Hai xD!

Nice to see I've still got some readers for this. I have to say, I enjoy this fic so much. And I've found these 3 chapters, Chapters 22 to 24, really enjoyable to write!

I just hope it comes across to you, how it comes across as I read/write it =]

Anyhoo, thanks for not giving up on me! We are nearing the end, not quite, but its approaching. Hope you'll stick around with me :)

Side note – For anyone that reads my other fic, I'm having a little trouble with it atm =[ It's a problem that's easily solved though, I'm just not feeling 100% with the way I've written it =/ and I don't want to post it until I'm happy with it (or as happy as I can be).

So expect an update for that over the next few days!

Thanks again!

(Bella's POV)

Chapter 23:

The world gradually came into awareness as I slowly opened my eyes. I squinted though, as the bright light from outside my window felt like two pins were sticking in my eyeballs.

It wasn't until I moved my head to try and flip myself over, that I immediately regretted my state of consciousness. The throbbing in my head was almost nothing like I'd ever experienced. That, followed by a ghastly curdling of my stomach, a sickness that threatened to ride up my throat and choke me to grim death, told me I'd endured a heavy and eventful night.

The scariest thing of all though, I had no memory of it, not of the party, the people, or of getting into bed. Nothing. It was like my mind covering details of the past 15 hours had been erased, leaving nothing but a blank page.

It was horrifying really. Like I'd had no place in time. Abducted by aliens even? And brought back to earth to suffer some kind of Post-Alien-Abduction-hangover.

Of course the taste in my mouth and fluffiness of my tongue suggested it hadn't been aliens at all. In fact it was the one thing I'd often sworn to steer clear of. Booze.

Having witnessed the after affects from the sidelines every Sunday morning, as Emmett, following a night of partying-hard, would end up on the couch, baggy eyes and holding his stomach, I'd figured alcohol wasn't all it was cracked up to be. And my early observations hadn't proved me wrong. The sensation was ghastly.

There was one thing that did appease me however. Headache and sickness aside - I found pleasure in the knowledge that Edward, whom I hadn't even realised was in my room until I'd just turned my head, was currently sat in a chair beside my bed, his head resting in his arms on the mattress I lay on, soundlessly asleep.

I could only see the auburn ruffles of his dishevelled hair from where I lay, a mass of thick luxuriousness, but he couldn't have looked more adorable.

It was strange to find him in my room, it was as if he'd been watching over me or something. Not that I minded. The only thing I minded was the fact that he was sat in a seat, and wasn't snuggled up on the bed beside me. Pipe dream.

And then something hit me, aside from another wave of nausea. What if I'd made a complete and total fool of myself in front of him? What if he'd literally had to carry me up to my room, dribble around my mouth, legs and arms astray? I was already an avid member of the un-coordinated, but what if I'd been such an embarrassment, a catastrophe amongst the crowd, that my picture would later be up in the local high society newsletter? Named and shamed.

Not only would that be mortifying for me, but for Edward and Rose, it would be detrimental. They already had to put up with so much; I'd hate to add to that as well!

Thankfully the idea of a high society newsletter seemed a little unrealistic, and I'm almost certain there weren't any photographers there, least of all one that was interested in me. There'd been far too many beautiful girls in beautiful dresses to take up the film, so I briefly pushed my paranoia to one side, and breathed a sigh of relief.

Maybe public humiliation could be ruled out, but I still couldn't rule out the possibility that I'd made a fool out of myself in front of Edward. And that bugged me more than I could tell.

I rose with hesitance from where I lay. My head growing worse as I did. It felt as heavy as a house brick, but as large as a hot air balloon. Not a pleasant combination.

I also noticed that I was still in my party dress, and I immediately felt bad about it. It was creased and dirty, I hadn't showed it an inch of the respect it deserved. And boy, if Rose saw me now, she'd probably have kittens out of fury.

As I sat upright and put my hand to my head, ensuring it was the correct size, Edward stirred in his sleep. I froze on the spot barely breathing. And as I heard a light moan pass his lips, his head slowly rising from the mattress, I knew he was awake.

"Oh … Hi" his gravelly voice greeted me, and he winced as he stretched his back out. He frowned momentarily, seeming to wonder why he was even there. But I guessed he had a better memory of it than I did. It took me awhile to even remember what day it was.

"Hey" I smiled, feeling uncomfortable; I was wearing last night's clothes and my hair and face were probably disastrous. I pulled the quilt up above my chest to hide my body. Not that I had much dignity left by now. "A..are you alright?" I managed to get out.

"Yeah…" he stretched again. "Not bad. How about you?" his eyebrow twitched, like he sensed he already knew the answer to that one.

"I've been better" I admitted weakly, trying to smile. "My head kills, I can barely think straight, and I actually feel like I could throw up at any minute" I spoke slowly and swallowed hard.

"Oh, well great. That would be the joy's of excessive drinking. Just don't chuck in my direction" he warned me before he stood from where he sat. He pulled a face as he did, his hand appearing to squeeze his one butt cheek to relieve a tight muscle ache. And I tried not to enjoy that too much. "You know for a billion dollar hotel, these chairs sure are rock hard" he spoke disgruntled as he stared down at it for a moment or two.

"You're leaving?" I said pathetically as he started to walk away. "Where are you going?" I asked, and hoped I hadn't come across as desperate as I was feeling. Truthfully, all I wanted was for him to slip in beside me, hold me in his arms and rock me like a little baby.

Not going to happen.

He turned back to look at me, "to get you a tablet" he answered, his eyes raking my face. "And, give you time to change. Not that you look a mess or anything" he smiled lightly, and I wasn't sure if he was joking or not about that last part.

I nodded back, offering him a small smile of thanks before watching him leave…

I was alone at last, and I couldn't believe what was happening. What I'd put my body as well as Edward through last night. It wasn't pretty, I knew that much.

I didn't know how long Edward would be. 5 minutes? 15? There was no saying. So I decided I'd take that time to wash and dress myself. Maybe make myself look remotely presentable?

I flipped over the duvet quilt. And the cool air-conditioned air was not a welcome feeling against my legs, but I tried to fight the urge to just slip right back into bed.

And with shaky legs and a heavy stomach, I hobbled my way to the bathroom…

…

Edward had dropped off the tablets some 20 minutes later, and then left again soon after. Things felt weird between us. There was an awkward tension there I didn't really like. And although I wanted to say something to him, I wasn't really sure what too say. The events from the previous day were rather hazy, last night being a total black spot, but the daytime events were slowly but surely coming back to me. Albeit in tiny spurts, nothing solid, but it was something at least.

I was just hoping that as the day progressed, it would all make so much more sense to me.

"Alice… I'm not sure I should. I drank… a bit last night, and swimming just doesn't seem like a good option right now" I was talking to her down the phone, 45 minutes following my consumption of the tablets, I was already starting to feel better; minus my still-tender stomach.

"And anyway, isn't there some kind of rule with alcohol? Don't swim and drink?" I questioned her. And she went on to say I was being an idiot. Besides, it's not like I was still drunk, just nursing a major hangover. Truth was, being virtually naked in front of my friends made the nausea rear an even uglier head. Edward, (who'd not only had to endure an entire night with my drunken form), seeing me in a swim suit whilst I resembled that of the un-dead? No thanks.

'Oh come on Bella, don't be a spoil sport! At least put your bathing suit on and come down to the pool side. There's a Jacuzzi you know, that doesn't involve any swimming at all! And you don't have to go in. Just dip your feet" she went on at me, not letting this one go.

"Fine" I eventually relented, telling her I'd be down in 10 minutes. Which I was. And when I arrived, I was actually relieved to find it was relatively empty. Currently occupied by only Alice and Jasper and another couple at the far end of the room, who seemed far too consumed by themselves to even notice us.

Things were looking up.

As for the Spa, well it certainly didn't disappoint. It was out of this world! It looked amazing, like I'd just stepped into a spa in Barbados. There were two large swimming pools, and several surrounding Jacuzzi's. There was a bar area at the top end, framed by palm trees, which hung over giving that natural exotic-like feel, and the entire area was dotted with various loungers for people to sit on, either for reading or simply for relaxation purposes. These ones weren't those uncomfortable plastic loungers you usually get in hotels though; they were a pale blue leather material, and moulded into the curve of a human back. Very posh.

On taking a closer inspection, the ceiling looked remarkably like the sky, a deep ocean blue colour making it feel as if we were outside and it was mid summer not peaking Christmas. It was all done to the highest of standards, as expected really.

"Wow Bella. You look… like you had a great night actually" Jasper commented as I carefully walked towards them. "Did you?"

I gave him a forced smile. "Oh how I wish I could remember" I answered back through sarcasm.

"Poor Bella" Alice offered me her sympathy, stroking my arm as she looked at me. "Did you take something?"

"Yeah, I took a tablet earlier. It's not as bad as it was", I told her, putting a hand to my stomach, her face turning thoughtful at my words.

"Where were you anyway? We looked for you last night, but you'd like, vanished. Edward had too", she looked at me weirdly, like she had an idea but didn't want to say.

But there was no need for that anyway; Jasper gladly said it for her. "Yeah, we just figured you two were off getting it on or something".

"Jasper!" Alice swatted his arm at the insinuation. But I simply rolled my eyes back.

"Alright alright. Just answer me this, did you or did you not, wake up alone this morning?" he questioned me, his arms folded at his bare chest.

I went to answer, but I think my sheepish face said it all.

"Hah!" his arms shot up as he cheered. "What did I say Alice! I knew something was going on!" he beamed with pride.

"Actually, he slept in the chair" I informed him, straight faced, and his happiness turned to a grunt. "Oh".

"I told you" Alice scolded him, and Jasper simply re-folded his arms in a sulk. "So, really nothing happened?" she questioned me carefully.

"Really" I nodded back, hoping not to look too disappointed. But I think it was obvious, it was mirrored in Alice's expression also. I knew how much she wanted Edward and I to be together.

"What made you drink that much anyway?" she looked at me with concerned eyes. "Don't tell me you're turning into Emmett" she smirked.

"No" I shook my head smiling, but I could tell she still wanted an answer. "I… I don't know. There was just champagne everywhere. And… I don't know. It just kinda happened" I answered, and even though she had that look in her eye, like she really didn't believe me, she thankfully let it go.

"Well do you guys want a drink or something? Fruit cocktail Bella?"

"Erm… I guess, I'm not sure what you're supposed to avoid during a hangover" I looked to both of my friends. "Is fruit ok?" I suddenly sounded like an idiot. Having absolutely no idea about anything. I tried to think of Emmett, and what he usually did, but I came up blank yet again. Mostly, he just moaned about it. Claiming he'd never drink again… until next week of course.

As it turned out, someone else answered for them. "Yeah, you should drink something" a voice came up behind me, startling me slightly, and I turned to see Edward in his swim shorts, towel swung over his one shoulder. That lingering nausea and the butterflies that now sprung to life in my stomach really didn't help. I tried to smile at him, but focused more so on not throwing up. It seemed the smarter option of the two.

"Ok. I'll go grab you something" Alice skipped off in her spotty pink tankini. Leaving my alone with the guys.

"So Edward, I hear this one partied hard last night" Jasper tapped my back. "Any tales to tell, an anecdote of some kind?" he grinned and cocked an intrigued eyebrow, and I silently prayed Edward wouldn't say anything. I didn't know if he had any tales… but I certainly didn't want to risk any of my other friends knowing if he did. I'd never live it down if Jasper knew.

Edward flashed me a deep and thoughtful look, as if he was contemplating whether or not to spill. It wasn't until after he'd answered that I realised I was holding my breath.

"Nah. Afraid not. As it turns out, she's an incredibly boring drunk" he replied, and I felt my body relax a little. To a certain extent, I hoped he was being honest.

"Shame. You disappoint me Bella" said Jasper, and I simply rolled my eyes back at him for the second time that day.

"Here you go" Alice presented me with the peach-looking juice, with ice, a straw and an umbrella in it, and I took a careful sip, thankful it didn't make me want to barf, as the thought of everything else did.

"Jacuzzi then?" she added, as they walked towards the nearest round bubbling bath-tub. It appeared to cater for around 8-10 people, with reasonable space in between.

We all jumped in. Well, my legs did, that was as far as I was willing to go. I'd taken my shorts off and placed them onto the lounger, before I perched myself on the side of the tub. The others were less wussy and bobbed up and down as the water bubbled around their chests. But I wasn't feeling nearly as bold.

"Is your sister coming down? I wanted to thank her" Alice spoke after a moment, looking across at Edward who sat opposite her.

A flicker of something passed Edwards eyes. Like just the thought of Rosalie made him annoyed. It seemed so obvious to me, but Alice and Jasper didn't appear to bat an eyelid. Strange that the thought of his sister would evoke such a reaction in him. "I don't know. Maybe. I haven't seen her this morning."

"Well sure, why would you?" Jasper smirked back. "Too busy occupying B.. Ouw" he went on with his smart-ass comment, but Alice quickly put him in his place. In fact I'm pretty certain she kicked him in the shin beneath the water, hence his response.

"Oh right, well, if we don't see her, will you thank her for us" Alice went on.

"Of course" he offered a small smile, before a crease spread across the expanse of his forehead.

"I think I might go for a swim. Jasper?" She'd already grabbed his hand as she went for the steps.

"Sounds good to me…" But Jasper paused half way out to take a look at us, his eyes going too and from me to Edward, both of us were silent and undoubtedly looked miserable, and I could see that Jasper was about to make a point of it. "Don't have too much fun without us, will you" he answered smartly, giving us both a smug smile before he followed his girl friend away.

I glared at his back as he walked away. But as I saw Alice in the distance, her head turning towards me, I realised this was simply a ploy. Alice's ploy to get me and Edward together.

Great. Thanks Alice. More awkwardness to endure.

"So how's that head of yours?" a voice asked me, and I turned back to look into Edwards questioning eyes.

"Oh, it's fine. Thanks" I smiled a little. "The tablet took the brunt of it".

He nodded back, his eyes turning intense. "Are you really not coming in?"

"No, thank you. I don't feel like it".

"It's really not that bad you know" he went on, as he moved in the water towards me.

And the nerves I'd previously gotten a hold of went haywire. "I know, I'd just rather stay on the side".

He frowned with intrigue; his eyes turning shifty almost. "It's not a water issue is it? You're not like, phobic are you?"

"No, of course not" I smiled, shaking my head.

"Alright, fair enough" he shrugged, seeming to let it go. But after a moment I couldn't help but shiver, the air was a little too cool in this place for my liking.

"You know it's a lot warmer in here than it is out there" he spoke up as he noticed my trembling. "Just saying" he smiled smartly, and I simply glared back into his eyes.

"And it'd be so much easier to talk to you if we were eye level" he went on, and on, and on. "I'm having to crane my neck just to look at you" he lightly moaned.

I gave him a lazy, 'are you kidding me' look at his comment, before I rolled my eyes.

"Fine. Have it your way. You couldn't pass me my drink though could you?" he then asked, signalling to the glass behind me. I nodded back, attempting to grab it.

Big mistake.

As I leant over I was suddenly very aware of how close he was. It was like he'd come out of nowhere. The smell of his aftershave was all over me, his large but tender hands either side of me. But before I could do anything about it, shuffle out of his grasp or even process what was about to happen, he'd already grabbed my backside, pulling me into his arms in the water before I could even reach the cocktail glass I was going for.

I shrieked as I entered the bubbles; startled by the quick movement. He'd kept me afloat though, my head never entering the water as he held me in his arms.

I gasped, "What the hell! Do you know how close I was to throwing up on you then?" I yelled at him in my state of alarm.

"It wouldn't have happened" he replied calmly, his shoulders shrugging as his arms slowly retracted.

"My tops all wet" I frowned at him, having taken note of my clingy now-see-through-top.

"These things happen" he pulled a pity face, not seeming to care that much though, as he re-took his earlier position opposite me. "I guess you'll just have to take it off then, huh" there was a smirk in his eyes at his smart comment.

And I huffed in exasperation, pulling the t-shirt that stuck to my body, over my head and casting it onto the side. Great. Now I was in a Jacuzzi, with Edward, in my bathing suit, and minus a decent t-shirt to wear. And he couldn't have looked more smug about it if he tried. I was almost furious.

Almost.

Because surprisingly, the warm water on my stomach actually helped, and there were moments when it seemed the nausea had virtually escaped me. I suppose it wasn't all bad after all. And it wasn't like the bubbling water gave too much away… it was getting out of the Jacuzzi that would be the problem, I didn't want him seeing my shameful body! But I'd deal with that when the time came.

"So go on then. Now that you've had your way. May as well make things worse for me" I started, and his expression turned confused, "how much of an embarrassment was I last night?" I chose to bite the bullet, dying to know the answer…although a part of me would rather I never knew at all.

"Depends" he shrugged, a curve of amusement on his lips, but only for a moment. It disappeared after that. "Do you even remember anything from last night?" he turned it back on me, and I exhaled a heavy breath.

"Well sure. I remember arriving" I said smartly, and he smirked at that. "I remember changing for the dance, I remember…" I started, but paused as a memory of some horrible girls came into my mind, they were talking about Edward, and I'd stormed off in a fury at their thoughtless words. "Th..The dance floor" I stuttered a little, caught off guard by the image. "Alice and Jasper…" I felt my face drop as I found myself taking a more serious turn.

"And I remember talking to Rose" I swallowed hard as I looked down at the water surrounding us. Everything was coming back to me now… well, the events prior to drinking. "And you hearing us" my voice was growing quieter and softer. I was surprised he could still hear me. "I understand why you walked away," I told him solemnly, figuring it was best to get it all out in the open, now that I'd started.

"I'm sorry Edward" I looked into his eyes. His expression was so sad as he looked back at me. I hated that I'd caused that. "I never meant to hurt you … I know that I shouldn't have gone behind your back. I wish I hadn't. But I just wanted to understand you. I know that's no excuse. I should've waited ... I can't say anything other than, sorry".

Silence filled the space between us. But he didn't stop staring at me. "Will you say something?" I prompted him, and he looked as if he was gathering the strength to speak.

I noticed his Adams apple rise up and down as he swallowed. Clearly this was very hard for him. "I don't appreciate people going behind my back Bella. Not people I care about anyway. I've had to deal with that a lot this past year, and I was hoping to put it behind me" he told me sternly. "But, I know you're not all to blame for this. Rose played her part ... The truth is, Bella, I don't blame you for going to her ... I've been an ass these past two weeks. I was rude to you" his head dipped a little at that, "confusing, and… I'm sorry too."

I wasn't so sure he should've been the one apologising, but I took it with a small, grateful smile anyways.

I didn't really know what to say after that. The setting just didn't feel right to be going into a great depth about serious topics, such as his past, his family, his feelings and various other things that I desperately wanted to discuss with him. But as a few more people began to filter into the Spa area, a light hum of chatter now in the air, I decided it was best to simply leave it. We'd made a start, that was something at least.

Some time after that tense conversation, he eventually started to snicker; a thought popping into his head.

"What?" I half smiled, wondering what he was thinking.

"Oh nothing. Just remembered something" he teased, looking awfully pleased with himself. And it didn't take a genius to realise that it regarded my idiotic drunken self. "Man, I really wish I'd had my camera last night… especially when you lunged at that girl" he spluttered a chuckle at the thought of it.

My eyes grew wide. "I lunged at someone?"

"Yeah" he laughed; "it was pretty impressive actually. You've got some strength behind you. Have you ever considered martial arts?"

I was horrified. Literally unable to speak.

"Do you even know why you attacked her?" he looked at me questioningly, but with humour in his eyes.

"I … I can't remember" I had an idea though; sounding very much like the girls I'd heard gossip about Edward. Typical that my drunken self would go attacking them. My self respect was wavering, torn between being utterly ashamed of myself, to actually feeling, pretty proud of my abilities.

"How many drinks did you have anyway?" he looked at me curiously.

"I don't know. Why?"

"Oh just for future reference. You know in case I ever want to be front row again in a comedic performance; I'll know how many to give you" he smirked, and I couldn't help but splash his face with the warm bubbling water.

"Hey!" He playfully splashed me back, but like a great wave he drowned my hair with water. Surprisingly, I didn't mind. To say I was over the moon was an understatement. We were talking again, joking almost, like we used too. And Edward looked happy. For the first time in days, Edward displayed genuine care-free happiness…

A/N: Thoughts/Feelings? Just want to say hi? Hit that blue button and make my day =)