Author's Note: So finally here it is…the Simon/Edward chat, I found this chapter fun to write as it gave Edward the chance to explain his actions to someone who wasn't Bella. I hope you all enjoy it too.

This chapter I want to dedicate to Lionnara (again I know) as they have supported this story from the beginning and written me many lovely reviews. Thank you very much Lionnara and everyone else that reads/reviews this story, it really does mean a lot to me.

Also I still need a beta, so if you're interested please let me know, or if you know someone to suggest to me please do that also.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything Twilight, Stephanie Meyer does (lucky girl). I'm just messing around with her creations for a while.

Chapter Seventeen

Simon P.O.V

I left a rather anxious Bella in the house as I ran to catch Edward before he left with the rest of his family. I knew Bella didn't approve but I needed to get some things off my chest and if he and Bella were to get back together again then me and him would need to be at least civil to each other.

I wasn't too surprised to see him waiting for me outside (Alice must have told him I wanted to talk to him). I decided to try and put the anger I felt towards him to one side, as I knew I had to get on more civil terms with him for Bella's sake.

"I agree." Edward said.

I felt another stab of anger at his blatant intrusion of my mind and I thought I saw him smirk slightly at my most current thought. I really did not like this man - I couldn't help the thought as it crossed my mind.

"I don't much care for you either," Edward replied, his eyes narrowing slightly.

That comment raised my anger another notch, "You don't know me," I spat back.

"Neither to you know me," Edward replied coolly.

"I know enough," and I did. I knew that he hurt someone very special to me and that was enough reason to hate him in my book.

"You know one side of a very complex story, I did what I thought was best for her. Not that I expect you to understand."

"Make me understand then, all I know is that you destroyed her through you arrogance."

"Arrogance? It was through love and concern for her that made me leave! If I felt for one second that us being together was the best thing for Bella's future I would have stayed with her!"

"That still doesn't explain why you left her! She was right all along wasn't she? You left her because you wanted to!"

"That is not true! That was the lie I told her to get her to accept the fact that I had to leave without her! I left her because I could not bear it if my existence was the result of her death! It had almost happened with James and then with my own brother! I didn't want her dead because of me! I wasn't what she needed! I had to be realistic, what future could we have had together? I didn't want her to become like me – to feel like a monster for the rest of eternity!" Edward said and I could see the desperation on his face, hear the tortured note in his voice, and I knew that he was telling the truth. He had left because he thought he was doing what he thought was best for Bella.

How could I argue with that? Put in that position I may have done the exact same thing as him, if I thought that I was protecting the one I loved. But that didn't mean that I entirely trusted him. He left Bella once he could well do it again, and as strong as Bella liked to think she was I knew she would not be able to handle his abrupt departure for a second time.

"I won't leave her again Simon. I can promise you that. The first time was the most painful thing I have ever experienced in my life; I do not wish to have us experience that again. From the second I left I regretted my decision more than I can ever explain to you. I wanted to run back to her so many times and try to explain myself and beg for her forgiveness. Only the thought that she may have gotten over me – that she may have found someone else to love, she may have found a new life… a new family and no longer had a place for me, was the thing that stopped me. Had I known for one second what I had left behind for her to face alone I would have never left. Instead I would have fought to protect her even if that meant giving up my own existence."

"You have given me a lot to think about Edward. I do believe you care for Bella, and I know she cares a great deal for you so I will not stand in your way. But I am warning you now, if you ever hurt Bella again I will kill you." I said finishing our conversation before turning and heading back towards Bella's house. As I walked away I heard Edwards voice utter a last response:

"If I hurt her again Simon, I'll let you."

I gave no reply. Instead, I continued on my path back to Bella's, my conversation with Edward still reeling in my mind…

Words of thanks for the last chapter's reviewers:

Lionnara: Here's your more, I hope you like it.

Emmett's Babe: Thank you so much for your lovely review, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

8thweasleykid: Thank you, I hope you like what Simon says to Edward.

Thank you to everyone who supports this story, it means a lot.