Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or any of the characters. I am just living vicariously through them.

A/N: Thanks so much to mylittlesecret84 and EZRocksAngel who read this chapter for my (in the words of Copward) "beta-less ass" and gave me some great constructive criticism, advice and encouragement. I found out after writing this chapter that many fanfics use Karaoke, but the Karoake scene has a lot of good exposition built around it, and I was just too damn lazy to go back and change it to something else, especially since it had been mentioned in the last chapter. That said, I hope the Karaoke doesn't make you barf. Also, All you James distrusters and haters, please bear with me. This is really going somewhere, I promise. James just might surprise you for once J


Trust, Loyalty, Commitment

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.

Psalm 57:7

­­­­­­­­­Chapter 6 – TLC: The Music Never Ends

BPOV

Bella had been too ticked with Edward to blush during their little exchange, but she felt the warmth flow over her face as she regarded James, walking toward her. He stopped directly in front of her; the length of the tray she was holding was all that separated them.

He looked resolute. "So, Edward is my competition, huh?"

"It's really not like that, we just met this week. How much of that did you hear, anyway?" Bella asked. She set the tray back on the island and looked up into his cobalt eyes.

He was apologetic. "I came in on the part where you were telling him you were moving on. I'm sorry, Bella." He ran his hand over his face in nervous frustration. "It was not my intention to eavesdrop."

"It's..." She shook her head. "Fine."

"I wish I could say that I should have walked away, but when he spoke of wanting you to be happy, I couldn't help myself..." He heaved an exasperated sigh. "He's a fool for wanting an affected Barbie doll over an amazing woman like you."

Bella allowed James to draw his own conclusions. She didn't feel it was necessary to explain the narcotic effect that Edward Cullen had on her or his subsequent rejection.

She smiled a half-hearted smile. "He was dating Tanya long before I came into the picture. This drama between us is a result of meeting one another when the timing is way off. You and I might know a thing or two about that, right?"

"Yes, which is exactly why I don't plan to make the same mistake twice."

His words sounded right, however, Bella felt slightly uneasy that he was coming on so strong. James had been broken, was now whole again, and anxious to seize life. A life it seems, that included her in it. He came away from a season of trials and tribulations with his faith intact. She had to admire that.

He wanted to get to know her in a way that they were never free to explore when she was in Atlanta, but was that even possible now? While James had been eerily cool towards her a few years ago, they had been cordial to one another whenever his parents invited her to their home. As it was her natural inclination to be compassionate and forgiving, there was really no reason that she shouldn't give him a chance. At least he was willing. Although she told herself that she was OK with Edward's apathy towards her romantically, it really threw her for a loop when he did his little about face.

When she fashioned she'd had a crush on James back in the day, he would simply stare at her whenever he thought she wasn't looking. Eventually, she had relegated him to being unalterably weird until just before Valentine's Day, in her final year there.

The Halls had invited her to church to sing, and James sang on that same morning. After the service, he had enthusiastically complimented her on her singing. But he didn't approach her romantically then, nor ask her out on a date. Or so she thought. The roses debacle was proof that he had been interested. Now it seemed that he was eager to make up for lost time. She hoped she wasn't jumping out of a frying pan and into a raging fire.

"You look like you could use a hug," he said with a smile. He held his arms out to her.

Bella hesitated briefly. This was an opportunity to remedy that empty-armed feeling she had. She took the few steps willingly into his arms. She laid her head on his chest as if in surrender. There was an aromatic, woodsy fragrance, which she'd only gotten hints of earlier that assaulted her nose completely as she rested in his arms. He smelled so good.

This could be good, couldn't it?

At that moment hurricane Alice came breezing into the kitchen. "We need more food…Oh, hey, sorry."

Bella and James relaxed their embrace, smiling guiltily at Alice. James recovered first and reached for the tray.

"We were just about to bring these out," Bella said brightly. Alice turned on her heel and headed back to the living room, Bella and James following close behind.

~888~

When the rest of the food was devoured and drinks were refreshed once again, they selected songs to sing in Couples Karaoke. Bella and James selected the James Ingram and Patti Austin duet entitled "How Do You Keep The Music Playing?"

Bella thought it was the perfect song for a couple just getting to know one another. She remembered Renee and Charlie singing this song together when she was younger. She and James settled in the cozy chair again and strategized on how they would deliver the song.

Jessica and Mike begged off singing, explaining that they were both hopelessly tone deaf. Bella teased them about it.

"When God was handing out vocal chords, you two must have gotten in the wrong line and drawn the short straw, huh?" Bella grinned.

"Yep," Mike was sheepish. "The noise we make is not joyful."

"Neither is it with musical instruments. We kinda' suck at all things musical." Jessica laughed.

Edward, Bella noticed, was making copious trips to the bar. Tanya was all over him in between bar trips. The more inebriated he got, the more hands on Tanya got.

Jasper designated the space directly in front of the fireplace as the stage, and acted as Emcee, introducing the acts, while Alice queued up the music. Rosalie and Emmett were up first. They sang "I Got You, Babe" by Sonny and Cher.

Alice found a long black wig that she'd apparently worn last Halloween and Rosalie donned the wig to make for an uncanny, but more beautiful, Cher. Emmett wore a too tight, vintage 60s leather fringe vest and got on his knees so he was short enough to be Rosalie's Sonny. In places, the song was like hearing someone scratch their nails against a chalkboard; excruciating. They laughed so hard at Emmett and Rose's antics; it took a good five minutes for everyone to recover.

"Let's hear it for Rosalie Hale and Emmett McCarty!" Jasper screamed in his radio announcer voice. "These two are engaged folks, and I have to tell ya' after that performance, I am seriously wondering if they should procreate. If their offspring sings like they do, heaven help 'em."

Rose made her hand in the shape of gun, shot Jasper, and then blew on the tip of her finger, as if blowing the smoke from the barrel of the gun. He fell to the floor jerking like he was actually shot. Then he sat up and panned the audience with his eyes, "And if their singing doesn't kill you, they actually carry firearms."

Jasper's emceeing was taking on an eery Simon Cowellesque tone. Nevertheless, their little crowd, was clapping, cheering loudly and laughing heartily at his jokes.

Edward downed yet another drink before he and Tanya took center stage. They chose "It's Your Love" by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. Edward had reasonable command of his velvet voice; his musical talent evident even though he had to be besotted as many drinks as he'd imbibed.

Tanya created riffs that had never been heard before. If Tim and Faith had been there, they would have run from the room screaming just on her performance alone. Edward couldn't seem to control his laughter while Tanya was singing. She glared at him and turned away. Bella was unnerved when Edward sang the final refrain; his green eyes grew serious and were locked with hers.

It's your love
It just does somethin' to me
It sends a shock right through me
I can't get enough
And if you wonder
About the spell I'm under
It's your love

Tanya noticed him looking at Bella and quickly became forgiving. She reached up and cupped his cheek, effectively turning his face back to hers. When the song ended, Tanya pulled Edward into a kiss that made even Jasper and Alice uncomfortable.

Emmett booed and yelled, "Get a Room!" and laughed loudly. Rosalie socked him in the arm with her dainty fist. Edward made a throat slashing gesture at Emmett on the way back to their seats.

"Give it up for Edward Cullen and Tanya Denali!" Jasper barked. "Your stage presence leaves a little bit to be desired you two. Word to the wise: Don't quit your day jobs."

"Maybe we should fire the Emcee," Edward quipped, his words slurred slightly. He and Jasper playfully stared one another down until Edward made his way back to the den, presumably to refill his drink. Emmett and Rose followed him with their eyes, as did Bella, a look of concern on their faces. Edward staggered slightly, when he re-entered the room, just as Bella and James began their song.

James began, "How do you keep the music playing? How do you make it last? How do you keep the song from fading too fast?"

Bella followed, "How do you lose yourself to someone? And never lose your way? How do you not run out of new things to say?"

They knew one another's performance styles and their preparation beforehand showed in the performance. Bella made it a point to look everywhere but at Edward. Their audience stood up and began to applaud and cheer in the middle of the song. Bella heard a loud two-fingered whistle and turned to look right into Edward's eyes as she sang the words:

I know the way I feel for you is now or never

The more I love the more that I'm afraid

That in your eyes I may not see forever.

Bella willed herself to avert her eyes and she and James sang the second verse together, Bella carrying the melody and James harmonizing in a beautiful descant. They finished as they had discussed, holding hands with their mike hands interlocked, "The music never ends."

Everyone applauded profusely, except Tanya, who clapped a couple of times and then stood with her arms folded. Bella and James blew kisses to everyone. Edward winked when he caught Bella's eye, and did the two-fingered whistle thing again, his crooked smile loosened considerably by alcohol.

"One question," Jasper said. "When does the CD drop you two?"

"Tonight," Bella shot back. "You can hang out around Club 1090 and sell them out of the trunk of your car."

"Mr. Emcee," Emmett bellowed. "She just kind of owned you right there, man."

"Hey, show the Emcee some respect, you guys." Jasper feigned a hurt look.

"I got your back, baby," Alice chirped sweetly.

Alice and Jasper were up last. They moved into the stage area, just as Bella and James took their seats again. Rose took over with the music.

"As your hosts," Jasper declared, taking his mike and handing one to Alice, "I don't know how in the hell, Alice and I are supposed to follow Bella and James, but here goes." They all laughed.

Their song choice was "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. They swayed to the music as the base line came up and then faced one another as they sang. Jasper with his fabulous tenor and Alice's pixyish soprano did a perfect Marvin and Tammi impression. Toward the end of the song, they had everyone in the room singing and dancing with them, except Edward. He looked to be passed out, lolling precariously on Tanya's shoulder.

Don't you know that there Ain't no mountain high enough, Ain't no valley low enough, Ain't no river wide enough, to keep me from getting to you, babe!

~888~

Bella and Rose helped Alice with cleanup as the other guests and Jasper stood around talking in the living room. Rosalie was putting glasses in the dishwasher, Bella was washing trays in the sink, and Alice was wiping down the countertops.

"Edward is shitfaced," Rosalie said matter-of-factly.

Bella looked up at Rosalie. She had guessed as much considering the number of drinks he'd consumed and the way he was lounging on Tanya when they left the room. Alice stopped wiping and looked at Rosalie, too.

"He shouldn't be driving, then." Alice was concerned. "I'll talk to Jasper..."

"Emmett's already on it." Rosalie continued loading the dishwasher. "He's gonna' try to convince him to let one of us drive his car."

Bella dried the last tray and put it away. "Get him home safe, you guys," she said softly. "I'm going to take James back to my parents' and call it a night."

They left the kitchen together. Emmett met them with two sets of keys dangling in his hand. As they entered the living room, Bella noticed that only Jasper and James were left in the room, righting the furniture again and talking.

"Rose, I'm going to drive Edward home in his car. Can you take the H-3 and drop Tanya off and meet me at his place?" Emmett asked, his brow was furrowed in concern.

"You mean I get to take my Twinkie, home?" Rosalie teased, and then promptly acquiesced. "Sure, Babe. But I'm only doing this for Edward." She took the keys from Emmett's hand and he pecked her lovingly on the cheek.

"Thanks you guys," Alice said resignedly. "We'll check on him tomorrow morning."

"Goodnight," Emmett and Rosalie said as they exited through the foyer and out the door.

Bella and Alice bade them goodnight. Turning to look her friend in her lovely grey eyes, Bella saw sadness there for the first time since she had known her.

"I think I might have discounted the subjectivity of the things I see a little too much," Alice said solemnly. "I should have listened to you and Jasper, Bella. What if I my interference has changed the course of things irreparably?"

Bella wanted desperately to assuage her friend's misplaced guilt. "Alice, nothing that you've said or done could have precipitated this. You didn't force the drinks into Edward's hand."

Alice smiled ruefully, "He's been through so much and he deserves to be happy. I just wish he could see that."

"Edward has to come to that realization himself, Alice." Bella sounded calm, effectively controverting her own inner turmoil. Something about Edward Cullen made her want to comfort him, to do whatever she could to take away his pain. But that was not her place, and she would not be able to withstand another rejection.

Bella was certain that Edward was very troubled and needed friends who wouldn't stand idly by and tolerate his self-destructive behavior. She didn't know if she could be that kind of friend to him, but she was certainly willing to give it a try.

~888~

On the drive back to her parents' home, Bella was a bit subdued. James, however, was excited. He drew her out, talking and laughing about all the silly things that happened at the party, but he was sensitive enough not to mention Edward. Bella was thankful for that.

"If we can sing like that and not even practice, imagine how great we will be with a little practice." He said animatedly. "In case you didn't know, singing is something I've wanted to do with you for a long time."

"Oh really," Bella smiled, willing herself out of her funk. "And what else might there be on that list of yours, Mr. Hall?"

"Oh, you're talking about my "Things I want to do with Bella" list. Let's see, it's fairly short but all encompassing." He paused as she made the turn into her parents' circular drive. "I want to discover all your dreams and make them come true…"

"You really shouldn't say those kinds of things to a girl while she's driving, you know." Bella said as she parked in the circle parallel to the front door.

"Hold that thought," he said, hopping out of the car and sprinting around to her door. He took her hand and helped her out of the car.

The door was closed and she was in his arms practically before she could blink. Bella felt him placing feather light kisses on the top of her head, gently nudging her to look up. As she did so, his lips claimed hers tenderly. It was the sweetest kiss, not demanding or lustful, but almost like a promise of what was to come. Together they tasted of mint, club soda and White Zinfandel.

"Wow," Bella said with a smirk, when they came up for air. "Tell me again, why this wasn't happening when I was in Atlanta."

He chuckled. "Trust me; this is happening at the perfect time."

She thought for a second, "I'd say it is, yeah."

He released her from his embrace but held her hands in his. Bella stated the obvious. "You have a big day tomorrow. Are you ready?"

"Yeah, especially now that I have an extra incentive," he said smugly. "Will you be there in the morning?"

"I didn't make plans to." Bella was hesitant.

"I'd like you to be there, Bella. It would mean a lot to me."

She smiled. "OK, I'll be there. I—I guess I'd better let you in so you won't have to ring the doorbell." They walked holding hands to the door. "I think my parents are putting you up in my old room tonight, It's on the second door at the top of the stairs on the right. I'm sure your folks are in the guest bedroom, which is the first door on the right."

James held their clasped hands near his heart. "Bella, I want to always be a gentleman with you, but I'm working at erasing a three year deficit of not being with you like this."

"I might consider granting you a Bella Swan stimulus package if that deficit becomes too burdensome," she joked.

"And I'd happily accept it." His blues eyes went from mirthful to serious again. "Tonight was better than I dared hope it would be. Driving here this morning I agonized over seeing you again and possibly finding you unavailable. Thank you for introducing me to your friends and for allowing me into your life, Bella."

Bella felt oddly comfortable now with this man who seemed to be an open book. He had gone through one of the darkest of times and emerged a better man for it. He was a breath of fresh air.

~888~

EPOV

"Damn, Bro," Emmett said as he dropped Edward on his bed. "You're not that skinny-assed kid you used to be." He massaged the muscles in his arm that ached from supporting his friend up a flight of stairs and into his apartment.

Edward just moaned. Emmett rolled his eyes and went into the kitchen in search of water. He found a bottle of water in the fridge and took it back to Edward.

"Edward, sit up and drink this," he demanded. When there was no response, he opened the bottle, set it on the bedside table, and then pulled Edward up into a sitting position.

Emmett looked at him like he was the confused boy he had been when they were in high school, when his Mom had made him go to that fucked up church. Edward's hair was wilder than usual, his eyes red-rimmed and puffy.

"Yo, drink this, man." Emmett put the bottle up to his mouth and transferred it from his hand to Edward's.

Edward drank half of the bottle obediently and squinted up at Emmett.

"Wha…the hell happene…?" Edward slurred losing the "d." He felt like he was having an out of body experience.

"You just tried to drink all the fucking scotch in Tallahassee is all," Emmett replied dryly.

"Shi…it." Edward turned the water bottle up again and drained it.

"Want to talk about what's eating you, Gilbert Grape?" Emmett pulled a chair up and straddled it, right in front of his friend.

Edward ran his hands through his already wild hair. "I'm good…I'm, I was just…it's nothing."

Emmett wasn't fooled. "I'd believe that shit if I didn't know you better. Come on man, something's got you drinking like Nick Cage in 'Leaving Las Vegas'."

"I'm fucked," Edward said simply.

"In what manner?" Emmett half-joked.

Edward thought about feeding Emmett a line of bull, but then he caved. "I think I'm falling for Bella, but I dissed her and now she's with that Cam Gigandet-looking, holy roller motherfucker…"

"Hate much, bro?" Emmett said smiling.

"Fuck you." Edward spat. "I thought you really wanted to know what's going on with me?"

"Hey, I'm sorry, Edward. Go on," Emmett said contritely.

"I still don't think I'm good enough for her, but I just can't stand to see her with another man. How fucked up is that?" Edward's anguish was palpable.

"You pushed her away so she has a right to move on with her life. Maybe it's time for you to just give up your player's card and man-up. I mean if not being with this girl is doing this kinda' shit to you, you need to do something. I did that for Rose because I couldn't live without her. Do you feel that strongly for Bella?"

"I don't know," Edward sighed. "I just know that I've never had the kind of feelings I'm having for her for anyone."

"Does she feel the same way about you?" Emmett asked.

"I think she felt a connection, too. But then I was spooked by something Jazz said and I bailed." Edward's eyes were pained.

"What did Jazz say?" Emmett was curious.

"Oh, just what I should have realized all along knowing she was one of Alice's friends. He just said she was not looking for gratuitous hookups, and if I wasn't going to seriously commit, to leave her alone."

"And you let that stop you?" Emmett said incredulously.

"Actually, I agreed with him. Bella is really special, Em."

"Listen, back when Rose and I were in college and I was 'Mr. Big Time' on the FSU football team, I had hot girls lined up for days, man. Then I met Rose and thought I could have her and dabble with the riff raff on the side to my heart's content. But Rose wasn't up for that shit, right. So she dumped my ass and started dating this junior legislator from South Florida; older guy who wined and dined her and really got to know Rose for Rose, know what I mean. She was about to marry that fucker until I finally got my head out of my ass and fought for her. Is Bella worth fighting for, Edward?" Emmett was straightforward.

"Yeah, without a doubt. I just don't know if she needs a fuck-up like me fighting for her, though."

"Dude, you've got to stop with this putting yourself down. Bella doesn't strike me as the kind of girl who would judge you. She's strangely tolerant, and extremely hot as those Christian types go." Emmett said sincerely.

Edward glared at him. "What has her hotness got to do with anything?"

"I'm just saying, man." Emmett Shrugged.

Edward couldn't help but smile at this big lug who'd had his back for as long as he could remember.

"I've got to get some shit fixed in my own life before I can be the kind of man she needs me to be. I've been putting it off for a long time, but no more." Edward was determined.

"Good," Emmett said smiling broadly. "But don't wait too long. That Cam Gigandet-looking motherfucker looks like he's serious, Bro."

~888~

A/N: What's Eating Gilbert Grape is a 1993 drama film directed by Lasse Hallström and starring Johnny Depp, Juliette Lewis, and Leonardo DiCaprio. Peter Hedges wrote the screenplay adapted from his 1991 novel of the same name. It was filmed in Manor, Texas.

Leaving Las Vegas is a 1995 romantic drama film about a relationship between a suicidal alcoholic and a prostitute from Las Vegas, starring Nicholas Cage and Elisabeth Shue. The film was directed and written by Mike Figgis, based on a semi-autobiographical novel by John O'Brien. Two weeks after the production of the film had started, O'Brien committee suicide. A halt of the project was considered, but work on the film was continued as a memorial of sorts.

Excerpt: "How Do You Keep The Music Playing?" by James Ingram and Patti Austin

…And since you know we're always changing
How can it be the same?
And tell me how year after year
You're sure your heart won't fall apart
Each time you hear his name?
If we can be the best of lovers
Yet be the best of friends
If we can try with every day to make it better as it grows
With any luck then I suppose
The music never ends…