A/N: Don't own it, just love to screw around with it.

I drove all night until I finally began to get tired somewhere in Idaho. As scared as I was of stopping too soon and having Edward find me, I didn't want to fall asleep and crash either. Unfortunately all of the motels I passed looked like prime locations to shoot a horror film. While I knew my life would be considered a horror film by almost anyone, I didn't really need to survive four vampire attacks and a visit to the Volturi just to be murdered by a psycho with a hatchet.

So I kept going. Eventually I reached Boise where the selection was a little bit better and found a room at a Holiday Inn. After checking in I took my bag up to my room and collapsed on the bed. I didn't have the energy to shower or even really think about the events of the day. I simply stripped down to my tank top and panties, pulled on some shorts and burrowed under the covers, falling into a deep sleep

I awoke with a start a few hours later. My dreams haunted me, running fruitlessly from Edward. Being killed all alone with no one to protect me. I picked up my phone, wondering if now was right the time for some supernatural intervention. As much as I wanted to make my own life, I was terrified that I would be caught by either the Cullen's or the Volturi before I had a chance for that to happen. I started hyperventilating. I needed help. I wanted to be calm, I wanted Jasper, but I knew I couldn't call him. Just Breath Bella. Breathe and follow the plan. I thought.

Picking up my phone I looked at the clock. 3 am. It was late and I hesitated, before rolling my eyes to myself. He was a fucking vampire, he'd be awake. I pressed speed dial 1 and waited.

"Whitlock," came the voice on the other end after two rings.

"Peter? You don't know me but this is Bella Swan." I swallowed around the lump in my throat before continuing. "I need help."

"Well good morning Miss Swan, I've been expecting your call." He said in a cocky voice. Remembering Jasper's description of Peter's non-gift I snorted.

"Let me guess, you just knew?" I said earning a loud laugh. "Yes ma'am something like that. Now while I knew you were going to call I don't know why so how about you fill me in Lil' Bit."

"That's some helpful gift you got there Petey." I said teasingly. I always figured I'd like Peter and Charlotte and so far I wasn't afraid of him at the very least.

"It's not a gift," he practically growled and I snickered.

"Whatever you say. Anyway, I'm not sure how much Jasper has told you about me, but I'm kind of in a bind here and at the very least need some guidance." That was the understatement of the year.

"Oh he's told me pretty much everything, and going by that info, doesn't really surprise me that you found yourself in some kind of trouble. Although I am curious as to why you came to me and not the Major."

"Yep that's me Bella Swan-danger magnet extraordinaire." I grumbled. Sighing I continued. "I didn't know who to go to. Edward and Alice are the reason I'm in trouble to begin with, Carlisle and Esme can go fuck themselves for all I care because they would never go against the all-knowing ones for any reason. As for Jas…" I trailed off. "Well let's face it, he's had enough shit going on in his life with the moody ex-wife and all. He needs time to deal with his own stuff, not get mine piled on top."

"Em and Rose?" he questioned

"I think I'll still have to be changed, and I'm not convinced Rose would be ok with that. I love Em, but I was afraid he'd let something slip."

"Hmmm. All valid points. So what did Doucheward and the Midget do to ya that's got ya so worked up that I'm guessing you swiped Jasper's phone to get a hold of me?"

"Thrall." I breathed out earning a hiss over the phone. "He's controlling me. Like literally, not just with his normal whiny bullshit. Every time I don't do something he likes or understands he just dazzles me into submission. One minute I'm trying to explain why I don't want to get married at nineteen and the next I'm engaged with virtually no recollection of the proposal. When I finally put it together I realized he couldn't be my mate."

"No he can't." Peter said definitively.

"Why don't you think so?" I asked, wondering if he had a different opinion.

"Lil' Bit, what have they told you about mating? Because it is physically impossible to want to hurt your mate and considering you're Eddieboy's singer, his main urge is and always will be to drain you."

I was silent for a moment. It made sense. Edward had shied away from my more specific questions about mates, what little knowledge I had was from observing and comments that Emmett had made.

Then it hit me. "Those motherfuckers! They knew! They had to have known and they didn't tell me!"

"Try not to be too hard on the Major and Blondie and the Bear. It was important for you to figure it out on your own."

"Ok," I grumbled for some reason trusting the strange vampire. I would still be having some words with the three of them eventually and possibly taking out some newborn rage on their asses.

"So what are you going to do about it?" Peter said with a slight knowing tone in his voice.

"I ran. Jasper got me some extra ID's and money that the family doesn't know about. I got a new phone, ditched that hideous car Edward got me and left a note for my dad. I made it to-" I was saying when Peter cut me off.

"Don't tell me! There's a chance I could run into Edward and while I'm pretty good at hiding my thoughts it's better not to risk it. Look, I talked to Jas earlier. He already figured out that you were going to run and wanted me to keep a look out for ya. He doesn't know you were able to get in touch with me." Pausing briefly his voice softened. "You're safe for now Bella. You've done everything right and Eddie boy doesn't have a prayer of finding you anytime soon. Char and I will keep you safe."

"Peter?" I asked sounding way more timid than I intended but I needed to know the answer.

"Yes Lil' Bit?"

"If it comes down to it will you change me?"

"Hell yes!" he yelled without hesitation. "You are going to be a fuck awesome vamp baby doll. I don't think the Volturi is going to make a move anytime soon though. The Romanians have been giving them some problems lately. If I get any inkling that Dickward is getting too close, I'll call you with specific instructions. For now though, stay on the move. Stay in the country, but go anywhere you like. Try to have some fun. Get back to who you were Bella."

"I don't remember who that was." I murmured quietly.

"It's the thrall sweetheart. Your body has gotten used to it, almost like a drug. The longer you're away from it the more you'll remember about yourself."

"Is that why my chest hurts?" I said, rubbing the spot over my heart.

Peter was quiet for a moment. "What does it feel like?"

"It feels like a part of me is missing. Like I'm being drawn back toward Forks. It hurts" I finished with a whisper afraid he would tell me I was weak, that I would never get over this and might have to go back to Edward.

"No, honey that's something different. Have you ever felt it before?"

"Sometimes? Maybe? It's hard to remember what I really felt and what Edward and Alice made me feel. When the Cullen's were gone I felt it all the time. And it's as though there's something right in front of my face that I can't see. God, I feel crazy."

"I promise you aren't crazy Lil' Bit." Peter said with a chuckle. "Bella, you're a human caught up in a supernatural world designed to kill your species. You're handling it all remarkably well and I know that you'll figure this out. And when you do you'll be stronger and able to handle it. For now though just take things one day at a time."

"You'd be amazed at what I can handle."

Peter just laughed. "Oh I know. You're the only human I've ever known to make it through a vampire attack, much less being bitten. Granted having the Major on your side dramatically increased those odds for you, but still. You, Bella Swan, are an amazing woman and will have such an unbelievable life. I'm just glad I get to be around to see it."

"Thanks Petey. What if I need you, what if he finds me?"

"I think you'll have about a year before you need to be changed. Hopefully by then things with the Cullen's will have settled a little and I'll be able to get Jasper, Rose or Em out here to do it. I'm sure you'd prefer that. If not, or if it becomes necessary Charlotte and I will. We'll teach you everything you need to know and keep you safe."

"You're a human drinker right?" I asked. I wasn't actually afraid of him. In fact it was my guess he would have better control than the veggies any day.

"Yes, Char and I both are. Criminals only sweetheart, so don't worry we won't eat you. Besides I've changed plenty of people and if, when you wake up you want to drain a deer, I'll show you how. If you want to eat a murderer that's fine too. Unlike Carlisle," Peter said practically growling his name. "We don't judge and would never force you one way or the other. Besides, my knower is telling me you're still undecided on the whole diet thing."

I rolled my eyes. Stupid Yoda. "I guess. I mean I get why Jasper does it. It's the emotion thing and the violence he lived with. You and I both know that he could make any human feel ecstatic to be killed. I think he's more afraid he'll go back to the dark side if he does it." I sighed. "I on the other hand, doubt I will have a problem hunting down some murderers and gang bangers."

"That's exactly what he's afraid of. I empathize, and Char and I have tried to help him all we could, but it was too soon after we left. He only saw himself as a monster every time he hunted. Say what you want about the Magic Eight Ball, and believe me I've said plenty, meeting her was one of the best things that ever happened to him, if only for the diet."

"Now, I'm going to call the Major and let him know I heard from you and you're still alive and kickin'. Got any message to pass to him?"

"Tell him…" I hesitated. God there was so much to tell him and Em and Rose. "Tell him that I'm sorry I didn't let them know I was going to run. Try to make them understand it was the only way. Tell them that as soon as I can I will call them. Tell them I love them."

"They know that Bella, but I will tell them again. Stay safe, have fun. Oh and Lil' Bit?"

"Yeah Pete?"

"If either Char or I call and tell you to get out or go somewhere specific, I don't care how insane it sounds, you ask no questions and you run like fuck! Got it?"

"Got it."

"Good. Get some sleep, and get back on the road. Go see the world's biggest ball of yarn or something."

I simply snorted. "Goodnight Peter."

"Night Bit!"

After that I was able to go back to sleep, reassured the Edward wouldn't get me anytime soon, and if that changed Peter would warn me. I knew that next to the Major, the Captain was the best person to protect me.

It was also interesting news that Peter seemed to think I had a year before I absolutely had to be changed. As long as nothing changed I would have a good amount of time to get back to myself. The version of me that I missed and barely remembered. That's the one I wanted to be for eternity.

Getting out my computer I pulled up a map of the US. Seeing a big ball of string didn't really appeal to me, but there were plenty of other places I could go. Finally I found it. My eyes zeroed in on a place that I had always wanted to visit and I pulled up an airline website to find the first flight out at the closest airport. Tomorrow at noon.

With a smirk to myself I snuggled back into my blankets. Peter may have said to stay in the US, but he never said anything about the continent.