Disclaimer: I won't even pretend to own the rights to Twilight.

Stupid

Chapter One

It was late.

Very late.

Normally Jacob would never let me go home by myself this late, but tonight it seemed he would. That may have something to do with the fact that I told him Jessica would be driving me home.

Yeah. Right.

I may live with the girl, but there's no way she would come to my work just to pick me up. Still, I didn't have a car, and the last bus left quite some time ago, so I was left with no choice but to walk home by myself.

I made my way down the streets as silently as I could, trying not to draw attention to myself. One hand rested on the bottle of pepper spray in my bag. Most likely I wouldn't need it, but it never hurt to be safe. Wrapping my coat around my body tightly I let it engulf me, hiding who I was from spying eyes.

As I passed the park I stopped walking entirely. The apartment I lived in was just on the other side of the park. During the day I wouldn't have hesitated to take the path through the small area of vegetation that grows there, but during the day there was light. Now, it was pitch black.

I knew I would be able to find the way no problem. I walked through that park so often, and I could probably walk home from work blindfolded. Even though I could find my way, I wasn't sure I wanted to. I've never thought of myself as a coward, but really, who wouldn't be scared to walk through an empty park late at night.

Hesitantly, I took a step toward the park. It's alright Bella, it's just a park. You've been there thousands of times and this is going to be no different. In a short while you'll be sitting in the living room laughing about how silly it was that you were afraid.

Clenching my pepper spray in a death grip I took another step toward the park, and another. Before I knew it I was surrounded by trees and other vegetation. The only source of light was the small lamps placed over the floor randomly on the side of the path.

Hugging my purse to my chest with my free arm my eyes darted around wildly, following every sound I heard. A snap here, a hoot there, it seemed even the smallest sound was enough to cause my imagination to run wild.

Soon, I saw a light a short distance ahead of me and my heart sagged in relief. That light meant only one thing, I was almost out of the park. My feet moved faster toward the end of the park. I was nearly there when a shadow stepped in front of me.

Wait, not a shadow. That's a man.

I stumbled back a few steps, thankful that I didn't fall backwards in the process. Looking up at the tall, lanky man that had stepped in front of me I was terrified by the slimy grin I saw on his face.

"Now, what's a tiny little thing like you doing all alone in the park at this time of night?" He said, reaching one of his arms toward me.

This time, my step back was on purpose as I held my pepper spray out in front of me, glad that I was paranoid enough to have it. "Don't come any closer to me, alright?" I waved the pepper spray around.

He just continued to smile at me, a crooked smile that sent chills down my spine.

I didn't hear the footsteps behind me until it was too late, and arms wrapped around me, grabbing my outstretched arm that held the pepper spray. Knowing that I was quickly losing control of the situation, I pressed down on the pepper spray, just hoping that it would at least hit one of them.

When I heard the man in front of me screaming in pain I knew I had hit him, and despite the situation I was still in I couldn't help the grin that came to my face.

The arms that had wrapped around me loosed in surprise slightly, and I used this to my advantage. Shoving my feet against the ground I pushed backward, forcing the man behind me backward as well. I felt his grip loosening even more, so I ran forward, breaking out of his hold.

As fast as I could I ran past the man I had sprayed, and toward the edge of the park, determined to make it out okay. I was so close to the exit when I felt the hand wind itself into my hair, and grasp onto it with determination.

With a loud scream of pain I fell to the ground, my head throbbing, and hair feeling as though it had been yanked from my head. The scowling face of the man who had grabbed my hair appeared over mine for just a moment before his fist found its way to my face, slamming into my cheekbone.

The force of the punch caused my head to pound onto the ground roughly, bouncing up before it fell back down again. The world became dizzy and I heard sounds I wasn't able to completely identify.

Soon, a new face appeared in my view and I shoved my arms up weakly to try and force him away.

When his eyes looked into mine, however, I instantly relaxed. His eyes were kind, and the most beautiful golden brown color I had ever seen.

This man was a stranger. I had no idea who he was and given my situation I should have been terrified, should have tried to get away from him.

Instead, I felt safe. An almost overwhelming sense of security fell over me. I could see his mouth moving as his worried eyes looked me over for wounds. I smiled, and tried to tell him that I couldn't hear what he was saying, but even as I opened my mouth to say the words the world went black.

The next thing I knew, I was opening my eyes and staring at a strange roof. When I regained all of my senses I realized I was lying in a bed that was not mine.

My eyes shot open as I threw myself into a sitting position, instantly regretting the motion as it brought to light the intense pain in my head. Bringing my hands up I touched my cheek gingerly, wincing as I felt the already bruising flesh.

The memories of my walk through the park ran through my head and I instantly began to panic. I had been attacked by two men, I had fallen unconscious, and now, I was in someone else's bed.

The fact that my clothes were still on helped me feel a bit steadier.

My breath quickened as I got out of the bed, intent on ignoring the pain in my head. Walking around the room I looked for the best thing I could use as a weapon, settling on a small lamp that had been sitting on the table beside the bed.

I may be clumsy, but I'm not stupid, and I made sure to unplug it before I even thought about smashing it into someone's head. Sure, electrocuting my attacker might be fine, but I knew it was more likely I would electrocute myself at the same time.

I couldn't have found my weapon at a better time. Almost as soon as I unplugged the lamp's cord I heard a loud creak as the door to the room opened. Holding the lamp tightly I brandished it in front of me as a man stepped through the doorway.

He was tall, definitely over sex feet, and topped by unruly brown hair. It was his eyes that I recognized though. They were such an unusual color, one I could only describe as golden brown, that I didn't think I could ever forget him. His face was the one that appeared in my view just before I passed out that night, and now that I saw it in better light I could tell that it was a completely gorgeous face.

I was sickened by the sense of security that washed over me when I saw him.

Just to be safe, I waved the lamp in front of me wildly, "Who the hell are you? Where am I and why am I here?"

The man held his hands up disarmingly and when he spoke it was in a low, deep tone. He had a soothing voice, and I'm willing to bet he was trying to make it seem even more so. "My name is Edward Cullen and you're in my apartment." It sounded like he was telling the truth; then again, I'm probably not the best judge. "I was walking through the park last night when I heard screaming. I went to see what was happening and found you being... attacked." He seemed angry.

All right, at least I knew the part about the attack was the truth, "I got rid of him, but by the time I did you had already passed out. I didn't want to leave you there, so I brought you back here instead." He shrugged his arms and looked at me guiltily, "It seemed like the best thing to do at the time."

I stared at him, probably for too long. Oh that's just great Bella, now you probably look like a complete retard. Say something!

I wanted to trust him. Something in me wanted to believe that everything he was saying was truth. Still, the more practical side of me took over, "That's nice Edward, so what exactly were you doing walking around in the park at nearly two in the morning?" My sarcasm was being employed full force.

He raised one eyebrow slowly, "I could ask you the same thing."

I could feel my face heat in a heavy blush. The man had a point. "I had to walk home from work." I said defensively.

For some inexplicable reason his face seemed to darken. "Are you saying you walk home alone from work every night?" The rage in his voice sent shivers down my spine.

My temper started to rise when I heard his words. Who was he to judge me? "Even if I did that's none of your business is it? I don't even know you."

He was scowling at me now. "You're very lucky nothing happened before tonight. The world is not a safe place that late at night, and you shouldn't wander around alone."

He was scolding me like one would a troublesome child caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Against my better instincts I began to feel bad about my decision. "I don't usually work as late as I did tonight. Even if I did, usually I have a car. It's just getting worked on now, that's all."

His face lightened slightly, and he took a step toward me.

I backed up instantly, bumping into the nightstand behind me. Wobbling precariously I held the lamp even further in front of me, "Listen, just because you say you saved me doesn't mean I trust you, so stay back alright?"

"Easy," he said, taking a step back as if to appease my wishes, "I just wanted to give you your wallet and phone back." Taking one hand off of the lamp I checked my pockets quickly and noticed that both were indeed missing. I hadn't even noticed. "I took them to see if there was an address I could take you to, or a number I could call. You didn't have an ID in your wallet. I tried calling a few of the numbers in your phone but none of them picked up."

I looked at him suspiciously. I knew he was telling the truth, I left my license at home since I wouldn't be driving. Still, I couldn't figure out why he would be so willing to help me. "Slide them over to me then will you?"

He nodded, and did as I asked, both of the items sliding noisily across the floor to stop right in front of me. Picking them up, I looked through my wallet first. I double and triple checked, but nothing seemed to be missing. Down to the last penny everything that had been in my walled was still there.

Relaxing slightly I picked up the phone next, checking the time quickly, noticing it was just past seven in the morning. Quickly, I went through the call log just to see if he was telling the truth. Just as he said, there were six or seven calls made at about three o'clock in the morning. Each one just long enough for someone to leave a short message on an answering machine.

Looking back at Edward I felt bad for thinking the worst of him. He had saved me from what surely would have been a god awful fate, taken me to his own house to keep me safe, and had tried his hardest to get me home.

He had been the embodiment of a Good Samaritan.

Putting the lamp down on the nightstand behind me I walked until I was just out of arms read from him. "I'm Bella." I said simply, holding my hand out, still eyeing him nervously.

He took my hand in his, and shook it strongly, "It's nice to meet you Bella, would you like some breakfast perhaps? I'm used to waking up rather early so I made some pancakes already."

Normally I would have been embarrassed by the way my eyes lit up excitedly, but I was too eager about the prospect of food to care. "That'd be great!" I paused, not sure how to form my next question, "Can I... I mean, do you..." I rushed out my next words, "I need to use the bathroom."

To my horror I could feel my face begin to heat for the second time that day.

The handsome face in front of me smiled charmingly, "The bathroom is to the left just outside the door here. Whenever you're done the kitchen is right down the hallway, you can't miss it."

He left the room with an almost silent grace and I quickly found my way to the bathroom. I stopped abruptly and stared as I caught sight of my reflection in the mirror.

I looked like a ghost.

My face was pale and dirty. There were large bags under both of my eyes, and underneath my left eye was a large purple bruise.

I nearly groaned in agony. Here I was, rescued by a completely gorgeous stranger, and I looked like, well, like I had just gotten attacked in the park. I guess it was appropriate for me to look like that, but that didn't mean I had to be happy about it.

I splashed some cold water on my face quickly, rubbing my skin harshly in an attempt to regain some of my color. I made sure to treat the bruised area of my face carefully however. After vigorously drying my face with one of the towels I finished my business in the bathroom and made my way out to kitchen where Edward was already eating his pancakes.

He motioned for me to sit down as he put a new bite into his mouth. By the time I was seated he had finished chewing. Pointing to the pancakes he said, "Take as many as you want Bella, if I have any leftovers I'm not likely to eat them myself."

I couldn't tell if he was lying, but at the moment I didn't care, I was starving. Putting a few on my plate I smothered them in syrup and began to eat. Between bites I took the opportunity to start a conversation, "So what were you doing in the park last night?" I asked innocently. While I wanted to have a conversation there was no reason I couldn't get some answers at the same time.

Luckily he found my determination to get answers amusing instead of annoying, and he smiled around the food in his mouth. "I find it difficult to sleep most nights, and I've found that walking in the park helps to calm me down, relieve some of the tension I have in my body."

I nodded, "I guess I shouldn't complain, after all, if you weren't there who knows what would have happened?"

His face darkened again, and I couldn't help but feel like I had made a mistake mentioning the night before. "So where is it that you work Bella?" He said casually, and I felt entirely relieved he didn't focus on what I just said.

I really saw no harm in telling him where I worked, "Larry's Bar and Grill."

"Really, a bar? Yet you don't usually walk home alone at two in the morning?"

I winced, realizing he hadn't exactly given up, and shook my head. "I usually work during the afternoon actually, and I have school during the night. Since it's summer though I don't have classes, and offered to pick up some of my friend Angela's shifts so she could go on vacation."

"So you'll be working again tonight?" He asked offhandedly.

"I suppose," I said slowly, "But my car is supposed to be out of the shop by this afternoon."

I could see him visibly relax, and before either of us could say anything else my phone rang loudly. Taking it out of my pocket I looked at the caller ID and saw it was Jacob.

"Sorry," I apologized, getting up from the table, "I should probably take this."

"That's no problem at all. I'm sure you're friends are worried."

He went back to his breakfast as I moved away and answered my phone.

"Hello?" I said timidly.

"Bella? Where the hell are you?"

I winced, not wanting to tell Jacob the truth. I'm at some stranger's house because he saved me from people who attacked me last night. Yeah, that would go over well.

Instead, I settled for lying, "I stepped out of the house for a bit Jacob." I never said it was going to be a very good lie.

There was silence for a moment, and I felt guilty for lying, "That's funny," His voice came through my speaker, and I could tell he was pissed, "Because I could have sworn I got a call from some random guy, on your phone, saying that he found you unconscious in the park last night and took you to his house." Sarcasm began to creep into his voice. It was never a good sign when Jacob began to use sarcasm. "Well I guess I must have been imagining that."

I squeezed my eyes shut. Shit, I was caught, "Jacob-"

I was cut off before I could get any further, "Then I could have sworn that Jessica told me she didn't drive you home from work last night. Boy is it a relief that she must be mistaken."

"Jacob-" I tried again.

"Bella what the hell did you think you were doing walking home alone, and through the park no less. Christ, if you had waited just an hour or so I would have been more than willing to give you a ride home."

"Jacob-" I said, much louder this time.

"Jesus," He cut me off again, this was starting to get really annoying, "There are some things you just don't do Bella and if you want to know the truth you did one of them just last night. Now where the hell are you? I'm coming to pick you up."

"Well gee, does that mean you're going to let me speak now?" I said sarcastically, "Because maybe if you let me speak you might understand things a little bit better."

I knew that was the wrong thing to say even before he began to speak, "Understand what better Bella? You purposely lied to me so you could do something completely stupid and you nearly... God Bella, do you know what could have happened to you?"

The shame began to creep back into my body, "I didn't want to be any trouble Jacob, it wasn't the first time I walked home, and I had pepper spray."

I could hear his snort through the phone. "Yeah, a lot of good that did you. Listen, we can talk about this all we want later. Right now I want to pick you up so where are you?"

"Errr..." I stumbled, realizing I had no idea how to answer that, "I'm really not that sure."

I could feel the tension through the phone before Jacob said, "Just put that guy who called me on the phone alright Bella?" His voice was tight. I was not looking forward to confronting him when he arrived to drive me home.

I nodded, and felt completely stupid for doing so when I realized there was no possible way he could see me. "Yeah, I'll do that." Walking over to the table I handed the phone to Edward, "He wants to know your address."

Wiping his mouth with a napkin he took the phone and walked off a bit to talk. Personally, I was glad he walked far enough away that I couldn't hear what he was saying. I was sure Jacob wasn't being very polite, and I didn't want to see Edward's reaction to him.

When Edward came back, he handed the phone to me. It was off.

"He's about twenty minutes away," Edward said. As far as I could tell he wasn't any more upset than he had been before, "He said he'd come right here to pick you up."

I nodded, and looked at my pancakes, and took a bite. Suddenly, they weren't as tasty as they had been before. Now, I couldn't focus on anything other than how angry Jacob was at me.

"He's just worried for you." Edward said, eyes staring at me intently. "You did something stupid last night Bella, no one is going to sugarcoat that for you."

I looked into his eyes and tried to ignore the butterflies that had suddenly found their way into my stomach. "I know, but I was just trying to get home. I knew Jacob would be tired after his shift was done, and my house is in the opposite direction of his. I didn't want him to use up any extra time taking me home."

Edward chuckled and pointed his fork at me, "Trust me when I say you shouldn't tell him that, it'll only upset him more."

I grinned slightly, "So what is it that you do Edward," my grin grew, "Besides take walks in the park at two in the morning."

The lightness his face held disappeared as his eyes became stony and gave a disturbing grin, "I'm retired." He spoke the words as though he were saying a private joke that only he would understand.

I gaped at him, "But you're so young! I'll bet your not a day over twenty-six."

"I'm twenty-five." He said, not offering any more information than that.

I squinted my eyes at him, studying him intensely, "What could you have done that let you retire at such an early age?"

He shrugged his shoulders, "I guess you could say I was in the business of finding people."

I tilted my head to one side, I could work with that, "So you were a private detective? Someone who would find missing people?"

He chuckled darkly, as though my words amused him, "Something like that."

He was dropping hints that I didn't understand. I knew there was more than he was telling me, and I was itching to find out everything. "What did you do with them once you found them?" I said slowly, watching his face carefully to gauge his reaction.

He looked surprised for a moment, only a moment, before he smiled.

I didn't think for a second that he would actually answer me, but before he got the chance to say anything there was a loud chiming sound. I closed my eyes tightly as I realized it was the doorbell.

Jacob was here.

We stood from the table and Edward led me toward the door. Before he opened it, I turned to him, "Thank you for helping me Edward, I know you didn't have to."

He smiled at me, a large toothy smile. "It was my pleasure Bella."

I didn't know what possessed me to do it. Reaching forward I placed my hands on his shoulders and pulled myself forward to place a soft kiss on his lips. When I pulled away, I was blushing furiously, and couldn't bring myself to look him in the face.

The doorbell sounded again and I turned to the door opening it quickly. Before I knew it I was pulled into a tight hug by Jacob. I hugged him back tightly and my eyes began to water with the relief that came with the feeling of being safe in familiar arms.

I was home again, but even as we began out to Jacobs car I could tell that the innocent kiss I had given Edward would be lingering in the back of my mind for the rest of the day.

I couldn't understand how such a chaste kiss could send fire trailing throughout my body like no kiss had ever done before.

TBC

A/N: I decided to try my hand at fanfiction. I love the twilight books, and the characters are so alive that I just had to play with them.

In case anyone is wondering this will be an AU/AH, but I will try my best to keep the characters in character. It's something I enjoy doing.

On a side note; I don't have a beta. :-/ I can beta the chapters myself with reasonable accuracy but if there's anyone willing to offer up their services updates are likely to be faster and better. :)

Hope you like it so far!

See you next time.