Bella's Point of View.

Finally, I was back in Edward's arms. I wasn't exactly fond of the arrangement we'd had to make with the Volturi, but as long as I was on my way back home, I was fine. As we waited in the airport, I noticed that people would stare more than they ever had at me as they passed by- especially the male gender.

Edward, of course, was not fond of this, so he held me protectively. I couldn't say I minded the attention, but nothing could ever draw me away from Edward- well, again, that is. I smiled as I ran my hand along Edward's cold arm, resting in his lap in the terminal.

"I'm so glad that I'm with you again. Promise you won't leave me. Please, and mean it this time." She said, reaching up and running her hand along his jaw line.

Edward nodded, "Never, I swear." I watched as his face became pained. "Herrod never... touched you, did he?"

I frowned, sitting up. I looked away from Edward and went to stand, only to have him pull me back, his hands around my waist. "He just did what you saw- pretty much. But that wasn't the first time he tried." I said, quietly.

Edward stiffened, but nodded. "I'm so sorry. I should have never even given him the opportunity to do something like that."

"It wasn't your fault, Edward." I said, sighing and kissing his cheek softly. "It just scared me; I didn't want him to have what I want you to have."

Edward arched an eyebrow at me, "Bella, you're not talking about-"

"I am. And don't you dare say it's too dangerous. I'm changed now."

"Guys, time to board the plane." Carlisle said, calling after Edward and I, snapping us both from our conversation.

Edward stood, keeping his arm around my waist as we boarded the plane. He put me in the seat next to the window, and sat beside me. I buckled my seatbelt, before taking his hand, rubbing my thumb along the back of his palm.

"So, what happened when I was gone? Is everyone okay? How's Charlie? Jake? People at school?" I said, the names stinging me as I asked.

"Well, Jake was angry, and he thought we were hiding you. Jessica, of course, was starting a rumor circle, and Charlie was-" Edward paused for a long moment. "He was taking it better than I thought he would have."

As Edward spoke of Charlie, a familiar feeling washed over me, and I stared straight into his eyes. "Don't lie to me. How is Charlie?"

Edward seemed to have a confused look for a moment, before he nodded, "He's upset. He is devastated that you're gone. He was even becoming closer to me, that is, until I left."

I noticed that Carlisle's eyes widened as he walked past us to go to his seat. "Bella, you didn't! I thought I told you not to use your powers on anyone unless it was necessary!" He whispered quickly, crossing his arms.

I tore my vision away from Edward, staring at Carlisle. "I wanted to know about my father." I said, before looking back at Edward, who seemed both confused and angry. "That's her power? She can tell when I'm lying, and make me say the truth?" He considered this, before turning to me, his voice strained. "That's not even remotely funny."

I watched Carlisle took his seat, as did everyone else. I stared out the window as the plane took off. It was not long before Edward reached over and put his hand beneath my chin, turning me to look at him.

"So, Charlie was pretty upset?" I asked, knowing that I could never see him again hurt. I had made life so hard for him before, and now, it was harder than ever. I was taking everything away from him, his happiness, his joy. Why couldn't I just see him one more time?

Edward frowned, embracing me with his strong arms, and squeezing me tightly. "Bella, it's not your fault. We both know that. Charlie will be okay."

"No, he won't. He's devastated, isn't he?" I stared at Edward, but he merely looked away from my eyes and shook his head.

"Bella, he will be okay."

If I could have cried, I'm sure I would have. For the remainder of the plane trip, we sat together in silence, occasionally sharing a kiss, but mostly just resting and talking.

After what seemed like forever, we finally arrived in Alaska. I glanced at Alice, "What type of car are you stealing this time?"

Alice laughed, before moving beside me and hugging me softly, "It's great to have you back, Bella, I don't know what we'd-"

Abruptly, Alice stopped speaking, pulling away from me and closed her eyes. I recognized the look on her face- she was having a vision. I waited anxiously as she continued to concentrate. I glanced at Edward, who was stiffening quickly, obviously reading her mind.

"What's going on?" I said, crossing my arms under my chest, as I stared from one to the other.

Alice opened her eyes, looking aghast, and turning to Edward. "If you got any of that, then you already know we're going to have a problem."

Edward nodded quickly turning his attention from Alice, to me, and wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

"What happened?! What did you see?!" I demanded, which caused a few people to look at me.

"Bella, it was nothing concerning you, really." He said, and the familiar instinct that he was lying washed over me. What was it that had him so perplexed that he'd even forgotten I could tell he was not being truthful to me?

"Yeah, I'm sure..." I muttered, before following Carlisle to get into a car that had pulled up- the family we'd be staying with, I guessed.
Edward followed quickly after. I didn't know for sure what was going on, but I did know that there was certainly something he was not planning on telling me.