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Bella

Edward was driving. Into town. I wouldn't have believed it unless I'd seen it with my own eyes. He was nervous the whole way, always anxiously looking around like he was expecting something bad to happen. I hated the fact that town meant that for him. Fear. Anxiety. Ridicule. And he was facing it all just to take me home.

It was strange being back in town, but it felt better having him beside me. Everything felt foreign, probably because I considered the mansion my home now. I felt more and more excited as we got closer to the diner. I missed Alice. Even if I just got to see her for a second, I would be happy.

Edward pulled into a spot in the front and I glanced through the front glass window of the diner. I could see her sitting inside at one of the stools at the front counter, spinning back and forth. She looked excited. I was anxious to see how she and Jasper would really get along, but I had no doubts. He was already smitten, that much was obvious.

Edward practically forced me out of the car so I could go see her. I felt terrible about leaving him outside. I wanted him to come, but I knew it would be too much. He'd had enough anxiety for one day.

I smiled as soon as I stepped inside. Alice spun in her seat and froze as soon as she saw me.

"B?" She asked.

"In the flesh." I shrugged.

She started screaming and jumped from her seat into her my arms. "I missed you so much, how was Europe? I have so many things to tell you." She glanced at Jasper standing beside her and smiled.

"I know." I nodded.

"You know?"

"I know," I said again.

"How do you know?" Her brow furrowed in confusion as she plopped back down on her stool.

"Ali...have I got a story for you." I leaned up against the counter and gave her the Reading Rainbow version of my winter. I told her about my damn truck breaking down on me, about stumbling to the mansion, about Edward saving my life. She was surprised to say the very least to hear everything. I saw her glance outside when I mentioned he was in the car. "Don't stare at him," I said.

"Sorry," she shrugged. "Not trying to be rude, I've just never really seen him."

"What can I get you to drink?" Jasper asked. Alice replied with a smile before turning back to me.

"Well I don't want to take too much time away from your date. We'll talk later." I hugged her again.

"Don't wait up." She winked and turned to Jasper.

I turned towards the door and was just about to leave when someone grabbed my arm. I flinched away and spun towards my unknown companion.

"Can I help...Alec?" I yanked my arm from his grasp. His face was stone cold as he stood before me.

"Bella." He nodded. "How was Europe?" He asked, a mocking tone in his voice. He'd obviously been listening.

"Didn't your mother tell you that eavesdropping was rude?" I crossed my arms and stepped away from him.

"So you were really with the freak the whole time?" He cocked his eyebrow.

"Don't...call him that."

"What should I call him? Crazy?" He smiled. "A beast. A...monster."

"You're the monster, asshole." I spun around and left the diner, trying not to let my distaste for Alec show too much.

Edward saw it of course, but he didn't push me too much. We had bigger fish to fry. And that fish was Charlie.

My dad was less than welcoming to Edward, especially when he learned of the nature of our relationship and the fact that instead of backpacking through Europe I was cooped up with him at his house. I knew about Edward's rocky past with my Dad and I planned to stand up for him no matter what. He was a different person now and I had to make Charlie understand.

I didn't know why I had convinced myself that leaving him the second time would be any easier. It was fucking brutal. I felt a little better that he at least had a phone on him now. I was hoping my dad's charger would miraculously fit my phone so I could call him later.

When I got back inside, Charlie and I sat at the dining room table for a long time in complete silence.

"So..." I started. "Crazy story, huh?" I smiled. He didn't.

"Honey, I just don't understand how this happened."

"My truck is a piece of shit."

"I understand that, but..." He sighed. "That boy..." He pointed outside.

"Is wonderful. And kind. And misunderstood." I stood up. "If you could look past who he used to be you would be able to see the amazing man that he's become. And if you can't do that then I feel sorry for you, Dad."

I found his phone charger and was happy to find that it did fit my phone. It would probably have to charge a thousand years before I'd be able to use it again, but it was on its way.

I sat down and decided to catch up with all of the news of the world. I flipped through the channels and ended up being glued to CNN for the next hour and a half. Charlie finally came out in his work uniform and grabbed his cruiser keys.

"I got called into work," he said. "There's a pizza from last night in the fridge, I'm not sure when I'll be home." He started towards the door, but stopped halfway and came back to kiss the top of my head. "I'm happy you're home, honey."

Jackpot. Cracked. "Love you, Dad. Be careful."

"Always am." He ducked out the door and left me completely alone. I looked around the empty house and missed him. It's strange not seeing someone you've seen almost every day for the past few months. I just didn't feel right.

I fell asleep on the couch and wasn't surprised when I dreamt of him. I was back at the mansion and at first I was so excited to see him. We were in the back, in the garden. He held me in his arms and I could feel the beat of his heart against my chest. Everything was beautiful and completely in bloom, filling the air with a sweet, succulent smell. And then there was something else. A tinge of rust. Blood.

"Edward?" I pulled back and gasped. His face was banged up, bloody and raw. My fingers worked quickly and tenderly over his skin as I tried to help him. No matter how much I wanted to, I couldn't help him. Something wouldn't let me. His knees wobbled below him and I felt him start to lose it. He slid to his knees before collapsing on the ground below me.

A devilish laugh came from behind us and I slowly turned to face him, only to be woken up by the sound of my doorbell.

My heart beat wildly against my chest, partly from my nightmare and partly from thinking maybe he'd come back to spend more time with me. I knew it was a long shot, but I could dream.

I smiled a little as I hopped over to the door. As soon as I opened the door, my smile fell.

"Was my brush off at the diner too subtle?" I asked.

"We need to talk," Alec said. His eyes were dark, almost on the edge of anger. He started into the house, but I blocked his way.

"I don't think I invited you in."

"Why is he here?" He peeked around me.

"No, Edward is not here. What do you want?"

"You need to rethink this." He tapped his foot anxiously.

"Rethink what?"

"Us."

"Are you fucking delusional, Alec? There is no us. There was never an us. There will never be an us. As far as I'm concerned any friendship we had is over. Please leave." I started to close the door, but he blocked my way. "What the hell are you doing?"

"I just..." He fidgeted and cocked his head to the side. The next thing I knew he slammed his body into the door, knocking me back onto the floor. He slammed the door behind him and started tugging violently at his hair. "I just had a plan Bella. This wasn't...this wasn't supposed to happen. You were supposed to be with me. You're going to be with me because that...thing doesn't deserve you. I deserve you, do you understand?"

I slowly started crawling closer and closer to my phone. I needed to call the cops. I was afraid. I was never this afraid when my car broke down, or even when I was standing face to face with the wolf. Alec scared me.

He pounced towards me and knelt down, straddling my waist and forcing me still. He grabbed my wrists and held them together a little too tightly. My skin screamed in pain and I cowered back onto the floor.

"Get off me!" I screamed. "You're hurting me!" I tried to pull myself free, but he was too strong. "This isn't going to go your way, Alec. Just leave!"

"It would if he wasn't in the picture..." He squeezed my wrists tighter as a sadistic smile spread across his face. "I'll take care of it." He released me and started towards the door.

"Take care of it?"

"Don't worry, love. It'll all be over soon." He slammed the door behind him and left me lying on the floor in tears.

I stumbled to my feet and rushed to the window just in time to see him speed off in his car. I didn't know how I knew it, but I did. He was going after Edward.

I rushed over to my phone and frantically dialed my dad's office.

"Forks' Police Department, how can I help you?" The secretary answered.

"This is Bella Swan; I need to talk to my father." I sniffled.

"He's out on a call. Is everything alright, I can page him if you need me to?"

"No everything is not fucking alright!" I ran my fingers through my hair and started pacing. "Tell him to meet me at the Cullen Mansion as soon as possible and it's an emergency."

I hung up before she could answer me and immediately dialed Alice's number. It went to voicemail. I tried again and it did the same thing.

I finally remembered that Edward had a phone now. I could warn him. Tell him to leave.

I ran to my bag and grabbed the piece of paper that I'd scribbled his number on and dialed. It rang a few times and then told me he didn't have his voicemail set up.

"Why is no one answering their fucking phones?" I screamed. I glanced outside and saw my neighbor Angela pull into the driveway and instantly darted for the door.

"Ang, I need to borrow your car! I'm sorry. It's an emergency." I grabbed her keys from her hand.

"O-kay?" She stepped back as I got in. "Welcome back?"

I sped out of her driveway and started towards the mansion, praying that I wasn't too late. God don't let me be too late.

I almost lost control of the car around the last turn before I reached the mansion, but managed to hold on. I screeched into the driveway and my heart fell when I saw Alec's car sitting idle.

I parked the car and jumped out, instantly shouting Edward's name. I heard a thud and spun towards the noise to find Alec standing over Edward's body. He was slumped on the ground, his face obscured by his hair.

"Alec!" I started towards them without another thought. I needed to protect him.

Alec raised his foot to kick him as I reached him. I launched myself onto his back, knocking him off guard and both of us to the ground. I slammed and punched my fist at his face, hoping at the very least to just distract him long enough for Edward to get up.

Alec reached behind him and grabbed hold of my hair so hard that I was sure he ripped a few strands out. I cried out in pain and instinctively recoiled back. He took the opportunity to fling me off his back. I landed hard on the ground as the concrete and rocks tore at my skin. I felt the pain shoot through my head as the world darkened around me.

I vaguely remembered Edward's voice as I fought to open my eyes. When I finally did, I was alone. I sat up, wincing at the pain in my head, and turned. Edward was walking towards me, a look of relief on his face. I saw Alec lean down behind him and pick up the knife from the ground. As he stalked towards him all I could do was scream. And then it was too late. Edward fell to the ground. He twisted and turned on the ground for a few moments before screaming out.

I glanced between Alec and Edward, who was very slowly rising to his knees. Alec stood before him and Edward didn't even flinch. He looked at me, almost with a slight smile on his face in this time of desperation. He glanced back and Alec and made no move to defend himself. He just sat there waiting for the next blow, a sacrifice for our love and for me. I never wanted him to die for me. I never wanted him to feel any more than he already had. I was supposed to save him and now I'd brought him face to face with death.

I stumbled up a moment before Alec hit him again. I screamed and ran towards them, pushing Alec to the ground as Edward lay motionless below me. I sniffled and knelt down beside Edward's body. His eyes were closed as his body lay awkwardly on the concrete.

Wake up, I thought. I grabbed his hand and held it to my cheek. "Wake up," I cried. "I love you, please wake up. Don't leave me..." I was afraid that my words were meaningless. I was afraid that I was too late.

A/N: So how was the big reveal? Alec is a little off his rocker for Bella to say the very least. I'm thinking there will be 2 more chapters roughly. I'm going to retell a little of this chapter from EPOV and then there will be an epilogue. This could all change depending on how writing goes and how it feels for me, but that's the plan right now.

Can't say thank you enough for all of your support and love for Beastward : )