Revised BPOV from Chapter 1 is up at Twilighted. Stop by the UKM thread in the AU forum over at Twilighted and tell me what you think about the story, the revisions and I'm going to be especially interested in your reaction to the reveal in this chapter. And trust me…there's another surprise on the horizon.

Thanks for all the reviews…I read them after my incredibly long days at work and they give me the energy to work on revisions and new chapters. So keep 'em coming!

Twilight and its characters are not mine.

Without out further ado...

xXx

Chapter 7.

EPOV

I was certain a goofy grin was plastered on my face when Bella glanced at me again before she answered her phone. She did just call me charming, after all. Though, I believe the correct term is dazzling. But, let's not mince words. Bella was beautiful, even when she scowled. Absolutely spectacular when she smiled. I waited for her to pull away while I greedily breathed in her lingering scent. She was visibly upset by the person that had called her. As the truck left the parking lot, I hoped she would be in good spirits later.

I spent the drive home in quiet meditation. Newton and Crowley had upset me in Physics; I imagined many a violent scenario as they took turns putting their filthy hands all over Bella. She seemed to enjoy the attention. But she encourages my attention. It was comparable to the first day of school; although instead of Bella's luscious scent taunting me—it was the sordid lust that flashed amongst both Newton and Crowley's thoughts that had me bolting from my seat.

And I don't know if I'm protective or possessive of her. It matters very little to me at the moment.

Alice's thoughts drifted out to meet me as I finally pulled up to the Cullen mansion. The forest was reflected in the windows of the atrium. I compulsively ran my hands through my hair while I looked at my own reflection. An old habit, I suppose. My mind was filled with Alice's vision and insecurity when I opened the front door. I struggled to pull myself out of it; but it was no use. Alice was intent on showing me what was frustrating her.

It was Bella. The lights were low and she seemed to be illuminated by candle light. A restaurant, perhaps? Everything outside of Bella was foggy and inconsequential. She smiled a smile that reached her eyes. Then, she lowered her eyes as a bright blush graced her cheeks. Her hand covered her smile as her deep brown eyes gazed back up.

A chill shot through me as I considered the possibility that I was the one making her smile and blush. Alice coasted down the stairs behind me; I turned as I heard her reach the bottom stair. Her eyes were red; as if she had been crying. Absurd. Vampires don't cry.

"Did you see it?" Her usual musical tone was replaced by an alien sense of urgency.

"Yes. What was it?"

"I'm not sure. That's all I can see. Have your resolved to tell her your secret?" She crossed her arms as she sat down on the bottom of the stair case.

"I have," I searched Alice's expression carefully.

"If the decision has been made, why can't I see it?" She threw her arms up frantically. I felt a flutter of emotion move down the stairs. Alice's arms crossed in front of her again and she stared at me. She was waiting for an answer.

"Maybe it has something to do with my not being able to read her mind," I shrugged. She was blocking my use of the stairs.

"Maybe it has to do with her big secret," Jasper yelled from the upstairs.

Mirroring Alice, I crossed my arms and leaned against the banister. She was trying to get another vision. Once more, she pulled me in with her.

The entire scene was full of a thick mist. It was raining. A pair of red eyes stared back at me. I couldn't make out the face the eyes belonged to. Some of the vision began to focus; tall trees bordered on all sides. There was barely any sound. The red eyes began scanning the trees in anticipation. Everything blurred.

"Damnit!"

"What happened?"

"It keeps doing that," she covered her face with her hands.

"Who was the vampire?"

"I think it was one of the nomads, but I can't be sure," she was utterly defeated.

"Alice, I am going to do what I can to protect her," I tried to make every word sound sincere. Because I was.

"I hope you mean it," Alice gave me an uncharacteristically hard glance. She rose to her feet and stood aside for me.

"I don't understand it and I still stand firm that you're wrong about her. But there is definitely something more to her than meets the eye. And, for whatever reason, I feel the need to keep her safe. Possibly out of morbid curiosity," I cupped her face in my hand and she gave me a sad smile.

"You'll see," was all she said as she continued on her journey through the house.

I ignored Jasper's low whistle on my way to my room. Jimi Hendrix played as I lay on my couch. With my hands behind my head, I drifted off into daydream-like state. I thought about Bella's shy smile. Then I thought about the fear in her eyes as I told her I was a blood drinking vampire. Go ahead and order dinner, I'm not hungry. I only feed on the blood of large game animals—and humans work too. Panic spread through me as I realized I agreed to take Bella out for dinner. Jasper must have felt it, because he stood in my doorway and clicked his tongue.

"What's the problem?" He drawled as he leaned against the frame.

"Dinner date," I grimaced.

"You've pretended to have dinner before."

"It doesn't seem right. I can't coax her out of her charade if I continue mine."

"Fine. Then make up a story to get out of it. Tell her your ma made you eat a big dinner. From what I understand, girls only order salads on the first date anyways," he shrugged.

"I don't know how to do this," I sat up and ran my hands through my hair.

"You'll have to be more specific. There are loads of things you seem to be incapable of," he raised an eyebrow at me.

"Dating, Jasper. I've never taken a girl out on a date before. Unless you count taking Tanya hunting. Human rules are different."

"Ya never courted a lady before?" Jasper was trying to hold back a chuckle.

"Hard to believe, isn't it?" I sneered.

"Especially with that attitude," he snorted.

"I would be open to your suggestions." I hoped he wasn't going to make me come out and say I needed his help.

"Simple. You go to her door, shake her pop's hand and try not to scowl. Nobody digs the scowl."

Bella did tell me to bring charming Edward tonight.

"Bella did call me charming," I added, absently.

"Gee, Ed. I never thought I'd see the day when you were hung up on someone," Jasper's words lingered in the air while he lazily sauntered back to his room.

"I am not hung up on her!" I called to him and I knew he heard me. He mentally ribbed me, which I found to be unnecessary. I'm not hung up on her! Am I? Maybe.

To occupy my time and keep myself distracted, I went hunting. My excitement made it difficult for me to focus. I was finally able to concentrate after I convinced myself it was for Bella's safety. The less hungry I was, the more I would be able to control myself. And the less menacing I would appear. I enjoyed the adrenaline hunting allowed me, but I was more interested in getting it over with. Settling on small prey, I was done quickly.

At home, I took my time cleaning up. I ran the shower at a dangerously hot temperature. Trying to physically feel as alive as I emotionally felt. After the shower, it took a painstakingly long time to find suitable attire. I was disappointed when I ended up in jeans and a button down shirt—only because it was so simple. After that long, I should be wearing Armani. Alice's nervous thoughts and Jasper's sarcastic ones motivated me. I had to get the hell out of there.

I parked in the same place I had the night before. Nervousness settled in my chest as I walked past the police cruiser. Since when do I care if anyone likes me, let alone fathers of seemingly insignificant little girls. My face dropped as I realized I had just though Bella insignificant. She's anything but. I took a moment to scan her father's mind. Surely, our meeting would go much smoother if I knew what he thought of me already.

A game was on. All Chief Swan thought about were football scores and ridiculous plays. I knocked on the door. He answered.

"Hello, Chief Swan, I'm Edward Cullen," I extended my hand to shake his. He stared at me blankly for a moment, wondering if I was going to be trouble for Bella. After a few seconds of deliberation, he decided she was perfectly capable of handling herself.

"Call me Charlie, Edward," his eyes wrinkled as he smiled and shook my hand. "She's still getting ready. I don't know what they do for so long, but it's always worth it—isn't it?" He winked at me. His thoughts were friendly; he really respected his daughter.

"Yes, sir," I smiled back politely. I stood straight with my hands folded in front of me. Charlie inspected me and thought I looked too uptight. His exact thoughts were: "He's a nice looking young man, but I can't see Bella putting up with that attitude all night." I started to wonder how Bella had been putting up with my attitude at all.

I relaxed my posture and Charlie reminded me to call him Charlie. He yelled up the stairs for Bella, saying she had made me wait long enough. She yelled back, but I barely heard her. I was entirely engrossed in her relationship with her father. It was very entertaining.

I heard her click on the stairs behind me. My breath caught when I turned to see her descend them. She was absolutely gorgeous, as usual. Stunning, even. There never seem to be enough adjectives to describe Isabella Swan. A shiver ran through me as I noticed all of her bare skin. The smooth paleness of her neck and shoulders were incredibly tempting. Her long legs, once again elevated by the same heels as before, taunted me from under her dress. And the dress itself was an enticing shade of emerald. If I was able to blush, I would have. Her father thinks you're ogling her, so quit staring. I dropped my eyes.

"You look beautiful," I muttered to the floor.

"Thanks. You look ready to go," she smiled as she brushed past me to give her father a hug good bye.

"Don't forget about your mother, Bells," Charlie spoke into her cascading chocolate locks.

"Geez, Dad. I couldn't even if I tried," she stuck her tongue at him as she pulled away.

"It's rather chilly out. Perhaps you should grab a coat?" I suggested this, not only to appeal to her father but also because I didn't think I could handle staring at so much of her bare skin all night.

She did pull a coat on. Charlie grinned in satisfaction. Bella gently tugged on the crook of my elbow as she walked toward the door. I waved good bye to Charlie and promised to bring Bella back safely. His thoughts indicated he'd send the entire squad after me if I didn't make good on that promise. When the door shut behind us, I took another look at Bella.

"About dinner," I started to make up an excuse when she interrupted.

"I pretty much ruined my appetite on leftover Thai. So, unless you're starving, maybe we could just hang out at a coffee house or something," she shrugged. Can she read MY mind?

"Alright, if that's what you'd like to do," I smiled.

"What I'd really like to do is get into that Volvo and see what she's got," that wickedness from the first day of school returned to her eyes as she raced over to my car.

"Cullens like to go fast and be first," I warned, "she's got a lot."

"Bring it on, Cullen," Bella shouted as she slid into the passenger seat.

"Should the Chief's daughter be encouraging such raucous behavior?" I teased.

"Life is too short, Edward." Her words were heavy and it seemed as though they carried implication.

Originally, the idea of spending so much time alone with her was thrilling. I was quickly rendered speechless as she leaned her head against the headrest and sighed with contentment. How can she be so relaxed around me? I'm a god damn killer. Out of the corner of my eye I saw her smiling.

"What's on your mind?" I blurted.

"You're awfully quite for someone who wanted to get to know me," she smiled again and reached down to turn the heat on.

"I guess I can't form thoughts and ask questions when you're sitting next to me in that dress." Was I flirting? Edward Cullen does not concede to flirting.

"I could take if it off if that will help you concentrate," she responded simply.

"Certainly not," I feigned repulsion. "Further, I think that would only result in more distraction."

We had almost made it to Port Angeles and hadn't discussed anything. I was disappointed in myself and goaded by Bella's effect on me. When we reached the city limits and I slowed the vehicle, she rolled her window down and took a deep breath.

"I love the city air," she explained when she caught me staring. She was entirely too intriguing for my own good.

I parked the car downtown on the main street. Although I had let Bella open her own door when she got into the car, I was determined to let out. I opened her door and held my hand out to her. She grasped it, and it was probably quite tight to her but it felt weak to me, and let me help her. My cold skin erupted as our palms touched. It felt like a million hot sparks were raining down on me. I was soothed and panicked at the same time. My eyes were wide as I met hers. She wore a similar expression. I wondered what our touch was doing to her body. I shivered at the thought of it. Quickly, my body began to return to normal and I realized she had let go of my hand.

We walked past several bars. Patrons loitered outside a particularly rowdy bar. Neanderthals.

"Hey hot stuff, ditch the fag and let a real man show you a good time," one of the loitering men hollered at Bella. Fag? I looked down at myself. Do I really look gay?

Bella's confident stride came to halt a few feet in front of the bar. Even in stilettos and a strapless dress, she was preparing to battle. Alright, so perhaps I sound a bit gay.

"Are you speaking to me?" Her voice was steady.

"Who else, babe? Come on in, let Frankie buy you a drink," he shot her a grin full of disgusting yellow teeth. He slicked back his already greasy hair and stepped aside to allow her to enter the bar.

"You better watch who you're cat –calling, Frankie. One of these days, you'll mess with the wrong lady."

"You ain't no lady, girlie. Ladies don't dress like pros."

I tensed but Bella ran her hand down my arm before closing the distance between herself and Frankie.

"Apparently, you picked today to mess with the wrong lady," her fist met his right eye. He cried out in pain as he staggered back. She pretended to polish her hand on the lapel of her jacket. "Does anyone else want to go a round?"

Met with silence, she turned around with a satisfied expression on her face.

"I hate the word fag," she started walking ahead of me and I quickly caught up to her. "I also hate dirty men and being called a prostitute."

"And here I thought you were defending my honor."

"Don't be silly, Edward. If you have any honor, I'm sure you can defend it yourself."

"I think you might have some anger management issues," I offered.

"I've been dreaming of wailing on Mike Newton since the first day of school. I can exert some control."

I chuckled as we ducked into the coffeehouse Bella had led us to. It was practically empty. Candles were lit on several of the tables near the back. Alice's vision happens here. I smiled to myself. She led us to an incredibly secluded corner. Shrugging off her jacket, she slid into the booth. My eyes scanned her neck and collar bone. Her pulse quickened.

"What happened in Physics today," her voice was low and her heart was racing.

"Can I be completely candid?"

"Isn't that the point of the date," she replied and crossed her arms as she leaned back against the booth.

"I need you to keep an open mind then, Bella," I shot her a glance. Telling you my secret is hard enough without you chiding me.

"Wide open," she sat up straight and leaned in.

"Coffee first," I said as I slid out of the booth.

"You're stalling!"

I sure am. I ordered her something frothy and sat it down in front of her. She smelled it first, satisfied, she took a drink.

"Quit stalling," she demanded between drinks.

I sighed. Here goes nothing.

"I'm telepathic," I started, unable to look her in the eyes. She leaned in closer, her unoccupied hand almost touching my tented ones. "Mike and Tyler have disgusting imaginations."

"Edward," she laughed, "were you offended by their lack of respect for personal boundaries?"

Excuse me?

"Did you just laugh at me?"

"What were they thinking?" She leaned back again, her hand still close to mine.

"I can't bring myself to vocalize it."

"Kinky."

"Entirely too much."

She laughed again. Her cheeks glowed red and she covered her mouth to suppress her laughter. Alice's vision!

"So tell me, Edward Cullen, what bothered you more? That they are both sexually deviant or that you were subjected to an entire hour of dirty deeds done with Bella?"

"You don't believe me, do you?"

"What am I thinking right now?" She grinned.

"Ah, well you seem to be my Achilles heel," I shook my head.

"How convenient," she smirked.

"Honestly. I can read every mind in here, except yours."

"What's he thinking about?" She pointed to socially awkward gentleman in his early thirties.

"He's wondering if he remembered to feed his cat."

"And her?" Now, she pointed a young girl sitting near the front door.

"She thinks her internet boyfriend has stood her up on their first meeting," I sighed. "Do you even believe me?"

"Hold on," she motioned with her hands for me to calm down. She pushed herself out of the booth and walked up to the man at the counter. She whispered for him to pick a number between one and one million.

"Eighty thousand nine hundred and two," I replied when she sat back down.

"Is it thirty?" She yelled back at him. He laughed, enjoying her flirting.

"No. It's eighty thousand nine hundred and two," he replied.

"Darn it!" She batted her lashes at him then returned her eyes to me.

"Is that your only secret?" She whispered.

"No."

"Do you want to trade secrets?" The flame of the candle reflected in her eyes.

"Me first, I suppose?" I slumped over in the booth.

"I know it's not fair, but you did tell me to expect chivalry," she shrugged, lightly brushing my hand with hers.

Ignited by our skin contact, I met her eyes. She was urging me to tell. Or pleading. After another sigh, I was ready to tell her what I was and watch her run screaming.

"I'm an extremely pale, ice cold killer, Bella. I have inhuman strength, senses and speed. I am nature's greatest predator. In fact, you're probably here right now because I unintentionally lured you." Alright, perhaps the lure was intentional.

"Say it, Edward," her lips barely moved and I wasn't sure if she spoke loud enough for even her own ears to hear.

"I'm a vampire."

She leaned back again, studying my expression. I felt defeated.

"Feel free to run screaming or tell my parents to commit me."

"Truth?" Her hands were folded in the same fashion as mine. She stared at them as she spoke.

"Please." A little truth would be wonderful right now.

"I knew you were a vampire on the first day of school," she whispered, "when you freaked in Physics."

"How? Do you read minds?" I suspected she did, since she always seemed to be half a step ahead of me.

"Not at all. Although I do have some cool little tricks of my own," she smiled, but it barely reached her cheeks. Let alone her eyes. She took a sharp breath and closed her eyes. Enough with the dramatics just spill it already.

"Look, Edward, this birthmark isn't the only thing I was given at birth," she indicated to her right wrist that was covered with a rather large bracelet. Oh yes, that "birth mark."

"You can't read my mind because I'm a shield of sorts—impervious to vampire powers."

"How do you know so much about vampires?" There were a few possibilities I could think of, none of them were particularly good news for me.

"I dabble in the supernatural," she replied nonchalantly. "I was born into this faction of Keepers."

She crossed her arms and leaned back.

"I can't read your mind, so could you be less vague?"

"Simply, we step in when the Volturi does not. We're mostly concerned with maintaining the vampire secrecy while protecting humanity. For instance, the hiker murders. Those vampires are drawing too much attention to themselves. I track them and tell them to stop being so stupid."

"You track vampires and reason with them?" Yes, because vampires are so easy to reason with.

"Personally? I track them and bait them. As you've noticed, I smell quite delicious."

"I did notice. So you're a vampire hunter?"

"I guess. I mean, I'm no Buffy. I'm not interested in hunting vamps and staking them," she stopped to gauge my reaction then continued. "I keep them out of trouble. A lot of Keepers actually align with one coven and help them assimilate or stay out of trouble. Some eventually become vampires, I know a few that are serving on the Volturi guard. "

"Why haven't I heard about this…organization?" It seemed as though she was baiting me.

"I don't know. Maybe because your coven stays out of trouble? Allies don't talk about us and the ones that cross and disregard us don't usually live to brag about it. We're all about maintaining balance between vampires and humans."

"So you're here for find the nomads?"

"Yes," she sighed. Most likely out of relief.

"And, let me see if I understand you correctly. You bait vampires with your scent?"

"Yeah, it's my thing," she shifted uneasily.

"Are you out of your mind?" I felt as though I was coming out of shock. The scent emanating from Bella was almost enough to make me submit to my squalid instinct.

"Am I out of my mind? Are you kidding me? The most primal vampire instinct is to attack and drain anything with a pulse. Are you out of your mind? You're in high school, for god's sake," she flung her arms open as she spoke and I was mesmerized by the muscles in her shoulders and the tight skin covering her collar bone.

She placed her braceleted hand in the area I was staring at and it forced me to look up. Her eyes were amused but her posture was tense. Always a contradiction.

"How old are you, anyway," she leaned in to me again. Her scent filled the space between us and I inhaled it.

"Just over a century," she placed her hands over mine as I answered. Shocks and sparks flowed through us as we sat in the back of the coffee house. We stared at each other. She ran her hands over mine and up to my forearms.

"I wanted to kill you the first day in Physics," I whispered, never breaking my gaze.

"You didn't," she leaned closer, bringing her hands further arms up my arms.

"I easily could have," I no longer thought about the words coming out of my mouth.

"Don't ever underestimate me, Edward."

"Don't ever trust that I am in complete control when I'm around you. You're impossibly beautiful and your scent is positively lethal."

She broke our skin contact. Her upper body was almost across the entire table and she made no attempt to move. Our faces were so close I could feel her breath on me. I wanted to bite her. I wanted to kiss her. I don't know what I want. These two primitive forces raged inside me until she gently kissed me on the cheek then slowly slid back to her seat. Unbelievable.

"I trust you, Edward. You saved my life and risked everything your coven built. I'm intrinsically tied to you. I'm perfectly capable of protecting myself, but I trust you. You make me feel safe."

"That's ridiculous. I'm absolutely not good for you."

"Tell me you didn't feel the magnetic pull the other night, or that you don't feel the electric pulse when we touch. I'm fascinated by you; by us," she placed a hand on my leg under the table and I felt a jolt of electricity in my least demure of areas.

"I want to keep you safe, Bella. But I honestly don't know if it's out of adoration or curiosity." I don't know if I want to protect you or posses you, either. My hand grabbed hers and held it gently. Her cheeks turned red and I felt her pulse quicken. I smiled crookedly as she yanked her hand away from me and began to rub neck. Her bracelet glittered in the candle light.

"May I see your mark?" Her eyes widened at my request, but she began to remove her bracelet.

---
I'm really looking forward to (and fearing) your thoughts on this chapter!