My feet scurried across the cobblestone ground. No matter what direction I looked hundreds of people in red surrounded me. When I finally pushed my way to the heart of the crowd; they were going in two different directions. A roll of nausea hit me, I was lost. I didn't know which direction to take. This was it this was the end. Suddenly the clock tower bellowed. My head snapped in the direction of the loud bell and I was off again. My feet stumbled over each other shoving people as they yelled obscenities at me in Italian. It was a miracle I haven't fallen yet. The roar of the crowd grown. Oh no! Did he do it? Did he reveal himself? Have I missed my chance? No. Suddenly a fountain appeared right in my path. I stopped. I saw him, and he was just as painfully beautiful as I remembered.

"Dong!" The clock bellowed again and time stood still for a moment. Was that the 10th or 11th time? I couldn't remember, but there was absolutely no way around the fountain without sacrificing important time.

"Edward, don't!" I screamed at the top of my lungs pleading. He didn't hear me. His eyes were closed, and his face, eerily calm. I threw my feet over the edge of the fountain and trudged through the shin deep water, still screaming as loud as I could. My attempts were futile. The water clung to my legs begging me not to go, but I forced my way through.

"Dong!" the tower bellowed once more. I could feel my body on the edge of exhaustion. My eyes were fixated on Edward, he did not move into the sunlight but neared the edge of the shadows dangerously close.

"No! Edward!" I screamed once again. I still had a moment, a second to save Edward.

"Dong!" the clocked bellowed for the last time. I jumped free from the waters of the fountain. I looked to my right and noticed a small girl tugging on her mother's red cloak pointing in the direction of Edward. I was too late his skin glistened reflecting rays of sunlight. No one noticed only the girl. I was finally to my destination. My body smacked into his and I would have fallen backwards if his arms didn't instinctively wrapped around my waist.

"Heaven," he spoke. "So Carlisle was right."

"Edward! You have to move!" I shouted.

"You still smell good," he noted. "Maybe it is Hell. Whatever I'll take it." He said still speaking nonsense.

"Edward, open your eyes!" I commanded. "I'm alive, dammit!"

His eyes opened. "Bella?" he finally realized that I was alive and here. His arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me into the shadows behind a large pillar. We were safe and a wave a relief washed over my body. I let my body give into exhaustion. My body fell against his and I finally felt safe. His hands encapsulated my face and pulled me towards his. He kissed me. The kiss was rough and harsh, like he was waiting for it. I couldn't process what was happening it was all too fast. Finally I put my hands up in protest and shoved his chest. It made no matter, he couldn't feel me wriggling trying to get free of this unwanted kiss. His mouth moved away from my lips and reached my neck.

"Edward, stop!" I finally gasped, giving one more forceful shove to his chest. I looked up at him, eyes narrowed. He looked shocked and confused. He was completely baffled by my resistance. I saw Alice approaching out of the corner of my eye, and heard the door behind Edward and I buckle and open. Exhaustion set in. My eyelids suddenly felt extremely heavy, my surroundings spun, and my feet gave out. I was out like a light.

When my eyes fluttered open I was in a car. I shifted my eyes to the window it was dark, but I could still see that we were still in Italy. My head felt as if it been hammered by a dump truck. I looked over and saw Edward manning the wheel.

"What happened?" I asked, confused.

"You mean before or after my kiss knocked you out?" He smirked. Is that what he really thought happened? He must be delusional.

"After," I retorted annoyed.

"Well, the Volturi came and they were not very pleased with my actions. To make a long story short they let us go with one small stipulation," he replied.

"And that is?" I asked fishing for more details.

"Not important, we'll discuss it later. However I would like to clarify my departure from Forks with you," he looked over at me gauging my response. I didn't care to hear his story. Plain and simple he left me, and nothing could change that.

"Bella, I know you must be hurt, and I feel like such an idiot for leaving you. I thought it would be safer for you. You don't know how agonizing it was to lie to you when I left. I thought it would best, a clean break, and that you would heal. The months ahead were miserable. I didn't hunt, I didn't talk to Carlisle, I even though about going rouge, but I did not want to upset my family. The point is I'm sorry and now we can start on a clean slate. I promise to you Bella, this will never happen again," He was done explaining himself.

More like making up bullshit and malarkey to try to win me back, but I couldn't help to have feelings towards him. His words, true or not, made me feel loads better. I didn't know what to do. I was at a crossroads. My thoughts drifted to Jake. It would kill me to see him hurting, especially after I promised everything would be fine. However, I couldn't let my mixed emotions get in the way of what needed to be done.

"So what you think we can just pick up where we left off like nothing happened?" I asked angrily.

"Of course not, Bella. I know you are probably still in shock, and it may take time, but Bella I've already waited 100 years for you. What's a little while longer? You are my life, my existence. Without you everything is pointless, which is why I went to the Volturi when I thought you were gone."

His words made my heart do a flip. Why? Why did I still have feelings for him? The man that left me, in the woods, alone. Maybe he was telling the truth, why would he lie anyway? It's not like I am special, but every time I made an excuse for Edward's absence all I could think about was Jacob and how he pulled my out of my slump. Could I really forsake Jake's feelings for my own? And what were my feelings? I obviously was not over Edward, but my heart yearned for Jacob as well. Each scenario I ran through my head still left someone hurt. I can't make this decision now, I need to see Jake.

"Edward," his name felt like velvet brushing my lips, "I need time. I have to think things over. I am not saying we will not work out, I don't know what is going to happen. I just need time to think, to be alone."

"Alone?" He asked. "Or with Jacob?"

He knew.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I lied. I didn't want him to know about Jake, I was a coward.

"Alice had her suspicions and she was right. Bella I hope you know you're a terrible liar." He smiled back at me. "Always have been, my love."

The butterflies began to assault my tummy. Why? Even when he was insulting me he could provoke romantic feelings out of me. I remained silent.

"It's okay. You don't have to talk about it, I honestly rather you not. These are the consequences I have to deal with for leaving you. It's natural for a human to cling on to another in a time of need, and perhaps develop…romantic… feelings for this person."

Edward was having difficulties conveying his message, something I had never experienced before. He really was telling the truth.

"However I do have to say your safety is at risk with Jacob and I don't know exactly how to handle that. You know I can't protect you in La Push, it's their territory." He spoke solemnly.

"You won't have to," I scoffed, "Jacob would never hurt me."

I couldn't believe he was pulling the safety card. Jacob could never harm me, right? My thoughts lingered to Emily's scars from Sam. Sam snapped and she was standing too close. The thought of it made me shudder.

"I wouldn't be so sure of that Bella. From what Alice described, Jacob wasn't too far from phasing in front of you before your departure to Italy." Edward retorted. "If he harmed you in anyway I don't think I'll be able to control myself. Treaty or no, Jacob would never see the light of day again." He grinded his teeth.

I shivered again. I didn't want to imagine what would happen if Edward attacked Jacob, neither outcome made me happy.

"I'm sorry," Edward noticed he was making me uncomfortable, "it's just hard to control my emotions with this subject."

"It's okay," I spoke softly. "Where are we going?" I asked changing the subject, staring out into the dark night.

"We are headed to a private airport to head back to Forks. We are taking Carlisle's private jet. We should be back in Forks by the morning." He spoke.

"Good," I sighed relieved. If Charlie was staying at the Clearwater's to help like his texts said he may not even know I'm gone as long as Jacob hasn't spilled the beans.

"I'll leave you be when we get back to Forks. I'll give you all the distance you need. When you want to talk you know where I am." He smiled.

I smiled back. I couldn't help feeling safe and happy with Edward. I reached over and grabbed his hand and squeezed it lightly.

"Thanks." I replied.

"I really hope this all works out Bella. I don't know how to live without you." His eyes were full of hope and despair.

I didn't know what to say. Edward was breaking my heart, but I knew rejecting Jacob would make me feel the same way.

"Why did you have to leave?" I asked rhetorically. I laid my head on his shoulder. "If you wouldn't have everything would be the same and I would not have to choose." I sighed.

"I'm sorry," was all he said. It's all he could say.

He buried his head into my hair and kissed my head. His beautiful toxic scent filled my nostrils. I couldn't allow myself to succumb to him without having a clear head, and without seeing Jacob. I pulled away and leaned my head against the cold window, it didn't feel much different. I looked back at him and smiled. I didn't want him to think he did anything wrong.

"Are we almost there?" I asked trying to avert awkwardness.

"We are approaching the runway now. If you look ahead you may be able to see the jet," he pointed in the direction of the jet.

I squinted my eyes and stared out in the direction that Edward pointed. The outline of a black jet started to come into view. It was huge.

"Is this only for us?" I asked in shock.

"Yes, Ms. Swan," he replied in a sweet voice.

Edward started to bring the car to a halt. He switched the engine off and before I could unbuckle myself he was opening my door. I grinned at him as I stepped out of the vehicle. He already had my small bag in his hands.

"This way," he said as he reached his hand for mine.

I didn't resist, what would be the point? His cold marble hands intertwined with mine. It felt homey. He led me up the ramp of the jet. The inside was extravagant. He sat me in the back next to the huge flat screen television. I don't think I've ever seen one this big. Edward started to move to the front.

"Where are you going?" I asked curiously.

"Someone has to fly the plane, dear." He spoke with a smile.

"You're flying!" I asked shocked.

"Don't worry we will be fine," he reassured.

I settled back in my seat as Edward took the captain's seat. I didn't have any interest in the T.V. but I really didn't want to have any more awkward conversations with Edward, so I switched it on. Nothing peaked my interest, as I flipped mindlessly through the channels. I finally stopped on the food network. Maybe I could make something new for Charlie, when I got back. Although he usually made a face when I prepared anything out of the ordinary for him, but he'd always try it. I started thinking of Jacob again. I really hope he will give me another chance. If he doesn't, I would understand but would be crushed. Jacob's devastated face kept flashing in my head. He would never forgive me. Why should he? He spent months trying to rehabilitate me from my depressed state that Edward put me in, and now here I was running to his side. I was such a fool to think everything could just go back to normal. I betrayed him. Plain and simple.

"Are you okay?" Edward asked looking back. "You're crying. I'm sorry if I did something to make you upset, my love."

"No it's not you," I replied wiping my face. "Don't worry about me, I'm just thinking."

"Maybe you should stop thinking. You are probably still exhausted. There is a pillow and blanket in the compartment under the bench next to you. You should get some rest." He said concerned.

"Thanks," I replied.

I did as instructed and pulled out the huge down comforter and fluffy pillow out from under the velvet bench. I placed the pillow at the top of the long bench seat and kicked my shoes off. I grabbed the comforter and laid down with it on the soft pillow top. I succumbed into a long needed restful sleep. When I wake I will be back home and hopefully see my Jacob again.

A/N Sorry this one is shorter. Like I said first fanfic so these chapters probably are not going to be super long. I know where is Jacob? He is coming in the next chapter trust me. This is primarily a J/B fanfic but there may be some E/B in there too. I needed to show the dilemma she is in, and that she still loves Edward, although she may not want to. Hope you liked it thanks for reading and please review. It helps keep me motivated.