A short writing project to help me get my mojo back to finish my other stories. As the "television show" airs on Tuesdays, I find it only appropriate that I post on Tuesday evenings. One additional note, after the prologue, the writing will all be in 1st person POV.

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters are property of Stephanie Meyer. Original plot is property of goshdarypooh.

::: Prologue :::

"Oh Austin, help me escape."

Bella Swan sits back on her lounge chair overlooking the clear waters and the beach. She makes sure that the modest wrap she brought along covers her pale, prone to burn skin.

A wide brim straw hat sits on top of her head and gives her face some shelter from the nearby cameras. If nothing else, Bella imagines just a bit of privacy although fully aware she is on public display.

At least I'm not displaying it all, Bella muses as shrieks come from the water.

Four women are playing in the surf in itty-bitty bikinis. They smile, laugh, and certainly made sure they through back their heads while attempting to display their best assets for the nearby lenses. Bella chuckles to herself that they look like they are attempting a mating ritual as the preen amongst each other.

The truth is not that far off. Everything about the situation is created and set into motion for the ultimate dramatic effect. The players are vivacious young women, and the prize is the prince charming of their dreams.

Charming is certainly a way they describe the prince. Michael Newton the Third is considered a prize. His family business makes him wealthy, and his personal trainer makes him a hunk. Sitting out on the beach in his swim trunks certainly displays a few of his best assets for all the players.

Bella leans back in her chair and closes her eyes for a minute. She can almost picture the nature channel commentary on the scene before her. A velvety voice whispers the intents of the animals as if he is in the wilderness with them.

"The male humpback whale is postured away from the pack, moving gracefully across the water to display his agility and fertility.

"The female humpbacks, whom previously worked together to gather krill, now begin circling each other. Each go in with the intent of showing her dominance as alpha female and superior abilities to procreate with the male.

"The females circle around each other and strike, fins flapping. In a matter of moments, one is victorious while the others swim away in defeat. The male watches on with a fishy smile and saunters over to the winner."

The winning whale, also known as Jessica, sways her hips as she emerges from the water and settles in next to Mike. They start a discussion, but Bella is too far away, and too intrigued in her book to listen in. Never mind she has read the book a dozen times before, there is something about Mr. Darcy that keeps bring her back in.

Bella becomes engrossed in her book, and it is a few minutes before she realizes someone is starring at her. She looks up to see Mike blocking the sun.

"Can I sit down?" He gestures to the end of her lounge chair. Bella nods.

"Of course," and she marks the page in her book before setting it with reverence on the beach bag beside her.

They both glance up at the same time and notice the lens in the distance, trying not to be intrusive, but still capture every moment. Each knows that every moment of their unusual courtship is being recorded.

Mike smiles kindly at Bella, "I've been so crowded by the other ladies, I need to get away to think for a bit."

"You realize that I'm one of them right?" Bella smiles kindly.

"No, you are different. I can think around you. And it's a shame because of everyone, you are the one who doesn't try to get my attention."

Bella blushes and pulls her sun wrap around her tighter. She is certainly aware that her actions are not as aggressive as the other players, "I'm sorry, should I be trying harder."

"No," Mike chuckles, "I should. I want to know more about you Bella. I want to know your hopes and dreams."

"There's not a whole lot to tell," Bella smiles kindly.

"There's got to be something," she shakes her head and Mike leans back, "Fine, I'll start us out. When I was five I wanted to be a baker."

Bella throws back her head and lets out a laugh, "I cannot picture you as a baker!"

"I know. The one time I tried to cook for you guys and we practically had to bring in the fire department. But when I was little my mom used to make these cookies. I could eat them all up, but I was only allowed one for dessert. So I thought if I became a baker I could eat cookies all day long."

"That is kind of cute."

"You have to remember, I was only five," Mike likes seeing the smile on Bella's face, "So what are your dreams?"

Bella's face becomes thoughtful, "I always dreamed of having a family, the kids and family pets. I wanted to finish college, maybe even write a book. Travel the world, run a marathon—Mostly I just want to find my place in the world."

"Do you want to be rich?" Mike asks. He sees it as a fair question.

"Rich—no." Bella tilts her head to the side and speaks thoughtfully, "I just don't fit into that lifestyle. My mom and I moved around a lot when I was little. Sometimes I just wanted to call one place home. That I think is the most important thing to me, a home."

::::: PTR :::::

Thousands of miles away in family room overlooking a soggy backyard, Alice Cullen begins bouncing on a couch seat. Just the sight of Bella brings a bit of joy to her heart. Even if the only time she sees her these days is on a television screen.

The opening credits roll and Alice sits back on the cushion. Tuesday nights the house is usually quiet. Her father usually takes the late shift; her mother has her weekly dinner and gossip time with her good friend Carmen; and her brother is usually moping around somewhere.

Alice turns up the volume and settles in to watch the tropical paradise while the Pacific Northwest rains pound on the large picture windows around her.

It was an accident she stumbled upon "Soul Mates" in the first place. Not being much of a television girl, a few months prior Alice caught a case of the flu going around her dorm. Bed ridden for several days, she flipped through stations haphazardly until something caught her eye. Or more accurately, someone.

Believing her eyes had played tricks on her, Alice turned back to the station and before her very eyes was her childhood best friend on a reality television show.

Alice did not tell anyone her secret. This is something she needs. She needs to see Bella, it is like giving her a breath of air after being deprived for so long.

Certainly Alice has no idea why Bella would choose to go on one of these shows. It does not fit the girl she remembers. In this hour each week, she cannot bring herself to care though. For one hour she feels like she is her former best friend's confidant navigating her through the intricacies of dating.

Alice regularly throws out advice to Bella on the television screen,

"You're too good for him!"

"Scratch that man-stealing bitch!"

And the phrase she uses the most, "What the hell are you wearing?"

At the end of each episode that Bella survives another elimination, Alice smiles. Then her face falls as she realizes she cannot share this triumph with Bella.

It is winter break, and Alice is home from college. Here she sits in her parent's house, blanket wrapped around her and does a little cheer when Bella appears on screen.

The shot cuts to a beautiful panoramic of the beach and then focuses in on a drool worthy Mike paying very close attention to a relaxed Bella. He asks about her dreams, and she gives a thoughtful answer.

Mike leans in and gives Bella what starts out as a gentle kiss and quickly becomes something more passionate. Definitely good television ratings material. He smiles into her lips and practically whispers, "Do you like this place?"

Bella's heavily lidded eyes open up and she smiles, "I've never been to any place as beautiful as this."

Alice is proud that Bella has not lost her humbleness or her beauty. Her enthusiasm however stops when a throat clears behind her.

"How long have you known she was on this show?" A distraught voice asks.

"Since the first episode of the new season," Alice replies without looking back.

It takes a few minutes, but the couch dips beside her and Alice turns to face her brother, "I miss her so much Edward."

"So do I Alice—so do I."

Edward Cullen looks back at the television screen and remembers a time not so long ago when he was in a meadow not so far away. Lying beside him in the tall grass is a gorgeous brunette with pink lips and a blush from being thoroughly kissed. His Bella.

They relax and look up at the sky to watch the clouds float by, thankful that for once those clouds do not drop rain on them. Instead the clouds come into and out of sight from the treetops surrounding the perfectly round meadow.

The violets are blooming, and the effect is stunning to the two young lovers. On this particular day neither is moving, each content to simply hold hands and be in each other's company.

A younger Edward turns to his Bella and gives her his lopsided grin, "I'm glad we found this place."

Bella turns her head to him and smiles, "I don't think there will ever be another place as beautiful as this."