Chapter 9 – Part 1

Unconsciously, a flashback started to emerge from some corner of my mind. The ballet studio, the anguish of not knowing if I would be able to see my love again, the excruciating pain, James biting my hand…

My face must have turned really white, because Edward grabbed me by the elbows and sat me on the seat of his car.

"Bella, are you alright? Breath…" He ordered me, stroking my pale cheek.

I obeyed, giving a deep breath to calm myself down.

"Wh-what… what could this mean?" I managed to mouth.

"I don't know… it can't be… can it?" He said more to himself than to us.

"We should talk to Carlisle and the rest… Thank you Jacob" he said softly.

"Don't thank me," Jacob grumped "It is my duty to preserve human lives, and I failed…" He trailed off, tears showing in his eyes.

Ouch. Jacob crying… When my mind processed this, as before, it sent an impulse to my arms commanding me to comfort him to help him ease his pain. And in the next second they were around him, transmitting him all my strength.

"Please Jake don't be sad…" I pleaded, resting my head in his chest. He didn't hug me back; I guess it was uncomfortable for him to be hugging me with Edward so close. So I let him off moving away a little bit, trying to respect that annoying personal space he had once asked me for. Edward started now.

"Jacob, don't be upset… you cannot protect everyone from everything. You do an amazing job already." Edward reassured him with a secure look. "We will help you watch the woods. I promise no one else will get hurt around here… Not under my watch." he growled.

Jacob nodded, grateful. I could see he was always debating inside because of Edward; one part of him wanted to know Edward better, they were alike in so many ways… they both were supernatural creatures, they both loathe what they were. The other part of him, the more rational one, hated Edward. They were enemies in theory, but by his expressions and actions, the main reason about his rejection could be that Edward took away the one he loved…

I hated being the main cause of the dispute between them. I would love to see them as friends as they would really be good. But what I was most disgusted of myself was by causing Jacob that feeling, that horrible feeling of a constant frustration, for his love never being able to be requited. I would help him stop that feeling; I would help him find his true love… which was obviously not me. I would help him be happy. That was a promise I made to my heart, hewas going to be happy.

After that we said goodbye to Jacob, he had to go to La Push, while we stayed in Edward's car to wait until the school day ended. Edward told me that he had run into Liam – God knows what face had he put to Liam - before he was leaving to prepare my surprise and they have arranged that we would do the tour after class ended, well Liam must still be alive, that was a good sign. I updated him with Jessica's integration, emphasizing as much as possible the part which she told me how much she liked Liam and how glad she would be if I were to help her with him. Edward grinned widely while telling this, well not that much when it came the part of me talking to him, but it was better than nothing.

Edward, also called Carlisle at the hospital to inform him about these deaths. He sounded really shocked and worried, but his determined tone was still on him. He told Edward he was going to keep an eye on the autopsy file, and to stay calm that this was going to be resolved.

After that we stayed there, each one submerged on our own thoughts. I was too busy reviewing everything that happened today… all the fights with Edward, the man killed with the bite on his hand… Okay, I couldn't resolve everything at the same time. But at least I could solve something…

"Hey…" I started off, peeping on him from the corner of my eye to see his response.

"Mhm?" he said absentminded.

"So… I know why we are fighting so much…"

"And why is that?"

"Because we haven't been spending much time alone… and we need time to be with one another… alone !" He was going to talk, but I proceeded. I needed him to know where this was heading…

"So…you know what I was thinking?… that maybe today I could stay at your house" Now his expression changed, he suddenly understood where this was heading…

"At my house?" He asked, with a pinch of panic in his voice "Do you think Charlie would approve that?" He laughed calmer now; he knew Charlie would never approve that. But he didn't need to know where exactly I was going… didn't he?

"I can always go to Angela's house… can't I?" I grinned.

I've been spending a lot of time with Angela this last time; it wouldn't be anything odd to sleep over.

"Aren't you forgetting he is the Sheriff? I think he would know where his daughter really was…" he realized with a smile starting in the corner of his lips. Oh, he really thought he was winning, didn't he? If he did, he just didn't know me that well…

"And aren't you forgetting that you can read minds and Alice see the future?" I told him with a triumphant tone. His eyes widened, he knew I was winning. But he composed in a second, and put himself a calm mask.

"Well… but I still don't know what difference is in going to my house rather to yours…" He said innocently. Oh, he knew that difference. He just didn't want me to know it.

He didn't want to spend a whole night with me, with anyone bothering. It was too dangerous; he knew what I would want… And he wouldn't be able to delay it too much more.

"Because in my house we have to be quiet, and we can stay just in my room, we can't go out or anything. But in your house…." He cut me off, now the panic had reached his eyes, he couldn't hide it anymore.

"Go out? Where do you want to go out?" He choked.

"Umm… I don't know… just to anywhere, alone… with you." I told you I would get what I want…