Thanks for your kind reviews to the previous chapters. They made me happy. Lol. :D

Again, no beta-work on this chapter, so sorry for any mistakes.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Twilight Series or any of its characters. They belong to Stephenie Meyer.

A Visitor

Edward Cullen

We arrived at the airport a little bit later than everyone else, because Alice had spent hours in front of her closet, trying to find an outfit that would make for a good first impression. I'd simply dressed casual, t-shirt and jeans, telling myself that there was nothing special about this ordeal. But when we walked through the front doors and saw the familiar faces of our classmates, we realized that we weren't late.

We saw the teacher, Mr. Damien, handing out pieces of paper to everyone so we walked over there. We soon realized they bore the names of our pen pals, so we could be easily identified. After receiving the papers, Alice and I turned to go stand by the doors, but the motion of someone frantically waving their arms in the air caught my eye and I slowly turned to find Ken gesturing for us to come and stand by him.

"Are you guys ready?" he asked, his eyes wide with excitement as we approached.

I shrugged my shoulders in indifference as Alice bopped her head excitedly. I was about to make a comment about their enthusiasm, but the loudspeaker announcing the arrival of a plane cut me off. It was their plane.

Quickly turning my head, I began to scan the crowd of arrivers. It was easy to spot the class, but I let my eyes land on each individual student, trying to figure out who my pal could be. My gaze soon landed on a petite brunette who was staring across the room at the paper in my hand.

Is it You?

I willed her to look up so I could see her face and that seemed to do the trick. Her head lifted up and a pair of chocolate eyes locked with mine, leaving me momentarily stunned.

She was beautiful. No doubt about it.

"Don't forget what you promised mom." I looked down to see Alice staring meaningfully into my eyes and tilting her head in the direction of the girl.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes in annoyance at her comment. How many times had they told me to 'behave Edward' before we'd left the house this evening? And what did they think I'd do? Turn around and run away?

"I know, I know…" I said, giving the same routine reply before returning my eyes to their previous occupation.

I watched the girl bite her bottom lip nervously as a blonde male gently shoved her forward. My eyes narrowed on their own accord. Who was he?

Her gaze dropped to the floor and she began to take hesitant steps towards me. I remembered something and watched her walk, noticing the uncertainty of her footing and inwardly smiled. She'd told me she was clumsy, but watching this now, I was surprised she hadn't tripped yet.

Before I knew it, she was standing in front of me, still not looking up, causing an awkward silence to settle among us. Out of the corner of my eye, I was able to see the blonde male who had recently been with her staring intently at Alice, while she did the same back. There was a peaceful feeling that seemed to radiate from both of them and I quickly turned away, feeling as if I was intruding on a private moment.

"Hello." Her voice was hesitant as she spoke and I quickly looked down to find a beautiful smile on her face as she looked up at me.

"Welcome," I said warmly and then noticing her outstretched hand, reached out to greet her. It all happened too fast, but I could see it running in slow motion in my head now. My hand reaching out, clasping hers, and quickly snatching back as I felt some sort of shock ripple up my arm. As I took in her stunned face, I realized how I'd been acting.

Ever since I'd seen her, the logical part of my brain seemed to have flown out my ears. Yes, she was beautiful and nothing close to the image I'd conjured in my mind, but what was wrong with me? I was acting friendlier to a complete stranger than I had to anyone else…it'd taken Ken at least a couple of months to get there.

The thoughts that had been running through my head last night immediately made themselves known. This was all too familiar. Something along these lines had happened to me before, the reason for my withdrawing from people. It hadn't ended very well and I was definitely not going to let it happen again. This girl looked like an understanding person…surely she would accept an apology from me when we arrived at the house.

Picking up her bags, I turned on my heel and began to walk out the door; skillfully avoiding her eyes.

"This way," I called to her, making my way towards the Volvo. I resisted the urge to look over my shoulder as I set the bags in the trunk and quickly sat down in the driver's seat. It was a few minutes before I saw their figures in the rearview mirror approaching the car, and I understood why. Alice had obviously been talking to them. About what…I was sure I didn't want to know.

As soon as everyone was settled into the car, I took off towards our house.

It was so…quiet.

There was that feeling that I was being stared at. By who? I didn't know. But Alice's pointed glances my way were beginning to frustrate me. I hadn't done it on purpose, and I would of course apologize later. She wouldn't doubt me in that way would she?

I listened as she introduced us to our company.

Bella.

Such a beautiful name…for a beautiful girl. I snuck a glance at the rearview mirror and immediately wish I hadn't. I'd meant to catch a glimpse of her face, but the other…I think his name was Jasper, was who had caught my eye instead. And he hadn't seemed very happy.

I planted my eyes ahead and struggled to maintain my composure with the emotionless mask I was now a master of. Was he annoyed by my actions too?

I was eternally grateful when we finally made it back home, and even happier when the familiar feel of my bedroom surrounded me. I'd just set her bags down by my bed when I heard my door get closed.

I stood up and looked behind me to find Bella giving my room the once over. Scrutiny was soon replaced with realization in her eyes and she looked at me questioningly.

I must have been staring back for too long because she began to get fidgety beneath my gaze.

"What?" she asked, her tone a bit defensive.

I blinked, surprised at being carried away…again, and hurried to speak. "Nothing." I replied, while thinking of something else to say. "As you can probably tell, we'll be sharing a room…you may take the bed and I the sofa." She'd obviously figured out that this room was occupied.

I watched a look of disbelief overtake her features as she shook her head. "No, I'll take the sofa. This is you're house and I'm not going to drive you off your bed." There was a final edge to her voice and that surprised me a little. Obviously she was tired from her flight and wanted nothing but rest. Any normal human being would have jumped at the chance, but she…

"But-" I began, getting ready to explain this and the fact that Esme would not be happy if she checked in to find our guest sleeping on the sofa, only to be cut off.

"No."

"I-"

"No."

What in the world? I took a deep breath to calm myself and frowned. Why was she being so stubborn? Barely allowing me to get a word in? This was for her own good as well as mine. She'd get her goodnight's rest, especially since we'd have school the next morning, and I would avoid another lecture from Esme.

Something short of a smirk landed on her face as she studied me before making her way to the sofa.

"Where are your parents?" she asked, lying back on the sofa.

"At work." I replied, not liking the way things were going. She was already looking sleepy, so maybe I could carry her to the bed and avoid disappointment from my parents? Her next statement confirmed this.

"Cool. Well, I'm going to sleep," she said, her eyes closing. Maybe her weariness would change her mind, make things a little easier for both of us.

"You really should-"

"No."

Fine. The hard way then.

I stood there for a minute more, before walking out my room and across the hall to check on my sister. The door to her room was slightly ajar, light seeping through, and her perky voice nothing but a murmur.

I pushed it open slightly to find its occupants hunched over something, with their backs to me. Taking a step in, I cleared my throat to get their attention.

"I just came to make sure everything was fine, and to tell you goodnight," I muttered, once they'd given me their attention.

"Everything's fine. Goodnight." There was nothing friendly about the tone she'd responded to me in. I found myself wanting to stay and explain myself to her, but also wanting to wait until morning. I glanced at Jasper and the stoic look on his face made up my mind for me.

"All right, see you in the morning," I said, quickly making my way out the door. I was just about to step into my room when I heard his voice.

"Edward, a word with you please."

I sighed and turned around to find him closing the door to Alice's room before facing me. There was nothing friendly or menacing in his stance. He was just…emotionless.

"Yes?" I inquired, straightening up to match his height. Another waste of my time…he was at least three inches taller.

"Is there any reason for your behavior towards Bella at the airport earlier?" he asked, still keeping himself carefully composed. And I decided to do the same, by choosing my words carefully.

"My actions were not performed on purpose. I intend to apologize to her in the morning," I answered thoughtfully.

"I have no doubt that you will. From what Alice has told me, I'm sure you didn't behave that way deliberately."

What?! She'd told him already? How could she? It wasn't her right to tell anyone!

I could feel my defensive side already making its appearance as I waited for the routine reaction. But there was no pity in his eyes. Not an ounce of his demeanor changed as he continued to speak.

"But as understanding as I may be, I still have a promise to keep. You didn't stick around to see, but those little actions had an effect on Bella. She's a very loving person and will befriend anyone who gives her the chance. You are the first to blow her off in such a way. And I have to say, that if you hurt her in anyway, I won't have any control over my actions towards you."

And I was sure he meant it. The air between us seemed to increase in intensity as he stared meaningfully into my eyes.

"Bella is like a sister to me and tends to be too trusting. Because her real brother isn't here to look out for her, I'll be the one to do that. I just thought I'd let you know."

I quickly nodded my head and turned around without a response into my room. My mind was still struggling to comprehend why Alice would tell such a big part of my life to a complete stranger, while still attempting to grasp his last words. At this point in time, I just wanted to be left alone.

As I closed the door behind me, the soft breathing sounds that filled the room reminded me of my visitor. She seemed to be completely asleep, so now would be a great time to exchange sleeping locations.

I made my way over to the sofa and gingerly slipped both arms beneath her. One around the back of her knees and the other on her lower back, before lifting her up and moving towards the bed. The task was very simple, and made easier with the fact that she was as light as a feather.

After pulling the covers over her, I pulled off my t-shirt and made my way back to the sofa. The exhaustion from this night's events was already creeping up on me. After turning off the lights, it wasn't long before sleep overtook me.

--x--

I'm not sure how long I'd been asleep, but I did know it was late. In fact, it was probably just a couple more hours before my alarm clock would go off. But there was a knocking on a door, and from the sounds of it, it was the front door.

This confused me. Who would be visiting us at this ungodly hour? My parents had a key, and they'd gotten home a while before; I'd heard my door open, a sign of them checking in. But this insistent pounding was extremely nerving.

I groaned and pulled myself up as I realized no one else was going to get it, before shuffling down the stairs. Reaching up, I pulled back a lock, then reaching down, I pulled back the other, before opening the door a little.

Because I was still looking down, I was met with nothing but a pair of huge boots. As my eyes continued their journey up, I realized this entire being in front of me was huge.

I finally reached the face and felt some sort of familiarity. From the moonlight behind him, I noted the criticizing look on his face as he looked me up and down.

"Who are you?" I asked, finally getting fed up with the silence. But he didn't get to reply, for someone else answered for him.

"Emmett?" My eyes widened in surprise as Bella stopped beside me, still looking half asleep. When had she woken up?

"What are you doing here?"

I glanced back at the man, waiting for his response, only to be surprised by the sudden change in his facial features. There was an unmistakable grin on his face as he looked down at her and took an uninvited step into the house. I could feel my brows rise in disbelief as he picked her off the ground and held her tightly.

"How's my little sis?"

Oh man. Was this the brother Jasper had been talking about?

I closed the door behind him and turned on the light switch, filling the hall with light.

"Why are you here? And where's Rose? Is everything all right?" Bella's voice rose nervously with each question as he set her back on the ground.

"Everything's fine, but I did come for a reason. Rose is back at the hotel we checked into when we arrived."

"Oh," she said, still looking confused. "Well, we still have a couple hours left of sleep…you want to stay here till we wake up?" she asked, looking like she wanted anything but that.

"Since you suggested, I guess that only makes sense!"

Could he speak any louder? It was 4 in the morning for crying out loud. I was surprised the whole house hadn't woken up yet.

"Right. You have a lot of explaining to do," she muttered, swaying slightly on her feet. "Go sleep in there or something," she said, shoving him into the living room.

He shrugged his shoulders in indifference and began to make his way in, but paused and turned around. Glancing at her, and sizing me up once more, he nodded his head in acknowledgement.

"I'll see you guys in a couple hours."

As Bella and I slowly made our way back up the stairs, I was sure I wasn't imagining a pair of eyes following my every move. Slightly turning my head sideways, I was surprised to see the Emmett character at the foot of the stairs, watching us climb up.

Bella quietly made her way back to the bed without argument, probably due to sleepiness. And I sunk back onto the sofa. So much had happened in such a short time span, I was sure that if I tried to think about it, my brain would only become confused. What I did know was I owed Bella an apology and would be finding out who Emmett was tomorrow.

But we had school, and I had work afterwards…

I had a feeling, this was going to be one long month.

Review please. :D

I'd meant to update this much sooner, but this weekend has been the only free time I've had so far. For anyone reading my other story, that probably won't be updated until early next week.

Much Love,

jojoStarr