SO this chapter has a bunch about the NHL All Star Weekend. It's a pretty cool event in the NHL, but it has absolutely no effect on the season. Seeing all the superstars in one place playing together is very cool, but the game itself is pretty boring because there is very little physical play at all. (No one wants to accidentally hurt someone during a game that means nothing to the season.)

For me though, it gives us a chance for more drama with opposing players. Yay.

Chapter 25 –

It was the kind of game that had the entire crowd on edge; it was extremely tight. They had been tied for most of the game and there were only seconds left in the third period.

The lead scorer of the Panthers hurried down the ice toward Jasper. He had broken away past the Avalanche defense. Jasper steadied himself, and was out to meet him just within his crease. The forward pulled his stick back and hit the puck with amazing speed and accuracy. The crowd quickly erupted and Bella's felt her stomach drop, but the cheering was gone almost as fast as it came.

The whistle blew, and Jasper stood up straight. He pulled his mask off and with a big grin he handed the puck to the referee. Bella let out the air in her lungs she had been keeping in entire time.

"This is going to kill me," she finally spoke, and the occupants of the box laughed at her. "No I'm serious. This is much easier to watch on television."

"You'd think you'd be used to it by now Bella. It's only been two weeks," Alice joked.

"Uhh, 'only two weeks' my ass," she shot back as they watched the two teams get ready for what was probably going to be the last faceoff of regulation time. Edward was taking the faceoff. Jasper was steady in the net; leaning forward in anticipation of the dropped puck. Emmett stood in between Edward and Jasper, careful not to block his goalie's view of the play.

The puck dropped and Edward fought to get it. The other player touched it first, but as he shoveled the puck toward the net, Emmett was there and blocked the shot with his stick. He wound up and shot the puck down the ice toward the opposing goaltender. The time wound down and it was official; they were in overtime.

The two teams went to their respective benches. Overtime was played as four-on- four hockey, giving the players more space on the ice for a period of five minutes. After that there was a shootout.

Bella watched the faces of her friends; all of them looked very concentrated on the game. She knew the momentum of the last five minutes of the third period was in favor of the Panthers, and it would be likely to continue. Her thoughts went back to September. Back then she never would have understood this, and it gave her a small satisfaction. Things were different now. She was different. She never would have guessed she'd care so much about this sport.

Had Edward changed that? Had it been the Cullen family? Did it even matter? She wasn't really sure if these questions could even be answered. Then she began to doubt herself; maybe in five years she was going to realize that she'd given up too much of herself to be a part of this world. What if come August there were no more opportunities for her as a writer? What if this was her big chance and leaving the job would be the end of it all?

Bella was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't see what happened to make Alice jump up in triumph, and Ben curse under his breath. "Bella, are you okay? We won!" Alice wrapped her in her little arms and Bella came back to planet earth. She grinned then looked up to the Jumbotron where they replayed the goal, scored by Edward. Her smile grew even bigger and she finally joined in the celebration.

"Wow, I really spaced there. Sorry. That was such a great shot."

"Yeah, my cousin is good for something, that's for sure. When the team needs him he definitely gets it done." Alice finally let Bella free.

Their little celebration was over fairly quickly, and then the group began saying their goodbyes to Ben and Angela who needed to get back to Miami. They had jobs to get up for the following morning. Bella grinned at the thought that she didn't have to.

Bella said goodbye to Ben, then turned to Angela and the two hugged. "I'm losing you again; the office just isn't the same you know."

"Yeah."

"But I'm happy for you. You belong here."

"Thanks." The two pulled apart.

"And to think, back in August you almost killed me for making you go anywhere near organized sports," Angela laughed.

"We converted her. We're very persuasive when we need to be," Esme replied with a grin.

The comment made everyone laugh, but Bella couldn't help but let that uneasiness sneak back up on her. It didn't go away either. She was pretty sure she was being irrational, but it didn't matter. She worried that maybe someday she wouldn't love this world as much. Really, these last few months had changed everything. What if that could change back just as easy?

The thoughts wouldn't leave her mind the whole way back to the hotel. She was back to rooming with Rosalie. The following morning she needed to tie up loose ends, and then meet the rest of the group in Tampa. She'd considered going back to Miami for the night and not having to do the drive in the morning, but Edward was not going to be able to join her – even though it had been his idea. Carlisle had shot down that idea, since they would actually be leaving for Tampa that night.

Before the team left, they met back at the hotel and were able to have a few minutes with their families that had made the trip. Bella was still feeling a little awkward and insecure about the future, but as she got out of the rental car and saw Edward coming toward her she realized that she had nothing to worry about.

Even if things fell through with Edward, she knew that it would be worth it. No one looked at her the way that he was looking at her at that moment. Every time she saw him, it was as if they had been apart for months, and seeing her was the highlight of his day. She never felt more perfect than when she looked at herself through his eyes, and she knew she was far from perfect. Her stomach felt a lot better; everything would be okay.

"What's wrong?" Edward asked as soon as he reached her.

"I'm fine, just thinking about stuff."

"Stuff? That's vague."

"It's not important," she replied.

Edward looked above her, and then nodded toward a nearby conference room. The door stood open and it was empty inside. "Come here." She followed him into the room. "Something's wrong, and we're leaving really soon, but I don't want to leave you here upset."

"I just have been second guessing myself. It's nothing."

"You don't want to leave?" He looked extremely panicked. She opened her mouth to respond but he stopped her. "Bella if you want to stay here, I understand. I don't want you to feel like you need to do this..."

"Don't jump to conclusions, Edward," Bella stopped him this time. "I do want to go, I guess in a way I'm just afraid of the unknown, but I'd regret it for the rest of my life if I didn't at least see if this will work. I love you Edward, and that is much harder to give up than a job or a city."

He pulled her into a hug, tucking her head under his chin. He kissed the top of her head. "Thank god. Because I think if you were to tell me you didn't want to go I'd be requesting to trade to the Panthers tomorrow."

"I think Emmett would kill you."

"Yeah, I'd have to watch my back whenever I played against the Avs." He gave her another big squeeze. "We should probably get back out there though."

"Or we could just stay here for a while." She pulled back and looked up to meet his gaze.

"I wish. We're already risking getting caught. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. When I saw you from across the foyer you looked almost terrified. I just needed to make sure that you were all right."

"Yeah, I was freaking out a bit, thinking about all the 'what ifs' but then I saw you, and I knew I was doing the right thing." She gave him a quick kiss and then stepped away from him. "Let's get back before someone notices we're missing." He followed her out.

The group outside was getting organized for the team to take off. No one noticed them return, and Bella walked over to Alice's side while Edward headed over to see his uncle and Emmett.

Everyone exchanged goodbyes and the team headed to the bus.

Alice put an arm around her. "Good to be back?"

"I don't like this part of it all."

"It doesn't get any easier." She responded honestly.

"Way to lift my spirits Alice," she laughed.

The following road trip was over extremely quickly and Bella was excited to get back to Denver. She felt like she was finally going home.

The reception the group got at the airport was expected. Bella, Rose, Alice and Esme arrived home before the team and were asked questions almost immediately. Esme just politely walked on, saying they had no comment.

Bella and Alice caught a cab together after grabbing their bags, and headed to the apartment complex. Alice came with Bella to help her unpack since she had much more to deal with than just clothes and toiletries. When they finished, the team plane had landed and they were probably almost home.

"I should probably go. Guaranteed this will be Edward's first stop, and I don't want to get in the way."

"I'm pretty sure we can contain ourselves long enough for you to get out of the room," Bella joked.

"You never know with that cousin of mine," she joked. "Anyway, I know we've all said it a million times, but I'm so glad you're back, and not just because I adore you, but you are just so good for him."

"I'm pretty sure he's good for me too."

"Yeah, you were made for each other. Guaranteed after my wedding, I'll be planning yours."

"Don't get ahead of yourself Alice. It's only been a few months."

"Don't doubt me. If there is one thing I know, it's couples. I know exactly how long the marriage will last when I'm planning their wedding. I'm rarely wrong, and I'm sure you and Edward are not far behind Jasper and me." Bella just shook her head, deciding not to respond. "Anyway, I'm going to go before my cousin gets here and throws me out. Bye!"

"Bye," Bella replied, but Alice was already out the door.

She began to wander aimlessly around the apartment wondering when Edward was going to get there, and hoping it wouldn't be long.

She didn't have to wait too long. About ten minutes later there was a knock on the door. Edward barrelled into the room, dropped his bags on the ground and almost immediately had Bella pressed up against the wall next to the doorway. They made it to the bedroom only minutes after that.

The next several weeks were a blur. Bella's two articles were well-received. She received a lot of great feedback and congratulations on the job situation. The next big hurdle was the NHL All-star game which was the first weekend of February. Edward was voted to be in the starting line-up for the West. Emmett was also on the team, but didn't make the starting line-up. Jasper was the Backup Goalie for the West. He probably wouldn't see the ice much, but the goaltender from Calgary was on a really hot streak, so he had been named starter.

Tristan was the final Avalanche player to make the team. He was on the fourth line and wouldn't see too much ice time, but it was an honor to attend regardless. Edward was thrown into a bunch of different press conferences and photo sessions. He forced himself to smile while standing next to James Stanton and Jacob Black as the three highest-voted forwards. He kept reminding himself that the fans were kind enough to vote him in, so he owed it to them to deal with the two men.

The situation with James was hopeless, and he knew that. The Jacob Black situation would not have been so bad if he hadn't caught Jacob trying to speak to Bella on three different occasions over the last two days they'd been in Boston, where the game was being held. First, he had approached her at the buffet in the hotel they were staying at; Edward had sent Alice to save her by dragging her away. The second time was at the hotel pool. Jacob sat way too close to her in the hot tub, and Edward made Emmett go and sit right between them. The last time was at the arena during several press conferences. Jacob had approached her in a hallway and this time there had been no one available. Finally Amy came by with baby Cody and Edward sent her to distract Bella; the baby would do the trick. So now he was forced to smile and look happy with these guys when he would rather pummel them than play on the same line.

The skills competition had been held on Saturday and Edward won two different events; the fastest skater event, and the hardest shot. He was pissed when he lost most accurate shot to James, but hid his anger since they were in fact playing on the same team this time. The West came out ahead on the super skills competition, and Edward had to admit he liked that, regardless of who his teammates were. He liked winning, even if it meant James and Jacob were going to win as well.

It was the final day of the All Star Weekend, and finally it was the main event; the All Star Game. The West team were arriving at the locker rooms. Edward, Emmett and Jasper were already there when James walked into the locker room.

"Well if it isn't the Three Musketeers of the Avs."

"That the best you got this afternoon Stanton?" Edward called back to him.

"Don't you worry Cullen, I've got a little more up my sleeve. I'll talk slow so that your oaf of a cousin understands too." Emmett quickly turned to him, but Edward just shook his head. "Speaking of cousins, I hear your little cousin Alice is doing pretty good. She's engaged, huh? Maybe I'll give her a call anyway." He turned to Jasper. "How does it feel to have my leftovers?"

Instantly there were three rather large men coming at James. He was pushed back into the wall where Emmett got a nice punch to the gut before some other members of the All-star team pulled them off. A big defenseman from Minnesota was holding Emmett back quite effectively. As soon as one of the players from the Kings pulled Jasper back, he turned away and threw someone's helmet against the wall, but he backed off and didn't even bother to look at James again.

Edward was pulled off James by the Edmonton Captain Sam Uley. "Calm down, he isn't worth it. You're giving him exactly what he wants," He hissed in Edward's ear. Edward shrugged Uley off, but also listened and backed off. "And you!" Uley turned to James. "Shut the fuck up! None of us want to hear you bitch all night." After that, Edward had deep respect for the Oilers' captain.

"Whatever. Little Alice is old news anyway. I'm thinking I might have to get the number of that cute little brunette writer you've got following you. She seems like she'd be fun." Instantly Edward was back to slamming James up against the wall. This time Uley was right on him. Before he pulled him back though, James grinned. "Guess the rumors were true then. You've been slumming it with the reporter."

Edward immediately realized his mistake. He knew everything he was thinking was plastered across his face. By giving in to James' goading he had all but told the whole room he was seeing Bella. They had just spent the last month finishing up with damage control regarding the New Years' Fiasco and now he had given ammunition to the one person he hated most of all.

Thankfully, before the conversation could go any further, the team coaches entered the room. The Head coach of the Western team was the Head coach of the San Jose Sharks, and Carlisle was the assistant coach. Carlisle knew right away that something wasn't right. Edward's face gave it all away, but before he could talk to his nephew about whatever had just happened, the head coach gathered everyone together to prepare for the game.

The game itself went by extremely fast. Edward didn't mind the atmosphere because he wasn't constantly watching his back in fear of getting smashed into the boards. It was an unwritten rule that you did not hit at the All-Star game; the next few months would be the push to the playoffs and no one wanted to be injured in a game that really didn't count for anything in the long run. Not to mention if you were the player who decided to attempt a hit, you'd have a target on your back as soon as regular games started up again. There was, after all, a code that needed to be followed. Even James was pretty civil, but Edward figured that was only because they were on the same team.

When the game finally ended, the West had actually lost by one to the East. The Boston Crowd was excited by this, and everyone generally left in a good mood. Edward dressed as fast as he could in so he wouldn't have to deal with James. He needed to get his head straight and figure out what to do about what happened in front of the room full of hockey players. What he really needed was to see Bella, but he worried that James would be looking for the perfect opportunity to prove that the two were together.

James was one of the last to leave the dressing room. He, unlike Edward, was pissed that they hadn't won the game, but he kept his mouth shut. He had more important things to worry about anyway. His main goal now was to figure out the situation with Edward and the brunette reporter whose name he couldn't remember. He knew about the press coverage and how the Cullen's had patched up the situation nicely. All he needed to do was get a picture, or another type of proof, to show the press what Cullen had all but confirmed by his reaction. When he got that proof, he'd find the perfect time to use it against Edward. He was going to knock the Cullen family off their high horse any way that he could.

Gotta hate James right? Yeah...for sure. He's got a pretty big role in this story now!