A/N: Sorry this is coming a day late, but I finally got the wedding cake done and hopefully I can get back to my schedule. I hope you enjoy this chapter, I did.

Please leave a review. Thanks.

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Chapter 10 Speed

After leaving the FBI Headquarters Edward insisted that he follow me back to Forks. I was still irritated that he was involved in my mess, but there was no use in talking to him about it now the plans were already laid out.

My truck had taken quite a beating by my attackers' vehicle. In all honesty I was still quite shocked that it was still running, even though it made a clanking sound, it was still running. The driver's side was a little banged up surprisingly since it took a few hard hits. The front was the worst part; it had caved in from hitting the tree almost dead center in the front. Unfortunately, it had made the radiator tilt back into the motor. My total lack of car knowledge was astounding. Since I had possessed the truck since high school I thought I would skip having a mechanic look at it and possibly purchase a more efficient vehicle. Plus, it was ancient and it was time to let it go.

While I was driving down the highway I kept looking into my rear view mirror at Edward's black Volvo. I had the feeling he wasn't happy about how slow I was going, but no matter how much I put pressure to the gas pedal it would not reach fifty-five, the speed limit was sixty-five. Although I knew he was probably irritated with my speed I felt a little ping of satisfaction that he was. I had already told him that I didn't want him to follow me. Guess he'll learn. I smiled at myself.

Finally, pulling my truck into the driveway I quickly got out and slammed my door a little harder than was necessary. Edward pulled in the driveway while I was walking up the porch steps. I didn't want to acknowledge him. I wasn't in the mood to talk.

"Bella, so is that it, you don't want to talk about anything?" He directed, sounding hurt.

Here we go, game time.

"I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE! GO AWAY." I yelled while actual pools of tears were forming. Wow, that's unexpected, I thought. "How come you don't get it? Can't you see you will get hurt if you just talk to me? They will kill you," I pointed out while toning it down a small amount. "Bree and her family are probably dead, no one can find them. It's my entire fault, if I would have just left it alone and kept my big nose out of everything they could be sitting in their home right now eating dinner together. But instead they are probably rotting in a ditch somewhere. I am the one who should be lying in that ditch. Do you want that for yourself? I don't want that for you. GO! Don't say another word and just go."

I pulled my hands up and wiped the tears from my eyes. There were actual tears; maybe this would be believable. Thinking of Bree and her family and the torture that they had to endure I started truly sobbing. Edward, while running his hands through his hair had a shocked concerned look on his face acknowledging that the feelings I was displaying were not false.

"I am the one that needs to be dead. I have caused so many people to get hurt." This was true. "I don't deserve to live. You have such a full life ahead of you; I don't want to be the one that robs you of that. So please I ask you to go."

Stepping towards the stairs and grabbing onto the banister he whispered, "I'm in love with you Bella." I furrowed my eyebrows and knew that he only wanted me to hear that. He turned on his heels and walked towards his car, but abruptly snapped his body around facing me.

"FINE, APPARENTLY YOU ARE NOT THE WOMAN I THOUGHT YOU WERE. I HAVE WASTED TOO MUCH TIME ON YOU AND CLEARLY YOU ARE NOT WORTH IT. YOU ARE A QUITTER AND I HATE QUITTERS. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR LIFE."

And with that he got in his car, slammed the door and peeled out of the driveway towards his house. I stared at the road, and sighed, as I saw his car disappear. Whoa, that was intense.

I walked into the house and was relieved that my parents were not home because if they had witnessed the confrontation that Edward and I were engaged in there was no doubt in my mind they would have intervened.

******

Luckily for my sake my parents didn't return until after I had gone to sleep. Charlie was working an eighteen-hour shift and wouldn't be returning until two in the morning. Renee had gone out with some of her friends, Emily and Elizabeth, and when you got those three together who knew when she would get home.

I was elated to know that I had an evening to myself to mull over the plans that were suppose to go down on Saturday. I was more than determined to get them over with so I knew that my family and friends were going to be safe. Everything that was happening felt like a movie, none of it was real. I was going to be leading a different life and hoped that I would be able to pull off everything necessary to make it successful.

******

Thursday morning brought more determination.

Following the instructions that Agent Black and Agent Clearwater gave me I got dressed in my most comfortable and ratty clothes, a ragged AC/DC shirt and stained sweatpants. Standing in front of the bathroom mirror I took a rat-tail comb and teased my hair, it didn't need much after my restless sleep had left it quite disheveled. I then took the bag of make-up they gave me and pulled out the purple eye shadow, blotting it around my eyes enhancing the light bruises that were yet to heal.

I stood back and gazed at myself. Oooh, I don't look so good. My appearance looked worn, sad and disconnected. Exactly the look I was going for. I clapped my hands and said to myself, "Game time!"

As I made my way down the stairs I dropped my shoulders, put on a tired, miserable face and said a silent prayer. "Even though I will be lying, please give me the strength to protect the ones I love."

Stepping into the kitchen I noticed Renee at the kitchen sink with her back towards me and Charlie was sitting at the table reading the paper, looking drowsy. He peeked up front behind his paper and glanced at me, taking in my appearance.

"Bells, what's wrong? What's going on?" He asked, while standing up from the table. Which instantly alerted Renee and she spun around, pushing herself away from the sink.

"Don't worry about it. Just leave me alone," I spoke crossly and hoped they were buying the lie.

Renee crossed the kitchen reaching her arms out to embrace me. I jutted my hand out and swatted her arms away. "Don't touch me."

"Honey, you can tell us what's going on. Did you see the FBI? Did they give you any information about the Newton's?" Renee asked.

"Yes, I did see them, but the only information they gave me was that they couldn't find them and that they could quite possibly be dead." I finally made eye contact with both of them. "And it was all because of me. Don't you see those people want me dead? I don't deserve to be here, when Bree had lost her life because of me." I was surprised to find that I had streams of tears rolling down my face. They were for sure going to believe this.

"Hey, Bells you don't honestly believe that you are the reason why the Newton's could possibly be dead, do you?" Charlie spoke up and seeming quite apprehensive.

"Why should I believe otherwise? I could have saved them if I wasn't so stupid and weak. They could be alive right now and the FBI could have the people in custody responsible for all this crap!"

"Bells, you are one person. You are not the law. You are not trained to save people. So don't go blaming yourself for something that clearly was and is out of your hands."

"Quit patronizing me. I know what I have done and no one can change it. I am hurting everyone around me. I've already told Edward to leave me alone and now I want you and Mom to leave me alone. I am leaving. That way you both won't get hurt and I won't have to worry or feel guilty."

Heading out of the kitchen I stomped up the stairs and slammed my bedroom door shut. Then I threw myself onto my bed and let the sobs take over. These were real and I knew they were, because I had never lied to my parents before and it made me feel extremely guilty. And this lie was huge and I hoped that if I survived this that I would be able to apologize and explain.

I sulked on my bed for hours. Once in a while one of my parents would come up to either see if I was all right or give me some food. All I could do to make this more believable was to ignore their pleas.

Alice had also tried calling me on my cell, over and over again. When she finally gave up calls to my cell she started calling the house. My parents tried to get me to take her calls, but again I ignored them.

On occasion I would go to the bathroom either to relieve myself or get a drink. I was starting to feel numb and couldn't get over the feeling about how all of this was so surreal.

As Friday approached I knew I was still sticking to my plans about leaving my parents. So I started packing bags full of clothes, book and the items I thought would look necessary to start a different life. I tried very hard not to leave my room even if I was hungry. Luckily I had my stash of granola bars under my bed for when I was too engrossed in grading papers or getting lesson plans ready. I needed to keep my energy up so that I would end this as planned.

My parents had slowed their annoying knocks at my door and had stated that they were concerned, but they would give me time.

Saturday came and a hole was creeping its way into my stomach giving me such an uneasy feeling. There is no way I am backing out of this. This is not a time to start getting cold feet. I summoned up all the courage I could find deep within my soul and started down the stairs with a bag in hand.

As I was approaching the front door I noticed my parents were sitting in the living room. I simply paid no attention to them, opened the door and made my way to my truck. When I turned around after placing the bag in the truck I saw both of my parents standing on the porch. They had extremely, overwhelming concerned looks across their faces. I merely brushed off their concerns and made my way back into the house, pushing in between them, and proceeded to go to my room to retrieve more of my bags.

I was stopped at the front door while my parents stared at me.

"Where are you going, Bella?" My mom asked.

"I have to get out of here. I hate it here. I hate my life. I hate what I have done. I hate everything can't you see that. I need to go somewhere that nobody knows my history and start over." I tried to move past them, but they continued to block the doorway. I looked at both of them sharply, tightening my eyes and demanded, "Let me through, now."

"Bells, I can't let you do this. Your mother and I love you very much. Can't you see that we are here for you and don't…."

I quickly cut him off not wanting to endure anymore guilt than what I already had. "Don't, Dad, I am a grown woman and I can make my own decisions. I love you, both." I didn't want to leave there without letting them know that. "I just…I just can't live in this town anymore with a constant reminder of my failure, plus I know I don't deserve happiness, so I have to go." I pushed my way out through the door astonished that they didn't force me to stay.

After throwing the rest of my bags in the back of my truck I climbed in and buckled my seatbelt and watched my parents fade away as I backed out of the driveway.

I wasn't sure exactly where I was headed. All I knew was that I am supposed to head south and a FBI agent was going to be in contact with me.

******

It felt like I had been driving forever. I was relieved that I had remembered to gas up my truck, but knew I would have to gas up again soon since my truck a gas hog and not running very well. I said a silent prayer to myself that I was not going to break down.

As I was nearing the coastline on the 101 highway there were several warning signs displaying on the side of the road informing me that there was a sharp turn ahead and that I was supposed to decrease my speed only going twenty-five miles an hour. This highway was so unfamiliar to me because since I moved to Forks the only places I was familiar with were Seattle and Port Angeles.

The turn ahead was about three-quarters of a mile down the road. I was only going fifty, but decided I would start to slow down. As I was applying pressure to my brakes I noticed that I was not slowing down, I started to panic. I pumped my brakes harder, but nothing was happening. Instantly I was aware that the road was going downward and my speed started increasing.

50 mph…. 60.... 65…. 75. My life suddenly passed right before me in slow motion as I approached the cliff. I wouldn't be helping the Newton's, I wouldn't see Edward again and I would truly be out of my parent's lives forever. I would never be able to tell Edward that I loved him. Tears started streaming down my face. As I swiftly came to the turn I tried to steer the truck, but I was going way too fast. I felt my truck hit the railing and then sending me downward to meet my fate. I closed my eyes and braced myself for the impact. I opened my eyes for a quick second and noticed the ocean in front of me so I suddenly brought my arms over my face.

As the truck impacted the water I was flung forward hitting the steering wheel and I couldn't help but hear the shattering, cracking noise of the windshield. Abruptly my truck was being filled with the cold salty ocean water. As my truck descended under water it hit a huge rock sending it off into another direction.

Panicking I tried to remove my seatbelt. It wouldn't budge. I yanked and pushed hard for dear life to get me out of it, but nothing happened. The water was filling to fast and was already up to my chin. My breathing became extremely erratic from the thoughts that I was going to drown.

I took a deep breath and then I was covered, completely immersed in the ocean. I was not a good swimmer and couldn't hold my breath for very long so I knew it would quickly be over and I would be dead.

Looking ahead through the ocean I saw three dark figures swimming fast towards me. I couldn't make out what they were, but they reminded me of seals. When they finally reached me I noticed that they appeared to be deep-sea divers, dressed head to toe in black water suits, with flippers and masks. They pulled the shattered windshield out of the way and one of them quickly put oxygen to my mouth; I sucked in sporadically. The same diver pulled a knife out and swiftly cut my seatbelt releasing me from its death grip. I was too relieved to even care who these people were, because they were saving me.

Grabbing me by the arm he impulsively removed me from the truck. Two divers held onto me as we swam and I noticed right away that we were not going straight up for air. Instead we swam underwater, going further out into the ocean, for roughly fifteen minutes. We started to surface and I noticed above that there was a boat waiting for us.

We finally surfaced by the boat and the divers quickly removed the mouthpieces. One of them pointed to the ladder on the boat and firmly told me to get in. I didn't object and immediately pulled myself into the boat with the divers following after me.

As we all got situated in the boat the divers started taking off their goggles and the water suit that was wrapped around their heads.

"Well, Bella, you made it. Good job!" A familiar voice came from the driver's seat and I snapped my head towards him.

"Agent Black?" I grew furious. "What the hell was that back there?"

"What do you mean? We told you that an FBI agent was going to be in contact with you." He said smugly.

"You mean you knew damn well that I was going to go off the cliff."

"Well, we were hoping you would."

"So you, the FBI, are responsible for my brakes not working?" I more so stated than asked.

"The accident had to look…. believable."

"So what you are saying is that people will believe that I am dead and that I just didn't leave my family and friends." He nodded. "What about Edward? Does he know this was staged?"

"Actually, no he doesn't, because his grief needs to be believable as well."

"Oh my goodness, what have you done? My family, friends and Edward are going to be devastated. Why didn't you tell us that this was the plan? You made us believe that we were just going to separate and then I was going to leave town. You tricked us." I was beside myself now. I can just picture their sad faces when they find out that I am dead.

"Like I said, Bella, we needed to make it believable."

"Well, aren't they going to wonder where my body is?"

"In accidents like that it is not uncommon for people to wash out to sea or be eaten by sharks."

"Are they even going to be aware that there was an accident?" I stated, anxiously.

"Yes, we called the police and made it seem that we were another vehicle on the road and stated that we witnessed you going off the cliff. We gave them a fake name and made it 'believable'." He said with sarcasm, which made me more furious.

Agent Black started up the boat as we made our way to the north. I noticed towards the shoreline where I went off the cliff that there were police cars with their flashing lights on and there was also a helicopter flying low hovering over the ocean.

All I could think about was that my parents, friends and Edward were going to find out soon what had happened.

I didn't know where I was going, but I knew I didn't want to be alone.

*******

∞Edward∞

These last few days were agonizing and surreal. I wasn't allowed to see Bella and I knew I said some things to her that I did not mean. I hoped with every ounce of me she had heard me whisper that I loved her because what I said after totally contradicted those words.

I had worked my shifts as eagerly as I could, but my thoughts were always on Bella and the plans that the FBI had for us. I couldn't get over the fact that she would have to lie to her parents and then leave them. I wished that I could be by her side, but we both knew that we had to make every aspect of the plan look real.

She never told me that she didn't mean those things in the restaurant and she gave me quite the cold shoulder when we were at FBI Headquarters. Of course, I had shown up when she didn't want me there, but I couldn't help but feel that she had put on a total act in order to keep me safe. So I thought I would call her bluff and let her know that I was still serious about never leaving her.

It was now five o'clock Saturday evening and I would be starting my shift at the hospital at six. I felt a little comforted knowing that she was probably in the hands of the FBI right now, and that she would be safe.

My heart sank as I heard a car peel down the road and into my driveway. I quickly ran over to the door and swung it open. It was Chief Swan and my brother Emmett. They both appeared to be really upset and it also seemed that Chief Swan had been crying; which was totally out of character, it made my stomach start to twist into knots.

Feeling quite unnerved I quickly asked, "What's going on? Why are guys here?"

"Bells left this morning and she was really…. upset." Chief Swan said as he choked on his words. This wasn't news to me considering I knew that was part of the plan.

"Edward." Emmett interjected; noticing that Chief Swan was having a difficult time. "There was an accident. Her truck went off a cliff…. she's gone."

I stared at him in shock. Wait a minute this wasn't the plan. She wasn't supposed to go off a cliff. No, this isn't happening. Not my Bella. No, this isn't true. I couldn't form a coherent thought.

"What are you talking about Emmett?" I asked, crossly and then looked and Chief Swan. He had tears streaming down his face now.

"She's dead. They can't find her body. She either washed out to sea or…um…got eaten by sharks." Emmett stammered, while pulling of his hat and running his hands threw his hair.

I couldn't wrap my mind around what was just revealed to me. She's gone; I would never see her again. I would never hear her beautiful laughter, never look into her chocolate brown eyes or smell her sweet scent.

I let the tears soak my face as I watched the police cruiser leave. I stood there for it seemed like hours. I walked back into the house and called my dad whom was at the hospital. I didn't have to say anything because he had already heard the news at the hospital and they had my shift taken care of knowing that I would not be coming in.

I sat down at the kitchen table folded my arms on the table and put my head down on them. I let the sobs take over.

She's dead and so am I.