Disclaimer: Characters are all property of the talented Stephenie Meyer.

Also, i would like to apologize for the very long wait. My mind completely blanked, and i was struggling to figure out how Bella was going to react to Edward and vice-versa.

But i havent ruined it... please review. I need to know you're thoughts.

Thank you all so much! You all rock!

Summer

B.P.O.V

"Bella. Don't you see what's going to happen?" Jacob's anger seemed to burn out and he was now pleading.

"Nothing's going to happen Jake." I said for the hundredth time.

"Damn it Bella!" The anger seemed to be back. His fist slammed down on the small coffee table, two of the legs snapped under the intense force.

"Great Jake! Break the table…" I growled, standing up to walk away.

He grabbed my wrist, forcing me to face him.

"Its not up for discussion Jacob," I snarled.

"You're setting yourself up for another breakdown Bells! You wont make it out a third time… cant you see Bella? He will do it again, he will leave you broken!" He roared.

His grip on my wrist got tighter with every word.

But it wasn't my wrist that hurt, it was his words. They were like whips, lashing at me from every direction.

Could it be true? Was I setting myself up just to fall back down?

He saw me flinch at his words and continued, "…Not even broken! He will shatter you're soul and heart. Bells! You can't let him in. Don't fall for it!" His voice was a little calmer now, his grip relaxed and he took my hand in both of his, holding it to his warm cheek.

"Please Bells. I'll ring Charlie if I have too." He threatened, i knew he was just trying to relax the tense atmosphere but it had the opposite effect.
It made me see red

My head snapped up and I snatched my hand out of both of his, glaring up at him.

"I am not a child Jacob! You can't just ring my father and think I will do as I am told! Both of you do not tell me what to do!" I yelled, my voice breaking twice.

He looked taken back at my random outburst.

"Now Edward is coming and I will hear him out. That is all I will do. You can make the decision if you are here or not." I whirled around and stormed up the stairs, leaving Jake to think.

I had another shower, trying to calm myself down but nothing seemed to work.
Slowly I got dressed and lay on my bed. I felt bad about yelling at Jake, he didn't deserve it. Especially after everything he has done for me the last 15 months.

There was a light tap on my bedroom door; I glanced at the clock 2:45.

"Bells?" Jacob murmured.

"Come in Jake." I called, sitting up. He peeked through the door. By his expression I could see he had been thinking about everything I had said earlier. He came in and sat beside me.

"Look Jake I need to - " He raised a hand to cut me off "Hold on, let me say something first Bells."

"Sure sure." I said. He took a deep breath held it in, then let it out in a gust.

"Bells… I've been debating if I should say this or not. But I-I think I need to be honest." He was scuffing his foot back and forwards agaisnt the carpet, his eyes cast down.

"What is it Jake?" I whispered.

"I really don't want you to see him Bella. Its not just about you, it's about everyone… everyone that gets hurt whenever you're hurt."

A pang of pain twisted in the pit of my stomach again, twisting uncomfortably.
Jacob was speaking the truth; I knew that everyone around me suffers when I do.

"I-I don't want to sound selfish but what if next time I'm not around to save you? I love you Bells but I can't sit around and watch him rip you up again… none of us can." He reached out and stroked my cheek, wiping away the tears.

"I do love you Bella, always." He gave me a half smile.

"I know you do… I can understand what you're saying… but I need to do this Jake, I need to hear it for myself." I wiped away the tears and pushed myself off the bed, he kept his head lowered, avoiding my eyes.

"I'm sorry, I'm not doing it to purposefully hurt you. I just need ... closure."

He nodded his massive head slowly, still not looking at me.

I wanted to ask if this was it, if he was leaving me. I wouldn't hold it against him, he cared for me for so long.

"So?" i managed to whisper.

"So, what?" His voice was heavy, as if he has been crying. I stayed quiet, unable to ask if he was going.

"I'm not leaving Bells... i – can't." He looked up and half smiled. He got to his feet and gave me a big bear hug, kissing the top of my head.

Just as we got down the stairs the doorbell chimed, leaving both Jacob and I frozen, my heart thumped loud and clear. Jacob seemed to snap out of his stupor before me and he walked to the door, his hands clenched into tight fists.

"Jake! No!" I said quietly running to his side and brushing his hand off the doorknob.

"Go and wait in the lounge, I'll invite him in." His eyes were a mix of black fire, burning into mine with too much intensity. He whirled around and walked back to the lounge. I took one deep calming breath and turned the handle, peeking out the door.

Standing under the archway of the door was Edward, his hair glistening with water droplets. His crooked smile lighting up his dark eyes.

"Hello Bella." He said in the seductive velvet voice. I shook my head mentally and regained control of myself.

He doesn't love you. He left you...

"Hello Edward, come in." I held the door open but he hesitated.

"Is something wrong?" I asked noticing Jacob standing at the end of the hall, glaring at Edward.

"Alice is in the car, she wants to see you also." He softly said.

"Sure, tell her to come in." Just as the words left my lips she was dancing up the patio, her once golden eyes were dark.

"Hi Bella." She smiled and waved, but also kept her distance.

"Hi Alice... come in," I held the door open and they both stepped inside, scrunching their noses as they did it.

"What a lovely house." Alice chirped, following me down the hall.

"Thanks."

In the lounge was the half broken table, the two legs snapped in three different places.

I winced as they both eyed it up.

We sat down, Edward next to Alice, me sitting on the opposite seat.

"So Bella... how are you liking college life?" Alice said, unaffected by the tense silence.

"It was good, I'm glad i went." I nodded and gave a half smile.

It was really uncomfortable being the centre of attention, and at this moment, I was.

Edward's eyes were transfixed on me, along with Alice. Jacob was sitting behind me but i can just imagine the holes he's boring into my back.

"Was?" Edward asked, gently.

Oh crap. I hadn't even noticed i said that, but no point in lying now...

"Yes. It was good." I emphasized the 'was'.

"You're leaving?" Alice breathed.

I couldn't answer, all i did was nod my head slowly.

"Where? Why?" Both of them chorused.

"I – honestly ... don't know. Maybe back home." I shrugged, my fingers knotted together in an odd way.

"You're leaving because we came." Edward said in a clear, angry tone.

"Yes." I answered honestly. The silence continued on, both of their eyes fixed on me, Jacobs set on them.

"So you needed to speak with me Edward?" I finally mustered up the courage to talk.

"Yes..." He shifted slightly, "...can we go somewhere without an audience?" His eyes flicked to Jacob, which Jacob returned with a guttural snarl.

"She's not going anywhere with you!" He hissed.

"Jake, it's okay... we'll be in the kitchen." I took his hand and squeezed it, standing up and leading Edward out of the lounge.

Was it a bad idea leaving Alice with Jacob? Would anything happen? No, nothing will happen, they will most likely sit in silence; listening to the up and coming conversation.

My palms were sweaty and my knees shook but i leant against the sink and turned to face him.

His eyes tried to dazzle mine but i kept my shield up, Jacobs warnings and the memories of the 15months were like fuel for the fire. Anger seemed to be my best defence against him.

He finally spoke, after deciding his eyes weren't getting through to me.

"Bella..." His voice caressed my name, making the hair on my neck stand, "I – I can't even say how ... much i have missed you. How sorry i am." He bowed his head. I stayed quiet, unable to do anything but breathe and blink.

"Everything i do... i do it for you. No one matters to me as much as you do." His voice was clear but still sounded shaky.

"I left you 15 months ago because i couldn't bear to see you hurting over him. I didn't want to be the one that made you suffer, so i left. Now i find you at Portland, more beautiful than the last time." To my amazement my heart wasn't overreacting , my knees didn't shake. I felt ... normal.

I was still lost at my reaction – or lack of – that i didn't notice Edward come closer to me, until his hands brushed mine.

I flinched away from his ice-cold skin. The fury and anger was bubbling up, i tried to focus on the wallpaper, keeping my mouth firmly clamped shut. The last thing i needed was to loose my cool and start yelling.

"Bella..." He whispered, reaching out again causing me to step back, my back was pushing firmly against the kitchen bench.

"What do you want me to say Edward?" I asked still focusing on the wallpaper.

"I want you to understand Isabella. I want you to see why i did it." He pleaded.

I grinded my teeth together, taking all my restraint not to explode.

"I left for you." He whispered.

Those four little words was what made me see red. No matter how firmly i had my mouth shut, the words still seemed to slip out.

"You really believe that?" I hissed, still refusing to look at him.

"Yes. Please Bella... tell me what you're thinking." His voice was soft but a hint of irritation coated it.

"You don't want to know what i'm thinking!" I snapped.

"Of course i do!" He said the irritation becoming more easily to pick up on.

He asked for it then...

"You broke me!" I was so far beyond anger that it came out in a whisper "YOU shattered my heart! My soul! Now you walk back into my life and expect me to be okay with this? You claim to have left for me... why did you leave me Edward? What were you protecting me from? Victoria was gone. But still you left." I was standing up straight, my glare never faltered, my hands balled into fist's. He didn't look like he was about to answer me...

"What's the excuse? More distractions?" My voice was slowly rising.

"I – I left so you would stop hurting." He murmured.

I threw my hands up in the air, "You left to stop me from hurting? And to what? Torture me instead?" Sarcasm dripping from my every word. "Come on Edward, that's ridiculous – you know i loved you more than anyone in this world!" I laughed without humour.

"I couldn't bear to see you hurting over Jacob, i thought you were regretting you're decision to end the friendship... I really couldn't bare to see you hurting, so i took myself out of the equation. For you." His eyebrows were knitted together in frustration or concentration. His eyes dropping to the linoleum floor.

What?

He left so i could be with Jacob?

"Have you lost you're mind?!" I whispered breathlessly, i felt like the air had been knocked out of me.

"I just wanted you to be happy." He murmured, raising his eyes to mine, pleading for me to see reason.

I was lost for words, all the anger had vanished; disappearing as if it was never there.

The room was silent, the house was silent. Eerie, taunting.

I wanted to reach out and touch him, to tell him that my heart belonged to no one but him. But i knew that I couldn't trust him again, i really wished i could, but my heart had been shattered, completely obliterated into nothing. I was an empty shell.

His intense stare continued to penetrate me, trying to find out what i was thinking. I closed my eyes, enjoying the darkness, enjoying the time to myself.

He stayed patient, waiting for me to speak.

"I'm sorry..." I finally said opening my eyes.

"Bella, you have nothing to be sorry for." He reached out again but thought better of it and let his hand drop.

"I'm sorry for giving you the wrong impression." I said, gently.

"You mean-" He gasped, confused but i could see the hope in his dark eyes.

Slowly i shook my head, "I love Jacob, he is my best-friend, but I'm not in love with him. I never have been." I said calmly, still amazed that my heart wasn't over reacting, or even reacting at all.

The hope continued to grow in his eyes, i knew i had to put an end to that immediately.

How do i tell him that it still doesn't change anything?

Suddenly Jacob was in the room - behind Edward – his hands shaking a little and his eyes boring holes into Edward's back.

"I thought you would like to know that Embry and Seth are on their way down... they will be here any minuet." Jacob growled, lowly; his eyes never leaving Edward.

"Or now." Edward said, there was suddenly a loud knock on the front door. Jacob made no move to answer the door.

"You might want to go now..." I said once Alice appeared next to Edward.

"We'll stay." Edward said before Alice could answer.

"Edward, they won't be happy to see you. I think it's best if you go." I shuffled past him to the sliding door.

Just as I got to the sliding doors, they were opened. A very angry Embry stepping in and a cautious worried Seth following.

"What's going on Bells?" Embry grumbled, standing at my side, eyes set on Edward.

"Nothing..." I mumbled, very very uncomfortable.

"Seth." Edward dipped his head slightly.

"Edward and Alice were just leaving." I said, ushering them towards the door.

"Yes." Alice said tugging on Edward's arm to follow me.

I couldn't help but sigh once we escaped the tense room, I love the wolf pack, but they surely had rotten timing.

I opened the front door and stepped out onto the porch, Alice surprised me by kissing my cheek.

"I've missed you Bella... I hope i get to see you more." She gave me the pleading eyes, I knew i couldn't promise that we would, so i just nodded.

She danced back down to the car, disappearing inside. I heard the faint purr of the engine.

Edward walked towards the steps but stopped and turned towards me.

"Can i meet you again Bella?" He gently asked. He was giving me an option. Am i supposed to say yes or no? I knew if i said no, that he would make himself disappear and I will definitely never see him again. That thought scared me,

"Yes – Yes..." I almost shouted.

He gave a crooked smile at my eagerness, "I mean, we need to finish this conversation... without the audience." I nodded towards the front door.

"Yes. That might be better... How will i contact you?" The smile seemed to be permanent now, he was happy.

"You can call my cell phone..." I said patting my pockets looking for a pen.

"Bella..." He sighed, rolling his eyes.

"Hold on, I'll just go and get a pen." I started to reach for the door. Edward caught my hand and pulled me against him, i stiffened at the close proximity.

"Sorry..." He murmured, dropping my hand and stepping away.

"Just – uh – tell me you're number. My memories a little more reliable than a humans." The smile was back.

"Oh right..." I laughed a little.

I said my number once and he smiled.

"Thank you for agreeing to see me Bella... I will call you." He said simply.

"That's okay. Goodbye Edward." I didn't watch him walk away, I went inside and walked straight past the three whispering boys and into my bedroom; closing the door.

I collapsed onto my bed, feeling totally drained.

My mind was racing, going around and around in the same never ending circles.

Did i say the wrong thing? Did i not say enough?

Was it wrong to have agreed to meet him again?

I fell back onto my bed and gritted my teeth....

This is definitely going to be a long, long night.

I watched the hands on the clock slowly tick, time passing me by. The thoughts were repetitive now, almost flowing in my head like poetry.

Suddenly my phone vibrated in the pocket of my jeans.

BUZZ, BUZZ.

I checked the I.D it was a unfamiliar caller, normally i would ignore it but i already had a fair idea who it would be.

Scrunching my eyes closed, I flipped the phone open.

"Hello?" I whispered.

"Bella. It's Edward." His voice was just as clear and gentle as speaking to him face-to-face.

"Hi..." I squeaked.

"I was hoping i can meet you tomorrow?" Once again he was giving me the option.

I was biting down on my lips so hard, i was sure it was about to bleed.

I wasn't sure if meeting him alone was such a good idea...

"Bella, we can go somewhere public." He quickly reassured me.

"Okay, meet me at the Nova café, 9am?" I gushed.

"I look forward to it." He said softly, "Goodnight Bella." The phone clicked off and I sat and stared at it.

Bad idea? or Good idea?

No.

The bigger question is... am i actually going to go?

Please review. I promise to update sooner.