A/N: Thank you kindly for the reviews and for reading! I appreciate the feedback on music, too. :)

Thank you, Softragoo for prereading.

Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns all characters.

I'd been working for Esme for nearly a month and I was becoming so used to the routine that I had begun to look at my future. When I'd arrived in Chicago, I never imagined I'd still be here two months later. I assumed that James would have found me or the police would have busted down my door to take me back to Oklahoma. My heart ached at the thought of my Dad. Homesickness hit me every night before bed and every morning when I woke up in Chicago. I yearned to talk to him, just to let him know that I was okay but things had been going so well that I was afraid. Calling him would most likely be the end of my semi-happy life in the city. James would be listening, one way or another—he knew how much I loved my father and he would capitalize on it.

Rose had become a dear friend. I volunteered myself for babysitting so that she could go visit Emmett on a Sunday at the end of July. Tears formed in her eyes at the suggestion and she invited me over for dinner almost every night. I no longer felt awkward around Sammy and Emily. They had their mom's stubborn heart of gold beating in each of their chests.

Edward was another story. There were days when he'd joke around and I'd loosen up long enough to laugh. He'd bicker with Rose in a similar way that a brother would with a sister. Their relationship was comical at times and others, the responsibility to take care of her, was reflected in his every action. For instance, his reaction to my offering to take care of the kids that Sunday was far from happy.

She told him over dinner and his eyes flared with temper as he looked at her. He didn't say a word about it but instead started shoving macaroni and cheese into his mouth with purpose—like the answer to his problem was hidden under the bland pasta and powdered cheese.

After dinner, Emily had begged me to read her a story while she fell asleep. I couldn't say no to her pouty bottom lip and big blue eyes. I hadn't been around a lot of other kids but Emily seemed so innocent for her age. So, I sat down beside her bed and dove into some Shel Silverstein poems. By the sixth one, her breathing had deepened and I clicked out the light by her bed. I tip-toed out of her room and softly closed her door behind me.

When I got halfway to the kitchen, I heard Edward's voice. He was angry and even though his voice wasn't loud, I could make out his words from the hallway. I turned to go back down the hall to wait it out in the bathroom but I heard my name mentioned. Morbid curiosity took over and I leaned against the wall to listen.

"I'll be fine, Edward," Rose grumbled. "Bella is perfectly capable of taking care of them."

"This isn't a good idea," he seethed. "Pekin is almost three hours away. If something happens, Emmett will kill me."

The distinct sound of Rose's sigh sounded out. "What's going to happen to me? Plus, Emmett is in prison, you idiot. He can't very well go out on a day pass so that he can shove a knife in your gut."

"He's going to get out eventually, Rosalie," he countered. "And to answer your question, a lot of shit can happen."

"Like what?"

There was a pause. "You could get into a car accident. You could get a flat tire and some pervert comes along to help you out. There's a lot of fucking freaks out there. Trust me to know that—I've shared a tiny living space with a few of them. They wouldn't think twice about doing horrible things to a girl broken down on the side of the road."

"Keep your voice down," Rose hissed. "The kids are in bed!"

He mumbled something that sounded like an apology.

"Why do you always have to assume the worst?"

Edward's voice grew louder, again. "Maybe, because I've lived through it, Rose."

She sighed again. "You have to let it go, Edward. What happened was—"

"We aren't talking about me," he snapped. "Why can't we visit like we did last time? All of us will go and I'll take the kids somewhere while you visit."

"I'm tired," she said, her voice cracking. "I am so tired. My husband—the father of my children—did some really stupid shit and now I'm paying for it. Do you think I like going to that job? Do you think that I don't get so fucking exhausted that I cry myself to sleep most nights? Since those kids have been born, I haven't had two hours to myself unless I'm shoving my tits in some drunk asshole's face. To think of a whole day with no screeching or crying or shitty diapers…it's like a dream come true. Don't you see that? I just…call me selfish, but I need this, Edward."

He was silent for a while. I could picture the two of them, staring each other down from two feet away.

"Fine. I'll go with you."

Rose scoffed loudly. "Did you not hear what I just said? I want some time to myself."

"No, you said you want a break from the kids. I don't screech, I rarely cry and I haven't shit my pants in at least six months." There was a smile to his tone. I nearly forgot myself and laughed.

Rose didn't contain her chuckle. "You need to stay here, Edward."

"Why?"

It was her turn to hesitate. "I think Bella is in trouble and I want you to be here in case something happens," she said. "I don't know what kind of trouble but you said it yourself—she freaked out that day she saw you tickling Emily. She's terrified of something and I don't want that something showing up and no one here to defend her."

Tears welled in my eyes and guilt clutched my abdomen like a vice. Rose was watching out for me and in my mind, I hadn't had faith in her. She had been nothing but nice to me and I had spit in her face by means of distrust.

I covered my mouth with my hand to cover a rising sob.

"So, you're keeping me here to babysit the babysitter," Edward said with disdain.

"If that's how you want to look at it, sure," she offered. "But you can't tell me that you only see Bella as a babysitter."

"What does that mean?"

Rose cackled. "Why don't you drive to work anymore, Edward?" He was silent and I could hear the floor creak under his feet. "Why is it that you happen to leave for work two minutes after Bella does everyday?"

Edward grumbled something.

"What was that? I didn't catch it."

"Leave it the fuck alone, Rose."

The footsteps got louder as he made his way to the front door. It opened then closed and Rose blew her nose.

My eavesdropping would have been obvious if I sauntered out as soon as Edward left so I pushed my back against the wall and let everything sink in. Rose was more worried about me than herself. Even my own mother hadn't ever convinced me of that. Essentially, she had assigned Edward as protection behind my back. I needed to talk to her—tell her all my secrets before she paid heavily for her trust in me.

It had always been obvious that Edward felt liable for safety of The McCarty Family. I had always assumed that it was because Edward felt loyalty to his friend. After hearing that conversation, it seemed as if he were doing it for more complicated reasons.

"If something happens, Emmett will kill me…" he had said.

Perhaps, Edward was taking care of Rose because of a threat. Had he done something in prison to become indebted to Emmett? One thing was certain: Edward was mysterious and each day he became a little more complex.

That brought me to the last part of their conversation. I had assumed that Edward always walked to work; I didn't even know that he owned a car. Was Rose implying that Edward followed me to work everyday? What did that mean? Did he not trust me?

"Penny for your thoughts," Rose's voice made me jump. I thanked heavens that my hand was still clamped over my mouth because a shriek had been unavoidable. "What 'cha doing?"

Slowly, I took my hand off my mouth and lowered it to my side. "Nothing."

Rose rolled her eyes. "Emily gives me that same look when I catch her doing something naughty. I take it you heard our conversation?"

"Only a little," I lied.

"Come to the living room so that we don't wake the kids."

I followed her to the couch and we plopped down, side by side. She turned sideways, put her elbow on the back of the couch and rested her head in her hand. She looked so beautiful to me, sitting there and looking at me like that. How had I mistaken her for someone who was less than perfect?

"Edward doesn't think you should go by yourself and I can't blame him," I said.

"Oh, not you, too," she groaned. "I'm going to be—"

"But I think you should. It sounds like something you need to do for yourself and I'm glad that I can help you out."

She smirked at me. "You only heard 'a little', huh?"

I made a face. "Okay, I heard more than just a little."

Rose ran a hand through her hair and then pulled it into a ponytail. "You're not mad, are you?"

"About what?"

"Edward staying here? He would watch the kids himself but he has this thing he has to go to on Sunday but he'll be back that night."

"As long as he's not grouchy," I told her. "He's a little scary when he's grouchy."

She laughed then sobered in her reply. "One thing about Edward is his fierce loyalty. He doesn't have many friends and I've never known him to have a girlfriend but once he lets you into his life, he's there for good. He doesn't run from arguments, well, most of the time, anyway. He doesn't lie to your face to save himself grief. Edward is a good man who…"—she looked at me cautiously before continuing—"He's made some mistakes in his life."

"Haven't we all?" I asked.

"That we have," she answered. "My point is that you can trust him, Bella. He's insanely protective of the people he cares about and if you happen to become one of those people, you should feel incredibly lucky."

I let out a nervous laugh. "I doubt that he'll ever care about me, Rose. Most of the time, I think he hates me and only puts up with me because I'm friends with you."

A wicked smirk pulled at the corner her mouth and her eyes twinkled. "We'll see about that."

XXXXX

Saturday at Blossom's, we were slammed. It was the busiest I'd seen the shop since I'd started there and I said a little prayer of thanks, as I rang up customers, that I'd already had a month of training. People pushed past each other and the small bookstore became hot with faint lingering smell of body odor.

"Are you doing okay?" Esme asked. She was setting up a tiny fan up by the register to keep the armpit sweat stains at bay. "You look like you're doing pretty well."

"Yeah, I'm good," I answered. "This is unbelievable!"

She smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners and her white teeth reflecting the overhead lights. "It is pretty amazing. I wonder where all this business came from? It must be the flowers outside."

A few days before, I had suggested a few flower pots at the bottom of the stairwell so that it would catch people's attention as they walked by. Then, strategically, we placed sale signs by the flowers so they would be lured in. She told me that I was a genius and she asked me if I'd had any advertising experience. I laughed nervously and avoided answering the question.

"I doubt it was the flowers, Esme," I said, embarrassed because she paid me the compliment as if she actually meant it. "It's probably the weather. It's beautiful out. People are just out and moving about this afternoon."

She cocked her head and looked at me. I had the feeling she wanted to say something but a short elderly woman approached, asking where the religious section was and Esme trotted off to show her.

A short time later, the phone rang and I answered it with a chipper, "Thank you for calling Blossom's Bookshelf, this is Bella. How many I help you?"

The man's voice was weak and he sounded like he was in pain. "Bella, this is Carlisle…Esme's husband."

"Oh, hello, Mr. Cullen," I said. "It's nice to finally –"

He coughed loudly into the receiver, cutting me off. "I hate to bother her but is she handy?"

I peeked over the crowd and spotted her dark head of hair, highlighted in soft gray, standing in the Reference section. She was having an animated conversation with an older fellow who had olive skin and a toupee.

"Uh…she's with a customer but I can get her for you," I replied.

"Normally, I'd say that I'd call back but…I've sort of got myself in a pickle and I need to speak with her," his soft voice said. His breathing was quick, as if he were in pain.

I didn't hesitate. "I'll get her, Mr. Cullen."

After placing the call on hold, I weaved through the traffic and tapped Esme on the shoulder when I found her. She turned around, smiling and raised her eyebrows.

"I'm sorry for interrupting but you have an important call, Mrs. Cullen."

Even though she'd always reprimanded me when I called her by her surname, I couldn't help but do it around the customers. It had been built into me by my father. "Always show respect to your elders, Bella, whether they deserve it or not." A shockwave of pain rushed through me as I imagined my Dad, shifting gears in his truck as he grumbled out the advice to my fifteen year old self. I had gotten in trouble with one of my teachers for being outspoken. Mr. Wrangling, my history teacher had gotten a year wrong and I had corrected him. He didn't appreciate it, so for the first time—and the only time—I was sent to the Principal's office for being disrespectful. When my Dad heard the story, he was infuriated and he let the teacher know about it.

Thinking back on my days in high school was depressing. I wasn't sure who or where that girl was that had felt the courage to correct a teacher. Sometimes, I'd sit in the corner of my living room when I couldn't sleep and try to grasp at the person who I'd been just a few short years ago. Hell, I'd give anything to be an ounce of the person I was the day I'd boarded a bus to Oklahoma with just a couple of suitcases. I could no longer find her, no matter how hard I tried to look deep into myself. My personality had changed, my body had changed and my heart had changed—I was nothing; a warm body, wandering around in fear for the inevitable. There were times when I even wondered why I had bothered to run. But then, I'd get an ache in my neck from sitting too long in one position or I'd stub my toe on the corner of my thrift store couch and it was a physical reminder of what real pain was like.

The long look on Esme's face told me that she knew that it was Carlisle on the phone. "Thank you, Bella." She turned back to the customer, apologized and excused herself.

I asked the gentleman if there was anything I could help him with. Thankfully, he smiled and shook his head so I headed back up to the register where a couple people were standing with an armful of hopeful purchases. I lost myself in my duties, paying no attention to the low tone of Esme's voice as she talked to her husband. She had her back to me and I felt like I was invading her privacy, even though I had no choice but to be there.

We needed a cordless phone, I thought to myself as I handed over change to a man who'd just purchased a whole series of Star Trek Voyager. With a gap-toothed grin, he thanked me and shot me a wink. I pressed my lips together and pretended to arrange something underneath the counter.

"Bella, I really hate to do this, but we have to close up," Esme whispered in my ear. "Carlisle fell and he has to go to the hospital."

I sucked in a breath through my teeth. "Is he going to be okay?"

She swallowed and answered with a nod of her head. "Do you think I should make an announcement?"

"Why don't I just stay and close down for you at normal time?"

A concerned look flashed over her features as she chewed on the suggestion.

"You don't have to…I mean, I understand if you don't think I can handle it," I told her, trying to let her off the hook. Probably, it was a lot to ask of her; trust the new girl with the key to her store, her dream, her livelihood.

"Oh, no! I know you can handle it but…"

"But what?"

"It's just…we don't close until eight, Bella. You walk here, right?" she asked. I nodded and my heart skipped a beat. My stomach tightened. I hadn't thought about having to walk home in the dark. A vision of the rough looking guys that Edward and I encountered that day flashed through my mind. "I don't know if we'll be out of the ER in enough time to pick you up. I can't risk you walking home after dark and getting hurt."

Solutions weighed in my mind. A gaggle of college age girls hustled in and headed for the Paranormal Romance section.

"I have someone to call," I lied.

She quirked an eyebrow. "Who?"

"I have a friend I can call," I told her. "I'll be fine."

She let a sigh of defeat. "Okay, but you'll call if you need a ride. Even if we are still at the hospital, I'll work something out."

"Be careful, Esme. Let me know if Carlisle is okay."

In a rather personal gesture, she took my hand and squeezed it. Then she was gone.

An hour later, I found a moment to call Rose. I was supposed to be over at her apartment for dinner so that she could show me where everything was for the kids. Even though she'd only be gone a day, she wanted me prepared for everything, like a good mother should. She grumbled when I told her that I had to work late and I wouldn't be able to come until morning. I apologized and told her that the situation couldn't be helped.

"Oh, it's cool, Bella," she said. "I was just looking forward to hanging out with you tonight. We were going to treat the kids to pizza tonight." The "we" in her statement must have meant that Edward was going to be included in the evening. It was funny how she talked about him as part of the family. "Do you think you'll be able to come over after you get off?"

I shrugged even though she couldn't see me. "I don't know. It'll be late by the time I get home."

"How late?"

"Well, I'll probably close down at nine and by the time I get everything situated, it'll be past nine-thirty," I explained.

"Huh," she stated. "Well, whenever you get home, just tap on my door. I'll be up. You like cold pizza?"

I grinned. "Love it."

The remainder of the day was a blur. I hadn't had time to eat except for crunching on a granola bar and sipping on a warm Coke that I had brought with me. Typically, Esme brought us in something or got us takeout. The business had finally died down when Esme called to check on things.

"How's everything going?"

"It's good; we're finally slowing down. What a crazy day! How is Carlisle?" I tried to keep my voice strong and confident, even though my eyes were glued to the setting sun on the horizon.

"He's okay. They're doing some blood work. We'll probably be here all night waiting for the results to come back," she said then groaned. "The coffee is horrible. I can't believe they make you pay for this stuff."

I laughed—it was loud and seemed to last too long considering the joke.

"If you're slowing down, go ahead and close up. Just bring the key to work with you on Monday. If I need in, I have a spare," she told me.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Of course, Bella," she replied. "Go home and have a good day off. Thank you for staying."

After I'd hung up the phone, a guy with a ponytail and big round glasses walked in. I'd promised myself that after he left, I'd close up the shop. When he left, there were a few more people there. The place didn't completely empty until a few minutes before eight. I locked the doors and attempted to balance the drawer. Counting dimes with shaky fingers was quite a challenge. After I'd counted the till out three times, to make sure I was accurate, I slipped the deposit into the built in safe that was hidden in a cabinet in the back storage room. Esme thought she was sneaky by putting boxes of processed foods in front of it, hiding it from view. I told her that she should surround it with tampons and maxi pads. Men were allergic to anything menstrual.

By the time everything was settled, the sun was a memory and blackness surrounded the store. There were no windows so I felt like I was trapped. My breath quickened and beads of sweat formed on my forehead in spite of the fantastic air conditioner that cooled the store. With a deep breath, I unlocked the door slipped out and locked it behind me. I shoved the key deep into my pocket and stared up at the street lights.

I could walk fast, I told myself. Hell, I could run if it meant getting home faster.

My feet felt like paws, clobbering each step with careful distinction before moving to the next. I clutched my purse to my side like an elderly lady in high volume pedestrian traffic. My breath hitched as I made it all the way up and my eyes scanned the street. Most of the businesses were closed in the area with exception to the small bar down the street where a small gathering had accrued on the corner. The way home was a deserted sidewalk surrounded by sure-fire threats.

I gulped and scanned my environment again. My breath felt like I was on the verge of whining. I imagined him out there, watching me and waiting for the perfect moment to grab me up and stuff me into his car. I'd ride the whole way back to Oklahoma in the trunk, no matter how hot the August sun became. Occasionally, he'd get me out to give me air because he wouldn't want me dead. Dead was no fun, after all. When we get back home, he'd teach me a lesson. I'd survive but barely. This life I had now, in my tiny apartment in the forgotten parts of Chicago, would be like a dream. Rose would be a memory. The kids would become a fantasy. Edward would be replaced by a strong hand and angry eyes. I'd lose all faith in my fellow mankind and probably never see my father again.

Tears welled in my eyes and I resisted the urge to run back down the steps, bust my way into the store and sleep in the storage closet. I had to face this; I couldn't hide from the dark the rest of my life. If I was going to make it, I had to find strength from somewhere. It was hidden deep and I'd have to go trudging through mud to reach it but it was there—the fact that I was in Chicago confirmed that.

I started walking. My steps were slow at first but they quickened after the concrete steps to Blossom's were feet away.

"You want an escort?" a voice said from behind me.

Fight or flight took over and I chose the latter. I took off in a run, the faint call of the voice behind me ordering me to wait. Ignoring it seemed smart and I wasn't completely stupid when it came to the streets. My father would get a migraine if I stopped to humor the man behind me and he learned of it.

Panic rose when I heard footsteps behind me and the man continued to yell for me to stop. I started whimpering each time I exhaled, each time my right foot touched the earth and forced my body to keep going. A stitch formed in my side and for a moment, ludicrously, I became depressed because I used to be a runner and now my body ached after just one eighth of a mile. Track had been my sport in high school because it really took no skill: There were no hoops or balls or talent involved. In track, just determination and will-power was what you needed, and those weren't two of my top qualities anymore. Honesty, I didn't feel I had many qualities but now wasn't the time to make lists in my head. I was being pursued.

The sound of the footsteps was becoming louder and either he was getting closer or now there were more than one. I wasn't sure which I'd hoped for. He growled in frustration, yelled my name and my heart skipped a beat. There was something about his voice that made my skin quiver and my stomach drop. He knew my name. Reluctantly, I slowed down enough to glance over my shoulder.

It was Edward.

Relief was like a tidal wave. It started working from deep in the pit of my stomach, up to my lungs and out toward my muscles. Just as I was about to slow down, my toe hit an uneven tilt in the sidewalk and I went down. I was still looking back at him when I started to fall; my expression was bound to be funny. Grunts of panic came from deep in my stomach as I stumbled, landing on both my knees and catching my upper body with my palms.

It may have been a mixed blessing, the fact that my body was out of shape. Not to sound all Forest Gumpish but I used to be able to run like the wind blows. If I had been in shape and taken the same tumble, there was a good chance I wouldn't be conscious enough to feel the pain shooting up my knees or the raw scrapes on the pads of my hands.

"Jesus!" Edward cried as he hovered over me on his hands and knees. "What the hell made you run like that? I was just trying to walk you home."

I didn't answer because no matter what I said, it would make me look like a lunatic. My doubts at ever being normal again were so strong that it made me cry. No, it wasn't the pain that sent salty tears from my eyelids, down my cheeks and under my chin. It wasn't the fact that I had feared for my life just moments ago as I was chased through the ghetto of Chicago. The tears were symbolic of my downward spiral into being nothing but a gun-shy, disgusting, paranoid little girl.

I would never be able to look my dad in the eyes again and be proud of who I was. All he'd see me as is someone who is terrified of their own shadow, someone who tells lies, someone with no identity. He would try to love me, even though I would repulse him deep down. Charlie Swan didn't respect people who didn't respect themselves and right now, there was nothing respectful about me.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his hand on my shoulder. His touch was firm and gentle and warm. "Are you hurt?"

I shook my head as I turned over to my bottom. Meeting his eyes with mine was next to impossible; there would be anger and confusion and accusations in his mind and it would show in those expressive pupils of his. I knew what he was thinking and I couldn't blame him but I still didn't want it confirmed.

When I finally spoke, my voice was weak and hoarse. "I'm fine. I'm sorry for running from you like that," I said between gasps and pants.

"Shit," Edward breathed. I noticed that he wasn't nearly out of breath as I was. "You're bleeding."

"What?" I asked.

He grabbed my wrist. My instincts told me to pull away so I did and he emitted a long sigh.

"Can I see your hand?" he asked, his tone laced with annoyance.

"Yeah, sorry," I said.

He pulled my hand to his face and looked closely at it under the streetlight. His face was tight with concentration. A wrinkle formed between his brows as they puckered together and his lips pressed into a thin line. He looked angry. I couldn't blame him.

A car drove by and slowed to a stop. Its brakes squealed and one of the red lights glowed white because the outside plastic had been broken. Edward stiffened beside me and watched the driver get out of the car. They slammed the door and footsteps approached.

It occurred to me that it might be James. I pulled my wrist out of Edward's grasp and rose to my feet, quicker than my body wanted me to. My head spun and my knees throbbed.

Edward was on his feet as the driver approached. Part of his body blocked my view of the man and I craned my neck to see around his shoulder.

"She okay?" the deep voice asked. I was relieved that the voice didn't belong to James. "What the fuck happened?"

"She's fine so just go," Edward said, his voice laced with an unspoken threat.

The man stepped forward, his face illuminated by the streetlight. It was Jake, my neighbor. Apparently, he and Edward had met at some point because Jake didn't appear concerned about Edward's intimidating tone of voice.

"Honey, you okay?"

I cleared my throat and wiped my skinned palms on my sides. "Oh, yeah, I'm fine."

He moved his narrowed eyes from me to Edward then back to me. "You want a lift?"

"Uh…"

"I'm walking her home," Edward snapped. "She's fine."

Jake stepped forward, his eyes glaring into Edward's. It was like watching two Pit Bulls size each other up. This wasn't because of me. There was something else that sparked the hatred between the two. The loud music? The way Jake eyed Rose?

"I wasn't asking you," Jake retorted through gritted teeth. "I was asking the lady."

Edward's fist clenched then unclenched…clenched then unclenched.

"I'm fine, Jake, really," I told him then took a deep breath to keep my voice sounding strong. "Edward was walking me home and I tripped. No harm done."

Jake turned his gaze to me and his face softened. "If you're sure, Bella."

"Yeah, I'm positive," I replied.

"Here," he said, pulling out a card and handing it to me. I took it, and looked at it even though I couldn't make out the words in the dark. "It's my phone number. If you ever need a ride, just call."

I couldn't imagine him just being nice for the hell of it. There was something sinister about his offer but I wasn't sure what. He barely knew me and here he was, offering to help me. What did he want?

"Thanks," I said.

Jake grinned at me, his white teeth glowing in the dark. He ignored Edward as he turned around and walked back to his car. I jumped when he slammed the door shut. The belt squealed like a banshee when he drove off. Edward grumbled some colorful curse words as he watched Jake drive away.

I wanted to say how nice it was that he stopped or ask what the deal was with the two of them but Edward was angry enough. Even though Rose said that he wouldn't hurt a fly, I still couldn't throw him an inch which was as far as my trust went. He always looked like he wanted to hit something and I didn't want that to be me.

"Are you okay?" I settled on asking.

He snapped his gaze to me as if he'd forgotten I was there. "Am I okay? You're the one that…" His eyes widened as he spotted my knees. "Holy shit, your pants are torn."

I looked down at my knee caps which were throbbing; I'd definitely felt worse, that was for sure but that didn't mean it didn't hurt.

"I'm fine," I told him.

"Maybe I should have let him…maybe we should have ridden with him back home," he said, cringing at the slight stain of blood on my pants. "I thought it was only your hands that…fuck!"

"Edward, I'm fine. Really, I can walk back, no problem." His agitation was putting me even more on edge and I suddenly wished that I could run again. Just in case.

He sighed. "I could carry you."

I felt my eyes bug out of my skull. "Could we just start walking, please?"

The corner of his mouth pulled up into a smirk and he nodded his head in the direction of home. "Come on," he murmured.

The first hundred feet or so, I spent inside my own head: Giving myself a pep talk and lecturing the difference between normal and insane. Slowly, my muscles relaxed and the shaking ceased. The adrenaline was flushed out of my bloodstream and before I knew it, my feet were dragging along the pavement.

"I'm sorry that I scared you," he said.

"Oh, that's okay," I said. "I'm sorry that I ran."

I felt his gaze on my profile but I feigned unawareness.

"It was the right thing to do, Bella." His voice was calm and soothing and almost musical as he said it. "I came up behind you and you reacted like any smart girl would. Next time, though, you need to put your lungs to use."

"I thought I already was," I pointed out. "My lungs are going to burn for days after that run."

His laugh was like melted chocolate and impulsively, I wanted to hear it again. "I meant that you need to scream."

I chewed on that for a moment before answering, "Hopefully, there won't be a next time."

I'd been wrong plenty of times before and this was probably one of them.

A/N: When I edited, this chapter left a bad taste in my mouth. Bella is still fresh from her escape from Oklahoma so I want to portray her with confused emotions. One minutes she looks at Edward and sees something and the next, it's something completely different. Edward also has his own set of issues so he does come off as rough around the edges. He's not an asshole. TRUST ME! PLEASE! I hope that Bella wasn't annoying in this chapter. As much as I wished he did, my Edward doesn't have magic hands or the perfect words to make everything better for her. GAH! I've said too much. I'm incredibly nervous about this one-if you have the time, review and tell me that it doesn't suck. I'd appreciate it! :)