

I opened up the passenger door for Bella, made my way into the car. Before we pulled out of the driveway, Bella fell asleep on my shoulder.

Alice was brooding outside of the hospital entrance; I wasn't used to seeing her this way, she's normally pixie short with an abundance of pep. Now all I saw was the absence of it.

"Alice?" Bella interrupted her mid-brood.

Alice hugged Bella first and then made her way to me, hitting me hard, "don't you ever do that again. I'll kill you myself." Alice meant it, but I knew she was saying it out loud was for Bella's sake.

"Ditto," Bella said, smiling, but there was no mistaking the seriousness in her statement.

Finally, Alice started thinking at me. Bella noticed, as usual, but shrugged it off.

"Edward a virus doesn't make choices and I'm not tuned to know outcomes with the human immune system. I told you things were bad!" Alice thought, her brow furrowing, "Charlie doesn't have a lot of time left, and Bella won't be able to see him for long. Bella looks like she'll be all right, physically. Oh, and her Mom has it, or she will. I can't see her future, Bella's, yours… all up in the air."

"And the blackouts? Are they gone?"

Bella looked away as did Alice, reciting the Korean alphabet backward.

"I'm confused."

"I know what caused it, yes. I'll let Bella tell you why. Don't get into my head over it either. The thing is Edward… because of the quarantine, be vigilant, be careful, don't let anyone see you."

"You don't have to think about it, Alice, I know leaving was a terrible idea."

Bella nodded, analyzing us. I swear I think she can read minds when she chooses to.

"You don't know the half of it," Alice answered, she wanted to tell me but wanted to try a fresh approach, staying out of our relationship. Alice was not succeeding. "Someone has taken quite the interest in her though. You thought in leaving, you'd be taking her out of our world, because of the danger you pose to her, you right?"

I nodded slightly and silently acknowledged this truth without answering. Yet, with Alice's presentation of the missing pieces, a lump in my throat appeared. I wasn't sure I wanted to know the answers.

"Bella's new best friend is a wolf. The mutt is after Bella, and he's one persistent little doggie. I don't know if he would have given up if you hadn't come back. I'm not entirely sure he will give up at all." Alice finished shrugging at the end.

"We've spoken, sort of. He wasn't too keen that I called, but he was the one who answered the phone." I growled.

Bella smacked me in the arm, "Oww! Stupid vampire strength Gah! We'll talk about Jake later, okay? It's not simple… I have a lot to tell you, Edward." Bella started hugging herself.

This would be harder than I'd expected. I know now that paying attention to her entire being was the most important thing I could do… other than act like an actual boyfriend, not a father. Yet, if the motorcycle wasn't the end of the story… How many stupid and reckless things did Bella pull off, and why?

Bella was holding back a lot but wide open about other topics. I was holding something back. Bella will not be happy with how I spent my mistakenly self-inflicted miserable months of existence without her.

"He's got that Machismo werewolf attitude. Fortunately for you, they quarantined the entire Res. Since he is the heir to the throne and future Alpha, he has to lead by example. You lucked out there. Bella is dense about these things. You both are. Neither of you gets what is acceptable behavior if you aren't attracted to someone who is attracted to you."

Alice raised an eyebrow.

"Huh?"

"Tanya?"

I looked down, "I never…"

"I know that Edward. I know we left Alaska because she wouldn't leave you alone. You're always trying to be the gentlemen with her, and in not wanting to hurt her feelings, you only encourage her. Edward, you're a challenge to Tanya. Bella doesn't know her, but I don't need my gift to know how that will play out. Talk to each other. I'm so glad you're back!"

Alice snapped out of it and hugged me. She put her arm through mine and Bella's shoving between us, and the three of us walked into the hospital.

"Hey," Alice poked Bella, "Let's get you all settled, we've been waiting. Did Edward get the night bags out of the car?"

"Alice you didn't!" Bella replied.

"No, I did, err so yes, I did… kinda… Okay, I get it, Bella… I brought your style of clothes and a hospital gown that opens in the back without showing your butt. I brought Edward a few things. Be right back."

"Stupid vampire speed," Bella muttered.

"I'll show you the room, put your stuff away then take you to see Charlie. Then we have to get you comfortable before all the tubes and wires are attached. Edward needs to find Carlisle."

Bella winked at me and conceded to Alice's demands. Striking a brave face as she proceeded. Bella was brave, but the act she was putting on now teased my curiosity. I couldn't help but wonder how analytically she understands what is to happen with her father, not emotionally. From experience, it's not until they go that it hits you. I still miss my Mom. Per usual, I hadn't a clue what's going on in her head. She didn't look scared, and I'd only seen beneath that mask a few times. My fault, each time… okay… sort of… James and Jasper... they played their part. I needed to get the story on Laurent and Victoria.

"Edward," Carlisle said, beaming before embracing me. "Esme and I were so pleased to hear that you've come around and come back… you are back, correct?"

Carlisle worried about me, but something distracted Carlisle. Carlisle worried about the world around him. He looked as worn down as the doctors, the first responders, looked on the television. I should apologize when we have more time and privacy.

"I hope to be," I wouldn't lie to him… what would I do if Bella decides over time she wants nothing to do with me? "Alice took her to the room; then to see Charlie. Alice will help her get settled, even bought her a designer hospital gown." I rolled my eyes. "Do you think she'll be okay? Did you get a look at her medical records?"

Carlisle's doctor's voice came on like a switch, "Yes, Edward. Dr. Snow filled in the gaps about Bella's ER visits throughout the months, and other events he witnessed in our absence. Bella has been through a great deal emotionally, which took a lot out of her physically before the virus, so she could become sicker than most people her age because of a poor immune response. I haven't checked her out myself. She's been through worse. It seems as if having you and Alice around has helped her disposition. Edward that will tie into her physical willingness to fight this off. To make things much worse, she will lose her father. I'm not sure there is anyone, perhaps other than Jasper who can numb that emotional pain, but it's necessary pain, she has to grieve."

I closed my eyes. She did, but Bella the brave will let no one see her with her guard down. Bella is always, 'fine.' One trait of hers that drives me up the wall.

"I know that Carlisle. I get what you're saying, she hasn't processed it, but when she does, you're worried that she'll decline? I'm trying to follow where you are taking me."

"Yes, and frankly, from everything that Alice can see it isn't looking good for her mother either. Though she has yet to display symptoms, and you never know. Alice can't predict a virus that's programmed to search and destroy. Edward, you have been through this before. Hopefully, she'll let you help her through this, support her. She isn't alone. Within the next two weeks, she'll be as much an orphan as you were, which was never. If Bella will let you or anyone of us stay with her as she clears the virus, I'll give her a few treatments, and if she responds well, we can get her out of here as soon as possible. Rely on experience and your education. Other than being around our family, she's quarantined until she clears it."

I couldn't help my upper lip from twitching upward.

"What is it?" Carlisle wrinkled his nose at my response.

"Plasma?"

"Yes, I'm kicking it old school Edward, why are you laughing?"

"Oh, you may have to sedate her when you're doing that. She hates the smell of blood, it makes her turn green, lose consciousness. It doesn't need to be her blood either, a pinprick makes her sick."

'Humans can't smell blood.'

'Well, I can.'

"She smells blood?" Carlisle asked, surprised as I was finding out.

"I found this out on blood typing day… carrying her to the nurse's office."

"That's new, and interesting, such a bizarre creature." Carlisle's voice was now contemplative. Bella had produced another mystery for him.

"Edward it comes down to how she handles the next month. We'll do what we can to help while she's recovering. She will have to handle his affairs. You are in a unique position to help her there. How interesting that the only person who has what she needs to recover is you? I'm a little embarrassed that I didn't notice how suited you are for one another. She was born with some ability to keep you out of her head and keep on your feet. Bella lulled the predator she met initially, but never asked you to change, or repent for your darker days. She loves all of you, unconditionally. You don't see it, and she's not doing it on purpose, you only work as a couple in that give and take. Esme and I wished long before Bella that you would practice your conversational skills and interact with humans. It needs work, but it's a start. She's also your singer. Perhaps it's a gift for you, just not how other vampires see the phenomenon. Born with a scent that would make you notice her, and only you were strong enough to resist it because she's your mate, you just didn't know it. The thought scared you enough-you ran to Alaska. You can't hurt her… it goes against who you are now that you're altered. Put together, it could also mean that she is meant to be a vampire. Surely, you see, there is a lot of coincidence around the two of you?"

"I think you need to get some sleep," I joked.

'You don't sleep?! Like at all?'

The smile stayed on my face.

"I have to think about these perplexingly abstract concepts with all the death going on around me. Just take one of my jackets, put on a mask, and face shield. She's in the very last room, everyone knows that she is my patient and I am watching her closely. You won't be bothered. There's a closet and bathroom if someone comes in."

Carlisle's name was called over the PA system. He gave me a sympathetic smile and trudged out the door. The elder doctor vampire devastated over human death. If he hadn't felt this way 100 years ago, I might have just died. He needed someone too.

Just like Bella.

... And I needed Bella too.

A/N: Stay Safe! This story is getting ever more complicated, but I like what's coming. R/R about what adventure you'd choose?