Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its original characters. No copyright infringement is intended with the posting of this story.

A/N: These outtakes are not beta'd. They're just something I do as a writing exercise to help me get into the heads of other characters and build on the plot a little more through their development/inner thoughts. You'll want to read each one *after* reading it's corresponding chapter to help them make sense as they won't flow from one to the next the same way the main story does.

****ANNOUNCEMENT****: I will be updating Roadies tomorrow after what has been quite a bit of a hiatus. Writers block is a hell of a thing. I know FFn isn't sending out alert emails for PM's so if you reviewed the last chapter (27) please check your inbox for that outtake. I look forward to updating tomorrow. Especially now that these characters have been talking to me again. *heart*

R0ADiES Outtake
Chapter 25

...Edward…

It takes everything in me to not force Emmett into telling me what he knows.

He won't spill. I already know that, so there's no point in asking.

Emmett's far too loyal a friend to Bella, and whatever he's found out, he's going to let her be the one to fill me in.

"Do you think she'll be okay alone with him?" I eventually question once we're standing in front of the bar with nothing but awkward silence between us.

"I think the better question is, will Liam be okay with her. When Birdie finds out what he did… he just better pray there's nothing sharp nearby because she won't hesitate to use it."

I don't like this.

I don't like it at all.

Bella and I had just shared a defining moment in our relationship, thanks to our tattoo choices which had triggered some true and honest words.

Of course, Liam would dive in out of nowhere to ruin it.

Hell, he was probably watching us the entire time, waiting to pounce when we'd least expected it.

"Nice tattoo Cullen, let me guess Birdie's sporting the other half like an inked up BFF necklace?"

I glance down at my right forearm and then slowly lift my hand to pull at the back of my neck, "Yeah. Not planned though. She told me to—"

"She told you to pick something out that would remind you of the tour. Yeah. I know the drill. It's what she does every time we wrap up a gig. Her Pop might be a little annoyed. He's the only other person in the world she's ever gotten a tattoo with."

"Yeah," I smirk, "She mentioned that. I'll have to find a way to make it up to him."

Emmett laughs lightly and slowly shakes his head, "You two are something. It's good… that she's found you. Because I've clearly failed when it comes to protecting her."

The frustration in Emmett's voice rings through loud and clear.

He's pissed at himself, but it's not justified.

"You're an amazing friend to Bella, but you're not Superman, Emmett. You shouldn't beat yourself up. Whatever Liam did, I'm sure there was nothing you could've done to prevent it. He had Bella fooled for a long time, and she's told me before how much you've always despised him. You did all you could to protect her from him, she knows that."

"The signs were there. I should've pieced it all together."

I might lose my ever-loving mind waiting to find out what those signs were, but I'm determined to let Bella decide what, and how much she wants me to know.

"Do you think she'll want to head out as soon as their done talking, or will I have a few minutes to try and turn her night around?"

Emmett stops what he's doing and looks up from his phone.

His brow raises with suspicion before he clicks his tongue several times.

"You already got a pussy-whipped tattoo. What else you got up your sleeve, Cullen?"

"You'll see. I've gotta run back to the car, but I'll be back in two minutes. Do you have any pull inside with the owner of this place?"

This time Emmett's eyes narrow and he slowly crosses his arms in front of his chest, "Yeah. I know him. He's a friend of Charlie's."

"Good, because I'm gonna need a favor."