A/N: So this is my first multi-chapter fanfic. I'm excited that you have decided to travel this road with me. I'll try to update frequently, but as we all know, RL constantly rears its ugly head.

I'm in search of a beta…so if you would like the job, let me know! I promise to give you mad props and long distance squee's with high-five's.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

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The song for this chapter is Breathless by The Corrs.

The daylight's fading slowly
but time with you is standing still
I'm waiting for you only
The slightest touch and I'll feel weak

The drive from the squadron to my apartment downtown was taking longer than usual. Usually, I didn't mind the drive as it gave me time to let my mind just drift off and unwind some from the long day. However, today wasn't one of those days. I adjusted the knobs on the old radio, hopeful that I would find something to distract my mind from the heat.

I wasn't lucky enough.

Instead of being able to relax, I was still pissed that my air conditioner decided to quit working, during the middle of summer in the hot, humid south. Stupid Chevy refused to work half the time. I guess I should have expected that it would really break down sooner or later. Perhaps I should take it as an omen to get a better, or should I say, newer vehicle soon.

The sound of Rosalie's ring tone caught my attention and I hastily dove into my bag, retrieving my cell phone as 'I'm hot, sticky, sweet from my head to my feet,' echoed in the cab. Quickly, I flipped open my phone, answering it before it went to voice mail.

"Hello," I spat, unable to keep the bitterness out of my tone. The heat was really making me miserable.

"Bella, hey, it's me," Rosalie replied, apparently not noticing my demeanor. "So, are we up for the club tonight?"

I couldn't fault Rosalie for my current predicament, so I let out a long breath, hoping that it would ease my current state of mind.

"Tonight? I don't know, Rose. I have a bunch of pilot's I'm going to need to in-process on Monday and my air conditioner just died in the truck. I think I'm going to have to pass this time." My thumb started drumming on the steering wheel while I waited impatiently for traffic to move faster than a snail's pace.

"Come on, Bella. Look, it's the last weekend before classes start at the college and you know they are going to party hard tonight. Besides, it will be the last time the three of us will be able to just relax once Alice starts class. Come on, please." Rosalie was right and I hated listening to her whine. Once Alice started class again it would be ages until she would want to go out again because of her heavy coursework.

"Only on one condition," I mused. I might as well try to get something out of it. "You must have my air conditioner fixed on my truck before we leave this evening."

"Great! I'll meet you at your place. Oh, and before I forget, you may want to take the back way home. There was an accident right outside the front gate," she said before hanging up.

Great. Well, at least I now knew what the traffic hold-up was. I threw my phone back on the seat and quickly turned the wheel hard left and stepped on the accelerator, doing a "U" turn and headed back towards the base.

Rosalie was on her cell phone with the top down in her fire engine red, BMW when I finally made it home to my apartment. "About time," she said closing her phone and stepping out of her car gracefully.

"You had impeccable timing when you told me about the accident, Rose. By the time I made it out the back gate to head home, the rest of the base was heading out with me," I retorted, slamming my door behind me.

"Pop the hood," she commanded, as she made her way to the front end of my old Chevy.

I opened the driver's door and reached under the dashboard, locating the hood release. I pulled out the knob and a loud popping noise emitted near the front end of the truck. Rosalie lifted the hood slightly and pushed the locking mechanism to the left before fully lifting the bulbous hood up. If I had to be the one to do that, I would have certainly broken every nail on my hand. After adjusting the arm to ensure the hood wouldn't fall back down and crush her blonde head, Rosalie went to work.

Rosalie is a genius when it comes to vehicular mechanics. It's hard to believe that she had been just crowned Miss Southern Belle right before joining the Air Force with me. I made my way over to her to see if any of her knowledge would somehow rub off on me. "So, what's the prognosis?"

Instead of answering me she continued to methodically tinker under the rounded hood. Her hands tugged at hoses and slid over belts. "That should do it," she said boastfully ten minutes later. "Fire it up."

I jumped behind the wheel and turned the key in the ignition. The loud roar of the truck echoed down the block. Perhaps, I should just invest in something a little quieter. My hands ghosted over the thermostat controls, before cranking up the air conditioner full blast. The truck made a loud rumble in protest, but complied by filling the cab with crisp, cold air. I turned off the engine as Rosalie slammed the hood, grinning like the Cheshire cat.

"You are amazing, woman," I said, lifting my hand to hers for a high five.

"I know, I know," she replied in feigned egotistical voice, leaning over her open car and grabbing her duffle bag. "Now, let's go get ready. Alice will be here to inspect our outfits in twenty minutes."

Precisely twenty minutes later, Alice vigorously bounded into my apartment. Even though she was petite, with delicate features, she was still a force to be reckoned with. "Bella, Rosalie, I'm here," she said in her sing song voice, before opening my bedroom door. I really shouldn't have given her a spare key to the place.

Quickly, I jerked my head in her direction. She was dressed fabulously, like always. Her short, black spiky hair a contrast to the mustard yellow empire waist baby doll shirt she wore. The v-neck elongated her neck. The shirt was paired with dark blue skinny jeans with knee-high black leather boots. "How do I look," she asked, dancing toward me, pirouetting like a ballerina.

"Adorably, devious like always. Is there a particular guy you are trying to impress or just all the men in particular," I teased from my closet.

Rosalie came barging into my room like a football player at that precise moment, causing both Alice's and my eyes to bulge out. She was dressed in a black halter ruched mini dress that barely covered any of her assets. To top it off, she decided to wear a pair of black suede over the knee platform boots that had a four inch heel. There really wasn't anything left for the imagination.

"Um…Rose," Alice started.

"Wow," I finished.

Finally gathering my bearings and picking my jaw up from the ground, I eyed her like a hawk, sizing her up and down. "Okay, spill it. Who's the guy?"

"I don't know what on earth you mean, Bella," she feigned, sashaying to my bed and gracefully sitting down on the edge. She gave her blood red nails the once over, refusing to fully answer my question.

Leaving the confines of my closet and therefore relinquishing control as to what I would wear that night to Alice, I made my way over to the edge of the bed and stood directly in front of Rosalie. I crossed my arms to make myself look tougher and raised my right eyebrow. "Rosalie, we both know that you only dress like that when you plan on ensnaring a guy. So just be upfront about it and tell me who it is."

"Fine," she huffed, "if you really must know. He's a new guy that just to the base today. His name is Emmett." Finally, she couldn't pretend to be annoyed anymore and broke out in a case of the giggles. "Oh, my God, Bella, he is huge. He's at least 6'5" and he has these enormous arms. On top of that, I'm his sponsor. I actually get to take that fine specimen of a man all around the base to ensure he's in-processed correctly."

"No wonder you wanted to go out tonight. He'll never know what hit him," I teased, relaxing my posture.

Behind me, Alice cleared her throat. "I believe you should wear this and these tonight, Bella," she said indicating the garment and shoes that she held.

Turning around, I saw the dress and boots she had picked out for me, causing me to roll my eyes inwardly. I let out a low moan to show my displeasure of the outfit she had picked out. "Alice," I whined, making my way back over to her.

In her hands was a dark grey tunic mini dress with short sleeves that bared my shoulders, a wide hemmed bottom and a delicate, light weight chain detail paired with grey velvet cuffed peep-toe platform boots that came up slightly above my ankle.

"What," she replied in the same whiny tone.

"Every time we decide to go out, you insist on me becoming a life sized Barbie. That's what!" I knew there was no way I was going to win against Alice, so I reluctantly took the items from her hands and headed to my bathroom.

After showering and ridding myself of the sweaty stench that seemed to emanate from every pore in my body, I shimmied into the tiny fabric. I had just opened up the bathroom door to step back into the sanctuary of my bedroom when two pairs of hands stopped me and turned me around, shoving me back into the bathroom.

Shit. Now Rose is helping the little pixie in torturing me. Alice grabbed the hairdryer and hairbrush while Rose brought out her big red bag of costly cosmetics. "Trust us, Bella. We are doing this for your own good," Alice said before turning the hairdryer on.

Left to my own actions, I would have just pulled my hair up in a twist and secured it with a barrette and would have abandoned any make-up. Of course, I would also be leaving in a pair of jeans and a vintage t-shirt as well. My friends knew me too well and they would never allow me to go into any club looking like an ordinary woman.

Two hours later, after I had been poked and prodded by curling irons in three different sizes, and I had a pound of make-up on my face that actually didn't look as if I was wearing any, we hopped into Rosalie's supped up BMW and made our way downtown to Classix.

We arrived shortly after eight o'clock to ensure that we would have a table around the dance floor. The music already had the place jumping. The three of us sauntered past the bouncer's post at the front door, to the dismay of the long line of people who had already started lining up to get in. We looked hot and no one was going to deny that. Yet another reason why Alice and Rosalie insisted on me dressing up.

"Hey, Jake," we said in unison, to the russet colored man behind the bar.

"Ladies, what will it be tonight," he asked winking at us. Jake was tall, lean and

muscular with hauntingly beautiful brown eyes. His short jet black hair was pulled back into a pony tail. Alice and Rosalie had been trying to get us to hook up for the last six months.

"Sex on the beach," Alice replied.

"Nice choice, Alice," he beamed. "Any shots to get you ladies started?"

"Tequila," we said in unison.

Jake rolled his eyes. "I should have guessed." Quickly, Jake spun around and grabbed three shot glasses, lining them up on the bar before pouring the tequila.

After our first round of shots, we grabbed our drinks and made our way to the small table that was between one of the pool tables and the dance floor, towards the back of the building.

"So, where's your date," I asked Rosalie, nudging her with my elbow.

"He'll be here later. Come on, let's get out on the dance floor and take advantage of the guys that are already here," she replied grabbing both Alice's and my hands.

The music was loud and the air was stuffy with all the bodies on the dance floor. The three of us danced only with each other, making all the guys and even some women jealous. More than once, men tried to interrupt our dancing by coming between us, but we were quickly able to shove them aside.

After dancing for ten songs straight we made our way back to the table for another shot of tequila. We had just downed our shots when "they" emerged through the door looking like rugged sex gods.

"Oh. My. God," we said in unison. We tried in vain to peel our eyes away from the men that had just entered the club. I had my eyes on the tall, lean man with the dazzling green eyes and short bronze hair, in the light blue button down shirt.

A big, muscular man spotted Rosalie and quickly made his way to our table. The green eyed sex god and the other guy who had walked in with him made their way to the bar.

"Emmett, you made it," Rosalie chimed, standing up to greet him with a hug. Alice and I looked at each other with knowing smirks on our faces because Rose never hugs guys.

Rosalie's description of Emmett was right on; however, she failed to mention his short, dark hair or his brilliant blue eyes. Perhaps her eyes never made it beyond his broad

chest and bulging arms.

"Hot damn, Rosalie. You clean up nice," he remarked, his eyes scanning every inch of her barely covered body. "You want to dance?"

She nodded her head slowly and pulled him out on the dance floor. A wicked grin appeared on her face, as she looked over her shoulder at Alice and me.

Alice and I were left alone at our table. I scoured the area as covertly as possible to see if I could locate the man that had captured my attention and decided he must still be waiting at the bar. "Um, Alice, I'm going to go get us some more drinks," I said, excusing myself to try to track down the man with the dazzling green eyes.

"I'll come with you. I don't want you to spill anything," she replied hurriedly, jumping up from her seat.

We made our way to the bar, but I couldn't find the two guys there anymore. "Shit," I muttered softly. "Jake," I called loudly over the thrum of noise.

He acknowledged me by nodding in my direction and held up one finger, indicating that he'd get to me shortly. While I waited on Jake, I stood up on my tip toes to scan the area again, but I couldn't find him. Losing hope and my balance, I stumbled backwards, but hit something soft and muscular. "Oh, I'm sorry," I said without even looking at whom I fell into.

"Don't worry, I didn't mind," a velvet voice replied. It was the most beautiful voice I'd ever heard. Slowly, I turned my head to see who had uttered such words.

"Oh my God," I mumbled breathlessly, finding the dazzling green eyes I had been searching for. My heart rate sped up, my palms started sweating profusely, and my mind turned to mush. How can such a creature exist? The electricity between us was palpable. I wonder what would happen if I touched him? Slowly, I raised my hand, fully intending to touch his face to see what would happen.

Jake and his imperfect timing ruined the moment by finally coming over. I dropped my arm back to my side, but my eyes continued to gaze at the god in front of me. "Bella, I asked if you ladies needed a refill," he said, apparently repeating his question.

My voice was useless, so I only nodded my head up and down in short, rapid bursts, my eyes remaining fixated on the man in front of me.

"Would you and your friend care to join us at our table," Alice, hopping up and down like an overeager child, asked the curly haired man that was sitting next to the green eyed deity. I had completely forgotten that Alice was right there with me. Some friend I was.

"We'd love too," he replied.

Alice gently nudged me in the side, causing me to break my stare and regain my senses. Gathering our drinks, we led the two guys back to our table. For the first time that evening, I was glad Rose talked me into going to the club tonight.

Settling back at our little round table I noticed Rosalie and Emmett were still on the dance floor garnering much attention. She was getting ogled by every guy on the dance floor and he was being noticed by every female. I leaned my head toward Alice and motioned to the two of them on the dance floor. Alice simply nodded.

"So," we all yelled simultaneously over the loud music, causing us all to instantly laugh. I covered my face with my hands in embarrassment, feeling my cheeks turn red.

"Ladies first," the curly-haired gentleman said with a slight southern drawl, gesturing with his hand.

"I'm Alice and this is my best friend Bella. The blonde in the skimpy dress that's dancing with the big, burly guy is Rosalie," Alice indicated by pointing at Rosalie who was gyrating against Emmett.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," the curly-haired guy replied, gently shaking Alice's hand. "My name is Jasper and this is Edward."

So, the greed-eyed god had a name. I mostly ignored the rest of the conversation as my gaze remained fixed on the strong, angular face of Edward. And to think if I hadn't decided to go out tonight, I would not be sitting across the table from this Adonis.

"Would you like to dance," Edward asked, leaning across the table and breaking me from my trance. His emerald orbs found my own chocolate brown ones. His gaze felt as if it were penetrating my soul.

I was again at a loss for words and therefore was only able to nod my head up and down slowly.

Edward held out his hand and I laid my hand in his as he assisted me from my seat. The backside of his hand gently grazed my bare arm slowly as he made his way to the small of my back to guide me on to the dance floor, leaving my skin aflame.

The DJ decided it was the best opportunity to slow things down. Edward's arms encircled my waist and drew me nearer to him. I reached up and successfully wrapped my arms around his neck, forcing him to angle his head down toward me.

We were caught up in the music. The closeness of his body made my heart soar. Usually, I had no problem maintaining my cool demeanor around men, but somehow this man was affecting my every sense. The only words I had even spoken to him was an apology and I only said it because I didn't know who I had fallen into. I was completely engrossed by his very presence.

The slow song came to an end, but Edward didn't relinquish the hold on my waist and I didn't drop my arms from his neck. Instead, I slowly moved a hand up the back of his short bronze hair and started to massage the backside of his head. He dipped his head closer to mine and allowed me to go further up, running my fingers through his hair. It felt like silk and I couldn't get enough of it. I heard a very audible moan escape his lips that sent my body into a frenzy.

The urge to feel him consumed me again and I wanted to know what those lips tasted like. I lifted my chin up and found Edward staring at my mouth, with hooded, lust-filled eyes. Without a second thought, I took advantage of the situation and pressed my lips to his. One of his hands left my waist and plunged into my cascading curls and brought me even closer to him. His smooth tongue requested entrance into my mouth and I happily obliged by opening up for him.

Our bodies swayed to Kidd Rock as our tongues danced, meeting each other half-way. It was fire and ice. It was electric and all encompassing. It took my breath away. I had never in my twenty-three years been kissed like it before.

Edward's other hand left my waist and caressed my cheek, bringing me even closer to him, angling me to deepen the kiss even further. There was no way possible to be even closer to him unless I was inside his skin. Just the thought of that made my heart quicken and stirred my arousal even further. My black lace thongs were becoming saturated just thinking about having him inside me.

I could feel his hard on pressed against my stomach. He was turned on as much as I was. Unfortunately, the need for oxygen forced us apart.

"Let's get out of here," he whispered against my lips.

Again, I couldn't make a sound. I nodded my head up and down slowly.

Edward grabbed my hand in his and we quickly made our way back to our table. He leaned over to whisper something into Jasper's ear while I grabbed my purse. I gave Alice a little wave as he pulled me behind him as we left the club.

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A/N: So, what do you think so far? Please let me know! Leave me some love (or hate)…Next chapter is Edward's take from the first meeting.