1 Week Later

"She should be able to pull through this." Carlisle stated as I entered the room.

And I see that you're taking your hunting your hunting seriously. Thank you.

Bella's condition had been gradually improving throughout the last few days. Although she was not allowed to leave the hospital just yet, Bella was able to freely wander around her room. Carlisle didn't want to risk passing the disease to others, and so until it was completely removed from her system, she would be condemned to the hospital.

"Be sure to call on me if you need anything, Bella." Carlisle stated before taking his leave.

Once the door shut quietly behind him, I turned my attention over to Bella who was wearing a contagious smile.

"Did you hear that? I'm going to be fine." she beamed as she ran into my arms. We stood like that for a few moments until she pulled away to look at my face.

"Why have you been hunting so often? Is my blood somehow more tempting now?"

My eyes involuntarily widened at the accusation. I hadn't thought of a cover up story just yet for the reason why I was out hunting nearly everyday. Carlisle had advised that I put the smallest amount of stress possible on Bella; and I found this information unnecessary. Why was she suddenly so perceptive?

"Just killing time." I lied, doing my best to reassure her with my eyes. She continued to look up at me for a few moments, and I tried to hide the lie as best I could.

"If something was the matter, you would tell me, right?" she asked, her eyes still locked on mine.

I merely nodded my head, frightened that my voice may crack if I spoke. Although she didn't look like she believed me, she allowed it to pass.

"Thank you for staying here with me, Edward. I know it must have boring." she apologized.

I wished that boring was the dominant feeling. Terrifying was more accurate. Every time that she would gasp I would run to her, frightened that she was in pain, only to see that she was dreaming. Carlisle eventually took my alert button away from me after numerous false alarms were sent to him. Boredom was definitely not the feeling that I was experiencing.

Anxiety was another emotion that I was becoming more and more accustomed to. Anxiety for when she was finally well enough to hear about the fight that Jacob and I had taken part in. Anxiety for if she would really be okay. And anxiety for how she would react when I told her that I was infected as well. I wasn't worried in the least bit for my own "life", Carlisle had assured me that as long as I hunted extremely often, there would be no chance of "death". And since there was really nothing to worry about, that bit of information Bella could wait for.

"So how much longer do you think I'll be stuck in the hospital?" she asked casually as she took a seat on her bed.

"I don't know.. probably about a week. The Flu isn't completely out of your system yet so you really shouldn't be walking around." I advised. "After a week you should be completely healed but until then, please... please take it easy."

She laughed at my reaction. "I feel fine, Edward. Just because there is still traces in my bloodstream doesn't mean that it's enough to kill me."

I cringed at the word kill and she rolled her eyes in response.

"I'm fine." she reminded me.

I smiled. How very much like Bella to try and calm me down while she was the one with life threatening disease. I walked over to bed with the intention of kissing her when a very angry Alice walked through the door.

"How dare you." she hissed at me. I swiftly left Bella's side in hopes of bringing Alice into the hallway to talk, but to no avail.

"You thought that I wouldn't catch on? That the fact that you're hunting almost every single day wouldn't raise a flag?" she accused, taking steps into the room instead of out.

"Alice, can we talk about this outside?" I hissed. Bella didn't need to hear this.

"No, we can talk about this now. When were you planning on telling me that you were infected?!" she shouted.

The room fell silent then. Alice must have seen the shocked look on Bella's face because her expression turned from anger to guilt.

"And... you didn't tell her..." she murmured to herself.

I didn't dare look back to Bella's reaction. Maybe she hadn't heard it? Maybe she was sleeping?

And then I could see Bella's reaction in Alice's mind. Her expression was that of horror. I whirled around and tried to explain everything before the stress came on.

"I only learned about it about a week ago from Carlisle. You were sick before me so I didn't give it to you and you couldn't have given it to me. There is no danger to my life as long as I hunt very often so that I can dilute the virus. Carlisle claims that the virus isn't affected by venom and that's why vampires can get it. I don't feel any different than normal and there is absolutely no reason to worry." I finished, rethinking the entire conversation to see if I had missed any points.

"You're..infected..." she said, walking over to me with a pained look on her face.

It was too late to lie anymore. "Yes."

"But there is no threat to your life?" she verified.

I nodded, glad that she was looking at the good side of this.

"As long as you continue to hunt very frequently?"

"Yes."

"Then go and hunt!" she demanded, talking as if I was an idiot.

"What? I just got back from hunting only a few hours ago." I stated.

"Well go hunt again! You can't be too sure, Edward! I don't know what I'd do with myself if..." she broke off, her eyes getting ready to form tears. Carlisle's words rang in my mind.

Before she could form her first tear I pulled her towards me.

"Al right. I'll go and hunt, as long as you stay put here and rest." I gave in. If hunting again would calm her down then that's what I would do. "Please don't worry about it."

"Thank you." she whispered before walking over to the bed; showing that she was willing to meet my demands.

I turned around to leave the hospital and enter the woods.

Alice.

"It's al right. I know you didn't mean anything by it." I allowed. As angry as her outburst had made me, I could understand why she had done what she did. I would be frustrated if I had lost my power, too.

Do you want me to keep you company as you hunt?

"No, I'm fine."

I had no intention to hunt anyway. If I hunted twice a day then there wouldn't be enough animals in the woods. Then one of Alice's previous thoughts caught my attention.

"Alice." I said in an even voice. She would hear.

"What do you mean that the venom has no effect on the virus?" I asked.

Carlisle said that he told you that. That venom is the same as blood to the virus.

I remembered Carlisle's words and my body went numb after I finally realized the significance. He hadn't only meant that vampires could get sick. Our venom had no effect. If Bella had needed me to change her, I wouldn't have been capable of it. The venom would have no effect on her.

The realization had caused my body to freeze, but I let out an exhale of air as I realized that she was in a better condition now. My venom isn't needed.

"Thanks." I stated before walking back to the hospital, still deep in thought trying to realize how close I was to losing her forever. Once I opened the door to the hospital I was welcomed with a barraged of thoughts.

The Swan girl isn't doing well.

We need Carlisle!

Two chapters left :/ And I'm pretty positive this is going to be the last chapter where i get nice reviews xD I'll say it ahead of time- I understand :)