Author's Note: Thanks again to everyone who reviewed! Thanks also to the support of Twilight Lexiconers who have been great readers. Kudos to you all! Finally thanks to the great Stephenie Meyer who owns these characters (aside from Octavia). Bow to her greatness! bows Again I apologize for not getting this out until now.

Human Instincts

Edward gently took the hyacinth from my hand and bent his head over my neck. I let him take it as he nuzzled my neck lightly. I shivered, feeling my face heat up with anticipation. He walked over and placed the flower on top of a pile of CDs he had sitting near his stereo system. I could still hear the sounds of the piano coming up from downstairs. Apparently, so could Edward who hesitated by his stereo. He raised a hand as if to turn it on, but thought better of it. Smiling, Edward sat down on his black couch and gestured for me to join him. I moved to sit next to him, but instead he pulled me onto his lap.

"Why don't you sit here instead," he said, his eyes glittering wickedly.

I nodded, finding that my tongue had suddenly been paralyzed by his nearness. Edward pushed my hair behind my ear, staring deep into my eyes. I felt my pulse jump even higher as he let his hand drop to behind my neck. It felt cold, and yet oddly burning hot at the same time. Suddenly, he pulled my head in to kiss me.

I tried to hold still as I was supposed to, but I couldn't help leaning eagerly into the kiss. His kisses were so much more passionate than usual, as if he suddenly stopped worrying about the danger it might cause. I sincerely hoped that this was the case. My breathing became erratic as his hand slowly slid down my back near the bottom edge of my shirt. I ran my fingers through his hair, unable to fight the feeling any longer. Edward gripped my back even harder, running his hand back up, causing my shirt to rise slightly. His hand traveled back down and met with the bare skin of my back. I almost gasped at the icy coldness of his hand. I hesitantly parted my lips, hoping to get more into the kiss.

In the next second, I found myself sitting on the black couch alone.

"What the hell?" I said, surprising myself.

I looked around the room to see that the door was open and that Edward was nowhere to be seen. Catching my breath, I heaved a sigh. Would I ever be able to make out with him without him having to run off or stop?

Blushing at the thought, I looked up to see Irina walk in. I stood up, my face burning hot.

"Well, you gave us quite a start." She said, chuckling slightly.

I frowned in confusion.

"Edward just flew out of here a second ago. Of course, Alice saw it coming but not in time to warn the rest of us that's for sure. There downstairs discussing it, so I decided to sneak up here for a chat."

She looked at me questioningly and I looked away, feeling guilty. I had pushed him to his limit. It had been so long since he had actually had to run away because of me.

"What I don't understand," she said, walking over to look at Edward's music collection. "Is why he doesn't just change you. It would make life so much easier on him and his family. So why not convince him?"

"I've tried," I said, finally finding my tongue back. "His price is just a bit high for me…"

"His price?" she asked, raising a dark eyebrow in confusion.

"He wants me to marry him first," I explained, glancing away shyly.

"Ah…" Irina said, her grin widening, "Edward wants a commitment from you first…"

"Yeah," I said glumly.

"How so very like him," she said flippantly. "He wants to know that you are completely his before he changes you into a monster."

She laughed harshly at the word monster. Clearly she didn't believe that being a vampire made one a monster at all.

"And you are just going to let him get his way?" she asked, turning to face me head on.

Staring at her, I realized that she was right. I was letting Edward have the last say in everything.

"It's not that easy," I said, struggling to defend my case. "Edward has this… power over me…"

"Love?" she asked, rolling her eyes. "Did it ever occur to you that maybe you have the same power over him as he has over you?"

It hadn't ever occurred to me. Edward had so much more going for him. His looks, his voice, his eyes; how could I compare with anything like that?

"You see," she said, triumphantly. "Why do you think he had to run out of here? You were close to making him crack. I believe, subconsciously that is, that he wants to change you."

"Yeah right" I couldn't help retorting, "If it were up to him I would grow old and wrinkly."

Irina burst into laughter and reached over to ruffle my hair a bit.

"You remind me of a much younger me. Stubborn until the end. But think about what I said, it might surprise you…"

"That's enough, Irina."

I looked around Irina to see that Edward had returned, his hair pushed back from his run. He strode forward and glared at Irina so fiercely, I thought that Irina would back down.

"Oh, pssh," she said, as if Edward were merely a grumpy two-year old. "You are so serious, lighten up a bit."

With a final wink at me, Irina disappeared through the door. Edward strode over to the door and shut it with a bang.

"Whatever plans Irina conjured up with you don't even bother trying," he said his voice angry.

"Excuse me?" I asked angrily. I still wasn't happy that he had left for so long without so much as a goodbye. "I'm not the one who ran out of here, okay?"

I stood up, planning to stroll angrily out of the door only to have Edward grab me and pin me against the wall. My breath caught in my throat.

"Is this what you want?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous, "You want to push me into biting you?"

"What are you talking about?" I asked, struggling to escape.

He released me and brushed a hand through his hair angrily. After a few deep breaths, he looked at me, his expression apologetic.

"I'm sorry, I overreacted," he said, his voice sorrowful. "I'm not mad or upset at you, how could I be? I'm just angry at myself for not being strong enough…"

"Please don't," I pleaded, not wanting to hear the sorrow in his voice.

"Bella," he said, looking down at me, one hand stroking my face. "You deserve so much more than I can offer. I can't even be… intimate with you without constantly wanting to bite you…"

"Than just do it," I whispered. "Just change me…"

"It's not that simple," he replied, ripping his hand away from my face and turning away in frustration. "Part of me wants to, but that part is a monster and don't you ever forget that! Do you want me to kill you? Is that what you really want?"

I felt tears burn my skin as they poured down from my eyes. Edward turned back to look at me, his demeanor pained.

"No," I said, "I just want you to change me… I just want to be with you for eternity and beyond that if you'll have me…"

Edward looked away and for a brief moment, I thought I saw resentment in his eyes.

"Come on," he said, extending a hand to me. "It's time I get you home…"

I hesitated, looking at his hand, worried that I had lost a part of Edward that I wouldn't be able to get back. Ignoring his hand, I wrapped him up in a hug and sobbed on his chest. He pressed his face into my hair.

"Bella, I'm sorry," he said, his voice remorseful. "I'm such a brute sometimes and I forget that words can hurt. Please forgive me…"

I nodded, unable to speak and for the moment, we held each other.

"I love you," he whispered simply.

"I love you too," I whispered back, wishing that it could be that simple.

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School had gone by quickly the next day and the next thing I knew I was at home watching a movie with Edward. I glanced at the clock, worried.

"What's wrong?" he asked, concerned.

"Well… Charlie was supposed to be home an hour ago…"

Tonight was Charlie's 'big date' with Kate. Despite Edward's reassurances that Kate would be on her best behavior, I couldn't help but believe that that was not the case. In a chance to see me later, Edward had offered to drive Kate to my house and then drive her home after the date. Charlie had grudgingly agreed after Kate had gushed at what a splendid idea it was.

"Do you want to check on them?" Edward asked. "They just pulled in…"

I rushed over to the window, only to be caught around the middle by Edward.

"Hey!" I protested.

"Bella, you are extremely conspicuous." He said, rolling his eyes. "You can't just fly open the blinds and expect them not to see you, you need to be sneakier about it."

Edward tugged on the blinds, just enough to be able to peek outside. I nodded grudgingly at him and peered out.

"See they're just talking," Edward said triumphantly.

I wasn't so sure. Granted, Charlie did look happier than he had in ages, I couldn't help remembering what Eleazar and Carmen had said about the sisters once being succubae.

"Please, Kate wouldn't do anything to put Char…"

Edward's voice trailed off as Kate and Charlie reached the door. Kate reached up and stroked Charlie's cheek, pulling his head down to kiss her. I felt Edward grab me and pull me back to the couch just as the door opened.

"Hey guys," Charlie said, his face slightly flushed, but happy.

"Hello Charlie," Edward said pleasantly. "Have a good time?"

I could hear the double meaning in his question as he looked at Kate.

Kate merely grinned, staring up at Charlie happily.

"I had a fabulous time."

Ah such a random ending! What fun! Well, you all know the drill, read and review and then read and review again!