Edward leaned back against the cool snow, though he didn't notice the temperature. It felt like velvet against his skin, and he exhaled, loudly.
It wasn't getting any easier. Not any better. He'd tried this the first time he'd caught her scent, thought if he took some time out, remembered what he was, he would be ok. But yesterday had proved that nothing had changed.
He stared up at the sky, trying to spot the stars, so familiar in his studies, yet all he could see was a face. Her face. And he couldn't banish it from his mind.
"It's not getting easier, is it?" Tanya asked.
"No," Edward replied, with a slight shake of the head. "But I'm going back anyway."
"Where will you go?" she questioned. "To Carlisle?"
He shrugged. "I don't think so."
Tanya considered that for a moment, then she shook her head, a smile forming on her face. "I think you will go back. No matter what it is... or who it is... haunting you. You'll face it head on. That's who you are."
Edward nodded, hearing that her thoughts were as definite as her words and he leaned over and kissed her cheek.
"Thank you, Tanya. I think I needed to hear that."