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DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Twilight Saga or any of the characters. It belongs to Stephenie Meyer. I am writing this story for fun and I will not seek any financial gain for it.

CHAPTER 8: GUILTY

I shifted uneasily on my stool and kept my eyes glued to my plate. I spoke around the forkful pancakes in my mouth. "Where is everybody?"

"They're around, just giving us some space."

I frowned. "Why do we need space?"

"Just eat Bella." He groused.

I finished my current helping and then piled my plate with seconds. Edward was leaning against the counter opposite me and seemed content to stare at me and not speak. I didn't feel obliged to break the quiet and I kept my eyes adverted, letting him stand there brooding as I ate the rest of my food.

I finished eating and the moment I drank the last of my orange juice he was beside me too quickly and took my dishes to the sink. I was going to protest but shrugged and let it go.

"I should go. My dad is probably worried sick." Well rested and well fed all the worries of the day had begun to crowd my mind. I was wracking my brain trying to figure out what I was going to tell Charlie. What was I going to tell Jacob for that matter? I needed to call him.

"Alice took care of it already. She called Charlie and told him you spent the night here and that you were helping her pick out things for her room today since we've moved back."

"Moved back?" I questioned sidetracked.

"Yes. I told you we would stay and help keep you safe while Victoria was out there."

"Oh" I said stupidly. "Well I'd like to call him at least." I lied. I was really more worried about calling Jacob.

"Carlisle and Esme would like to talk to you." It sounded more like a demand than a request but whatever he saw in my eyes made him tack on, "If that's okay with you?"

I let out the breath I hadn't realized that I was holding. Edward shoved off the counter and sat next to me.

"That's fine I guess." I acquiesced.

"What happened to you yesterday?" His asked concerned. I stared back at him puzzled. "I followed you to the library yesterday. I was just keeping an eye on you." He said in response to my annoyed expression. "I want to keep you safe Bella."

"I know." I sighed looking away.

"I was in the woods behind the library keeping tabs on you when I caught Victoria's scent. I didn't want to leave you alone but I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to catch her. I called Alice and told her to head over to the library and keep an eye out.

" I chased Victoria but every time I thought I was close to catching her she pulled away. Eventually I lost track of her and I worried that she may have doubled back to the library. I raced back there and saw Alice carrying you in her arms out a back entrance and Jasper scanning the tree line. I was afraid that Victoria had actually made it back to you before Alice could get to you and that she'd hurt you somehow. I asked them what happened but Alice just put you in my arms and she and Jasper took off."

"I would have gone after them but I was worried about you so I brought you back here. Alice came by later with those bags for you and told me she'd taken care of things with Charlie and then left again. She was very careful with her thoughts around me so I don't know what's going on or what happened. Will you tell me?"

A myriad of emotions rolled through me. I was angry at Jasper for what he'd done to me. I was sad that Alice had seen him and was worried how she felt knowing that the love of her life had harmed her best friend – again. I was afraid and anxious to tell Edward what had transpired. I didn't know how he would react but taking into account how he was prone to over reacting I was afraid he'd do something rash. I was annoyed that he'd brought me to his house and put me in an awkward situation when it came to Jacob. I really needed to call him.

I sighed and ran a hand through my still damp hair. "Can I use your phone?"

"Tell me what happened and you can have whatever you like." He said coolly.

I was completely at a loss and uttered the first lie that came to mind. "I'm fine." I tried to make my tone light. "My allergies have really been bothering me lately. I took some Benadryl before I left the house yesterday but didn't really pay attention to the dosage. I guess I took too much." I shrugged.

"Why are you lying?" He quizzed.

"What?" I responded agitated. I knew I wasn't good at dissembling but I was perturbed that he could see through me so easily.

"You did not take Benadryl before you left the house yesterday. I distinctly remember. You came downstairs, ate some cereal, washed the dishes then –"

"WHAT?!" I burst out utterly flabbergasted. "You distinctly remember?" He had the grace to look ashamed. "Were you in my house yesterday?" I yelled.

"What happened to you yesterday?" he insisted.

"Edward. Anthony. Masen. Cullen. Were you" –I poked a finger in his chest- "in my house" –I poked my thumb in my chest- "yesterday? Yes or No?"

"Victoria tries to kill you. Alice places you in my arms limp, sweat soaked and unconscious. You sleep for nearly 18 hours straight. No one will talk to me and all you can wonder about is whether I was at your house or not? What the hell happened to you yesterday?" he bellows. His anger is so much fiercer than mine but I put on my best scowl and muster every bit of anger I feel.

"You sneak in my house. Accost me on my steps. Stalk me to the library where I then endure the vilest treatment at the hands of your brother. My best friend, your sister then abandons me and you bring me here without my consent. You know I'm with Jacob. You knew how this would look and you brought me here anyway. And you have the nerve to yell at me. I don't owe you anything. I don't have to tell you anything. Now let me use your phone. I need to call Jacob." I yelled the last phrase at the top of my lungs. And though I'd put as much venom as I could into my tirade in an effort to outdo is display of anger it's marred by tears. I swiped at them furiously breathless and unnerved.

"Is everything alright dear?"

I pulled my eyes away from Edward and saw Esme standing in the doorway of the kitchen wringing her hands, her face etched with concern. Carlisle stood behind her a hand on her shoulder, his expression somber.

The look of motherly affection directed at me in her gaze undid my self-control and I began to sob in earnest. Esme stepped away from Carlisle and pulled me into an embrace.

"It's alright sweet girl." She crooned sweetly as she rubbed small circles in my back. She pulled back, wrapped an arm around my waist and then guided me into the living room. She sat next to me on the couch and Carlisle discreetly handed me some tissue then gave Edward a meaningful glance and they left the room together.

Eventually I managed to reign in my sobs and moderate them to the occasional sniffle. Esme grabbed my hand and peered into my eyes. "Bella, Alice called Carlisle and I and told us what happened yesterday. I can not put into words the sorrow I feel over how you've been treated. I'm so sorry Jasper did that to you." She whispered. Her face screwed up as if she's about to cry but I know she can't shed tears. "Bella I love you as if you were one of my children." She saw the incredulity that crept onto my face and pressed on. "I do sweet girl. I care about you deeply and I worry about your well-being. And though I am applauded by Jaspers actions I am concerned about his well-being too. My heart has been all a jumble trying to figure out how to deal with this situation."

"We are absolutely decided that we will do whatever is in our power to keep you safe from Victoria. We think it would be in your best interest if we worked in concert with the Quileute. It makes sense since you spend so much time with Jacob. But we are worried what may happen if you speak with Jacob about what transpired between you and Jasper. He did not technically violate the treaty but I know that if his actions have upset me they will surely upset the Quileute. If they were to try to retaliate and harm Jasper in any way we would be at war with wolves."

"So I'm just supposed to let it go and pretend that nothing happened" I snapped, tears falling again. I didn't want to be the reason why the Cullen's and the Quileute went to war, but I felt like it was unfair that she was asking me to keep secrets for the sake of her son at the risk of my safety. "Everybody is worried about Victoria but who's going to protect me from Jasper? When he attacked me on my birthday he said sorry and we all just went on like nothing happened and now this. I tried to be understanding and forgive but this can't keep happening."

"You're right dear and that's why Jasper is going back to Denali."

I groaned as a wave of guilt washed over me. I felt responsible for breaking up their family. "You guys don't have to do this. I'm fine I swear. The pack was taking care of me just fine while you guys were gone." I whined.

"I understand dear but it's a manner of conscience. There is no way we can leave when we know that Victoria seeks to end your life. I know it is no small thing that I am asking of you but for the sake of peace will you please let this matter end here. Jasper is leaving. You don't have to worry about him anymore." She pled.

I sighed feeling defeated and emotionally drained. "Ok" I murmured, falling back onto the couch and throwing an arm over my eyes.

I was in my truck on my way to see Jacob and fretting over what I was going to say to him. Alice had told Charlie that I'd spent the night with her and went shopping and I figured it was best to stick to that story, though I could not find a suitable means to explain to Jacob why I didn't call. I hadn't seen him since the day before yesterday and I couldn't help but wonder how angry he would be with me.

I pulled up in front of Jacob's house, cut the engine and sat in the truck trying to calm my nerves before I went to look for him. I figured he wasn't home since he normally bounded out the house before I could get out the truck as he could hear me coming long before I got there. I sat for a few minutes but then I noticed the blinds twitch as someone peered out at me. I waited but after ten minutes Jacob still hadn't come out so I collected my courage and knocked on the door.

"Doors open."

I walked into the living room. Jared was sprawled across the sofa. Quill and Embry were squished together on the love seat and Jacob lounged in the armchair. There was a cornucopia of junk food spread over the coffee table and they were watching Adventure Time.

"Sup Bells"

"Hey Bella" Quill and Embry greeted me nearly simultaneously.

"Hey guys."

"Sup girl." Jared smiled at me then sat up and patted the seat next to him. "Take a load off."

"Thanks" I walked around the arm chair Jacob was sitting in and sat next to Jared. I tried to catch Jacob's eye but he kept his eyes glued on the TV.

"Cheetos?" Jared proffered the gigantic bag of Cheetos Puffs he'd been munching on.

"Sure." I took a few then turned my attention to Jacob. I willed him to look at me but he continued to ignore me. Anytime I shifted to put myself in his line of sight he'd move so as to block me from view. I gave up and sunk back into the couch.

Two episodes of Adventure Time and three episodes of Teen Titans late and Jacob still hadn't so much as looked at me. He joked his friends and laughed at the TV shows but pretended like I wasn't there. I was feeling utterly morose and wanted to just give up and go but couldn't leave things like this with Jacob. I had to talk to him.

I scooted forward on the couch and leaned toward him. "Hey, Jacob can I talk to you for a minute?" I pled weakly.

He didn't reply for a long while then he suddenly he turned to his pack mates. "Alright guys beat it. Go raid someone else's fridge."

"We'll finish watching this episode and then go." Jared negotiated.

Jacob finished the Mountain Dew he was drinking then threw the can at Jared's head. "You'll go now." When no one moved he got up and switched the TV off. "Come on guys, let's go."

There was no shortage of grumbling and the usual bit of wrestling before everyone left. Jacob closed the door behind his friends and then plopped back down into the armchair. I had hoped he would come and sit next to me but he was still being distant. He sat there staring at nothing in particular and I sat there staring him for what felt like forever.

"Jacob please don't be mad at me." I begged my voice sounded small in my own ears.

He scrubbed a hand over his face but remained silent.

"I was going to call you" I tried again. "but then I thought it would be better if I just came and talked to you face to face."

"Well gee thanks. I really appreciate you going out of your way to be so considerate of my feelings." He snapped as he turned to look at me.

"Jacob I'm sorry - "

"I know where you've been. You reek of them Bella." He cut me off his expression pained.

"I'm sorry Jake. I didn't mean to hurt you–"

"Don't apologize Bella." He growled "Just say what you came to say and be done with it."

"Done with what?"

"Did you ever even love me or was I just a place holder?"

"What?" I gasped. I scooted off the couch and knelt next to Jacob's chair. I tried to peer into his eyes but he turned away from me. "Jacob." I pled. "Jacob please look at me. Of course you're not a place holder."

"Then why are you breaking up with me?" He groaned turning back to me with tears in his eyes.

"Jacob. I'm not breaking up with."

"What?"

"I love you. I love you so much. How could you think that?"

"He came back. Then I didn't hear from you. And you smell like" – he took a deep breath- "I thought you came over here to break up with me."

"No, no, no Jacob." I put his face in my hands and my words came in a rush "I was with Alice and we were having so much fun and I meant to call but I just forgot. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me."

"You're not breaking up with me?"

"No."

"You love me?"

"So much."

He exhaled sharply. "Oh God Bella I was so scared." He reached down and pulled me onto his lap. "I was so scared." He touched his forehead to mine and sighed. "I love you so much."

"I love you too." I said feeling relived to be in his arms but guilty for lying to him.

SUCH A HARD SPOT FOR BELLA TO BE IN. MOST PEOPLE WILL AGREE THAT LYING IS MORALLY WORNG. BUT SOMETIMES WE DO BAD THINGS FOR GOOD REASONS. HAVE YOU EVER HAD A TIME WHERE YOU HAD TO DO A BAD THING TO THE SAKE OF A GREATER GOOD?