Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters from Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series. The following story is fictional and does not depict any actual person or event. This story is for entertainment only and is completely made up from my head.

Any mistakes you find will be mine. The incredible people who polish up as many of my flaws as possible, aren't to blame, it's all me in the end. They're my flaws.

A/N

I can never say thank you enough to my incredible betas EdwardsFirstKiss, Driving Edward and Midnight Cougar. Also, to my incredible pre-readers from my FB street team Bbmassey88, Karen Cullen Grey, Destapan, Tammy, Sassy98200 and Pimm Cullen.

I hope everyone had a great summer. I am ready for the fall and cooler weather. I know you are also ready to get back to it.

Announcement and chapter 11 teaser following.

Song: As these chapters go along, I've fond myself submerged in a list of songs for each chapter that I'll like to share with you. First up: Never Think (Robert Pattinson)

See you at the bottom.

Chapter 10

Edward

"Edward, have you been up this entire time?"

I looked up at Tanya. "I'll be right there."

She walked over and felt my forehead. I hated that.

"Are you ill?" she asked.

"No, just busy." I continued to go over the reports.

"Busy enough not to fuck?"

I looked up. Her hands were on her hips and she was angry.

"I said I'll be right up." I continued to look over the estimates regarding my debt.

"Why? I'm leaving in a minute."

What?

I looked closer; she was fully dressed, and her suitcase was at the doorway. "What time...?" I looked down at my laptop. "How could I...?"

"It's six, Edward. You've been working all fucking night and I'm leaving for two weeks. We didn't even spend much time together!" She stormed out.

Shit! I was wired. Bella was all I could think about and I had to drown out the thoughts. Working on my bail-out plan helped. Seeing her with her husband...I couldn't get out of the restaurant fast enough. Seeing his hands on her...the rage that grew inside me was fueling on unhealthy thoughts. He seemed like a nice guy, but was no good for her. It didn't take me long to assess they weren't right for each other. The thought of her with him had me losing my shit.

A warm sensation started to grow inside me and my head started to pound harder. The ache was turning into something more tormenting over my right eye. Tanya roared back into my office, throwing the blinds open and the blinding sun seared my flesh and damaged my retinas.

"Shut the damn drapes!" I demanded, but she just looked at me.

I shut my eyes as the intense pain spread from the right to the left. The side effects of my medicine were headaches, but I had never had them like that. I took one of the mood enhancers Laurent prescribed when I needed a boost. I could feel myself losing control and spiraling into the darkness that was always ready to welcome me back.

"Are you going to stay here or are you going to take me to the airport?" Tanya yelled.

I texted Peter to have the car ready for us in ten. He wasn't heading to Bella's until later.

"Give me a moment to freshen up and we'll go."

-C-

"Did I do something wrong?" Tanya asked in that tone.

I looked up into Peter's sympathetic eyes in the rear view mirror. "No."

I wasn't going to fish today. I had a throbbing headache and wasn't in the mood.

She stared out the window saying nothing for a while until we crossed over the bridge. "Well, do you even plan on still coming to LA?"

"Yes."

She turned her body toward me. "Really, Eddie! I don't deserve one of your moods."

I held my tongue.

"Is it wrong for your girlfriend to want some time with you?"

My head wouldn't stop pounding. "Tanya, I said I will be there!"

"I want you to want to be there, Edward."

I couldn't handle that shit right then. My skull was about to explode, and my patience was barely hanging on.

"You're right. I will do better."

I could sense Peter chuckling inside.

"I just want us to be happy," she said quieter.

I looked at her and she had tears forming in her eyes.

"Why don't I plan something for us when I come?"

She squealed like a school girl. "That will be amazing."

I gave her an empty smile in agreement.

-C-

"Angela, can you plan something special in LA while I'm there? One night only, be as creative as you want. Dinner or a meal will need to be included with whatever you plan."

"Yes, sir." She handed me two aspirins.

Peter must have called her after I mentioned my headache to him when we dropped Tanya at the airport.

"Also, can you send Tanya some flowers?"

"Yes, sir."

"Is Bella in?"

"Yes, and she scheduled a meeting with you for this afternoon."

I paused, thinking about being alone with her.

"Reschedule."

"Okay, sir. For tomorrow?"

"No, for...set it up next week. Before I leave for LA on Friday."

"Next Thursday?"

"Perfect!" I said and walked away.

-C-

Now, she was in my dreams. The vodka nightcap didn't chase her away. Dreams of her body pressed down into the mattress as I fucked her hard. My cock pounding in and out of her. I filled her full. Her tight pussy barely taking me all in. I made sure I stretched her wide. She would feel me for days. Fucking walk with a limp. I flipped her over as I buried myself from behind. She wasn't going to sit down either if I had my way. Every hole would be yearning for my cock.

I woke up sweating, sheets damp and a boner of stele. I jerked off in the shower, coming harder than I had in a long time. I still had a semi when I returned to bed. I dreamed of her all night, and every night since.

-C-

"I need something that helps me sleep and not dream."

"Hello to you." Laurent watched me take the seat across from his desk.

A desk that was as old as the building itself. Everything in his office was an antique. I mentioned to him before to update his office, but the dude liked ancient things.

"Are you having side effects to the medicine, Edward?"

"No, I need something else to sleep."

"Why, does Tanya snore?" He snorted.

"Yes, but that's not why. I haven't been able to get a decent nights rest. I keep having these dreams and I need to sleep."

He leaned in with the hand steeple on top of his desk. He was now in doctor mode.

"I can run some tests."

"I don't need any tests. I need something to help me!"

"Hey, I'm your friend remember. I'll help you with anything; I want to make sure you're okay physically. Sometimes our bodies—"

"I'm dreaming about Bella Black."

He stared. "The decorator?"

"I'm fucking her all night in these dreams."

He leaned back. "Isn't she married?"

I cocked a brow.

He threw his hands up. "Edward, did you hit that?"

"No. Not yet." I shook my head. "I mean no, no!"

He thought for a moment, fingers resting on his chin. "It could be anxiety. In the dreams, she could be your subconscious trying to help you in some way."

He didn't sound convincing.

"She's helping me get blue balls." The bastard started to laugh. "Do you laugh at all your patients?" I huffed.

"Not the blue ball ones, just you." He laughed harder.

I got up, and he quickly walked around his desk.

"Man, sit down!" He grabbed my shoulders, pushing me back down into the seat, and then flopped himself on the edge of his desk. "You cannot smash a married woman! You've been around Mike too long."

"I don't plan to fuck Bella! She's not that type of woman and I wouldn't put her in that situation. I respect her and myself to much to do that. I've made it a point to stay away from her until I get...well...sleep. I don't feel in control, not now; and especially when she is around."

Laurent's brows turned in as his head tilted to one side. "There could be a deeper subconscious level to these dreams. Maybe, you're thinking whatever you are feeling could be mutual?"

I looked at him. "If she wasn't married, I would have had her months ago."

He pondered that for a moment.

"Edward, have you thought about sharing these dreams or feelings with her?"

"What the fuck, man? No! Everyone isn't as sensitive as you are, Laurent." Then, I thought about the times I tried to get a reading off her, and hinting around never seemed to work. "What would I say? I'm having dreams about fucking you into next year." He snickered. "I'm fucking super man in these dreams, Laurent. It's crazy."

He laughed harder.

"Keep laughing, asshole. I'm sorry I said anything."

He placed his hand on my left shoulder. "You can't keep this locked up, man. That's one reason you might be having these dreams. Have you thought that getting this out will help? How has the anxiety been?"

"That's why I'm here. I've been working non-stop. Tanya's last night here I never came to bed."

"Ouch. I know she was angry."

I rolled my eyes. "I'll be in LA this weekend. I can make it up to her then."

"While you're thinking about Mrs. Bella Black."

"Whatever, man." I stood back up and looked at my phone. I still had enough time to get to the meeting close to on-time, although they had no choice but to wait for me. I'd already angered them enough with that shitty offer. "I'm trading the 1952. The buyers are throwing numbers as if it's amateur hour. I have to go."

"I'll send the prescription. You'll have it in an hour."

I opened the door and looked back. "Thanks."

"Edward, on a serious note, if you need to talk, I'm here."

I nodded goodbye and left his office.

-C-

"I don't care, Angela, tell them to make it happen or I'll find someone who will!"

Her eyes were saucers, and instantly I felt like an ass. "Yes, sir." She walked out of my office.

She was used to me. Never one to show the pressure I put on her, but when her exterior did crack—which was rare—I felt like an asshole. Angela was the best assistant I'd had, and I made sure she was compensated greatly for dealing with me. But I knew I had been a jerk for too many days recently. The lack of sleep was starting to affect me. I had to get Bella out of my mind. But I couldn't.

When Angela told me Bella was out of the office for the day, my mood deteriorated. I couldn't see her, but knowing she was in the office...close...it was...necessary.

Not having her nearby was unraveling my mental state. My mind wandered to places I didn't want it to go. She mentioned her husband wanting kids. I couldn't even think of that.

Last night, I could feel the darkness winning. The medicine wasn't working. I helped it along with a few glasses of Scotch, but nothing lifted my mood. I worked all night, yet again. I hadn't slept for twenty-four hours at the least.

I needed to do something.

I grabbed my cell immediately.

It didn't register what I was doing until I heard her voice.

"Hello." She sniffed.

"Bella? What's wrong?"

"Edward? Oh..." I could hear her blowing her noise. "Sorry, what can I do for you?"

"I asked you a question!" I didn't mean to sound as harsh as it came out. "Isabella, tell me."

"It's...just personal stuff, Edward."

That made me angry.

"Are you hurt?" I snapped.

"No, no. I'm fine."

The hell she was!

"Where are you?"

"Edward, really, I'm fi—"

"So help me if you say fine again. You don't sound fine. Where. Are. You?"

Her voice hitched. "...I'm at home."

That surprised me. I thought she was out at a store or gallery.

"I told Angela—she didn't tell you? I'm sorry, Edward I had to take some sick days." Her voice quivered.

She was sick. Was that all it was?

"Bella, there's something bothering you and it's not you being sick, is it?"

She didn't answer.

"Are you alone?"

"Yes."

"I'm coming to you."

"No! No please, don't come."

Her words punctured my heart.

"I'm concerned," I admitted.

She sighed. "I'll come to you."

The first thing I thought was that she didn't want me in her home. Her words pierced deeper.

"Come to my apartment then. Peter will bring you. I'll see you in thirty-minutes." I hung up, not waiting for her acceptance.

I called Angela. "Bella called out sick?"

"Yes, sir. I sent you an email."

"How long has she been out?"

"For two days."

Fuck!

What if she really was sick? I asked her to come to my home! What a selfish prick. Yet, deep inside, I knew something more was going on. She would have said no if it were the flu or something that was incapacitating.

There was something going on and I needed to know what.

"Angela, cancel my next two meetings. I'm heading out for a while. I'm not sure how long. I'll call when I finish."

"Yes, Mr. Cullen."

"Also, take a long lunch today. Use the Amex and bring a co-worker or friend. My treat, and take your time."

"Yes, sir!" I could hear the smile in her voice.

I was an ass earlier, and I needed to let her know that I knew it. She understood me well.

"Jessica is on line two for you, sir."

"Thanks." I switched over. "I'm busy."

"Never for me. I need to borrow Lammy."

"No."

"Why waste time, Edward? You know you will let me borrow her, so let's save the bullshitting."

I sighed. My cousin was right. "Fine. I'm heading home now. Stop by later and I will give you the keys."

"Love you, BB." She blew kisses into the receiver.

"Make sure there isn't one scratch and have it detailed when you're done." I hung up.

I hadn't had the Lamborghini for a month and she had driven it more than I had.

Then I called Peter.

"Sir."

"Pick up Bella, immediately, and have her at my home in thirty."

"Sir, it may take forty-five. I'm close but about ten minutes out."

I grabbed my things and headed out the door. "Fine, just get her to me pronto."

****CHAOS****

"Anyone who has actually been that sad can tell you that there's nothing beautiful or literary or mysterious about depression."

Jasmine Warga

A lot going on. As always, would love to read what you are thinking.

Join us over at the FB group for the Chaos discussions.

Going Down O/S Announcement

For those of you who read Going Down. I will be participating in Babies at the Board Fiction Compilation fundraiser. I have written a o/s prequel in Edward's POV and it will only be available for this fundraiser. The teaser and sexy ass banner is up on the FB pages. Link on my profile.

For those of you in the states, have a great Labor Day weekend!

Teaser Chapter 11:

"Do you always go to lunch with the boss?"

I poured a glass of red wine, taking a sip, sitting across from Jake. He was leaned back, arms crossed and eyes glaring at me.

"We discuss business over lunch, Jake. You know, like you do with your boss."

"My boss doesn't look like she wants to fuck me."

Cheers,

Tini!