A/N: RRAL's you constantly amaze me with the love you give me & this story. Every hit puts a smile on my face. Every alert makes my heart swell. Every review makes my pulse quicken...err sorry I was thinking of next chapter. XO

I love my beta's rae1990 & itsange. Thank you for everything, even when you disagree & make me feel like I have to choose between which parent I want to live with. Lol. XO

Thanks to my prereaders: MyEdiction, lisamichelle17, irshqq79. I appreciate all the help & advice. XO

So not everyone is happy with Bella, you have to remember she doesn't automatically love him like we do. She needs to be sure of him. Trust me.

Fanofsilvervolvos4life has dubbed him Volunteerward...this is for you sweets! XO

I don't own Twilight, rub it in why don't you?

Chapter 6: 15.5 Hours

What the fuck just happened? Edward came out of the stairwell, fast on Bella's heels.

"Bella," he called out to her, just as he heard Mrs. Cope call her name.

Shit, what time was it? He checked his watch. Damn, it was three o'clock. Time for Mrs. Cope to do her rounds. Edward reached Bella just as his supervisor did.

"Bella? Honey? Are you okay? You look flushed," the older woman asked.

"I'm fine. Edward and I were up at HR and took the stairs down. Guess I'm out of shape," she lied.

"Oh, you kids. You need to be careful on those stairs, you don't want to fall."

"No, we wouldn't want that, would we Bella?" Edward asked, staring at the girl that had just taken his breath away.

"Of course we wouldn't, Edward," she said, giving him a smile.

"Bella, I was actually looking for the two of you. We had some boxes come in with the pamphlets for the opening of the new maternity wing. Could you and Edward go down to the basement and bring them up to my office? I believe Joe, from maintenance, left them on a dolley."

"Sure thing, Mrs. Cope," Bella said.

They went back to the same elevators they had just left and were silent on the way down. Edward followed her since he had no idea where they were going. Bella stopped short and turned to him.

"We're at work, you know? I knew Mrs. Cope would be coming to check on us. Anyone could've come into that stairwell."

"I get that. Truly I do. But you ran."

She scoffed at him. "I didn't run. I walked. Briskly."

"Bella, there's still smoke from your tracks."

"Is that what the smoke is from?" Bella asked him, arching her eyebrow.

Edward didn't know what to make of her. She made him feel like he was on a roller coaster. Bella most definitely responded to that kiss. Shit, she initiated it. He really understood why she stopped, and he was a little ashamed that he let it go so far while they were at work. Nevertheless, he stands by his running comment, and now she was flirting with him. Well, he wasn't going to rise to the bait.

"So where do we need to pick up these boxes?" he said as he walked passed her.

"Down the hall. Mrs. Cope said they should be on a dolley for us to wheel up," Bella told him.

"Okay, let's go get it then," he said as he pushed past her.

"Edward?"

"What?" he snapped.

"I really need this," Bella said in a low voice.

"What do you need?" he was going to make her spell everything out. Edward didn't want any miscommunication between them.

"To work here. Volunteer, I mean. For school. My parents aren't wealthy. In order to get into a really good school, I need this. If I got caught… I just.. can't mess this opportunity up. Not for anything, or anyone."

Edward was amazed by her honesty. Not that he considered her a liar, but it was so raw. He could tell by the look on her face and the tone in her voice that she meant every word. It was the closest she had ever let him in. It wigged him out a bit.

"Okay. So why'd you kiss me?"

"Because you were taking too long!"

"Who said I was going to kiss you?"

"Oh please, Edward. You had me up against a wall! What were you going to do? Check for cavities? You're just mad that I had the balls to do it when you hesitated."

"Hesitated? Maybe I had come to my senses and was trying to get out of it," he said, moving closer to her. It was a pure lie on his part.

"Right, that's why you pulled the leg hitch and rubbed yourself all over me. Way to change your mind, champ," she said getting up in his face. They were now standing toe to toe.

"Maybe I should have asked why did you want to kiss me?" Edward said, not moving any closer.

"I thought every girl wanted that," she said sarcastically.

"You're not every girl, Bella. I highly doubt you follow the pack. Stop avoiding my question."

"Because I wanted to. Happy?"

"No, that hardly answers anything."

"Well, why did you want to kiss me?" she asked.

"I told you-" he began before she cut him off.

"Oh right, you decided against it. Whatever, Edward. We kissed, people do it all the time. It's not a big deal, trust me," she snarked at him.

"Let's just get this stuff and go back upstairs before Mrs. Cope comes looking for us," Edward said.

They got the boxes and brought them up to Mrs. Cope's office in utter silence. Neither wanting to admit to the other that there were feelings underneath all the hostility. The rest of the day went by much the same way. Edward helped the visitors while Bella answered the phone, there was small talk but nothing like the easy conversation they had shared before the kiss. They both left for the day without saying goodbye.

)O(

Edward decided to drive himself to Hex tonight. There was no way he wanted to be in a confined space with either couple. That's exactly what they were; couples. He hated the way he left things with Bella. Why couldn't he man up and admit that he'd been dying to kiss her since the first time he saw her? She had one thing right, he did hesitate, but not because he was having second thoughts. No, Edward was sure that he wanted to kiss her. Unfortunately, he wasn't so sure that she had wanted to be kissed and that's what had him hesitating.

He never really cared, or more exactly, thought about whether or not a girl was in to him. Probably because he never had to. What's the sense of chasing if you didn't need to run? That was his motto, well one of them anyway. Now there was Bella; he was wondering what it was about her that got under his skin. What was it that made her so different from the others girls he'd kissed? For the life of him, he couldn't figure it out. Right now, he wasn't planning on trying to. Tonight he'd make good on his plans from last weekend and find someone to occupy his mind. The only question remaining was who the lucky girl would be?

)O(

Across town, Bella was cleaning the kitchen after having dinner with her parents. She was due at La Push in an hour, and that gave her plenty of time to get ready. The guys were having a bonfire down at First Beach, so the dress code was very casual.

"Sweetie, are you okay?" her mom asked as she walked into the small kitchen.

"Yeah, mom, I'm fine. Why?" Bella asked.

"Well you seem distracted today, actually all week. I was just wondering if something happened that you'd like to talk about."

"I told you Edward Cullen started to volunteer at the hospital, right?"

"Yes, though I believe you said he was sentenced to community service for fucking up and getting caught."

Bella laughed at her mother, she didn't miss anything.

"Same difference. Anyhoo, I kissed him today."

"What? Sit and spill young lady."

Forty minutes later, Bella had told her mother everything. From the first time they met, until they left the hospital today.

"You like him then?" her mom inquired.

"Yeah, I think I do. Shit. Mom, what am I going to do?"

"Well, when I was your age-"

"Oh God no, please not one of those stories. I do not want to hear how you had the hots for dad and went after him."

"Bella, shut up and let your mother talk. I was going to say that when I was your age, it was unheard of for girls to ask boys that they like out. Not like it is today."

Bella looked at her mom like she had grown another head.

"I am not asking Edward out. Are you insane? Did the patchouli go to your head?"

"Watch it young lady, I am still your mother." They both burst out laughing at that one.

"Seriously though, Bella, why not ask him out?"

"You just don't ask someone like Edward out unless you know for sure that he's going to say yes."

"Sweetie, sometimes I wonder whose child you really are. Your father is a cop, haven't you learned any sleuthing skills from him? Or Gossip Girl? You said that Alice and Rose are dating his best friend and brother. Have them do some recon for you."

"Mom, stop watching those action movies. They'll turn your brain to mush. However, that's a good point you make. I'll have to think about it."

They heard the front door open and heard Jacob and Charlie talking. He came into the kitchen, and her mom immediately stood so that he could embrace her.

"My son," she said while he hugged her.

"Nay Nay. Please tell me your daughter is not wearing that. She knows there'll be guys there," Jacob said this as if she was doing it on purpose.

"Ah, but she doesn't want just any guy," Renee said.

"Mom!" Bella shouted. "Enough. No Jacob, I am not wearing this. I was talking to your partner in crime and got sidetracked. I'm going to change."

As Bella walked up the stairs, she distinctly heard her mother mention Edward. Damn it, she wouldn't stand a chance if they both got on her case. It's not that she was above asking a guy out, she'd done it before. Edward was different; she heard the stories. There was always a different blonde, which was one thing she didn't understand. If he liked blondes why was he after her? Alice learned a lot about him from Jasper and shared every tidbit with Bella. He was with a different girl practically every day. Bella was no angel but she made no apologies to anyone for the choices she made. Neither her nor Peter had wanted a romantic relationship, they'd been content with how things were.

Bella got dressed quickly, throwing on a pair of jeans with strategically placed holes, a black tank with a skull on it, her Chucks and a hoodie. She did casual very well. By the time she'd made it back into the kitchen, she had been gone less than five minutes but her mom and best friend were thick as thieves.

"All right knuckleheads, break it up," Bella said.

They said goodbye to Renee and then to Charlie, who of course reminded Jacob to take care of his "baby girl." Then they were off to La Push.

"So, Nay Nay says you sucked face with the dreamboat?"

"My mother has a big mouth."

"Well, it's not like you told me," he said in an accusing tone.

"Oh calm down twinkle toes. I planned on telling you during our car ride to the party. Your sweet Nay Nay beat me to it."

"Don't hate the player, doll, hate the game. Your mama loves me. Deal. By the way, Sam really liked him."

This got Bella's attention. Sam was very particular about who he liked.

"Really? He has the Sam Uley seal of approval?"

"Yes, with the understanding that if he hurts you, we hurt him."

"Hmmm… seems fair to me," she said.

"Doll, I don't know why you fight it."

"Fight what?"

"Anything. Everything. You refused to believe Sam and me when we told you that dreamboat was drooling after you. And what happens? The two of you lock lips."

"Yeah, in the hospital. Jake, I can't let shit like that happen. How the hell am I going to get a letter of recommendation if I'm caught dry humping the Chief of Staff's son?"

"Wait, there was dry humping? Nay Nay held back," Jacob said sounding disappointed.

"Can we focus here?"

"Right, sorry. So, you didn't want to get caught which is completely understandable, but who said you couldn't mack on him outside of the hospital? It's not like you need Peter's permission."

"I'm not really seeing Peter anymore," Bella told her friend.

"What? When did this happen?"

"The other day at school. It ran its course, ya know?"

"Sure, sure. It ran its course. Has nothing to do with Edward Cullen," Jacob said sarcastically.

"Oh, for fuck's sake! You're not going to give up, are you? You're just gonna keep yammering on. I broke things off with Peter, partly because of Edward and partly because of Charlotte."

"Ha! I knew it. Who's Charlotte?"

"She's his lab partner or some shit and she's totally into him. Alice said she saw him looking at Charlotte with googly eyes. I thought it'd be best to end it."

"Even though he's got the biggest dick in all of the Academy?" Jacob asked.

"Even though he makes me scream six ways from Sunday. Are we done now?"

"Yeah, for now. We're here anyway."

They got the cooler out of the trunk and made their way down to the beach. Bella knew Jacob had more questions, and she was sure Sam would have some advice. Thankfully, there was enough people at the party that it was easy to get lost. She spoke with all her friends from the rez, yet her mind was in Port Angeles, at Hex where she knew her friends and Edward were. Even though she wanted to text Alice or Rose, she kept her phone in her back pocket. There was no way she'd be able to deal with hearing that Edward may be hooking up tonight.

)O(

At that same moment, Edward was at his cousin's club wondering what went wrong. As he sat at the bar, he played with the piece of paper that Jasper left in front of him before he walked away. He showed up tonight looking to have fun, now he was lucky if his best friend would even speak to him again. The only person he could blame was Bella Swan. If it weren't for her, he wouldn't be trolling for a distraction. If it weren't for her, he wouldn't be acting like an asshole. If it weren't for her, Jasper never would have said what he did. Edward was still a little shocked by it all. The night started as usual, they were in the V.I.P. lounge, hanging out and drinking. He left to go talk to Felix, while he was at the bar a blonde slid into the seat next to him and the game began.

Edward turned on his charm, not that he needed it, and in minutes she was putty in his hand. They went to dance, but it felt all wrong to him. She was taller than Bella, so her body didn't fit right in his like hers. He had no idea what perfume she was wearing but it smelled like strawberries and was making him sick. And where were the soft curves like Bella has? This girl was all muscle, she didn't feel like a girl should. None of this would stop him from the task at hand though; forgetting Bella Swan. Since he now knew what she tasted like, it would be a hundred times harder to get her out of his system. The thing was, he kind of liked her there.

Desperate to do something, he kissed the girl in his arms. It didn't take long for things to escalate, and Edward was about to take her to a nice secluded corner when he felt a strong hand on his shoulder. Turning his head from the blondes mouth, he saw Jasper standing there.

"What's up Jas?" he asked.

"I was just going to ask you the same thing my friend," Jasper said with an edge to his voice.

"What does it look like? Alice cut you off already?"

"Edward," the blonde whined.

"Just a second sweetheart. My friend needs to talk to me," he told her, leaving her on the dance floor alone.

They found a spot at the end of the bar to sit and talk.

"What's all this about Jas?"

"Can you explain to me what the fuck you're doing all over that girl?"

"We were dancing. I don't really see where you're going with this man," Edward said, a little confused.

"Bella's best friends are upstairs watching you."

"And? What's your point?" he asked.

"I think they're pissed that you were kissing their friend this afternoon and now you're all over someone else."

"Dude, she has a name," Edward said all indignant.

"Yeah? What is it?" Jasper shot back.

"Karen? Kylie? Katlynne? That's it, Katlynne"

"Jesus, are you kidding me? You can't even remember her name?"

"So, why do they even care? Their friend walked away from me, and I believe she has the role of friends with benefits filled."

"Not anymore she doesn't," Jasper told him.

"What? Since when?" Edward demanded to know.

"Sometime this week. All Alice said was that she had broken things off with Peter. And she ran because you're a slut."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. You fuck around with all these girls. Some of whose names you don't even know. You certainly don't care about any of them. Add that all together and it kind of makes you a slut."

Edward was speechless. Jasper had never really spoken to him like this before. He was always under the assumption that Jasper didn't really have an opinion on his activities with the opposite sex. Apparently, he was wrong.

"How long have you been dying to tell me this, friend?"

"Fuck, Edward. I'm telling you this because I am your friend. We can all tell that Bella gets to you. Her friends have made it clear that she's into you. But yet, here you are, fucking it up, and for what? An unsatisfying quickie in your car with some girl whose name you can't remember?"

"I think you're enjoying pointing that out piece of information bit too much. And you know what else? I don't know that Bella is into me. She runs every time I get near. I didn't know she ended things with Peter because she's never actually mentioned him to me. So excuse me for going on about my life."

"Do you want her?" Jasper wanted to know.

"What the hell kind of question is that? Of course I do."

"Not just for sex, Edward. Do you want to be with her? Can you see yourself in a relationship with her?"

"Christ Jas, I don't know. I think I do, but I've never been in a relationship before," Edward said. He was sure that he would somehow manage to fuck up any relationship he was part of.

"Okay, you need to sort that out. The two of you can't keep playing this game. It's not good for either of you. On the off chance that you do want to be with her, you gotta stop doing this shit in front of her friends. Neither one of them would hesitate to cut your dick off."

"Yeah, okay," Edward answered.

"We cool?"

"Sure, we're cool."

Jasper slid a folded up piece of paper in front of Edward and walked away. He took the paper and opened it.

IMS

(360) 555-1269

Edward wasn't sure what to do with this new information. Not just the number either. Bella had ended the relationship she had with Peter. Her friends say she's into him. Oh, and everyone thinks he's a slut. Can't forget that. There was no doubt he wanted to get to know Bella better. And Jasper just handed him the chance.

Smooth motherfucker, Edward thought about his friend. He took out his cell phone and programmed her number before pressing the text option and began typing.

)O(

Ok, by now you know I'm going to ask you to review. At least this chapter didn't end with Bella walking away. Let me know what you think.

So, did you ever want to know what would've happened if Bella & Edward didn't miss each other the party? Or what if they had some time alone in Mrs. Cope's office? Maybe you'd like to see something completely new. If so, I'm participating in Fandom Gives Back Eclipse Edition. Details on my profile or blog for 100 Hours and Dear Bella. Auction begins June 26th.

Come play on Twitter, wytchwmn75.

That's it for now my lovelies, until next time...XO