I sat in the hospital waiting room with a weak coffee in one hand and Angela's grasp in the other.

The wall to ceiling windows behind us exacerbated the pounding of the rain. An omen.

Renee was with Phil and Carlisle while they stitched him up.

Angela leaned her head back on the plastic seat. It wasn't until I felt the shaking that I realized she was laughing.

I glared at her.

"I'm sorry, Bella," she choked out. "Come on, you have to agree it's pretty funny."

I let go of her hand.

"I knew you were resourceful," she said. "But, damn." Her laughs were echoing in the hallway.

"You can come in now, Bella," Carlisle's soft voice called from the double doors.

I looked up at him expecting to see a glare of disapproval. Instead, he gave me a supportive nod.

They were at the furthest bed. My shoes squeaked as I walked over making them turn their heads in my direction.

They did not look happy.

Phil was sitting on the side of his bed, Renee was sitting down beside him. His feet didn't reach the ground making him look like a big child.

His eye was swollen and bruised, with stitches on the end of his eyebrow.

I winced at the sight.

I stood in front of them. Phil wouldn't look at me and shied into Renee. My face must have shown my distaste because Carlisle patted me on the shoulder giving me a meaningful look.

Right. Apologize.

"I'm sorry, Phil,"

He still wouldn't look at me.

"I don't know what else to say."

"I'm not going to press charges," he said, finally looking up.

I hadn't even thought of that as a possibility.

Renee raised her eyebrows at me, urging me to continue.

"I was being chased, I thought I was in trouble and when you grabbed me I thought I'd been caught," I rushed out. "It doesn't excuse it. I just didn't know what else to do."

"I'm going to miss work now, you know. How do you expect me to provide for your mother?" Phil asked, his voice getting angrier as he went on.

"It was an honest mistake. Wasn't it, Bella?" Renee said, rubbing Phil's back.

"Really. It was. I wouldn't hurt you on purpose. I didn't even know it was you," I stressed.

He nodded, looking down again.

I rolled my eyes, jolting my mother in to giving me her most severe look.

"Let's go, Bella," Carlisle said.

He led me out of the ward where my dad was waiting.

Charlie put his arm around me, nodding at Carlisle. "Thanks, Doctor Cullen."

"You're welcome, Chief Swan. See you later, Bella."

"Angela's parents came for her," Charlie whispered.

I nodded, looking down at the ground.

In the silence of the car, he turned towards me. "You've got a good aim."

"What?"

Charlie's mustache twitched. "That was some wack. Maybe it'll knock some sense in to him."

"Dad!" I exclaimed. "How can you say that? I've assaulted a man."

He shrugged. "I didn't see it. Would you like some ice cream?"

I shook my head in disbelief.

"Well?" he asked.

"What kind?"

He turned the engine on. "Whatever you want, kid," he chuckled.

&TL&

I hadn't heard from Renee. I didn't know whether she was still in Forks or if she was back in Seattle or even the whole way back in Arizona.

I couldn't bring myself to ask my dad because every time he remembered the assault he hummed the Rocky theme tune and threw air punches.

I'd analyzed that day over and over again, and the more I did the more I was sure it was just my imagination and I'd bashed my stepdad over the head for nothing.

People had been trying to high five me in the hallways in school as if I was some sort of hero. How does assaulting someone classify as a hero?

I hadn't spoken to Jasper since the incident. Did he think I was bat shit crazy?

"I think we should do something before the cold weather comes in," Angela said at lunch the next Monday.

"Why don't we sign up for the camping trip at Lake Crescent?" Jessica suggested.

My ears perked hearing the destination. I loved Lake Crescent; Charlie took me every summer as a child.

"Let's do it! Bella?"

I stopped crunching my celery, realizing how loud it was as they quietened for my response.

I really wanted to go, but because of how I reacted in the middle of the day at a family event, I wasn't sure it was a good idea for me to stay overnight in the forest.

"I don't have any gear," I replied, lamely.

Angela tutted. "The school provides it. Quite wallowing. So you hit your stepdad with a chocolate apple, nobody blames you."

Jessica dropped her head, hiding a chuckle.

I raised one eyebrow at her. "Fine," I groaned. "I'll go. But if anyone thinks it's funny to play a joke on me, well, there's more chocolate apples where that came from." I eyed everyone at the table, including Mike and Tyler who had been on their best behavior since Jasper scared the living shit out of them.

&TL&

"Things are getting pretty normal for you now," a silky voice said behind me in gym.

"If that's what you want to call it," I replied without turning around. I held my hockey stick tighter. This was the first that Jasper had spoken to me since Saturday.

I knew he could feel how relieved I was that he was still talking to me and that bothered me. I didn't want him to know how much I cared about his approval when he doesn't make anything clear on how he feels about me.

He chuckled. "Apart from Saturday. So, you've had no new emails or notes?"

I shook my head, finally turning towards him. It hurt to look at him, I wanted him so bad it physically hurt. I wanted to reach out and take him and keep him to myself.

"Bella, no," he said. My heart dropped. "You're human, I'm a vampire," he whispered.

I turned away, frozen.

Had I imagined all of it?

"It would never work," he finished.

I was so fed up of this. I hadn't imagined it.

"Keep telling yourself that. Maybe one day you'll believe it," I spat, walking away.

&TL&

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Charlie asked.

It was Friday morning and Charlie had driven me to school for the camping trip. The yellow bus was waiting for me to get my ass out of the cruiser and go.

Angela stuck her head out of the window. "Come on, Bella."

"Listen, Bells. I know you think I'm stupid and that I don't know somethings going on with you. But I'm a cop, I know things. Something spooked you last week and I don't know if it has something to do with Phil or not." I opened my mouth to object, but he held his hand up. "What I do know is that I will always protect you, and when you're ready to talk I'll be here."

I couldn't help the smile spreading. "Thanks, dad."

"Go have fun, and if any one comes at you, Bella, just do what you did to Phil," he called, loud guffaws echoing out the window as he drove away.

I shook my head.

I stuffed my bag in the storage area and got on the bus, dropping in to the seat beside Angela.

"I didn't think the Cullens would go," Angela whispered in to my ear.

My heart picked up. Please don't let him be here.

I turned in my seat looking towards the back of the bus. Sure enough, there they were looking amazing in casual clothing. Jasper, Edward and Emmett.

I rolled my eyes, flicking my hair behind my shoulder. "Whatever," I said.

"He'll come around, Bella."

I shrugged. "I don't care anymore. Maybe I'll move on to someone new."

Angela snorted. "Sure you will."

But as she spoke there was a loud screech at the back of the bus like metal being crunched that made us both jump.

Edward was whispering furiously to Jasper while he looked out of the window with a disinterested face, but I could see the hard edge to his eyes.

I smiled internally.

It didn't take us long to get to Lake Crescent. It was a cloudy, balmy day. Probably one of the last we would get.

I grabbed my bag and paused to take in the piney smell of the trees. It was beautiful.

The lake still glimmered under the clouds. I wanted so bad to jump in and swim all day, maybe grow a mermaid tail and stay there forever. Instead I had to settle with kayaking.

I had one of the most carefree days since my time here. I still threw longing looks in the direction of a certain blond but for the most part I managed to stay present.

It was hard not to notice the shape of his body in a wetsuit. I bit my lip and turned away. Everything in my body was pulling me towards him.

We used the Lake Crescent Lodge to shower and change back in to our clothes.

I stood under the spray, my mind spinning with all of the possibilities. He was somewhere in this building, standing just like me right now. I pictured the way he would look at me if he were to walk through that door. Maybe his golden eyes would darken as he took me in.

But that was all just a fantasy.

I rinsed the conditioner out of my hair and shook my thoughts clear.

I brought my butt-shaping workout pants. I had to. With a matching cropped sweater. OK, so I hadn't pushed it completely out of my head.

I dried my hair and threw my clothes on, waiting for Angela to finish.

We still had to hike to our camp. The air was getting chillier outside making me glad my sweater came down over my hands.

The clouds had cleared, though the sun was too low to penetrate through the thick forest, making it safe for the vampires on our trip.

We hiked through the thick brush. Mike, Tyler and Ben were singing songs at the front of the group with their arms around each other, making us all sing and dance along.

I knew Jasper was behind me so I made sure to sway my hips just that little bit extra.

We reached our camp and Angela and I set up our tent.

We sat around the campfire cooking hotdogs and burgers. I wrapped my blanket around my shoulders while the teachers told us horror stories.

"You don't know the legend of the Monster of Marymere?" Coach Clapp asked.

"Please," Mike said. "My mom used to use that one on me all the time as a kid."

I yawned deeply, leaning my head on Angela's shoulder.

"OK, I think my tent mate is about to fall asleep so we're going to call it a night," Angela announced.

I nodded sleepily.

I dropped on to my sleeping bag barely managing to get myself inside before I dropped off to sleep.

A loud crack woke me from slumber. I checked my Fitbit. It was two in the morning.

I turned the other way, trying to get comfortable. The sleeping bag next to me was empty. I shot up and squinted around tent as if I would find her anywhere else in the tight space. I patted her sleeping bag, finding her phone under the pillow.

I put my sweater on and unzipped the tent, stepping outside. The air was still slightly warm thankfully.

I put the flashlight on my cell and scanned the area.

"Ang?" I whispered.

God, how was I supposed to call her? Where could she have gone?

I walked just outside of the camp where there was another clearing.

"What are you doing up?" A voice asked.

I gasped, twirling around. I shone my light in the direction of the voice, seeing a familiar pair of golden eyes and blond hair.

I swallowed. "I'm looking for Angela. Do you know where she is?"

He smirked. "She's in Ben's tent."

I nodded, impressed. I didn't know she had it in her. She was still going to get it for making me worry, though.

He was stalking towards me. His movements making my breaths come deeper. His long, lean legs were covered with gray sweatpants cuffed at the ankle, with only a white t-shirt on top.

When he reached me he put his large hands on my hips, more on my butt than anything and pulled me in to his body.

"What are you doing?" I asked. "I thought we were just going to be friends?"

He gripped me tighter. I tilted my head back to look at him. His eyes were just as I expected, pitch black.

"How can I be just friends with you when you have pants like that on?"

I scoffed. "So you want me for my ass? Don't think so, pal."

Inside, my heart was pounding, my hormones were whirling and he knew I wasn't being serious. He could ask for any part of me and I would give it.

One of his hands took a slow trail up to the back of my neck, sparking a path of shivers.

"We could pretend this is a dream. One instance where we don't have to worry that you're human and I'm a vampire."

I couldn't help it, I gripped his biceps. "If you had any balls you could do that in real life."

He didn't respond.

"Has a girl, vampire or not ever challenged you like I do? Have any of them even held a shred of what I have to give? Why are you throwing this away?"

He let a long, slow breath out. The cinnamon scent washed over my face making me bite my lip.

He pulled me impossibly closer, I could feel the hard shape of his body pressing tightly against my own.

His thumb gently pried my lip from my teeth as he leaned down and wrapped his lips around my bottom one.

My whole body throbbed with want as I kissed him back. He gently sucked my lip into his mouth before he forgot about the preamble and opened his mouth against mine. I welcomed the change, opening myself up to him. His tongue met mine and I finally felt all of him. His emotions battered against me, mingling with my own. They were extraordinarily identical.

Before I knew it, it was over. I was struggling to keep my cool as he pressed soft kisses on my lips and jaw.

"Just a dream," he whispered sadly.

I woke up in my tent beside Angela.

I shot up and felt a sense of deja vu. Didn't I do that recently?

Angela yawned loudly. "God, I am so tired."

I looked around. "I think I got a good sleep." I felt surprisingly refreshed.

"Your lips are swollen. Do you bite them in your sleep?"

I licked them, tasting something spicy sweet that stirred up something inside of me. A memory? A feeling? My body tingled at the taste.

"I don't know. Maybe. How did you sleep?"

Her cheeks flushed. "You really didn't notice?"

"Notice what?"

Her smile was infectious. "I went to Ben's tent last night."

I gasped. "You did what? Wait, why do I feel like I knew that already?" I had the same feeling as I did when I woke up. Was it just deja vu?

"Maybe you woke up?"

I bit my lip, tasting the same spiciness as before. "Maybe."

We lounged around the campfire for breakfast. Ben looked like hadn't had a wink of sleep which made me smirk. I gave him a look as if to say I know what you were doing.

I sipped my orange juice, taking in the view of the trees sloping up in the distance when I noticed Jasper and Emmett packing up their tent.

He looked up as he was rolling the fabric, scanning the forest. I couldn't shake the feelings of familiarity within me as I watched him. I didn't even feel bad that I was openly staring.

That's when I remembered my dream. Soft lips wrapping around my own, his body pressed so tight against mine that I could feel every contour, the certainty in his eyes. The overwhelming feelings that filled my body.

I dropped my head, feeling embarrassment rush to my blood vessels, exposing me.

Why did I have to dream that in a tent right beside him? Please don't let me have said anything in my sleep.

We started our hike back to the lake. I was on my own as Angela was with Ben at the front of the group.

"Hey, Bella," Emmett sang. "You enjoy your night?"

He was looking at me strangely, as though waiting for a reaction.

"It was fine, I guess. What about you?"

He grinned. "I had a great night. I love the forest."

I giggled. "You look like someone who migh –"

I yelped. My arms falling forward to the rocky ground.

Jasper's steel arm slipped around my waist catching me, just like he did on that first day in gym. I gripped his arms, his face closer than it had ever been. His cool breath washed over my face and I recognized it immediately.

The taste on my lips.

Was it a dream?

&TL&

I spent the bus ride home wondering if I was going crazy. How could I have dreamed that taste? My mind wasn't creative enough to invent it.

There's no way I was out of my tent in the middle of the night. I would know for sure if I had been.

Charlie was waiting for me in the car park. I dropped in to the passenger seat letting out a large breath.

"Good time?" Charlie asked.

I nodded. "Interesting experience."

He chuckled. "No apples?"

"Ha. Ha," I said. "No need this time."

When we got back, I rushed upstairs turning the shower on immediately.

I washed away the smell of campfire, taking longer than normal under the hot spray. My muscles were a bit stiff from sleeping in a tent.

I threw on my coziest pajamas and slippers. Today was going to be a lazy day. I deserved it.

I threw all my laundry in the hamper. I would do that tomorrow. A TV show binge was calling me.

Charlie had left my mail on the bed. One from the bank and, a handwritten one.

Immediately I felt on edge. My fingers shook as I ripped open the envelope.

The paper was thick and had a hotel name on the top of it. One in Tacoma.

You didn't think it was over, did you? You won't see me before I come for you. You're barking up all the wrong trees. Pun intended. This is only the beginning.

I'm taking a few liberties with the weather in this part of the world.

Thanks to anyone reading, if you're out there.