(Twilight theme by Stephanie Meyer)

EPOV

We landed in Seattle and I watched as Alice ran into Jasper's arms. He knew that she might not have come back. It was a beautiful moment to watch them together. The rest of my family came into view and we rushed to greet them. I had not expected to see any of them again and I was not ready for the joy I felt at this particular moment in time.

"You will never put me through that again." Esme whispered to me as I hugged her. The rest of my family gave me the same sentiments. A growl from Alice broke up the reunion and I looked over to see Jacob Black, Bella's friend from the reservation. He had gone through quite a transformation in the last few months. As he approached I smelled it. He was a werewolf. I felt Bella shift and I grabbed her arm. She squirmed and I released her and watched as she ran to him with an uncommon grace and his massive arms swallowed her fragile frame.

Had she moved on? Why is he here?

Thank God she is safe. I didn't think they would bring her back.

She began to apologize to him and he was not listening to her. He is in love with her! She looked guiltily at us and I tried to maintain a calm expression. Her body curled in on itself and she wrapped her arms around her sides. A flash of unbearable images came to me from Jacob's mind.

Bella curled up on the forest floor, quiet sobs causing her chest to rise and fall. "He's gone" were the only words to escape her lips. He broke out of this train of thought and forced her to face him. I wanted to punch him for touching her, but Jasper sent calming waves over me to keep me in line. There were too many innocent humans witnessing this for me to lose it.

"… leech… Edward…" He was explaining her cover story to her when a flash of disapproval came over her face. He decided to leave his true feelings about us out of his story after that. "some animal…"

He thought about the day that Alice and Bella left for Italy. The Mercedes pulled away from Bella's house and he changed leaving shreds of clothing strewn all over the street. He swiped at the trees and everything in his way including a telephone poll which fell as easily as snapping a twig.

I walked over slowly so as not to seem like a threat to Jacob. I placed my hands on Bella and anger flashed through Jacob's features. His odor was all over her and he was aware of mine on her as well.

"Bella, what is Jacob Black doing here?" I looked into her eyes and as she was about to answer he cut her off.

"She called me."

I kept my gaze on her and tried to reason with her, "We would be more than happy to bring you home and explain to Charlie…"

Jacob cut me off again and I felt more calming waves over me. He continued, "That is not necessary. We came to pick her up and Charlie is waiting for me to bring her home." I felt a wave of calm wash over me and I tried to keep the public environment in mind. Jacob knew how Charlie felt about me and his preference for him.

I smelled two more wolves nearby, I followed Bella's gaze to the sliding doors leading to the parking lots. Suddenly she placed her hands on each of our chests and said, "Jacob why don't you go wait with Quill and Embry, I will be there in a sec." He didn't say anything just stared at me as he backed off.

Too many people watching, but that won't be the case if he tries anything back in Forks …

I didn't take my eyes off her as she watched him back away. There was so much caring in her eyes, it was painful to see her look at anyone that way; especially him. She turned to me and said in a whisper, "Edward I need to go with them so I have a chance of seeing the outside of my room again. Charlie is already mad at me for leaving I don't need him to see us together. It will just make it worse, trust me."

She was not exactly pleading with me, but that is how it felt. I decided to make it as easy as I could for her. She is sleep deprived and has been through so much already. I was not going to give up completely though, "Can I come and see you later?"

"You want to see me later?" She looked surprised. Why?

"Of course I do…"

"Um, sure . . . I'll leave the window unlatched I guess." I guess? What was the cause of her reluctance, had she moved on with Jacob? I looked at Alice who was purposefully ignoring me.

She quickly waved goodbye to my family and I couldn't help myself, I had to hold her one more time. I hugged her and kissed the top of her head before letting her leave. It was like torture as he took her bag from her and their hands mechanically joined. No hesitation, it was like their hands belonged entwined. We walked to the waiting cars outside, once in our seats I turned on Alice.

"What is she doing with the wolves!"

"They have been taking care of her since we left."

"Why did she need to be taken care of?"

"Victoria…"

I should have known this would happen when I lost Victoria in South America. I should have come back to Washington and watched over Bella myself. Instead she jumped into the arms of a werewolf to keep safe.

"What is her relationship with Jacob black?" I asked, completely terrified of the answer.

"She told me that he is her best friend." Alice said in tone full of doubt. "They got into a fight the day we left for Italy. I heard him say that he would stay away until I left town again. Then you called …"

"and?"

"She was really upset with him for answering her phone and we packed up and left."

"Didn't you see her calling him today?"

"No, I didn't know he would be here until the second she saw him. I doubt she knew if he would show up or not."

We sped along the highway and we arrived in Forks before the wolves. I went to Bella's house and Charlie was pacing in the living room.

I never thought that Bella would disappear for days on end like this. I thought Jacob would be a better influence on her, it was probably her idea. Jacob goes along with anything Bella suggests. I wonder what Alice said to her to send her over the edge like this. I love Alice but if she had not shown up it would have been better for Bella. That brother of hers is poison. Jacob was finally getting through to her. They are much better suited. He is healthy for her.

**Ring**

"Hello? Bella?"

"Billy, have you heard from Jacob?"

"Thank God! If they stop by the reservation first tell her I expect her home now, no yesterday!"

"Thanks Billy. Bye."

**Click**

Twenty minutes later I heard a car approaching Bella's street and I left her bedroom to see who it was. They were in a suburban and I could see Bella asleep in the back seat being held by Jacob Black. It took every ounce of control to stop myself from ripping her from his arms. He carried her from the car and Charlie burst out of the front door. Bella had her arms around Jacob's neck and was desperately clinging to sleep as they moved across her lawn.

"Charlie, she is fine. Just let me put her in her room, she is exhausted." Jacob said in a volume just above a whisper.

"Fine, but you should say your goodbyes as well, she will not be seeing much of the outside of her room for a while."

"Harsh Charlie." Jacob said in a half laugh half sarcastic tone.

"Go!" He commanded pointing to the staircase.

"Sure Sure…" he said between chuckles.

He placed her gently on the bed and she stirred. "Don't leave me…"

"Bells, I will be right outside your window if you need anything, okay?" He whispered into her ear before he kissed her cheek and pulled her covers over her now trembling frame.

"uh huh…" She attempted to say as she drifted back to sleep.

He ran down the stairs and Charlie thanked him for bringing her home safe. I waited for Charlie to come and check on her like any concerned parent was bound to do. I sat in the backyard waiting for her room to be clear of Charlie's thoughts when an unwelcome odor crossed my path.

"You shouldn't be here leech!" He growled at me.

"She invited me mongrel!"

"You invited yourself. Why did you come back here? She is alive and well all thanks to you leaving!"

"I love her and I will not be making the same mistake twice."

Her room was silent again and I heard her stir and she flipped the latch on her window and slid it open wide.

"I told you I was invited…" I said sounding smug. He growled and left abruptly. I jumped through the window silently and she lay on top of her sheets. She was so tired she did not even have the energy to cover up. I gently picked her up and covered her back up.

"Edward?"

"Yes, love I'm here."

Her body relaxed and I watched her from the rocking chair as she slept. Every few hours I would have to move as Charlie would come in to check on her. After about 14 hours of tossing and turning she finally woke up. I stayed silent as she rubbed her eyes and squinted at the time.

"One in the A.M.?" She sighed and sat up. She scanned the room and when she saw me she stared. It was as if I were a piece of furniture in her room rather than a person.

"Good Morning, Bella." I said slowly and she barely blinked. She remained silent and walked down the hall to the bathroom. I heard the water running and after a few minutes she returned smelling of her face wash and toothpaste. I sat on her bed and she looked confused. "Bella?" I said softly.

"Wow, I am really going crazy this time. It is like you are actually here." She said almost to herself.

"I am really here Bella. Are you alright?"

She reached out and grazed the back of her hand down my cold cheek letting her index finger linger at my chin. "It wasn't a dream? Italy?"

"No." I said simply, reaching for the plane ticket in my pocket. She threw her arms around me and I breathed in her scent. Feeling her in my arms again felt amazing. I kissed her forehead, her cheek, her jaw I wanted to kiss her lips, but she pulled away.

"Is it too late? Have you moved on?" I held my breath as she slowly looked at me. She shook her head, "Why did you come back?" Those words cut me deep, she took a breath and unleashed more. "I am fine, I did not jump off the cliff to kill myself. You have no reason to feel guilty. If you don't love me it is cruel to sit here and treat me as if you do."

"I did not go to Italy because I felt guilty for what happened… for what I thought happened. I thought I'd explained it clearly before. Bella, I can't live in a world where you don't exist."

"What are you saying?" Her eyes were pooling with tears.

"I love you Bella. I always have. I only left because I wanted to give you a chance to have the life you deserved."

"I thought I deserved a life with you… but just a day ago you stood in a room and argued about changing me even though you knew the alternative. What am I supposed to think?"

"Bella, they gave me two options. I could either take your life myself or they would. I chose the option where I had a chance to fight for you to live…"

"Edward, you don't seem to get it. You can't live in a world where I don't exist? That is how my life is now, I do live in a world where you don't exist. In my world Vampires are myths, scary stories. How do you expect me to live in this world and be with you?" The tears in her eyes spilled over and down her face in a silent stream. I pulled her small body into mine and held her while her body trembled with quiet sobs.

"Love… I just need time. I have no right to ask you for anything, after what I put you through, but will you give me that?"

BPOV

Time? The word filled me with hope and fear all in the same breath. Time is what I wanted from him, but time gave him a chance to find a way to deny me a place by his side. If Edward is truly here, it must be the answer to my prayers, I will give him whatever he wants.

I nodded my head and I looked into his broken eyes, there was pain and love conflicting beneath the surface of his stare. I kissed his lips and it was strange, but in that instant I felt, well, whole.

Later on that morning, I was ripped a new one by Charlie.

"You didn't even leave me a note! You know about the missing hikers, you have seen the huge wolves and yet you decide it is a good idea to go out into the wild for a few days? What were you thinking?"

"Uh-" I began, but I should have known this was a rhetorical question.

"That's right, you weren't thinking!" The worry he must have been feeling began to show in his eyes underneath the pure Dad anger.

"I'm sorry Dad. I just needed to get out and clear my head for a few days. I wasn't thinking about the danger involved. I just decided spontaneously and Jacob came to make sure I was safe."

"Why did you need to run away from home to clear your head Bella?"

"I was just surprised when Alice was here and she told me that her parents were unhappy in LA. That they were thinking of moving back to Forks…"

He went from concerned parent to angry dad instantly.

"That boy is not allowed in this house Isabella! I will not let him back in your life, if he hurts you again I am not sure you will survive it!"

My mind pondered whether or not Charlie knew how dead on his statement was. If I lost Edward again I would not survive it.

"Charlie!" I yelled, not noticing my slip until I registered the shock on his face. "Er, um Dad, calm down. If Edward still wants to be with me I will be with him. I love him."

"That boy left town and did not even call to check on you. Why would you let someone like that back in your life?"

"He didn't call because he thought a clean break would be easier to deal with Dad. Alice said that he has suffered as much as I have these last few months."

"I don't care, he is not allowed in this house."

"Fine." I said

"I'm glad you agree-" He started, but I cut him off.

"I'll move out. I am eighteen now." I started up the stairs and he caved.

"Bella, wait." I kept my back to him. "I don't want you to move out. I am just looking out for what is best for you. I am your father, if a boy hurts you I should be allowed to go after him with my shotgun if I please. I don't want to see you hurt again."

I turned to him, "Dad, I don't want to hurt anymore either. Staying away from Edward will hurt me. Please just trust me."

He sighed, "You are still grounded. That means if you want visitors it will be between the hours of 7pm and 9pm."

"Thanks Dad." He was wearing his cop face as he delivered his edict, but I could see he was completely defeated by my threat to move out. I felt guilty, but time would fix this particular problem. I went back upstairs to get ready for school. I threw on an outfit and ran down the stairs skipping breakfast and another awkward conversation with Charlie.

(A/N: Leave me some love, ... this is usually the part where people beg for reviews, and threaten not to post, but well, this story is practically already finished. No reason not to post the rest soon. I am just proofreading and tweaking some stuff. If you are reading this story Thanks and i will post ASAP.) Love, Peace, and Chicken Grease.