Stephenie Meyer owns the original characters. I'm just messing around.

Sarahsumbrella and silentnc correct me when I'm wrong and make wonderful suggestions - really wonderful suggestions. Thanks!

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Shutting up now - hope you like!


CHAPTER 12: Save

We stopped at Subway on the way to Tyler Crowley's house party. Edward hadn't eaten, and his after-game appetite was making itself known. He bought us all foot-long subs, eating his and the other half of mine, and then wrestling Jasper for the other half of Alice's.

"Just go get another one, man," Jasper grunted, slapping at his hands and stuffing the sandwich in his mouth as fast as he could. Edward looked at the counter longingly, and I laughed.

"Go ahead if you're still hungry," I encouraged him. "It's better than making Jasper aspirate bread and meat."

He jumped up and went back to the register, coming back with another foot-long sandwich and four chocolate chip cookies to feed that sweet tooth of his. I shook my head as he ate the sandwich down in quick bites as we walked back out to the Volvo, and then started on the cookies. I'd never seen anyone eat as much as he did.

"You must have an incredible metabolism." I shook my head as he tossed the wrapper in the garbage can on the sidewalk before opening the car door for me.

"It's not just my metabolism that's incredible," he teased, waggling his eyebrows.

I laughed as he rounded the car and got in behind the wheel. "Please, Cullen. Your conceit knows no bounds."

"You think I'm pretty incredible," he murmured, leaning toward me over the console between the front seats. "You said so yourself. At the rink, remember?" He ran his nose down my neck.

Just like that I was on fire. I let out a squeak as I felt his warm, moist breath on my skin. He turned his head into me, and the softness of his lips brushed below my ear. My head tipped back and a moan rose in my throat…

I heard a thump as his face smashed into my neck and I felt a slap on the back of my head. My eyes flew open and I twisted around to meet Jasper's amused face. He'd smacked both Edward and me, hard.

"Jesus, you two. Please!"

"Cut it out, Jazz," Alice said as Edward's mouth opened to protest. "I stand corrected. This is better than the porno we watched last night. At least this seems to have a plot." She bounced up and down in the seat, clapping her hands. "Yay!"

"Shut up, you evil little elf," Edward growled, but his mouth twitched into a smile as he met her amused gaze in the rearview mirror.

We pulled up to Tyler's house in a neighborhood somewhere between my house and where they all lived. Edward parked on the street a few cars down from the house, popping the trunk open before we got out of the car. We waited on the sidewalk while he retrieved a brown paper bag out of the trunk. I started to ask what it was, but Alice interrupted.

"Wonder if Angela and Ben are here yet?"

Jasper nodded toward a vehicle on the other side of the street. "Isn't that his car?"

"Oh, yeah. Come on!"

We walked up to the house, and Edward opened the front door. The muffled sounds of music washed over us, along with a wave of humid heat from the crowd of bodies in an enclosed space and the faint smell of spilled beer. I wrinkled my nose and looked around, spotting Ben sitting in a chair across the room with Angela on his lap.

"Over there." I motioned to Alice, and she and Jasper followed me to where they sat. Edward nodded and said something to Jazz before heading in the other direction.

I raised my eyebrow, and Jazz mouthed "kitchen." I shrugged, figuring he was going to get a drink. We made it over to Angela, shouting to hear each other over the pounding music.

"Where were you guys?" she asked.

"Stopped to get something to eat," I answered, and she leaned forward to hear, almost spilling her beer on Ben. He made a neat save, grabbing it out of her hand as she giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck.

He took a big swallow and grinned at her, shaking his head. I looked around, recognizing a few people from school and some of Edward's teammates. There were groups of people everywhere, some talking, some drinking, and some making out on the furniture. I bent down to shout into Angela's ear.

"I'll be right back!"

She nodded, and I weaved my way around people as I headed toward the back of the house. I wished I'd brought my drink from the restaurant in with me, but I figured I could find something non-alcoholic in the kitchen. I'd never really developed a taste for beer, and I was determined to keep my wits about me tonight. If the chance to kiss Edward presented itself, I wanted to be sure to take advantage. There were enough outside forces conspiring against us – I wasn't going to let anything I actually could control interfere. Alice leaned back toward me, raising a brow as I passed.

"I'm going to find something to drink. Want anything?" I asked in her ear.

"No, thanks. I'll grab something in a minute."

I nodded and continued on my way. The kitchen was much less crowded, quieter and less stuffy. I took a deep breath and looked around. There was a line of people going out the back door onto the patio, and I figured that was where the beer was. I grabbed a plastic cup and headed for the sink to fill it with water, but saw a six-pack of ginger-ale sitting by the fridge with a couple of cans already missing. I hesitated, wondering who it belonged to and if they would get mad if I snitched one. It would be better than water—I could pass it off as beer to someone not looking closely and avoid the hassle of explaining why I was drinking water at a party. Not that I cared all that much, but it stopped a lot of unwanted attention. I was all for that.

I opened a can and poured it into my cup, hoping I could find the owner and offer to reimburse them or something. I kept my eyes open for Edward, but didn't see him. I sipped at my drink, wondering if I was brave enough to go back into the crowded room and dodge kids well on their way to being drunk and…dancing. Yikes.

My attention was drawn to two girls stumbling out of a hallway to my right, laughing and clinging to each other. The sudden burst of activity and noise caught my attention, but it was piqued when I overheard part of their conversation.

"…Cullen!" one giggled, looking back over her shoulder. She met her friend's gaze with a snort of laughter and fanned a hand in front of her face, panting exaggeratedly. "He's so fucking hot! What I wouldn't give to…" her voice faded as they walked past me into the living room.

I felt my face heating up with a blush, although I had no idea why. I stepped forward, moving slowly toward the hall and craning my neck to look around the corner. I wasn't sure what I expected to see, maybe Edward surrounded by a legion of fawning girls, but he was simply standing at the end of the hall talking to a guy I recognized as one of his teammates, holding a red plastic cup in his hand. I didn't think I'd made a sound, but he looked up at me and grinned.

"Bella!" He motioned for me to come forward and I did, shyly.

I was shocked when he put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me to his side. My face was on fire, but I glanced up at the guy he had been talking to and met a pair of friendly, very pretty violet eyes.

"Bella, this is Rick."

"Hi, Bella." Rick took my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. His eyes flickered back to Edward and a knowing grin quirked his mouth. "I'll talk to you later then, Cullen."

He walked off with a wave, and I felt kind of guilty. "I'm sorry, Edward, I didn't mean to interrupt. I wasn't looking for you or anything, I just -"

"Shh." He grinned down at me. "Bella, don't worry about it. I was just coming to look for you. Are you drinking beer? Need another?"

He peered curiously into my cup, and I blushed yet again as his eyes went from my drink to his. "No, I, uh…it's…ginger ale."

He stared at me for a second with a weird look on his face. "Ginger ale?"

"Yeah. I found some in the kitchen and…borrowed one. I hope I can find whose it is so I can apologize or replace it or something. I feel kind of bad." A slow grin spread across his face, and I was embarrassed. "What? Is there something wrong with ginger ale?" I asked defensively.

"No." His grin widened and he shook his head. "Not at all."

He held out his cup, and I glanced in it, confused. I stared for a couple of seconds before realization hit. "Is that…ginger ale? The ginger ale is yours?"

"Yeah," he nodded, laughing. "That's what I got out of the trunk."

"Seriously?" That was too weird.

He gave me that lopsided smile. "Well, I'm the designated driver tonight. Plus…emergency doctor's kid." He shuddered. "Dad taught us early and well."

I motioned to my chest. "Police Chief's daughter. You have no idea."

We smiled at each other for a few seconds, and I realized we were pretty much alone in the hallway. I was leaning against the wall with him standing close in front of me. I saw the same awareness dawn in his eyes as he brought his empty hand up to place it on the wall beside my head. He shifted his weight onto one leg, bringing our bodies and faces even closer.

"Bella," he murmured softly, green eyes on mine.

"H-hu-huh?"

"We're not in a parking lot."

I gulped. "N-no."

He brought his cup to his mouth and swallowed the soda that was left. He took mine from my hand, putting it inside his and bending down to place them on the floor at our feet. As he stood back up he brushed along the length of my body, lightly, caressingly, in no way crowding me but in no way close enough. I fought a shiver as his face was once again only inches from mine. He brought his thumb up to stroke my lower lip, his eyes dark and intense as he stared at the slow motion. He moved his fingers to my chin and tilted my face up to his. His other hand came up to cup my face between them and my heart just about leapt out of my chest. Oh God yes, please…He shifted his body into me, his chest and hips just barely touching mine. I gasped and his mouth twitched as it lowered, his thumbs stroking my cheeks.

A raucous shout of laughter brought us back to reality as two girls burst into the hallway. Their laughter faded as they saw us standing so close together, his body hovering intimately over mine. Soft giggles replaced their loud voices as they bent their heads together and walked away.

Edward groaned, leaning into me and crushing me between his body and the wall. He hit his forehead on the spot just over my shoulder and I heard him muttering incoherent obscenities.

He pulled back suddenly, glaring determinedly into my eyes. He grabbed my arm and yanked me away from the wall.

"Come on."

"Edward…what?" I asked in confusion. He walked swiftly to the end of the hall, pushing me through a door.

He hit the light switch and I glanced around briefly, noticing we were in a small bathroom before he pressed me up against the wall with one hand and slammed the door shut with the other. I felt like I was outside my body as he dropped his chin to his chest, taking a deep breath before lifting his head.

His fierce green eyes held mine. "Bella, I swear to God, if I don't kiss you right now…"

A noise escaped me as I launched myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck, burying my hands in his hair as I yanked his head down hard. A similar sound broke from him, and his hot, wide mouth was finally on mine.

Finally!

Holy God in heaven.

We exploded. He picked me up and slammed me up against the wall, his lips frantic on mine, rubbing, twisting, gasping. It was just…more than I had ever imagined. It felt like he was kissing my entire body, all at once – burning, searing, more more more. I whimpered, pressing closer to him as he lifted pressure slightly to find a better angle, never stopping the wet, sucking kiss. His hands slid down to grip my thighs, hitching my legs up to lock around his waist just before I felt the scorch of his tongue sweep across the seam of my lips. I couldn't get them open fast enough as I sucked him into my mouth, tangling and slicking my tongue across his. I was only dimly aware of the ache in my lungs and in my jaw as we devoured each other. There was nothing else in my existence other than the pleasure of his mouth on mine. His tongue filled me, his teeth scraped, and I held on and pulled him closer, taking in every bit of him that I could.

He finally eased away, gasping for air, running his mouth in soft nibbles down my throat as he apologized. "Sorry, so sorry, I didn't mean…"

"Thank God you did," I breathed fervently, tilting my head back to give him whatever access he wanted. My hands reluctantly released his hair, sliding down to stroke his amazing shoulders.

He chuckled, moving his mouth up the other side of my throat. He pulled back for a brief second to look at me, and then slowly, firmly pressed his lips to mine. He was gentle and softly sucking, learning the feel of my mouth, discovering what made me shiver. And I did shiver, tremors coursing through my body as my legs tightened around his waist, my hands pulling him toward me as they found their way back around his neck. I could feel the wave of excitement start to take over as his lips parted over mine once more, the frenzy building as I followed his tongue when it teasingly retreated. His hands slid along my jean-clad thighs until they cupped my ass, squeezing gently, and I moaned into his mouth. He pressed me into the wall, and I felt something hard right between my legs. Was that his…an…erection? I gasped, shocked and thrilled, drawing my head back. He was panting slightly, looking down at me with a wry smile on his wet mouth, but made no move to pull away. I moaned again, unconsciously rubbing against that long, hard ridge at his hips, and his eyes went wild. His head swooped down again, but I threw my palm against his chest, halting him, my eyes jerking toward the door next to us.

"Shh," I hissed. "Listen!"

Voices were growing steadily louder as someone approached the bathroom from the hall. His hand shot out and grabbed the doorknob a scant instant before it rattled and turned.

I met his eyes, mine wide in realization. "Not locked?" I breathed. My legs slid from around his waist and I stood unsteadily on my own, still leaning into him.

He shook his head, the muscles and sinews tensing in his forearm as he held the knob tightly in his grasp. There was a pounding on the door, another try at the handle, and then a frustrated voice fading away. We held each other and shook with laughter as he buried his face in my neck.

"I swear to God," he laughed, eyes crinkling as he straightened and finally released the doorknob, giving the lock a deliberate twist. "Trying to kiss you is quite a unique experience."

"That kiss was a unique experience," I smiled, slipping my hands down around his waist. I kind of wanted to pull him to me and feel the evidence that I could arouse him again.

His face was suddenly serious. "You're okay, right? It was a little…rough, I guess. I'm sorry about that. It was just – ugh. I had to."

I thrilled to his words, hugging him. He held me to his chest and tucked my head under his chin. I fit perfectly, and let out a soft sigh of contentment.

"It was a great first kiss, Edward. No worries here." I'd been kissed before, but those childish fumblings in no way compared to what Edward made me feel. I rested against him, as comfortable as I had ever been in my life. After a few minutes of enjoying his hands gently rubbing my back, I tipped my head to smile up at him. "As a matter of fact, if you wanted to try for another one, it would be all right with me."

"Yeah?" One corner of his mouth lifted in that crooked smile.

"Oh, yeah."

He smiled and brought his mouth to mine, tenderly taking first my upper lip and then my lower one with his—soft suction, gentle rub, a sweep of tongue. I melted into him, my arms and legs turning into rubbery, warm noodles from the sensations. He was patient and lingering before he finally broke away, his fingers touching my cheek.

"Wow," I breathed, my eyes fluttering open to meet his.

"Still okay?" he asked softly. The tips of his fingers brushed my wet and slightly swollen lower lip.

"Uh-huh." My gaze focused on his mouth. "Um, if you want to try the first kind again, just to compare, I wouldn't mind."

He chuckled, kissing the tip of my nose, and extricated himself from my octopus hold. I let out a whine of disappointment, and he took my hand, giving it a squeeze.

"If we're going to do that, I'd rather take this someplace a little more private. You know, someplace other than a room with a toilet in it."

I glanced around. I'd completely forgotten we were in a bathroom in a house that belonged to someone I barely knew. "Oh. Yeah. Good thinking. Where?"

"The Volvo?" He ran his hand through his hair with a thoughtful frown.

Good, somewhere close. Quick. "I love that car," I breathed, and he grinned, tugging on my hand.

"C'mon."

He cracked open the door and stuck his head out, peeking out into the hall. I had to stifle a laugh. It was just so cliché, but I had to admit to a thrill of excitement at the sneakiness. That was funny in itself. There was no one around, so he pulled me out of the bathroom behind him and moved swiftly down the hall. I stumbled behind him, trying to keep up and not fall on my face.

He didn't slow as we went through the kitchen and out the back door, weaving through the people who were getting beer from a keg on the back porch. He nodded and kept moving even when someone called out to him, until we were practically running across the lawn. We paused in the shadows before he crept carefully around the corner of the house.

"Edward, what -" I began as we jogged quickly down the driveway to his car.

"If anyone stopped us," he answered, unlocking the door with his key fob, "we'd be stuck in there for hours."

Yeah, he was right. I could see him hesitate as he went to open the car door, and I realized he was debating about using the front or back seat. I wavered myself, but had the tiniest bit of relief when he opened the front passenger side door for me. He ran around and slid into the driver's seat, turning to face me with a beautiful smile.

"So," he breathed, leaning over the console, his hand coming up to tangle in the hair at the back of my neck. "I think we were right…about…here."

He pulled my mouth to his, and I purred in satisfaction as our lips rubbed, our noses bumped, and I tasted him on my tongue. My brain leaked out my ears – I could actually feel it oozing away as pure, simple pleasure replaced it, swelling and throbbing in my head. He kissed me gently, our mouths sliding, coming together and parting with soft, wet sounds. A wave of pure lust swept over me, building in its intensity as his mouth continued to move over mine. A small, hungry noise escaped me as I leaned toward him, trying to rise up on my knees to get closer. He answered that needy little breath with his own soft groan, his tongue feathering across my lips before plunging behind them. My hands clenched on the collar of his jacket and then rose to fist in the hair at the nape of his neck as I held on tight, letting the maelstrom of frightening and exciting sensations overwhelm me. Any rational thoughts I had left evaporated as I exulted in his kisses.

I had no idea how much time had passed before I found myself laying across the console, my head on his chest, his heavy, warm arms wrapped securely around me. I was panting, my lips tingling. I didn't have a whole lot to go by, but I figured that he was about the best kisser in the world. I closed my eyes, placing my palm on his heaving chest next to my face, and sighed. I snuggled there for a few minutes, enjoying the scent and the heat of him, the sound of the gradually slowing beat of his heart under my ear. I blinked lazily as he echoed my sigh, looking up to see his head tipped back with his eyes shut and a smile on that wicked mouth. I lay my head back down, and caught a glimpse of a figure outside the car in my peripheral vision.

My body was instantly doused with dread and adrenaline. I shot up into a sitting position, bumping the top of my head on his chin. I felt like I'd just been electrocuted, and my head spun with disbelief.

"Bella, what…" he began in a somewhat irritated voice, rubbing his chin, and then got a look at my shocked face. His tone changed immediately to anxiety and concern. "Bella, what?"

My mouth hung open in stunned astonishment. I raised a trembling finger and pointed out the windshield. "E-Edward…" I stuttered, my voice weak and wispy. I swallowed and tried again, my arm still outstretched. "Ed-Edward…"

"What?" he grabbed my upper arms and gave me a gentle shake, starting to look worried now.

I swallowed again, my eyes never leaving what I saw out in front of the car. "M-my…my…"

I thrust my hand forward, gesturing wildly, and he slowly turned his head to see what I was pointing at. He sucked in a huge breath, his lean body going tense.

"My Dad!" I finally managed, and turned to look into Edward's face, just to make sure it wasn't a horrible illusion and he saw it, too.

His face must look similar to mine, I thought, kind of a shocked, pale white, his mouth hanging open as we stared. Charlie walked from his cruiser parked across the street to the Crowley's front walk. He passed right in front of the Volvo where we sat, frozen and stunned, Edward's hands still gripping my arms.

"Jesus H Fucking Baldheaded Christ," he uttered softly, his eyes following Charlie's form, decked out in full uniform with cuff, gun, flashlight, and mace strapped to his hips.

He let out what sounded like a small moan, and I looked at him again. He was blank-faced with shock. Slowly, laughter began bubbling up out of my chest as I realized what he was thinking.

"He's here to break up the party. A neighbor or someone must have called." I pressed my hand over my mouth as Edward's gaze swung to me in astonishment. "Not to find me. Oh, Edward." I had to sit back and hold my stomach I was laughing so hard with relief. "He's not here because of us!"

It took him a few seconds before he relaxed, finally managing a sheepish grin. His forehead slumped down on his arms at the release of tension, and he ran his hands from my biceps to my elbows before letting me go.

"I almost had a fucking coronary," he admitted. "Jesus, Bella." He looked at me, and there was humor in his wry smile. "You do realize we aren't being busted at the party – by your father who just happens to be the Chief of Police—because we left to go make out in my car?"

"Saved by making out," I mused, grinning. "Now there's a concept I can get used to. Good thing you suggested moving this to the car."

"Yeah." He started to turn the key in the ignition, but paused. ""Wait, we need to call Alice and Jasper."

"We need to get the hell out of here," I pointed out, cocking my head at him. We watched Charlie ring the bell at the Crowley house. "Your car is kind of noticeable, you know."

He nodded, grimacing, and looked over his shoulder. There was no one parked behind us, and he pressed the brake before carefully sliding the Volvo into reverse.

"What are you doing?" I whispered. I had no idea why I was whispering, but it seemed like a good idea because he was being sneaky.

"Call Alice," he whispered back. "Tell her and Jasper to get the hell out of there and meet us the next block over. We're on a slope—I'm trying to get us out of here so he doesn't hear the engine and look." He nodded at Charlie's figure on the front porch.

"Ohh," I said admiringly, punching the speed dial number for Alice. "Good one, Cullen."

"It pays to have Emmett as an older brother," he said grimly as the car rolled slowly backward on its own.

Once we reached what he considered a safe distance away, he turned the engine over and drove away, headlights still off, to pick up Alice and Jasper around the corner.


Join us for the next chapter, later this week, when Bella thinks:

Button flys. Holy hell.