I thought I got this chapter done pretty fast....

So Enjoy!

I don't own Twilight.

I stared up at the forest blankly as we flew, the wind whipping the tendrils of my hair out behind us like fire. Edward ran, driven by some unseen fury, his eyes shifting between my face and the forest ahead. The trees formed a tunnel around us, taking us to some place unknown to me. He didn't talk, and neither did I, for he seemed to be so furious that I was afraid to even ask a question, though I doubt he'd hurt me.

But how was he accomplishing this?

How was he able to go so fast, be so strong? He moved with an inhuman grace, so that the his hair seemed to be the only human part of him left. Just then, something small and white flew past us, something I barely recognized as.... Alice?

Was I dreaming? Was it exhaustion, loss of blood? Or was I awake and aware?

The searing pain that I still felt coursing through my leg in time with my heartbeat helped my case of being awake, of being sane. Then just what were the Cullens?

My mind flashed to the image of Jasper, crouching down, snarling, ready to attack. Edward, standing before me, answering that sound, with something more animal than human.

It was definitely not normal.

Something was going on with this family, and I was going to find out what... eventually.

As I pondered this, the green roof above me briefly changed to gray, and then to white; a warm, high ceilinged white room with a grand piano sitting in the corner. My eyes focused on a tall man with gold hair who was standing just inside the door, his face serious. Edward, without a word, handed me over to him. The man looked down at me and smiled kindly. "Hello, Bella. I'm Carlisle, Edward's father. I'm going to fix your leg."

My eyes shot to Edward's. How am I supposed to trust this guy, that he won't hurt me? I could only take his word for it... and that was never enough.

Edward's face softened, and he reached over and took my hand. Squeezing it slightly, he attempted to reassure me. "He's not going to hurt you, and I'm not going to leave."

The second half seemed more to himself than to me, but it did help a bit. If Edward was here, no one could hurt me. Well, in theory. I would always need to be en garde.

Carlisle or whatever his name was sensed my unspoken consent, and carried me over into another room, where a large mahogany table sat, a single bag sitting on one of the chairs. He sat me down gently on top of it, next to the bag. I watched Carlisle carefully, my eyes slightly suspicious. I was thinking while I looked, only half there, until I saw the flash of a needle being pulled from the bag, and jumped, tense again.

"I'm just going to numb your leg," he said quietly. "I doubt you want to go through any more pain."

I guess that was okay... As long as it wasn't a sedative. Slowly and awkwardly, I leaned back onto the tabletop, and closed my eyes. I felt someone's hands on my wounded leg, removing the temporary bandage Edward had made. This made me stiffen up, but I clenched my fists and forced my eyes to remain shut. Someone was talking... it sounded like Edward.

"I'm not sure, but it seems to be a sharpshooter."

I hadn't even realized Carlisle had asked a question... I must've missed it. Just then, I felt a tiny, sharp pain shoot through my leg, dangerously close to the bullet wound. That was too much. I gasped loudly, and the struggle to keep my eyes closed ceased; they flew open to see Edward's face hovering above mine, his eyes concerned. "Just relax."

I began to close my eyes again, but stopped when I saw from my peripheral vision that Carlisle was pulling more tools out of his bag. All of them looked like torture instruments. I attempted reason, but I could only see Carlisle with an evil scientist smile, chopping my leg off... or worse. I was having an internal panic attack when I felt something blowing across my face.

It was Edward, leaning in close, his cool breath caressing my face. "Bella, go to sleep."

The sweet smell filled my lungs, and made me feel slightly high. My eyes threatened to shut, and exhaustion threatened to overcome me, but I forced it back.

"Bella," he said again. "He's not going to hurt you. You won't feel a thing. Go to sleep, love."

Wait... pause. Did he just call me love?

Does he like me back?

Forcing those thoughts from my mind, I looked at him. "I want to be awake for this."

He raised his eyebrows, his eyes probing. "Why?"

I needed to be aware, just in case Charlie came again, so that I could protect Edward and myself this time. If I fell asleep, the next time I woke up, Edward would be gone, and Charlie would be here, standing over me, ready to kill. I would die, Edward would...

Sleeping is the only time a person is completely unguarded and vulnerable, completely oblivious to the outside world. I wouldn't be that way. Not now.

I looked down at my hands , then up at him, feeling embarrassed to admit my feelings. "Because... I'm afraid to close my eyes." I got deathly quiet at the end, hoping he wouldn't catch it.

But he did. I felt his cold hand under my chin, lifting my face up for him to see. His eyes showed understanding. He knew exactly what I was talking about. "I'm not going to let him come near you again."

I nodded, I trusted him. But did he have no self preservation at all? "What about you?" I muttered to myself. "What will happen to you?"

I looked up to see his eyes amused, his mouth twisted to hide a smile. "I'll be fine. I have a very hard head."

Carlisle chuckled softly. What were they seeing that I wasn't?

Edward was staring at Carlisle for about a second, and then looked back down at me, his brow furrowing. His face became serious again. "Bella, I promise, I swear on my existence that I will not leave your side the entire time you are asleep. Go to sleep."

I was just about to say something when a sudden wave of exhaustion hit me, and I felt myself falling backwards, onto the table, Edward's hands catching me and setting me down slowly.

As he did, as I drifted I heard a single growl coming from his chest, I could feel the vibrations in his hands. He said one thing, not to me or Carlisle, but to someone else.

"Even so, stay away from here."

Then I fell into black slumber.

Here's a quetion for all of you people.... about a chapter of mine. Do YOU think I should do a surgical one for the removing of the bullet, or should I just have her wake up afterwards? Your choice... tell me when you review.

Cyber hugs to all!!!!