A/N Chapter three, how do you like it so far? Chapter 2 should have been titled 1911 but as I said 'learning process'. Unfortunately I took some bad advice. Oh well, such is life. Anyway, enjoy and let me know how I'm doing.

I do not own Twilight, it belongs to Stephenie Meyer

1930

True to his word, Andrew and his grandmother returned promptly at three o'clock. We were gathered together, the five of us, our two guests, my father, my brother Jasper and myself.

I was grateful for Carlisle's presence. I hadn't realized how much I relied on his strength until Bella fell ill.

It seemed as though, through my life as a vampire, he was always guiding me, helping me to stay strong and do the right thing. Carlisle was my yardstick for what it was to be a man, if I lived to be a thousand, I don't think I would ever quite measure up.

Jasper was also there for me, I was very glad for his calming influence, but I was equally glad that the rest of the household was absent. The thought of having everyone watching and waiting was not conducive to my self control. I was glad they were otherwise occupied. Emmett an Jacob were in the backyard, playing with Nessie. My mother and sisters were with Bella at the cottage for an impromptu fashion show by Alice. She and Jasper were scheduled to visit Japan a month from now and she had already purchased several kimonos for Jasper and herself. From reading her mind I knew she was planning a full tea ceremony after modeling her new purchases.

After a few pleasantries with Andrew and Helena, we got down to business and repeated the actions of the previous day. Being better prepared, I wasn't as unnerved by the sensations I encountered. Freeing my mind, I quickly concentrated only on my guide. The dizziness and nausea were much less severe than the first time and I felt myself almost welcoming the heady feeling of my mind leaving my body behind.

As the gray mist that had enveloped me lifted, I was struck by something entirely different. This time when I transported I felt the familiarity of my vampire body. My senses were all more acute and the power that was missing on the previous experience was definitely present.

Expecting Bella to be near, I scanned the area, but didn't find her. There was no familiar scent or heartbeat anywhere. Reading the minds of the people around me wasn't helping either. Sifting through the jumble of thoughts, I realized that I was on the boardwalk of Atlantic City New Jersey.

Walking through the throng of people, I continued my search. She could be anywhere, but I knew I had to find her, I had to protect her from whatever danger she was about to face.

The warm sun was gracefully easing into the distant horizon as the gray shadows of night crept over the city. It was approaching twilight, the time when the monsters of the dark felt free to roam and seek their pleasures.

Further down the boardwalk I took notice of the shops and arcades, searching for any sign there. Passing the bathing suit rental and the skee ball sign that advertised 9 balls for 5 cents, I was prepared for the possibility that I would not be able to read her mind, which meant I would have to continue exploring the minds of others for some clue of her. The smell of stale popcorn and beer permeated the air. There were fewer and fewer people moving along the wooden sidewalks now as I longed for a sign, any sign of Bella.

If I could save her life, I felt sure that her nightmares would end, even if I had to wait longer for her. It was Bella's safety and happiness that were important above all else, for me, it had always been.

Turning down a dark street where the lampposts were mostly lifeless and the cool, damp, musty air, putrid with the smell of decay told me that no one ever traveled this way, no one except those who didn't wish to be seen. That is where, in this lonely desolate place, I found him.

His thoughts were so rushed, so excited. His heart beat rapidly as he shifted the burden he held in his arms.

Scouring the street and the darkened doorways for any glimpse of him, I was halted by the sheer evilness of his thoughts.

Of all the women he had killed before, this would be his finest. She was so young and obviously untouched. She had been so naive and trusting. It had been too easy, really, for him to lure her away. He would take his time and savor his conquest. He would take her over and over and when she no longer pleased him, he would revel in the last thing he could take from her. The thought of her cries of pain made him incredibly aroused and he couldn't wait to get started.

I didn't have to hear her heartbeat or smell her all too familiar fragrance to know who he meant. It was Bella, my Bella, no matter what her name or identity might be in this lifetime, it was she that he was thinking about.

Moving closer, hiding in the shadows, making sure not to be seen, I knew I could save her. She didn't have to die. Then, suddenly, we were both aware, the human monster and I, of someone else.

It was a policeman calling to some boys in the distance. They were unaware of what was taking place, of what they had stumbled onto. To get to Bella, to stop her killer, I would have to expose myself. They would see and they would know. They would have to die as well, these innocents whose only crime was being in the path of my prey.

But, I couldn't kill them, could I? It went against all that I had believed in for so long, and all that Carlisle had tried to teach me. How would I face him after destroying human life so recklessly.

The monster's mind flew quickly now, it raced almost as fast as my own. He couldn't take his time, it would have to be quick. He needed to take her life, he thirsted for her blood almost the way a vampire would.

But, the police officer was distracted by the youngsters.

Maybe he could get away with her after-all, Bella's captor thought.

Maybe I could get away, too, maybe the innocents could be spared.

As he moved with her, she began to stir and moan. She was waking up, where was the chloroform? Shit! He muttered as she became more vocal.

We were almost to a place where I could break open my vampire speed when he sensed more than heard my movement.

Instinctively he put his knife to her throat and slit the soft white flesh, burying the four inch blade up to the hilt.

I was not aware, at first, of the primal growl that emanated from deep within my chest, but it alerted not only the murderer, but the policeman as well.

They were both running, one towards Bella and one away from her.

The anger that overtook me in that moment was so intense I could no longer think. Without regard for being seen, I sped forward, capturing the monster a few yards away.

His death was so quick, I hardly remember it. I snapped his neck with one movement. I might as well have been breaking a dried twig in two for all the force I used. It was much too merciful an end for this evil man.

As I dropped his lifeless corpse to the ground I noticed how young he looked, even though I guessed his age to be more around 30. His thick blond hair and pale blue eyes gave him a youthful appearance and probably helped him greatly when he was luring his victims.

Considering all the pain he had inflicted, his face was intriguingly worry free. No trace of the vile acts he had committed could be found on the thing that lay before me. I moved away from this beast, no longer wanting anything to do with him, even in death.

Retracing my steps I found the policeman bent over the body of my beloved. Her heart had taken it's last few beats as I was disposing of her killer.

The remorse and guilt I felt for having failed yet again was overwhelming. With the policeman at her side, I couldn't even hold her. Standing alone, in the shadows, I was convinced that the ache I felt would surely rip me in two. I wept silent, dry tears as the swirling sensations filled my mind once more and all too soon I was back, sitting next to my father and Jasper.

Burying my head in my hands, my shoulders slumped forward, I let my grief spill out.

"I can't do this anymore. I can't watch her die over and over. It's too much, it's too painful. I was so close, and still I couldn't save her."

"I know that this is very hard for you Edward, but try to remember, the 16 year old girl that died tonight was not Mrs Cullen. She was not the one who needed saving. Your wife, the one who slips further and further from you each day is the one we are attempting to save." Andrew reached out to place his hand on my shoulder as his grandmother began to speak.

"This journey is a difficult one, my dear, but all will be revealed. We must stay strong, for Bella's sake."

Carlisle eased his arm around my shoulders as I leaned into him for support, too tired and emotionally spent to say anything more.

"Do not give up hope, Edward. All is going as it should. Rest, we will return tomorrow." The old woman stood incredibly straight, for someone her age. "Come Andrew, you promised me dinner."

Jasper escorted our guests out as I continued to lean against Carlisle.

We sat there in silence for a few moments more. Father and son, one giving strength and support and one accepting it gratefully. Eventually, I was able to speak again.

"She was murdered Carlisle, and I killed the man that did it. I didn't drink his blood, but I killed him just the same. I know you must be disappointed in me, but I can't feel sorry for what I did. He deserved to die and I'd do it again. I wish that I could have made him suffer more, the way he wanted her to suffer, the way he'd made all those other women suffer before her. But, I am sorry I let you down."

My father shook his head at me. "You have nothing to apologize for Edward, he was a vile man, as you said. You acted on instinct and I'm sure I would have done the same in your position. You also spared the lives of the policeman and those young boys, if you'll remember. It took a lot of restraint on your part to do that, there isn't anything for you to be ashamed about, I'm very proud of you son."

"How did you know about that? How did you know about the others?"

"Helena explained the events that took place during your teleportation, as they happened. Jasper and I listened to everything that you had to go through. It was very difficult, I admit, hearing it all and not being able to help you in any way." He sighed deeply at the memory.

"You help more than you know, father, more than I can possibly express. I will be forever grateful that you were here with me during this, I don't know if I could have survived it alone."

He tightened his arm around me a little more, to express his mutual feelings.

"Did they tell you about the first time, when Bella was a little girl, too?"

"Yes, Andrew explained it all as it was happening, but this time Helena spoke instead. They have quite an interesting connection, those two. It's rather a fascinating ability. I hope Aro never learns of them, for their sakes."

I nodded silently at the truth of his words.

"I can't help thinking that they're wrong, though. I need to save her, I know it. It has to be the reason for the nightmares. She is reliving her deaths over and over, and each time, I do nothing to help her. Bella is counting on me Carlisle, I can't let her down."

"I'm afraid I am completely out of my element here, Edward. I can only trust that Helena and her grandson know what they're doing and that this will indeed help Bella in some way that I cannot see as yet. They are right about one thing, this experience has drained you. Go home, to your wife and rest." Without further words, he rose, patting me gently on the back.

Bowing to his suggestion, I made my way back to the cottage, but not before making sure that no evidence of my previous torment could be seen by my precious wife.

We spent our time together as we usually did now, holding each other and talking quietly. Talking of everything and nothing. However, the one subject we never spoke of, the one that plagued both our minds, was what was happening to Bella and, therefore, to us. Would we survive this together as we had all of our earlier struggles, or would we finally be torn apart?

Was this the proverbial 'Straw'? Only, we both knew this was no straw, it was a whole damn forest, so thick and dense that we might not ever be able to cut our way through.

The hours passed quietly, I never wanted to leave her side. We took no notice of the setting or rising of the sun, we were content to just be together.

She had only one episode during our hours alone, but it was so long this time, that I wondered if it might be the last, that she might never return to me. When she did wake from her torture, she opened her eyes, her stiff body relaxing slightly, but she was unable to speak.

She was quiet for a long time, so I held her gently, telling her over and over how much I loved her. How, no matter what happened, I would continue to love and take care of her.

Rosalie arriving on our doorstep told me it was fast approaching the time to meet with Andrew and the others. She came on the pretext of preparing some meals for Renesme.

We had decided some time ago, that although our daughter was quite content with hunting as we did, she needed to be comfortable consuming human food as well. That way, when she was in the company of humans, like her grampa Charlie, she would be comfortable eating with them.

Reluctantly, I left my Bella to once again try to find a way out of the forest for both of us.

A/N End of chapter three. Still interested? Hope so! Please review.