AN: Thank you for being patient, guys! My lovely newly official co-writer fanpire.x has now finished her exams, so we've had time to write this chappy for you. Enjoy ;]

Disclaimer: Well, I'm pretty sure we have no claims to anything here so…

January 17th 2005

The morning after next, Bella awoke early with dried tear trails on her cheeks and a blocked nose once again. She hardly spared the mirror a glance as she got ready for school before warily making her way downstairs. The kitchen was empty and bright as sunlight spilled through the curtains, and she smiled at the feel of it on her face. Breakfast was consumed quickly and then she was out the front door, careful to shut it gently. Emmett normally drove her to school, but she just couldn't deal with him today.

Yesterday she had spent all day hidden in her room, ignoring any noises outside her door, any knocks on the wood. Emmett had eventually given up and retreated to his own room, like her. She snuck down to eat the bare minimum of food, avoiding him entirely, and fell asleep after an exhausting fit of sobs.

Now lessons passed her by without much care, but she dreaded each time the clock ticked forward one minute. Her stride was one of reluctance as she and Angela made their way outside. As per usual, Emmett waited in his truck. His expression was guarded, seemingly relaxed and yet she could feel the weight of his gaze on her flesh. He jumped down to help them into his Jeep. He touched her with such gentleness, such care, such… distance. She couldn't hide the frown that marred her features when she noticed how he restrained himself from their normal affection.

It unsettled her. She may not have wanted to be with him romantically, but she still needed her brother.

Once back home, the two dispersed into separate rooms and said not one word to the other. After she had sat and simply stared at her bedroom wall for three hours, she made her way back downstairs to make dinner. He was in the kitchen, ready to help her. He watched her avidly, his hands curled against his sides to refrain from reaching out to her. She sighed and turned to him.

"Em," she said softly. His eyes locked with hers and she repressed the urge to gasp. They were dark, glazed off, drowsy with lust, and shone with that deep level of love they shared. They were each other's best friend; that connection had always existed – but somewhere the lines had blurred and now they had become more to each other.

He stepped toward her and pulled her head to his chest, hugging her tight. His arms, so strong, so protective, so loving, encompassed her very being and swallowed her whole. She rested her cheek against him contently. "I love you, Bellsy," he murmured into her hair and she squeezed closer to his body, contorting to his frame. His neck dipped, his lips brushed her nose, his scent invaded her nostrils and she opened her eyes to see him looking down at her.

She froze as he bent toward her. With such care and devotion, passion hardly buried beneath each touch, he tenderly kissed along her smooth jaw, moving up to her cheek after reaching her ear and then crossing over to the other cheek to shower it with the same closed-mouth pecks. Each kiss closer to her mouth made her eyes close shut and her blood boil hot and her insides churn pleasantly. But other than the pounding of her heart, she did not respond when he pressed his lips to hers. She simply let him kiss her until sense flooded back and she urgently pulled away.

He observed her tense posture minutely and then his gaze met hers, shining with hurt. "Bellsy…"

"No," she snapped, unable to contain herself. Conflict raged within her and yet the words flowed with such confidence that he flinched back as if struck. "This is wrong and has to stop. We are siblings and we love each other platonically. That is all."

He was immobile for nought but two seconds before taking her slender wrist in one large hand and pulling it to his chest. She momentarily jerked back, unable to really move as he held her, and though it was merely an automatic response to his quick movements, it made his heart hurt. To not only sooth its rapid pace but also to prove a point, he flattened her small palm flush atop his shirt where his heart lay. She could feel him breathe, could feel his life organ pump away, and she looked up at him in dumfounded question.

"My heart beats this fast because of you," he told her fiercely, baby blues ablaze. She was silenced. "I can't be without you because I'm in love with you. I know I shouldn't be, I know that as your brother it's wrong to feel this way but I don't care. And I know you love me too because your heart is racing just as fast as mine." And it was. She knew it was without checking her pulse; she was gently panting for breath and her veins felt thick and full as blood ran through her body. Her heart was definitely working full speed – there was no doubt about that.

But she couldn't just allow him to treat her like a lover would. She shook her head adamantly and tried to pull away from him but he held her firm. "Stop running from me," he said, close to begging. "Stop trying to deny what you really feel. You can't lie to me, Bells, and it isn't healthy to lie to yourself."

"You're hurting me!" she exclaimed, and though he knew he wasn't holding her tight enough to actually harm her, the fact that she would resort to saying such things in her attempt to escape made him instantly let her go. She was gone from the room immediately and he sighed, his body sagging as he lent against the kitchen counter.

He rubbed a hand over his face before looking around. Pots and pans littered the room, some containing half-cooked food, others empty and ready to be used. No longer feeling hungry for dinner, he turned off all of the appliances and left for his bedroom, not bothering to put anything away. His bed creaked as he lay his aching body down. His clothing still fully on and the evening sun still shining through his window, he simply turned to his side and closed his eyes. Sleep came surprisingly quickly and he woke close to midnight due to a grumbling stomach.

He changed into a pair of comfortable pyjama bottoms and closed his curtains before shuffling downstairs. The house was quiet and along with the semi-made dinner that he had left, there was now evidence of takeout in the kitchen. Clearly Phil and Renée were back after spending the last few days on some trip. Emmett grimaced. He didn't get along with his mother or stepfather. Having them back in the house meant he had to deal with them whilst also keeping his feelings for Bella a secret.

He made himself a sandwich and went back upstairs. When passing his mother's room, he paused, listening in at the door. Snores met his ears and he relaxed. At least they were asleep and not spending the night otherwise engaged. He shuddered, taking a bite of his food. After swallowing the last of his sandwich, he checked in on Bella. She was sleeping with her back to the door and he could see that she had dressed for bed, all snuggled under the duvet. Repressing the urge to sneakily kiss her head, he shut her door. He had taken only three steps toward his own door when a whimper came from Bella's room and he froze in concern.