Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

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I will call Charlie Swan's house. I will talk to Bella tonight and tell her that she misunderstood. I will tell her that I'm not with Rosalie.

I felt a hand on my waist. I turned to see what Heidi wanted when I came face to face with Tanya…

~~Edward~~

"Edward."

OK her voice was the same, but as my eyes took her in, I realized that Tanya had been 'enhanced' - transformed. She was no longer a soft, sensual and emotive beauty. Her once natural and delicate features were now hard and large and fake. This was a cool, expressionless version of Tanya.

"Tanya?" it wasn't a question, but my voice inflected as if I was asking. She looked older, but it wasn't just that. I was having a real problem trying to absorb all the changes.

Her hair, different style, different color. Her skin, perfectly made-up, smooth, fake-tanned. Her lips, puffy, fuller, the glossy red lipstick too perfect; she was smiling but now there were no cute creases around her eyes, her whole face stagnant, un-moving.

Then I noticed her breasts, the deep crevice of her cleavage.

Fuck! She's had a boob-job? Why? Fucking hell.

This is what Rosalie will turn into. This is what Hollywood can do to beautiful women, especially after exploitive career advice from money-hungry men that think these type of aesthetic enhancements look good on camera.

The woman I had once held in my arms, made love to, was no longer there. She was completely transformed into a different being. Fucking hell. Would I ever become this? The thought that I could made me nauseous. Even more vomit inducing was the thought that I might drag Bella into this world; a corrupt reality I should be shielding and protecting her from.

I felt sad to realize this Tanya was not the Tanya I had been with two years ago. I'd been convinced I was in love with her at the time, but now that I'd felt true love, for Bella, I knew for a fact that what I had felt for Tanya was just infatuation.

"Come outside on the balcony with me please. I'd really love to talk to you in private," said Tanya.

I stood in a daze, hoping the look on my face didn't give away my feeling of incredulity that the beautiful woman I'd once made love to was now this hard looking Barbie. Even her once soft strawberry-blond spiral curls were now flat-ironed straight, unmoving, platinum.

She stepped closer to me to whisper in my ear. "Please Edward, I want to apologize, and I've missed speaking to you. Can we just talk for five minutes, alone? We share a history, one that I miss every day." She stepped even closer.

I could smell the stale odor of cigarette smoke mixed with peppermint on her breath. I closed my eyes as the sensory combination of her voice and smell reminded me of when we were together, when she was in bed with me.

"OK," was all I could say.

She smiled and walked to the glass doors that led to the large wrap-around balcony that was by now crowded with people. She stopped a waiter on the way to ask him something then kept walking.

I was surprised that all the anger I'd previously felt for how Tanya had acted towards me and the terrible way she had treated people – it had evaporated. I didn't feel much of anything except sadness and pity.

When the warm LA air hit us on the balcony, she turned to me and smiled again.

"Edward, you look, simply...breathtaking."

I didn't know how to be tactful. I had no idea if Tanya had actually wanted the changes that now appeared in front of me.

"You look so different." I couldn't say she looked good, she didn't.

I caught the flash of defiance in her eyes before she placed her hand on my arm and squeezed. "How have you been? I don't mean your career; I can follow that in every magazine. I mean, how are you?"

I consciously patted my pants pocket, knowing that mom would call me soon with Charlie Swan's number. The thought was a lifeline.

"I'm fantastic. I'm shooting in Vancouver. Life is...I'm just, it's good."

I couldn't tell her about Bella, I couldn't tell her about the song, or the fact that I was to star in Liam Berty's next film. Me and Tanya were in different worlds now.

I felt a lump in my throat when I remembered how Tanya had encouraged me when I started out with my acting. She had been my girlfriend, but also my life coach, pushing me, motivating me. She had no idea that losing that support when she dumped me for Stefan–the director she went after to boost her career–cut me far more than the loss of her physically.

The waiter she'd spoken to appeared with a bottle of Dewar's White Label, a bucket of ice with tongs and two glasses. He placed it on one of the cocktail tables and proceeded to open the bottle and pour Tanya and I a drink. I watched him, knowing her eyes were on me. My preferred drink - she remembered.

"Bottoms up!" she toasted and I saw a brief flash of the girl I had once cared about. We both laughed.

"I've missed – this." She motioned between us with her glass.

I was in no way going to give her any mixed signals.

"And how are you Tanya?" I genuinely wanted to know.

"I've been good, I mean, I still audition now and then for movie roles, but television suits my pace."

"Are you still with Stefan?" I thought I should at least ask if she was still with the guy she dumped me for.

"Yes."

She reached into her purse, and pulled out a sleek silver cigarette case, flipped it open and offered me one.

I couldn't help but grimace. "I've given up." I stated.

She laughed, "Seriously?" Her eyes went wide, the first animated movement her face had made since I'd seen her.

"You're surprised?"

"No, I suppose not. I should quit too," she said, but she placed the white stick in her mouth anyway. I watched as she lit it, her eyes closing as the first puff of smoke swirled up into her face. She sucked in a deep drag and held it in her lungs for a couple of seconds before blowing it out in a billowing sigh. I was kind of bewildered for a second, as the actuality of what she was doing hit me. She was trying to be provocative. The cigarette was a tool she used to draw attention to her face. Out of habit? I knew she hated the taste; she had always sucked mints after she'd been smoking.

I watched as she took another sip of whiskey. The glossy red lipstick she was wearing left smudges on the glass. I noticed her perfectly manicured nails were a matching red. Her designer clothes, the sparkling jewelry...the whole picture was everything that wasn't Bella.

All of it made Bella even more desirable to me. Bella would never want to be here at a premiere party, she'd rather be writing in the VIP bar, having a home made dinner with Ben and Angela or watching me play the guitar anonymously in a seedy venue like Laurent's.

"How's your family?" Tanya asked.

She casually continued dragging on her cigarette and unconsciously diverted her gaze around to look at other people, or rather, see if they were looking at her.

She didn't give a shit about my family. She'd never liked Alice and she was always very curt with my mom. I could remember my anger with Tanya in the past. She was completely self-centered. She feigned curiosity, just to carry on the conversation.

I laughed as I downed my drink and instantly grabbed the bottle to pour myself another.

She smiled at my laughter, pushing her chest out. My response was like applause to her, she reacted as if she was in front of a camera, as if all eyes were on her.

"What's funny?" she questioned.

"Tanya, you and I both know you couldn't give a flying fuck how my family is."

"That's not true," she said defensively. "I know they didn't think I was good enough for you, but Edward, I tried. Alice made it perfectly clear to me the first time I met her that she thought I wasn't the right one for you. How did you expect me to react to that? They always made me feel inferior. Maybe if they had accepted me, we would have worked out."

I couldn't believe she just said that. She had always told me that I was a 'fling', that she never saw anything long term with me. I guess I'd hoped to change her mind. I realized she meant what she said after she dumped me. Looking back, I saw that she thrived on the adoration I gave her. I was inexperienced, I looked up to her, and I had to admit I guess I was using her in order to explore my talent, and sate my sexual appetite. She already had a few acting jobs under her belt and was rising quickly. She made me feel and believe things I never thought possible.

"We both know that you never wanted anything long term with me, my family had nothing to do with that. I don't really want to talk about our past, if that's OK with you." I downed my drink and proceeded to pour another, topping her glass up without thought.

"Edward. I know you're probably contracted for another five years straight, but I need to ask. Stefan is directing a sitcom; it could possibly get another season. Would you be a guest star on the show? It would mean a lot to me if we could work together, just once. Remember we always joked that we would, that it would be fun?"

I stared at her as all the pieces fell into place. She was only talking to me to get me to appear on her boyfriend's failing sitcom?

"I think that moment has long past, Tanya. I'm sorry. Television was never what I wanted, you know that. I've never wanted to - " I stopped when she looked away from me. She was angry. She was only two years older than me, and she'd already been typecast.

She sipped her drink and continued to inhale her cigarette. "Beauty fades Edward. You know they only want you when you're hot. Talent doesn't necessarily come into it."

I nodded my head, but I knew she was repeating words that were not her own, trying to convince herself.

She waved her hand dismissively, then stubbed her cigarette out in the sand filled box a few paces away.

When she came back to me, she placed her hand over my chest. "I shouldn't have let you go," she whispered. "I was stupid. I didn't realize what I had until I pushed it away. Edward, I'm sorry, can you, will you forgive me, and -"

"Stop, Tanya." I grabbed her hand. "Don't do this. We both know that our time together was an exploration. I thought I loved you, but you and I know, I was young and infatuated. You don't owe me anything. In fact, I should thank you for breaking up with me. I wouldn't be where I am now."

I stood staring at her. It felt like I was in a soap opera. The whole scene was a parody of an outrageously scripted episode of 'Days of Our Lives'. Everything around me was too much. She was too much. The last 48 hours had been like a slap in the face; a long overdue wake-up call.

Tanya wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed my cheek.

The flashes, close and bright, startled me. I was shell-shocked for a second, until Tanya turned around and started grinning at a lone photographer, his face twisted in a sardonic grin.

I sighed, and turned my back to him. The predictability of the moment almost had me laughing hysterically.

"Just a couple of pictures of us together for old times sake." Tanya said happily.

I closed my eyes, the flashes ghosting in red and yellow blotches in my vision. She orchestrated this, to be seen with me? I could visualize the headlines now. It made me feel nauseous, so I downed another quick shot and refilled my glass.

"It's been great catching up with you Tanya. If you'll excuse me." I walked away from her.

"Edward, please," I heard her whine.

I downed my drink as I walked then deposited the glass on a waiter's tray as he passed me. I walked straight to the restroom to scrub the sticky lipstick kiss mark off my face. Then I had one purpose and one purpose only. My eyes scoured the venue. I spotted Heidi talking to Jason Jenks, the executive producer of my film.

"Excuse me, Heidi, may I steal you for just one minute," I said politely but with enough urgency that she responded straight away.

"Of course Edward," she gushed. "Please excuse us Jace?"

Jace? Fawning all over him and the cutesy name? Holy hell, just kill me now.

She stepped aside with me, barely out of earshot.

"What is it Edward, did you change your mind?" she grinned at me lasciviously.

"No, Heidi. You can keep your illegal narcotics. I was just photographed on the balcony. Was the photographer invited? Because he just took what could look to be an intimate picture of me with Tanya Denali, my EX girlfriend."

"What?" she fumed. "God, I can't even stop to have one glass of champagne with out some drama unfolding." she scowled. "Alright, I'll deal with him. I can just imagine what she'd say in an interview to illustrate those pictures." Her anger was suddenly replaced by calm as she stepped back to Jace.

"Darling," she drawled. "I'm needed for something, so I'm leaving you here with Edward for a while. I won't be long."

Jason smiled at her and she rushed off, her heels clicking across the marble floor.

"Edward," he bellowed and patted me on the back. "What are you drinking?"

"Whiskey." I said flatly. My free hand slipped into my pocket to pull out my iPhone to make sure the ring tone was turned up.

"Ah, the good stuff." Jason motioned to a waiter and nodded his head.

"Now Edward, what is it that I hear from Marcus about a song you've written?" he looked intrigued.

Episode. Bella.

"Yes, I have a song. It fits the movie perfectly. Marc said he'd talk to you about using it on the soundtrack. He was discussing the...marketability of it, and the additional income it could generate, you know, from my...millions of fans."

I took a deep breath in. I knew speaking about the song in money terms should spark his interest. After the disaster I had just experienced with Tanya, I didn't give a fuck anymore. Everyone in Hollywood was out to get what they wanted. The only thing I wanted was Bella and for Episode to be on the soundtrack. I may as well play this game. 'Strike while you're hot', isn't that what Liam Berty said...

I watched, waiting for him to absorb my words.

Fuck it.

"The song provides a real novelty in terms of marketability for the film," I went on, "and it increases opportunities for cross-promotion with other merchandise." Shit, how many drinks have I had?

"The copyright is being drawn up right now by my agent and my lawyer. My co-writer and I are offering the song exclusively for the soundtrack."

Jason pondered this as the waiter arrived with two glasses of whiskey.

"Hell, I guess I can talk to Heidi about that," he said at last. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt for you to appear on some music shows, reach the MTV generation?"

"Exactly," I said, searching for more spin, "A highly profitable market, wouldn't you say?"

"I can't see why not. Marcus said it was a good song, that he could use it..."

I tried to stay calm, but I was buzzing.

"So, it's a yes then," I hedged.

He clinked his glass to mine. "We can talk about it more when I visit the set next month. I'm bringing my niece with me, by the way. She's a huge fan of yours and she wants to be an actress. You should come out to dinner with us."

I swallowed my dismay and gave him a knowing smirk.

"Your niece? Ahh, how old is she?" I questioned.

He snorted a sarcastic laugh. "She's only seventeen, Edward. But she's feisty and well, she's spoiled rotten if you ask me, but hey, I'm the cool uncle that can get her on set."

I smiled and we sipped our whiskey. I could hear Heidi's shoes before I felt her hand on my arm as she pulled me aside.

"OK, Edward, disaster averted, but for God's sake if you're going to suck face with anyone, please make sure it's Rosalie and not some TV actress with a really bad boob job."

I couldn't help but laugh. "I didn't kiss her, she kissed me, on the cheek."

"Whatever, just, keep out of trouble please? You'll make me look bad."

"I'm hardly your average demanding celebrity client now am I Heidi?" I sounded gratingly childish, even to myself.

She pursed her lips. "You're welcome," she snarked at me.

I downed another glass, and another, as 'Jace', as he now told me to call him, raved on about the movie and his niece and gushed how Heidi was doing a wonderful job.

I started to feel lightheaded. I realized that I'd consumed too much, and excused myself to the restroom.

When I returned, Heidi scowled at me and, when Jace was distracted, she grabbed my arm to pull me aside.

"Edward, you need to meet a few people now, OK? I need you to be charming."

Heidi dragged me around to meet some more 'important' people. We circulated the entire room and eventually ended back in front of Jace who insisted I have another whiskey with him.

I felt like I was going to pass out, and was about to suggest to Heidi that I get back to the hotel when I felt my phone vibrate and let out a piecing ring.

Please let it be Mom.

My fingers fumbled in my pocket. I retrieved my phone, answering it instantly.

"Mom? Did you find it?" I slurred.

"Yes I found it."

"Thank god. What's the number?"

"Edward are you drunk?"

"I've had a few whiskeys, that's all," I lied.

"Well I don't think you should speak to Bella when you're under the influence of alcohol."

"Please mom," I pleaded. "You have to give me the number, I fucking can't stand another day without hearing her voice."

"Do not curse whilst you're speaking to me Edward. I will not suffer it. I know how you're feeling but I refuse to give you police chief Swan's number so you can call his daughter while you're drunk!"

I took a deep breath in and tried to calm myself.

"I'm sorry mom, I had a run in with Tanya earlier and I'm not dealing with it."

"Well, that's even more reason for you to wait. Call Bella when you're less emotional. Edward, make your excuses politely and go back to the hotel, sleep it off. I'll call you tomorrow and if I think you can handle it then I'll give you the number."

"Please mom, I won't embarrass myself, or you, I just have to tell her what she thought was...that I'm not with Rosalie. It's killing me."

There was silence.

"It's late Edward. I'm sorry, no. Tomorrow, when you're sober. Goodnight." she hung up on me.

I slipped my phone back in my pocket and clutched at my hair.

Tomorrow? Fuck I need another drink.

~~Bella~~

I spent the day in Port Angeles with Elaine. Dad had roped Eric into going fishing with him in an attempt at 'male bonding'. I stifled my laugh when an obviously squeamish Eric listened to my dad discussing what bait they would use and what time they would leave to launch the boat somewhere in the Bogacheil State Park.

Elaine and I ended up in this cute little boutique and she convinced me to try on some pretty summer dresses. I ended up buying a gorgeous floral patterned cotton dress and a bikini.

I'd actually never owned a bikini. Living in Sydney, I just never exposed that much skin to the intensity of an Australian sun. Instead, I'd always wear a one piece, and a long sleeved rashie. I'd learnt my lesson when I fell asleep once on Bondi beach and had severe sunburn. Since then, my lily-white skin had not been exposed for more than a few minutes to the sun without sunscreen.

The bikini was royal blue, with tiny bows and white stitching detail. It fit as if it was made just for me and it really wasn't that expensive, even though I was sure my mental currency conversions–US dollars to Australian dollars–was probably way off.

"Bella. I don't mean to pry, but you know I'm a mom and there's women's intuition and everything."

"Yes?"

"Are you having, um...boy troubles?" Elaine raised an eyebrow.

I sighed. My silence must have been a confirmation.

"It's just that your speech last night – well, they were the words of a woman who has experienced love, who's maybe in love right now?" Elaine persisted.

"Can I speak candidly, but, um, confidentially, please, Elaine?"

"Of course. Anything you tell me I'll keep to myself," she assured me.

"Did Charlie tell you anything about, maybe a boy I used to have a crush on, when I was a teenager?"

"Yes. He didn't go into much detail, but he told me you decided not to come to live with him when you were sixteen. Your mom told him you were infatuated with a boy at school, that it was just a phase and that you should be left to work it out."

We sat down in a cafe, and ordered coffees.

"That boy, well, I never told dad, or my mom, but when I was twenty, we were together."

Her face broke into a grin that quickly faded when I didn't return the smile.

"Oh, I think I understand," she said, "It didn't work out."

"No, it didn't." I didn't feel like going into any detail.

"And now. There's someone?" How to answer her?

"He's...he's simply indescribable. He's gorgeous, talented, inspiring, and compassionate. We're friends; he's in love with someone else. But before I knew he was, I kind of let myself fall in love with him. He can't be mine, so I have to find a way to be happy for him. But how do you stop having feelings for someone? This is the second time I've fallen in love, and both times...I think...I must be doomed to be alone, and it scares me."

"Don't ever think that Bella. Look, I can't say I have a hell of a lot of experience when it comes to men. I was only nineteen when Eric was born. I was with his father for ten years. But I believe there is someone out there for you. You have to be open, or that person may slip through your fingers."

She placed her hand on mine.

"Bella, I've had a crush on your dad for twelve years."

"What?" I looked at her, shocked.

"OK you probably don't want to hear this but your dad is a bit of a catch. I mean, he's an honorable upstanding citizen, he's respected and well, god he's pretty suave and sexy. Sorry, I know you couldn't possibly see him that way, but I do.

"I was convinced that Charlie Swan wouldn't want to be in a relationship with a struggling single mom. I had no idea he was divorced and had a young daughter living in Australia. I assumed he was happier without that type of responsibility, so I didn't act on my feelings."

She smiled and looked wistful.

"I'd give anything to be able to go back in time. I would have pursued him, Bella. Twelve years ago, I would have worked up the courage to ask your father out on a date. I should have, but I let my insecurities talk me out of it! Don't just assume things Bella. Ask, find out, speak your mind. Things aren't always how they seem."

Our coffees arrived. I completely understood Elaine's reasoning. I knew my dad. He always acted like the cool, happy, single man, and never wallowed.

But she didn't know that I'd already acted on my feelings with Riley. I'd pushed myself on him. I'd tried to make him love me. Our situations weren't the same.

I smiled and nodded my head as we sipped our coffee. We spent the rest of the afternoon window shopping and browsing through a bookstore.

I ended up buying the novel Eric had showed me last night; the novel that Liam Berty was going to turn into a film. I was excited about reading it; because of course I would be able to visualize Edward as the lead character.

Elaine and I drove back to Forks in the late afternoon to find Charlie watching ESPN and Eric passed out on the sofa.

"Let's just order pizza for dinner." Elaine suggested.

"Did someone say pizza?" said Eric, yawning. He didn't move from his reclined position on the sofa or open his eyes.

"Yes, Eric. It's late, are you driving back to Seattle tonight?" Elaine asked him with a concerned voice.

"Urgh!" he groaned. "I should, I've got work tomorrow."

"How was the fishing?" I asked, smiling as I watched Eric's nose scrunch up.

"The city boy didn't do so good," laughed Charlie.

"I'm hardly a city boy. I did grow up here, remember," Eric laughed in return. "I've just never been used to, you know, sports and getting my hands dirty."

I laughed along with them. I really liked Eric; he was like an honest preppie adorable dork.

Elaine and Eric left shortly after dinner and Eric told me I should try to visit him in Seattle, but if I couldn't he'd definitely see me back in Forks for Thanksgiving. He gave me his business card and told me to email him.

I made my excuses about a long day and practically ran upstairs to bed, leaving my dad watching some game on TV. I sank under the covers, holding the novel in my hands.

I did what I always did when I got new book.

I held it between flat palms and smelt the fore-edge, then flicked the pages to inhale the unique smell of paper and ink. My head swam. I fingered to the imprint page. It was published in 2003. I read the dedication, and slowly turned to open to the first page of Chapter One.

I had probably been reading solidly for at least an hour when I heard Charlie ascend the stairs to the bathroom and the soft click of his door as he went to bed.

I was sure that if I wasn't here, he'd be either staying at Elaine's or she'd be here with him, and I couldn't help but smile. I should go back to Vancouver tomorrow, let him and Elaine have some alone time. But the thought of being back in the hotel made me sad.

I looked at the book in my hands. I could visualize Edward's character. I could almost hear his voice as I read the character's dialogue.

The love interest in the story was insecure, a little self-conscious. She was from the 'poor side of the tracks' but she was likeable, in a sometimes frustrating way. She was described as having long straight brown hair and hazel eyes.

They'd fallen in love. It was a typical plot device where the characters have to get through the obstacles to be with each other. I hadn't read much but it seemed a little predictable and for the life of me, I couldn't help but picture Rosalie Hale as the girl Edward's character was in love with. She would look completely wrong in terms of casting, but I just couldn't get her image from my mind.

I took the receipt out of the white and green paper bag the bookstore had wrapped it in and used it as a bookmark.

One more day, and then I'll go back to Vancouver on Tuesday.

Tuesday. That's the day Edward would be back on set...Shit! And I said I'd meet Angela for lunch that day, but I wouldn't be back in time. I'll have to call her and postpone. I hope she doesn't ask me why I'd suddenly fled to Forks.

~0~

A/N: Please don't hate Bella too much, she's a tad insecure and she's convinced Edward is with Rosalie. I appreciate you guys hanging in there…