First of all, i want to apologise profusely, for not having updated in so long. i haven't spent much time on my computer since the holidays started, i only began writing again a few days ago.

I will be writing some more now that i am back, i hope the wait hasn't put the readers off.

I know the ending of the last chapter was all angst ridden, but everything can't be all perfect with rainbows and sunshine and bunnies straight away, it takes time, but its usually worth the wait, no? :)

I hope you enjoy this chapter, review if you can.

Disclaimer: None of the characters are mine. Or the story, or the brand, or anything related to Twilight...thats such a depressing fact.

Chapter 20.

Alice POV

"I didn't mean it…" I managed to choke out as I leapt through Bellas window.

Edward will know I've been here, he will know that I upset Bella, no she wont tell him, and why is this even important? I just left the girl I love in a state, and all I want to do is go back and hold her, and I want to stay…but Jasper, Edward.

"Get out now, so it hurts less in the long run. Get out now, so it hurts less in the long run. Get out now, so it hurts less in the long run." I began repeating to myself, trying to clear the overwhelming doubt out of my mind.

Realising I was standing directly outside of Bella's house, I sprinted towards the woods. Running far enough that Edward wouldn't bother to follow me, after all I hadn't seen or spoken to him since yesterday evening, he would of wanted to talk to me. About Bella, no doubt.

I ran back toward the house, as fast as I could, I want to be gone before Edward returns.

Jasper and I, we'll leave, just for a while. Just long enough to forget, to let the feelings fade enough. Carlisle and Esme will understand, who wouldn't want a "vacation" after all that had gone on. Jasper wont mind leaving with me.

I arrived a few yards from the house. Looking upwards, I put on my best smile, hoping the others wouldn't notice. Taking a few calming breaths, to try and even out my emotions, I entered the house.

Jasper immediately appeared at the bottom of the stairs.

"Your back." He said, smiling that trademark slight smile of his.

"Yes, I said I would be back soon didn't I?" I returned the smile, taking his hand in mine.

"Alice?" I hear Esme call from the kitchen.

With Jaspers hand in mine, I skipped toward the kitchen, trying to appear upbeat as I normally would.

I walked over to Esme, giving her a firm hug.

"Sorry that I was gone for so long." I spoke, cheerily.

"Jasper explained about you needing to hunt earlier on. Don't worry about it." She replied, in her gentle voice.

"Okay, I'm glad up aren't upset…how was your day?"

After making small talk with Esme, I lead Jasper up stairs, needing to talk to him about going away for a while, I still hadn't decided on where exactly, but the destination didn't matter much as long as I would be far away from…temptation.

I sat down on the bed, and gestured for him to sit next to me. I could see by his expression that he could sense something was off.

He strolled over, and sat down next to me, taking my hand into his.

"Jasper, everything has been so overwhelming lately. All of the drama with Edward and the Volturi, I know it's not an ideal time, but I would like to get away for a while, perhaps a few months?"

"What ever you want Alice, I agree that some time apart from the family would be nice, it might not be great timing, but I'm sure every one will understand."

"Really?" I asked, not expecting him to agree.

"Yes, is there anywhere specifically that you want to go?"

"Surprise me." I said, smiling at him.

"Well that's going to be hard work, ain't it?" He drawled back, chuckling.

***

After packing all the things we would need, I called everyone in the house, and asked them to come downstairs, Jasper stood behind me, his hand resting on my back.

A few seconds later and the whole of my family, bar Edward who was probably with Bella, were standing around us.

"Is something wrong?" Esme asked, looking concerned.

"No, not at all, I just wanted to let you all know that I would be going away for a while." I said in a reassuring tone, "Jasper and I will be going away." I corrected.

Carlisle slid his arm around Esme, who had a look of disappointment on her face.

I felt terrible for leaving at a time when the whole family had just been reunited, but surely they would understand my reasoning, or my lie of a reason.

"I know that it's not the perfect time, but after everything that has happened, I would just like some time away from the situation, it's been very hard to deal with, I don't intend to be gone long, 2 months maximum." I addressed everyone.

"If you feel like you need respite, then I have no problems with your leaving, although we will need to think of a reason to cover your absence from school." Carlisle, spoke smiling at me.

"Thank you Carlisle."

"When are you leaving shortie?" Emmett asked, grinning goofily as usual.

"Well, we wanted to leave now, I know Edwards not here, but I suspect he will want to spend time with Bella, and I don't want to interrupt that."

"Thanks for the three minute warning." Rosalie scoffed.

"Aww I'll miss you too Rose." I cooed at her.

Just then Edward returning, barraging into the room with a face like thunder.

"What did you say to her?!" He shouted at me.

I struggled to keep my thoughts focused, and I looked up at him confused.

"Bella, what on earth did you say to her, I went to see her and she was in a state, crying and she wouldn't talk, she wouldn't let me hold her, and she asked me to leave, you were the last person around her Alice - Tell me what you said!" He barked at me.

Jasper stepped out in front of me, he was using his emotion to calm Edward down.

"Edward, I didn't say anything to Bella." I lied.

"Jasper and I are going away for a few months, and I went over to her house earlier to let her know that I would be going, she did seem quiet upset by it, but im sure she will be okay." I added, the guilt making my gut wrench.

"You can't go now. Bella clearly has some abandonment issues, and I'm not going to let you leave and open old wounds."

"Carlisle has already permitted me to go Edward." I replied flatly.

Edward spun his head to Carlisle, his face wearing a pained expression.

Carlisle nodded at him, to communicate that he did agree.

"No, this isn't right. This can't happen, I don't want Bella to feel like she did for all those months. I am protesting this, this is a stupid and selfish idea."

"Contrary to your own beliefs Edward, everything isn't about you. You left her, so the abandonment issues she has are related to that, you hurt her, with your own selfishness. Do not expect me to put my life on hold, so that I can help you, I have done enough for you in the past couple of days alone, and I really want some time away from your pathetic melodrama!" I shouted at him.

"Alright both of you calm down, Edward, I agree that Alice deserves some time to herself. Do not forget how she has helped you and Bella to get back together. I am sure that Bella will be fine soon, perhaps you should spend some time with her, and reassure her that Alice will be returning."

I really need to get out of here. I really need to get out of here.

"Fine. Leave. I am going to see Bella. Jasper I will see you soon, have a safe Journey."

And with that Edward was gone, leaving the from sporting his trademark scowl of gloom."

"God, he's such a baby." I muttered out.

"Alice, please, let's just say goodbye nicely now?" Esme said.

I hugged everyone in turn, Jasper hugged Esme and Rose, Choosing to give Emmett and Carlisle manly pat's on the back.

We left the house, throwing our suitcases into the back of Jasper's car.

Pulling out into the driveway, we stopped to wave at everyone, now standing in the window to watch us leave, and then Jasper drove, through the long roads of forks.

I hadn't bothered to even look for Jaspers decision about where to take us, I didn't particularly care, I just knew I wanted to be away from here, and right here with her at the same time. I'd never really been altruistic, but I honestly couldn't bare to hurt everyone around me, if they found out, It would tear the family apart, and I can't do it to them.

Bella POV

Edward had left in a mood, muttering something about Alice, I hope he doesn't know, he can't, she had been here, but she comes here a lot. Unless she let it slip with her thoughts, but she was careful, and they hadn't seen each other all day. I should go to the Cullen's house, get this sorted out, Alice has to talk to me, whatever she said earlier on, she can't have meant it, I know she didn't, she loved me, she told me before even last night, she meant it when she said it, I know she did. She wouldn't of said it if she didn't? It's Alice she isn't that cruel.

My face felt stiff as a result of the tears that had dried, my throat dry and sticky, I had broken down completely, I could still feel the ache of Alice's words, they had been too painful to hear, but after actually thinking about it, I knew she was just wrong, and I could convince her of it, when I had the chance.

Edward appeared sitting on my window.

Why did I leave that open?

"Edward, your back?" I whispered out, my throat pained.

"Yes. I went to talk to Alice, I'm sorry I left in such a terrible mood." he spoke softly.

He appeared next to me, pressing a kiss against the top of my head.

"What did Alice say?" I asked, my head still dropped.

"We had a falling out over it."

"You guys had a fight?"

"Just a small argument, a disagreement of sorts. Don't worry about it."

"No Edward, I don't want you guys to argue over me. Let's go to your house, I can fix it." I said, hoping to use it as an opportunity to talk to Alice

"Bella, it's okay Alice and I have fought in the past, it will work itself out."

"But-"

"But nothing, I promise you love, it was only a small argument, I simply informed her that I didn't agree with her leaving, and I wanted her to stay, she was adament that she wanted to leave though, and Carlisle had already granted her and Jasper permission, so my hands were tied." he replied, cutting me off.

Alice left? Left where? With jasper?

"What?! Edward when did she leave? Where has she gone?!" I shouted at him.

"She left shortly after I returned here, she told me that she had visited you earlier and let you know that she would be going, I want to apologise for her not saying goodbye properly, I didn't ask where she was going."

She didn't tell me she was leaving, she didn't tell me anything. How could she lie like that?

"She left..forks?" I asked.

"Yes, I know how close both of you are Bella, I'm sure she didn't mean to upset you, but I think it's best that you stop asking, and accept it. I understand that the effect my leaving had on you was severe, and I will work hard to gain your forgiveness, but don't fret, you will see her again. I want you to know, that i will be here with you as long as you want me, i won't leave your side, i will never allow you to be hurt in any way, not even by me, i'd sooner die than hurt you again.

I could hear Edward trail off into a monologue which was probably laced with Cliché's and outdated language, all I had heard of the sentence was his confirmation, she had left forks, and she didn't let me know she was going, she lied to Edward, and she didn't even let me know she was going, after I told her what happened the first time, after she didn't say goodbye, she is doing it again?

I felt the heat of fresh tears running down my cheeks, I pulled my legs up into my body, wrapping my arms around them, and buring my head against my knee's, I couldn't control the tears falling from my eyes, or the low sobs escaping my throat, Edward layed his hand on my shoulder, which I shrugged off stubbornly, I didn't want his comfort.

"Bella…" he sighed.

"Edward please…" I swallowed deeply. "I just, want to sleep…" I drew the words out.

I couldn't sit up and cry anymore. I just wanted to sleep, make it go away, make the tears burning my eyes, the fire in my throat, and the pain in my chest go away.

Before I could move, Edward had picked me up and placed me on my bed, I pushed myself underneath my comforter, pulling it over my head.

"Goodnight Bella." Edward whispered.

He must of got the hint, instead of climbing into bed with me, I heard him settle into the chair in the corner of my room. I'd rather her wasn't here at all, but the distance is enough.

I began to drift off, sniffling and sobbing, until I fell asleep.