Disclaimer: The Twilight characters belong solely to Stephenie Meyer; I'm just taking them out to play.

A/N: What a week it's been. Finally, after months of waiting, Twilight was released ... and I loved it. I know everyone has differing opinions on the movie, what was good and what was bad, but overall, I thought it was really quite fun. And, not to be spoilery, but Jasper with the baseball bat? Dear lord.

Sorry this chapter took longer than normal ... I do hope you'll forgive. :)


Edward smiled as the tiny girl perched in the chair next to him repeated a condensed version of the information he'd just given her.

"So, he grew up on a ranch in Texas, loves to play the guitar and sing, enjoys reading books from unknown and up and coming authors, and doesn't like Mexican food because of some big food poisoning mess a few years ago. Does that about cover it?" Alice ticked each fact off on a finger and grinned as she bounced in her seat.

Edward wondered how such a ball of energy could stand sitting still in a hospital as long as they had. He looked at his watch and sighed; they'd been there for more than two hours. Talking to Alice helped take his mind off the predicament he found himself in—sitting outside a stranger's hospital room because a bizarre yet alluring girl he barely knew asked him to.

"Yeah, that about covers it. Although, Jasper can be a pretty private person; it might take a little while to get him to open up fully."

Alice shooed away his warning with a wave of her hand. "I'll be able to crack his shell, no problem."

Edward could have worried about the nonchalant way Alice brushed him off if it wasn't for having seen the two of them together last night. Jasper had never looked happier. And, as far as he could tell, behind her perky, self-confident exterior, Alice hid the beginnings of some serious feelings.

Movement made Edward look toward the end of the hallway. Walking towards them was a gorgeous, statuesque blonde dressed in aqua scrubs. Her hair fell in waves down to her waist; she brushed the left side back over her shoulder and swung it around like she belonged in a shampoo commercial. If he'd been watching her walk toward him on TV, time would have gone into slow motion. Edward stared for a moment before a growl from Alice made him turn his head. Her eyes were narrowed and all traces of the mirth they'd held a few seconds prior were gone. The look was menacing.

Edward ran a hand through his hair and looked down at his shoes. "I prefer brunettes," he mumbled.

He didn't raise his eyes again until he heard a commotion directly in front of him. Looking up, Edward noticed that the blonde was now tangled up in Bella's brother's arms, trying to avoid falling into the wheelchair Emmett had been backing out of the room. Her face was contorted in a grimace; Emmett's displayed a range of emotions, running the gamut from surprise to lust to regret.

"Oh, ma'am, I'm so sorry." Emmett unwound his giant arms from the body of the blonde, with what looked like reluctance, and swiveled the wheelchair holding Jacob's dad around to face her.

Billy smiled at the pretty woman. "Emmett doesn't always look where he's going. His heart's in the right place, however, Miss …"

The blonde straightened her scrub top and smiled a bright smile at Billy. "Dr. Rosalie Hale." She leaned to shake Billy's hand and then shot a glance at Emmett.

Edward could feel Alice start jiggling in her seat again. He looked over at her and noticed a mischievous glint in her eye. She hopped up and headed over to Emmett's side, sticking her hand out at the doctor.

"Hi. I'm Alice." Rosalie shook her hand tentatively, her face uncertain. Alice stuck her free thumb out at Emmett, who was still standing somewhat dumbstruck behind Billy's chair. "And this big lug is Emmett Swan. Are you here to look in on Jacob?"

Rosalie nodded, reaching for the chart by the door. "I am. Are you all family?"

Billy spoke. "I am his father, Billy Black, Dr. Hale. How's he doing?"

Rosalie checked over his chart and then looked at Billy. "He's doing really well. And healing rather quickly, it seems. Does your family have mutant genes?" She chuckled at her own joke.

Emmett, finally coming out of his stupor, guffawed loudly, causing Rosalie to start. "If it wasn't for the hair, you'd be a perfect Professor X, Billy. That's good news, though, eh?" He clapped the man in the wheelchair on the back, causing the chair to roll forward a bit. "When's he going to be able to go home?"

Edward noticed a sparkle of excitement in Rosalie's eyes as she gave Emmett a stern look. He recognized it as the same sparkle he saw in both Alice and Jasper's eyes last night. Groaning softly, he ran a hand through his hair. Does everyone have to pair off in front of me?

"I think he'll be ready to go home tomorrow at some point, Mr. Swan, Mr. Black."

Relief bloomed on Billy's face, but before he could express it in words, Emmett butted in. "It's Detective Swan, actually." He turned his torso slightly so that his gun and badge were visible. "But you can call me Emmett, Dr. Hale." Emmett grinned. Edward rolled his eyes. Even as a guy who was fully certain of his attraction to women, he knew Rosalie was done for.

Rosalie's cheeks turned a slight shade of pink as she straightened up and shook her head slightly as if to clear the cobwebs. "Well, Emmett, I feel so much safer to know that our police force has such coordinated men as yourself protecting and serving." Her sarcasm was evident, yet playful. Edward fought the urge to groan louder. Billy chuckled. Rosalie continued, not noticing Edward's obvious distress. "And, it's Rosalie."

"Ma'am." Emmett pretended to tip an imaginary hat in her direction. "I'd like to make my earlier bullishness up to you, if I might. Billy and I were on our way to the cafeteria for some coffee. Would you care for a cup?"

Rosalie's pretense of annoyance wore off as she contemplated Emmett's offer. "I was heading down toward the cafeteria after checking on Jacob, actually …"

Emmett pounced on the opportunity, reluctantly tearing his eyes away from Rosalie and turning his attention toward Billy. "Excellent. Billy, I'll grab you a cup."

Billy smiled. "It best not be cold when you get it back here, Detective Swan," he said as he rolled his chair back into the room. Emmett and Rosalie walked off toward the end of the hallway; Emmett's laugh continued to ring through the building even after they'd turned the corner.

Bella spoke to Billy softly, placing a kiss on his cheek, and traded him places at Jacob's bedside. She turned to walk out the door. Edward automatically moved to stand, to move toward her, when an arm shot out from behind the wall and grabbed Bella's elbow.

She turned toward the body belonging to the arm and smiled, tensely.

"James." The name came out like a hiss. Edward hadn't realized Alice was standing next to him again; her movements were quick and oddly quiet. The way she said James' name, however, made the hair on the back of Edward's neck stand at attention. His brow knotted and his hands clenched in fists at his side. The hand on Bella's arm released, slightly, and trailed down her skin as it was removed. Edward felt his lips curl back in a sneer.

Bella shivered, as if she was cold, and rubbed a hand on the trail James' hand had followed. She turned her eyes toward Edward, looking startled when she saw his face. Edward watched as her expression changed and quickly smoothed his to look caring. What is it about this girl that brings out the animal in me? Edward realized he'd been nearly ready to pounce on the man attached to the offending limb. As Bella walked out of the room, he attempted to regain his composure.

"Edward," she began, apologetically. "I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting for so long."

Edward grimaced internally. Great. She thinks I'm mad at her. "It's OK, Bella. Alice and I have been talking."

"I've been pumping him for information about Jasper." Alice took her roommate's arm in hers. "He's been a very willing informant."

Bella laughed, looking from Alice to Edward. "She didn't threaten bodily harm, did she? She's more vicious than she looks. She's been known to rip a few heads off in order to make things go her way."

Alice's face darkened as a man came up to their little circle. "I'm likely to do it again, too," she muttered so low that Edward barely caught it.

"Alice." James said the name as though it tasted bitter. Edward watched as his eyes slowly moved across Bella—Edward didn't want to imagine what thoughts were running through his mind—and then progressed their way to meet Edward's. Sizing up the competition. Edward stood straighter and realized that he had a few inches on the other man. Perhaps not in the biceps and forearms—James looked as though he spent more than a few hours in the weight room—but in height for sure. And he was fast.

"Hello …" Edward left the questioning greeting hanging in the air.

"I am James."

"Edward Cullen."

Edward continued to meet James' gaze. He would have stood there all day, proving he wasn't going to back down, if it wasn't for Bella's interjection.

"Edward, um, we can go now. Jacob needs to rest."

Edward reluctantly tore his eyes away from their battleground. He looked into Bella's and instantly felt relaxed, at ease. He took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. He watched as Bella's mouth fell open slightly, in an inaudible gasp, and wondered, curiously, what had caused her to do that.

Alice tugged at Bella's sleeve, pulling her down to whisper in her ear. As Bella listened, a blush crept into her cheeks, but she smiled at the same time. She cocked her head in Edward's direction, a twinkle in her eye.

"Jasper should be getting home about now, right Edward?" Bella asked. Alice bubbled beside her.

Edward glanced at his watch before answering. "Yeah, he should."

Alice jumped in. "Well, we wouldn't want to leave him hanging on Jacob's status, now would we?"

Edward wasn't sure where this train was headed. Jasper barely knew Jacob. "Um, no?"

"We should be getting back to tell him the good news, right?" Alice winked.

Edward's brain kicked into gear. They want to go back to your place, idiot. Sometimes Edward thought his subconscious was more intelligent than he was. "Oh, of course. Let's go to the apartment. Jasper will be worried."

James cleared his throat. Edward had almost forgotten he was standing there. Almost. The hair standing up on the back of his neck was a good reminder.

"It was … good … to meet you James. I'm glad you and Jacob will be OK." Edward met James' eyes for one last tense moment.

Alice wrapped her free arm around Edward's and pulled both he and Bella toward the exit. "See ya James!"

Bella gave James a smile. "Heal quick, James. See you soon."

Edward could feel James' eyes attempt to burn a hole in the back of his head as he walked away, chuckling to himself.

***

The music was blaring out of the apartment as Edward led Bella and Alice down the hall. Edward grimaced slightly, Jasper liked to listen to music—loudly—when no one else was home.

The apartment door was vibrating with the force of the music coming from behind it. Ray LaMontagne, Edward thought, with a slight smile. Over the blaring horns and drums, they could hear Jasper singing along at the top of his lungs.

"And baby, the way you move me, it's crazy. It's like you see right through me. And you make it easier … You please me and you don't even have to try."

Alice turned to Bella, a huge grin on her face. "He's singing."

Bella smiled back at her. "'You Are the Best Thing,' no less."

Edward was surprised. He turned to the girls as he put a hand on the doorknob. "You two are Ray LaMontagne fans?"

Alice turned to him, her grey eyes sparkling. "Bella is. She's been listening to this song on repeat for the past few weeks, so I know it. It's … it's got some great lyrics."

Bella chuckled. Edward knew that Jasper liked to listen to music that fit with his moods; he should have figured Bella knew that about him too and had passed it on to Alice. He wondered why Alice had pressed him so hard for information back in the hospital; he was sure Bella knew as much about Jasper as he did, probably even more.

Edward yelled as he opened the door. "Jazz! I'm home! And I brought company!"

Jasper rounded the corner from the kitchen into the living room, still singing along. His mouth clamped shut when he saw who was standing in the entry; his cheeks turned red.

"Uh, hey guys …" Jasper looked at Edward, avoiding making eye contact with the giggling girls.

Alice danced over to him, throwing her arms around his neck and pulling his shoulders down to her level so she could plant a somewhat-unchaste kiss on his cheek. Jasper's face, still red from a moment prior, turned a shade darker, while a huge smile appeared.

Edward laughed at his friend's mix of discomfort and amusement. He led Bella into the living room, leaving Jasper and Alice alone in the entry.

"This is the living room. The bedrooms and bathroom are down that hallway. The kitchen is behind us, obviously." Out of the company of others, Edward was yet again unsure of how to act around Bella. He couldn't find a comfortable position; shifting from foot to foot and moving his hands from his pockets to crossing his arms made him seem more like he had to pee than anything else.

Bella looked around, either oblivious to his plight or kind enough to ignore it. "This is a nice place. Sparse," she said with a smile. "But nice. Jasper's last place was a bit of a dive." Bella turned and walked close to Edward; the scent of strawberries made his heart start to race.

"Bella …" Edward pushed his glasses back into position. The thoughts in his head were battling it out like gladiators in the ring. Tell her how you feel. Tell her she's crazy. Tell her you're crazy. Kiss her. Run away! Take her to your room, now.

"My last apartment was not a dive, thank you. It had character." Jasper and Alice walked into the living room, hand in hand; Jasper's hair looked a little messier than usual. Alice danced to the kitchen and started opening cupboards like she lived there. Bella wandered into the kitchen behind her, looking at a pizza delivery menu stuck on the fridge. "Mind if we order?" She took the menu down and waved it in the air. "I'm starved." Alice found a glass and then went to root around in the fridge.

Edward sighed. Raising an eyebrow at Jasper, he wondered if this sight was going to become more commonplace. Part of him—and if he was honest, a large part—certainly hoped so.

***

The four of them sat around the kitchen table, talking, long after the pizza was finished. Alice had pulled some beers out of the "abyss that was the fridge"—her words, of course—and they'd finished those off too.

Edward was feeling much more at ease with Bella after a few hours and a few beers. He found that they shared a love of more than just Shakespeare—Kurt Vonnegut was one of her favorites and she'd read Catch 22 at least three times. Her wit also amused him; she was extremely imaginative and sarcastic. Even Jasper, who held a heavyweight title in facetiousness, could barely hold his own when she got on a roll. The two of them were also having a little too much fun making googly eyes behind Alice and Jasper's backs.

The light was dimming outside when Alice suggested a movie. She and Jasper went to the shelves holding Jasper and Edward's combined DVD collection to decide on one to watch while Edward and Bella settled on the couch.

Edward sat on one side, willing Bella to make a decision to sit in the middle. His silent prayers to Cupid were answered when she sat down next to him; close, but not too close. She sighed as she sat.

"Are you OK?" Edward's mood went from elated to worried in two seconds flat. He felt very … protective … of Bella. As the night wore on, he'd begun to realize just how quickly and deeply he was falling. The most frightening part was that he didn't care. He'd do pretty much anything to keep a smile on her face.

She smiled up at him. "I'm great, Edward. It's just been a long day. It feels good to relax."

Jasper moved toward the TV while Alice glided to the loveseat. Kicking off her shoes, she curled her legs underneath her. Jasper took the seat next to her after dimming the overhead light; she nestled into his side. Bella smiled at the sight. Edward desperately wanted Bella to feel as at ease with him as it seemed Alice did with Jasper, but he would wait. After last night's kissing incident, Edward was unsure of when or if he should make the "second" first move.

The opening credits of Love Actually started playing. Bella snorted. "Isn't 15 times enough for you Al?"

Alice giggled. "I'm just surprised they had this movie, is all."

Jasper and Edward spoke at the same time.

"It's Edward's."

"It was a gift from my mom."

The girls laughed. Bella looked up at Edward, her eyes once again reminding him of melting chocolate. A strand of her hair fell into her face; without thinking, Edward reached up and tucked it behind her ear. The gesture startled them both.

Edward stuttered, "I, uh …"

Bella shivered, involuntarily. Edward reached behind her to grab the blanket haphazardly thrown over the back of the couch. He opened it, wrapping one end around her and the placing the other on his lap. Bella breathed out through her nose, quickly. The noise sounded definitive; Edward thought she'd just come to some sort of decision. Moving quickly, Bella grabbed a pillow off the unused end of the couch and put in on Edward's lap, scooting so that she could lay her head on it and still be under the blanket.

Edward stiffened for a second, surprised at her action. The weight and warmth of her body leaning on his, however, relaxed him again and he turned his eyes to the television, not even noticing when he began softly brushing his fingers through her hair.


A/N: Was it worth the wait? Let me know what you think. Next chapter, I think we shall be seeing a bit from everyone's favorite most-recent vegetarian vamp (who's not a vamp in this story, but you know who I mean) ...

Thank you to towrite for the inspired idea to have Rosalie show up at the hospital!