A/N- Hi everyone. Thanks for checking back in with us. Sorry that updates aren't quite as frequent as they were when we first started. Now that the chapters are a little more involved and are running a little longer it is harder to post every couple of days. We are aiming to post at least once a week, so we hope you can hang in there with us.

We are now on Twitter so come on over and follow us. We'll be able to give you info on updates there, answer your questions and post teasers.

http://twitter(dot)com/njnytwigals

Lastly we would like to thank our ever wonderful beta, SweetDulcinea, who gives us her no holds barred, and honest critiques to help us make sure this story stays on track and doesn't suck. Thanks darling!

Disclaimer: SM owns all things Twilight, because if we did we would be sitting on a private yacht somewhere sipping champagne while Robbie Pattinson was feeding us grapes and strawberries and shit like that and not at work secretly writing fan fic. LOL!

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Chapter 7

*EPOV*

After my little impromptu love session with myself I knew there was no way I would be able to take a nap so I decided to just get showered and ready to go out.

I took a shower and got dressed opting to wear jeans and a black button down shirt. I was going to wear black boots but decided to go a little more casual and threw on my black converse sneakers.

I walked over to the full length mirror Alice insisted I hang on the back of my closet door to check myself quick before I headed out into the living room to join Jasper. I ran my fingers through my unruly hair and took a deep breath. I was excited about going out with the group tonight but also a little apprehensive after the day I had and the exchange with Bella. I knew that Alice was not going to be pleased with the way things went down, and I was also starting to feel really guilty about my behavior.

Just because I had issues and was emotionally stunted didn't mean I needed to take that out on the first attractive woman I came into contact with.

This was not Bella's fault and I shouldn't have reacted the way I did to her. I needed to somehow make amends with her tonight. To show her that I wasn't a complete douchbag and that I could handle making friends here in Seattle. I mean, there was no way I was going to be able to avoid her being that she was roommates with Alice and lived in my building, so I might as well bite the bullet and man up to my mistakes.

After staring in the mirror for a couple of minutes trying to tame the wild beast that is my hair, I gave up and turned to leave my room.

When I walked into the living room I noticed that Emmett had gotten home and was sitting in the easy chair, and Jasper was still sitting on the couch. Both were watching TV and looked up to smile as I walked into the room.

I walked past them into the kitchen yelling over my shoulder to ask if either of them wanted a beer. "Hell yeah!" I heard them both shout back.

I grabbed three beers out of the fridge and walked back into the living room, tossing one to each of them.

"So Emmett," I said a little nervous, "about today, with showing Bella's class around the firehouse, I think I might have pissed her off."

Emmett looked up at me, cocked an eyebrow, and gave me a little smirk. "Oh yeah, why do you say that?"

"Well she asked me if I would show the class around and although I was supposed to watch the phones I probably could have done it but…I don't know…I just didn't. I was also kind of rude to her and now I'm feeling a little bad about it. Any ideas how I can make it up to her?"

Jasper, looking at me too, spoke up. "Why would you have been rude to Bella?"

Not really sure how to answer this without sounding like a pervert who nearly busted a nut when she bumped into me and sort of lingered up against me longer then I could clearly handle. I did the next best thing and made shit up, only telling a half truth.

"Well…I don't know. I was sort of caught off guard. No one told me that two class loads full of kids were showing up, I was alone in the house, kind of annoyed to begin with that I had been left behind stuck on phone patrol…and I guess I just took that out on Bella."

Emmett slapped his hand against his forehead. "Oh man that is totally my fault, we were in such a hurry to get out on the call that I forgot to tell you about Bella and Angela bringing the kids there. Plus it was my responsibility. I set that tour up for the kids every year so it really wasn't your responsibility to do it in my absence. I will make sure I talk to Bella tonight and smooth the situation over."

Feeling a little of the weight lifted off my shoulders, I nodded at him but continued. "Yeah I appreciate that man, but regardless I still didn't have to be such a prick and I feel bad."

Jasper, still following the conversation said to me, "I've known Bella for a long time, she's a tough cookie, and she can get through just about anything. If you just apologize, maybe buy her a drink, I'm sure all will be forgiven and forgotten. No big deal."

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We got to the bar around 10:00PM and made our way in through the crowd. We found a small table to the side near the bar that was occupied by one of the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Damn…they must have something in the water in this city. Every woman I have come into contact with is gorgeous.

Emmett threw himself down into the seat next to the blonde and gave her a huge kiss. He then looked up to me and said, "Edward I would like you to meet my girlfriend Rosalie."

Rosalie, Rosalie, Rosalie? I knew that name. Oh crap that was Alice's other roommate from college! I suddenly started to internally kick myself in the balls for never coming out to Seattle and visiting Alice when she was in college. So far I have met Bella and Rosalie and don't know what I was thinking not crashing at Alice's college pad for a weekend while I was still a young, horny teenager.

Rosalie offered her hand towards me, and I took it and shook it.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you Edward. I have heard so many things about you over the years from Alice. It's odd that we haven't met sooner, but I guess it's better that it's now versus never."

"I was actually just thinking the same thing. I can't believe that all these years have passed since you and Alice have lived together and went to school together, yet I am just meeting you now. But it's nice to finally meet."

I looked around. "Speaking of Alice, is she hear yet?" I asked Rosalie.

"Not yet. Alice called me a few minutes ago and told me that she and Bella were on their way. They should be here momentarily."

Jasper then stood and looked between Emmett and I and said, "Well guys wanna join me up at the bar to get drinks for the girls so they will be waiting for them when they get here?"

Emmett gave Rose a quick peck on the lips and stood. "Sure thing Jasper…lead the way."

I followed behind the two of them up to the bar. Jasper ordered drinks for Alice and himself. Then Emmett ordered drinks for him, Rosalie, and was about to order for Bella when I stopped him. "Please…let me get the drink for Bella. It's the least I can do to make up for being an ass to her."

He looked at me and smirked, then shrugged his shoulders. " Suit yourself. She likes the pumpkin ale." He threw his money down on the counter, grabbed his drinks and followed Jasper back to the table.

I ordered two pints. One for me and one for Bella. I paid and then made my way back over to the table. It was crowded in front of our table and I couldn't really see anyone except for Emmett, but I did catch a glimpse of someone with brown wavy hair sitting with her back to me at the same table as Emmett. As soon as the crowd cleared, the person owning those brown waves turned in my direction and made eye contact.

There is was again. That electricity I felt when I touched her today. Only now I could feel it just within proximity. I nearly dropped the two glasses I was holding. Pull it together asshole. This day has been awkward enough.

I had to admit she looked beautiful. She was wearing jeans and a silky top that although it had a hint of sex appeal, was also classy. Her hair was down and just flowed down her back and over her shoulders. She really was a classic beauty. The kind of woman that didn't need to try hard or dress trashy to grab attention from any hot blooded guy. Me obviously being one of them.

I took a deep breath and decided I could do this. I could act like a normal mother fucking person and just be her friend.

I stopped in front of her and held out the beer hoping she would realize this was my peace offering without making me have to drop to my knees and beg for forgiveness. She didn't take it at first. She was just sort of staring straight ahead at…she is eye level with my crotch…nah she must be looking past me at something else.

But then just like expected, the little Pixie flew out of right field and smacked me in the head. If I didn't think that I deserved that one I would have been half tempted to throw that little witch over my shoulder and bring her back into the alley to deposit her in a dumpster for the evening. But I knew that I deserved that shit…hell I even mentally prepared myself for it all day.

She yelled at me, telling me that I owed Bella an apology. Everyone was staring at me now, and I felt like a complete asshole.

I set the beers down on the table offering Bella the drink. "I'm sorry Bella," I stated.

"Uh, it's fine…no problem" she stuttered. I had to kind of smirk because I found it cute how she seemed to get nervous when talking to me. Huh, I wonder why?

We stood there looking at each other. I don't think either one of us realized that we were gazing at each other for a little bit too long until someone at our table made a little coughing sound, and we both snapped out of it and noticed that everyone was gawking at us. My cousin even seemed to be giving me some cocky little grin like she knew something that I didn't. Like I said before…she is an evil witch.

Emmett just laughed and then Jasper, trying to ease the discomfort that he could clearly sense I was feeling, suggested that the guys go play some darts. I agreed probably too eagerly, desperate to be out of this awkward situation that was playing out in front of everyone.

I followed Jasper across the bar to the darts, with Emmett close behind.

Emmett came up behind me and slapped his arm across my back, hanging it over my shoulder. "I guess you and Bella kissed and made up," he snorted. "Well maybe just made up, but I have a feeling a kiss could have been following suit." He busted out in laughter.

Jasper reached out and punched him in the shoulder.

"Shit, ouch! Why'd you go and do that Jasper?" Emmett said as he took his hand off my shoulder and rubbed his other arm where Jasper had just punched him.

"Lay off him man," Jasper said.

I looked over at the both of them, feeling a big aggrevated by whatever they were inplying. "What?"

With that, they both doubled over laughing. Okay, I was clearly missing the joke.

Jasper stepped closer to me so I could hear him without having to yell over the crowd. "I think what Emmett was trying to say rather ineloquently, was that it didn't go unnoticed to the rest of us the way you two were staring at each other. I mean completely and utterly zoned into each other and out of everyone else. Is this the kind of communication the two of you were having before you flipped out on her at the firehouse?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about. I already told the both of you…I was having a shitty morning when she showed up with like forty little kids, and I took my bad mood out on her. We weren't zoned into each other just now. I was just giving her a peace offering so that I wouldn't have Alice on my case. I know she is friends with all of you and I will see her around a lot, but that is it."

Emmett turned around laughing to throw his first dart. "Okay, whatever you say man," he muttered. Maybe I don't know you that well, but I've known Bells for a long time now and I haven't seen her get flustered or stutter like that around a guy, well since she first met Jac…"

But before he could finish, Jasper cut in interrupting him. "What Emmett means is that we are glad that the two of you straightened out whatever misunderstanding you had from earlier today and now we can all go forward. We have a really tight knit group here, and it would suck if one stupid misunderstanding prevented all of us from being able to hang out together."

Jasper then shot Emmett a look that I didn't quite understand, but Emmett just nodded and turned back towards the dart game without saying another word.

After that the subject was dropped, thank God, and we went back to playing. Those two must be pro dart players because I quickly lost and decided to make my way back over towards the table to sit and chat with Alice.

As I walked toward the girl, I could see Alice and Rosalie who were facing my direction, Bella's back to me.

Rosalie look up at me but quickly looked away and back towards Bella. She seemed to all of a sudden start stifling a laugh about something. Alice was saying something to Bella and I was curious to see what they were talking about. Standing behind them, I caught wind of the conversation.

"Hi, I'm Alice and welcome to Mc-Build-A-Man, home of the 'Golden Crotches.' Can I take your Edward order?" she started.

What…your Edward order? What was this about? Rosalie clearly knew I was behind Bella listening and didn't make any move to clue Alice or Bella into that fact, soI stood there quietly seeing where the heck this conversation was going.

Bella laughed and then said, "Um, yes. I would like a tall, very well- built Edward. Nine inch cock please, and hold the pubic hair- lightly trimmed is fine, too, if you can't accommodate. Um, I would also like some tattoos to go with this Edward, preferably on the torso, hip, or back. Oh, and can you add some deep dark past with that? Make it super angsty. You know what they say- the more angsty, the feistier they are!"

I was frozen dead in my tracks. Was I hearing right? Was she talking about my cock? Even through the shock of what I just heard I had to let a little arrogance slip in when I thought how she had no idea that her size requirement wouldn't be a hard order to fill for this particular "Build an Edward," but I digress. Alice then continued speaking.

"Will that be all ma'am?"

"Oh God no!" Bella said. Could you please add a side order of multiple orgasm capabilities, including with tongue? My Edward needs to be a giver. I also need a small order of jealousy -it spices things up! And a large order of protective instincts because my Edward needs to want to keep me safe from danger at all times. Oh! I need a super-size helping of potty mouth- please make sure you add the dirty talk. Last time you forgot the dirty talk and I was already home when I realized that. Needless to say, I was very upset and couldn't thoroughly enjoy my Edward. And please make sure my Edward can dress well, and don't forget the bronze sex hair."

My mouth nearly hit the floor. At this point Rosalie looked like she was going to piss her pants being that she was the only one who noticed me standing right behind them listening in on all of this.

If I hadn't been standing there and heard all this myself I don't think I would have believed it. I was dying to burst out laughing too but held quiet so I could see where this led. Bella continued a few more details to her "order" and then finally Alice gave her the whopping total sales price of $19.01.

WTF…was that all I was worth? Puh-lease!!!

When Alice spat out that the order number was 69 I lost it. I couldn't hold back the laugh that came out of my mouth. Then Rosalie looked up at me and Alice finally looked and saw I was there, and she started laughing so hard I thought her drink was going to shoot out of her nose.

I noticed Bella freeze and then slowly turn around to face me. When she finally met my eyes, I could tell she was mortified. I gave her an amused grin, but I knew the poor thing must be humiliated.

"Golden Crotches, huh?" I chuckled. "I am curious as to what that would look like."

Then almost instantly Bella flung herself out of her seat and crashed into me in her attempt to flee. I caught hold of her and steadied her. She stilled for a minute before pushing away and telling us that she was going to get a drink.

As amused as I was at this whole little scenario and actually flattered as well as a little turned on at all those things that Bella had just said, I knew she must feel so embarrassed. I didn't want her to feel that way. I could take a joke and I needed her to know that she didn't need to hide away from me.

I glanced down at the evil stepsisters who had just managed to embarrass their friend. I spat "please allow me to go and find her and dig her head out of the sand." As I retreated towards the bar I heard them both barrel out in laughter.

As I finally made my way through the crowd, I found Bella standing at the bar talking to some guy. I have to admit I felt a little jealous that she was standing there talking to some other dude. I heard him ask what she wanted to drink but before she could answer I slipped in behind her. "I believe the lady is having Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale. Tap, not bottle." I slid the money to the bartender.

Bella looked at me and the blush on her cheeks spread like wildfires. She really looked cute when she blushed.

She introduced me to the guy she was with who was thankfully…hmmm, why thankfully?…the boyfriend of her friend and co-worker who I had met that morning at the firehouse, Angela.

I apologized to Angela for my behavior that morning and she forgave me. She seemed like a genuinely nice girl, and that made me feel even more like a dick for being so shitty that morning.

After her friends left, I apologized to Bella again. I really did want her to know that I was sorry and to not be embarrassed about what I had just overheard. I had actually found it to be kind of sexy.

Then right before Bella and I were going to walk back to join the others, I asked her that in light of what happened today, I was wondering if-

She seemed to tense up, almost anticipating something.

And I finished "if we could be friends."

I know I was mistaking my observation, but it almost seemed like she was disappointed. Maybe she didn't want to be friends with me. Maybe she had been hoping that I would just apologize and tell her we could go our separate ways. I mean, true, she had just listed off a bunch of sexual things using my name at the table, but I'm sure Alice had something to do with that, so I didn't honestly think those things came from any thoughts or feelings she had about me personally.

"Sure Edward. That would be great," she said. I decided to just leave it at that. This was only the second time I had ever talked to this woman and felt that I didn't need to figure out all the logistics of our friendship in one night. She was Alice's best friend and roommate and I figured we would have plenty of time to get to know each other and start off again on the right foot as acquaintances.

I then remembered that I owed Emmett a shot for losing to him at darts and offered to get Bella one too.

"Let me guess, you have to buy a Snakebite, right?" she said.

"If that's SoCo with lime juice, then you are correct, beautiful," I said.

Shit…had I just called her beautiful out loud? I sometimes had no mental filter.

When I looked up I noticed she was blushing. Again with that blushing…it is driving me crazy. I felt my cock twitch at the sight. That blush was going to be the death of me.

She then mumbled something and excused herself to join Alice and Rosalie again.

I shook my head, grabbed the shots and made my way back over to Emmett and Jasper. They were in a heated discussion close to the dart board trying to decipher whose dart was closer to the bulls eye. When they saw me approach they each grabbed their shot, and we toasted and tossed them back. Their backs were immediately to me again as they continued their argument.

I leaned back against the wall, ran my fingers through my hair and started to look around the bar. I felt my gaze being pulled to my right when I finally landed on Bella's eyes and we locked gazes with each other. We stared at each other until I saw Alice's hand slap the table laughing at something that Rosalie had said, and it broke Bella's concentration and she quickly looked away from me shyly.

I stared for another moment longer until I turned my face forward and looked off into space. This sure had been a strange day. I had never had so many different feelings for one person in less then a twenty-four hour period as I had for Isabella Swan. It went from electric, to aggravation and frustration, to being turned on by, to being jealous over, to wanting to be friends with, and now ultimately…I don't know what I was feeling.

I looked back over toward the table again and caught Bella staring at me once more. This time she quickly looked away, but I caught that blush creep across her face again.

God that blush…no, I finally realized, that woman…that woman was going to be the death of me.

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I woke up the next morning from the sound of my annoying alarm clock. I rolled over and slammed it a little harder then necessary. I had to be at work in an hour and a half, and although I wasn't feeling hung over, I was tired from being out kind of late with everyone.

Last night had gone a lot better then I could've hoped. I knew I needed to talk to Bella and I did. We established that we were going to start out fresh and be friends. I was beginning to realize more and more that I was attracted to Bella. I wasn't that dumb that I couldn't recognize those feelings, but I also knew that I was nowhere near ready to start dating yet.

I'm a man and I have needs. I wouldn't mind the company of a woman on occasion, but a casual rendezvous is different then going out on dates with someone who is your friend, someone where the stakes are set higher from the get go. So Bella was definitely off limits.

She definitely seemed to be attracted to me as well, and I couldn't hurt her by starting something that I am not prepared to finish. It's only been a year since Tanya and a serious relationship is not in my near future at all.

Ahhh Tanya. Just the thought of her makes my heart ache. I miss her so much. It's been a couple weeks since I have written to her. When I moved to Seattle I decided that I was going to really try to stop writing her. I knew it was impossible for me to stop altogether, but I realized it was not healthy to do it every single day like I was in Chicago.

But with everything that went down yesterday, and all these crazy feelings that I have going on inside of me right now, I really just needed to talk to her.

So I rolled out of bed, stood up and stretched. I looked out the window and noticed that it was actually sunny today. No overcast. I have to admit the weather is the one thing I really can't stand about Seattle. It's always overcast or rainy. A day like this is more then welcome as far as I am concerned.

I walked out into the living room and grabbed my laptop from where I left it on the coffee table. I walked into the kitchen and placed it on the table. I poured myself a cup of coffee from a pot that I am assuming Jasper made since he is the earliest riser and then sat down at the table and turned my computer on.

After it loaded, I opened my email. I had several emails to go through from some of my friends back home in Chicago and my mother Esme who I am sure is going to kill me because I haven't called her in over a week. After going through all those I hit compose and started writing.

From:EC1901

To:TDluvsEC

Subject: Life in Seattle

Dear Tanya,

Hey there love. Sorry it's been a while since I have written. I needed to give myself some time to settle into my new surroundings. Things in Seattle are going well. I have a really nice apartment in the same building as Alice, and I have two roommates who I get along with great. Work has been going good as well. I am slipping right into the flow of things there and all the guys I work with have been really awesome in showing me the ropes. I am so grateful to have Alice here because she has taken me under her wing. She is so determined to get me through all of this. I have fought it for so long but I know deep down inside it is what you want for me too, so if I can't do it for myself I have to do it for you.

All of Alice's friends have been great. They all have welcomed me into their world with open arms. It sure beats moving somewhere and not knowing a soul. I have finally gotten to meet all the people who have been so important to Alice for all these years since she left Chicago to go away to college. I have even gotten to meet her two best friends who she lived with in college, Rosalie and Bella. Bella and Alice are actually still roommates. She seems like a really nice girl. She reminds me of you in a lot of ways, but at the same time she is also very different. I don't know…I just keep thinking that you would really like her.

Well, I have to go and get ready for work now baby. I promise to try and not make it another two weeks before I write, but you know that it's not because I don't love you and miss you horribly. It's because I'm trying and I know it's what you are think I should do. I love you always.

Love,

Edward

After I hit send, I closed my laptop and just sort of stared into space. I heard a bedroom door open and that snapped me back into reality. Emmett came walking into the kitchen wearing pajama bottoms.

"Good morning there Eddie," he said as he put his huge hand on top of my head, mussed up my hair, and laughed.

"Hey man, watch the locks," I said, as he continued laughing.

"We're on the same shift today," Emmett said.

"I know, I was just going to go and jump in the shower so that you would have time to shower too before we leave."

"Great. So Edward, now that it's just you and I, do you mind if I ask you again about Bells?"

"Bells?" I asked.

"Bella."

"Oh…right…oookay, what about her?"

"Well, it seems like you are both attracted to each other, and trust me I have known her for a long time and she is a great girl, so I was just wondering if you thought about maybe asking her out sometime. We do have the Halloween party coming up in a few weeks and the rest of us are going as dates, so maybe you could ask Bella to go with you."

I paused for a moment, not really knowing how to answer this without having to delve into my past that I wasn't really comfortable discussing. I finally took a deep breath and spoke, "look Emmett, I think Bella is a great girl. She is definitely beautiful, but I moved here to try and start my life over. My last year in Chicago was a rough one. I was in a long term relationship that ended and I am just not over it yet. I don't think right now is the right time for me to get into a relationship. I'm not opposed to getting a little ass here and there but Bella is not the type of girl for that, and besides, Alice would fuck me up, so Bella and I are just friends."

Emmett nodded his head as he was understanding what I was saying. "First of all, Alice wouldn't be the only one to fuck you up if you ever used Bella as a piece of ass, but I can understand a brother has needs, and as long as you get it elsewhere I appreciate that. I am also happy to know that you wouldn't take advantage of her like that if you weren't ready for something solid."

He paused again, seeming like there was something he wanted to say but wasn't sure how to say it.

"Edward the thing is, last night when I told you that I hadn't seen Bella light up or get so nervous around a guy in a long time, I meant it. I see something in her eyes when she looks at you. But Bella has also been through a rough past. It's not my story to tell, and maybe someday she will tell you about it herself, but her last boyfriend really hurt her a lot. He broke her heart into a million pieces. I just want to make sure that you are careful with her. I don't want to see the first fleeting glint of attraction in her eyes for another man to cause her any more heartache down the road."

I looked at Emmett and nodded in understanding. "I will never do anything like that to Bella. You have my word on that Emmett."

"Good man because I would hate to have to fuck a brother up." I saw his shoulders shake from laughter and I just rolled my eyes.

"Thanks Emmett…for not wanting to fuck me up. I'm going to take a shower, nimrod."

I walked across the apartment and into the bathroom where I started getting ready for work.

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Emmett and I arrived at work on time. The guys had the trucks outside in front of the house and they were washing them down. It's customary to do this every once in a while to keep them clean, but I'm sure that the nice sunny weather was also a big draw to wanting to be outside.

We were just about finished and were putting the supplies away when the alarm blared. Instinctively, we all sprang i nto action. All our uniforms were hanging in a row on hooks against the wall to the side of where the truck is normally parked. I ran to my stuff and kicked off my work boots. I immediately grabbed my suspender pants and stuffed my legs into them and slipped the suspenders over my shoulders, then I grabbed my jacket and threw my arms into the sleeves. I shoved my feet into my fire boots and threw my helmet on my head.

I raced over to the truck and jumped on just as the rest of the guys were getting there and we took off. We were briefed that we were going to a fire a few blocks down that had started in the diner restaurant on the bottom level. Emmett also told us that the building held apartments above the restaurant and it was believed that there were people stuck in their apartments.

In less then two minutes we were pulling up in front with sirens blazing. There was a crowd of people standing out in front of the diner and there was smoke pouring out through the front door. I looked up immediately and saw a few people hanging out their windows in the apartments above. One window that caught my eye immediately was where a lady and a young boy were standing waving a cloth to let us know where they were.

Emmett jumped off the truck immediately moving the crowds back and away from the building. Another guy I work with, Mike Newton, went over to talk to who I would assume was the owner of the diner. As the rest of us were setting up the hoses, Mike and Emmett came back over to fill the rest of us in on what they knew.

Apparently the fire started in the kitchen. It was a grease fire, so it spread pretty quickly. From what the owner could tell it hadn't spread to the apartments upstairs, but because of all the smoke, the tenants couldn't make their way down the stairs.

Emmett split us into two groups. Half were sent into the restaurant to deal with the fire itself, the rest of us were on rescue duty to get the people out of the apartments. Fighting fires had always been my passion, but now more than ever, rescue efforts were a front and foremost issue for me. I would do anything I could to make sure each and every person got out safely. Buildings could be rebuilt and replaced, people could not.

The guy who drives our fire truck repositioned it so we could get the cherry picker as close to the buildings as possible. Thankfully, we were told the building only had three apartments. One apartment was not being rented, the second had a man and woman living in it. The man was hanging from the window, but there was no sign of the woman. The third is where I saw the lady and the small boy.

Once the truck was in place, another firefighter named Eric Yorkie and I jumped into the cherry picker, ascending toward the first apartment.

"Sir," I shouted, "Is there anyone else in the apartment with you?"

"No, my wife is at work, it's just me," the man yelled back.

We moved as close to the window as we could, and I threw a safety harness to the man and told him to slip his legs through it. We were close enough where we could have just had him climb in without the harness, but you always have to take precautions.

He did as I said and then we helped him in and lowered down to street level where paramedics were already waiting to check for any smoke inhalation as a precaution.

As soon as the man was in the hands of the paramedics we started lifting up again towards the top floor where the woman and the boy were.

When we got close enough, I yelled to her too asking if there was anyone else in the apartment besides her and the boy. She said no, that it was just her and her son, and I handed her two harnesses and instructed her as to how to securely put them on. When she went to hand me her son, he started screaming and flailing…just an example as to why harnesses are important no matter how close you are to the building. I held on to him securely and handed him to Eric while I assisted the woman into the bucket.

Her son was really screaming by this point and I asked the lady if he had been injured.

"No," she said, looking really sad. "Our dog is in there. I tried to grab him, but he got frightened from the smoke and the sirens and ran and hid. I tried to look for him but I couldn't find him, and the smoke was starting to get darker so I had to come and stand by the window."

By now I looked down at the boy who was now sitting on the floor of the bucket and he had tears streaming down his face. He looked like his whole world had just been ripped out from under his feet. I knew that look. I wore that look.

I turned to Eric and told him I was going in. "Take them down to the paramedics and then come back up and get me." I knew Eric was going to argue, but when he saw the look of determination on my face and the sad look on the face of the little boy, he nodded.

I quickly jumped out of the bucket and into the window of the apartment. The smoke was getting thick now. Not so bad that I couldn't see the ground but very close to getting there. I had my oxygen mask on. I was in the kitchen and took a look around to see if I could spot the dog. I then moved into the living room. I looked in corners, under the couch and the coffee table…nothing. I moved on to the master bedroom where the smoke seemed to be the thickest. I knew at this point that even if I did find the dog there was a possibility that it had inhaled too much smoke. After searching that bedroom and finding nothing I started giving up hope.

I finally made my way down a little hallway and into a room that I could only assume was the little boy's. I looked under the bed, under his little desk but found nothing. I was about to give up hope when I noticed the closet door was slightly ajar. I cracked the door open and in the corner I saw a little tan Cocker Spaniel who couldn't be more then a few months old. He was shaking and curled in a ball in the corner. I grabbed the dog in my arms and ran out of the room and back towards the kitchen. When I got to the kitchen where the smoke was a little less thick, I took my oxygen mask off and held my breath. I put the mask over the dog's snout so he could breathe clear air.

A few seconds later I saw Eric's head in the window, and I leaned out and handed him the puppy. I jumped onto the window ledge and climbed into the bucket. Eric handed the dog back to me when I got in and said, "I think you should be the one to return him to his owner."

We got down to the street and I was still holding my oxygen mask over the dog's mouth. I walked over to the back of the ambulance that was treating the mother and her son. As soon as the mom saw me with the dog she burst out into tears and threw her arms around me.

"Oh thank you, thank you, thank you! Bless your heart to do something like that for complete strangers."

"Just doing my job ma'am," I said, and I handed her the dog. "I would suggest bringing him to a vet as soon as possible so he can get checked out."

"Absolutely, I will," she said.

Just as I was about to walk away I felt something latch on to my leg. I looked down and the little boy was holding on to my leg with all the might he could muster. He looked up at me with tears in his eyes. "Thank you Mister Fireman, you saved my best friend."

I took my glove off and rubbed the top of his head. "No problem little man, that's what I'm here for." He smiled and then his mom came back over to get him so the paramedics could continue checking him over.

Once the fire in the diner was put out and all the equipment was packed up, we all jumped back on the truck to head back to the house. As we were pulling away I caught sight of the little boy and he waved. I waved back and his words rang in my ears again…you saved my best friend.

I know I'm only human and I can't save everyone little man, but today, today I am happy I was able to save YOUR best friend.

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A few weeks had passed and we were now well into October. I was becoming more adjusted and comfortable in Seattle. Work was going great; I really liked the guys I worked with and I was becoming fast friends with pretty much all of them. There was one guy who irked me a little bit. Mike Newton. I don't know why. I couldn't really put a finger on it, but I guess you aren't going to love everyone. As long as he stayed out of my way we'd be fine.

I was also becoming closer with Alice's friends. Bella and I had managed to form a friendship despite the constant electricity that always seemed to radiate when I was anywhere near her. I did find that I thought about her entirely more then I should, but at least things weren't fucking uncomfortable as hell when we were all hanging out, and I was proud of myself from refraining myself from humping her against a wall at any given moment. What? Just saying.

I was supposed to have breakfast with Alice this morning before work, but when I got there Pixie had stood me up. She was probably off in Neverland with Peter Pan on one of their outrageous adventures.

Bella had been sitting on the couch when I entered the apartment. It took all the control I had to not fall to my knees and moan out loud. She was sitting on the couch wearing these little striped shorts and a tank top and wait…hold up…no bra! Of course I would notice that shit right away.

I was fucking staring at her tits when she cleared her throat, snapping my attention back to her face. I was fucking caught, but she had a little smile splayed on her face. That was kind of hot that she didn't mind me ogling her tits.

Then I noticed she was wearing glasses and they looked hot on her. Man was I living out every school boy's fantasy in my head. The things I would do to her over a desk. Shit Cullen you fucking perv.

Bella explained to me that Alice had left and had to go to her shop to do something work related. I noticed she was doing work herself and felt bad for keeping her and bothering her.

"You never bother me, Edward. It's actually kind of nice to have some company. Alice has been working long hours lately and our paths haven't been crossing much, and Rosalie lives across town now. So, this is…nice," she said.

I smiled and then offered to help her grade her papers. Hey, I had nothing else to do now that Alice had stood me up, and to be perfectly honest I hadn't spent much alone time with Bella and I was curious to get to know her away from the group. Okay, okay, and I am a perv and wasn't ready to leave this view of Bella braless in a skimpy tank top and go back upstairs to look at Emmett sitting on the couch scratching his nuts while farting.

We started working together in a comfortable silence, but my brain was going into overdrive. I knew I shouldn't pry because I was the last person in the world who would ever want to ask someone about a painful past but Emmett had mentioned to me about Bella having her heart broken by her last boyfriend, and I was curious as shit to know what happened. So I just blurted it out.

"Why don't you have a boyfriend? I don't mean to sound rude. It's just that I'm shocked that someone hasn't snatched you up by now."

She took her glasses off and hesitated. I also saw a hint of pain in her eyes. I felt really bad now for asking because I could understand that pain in her eyes. I had it too whenever anyone outright asked me about my past.

When she told me that she had been engaged and that the dickhead started cheating on her and knocked the other girl up and then all but broke up with Bella the night before her wedding shower so he could marry the whore he got pregnant, I just wanted to find this guy and pound his head through a wall. I felt my whole body tighten and clench with the anger I was feeling for this guy I had never met, all because he had hurt Bella that way.

Then I noticed a tear slip down her cheek and I immediately softened and put my hands over hers. I knew there was nothing I could do to take that pain away from her, but hopefully with my touch she would know that she wasn't alone in her pain and maybe I could be of some comfort to her.

"Bella, he's an idiot. Do you hear me? He doesn't even deserve you if he couldn't realize what an amazing person you are." And I truly meant that. This girl was not only beautiful but she seemed to have a heart of gold from what I could tell in the short amount of time we have known each other.

We talked a little bit more, but I knew she needed a distraction. Distraction was the only way I functioned this past year, and if I could teach Bella any of my tricks for getting through hard times I would gladly pass them along.

I asked Bella if she would like to join me for breakfast since I was hungry and really needed to eat before I had to go to work. She agreed and went into her room to change. Damn…I should have suggested we order in.

As I sat there waiting for Bella and processing everything she had just told me, I realized that we had so much more in common then I ever thought. We had both lost the loves of our lives and were both completely broken because of it. I basically ran away from home in order to not have to deal with it every day, so I could only imagine what it felt like to be in Bella's shoes, living in the same city as that bastard knowing she could run into him at any time.

Then something popped into my head. Something Alice had said before I moved here.

"It's time to live your life again and stop wallowing in all the hurt and anger. You can't change the past but you definitely have a say in the future. I hate to say this, especially to you, but everything happens for a reason Edward. I just know there is a reason you are leaving Chicago and coming to Seattle. I think you are going to have a very…uh…beautiful, yes beautiful life here."

Beautiful…Bella…yeah I finally made the fucking connection.

I was also pretty sure that Alice didn't have any work to do this morning. Pixie was up to something, and I had a feeling that she has been for a while now.

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A/N- So we got to see a little fire action in this chapter. Can we all please make a mental picture right now of Robward dressed in fireman gear? ***Collective sigh*** okay I gotta stop now before I have to go and change my underoos.

We gave a shout out to Emancipation Proclamation and Clipped Wings & Inked Armor in the last chapter. If you are looking for something funny may we suggest "The Bella Swan Diaries" by Ninapolitan (link is in our profile). I was cracking up through the whole story.

Our amazing beta, SweetDulcinea, is also an author so please show her some love and check out her stories. The link to her profile can be found on our profile page.

If anyone will be in the NYC area and would like to see an advanced screening of New Moon, a group of us have rented out a theater with Summit Entertainments okay and we are going to be seeing the movie the night before it comes out to the general public. Tickets are on sale now. Please PM us and we will forward you the information of where you can purchase tickets.

Please click below and leave us some love. We might just let you wipe Edward's brow after he emerges from a flaming building if you do.