Chapter Five: Into The Depths

A brief smile appeared on his lips as he clung to the branch he was perched on, overlooking her house and seeing her bedroom light switch on. He waited for Charlie's room to go dark before he jumped onto their roof and climbed down to Bella's window she left open for him.

"Thanks. Much easier." He closed it behind him.

"But more fun the other way?"

He chuckled. "No, I was scared before about taking it off its hinges."

"That would be subtle."

"Very."

"Where did you go?"

"I never went far. I stayed in the woods."

"For six and a half hours?"

Edward shrugged and sat in the chair next to her desk. "What else would I do?"

"Don't you have a home?"

"I don't like it there much now." He stated and she looked like she regretted saying anything. He gave her a warm smile. "Don't worry. I'm okay." He lied.

She scratched the back of her neck awkwardly and sat down opposite him on the bed.

"Did you think of any more questions?"

"Oh I'm not short on questions. I have plenty."

"Then we should get started." She nodded.

"Did my dad know about my mum?"

"I'd assume so."

"You'd assume?"

"I really didn't know your family very well, I'd be better at answering more generic questions."

"Okay, do vampires have to eat? Is there a way to survive and… not hurt anyone?"

"You can live off the blood from animals. You have to drink something. You'll waste away if you don't."

"I've not eaten for a while, I think that's why I've been feeling bad."

"When's the last time?"

"The last time was the first time."

"Oh… That's not good. You should find something tomorrow."

"Noted."

She tried to find his avoiding gaze. "Edward?"

He sighed. "I've never- I'm not a violent person. I couldn't even stand up to Mike and his friends when they used to torment me at school – I was devastated when I knew I'd killed that deer."

Bella turned sympathetic. "I'm sorry but you have to if you want to survive now."

"How long can I suppress it?"

"It's not just about staying alive, if you don't eat often then you become more dangerous to innocent people. You'll loose control over yourself easier and make mistakes."

He knew if he killed someone then that'd break him. "Okay." His voice was barely audible.

She watched him and then pursed her lips. "It's no different from eating meat." She assured.

He nodded. "Just a bit more personal." It sounded horrible but he was just going to need to harden up to it. "I have another question and it's somewhat linked to you." He began. "My first day of school as this, I saw you down the corridor and Emmett was there too – and I could smell you. For some reason it was really strong and it was bad… but now as I'm sitting next to you like this you smell really good."

He'd noticed it in the forest on their walk.

She looked as though she had been keeping up until the very end. "Um… I've heard stories of vampires being able to identify other beings through different scents. Same with the werewolf. These scents aren't usually pleasant, especially between wolves and vampires. But witches as well."

"So why do you smell nice to me now?" He asked her curiously but somewhere within he knew.

"I can't answer that one." She truly did look unsure.

"No new perfume then?" He joked.

She grinned. "No. That would make more sense."

He chuckled and edged his chair closer. "Whenever this war happens, I need to be able to help. We used to be close and I think if you died now and I wasn't there then I'd never forgive myself-"

"I don't think I'll die. My skills are like level 100."

"You know that jokes won't help you?"

"Who said I'm joking?"

"Bella." He complained and frowned.

"Just worry about yourself for now. There's a lot going on and you're still figuring things out."

"But you won't leave without me?" He clarified.

"I was never going to leave. The war will come here."

"Why here?"

"This war between the underworld will involve everyone. The vampires of the Volturi will hunt any witch down so they'll come here eventually. And the Ministry will do the same to the vampires – which is why you need to stay away from the Volturi so you won't be mistaken for one of them."

He took in her words and remembered the night it happened. "When the crash happened, I heard a females voice say that when it's finished I will come to find them. Is them the Volturi?"

"Sounds like it."

"Why would they say that?"

"Maybe they thought you'd join them… Or seek revenge."

"If anything it'd be the latter." He stated and then looked out the window. "Why didn't they kill me too?"

She didn't answer and he turned to face her. She returned his gaze. "I don't know, Edward." She replied honestly.

"I hate them for what they did. I don't even know what they look like – I couldn't see a thing my vision was all blurry-"

"I'm sorry, I really am but you need to keep your voice down-"

"Right. Sorry." He covered his face and sunk in the chair.

He felt the chair slide down and then a hand on each of his knees. Her hands burned through his jeans and he peeked over his closed fists to see her thumb soothing over the denim in a comforting gesture. His breathing was more shaky now and he inched into her more. He wanted to be closer.

Edward didn't know what to do from there but he knew that he wanted to encourage this sort of behaviour in her for future reference. She was watching her hand. He closed his eyes. "That feels nice."

With his eyes closed he didn't have to see if she found it amusing or not. That way was better, he thought. Not opening his eyes once, he pushed forward, ducking his head as he gently moved her backwards onto the bed so that he could rest with his head under her arm. His much more muscular arms circling around her as if she was the most precious being in the world.

"Um, Edward?"

"Let's just stay like this for a while, please." He mumbled into her side.

Her arms eventually landed to hold him back and he couldn't be more at peace. It was the most comfort he'd found since the night his life changed. She really had been his saviour.

"You're so warm." He acknowledged. "I must feel like ice to you."

"Real life snowman."

He chuckled. "With carrot fangs."

"Whoa. Why don't people do that?"

"Got me."

"Maybe it'd be too scary."

"Does sound pretty terrifying." He said. "Does Charlie know a war is coming?"

"He knows something bad is happening."

"What about Alice being here in Forks? I thought she left for good."

"She visits sometimes."

"From Germany?"

"Yeah."

"It's a long way to come, isn't it?"

"Not if you can apparate."

"I'm sorry, what?" He lifted his head to hers.

Her smile returned. "It's a method of transport. Not that I like to brag but we're even faster than you."

"I'd never accuse you of bragging." He replied playfully. "Can you show me?"

"I imagine you'll see it one day now."

"There's a lot I want you to show me." He meant it innocently but with them being cooped up in bed together he immediately turned a shade of crimson and buried his face in her arm as she laughed a little at his reaction. He shook his head. "I meant magic wise." He cleared.

"We can probably have time tomorrow, I'll help you hunt."

"Really?" That made him perk up again. Maybe it would be less difficult if he had guidance. "Have you gone hunting before?"

"No. I don't know many vampires and the ones I have seen usually chose humans. But I think I can help."

"You just being there would be more help than I expected."

"Good because that might be the extent to it. You'll need to let your natural instincts kick in."

He gave it some thought. "Would it be dangerous to have you there?"

"I wouldn't worry."

"Okay." He smiled at her. If he'd ever believed that he'd seen her at her best then he'd been wrong because in this lighting, so close and his main source of solace – she was everything. His hand came up to trail over the back of hers. So soft to touch. "I owe you a huge thank you. If it wasn't for you telling me all this and helping me, I really don't know where I'd end up."

"You don't owe anyone anything." His thumb ran over her knuckles and she glanced down as he carried on. "You've had to deal with a lot, even before all of this."

He smiled his gratitude. "Thank you." His hand laid flat on hers now. "I should let you sleep."

She chuckled lightly and rubbed her face. "Thanks." She said as he forced himself to climb off of her and give her a rest from him before she started pushing him away again. He didn't want to do anything to risk this new…. Alliance? Or were they friends again now? Just like they were when they were kids. Could it be that simple? Even with the way he felt for her?

"I'll be at school tomorrow." He pushed back his hair nervously. "Do you think we could sit next to each other at lunch? To, um, talk."

She watched him and nodded once. "I'll allow it."

Edward let out a chuckle and was relieved. "I appreciate that, your highness."

"I am next in line to be Queen of the Underworld."

"Really?"

"No." Her smile widened as she sleepily rubbed her eyes.

"Having fun, huh? You can't blame me for being naïve, I learned about this stuff today."

"I know and you're very trusting."

"I'll compare stories with Emmett tomorrow."

"I'm more trustworthy."

Edward shrugged and opened the window. "Goodnight, Bella." I love you.

"Goodnight." She gestured a short wave and he jumped down from her window to land on the soft grass, landing perfectly before taking off in the direction of his house he'd have to return to sooner or later.