AN: I do not own Twilight.

I want to thank everyone that has been reading my story, I just made it to over 1,000 hits, my next goal is to reach 100 reviews. I am really excited!!

I dedicate this chapter to my loyal reviewers, I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Jagga-Love, you rock my world! Thanks for your double hard work on this chapter!!!

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BPOV

I kept having the same dream over and over: Edward staring at me with hateful eyes, and Gage lying in the floor, dead. The dreams were simply the reflection of how guilty I felt about Gage's death, even if I didn't know how or why it happened, and also the fact that I was not worthy of Edward.

I hated sedatives; the made me feel so numb. I felt like I was floating on thin air, and every now and then I would come crashing hard on the ground. Every time I woke from my haze I felt the pain and the remorse increase tenfold.

I opened my eyes and took stalk of my room. I was glad that I was home, being here made me feel really comfortable. The burgundy, gold, and bronze contrasts of my curtains and bed sheets made me feel warm. The rich mahogany of my king bed frame and my furniture made me feel safe.

Was I really safe?

I could not come up with a single reason for Gage's death. I was unable to comprehend why someone would do such a monstrosity to get to me. I had no idea who could have done this, or why they wanted me dead.

I knew the threat was for me, but I was confused. I didn't have any enemies. I had never done anything to anyone in my past to grant this sort of hatred.

Mike!

Was this his handiwork?

I didn't think so. He might have been an ass, but he wasn't a violent person. Why would he want to kill people?

What connection did I have with everyone that the serial killer had murdered?

Perhaps the serial killer and I had crossed paths at some point and he was infatuated. That had to be it, there was no other reason I could come up with. This was so unfair.

My throat was on fire. I must have been sleeping for a long time because I was extremely thirsty. I got up from my bed slowly. Although I had what seemed like hours of sleep, I felt as if I hadn't slept in days, I felt weak.

I opened my bedroom door and I slowly made my way to the kitchen. The house was so quiet. I started to get a little panicky thinking that my friends had left me alone, but I understood. They all had their own lives. I was almost glad they were not here, if the killer was after me, then I wanted to be the only one he had access to, I did not want anyone else to die because of me.

Was I ready to suffer the same fate that Gage suffered?

I passed by the living room and I was about to enter the kitchen when I heard a sigh. Someone was here. Slowly, I made my way to the couch and took a peek from the back.

Edward!

When I had woken up I was not sure if he was truly here or if it was a figment of my imagination. He was the angel that saved me from the rain this morning. I started to feel extremely guilty about my behavior earlier today. I was frazzled by everything that had happened and I was terrified of Edward being the next victim.

I decided to wake him up and kick him out but as I glanced at his face, I felt my resolve weaken. He was gorgeous. The most handsome man I had ever seen.

His bronze hair was always in perfect disarray, his pale skin making great contrast against it. I loved his chiseled jaw, and that little scar right at the bottom of the right side of his face. I had this intense urge to lick it. His lips were full, yet manly, and fit perfectly with the rest of his features.

I wanted to run my fingers through his subtle stubble. I wanted to kiss those lips. I wanted to hold him against me and smell his intoxicating scent…

I stared at him for what seemed like an eternity, and slowly I retreated to the kitchen. I could no longer ignore the burn in my throat. Very quietly, I poured myself a glass of water and I decided to return to my bedroom.

He looked so peaceful in his sleep and I didn't want to interrupt him.

I wanted to read a book, but as soon as I laid down on the bed, I fell asleep.

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"Bella, honey, please wake up," I heard Rose call as she patted my head.

"Hey," was all I managed to say.

"Hey sweetie, you have been sleeping pretty much all day. I think it would be a good idea if you had at least a little bit of soup to eat. It will make you feel better."

"Thanks Rose, let me freshen up and I will join you in a minute. Is Edward still sleeping?" I asked her.

"No, he just left," she replied.

"What? No, he can't leave, I … I have to apologize, I have to tell him…" I told her as I bolted out of my bedroom and out of my apartment.

I decided to take the stairs. I had no patience for the elevator. I ran down the steps as fast as I could, nearly falling several times. As soon as I made it to the main level I ran for the door. I really hoped that I was not too late.

I made it outside and I started to call him frantically, "Edward? Edward?"

I looked from side to side trying to find him. I was about to lose hope when I spotted him next to a fancy black car. He looked so surprised to see me there.

I started to approach him. "Edward…" I sighed.

"I'm sorry, I was so rude," I said as my eyes welled with tears.

"Is alright love, you need your space, I understand," he said, a sad look on his face.

"Please Edward, don't leave. I know that is selfish for me to ask you to risk your life for me, but… but I need you," I begged.

"Bella," he sighed. "You are not being selfish. I will be here with you as long as you will have me. Come here," he called as he extended his arms to me.

I moved closer to him and he embraced me, our bodies humming at the contact. He wrapped his arms around my waist, and slowly started to move them upwards, giving me soothing little rubs as he made his way up my back, then my shoulders, and finally my neck.

He moved his head towards my shoulders and rubbed his nose on the side of my neck, taking in my scent. I felt so safe. There was no were else in the world I wanted to be at that moment. His hands made their way to my face and slowly he stroked my cheeks, leaving a trail of fire everywhere he touched.

"I am really sorry about Gage," he told me as he stared at my eyes. I could not help blushing. He was so close to me, I could smell his heavenly breath.

"I feel so guilty, and at the same time so clueless," I whispered.

He pulled me from his embrace and once again cradled me in his arms. "Let's get you inside love, it's very cold out here and I don't want you to get sick," he said as we made our way inside my apartment building.

----

I was seating across from Edward at the dining table. Rose had served both of us soup, and we were consuming it quietly. I kept glancing at him, perhaps trying to convince myself that I was not dreaming. He also kept glancing at me, a crooked smile on his lips. He was so breathtaking.

"Detectives Black and Clearwater came earlier to see you, but you were sleeping. The wanted you to call them as soon as you felt like talking," Edward said, breaking my reverie.

"Jake and Seth?" I asked. "What the hell are they doing here?"

Edward explained that they were part of the team working on finding the Post-it Killer. The killer had murdered someone in Seattle, and they believed that it was there that his killing spree started.

I quickly finished the rest of the soup and I took the plate to the kitchen sink. I went back into my bedroom and removed my cell phone from the charger.

I moved back into the living room as I waited for Jake to answer.

"Bella?" he asked.

"Hi Jake!"

"Are you alright?" he asked with worry.

"I am as good as I can be I guess."

"Seth and I will be over in five minutes," he said before hanging up the phone.

I wondered where he was staying. He seemed to be in the same area as my apartment.

----

Jacob and Seth were in my apartment in less than four minutes. I still could not believe that they were here. I had heard about Leah's murder but I had not realized it had been the same killer.

Leah and I were never what you would call friends. She disliked me since we were little, mostly because her parents trusted me more than her on babysitting Seth. She thought that they preferred me over her.

I wondered if the killer was just targeting Seattle people for some reason and I trembled at the thought.

Jake and Seth spoke to all of us in my apartment. Alice had arrived with Japer right after our phone call and Edward was already there along with Emmett and Rose.

They explained that there was no evidence in any of the crimes that would lead them to anyone as a suspect. Then they asked me questions about my relation to all of the victims and if I had any ideas of whom the killer may be.

I explained unnecessarily that Leah and I had never been close, and I also explained how Jessica and I had grown apart after my wedding in Acapulco.

"Wait a second Bella, when exactly was the wedding?" Jacob asked.

"It was in May, the same day that you guys said that housekeeper was murdered. We were staying at that same hotel," I explained.

"Where was Mike? Did he arrive the day of the wedding? Was he there before that?" Seth asked.

"Mike and I arrived in Acapulco three days before the wedding and we were pretty much inseparable, even having joint bachelor and bachelorette's parties," I told them. I could not help looking towards Edward as I spoke and I noticed him cringe every time I mentioned Mike's name.

"What about after the fiasco at the wedding?" Seth asked.

"We went our separate ways. I am not sure if Mike stayed in the hotel or not since I left right after the wedding with Angela and Ben," I explained.

"Alright, it looks like we need to bring Mike in for questioning. We are not saying that he is a suspect, but like you Bella, his name seems to pop up every time we talk about all the victims except for Leah and Gage I guess," Jacob stated.

"Jacob, please be honest. Am I in any danger?" I asked as I glanced between him and Seth.

"Bella, listen, we don't think you are in immediate danger, however I think is a good idea for you to always have someone with you, especially when you leave your home. I have written down my numbers for you, if you need anything, anything at all, please do not hesitate to contact me," Jake told me with a solemn look on his face.

I could not help but think that they were hiding something from me. Was it about Mike? Was I in more danger than they were willing to tell me?

After Jake and Seth left I called all of my friends into the living room. I needed to thank them for being there for me all these days, but I also wanted to stress that I did not want to put them in any danger, that perhaps it was best if they stayed away from me.

I tried to explain all of my reasons but they would not have any of it. They were all furious at me for even suggesting that they stay away.

"Listen Bella, no one is going to stop us from being here for you, and we are definitely not scared of some creep," Emmett stated.

"We are not going anywhere, so stop arguing with us and let's come up with a plan so that we don't leave you on your own at any time," Alice continued.

"I have already asked Aro and as the head of the In Style section, he made the decision that it would be best for you to take an indefinite amount of personal time off, at least until things settle down or they arrest the creep," Alice stated.

"What we need to figure out is who will stay with you while we are all at work. I was thinking that perhaps I should take the time off as well and postpone my trip to Greece with Jasper for our honeymoon," she continued.

"No Alice, I will not allow you to do such a thing, I am a big girl…" I was saying before Edward interrupted me.

"Alice, I agree with Bella," he said before an exasperated Alice interrupted him.

"She is not staying by herself…" she said before Edward interrupted one more time.

"She is not, I will be staying with her, if she will have me," he said as he looked at me with what looked like a hopeful expression.

"I can take the time off, dad is still setting things up at the clinic and I am sure he won't mind," he continued.

"Then it's settled," Alice exclaimed.

"But, I didn't…" I said before being interrupted by Alice, once again.

"Bella, please don't be a pain in the ass about this, not right now. Edward can move into your spare bedroom and that way we will all feel a lot better about going to work while that creep is out walking on the streets," she told me with a look of finality.

"Alright I guess, but you and I need to have a conversation," I stated while I looked in Edward's direction.

"Indeed we do, but we will have it when you are up for it," he qualified.

"Well, it looks like we can go home and bang," Emmett exclaimed, earning a slap on the back of his head from Rose.

"What? You know you want to," he said with a silly grin on his face.

"Let's go horny man, we don't want to traumatize our friends," Rose said with a mischievous look on her face.

"Oh and Edward, I don't give a shit if you are my brother or not, you disrespect Bella, and I will have to give you a can of whoop-ass." Emmett announced as they exited the apartment.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Edward answered.

"On that note, I think it's time for us to leave, as well," Alice told Jasper.

"Bella, you know what to do if anything happens or if you need anything. Please take good care of her Edward," Jasper reminded as he took Alice hand and guided her out of my apartment.

I stared at the door after they all left. I knew that a conversation with Eduard was inevitable if we were going to be living under the same roof. I needed to explain what my relationship with Evan had been, and I needed to find out why he left Tanya. He did not seem like the kind of guy that would abandon someone at such a critical moment.

How could he pretend to be here for me when he ran from his responsibilities with Tanya?

"Bella, do you feel up to talking right now? Edward asked, as if reading my thoughts.

"I do want to talk, we definitely need to. However, I would like to freshen up first if you don't mind, I feel like a total slob," I replied while I felt my cheeks start to blush.

"Go ahead, I'll be here when you are done," he said.

"Thanks, I'll be right back," I told him as I made my way to my bedroom.

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MPOV

"What are you still doing in DC? Huh?" I asked my partner.

"I wa… wa… was waiting for the next instructions bo… bo… boss," he stuttered.

"You fucking idiot, we need to lay low now. Get the fuck out of my hotel room, you were never supposed to meet me here," I screamed. "Our meetings were to take place at the Zoo, not here in my hotel you dumb ass."

"But whe… whe… where are we go…go… going now bo…boss?"

"I think is time I return to California while you go back to Seattle. I need to keep up the pretenses while the pansy cops scratch their heads full of non-existent brains in an attempt to catch us. I will let you know when the time comes to play out our revenge. Now leave before I decide to use my next Post-it on you," I yelled.

I had lost my control and I had murdered the wrong person. I was more than happy that the asshole was now dead, and obviously out of Bella's life, but I had acted on impulse and I had put myself in danger.

I just could not stand seeing her with another man any longer. For two months I had followed them as they frolicked around town. With each date they had, my rage would increase and before I knew it I was stabbing him to death.

No one could know it was me who was after Bella, at least not while she was still alive.

The bitch was going to pay… I had plans for her.

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EPOV

I sighed as I saw Bella make her way to her room, she was so beautiful. I often found myself speechless in her presence.

I was glad that she had allowed me to stay with her, and I hoped that she would not regret it. I felt so protective of her, I wanted to take care of her, but more than anything I wanted to be close to her, to feel her soft skin, and kiss her soft lips. I wanted to embrace her and never let her go.

Was I in love? Was that even possible after just meeting her twice?Yes.

I went to the spare bedroom and I took my clothes out of my bags. It was weird how Alice always seemed to know how things would work out before hand. She had brought my things with her just in case.

I decided to change from my jeans and button up shirt and put on some shorts and a t-shirt. I was trying to kill time while Bella took a shower. I was a little nervous about our conversation. I did not know what to expect. What if she had loved Gage?

Once I changed and finished unpacking my stuff I went back into the living room. I was hoping to find her there already, but as I approached the couch I could hear the shower was still running.

I waited for her to finish but the shower was still running after a while and I started to get worried. I decided to go check up on her, just in case.

I knocked on the door outside of her room and when I heard nothing, I decided to just walk in. She had taken her clothes off and placed them on her bed.

I walked towards her bathroom, I was planning to just knock on the door and ask if she was alright. I knocked once, twice, and no answer. I continued to knock on her door while I called her name.

"Bella, is everything alright?" I asked.

No answer.

I started to panic. What if something happened to her?

"Bella, I'm coming in," I said as I opened the bathroom door, thankful that she had not locked it.

I entered the bathroom slowly; I did not want to startle her. Perhaps she was listening to her iPod and she couldn't hear me. Her bathroom was big. She had double sinks in one side, a separate toilet room, a walking closet to the left, and in between there was a huge shower and a Jacuzzi top right in front of a large frosted window.

I was hit by the intoxicating scent of strawberries. It was delicious. I started to think about her soft hair, her soft skin… when I heard a sob.

"Bella?" I asked tentatively.

"Are you alright?" I asked. The only answer I got was more sobs.

I walked towards the shower and I gasped. Bella was on the floor. She was sitting in a corner of the shower, her arms wrapped around her legs.

I decided to go into the shower; I needed to make sure she was alright. I opened the glass door and I crouched right in front of Bella.

"Bella, are you alright?" I asked her softly.

"My fault… this is all my fault," she sobbed.

"No Bella, it's not your fault. Please, you have to understand that," I said as I sat right next to her.

I took one of her hands in mine and I moved it towards my lips, giving her a soft kiss.

"It's alright love, I am here with you. I will protect you," I told her.

She looked at me and I felt my heart shatter. I had never seen anyone so sad. I wanted to comfort her, but I was at a loss for words.

I was still holding her arm as she put her legs down and gripped my shirt. I was drenched from the shower but I didn't care.

I wrapped my arms around Bella and she started to sob louder, gut wrenching sounds escaping her every now and then.

I brought her head close to my chest and slowly I moved the strands of hair from her face. I cupped her face in my hands and I started to give her butterfly kisses starting from her forehead and moving all the way to her neck.

I realized what I had done and I moved back, expecting Bella to be upset with me.

"Please don't stop," she whispered.

I groaned as I brushed my lips against her. She opened her mouth slowly and I sucked on her bottom lip, a new surge of urgency filling me. She took her tongue out and I met her half way, wrestling my way back into her mouth.

I stood up, pulling her with me. I wanted to take a good look at her. I wanted to feel all of her, to kiss every inch of her body. I wanted to claim her as mine.

I got out of my shorts, then my boxers, and Bella pulled up my shirt, helping me take it off. She stood back and her eyes roamed all over my body as she gasped.

She moved her hands up my torso, leaving goosebumps on her way, and grabbed my hair with unexpected force, pushing me closer to her. I kissed her lips softly once more and then moved to leave kisses down her neck, and on top of her shoulders.

She looked into my eyes and for a moment I thought that she would push me back.

"Bella…" I sighed, trying to apologize. She placed a finger in front of my mouth and then started to place kisses on the hollow of my neck, making a path all the way down my chest.

I removed my hands from her waist and stated to make my way up her torso towards her breasts. She had the most beautiful breasts I had ever seen. Not too big, not too small, pink-red hard nipples. I placed my arms on her shoulder and I looked at her once more.

She no longer looked sad. Her sad look had been replaced with lust and something else.

"God Bella, you are so beautiful," I sighed as I went back to kissing her neck, then her mouth.

"Edward…" she moaned.

I moved my hands down her back to her ass, and I grabbed her cheeks as I picked her up. Bella wrapped her legs around my waist, my erection pressing against her stomach. I turned around so that I could turn off the shower and I made my way out of it, still holding on to Bella, while she kept kissing my neck, her hands gripping my hair.

I placed her on the bathroom counter and I moved to grab some towels as I heard her whimper. My body was missing her warmth. I was aching to be pressed against hers.

I quickly made my way to the other side of the bathroom and I grabbed two towels. I turned around to face Bella.

She was just sitting there, sleek from the shower, her beautiful dark-brown hair pressed against her skin. Her lips were slightly swollen from kissing and her cheeks were tainted with a beautiful pink tone. I was taken aback by the desire to take her right then and there.

I quickly closed the gap between our bodies, discarding the towels in the process. I pressed myself against her and she once again wrapped her legs around my waist as I pressed my lips against molded my lips with hers.

I moved from her mouth, down her neck, and made my way towards her chest, placing kisses all over her mounds. I traced my tongue around her left nipple before I took her soft flesh in my mouth as I kneaded the other one. Once I was satisfied with that one I repeated the process on the next, all the while Bella moaned my name.

She took my face in her hands and moved me so that I could face her. The look of desire in her face was almost as intense as what I was feeling for her at the moment.

She ran her hands down my chest, tracing patterns around my abdomen. She then took me in her hands, softly caressing the tip of my member. I moaned her name as a shiver went down my spine, making my knees weak.

"Bella," I sighed. "I want you so bad.

I pulled her hands from me and I placed them on her back as I rubbed my chest against hers. I let go of her hands and I moved my hands slowly down her torso, finally resting them on her tights.

Slowly, I traced patters up her tights until I was met with her warm center. I could smell her arousal and in turn it made me get harder, my erection turning almost painful. I nibbled on her bottom lip as I moved my fingers towards her center, caressing her inside her sleek folds.

I rubbed my finger against her nub and slowly I moved it downwards until I plunged my finger into her. She was so tight! She moaned my name over and over as I pumped my finger into her, slowly adding two more fingers, trying to stretch her out so that she could accommodate me.

I took my fingers from her warm center and I moved them to my mouth, licking them. She tasted delicious. I wanted to taste all of her, but my pressing erection had other plans.

I placed my hands on her back and softly, I pulled her forward so that she was barely sitting on the cold marble counter.

I moved into position, placing my tip at her entrance. I looked at her wanting to make sure she wanted me to proceed and she froze.

"Uh, Edward…," she whispered, it sounded almost like a moan.

"Yes love."

"Are you sure you want to do this?" she asked.

"I am. Are you?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

She lowered her eyes and shook her head.

"Not yet."