Synchronous Rotation: Always Facing

Chapter 3

Hot 'n Cold, Katy Perry, Edward/Jacob

You always speak cryptically

"I'm not angry with you."

Edward leaned back in his chair, seriously doubting that. "Of course."

Bella ran her fingers through her morning hair. It was extremely early, the sun barely rising. No one was awake in the house, but Bella was wandering around, trying to make herself a mug of tea. Edward found her in the kitchen. She didn't even flinch at his sudden presence and now she sat comfortably across the table from him, speaking in whispers.

"Okay, so I was a bit frustrated. But I talked with Jacob yesterday," Her eyes went distance. "I guess I don't have much reason to be upset."

Edward frowned. "So you forgive me?"

She smiled into her cup. "Yes, I forgive you and I'm sorry for snapping at you. The front door looks beautiful."

Edward was relieved. "I guess we learned never to let a werewolf transform in your hallway," He kept his voice light, but Bella's eyes were dark. "I'm sorry," He apologized, wondering if she was still sensitive.

She shook her head. "No, it's fine. It wasn't your fault or my fault or even Jacob's fault," She was frowning again and Edward noticed that the lines in her forehead were deeper than he remembered.

"Not the dog's fault?" He muttered sarcastically.

She put her mug down, staring at Edward very seriously. "Don't do that."

"Do what?"

She rolled her eyes. "Call him a dog. His name is Jacob, please use it. And also," She hesitated, "I think we should all sit down and have a chat. Okay?"

Edward felt his fists clench. "You want me to talk to it?"

"Him, Edward, please," She suddenly sounded very exhausted, as if the mere idea of sitting between a werewolf and a vampire was very trying. "And yes, I would like you to talk to Jacob."

He sneered. "Why?"

"Well, for one, you have some unfounded prejudice towards him that I really don't appreciate. And two," She paused again, picking up her cup, "I think it would be good if you guys were more friendly," She rushed forward, "I mean, if you are visiting for awhile, you are going to run into Jacob again and I would really like to save the rest of my house from destruction."

Edward grinned. "I understand."

She looked incredulous. "Really?"

He held up his hands. "If he keeps his paws off of me, then I'll keep my fangs out of him," That made Bella giggle. "But I didn't come here to talk about your werewolf friend. I wanted to talk about you."

She was sipping her tea hurriedly. "What about?" Her voice was light, but nervous.

"Well, I would like to know who the guy sleeping in your bed is."

She looked confused for a minute. "You don't recognize him?"

"Should I?"

Bella suddenly looked embarrassed. "We did go to high school together," Her voice got slightly hysterical. "Oh my! That was a long time ago! That's probably why you don't remember him."

But Edward was already filing through his memories, trying to see the classmates that he had long forgotten. His memories of high school were always filled with Bella, he left out everyone else. Blond hair, round face. He must have been smaller back then and knew Bella. Perhaps had an interest in her, even then. His eyes widened. "Mike Newton?"

His voice had risen and Bella looked uneasily upstairs. There was no sound. "Of course, Mike Newton. I can't believe you didn't recognize him, considering how much you used to pester me about him."

Edward hardly heard her. "Mike Newton? Seriously?" He couldn't believe it. "I thought you found him annoying and uninteresting?"

She snorted. "I guess I did, didn't I? Oh, poor Mike," She frowned at Edward, but her eyes were playful. "And of course I would find him uninteresting compared to you. But he," She smiled to herself, "he changed, I guess."

Edward sat back, not needing to read Bella's mind to see her rifling through her memories of Mike Newton. She was still smiling and her eyes were soft. She leaned her chin to one shoulder, as if there was a hand there, comforting her. "How did it happen?"

"I didn't really get to know him until after he left for college," She fumbled with her mug, "I went to community college for a couple years and I barely saw him, besides for the summer when we would work together. When I finished my associates degree, I decided to ask him for some college advice. We ended up having lunch together and I found he had really changed since high school," She looked closely at Edward. "Matured, I guess. He wasn't some kid with a mindless crush. He was passionate about classes and he saw ways he could improve his family store."

Edward sighed. "So you started dating?"

She shook her head. "No, but it was a start between us. When I followed him in the fall, he was really helpful and friendly. I found myself taken in by his friends and, well, by him in general," She hesitated then, looking away form Edward. "I didn't think…I would ever find myself in love again," She glanced cautiously at him, as if he would be angry. "When you…left, I thought I would never recover. Jacob was there for me, he was always there for me. But he couldn't heal me. Mike didn't really heal me as much as make me into a new person, a better person. I'm happy with him, Edward, happier than I've been my entire life," She reached out and took his hand, squeezing it gently.

Edward didn't know quite how to feel. He had a sudden, desperate urge to read Bella's mind. He wanted to see these college memories and try to understand them. The Mike from his memory would never suit Bella, but who was he now? Who was Bella now? "I'm glad," He managed to press through his teeth. "I'm glad you're happy. It's all I ever wanted."

She was smiling, but looked close to tears. "Thank you. But I know there must be more that you want," She paused. "I had hoped…that you would have moved on too. Where have you been Edward? What have you seen?"

He looked away, staring out the window. The sun was well above the horizon now. "I haven't seen much in the way of humans or vampires. I've been spending a lot of time in South America, exploring the rain forests and keeping out of sight in the cities."

"Was it beautiful?" She whispered like she was afraid.

"Yes, it was very beautiful," He looked back to her and had the sudden urge to tell her that he missed her every day. That at any moment he could have broken down from the memory of her. He wanted to ask if she thought of him too, especially after marrying. He didn't, he knew he couldn't. "It was nice being in the wilderness, not having to worry about humans. I spent many days in the trees, befriending the tropical birds."

"So you enjoyed yourself?"

No, he wanted to say, never without you. "It was something I have never experienced before. But I can't live like that," Can't live in that emptiness, thinking about you and not thinking about you. "So I came back. I wanted to see my family, catch up with old friends."

Bella smiled, like she was relieved and Edward knew he had spoken correctly. She jumped when she heard someone roaming around the hallway upstairs. "Oh, you better leave. I haven't thought of a good excuse for why you haven't aged in the past ten years."

Edward stood up. "I understand. When can I see you again?"

She grinned, almost impishly. "Just wait until everyone has left. I have a job for you."

Edward stayed nearby all morning. It was strange, watching these people from another life. Bella was…well, she was a mother and wife now. She made breakfast for everyone and they all laughed and talked around the table. The daughter woke up much later and Mike had already gone off to work by that point. Charlie was still working at the police station, though he had obviously aged as well.

The daughter eventually rolled out of bed and went downstairs to only sit in front of the television. She must not have school and Edward wondered what month or day it was. Bella busied herself a bit in the kitchen, then stepped onto the front porch. She looked around the trees and Edward smirked.

"Can I come in?"

She gasped as he appeared behind her. "Edward! Yes, of course," She waved him in, looking over to the living room anxiously.

"Do you want me to meet her?" He asked softly.

She smiled a little and turned to him. "I want you to do more than meet her, you are going to watch her for me."

Edward was confused. "You mean babysit?"

Bella's smile was now wicked. "Yes, I have some errands to run. It will be a couple hours at the longest," She suddenly looked a bit guilty. "I mean, you don't have to."

Edward smiled easily. "Of course I'll watch her. But can I meet her first?"

She walked into the living room. "Can you come here? I would like you to meet someone."

The girl sighed, but followed her mother into the kitchen. Being closer, Edward could see how much like Bella she looked. It was her large eyes and expressive mouth. He was sure she would be the same awkward teenager that Bella was, given a good ten years. The girl hovered close to her mother, looking at Edward warily. "Good morning," Her greeted amiably.

She only nodded and Bella sighed. "Alice, dear, this is Edward. He is a very good friend of mine and he will be watching you for a little bit," She glanced to Edward. "This is Alice."

Edward looked at her surprised. "Alice?" Bella flushed slightly and he smiled. He turned back towards the girl and gave her a warm smile. "Hello, Alice. How old are you?"

She was shy and hid slightly behind her hair. Edward grinned, it was just like Bella. "I'm six and a half," She murmured. She looked up to her mother. "What about Uncle Jake?"

Edward had barely anytime to comprehend the strange statement when he picked up some strange thoughts. 'Why is he there? Oh, God, he can probably read my mind! Why would Bella invite him over?'

Edward turned to Bella. "Are you expecting him? He is just outside."

She sighed, as if preparing for battle. "Alice, go back to the TV, I need to talk with Edward and Jacob."

The girl skipped away, obviously glad to get away from the stranger. Edward turned to the door just as the wolf Jacob approached. "Did you tell him that I can read minds?"

Bella shrugged. "A long time ago," She opened the door. "Jacob, come in."

The man stared at Edward, his mind a jumbled mess. He looked very worn and he was gasping, like he had been running. 'Stupid leech' Edward rolled his eyes and turned back to Bella.

"I'm guessing you want to have our little chat now?"

She smirked, all but forcing the werewolf into a chair. "You read my mind."

"I wish I couldn't read his," The shifter had up a constant litany of curses and other insults. Not that Edward took too much offense, wolves were always known to be rather dim-witted.

Bella glared at the man. "Jacob, be good. Alice is just in the other room and I don't want any trouble."

Edward grinned. "Be a good dog."

The werewolf launched to his feet. "Shut up, leech. And get the hell out of my head!"

Bella shoved him, though it had little effect. "Jacob Black! Control yourself!" She whirled to Edward. "And you, try to act a little less like a child. I'm already taking care of one, I don't need three on my hands," She looked between both of them, her glare steady.

But Edward wasn't paying much attention to her. The wolf seemed to have calmed down enough to stop mentally screaming constant insults, but he was replacing them with a mantra of the Quileute alphabet. "What are you hiding?" Edward asked quickly, catching him off guard.

The shifter flinched, but the thought surfaced almost immediately. It still didn't make much sense.

"Imprint?" Edward mused aloud. "What's that?"

The wolf was panicked now, his thoughts flying out of control. It still didn't make any sense and Edward longed for the calm, mental control of his family. Not that the shifter was willingly trying to share information.

Edward turned to Bella after a moment. "Soul mates? Do you know of this?" He looked back at the wolf, who was avidly avoiding his gaze. "What does this have to do with me?" He knew his voice was getting a bit dangerous, but there was much here to be concerned over.

Bella held up her hands, as if she could placate the growing tension. "Please, Edward, don't jump to conclusions. This is a very serious matter," She looked back to the wolf. "That's why I called you both here. This is something that needs to be addressed."

"It doesn't need to be addressed! It can be ignored!" The shifter nearly shouted. He was trembling, trying to control himself.

"No, it can't," Bella insisted. "Sam and Emily?" She prompted.

Edward was proud of her abilities, now he could examine the flashes of apparently another wolf and his mate. Though the events did little to please him. "What is this? Did you do this to me? You want this from me?"

The shifter suddenly lost all steam. He slumped back into the chair, making it creak under his weight. "It doesn't have to be like that. It really doesn't."

Edward took a step forward. "What is it then?" He hissed. "You're disgusting."

"Edward!" Bella snapped.

The wolf glared up at him. "An imprint doesn't have to be sexual, you mindless bloodsucker!"

Edward saw another wolf and a child. He sneered and backed away. "Children? Your kind are seriously disturbed," He looked to Bella, horrified. "How can you let him be alone with your daughter?"

Bella slapped him. The sound was loud in the kitchen and Edward swore the wolf stopped thinking for a moment, it was so silent. It didn't hurt him and he was sure it probably hurt her. But she glared at him with such intensity, he could almost feel the sting on his cheek. "Stop, just stop," He did stop, he didn't even move. If Bella were a vampire, he was sure he would feel the instinct to run. Even as a human she looked dangerous. "Edward, give Jacob a chance to explain. Pawing through his mind like that is not only extremely annoying, but also very rude. There is a reason for the phrase, 'think before you speak'. Let Jacob think and sort this out," She looked between them, sighing deeply. "There's much we all don't understand."

Edward stared at her, unable to look away. He barely heard her words, the shock of her slap still replaying in her mind. Whether or not she could actually harm him, Bella had never raised a hand to him before. She hardly ever truly resisted him. "I apologize," He found himself saying, though he was unsure who it was directed to.

'She's not the same naïve teenager you knew'

Edward turned to the wolf, but he wasn't expecting the look on his face. It wasn't anger, but he couldn't quite place it. Maybe it was pity, but that didn't make any sense. "I know," He answered.

Bella sat down, obviously assessing the situation less critical. "Would you like me to try to explain to begin with, Jacob?" The wolf nodded, staring at the floor again. She sighed, looking back to Edward. "An imprint is a natural phenomenon that the Quileute werewolves experience. It's very rare, or at least, it used to be. In any case, not a lot of people understand what it's exactly about. You could think about it in terms of soul mates. Once a werewolf looks upon their soul mate, he or she will be bound to them for the rest of their life. He will try to take care of the soul mate, the imprinted, in any way. If it must be a friend, a father, or a lover."

Edward looked to the shifter, whose mind was reflective of Bella's words. "And he did this to me?"

Bella bit her bottom lip. "So it seems."

Edward felt a growl low in his throat. "I highly doubt it. The concept itself is just ridiculous. What proof do you have?"

The wolf shivered. "There are…signs."

It was a replay of their meeting yesterday, though slowly. The shifter was obviously trying to understand it too. Edward couldn't deny that there seemed to be some…moment between them, but an imprint was an extreme conclusion.

"A moment of stress, nothing more," He answered.

The wolf didn't answer, but his mind kept replaying. He was meant to be graceful through the woods, but he found himself suddenly off balance, gravity working in a different direction. He wandered between the trees for hours, unable to concentrate besides for an unbearable need to return to Bella's house and confront Edward.

"I'm still not convinced."

'There is little more I can give as proof. If your ability could read my mental well-being, you would understand.'

Edward sneered. "I don't need a power to tell you have gone insane, dog."

Bella gasped, but he didn't pay attention to her as he watched the shifter completely deflate. There was no fight left in him, there was nothing to gain or lose, just to give up. It made Edward feel almost guilty for insulting him, which was a strange reaction indeed.

He swallowed thickly, deciding to move this conversation on. "It's compulsive," He stated.

The wolf nodded minutely and Edward found himself a little relieved. At least the wolf didn't want Edward to be his soul mate.

"But it's not random," Bella cut in. "You must understand that, Edward. Jacob imprinted on you, nature has decided that you are both…very well suited for each other," She said the words slowly, as if tasting them.

Edward snorted. "A vampire and a werewolf. Nature has gotten sloppy. Of course, our kind have never really been inside the realm of the natural."

Bella leaned forward, trying to reach him. "Call it destiny, then. The fact is, it has happened."

"Why can't we just ignore it then, like he suggested?" Edward hated using the wolf's idea. "I certainly don't want any more involvement with werewolves than I have already."

He didn't expect the shifter's reaction. The man hardly moved, but Edward could tell he was in a great deal of stress. His mind was chaotic, as two parts of him battled. One side, the one that had spoken out earlier, agreed and wanted to take the plan into action immediately. The other side, Edward guessed the imprint, rejected it so completely that it caused him physical pain.

Eventually the wolf leaned over and rested his head on the table, groaning from the effort. Bella immediately stood up to try to help him, but Edward could read his mind. The wolf could avoid him, as he had already done for the last day or so, but it had already taken a toll. His mind was utterly restless, unable to concentrate for any length of time. He couldn't eat, his head making him nauseous. Sleeping was out of the question. It was more than not seeing his imprint, it was that both he and Edward had yet to accept it.

It became very clear to Edward, in those few seconds, that the shifter would not survive ignoring his imprint. It would be like ignoring an empty stomach or a fatal injury. Edward's mind worked very quickly, trying to decipher an answer he already knew. The thought alone of weighing the benefits of the wolf's death was sickening.

"Jacob," The man's gaze immediately locked to his, even as his head continued to lay resting. Edward couldn't believe he was about to do this for a werewolf. But at that moment, Jacob didn't look like a werewolf, he looked like a person. No. He looked like Bella.

Jacob was gazing at him with those same eyes she had, full of fear and trust and the fear of trust. Bella never felt worthy of Edward, but she held on to him with white knuckles. It hurt for her to have him and the thought of not having him was inconceivable. Jacob had, unwillingly, place this fragile trust in him. And now Edward had to take the role he thought was lost in high school.

"Jacob, I will not forsake you."

He didn't know what the right words were, but the chaos of the wolf's mind ceased. Jacob apparently didn't know what to say in response, his own mind a buzzing emptiness.

Edward looked to Bella, who was completely shocked at the turn of events. "Excuse me for a moment."

He walked slowly from the room, up the stairs, and into Bella's old room. He closed the door behind him, grateful that he didn't smash it through the hinges. He wanted to destroy something, desperately. But he daren't, in the child's room. Instead, he located a rocking chair, not the same one he remembered, and settled himself in it.

He knew it was a strange choice to come in here, especially since Alice Newton obviously claimed it. There were toys thrown across the floor, dolls and horses, and other girly things. Her open closet was cluttered with dress up clothes and other toys.

But it still smelled like Bella and it still reminded him of the nights when he would come in here to watch her sleep. So fascinated by the girl, that he broke some serious rules of propriety in order to absorb her presence a few more hours.

It was simple then. She was interested in him and he in her. There was no messy imprint to get in their way. They could love each other or they could not. And that made it all the better and stronger.

There was a timid knock on his door and he looked up to see Bella slowly enter. "I knew you would be here."

He smiled, but it felt weak and fake. "I like Alice's redecorating."

"Yes, she does have a bit of a different personality than I did," She absently began picking up the floor and putting things away. "She's really friendly, if given some time. She adores 'Uncle Jake', thinks he is a big puppy dog," She grinned. "I guess he is."

"Does she know?" He asked softly.

Bella shrugged. "She hasn't asked, so I guess she doesn't suspect anything. I'll think of something to tell her, when the time comes," She glanced at Edward. "Charlie knows. It's been good to have him in on the secret, in case of trouble."

"Has there been trouble?"

"Not for a long time," She soothed. "Unless you count reckless werewolves destroying the front door," She sat on the bed, giving Edward a hard look. "You didn't have to do that," She whispered.

He looked away, examining a baby doll on the floor with lipstick stains. "Yes, I did."

"You shouldn't feel forced-"

"But it is forced," He looked up at Bella. "Isn't that the point?"

"Does my blood still smell good to you?" She asked suddenly.

He was momentarily thrown by the question. "Of course it does."

"When you first met me, was it overwhelming?"

"Why-?"

"Just answer, Edward," She admonished gently.

He frowned. "It was more than overwhelming, it was consuming. I nearly killed you, the first time I saw you."

"But you resisted. You talked to me."

"I wanted to know who you were. I couldn't read you mind and your blood was enchanting. I had to figure you out."

She sighed. "What if my blood smelled just like anyone body else's? What if you could read my mind? Do you think you would talk to me? Or acknowledge me in any way?"

He sputtered a bit. "Well, I would hope-"

"You wouldn't, Edward, you didn't talk to anyone in that school besides for your family. Please understand Edward."

He pursed his lips. "Your scent and mind are not the same as an imprint. I could have left you at any moment. In fact, I did."

His words made them both flinch. Bella wrapped her arms around her, as if to stave off a sudden chill. Edward felt so empty inside that it hurt.

"I'm sorry, I-"

"It's okay, Edward. I know what you mean," She sighed, trying to shake off the feeling. "I know it isn't exactly the same. But you have to admit, it was a very large coincidence. More than a coincidence, it was destiny, the way we came together. This imprint is similar in that way. Think of it not as a contract, but as an opportunity," She attempted a smile. "I can't presume how you are feeling. But to say the least, Jacob is very intrigued by you."

Edward snorted. "Intrigued?"

She shrugged, "He has just gotten a very clear sign that you and him are forever linked. Werewolf, vampire, man, or whatever, that is intriguing."

She leaned back on the bed, staring out the window. Edward wondered how she still knew when to be quiet and let him think. It had been so long since she interacted with him, yet talking or just being together could still come so easily. Sometimes.

"What do you think?" He murmured.

She inhaled, as if to speak, but paused a moment more. "Did you know that I have seen both of you climb through this window?"

"Really?" He felt disturbed, though he was unsure in what manner.

She nodded, smiling to herself. "And I've had you both stand in this room, in the middle of the night, at tell me you were too dangerous to be around," Edward didn't know what he had to say to that, so he waited for her to continue. "The more I live, the more I think chance and coincidence is just a myth. And fate or destiny are not some unseen magic, but simply the way we live. Where we go, who we meet, how we act; that's fate," She looked at him, as if she were perplexed by her own words, "that's life."

They stared at each other in silence and for the first time in his long life, Edward was not trying to read her mind. Light steps up the stairs caused them both to look to the door. It opened to a timid Alice, who stared at them confused. "Uncle Jake said I could play with his hair. Can I have my stuff?"

Bella stood up, smiling, "Of course. But I expect you to put your things away when you're done. I don't like to come up here and find the place a mess."

Alice nodded quickly, shooting Edward confused glances. She stepped into the room and retrieved a bright purple box. She quickly turned around a sprinted down the stairs. Edward let himself chuckle lightly. "Play with his hair?"

Bella rolled her eyes. "Don't tease him too much, Alice has few female figures in her life. I'm just glad she doesn't want to play dress up with me."

Edward stood up. "I doubt you'd let her," She only gave him a withering look. "On another note, I'm glad she didn't inherit your terrible balance. I doubt you could run down the stairs without breaking your arm."

She slapped him lightly on the arm. "I'm not that bad," She looked to say more, but a pained expressed stretched across her features. Edward put a hand on her shoulder.

"What is it?" She was suddenly very pale.

She shook off his arm. "Oh, just a headache. I get them sometimes," She winced. "Feels a bit worse than usual, maybe I'll lie down before heading out," She gave him a weak smile. "You don't have to stay. But check on Alice and Jacob before you leave," She walked slowly to her bedroom.

Edward didn't like the look on her face, but her voice held no concern. If it was thirteen years earlier, he would have insisted some medical treatment. As it was, he remembered her anger in the kitchen not to long ago. He knew that he had to learn to trust her more. After all, she was much older and knew herself more than he realized.

He peeked into the living room, mostly out of sheer curiosity. Sure enough, Jacob was on the floor with the little girl on the couch behind him, carefully weaving ribbons into his long, black hair. The man could tell immediately when Edward entered the room. He flinched, but did not move.

'Not one word, leech.'

"Then give me none," He replied back. Alice turned around, confused.

"What?"

Edward smiled, taking a seat beside her. "Nothing, just talking to myself," He looked at the purple box she had retrieved from the room. It was filled with other random baubles and pins and combs. She apparently took this very seriously, as she only shrugged before continuing her task.

"Do you need help?" He asked causally and he could feel Jacob tense, ready for a fight.

Alice shrugged. "You could do one, if you want."

Edward reached into the box and pulled out a shockingly pink ribbon. He could feel the werewolf's eyes on him, very wary. "Do you know how to French braid?"

The girl frowned. "What's that?"

"I'll show you," He began a section of hair, ignoring the way Jacob's arm was twitching from the sensation.

Alice was instantly enthralled. "Wait! Slow down," She undid her own braid, trying to follow Edward with clumsy fingers.

"Since when did you become so girly?" Jacob muttered sarcastically.

Edward chuckled. "Says the man currently getting a make-over."

'It's not a make-over, it's just play.' His mind was defensive.

"Whatever you say. And I'll have you know that it is impossible to live under the same roof with my sister without picking up a few new techniques."

Alice was pinching Jacob, though the wolf didn't seem to notice. "You have a sister?"

Edward looked at her, wondering at her genuine interest. "Yes, her name is the same as yours, actually."

The girl stopped and smiled up at him. "I wish I had a sister. I would dress her up everyday."

Edward smiled, wishing his sister would come and see her namesake. They would instantly be friends, he could tell. "Well, you have Jacob, right?"

The man actually growled, but Alice apparently didn't notice. "Yeah, but Uncle Jake won't let me put make-up on him again."

Edward snorted, dangerously close to losing himself to a childish fit of giggles. "Really? So he let you do it once?"

'Watch it,' The threat was empty, though not lacking in vehemence.

Alice sighed dramatically. "He looked really good too!" Edward actually had to hold his breath in order to keep himself from bursting. "But then grandpa came in and made fun of him," She fiddled with the ends of the ribbon. "I bet he would look really good in one of mommy's dresses too."

Edward put a hand over his mouth, giving into to a silent fit. Alice didn't seem to notice, concentrating on making another French braid.

'Just you wait until she comes to you, begging, with actual tears in her eyes. You'll hear it from me when I find you sitting here, letting her put glitter on your cheeks.'

"I don't need her for that," He whispered, too soft for the girl to hear.

'What?' That thought was unbidden.

Edward turned to the box, pulling out a lavish tiara. "Well, Alice, we can still turn his head into a princess."

It didn't take long for Jacob, complete with an elaborate hairstyle, to fall asleep on the floor. Alice was still very pleased, despite her subject's obvious disinterest. She turned to Edward eagerly. "Wanna play with me in my room?"

He nodded, following her up the stairs. He briefly wondered if he was getting into a situation like Jacob's. Though he at least had the comfort that Bella had already left and wouldn't have to witness any sort of embarrassment.

Alice pulled out a board game, to Edward's relief. It was a game made completely form chance, so he didn't have to worry about cheating by reading her mind. He actually found it more enjoyable than he'd thought. Alice was a charm, mostly because her mind was so in tune with her mouth. Like most children, she would think what she would say and say what she thought. It was comforting, not to have to listen to the digression between the two that so many adults had the habit of doing.

"Are you friends with my mommy?" She asked, watching Edward move his pieces across the board.

"Yes, I believe we are," He listened to her mind work and decided to answer before she voiced the question she felt embarrassed about. "You can call me Uncle Edward, if it pleases you. But I would really prefer just Edward."

She smiled. "Okay, Edward!" She took her turn, waiting until his next move before striking again. "Did you know her a long time ago?"

He thought it was a strange question, but children, particularly this one, were eccentric. "Yes, about thirteen years ago. We were very close then."

Alice's eyes suddenly lit up. She blurted out the words without even thinking first, catching Edward completely off guard. "I think I have a picture of you!"

She scrambled on her knees to the center of her floor, only just cleared a couple hours ago by her mother. She felt carefully along the floorboards and Edward suddenly knew what was about to happen.

Alice pulled up a loose one and reached into the hole to pull out a few dusty pictures. She grinned happily, holding them out to herself and comparing them. "It is you!"

She held them out to Edward and he numbly took them from her. He remembered that time, certainly, but seeing it was an entirely different matter. He was with Bella, at the fireplace. Her face was strained, forcing a smile. Edward looked miserable. He remembered that photo, the conflicting feelings of wishing her could pull Bella closer and feeling repulsed by it at the same time. Another one showed just him on the couch and he knew what he was thinking. How long? How long until I leave?

He looked back to Alice, who looked a bit concerned. "Isn't it you?"

He couldn't deny it, his appearance certainly never changed. "Does your mother know you have these?"

Alice looked guilty. "No. Are you going to tell her?"

He looked back to the teenage Bella in the photo. She looked scared, weak, and desperate. "I won't, if you won't."

Jacob was still sleeping when Bella came home. Alice bounced into her mother's arms. "I'm hungry and Edward always loses at Candyland," She blurted out as Bella grinned.

"It's a game of chance," He muttered, but Bella didn't hear.

"Well, its high time for some lunch, I guess. Must not let Edward get too beaten down, have to think of his feelings," She smiled at Edward. "I'm guessing Jacob passed out on his own and there wasn't any trouble?"

He shrugged. "We've been upstairs for most of the afternoon."

"Well, go see if he conscious enough to eat."

Edward raised an eyebrow. "And if he isn't?"

Bella put Alice on the floor, letting the girl run into the kitchen. "Let him rest, he doesn't sleep well these days."

She had turned away before Edward spoke. "Because of me?"

She hesitated, looking over to the living room, though she could not see Jacob lying on the floor. "More than that. For years now I've heard howling in the night," She glanced at Edward over her shoulder. "I used to know the reasons, but I think I've forgotten them. Ask him about it, if you could."

"He would answer me?" But Bella has already drifted into the kitchen and pretended not to hear him.

Taking in a deep breath, Edward walked over to the couch, peering over the edge to the floor. The shifter was still sleeping, his heart rate slow and his mind a swirling blackness; a deep sleep. Edward looked towards the kitchen, hearing Bella chat with her daughter and put together sandwiches. From the other room, Edward could hear their shared inflections and similar pitch and tone. Every time he discovered a correlation between the two, he couldn't help but feel a small swell of happiness. But then Bella's face, from the picture her daughter had found, rose to his mind and bitterness crested over in his chest. He knew he should go into the kitchen, he had no reason to linger. But he couldn't make himself move, still seeing her young, frightened eyes in his mind.

It didn't take long for Bella to step out, glancing over the couch at Jacob. Her face softened, similar to how she looked at her daughter. She whispered to Edward, who had still not moved. "Mike called before I got back, said the store was slow and wouldn't mind some company. We are going to head out with some lunch. I would ask you to go…" She trailed off.

"I wouldn't want to be a complication," Edward murmured. He wanted to spend more time with Bella, but there would be tomorrow or the day after that. He had no reason to meet Mike Newton.

She smiled. "You were always the gentleman," She laughed, like she made some joke. "I don't think I ever really appreciated that before," She put a hand on his shoulder, glancing at the werewolf. "Do you mind sticking around until he wakes? I left some lunch for him in the kitchen. We won't be back until dinner. Alice has a ballet lesson this afternoon as well." She hesitated. "If he is still sleeping when someone comes home, just let him be."

Edward put a hand over hers. "And where would you like me?"

For a moment, Bella looked close to tears, but the moment passed as swiftly as it came. "Wherever you are happy, Edward."

She left with Alice, and Edward moved listlessly around the house. Another empty house, he was growing tired of that. But, he had to remind himself, it wasn't entirely empty. The wolf began to snore in the living room and Edward found himself settling by the couch.

Jacob had rolled over onto his back, perhaps triggering the snoring. He was dreaming now too. Edward leaned forward, having very little experience in reading dreams. They started out short and disjointed. Often just flickers of movement or random sounds. Then the emotions took control. Edward couldn't understand why certain scenes or images lead to such intense emotions. An old man in a wheelchair, probably Jacob's father, made his heart race and temperature spike. Anger, Edward guessed, a burning anger. Later, Bella walking down the beach, warily watching the waves, made his jaw tighten and fingers flex. That was pain, a lot of it.

When he dreamt of Edward, he never really dreamt of his image. Just a scent, a scent of something that made Jacob breathe in deeply, but still grimace. Edward couldn't tell what he smelled like to Jacob. His gift, though giving him insight to emotions, wasn't empathetic. And in the frenzied moments of dreaming, it was made impossible.

It suddenly occurred to Edward that Jacob's scent wasn't as repulsive as he remembered. When they first faced, just yesterday in the hallway, Jacob had smelt of something bitter and rotten. Like turning up a log after a long rain. Disgusting.

But now the wolf smelled softer, not pleasant, but tolerable. It was mostly animal, earthy and wild. It was still bitter, but not rancid. Alive. Edward thought it was strange that most living creatures made him thirst. Even his tolerance for Bella's scent had its limit. But he did not desire Jacob's blood, nor was he repulsed by it, at this moment. He could hear it flowing through the body, swollen and warm, up and down, over and over. Even as he concentrated on it, Edward did not feel the usual burn.

'Is it a hobby to stare at people while they sleep? Or a leech defect?'

It took a half a second before Jacob said the words aloud, his voice slurred with sleep. Edward was so engrossed in his own thoughts that he hadn't realized the wolf was waking. "I was trying to figure out if your snoring was damaging your hearing and if I should suffocate you to put you out of your misery."

Jacob snorted. A memory flashed of a girl, a sister probably, bursting into the shifter's room in the middle of the night and throwing pillows at him until he chased her out. "I wasn't snoring, it's a warning for enemies near to not disturb the sleeping wolf," He rolled over, rubbing his face wearily.

"Ah, a like a war cry, I see. Very effective."

Jacob yawned. "Shut up," He was obviously out of wit.

Edward stood up. "Bella left you lunch in the kitchen," He turned towards the hallway.

'Where are you going?' The question was unbidden and he looked to see Jacob grumbling, trying to cover for himself.

"Out. Bella requested I stay until you woke."

"Whatever, I don't need a babysitter," But he was still curious. Edward decided not to answer his thoughts, mostly because he really didn't have a place to go.

He had a hand on the door before he decided to say something. "Oh, Jacob," It was almost amusing how Jacob automatically perked up to his name, but mentally tried to crush himself down at the same time to Edward's voice. "You should probably check the mirror. You might stop traffic otherwise."

He grinned, hearing the wolf growl and tear the tiara from his head.