Uh oh. Apparently I kind goofed that last chapter. Oh well. X3 Hopefully this one will be better? And I'll try to tone down the cliffhangers. And answer all your questions.

I was so wrapped up in my own thoughts that I almost didn't notice the bullet that shot through the windshield and shattered the glass.

The entire world came to a screeching halt.

As did the car.

The force violently pushed me forward and I slammed into the dashboard in front of me. I would have scolded myself for not wearing a seatbelt, but at that point in time, it was the least of my concerns. Fortunately, the air bags didn't deploy. Unfortunately, the only thing between me and the black dashboard was a sea of broken glass.

For the longest time I had no idea if I was dead, alive, unconscious or hallucinating. I waited for what felt like hours before I opened my eyes.

I was alive. Either that or dead and in Hell. I took another deep breath to confirm it. The rapid beating of my heart was enough to convince me. The air was humid; I was still damp from the rain and uncomfortably leaned over the passenger seat of a car. I wanted to sit up straight but I didn't even have the strength to move. At that point, I dared to start looking around me.

Glass from the windshield was shattered everywhere. Nearly the entire thing had collapsed; only jagged edges remained along the frame. We were stopped in the middle of a highway. The roads were wet and rain was coming through the empty space in the front of the car. Thunder roared overhead but I could hardly hear it. Lightning hit the ground threateningly close, illuminating the area for seconds at a time. A ring reverberated in my ears, distracting me and numbing my senses. I winced and tried to shake it off even though I knew it wouldn't do any good. Pain pulled at the front of my entire upper body and I instantly knew that the glass had taken its toll. It seemed like every inch of me ached and froze from the cold, except for one hand, which was still enclosed in Luke's.

This got the adrenaline going inside me and my heart sped up again. I wanted to look over and be sure that he was okay but I was horribly afraid of what I might see. Somehow, I mustered up enough courage to pick my head up.

Luke was sitting, perfectly erect, and staring straight ahead. Pieces of glass covered him as well though it wasn't as nearly as bad as my situation. He wasn't moving. Horror rushed through me and I panicked, trying to find the bullet wound on him. It took me another eternity to realize he was unharmed. There was a hole in the head cushion of his seat, only hairs away from his head. His eyes were black and his entire body was frozen stiff. Finally, I was smart enough to follow his gaze out the window. Very slowly, I pulled my injured self from the dashboard.

"Don't move," Luke warned me. I obediently stopped. On impulse, I wanted to ask why but I figured out the answer soon enough. I had cuts all down my front—all of which were bleeding. They weren't fatal, thank God, but the scent was more than vivid. Careful to remain motionless, I let my eyes drift over to the road; to the direction the bullet was fired.

Standing only a few feet away with a gun pointed directly at the car was none other than Edward.

This time it wasn't a hallucination. It wasn't a nightmare. This scene was far too horrendous for my imagination to create. I never thought I could look at Edward and be struck with so much fear. Panic, dread and terror took me at once with so much force that it was indistinguishable from pain. I was in unspeakable danger at the hands of my beloved.

"Get out of the car, Bella," Edward hissed. The voice made me cringe. His angelic voice had been twisted and distorted, sounding like an enraged beast. His hand was firm around the gun, his ready finger on the trigger. As he spoke, he looked directly at Luke, engaged in a silent conversation of threats. Luke held my hand tighter, to a point where I couldn't possibly get away.

"Let her go," Edward growled again. There was a prolonged pause between each of his words, leaving absolutely no room for misinterpretation. I looked back and forth between the two and began to dread what was to come. They'd fight to the death. I had to do something—anything—to stop this before someone got hurt.

"Put the gun down, Edward," I cried. "Please." He didn't budge. I watched his eyes and, if only for a split second, I could have sworn that he showed the slightest sign of compassion. As quick as it had come, the emotion left and returned to the stone-cold snarl.

"It doesn't matter," Luke answered. I wasn't sure if he was trying to sarcastically comfort me or just taunt Edward. "He knows that gun won't be any use." It took another pause for me to figure this one out. Vampires were too quick; their reaction time was a fraction of the time it took a bullet to fire and impact. Of course. I glanced back to Edward who looked as though the comment only fueled his anger. He must have known it; the anger was apparent in his face.

"I won't say it again, Bella," he urged, the gun still aimed and ready. As infuriating as it was to be ordered around, I knew better than to argue at a time like this. To my surprise, Luke let go of my hand. His grin shocked me even more. I simply stared, utterly confused.

"Stop playing games," Edward hissed again, frustrated that my attention was on Luke.

"It's not a game," was Luke's calm reply. "Bella knows who she's safe with."

The entire universe came crashing down on me.

Luke was so confident that I'd stay by his side that he let go of my hand. Edward was so confident that I'd come back to his side that he just asked me to do so. I had to pick.

I could sympathize with both of them. To both sides, they thought I was in danger with the other. Edward must have walked in to see me crying with Luke forcefully holding me in place. Luke knew that Edward was the cause of all my distress and he was eager to get me away from what he assumed to be an abusive relationship. Both sides were equally balanced and the one I leaned on would determine who died that day.

I'm not safe with anyone.

At a crawling pace, I opened the car door. Little shards of glass fell from me as I moved and I had to make a conscious effort not to wince. I could hear the sound of each piece as it hit the pavement. I wanted to be away from Luke. I wanted to be away from Edward. Standing outside the car, I looked back at Luke and then to Edward. If I was capable of silent conversation, I would have apologized to both of them.

Then I ran.

I forced my weak legs to move as fast as I could possibly go. Voices called after me but I didn't hesitate. I'd get away from the place if it killed me. I could never choose who was right or wrong. I wouldn't. The ground was covered in puddles, making it nearly impossible to keep from falling. Water soaked through my shoes and crawled up the bottoms of my pants. The rain fell like needles, stinging the wounds and mixing with blood. I fumbled my way to the trees that lined the highway, taking comfort in a place where I could make believe that I was hidden.

I didn't stop to see if anyone was following me. I didn't look back. I wouldn't have stopped for the world.

After a while, my lungs started to burn and my legs began to ache so much that I couldn't force myself to move any more. I started this run tired, mentally exhausted so it was no wonder that I'd run out of energy fast. I finally stopped at an enormously large tree and leaned on it for support, gasping to get my breath back. The scene was familiar—I'd visited this place before in dreams the past couple of nights. It was odd to think that all this time the dream lead to me to believe I'd take refuge with someone else.

I never would have guessed to find safety in solitude.

A couple shards of glass stuck out of wounds in my arm and my cheek and I reluctantly pulled them out. It stung like nothing else, but I knew from experience that I'd be okay. The cuts weren't too bad; at most, I'd need a couple stitches. I pressed my forehead to the bark and did the one thing I couldn't seem to stop. I cried.

Get a hold of yourself, Bella. I tried to wipe a tear away but the dirt on my hand only made my eyes water up more. You are not going to let someone get hurt tonight because you couldn't pull yourself together. Stay calm. Think. You'll make it out of this.

"Bella," a deeper voice said. It took me a moment to realize that this wasn't my better judgment. It was Edward.

"Bella, I…" He was at a loss for words, just like me. I didn't turn to face him—I was afraid that any movement would cause him to get a better scent off the blood dripping from me and then we really would lose all hope. I'd always wanted him to change me, but now, the one time it was more possible than ever, I couldn't let it happen.

"You're in danger," he offered softly. His voice sounded uncharacteristically weak.

"I know," was my bitter answer. The response held more than one meaning and I meant both. Edward took it personally.

"Bella, you don't understand," he began. Every time he said my name, it sounded as though it pained him. "Luke isn't what you think he is."

"I know, Edward," I replied just as coldly. It took every last bit of effort in me to not jump and embrace him. I would have given the world just to be in his arms. I wanted to cry and beg for forgiveness, I wanted to tell him how horribly sorry I was and how I'd never ever break a promise again. It would have only made matters worse.

"He's not like me," he tried to explain. He almost took on a pleading tone—it was a tone I couldn't identify. I'd never heard it from Edward before. "He can't be trusted. You have to believe me…" When I finally realized what he was feeling, more tears came.

He was afraid of losing me.

I felt so undeserving that I nearly wished I was dead. I'd betrayed him in more ways than one. Throughout all our fights, through this entire mess, he never loved me any less. I didn't deserve someone so caring, so devoted.

"I'm sorry," I whimpered. "I'm so sorry." I meant those words more than anything I'd ever said in my life. Even still, my timing was horrible. Edward took it the wrong way. I wish I would have thought fast enough to clarify the thought before we were interrupted.

"Stay away from her," Luke hissed. This time I looked up. He was standing no more than five feet away from both Edward and I. His teeth were showing and his face was distorted into a feral snarl. It was even more terrifying to see the same expression from Edward. There were both engaged in another silent conversation as their bodies slowly moved into a fighting position. In a matter of seconds, they stood, growling at each other and ready to lunge at any given moment. It was a stalemate that lasted longer than any moment I've ever lived through.

When they finally moved, the motion was so fast that all I could see was a blur. The only sounds were low growls and the rustle of leaves and twigs as they battled.

It wasn't like the classic movie scene of two elegant men standing across from each other with swords and witty banters. No. They were indistinguishable from rabid animals, battling to the death. I watched from my spot on the sidelines, cringing every time I heard a sound of an injury that I could have sworn was fatal. It was impossible to tell who had the advantage.

The fight slowed just long enough for me to understand what was going on. Luke had managed to throw Edward off him and into a nearby tree. I yelped on impulse, fighting the urge to run over and make sure he was okay. Edward groaned, battling the pain. Luke, on the other hand, made the mistake of hesitating and closing his eyes for a moment. Edward lunged at him again and forced him to the ground. I could hear fallen branches of tress snap beneath the force, followed by Luke's pained yelp.

"Edward…Luke…stop…" I begged them. The two ignored me.

"Stop it!" I shouted this time, growing frustrated. Even still, I was ignored. I looked around me, searching for something I could throw at them to get them to listen to me.. I wasn't going to let anyone else get hurt.

Right at the base of the tree Edward hit laid his gun. I didn't pause to think it over. I bent down, took the gun in my hands and pointed it at the fighting vampires. I finally caught their attention when I cocked the gun.

When they stopped, I was finally able to see what was going on. Luke had Edward pinned against a tree with his hands firmly on his opponent's shoulders but Edward's hand was wrapped up in the collar of Luke's shirt, threatening to choke him.

"Stop it," I ordered. My fear came through my voice, my hands were shaking violently and tears were streaming down my face. I was no threat and we all knew it. I still wouldn't back down. Both Edward and Luke looked irritated from my interruption—as though I was just a nuisance trying to nudge my way into something more important. They turned their attention back to each other. At that point, I lost any control I had over my emotions. I was so intent on stopping the battle that I'd go to any extreme. I wasn't thinking, just acting on any notion that seemed plausible.

I moved the gun and pointed it up, just below my jawbone at my neck. The cold metal of the tip pressed against my skin and I had to fight not to shiver. A gun wasn't any threat to a vampire, but it was a different story with me. I had a finger on the trigger, ready to fire.

"Stop right now," I ordered, deliberate pauses between each word. Immediately, the two men let go of each other. Their expressions changed from anger to pure concern; they truly believed I'd shot myself. The idea was, in a dark sense, tempting. If I was gone, at least they'd have nothing to fight over.

"I won't let either of you get hurt because of me," I said, though my sentence was broken up by sobs. I was going hysterical. By looking at their faces, it seemed as though they'd be crying, too, if they could.

"Please, Bella…" Edward begged, his voice so soft that I almost couldn't hear him. He was pleading me, begging me not to harm myself. I'd never heard him sound so scared. More tears fell. I didn't know what to do from there. Sure, I had their attention, but what more could I do? Point that gun at myself until they apologized to each other? There was nothing to do.

"Please put the gun down," he pleaded. "You're scaring me, sweetheart." When I heard Edward talk like that, I melt once again. The urge to run into his arms was almost too strong to withstand. I turned my gaze over to Luke, who looked equally worried but disgusted from how Edward was talking to me.

"Stop acting like you actually care," he accused viciously. Edward growled in response, but Luke continued. "I know how much you've hurt her, you bastard." I could see it in their eyes that they would have lunged at each other again if I didn't have the gun pointed at me.

Edward turned back to me, searching for truth in the statement. Just a second of looking into my eyes and he realized how hurt I'd been. From that moment on, he looked more hurt than I had ever been.

"Oh God, Bella," he whispered, sounding as though he really was choking up. "I'm so sorry." I had to fight the urge to start balling tears again.

"No," I said with a stern yet shaky voice. "Stop it. No more fighting. I'm the one at fault." I knew I wasn't making sense but, at that point, it didn't seem to matter as much. I felt incredibly numb. My entire body stopped feeling—I stopped feeling. It was a horrible sense and I would have picked pain over this any day. My mind drifted from reality, seeking comfort in a made-up world. I felt was though I was about to pass out. I was torn between two people who were both right and wrong at the same time. All of it was a huge misunderstanding. I couldn't pick either of them over the other because that would mean picking who was wrong and who was right. Neither would listen to me long enough to hear it all explained, and even if they did, there were tons of things I didn't even understand all the way. I was the one who caused it all; the idiot who made all the wrong decisions. I never knew I could pay for such awful decisions so severely. Oddly enough, both Luke and Edward started to feel something unusual but it was far from what I had.

"Bella!" Edward shouted, suddenly panicked. "Get down!" I looked up, still dazed from my whirlwind of thoughts. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up on end. The feeling almost made me twitch; the air suddenly felt thick with static. Two pairs of horribly worried eyes stared at me, anticipating something I was oblivious to. Without warning, Edward dove for me with instant speed and the force pushed me back at least a few feet. He cradled me in his arms to soften the impact as we hit the ground. I dropped the gun instantly and it fell to the ground without a noise. He pressed himself down on top of me, covering me entirely. With one arm firm around my middle, the other pushed the side of my head to this chest and covering my exposed ear.

At that very second, a tremendous rumble thundered, shaking the ground with it's deafening bellow. Even through Edward's attempt to block my ears, it was still painful. A bolt of lightning struck the tree I had just been standing under and blinded me. I gasped my surprise and, on instinct, huddled closer to Edward. It took forever for the traumatizing event to pass and for me to get the courage to breathe again.

"Are you alright?" Edward asked, gasping for breath. I blinked my eyes back open until I could see his face staring down at me. Slowly, I nodded. I could have sworn I saw a smile flash across his face. He continued to just stare at me, looking as though he'd never been so happy to be this close.

"Move!" came Luke's voice from behind. Edward immediately looked up. The tree had a deep, black cut down its entire trunk and into the ground. The side opposite from us had been up-rooted, forcing the tree into an unnatural angle. Unable to support itself, the tree began to fall.

Immediately, Edward pulled me from the ground but a force stopped him. The cuff of my pants, which had been so battered and worn from the day's events, was caught on the over-ground roots of the falling tree.

"I'm stuck," I breathed as Edward tried to pull me up. I panicked, furiously tugging at leg. Behind Edward, I could see the tree come dangerously close and pick up speed as it fell. Seeing as though it was too late, Edward did what came on instinct. He protected me. He covered my body once more, his back to the tree and braced himself.

"No," I whimpered as I tried to free myself from the snag in my clothes. I didn't want Edward to throw himself in death's way like that. As the impact grew closer, I closed my eyes and tried not to think of what could happen.

There was nothing. No sounds, no pain…nothing.

I slowly opened my eyes, wondering if I'd died so suddenly that I didn't feel anything at all. Edward was still laying over me, protecting me. I blinked, and then looked behind him. The tree was leaning over us and hovering. It was in midair, just floating at a threatening angle. Finally, I caught sight of Luke near the base of the tree. He was hunched over, fitted into the angle, holding the enormous tree up. His front was to us and his expression was painfully strained.

"Go," he choked out with a wince. "I can't…hold it…" Edward didn't delay. He immediately grabbed my bound foot and vigorously pulled it, tearing the fabric. Then he pulled me into his arms and jumped out of the way, all in one motion.

The idea of still being alive was amazing. I would have continued to lay there and catch my breath had Luke not caught my attention again. He grunted and I looked up to find him. He was still holding the tree up. His feet were sinking into the mud under the weight and the giant log was slowly getting closer to the ground.

Without thinking about what I was doing, I jumped to my feet and ran to his side. Almost immediately, I placed my hands on the bark of the tree and began to push away from Luke. I knew better than anyone else that I couldn't do a thing to help but I was willing to die trying.

"Get away," Luke grunted painfully. "You'll be crushed."

"I'm not letting you die," I answered.

Even with my all my effort, the tree kept the same pace it had before. My feet were gradually swallowed by mud and my arms felt as though they'd snap under the weight. I was walking into my own demise.

Just when I thought it was over, the pressure began to lift. The falling tree was being pushed the opposite direction. Over my shoulder, I could see Edward behind me, forcing the heavy log to the opposite side. It fell on the opposite side, hitting the ground with another loud rumble.

We were alive.

"Luke?" I asked as I took a step forward. "Are you okay?" He was leaned over, resting his elbows on his knees and clearly exhausted. Before I could get close, he held out a hand to stop me.

"Bella," he said with more warmth in his British voice than I'd heard in a long time. "Stay where you are. I can't control myself as well as Edward can." Despite his words, the statement was far from bitter. It almost sounded as though he was admiring Edward. This brought a sincere smile to my face. I knew Luke was a wonderful person from the start.

I turned around to face Edward, knowing that I owed him more of a "thank you" than anyone else. I opened my mouth to speak but the words caught in my throat. I struggled for something to say, awkwardly standing there, speechless. Fortunately, Edward spoke for me.

"I love you," was all he said. It was all that needed to be said. Those three words put my entire world at peace. I'd been longing to hear that phrase for so long. I nearly passed out from pure joy. It made me cry, at the very least. I sniffled a bit and wiped my eyes a bit.

"Bella?" he said, asking if something was wrong. I smiled even more and meant it just as much before I spoke.

"I love you more."

Edward chuckled that warm laugh of his and instantly pulled me back into his arms. He didn't hold back; he held me as tight as he could. He didn't seem bothered that I was still bleeding even though I knew he was well aware of it. I sobbed even more, finally letting out the last of my tears. Edward continued to hold me, affectionately stroking my shoulders and spoke softly at my ear.

"Shhh," he whispered to me. "It's okay. Everything's okay now."

"I've been a horrible person," I cried. It stung to admit it but I knew it would feel worse if I didn't. "I've betrayed you. I'm so sorry Edward. I'm so sorry."

"Don't worry about it," he continued to whisper. "Relax. We can talk about it later."

"I don't deserve to be treated so well," I whimpered. "I hate myself for it. You're too good to me. You don't know how I've betrayed you."

"Bella, it's okay," he said softly, hugging me tighter." I just cried harder into his arms. Edward was so good to me, he always had been. I felt horrible for what I'd done and even worse for being forgiven so easy. I wished I wasn't capable of making mistakes. I wished I could have taken back all I'd done. I jumped to conclusions and lost control of my emotions. I guess that's one of the flaws of being human.

"I love you, Bella. You're safe. That's what matters most."

Heh, no, it's not over. I'll probably have at least another chapter. At least there's no cliffhanger this time. x3 Don't be mad at me because it's so cheesy…I'm a sucker for happy endings. I couldn't figure out a better way to make it happen. Oh well. I know there are a lot of unanswered questions, but they'll be answered next time, I promise.