A/N: Longest A/N and chapter ever.

First of all, I'm terribly sorry for the delay. I know I suck but life has been terribly complicated. School was crazy, I got dumped which was not fun at all, and writing while depressed is not a very good idea, and then I had to do the million things that I had left behind because school and work were not allowing me to. So now here I am, finally, this was a complicated chapter to write but I ended up liking it and hope the length makes up for the wait.

Secondly, thank you for all your wonderful reviews and for sticking around even when I don't update often.

Thirdly, I got a Beta!! Yay!!! My amazing friend Katiushabb is apparently willing to put up with me and though she is in fact a mindless bimbo as every good blonde (no insults intended to any other blonde but her), she's also and amazing friend, beta and writer. Please check out her one shot "One" and expect a co-written story soon which will blow your minds away (not necessarily in a good way). All previous chapters have been corrected if you wish to check them out.

And lastly, summer is here and updates should come more regularly. I'm finishing this story no matter what and I really want to update fast but sometimes life gets in the way. I'm still sticking to the book for now but I like how its coming along and how I'm handling the story. I hope you do too.

Please read and review! You know I love to hear your thoughts!!!

Disclaimer: Sadly I'm not smart enough to come up with Twilight *sigh* but we've all been blessed with fanfiction.

I found myself wandering around the part of Port Angeles that was surely not meant for tourists, surrounded by warehouses and dead end streets with barely any traffic. It was getting dark earlier than usual as the clouds started covering the sky creating an early sunset and as I looked over my shoulder to look at the rest of the sky I realized two of the men from before were following me. I quickened my pace as discretely as I could, listening intently to their quiet footsteps, which were much too quiet when compared to the boisterous noise they'd been making earlier, and it didn't sound like they were speeding up, or getting any closer to me.

There was a right-hand turn further ahead but when I reached it I sadly realized it was only a blind drive to the back of another building. I turned back to sidewalk and kept walking, the street ended at the next corner, where there was a stop sign. I kept my pace steady, the men behind me falling ever so slightly farther behind with every step. I skipped around the corner with a grateful sigh.

And skidded to a stop.

The street was lined on both sides by blank, doorless, windowless walls. I could see in the distance, two intersections down, streetlamps, cars, and more pedestrians, but they were all too far away. Because lounging against the western building, midway down street, were the other two men from the group, both watching smiling as I froze dead on the sidewalk. I realized then that I wasn't being followed.

I was being herded.

I paused for only a second, I turned then and darted to the other side of the road. My hands turned into fists as I approached the two men by the building. As I got closer the thickset man shrugged away from the wall and walked slowly into the street. My face turned angry.

"Let's see what you got, pretty boy" he said almost laughing.

Before I knew it all four men were surrounding me, getting closer with menacing looks on their faces. Without even thinking about it I punched the dark-haired man on the gut as he was about to jump on me. He stepped back clutching his stomach but two seconds later the two men furthest from me were on me holding me back, taking one of my arms each as the fourth guy approached looking menacingly at me. I knew what was coming and knew that there was no longer anything I could do to stop it. My insides lurched.

Just as he was about to punch my stomach the roar of an engine froze them all. The two holding me half turned to the noise behind me and I strained my neck to see. Suddenly a pair of headlights turned on brightly blinding the men and making them let go of me so they could rub their eyes to ease the pain of the blinding light before I had a chance to see anything. The engine which had slowed roared to life again skidding to a stop next to me. The passenger door opened just a few feet from me.

"Get in" a furious voice commanded.

Even though I knew there were four men surrounding me, even though five seconds ago I was terrified, even though she sounded incredibly angry, as soon as I heard her voice I couldn't help but smile slightly, it was not only relieve to be rescued, not just the feeling of security that washed over me, but something else that I knew would not have been there if it had been anyone else.

I jumped into the seat slamming the door shut behind me. It was dark in the car, no light had come on with the opening of the door and I could barely see her face in the glow form the dashboard, but I could sense my smile annoyed her and it slowly faded away.

The truck strained as she accelerated and I heard her grunt clearly unhappy to be pushing the vehicle like that. Even after we were safely away from the men she never let go of the gas and never minded the several traffic signs we came across. But I felt utterly safe and, for the moment, totally unconcerned about where we were going. I stared at her face in profound relief, relief that went beyond my sudden rescue. I studied her flawless features in the limited light, until it occurred to me that her expression was troubled and angry.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"No" she answered curtly.

I sat in silence, wanting to comfort her somehow but instead watching her face while her blazing eyes stared straight ahead until the truck came to a sudden and loud stop somewhere outside of town.

"Edward" she asked, her voice tight, controlled.

"Yes?"

"Are you all right?" She still didn't look at me, but fury was plain on her face.

"Yes" I spoke sofly.

"Distract me, please" she pleaded.

"I'm sorry, what?"

It looked like angry tears were forming in her eyes as she exhaled sharply.

"Just prattle about something unimportant until I calm down" she clarified closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.

"Um" I wracked my brain for something trivial "Alice is probably going to murder me when we get home?"

Her face still looked a little tense but the corner of her mouth raised a bit.

"How come?" she asked curious though her voice was strained.

"I was supposed to babysit Emmett and Jasper while the girls bought their dresses but I got bored and left" I rambled on.

"Why would they need babysitting?" a slight smile started playing at her lips.

"Well, Jasper usually doesn't, but Emmett is a force of nature that seems to be unable to keep out of trouble and Jasper tends to let himself get carried along".

Bella sighed and finally opened her eyes.

"Better?"

"Not really."

I waited, but she didn't speak again. She leaned her head back against the seat, staring at the ceiling of the car. Her face was rigid, the need to comfort her rose again but I held myself in place.

"What's wrong?" my voice came out in a whisper.

"I'm not very good at controlling my temper, Edward" she was whispering, too, her voice held a hint of sadness as she stared out the window, her eyes narrowed into slits. "But it wouldn't be helpful for me to turn around and…" she didn't finish her sentence, looking away, struggling for a moment to control her anger again. "At least" she continued "that's what I'm trying to convince myself".

Right then my phone rang, "Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones blared out and I sighed taking the phone from my pocket.

"Hi, Alice"

"Edward, where the hell are you? Are you ok?" I cringed at her high pitched shouting. "We are worried sick about you, you were to supposed to meet us for dinner over an hour ago! And after you left Em and Jazz made a disaster!"

"Alice, calm down, I'm fine. I'm sorry, I just got lost."

"Where are you know?" she asked more calmly but still annoyed.

"Erm, I'm with Isabella Swan, she, um, found me wondering around and is helping me back into town".

"Well, how long are you going to take? We already ate and Rose and Em have their hands all over each other and are grossing me and the entire town out."

For a moment I thought I saw Bella smile but before I had time to ponder on it she removed the phone from my ear.

"Hello, Alice, em, this is Bella" it was strange, she sounded a little nervous. "Well, yes, I agree with you on that, he's quite a disaster" I strained to hear what Alice was saying as she seemed to have done before but was unable to.

"We'll have something to eat and then I'll drive him home. You won't have to wait for him or worry he'll get lost again" I could picture Alice's smile plastered on her face, she was not a very patient person, she hated waiting.

"Nice talking to you too, Alice. Bye" she snapped the phone shut and handed it back to me being careful not to touch me. A confused expression was plastered on my face.

Before I knew it we were on our way back to town. We stopped in front of "La Bella Italia".

"So…" I started.

She sensed my question and replied "I'm taking you to dinner" as she got out of the truck. She slammed the door shut and I quickly made my way out as well. She was already making her way into the restaurant leaving me no choice but to follow her inside quickening my pace to catch up.

The restaurant wasn't crowded – it was the off-season in Port Angeles. The host was male and I felt a jolt of jealousy as he assessed Bella. He welcomed her a little more warmly than necessary. I was surprised by how much that bothered me.

"A table for two?" his voice was alluring as he smiled at her. I saw his eyes flickered to me and then away, satisfied by the cautious no-contact space that Bella kept between us. He led us to a table big enough for four in the centre of the most crowded area of the dinning floor.

I was waiting for her to sit down when she asked "Perhaps something a little more private?".

"Sure" he replied sounding as surprised as I was. He turned and led us around a partition to a small ring of booths – all of them empty "How's this?"

"Perfect" she flashed him a gleaming smile, increasing his confidence.

"Your server will be right out" he said alluringly.

I chuckled quietly.

"What?" she turned to ask me.

"Nothing" I replied as she looked at me quizzically.

Before she got a chance to ask again our server arrived, his face expectant. The host had definitely commented on his assessment of her and the new guy seemed to agree.

He smiled softly and said "Hello, my name is Andy, and I'll be your server tonight. What can I get you to drink?" I didn't miss that he was speaking only to her. My jealousy was still latent but she looked at me and it faded.

"Um' I'll have a Coke".

"Two Cokes" she said.

"I'll be right back with that" he assured her with another unnecessary smile. But she didn't see it. She was watching me intently.

"What?" I asked when he left.

"Nothing" she answered mockingly.

Seconds later the waiter appeared with our drinks and a basket of breadsticks. He stood with his back to me as he placed them on the table.

"Are you ready to order?" he asked Bella.

"Edward?" she asked. He turned unwillingly toward me.

I picked the first thing I saw on the menu. "Um… I'll have the mushroom ravioli."

"And you?" He turned back to her with a smile.

"Nothing for me," she said. Of course not.

"Let me know if you change your mind." The coy smile was still in place, but she wasn't looking at him, and he left dissatisfied.

"Are you sure you're okay?" She seemed unsettled. She stared into my eyes, and I saw how light her eyes were, lighter than I've ever seen them, golden butterscotch.

"Yes, I just… feel very safe with you," I confessed, mesmerized into telling the truth.

That displeased her, her alabaster brow furrowed. She shook her head, frowning.

"This is more complicated than I'd planned," she murmured to herself.

I picked up a breadstick, measuring her expression. I wondered when it would be okay to start questioning her.

"Usually you are in a better mood when you eyes are so light" I commented trying to distract her from whatever thought had left her frowning and sombre.

She started at me, stunned "What?"

"You are always more irritable when your eyes are black. I expect it then" I went on "I have a theory about that".

Her eyes narrowed "More theories?"

"Mm-hm" I said trying to look indifferent.

"I hope you were more creative this time… or are you still stealing from comic books?" Her faint smile was sweet but mocking.

"Well, no, I didn't get it from a comic book, but I didn't come up with it on my own either," I confessed.

"And?" she prompted.

But then the waiter strode around the partition with my food. I realized we'd been unconsciously leaning toward each other across the table, because we both straightened up as he approached. He set the dish in front of me and turned quickly to Bella.

"Did you change your mind?" he asked. "Isn't there anything I can get you?" I may have been imagining the double meaning in his words.

"No, thank you" she answered politely and he disappointedly walked away.

"You were saying?" she asked.

"I'll tell you about it in the car. If…" I paused.

"There are conditions?" She raised one eyebrow, her voice ominous.

"I do have a few questions, of course."

"Of course."

"Well, go ahead," she pushed, her voice still hard.

I started with the most undemanding. Or so I thought. "Why are you in Port Angeles?"

She looked down, folding her hands together slowly on the table. Her eyes flickered up at me and from under her lashes, the hint of a smirk on her face.

"Next."

"But that's the easiest one," I objected.

"Next," she repeated.

I looked down, frustrated.

"You can trust me, you know," I murmured. I reached forward, without thinking, to touch her folded hands, but she slid them away minutely and I pulled my hand back.

"I don't know if I have a choice anymore." Her voice was almost a whisper. "I was wrong – you're much more observant than I gave you credit for."

"I thought you were always right."

"I used to be." She shook her head again.

I stretched my hand across the table again – ignoring her when she pulled back slightly once more – to touch the back of her hand shyly with my fingertips. Her skin was cold and hard, like a stone.

"Thank you." My voice was fervent with gratitude. "That's twice now."

Her face softened. "Let's not try for three, agreed?"

I scowled, but nodded. She moved her hand out from under mine, placing both of hers under the table. But she leaned toward me.

"I followed you to Port Angeles" she admitted, speaking in a rush "I've never tried to keep track of a specific person before and it's much more troublesome that I would have believed." she paused. Knowing she was following me around made me feel a strange surge of pleasure. She stared maybe wondering why my lips were curving into an involuntary smile.

"Did you ever think that maybe my number was up the first time, with the van, and that you've been interfering with fate?" I speculated, distracting myself.

"That wasn't the first time," she said, and her voice was hard to hear. I stared at her in amazement, but she was looking down. "Your number was up the first time I met you."

I felt a spasm of fear at her words, and the abrupt memory of her violent black glare that first day… but the overwhelming sense of safety I felt in her presence stifled it. By the time she looked up to read my eyes, there was no trace of fear in them.

"You remember?" she asked, her angel's face grave.

"Yes." I was calm.

"And yet here you sit." There was a trace of disbelief in her voice; she raised one eyebrow.

"Yes, here I sit… because of you." I paused. "Because somehow you knew how to find me today…?" I prompted.

She pressed her lips together, staring at me through narrowed eyes, deciding again. Her eyes flashed down to my full plate, and then back to me.

"You eat, I'll talk", she bargained.

I quickly scooped up a ravioli and popped it in my mouth.

"It's harder than it should be – keeping track of you. People are usually more comfortable around familiar faces and surroundings. You, on the other hand, chose to part ways with your friends and before I knew it I didn't know where you were anymore." She paused for a second to watch that I ate.

"At first I tracked your group down, listening in now and then," she looked at me anxiously, and I realized I had frozen. I made myself swallow, then stabbed another ravioli and tossed it in. "and at first I didn't notice when you took off on your own. Then, when I realized that you weren't with them anymore I went looking for you at the music shop I heard Angela mention. I could tell you hadn't gone in, and that you'd gone south... I knew you would have to turn around soon. So I was just waiting for you, randomly listening to people on the streets, to try and find where you were. I had no reason to be worried... but I was strangely anxious..." She was lost in thought, staring past me, seeing things I couldn't imagine.

"I started to drive in circles, still... listening. The sun was finally setting, and I was about to get out and follow you on foot. And then..." She stopped, clenching her teeth together in sudden fury. She made an effort to calm herself.

"Then what?" I whispered. She continued to stare over my head with sad eyes.

"I listened to them as they planned, at first I didn't know it was you they were after but their description, the way the talked, it... it gave me a hunch..." The anger on her face was suddenly completely replaced by sadness.

"It was very... difficult... for me to simply take you away, and leave them..." she had leaned forward, her hand covering her eyes. "I could have dropped you off with your siblings, but I was afraid if you left me alone, I would go looking for them" she admitted in a whisper.

I was surprised that such an angelic figure, such a fragile looking girl could hold so much anger, so much violence. She still had her face in her hand, as if hidden in shame, and she was still as if she'd been carved from the stone her skin resembled.

Finally she looked up, her eyes seeking mine, full of her own questions.

"Are you ready to go home yet?" she asked.

"I'm ready to leave," I qualified, overly grateful that we had the hour-long ride home together. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to her.

I asked for the bill and paid for it as much as she tried to stop me.

She walked close beside me to the door, still careful not to touch me. I held the door open for her, which seemed to surprise her. She gracefully stepped outside and got in the car, I did the same behind her.

Once inside the car, she started the engine and pulled out through the traffic, apparently without a glance, flipping around to head toward the freeway.

"Now," she said significantly and slightly amused, "it's your turn."

A/N: Please review! You know how it makes me smile and you know how you love it when people make you smile!!! Pretty please?