Edward & Bella

Forgive and Forget

Chapter 1

(Bella's POV, present)

"Jake, please…" I murmured, pressing my hands to his smooth chest.

"Please what Bella?" He asked, his voice filled with the passion that was passing between us.

"I…. I don't want this. I can't do this." I told him, pressing against his chest harder as he tried to kiss me again.

"Why not? Is it him? Bella, I love you. He left two years ago. Why can't you love me back?" I could hear the hurt creeping into his voice, and I captured his large face between my small hands.

"Jake, I still love him." I whispered the words, and I could see the pain flash in his eyes, as he tried to beat it back.

"Oh." He mumbled, rolling off of me, and pulling his shirt back on. I sat up quickly, just in time to see him wipe tears from his eyes. "I guess that's fine then." I tried to grab him as he made for my window, but I couldn't get a firm hold.

"Jake…" I started, but he cut me off with a flick of his hand.

"Just go to sleep Bella." And with that he was gone.

(Edward's POV, 2 years earlier)

I had to leave. I couldn't stay here, and keep her in constant danger. Alice wept against Jasper, and Rosalie glared at me. Emmett just sighed.

You're gonna regret this bro… He muttered in his thoughts, and inevitably, mine. I just shook my head. I had already gone over this with them. I would not, could not, continue to put Bella; my Bella, in constant danger. We were leaving in groups, so that the humans would not become suspicious. I was leaving last. I still needed to say good bye.

(Bella's POV, 2 years earlier)

"You… Don't….. Want me?" I stuttered, staring up into his golden eyes. He shook his head.

"No Bella." He said, his voice cold and meaningless. Suddenly, a wave of calm overcame me.

"Well, that changes things." The flatness of my voice surprised me. He sighed, and the sound was very…… bored, as if he just wanted to get this over with as fast as possible.

"Of course, I'll always love you, in a way, but what happened with Jasper made me realize it's time for a change. I'm sick of pretending to be something I'm not, and I'm not human Bella." The entire time he spoke, I could feel all emotion seeping from my body, like I was bleeding it out.

"Don't. Don't do this." I whispered the words, awareness seeping through me, trickling like acid through my veins. He just stared at me, and I could tell that my words came too late. His eyes were hard, like topaz.

"If…… that's what you want."

He nodded once.

My whole body went numb. I couldn't feel anything.

"I would like to ask one favor, though, if that's not too much," he said.

I wondered what my face looked like, because, for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of emotion in his features. But before I could identify it, he'd composed his features into the same serene mask.

"Anything." I vowed, my voice slightly stronger.

His eyes seemed to melt, from topaz to melted gold.

"Don't do anything reckless or stupid." He said, his voice no longer detached. "Do you understand what I'm saying?"

I nodded helplessly.

His eyes cooled, and the distance returned. "I'm thinking of Charlie, of course. Charlie needs you. Take care of yourself- for him."

I nodded again. "I will."