Disclaimer: No copyrights infringement intended. I don't own Twilight saga or any of its awesome characters.

A/N: SURPRISE UPDATE! My exam got postponed so I put on thinking cap on and got this chapter out for you guys.

Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, favorited, put on alert or simply... read OTC. You guys make my days a little bit brighter. Thank you.

Enjoy Chapter-21 and I'll see you at the end of this chapter! :-)

Chapter-21: Back to Square One

AlicePOV

About half an hour after Edward and Bella left us, I started to feel uneasy. It's not that I was uncomfortable with Jasper- the exact opposite actually; we simply clicked- no, it was more of a feeling of being sort of edgy. I knew I had failed my brother. Even if he didn't say anything to me I felt his annoyance with me. He had trusted me to be responsible and I let Bella get tipsy. After all I was the one who told Bella it'll be a night of fun.

I knew I had to make this right. My brother had always been there for me- for our family. So, I needed to help him take care of his Bella. He might not have figured it out yet but he was falling for her- if he hadn't fallen already, I mentally corrected.

I looked at Jasper. My whole plan for coming out to Seattle was to meet him besides looking at the place for my shop. But I couldn't be selfish and needed to go to my brother's home to help him out.

"Jasper, listen, please don't think that I don't want to hang out with you. I have to go. Bella was in a really bad shape when they left and I think Edward might need my help with her." I looked sadly at him while rambling on.

Jasper gave me slight nod of his head before saying, "It's okay, Alice. I am getting worried about Bella too. In all the years I've known her- she has never been drunk before. Do you know what that was about?" Our quiet conversation was interrupted by Emmett and Rosalie joining us.

"It's because Edward's a chicken shit. He's scared to even touch his wife. I mean, c'mon man, I see Bella as my kid sister but she has some sexual needs too… OW!" Em's rant was stopped by Rosalie clocking him on the back of his head.

She then winked at him before turning to me, "Alice, I'm sure your brother is a great guy… or at least an acceptable one. But he has been giving Bella pains at work. So, if he doesn't get his act together I'm gonna skin him alive and then sprinkle fucking salt all over him. And then I'm gonna make shoes with his skin and present them to Bell as a present. Am I clear?"

I gulped and said with forced calm, "Rosalie, relax. Edward likes Bella. A blind person can see that. And I hear both of you. But we have to keep one thing in mind- those two didn't even get a chance to meet before being thrown together in this way. So I say we let them figure it all out by themselves. They deserve to fall in love because of their own free will. Our parents have done enough meddling as it is." When they all nodded at my words I turned to Jasper, "Now, gentleman, are you gonna drive me home or not?"

He smiled and tipped an imaginary hat to me, "It'll be my pleasure, Ma'am." After a hurried goodbye to Emmett and Rose and getting the vibe that they were gonna go home together, Jasper and I got out of the club. We took Rosalie's car seeing that Em was going to drive her home.

When we were about ten minutes away from Edward's place my phone lit up with an incoming text message.

Where are you, Alice? I need your help, Sis. ~~~ Edward ~~~

I urged Jasper to drive faster and replied to by brother.

Almost there, Bro. Will be there in 10 minutes. ~~~ Allie ~~~

-OTC-

I quickly smacked a kiss on Jasper's cheek before jumping out of the car the minute the car stopped. I was about to ring the door bell when suddenly the door swung open and my brother was there looking scared out of his mind.

I quickly hugged him and apologized, "Ed, I'm so sorry. I got so distracted while talking to mom on the phone that I didn't notice Bella was up at the bar. Please forgive me?" He nodded stiffly.

Then he took hold of my arm and pulled me through the door before closing it. He finally opened his mouth and the words he uttered were the last thing I was hoping for, "Bella hates me. She thinks I'm rejecting her, Allie. I'm out of my depth here." I was hoping for I love Bella, or Thank you for finding Bella for me, or I am furious with you, Alice… even Bella and I just had sex; but not those words.

I looked at him as if he had grown two heads and asked, "Ed, what are you talking about? She was kissing you in front of the whole club and you think she hates you? Why would you think that?"

He shook his head before saying, "I messed up. Can you just go to her room and check on her? Please? I don't know if she wants to see me right now." I could do that.

So I ran up the stairs to Bella's room and knocked on the door. When no answer came I tried the door knob and found it unlocked. I peeked inside and saw Bella was lying face down on the bed and seemingly fast asleep.

I tiptoed inside the room and closed the door softly behind me. When I looked at Bella's face I could feel my heart break for her. She had a sad frown on her face, tear tracks were running down her cheeks and she was curled up into a tight ball.

I shook her shoulder and called softly, "Bella? Get up. You need to change or you'll be really uncomfortable all night."

She mumbled something which sounded like, "… doesn't want me… gay idiot… fucking Mase… stupid hot fucker…" I couldn't make head or tail of it. So I gave up trying to understand her and went to work.

I took off her heels and then brought makeup wipes from my purse and removed her makeup. After that I went into her closet and found a light pink camisole and carefully changed her dress so as not to wake her up. After she had been changed and cleaned, I went out of the room to the hallway where Edward was pacing like crazy.

"Hey, Ed, she'll be fine. Don't worry." He thanked me profusely and then asked me if he could go inside. I nodded and let him pass me. She is his wife but he's so hesitant with her. How have I not seen this before? Maybe we were wrong to push them down the aisle so fast.

He went inside and crouched down next to the bed. He set down a bottle of water and what looked like Paracetamol tablets on her bedside table. Then he ran his hand through her hair and said softly, "Bella, I can't tell you how sorry I am. I wanted to enjoy my night with you. I really did. I'm sorry it turned out like this. Just so you know… I'm not gay and so… platonic isn't good enough. Goodnight, baby."

I didn't understand a word of what he said but when he leaned down to kiss her temple I had to turn around because the seemingly innocent gesture was too intimate to be looked in on.

After saying a quiet goodnight to me Edward went into his room and I was left wondering, "He's so in love with her. I have never seen my brother behave like this. And Bella… the girl must be going through such emotional turmoil… getting married to a stranger in a week's notice has had such an impact on her. But the way she was with Ed at the club… I'm sure she's falling for him as well. I wonder how long will it take for them to accept their feelings!"

BPOV

"Ugh! Who the fuck is drilling on my skull?" was my first thought when I woke up the next day. I looked around me… I was in my bed, wearing a- camisole? Wait, that's not right. I wear t-shirts to bed not camisoles! Who the fuck changed my dress last night?

As I was raking my brain for the answer the previous evening came into my mind like a tsunami. Alice was here… we dressed up and went to a club… Alice talking on the phone… Em and Rosalie trying to get arrested for indecent exposure… a bar… ranting to the bartender… Gin-and-Tonic… Edward looking fuck-hot… dancing with Edward… kissing on the dance floor… Edward carrying me up the elevator... something about platonic?

"Oh no! Oh fuck no! GOD! I had thrown myself with a wanton slut at him. And he… he rejected me. What the fuck? Why the fuck would he reject me?" my initial mortification at the thought of throwing myself at Edward gave way to anger.

I knew for a fact that I looked good last night. I might have been drunk but I still didn't fail to notice how guys were checking me out. But I was too busy to wait for the stupid fucker. "Well it all ends now. I won't give him a second glance from now on." I nodded with conviction at my new plan- which was a mistake because suddenly the drilling noise in my skull went up a notch and a throbbing inside my head made me feel like Woody-fucking-Woodpecker was nestling in there.

I looked around me helplessly before noticing a bottle of water and two Acetaminophen tablets sitting on my bedside table. Alice must've left them here when she changed my dress. I'll have to thank her when I see her. I quickly took the tablets and then seeing that it was after one in the afternoon decided to wash up.

After a hot shower I was feeling like a human again and decided to face the day head on. I went down the stairs and saw Alice sitting on the dining table with a glass of apple juice and sandwich in front of her. When she noticed me she smiled brightly and chirped, "Good morning, sleepy head. I have food for you. Come on down."

I winced at her high pitched tittering and begged, "Please Alice, I feel better but not yet recovered from my hangover. So you mind keeping your voice down a bit?"

She looked guilty and apologized in a much softer tone. I looked around surreptitiously for any sign of him. Alice caught the action and said, "Edward went to Emmett's place for the evening. They're having a boys' day of sorts with Jasper. I called Rosalie a few minutes ago and she's on her way here to help you with your hangover."

I smiled gratefully at the fact that we had the place to ourselves and my best friend was on her way. Don't get me wrong- I loved Alice like a sister but Rose was my soul-sister and I needed her to help me sort out my emotions.

I was devouring the sandwich while listening to Alice's day's work. It looked like she had found a perfect spot for opening her own designer boutique. She wanted to use her fashion designing degree for being close to her brothers and jump starting her career. I was happy to hear I would have Alice so close within a month. She was looking for a place to stay and when I told her that Rose and Jazz was one roommate short she actually shrieked with happiness- making me regret saying something. I value my hearing quite dearly, you see.

Just as I finished clearing up the remnants of my lunch the doorbell rang and Alice opened the door to reveal Rose standing with tubs of Ben & Jerry's in her hands. Gotta love that girl!

I wanted to sit down with the girls and drown my sorrows in ice cream but I had laundry to do. This was my only free day in the whole week. After I told them to take a seat while I load the washing machine they followed me in the laundry room and in no time we were separating whites from colors and dowsing them in detergent.

Just for an instant a thought occurred to me that maybe I should have checked whether Edward had dirty laundry in the hamper as well. However I dismissed the thought right away because- if he got those fucking clothes dirty then he should be the fucker who washed them- not that I was mad at him or anything!

While the machine twirled and tumbled we sat down on the floor and started going through the life-saving drugs… which in our case happened to be ice cream! I decided to ask Alice the question that had been nagging me since waking up, "Hey Allie, did you… uh… were you… who… uhh… did you change my clothes last night?"

Alice looked at my mortified expression before giggling, "Of course silly. What did you think? That Ed changed your clothes? Bella, I already told you my brother maybe an idiot but he's a gentleman."

I grimaced internally, "Yeah… too much of a gentleman." Rose looked at my expression and asked boldly, "So, Swan, spill the beans… what happened when you got back home last night?" Ugh the same question again… really?

I gave her the same mumbled answer like the last time, "Nothing happened, Rosalie."

Rose bluntly rebuffed my answer with her classic come back, "Bull shit, Bella. The way you guys were kissing last night, I won't be surprised if you had crawled inside him then and there." I did what I always do when pressurized… I blushed and then… spilled my guts… in front of his sister! I should really grow a backbone soon!

They both listened to me… Rose with a look of horror which by the end turned into once of fierce protectiveness and Alice with a curious look which turned into a frown by the end of my sorry saga.

Rose broke the silence first. She turned to look at Alice and said with a steely voice, "Look here, short-round, I don't care who the fuck Edward thinks he is but if he treats my best friend like shit anymore… I'm gonna make that shoe… "

Alice returned her glare head on and replied, "Okay, first, DO NOT call me short-round… or I'll call you Hydrogen Balloon… for air head. And second, you may not need to make that shoe… because I have wanted to have a sister for so long and I am NOT going to let his stupid sense of virtue scare her away. If he hurts her then… I will volunteer to help you with the peeling."

I looked from one to the other in confusion before saying, "Um… guys… you do realize that I am sitting right here, don't you? Besides I didn't get head or tail of whatever you are talking about. Can you please rewind further back?"

Rosalie huffed before saying, "It's nothing, B. Chill… I have a plan to make you look so irresistible to dick-head… aka Edward… that he'll beg you for a piece of your ass."

I blushed at the open innuendo and then in a determined voice replied, "No, Rose. I've already decided… we're gonna be platonic. Nothing more than flat mates… we'll meet in the passing, at work and that is it. My ass or any fragment of it is not so cheap that it will need grooming for Mr. Ediot!" They both broke into laughter at my naming genius and we spent rest of the evening in a very pleasant manner.

It was about four when Alice left the house to go say her goodbyes to her brothers before leaving. She hugged me tightly and whispered in my ear, "Bella, I do love you like my own sister already. Please forgive us- my parents and me- for pushing you and Edward to get married in such a hurry. Last night I realized you should've had the chance to make the choice yourself. But I also believe you are the best influence on my brother. I have never seen him so… caring towards anyone other than us. Just give this relationship a chance, please."

I felt the stupid tears prickling in my eyes and sniffled before replying, "I love you too, Allie. You're forgiven. Though it was more my parents than yours that pushed me but thank you for understanding me. I don't know who he is really, Alice. He's so… hot and cold all the time. I can't promise you that it will go somewhere… but I will say this- I can be very stubborn. Mr. Edward Cullen is yet to meet Bitchy Bella." When she giggled I remembered something and added, "Oh, and Alice, thank you for the medicines you left beside my bed. They literally saved my life!"

A sly smile crossed her face as Alice said, "You're welcome, Bella. Although, Edward was the one who put them there, not me. See ya." Before I could say anything else she closed the door behind her and was gone.

What the fuck? Why would fucker extraordinaire get me medicines? Is that what Alice meant by him being… caring? My mind was reeling with all the questions. I was brought out from my reverie by Rose's sudden hug. She took my hand and led me towards the living room couch and then gave a shriek worthy of putting Alice to shame, "Oh my God! OH my God! OH MY GOD! Bella! I slept with the Muscles!" Wait, what…?

When I looked dumbly at her she proceeded to tell my about her dancing with Emmett… his driving her to her place… his giving her the best O of her life… and the fact that he wanted to take her out on next weekend. She looked thoughtful before asking, "This isn't gonna be weird though, right? Me- dating your cousin-in-law?"

I shook my head before grinning at her, "No way, Dude. I can't tell you how happy I am to hear you say the words me and dating in the same sentence. Usually it's just me and fucking." Rose looked down and seemed to be- shy? Whoa! A first for Rosalie Hale after graduating high school!

She softly replied, "He's… it feels different with him, Bell. It feels like it could be more. But I must be out of my mind though, right? I mean I just talked- really talked- to the guy first time last night!"

I took her hand before saying in a soothing manner, "No, Rose. You're not out of your mind. Maybe it is more than lust-at-first sight for you two. Maybe he's your fairytale love story. Take a chance, Rosie."

She sighed and smiled shyly. I really wasn't upset… or jealous. Okay, maybe a little jealous- not for the guy she had found but for the connection they seemed to have forged. I wanted that connection- and I wanted it with Edward…

EPOV

Emmett was right. I was a chicken shit. I had practically run away the moment I heard Em open his front door. I was confused. I was conflicted and I had absolutely no idea how to behave around Bella anymore.

I knew I wanted her- both my heads agreed in that notion. I wanted to know her… I wanted to be the guy she smiled shyly at… I wanted to be the man who made her laugh… I wanted to be the man whom she sought out when she needed support… I wanted to be the man she gave her heart… I wanted to be- her man.

That's where my problem lied- I didn't just want her body… I wanted her heart as well. And if I had allowed what she wanted to happen last night I wouldn't have been able to discern between the two. I needed to take this slow- for both of us. But how do I make her understand this?

After spending the whole day doing practically nothing at Emmett's I figured I should go home. The moment I entered the house an aroma of food hit me making my stomach grumble.

Then I saw Bella was standing in the kitchen wearing an apron over her simple t-shirt and yoga pants and stirring a pot. I liked her look last night a lot- but this look… of simplicity yet elegance seemed so… Bella- that I couldn't help but love her in this outfit just the same.

Bella seemed to feel my gaze and looked up at me. She looked at me without a smile gracing her lips before saying, "I'm making Chicken Risotto. If you don't like it you can order take-out. But there's enough for everyone. Dinner will be ready in about ten minutes. I invited Emmett over for dinner." She said those words almost robotically. I didn't know how I should reply so I gave her a soft 'thanks' before going up in my room to freshen up.

It doesn't make any sense. She cooked dinner for me. But invited Em along… why? Is she trying to avoid me? Is it a tactic to not be alone with me? All these thought made me feel the need to go to the psych ward the next day for a quick psych analysis. Maybe she has been successful in driving me mad- finally?

The sound of the door bell and Bella's following shriek interrupted my self-psych analysis. I rushed down the stairs to see if Bella was okay, only to be hit by an insane amount of jealousy.

Because Emmett, my cousin, my brother- was being allowed to hug her and make her laugh while I was being treated like a fucking stranger. She wanted you to touch her last night remember? But you being the ultimate stupid Romeo denied her and me, you shit head! My dick chastised me. God! I must be going mad if my dick was being the thinking head of my body!

Dinner in a word was- painful. The food was delicious of course- but the whole time Bella simply ignored me. She offered more food to Emmett, served him food and when she noticed my empty plate she just pushed the dish towards me. Emmett seemed to catch on the fact that she was deliberately ignoring me and kept snickering at me. I wish I could throttle the fucker.

After Emmett had left I went to clean the kitchen trying to win some points in Bella's books. But she softly said a goodnight before leaving me elbow deep in foam and dishwashing liquid. Good fucking night, indeed!

-OTC-

The next morning I woke up after a restless night of sleep and after taking a shower I went downstairs to find Bella already in the dining table having her breakfast. We exchanged mumbled good mornings before I sat down across her to eat my breakfast of lucky charms.

Bella got up after a few minutes and then brought me a hot steaming mug of… water. What?! When I looked at her questioningly she smiled sweetly at me before explaining, "Since we're strictly flat-mates now so I figured I'll help you out by saving you the trouble of buying hot water. You do have your precious tea-bag stash right?"

I had to fix this! I called her back before she could turn around and leave the kitchen, "Hey Bella, listen about Friday night…"

She stopped me before I could finish and said with that sweet smile on her face, "It's okay, Edward. I am completely over it. I was drunk and just felt careless. It's done now. It was nothing. Relax. I'm gonna go and get ready. I'll see you at the rounds." With that she left me gaping like a fucking troll.

I meant nothing to her? Having or rather- trying to have sex with me was equivalent of carelessness to her? How can she be over it while I am still stewing in guilt? Hundreds of similar questions grilled me while I finished my food, cleaned the dishes and then left for work all in a daze.

The whole day of Sunday passed in flurry of work, receiving confusing glares from Rosalie whenever she caught my eyes and awkward silences between Bella and me. I couldn't understand what the hell was happening to my simple, straight-forward life!

On my way home I brought Thai food as a peace offering. However like I had hoped we didn't bond as before. We didn't argue about where to sit for dinner, we didn't watch Friends as part of what had seemed to have the potential of becoming our dinner ritual, and I didn't even get a hug goodnight.

Nope, what we did was eat our dinner in radio silence- at the dining table, sitting at opposite ends… with Emmett present to share the meal, cleaned up after ourselves, and I got a mumble of the affirmation of the fact that she was going to bed.

By the end of the disastrous weekend of awkwardness I longed to go back to the times where we were so close to rip each other's throats out. However I had so fucking idea that I had telepathic power to turn my longing into reality- so fucking fast!

A/N: Okay, so this was mostly a redeeming chapter for Alice. It's how I planned to cool her off. Still hate her?

Let me know your thoughts about the chapter and review.

Take care.

Ann