All normal disclaimers apply

(the start of this chapter is the very end of her journal entries)


It's been a week and Edward hasn't come back in. Rose picked up on my worry and said that Edward does this from time to time when he has a case. I didn't have the guts to tell her what happened, but I can't shake the feeling that he's trying to avoid me. Not that I blame him, if he really thought I was asking him out on a date, he has every right to avoid me.

As the whole make-a-new-friend fell through, I pick a new card. 'List three things you want to accomplish for next year.'

I would like to be able to say what I feel, and say NO without the guilt.

Night classes, I would like to learn something new.

Be able to going to the gym without feeling bad or let people's thoughts get to me.

Maybe Jacob and his little followers are right; I should just forget it all and go home. I just wished I knew where that was now. Hell, maybe I should just get a load of cats!

That was the last thing she had written, so that must have been from the night she was mugged. I rub my face feeling really guilty. I am so fucking big headed that I really thought she was asking me out. If I'd had known she was just trying to make new friends I would've said yes. I throw the journal on my couch and head for the shower.

I seemed to toss and turn with Bella being on my mind the whole night. Which, if I would just admit it, and be honest, she's been there ever since she asked me out, as a friend. In the very beginning I was sure it was just because she was a case, but now after reading what I did in her journal, I'm not as sure anymore. Hell, I'm not even sure why I kept reading it.

When I arrive at work, I start handing out the purses and belongings to the staff. I tell them to return the stuff, but only after confirming that it does in fact belong to the victim they are trying to return it to. It's sad I have to remind them of this fact, but I feel the need to do so, because quite frankly, they are a foursome of idiots. I honestly think a trained monkey could do a better job. I end up with Bella's stuff, which I know I kept for myself for my own personal reasons, but I'll never admit it to anyone.

I walk up to Bella's door and knock, I hear her yelling from inside that she's coming. The door opens and Bella's standing there in her housecoat looking at me. I hear a small bark and look down to see a puppy's head poking its way out of her housecoat pocket.

"We found your purse," I say after a few seconds go by.

"Come on in," Bella says shaking her head.

I walk in the door and wait for Bella to lead us in to the living room, but instead she walks into the kitchen. She sits at the table and takes the puppy out and starts to feed it from a small bottle. When I hear more yelps I move forward looking in the box that's sitting on the table. I can't help but smile at seeing two more puppies.

"These yours?" I ask picking one up bringing it to my face as I pet him.

"Yes, no, maybe—I found them abandoned. The vet said they're still very young and still need to be fed. She gave me some bottles and milk for them."

I nod at her and sit down.

"They just all want to be fed at the same time."

I give Bella a smile, placing her belongings down and picking up one of the little bottles and begin feeding the pup in my hands.

"We know who mugged you, but he's still on the run. We're hoping to catch him soon. The good news is we got back nearly everything you lost. The only things that were not there was your cell and of course the cash."

"At least I got most of it back, right? Besides, there really wasn't much money. My cell company has already canceled my old phone and sent me a new cell." She holds it up showing me.

"Okay, Cooper, you're all fed, Edward is feeding your sister Sal, so that just leaves you Finn," she says picking up the last puppy.

"Where did you find them?" I ask as I clean off Sal's face.

"They were in a black bag behind Raising the Steaks. Who would dump such cuties?"

I frown and shrug a little. "I'm not sure, are you planning on keeping them?" I ask and I see Bella's eyes light up.

"I probably shouldn't, but I think I'm going to get super attached to them."

I chuckle as she kisses Finn and places him in with his brother and sister.

"Uh, this looks like it's been read, you'll more than likely find him asleep somewhere," Bella stutters out with a nervous laugh.

"That would be me, I had to find out who it belonged to," I say pulling my hair.

"Oh, ah, I'm sorry. You must have wanted to blow your brains out?"

I shake my head at her. "No, I found you really funny, and while we're on it I owe you an apology."

Bella looks at me confused. "You see, I seem to have this really big head, but in my defense I do get asked out a lot. So, when you asked me for the drink—that's what I thought, but after reading and remembered your words—I know it was me. I would love to take you up on the offer of friendship if still in the cards?"

Bella bites her lips and nods at me. "I would really like that."

"Now that we've got that part settled, I'd better head back to work, or nothing will get done. I'll come back see you guys soon," I say petting the puppies. I grin at Bella who blushes and rolls her eyes.


A/N: I know some of you felt he shouldn't have read all of her journal entries like he did, and that is was highly unprofessional - and for that we agree, but we did in order to tell a story, sorry for offending anyone. I will give Edward this, he admitted to reading them, though he didn't admit to his need to read the majority of it. Thanks for reading and reviewing. Nikky and Kasi~