BPOV

It was an overwhelming amount to think about, so I decided to wait until later. There were some things that I just had to know in order not to faint. Edward was good, no matter what he was. Mike was dead and he would never hurt us again. And even if I did die tonight, it would be under the hand of someone that I loved more than I could possibly describe, and that was all I could ask for. I closed my eyes, inhaling the sweet scent that was my hero, Edward.

EPOV

The thirst overwhelmed me. She was just so close to me, so fragile. He fragrance danced around me as I flew through the forest. I tried very hard to focus on only the speed at which I was running, but that hardly distracted me. Bella Swan had to live. I knew this simple fact, so I pushed myself forward.

I was torturing myself, being this close to her. She was dazed and confused – acceptable after nearly being killed – and I had just told her something that must have sounded as though it came from a comic book of some sort. And she didn't care. No, I told myself firmly. I would not be hopeful. Bella would run from me once this settled in.

Oh, how I wished that I knew what she was thinking!

I wanted to know, now more than ever before. Would she tell the secret protected by werewolves and vampires alike, the nightmares protected from fragile humans? How could she still love a monster such as me? How could anyone? She was the most important thing to me ever in my existence, for no one had touched my heart so much.

I must not think of such things. Bella would break me soon, and I could not dwell on the facts that I wished mattered. So what if I loved her? She would never love me. Why should I have such feelings for someone who would never have the same in return? It hardly seemed fair. I should have died back in the clearing, protecting her. Even better, I should have died over eighty years ago. If that had been true, Bella would not be hurt riding through the forest on a monster after escaping death with inches to spare…

It was my entire fault! How could I not have heard that… that monster approaching us?

I knew the answer, I was too intoxicated with the beautiful girl draped over my back. I loved her. I shut the thought from my mind yet again, grateful for the fact that at least she couldn't hear my thoughts. She never would, after all because she was human.

Her breathing became heavier as she slowly fell asleep.

Part of me felt so happy. She was comfortable with me, she was asleep on my back.

The other part was too reasonable. She was tired because she had narrowly escaped death. It was only natural that she should sleep, even if it was on a monster.

It doesn't matter.

What did she know? Bella would have to know the truth. Even if she was strange enough to still care for my for the horrible creature that I was, she would have to know the facts before she stayed with me. The chances were slim, but they were still chances. My dead heart seemed to flutter slightly.

No.

Even if for some strange reason that did happen, I could not permit it. She deserved better than me. She always would.

The trees thinned and I saw our house stretch infront of us.

Us. What a beautiful word that was… and it would be turned to "I" in a few moments.

I sucked in her fragrance intentionally, and almost embraced the fire. No one had touched me as she had. No one would cause this fire to rage as she did. I would take the fire, every single second of it, to let Bella be happy. There was no way that the deal could be arranged that way.

JPOV

"How can you be blind?" I asked Alice in disbelief.

"I'm not sure!" she said.

I felt her anguish and her sense of being powerless. It hurt me to witness her breaking down like this.

"I'm worried, Jazz." She whispered.

I stared at her. I was worried too.

"Edward…" she began.

"I know."

"We should go and see him. I have to check on him."

"Agreed."

"We should tell Carlisle-," she started.

The familiar blank look came on her face. I sighed in content, but also in worry. She had her sight back, but who knows what she had seen.

Alice ran out the door before I could even sense the problem. I caught the too-familiar scent of the human and backed up a little. Edward was walking towards us, and she was limp on his back. Her blood covered him slightly and her hand was sticking out at an odd degree. They were both covered in earth. I knew what had happened instantly.

I recognised the problem just a mere second before I caught the scent of the blood. The fire roared like never before, and I couldn't control the attack I was planning.

"Jazz." Alice whispered.

Her voice sent the scent away from me. Her emotions were wary and fully of love and concern. She loved me, and she loved the girl. She would never want me to hurt her. I tried swallowing the pool of venom in my mouth, but that only made the fire stronger. I snarled, and tried very hard to resist.

Strong hands wrapped around my arm and pulled me back gently. I went willingly, not wanting to upset anyone. I realised that it was Emmett holding me, and I was grateful. I walked away easily.

EPOV

I lowered Bella to the chair in our living room. Alice, Carlisle, Esme and Emmett were crowding around. Rose was sulking upstairs and Jasper had gone outside. Bella just whimpered when I set her down. I had to free her good hand from the collar of my shirt.

I felt the pang of regret that she wanted to hold onto me, and then pushed it away. I wasn't masochistic, I didn't want to torture myself further.

But, I reasoned, these past few weeks just being in her happy presence was worth the pain it would cause me later. So long as she was happy, I could survive.

I had more pressing matters to deal with, though. They were all curious. They all wondered what had happened.

How did I not see this? How indeed, Alice.

Maybe he'll change her… I glared at Emmett.

That looks like a broken wrist… maybe a x-ray just to be sure… I was thankful that I didn't need to glare at Carlisle. At least his thoughts were on the right topic.

Poor Edward.

Now I couldn't help glaring at Esme too. Who was she to worry about me when Bella was hurt and most likely terrified? I recoiled my vicious glare when I saw that she was frightened of me. This, I was ashamed of among many other things.

"Why didn't you help us?" I asked quietly to Alice.

"I didn't see, Edward!" she whimpered.

"And why would that be?"

"How should I know?"

"You picked an awful good time to be blind." I said rudely.

"Go ahead and blame this on me." Alice began to cry tearless sobs.

I was too irritated to be sorry for my words.

The blood is so sweet…" Her thoughts strayed from her hurt.

This pushed me over the edge I was clinging to.

"Get the hell out of here!" I yelled.

"Gladly." She said coldly.

I would never hurt her, she loves me, or she will someday… You smell it too, Edward. I was never going to do anything. It's bad enough that we can't do anything here without being scolded, but even my THOUGHTS, my frickin' THOUGHTS can't be bad. Leave me alone. I won't leave her alone.

I growled.

My yelling had awoken my angel. She stirred and muttered my name once. She seemed shocked at being surrounded by us, but she coped. Bella propped herself on her good arm.

"Did I fall asleep?" she asked guiltily.

"You have every intention to." I murmured.

She opened her mouth to speak. I rested one finger on her warm lips.

"Please. Let us fix you up a little. There is time for explanations. I promise." I swore.

"Okay." She murmured against my lips.

The warmth was so pleasant, even in such conditions. I was going to miss it greatly.