Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns all that is Twilight. I alas do not.

Thanks to all who are reading. Please answer the questions at the end. I love knowing what's on your mind.

So...on with the next piece of the puzzle.

BPOV

The next day at work as Edward and I walked back to the ER after our dinner break I asked, "Edward, if you're not busy after work would you mind stopping by my house? I've got a project that I could really use your help with."

"Sure, not a problem. What did you need done?"

Me…mememememe…

"It is kind of hard to explain. How about I tell you when you get there?" I tried to keep my tone light. Hopefully I contained the anxiety that I was feeling. I notice a furrow in Edward's brow but he didn't push the subject further.

Later during the short drive home I gave myself a pep talk. I didn't need to convince myself to try to get Edward to agree, I wanted this. I could only hope that he would be agreeable to my plan.

Once we were comfortably situated on the couch in my living room I began.

"Edward, am I still your singer?"

"Yes…," his voice trailed off. Confusion was written plainly on his face.

"So you still… desire me?"

"Yes"

"My body…? Or my blood?"

"Both."

"Why haven't you…"

"I know after we had that discussion after that first day when I arrived at the hospital that I had to back off, that you weren't available to me that way. I really wanted to still have you as a friend, especially since we would be working so closely together."

"Edward, have you ever heard the expression 'to do something to get it out of your system?' "

"Yes." He still hadn't guessed where I was going with this discussion.

"So this is where I need your help."

"Anything Bella."

"Well I hope you'll be this agreeable after I tell you what I want from you."

"Just say it Bella!" he practically shouted in his frustration with me.

"Let me give you some background first." I continued on once again relaying my sad history with men. "Can I be blunt Edward?"

"Of course."

"I need to fuck you out of my system so I can move on. Put the silly school girl fantasies behind me and make a life for myself."

I finally raised my eyes to meet Edward's and found him speechless with his jaw dropped open. I'm not sure if it was in surprise or disgust. He appeared to be frozen. Could vampires go into shock?

"Edward… Edward…?" I shook his arm trying to break him from his stupor.

I didn't know if he could hear me but I continued, "Edward I've seen you demonstrate such wonderful restraint and such a gentle touch. I know it's possible. If I wasn't confident I wouldn't have asked you for this Edward. ...Edward?"

Slowly he began to take unnecessary breaths. His eyes blinked.

"I hope that I have not offended your 19th century morals. That was not my intent. Edward… please say something, anything.. yes, no, 1.772…"

"You truly aren't afraid of me?" he trembled out.

"I've never been afraid of you. You may have hurt me emotionally in the past, but I know that you would never physically hurt me. Please I need to move past this idea of you that has fermented in my head and my heart all these years. Won't you do this for me please?" I sucked in air as I had forgotten to breathe and then held it in anticipation of his reply.

When I could hold it no longer, I slowly released the air from my lungs.

He sat there stock still although I could sense that he was thinking and analyzing all that I had said. His breathing pattern had returned to normal, at least human normal. He pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and pointer finger of his right hand and would release his grip to run a hand through his hair. This pattern repeated over and over until I thought I might go insane.

I snaked my hand out to place it softly on his knee, not wanting to startle him. I wanted to recapture his gaze. I wanted him to see the truth of my words in my eyes.

His eyes met mine, "Yes," came his soft reply.

It took all the restraint I had not to jump up and do a happy dance. As calmly as I could I told Edward of my concerns about pregnancy. Granted I was on the pill, but who knows the tenacity of vampire sperm? He begrudgingly agreed to test out condoms only due to his fear of his venom and the chance that he could possibly, inadvertently, change me. As much as this had once been my most fervent desire this was no longer the case. I did want a normal life. At least as normal as my mixed-up life could be.

We mutually decided to wait until the next time we had two days off back-to-back so we (really me) wouldn't feel the pressure of time.

As I walked him to the door he turned suddenly and pulled me into a fierce hug, nuzzling his face into my hair. I could hear soft murmurs against my neck but couldn't discern the actual words until he released his hold on me, "Good night Bella, sleep well."

That night, I wasn't cold, I didn't have any strange dreams, I awoke rested and warm in my bed the next day looking forward to what was to come (so to speak).

Anxious, breathless, curious, desirous, expectant, fretful, gaga, hyper, impatient, jittery, keen, lively, mercurial, nervous, obsessed, peaceful, quiet, restless, settled, thrilled, unglued, vehement, wired, yearning, [e]xasperated, and zealous. I was spinning through emotions from a to z as I waited for my/our days off. I could only hope for the results I desired, that I could get over Edward Cullen [Masen]. If not, I was doomed.

At first the days dragged by as if time were standing still. Suddenly without realizing it the days had spun past and tomorrow would be the day.

It seemed odd to be scheduling something that should be a spontaneous act, like an appointment for root canal. Although I was expecting to get drilled.

I couldn't help keep the smile off my face.

A/N

Only two more pieces to the puzzle.

Are you surprised by Edward agreeing to Bella's plan?

Do you think it can work?

Or is she doomed?

Tell me,

Tell me now.