AN: Alright guys, I think this is about the point where I am in desperate need to apologize for my negligence in updating. School has been... haha... probably more work than I could have ever anticipated. This is no exageration as I say that when I'm not doing homework or some extracurricular activity, I am crashed out on the sofa or bed, catching up on the sleep I don't get during the night. I guess it's just the kind of sacrifices us students at present time make in regards to getting into the college of our dreams. Let's just cross our fingers that all of this work and deprivation of sleep and updating in my story pays off come December when I receive my responses from some of the colleges I apply to. But yes... once again... I'm so very sorry for not updating. It really killed me too, considering I didn't get the opportunity to just sit down and write it all at once. I wrote this one kind of in intervals, donig a page or so whenever I got the chance, but yes... it's finally done. So so so sorry for being unable to update before this particular moment. I hope that you guys can forgive me and enjoy what I've got so far. I'll try to update soon again, maybe tomorrow if I can finish all this lovely homework today, because I hate not being able to update as much as I would like. You all are still so very awesome for your patience, enthusiasm, and lovely reviews!

Alexandra Stone: Yeah… a bit of comical stuff is always fun to write, and so is the fact that I somehow managed to toss in one of my favorite songs in the process. Actually, I have a picture of Bella's dress on my profile. If you go on there, at the very bottom, there's a link to take you to a place where you can see the dress.

E2Bella: Yeah…. I was worried that I would get too caught up in the Bella/Edward scene to even fully play out what I have planned, but I resisted. ;P Although a bit of fluff is always nice, I must admit. When Bella says the beginning… it's pretty much the same stuff all over again. I don't know… something about the idea of falling in love again sounds really nice. But yes… now it's Zane's turn and that's always fun to write. Heck, it's just fun to write at all!

TooMuchLoveforEdward: I'm definitely feeling the love right now. You know, as enticing and utterly resistible Edward is for me, I'd like to think that Bella could say no. Actually, I'll go into that whole idea later on in the story, but that will be awhile later. I hope you have patience for me in that department. No problem for putting you up at the beginning. :-)

Trina110: Thanks a bunch! Yup… thought I would give a "preview" of what will actually happen… thus the title for that last chapter. Haha… aren't I quite the bright crayon in the box? I hope the actual competition is a bazillion times better, but I don't want to get anyone's hopes up, including my own. ;P

Edward Bella Fan: Aww… thanks. It was so much fun to write out the whole dressing up and then Edward's reaction. He hasn't seen her looking all dressed up for quite some time, and so yes… it hit him pretty dang hard. But yes… the competition shall be very interesting to write… hehe… ;D

Rebel.angel.09: Aww…. Thank you so very very much for that. -Cuddles my very own Edward, unwilling to let him go- It is great to hear that you liked that song. I think it is a magical song, with the most beautiful lyrics ever. The whole melody… and the vocals… it all sounds so ethereal and surreal and yeah… out of all the songs that I was considering to have him sing… this one I knew as soon as I thought of it...was the one. Aw… glad I can come up with a bit of a surprise for you. I'm trying. D School isn't so bad right now. Actually, my classes haven't been all too lovely, but I know it'll only get better once everyone's back into the jazz of things and we're all settled in. Okay… so sleep isn't exactly on my priority list right now, but that's okay… I'll be in eternal slumber as soon as I'm six feet below, so it's all good.

StephyyAnne: I probably sound like a redundant, repetitive freak right now, saying thank you and how great it is to hear people like what I write, but it really, truly is. I am very glad that you liked that chapter. I hope I can continue to provide some good stuff to read. B-D I dub that fellow my sunglasses happy face… perhaps someday I'll think of something else… I'm not up to par with smiley faces. I just stick to the classics for the most part, but a bit of diversity is good.

Astertisks: Yes… as much as I love Edward…. I receive almost as much happiness and pleasure writing about Zane now. I've actually become quite attached to the dear fellow, but I suppose maybe that's because I'm his creator and will always feel that kinda attachment, since he did come from somewhere in this head of mine… ;P This is my only Twilight fic, but I hope I might do more later on, after I finish this one.

Kyrene once Blood Roses: Haha. No… I have no plans at all to make Bella the loose girl of Forks. I'll leave that to someone else instead. Well, I was never one to watch The Bachelor, but at least they're fun to watch, I guess. I must admit myself that if ever a guy as wonderful as Edward sang me a song, especially that lovely piece sighs… my oh my… I would have fallen in love over and over again with every word he said. But maybe that's just me and my obsession with that kinda romance… ;P

Javajunkie101: Haha. I must admit that last year, when I had slaved over this story of Moulin Rouge with a bazillion love songs in it, since I wanted it to still have the same musical element about it, I had listened to love songs nonstop. If ever anyone needs any kind of love song at all… I am the guru of it all… and have everything you can imagine on my lovely i-pod, Ishmael. I hope this does not impede upon your opinions of me, whatever they may be. I don't know… I love that part of the song about those three words not being enough. Maybe I should curse society for making what should be three of the most beautiful words a person could here and transfiguring it into something cliché that stupid people toss out at the first person they have a chance to, but I'm just a weird person like that, I guess… I'll just save my ranting for my column. Anyways… thanks for the review. So sorry for going off on my own tangent. I do that way too often, and I really appreciate the fact that you haven't been driven away from these lovely characteristics of mine. I hope my facetiousness goes through with that last one…

Asquared91: It's quite alright. I'm pretty consumed in school too, so we're all taking a bit before we get any action done of fanfiction. Yeah… Bella would very much like to try to start it all over. Something about falling in love for the second time must be really super amazing. Kinda like The Notebook or something, even if the stories couldn't be any more different. Thanks so much for the review! You rock more than a boulder! Okay… my cheesiness will never end… ;P

Andie Wolf: Aw. You are way too nice to me with your compliments, but I'm flattered nonetheless. It's just great to hear that people like this. I mean, I love doing this, and it makes me love it all the more when other people can enjoy it along with me. So glad that you are one of them. It has been a pleasure. : ) Truly.

Kiki00: Your review was so cute! Thanks for bringing a smile to my face like that. You are pretty awesome. I think you deserve some cookies… or maybe chocolate or something… I need to add some variety to the food I give my reviewers…

Midnight 1987: Hmmm… who indeed? Well, it's a mystery to all of us, but for now… we'll all just have to sit back and enjoy the game. Man… never would've thought I'd make this a "sport". ;P Just shows the randomness of my mind, I guess.

Pshycoreaderperson: Thanks for that. I'm really enjoying tossing in some comical aspects, considering the whole situation in itself is one that I think is hilarious, but yes… the idea of Edward singing and him being embarrassed by it and all of that is quite the funny picture in my mind.

La07: My gosh… that is seriously one of the nicest things I've heard. Thanks. Haha. At this point, I'm up for anyone. I'm falling in love with two guys at once, and it's not fair. I'm very torn up right now, but in the end… I'm pretty sure what will happen. I just hope I can make it there without killing what I've already begun. Thanks again. I give you some chocolate and ice cream for your sweetness. Yup… I am finally trying some other products besides those that are found within the bakery. Wish me luck!

Xbluxmoonx: Awww… so nice to here that you like what I wrote. Man… I remember algebra 2 awhile back. It was the one math class that came unbelievably natural to me. Unfortunately, that is the past, and now I'm taking 2 years of calculus squeezed into one. Gosh… the things I'll do for college apps. Good luck with the homework. I know how killer it can get at times…

PageGirl: Haha. Yeah… I guess I can't blame Edward for being mad about that whole Bella/Zane bonding moment(s). It's great that you love the triangle. I think it makes for some interesting stuff and it's very entertaining to write about. Sorry I couldn't update as soon as I would like. School and sleeping seem to take up my life right now.

Passionfornight: I think I've said this before, but I'll take interesting anytime of the day. D And so… the games begin…

Estrellakitty13: Glad my writing wasn't too disgraceful and that I didn't completely butcher Stephenie's writing. It's nice to hear from new people all the time, and I hope to hear from you again. It was no problem at all coming up with the name. Actually, the name of Zane came first and the character followed. I guess that's what happens when you base a character after someone you know. Good times.

IfOnlyIfOnly: Your name is so awesome! I identify with it so very much, and all that good stuff. I can't say where the story is heading without giving it all away, but I'll say that I shall forever be a hardcore Bella/Edward fan. It is great to hear that you like this. I live to entertain, after all. : )

Edwardlover1901: So sorry, I obviously didn't update as fast as I would like. I like how you think… I think I might just do that whole Zane thing, but yeah… I'll do one step at a time here and finish this one up first, of course. Thanks for the suggestion. D That is complexly awesome of you!

26. Like Water For Chocolate

"Bella… how about we go off and…" Zane emerged in my room later in the afternoon, waking me up from the sleep I desperately fought to maintain. "Any reason for the clothes? Or… lack of them?"

"Oh," I blushed then, lying on my stomach on the bed in the same gown I had worn that morning. "It's nothing."

"Yeah, I could tell that much."

"It's not that bad!"

"You know, you don't have to cut out the back of your dress to be attractive."

"As if I didn't know that for myself. It came like that. I'm not going to trust myself with scissors."

"You're already attractive."

"Oh please," I rolled my eyes, sliding off of the bed now. "How long have I stayed here either depressed in self-misery or beaten up to the point that I looked as if I had survived a massacre?"

"Well, nothing beats those posters of you…"

"No…" I groaned as I remembered them. "And I'd almost forgotten those things existed. Thanks for reminding me."

"Any time," Zane smirked. "So… you ready to go out?"

"Out?" I looked at him, dressed in his tuxedo from before, a large bag hanging from one shoulder. "Off to where?"

"Nowhere special," Zane shrugged off-handedly. "What? My reservations as a high school dropout werewolf aren't exactly going to get us anywhere nice."

"What do you have in mind then?" I approached him, but felt suspicious.

"You'll see."

Sweeping me into his arms, I held on tightly as he ran through the caverns. I tried not to feel uncomfortable with one of his hands pressed on my bare back, but it felt slightly comforting, feeling the heat from his body in a place that was always so cold. Not that wearing this outfit helped very much with the weather conditions below either.

The lights that illuminated the tunnels were more spread apart the deeper we went, until they were a soft dim flickering that barely provided much to see. When I was finally placed on my feet, I did not even notice that I stood before a great lake until I took a step forward, feeling the icy water touch my feet. Jumping back, I let out a yelp, and heard Zane laugh.

"As if that's very funny," I turned to face him and caught my breath. "What are…"

He took off his tuxedo to stand in black swimming trunks. He was a living, breathing epitome of a dark knight, with the chiseled body and handsome features. With the dull lights falling on him at perfect angles, I could see his eyes twinkling at me, the grin on his face making me feel as warm as I had in his arms.

"What?" Zane asked innocently. "You going to go swimming in that?"

"Sorry, but when you asked if I wanted to go out, I wasn't exactly thinking a dip in an underground lake that is maybe hundreds of feet below the earth was how I was going to be spending me day. So forgive me if I didn't pack the right kind of gear for this."

"I suspected you wouldn't be prepared," Zane grinned and bent down to open the bag. "That's why I brought this."

Tossing me a black bikini, I stared at it blankly, feeling myself blush at the idea of Zane picking this out especially for me. I stared at it a bit longer, hesitant to believe what he wanted me to do, and directed my gaze towards the open bag, where I could see a towel on the top.

"Hey, no peaking into my bag of wonders…" Zane closed it and held it protectively. "There's more surprises to come."

"You can't expect me to change into this…"

"Well, I thought that might be more comfortable to swim in than what Vivian gave you." Zane responded. "Even if it leaves you almost half-naked in that as well."

"The dress isn't that bad!" I pressed, smiling despite myself.

"I never said it was. I actually think it looks great." Zane dove into the waters without so much as a thought as to its cold temperature. "Don't worry, I won't look when you change."

"I…"

Sucking in my lips, I put the bathing suit on, taking off the dress last for some extra privacy. When the dress was nothing but a pool of white and black around my feet, I looked at the bathing suit I wore and was surprised to find that it was a perfect fit.

"I think you look better in this one," Zane remarked when I stepped back into the water. "You look good in black."

"And you…" I trailed off the deeper I emerged into the water.

Stopping right where the water dipped low, I felt satisfied with being waist-deep in water that made the lower half of my body numb. Shivering, I rubbed my arms, focusing on my shaking and not noticing when Zane submerged below, only to grab one of my arms and pull me under.

I felt the bottom of the lake, which was surprisingly smooth and slimy, pushing off of the ground to let out a great gasp of air when I broke through the surface. Already I could hear Zane laughing, and it took a moment for my vision to come to me, so that I was able to identify his grin and bright eyes only a few feet away from mine.

Both of us kicked beneath the water to stay afloat, and I could see part of his chest above the water, staring at him in the same way that I was guilty of back at the pool in the forest. With my eyes locked on his, the water no longer felt cold and anesthetizing. Rather, warmth radiated throughout my body, bringing the same sense of heat that I had felt before.

"You like the view from where you're floating?"

"What?" I blinked, not expecting his response.

"Just wanted to know that I wasn't the only one." He leaned back, floating above the water again. "The mutual feeling is very appreciated, you know."

"Who says it's mutual? I never said anything."

"You don't need to. Your blush speaks wonders."

Silence passed between us two, and I sucked in my breath, watching Zane floating atop the water as swiftly as if he skidded across ice. During this interval spent in unspoken company, I kicked towards where I suspected the water to grow shallow, my teeth beginning to chatter. Of course, I always found myself caught between the extremities of weather conditions, this time being frozen alive in a pool of water.

"For someone who finds herself in with a lot of nonhuman acquaintance, you sure don't get nature at all." Zane laughed, holding me up from the water after I tried touching the bottom, only to become immersed again, sputtering the lovely components of dihydrogen monoxide. "The art of swimming is to just keep moving. Not kicking's going to send you to the bottom of the lake, if you're not careful."

"If you were anymore obvious, I think I'd be hit in the head with that piece of information."

"Maybe you should just relax." I tensed, feeling his hands placed upon my shoulders. "You purposefully trying to be contradictory? I say relax and you go hard as stone."

"It's just that…" I closed my eyes, settling down as I leaned back against him. "You're so warm."

"It comes with the territory I come from," Zane replied. "My family has a long line of being hot, I guess."

"I agree," I said it softly, enjoying how I could be so warm and cold at the same time.

"I don't think I've ever seen a human more relaxed in a lake of fifty degree water."

Opening my eyes, I noticed I was floating, part of my body touching Zane. Immediately panicking, I sunk again, splashing like a maniac as his hands held me firmly, keeping me from drowning myself.

"You sure you know how to swim?"

"I never said I was an Olympic gold swimmer."

"And you said that I'm the one who's obvious?"

"Okay," I broke away from him, growing uncomfortable with the proximity and welcoming the cold once more. "I think that's enough swimming."

"You mean drowning?"

"I'm still alive, aren't I?"

Zane had already made it to shore by the time I even began my strokes towards the shallowness of the lake. As I walked out, he held open a towel, which I gratefully accepted, not minding how he wrapped it around me. In the shadows, I was almost convinced that I was with an entirely different person, the part of Zane that made him the knight, and not so dark. It was only when I turned and saw his bright eyes, lit up and glowing at me, his smirk the only thing more dominant, that I knew it was still him.

He had spread a blanket on the ground and placed another one around me. Not even a bit of my sarcasm could ruin this blithe mood of his, as he let out a laugh and continued to rummage through his bag.

"There's more in that bag of wonders?" I questioned, seeing him bent over and still digging.

"There's always more," Zane responded, dragging his bag over and placing a coffee can a foot away from the blanket I currently sat upon. "I've had all night to think about this…"

Moving at top speed again, I couldn't even detect what it was Zane did, but it didn't take long for the coffee can to be filled with flames, giving the area a new light and heat than before. His grin was that of triumph as he sat next to me, running his hands together before looking up beneath the hair that fell over his eyes, providing me with my own smile.

"You hungry?"

"Well…" My stomach spoke for itself, and I stopped my response.

"I'll take that as a yes," Zane handed me a stick, pulling out a few bags of marshmallows. "You know how to roast one of these without catching yourself on fire?"

"First drowning and now burning?" I took a bag, opening it and placing a marshmallow on the stick. "You planning on killing me sometime today?"

"Hardly," Zane leaned over me, to allow his marshmallow to hover by the fire. "In order to be with you, you'd have to kinda be alive."

"Just kinda?" I giggled, trying not to feel discomfort at how close he was, leaning over me.

"You're shaking," Zane noticed as he withdrew with his marshmallow. "The blankets not keeping you warm enough?"

"It's n-nothing…" I couldn't even try to restrict how my body spastically shook.

"Drowning and burning and now hypothermia," Zane shook his head, pulling me close to him until I rested in his lap, his arms around me. "Feel better?"

"Just a bit…" It was actually amazing, how just a few seconds in his arms could make me instantly warm. "I'm not cold anymore."

"You know, it's kinda funny how you always end up in my arms, Bella."

"Funny?" I turned to look up at him. "Thank you for ruining our potentially romantic moment by making it comical."

"Think I can redeem myself?" He grinned, holding his roasted marshmallow before me. "I can make a mean s'more."

"Have I became so incapable of making myself live that you need to feed me now?"

"No, but don't you think that idea is just kinda romantic?" He suggested, leaning slightly to the side to withdraw some chocolate syrup and graham crackers. "I promise you can trust me. There's no poison in any of this."

"That's reassuring," I commented, receiving the s'more he handed to me. "All this references to me dying… should I feel my life is in danger?"

"Do you feel you life is in danger?" He stared at me, a half-grin on his face, making me laugh.

"You know," I took a bite out of the s'more. "This is really good. But, you're kinda different today."

"Different?" His voice filled with innocence, but was tinged in mischief. "How so?"

"I don't know…"

"I think you do."

"Well, you're more… happy or something." I looked down at the s'more. "You're not exactly the kind of guy I suspected would cook me something."

"A s'more isn't exactly a gourmet entrée."

"I don't picture you as the romantic type."

"Hey, this is a competition." Zane shrugged. "Romance always wins the ladies."

"Are you so confident about that?" I matched his previous tone of mischief.

"Well.. is it working?" Zane raised an eyebrow. "How about another s'more?"

"You haven't ate any yet!"

"It's kinda hard to be feeding you and me at the same time…"

"Then how about I make you one?" I suggested.

"So long as you don't catch either one of us one fire."

"I'm not that much of a safety hazard."

"Are you so confident about that?"

The marshmallow came out only slightly burnt as I placed it on a graham cracker. Holding it on one hand, I held out the syrup, beginning to allow the substance to pour over the marshmallow and cracker. Not to much of anyone's surprise, I miscalculated, causing syrup to fall onto my hands and slightly onto Zane.

"How about I make the s'mores from now on?" Zane remarked, taking the s'more from me. "At least it still tastes good."

"Yes, as much of a safety hazard I am, I can put that aside briefly to make something that even five-year-olds can cook."

"I happen to like your five-year-old cooking," Zane grinned. "It's cute."

"You sure you haven't hit your head today?" I asked, staring at his genuine happiness. "You aren't exactly the blithe, happy-go-lucky type."

"How about your savor this new mood of mine?" Zane proposed. "How often am I going to have this opportunity, anyways? I'm not going to blow it…"

"Would you have done this for me before though?"

"Why does that matter?"

"It doesn't, but it would be nice to know."

"I think I would," he leaned back now and seemed contemplative. "I never really had the chance before though. This is kinda the first time you are considering me as a potential love interest, so I really need to seize it…"

As he confessed the reasons behind this new attitude of his, I had reached for the syrup to begin another s'more, allowing it to tip and come pouring down on Zane's chest. He blinked at me then, and his eyes narrowed in trouble. Snatching the syrup, he squeezed it, causing it to come flying over at me.

"Just returning the favor," Zane smirked, setting the syrup back on the ground.

"I'm not through yet…"

By the time I had the syrup in my hands, Zane had retrieved another from his bag. The chocolaty substance covered our bodies like the stripes of a zebra as we ran around, spraying the other until there was no more left in the bottles. Gasping for breath between our laughter, I leaned against the wall, slumping to the floor and dropping the empty bottle beside me.

Zane leaned down in front of me, looking at me between his hair that was now plastered with chocolate. Grinning, I reached out, trailing a finger across the chocolate lines, from the ones that zigzagged across his forehead, smudging the chocolate across his cheeks. He turned his head then, placing a kiss on the palm of my hand.

"You're so sweet, Bella." He closed his eyes, his face still pressed against my hand. "Even more so than before, if that's possible."

"Yeah, I guess being covered in chocolate can do that to a person." I shrugged, staring at how peaceful he looked, filled with contentment. "You okay?"

"I'm just trying to put this moment in my memory forever," Zane responded, opening his eyes as they looked at me in rapture, looking so very human again. "You have no idea how much this means to me… just to be able to do this with you."

"You're not the only one having a good time, I promise."

"Would it be wrong if I kissed you?" Zane pressed, looking me deeply in the eyes, his tone serious and devoid of mischief. "Because right now, chocolate or not, you look so…"

I smiled at him half-way through his statement, enough assurance for him apparently to stop what he was saying as he leaned downward further, his lips against mine softly.

In all of our moments together, full of the usual heat, I had never felt warmer than I had in this chaste kiss. I tingled again, no longer from the cold, and pushed upward to try and deepen the kiss, only to have Zane standing up completely now, breaking the kiss.

"What…"

"Need help getting up?" He offered a hand and pulled me to my feet.

"Any reason why…" I stared at him then, surprised that he had stopped something that I was more than willing to do.

"Hey, I'm just getting to know you, remember?" He grinned then, and I blushed, realizing he had once again been able to use my previous words and make them come flying back at me. "I'll save all of that good stuff for another day."

"Are you kidding?" I blurted.

"You wanted to start back at the beginning," he grabbed my hand and smiled. "And so we'll take it step by step, and I'll enjoy every moment of it."

"Is this your idea of punishing me?"

"No, this is my idea of giving you what you want."

"You and Edward both make this so very hard for me. You know that?"

"Love was never an easy thing," Zane shrugged. "It's not like it isn't hard for me too, not wanting to kiss you."

"Who said it was hard for me to not kiss you?"

"You know you think I'm hot." Zane's eyes twinkled again as he pulled me closer to him, making my heart beat faster. "And from this angle, I don't think you make it any easier for the both of us." He brushed his lips against mine briefly, grinning down at me again as he saw the effect it had. "But at least now I have you looking forward to something in the future."

"You are so sick and twisted right now…"

"And you are downright sick and twisted for letting two guys fight over you like this…"

"Who's side are you on anyway?"

"The side that's going to win."

"Oh, yeah, I forgot about that." I rolled my eyes at him.

"I'm perfectly serious."

"So am I."

"Well, I'll just have to make it so you don't forget." He pressed me against him, his smoldering stare making me burn.

"I won't argue with that." I tried not to feel like I was going crazy, feeling so much when I was this close to Zane, but it didn't help observing even more so than before how broad his shoulders were, or picturesque the chest I was pressed against was.

"You're really sticky."

"What?" I stared at him in confusion.

"All this chocolate syrup… it made us really sticky."

"Once again, you're obviousness is really hitting me in the head."

"Really? I could have sworn that you were blinking at me in confusion moments ago…"

"New mood or not, you're still very exasperating…"

"And you're still very worth it…" Zane tugged on me, as we approached the lake. "How about we rinse off before we do anything else?"

"There's more?"

"There's always going to be more, so long as you stick with me."

"Is this supposed to be an offer I can't refuse?"

"I hope it is."

Jumping into the lake with Zane without a moment's hesitancy, the water no longer felt so cold or uncomfortable, my hand still in his warm one.