The drive to the diner was quiet. Rosalie held Bella's hand as she navigated through the road. Bella had her eyes closed throughout the drive. There were simply too many twists and turns and it was making her sick. Not even Rosalie driving at a closer to normal speed was helping.

"We can go somewhere else?" Rosalie offered.

Bella shook her head. "I'm okay. As long as I don't look, I'll be fine."

Rosalie kissed the back of her hand and continued the drive. After another few minutes they had arrived. "We're here," Rosalie told her as she pulled into a parking spot.

Bella opened her eyes and sighed in relief. She got out of the car and stretched. "How did Alice know about this place? How does anyone know about this place?"

Rosalie laughed. She walked around the side of the car and wrapped an arm around Bella's waist. "We've seen this place when hunting," Rosalie explained. "There are also several hiking trials around here. I believe there's a small general store in here too."

The two walked into the restaurant/general store together. Rosalie let go of Bella's waist and took her hand instead. "Just the two of you?" the hostess asked.

"Yes," Rosalie answered.

"Right this way."

They walked through the store to the back where the restaurant was. They stopped at a booth, not far from the entrance. It was across the restaurant from the kitchen so they wouldn't struggle with having a conversation.

"Thank you," Bella said taking the seat closest to the entrance. Rosalie took the seat opposite Bella so she could keep an eye on everyone that came in and out of the restaurant.

The hostess handed over the menus. "Your waiter will be over soon," she said before leaving.

"Are you ordering anything?" Bella asked curious. She wouldn't ask Rosalie to eat with her. That was for the rare occasion when they wanted to act human.

"Do you want me to order something for you to take home?" Rosalie questioned.

Bella bit her lip before nodding. She knew Esme loved cooking for her but with everything going on she didn't want to distract her. "That might be a good idea so Esme can focus on things other than cooking," Bella replied.

The waiter came by to take their drink orders. Bella ordered lemonade while Rosalie got water. Bella scanned the menu looking for something she might like. After several minutes of debate, she settled on the salmon, mashed potatoes and mixed veggies. Rosalie picked out a random pasta dish that she had no intention of eating.

"I have to hunt tonight," Rosalie said once the waiter was gone.

"Oh," Bella said. She knew it had been a little while and Rosalie's eyes were getting increasingly darker but she hadn't really considered what that meant.

"I don't want to go," Rosalie admitted. "But if I don't, Jasper and Peter will drag me out of the house."

"No, it's fine. You need to hunt," Bella said. As much as she wanted Rosalie safe, and with her, she wouldn't let her starve to keep her. She felt guilty for even thinking about it.

"I'll go while you're asleep," Rosalie decided. "Is there someone you would like to stay with you?"

Bella played with her napkin. "Jasper," she responded. "Do you think he will mind?"

Jasper was leading the hunt for the nomads along with Peter and Charlotte, as they had the most experience. The last thing Bella wanted to do was pull him away from hunting the nomads. What if someone got hurt because of it? She would never be able to forgive herself.

"He'll be okay with it," Rosalie answered. She paused when their drinks were delivered. "We expected you to chose him so he's already prepared. Bella, don't get that look. You're the one that needs protection. Jasper is perfect content protecting you at home. Alice can patrol with Peter and Charlotte until I get back."

"I hate this," Bella muttered playing with her straw. "I don't want to be afraid anymore."

Rosalie reached across the table to grab her hand. "You won't be afraid forever," she said gently. "We will take care of this and you will graduate high school and do whatever you want to do with your life."

Bella squeezed her hand. "You know I've been thinking about it… and I think I do want to turn… eventually. I mean I know you're eighteen physically but you can pass as early twenties. So, I figured I could wait a few years until I'm in my twenties and then…" she trailed off when she noticed Rosalie wasn't responding.

Bella released her hand when the waiter returned with their food. "You want to turn?" Rosalie questioned once they were alone again.

"In a few years, yes," Bella answered. She frowned. "I thought you would be happy about that."

"I'm conflicted," Rosalie admitted. "I am happy I get to keep you forever but at the same time I worry about taking your life away from you. But if it is what you truly want then I will do it."

Bella put her fork down. "Rose, you wouldn't be taking my life away. You would give me another chance to live. You saved Charlie. Yeah, I can't see him for a while but it's because of you that I will now have him in my life. And now I don't have to lie to him anymore."

Rosalie stood up and walked over to Bella's side of the table. Bella scooted over so Rosalie could sit down. "I love you Bella," she said before leaning over to kiss her mate.

"I love you too Rose," Bella replied. She leaned against Rosalie and started to eat.

Rosalie pulled the pasta dish toward them and scooped some onto Bella's plate. "You need to eat more," she said gently. "You're getting too stressed out and it's affecting your appetite." Bella sighed and ate some of the pasta.

Rosalie's phone rang. "Alice," she greeted after checking the caller id.

"Stay calm," Alice ordered. Rosalie frowned. "Jazz and Peter found Edward's scent not too far from the house. They looked around and he had a perfect view of the house and more importantly your bedroom from a tree." Rosalie clenched her fist, almost crushing her phone in the process. "Calm Rosalie. You're in public."

Rosalie took a deep breath. "Did he…"

"Yes," Alice answered. "I'm pretty sure he saw enough. I've been getting glimpses. Glimpses that are starting to get clearer. He keeps changing his mind on what he plans to do. He's now more determined then ever to get to her. There's something else though."

"What else could there possibly be?" Rosalie growled. Bella nudged her.

"He wants to kill you," Alice said softly.

Bella froze. She heard Alice loud and clear. Her ears were ringing and the walls were closing in. She was certain she was going to throw up if she didn't get out of here.

"I have to go," Rosalie said before snapping the phone shut. She waved over the waiter and turned her attention to her mate. "Bella, love, take a deep breath. I'm going to get a box for your food and pay and then we will leave. Just wait a few minutes." She had her arms wrapped around Bella while Bella held onto her.

"Is everything alright?" the waiter asked concerned. Both plates were barely touched.

"My girlfriend isn't feeling too well," Rosalie said. "Can we get a couple boxes and the check?"

The waiter hurried away to get the boxes. He returned moments later with what she requested. Rosalie attempted to put the food in the boxes but wasn't able to. The waiter took pity on her and easily scooped the food up. Rosalie dug into her pocket and pulled out a $100 bill. She handed it to the man. "Keep the change," she said. The waiter stared at the money in shock. Their bill was a little over $30. A seventy dollar tip was unheard of.

Rosalie gently dragged Bella out of the booth. Bella wasn't handling the news well at all. She refused to let go of Rosalie for the entire trip to the car. Rosalie attempted to pry Bella's hand off her shirt so she could get in the car but it wasn't working.

"Bella," Rosalie muttered. "I need you to let go of my shirt. We need to go home. I'll walk around the front of the car so you can see me."

Bella didn't respond and Rosalie sighed. She wasn't entirely sure what to do now. She could leave her car and run Bella home but that could be just as dangerous with Edward hunting her. She could also force Bella to let go but Rosalie loathed to do that. It put Bella at risk for getting hurt and that was something Rosalie would not allow.

Rosalie's biggest concern at the moment was some humans seeing them and assuming Rosalie was hurting Bella. If anyone tried to take Bella from her, not only would Bella become even more hysterical but they would most likely end up dead. She wouldn't allow anyone to take away her mate, especially not while she was so vulnerable.

Luckily, Alice seemed to have known something was going to happen because seconds later Peter, Charlotte and Jasper walked through the woods and over to them.

"Alice," was Jasper's explanation. "I'm here for your car. Peter and Charlotte will follow you back home."

Rosalie pulled Bella out of the car and into her arms. She shifted her mate slightly so she could toss her keys to Jasper. Normally, she would threaten anyone that handled her car but right now the car mattered little to her. "There's food on the seat for Bella. Make sure it gets to the fridge," she told him.

He nodded to her and climbed into the car. Rosalie shut the passenger door and carried Bella to the woods with Peter and Charlotte right behind her. Once they were in the woods Rosalie took off toward the house. Peter and Charlotte stayed close but it was proven to be unnecessary. There was no hint of another vampire on their path home.

"I'm taking Bella upstairs," Rosalie told them.

"We'll be close by if you need us," Peter promised.

Rosalie carried Bella to her room. She gently stripped her mate out of her clothes and into pajamas. At some point Bella had let go of Rosalie which allowed her to stand and strip off her own clothes. She put on a pair of shorts that barely covered anything and a tank top. She knew Bella felt comforted by the coldness of her skin, which is why she was barely wearing anything. She wanted as much skin exposed as possible.

"Rose," Bella muttered when she climbed into the bed. Rosalie pulled Bella into her arms. She felt Bella relax slightly. "You can't leave me."

"I'm not going anywhere," Rosalie promised. She kissed Bella's forehead.

"He'll kill you," Bella whimpered.

Rosalie shifted them so Bella's head was resting on her chest. Their legs were tangled together. Bella was basically swimming in her scent. It was keeping her grounded and for that, Rosalie was thankful.

"He won't," Rosalie disagreed. "I'm a better fighter than he is and Jasper has been training me to fight without thinking as much so I can get around his gift. I'll be okay Bella."

Bella traced circles on her exposed stomach. "You have to hunt though," Bella pointed out. "I don't want you to go."

"I'm not going," Rosalie said firmly. "I won't hunt, or leave your side, until this is over."

"I don't want you to starve because of me," Bella protested. Despite her protests, she really didn't want Rosalie to go out alone. She was too afraid Edward would kill her.

There was a knock at the door. "Come in," Rosalie called.

Peter walked into the room followed by Carlisle. Peter shut the door behind him. "Jasper and I were talking and we agree that it is best you don't go hunting for a while," Peter started. Rosalie's eyes narrowed. "Alice's been having visions. In about half of them you get killed by Edward and if you die, Bella will kill herself," he said too quietly for Bella to hear.

Rosalie tightened her grip on Bella and fought back the snarl that wanted to come forth. She refused to die if that meant Bella would die as well. She would gladly give her life for Bella but not at the expense of Bella's life. "So, what's the plan? Will you bring me a deer or two when I need to hunt?"

Bella glanced at Rosalie and wrinkled her nose. "Not exactly," Carlisle said. He removed a blood bag from behind his back. Rosalie couldn't believe she didn't smell the blood but with Bella practically on top of her it wasn't too surprising. Bella's scent was stronger than any human blood could hope to be. "Blood bags, every couple days until this is over. Peter and Charlotte have offered to get us some more. I want to keep some on hand for emergencies." He nodded toward Bella and she knew he wanted them for her, in case something happened.

"You're okay with this?" Rosalie asked surprised. She took the blood bag from Carlisle. She could smell the blood now and she wanted it but she wouldn't put Bella at risk.

"If this is what it takes to keep you and Bella safe then I support it," Carlisle assured her. "Alice will be buying you contacts to cover the red eyes."

"Carlisle," Rosalie started.

Carlisle held up his hand. "I mean it. If this is what it takes then so be it. I already know Bella is in good hands and no human was harmed in the process of getting this blood." He paused. "I wonder if I would have stood up for you in the beginning, maybe Edward wouldn't be doing this. If this is what it takes to make up for my mistakes then so be it."

Peter shifted in his spot. "Do you need us to watching Bella while you feed?" he questioned.

Bella shifted, making it clear she wasn't letting Rosalie leave. "No," Rosalie answered. "I'll be fine."

She tore off the top of the blood bag. "Rose," Carlisle started. "Are you sure this is safe?"

"I would never hurt Bella," she said with a glare. "Feeding or not, I won't hurt her. She needs me with her so this is where I will be. Maybe next time I will step outside, but not today."

Rosalie quickly guzzled down the blood, stroking Bella's hair with her free hand. She knew Bella had a thing about blood. It made her nauseous. She also knew Bella would rather suffer then leave her side, so she wanted to make this as painless as possible.

She didn't particularly like the fact that Carlisle and Peter were watching her but she didn't complain. She was actually surprised Carlisle was comfortable with this. On the plus side, she would get her red eyes back and she knew how much Bella loved them.

Carlisle held out his hand for the empty blood bag. She handed it over and he gave her another full one. "You haven't hunted in a while," he explained. "We want you fully sated for now. We'll drop down to one every other day after this."

Rosalie quickly drained that bag as well and handed it over. Carlisle and Peter left the room and once again Bella and Rosalie were alone. "Your eyes are red again," Bella said in awe. She gently touched under her eyes.

"Yes," Rosalie said. "The human blood will make me stronger too. I will keep you safe."

"Do you think Edward drinks human blood?" Bella questioned. Not that they were alone again Bella had gone back to tracing random patterns on Rosalie's stomach.

"No, I don't," Rosalie answered. She was almost certain she was correct. "He really thinks you're his mate. He also knows you're his singer. Drinking human blood would put you in danger. Despite everything he's done, he doesn't want to hurt you."

Rosalie really hoped she was right about that last part. In the end, it might be the only thing that saves Bella's life. Rosalie did believe Edward loved her in his own twisted way. She hated it. Hated that he felt anything for her but it could come in handy. Rosalie had to hope that Edward loved her enough to not kill her. Bella would reject him, of that she was certain, and Rosalie feared how Edward would react to that.

"He already has," Bella muttered. She wasn't just talking about what happened in Port Angeles. She was talking about the nomads which led to Charlie being turned and the fact that he plans to kill Rosalie which hurt her more than anything. "Why does he want to kill you? I mean why now and not before?"

Rosalie contemplated not telling Bella the truth about why Edward wanted to kill her. Bella would blame herself and Rosalie didn't want to ruin that memory for either of them. But she didn't want to lie or risk Edward revealing the truth.

"He saw us earlier tonight," Rosalie admitted.

Bella pulled away from Rosalie. "He…He saw that?" Bella asked horrified. It was supposed to be a private moment between her and Rosalie. She was embarrassed and a little angry that someone was watching something so personal.

"Yes," Rosalie replied. "I'm sorry Bella. I should have closed the curtain. I didn't think anyone would be watching and—"

Bella cut her off with a kiss. "It's not your fault," Bella said softly. "I hate that he saw such a private moment. I wish… I don't know… I wish seeing it would make him realize I was meant for you and not him." She sat up and shifted so she was no longer on Rosalie's lap. "I hate him," Bella muttered. "For a while I thought maybe I could forgive him for Port Angeles. That he would give up and go back to the family. But now… I hate him and I want him to die. Does that make me a bad person?"

"No Bella. It doesn't," Rosalie said. "Edward has hurt you in ways that most couldn't understand. No one blames you for wanting him dead. Even Carlisle is starting to see that there is no other option." She ran a hand through Bella's hair, brushing out the tangles as she went. Bella yawned. "Do you want to go to sleep now?"

"Soon," Bella muttered. "Can you… I mean, will you…" she gestured to Rosalie's clothes.

"Do you want me to take off my clothes?" Rosalie questioned.

Bella blushed. "The house is kind of warm and you're more comfortable… never mind."

Rosalie climbed out of the bed. She walked over to her window and closed the curtain. She turned around and stripped off what little clothes she was wearing. She got back into bed and held her arms open for Bella. Bella sank into her embrace.

"You know, you could have asked for us to turn down the heat," Rosalie said lightly. "But I like this better."

"Me too," Bella admitted. "Especially now that you got your red eyes back."

"Bella, are you turned on by my eyes?" Rosalie teased.

Bella blushed again. "Maybe a little," she mumbled against Rosalie's shoulder. Rosalie laughed. "It's weird though. Peter and Charlotte, their eyes are kind of disconcerting. But on you, it's different, better."

"Well I am your mate. I think, in a way, you're programed to be attracted to me no matter what," Rosalie said. "I would be concerned if you were attracted to Peter and Charlotte."

"Do you enjoy teasing me and making me blush?" Bella questioned. She attempted to cover her face but Rosalie didn't allow it.

"I do actually," Rosalie admitted. She leaned forward to kiss her. "You should sleep love. You look exhausted."

"I don't know if I can," Bella said. "I'm worried about the nightmares."

"Do you want me to have Carlisle bring you something?" Rosalie questioned.

Bella shook her head. "No, I don't like sleeping meds. I'll be okay. Just… don't leave me."

"I'm not going anywhere," Rosalie promised. She kissed Bella's cheek and watched as her mate closed her eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep.