The Transfer

A/N: So, they both have good and noble intentions. But they just can't keep their hands to themselves. No copyright infringement is intended.

Now, let's go on a triple-date, shall we?

Chapter 14: Partial to the Blush

EPOV

When I returned to my room after my heart to heart with Bella, I knocked on the door. I didn't want to surprise Jasper and Alice if they were doing the nasty or some such thing. I also really didn't want to walk in on them and see Sister Alice spanking Naughty Catholic School Girl. I wondered briefly if Jasper was going to be incorporating his newfound kilt into his regular clothing repertoire. Jasper was a little crazy and Alice was all over crazy. Precisely why I was concerned about interrupting any activities going on in the privacy of my own dorm room.

Jasper opened the door. He was still dressed in his skirt. He peered thoughtfully at my face for a moment.

"Alice," he turned to speak over his shoulder, "it's Edward, and happily enough, he doesn't look any more morose than usual."

"Out of my way, you skirt-wearing bitch," I joked, as I brushed past him.

Alice spoke up from where she sat cross-legged on Jasper's bed. "Oh Edward, I'm so sorry for how things went today. For both of you. Is everything okay? Are you okay?" I heard the concern in her voice. She always thought she had to watch out for me.

"We talked a little. Things are better, especially if I'm not opposed to living in limbo. But it's tolerable. There's nothing I can do anyway. I refuse to try to alter the situation; I told her as much." I crammed my hands into the pockets of my jeans, hoping Alice wasn't going to try to persuade me differently.

"I'm glad you at least talked to each other. I told Jasper I hoped it wasn't a big mistake having Bella be my roommate. She's just so nice and she's fun, but I don't want it to be hard on you with the whole boyfriend thing."

"No, Alice. Bella's great and she's going to be a great friend. I can see that already. She feels like one of us, you know? She belongs."

"I just don't want it to be awkward for you."

I shrugged. "I'll deal." What else could I do? I had no other choice.

"Do you think we're still on for dinner tonight? We were so busy and then we got all sidetracked because of the two of you, we missed lunch and I'm starting to get really hungry. We had said we'd take you guys out for helping us. I'd like to still do that. Oh, and our room is fabulous, by the way! We just love it! Thank you, both of you!"

"I think Bella would probably still be up for dinner. She seemed okay when I left. And I'm hungry, aren't you, Jasper?"

"Always ravenous, you know me."

"Alice, why don't you go up and check with Bella, just to make sure? Jasper and I'll talk to Emmett. What time do we need to leave?"

"How about in an hour and a half? I'll call Rose. We girls need some time to get ready. I already called the restaurant earlier to make sure they have a table for the six of us, so we'll be good to go."

"Which restaurant?" Jasper asked.

"It's a cute little place called Bella Italia," Alice answered him.

"Molto bene!" Jasper exclaimed in an Italian accent and gesturing more than necessary. "Italian food sounds outstanding!"

"Why don't you guys check with Emmett and make sure he can drive? Then we can all fit together in his car."

BPOV

After Edward and I had talked in the swanky fort I'd felt better about the whole situation. We'd had the chance to clear the air, and even though there was something there, we would do what we could to move past it. He'd left to go down to his room and I'd remained where I was, just trying to sort through all that had been revealed.

I'd been shocked earlier when Edward had said he didn't want to be in the middle of anything that was going on between me and my boyfriend. What did he mean? What did he think was going on between me and Jake?

It had made me angry, and I felt like I had to defend Jake to him. Edward didn't even know him! Did he think I wanted to hurt Jake? Well, I didn't and I told him as much. Jake and I had been through a lot; he had always been my rock. I couldn't do anything to hurt him.

But I didn't want to hurt Edward either.

Alice had told me that he cared about me; that he was attracted to me. I had already begun to figure that out but I wasn't sure how it had happened. I wasn't available, I knew Edward didn't want to be involved with anyone, and yet he seemed drawn to me. Heck, he wanted to protect me from the evil that lurked at night between the fitness center and our dorm!

I thought he was nice and funny, but I was realizing that he didn't show that side of himself to very many people. For some reason, he was showing it to me. Alice had told me he would tell me his situation if he thought it was important for me to know. What did that mean? I'd even given him the opportunity to tell me this afternoon. But he hadn't clarified anything. And now that I thought about it, he hadn't denied wanting to kiss me after the dance either. So did that mean my hunch had been right?

I blushed as I thought about what I had divulged to him. I'd told him that I wondered what it would have felt like if he had kissed me and that I liked the feel of his body against mine when he had helped me down from my near-fall off the bed. I told him I felt that strange electricity when he touched me and I knew he felt it too. And I also told him that he had held me a little longer than necessary.

But I had finished that confession with the statement that this wasn't happening and wasn't going to happen. I couldn't let this happen, not to him, not to Jake, not to me. Just because I was in a new situation, away from home in unfamiliar surroundings, and found the attention of someone as incredibly attractive as him flattering, I wasn't going to use him because of some misguided feelings. We could only be friends; nothing more.

I took a long shower and it really felt good. I hadn't realized how tense I'd become during the course of the afternoon, and the hot water really helped to relax me, washing all the stress away. I just hoped we could get past this. I checked the time when I got out of the shower. I still had about forty minutes to dry my hair, dress and put on a little make up.

I finished up in the bathroom, drying my hair most of the way. I didn't bother to straighten it. That took too long. There was just too much to fight with, so I let it do its own thing, curling and waving whichever way it wanted to go.

When I got back into the room I stood in front of my closet, wondering what to wear and looking at my options.

"Alice, is this a nice restaurant? Should I dress up?"

"Let me see our choices," she said, coming to stand next to me, scanning my wardrobe. "What about this?" she asked, pulling out a dark forest green blouse. "Pair that with some skinny jeans and you'll look perfect."

I'd never been a very big fan of green. Brown was usually my favorite color, but I'd always felt rather pretty when I wore this blouse. Maybe it would help to lift my mood that little extra bit.

We were both dressed and ready with about ten minutes to spare. Alice looked intimidating in skinny jeans, a short little trench style-jacket and over-the-knee black leather boots that had very high heels. I didn't dare wear heels. I had a hard enough time navigating the world in shoes other than my Chucks. But tonight I decided to wear some little black flats; they were a little dressier. I grabbed my black jacket and we started down the stairs for the guys' suite.

They were already hanging out in front of Emmett's open door. I could smell the scent of aftershave or cologne; some such masculine scent. And they had dressed up a bit more nicely than their standard student-on-campus attire.

I saw Jasper first. He had on some dark gray jeans and a black long-sleeved shirt, he held a light gray jacket in his hand. Emmett, standing just beyond Jasper, inside the door to his room, wore a cream sweater over black jeans.

Edward was just beyond the other two guys, leaning back against the wall, with his head tipped up, eyes closed. Oh my! He looked like he'd stepped out of a glossy, brooding magazine ad for men's cologne. He looked pretty darn amazing. He had on very dark blue jeans and a steel gray v-neck sweater with a white t-shirt underneath. He was holding a black leather jacket in his hand. His sweater made his normally green-blue eyes look nearly navy. His slightly damp hair seemed a little more orderly than usual, but I knew that wouldn't last long as soon as was dry and he began running his hand through it. I'd never seen a guy in the flesh looking so much like an advertisement for sex.

They turned when they heard us approaching, Edward's head pulling away from the wall, and his eyes opening.

Jasper whistled. "Don't you girls look beautiful?"

Edward's eyes were a little wider than usual. His smile seemed in agreement with Jasper.

Jasper suddenly groaned. "Oh, Alice, the boots, not the boots! How am I going to concentrate on dinner, knowing that's going on under the table?"

"What's going on under the table?" It was Emmett's voice, coming from inside his room.

Rose's laugh lilted out of the room "Really, Emmett, I'm surprised you have to ask about what goes on under the table."

Edward rolled his eyes, wincing. "Can we all just get going, please?"

They filed out of Emmett's room. "How about we discuss possibilities for above the table now; specifically on a tabletop, Edward?" They all laughed at Edward's discomfort.

"I'll be waiting by the car," he said as he led the way down to the parking lot.

Emmett's car was a Hummer. We all fit inside easily and it felt a little bit like we were riding in a tank. There were harnesses for off-roading, and at first I was confused about what to fasten where, but Edward, sitting on the middle seat next to me, slid over and reached around me, fastening me in with the appropriate belts. He looked up at my eyes as the buckle clicked into place. His face was only a few inches from mine. He paused there for a moment, and my breath caught, but then he quickly slid back over in the seat and looked out his side window.

The restaurant was quaint, typical Italian décor. The hostess couldn't take her eyes off Edward, and the majority of her questions were directed at him. He turned and looked at me, rolling his eyes. I stifled a laugh. I really couldn't fault the poor hostess. Edward was pretty darn heart-stopping to look at.

Once we were all seated, we looked over the menu. I decided to order the mushroom ravioli, a favorite of mine. Edward said he was getting the pasta with the blush sauce.

Emmett immediately gave him a hard time. "So, you're partial to the blush, Edward?" he asked as he continued looking at the menu, his dimpled grin giving him away.

I looked away quickly, focusing on the décor of the room, certain Emmett's comment must have something to do with me.

"Oh, Edward is most definitely partial to the blush, I'd say," Jasper answered before Edward could say anything to either of them.

I looked back in time to catch Edward glaring at them both and flipping-off both Emmett and Jasper simultaneously for a split second before he realized that I was watching him.

Rosalie jumped into the conversation and to the rescue . "Stop it, you three dolts! Have some manners. So, Alice, Bella, how did the room move go today?"

"Oh, Rose, you should come see it when we get back. It's really cool. We got Bella moved over in no time and we did some decorating. We've got a really cool lounge, now."

"Or 'swanky fort,'" Edward said, turning to look at me, his lips curling into a smile.

"It's a "damn fine swanky fort," I agreed, smiling back at him.

"Yes it is. It's a DFSF," he said nodding, still smiling. .

"Agreed." I nodded back. He and I laughed and the others all looked confused.

"So, yeah, I want to come see your lounge or fort or whatever the hell you built, when we get back," Rose said, looking from Alice to me. "So that went okay, huh? Building it, I mean?"

"We couldn't have done it ourselves," I told her. "Edward and Jasper added extensions to the bed frames and moved the closets against the wall for support and the beds form the ceiling to a little hang-out space. The whole thing is awesome."

"It's great as long as Bella doesn't break her neck falling out of bed," Edward agreed.

"There is that to consider," I nodded.

Our food arrived and we dove in. It was exceptional, probably in part because we had missed lunch, but it really was excellent, authentic Italian.

Over dinner, Alice continued painting the picture of our fabulous dorm room, until she suddenly recalled Jasper's kilt.

"Wait, let me get this straight," Emmett butted in, "you bought a kilt?"

"No, he did not buy a kilt," Edward explained, "he bought a woman's plaid, pleated skirt that looked kilt-like."

"Yeah, Edward went to the thrift store with me to help me pick out a good one."

"Edward, you went with Jasper to shop for women's clothing? That's really out of character; not for Jasper, obviously, but for you."

"Yes, I was there. He wanted me to buy something Country-Western, but I couldn't be swayed."

"Yeah, he wouldn't buy these perfectly good chaps they had. And they were cheap."

"They were cheap because they were assless, you ass. Actually, that didn't even matter. I wasn't going to buy chaps, ass or no ass. No matter how cheap."

"What's so bad about chaps?" Rosalie asked, turning and looking mischievously at Emmett.

"Or even just a big cowboy hat and not a stitch else?" Emmett asked, looking at Rosalie meaningfully.

Suddenly they were kissing and Alice was fake-gagging, pointing her index finger into her mouth. "Ew, disgusting! Get a room, you two!"

Emmett and Rose stopped, laughing. "Got you going, Alice," Emmett observed.

"Yeah, I'll bet." Alice wasn't convinced it had been a joke. "I don't want to even know about the cowboy hat thing."

We finished dinner and divided our bill, Emmett paying for him and Rose, and Alice and I splitting the rest of the bill to pay for ourselves, Edward and Jasper. We headed back out to the Hummer.

"Hey, the night is still young," Emmett said as we were climbing into the car. "A couple guys I know are having a party at their house tonight. We could swing by there before we go back home. Anybody opposed to that?"

Nobody voiced any concerns, so the decision was made and we were off.

I managed to buckle myself up on my own this time. Edward stayed put on his side of the seat, but I glanced up to see his darkened eyes watching me and making sure I would be safe.

When we pulled up we could hear the music thudding from within the house. There were quite a few cars parked on the surrounding streets. We piled out of the Hummer and went inside. The place was fairly packed, with people spilling out onto the dimly lit patio behind the house.

"Do you know the guys that live here?" I asked Edward, leaning up toward him so he could hear me over the music.

"Not well. I just know who they are," he responded, bending down toward me to get closer to my ear. "They're both seniors like Emmett and Rosalie. I think Emmett had a class with them last year; that's how he knows them."

I nodded.

Edward's fingertips were on the small of my back as he leaned into me to speak into my ear again. "I'm going to get a beer, you want one?"

I shrugged and nodded again. He turned to walk away, but a second later he was back, standing close in front of me, taking my hand in his as he peered around the room. "Just come with me," he said. "I don't want to leave you here alone." I smiled to myself. Protective much?

We threaded our way through the crowd, found the beer and helped ourselves. I wasn't really much of a beer drinker, but the occasional one was fine. Edward talked to a few people that he recognized, and introduced them to me. At one point I had to go to the bathroom, so I told him I'd be right back and he waited nearby.

I was quick. I came right back. But there was Edward, standing with a girl who was batting her eyelashes up at him. She was leaning toward him, breasts thrust out, chatting him up. Her body posture was feral; she was ready to pounce. His body posture was somewhat rigid; he looked ready to cut and run. I walked up to them and put my arm through his, looking up at his surprised face and grinning. I just managed to catch the end of what the girl was saying. Something about Jell-O body-shots.

I looked into Edward's wide eyes. "Hi Pooh Bear," I said to him, batting my own eyelashes, grasping his arm tightly in my hand, and laying my other hand flat on his chest. "What have you been doing?"

"I'm just waiting for you, love." He had recovered his surprise and his smile at me was now a smirk.

Miss Jell-O-Shot smiled weakly, withdrew her claws and slinked away.

Edward looked back down at me, his lips curled into a smile. "Seriously, Bella? 'Pooh-Bear'? You couldn't do better than that?"

I giggled. "Hey I had to think quickly on my feet. I had to call the shots."

"But not the Jell-O body-shots?" He raised an eyebrow suggestively.

I blushed. "No!" And then I realized I was still touching him and there was no reason to, and I quickly removed my hands. "Let's go find the others."

We headed into the living room, it was darker and the music was louder. Through the throng of people we could see Emmett dancing with Rose, and Alice and Jasper were dancing nearby.

Edward bent down toward me, "My turn to make a pit stop. I'll be right back; wait right here."

I nodded up at him.

He left and I stood there, sipping at my beer.

A moment later I was aware of someone brushing up against me; a light touch running up the back of my arm. But there was no feeling of electricity. I turned and looked up at a vaguely familiar face. His hair was a dirty blond color and his icy blue eyes were cat-like. He was a predator.

He leaned toward me and spoke. "I remember you…you like it sweet and raw." He looked at me lasciviously. "Cafe latte with two raw sugars. Right?"

I nodded as I moved away slightly. It was the creepy guy from the coffee shop.

"What's your name, beautiful?"

"Um, I'm Bella."

A slow smile slithered across his lips. He was aware of my discomfort and he took another step toward me.

"The name fits you. 'Beautiful.' I should have known. Who'd you come here with?"

"Um, I came here with Emmett Cullen and Rosalie Hale," I managed. I looked out to where people were dancing and saw them all still out there.

He moved closer to me as he peered around at the crowd. "And they left you here all alone, unprotected?" He licked his lip, sidling up next to me. "Would you like to see the rest of the house?" he asked seductively. "I'd like to take you on an exclusive tour. We could find ourselves a quieter spot."

Before I could respond, an arm suddenly snaked around my waist from the other direction, pulling me away from the predator into a big, warm body. I looked up to see Edward's beautiful green-blue eyes, looking down at me. He had a sly grin on his lips.

"I leave you alone for a minute and the wolves descend!" He spoke loudly enough for James to hear. "Did you miss me, love?" he asked. His eyes were dancing. Payback was a bitch.

I couldn't say anything, though, because he suddenly pulled me closer and then he planted a soft kiss on my forehead. My mouth went dry. I pulled back, looking up at him, my mouth agape, in shock. His mouth twitched, but then his gaze shifted, staring down the coffee shop guy; Edward's expression a challenge.

"James, how's it going?" Edward was extending his other arm, encircled me within the safety of his arms now. I was still speechless. Still shocked. "I see you've met Bella," he said, smiling down at me. "This is James. This is his house. He and his roommate Laurent are hosting this party."

My head swiveled slowly to James and I nodded. "James and I have met."

James was eyeing me speculatively. "Why didn't you say you say you were here with Edward?" he asked.

I shrugged. "I didn't have the chance." Edward's hands loosened and I felt one of his hands travel up to the back of my neck, long fingers lacing through the hair at the nape of my neck. It sent a shiver down my spine.

"Are you cold, love?" Edward asked, feeling me shiver. I could see that he was enjoying himself with this charade.

"No, actually, it's gotten a little warm in here. I've got to step outside for some air." I looked up at James. "Nice to meet you." Or not. I looked up at Edward and I knew that my face was flushed from his attention and proximity and his physical transgression. I slipped away, weaving my way through the crowd and out the door to the patio.

I found a quieter spot outside and I took a deep breath. Edward joined me a moment later. He stood there chagrined, with his hands in his pockets. "I'm sorry."

"That wasn't necessary, Edward." I punched him in the upper arm and then I just glared at him.

He looked contrite. "Sorry. It was impulsive. I came out and I saw James putting the move on you. James can be a real letch. I wanted to make sure he knew you weren't available. I didn't want him hassling you. He can be a creep."

I looked down at my hands. Edward was definitely protective of me. He had called it right, though. James was creepy and I had to admit, I was glad Edward had interrupted James' actions. It seemed like James had gotten the message, still…it hadn't been necessary to kiss me.

"Well, let's call it even now," I told him. "I got rid of Miss Jell-O-Shot, you got rid of Lecherous James. And from here on out we're on our own; no saving each other from sexual predators."

He ran a hand through his hair as he stood there looking at me. "Does this mean you won't call me 'Pooh-Bear' ever again?" he asked quietly, a hopeful little crooked grin appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"It depends on how well you behave yourself," I threatened, but I relented, smiling at him.

He laughed his musical laugh. "Well then, I'll be on my best behavior. Don't want to be a 'Pooh-Bear.'"

EPOV

Bella looked beautiful tonight. When she and Alice came downstairs to our suite earlier, I'd already been worrying about the evening ahead. I'd been thinking I should maybe not go. Those thoughts went right out the window when I saw her. She was breathtaking.

When I buckled her into the Hummer, her face had been right there. I wouldn't have had to duck my head very far to press my lips to hers. Her eyes had had that unfocused look that just reeled me in. I managed to slide back over to my side and look out the window for the rest of the drive, willing myself to not think about what it would feel like to kiss her.

Dinner had been easy with the banter of the group. Just the 'blush' shit from Emmett and Jasper had been embarrassing. I think she caught me flipping them off, but she didn't say anything. They could be such assholes sometimes.

Bella and Alice had seemed really happy about their room. They thanked us profusely numerous times. I was glad we'd been able to help them, even though I'd had my moment of spontaneous combustion. I smiled to myself, thinking about how Bella remembered I'd called the lounge a 'swanky fort'. That little lounge area would always be the 'damn fine swanky fort' to me now.

The party at James' and Laurent's had been kind of a surprise. I don't think Emmett knew them all that well. Laurent seemed okay, but James gave me a bad vibe. And I'd heard some unpleasant rumors about him concerning girls. They could have just been rumors, but there must be some basis in fact. It upset me when I saw him hitting on Bella. He was disgusting.

Bella had saved me from the Jell-O-Shot girl, snuggling up against my arm. It was a pleasant surprise, and it would have been sexy, except that she'd called me 'Pooh-Bear,' and that kind of nixed the sexy for me. Just as well. It was just a ruse, anyway. I knew she wasn't doing it seriously.

But I'd had my own opportunity when I'd caught James slithering up to her. I'd had to step in, but I knew I'd gone overboard, and I'd blamed it on wanting to make sure that James got the message. I had really just gotten carried away once I had my arm around her. I enjoyed the feeling of holding her, and the blush and confusion on her face when I'd kissed her forehead. And she'd smelled so damn good.

I'd apologized, but deep inside, I wasn't too sorry. And I'd managed to keep things light. I don't think she was really angry with me, anyway. She had punched me, but it wasn't a very solid punch. I realized I was smiling now, just thinking about it. If I could do it over, I wouldn't change a thing. But I knew I wouldn't get the opportunity to do that again.

Emmett and Rose came out to the patio after I'd apologized to Bella.

"You guys done?" Emmett asked. "We're ready to roll."

"Yeah, let's go." We turned to leave and I kept my hands to myself.

We all got back in the Hummer. Bella had her seatbelt wired, so I didn't get to help her.

Once we got back home we all trooped upstairs so Alice could show Rose and Emmett the new and improved version of their room. On our way up the stairs we met Victoria and Lauren coming down the stairs. They were dressed identically. After they passed, we all looked at each other, our eyebrows raised. What the hell was that?

"Bella, we've got some serious shopping to do," Alice said, her thumb jerking over her shoulder toward the two disappearing girls and their matching outfits.

We all burst out laughing as we headed into their room.

Alice gave Rose the grand tour of the rearranged room and the 'damn fine swanky fort'. Alice was pissed that we were all calling it that now, but that was just too bad. The name stuck. Bella showed Rose how she climbed up to her bed and then back down, making me feel a little better about her chances of living through the next twenty four hours.

Emmett and Rose were appropriately impressed about the modifications. They thanked us for the tour and for including them in the dinner outing. We thanked Emmett for driving and then they left.

It was late and suddenly everything was awkward. For Emmett and Rose, and Alice and Jasper, it had been a date night. And now it was that point in the date where you would thoroughly kiss your date goodnight, hold each other for a while and maybe murmur a conversation. But for me and Bella it hadn't been a date night. So what were we supposed to do now? It would have been easier if we hadn't all come up here. Or if I hadn't come up here.

I cleared my throat. "Well, that was a great dinner. Thanks Alice and Bella, for taking us out. Dinner was great. I'm going to take off. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Goodnight, Edward." they both said simultaneously. "See you tomorrow," Alice called after me.

I got down to my room and realized I was actually rather worn out. It was going to feel good to crawl into bed and get a good night's sleep. It had been a long day, filled with a lot of ups and downs.

My life was sure a lot more interesting now than it had been just one week ago.

A/N: So, excuses, excuses. There didn't have to be any touching. Right?