Rating/Warning(s)/Note(s): T, Shadows
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Prompt: Persuade
Dialogue Flex: "I don't think I can fix this," he said.

Now that I had Edward's gmail account I began talking to him all the time. Occasionally I could even persuade him to answer, but never about why he wasn't safe. Far too often that question got the answer to get back to studying because I only had a few hours until a test or assignment was due. But when I walked out of my last class the Tuesday before Thanksgiving I was determined to get a reply.

With the gchat window open, completely ignoring the 'Edward is busy, you might be interrupting' red dot, I typed Are you flying to Florida with me? I nearly jumped out of my skin when my phone rang with an unknown number. "Hello?" I asked hesitantly. There was no sound on the other end, not even breathing, but I knew who it was. "Please talk to me, Edward."

"Yes, I'll be going, but that doesn't mean you'll see me," he said, his voice rich with regret.

"It's been nine months, and you haven't hurt me yet," I said.

A musical laugh floated through both the phone and my window. Only tripping twice, once on my bookbag and once bouncing off the corner of the desk, I rushed to look out. I may have been fast, but by now I knew he'd be faster. Sure enough, by the time I got the window open he was across the lawn, but this time had stopped under a tree. He was almost luminous in the half-light of the cloud-covered sky. He was shaking his head at me. "Did you hurt yourself?" he asked.

"No more than normal," I said. "Why don't you come back over and check?"

His laugh came through only the phone. "Nice try, Bella." His free hand went through his hair. "I'm coming closer. Please don't move."

"Okay," I whispered. He moved like a cat, full of sinuous grace and lethal determination. Stopping a few feet from me he took a breath and shuddered.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

He grimaced. "Just the same thing as always," he said.

"It looks painful."

"It is, but it's a pain worth enduring." His smile seemed resigned as he took another breath and grimaced again.

"Can you see a doctor?" I asked, wanting him closer.

"I don't think I can fix this," he said and took another step toward me. I could see his eyes now, amber with black edges. He took another step and they darkened further. "I don't know what's worse, the pain of being near you or the pain of being apart."

"I cause you pain?" I asked, hurt by his words.

The next second he was inside my room, his hands cupping my face, his eyes black. "It's not your fault, Bella. It's what I am." A snarl seemed to come from his chest as his fingers formed a cage around my head. "From the first time I smelled you I wanted you." He bent down, trailing his nose down the side of my face as his hands forced my head back. Stopping at my throat he inhaled with a growl.

"Let her go, Edward," a high, musical voice said next to me. I couldn't turn my head to look, my eyes were glued to his.

"I can't," he whispered. His hands began to shake even as he was careful not to press inward.

"You must. Now," she said. "Stop breathing."

He closed his eyes and then all movement of his body stopped. Petite hands pulled his hands from my face, the owner shushing him when he growled again. "Emmett?" she said.

The next thing I knew huge arms were around my waist, pulling me back through the window. I kept my eyes on Edward and could see the small girl standing next to him, saying nothing, and yet his head was inclined toward her as if she were speaking. The sight of them disappeared at an alarming rate.

Emmett swung me as easily as a rag doll so that I was carried more normally in his arms. Still holding me he jumped into the back of a jeep that took off as soon as his feet touched down, tires squealing. My breaths came in gasps, in shock at the sudden movements and feeling slightly nauseous.

As the car continued onward Emmett lowered me into the passenger seat. Rosalie was driving and told me to put on my seatbelt, that she was taking me to the airport now.

"My flight isn't until the morning," I said. "I don't have any clothes." She just smirked at me and pushed a button, causing the jeep to practically fly and forcing me back into the seat.

The normally hour-long drive was accomplished in twenty-five minutes. I'd state that I was shocked but another car passed us on the way, Edward in the passenger seat. Both cars pulled into the Highlander Inn at the airport, and I was surprised to see the small brunette carrying my heavy suitcase as if it were empty.

She walked up to me with a smile and held out her hand. "Hi, I'm Alice."

I shook her hand, noticing the hard coldness. "You're like the others." She smiled and nodded. "Which is what?"

Pulling me into a hug she whispered, "You'll figure it out. Soon. Very soon."

Stepping back she gestured to the Inn. "We got you a room. Edward, Jasper and I will be next door, Carlisle and Esme will be on the other side of you, with Emmett and Rosalie across the hall. You'll be snugger than a bug." With that she turned and led the way, directing us to where we would be.

Edward was at the end of the line looking remorseful. Every time I looked back he would look away. It wasn't until he was passing me to go into his room that I reached out and grabbed his arm. As soon as my skin touched his he froze.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know," I said.

He didn't say anything, and I was sure he wasn't breathing either. For a moment he kept his gaze forward, but then his shoulders dropped. Turning slightly he touched my face with the tips of his fingers, trailing them along my cheekbone and down to my jaw. Then he stepped away and went to where Alice was pointing him.

Not sure if I'll be able to post anymore this weekend. It is the last shopping weekend before Christmas and family obligations abound. I'll try, but no promises!