Chapter 5 – Trouble

I felt colder than usual, like I was lying in a blanket of snow. The snow was hard, and even though it was pressing against me, it wasn't melting.

"Edward?" I mumbled, waiting for his charming voice to assure me he was the one holding me, and not some other vampire.

"Are you fully awake now? Your dream-talking at night got me whenever you said my name, which was maybe every five minutes, and I replied every time," he chuckled, not embarrassed of the fact.

I felt relieved to hear his voice and used all my strength to open my eyes and sit up. I ended up in his lap with his arms around my waist.

"How was your sleep?" I joked.

He smiled, "If me sleeping means watching you dream-talk in my arms for the whole night, I'd never want to wake up."

"Must be fun, staring at me for eight hours straight," I rolled my eyes.

He chuckled, "It is. You're fascinating when you sleep. Actually, you're fascinating all the time, but more so when you're unconsciously talking."

"If that was an insult, thanks," I shoved him playfully and got up.

I walked over to the bedside table, where I left my bathroom things. I grabbed them and stumbled out of the room, into the large expensive-looking bathroom.

When I was finally alone, I wondered whether the Volturi were already in Forks. Had they brought all their guards along, or did only a few of them decide to come? I didn't want to ask Edward; I knew it'd put his seemingly good mood down.

I stood in the bathroom for more than was necessary, just thinking about the events yet to come.

xxx

"Hey! How'd you sleep?" an enthusiastic voice behind me as I walked down the hall asked.

I turned around to find Leo, looking better than yesterday. His hair looked like there had been a comb through it, and his navy blue t-shirt looked like it had been ironed recently.

"Good, thanks. Did you do something with your hair?" I wondered aloud.

He looked down and pressed his lips together, "This is one of those moments I'm glad I'm bloodless. I'd be blushing like crazy right about now."

I giggled, "It looks good. What are you up to today?"

"Actually, I was going to go hiking up the mountains. You can join me if you'd like," he offered, seemingly more comfortable now.

Before I could reply and tell him I'm not much of a hiker, a voice behind me made up my mind.

"Sounds great, when are you going? Bella, you have your hiking shoes, right?" I turned just in time to witness Edward accept Leo's invitation.

Leo looked a bit disappointed, maybe because Edward had invited himself into the little outing Leo planned for me and him.

I nodded, and Edward looked pleased.

"In an hour? Would you be ready then, Bella?" Leo looked back at me and studied my expression.

Once again, Edward took it upon himself to answer Leo's question.

"Oh yes, we'll manage. We'll meet you downstairs at nine," his smile almost looked devious.

As Leo strolled away, I turned to Edward.

"What do you think you're doing, I can't hike up a field let alone a mountain! And I'm pretty sure Leo's invite was just for me," I frowned, although I was glad Edward would be coming. He could catch me the billions of times I'd fall.

Edward's smile vanished, "If you don't want me to come along, tell me. I'll leave you with Leo."

I hesitated for a moment, but knew I definitely did want him there.

"No, I want you to come. But you don't have to talk for me; I have my own voice, you know," I rolled my eyes.

Edward grinned, "Good, it's settled. Can you put your shoes on yourself or do you need help?"

I wanted to tell him that I wasn't completely helpless, but knowing me, I'd probably trip over the carpet and need help getting to the emergency room.

I sighed, and Edward followed me into my room.

xxx

"Where exactly are we again?" I asked, a puzzled expression stained across my face for the last thirty minutes we've walked.

Leo chuckled, "Mount McKinley. It's the highest mountain in North America, did you know that?"

"No, I didn't know the name, let alone geographical facts about it," I rolled my eyes. The faster we get this over with, the faster we can go back to Tanya's house, which although inhabited by vampires, was probably safer for me.

I was pretty sure we hadn't even started hiking up the actual mountain, since the ground we were walking on was still flat, like it had been since we began our journey.

I wasn't tired; although I still managed to drag both my fellow hikers back. Leo had tried to keep pace with me, but I could tell he was getting tired of counting to three between each step, so he was up front. Edward, being incredibly patient, was walking beside me, looking amused.

"Are you sure we're not going too fast, Bella?" Edward chuckled under his breath.

"I'm fine," I replied, but my rapid breathing must have given me away because Edward slowed down. I matched my pace to his and felt extremely grateful, since my breath now sounded more even.

I glanced around us, looking far beyond the snow-covered field and onto a dry, grassy one. Just looking at it made me feel like spring in Denali was just around the corner, and the sense of longing to return to Forks swept over me.

And then it hit me, the questions I'd been planning to ask Edward. Was everything resolved in Forks and back to normal, or had the misadventures yet to begin?

Just then, I had an idea.

I saw a good-sized rock lying on the path to the left of mine, so I carefully shuffled towards it. When I was supposed to step over it, instead I curved my right foot inwards and bent my right knee, pretending to trip.

"Ouch! Stupid rock," I mumbled as I used my horrible acting skills to pretend to stumble upon the prop.

Immediately, Edward was sitting at my side, examining my leg, and Leo was standing over me, offering his hand.

I pretended to touch around for rough spots, and when both the guys studied my face and decided I wasn't going to faint, Edward helped me up.

"I think I need a minute. Leo, go ahead, we'll catch up with you. Edward, do you mind helping me out a bit?" I did my best impression of a pout.

Edward nodded and took my hand, trying to steady me. Even without a hurt leg, I felt better with the support.

At first, I thought Leo was going to decline. But after a moment of hesitation, he finally shrugged.

"If you need anything at all, just call my name," he darted away at a faster speed than we had been going.

As soon as he was gone, I looked Edward straight in the eye and blurted it out as fast as I could.

"What's going on in Forks?!" I tried to keep his gaze, but it was no use. He looked away; definitely not a good sign.

Unwillingly, he began to confess what he'd kept from me this whole day.

"Aro, Marcus and Caius have arrived in Forks today morning. They claim I'm the one they want to see, but we can never be too sure. You might be the one they're looking for, and they know I will be wherever you are, therefore if I come to Forks so will you. So, today night I have a flight to catch to Forks, but you coming along is very dangerous. I've decided that since Tanya's family is almost as large as ours, it would be equally safe for you to stay with them for a day or two. I'll be back as soon as possible," I was still dazed from the first sentence.

I couldn't speak. The idea of Edward leaving me, especially in another vampire's house, was unbearable.

"Bella? Say something," he whispered, his eyes soft and golden.

"You… can't… go," I managed to blurt out, feeling my face grow paler.

"It's what's best. It might be a trap, and we'd just be setting ourselves up if you tagged along. They'd have you right where they want you."

I tried to figure it all out in my head. One, a part of the Volturi were in my hometown, along with Charlie and my future family. Two, Edward was leaving me to his possible death. Three, I was being left in a house full of vampires, one of which possibly seeking revenge on me.

Somewhere in the middle of this realization, I started to hyperventilate. The one I was most worried about was the second one. I knew I was being selfish, but I couldn't help it. Breath, it's just for a day or two. Just imagine he's away hunting, I told myself, but I knew it still wouldn't calm me down.

"I wouldn't do this if I didn't think it was in your best interest. Trust me on this, please," he begged, and I couldn't possibly argue with that. The smile he gave me afterwards was completely rewarding.

I nodded and sighed. I still couldn't force my tongue to form any words, but I hoped he understood.

Suddenly, a voice came from right behind my neck.

"You okay? I thought a bear ate you guys or something," I jumped and landed on my foot, and when Leo noticed that, he smiled, "If you can jump, you can hike. Come on, we want to get back before dinnertime."

I didn't feel like talking, let alone arguing, so I let Edward guide me up the long, tiring trail of snow leading up to the biggest freaking mountain in North America.

xxx

Thankfully, we only got up one sixth of the way when it was time to go home. I was secretly pleased, but was sure not to show my delight since Leo seemed bummed.

Edward and I were now sitting on my bed, me in his lap. Occasionally, he would play with my hair or kiss my forehead; neither of us having much to say. We both hated being separated, and this wasn't exactly going to be a piece of cake.

I wanted to put my arms over his shoulders and tell him he didn't have to go, but I told myself I should try to be more altruistic. If Edward didn't appear in Forks, the Volturi might find the need to hurt the Cullens or Charlie, and I wouldn't even consider that a possibility. We had to do what was right, even if the right thing to do happened to be the hardest thing.

Finally, Edward decided to break the silence.

"It'll be fine. The whole thing will be over before you know it, and we'll go off to Vegas and make sure we don't meet any vampires that'll eventually come after you," he winked, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

"Good idea. I'll miss you. A lot. Please, please, please, don't hurt yourself. I feel like I should give you something like they do in movies, when they don't know when they'll see each other again, but I don't have anything," I sighed.

"I already have the most precious thing you could possibly give me. Your heart. And you have mine as well, theoretically speaking, since I don't really have one," he kissed the tip of my nose.

I smiled, knowing it'll be the last time I smile before I'm safe in his arms again.

"What time is your flight?" I wondered, secretly hoping we had at least another couple of hours together.

Edward checked his watch and frowned. Just my luck, it was probably in an hour or so.

"Actually, it's at eleven thirty, and It's ten right now. I should get going," I knew he had just as hard of a time saying those words as I did hearing them.

My gaze fell to the floor and I felt like another rerun of my zombie era was soon to come. No Edward, no Bella's personality.

"Try and be good. I know it's not possible, but stay out of trouble. Tanya and her family are our friends; they'll take good care of you. And one last thing," he whispered as he leaned in closer, "don't do anything stupid."

And with that, he leaned in and gently kissed me. It didn't last very long, but I didn't open my eyes until he was well out of the room and was probably speeding away in his beloved little Volvo.

End of chapter five! Hope you liked it 

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-AnaCullen♥.