A/N: Alright, so I think that this is the second to last chapter…Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or New Moon, Stephenie Meyer does.

Chapter Four: Departure

Edward merged into the appropriate lane that would lead us to Forks. The backseat windows had been slightly rolled down and I could feel an uneasy tension in the car. This unsettling feeling was both new and mildly awkward.

It was also the first time I'd felt anything wrong or bizarre with our relationship. Any human boyfriend wouldn't be able to smell their girlfriend's blood …oh gosh, how humiliating! I pinched my face in disgust at the thought.

I sighed in defeat and figured this situation was bound to happen. I gave in to my reassuring thoughts, but the minutes ticked by and I bit my lip and fidgeted with my hands. After what felt like hours had passed, I turned to Edward and observed his composure.

He was looking straight ahead; his hands were gripping the steering wheel so tight that his knuckles looked bleached, even whiter than usual, if that was possible.

Finally, Edward made some sort of comforting contact with me. He grabbed my left hand and squeezed it.

"Here," he gave me the left over lasagna, "you should eat something."

I thanked him and opened the box. The food had gotten a little cold but it wouldn't have mattered either way; I wasn't hungry.

I put the food on my lap and squeezed his hand, which he was still holding. He gave me another sad smile and I sighed, I blew my hair out of my face at the same time.

Bad idea.

His hand gently broke away from my grip and I jerked back, a little taken aback. My heart deflated and I was forced to think back to the time he took me out to the woods; a place that I have tried to avoid ever since the "incident." Even though he had promised me that as long as I lived and as long as I wished him to be with me, he would never leave, I couldn't help but wonder. What if this "proved" to him how hard it was going to be?

He wouldn't though. He would never go back on his promise. I tried to convince myself of his sincerity.

I rolled my eyes. Of course he was being honest with me. Edward would never lie to me.

With that thought out of the way, I caught myself shaking just a tiny bit; I hadn't noticed how chilly it had gotten.

My shiver caught his attention because he turned to me, concern etched in his features.

"I'm being so inconsiderate tonight Bella. Please, forgive me…"

I shook my head, "Stop Edward," his face froze, "stop apologizing, ok? You've done nothing wrong."

He closed his eyes and inhaled. I gasped. His eyes flashed open.

"Don't worry," his voice was hushed.

"I need to learn how to control myself."

"Ok," I whispered. There was nothing to do but trust him from now on.

The rest of the ride was spent more or less the same way. There was the occasional glance or two. He held my hand for a few second, before dropping it, always gentle. I tried not to fidget as much, but that was difficult. It felt like the harder I tried to stay still and breathe even, the deeper I breathed and the more I wanted to move around! I actually took a couple bites from the left over lasagna but quit after the third swallow; he didn't urge me to keep on eating.

For the first time ever I was glad to be reaching Forks.

"It'll be better once you hunt." I reassured him but it felt like I was mostly trying to convince myself.

The car made a swift turn towards my street and it jostled me a little as it came to a complete stop; he must have been driving faster than usual.

"Just leave the box in the car, I'll throw it away." I nodded. Of course, Charlie was already going to suspect something was up from my early arrival. I wouldn't want him to think Edward was starving me too.

Edward got out of the car and was already opening the door and pulling me out before I finished my thought; he held me a little farther away than usual, but then he pulled me to his chest and I could feel him breathe in my scent.

"Bella…I hate to see you go…" he moaned as he gripped me.

"I know, I wish you didn't have to leave…" it sounded more like a whine than anything else, but I didn't care.

He lifted his head up and made me look at him. His eyes were sad when he whispered, "You know I have to."

"I know," I whispered back, "It just sucks."

In an instant he had his lips pressed against mine. He smelled so good I couldn't help but let out a small moan, he kissed me harder, more fervently. I let the fact that we were parked right in front of my house fly past us. All I could think about were his lips, his breathe, his body pressed right up against mine. It all felt so natural.

It felt like we would stay like this forever, but like always, he was the one to break the kiss, but his face was only inches away from mine. He had his hands coiled around my hair and his breathing was heavy.

He chuckled and held my hand. He stepped back a bit and whispered, "Charlie is about to peek out the window, it's better if I don't give him any more reason to hate me."

I scowled and rolled my eyes.

"Fine, but we're not done with…with whatever that was." He shook his head and we made our way to the front door.

I didn't feel too happy to be leaving anymore. I swallowed a knot in my throat and tried not to cry. I didn't want Edward or Charlie to notice. Although my father wasn't one to hover around me, he chose the worst times to pay close attention to the details.

Before I turned to open the door I whispered, "Bye..." my voice cracked. Edward's face fell and he closed his eyes.

"It's necessary…forgive me, please."

I was overwhelmed. He was still with me but I already felt like he was gone. What would I do without him? He felt like a part of me, I didn't want him gone…

He must have seen something in my face because he urgently added, "Wait for me upstairs, I have something for you."

I tried to look cheerful knowing that nothing he was about to give me would make him stay. I sighed and nodded. He kissed me once more and watched me as I opened the door. I waited for him to walk back to his Volvo and speed away.

I opened the door. The bright light blinded me for a second or two. I shut my eyes before slowly opening them again, this time the light wasn't so overwhelming.

Charlie turned around, he looked surprised, "Well you're here earlier than usual." He watched me, his face was suddenly suspicious.

"Did something go wrong…?"

I rolled my eyes.

"No dad, Esme needed Edward's help with something. Very urgent."

This was a pretty bad lie, but I didn't care. Thankfully, neither did Charlie because he shrugged his shoulders and went back to watching the TV.

I sighed in relief and bade him good night.

"Good night, I love you Bells."

I smiled at Charlie, "I love you too dad."

I was anxious to meet Edward but I slowly dragged myself up the stairs; I needed to look inconspicuous.

Even though I tried to walk as slowly as I could, I quickly closed the gap between the top of the stairs and my bedroom door. I took a deep breath and opened the door.

My eyes glazed over in awe as I took in the breath taking creature standing by my window. Was he really mine and mine alone?

"Unbelievable," I thought.

I made my way to his side and asked him if he was leaving right now.

I knew his answer before he nodded, so it wasn't a huge disappointment, but still.

"I figured," I mumbled back.

"Don't worry, I'll be back before you know it," he hesitated, "your smell is getting stronger. I'll need to leave soon."

My heart sank but I knew it was inevitable.

He stared at me in silence with those eyes…eyes that were now pitch black.

I raised one finger and gently brushed the dark circles underneath his eyes; I scowled and asked him if this happened whenever he got too hungry.

"Always," he answered.

Another question formed in my mind. I was trying to keep him with me for as long as I could.

"So can vampires die of hunger-er-thirst?"

His eyes strangely glazed over and he slowly shook his head.

"No…we just go crazy," the corners of his mouth pulled up just a bit, but I didn't think he was smiling.

"Ok Bella, I have to go." Edward swallowed and met my startled gaze.

"I'm sorry." I knew he meant it.

I nodded and looked away for only a fraction of a second and when I turned back, he was gone.

I turned around on the spot and ran to the wide open window.

My shoulders sagged as I noticed the outline of the trees and the road that lead up to my house, but nothing else.

I slowly made my way to my bed and noticed something that had not been there before; a rose with a note looped around the middle.

I tore at it hungry for anything having to do with Edward, and read what it said in his elegant script.

Stay Calm. Don't Fret. I love you.

That was it, seven simple words. I had to smile, despite the hollow feeling in my stomach. I guess the only thing to do now, was to wait.

I yawned and made my way to the bed. Today had been such a crazy filled day. The date couldn't have gone more wrong…I thought about it for a little bit and figured that maybe it could have gone worse.

I slumped onto the bed, clothes and all, and thought to myself, "It'll only be a couple days…" and then I drifted off to sleep.

I didn't think it was my best chapter...tell me what you think. Thanks :)