Just a nother reminder, I'm REPOSTING my original story to update and edit.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own TWILIGHT or DWTS.I think that is rather unfortunate…


BPOV

Sunday passed by in a blur. I had been tired due to a late Saturday evening and the drive back to Seattle Sunday afternoon didn't help.

After Edward left my room Saturday night, I was on cloud nine. We had shared some unbelievable kisses that were simple and sweet yet still mind-blowing. It took me a while to get my wits about me. It was extremely hard to watch him go, but he had given me an idea that I really wanted to explore.

I had thought about a story, about a boy and a girl in high school, who experience a forbidden yet undeniable love. A modern day Romeo & Juliet in a way. The boy was perfect in almost every single aspect of his life, while the girl was plain, but something bigger than the two of them pulls them together.

I was still working out details, but I liked the possibilities of where this story could go. And Edward was definitely my inspiration. I had even decided that there would probably be a scene or two of the boy climbing a tree into the girl's bedroom window in order to spend time with her, maybe even declaring his love for her…

How I wished Edward had declared his love for me last night. I know he told me he 'liked me liked me' but how I would have melted if he had said the other 'L' word.

I really didn't need to be getting ahead of myself though. Let's be honest: do I ever think Edward would have those feelings for me? No, not really, but a girl can dream right?

Anyway, I had been up late fleshing out some other potential characters for the story so when I finally got to sleep it was early Sunday morning and I couldn't help sleeping in. That ate up a good chunk of my day and I needed to get back to Seattle that evening. The early morning plane for Monday was not sounding appealing, but I needed to get back to California for this meeting and then rehearsal.

This meeting was twisting my stomach inside out. I kept having images of Alice with this faceless guy and seeing Edward in a rage. I didn't want to see that first hand, but I felt maybe I could help. I didn't really know how except to just be there for both of them, but maybe it would help…

I said goodbye to Charlie Sunday afternoon, not seeing Edward again before I left, and then headed back to Seattle. I was missing him, but I had my own life too. That didn't stop my fantasizing the entire drive. All I can say is that the long drive didn't seem as lengthy.

By the time I got home, I was exhausted. All I wanted to do was head to bed, but I needed to make sure everything was in order for the next week. I didn't plan on coming back to Seattle next weekend, so I gathered everything I would need in California and had it in a bag for tomorrow's trip. I wanted to really focus this week in rehearsal and I felt that if how tired I was right now was any indication of how I would feel, I couldn't be flying every weekend if I could avoid it.

I double checked everything twice and grabbed a quick shower to wash away the car ride. It was kind of hard work staying awake in the shower, so once I finished, I pulled my towel and dried off as best I could and slid my tank top and shorts on.

As I made my way back into my room, I saw my phone flashing at me, indicating that I had a message. I was so close to just plugging it into the charger and leaving it for tomorrow, but I decided against it and opened the message:

I really missed you today. I'll see you tomorrow. Sweet dreams. – E

My eyes were wide as the burst of adrenaline flew through my system. I guess I wasn't falling asleep right at this moment.

Edward missed me! My hands were shaking as I tried to type out a response so I kept it short.

Ditto…on all counts. Goodnight Edward. – B

That giddy feeling was back with me and I didn't brush it away. I loved it. Edward was slowly turning my world upside-down and I wasn't going to stop it. I didn't know how long it could possibly last, but I would savor every moment.

It took awhile to actually get to sleep last night due to my heart racing a mile per minute, so waking up this morning was not fun. I couldn't complain too much though, because I would see Edward soon. We were almost to LAX, having just heard the captain's announcement for the flight attendants to prepare the cabin for arrival.

I was feeling nervous now. Angela sat beside me and every so often she would place her hand on my knee to stop the bouncing it was doing that I wasn't aware of. She smiled, knowingly, realizing that it wasn't just the flying itself that I was antsy about.

So many things were racing through my mind: seeing Edward, the meeting at ABC studios, resuming rehearsals, continuing to work on my new story. I had a feeling deep in my gut that today would be interesting, and not necessarily in a good way. I was actually worried, but I didn't know what for. I thought it was in response to the flight, but I knew better.

The landing was bumpy. I felt my heart in my throat when the landing gear touched the runaway. Angela had to keep me in my seat so that I wouldn't get up and run for the door. I really needed to get over this irrational fear of flying…though I knew it wasn't really irrational.

I listened to the faint sound of the seatbelt sign being turned off and I barely registered those around me starting to gather their items. I glanced back to Angela who had an encouraging smile for me and I began to move.

Once out of the plane, I felt the tension in my shoulders leave and I was once again able to breathe. Anxiety and excitement took the tension's place in my body. I was now humming with anticipation at getting to the studio. Angela sensed this and led me out to where I assumed a car would be waiting for us.

"So," she began once we were situated in the car. "Are you going to tell me what happened this weekend when you went home?"

Gulp. Keep it simple Bella.

"I started a new story."

"Really? That's amazing Bella! I'm so excited. What's this one about?" I could see the light in her eyes and I hoped that this would deter her from asking anything else about the weekend.

"Well…I'm still working out the specifics, but I think it will be a story set in high school and center around the relationship of a boy and girl."

"OK. What else?" I looked at her wondering what she was asking. "Oh come on Bella. There has to be a twist in there."

"Well, it's like a modern day R & J. Forbidden to be together, but that won't stop them."

"Ok, great, but why can't they be together…and don't say their families. It's so…done."

Hmm. I hadn't really thought that far yet. I was just trying to get some of the characters flushed out. I don't know why they wouldn't be together, other than the beauty of the boy would outshine the plain girl. That would be enough, right?

"OOH! What if he wasn't of this world?" Angela's excitement was tangible. I couldn't help laughing.

"An alien? I don't really want to do sci-fi." I briefly glanced over to Angela and saw her smile fade. "At least not for this story." That perked her back up.

"Ok, no aliens. But he can't be normal. There has to be a reason for them to be apart."

I thought for a moment and thought of the reason.

"He wants to kill her."

"WHAT?" Angela quietly shrieked, trying not to alert the attention of the driver. We didn't need to scare him.

"I mean, he has this urge to kill her but he can't or won't, because he loves her. That's why they shouldn't be together, because he wants to kill her and protect her all at the same time."

"But she doesn't care?" Angela asked.

"Exactly." This was starting to come together. I was really starting to be able to picture where this story could go.

"But what could he be? A werewolf? They kill people, right?" I loved Angela's enthusiasm. It was one of the reasons I was anxious to continue our working relationship as well as our friendship.

"Not a werewolf." I had to disagree with her. It just didn't feel right. "I can't get past the fur. It's like loving your pet. Nothing romantic at all."

"Ok," she said, taking my response into consideration. "What other monsters desire to kill people?"

We both sat there for a moment, lost in our thoughts. Suddenly I was envisioning Edward, but not the Edward I was used to. He had golden eyes instead of his beautiful green ones and was deathly pale. He moved toward me so fast, almost as if he had flown. I caught my breath as he came face to face with me and he smelled so sweet. I watched his eyes linger at my neck and he leaned in, kissing it gently and then…

"Vampire," I whispered.

"What was that?"

"He would be a vampire." I looked at Angela's confused face. "It's perfect. Vampires are by far the 'sexiest' monsters around. They lure people in with their looks and mannerisms."

"But they drink blood."

"So…that's part of the reason why it's perfect. He's battling blood-lust as well as regular lust and love and other human emotions surrounding the girl. Something he hasn't felt in such a long time."

"If he hasn't felt those feelings in so long, how is he in high school with this girl?" Angela asked another good question and I had to think on that one.

I kept thinking about how I could have met Edward when we were seventeen, but it never happened.

"Well, he could have become a vampire when he was still in his teens. He would be seventeen forever, so to blend in he would have to play his age over and over again."

"Hmm, locked in a teenager's body with an old man's mentality and stuck in high school. That sucks!"

I couldn't have put it better myself and I laughed.

"No pun intended, right?" I asked. She seemed to think about what she had said and then let out a loud laugh that set me off again.

We continued laughing for about five minutes and I was trying to compose myself, but Angela beat me to it.

"Well, I think it's a great idea and something very different for you. I really look forward to seeing what you come up with, and I'm sure your publisher is going to be ecstatic!"

"Well, let's not get too ahead of ourselves. It's just an idea right now."

"Yeah, but it has great potential. How did you come up with the idea again?" Angela's eyes smugly searched mine.

I couldn't tell her that my missed opportunity in high school coupled with being paired with my current Adonis-looking dance partner had started this idea. It was too weird and too soon for that. Luckily, I didn't have to.

"Ladies," our driver interrupted. "We're here."

I quickly said thank you, grabbed my bag, and threw myself out of the car, with Angela quickly on my heels.

"We will talk more about this, Bella."

"There's nothing more to really talk about, unless you want to help me flush out more details again. Thank you for that by the way." I smiled sincerely at her.

"You're welcome, but there is more to it than what you are telling me, and I will get to the bottom of it!" She smiled back but that glint in her eye told me she wasn't kidding. She would get it out of me.

I had to stop walking once I was inside the studio as my eyes needed to adjust to the contrasting darkness from the harsh sunlight outside. Angela bumped into me and we held onto each other to try to keep upright. The giddiness from the car was still holding and we snickered while trying to right ourselves.

All eyes were on us as I paid more attention to our surroundings. I could easily see that we were still early and one of the last ones to arrive, but I couldn't deny that our entrance caught the other's attention. I could easily make out Jacob, Tanya, Emmett, Rosalie and Jessica, but there was only one I really wanted to catch the eye of and he wasn't here yet. Neither was Alice.

The eye I did catch was Jacob Black's and I had to internally moan. This wouldn't be fun. I didn't feel like being subjected to his demeaning looks and rude comments. Angela gave my arm a squeeze as we still held on to each other. We untangled ourselves and headed towards the others. I saw Jacob looking me up and down and I was grateful that I was under-dressed and was still in just my jeans, plain white t-shirt and the cardigan Edward brought home to me. It had picked up some of his own scent and I felt like he was with me.

As we moved forward I watched as both Emmett and Rosalie made their way to me and before I knew it I was up in Emmett's arms.

"Um…Emmett…I can't breathe."

He released me and I took a shaky breath. I hadn't known him for very long, just this past week, but I felt comfortable around him, like a big brother.

"Sorry Bella," Rosalie said as she gave Emmett a teasing smack to the back of his head. "This big lummox forgets his own strength. I discovered that this week." Rosalie smiled graciously at me and I couldn't help smiling back.

"Hey Bella! I read one of your books this week. Not bad." Emmett smiled, obviously proud of himself.

"Oh…thanks Emmett." I was still not really comfortable with accepting compliments, particularly about my writing, so there was no stopping the flush in my cheeks.

Rosalie seemed to sense my discomfort and changed the subject.

"So, Bella, what the hell happened to your hand?" I had basically forgotten about the hand unless I absolutely had to use it. Luckily the pain had subsided since I had injured it on Saturday.

"Oh, uh…careless with a knife in the kitchen. I was cutting a tomato and ooops!"

"Dude, that sucks." Emmett exclaimed and Rosalie answered him with a smack to the back.

"How have you been fairing with your rehearsals with Edward? Emmett here won't take anything seriously, as you can see." I thought Rosalie's comment would sting Emmett's pride, but it seemed to have made him puff out his chest more. That along with a wink she slyly gave him.

Are they flirting?

"Rehearsals are going well, though I'm thinking that Edward has received more bruises from me this week than ever in his life." I blushed more as I admitted my tendency at being a klutz.

"It's probably good for him!" Rosalie countered.

"Speak of the Devil," Emmett interjected as he looked over my shoulder.

I turned around to see Edward standing in the doorway I had just entered from. With the light filtering in from behind him, he glowed and he was beautiful. I inhaled deeply as if I would never get another breath, steadying myself as he walked toward me.

Everything seemed to move in slow motion and it felt like we were the only two people in the world, let alone the room. The next thing I knew was that we were face to face and I was getting lost in his eyes.

"Hello," he said in his clear tone.

"Hi," I said quietly.

The spell didn't break until I heard someone clear their throat. When I turned my head, I saw Emmett's nose in his phone, but Rosalie's eyes were wide. If I could crawl into a hole and die right now, I would. But Edward's arm came around me and he tucked my body into his. He pressed his lips lightly to the top of my head and I melted into his side even more. I couldn't bring myself to look at the reaction of the others again after that display.

"Bella!" I knew that voice.

I peaked around Edward to see Alice walking towards us, pulling Jasper behind her.

"Edward, stop hogging her!" And she pulled me from his grasp to hug me tightly. I couldn't help hugging her back. Her happiness was contagious.

"Alice, how are you?"

"Oh you know! I had to deal with Edward's sullen self all day on Sunday, so that could have been better, but it was so wonderful that you were able to spend the afternoon with us on Saturday. We should hang out more!" I'm not sure she took a breath once while she spoke.

"Well, I'd like that, but I don't know how much time I will have with rehearsals and writing. I still have to finish editing some things and I'm starting a new story, so I'll be pretty booked."

"OH! A new book…what's this one about?" Alice queried.

Shit. I didn't mean to let that slip.

"Um…" I looked around at the five sets of eyes on me and I started to panic. "It's, uh, kind of a…secret."

"A secret?" She pouted and I nearly gave in.

"Look Alice, it's really in the early stages and it may not amount to anything."

"Oh please, Bella. Your books are amazing and I'm sure this one will be just as wonderful! Please?"

"Alice. If she doesn't want to talk about it, she doesn't have to. It's her prerogative." I felt Edward's arms fold around me again as he pulled me protectively away from his sister.

"Fine. But I'm sure she'll cave with me. We're going to be best friends anyway, aren't we Bella? Almost like…sisters!"

"ALICE!" Edward hissed.

The conversation was quickly moving over my head as I felt like I was swimming in Edward's scent. I wasn't really there except in body. My mind was in fantasy land. I shook my head slightly to remove the haze from my daydream when I heard Edward's snarl. The vibrations from his chest tingled.

Looking back and forth between Edward and Alice I could have sworn they were having some sort of silent communication. I envied that ability, although I wasn't sure I'd ever want anyone in my head like that.

Alice huffed silently and looked away from Edward back at Jasper. He just smiled reassuringly at her and I felt like I was watching the love pour out of each of them. Just before I looked away, I could have sworn Alice had said "I'm right" followed by Jasper's "I know, darlin'."

I didn't really get it, but I didn't want to intrude on their moment so I looked back around at our group. Emmett and Rosalie had started whispering to each other and with Alice and Jasper ensconced in their conversation it seemed like Edward and I were able to have a moment to ourselves.

I looked up at him and saw that he was looking down at me as well and I felt myself swoon. How sappy. The green in his eyes was rich and inviting, like a blanket.

"How are you?" he asked quietly, as if to not draw attention to ourselves.

"I'm ok. Just a little tired. I was up late three nights in a row which is not normal for me. You?"

"Pretty much the same as you. Three late nights and three early mornings due to the little bit over there." He chuckled lightly as he shifted his head in Alice's direction. "I don't know how Jasper does it."

"He loves her. He probably doesn't even notice it." I said as I stared at the loving couple. Love makes you ignore all logic.

"Hmmm."

I looked back up at Edward, pondering his sigh, but he just gave me a quick smile.

"I missed you," he hushed.

"I missed you too," I mouthed. The smile he gave me exploded across his face and I responded in kind.

Everything was happening quickly between us, but right now it felt like young love: that innocent love that takes you by force when you experience it for the first time. I had never felt this way before but it seemed that I would be making up for lost time.

I heard the door behind us open and felt Edward's arms grip me tighter. Looking around his body I watched three people enter the room, but couldn't make them out. Once the door shut, I could see two men and a woman. Tom Bergeron was leading the other two people and from the way Edward's hands held me, I figured that the other man was James.

I looked up at Edward's face and saw his jaw set. His eyes were locked on the blond man walking purposefully towards us. I then glanced at Alice to see how she was and while she looked strong, I could see that she had withdrawn slightly inside herself; an odd thing to witness from Alice.

Placing my hand on Edward's chest, I tried to calm him and he broke his gaze with James to look at me and give me a small smile. Looking back to James, I watched him take in the interaction between Edward and me and smirk. I didn't like it at all.

"Good morning everyone." Tom began. "I hope the first week of training has been going well for all of you." He looked around to see everyone nodding silently.

"Now, traditionally we have 6 couples in these competitions, but you may have noticed that only five began training this week. Ben Cheney's injury had us scrambling, but we are thrilled that our returning professional, James Hunter and his celebrity partner, model Victoria Green, will be joining the competition to make us an even half-dozen couples."

Chatter picked up in the room at the announcement and I saw the appreciative looks from everyone else towards James and Victoria. Victoria was very exotic and wild looking. Her curly and fiery hair framed her ivory face and made her wide, almost black-eyes pop. She had a killer body that rivaled Rosalie's. She would look good in her costumes as well, yet another reason why I shouldn't be in this competition.

James was tall and slender, with long blonde hair tied back in a ponytail that ended just below his shoulders. He was lean, like Edward and Jasper, but there was an angular harshness in his build as well. His face consisted of a strong jaw and piercing blue eyes; eyes that hadn't looked away from Edward or I since he entered the building.

"Please help me in welcoming James and Victoria to the show and back to training you go! See you in a few weeks." And with that, Tom shook both the hands of Victoria and James and was gone, leaving us all in a slight stupor.

When Jessica Stanley jumped forward to greet the new couple, I spun around in Edward's arms to look at him more directly.

"Are you ok?"

"Not really," he grunted through his gritted teeth. "I'm worried about Alice, but now I'm terrified for you."

That got my attention.

"What? Why me?"

"I can tell that he wants you and it's driving me insane. He hasn't stopped watching you. He's still doing it now and the fact that you are my partner and in my arms isn't helping."

I took in his words and started to pull away from him.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm trying to help you. You said me being in your arms wasn't helping."

He just chuckled softly and drew me back in his arms.

"No, Bella. You are right where you need to be." I gave him a questioning look and he continued. "You are my partner and you are in my arms. I'm not letting you go, ever. He can shove it for all I care. He may want you, but he can't have you. You are mine."

I felt a little woozy at his admission and I felt my legs give way slightly. Edward cradled me gently, holding me up against him. He just laughed quietly again into my hair.

"Hey, Ed, man? Can you come here for a second?" I heard Jasper's voice over the chatter calling us to him.

I felt the green eyes fall upon me again and I met them. I nodded in understanding and let him go to his sister and best friend, while motioning to Angela over at the craft services table. He smiled his crooked smile, kissed my forehead and we went our separate ways.

Cloud Nine was back and I was bouncing on it like a trampoline. Then I came crashing down when I saw Angela's face once I met up with her. Oops.

"What the hell was that?"

"Uh…"

"Isabella Swan! What is going on between you and Edward?"

I panicked, looking all around hoping no one had heard what she had said. It didn't appear to be the case, but I still 'shushed' her nonetheless.

"Angela! Nothing is going on…"

"Right and pigs fly. Bella, what happened this weekend?" She was desperate to know, and hell if I wasn't desperate to tell someone.

I quickly looked over to Edward and saw that he was speaking quietly with Alice and Jasper but he kept looking over at me as well.

"We kissed." I spit out quietly. "A couple of times."

She seemed to process my words. The harshness from her eyes melted away and she smiled warmly.

"Thank the lord."

What?

"What?" My eyes were wide and my pulse sped up threefold.

"Bells, you are an amazing woman, but you never see yourself clearly. Alice and I were hoping something would happen between the two of you this weekend and it did! The way that Edward was watching you on the plane, I was praying that this would work out for you and it looks like it has! Congratulations!"

"Um, thanks?"

"Look, I'm sorry for the reaction earlier. I just wanted to make sure that his affections on you were welcome and nothing he was forcing. I would beat that boy black and blue if it was against your wishes." Angela was fiercely protective and I wouldn't want to go against her.

I quickly gave her a hug, showing my appreciation of her devotion to me. It meant the world to me that not only did she seem to approve of the potential for a relationship between Edward and me, but that she was willing to protect me as well.

"So," I started. "To change the subject, Edward may have mentioned arranging an introduction between you and a Mister Ben Cheney."

The shrill scream that erupted from her little body was incredible. I quickly faced the rest of the room, apologizing, and then spun Angela toward the wall to try to calm her down.

"What the hell, Angela?" I forced out once the screech stopped.

"Sorry…but do you think he really would?"

"Uh, yeah I do…but you need to calm down or he may change his mind if he fears for his friend's life." I gave her a playful shove with my shoulder to lighten the mood.

"Wow. Please tell him thank you for me." I just smiled at her.

"You can thank him yourself when he makes the introduction."

"You're right." I nodded as she pulled herself together. "I better get going anyway. I have a few conference calls I need to be on later this morning that I should prepare for. Go hang out with that hunk of a man."

She gave me a quick wink and I gave her another hug before I watched her walk out the door. I headed back to the craft service table and picked up an apple and bottle of water and began to turn back when I knocked into something solid, quickly losing my balance.

A pair of strong but foreign arms grasped my shoulders, holding me steady. When I looked up, those same piercing blue eyes met mine and I shivered. They were the color of ice and looked just as cold.

"Isabella, isn't it?" His voice was barely above a whisper and it gave me the creeps.

"Yes. And you're James." I tried to steady my voice, but I don't think it was working.

"Hmm. You seem to know about me, but considering who your partner is, I guess I should say I'm not surprised." I watched him glance over to where I assumed Edward was. The grip he had on my shoulders prevented me from turning myself to see if that was the case.

"I saw the way you looked at him and how he looked at you. It's very touching, but it won't last. It never does for Edward. He's a 'love 'em and leave 'em' kind of guy. Just ask any of his other dance partners."

I felt the breath leave my chest in a rush.

"Now, I know how to treat a woman right." His hands moved down my arms but I still couldn't move, so I had to speak up for myself.

"Like how you treated Alice." I saw the fire alight in his eyes. "I know about you."

"You don't want to tease me, sugar. You just may get a taste for yourself." He leaned in and I tried to squirm out of his grasp. "But who knows, you just might like it."

"Get the hell away from her now!" Edward growled.

"Oh, Eddie boy. Come to join us? I'm willing to share if Isabella is." James said tauntingly.

"Get the FUCK off of her!" Edward spit back as he ripped James away from me. "I don't know how the hell you were allowed back on this show but you will not go near my sister ever again and you will NEVER go near Bella EVER or I will rip your heart out and feed it to you without a second thought."

I was taken aback by his words and I would have been turned on by his protective display if I wasn't so terrified. I hadn't seen this side of Edward and while I wasn't afraid for myself, I was worried about him and what he could be capable of.

James just brushed Edward off as he laughed in his face.

"Interesting," he snidely said as he glanced between Edward and I. He walked toward Victoria, threw his arm over her shoulders, whispered something in her ear and walked out of the building.

I was still shell shocked as Edward slowly walked toward me. Everyone was quiet now. I didn't like it. It was like the silence was screaming and it was hurting my ears. And the look in Edward's eyes pierced me like a knife. He looked possessed, but at the same time he looked cautious.

"Bella?" he asked quietly, his hands raised in what could only be called surrender.

"Yes?" His hands reached for my upper arms and I flinched slightly as I felt the cool fingers just barely touch me. Then I felt myself melt into his touch because I knew he wouldn't hurt me.

"Are you alright? I'm so sorry about James." He looked like he was about to cry. Nothing really happened and I felt I held my own with James, but Edward looked so shaken.

I nodded.

"I can't stand the thought of him touching you," he whispered so only I could hear him. I wrapped Edward up in my arms and whispered my thanks.

"We'll he's something, ain't he? Can't wait to kick his ass with my mad dancing skills." Across the room Emmett broke the silence with his comedic timing and I let out a quiet giggle as Edward held me tighter.

Jasper walked over to Edward and me, with Alice tight in his arms. "Bella, you alright?"

I nodded again and swallowed, not really willing to let Edward go just yet.

"Maybe we should all get out of here, you know. There's no reason to stay," Alice offered. "Hey, why don't we all go grab a coffee or something? Mike and I don't have to start rehearsing just yet." I looked around and saw that most of the other couples were dispersing, still looking back at Edward and me.

"Thanks Alice, but I'd like to take Bella away from here and make sure she's ok," he said to Alice, but he kept his eyes on me, as if asking my permission. I nodded, letting him know that I was ok with that.

"Oh…ok," I looked over at Alice and she looked so defeated. Edward noticed too, and he placed his hand under her chin and lifted her eyes to his.

"Hey, let's get together tonight, after rehearsals, ok?" he said, trying to appease her.

Her eyes immediately brightened and I had an idea.

"Why don't you all come over to my townhouse tonight? I have all this space and it's pretty empty with just me and Angela. It would be nice to use that great kitchen for more than just the two of us. I'll cook us dinner. Please?" I looked at the three of them to gauge what they were thinking.

"Bella, you don't have…" Edward began but Alice cut him off.

"We'll be there and we'll bring the wine!" Her bright energy was back and I was grateful. I looked around and saw that Mike and Jessica were talking with a departing Emmett and Rose on the far side of the room.

"Can you invite Rose and Emmett for me? They've both been very nice to me and I know Rose is close to you all." I figured the more the merrier at the moment. I really didn't want to be alone…unless it was with Edward.

"Of course! We'll see you tonight! Edward, just text or call to let us know the time." And just like that, she and Jasper were off like a flash, taking Mike and Jessica with them, and leaving Edward and I alone in the studio.

I took in the silence and stillness around me. Neither Edward nor I moved. The empty studio still held the shockwaves of my encounter with James. I could almost hear the echoes of the confrontation, followed by the harshness of Edward's altercation with him.

"Hey, where did you go?" Edward's question pulled me out of my reverie.

"Oh, nowhere." I mental shook my head so I could gather my attention on the man in front of me.

"Answer me truthfully," he spoke softly again and I nodded in affirmation. "Are you really ok?"

I smiled gently at him, lifting my right hand to his cheek.

"Yes, I'm fine. I promise. A little shaken, sure, but I'm honestly more worried about you."

He didn't say anything, but continued to hold my gaze. Finally, he took my hand in his and led me out of the studio, with a quiet "come with me."

When we reached his Volvo, he opened the door for me allowing me to climb inside. He ran around to the driver's side and once he was settled inside we were off. I wasn't paying much attention to the scenery passing us by, though I was looking out the window. I just couldn't see anything. I was replaying everything that happened ten minutes prior.

"You're quiet. What are you thinking?" Edward asked.

"Everything," I shrugged. "I keep wondering if I should have reacted differently, or not at all, pretending that I hadn't heard of him. Then maybe you wouldn't have had to come help me. Or, maybe I could have stuck with Angela…or even you. I just never thought he would come up to talk to me." I was rambling, but it was what happened.

"Bella, you don't need to think about what you would have done differently. What's done is done, and we'll move forward. I'm just happy I was there." Edward reached over and clasped out hands together. It instantly made me relax and release a content sigh.

We continued the drive in silence once more, but something James had said was nagging at my brain.

"Um, Edward? Can I ask you a question?" I asked sheepishly.

"Of course."

"You promise not to get mad?" I questioned again.

"Was that your question?" he asked teasingly.

"I'm serious Edward."

He smiled and squeezed my hand. "I won't get mad."

"James said something, back in the studio, before you got to me." I started and as soon as I said the "J" word, his hand tightened in mine. "He said that you were a 'love 'em and leave 'em kind of guy' and that if I needed confirmation, I should talk to any of your other dance partners."

My voice was a whisper. It was hurting me to say it and I had to admit that I truly didn't know Edward extremely well, and this 'relationship' or whatever it was, was a whirlwind. But I needed to know the truth. I finished out my question.

"I understand that we haven't known each other for that long and that everyone has a past, but I think we should know these things before we continue. So, please tell me, is it true?"

He was quiet for what felt like eternity as he stared out the windshield. I took his silence as confirmation until he cleared his throat, regaining my attention.

"I'm sorry. I just needed a minute to get my anger under control." Oh. Edward took a breath before continuing…and I held mine.

"Bella, please never believe a word that comes out of that obnoxious mouth of his. I've honestly had very few relationships and definitely none with my dance partners. This show has been about competition for me and not cultivating any romances."

Now it was my turn to be silent. I took in all of his words and couldn't find anything that screamed out to me as a lie. There was something about Edward that made me believe him. Maybe I would get hurt because of it…but I had to go on how I felt.

"I believe you. Thank you." I spoke softly.

"Listen to me Bella," Edward said quietly. "I know that this is new to you, but it's new for me too and I want you to know that you can talk to me about anything. I'll tell you the truth every time."

I smiled and felt my insides warm due to the warmth of his words. My chest felt less restricted as I took a deep breath and the ease of the action comforted me.

"Okay?" he asked.

"Okay," I replied, still smiling.

"Okay," he confirmed. "Now, I want us to focus on us, the dancing, and anything and everything besides James. Sound good?"

"Yes." I agreed quickly, partly due to how he used the word 'us'. I quickly made headway in forgetting what had just happened back at the studios and focused on the time I had with Edward.


Thanks for reading this repost chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. There is more on the way with POVs from Edward, Alice, Rose and Emmett (oh yeah!) and much more! You are all the best, so keep those reviews coming!