The Little Issue

A/N: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight and is so rich because of it. I am not.

Welcome back. Are you ready for Edward and Bella to finally meet? Here it goes.

Let me know what you think by reviewing at the end.

Chapter 2: Renaturation

Definition: The refolding of a denatured macromolecule so as to regain its native conformation. (In other words, this means it's a large structure that is not active because it is in the wrong shape. It undergoes some change to return it to its intended form.) [An analogy, Edward is "denatured" but by meeting Bella he starts to take on his intended form.]

EPOV

June 1st

I lay in bed waiting for the sun to come up. I had an odd feeling develop during the night that woke me. Since then, I had tried desperately to get some more sleep. I had to be at the hospital by 8:00am this morning for facial reconstruction surgery. This would be Mr. Banner's third surgery in a series of seven. I couldn't afford, for his sake, to not be at my best. After all he had gone through; he deserved to feel normal again.

Due to the nature of my patients, I was affiliated with two area hospitals, Northwest Hospital & Medical Center and Seattle Children's Hospital. With the rights to practice at both hospitals, came the on call responsibilities. I didn't think it would be too much at first, but juggling my office visits, surgical procedures, patient follow ups, and hospital duties was time consuming.

Luckily my years of medical school and residency had conditioned me to sleep when I could, not when normal people were supposed to. But for some reason, I couldn't sleep now.

So much had happened around me lately, but not to me. Rose and Emmett's wedding had been a week earlier. I was best man and had to give the toast. It took weeks to come up with something good to say, not that it was hard to think of good things about the two of them. It was the opposite; there was too much good to say. How do you summarize a relationship like theirs? They seemed to be made for each other. Only Emmett could put up with Rose's bitchiness and only Rose could find Emmett's gruffness sexy. He had the ability to tell her when she was wrong and she had no problem smacking the back of his hard head when what he said went too far.

We had all been a group for so long, Jasper and Alice, Rose and Emmett, and me.

It was sometimes difficult to be around happy couples all the time, when you are alone. So much love surrounded me on a daily basis when it came to my family. Even my mom and dad were still madly in love. I'm not saying that is a bad thing, but watching them eye fuck each other or walking into the kitchen when they are making out is not something a son wants to see his parents do.

In a way, dealing with my patients balanced my life. I was able to meet them at a low point in their life and help them transition to a better place. While my procedures didn't heal some of the emotional scars of the trauma they endured, it helped them move on. They no longer saw the external evidence of their pain. I had found that this step was necessary for most. When they looked in the mirror before, they focused on the evidence of what had occurred. Once that was removed, they could look at the evidence of survival.

Survival.

My mom, Esme, was a survivor. My dad had met her when she was brought to the hospital after a terrible fall. His surgical skills had healed her and prevented neurological damage. His love had transformed her life.

Rose, was a survivor. Her freshman year of college, she was attacked by a "friend" of her family. When Emmett found her, he was beyond crushed. It took all my, Jasper's, and Dad's strengths combined to prevent him from going after Royce. In the end, Rose got her revenge when she took him on in court. He was put away for the better part of his "productive" years.

I was a survivor, although the trauma I caused resulted in the destruction of others. As a teenager I felt indestructible, why didn't I realize that while I may be, others around me weren't. Just the memory of that night caused me pain. I thought nothing was worse than her terrified screams. I was wrong, so wrong because then the screaming stopped, for good.

I was pulled out from my memories by the sound of my cell phone; Alice's ring tone was playing.

I glanced at the clock, 6:06.

"Alice, isn't it a little early for you?"

"Oh Edward, I was too excited to sleep. I had to call you. Today's the day!"

"Today is what day Alice? Is this still about that article and all the cryptic talk you have been subjecting me to these past few months?"

"Maybe. But anyway, you remember that my engagement party is June 19th right? Of course you do, I personally entered the information in all your planners. You are running out of time."

"Alice, what are you talking about? Running out of time for what? And yes, I know your party is this month. It seems to be the only topic you are willing to speak to me about lately."

I could almost hear her smiling as she said, "Well, maybe after today we can expand our topics. Just keep an open mind today and be ready. Call me later! Love ya, bye!"

Alice was giving me another headache, a common occurrence since the article she insisted on me agreeing to. I closed my eyes and tried to calm down for my day, but kept thinking of Alice's weirdness during the past few months.

I was so sure that Friday after the article appeared in the paper I would be able to figure out what Alice was up to, but she had decided to become aloof around me.

She showed up at my office that Friday instead of meeting me at the restaurant. When I came out of my office and entered the reception area, I saw Alice typing on the computer.

"Alice, what are you doing on the computer?"

"Edward, hey. Sorry, just checking your schedule. I needed to make sure you had added my engagement party to your planner and appointment book. You can't be on call or scheduled to work that weekend."

"Alice thanks for the concern, but since you have been planning this party for years, I doubt I would be able to forget it."

"I know, but since you don't have anyone to help keep you in line, I feel the need to make sure you are heading in the right direction."

For a moment, I saw something that resembled happiness flicker across her face, but before I could look any further, it was gone.

"Let's go Edward. We have so much to discuss. I need you advice on presents for Rose and Emmett, my attendants and Jasper's engagement present. Plus, I have photos to show you of our weekend in New York City."

Here came that headache again. Why had I agreed to this lunch? Presents, photos?

Over the next few weeks, things just got stranger. Alice's calls were more frequent than usual but she would say the oddest things. She kept referring to some new direction in my life, but anytime I tried to question her she would change the subject.

So, was today the day? And if so, what kind of day was I in for? Why did she have to be so mysterious? Did I trust her intuition?

With those thoughts distracting me, I got up to begin my day. I used the heat of the shower to wash away the disturbing thoughts and uncertainty of the morning. Mr. Banner needed me to be at my best.

I was able to get myself focused for my immediate morning surgery after the shower, two cups of coffee, and a stop at the deli for a bagel. I walked into the hospital at 7:35 and made my way to my locker.

I stopped by the board to see the room schedule and noticed that Dr. Smith was scheduled for a procedure in the same OR immediately following mine. I was not looking forward to an encounter with James this morning. He exemplified what I disliked about my field. He was in it for the fame, money, and chance to meet soon-to-be hot women. His personality was as artificial as his patient's breasts, noses, and faces.

A few hours later, I was sitting in the doctor's lounge area collecting my thoughts. I was pleased with the procedure and was certain that when the bandages were removed, a few more of Mr. Banner's scars would be gone. I had managed to remain focused on the task at hand. Once I was in an operating room, I was able to filter out all other thoughts and stay in the moment with my patient.

When I was around people in general, I had always felt that I could pick up on their thoughts. These thoughts were a constant assaulting noise in my mind. However, after the accident as a teenager, I tried to use this ability to help others recover some of their lives they had before their personal tragedies. I often didn't even need to ask a patient what the problem was. It was so evidently written on their faces when I met with them.

I cultivated this ability and my ability to focus on one person at a time all throughout college, medical school, and my residency. I now was quite skilled at taking these thoughts and feelings and creating the right "bedside" manner that each patient needed. And it wasn't an artificial concern, like James had. I genuinely became invested in their stories when I became an integral part in helping them move on.

Just as I was ready to head out for a quick lunch before meeting my afternoon appointments, James entered the room.

"Cullen, busy doing good again?"

"Just trying to make a positive contribution, James." I responded.

"Oh, get off your pedestal Cullen. Why are you denying what you are? If you just give in to what this life has to offer, you might actually have some fun."

"What I am is a doctor. I am in this to help people, use my abilities to make their lives better, not feed their insecurities or contribute to society's notions of what is acceptable."

"Really Cullen, do you hear yourself? You sound self-righteous, just like that pitiful article from a few months ago. When will you just admit what you are? You are no different from me and the sooner you admit it, the sooner you can enjoy the fruits of your labor. Do you know how thankful women are when I make them look beautiful? You can't imagine the follow up appointments and how they show me their appreciation. "

"James, I have to go. You and I obviously have different ideas about the appropriate doctor-patient relationship, so there is no need to argue."

"You only think we are different. I wish I could be there the day when you cross the line with a patient."

"Don't count on it." I respond as I step out into the hallway and make my way to Mr. Banner's recovery room. He appears to be doing well and I let the nurses know that he can leave the hospital anytime after 6pm that night.

I head out to my Volvo and leave my morning behind.

As I glance at the dashboard clock, I see that it is already nearly 1pm. I remember that my first appointment is at 1:30. That does not give me much time to eat lunch, make it to the office, and prepare for the consultation. I don't usually prepare too much, since as I mentioned, I am good at reading people and adapting to fit their needs. I want to make my patients feel as comfortable as possible because often what we have to discuss is anything but comfortable.

I call in an order to a restaurant on the way to my office. I pull into the take out parking spot and run in to grab my sandwich and drink. Within a few minutes I am back in my car heading towards my office. I park in my space at the office and sit in my car to eat. I usually don't approve of eating in my car, but it is already approaching 1:30, so there is a good chance my next appointment is waiting for me in my office.

As I eat, I try not to think about my earlier conversation with James. He is too disturbed of an individual for me to dwell on; however, his words make me think of what I would do if I were in his shoes. He is able to enjoy what he does but I just can't understand how. Is he unfeeling to his patients and only in it for his own gratification? Does he actually get off examining his patients during consultations and follow up visits? This seems so wrong to me, but I know that I am in a field where many of my colleagues are like him.

I decided when I chose this field to remain connected to my patients and choose my patients carefully. I won't even agree to consultations for the procedures that James performs. I know I can resist the "urge" to go James's direction, but I don't want to have to explain my reasons to the patient. If they are asking for this type of work, they obviously have self-image issues and a rejection by a plastic surgeon would not help their psyche.

I gather my trash from the lunch and exit the car to head to the rear door of my practice. I am greeted immediately by an anxious Lauren who shoves a handful of files at me.

"Dr. Cullen, your 1:30 appointment is already waiting in your office. I haven't called back your 1:40 appointment yet, but it is a follow up with the Clearwater kid. So, once you start your consultation, I will put Seth in exam room one."

"Thanks, Lauren." I reply as I glance down at the folder on top. Isabella Swan: consultation for a little issue.

"Lauren, what does this notation mean: a little issue?"

"I'm not really sure what I meant by that Dr. Cullen. I don't even remember making the appointment. I must have meant some minor problem. Like I said, I am not really sure. She didn't have any of the background paperwork completed when she arrived. She claimed that it was not sent to her. I gave her new copies that she agreed to finish up while she waited for you. This whole consultation seems to have slipped by me unnoticed. I am not sure how to explain it. It must have just seemed unimportant."

I studied Lauren's face and demeanor as she explained herself and could tell she was just as confused as I was. She had no idea why Ms Swan was here or how she had managed to misplace her paperwork. But what I also saw was an odd hostility toward the waiting patient. Odd.

I knew that I could count on Lauren around the office, although she often made me feel uncomfortable with her obvious attraction for me. She was what most would call pretty; slender, tanned skin, sandy blonde long hair, and nice curves, but I found no comfort in thinking of her in any manner other than as an employee. Of course, it had been years since I thought of anyone in any manner beyond their obvious connections to me: family friend, colleague, fellow student, patients, and employees.

Not since that fateful night had I tried to entertain any romantic feelings for anyone. Sure I had the occasional hook-up, but it was always impersonal and left me feeling as empty as before, like I was using them for my own purposes. I guy had needs, but giving into those needs gave me no relief from the torment.

I waved Lauren off and assured her that I would handle my appointment with Ms. Swan. Lauren still seemed nervous as she walked away.

"I'll be sure everything is in order for the rest of the day, Dr. Cullen. I'll let you know when Seth is ready. You better get to your office; it is already nearly 1:40."

"Please let Seth and his parents know that I am running a little behind due to surgery this morning. I know they will understand that. I shouldn't be too long with this consultation, but give me at least five to ten minutes before you stop by. I don't want my new patient to think that her time is not valuable."

"Sure, Dr. Cullen. I will give you some time to catch up before I try to get you back on track." She replied, trying to sound like she was keeping me in line.

As she walked back towards the front, I turned back towards my office and knocked on the door.

"Ms Swan," I called out as I slowly opened the door. Then suddenly, everything around me was still and quiet; the usual background noise that I was used to and relied on was completely missing.

I saw her sitting in a chair opposite my desk with her back to the door looking down at a clipboard. It almost seemed like slow motion as I took in the sight before me.

Ms. Swan had long flowing brown hair that fell down her back and over her shoulders. Her ivory colored shoulders were exposed and I had a sudden urge to place a trail of kisses along each. I was lost in my own inappropriate thoughts that I hoped wouldn't continue to descend any further when I noticed her begin to move.

She placed the clipboard onto my desk and turned around to face me. When her eyes met mine, we both stayed frozen in our places. It truly felt like my legs where suddenly made out of immovable granite and I am pretty sure I let out an agonized groan.

I was momentarily lost for what to say or do. Instead, I began to react on autopilot. I suddenly felt a gravitational shift that was pulling me towards her.

I stepped into the room, closing the door behind me, but never once letting my eyes leave hers. I was lost in these chocolate brown doe eyes as I began walking swiftly towards her.

She stood fully from the chair and turned her body to face mine. As she tried to move around and in-between the two chairs in front of my desk, her right foot caught on the back leg of the chair she had been seated in. I lunged forward and caught her as her body fell towards the ground.

As soon as my hands touched her skin, I felt a jolt of electricity flow from her to me. The jolt ran straight to my pants and caused my dick to jump.

"What the fuck!" I said before I realized it.

She tried to pull free from me, acting scared or embarrassed by our initial interaction and my inappropriate outburst. I moved my hands up to the tops of each of her arms and gently squeezed. I tried to look at her face, but she lowered her head and began to speak.

"I am so sorry, Dr. Cullen. I wasn't watching where I was going. I didn't mean to shock you or fall in front of you or cause you any discomfort." She whispered, trying to hide her face behind a curtain of her. She had no idea what kind of discomfort she was currently causing. Fortunately that was hidden by my coat.

I moved my right hand off of her arm and pushed the hair on the left side of her head away from her face to behind her ear. I then moved my right hand down to her chin and lifted up on it slowly.

She allowed me to move her head so that I could once again look into her eyes.

"Are you OK?" I asked.

"Yes, if you don't count my limited ability to walk through a room without falling as a problem. I am so clumsy sometimes that it could be considered a disability."

"Well Ms Swan, it's a good thing I was here to catch you this time. Why don't I help you up and back to your seat?"

She swallowed hard and nodded at me. I slowly stood, releasing my grip from her only long enough to offer her my hands instead. She looked from my hands to my eyes a few times before placing her small hands in mine. The pulse of electricity I felt during our initial contact happened again, although this time we both seemed to expect it. I looked at our hands and tried to understand what was happening.

BPOV

There was that look again. He furrowed his brows as he looked at where our hands were connected. He surely felt the shock too, but why? Usually once the static electricity that causes a shock is released, it doesn't occur again immediately. Was this more than static?

As I thought back to the beginning of this visit, I couldn't help but become even more confused. After Alice's call this morning, I was surprised that she was not at work today. A woman named Lauren asked for my paperwork when I arrived.

"Ms Swan, I see that your file is missing your questionnaire and insurance information. Did you bring it by recently?"

"No, I just arrived in town last week. If you will give me a copy, I can begin to fill everything out."

"Where is your copy? Did you misplace them in your move? I see here you made the appointment some time ago; didn't you have time to prepare for this? Dr. Cullen is a very busy man. You will need to be prepared when you meet him. He has a full schedule this afternoon." She responded with some hostility that I couldn't understand.

"I understand that Dr. Cullen is a busy man. I will try not to take up too much of his time, but I have been waiting for some time for this consultation and I don't plan on being rushed out the door before I have gotten what I need. And about the copies of your paperwork, I never received any. If I had, I would have happily filled them out and returned them. When I made the appointment, I was not asked for my address, so maybe that is why I did not receive anything." I spat back at her. Oh how I was wishing for Alice and her nice, yet confusing self.

"So sorry." She responded with what seemed like a sarcastic tone. I had a feeling she didn't believe my explanation. She looked up at me, her eyes brimming with unasked questions and continued, "I'll get you what you need. You won't have time to finish before Dr. Cullen arrives, but I'll make sure he knows what to expect."

Once she handed me a clip board filled with pages of empty spaces ready for my basic information and answers, I turned to find a seat in the small waiting room. No sooner had I set down, when Lauren appeared at an open doorway and called for me to follow her.

She led me down the hallway to the back and opened a door. She motioned for me to enter and said, "Have a seat in one of the chairs across from Dr. Cullen's desk. Keep working on your paperwork, you can hand it in on your way out. Dr. Cullen should be arriving soon; he had a hospital procedure this morning."

With that she closed the door to the office, leaving me alone. I turned my body to walk to one of the designated chairs. I glanced around the room. It was a simple office with cherry furnishings, dark and warm were the feelings it elicited within me. Across one wall were built in bookshelves and cabinets. He had the bookshelves filled with medical journals and textbooks, along with what looked like a section for literature. He had a sleek cherry desk that was free from clutter. It only contained a computer monitor and keyboard, large planner, a framed picture of a group of young adults all huddled together in an open meadow, and a cup of pens.

I grabbed a new pen from the cup and began to work on the questionnaire. I filled out the typical name, address, birth date, age, date of visit, and social security number information. I stopped and began looking through the remaining questions. Just then, there was a knock at the door and as I heard the door opening a velvety voice called out a faint "Ms Swan."

I could feel the hairs on my arms and neck suddenly stand on end at the sound of the voice. Please don't let this be Dr. Cullen, I silently prayed. I remained unable to move for a moment before I placed the clip board on the desk in front of me and slowly turned my head.

It was there standing in the doorway that I saw the most beautiful man I had ever encountered; tall, lean, with a chiseled jaw line, and the oddest color and style of hair. I am not sure how else to describe it other than bronze colored sex hair. It stood on end all across his head like he or someone else had been running their hands through it. What I wouldn't give to be that someone? Wait, what did I just think?

But it was the eyes that stopped me in my tracks, immobilized by what I thought might be desire reflecting between us. His eyes were the most inviting color of green I had ever seen and once my eyes locked on his, I couldn't even blink.

As I stood, gaping at him like an obsessed stalker, he let out what sounded like a moan. And if his looks hadn't been enough to awaken a dormant desire, the moan was sending me over the edge. Without consciously deciding to, I began to slowly move towards him.

Of course, my inability to move gracefully ended up humiliating me. I stood from the chair and tried to move around the chairs towards him. I was so focused on his eyes I didn't watch my feet. I felt my right foot catch the chair leg.

I closed my eyes preparing to hit the ground, but instead I felt strong arms and a jolt of electricity surge through my body, further awaking the desire I was feeling. Before I could say anything though, he shouted, "What the fuck!"

I knew then that I was making a fool of myself in front of this gorgeous man, who I now was pretty sure, was Dr. Cullen. I tried to break free from his strong embrace, but he only moved his hands up my arms and squeezed. I hung my head and tried to reign in the tears that were threatening to spill from my eyes.

I tried to apologize to him, but instead of being rude, he used his hand to move my hair from my face, tucking behind my left ear. With the back of his hand, he traced a fiery trail from my ear to my cheek down to my chin. As he used his hand to gently lift up on my chin, I raised my head until our eyes were on each other.

With genuine concern and that same velvety voice, he asked is I was OK. I tried to explain away my ability to greet him properly by making a joke of it. His response sent shivers down my spine and I had to swallow back the growing desire.

"Well, Ms Swan, it's a good thing I was here to catch you this time. Why don't I help you up and back to your seat?"

I was only able to nod, my ability to speak now missing.

I hadn't realized that I was moving until I was seated again. He woke me from my trance and thoughts when I heard him say, "Ms Swan?"

"Sorry, I was just lost in thought. It has been an odd day."

"I would have to agree with you there." He responded leaning back against the edge of his desk as he looked down at our hands that were still clasped tightly together.

He shook his head and slowly let go of each of my hands. The immediate loss of contact caused what felt like physical pain and left a warm lingering feeling in my hands. I noticed that he clutched his hands repeatedly before he spoke.

"So, other than being plagued by clumsiness, tell me something else about yourself."

"What would you like to know, Dr. Cullen?"

"How about we start with what brought you to Seattle?"

"Well, that is a long story. It is a little complicated." I answered.

"Don't worry; I believe that I can keep up."

I searched his face for some indicator as to whether he was just trying to be nice, but all I could see was a genuine desire to know the answers. But where would I start?

Another day, another update. This story wants to get out of my head. I think it may take me a few days to update again. I can't keep neglecting my duties at home and work.

I hope you enjoyed their meeting. I tried to include some recognizable situations and stay true to the characters. The consultation will continue next chapter where Edward will ask Bella to show him her "Little Issue." What do you think will happen? It will be good, I promise.

Please review and if you like the story, let others know. That is how I have found this community works.

An explanation about my chapter titles. Bella is a biochemistry major and I am choosing biochemistry terms form an analogy of what is happening to each of them.

My recommendations today: Stories that are getting to the good stuff, not new but not near the end either.

The Gentleman from Washington State by Betty Smith (Senator Cullen is hot for his intern Bella.)

The Cullen Campaign by belladonna1472 (E & B are congressional children of rivals and have decided to be fuck buddies. Now they both realize they may want more, but won't admit it.)

Hate Me by xrxdanixrx (E turned her down in high school. They meet again years later but he doesn't recognize her. She decides to conquer him as payback.)

Coming through the Rye by Mac214 (Mac214 is so funny. Now it is a Scottish Edward who will be deported. Bella secretly loves him & agrees to a fake marriage to keep him in the states and near her.)

Moving Pictures by breakfastatbella's (Edward is a documentary filmmaker, Bella is a nurse. They have lots of instant passion, but also some heartaches from the past and present.)

A Matter of Trust by quietruby (Edward is a famous 20 something actor, Bella is in her early 30's and a teacher. They meet on an elevator and hit it off. Can they handle her past and his present?)

A Form of Escapism by flubbles (Edward is a famous author with a sad past, Bella is one of his biggest fans. He moves across the street, but she is married to the cruel James.)

If you want to see what else I am reading, just go to my profile and click on my favorites. These are just some of the ones on fanfiction. There are plenty other sites out there with great stories too.

Again thanks for stopping by to read. Drop me a quick review and come back in a few days for a new chapter.