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.

.o0O0o._R0ADiES_.o0O0o

Chapter 26

OUTTAKE

...Edward…

Once I'm inside the bar I start asking around for Rick.

It doesn't take me long to locate the guy, but that's only because he finds me first.

"Sup stranger? Someone said you were looking for me. Who do you know, and how much do I owe them?"

I smirk and shake my head, "You can relax. I'm not looking to collect on any debts, but I am looking for a favor."

Rick glances at my guitar case.

Before I can say anything else he laughs in my face and turns to walk away, "Sorry son, it's not open mic night. Come back on Wednesday."

"Wait!" I rush after him to reach out and grab his arm. Rick's eyes glare fiercely into mine. It doesn't take me long to realize I probably shouldn't have put my hands on him, but my desperation has gotten the better of me and there's very little I can do about it now.

Rick's breathing intensifies.

He's clearly starting to get pissed.

"Look, I don't have time for this. I've got a packed house tonight but I can absolutely guarantee you no one came in here looking for karaoke."

"A hundred bucks then? Would that change your mind? One hundred dollars for five minutes on your stage. That's all I'm asking."

My offer of cold hard cash gets his attention but he's still not ready to give in.

"Let me get this straight. You want to pay me, to let you make a fool of yourself up there on my shithole stage? What's this about? Is there some record label bozo sitting at my bar tonight?" The owner questions, before looking over my shoulder to scan the area.

"No. It's nothing like that… but there is someone special I'm trying to impress."

Rick snorts in disgust and instantly begins shaking his head, "Fuck me stupid. I should've known this was about a piece of tail. I hate to break it to you, but you're not living in some rom-com musical and I'm not looking to assist in any lame-ass, viral-hungry marriage proposals tonight."

He turns to walk away but I jump in front of him and block his path, "Wait! You know Charlie Swan right?"

This time, Rick's eyes narrow.

His brow slowly raises.

Now he's interested.

"Yeah. I know Charlie… Oh shit! I know who you are! You're that new worm everyone's been talking about! Birdie sure does know how to pick'em!"

His booming laugh and slap to my shoulder cause me to grimace but I'm determined to be taken seriously and I don't have much more time to get this done.

"Look, I'm being serious. I'll pay you. All I need is five minutes and then I'll be gone."

I reach into my pocket to grab the hundred dollar bill I've already removed from my wallet and shove it into his hand.

Rick thinks over my proposition, but I'm not loving the look on his face.

"You and Charlie are cool? Because I've already had to ban several of Birdie's past play things from stepping foot in my bar. I won't hesitate to do it again."

"Yeah, we're cool. I mean, he hasn't brought out a shotgun yet, and I've been staying with them for the last week while I've been here."

Finally, Rick smiles.

"What's your name?"

"Cullen. Edward Cullen, Sir."

He thinks over everything I've just told him and a few seconds later I hear him exhale with a heavy sigh.

"Fine."

He shocks me further when he stuffs the hundred dollar bill I'd given him back into my pocket.

"But I'm not taking your money. If Birdie flips out, like I'm predicting she will, it'll be payment enough watching her kick your ass across the floor."

I'm not too concerned.

I know Bella well enough now.

She'll worry about my sanity… but she won't get mad… and she definitely won't want to hurt me.

"I'll go ahead and get the lights turned on. You can set yourself up at the mic. Just don't come crying to me when you get you booed off the stage! This crowd right here, they don't play well with strangers."

I swallow back my nerves and take off before Rick can change his mind.

Several sets of eyes are watching me as I take out my guitar but I ignore their stares and pull up a stool for Bella to sit on, then position it a few feet away from where the mic is.

I'm going to want her to be close... assuming she'll come looking for me once Liam's done messing with her head for the last time.

Thankfully, I don't have to wait too long.

Less than three minutes later, just as I'm finishing up tuning my guitar, I see her walk in with Emmett by her side.

It helps me relax when I realize she doesn't appear to be too upset.

Whatever Liam had told her, it hasn't knocked her to the ground.

As nervous as I was feeling just five seconds ago, standing here on this stage... knowing Bella was able to walk away with her head held high... that's all I need to settle back down again.