A/N 1 – First off I need to apologise for the delay in updating. I was going to concentrate on my other well established fic... Taking Care of Business. But finally this kept screaming at me to get back to it... I will post as I feel the feel... I hope you understand... more at the bottom...

Enjoy

"Edward; cut to the chase. Why are you here?" She asked, leaving me a little shocked.

"Well... I...I supposed that... we... well... I could take you up on the fun you'd proposed?"

Before I had time to read what she was thinking, I felt a sharp pain in my jaw where she'd slapped me...hard.

"Who the fuck do you think you are?" She screeched. "I offer myself to you and you turn me down time and time again. Then you decide suddenly that you're up for it?" Her tone matched her venom. I was sure of it.

"So you think that I'm so attracted to you that I'd just roll over with my legs in the air? Fuck off Edward. It's not happening; Not now, not ever."

Well that was me told...

Damage Limitation

Edward Cullen

I knew I deserved Tanya's wrath. She had every right to be angry with me... I'd behaved like an arrogant ass. I had to try to fix this.

"Tanya, wait, please," I called after her. "You are right of course. I am so sorry." I heard hesitation in her mind and tried to use it to my advantage. "Please Tanya, just hear me out, let me apologise?"

She stopped in her tracks. "Okay, Edward. Let's hear the apology."

Result.

She was halfway downstairs. I really didn't want an audience although I knew they'd all be listening in.

"Can we speak somewhere... in private?" I asked.

"You are something else, Edward Cullen," she replied. "But yes, I will hear you out."

Thank fuck for that.

"Could we maybe take a walk?" I asked.

"Fine," she said. "But if you try anything at all, I will hurt you." She warned.

I smiled at her warning. "I promise I'll be on my very best behaviour."

We headed out into the cold mid morning air. I'd forgotten just how beautiful this area was. Picture postcard perfection. Snow covered the trees and the riverbank. The river itself was frozen over, I'd hoped that maybe Tanya and I could go ice skating on it at some point.

We walked at human speed, completely silent until we were a safe distance from the house, so that our conversation would be more private this time.

"I'm sorry Tanya," I whispered. "My expectations were wrong to say the least. I behaved in a crass manner, giving no thought to your feelings. I am an idiot."

"Well at least that's something we can agree on," she smiled shyly. "I know that you think that I am a vulgar succubus who likes nothing better than to fornicate with anyone, but I'm not that person really."

"Aren't you?" I asked. "I'm sorry Tanya, but that is the image that you seem to enjoy portraying. You are always bragging about this conquest and that. I always thought that men and vampires alike were nothing more than notches on your bedpost."

We'd stopped walking by this point and without warning Tanya sighed and sat down heavily in the snow.

"I suppose that is the way everyone sees me. It doesn't mean that it's all true and it doesn't mean that I have to like it."

I was slightly confused and looked down at where she sat, a picture of blonde loveliness in the snow. She appeared to be sincere and she looked thoughtful and, if I'm honest a little bit sad.

"I don't understand, Tanya. What do you mean?"

"Sit with me Edward?" She asked, motioning to the space next to her.

"Of course." I responded sitting down beside her in the snow.

"I've developed this persona over a very long time." She said, her arms lifted to indicate towards her body before continuing. "I won't lie to you, it's suited me over the years to be thought of as this brash, uncaring, predator. It keeps unwanted advances away if you know what I mean. I am Tanya, beautiful, independent and deadly. What most people don't realise that I am also Tanya, insecure, sad and lonely." she bowed her head at the last admission.

Shit, why had I never picked up on this? Why did she choose to tell me now? Here I was, visiting her, my only purpose being to pop my cherry. I didn't know if I could continue with my mission now. Sure, I could use her insecurities to my advantage. Now that I knew how she felt, I felt certain that I could play her. But should I? Could I be that person? I'd have to give it some serious thought.

"Tanya, why are you telling me this now? I'm so sorry, I had no idea that you felt like that." I genuinely didn't. "How did you manage to hide that from me for so long?"

"I'm a good actor, Edward. I have to be, you know that, we all do at times. I also know about your abilities and I am aware how to work around them."

"That's obvious. Even now, I'm not hearing any of this in your thoughts." I admitted to her.

"I suppose I've perfected my thinking around you. You only hear exactly what I want you to hear."

"That's really quite impressive. I think that you've actually beaten Alice at her own game. Up until now, I didn't think anyone could equal her ability to keep me out."

"I'll take that as a compliment." She smiled and nodded.

"Can we be friends, Tanya?" I asked. "Start again, so to speak? I think it's time that I got to know the real Tanya."

"We can try," she replied. "I can't promise you anything though, just so we both know exactly where we stand."

"I understand, Tanya. I get it, I really do and I will behave myself. I promise."

Well this had thrown all of my plans into complete disarray. I'd been arrogant enough to think that Tanya would have been happy to finally get her hands on the great and wonderful prize that was Edward Fucking Cullen. How wrong could I have been? I'd assumed that she was the heartless cow that she always appeared to be. Who knew that not only was she shy and insecure; she was incredibly talented at keeping her thoughts private from me. Now I had to figure out if these new revelations changed my opinion of her and how that would change my plans.

"Would you care to join me for a quick hunt?" I asked her, keen to get our new friendship off to a good start.

"Sorry, Edward. I don't think that hunting would be exactly conducive to a platonic friendship." She responded immediately. "I would have thought you'd know that?"

Of course, what was I thinking? Hunting in pairs could be well... sensual at the least. I'd seen that in the thoughts of my family time and again.

"I'm not getting anything right am I?" I conceded.

"Not exactly," Tanya agreed. "But I know you are trying and that means a lot to me. So thank you Edward."

"I think I'd like to hunt now if you don't mind?" I asked. My thirst was next to nothing but I felt the need to get away, be alone to think.

"I'll go back, Kate will be worried." Tanya told me.

We went our separate ways into the snow covered wilderness.

~GREED~

I stayed out for the rest of the day, thinking. It got dark early and I decided that then was probably the best time for me to hunt. I hoped that I wouldn't come across any of the others. I was fortunate this time and didn't encounter any of my cousins. Hours later, dawn broke as it always did. I had taken down a couple of polar bears and I felt completely full. When I returned to my cousin's home there had been no-one around to greet me. The house was in darkness; everyone engaging in their own night-time and early morning activities. I went straight to the guest room. I needed to try and process the new information about Tanya and decide what the fuck my plan would be now.

I had only had time to have a quick shower when I was disturbed by a soft knock at the bedroom door.

"Come in," I answered. I hadn't had time to dry off properly and was wearing nothing but a fluffy white towel around my waist.

Given that I hadn't heard any thoughts, I shouldn't have been surprised to find Tanya stepping into the room microseconds later.

"Oh, I'm sorry Edward," She said, slightly embarrassed. "I didn't realise you were in a state of undress. I'll come back later."

"No, it's fine, Tanya," I tried to reassure her. "Give me two minutes and I'll be with you." I continued, taking my jeans and shirt into the en-suite bathroom to change.

"Sorry about that." I said as I returned into the bedroom. "I didn't know it was you."

"That's okay," she replied. "I shouldn't have hidden my mind from you."

"What can I do for you?" I asked, curious as to why she had sought me out.

"I was thinking. If we're to be friends then there are a couple of things I'd like to ask you about if that's okay with you?" She asked, a little nervously.

I had a feeling I knew where this conversation was going and I was aware that if I was right, I wasn't going to like it.

"Of course, ask away. I'll try to answer anything you ask honestly." I vowed.

"Isabella Swan," Edward. "Tell me about her."

Oh for fucks sake. I knew it. I was so not prepared to go there... not now at least...

A/N 2

Thanks as always to my peeps... Pre-readers Courtney0624 and Elletee are awesome as always. This is going out un-beta'd... so apologies in advance for mistakes.

If you don't know, my original fic Taking Care of the Baby is up for the Sunflower Award. I dont know who nominated it... but thank you.

This story is up for the Best Edward and my banner made by Frozen Soldier is also up... please go vote... just google sunflower awards and you'll find it.

Thanks for continuing to read... as always... please, please review xx