Okay, here's the next chapter. You guys continue to amaze me, we're just climbing up on how many of you review! We reached 22 for the last chapter, so I'm assuming Edward was well-liked. I can't say how often those kinds of chapters will happen because the randomness of them is part of the joy of them, but there will be some more floating around. ;) This is a little bit of a filler, but mainly it's just a transgression chapter. Hope it's still to your liking.

I woke up rather instantly the next morning. Why?

Because I fell off of the couch.

It took me a moment to remember where I was, and why. I shifted uncomfortably, recalling that Edward was somewhere in the house, probably, by the lack of light outside, sleeping. I got up, working extra hard not to be clumsy, and padded into the kitchen, looking around. An empty glass sat in the sink, a cupboard above the counter was half-open, but otherwise, it was almost immaculate.

I wondered if Edward and his mom would mind me making breakfast, or if they even ate breakfast. Rosalie never, or more accurately rarely, ate breakfast because she was never hungry in the morning, and the syrupy smells from the cafeteria made her feel sick. Would it be more polite or rude to cook breakfast? I decided I could cook to say, in my own way, thanks for letting me stay the night, and if they got upset, well, I was leaving soon anyways, wasn't I? I rummaged around, pulling out pans and utensils for cooking, then dragged out a box of pancake mix I'd found. I looked around in the drawers and cupboards before checking the fridge to find white chocolate chips in the freezer compartment. I smiled, and began mixing everything together.

I had already made about three pancakes when Edward trudged into the kitchen, a sleepy and confused look in his face. I paused to look at him over my shoulder, then quickly ducked my face back to the stove, though I wasn't really seeing anything. Why did someone so annoying have to look so good? His usually messy bronze hair was even more in disarray after sleeping, and he was only wearing a pair of flannel pajama pants. Couldn't he put a shirt on and be polite? I liked not causing fires in the morning because I was busy ogling. Damn, good-looking annoying…

"What are you doing?" he asked.

I didn't look away from the pancake I was flipping over, though I could feel myself blushing. "Cooking." I muttered. "What's it look like?"

"Why?"

I finally looked over at him then, because he sounded so truly flabbergasted. "Because I'm hungry, and I figured you and your mom would be too. Besides. How else can I repay you for letting me stay the night?"

He grimaced like I reminded him of something irritating, then sat down at the kitchen table. He looked exhausted as he put his head in his hands.

"Did you not sleep well?" I asked, glad that I sounded casual, as I turned removed the pancake from the frying pan and grabbed the mixing bowl with the batter in it.

He made an odd, noncommittal noise, his eyes still closed. We stayed in silence for a moment, before he said, "I'll drive you to your school after we eat, so that you won't be late."

I glanced at him, then slowly asked, "Will you be late?"

He shrugged, like it didn't matter. "Probably."

Guilt swept over me. He already didn't like me much, so why did he have to act so nice? I'd prefer it if he treated me how he truly felt about me. I wondered what he'd do if I told him so…?

"We can push your car into the garage; it's pretty empty, enough so that I think it'll fit."

"Why can't it just stay in your driveway?" I muttered. I had caused him enough trouble, hadn't I?

There was an odd edge to his tone, almost dry, yet grimly serious. "Cause this side of town, people like to take what's not their's. Would you like a chance to keep your car?"

I rolled my eyes. "I think the power's working, now." I said, changing the subject. "I can just have Rose or Jasper pick me up."

Edward let out a gust of air, and I looked over to see him shaking his head. "Bella, just let me drive you."

Again, he used my name. Huh. "No, really. They won't mind, and I've caused enough-"

He glared at me, then spat, "Princess, I'm taking you there, now stop being so frickin' self-sacrificing. It's driving me up the wall."

I stared at him in surprise at the outburst. Somehow, I knew I hadn't really done something wrong, that something else was bothering him. Still, as the shock wore off, the hurt crept up. Only, it was quickly overpowered by the anger.

"Well, excuse me. Didn't know Hyde wasn't a morning person, yet also so honourable." I put a sarcastic strain on the last word, and huffily turned back to the pancake I was cooking. I flipped it over, noticing how the back was a little darker than the others'. That one was going to be on his plate.

He surprised me by chuckling. I peeked at him from the corner of my eyes to see him shaking his head, another grimly amused quirk of his lips in place. "You're more dead on than you think, Princess."

There he went, using the name again. Yet I could have sworn this time it had a different inflection, tone, to it then all the others. I finished up the last of the batter, turned off the stove, and paused, thinking. The plates had been in which drawer? I looked around, thinking back to when I'd been quietly exploring the kitchen, then headed over to the cupboard above the counter on the right of the sink. I withdrew three plates, and brought them to the table. I made sure to put the somewhat burned one on Edward's plate, simply out of spite. He got up from his seat, walking to the other side of the kitchen, and grabbed two glasses and forks. He placed these on the table, then silently went to the fridge.

"Would milk be fine to drink?" he asked. It sounded like he was almost trying to be polite, but ended up sounding indifferently formal. I nodded, and he pulled out a gallon, along with butter and syrup. He set it all on the table, and I grabbed the milk, pouring it into a glass. After he poured some for himself and returned it to the fridge, he sat down and we started to eat.

I broke the silence finally to ask, "Is your mom going to be eating with us?" I was curious, but he tensed, looking uneasy.

"No."

"Will she get up later? I can put her plate in the microwave, to keep it somewhat warm for her." I offered.

He just shook his head, and continued to eat in silence. I wondered what I had said wrong, chewing thoughtfully, slowly.

"What are you thinking?"

The unexpected question came out of nowhere, and I glanced up at him in surprise. He looked curious, almost frustrated, but no longer tense or upset.

"I was wondering what I said wrong," I finally admitted, turning back to my plate.

"Nothing. You said Alice and her parents have told you my mom is… ill." I nodded in response, though we both knew I knew. "She usually doesn't get up until late afternoon."

"Oh." I said softly. I wanted to ask what was wrong with her, but it seemed invasive and pushy, so I didn't. I wouldn't want people going around asking something like that; and a few people had asked me how my father was doing after the accident. It had gotten old, fast. So I kept my mouth shut and ate the rest of my meal in silence.

Edward got up before I did and rinsed his plate in the sink, then left me alone in the kitchen without another glance. I finished my last bite, rinsed my plate in the sink, then - because I felt guilty about leaving all these dirty dishes - I washed everything I'd used to cook that morning. I was finishing up when Edward walked in, hair damp from a shower, and dressed, with a backpack hanging over one shoulder. I dried my hands, slipped past him into the hall, and then walked into the living room. I folded the blanket I'd used on the couch, then remembered - extremely belatedly - that I was wearing Edward's things. I blushed, and turned around to ask for mine back, but crashed into Edward's chest. Of course; I just couldn't stop being clumsy around him.

He reached out to help me balance, then handed me my stiff and still slightly damp clothes. I took them, and looked around until I spotted a clock, wondering if I had time to put them on here, or if it'd be better to wait to change when I got to school.

"Just wait until you get back. You can give Alice my things to return to me." he said, heading for the door. I hurried after him, grabbing my shoes in my free hand by the door, and rushed to keep up with him as he took long strides to his Volvo. I started, realizing he must have already pushed my car into his garage.

"You could have asked me to help," I accused, getting in the Volvo; he had the heater going, thankfully.

He rolled his eyes, but didn't say anything. I shifted in my seat uncomfortably, turning my head to look out the window. He drove maniacally fast, so we got to my school in half the time it would have taken me. He idled on the curb, then glanced at me. "Back at the palace, Princess." he said, smirking.

I rolled my eyes, giving up on figuring him out even minutely. I opened the door, stepped out, my bare feet stinging from the wet, cold concrete, and muttered, "Nobody likes you, Hyde." I slammed his car door shut, and hurried into the school, ignoring the urge to look back and see if he was watching.

Rosalie was waiting for me in the dorm, looking like she'd slept badly. When I stepped in, she jumped up and wrapped me in a tight hug.

"Bella! I don't care who's stalking you over the phone, next time you take it with you!" she admonished.

I hung my head, smiling sheepishly. "Sorry, Rose. For one, I never expected my car to die, and for another, I would have been back earlier, but you know how Rodnie loves to feed people."

She relaxed, and I knew I wasn't in trouble anymore. "Oh. That explains things." Then she looked at me, speculatively and oddly (what was with all these odd looks?!), and added, "But I still want to know why you were at Rodnie's. With Hyde. After hours."

I sighed, blushing. "Um, I may have helped Edward get a new job."

She smirked. "Oh, so he's Edward now."

I shrugged. "When he's being decent."

Rosalie cracked up laughing, shaking her head. "You are crazy, you know that Bells?"

"So I've been told," I muttered, dropping my clothes from the other day in the laundry basket in the bathroom. I began to change, glad to finally peel off the underclothes that I'd had to sleep in, wet. I grabbed everything I needed, and headed into the bathroom.

"Who's are these?" Rosalie called from the room. I finished changing, and grabbed a hair brush, opening the door to see what she was talking about.

"Huh?"

She held up the clothes I'd borrowed from Edward. "These. Who's are they."

I blushed; she could put it together, but she was going to make me say it so she could tease me mercilessly. "Edward's." I mumbled. "He said he didn't want me to get sick." I added, blushing even more.

She laughed quietly, shaking her head, but thankfully didn't say anything. I finished getting ready, and we rushed to our respective classes; I made it in just as the bell rang, and managed to sit in my seat as the teacher turned around. They looked at me, rolled their eyes, but didn't say anything in respect to my almost tardiness and began to lecture.

Rosalie and I were walking to our dorms after class, complaining again about La Groan's lack of organization, and her always piling on the homework. We rounded the corner, and stopped, staring in amazement at our little pixie friend bouncing in place outside our door and looking like she was fit to burst. When she say us, she squealed, and rushed at us.

"Alice, what are you doing here?" Rosalie asked, looking as surprised as I felt.

Alice shrugged. "I told Bella last night I'd see her today." She winked at me. "And Edward told me you had some things of his, and that you got him a job! I didn't know that's why you needed his address, how nice, especially since he's such a jerk to you all the time. Anyways, my last period teacher practically loves me, and I got to leave early, since we were just reviewing, and I have an A plus in that class, so he just told me to go. I decided to catch a bus to this side of town, and then I walked here to wait for you guys!" She grinned, having said most of that in a single breath.

I looked at her in amazement; this girl was crazy, but it felt almost contagious, her always-happy energy.

Rosalie laughed, and led the way back to our dorm, unlocking the door. "Well, lucky you. I don't know where Bella put the clothes Edward lent her," Rosalie sent me a sly smirk and I stuck out my tongue, "But I'm sure they're around here somewhere."

Alice grinned. "His clothes? He forgot to mention that's what he left with you." She winked, and they laughed, obviously preparing for some major teasing.

"Just imagine, Alice, what the neighbours th-" Rosalie started.

Jasper knocked on the half-open door, peeking in. "Oh. Hey, Alice." he said, smiling.

Alice's expression turned into pure joy, and she grinned joyously. "Jazzy! How are you?"

He rolled his eyes. "Fine. Just came to see if Bells and Rose here needed me to make the copies La Groan wanted for them too."

I looked gratefully at Jasper. "Would you?"

He shrugged. "I don't mind."

"Thanks." Rosalie and I sighed. I grimaced. "I don't want Saturday to come," I whined. "I have to work with Lauren on that history jigsaw."

Jasper looked at me sympathetically, while Rosalie laughed loudly. "You have to work with Queenie? Ha ha!"

I glared at her, then explained to Alice, who looked confused, "Lauren is pure evil."

Rosalie was still snickering, but Jasper just smiled and offered to Alice, "Would you like me to show you around a bit?"

Alice eagerly accepted. "I'll come back to get Edward's things in a little bit, okay Bella?" she called as she walked out the door, not even waiting for an answer. I shrugged, ignoring my still-giggling dorm mate, and walked into the bathroom, ready for a long hot shower. I hadn't had time to shower yet since getting soaked the other day, and I wanted to finally warm up my cold toes.

After a half hour in the shower, Alice and Jasper still hadn't returned. I knew for a fact copies didn't take that long, so he really must have decided to show her the campus. I figured they were at the café, since it was still cold and cloudy, threatening rain at any time. Rosalie left to do some history research at the library - her grade had been suffering lately, and she wanted to be prepared for this jigsaw. I crawled into the covers with a book, feeling a headache coming on, and tried to read, but found myself dozing off.

I was shaken awake the next morning by Rosalie, who looked a little concerned. "Bella?" she asked.

I grumbled out a response, my head throbbing and throat aching, and turned over onto my other side, away from her.

She sighed, and laughed a little. "I take it you're not feeling well?"

"Go away," I mumbled.

She truly laughed this time, and said, "I'll go to the nurse's after I get dressed and get some cold medicine. Maybe some cough drops?"

I just pulled the blanket higher over my head.

As I listened to Rosalie's drawers open and close, and her closet open for a long while, she talked. "When I came back, Jasper told me Alice had already left. Apparently, you were asleep, so they didn't want to bother you with waking you up. Alice said Edward can get his clothes back in a day or two. I had them washed, along with the other dirty clothes… you should have seen the looks I was getting in there! I think Jenni decided it was a good time to start a rumour that I was two-timing my man, and she'd seen a strange boy near our dorms the other day. What a bunch of bull."

"She saw Edward and me when I came to get my keys." I rasped, grimacing at how much my throat hurt. Stupid cold.

"Ah." Rosalie said, only slightly surprised. "Well, then, maybe the rumour will instead by that you're having hot monkey sex with the hot stranger."

I finally turned over to glare at her; she caught the look on my face and laughed, having the nerve to double over. "Sorry, sorry," she apologized, obviously not sorry at all since she couldn't stop laughing. "I'll be sure to negate the rumour as much as possible. Though, you know, it might keep Mike away from you longer."

I rolled my eyes and returned to my former position, with the blanket pulled high over my head. She left shortly after, returning after about ten minutes with my medicine.

"Mrs. Briggs told me to tell you to only take however much the bottle dictates and no more, no more often than the bottle orders. Anymore, and she'll come here and drag you to the infirmary, to make sure you don't overdoes yourself. She wants you to drink plenty of fluids, and suggests hot soup, like chicken noodle or top ramen for lunch and dinner. I'm to bring this to you, of course, because the invalid might infect the entire school." Rosalie added with mock sincerity and seriousness. Then she burst into laughter. "She made it sound like the world was ending if you got out of bed." Shaking her head, Rosalie put the cough drops and medicine on the bedside table, then finished getting ready.

"I'll try to get as much of your work as I can, Bells."

"Thanks," I croaked, and she left, leaving me in silence. I hated being sick; there wasn't anything to do, and I found myself wondering if I'd be able to meet for the whole history study-date tomorrow. From the way I felt, I doubted it. I'd have to call Ben or Heather tonight to see if they could keep Lauren from giving me any dumb parts. I'm sure they'd manage without me, but I didn't want them thinking I wasn't making an effort to do my part.

I worked a little on homework, and read what I knew would be gone over in some classes today, but I couldn't focus to well for very long. I turned on the TV but nothing good was on; my head hurt too much and with my shot focus, I couldn't read for pleasure. Eventually, I decided to just go back to sleep.

I dreamt uneasily, but later, it was impossible for me to remember exactly what it was about. People cloaked in shadows surrounding me, racing down a dark street at night and being chased by a monster, a dark street where all the lights went out and shadows teased me…

I started awake, glancing at my bedside clock, to see that school only had an hour left. Rosalie left a note, mentioning that there was soup in our little mini-fridge, and I could heat it in our microwave. I stumbled out of bed, grabbed the soup, and put it in the microwave, then grabbed the cold medicine and took another does. I grabbed my heated tomato soup, grabbed the crackers Rosalie had obviously left for me on the bedside table, and pulled a water bottle from the fridge before settling into my bed to eat. The soup felt good against my throat, and warmed me from the inside out. I was glad I didn't have a stomach flu, so I could keep things down.

I had just finished my soup when there was a knock on the door. I glanced at the clock, wondering if maybe Rosalie's teacher had let them out a little early, and got up to open the door.

"Huh?" I gasped, staring dumbfounded at the person on the other side.

Great, just… great.

Haha... a somewhat cliffie, though that last sentence might give away who it is. ;) Review, please, and I'll send you virtual cookies! Yum!