Ah. Okay, so, here's the story. I was sick yesterday and I began to think of the way that I really wanted this story to go and then it just hit me. So, I got my trusty laptop and began typing up different ideas and chapters. I'm still sick but I feel better now and thanks to those who wished me better health. :D I'm not giving out anything on my future plans for this story. Translated: I'm going to be evil and not give you any hints! Ha. But hey, I got this chapter up quicker than I thought I would so enjoy it.

Sorry if this chapter was a little fast-paced but I had to have this done before they wet back to work or my story wouldn't have made sense. I hope you like it!

This Thing We've Started

To say that I was nervous was an understatement. Actually, it was the biggest understatement in the world. I gulped as I pulled on my red Christmas party dress. It wasn't seeing old friends or having to deal with family that made me so nervous that I wanted to dig a hole and jump into it. It wasn't even the fact that everyone would probably get embarrassingly drunk off eggnog tonight.

It was the bronze-haired doctor downstairs who made me want to runaway and hide. I hadn't seen or talked to him since the 'accident' last night. I had started referring to it as an accident since he obviously didn't want it. I felt like a complete fool.

And now Alice had me getting into this annoying dress made of some silky material that exposed way too much of my chest and showed off my legs just a bit too much for my liking but Alice had insisted that I needed to wear it. Did I mention she was always a little overly dramatic?

I snorted at my thoughts and looked in the mirror in front of me. I had been confined to Alice's bathroom and closet for the past three hours and I hadn't let a single word about the 'accident' slip. Thankfully, she had only asked how I slept and left it at that.

I felt like an idiot for what I did though. I had gone through all the reasons as to why he would have left but I couldn't find one that stuck. I hadn't been as hammered as I thought and so he had no reason to leave. I felt rejection go through me again and I turned away from the mirror, running a hand through my curls.

"Are you ready to go downstairs Bell?" I jumped when I heard Rosalie's voice from outside the door. She opened the door slowly and I smiled at her when our eyes met. "Are you okay?"

I self-consciously ran a hand along my cheek, checking for tears. "I'm fine."

"No you're not," she said before closing the door and walking over to me. She stopped when she was within touching distance and I looked down at my bright red heels. "What's wrong?"

The feelings of hurt and rejection resurfaced again and I looked up into her eyes. I didn't want to tell her in fear that she'd tell Alice and then Alice would freak out on her brother and then everyone would know. But then again, Rose knew when to keep her mouth shut.

"If I tell you something, you can't tell anyone, okay?" She nodded understandingly and I sighed. "I…I kissed Edward last night."

"Really?" She exclaimed and I nodded. "That's great Bells! I always knew you liked him."

"He walked out." Her smiled instantly vanished and I felt tears welling up as I remembered the way he just left me standing there.

"He did what?!"

"You can't say anything!" I reminded her and she quickly pulled me into a hug. I was surprised but I hugged back. She pulled away a few moments later and I looked from her to the door but she grabbed both of my cheeks and forced me to look at her.

"He's an ass if he can't see what he's missing."

"You're supposed to say that. You're my best friend." She laughed and rolled her eyes.

"I don't say things to make people feel better," she said seriously and I knew that. She had been that way since high school. "But I mean it when I say that any guy is crazy not to like you Bella."

"Thanks," I said with a small smile. "We better go or people might start looking for you." She smiled and we linked arms before we began our way downstairs. I heard the corny Christmas music before we had even made it all the way down. I saw the silver tinsel hanging along the stairs and above the doors. There was even mistletoe hanging in between the open kitchen door.

We stopped when we reached the living room. There was a table covered with beverages and Christmas-related foods. Esme and Carlisle did a wonderful job as always. I noticed them talking to Jasper and Emmett but Alice and Edward were out of sight.

"Mommy!" I turned when I heard Rose's daughter. I smiled when I saw her and she went straight to her mother who picked her up and went to Emmett, who was already waiting for them; they were the picture perfect family.

I watched as everyone mingled and I noticed a few old friends from high school. I smiled at a few but one girl in particular caught my eye.

"Jessica Stanley?"

She looked over at me and waved. "Bella Swan?"

"That would be me," I said with a small smile. She walked over and hugged me. We weren't really great friends but we had hung out a few times. She always had a crush on Edward but she ended up dating Mike if I remembered correctly.

"How have you been?"

"Great," I said, wondering if getting into this conversation was a bad idea. "I've been working in Seattle."

"You're the…Dean of Medicine at Plainsboro-Seattle right?" I nodded suspiciously. "Esme told me." I nodded as my mouth formed a comical 'O'.

"What about you?"

"I'm actually finishing school," she said happily and I smiled.

"That's good."

"So, have you seen Edward around here?" She seemed excited and I wanted to roll my eyes but I shrugged and looked around but he was still nowhere to be found.

"I'll let him know you're looking for him when I see him," I told her before she hugged me and left me to go talk to a few other people.

"Hey Bells," I heard and I turned to see Alice in a dress similar to mine. "You look great!"

"You look great too!" I exclaimed and she laughed. Her short black spikes seemed to bounce as she did.

"Are you looking for someone?"

I looked at her, confused. "No…why do you think I'm looking for someone? Why would I be looking for someone?" I knew I sounded nervous and my continuous lip biting proved it.

"You seem nervous…you're just excited to see Edward huh?"

I put on a fake smile. "Yeah…that's it." I looked around, making sure he wasn't around to hear me lie.

"Well, he's right there," she pointed and I turned to see him talking to Jessica. When did he get there? She was laughing at something he was telling her and I rolled my eyes as she put a hand to her chest dramatically. I always knew she liked him but I never expected her to become desperate.

"Bella," she called and my eyes met Edward's when he looked over at me. I tugged at my necklace instantly and pulled my curls in front of my face, shielding me from his stare. It was awkward enough. "I found him." I gave her thumbs up and she began to walk towards me, dragging Edward behind her.

My eyes widened as she stopped when she was close enough. Edward looked uncomfortable and I was pretty sure I looked the same. I turned to Jessica and suddenly wanted to tackle her.

"We were just talking about the hospital and stuff," she rambled on, staring at Edward the entire time. Edward and I were still locked in a heated gaze and I could tell that he was nervous. I was nervous but I felt hurt seeing him now.

"Edward…can I talk to you in the kitchen please? We have to help Esme with the…dessert." He met my eyes and I nodded before he agreed and we excused ourselves from Jessica. He followed me to the empty kitchen and I shut the door. I turned and saw him leaning against the kitchen island.

"We have to talk," I said quietly.

"Actually, we don't," he replied and I shot him a glare. "Why do we have to talk?"

"Right now is not the time to be playing your boss," I said and he rolled his eyes.

"Why are you being so dramatic?"

"Because we kissed!" I nearly yelled. I was angry and hurt and a part of me felt good to yell it but another part of me still felt like a fool.

"Oh that," he said as if he were bored. My eyes looked down at the floor in hurt.

"I didn't mean it," I lied and he looked up, surprised. "But why did you walk away?"

"If you didn't mean it then why do you care?"

"I didn't say I didn't like it," I said with a sly smile. I was still hurting but I had to figure out why he left.

"We can't do this Swan," he said as he pushed himself off the counter and headed towards the door. I blocked it and he gave me a look. "I can easily move you."

"Why did you walk away?"

"Why do you care?"

"Tell me why you walked away," I said sadly. He must have seen it because he backed away and sighed loudly.

"We can't do this," he repeated. "You're my boss and it wouldn't work."

"Was I asking for a relationship?" He looked surprised for a second time. "Why won't it work because I'm your boss? We just kissed and I want to know why you left me. That's probably a new one for you."

"I left because I didn't want to hurt you," he said quietly and my mouth almost fell open. He didn't want to hurt me? "It's hard to explain."

"Well, I'm pretty sure I can figure it out."

"Listen Swan…this," he pointed from him to me, "can't be anything."

"And why not?" I bit my tongue the instant it came out. I didn't mean for it to slip out but I had said it in the heat of the moment.

"Because…it would just end up with you hurt."

"And you care?"

"Why wouldn't I?" I was shocked as I stood there watching him shuffle from foot to foot. He looked too good for words in his tight black dress shirt with his messy hair. His strikingly green eyes watched me for a moment before I thought over everything he said. He cared about me or he cared enough about me to walk away; it was sweet in a painful kind of way. I looked at him and our eyes met before he began to walk towards me.

He stopped right in front of me. "Why did you really walk away Edward?"

"I told you," he said but I knew he was lying.

"No," I demanded. "Tell me the real reason."

"That is the real reason," he whispered. I could feel his breath on my face as he leaned in closer.

"No it's not," I breathed.

"I knew that if I didn't stop us that we would turn this into something that neither of us would be able to stop," he said quickly and I stared at him for a moment.

"Very smart," I mumbled. "But you're still very stupid."

"Why?"

"Because you're still talking," I said before I went forward an inch and met his lips in a heated kiss. I knew it was wrong to start this again but when he didn't pull away, I smiled into the kiss and his lips began to move against mine. He pulled me closer to him and our bodies fit together perfectly. My arms went around his neck and his arms wrapped around my waist before he pulled me up so that my legs wrapped around his waist.

He carried me to the counter and set me down on it so I could reach his lips easier. His lips were soft as they moved against mine perfectly. I felt him asking for entrance so my lips parted and our tongues instantly began to fight for dominance.

When I needed air, I pulled away and we just stared at each other. As I looked into his alluring green eyes, all my thought were jumbled except one. The one that rang through my mind was crystal clear and I couldn't help but agree with it.

What had I gotten myself into?

Go ahead and squeal! Ha. Nah, but seriously, did you like the way I ended it? At first, I wasn't completely sure but Rose assured me that it was fine. Then again, she's already read a lot of my future chapters. Was it too much? Come on...you all knew they were attracted to each other. It was only a short amount of time until they acted on their impulses! :D

As always, review and such. Thanks to everyone who reviewed by the way. You guys make my inbox and me very happy. :D

Ashleigh ;D