Author's Note: First and foremost I would like to apologize for the tears and crying that followed the first story in this series. As a comfort, Bella is alive in this one, but (let me guess you all cringed at the "but") I can not guarantee this one to be 100 happy. It may be a little sad in the middleish beginning but it is much lighter in the end than the last one, I promise. So again I apologize for being a "stink-head" (thank you uberspastic).

I'd also like to thank all of my reviewers from the first story for making my days. It always fun to see you have mail and read what people think of your work. So thank you all again! Now on to the disclaimer!

Disclaimer: Ahem clears throat I would like to make it known that I do not own the rights to Twilight or any of its wonderful characters. My ideas are my own and simply for my, and hopefully, others, pleasure. They need not be used by Stephenie Meyer, for her brilliance is unique to her own. Though if she would like to make some sort of Edward action figure I'm sure a few of us wouldn't mind, myself included.

The Nightmare

I was alone. Alone and cold in an unfamiliar setting. I could not remember how I got there. Needless to say I was scared. I tried desperately to get up, to find a way out but it was to no avail. The only movement I could muster was the involuntary shiver that ran down my spine.

The silence was deafening. I tried to focus my attention on something else, a memory or feeling of the past, so as to not drive myself utterly insane in this godforsaken place. I thought about Edward, and the feel of his strong cold arms wrapped around me, protectively. I wiped away the tears that were now falling freely down my cheek. Edward. I felt more tears run down my face as I thought of him. Wiping them away I, very unladylike, used my jacket sleeve to blow my nose. That's when behind me I heard a laugh. One all too familiar. James. I turned around to see if I could spot him but before I could decipher anything I felt my self flying through the air landing hard on my leg. The pain was immense.

"Silly little Bella Swan. You thought you could get away from me, didn't you?"

I was too confused to register exactly what was taking place. "But I thought that Emmett-and Jasper-?"

"Didn't your lover boy ever tell you anything?" I felt his cold breath on my cheek. He whispered "It's awful hard to kill one of our kind."

They were unsuccessful, they hadn't killed James. I was stuck here with him, alone and frightened. I had to think of a way to distract him, anything to give the others a chance to find me. "Why? Why are you doing this?"

"My my, Bella, humans are a very droll and inept species. I thought it was quite obvious. I am here for revenge. And because of the hell I was put through to return to you, I might as well take back my other escapee.

Alice. I could not let this monster harm Alice. She was like a sister to me. "How do you expect to kill someone who can see what you are about to do?" I was thinking of Alice's power to see events in the future and hoping that she had seen what was happening right now.

James mocked a yawn. "Bella, dear dear Bella, you are starting to bore me." I felt another punch in my side as I slid across the floor. Tears began to flood down my face, blurring my vision.

"You won't get your prize this time either James," I spat at his face, "They will find me. And furthermore they will kill you!"

His darkening red eyes seemed to glow even brighter as a hideous smile appeared bearing his shining white teeth. "Oh I count on it." He assumed his crouching position and leaped towards me, slamming the back of my head into a wall. I began to black out but I forced myself to try to stay conscious. I was too jumbled to focus on much of anything else, though I could swear I saw light come through a door way. James faltered slightly, then, ever so vampire quickly bit down into my neck. As rapidly as he had bit he was torn off me but it was no use.

The pain was unbearable. The all too familiar feeling of liquid fire pulsing slowly in my veins was more potent than before. I had no idea what was going on around me, the only thing I noticed was the excruciating pain that seemed to get worse with each beating of my heart. After what felt like hours I could make out the voice of a sweet angel.

"Bella? Bella. Oh Bella he has bitten you. But don't worry. I am going to stop the pain."

I felt a cool sensation on my neck. Slowly, almost too slowly, I felt the fire subside. I was relieved that Edward, my guardian angel, was saving me yet again from the fire coursing through my veins. Yes I did mean it, as much as I wanted to be a vampire I still wanted it to be Edward's doing, and when he was ready. The fire was practically gone and yet I could sense that something was wrong.

Edward's lips had left the wound that resided on my neck and the fire was not completely extinguished as it was the last time. I wondered if there was too much venom, if it was too late. My eyes flashed open and frantically sought Edward's. They were pitch black. He was thirsty.

I felt a single tear drop as I whispered "Edward, no." It was hard to tell if he said "I'm sorry Bella" or not as he bent down over my neck.

The pain was instantaneous. I felt the venom flowing while my blood was mercilessly being sucked out. As I got weaker, the pain practically forgotten, Edward pulled away.

"Dear God, what have I done?" He came over and started shaking me. "Bella!" he cried out, "Bella? Are you okay. Bella, Bella are you alright?"

My eyes flashed open. He had a concerned look on his face as I hurriedly pulled away from him.

"Bella-"

"Stay back." I was unaware of where my new found strength had come. "Don't come any closer." I pulled my legs up to my chest but I kept my eyes on him. Making sure he obeyed. Edward sat back and looked into my eyes partly puzzled and partly upset. His light butterscotch eyes looked so hurt. Wait, his light butterscotch eyes… I glanced around the room, my room.

Finally it registered. It had all been a dream. James was gone and Edward would never- he was too strong. But still… I wonder.

"Bella," he said hesitantly noticing the slight change in my demeanor, "You had a bad dream. Just tell me what happened and everything will be all right." He had moved closer to me and was wiping away a tear on my face. I looked up at him, not sure how he would take it, but knowing that I had to tell him what had subconsciously taken place.

"Oh Edward," I began with new tears pouring down my face. Why am I such an easy crier? "I was in a room and James, he attacked me." Edward frowned but waited patiently for me to finish. I described everything in detail until I got to the part of Edward's attempted rescue. But his pleading eyes begged me to go on. He could tell that there was something I was unwilling to spill. I've had nightmares about James before, but none so terrifying, none so horrifying, none that ever seemed so realistic. He wanted to find out why he had found me in such a state.

I sighed, "Well, I suppose you killed him. The pain was so strong I couldn't tell. Then, like that day, you attempted to suck out the venom."

"Attempted?" he seemed puzzled by my choice of word.

I couldn't but I had no choice. "Your eyes, they were pitch black, you were thirsty. I guess you couldn't resist." Edward was frozen, still as a statue. "When you were done I heard you call out in agony over-over…"

"Killing you," he spoke with fury though, I knew, not towards me, but his dream self.

"Edward," I reached out to his hand but he shifted away. "Edward, you know you are stronger than that. It was just a dream."

We sat there in silence for what felt like an eternity, for we both knew that the dream may have been a reality. When I was about to say something comforting to break the damn silence Edward did something unexpected. He smirked.

"That was the first time you showed some sense in this relationship," he chuckled and sighed, "You actually looked frightened of me." I didn't know what to say or how to take that but I knew what he meant. Edward often compared my bravery to things by saying "So you can stay, for hours, in a house of vampires but a little…"

Again we were wrapped in silence. Edward looked zoned out as in a deep thought. I, myself, looked towards the floor, hiding myself with my hair, trying to figure out what to say until I felt Edward's focus shift. I glanced up at him still slightly hidden by my self made fortress.

"Look," he said, "I need to think some things through. Go back to sleep, try to stay safe and I will come back later, I promise." Brushing back a strand of hair behind my ear I stared into his eyes noting that he was truly sincere. He smiled, though it did not disguise his contorted emotions, and brushed my jaw lightly with the back of his hand making my heart beat so much faster. Then, he was gone. I doubted that I would actually be able to sleep but the nightmare had left me utterly exhausted.

I awoke to a brightly lit room. Of course. Out of all the days in the year the rare sunshine came out today. That was just my luck. After everything that had happened last night I did not want to get out of bed but the persistence of my growling stomach gave me enough motivation to do so. I took a sneak peak at the clock. Okay it was 8:52 so Charlie should definitely be gone by now. Figuring that I would be waiting at home for most of the day I didn't bother getting changed or making my hair decent as I clambered downstairs for some food. I wasn't really in the mood for cereal and I had to keep my mind busy so I decided that blueberry pancakes were in order.

After eating my breakfast and cleaning up I turned on my computer so it would be ready sometime after my shower. The shower was warm and inviting, such a comfort after what had happened last night. Unfortunately, as always, it had to end. I checked my email. A record; only four messages from my mother. I typed a quick response ensuring her that I was alive and well, perfectly fine, even though I would feel a lot better if I wasn't so much alive. Sighing I glanced back at the clock, 11:27. It wasn't even noon yet and I didn't know when Edward would come or even if he would risk a visit with the sun out.

Images flooded my mind of last night, of the dream and Edward. What was he off thinking about? Ugh! This is so frustrating! Edward loves me and I love him. Can't he understand that I feel and am safest in his arms? When will this constant nightmare of him worrying about me end? I don't want to be his fragile Bella, his little prized china doll. I want to be his true love. Someone who equals him. Maybe not in beauty or strength, but someone who can treat him the same wonderful way he has treated me. Frustrated I grabbed a pen and one of my many doodled over notebooks and wrote what came from my heart:

Am I complicated?

Is that how you see me?

Am I just your puzzle box?

The one you try to unlock?

Am I filled with wonders,

That you want to find?

Or am I just a person,

Someone very close,

Who has been ignored,

Since the beginning of time?

I know he finds me odd and complex. You know, the whole "he can't read my mind" thing, but I feel utterly ignored. He wishes to give me everything to make me happy. Yet he dismisses the obviousness that the only way I will be completely happy is if he gives me the one thing he has forbidden. Why won't he give in? Why won't he cave? I think this is kind of more my decision than his. But then again he would have to "live" with being responsible for ending my mortality for all eternity.

Where is Edward?

I put my head in my hands, between my knees. I felt the somewhat ever present tears falling through my fingers. Then I heard a faint tap at my door. I glanced up. It was Edward. I was unsure of whether to sit there patiently to hear what he had to say, ignore him completely, or react as my heart wished and leap over to him clinging on so he would never leave me. Even though my heart was somewhat persistent as to the last choice I somehow remained frozen to the bed.

"Hello Edward." My voice crackled a bit as I said his name, new tears readying to spill out over my already well moistened face. He glided over and bent down so that we were face to face. Wiping a few tears away he stared deeply into my eyes.

"Bella, Bella. What am I to do with my fragile Bella?" I bit my lip not wanting to sob or yell at him that I don't want to be fragile in his eyes, I don't want to be so…human. Glancing away I knew he could probably tell what I thought from my facial expression as he had often informed of how easy a read my face was. He took my hand. I let him hold my hand but I refused to look at him. "Bella, please understand what I must go through. Every day thinking I'm getting stronger. That I can be with the person I love and not want to harm her. And then one day finding out that in her subconscious she has envisioned me ending her life. It is hard to deal with. I can't imagine hurting you but apparently you can."

"Edward, I know you would never hurt me. Don't you know that people can't control their own dreams? Sometimes they are based loosely on situations that happen in ones life. Since I am surrounded by vampires and have heard, not to mention been a part of, a few horror tales it just pieced itself together on it's own accord. If you could read my mind you would know that I trust you more than anything. I love you Edward."

"Too much for your own good," he said somewhat regrettably.

"So what? I love you enough to end the life I have lived just so I can spend eternity by your side."

"Bella, I can't- I just-" I held up my hand to stop him from speaking.

"I know. I know you are not ready yet but Edward you must understand that the time will come eventually when you have to turn me. I understand that it is a hard decision for you and you need to understand that it is my choice and that I will stand by it as long as I wish to stand by you."

We sat there gazing into each others eyes' trying to discern what one another was thinking. "Bella,"

"Yes Edward?"

"I love you too." With that he kissed me on the forehead and lifted me gently into his arms. "How about a trip to the meadow?" Our meadow. In response I only smiled and tightly shut my eyes. He chuckled and then we were off.

Author's note: A thank you to all that have read this. Remember it is not that hard to push the purple button and type a few nice or constructive things. Btw, I wrote the poem like 5 years ago and thought it oddly fit. I would like to apologize for the long wait but after my AP test I kind of had a stressy breakdown. Not fun. But I'm back I'm pumped and ready to start writing the third installment (maybe the 3rd one will be completely uplifting?) Sorry if the end is a bit choppy. Writing happy things is somewhat new to me ;)