A/N: Hey all! Thank you so much for all your reviews and adds. With every chapter it seems that I get a few more people so yay! Thanks for joining the fun, lol. So, we left the last chapter with a retaliation from Riley. This picks up just right after the last chapter. There is just a little time jump in here. Just to let you know, we are a couple weeks away from Christmas in the timeline of the story now. Ok, hands inside the vehicle. Check your seatbelts, and off we go.

Bella POV

I'll always keep you inside; you healed my Heart and my life... And you know I try. Call me a sinner, call me a saint Tell me it's over I'll still love you the same Call me your favorite, call me the worst Tell me it's over I don't want you to hurt- Call me by Shinedown

Where the hell am I? I thought, momentarily disoriented when I awakened in a darkened room. Taking in my surroundings, there was a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall by the door, with a bookshelf full of movies and books below it on the floor. The bed below me was a queen and I realized I was in Edward's room. Wondering what time it was, I looked at the clock on the nightstand and it read three fifteen a.m. Damn! I'd been out for a while and I didn't remember going to bed. I looked next to me and Edward was not there. A light was on in his bathroom, so I assumed he was in there.

Feeling stiff and restless, I got out of bed and stretched my protesting muscles. My head throbbed and I touched my hand to my forehead, finding a bandage instead of skin. Suddenly, Edward opened the door and the bright bathroom light invaded the bedroom, assaulting my eyes. I covered my eyes with my hand and he quickly shut the light off before rushing to my side. I slumped back down on the bed.

"Are you okay, Bella?"

"What happened?" I asked groggily.

"You fainted and hit your head on the bumper of my car on your way down. I already looked at it and have been checking on you every two hours." He put his hand on the side of my face.

"Your car?" I asked him, wondering what happened after I fainted.

He sighed and looked at me like he didn't want to talk about it. He loved his car just a little too much. "Got it towed and it's getting fixed. I'll have to get a loaner car because it'll take them a few days to replace the windshield and get the carving out of it. The cops are investigating, but they'll never figure it out because the little coward keeps hiding. Although, I'm more worried about you. You went down pretty hard."

"I'm fine. Lot stronger than I look, just a little freaked out that Riley carved "Mine" into your car. It's like a nightmare that just won't go away. I can't figure out how he found your house."

"Em and I think that he probably followed you home from school. Did you notice anyone following you?"

I thought back on when I left school earlier today. God, it seemed like ages ago. I left immediately after my confrontation with Riley. I was pretty upset and trying to remember the ride home was like trying to look through mud. "No, I can't really even remember the drive home. This is so ridiculous. Can we just go back to bed, my head hurts."

Edward nodded. "Of course, love." We lay down and I snuggled into him, my only comfort at this point.

The next week passed without much activity. Alice was busy planning for us to all go out in a few days. It had been two weeks since we'd gone out together and in a week and a half, we'd all be parting ways for Christmas. Rose, Em, Edward, and I were all going to Forks to see Edward's parents. Ali and Jazz were going to Mississippi to see her grandparents. Every year, Ali and her entire family went, and I usually went with them.

At the moment, everyone was focused and looking forward to going out. It was the same club we went to the night I reconnected with Edward. Alice was over at Edward's house, showing me different clothes that I could wear when we went out. I was pretty much zoning and not giving her much to go on.

"Bella! You are not paying attention and definitely not helping me pick out your outfit." She stomped her feet and pouted.

"I'm sorry, Ali. Does it really matter? I'm not trying to impress anyone."

"Yes, but you still want to look good. Okay, let's go through this once more. We have this one." She held up a cherry red dress that was hot, but way too short.

I crinkled my nose and stuck my tongue out at the dress.

Ali chuckled. "Okay, next we have this one." She held up a bluish dress that wasn't too short and was sexy enough.

I gave one thumb-up signal with an indifferent expression.

"How about this one?" The dress she held up was a deep blood red color and was hot! It had thick tank top straps and was cinched at the bust, then flared out a little. It went to my knees and was a slinky material.

I loved it and gave Ali two thumbs up and smiled brightly.

"Totally that one."

"I figured, but I had to give you choices." She sat next to me. "We should put your hair up too."

"As long as you do it because I'll screw it up." Ali gave me a hug and I hugged her back. We continued to hold on to each other.

"I'm going to miss you in Biloxi this year." She pulled back to look at me.

"I know, Ali, me too. At least you have Jazz, and your whole family absolutely adores him."

She smiled. "Yeah, he is the perfect southern gentleman." She tucked my hair behind my ear. "Em says he's having fun teaching you to fight. He says you're a natural."

I nodded. "I know. It's weird how easy I'm picking it up. I still get sore and knocked around, but Em's a big guy. Edward was watching the other day and said it's different because I'm usually clumsy, but when practicing I look graceful. Never heard anyone call me that before."

"Yeah, so you haven't heard anything at all?"

"Nothing, but I know it's the calm before the storm. He's done this before."

"We'll just have to wait and see."

I nodded.

She looked at her watch. "I got to get going, I have class tomorrow. See ya Friday. Love your guts."

"Love your face." I smiled and she did as well. She waved and left the room. I got up and hung my newly acquired dress in the closet. I was getting ready for bed when Edward came upstairs.

"Hey, Love. Em is playing Rock Band and wants to know if you'll help him. He has some vocal goals he wants to get."

"Sure, you gonna come watch?"

He got a devilish smile and pulled me against him roughly. "You know I love to watch you. Maybe after you can let me watch you do something else."

I giggled and kissed him hungrily. "You're naughty." I turned to leave the room and he followed, smacking my ass. We went down into the den where the whole Rock Band game was set up. Em was sitting at the drums waiting. Edward sat in one of the recliner chairs. I grabbed the mic and gave Em the ritual knuckle bump we always did when playing. He started one of my favorite songs by AFI "Girls not Grey" and I lost myself in the song:

I'll lay me down tonight Much further down Swim in the calm tonight This art does drown (What follows) me as the whitest lace of light (Will swallow whole) just begs to be imbrued? (What follows) has led me to this place Where I belong, with all erased What follows

Friday night- One week until Christmas

We were getting drunk and rowdy as always. Alice and I were trying to persuade Rose to come dance with us, but she was not budging. One of my favorite songs came on, so we gave in and danced by ourselves. Nine Inch Nails' "Perfect Drug" was playing and our bodies moved in time with the music:

I got my head but my head is unraveling cant keep control can't keep track of where it's traveling

I got my heart but my heart's no good you're the only one that's understood I come along but I don't know where you're taking me I shouldn't go but you're wrenching dragging shaking me turn off the sun pull the stars from the sky the more I give to you the more I die and I want you you are the perfect drug the perfect drug the perfect drug the perfect drug

We were singing the words while dancing. Alice and I were dirty dancing together when I felt someone watching me. It felt like my heart had jumped into my throat and fear skittered down my spine, making me shudder. I looked all around the room, trying to be casual and inconspicuous, but I saw no one.

"Alice, I'm getting a really creepy feeling like someone is watching me, but I don't see anyone." The moment I finished saying that I saw someone moving in the shadows to our side. My head whipped in that direction and then I saw him. Riley! I knew it was him. It took my breath away looking at him because he looked crazy and dangerous. I had to get Alice off this dance floor into this large crowd of people fast. "We gotta go." I grabbed her hand and started moving, but I should have known better.

"Going so soon, lover?" Ali and I froze. Riley was right in front of us, blocking our way.

"Don't do this, Riley. This won't end well for you," I said looking towards our group. Shit! There was no way they'd see us through all these people. He had us trapped and he knew it.

"Wrong. Always getting yourself in quite the predicament. This time you brought a friend, how sweet."

I stepped in front of Alice. "Touch her and I will fucking kill you!"

He raised his eyebrows.

"Go ahead, test me," I provoked him.

He chuckled and smiled. It was pure evil. "Oh, we'll fight one day, but not tonight. You're not ready for that." He grabbed my arm forcefully and drug me to him. "And I would hate to have to kill you." I moved to push him away and he caught my wrists, pinning them together in one hand before he spun me so that my back was to his chest. He ran his nose along the crook of my neck. I drew in a sharp breath as he kissed my neck. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from screaming.

He whispered in my ear. "Can't you feel it, Isa? The way I make you feel. You got me under your skin and you can't just wash it all away." I closed my eyes and a few tears escaped. I opened them and noticed that Alice was gone. Good girl! "The sneaky little fairy got away. It looks like our party will get broken up soon. One of these days I will be taking you with me whether you want to come or not."

I gasped and looked at him with wide eyes. He wasn't joking. He kissed me again, this time longer since I couldn't push him away. "See you soon, lover." With that sentiment, he turned and was gone. I stood there staring in shock for a minute or two until Jazz and Em were at my side.

"Bells!" Em said, shaking me. I snapped out of my trance and looked at him. "Which way did he go?" I pointed in the direction Riley left. Em went off in pursuit.

Jazz put his arm around my shoulder. "Hey, darling, did he hurt you?"

I looked down at my wrists and they were an angry red color. "My wrists a little bit, but I'll be alright. Where's Edward?"

"We made him stay with the girls, in case Riley was still near you. Didn't want a bloodbath, or a male pissing match." He smiled and I nodded. He led me out of the sea of people and to our table where Alice practically tackled me.

"I'm so sorry, Bella. I saw my chance and ran. I knew we'd need help."

"It's okay, Ali. You did well, it was very helpful."

She grabbed my wrists and I winced. She looked down and saw why. She had a look of horror on her face. "Holy hell!"

I looked too, and in better lighting, I could tell they'd be bruised tomorrow. Edward came up behind me and held me close to him, almost crushing me. I turned and hugged him tightly. I felt him shaking like he was crying. I pulled back and saw he was. I held him close and played with his hair which was soothing to him.

"It's okay, Hun. I'm okay."

"Look at your wrists and tell me that again," he said, muffled with his head in the crook of my neck. Emmett bounded up to us.

"We had this conversation already Edward."

"But I was here, Bells. In the same building."

"Stop it, Edward. She was the one attacked here, not you," Rose fumed. Emmett pulled her back a little.

"Rose, I love you to death so remember that when I tell you to back the fuck off." She raised her eyebrows at Edward and turned away.

I pulled him away from our group. "Now, I'm gonna tell you to stop. I can't bear your guilt and my stress. I'm sorry you think this is your fault but that is all on Riley. I love you more than anything in my life, but I'm still healing and him popping up combined with you freaking is not helping at all. I need to know you can handle this."

"I was doing fine until I saw him hurting you. God, love! I know you're stressed but it makes me physically ill to see him cause you pain. Look at your wrists, Bella. The bruise on your cheek just recently faded away, when is it going to be enough?"

Tears were running down my cheeks. "I can't do this with you right now," I said and turned to walk away. He grabbed my arm to stop me. "Don't touch ME!" I screamed and pushed him away from me. He started towards me again and I stepped back, but Emmett stopped him.

"Let her go. Let her calm down. Stop pushing, dude."

Ali put her arm around my waist and Rose followed us outside. I suddenly felt sick. I bent down and emptied my stomach. "Fuck!" I screamed when I was done.

"Bella?" I looked at Ali and saw that look in her eyes.

"Choose your next words carefully." I was automatically in defense mode.

"What was that in there, Bella?"

"I can't do it anymore, Ali. When I get attacked, Edward spins it to how it's his fault and he should protect me. I get it, but I need to be comforted, not the comforter."

"I understand where you're coming from Bella, but you've also got to understand he's never had to do this. The only thing he's had to protect past girlfriends from was themselves. He's also never loved anyone the way he loves you." She was right. Great, now I felt even more like crap.

Edward POV

I knew the moment I grabbed Bella's arm like that I had fucked up, especially after what had just happened with Riley. Em kept me from further screwing myself by stopping me from following her. I ran my hand through my hair and sighed. I wanted to punch something and scream. Everything I told myself I wouldn't do, I had been doing and making shit harder for her. God knew she had enough to deal with and I had been adding to it.

"Dude, chill. You're gonna give yourself an aneurysm."

"I messed up bad, Em. I can't chill."

"She'll forgive you because she's crazy about you."

"Yeah, I got to agree with Em, Edward. Bella is crazy about you. Grabbing her was probably a bad move though, especially right after Riley assaulted her," Jazz pointed out.

I nodded. I knew all this stuff. Em's phone chimed. "The girls are taking Bella home. We will meet them at Alice and Bell's house."

"Shit, they can't be there alone. Let's go," Jazz said. We grabbed all our stuff and paid our tabs, then left the club. I was nervous the entire ride to their house. I wondered why they decided to go there. Was Bella done with me? No matter how much she loved me, was this situation just too much?

We got to the house and Emmett just walked in without knocking. The girls were sitting on the couch already dressed in pjs. Bella met my eyes, then immediately looked down. Well, shit! I was screwed if she wouldn't even look at me.

"So, why are we even here?" Jazz asked.

"Bella and I decided that we are staying here. We're tired of turning our lives upside down for Riley and him still finding us. It's getting ridiculous. This is my house and I'm going to stay here," Alice finished with a defiant look.

I could see the wheels turning in Jazz's head. Then I realized he was deciding to play dirty. "Do you not like living with me? Did I do something wrong?"

Rose smiled. "Do not answer that question. It is a loaded question and he is just trying to make you feel bad."

Damn you, Rose.

Alice frowned at Jazz. "Is that true?"

It's not safe here, Ali."

"It's not safe anywhere. Edward lives almost on the outskirts of town and Riley still found his house. All he has to do is follow one of us and we'll lead him to everyone else."

Bella spoke for the first time since this whole conversation started. "She has a point, and there is strength in numbers. She won't let me stay here by myself." She looked down. I was stunned.

"Why would you need to stay here?" She was silent and then tears fell down her cheeks.

"Living together is not helping us, Edward."

"So that's it? You're done?"

"I never said that!" Damn, she was pissed. Our friends all excused themselves quietly. We had smart friends. "If you wanna end this, then do something about it. Don't lay it on me!" She was full-on crying now.

Fuck! I just kept screwing up. "God, that's not what I'm trying to do. I just keep saying and doing everything wrong." I was about to cry myself, but I didn't care. I loved her and I was about to lose the one thing in my life that made complete sense. "I'm sorry about tonight. I freaked out and I didn't handle it the way I should have. I love you so much Bells, so I act like a moron when it comes to you. I overreact."

She raised her eyebrows and nodded. Then she sighed. "I know. I'm sorry I freaked out on you, but you frustrate me! I love you too, but in a relationship I always thought that you and the other person should be equals, working as a team protecting and saving each other. You don't need to be my knight in shining armor, I just want Edward." She smiled at me. I rushed over to her and kissed her passionately. She moaned and kissed me back. When we finally broke away, we were out of breath.

"I can handle being Edward. If you want to stay here that's fine, but I will be around a lot."

She put her hand on my cheek and our foreheads touched. "I expect it and demand it."

I hugged her, happy that we were over fighting. It wasn't our first and definitely would not be our last. Bella was a very strong-willed woman and I was stubborn myself, so disagreements were to be expected, but it sucked fighting with her. I felt half crazy without her. She got me and knew me so well. And if we ever ended up apart, we would always be very close friends.

"Hey, where'd you go?"

"Nowhere. Just thinking, love. Happy everything is okay for now."

"Yeah. Me too."

I went to grab her hand and accidentally grabbed her wrist. She cried out in pain. "Shit, sorry love." I looked down at her wrist and let out a horrifying moan. It was just a shadow and would be worse in the morning, but it was huge and looked faintly like a handprint. "How bad does it hurt?"

"Bad enough. I'm gonna have huge bruises."

I nodded. "We should ice them. Make the swelling go down." I went to her kitchen and grabbed two of the five ice packs they had in the freezer. I wrapped each of them in some paper towels and carried them to Bella. She put them on her wrists. "Why do you guys have so many ice packs?"

Bella blushed and I knew she was embarrassed. "Come on, Edward. Who are you talking to?"

"Are you referring to your not being able to walk across any surface without finding something to trip over?" Bella was very clumsy and it got worse if she was mad or embarrassed. Insanely enough, when she was drunk her balance actually improved.

"Yes, thank you. I get lots of bumps so Alice bought several ice packs. This is helping my wrists, thanks, Hun."

"Anytime."

"Dating a doctor is good. I won't have to visit the hospital." She kissed me and I smiled. Bella and I just sat there with her head on my shoulder. I stroked her hair, leaning my head on top of hers. What I loved about Bella and I was that we could be comfortable just being together. We didn't need to talk about stupid stuff to fill the silences. It gave me a lot of time to think and I realized that most of the way I reacted to Riley was due to jealousy. Yes, jealousy. Call me stupid, but I was only twenty-three so I was still testosterone-filled and sort of immature. The fact that someone was out to get my girlfriend and take her from me had me seeing red. To add to that, he continued to physically hurt her every time they crossed paths and that had me livid.

I was broken out of my internal musing by Bella mumbling. I looked down and noticed that her eyes were closed, and she was breathing evenly. She was sleeping. I smiled to myself and I gently picked her up. She twitched but didn't wake up when I took her up to her room and put her in bed. After taking off my shirt and pants, I got under the covers in my boxers. Bella rolled on her side and I spooned with her, falling asleep almost instantly due to exhaustion.

A/N: Well, there you go. If you haven't noticed it before, Riley has well and truly lost every damn bit of his mind. Bella has also had enough of his shit. The story is still ramping but the next chapter is right before they leave for Christmas. Thank you again for being amazing readers and reviewers. I appreciate the people who review every week and I wait to hear your reviews every time. Love you all!