Author's Note: As you can see, I did decide to follow Edward to see how he came to terms with Bella's visits to the reservation. All hail Stephenie once and future creator of Twilight!

I knew I was following too close. Not that there was any chance of crashing. But tailgating unnerved human drivers. I should give her some space. Bella wasn't too confident behind the wheel. But I couldn't help it. I had to get as close to her as I possibly could, even though we were traveling in separate vehicles. She had jumped when I appeared behind her. I could see that her shoulders were tense.

I was beyond tense. I was nothing but hatred, stress and fury. Because he existed. Because he wanted to kill me. Because he wanted to take her away from me. Because he'd love for me to make a mistake. Because he was dangerous. Because he could hurt her. Because he had been there when I wasn't. Because he could give her exactly what I couldn't. Because she had gone behind my back to see him. How do I despise thee? Let me count the ways. God! What was I going to say to her?

She didn't seem to want to know. She didn't stop. She didn't go home. I didn't know where she was going. She slowed down and parked in front of a house. The Webers. Apparently she did not want to see me or talk to me just yet. That hurt. We'd been apart all day. I'd just spent hours tormented by the idea of never seeing her again, and she was denying me her scent, her smile, her gaze, her thoughts, her embrace, everything but the sight of her rushing up the path to Angela's house.

I drove past without slackening my speed. I knew where to go, a place I could park and monitor her through Angela's thoughts from my car without disturbing or being disturbed by anyone. It was wrong. Not what she wanted. Not truly necessary, since Alice's surveillance was so much less intrusive than mine. But letting her out of my awareness at this moment was as impossible for me as befriending a werewolf.

I would just check in. Just reassure myself that she was safe, alive, whole, breathing. I needed to. I knew that Bella didn't like when I had to be away from her, because it reminded her of those months of abandonment. I had no choice about leaving her periodically, and I did everything possible not to increase her anxiety.

But she didn't seem to understand that I had gone through a similar experience. Shorter, perhaps, but more acute. She had believed I didn't love her and she would never see me again. I had believed she had killed herself. Being away from her and fearing that the worst had happened brought back the excruciating despair. She could avoid putting me in that position, make life easier for me, but she did not. Maybe I deserved to suffer because both of our misapprehensions had been my doing. My heartless lies, my careless leap to conclusions. She was innocent. She had never hurt me. Until now.

Sitting in my car, monitoring Bella's whereabouts through another person's mind, reminded me of that first evening in Port Angeles. Those vile scum had threatened her. She had been afraid. So relieved when she saw my car. So grateful that I'd been near. Not like today. Today she was not pleased to see me at the scene. Today the danger had been far greater, but she refused to recognize it. He was a wolf in sheep's clothing! Had the metaphor ever been more fitting?

I'd promised myself to keep my distance, as it were. Not listen to every word of their conversation. But my name caught my attention.

"What's wrong?" Angela asked.

"Oh, he's mad at me."

"That's hard to imagine." Angela pictured the last time she'd seen us together at school. Adoration was written all over my face. I looked completely besotted. "What's he mad about?"

I really shouldn't eavesdrop. But Bella's answers might help me understand how to stop this from happening again. I couldn't resist.

"Do you remember Jacob Black?"

"Ah." That boy from the reservation who showed up at school. The guys expected a fight. They were making bets on which of them would win.

Yeah.

"Yeah."

"He's jealous," Angela stated confidently. Jealous? Was that the right word for my stress, terror and loathing?

"No, not jealous," Bella contradicted. "Edward thinks Jacob is…" a filthy dog and his mortal enemy, I supplied "… a bad influence. Sort of dangerous," she continued. That too. "It's all ridiculous though."

I ground my teeth in frustration. She didn't take my concerns seriously! How was I going to get through to her?

"Bella, I've seen how Jacob Black looks at you. I'd bet the real problem is jealousy."

"It's not like that with Jacob."

"For you, maybe." Maybe! That meant it could be true. I felt sick. Yes, jealousy was definitely part of my reaction. "But for Jacob…"

"Jacob knows how I feel. I've told him everything."

"Edward's only human, Bella. He's going to react like any other boy. He'll get over it." Human feelings were part of the problem, certainly. But as I wasn't actually human, I had no hope of getting over anything. I would never stop loving her or stop detesting him.

"I hope so. Jake's going through kind of a tough time. He needs me." Bella, I need you!

"You and Jacob are pretty close, aren't you?"

"Like family." No. Bella would be part of my family, not his.

"And Edward doesn't like him…That must be hard. I wonder how Ben would handle that?"

Well, he'd probably handle it better than me. My feelings were overwhelming, and for a while, they gripped me so tightly I couldn't even think. Obviously, I was jealous. Bella was the most adorable, beautiful, caring, delightful, enchanting girl in the world, to use only the first five letters of the alphabet. I knew all too well I wasn't the only one who thought so. How could I not be jealous? She'd assured me that her love would never wane, but she was human. She might come to resent my limitations. I wouldn't blame her. I was far from the catch she thought I was, and she had so many other options. I had to hear my would-be rivals every day at school. I wish Cullen would take off again... She's so pretty.... Maybe she'll get tired of him. He's kind of possessive… She was really nice when I asked her to help me with the math homework... It must be a lot of pressure dating a Cullen; if she were with me it would be a lot more relaxing and fun... I love seeing her smile… One of these days he'll dump her for good and she can cry on my shoulder! The flow was relentless, present anytime I tuned in. And Jacob Black was not just any hopeful suitor. He was special to her.

But I wasn't only jealous. I was quite sure of that. As much as I dreaded that she'd come to her senses and select a more suitable partner, I also knew I could accept any path she thought would lead her to happiness. What I could never accept was any choice that could result in injury. I'd seen her body broken and bleeding. I'd heard her screams of fear and pain. I'd imagined her heart stilled and her spirit extinguished. No matter what was required, I would not allow any of these horrors to happen, ever again.

Sweetheart! The joy and excitement in that word recalled me from my thoughts. But of course, it wasn't Bella addressing me. Her mind was silent, and if I could hear it, I was sure she had some other names for me at the moment. It was Angela's happiness at her boyfriend's return that had drawn my attention. Bella was taking her leave. I turned my car on. She had to be heading home now. I would be waiting for her.

Author's Note: Writing Edward's perspective really helps me sympathize with him! I don't like how he tries to control Bella, but now I can see a lot better where he is coming from. Back when he barely knew Bella, he was on the verge of slaughtering the men in Port Angeles who had only threatened her. Now she expects him to stand by while she's with people who are far more dangerous, where he's not allowed to be and where Alice can't monitor events? He really can't handle this situation. And yet in the end he does accept it!

Please let me know what you think!