Disclaimer: Stephanie Mayer owns Twilight, but oh, how I wish I owned Edward.

Songlines Ch8

I had been checked and cleared by Carlisle for the sake of appearances and had been cleared to leave. This was the right thing to do. It was the right way to behave, but I left the hospital with considerable reluctance and returned to campus. The lecture hall that afternoon was abuzz with talk of the near tragedy in the car park that morning. There were a couple of students who had used to accident as an excuse to ditch class but for the most part everyone was present and accounted for. I suffered through the lecture wishing I had been able to ditch the class as well. All I wanted to do was be with Bella.

I shook my head as I thought of this. I was behaving like a lovesick teenager. Worse, I was behaving like a stalker, a vampire stalker at that.

The lecture was – and I hadn't thought this possible – even more tedious than usual. I found myself staring at the walls, counting the moments until I could leave. It was only now that I realised how much of a distraction Bella was, how much she diverted my attention in a way that I welcomed. Her absence drained colour from the world. I stared at the carpet fibres on the floor.

A few people had approached me when I had made my way across campus, proffering hesitant questions about the accident, wanting information but wanting to get away from me even more.

"Hey, you were at the accident this morning, everything okay?"

"I think Tyler is fine, he got scratched up some, but Bella has a concussion," I gave a worried frown, "they're keeping her in overnight."

I smiled and answered their questions, looking concerned where appropriate, shrugging off their curiosity, doing what had to be done to keep the family safe.

Of course, another option could have been to shrug the incident off entirely in keeping with my reputation for being aloof. This had been considered and ultimately rejected. I would have felt unchivalrous had I expressed indifference, throwing Bella's trust back in her face. Again I marvelled that she was keeping my secret, wondering what had inspired such trust.

Leaving campus as soon as my final class for the day was finished, I got home to see Emmett waiting for me in the garage. I rolled my eyes at him as I parked the car.

Hope you've got a good story to tell, Edward, because you've got some explaining to do.

I had been expecting this, and I had my story ready. Stepping inside, I saw Rosalie sitting on one of the living room couches, Esme by her side. Alice and Jasper had been standing at the windows watching for me, and Alice crossed the room quickly to throw her arms around me.

"I'm sorry we couldn't stay," she whispered into my shirtfront, "but you know why we had to leave."

My arms went around her shoulders to pull her in closer as I looked over her head at Jasper.

Sorry we had to take off, he apologised.

I shook my head at him, I could sympathise entirely.

"So," Rosalie was watching our display with a raised eyebrow, "what's the fallout from your noble gesture?"

"The situation seems manageable," I allowed with caution, releasing Alice so that she could return to Jasper's embrace. She was clearly distressed by the afternoon and blaming herself for not having seen the situation sooner. Nodding at Jasper I crossed over to the couch and sat down so that I could face the rest of the family that was there. Carlisle would be home from the hospital soon and I needed to talk to him. Rosalie wasn't about to be put off in the meantime though.

Idiot she commented, but ended her tirade there as Emmett perched himself on the couch beside her. He reached over and took her hand with a broad smile and I had to wince as he began to plan various ways of taking his wife's mind of things later.

Alice was still looking troubled. Her gaze was unfocussed as she sat in Jasper's arms staring into a future that none of us could see. Occasionally her gaze flickered to me and she would bite her lip. Perhaps she was debating whether or not to share her visions but I trusted her to decide what was important amongst the countless possibilities that lay before us.

"Alice," Esme ventured at last, "what do you see?"

"So much," Alice replied in a whisper, "but nothing clear until Edward makes up his mind."

Everyone's gaze turned to me.

No pressure, Emmett grinned, but it seems it's all up to you.

"Just tell me we don't have to move," Rosalie said, leaning forward and resting her hand on Emmett's knee. "You can't do this to us, Edward. Emmett and I only get a chance to get out of school and college once a decade, you can't deny us."

Emmett slid his arm around her shoulders and kissed her cheek, shooting me an apologetic look at he did so. Hate to admit it, Bro, but my girl has a point.

I sighed and nodded at this as my mind sorted through the possibilities. Perhaps the whole family wouldn't have to move. After all, it seemed foolish to punish everyone for one person's mistake. It would be easy enough for me to-

"No!" Alice burst out, startling everyone. "Edward, you can't. I won't let you."

"It's not up to you, Alice," I replied in a gentle tone, raising an eyebrow at Jasper who nodded at my silent request. Waves of calm washed over the room and everyone subsided once more.

Esme's eyes were on me, her golden eyes full of compassion.

Stay. It was her dearest wish that we remain together as a family. I gave her a brief smile, wishing I could reassure her further but I had no idea what I could offer at this point.

Rosalie gave a quiet huff as she looked at each of us in turn.

"So this is it? We're just going to sit here?" she seethed. "Edward, I don't know what sort of stunt you thought you were pulling, but I swear if we have to move I'll-," she broke off as Esme touched her arm with a gentle hand. None of us wanted to hurt Esme, even Rosalie. Swallowing her words, she leaned into Emmett's sides, staring at me.

I like it here, she challenged me, and I don't want to leave just because of you. Her mental words had the sting of a whiplash, but I had to concede that she had a point.

"I had to do something," I sighed, "I couldn't just let her die."

"Perhaps it would have been better if you had," Rosalie replied.

My head snapped up to meet her gaze at that. She had no idea. No way of understanding how I felt. Her attraction for Emmett had been borne of sentimentality and his blood had not stirred her the way Bella's did for me. I thought back to the night Emmett had burst into our lives.

"Carlisle," we had looked up with a start at the wild tone in Rosalie's voice, and then had done nothing but sit and stare. She was bedraggled, covered in bits of twig and snow, blood smeared all over her clothes, but all of that was irrelevant when we saw what she carried. It was a mangled wreck of a man, surely one not long for this world.

She had surged into the room, settling his body onto the long dining table with more care than I had ever seen her express for another being. His face was swollen and cruised, dried blood crusting his brow, fresh blood continuing to ooze from numerous cuts and gouges.

Carlisle had been quick to respond as Esme ran for water and towels, which she set on the table near the man's bloodied legs.

"What happened?" he was feeling the man's body carefully, his mind processing facts and checking symptoms with clinical precision. He didn't stop, didn't falter, but transitioned smoothly into his professional medical persona that he had honed over the centuries. Preserving human life was second nature to him, unlike the rest of us. I stood to the side, venom pooling in my mouth at the sight and scent of so much blood.

Carlisle flicked me a quick glance. "Edward," he began.

"I'm fine," I muttered and gave Rosalie an apologetic glance as retreated to the far side of the room. Esme followed me to provide moral support. I didn't need to be around the temptation, not when I had only just reformed my ways. Rosalie didn't look away from the man on the table at all. She stood by his side, smoothing his dark hair off his face as Carlisle worked, radiating fierce protection.

At last Carlisle had straightened with a sigh, pushing a hand through his hair, careless of the blood.

"I'm sorry," he began, "I've done all I can but he's not going to-,"

"He has to," Rosalie snarled, "please Carlisle, there must be something."

Carlisle rested a hand on her shoulder in a bid to offer what comfort he could. "He's too far gone, there's nothing I can-,"

"Yes there is," she said suddenly, her eyes shining with the tears she could not shed. "You can do it, Carlisle. Please, for me."

The room was silent save for the stuttering heartbeat of the body on the table before us.

"Please," Rosalie asked again, her voice catching. We had never seen her look so vulnerable. Had never seen her beg. And now she was. "I can't do it myself, but you can. Only you." She looked down at the man's face, his skin pale from loss of blood and reached out a finger to gently trace a line on his face that hinted at dimples. "Don't leave me alone," she whispered.

"Do you realise what you're asking me," Carlisle asked, looking agonised at her request. "What you'll be condemning him to."

"No less than what the rest of us face," Rosalie countered. Her eyes were flashing now, daring him to argue against his own actions of the past. Her shoulders slumped as she tried to stare him down. "Please?" this time her request was a question rather than an order. She chewed at her bottom lip, "I want him, Carlisle. I'll never ask for anything else if you do this for me."

For three agonising days we had waited, listening to the man's screams as he howled against the flames that devoured him. The venom was swift as it overtook his defenceless body, and we had watched amazed as his body had healed and transformed into a titan in homespun.

Rosalie had never left his side, yet her devotion to Emmett was only a fraction of what I felt for Bella. Emmett's humanity had been consumed by a moment of compassion from a woman of peerless beauty. I was consumed by the scent of a human's blood that could lure me across the continents in search of her had I known she existed before now. But consuming her was the one thing I knew I could not do, the world being far more interesting with her in it, than the brief satisfaction of slacking my endless thirst.

"I could Not. Let. Her. Die," I ground out the words through clenched teeth. "If her blood had been spilled this morning the situation could have been far worse. As it stands we are all relatively safe."

"You're sure?" Rosalie was cynical.

"I trust her," I shrugged, "and I'll continue to monitor the situation. If things deteriorate then I'll leave, no buts-," I said, holding up a hand to silence Alice who had opened her mouth again to protest. "And Alice can keep watch to see if anything major crops up."

"I agree with Edward," Jasper spoke up after a measured silence. "If he leaves now she'll get curious, if we stay then in time it will be as if nothing happened."

"Right," Rosalie scoffed at this but subsided again as Jasper soothed her. Emmett winked at me, his dimples flashing as he tried and failed to hide his smile.

"It'll be fine, Rose," Emmett assured her. "Eddy boy here will keep tabs."

I winced. He knew how much I hated that nickname.

Esme gave me a tentative smile as the mood of the room became a fraction more optimistic. The initial threat had passed and we would continue on as before, albeit more vigilant than ever.

"No-one else has to pay for my mistake," I said, "and that includes Bella."

"So everyone's staying," Alice gave a decisive nod. She leaned over to look at Rosalie. "Don't worry, everything's going to be fine, I see it."

Rosalie gazed at her and then sighed.

"Fine," she sighed her acceptance, "as long as we can stay I can put up with the situation for what it is."

I nodded, grateful for her grudging acquiescence.

"But I don't have to be happy about it," she added. "You're playing a dangerous game that could implicated us all, Edward. I just hope you know what you're doing."

I had no idea.

* * * * *

Carlisle arrived home from the hospital a few hours later. I sat waiting for him on the stairs, watching as he and Esme enjoyed a loving reunion before he glanced up and nodded. I nodded back, and went up the stairs to wait in the corridor before he appeared and I followed him into his office.

"She's fine," he said in response to my unspoken question. "She has some nausea which she is absolutely mortified about," I was surprised to see him grin at this, and saw his memory of Bella groaning over a stainless steel bowl, "but she'll make a full recovery."

Carlisle set down his satchel and took a seat at his desk as he gestured for me to do the same.

"You did the right thing, Son," he said. "No one died, and she's telling everyone you got to her just in time."

"Everyone?" I raised an eyebrow at this.

"Her friend Angela returned after supper with her boyfriend and a colleague from the bookstore," Carlisle smiled. "She has friends that care, and that's a good thing."

I nodded at this and then leaned forward in my seat.

"Carlisle, I don't know what to do," I confessed.

He gazed at me for a long time, words and suggestions flicking through his mind at breathtaking speed.

"You can only do what you think is right," he said at last.

I ducked my head under the weight of his golden-eyed compassion. I wasn't worthy of his high regard. He had no idea how many times I had contemplated spilling Bella's blood.

Edward, he ventured, what is it that you want?

I looked up at this.

"What's your first response to that question?"

My mouth opened and closed as I considered the possibilities.

Your first response, he chided me in a gentle tone.

"She's mine. I have to keep her safe."

"Well then," Carlisle said with a placid smile, "you know what you have to do."

* * * * *

So I did what I had to do. I turned up on campus every day. I submitted my papers on time. I played my role to perfection.

And I watched Bella sleep every night. Each time I left her, I was already hungry for more. A part of me had hoped that my fascination would lessen over time, but if anything it seemed to increase. Simply put, I couldn't get enough of her. At least, when she was unconscious. During the day I avoided her company where possible but it was becoming increasingly difficult as she continued to actively seek me out.

Her first day back on campus after the accident had been a trial for her. I had watched from a distance as she was approached by well wishers, assuring them over and over that she was fine. Her face flushed each time the spotlight of attention was turned on her, and she laughed off any overt concern. It seemed as if she wanted to put the accident as far behind her as possible. I saw her eyes scan her vicinity, searching for someone as she told the story of her incredible survival. She was looking for me. To my surprise and relief her story never wavered; I had been standing next to her, and had pulled her out of the way. I couldn't help but wonder what had inspired her level of trust in me.

Avoiding her did nothing to ease the burn in my throat, or the longing I felt, neither of which I was going to satisfy. I had taken to running each day before going to college. It seemed easier to manage the ache in my throat when the landscape was nothing but a green blur. The running became a habit. Watching Bella was another.

I had taken to sitting in different locations at the various lectures we shared, slumping down in my seat or keeping my ipod earbuds in as if discouraging conversation with anyone. I knew she looked for me.

I loved her. I knew that now. Humans fell in an out of love with alarming ease, and yet for me it took monumental effort to even acknowledge the emotion. I kept waiting for the sensation to pass, hoping that one day I would see her and feel nothing. Instead it became more difficult every day. I pretended to ignore her, but I watched every move she made, every word she said, and every breath she took.

Student conversations that I now thought trivial and dull were now actively sought out. I hungered for them, because they revealed aspects of Bella that I was unable to find out for myself. Her mind was closed to me, and so I had to rely on the petty ramblings and clumsy flirtations of the students around her. It was infuriating to listen to their fumbling attempts to engage her in conversation when I was privy to their innermost thoughts. They smiled and asked questions, seemingly interested in what she had to say, whilst pornographic images danced in their mind's eye. Still, Bella smiled and answered, and each banal conversation gave me more snippets of information that I hoarded.

Tyler seemed to have appointed himself Bella's protector, ironic, given that it was his careless actions that nearly ended her life but for my intervention. Jessica was annoyed at this but continued to smile and seemingly welcome Bella's company while her thoughts grew more spiteful as Tyler's attentions increased.

One of the other students – Mike Newton – was another torment. He was the all-American boy; blonde hair, blue eyes and a guileless expression. It was clear that Bella was not interested in him, and yet I had to feel some gratitude to him. Of all the others, he seemed able to keep her talking. It annoyed me that I had to rely on him to uncover her secrets. He peppered her with questions; wanting to know what she had done on the weekend, asking her on dates, about her family. In return she feigned a polite interest when he rambled on about himself and smilingly declined his romantic overtures.

I watched as she declined dinner and movie invitations and each refusal was delivered with a regretful smile so that the boys were left disappointed but their self-esteem remained intact. Jessica could have learned much from her. For all that Bella continually declined, the offers kept coming. She was never mean, never cutting in her refusals, and so each one hoped that perhaps they would be the one to win her over. They seemed to regard her as a challenge to be won, and I gritted my teeth as they included her in their crude fantasies.

Mike seemed to be the one she favoured above the others. She always had a ready smile for him that made him more confident around her. He didn't notice that her smile never became anything more than polite, never reached her eyes. I had seen her smile, and new how warming it could be. I had seen her smile. I thought back to the previous night.

I had been sitting in the chair – my chair – in her bedroom, doing nothing but count her breaths. Being in the same room as her, watching over her when she was at her most vulnerable was a soothing experience for me. Her eyelashes had been fluttering. She was dreaming again, and I had wished yet again that I could see the images in her mind. In the next room, Angela was dreaming about the Easter Bunny. Bella's lashes fluttered and then stopped. Before I could move, her eyes opened. Our gazes met and she had gazed at me for a long moment, then she had smiled before her eyes closed and she drifted back into sleep.

Mike was still talking. I watched as she smiled and nodded with polite half-attention. What was she thinking now?

I shifted as my phone vibrated in my pocket and then dug it out.

Talk to her. She wont bite. A.

I had to grin at that. No, Bella wouldn't bite, but I could. I glanced at Bella and deliberated over Alice's urging. The phone vibrated again.

The future is all blurry again. I hope ur satisfied.

I was quite satisfied. It made sense to me. Another message came in. Alice was in quite a mood today.

If you wont talk to her I will.

I frowned at that. Alice had been pestering me about Bella ever since the accident.

"We're going to be friends, Edward, I've seen it," she had protested.

"And the future is subjective," I had countered, making her pout.

I sighed to myself. I wanted to talk to Bella as much as Alice did, but keeping a distance was what was best for Bella's safety. And mine.

The lecture concluded and instead of waiting until the hall had cleared, I made my way out of the room amongst a clump of students. I had hoped to blend in with the crowd, and was congratulating myself on my subterfuge as I exited the building when I heard someone calling my name.

Not just anyone. Bella.

"Edward," she called again. I squared off hoping she would think I hadn't heard her. Again I was wrong. "Dammit, Edward, wait up," her voice sounded exasperated now, and I could hear her breathing increase as she broke into a light jog. Her heartbeat made a delightful rhythm against the backdrop of the day.

I gave up and turned around, watching as she half jogged, half walked towards me. Her face was lit up with an open smile that faltered when she saw my closed expression. By the time she reached me her cheeks were flushed with a combination of exertion and embarrassment.

"You're a hard guy to pin down," she smiled.

"I've been busy," I replied, remembering to shift my weight and fidget as we stood facing each other.

"I just wanted to, you know-," the wind blew her hair across her face and she reached up to tuck it behind her ear, "thank you."

"For what?" I kept my tone polite.

"Saving my life," she answered as she gave me a quizzical look, "or from Tyler, which is also a fate worse than death."

Her comment nearly made me smile. If she thought Tyler was bad enough I wondered what she would make of me if she really knew. I started walking again, and Bella kept up.

"So-," she began before trailing off and raising an eyebrow at me in silent invitation.

"So?" I wasn't going to take the bait.

"Can I buy you a drink sometime? You know-," she was a little flustered now, "to say thanks?"

I looked ahead.

"You've already thanked me."

"I know, but it doesn't seem enough."

"It's fine, Bella," I replied. I could see Alice and Jasper waiting by the car in the car park ahead of us. Alice gave me a small wave and a thumbs-up too quickly for Bella to notice.

"And what if I say it isn't?" Bella was sounding challenging now.

I kept my hands in my pockets as I walked, and shot her a look of what I hoped was irritation but said nothing.

"Fine," Bella said at last, twirling some hair around her fingers as she thought. "Well then, I'll be out with a couple of friends tonight," she named the bar I had shadowed her weeks before, "so if you're in the area stop in and I'll buy you a drink."

"And if I don't?" I said.

She shrugged and slowed her pace, "Then I guess it's your loss."

"Okay then," I gave a disaffected shrug and kept walking, leaving her behind. Alice shook her head as I approached and showed me what she could see; Bella standing still, gazing after my retreating form, disappointment clear on her face.

"That was mean," Alice commented as I got to the car.

"It was necessary," I answered.

"Edward, call it what you like, but there aren't any winners from where I stand," Jasper said as he held his hand out for the car keys. I sighed and gave them to him, accepting Alice's order to sit in the back without question.

"Going out tonight?" Alice asked with elaborate casualness.

"You tell me," I grunted as I shut the car door as gently as possible. The last time I had been distracted getting into one of the cars there had been hell to pay from Rosalie afterwards.

"You will," she said, sounding pleased with herself. Jasper shot her a slight grin and reached out to take her hand as he drove. I envied them their easy intimacy with each other.

"It doesn't have to be that way, Edward," Jasper commented, no doubt picking up on my emotions.

"I think it does," I replied.

"Well you're the only one," Alice said, shooting me a look of exasperation this time. "How about you actually cut yourself some slack and go out, have a drink like she said."

"Fine," I replied at last. Alice blinked.

"Just like that?"

"You know what happened the last time she went out," I retorted. "Like I'm going to let that happen again."

"At least Lonnie's out of the picture," Jasper commented.

I gave a mirthless grin. Emmett had taken to his surveillance assignment with gusto, and I remembered his return home a few nights before.

Emmett had burst into the house broadcasting excitement and satisfaction, his grin nearly splitting his face in half.

"Look at you," Esme had marvelled, "what lit your fire?"

"Edward," Emmett had boomed expansively, "the ass-wipe has been taken care of. Sorry, Esme," he had blanched and swung back to see Esme shaking her head at his choice of phrase.

"I don't know what I'm going to do with you boys," she said, reaching up to pat his face.

Emmett had grinned at her loving forgiveness and turned back to me, where I had been battling Jasper on Grand Theft Auto. Jasper paused the game and we both sat waiting for his report.

"So what's the news on Lonnie?" I asked. I didn't need to ask, having plucked the news from his mind as soon as he entered, but Emmett wanted to tell his story.

"Dude," he said, throwing himself onto the couch and shooting Esme another look of apology as the frame protested, "it was fantastic. He was a bar downtown, a real seedy one-,"

I nodded. Lonnie's choice of hangout had definitely gone downhill since our encounter. He was trying to stay off the radar, but his habits hadn't changed. Emmett had deterred him from another two victims in the past month.

"He was really making a night of it too," Emmett continued, "or at least I thought he was. He was acting drunk right up until he saw a woman leave by herself."

Lonnie had been slumped at the bar nursing his drink, watching the woman walk out, and minutes later had gotten to his feet and lurched towards the door. Once clear of the bar all pretence of intoxication vanished. His walk was measured and silent as he closed the gap between himself and the woman who was making her way uptown. He watched as she fished through her handbag cursing when she realised she didn't have her phone, and had smiled to himself.

"He thought I was just another drunk too," Emmett said, grinning with anticipation as he told the night's events.

"I'm not surprised, you reek like a brewery," Rosalie said, her nose wrinkling in distaste.

"I wasn't drinking," Emmett protested, "but I poured a couple of drinks down my shirt to act the part."

"Nice one," Jasper grinned, and Emmett nodded at the compliment.

"So Lonnie's getting closer to the girl," Emmett said, "which is when I cannoned into him, acting like a total drunk."

"And?" Alice leaned forward in her seat. She had seen the events of the evening of course, but like the rest of us was getting caught up in Emmett's infectious enthusiasm.

"The woman heard us and took off, so Lonnie-boy got angry with me," Emmett went on, "which is when I gave him my game face."

Lonnie had tried to push past Emmett, who had all the flexibility of a brick wall. He stepped aside and Emmett blocked him, before grabbing his wrists and giving a gentle squeeze. Gentle for Emmett perhaps, but it was enough to force Lonnie to his knees.

"Hey, Lonnie," Emmett had said, "I see you didn't get the message the last time one of us spoke to you."

Lonnie's face went the colour of dirty milk. He hadn't forgotten his encounter with me.

"How many of you are there?" he had asked in a hoarse voice, wincing as Emmett increased his grip and hauled him to his feet. He let go of Lonnie's wrists and clasped his upper arms, lifting him up off the ground with no effort whatsoever. Lonnie squeaked as his feet scrabbled for purchase on empty air.

"Enough," Emmett had said in a low growl, "and we're all watching you."

Lonnie looked at Emmett's face and gave a low moan of horror. Emmett's eyes were black, and he wasn't breathing.

"I figured I didn't need any temptation," Emmett explained to us, grinning when Rosalie shushed away his explanation and urged him to continue the story.

Emmett pulled Lonnie closer and smiled very slowly for maximum effect as his teeth drew closer to the whimpering man's throat.

"So we're wondering how long it's going to take for you to get the message. I believe my colleague made it pretty clear to you last time." Emmett snapped his teeth close to Lonnie's neck for good measure. "You're nothing, Lonnie. You're garbage, so here's the situation. You can turn yourself in, or-," Emmett trailed off meaningfully.

"O-or?" Lonnie stuttered in his fear and confusion.

"Or I can take care of things right here." He tightened his grip again, enough for Lonnie's arms to begin to go numb from lack of circulation.

"I'll do it," Lonnie said at last.

"Good to hear," Emmett said expansively.

"Tomorrow," Lonnie went on, his eyes widening as Emmett's smile disappeared. "Tonight," he correctly hurriedly.

"That's right. You're going to make a full confession aren't you."

It wasn't a question.

"About all of them," Emmett continued, "and you're going to show them your trophies, and where you've buried the girls, all of them. I'm sure the police are going to be very interested in what you have to say for yourself."

All Lonnie could do at this point was nod. Emmett set him down on his feet and released his grip, making the smaller man double over in agony as the blood rushed back into his numb arms.

"I'm not entirely sure I trust you, Lonnie, so I'm going to follow you all the way to the Police right now. Any deviation from our agreement, and you'll be seeing us again, and it will be for the last time."

Lonnie hadn't been able to make eye contact. He knew his hunting days were over.

By the time Emmett finished his story Alice was applauding, and Jasper gave him a high five. I shook his hand.

"Thanks, Em," I said, "I think you had a lot more fun with it than I would've."

"Only because you take everything so seriously," he retorted.

Rosalie was gazing at him with adoration. His good mood was infectious but for now I could see that Rosalie had other things in mind. Emmett looked at her and caught on fast.

"And now, if you'll excuse us," he said, taking Rosalie by the hand and leading her towards the door, "the evening has been quite exciting and I need to hunt."

"And that's not all," Rosalie had murmured.

The pair of them had stopped outside for a passionate kiss before disappearing at high speed into the forest.

"Well, at least they'll be celebrating away from the house," Esme sighed.

We all nodded in agreement. All the soundproofing in the world was nothing compared to vampire hearing.

"Even with Lonnie gone, there are still plenty of other threats out there," I commented.

"All the more reason for you to go," Alice said. "Edward, just relax, you've have a good time."

For a moment her control slipped, and I caught a brief glimpse of Bella smiling and waving me over before the shields dropped shut once more.

No cheating, Edward. Alice thought, and then she caught my eye in the rear view mirror and grinned.

* * * * *

It was the same bar as last time, with mostly the same faces. I hesitated in the doorway and then stepped inside moving my way through the crowd. I had caught Bella's scent in the air immediately, her sweetness cutting through the smell of stale beer and greasy food. She was standing at the bar getting herself a drink when she turned her head and saw me. Her face lit up with a smile, and I gloried in it when I realised her smile was for me.

I reached the bar as her drink order was delivered, and I ordered a bottle of water.

"Not drinking?" she asked.

"Driving," I offered.

She sipped her drink and gave me a challenging stare. "So, are you talking to me now?"

I wasn't sure how to answer that.

"Not really," I said.

She closed her eyes and sipped at her drink again. There was a small line in between her eyebrows, the kind that Esme called the 'I want' line, and my fingers itched to be able to reach up and smooth it away.

"So you're not really talking to me, but you show up at the bar when I invite you out anyway. What is it that you want, Edward?"

I liked the sound of my name on her lips. Perhaps I could be a little kinder to her. There was no reason to lie, but I could be economical with the truth. I had managed to earn her trust, and I didn't want to throw that away.

"I'm sorry," I began, "I know I'm being rude, but I just think it's better this way."

She regarded me over the rim of her glass and then licked a droplet of Coke off her lip.

"I'm not sure I follow what you mean."

Was she being deliberate obtuse? She was an intelligent woman and I was making myself clear.

"It's better if we're not friends." That was the best warning I could offer. Surely she could pick up the message. "Trust me."

She set her drink down on the bar with a sigh and then turned back to me, her eyes tight. She was getting angry.

"I guess it's too bad you didn't figure this out sooner and save yourself the trouble."

"What trouble?" Now I was the one getting confused. I was the threat, not her.

"You know," she went on, warming to her theme, "if you don't like me you could have just let Tyler's truck hit me and be done with it."

I stared at her, dumbstruck. That she could think I regretted saving her life stunned me. Saving her had been one of the few things in my existence that I was not ashamed of. Knowing she was in the world provided me with a reason for my existence. It had been all I could do to keep her alive ever since I had detected her scent.

"You think I regret that?"

She shrugged. "It's starting to look that way." Sipping at her drink again she gave me a challenging look and then stared down at the bar. Her face was flushed, and I wondered how many drinks she had already consumed, this belligerent side of hers was quite unexpected. Her scent had the faintest trace of wood smoke and I had my answer; she had been drinking bourbon before I arrived.

My phone vibrated in my pocket and I took it out to see a message from Alice.

Danger! A

I was about to say something to Bella when my head snapped to the side as I caught an entirely unexpected scent, one that I hadn't come across before.

Vampire.

* * * * *

I swept the bar and found it or rather, him. He was leaning against the rear wall scoping the crowd. Our eyes met and he gave me a lazy nod of acknowledgement, from one hunter to another. He pushed himself away from the wall and made his way across the room, walking with a careless grace, closing his eyes in appreciation as a particularly appealing scent came his way. I didn't want him anywhere near Bella and I stepped away from her without a word and walked towards him.

"My apologies," he drawled, "I'll hunt elsewhere."

"I'd appreciate it if you did," I replied, trying to hide my distaste. The man was a nomad and his mind was utterly repellent. He didn't just enjoy his existence; he gloried in it. His mind was filled with the hunt, the dying gurgles of his victims, the warmth of their pulsing blood-

I broke away from his mind and shook my head in effort to clear it.

"I'm James," he said by way of introduction and raised his eyebrow expecting me to reciprocate.

I said nothing.

"I see," he said with a slight smile, "then I've intruded on your fun. I'll leave, but I'm sure we'll meet again."

His gaze flickered over my shoulder and his smile grew as he gazed at Bella. "Quite sure," he repeated. Seen through his eyes she was even more tempting. Her face was flushed and she was watching our conversation with interest, her heartbeat a steady rhythm over the din of the room.

"Enough," I growled and took a step closer.

James gave a short laugh and stepped away. I glanced over my shoulder to see Bella regarding me with curiosity, and when I looked back he had gone.

* * * * *

I returned to where she was waiting at the bar and took a deep breath of her scent to calm myself. I could still feel the growl rumbling in my chest, an instinctive reaction to the threat.

"Edward?" she reached out to touch my sleeve. "Are you okay?

"I'm fine," I gritted.

"That guy," she began, "do you know him?"

"Not really," I admitted. Nor did I want to. I'd dealt with his kind – my kind – enough in the past without wanting to revisit it now.

"Friend?"

I gave her a sharp look. "Definitely not." Not friend, foe.

"Good," she said simply, and in response to my gaze she went on, "he gave me the creeps is all."

I said nothing, but watched her finish her drink.

"Are you here with friends tonight?" I said at last.

She set her empty glass down and gave me an exasperated look. "I thought I was, but you soon set me straight on that one."

"You came here alone?" I was stunned at the magnitude of her lack of self-preservation. "How did you get here?"

"I walked," she shrugged.

"You walked?"

"What are you, an echo? Of course I walked, it's only a few blocks from home."

"All the same, it's not safe," I protested. I thought humans were enough of a threat but the arrival of James created a different situation entirely.

"Don't worry, Edward, I'll go home now," she said and pushed herself away from the bar, patting her pockets to check for keys and change.

"You'll catch a cab?" I asked as I turned to follow.

"I'll walk," she said carelessly, tossing her hair over her shoulders. "Relax, I've done it plenty of times before."

I nearly groaned at that. The woman was a danger magnet and she had no idea.

"Fine," I said, taking her arm. "I'll walk you home."

"I don't want to inconvenience you," Bella said in a dry tone as she twisted free, stepping aside as some more people entered the bar, and then slipping outside as soon as the coast was clear.

"It's not an inconvenience," I sighed, shoving my hands into my pockets and matching her pace. "I just want to make sure you're safe."

"So let me get this straight, you saved my life but don't want to talk to me. I invite you out for a drink and you say no but then you show up anyway, you don't really want to talk to me, but then you insist on walking me home. Does that sound about right to you?"

She had a point. I was contradicting myself at every turn and it was all because of her.

"I'm just saying that you and I shouldn't be friends."

"You left it a little late to be springing that on me," Bella commented as we walked on. "So, Edward, what made you decide to break your rules and talk to me now?"

"Bella," I sighed, "I'm trying to tell you that we shouldn't-,"

"Well consider the question a hypothetical one then."

I gave her a sceptical look, and she nodded for me to continue. "Hypothetically, I guess I get lonely sometimes."

"Yeah, I'm beginning to see why."

We walked on in silence. I could feel Bella's gaze on me from time to time, and she occasionally opened her mouth to say something before thinking better of it. I could have screamed at the frustration of not knowing that was going on in that infuriating head of hers. By the time we reached Bella's apartment the air was thick when tension between us.

Bella cleared her throat. "So, um. Yeah, this is my place," she said in a rush and then looked at me. "Are you going to be safe enough to walk home by yourself?"

I smiled, careful not to show too much of my teeth. "I can look after myself."

She suppressed a smile at that, and yet again I wondered what she was thinking.

"Fine," she said at last as she turned to climb the stairs to the front door. "Well thank you for the escort. I'll see you on campus sometime."

"Sure," I said automatically.

"That is," she turned, "if you're going to talk to me."

I shook my head at her. "We'll see."

She huffed a little at that then turned to go inside without saying another word.

The door latched closed behind her and I turned at the sound of slow applause from across the street. I crossed the road to see James leaning against a parked car.

"Nice," he commented as I drew near, "I have to say that's a new way of hunting I haven't considered before. Be nice, win them over and then-," he licked his lips in anticipation.

A growl ripped from my throat before I could stop myself.

Mine.

His grin broadened with anticipation but I worked to get myself back under control.

"My family," I began, clenching my jaw, "maintains a permanent resident nearby. We work hard not to draw attention to ourselves, and I'd appreciate it if you extended us the same courtesy."

"But of course," James swept me a courtly bow with a practised leg, a gesture that hinted at his age, jeans and leather jacket notwithstanding. "I shall withdraw."

I gave him a curt nod.

"But surely you will understand," he went on, "that my mate and I will need to feed soon. We'll endeavour not to-," he paused for effect, "inconvenience you."

He inclined his head again in apparent good humour before turning and walking away at human speed. I looked up at Bella's apartment and saw her bedroom light flicker to life. I stepped back into the shadows and settled back to wait for her to go to sleep.

Now the danger to Bella was stronger than ever.

A/N: Yep, the writer's block has well and truly been broken! I'll be getting onto the next chapter of Take the Cake next.

Hope you liked this instalment, there will be more to follow soon. Can you tell I've got a university paper due soon? Hee hee

Anyway, you like? Reviews = love, and Edward watching over you as you sleep.