Here it is, chapter three. I'll apologize in advance because this chapter is short in comparison to the others, but it was the only place I could really end the chapter, because otherwise this chapter would have been ridiculously long. So, instead, I figured I'd end it here and then to be nice and make up for it, I'll put up the next chapter very soon, which I can promise is longer.

Let me just say quick that you guys are amazing with the response you're giving this story, and THANK YOU to everyone who favorited or alerted this story, and especially those of you who reviewed.

This story is beta'd by Feenrai.

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or any of the characters.

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Chapter 3

"Because I need you, Edward. You can't leave me. I don't want to be alone. Please," I continued to plead. I didn't think I was getting anywhere with him, but then he sighed.

"We'll compromise. I do need to hunt, because I refuse to put your life at risk. But I won't go far. I will stay close and will be back later this evening. And you," he said, stroking my hair, "we can get Alice to call Charlie, saying she wants you to stay at our house for a sleepover with her. You can spend time with Alice while I'm gone, even Rosalie and Esme, if you'd like."

I knew it wasn't my preferred first choice, since I felt safest with Edward, but I also knew that Edward wouldn't budge and stay with me if he felt he was putting me at risk. And if I kept fighting for him to stay, even after the compromise he offered me, it would make it even more obvious to him that something was wrong, which would only make things worse. Plus I knew the other Cullens wouldn't let anything happen to me either. This was as good of a compromise as I was going to get right now, and I would be stupid not to take it, no matter how badly I wanted him by my side. I nodded into his chest. "Okay," I mumbled.

"I'll have Alice call Charlie once he wakes up, and I'll have her come and get you". He then sighed before he continued, "and if it will help keep you calm, I will stay until Alice gets here," he eyed me waiting to see my reaction, and no doubt still hearing my frantic heartbeat.

"Thank you," I whispered into his chest.

He gently stroked my hair off of my face, his brows still furrowed in confusion and concern. I hate that I was causing him pain. I hated having to lie to him. But his gentle movements with stroking my hair was lulling me into a calm oblivion, making my thoughts drift to the back of my mind.

I wasn't sure how long Edward had continued to stroke my hair, or when he had called Alice, but the next thing I knew, I nearly jumped a foot in the air when the house phone rang. Alice was calling.

"Alice will be here in about 15 minutes," Edward informed me.

As much as I wanted to get back in the shower again, to try yet again to rid myself of the filth, to try and make myself clean, I couldn't bring myself to move out of Edward's arms. Even if the physical contact made me uneasy and scared me, I still knew I was safe with Edward. Even if I had to keep reminding myself it was Edward's arms wrapped around me. I didn't want to let go. I didn't feel safe otherwise—even if he was just in the other room—especially since he would soon be leaving.

"Okay, love, Alice is out front, she said to tell you that you don't need to bring anything, she has everything you need, and for you to come down," he explained a few minutes later, still eyeing me in hopes of figuring out what I was hiding. "And I must go hunt now. I will see you at home later tonight when I return, okay?"

I nodded, again thinking I wouldn't be able to get the right words out, or that I would manage to blurt out my secret.

He swiftly jumped out of the window after kissing my forehead. I felt another rush of fear as he jumped out my window, leaving me. I knew I would see him later, but I didn't want to be away from him. I wanted him with me, to protect me, to keep anything else from happening. I knew I was safe with him. I wanted him, because he was one of the only things keeping me sane right now: knowing that I had him, even if I couldn't tell him about what had happened.

I looked around my room, only to have my eyes fall back to my window, the fear still twisting in my stomach at Edward's absence.

I remembered Alice was waiting outside for me, which brought a slight feeling of relief to me. I knew that as soon as I was out the door and with Alice, I would be a little bit more safe again.

I grabbed my coat as I managed to compose myself to an extent, and put on my shoes. I didn't bother to change out of my sweats and t-shirt.

"Hi Dad," I said as I walked downstairs into the kitchen and saw Charlie eating a bowl of cereal. "Thanks for letting me sleep over at Alice's place tonight," I genuinely thanked him. I couldn't be here alone when Jake could show up at any second.

"You're welcome, Bells. And I think she's waiting out front for you already," he said. "Say hi to her for me."

"Sure, will do, Dad. I'll see you tomorrow. Bye!" I tried to make things seem as normal as possible, but at least Charlie usually believed my lies, unlike Edward.

I made my way out the door, to see Alice sitting inside one of the Cullen's more inconspicuous cars, the passenger door propped open for me. I climbed in only to find Alice staring at me, and no doubt at my choice of clothing.

"What's with you today?" she asked me, taking in my outfit and the dark circles under my eyes.

"Just tired," I tried to respond nonchalantly.

"Sure," she responded, not believing me.

She began chattering away about some sort of shopping trip she hoped to convince me to go on, but I tuned her out. My thoughts engulfed me the whole way there. I was realizing how horribly things were going with lying to Edward. He knew something was wrong. He could tell I was hiding something. It would only be a matter of time before he finally figured it out, or before I accidentally let it slip. Or worse...what if I were to say something about it in my sleep?

I couldn't decide if it would be worse to let him find out accidentally in some way, hoping to keep it a secret for as long as possible, or to just tell him, and suck up my fears about him not wanting me and leaving me once he finds out. Maybe it would be best if I told him. Then, I would at least know why he left and no longer wanted me. It wouldn't come as a surprise to me and wouldn't hurt as much—I hope. Plus, the sooner Edward knows, the sooner he can get away from me, since there's no way he will still want me. Maybe I should just tell him.

I continued to maul the idea for a few minutes, still debating the pros and cons of telling him, and trying to decide what would be best for Edward. Before I knew it, we had pulled up in front of the Cullen's home.

As Alice was taking the keys out of the ignition, she suddenly stopped, her eyes zoning out as she sat still, a vision flooding her mind. I remained in my seat, waiting patiently for it to play out.

A second later, Alice's face turned to one of horror, and she looked at me with a pained look on her face.

"Bella!" she gasped with the same horror struck face as she leaned over and hugged me, and I held back an involuntary flinch.

"Alice, what is it? What did you see?" I asked her, thinking the worst: thinking something may have happened to one of the Cullens, or worst of all, to Edward in specific.

"You have to tell him," she whispered as she pulled away.

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For those of you who wanted Bella to tell Edward already...sorry, but she's very stubborn and determined to keep it from him. But she's at least mauling over the idea of telling him now, so that's a good thing, at least. And of course, Edward came up with a compromise for them again.

So...does Alice know what happened? And if she does know, how will she react? Or is she talking about something else completely? Next chapter, find out what happens with Alice and Bella, and what Alice saw in her vision.

Please review and let me know what you thought! I hope this chapter didn't disappoint. I'll have the next one up soon, so review to let me know you're still interested!