HEYYYY!

So yeah, are you ready for my excuse on the lateness of this update? I shall blame it all on a certain stupid connection issue. My internet decided to give up on me, and I was mad. Very mad. Because I'd finished writing this darn chapter 3 days ago… and then I couldn't post it… or go on fanfiction at all for that matter. I suffered… Ugh. Anyway, that's why your receiving it on a Tuesday instead of at the weekend... Or Monday, because the connection guy was 'unavailable' *grunt* A herd of nelephantswill personally apologise to you all. (If you don't receive an apologetic nelephant, it is no doubt because they are doing charitable deeds…) Sorry.

And, on with slightly less pointless drivelling (okay, I won't lie, the following is equally pointless :p):

I was tempted to name this chapter: The Babble Returns. Yeah, I know, how sad. But nope. I didn't, 'tis a shame. Because it would have been a very apt title, don't you agree? Aha, on the issue of babbling/rambling/drivelling/blathering/rabbiting (there are seriously way too many synonyms for that word… and the last one disagrees with my laptop dictionary… it claims rabbiting to be: the activity of hunting wild rabbits. In case you were wondering, no, that's not what I'm referring to. But I swear my dad uses that term. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe I'm not. And I'm too lazy to delete it now.)

So. I was pretty shocked people. I had a very large number of reviews that claimed they liked my babbling. Insane, I know. I still can't believe there are 675 *GASP* reviews for this story. It's crazy. Are you people seriously saying you like my over-descriptiveness, weak plotline, and babble? REALLY?! *sceptical glare* So yup. By all means I am NOT complaining. If you like all that. Don't worry. There's plenty more to come. To all who requested babbling. Your wish is granted. I feel like a fairy now. ;)

Now. WOW. Was my response on how many reviews I got for last chapter, there I was, sitting and glaring at my To Kill a Mockingbird essay questions, (I still haven't done them… the mental prospect is arduous enough) and then I gave up. Succumbing to go on the hedgehog (Oh, that makes no sense. I'll elaborate: I've just made another revelation of mine. I found recently discovered, by methods of Mouse jumping onto the laptop and causing me to believe that she'd shut it down - because the entire screen went an ominous black - and therefore I assumed Mouse *foolish pest* had deleted all the work on it!

As it was, when I went to investigate the dark screen and pressed a key, it all lit up… suspicious huh? So I was curious at what Mouse had actually done to it, and then BAM, I discover that that my laptop has a hibernate setting. Yes. A hibernate setting. I shall now refer to my laptop as a hedgehog because of it. So yup. If you see the word hedgehog being used oddly, it's probably because I'm talking about my laptop. Not small spiky animal. But hey, you never know… knowing me I could easily babble on about the Wonders Of Hedgehogs… just like I am now…)

So, I succumbed to hedgehog, and promptly was flabbergasted at the sheer number of emails I had. I was a very happy person. I do believe I may have squealed. So THANKS so much for that, and a big thanks to all you anon reviews! I can't babble on in PMs to you, so you're probably very fortunate. Yup. FANTABULOUS reviews for last chappy, SO YAY! You guys are awesome, I love interesting reviews where people babble on about the many swine flu related situations they're stuck in… (I should probably stop talking/typing about that huh?) But seriously, your reviews ARE AMAZING… never feel afraid to babble in a review. And don't worry if you think you're not making sense, because in comparison to me, you're almost certainly going to be the epitome of clarity!

Anyway. I'll refrain from babbling till you read the chapter now. Go ahead :p

What Happened Last Chapter:

Slowly, he put the book back on the shelf; his hands were on either side me now. My heart pounded far too audibly against my ribcage. "You don't mind do you?" He said. No, not said. Breathed. And breathed breathlessly, despite that he didn't need oxygen.

But I certainly did.

And I couldn't breathe because I was unsure if he was even talking about the book anymore.

"Err-" Was my intellectual response. But I didn't say anymore, because in that instant, I saw something spark in his golden eyes. Something unimaginable. Impossible. Because he, was staring at me in the same way that I was staring at him.

Suddenly, I was unaware of the raging wind.

Now all I could hear was my blood pumping furiously in my ears.

Edward leant towards me, with unmistakable resolution in his eyes.

And then, it was if time stopped all together.

***

Forbidden Covert Desires

Thinking. It's one thing you take for granted, an involuntary process. Thinking and breathing. Two things that normally, you don't have to consciously do. It's natural; you just think and breathe, like the heartbeat. It's an automatic response for any basic stimulus. You're not meant to just stop.

But I had.

His eyes were level with mine. That's all I could register. His face was aligned with mine; he'd changed his stance so that I wasn't towered over anymore. His eyes were aligned with mine - blazing a brilliant gold in an emotion I knew he couldn't feel. An emotion I must have imagined. An impossible emotion.

His eyes were level.

His entire head was level.

His lips were level.

I couldn't think. I couldn't think at all. Unless staring at Edward's face in utter shock went into the thinking category. I couldn't think or move. I just stood there, frozen.

And breathing. Yeah, I couldn't do that either.

There was only one thing out of the three that was acting correctly. My pulse. My heart. If, correctly allowed acceptations. It wasn't acting normally, but it was working. My heart was beating - that counted as normal right? But its pace wasn't normal, not in the slightest, because the tempo was utterly ridiculous. Pounding against my ribs, each thump seemingly increasing in amplitude. And, in frequency.

I was dizzy. I wasn't receiving oxygen. Time had stopped, and so had my breath. I couldn't breathe. I was about to sway, to fall.

If it wasn't for those arms. Enclosing me.

I don't know what my expression was portraying, I had to think… I should have moved away by now. I should have stopped the second he'd arrived back…

He leant closer, and my heart was beating so furiously against my ribs it actually hurt.

I couldn't think earlier, and yet now, a thousand thoughts were somehow pelting at my mind. Half screaming, and half breathless. One name came forth, and it burned me, I felt air I didn't know I still contained leave my lips in an inaudible gasp of air.

Bella. The thought was like a stab, it left me wounded. My chest constricted painfully.

I couldn't do this. Because if Edward moved any closer, my resolve would snap. I had to get away from him. Fast. Now.

I tired to move away. Mentally. But I couldn't, Edward's grip tightened - as if he'd predicted the movement. Seen it in my wide eyes. Eyes that would be giving far too much away. Eyes that would betray me. But he never broke the contact between his golden ones and my own. And slowly, he leant closer still. I felt my eyelids flutter shut involuntarily. I didn't know what he was going to do. I still couldn't think.

I still couldn't breathe.

Instead though. He merely leant his forehead against mine. Resting the cool touch against my heat. Bringing his hand slowly to touch my parted lips. I snapped my eyes back open to see a crooked smile tugging at the corners of his own. Ice against burning heat. The touch shocked me against my skin still occurred at his touch. But I didn't flinch. There was no way I'd ever flinch because of that. The energy between us was like the charged atmosphere before a lightning storm.

"I need you to breathe Lucie." He whispered, it could have been the quietest thing I'd ever heard him say, but I didn't know for sure. To know things, you have to be able to think, it was pretty compulsory. He was still staring at me. I couldn't do anything in response to these words though.

I couldn't move. I couldn't speak. I couldn't breathe.

My head swam slightly, the gold in Edward's eyes was leaking everywhere; it was all I could see, gold, flecked with black. I was blinded by it. I could hear his voice again, his face slowly materialised, no longer smiling, a serious expression that was mirrored in the tone of his next words.

"Lucie, breathe. Now."

It took several seconds for me to respond to his words. My head was spinning dangerously; I was on the brink of collapse. Edward was right. I had to breathe. I was going to faint. And I could start to dream… That was it. I had to breathe. I couldn't let that happen.

I did. Letting out a small shaky breath. It wasn't enough to steady my pulse, but I didn't feel like I was going to lapse into unconsciousness now, I merely felt light-headed. I wondered what had caused that. The reason was plain before me, he gave me an approving look at that.

But suddenly, he froze, it was an infinitesimal change in posture, but I noticed it. We were after all, still very close; my back was against the bookcase. I ignored that thought promptly; my pulse did not need to beat any faster. Instead I concentrated on what was behind me. Trying to recite times tables in my head, trying to remember the exact functions of-

But then he had to lean closer. Honestly, I was trying not to think of him, with him leaning closer to me, I couldn't not think about him.

"No meaning to alarm you," Edward said softly in my ear. Keeping his finger to my lips, as if asking me to stay silent. I jumped slightly at his voice and held in a shudder at the sensation of his breath against my skin, as he continued to whisper, never leaving my gaze, "but Alice will be coming to check on me in about - two minutes." I couldn't think properly. Why? Well, he had just breathed his stupid alluring scent over me. Most of my attention was on that. Alice is coming…

Okay. What was the significance of that? I just nodded in response, trying to push down a strange and irrational feeling of disappointment that I didn't understand. I looked back to him though, frowning as I voiced my confusion.

"What's so bad about Alice?" I couldn't quite mask how out of breath I still was, my words came out mumbled against his finger.

A small smile was tugging at the corners of his lips, he looked as if he was about to suppress a laugh.

"Lucie, Alice is coming." He repeated, I scowled at his patronizing tone. "And," His eyes raked over my attire then, the small smile still in place, "you're not in pyjamas." he added, his tone suggested this as an explanation. Like it was an answer. Yeah, because now everything makes loads more sense! I thought sarcastically. I looked down at my clothes though, he was right, I wasn't wearing pyjamas.

"Wow Edward. How observant." I muttered. Oh dear, the sarcasm was a bit too obvious there. Edward didn't scold me though, he looked too amused. I tried to clear my head. It was becoming increasingly annoying that I couldn't understand.

"Lucie. You are not in your pyjamas, Alice is going to come into here," He gestured the room, and the movement put a small distance between us.

Thank god.

I relaxed; probably too visibly. But I didn't care. The chances of me making a fool of myself had now officially decreased by about 50%. I don't think his proximity before had done anything to help the coherency of my thoughts. They cleared slightly now.

And the horror slowly sunk in.

"Alice!" I squeaked, oh no. Edward was right, I wasn't wearing pyjamas… Which meant Alice would demand to force me into some, which would almost certainly be made of silk. My eyes darted frantically around the room. I needed to hide!

"Lucie, you look like your about to have a panic attack." Edward commented, his voice was the epitome calm, tinged with amusement. How the hell could he stay calm?! Alice was coming. She was going to force me into more silk. Calm was a completely irrational emotion to be feeling. Edward was crazy. I scrambled over to the bed, tripping in my haste. An arm steadied me; I looked up to Edward with panicked eyes.

"What can we do?" I hissed. My heart jolted slightly at his touch.

"You're going to feign sleep." He murmured to me quietly, "And be silent."

"Feign sleep? What? You cannot be serious Edward," My voice was rising but my thoughts about Alice had somehow been eradicated, sleep brought up too many other thoughts, I glared at Edward. He couldn't be serious. "I swear Edward, if this is some plan to get me to sleep, so help me I'll-"

"Shush." He drawled, his voice was husky. He stared at me; his words were quick and low. "Alice will be in hearing distance in 30 seconds, so listen to me Lucie, pretend to fall asleep right now or you will have to endure several hours of makeovers."

I didn't really have much choice did I?

Edward was still staring at me. I glared back, but slumped into his arms, in an instant I felt his soft sofa beneath me. It was hard to keep my face relaxed when I wanted to scowl. Edward would no doubt be smug after this. I lay silent, not daring to open my eyes. Quietly brooding how I was going to punish Edward if this was all some sort of joke. I was just about to huff impatiently and open my eyes when I heard lithe footsteps on the floor.

Horror filled me at the sound of Alice's tinkling voice. I could practically see the arrangements of pyjamas she had in store for me.

I could only pray that my acting skills were up for scratch.

"Edward, you're back." Alice's wind chime voice didn't sound surprised, this was merely a statement.

"I do believe I am." Edward murmured quietly.

"Is Lucie asleep?" Alice's voice was suspicious. I could feel her eyes on me, waiting for a slip up on my act. It was becoming increasingly difficult to lay still, my leg wanted to twitch.

"She has been since I've arrived back." Of course, Edward's voice was flawlessly convincing. Typical. This thought made me want to growl. Feigning sleep is officially very hard.

"Can you see what's happening? She seemed reluctant to sleep earlier," Alice's voice was quiet; I had to strain my ears to hear. But I didn't like what she was saying. I didn't like what could happen. Alice was completely correct; I had been reluctant, now I was adamant about not sleeping. Not when I knew would happen. The sofa beneath me seemed to harden. My skin registered the bitter air. And I felt my heart rate rise in panic.

"They're blurred, no more substantial then images at the moment. She doesn't always have those visions when she goes unconscious." Lie. I thought silently. "No you're right on that one. And no, I don't understand it either, Carlisle tried to find the cause, that's why he's been in the study all this time. What?" I suddenly realised why Edward's quick voice was making no sense whatsoever to me. I could only hear half the conversation.

Well great.

Edward continued, but his voice lacked the friendliness from before. It was tense now. I wanted to see Alice's thoughts. Something she was thinking evidently caused his change in tone.

"No Alice. I've already spoken about this. You're visions are susceptible change, you know that even better than I."

"Edward," Alice's trilling voice was agitated. I had missed a crucial part of their conversation and now whatever they were discussing would not make sense. "Don't deny it. My visions around her are different, each one's been murky. Her entire life is revolved around the past, any minute she could relive someone else's. I think that's why my visions of her are constantly clouded," My eyes were itching to see their expressions. And a sinking feeling slowly made my way down to the pit of my stomach. I now knew fully well what they were discussing. Alice's voice didn't stop like before though. Maybe Edward was blocking her thoughts.

"I can't see her future clearly. Except now Edward. And I know what I saw. The timing is unclear but it's set in concrete unless you do something to change that. If you keep denying what's happening Edward then there's no telling what will happen. Denial is a safe haven Edward, you'll be able to live with it for a while longer, but then when you realise the exact impact of your situation it'll be too late. By then, disaster will have struck."

And then there was a silence. A silence filled with tension. And a silence I wanted to fill with my bombardment of questions. None of what Alice had just trilled had made sense to me. What situation? Why did Jasper and Alice keep bringing up the issue that Edward was in denial? This was just plain annoying. I couldn't understand what Alice had said and yet part of me knew I really should have known.

"I'll see you in the morning Edward. Just think about it."

There was a soft sound of footsteps on the floor before the silence settled again. And cautiously I opened my eyes.

Edward wasn't looking at me. His mouth was a hard line and his forehead was furrowed. I sat up; somehow in the minuscule amount of time between Alice coming in the room and my feigning sleep, he'd still managed to drape the heavy quilt around me. I pulled it off, and held in the shiver that followed when the cool air hit my exposed arms.

I decided to speak, Edward wasn't making much progress, he looked sullen. I found myself wondering what Alice's words had meant. I didn't understand the meaning behind them, but Edward probably did. Maybe that was to account for his now troubled expression. I let out a low gust of air as I stumbled to find something to say.

"Well, we fooled Alice." He smiled slightly, though the look did not reach his eyes.

"Yes, we did." Formal. That's the only word that could be used to describe his voice now. Formal. I hated formal. I thought we were past that, but no. I was mistaken.

Another silence.

"What was Alice thinking?" I didn't mean to ask that. Curiosity burned through my words though, a shadow passed across Edward's eyes. The air in the room now felt significantly colder.

"Nothing to worry about." Edward replied curtly. I gave up on trying to make him less formal. I just scowled at him. Moody Edward was annoying. And the use of the word annoying was an understatement.

"Nothing to worry about? Then why, pray tell, do you look so sulky Edward?" I muttered haughtily, reverting my eyes to his feet. He was weaning worn trainers, Alice definitely hadn't chosen them. When I looked up, Edward looked amused. Amused? I found nothing humorous about what I'd just said. But here it was, plain on his perfect face. Amusement did nothing to improve my mood.

"Pray tell?" He questioned, I could hear the smirk in his tone. It would be very unwise of him to let the said smirk fall across his lips. I felt cross. Smirking would not improve that. I didn't reply to his remark, instead resorting to glaring at the floor.

"Shut up." I grumbled, regretting the use of that phrase. I don't actually know what made me say it. It sounded Shakespeare-esque but I wasn't sure. My brain wasn't cooperating with me today. I knew exactly who to blame for that particular glitch.

"You're in a bad mood." He commented lightly. He was right of course. I resisted the urge to sigh again. It wasn't very hard to pinpoint why. I knew if he thought about it he'd understand. I had been sleep deprived for a week now. There was bound to be some after effects. Bad mood included. Besides, it wasn't necessarily the lack of sleep that caused me to be cross. It was just him.

"Maybe I'm ill." I muttered crossly. Only after I'd said the words did I realise my mistake. I'd just speculated that I could be ill to Edward Cullen. Edward-incredibly-over reactive-Cullen who was sure to take my 'not feeling well' akin to the likes of dying. His gaze swooped over me critically; it took a second for me to understand his expression. He was analyzing me. A small frown line appearing on his impeccable forehead. I saw the look in his eyes. I knew he was debating whether he was going to call Carlisle to check on me, probably in precaution for some serious illness that I might have spontaneously caught.

I groaned.

Edward's eyes widened further. Well crud. Making that sort of sound was not going to convince him that I was feeling any better, was it? He started to move towards me, a hand outstretched ready to see if I had a temperature. I batted away the hand and he looked confused. I glared in response. It was typical of him.

I wouldn't be surprised if he conjured up a stethoscope.

***

I stared at the floor.

I was still sat on his sofa. I'd done so after our conversation had been mainly complied of me assuring I was in perfect health and that I didn't need to be checked on. Then Edward had argued some more about me needing sleep and I'd promptly become tired of the tedium, which was why I now sat here. I'd made a vow when I sat; I was not going to look at him again. I couldn't think straight when I did.

And averting my eyes from him hadn't resolved my problems, if anything, it had made things worse. I could feel his gaze still on me. And I didn't know what to make of it. I knew all to well the way I sometimes looked at him, and constantly had to side track my thoughts because of that. But I had no idea how Edward looked at me. Or even why he looked at me. Concern was probably the most evident reason, but it held too much sincerity. I could tell he was watching for any signs of tiredness from my part, and this only added to my stress levels.

The floor was really not gripping my attention.

I tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear frowning slightly. The worst part was that without Edward to look at, other thoughts were now hitting me. And they were far from nice. Cold sinister voices would threaten to take over again. I wanted to scream in the mental effort I was putting into not succumbing. My eyes felt heavy, they continued to flicker half shut every few seconds. Desiring sleep. But I couldn't allow that. Not with my dreams. Not where Demetri could reach me, haunt me.

Because if I dreamt; so would Edward. I could suffer. I could endure the tiredness; after all, I'd done so for the past week, only catching snippets of proper rest. Sure, I'd slept, if you could define the word slept as closing your eyes and being plagued with nightmares, then yes. I'd done that a lot recently. But that wasn't sleeping. I felt more tired after my dreams. They took too much out of me.

Which was just one of the reasons why I loathed them so.

Edward had kept insisting me to sleep earlier; I'd been close to telling him why I couldn't. Close to telling him the truth. Too close. If he knew what I endured each night, it would make everything worse. The conversation I'd had with Demetri had to stay a secret - a horrible twisted secret that was constantly making me sick - but a secret nonetheless. I knew he'd feel bad about that, he'd find away to blame the problem on himself. And I couldn't let that.

I couldn't see Edward hurt.

It physically hurt to keep my eyes open now, tiredness kept trying to envelope me. I wouldn't let that happen. I couldn't let that happen.

And so I gave in, and looked at him.

I suppose I really shouldn't have been so surprised to see him staring back.

I didn't care about the vow to myself earlier, it fell away becoming little more substantial then dust in my mind. I looked into his eyes, the brilliant gold, bright despite the darkness. I willed that alone to stop my fear, steadily increasing inside me, the same fear that twisted my stomach and made my lungs constrict. It struck me as odd that neither of us attempted to speak. But the silence was not uncomfortable, I was always one for silence, and I was glad Edward wasn't those who constantly tried to fill it. Though if he did, I wouldn't complain, his melodic voice was a harmony no human could compare to.

But as I stared into his eyes, trying to decipher the emotion that smouldered behind them, I couldn't help the question that bubbled to my lips.

"Why are you staring at me?" Of course, my voice had to breathless.

"Because you're the most interesting thing in here." Wow. Edward was good with compliments. I as now officially classed as a 'thing' was I? Great. I decided to talk to him, it was the best distraction I had. And I needed it. Sarcasm was a refuge I was willing to take; it could conceal my fear to sleep. I had to do everything to prevent that.

"Even more so then your most precious collection of CDs?"

"Why yes. I do believe you are." He murmured softly.

"High praise." I said, smiling slightly, and standing up. Sitting down didn't help with the tiredness issue. I was sure if I sure if I'd spent any longer on the sofa I would have drifted off. I carefully made my way across his floor, but there was nothing to trip up on. Nothing. I doubted there was a spec of dust on this floor. It was unnaturally clean.

"What are you doing?" Edward asked when I walked to his bookcase. Thinking about his floor much longer could have driven me insane. I turned to him slowly, a different book clasped in my hands from earlier. Taking the same one again would have been too embarrassing, and obviously not coincidental. I did not want a repeat of before.

Oh don't you?

I felt like killing something at the sound of that voice. Preferably it. Though I was sure in the act of trying to separate that particular part of my head from myself I would probably die. Which wasn't exactly the nicest prospect. Still, it should be banished to silence. I focused sharply on Edward again; he still seemed unwilling to look at me. Much like he had done earlier.

I bit my lip. Edward's expression was strange. Maybe he didn't like me touching his books. They were all neatly aligned; I was certain in alphabetical order or something too. In fact, everything about Edward's room seemed pristine. Meticulously tidy.

Plain creepy if you ask me.

"Well, I was wondering if I could read this," I mumbled, staring at the book, "and…" I looked around the room again. The question blurted out from my lips. I just couldn't shut up."Edward, do you have OCD?"

Edward frowned at me.

"No." He said stiffly. Looking away from me. I felt a small smile twitch the corners of my lips. Inside my mind was cheering at his cross reaction. Yes! I was having an effect on him. It was nice to not be on the receiving end for a change.

"I think you're lying." I mused.

"I'm not." His tone was curt.

"Well then," I said craftily, a genius plan - that Emmett was sure to congratulate me on - forming in my mind. "you won't mind me doing this, will you?" Edward's expression was confused; he still didn't understand what I was getting at. The fool.

I grinned, in one quick movement, I started to disorganise his selection of books, haphazardly rearranging them. I heard Edward's sharp intake of breath behind me. The sound of it made me grin vindictively.

And suddenly, my hands were pinned behind me. And I was somehow halfway across the room.

I looked up to him. His expression was, for it can only be described as one thing, utterly hilarious.

"Don't do that again." He warned his mouth a hard line, lips firmly pursed together as he glared at me. I stopped thinking about that. My back was flat against the window; the cold glass was an odd contrast to my skin. Was it just me, or did Edward always seem to push me into really uncomfortable surfaces? Honestly. A tree; a bookcase; a window. What else was there?

Again. I promptly diverted my thoughts from that. It wasn't like each of those conversations had involved much coherency to think from my part. It was prudent to talk. I had to talk. I had to say something smart before my head would go dizzy again. Edward was not going to make me look like an idiot again. I was officially putting my foot down on that matter.

"You definitely have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Edward." I said calmly, fighting a smile. This conversation was definitely heading in my favour.

"I. Do. Not." He emphasized the last word, his words punctuated articulate aggravation.

"Then why won't you let me touch the books?" I pressed.

"Because…" He grumbled. The light was shining on him, casting shadows across his angular face, it struck me as strange how long his eyelashes were, each carbon black, and framing his golden eyes like spindled ink. I was momentarily memorized by that. I didn't hear the rest of his words, once again all too aware of how close he was.

My breathing hitched; it gave me away. Edward looked at me, arching one perfect eyebrow. That was enough to give me some small irritation. Irritation that I would have to concentrate on hard to ban out other thoughts. "Why are you looking at me Lucie?" Edward asked. In parody of what I had previously accused him of doing.

"Because Edward," I huffed, "you're practically squishing me into this window and there's really not much else in my line of sight. Except. You." And several other reasons regarding your inhuman looks and how they keep sidetracking me. I didn't say the last part allowed; so far that was a pretty good comeback. He looked at me for a second, and I couldn't understand the expression in his eyes. But then he was off me, carefully strolling back to his CD case and turning on some soft music. I didn't understand the notion. Edward looked as if he was almost trying to distract himself.

But that was ridiculous. What would he need distracting from?

***

Edward's POV:

This girl is going to be the death of me.

I tried to command my corded muscles to loosen, with little effect. I was tense; I couldn't not be with her this close to me. The music in the background did little to divert my attention from her. Somehow I was next to her again; it was unnerving how I was forever drawn to be near her. Unnerving and dangerous. She was smart. Using my tactic of petty arguments to divert the tension before. I didn't object to that; arguments with her were fascinating. I wasn't used to arguing with someone who could counter attack my jibes. She could though. It was another thing about her that I didn't understand.

I was mad at Alice. Lucie's attire did nothing to avert my attention from her, the top mirrored the night sky, and it revealed the pale skin curving away at her hollow. For some inexplicable reason, my eyes continued to wander there. I was angry at Alice for that. I knew Lucie didn't like wearing these close, her constant shifting and fidgeting proved as much. The girl was oblivious to how she looked. It baffled me to say the least. Though I was on the same train as thought as she, I didn't particularly want her to wear those sorts of clothes either. They drew attention to her. The wrong sort of attention. One that she didn't need to deal with.

Her eyes grew wide as she realised our proximity fully, and I was momentarily stunned by her wide eyes. I didn't realise I had made her angry. But it was evident I had. Even as I watched though, the irritation slowly left them, now only an ivy green as apposed to luminous emerald. Impossibly, her eyes grew even larger; a low gasp filtered through her lips parted lips. I found that I could not fully interpret her expression, because she was looking at me as if she has never seen me before, with intolerable and yet uttermost awe.

And I feared that I was looking at her in exactly the same way.

"Can I read this then?" She asked quietly, biting her lip slightly in waiting for my response. Trepidation was plain of her tongue. It was endearing to me really. The way her innocence shone brightly at times like this. Apprehension was not a connotation I would commonly use for her. She was more determined than I could have imagined, so often she would resort to petulance when she didn't get her way, and would seemingly get annoyed at herself for this. I presumed why this was why she so often resorted to sarcasm.

But not now. She did not look petulant. Nor sarcastic like previously. She looked nervous, worry portrayed in the act of biting her bottom lip. I tried not to think about that though, I'd already been far too close to her tonight, and her biting her lip was not helping matters in the slightest. And it made me anxious; she was biting it too hard. It drove me half crazy with desire. And I felt sick at that. I only hoped she wouldn't bleed because of the pressure her teeth were exerting onto it. This thought had my mind whirring again, I felt like running. I couldn't think of her like that. The temptation of her blood was worse tonight, despite my previous hunt. She was still looking at me, I hadn't replied yet. I couldn't really speak, I just nodded, carefully placing a good distance behind us, and grabbing a sketchbook in the process. I had to distract myself.

She smiled at me then. A real smile. Not her usual small grin of amusement, delicate smirk, or tense almost smile she tended to use at school. No, this was a completely different one. Her whole face lit up when she smiled, making her now caramel hazel eyes shine brightly.

She should smile like that more often. I mused silently to myself, but stopped the thought. I knew all to well why she didn't smile like that often. It wasn't exactly the happiest of times. And I knew the reason for not sleeping was deeper then she was willing to let me know. This thought irked me. She wouldn't tell me what was eating her up inside. And I hated that such a girl as she had to suffer. There was no justice in the world.

She must have noticed my staring (in my defence, I couldn't help it, her sudden happiness was fascinating to me) because a blush instantly coloured her cheeks, a supple rose against the alabaster cream. She looked down quickly, back to the book clasped in her lap, and eagerly began to read. I wondered how she could seem so enthralled by the simple object, though I could understand her need for a distraction. That was, after all, the reason for the music and sketchbook. Though surely she didn't need to be distracted, and even if she did. I knew it wasn't because of me.

She was strangely captured by the book, her expressions would flicker every few moments at whatever she was reading, but she seemed to have forgotten all else. Her hair fell over her face slightly, disrupting my view, it just touched her lap. Spilling over the book she was devouring. (With her eyes, that is. She wasn't literally eating the book, that would have been slightly odd.)

Her hair was nearly completely out of the intricate braids Alice had woven. It was wavy from them, a stray lock continued to fall across her eyes and she would brush it back impatiently. It took all my restraint not to touch it myself. I could still remember her reaction earlier; it filled me with a new sense of dread. I knew she was hiding something; that much was certain. I frowned at this. My distraction was pathetic. My eyes continued to wander back to her. Sitting cross legged on my couch, as if the world had fallen away behind her. I stared down at my blank page, willing other thoughts to fill my mind. Ones different from the human girl.

But my patience waned again. Blank pages had little to keep me distracted. And drawing wasn't going to be easy when I couldn't think of anything to use as a subject. I wanted to groan in my lack of effort and perseverance. And I just gave in to looking at her again.

It was reprehensible really.

The full incandescent moon peaked from behind the clouds then, I looked towards the sky, relieved for even the briefest of distractions. The sight that lay ahead was an odd colour tonight. Almost an indigo and violet darkness, flecked with dim stars behind dark clouds. It cast a faint ribbon of silver light though my wide windows, they were open like usual, and it suddenly occurred to me that Lucie should have been cold. The thought had my gaze flickering back to her slender frame. She should be cold. I wanted to draw the quilt Alice had provided around her. But she wasn't showing any signs of discomfiture, oblivious to icy air and the moonlight now shining on her.

She didn't notice, still captured in the book. Her blonde hair shined in the light, making her look like a fallen angel. An angel who for some reason was exceptionally partial to books. And at that exact moment, I mused in my head not listening to my music at all; her name seemed exceedingly apt. Luciana. Illumination. I suddenly knew what I wanted to draw.

I could tell she hated her name. That alone was apparent by her frequent scowls whenever someone used it. Again, this amused me. Little did she and Bella know how much meaning their names held. And how accurate they were.

I concentrated hard on the music then, my hand was moving furiously beneath me. She'd been unaware as to why I had done this previously. I had needed a distraction from her. And badly at that. She didn't understand what effect she had on me; and neither did I. Now though, my thoughts were on a different path. A darker one. One which was stereotypical for my kind to think about. One that disgusted me. I no longer concentrated on the music because of her eyes, withholding far too much innocence and confusion. No. I wished my reason now for a distraction was as pure as that. As normal any human male would have around her.

But I wasn't human.

And I never would be again.

The truth did not hurt me. It was just a blunt fact. I just knew I had to do all within my power to not damn anyone else to this existence. The purgatory that accompanied grace and beauty. Little did humans know how being immortal was hell. How being a monster would plague them for eternity. And how hard it was to resist to desire and temptation when their power was so intolerably prodigious.

No, now I was listening to the music with more intensity than before. Willing its notes to tune out the sound emitting from her chest. It wasn't working; the music was too slow. I was disgusted at myself for the thoughts in my mind. Because her heart had increased in tempo suddenly, evidently reading a tense moment in her book. As much as I wanted to look at her. I didn't. Her pulse was erratic under her fragile skin, fine silk stretched over glass. A fragility that the monster inside me desperately wanted to break forever. Even now, as her breathing returned to normal, her pulse resuming its steady rhythm, part of me wanted, craved her blood. Would do anything to be closer to her, to feel to full effect of her blood, so often prominent in her cheeks.

It revolted me.

I turned back to the sketchbook in my lap, unwilling as ever to do much in it. I never used to draw a lot, music was really my field, but I'd been intrigued ever since I'd met Lucie. I had to avert my thoughts from her again. I hate this. The confusion. I could no longer trust my emotions, not when they left me this confused and lost. Jasper's words still rung in my mind. I hate that my memory only enhanced his words.

"You're so blind."

I was not blind. I understood perfectly what he thought. What everyone thought. Except her and Bella. They were the only two who I could not reach. I hated that. Because I knew something was happening. Lucie's looks were the quintessence of confusing to me. I couldn't understand the emotions that flickered two and fro in her eyes. Eyes that so often provided me with insight. Eyes that had this evening, predominantly been emerald. I would never admit it to her how much I relished when she was angry. Irritation suited her. Radiance from the wide green eyes was all I saw. It was irrational; I knew when her eyes were green she was either irritated or angry. And most commonly at myself. But I couldn't help it. I needed to see her eyes like that. It was amusing her anger. With someone so fragile withholding so much power. And being complexly unaware of it.

I hated myself. Loathed every part of my being for thinking like this. I knew if I was stronger I would have left by now. I should leave. I couldn't let her get any closer, not with the danger that would ensue. I wanted to hate her. I wanted to hate the young human on my couch for making me confused. I knew I should aggravate her. I should make her hate me. That was the only way that she'd stay safe.

And then there was Bella. She alone was an enigma. Unpredictable and beautiful. I loved her for that. Before I'd met her, my world had been shrouded in darkness, little meant to me, I could deal with trivial dramas then. But since I'd met her, the trivial dramas had fallen away. There was no doubt in my love for her. I was in love with her. And I had known the risks for this even as I fell. But I couldn't understand her at the moment. She seemed hesitant to be around me, unwilling to meet my gaze. I just wanted her happy. Bella would never understand this; she was selfless, blind to the fact that her happiness was my priority above all else. Yet her soft brown eyes were always troubled when our gazes met, she didn't seem content anymore. And I knew this simple fact was slowly ripping me apart.

And there was nothing I could do to stop it.

Suddenly, a movement caught my attention. I saw Lucie's figure slump slightly against the couch. The book she'd been so enthralled in fell from her grasp, but the soft thud did not startle her awake. I saw her eyelashes flutter shut. I knew she'd been tired. I didn't know how much sleep she'd been getting over the past few days, but I knew she wasn't enough. Even from where I sat frozen, the sketchbook laid across my lap, I could see the pale colour of her eyelids. I couldn't fathom why she'd been so objectionable to sleep before. Now, with her expression relaxed, it was impossible to imagine why she'd tried to prevent it.

And then the screaming started.

I looked at her in suddenly I couldn't see her slender figure, darkness swirled around me, dark shapes moved closer to me as I felt my throat constrict. My senses were abysmal as I stared, my sight impaired for whatever reason. I could only see her. She was staring at the darkness, trying like me to make out the murky shadows. The fear on the air was paramount, practically tangible.

And then I could see the red.

But at the same time I could see Lucie, on my couch, shaking as convulsions of terror surpassed her. The small whispers escaping her lips; blue from lack of oxygen. She was chalk white, the prominent blush had vanished. I didn't think about how tempting her blood was. Pulsing feverishly beneath her fragile skin, little more of protection to her than silk. Even now the monster inside me roared in approval to our close proximity. But I didn't care for how close I was to her furious pulse. I had to stop her fear at all costs. That was the only thought that was in my mind.

Lucie's posture softened; it was scarcely noticeable, but I saw it, and my fingers tingled from their point of contact with her skin. Unable to resist, I let my palm mould itself to the shape of her face. The softening in her figure intensified, her breathing was still shallow but less laboured now, the dream was slowly dispelled from her thoughts.

I stared at her in my arms and sighed inwardly.

Alice's words rang clear in my ears.

"Denial is a safe haven Edward, you'll be able to live with it for a while longer, but then when you realise the exact impact of your situation it'll be too late. By then, disaster will have struck."

Little did she know that disaster had already found me.

***

Lucie's POV:

Darkness materialised around me, everything was shrouded in shadow. The murky darkness caused my chest to constrict, I knew something was wrong. Everything was odd. Murky shapes presented themselves to my eyes, everything was vague, indistinct. I couldn't work out what was happening around me.

Until I saw the red.

The dull crimson eyes shone back at me, each sinister and dark despite their brightness. I could feel the scream building in my throat.

And then he was before me. Demetri was leering at me, a smirk twisting up the corners of his lips; redder than last time I'd seen them. The same colour as his eyes. I saw a dribble of crimson roll down the side of his pearl jaw line. My eyes widened in horror. But he didn't cease his movements, eerily graceful. I could feel his tainted breath at my ear, whispering words that would surely haunt me.

"You're still not running."

And that's when I felt a cold hand covering my mouth.

I gasped for breath, my throat burning, sitting up suddenly and causing my head to throb painfully. I didn't know where I was. I couldn't determine what was real and what wasn't. It was too hot, scorching, and I couldn't breathe. I was used to dreams as sharp as reality; these new indistinct ones should have been a relief. But they weren't. It was worse in the chaos, the confusion.

A lump was in my throat, I still couldn't breathe. And then I remembered where I was.

And with a stab I remembered who was with me.

I tried to stand up. I had to get away. I couldn't stand this. What had he seen? What had he worked out? The questions were fierce and frantic in my head, as I rushed to move away. Stumbling off the sofa and barely standing upright. In my haste, I realised I'd got head rush when the vertigo hit, my feet were suddenly unsteady on the ground. My head spun; I saw the room tilt slightly. And the far too similar sensation of falling arose.

I squeezed my eyes shut, ready for the impact that would knock the breath out of me. The one that was sure to promote the scream ready to leave my parched throat.

But the impact didn't arrive.

I reopened my eyes, only to find myself suspended by him. My breath left my lips in a shaky gasp. His eyes bored into mine. And I was terrified he'd had worked it all out. Terrified he'd seen it all. And understood it.

Slowly, as if afraid of scaring me, he gently moved a hand to my cheek, wiping away tears I hadn't known were there. Only using one arm to suspend me. Instantly, I felt ashamed for crying. Letting my weakness show. But the tears continued to cascade hot and fast down my cheeks, they made my vision blurry. The sensation of tears felt odd against my numb cold cheeks. I tried to wipe them away, but he stopped me with his hand. I didn't object, his cool touch was far more soothing than my shaking one.

"You're crying." Edward noted, his voice low and intense, still staring at me. I bit my lip, trying to stop the tears that fell. Why now? Why couldn't I be alone to cry? I heard an odd cracked sound, and was horrified when I realised I was the one who was making it.

"S-sorry." I spluttered, the tears were slowly ceasing, I felt humiliation stain my cheeks. He tensed, looking down at me cautiously, his golden eyes burning with a new kind of fervour. This time, I didn't look away.

"Never apologise for crying Lucie." He whispered intensely.

"I should." I replied, my voice was cracking. "It's stupid of me, and not to mention irrational. I'm pathetic by crying and I hate doing it."

Edward still wouldn't look away from me, one granite arm suspending my entire figure. I couldn't stop from asking the questions in my mind. I needed some answers. Staying in the dark did nothing to help. "What did you see? H-how did you stop it?" I tired to make light humour of the conversation. "Did you use your powers of 'lulling' to stop it?" He didn't laugh or smile. Maybe I was awful at cracking jokes.

"I saw what you saw. And I stopped it by holding you; lulling wasn't required." He murmured gently, for some reason more tears rolled down my cheeks. Stupid pointless moisture. I didn't care if the enzyme lysozyme was meant to prevent bacteria harming my eye. It was stupid. Tears were stupid. Lysozyme was stupid. Enzymes were stupid.

I was stupid.

"Sorry." I said again, I felt pathetic like this.

"Crying is a luxury. And you alone deserve it more than most."

His words were low as he looked at me. I broke the silence quickly, feeling need to explain why I hated to cry. I tried to refrain from using the word stupid when speaking though.

"It can be perceived as a luxury; but it isn't. It leaves you hollow and drained. It's far too strenuous to even consider doing and I hate it. You never cry, you must understand that." I mumbled, furious at myself for letting this happen. Edward's face crumpled at my words. It took a second for me to realise why, but by then he was already speaking. A remote look in his golden eyes. It tore the hole inside me wide open.

"I can't cry; only humans can cry. Not monsters." He tone was bitter, filled uttermost loathing. I felt awful. I was so stupid. So tactless.

"You're not a monster." I whispered fiercely, "You'll never be a monster."

"I already am." He refused to meet my gaze now. Though I could feel his single armed grip on me tighten. "I have been a monster for over a hundred years Lucie, nothing will ever change that."

"Don't think of yourself as a monster. Ever."

"If I did that; I would be denying the truth."

What was with the Cullens and the word denial recently?

"No," I disagreed fervently, "if you did that, then you'd understand how you defy everyone's expectations so."

He was cut short at that, slowly bringing his gaze back to my own. I was unsure if this was better or worse. I just knew it was a danger to my heart's condition. Yet again.

"Defy everyone's expectations?" he said, smiling wryly. Though it didn't reach his eyes.

"Well you defy mine."

This was why he couldn't look at me. Because when he did, I let loose too much. When he looked at me; I became little more then liquid. I melted. I turned little more then the stupid moisture rolling down my cheeks. As cheesy as it sounded I did. The house could have collapsed around us and I wouldn't have noticed.

I knew I was in too deep.

"And besides," My lips were trembling as an emotion flooded me. I didn't even know what it was. Perhaps hurt, pity, regret. Anything to describe how awful I felt at seeing Edward upset. I could see the bravado he so often used as a mask slip away, the arrogance had left him completely now. It was hard to imagine that he even possessed it before. "You can only be a monster if others see you as one."

He looked back towards the night sky again.

"I am monster. I disgust people."

"You don't disgust me." I whispered, and without a second to consider my actions, without thinking, I touched his marble face.

What happened next was not what I would have expected.

I felt myself being flung across the room.

Edward was glaring at me; he'd managed to place a distance of two meters between us.

"Don't." He growled. I stared at him in shock, my arm hurt slightly from where it had hit the wall but I didn't let him know. I held in a wince at the damage the impact had done. A different hurt filled me though. Hurt and humiliation. I stared at him in shock for a few more moments. His expression did not diminish, remaining cold and hard. He saw my stares and laughed coldly. "I don't want your pity."

I stared at him. And I hated that I wanted to cry again. This was the real reason why I was so adamant about not crying. Because when you cry around someone, you let yourself become vulnerable. The act of crying leaves you drained, you're only meant to cry if there's someone left to comfort you. I'd worked for two years not to be like that again.

I knew exactly why I'd vowed not to cry again. I hated the memory now firmly stuck in my head. It was one after my mother had died, the time when my father was little more than a broken shell. It was torture to see him like that. I couldn't stand the desolation in his eyes when he looked at me. But I knew why it seemed to intensify when he did. I looked like her; my mother. I had her fair complexion, same blonde hair, only her eyes were different. Where hers were moss green, mine were hazel. A mixture of brown and green. But still, the similarity was dominant between my mother and me. I reminded him everyday of what he'd lost. He had barely coped in that dark time. He hardly ever cried, but he had done then. And when I'd asked him if he was okay his reply had broken my heart. I could still hear the words. "I don't think I'll ever be okay Luciana, but I'll fight because of you. I don't want to see you crying now; we're going to get through this. I promise we are." That was why I vowed never to cry again. My father had been broken, and so was I. Crying never resolved anything. And it never would.

And yet here I was now, with tears from earlier drying on my cheeks. I hated Edward for letting this happen. I hated him for twisting my mind into thinking impossible thoughts. I hated his manipulation.

And most of all. I hated my self for believing he liked me. Hate was a strong word. I used it for only a few things in my life. I hated brossle sprouts; I'd nearly choked on one when I was little. I hated Demetri and what he planned to do to my father. I hated myself for being weak.

And I hated Edward Cullen. Yet I knew I didn't hate him enough.

I glared at him, not caring for my anger now. I just glared at his indifferent expression as I walked towards his door - all the while refusing not to grimace or give away how the impact against the wall had hurt, I did not need to seem anymore weak then I already was. I said my words without a hint of regret at the effect they could have on him; he probably wouldn't listen to me anyway.

"Don't worry Edward. I have no intention of pitying you." I spat at him fiercely, fighting back tears. He didn't reply (well he might of) but I was already running down the corridor. I wanted more than ever to sleep in my own bed.

Sleep.

I stared at the sky; it was indigo, flecked with different tones of grey. I knew it would soon be dawn. I couldn't sleep and I wouldn't be able to now, that was certain. I walked down the corridor, still fuming when Alice appeared in front of me. She sighed at my expression. I hoped she knew there wasn't a chance in hell that I was going to endure a makeover at this ungodly hour.

Sunrise would only be in a few hours.

Only a few hours of hell to live through.

I just sighed at the prospect of how much coercion I was going to have to endure between now and then. Alice was talking quickly, her voice was soothing. To my surprise I realised she was waiting for a response. She stared at me; her large golden eyes were concerned. I didn't deserve the concern though.

I didn't realise we were walking to the kitchen until I smelt Esme's cooking. I felt like a sleep walker; and probably looked no better. Tiredness weighed down on me, I needed to sit. I wondered if Alice had foreseen this... Probably not. If she'd known I was awake she would have had me in a ghastly combination of pyjamas by now.

But Esme wasn't in the kitchen; it was deserted except from Alice and me. I turned to Alice, ready to thank her for her consideration. I was ungrateful to her, and I knew it. But when I opened my mouth to thank her no words came.

"I knew you weren't sleeping earlier," She said lightly, a smile twitching up the corners of her Cupid's bow lips. I grimaced. Damn. And there I'd thought I'd actually fooled her. So much for my amazing acting skills. "Well, to an extent," She amended, and then promptly frowned, "I knew you weren't sleeping after I heard you saying: 'We fooled Alice.' You should have waited a bit longer." I grimaced; I didn't want to remember what she'd said to Edward. It still didn't make any sense to me. But this thought only ended up with who I'd been with. Edward. The image of disgust as I touched his cheek was imprinted in my mind. I couldn't seem to dispel it. I saw Alice watching my expression, tried to compose it, and failed. I knew she was waiting for me to speak, and so slowly, I exhaled, summoning up words to fit the situation.

"Edward hates me Alice, I don't know what I did, but he does. I-I…" I frowned in frustration; I couldn't get the words out. "I don't know what I did." I repeated stubbornly. "But it's ridiculous, one minute he was… comforting, and the next he was looking at me in fury. Bipolar in the extreme." Alice nodded at my words, seemingly unperturbed by my frustration. "He has issues." I finished off in a huff. She smiled slightly at my words, but then her face furrowed. She gave me an odd look, almost as if she was contemplating whether or not to tell me something.

"Look Lucie, I'm not sure how to tell you this. I agree, Edward probably comes across as bipolar. He doesn't think like anyone I've ever met Lucie. He can be impertinent and blind to everyone around him at times. I think that's what his power does to him; he lives in others minds and therefore doesn't trust his own. But when we put you in that equation everything goes haywire. He cannot trust his instincts for fear of hurting you, and at the same time he can't deny what he is. What we all are. We're vampires Lucie, blood is something we need to survive. You're a constant temptation to him, and he knows that. He ends up thinking that he's a monster because of his craving. And I'm not sure you realise how bad he'll be feeling right now. I bet if I wasn't with you he'd already be apologising-"

I cut across her, not willing to admit the effect her insightful words were having on me.

"I don't want him to apologise." I muttered. "Alice, he hates me. Apologising is the last thing on his mind."

She frowned slightly at my stubborn attitude. I felt like doing do too, but it was needed. Stubbornness kept me awake. And I needed to stay awake. She sighed slightly before continuing.

"You don't realise that he's doing all this for you. He won't admit it, but he is. He thinks that if he pushes you away then he'll stop feeling how he is. And I can tell he hates it Lucie, he thinks that hurting you is the only way to keep you safe."

"Then he's an idiot," I grumbled. Her soft peal of laughter was light, I felt drowsy at the sound.

"On that point; I'm not going to defend him." She chimed.

Dawn light filtered in through the window, it cast long shadows from the trees in the forest. I thought about what Alice had told me earlier that day, she'd mentioned we were going to school tomorrow. The thought made my stomach twist. I hoped it was a joke. The prospect of lessons with my amount of energy was daunting.

Dear God, I'd have to resort to coffee.

I hated coffee.

I sighed slightly and began to formulate the question I wanted to ask Alice in my head before I said it. I felt drained. I needed caffeine quickly. I was literally dead on my feet (no pun intended). I turned to her sighing again but my words died in my throat when I saw her, and then understood the momentary silence that had fallen.

Alice was no longer smiling.

I stared in horror. Her tiny frame was convulsing, her eyes blank and unfocused.

Dizzying thoughts rampaged through my head. Where was Jasper? What was she seeing? What was I supposed to do? But my frenetic thoughts were cut off short by the sound of my name.

"Lucie," Alice choked out, her golden eyes wide with shock and horror. Her small figure was still trembling slightly; it was the sort of thing that only occurred from the aftermath of one of her visions. She seemed unable to focus on me properly, mumbling my name.

I was nothing short of terrified.

"What Alice? What's wrong? What do you see?" My questions were frantic. As were my thoughts.

She looked at me, the vision had subsided. But her trembling hadn't.

"What?" My voice was thick, I felt sick again. "Alice - please, tell me."

I saw her mouth move, and saw her words rather than heard them.

Everything was crashing around at the silent words.

"It's your father."

***

Uh Oh… A c-c-cliffy?! Yup… my reign of evilness continues…

*grunt* I'm sorry. I don't know what happened. It's crazy. This stupid Edward/Lucie interaction was only meant to go on for about 3,000 words… and suddenly I have 9,000... Oh poop, with the Alice bit + babble this chapter is 11,500 words… Ridiculous. This chapter wrote itself. The stupid characters weren't meant to do the things they did. But it just happened. So yeah. Sorry if there wasn't much action. Blame fictional Moody Edward. Not me. Him.

But… there were little hidden bits in this that are essential to the plot. You won't be able to find them… but there are. So yup, that's an excuse for deeming this chapter NOT utterly rubbish.

And… they didn't kiss. Sorry. Nope. If they did there would have been WAY too much guilt for Lucie to deal with; I predict that she would have imploded. I'm sorry. But concerning Edward and Lucie… I have only one thing to say: there's going to be conflict. Mhmm. Did you seriously all think they were going to just… snog each other senseless?! Dear lord. I feel embarrassed even typing that. Perhaps I'm going to be a nun.

If you're worried people that it's JUST going to be arguments… Well, look at the genre.. Supernatural/Romance… not angst, not action, romance… it'll arrive… eventually. Not all fluff. Oh wait. Do you want fluff? … tell me if you do. If you want fluff, I'll write fluff. Though I'm not guaranteeing a high quality. But hey, it's me we're talking about. I seem to go with quantity more often… (which is bad. Quality is more important. Oh well.)

Okay. So I'm not going to give much away about next chapter. But… MIKE RETURNS… That's all I'm saying. No, that's a lie, I'll say this as well: Okay. So I've got about 5,000 words of the next chapter already written up. (Which… if you think about it… could mean that I can update super duper fast, all depending on REVIEWS…) I was going to use it in this chapter, but like I said, this chapter went on too long… MUCH too long…

Now, I've just skim read this. And I don't like it. MEH… Typical. I think it's due to the lack of action… but BAH! I could either update or delete. I figured I might as well update…

In response to several PMs Mouse is a girl. Okay? Female. I agree, the name gives you little clue to her gender. Though I'm not sure… on second thoughts I won't share my views on whether she actually has a gender. (Neutered kitty.)

On the subject of Mouse, I have news to share. Mouse is depressed! *cue the dirge* Yup. Depressed. Why, you all ask? Well, There was no cat food in the house, so all she got for her supper was a small portion of cat biscuits. (Mouse is snooty. She turns her nose up at such common food as Go-cat biscuits and insists on smelly tinned food) Mouse gave me a wounded look as I poured them for her. She is a very spoilt cat, so I gave her a long lesson on how cats in Africa would never get as much as she did. My mum came in halfway through my speech and is now under the impression that I'm not only an utter recluse, but also a mad person who talks to cats. I fear she is spot on.

On that note, I'll leave you to REVIEW. Pretty please? I bet it'll make Mouse less depressed… no one wants a depressed Mouse, she's awfully grumpy (she just walked all over my artwork. I'll take it as a sign of rebelling. My painting of Kiwi Fruit now has hair stuck to it. Nice.)…

Lily- accompanied by a depressed Mouse. A Mouse who wants food. And a Lily who wants reviews.