A/N: Okay. Prepare yourself for a deluge of excuses.

Reasons why I have not updated: graduated college (yay!), had to get two jobs (total of 60 hrs a week) to save money (boo!), am moving half-way across the country in less than a month (yay!), writers block (boo!)… and the biggest reason…

I'm almost finished with my book. Like… less than three chapters, can see the light at the end of the tunnel finished. And that was my goal for the summer before I moved and started my new job (which will also run around 60 hours a week). It's been a long and difficult process filled with rewrites, rearranging, and completely throwing some things out… but I'm SO CLOSE. Because of that I've also been doing research on agents, getting ready to send queries to those that I think might be a good fit for me/my book.

I'm sorry that all this has taken me away from this fic, but I did warn you all in the beginning that this was a side/side/SIDE project, and would unfortunately be the first thing pushed to the wayside.

When will I be updating again?

I don't know. Right now, I'm only eating, sleeping, and breathing my own characters—there's no room for these in there (yes, even Edward).

Will I be updating again?

Probably. I wish I could give you a definite answer on this, but here's what I can give you. If my book doesn't get picked up by an agent (which is always a possibility), then yes, I will probably need an escape to a world outside of my book. Even if it does get picked up, but looks like it might be a long process to publication, then yes, that too will mean an update. BUT… if *crosses fingers* things go miraculously well, and I can spend my time writing my own character's story, and get paid for it? In that case, my fanfiction writing will almost definitely cease, and I might even remove the stories I already have archived (So… if there's something you haven't read of mine that you'd like to… you should do it soon).

Again, I apologize for this news and for the wait. But I am incredibly happy with how things are going, and I hope that you all will find it in your hearts to forgive this.

If you want to keep up with me, my life, and my forays into writing—you can friend me on livejournal. Username: JKRsunkmyship

Now for those of you who have actually stuck around the read this whole thing—thank you. And here is a very small gift for your time—all that I have managed to get written of the next chapter in these many months. I wish it were more.

Of Curses and Cures

Chapter Twenty- Seven-A

January 1st, 2009

Evening

The door rocks and rattles from the assault it's taking on the other side. Edward's jaw is clenched, his eyes closed in concentration. Sweat draws tracks of moisture down the length of his face.

"Get out of the tub." He grounds out, his body jolting from the continuous, loud pounding and growling coming from the other side of the door. There are loud, screeching sounds followed by the splintering of wood as nails claw at the barred door.

Bella jumps into action.

Edward hears her jump from the tub. He can hear every drop of water that hits the floor. The lines of moisture that glide along her skin sing like the chords of a violin. She doesn't even bother to dry off before she grabs some dirty clothes from the hamper and pulls them on. She grabs him a shirt that he quickly pulls over his head.

She looks at him, the look in her eyes screaming with utter terror. She opens her mouth to speak, but he quickly silences it with his hand. He presses his palm firmly against the curve of her lips.

He's never been more terrified than he is in this moment.

And he's never loved her more. With all the desperation of a man about to die, he pulls her against his chest—no care for how fragile she is or how strong he is. There is only the soft curve of her against his chest, her warm lips that fall open under his assault, and the frenzied moan released from her lips. He kisses her like he may never kiss her again. And then he does it again. And again. Until he's certain she absolutely has to breathe, now.

He releases her, his eyes dark with longing and fear, and tells her.

"Climb out the window. I'll hold them off."