The Edge

'Splaining

Summary: Alice returns and there's hell to pay.

MARCH

Bella entered the house, a weary sigh falling from her lips. Closing the door behind her, she breathed in deeply and worried her bottom lip, still unable to believe that Victoria had been so close to her and that she had been completely unaware of her. Of course, she had been busy almost drowning at the time, but the thought of it sent a fresh wave of shivers through her body.

Combing her fingers tiredly through her hair, Bella reached for the light switch. However, before her fingers could make contact with it, the lights in the hallway flickered on and Bella saw that there was someone there, waiting for her.

Bella froze, her eyes staring unblinking forward as she took in the impossibly perfect figure, gleaming in front of her. As the figure stood motionless, Bella couldn't help but stare at the face, so beautiful that it was almost painful, almost beyond imagining.

Her knees trembled, and she almost fell, but then the shock of the moment wore off and Bella straightened, glaring at the lovely statue in front of her.

"Bella," the word fell softly from Alice's lips, her tone fragile, hopeful and yet disbelieving. "Bella," she repeated again, her voice a little stronger this time, as if she were beginning to comprehend that Bella was indeed standing in front of her. "Bella," she sighed once more.

A moment after that, Bella found herself wrapped up in strong, cool arms, Alice's lips pressed to her cheek, as the petite brunette drew her limp body against her own, hugging her desperately.

"Oh, thank god," Alice whispered pulling back from Bella, her hands moving from around Bella's waist to cup her face in her hands. "Thank god," she said, staring at Bella face for a second before drawing her back into another hug.

"Let go," Bella said, her voice shaking as her body shivered. "Now!" The word was as close to a growl as her human voice was capable of producing.

Alice released her immediately and took a step back from her, watching Bella's face very closely.

"Bella," Alice started, the name coming out slowly, her earlier exuberance replaced by caution.

"No," Bella said cutting her off before she could say anything more. She shook her head from side to side, and then pushed past Alice, moving into the family room where she began to pace. "What are you ..." Bella began a few seconds later, halting halfway through the question, before starting up again with another one. "Why are ... what are you doing here?" she finally managed to get out, rounding on Alice, her eyes watery and vicious.

Five months. It had been five months since she had woken up to an empty bed, and in all of that time, she had not heard a word from Alice.

Oh, of course there had been the letter, the one that Edward had handed her that morning at school. Of course, there was that letter where Alice explained that the party had made her realize how weak she was, and that no matter how good her intentions may have been that she knew that Bella would always remain a temptation to her, and she herself a danger to Bella. Of course, there was that letter where Alice told her that Jasper needed her more than ever, and that she couldn't risk hurting him, or Bella herself, even more by giving into her feelings for her again.

There had been that letter where Alice said goodbye.

But after that, there had been nothing, absolutely nothing ... for five months.

And now Alice was back ... in her house ... hugging her ... kissing her cheek ... like she actually cared ... like they were friends. And ... and ... fuck that! Bella thought viciously. Fuck. That.