Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

~o0o~
~ Peter's Point of View ~
~ By Spudzmom ~

Peter took in the inside of Bella's cottage with interest as she led him to her bedroom. It was very homey and comfortable and altogether foreign to him. He'd never experienced such a soft environment. It was all very strange to him, even the carpet under his feet, which he now marveled at as she rummaged around in her closet.

Walking back to him, she smiled softly as she watched him try to take everything in. "Here you go." She handed him a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt. "I stole these from my Dad when I moved out." She shrugged a shoulder when he furrowed his brow at her in silent question. "I liked to lounge around in them. It was a comfort thing. Anyhow, they should fit you and it's the best we can do for now."

She cleared her throat nervously as he just stood there, staring at the clothes in his hands. "Um, the uh, the bathroom is just through that door there if you'd like privacy. Or I can just leave the room, if you'd prefer…"

He snapped instantly from his momentary stupor. "No! Don't leave. Please."

She slowly nodded, her eyes filled with concern. "All right, I won't." She was a bit startled by what seemed to be desperation that had gripped him and felt the need to comfort him in some way, so she went with it, doing her best to ignore the fact that his gorgeous body was still very unclad as she moved forward, caressing his cheek with her hand. "You'll never have to worry that I will leave you Peter."

He moved his hand to her cheek, cupping the satin smooth skin that he had dreamed of for all of his solitary years, his thumb gently rubbing as she leaned into his touch, their eyes locked.

"You're beautiful."

They both laughed quietly as the statement left their lips simultaneously, the joy of their reality filling them as they spoke so much more with their eyes, a million unspoken 'I love you's' passing between them in that moment.

He embraced her then, pulling her into his strong arms, the clothes dropping forgotten to the floor. She closed her eyes, her head against his chest, the sound of his heart and his unique scent calming her, soothing her, grounding her.

He smelled of the purest sunshine, a warm spring day and the forest. It was a clean, heady scent that warmed her from the inside out.

Peter buried his face in her silken hair, reveling in the feel of her, her warmth, her clean, sweet scent, finally, finally here in his arms. He felt tears fill his eyes as emotion overcame him. "I never thought I'd ever get to hold you Bella. I've loved you my whole life and I've longed for this day. I can hardly take it in."

She looked up at him, tears tracing down her cheeks. Tears that he gently wiped away, cupping her cheeks as he leaned down, capturing her lips in a gentle kiss, her soft lips moving gently under his, parting slightly in a languid give and take, both discovering, both learning. It was magical and they stared at each other in wonder as they came apart, smiling at the feeling of their deepening connection.

He grinned then. "I'd better get dressed before I really embarrass myself."

Her eyes widened as she felt the evidence of his excitement pressed against her body now that he'd brought it up and she backed away, looking everywhere but at him.

She reached down and picked up the clothes, handing him the sweat pants which he quickly stepped into. She stepped forward, handing him the shirt as her other hand slowly moved over his firm, smooth chest, her eyes tracking it's path. "It's a shame to cover this up." She smirked up at him and he laughed as he pulled the shirt over his head, smoothing it into place. "And it wasn't a shame to cover the rest of me?"

She smiled, mischief shining in her eyes. "Put it this way, if we're going to get any talking done, covering up the other parts of you was a necessity."

He grinned wickedly, a dimple showing itself in his left cheek. "Are you saying that I distract you Miss Isabella?"

She mock glared at him, crossing her arms over her chest. "Tell you what, I could undress and then we'll see just how articulate you are, hm?"

His grin remained unchanged. "I like this plan."

She spluttered. "I was only trying to make a point. I wasn't really going to…"

She rolled her eyes as his grin widened. "You know exactly what I mean. Now stop teasing. We need to figure all of this out. For instance, how in the world you got here and why. Not that I'm complaining, but we need to prepare. I really feel like something big is about to happen and I don't want to be caught off guard."

She marched out of the room and he followed, grumbling. "It's only fair. You saw me naked…"

They arrived in her kitchen and she motioned to one of the chairs. "Have a seat." He pulled the chair from under the table, examining it curiously. "I'm thankful for all the things I got to experience through the dreams. I wouldn't have a clue what any of this stuff is without that knowledge. I'd be completely lost. As it is, everything is going to take some getting used to." He finally sat and met her understanding gaze as she watched him.

"I'm here for you Peter. You're not alone in any of this."

He glanced around and nodded. "There isn't much that's familiar to me in this room."

She laughed. "Yeah, I can't say I love cooking. I mean, I'm decent at it, but it's not my hobby of choice, so you probably didn't get much in the way of kitchen experience from me." She opened the fridge, grabbing a soda before turning to him. "Would you like anything? Are you hungry? Thirsty? Want a soda?"

His brow furrowed. "Soda? What's that?"

She popped one and poured it into a glass. "Here, it's a drink. Try it and see if you like it. If you don't, I'll get you something else."

She grabbed another one, watching from the corner of her eye as he tasted it, wrinkling his nose a bit at the unfamiliar fizz. "It's strange, but it's good."

She smiled as she sat across from him. "Good. Now, are you hungry? I can make you something."

He shook his head. "No, I already ate today. I only eat once a day."

Her brows rose in surprise. "One meal a day?"

He swallowed another sip, nodding. "Yes. Why? Is that not normal?"

She scowled, pissed off that they only fed him one meal a day. "No, it's not. People are supposed to eat three meals a day, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Some people even have snacks in-between meals. How did you manage to grow into the man you are on one meal a day?"

He sat back, his arm resting on the table, fingers tapping nervously. He didn't really want to talk about his time in that place. He just wanted to forget. She must have sensed his discomfort because she reached for his hand, giving it a squeeze as he stared down at the table top. "Hey, it's okay. We don't have to talk about that place unless you want to."

He glanced up at her and nodded. "I really just want to forget it." He squeezed his eyes shut as he gripped her hand. "I just want to forget."

She got up and walked around to him, hugging him close to her chest, her marks heating and glowing at his pain. "It's okay baby." She murmured, her cheek resting on the top of his head as he circled his arms around her waist, holding her tightly. "You'll never have to see that place again. We're together now, and nothing and no one will tear us apart. We won't let them. They'd better be prepared for the afterlife if they try."

He looked up at her and her eyes were glowing with a fierceness that left no doubt that she was serious. He nodded and smiled, feeling at once connected and invincible. "Yeah, they'd better."

They held each other, drawing comfort from their closeness until they were startled out of the moment by a knock at the door.

Peter looked at Bella who looked a bit scared. "What's wrong?"

She moved away from him and he stood. "What is it Bella?"

"There's someone at the door and I'm not expecting anyone. My neighbors are miles away, and I don't get visitors, especially at this time of night. My parents already wished me a happy birthday, via telephone as always. I have no idea who that could be."

He gasped and looked around at the barely visible shimmering shield that now covered them both as she grabbed his hand, moving to the front door to answer the now insistent knock that sounded yet again. She leaned close to the door, looking through the peep-hole.

"Who are you and what do you want?"

"We're friends. Our names are Alice, Jasper and Charlotte. We're not here to hurt you. We're here to help. Use your senses my Lord and Lady. They will reveal the truth of my words."

Peter and Bella locked gazes, her brows raised as she mouthed the words 'Lord and Lady?' in question. He shrugged and they placed their free hands against the door. They closed their eyes and centered themselves, asking silently whether these people were friend or foe and gasping when a decidedly warm and light feeling infused them.

Bella's eyes snapped open, meeting Peter's. "What do you think? I got a very good feeling from them. I sense no danger."

Pete nodded. "I agree. Let's be careful, but I think it's okay to let them in and hear what they have to say."