Hey. Thank you for the reviews I've been getting recently, and some creative criticism I received. Thank you for making me aware that my writing style was getting a bit…teenager-y. Will work on that. So, how's everyone responding to the story? It's progressing slowly, but hopefully it still is exciting enough for people to continue on. Please keep in mind that this is my first Fanfic story, and criticism is invited. 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger,' right? I'm thinking about adding different Point of Views to the story, if you profusely dislike this idea, do tell.

Chapter Six.

Some fairy tales should be knocked over the head with a baseball bat, sworn at several times, punched in all areas of the body, and then, finally, get kicked in the nuts. Just my opinion.

That is what I imagined doing to Edward Cullen later that evening.

Now, don't get me wrong. Things were going fine. Watching a movie and eating. Perfectly innocent stuff, as innocent as you can be when you've basically agreed to be Friends-with-benefits with the person sitting arms reach away from you. Things were silent, I was relishing in the tension, and he seemed to be at ease with the silence between us as the movie sounds filled his really nice apartment. I had already asked 'to be excused' to go to the toilet, to wit he laughed. It seemed like a person showing up at the door would be a saviour to ease my pain at the awkwardness that was eating at me. But instead of the door, Edward got a phone call.

I watched him as he pulled out his iPhone, and with a professionalism for someone who was new at their job, said a dignified, 'Cullen.' But then I reminded myself that he was pretty famous for all American Baseball players and fans, and he probably had more professionalism than I did.

'No. No. That's not what we agreed. Please. More time. I'm not ready yet. Okay. Thank you. Yep. Say Hi to Alice and Jasper for me. Okay.' He cast a sideways glance at me in my staring at him. I jerked my head away immediately, embarrassed to be caught ogling him. 'Okay,' he lowered his voice. 'Love you too, Mom. Bye.'

His Mom? Edward Cullen was a momma's boy? He glared at me, and I had unintentionally spoken out loud. I blushed crimson, expecting a laugh off, or a 'yeah.'

'What I do with my family is none of your business, Isabella.' His tone was sharp and brusque. I startled me, and my mouth dropped open to form a silent O. 'We're not together. I've explained that. The only reason you're here is that leaving you there on that sidewalk would be dangerous and reckless. We are not together. My personal life is of no concern of yours.'

A few thoughts rushed through my head. What was his problem? Why was he lashing out at me? What had I done? And with those thoughts, I was uncharacteristically angry.

'You're personal life is no concern of mine? We're sleeping together. That seems pretty personal.' I said, my tone speaking legions.

'You knew what you we're getting yourself into when you said yes. Or do I have to remind you? Are you that dense that you can't remember a conversation we had a little more than three hours ago?'

My face fell. Dense?

'I'm sorry-'

'No, you're not. You do this all the time. Play people. And yes, I did say yes because I knew what I was getting myself into. Don't you think that I would know you're type already? You're not the first faker that has ever waltzed into my life. Don't kid yourself, Cullen.' What? Where was this bravery coming from? I usually slank into the shadows when it came to confrontation. Now I was welcoming it head on. Edward's face was hard, his breathing slow, like he was trying to calm down. His eyes weren't narrowed, but they seemed to be slightly darker, probably from the lights.

'For someone who admittedly said yes to me, you seem to be having trouble admitting it to yourself. I come at a price, and time is of the essence.' He stopped the movie, and turned to face me. My face felt hot and I suddenly wanted to go home. Right then.

'You come at a price? What the hell? Just because I won't jump into bed with you the moment you declare fit, am I now a prude? I'm not cheap, Edward. I have my morals.'

'You seem to be such a woman of God.' He said, scoffing. I was embarrassed to be called out like that, so bashfully. I felt ashamed at my actions, but he was a lot worse than I am, or would ever be.

He continued on, having a lot to say about my alleged innocence, 'Morals? You're talking about Morals? You live with your boss. You probably got the job because of my brother, and you aren't even moving out yet. He told me that you won't. Something with Rose or money. I thought hanging around with people from work would be more than natural to you.'

'How dare you-'

'Not only that, but everyone knows of your prudence towards sexual innuendos.'

'I still confirm that Sam Uley broke his own hand.'

'Right.' He pressed play again, and I stood up, grabbing my purse and whatever dignity I could hold.

'Where are you going?' He was standing up now, facing me. He didn't look angry anymore. Concerned, disgruntled and a bit shocked, to be honest.

'I'm leaving.' I said with an 'are-you-stupid' look and tone. He had insulted me enough for one night. I had thick skin but I wasn't going to sit here and let Mr Morals tell me what to do.

'Why?'

'Why do you think?'

'I'm sorry for what I said earlier, that was unprofessional.'

'I just want to go home now,' I said in a small voice. I felt like an eight year old who wanted to leave a birthday party, only to be scolded by her father.

He grabbed his keys from his pocket, and walked past me to the grey front door.

'Let me drive you.'

'No, I'll walk.'

'In boxer shorts?'

'I'll pretend to be a homeless person.' I suggested, and watched as he sighed in exasperation. I could tell I was winning this argument. It was about nine, and it was only a thirty minute walk. The streets would be lined with teenagers and movie-goers as the Cinemax was basically a block away, so I didn't feel like this was a particularly reckless endeavor. Or I'll put on tights in the elevator.

'Fine. Walk, but ring me when you get home.'

'What is your obsession with avoiding reckless and dangerous behavior?'

'I don't have an obsession of reckless and dangerous behavior. I have an obsession with…never mind. Ring me, I mean it.' He handed me his jacket, which I thought was unnecessary but nice.

'I don't have your number.' Please don't give me your number. Please don't give me your number. Please don't give-

'Here.' He handed me a small piece of paper with his phone number scrawled onto it in elegant, cursive handwriting. An address was attached at the bottom.

'Thanks. I had a…nice time. Thanks for dinner. I'll pay you back when we see each other next.' I mumbled as I put my feet into my converses, not bothering about socks.

'Sure.'

With one final glance at him, I opened the door, and closed it behind me.

The walk was longer than I anticipated. And colder. Even with Edward's jacket and the tights I forced on in the elevator, I hoped that they didn't have security cameras, it was bitterly cold and the streets were wet from the rain. I had been walking for about forty-five minutes. I wasn't lost, but I didn't know precisely where to turn. My phone didn't have GPS capabilities, so that option was void. My phone. I could ring Emmett and ask him to come and get me, or to tell me what street to turn. I plunged my hand into my tight pocket, only to find it wasn't there. I had left my phone at Edwards. Damn. I turned into a street slightly lit by a bookstore that was open late nights. The store wasn't familiar, I had never been here before. Other stores were grey and monotone, closed and looked to be closed down for good. I hurriedly walked into the bookstore, hoping to find someone who knew where to go or had a map.

The bell dinged on the door as I entered. The store smelt of herbs and old books, and it was warmer than outside. A woman was pricing books, and I walked towards her.

'Um, excuse me.'

The woman turned to face me. She was young, about five or so years older than me, with black hair and startling green eyes. But more than that, her face was marked. A long scar marred the left side of her face, from the crease of her eye down to her chin. I immediately turned my eyes away, wanting not to offend her by staring.

'Hi, I'm Emily. Can I help you?' She was polite and I immediately didn't feel nervous anymore.

'Bella. Nice to meet you. I'm sorry, but I'm a bit lost.' I gave her my address and she immediately launched into a detailed description to how to get home. I listened carefully, and thanked her to leave when she grabbed my arm, gently.

'Would you mind please just buying something before you leave? I'm almost closed and I'm three dollars under the closing price for today. My husband will get so mad at me if I'm under budget.' Her husband? She was married? Did he do that to her face? I grabbed a five dollar not from my tights and bought the closest book I saw. It was blue and had an Indian face etched into the leather.

'Thank you so much. Really.'

'Least I could do, Emily. I'm Bella Swan, hopefully we'll meet again.'

'Emily Clearwater. Me too.'

'Leah's cousin? Did you keep your name?'

'Yeah, to both. Did you go to school with her?'

'No, she lives on the other side of the Forks reservation. I don't think she liked me very much. I'll have to see you when I come down to Forks next. Do you live there?'

'Yeah, with my husband. I'd love to catch up again.'

'It's a date, then.' I thanked her again and walked out of the store, trying to remember the way to get home. Thankfully, I did.

Even with Emily's directions, my own sense of direction hadn't improved much. I came to this conclusion when I ran into a brick wall.

I was walking down a street that was supposed to lead to the main road, when I was met by a concrete wall. It was dark, and from the moon's light I could only just see into the alley. I started to walk back the way I came, when I heard noises.

Booming, drunk, male laughter. My footsteps stopped immediately. I held my breath as they walked down the street that I wanted to retrace, praying that they wouldn't see me. Bad things happen after two a.m. close enough.

The came closer to me, when one saw me. How he did with his blurred vision and the darkness of the entrance of the alley, I'll never know.

I heard whispering and the footsteps coming closer. I backed further into the alleyway, as they approached the entrance. I could make out four of them. I did my best to remember what I could of self-defense from PE. Palm to the nose. Knee groin. Punches. But even with four of them, I would never win.

'Hey, don't bee scared of us, dearly. We just want to talk.'

'Stay away from me!' My throat was dry, my heartbeats filled my ears. The warning came out as a whisper.

As they moved closer, and I readied my mouth for a scream, bright lights filled the alley. It startled me, as I saw death itself launching out of a car and heading towards us. 'Bella, come here now.'

I ran past the men as they cowered from the light. I didn't need further instruction. I jumped in the passenger seat of the car and buckled in, ready to speed away, when the figure hopped in beside me and drove away, well past the insane speed limit.

I tried to scream when a voice silenced me. 'It's me. Edward. Don't scream.'

'Oh okay. Slow down.'

'Are you alright?' He said, ignoring my request.

'I'll be okay.'

'You must be scared, in shock, something. Why are you so calm?' Edward was confused, obviously.

'I'm good at reactions.'

'I'll say.' We sat in silence for a moment, my head following Emily's instructions with the car's lights acting as a guide I didn't have when I was walking.

'Were you stalking me? How did you know where I was?'

'You left your phone. I came tried to deliver it to your house, but no one was home. So I started looking to make sure you hadn't got lost.'

'Thanks.'

'You should listen to me more. You could have been hurt tonight.'

'I'm starting to think that you're obsession with avoiding reckless behaviour isn't that unjust.' I had started to shake slightly as visions of the men streaked through my head.

'It's not. Trust me, I know how to keep people safe, and I know what is dangerous.'

'How do you know?'

'Let's just say that people can get hurt really easily.' There was a final note in his tone. 'It just makes me so sick that people would actually do that to women on the street. They should be thrown in jail, arrested, hit, anything else. What they do is just sick!'

'Edward, calm down. It happens, it's disgusting, but you can't change it by yourself. The police and everyone else does their best. The people who do it will go to hell, Edward.'

'I don't think it's enough.'

'Neither do I.'

I was almost at my apartment, when I reached out to turn the heater setting up. Through multiple layers of clothing, I was freezing. Shaking, I tried to turn the dial when he caught my hand. His hands were warm and gentle.

'You're shaking. You're in shock.'

'Probably.'

'I'm taking you to my place. I'm not leaving you by yourself tonight.'

'I'm fine.'

'No, you're not.'

'Are you always this caring?' I asked softly. 'Is it just this topic or is this your real personality, underneath all the bravado you usually hold?'

'I'm caring for lots of reasons. Firstly, it's the topic. Secondly, it's in my nature to care. Carlisle's a doctor. He raised me to care about other people. And thirdly, well, it's you.'

The conversation ended there when his words made me think. As the dim street lights flashed past us as he drove twenty miles above the speed limit, my eyelids started to droop. The last thing I heard was the soft tunes of his radio as darkness overwhelmed reality.

The men came closer, their footsteps slow and unstable. I saw them transform, their faces turning into animals as fear ran through me. Some were deer, some panthers, and some wolves. Indian headrest feathers tangled the wold's fur. The scenery shifted, until I saw the forest from outside my home in Forks. The animals were gone, I was in a dead patch of grass, like a meadow. Everything was silent as I looked around. Charlie, my dad, came closer to me, sad. 'You'll never love me as you do your mother.' Those words had haunted me through my childhood. The sadness he held towards me, like I was nothing. A reminder of a disappointment. He disappeared, everything shimmering and sparkling until I was in the alley again, yet everything was darker and wet, raining. A young girl ran past me, black hair like a ravens as she screamed, whipping my face. I could hear her heels clicking on the concrete. I could feel her fear. I had lived it. Men chased her as deathly figure seemed to follow, and the girl's screaming became more and more livid. I screamed too. The scene shifted again, until I was walking down towards a church alter. Yet there was no groom. Only the bride. Everything turned to darkness. The scene lightened again and became a golden brown. Mirrors lined the walls. I saw a little girl crying in a tutu, staring at a broken mirror with blood stains. Then I realized she was me. The girl grabbed her hair, frustrated at what she could never accomplish. The scene shifted again, until a person with flames on her head look towards me, smiling cruelly, as if knowing all my mistakes and desires. The scene shifted back towards the alley, where the girl with dark hair lay on the ground, slowly going from dark to a bright, stunning white light. Black hair and white skin. Black and white. Her eyes opened.

I was screaming. I screamed, unable to stop. I clawed at my face, trying to stop the screaming and fear. I shook, grabbing sheets around me, my eyes still closed.

'Bella! Bella! Open your eyes!' Someone was shaking me, and I forced my eyelids to open. I still screamed, unable to find my mouth. 'Shh. It's okay.' Edward sat me up, and held me against him as the screaming faded, rocking back and forth. He was warm against my cold skin. 'It was just a nightmare. Not real. You're safe now.'

'No. No. No….' I thought back to the girl in the alley. 'No. No. No.'

'Edward.'

'Yes?'

'Make the pain go away. Please. Make the fear leave.'

And with a small kiss to my lips, breaking his ultimate rule, the fear started to ease.