AN: Do you think Stephanie Meyer will give me the Twilight characters for Christmas? No… didn't think so!

Thank You! You are all awesome. I love m reviews and I am glad that little by little my story is getting some popularity. I do hate to beg, but please review… it really motivates me to write faster.

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APOV

November was finally here. I was really excited because it was the start of the holiday season and I absolutely loved to shop for my friends and family. I was also excited because Edward was moving to DC this weekend.

It had been frustratingly hard not to be able to tell Bella about Tanya's lies and the fact that she was no longer part of Edward's life. However, I respected the fact that Edward wanted to do this on his own, and after my failed attempt to make Bella understand last time, I was more than willing to give him the chance on this one.

Bella had been dating Gage all this time, but I could tell that they were not going anywhere. She wasn't even officially his girlfriend, and they had barely even gotten to second base. I had a feeling that those two would end up being just friends, and I was hoping they would realize this sooner rather than later. Bella might have not realized, but I knew she was holding back, she was hoping for someone else to come and sweep her off her feet, and I knew who that person was.

It was already 6:00 p.m. on Friday when I decided it was time to head home. Jasper had been away doing some research on some civil war artifacts in Gettysburg, and I had not seen him all week. I really missed him.

I was just about to enter the elevator when I heard Bella ask me to hold it for her. I did as she asked and I held the door open as she made her way in.

"Hi Alice, how was your day?" she asked. We had grown a little distant over the last few months. I felt so impotent about not being able to tell her about Edward and Tanya, and I also did not want to intrude in her relationship with Gage.

These days I heard all the gossip from Rose. She and Bella had grown very close ever since the Baltimore incident.

"It was good, but I am so glad it's Friday. Jasper has been out of town all week and he's coming home tonight," I replied.

"Did you have something special planned for him?" Bella asked with a knowing look on her face.

"Oh yeah, I found some civil war era costumes and I can't wait for us to play soldier and damsel in distress," I told Bella as I watched the look of regret in her face.

"I wish I had not asked," she said as I smirked. Bella was very shy about that sort of thing, and I thought it was fun to make fun about it.

"What about you, any plans with Gage?"

"Actually I do. We are meeting at Foggy Bottom tonight, we are having a conversation about our relationship," she said while looking a bit nervous.

Where they making it official? That was the only thing I could think of that would make Bella this nervous. I decided to ask her rather than jump to conclusions.

"Are you guys making it official?"

"No. I don't have any feelings for him, and I don't think he has them for me either," she said as she started to bite down on her lip.

"If you think he feels the same way, then why are you so nervous?" I asked. I was very curious about her nervous and curiosity never killed the cat.

"Oh, well… I was just worried about your reaction. I mean, you warned me about hurting him, and that is the last thing I wanted to do," she told me sheepishly.

"Silly Bella, I am not mad at you. I knew that this wasn't going anywhere and that you both felt the same way. I am sure that you guys will remain good friends," I told her while trying to reassure her that I wasn't mad.

"That's a big relief Alice. I had actually been putting this off because I was afraid of your reaction. You have no idea how hard these past few months have been. I felt as if we had been growing apart and I had no one to blame but me."

"Oh Bella, I am so sorry if I made you feel that way. This is not your fault, I was just trying to give you space. You know I love you right?"

"Yes, and I do too. Now get in your car and leave before Jasper beats you home," she said with a smile on her face. I was relieved. I did not want to make Bella any sadder than she had been ever since that Mike asshole broke her heart.

"Alright, good luck tonight and please know that I am here for you. I'll see you Monday." I waved her goodbye and I stepped into my car.

It was Jasper time!

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BPOV

I was glad that things were fine with Alice and that she understood that I could only be friends with Gage. He had really been incredible over the past few months. He was so attentive, and so respectful of my space. I tried my hardest to fall for him, but no matter how hard I tried, he was not the one I wanted.

How do you find love someplace else after staring at your soul mate in the eye and knowing that that is where you are meant to be? He was simply not Edward and although Edward was making his life in Baltimore with his fiancée, I could not deny the fact that I ached for him. No one was ever going to measure up.

I had come to the conclusion that I was going to spend the rest of my life on my own. If it wasn't for the fact that I was not religious, I would have gone to the closed convent and begged them for entrance.

Somehow though, there was a peace within me. I had made wonderful friends and I knew that they would always be there for me. I was resigned to the fact that the most crucial and impacting moment of my life occurred a year and a half ago, and it only lasted a moment. That moment however, was going to be enough to carry me for the rest of my life.

I took a deep breath as I approached the restaurant. Foggy Bottom tended to be a bit loud, so I was going to have to wait until we got to Cosi to have my conversation with Gage.

I made it inside the restaurant and I noticed that Gage was not there. I figured he was probably running a little late, so I grabbed a table before the restaurant got too busy. I waited… and waited.

No Gage.

I checked my phone for the hundredth time and no messages. This was so unlike Gage. I was worried that something may have happened.

I left the restaurant in a hurry. I was pretty sure the waitress was glad as I had spent nearly three hours at the table only ordering cokes. I was shaking, and I was unsure if it was due to all the caffeine or the fact that I was worried about Gage.

I was sweaty by the time I made it to my apartment building. I ran all the way to my place, I was hoping to find a message from Gage there.

I flew out of the elevator as soon as it reached my floor and I made my way towards my apartment. I was frantically looking for my keys when I noticed there was something on my door. There, stuck a pink Post-it note and the messages made my knees weak as I gasped.

"Loverboy is dead. You are mine!"

I was overcome with fear, a cold sweat running down my body. I screamed.

"Bella? What's wrong?" I heard Emmett ask. I was going to respond when I heard him gasp.

"Bella, I think is best if you go into my apartment and stay there with Rose. I am calling the police."

"GAGE!!!" I yelled. "Emmett, I think it means Gage!" I could not breathe, my chest got too tight and I was having a hard time focusing.

Then everything went black…

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I was face to face with Edward. I had found him. I wanted so bad to hug him, to talk to him, but he wouldn't move. I started to approach him but he kept moving back, a mocking expression in his face.

He was staring at something and then back at me, over and over. I turned so that I could look at what he was staring at and I gasped. It was Gage, a dagger in his heart. I screamed.

"Bella! Bella, please wake up. Bella!" I heard Rose yell.

I opened my eyes and I realized that I was not in my house. What happened? Then everything came crashing down on me. Gage never showing up at the restaurant, no messages, and that hideous note on my door.

"Where is Gage?" I asked Rose. She looked down and she seemed really sad.

"Please Rose, where is he? Please tell me he's alright." I stood up. I needed to find him, now. I needed to know that he was ok.

"Bella… Gage… ugh…," was all Rose managed to say before she started crying.

"Rose, you're scaring me. What the hell is going on?" I asked her, irritated by the fact that she was not answering my questions.

"Bella, please sit down honey, we have something to tell you," Emmett said. I had not noticed him standing there.

"God Emmett, please tell me that Gage is ok. Please…" I said in a low whisper.

"I am so sorry Bella. I am really sorry. He was my friend as well…" he said as he too started to sob.

"Was? Oh no, Oh no, please tell me he's not dead, please…. Not Gage, no… oh no… Emmet! Tell me you're just joking, please!"

"Bella…" was all Rose managed to say before everything went black again.

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APOV

"Where is she?" I asked Rose as soon as I entered their apartment.

"Your father just gave her something to calm her nerves and she is asleep in the guest bedroom," Rose responded.

"This is so horrible Rose. I can't believe the Post-it killer killed Gage," I said as I sat down on their couch.

"What has us worried the most is the fact that the killer seems to know Bella, and the police think that he is after her," Emmet said. The look of worry evident on his face.

"What happened exactly?" I asked

"Emmett told me how he heard Bella scream from the hallway. He went out to see what was going on and saw her staring at her door, her face pale as a ghost. He noticed that she was staring at a note in her door and he moved so that he could read what it said.

As soon as he read the note he realized that something was wrong. He told Bella to go with Rose but she started freaking out about Gage and fainted.

He took her back to their apartment and placed her in our spare bedroom while he called 911. The police came immediately and started asking him questions about Bella. He told them that Bella was worried about Gage.

The police made their way to Gage's apartment and found him dead. A Post-it note on his head, with the message 'You are next' written on it."

"The police think that the message was for Bella," Emmett continued.

"But who, Emmett? Bella is such a nice person. What does this killer want with her?" I asked.

"I have no idea, Alice. This does not make any sense to us either," he responded.

"Does she know about Gage?"

"Yes, we told her after she woke up. She was in hysterics, and she fainted once again. Emmett called your dad and he decided to give her something for her nerves. She had been going in and out of consciousness asking for Gage, and Carlisle thought it best if we let her rest," Rose told me.

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The weekend turned out to be one of the worse weekends of our lives. Bella could not come to grips with what had happened and we spent the time trying to calm her down.

I called Edward. He was going to be staying at my apartment while he found a place of his own. I told him about Gage, and I told him about Bella. He came to DC an hour later and was working with Gage's parents who arrived from Seattle right away with the funeral arrangements.

Bella was unable to make it to the funeral on the Sunday afternoon. She seemed to have accepted what happened to Gage, but as soon as we were ready to leave for the funeral, she lost it. Emmett and Rose stayed behind with her, while the rest of us went to the funeral.

Apparently the killer had done so much damage to Gage that they thought best to have a close casket funeral. It was devastating. There was a huge picture of him standing outside of the Pentagon looking very proud. There was another one of all of us at our college graduation. The last one was of him and Bella.

Edward had no idea that Bella had been dating Gage. He was in shock. He really wanted to stay with her and comfort her, but we all thought it would be best if she was with people that she knew well. They may have had strong feelings for each other, but the fact remained that they had only spoken once. Also, Emmett was adamant about leaving her side. He really saw her as a sister and her pain became his pain.

"Gage was my brother, my best friend. Words can't describe how painful it is for him to have been taken from us in such a violent way," Liam, Gage's brother was saying at the funeral.

"He was such a selfless person, always eager to help anyone. His life's passion was to make people happy and to try and improve the world. I will miss our heated discussions about politics, the society, and the welfare of our children. He will live forever in our hearts and we will try our best to live our lives the only way he knew how to live his, selflessly," he continued as he sobbed quietly.

There was not a single dry eye in the audience. Gage was truly a remarkable man. This was so unfair.

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Once again, the police had no evidence. There were no prints, nothing out of place. They had no idea who they were looking for. They asked us to keep an eye on Bella, at all times. We were to always be with her, and if anything out of the ordinary happened, we would contact them as soon as possible and they would move her to a secured location.

We decided to take turns staying at her apartment. She spent most of Sunday with Rose and Emmett, and I sent them back to their home to rest on Sunday evening. I knew they needed their rest. I would be staying with her for the night while Jasper and Edward would stay in our apartment.

My dad gave us a prescription for Bella just in case. I knew she was going to be upset that she had missed the funeral, but I thought it was best that she had. I don't think she would have been able to handle it. She was truly hurting for him, and most of all, she felt responsible.

Our priority now was to protect her. I really hoped that the police were able to find the killer soon. That piece of scum did not deserve to walk another day free.

I woke up at exactly 6:00 a.m. and I made my way to Bella's room. I wanted to be there when she woke up. I opened her door slowly, I did not want to wake her, and I made my way to her bed as silently as I could.

It was empty. Bella was gone.

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EPOV

I was packing my last personal items when my cell phone rang. I looked at the caller ID and I realized that it was Alice. She was so impatient.

"I am going to be there in a day silly, why are you calling me so much," I said as soon as I answered the phone. She was driving me crazy with all her calls. She had been calling me all week making sure I knew all the details of the move. I was starting to regret asking her to let me stay in her apartment while I found a place of my own.

"Edward something happened. We need you in DC as soon as possible," she said in a weak voice. It was evident that she had been crying.

"Alice, what happened? Are Dad, Mom, and Emmett ok?" I asked in a panicked voice.

"Yes, everyone is fine, but something happened to Gage."

Gage? Wow, I had not heard of him for over a year. I had no idea he was still close with my siblings.

"What happened, Alice?" I asked her.

"Gage…he was murdered," she said as she started to sob.

I couldn't believe it. Gage was younger than me and he was dead. How could someone do such a thing? Gage was a great person, he always helped others. I could not think of a single person that would have wanted to harm him in any way.

I immediately called Ben and explained to him what happened. I asked him to come to my apartment tomorrow and keep an eye on the movers. He told me not to worry about it and to give my regards to Bella.

Bella… would I see her? I quickly pushed the thought aside and concentrated on getting an overnight bag together so that I could leave.

I made it into DC in just over an hour. Alice gave me instructions to Rose and Emmett's apartment as they were all there with Bella. I was confused. I could not understand what Bella had to do with Gage.

I made my way to my brother's apartment and I was met with my father in the hallway. He explained that Bella and Gage had been dating and that the police thought the killer was after Bella. He told me that he had to sedate her because she was in hysterics and that we all needed to keep an eye on her.

It all made sense now. Bella had been dating Gage. I could see why, Gage was a great guy, and he was someone who deserved to have such an angel like Bella. It was horrible that it had ended this tragically, but what worried me the most was that someone was after Bella, my Bella.

I was ambushed by Alice as soon as I entered Emmett's place.

"Edward, I am so glad you are finally here," Alice said as she hugged me.

"Where is Bella? Is she alright?" I asked.

"She is asleep now. We need to let her rest. Rose and Emmett are keeping an eye on her for now, then it will be my turn. We are not going to leave her alone for a single second," she told me.

"Why would someone want to harm her or Gage?" I asked.

"We have no idea. We have been unable to ask Bella any questions. All she has been able to tell us is that it is all her fault."

"Poor Bella," I said. I felt so impotent at the moment. There was nothing I could think of that would help ease her pain.

"Listen, Gage's family will be arriving from Seattle in less than an hour. Please go to DCA and pick them up. They are going to need help with the funeral arrangements. We will stay with Bella, she will be fine," she said as she guessed my concern.

"Alright, but please call me as soon as she wakes up. I am not sure if she is going to want to see me, but I want to be there for her if she does."

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The next couple of days went by in a haze. I made myself useful by assisting Gage's family with all the arrangements. All I wanted to do was be with Bella, but I understood that it was best for me to keep my distance, for now, and I kept myself busy in order to distract myself. Every cell in my body was urging me to go see her, to hold her and console her. I wanted to make it all better for her.

The funeral was heartbreaking. Gage's parents decided to bury his body in DC because this place had become Gage's home. This was the place he had come to, in order to follow his dreams, and they knew that this was where he wanted to rest.

I decided on Sunday evening that I was going to see Bella the next day no matter what. I needed to see, with my own eyes, that she was ok. I also wanted to be the one protecting her. I needed to be with her.

The movers had put all of my belonging in a storage place. I kept my clothes and some personal items, but I missed my piano. My music was the only thing that helped me relax. Unfortunately, there was no place for it at Alice's place and I was going mad without it.

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I woke up very early on Monday morning. I could not wait anymore. I needed to see Bella now!

I took a quick shower and made my way to the kitchen.

"Hey Edward, good morning," Jasper said.

"Good morning, how come you are up so early, man?" I asked.

"I could ask you the same thing bro, but I have a good idea why you are up so early. You're going to see Bella, right?" he asked.

"Yes, I have been patient enough. I need to see her. I need to make sure that she's alright."

"Good, then perhaps you can take Alice's place for a little while. I know she has not slept much since we all found out on Friday and she needs to rest. She is too darn stubborn and refuses to leave Bella's side."

"No problem. I will stay with Bella and send Alice this way. See you later man," I said as I made my way outside.

I climbed into my Vanquish and I sped off to Bella's place. I wanted to be there when she woke up.

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I made it to Bella's apartment building in less than fifteen minutes. I was very glad that I had not encountered a single cop on my way. I quickly took the elevator and I half ran to her apartment, not bothering to stop at my brother's apartment on my way there.

I was about to knock on the door when Alice came out, looking frantic.

"Edward, she's gone!" she frenzied.

"Bella? What do you mean she's gone? I thought you were keeping an eye on her," I spat at Alice angrily.

"I am sorry, I fell asleep. I went to her bedroom as soon as I woke up, but she's not there. I was going to see if she was at Emmett's" Alice said as Emmett opened the door to his apartment.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"Bella is missing, is she there with you?" I asked him.

"No, she's not here. What the hell happened!?" he asked.

Alice told him what she had told me and we decided to call the police.

The police arrived a couple of minutes later and asked us all sorts of questions. Was the door forced? Did Alice hear anything? Could she have gone on her own? Where could she have gone?

We did not have a lot of answers for them. It was possible that Bella had gotten up and left, but where? We paced around her apartment for a while after the police left.

Emmett went to a few of the local coffee places to see if he could spot her, but there was no sign of her. The police didn't seem to think that the killer took her, but they were looking for her regardless. I really hoped that they were right, that Bella had left on her own, and that she was fine.

Then it hit me.

She had missed Gage's funeral, she probably wanted some closure. "The cemetery!" I yelled.

I did not give anyone a chance to respond. I grabbed my keys and I ran out of Bella's place. I really hoped that I was right. She had been missing for a few hours now and I was dying of fear.

As soon as I was outside I was drenched by the rain. It was an extremely cold, fall day and it had been raining for about an hour now. This made me more worried. What if she was out in the open, getting wet? The last thing she needed was to get sick.

I stepped on the gas and I sped off to the cemetery. Once again thankful, that the police was not around. I parked as close to the gates as possible and memories from Gage's funeral flooded my head.

I made my way around the tombstones in a hurried pace. I had a strong feeling that Bella was here. My entire being could feel her. As I approached the area where we buried Gage, less than twenty four hours ago, I started to run. The rain had picked up and I wanted to find Bella quickly.

I was almost there. I could see his tombstone and I looked around to see if I could spot Bella. I started to get more anxious with each passing second. Where was she? Then I spotted her.

She was lying at the foot of Gage's grave, crawled up in a fetal position, her hair fanned all over her face. My heart broke. There she was, broken hearted, a fallen angel.

My fallen Angel.

I quickly made my way towards her as I called her name, but she did not seem to hear me. I picked her up, moving her hair away from her face and I cradled her in my arms on my way to the car. She was so cold, her breathing shallow. She looked so fragile, so lost.

She was wearing her pajamas, and her feet were only covered with socks. I wondered how she made it here.

I tried to shelter her from the rain as much as I could. She was shivering.

We were almost there, when she opened her beautiful, brown eyes.

"Edward…" she whispered before she fainted, again.

AN: Ducks and run from Charley…. Someone please find me a Safe-House!