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CHAPTER THIRTEEN

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A/N:- Banner by FatesLoveQueen http:/yfrog(dot)com/oed60p

I own nothing. Boydblog helped me with this and I'll be forever thankful.

She fixed. I fiddled. Any mistakes that remain are on me.

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EDWARD CULLEN

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I paced the length of the meadow, impatient for my visitor. For the past hour, I'd alternated between standing like a statue in the middle of the clearing and pacing rapidly between the outer edges.

I hated being away from Bella, especially when I'd returned to Forks because she was in danger. I felt helpless, and inadequate, yet I was doing what I could to protect her; at least, that's what I was working desperately to convince myself of.

Before long, I heard Jacob's mind—along with several other thoughts that were linked with his in some type of pack consciousness. Jacob's mind was full of anger and blind hatred. Then another mind—the leader, Sam—reminded Jacob of the treaty that we'd made with their tribe. Sam ran with Jacob because he didn't trust me. He'd commanded four wolves to wait silently behind the trees in case anything untoward happened.

When I'd decided to seek Jacob out for information, I wasn't certain whether he actually believed the legends of his tribe. I was worried that I'd need to convince him of the truth, to make him understand the danger Bella was in. I never imagined that he would now be one of the pack. It had been an awkward and tense phone conversation. I had to swallow a great deal of pride to ask him to meet me. He pressed for details, but I told him I'd rather meet in person. He was reluctant until I told him it was about Bella.

"What exactly do you want, leech?"

Jacob stepped out from between the trees at the edge of the meadow. His eyes were pitch-black and full of hatred. He was barely holding himself together, his entire body shook with rage and I could tell from his thoughts that he was close to phasing back, clearly uncomfortable being in human form around me.

The repulsive scent of him became more prominent as he approached me. His proximity to me—his natural enemy—and the pain I'd inflicted on Bella when I left incensed him.

I was just as uncomfortable in his presence. I wanted to tear off his limbs and then demand to know what happened after I left. I fought against my desire to sink into a crouch as he came closer. I intended to be civil to him. I knew I needed his help to protect Bella.

I waited until Jacob had come to a complete stop, mere feet away, before I raised my eyes to meet his. Unsure where to start the conversation I stared until Jacob's thoughts provided a prompt.

'Why the hell did the leech bother to meet me if he isn't even going to speak? He said this was about Bella, but I don't see why her safety or security would concern him, not after the way he left her.'

"I didn't mean for Bella to be hurt," I said quietly, before castigating myself for practically telling him I could read his mind.

His thoughts scoffed at my words. 'Who does he think he's kidding? He's a monster. All his kind can do is inflict pain. If only I'd known what he was before, I would have torn him to pieces to keep him away from her. I would have made her listen to Billy's warnings.'

His mind began to bombard me with images of how he found Bella: huddled up on the floor the loose bandaged wrapped around her arm, her tears flowing freely and her quiet voice broken and defeated.

I resisted the urge to hang my head in shame over what I'd done to her. I'd nearly decided not to leave. I had considered ways to make it work, but I'd never considered the possibility that another Vampire would go anywhere near Bella. I'd thought she'd live a normal, human life and would eventually forget about me. Seeing Alice's vision had shattered my cold heart.

"I think she's in danger," I said quietly.

"Why? Isn't your guard enough to keep her safe?"

Jacob pictured the vampire I'd seen at Bella's bedside.

Why would Jacob assume he had anything to do with us?

My confusion must have been printed clearly on my face. I shook my head slowly.

"He's not a friend of yours." Jacob stated and paled considerably. "But he's been watching Bella's house for months."

I made an involuntary strangled noise.

"He's even been feeding like you do. The pack investigated him before I…joined."

He tried to make it sound like it was voluntary, but his thoughts told me it was anything but.

"His stench is in almost every room of your house, and in the forest." Jacob began to blather as his fear for Bella overtook his focus. I knew he was telling me far more than he ever meant to.

The wolves nearby howled, their minds telling me that they could hear every word of our conversation. They had assumed the vampire was part of our coven and that Bella was safe with him. Now that they knew differently, they were feral. One of them shot off toward Bella's house.

"No, don't!" I said sharply, the authority clear in my voice.

My command was so absolute, the wolf stopped in its tracks.

It pained me to deny them the opportunity to destroy the monster that threatened my Bella's soul, but I couldn't be certain of her feelings for him. He'd been in her room the previous evening and it was likely that he'd been there before. He hadn't hurt her so far, in fact, he loved her. That fact was still the hardest for me to admit; even if I couldn't be certain if she felt the same for him.

"I don't think it's wise to destroy him yet, at least not until we know how Bella feels about him."

"What does it matter?" Jacob spat.

"It matters because she matters."

"If she's in any danger…" His voice was little more than a low, menacing growl.

"If he intended to hurt her, he would have done so by now." My voice sounded weak and strained. I knew I was trying to convince myself just as much as the wolves.

"How do you know that?" he shouted. "Tell me how you could possibly know that?"

"I just know."

I was starting to regret seeking Jacob out. Each time Bella was mentioned, his thoughts were colored with the same emotions that I felt in Bella's bedside visitor's mind. Jacob's memories played on repeat, swinging between the day he'd found her, the time he'd helped her heal, and her screaming at him to get out of her house.

I'd approached Jacob because I thought he would still be a close friend to Bella, but I realized I was mistaken. They were no longer friends, but I couldn't decipher from his mind the reason why, because it was just as much of a mystery to him.

I needed to find another solution. I needed more information, and I wasn't certain Jacob could actually help.

"What happened after I left?" I asked quietly, the images in his mind where too powerful for me to ignore.

His lips twisted in disgust. "She was broken, utterly crushed. For almost three months she walked around in a daze. Then she finally started to heal."

I felt his pride; he'd been the one to help her.

"But every now and then, she'd still have this look. It was almost like she was daydreaming or something. She would respond to questions if she was asked, but she wasn't quite there."

I looked down as his thoughts confirmed my own. It was my fault that she was like that.

I swallowed down the guilt, pushing it deep within me. I could examine my actions and torture myself with remorse after Bella was safe. She was the most important thing to me, and that was the one thing that stopped me from storming into her room and stealing her away. I couldn't do that to her, because it would kill Charlie and Renee, which would in turn hurt her. I couldn't risk startling the other vampire and having him speed up his goal of turning her—if that was his goal.

Since talking to Jacob, I began to worry that maybe Alice's vision was the result of Bella's own desires. I wondered whether she would ask her visitor to do the unthinkable, and whether he would say 'yes'.

Jacob watched me with interest. "Why are you back? Why now?"

I paused for a moment. If I told him what led to our return, I would be forced to admit one of my families' secrets to an enemy. I was momentarily torn between protecting my family and protecting Bella. My desire to ensure Bella's safety won out, after all I was about to ask them for a favor, it wouldn't hurt to show them a little faith.

"Am I correct in assuming your legends mention members of my kind gifted with unique talents, over and above the usual abilities?"

Jacob barely nodded, but his mind filled with recollections of stories told around a campfire that confirmed my question.

"They are true." I stated.

His thoughts, along with those of his pack-mates, were impatient. He wondered whether I was referring to myself or to someone else in my family. He wanted more details, and he wanted to know how it related to Bella.

"One of my family has the gift of foresight."

"What, like telling the future?"

I nodded. "Seeing visions of things which may come to pass."

"And whoever it was," he looked at me like he suspected I was the one who'd seen the future, "had a vision of Bella?"

I didn't know how to explain Alice's vision in detail so that Jacob and the wolves would understand. If Alice's vision was the result of Bella's choice, I couldn't let the wolves know. Instead, I would attempt to change her mind. However, if I was unsuccessful, I wouldn't allow the wolves to destroy her. As much as it would pain me for her to lose her soul in exchange for immortality, I would rather see her happy with another vampire—even though just the thought of it tore at my heart—than for her not to exist at all.

I saw myself through Jacob's eyes. The agony of my thoughts was evident on my face.

He frowned. "That bad, huh?"

I just nodded.

"How accurate are these visions?"

"They're not necessarily accurate."

Alice had, after all, seen Bella as an immortal by my side at one time.

"They are based on current decisions."

"Then who has decided to hurt her?" The menace in his words, and in his thoughts, was undeniable.

"I don't know, but that's why I'm here. I won't let anyone hurt her," I said emphatically.

He scowled and began to shake. My anger had set off a natural reaction within his body. "What do you need me for then?"

I knew I couldn't tell him my initial plan. He didn't have the friendship with Bella that I'd been hoping for. Regardless, it wouldn't hurt to have the pack on our side, to watch over her house and ensure he couldn't escape with her in the middle of the night. It was a task I wanted to do myself, but I couldn't risk drenching the area in my scent and alerting the vampire to my presence. He was an unknown entity and that terrified me.

"I just need you to watch over Bella."

Jacob rolled his eyes. "We're already doing that."

"Thank you, please just keep doing that. Keep her safe."

He laughed bitterly. "I'll keep watching out for her, but I won't be doing it for you."

I saw no reason to argue with him further so I nodded my acceptance.

I had to change my plan. I had to do something to find out what was happening with Bella.

I could only see one alternative.

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I couldn't even begin to describe the emotions that surfaced as I stared at the buildings of Forks High School. Carlisle sat in next to me in the driver's seat of his Mercedes.

'Are you sure about this?' He asked silently.

"It's too late to turn around now," I said.

He looked at me before glancing at all of the curious eyes staring at his car. "I guess you're right."

We nodded in shared understanding; we both knew how difficult my day was going to be, between trying to deal with the gossip and seeing Bella again, especially if she wore the blank expression I'd seen in Alice's vision.

Carlisle exited the car and I followed behind him dutifully, playing the part of a teenager being re-enrolled in school. Once people had seen me, and confirmed that the car did in fact belong to a Cullen, the rumors began to fly. By the time Carlisle and I reached the office, my name was in the thoughts of over half of the students.

I sat quietly waiting while Carlisle spoke to Mr. Greene to arrange my return. Alice had already hacked the school computer system and memorized Bella's class schedule. The plan was for me to slip straight into as many of her classes as possible. I would rekindle our friendship. I would find out what was happening and try not to scare her away.

I listened to Carlisle explain how he was in the process of moving the family back to Forks, but that it was just the two of us at the moment. Even the principal began to consider the reasons behind our return. I knew the gossip would be annoying, but I would blank it all out. What I was more afraid of was Bella telling me to leave. If she ordered me away, I would be torn between ensuring her safety and following her desire. I suddenly thought of Jacob and wanted to know what had happened between them.

Eventually, Carlisle stepped out of the office. "I convinced him to allow you to start classes again today."

I breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you."

He patted me on the back. "Good luck."

After parting with Carlisle, I walked to the next class on my schedule. I thought about going to Bella's classroom, but didn't want to shock her.

I waited patiently, looking for Bella in the minds of others, until I saw a flash of brown hair as she walked my way.

"Bella," I called as soon as she was close enough. I couldn't help the excitement that inflected my voice, and those around me noticed it too.

She blinked a few times, the blank look present in her eyes.

"Edward."

She pushed straight past me and into the classroom. The students gathered nearby found great amusement in Bella's casual brush off.

I followed her in to the room and sat at the desk beside her. The depth of emotion and sorrow I felt at her dismissive attitude almost froze me in place but I managed to turn to her.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

A ghost of a smile—completely devoid of sincerity—graced her lips. "What for?"

My head locked into place, my face no doubt a look of utter confusion.

She doesn't know why I'm apologizing?

I couldn't comprehend it. The girl in front of me was definitely Bella. Her eyes, once deep pools of brown, showing wisdom beyond her years, were flat and dull. She was physically in front of me, but she wasn't there. I could not see her spirit, just like Jacob's thoughts and Alice's visions, but in person it was more horrifying than I could have imagined. She smelled the same, but my Bella was gone.

I tried to ask her questions, but she just smiled weakly and pointed to the front of the classroom indicating that I should be paying attention in class.

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The days slipped by in the same manner. Each overcast morning I would wait in the parking lot until Bella arrived. Then I would try all day to bring my Bella back. I knew when I did I would face anger, sorrow, and a barrage of other emotions from her, but at least she would be seeing, and feeling.

During the day, I caught the occasional glimpse of either the other vampire's mind or the joint consciousness of the pack. Over time, I realized the timing of the two wasn't coincidental; Bella's nightly visitor was aware of the wolves and avoided the school when their scent was strong. I wondered whether I could find a way to use this to my advantage.

Each night, I followed the familiar path to her house, travelling just close enough to hear her companion's thoughts. Her visitor was a constant in her room from the moment she was asleep until the time she began to stir. The one thing I noticed was that they never actually spoke. The vampire moved around her like a planet orbiting the sun, but aside from words whispered far too low for her to ever hear, he never actually spoke to her.

I watched—growing more insane with each passing minute—and waited for an opportunity to be alone with Bella; completely alone, without the prying eyes of students, wolves or other vampires.

I enlisted Alice's help, and that of the wolves, to get my opportunity.

Finally, the time came, about seventeen days after we'd arrived in Forks. It was just after the final bell had rung, as I watched Bella climb into her rusty red truck, when Alice called my cell.

"He's gone hunting," she said. "He's about halfway to Port Angeles. I've called Jacob and he's going to have the pack run a line to block his return. He'll be back at Bella's early tomorrow morning, so they won't be able to keep him out forever, but you will have a window to go and see Bella."

A tiny, hopeful smile shifted my mouth in what felt like a too unfamiliar occurrence.

I waited until nightfall before running to Bella's house. By the time I climbed into Bella's window, she was already in bed, fast asleep. A number of pill bottles littered her bedroom, covering almost every surface. I scanned the labels quickly, taking note that the majority of them were anti-depressants and sleeping tablets. I knew, without needing it confirmed by anyone else, that I was the reason behind her need for medication.

I turned toward the bed. Bella's eyes were half-open and she seemed to be looking at me. I almost thought I saw a flicker of recognition flash in her eyes.

"Bella," I whispered. My voice was filled with emotion that threatened to choke me.

Her eyelids were heavy and I still wasn't sure whether she was awake or dreaming.

"Are you alright my love?"

She stared at me for a moment, a blank look crossing over her features. I expected her to give me the response she'd given each time I'd asked her the same question when we were at school together.

"Isn't it a little late to be asking me that?" she said finally.

It was painful to hear the soft accusation in her tone, but it was a thousand times better than the blank nothingness I'd been getting.

"I'm sorry I didn't return earlier," I whispered. I was desperate to reach out and touch her, but terrified that doing so would alert her visitor to my presence. "I was…" I tried to think of an adequate explanation, but I couldn't find one, "delayed."

"What does that even mean?" Her body grew rigid and the volume of her voice increased.

"It means I'm sorry I wasn't there for you." I knew how completely inadequate my apology was, but she didn't even seem to realize that I'd left. That I'd hurt her.

"It's not enough."

The statement ripped through my chest, but I had to clarify. I couldn't rely on half-truths and misinformation. I needed to know the truth. I needed to know what would be enough.

"What's not enough?" I asked quietly.

Her chest rose and fell with sharp, shallow breaths.

"Your words," she said finally. "They're not enough to erase the pain you caused me."

I saw her tears begin to fall and suddenly, nothing could keep me away from her bed. I was at her side in an instant and my fingers traced her cheek softly. It was almost surreal to be touching her again, I reveled in it for as long as I could.

"Isabella Swan," I said. "I made a grave mistake. The words I said in my bedroom, they were a lie. I didn't mean them. I didn't mean any of them."

She looked like she was about to respond, but her eyelids fell shut, and her breathing evened out. She'd fallen asleep.

I watched her for hours until the sun finally began to creep up over the horizon. I heard Charlie preparing for a fishing trip in his room.

I heard the mind of her visitor returning, but I didn't care. I needed answers and I was going to get them from the one source left untapped. He was going to tell me what had happened to Bella or he was going to pay. We had the whole weekend if necessary. One thing was certain in my mind; nothing could tear me from her side again.

Not unless she sent me away herself.

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