DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything Twilight.

As promised, here is Chapter 5. Thank you to everyone who reads & reviews my story!

Like a moth to a flame, the fire moves us

We're just waiting on the crash

- Needtobreathe

Chapter 5

Liz POV

Bella has no idea, I thought.

"Let's go, Bella," I said, walking past her on the porch. She quickly reacted and fell into step alongside me.

"What did you want to talk about, Liz?" Her voice floated from her mouth, tinkling like the sound of tiny church bells.

"So was that him?" Bella nodded. "He is gorgeous."

"I know." Almost too gorgeous.

"You seem…stressed."

Bella snorted. "It's a complicated situation."

"I know." I sighed, trying to figure out the right way to word it. "I'm sorry. I'm going to stop beating around the bush." I stopped in my tracks, but Bella kept walking. "I know what you are." She froze, ceasing all movement, but did not turn around. Shockingly, she was silent. "Bella, I know you're a –"

"Don't. Say. It," she said through clenched teeth, her voice somewhat menacing. I saw her body relax. "How do you know?" Her voice was more sullen now.

"I just do." I walked up behind her and put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm not going to tell anyone."

"How do you know?" she asked more sternly.

"I'm a natural born witch." She stared at me in disbelief. "I have clairvoyant powers. I knew what you were the moment I met you."

"And you've told no one else?"

"No." I paused. "Most people don't know about my…abilities."

"Good, keep it that way. Or there will be consequences." Bella began walking again, her back still to me.

"I can read your mind, Bella." She stopped again. "Just like you can read mine."

Bella turned to face me.

"Impossible," she choked.

"I know all about Edward."

"What is it you want, Liz?" Her honey golden eyes bored deep into mine, searching.

"To be like you."

"That isn't possible."

"Yes, it is."

"Elizabeth, that is not possible." She began walking again. "We will not speak of this again."

"Take me to Carlisle, Bella."

"Liz, please listen to me." She walked back to where I stood and cupped my face in her hands. "You have no idea what you are asking of me." Her eyes appeared as though they were welling up with tears, but I knew she couldn't cry. "Let's just go home."

She released my face and turned to walk away, and I followed. I would get what I want, sooner or later.

Edward POV (the next evening)

I sat on the black leather couch in my bedroom, reading War and Peace for the umpteenth time.

"How did it go last night at the party?

"Bella wouldn't talk out in the open with me. I can hear her thoughts now, so she just glared at me and allowed me to read her mind." I ran a hand through my messy bronze hair. "She seemed agitated."

"Edward, there's something else you should know." Alice touched my arm as she joined me on the sofa.

"What is it?"

"It's not my place. think she should be the one to tell you."

"Then I will find out." Again, I ran a hand nervously through my hair. "I need to convince her to let me make things right."

"Do you really think that is a good idea?"

"You know he is stubborn, Alice," Jasper replied, suddenly appearing in the doorway. "Don't try to stop him."

"Good luck, Edward." Alice smiled at me warmly.

I bolted out of my bedroom, suddenly renewed with hope. I smiled as I took off down the driveway toward the garage that housed my silver Volvo. I drove non-stop until I reached Seattle, and was standing nervously in the doorway of Bella's apartment building; the exact spot she had left me the previous evening. I pressed the buzzer marked number three, Bella's apartment number. I braced myself for her wrath for showing up unannounced. I was terrified; Alice was right -- there was nothing more frightening than an angry newborn vampire.

"Hello?" A sweet female voice called out.

"Is Bella in? This is Edward Cullen." Silence.

"Come on up." The buzzer sounded and the front door unlocked.

I flew up the stairs at vampire speed after having listened for human occupants. Within seconds, I stood before Bella's door, and knocked. A young, chubby girl with chin length black hair and dark blue eyes meekly opened the door.

"Hello," I began, giving her my dazzling smile. "I am Edward Cullen, here to see Bella."

Bella POV

Liz returned to my doorway moments later. "Edward is here to see you."

I froze, not knowing whether to send him away or listen to what he has to say. I debated for several seconds while Liz tapped her foot impatiently.

"Send him in," I said finally. "And do not disturb us, please."

Liz gave me a knowing look. "No problem."

Liz disappeared and within seconds, Edward stood before me, looking much more handsome than he had the previous evening. I stood from my bed and pretended to busy myself with papers on my desk.

"Bella," he breathed as he closed my bedroom door behind him.

"Edward," I replied curtly.

"Alice told you she spoke to you at the library today." He hesitantly approached me. I took a step backward, my butt hitting my desk chair.

"Yes, I did see her. We talked."

"She said you seemed extremely angry."

I snickered at him stating the obvious. "Well gee, Edward, I wonder why."

"Bella, I know you are angry with me. I can't begin to fathom the heartache I've caused you."

"You have no idea what I've been through since you left," I ground out through clenched teeth, my nostrils flaring.

I sensed that he had underestimated the depth of my anger – the room pulsated with thick tension. He daringly took a step toward me, but I couldn't move, and even though my brain was screaming Run!, my feet were somehow planted to the floor. I tried not to let him see how much he still affected me, but it was no use. I melted under his power.

Edward POV

"I want to know, Bella. I want you to share it with me." I reached out and touched her cheek with my index and middle finger. Her eyes smoldered with anger, but her face, which had been contorted in fury, slackened. I stepped closer to her, her heady scent filling my nostrils. "Please, Bella. Please help me understand."

I placed my hand on her neck, cupping her cheek, my thumb stroking it gently. No matter how much she wanted to deny it, the electrostatic current that had once flowed between us reappeared, stronger now than ever. I couldn't decide if it was because she was no longer human, or time had made it increase. We were drawn to each other, like two magnets meant to be a pair.

She took my hand in hers, and suddenly, I was assaulted with the vision of Victoria changing Bella, seeing her agonizing transformation, and then Victoria's subsequent murder of Bella's father. As the vision left me, I felt as if all the air had been sucked out of my lungs by some unseen force. I gripped my chest and doubled over, almost falling backward.

"Edward!" Bella shrieked, lunging to catch me before I hit the floor.

"My God, Bella," I managed to choke out. "I had no idea." I took a few deep – but unnecessary – breaths to compose myself. "I'm okay now." I expected her to release me from her embrace, but her arms remained around me. "I am so sorry." I leaned my forehead against hers, and surprisingly, she didn't back away then, either.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, closing her eyes, her head hung low.

I lifted her chin with one finger, staring into her beautiful ocher eyes. "Sorry for what, love?"

"Everything." I believe if she could cry, she would have wept a river at that moment.

I gazed at her momentarily, licking my lips. I leaned in closely, and lightly brushed my lips against hers. Her scent made me absolutely dizzy. I kissed her softly, though I was not prepared for her reaction. I half expected her to resist, to slap me or send me flying across the room, but she didn't -- she gave in. The affirmation of her feelings sent my heart flying into outer space.

Her hands flew into my hair and buried themselves, and she pressed herself closer to me, kissing me back. I wrapped my arms around her tightly, kissing her hungrily. It was beyond me how I had lived without her for five whole years. Every cell in my body screamed her name at that moment, and the entire world fell away. Just her and I, our mouths fused, bodies intertwined into one. I traced her lower lip with my tongue, and she opened her mouth up to me, deepening our kiss. I relished the fact that I did not have to hold back while kissing or touching her anymore. Our tongues wrestled, fighting for dominance. I won, and nibbled on her lower lip.

She pulled away, and looked at me disbelievingly.

"Jesus," she breathed. Realization washed over her face, and she set her jaw in defiance. "Edward, you have to leave. I will walk you out."

I nodded, understanding that this was all too much, too soon for her. That kiss had felt so good, but I knew she needed time.

She followed me out of the building and into the pouring rain again, but said nothing. She smiled at me half-heartedly as I bid her goodnight, and I felt her eyes on me as I walked to my Volvo that was parked across the street. I wanted to turn around and run back to her, but when I turned around, she was gone.

So there it is!

I promise more good things to come. Just review and I'll be a happy girl!

- S