Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or the Phantom of the Opera. None of the characters in Twilight belong to me. This is non-profit story used for entertainment purposes only. I am making no money off of this.

The rope seemed to tighten around the circumference of Jake's neck and a gasp escaped from between my lips. I almost squeezed my eyes shut, but I forced myself not to. That would be cowardly to do; if Jacob could suffer through this, I could suffer through watching it. I brought my gaze to meet Edward's red eyes, and I found no remorse there. He would kill Jake without a second thought, I knew.

"Why would you do this?" I breathed out. "Who deserves this?"

It was a flash of rage, but I wanted to strike Edward. He was acting like a monster, but I regretted those thoughts almost immediately. He wasn't a monster, I knew. I swallowed loudly as my gaze flickered between the two of them. Edward's face was furious, mocking; but something about it seemed uncertain. Jake was enraged, but knowing him as well as I did, I could see there was a small part of him that was hiding fear.

Not fear of dying, I knew, for Jake did not fear death. Fear of losing me.

I had the same fear. The thought of losing Jake to another woman surprisingly did not hurt all that much. I could let him go if it would keep him safe. It would not kill me. The thought of him dying in such a brutal manner, him dying from any other cause then a natural one, was a painful one. That, I knew, was enough to kill me.

I locked gazes with Edward. "May I have moment to say goodbye to him?"

An expression crossed Edward's face for only one brief moment. Complete disbelief, as if he expected I was such a monster that I would rather Jacob dies then have to stay with him. I knew my choice, and I knew I would not let Jake die no matter what the cost. Calmness came over me with the certainty in my decision. There was no reason to fear the inevitable.

Edward inclined his head in what could be considered a bow. It would have been polite, had he not been holding a rope around the neck of my fiancé.

"Certainly," he said all too calmly. There seemed to be an underlying emotion that he was hiding.

I swallowed loudly. Edward disappeared as if he had never been there, but I knew he was there. He was somewhere nearby watching, waiting, to see what we were doing. I picked up my skirt and raced forward, undoing the rope that was around Jake's neck. My hands shook and it took longer than it should have. He wrapped me up in his arms as soon as he was loose, hugging me tightly.

"I won't leave you." I squeezed my eyes shut, allowing him to hold me for one second before I pushed him away.

"Yes, you will," I corrected. He frowned, shaking his head. I nibbled on my lower lip. Hadn't we just been over this? "You can't stay, Jake. He'll kill you. You know that."

"I won't leave you with this monster, Bella," he insisted.

I closed my eyes, and then reopened them. I had to get him to understand. "Don't be a lovesick fool, Jake. Don't waste your life like that."

I regretted how harsh my words were, but I would not take them back given the chance. His face showed the hurt it felt, but if it got him to leave without an argument, I would be as cruel as I would have to be. The hurt changed to defiance, stubbornness, and I knew he would not leave willingly. Edward would have to drag him out, but as long as I stayed, he would not be hurt, and that was a small comfort.

I gazed down at my hand, the engagement ring glittering threateningly on my finger. I reached down and tugged it off, holding it out to him.

"Here," I said gently. "This is yours."

He shook his head in disbelief slowly. "No, Bella, no, don't say that. It's not mine, it's yours. I'll get you out of here."

I reached down and grabbed his hand gently. "Don't be unrealistic," I said softly.

I opened his palm and placed the ring in it, using my hand to force his fingers to curl limply over the diamond. He didn't drop it, but he also didn't help me in giving him the ring. His hand stayed limp, the fingers bending only when I bent them myself. It was almost as if he didn't realize I was giving it to him, for he was intent in scanning my face.

"Go find some other lady. Someone nice and sweet, who will treat you well and love you unconditionally," I instructed softly.

"No," he choked out, disbelief etched across his features.

"Please don't worry about her status. Look for your own happiness, not the happiness of your family. You loved me, and what am I? A mere dancer and singer, is all. I want you happy and with someone else."

My words were almost bitter, but I found as I thought about it, there was no jealousy in my words. I did not want him to be unhappy and alone. My words were the truth. I wanted him to be loved and treated as the wonderful man I knew him to be. He was my best friend, my confident, but as I thought about it, was I really in love with him? Or was he just comfortable, familiar to me? I loved him, I knew that. But there was a difference between being in love and loving someone.

He shook his head. "No, Bella. Here, to ensure I get you out of here; I'll leave and bring back help. I will find loads of tough men who can beat this monster, who can fight him off. We'll come back and get you, bring you to safety. It will be alright, Bells. Just stay here for a few minutes and don't let him drag you off anywhere. I'll come back, and we can be together."

I closed my eyes, shook my head. "Don't come back, Jake, please don't come back. You'll just get yourself and innocent people hurt. Leave me behind here, Jake, and find another girl for yourself. Leave me in your memories."

He was ever so stubborn, as I always knew him to be. It was one of the qualities I had loved about him from day one. "I will come back, Bells."

A cold hand clamped on my shoulder, gently pulling me back.

"Go on back there now, Bella. I will take care of him."

I shot Edward a nervous glance. "Remember your promise. I will stay here if you spare Jake."

"I remember my promise, Bella, and I intend to keep it. No worries about that."

I shrugged out from under his hand, stepping back to gaze at his face. I believed him, for some reason. I did not think that he would hurt Jake, not when I promised to stay here in exchange for Jake's life. I trusted him to keep his word, because I knew he wanted me to stay bad enough to keep it.

There was also a small part of me that noted he struck me as honorable, and not the type to back down from a promise.

"Bella, please, no." It was the anguish, the utter despair that coated Jake's words that made me close my eyes.

I turned and left, not sparing either of them a second glance. I didn't want to watch Edward make Jake leave; but there was silence from them, so I assumed Edward was using his speed to get Jake out of there quickly. I was too much of a coward to look for myself.

I closed my eyes, sucking in a deep breath. I reopened them and gazed around the room, approaching a table in the back of the room. I touched a portrait that was drawn of me, gently running my fingers over it. Towards the back of the dresser there were obviously old drawings of his, when he was less talented, for I was practically a stick figure. I gave a choked, slightly hysterical laugh.

I ran my fingers along the table, towards a necklace that was carelessly tossed upon it. Isabella was engraved in the front. I picked it up, running my fingers along the chain. It swung back and forth, and I had an idle thought. Had he bought it, or had he made it? He seemed artistic enough to have made it; that was for sure.

I swallowed and then dropped it onto the ground, the sound of it impacting with the cement floor making a loud clang. I picked up a portrait and slammed it onto the ground, watching the dirt from the door make small smudges on his drawing. It was perfectly done, and now it was ruined. Recalling Jake's hurt expression, I felt a small moment of satisfaction.

I grabbed another portrait and snapped it in half, hurling it at the wall. I grabbed another portrait and chucked it at the wall, grabbing at my face in frustration after I was done. I stifled my sobs of anger, my cries of despair, recalling how it had hurt Jake. He was my best friend, and it hurt me to know he wouldn't let go easily.

"Bella." It was Edward, his voice ever so quiet. I wanted to hate him, I realized. I wanted to so badly, but I couldn't bring myself to do just that.

"What do you want?" I muttered unhelpfully.

"We must leave. Your friend is persistent that he will bring help back here to fight me; he will do just that. I can defend myself, but you might get hurt in the process. And I would rather not kill people who are under the misguided opinion that they are saving you. Honorable actions should not be punished."

There he went again, with his adoration of me. It made it so hard for me to be as furious as I should be. Instead I felt overwhelming sadness; that in itself made me angry, but more so at myself then him. "Because threatening to kill Jake unless I stayed was entirely honorable," I choked out.

He said nothing, just stared at me. And I broke down.

There was no anger in me, just pure sadness. The tears streaked down my face, the guilt making my diaphragm clench tightly.

Edward walked towards me and I flung a portrait at him. My aim missed, but he didn't even flinch or try to stop it.

I grabbed another portrait and chucked it at him, and this time I hit his chest. He let it bounce off of him but he just kept coming. My heart beat quickened up and I scrambled at the table, searching for something to strike him with. The rational part of me knew there would be nothing, but the other part of me wanted to find something; expected to find something.

His arms enveloped me and I broke down into sobs, clutching at his arm. Jake wouldn't let go easily, I knew, and he would be miserable. Was it my fault? I was self-involved enough to think that yes, it was my fault. Would he find happiness? I hoped that someday he would, and that he would find another lady.

Someone to love him as I had not.

"Bella, Bella." Edward smoothed down my hair, letting me sob into his shirt. I dug my nails into his pale skin, but I doubted he even felt it. His skin was like marble. "What is wrong, now? Why do you cry so?"

"Jake," was all I managed to get out.

His stroking of my hair stopped momentarily before he picked it up again, this time halfhearted.

"Bella, now, there is so need to cry," he soothed. But I continued to cry, remembering his last words, remembering his facial expression. How I had hurt Jake, something I had strived not to do. I wanted to blame Edward, but ultimately I couldn't. I had dragged Jake into this even when I knew the risk of doing so.

Eventually, I calmed down, my sobs becoming soft hiccups and silent tears. He continued to stroke my hair soothingly while I wiped at my face, trying to slow the constant flow of tears. I almost laughed at how ridiculous I must look, the top of my head all bloody, my face flushed and tear stained. I was sure my eyes were red rimmed and my nose red, as well. How unattractive, I thought, and the vainness of it almost made me smile.

I hadn't loved Jake as anything more than a friend, and the realization made me even guiltier. He deserved better than that.

"You are sad," Edward said ever so slowly.

"Yes." I wiped at my cheeks, straightening myself. A look of pain crossed Edward's face and he sucked in a deep breath.

"You miss him." It wasn't a question.

Of course I missed Jake. He was my best friend, and I left him in distress. "Yes."

Edward exhaled, and ever so slowly he leaned his face towards me. I moved my head forward, just the tiniest bit, allowing him, almost encouraging him, to kiss my forehead. Maybe it was the fact I moved my head, giving him the tiniest bit of encouragement, or maybe it was the fact I hadn't shuddered at his touch, as I might have done only days ago, but his grip tightened on me.

For one long moment he held me close, and then he released me entirely.

"I have to destroy this room," he said clearly. "Destroy any evidence of me having been here, and you having association to me. That will put you at risk for more interrogating, which I won't risk. They will know you're down here and need assistance, but with no further proof you shouldn't have any problems."

I raised my gaze up to meet his. "What are you talking about?" I pronounced each syllable clearly and slowly, unsure if he was saying what I thought he was saying.

"Excuse me," he said shortly, and he strode off. He returned a moment later with a torch, a fire lit and blazing at the top of it. I raised an eyebrow.

"That could burn down the entire place," I warned him. A grim smile twisted his lips.

"That's my intention. I want you to go that way." He pointed towards the gate. "I'll flip the switch to raise it. Just run that way and keep running. Go upstairs once you reach the staircase and find the nearest exit. You'll know the way once you reach upstairs. Just keep running and get out of this building."

"Will you not be accompanying me?" I questioned, uncertain. I did not think he was foolish enough to let me run off on my own after he struggled so hard to keep me here.

He smiled and shook his head. "No. Go."

"Wait, slow down. You're confusing me. Why aren't you coming with me?" I held up my hand, signaling for him to halt what he was saying. I was genuinely confused.

His smile was sad, almost wistful, one could describe it as. "I would rather you be happy with Jake then miserable with me, even if it costs me my own happiness. Go on, then. You might meet up with Jake on your walk up."

I could feel glee bubble up inside of me; I could go home if I wanted to. He was giving me a choice. But first, I wanted to clarify something with him.

"And Jake?" I asked softly.

"He will not be harmed by me," Edward promised. A smile split across my face—he was really giving me a choice. I was not forced to stay here with him if I did not want to. I thought about Jake and his hurt expression, his utter disbelief that I actually thought he would leave me. And that was all I thought about.

"Thank you," I whispered, and I picked up my skirt and ran towards the gate. Just like he promised, it raised slowly, allowing me to leave. I spared Edward a backwards glance. He was watching me sadly, the torch in his hand, the flame flickering as he waited for me to leave.

I ran down the hallway, lifting my skirt up so I would not trip over it. I slowed down to a walk once the gate was out of sight, and I gazed around, searching frantically for the staircase. At the same time, my mind processed the fact that in a way, I did not want to leave and face Jake.

I did not want to tell him that I was not in love with him.

Another part of my mind processed the fact Edward was not following. I recalled his sad smile and how he had waited in the room to light it on fire—and he had not so much as implied that he was following. I completely stopped, realization dawning on me. He didn't plan on leaving this place. He was going to burn with it. That's why he let me go so easily. He wouldn't have to live through the pain of it, because he would be dead.

I turned around and raced back, not even sure why I was doing this. Why try to save him, when he had nearly killed Jake? The answer was starting to dawn on me, but I wasn't sure I could even admit it to myself yet.

There was smoke coming from back there and I picked up my pace, stumbling only a few times. I silently cursed my poor equilibrium.

"Edward!" I tried to scream it, but I was out of breath. Flames were ahead, the heat of it reaching me even from over ten feet away. They licked at the ceiling, spreading as thick smoke formed. I coughed furiously, blinking away the tears that burned in my eyes from the heat and irritation of smoke.

I crouched down, sidling against the far left wall, where it had not quite reached. I coughed against the smoke.

"Edward!" I tried to yell, but the smoke filled my lungs, making me gasp sharply.

"Edward," I groaned, sliding down the floor. The smoke was making my lungs burn, the flames licking too close for comfort. I could see the outline of him in the distance, but I doubt he heard me. I hardly heard myself, and with all the noise the flames made, it was not likely he could hear me.

My vision was becoming blurry and I ducked my head, cringing away from the smoke. I felt the flames lick at my dress, briefly touching the ends of my long hair. I closed my eyes and folded my legs in, wrapping my arms around them tightly. I couldn't quite tell you what happened, for the last thing I remembered was something cold wrapping around me.

Something cold was pressed against me, stroking my arms gently. I was sitting on something cold, I realized, and it felt nice against my skin. Maybe it was ice. I wasn't sure. My skin felt uncomfortably hot, but the ice made me feel better.

It took me only a moment to realize it wasn't ice. I opened my eyes and found myself in an unfamiliar room. The floor was wooden, the walls painted a nice white. I was sitting on Edward's lap, I realized, in the middle of a bed. I moved backwards a little, inclining my head up to look at him.

There were burns on the side of my arms, and the ends of my hair were burnt, but otherwise I appeared fine.

"You little fool," he whispered, but there was no venom in his words. "You almost got yourself killed."

"Why did you do it?" I asked him. He shook his head.

"You know why."

I nibbled on my lower lip, watching him carefully. His expression was guarded, almost cold. It hurt me to see him like that.

"You know," I began slowly; "I realized something when I left you. I knew by that point I loved Jake as a friend, and only as a friend. But when I ran, I realized that sometimes when someone loves you so very much, and unconditionally, it's hard not to love them in return. And, well, I think I'm in love with you."

He stared at me for one long moment, and then he laughed harshly. "It's the smoke making you say that. You're ill."

"No," I corrected. "I mean it. I want to stay with you." Abruptly, I was insecure. What if he thought I was too much trouble, now? I had just run into a burning fire, after all. "I mean… if you still want me."

He stared at me for one long moment before he pulled me tightly against him, burying his face in my hair. "If I still want you!" he exclaimed, his voice cracking. He began to whisper to me, and while I could not understand everything he was saying, I managed to make out that yes; he still very much wanted me.

Author's Note: So, that's the end. Just the epilogue left.

And sorry for the long wait. My newest laptop crashed. If you're curious as to why Bella fell in love with Edward in one chapter, well, she didn't. She loved him for a while now—she just didn't realize it.

Hope you enjoyed the story. Please review!