You all know what I'm about to say: REPOST with edits until Chapter 25! Keep counting down!

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or DWTS. Sucks, I know.


EPOV

I had to cool down. After watching Jacob eye Isabella like she was a piece of meat and listening to Jessica basically insult her without just cause, I was about to explode with anger. As soon as Jasper's hand was on my shoulder, I felt the tension and anger pull down to a dull roar. How the hell does he do that? I didn't even see him head over in my direction, but I guess when Alice stole Isabella he saw that he too needed to take some action.

Jessica looked confused but perked up as she realized that she now had Jacob to herself. Glad she was pleased that she could clear the room, so to speak.

"Edward, man, you need to calm down."

"I know Jasper. Believe me when I say I don't know what came over me. It was as if I was suddenly seeing red in front of my eyes," I rambled on. "She had no right to insinuate anything with Isabella. And Jacob! Don't even get me started," but I already had. "He was undressing her with his eyes!" I had gotten myself worked up again.

"Whoa, Ed. Chill out! You are going to give yourself a coronary. Look, Jessica is a gossip reporter. That is her job. Rub people the wrong way and try to get them to talk. And Jacob is a male. Of course he was looking at Isabella like that. She's a good looking girl. And no offense Edward, but you had a very similar look on your face when you first laid eyes on her." Jasper was grinning like that cat who ate the canary.

"No I didn't!" I had raised my voice and some of the others were taking notice. I quickly lowered it. "And how would you even know? You were down by Alice. There's no way you could have…"

"Besides," Jasper began to cut me off. "You shouldn't underestimate Isabella. You heard Tom. She's got some fire and spunk in her and I myself can't wait to see it come out. I'd love it if some of it was even directed at you." He was laughing at me. Perfect.

"Fire and spunk? She looked like someone just kicked her puppy."

"Nice, Ed." He rolled his eyes and walked away, back to Jessica and Jacob. I guess he did need to get back to his partner, which made me realize that I should get back to mine.

Man, what was I doing? I was getting worked up over some woman I just met and I can't afford any distractions. Yes, I admit, I was protective of her. Obviously, or I wouldn't have reacted the way I did. But she was my partner and it was my job to show her the ropes. I just need to take deep breaths and focus on the objective of this season: winning that trophy.

I glanced back over to the staircase where Alice and Isabella were making their descent. They both looked great but I could see that nervous edge in my partner's eye. I hope she doesn't fall.

I jinxed her. Oh hell, now I have done it. She and Alice were nearly to the bottom of the staircase when I could see disaster coming for Isabella. She had not had a firm footing on the last step and began to tip forward. I rushed to her, taking note that she didn't even bring her hands out in front of her to brace herself as she fell. What was with this woman? Did she want a concussion? It seemed to be begging itself to happen. And with another step she was in my arms. Again.

'Got ya,' I thought to myself.

"Thank you Alice, but I'll take it from here," I tried to keep my voice smooth and even, but it felt all warbly to me. I couldn't help it. I didn't want her to be hurt. That would be bad for her, and hell, bad for me if I intended to win this season. You can't win without a partner.

Alice gave me a quick wink and she practically ran to be back with Jasper. Speedy little thing.

"Isabella, I'm going to have to keep a constant watch and hold on you at all times, aren't I?"

Nothing. She was just staring up at me. I thought maybe she was going into shock, but really, that fall wouldn't have been very traumatizing.

"Isabella?" I tried again.

"Hmmm? OH!" She blushed that beautiful shade of red. "I'm so sorry. Thank you again for catching me. I would say that I will promise to not let that be a habit for you, but I think it may become one." She was trying to not catch my eye, apparently embarrassed, as if I couldn't tell by the color in her cheeks.

"And please call me Bella. I think Isabella is too formal and I really only go by it on my book jackets." She flushed again.

"Bella, then," I said and smiled at her. Bella. It fit her well. Stop it Edward! Focus!

"So, Bella," I continued. "Let me show you around and let you in on the inner workings here at the show, ok?" I reluctantly released my hold on her and instantly felt the loss. Oh, this was bad.

I gave in to my inner thoughts and obvious wants and placed my hand on her lower back to serve two purposes: 1) this way I could easily guide her through the backstage areas and 2) I would be able to maintain some contact that allowed me to be the masochist I was.

I was dead meat. I needed to quit cold turkey but what sucked was that I had only met her fifteen to twenty minutes prior. Crap!

I tried to make this go by as fast and as painless as possible. I started her backstage showing her the holding room and the confessional booth. The dressing rooms and hair/makeup stations were next. She didn't seem to care about those. All of my other partners had been extremely anxious to be in there. Hmmm…interesting.

When we arrived at Wardrobe, she froze. I began to get worried but she voiced her concerns.

"I have to wear things like that," she spat out, pointing to one of Tanya's barely-there outfits that was on a mannequin.

"Well, um, probably with a little more fabric. Tanya tends to go 'all out' but yeah, that is generally the idea with the Latin dances. It's the nature of those dances. The ballroom dances will have you more covered up." I eyed her closely. "Haven't you ever seen this show before?" I was curious now.

"Um…no. Sorry." She spoke in such a quiet voice that I could barely hear her. "I'm usually in my own world. I don't notice too many other things when I'm writing." The blush across her cheeks was lovely.

Then it hit me. She'd never seen the show. Never? She really doesn't know what she's gotten herself into. Shit.

"Ah, it's alright." Was it? "I guess you're in for a real shock then aren't you? I have a feeling that this whole concept is going to be very foreign to you and a bit outside of your comfort zone."

"Yeah, you could say that," she continued to blush.

"Then, if I may ask, why are you doing this?" I couldn't figure her out. If you had never seen the show, why sign up?

I continued weaving her through the maze that was backstage as we made our way back out front.

"My assistant, Angela, asked me to do it. She thought it would be good for me." She seemed to want to leave it at that, but I pushed again.

"Good for you?"

"Yes, for my books. She felt that I could reach more potential readers through this new outlet, although I don't know how me, half-naked on a stage in front of lord-knows how many people, is going to make people decide to pick up one of my books." There was that blush again. I had to hold in a groan when she mentioned 'half-naked'. The costumes had never affected me like this before and it was just her words, but it didn't stop me from imagining. Keep it together.

"Oh, trust me. You'll become a household name through this show. But, that's how it would be good for your books. But you said that Angela thought it would be good for you. Why's that?"

"I don't know. Maybe she felt that it would help my coordination. I'm sorry to say that you have probably gotten the clumsiest person on the planet for a partner."

Clumsiest, yes, that was probably true. Having caught her twice in a span of thirty minutes was a sign of that, and I had a feeling it was only going to get worse. Oddly, I didn't necessarily find it a burden at the moment.

"I know she also wanted me to venture outside of my books. I think she felt that what I was doing wasn't exactly healthy or normal. I tend to get so immersed in my stories that I don't want to join the real world. Maybe she thought this would allow me to meet new people," she smiled at me, "and just get a life; a real one, not fictional." She finished with a laugh.

I couldn't help but smile at her. I could imagine her at her desk just lost in her own world. Hell, I'm getting lost just in her eyes, seeing all the thoughts, not able to read them but just drowning there. I'm sure if I could ever see into her head, I'd be lost too. Get a grip!

"Is there a Ben on this show?" Her question stunned me, breaking me out of my reverie. I thought she said she didn't watch the show. How would she know about Ben?

"Yes, Ben Cheney. He's actually out this season due to an injury. How would you know about him if you haven't seen the show?" I was confused and honestly, a little jealous. That's ridiculous Edward! And it wouldn't matter if they were long lost lovers, you can't start something with her anyway!

"Hmm." That was it?! That was all I was getting. She must have seen my frustration because she continued.

"Well, I think I may have found another reason why Angela wanted me to do this." Oh lord, this Angela wanted to set Bella up with Ben?

"And why is that?" I wanted to know if it were true. Please tell me it's not! PLEASE!

"Angela was always going on about this dancer named Ben. When she would watch the show, she would just go on and on about him. I guess she was hoping to meet him. That's too bad about his injury. Hopefully he's going to be ok." She smiled.

Oh. She wanted to know for Angela. Oh. Whew.

"He's going to be fine. He probably could have danced this season, but he wanted to make sure he took enough time to recover so he didn't injure himself again by coming back too soon. But if she wants to meet him, we can get him down here." I offered. Maybe this could be a thank you to Angela for convincing Bella to do this. I wouldn't have met her otherwise. Shut up Edward.

"Really?! She'd love that….and she'd probably pull a 'me'." She giggled.

"A 'me'?" What the…

"Yeah. Faint or trip over herself." She laughed and I couldn't help but join her.

We arrived back out front and I could see everyone coming back together in a group. I didn't want to join them just yet. I wanted more time with Bella. I used my hand on her back to steer her towards me and took her hand in mine. I pulled her to my body, but not snug. I didn't want to make her uncomfortable. I know that logically I could say that I wanted to see what I was working with, but honestly it was because I wanted her close to me before we said goodbye for the day.

She flushed but said nothing. Her eyes were wide and she looked and felt stiff, like she was uncomfortable, but she moved along with me.

"What are you doing?" she whispered. Looking around the stage and noticing the others standing around.

"We're dancing," I said simply and just as quietly.

"I can see that, but why are we doing this now? I really don't know how to dance and I'd hate to hurt you before this thing even starts. And everyone is watching us…" She continued to whisper, getting more concerned as time passed. Cute.

"Bella, you're doing fine. I just…wanted you to get a feel for what it will be like for you when we start competing. And you better get used to the attention. You will have an audience around you when you take this stage again. But don't focus on them. Just look at me and ignore them. This is about you and me. The others don't exist." Oh how I wish that were true right about now. Damn, this is bad.

I caught a glimpse of Alice and Jasper smiling at me, but I saw Alice touch her watch and I knew it was time to go. I didn't want to leave. I pulled Bella a little tighter to me and stopped moving.

"Bella, it looks like I need to go. It has been a pleasure meeting you today and I will see you in a few days for our first training session, ok?" I really didn't want to leave. I spun her out gently and she responded when she was fully extended away from me.

"Ok." She looked into my eyes and I was lost again.

I pulled her back to me and gently kissed the back of her hand before turning my back on her. I swiftly made my way past Alice and Jasper and I couldn't have sworn I heard him say "Eddie's got it bad."

Oh hell.


We are now through the initial meet and greet and we can get to the dancing. Enjoy the first training session Let me know what you think! See you soon!