AN: PLEASE REVIEW! Seriously review -_-…This chapter picks up where it left off ayla'. I don't mean to state the obvious but Until Bella gets the text from Edward saying Luna is waking up Luna asleep.

Chapter 4

Bella's POV

After Carlisle patched the lady up and cleaned all her wounds, I didn't recognize her. She was lovely even with all the bruises and scrapes though. Like a beautifully crafted doll everything about her was craved to perfection. When the smell of blood had cleared out the others came to see her as well, no one knew her it seemed. Jasper took a longer and harder look than everyone else, he said something about her being eerily familiar Alice also agreed with him. Emmett was half staring and half drooling over the poor girl; Rosalie stormed out in a fit of jealousy mumbling something under her breath. I almost smirked at the thought of her being jealous over a girl who was unconscious, until I saw Edward gawking at her with only slightly more composure. I got a look from Jasper telling me to get my emotions under control. I follow Rosalie's example and leave the room. Men! Honestly the woman is covered in bruises and they still can't get their mind outta the gutter! It's not like all of us can have such a big bust with perfect midnight hair… Who looks that good after a car crash anyway? Of course it didn't help that the girl wasn't really wearing a shirt, it was just bandages covering her boobs. Apparently the shirt was soaked with so much blood they had to burn it. Alice's shirts were too small, Rosalie refused to give up any of her shirts, and Esme... no one dared bring her up in front of Carlisle. He had sent her stuff sent away for good after she died in the James incident. Part of me thinks somewhere deep down they all blame me for her death. I had hoped after they destroyed his mate Victoria they would start to heal, but even Edward still gets that same distant look as Carlisle.

I was pulled out of my daydreaming by Jasper who had a pleading look on his face. Were my emotions causing him pain, did he realize I was thinking of Esme?

"Bella, I want to apologize if you'll let me." It almost sounded like he was begging; at least this isn't about Esme.

"Apologize, what for Jasper?" He had never done anything wrong, he was never around me to do anything that would offend me.

"When you cut your finger earlier I almost hurt you. If there hadn't been someone else bleeding more than you, I don't know what I would've done to you." Oh that paper cut! I saw Edward at the top of the stares looking down at us and I wished Jasper hadn't brought it up.

"Its fine really, the only harm that came to me was because of my own clumsiness, forget it ever happened." I tried to reassure with glancing between him and Edward, trying to see his reaction it wasn't a good one so far. Edward's expression was growing cold and distant.

"Still you saw a very… unpleasant side of me tonight and the same way you'll probably remember it so will I. I am very ashamed of myself and I know this isn't the way you planned your birthday to go." Can't people just be happy their forgiven and let it go.

"Seriously, no harm no foul. I was never into having a birthday party from the beginning. You're being too hard on yourself, but if it makes you feel better you are here by forgiven!" I tried to sound as casual and light hearted as possible with a smile and a nod Jasper let it go. Alice attached herself to Jaspers side and told Edward that Charlie would start worrying about me soon. Edward agreed to take me home but was suspiciously quiet the whole ride, his face was deep in thought but his eyes were unreadable. Finally we got to my house and he broke the uncomfortable silence.

"You know, if that girl hadn't been in such bad shape he would've attacked you instead."

"You don't know that, it was just a paper cut Jasper woul-" he interrupted me right then.

"Yes, I do Bella for the split second before he caught the scent of the girl he was going to go for the kill on you. I saw his thoughts Bella, they were murderous and Alice saw a vision of him lunging for you."

"You're making a fuss over something that didn't even happen Edward!"

"Yet, what happens next time you get a paper cut, scrape your knee, or prick your finger is your life going to be in danger again!"

"If MY getting hurt is such a big concern why don't you just change me into a vampire already, and then I'll be as indestructible as you. Neither you nor any of your family will ever crave my blood again. TADA!"

"I'm not changing you into a vampire Bella. Think about Charlie, Rene, and everyone else you care about having to mourn for your fake death or watching them die eventually. You should be living a normal safe life without the risk of being someone's meal."

"I'll die eventually Edward you can't protect me 24/7, it'll be an accident like with Tyler's van almost crushing me. Instead of trying to shelter me why don't you give me the ability to protect myself?"

"We are not having this discussion; you're not becoming a vampire that's the end of the story. You will remain human just like every normal human who doesn't get to choose." Edward quickly exits the car and opens my door for me. After seeing my disheartened face he softens a bit. "I'm sorry your birthday turned out this way, I wish there was something I could've done to make it better."

Not liking the way our argument ended I try to shift the mood "There is one thing… Kiss me"

"I thought you didn't want any gifts from me?" his voice was distant again I began to feel like he was going to disappear from in front of me.

"Isn't the birthday girl allowed to change her mind? You're the one who wanted to make my day better." I closed the distance between us and looked up expectantly. He did as I asked but it was different than what I expected. I wanted to normally careful yet loving kiss that left me wanting more. This kiss was urgent and foreboding; like the breaths you take when you know you're on the verge of drowning and you don't know if you'll ever come up for air again. It didn't leave me wanting more out of desire but dissatisfaction. I left for the door but before I closed it behind me I looked back to see him already speeding off. Charlie sat on the couch, oddly alert for how late at night it was with no sports on which was unusual.

"Hey Bells, how was your party?"

I groaned at the question "It was bloody wonderful, dad."

"Who dropped you off?"

"Edward." It came out instinctively but with none of the pleasure saying his name usually gives me. Who else would drop me off? He let off a breath in what appeared to be either relief or satisfaction. "I'm pretty tired dad so I'll talk to you in the morning okay?"

"Oh, right talk to you in the morning then Bells. Get a good night's sleep"

"You too" and with that I ran upstairs and slumped in bed, knowing better than to expect any visit from Edward tonight. Something told me today was the start of any more unpleasant days and sleepless nights to come.

AN: Please review! Not the most exciting chapter but I have to set the stage for things to come, tell me what you think!