Chapter Four

Sorry it took so long guys :S I promise I won't keep you waiting so long next time.

Edward drove me home as soon as he got back. He wasn't to enthusiastic about my bonging time with his brother after what had happened with Jasper. He stayed for a while, like always. This time was different though. Instead of taking me into the kitchen to talk about something ridiculous, he sat down in the chair in the living room and started watching the football game with Charlie. I sat on the floor in front of the couch. Suddenly, things that Emmet had been saying today floated into my head, all merging together. They made a different picture than they had earlier today. Instead of random talk about Edward, and how long they were going to stay, it was hints. He must have been trying to clue me in on something without actually telling me.

"How long are you staying in Forks? I remember Carlisle telling me about how you move a lot to keep the young charade." It wasn't a charade. The Cullen family never aged.

"Well, we'll probably have to move soon. In the next little while." He paused as if thinking about how to word something, which was unusual for him. Emmet usually just blurted things out. "It would be really cool if you came with us though." His mouth twisted into a forced grin.

Then it had meant that he wanted me to come. Like I was coming. But now it meant something completely different. The pain the struck through me when I realized the meaning behind his words were overwhelming. I felt darkness closing in on me.

I had to hold myself together. He couldn't see how he affected me. That would make everything worse. I couldn't be pulled under now. Not here. He could not see that. My breathing was staggered. I pulled my knees up to my chest and wrapped my arms around myself. Trying to stay together.

"Bella?" Edward looked at me for the first time since we entered the house.

"Yea?" To my disappointment my voice cracked.

"Are you alright?" He looked concerned. I felt Charlie's eyes on me too now. I had to pull myself together. Compose myself.

"Yea, uhm, I'll be right back." I stood up and staggered into the kitchen clutching my sides. I could feel two sets of eyes burning into the back of my head. I sat down in the chair at the kitchen table when I started to get dizzy. I laid my head down and the cold wood.

"Bella? Bella? Can you hear me?" I wasn't at the table anymore. I was in Edward's arms, he was on the floor shaking me. Charlie was panicking into the phone. I could barely make out his words.

"No Carlisle, we didn't see it, when we walked in she was on the floor. Yea, I think she's coming around. Ok, hurry." He hung up.

"Bella? Bella sweetheart? Are you ok?" Edward was freaking out.

"Sorry." I mumbled. Great job holding yourself together Bella.

I heard him laugh in relief. "Why are yousorry?" I knew he meant that as a rhetorical question, but somehow it sounded different then 'why are you sorry' it meant something more like 'why are you sorry'.

"I'm not feeling to well, I guess I should have tolled you." I realized that was the wrong thing to say as I looked into his eyes. His relief turned to a concerned panic.

"What's wrong? Are you ill?" I shook my head quickly trying to calm him down. I tried to sit up, but his arms had become restraining. "Don't move, Carlisle's coming, he'll check you out."

"Edward, I'm fine. Jeez, let me up." I shoved at his arms trying to loosen them without any luck.

"Bella, listen to him." Charlie said from the floor behind me now. He startled me. I don't remember hearing him move there. Maybe there was something wrong with me.

There was a knocking at the door and Charlie moved to let in my Vampire doctor.

"Did you hurt yourself?" Edward half whispered, before getting to his feet and carrying me to the couch.

"I'm fine." The concern was too clear in his voice. That was partly true, physically I was fine. But the pain would not subside. Even here in his arms, I felt empty. He was leaving me.

I suddenly burst into tears, sobs ripped through my chest shaking my body in painful convulsions.

"Bella?" Carlisle had moved Edward out of the way and way holding my face in his hands. "Bella what's wrong? You need to tell me."

I looked at Edward; even with my vision blurred with tears he was beautiful. My heart would always be his.

"Don't lea-" I couldn't finish my sentence, the sobs came harder, and I could barely breath.

"She's having hysterics, we have to calm her down." Carlisle's voice was now serious as his medical training kicked into high gear.

"I don't know what to do; I've never seen her like this." Charlie said sounding hysterical himself.

There was a pause, and then murmurs. Edwards voice, "Jacob can handle this." Damn it Edward.

I don't remember what happened next. For a while nothing changed. And then I was lifted into big warm arms that cradled me against their chest. Soft words were spoken into my ear, but I didn't want to listen, I didn't make out what they were saying. The creaking of wheels from a wheel chair on the floor boards. The creaking of movement from the couch springs. The shifting between arms of the people I loved trying to calm me.

Two large hands were suddenly on my face. "Bella, listen to me." Jacob was trying to sit me up. "Bella you have to stop this. Snap out of it." My sobs quieted, for reasons I can't explain. He wrapped one arm supportively around my back, and the other at the back of my head, holding my face inches from his. He pressed his forehead to mine, and whispered to me. My sobbing slowly subsided, and I began to gain control of myself. But my shaking only grew worse.

"Shh Bella. Shh. Calm down. Everything is going to be fine."

Cold hands grabbed me now, but Jacob wouldn't let go. Now I was draped across his lap, and Carlisle was checking my pulse.

"Let her sleep. We'll talk to her in the morning." Carlisle whispered moving away from me.

"Wait," Jacob said in a normal tone, he knew me well enough that I wouldn't be sleeping any time soon, and the whispers would only make me anxious. "What if it comes back? Someone should be here."

"I could have Alice or Rosalie stay here with her tonight Charlie?" Carlisle was across the room.

"I'm sure Alice would be a great help." Charlie agreed, he was still very fond of Alice. "Jake why don't you go home now? You've been a great help, but it's late and I think you have school tomorrow."

"Yea, I guess." Jacob kissed me lightly on my forehead before passing me over to Edward.

"I'll stay here until Alice arrives." Edward said quietly holding me to his chest. "Thank you Jacob."

"Sure, sure." I couldn't help but smile at Jacob's casual attitude. I nearly laughed, but I didn't want my father to think I had completely lost it.

When Jacob, Billy, and Carlisle left it was quiet. Charlie went back to the remains of his game, and Edward said nothing. He just held me, but wouldn't look at me. He leaned his head against the back of the couch with his eyes shut, and didn't move.

Oooh Intense! I know you're probably thinking 'when did Billy get there?' but remember when I said about the wheels on the floor boards? I'm leaving you with a cliff hanger here. But hey, here's just a piece of what is happening in the next two or three (maybe four) chapters.

That was it. My life was over. He was… Gone. The emotion that devoured me was over whelming. Everything began to spin as the darkness enveloped me mercifully. I felt myself collapse.