*Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Running on Fumes

Chapter 6

By: EJJCullen

I hear his threat echo off the trees that surround me. I know exactly where I'm going as I tear through the brush and feel the sting of pricker bushes as they slash at my bare legs. The sky was growing darker the further into the woods I ventured.

Being the avid hunter, Charlie had a deer look out spot about a mile north into the woods that lined our property. It was a great hiding spot and as a child I would sometimes play up there until Charlie would practically drag me down for dinner.

It was a wooden platform elevated between two large trees hidden amongst the branches. Once you climbed up, you could get a panoramic view of the woods and were sheltered from the elements. It was meant for deer spotting, so the only things that were left behind were a folding camp chair, a pair of binoculars and an all-weather bag that contained a camouflage print blanket. It would be enough to hide me for the time being and allow me some time to figure out what to do next.

I climbed the wooden slats that were nailed to the tree trunk leading up to the look out. Edward's yelling had quieted the further in I ran, and now I heard nothing. I sat on the chair, pulling my knees up to my chin and wrapped myself with blanket. It was eerily quiet, and my eyes constantly scanned my surroundings waiting for Edward to follow through with his threat. My breathing evened out until I was finally breathing normally, although my heart still pounded in my chest and echoed in my ears.

Think Bella, think! I thought to myself. The first thing I had to do was get rid of the jump drive. I didn't want this to come back to haunt me, so I knew that just tossing it into the woods would not do the trick, I needed to destroy it. I pulled the small, rectangular drive out of my pocket and ran my fingers over it as I continued to think. I could burn it…but I had no way of creating a fire - its not like I was a girl scout and could rub sticks together. I could water log it…but there was no water near by. I could always wait until it was safe and throw it in the pool…but I didn't want to wait that long, this needed to be done now. I could smash it!

I placed the drive on the floor of the platform and grabbed the heavy duty binoculars, turning them on their side I struck the drive. The plastic casing cracked quickly exposing the internal make up. With a few more strikes the jump drive was reduced to a pile of metal and plastic, completely unsalvageable. I smiled in relief as I sat back in the chair pulling the blanket back around me and the binocular up to my eyes to help me scan the woods.

I could hear twigs snapping in the distance and the sound of muffled voices coming from the southern side of the woods. I couldn't make out what the voices were saying but I recognized that it was more than one voice and they were headed towards the area that I was currently hiding in. I had no concept of time as I sat there praying I wouldn't be seen. The sky went from a pink and purple hue to a dark steely gray and with the setting sun came the drop in temperature. It wasn't exactly winter in Forks, but the mid September weather was cool at night. Dressed in just my bra and panties with a coat and blanket to keep me warm I knew it would be a challenge to get through the night.

Using the binoculars I scanned the area again, but there was no sign of anyone. The voices seemed to be circling the area, because now it was if they were closing in from the east.

"Bella!" I heard. It ricocheted off the trees around me and made me shiver in fear.

"Bella!" I heard another voice yell.

I covered my ears with my hands and rocked back and forth on the chair. I silently cried. With shaking hands I raise the binoculars one more time and spotted two figures just off to the left of where I sat. One I instantly recognized as Edward and the other was his father.

"We need to find her now Edward, I can't believe you let this happen." I heard his father say.

"I didn't let this happen Dad, she's a lot stronger than she looks." Edward said.

"Well, she better be. I can't believe I allowed myself to think that this would be easy and how foolish was I to let you get dragged into this. This needs to stop Edward. Esme was right all along." Carlisle said hanging his head in defeat.

"Don't say that Carlisle, this will work, it has to. Renee can't get away with this any more. She has already taken so much from us and them! I mean, I am glad that at least she had the decency to share it with Bella, but you do realize that this can't go on. Bella isn't stupid, she is going to find out and I know she doesn't talk to Renee now, but Bella doesn't deserve for Renee to show up and use her against both you and Charlie." Edward said.

"Edward, I wish it was that simple. Charlie and I aren't exactly innocent victims here. I knew that your mother was with him, and when she told me the truth about your real father I was devastated, but what could I do? I did the same thing and so we put it behind us. Charlie was in enough pain already with Renee leaving and raising Bella all by himself. What was I suppose to do? Call him up and tell him that Bella is mine and take away all that he had?"

I stopped breathing, the world seemed to spin and there was a loud buzzing in my ears blocking out all other sounds. The word 'mine' echoed in my subconscious as everything went black.

"Bella…Bella…..come on Bells, wake up." I heard Charlie say as he shook me awake.

"Dad!" I yelled as I hugged him.

"Gees Bells, what the heck is going on? I come home and your no where to be found, so I come out here after you didn't answer your cell and your sitting here sound asleep! You scared me half to death! I was about ready to call Sam and send out a search party for you."

"I'm so sorry Daddy." I said as I clung to him.

"What's going on baby? You're shaking." He said as he pet my hair and held me tight.

"I just…I just needed to clear my head." I said. I wanted to tell him the truth, but how do you ask your father who has raised you since birth if it's possible that he's not my real father?

"Come on," he said, releasing me and placing a kiss on the top of my head. "Its late, cold and I bet you haven't had dinner yet. Let's go home and I'll heat up a frozen pizza."

We climbed down from the look out and walked back to the house in a comfortable silence.

"How did you know where to find me?" I asked as Charlie opened the side gate and led me up to the house.

"Bells, you're my daughter, I know all there is to know about you…besides, you only have one hiding spot." He chuckled.

I tried to smile back, but his words replayed in my mind. 'My daughter', oh Charlie, if you only knew, I thought.

I went upstairs to change while Charlie heated up the pizza from the freezer. On my way up the stairs I looked at all the pictures that lined the wall leading to the second floor. Some were of Charlie and Renee, some were me and Renee, and all the rest were me and Charlie or just me as I grew from a scrawny girl to what I am today. I stopped at a picture of me and Charlie from a few years ago. It was the last picture at the top of the stairs and it instantly brought tears to my eyes. We had gone on a fishing trip with some of Charlie's buddies and someone snapped the picture capturing me and Charlie holding up a fish I had caught. Our smiles were endless, and Charlie had his arm wrapped lovingly around my shoulder.

I inspected the picture closely. I grew up knowing that I favored my mother in the way that I looked - I had her hair and her facial features. But I always thought that my personality mirrored Charlie's, and that my dark eyes came from him. I realize now, that the man who raised me was a complete stranger – the photo mocked me with the truth. If anyone else looked at this picture they would guess the man with his arm around me was a relative; an uncle, or a cousin, but certainly not my father.

Feeling completely lost, I walked to my bedroom and pulled on a sweatshirt and yoga pants. I sat on my bed and drowned in my thoughts. How could they have kept this from me? From Charlie?

"Dinner Bells!" He shouted from the bottom of the stairs, breaking me from my thoughts.

I trudged back downstairs feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. Slumping onto a stool I picked at the pizza in front of me. Charlie quickly devoured the majority of the pie as he read the paper. He got up to put his plate in the sink and headed into the other room to watch the sports highlights on ESPN. I sat for a little while longer, my pizza completely cold and untouched in front of me.

Finally, I stood up, dumped my pizza in the garbage and washed mine and Charlie's plates before leaving the kitchen to go up to bed. On my way to the stairs Charlie's voice stopped me.

"How about we go to the diner tomorrow for dinner to celebrate Bells?" He asked.

"What?"

"Come on kiddo, you only turn eighteen once, let's celebrate your day." He said, excitement dancing in his eyes. "Besides, your mom called earlier and said she had a surprise coming your way tomorrow. Who knows what craziness she has up her sleeve this year!"

"Yeah, sure Dad." I said, completely void of any emotion.

"You okay Bells?" He asked, raising an eyebrow concerned by my lack of response.

"Yeah, just tired I guess." I lied.

"Alright, well, I'll see you in the morning kiddo. Sweet dreams."

"Night Dad." I said, as I continued down the hall and up the stairs to the sanctuary of my bedroom.

I lay on my bed completely lost in my thoughts, listing out all of the things that I now knew…

The Cullen's were my parent's friends long ago.

Edward is Esme and Charlie's son.

I am Renee and Carlisle's daughter.

Renee, Esme, Carlisle and Edward know the truth.

Renee is blackmailing Carlisle to keep the secret.

I was suddenly sick to my stomach and ran to the bathroom to heave the contents of my stomach, which was very little since I skipped dinner. I dry heaved a few more times before I sat on the floor pulling my knees up and resting my forehead on them. How was I ever going to look Charlie in the eyes again?

After sitting on the bathroom floor for a while longer I finally picked myself up, brushed my teeth and headed back to my room. As I closed the door to my bedroom a hand came around my face landing over my mouth and muffling my scream.

"Shhhh…" He shushed in my ear. I knew it was Edward. He pulled me flush against his chest and rested his chin on my head as he continued to shush me. "Bella, if you promise not to scream I will move my hand. Can you promise me not to scream?"

I nodded my head. He loosed his grip on me and slowly lowered his hand that covered my mouth allowing me to turn to face him.

"I'm so sorry Bella," he said, the truth pouring from his eyes. "I need to talk to you. Everything is so messed up and as much as I don't want to do this, I have to be honest with you."

"Honest, really Edward? Everything that has come out of your mouth since the day I met you has been a lie." I whisper yelled hoping my Dad wouldn't hear our exchange.

"I know…" he said, hanging his head in defeat. "I never meant for this to happen, you have to know that. You were never supposed to know this, but tomorrow nights dinner is going to expose everyone."

"What are you talking about?" I asked, completely lost. "And who invited you to MY birthday dinner?"

"Charlie invited us…" he started, before I huffed in frustration and interrupted before he could continue.

"What do you mean 'us'?"

"My family." He said.

"Right…your family." I replied rolling my eyes.

"Bella, I am just trying to warn you before this all blows up in your face and you're taken completely off guard…you need to know that Renee is coming to dinner too."

"What?" I yelled.

"Shhh" Edward shushed as he once again threw a hand over my mouth. We waited for a few beats listening for any sound of movement from the floor below. After a moment he lowered his hand and pulled me to him so he could whisper into my ear.

"Renee is coming to dinner tomorrow."

"How do you know that?" I whispered back.

"She called Carlisle earlier."

"What?" I whispered yelled.

"Bella, before I can tell you anymore I need to explain…"

"That you're living my life?" I spat sarcastically. "That all my life I thought I was Charlie's daughter, but really I should be calling Carlisle 'Dad'? I'm sure Charlie will be thrilled…he always wanted a boy."

"You know?" He said, completely shocked.

"I overheard you and Carlisle in the woods." I explained.

"Are you ok?"

"NO! I am certainly not 'ok' Edward. I can't think straight. And tomorrow my mother is coming to my birthday dinner to ruin my life and break Charlie's heart once and for all!"

"Let me get this straight…you just found out that your whole life has been a sham and you're worried about Charlie?"

"Edward, I just found out he isn't my father, that doesn't mean that I don't love him."

He pulled me into a hug letting the tears I didn't know I was crying soak into his t-shirt. He held even tighter as my tears turned into full fledge sobbing. It felt like a dream and I just wanted to wake up.

"It's going to be ok Bella," he said into my hair as he kissed the top of my head.

"H-how?" I stuttered, choking on my tears.

He didn't need to answer. We both knew that there was no good way out of this. Renee would show up, drop the bombshell and disappear leaving us to pick up the pieces of our lives. Edward ushered me over to my bed and helped me get in.

"How did you deal with it?" I asked him as he tucked me into my bed. "I mean, you know the truth, how are you ok with it all?"

"I'm not, but I've been working on it for a few years. My parents went to therapy to fix their marriage and when I found one of Renee's letters and started asking my mom questions she broke down and told me the truth. I couldn't remember Charlie, but she brought out old pictures and told me stories and after a while I felt like I did know him. She put me into therapy a few times a week to help me deal with my anger and confusion. It's helped a lot. I still get angry about it, especially when I know Carlisle sends her money. Renee is the only person not suffering from all of this."

"Yeah, it's not going to be easy from here on out. What do you think is going to happen now? I mean are we going to like switch lives or something?" I asked, it all seemed so bizarre. Would Charlie kick me out now that I didn't "belong" to him? Would I have to move in with Carlisle?

He stood there towering over me not knowing how to answer my questions. He turned to go over to the window he clearly climbed in earlier. I abruptly felt the loneliness wrap around me and panicked.

"Wait…" I called over to him. "I don't really want to be alone right now. Do you think you can stay a little longer?" I scooted over to make room for him next to me. He turned from where he was and slowly walked over to me before lying down next to me on top of the covers.

We just lay there, not talking, touching, or even looking at one another. It was just more comfortable knowing that we weren't alone any more in our situation. He had to deal with it all on his own, but at least he had his mother to talk things out with. I couldn't exactly talk to Charlie about it and Renee was someone I never wished to see again. I only had Edward, and the realization of that was scary.

I woke sometime later feeling overly warm. I kicked my legs out from under my blankets, but was still too warm. My breath hitched for a moment when I realized that the warmth was radiating off the person sleeping next to me. We must have fallen asleep at some point. Edward still had his shoes on and was on top of the covers as he held me flush against his chest, one arm draped over my side. As much as I wanted to hate Edward for all the things he had done to me, I was also comforted by his presence. He held me while I cried, he offered insight on how to deal with what was to come, and as much as I hated to admit it – my skin burned with desire from just his touch.

I pulled away slightly to move the blankets off of me more to cool me down, but Edward squeezed me to him, not letting me go. His hand slipping slightly grazing the exposed skin between my tank top and sleep shorts. My skin instantly sparked with desire. He moaned quietly into my ear, and whispered "Bella". At first I froze thinking he was awake, but his quiet snoring gave away his sleeping form.

I lowered my hand to his to move it back to my hip, but just as my fingers touched his, he laced our fingers together and hugged me tighter. Our breathing picked up at the same time. I could feel his chest expand and contract faster as mine mirrored the movement.

"You feel so good in my arms." He whispered in my ear. His breath along the shell of my ear sent tingles down my spine and need to pool between my thighs. I unconsciously rubbed my thighs together desperate for friction as he lowered his mouth to my jaw and kissed down to where it met my shoulder. I closed my eyes enjoying the feel of his mouth on mine.

Effortlessly he brought our joined hands up to his mouth and kissed my fingers. Letting go of his hand I placed my own on his cheek, which he leaned into. I ran my fingers up and into his hair as he resumed planting kisses along my jaw and neck, while his hand returned to my hip and played along the edges of my sleep shorts.

"Edward…I…" but my words and thoughts were cut short when his hands dipped into my shorts going straight to where my body needed him. I moaned as his fingers teased my folds, and my fingers clenched his hair as he nipped at my neck.

"I know," he panted into my ear. "I will do anything to win back your trust. I'm so sorry. But please Bella, let's just forget everything else and just enjoy one another."

My head nodded of its own accord and he sighed in happiness as he slowly leaned back allowing me to roll onto my back. He stayed on his side as he continued to tease me and lowered his head to my chest. Even through my tank top, my nipples hardened at the feel of his lips on them. He pulled his hand out of my shorts, earning a whimper from me, only to pull my tank top up and off of me. He lowered his head once again and kissed, sucked and licked my chest. I could feel his erection as it pressed into the outside of my thigh.

My hand fell from his hair to his shoulder to pull him closer to me. He lifted his head as he removed his own shirt and rolled onto me, settling between my open legs. I moaned as his hardness met my aching core. He ground into me again, moaning and returned his attention back to my chest as he continued to grind into me.

"God I want you," he moaned into my chest. He sat up on his knees and slowly peeled my shorts off of my legs. Dropping my shorts to the side of the bed, he pulled of his shoes and began undoing his jeans. We froze as we heard footsteps in the hallway. As they approached my door, I pushed Edward to the side and he slid to the floor completely hidden front the door. I grabbed my tank top and threw it on just as the door knob turned and Charlie appeared in my doorway.

"Bella, I'm headed to bed, I just wanted to say good night kiddo." He said, smiling.

"Goodnight Dad," I said trying not to sound breathless. His eyes dropped from mine to Edward's shoes at the foot of my bed. I silently cursed, but Charlie simply smirked, nodded slightly and headed off to bed closing the door behind him.

"That was close." Edward whispered as he stood up, dropping his jeans and boxer-briefs in the process. He was back between my thighs in the blink of an eye and peeling my tank top off once again in between a searing kiss.

His lips on mine made me forget the awkward encounter with Charlie. And my mind clouded with pleasure as Edward pushed two fingers into me making my chest arch forward to his awaiting mouth.

"You feel so good Bella," he whispered as he moved his fingers in and out of me. The coil in my stomach began to tighten as his pace quickened. I was panting with need as he pulled his fingers out and began teasing my folds with the head of his cock.

"Does that feel good baby?" he asked, breathless.

"Oh yeah," I said just as breathless.

"Do you want me baby?"

"I…"

"Don't worry, I'll go slow." He interrupted just as he pushed slowly into me.

It burned slightly as he continued to push into me, but it wasn't all together painful. He stopped as he reached my barrier, locking eyes with me. He lowered his mouth to mine and kissed me passionately as he pushed through and paused. We continued kissing, tongues teasing as he pushed further until he was sheathed completely.

"Are you ok?" he asked panting. I nodded in response. "You are so tight babe, and I can't even describe how good you feel."

With his hands on holding either side of my face, our eyes locked on one another, he began to slowly move with in me. As the slight burning sensation lessened, the pleasure took center stage. His eyes shined with pleasure and lust, mirroring my own no doubt. I wrapped my legs around his waist, locking my ankles as our hips continued to meet, tightening the coil of pleasure in my stomach. He brought my hands up above my head lacing our fingers together as his pace quickened.

"I don't know how much longer I can last baby, you feel so amazing." He whispered in my ear as he kissed my jaw.

"Just let go," I panted on the brink of an orgasm.

"Oh Edward," I cried, feeling the coil burst, sending a euphoric sensation throughout my body, making my toes curl and my eyes clamp shut.

"Oh Bella," he moaned as I fell off the edge, clenching him tightly and coating his cock with my juices. "Ugh, that's it baby, just let go. God you're beautiful."

His hips bucked into mine with wild abandon as he too let go. With three more thrusts, he stilled, holding me tight against his chest. I could feel his heart pounding and I'm sure he could feel mine. We stayed like that for what felt like an eternity. Finally his grip loosened and he leaned back, pulling out of me. He turned on his side, pulling the covers over us and hugging me to his chest. I fell asleep to the sound of his heartbeat as my cheek rested just above his heart.

"Goodnight Bella." He whispered into my hair.

"Goodnight Edward." I sighed.

"Bella?"

"Yeah?"

"It was my first time too."