"That's not it," Edward muttered, reaching his mind out to Lestat. Stop him now! he demanded mentally.
"What's the matter, dear?" Edward asked, nodding at Van Helsing and shutting the carriage door. He held Hannah's head in his lap, brushing back her hair from her face. "What can I do to help?" he asked quietly.
"It's alright, love," Edward soothed, bringing Hannah over to Van Helsing's carriage and gently placing her inside. "We need to go soon," he said over his shoulder to the others, pulling several blankets over Hannah and jumping into the carriage next to her. "That would be a good idea."
Edward only winked when he caught Van Helsing eye. He spotted the carriages and Carl and Beatrice. "Alright there?" he asked when they walked over.
"Good," Edward said. "We all need to rest and get around more people so these rogue idiots like John, Will, and Lestat can stop following us."
"How far are we from the town now?" Edward asked.
"For now," Edward replied. "They're gone, I think... or at least John is for now."
"Yes," Edward smiled as they walked. "Will get you in the carriage soon."
Edward laughed. "Oh, yes," he began sarcastically. "With John and that God damned Lestat following me I had plenty of time to turn around and tell you I would be borrowing Lexi to keep Hannah safe." He saw Van Helsing open his mouth to retort, but cut him off: "It doesn't matter now. We're all alive and will be safe now that we have the carriages to hide you ladies from the sun." Edward stood with Hannah in his arms, curled in a ball asleep against his bare chest. "She'll be fine; she's just... emotionally and physically tired," he said, seeing Jinx's concerned look. "Let's start back to the others. Did..." he added suddenly, turning to the two in front of him. "Did you leave Carl and Beatrice alone together?"
"I understand," Edward replied coolly. "But I know your better nature will save me from having you murder anyone around you right now."
Edward stirred, shaking his dream from his eyes. He held Hannah tighter to him, and then saw Van Helsing and Jinx. "Are we talking again, then, you two?" he muttered, kissing Hannah's forehead lightly to wake her up. "We didn't think you'd find us that fast."
"I'm very glad to hear it," Edward smiled. "You rest... I've slept already."
"I'll be fine," Edward reassured her, though his hand unconsciously shied to his cut on his stomach. "Please don't worry about me... it's going to be fine."
"I know," Edward soothed, wrapping his arms around her. "And I am sorry for that... but I will get rid of him for you, dear. I promise."
"To him, it doesn't matter what you think, dear," Edward explained. "He doesn't care whether you feel the same way or not. You need to rest, though," he sighed, reaching out his arms. "It's light now and you shouldn't be walking around."
"Sometimes I like to ask what you're thinking," Edward smiled. "I think, in a way, John..." He swallowed a growl, "... he cares about you... and he wants you with him almost like I do. Does that make sense?"
"What are you thinking about?" Edward asked, looking up at her.
"That won't be a problem," Edward replied, and then turned to Lexi's saddlebags and took out several blankets, lying them on the ground. He looked up at the trees; the sun was just starting to come up, but the protection of the roof of leaves and branches seemed to block out almost all the rays. He sat down, his back against a rock behind him. "I don't know what you plan to do," Edward began. "I guess Jinx and Beatrice will be able to tell where we are, correct?"
"Anything else?" he asked, pushing his forehead against hers. "Anything to make you feel safe?"
Edward smiled, kissing her neck again. "Alright, we'll stop. Forgive me for trying to keep you safe... from others and yourself." He turned Lexi off the main path and into a thicker, darker part of the woods. The horse trotted through carefully, and Edward tried his best to lead her over the roots and low bushes. He finally stopped now, sensing no one around him or his mind. "I can make a fire," Edward said, getting off Lexi and helping Hannah down. He held her against him next to the horse, smiling. "Or would that bother you?" he added softly.
