A/N: Mmmkay, well, we didn't exactly get as many reviews as I would have liked, but that's okay. We'll learn to work with what we've got, eh? Haha. But thank you so much to those of you who did review, and those of you who have been ritually. You rock!

Six

Of Unwanted Interrupters

BELLA

I had gotten into the embarrassing routine of thinking about Edward before, during, and after every kiss from Mike. I could not handle it without some kind of distraction. The next day, when he picked me up from the pizzeria, early as ever, I felt like crying, to be perfectly honest.

Edward had become, at the very least, my very best friend and confidant. I felt completely at ease with him; I told him everything. Every departure was like a stab in the chest. The only thing that I had to go on was the assurance that I would see him every morning, bright and early.

"Good morning, Bella, dear," he'd say, entering the shop with more grace than I'd thought possible.

"Edward, how nice of you to finally grace us with your presence," I'd reply, as if he'd ever actually been late for work.

And then he'd bow deeply, as if receiving a standing ovation for some ominously wonderful feat he'd achieved. We would share a laugh and resume our day, glancing at each other, smiling, quite often.

Quitting time was a different story altogether.

"BELLA!" Mike bellowed, slamming open the door loudly.

"What took you so long?" I muttered sarcastically, noting the fact that it was only five forty-five.

"Traffic," he answered simply. I was surprised he'd actually caught that.

Edward grimaced when Mike's gaze shifted halfheartedly to him. "Ready to go, Babe?" he asked, looking back at me. I shrugged.

"Edward, are you going to be alright by yourself?" I wondered, secretly hoping he'd say no, that he needed me here.

"If I say yes, are you going to go with him?" he spat the last word, eyeing Mike disapprovingly.

He took a step forward when Mike looked ready to pounce. I pressed an innocent hand against his chest, restraining him. Apparently, my hand lingered for a moment too long.

Mike grabbed my arm roughly, yanking me forward with a jolt. "Come on, Babe. We're leaving."

"But Mike, I-" I started. He shook his head vehemently.

"Now," he almost-growled.

Edward's expression was pained as I gazed into his eyes, hoping that he knew an excuse that could get me out of this one. He appeared to be deep in thought, but then, giving up, he hung his head. "See you tomorrow, Bella," he whispered in defeat.

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EDWARD

When he was dragging her away, out of the store, she looked at me, pure, unadulterated terror in her eyes. I could not bear to see her that way. But what else could I do? I could try beating the life out of him- which I could, indeed, do- but he would continue to torment her.

Mike would never leave Bella alone, so long as he was able. Still, the expression that was constantly on her face was about to drive me insane. There had to be a way. Bella Swan was the most gentle, beautiful, intelligent woman I knew. And she was forcing herself to submit to him out of fear? That hardly seemed right.

"Edward," she nodded in my general direction, waltzing into the restaurant, nearly half an hour late, the next morning. The façade must have been all she knew, now.

Suddenly, I heard a strange, honking sound. It was Mike, warning Bella. She shivered a bit, but didn't seem surprised by the obnoxious gesture. She plastered a fake smile on her face and turned to wave goodbye as he drove away.

"Okay, what gives?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

Tears brimmed in the corner of her eyes, spilling out one after another. Dumbfounded, I dropped the uncounted money back into the register, closing the space between us as I embraced her, rubbing her back gently. "I-I-I'm so s-sorry," she stuttered into my chest. I squeezed her tighter.

"What for, Bells?" I replied distractedly, trying to stop her bitter tears. She sobbed.

"For being late… I left you alone… this wasn't even your job until I… I…" She was crying too hard now. I knew this wasn't just about being late.

"Don't be sorry, Bella," I whispered encouragingly, "Just tell me what's happened."

"Mike," she let out in one big breath. I knew it. That little… I'd kill him…

"What did he do to you, Bella?" I asked furiously, still patting her back, her head buried in my shoulder as she continued to weep.

She held out her arm silently, a group of large bruises blossoming over the entire surface. I shook my head. "He… he…" She nodded, the tears starting again. I took her back in my arms, pulling my fingers through her untangled hair this time.

"Bella, I'm so, so sorry. This is all my fault. Will you forgive me?" I begged. I knew I owed her much, much more than a stupid apology, but I couldn't think of anything more appropriate.

"Wha-what?" she asked, looking up at me incredulously. She hurriedly wiped the tears away from her cheeks. "No. you can't blame yourself. This is all me… and I will take care of it."

I placed two fingers under her chin, lifting her eyes to meet my own. "But don't you see that you don't have to do this alone?"

She looked away quickly. "Yes I do," she mouthed. "This is my problem. I don't want your charity." That felt like being slapped.

"Ch-charity?!" I fell back a few steps. "Bella Swan! Have you ever thought for a second that I was trying to protect you, I don't know, maybe because I care about you?"

She shook her head. "No. Because I wouldn't know what that feels like."

And then I understood. Completely. She didn't know what it felt like for someone to genuinely care about her, because no one ever had. Until me.

"You do now," I reminded her gently, hugging her to me once again. "I want you to be happy, Bella. But most of all, I want to know that you're safe."

"But that isn't possible if Mike is picking me up here every day," she said quietly, presenting the bruises once again. I winced.

"No. It isn't," I sighed.

She held my gaze intently, and I thought she might cry again. But instead she wrapped her arms around my waist. I could definitely get used to that kind of fighting.

"I wish it was easier to believe, Edward," she said. I inhaled, breathing in the strawberry-kiwi scent of her hair.

"To believe what?" I thought aloud.

"That you cared about me," she admitted sheepishly. "Or that anyone does, for that matter."

"Oh yeah?" I asked, grinning.

"Mmm-hmm. I'm sorry, but after all I've been through… It just gets harder and harder. People say they care about me all the time. I haven't yet determined how to decide if it's the truth or not," she mumbled.

"I know how," I said, backing up to look at her face.

"How is that?" she asked disbelievingly.

"I'll prove it to you," I offered, deciding to take a risk.

I placed my hands subtly on either side of her face, and she did not reject them. So far, so good, I thought to myself. I leaned forward, our lips inches apart. She stood completely still, gazing intensely back at me. I inched forward a bit more and then…

The echo of the jingling bells of the opening door echoed throughout the room. I was beginning to dread that sound.

A/N: Oooooh, cliffy! Mua ha ha ha! No, seriously, review and I'll try to get the next chapter up ASAP. I already know who the unwanted guest is. See if you can guess. ( :

.Cucumber- I have taken your review into consideration. Thanks for that advice, but I actually like the way you made Bella a bit unconfident, until the confronting, of course. But I will definitely take that advice into consideration.

P.S: Again, sorry so short!!