A/N: Short chapter but at least I updated more quickly this time right? I'm glad you guys were amused with the cow comment in the last chapter. I'm trying to infuse a bit of humor here and there as this is a pretty emotional story.

As always, thank you for reading.

By the time Edward got back Bella was through with her bath and dressed in jeans and a sweater. The somewhat jovial mood she had been in when he left had quickly dissipated in his absence. All of the old fears flooded back into her sending her heart into overdrive as she paced the house waiting for him. Even her tea threatened to heave itself from her stomach.

She replayed the events of the last twenty-four hours in her head. She knew that if he left again that would be it. She wouldn't be able to cope. What little she had left of herself would disappear with him. She found herself walking to the front door and peering out the side window into the cool night air looking for him and a part of her felt angry at herself for feeling so desperate. She grasped the sides of the window frame so tightly that little chips of the old wood fell to the floor.

She spun away from the window and continued her pacing looking around the living room for something to take out her anger on but found nothing suitable. Most everything in there belonged to her Father and she certainly wasn't going to destroy anything of his just because of her fragile emotions. She lifted her head and closed her eyes letting out a groan of frustration.

"Bella?" came the honey voice from behind her.

She turned and found Edward standing there holding a brown paper bag that quite obviously contained her food. She could smell the grease and iron scent of the beef from across the room. He looked better. The circles under his eyes were gone and he seemed brighter, more alive. Edward had always referred to himself as something dead but she didn't believe that for one second.

"Bella, what's wrong?" he asked, and she realized that she had been standing there staring at him.

She looked away, slightly embarrassed, and mumbled her reply. "I was looking for something else to throw at you."

He chuckled and she shot daggers at him with her eyes.

"I'm sorry Bella." He said, looking contrite. "I didn't mean to laugh at you."

Well that's a turn of events, she thought to herself. Old Edward laughed at her frequently without apology. I could get used to this.

She sighed and took her bag from his hands and returned to the kitchen where she sat at the table and laid out her meal. Edward sat across from her and kept silent, careful not to watch her so he didn't make her feel uncomfortable.

Despite her stomach's protests while Edward was out Bella was quite hungry and quickly ate her food which seemed to ease her mood slightly. Halfway through her sandwich she finally spoke up.

"So did you have to kill a cow to get this?" she asked holding up the cheese steak but still not making eye contact with Edward.

"No." he replied, and she could hear a small smile in his voice. "But I did grab something for myself while I was out."

"I can tell." She said softly. "Your eyes look brighter and you just look…better somehow."

Taking in a deep breath she took a couple more bites of her sandwich and then pushed it away. "I'm full." She declared even though it was only half true. Again she noticed another minute change in Edward. Normally he would have gotten up and put everything away or told her that she should eat more or some other thing that a parent would do towards a child. She was grateful for this change and made a mental note to thank him later. Right now all she wanted to do was get out of the house.

She pushed her chair back and stood, making it squeak as it slid over the linoleum. "Can we go for that walk now?" Damn, she thought to herself, chastising herself for asking permission rather than just stating. This was going to take work on both their parts.

"Of course." He said, giving her another small smile.

After she brushed her teeth and threw on a coat they were out on the road with the stars shining above them. For some reason the skies often seemed clear at night despite the days being filled with rain. She felt Edward's fingers ghost the underside of her hand and knew what he wanted.

"May I?" he asked timidly.

"I don't know." she whispered. It was an honest answer. Part of her wanted to and part of her was terrified to give away any more pieces of herself to him.

"I'm sorry if I'm hurting you." She said looking up at him as they walked. And she meant it. Despite the hell she'd been through she wouldn't wish it on anyone, not even him. Her actions and emotions had nothing to do with vengeance and everything to do with figuring out where all the puzzle pieces went. The image of Humpty Dumpty flashed through her mind and she gave a small laugh. His brows knit in confusion.

"I was just thinking of a nursery rhyme, that's all." She reassured him.

"I still wish I could get inside your head." He said.

"Believe it or not I wish I could get inside yours." She replied.

"Why?" he asked, curious.

"So I could try and understand. So I can see what you went through, how it all looked to you. I don't know anything other than what you tell me and I can't trust what you tell me."

"Bella you can ask me anything. I swear I'll tell the truth. No more hiding anything from you."

She wanted to believe him but the broken part of her held back. Still, she thought, it won't hurt to ask. They did need to talk after all.

"Will your family be coming back?" Other than the one question that scared her deeply, this was the most pressing in her mind. She could hardly handle him being back never mind the entirety of his kin.

"No. Not yet."

She saw his hand twitch towards hers and then pull back. It was such a natural instinct to want that physical bond, to close the gap between them. In spite of her anger she felt the undeniable pull along with pity at making him restrain so much of himself. So she reached out and clasped her hand in his while she thought of what else to ask.

Thinking about his family was painful. She still loved them. She missed them. But like with Edward she didn't know if things could ever be the same again. So she opted for a somewhat safer train of thought.

"Rosalie must be thrilled." She snorted.

Edward looked shamed at that. "I wish it weren't like that." He said. "I know it hurts you to be disliked by someone who hasn't even bothered getting to know you. And now with this…well, she feels vindicated." He paused. "I wish I could give you some answer, tell you some hidden fact as to why she feels the way she does but I really don't have one. There are things about her past, things I'm not at liberty to discuss that may play a part in it. But still, I find her behavior inexcusable and I'm sorry for any pain it's caused you."

"It's okay Edward. On the grand scale of pain that one lies well towards the bottom." She instantly regretted her words realizing they probably sounded cruel and she really hadn't intended it that way.

By now they had passed through the center of town and were coming up on Tillicum Park. Bella stopped them and turned to stand in front of Edward.

"I'm sorry Edward." She said, taking his hands in hers. "I didn't mean that to sound as harsh as it did." She kissed the tops of his fingers and waited for the self loathing comments that were sure to come out of his mouth but when she looked up he had a smirk on his face.

"Want to go play in the park?" he asked, mischievously, nodding towards it.

"Yeah." she said, smiling back.

Edward put his arm around her shoulder as they walked in and this time she didn't protest.