Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight and its characters. The plot and details that lie within belong to goshdarnypooh.

Last time on Regent's Park : But when I slept at Jasper's place I never had this kind of comfort to get me threw the nightmares. Most of the time he just slept through my outbursts and I would lay awake, scared shitless to fall back asleep. But here in Bella's arms I felt safe. She couldn't weigh much over a hundred pounds dripping wet, yet she was protecting a grown man from his insanity.

For the first time in years I slept and the only thing I dreamt of was lying in a bed and holding my Bella.

I guess you could call it a dream come true.

Chapter 9 – Reprieve

BPOV:

The morning light broke through the worn and tattered curtains of the flat and blinded my eyes. My body moved up and down, but not on its own accord. Slowly coming out of my stupor, I realized that I was lying across Edward's chest.

His even breaths carried a rhythmic pattern and helped calm me while I recalled the events from the prior day. Every memory was punctuated with his touch and smooth voice.

I felt inexplicably drawn to him in a physical manner, something that has never happened to me before. This very moment he was really no more then a stranger to me, even after our talks from yesterday. Yet, I felt safe and secure in his grasp.

Edward appeared to be in a coma like state, and as I tried to sit up I realized he had a vice grip on me that would not break.

I truly did not plan on joining him on Alice's bed, but last night when he started to scream and whimper in his sleep, I only planned on calming him. When I laid my head on his shoulder I could feel his body relax under my weight. "Will you stay with me?" Edward had whispered in such a vulnerable voice. I couldn't deny him. In truth, it is what I wanted but was too afraid to ask for.

My eyes caught a glimpse of the clock on the wall and I groaned. As much as I wanted to stay in bed ogling over Edward, I had to get ready for my internship and afternoon class.

"Edward," I whispered into his ear. He did not move and I stroked the messy hair from his eyes and tried again, "Edward, I have to get up."

"Like bloody hell," he moaned and simply grasped me tighter. It was then that I felt something hard jabbing into my thigh. I took my hand to figure out what it was and tried to move it when I heard him growl, "Bella."

Edward's eyes were open in a flash, and they held the most menacing stare. It took me only a beat to realize what I was touching through a thin layer of cotton. My eyes went large and I felt the blush spread across my face.

"I'm—I'm so sorry. I didn't mean—," I tried to jump out of the bed and hid my embarrassment but he held his grip.

Edward muttered under his breath before sitting us both up, relaxing his hold but not letting go.

"That blush is very becoming on you," I could die with that smile of his. Without warning he pulled me into an embrace nuzzling his head into my hair.

"Did you just sniff my hair again?" As we pulled back and the look on his face was incredulous.

Then he pulled out his patented grin, "Well if you get to touch me, I get to smell you." Damn him and that grin. The blush that had started to recede came back full force.

While Edward was momentarily at ease, I jumped from his hold and headed toward my closet to pull out some clothes for my internship. Pulling out Alice's dress she gave me from the boutique, I grabbed some toiletries and turned back to Edward who was still sitting quietly on Alice's bed.

"Umm, I have to get ready for my internship this morning. I'm going to go to the bathroom, but feel free to just hang around."

Edward jumped up from the bed and it was then that I noticed he was still just in his briefs. The light bounced off his edible abs, and I wanted to go in for the buffet. Crap Bella, hold yourself together! Edward seemed to be oblivious to his state of undress as he walked over to me.

"Thank you Bella," he said in a whisper.

I was dumbstruck and distracted by his muscular shoulders, "For what?"

"For letting me stay here, talking with me yesterday, holding me last night…" His voice drifted off and I noticed how close his scantily clad body now was to me.

I wanted so desperately to ask him about his nightmares, to seek out what had frightened him to the point of screaming. It was obvious in the morning light that his haggard body had seen a great deal of pain. In this morning light I could now see the faint lines of small scars marring his perfect body, and I couldn't stop myself from reaching out and tracing the largest one that stretched across his side.

Edward pulled back in a wince, certainly not from my delicate touch of a scar long past healed. But his face looked physically pained nonetheless. I dropped my hand and took a step back while he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"I have to get ready," I quickly ran from the room and to the bathroom. I turned the shower on and let the scalding water hit my skin. It felt good to focus on the slight pain that started to take away the tension in my muscles. As the water pounded my flesh, I quickly realized that being around Edward was complicated.

More then complicated, he was pure confusion. The man yells at me, kisses me, takes me for a walk in the park, freaks the hell out of me screaming in the night, and then pulls me into his bed. While he is practically naked. On top of it all he admits that he is homeless.

The idea of him being homeless seems absolutely out of place to me. I've met his siblings and his mom, and it doesn't seem like they would just throw him to the curb. Something was there, something that none of them wanted to tell me. Obviously I didn't expect that someone like Esme to come out and say, "Oh by the way, my dashingly handsome son lives on the streets," but a little forewarning would have been nice.

My skin began to prune, and I dried myself off and dressed for the day. As much as I hated to admit it, Alice's design looked fantastic on me. With this new haircut and form fitting clothing I felt almost…chic.

I walked back to my empty room. Edward didn't leave a note, but his clothes were gone, along with his precious guitar, Mary. It should not surprise me; after all I freaked the guy out with the stares.

I gathered my satchel and filled it with my textbook for my afternoon class and threw in a couple of granola bars for breakfast before heading out of my room. I was just to leave when I noticed Edward's pen on my bed. It had not been there last night, and I was not sure why Edward would leave it there this morning. I carefully took it and placed it on my shelf before heading out the door to the Tube station.

When I arrived to Westminster I passed the protesters outside once again. I looked up and down the group but could not spot Riley and figured I would check again when my hours were finished. I had picked up a little sandwich at ISH for him in thanks for talking with the other day and was hoping to drop it off.

Victoria greeted me in the office once again, although greeting was a rather loose term. She looked up and smirked as I made my way to my make-shaft desk in the corner. I pulled out my notes for the opposition paper, as well as the comments I had written down from Riley and started in on my work blocking her and every other distraction in the office.

It was hard putting a voice to the idea that the British government should not provide financial assistance to the homeless. The very notion was contrary to the giving philosophy Renee instilled in me. I recalled a time when I was seven years old and she had brought me to the local soup kitchen over for Thanksgiving. At the time I did not understand what was so different about these people then anyone else I knew.

There was one lady in particular who had the most gorgeous grey hair in natural curls down her back. She wore a tattered jean jacket with colorful patches. I thought it was beautiful, and tugged on my mom's shirt to get her attention. Pointing at the grey haired lady I remember whispering, "Can I get a jacket like that lady, she is pretty."

The grey haired lady overheard me and walked over to us. She knelt down and asked my name.

"Well Isabella, a pretty girl like you should have a pretty jacket," she took it from her shoulders and handed it to me.

My mother shook her head, "This is very kind, but we cannot accept this."

"Nonsense, I so rarely get to gifts. Giving Isabella this coat makes me happy."

Back in Forks, Washington that ragged coat with the patches is still hanging in my closet. I still think it is beautiful.

Despite the counterintuitive nature of the arguments I was writing, I understood the purpose of my product. Only the thought that these arguments would create a stronger offence kept me focused on the task at hand.

For over two hours I put together what I thought was a well-constructed argument against funding homeless initiatives when my mind began to wander to what Emmitt had said the day before.

I wished he would have just come out and told me what his peeve with James was. The cryptic message in the hallway was a bit too James Bond to me. Next thing I know, Emmitt would be pulling up the front of Westminster sitting behind the same Aston Martin Vanquish from 'Die Another Day'. He would have to be rather full of himself to drive around town in something so ostentatious—I hoped that wasn't the case.

I was beginning to wonder if the entire Cullen family was for real. I mean, their parents owned a lavish London townhouse, their daughter was in the makings to becoming a major fashion designer, one son was practicing law in Parliament, and the other son – well, he had a story all his own. My life certainly looked rather mundane in comparison.

Snapping out of my thoughts I looked back at the draft in front of me. I really wished I had more time to have some more time to talk with Riley. I realized how difficult it was to write a paper on a policy that I was not familiar with.

"Ah Bella, how is your first project coming along?" James sudden appearance caused me to jump in my seat, "I am deeply sorry, I did not mean to startle you."

"It's alright. I have my rough draft completed," I sent the document to the printer behind me and quickly handed it over to James.

He looked it over for a minute making slight noises as has he skimmed the page. Victoria glanced up from her desk for a moment catching my eye with a half smirk which quickly fell when she heard, "This is quite good Bella. First try at one of these you say," I nodded in affirmation, "Well you are a natural then. Email this around to the staff before you leave and we will assign someone to work on the counter arguments. Really well done."

"Thank you," I whispered, slightly in shock at his praise. I could not help but notice the pained grimace on Victoria's face. Take that bi-otch!

For the rest of the morning Victoria assigned me mostly busy work answering constituent. I am fairly certain it was her way of letting me know who was the head lackey in the office. Fine paperclip queen, I hear you loud and clear. You are head of office supply land, but I don't expect me to bow down to you anytime soon.

My afternoon class almost put me to sleep. Thankfully Mike beat me to the punch and we were all treated to a British professor rant about lazy Americans. Then he proceeded to continue his lecture in the same monotonous tone sending Angela to sleep. When her soft snores carried across the room or professor finally called it quits for the day.

I arrived back at my flat and found a very anxious Alice waiting on her bed. She jumped to her feet as soon as I entered the room and practically jumped into my arms.

"Did Edward say here last night?"

"Yes, he stayed."

Alice squealed and jumped on her bed where some commenced jumping, "Ever since he came back I have never been able to get him to sleep inside. I could kiss you Bells!"

"Hold back your excitement little pixie. Why didn't you tell me about your brother?"

"It's not more story to tell," she said, "Anyways, I understand that my other brother has requested your presence at dinner this Saturday."

"More like demanded," I set down my bag, "I was going to ask you something last night before you ditched me. Do you know why Emmitt has such a big beef with James Damon?"

"If by 'beef' you mean problem, yes I do know why Emmitt does not like him. My father also does like Damon. Not a member of the entire family likes that prick."

"Why? I mean, he is working on some projects that I whole heartily agree with. Sure he feels a little sleazy, but aren't all politicians."

"I don't think all politicians are dishonest. Emmitt knows more Damon then I do, it's a little complicated and he can probably answer your questions better. All I can say right now is to watch your back," Alice walked over and eyed me up and down, "Oh, and you look good in my dress. I'm going to dress you more often."

I just shook my head and pulled out some comfortable clothes to change into. My jeans felt comfortable and my t-shirt was divine. I did notice that Alice gave me a painful stare when I put on my favorite pair of sneakers.

I thought I heard her mutter, "Didn't hide them hard enough."

Pulling my books out I began to take notes for my class the next day. Images of artifacts from Roman occupied Britain littered the pages. It did not take long for my eyes to roll back and I was about to fall asleep.

The phone rang destroying any chance I had of falling asleep. Alice picked it up and began mumbling responses.

"We'll be there," she hung up and yelled, "Time to get up Bella!"

"No thanks, I'm not hungry and I just want to go to bed."

"Oh Bella, you think you have an option. Up you go!" Alice put both hands around my arm and pulled me up easily. I have no idea where that girl finds her strength but she lifts weights like an ant. I would not bet against her in a wrestling match with Emmitt.

"Where are you taking me Alice?"

"Band practice!" She pulled me up and looked me up and down, "Could I improve your outfit a little bit?"

"Absolutely not, I have been waiting all day for my comfy jeans."

"Umph," Alice touched my hair, "Well, at least let me…" and with no approval from me she pulled my hair back into a high ponytail with a hair band conveniently wrapped around her wrist. She whipped out a mascara wand from the back pocket of her jeans and attacked my eyes.

"What are you, a walking cosmetic bag?" I scrunched my eyes and tried to walk away, but Alice had already applied a coat of lip-gloss to my face.

"That will have to do," Alice nodded in satisfaction and grabbed her purse, "Let's go."

Alice was half way out the building when I finally caught up with her. I observed for the first time when she walked that she had a happy skip in her step. Something good must have happened to her yesterday to put her in such a chipper mood.

"Alice, wait up!" she stopped for just a moment while I caught up and found my breath, "Why do I have to go anyway."

"All I know is that Jasper requested that you be present at the practice and that I deliver you to them."

"This sounds like a hostage situation to me."

"Oh, you Americans always going for the dramatics. Come along."

Alice and I walked the short distance to the Royal Music Conservatory. We entered through the same doors as the last time and walked down the now familiar hallway. Just as the last time, music filtered from the practice rooms and small nooks where the talented musicians practiced in whatever space was available.

The mixture of all the strands of music was almost numbing. Different tempos, clashing keys, even the uneven syncopation of beats began to overwhelm my ears. It was not until we reached the door of the boys' band rehearsal where I was able to focus on one single strand of music and focus again.

Edward stood on stage holding his Mary and strumming against her with precision. Jasper was in the back on drums holding a soft, yet steady beat. There was nothing rushed about their performance, simply the relaxed banter of instruments speaking in harmony with one and another. The breath I had been holding in since I entered the building slowly released itself and I was at ease.

Alice pulled me to the front of the theatre and sat in the same location as last time. My anger last time prevented me from truly appreciating the beauty of what was happening on stage. Right now I could see the subtle manner in which Edward strummed the strings and how he would bite his lower lip when he was particularly concentrating. Or the way he leaned his weight into his left foot and scrunch his eyes shut when he needed to hear the chord progressions.

When I set aside all of the anger from the first time I heard him play, and all of the nervousness from the second time in the pub and I listened, really listened, I finally felt like I understood the essence of Edward Cullen.

I could hear the slight lack of self-confidence in him when he would try to improvise leaving some notes to come in slightly delayed. I heard the pain when the vibrato of his voice would falter on the low long notes. I felt the sadness when his hands would dip into the minor chords when he improvised.

The mystique of Edward was never really hidden from me, it was that he was waiting for it to come out in the only way he knew how to express it. In my head I could not comprehend how someone so talented was not out on stage every night performing like he was destined to do.

Alice and I sat back in our seats and did not even whisper to each other. I think she realized I needed time to process what was in front of me, unlike before when I jumped to conclusions.

The band finished the song and Jasper called for a break. He and Edward bounced off the stage to the seats. The other guys yelled that they were heading out for a smoke break and left out a side door.

"How did you girls like that?" Jasper asked with an expectant grin on his face.

"It was alright," Alice sauntered over to him before throwing her arms around his shoulders.

"Just alright? Bloody hell, I write a love song for you woman and you practically stab my heart!" Jasper feigned annoyance.

"Really, that was the one!" Alice began smothering his face with kisses, "Oh Jazz it was perfect."

Edward and I looked on as the couple continued to increase their affection toward one and another.

"Want to go outside for a few minutes?" Edward asked me.

"Yeah, I can only handle so much of that," I waved my hands around at Jasper and Alice.

Edward pulled me out the back door of the small auditorium and to an exit right by the side bypassing many of the practice rooms. He walked to a small set of trees and pulled out a cigarette, "Do you mind?"

"They're your lungs, its not like you use them for anything—you know—like singing."

He just nodded and proceeded to pull out his lighter but did not light his cigarette. His fingers were fidgety and his eyes shifted around nervously.

"Bella, I told Jasper that I needed to talk to you. That's why he asked Alice to bring you here tonight."

"Okay…well, what do you want to talk about?"

"I didn't tell you my entire story last night. I left some things out, I'd be a right fool if I came out with everything to a woman I just met," Edward took a step toward me, "I need to ask you a favor, but I need to tell you a little more about my past first."

"Alright," I said hesitantly. Edward was racking his hand through his hair, and he was starting to make me anxious.

"When I graduated from secondary school my father wanted to push me into medicine. It was a family tradition, and Emmitt had already decided on law. Alice, well Alice was always more of a creative soul growing up. That left me to carry on the legacy,

"I was never really interested in becoming a doctor. Since I was eight years old I wanted to become a musician, travel the world and sing my songs. I applied to the Royal Music Academy and was admitted. I also applied to medical school. Although my dream was to be here, my father's guilt pushed me to become a doctor.

"A year into the program, I had a few personal issues. The pressure became too much and I truly only wanted to be making music. I just wanted to get away from it all. Without telling my family, I quit school and went abroad for a year and a half.

"When I came home there were—some complications. My father was upset with both my decision, to quit school and go abroad. I was angry as well for his vocal opposition to me leaving. There was no way I could stay at his home, and by then Emmitt had already moved out and Alice was here. I had no money, no place to live, and a huge chip on my shoulders.

"But now—now I want to go back to school. I want to apply to the Royal Music Academy. The only thing that I have to submit still is one original composition."

I watched on as Edward put his left hand to the bark. His nervous hands shook as he walked around the tree always keeping his hand in contact of the ruff surface. The way he moved it looked like he was paying homage to the young sycamore tree. He completed his circle and walked toward me.

"That is why I need to ask you a favor. The composition I wrote is a duet for male and female voices. Every time I play it, I hear your voice as the harmony line."

Not it was my turn to become nervous. There was no way that I could perform his school admission piece. Inside the building beside me were some of the most talented musicians in the world, and I could not stand in comparison.

"Edward, I am not a singer, despite my ill fated attempts at karaoke. This, this is your future, I cannot be responsible for messing up your chances of getting in."

Edward took another step closer and put his hand on my cheek, the contact made my body tingle and I could see the black of his emerald eyes darken.

"Tell me you don't feel that Bella, tell me you do not feel this connection?" His hand moved to tangle itself in my hair while my body remained frozen in place, "Because I can and I have never felt this bond between anyone in my life."

"You're frightening me," I whispered. Of course I felt it, but to know he did too was overwhelming.

Edward's face came dangerously close to my own, while his free hand wove around to the small of my back to bring me closer. The fire in his eyes was overwhelming, and I feared that my own had a matching intensity. A week, a damn week is all I had been in London and all it took for me to fall for this strangely irritating yet utterly lovely man.

His lips found mine while my heart beat wildly. Subconsciously my hands that were frozen at my side began to move up his chest where I grabbed the fabric and pulled him closer. Hungrily his tongue licked my lips and I opened up to feel it warm my mouth. Nothing tasted as good as Edward.

My leg hitched itself around his thigh, and in this moment I forgot that we were in a public place where a pedestrian could walk by at any moment and find me groping this handsome man. It appeared that Edward had forgotten his inhibitions as well, or perhaps he was more practiced at blocking out everything that surrounded him. His arm began to rub up and down my back before running down the length of my body to my hitched leg. Even through the thin cotton of my clothes I could feel the reverence in which he touched me.

We broke our kiss as I gasped wildly for air. Edward stroked my face once again, but made sure my leg was still hitched around his waste. A smile crossed his swollen lips.

"That connection is the only one that will make my composition acceptable. The admittance jury will know I am merely performing if anyone but you at my side. But with you Bella, with you they will know it is genuinely from the heart. I don't think I would have the courage to do this with anyone else."

What little breath I regained was quickly knocked back out of me by his admission. Edward survived on the streets. I honestly could not imagine him ever faltering for courage. Yet, here he was admitting that he needed me to perform. It was part enduring, and part nerve-racking that he felt the same strong connection.

I wanted to tell Edward that I would consider his request. That I needed some time to think things over, especially with my busy class schedule. I did not know when I would have time to practice and learn an original piece from scratch. I wanted to give a diplomatic response, but the moment I looked up at him my usually strong resolve faltered.

"I'll try," and I realized I would. I certainly could not boast the best voice, but if my being there made him comfortable then it would be worth the risk of my failure. Because in the end the possibility of Edward finding his way again in the world was too beautiful of an opportunity to pass up.

The idea of being on the receiving side of such perfect kisses may also have crossed my mind. As if he heard my thoughts, Edward lowered his lips once again, this time in a much gentler fashion floating small kisses around the corner of my mouth.

"Beautiful," he whispered under his breath as his nose rubbed up and down my jaw line, "Let's get you inside, it's going to downpour any moment."

I had been too busy being charmed by Edward to even realize it had begun to lightly sprinkle. Small water droplets had already gathered in my and his hair. If I had a little less decorum, I would have licked one of the drops that sat on the tips of his chestnut tresses. It was almost frightening the power this man had over my body.

He led me back inside the auditorium where the band was gathering back together to continue with the rehearsal. Edward bounded onto stage and I went to sit next to Alice.

It was like night and day seeing him on this stage. Here he was confident and commanded the stage. But I could not help but think that the man I had seen outside was closer to the true Edward. At his very core he was slightly insecure and not altogether sure of himself. I wanted to make music with that Edward.

"What were you doing with my brother out there," Alice whispered.

"He is applying to the Royal Music Academy, and he wants me to help sing his admission piece."

Alice began to squeal and clap loudly. The boys on stage turned to glare at her, but she ignored them, "Oh Bella, I have been trying to persuade him to do this for ages! Now he is finally going to give it a go. This is brilliant news, and I know just what changed his mind!"

Edward and his band mates ignored Alice's exuberance and continued on with their set list. The tempo slowed down and I recognized the song as the one Edward played at the pub in Sheppard's Bush, 'Holding on'. While I preferred the piece with just Edward and his acoustic guitar, the full band arrangement was really spectacular. I could almost envision it as a single off an album.

There Alice and I sat watching the band finish their rehearsal working through two more songs. They were packing up for the evening when the little pixie went up to her brother and asked him to stay the night in our flat because the forecast looked like rain. He refused. I could see disappoint and worry in her face.

"Please Edward, stay with us. If she doesn't dress you up in the morning, then I have to suffer through it," I put my hand gently on his arm, "Plus, it looks like you left your pen behind again."

For the second night in a row Edward and I slept in the same bed. Alice did not even bat an eye when I opened my blanket to let him in. In fact, she looked rather smug. For the second night in a row the nightmares I had been plagued with for weeks never made an appearance, and Edward seemed to sleep just as peacefully as me. Everything was peaceful.

Until Saturday when my world started to slowly crash down.