CRY ME A RIVER

A/N: Song above – Etta James or Justin Timberlake – either works in this situation.

You all had such a magnificent response to this story and I thank you. Made quick work of polishing up the next chapter and I hope you j'adore it.

BTW – you all had a good idea of the blue eyed, leather clad rescuer so give yourself a pat on the back for that.

The second I stepped out, I dropped the hood and stared up with an easy smile plastered at the sight of the rain. I loved the feel of the chilled raindrops drizzle down on my flushed skin. However, the happiness was short-lived when I hear the sound of my name being called by several voices.

"Bella!"

My head dropped down and my narrowed gaze fell onto the three Cullens rushing over to me; a frazzled Alice, a stony Jasper and a conflicted Edward.

"Give me a break…" I groaned, falling back onto the brick wall.

I wondered where the others were but after reading Jasper's thoughts, I caught the image of Carlisle and Emmett carrying a wounded Rosalie, while Esme trailed behind them, cradling a dismembered arm. The image was then disintegrated but it was too late – I was already smirking.

Alice was closer to reaching me. Anger and exasperation wearing her out as she placed her hands onto her hips and attempted an expression of sternness. "What was that?" she shrieked wildly, her golden eyes blazing.

"Bella" Dickward made a move to rush over to me but I wasn't going to let him get too close.

He was then stopped by the flames that suddenly arose; circling the three siblings and gradually closing in on them. They tries to escape but the flames blazed brighter and I found a strange and sadistic joy with the terror that spiked through them.

Eddie raised his head slowly, meeting my gaze and I smiled when understanding filled him.

"Isabella…"

The sound of my father's drawl made me take an involuntarily deep breath as my concentration was broken and the fires were instantly distinguished.

He wasn't scolding me, nor did he sound disappointed…just cautionary.

Nonetheless, I rolled my eyes, not able to take him seriously. "Can we just get out of here?" I asked.

"You are not leaving without an explanation" Edward snapped.

"Explanation?" I released a humourless and dry laugh at the very thought. How on earth could he stand here and demand for an explanation. "You are un-fucking-believable" I shook my head, disbelieving at the fact that he said that and the fact that I had dated him. There was a reason why our kind stayed away from theirs.

I just wish I'd listened to the rules – then again, I was never one for rules.

With that thought, I began to detour towards the familiar blue Mustang. Though, a hand was whipped out, gripping my arm tightly before I was pulled back to see his face again.

The look on my face must've set the sperm-donor off because his palm was pressed onto Edward's chest before being suddenly flung across the parking lot.

I suppose he expected my gratitude but he was sadly disappointed when my dark glare was now fixated on him. "I can fight my own battles" I hissed and spared him no other glance as I whipped back around to look at the stunned and apprehensive Cold Ones.

Keeping a slow, calm pace, I stalked towards the lying jackass who was now trying to scramble up to his feet. Once he was up, I crossed my arms over my chest and continued to send icy daggers at him. "Why did you decide to leave?" I asked, trying to remain emotionless and not to give anything away.

"It was better for you" he stammered, worry breaking his expression.

I arched an eyebrow and tried to maintain my amusement. "So, that's the only reason?" I challenged, taking another step towards him which only left an inch between us. I was surprised and pleased just how the attachment I had with him was already broken and I felt nothing – nothing at all. "Before you answer" I held up a finger to stop him from forming another lie. "I think you should know that you're not the only mind reader" I lightly tapped my forehead while my grin widened at the expression on his face as it suddenly dawned onto him.

At least he had the respect to reveal his trepidation. He even bowed his head and groaned under his breath, staying still for a few moments.

I grew impatient and he must've noticed this when I began tapping my feet, because he broke from his thoughtful trance. His cautioned stare landed back up to mine and he nervously ran his fingers through his hair.

I watched and waited, unblinking and taciturn because I knew that freaked people out more.

He gulped nervously and reached up to scratch his head. Like a coward, he had also diverted his eyes and then bowed his head again when murmuring, what I knew would be a half-assed apology. "I'm…"

"Don't worry, I'm over it now" I jeered, stopping him from his pathetic attempt at trying to make peace. "You don't exactly set the bar so high so I'm sure you're replaceable" I licked my lips and smirked, pleased with the hurt look that he now adorned. "I hopes she was worth it"

My father – lack of better word, decided to pick up on that as he stormed over to us and thundered, "WHAT?"

To stop him from trying anything else, I placed a hand onto his chest, stopping him from making another move. I didn't want him interfering with my problems, because they were exactly that – my problems.

"Bella…" Edward sighed wistfully.

My attention was deterred back onto him. "Let me guess, it was a mistake? It meant nothing to you? You never wanted to hurt me?" I listed, coercing the indifference in my tone.

"It didn't mean-"

I held up my hand again, evidently interjecting his apology once again. "Like I said, I'm over it"

When I made a move to turn and make a quick beeline towards the car, his granite hand had been wound around my waist as he pulled me back to face me.

All wishes to leave this alone without risking explosion was now flung out the window as his grasp tightened. His golden eyes were now darkened to a soulless pitch black. His marbled features was sunken with his helplessness but somehow they sparked with his hope.

Hope for what?

He couldn't honestly-

"Edward, leave it" Alice's voice trilled from over his shoulder. "She will kill you" she added, sounding genuinely terrified and I was intrigued as to what she had seen.

"Listen to your sister Eddie" I taunted, partly wanting to live out Alice's unknown vision. "Just turn around and walk away" I advised with a lazy smile when adding, "It's all your good for"

We were captured in another stare down, only this time, he had the audacity to glare back at me. It was clearly a mistake because the familiar warmth began to flush down my arms, slowly burning up to my fingers in a dangerous manner.

"BELLA!"

Again, I was interrupted, only this time by my fa- by Charlie.

We all spun around to watch as he jogged up towards us but his worried stare was fixated onto mine.

"Charlie!" I greeted him with an easy smile, allowing him to wrap his arms around me. His hands tightly clutched me to his chest and I could literally feel the elation and relief roll of him.

He moved back, his hands still on my shoulders as he assessed me. "Why didn't you call me? What happened? Are you okay?" he began rambling but then paused when finally noticing the people around us. "You!" he growled and pointed an accusing finger at Edward, "What are you doing back here?" he spat and then glanced at Alice. "Is this your doing?" he questioned, gesturing between them all.

"Charlie…"

At the sound of Dam0n's voice, Charlie seemed to slump visibly. I watched in fascination as he grew reluctant to acknowledge my biological father's presence. "Damon" he gasped, surprise filling his voice to confirm my previous assumption that he had been so distracted, he hadn't noticed. "You're back" he gulped and forced a faint smile under his twitchy moustache.

"I'm back" Damon confirmed with a curt nod and a sideways glance towards me. Charlie mirrored the action and I locked my arms behind my back, feeling the tension thicken the air.

Something then dawned onto Charlie as he took a step away from me and for the first tie, I witnessed his cheek flush with his embarrassment. To hide this, he cleared his throat and scratched the back of his head, "Sorry, I was just…"

"It's alright" Damon nodded in understanding but his tranquil state was abruptly cut short as his icy blue orbs followed the movement within my peripheral vision. We both looked towards the three Cullens and I peeked towards Damon who had now bared his protracted fangs. "I suggest that you all get the hell out of here before I kill you myself" he threated and I fought off the strange warmth I felt at the protective stance he took.

I ended up having to battle the pride and admiration when they slowly began to retreat towards the forest. However, Edward was still deliberating over his next move so I followed my father's footsteps and dropped my fangs. Finally, after a few more seconds that lengthened the silence, he ran after the others.

"That's my girl"

A/N: Bella's resentment towards Damon – any ideas?

Question: Better father - Charlie or Damon? Really interested on your thoughts.

Thank you again and good luck with the rest of the week (school, work et.c), if I have not updated by then.