EDWARD'S POV

This was good, wasn't it?

I needed time to clear my head.

In a way, I regretted leaving Bella alone back on the island, because I knew she would associate this with the time I'd left before. But I was coming back, and it was something I needed to do for myself. This was a part of my vampire nature, something she couldn't understand.

I knew she was safe and in good hands. I turned and walked down a dark, deserted street, keeping my gaze forward. I was trying to ignore the thoughts of women around me. It was nothing new, such filth.

I never thought time apart from Bella would be necessary, but I needed this, to learn to accept what I am next to her. But how long would it take?

I reached into my pocket and felt a big wad of cash in my pocket. I approached a well-lit store that read MOTORCYCLES, GEAR, TUNE-UPS, ETC. A blue and read neon sign flashed in the window bright enough to illuminate the entire street corner. I opened the door and heard a bell ring somewhere in the back of the store.

It was large and brightly lit but dark in its own sense. Every wall displayed leather outfits, t-shirts with skulls printed on them, and an assortment of silver chains. Displays of Harley Davidson merchandise had their own section in the store, and autographed pictures of bands only Emmett would recognize hung on the walls for decoration.

"Just a sec. I'm coming," came a voice from the back. I stepped into the store and began to look around, browsing through the few large bikes they had for sale. I didn't even bother to turn when I heard the woman's voice.

"Hey, there. What can I help you with, suga?" followed by a thought: "Damn. They sure don't make them like that around here."

"I'm interested in purchasing a few things," I said, finally looking at her. She was a tall, slender girl, almost as pale as myself. Her hair was choppy and dyed black with purple streaks. She wore deep shades of purple eyeshadow around her eyes. Her nose, lip, and ears were pierced, and the skin I could see was covered in multiple, colored tattoos. She was actually quite attractive for a human, had I been interested in her type.

"That's right, baby, look at what you can get," I heard her think. "Sure, what would you like?" she asked aloud, eyeing me.

"I want that bike, and that, and that, and that, and that," I said, pointing to various things around the store. She whistled.

"That sure is a hell of a lot. Sure you can pay for it?" She was curious to know if I had money on top of being attractive. I casually pulled out the stack of money in my pocket.

"Ring me up."

"Goddamn, this one is loaded. Come on, Gina, nail him," she thought to herself. "Well…seems like someone has big plans," she said, winking.

"Look, I'm not interested." I said coldly.

EMMETT'S POV

I put my left arm behind my head and my other arm around Bella at my side. We had spent all afternoon in the water, and now we were back with the cubs, laying on the ground. I had opened up another clearing through the treetops to let the moonlight shine through. She was cuddled up next to me with her eyes closed, asleep. I had spent almost an hour watching her.

"Bella," I said gently, kissing her forehead.

"Mm...five more minutes," she mumbled and buried her face into my neck. She placed her arm across my chest.

This whole moment made me smile. It was something I'd always wanted to do with Rosalie after having sex. Of course, vampires didn't need sleep, but just to lay there like they did in the movies would make a special moment even better.

But it never happened. Once again, I was jealous of Edwards luck. I smiled and ran my thumb up and down her right shoulder.

"We have to go, Bells. It's getting late. You should be in bed."

"Mmkay," she mumbled, but she made no move to get up. I shook her arm slowly and stood up. I listened for a second; her breathing was heavy, relaxed, steady. She was out.

I shooed the cubs into their caves. They had finished the food Bella hadn't and were still sniffing around the empty containers, looking for more. I picked up the empty Tupperware and put them into the bag. I slung it over my shoulder and walked over to Bella, who hadn't moved an inch.

I kneeled down and wrapped her in the blanket she was on like a baby, hoping it would help with the chill from my running. I said goodbye to the cubs and began the trip back with Bella in my arms. It didn't take long before the house came into view, and it took even less time before I was inside. I was welcomed by Carlisle and Esme.

"Shhh," I warned them. Esme smiled and gave Bella an "aww" look.

"Emmett, I told you not to overdo it with her," she whispered.

"I swear I didn't. She wanted to swim all day, you should have seen how much fun we had," I whispered back.

"Thank you, Emmett. I think she really needed that. Now it's probably time to get her to bed," whispered Carlisle.

"Hold on, let me help you," said Esme, taking the bag from my arm. Both of us were careful not to wake Bella up. I carried her to her room. Esme followed, dropped the bag in a corner, and left. I took off the blanket and tucked her in, watching as she turned over on her side to get comfortable without waking. The curtains were drawn shut, and I opened them so Bella would have some kind of light in the dark room.
I walked over to the bed and leaned forward to lightly kiss her lips.

"Good night," I whispered.

She turned to her other side and murmured, "Night...I love you Edward."

... !...

Those words hit me like a ton of bricks-my body froze, my heart dropped, a weird chill shot through my body. They were piercing, wounding; I'd tried to keep her mind off of him, but I guess I hadn't made as much progress as I thought.

I love you, Edward.

ROSALIE'S POV

Something in the air suddenly shifted, and a familiar smell came through my room.

Emmett was home.

I followed his scent to Edward's room. As I drew near, the door swung open and Emmett was leaving, his face stony and distant. What the hell was he doing in Edward's room with HER alone?

"And where…in hell…were you all day with...her?" I asked. I was making my hardest effort not to blow up on him, but he knew how much I hated that disgusting human. I'd give him a chance to give me a good excuse.

"HER name is Bella. Isabella. Why is that so difficult for you?" he snapped at me.

Was he...defending her?

"Emmett, I don't want you to ever go out alone with her again," I warned.

"Oh, piss off, Rosalie. You may be my wife, but I won't let you decide who I can and can't be friends with." He scoffed at me and shook his head. "You always do this. You drove off Alana and Gem, even though I told you REPEATEDLY that they were like sisters! Not anymore, Rosalie."

"Exactly. I am your wife. And I think that gives me a little room to ask you not to go places with others ALONE, especially...her." My body was burning with the desire to swing at him.

"THEY WERE TWELVE!" he bellowed at me.

"AND WHAT'S YOUR EXCUSE FOR HER?" I yelled back, pointing to the room he had just walked out of.

"Rosalie, you know very well that I love you. But recently..." He closed his eyes, raised his hands to rub his temples, and grimaced. "Recently.. you have been such a pain in the ass! And if you keep up with this-this BULLSHIT, you're going to drive me away…more than you already has to stop," he finished firmly. He was breathing heavily, and every word he uttered was like a stab.

"Are you saying…you don't love me anymore?" I asked him. I wanted to cry, to ask him to forgive me. But if I remembered anything from my human life, it was to never let a man make you drop to your knees to plead for anything. I trusted my instincts, and they had been telling me something was wrong. Now I knew what it was.

"You love her, don't you?"

I expected him to protest adamantly, or to admit his love gently. Neither one could have been worse than his silence. Emmett glared at me, then tried walking away, which only made me more angry.

Not only was he immature, but now he was telling me things that hurt me. I wouldn't let him make me feel that way, not when he had just as good as given me his answer.

"Why!" I shrieked. I punched his back, which let out an explosive sound. He was taken by surprise and fell into the kitchen, slamming hard into the glass case of china Esme had bought.

I heard Esme gasp in the kitchen and protest. Carlisle shushed her and tried to peruade her to stay out of it.

Before he could get up I jumped on top of him and punched his face repeatedly, each blow resulting in a booming, cracking sound. He tried to grab my hands and stop me, but my age, speed, strength, and rage overcame him.

"Rosalie, no!" cried Esme. I could barely hear her, I had almost forgotten they had just entered the kitchen, but it didn't matter. He couldn't die, being a vampire and all, but I wanted him to suffer as much as I was.

"Esme!" said Carlisle. I couldn't see what was going on with them, but I was sure Carlisle was trying to keep her out, to protecting her from me.

"You're crazy!" said Emmett as he finally got a hold of my wrists and stood us both up. He pushed me back forcefully until I was pinned against the wall.

"THIS IS WHY! IM TIRED OF YOUR CONSTANT MOOD SWINGS!" he yelled into my face. I kneed him in the balls and he dropped to his knees and let me go. I started kicking him.

"CARLISLE, DO SOMETHING PLEASE!" screamed Esme.

And then I heard the only thing in the world that would push me over the edge. That little bitch.

"EMMETT!" screamed the human. I turned to look at her and hissed.

"YOU." My fury was blinding. Here was who I really wanted to hurt.

I immediately let go of Emmett and zoned in on her, so I didn't see when Emmett reach for my ankles. He pulled them out from under me, and I fell face first. The marble floor cracked under the impact. She screamed and jumped back.

"Don't you DARE touch her!" said Emmett as he turned me around and sat on my chest. Esme was sobbing hysterically.

"All I wanted was for us all to have a nice vacation Carlisle, that's all," she cried. I looked at the human.

"Bitch!" I tried breaking away from Emmett, but he was going to make sure I didn't get to her.

"ENOUGH. What's going on here?" demanded Carlisle.
"She's ruining my marriage!" I screamed and pointed my finger at her accusingly.

"NO! YOU'RE ruining our marriage, don't you get it?" yelled Emmett. "Carlisle, please take her. I need to get Bella out of here."

"NO! NO!" I screamed hysterically. Hadn't I just told him to stay away from her? "You're not going anywhere with her! Carlisle, she wants to take Emmett away from me! Please, listen to me, Carlisle, please!"

"Don't be stupid," Emmett said. I watched as Carlisle walked out the room and came back with a needle filled with a liquid. Didn't he believe me?

"No! Get that away from me!" I said. I struggled against Emmett even harder.

"Hold her down more," said Carlisle to Emmett.

"I hate you! I HATE YOU!" I said to Emmett as I spit at his face. He only jerked his head back when it made contact.

I looked at the human and smiled crazily. She looked shocked and terrified, but I could make out traces of guilt in her face. She couldn't fool me. "You're not as special as everyone thinks you are."

Then I felt the small pinch on my neck...