A/N: This is my first Twilight story, so bear with me. It's AU, BxE, and inspired by something that Edward says in a passage talking about what he would do if he and Bella were ever in a plane crash from Eclipse:

Edward: I'd wait till we were close enough to the ground, get a good grip on you, kick out the wall, and jump. Then I'd run you back to the scene of the accident, and we'd stumble around like the two luckiest survivors in history.

First chapter is BPOV, second with be EPOV, so on.

Also, I love reviews! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing, not the book, not the movie, not the songs or lyrics.

Rating: M for darker themes and adult content in later chapters.

Flight 5107

Chapter One: Strange and Beautiful

I rested my heavy head against the soft cushion and sighed. The brief comfort I felt was a small consolation for all the confusion and conflict I held in my heart. I clenched my burning eyes shut, trying to block out the look on his face when I told him I wasn't going to marry him.

No such luck, I only saw his dark eyes filled with pain and fury, forever searing themselves further into my memory. Figures.

What if I had made the wrong decision? What if I should have just said yes to his proposal? After all, we'd known each other practically our whole lives, growing up almost neighbors, our fathers the best of friends. I had known he'd always felt an unparalleled love for me, but unfortunately for him, I'd also known I wouldn't be able to return the favor.

Stop it, Bella. Stop thinking about it. It's not going to change the fact that he hates you.

I banged my head back against the headrest. No, I couldn't think about that now. Instead, I would think of the positives. I would think about how in a very short, or not, seventeen hours, I would be in Sydney, Australia. I would finally get to see Angela, one of my best friends from Forks, who was one of the few that was able to escape the confines of small town life. She worked as a photo journalist for some sort of Australian news service which was as far from Forks as you could get. It was so exciting, I'd never been outside the country, and now I would be spending a month in the land down under. Knowing that fact made the circumstances under which I left slightly more palatable.

But only slightly.

I think I had been saving for a trip of a lifetime like this forever, but I just hadn't known it at the time. It was very unlike me, the predictable, safe old Bella Swan to get on a plane and just leave. It's just, when all of this stuff happened with Jake, it felt like the right time to finally get away.

Jake.

I saw the anger rip across his strong features as his once hopeful face crumpled in response to my simple answer of I can't. Two tiny simple, insignificant words, but they didn't just mean I can't. No, they meant, I can't...see myself with you. I can't…be with you. I can't…love you. I can't…get married...at least not to you.

He was usually a good actor, able to hide most of his silent pain and suffering, which he had every moment he had to be around me and not have me, but even this was too much. Too much for him, my rock, to bear. He lashed out, angrier than I'd ever seen him, screaming obscenities at himself. Of course, even in his darkest hour, he still was livid at himself and not at me. Further evidence that I didn't deserve to be loved by someone like him.

I could still feel the way my heart thudded in my hollow chest as I watched his quickly retreating figure sulk out of the room and most likely out of my life for good.

"Here is your Grey Goose tonic, ma'am," the flight attendant handed me a glass tumbler as she swished by seamlessly. I tried to smile back graciously, but she had already gone. I sighed and settled back into my way too comfortable chair. I really couldn't believe my good fortune when the ticketing agent had informed me that I'd been bumped up to first class due to an "oversell situation." And to a window seat? Really, didn't that only happen in movies?

So now, I was sitting in what I could only describe as the most comfortable leather chair-bed ever, wrapped in the warmest heated blanket, my iPod earbuds snugly in place. I quickly glanced around the cabin, most of the first class passengers were already seated like myself, snuggled into their makeshift beds, drinking their top shelf liquor. There was only one seat unoccupied and that was the seat next to mine.

Was it wishful thinking to hope that someone really attractive would sit next to me? I'd already been so lucky today, did I really want to push it? Yeah, I did. Whenever I flew alone, I'd always make a silent wish for a hot guy to be seated next to me. And for all of the trips from Seattle to Phoenix and back, you'd think I would have gotten my wish fulfilled once. Just once. But, no it never happened. I was always the lucky one to sit next to the large old men who smelled like stale cigarettes and mothballs. Hot.

I tapped my fingers on the armrest guiltily; I had someone who would love me and cherish me at home in my sleepy little town, but I was still hoping to find a completely random stranger to whisk me off. I'm a total jerk.

Once again, I know I don't deserve him.

And this is really the essence of why I cannot be with Jacob. He's great, really great, actually. He's loving and caring, and I know he would do anything in his power to take care of me. But even that isn't enough. I don't want to feel like my mother did so many years ago. I don't want to feel like a caged bird, stuck in Forks for the rest of my life. And that is exactly what would happen if I married Jacob and stayed behind to pop out a bunch of kids and work my nowhere job as a clerk in the hospital. That's what happened to most of the girls who got paired off in high school to their future husbands. Call me crazy, but somehow I knew that life wasn't for me.

Add that to the fact that I am vehemently against marriage in general. I mean, I didn't have the best example in my life growing up. Charlie and Renee were civil and all, but only because the distance and their only commonality--their daughter--forced them to be that way. Maybe in a few years I'll think differently, but for now, for the twenty-four year old Bella Swan, marriage is out.

At last the line of passengers trickled down to none. Maybe the seat would be left unoccupied. I guess I couldn't complain though. It was better than the other alternative who always got seated next to me- the flirty, greasy older guy who got too drunk and got too friendly. I shuddered at the thought.

Just then a lean, but still well proportioned guy about my age rushed onto the plane. This was definitely looking like a good sign. Dark, wavy hair, pale skin, glasses.

Please, please, please let me get what I want… The words to a familiar Smiths tune filled my head.

The guy smiled shyly at me…hello to you, too…then made his way to another seat several rows behind me. I exhaled sharply, eliciting a stare from my neighbor across the aisle.

God, you are too cruel.

I shut my eyes once again, my lids heavy with fatigue. My mind was still cluttered with all of the events that had transpired only two days earlier, even if I'd had a little bit of distraction in the past few moments.

I was aware of some stirrings beside me, but I couldn't fight off the urge of sleep. It had been hard enough the past two nights, and I wouldn't fight it now.

------

"Ma'am? Ma'am?" I shifted in my seat as I became aware of something shaking me gently. My eyelids fluttered open and I stared blankly at the flight attendant, who was starting to look annoyed. "You're going to have to turn off all portable electronic devices prior to takeoff. I'm going to straighten up your seat now." She enunciated slowly like I was mentally handicapped as she reached over and expertly pressed the button.

I blinked back the sleep from my eyes and cursed myself for falling asleep before the flight. Now how was I going to pass the time for seventeen hours? I sighed loudly, resigned to the horrible movie selection I'd already thumbed through on the touch screen.

I heard a soft snicker next to me. My eyes snapped to the figure sitting next to me.

My breath hitched in my throat as a jolt of electricity ran down my spine.

Oh. My. God.

These were the only words that came to mind when I saw him. Sitting next to me was the most gorgeous specimen of man I'd ever seen. Cliché, I know, but well deserved. He ran a hand through his unruly bronze hair, the rich warm color a stark contrast to his glowing alabaster skin. I'd never seen anything as breathtaking, and I still wasn't sure I could find the words to describe it accurately in my mind.

Oh. My. God. That wasn't even the most stunning part of his features-- no, that distinction belonged to his eyes, mere words could not do them justice. They were an amber, dark gold hue framed by a thick forest of lashes. They were so striking, so deep that I had to pinch myself to stop from staring into them. I tore my stare from his eyes, which was a more difficult task than one would think, and tried to furtively look him over. His statuesque figure was so still and rigid, I almost wanted to reach out and touch him to see if he was even real. His lean, yet muscular arms gripped the armrests so hard, I thought he was going to break them right off. The tension in his arms displayed every muscle, every sinewy tendon from his hands to his well developed chest and neck that was hugged nicely by a white collared shirt. My jaw hit the floor.

It wasn't even fair how beautiful this man was.

He had to be, hands down the single hottest being I'd ever laid my eyes on. Apparently, I wasn't the only one who thought so, a gaggle of stewardesses and a few of the stewards had gathered behind the first class curtain to steal glimpses of this Adonis, and they were all whispering and giggling. As if he was hearing every word they were saying, he smiled a big crooked smile and almost choked back a laugh.

I silently rolled my eyes. There was nothing worse than a hot guy who knew he was hot. Oh, but how hot he was. Thank god I looked halfway decent...well at least not as plain as usual. I wore my new distressed caramel knee-high leather boots and a silk cerulean-colored dress with a ruffled (and thankfully plunging) neckline. I congratulated myself on allowing my best friend Alice make me go out and buy new clothes for this trip.

"This is your First Officer Jack Barnes from the flight deck, welcoming you to flight 5107 to Sydney, Australia. We will be taking off here in a few minutes, and we'd really appreciate it if you could listen to the nice presentation your flight crew has for you here in a few moments. Flight time should be approximately sixteen hours and fifty minutes en route to Sydney, where it is currently fifty-three degrees. Sit back, enjoy the flight and thank you for flying Pacific Air."

The fasten seat belt signs flashed and a gorgeous flight attendant sidled up to our aisle, in all likelihood wanting to catch the perfect man's attention. It was like she almost forgot her purpose, as another passenger loudly clicked her seatbelt to remind her of her job.

I was as surprised as she was when he didn't even look up at her. Instead, he turned to me and searched my eyes, like he was trying to figure me out.

"Excuse me, miss?" his voice spoke with a musical clarity not of this world. My lungs stalled, not sure of what to do around this godlike creature. Did this guy have any flaws at all?

I glanced back at him, trying to be casual. Big mistake…I couldn't remove my stare from his beautifully chiseled face, visually tracing a line over his strong jaw to his prominent cheekbones. This guy had to be some sort of male model right? I cursed myself for not paying attention when my friend Alice was chattering on and on about different models. I cursed myself for belittling her extensive knowledge of fashion. I would never doubt her again…

I realized that he was still looking at me, imploring me to answer him. Remember your words, Bella. I tried to muster out a sexy voice, but all it came out as was a squeak, "Yes?"

He smirked at my progressively flushing cheeks, and I felt my body liquefy in response. "Sorry, but you have a little bit of something under your lip." My eyes widened, as I covered my mouth, rubbing furiously at my lips. He lightly chuckled to himself, and I hated him in that moment.

He had pointed out my drool. Could a hole just open up in the floor of the plane and let me die in it?

I turned away quickly from him, stricken with embarrassment. My face was no doubt beet red now, it already felt insanely hot, and it wasn't making matters any better that I was starting to slowly hyperventilate. The only good thing to come from my overactive breathing was that fact that it tuned me into fact that he wasn't really breathing much at all. It was like he was holding his breath for some reason, and the tension in his muscles was still very evident. He seemed as uncomfortable as I did, but probably not for the same reason. For all I knew, he was probably cursing the fact that he had to sit next to a drooling freak show.

I shook my long brown waves out over my shoulder, trying to make my hair look less of a brambly mess and possibly trying to make myself look more appealing.

He shifted suddenly in his seat, holding his head in his hands and tugging at that perfectly askew bronze hair. It looked like he was whispering something to himself very quickly, like an internal pep talk, but he was talking at such a low cadence that I couldn't make out any words at all. He rubbed his nose, plugging it for a few seconds. I sniffed the air, I couldn't smell anything putrid…was it me? My forehead wrinkled in mortification as I surreptitiously snuck a whiff of my hair. Nope, still smelled like my favorite strawberry shampoo. His eyes remained clenched shut, almost like he was experiencing a great deal of pain. What was this guy's deal?

"Are you okay?" I asked timidly. He nodded silently, closing his eyes. "Do you just not like flying?"

"Yeah, something like that," he answered gruffly. I took this as a sign to leave him alone. The flight crew had other plans though as a parade of flight attendants hovered over him.

"Can we get you anything Mr. Cullen?" He shook his head without even looking up, but it looked like he was trying to disguise a wide smirk…like he was in on a secret that no one else knew. He opened his beautiful golden eyes, and I watched, enthralled, as he stared at her face so stiffly I thought his neck was stuck in that position. Her nose scrunched up as she shifted from one foot to the other. I looked over at the too blond, too buxom stewardess and gaped at the several buttons that had somehow come undone on her blouse. She was obviously trying to get him to notice her ample, albeit plastic tits, but he only smiled at her while not breaking eye contact.

She huffed off, deterred by his silent rejection. He sniffed back a laugh and settled back into his prior position, hands gripping the armrests.

"What's so funny?" I asked, amused at the spectacle. Was first class always this entertaining?

"What?" he asked, looking at me in surprise. His forehead scrunched as he stared into my eyes, making me immediately look away. There was a questioning look in his eyes, and the way he kept my gaze for so long, it was like he was trying to get into my thoughts or something.

No, this wasn't awkward at all.

"I just wanted to see what the joke is…you seem to be more in tune to what is happening than I am."

He snickered, lowering his voice so that only I could hear, which for some reason unbeknownst to me really excited and enthralled me. "You are…very perceptive," he spoke slowly, but firmly. "Well, right now, the blonde is lamenting the fact that I didn't stare right at her chest when so much was on display." Damn, he did notice…pig! "She is chalking my response up to the fact that she thinks I'm gay. But in reality, I'm just not into women who throw themselves out there for the taking…it's rather gauche and appalling to me. I'm more into the thrill of the chase…and anyway, I prefer brunettes," he stated triumphantly, causing my cheeks to redden with fire.

Oh. My. God.

I smiled back, then put my earbuds back in, trying to refocus my breathing in slow and deep breaths. What was he trying to make me do, asphyxiate? He tilted his head towards mine and looked like he was trying to concentrate very hard on something, but after a bit, he turned his body from mine, almost perching on the seat so as to be as far from me as possible. This guy may have been super sexy, but he was definitely creeping me out a little bit.

His grin widened momentarily before his lips crushed into a grim line. A very handsome steward appeared next to his seat, smiling a little too widely. He placed his hand casually on my beautiful seat partner's shoulder and leaned down, "Can I get you a drink, Mr. Cullen?"

In a swift move, he shook the flight attendant's hand off of him, drawing a confused and almost shocked glance. "No thank you, but if you could bring my beautiful friend here another," he paused to sniff at my drink, "Grey Goose tonic, I bet she would really appreciate it." He stared at me, his eyes penetrating mine, imploring me to go along with him.

"Yes, I would really like another, thank you." I sputtered, had he just said I was beautiful? The poor rejected fellow shot me a dirty look before heading back to the galley. My neighbor turned to me and winked, sending my heart into an erratic rhythm. The edges of his perfectly-shaped mouth picked up as if he could hear. How was he doing that?

"That was very awkward, even for me. Thank you for assisting me…" he trailed off, waiting for me to fill in the blank.

"Bella, Bella Swan," I stammered almost incoherently.

"Well, Bella Swan, I am Edward Cullen. It is nice to meet you." His voice was like rich velvet. I reached over to shake his hand, but he abruptly shut his eyes and did not open them. Mixed signals much?

"It's nice to meet you, too Edward…even if you're trying to get me drunk," I muttered under my breath. He smiled, his eyes still closed.

In a flash, a new drink appeared in front of my face. I looked up in appreciation, but the steward just looked bored and annoyed. I grabbed the tumbler, but was shocked at how cold the glass was, letting it slip from my outstretched hand and into the lap of one very sexy Edward Cullen.

"OH! My God. I am so sorry, Oh my God!" I jumped up out of my seat to help clean him off, smacking my head right into the overhead console. "Oh, fuck, shit! I'm sorry, Oh God…"

"Ma'am, you're going to have to stay seated with your seatbelt fastened until we reach cruising altitude and the Captain turns off the fasten seatbelt sign," the steward drawled slowly, scoffing at my own personal hell.

Edward looked at me with an extremely smug and bemused expression. The flight attendant fought off giggles as he ran to get some towels. I reached down and dabbed at his legs with a napkin, trying my best to not approach any of his nether parts--that would be way too mortifying. Although really, that this point, what last shred of dignity did I have left?

"I am so sorry, Edward, I am such a klutz." He reached out and took the napkin from my hand, letting his fingers brush over mine sending another shock through my body. Shit, I must have dropped the drink on his hands, they were ice cold.

"That's quite alright, I'll get that spot. Thanks." I winced in pain, and his face etched with concern. "Are you alright? You hit your head…"

I rubbed the back of my head, finding the tender spot. "Ow. I think I drew blood," I lamely replied.

His features immediately turned dark. "No you did not." He said this so forcefully and with such a harsh tone. I couldn't figure out why. He exhaled slowly as if he were trying to avoid breathing again. I glared at him, silently imploring him to say something. He didn't.

The lights in the cabin flickered off as we glided through the sky. I looked out the window at the expanse of vast ocean beneath us. I leaned against the window and sighed. I stole a glance at Edward, who once again had his eyes closed but was not sleeping. I could tell by the prominent lines etched on his forehead. He looked so conflicted, yet so at ease. Again, not fair.

I turned up Robert Smith's silky voice on my iPod and hoped that maybe he would be able to lull me to sleep.

--------

I felt a cool breeze run through my hair. I was in Forks, in the wooded area next to Charlie's house. It was dark, and I couldn't see but I could feel another presence in the forest with me. I turned around and around until I saw him standing in the clearing. Jake. I took a step towards him, but he seemed to only be pulled further away from me. Fat drops of warm rain plopped onto my skin as I quickened my pace, not caring if I tripped or not. I would make it to him, if it killed me. He had to listen, he had to know.

"Bella!" I heard the musical voice float through the trees to my right. I turned quickly, trying to locate the exact position of sound, but I couldn't see anything, or anyone. I glanced back over my shoulder at Jacob, but he was nowhere to be found.

"Jacob? Jacob, where are you? I'm sorry! Don't leave! Please stay with me!"

"Bella!" I tried to make my ears locate where the voice was coming from, but the rain was starting to dampen not only my body, but also the sound. I felt another wave of coldness come over me, and I braced myself as he appeared out of nowhere in front of me.

"Edward," I breathed his name slowly, afraid he would de-materialize as quickly as he had appeared. I reached around his taut body, capturing him in my arms and not letting go.

"Don't worry, it'll all be okay. We will be okay." He leaned in and placed a soft, frigid kiss on my forehead before resting his head in my hair.

My eyes snapped open and looked around the cabin. Everyone else seemed to be sleeping. Well, everyone except Edward, whose honey hued eyes danced in the dark.

He practically turned into the Cheshire cat, showing off rows of perfectly gleaming teeth. "Bad dream?" his voice was low and sultry.

I huffed, "Confusing." I fanned myself, suddenly feeling very warm.

"I bet. Was I very good?" he grinned stupidly.

My eyes widened in horror and my mouth gaped open, "Excuse me? That was not a sex dream, not that it's any of your business…" My chest rose up and down angrily, and in the corner of my eye, I could see that the blush had made its way down to my breasts. Just fucking great. I was definitely at least fourteen shades of crimson at this point. I knew I was a sleep-talker, I just didn't think it was that bad.

"Well, it actually does concern me when my name is being called out by a beautiful woman. Not, that I'm not flattered though, sweetheart. I can promise you that I'm probably better than you were imagining though…" My heart once again fluttered at his use of a term of endearment and at his suggestiveness. What I would give to see if he could make good on his promise. Stop that, Bella, you're going to give yourself an arrhythmia. As if he had a mental stethoscope, he smirked. "I have a question though, who is Jacob, and why was he present during our intimate moment?"

I rolled my eyes in response, and his eyes clouded over with an emotion I could not discern. "In all seriousness, Bella, who is Jacob, you seemed very upset."

I bit down on my lip, causing him to sharply inhale. "No one." He was also perceptive in my unwillingness to talk about that subject, and he left it alone. "How long was I out?"

"About three hours…and you were having your way with me for about an hour of it."

I meant to smack him lightly in the arm for that comment, but it was like punching a brick wall. No, it was more like being struck by lightning…this shock pierced my insides like I was suddenly thrown into an ice bath. I admit that I was curious as to how it would feel to just touch this stranger that I would most likely never see again after this flight. I guess I know why they say curiosity killed the cat, when I felt my fist turn into a raging fire. "Fuck!" I waved my hand as the pain smoldered through my knuckles.

"Oh shit, sorry, but you shouldn't have done that. I uh…work out a lot. Now, does trouble follow you around or is this just a really, really off day?"

I couldn't disguise a laugh, "I wish I could say it was an off day, but unfortunately you're sitting next the world's worse coordinated person ever. Everywhere I go, bad luck seems to follow me, too. Sorry." I shrugged playfully.

"Actually, I'm feeling pretty lucky myself right now," he brushed a few strands of hair away from my face and if I weren't already sitting down, I would have fallen. My chest felt tight, and my body was numb from the excitement. He had such a spell over me, and he didn't even know it, did he?

My stomach grumbled a long roar which made him smile. I could not stop completely embarrassing myself in front of this stranger, could I? At least I made this glorious man smile. As if on cue, a different stewardess appeared with two trays, which honestly smelled delicious. She patted Edward's arm gently and leaned over him to set my tray down in front of me, giving him and me a great view of her "assets."

They were really actively recruiting him for the mile high club, weren't they?

"Enjoy," she said huskily.

He chuckled. I looked over at him, and he held up a napkin that said, Stacey, 555-588-2935, call me sexy. He balled it up and tossed it onto the tray. "I'm sorry, this is so much more worse than usual. They are really laying it on thick tonight."

I snickered at his words…so this was the usual for him. Of course. "So are you supposed to call her sexy or is she calling you sexy?" I murmured poking fun at her lack of adequate punctuation, yet slightly put off by her gall. I uncovered my tray and marveled at the size and juiciness of the steak on my plate. God love first class. I didn't look up from my food.

"Ha, a stickler for comma usage. Nice." I gave him a shy smile, at least he was intelligent. They didn't make many mortals like him. I suddenly felt the urge to talk to him, to get to know him. I wanted to know all of him. He was a stranger, but something about him made me think he was important to me somehow.

"I was an English major in college. I'm a huge grammar and punctuation nerd," I blurted out, stuffing a piece of a warm, buttery roll in my mouth.

He didn't uncover his plate. "Aren't you going to eat?" I asked, feeling very subconscious and a bit like a pig.

"I ate before. You're welcome to it, if you'd like," the corners of his mouth curled upwards, "you seem to be enjoying it much more than I probably would."

"I might hold you to that, I love meat. Especially when it's like juicy and rare. Like, bleeding rare. It's the best."

He looked at me with a pained expression. "That's funny," he said flatly, not meaning it at all.

He placed earbuds back into his ears and leaned his chair back so that he was half laying down. He looked like a cold stone statue, and in this position I finally was able to appreciate fully what he was wearing. I suppose it was a testament to how beautiful his face was that I hadn't even noticed he was wearing a crisp, tailored black suit with a somehow unwrinkled white oxford shirt and skinny black tie. Where was he going, prom?

He most likely felt my gaze wander down his body because he stiffened and clenched his fists together into two stony balls of fury. I wondered what he was thinking about, what was making him so uncomfortable. It couldn't be me, I mean, we'd had a normal, nice conversation.

I glanced at his iPod, having the intense urge to know as much about this beautiful man as I possibly could. I only had sixteen hours to work with, and I'd already wasted four, sleeping.

"What are you listening to?" I asked innocently, trying to peek.

His eyes snapped open in amusement. His eyes betrayed his smooth and cold exterior because they flickered with excitement. He held out his iPod for me, and I read the title in shock.

"What's wrong?" he asked, the concern evident in his voice.

I pulled out my iPod and showed him the song I was on before we started dinner, or rather before I started dinner.

"Clair de Lune. What are the chances?" he said incredulously.

"Seriously, no one our age knows Debussy," I grinned and was met with the most beautiful laughter I'd ever heard.

"You are right, no one our age," his voice faltered, but he made a quick recovery, "You're very interesting Bella Swan. Usually time…on planes…moves very slowly for me, but this flight has not been boring, not by a long shot." He ran his long fingers through that hair again, mesmerizing me. "Bella, I'm absolutely fascinated by you. You are devastating to me." I stared back in absolute shock and resignation.

I think my heart just stopped.

He continued, ignoring my alarmed expression, "The way you sigh and talk in your sleep, the way you are too clumsy for your own good, they way you nervously bite at your lip when you ask a question. It's all very endearing."

Once I found my voice, I started slowly, "I'm slightly frightened that you have noticed all those things about me. People who have known me my whole life aren't that perceptive." I immediately thought of Jacob and the disappointment must have flashed across my face.

"Frightened?" an intense look flashed in his eyes.

"Frightened," I confirmed. It was scary, how he was so perfect. It was so painful and frightening to feel how inadequate I was next to him.

"Maybe you should be," he huffed. "So, are you going to Sydney for business or pleasure?"

"A little bit of both, actually." I was relieved he changed the subject. I was desperately hoping he wouldn't stop talking.

"What, some commas need saving from ruthless grammatically poor villains?"

"No, but that would definitely make things more exciting. I am sort of a writer, but I sort of don't have any options for a job in Seattle. The local alternative newspaper I was working for caved, and I had to move back to my dad's house and take a crappy job as a receptionist at the hospital in our town. My friend is a photojournalist in Sydney, and she was hoping to find me some opportunities there. But, mostly I'm just visiting her, haven't seen her in ages."

He looked at me with a wistful expression. "What about you?" I continued, "Are you going to break all the hearts in Sydney when you turn all their women down, too?" I was surprised at my bravado, where was this coming from?

"Actually I came from a meeting, which is why I am dressed like this, and I am headed to my brother's wedding. He and his fiancée literally live in the outback."

"Wow. What do they do out there?"

"Oh, I don't know, hunt animals or something," he stated with the slightest hint of irony.

"Well, congratulations to your brother."

"Thank you. Well, tell me Miss Bella, are you married?" His eyes sparkled even in the dim light of the cabin.

"Oh hell no," I hadn't meant it to come out that strongly, but it did.

He frowned, "You say that like it is a horrible thing."

"Oh, I know it's not, but it's just not for me…and I'm not sure why I'm telling a stranger this."

"That's okay," he brought his head dizzyingly close to mine, "I won't tell your secret." I inhaled his scent. It was the most pleasant, aromatic smell I'd ever come across in my entire life.

A beautiful redhead came by and snatched my used plate from me, scowling at me in the process. Edward had to contain himself from laughing.

"Wow, that was not very nice," I laughed.

"Yeah, they don't like you." he said bluntly, "Because I'm talking to you and not giving them the time of day. Sorry."

"Wow, if trouble follows me, women and some men must follow you everywhere."

"Well, yes, I have to beat them off with a stick sometimes. It all comes with the territory, but Bella, I would much rather hear more about you. Tell me where you're from…"

"Phoenix originally. I actually have lived in Forks, Washington for the past ten years though. I think that explains the whole anemic look better." I rolled my eyes at my awful attempt at humor.

"I rather appreciate your pale skin. It is breathtaking. It looks like porcelain…you look utterly breakable," he almost growled. I know I should have heard the edge of danger in that statement, but all I could comprehend was breathtaking. I'm not sure anyone has ever used that word to describe me…ever.

I'm not sure how long we were talking, but it seemed like we hit almost every subject, except one notable one, in the life of Bella Swan. From Alice to Zoolander (my favorite movie, he really liked my Blue Steel), he kept questioning me, wanting to know even the most minute details of my life. It was like he was trying to absorb as much information as he could in our short time together. I tried to ask him about his life, and was able to glean some details about him--like the fact that his older brother was Emmett, and his future sister in law was Rosalie, and they had known each other for "many, many years." He had another brother, Jasper, who was a quote "free spirit" and hadn't quite found his way in life yet. His father, Carlisle, was a surgeon, and his mother Esme was a homemaker. He and his brothers ran a some sort of consulting firm together, even though Emmett had been living in Australia for the past five years and Jasper had been all over the world. The details were not very detailed at all, and he was always quick to redirect the conversation to me. I was flattered, but frustrated all at once.

I sighed audibly. Edward looked at me in mid question, "You seem frustrated, Bella. Are you getting tired?"

I shook my head, but could not shake off a huge yawn. "No, keep talking, I want to know more." I was desperate for any information I could get…I didn't want this to be over yet. If I fell asleep now, when I woke we might already be in Sydney, and I would lose my chance. I forced myself to try to look fresh and awake, and marveled at the fact that he didn't look even the slightest bit tired.

His lips smashed shut. "Sleep now, Bella. We'll have time."

My eyes drifted shut upon hearing his encouraging words. I hoped we would have time. It was a little stupefying and a lot scary for me, but I honestly felt a warmth I'd never felt with anyone else in my life. I think I was in love and I didn't know what to do, but sleep. I flickered my eyes over him one last time, trying to remember the exact way his mouth made my favorite crooked smile, the way the bronze glinted in his hair, the way his ocher eyes dazzled me.

Right before my mind drifted off to a dream world where I would no doubt dream of him, I swear I felt him lean down and whisper, "I have never had such a strong connection with anyone in my life and I will not lose that, not even if I have to keep you for myself."

All I could think about was how I wanted him. How I wanted to be apart of his life, and how I wouldn't be able to go on if he wasn't apart of mine.

Inspired by: Lullaby by the Cure, Close to Me (The Cure cover) by the Get Up Kids, These Dreams by Heart, Strange and Beautiful by Aqualung