Okay, I am really, really, really, really (etc.) sorry about not updating in forever. Forgive me!

And, alright, I know that this chapter is a little short and doesn't have a whole lot of action. But I'm trying! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE review! I live off of them! And I'm dying here...

Alice was already waiting for me when I arrived home, having ridden in Rosalie's ridiculous convertible. She was perched on the front porch with a rather ominous, predatory grin on her face.

…sieben, acht, neun, zehn…

"Hello, Alice," I said warily. She was counting in German in her head, and from past experience, that seemed to signal a particularly devious plan in the making. The last time, she had dragged me to a circus because she was convinced that I needed to be "shaken out of that dreadful depression."

"Hello, Edward!" Her teeth glinted bright white, turning the exterior of our house temporarily gray. "How was your day?"

"Fine, thanks," I said, eyeing her suspiciously.

"Any homework?"

"A bit, yes."

"Well, you can do that later!" She grabbed my arm and began to yank me inside, her face alight with a feverish excitement. I didn't even bother to resist, permitting myself to be tugged ungracefully across the floor.

Alice allowed the door to slam behind her, then shoved me into the armchair and stood with her hands on her hips, eyes flashing.

"Now, you'll thank me for this later," she warned. My sense of foreboding increased.

"No, really, you will," she insisted, seeing my eyes narrow. "Because today is the day – " she paused for dramatic effect – "That you will begin your courtship of Bella!"

"What?" I spat out, grabbing the arms of the chair. How dare she tease me like that? "Alice, you know very well that it's impossible for me to have a relationship with Bella! Why would you even bother to taunt me about something like that? Perhaps you think it's funny to play this little joke to remind me that I can't have her, but I certainly do not!"

Alice had taken a step back, and her expression was almost frightened as she stared at me now. I realized that I was shaking, and as I removed my hand from the chair, I saw that I had ripped the leather to shreds.

"Esme's going to kill me," I muttered, avoiding Alice's gaze. "It took her weeks to fix this chair up."

We were both silent for a few moments. The rage pounding through my skull had been replaced by a dull ache of interminable sorrow.

"I can't have her," I whispered, dropping my head into my hands. "I don't deserve her. She shouldn't have to live with something like me."

Alice cleared her throat slightly. "Edward, I wasn't joking when I said you should court her. I mean, obviously not like in the old days or something, but… I do think it is possible."

"God, Alice, it isn't," I said angrily. "Why can't you get that through your head?"

Alice pursed her lips and her nostrils flared. "You know what?" she said. "I think that you're just scared that she'll reject you."

"What? That's ridiculous," I scoffed. "Alice, seriously, you know it's not safe. I could kill her." I bit my lip. "Staying away from her proves how much I care about her, because I can't bear to even imagine what I would do to myself if I hurt her."

It suddenly occurred to me that I was now arguing the same point I had been so vehemently protesting just the day before. How on earth had that happened?

"Well," Alice said carefully, "I'm glad you've finally admitted that you have this affection for her, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility of a relationship so quickly."

"Really?" I replied, my voice laced with sarcasm. "Well, I would."

"Edward. I am trying to be patient with you, but you are not making this very easy. Do you or do you not love Bella Swan?"

"I…" I paused. Love was not a word to be tossed around lightly. But lately, all I could think of was the sparkle in her eyes, the glossiness of her hair, the delicacy of her ivory skin… I was like a schoolboy, struck with the passion of a first crush.

But I had the distinct feeling that this was not just a crush.

"Yes, I do," I answered firmly.

"Then you have to go after her," Alice said crisply. "So why don't we start?"

"But, Alice –" I began.

"What?" she snapped impatiently.

"Did you not just hear me say that I could kill her? It's in my nature to kill her. Imagine what could happen to her - I wouldn't be able to live with myself."

Alice coughed, then said, slightly grudgingly, "I think that you may be underestimating your own ability to resist her blood."

"I'd like to think that. But really, Alice – how can this ever work?" I asked plaintively.

She tapped her finger to her temple and winked as she said, "Trust me."