AN – okay so seriously big thanks for those that reviewed, I hope I didn't miss anyone with the sneak preview I sent out…if I did I'm sorry :( Please forgive me. Anyhoo I'm going to continue with the sneak peeks so remember to review at the end of the chapter. ;) Next update will be on Tuesday.

Big thanks goes out to my beta Angel cos she's wicked cool – check out her stories on my fav list, and my girls TCL and VPJ you three rock America.

Oh – and I don't own anything Twi related, but I really wish I did, I only own this plot.

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27. Morning Revelations

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BPOV

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God I hate these moments, we all have them. You know the ones, the times you wake up with a dry mouth and a splitting headache while you keep trying to remember what you did the night before. Like right now. I'm too afraid to open my eyes or to even think, because there is something nagging me, telling me that if I remember I might not actually want to wake up.

Yea you got me; I know I did something stupid, probably more than one thing. That's what my body is trying to tell me. You don't get this smashed and not do something regrettable – well not with my luck anyway. The room is still spinning, well my head is anyway. I'm still afraid to open my eyes. But it feels like I'm on a boat or in a water bed or something – maybe I'm still a tad drunk.

I hate drinking, why do I drink? I don't even understand. Yea it's fun at the time, but so is go-karting and various other non-substance abusing activities, and is this pain really worth it? If only I could remember what I did last night, then maybe I could justify my brain exploding out of my head, or my throat being on fire.

Maybe I'm lost in a desert somewhere and I haven't had water for days….that would explain several things – like why my head hurts this much, why I'm so thirsty, and possibly my lack of comprehensiveness and memory. But a desert would be full of sand and rocky objects, it couldn't explain the comfort I felt underneath me, or the blankets and pillows I was lying on.

Nope can't blame this one on getting lost in a desert, this was my own doing. I was hung-over as fuck.

Ahhh, I screamed internally. I want to die.

Now to figure out where I am without opening my eyes, I want to know beforehand so I don't freak out or something. I know I'm not in my own bed, because the pillow doesn't smell like me…and I remembered telling Edward I didn't want to go home…Oh Fuck!

Fuck.
Fuck.
Fuck.

I was at Edward's place and now, every stupid thing I had done the night before was coming back to me and fast. I squeezed my eyes tighter, trying to press it all out of my mind. My head was going to explode and I was going to be sick, my stomach was churning something massive.

Oh god.

I kissed Edward Cullen.

No you threw yourself at him and he rejected you…

…and then I cried.

Oh my-fucking-god.

Everything my mind had fought so hard to mentally block from me, all the embarrassment and hurt it was trying to hide behind another one of my infamous 'forget about it Bella' walls, was all coming into focus now and I could remember what had happened as clearly as if it were only moments ago.

***

"Bella stop," he said, grabbing both of my hands in his as he hopped off me.

"Don't," I begged. "Please don't stop, I don't want to stop."

"Bella we have to," he argued, staring me in the eye with his emerald orbs. His face was flushed and he was breathing heavily. We both were.

"Why?" I asked incredulously, I'm pretty sure he was kissing me as hard as I was kissing him. It seemed like he liked what we were doing, hell I did…why would he want to stop?

"Because you don't want this," he answered. I didn't understand what the hell he was trying to get at, I was the one who just initiated the kiss. If anyone was to be confused about who wanted what, it should be me, he was the one who stopped us.

"Yes I do Edward," I growled, pouting as I ripped my hands from his.

"You're drunk Bella, you don't know what you want," he reasoned still staring at me. Momentarily in my drunken haze my eyes travelled to his still wet swollen lips and I lost all thought and reason as I tried to argue back.

"Yes I do…this is what I want…" I mumbled, still staring at those lips, those oh so perfect lips.

"It's not what you'll want tomorrow," he continued to reason.

"Of course it is." I was arguing like a child and I could feel my chin sticking out in typical stubborn Bella fashion.

"And how do you know that?" he asked mockingly, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Because it's what I've wanted since the first moment I met you – even while I was with James, I just didn't know it then. But I know it now," I admitted.

He shook his head slowly, closing his eyes. It seemed as if he was losing focus, maybe I was winning the argument. He opened his mouth to say something but shook his head and decided to take another route.

"We can't Bella, not like this," he breathed.

"Don't you want to?" I asked quietly, tears stinging the back of my eyes. His eyes snapped open and he glared at me, before his expression softened.

"More than anything. More than you know," he whispered so softly I almost didn't hear.

"Then what's the problem?" I scoffed, as I began to undo the buttons on my top. I was trying to seduce him – my drunk self apparently thought it was a good idea.

"Jesus-Bella," he moaned, taking my hands in his quickly. "You're too drunk."

"So are you," I argued, pulling my hands from his I began to undo my buttons again.

"Bella, can you please stop trying to take off your clothes and listen," he growled playfully, pulling me into his chest in an effort to cover my exposed skin. My hands were trapped between our bodies, but I could feel the buttons on his shirt instead and with a smile I slowly began to undo them. He sighed in my ear and I took it as a sign to keep going, but as I made my way to the next button he stood up very quickly putting a large amount of distance between us.

"What?" I asked in shock as I fell back against the couch.

"We c- can't," he choked out, quickly redoing his buttons

"You've already said that," I pointed out, annoyed. He sighed heavily.

"We can't do this because, we're both drunk and you don't know how you will feel in the morning. You already turned me down the once Bella," he pointed out, readjusting his top.

"But that was a mistake," I moaned, was that moment going to forever haunt me?

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I care about you, I really do and I hope that you feel the same way. I want to do this Bella, I really do. I want to make out with you all night long. But I won't take advantage of you; I'm not that type of guy."

"I know you're not Edward. That's why I like you, that's why I want to do this with you," I whined.

He shook his head vigorously. "I'm not having sex with you while you're drunk."

"Sex?" I whispered, feeling my face warm quickly, I looked down at my exposed chest and drew my hands to my shirt and wrapped it around me, realizing what I must have looked like. "That's not what –"

"You weren't trying to have s-"

"No!" I almost shouted. "Oh god, this is so embarrassing." I pushed my face into the sofa and begged it to swallow me whole. "You must think I'm such a slut," my voice was muffled as I cried into the cushions.

"Never Bella. I would never think about you that way," he said seriously.

"But you just admitted you thought I was propositioning you," I argued.

"You were taking off your clothes," he explained.

"I'm such an idiot," I muttered, shaking my head.

"No you're not Bella," he chuckled.

Then out of nowhere, I started to cry, like a stupid drunk teenage girl. I cried.

"Shit Bella, I'm sorry I didn't mean to –"he panicked, taking a seat next to me. Hesitantly he wrapped his arms around me, and pulled me into his chest for the umpteenth time – not that I minded.

"It's not your fault," I laughed out between sobs. "I don't know why I'm crying. Now you're going to think I'm crazy and a slut."

"I don't think that at all," he said quietly in my ear.

"I don't usually do things like this; I mean I've never done anything like this," I moaned.

"Made out with a guy after getting totally plastered?" he laughed softly, trying to comfort me.

"Don't forget the getting rejected part," I mumbled.

"I didn't reject you Bella," he countered.

"Y-yes you did," I choked out.

"No. I want you Bella; you have no idea how much. It drives me crazy, you drive me crazy. Especially when you put me into situations like this, where I have to fight my self-control. But I just won't be selfish and take advantage of you while you're intoxicated." He was talking, but I wasn't really paying attention. I was still horrified at what he thought I had been trying to do.

"I've never had sex either," I whispered.

"O-oh." It was his turn to choke on his words.

"With anybody I mean, not just the whole get drunk and have sex with a guy thing. I've never had sex, period," I continued to ramble, telling him things that I didn't want him to know.

"So you're a v-" he started but I interrupted.

"A virgin, yes," I finished for him.

"Makes two of us," he said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Really?" I asked astonished, It was rare to find a boy his age that was a virgin, especially someone of his caliber. Someone as sexy and sweet.

"U-huh, don't tell anyone though," he chuckled into my hair. "I'll get too much shit."

"Why haven't you? You know...." I couldn't understand his revelation.

"Had sex?"

"Yeah."

"Well why haven't you?" he asked.

"I asked you first," I huffed, fiddling with the end of his collar.

"Well it may be the same reason you haven't," he argued.

"Waiting for the right person?" That was my reason. Sex wasn't something I took lightly, it was something I wanted to share with the person I, truly with all my heart, loved; someone I knew I was going to spend the rest of my life with. Someone I trusted.

"That's the one," he replied.

"Oh," I said quietly.

For a while there was only silence before Edward spoke up.

"So, James wasn't the one?" he said into my hair.

"Not even close," I said sourly.

"Interesting,"he pulled back from me and quirked an eyebrow.

"What?"

"Nothing, it doesn't matter." He smiled shaking his head. I yawned involuntarily and then smiled sheepishly, pressing my face into his chest.

"Maybe we should be getting some sleep?" he suggested.

"Yeah," I muttered. I didn't really want to sleep, there were other things I wanted to do, but Edward wasn't interested, so sleep was all I had.

"Are you sure you don't want my bed? I changed the sheets this morning, so it's clean," he offered.

"No, I'm okay, that's your bed, and I'm fine with the couch." I leaned out of his arms and patted the cushion under me smiling at him reassuringly.

"K, well I'm going to go to the bathroom you want anything?" He gave me his trademark crooked grin and my heart skipped a beat.

Besides you? I thought sullenly. But I shook my head.

"Naw, I'm fine," I replied, snuggling down into the covers and before I even knew it, I was drifting off and asleep before Edward returned.

***

That little trip down memory lane had me begging even more for a death wish. I can't believe what an idiot I was. What I did was beyond mortifying. Poor Edward, he is probably hiding somewhere from me at this very moment. 'Crazy, slutty Bella' he must be thinking.

Time to get up I guess. The sooner I'm out of here, the better it will probably be for the both of us.

But something smelled amazing. I rolled over and remembered that the very act should have sent me to the floor. Confused I opened my eyes and realized I was in a bed – his bed, when I should have still been on the couch.

What the fuck?

I quickly jumped out of the bed horrified. "How did I get here?" I whispered to myself.

"I moved you last night; I slept on the c...." I whipped around to face Edward and noticed he was fully dressed carrying a tray which was topped with juice, eggs, bacon and toast. I started to drool, but then I noticed his hands were holding the tray rather tightly and he was staring at my waist. I looked down and realized my top had ridden half way up my stomach which was covered in large bruises in various stages of yellowing. Yanking down my top I focused on trying to mend the situation.

"Smells delicious," I teased, hopping back onto the bed and covering my skin with his blankets. His expression softened but I hadn't entirely fixed my mistake.

"Breakfast for the guest?" His voice wavered as he walked over and sat the tray down on the oak bedside table.

"Yes, please!" I kept the playful tone but when I met his eyes then they were full of great sadness. I wasn't doing a good enough job.

"I'm sorry about last night, I shouldn't have --" he started, shaking his head.

"Don't apologize I practically threw myself at you," I muttered, avoiding his gaze. This was beyond embarrassing.

"Bella," he shook his head." I could have stopped you if I wanted to, but I didn't, and I should have."

"Well, I'm glad you didn't."

His head shot up. "Really?"

"Yes, of course."

"But I hurt you," he said nodding toward my waist

"You didn't do that Edward," I pointed out.

"I know I didn't cause the bruises, but it still hurt when I man-handled you…"

"Yes, it hurt but that's not your fault. I'm glad you did, I liked it, well the tickling part not the pain. I'm not masochistic," I added quickly.

"Really?"

"Of course, yes I was drunk and urgh I made a fool of myself. But I did want you, I still want you."

"I would never say no to you Bella," he gave me an intense look and my heart responded by beating twice as fast.

"You did last night," I reminded him. He shook his head.

"No, I said stop," he said, shaking his head slowly.

"Same difference," I muttered.

"No, it's not Bella. You were drunk and I didn't want to take advantage of you."

"I wish you had," I mumbled. He stared at me blankly for a moment, shocked at my brazenness and then grinned a shit eating grin.

"Are you still drunk?" he asked laughing. For a moment the pain in his eyes was gone.

"No," I growled, not in the mood to be teased.

"May I?" he asked as he motioned to the bed.

"Sure... It is your bed." He smiled at that and took a seat next to me, but the pain and sadness in his face had returned.

"Bella, I..." he started but thought better of it and fell silent. My stomach lurched; I didn't want to have this conversation, not with him, not with anyone. It was bad enough with Carlisle.

"Is the food a tease or can we actually have some?" I continued at my failing quest. It seemed to work for the moment though because he reached over and grabbed me a plate. We ate in silence for the next while; only the sound of fork meeting plate could be heard.

"Wow, you're a really good cook!" I exclaimed, licking my lips in an exaggerated fashion. He smiled and took my plate from my hand before placing it back on the tray and turning back to face me. But he didn't meet my gaze; instead he looked at my hands as I played with the end of his quilt.

"Bella..."

"Please don't..." I interrupted

"Bella, who did that to you?" he continued, ignoring my request.

"What?" I tried to act dumb. He wasn't impressed.

"Don't, Bella."

"I fell?" This made him mad.

"ON WHAT?"

"I don't want to talk about this," I whispered.

"Well I do," he said quietly, grabbing my hands in one of his. With the other he reached over and pulled aside the quilt before reaching for my top, sensing what he was about to do, I ripped my hands from his.

"Don't touch me!" I seethed. He immediately backed off raising his hands in the air, trying to show me he meant no harm. I got up to leave, grabbing my clothes and shoes from the floor, I didn't even know when or how I managed to be wearing a pair of his Transformers boxers over my own underwear.

"You don't deserve to be treated that way. He doesn't have the right to hurt you like this. You haven't done anything to deserve it," his voice croaked as he spoke.

I shook my angrily. "You don't know me and you don't know what happened. Don't even pretend to understand."

"I know enough to know that you are the smartest, most selfless and beautiful girl I have ever met," he said quietly, I looked at him doubtfully. He had to be kidding we hardly knew one another. Sensing my doubt he added. "Regardless Bella, no girl deserves that." He looked pointedly at my waist.

"I have to leave Edward, just let me go. I need to get home. Thanks for letting me crash." I turned to the door and was halfway to it when he called after me.

"Did James know?" I whipped around confusion clear on my face.

"No!? Wait, what?" I didn't understand his question

He looked at me before confusion flashed in his eyes. "It was Charlie that hurt you... wasn't it?"

I felt winded, like he had just hit me, how could he think that? "Charlie would never hit me!"

"It's just that last night, you said you had had a fight with Charlie... I just assumed."

"You assumed wrong. Charlie would never do this, he loves me. If he ever knew...." I shook my head at the thought of what Charlie would do if he found out. "Yes we fought last night, but it was about Jake."

"Jake?"

"Long story, he is...well was my best friend. We sort of had a falling out and Charlie doesn't understand why," I semi-explained, no need to get into detail about how he had kissed me. How he had taken advantage of our friendship.

"James?"

I shook my head, no not this time, I thought to myself. Edward had made his way over to me, coming to stand in front of me. He took the clothes out of my hands and placed them on his bed before turning to me and taking my hands in his.

"Jake has nothing to do with those bruises?" he asked quietly.

"No, he didn't hit me and he doesn't know either," I said softly, I wanted to leave, to get out of his room before he learned everything about me. I didn't want his opinions of me to change and that was bound to happen if he learned the truth. I was broken and used. I wasn't good enough for him.

"So you admit that someone hit you?" he asked, his voice shaking slightly. I stayed quiet not wanting to answer his question. Edward looked at me intently, his eyes searching my face.

"Who Bella?" he asked gently. I tried to look at the ground to avoid his searching gaze but he lifted my chin and ducked his head so I couldn't avoid it.

"James?" he whispered. I swallowed loudly and closed my eyes, I wasn't able to keep a straight face and Edward saw through me straight away.

"James did this to you," he said quietly, dropping my chin and taking a step backward. Shock was written across his expression. I thought the culprit had been clear. I nodded slowly, scared of verbally admitting to him what had happened, I was scared of his reaction.

"Th-that asshole put his hands on you?" he asked again. "H-he hit you?" Edward was shaking violently and his knuckles turned white as his hands clenched into fists. I had already answered his question so I just stood there stupidly, looking at him.

Edward stared at me for what felt like an eternity his expression unreadable. I swallowed loudly and took a step towards him trying to gauge his reaction, immediately he took a step back.

"Edward?" I asked quietly, reaching out to him with my hand. Please don't hate me, I thought internally. His eyes closed as I spoke and he twisted his body out of my reach. I dropped my hand immediately and felt the color drain from my face. I'm going to be sick.

I was suddenly feeling unstable, and my body was shaking with nerves. I just wanted to wake up so badly. Let this be a dream, I begged.

"Edward?" I asked again. "Please say something." I was desperate now, I had to know what he was thinking. But he wouldn't answer me and now he wasn't even looking at me. I had almost given up hope and had turned around to pick up my things again to leave when he spoke quietly.

"I-am-going-to-kill-him," he said slowly, each word pronounced, his voice strangled. His words shocked me and he still wouldn't look at me which caused my stomach to twist. I was scared.

"E-Edward, n-no," I stuttered. He turned to face me slowly his face bunched up and red with anger, it was like he wasn't really looking at me. I took a step backward, startled at his expression. He looked at me with disgust, and it was painful to see. I closed my eyes quickly, drawing in a deep ragged breath and a traitorous tear slid down my cheek.

He hates me.

"I have to go," he said suddenly causing my eyes to snap back open. He grabbed his keys from beside his bed turning to face me his expression becoming smooth and mechanical.

"Where?" I asked softly, too afraid to speak.

"I have something I have to do," he muttered, taking a step towards his bedroom door. "Someone to take care of."

"E-Edward," I stuttered. "You can't…you can't do anything," I gasped in horror, digging my fingers into his arm. I ignored him when he protested that I was hurting him.

"Bella, let go," he said calmly.

"Edward no, you can't go after him, I won't allow it," I begged, I was starting to panic.

"You're worried about me hurting him…after what he did to you?" he asked incredulously throwing his hands up in the air, anger laced his words.

"No." I shook my head, swallowing loudly. "I'm worried about you getting hurt." I couldn't handle him getting hurt because of me. He scoffed at my words.

"Bella, I'm not going to let him lay a finger on me. But he deserves what's coming to him you have to understand that." He spoke coldly and I couldn't help the involuntary shiver that ran up my spine. I had never thought of Edward as scary before, but his expression was terrifying.

"No," I begged. "Please don't; please promise me you won't do anything. You can't Edward, you just can't." I didn't want to tell him that I didn't think that he could handle James, but I truly didn't.

I had seen James get into enough fights to know that he was a force to be reckoned with. Usually the fights couldn't be broken up fast enough, and the guy would have to be carried, or at least helped in some way, off the field. I had no doubt that Edward was strong, his sculpted muscles said at least that much, but I knew James and he was feral when he fought. I hadn't seen anyone that had been able to walk away from him coming better off.

"Bella, I can handle myself," he said seeing right through me. "You don't have to worry."

My chest was heaving, I was starting to hyperventilate. I couldn't let him go. My hands were shaking as more tears were rapidly making their way down my cheeks. I felt instantly dizzy and the room had begun to spin.

It's too bright in here, I thought to myself as I shook my head in an effort to clear my vision.

I was about to beg him not to go again as he made his way back to his door, but I couldn't contain the tears any longer and as I opened my mouth an audible sob escaped my throat, the tears and the bright light blurring my vision as I tried to go after him.

Too bright. I cried out again as another heavy sob raked my body.

Edward quickly turned at the sound of my cry and rushed to my side catching me as my legs gave out from beneath me and I collapsed to the floor.

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AN - Remember to REview for your pREview. ;)

FYI I'm going to change the rating of this story to M soon for chapters coming up.