AN: I don't own anything Twilight related, SM does.

Sorry it's been a while.

I want to thank all of you who wrote/write me encouraging reviews, they really make my day.

On a different note, regarding someone's review from last chapter: As for 'copying and pasting'… I would never plagiarise someone's work, as I do have a moral code. I write fanfiction because I love writing. The idea of someone stealing another author's work completely baffles me, but to be accused of doing it myself has really put a damper on my motivation to continue writing.

I am interested to know which 'Edward and Jasper story' it is, that I apparently copied from.

As for everyone else, I'm sorry this has caused my delay in updating but I was not in the right mind frame to write.

I hope you enjoy reading this chapter, but heads up! It's a little angsty.

Safe Harbour

Chapter 15: Blondie

My mind was conjuring up the last remaining images of the scene in Emmett's bedroom when I suddenly woke up with a racing heart. Feeling nauseous and slightly disoriented; my hands and fingers searched around me, trying to determine what I was lying down on.

Slightly wet and heavy, my eyes remained closed. Using my sense of touch, it appeared that I was lying on a very comfortable bed under a light blanket. Sense of smell led me to the assumption that I had been placed back on Emmett's bed. The pillow; on which my head rested, had Emmett's scent all over it. Swallowing loudly I forced myself to breathe silently.

Soft, quiet voices caught my attention as I lay still.

"But seriously, don't you ever knock? I swear you do it on purpose; barging in on everyone, hoping to catch them doing something embarrassing or scandalous."

Well, it sounded like Emmett's voice. But there was a certain annoyed and stern tone to it, which I didn't recognise. It was deeper and harsher than I'd heard before.

I could almost hear my heart plummet as he described what the blonde stranger had walked in on. So, Emmett thought we were scandalous? Or was it the embarrassing part? Was he embarrassed to be seen with me?

Probably.

I continued to hold in any sobs.

"Em, you know me," the other man laughed, "I have been known to…sometimes knock. But I honestly didn't know you had company. I mean I knew you were going out to meet up with a guy but…I didn't think you'd bring him back here. I didn't see another car or anything…"

My eyebrows furrowed slightly in confusion. Did Emmett's boyfriend not mind that he was seeing me as well?

Maybe they had an open relationship? Either way, I'm quite sure Blondie would much prefer to never see me.

"That's not the point," he huffed. "Just. From now on. You need to fucking knock, okay? I love you, you know that. But I need my privacy."

I almost gulped, but I refrained. Emmett loved him.

"Okay, I'm sorry Em. Do you think he's going to be alright?"

Holding my breath, I tried to remain as rigid as possible.

A sigh reached my ears, "I'm not sure. I hope so, but…"

"But what?"

"But I'm worried… I think… I think he assumed my boyfriend walked in on me cheating on him. It's the only reason I can come up with that would cause him to run away, so upset. And given what he's…" he groaned to cut himself off.

Blondie laughed as more water gathered in my eyes.

"That's ridiculous. You and me. Together. Ha!"

I heard Emmett chuckle.

"I mean, if you told him about me, wouldn't he know or assume that's who I was?"

Silence followed Blondie's question.

"Emmett?" he hissed. "You mean to tell me you didn't inform him that I was here? That you haven't mentioned me at all?"

I think the guy was more insulted that Emmett hadn't told me about him more than anything else.

After a groan Emmett replied, "Jason I just haven't mentioned it, it never came up and I'm sorry, no offence but it's not really that important considering."

Blondie, or 'Jason' huffed.

I decided it was time to get up and go.

Having been awake for a few minutes now, I was quite capable of moving quickly. Pushing myself up, I swung my legs around and hopped off the bed. My feet found the floor and I stood still, realising that my clothes were back on me. Had he..?

Lifting my face, my eyes found Emmett's and held them for a moment. I could barely see through my tears and I knew I looked a mess, but I knew I would always remember his eyes. So blue. So beautiful.

I sniffled, "I'm ah," - I cleared my throat - "I'm gonna go now."

Without another thought, I ran out of the room and through the house, hoping I'd remember the way to the front door. Emmett's shouts and footsteps ran through the home as I made my way to the door; feeling my pockets and making sure I had my wallet, phone and key.

Just as I made it, Emmett came up from behind me and grabbed me around the waist, pulling me back.

I did what I didn't have the guts to do before.

I screamed.

I cried.

And I screamed.

"DON'T!...GET OFF ME… DON'T TOUCH ME….DON'T TOUCH ME!"

Tears ran down my cheeks as I tried to breathe and swallow.

All of sudden, I was let go and I fell to the floor. The sound of my fall rang through the house and it was met with complete silence.

Curling into a ball to help protect myself, I continued to cry silently with my eyes shut tightly. My body racked with sobs.

Would it ever be different? Would I ever learn? It would always be the same.

"Holy shit…"

The whisper broke the silence.

I was pretty sure it was Blondie…Jason. But I didn't really care. I just wanted to leave. I needed to leave. For my own safety I had to get of there.

"Edward?"

I flinched wildly as the proximity of Emmett's voice surprised and scared me. Sitting up, I used my feet to push against the floor; scanning the room as I backed up to the door.

Emmett stood a few feet away from me with a face full of anguish and regret, while 'Jason' was still standing on the bottom rung of the staircase, staring at me in shock and fear.

Their expressions confused me but I didn't allow for any distractions.

"Edward?"

My eyes found Emmett's again. "Baby please…please let me explain." His voice broke on the last word.

Wrapping my arms around my knees and began to rock my body along the soles of my feet, staring at his face. Why was he crying? Demetri never cried.

Emmett's eyes squinted in confusion until his face went blank. "Didn't he?"

Oh shit…I said that out loud…

I found myself nodding as I rocked.

"Why do you think I'm crying Edward?"

I stared while my shoulders did a lift and fall of a shrug.

"Can I tell you?"

Eventually I found myself nodding again.

He sniffed before slowly lowering himself to the floor. He positioned himself with his legs crossed and his feet under them. "I'm crying because I'm upset. Very upset."

Even though I was scared and knew I needed to leave. I found myself needed to know what upset Emmett. Why was he crying?

"Why are you upset?"

He took a moment to speak. "I…I'm mostly upset because you are. Why are you upset Edward?"

I shook my head slowly as I rocked.

"You don't want to tell me?" Again, it shook. "Well, I think it's because you're confused."

"I'm not confused."

"Yes. I think you are."

"No. I'm not."

"You are."

I stopped rocking. "I'm not confused."

"I think you are…"

Anger coiled inside my body. "Well I'm not!"

"Why are you upset then. If you're not confused, tell me."

"You've got a boyfriend! He's your boyfriend!" Pointing to a still shocked Jason, my heart beat loudly in my chest.

"No, he's not."

Why was he being so fucking calm about this?

Angered like never before, I stood up. "YOU'RE LYING!"

"Am I?" his eyes asked me, gazing into me, almost pleading with me.

I huffed, "Aren't you?"

He smiled softly. "No baby. I'm not lying to you. I'm not Demetri, Edward. Jason…he's a friend of mine. He came here with me on my holiday break. He's just my friend from college."

His words slowly made their way inside my brain, allowing me to focus on them. What he was saying eventually soaked in, and disbelief made me cautious. "I don't"-

"It's true."

Jason moved over, closing in on us and moving next to Emmett. He seemed careful though, like he was really worried about frightening me. I'll admit I did take a step backwards, and it was only then that I realised I must have moved forward after I stood up.

"Emmett, he's my best friend. Nothing more. We're not together Edward. And I'm really sorry this all happened. I never meant to intrude on you two."

Emmett scoffed.

Jason's lip curled up a little bit. "Okay…what I mean is. I never meant to make you doubt Emmett's feelings towards you. Or to assume that we were a couple. Emmett has never been the type, nor ever will be – to intentionally hurt someone or date more than one person at a time."

A sigh came out of me as I suddenly felt drained.

Of energy.

Of emotion.

I didn't know what to do or say.

So, Emmett and Jason weren't together…they were friends. They'd both come to Forks for their holiday break. Emmett and Jason weren't together. He was just a friend of his. Emmett still liked me..?

"Yes baby, I do." Lifting my wet eyes to him he smiled at me, "I know what's going through your mind and I do still like you. Very much."

"Emmett?" I sobbed; disbelief and doubt seeping out of my pores and leaving my body drained.

"Come here?" he seemed to beg.

I ran to him. Falling into his open arms and squishing my head into his neck. He wrapped his strong arms around me, keeping me together as my body continued to quiver with emotion.

"It's okay. I'm here. I'm here."

Running his hands and fingers through my hair, down my arms, down my back, around my waist; he soothed me. Holding me as if I were this precious thing of his, I felt so stupid.

"Don't you dare Edward. Don't you dare feel bad or guilty. None of this is your fault. Everything is okay now. Sshh."

I must have fallen asleep in his arms before he carried me back to his bed. We were spooning with him behind me; snoring quietly as he held me tightly to his chest. Yawning, my fingers found the ones of his on my chest and laced them together before I decided I was too tired to stay awake any longer.

Give me some love?

Next update: 23rd March