Disclaimer: Stephenie Myer and associates own all Twilight characters/etc. I just want to play with them for a while and give them something new to do. Songs belong to their respective artists and labels, etc.

Chapter 10: The In-Betweens

(BPOV)

As he walked away I felt the tears begin to form in my eyes. I didn't know until right then how deep the wound of my leaving went. As quickly as the hurt had come, though, it was disappearing even faster. I felt the anger, built up from years of quelled pain and fear from my abrupt relocation, begin to take hold of every cell in my body. I didn't come back for Edward. I didn't come back for Alice. I sure as hell didn't come back to find myself in the same dismal life I had left. I foolishly had let Lauren Mallory hurt me with her words and now I was standing here with my mouth open and tears staining my cheeks because of Edward?

Yeah-fucking-right.

I quickly dried my eyes and adjusted my clothes. I went to retrieve my bag from the ground and realized that Edward still had my ring. Shit. I guess I will have to talk to him sooner rather than later. The bell for 6th period to end rang and deciding to skip Phys. Ed. I headed straight for the parking lot. I wasn't expecting to see anyone there, but surprisingly most of the senior class was in the lot. I ducked behind a few cars and was in my beloved Mercedes before anyone could spot me. I had decided to deal with Lauren later.

Peeling out of the parking lot I headed straight for the Cullen's house. Alice told me yesterday that she didn't have a class 7th period and we had planned to go to her house to catch up today after I got out of school. I didn't think she'd mind if I was early.

I parked my car, which looked right at home with Dr. and Mrs. Cullen's cars in the driveway, and knocked on the front door. I held my breath as I waited, so nervous about seeing Carlisle and Esme. They had been like a second family to me. I spent as much time at there house as I did at my own, more so even if you counted my late-night visits to Edwards room. Carlisle is a doctor at the local hospital. I've known him since before I can remember. I was majorly accident prone as a kid and Carlisle has set every one of my broken bones, cleaned every gash, and he's even stitched me up a few times; all from the comfort of the Cullen house. I've been terrified of hospitals since my Gran died and Carlisle treated me like one of his own children. He had left the hospital to patch me up so often that, apparently, the nurses called my ringtone the Bella Alert.

The door suddenly swung open.

Esme stood there with a puzzled look on her face, but she was just as I remembered. This woman I considered to be my mother more than my own. She was so warm and loving and she always seemed to have an angelic glow about her. I wondered if she recognized me. Should I say something? She doesn't look happy. Wait, are those… tears?

"Marie?" I heard her voice shake in disbelief.

My face broke into a tearful smile and I quickly threw my arms around her. She knew me. She knew me like a mother knows her child. I couldn't believe how lucky I was.

"I've missed you so much Momma C," I choked out. We finally let go and she took my hands and pulled me into the house, a billion questions pouring out.

"How are you? Where have you been? When did you get back? You look so grown up! How's your Dad? What happened to your hair? Why didn't you come by the moment you got back? Have you seen the kids yet?"

That last question reminded me why I was here.

"I'm great, Esme. I got back a few days ago. I would have come by sooner, but I was so nervous about school and seeing everyone that I could barely sleep! And speaking of seeing everyone, that's kinda why I'm here. Edward didn't recognize me and found out today who I really am. He didn't take it so well and he walked off with something that belongs to me and I really need to get it back. Are he and Alice here?"

"I believe they came in a few minutes before you knocked. What does 'didn't take it so well' mean exactly? He didn't hurt you did he sweetheart?"

"NO! Of course not." Why did she ask me that?

"I was just making sure, dear. Edward hasn't really been himself since you left. It hurt him more than he would let on. He saw a counselor for a week before the counselor said that there was no point seeing as how Edward wouldn't say a word during their sessions. He's been so troubled. He puts on a show around me. I guess he thinks I don't know and he's protecting me. I know though. A mother always knows."

Esme trailed off, lost in thought about Edward. It hurt me to see her so deeply saddened by Edward's behavior. It hurt me even worse to know that I was the cause of it. I was quickly becoming angry again. What gives Edward the right to hurt his mother so much? Doesn't he see how lucky he is to have such a caring and compassionate family?

"I'll fix this, Esme. He's got another thing coming if he thinks I am just going to let him continue with his rebellious womanizing ways. I'll bring your son back to you."

"Thank you, Marie."

"Oh! Uhm, I am actually going by Bella now. Marie is a memory and I don't even feel like the same person anymore."

"Bella! Its perfect. The kids are upstairs, you remember the way?"

"Of course." I gave Esme a hug before making my way up to the second floor. As I walked up the beautiful staircase, memories flashed through my mind of Edward and I sliding down the banister together. I was always to scared to do it on my own and Alice refused to accept help. Edward was the perfect big brother to both of us."

I passed Carlisle's office, but he was still at the hospital.

Finally I stood in front of Edward's door. I could hear music playing inside. My breath caught as the notes began to form an all too familiar tune.

(EPOV)

I lay on my bed replaying my conversation with Alice and thinking about Marie. Or Bella. Or whoever the hell she is.

The bell rang and I grabbed Alice's arm as she exited the classroom. I guess she saw my face because she quickly fell into step beside me as I marched to an empty classroom around the corner. I slammed the door shut and took a deep breath before I turned around to face my traitorous sister. I heard her breath catch and before I could turn, she was at my side grabbing my clenched hand. I hadn't even noticed the blood beginning to crust in streaks along my fist.

"Edward, what happened!"

The fear in her voice automatically softened my anger towards her.

"Open your fist, Edward!"

I slowly released my grasp and let her see what I was holding. I watched as she poked the small piece of silver and then gently picked it up. "Bella," she whispered.

Without moving I asked, "Why didn't you tell me?" I recognized pain and hurt in my voice. I'd been trying for wrath and anger.

Still looking at the floor Alice responded, "It wasn't my secret to tell. I'm sorry Edward, but she was going to tell you today anyway. She was on the way to talk to you when Lauren saw her. From there you know what happened, but I really am sorry. She felt like she owed you the truth face to face."

I pondered Alice's words and realized that she was right not to tell me. Bella obviously knew who I was at the club and I knew she would've felt the need to explain it herself.

I'd hugged her and she'd handed me back the ring. She'd kissed my cheek and skipped out of the room without a word.

I headed home after stopping to wash my hands. Without a word to Esme I ran up to my bedroom and slammed the door. I threw my back pack on the couch and clicked the power button on my stereo. Sitting down on the bed I let the music wash over me. It was the last piece I had written and it had been for Marie.

I was sort of a musical genius. I started playing piano when I was three years old and by the time I was five I could actually write sheet music. The summer before fourth grade, I'd finished writing this song and even managed to record it onto a CD for her. On her birthday that September she crawled through my window like so many nights before and I was sitting up waiting for her.

I watched as she walked over and sat on my bed. Her cheeks were tear-stained, her eyes were red and puffy, and she wouldn't meet my gaze. I went and sat beside her. She still wouldn't look up. I gently pulled her small, trembling body to me and held her tight. After a few moments she slowly returned my embrace.

I kissed her forehead and stood up. Walking over to my stereo I told her that I had a birthday present for her. She slowly looked up and finally our eyes met. My heart screamed for her and all of the pain that her eyes betrayed. I pushed play and walked back to her. I knelt down in front of her and took a small pink box out of my pocket. Holding her gaze I opened the box and told her, "The hands represent our eternal friendship. The crown represents my loyalty to you forever. And the heart is the love that I will always have for you. You are my best friend Isabella Marie Swan. I wrote this song for you. If there is ever a time where you cannot come through my window, let this lullaby remind you that I am always here for you. Happy Birthday Marie."

Happy tears began to fall from her chocolate eyes and she hugged me close.

She'd worn that ring every day since then, but she didn't take it with her. I found it the second time I visited Charlie. I wanted to keep it, but as soon as I asked Charlie why it was on the floor he burst into tears and snatched it out of my hands. He apologized later, but never gave me the ring. Charlie did explain that Renee had removed it from Marie's hand and thrown it. Apparently a strangely calm Marie had gone into hysterics after that.

I missed her so much. I regretted the way I reacted to her, too. I wasn't angry with her. I wasn't even a little upset with her. I was embarrassed and mad at myself. How shitty of a person have I become that I couldn't even recognize her? I'd seen her at the club. I sat six inches away from her for God's sake and still didn't even have the slightest idea she was my best friend. All I saw when I looked at her that night was visions of tearing her clothes off and rutting her as she screamed in ecstasy beneath me.

Surprisingly, knowing who she really was now, those thoughts didn't stop. They'd actually started happening more often. The only difference was instead of feeling satisfied with dominating her, I felt a desperate craving to have her dominate me. I wanted to know every inch of her. I wanted to please her every desire. I've never cared that much about any sex partner before. I usually just get mine and get her off as quick as possible after that. And I never stuck around. I hadn't even had her yet, and my arms ached to hold her. I'd felt at peace when she was in my arms this afternoon, despite the reason of her being there.

With my now bandaged hand, I pulled the ring out of my pocket. I wanted her to have it back. I wanted to put it on her finger as I begged for her forgiveness. I wanted to tell her all of my sins and beg for her mercy on those as well. I suddenly felt dirty. I stripped off my shirt and went to start the shower. I set the ring on the bathroom counter and pulled off my jeans. I stepped in the tub and felt the sting of the hot water on my skin. The pressurized spray felt good on my tense muscles. I washed my hair quickly then scrubbed my skin to a pretty pink. I stood under the water listening to the slightly muffled sound of the lullaby until the water became tepid. Grabbing a towel, I wrapped it around my waste and walked back into my room drying my hair with another towel.

As I turned to toss the towel over the door, I heard a small "oh" come from behind me. I turned around and froze. The subject of my hell and my fantasy was sitting on my bed holding my journal.

"Hello, Edward."