Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.

A/N: Finally! Now that school has started again, I can't write everyday anymore. -Sigh- Without further ado, I present Chapter 6.

Hope

"To love is to risk not being loved in return. To hope is to risk pain. To try is to risk failure, but risk must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing."

- Unknown

Today, I would see her again and I vowed to make her smile, no matter what the outcome of my little "investigation" turned out to be. Mostly, I wanted her to be happy; her smile was everything. It was like the sun, brightening up my dark sky. Six months I had gone without it. Any time away from her was too long. Time moved slowly but finally, it was night. It was risky, going to see her. That werewolf better not be there. Upon reaching her house and hearing her glorious heartbeat, elation built up in my body. As usual, her window was open. Her scent was still mixed with the putrid werewolf odor; one way or another, I would have to keep her protected from that dog.

In her room, I looked for her sleeping figure to see that she wasn't in bed yet. I suppose I didn't wait long enough.. The door jarred open; her beauty radiated in the darkness.

"Oh!" She exclaimed in a whisper, surprised to see me. It hadn't occurred to me that she might not have wanted to see me right then and there until now. Confusion played in her eyes, as if she were having an internal struggle. "I suppose I did tell you to come back.." She smiled sadly. "I'm sorry but my boyfriend doesn't want you around."

Sadness coursed through my body. She really did move on. She found someone who made her happy, just as I had intended. Only I didn't intend it would be this painful; painful to pretend to be happy for her when depression was the only emotion I could feel. Inside, I felt remorse for not coming back sooner to see her. I wanted to still have a chance with her. But I was too late.

"I don't understand why you're here." She said a little harsher. "You were the one who hurt me right? The vampire who's after my blood?"

Of course the predator in me would always be after her blood. But I myself was now strong enough to withstand that part of my nature. Still, I had to give her an answer. "I.. suppose I am." I could feel the regret of my departure raking through my cold, inhumane body. She was right to hate me though. I left her; I crushed her. And someone was there to pick up the pieces. The pieces of her that I left behind. I had to know, though, if she remembered me at all. "Do you remember who I am at all?"

Her face softened. Slowly, she shook her head. "I told you. I only remember what others tell me. I don't even know your name. Jacob wouldn't tell me much. He said you caused me the excruciating pain I feel and that you were after my blood." She held herself. "It hurts, you know. I don't know exactly what you did to me other than leave me." I grimaced, knowing that I had done this to her. "I don't understand why I'm not afraid of you. I should be, but I'm not." She sounded as if she were trying to convince herself. Her shining eyes bore into mine. "I'm like a danger magnet. I attract all sorts of dark creatures. But I was lucky to attract Jacob."

"Why?" My voice felt hollow.

"Because he can protect me from you." She looked away. "He is, after all, a werewolf." Her boyfriend was the werewolf. Now I couldn't even have the satisfaction of killing the werewolf; it would hurt her if I did. "Can I ask you something?"

I nodded numbly. There was nothing I could do now but just follow what she wanted.

"Who are you? The other times I've seen you, I never found out your name."

"Edward Cullen." Other times? She'd only seen me once. And she thought I was a dream.

Unless she had more than one dream about me.

"Edward Cullen." She repeated softly then sighed. "It would be best if you leave now." She smiled apologetically, adding, "As much as you've supposedly hurt me, I can't help but feel like I have some sort of connection with you."

"I'm.. honored." Finally, her smile reached her eyes. She gave me a genuine smile; that beautiful smile I had wanted to see. It was a shame I couldn't smile back with the same amount of conviction.

"Don't be sad, Edward." She was as observant as she always was. "It's not like it's anything new, right? You've left me before. I'm sure you could do it again."

"I'm not so sure I can." I murmured, more to myself than to her. I didn't notice that she had walked over to me until I felt her warm hand on my face. Electricity coursed through my body; her touch made me feel more alive than I had ever felt without her. I gazed into her deep, bright brown eyes. Unexpectedly, she hugged me, her head resting on my chest. Slowly but willingly, I allowed myself to wrap my arms around her warm body.

"This is so much harder than I thought it would be." She murmured into my chest. She paused for a moment before saying, "I've told you that you smell marvelous right?"

I chuckled. "Yes. But it's always nice to hear it again." I didn't want to risk telling her that she smelled even more amazing, in fear that I would scare her away.

"You make it so hard to believe that you ever inflicted any kind of pain."

"I have, but I regret it deeply."

She let go of my body, signaling the end of the warm embrace. Warm on her part that is. She walked towards her bed. I thought that meant it was time for me to leave, as much as I wished I wouldn't have to. When she reached her bed, she sat down and patted the spot next to her. I smiled, glad she still wished to have my company. Sitting next to her, I looked down to see her foot wrapped up.

"What happened to your foot?"

"Oh, um, in a moment of stupidity, I kicked Jacob."

"You kicked a werewolf?" I asked, smugly. Oh how brave she was. She became slightly flustered but nodded. Concern for the injury took over the split-second pride and I asked, "Is your foot alright?"

"It's fine. No big deal." She smiled. "Kissing it might make it better." She teased, thinking I would never do such a thing.

"I'd be willing to kiss you anywhere."

"Oh uh.. umm.. I .. uh.. we've only known each other for a couple hours.. and it'd be really awkward and .. not like I wouldn't like it but .. well, actually I wouldn't know.." She kept stuttering on in mumbles. The blush on her cheeks really was lovely.

"I mean, you know. If it were in pain. Bella, you know what I mean."

"Do I?"

"Yes, you do."

She sighed playfully. "Besides, I do have a boyfriend."

"I know." Internally, I was wincing but I didn't want her to know I was in pain.

"So Edward. Has any special girl caught your eye?"

"One. Always and only one."

"Really." She looked away, not pressing me to tell her who it was. Did she already know it was her?

"Don't you wanna know who it is?" I said in a slightly teasing tone.

"Not really." She mumbled. I didn't push any further. Times like these, it would be nice to be able to hear her thoughts but sadly, that was not a possibility.

Time passed in silence as we both pondered our own thoughts. I just wanted to hear her voice, since I might not see her again, but if she wanted to sit in quiet, I would abide by her wishes. She exhaled loudly.

"Do you want me to leave now?"

Again, she repeated her previous words, but this time with a smile. "Not really." Delighted that she wanted me to stay, I continued on.

"Then what should I do?"

"Well, I'm getting kind of tired but I don't want you to go yet." Yet. "I feel selfish."

I smiled. "That's quite alright. I crave your company as well." She stared at me. I lied, adding, "In a friendly manner of course." She smiled once again. That was twice this night. "You should rest."

"I don't want you to be bored though."

"Don't worry. I won't get bored. I've lived for over a hundred years. One night is nothing in comparison." One night with her was nothing in comparison to my life before her. It was much better.

"I don't know.." I reached for her hand, delicately holding hers in mine.

"I promise you I'll be fine. You need your rest."

She sighed. "Fine. You'll be here right?"

"Only if you want me too."

"Wonderful. So you'll stay."

"Of course."

She laid down and readied herself for slumber. I got up to sit on the rocking chair across the bed but she grabbed my wrist lightly. "Where do you think you're going, Edward?"

"To sit on the rocking chair."

"But the bed is much more comfortable. I don't have cooties or anything. Promise." She said teasingly.

I laughed softly at her silliness. "I know."

"So stay." She ordered lightheartedly.

"Your wish is my command." I said, playing along with her. I laid down next to her; the closeness of her scent drove my senses wild and my throat to feel slightly parched but I felt overjoyed.

She pressed her heated body closer to mine and snuggled against me. "Good night, Edward." She whispered and drifted off to deep slumber.

"Good night, Bella, my love."

Her heart beat slowly but steadily and the song of her heart called to me, like it always did; like it always would. I was drowning in her glorious scent. It crept into my system and was a sheer ecstasy to be in close proximity to. It was almost overwhelming, especially after going six months without it, but I was already desensitized enough to enjoy her presence. The silence gave me time to ponder over everything that had been said and done. She knew how much pain I caused her; she had a boyfriend (who was a werewolf); she had every right to hate me, loathe me, ignore me. But she didn't. She wanted me around. Could it possible be because she still, deep down, loved me? I didn't want to be selfish and ask her though. It would only cause her more misery and pain that she didn't deserve. She deserved to live a blissful life with someone who made her happy.

But still, I hoped. Hoped that she still loved me after all the terrible things that happened; hoped that she would one day come back to me and stay with me forever; hoped that she still thought of me, just like I would always be thinking of her. But as of right now, I just hoped that she would still want me around after tonight. In all selflessness and the sake of her happiness,

That is all I could ever ask for.

--

I only think of you always and forever. And forever.

Tell Me What To Do - Metro Station