A/N:

Hi! So sorry for the update fail! I promised a few days, but I had a MAJOR computer meltdown thanks to a virus I caught while- of all things- replying to your reviews of this story! All I can say is make sure your anti-virus/anti-spyware software is up to date and use the "Ad Blocker" feature FFn offers under the "Help" link in the upper right corner of the window. In my case, it was one of the rare ads that double-clicks you over to another site that did it. Just be careful my fellow fanfiction junkies. Sheesh...

Thanks go again to my fabulous beta, SueBee, and as well to my pre-readers for this chapter, StellaBlueBella & Katmom.

~(~)~

Disclaimer: I still don't own Twilight or the U.S. Marshals. :(

From Chapter 2-

My phone beeps, and I'm not surprised. I look at the message as soon as I pull into the driveway.

I need you to get away for a few hours tonight.
Msg me if you need help making it happen.
Port Angeles. 7pm. Meet outside the Movie Theater.

~(~)~

Chapter 3:

I frown a little at the thought of the subterfuge involved in Deputy Whitlock's request, but immediately know what my cover story will be. It's perfect really, and I have to wonder if he was listening in on my day at school today. It's not entirely impossible. Who knows what kind of toys and tricks people in his line of work have up their sleeve? It takes me only a moment to text him back and, as soon as he agrees, I head inside to run my plan by Esme.

When I ask her about going to the movies in Port Angeles with a few kids from school, she is thrilled by the prospect of me doing something normal with my peers for once. I expected her to be, but it only increases my guilt. She immediately says yes to my request and doesn't question it when I tell her I'd like to drive myself in case plans change or any one going misbehaves. She never doubts my story. She simply smiles approvingly. Again, the guilt eats at me. I hate lying to Esme, but it's a necessity in this case. The only thing I can do is say yet another silent prayer that she won't hate me when this is all over.

Almost as soon as I have permission, I leave for Port Angeles. Being twenty-three and single, I've long been used to doing as I pleased with my free time. Having to pretend to be a minor for the last two months has been wearing on me, and I am craving my freedom. I keep that to myself however, and just tell Esme I want to go to the book store instead. Of course I do stop by the book shop and browse, but I also happen to grab a very large, very caffeinated coffee drink and take a walk out to the waterfront. I even wander along the more touristy spots on my way back and still arrive at the theater ten minutes before I'm supposed to.

I'm glad to see Deputy Whitlock waiting for me outside. He's leaning against his black dodge pick-up and looking every bit the local in his Timberland work boots, dark wash jeans and vintage t-shirt layered under a flannel.

"Enjoy your evening out?" he asks when I approach him. He opens the passenger's side door for me and gestures for me to get inside.

"Yeah, were you following me?"

"Of course," he says, as if he's offended I would think otherwise.

"We're not staying here?" I ask while I climb in the truck.

He shakes his head, but doesn't answer until he's in the driver's seat.

"It's Friday night. There are too many people from Forks here to avoid being seen together. But, lucky for us, I know a place we can go."

"Okay," I say quietly, looking around as we drive speedily away from Port Angeles. If this man hadn't worked so hard to keep me alive up to this point, I might be a little afraid.

"Bella?" he says once we're on our way. I glance over at him to let him know I'm listening. "What's wrong? You're too quiet, even for you."

I sigh and feel my cheeks heat a bit. "Yeah, I guess I'm a little nervous."

"About what?"

"About the mailbox, and about where we're going. Not that I don't trust you, but the last time you told me to get in a car without me knowing where we were headed, it was because some Romanians were trying to kill me."

He chuckles. "I didn't think about it like that. No need to worry though. I just wanted you to be able to cut loose for an hour or two before I leave town and you have to go back to everyone here thinking you're seventeen."

I huff a laugh. "Yeah, well, you picked a good day then. Being seventeen sucks sometimes. High school sucks."

"I know. You're doing really well though."

"Thanks. I think," I say, wondering if it's a good thing I'm so good at pretending to be a teenager in high school. After a couple months of doing it, it makes me wonder if I was ever really a grown-up to begin with.

"You seem to be getting on well with the Cullens. Are you comfortable staying there?"

"Do I have a choice?" I snort, but then smile and shake my head. "No, the Cullens are great. I wish I could have known them under different circumstances."

"I feel the same way about you, kiddo," he says. "So does Deputy Brandon. She sends her love, by the way. She wanted to come see you, but she's testifying herself in another case this week."

"Tell her I said hello."

"I will."

"So... where is this place you know?" I ask as we turn east and head away from Port Angeles.

"Just up the road a bit. It's a bar in the outskirts of Sequim. We're going to make a quick stop somewhere else first though."

I raise an eyebrow. "A bar?"

He grins and explains. "The owner is former military, Special Forces. He also worked for the FBI for a while before eventually becoming a U.S. Marshal."

"Oh. That's... neat."

Deputy Whitlock chuckles again. "I want you to meet him. He's trustworthy. Retired nowadays, but with connections. And if you get into any trouble, he'll be closer to you than we are."

"Oh," I say again, understanding tonight isn't just about cutting loose.

"Don't worry. You won't you need him. And you won't need this, either," he says, pulling a thick manila envelope from under his seat. "But it's good to have both, just in case."

I look at it as if it might bite me. "What is this?"

"It's your emergency kit."

I feel myself pale a little. "Emergency kit?"

"Like I said, you won't need it. But if I'm wrong –moreover, if Alice is wrong –and she never is," he adds with a wink. "But if we're wrong and you have to run, that envelope has everything you need to get the hell out of Dodge. New ID, passport, credit card, cash, cell phone and instructions."

"Wow..."

"After tonight, don't carry it with you. Put it in the duffle bag we gave you when we brought you to Washington. In the bottom is one of those plastic covered cardboard liners, right?"

"Uh... I think so."

"It should be there. Alice would have made sure. Just slide this envelope inside that liner, zip the bag back up and put it back in your closet. Like I said, you won't need it."

I shake my head. "You keep saying that."

"I don't want you to worry."

"Then stop telling me not to worry."

He grins at me, but sees I'm serious.

"Bella, look, I wouldn't be leaving you here if your placement wasn't secure. The agency takes witness safety very seriously, and we've never lost anyone that did as they were told. Not only that, but you won't be entirely without protection."

"How so?" I ask.

"Well, did Dr. or Mrs. Cullen mention that their son Emmett is moving closer to home in a couple weeks?"

"Uh... yeah, they mentioned it. I met him a few weekends ago."

"Well, he's a police officer as you know, but he's also a friend of Alice's."

"You're kidding. Is that how...?"

He nods. "It is. A few years ago when he was a rookie with Seattle PD, he got assigned to guard the hospital door of one of our less-cooperative witnesses. Emmett was 100% business about it. So serious all the time." Jasper smiles widely and glances at me. "But you know how Alice is. She messed with him until he cracked a smile. They struck up a friendship."

"So how did I end up with his parents?"

"Protection details like that can get boring. I guess the guy's a talker once you get him going. He told Alice his whole life story and what-not. They stayed in touch and when we met you, she contacted him to see if he thought his parents would be willing to take on another foster child. He presented the idea to them."

I gasp. "Does that mean? Does Emmett know about me? He knows who I really am?"

"Not entirely. He knows you're a federal witness, and I believe he's guessed that your identity is an alias, but we never confirmed that one way or the other."

"Holy Cow."

My head is so full of new information that I don't even notice we've stopped somewhere until I hear the click of Deputy Whitlock's seatbelt.

"You okay over there, Bella?"

I nod absently and unbuckle my own safety belt. "So the Cullens know that I'm hiding?" I ask. "They know I'm not who I say I am."

"No, Emmett thinks he knows, but the rest of the Cullens believe you're Anna Bella Dwyer. They believe that the state of Washington has you in protective custody so long as your parents' murder goes unsolved. Or until your supposed eighteenth birthday, whichever comes first."

"Oh..."

"Come on, get out," Deputy Whitlock says after a moment. "I have a surprise for you."

I get out of the truck and see that we're stopped at the end of a dirt road. It's surrounded by trees on every side but one, where there's a small field. I turn to find Deputy Whitlock standing at the back of his pick-up with the tailgate open, motioning me over. His truck has one of those bed-covers on it, and he opens it to reveal what appear to be two rifle cases sitting in the back of his truck. I gasp and look up at him. He nods towards the field.

"Care to shoot a round or two?" he asks.

My eyes flood with tears and my heart leaps. I think for a moment that he can't be serious, but then if he is, I want to kiss him. It's only when I hear his highly amused answer that I realize I've said this out loud.

"Yes, I'm serious, but I think Alice may take issue with the kissing part."

I don't even blush, I just throw my arms around his neck and hug him like he's just given me the world. Because for a moment it feels like he has.

"Thank you. Thank you so much, Deputy Whitlock."

"You're welcome," he says, hugging me back lightly before putting me down. "And it's Jasper. You can call me Jasper when it's just us. Okay?"

"Okay, Jasper," I repeat, smiling through my tears.

Several rounds of ammo later, I'm feeling like myself for the first time in months. It's dark outside, but Jasper has some nice optics with tritium illuminated sights, making it no problem to see the targets that he stapled to a tree at the end of the field. He apparently scoped this location out earlier in the week and informs me that there's a small rise of earth behind the trees so if we miss the targets, the bullets won't go far. When I asked him if he thinks anyone will hear us and call the authorities, he tells me there are no houses or businesses for miles, but he has his badge just in case.

As we shoot, I find that I'm a little rusty, but it comes back to me quickly. I get a kick out impressing Jasper by still being able to at least hit the bulls-eye, and he gets a kick out of trying to goad me into a contest. We end up going for the best out of ten rounds in the prone position. It's not my event at all and he actually out shoots me. We spend the rest of the time talking about his background and how he learned to shoot when he was a kid growing up in Texas. I'm not surprised to learn his grandfather had a cattle ranch and they used to shoot at the coyotes to keep them at bay. I can see it. He looks more at home in his jeans and flannel than he does in the suit he wore when I first met him.

We swap rifles, and I tell him about my dad and how he taught me to shoot in order to give me a solid respect for firearms. We talk about my competitive days, national championships and the Olympic trials. I tell him about all the different events I've tried over the years, but how I found my niche with the air rifle and three-position events. I find myself getting lost in the memories of Beijing in 2008 and how I failed to medal in one of my events, but took home the gold in the other. He tells me he'd love to see my medal someday. I tell him I hope to see it again someday as well.

"You know, I'm supposed to be training for the next Olympics right now. I really wanted to go to London. So did my mom."

Jasper sighs as we pack-up. "I'm sure she did. I'm sorry, kiddo."

"Who you callin' kiddo, old man?" I joke, making an attempt to cover the tears threatening my eyes.

"Who you callin' old man?" Jasper teases back.

I laugh because he's closer to forty than he is thirty, but, like me, he looks much younger than he actually is. In my opinion, he doesn't appear to be any older than Edward does at twenty-nine. Thinking of Edward makes me wonder about something and soon as we get back in the truck to return to town, I ask Jasper.

"Hey, I have a question."

"What is it?" he says easily.

"Do I really look like I'm just a teenager? I mean, if you didn't already know I was in my twenties, what would you think?"

Jasper glances at me from the corner of his eye. "Honestly?"

I nod.

"Just looking at you, I'd definitely think you weren't old enough to buy your own liquor yet. Eighteen, nineteen maybe? But..." he adds. "When you speak, and with the way you carry yourself? If I were to sit down and talk to you I'd think you were older."

I sigh. "I figured as much."

"You don't look much like a child when you wield a gun though. Not at all," he laughs.

I smile. "My mom started saying that when I was thirteen. She also used to say I was more mature at thirteen than she was at thirty though."

"I'm just guessin' that both of those things probably still ring true."

I smile, but spend the rest of the drive thinking about my parents and Edward. I think about what I'd like to do when, and if, I get my life back. If I testify this summer and get to go free, I want to compete again.

I wonder what Edward would think of me being a competitive shooter. Would he approve? My guess is he might, considering he's former military. Some people are against any use of firearms outside of the military or law enforcement, and that's okay. I've learned that the world is full of people who think we'd all be better off without firearms.

In a utopian society, I would have to agree. And maybe in that same scenario my parents would still be alive. But this isn't a utopia and in the real world, criminals will always get their hands on illegal weapons. If we hadn't had our own legal firearm at home that night, I likely wouldn't be sitting here today. But I am. My parents aren't. But I am.

The thought makes my chest ache and I don't quite know whether I can be happy about that fact.

When we arrive at the bar, a little neighborhood joint called Garrett's, my high from getting to shoot again is pretty much gone. Jasper understands when I tell him that it was wonderful, but also brought back a flood of memories, and a whole lot of "what-if"s.

"When do you have to be back at the Cullens?" he asks before we get out of the truck to go into the bar he wanted to take me to.

"I'm good until 11:30," I answer. "I have to call if I'm going to be any later than that."

"So as long as you call, you can be out until when?"

"I don't know. Esme didn't really say."

"Well, we'll just have to make sure you give her a call and tell you'll be a little late. How about we get you a drink and some comfort food?"

"I can't," I complain. "Anna Bella is only seventeen, remember?"

"Ah, yes," Jasper says, nodding. "Fortunately, I know the owner. And if we have to we'll grab your new ID out of that envelope over there."

"Deputy Marshal Whitlock," I say, feigning shock. "Are you suggesting I use my emergency identification for a non-emergency?"

He grins. "Don't tell. It's just for tonight. And just one drink."

I giggle and Jasper opens the door.

Twenty-five minutes later, we're sitting in booth in the far corner. I've met the owner, had a really good meal, a lovely microbrew, and am so very thankful that Jasper brought me out tonight. I feel recharged and refreshed, and hopefully ready to face the next few months until the trial. I'm even smiling and laughing genuinely for the first time in a while. Of course that could also be the microbrew, but I'm pretty sure it's all thanks to the man who's sitting across from me. He's been with me since the day after my parents died and has never let me down. I put my hand out and grasp his, feeling a little braver than usual thanks to the beer.

"You're a very good man, Jasper Whitlock," I say, smiling. "Thank you for tonight. I've had a really wonderful time getting to know you."

"Me too, sugar," he drawls as he squeezes my hand lightly. "You are one special young woman. I only wish we hadn't met like we did."

I smile and swallow the emotion his words bring. "Me too," I say softly.

He leans back and tips his chin, finishing his beer while our hands remain intertwined. It's strictly platonic, but still very reassuring. I'm contemplating whether or not to order another beer when Jasper sits bolt upright, rips his hand out of mine, and grabs my nearly empty bottle away from me.

"What the hell?" I say, confused.

Before he can answer I hear a furious and all too familiar voice coming from behind me.

"That's exactly what I'd like to know."

My eyes close momentarily in disbelief; meanwhile my heart starts pounding out of my chest. I'd know the velvet undertones to that voice anywhere, and find myself wondering how Jasper missed seeing him come in.

Edward steps in front of our table, arms crossed menacingly over his chest.

"Care to explain to me what in God's name you think you're doing here, Anna Bella?"

His voice is too low, too controlled. His body is rigid and from the corner of my eye, I can tell his hands are clenched into fists. I don't dare look at his face because I know it will be beyond harsh.

"Well..." he prods when I don't answer.

Jasper moves to stand.

"Don't!" Edward snaps, pointing a finger in Jasper's face. "Just. stay. there."

Jasper sits back and puts his hands up. He takes a deep breath and looks Edward over from head to toe. I'm a little afraid that he's planning how to take him down in a single punch, and I'm pretty sure he can do it too.

"Care to join us?" Jasper asks calmly when he's done looking Edward over.

"Join you? Are you kidding me? Do you have any idea–?" He stops abruptly and leans over the table, his hands clenching the edge until his knuckles are white. "Who the hell are you?"

"I'm Jasper Whitlock, and you are?" Jasper answers, clearly amused by Edward's display.

I gasp and flinch as Edward's fist hits the table. "I'm her brother!" he shouts. His words earn another gasp from me and he turns his head towards me slightly, but does not meet my eyes.

I feel a little sick all of a sudden. Edward's familial declaration is ringing loudly in my ears. It hurts. I hate that he sees himself in that role and realize quite suddenly that I am far, far from being over my crush.

Jasper meets my gaze and lets out an exasperated sigh.

"Look," he says, addressing Edward now with authority. "We both know Bella doesn't have a brother, so why don't you do everyone here a favor and sit down?"

Edward narrows his eyes and stares at Jasper. Eventually, he looks back at me and my stomach lurches at his expression. There's anger, disappointment, concern, and something else I can't quite identify there. I feel tears threatening and lower my gaze to the table in front of me. Edward says something else to Jasper and Jasper answers him while I fight for control.

How did this day go from so bad, to so good, and then right back around to bad again?

A waitress walks by, staring openly at Edward and Jasper, then glancing curiously at me. The unwanted attention brings me back to reality and I feel the need to contain the situation.

"Edward, please," I whisper. "Please, sit down."

He stops suddenly at my tone, looking at me in what I think is concern, or confusion.

"You're making a scene," I explain. "And whatever you think is going on, I assure you it's not."

He narrows his eyes and laughs bitterly, crossing his arms back over his sculpted chest.

"Oh, is that right? So, I didn't see you sitting here with a beer in front of you while holding hands with some older man?"

I blush and look down. He sounds more jealous than disapproving, and I feel my stomach give another funny lurch and then twist in a way that's altogether nauseating.

Jasper clears his throat. "Listen, Edward," he begins. "Bella and I go back a ways and I have to agree with her completely. You've misunderstood the situation. Now, why don't you sit down before you say something else less than considerate to her and I have to punch you in the face for being disrespectful."

Edward blanches a little and looks at me. He goes from angry to worried in less than a second.

"You go back a ways? You're not supposed to talk to anyone you knew from before," he says in a rush.

I'm confused for a moment and then remember the little bit that Esme told him about me, so I explain the best that I can.

"We ran into each other at the movie theater in Port Angeles. I... He..." I take a deep breath and try to think of what else I can say without saying too much.

Jasper puts a hand on mine and gives it a quick squeeze. Edward almost has another conniption fit, but Jasper pulls his wallet out of his back pocket and unexpectedly reveals his badge.

"Like I said, why don't you sit down for a minute?" he suggests.

Edward looks between us for a moment, studies Jasper's badge, and then looks back between us. His eyes finally rest on me. "Bella?"

"Sit down," I say, scooting over.

There's no thrill at the feeling of Edward's thigh touching mine when he slides in the booth next to me. I feel somewhat numb. I'm also panicked at the same time. I have no idea what Jasper is about to tell Edward. I don't know if it means that I'll have to be moved somewhere else now. Or if the Cullens won't want me anymore.

"What's going on?" Edward asks when he's seated.

"Well, let's start with the basics. You're Edward Cullen, right? Adopted son of Esme and Carlisle Cullen. Brother to Emmett and Victoria, also adopted. You spent four years on active duty in the Navy, after which you completed your Bachelor's degree at Seattle University while still serving as a reservist. You moved back to Forks almost two years ago, taking a position at your old high school to be closer to your parents. You teach math, even though your degree is in science. You're good at math because you also happen to be a piano prodigy. Of course, that last little detail is strictly the opinion of your mother."

Edward sits stunned silent. Jasper chuckles quietly and takes his badge back.

"As you see on the badge, my name is Jasper Whitlock and I'm a United States Marshal. I guess you could say I'm involved with Bella's case. I asked her here tonight to go over some things she needed to know."

"Like what?" Edward asks, finding his voice.

"I can't tell you that. Neither can she. I can tell you that we placed her with your parents for a reason and it was because we believed she'd be safe with them. She'll continue to be safe with them as long as you don't know too much, or ask too many questions of her."

Edward blinks again and his mouth opens and closes once. He looks at me and then back to Jasper. "How do I know you're who you say you are? No offense or anything, but I have a hard time believing that any law enforcement officer would ask a minor to meet him at a bar to discuss her case over a couple of drinks. Why weren't my parents notified? Or her case worker?"

Jasper smiles, and I can't help but notice it's a little reminiscent of Edward's smirk.

"Her case worker knows I'm here, and as for bringing her to a bar? Well, we couldn't very well have had this discussion just anywhere. I wanted to have some anonymity for both of us."

"And the beer I saw her with?" Edward asks, an eyebrow curved in challenge.

Jasper shrugs. "She's had a hell of time over the last few months."

"Not acceptable," Edward says, his voice dark. "She's seventeen."

Jasper nods. "So it would seem."

Edward's eyes narrow. "What does that mean?"

"It means you should take it easy on her. You do not know, nor can you be made aware of, everything that's going on. Not if you want her to continue living under the care of your family in Forks. Now, I'll move her if I have to, but I don't think any of us want that. Am I right?"

Edward's face becomes indecipherable. He and Jasper stare each other down while I watch on. I'm panicking slightly, wondering if at the end of this I'll have to be hidden away again. Maybe this time to some federal safe house that's no better than a prison. By the time either one of the men at the table move again, I'm biting into my lip so hard it's painful.

"No," Edward says finally. "No, none of us want that. She's doing well where she is. We can keep an eye out for her. It's a small town. Everyone knows everyone, and all that."

Jasper nods. "Good. So we have an understanding then?"

Edward sighs and looks at me. "This is your last chance to tell me whether or not he's some crazed lunatic who was about to kidnap you."

"He's not," I answer immediately.

"And you trust him?"

"With my life."

Edward frowns, but turns back to Jasper. "Then we have an understanding. On one condition," he amends.

"Which is?"

"No more of this sneaking off and not telling anyone where she's going. If you need to meet with her again, she's to tell someone and call when she gets there. If there's a reason you put her with us, let us do our part. We can't keep her safe if you keep us in the dark."

Jasper smiles wryly. "If I need to meet with her again, an appropriate excuse will be given, but I can't negotiate how I do my job. You either deal with this and keep your mouth shut, or she disappears."

Edward goes still as he considers Jasper's words. After a long moment, I see his Adam's apple bob.

"Fine," he says weakly.

"Good," Jasper says, and I breathe a sigh of relief.

Edward turns and looks at me for a long moment before shaking his head slightly and looking back across the table.

"Can I assume from your posture when I walked in here a few minutes ago that you two were already finished with your official conversation?" Edward asks, his voice strained.

Jasper frowns for a moment and glances at me. I nod, telling him that I'm okay if he is.

He glances back at Edward. "Yeah. We were done."

"Then, if you don't mind, I'm taking her home," Edward says quickly.

"If you think that's best," Jasper answers, looking slightly amused again.

"I do," Edward says, narrowing his eyes at Jasper ever so slightly.

When we stand from the table, Edward wraps his long fingers around one of my biceps. His hold is gentle, but the message is strong. He's not letting me go. His stance is decidedly protective as we exit Garrett's, and it causes emotion to bubble up in me. We stop just outside the door so I can say goodbye to Deputy Whitlock.

"Bye, Jasper. Thanks for everything. I'll... well, I won't look forward to hearing from you exactly, but..." I sigh. "You know what I mean."

He smiles and bobs his head. "Yeah, I know. Me too. You take care, kiddo."

I smile through misty eyes. "You too."

"Always," he grins and his dimples show. He looks back to Edward and lifts his chin. "If you can give me just a second, her jacket's in my vehicle. Let me get it for her."

Edward's grip tightens on my arm. He looks down at me sharply. "You got in a car with him?"

I shrug off his hand. "It was his truck, actually."

"Bella! Do you have any sense of self-preservation? Nobody even knew you were with this guy."

Anger flares. It's my own this time.

"He's not just some random guy, Edward!"

I realize I've just used his given name to his face for the first time ever when his eyes widen in shock. Jasper leaves to go get my coat, but not before looking between the two of us curiously. When he gets back, he glances between the two of us for a moment before handing me my jacket. It's folded up carefully. I remember the manila envelope and realize it must be wrapped inside.

"Thank you," I say, pulling it carefully against my chest.

"Do you remember everything we talked about?" Jasper asks.

"Yeah."

"Good. Don't forget."

"I won't," I answer.

He smiles and waves me off as I follow Edward to his car. I say nothing and just let the man stew while we drive. I'm stewing too. There's nothing at all I can do to make the situation any better, which is why I am so upset. I hate being treated this way, but I know I'll have to take whatever punishment the Cullens give me for lying and going out with Jasper. It's just a part of the lie that's supposed to be keeping me alive.

When we get to Port Angeles, Edward keeps driving past the movie theater. I protest and ask him where he's going, but he doesn't answer me.

"Edward? The Volvo is at the theater."

He doesn't even look at me. "You've been drinking, Anna Bella. If you think I'm letting you get behind the wheel of a car, you've got another thing coming."

I sigh. He sounds like my mother –he's just scolding me with the wrong name.

"How were you planning on getting home?" he demands after a minute.

I don't answer right away because I'm still mad, annoyed really. I'm old enough to be able to have a beer with dinner and drive home. But in Edward's mind I'm not even close. If I were seventeen I would see his point. Instead I see his hands tighten and release on the steering wheel before he starts in on me again.

"I can understand the fact that you were given idiotic instructions you felt obligated to follow. I can understand that you went in that place with him for a good reason. But, drinking? " He runs his hands through his hair and pulls on it. "Please, please, explain to me what was going through your head."

I sigh. "Deputy Whitlock is a good man. He'd take a bullet for me, quite literally. There's no way he'd let me do something reckless like drinking and driving."

Edward scoffs and is quiet for a while.

"You're seventeen," he says, breaking the silence of the last few minutes. "Whitlock's gotta be what? At least fifteen years older than you?"

"Just about," I answer, because that's a pretty close guess if you factor in my real age.

"What..." His voice falters a bit. "Why were you were holding his hand?"

I blush. The question embarrasses me, despite there being a very simple explanation. I sigh and find my words.

"Jasper's been a rock for me since this whole nightmare began. He takes care of me. Since my father died, he's the only man I've had in my life who I could count on. No matter what."

Edward turns his head to look at me and his face is impossible to describe. It's almost like I've hurt him with my words, but I can't think too long on that. Not even when he looks back to the road and sighs heavily.

"Look, Jasper did something very nice for me tonight," I try to explain. "It was just a friendly gesture."

"It looked like more than that."

I frown because he sounds jealous again, which confuses me further. I have to ask myself why he would care, even as my heart pounds in my chest.

"He's a little too old for me, don't you think?" I ask weakly.

"Yeah, I do," Edward nods, letting out a breath I think might be relief, or frustration, I can't tell which. "I'm just glad I was wrong."

"Why?" I ask.

He shakes his head. "Because now I don't have to kill the guy."

I smile and the corners of his mouth threaten to lift too. I know he's still not happy, but perhaps I'm forgiven for at least one of my indiscretions.

Halfway home, my phone beeps.

I assume you're being driven home for tonight
as your "brother" didn't stop at the theater.
I'm really sorry I didn't see him in time.
No excuse for that, but call us if you need us.

"Is that him?" Edward asks.

"Yes," I say.

Edward shakes his head and sighs. "What have you gotten yourself into?"

I stay silent, and he knows what I'm not saying. "You can't answer that. I get it."

"Thank you," I say quietly.

"Is Bella even your real name? Can you at least tell me that?"

"I shouldn't," I answer. After a moment, I sigh. "But... yes. Bella is my real name."

"Good," he says quietly. "It suits you."

I look away and try desperately not to feel any thrill at those words. I force myself to avoid thinking about what they mean while the trees blur outside the windows.

It takes us just over an hour to get back to the Cullens' house, and I have failed miserably in not obsessing over Edward's words. I end up wishing more than once that I could have met him in another time and place. He's truly kind, and handsome, and smart. I could so easily fall for him. It would be effortless were the situation different.

When we get out of the car, I'm not even thinking about what we'll tell Esme and Carlisle. For all I care at this point, Edward can tell them he caught me drinking and forced me to come home with him. I don't care about getting in trouble. My mind is too full of budding feelings for my quote-un-quote foster brother. I wonder if forcing myself to think of him in that light will help me stay sane.

"Bella?" Edward stops me before I start towards the house.

I turn, barely managing to meet his eyes. "Yes?"

"I just wanted to tell you, before we go inside, that..." He sighs and runs his hand through that incredible hair of his. "Well... you're not alone anymore. Okay? I know you've lost a lot. You lost a whole life that has nothing to do with us, and we can only imagine how hard that's been for you. But you're not alone. And that guy? Jasper Whitlock? He's not the only one you can count on. He's not the only one who wants to take care of you."

I stare at him in shock. My mind is going a million miles an hour even before he moves closer to me. Rain has begun to fall again. It comes down like a mist and the tiny drops of water begin to accumulate on his hair and eyelashes. It won't be enough to cover the tears I feel threatening as he reaches out and runs the back of his fingers down my cheek.

Foster-brother, I scream to myself. Foster-brother, foster-brother, foster-brother!

My eyes flutter closed and I inhale slowly, as his touch burns my skin. It's all I can do to stand in place and hold back my imminent breakdown. I feel his body heat as he draws nearer and I know I'm going to lose it right here in front of him. I tell myself to run, to get away from here, but before I can even process what's happened I'm wrapped in Edward's arms.

Home. I lift my arms almost without thinking about it and sink further into his embrace.

Home. I can feel his heart beating against my cheek and it echoes the cadence of my own. I think it might beat right out of my chest as he tightens his hold on me.

Home. The aching emptiness of the last several months begins to fade away and for the first time in months, I'm home.

I feel myself falling at this very moment. I'm not sure right away if it's happening physically or metaphorically, but I don't worry about hitting the ground because I'm in Edward's arms and his arms feel like home.

A soft hum breaks the spell and reality comes crashing down around me.

This is wrong.

I take a deep breath, and despite being completely overwhelmed by the scent and feel of Edward, I manage to pull myself away. I'm shaking as he looks at me for a long moment. His eyes are filled with an intensity that frightens me. He seems partly terrified, partly awe-struck. As he lifts his hand to my cheek again, I think briefly about surrendering to what my heart now obviously wants. Instead, I turn my head away and step back.

"Don't," I whisper. "Please."

His arm fall to his side with alarming speed.

"Bella, I'm..."

"No. I'm sorry. It's my fault, I shouldn't have let you get so close."

He steps back. "You didn't let me. It was my choice, and I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I just wanted..." He pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs. "You just need to know that we're here for you. You need to understand that there are people here you can count on. People who love you."

My eyes snap to his, terror stricken. Love? Love?

"Bella," he begins again, obviously seeing my reaction.

"Don't," I cut him off, panicking. Don't love me, I think. "I can't let you."

"Bel-"

I don't wait to hear anymore, afraid I won't have the strength to deny him again. Instead I turn and run, refusing to look back.

~(~)~

End Note:

Oh, no... a little angst. But don't worry, my loves. I'm a wuss, there will not be heart ache for very long. :)

**Thanks again for all of your reviews! If I haven't replied it was simply because of the whole virus thing. I'll try to get on that now that all is fixed, but please know that I've loved hearing your kind words, as well as your theories & thoughts! One or two of you actually guessed that Edward would show up while Bella was meeting Jasper this chapter (great catch there, by the way!), while others of you are aching for an EPOV. Don't worry, one is coming, but not until a bit later in the story. Hang in there for now, chickadees! :-) Thanks again for reading!

-Ginnie