This chapter has not been beta-ed yet but it might be in New Year. I just want to say a huge congratulations to TOPAZHEART for finishing NaNo and her brilliant writing will be published! Really excited and happy for you!

I own nothing Twilight x

Chapter Sixteen
Bleeding Wounds

As we pulled up to the house, I felt myself go all weak in the legs. My heart geared up and my palms felt clammy. Worse, though, I felt ridiculous and embarrassed as I knew that the two other people in the car could practically smell my unnecessary fear.

"Relax, Bella, it's going to be fine," Edward soothed. I nodded weakly but kept my eyes forward.

Alice giggled from the back seat. She leaned forward and laid her chin on my shoulder. "You would think you're about to confess that you have committed murder, Bella," she said. "You're over reacting – everything is going to be fine."

"Easy for you to say," I mumbled, as I unbuckled my belt. "Fine, let's go before I change my mind."

Edward was out the car and at my door in seconds. He offered me his hand which I took and he glided me out. I looked back at Alice. "You're not coming?"

Alice shook her head. "You're not introducing me to your father as your boyfriend," she said as she hopped through the space in the car and seated herself in the driver's seat.

I laughed weakly. "Guess not," I sighed. "See you tomorrow?"

She smiled. "Yep." She waved at us both. "Have fun!"

I closed the car door behind me but the engine didn't start. Edward and I walked down the path and up the porch steps. "Is Alice waiting for you?"

"Hmm," is all he replied, so I opened the door and let us both in. I heard the television blaring in the living room which meant Charlie was still up.

Edward looked down to me and smiled crookedly. "Remember to breathe," he whispered, drawing his finger down my cheek to my chin.

Remembering how to breathe would be a lot easier if he didn't do things like that to me. His touch always left me feeling as if I had walked through fire; expect there was no pain.

Before I could say anything Charlie interrupted. "Bells?" he called.

"Yeah, dad, it's me," I said trying to clear the nerves out my voice. "I brought someone else, too, dad."

"Alice?"

"Er, no, not quite, but close, they are related." I looked to Edward to see if he was getting any reaction from Charlie's mind, but his face was smooth and unreadable.

"He's coming to see," Edward whispered. I nodded and led Edward into the kitchen so we weren't hanging about in the hall.

I leaned against the kitchen counter as I thought sitting at the table would be too formal. Edward stood next to me, his stance relaxed which made me feel more at ease.

Charlie came through and looked a little taken back that Edward Cullen was standing in his kitchen. He looked between us both then said, "I should have known."

He didn't look angry which was a good sign. However, I was lost for words.

"Chief Swan," Edward began. "I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself, formally, as more than just a friend to Bella."

All the emotions that I expected Charlie to go through; amusement was not one of them. He tried to hide his smirk as he put on his official police Chief face. He nodded to Edward politely. "Good of you to inform me," he said. "And your intentions with my daughter are..."

"Dad!"

Charlie looked at me seriously. "I want to know Bella, can't have just anyone dating my daughter now, can I?"

He was just joking but I took the opportunity to reassure him. "Edward is not just anyone," I said, as I stared at the refrigerator. "He is kind, thoughtful and he understands me...and my gift!"

This really took Charlie back. Both Edward and Charlie stared at me; Edward in awe, Charlie in surprise.

"You told him?" Charlie asked stunned.

I blinked at him, as did Edward. "You told him," I said slowly. "You let it slip about the ghosts...last night when I was sick, remember?"

Charlie seemed to be racking his brain and slowly realisation dawned on him. "Oh yeah, right, sorry, I forgot about that," he cleared his throat. "Well, that's good then that you, er, understand and accept that my daughter is..."

"A bit different?" I offered. I couldn't help but laugh then and Charlie joined in. I started feeling a bit better about the conversation, but rather stupid for making such a fuss.

"I am happy for you," Charlie said finally. "If there was anyone going to date my daughter, then you, Edward, are a pretty good match. You are a gentleman and I know you will take good care of her...but if you break her heart..." Charlie raised his eyebrows in mock warning.

Edward smiled charmingly. "Don't worry, sir, I have no intentions of letting Bella go, she is quite a special girl and don't ever anticipate on losing her." He turned to me and his smile touched his topaz eyes. I felt my cheeks burn red and my stomach seemed to be floating around my body with the butterflies that were loose inside me.

Charlie cleared his throat, uncomfortable. "Um, well, nice of you to tell me, Edward, it was good to see you again." He looked at the clock as a hint to leave.

"No worries," Edward replied. "I better go; Alice is waiting for me to take me back. I shall see you tomorrow, Bella?"

My heart sank as I didn't want him to go but I forced a smile. "I will see you out," I said.

Charlie wandered off and we followed him to the hall.

"That went well," Edward commented. "Wasn't as bad as you thought, was it?"

"I guess not," I said. "I over reacted, just like Alice said."

Edward averted his eyes to the side towards the living room. "Your father is about to strain his ear drums," he whispered softly. "I better go before he comes to investigate."

I fought back the scowl at my father and I nodded reluctantly.

Edward leaned close to my ear. "Don't worry, I'll be back." His breath ticked my skin, leaving a burning sensation behind. He stood up straight, then leaned around me then opened the door.
I forgot how to speak as I watched him walked down the porch steps and he was gone before I could blink.

My brain was still frozen, so I wasn't entirely sure what he meant when he said that he would be back, so I went into the living room and sat on the arm of the sofa by Charlie's feet.

"Well?" I asked Charlie.

Charlie looked up at me with a blithe smile. "Seems like a good kid," he yawned. "I suppose he is a better choice than the yahoos that we see in this town. Good family too."

It always came down to family with Charlie. If I were to choose someone with a family history of violence, criminal behaviour and bad repetitions then he wouldn't get across the threshold. I suppose it was in his nature to be wary of those types of people, let alone have his daughter date them.

Charlie turned back to the TV for a few minutes. I was relaxed enough to watch it with him even though I had zero interest in sports.

"Glad he is fine with all that...you know..." Charlie said out of the blue. He didn't look at me but I knew it was something he and my mom discussed when I was younger. He had always been worried that I wouldn't find someone that understood my gift.

"Yeah, he understands and I think he finds it quite fascinating," I smiled. "I suppose I have you to thank for that...not sure what I would have told him otherwise."

Charlie turned to me with a guilty expression. "Sorry about that kiddo, I was too on edge worrying about you to think about what was spouting out my mouth. I am glad it turned out okay, though...did er, the problem resolve?"

"The ghost you mean?" I hadn't told Charlie that there was a ghost, but he always assumed.

Charlie nodded and looked away but I knew he was listening.

"Yes and no," I said carefully. "I have yet to get to the bottom of things but I am sure it will turn out okay." I knew going into details would make Charlie feel out of his confront zone so I didn't explain further.

"That's good," he grunted. We lapsed into silence so I decided to get ready for bed. I got off the arm of the sofa, yawning.

"See you in the morning then," I said.

"Night, Bells, sleep well," Charlie called as I ambled out the living room.

I was more tired than I realised as I yawned my way up the stairs. My eyes were closed and my mouth was wide when I stumbled into the room.

"Trying to catch flies?"

I jumped out my skin. My heart rocketed in my chest and I almost screamed. "Edward!" I breathed. "Don't do that!"

Through his chuckles he apologised. "Sorry, but I did say I would be back."

"I didn't realise that that meant..." I shook my head. "Okay fair enough, but my brain is five minutes behind tonight..." I yawned again.

"You should get into bed; you have had a long day." Edward got up from the rocking chair in the corner of the room. "I am planning to stay and look after you...just in case we have a repeat of this afternoon - so you don't need to worry."

"I'm not worried," I said as I looked around for my pyjamas. "But I am glad you are staying."

I grabbed the clean pair of pyjamas that were laid on the bed. "I'll just be a sec," I said as I headed to the door.

"Take your time."

I closed my door after me, and hurried to the bathroom. I had never been so anxious about getting ready for bed. Normally I had a shower at night but I didn't want to waste any more time, so I quickly washed my face, teeth and combed through my hair. When I was done I took a minute to take in my complexion. I noticed that I was paler than usual, there were circles under my eyes and my face was a more sunken than normal. I had only been in Forks a few days but it seemed to of had taken a bigger toll on me than I thought. As I stared at myself, it dawned on me that it wasn't the move to this town that was the cause of the my inner exhaustion, but the amount of spirits I had encountered and the fact that it had only been a few weeks since my mother had passed. I had been so occupied in the last few days that it was a shock all over again when I remembered that I would never see my mother again.

With a heavy sigh, I left the bathroom I dragged my feet across the hall. Edward greeted me before I entered the room.

"What's wrong?" he whispered. "I can't read your thoughts but I can read your emotions and reactions."

"Nothing," I whispered back, as we entered my room. Edward guided to me the bed and helped me in.

"You can't kid a kidder, Bella," Edward said softly as he lay next to me. "What's wrong?"

I turned on my side to face him, with my arm propping my head up. I was normally one for keeping my troubles to myself, but I knew Edward was not going to let it go if I did not tell him what was wrong.

"There really is nothing," I said. "I am just missing my mom that's all."

Edward averted his eyes, smiling sympathetically. "I want to say I know how you feel, but when I lost my mom it was different." He looked up and met my eyes. "I know this is so cliché, but if you ever need to talk then you know I am here for you, right?"

"Thanks, but I think I am dealing with it okay. Better than most people would be anyways." I wondered if what I was going to say would come across as I wanted it to. "I mean, I deal with death much more than most people do, but I have seen death...if that makes sense? I know what happens when people die, and as much as I love and miss my mom greatly, I am not worried about her. I don't have a clue what is beyond The Light, but I feel it in my heart every time I watch someone crossover that they are okay."

"That makes sense," Edward nodded. "But I bet it doesn't make it any easier on you. You don't have to carry the weight of you mother passing just because you know she is fine. How is Charlie dealing with it?"

I had to really think about that question. Charlie had been so concerned with making sure I was okay that I didn't think he had the chance to deal with it himself. My mom and Charlie had been divorced for years before she got sick, but he had been there for her when she needed him the most. "He seems fine...well, as much as he can be, but Charlie is not one for showing much emotion – at least not around me anyway."

"You two sound very much alike," he paused as he swept some of my hair out of my face, tucking it behind my ear. "You looked so tired, Bella, you should rest."

Suppressing a yawn that was about to make its way out, I sat up defiantly. "No, I want to stay awake a little longer. We have been so wrapped up with everything that we haven't had a chance to talk."

Edward sat up too. I inched a little closer, hoping he wouldn't notice. "Talk about what?" he asked.

"Anything...everything...Henry..."

I felt Edward stiffen slightly but I turned to meet his eyes. "What do you remember of him?"

Edward was silent for more than a minute. He looked as if he were in his past; trying to remember what he could of his twin brother. I couldn't even begin to imagine what he was thinking or going through. How could you process the fact that you suddenly remembered you had a twin brother after all these years.

"I don't remember much," Edward said finally. "Just that he is really my brother. I vaguely remember us as kids...our mother telling us stories..." his face dropped, shame flooded him. "How could I have forgotten, Bella? My twin brother just faded from my memories as if he were yesterday's weather. No wonder he is mad at me...all these years he had thought I had deliberately forgot about him..."

"But you didn't though, you didn't forget about him on purpose. He will eventually understand that, just give him time. When he comes back I can help you both talk...you both need to forgive each other..."
I knew then I was going to ask Ryan for a favour. I knew that if he could possess Alice, he could possess Edward. It was about time Edward saw his brother. They needed to say goodbye.

Edward lapsed back into silence. I snuggled down on the pillow as my eyes were pulling me under.

"Before you leave the land of the living, can I ask a question?" Edward laid further down in the bed with me but didn't get under the duvet. I nodded sleepily as I turned by body to face him but my eyes were half closed. "Why do you want Alice to come with you tomorrow to the nursing home? What is it you want to ask her?"

If my body was not already half asleep I would have probably blushed. I didn't want to answer that question, so instead I let my eyes close fully, hoping he would let it go. "I will hear from her mind afterward anyway." I could hear the amusement in his voice. He pulled the duvet up a little more. "Goodnight, Bella, sweet dreams."

-x-

"Bella!"

I jumped awake, disorientated. My heart was racing ten to the dozen. I was covered in sweat and I was very confused. I looked around my darkened room, then turned to my left to see Edward kneeling over me from the floor.

"Are you okay?" he asked me, as he switched on the small bedside lamp. I blinked a few times as my eyes adjusted to the light. I threw the duvet off me as I was sticky with sweat.

"Um..." I didn't know there was something wrong...did I have a nightmare? I didn't remember but I felt out of sorts.

"You were thrashing so violently." Edward picked up my wrists lightly and held them up for me to see. Both wrists were covered in blood, red liquid smeared all over my arms. I looked down to see my sheets stained too.

"What happened?" I asked in shock.

"I was hoping you would tell me...you were sleeping soundly one minute then the next you looked as though you were being attacked! I couldn't wake you for ages, you seemed to be in a trance within yourself...I was about to call your father...or mine...you don't remember your dream?" Edward moved to sit on the bed. He handed me a piece of cloth and I laid it over my wounds. "Carlisle should take a look at these..." He helped me bind each wound so they were covered tightly. I raised both arms and clasped my hangs around my neck so the bleeding wounds were elevated above my heart.

"I have no idea what happened...it's like Henry all over again but completely different..." I chewed the inside of my cheeks. "This has never happened before..."

Why were my encounters with ghosts becoming so real for me? I had dreams before, I had been in the shoes of the ghosts before they died, but until Henry I had not experienced lasting symptoms that causes actual harm to me. If this was another dream projected by a ghost, then they, too, are just as powerful as Henry.

"You think it was a dream then?" Edward asked in deep thought. "Henry?"

"No," I answered as it didn't fit. "He wouldn't do that...he wouldn't do something to me if it weren't related to his death...if you know what I mean."

"Ryan then?"

I shook my head. "No way," I sighed. "I think that the woman I first came across is more than likely the one. I have not seen her close up since our first encounter, but she has blood smeared on her face...maybe she has wounds on her wrists too."

"Why do they do that?" Edward asked angrily. "Why do you have to suffer?"

"They are just making a point...getting my attention. Don't blame them Edward, like I said before they can't help it." I lifted the blood socked cloth on my wounds but they were still bleeding. I glanced at Edward but my blood didn't seem to affect him. He was, however, not breathing.

"Come on; let's see Carlisle before you become deprived of blood loss..." Edward took a cell phone out of his pocket. He opened his mouth to say something but then he closed, choosing to dial a number on his cell instead. However, he hung up before he could say anything. I watched him as he went to my window.

"No need." Edward turned to me. "The cavalry is here."

Edward walked silently across the room and guided me out of the door. We snuck down stairs and paused at the front door. "What about Charlie?" I whispered.

"He won't wake till morning," he replied. Edward unlocked the door for me, and let Carlisle and Alice inside.

"Good morning, Bella," Carlisle said quietly. "Sorry for the intrusion at this hour, but Alice informed me you were going to need medical attention...and there was going to be blood." I understood then that he wasn't here completely for my benefit, as his family were home and they would have been driven away for a second time that day if I were to go to them.

"I am so sorry," I whispered as I led them to the kitchen. "I am a hazard to your family." Guilt washed over me heavily. I knew that me being human was going to make being with Edward difficult.

"It's not your fault," Edward and Carlisle said at the same time. I laughed softly, sitting down at the table. Alice switched on the light and Carlisle settled in a chair beside me, putting is medical bag on the table. Edward hovered by my side, while Alice tinkered around the kitchen. Carlisle took the blood soaked cloths off my wrists, and inspected the cuts.

"What happened?" he asked. I shared a look with Edward, and shrugged.

"Another ghost I think," I answered.

Carlisle looked up from the wounds. "These look like severe defensive wounds..." He took out some gauze from his bag. "The flow of blood is slowing now. One of them is just millimetres from your artery – that's the worst but neither of them will need stitches."

I was relieved at that as Charlie was bound to notice if I had stitches in my arms. I knew if I had to I would tell him, but I am sure he try to ban ghosts finding me – which was impossible! Carlisle got to work while I looked away. The shook of seeing my wrists bloody had worn off, and I started to get queasy with the sight of blood. It was quiet as he worked, and he was very gentle.

"Which ghost was it that done this?" Carlisle asked casually.

"Not Henry," I replied. "I think it was the woman I saw just as I came out of your house earlier. I saw her my first morning in Forks too. She hasn't said much, other than I have to tell someone something. She has been very cryptic until now...hopefully she will show herself soon, I am not sure how much wounds I can deal with until Charlie starts noticing."

"Does he not get involved?" Alice asked. She hopped onto the table and sat in the middle.

I shook my head. "He accepts it, but he doesn't like speaking about what I see or what they want - he prefers to be on a need to know basis."

"He is embarrassed with what you can do?" Alice frowned.

"No, I don't think it has anything to do with me being able to see these invisible things, I think it has more to do with not wanting me running around doing things for them...and now they are making me sick and wounded so he would be furious."

"I suppose he just wants you to have a normal life," Carlisle added his thoughts.

I chuckled. "Well too late for that," I looked down at my wrists. "Who wants to be normal anyway?" I couldn't imagine not seeing ghosts, as much as I didn't like it sometimes, it was part of me and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

"Amen to that!" Alice grinned. "Other humans are just too...normal!"

Edward raised his eyebrows. "So if Bella was a 'normal human' then you wouldn't be friends with her?"

"If Bella was a normal human then we wouldn't be sitting in her kitchen at two in the morning having this conversation," Alice smirked. "But for the recorded, Bella, you would be unusual with or without your amazing gift."

"Whys that?"

"Edward fell in love with you. No other human...or vampire can claim that," she replied simply.

I didn't know about anyone else, but I suddenly felt flushed. Thankfully Carlisle provided a distraction.

"There you go, Bella, your wrists should be fine. I have glued them and put less conspicuous paper stitches on them and the bleeding has stopped. I think there is going to be a bit of bruising, but I don't think there will be any lasting damage." He gathered all the bloody rags. "I will dispose of these when I get outside, just so your father doesn't see them."

I looked down at my wrists which were both covered in bandages. "People are going to think I self harm," I murmured. "Thank you," I added to Carlisle gratefully. "Truly, I have no idea what I would have done in these past few days if you weren't here. Sorry for dragging you out at this hour as well, it's bad enough bringing your work home but I feel bad that you had to come out here at this hour."

Carlisle packed away his medical kit. "You are most welcome, Bella. You don't have to thank me though, I am happy to help when I can. And you didn't drag me out, I wasn't going anything important."

"You weren't sleeping?" I asked blankly.

Edward and Alice chuckled. "We don't sleep, Bella," Edward told me.

"Oh...well I don't feel so bad then," I said slowly. Hollywood films needed to work on their vampire folklore, I thought to myself. "Hopefully this is the last of your medical services I will be needing for the time being." Even I could hear the doubtfulness in my voice.

"You call me any time you need anything," Carlisle said as he walked out of the kitchen. We followed him and we all stood in the tiny hall. "Take care, Bella." He opened the front door and stepped out. Alice lingered in the hall for a second then reluctantly followed Carlisle. "See you both when daylight is with us," Carlisle said. "Goodnight." He stepped down the porch steps and headed towards his Mercedes.

"I will take Bella to school if you like?" Alice said to Edward. "We are going to the nursing home after school so it will save her taking her truck." She made a face at the said truck in the driveway.

Edward looked as if was going to object. "Fine," he said. "I need to change my clothes anyway, so I will see you at home before you go."

"See you then." Alice waved. "Bye Bella!"

Edward closed the door behind her and turned to me. "No pun intended, but you look like a ghost," he whispered. He took my hand and led me back up to my room. "You lost more blood than you should have...I will have Carlisle prescribe you some iron tablets so you don't become anaemic."

"No need," I said as I sat on my bed. "Blood replaces it's self so I should be ripe as rain in the morning." I looked at my blood soaked bed. I got up but Edward was in front of me with a handful of clean lining. My bed was stripped before I could grab one corner. I stood back and watched as he put the fresh bedding on in double time.

When he was done, he flipped the corner of the duvet for me to get in. "What no chocolate on the pillow?" I joked as I slipped under the warm sheets.

Edward chuckled as he lay down beside me. "Sorry ma'am, we are all out." He moved closer so we were just inches apart.

"You should start a maid service." I smiled at the thought. "Business would be booming."

The bed vibrated with Edward's silent chuckle. "I don't think I would suit a maid's outfit," he murmured. I started to giggle at the mental image in my head of Edward in a French maids outfit, with an apron and a duster.

"If you're thinking what I think you are then I am glad I cannot read your mind at this very moment," Edward snorted as he turned to me, flashing his white teeth. We looked at each other for a while, the silence relaxing and both of us at ease. "I didn't think this would be so easy," he murmured, his finger ran down the side of my face. I breathed in slowly, trying not to react to his touch as usual.

I knew what he meant. I was so worried about how we could be together, thinking it would be impossible but it felt natural, as if it was meant to be. The issue of my blood getting in the way was always going to be there but we had seen that it could be dealt with when it needed to be.

"I know," I said. "I have never felt so connected to anyone...we can be ourselves with each other with nothing to hide."

"We will make this work," Edward said more to himself than me. My eyes began to droop then and my room started to blur. I tried to fight the tiredness, but it was hard. "Don't fight it, Bella, just close your eyes and get some rest."

I could barely see as I was so tired. I laid my head down on the pillow and closed my eyes. "I will be here when you wake up," Edward whispered. "I will keep you safe." He kissed my nose and then I was out light a light.

-x-

I woke to the sound of the rain drumming heavily on the window. I inhaled deeply, rolled over and found Edward sitting up on the bed reading. "Morning," he said softly. "You slept well." It wasn't a question which made me smile.

"You were here all night," I said with a tone of surprise. I sat up in bed and ruffled my hair.

"Of course," he replied putting the book on the bedside dresser. "I said I was going to stay and I did."

"You guys really don't sleep, huh?" I remembered what Edward said during the night. "All that coffin stuff is just a silly ghost...well vampire story?"

"I believe that we started those rumours. Just like the other vampire lore. Those stories sound better than the truth and it keeps people off our trail. Vampire fanatics are looking for fanged people who go crazy at the sight of anything holy or garlic," he laughed. "If someone, who truly believes we exist, met one of us, then they would be very disappointed that half the stuff they thought was real actually isn't."

"Have you ever been found out before?" I couldn't help but ask.

"As opposed to you knowing?" Edward raised his eyebrows, with a smile on his lips.

"Yeah..." I bit my lip. "What would happen if things were different...if we weren't...if I were some vampire fanatic, as you said, then what would happen if I knew?"
He considered for a few minutes. I got the feeling he was choosing his words carefully.

"It has happened twice in our family," he admitted. "A long time ago..."

My eyes widened. "What happened?"

Edward looked uncomfortable which alarmed me. "What happened, Edward?" I pushed. What would have been my fate if things were different?

"We left the town we were in," he replied.

I knew there was more to the story. I had always been good at reading people. I may not have been able to read minds like Edward, but I always knew there was more to what was being said aloud.

"They got hurt?" I chose my own words carefully.

Edward met me with hard eyes. He didn't look angry that I asked, but defensive.

"It was an accident," he said firmly.

"Who?"

Edward turned away, avoiding my gaze.

"I am not judging any of your family." I moved across the bed and straddled his knees so he would meet my eyes. "I know what you are, I know what your diet should consist of, but it doesn't matter to me...to begin with it scared me," I admitted. "But now it doesn't. You are what you are but I am not afraid of that, and you shouldn't be a shamed of it."

"It wasn't me that hurt that boy," Edward said quietly. "I am not ashamed of what I am but it's hard...the urge for blood can be so strong, and our emotions heighten sometimes, and we aren't ourselves until the feelings go away...kind of like what you say about the ghosts..." he shook his head. "Jasper got out of control, he couldn't help what he did - he wasn't himself at the time. He was a Major in the army when he was human...he was a soldier in our wars, he was defending what he loved most..."

"Alice?"

Edward nodded. "She saved a boy's life about fifteen years ago. She saw what was going to happen and she raced to save him...ever since then he was obsessed with her. I heard and saw fantasy's in his mind but I didn't think anything of it...but what I didn't hear or at least not in time was that he was figuring out we were not exactly human."

"He guessed correctly..." I closed my eyes. "He came to confront you?"

"He was bright enough to piece things together...and quicker than we thought was possible, but he didn't have the sense to stay away...he wanted to be turned in exchange for his silence. When we said no he started making threats against Alice, saying he would put a stake through her heart...which is ridiculous but Jasper lost it..."

"What about me?" I asked. I knew I shouldn't ask as I knew the answer was not something that I wanted to hear. Edward got off the bed swiftly. I almost fell off the bed as I was on his knees.

"How are your wrists?" Edward sounded as if I didn't ask the question. He knelt by my knees and picked up my bandaged writs. They weren't as painful as I had imagined, but I could feel the cuts stinging. Edward gently eased the left bandage off and with a light touch he traced the paper stitches. I could see that there was bruising up my arm as if it had been run over by a car.

"What the hell happened to that woman?" Edward spat, disgusted. "Why do you have to suffer? Does it hurt?" His golden eyes were solid with furry. I didn't know how to reply. I had already explained that it wasn't any ghosts' fault that they couldn't help it, but I could see why he was angry.

"I don't know, Edward, but I will do what I can to find out." My alarm clock went off then, making me jump. "I better start getting ready for school soon. Is Charlie already gone?"

"Charlie left about twenty minutes ago," Edward said. "Alice is picking you up about eight twenty and I am to meet you at school."

I started to make my bed. "Would you be willing to talk to your brother today if he appears?"

Edward leaned against the window with his arms folded over his chest.

"I have to, don't I?"

"You don't have to, but it would be a step towards giving him some peace." I looked at him fully. "What's wrong?"

Edward's eyebrows furrowed. "Nothing..."

"I can tell there is something...Like you said last night about reading my emotions and reactions; it's the same for me. I have always been able to tell if there was something wrong with people...there is something bothering you – is it Henry?"

"You're an empath like Jasper?" Edward changed the subject.

I shook my head slowly. "No...yes...I don't know...I just have gut feelings when people are unhappy and things...I notice what other people don't, that's why I knew you were different even before Ryan told me." Edward looked fascinated. "That wasn't what we were discussing, so don't change the subject – what are you thinking about?"

"That's my question for you," he muttered. "I am not worried about anything, just annoyed at myself. I am just have a feeling that if it goes wrong with Henry then you will suffer like before." I sat on the freshly made bed.

"Don't worry about it, Edward. I don't like going through all that but it's...just part of the job. Anyway I have a feeling that he won't do it again. It will be fine, you'll see." I looked over my alarm clock again. "I will be late for school if I don't get a move on. Make yourself at home." I gestured around the room, then collected some clothes and my toiletry bag and headed for the bathroom.

-x-

Alice was already at the house when I had finished getting ready. She was routing through my closet when I entered the room. Edward was sitting on my rocking chair, still as a statue.

I walked over to the chair where he was sitting. It was as if he really was a stone statue, it was quite eerie. I couldn't help myself when I waved my hand in front of his face. He quickly grabbed it and kissed my palm. I giggled as he pulled me on his lap. He nested his face into my shoulder. "Did anyone ever tell you that blue is a beautiful colour on you?"

I looked down at my blue knitted top. "Really?" I never knew I suited a particular colour.

"Really," Edward whispered. "I better go; I have things to do before school starts. See you there."

He put me on the ground has he got off the rocking chair. "Take care of her, Alice," he said loudly. Alice came out of my closet.

"Blah blah blah, Edward! Stop worrying, she is safe with me."

I felt as if I weren't quite there at that moment and I wondered what they had spoken about before I came.

"I don't need to be watched twenty four hours a day," I said. It occurred to me that was what this was about. "The ghosts that have made me sick or hurt are a rarity. You don't have to worry about me and I don't need to be babysat."

Edward pulled me close to him. "I just don't want you to be on your own...just let me worry about you, okay?" He lifted my chin so he could look into my eyes.

If it meant spending most of my time with him then who was I to argue? I nodded.

"Good." Edward kissed me at the corner of my lip. "See you at school." He was gone before I could reply.

"You have time for breakfast before we go," Alice said distantly. "I could make you something if you like?"

Something cool touched my cheek. "You could fry an egg on your face, Bella...you need to work on your reactions when Edward touches you...you might give yourself a stoke." I could hear Alice mock my but I didn't care.

I blinked. "Uh...What was your question again?"

"Do you want me to make you breakfast? The full works, as you humans refer it as." I wasn't that hungry but I went down stairs anyway. I declined Alice's offer and put toast in the toaster.

"Does it taste good?" she asked once it was ready.

"Tastes fine to me," I said as I took a bite. "Do you not remember what food tastes like?"

Alice shook her head. "I don't remember much about being human. I don't remember who I was or where I came from let alone what food tastes like."

"Really? Why not...wow, I couldn't imagine not being able to remember anything."

Memories were what people held on to as time went on. Without memoires we would forget our past, what made us who we are. I couldn't imagine what it would be like just to lose it all.

"It's frustrating, but if I think about it, it's not really much of a loss as I don't know what I had before. Jasper and the others are my family, and since I have been with them I have had a good life filled with brilliant memories."

"Have you never wanted to find out who you were in your human life? See if you have family..."

Alice half shrugged. "Yes and no. I have thought about it a lot, but I have never got round to it. On the one hand I really want to know but on the other..."

"You are scared to find out?" I would feel the same way if it were me.

Alice nodded. "All I can remember is darkness...I can't help but think that that means I didn't have the best human life...maybe I was locked up somewhere."

"Do you know who turned you?" I finished my toast and put my plate in the dishwasher.

"No," she replied sadly. "That is the most frustrating of all. If I knew who it was then I could find out who I was. I will find out one day but for now I am content with being the me I am now."

"I know a P.I if you ever want to look for your old life and family without having to do the leg work yourself...he's very good and asks no questions."

"I have thought of using a Private Investigator before, but I was worried they would dig too much into it...who knows what they would find." She looked thoughtful. "Maybe though, if you say he is good...maybe it's about time I got it done and out the way."

"Just let me know." I grabbed my dark blue Military Ladder coat from the coat hook by the back door. "What ever you find might not be as bad as you have in your head...and if it is, then like you say, you have Jasper and the others now."

Alice took my hand and led me to the hallway. "Where have you been all my life, Bella?" she opened the front door. "It's good to have a proper friend that isn't family."

"And it's good to have a friend that doesn't think I am off my rocker!"

"Ditto." She giggled as we walked down the porch steps together. It was still raining but not as bad as it was earlier.

I looked up when we reached the path. My mouth dropped when I saw what was parked in the drive way. "Whose is that?" I nodded towards the canary yellow Porsche that gleamed in the driveway.

Alice let go of my hand and skipped over to the said vehicle. "Beauty, isn't she?"

"Yeah," I agreed. "Is it yours?"

"Mmm hmm." She swept her hand along the side. "It was delivered early this morning. I wanted my own ride and when I saw this I fell in love. It is the newest 911 and worth every penny."
She opened the passenger's door for me. "In you get madam." She took my school bag from me and I got in. The new car smell was evident. I inhaled deeply as Alice shut the car door. When I was getting my seat belt on, Alice appeared in the seat next to me.

"Smells just as good as it looks, eh?"

"Does it sound just as good?" I asked. A huge grin spread over her face. She turned the ignition and it purred to life. The revving sound ran through my chest, giving me goose bumps.

"It sounds as if it should be on a race track," I said over the noise. "Some ride."

"Let me show you how smooth it is," Alice said backing out the driveway.

When we reached the main road the car felt as if it was speeding but we were only doing forty. It was smooth and the sound was unreal. I had never been is such a nice car before, I felt like a celebrity driving through such a small town in something that probably cost more than all the students cars put together. When we reached the long road that led to the school, Alice sped up. I could tell she was enjoying herself so I let her drive without interrupting so she could enjoy it in peace.

Before we reached the bend which Charlie called the "bend of a death" - since so many people ended up being killed there each year - a motorcycle raced towards us.

I didn't think anything of the motorcycle on the other side of the road until a deer ran out in front of the bike.

"Look out," I screamed. The bike careered out of its way, the breaks screeched in effort to stop, but it was too late. The bike rammed into the deer, and the most awful sound came from the poor creature. The bike veered all over the road and headed towards us. I screamed as the car tried to skid out of the way, but with a tremendous smash, the bike crashed into us.

Before I could close my eyes and pray for my life, the rider flew through the windshield, the helmet smashing through as it were made of paper. The car screeched and I continued to scream. The car lost control and we collided with a tree. The airbag didn't deploy and my head hit the dash, and when my hit the back of the seat, the world was vibrating, everything was blurred. I could hear terrified screams but I couldn't work out where they were coming from. I felt wetness pouring down my face but I felt no pain. When I looked up I was almost sick.

The rider's neck was impaled through the windshield glass, blood dripped out of the helmet. My last thought before everything went black was, helmets should come with neck guards.

Awwww what! Haha! Sorry for leaving it there!

How many of you pictured Edward (Robert Pattinson) in a maids outfit? Hmmm, what a thought, eh? Haha that was fun writing I liked this chapter even though it didn't have much in it!

Just a quick thank you for reading, reviewing and adding to alerts. I think I have replied to a lot of reviews, but if not I apologise – my email is so full! I also get a few anonymous reviews, so thank you too!

Are we all excited for Christmas? This will be my last chapter before Christmas, so have a MERRY CHRISTAMS and I will see you in the New Year