REPOST of my original story with edits, to be continued shortly!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own The Twilight Saga or DWTS.


BPOV

The drive passed by quickly and yet, not fast enough at the same time. I didn't sleep well last night. After listening to Edward's message over and over again, and adding his number into my phone, just in case, I was running through everything he said.

He had sounded so frustrated over the phone, not at all the confident performer I saw on a daily basis. It was comforting, realizing that he was just a normal guy under that beautiful exterior. And yet, I had seen that beautiful exterior crumble before my eyes last night, multiple times. I don't think he was aware that I noticed, but I could see that he was hurting, but from what, I didn't know.

All I knew was that I wanted to comfort him. For me, it didn't matter why he was upset, because it truly wasn't any of my business, but I knew I didn't want to see Edward that way. He didn't deserve it. No one should hurt if it can be helped.

I came upon a sign that said Forks was ten miles away. I had passed the entire four-hour drive thinking about Edward. I wished I could stop. It was something that I needed to get passed, but I didn't really want to. Sure, I wanted to keep him as a friend and get through this competition with both of us uninjured, but that was looking hopeless. I just hope he can still dance when this is all over.

Thinking of him did make me smile. I couldn't deny that I missed him. I did, very much and much more than I would really ever admit to.

Forks flew by my window quickly now as I reached the town line. The sleepy one-stoplight town was just as small as I remembered. I hadn't been away long, but I hadn't visited recently either.

As I turned off of the main road, I saw my former home come into view. It was a simple house but it had a lot of memories inside it. I wasn't surprised to not see Charlie's cruiser in the driveway. He would be at the station right now, keeping the citizens of Forks safe.

I quickly parked and stepped out into the light drizzle that was practically constant in this part of the country, grabbed my bag and made my way to the house. When I unlocked the door and entered a flood of images flash through my head from when I rejoined Charlie and my last two years in high school. I never grew tired of coming home, although I never thought I would ever feel that way when I first arrived.

I continued upstairs to my room finding it the way I had left it the last time I had visited. My high school items had been sorted through and whatever I deemed worthy enough to keep had been filed or packed away on shelves and in drawers.

I could see my rough drafts and editing manuscripts from early copies of my books on the bookshelf next to my desk. I liked to come home when writing under a deadline. I'm able to get away from the city and distractions. Charlie never hovers over me, so it's a comfortable and safe environment to work in.

As I placed my bag on the bed, I felt an earthquake erupt in my stomach. In my haste to leave this morning I didn't eat and never stopped during the drive here. Apparently my hunger finally caught up with me and was making itself known.

I began down the stairs and quickly lost my footing. I was halfway down the staircase when I managed to wrap my arm around the railing.

I moaned, wincing as I unwound my arm from the wood and looked at my bicep.

"That's going to leave a mark. Great."

I finished my journey down to the bottom floor of the house slowly and cautiously. I made my way into the kitchen, taking in the yellow cabinets and mismatched chairs. In the center of the table sat a white piece of paper. As I picked it up, I recognized Charlie's messy scrawl:

Hey Kiddo,

I was happy to get your phone call this morning. I'm glad you were able to come up earlier than you thought.

Sorry I'm not here to welcome you home, but I'll see you this evening.

Make yourself at home!

Dad

I smiled as I read his note. I replaced it back on the table and headed to the fridge. I was slightly concerned about what I would find, or not find, in the usual lack-of-food-way Charlie typically lives in. I was stunned when I opened the door to find very little available space inside as it was taken up by edible looking food. Ok, that's not normal.

Well, I wasn't going to knock the fact that Charlie had somehow finally learned to shop for decent food, although I was withholding my verdict that he actually cooks it. I need proof of that crazy thought.

I settled on making a simple grilled cheese with sliced tomatoes. I pulled out everything I needed and began to work on my lunch. I found my mind wandering as I was washing the tomatoes in the sink. I was back to thinking about Edward. What was he doing right now? Had he and Alice made it back safely? I hadn't heard from him since last night and it was now noon. It was beginning to make me anxious, not knowing.

My thoughts were interrupted by a searing pain in my left hand. Looking down, I was able to see why.

"Ow! Son of a…OW!"

In my Edward-induced daze, I had moved over to the cutting board and began slicing up the tomato. Unfortunately, I sliced my palm as well, badly. My blood was mixing with the tomato juices on the board and the smell was starting to rise up to my nose.

I steadied myself as I grabbed a dish towel and wrapped it around my hand. I quickly tossed the cutting board and knife into the sink. I didn't want to leave a macabre looking scene here in the kitchen should Charlie find it. If he happened to come home to find my blood in the kitchen and me not here…well, that would be the last thing we would need. In my thoughts about this, I decided to write a quick note to Charlie on the same note he left me that said "Hospital. Enough said. Be back later."

Making it over to the stove, I ensured that everything was turned off. I didn't need the thoughts of kitchen fires plaguing me as well. I threw the remainder of the food back into the refrigerator and took a look back at my hand. Red was beginning to seep through the light colored cloth. A feeling of lightheadedness swept over me and I grabbed my car keys from my picket and rushed out into the moist air.

Being outside helped to clear my head as I locked the door and made it to the driver's side of the car. Once I started it up, I quickly rolled down the windows so I could keep my focus on the road and away from the smell of my own blood. There was no need to make matters worse by getting into an accident on the way to the hospital because I had passed out behind the wheel.

I arrived at the hospital without another incident and headed straight into the ER.

"Bella?! Bella Swan, is that you?!" Cindy, the receptionist, saw me as I entered. She took one look at the wad around my hand and spoke again. "Good heavens, what in the world have you done to yourself this time?"

"Oh, you know," started to answer, trying to sound casual. "I was just trying to slice my hand off." I lifted the wounded appendage so she could get a good look at the red slowly spreading. "Is Dr. Cullen in by any chance?"

I was hoping he would be. He was my favorite doctor here in town, and in fact my favorite that I've been treated by ever. He made me smile when I came into the ER, which was plenty of times. You could tell he truly cared about his patients, unlike some other doctors who would treat you and never utter a comforting word. His bedside manner was top notch.

"I think he was getting off shortly, since I saw his son run by a few minutes ago, but he may still be in his office. Let me check." I smiled at Cindy as she picked up the phone and dialed, I assumed Dr. Cullen's extension.

"Dr. Cullen? It's Cindy at reception. I've got Bella Swan here with a deep wound on her hand. Could you see her?" Cindy waited patiently for his answer while my hand continued to throb. Her eyes perked up as she finished the call. "Ok, thank you, Dr. Cullen."

She hung up the phone and smiled at me as she stepped out from behind the desk and ushered me down the hall and into a room. It wasn't five minutes after she left me that the blonde doctor walked through the door.

"Well, well. If it isn't my favorite accident prone patient!" The doctor greeted me with a smile that I willingly returned.

"Hi, Dr. Cullen," I replied shyly.

"It's been a long time. Have you been keeping yourself healthy or is that really too much to ask?"

"I think you know the answer to that one." I blushed knowing how many times I had been to the ER in Seattle in the last year alone.

"Anyway," I continued. "Thank you for seeing me. I heard that you were at the end of your shift. I'm sorry to keep you here longer than you need to be. I'm sure you would rather spend some time with your family." I thought of his wife, a woman I had only ever seen in passing, who was probably waiting at home for him. Didn't Cindy mention his son coming in? I never knew he had a son, but I'm sure he would have been a looker, considering the attractiveness of the parents.

Unfortunately for me, thinking of attractiveness brought Edward back to the forefront of my mind. Dr. Cullen's voice brought me back to reality.

"Please don't worry about that. I'm happy that I'm here to get a chance to see you and help you on the road to recovery. Besides, my son will probably be joining us shortly, so you aren't really keeping me away from my family." I wanted to ask him more about his family, this son who I never knew existed, but I didn't want to get into his personal life. He cut me off before anything could actually form in my mouth to ask.

"Now, let's see what the damage is." He began to unwrap the now blood-soaked towel from around my hand. As he continued, he asked the necessary questions: was I in pain? How much pain? But he immediately stopped once he saw the wound in the open. "My goodness, how did this happen?!" I tried to laugh nonchalantly as I looked away from the blood.

"I was being my typical clumsy self, as usual. I had just gotten in from the long drive and I was hungry, so I began to make lunch. I must have let my thoughts wander off on me and got careless with the knife. Sounds like the usual for me, right Dr. Cullen?"

I looked as if he was going to answer my rhetorical question when the door opened suddenly. Dr. Cullen looked behind him to see who barged in on us but apparently he found recognition in whoever it was. However, what he said next threw me for a loop.

"Ah, Edward. Meet my favorite clumsy patient, Bella." He stepped aside and showed me the man standing at the door. If it weren't for the constant pain in my left hand, I would have thought I was dreaming. He couldn't really be here, could he? "Bella, this is my son, Edward," Dr. Cullen continued.

My eyes widened at that comment. Son? Edward was Dr. Cullen's son?! I am totally confused now. That would mean that Alice was Dr. Cullen's daughter. Three different names in the same family. My head was spinning. And there was no way that Dr. Cullen and his wife were old enough to have children of Edward and Alice's age but what I did I know.

Edward remained just as speechless as I did, but I decided I should probably speak now, and ask about all of this later.

"Hi, Edward." My voice sounded so timid and stupid. Was that the best I could do?

"Bella, what have you done to yourself?" He sounded so concerned and it warmed my heart. I wanted to explain that it looked much worse than it really was, but Dr. Cullen spoke, effectively cutting off my opportunity to calm Edward down.

"Do you two know each other?" he asked, looking between Edward and me. I nodded dumbly, not looking away from the green eyes in front of me.

"As a matter of fact, yes. Carlisle," Edward started. He called his dad by his first name? "Meet my dancing partner." I blushed, looking back to Dr. Cullen for the first time in what felt like forever.

"Oh," was all he said and then, he seemed to be processing new thoughts in regard to Edward's words. "Ohhhhhh!"

It was my turn to look between the two men in the room as I watched Edward nod his head slightly. They appeared to be having a conversation without speaking actual words and it was leaving me uncomfortably in the dark.

"Oh?" I voiced my question. I wanted to know what I was missing. Dr. Cullen snapped his focus back to me.

"Oh, Edward had mentioned his partner for the show, but I never made the connection. It really is a small world, isn't it?" He was still casting glances over at Edward while he spoke. Had they talked about me before?

"Anyway, let's get this hand taken care of. I dare say you will indeed need it."

I winced as Dr. Cullen moved my hand onto his mobile tray. Once he had set it, he wandered around the room to grab everything he needed. I felt Edward's presence next to me and I saw him standing to my right looking down at me, worry etched on his face.

"Are you ok?" His voice was just above a whisper.

"I've had worse. I'll be fine, I promise." I couldn't help smiling at him and his closeness.

"You really need to take better care of yourself. I heard you say that you weren't paying attention when you cut yourself. What in the world were you thinking about that would be more important than knife safety, particularly with your back luck?"

"Um…I….well…." I felt myself blush as I looked into his eyes. I felt that I couldn't lie to him, but I couldn't tell him that he had been the real reason. I felt a sharp pinch into my hand and I gasped loudly. I looked to my left to see Dr. Cullen injecting a needle into my cut. I had to squeeze my eyes shut and tried to block out the pain. My good hand reached out and grabbed whatever I could find tightly.

"I'm sorry about this Bella," Dr. Cullen's soothing voice came through muddled slightly through my ringing ears. "I know you don't like needles, but I'm going to have to stitch you up. This will numb your hand in a minute."

I just nodded in the direction of his voice, not trusting myself to open my eyes just yet.

"Bella…" Edward called out to me. I tilted my head in his direction, but again kept my eyes shut. I wasn't sure if it was because of the pain or because I knew I would get lost in his eyes once more. "Um, Bella…you're kind of cutting off my circulation."

My eyes popped open and I met his emerald ones. He looked down and I followed his gaze, noticing that I had grabbed his forearm tightly. I quickly released him and retracted my arm but my hand was shaking and I needed to do something with it. Edward sensed my obvious discomfort.

"You didn't need to let go," and he reached down and clasped my cold, clammy hand in his large, warm one. "Squeeze all you want," he said with a large smile, as if this made his day. It's certainly making mine better.

I looked away, feeling brave now that our hands were entwined. I glanced over at Dr. Cullen and saw him pause in the middle of a stitch to look at my hand in Edward's. Just as quickly as he had stopped, he picked back up again, but I could swear I saw a small smile on his face now.

"So, did you get my message last night?" I was shaken from my thoughts again by Edward.

"Yes, I did. Thank you, Edward, for checking on me. It was very sweet of you to do so. I'm sorry I never returned your call. I meant to this morning, but I ended up getting on the road early, so I…"

"Bella, it's ok," he said, cutting me off. "I'm glad you got here this morning. It's, uh, nice knowing that you made it here safely." He squeezed my uninjured hand to show a sign of caring and comfort that pretty much set my heart into double time. "Well, driving, anyway." He looked at my injured hand and we both laughed softly.

Dr. Cullen cleared his throat and I almost wanted to smack him for interrupting. Almost. It didn't look like he wanted to interrupt either, which softened my annoyance.

"You're all set," he said in a smooth voice and I looked down at my newly bandaged hand. Edward had taken my mind off of my injury for a few moments, those swift moments that Dr. Cullen needed, and I was truly grateful.

"Thank you Dr. Cullen. Again." How many times would I end up in this hospital, with this wonderful doctor sticking me up over and over again?

"You are very welcome, and you may as well call me Carlisle. You aren't a teenager anymore and as you are now Edward's new dance partner, hopefully I'll see you again soon and in a more casual setting," he finished while motioning at the white hospital walls surrounding us.

"It may get some getting used to, but thank you….Carlisle." Saying his first name felt so intimate and awkward at the same time. Here was a man who watched out for my well being while I was in school, but he was also Edward's father…weird. He smiled at me genuinely and then turned his gaze onto Edward.

"Edward, I know we were going to grab some lunch and catch up, but I'm going to ask that you make sure Bella gets back to her father's house safely." It was a lovely gesture, but I had to interrupt.

"Oh, no…Edward doesn't need to do that. I can just…" but I couldn't finish my statement as both Carlisle and Edward held up a hand to stop my chattering. Carlisle continued speaking as if I never began.

"I insist Bella." He looked away from me again and back to Edward. "Besides, maybe the two of you could grab some food, since Bella's lunch was cut short by bloodshed." I blushed while the two men chuckled.

Lovely.

With one last smile to me and a knowing nod to Edward, Carlisle was out the door and probably on his way home to his wife. This left Edward and I alone in a hospital room.

"So," I started, not really knowing what to do or say now. "I'm going to head out to my car…which is in the parking lot out front…so…"

"Mine is too," Edward interjected. "We can get out of here and I can follow you home if you would like, or did you want to grab some food while we were out?"

"I am hungry, but I've still got some food at home that I was working on before…" I shivered, remembering the pain and all of the blood. "It's nothing much, but you are welcome to join me." I kept my eyes down. I didn't really think he would take me up on my offer. I know Carlisle meant well, suggesting we eat together, but really that would be a little too much to hope for.

"I would love to." I quickly looked up to see Edward's piercing stare as he looked me in the eye. He said yes? Really?!

He opened the door for me and led me out of the hospital room. We walked silently down the empty corridors. I occasionally looked at his face from the corner of my eye and almost every time I was caught because he was doing the same thing. I felt like I was back in middle school and I couldn't stop my heart from speeding up at the thought.

We passed Cindy, who was still at her post at the receptionist desk, and her eyes were as wide as saucers as she stared. She met my eyes and gave me a huge smile followed by a wink. I quickly looked away, trying to keep my cheeks covered by my hair. I knew I was blushing and I didn't need all of the hospital to notice. I glanced at Edward out of my peripheral view and saw a crooked grin on his face. I had a feeling he saw the wink as well. Color me more embarrassed.

We reached the sliding glass doors and the light mist in the air hit my face once more, though this time it was rather refreshing. I closed my eyes and allowed the moisture in the air to help cool down the burning in my cheeks.

I opened my eyes to find that I had stopped once I reached the parking lot while Edward had walked a few feet in front of me and turned back. I looked into his green glass eyes and felt as if he were searching my soul.

"Are you ready?" It was such a simple question but it seemed to ask something much deeper. But what?

"Um…yes. I'm assuming you need to follow me?"

"You would think in such a small town that I would know where everyone lived, particularly the police chief, but I can honestly say that I don't. So, yes, I will be following you, if you don't mind."

I shook my head and headed towards where I had parked. I heard a gasp behind me. I swung around to see Edward with a look of disbelief on his pretty face.

"What is it? Are you ok?!" I couldn't figure out what was wrong. Did he finally realize what a mess I was? Like an epiphany?!

"Please tell me that thing is not your car?" I followed his line of sight and saw that he had indeed spotted my vehicle.

I owned a bulbous red rusty truck, and she meant the world to me. It had been a gift from Charlie when I moved to Forks in high school…a welcome home present…and I had never been so happy to receive a gift in my life. Sure, she wasn't much to look at on the outside, but she got me from place to place. She had character, and what was more, she was sturdy; just what I needed.

"Yes, that's my truck," I said simply. I usually got this reaction when people first glanced at my baby. "What's wrong with her?"

"Bella, driving that can't be safe!" I was really tired of the word that.

"My truck works perfectly well thank you very much and she is plenty safe!"

"It looks like it's going to give up the ghost any minute! Please tell me you didn't drive from Seattle to here...in that! It could have died on the road and you could have been stranded. Do you have any idea of what could have happened to you?" Edward was beginning to push my buttons, and not in a good way.

"For your information, my truck has been fully worked over. She may look rustic on the exterior, but I assure you, she's brand new on the inside, complete with a new engine, fuel pumps, shocks; the works. So, back off mister!" I had made my way over to Edward during my speech. I began poking him in the chest to emphasize each point about my truck. I was practically in his face. I didn't mean to get so heated, but apparently it couldn't be helped. The shock on his face was very visible, but it melted away leaving a crooked grin on his face that melted me.

"I'm sorry Bella," he said while still smiling. "I didn't mean to offend you, but you have to admit, it really doesn't look that safe. I can't help but worry for you in it," he said softly and I melted more. I needed to pull myself together and not get sucked in.

"Well, didn't anyone ever teach you that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover?" I spoke stiffly, trying to not let him get to me.

"Yes, and I'm seeing that it's not only true about your truck, but you as well," he finished and he walked away. He walked away! Shit!

"Wait! Where are you going?!" I panicked. I didn't mean to push him away.

"Well, if you want to eat anytime soon, and believe me I do because I'm getting hungry, I need to get my car, and it's this way. Just give me a minute and I'll meet you back here and you can lead the way," he shouted over his shoulder. I wanted to find out what he had meant about not judging me by my cover but apparently that conversation was over, at least for now.

I turned away from his retreating figure and made my way to my truck, unlocking the door and hoisting myself into the driver's seat, which by the way is rather difficult when one of your hands is out of commission.

By the time I got settled in my car, I saw a flash of silver stop just to the left of my front bumper. Looking up I saw Edward's face through his car's window. Stupid shiny Volvo owner. One of his slender hands gestured for me to pull out and I gave him the best glare I could muster, which apparently just made him laugh.

The ride was short and before I knew it we were pulling into Charlie's driveway. I was finishing shutting down my truck when Edward was at my door extending a hand to me to help me out. Damn he was fast. I turned slightly in my seat to give him my right and unwrapped hand but he apparently had other plans as he grabbed my waist and lifted me from the truck and placed me on the ground in front of him.

I could feel my cheeks start to burn again. He was much stronger than he looked. I could feel his muscles in his chest and arms flex under his thin shirt as my body was pressed against his. Down girl! I didn't want to untangle myself from his arms, but I knew I would have to at some point.

"Th-thank you." Great. Stuttering. Nice, Bella.

"You're welcome," he whispered back. I was lost in his eyes. I shouldn't have been, but there I was, outside my father's house, in the arms of my dance partner, the most gorgeous man in the universe. I couldn't help but bite my lip and I noticed his eyes glance down at my mouth. I countered by looking at his own.

I felt a surge of electricity flow throughout me. I couldn't figure out what was going on or where the feeling was coming from, but it wouldn't stop and I knew that I didn't want it to. It felt so strong and new.

But it was too good to last. A loud gurgle erupted from my stomach and I looked down, stunned that it really came from me. Unfortunately, Edward looked down as well and due to the sheer closeness of our bodies, we bumped heads: hard. A shot of blinding white pain flashed quickly in front of my eyes and I grabbed the offending spot on my forehead in an attempt to rub the pain away.

"Oh, Bella, I'm so sorry," Edward said. I opened one of my eyes to see him in a similar position as me, hand to head with a slight wince on his face.

"I'm fine," I breathed out, still rubbing.

"Let me take a look," he said as he pulled my hand away. I felt his cool hands upon my face and forehead, inspecting the bump that I could feel forming. "Oh, geez, I'm so sorry. I knew I had a hard head, but damn. You're already getting a knot from the head-butt I gave you."

He was berating himself, that much was certain. He didn't need to feel guilty.

"Hey, it's fine, really. I've had worse." I raised my left hand to remind him of what I could do all by myself.

"Yeah, I guess." He didn't seem convinced but he continued anyway. "Can I try something? It was something my mom always did when Alice or I got hurt and it seemed to help."

He looked into my eyes as he asked permission and I nodded, trusting him completely. He could have told me to go rob a bank because it would get my mind off of the pain and I probably would have done it. He looked back up at the knot and leaned in slowly, just as he had done at the airport, and he kissed me on the injured forehead. It was a feather-light touch, so as to not add pressure on the point of impact, but it felt amazing.

When he pulled away, I felt so far away from him, even though I was technically still in his arms. It wasn't close enough but I couldn't bring myself to step closer to him.

"Better?" His eyes were darker than I had seen them, but we were in the cloudy Pacific Northwest. Without the sun, I'm sure all eyes were darker than usual.

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. He grinned at me and I felt lighter. I finally found my voice as I smiled back at him.

"Why don't we go instead before my stomach makes itself known and we have a repeat of your head-butting," I teased. I pulled out of his arms fully and moved around him, shutting the door to my truck and making my way up the front steps of the house. I was working on the door lock when I felt his presence behind me and I felt warm again.

This was getting bad, worse actually.

I put those thoughts aside and unlocked the door.


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