A/N: Thanks for reviewing! (Even if it did take a while to reach 45 :S) And special thanks to the ONLY ONE who has reviewed for every chapter since the beginning: Sora no Akai Ame! Thanks a bunch! :D
EPOV
I had been searching in a panic for hours. At first I was convinced she was dead, but Alice pointed out that there wasn't enough blood lost to cause any major problems. This calmed me down a little, but I was still very furious and extremely worried about my Bella.
I was running through one of many La Push forests, which was alongside a road. Cars passed occasionally, but they all went the opposite way to which I was running. No car was fast enough to win a race against me, even at top speed. A fire truck was headed down the road, and soon passed by me, sirens on, and horn honking at the cars it passed. The truck that passed was insignificant until I heard their radio.
"What's up?" One of the firemen asked.
"There's a fire at the old asylum. Apparently Swan's kid is trapped inside."
I whirled around and raced at top speed in the opposite direction. I didn't even need to tell Alice; she was on my tail in a second. She soon fell behind, though, as I was running faster than any other vampire could.
An eternity later, though it was mere minutes, I reached the edge of the forest, and I could see the smoke billowing out from the building through the trees. I ran out of the forest at human speed towards the gathering fire trucks and ambulances, listening to thoughts and conversations about Bella, while searching for her as well. They were still trying to get into the building, as the door had been bolted shut, so Bella was still trapped inside. I heard no screaming from inside the building, just a faint heartbeat and shallow, weak breaths. I began panicking, and I raced to the other side of the building, barely at human speed. When I got as close to Bella as I could, I found the nearest window to her, and broke it. I bent the bars on the window so I could get in, and climbed through. I crushed the lock on the door to the room and walked out into the hallway, moving at vampire speed. I had to be careful, I reminded myself, I wasn't fireproof. Although the smoke didn't affect my vision, it's heat was making me slightly nervous. I wouldn't be able to stay in here for very long if I wanted to continue living.
I soon found Bella lying unconscious on the floor, mere inches from the flames. I carefully picked her up, holding her close to me and praying she wasn't injured. I found my way out quickly, and ran around to the front of the building, where everyone was still seeking entrance to the burning building. I gently placed her on an awaiting stretcher as people began gathering around it. One of those people being Chief Swan.
"You!" He exclaimed when he saw me standing beside his daughter. "Leave. Now. I don't want you anywhere near her."
I might have argued with him, had his thoughts not been so sure, so rejective of me. But I was determined to stay, so I didn't move. I didn't even turn to look at him.
"I told you to leave! I won't have you hurting my Bella anymore."
The paramedics were working on Bella now, trying to get her breathing back to normal, and checking to make sure she wasn't injured in any major way.
I turned to face Charlie, my face hard and mature. "I can assure you," I pronounced each word clearly, though my voice was firm. "She won't be hurt again, not as long as I'm here. Not as long as I can stop it."
"How am I supposed to believe you?" He tried to sound tough, but his thoughts showed how vulnerable he was. "You almost killed her by leaving. How am I supposed to know you won't do it again?" He was unwavering now, in his thoughts, too; he didn't want me anywhere near Bella. I would have to convince him otherwise.
"That was a mistake. One that I would gladly die to undo. I didn't mean for it to turn out like this."
Charlie's face softened. I had caught him off guard. He opened his mouth slightly to say something, but then closed it.
We both whipped around when Bella groaned. Her eyes parted slightly and soon, she opened them fully. Her cheeks turned red at the attention she was receiving, and I wondered how I had stayed away for so long without giving in and coming back. Charlie sighed, seeing she was awake, and flew to her side, pushing me aside in the process. I stood behind him, my eyes on Bella the whole time. Bella seemed happy to see her father, but her eyes soon drifted to me, and she gasped.
"Edward."
She looked depressed as she turned away from me, and Charlie jumped on the opportunity at once.
"Do you want me to make him leave, Bells?"
"No!" She cried out promptly, then dropped her head. I was relieved she wasn't angry with me. At least she didn't seem mad; Bella always seems to surprise me though.
I wanted to ask her what was wrong, but I was afraid she would say she was upset about me. I couldn't bear to be the one to cause Bella misery.
"What's wrong, then?" Charlie asked for me.
"Nothing." She mumbled, turning away once more. The tone of her voice was pure torture for me. As much as I wanted to fly to her side instantly, I stood still. I knew Charlie still didn't like me here, so I stayed as far away as I could possibly handle.
She glanced up at me, her eyes pleading. "Edward?" I guessed she wanted to talk to me.
I looked to Charlie as if for permission. His face looked regretful, but he nodded slightly and went off to talk to a paramedic. I hurried toward her.
"I'm sorry, Bella, so sorry. Can you ever forgive me for leaving?"
"What? You...you're staying?"
"Of course!" I didn't know how she could think that I would be able to leave again. Maybe I had been a bit too persuasive . . .
"I...I thought you didn't want me...?" It sounded like a question.
"Oh, Bella! I do want you! I always have, and always will, for as long as I roam this earth."
"But you said –"
"I was lying, love. I'll always love you."
She smiled at me, and I smiled back. "I love you too." she told me.
I stroked her cheek with the back of my hand, and she closed her eyes and leaned into it. I dropped my hand, and picked up hers, holding them securely. I was about to say something when I noticed a long gash on her arm. Alarmed, I lifted her arm and pulled her sleeve back to reveal the injury.
"Bella," I gasped, looking up at her face, which was focused on the discoloured cut in confusion. Had she not noticed it? "What happened?"
"I...I don't know. I don't remember that."
I took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. "It was Jacob Black, wasn't it?"
Her jaw clenched. That was all the answer I needed.
"I'm going to rip his body to shreds." I promised myself aloud, and closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose.
"Edward, he's a . . . he's a werewolf." she whispered to me.
"I know."
"The whole pack will be on his side. You can't just attack him! They'll kill you!"
"I don't care."
"Edward, I will not lose you again! You can't do this!" She began to cry.
Charlie noticed her distress in her voice, and saw her tears, and marched right over. His anger was plain on his face, and I knew from his thoughts he would make me leave, no matter what Bella or I said. I had no choice but to go.
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BPOV
I lay in my bed and waited for sleep to take me. After Charlie had forced Edward to leave, he brought me home, made me dinner, and sent me to bed early. I couldn't complain – I was worn out.
Suddenly, there was a knock at my window. I leaped out of bed and was at the window in a second, opening it to let Edward in. I hadn't been expecting him, so I kept it closed. He normally would have laughed and asked if I was trying to lock him out, but he wasn't in the mood for it. I stood there watching him for a moment as he lay down on my bed and beaconed me to join him. I did so at once, and he wrapped his stone arms around me. I sighed in content, resting my head on his cold chest. After about five minutes, I couldn't bear not knowing the answer to the question burning in my head.
"Jacob?" I asked nervously. I knew he would understand immediately.
He took an unnecessary breath. "Don't worry," he told me, squeezing me tight. "He's gone."
A/N: Gasp Now what? REVIEW and let me know what you think!
So in answer to the question that was probably bugging you since you read the last chapter (or maybe not): Charlie was the "mystery voice".
I don't know how much longer I can write this story on no ideas, but I will write as long as I can produce a good story. :S
Anywho, I'd like to see 55 reviews this time before I update! So REVIEW!! :D
And again, thanks to Sora no Akai Ame for being the only one to review for ALL five chapters! MB!! n . n