The ride in the ambulance wasn't as torturous as it had been in the past. The last time I was in one…I couldn't allow myself to think about that now. Even with my accident prone nature, I always made someone drive me to the hospital in a familiar vehicle.

Surprisingly, Edward was the one thing that prevented me from having a major meltdown. He kept his promise and stayed right next to me, keeping my hand in his as much as he possibly could.

If it were Emmett or Jasper in here with me, I surely would have caved in to my emotions. They were just too close to my grief. The sight of them in this swaying medical box on wheels would have opened too many old wounds.

Several questions kept floating through my head.

Why is it different with Edward? How can I be here of all places and not want to kick the doors open to run screaming down the street? And what does that mean?

Edward just smiled and kept me talking about mundane things, asking if I had a good time at the club last night, if I had a chance to try this restaurant or that bar, and what I thought about "his city" as he put it. Somehow he just knew not to talk about my friends or family. He didn't ask where I was from and he never mentioned horses or rodeo. His intuition fascinated me to no end.

The large, rocking ambulance hit a pothole and I winced as the jarring motion sent waves of pain up and down my bloody leg. Edward just gripped my hand a little tighter, but never missed a beat and kept right on talking.

"Of course, I know every inch of this city," he boasted. "Born and raised in Queens. Plus with my job you sort of have to know your way around."

"I guess you do need to know where you're going so you can get the ambulance there as quickly as possible."

"Well yeah, that, too. But I guess I didn't mention it before, huh? I start talking with you and I forget that we really don't know each other. This paramedic thing is a side gig for me. I mean, I am licensed and everything, but my main job is with the FDNY," he stated indifferently.

"You're a firefighter? Here, for the city?"

He coolly nodded his head; and I couldn't just let it go. "Wow, how can you say something like that and just brush it off?"

He gave a small smile as he answered. "It's just what I do. Most of the people in my family have been some kind of civil servant. My Dad was a firefighter for twenty five years, as was his father before him. Mom actually came from a house full of cops - her, her Father and all three of her brothers were NYPD. It was pretty intimidating for Pop when he started dating her. My sister was a paramedic until she finished with her nursing degree - she's the one that hooked me up with this gig. And my brother just made detective."

By the end of his family history he was absolutely beaming from ear to ear. He was proud of his heritage and clearly loved living in this city. I was always under the misconception that city slickers were rude, self righteous and had a love affair with their cell phones and laptops. The man sitting beside was far from the stereotype I had imagined.

Well, that wasn't totally accurate. He was cocky at the club. Then again, he had been surrounded by his buddies. I doubt that any guy would have acted differently in such a testosterone-filled environment. Not to mention he was downright gorgeous and probably knew it.

"You look like you're very proud of your family," I noted.

"I am."

I felt the rocking behemoth beneath us lurch to a stop. Mike got out and made his way around to the back to open the doors. Edward slowly let go of my grasp, then jumped down to help lift out my gurney.

As soon as he let go of my hand, my pulse started to quicken. Then my breathing became erratic as I spied the entrance to the emergency room. I closed my eyes and tried to will away the flashbacks threatening to shake loose.

"What do you got?" a deep, older voice asked.

Mike replied, "Twenty two year old female with a deep laceration and swelling on her right knee. She's a diabetic, but doesn't take meds or insulin. Allergic to Bactrim. BP…" he rattled off more of my vitals.

I opened my eyes. Two nurses were now helping to wheel me down the hall and into a small curtained area, followed by a slightly graying, albeit extremely handsome doctor.

What is it with these people? Is there something in the water that makes them all that good-looking, or is it my blood loss talking?

"Miss, I'm Dr. Carlisle and I'll be taking care of you today," he said with a New England accent that screamed of wealth and beauty. His blond/gray hair, stunning pale features and warm smile made him look like he played a doctor on TV instead of possessing the appropriate medical degrees needed to be probing at the gash on my knee the way he was. But his touch was gentle and sure, and he immediately put me at ease with his confidence.

"I see you've met Edward," he commented as he nodded in the direction of my bronze-haired escort.

"Y-yes. He's been great," I stammered.

Just then Mike motioned to Edward. "Come on, man. Let's get out of the Doc's way."

My eyes grew wide with fear. I suddenly remembered that Edward wasn't touching me. My hand darted for his, and I silently begged him to stay with a frightened expression on my face.

Edward's own face was full of understanding. His green eyes pricked when he saw my fear and he latched onto my hand before answering Mike.

"Why don't you go ahead Mike. Grab one of the nurses, I'm sure they could do a ride-along with you until your shift is over. I'd really like to stay here with Bella. I mean, if that's okay with you, Dr. Carlisle?"

The doctor looked back and forth between us both. "Sure Edward. You're a good kid, and I've known your family for a long time, now. I can see that this young lady would like you to stay, so it's fine by me. Nurse Jessica, why don't you prep Miss Swan here for her x-rays. Page me when they're back."

Edward turned toward his partner. Mike just nodded in understanding and walked away.

"Thank you," I whispered. "I just…I just can't be alone in here, in this place. But I can't be with my friends here either. I can't…" I shook my head, tears forming in my eyes.

"Shh, Bella it's okay. I made a promise. I don't take those lightly."

Edward wiped away my tears as the nurses finished prepping me to be transported for x-rays. He only left briefly so nurse Jessica could help me change into one of those skimpy hospital gowns.

With one of the other nurses, we made out way to radiology. By that time I had calmed down somewhat, until the radiologist spoke to me.

"Please remove any and all metal," she ordered.

I froze. The only metal that was left on my body was my copper ring. Tears came again as I removed it from my pinkie. I handed it to Edward.

"P-please," I sniffled, "keep this safe for me?"

He fisted it in his palm without a word, then stepped behind a wall so that he would be out of reach of the radiation.

No ring. No Edward to hold on to. Fuck! This lady better hurry before I completely lose my sanity.

My tears didn't stop, but they were thankfully silent in the soft light of the radiology room. When they were finished with the x-rays, the nurses disappeared to develop them just as Edward came out from behind the protective wall, stretching out his hand to give me back my ring. I grabbed it as fast as I could, shoved it onto my finger and sighed as it fell back into place.

Edward stared at my ring as he took my hand in his. He had an almost apologetic look about him as he said what I knew was coming.

"This ring is important to you."

I nodded and held my breath.

"Why?"

The gust of air I had been holding escaped my mouth. Before I could stop myself, I let go and shared my darkest day with the beautiful stranger next to me.

"Emmett gave it to me. He wears one just like it. He said it was to remember them - my parents."

Alone in that stark room, I began sobbing out my story. To his credit, Edward kept my hand in his and held me with his other arm, listening intently as if I was sharing the secret of life itself. Only this wasn't the secret to life at all.

"We all lived and worked together on Emmett's family ranch in Texas. I've lived there all my life."

"When I was sixteen I begged my parents to buy me a top barrel horse. I was really into high school rodeo and all I wanted was to win and win big. I was so selfish. But they loved me and scraped enough money together to buy me this fantastic horse. He was six years old and just coming out of his extremely successful futurity season - running barrels against top four and five year olds for an insane amount of prize money."

"We had to go to Oklahoma to pick him up. We were on our way home, but it was late at night and really dark and this really bad storm had blown in, there was even talk on the radio about tornadoes in the area..."

I started to cry even harder, knowing what was coming.

"W-we…we didn't even see the tractor trailer overturned. All I remember hearing were the brakes squealing and my Mom screaming…"

Edward pulled me closer and I buried my head in his blue uniform shirt.

"They had to cut me out of the truck, it was so twisted. I was conscious the whole time. My Dad never moved, but my Mom was moaning…for a while. I didn't understand at first why they weren't working either of them, why they weren't trying to save them…"

"When they pulled me out, I could see the trailer, detached from the truck in a ditch on the other side of the road. It was turned on it's side and I could hear my new horse thrashing around inside it."

"The ride in the ambulance and that night in the hospital…I just kept asking where my parents were, and why nobody was here with me. None of the doctors or nurses would tell me anything. I didn't even know if they had to put the horse down, or if anyone was ever coming for me. I was so alone…"

I gripped Edward tighter and he returned my grasp. I'd never gone to this horrible place with anyone before, not even Emmett. I don't know why I opened up now, but I couldn't stop.

"Emmett and Jasper were there early in the morning. They burst through my door and hugged and kissed me, and I could tell that they had been crying by their bloodshot eyes. They were the ones to tell me that my parents were dead. I knew, but they were the first to tell me out loud."

"Jasper told me that the ranch hands were taking care of my horse. He was so badly injured that it took over a year for all of his wounds to heal, and another six months of intense and expensive therapy for me to be able to ride him. But he made it back. He's the horse I was riding today, Copper."

Edward took a deep breath. "What about you?" he asked.

"I…I had a concussion, a broken collar bone, a broken femur and lots of bruises and stitches all over my body. Rosalie flew in a few days later and between her, Jasper and Emmett, one of them stayed by my side twenty four/seven."

"They must care for you a lot," he observed.

"Yeah. I couldn't ask for better friends." Thinking of them, my sobbing slowed. They were my oasis in a very desolate place, much like Edward was now.

"And what about this ring," he said, holding up my hand.

"Emmett tracked down the wrecked truck after I got out of the hospital. He tore out some of the copper wiring and borrowed our blacksmith's forge to melt and shape it into our rings. He told me it was so I would never forget my parents and how much they loved me, and he wears one so that I'll never forget his promise to be there for me, to stay with me for as long as I need him. And that's also why I named my horse Copper."

Edward sighed and released his grip on me. He looked down at me and wiped my tear-stained cheeks.

"I've never told anyone the whole story before, not even Emmett," I admitted.

I didn't know why I chose to tell Edward. I didn't know him, not really. Maybe that was it. He was outside my world. I might not ever see him again. It was safe to tell him this story because even if I saw that dreaded look of pity in his face, I would be leaving this city soon and wouldn't have to look at it for long.

But when he looked into my eyes, I didn't see pity. Only admiration.

"You are an amazing woman, Bella. You've been through more than I ever have, and you came out of it a strong, wonderful person. I can see why your friends love you so much."

Then he brought his hands up to cup my face, and bent his head forward. I searched his soulful green eyes as he searched mine, both seeking the permission we were so desperate to find. I needed this, he wanted this, and that was okay with me.

I closed my eyes as his lips brushed against mine, soft and slow, taking my bottom lip between his. It was warm and silky, and both of us were taking shallow breaths through our noses. My heart was thrumming in my chest as his thumbs gently caressed my cheeks.

He lingered against my lips enough for me to savor his sweet taste - like mint and sugar. He didn't deepen the kiss, just slowly pulled away to again look into my eyes.

"Bella," he whispered.

In that silent moment, I could hear nurse Jessica's shoes squeaking their way down the linoleum hallway. Edward dropped his hands and stepped backwards, still not breaking his stare. I opened my mouth to speak, but never got the chance.

"Well Miss Swan, the doctor is reading your x-rays right now, so let's get you back to your bed, okay?" She had a nasal voice that irritated me just as much as her squeaky shoes. Or maybe it was just the fact that she had interrupted a perfectly good intimate moment with my hot almost stranger. Either way, she wasn't high on my list.

I let it go and the two of them helped me back to my original curtain area in the emergency room. Thankfully, Dr. Carlisle didn't keep me waiting long.

"Well Miss Swan," the doctor began in a smooth tone, "it looks like you're very lucky."

He held up the films to the mounted light on the wall and began pointing.

"Looks like your knee is fine, internally that is. Externally it's a little gory. I don't see any major damage on the x-rays, so I think we'll just stitch you up and give you something for the pain."

"Gory. Is that a technical term, Doc?" I couldn't resist asking.

Both Dr. Carlisle and Edward laughed at my little joke, both of them looking relieved that I seemed to be feeling better.

And I was feeling better. Finally getting my story and pent up emotions out of my system left me feeling free and happy, at least for the moment. So I decided to revel in my delight while it lasted.

The doctor composed himself and then continued with his instructions.

"Okay, we'll stitch you up right away. Then I want you to keep this leg elevated, keep it iced and stay off of it for a few days," he said as he was scribbling on my chart.

"Um, Dr. Carlisle?" I put on my best pouting face. "Is there any way I can ride tomorrow? I really need to make a good run so I have a chance to qualify for this really big show in Las Vegas," I pleaded.

Edward shot me a hard look. "You can't be serious."

"Of course I'm serious. I need to stay up there in the national standings. I can't do that and make it to Vegas if I don't run. That's what brought be across the country, you know."

Dr. Carlisle sighed and Edward huffed. "I don't think it's a good idea, Miss Swan," the good doctor chided. "But I can see that you'll probably do it anyway. So I'm going to tell you that your best bet to not pop the stitches open is to keep your knee wrapped, both over and under your pants. You're not to ride at all until the last possible second, and you must have someone help get you in and out of the saddle. That's my final offer," he said as he extended his hand.

I eyed his hand for a moment before grasping it with my own and sealing the deal with a shake. Edward just shook his head in defeat.

Being sewn back together didn't necessarily hurt, but the pulling sensation on my skin felt awkward. My favorite almost stranger held my hand again and sat with me until I was stitched, wrapped and nearly ready to leave.

"Hey, I overheard you say that you were leaving in a few days," Edward began.

"Yeah," I said reluctantly. "We have another go 'round tomorrow, then we'll be leaving Monday night. Emmett wants to wait until the traffic clears, and neither of us mind driving in the dark, so we probably won't go until after seven."

"Oh…oh." His face fell.

Then reality hit me.

I was leaving in two days. I didn't know when I would be back. Maybe next year? I couldn't even guarantee that much. How is it that I just spilled my guts and shared such a connection with a guy when we live such different lives. We were polar opposites. And yet, I was truly sad that I might never see him again. This whole "normal" thing he had going was so refreshing. I only wished I could get to know him more.

He seemed to be feeling the same way.

"Listen, I know this is, well, I guess I don't know what this is. I do know that I don't want it to end. But your friend is probably going to be here any minute to take you away from me forever, and I don't think I could live with myself if I didn't at least try to see you again. So here."

He handed me a little white business card with his department's station and his cell phone number printed in bold red ink, along with his name scrolled along the top. "Edward M. Cullen." People really did hand out their business cards like candy here, just like in the movies. I kept my giggle to an internal one.

"You can reach me at that number pretty much any time, unless I'm actually in a burning building," he chuckled. "But if you want to do something a little different, you can meet me in Central Park at the baseball field tomorrow at ten A.M."

The words just rolled off his tongue and before I could answer, my eyes caught a very dirty Emmett jogging down the hall toward me. He must've come straight from the rodeo after sliding in the dirt wrestling a steer and didn't bother to change.

Edward quietly let go of my hand and stood up from his chair. I looked back and forth between him and Emmett. They couldn't have been less alike. Where Emmett was large, muscled with a commandingly rugged look, Edward was leaner, still toned but had that pretty boy grace and charm.

"Bella! Bella, what did they say? Are you alright? Can you walk? Oh God, Bells, I couldn't concentrate knowing that you were here without me," Emmett said so quickly that it made my head spin.

"Em, calm down. I'm fine. Nothing broken, just cut and bruised. Seventeen stitches in my knee, but really I'm good. I even convinced the Doc that I could ride tomorrow."

Emmett threw his arms around me in a tight hug. "I was so worried about you, Bells. I'm so glad you're okay. I don't know what I'd do if you ever really got hurt. I shouldn't have let you go without me."

"Don't be silly, Em. Edward kept his promise and stayed with me the whole time. He was really great," I smiled and nodded toward Edward.

"Hey man, thanks for sticking around for her," Emmett said graciously as he offered his hand in thanks to Edward. They clasped their hands together and smiled.

"It was my pleasure. Bella was very brave today."

I blushed.

Edward continued. "I really do have to get going, though. I'm on call tonight. But it was really great to see you again, Bella. You too, Emmett. Stay out of trouble and out of the ER for me, okay?"

I nodded. "Edward, really…thank you," I said with as much meaning as I could muster. He needed to know how grateful I truly was. But with Emmett so close, I just couldn't bring myself to say everything.

He smiled his crooked smile, nodded, then turned and walked away.

-------------------------------------------------------------

After a stack of paperwork in the ER we were finally back at the hotel, and I was beginning to get drowsy. The events of the day and the pain killers were catching up with me. The scrubs the hospital had given me weren't very comfortable, and I was dying to get into some shorts and a tank top.

I stepped into the bathroom and gingerly changed while Emmett was on the phone ordering some room service. I was almost glad to be away from him for a few minutes. I know he was just concerned about me, but him constantly asking if I was okay was getting a little annoying.

I was just exiting the bathroom when something dawned on me…I had completed my run, and Emmett finished his last event, but I had no idea where we placed for the day.

I hobbled over to sit on the bed.

"Em, in all the excitement I forgot to ask. How did we end up today?"

A slow smile spread across his face.

"I ended up third in the bulldogging, so at least that'll keep me in the hunt. You on the other hand," he hesitated, making me bounce in my seat with anticipation. But his toothy grin gave him away. "You won it, Bells! You bested them by a tenth of a second!"

"Yes!" I yelled and threw my hands in the air. Emmett was jumping up and down like a little girl and layer of brown dust from his dirty clothes clouded the air around him.

"You better go change, Emmy-bear. You're dropping half of the arena dirt on the carpet," I laughed.

"Yeah," he chuckled. "I'll go grab a shower. But here." He tossed his cell phone beside me on the bed. "You better give Rose and Jazz a call. They ought to be finished up by now, and if they're anything like me, they'll be going crazy to find out if you're okay."

I flipped the phone open and scrolled through the contacts until I found Jasper's number, then hit send. It only rang one time before he answered.

"Emmett…how is she? Where are you?" His voice was rough and strained.

"Calm down, Jazz, it's me, and I'm fine. We're already back at the hotel."

"I'm almost there," he said in the same dark tone, and hung up.

About sixty seconds later there was a knock on my door.

Jesus, he must've run the entire way through the lobby and up the stairs.

I hobbled to the door and swung it open to find an out of breath Jasper clutching the door frame, still disheveled and dirty just as Emmett had been. He really had run the whole way to my room.

His breath caught and his jaw dropped as he took a long look over my entire body. I wasn't sure if his reaction was from my swollen and bandaged leg, the amount of exposed skin in my shorts and tank top, or the scars from the accident six years ago that were visible on my skin. Just as I was beginning to feel self conscious he blinked, then his eyes found mine.

In that same deep voice he asked, "are you okay?" His face was dripping with concern as his eyes bored into mine.

"I'm fine, Jazz. No major damage, just stitches and swelling," I meekly replied, still in shock over his demeanor.

He closed the distance between us in one step and wrapped his arms around me in a tight hug. He buried his face in my hair and finally exhaled. He was physically trembling, so I hugged him back, trying to reassure him that I was indeed alright.

"Jazz, please…you're scaring me. Get in here and I'll show you, it's nothing," I pleaded as I let my arms fall. I motioned for him to enter and he finally walked forward into the hotel room, but didn't look at my face.

Once he was inside, I started limping toward the bed to sit down. From the corner of my eye I could see a horrified look wash over him.

"Shit, Bella, I'm so sorry! I should have helped you, not just rushed through the door. Here," he said as he put an arm around me for support and helped me to the bed.

He took a seat in the chair directly across from me. Immediately he slouched down and put his head in his hands. This was a far cry from the cool and collected man that I had been with in the back of the limo. This man looked torn and about to implode.

"Jasper, talk to me. What's wrong?" I couldn't stand to see him that way.

He sighed and ran his hands through his blond locks. "First of all, I need to apologize for last night. I never should have run out on you like that. I left you alone in a crowded club in New York City for Christ's sake. Something could have happened to you, someone could have hurt you right there and it would have been my fault for being a fucking self-absorbed jackass. I should have just told you about Mary Alice. You shouldn't have had to find out from someone else."

"And when I saw you in the back of that ambulance today…" he shook his head and sighed again. "I should have went with you. I was so selfish for staying and competing. It didn't do me any good anyway - I missed every loop I threw in the roping and got bucked off of everything I sat on. I couldn't concentrate because I knew you were in pain in some hospital and I hadn't even had a chance to explain my actions to you, or to beg your forgiveness. I'm such a fucking ass for the way I handled things."

His anger at himself was evident. I could feel his anxiety coming off of him in waves. I had never seen Jasper act this way before, even on the day of my parent's death - sure he was sorrowful and supportive, and kept a level head to help me through everything. But right now he thought he was at fault, and it didn't sit well with him.

"Jasper Whitlock, look at me right now," I commanded. His head slowly rose and his glistening eyes met mine. "This is not your fault. And I'm not angry with you. I understand your reasons behind wanting to keep your younger sister's appearance under wraps. I made it out of the club just fine - I called Emmett when I couldn't find him at the bar and he came and got me. And you know how accident prone I am, so the hospital thing was no big deal. I'm good, okay? No harm, no foul."

"Bella, it's not good. I acted like an ass and I'm so pissed at myself for not being better for you. I've never kept anything from you, except my sister," he said with a guilty tone.

"And that's okay, Jazz. It's nothing. I forgive you, honest."

He shook his head and looked at the ground. "You're such a good person, Bella. I don't deserve you," he mumbled, and I wasn't sure if I was meant to catch that or not.

Just then Emmett came out of the bathroom in loose fitting jeans and shirtless, his hair still dripping wet. He looked incredibly good, showing off the bulked up muscles in his arms and his washboard stomach.

Jasper stood from his chair and put on a smile for Emmett. I could tell that it was forced, but Emmett didn't seem to notice.

"So, you two kiss and make up or what?" Emmett asked with a sarcastic tone and a grin.

I let a small laugh escape me. "Yeah, Em. We're all good now."

"Yeah," Jasper agreed, "we're good."

"Good," Emmett repeated.

A knock on the door from room service snapped us out of our little "good" obsession. As Emmett was pulling the cart inside, Jasper announced his early morning and quickly said his goodbyes. He said he'd call to check on me in the morning, and then promised to be there before my run to help out. I had to reassure him that I was okay twice more before he actually left.

Emmett and I feasted on prime rib and baked potatoes that he had delivered, saying that despite my trip to the ER we needed to celebrate our wins. I agreed wholeheartedly, needing a break from all the emotion that laced me throughout the day. Being normal with him and downing some much needed pain killers was exactly what I had in mind for the night.

I woke in the morning to Emmett readjusting the pillows underneath my leg and changing the icepack that was wrapped to my knee. I rubbed my eyes then squinted at him.

"What are you doing," I mumbled.

"Fixing you up before I head to the arena. I want to get an early start so I have time to work Copper and Penny for you."

"Mmm, thanks Em. But I can take care of my ice and my leg," I muttered again, not quite able to form the right sentence through my sleepy haze.

"I know you can, Bells, but I like taking care of you," he smiled, showing his deep dimples.

At first, smiled back at the thought. But then something else crept into my head. Resentment.

Am I so helpless that I need to be taken care of?

I tried not to think, but all of these negative thoughts seeped into my brain. Everything I was avoiding yesterday was coming back to haunt me.

Emmett kissed my cheek said goodbye before leaving me to my thoughts.

It all came back on me now. My feelings for Emmett, my hope for Jasper. I had wanted them both to be with me in some form for long, and now everything was getting mixed up. My friends were both a perfect fit for me in their own way. But the question was, did I really want perfect right now? Could I handle the pressure of being perfect for someone?

I couldn't answer that.

Before anything else could find it's way into my mind, I knew what I needed to do. I ripped off the covers and crawled to the nightstand. I grabbed the tiny phone from it's charger and began dialing.

I didn't know if this new idea was a good one or not, but I did know that I needed to do it. I needed to escape. I didn't want perfect right now. I wanted the opposite.

Ring…ring…

"Hello?"

"Hi. It's Bella. I need to see you…"