Step FOUR: "In the fields of psychology and psychiatry, the terms depression or depressed refer to both expected and pathologically chronic or severe levels of sadness, perceived helplessness, disinterest, and other related emotions and behaviors."

Song of the step: "Enthused" by: blink-182.

Song of the chapter: "Dumb" by: Nirvana.

Quick note: We're starting to get somewhere, aren't we? -winks-

-x-x-x-

Chapter Eleven: I Hope You Didn't Think This Was Over.

"So what was that all about?" Edward made a point of asking as his girlfriend came back into the dining room, phone in hand.

"Jasper. He's upset, big surprise. Kind of pissed off with Alice I think...apparently he found out that she was the one who told Rosalie to take him out bowling, and well yeah he hates bowling so..." she trailed off, sitting back down at the table.

"When did she say that?" Edward pressed. "And better yet, why?"

"When us girls went shopping, and as to why, she said she was 'speeding up the break-up that was practically looming on the horizon.'"

"So she's trying to break them up?"

"Edward, isn't that what I just said?" Bella inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"Not in so many words," he countered.

"Oh don't be difficult!" she remarked, shooting him a look. He sat back in his chair rather abruptly, earning him a triumphant smirk. To be quite honest, if it weren't for all the drama, Bella would be enjoying herself a little too much. Edward was always the one in control of their relationship, and at least for now, she got to have her say. Well, she mused, the man may be the head, but the woman's the neck, enough said there.

"But anyway, yes she is trying to break them up, not in her usual subtle manner, I must say," Bella added. "I fear this is just going to be a setback. I just hope that Jasper doesn't do anything stupid. In fact..." she paused for a moment, "Edward, how would you like to take me bowling?"

"I won't be responsible if you drop the ball on your foot," he made sure to tell her. "But I'd love to take you bowling, Bella."

"Ha, you're such a crack-up. I may be clumsy, but at least I'll be smart enough to pick the lightest ball. That way if such a event occurs, I can save myself a little bit of misery. Let's go though, I don't trust those kids to play nice," she concluded, standing up.

A little over twenty minutes later, Bella Swan was very displeased. So displeased in fact that she was stomping her feet rather abusively against the wacky carpeting in the bowling alley, phone held up to her ear as if it was glued there, and all the while Edward kept his distance, not wanting to get involved.

"I swear to God that if he doesn't answer the goddamn phone, I am going to kick his pansy ass!"

No, Edward thought. Best just to let her get it out on the carpet. Poor carpet, he added in his mind.

"Answer the phone!" she growled into the mouthpiece of her mobile. "Argh, and change your ringtone!"

"Dude, I think she needs a pill or something," Emmett commented from the next chair, wavering slightly. He was completely piss-drunk, and it appeared that in the interest of safety, Edward was going to have to drive him home. "Or wait no...you don't have like a taser on you, do you?"

"No Emmett, just because I'm a detective does not mean I go everywhere armed, especially not a bowling alley," he reminded his friend for what had to be the hundredth time. Ever since Edward had got the job, Emmett was always curious about the weaponry involved, and clearly thought that off-duty-officers were strapped like S.W.A.T. 24/7.

"He's such an idiot, such an idiot...gonna strangle him I swear...fucking idiot," Bella continued to rant, hitting the redial button on her phone every few seconds like it was a compulsion or something. Edward had never seen her so...animated or seen her swear so much. He hoped that for Jasper's sake, he would pick up soon.

"Hey dude, let's bet. Whaddya think his ringtone is?" Emmett asked loudly, which only earned him the glare-of-death from Bella.

"Like I would bet on that, we both know what it is, Hurricane. Bob Dylan. Classic," Edward answered.

"Ha I was right! I bet that you would know what it was!"

"Emmett, that's completely absurd," he added, raising an eyebrow. "Besides, I didn't even agree to bet with you, the terms weren't set, etcetera."

"Huh?" he said.

"Never mind. You're way too drunk to understand, so never mind," Edward muttered. "Bella honey, I don't think he's going to pick up, and frankly, I think we'd better get our friend here home before he hurts himself."

"Fine. But I am talking to him!" she said like it was a threat or something. "What the hell does he think he's doing anyway? Doesn't he know better than to try the old jealousy strategy? Effing idiot."

"I think you may have had a little too much wine," Edward murmured. "But in any case, let's go home."

"Yeah, come on Teddy, let's get you back to the bear cave," she joked with Emmett.

"BatCave, Bella," he corrected her.

"Do you want me to call you Batty now?" she asked, confused.

"No, I'm still Teddy. It's just that Batman had a fucking awesome layer, better than some ole' cave in a forest. I'm talking high-tech here, with like cars and bombs, guns, cars, and bombs!" he added enthusiastically.

"Okay, okay, to the BatCave," Bella amended.

"And away!" Emmett couldn't help himself, chuckling loudly at his little tack-on at the end. Edward rolled his eyes.

"Let's go home," he said firmly.

This chapter is short, but it just came to me so I decided to go ahead and post it. Show me some lurvvve with reviews. Next chapter will be longer, cause... -puts in snotty voice-

People got some 'splaining to do! -snaps fingers in Z formation-