Disclaimer: I hold no ownership over the Characters of Twilight or New Moon all rights belong to Stephenie Meyer.

Summary: Edward leaves Bella alone in the woods after telling her he didn't want her any more. As she is lying on the cold forest floor; Bella remembers three important things. Edward made a promise not to leave her, and Edward never broke a promise, and third it was her body, her heart, what right did he have to decide what was good for her? All in all Bella realizes that Edward was covering up his true feeling about her. Bella goes to bring Edward home.

Previously:

Edward POV

Without realizing, I had broken into a run, but my thoughts were moving faster. An accident, what kind of accident? Alice hadn't elaborated and I hadn't thought to ask -- it didn't matter.

Home! I needed to be on the other side of the continent and I was here in Forks. I was a blur as adjusted my course to head for Fork Airport. After which I would have two more connecting flights before I would land at Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport. From there I knew my way home would be easy.

Yet, after all of my transgressions towards her, would she even accept me into the warm arms I craved to feel around me?

She had to make it! If she didn't, then neither would I.

Chapter 8: Even Ground

By TaintedDarkInuShemeeko

Bella POV

What was my reality?

Physically, I sensed I was finally back where I belonged, with the Cullens. But Edward was not here.

Yet, somehow, I had been with him. I saw him, I felt his presence. The vision replayed in my brain in perfect clarity: Edward was fighting Laurent and then several super-sized wolves appear. How was Edward going to fend off all of them?

Edward needed me; I wanted so badly to jump out of the bed I was lying in and go to him, whatever reality he existed in.

Yet no matter how hard I tried, my eyes wouldn't open. It felt as though the connections between my mind and my body were severed. I could hear the voices around me, but couldn't respond. For now, I was a prisoner in my own battered body. It was maddening!

The whispering voices in my physical world suddenly stopped and I could just make out the sound of Jasper's voice in the distance.

"Alice, what is it? Did you see…about Bella?"

Alice's bell-like voice was higher then I remembered it being.

"It's about Edward. He went back to Forks to see Bella. When he found out that she had left, he decided to go after her, but then Laurent showed up in Forks too. Victoria's hunting Bella. Laurent was going to go kill Charlie. Edward saw that and the two of them started to fight, but I don't know how it ends. It just ends, like there's nothing. Emmett and I tried to reach him but he's not answering our calls. Edward has to be alive."

The breath I was going to exhale was suddenly stuck in my throat. I had to have heard Alice wrong. If Edward had disappeared from Alice's sight, then it could only mean one thing, Edward was…dead.

No, it was impossible, Edward couldn't be dead!

Panic welled up inside me, causing my heart to beat wildly in my chest as Alice's words echoed inside my head.

"But then Laurent showed up in Forks too."

I had been with him! My dream had been more than just a vision brought on by a head injury, it was real! How was that possible? But the joyous realization was short lived as reality crashed down on me. It had happened in my vision and then in Alice's vision. Edward had faced Laurent and the massive wolves....and he hadn't survived.

Edward was much more than my moon. He was the anchor that kept me from sinking. And he was gone now. With my reason to live gone, there was nothing left for me to do, nothing left to hope for, and nothing to hang on to. If Edward was gone, there was no real reason for me to continue living. I couldn't exist in a world that Edward wasn't a part of.

I longed to feel his cold embrace again. If dying was the only way for me to do that, then I was ready for it. I let go -- sinking slowly and painlessly into a dark abyss.

* * *

Edward POV

The flight back to Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport wasn't as fast as I would have liked. It was, however, faster than if I had tried to run the rest of the way home. I had neglected to change my clothes before heading toward Forks Airport.

Curiosity and concern was thrown at me from every human that looked at me. I had no idea how disheveled my appearance was until I caught images of myself in the minds of the flight crew as I boarded my private flight.

"Are you all right, Mister Cullen?"

"I'm just fine, Harold," I responded taking a quick glance at his name badge. "Will the plane be taking off soon? I'm in a bit of a rush," I asked as I flashed him a quick smile to put his mind at ease.

As always it worked and the pilot seemed to forget about my appearance for the moment.

"Yes, of course sir."

The image from the pilot's mind showed me there was a slight bit of bruising under my eyes from my lack of feeding in addition to a small smudge of dirt on my face and a few bits of dried grass in my hair. My shirt and jacket were tattered and torn. I looked like some street urchin. It was no wonder he asked me if I was all right. In my haste to return home to New York, I hadn't given my appearance any thought.

As the pilot moved back to the cockpit, Jenny, the flight attendant, came to see if I need anything before the plane took off. I requested a glass of water. Once Jenny had poured the spring water into a glass, she proceeded to ask if there was anything else she could get me. I kindly told her no, allowing her to return to her place in the back of the plane. I was in no mood or condition to be the center of attention.

As I wet my lips with the water, my mind replayed my conversation with Alice. The thought of all the different accidents Bella could have been involved in made my mind spin, but one possibility stood out among them all -- Victoria had found Bella. If she was the cause of Bella's injury, I would make it my life's sole purpose to find a way to make Victoria's demise slow and very painful.

Another thought then dawned on me, what if Jacob had been right. If Bella had runaway to find me and my family, there was a very strong likelihood I was to blame for her current condition. Yet, there was still one thing that baffled me. How had Bella found my family?

"Hang on Bella; I'm on my way back to you. Just hang on."

I wasted no time in getting off the plane the second that it was clear to disembark, not worrying about whether or not any of the humans took any notice. Once I was sure no one was watching me, I picked up speed until I surpassed what the human eye could see.

As I raced to our home, I reassured myself that Carlisle would do everything within his power to stabilize Bella's condition. I was holding onto this hope by a thin cord. I knew that I had a small window of time before the cord snapped and all hope was lost to me.

I was a half a mile from the house when I heard the sound of a defibrillator being charged up. No! It couldn't be. It just couldn't be. Not like this, it couldn't end like this! There were so many things that I needed to tell her; so many things that she needed to experience. There were things I wanted to show her, wanted to watch her experience. Somehow I found it within me to move faster.

The second I passed through the thin tree line, frantic thoughts from my family started to envelop me. Their thoughts were in such disarray it was almost too much for me to bear.

One of Carlisle's thoughts rang out louder than the others.

'Why did you give up Bella? This will be Edward's undoing.'

I had just run out of time. The cord snapped.

I snapped. Chaos overtook my brain and I wondered if vampires could go insane.

But before I could sink into the darkness that threatened me, I knew I had to see her with my own two eyes. I was just seconds away from her. As I sped through the yard and front door, Rosalie and Emmett let their surprise in seeing me show in their thoughts. Esme's thoughts were not just filled with surprise, but with relief as well.

'Edward, thank goodness, you're safe. Bella she's…'

I paid Esme's thoughts little heed as I bolted past her on my way up the spiral staircase. Other then the pounding of my feet, the house was silent -- the thump of Bella's heart was non-existed.

"Edward!"

I froze in the doorway of my bedroom. Alice was shocked by my sudden appearance -- why hadn't she seen me returning?

"Try again," my voice shook as I pleaded.

"Edward, it's too late to do anything more," Carlisle spoke his thoughts.

There was no need for him to tell me this. I was already aware of it all yet I refused to fold. If Bella was lost to me, there was no reason for me to continue to exist. I gripped the door frame with my right hand.

"Try again, Carlisle. She didn't give up on us; we will not give up on her. So try it again, please." I said through gritted teeth. It pained me to ask Carlisle to do this for me. I knew it went against everything that he believed in as a doctor.

Bella had faith in us and our love even during a time when I hadn't been so sure. There were dozens of times when I was afraid of hurting her and she would gently remind me of how sure she was of us—"You won't hurt me." Bella had faith when I had none. It was my turn to believe in her.

Only now was it clear that I had been wrong about her moving on without me.

The moment that my dark amber eyes met Carlisle's topaz ones, I felt him give into my wishes.

'All right, Edward, I'll try it again.'

Jasper continued to squeeze the ambu bag inflating Bella's lungs as Carlisle charged the paddles one more time. Once they were charged, Carlisle glanced at me before placing them on her chest.

'Here goes, Edward. Perhaps you shouldn't watch.'

"I'll be fine."

'Please, God let this work. I can't bear the thought of losing him again.'

I was aware of Carlisle's silent prayer. I even knew the meaning behind it. Still I focused everything I had on Bella. Nothing could have prepared for the utter torment I would feel as the charge from the defibrillator surged through Bella's body lifting it up off of the bed. My grip on the doorframe tightened, splintering the wood within my grip. The sight of her lifeless body recoiling from the force of the charge pulled at the fraying cord that held my small sliver of hope. An anguished cry erupted from within as my knees gave out on me; the strength to hold myself up was gone.

On my knees, I could only plead with her now. "Please Bella, come back. Don't go where I cannot follow you."

There was no response from Bella's body; she was gone because of me. Bella hadn't even known the truth of how deep my feelings for her went.

No, I couldn't give up just yet! So I was left with only one thing to do -- plead with Carlisle one last time.

"Once more and that is all I will ask of you," a sob broke free from inside my throat.

My gaze never left Carlisle as he flipped the switch on the defibrillator, charging the paddles one last time. I continued my pleas.

"I know that this is selfish of me to ask, however, I am a selfish, self-righteous being. So I'm begging you to come back to me, Bella."

My eyes shot up to look at Carlisle his thought broke into my mind.

'It's impossible.'

Startled by the sound, I looked up at Bella's chest as her heart burst into vtac. Bella's heart quivered once more as it let loose its first thump-bump after another shock had set her heart into sinus rhythm.

Her chest heaved upward as she gasped for more air. The action made her gag reflex kick in responding to the tube in her throat. I moved quickly to Bella's side to calm her as she regained consciousness.

I spoke to her in a soothing voice, "Easy love, there's a tube in your throat to help you breathe. Take a deep breath for me and then blow out as hard as you can and I'll remove it."

I brushed a stray strand of her hair back as Bella leaned forward towards me. Taking in her emaciated appearance I became to frighten to touch her now more then ever before. Carlisle seemed to understand my unease. He laid one hand gently on her back and the other on the front of her shoulder to brace her. Once the tube was gone, Bella pulled in another breath.

"You came back, you're really here." She spoke in a whispery voice of disbelief.

At her words, I couldn't stop the small lop-sided smile that graced my lips as I realized the words I was about to speak out loud were the absolute, undeniable truth.

"I did, it was inevitable for me to do so. And yes, love, I'm really here. I will never stray from your side again."

I paid little attention to Alice and Jasper as they left the bedroom. My focus was completely on Bella. I pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead and then placed a chaste kiss on her lips. Her skin was starting to warm again.

Alice returned with a new nightgown in hand.

"Ok, now everyone out just for a minute," Alice voiced.

'That means you too, Edward.'

My eyes drifted up to meet Alice's. She then pleaded with me.

'Please, Edward, it will just be for a minute. Bella needs this time to collect herself and cover up -- her body is partially exposed. Trust me, Edward.'

I nodded my head slightly at her. As I turned to leave with Carlisle, Bella's voice froze me in my tracks.

"Laurent came looking for me didn't he?"

I had not planned for this yet; her question caught me off guard. She then went in for the kill.

"Don't lie to me, Edward Cullen. You've done enough of that. Your sleeves are missing. I had a dream that you where fighting him and you lost those very sleeves in my dream. And then I saw…"

Now was not the time, she had almost died and she needed to rest. I cut her off before she could continue.

"Not right now, Bella. Let Alice freshen you up a little and I will do the same. Then I'll come back and answer your questions." I sighed toward the end. The fear of losing her had me willing to give into whatever she wanted.

Alice knew I was breaking.

'Go on Edward, you've seen what you look like. Do you really want Bella to see you like this? To see how horrible you look, it'll only make her worry more about you.'

"All right, Alice." I spoke soft enough for only Alice and Carlisle to hear.

As I was leaving with Carlisle, Alice called after me.

"There's a change of clothes for you in the bathroom, Edward."

"Thank you, Alice." When I spoke my words were sincere.

Leaving Bella's side wasn't easy, however I knew Alice was right. Walking out into the hallway, I caught hold of Carlisle's thoughts.

'It's good to see you, son. And I'll leave it at that.'

"Carlisle, will you stay with Bella until I've change my clothes? Just in case…" I trailed off toward the end.

'Edward, there may be other damage to Bella's other organs.'

"I know, Carlisle."

'Why not change her now, Edward? Wouldn't it solve all of the panic you're feeling at the thought of losing her?'

My head jerked to the left to look over at Jasper in response to his questioning thought.

"Not yet. She still needs to experience a few more things as a human first. Then I will fold to her wishes."

My words kept Jasper from saying anything else. I then headed toward the bathroom to get a shower.

Even with my cold hard skin, the hot water from the shower had the calming effect I was longing for. It also gave me time to think over a few things as well.

I had lost her once by my own choosing, and then again without being here. Only to have her given back to me, I didn't know how or why it had happened, I was just glad that it had. When I left Bella, I done so convinced she would live a safer and happier life without me. Yet the only thing I succeeding in doing was leaving her open to an attack by Laurent and Victoria. I don't know how she came to be lying in a bed in my room after being cradled in death's arms, I couldn't deny this may be my only chance to set things right. For whatever reason, fate had decided we were meant to be together. I couldn't fight that reality any longer. I couldn't screw this up again. If I did I knew very well what the outcome would be.

I knew once I returned to my room, Bella would want me to answer her questions. She would not accept anything less than my honest answers. I owed her at least that much.

* * *

Bella POV

I shivered slightly as Alice ran a warm wet cloth down across my chest. She then ran it across the side of my face. Alice froze the second she saw me shiver.

"Sorry about that. I know the last thing you need is something cold against you."

Alice removed the tattered nightgown from my body. I winced as she gently lifted me up.

"Oh, Bella…I'm sorry, I'm doing this as gently as I can."

"I know you are, Alice." I gave her a weak smile.

My chest was sore and it felt like my bruises had bruises. I didn't have a special talent like Alice, Jasper or even Edward, but I could tell from just looking at Alice how much my almost dying had affected her.

After dressing me, she brushed my hair with a loving touch. As she busied herself with the task at hand, I let my eyes wander over the room that I knew was Edward's. The books and music were all familiar to me. My gaze fell on the stand next to the bed. There was something sliver lying on it. I knew what it was right away. It was the sliver chain and heart pendant that Edward had hidden with the rest of my birthday gifts.

Alice noticed where my gaze had stopped. She reached out and snatched it up in her hand.

"Here, I'll put this back where it belongs."

As she undid the clasp to put it back on me, my right hand shot up and held the sliver heart to my own.

"I told Edward that you would love it. He didn't really spend a lot of money on it. It was something I had purchased for myself. I just never got around to pairing it with the outfit I wanted too. The engraving part was all Edward."

Her fingers brushed a few strands of my hair out of my face as she spoke.

"Bella, you should get some sleep. You died and some how you came back, you need your rest."

I didn't want to hear anything about sleeping -- not yet. Not until I was sure that Edward had been real.

"No, no sleep, not until I know that Edward wasn't a dream."

"Bella, you're not making any sense, of course he's real! I saw him too, we all did," she replied in an annoyed tone.

"I have to be sure, Alice."

"Okay, Bella, if it's what you need."

Securing Alice's approval, I relaxed more on the bed as Alice picked up what was left of my nightgown. Flashing me a reluctant look she called out to Carlisle.

"I'm finished cleaning Bella up, Carlisle."

A few seconds later, Edward walked into the bedroom.

I spoke with as much determination in my voice as I could muster as my throat was still sore from the tube that had been there.

"You promised to answer my question."

Edward's eyes never left mine as he spoke.

"And I will Bella, love. After you've rested, so humor me please. I'll be here when you awake up." Edward's eyes then moved from mine to the necklace I was wearing, "I left my heart with you, and there it will stay."

"Why did you hide it from me, the necklace I'm wearing?"

"Bella…"

He was trying to change the subject; I couldn't let him do that.

"Don't do that, Edward. Don't try to avoid my question. Just answer me. Why did you leave me after everything we've been through? I begged you not to leave me. Instead of staying, you left me."

Still having more to say I continued.

"I wandered the cold, wet woods for over an hour before I found my way home again." I shook with the rage I had shoved away but was now bubbling up to the surface.

"But it wasn't home to me anymore. My home was gone, and yet you just thought that I would forget you. No more lying to me, Edward. Answer my questions first and then I'll sleep once I know the truth."

I could tell by looking at him that he was breaking. It hurt to see it, but it also filled me with a sense of relief, he needed to know what his leaving had done to me. I could see it was painful for him to hear.

"All right, yes, Laurent came there to check up on you, per Victoria's request. He however, had another plan in mind. Laurent remembered how sweet your blood smelled last spring. The chance to get to taste it was just too tempting. When he realized that Victoria had been wrong and you weren't there, Laurent decided to go after your father. The things he planned to do...I couldn't allow it to happen."

The thought of Laurent causing any kind of harm to Charlie made me sick to my stomach. Edward took notice of my unease.

"He didn't even make it out of the meadow."

Relief flooded me, but there was something else I need to know about.

"I need to know about the wolves. I saw them in my dream; they were the same height as a horse. How did you get away from them?"

Edward shook his head at me.

"Our family, we have a treaty with them, made over a century ago. We swore to stay off their land and to never bite a human. In exchange they promised to leave us alone."

"Oh," was the only word I could muster.

After that I could feel my eyelids growing heavy as each second ticked by. It didn't go unnoticed by Edward.

"Sleep, Bella. Just close your eyes and rest awhile. I promise you that I will be right by your side until you wake up."

I wanted to believe him, but I wasn't ready to trust him yet. He had run away and left me broken. One lone tear slid free and down my cheek. Edward caught it and wiped it away.

"I want to trust you, Edward. I really do, but I can't. I can't trust any of you right now. You're not the only one that left me alone out there in the cold and wet; my best friend left me there too. Her brother told her to leave me alone and she just did what he told her to do, not what I needed."

I let out a shaky breath before going on.

"So I'm going to tell you this now instead of later. I would have rather died the night of my birthday than to have gone through the pain that I have these last two months without you. I hate all of you so much right now, but I love you at the same time too. I'll be able to forgive you some time, I know I will, but first I have to be able to forgive myself."

His eyes reflected the pain my words had caused. It was also in his voice when he spoke.

"Bella, I can understand your anger toward me and my family. There is one thing I don't understand, why do you need to forgive yourself?"

"I have to forgive myself because the stupid lamb that I am was dumb enough to believe the lie that you spun in front of me.

I had expected him to get up and walk out on me, but he didn't. He stayed by my side. Edward gently took my right hand in his and brought it to his lips and kissed it.

"I have waited a century to find you. I have suffered in agony over my decision to leave you, dwelling on the very edge of insanity for months. I believe I can wait however long it takes you to forgive my callousness."

He leaned forward and placed a kiss on my forehead.

"I will never part from your side again."

My hand slid up to again hold the silver heart resting on my chest. Finding it hidden under the floor boards had restored my hope, and I was not giving up on that. That tiny part of me, knew each one of his words held a merit of truth behind it, but part of me just couldn't accept them, not yet.

A/N: Lunar Eclipse has been nominated for a Indie Award for Best Action or Drama Story so don't forget to vote.

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TaintedDarkInuShemeeko