I stared him down. It didn't take long before he held up his hands apologetically and began talking/signing again. It was bizarre to think that I was in the midst of the brink of an argument without any sound going on. Charlie was in the next room, fast asleep, and unaware of his daughter's visitor. Edward could of course give any heads up as to if Charlie was going to detect him, so I was more relaxed than ever. Except for the stalking conversation. That was a tad tense.

"I began keeping a thorough eye on you when I got back from my hunting trip last Sunday. You are seriously prone to accidents, and seem to keep getting into trouble, and I was nervous for you. I've been making sure you were safe since that day."

Sunday night? My hands stayed in the 'night' sign as I waited for his response.

Yes.

"You've been watching me, all the time? At night, during school..." I asked, trailing off. I was trying to wrap my head around the thought. I didn't think I'd ever been under surveillance before. It should have irked me but I still felt intrigued. Edward began trying to explain again.

"At school it is easier to keep an eye out without physically stalking you." His nose scrunched like mine did when he said 'stalking', as if he hoped I'd come up with a better word for it. "There are so many other students around watching that I don't need to be present, or intrusive. I just let my mind wander to you occasionally. After school though..." he halted, looking at me with a pleading expression. I motioned for him to continue.

"I've never cared about anyone enough in my entire existence to worry about what could happen to them if I wasn't watching. Do you have any idea how breakable humans are? Fires, stairs, animal attacks, car accidents, even eating can lead to choking, and without someone there to help..." he trailed off again looking distraught. "I don't know what I'd do if you were suddenly ripped out of my world and I could have been there to prevent it."

His head dropped into his hands for a moment, and I hoped he wasn't going to say anything while he was down there. I couldn't see his lips. Suddenly his shoulders fell slightly in a sigh and then he sat back up straight, and continued.

"I have been watching you at night as well. I have spent my nights this week perched on that branch outside. I could have slipped into your room, but I couldn't risk waking you. This I cannot really excuse myself for. I don't require sleep, and to see you lost in sleep, in your own dream world, so at peace... it's..." Beautiful.

He didn't need to sleep, and he had spent the last week of nights slouched on a branch, watching me during my nights. My sleeping with my head oriented towards the foot of the bed undoubtedly gave him a good view of my face from the tree outside. He'd already exerted a gratuitous amount of effort to keep me alive and safe. Not to mention that all of our conversations so far had been the most interesting things I'd ever had. The subject matter didn't seem to matter. He was so intense. It felt creepy and perfect at the same time.

"I know that you meant no ill. And I know what you mean about watching people sleep. It is peaceful and beautiful. I used to watch my mom nap on the couch." It was enchanting, watching someone's troubles fade away in that moment of serenity. "But I'm a little annoyed that you did it more than once, in a very stalker-esque fashion."

He stared at my face with a burning intensity, and signed:

Sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable.

"Okay so in the future, no stalking without permission." I clarified. It thrilled me to think that I didn't really mind if he found me beautiful, and if that during his literally restless nights he was able to find a semblance of rest watching me sleep. But I couldn't tell him that, without sounding strange myself.

"Is it still stalking if the object gives permission?" Edward mused, a little joy returning to his face.

"These are the important questions." I shook my head in disbelief. Was something really wrong with my brain after all? We were now joking about Edward stalking me. Maybe the car accident really had messed me up.

"Speaking of important questions.." I looked into Edward's face. "I believe that the whole point of this late night secret meet was to continue our earlier story time. It was time for you to tell me your story." I tried to stifle a rudely encroaching yawn and was unsuccessful. Edward reached out with his hand to stroke my face.

"I'm afraid we got a little distracted talking about everything else. You really do need to go to sleep. We have school tomorrow."

"Oh no. I want to hear this story. Besides - it's not like you'd be anywhere else." I reminded him with a raised eyebrow that dare him to defend himself. He smiled, and moved to the side of the bed.

"Come on, lay down, listen, and try to go to sleep. I'll tell you my story."

It took me a moment, but I stretched out, resting my head on my pillow. I was about to turn my head up to look at him when he appeared beside me. He was now positioned sitting on the floor, so that he could speak quietly, directly, into my face. I lay on my side staring at him. My heart had jumped when he had moved so abruptly, and I was sure the smirk on his face was because of it. He lifted a hand to my face, and touched it ever so gently again. His icy fingertips always seemed to make my skin buzz.

"And if I fall asleep?" I asked. I thought that the point was moot, I was hardly going to be able to sleep with a man in my room, telling me his supernatural tale, but it seemed like a poignant question.

"I'll continue tomorrow." he promised.

"You'll be here all night?"

"If that's alright with you?" he asked. I shrugged non-committally but my heart fluttered slightly.

"But won't you get bored?"

"No," he laughed again. "I have a lot to think about."

I glanced at my meager book collection. "You're welcome to my books."

"Bella," he chastised gently. "I don't have to stay if it will make you uncomfortable. We've been over the stalking rules remember?"

"No it's not that... I just - what will you do all night?" I couldn't imagine being awake for as many hours as he had been.

"All of the nefarious things." Edward joked with a sassy smile. "I'll do what I do on other nights; wonder about what's going on in that mysterious brain of yours."

I smiled. I could see how that would take all night. Human males didn't understand the female mind. How was a supernatural one supposed to? And it wasn't exactly like I was thinking along the same lines as those around me. I could be considered a very unique individual after all.

"Well make yourself at home. And try not to eat anyone while I'm out, okay?" I asked jokingly. His previously jovial expression turned sour and then stony.

"Don't joke about that. If only you knew how difficult this was." His cool breath was washing over my face making it hard to concentrate properly. I took a steadying breath that ended up not helping at all, and snuggled up to my pillow so that I was more comfortable. I had no doubt I would be able to stay awake for this tale.

"So tell me. Tell me everything."