I woke up at home, on the sofa downstairs. Charlie was sitting in the chair nearby, watching me. I sat bolt upright,

"Jacob? Ch-Dad, how…"

"Relax, Bella, they said he'll be fine."

I couldn't settle yet, "Fine? Who…who said? How did I get here?"

Charlie sighed, "Jake's friend Embry brought you here. He said you'd fainted, and needed some looking after. It was Embry who said Jake will be fine, but he didn't elaborate. Want to explain what's going on, Bells?"

I loosened my grip on the armrest a little, but I really needed to see Jake with my own eyes before I'd be satisfied. And now I had to come up with some explanation for Charlie,

"Um, Embry didn't say anything else?"

"All he said was that Jake was horsing around with some of those huge friends of his, when he got hurt, but that he was going to be fine."

"Right, exactly. Those guys are huge, Dad. I was worried about him." I had to get this conversation finished, so I could head to La Push.

"Bells. There's something else. I don't really want to tell you, but you'll find out anyway."

Now I sat bolt upright again, "What? What is it Dad?"

Charlie sighed again, "Think about it before you do anything Bella…"

"What?"

"Well, someone I had hoped very much would never show their face in town again, wants to see you."

I blanched, "Edward?" Surely not. He wouldn't have come back, not after all this time.

Charlie winced, "Yes, him. And Alice is with him, or I may not have made myself stop and talk to them."

"Alice? Edward…and Alice…are back?" I couldn't wrap my head around it. Why now? Could I cope with seeing them – especially Edward – now? I didn't even know how I felt anymore. I had been so broken, for so long, and now that I was finally starting to feel whole again, and that I might love again, he reappears? I had to see him. I had to see him, now. But Jake…no, Embry said Jake will be ok.

"Right. Where are they, Dad?"

"They're outside. I didn't want to let them in, until I'd spoken to you about it. Do think about it Bells, he nearly destroyed you."

"Thanks Dad, I'll think," but I was distracted. Before I spoke to them, I had to at least call Billy.

"I'll just call Billy, then I'll talk to them, ok Dad?"

"Sure. I'll go sort some fishing tackle out – I don't think I could stay polite to that – boy." Charlie left the room.

I stood up, unsteadily, made my way over to the phone, and dialled the number.

"Billy? It's Bella. I heard Jake is ok?"

"Hi, Bella. Yes, Jake is healing well. He's asked for you, but is sleeping at the moment. Are you coming down?"

I sighed, relieved at last, "Thanks, Billy. Yes, I'll be down soon. There's something I have to sort first."

"See you soon Bella – we'll be thinking of you."

What did that mean? Did he know already, that they were back? Probably; the wolves pick up vampire scents very quickly. Great, now Jake's probably mad at me. I hung up the phone, and prepared myself to see Edward again. As I headed towards the front door, there came a soft knock. I paused; of course, they could probably hear everything that was going on inside the house. I made it to the door, and opened it. I gasped, I truly had forgotten how breathtakingly beautiful he was.

"Edward," I managed. I glanced behind him, "Alice…come in."

"Thank you, Bella," came Edward's melodious voice. I struggled to breathe. We all proceeded to the living room; Edward and Alice were shockingly graceful, while I stumbled the whole way into the single chair. They sat together on the sofa. I couldn't help staring at him. He hadn't changed at all – of course. Alice looked concerned, and frustrated.

"So," I began, rather pleased with how steady my voice sounded, "How, um, have you been?"

"Bella," Edward's voice soothed, "Bella, it's so good to see you. I can't believe…I have missed you."

"Me? You've…missed…me?" I was astounded, "But, you left, you didn't want me anymore…"

Edward reached out towards me, but then let his hand fall. "Bella…" he began, but seemed to change his mind, "I wanted to see how you are. Turns out I couldn't stop thinking about you, after all…" He sighed.

"Bella, I lied. I have to be a good liar, after all. I really am so, so, sorry. I just wanted what was best for you, and my presence certainly did not seem best for you. I never stopped loving you. I tried to exist without you, but, as you know, I am essentially a selfish creature, and I found that I had to come and see you. I couldn't bear it any longer."

I was beyond astonished. I couldn't breathe. He had loved me? But he caused me so much pain. I felt dizzy.

"Edward," I began; he leant forwards, towards me. His eyes had not lost any potency. I lost my train of thought. Alice twitched. I turned my attention to her momentarily, dragging myself away from his topaz eyes,

"Alice, what brings you here?"

Alice glanced at Edward, "I thought it – prudent – to come with Edward on his mission. I couldn't see how it would turn out." To say Alice looked discomfited was an understatement.

"You couldn't see?" I queried, "How can that be?"

"I don't know!" Alice exploded. Ah, this must be at least partly the cause of her frustration. "But anyway, Bella, I missed you terribly. You were a sister to me. I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye, but, er, Edward thought it best if we were all gone."

I froze. I was thrown back to that day, when not only my beloved disappeared, but his whole family – who had become my family – too. My arms tightened around my stomach. My mind was spinning. I couldn't handle this right now, not when I hadn't seen Jake. I hadn't even heard what happened with Victoria!

"Edward, I need some time to think…"

"Of course." Edward leant back, so fast I didn't see the movement. "You have all the time you want. Alice and I can stay as long as you like. Forever, if you choose…"

My arms tightened again. More promises…Not now. I had to see Jake.

"Thanks Edward, it's just that I have to go see Jake…" Edward's face tightened, "he's been hurt, and I don't know how badly."

Alice frowned, "I can't see him! I can't give you the answer. Why can't I see him?" This was odd. She continued, "How was he hurt?"

I hesitated, but this was safe, surely. Victoria was a common enemy.

"Well, it's just that, well, you remember Victoria?"

Alice and Edward were both suddenly on their feet. Another invisible movement. "Victoria? She's not, she didn't…"

I sighed, "Yeah, she came back; she came back for me…"

I was cut off, as Edward's arms were suddenly around me, holding me tight, "No! I don't believe it! I should never have left you here!" Edward's arms were so cold, so hard… I'd forgotten that part. I'd grown accustomed to Jake's soft heat. Odd. I tried to pull away. Edward didn't let go.

"Edward…let go," came Alice's gentle voice. He looked down at his arms, and dropped them instantly.

"Sorry."

"No, um, problem," I managed. I wrapped my arms back around myself, feeling the cold left by his body. "So, um, yeah, Victoria turned up again, but the guys from La Push…well…they're, um, werewolves…"

"Werewolves!" Edward and Alice cut in together. "Well," muttered Alice quietly, "I suppose that explains the smell."

"Smell?" I was distracted,

"That's right, you smell a bit like wet dog," Alice said, dismissively.

"But, go on about Victoria," Edward cut in, impatiently.

"Right, well, as I was saying, Jake and his friends were keeping track of her, and they planned to ambush her today. Jake must have been injured in the fight, so I need to go see how he is."

"Jake. As in, Jacob Black?" queried Edward, his topaz eyes probing mine.

"That's right. It's only been these last few weeks, really…"

"A young werewolf? Christ, Bella, could you attract much more trouble? Good thing I came back to look after you. I can't believe this!"

I looked at Edward, "They've been looking after me, Edward. They've been looking after Forks." I spoke quietly, "And now he is hurt, and I need to go see him."

"No!" came Edward's sharp reply. "I can't let you go back there, not to a pack of werewolves! They're dangerous Bella! Don't you know what could happen to you? I can't let you put yourself in that sort of danger!"

"Let me?" I snapped; I was suddenly shaking with rage. "Let me? What do you mean, let me? You disappeared, Edward…" He winced, "You left me here! Do you have any idea how much that hurt? You can't just…just walk back in here, and tell me what I can and can't do!"

"I am just trying to protect you, Bella. It's for your own good. I will never forgive myself for leaving. I really was just trying to do what was best for you. I can't allow you to put yourself at risk with young werewolves. And what if they didn't deal with Victoria?"

Alice stepped forwards, resting a hand on Edward's arm, "Careful, Edward. Bella has managed while we haven't been here…"

I steadied my voice before speaking, "Thank you, Alice. Yes, I have coped. Not that it was easy," I glanced at Edward, who winced again, "And now my friend needs me. I will come and see you again later. Thank you for your visit."

Edward looked as though I had slapped him, but stood backwards. Alice kept her hand on him.

"We'll have a look around for Victoria," Alice spoke softly.

I couldn't reply. I left the room, and even made it to my truck, before the tears arrived. The engine started with a load roar, and I head off to La Push. My mind was jumbled. Now what do I do? Should I accept Edward back? What would that do to Jacob? Could I even live without Jacob now? Even the thought of Victoria seemed unimportant compared to this. I could barely see the road through my tears, and the confused thoughts going round in my head didn't help.