Oh, what a wonderful response from everyone! Thank you so much!

I thought this chapter would be best from Edward's eyes.

Edward's POV

Running. I was running faster than I would have thought possible, and it wasn't fast enough.

I thought the plane ride to Seattle was going to kill me. Not because of the scent of humans, but because of the slow pace. I'm not sure when I made up my mind to go back to Bella, really, but once I did all I could think about was getting to her. Not a day went by since I left that I wasn't wracked with the pain of being without her. I should have guessed it would have been a matter of time before it got too much.

Now that I was on my way back, I had time to think about what I was going to do. I left Bella so she could have a better life-a happy, normal human life. So I planned to watch her for a few days. If she is happy, like I had planned, I would let her go. It would be…unendurable for me to do so, but I brought it on myself. It would be fitting for her to do as I planned. She would never see me again, as I promised, and I would go away. But part of me hoped that she wasn't happy. It was so selfish to even think such a thing! But…I couldn't deny the part of me that wanted to go crawling back to her. To apologize for leaving her, and lying to her, and not being good enough for her. I wanted her to be the Bella I knew-forgiving and perpetually loving. I wanted her to forgive me, and take me back. And then she could have whatever she wanted from me. I'd give her immortality. I'd give her everything, if she'd just have me.

I approached the city limits of Forks with a huge sense of apprehension. I made my way to Bella's house at a rather slow pace, my sudden anxiousness to see her gone. I was afraid-truly afraid. I couldn't deny my longing to see her, but in what state would I find her in? Would she be happy? Would it truly be as if I had never existed? Would she be with someone? Panic screamed through me at the thought of Bella and another. I ran through the possibilities in my head-Mike Newton for certain would make a play for her. Her friend from the reservation, Jacob, made no secret of his lust for her. And then there were the countless boys in school who had desired her on that first day. But what if she was miserable, like I was? What if she really loved me as much as she said she did, and was mourning me as I was her?

I stood outside her house, breathing in the faint scent of her. I could smell her through the open window-open for me? I climbed the tree and peered inside.

Bella was lying on her bed, reading a book. She turned the pages and smiled at the text before dog-earing the page and throwing it to the floor. She pulled the covers back and crawled underneath, burying her face in the pillow. I watched her sleep from the tree. I was most anxious to see her dreaming-to see if she still said my name. And at first she did. "Edward…no…" she mumbled. Of course she would dream of me leaving her. "Jasper…" she groaned, rolling over. Jasper? "Alice…you shouldn't have…" She was dreaming of all of us-we had all left her in the end. I felt so…guilty. I was sick with myself.

The next morning, Bella got up and got herself ready for school. She shared a few pleasantries with Charlie on her way out the door. I ran behind her the whole way.

I wasn't able to follow her through her classes, but I did manage to watch her during lunch. She sat at her usual table, talking animatedly with Angela Weber. Angela said something, which caused Bella to shoot soda through her nose and laugh. She was beautiful when she laughed. It was unbearable, being so close to her without touching her. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Mike come up behind her and place his hands over her eyes. "Guess who!" he said. I could hear Bella sigh.

"Sit down, Mike. You're the last one left; of course I knew it was you!" He ruffled her hair and sat down beside her. Jealousy raged through me when he touched her. Could it be possible? Has he taken my place? He rolled his eyes, but turned towards Jessica, throwing an arm around her. I breathed a sigh of relief.

She spent that evening on a blanket in her back yard, talking on the phone. She was grinning and laughing the whole time. The hope I had of finding her sad without me was sinking lower and lower. She looked so…normal. And she was clearly happy, that much was certain. She had done what I asked. She had moved on.

Why was I so stupid? I think too much, that's the problem. I thought she'd be better off without me-I didn't think of how I would be without her. And as I sat in this tree, staring down at my life, I knew it was over. I couldn't waltz back into her life-not now. I had promised her this much, and I would keep my promise. I didn't need to stay any longer to see this. I stared at her for another immeasurable moment, wanting to memorize the way she looked to me now-the last time I would see her. I couldn't allow myself to come back again, it would be too much.

I breathed her in and ran away. I stopped on the outskirts of town, allowing myself to think of what I had done. I would never be the same again. But it was time to go back to my family. If I couldn't have her, at least I could have them, and I was tired of being alone. I needed their never-ending love, and I needed to be…helped. I needed help. I remembered that I had some things left at the old house-my journals. I wanted them to remember her. It would only take a few minutes to get there. When I neared the house, I noticed something was off.

I inhaled-someone was here. I came in the back way, and when I got close enough, I recognized the scent. Jasper. What on earth was Jasper doing here? He should be at home, with Alice and the rest of them. But this scent was fresh-he was right here. I moved close enough to hear him, but not close enough to give myself away.

I hope she hurries. I had expected it to take longer-I was prepared to wait. But this is much better. The more time with her the better. His thoughts weren't out of the ordinary-he was thinking of Alice. But I didn't smell her. Maybe she was on her way? But why are they both here? I listened some more. I wonder if she'll be hungry when she gets here? I bet I could talk her into going out later. I'd like that. Now that this is over, we can finally relax. Now that what is over? I was going to listen some more, see if I could figure out what he was thinking about, when I heard it.

The loud rumble of an old truck, beating its way up the drive. There was only one truck in town that sounded like that, and I can't for the life of me figure out why it would be coming here. Surely Alice wasn't with Bella? Of course not. She of all people would listen to me. She wouldn't…I heard the truck door open, and Jasper's excitement buried any thoughts he had. I breathed in, trying to get a read, and choked. Bella.

"Hey!" she said, and I could hear her pace increase as she walked towards the porch.

"It's great to see you. Wow, that took…a whole 5 minutes! You must have pushed that poor truck to its very limit." He chuckled. What the hell?!

"Yep. And look, it survived! But I couldn't wait-when you called me and told me he was leaving, I had to come right over. I was prepared for days without you-this is much better. I'm a little bit starving-did I leave anything here? Maybe some leftover pizza? Unless you ate it, of course," she joked. I was trying very hard not to move in for a closer look. I didn't want to give myself away, not until I figured out what was going on.

"Your pizza is untouched in the fridge. You know I have better taste than that!" I heard her gasp, and then break into hysterics.

"Only you…would joke…about that! And you're lucky…I love you…or that would make me very mad!" Okay. Two things about that sentence really bothered me. What is he joking about? Having good taste-as in tasting Bella? And…she loved him? I tuned into his thoughts. She just said she loved me. And I don't think it was on purpose. But I know it's true. I can feel it.

"You love me?" he asked. I heard her pulse increase as she realized her folly.

"I…think I do. I'm a new person with you. I'm happy. Yes, Jasper, I think I do love you." Now I couldn't help myself. I rounded the corner and peered around. What I saw very nearly broke me to pieces. Jasper had scooped Bella up off her feet and was cradling her. She had wrapped her arms around his neck and was blushing furiously. I could see the…resolve in his eyes as, without taking a breath, he pressed his lips-hard-to Bella's. She immediately responded, turning her body to where she was straddling him, deepening the kiss. It was indecent.

And then I broke.

I flew out from my hiding place, body tensed and venom pooling in my mouth. I wasn't Edward anymore.

Jasper broke free from Bella, tensing immediately. I threw her, gently, behind him and crouched in front of her. His eyes scanned for the danger he sensed-my emotions probably. When he found me, he closed them. I saw him raise from his position and turn to Bella. "Go inside." He commanded. I watched her turn, listening to him, until she found me. She screeched to a halt. Her eyes widened, and tears formed in the corners of her eyes. And then she turned from me, gave a fleeting look to Jasper, and ran in the house. Jasper walked towards me, trying to gauge my mood.

"Edward, listen. We were going to tell you-really. Just not yet. When you left…" I cut him off.

I growled, and lunged.

Ruh-ro!