Hello again! Sorry this is so late, writers block is a bitch and RL spanked me hard enough to leave me in the wrong state of mind to write. But, it's here and I'm back, I've already started on the next chapter. Huge thanks go to my Wifey, THEChickNoriss and my Beta Goddess, Mynxi. They both threw me back into this and kept me motivated. Kudos to Mynxi, once again, for making this all shiny and spanking my arse into gear when I'd gone somewhat off kilter. Love you, Treacle! We're back to Bella for this one, I hope you enjoy it, if there's anyone still reading it, LOL.

Nothing, nada…silence. For all I knew, Edward had made a run for it and left me standing here, tear stained and afraid. Hating the weakness that I was feeling in that moment I turned around, ready to face whatever he had to throw at me. Expecting a look of shocked disgust to be on his face, just before asking me to leave the house. Instead, his face is full of such compassion that I almost fall to my knees in relief that he doesn't hate me. I say almost because that's when I notice that the rest of the family were standing close to the door. Just staring at me, their faces ranging from sorrow to compassion to shock.

B~P~O~V

My eyes pricked with tears that I refused to shed, and I just stood there dumbly staring at Edward. His family in the background, all unchanging and frozen in place as my eyes flitted over each of them. Carlisle and Esme were standing together. Esme's hands were over her mouth and her eyes wide while Carlisle looked on with a father's patience, but worried, air. I had no idea if it was for me or for Edward, but I wagered a guess that his worry was for his son, rather than his son's crazy girlfriend. Emmett stood, eyes dark and seemingly angry, breaking my heart with his reaction as he held Rose and Alice on either side of him. Alice's eyes were so wide she looked like an anime character, her mouth grim. I wondered if she would be crying had she retained the ability to. It was Rosalie that got to me the most, her smile was cold and smug, and her nose turned up as if someone had wiped dog crap beneath it. It was obvious that she wasn't bothering to hide what she was thinking about me; that I'm some sick vampire groupie, or something along those lines.

I was shaking, my hands balled into fists, nails digging into my skin, and a hairs breath away from breaking the skin, anger the only thing stopping me from simply running away. Shock, anger, disbelief, confusion, betrayal, embarrassment, all of that and more boiled up inside of me and morphed into a rage the like of which I had never felt before. My face was red hot. I knew I was blushing, turning some God awful colour of red or even purple because of the strength of my emotions

"Be-" Edward started.

I cut him off, the silence finally broken.

"You bastard," I ground out, glaring at him, having to remind myself that physically lashing out will only lead to my broken bones. Edward took a step forward and I swiftly took one back, holding my hand up and shaking my head. "Don't, don't even thinkabout it."

I put my hand down as soon as I realised how badly it was shaking. Edward looked lost, his beautiful eyes imploring. It almost tugged on my heartstrings, almost made me step towards him. Almost.

"Bella, please." He came forward as he spoke, seemingly resolute in his actions.

I watched him come towards me, my gaze locked with his; rage and shame burning inside me. I could see in his eyes his need to comfort me, but right then and there I didn't want him or his family near me. I shook my head, the movement fast and jerky, as I stepped back.

"Bella...please, let me...," he whispered, only hesitating for a split second.

Well, fuck him. Fuck him.

"I. Said. Don't. Don't talk to me, don't touch me, just...just don't."

I turned away from him, from all of them, and ran to the stairs. To be honest, I wanted out of the house, but that meant going past them all and leaving without my bag, which was sitting in Edward's room. I couldn't believe what he had done, what he had manipulated, that they knew. They all knew. Oh God, they all knew! I scrambled to get my stuff packed away into my book bag, stuffing my belongings in there without care. I just wanted to get out of the damn house and was dearly hoping that everyone had taken the hint and vacated the premises, therefore minimising the chance to add to my already over flowing embarrassment.

"Bella, please let me explain."

I paused, sighing, almost wanting to just fucking sob that he wasn't leaving me alone and my wishes weren't being granted. Was it really too much to ask that I would be allowed to take my leave in a dignified manner? I could hear him shuffling behind me, and I could imagine the look on his face as he tried to figure out what the hell to do next. He had never seen me like this. I'dnever felt like this before, but I wasn't about to clue him in on something that seemed perfectly obvious to me. That he should just leave me the fuck alone.

I kept my back to him, resuming packing my bag with renewed fervour as I spoke, "Explain what, Edward? That you manipulated me into telling you something so damn private and so personally horrifying, only to make sure that your family heard it too? That there is no way this could be a mistakebecause you knew from 5 miles out that they were on their way back." I snorted, "Hell, if they ever even left at all."

"We were worried about you, Bella. We areworried, and you wouldn't talk to anyone about it. I know that this was underhanded and-"

I whirled around. "I spoke to you. I told YOU! And you must have known that I would, otherwise there would be no point in having everyone come back! Are you happy now? Happy now that you know the depraved depths of my subconscious? That you know exactly why I haven't said anything before now? Why I couldn't?" My voice broke and I turned away, wiping at my eyes and silently cursing myself for crying.

Then Edward's arms surrounded me and this time I didn't argue, I didn't resist. I accepted the comfort wholeheartedly, leaning into him and breathing deeply. There was nothing like Edward's scent, the way it affected me, how it could calm me or excite me, depending on the situation. And when Edward pressed his face into my hair and I felt him take in my scent, I knew that mine did the same for him.

"I'm sorry, I'm so, sosorry. I was so worried about you, you have barely been sleeping, and Alice saw that it would only get worse," he sounded so sincere, so caring and loving and perfect. Only thing was, he'd said something that got me all riled up again.

I pulled away, he let me, I glared up at him, and he looked like he knew he was in for it.

Clever boy.

"She did, did she? Well, then, that's alright then," I spoke in a faux cheery tone, sarcasm dripping from every syllable. "That makes everything better. So, that means that she saw me tell you. Why the hell didn't you just keep it between us? You know what, never mind. That seriously doesn't matter. What matters now is this...what does Alice's visions tell her now? Hmm?"

I stood there, my decision to leave firm in my mind.

Edward sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose and nodded.

I walked out of the room.

No one bothered me on my way out, the house seemingly empty. Though in my now paranoid mind, they were all watching from around the corner. Suffice to say, my retreat was a quick one. No one bothered me after I got home, either; no calls, no texts. I had hesitated a moment before closing my window, but I didn't want him around tonight, I was far too angry with him. It kept going around in my head, disbelief and anger. That sneaky...jerk, I still couldn't believe he'd done that.

I sat down heavily on my bed, glaring at everything in my room as if it was all judging me, actively forcing myself to forget that this room was where my dream always took place. But I didn't want to be downstairs with Charlie watching sports before he left for work. I was much happier sequestering myself in my room, screaming into my pillows, and feeling sorry for myself and fully embracing my teenage instincts.

I knew that Edward had a good reason for doing that, but damn it if I didn't want to think or accept that. He had betrayed me, they all had, tricked me into telling them all, when it had been nearly impossible to tell only him. I truly had no idea if I would ever be able to see the Cullen's again. After what they'd heard, what I'd said. Cringing, I lay down on my bed and hid my face in the pillow, screaming out my frustration and embarrassment.

I had to stop thinking about it, it was done and nothing could change what had happened. Why the hell couldn't one of the Cullen's have had the power to turn back time and give me a do-over? Seriously, I would take little to no sleep and raging hormonal nightmares over what happened tonight. But then, why would Edward go to such lengths for everyone to find out? He could have had them stay back and just eavesdrop, and then I wouldn't know that they knew. But, thinking about his family talking about me behind my back, discussing what they had heard without my knowledge, would I want that?

I smacked my forehead to get me out of the downward spiral that I was falling into. Damn stupid paranoid and over active brain, I needed something to work as a distraction. Homework. Yep, homework was the way to go. I more or less ran over to my desk, figuring that Calculus would be a great way to dull my mind and keep it off tonight's events. I set myself up at my desk, exercise book, text book, and pen at the ready. But...yeah, it didn't work as well as I would have hoped. All I did was stare blindly at the page and thought about this evening's event over and over again.

Eventually, I sighed, throwing my pen down and let out a frustrated growl. Well, I say growl, after being around vampires for so long, a more appropriate description is some pathetic elongated grunt. The worst thing? I wantedEdward; I wanted him here to comfort me and to tell me that everything is going to be okay.

My need for him just pissed me off even more.

I made sure that my window was shut tight, the curtains drawn, and the only light on in my room is my desk lamp. It was a very clear message that I didn't want to see him, even though I really did. But I was remaining steadfast in my convictions, despite my bi-polar feelings about the situation.

When I first found out about what Edward was and the mating process had been explained to me, as well as it could be, I felt the pull to him, deep in my chest, and my love for him grew from the very first day. My love is now absolute, but I can't quite grasp the utter intensity that lies behind and within the mating bond. And from their explanations, I won't until I'm turned.

It's not like any of them are hunter gatherers, they're all equal, male and female alike. They exist on one substance only and their mating instincts are for companionship, love, and sex, not procreation. Well, I suppose it could be argued that when a human/vampire mating takes place that there is an element of procreation involved. The human must become a vampire, their survival depends on it. And I get the brunt of their protective instincts, especially from Edward because I'm still human, and will remain that way until after graduation.

My cell ringing breaks me out of my thoughts, and I reached down into my bag to retrieve it, surprised to see Jacob's name flashing on the screen along with his cheesy grin. I haven't spoken to Jacob much in the last few weeks. I had been far too ensconced in everything that is Edward and vampires and the whole new world that I had been introduced to. Can't blame a girl for being distracted. And even then our sporadic communication had been shut off. I'd tried to call him a few times, but all Billy would say is that he was out with friends or asleep.

I hesitated, letting the generic ring tone sound out into my quiet room a few times before making the decision to answer or not. I really wasn't in the mood for company, but Jacob was my tie to the normal world, he knew nothing of vampires and definitely nothing about my dreams. He was an escape that I needed right then, safe and mundane and ignorant to my current troubles. When I answered, it was with a genuine, if not small, smile on my face.

"Hey, Jacob. How are you? It seems like forever since I last spoke with you."

"Bella, yeah...anyway, can you come down to the Res?" His voice was gruff and deeper than I remembered, his usual sunny tone absent.

"Jake, it's..." I looked at the clock to check the time, "9pm, I was just finishing off homework and planning on an early night."

Ok, so the early night is a lie, as tired as I am, sleeping only brings the dream and that's not something I want to deal with right now. But I really wasn't in the mood to actually see and engage with people face to face. I just wanted some semblance of normalcy on the phone with Jake and then to wallow in my revolving emotions and lose myself in some films for a few hours.

"It's still early, Bella, wouldn't you normally be at the Cullen's till late anyway?" I raise my eyebrows at his tone, sitting a little straighter and wondering what his problem was.

"Jake, I told you, I'm having an early night. I'm not even at the Cullen's."

A muffled shuffling from the phone made me think that he had covered the receiver with his hand. I could hear muttering in the background but couldn't make anything out. I was just about to remind him that I was there when he spoke to me again.

"Be ready, I'll drive and you can stay at Emily's so you can still get your early night."Then he hung up.

And I sat there like a moron with my mouth hanging open and staring at my cell wondering what the hell had just happened. I almost jumped out of my skin when, just a minute later, the doorbell rang. I wandered down stairs to answer it, figuring that Edward had seen the closed window and decided on the more civilised way of gaining entrance. Making sure that I had my 'pissed off, but nonchalant, I-don't-wanna-see-you' face on, I opened the door.

It wasn't Edward.

It was boobs.

Damn awesome boobs that put my C cups to shame.

I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose between my fingers, stopping abruptly when I recognised it as something I had picked up from Edward, "Rosalie? Not to sound rude or anything, but why are youhere?"

I looked up at her face, too pissed off to be bothered that I had been openly staring at her chest and somewhat flabbergasted and off balance that she was even here. Rosalie wasn't even looking at me, her head was turned and she was glaring into the distance, at something that I wasn't privy to and didn't even know if I cared about right at that moment. I rolled my eyes and waited for her to answer me, crossing my arms over my chest and glaring at her as if that would make any difference. A minute passed and she was still looking out into the surrounding area, but eventually her face relaxed from the glare she had been sporting and returned to her normal look of disdain that she seemed to save solely for me.

She raised one perfect eyebrow and speaks one word, "Alice."

And with that, she strode past me and swayed into the living room without a backward glance. I'm left there, holding the door open and looking between it and where Rosalie had just disappeared, knowing that Alice had sent her here but no idea why the hell she would chose Rosalie to be the one to come. I took a deep breath, and reminded myself that she's a creature capable of killing me with her pinkie finger in less than a second, so trying to take out my anger and frustrations on her annoying ass with my father's baseball bat would not be advisable. I closed the door and followed her into the living room to find her standing in the centre, looking out towards the window, completely frozen, but still exuding the poise and elegance that seems to come so naturally for her. I sighed loudly, crossing my arms over my chest again and waiting for an explanation.

Seriously, I could not figure out why the hell Alice would send Rosalie out of everyone. It wasn't as if she gives a shit, out of all the Cullens. Rosalie is the one that never seemed to care about anything other than herself and her own mates. Well, that isn't exactly fair, she certainly loved her family as well, but other than making her wants known, she usually just glared or snorted or something along those lines. Alice and Emmett love her of course, Rosalie is their mate after all. So, I had always figured that there has to be something redeeming about her. I just hadn't seen it yet.

Maybe it's just me.

Rosalie was still ignoring me.

I huffed, not bothering to hide my annoyance at her intrusion, falling into a seat on the sofa, "Rosalie? Is there a reason why you're standing in my living room?" And not sucking face with either Emmett or Alice...far, far away from me?

Different reasons flitted through my mind, a cold shot of fear laced with panic shot through me at the thought that they had maybe sent her to tell me that they were leaving? She had probably jumped at the chance to do it, leaped up and run out of the house as soon as the subject was brought up. So I sat there, not so patiently, and not so calmly, as I waited for her to answer.

She didn't turn to look at me, keeping her mysterious vigil as she spoke, "You know what Alice is like, she has her own reasons, and I've learnt to listen to her."

Yeah, well, I just exposed my deepest, darkest, and most embarrassing secret to the whole damn family without meaning to. Suck it and tell me why you're here.

I took a deep breath, attempting to find calm that was evading me and stop my cheeks from flaming and my eyes from filling. My exhaustion really was taking its toll on me and I was feeling more and more fragile. I couldn't stop my mind from replaying everything; every little detail seemed to flow behind my eyes is glowing Technicolor and surround sound. But I didn't want to think about what had happened tonight, didn't want to think about what Alice sending Rosalie here opposed to any of the others meant, didn't want to think about the weird phone call with the now asshole Jake. I wanted to relax and drown in denial. I wanted to sleep, just fucking sleep, and I didn't think that that was too much to ask. And yes, I knew full well that that wasn't going to happen. But what I didwant to know, was how the hell to get the toffee-nosed, blonde bombshell bitch of a vampire the hell out of my house and that was what I tried to use to keep my mind off everything else.

"As lovely as this visit was, I was just about to go to bed. So if you don't mind..." I trailed off, motioning towards the door even though she wouldn't be able to see it.

Nothing.

I huffed again, staring at her back, and fought the urge to make faces at her. The longer Rosalie was here, the more my shame came to the forefront, and with it came rage at being exposed the way that I was and my already meagre defences began to crumble. I preferred the anger to the embarrassment or shame; anger didn't make me want to hide away and curl into myself. Anger didn't bring about that childish notion that if I hid behind my hair, that they wouldn't be able to see me. No, anger was powerful and cleansing almost, it even seemed to chase away a little of the tiredness, or at least give the illusion that it was helping. Or rather, it gave me something a lot more tangible to hang onto instead of burning cheeks and the need to develop hermit tendencies.

Eventually, I couldn't help but think back to the dream. I tried closing my eyes and washing it from my brain even though I knew it was thoroughly imprinted there. And while I knew that my feelings during the dream were wrong, that I shouldn't take pleasure in another's demise, and that I wanted to follow the Cullen's diet of animals and not humans. I had to fight not to revel in the sinful and sensual feelings that it brought with it. It would be so easy to give in, to allow myself to fully remember and to fully enjoythe memories.

"Stop wallowing in self pity will you? It really isn't attractive." Rosalie's comment brought me back with a bang, my eyes flying open to glare at her back. "Edward only did what he did because he was convinced you were dreaming of him." Rose turned, a slight smirk on her face, making her look like a self-righteous and all round smug bitch. "It really isn't that surprising, that he thought that, now is it? You are veritably begging him for it every second of the day, offering yourself with your legs spread wide, why wouldn't he think that you are dreaming of him sexually? Of course, his paranoia made it that he was killing you in your dream...hence you screaming towards the end."

I would've loved to have come up with some witty response, an intelligent come back that made her eat her own words, or maybe something that had her begging for my forgiveness. As it was, I was left having to force myself to meet her high and mighty stare. What she had just said hit a littletoo close to home. So all of the Cullen's think I'm some sex obsessed harlot trying to steal their 'sons' innocence? Coupled with was revealed during the dream, was that even far from the truth? Rosalie's words and everything else that had been revealed this evening, all I wanted to do right then was curl up and cry. In fact, the only thing that stopped me was the one shred of pride that I somehow had left and my natural rebellious attitude towards someone like Rosalie. She's the kind of person that made you want to argue that the sky isn't blue and we don't breathe oxygen. So I kept my face cold and as sweetly as I could manage, asked her to leave.

"Get. The. Fuck. Out of my house." Ok, so sweetness was a rare commodity right about then.

Rosalie arched her perfect eyebrow and sneered her perfect lips, she hissed and looked like she was about to say something else when her cell phone rang. It was at her ear in a blur and she kept eye contact with me while she listened to whatever the person on the other end was telling her.

I glared right on back at her, my arms crossed over my chest and tried not to look like the weak human that I was. I was fully intending to back up my request for her to leave when she had finished with her phone call, as it turned out, that wasn't necessary.

"Bye, Isabella, it was such a pleasure," she said, all saccharine sweet and laced with sarcasm.

Hateful Bitch.

She was out of the house, with nothing but the door slamming in her wake, before I had even opened my mouth to answer her back. And I was just left with more confusion. I sat there for a minute or so, taking stock of what had just happened, what she had said, and wondering why the fuck she had been there in the first place. I even walked over to the window to see if I could see any clue as to what she'd been staring at. Nope, nothing, nada. In the end, I remembered that Jake had said he was on his way over. So, in a rush, I ran around turning all the lights off, locking up, closing curtains, and eventually returning to my bedroom after making sure that it looked obvious that I was asleep, or even better, that there was no one home.

The childishness of my actions was the least of my problems as I climbed into bed, dog tired and foolishly hoping for a dreamless sleep. I curled up beneath my covers, tucking them around myself and beneath my head as if they might shield me, fighting tears of fear and trying to clear my mind.

I awoke, gasping and clutching at the sheets beneath me. I was shaking, my body drenched in sweat and my duvet had fallen to the floor, or been kicked off during my nightmare, but I really didn't care about that. What worried me, what scared the living death out of me, was that I was lying there with my PJ bottoms at my knees and topless.

Sitting up so fast that my head spun, I hastily pulled my bottoms up before fumbling around for my top. It wasn't till I was pulling it over my head that I realised I was crying, but I didn't care. I really did not care about something as trivial as that, I was absolutely terrified, confused and ready to never sleep again. Apparently, without Edward there to wake me up, the dream continued on and going off my state of dress, I was enjoying it a lot more than I should have been.

The last scenes of the dream played over and over again in my mind. I pressed the heels of my hands into my eyes as I cried, trying to push the images back, as if I could somehow push it from my brain. But they just kept coming and coming, and there was nothing that I could do to stop them.

He was there and the world was right…the world was good…nothing else mattered but us…together…eternally…bathing in blood.

I open myself to him completely, there was no resistance, no fear...only need and want and desire. Blond curls and a wicked smile, eyes shining with the blood of his kill, the girl's life blood swirling within them.

I saw the strength of it, felt it, hungered for it.

My back hit a soft hardness...cotton and cool, hair spread and arms above my head. He came to me, climbing and crawling above me...sin and sex and death and temptation.

His hands and mouth were stained with blood and death...delicious and powerful...dark and dangerous.

I arched, wanting to be closer...inviting...giving...submitting.

He dipped his head, his curls matted with drying blood, his tongue sweeping out across my skin...tasting...testing...his bloodied hands revealed more and more of my soft, pliant skin.

I gasped and writhed, my breasts free for his pleasure and mine. His mouth so cold, so perfect.

He dips further down, his tongue swirls across the soft plane of my stomach; dipping, licking, sucking.

Hands and nails and impatience...ripped at my clothes.

And there was no more waiting...there was only white hot pleasure as he found his place and -

Screaming, I jumped up from my bed, hands tearing at my hair, bent over and curling into myself. I fell to my knees, feeling weak and useless and insane, the world around me seemed so harsh and unforgiving as I cried my heart out, wishing for Edward to come back for me. For him to just appear, and take the terror away; all was forgiven, I just needed him.

Instead, it was warm arms that picked me up, my father's voice that soothed me as he carried me downstairs and wrapped me in a blanket on the couch. It was Charlie that wiped my sweaty hair from my brow, leaning down to kiss my forehead before turning the TV onto some sitcom re-runs and disappearing into the kitchen. A few minutes later he returned, two cups of what turn out to be cocoa and he took a seat at the end of the couch, settling my feet on his lap and turning the TV up slightly. He didn't speak, simply allowing his presence to be enough, and for that I am beyond grateful. I sipped at my cocoa and allow my father's presence to comfort me as I eventually fell back to sleep.

When I woke up the next morning, I was still all snug as a bug in a rug on the sofa and, in the light of day, feeling decidedly stupid over my state of mind when Charlie had found me. Charlie had moved to his recliner and was snoring quietly, the TV remote held loosely in his hand, the picture that he posed and the sheer normality of it made me smile. It really was just so normal, something that I had seen so many times before, but knowing that he had kept vigil over me last night made me feel all warm and fuzzy. Made me remember how much my dad actually loved me and how grateful I was to have him in my life. Unwrapping myself from the blanket, I crept over and took the remote and set it on the table, before laying my blanket over Charlie and tiptoeing upstairs for a shower.

It was a little earlier than I would normally like to get up for school, but lately I had been sleeping so erratically and infrequently, that 'wake-ups' and 'bed times' no longer applied. Last night I had enjoyed a dreamless sleep once downstairs and I knew I had my dad to thank for that. I decided then and there that I would make Charlie's favourite dinner tonight and to spend more time with him. Seems as though my dad's presence was exactly what I needed. Last night, at least.

I let the hot water cascade over my face, hair, and body, hoping that the external cleansing would also work on the inside. I wanted to wash any and all memories of the new and improved dream from my mind. They say that everything is always better in the light of day, but just the thought of that saying caused a somewhat irrational and hysterical laugh to bubble up within me, there was no escaping reality. The shower worked for a time, but as soon as I stepped from the relaxing thrum of the water, anxiety and shame came in again and I found myself shaking as I dried and dressed. And then a thought occurred to me. A horrible, horrible thought. I pause for a moment, staring at my closed curtains before walking slowly towards them. I told myself that it was just paranoia, that it was justa dream, that there was no way anyone was in my bedroom with me last night, but there was just something that kept nagging at me. My hands trembled as I reached out, hesitating a second before swiftly parting the drapes and letting go of the breath I had been holding. Laughing nervously at myself and smiling in relief at my window, which was blessedly still shut as tight as I had left it last night.

My hair ended up in a messy bun and my clothes were for comfort and nothing else. I was too tired to care about my appearance. I had only glanced in the mirror long enough to see the dark circles under my eyes, my skin was sickly pale, and just plain tired looking. I didn't want or need to see anything more than that. I trudged downstairs to find Charlie sitting looking bleary eyed at the TV and I watched him for a moment, before walking in and laying a quick kiss on his cheek and whispering, thank you. He turned his worried eyes to me and gave me a small smile, nodding in acknowledgment. Seeing that I still had time to spare, I decided to spoil Charlie a little make a cooked breakfast. That, and the dinner I was planning for that night, would be the least that I could do for him. And hopefully go a ways to stop him worrying about me and my hysterical behaviour. As taciturn as Charlie is, I was still surprised that he hadn't tried to talk about last night, but whatever the reason for that, I was grateful. I had no idea what I would say to him.

We sat at the table, swapping small talk. Charlie tried to catch my eyes and I tried to keep the subject light and hide my exhaustion. In the end, though, Charlie got sick of our game of cat and mouse.

"Bells...what happened last night? You know I'm not one to pry, but I've never seen you like that. And...," he hesitated, and I look at him, pleading with my eyes for him to drop it, "...I've heard you screaming on other nights too."

I took a deep breath, my exhalation shaky at best. "I'm sorry that you found me like that, Dad. I've been having some...bad dreams lately is all and I'm tired. And very embarrassed about what you witnessed last night. I'm sorry that you had to see that." I smiled, hoping that it came across as healthy and normal, opposed to sleep deprived and dream depraved. I kept repeating to myself that in the light of day, everything was easier to deal with, easier to deny and push away. I just hoped that my new mantra was working.

Charlie nodded, not looking like he believed me completely, but I knew that he knew that there was no point in pushing me. He's used to my mature and stable nature, used to being able to trust me.

"But...thank you...for last night," I said, all lameness and simplicity and understatement.

Even with concern still evident in his eyes, he lit up at my words and nodded, seemingly embarrassed at my sentiment. I stood as soon as he returned his attention back to his meal, clearing my plate and glass before running to my bedroom to retrieve my book bag.

Congratulating myself on only tripping twice, which was a miracle considering my current state of overtiredness. I grabbed my bag and, after making sure that I have everything, walked back downstairs, kissing Charlie on the cheek and grabbing my jacket on my way out the door.

The morning carried with it a sharp chill, causing me to pull my jacket tighter around me as I made my way to my truck. I had half expected Edward to be here waiting for me, but then I guess it's no surprise that he had finally heeded my warning after my behaviour last night. Or, maybe he really was disgusted to find out what secrets my subconscious harbours. Either way, I was equal parts disappointed and relieved. Deep down, I was crying out for his comfort, while the rest of me was still incensed at him.

The school lot was about half full as my truck dragged itself in, coming to a spluttering stop in my usual spot. Next to Edward's Volvo. Edward's Volvo that happened to have Edward standing right next to it.

I looked over at him, my eyes pricking and feeling all kinds of vulnerable all of a sudden. Seeing him looking so tortured; his body seemingly coiled to spring and rip the door off the truck to get to me, threatened to break my last vestiges of calm.

Figuring that waiting for him to perform vehicular homicide was probably not the best idea, I undid my seat belt with shaky hands and wrenched the door open, sliding down to stand beside my truck. For a moment, we just stood staring at each other. He was still so beautiful, even when he looked so lost and unsure. I was still mad and embarrassed, unsure and completely off kilter from my lack of sleep, last night's debacle, and the new twist to my nightmare.

Basically, I was a mess.

"Bella...I-"

"What you did last night, it really hurt me Edward. Really,hurt me," I hastily interrupted. Knowing that I needed to get that out before he apologised, because otherwise I'd be in his arms before I could blink. Because that was where I needed to be, where my heart was aching to be.

"Edward..." I said, my voice needier that I meant it to be. I wanted to say so much. How much he hurt me, betrayed me, angered me, even that I understood his reasons after Rosalie's less than tactful reveal last night. But I didn't, I couldn't, not right then. "I'm just so tired."

He came for me then, strong arms, cold and warm all at the same time. Surrounded me, held me to him, held me up. He wrapped himself around me, his face buried in my hair, at the side of my neck by my ear. He whispered his love, his apologies, his regrets, and his fears and I did the only thing I was capable of at that moment.

I wept.

I cried and sobbed, falling against him and letting the hateful tears finally fall, and fell apart in his arms. Crying was something that I have always hated and avoided, but there was no emotional barriers left for me in that moment. And so I let go. Alice whispered for Edward to take me back to his house didn't faze me, the air whistling past my ears, my hair blowing back, none of that fazed me. Edward lying me down on his bed, still encased within his embrace as he told me that Carlisle was going to give me something, something that would allow me to sleep dreamlessly. None of that fazed me.

I felt the pin prick in my arm, felt the injection, and then I felt nothing at all.

A/N: Okay, get clicking that review button and let me know what you think. What you wanna see, any questions...anything at all, LOL. And I'll get on with the next chapter :D Thank you!