Chapter 14 – Enemies (Blair's POV)

"Be kind to unkind people, they need it the most."

"So we're going?" I ask Edward in disbelief.

"Right now! Let's go to New York check on Chuck and then let's begin our afterlives together," Edward says grinning wickedly.

I pause, "What's changed? Why so suddenly eager?"

Edward grabs my hands and pulls me to my feet, "because Alice was right."

"Isn't she always?" I murmur.

"Blair, I'm falling in love with you. You were sent to me and my family. I'm done with the games and the misery, I just want to be with you," Edward stares so intently into my eyes that I have to look away.

"But the brooding looked so good on you," I smile at my pathetic attempt at a joke.

Edward doesn't seem amused, "I thought this is what you wanted?"

I realize that I've hurt him, "I do. You know I do. I love you too." I wrap my arms around his neck and allow myself to sink into the happiness. I realize that once I sort Chuck out, I finally have a real shot at being happy. I can travel the world with Edward and the Cullens. Stay young and youthful forever. I attempt to break away from the kiss but Edward pulls me back. His hands wander the length of me and I feel him smile against my lips. Happily I give into him and together we sink onto the couch.

"The wise learn many things from their enemies."

"So New York?" Edward asks, "Any place we can stay without being noticed?"

I shake my head, "Let's just pass through and then go home."

We are wandering down the driveway hand in hand. The rain has stopped and stars glitter the night sky. I'm giddy. So is Edward. I haven't seen him so happy. And I'm the cause. I don't think I've ever been the cause of happiness.

Edward pauses suddenly his body frozen in stone, he is defensive. I freeze two, sensing danger.

"Jacob," Edward whispers.

"The wolf?" I ask.

"The very one," Jacob appears from the darkness. Edward drops my hand and stands between me a Jacob.

"Jacob," Edward begins, "we don't need to do this."

Edward is reading his thoughts. Clearly Jacob had an agenda.

"Do what?" I ask. Edward waves a hand at me dismissively

"You came alone?" Edward says, "Why would you do that?"

"There are more?" I ask. Edward turns to meet my eyes.

"Blair, please," he says sternly, leaving me feeling like an interruptive child.

"The pact has no interest in harming you unless a law is broken," Jacob says, "according to them, you bloodsuckers can come and go as you please. Despite what it may do to others."

"I had no plans for her to see me, I was just checking up on her," Edward says to Jacob.

"You gave up that right when you broke her heart," Jacob steps towards Edward, "even if she can't see you. She can feel you."

"Feel me?" Edward asks.

"Today, she was different. Distracted. She kept looking around like she felt someone was behind her. I knew it was a long shot but I had a feeling that it meant you were back," Jacob steps closer to Edward.

"I'm not back. I'm just passing through," Edward says, "We're leaving now."

Jacob's eyes flicker to me, "Let's talk about the we. Who are you?"

Edward steps towards Jacob, the gap between the two now only and arms reach apart, "She's not your concern."

"Well Bella's not yours anymore," Jacob says, "clearly."

"What are you implying Jacob?" Edward asks.

"You left her, in a ditch in the woods. Do you have any idea what she went through? The broken shell she became. We thought she was going to need to be committed. She screamed in terror through the nights," Jacob's voice grows stronger and more heated.

"I thought it for the best," Edward whispers.

"We finally have her talking and eating again and you come back here, and risk her seeing you. And what's worse; risk her seeing your new girlfriend? Did you change the first girl you saw in order to replace Bella?" Jacob's eyes are on me again.

"It's not like that?" Edward reasons, "She was dying. Carlisle saved her."

"So naturally, you had to start a relationship with her?" Jacob shot back.

"What?" Edward asks.

"How did you…?" I begin.

"He saw us before," Edward whispers. He is reading Jacob's thoughts again. I'm somewhat embarrassed and horrified but know better than to talk up.

"She'll never be over you vamp! She's survived and exists, but she'll never be like she was before. So if coming back here was some attempt at closure to rid yourself of any guilt you may have had in order to keep doing your new friend, think again," Jacob reaches out and grabs Edward by the collar, "you don't deserve any type of happiness or contentment after what you've done to her."

Edward makes no move to defend himself. I jump forward, ripping Jacob away from Edward.

"Enough!" I say.

Jacob starts to back away into the woods, "you come back again and I'll kill you. To hell with the treaty! Leave her alone. It's the best you can do."

I watch as Jacob takes off into the night. I turn to Edward who is standing still, having not moved since I released him from Jacob's hold.

"Edward?" I ask quietly.

"I'm a fool," Edward mutters.

"Don't listen to him," I say, "he was trying to hurt you."

"It wasn't what he said. I don't deserve happiness. I can't believe I let myself get caught up in this," he motions between the two of us.

"You're not," I plead, "Please Edward, you saw her today she was fine. He's lying."

"You don't get it!" Edward snaps and suddenly he is front of me, his hands pinning my arms to my side, "I saw her Blair, in his thoughts. She nearly died after what I did to her. I don't deserve any happiness! I was stupid to think that she'd be ok, and that I was allowed the luxury of loving someone else and moving on."

"You are allowed it!" I protest.

"Blair, forget me. You deserve better," Edward says.

I suddenly feel as though if it weren't for Edward's hands on my arms I may have fallen in a heap, "We're back to this?" I whisper, "Right when we were going to be so happy."

I watch as pain flickers across Edward's face, and I know he loves me, but he still shakes his head, "I can't Blair, not after what I've done to her."

"But-" I begin.

"No! Blair, don't you see, I thought she's forget, like any other human. I thought her memories would fade, but they haven't. I was naïve," Edward releases me and I step back away from him, "I do love you Blair, but I love her too. I don't deserve either of you."

I blink away tears, my heart breaking just after being repaired. What now? I'm isolated from my loved ones again.

"Go back to London. Tell the others that I need to be alone for a while. You stay with them, I'll make sure to keep my distance," Edward says.

"Edwa-" I begin but his already gone. I wipe the tears from my face in disbelief. How quickly life can change. Hitting send on an email, ended my social life. A truck driver missing a stop sign ended my life. A wolf revealing the heartache of Bella ends my after-love-life.

I thought her memories would fade, but they haven't…

Suddenly I realize what I need to do.