AN: Another update! I didn't want to leave you guys hanging for too long, especially after the huge response I got for the last chapter.

Thanks to DreamOfTheEndless, juney83uk, IcarusToSun, traceybuie, ellaryne, khartgrove513, april666king, BriTaylor, DutchGirl01, and team jazper for reviewing. This chapter is for you.

Thanks also to babylopez2008 for being my awesome pre-reader! And thanks to Pastiche Lethe for beta-ing.

Enjoy...

Bella

I'm stunned into silence. Edward doesn't push me to say anything, although he looks at me almost expectantly.

I just wish I knew what to say.

"But..." is the best that I can come up with. "I, uh... I don't know what to say," I manage to get out.

"It's alright. I apologise. Maybe I should have kept it to myself for a little longer," he says sheepishly, shrugging off his admission as if it isn't a big deal.

"Why me?"

I need to know. It just doesn't make any sense to me. I've known this guy for less than two weeks, one of which I spent avoiding him and his family like the plague.

Edward sighs and looks off into the distance.

"There's something else. I can't be one hundred percent sure, but I don't have any other explanation for it."

I feel like he's avoiding my gaze deliberately. I lean a little closer towards him, waiting to hear his reason.

"Okay?" I ask to speed him along. I can tell he's hesitating, trying to bide his time, but why?

Edward

Still no call or text from Alice. I guess everything will still be okay if I tell her the whole truth. I'm sure my sister has learnt her lesson, and will be more forthcoming in the future with any visions that involve harm to Bella.

Here goes nothing. I don't even know how to word what I need to say. I fight to suppress the sigh that wants to escape from my chest.

Keeping the calming motion of the running water of the waterfall in my line of sight, I say, "Vampires mate for life, Bella."

It takes her a moment, but eventually she replies, "What is that supposed to mean?"

My phone rings in my pocket, saving me from explaining myself any further. I'm sure if she's given enough time, she'll figure things out herself. Then again, I have no idea how she feels about me. Aren't vampire mates supposed to feel the same way about each other? And that's another thing, she's not a vampire, she's human.

Maybe it's her blood that I ultimately want and crave after all.

I mumble an apology as I fish out my phone and answer it.

"It's time to head back, Edward. There's something we have to discuss. Bring Bella with you if you can," Jasper demands, not giving me any time to respond before hanging up.

My brother, forever the military officer.

I explain the situation to Bella as best as I can, which is actually quite difficult when I don't have any details. She trusts me enough to want to come back to my home though. For that I'm grateful.

We journey back to the truck in the same way we got to my secluded haven earlier. The feel of having Bella on my back is once again almost indescribable. I wish I could keep the heat she emits with me always.

The ride to my house is short but filled with tension. Neither of us tries to start a conversation, listening to our own inner monologues instead. My own thoughts are interrupted by those of my family's as we reach the top of my driveway.

I smell a human, more specifically Edward's new pet, Rosalie thinks.

Its okay, they're safe, I hear Esme think in a worried tone.

Welcome back, Edward, thinks Carlisle.

Jasper and Emmett are both silent. Let me tell you, that takes some doing if you're Emmett.

Alice thinks, Should I tell Bella that it was my fault she almost died? All of this could have been avoided.

All of what?

"Edward?" I hear a sweet voice ask.

I turn to look at Bella.

"Is everything okay? I kind of need that steering wheel." She tries to make a joke.

I look to see what she's talking about. I seem to have left an imprint of my hands on the wheel.

I loosen my grip and apologise.

"I'll replace it," I offer.

"No, it's okay. It adds... character." She smiles at me. I'm too worried to return the gesture.

I park the truck in front of the steps leading up to the door. Jasper and Emmett stand on either side of it, waiting for our arrival it seems. I use my vampire speed to exit the vehicle and open the door for Bella. My brothers immediately join our side as Bella's feet find the ground and she closes the truck's door behind her. I see her jump a little at how quick they are. I berate my brothers for not thinking about how she might react.

They ignore me and instead Jasper says, "Come on in." Bella looks at me before following his order.

Bella

I didn't know how I would feel at seeing the Cullen's again after learning about their true identity. Truth is, I don't feel all that different. I think I always knew there was something about them. They haven't done anything to me to make me fearful of them, so why treat them any other way than I have done before?

Jasper leads us all into the house and directly into the living room, where the rest of the Cullen family have already gathered. Rosalie is standing on the furthest side of the room. Emmett walks over to her side. Alice is sitting on the couch next to Carlisle. As soon as I enter the room, Esme makes her way over to me and pulls me into a hug.

"I've been dying to do that since yesterday," she tells me as she lets me go. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine, thank you," I reply quietly.

Edward remains standing by my side as Jasper walks over to stand in the middle of the room. Esme stays with us, holding onto my right hand.

"What is this about?" Edward asks impatiently.

I scan the room. All eyes are on Jasper, apart from Alice's. Her gaze is firmly on my own. She gives me a weak smile which I return. I wonder what could be wrong.

"We picked up the nomad's scent," Jasper explains.

I look at Edward when I hear a noise coming from him. I'm not sure what it is though.

"Where?" he demands.

Jasper says nothing, obviously reluctant to. Instead, Emmett speaks up. "She was near Bella's house. In her yard, more specifically."

This time, I can easily make out the sound that Edward emits. It's a growl. It shocks me to hear it. He sounds fierce and protective.

"When you say nomad... you mean-" I begin.

"The vampire that attacked you yesterday," Edward interrupts me.

I gasp. "Oh."

How would they know where she's been? I mean, I know that they have a super human sense of smell, but they wouldn't be able to catch her scent from here, would they?

I come to the only conclusion that I can think of. "Have you been following her?"

"We only want you to be safe, Bella," Esme tells me, while gently squeezing the hand she's holding.

"Or course we've been tracking her," Edward adds.

"For me? You've been going out of your way... for me?"

I'm completely surprised to hear this. They must really care if they want me to be safe. I have no words to express just how much I appreciate it, but at the same time I feel... sad, I think. Sad because I've interrupted their life, I've made an impact when I shouldn't have done. They don't need me here, ruining their plans.

"What did you expect, Bella?" Edward turns to ask me. "I told you that you have people around you that care."

I don't know what to say. It seems that Edward Cullen knows exactly how to make me speechless.

"You must know a great deal about us now, Bella," Carlisle breaks the silence. "Usually we flee as soon as someone suspects there is something different about us, yet we have told you exactly what we are. That must show you just how important you are to this family."

"Why me?" I find myself repeating my earlier sentiment.

"Did Edward not explain this to you, dear?" Esme asks.

I turn to her and shrug. Everything he told me earlier has blurred into one. I remember it all, but I'm not sure if I'm thinking the right thing. He mentioned something to me about... what was it? Mates?

"I tried but I was interrupted," Edward explains to the room.

"Bella, come and take a seat," Carlisle instructs.

Esme lets go of my hand, and I walk over to the couch, taking the middle seat in between Carlisle and Alice. I notice that Carlisle is staring at Edward as he makes his way over towards me. He stops in front of me and kneels down so he's on my eye level.

"Bella," Edward begins, "what I was trying to say earlier..."

"You said that vampires mate for life," I help him out.

"Right." He smiles sadly at me. "Carlisle and Esme are mated, so are my other adopted brothers and sisters. I'm not. I've never been and never believed I would be... But now, I'm not so sure."

"Can we deal with all of this soppy crap later?" Rosalie snaps. "Now isn't exactly the time."

"Rose," Emmett says, putting his hand on her shoulder. It almost looks like he's restraining her.

"No, she's right," Edward decides, sounding a little chagrined. He gets back up, and returns to the other side of the room.

I'm suddenly feeling more confused than I was before.

I decide to push the vampire mating thing from my mind. I don't see the relevance of it anyway.

"Bella, I would feel much better if you were to stay with us for a little while," Esme says. "We can protect you from here."

"I appreciate that, but I can't. Charlie would never allow it, and I can't keep putting you guys out."

"Bella, please," I hear Alice beg as I see Edward open his mouth to speak. "Let us help. We want to."

I turn to look at her. She looks so upset, and I don't know why. I want to help her somehow.

"Thank you for your kind offer, all of you," I say as I scan the room, "But it just doesn't feel right."

I can't impact upon their lives anymore than I already have. I don't want that on my conscience. If the nomad is going to come after me, then I don't want the Cullens in the way. What if they got hurt? I couldn't live with myself.

"Give me one good reason why," Edward demands from across the room.

"Think about it, Edward. A human in a house full of vampires? You already told me that my blood tempts you. I don't want to make you uncomfortable in your own home. How is that fair?"

"What else is there, Bella?" Jasper asks.

"I don't know what you mean," I reply.

"You felt... upset about something."

Oh right, I forgot about his ability. That's going to take some getting used to.

I sigh. "I don't want to be an imposition. If this vampire is going to come for me, then let it. I don't know what I would do if one or all of you were injured because of me," I tell them honestly, while avoiding Edward's gaze.

I hear a chuckle coming from his direction and turn to look at him.

"There are seven of us and one of her," he tells me. "She doesn't stand a chance. Please don't worry so much. It's difficult to injure one of our kind."

"Can you die?" I ask, full of worry.

"Yes," he replies. "It's not easy, but it's possible."

"How?"

"We need to be ripped apart and burned."

Oh.

"It won't come to that," Jasper interrupts.

"Yeah, just let me at her," Emmett chimes in.

"Shut up, idiot," Rosalie says.

I ignore the family's banter.

"What about Charlie?" I hear myself ask. "Was he in danger today? And all because of me, again!"

"She left your father alone. I think it's pretty certain that she's only after you, darlin'," Jasper drawls.

"We can protect him too," Carlisle soothes me.

"Wouldn't it make more sense for me to stay in my own home? If you're protecting me already, then you'll also be there for my dad," I conclude.

The Cullens are silent for a few seconds before Edward speaks up. "Fine, but I won't be leaving your side."

"We can alternate," Alice pipes up. "When Edward needs to hunt, I can be there. We can tell Charlie that we're having a sleep over."

I nod. It sounds like a good idea to me, better than me moving in here anyway.

I hear Alice gasp. The whole room shifts to look at her.

"What is it?" Jasper asks.

"My vision, it's gone," she replies.

"What could that mean?" Esme asks.

I'm about to ask if it's happened before, but I already know the answer to that. Edward told me that earlier today.

Edward turns to look out of the window.

"What is it?" Carlisle asks as he gets up and moves to stand next to him.

"I can hear their thoughts. The mutts are almost here."

Who?

AN: I hope you liked it :)