AN: Thank you guys so much for reading my story. Thanks for reviewing and taking us to almost 120 reviews per chapter, we didn't exactly reach our goal, but hey maybe next time?

Disclaimer: SM owns Twilight…

Chapter 13: Confrontations and Compromises

My first time wandering around New York was an experience for the books. Never in my life had I been in such a huge, demanding city. New York had a way of making you feel small and insignificant, and my insignificance was very perceptible while I was standing next to monstrous skyscrapers and thundering hoards of businessmen barreling through everything that stood in their way in order to get where they wanted to be.

However, with a little bit of luck and a lot of persistence, I was able to achieve my goal; I got what I so desperately needed but did not want in the slightest way.

I arrived home by the time the blue sky gave way to orange and pink highlights. I was proud of myself and my achievement; I was in a good mood for once. That was all shot to hell the moment I reached for the elegant doorknob of the Cullen mansion.

Coming face to face with a fuming Edward, I held by breath and waited for the impending onslaught of hurtful words and irrational actions, but apparently, my absence wasn't the thing that was pissing him off so thoroughly; and why would it? We hardly ever spent any time together or demanded the other person's presence.

I treated him the same way he had treated me, I simply ignored him and went inside, dreading the so called "family dinner" Elizabeth demanded we had. She'll be finding out soon enough that the family would be missing one crucial member, the black sheep; the troublemaker.

As we all sat at the dinner table, no one commented on Edward's absence, which struck me as weird. I briefly entertained the idea of them being used to his nonattendance, his apparent love of breaking the rules.

Esme's food was delicious as always; I actually ate a little bit more than I was allowing myself to nowadays. I still felt like an outsider, I still felt like a leech, I still felt out of place and like an intruder.

The conversation was minimal, it mainly consisted of Elizabeth going on and on about her past conquests and long-gone youth and past adventures.

The dining table was cleared and everything was put back into its rightful place by eight thirty. That left me with nothing to do, and that was becoming a dangerous thing as of late.

I quietly excused myself and climbed the stairs, heading to Edward's room. It didn't feel like mine, and I refused to call it that.

After taking a quick shower and dressing comfortably in black yoga pants and a lavender tank top, I sat on my couch/bed and just thought.

I thought about my parents, about what they might be doing right this second. I growled a little when I thought about their abandonment and lack of care. They didn't even try to contact me, not even once. That hurt me more than anything could have; the thought that my own parents couldn't wait to be rid of me. Their love was the only thing that was supposed to be guaranteed, their love and care were supposed to be my God-given right, and even that they withheld. I thought they never showed any emotions because they were emotionally closed off people, turns out they just didn't feel anything towards me. If my own parents couldn't stand me and didn't miss me, how were other people supposed to? How was I supposed to teach myself to trust people when I was betrayed in a horrible way by the people who created me?

My thoughts then lead to me Edward, I also thought about what he might be doing or whom for that matter. Edward was never alone but apparently always lonely. I thought about how a person with such a full life can be that hateful. What he was so mad about? What was he lacking? Looks? Money? Power? Happiness? Love? Affection?

He had the most affectionate family I've ever met, and yet he acts as if they were all disposable, nothing but trash to kick out of his way. But he also had his good, but few, moments. He doesn't think before he acts, but at least he was man enough to apologize for his mistakes and shortcomings. At least he was man enough to accept the consequences of his actions and their repercussions.

I thought about one horrible situation I was subjected to today. I refused to think about it after it happened, because frankly I was scared out of my mind. I refused to think about the guy leering at me, following me from pavement to pavement as I tried to evade him. I refused to think about what could have happened had that police officer not exited the coffee shop's back door inspecting a reported offend. I got what I wanted, that was all I wanted to remember about that day. I refused to think about the fate that awaited me in a New York alley had I not been lucky.

However, the day wasn't over yet. Emmet wrenching the door open and barreling inside, his eyes frantic and searching startled me out of my reverie and put my insides in a knot.

"Bella." He exclaimed, a little louder than I was expecting.

I jumped, startled by his tone and the absence of his friendly and witty demeanor.

"Sorry Sweets didn't mean to scare you." He looked at me guiltily but stepped closer, extending his hand. "I need you to come with me though, like now." He continued.

"Come with you where?" I asked worriedly.

"We need to bail out my brother." He simply said, and walked away, heading for the door.

That got me moving; I slipped my feet hurriedly in lavender Conserve and ran after him. I caught him at the top of the stairs and grabbed his arm to halt his movements.

"You can't just say something like that and then walk away Emmet!" I exclaimed. "What do you mean you need to bail out your brother?" Okay, so I was freaking out a little bit. I was kind of freaking out a lot…

"Bella, please calm down. I'll tell you in the car, just… I need you to come with me Sweets, because if you don't, I think I might kill him." He said, his tone clipped.

I just nodded and followed him down quickly. We walked out of the front door without offering any explanations to anyone. We just got in Emmet's black Hummer and drove away.

About ten minutes into the ride, I finally found my voice and the courage to speak. "Mind explaining this to me Bear? What happened?" I asked timidly. I had gotten used to calling him Bear, mighty but cuddly, cute but unbelievably intimidating and dangerous.

Emmet huffed and shook his head slightly. "I don't know what happened Little One. We got into a fight this afternoon, right before you came home and the idiot walked out. He probably drank himself into a stupor and got himself in trouble." He explained.

"How much trouble are we talking about here?" I asked. God, if he killed someone I was going to kill him. I wouldn't put that past Edward.

"I don't know. Not too much trouble though, since we're bailing him out not calling him a lawyer." He replied.

Yeah, that made sense.

Fifteen minutes later and we'd reached the NYPD's building. Emmet was talking to a police officer sitting behind a desk. He asked about the necessary procedures and where to pay to free his brother from incarceration.

I felt my heart twist and stutter; that police officer looked a whole lot like my dad.

Thirty minutes later, after paying a thousand dollars in bail without even batting an eye, Emmet and I were there to collect Trouble.

He walked toward us with a lazy smirk and his jacket hitched on his shoulder. His eyes were a little unfocused and he swayed on his feet.

I looked at Emmet, wide eyed and pissed off. "Is he drunk?" I asked incredulously.

"It appears so, yes." He replied, red faced and fuming.

Edward's smirk widened into a smile when he reached us.

"Is she a buffer or an attacker?" He asked, his words a little slurred.

"What was that, idiot?" Emmet asked, surprisingly smiling.

"I said did you bring her here to be a buffer or an attacker? Is she here to kick my ass?" Edward joked.

"What the hell are you talking about?" I huffed, placing my hands on my waist.

"Nothing angel, absolutely nothing." He smirked, winking at me.

I stood fuming at his audacity, here we were bailing him out of freaking jail, and he was making jokes.

"Ignore him." Emmet said, and followed a still swaying Edward outside.

We got in the car and with me riding next to Emmet, and Edward slouching in the backseat, we made our journey back home.

About five minutes away from the house, Emmet brusquely stepped on the brake and the car came to a screeching halt. A dosing off Edward jumped up and glared at the both of us, looking confused and a little shocked.

"The fuck…?" He trailed off.

Emmet got out of the car and I followed right after him, I didn't want to be left alone in a confining space with a drunken Edward.

He opened Edward's door and dragged him out easily. After making sure he was steady on his feet, he stepped away and crossed his arms across his broad chest.

"Explain." He demanded, offering nothing more.

A drunken Edward was clearly a slow Edward as well, because he asked confusedly "What?"

"What do you mean what?" I demanded. "How about you tell us what the hell happened? What were you thinking? What did you do? Why did we have to bail you out of jail?" I rambled.

"An attacker bro, definitely an attacker. I won't have to kick your ass because she's going to do it for me." Emmet said, amused.

Edward rubbed his forehead and pushing his hair out of his face, with a sigh he mumbled lowly "I got into a fight."

"Excuse me?" I asked.

No… he couldn't be that stupid.

"I beat some guy within an inch of his life and somebody called the cops." He huffed, close to yelling. "You both happy now?"

I gasped, and took a step back. Looking at Emmet, I saw the same surprised and angry look I was sure was plastered across my face masking his features as well.

I was going to kill him.

I was going to kill Edward Cullen.

…

…

…

EPOV

Bella stood before me like an avenging angel, sent down to this Earth to purge me from my sins. Her stance was defensive, her eyes smoldered, and she was red faced and ready for battle. Her attitude was her armor, her wit was her weapon, and those eyes were going to deliver my demise.

It was a smart move on Emmet's part; bringing her here to both defuse the situation and make it more horrible all at the same it.

I told them I beat some guy to a bloody pulp, and watched the look of horror and disbelief as it etched itself on their faces.

Bella took a step away from me and looked at Emmet, her eyes wide and pleading. Tell me he didn't do this, I could almost hear her thinking; tell me he couldn't be that stupid.

But I was, and I am, and they had no right to judge my transgressions. They didn't know the whole story, they didn't know anything. I would bet my life Emmet would have done the same exact thing if someone was talking that way about Rose, or about Bella or Alice or Esme.

"So what you mean to tell me is that you did the same thing that got us into this mess in the first place? How could you be so reckless Edward?" Bella said in an alarmingly calm voice.

"It's not like that Isabella." I replied; she got it all wrong. She got it all so unbelievably wrong…

"It's not? Well please explain it to me then, because I don't understand a goddamned thing." She yelled then, her patience with me wearing thin.

"I don't have to explain myself to you." I simply said. And I didn't have to answer to her, I didn't have to answer to anyone, and it's about time they all knew that.

"I think you're wrong there Eddie boy. You owe us this. I mean, what were you thinking? I thought I might have gotten through to you today, after our little talk I thought you'd want to clean up your act a little. But oh no, not you. You just went out and got drunk and arrested." Emmet said sarcastically. The disappointed look was back to cover his entire features.

"Our talk? You spitting hateful words in my face does not constitute a talk in my book Em. And you have no idea what happened, so don't stand there and judge me brother. I won't have that, I'm Edward fucking Cullen, and I'm your fucking brother. If you don't know me, who the hell does?" I sneered.

"So that's your excuse?" Bella asked, a little taken aback. "You're Edward fucking Cullen, so that makes it all okay right? It makes beating up some guy and leaving him bleeding and broken all okay right? I'm paying for my father's mistake with my life! And you, because of who you are, you just pay a thousand bucks and put it all behind you." She yelled, her eyes filling up with tears.

"It's not the same situation Bella; I didn't walk up to a guy in the street and start pounding on him for no reason. This was a bar fight, it happens. It has always happened and will always happen. Don't thrust your father's fuck ups in my face; I'm not responsible for what he did." I replied. I wasn't going to pay for Charlie's sins. I had enough of my own. "I was drunk, he started talking shit, and I dealt with him. End of story."

"My father was drunk too Edward. My father was in a fucking bar too. The difference is that my father walked out and got in trouble a few feet away from the establishment. I lost everything because of what he did, did you think about what this could cost you?" She yelled. "I'm not trying to make you pay for Charlie's sins, you're doing that already. You're paying for them by being fucking married to me." She huffed, her tears spilling. "How you could act so careless is beyond me though, you act so unaffected by all of this and it's driving me crazy. Why should I fucking break and crumble every damn day while you don't even feel or worry about anything?" She continued, her words getting all jumbled up together, her little hands clenching into fists.

"You think I'm unaffected? You think I'm not fazed by any of this? You don't fucking shit about me Bella, don't try to act like you do." I hissed at her.

"You're right, I don't know you. But I'm learning amazing little facts about you though, like when you get mad you get drunk and hurt people. Will it be me you'll beat up next time, you worthless piece of shit?" She screamed, her voice reverberating around our surroundings.

"You don't know shit!" I exclaimed. I was over their accusations and attitude.

"Who would want to get to know you Edward? Do you hear yourself right now? Trying to justify your actions like what you did was right?" Emmet mumbled, looking at me curiously. "Bro, I know you. I know how you operate, I know about the code of ethics you love so much. Martial arts used to be and will always be a big part of your life, you wouldn't go beating some chump up for no reason; you wouldn't disrespect the arts like that. So one last time Edward, what happened?" He continued.

"Oh so you know me now huh?" I sneered.

"Stop being so fucking defensive douche, just tell me. I've got you bro, and I feel guilty about what was said earlier today, but it had to be said Edward, I hope you understand that." He replied.

"I was provoked…" I mumbled.

"That's no reason to kick someone's ass." He said.

"Em, I tried to get him to walk away. I asked him to leave three fucking times, but…fuck he just kept on pushing and pushing and pushing and I just couldn't let him talk about her that way." I rambled.

I couldn't believe I was going to tell him all of this in front of Bella, who was still rocking a defensive posture and mesmerizing wide, curious eyes.

"So this is about one of your chicks?" Emmet asked incredulously.

"I didn't realize Bella was one of my chicks…" I trailed off.

"Oh you have got to be kidding me!" Bella exclaimed. "This, this i… is about me?" She asked, mumbling.

"What are you talking about Edward? Who was this guy?" Emmet asked.

"Some guy who saw us at the ball. He tried engaging me in a conversation, and when I told him I just wanted to be alone, he pulled out the big guns. He started talking shit about her and I just lost it." I answered.

"He talked about me and you beat him up? That's not the way to handle things Edward; you should be smarter than that." Bella mumbled calmer, her eyes a little guiltier.

"Yeah, I know. But I was drunk, and pissed off thanks to Bulldozer over here, and that guy kept on provoking me over and over again. He was asking for it." I replied.

"Well crap." She stomped her foot and kind of pouted; it was adorable. "Now I feel guilty for yelling at you like that and saying those awful things. But you have to understand Edward, this is a sour subject for me, and it should be for you too." She continued. "Someone freaking out and beating the crap out of someone cost us our lives, our independence and changed everything we thought we knew."

"I know, and I'm sorry. I messed up, I know that." I told her. I was done fighting with this girl; I was done hurting her and mistreating her. I wanted her to like me, I wanted her to at least tolerate and want my presence.

"Bella, what I did tonight, I did it without thinking. I didn't mean for it to hurt you, and I sure as hell didn't do it just to upset you. I don't want to fight anymore. I… we need to make some changes; we can't keep living with this amount of hatred and bitterness. I want to be your friend, if you'll have me." I said nervously. "I know I've fucked up with you more times than you care to count, but I'm waving my white flag and calling truce… so please…just accept."

Emmet's booming laugh startled us both; I cocked my head at him and smirked. He was one cocky bastard right this minute.

"Well I'll be damned, you did hear me." He wiggled his eyebrows and smiled wider. "I knew you couldn't keep acting like a bastard, I knew you had more to offer!"

"You want to be my friend now?" Bella asked softly.

"I'd like that, yeah." I answered. I hoped she agreed, I was praying she agreed.

"So you defend my honor, beat some guy up, end up in jail and have us come bail you out and you think offering friendship will make everything alright?" She asked seriously.

"Look girl…" I started, but was stopped by her beautiful shy little smile.

"I don't want to keep living like this Edward, I really don't. So, I'll try to be your friend, that is, if I don't kill you first." She replied, giggling softly.

"You will?" I asked, skeptical.

"I will." She replied, nodding her stunning head of hair. "Under one condition." She continued.

"Oh, here we go." I grumbled. "What would that be Spitfire?" I demanded.

"No more fighting. No more beating people up, and no more hurtful words and actions. If you want to be my friend, you have to act like a friend." She replied, stating her opinion confidently.

"You got yourself a deal, Friend." I replied, smiling at her.

Everything was going to change now; everything was going to be better.

I knew I screwed up, I knew I hurt her and humiliated her and made her cry more times than I can count. I knew I hurt her tonight by what I've done, but she could forgive, and I could change.

It wasn't her place to discipline me, it wasn't her place to smack me on the hand and tell me what a bad boy I'd been. It was her place to tell me I'd been wrong, it was her right to voice that what I'd done hurt her.

And frankly, I respected her immensely for being there for me, her and Emmet both.

I was sure this wasn't going to be an easy friendship, we were both so hotheaded and ill tempered, but we could make it work. I had to try to be a great friend to her; I owed at least that much.

The problem was, she gave me nothing but the bad side of from the moment I had met her and she was already getting under my skin.

What was going to happen when I saw the real Bella? What was I going to do when I got to know the good part of her, the glorious part?

I was in deep trouble.

The ironic thing is that she was much more troublesome than I was…

We agreed not to tell the family about what I'd done. They decided to protect my integrity and keep this little piece of information away from my grandmother.

When we reached the house, Emmet quickly excused himself and went up to see his precious Rosalie. The house was quiet and dark. I figured they were all sleeping since it was close to midnight.

That night, something changed between Bella and me. We moved around the room comfortably. We got ready for bed without glaring at each other or grumbling. When it was time to go to sleep, she got into bed easily and smiled at me, I found myself smiling back. I found myself hoping for the best.

Getting comfortable on the bed, I turned to face her and regarded her beautiful face. She looked tired, she looked exhausted, but she also looked a little more peaceful.

"What have you been up to today?" I whispered.

"I just had some things I needed to take care of." She whispered back.

"Things?" I asked.

"You'll know about them soon enough, don't worry." She replied, smiling.

I guess she didn't trust me with her personal business, not yet anyway. I respected her privacy so I just shut my mouth and settled in to sleep.

I had my work cut out for me; we had a long road ahead of us. But it was going to be worth it, I just knew it.

"Night Heaven." I murmured.

"Night Trouble." She murmured back.

It was going to be some kind of friendship…

AN: Okay, so we have a little truce.

For you angst lovers, don't worry, there's going to be plenty of angst in the coming chapters, but we're going to have to witness their friendship first.

Thanks to everyone who's taking the time to read and review my story.

And a special note: Pmk Kelly is NOT my BETA! She's just a loyal reader and I'm very grateful for her.

I'd like to thank Momma Laura for her help, she's really going above and beyond!

Please tell me what you think, don't be afraid to let me have it, I'm not that delicate.

I know some of you might be worried that Bella is being a little too forgiving, but as Edward said, she isn't going to trust him easily, and he has his work cut out for him.