AN: Its short and it took forever but its here, Chapter 6. Eclipse kind of threw me off a bit but I'm trying to figure out where this is going. I start school next week so unfortunately updates will be spaced apart, senior year and all you know?

Eternal Night

6. Boomerang

"Hi Dad. You alright?" He looked up at me.

"Yeah I'm fine, but some more hikers went missing this afternoon near La Push." I paled and looked at Edward who gave me a little nod, confirming my worry.

Victoria was back.

"Um…I'm sorry… you aren't going to be going back in there are you?" I said quietly, apprehension filling my voice toward the end.

"I have to Bells, it's my job." He said sternly. "Don't worry about me, focus on school." A feeble attempt to sidetrack me. I stood still next to the kitchen table; Charlie fidgeted from foot to foot and was obviously looking for an excuse to leave the room.

"I'm not feeling well, I'm going to go lay down." My voice was hardly audible. Charlie nodded and looked to Edward expectantly. Edward's gaze never moved from me, as I carefully avoided looking right into his eyes.

"Well Chief Swan, I should get home then. Good seeing you, as always." He held out his hand politely for Charlie to shake, which he did with a grimace. Charlie didn't leave the room however, so Edward's farewell was a gossamer kiss on my hand which he squeezed gently before walking out the front door.

"It's really nothing to worry about Bells." He said, trying to convince himself as well as me. With that he left the room and I made my way slowly towards the staircase. I took each step carefully, unsure of my balance.

I went into the bathroom and looked at my face in the mirror. My usual alabaster skin looked practically corpse like from the lack of color. My eyes held a wary looking fear, one that had snuck up on me from the recesses of my mind. I took in a shaky breath and went into my bedroom. I sat on the bed and jumped when Edward touched my shoulder. I hadn't even heard the window open. He pulled me onto his lap and wrapped his long arms around me, holding me close in his strong embrace.

Soon tears were leaking out of my eyes. I cried silently into Edward's chest for I don't know how long. He rubbed my back and told me everything was going to be fine and not to worry because he was going to protect me. He promised she wouldn't come anywhere near me. The more he said those things the faster the hot tears pooled down my face. I pushed away from his and held my own face in my hands mumbling into them.

"I don't care about me. If Charlie gets hurt, or someone he works with, or one of you, or the tribe, anyone. Any single scratch on anyone is my fault. I should have never… I don't know what, but I shouldn't have."

"I need to leave." I stated simply, resolved. I wiped my leftover tears on my sleeve and nodded my head stiffly. It's the only solution. At least if I'm not here and she follows me somewhere else to kill me… Charlie won't get hurt.

"Don't even think of that as an option." Edward said, disgusted. "That didn't work out to well last time, if you remember." He said in a lighter tone, trying to pull me out of this deep hole. I looked at him now, slightly chiding him with my gaze.

"Not helping." He grasped my hands and pulled me close. His face was mere centimeters away from my own, sending his essence into my senses full on; clouding my mind.

"Bella look at me." I fixed my gaze on the computer refusing to unfix my trance like stare. He asked me twice more and I rudely would not. He tried to duck his face in front of mine but I shut my eyes and breathed harshly through my nose, clamping my mouth shut tight. He released one hand but gathered it into his other. I heard him punch a few buttons on his cell phone and soon he was talking rapidly into the receiver, to quickly for me to comprehend. I tugged on my hand once, but his grip tightened, refusing to let me go. He hung up.

"You can't just keep hold me here like a child forever you know." I snipped. The house phone rang and I heard Charlie lumber into the kitchen to answer. He chuckled once or twice and then hung up. A heard a few more footsteps before he was calling up the stairs.

"Bells, Alice just called, I know it's a school night and your grounded but I said it would be fine for you to stay the night there ok?" My eyes whipped opened and I glared at Edward, using his sister's influence to get Charlie on his side. His eyes bore into mine, refusing to back down.

"Bells?" Charlie was waiting. After a few seconds I heard him begin to climb the staircase and I quickly answered, putting great effort into keeping my voice steady.

"Alright, thanks dad!" He slumped back down the stairs and turned the volume on the TV up, groaning as his team made a move that gave the other team some sort of advantage.

Edwards eyes were flashing emotions so quickly didn't even have time to recognize half of them. Mine were stony and unrelenting, portraying the betrayal I felt. Edward released my hands and got up, walking suavely to my dresser and selecting a few articles of clothing, putting them into my smallest duffle. I watched him move around my room, so beautiful standing here in the simple ness of it all. Every time I moved in the slightest he flinched in my direction, like he was going to have to catch me from running away at any moment.

About ten minutes later Alice walked through my bedroom door. I rose without a word or glance to either of them and made my way downstairs. I told Charlie I would see him tomorrow as cheerfully as I could and walked out to the car, Alice trailing behind to say good bye to the chief. Edward was already sitting in the car when I got over to it, opting for the back seat. When I approached the car the passenger side door swung open, his arm quickly retreating out of my personal bubble. I got in the car as Alice was walking down the brick driveway towards us; her navy blue Wellington boots shining in the porch light. She got in and started the engine, speeding out of the driveway and down the street before I had time to blink.

The ride was silent except for the sounds of Alice's calm, relaxing music playing in the background. My fists unclenched after a few minutes of listening to it, watching the headlights illuminate small patches of whizzing road ahead of the black car. When we pulled in front of the beautiful white house no one in the car moved. Alice watched Edward in the rearview mirror. I saw in the side mirror that he was shaking his head ever so slightly. I continued to watch this exchange, completely unaware of the words being passed between them. Edward continued to shake his head and growled lowly as his eyebrows pulled together in a death glare at the back of Alice's head.

She turned in her seat and stared at him. After a minute she emitted a deep guttural hissing growl type noise. Edward sat still for a moment then gave a final growl before exiting the car and disappearing into the house vampire speed. The only sign of him entering at all was the sound of the door slamming.

Alice muttered something to herself lowly before rolling her eyes and turning to me with a small smile on her face. I tried to smile back but it was quickly diminished.

"Bella… there is a small favor that I'm going to ask you." She near whispered, I looked at her warily and waited for her to continue. "We are going to go in there," she gestured to the house, "and I need you to stay completely silent no matter what you hear." With the look of confusion and irk on my face she elaborated. "It's very important. I see this going better if you wait to talk until I push the conversation your way ok? I just need you to trust me for a little bit." I trusted her with my life, and have. I nodded and unfastened my seatbelt.

The house was warm inside. We entered the light living room.

"Bella!" Emmett said excitedly as I walked in. I threw him a smile, standing still, worrying over where I should sit.

"It's lovely to see you dear," Said Esmé softly. I replied that it was nice to see them all as well. Jasper gave me a small wave which I returned and Rosalie smiled tentatively. Emmett and she were sitting on one of the smaller sofas, his arm around her shoulders, her head leaning on his. Jasper was sitting in a puffy looking chair, Alice went and sat on his lap; he automatically wrapped his arms around her waist intertwining their fingers as she leaned back into him.

Esmé sat with her legs underneath her on the longest couch, Edward was standing dejectedly leaning against the wall. I took a seat on the couch Esmé was on. We were all silent; Carlisle entered the room after a moment. He located me in the room and gave me a smile which I returned.

"So," he began, "Victoria is flitting around the area again, trying to find a way through the pack and us. Which won't happen," He threw me a small smile. "Sam has requested that I go speak to him. He also suggested that I bring along Bella-" At this Edward leapt from his indifferent posture against the wall and growled loudly.

"Absolutely not." Again I saw the look on his face that made me question whether or not anyone would ever go against his wishes. Carlisle however stared at his son, silently communicating with him, but his aura of authority filled the room. Edward slowly slunk into the shadows of the staircase and disappeared from the conversation entirely.

Carlisle turned towards me and began again. "I will not force you to go but let me first say that I think this is a good step in maintaining a peaceful relationship with the tribe. You know them well, do you not?" We all heard Edwards feral growling from upstairs, though it was a muffled sound for me with all the walls and space between us. I saw Esmé flinch slightly out of the corner of my eye.

I considered for a moment. I was starting to feel a mixture of emotions that threatened to crash down on me at any given second. Jasper sent me a wave of calm. I welded it in, using it to calm my scattered thoughts and make my decision, aware that every pair of eyes in the room was on me. Edward was waiting silently in his room for my answer, no doubt using some ones mind to see me from there. I was about to open my mouth to reply but Emmett's gruff but light voice filled the air.

"I don't Carlisle… that doesn't sound like a good idea… what did that Jacob mutt say about this?" My head shot up and I stared at him with incredulous and fury filled eyes. My mouth was hanging open; his face looked regretful, like he had just slipped a secret. I felt the heat raising in my face and I was about to ask what was going on but Alice's voice rang through my head, completely silent no matter what you hear. I glanced at her and she gave me an almost imperceptible shake of the head, I really only saw her jet black hair shift in the speed.

Carlisle was throwing anxious glances between Emmett and I. Edward appeared at the bottom of the staircase, now wearing flannel bottoms and a white tee shirt. Esmé shifted uncomfortably in her seat. After a few very awkward shock filled seconds that seemed to stretch on for hours, Jasper defused the suddenly intense atmosphere of the bright room. Yet my mind stilled reeled from this leak of information.

How long had they been communicating with them? Has Jacob talked about our time together? Does he feel bad still for getting me in trouble? Is he okay? Have they been hurt at all in their constant search for Victoria? How is Emily? Have they gotten married yet? Or begun planning the wedding? Who initiated this contact? Has he been on the Cullen's territory? Has he been cliff diving? Has he been keeping up with his schoolwork? Has he been getting more sleep? Why hadn't he returned any of my calls? Does he really believe we can't be friends anymore? Does He think I'm still angry about the motorcycle thing?

My reverie was interrupted by Edward clearing his throat lightly. I looked up at him, my questions still forming in my eyes. He pulled his gaze away from mine and looked to Emmett, who would have been red in embarrassment if he could be.

"He suggested it." Carlisle said smoothly. One thought burst from the others flagging itself brightly in my mind, he wants to see me. A small flicker of hope burned deep within me. But I stifled it, not wanting to give myself away to Jasper or Edward.

"She can't go its too dangerous." Edward stated coolly, like it was the only choice. Emmett spoke up again after that.

"I have to agree with Edward on this one, in case anything," he cracked his knuckles, "happens she shouldn't be hanging around." Edward nodded and Rosalie rolled her light eyes at Emmett's apparent love of force.

"If they had any violent intentions they would not have suggested that Bella be there. Even if they think she… betrayed," I winced hardly, "them, they would not wish harm on her. That's the entire point of the treaty in the first place. Perhaps you could request that only specific members be present, the ones with the most control." Alice spoke evenly. Edward stepped forward and was about to open his mouth to speak but was cut off by Carlisle.

"An excellent idea Alice. That's settled then, but Bella, do you wish to attend?"

"I don't like it." Emmett rebutted.

"I refuse to intentionally put her in the path of a mangy, no good, out of control, over emotional, pup like Jac- no- any of those boys." Edward said forcefully. My jaw was clenched and my teeth were practically grinding away at the pressure being put on them. To put it lightly, I was absolutely seething. I glared over to Alice and she rose slowly from Jaspers lap and made her way over to Edward. She stood in front of him and he just glared malevolently down at her. Their gazes locked as Edward's face became steadily angrier and angrier. Hurt and shock flew across his face before it settled into a mask of anger that would have terrified any child into fit filled sleeps for months. In these few seconds his golden eyes warped into pools of molten black, trying to incinerate Alice where she stood with their rage. Alice rose slightly on her toes bringing her gaze closer to his, Edward flinched and Jasper stood up abruptly and released a small growl from the back of his throat; a warning.

All eyes flashed between Jasper, Edward and Alice. Carlisle made a small motion to separate them when Alice bounced back onto flat fleet and whipped her head around to me. Edward's gaze remained on the side of her head. She smiled slightly at me and asked me politely to answer Carlisle's question. I glanced quickly at Edward, his eyes clamped shut waiting for the answer he knew he would hear but didn't want to.

"Yes I'll go." Edward was gone in a flash, Emmett placing Rosalie on the other side of the couch and moving quickly out the back door as well. Jasper walked quickly forward and wrapped his arms protectively around Alice, bending down to whisper something quietly in her ear. She tilted her head to look at him and frowned slightly, which he returned. I didn't understand this exchange at all.

I watched Carlisle carefully waiting for some sort of explanation or instruction. I heard the sound of thunderous booms from the backyard that made me want nothing more than to cover my ears. I flinched as the sound repeated two, three, four times and was accompanied by snarls. Esmé stretched her hand out and patted mine gently as it lay limp in my lap. Rosalie looked at me incredulously for a moment before rising from her seat and gliding out the door to the garage, her face impassive as she walked by.

"Well, Bella, I will call and request our meeting for tomorrow evening seeing as it is getting late for you." I nodded lightly and waited. I brought my gaze up to his and begged for an explanation with my eyes. He sighed and drew in a breath. "Jacob requested that you be unaware of any communication between any of us. He wanted to make sure that you were being taken care of, had a heartbeat," he laughed lightly, "he cares about what happens to you but didn't want to have to deal with you directly. I'm not sure why, but when he set up this little arrangement it was agreed to under the pretense that Edward 'owed' him a favor." He watched my face as comprehension clicked into place. I nodded stiffly and then glanced around the room, attempting to find anything to settle my eyes on, distract me so that the tears would not brim over. Alice and Jasper had left the room and now Esmé and Carlisle were also leaving.

I sat on the warm sofa staring at the threads in the carpet as a few tears escaped despite my best efforts. Jacob Black refused to be my friend, and yet he made sure I was safe at all times. Does he even care? Or is he just doing his 'job' making sure as Carlisle said; that I still had my heartbeat. All these times that Edward had seen me upset over my lost friend, he could have said that Jake wanted to know if I was okay. He caring, even if it is just for his job, is better than him writing me off completely. Even if Jacob had said not to tell me, he could have, I wouldn't have let the secret slip. He should have told me. How am I supposed to marry Edward when he is constantly keeping secrets from me?

I have no idea how long I sat there. I was in a dazed state, a staring contest with the carpet. The snarls outside had lessened and than stopped. Edward and Emmett were suddenly standing in the living room, the light from the small lamp casting their shadows high onto the walls. Emmett shuffled for a moment before mumbling a goodnight and heading out to the garage to find Rose. I refused to raise me eyes from the floor. I needed to use this blank state I had my body in to my advantage, to keep my emotions under control.

I heard him move over towards the piano. He stood silently for a moment before he played the first few noted of my lullaby. I still did not look up. He came closer to me until he was kneeling down a few feet from me. I saw his hands in his lap holding onto tattered pieces of cloth, what had been his shirt only a short time ago. His long pale fingers meddled with the fabric nervously, ripping the shreds smaller and smaller. The shirt was practically confetti now, I felt his gaze turn onto me, trying to break into my mind.

"Bella please say something…" His velvet voice whispered so lightly I almost couldn't hear. I took in a long, slow breath and began to raise my eyes. I followed the line of his arms up past his immaculate chest and stopped at the base of his throat. I released my breath and took another in as I looked him straight in the eye. His face was so sad and sorry, clouded with worry and fear. He was scared. I have no idea what of but he was. I stared for a moment.

"I hope you guys are even now," I said coldly. I pushed my hands just under my thighs and used my arms to push myself up from the couch. I walked slowly to the staircase and held my railing as I made my way up. As I was about to pass Alice's door she opened it and stepped into the hallway. She gently pushed a small pile of amazingly soft flannel into my arms. I looked at her and smiled slightly; she retuned it and hugged me before returning to her room.

I got into Edward's room and flipped on the light switch. All of the fluffy decorative couch pillows were pulled apart, leaving feathers and fabric all over the carpet. Funny, I hadn't heard that. I sighed and went over to Edward's bathroom. I undressed and stepped into the hot and hard spray of the shower. Steam flooded my senses along with the aroma of the shampoo Alice put in here for me.

Edward was just keeping his promise to Jacob. He did owe him. And I did hope they were even now, I hate to imagine what else could go on behind my back. I massaged the conditioner into my scalp and let it sit for a minute while I scrubbed the rest of my body. All the soap bubbles dripped down from the arms and I watched them circle the drain before disappearing into the recesses of the house. I got out and wrapped myself in a thick gold towel hanging to the right of the shower stall. With my hair combed and teeth brushed I observed my reflection in the mirror. What is it about me that has a sadistic vampire chasing me, and another vampire ruining his own mental health trying to be with me? The longer I stared, the further I was from an answer and a frown carved into my forehead.

Alice had given me black flannel pants with light blue small polka dots on them and a long sleeved ultra soft cotton light blue shirt along with black underwear. I pulled everything on and instantly felt cozy and warm. I smiled and walked out into Edward's room. The feathers were no longer on the floor I noticed as I walked barefoot across the room to the bedroom door. I made my way downstairs into the kitchen and grabbed a glass from the cupboard. I filled it halfway with tap water and stared out the window as I slowly sipped it. When I was done I washed and dried to cup before putting it back.

With closer attention paid on my way back to Edward's room I noticed light filtering from underneath the door of Carlisle's office. I didn't pause but continued up the stairs. When I got into his room I grabbed my favorite warm blanket and down pillow. The flannel cover to the pillow and warm embrace of the blanket made me begin to drift off to sleep almost immediately but my mind began to worry. Where was Edward? I hadn't been so mean that he left had I? No he wouldn't do that, he promised. My brain replayed all the scenes from the first day meeting Victoria, James, and Laurent in the field. Then the pictures of the Volturi played, the crimson eyes gleaming in the antechamber, the clouded red of Aro's eyes. Jane's gleaming smile as she tortured the love of my life. I rolled over a few times before I gave up and lay on my back slamming my arms over the top of the blanket and plastering them to my sides.

I lay for a while and watched the shadows play on the walls from the small amount of moon light making its way through the cloud cover. I rolled onto my left side and curled my legs up staring into the darkness.

Laurent's words flashed through my mind; rendering me sleepless for what seemed like hours. 'If you knew what she had planned for you Bella…'

Edward came in at some point. I saw his silhouette in the doorway and I'm certain he knew I was awake. For the longest time he didn't come any closer. Eventually he moved so he was sitting with his back pressed against the couch; his knees were pulled up to his chest and his chin rest on them. After a few minutes I slowly got up and crouched down beside him.

I took his hand in my own and pulled until he rose. I pushed him until he was lying down on the couch. I lay on top of him, draping the blanket over us and burying my face in the crook of his neck. I kissed him gently there and set one hand on his bare chest, sliding my face down until my cheek lay pressed over his silent heart. He wrapped an arm around me, kissing my hair. I listened to the air swoosh in and out of his lungs, feeling his chest rise against mine. My other hand found his and our fingers laced. There was powerful electricity that seemed to flow between us; making my body relax in its warmth until I fell asleep.

♦

I drifted out of my sleep from the feather light cool touch that was on my face and neck. Edward continued to kiss me and caught the edge of my mouth with his lips as is tweaked up in a small smile.

"Time to wake up, my love." He whispered against my mouth. His perfect lips sent shivers of pleasure down my body and made my heart pump faster, bringing me to a full state of awareness within seconds. I opened my eyes and brought my left hand up to stroke his cheek softly. My engagement ring caught the sunlight streaming in from the window and I smiled wider at the sight of it. Edward followed my gaze and smiled brightly. Then I frowned. Edward's face was instantly apprehensive.

"What's wrong?" he inquired nervously.

"You won't be able to come to school today will you?" I asked shifting my eyes to meet his. Relief was apparent as he answered.

"The clouds should move in by the time you are done with breakfast, you haven't got a thing to worry about I promise." I smiled again and Edward scooped me up in his arms and carried me over to the bathroom, eliciting a squeal of surprise from me as I clung to his neck in shock. He chuckled lightly the sound bouncing off the walls of his room.

"Silly Bella, I won't drop you." I stared at him for a moment and felt his grasp disappear. I squealed again much to his amusement as I was clutching him once again not even a second later as he held me in his arms again. My arms were tight around his neck and my face was buried in his neck as I steadied my breathing.

"That was not funny Edward Cullen." I stated pulling back to look him in the eye. He was trying very hard to hide a smirk but released it once I burst out laughing. He set me on the ground and pointed over to where Alice has left an outfit on the counter.

Edward watched as I picked up what she set out. A smile crept onto my face as I held a shirt as soft as the one I was wearing but this one in a deep indigo with a hood and soft denim jeans and bless her; black converses with the same colored blue laces. I looked up at him and said quietly,

"Do NOT tell her I love this, I'll never hear the end of it and she'll drag me out shopping." He laughed silently but didn't answer. I walked over to him and got very close to his face. "Promise." I whispered even quieter. He brushed his lips against mine and bent to my ear.

"I promise." With that I smiled and shut the door to get dressed. I love this outfit; this is almost as comfortable as my pajamas had been last night. The second I opened the bathroom door Edward grabbed me in his arms and walked swiftly down the stairs, ignoring me the entire time when I said I could walk on my own. Every time I opened my mouth to protest he kissed me. By the time we reached the kitchen table I was practically hyperventilating. Esmé came over and gave me a plate of pancakes that smelt delicious with warm syrup drizzled on them. They taste even better than they looked. I thanked Esmé before running upstairs to brush my teeth and grab my school bag.

Bella Swan, stairs, running do not mix. I tripped down the hallway and landed on the top stair luckily grabbing the banister before I fell all the down. In the process my right hand pressed and dragged over the zipper to my school bag, creating a small series of semi deep cuts down the side of my palm.

"Crap," I exclaimed, "No body come near me I'm bleeding." I said a lot louder. "Ugh, its smells." I groaned making an effort to breath through my mouth. But Edward was already in my line of sight rushing up the stairs to sit by me. "Edward I'm fine just give me a second to get up and go into the bathroom or something." I rambled. I tried to push myself up off the floor with my other hand but winced I stretched a bruise already forming along the length of my leg. Edward gently pushed me back down and took my face in his hands; he turned me towards him and looked deep into my eyes.

"Bella?"

"Yes." I whispered.

"I'm fine, it isn't bothering me at all, I vowed to never hurt you and I won't. Let me see." I reluctantly moved my hand away from my body and placed it in his stone hands. He bent his head down and kissed the inside of my palm, right next to the wound. I watched him with careful eyes as he met my gaze again. His eyes were still light topaz and I found myself melt into them and stare back lovingly. His lip twitched up into a crooked grin and he told me he would be right back.

Before I could blink he was back in front of me with hydrogen peroxide, a small towel, a white tube, gauze pads, and white self adhesive medical tape. I know my medical supplies well, for obvious reasons. He placed my hand on the towel and lightly poured a small amount of the peroxide onto the cuts. At first it felt cool but after a few seconds it turned into a stinging sensation that seemed to spread throughout my entire hand. It hurt, a lot, but I didn't make a sound or wince. I'm supposed to be trying Edward to change me into a vampire after all. This is kittens compared to that internal inferno.

Edward dried it off and laid the gauze pads on the cut with some ointment before taping them all down to my hand carefully. When he was done he kissed all along it and then leaned forward and kissed my lips again. His mouth lingered on mine and my un-bandaged hand made its way up his chest and into his hair as his chilly hand wound around my neck, keeping me close.

"WE'RE GOING TO BE LATE!!!" Alice unnecessarily bellowed up the stairs. I jumped back in surprise and almost fell down the staircase again but Edward caught me and brought me to my feet muttering something about stupid little sisters. He picked me up and we were in his Volvo in seconds Alice waiting not so patiently next to Jasper in the backseat, tapping her rain boot clad feet against the floor of the car. She muttered something that sounded like 'took you long enough, next time get a room' which made Edward erupt in a short but strongly territorial and protective growl.

Jasper growled in return but placed a hand on Alice's shoulder and her tapping foot became still and she slumped back in the seat, a small grimace playing at the edges of her mouth.

We made it to school on time and were making our way over to building three when Edward reminded me about the dance that night. I yanked on his hand until he stopped moving and looked down at me. He bent forward, closer to me.

"Werewolves then dancing." I said sternly before proceeding to walk again dragging him along as Alice and Jasper giggled next to us.

Songs:

Barfly - Ray LaMontagne

Empty - Ray LaMontagne

This House Is A Circus - Arctic Monkeys

Say Anything - Cartel