Baby You Can Stop Running
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or Midnight Sun… Stephanie Meyer does… I merely pulled from her beautiful words to adapt to my plot line.

Chapter Fifteen

BPOV

Edward angry confused me. Never had I ever seen anyone act with such pure, raw anger before and though I know it should have scared me, it didn't. There had only been a few times in my life that I had bore witness to such anger: the most prominent, the one that I thought of the most was Emmett's reaction when I told him about Jacob and what had happened. I physically had to stand in front of the door to block him from leaving to hunt him down. At the time, the foolish, naïve girl in me had believed that he was going to come around, that he was merely in shock, after all, I had felt that way when I saw the lines appear on the tests that I took. Looking back on the whole situation, letting Emmett not go after him might have been a problem, maybe if I had let him pummel him in the manner that I knew he so wanted to, I would have felt some comfort. No... I could never wish for anyone to be hurt, regardless of how much they had hurt me. Well, except Jessica maybe. Revenge for what Jessica had done sounded quite nice actually.

I cast my eyes towards him once more, watching as he looked towards the ceiling of the silver Volvo. My eyes studied his features from the side; his lips were stretched taught, almost between a grimace and a frown, his brow was furrowed into a v-shape and I longed to reach out and touch it, to smooth it out. What would he do if I did? I wanted to see his reaction, to see if he trembled at my touch the way I did at his. I should have been thinking of other things, I should have been thinking about what had nearly happened in the street but I couldn't. The only thing that I could think about was what it might feel like to press my lips against his, to touch his cheek, to feel his body against my own.

With my eyes still on him, my thoughts now progressing into something that was no longer PG-13, I heard him sigh. Had he read my thoughts? I felt a small blush creep onto my face and I was thankful for the first time for the night, thankful that he couldn't see.

"Are you better?" I whispered. I wanted to keep my voice quiet because I was afraid that if I spoke too loudly my nerves would cause my voice to squeak.

"Not really..."

"What's wrong?"

"Sometimes I have a problem with my temper, Bella." He was whispering now too, and as he stared out the window, his eyes narrowed into slits. "But it wouldn't be helpful for me to turn around and hunt down those men..." He didn't finish his sentence, taking a moment to pause and gather his anger once again. "At least... I'm trying to convince myself that it wouldn't be."

For the first time, he turned his face to look at me and I wondered desperately what he was thinking. His face was so conflicted and though I knew now that the source of his anger stemmed from the situation that had played out earlier, I couldn't figure out why it bothered him so much. There was nothing that was vested in us, we barely even knew each other, and yet, his anger towards them was astounding. I should probably be feeling like that but it was impossible, it was impossible to be anything but relaxed, to feel comfortable when he was around. I wondered if he could hear my heart race, as it pounded against my chest. His eyes bore deep into me until I couldn't take it any longer and turned to look away, to glance at the clock. It was well past eight now and I feared that Emmett would be worried. He always worried about me, though I suppose he had reason to. It wasn't as though luck had ever been on my side. At least, until tonight. Edward showing up was the one thing that I knew constituted good luck.

"Emmett and Rosalie will be worried..." I said quietly, still not brave enough to look at him and instead I found my eyes focused on my lap and my hands that were twisted together. "I was supposed to meet them."

He started the engine without another word between the two of us. I just listened to the quiet hum of the Volvo as he pulled back onto the street, glancing briefly to see if there were any cars before swinging around and speeding back into town. He drove fast, and I watched as the trees whipped past us, and before I knew it, they were less frequent and replaced with streetlights. We were back in town and through the corner of my eye I noticed that his body was rigid again. Through the glow of the street lights, I could see his hands as they gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles white. I wanted to chastise him, to tell him that he needed to relax, that gripping anything that tight was a bad idea, especially for a surgeon; I was sure he would squeeze too hard and break his knuckles. What use would a broken hand be for a world-class surgeon?

We were along the main road and I held back my surprise as I watched as he effortlessly slid into a parking spot, a spot that I was certain was much too small. Still, he didn't seem to break a sweat and that in and of itself amazed me. I wondered momentarily if he might be able to teach me how to do that. Parallel-parking always made me nervous, there always seemed to exist within my gut that I was going to hit something. I avoided that type of parking like the plague.

I looked out the window and my eyes fell upon Alice, Jasper, Rosalie and Emmett who were standing outside the lights of La Bella Italia. My eyes zeroed in on Emmett and I could instantaneously see the concern on his face. I imagined that he was thinking of all the things I could have gotten into, but I knew that the last thing he ever could have suspected was the truth. Though I hated to hide anything from him, I wasn't sure I could take another reaction like that of Edward's and I knew that Emmett too would have lost his temper. Edward seemed so resolved to not go after the men and I feared that if Emmett went after them, he would go too and I didn't want him to leave me. I wanted him to stay here, to keep me calm. I was certain that as soon as he left my side the reality would sink in and I would be the heap of a mess that he was probably expecting me to be.

I heard his door open, and as I noticed that Jasper had not advanced I was confused. Had he not told me that he and Jasper were traveling East to Seattle tonight? My head snapped to the left and I watched to see him get out.

"What are you doing?" I asked, my confusion apparent in my voice.

"I'm taking you to dinner." He smiled slightly, but his eyes were hard. He stepped out of the car and slammed the door. I watched as he began to move to the other side and I fumbled with the seatbelt, trying to free myself from its confines. His speed was quick and it amazed me and at the same time, made me feel inadequate as I struggled to open the door. He stood there waiting at the sidewalk for me and I glanced up, looking again at his face, my cheeks blazing red as I noticed the slight crease that had developed as he flexed his eyebrows.

"Bella! Where were you!" That voice belonged to Emmett and he was by my side in a matter of moments, sweeping me into his arms.

"I got lost..." I admitted sheepishly as he released his grasp and we walked to where the others were. Edward was quiet and I wondered what he was thinking. "Edward found me though."

"You've finished eating?" His voice called out as we met the others.

"We waited for a while but we didn't know what else to do really. It's not like you answered your phone." Alice responded, her left eyebrow lifted as she eyed him suspiciously as though she knew the truth. "I'm sorry."

"That's fine... I'm not hungry." I replied. It was the truth. There had been so much excitement, so much that had happened that food, eating, was the last thing from my mind.

"I think you should eat something." Edward's voice was low but full of authority. I felt like a child in that instant and I wasn't sure if I should bask in his concern or be angry by it. Never had anyone been so concerned for my well being, at least, not someone who wasn't related by blood. My previous experience with the men in my life had not been kind, and it amazed me that he seemed to be so selfless, it seemed that all he cared about was making sure that I was okay. He's a doctor Bella... He took an oath... Don't look too much into it. His gaze was cast towards Emmett now. "Do you mind if I drive Bella home tonight? That way you don't have to wait here while she eats?"

Emmett looked towards me and I nodded, letting him know that it was okay. "I'll drive your car home Bells. Rose can take the Jeep."

"Jasper, I know we had plans but can we put it off for a bit?" Edward asked, his eyes looking at the tall blonde who had his arm wrapped securely around Alice. "I promise to make it up to you. I know how much you wanted to go but..." His voice trailed off as I watched through the corner of my eye, as I fumbled through my purse looking for the keys to the truck, as he glanced momentarily at me. "Now just doesn't seem to be the right time."

"It's okay. I'll make Carlisle give you another day off. Besides, you work too much anyways I'm sure he'd be more than willing." Edward just nodded and I handed my keys to Emmett who continued to eye me suspiciously.

"Are you sure you're okay?" He asked, his hand on my shoulder. "You look awfully pale."

"I always look pale Em. I'm fine." I insisted, though I knew my voice cracked slightly with the lie. I hated to lie to him but I knew that now wasn't the right time. Really, one furious person was enough for one night. I'd tell Emmett in due time, just not now. Right now I just wanted to be alone with Edward again, to feel him near me and to feel calm.

"Okay... I'll see you at home. I'll wait up."

"You don't have to do that."

"I'll be waiting up." He said again with more firmness. What was it with me and protective males? I just shrugged, arguing with him was pointless. He was relentless and would only continue to stand there and debate it with me until I finally conceded. I merely nodded and he was satisfied. Alice and Jasper were long gone, they had disappeared during my conversation with Emmett and though I would have liked to say goodbye, it was probably better this way, I had a feeling that Alice was able to see right through me. Emmett wrapped his arm around Rosalie's diminutive waist and began their walk down the street.

"Honestly, I'm not hungry." I insisted as I turned to face him. I carefully studied his face, though his expression had not changed and I was still completely in the dark as to what it was that he was thinking.

"Humor me." He replied, a small smile pulling the corners of his lips as he held the door to the restaurant open for me. Just as debating with Emmett was useless, it appeared that Edward was just as stubborn, there would be no further discussion, he would not take no for an answer. I walked past him, taking a moment to breathe in his scent, before I felt the warm heat from the restaurant against my cold skin. I sighed, though I wasn't sure if it was because I was resigning, or because the heat felt good.

The restaurant wasn't crowded - it was the off-season in Port Angeles, which, in all honesty, probably accounted for my own predicament earlier this evening. With so few people around, the men probably through they would have gotten away with it. The host was a female and I watched as she assessed Edward, taking him in, and I understood. I too had a hard time looking at him without feeling a stir of desire deep within myself.

"Hello. You're back." She said, her voice breathy and warm, warmer than she needed to be. I found that I was surprised by how much it bothered me. I cast my gaze back to her as I scrutinized her; she was taller than me, maybe by a few inches, her hair unnaturally blonde and stringy, probably a result of too much peroxide, her eye were blue though you could barely see that with the dark eyeliner and her shirt was tight, her breasts exposed more than what was probably considered to be professional.

"A table for two?" His voice sounded like velvet and I watched as her eyes widened before flicking to me. She was probably wondering what I was doing with him. I was thinking the same thing. She didn't think for long, though I wanted to believe it was a result of her IQ, I knew it was because of how I looked against him, the plainness of my being, and the space that was between us.

Seemingly appeased with her evaluation, she picked up two menus and began to walk towards the restaurant, stopping at a table that was big enough for four people and dead center in the middle of the most crowded area of the restaurant. I was about to sit as she placed the menu's down but looked towards Edward as he shook his head and slipped her what appeared to be money. The act in and of itself surprised me, never having witnessed anyone do anything like that before and she appeared surprised, as though she had not been expecting him to want to be alone with me. I had to admit, even I was surprised by it.

"Perhaps something a little more private?" His voice was low as he spoke only to her and though I knew she was surprised I also watched as her knees shook. Apparently, I was not the only person who had a problem with them in his presence.

"Sure..." She muttered, picking up the menus once again and walking towards the back of the restaurant that was dim, lit by a few lights and the flicker of the candles that rested on the table. "How's that?"

"Perfect." He replied, flashing his bright, wide smile. I felt a pang of jealousy once again, but tried to shake it off. He was merely being polite.

"Um..." She was stuttering again. "Your server will be right out." She walked away quickly though I watched as she stumbled slightly on her five inch heels. Serves her right. I shook my head slightly, annoyed that I was letting her get to me so easily. Besides, there was nothing between Edward and I. Nothing at all.

"You really shouldn't do that to people." I criticized, suddenly aware of my braveness. "It's hardly fair."

"Do what?" He cocked his head to the side as he looked at me, his features wrinkled with confusion.

"Dazzle them like that; she's probably hyperventilating in the kitchen right now." He didn't respond, his eyes merely focused on my face, his confusion still obvious. "Oh come on. You have to know the effect you have on people."

"I dazzle people?" His voice sounded incredulous, as though he didn't believe me.

"You haven't noticed? I barely know you and I see that you always get your way. Do you think everyone get's their way so easily?"

He ignored my questions. "Do I dazzle you?"

"Frequently." I admitted, my cheeks blushing a fierce shade of crimson and I watched as he relaxed, his body melting into the seat, his eyes still on me, studying me curiously. I wished for a moment that I could take the comment away. I had given myself away much too quickly.

EPOV

I should have let Emmett take her home and I should have gone with Jasper to Seattle. It seemed that what I should do and what I wanted to do however, were two entirely different things. The first thing I had noticed when we finally made it to the restaurant, an hour and a half later, was the look on Emmett's face. It was a look I knew all too well. He, like myself, was protective over this girl, protective to the point of violence and I hoped that she wouldn't tell him what had happened; I wouldn't have been able to stop myself from going with him if he went to seek them out.

I was more than thankful when he agreed to let me take her home. I needed her with me, I needed her presence to keep me calm, to keep me collected. Had it not been for her I would have committed a terrible crime. Though I'm not sure I would have considered it terrible, they had it coming to them after all. Still, sitting across from her, watching her as she spoke, listening to her words… I was hypnotized and I wondered if she knew the things that she did to me.

"You really shouldn't do that to people. It's hardly fair." Her tone was disapproving and it brought me out of my thoughts, the thoughts of leaning across the table and pressing my lips against her own.

"Do what?" I stared at her, confused.

"Dazzle them like that – she's probably hyperventilating in the kitchen right now." I looked to the door where Bella's assessment seemed to be true. In all honesty, I hadn't really even paid much attention to the host, my attention had been focused solely on the beauty who sat in front of me. "Oh come on. You have to know the effect you have on people." Her voice was incredulous but I still had no idea really. Sure, there had been girls that were attracted to me, though I never really thought much of it.

"I dazzle people?" I questioned, staring at her intently, trying to figure out what she was thinking. Did I dazzle her?

"You haven't noticed? Do you think everybody gets their way so easily?"

"Do I dazzle you?" I voice my curiosity impulsively, and then the words were out and it was too late to recall them. What would I do if she said that I did? What if I didn't? I wanted to desperately for her to say that I did, even if I knew it wasn't for the best. She didn't take long to respond, which gave me less time to really regret asking her the question to begin with.

Her cheeks blushed a fierce shade of crimson and I had my answer before she even had the chance to speak it. "Frequently."

I dazzled her. My heart raced in my chest and felt as though it was going to burst. Had I thought the warmth in my body had been intense when she had spoken in her sleep, nothing compared to this, to her confession. My body was feeling things that I could never remember ever experiencing, things that I had so long ago shut off and now I had no idea how to turn it off again, or if I even wanted to. I was speechless and barely heard the waitress as she approached. I merely stared at Bella's face, watching the blood spreading under her skin, admiring how it brightened her face, how it off set the beautiful cream color of her skin. Never, had I wanted a single human being so much.

"I'll have a coke?" Bella said. Though she probably meant it as a statement, her insecurities made it sound more like a question. Thirst, a symptom of shock, finally a normal human response to everything, hopefully the drink and food would ease the symptoms.

"Two cokes." I replied, not bothering to look at the waitress. I was merely focused on Bella. She looked healthy, more than healthy, she looked radiant and I wondered why she couldn't seem to see how wonderful she really was. Why girls, because even the way the waitress was treating her, couldn't see her beauty or understand why I would even be interested in her. How could I not be? She was breathtaking.

"What?" She demanded, probably wondering why I was staring. Excuse me, I just couldn't stop thinking about how breathtakingly beautiful you are. You have no idea the effect you have on me. I hadn't even noticed that the waitress had left.

"How are you feeling?" I queried.

"I'm fine."

"You don't feel dizzy, sick, cold? Numb maybe?"

"Should I?" She asked, confused.

I smiled and watched her cheeks as they reddened once again. "I'm waiting for you to go into shock." I was waiting for her denial, for the stubbornness that I had bore witness too. She wouldn't want to be taken care of, though I would, gladly and I would make her let me.

Her eyes were unfocused, slightly glazed over and I wondered if this was her, dazzled. Vaguely I could remember this expression; it was one that often clouded her when I smiled at her. Was it merely as easy as that? I'd have to try it again, to see, when she was more calm, if this was the key. If it was, I would smile forever just to have that reaction.

"I don't think that will happen. I've always been good at repressing unpleasant things." She whispered, her voice weak, as though she had momentarily forgotten to take a breath.

I wondered if this had happened to her before, if she had been a victim of attack. Had that been what Jacob had done to her? What little I knew was that she didn't want to be around him, that Charlie was unaware of whatever it was and was still kind to the boy, and that Emmett hated him. I had seen his knee jerk reaction of a clenched fist whenever is name was brought up. Or, if that wasn't the case, was it more than that? True, her medical records had shown that she was always getting hurt, was that merely what she had meant?

"Just the same, I'll feel better once you have some food in you." I smiled again, my left lip curling up and I noticed that she once again had that glazed over look. I couldn't help but feel slightly accomplished at that.

"Yes, Dr. Cullen." I shuddered at my name on her tongue, enjoying the way it sounded.

The waitress returned with the cokes and a basket of bread and I couldn't help but notice that she brushed against me as she put them down on the table. I grimaced; couldn't they see that I was with someone? Was it that hard for these shallow women to think that Bella meant something to me? Why could they not see her as clearly as I did? How could they not see the beauty that I saw each time my gaze fell upon her.

"Can I get you anything?" She asked, attempting to catch my eye though I did not take them from Bella's sweet face. I flicked my hand, indicating to her that Bella was to be attended to first.

"Um…" She replied, looking down at the menu and biting her lower lip. "I'll have the mushroom ravioli."

"And you?" Amber, Ashley, Amanda… Whatever her name was, turned to look at me once more, her eyes giving away her lust.

"Lasagna." I barked, which startled her, and she walked briskly back to the kitchen, presumably shocked by my newfound attitude. I didn't want Bella to get the wrong idea, I didn't want her to think that I was interested in her, that I was basking in the attention that I was receiving tonight. The only attention that I craved was her own.

"You didn't have to be mean." She criticized, clearly leaving me confused.

"What?"

"The waitress… Really, you are sending out mixed signals; all smiling and dazzling one minute, cold the next." She seemed pensive for a moment as she took a long sip from her drink, her body shaking in the process. "That seems to be a pattern with you."

"I don't understand."

"You're just confusing is all; you're charming one minute and cold the next. It's rather infuriating." She shrugged, bringing the straw to her lips again. I watched her body shake once more as she placed the now empty glass down on the table, and I pushed my own towards her.

"Are you cold?" I didn't give her the chance to respond. I had already been shrugging off my own jacket, which I handed to her. "Put it on."

"You're rather demanding."

"I'm just looking out for you."

"I can take care of myself."

"I'm sure you can." I replied wryly, eliciting a glare from her as she held it in her hands.

"Thanks…" She muttered, putting it on and pushing up the too-long sleeves to free her hands. Was the evening finally settling in? Her color was still good; her skin looked like cream and roses against the deep blue of the shirt Alice had bought for her this morning.

"That color blue looks lovely with your skin." It wasn't a difficult compliment to make, it was the truth and I watched as the rosiness increased with her inability to accept a compliment. I pushed the bread towards her, motioning for her to eat something.

"I'm not going into shock… Really…"

"You should be… A normal person would be going into shock. You don't even look like you're shaken by what has happened. I think I was more upset than you were."

"I feel safe when you're around." Her eyes met my own and I could see that they were so filled with trust again, a trust that I didn't deserve, not after my thoughts about what I wanted to do to those men. She could not trust a monster, and yet, for some reason, she did. How could I show her that I was bad for her, that I was not what she needed? I needed to push my selfish desires aside but I wasn't sure I could.

"This is slightly more complicated than I had anticipated." I said softly as she reached into the basket and pulled a piece of bread out, picking at it as she thought about what I had said.

A comfortable silence had fallen between us; well, a false comfortable silence. Though I had no idea what she was thinking, I was trying to think of something to say. I merely wanted to hear her sweet voice in my head once again. I was aware however, by her silence, that my comment had put her off. The waitress returned with our food and more drinks and I watched as she began to chew.

"Why did you stay here?" She finally asked.

"Stay where?"

"Port Angeles. You had plans with Jasper and you stayed here with me when I could have merely gone home with Emmett and Rosalie."

I thought for a moment, putting my fork back down on the plate as I looked at her. She was frowning slightly and my thoughts wandered. Her lips, her skin… They looked so soft and I wondered what they would feel like against my own finger tips. I wanted to touch her, to press my fingers against the corner of her frown and turn it up. I wanted her to smile again, her face looked so bright when she was smiling, it should never be marred with this frown.

"I was following you today…" I admitted. "I saw you walking down to the coffee shop." I was waiting for her to jump up and run out on me, telling her the truth was risky, might make her afraid of me, and though it was how my brain wanted her to feel, my heart would have been crushed. "You just don't seem to have good luck… And I've never been drawn to protect anyone like this and let me tell you, it's much more troublesome than I would have believed. But maybe it's just you. You seem to make it impossible to get through any day without a catastrophe and I've only known you for two days…"

I watched her, waiting for her reaction, and then she did the unthinkable. She smiled. Her lips curving up into the smile that I had longed to see. What was wrong with this girl? I had just admitted to stalking her and she was smiling. Still, she didn't say anything and it worried me.

"You shouldn't be around me… I'm not good for you." I felt that my barriers had finally broken, the truth spilling recklessly from my mouth. It was true, and it angered me. I had been positioned over her life like the blade of a guillotine. It was as if she had been marked for death by some cruel, unjust fate. I could never be with her, I could never be around her and the fact that she seemed to want me around… It was cruel. Fate was a jealous hag, vengeful and grisly. Maybe this was supposed to be my punishment for my actions. Put before me was the very object of perfection and fate make her unattainable. It was unbearable, and I wanted someone, or something to be responsible for this, that way I could fight against it, so that I could find a way to make myself worthy.

"Yet here you sit across from me… Telling me that you can't be around me and yet you stayed."

"Yes…" I replied, bowing my head, my shoulders limp with shame.

"How did you know where to find me?"

"That was pure luck…" I replied. "Though I do feel connected with you… I had recalled where you had been, where the coffee shop was located. I figured that you had taken a wrong turn so I just drove the streets frantically. I kept my windows down and that was when I heard the men calling to someone…" I looked down at her plate and at mine. I had managed to eat enough, hers was still mostly untouched. "You eat, I'll talk."

"As I turned down the street I could see you standing there under the light, frozen in place like the prey." I covered my face with my hands, the feeling of anger washing over me once again and I didn't want her to see me that clearly, to see the monster on my face. I closed my eyes, fixing her image into my mind as I tried to calm myself, to steady my breathing. I thought about the delicate framework of her bones, her pale, creamy skin, her doe-like brown eyes. She was too vulnerable for this world, she needed a protector, and for some sick twisted reason, I was the closest thing available. Why had fate connected us? This could only end badly.

"It was hard Bella… So hard to just take you and to leave them, especially him, untouched. I thought hard about leaving you with Emmett and going back to settle things…" I looked up from the table to meet her eyes. She didn't look scared. I wondered if I should continue. "I…"

I stopped myself, I couldn't tell her the truth, I needed to know that she wouldn't go running away. James had tarnished me for the rest of my life, he had made me incapable of ever accepting love. Because of him I was too afraid that if I loved someone too much they would be taken from me… Or they would leave me if they ever found out the truth… The truth of how mercilessly I had fought for his death. That, although I did not administer the drugs, he had died at my hands, and at the time, I had taken pleasure in that. Only a sick, monster of a human, could feel that way.

"Are you ready to go home?" I finally asked. Resolving to leave it at that for now.

"I'm ready to leave." Her voice was warm, and soft and it sent a soft chill down my spine.

I paid the bill quickly, ignoring the card that the waitress had put in there, the one with her name and phone number. There was no point in taking it, she would be expecting a call that she would never receive. When I stood, Bella quickly followed suit, the sleeves of my jacket falling back down and covering her small hands. I wanted to offer her my hand but I thought that it might be pushing my luck too much in one night.

I walked as close to her as I dared. Close enough that I could feel the warmth coming off her body and it was like a physical touch against the left side of my body. I reached the car before her, opening the door like the gentleman that Carlisle and Esme had raised me to be, but she merely sighed and I wondered why. Was she not use to someone doing such things for her, or did she not see me as a gentleman after tonight?

I closed the door after she had taken her seat and jogged to the driver's side. It was cold out and I knew that the car too would be cold. The sooner I started it the sooner the heater would be able to warm it, to warm her. I could stand the cold. It was only once the car had started that she finally spoke once again.

"Promise not to drive that fast ever again?"

Her question took me by surprise and I turned to face her before pulling out onto the now quiet street.

"What?"

"You were driving so fast earlier tonight…" She said quietly and I imagined that she was blushing again. "I'm not very good with speed."

"I always drive fast."

"You'll kill us, with my luck." She replied as I pulled out onto the street, making the quick turn onto the 101 South.

With her luck… I tried hard to suppress the laugh that was threatening to escape. Didn't she know that I would never let anything happen to her? Hadn't she figured that out? With my confession I had thought that was obvious. "We're not going to crash. I've never once been in an accident."

"You've never been in a car with me."

"Touché. I'll keep it under seventy. Happy?" I responded, as she eyed the odometer.

"Almost…"

"I hate driving slow." I muttered, easing up on the gas.

"This is slow?" Her voice was shocked and I shook my head.

"Enough on my driving… Just trust me." I said impatiently, only later realizing that she wouldn't take kindly to that. I had after all told her that she shouldn't trust me. I had to get my story straight in the future.

"I do… You were the one telling me earlier that I shouldn't."

I groaned slightly, she had picked up on that. "Why don't we talk about you for once…"

"Because there isn't anything to know about me." She replied, and I noticed that she was gripping the handle on the doorframe. She paused for a moment. "There's something about you that you aren't telling me."

"Does it really matter Bella?" I asked, hoping that she wouldn't implore further. She was much more observant than I had anticipated.

"If you don't want me around… If you think you're so bad… Don't I have the right to know so I can make that decision for myself." She was stubborn; still I would have to find a way around this.

"What if it's not what you think? What if what I have to tell you makes you run away from me?" I questioned.

"Then you'll only get what you say you want… Me to stay away from you… To be afraid of you." She replied, her eyes no longer focused on me but rather looking out the windshield.

"I'm not sure I'm ready to tell you…" I sighed.

"Then don't tell me to stay away from you. I don't think I can, it's too late for that now." She stated and my heart swelled. This was going to be a problem… I would have to do something about it soon, and yet, I wasn't sure I would be able to, I wasn't sure I would be strong enough to.

A/N:

Hey guys! Extra long chapter as I'm in a good mood and apologizing for not posting last night… I was a bit too invested in the election results and though they came in VERY early… Much earlier than I had anticipated, my eyes were blurred with tears from Obama's very eloquent acceptance speech. I must say, I am very happy with the results of the nationwide election, though deeply saddened due to my state's prejudices and thought that equality is not a right but a privilege… I've debated this enough in my Con Law class today so I'm not going to say any further, as I'm sure there are people who disagree with my stance on Prop 8… I do accept that we are all entitled to our own opinions, I just feel that equality should be for all… Enough is enough though.

Anyways… I hope that you enjoyed the chapter. I was able to play with more of my own words and from here on out, there will be much more of my own work… As things will have to change as the story line will shift a bit, and the situations are different. I promise to get back to the dream though…

Thank you to my wonderful reviewers!

MyriadProBold: Thank you, though I can't take full credit for the entirety of that sentence as parts are taken from Midnight Sun… I just adapted it.
ameeona
x-aly-xwingedvamp1107
LivieLovegreenbuttonsx
Screams-At-Midnight
SWChica2005
CBC1
justm
roughdraft525
bookishqua
FRK921
bloodredeclipse

Thank you all for your wonderful comments! I hope to receive just as many with this chapter! You all inspire me to continue with this story! And like I said, I hope that you enjoyed this one!

Have a great Thursday!