A/N: This is a lot of Bella and inner Bella chatting. It's kinda filler, but it was also necessary to get her reactions on seeing the Cullens again and wondering what's up with Charlie.

All recognizable quotes come from New Moon. As always, I own nothing.

The next chapter is all Jasper!

Enjoy! xoxo

– Bella's POV –

My mistake, I think—no! I know—was having the audacity to believe my choices would be respected.

And possibly not realizing whom I was dealing with and skipping town immediately after leaving the Cullen home.

Instead, I came back to my cottage to pack up my belongings before leaving.

Should've just left. It's not like we can't afford to buy more stuff. We may be on the run and semi-nomadic but that doesn't mean we're destitute.

That's not the point. It's not about being able to afford it. I shouldn't have to repurchase everything I own because a spoilt child still thinks I'm incapable of making my own decisions.

Do you think he remembers we have enhanced, supernatural hearing?

I don't think so.

I'd only been home ten minutes when I felt the presence of another vampire approaching my home. From a mile away! I could hear him muttering to himself as he strolled through my garden. I watched, from the kitchen window, as he climbed into a nearby tree. He's been camped out there for the last forty-five minutes!

Does he think I don't know he's there?

How can he possibly be that stupid?

I'm a vampire!

He's a vampire! Surely, he's engaged his brain long enough to realize we now have the same enhanced abilities!

Ignore him.

I'm trying! But what's going to happen when we get into the truck and drive away? Will he follow us?

I say we let him.

Let him? I thought I was the crazy one, have you gone insane now, too? We can't both be crazy.

I'm serious. Let him follow. We're on our way to Mexico. The land of sunshine. Where Edward Cullen, a regular vampire, cannot go without blinding the locals with his forty-watt dazzle!

Huh. That is a good point. As soon as we hit sunshine, he'd have to stop following me or risk exposure. By the time the sun goes down, we'll be long gone!

Even if it means we can't go to Mexico. There are plenty of other places in the world. Greece. Belize. Oh, Vegas! We haven't been there in ages! Or New Orleans.

We'll make the decision when we're on the road, that way we don't risk Alice seeing anything and him reading it in her mind.

With that settled, I continued packing. I don't have much so it wasn't going to take me long, especially at vampire speed.

"Did you find Charlie's behavior odd?" I asked myself.

I found the entire meeting odd! But also, not. The Cullens aren't like us, remember? They're trying to be something they aren't. I think the only one who was even remotely vampire was Jasper! Did you hear that sexy roar?

"Mmmm. I wonder what other noises he makes . . ." I shook myself out of those thoughts. He's a mated man!

He is a mated man. But he's not mated to Alice.

"Then who's he . . ." I shook my head. "Never mind. I don't want to know."

I had a horrible sinking feeling in the pit of my belly. I knew exactly who he was mated to and there was no way I'm about to go down that road!

Burying your head in the sand isn't going to make this go away. I could tell you if you'd like . . .

"I'd rather bury my head in the sand."

My inner self sighed. Fine.

"Do you think I should be worried about Charlie?" I asked, placing my books into a see-through plastic tote.

No. He's a grown man. He's been a vampire just as long as us. I'm sure he can take care of himself. He didn't seem all that concerned about you.

"He was probably in shock. He thought I was dead. He buried me."

And you spent decades feeling the guilt of his death. As far as you knew, he had a heart attack and died due to the loss of his only daughter. You lived with that for decades!

"We can't blame them for a cover story. They didn't know I was alive."

Yeah. That's hinky, too. How did Alice not see any of this? Not one vision in the last eighty-five years, I find that very suspicious.

"You're forgetting, Edward can't read my mind. Kate can't use her gift on me. Nor can Zafrina. Alistair can't track us. There's some glitch in our brain that stops gifts from working on us. That's the only explanation I can come up with."

But why didn't Eleazar see it when he read us?

"Because it isn't a gift. It's a fault. Something inside of me is broken and that's what stops them."

Maybe. She sighed. So, why do you think he did it?

"Did what?" I asked moving into my bedroom to pack the books I had in there.

I both saw and felt Edward follow me in the surrounding trees. If I turned my head, I'd see him peering in through my window! Here I thought all vampires were good at being stealthy. Seems Edward failed that lesson. If Carlisle even bothered to teach him!

Joined the Coven who broke us. Last we knew he hated them with a fiery passion.

"He thought I was dead," I shrugged.

So, that makes it okay for him to join the Coven that abandoned his daughter without a word after one of its members spent eight months abusing his daughter? By the time he was a vampire, he would've known all of this, and he still choose to join them!

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair as I paused. "I don't know why he did it; there must be a reason, something that makes sense. Maybe he couldn't face being on his own and that was the best alternative. Maybe it's something else, I don't know. There's no point speculating."

You're probably right. But it all seems a little . . . fishy to me. Who turned him? Was he injured? Did he find out and to save themselves, they had no choice but to turn him?

"If that's the case I will be pissed!" I growled.

When I want to become a vampire, they're all for leaving me human! Not one of them would've gone against Edward's wishes. But Charlie finds out and they turn him no problem!

We don't know that's what happened.

"You're right. . ." I huffed. We were speculating and that wasn't good.

Things are happening within that Coven that we don't know. Suspicious things. And not just with Charlie. They've all changed. Why weren't Emmett and Rosalie in school? Did you see Alice have one vision while we were there? And what was with Carlisle? Did you hear him growl at Esme? She's supposed to be his mate!

"And she just sat there and took it." I frowned. I've always seen Esme as a strong woman, maybe even an Alpha female. But the way she was acting was more subservient than Alpha.

It was disgraceful. If that had been our mate, he would've lost his tongue. And then his dick! I will not, ever, kowtow to a man like that, mate or not!

"Agreed."

I almost pity the man who mates with us. He's going to need to be a damn strong Alpha to handle me and my inner self. Neither of us is the submissive type.

Oh, I don't know. When it's a bond as strong and true as a mating I think you'll be surprised how easy the relationship comes. You said, years ago, you envy Garrett's relationship with Kate. Their love for one another, their passion and fire, the trust, the unbreakable bond . . . you could have that, too.

"Not with a married man, I can't."

Married in the human world. A mating bond trumps all other bonds.

I ignored her and continued with my packing. I didn't want to think about this. Not now. Not ever. It wasn't going to happen. There's no way I will ever return to that Coven, join them, or mate with one of them!

Been there. Done that. Learned my lesson. Not happening again.

It took all of ten minutes to pack up my wardrobe and then I headed into the bathroom, the living room, and finally the kitchen. As I moved through my cottage, Edward followed my movements in the trees. I could almost feel his impatience growing.

If he wanted to speak with me, why didn't he just knock on the door?

Maybe he thinks stalking is sexy?

Stalking is never sexy. Stalking is terrifying.

Yes, we know that. But it seems to be Edward's modus operandi. Look what he was like when you were human. He hasn't changed.

I wonder how much of our story Charlie really knows. Alice said they told him everything, but I can't see how that's possible. Would Edward sit down and chat with dad about how he broke into our home and watched me sleep? Before I knew he was there!

My dad, human Charlie, would've shot Edward for that! He would've had the boy arrested and locked up! Why is vampire Charlie different?

Knowing what they did, what Edward did, and what I went through, how can he stand to live in the same house as them? How could he join their Coven?

I suppose, now I was thinking about it, Charlie's reaction did seem a little . . . hollow. He was shocked, I could see that. Maybe that was it? I know unexpected, strong emotions can sometimes freeze a vampire. Maybe that was what caused his unresponsiveness.

Now you're speculating. I thought we weren't doing that.

"We're not. But now you've got me thinking. I know Charlie was distant as a human. He didn't show emotion or relish public displays of affection, but his reaction to me was just plain weird! He thought I was dead. For eighty-five years and all he could do was sit there with his mouth open?"

Vampirism changes you.

"Not like that!"

Like you said until we speak to him, we shouldn't speculate. Maybe there's a reason for his bizarre behavior. Maybe that's normal for him. He's a vampire now, things change. Maybe he doesn't remember as much as we do. The transition can have that effect on the mind. Plus, we need to remember, he's a Cullen. He isn't like us. He's . . . been . . . tamed.

Did you see their reactions to our feeding habits? They were disgusted. Even Charlie, who feeds from humans. The only one who wasn't affected and looked intrigued was Jasper.

"Same for our lifestyle. He seemed almost jealous—or was that wistful—when he asked if we're nomads."

Maybe we should invite him to join us.

"He's a married man. It's not happening." I told her as I rubbed my chest. All this talk of Jasper was making my heart hurt and there's no way I was going to consider what that meant!

You know what it means. You just won't admit it.

"Married man," I repeated.

Maybe he and Alice weren't mated. But they sure as hell were married. I may be lax in the moral department, but I wasn't going to come between two companions who've been together for at least a century and a half!

"They're happy and in love. I won't come between that." I told her.

And Charlie?

"There are too many questions. I don't know what any of this means. He's alive. Living with the family who abandoned and broke me. Maybe he doesn't remember. Maybe they didn't tell him everything. Or, maybe they did and vampirism has changed him. Maybe he chose to stay with them. If he was a newborn, he would've needed support and help. I can see him staying for that."

"Truth is, we don't know what his reasons were. We aren't going to until we get him alone and ask. And that isn't going to happen here. When we're settled, Charlie can come to visit and we'll get our answers. Until then, no more speculating. It's a waste of time and energy."

Well, put. Very mature. Well, the bits about Charlie. I think you're an idiot for denying you're—

"Do not say that word!" I growled. "The 'M' word does not exist in our vocabulary. It's not happening. Now or ever."

Never say never.

With that settled, I finished packing and then began loading up my truck, completely ignoring Edward's presence up in the tree. Even when he began to huff and then growl at me, I ignored the child.

I was emptying my fridge when my cell phone began to vibrate on the counter. Looking at the screen, I smiled and picked up the call. "Hey stud, miss me?"

"Fuck. I need to see you." The voice on the other end was strained, desperate.

A low hiss left my lips. "Try again, pet. Who gives the orders around here?"

"I'm sorry! Please, Mistress. I'm desperate!" He whimpered. "I can't take much more of this torture! My cock is so hard! Please, may I see you, Mistress? Tonight, if you're available! Please! I need to cum! Please!"

I smiled. I do love to hear him whimper. "Hmm. You were a very naughty boy the last time I saw you, pet. Do you think you're worthy of my time?" I asked as I continued putting the canned goods into a box to take to one of the shelters in Seattle. No point wasting good food.

"Yes! I'm sorry. I'll be a good boy, I pro—"

There was a low growl outside my cottage, a loud crash echoed through the house, and then my cell phone was ripped out of my hand. I whirled around to face a black-eyed Edward Cullen as he crushed my phone to dust, a vicious sneer on his angelic face.

"How dare you fornicate with another male! You are mine, Isabella!" He snarled. "Do you hea—"

My hand shot out and I grabbed him around the throat, squeezing until he couldn't form another word.

Perhaps he thinks we're weak. Like him.

"Oh, Edward, you are an idiot, you know that, right?" I said calmly. "First of all, please get it through your head, being stalked isn't a turn-on for girls!"

"Y—"

I tightened my grip on his throat, squeezing his vocal cords. It wouldn't hurt him, but it would incapacitate him and render him unable to speak for a while.

"If the next words out of your mouth are 'you're mine' I suggest you zip it. Lest you forget, Eddie, you're all alone right now. No Coven to back you up. No Carlisle to save your pathetic ass. No Alice chiming in with her visions. It's just you and an unknown vampire. You may have known me as a human, but I promise you, Eddie, I'm an entirely different kind of bitch these days and I'll be happy to light a match and watch you go up in flames."

Whatever he saw when he looked into my eyes, had him keeping his mouth firmly shut.

Progress.

"Good boy." I praised, patting his cheek like you'd pat a dog's head. "Now, what to do with you? Hmm?" I questioned. "I don't appreciate uninvited guests, especially those I've asked to keep their distance. Nor do I enjoy having my privacy violated, as you have done this afternoon. You've been on my property, sat in my tree, for the last two hours; did you think I wouldn't know? And then there's the cell phone incident. My poor pet is probably beside himself because of you, that certainly can't go unpunished."

"Y—" he choked out. I loosened my grip. "You . . . can't hurt me." As weak as his voice was, he was still so sure of himself. "I'm your mate!"

Best nip this in the bud right the fuck now!

"Listen to me, Edward, and listen well. If I have to explain this to you again, your permanent death will come soon after. You are not now, nor will you ever be my mate. And if it turns out I'm wrong, and you are my mate, I'll throw myself in the pyre before I ever accept any kind of bond with you!"

"You. Are. Mine!" He roared, his voice still horse from all the squeezing. He tried to remove my hand from his throat but his struggles were useless and pathetic.

I guess we'll have to do this my way. I wasn't lying when I said I'm an entirely different kind of bitch these days.

He wants to misbehave. Fine. We'll just have to show him what happens to naughty boys.

With my free hand, I quickly and efficiently removed his head, then his legs in case he still tried to follow me. Then I went about removing several other body parts. I grabbed a spare duffle and kept a few important bits. As punishment. Maybe if he's a good boy, he'll get them back. If not, I'll burn them.

– XOXO –

On my way out of town, I stopped to pick up a new cell phone. My first call was to my pet, assuring him I hadn't hung up on him, I was just dealing with an unwanted house guest who saw fit to destroy my property.

Once that was smoothed over and we'd arranged to meet in Seattle tonight, I hung up and called my dad.

"Hi Bells. This is unexpected. Are you okay, kiddo? Change your mind about leaving?"

I smiled. "No, Dad. I'm already halfway to Seattle. I just, well, is Carlisle there I need to speak with him?"

"Uh, now isn't a great time. Everyone's freaking out about Edward."

Oh, brother!

"What about him?"

"Ali had a vision of him in a tree and then his future went black. She thinks he's been attacked, but nobody can find him." Dad explained. "Jasper, Carlisle, Emmett, and I are going to head out here in a minute to search for him."

"You can call off the search party. Edward's at my cottage." I said and the background noise suddenly cut off.

"He's at your cottage, Darlin'?"

Oh, hell. There was that sexy voice again. Damn. Even over the phone, he could make me wet. I shifted in my seat, attempting to rub my thighs together without taking my foot off the accelerator.

"Uh-huh. In several pieces."

There was a low growl. "You dismembered him! Why Bella?" Carlisle demanded.

"Let's see, he's stalked me. Violated my privacy. Spied on me. Broke into my home. Destroyed my property. Broke down my front door! He continuously insists I'm his mate when I know that is not true. He refuses to leave me alone. And that's just in one afternoon. Imagine what he'd be like if I decided to stay in Forks!"

"I was well in my rights to leave him in pieces. Be glad I didn't light the match or send him to Volterra! Oh, and Carlisle, since I don't believe any of you can control one boy, I've kept a few of his part . . . don't worry, it's nothing he's going to miss . . . not like he's using them anyway, but I thought you'd like to know. Maybe if he's a good boy and finally learns some manners, I'll send them back. If he tries to follow me, I'll burn them. If he continues with this ridiculous notion that I'm his mate, I'll kill him myself."

There was a round of gasps.

"Isabella!" Carlisle growled.

"B-But Edward is your mate!" Esme sobbed.

"You think so? Okay. Tell me this, Esme, could you ever leave Carlisle? Could you ever tell Carlisle you don't want him? That he isn't good enough for you? That you're tired of pretending to be something you're not. Or, how about my favourite; 'Don't worry. You're human—your memory is no more than a sieve. Time heals all wounds for your kind. I won't forget. But my kind . . . we're very easily distracted.'" I quoted Edward. "Actually," I sighed and shook my head. "Maybe it was the part when he told me it would be like he never existed . . ."

There were more gasps in the background and a continuous low growl. It wasn't my dad. He was still holding onto the phone and this sound was further back. Male. Maybe Emmett?

That's not Emmett and you know it! That is the sound our—

Don't you dare say the 'M' word!

You can't ignore this, Sunshine.

"Oh, no, my bad! I'm wrong again," I laughed to myself, "I think the best part of the whole fucked up ordeal was when he told me you'd all left. No goodbye. No 'see ya around, Bells'. No note. No email. No forwarding address. Oh, but my best friend in the entire world wanted to say goodbye but Edward convinced her it would be better for me if she didn't. 'A clean break would be better for you'."

"Was it better, Dad?" I asked. "The endless nightmares. The depression. The hallucinations. Thinking I could hear his voice in my head. Oh, and let's not forget suddenly becoming an adrenaline junkie. Learning to ride motorcycles. Getting on the back of some guy's bike and driving off to God only knows where. Following his voice into a meadow just so I could assure myself I wasn't losing my goddamn fuckin' mind! And then dying! Yeah. A clean break was better."

"Except for my father, if I never see any of you again, it'll be too damn soon. Why the hell I'm risking my ass to save all of you is anyone's guess. I should've just let her kill you all and be done with it!"

There was more growling on the other end and some shuffling and sobbing. To be honest, I couldn't care less.

"Go save your precious son . . . But I warn ya, Doc, his breaks aren't as clean as mine!" I hissed. "Dad, I'll call you later."

With that, I hung up and let out a shrill scream that startled the poor humans in the car beside me. "Sorry." I mouthed.

Fuck.

Now I'm scaring the humans!

I need to get a grip!

No. I need to blow off some steam. A hunt, first, I think. If I don't quench my rising thirst I'll end up killing my poor pet, and nobody wants that. Then a nice long session in my playroom. Release all the pent-up tension, scratch the itch that Jasper's unknowingly caused, and let go for a few hours.

But, first, a trip to Starbucks. I need coffee. Stat.

So, Eddie lost his head. And some other parts. I wonder what parts Bella took?

I'm not sure what's in store for Edward just yet. I can see Bella tossing him in the fire and being done with it. It's an option. Or maybe he should have a nicer ending? I dunno. Any thoughts?