Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of the characters; they are all Stephenie Meyer's.

Chapter 4

Carlisle's Point Of View

Esme continued to fret over dear Edward, even when we had Alice to tell us he was okay, or at least he was going to be. She sat absent-mindedly at his piano, yet not daring to touch the keys.

"He'll know if I do" she told me. In the frame of mind he was currently in, I think his piano was the least of his worries, but Esme dismissed that fact and tried to ignore Edward's turmoil over the Swan girl. She wanted to believe he had merely left on a holiday.

We were alone in the house as our 'children' were out hunting before school again the next day. I pulled her hand away from her lap and lead her into my arms. She held on to me tightly, though she was the overprotective and deeply caring mother figure of the family, she was unpredictably strong – even for a vampire. If she could cry, I am certain she'd be sobbing right now.

"He'll be back soon darling. If nothing else he wouldn't leave his car here – you can see how much he loves that thing and Edward would never trust Alice with it for long. God knows what she'll do to it – Alice will take it out for a spin and bring it back painted over with yellow polka dots!" Esme relaxed a little a let out a short laugh. Even that made me grin like a fool; I turned her face towards mine and leant in to give her a kiss. She returned my gesture and before long was in my arms with her legs wrapped around my waist. The taste of her kiss was like an addictive drug to me and was lost in that moment of passion.

Right then Emmett chose to swing round the corner and into the room. He pretended to clear his throat and Esme tried not to pay attention to the fact our son was watching us. Unfortunately, I could not be as nonchalant as that and had to draw myself away from her. Esme vanished to clean yet again. I vowed to find a way to distract her from Edward's absence.

"Alice saw something – I need to go and find him, be back soon. Don't wait up" he shouted to Esme humorously.

Edward's Point Of View

A couple of weeks had passed painfully slowly. Twenty odd days should have flashed by in an instant, especially as my mind was occupied by the face of a young, sweet, innocent angel. She was going to be fine after her ordeal, I learnt from Carlisle, but that wasn't what was causing me to worry about her most. The moment I touched her warm skin my arm had stung as if it was pumped with an electric current and from then I had desired nothing more than to save her. From what, I don ot know. Although my body ached for the taste of Isabella, I knew I would feel eternally guilty for considering… I still don't think I would have, I certainly could have but…

It was the way she looked at me expectantly – drawing me into her with every breath she took. I would never be able to explain how I felt; before I left I asked Jasper what this emotion, this burning, this longing for such a pure individual might be. He was as dumbfounded as I was.

I was hiding in the mountains, not wanting to tell my family that it was necessary for me to know that I would not be disturbed whilst I searched for peace. Before I left I told Alice to keep her visions to herself and I believed she would. At least if anything were to happen, god forbid, that something may harm anyone close to me she would be able to find me easily. I also asked her to keep a watch on Isabella – I don't know why but she seemed to need someone or something to protect her. I wanted this to be me. I almost didn't leave as I didn't think I could trust Alice, or anybody for that matter, to keep her safe. However I had no choice.

A frail, ill-looking creature was in the distance and the thought of human blood that had been playing on my mind made me uncontrollably thirsty. After swallowing down the hot liquid from the lion I felt the fire in my throat return. Never would that cease until I was well and truly dead, and even then I had no certainty that it would end. I had been completely isolated for several days now, but a voice was fast approaching and eventually I realised that it was not one, but three; their thoughts of their next meal were driving their bodies for them.

The trees barely twitched with the arrival of a well-built dark haired man. I stood in a Carlisle-like fashion ready to greet the intruders. Two others came out of the darkness and flagged the first man on either side – the one on his left was female. For their appearances they could have been cousins of the Denali's, however their thoughts gave away something that meant they were not half as civilized as Tanya's clan or my own. Each pair of eyes shone scarlet. It sickened me when the memory of Alice's vision showed my iris's they way they should naturally be.

"The animal's blood – were you drinking it?" the woman asked hastily. They were hungry, but they seemed harmless - to me anyway.

"Yes" I stayed calm listening intently to their thoughts in particular the right hand vampire.

"Are there no humans around here?" The right hand crony questioned.

"I wouldn't know; I only hunt animals" I stated proudly.

"I've heard about you 'good' vampires; let me tell you something, there's no such thing as a good vampire. It's unnatural. You're not even vampire enough to be considered inhuman. You disgust me."

"James!" the leader growled. "His lifestyle is his choice – you have no right to speak to him like that" he turned to me.

"Please accept my apologies; I have great respect for your kind. Let me introduce myself, Laurent. This is James and Victoria." He gestured to the other two without breaking eye contact with me. His apology did not seem at all genuine, but I couldn't care less.

"Edward…Cullen" I could hear them trying to work out if I was from around here. "I'm staying here in the mountains for a while, if you wouldn't mind hunting a little further away from here, I would appreciate it. Alaska, I hear is quite good - weather-wise." I was desperately hoping they would go elsewhere. If my family got wind of some attacks around here they may not believe me to be guilt-free.

"Terribly sorry to distract you, we'll be leaving now; nice to finally meet…someone like you." Laurent gave a short nod and they fled through the mountains. Away from Forks, luckily. Once I was sure they would not return I ran. I flew through the mountains until I collided with Emmett.

"Hey liar" he smirked

"How did you…" I snapped. Alice – wait 'til I get my hands on her…

She wasn't at all reluctant to tell us where you were. I'm astonished she managed to keep quiet this long. Don't get too mad but I'm on a mission to bring you back. She saw something important but wouldn't tell anyone. Apparently you need to see it with your own mind or else you'll never believe it.

Emmett's thoughts were directed at me and I listened to what it was he had to say. I was extremely disappointed to be cut off from my peaceful surroundings, although after my encounter with the nomads, Emmett's company was welcome. At least I was able to return to Forks and check up on Bella before I left again.

Little devil wouldn't tell us anything at all. We're all desperate to know what it is that's got her so excited. Besides Esme's been a nightmare. You've always been her favourite you know.

"That's not true." I glared at him.

She's been so agitated she's continued to clean the house repeatedly since you left to try and take her mind off of you – and she's given up knocking on doors. Last night she came into our room, Rosalie and I…

"EMMETT!" I had no choice but to stop his thoughts as they would find their way into my head no matter what I did.

"Sorry" he whispered, not even a little embarrassed now that his mother, brother and sister had shared that private moment with him. Not to mention Jasper who would have felt the tension in the whole house, most likely. Generally, special vampire abilities were not an advantage – especially if you wanted any privacy at all.

"Anyway Edward come home" Emmett murmured.

We miss you.

"I guess I can't stay here forever" I agreed.

"Great" Emmett pounded me on my back and I took a last look around. I'd hear what Alice had to say and then maybe I'd head west. After checking on Bella of course. I still wasn't sure why Emmett came to find me and not Alice herself, as she was so enthusiastic about this. A worrying thought came into my head.

"Emmett? What has Alice done to my car?"

Author's Note

Bella and Edward will start to interact more now, so keep reading the story to find out how things are different. I will update soon! Thanks for all the reviews so far!

Again if you get the time, I would love any reviews, comments, constructive criticism, corrections and ideas! Thanks! (coolbeaniostwilightrules7)