A/N: I have to mention it, because it's just too delicious not to... this story has 1,111 reviews! Thank you all for sticking with these two.

36.

"You looked upset when you got here," I comment mildly.

She fidgets a little, and I quirk an eyebrow.

"Do I need to strip down further?" I ask, winking suggestively.

I'm only half joking. I'd gladly do it for her—ignore my self-consciousness and discomfort if it helps her tell her tale. Such a sacrifice.

She rolls her eyes at me and crosses her arms.

"I was shaken up, I suppose. I was just getting to a good place mentally, when James turned up in Seattle. It threw me, you know? And even though I know logically there's no reason for him or anyone to follow me, or anything… I'm still jumpy. Back at the garage, at first, I was so spooked, cause I thought if he was following me… if maybe someone else was after me… they'd see my car. They'd trace me easily, and I'd have nowhere to run."

She's starts to shiver uncontrollably, and her eyes are dark and lost. I want to pulverize every asshole who has ever given her reason to feel this level of fear.

"Bella," I tilt her head up gently. "I wouldn't let them get to you. No matter who it was… James, or any of the other fuckers, or even the shadows inside your own head." I knock my forehead against hers gently. "None of it can get to you here."

"Yeah?" she scoffs. "What're you going to do to them? More to the point, why would you bother? I'm here today, but when the storm passes, I'll leave. You aren't responsible for my mess now, and you won't have to ever think about any of it after tomorrow."

"Are you serious?" I blurt out. Because honestly, are we not in the same room? Is she not feeling any of what I am? "You think I go for strip-storytime with any random girl, and cook for them, and kiss them under the roses, and… and tell them about my freaking doll collection?"

She stares at me, her eyes still blank. Then she blinks, and the clouds have parted.

Even being annoying and pigheaded, she takes my breath away, and I know this is more than it should be. She's touched something in me, and I'll be damned if I ever let that feeling go.

I shove her off my lap and she glares, but I stare back unflinchingly. The girl was being stupid, and she's got to admit to it. I've got to stay strong. This will set a precedent, because yes, I'm seeing this going somewhere beyond just tonight, beyond these crazy circumstances. I'm seeing her as more than just some random girl. I'm seeing her… stand up from the couch and pull up her t-shirt.

What. The. Fuck?

"What the fuck are you doing?" I sputter, trying not to choke on my own drool when she tosses the shirt away, making her amazing boobs jiggle.

"Apologizing," she shrugs, shimmying back onto my lap and pressing our bare torsos together.

Oh she's good.