So what if I ended up being the nicest person ever and updated early due to the amazing amount of love I've received?

The reviews you amazing people have left have been fantastic- thank you so much! I'm so glad the last chapter was enjoyed because I had so much fun writing it and even more, these next few chapters I have loved reading as much as writing (hope that doesn't make me pathetic). Please be patient, a week won't be as long as you think ;) And even so, it's been so much fun to write :)

I hope you enjoy this as much as I have.

'Are you sure she's okay, Carlisle?'

'She's fine, Edward. She's asleep.'

'For someone who's asleep, she kicking me quite a bit.'

He frowns at Edward, ready to argue this point but the argument is lost in a gentle sigh and with what only can be assumed a hand movement, he instructs him to move. The bed wheezes slightly as they change sides, his shoulders stiff as he slides into the middle, trying hard not to disrupt her.

'Better?'

'There's more room on this side.'

The film has still got forty minutes to go, and though both are wildly against ending a film abruptly, just as they are against giving up on a book until the final line, it's clear that neither is interested in the screen.

'Is she kicking you, yet?'

'Hush, Edward. She's just a fidgety sleeper.'

'You would know.'

'Hush.'

Silence takes over a few more minutes, the only sounds being the T.V in the room, doing enough to lighten the evening. The film has been a long one and the night outside has quickly changed from a gentle blue to the darkest night. It suddenly feels a lot later than it is.

'Carlisle?'

'I must admit, Kid, this has got to be one of the worst films of the series. I have no idea where this is going, what the plot line is or who the main characters are supposed to be?'

'That's what happens when you don't pay attention to the screen.'

Those green eye point accusingly in her direction. The quiet arrives again, excusing the various shouts and screams from the television but with a sigh, Carlisle lowers the volume.

'I thought you said she was just a fidget?'

'So?'

'So, why are you turning it down?'

'Common courtesy, Edward.'

'You weren't bothered about common courtesy when you were sat here.'

'Kid.' His tone is less amused now. Almost like he might repeat that very same phrase but he doesn't. He sits and he waits and pretends to be far more focused in the space on the TV rather than the way the gentle breathings are lulling him into a sleepy sense of calm.

'Should I leave? I feel like I'm intruding all of a sudden.'

'Edward- hush.'

'What? I was only being courteous.' Though this is a sneer, Carlisle's unimpressed stare says more than his repetition needs to. Which is largely helpful when he's struck by the sudden tug on the end of his shirt. He looks to his left, confused. Though there's no need to be. Confusion fades and he feels largely flattered by the act.

The bed moves.

'Edward.'

'What?'

'Stop moving.'

'Just a fidgety sleeper?'

There's a gentle sigh and a slight shift in movement as Carlisle settles himself more in a reclined position, nose tickling from the sting of her shampoo which still clings to her hair. It was strange though. How such a soft scent, a fruity berry kind of smell, could be so harshly disrupted by the sting of his own natural smelling soap? He suddenly felt the desire to change all the liquids in the bathroom. Swap them for that gentle feminine smell, the confident, tantalising scent that would grace every step in the hallway. He loved that aroma. It belonged to her and though it was flattering to notice his own, it was nowhere near as pleasing.

'Alright, I'll shut up.'

Carlisle doesn't answer. He's briefly grateful that the darkness of the room now hides him and he can briefly capture her face without being scolded by Edward. Or so he thinks.

'I said- I'll shut up, now?'

'Huh?'

'Are you even listening?'

'Shh, Edward. I can't hear what's going on?'

The Kid clicks his tongue, fighting with the urge to grin while simultaneously fighting the urge to complain.

'Hilarious.'

He doesn't reply. Mainly because he can feel eyes burning into the side of his skull. So he forces himself to stare at the Television screen. It makes his eyes water. He wasn't as tired when he was sat over there: bored, but here, here is both bored and… cosy. Like sleep might claim him any moment.

'When is your flight, tomorrow?'

That's enough to waken him again. But that's not Edward's fault. It's the guilt. The horrible unavoidable guilt that came with leaving them. Leaving her. It make him feel queasy.

'Four.'

'In six hours?'

'Afternoon, Edward.'

'Oh.'

As much as he loved hanging out with Edward, and as much as he knew that he needed it, Carlisle also felt a sudden selfish need to be left alone. If you could call it alone. He wanted to just have a last few minutes to himself to wallow, to watch her sleep-.

That was selfish.

'Are we having dinner?'

'If you'd like.'

The answer was too quick. They both knew it. If he was serious, if he was interested, he would've paused. He would've turned to his side and personally made a suggestion on where to grab food. Further guilt evades his mood.

'That would be nice. I don't know what time I'll be back next Sunday.' He amends, making sure to smile slightly.

Edward whistles lowly, just a quick tune but it's enough to catch his teeth on edge. Not due to the sound but the meaning.

'Quite a long time, isn't it?'

He doesn't answer, he doesn't want to. He just holds his hand to his mouth in hopes it'll be enough to make the point clear. It is. Neither say anything, they watch ahead of them. Avoiding saying the words. Avoiding circling to that very point. A tiny, gasp catches in her throat and out of instinct, Carlisle's head turns towards the sound. She's not awake, but she almost could be with the way her face is positioned so sweetly to the top of the pillow. Before he can stop himself, he gently pushes her hair behind her ear. As much as he liked her hair down, which in fact he loved, he also knew it was half a necessity that it be tied up at night. Not just for her sake. The amount of times he'd woken himself up choking on it was unreal.

'Edward, I need a favour.' He says urgently, whispered voice strained to seem even smoother.

'And there it is.'

Even when he frowns, he can't find the energy to look too dismissively at the kid. Edward leans his neck on the headrest, letting his hair fall back and glaring at the ceiling.

'Go on then, what is it?'

'I want you to promise to do it before I tell you what it is.'

This is a clever tactic. While Edward would begrudgingly help Carlisle at any point, he worked better when there was chance of a mystery.

'No chance.'

Carlisle almost does a double take, he was so sure he'd agree that- well. He couldn't be too surprised, it is Edward.

'Please?'

'Not after today, no. You know how crap I am at lying to her and you let me gurgle in total suspicion.'

'Hardly, Edward.'

'You do realise Bella isn't even my girlfriend. You know that right? I'm still very much in the stages of desperately trying to impress the girl?! I've potentially signed a death warrant for myself.'

Despite himself, Carlisle smirks watching Edward's entertained frustration with a hint of familiarity. It felt so like himself and yet at the same time, it didn't.

'You did fine.'

'Save your comments for when she gets her Dad on me. You know he's a cop, right?'

'I happen to know Charlie Swan very well.' His quick wit has managed to get even quicker in the past second, and though it's outrageously devilish to make such a suggestion, he uses it. Edward turns to Carlisle in disgust.

'You'd really stoop that low?'

'I need a favour. If you're willing to help me than I'm sure Officer Swan would be happy to hear would an old romantic my baby brother is-'

Edward's face falls into a picture. It'd been so long since they'd referred to themselves as brothers that they almost forgot it wasn't the case. That it was just an empty term rather than a formal tie. With a dismally blank stare Edward watches Carlisle.

He surprises himself in grabbing Edward tightly around the neck and ruffling up his copper hair so that he squirms and fights the restraint in a flurry.

'Alright, alright!'

'Will you help me?' Carlisle grins, lowering his voice even further in case the conjunction of that and the sudden thrashing on the bed awakens his neighbour.

'Let me go, will you?!'

'Edward?' He pleads.

'Fine!'

The arm loosens so that he flies back into the headboard with a groan, rubbing his neck in exaggeration.

'Jesus, it's like you want to wake her!'

And for the fourth time this evening: 'She's asleep, Edward.'

'She shouldn't be. Sitting next to you is bad enough.'

A warm chuckling centres in his throat and gathering his cool, he stares ahead and tries again. 'I need you to look out for her…' He lowers his voice so much at this comment that it's impressive Edward still hears.

'How does she stand you?'

'I'm not joking, Edward. I need you to…hold the fort down…'

'She's not an invalid, Carlisle. You'd better pray she isn't actually awake right now: you'll be as dead as me.'

And again: 'She's asleep, Edward.'

'Yes- I got that. It's called a joke!'

He takes a deep inhale, using the sweet fruity aroma as motivation to open his mouth and get the words out. 'I just need you to make sure that she's okay. That she eats and she sleeps and that-'

'You really are an obnoxious bastard, aren't you?'

'Pardon?' This is a genuine question. If he was offended, he would be glaring.

'She's not going to stop eating just because you're gone, Carlisle.'

Having said that, he was well aware that dinner hadn't been fantastic for the past few weeks. He was missing the roast dinners, the waffles and muffins every day, the cooked breakfast- as of recently Carlisle had been taking over. Food sucked nowadays.

'Edward?'

'What?'

'Stop it.'

'Stop what?' He asks and he plays his part so brilliantly, so perfectly well that Carlisle has to re-evaluate his evidence.

'Edward, I know you know. I don't know how or why but I know you know… something…'

The television becomes louder, the main character is screaming, a gun held to her head as she threatens to gain her revenge once more,her skin streaked with fake blood. Carlisle ignores it and turns to where Edward is very still, eyes on the ceiling.

'Know is a bit strong. On the contrary, I know nothing.'

'Edward.' The sour tone of disapproval has worked its way into his words once again and in annoyance, Carlisle sighs and rubs his forehead.

'Alright fine, judging by what your 'guest' said on Friday- I would be lying if I said I didn't suspect something weird is happening. But still. You know Esme, you know she wouldn't like the idea of you… protecting her.'

Again, this very same thought was the one he'd been refusing to accept for the past few days. Especially today. Edward at this point is the voice of reason.

'So you'll look out for her?'

'Obviously, Carlisle.' The way he quietens himself is an obvious reference to the resting person beside them. A second later the green eyes look exactly to where Carlisle wants to be staring and back again, making their silent judgement. Edward's sigh is full of regret. 'You know I will but I think you should know that you're being a coward.'

Though he was expecting the comment, it stings just as bad.

'How so?' He hates himself for asking, especially when he knows the answer anyway. He's been toying with it for the last few weeks.

'The only reason you're agreeing to go is because you're frightened.'

He moves his jaw, catching a brief look at her sleeping form and greedily wishing she might just accidently reach out and touch him again.

Or hoping instead that she might wake up, angrily tell Edward to leave, as he'd been kind of hoping for earlier, and demanding for him to kiss her again. Begging just as irresistibly as she had done all of Friday evening. He wouldn't tease her this time, he wouldn't be able to- he'd just kiss her as lovingly as he could, pouring four years of effort into it and cradling her against him.

If she wanted that of course. If she wanted to kiss him. For all he knew, she could be humouring him. She could think him childish, she might think him too much- she might...

'Frightened of what she'll think of you.' Edward continues, disturbing Carlisle's staring. He clears his throat and turns away from staring at that beautiful mouth. Edward is watching. He's tempted to tell him to hush again but he knows this time he deserves to hear it.

'You're too frightened to fight with her.'

'I'm not willing to upset her, Edward. She doesn't need me telling her what to do and I won't do it.' Or rather- he shouldn't continue to do it. He knew how frustrated she felt by him imposing.

'You won't even risk it because you're too afraid she'll be angry at you.'

Before he can stop himself, the bite of his tone falls out of his mouth: 'Yes, Kid. Because I know perfectly well how infuriating it is for someone to control you. I won't do that to her.'

'And yet you're doing it now.'

Begrudingly, he bites the bait.

'In what way?'

'Carlisle, you're not letting her make her own decisions.'

Again he bites his lip in hope it will stop him from speaking out of passion rather than sense.

'She has no idea who you are. You know that, right?'

He doesn't answer in words, but he does look across to him. He didn't want to believe it, not for a moment but it was such a reasonable comment. She'd barely looked at him twice before a week ago and since last Saturday-.

'If you really didn't want to go, you would've cancelled your flight.'

'She would've been infuriated, Edward. She would've thought I was trying to take over.'

'You're too concerned with what she's going to think of you to listen to reason.'

'So I should stay?'

Edward huffs, dismissively. 'You should have, yes. It's too late now.'

It almost hurt how wise Edward could be. Even more so when it came to her. Regardless if she didn't know him, he didn't know her. No one did. She was so hidden, building her personality brick by brick depending on what each person required of her. In one sense, it outraged Carlisle how balanced his flatmates found each other. How even though the two of them argued incessantly, they still seemed to be closer than Carlisle had ever tried to be. The jealousy sparked through him daily.

'A coward is still a little harsh of a term considering I am just doing my job.'

'Have you told her?'

For the first time since she fell asleep, Carlisle cringes at the volume of his words.

'Hush, now.'

'Home truths, Carlisle. You shouldn't have led her on, either.'

'Edward.' It's a gentle way of reminding him that some boundaries are better left untrodden. Especially when he thought those boundaries were hidden in secret. Apparently this isn't a mutual agreement.

'I'm not an idiot, Carlisle. She's utterly besotted by what she thinks you are-.'

He can't help himself, the curiosity singes through his body like fire, flowing from the side nearest to her until the words fall disorderly out of his mouth.

'What does she think I am?' He asks, breathily. Edward doesn't pause, he just squints at the T.V.

'A Saint.' It comes out like a curse but Carlisle can't help but feel somewhat pleased.

'A saint? Why?' His immediate reaction is to blame the religious imagery he has around the house. The bible in his desk drawer, the cross on his neck. The poem on the fridge. He almost didn't want to break that ideal. He wanted her to be besotted. He'd spent so many years dealing with the torture of it himself that he wanted to be the reasonable one. But Edward's expression says otherwise.

'Because you're too good, Carlisle.'

'So I need to fuck up badly to be considered normal?'

They both smirk. Not because of the humour but how weird it is how him to say the F-word in front of someone. Even if that someone is asleep. It's like a deliberate destroying of impressions.

'I can't stay, Edward…'

'I know you can't.'

'Besides, like she said... It's just a week?'

Edward doesn't reply.

'What's the worst that could happen in a week?' He's badly trying to convince himself, wishing that for once, Edward would just string him along. Just let him believe it.

'What about this one?'

Carlisle cringes again, bringing up his shoulders and sighing in hopes it'll air his headache. Edward always managed to give him a headache when they spoke too long. Usually it was philosophy induced though. There was something maddening thinking that it was just down to basic logic.

'It'll give her space to think.'

'You're too frightened to convince her.' Edward murmurs instead and it's such a sore comment that Carlisle doesn't feel guilty about his retort this time.

'It wouldn't be convincing, Edward, it would be manipulation.'

'Whatever.'

'It's not like I want to go. Not for a moment.'

Edward rolls his eyes, and it almost acts like a personal encouragement for Carlisle to lose his cool. Of course he didn't want to go. Why would he? She clearly wanted some space and it was only right of him to give her that. Even if it did mean accepting the space on the wrong terms.

'You're forgetting that it's only been a week, Edward.' The way he says it exemplifies his frustration. He hated that it had only been a week, it made everything so much more unreasonable.

'More like four years.'

Nevermind that he'd only been around to witness two of them.

He rubs his chin, scratching underneath his jaw in hopes that he'll find a random path of flour like he did earlier. In all honesty, he was fed-up with the flecks that fell from his head but the ones from his face he could deal with. They served as little reminders to her embarrassment, the way she couldn't hold his eyes without blushing. The utter desperation he felt just to know one of her curious thoughts.

'Carlisle?'

'Yes?' He sighs, rubbing his eyes in hopes it'll keep him awake.

'I'll make sure she's okay and stuff.'

'Thank you, Edward.'

'But-'

The grumble is unintentional, it just falls out of his mouth guiltily, as did the weight of the evening. The sudden realisation of the act he'd been encouraging.

'Yes?' He tries to sound as grateful as he did before but he's already anticipating that horrible suggestion before it leaves his mouth.

'But you need to tell her, Carlisle.'

The first thing that displeases me when I wake in the morning is the fact that I'm still dressed from yesterday. I'm not surprised by the memory- I'm just irritated. It had a way of reminding me of what didn't happen last night. But what could of. My back is hurting. Probably because of painting and floor trouble yesterday but again- I'm not impressed.

It's safe to say today I am grumpy. Very, very grumpy. Until I turn to the side that is.

My eyes naturally don't want to open, so the fact they're being obstructed by something is even weirder. I rub them a little, ridding the sleep away and frown again.

'Morning.' He murmurs, his voice heavy. He says it so sweetly- I almost forget I'm mad at him. It's hard to be angry at someone who gives you accidental heart failure. Actually maybe its not- yet I'm captured by how particularly appealing he is once again.

'Carlisle?'

'Hmm?' He's got his knees pulled up beneath the covers and holds a book against them- reading from line to line, hiding the blurb.

He's still in bed? With me?

'You're reading?'

I'm almost too amazed by the fact we're both under the covers to remember I must look a state. He obviously looks the polar opposite. He's delicately frowning, the way he would do at a newspaper. His hand is in his damp hair that he's pushed away from his face and when I sniff, I'm overwhelmed by the pine soap on his skin.

He's had a shower. And got back into bed?

'What time is it?'

'Early.' He murmurs, turning to the last page with a finger. 'Not quite nine.'

'No run?'

He shakes his head and continues to read. I can't help it, I'm wound up. Wound up that he hasn't once looked over to me- briefly grateful- but furious.

'What on earth are you reading?'

He doesn't stop, but he does show me the cover. I feel myself gasp.

'That?' He said he didn't want to finish it!

'It's worse than I thought.' He murmurs.

'B-but that?'

'I'm learning a lot about human anatomy.' He says, amused.

'Like?' I ask.

'Like how- Er, never mind.'

'No, tell me?'

'Just- just how much people will go through in the name of pleasure.'

Oh. I'm tempted to curl up next to him. Or even rip the book from his grasp and demand to know why he won't look at me, why he doesn't want to initiate flirting? He's so? Quiet.

He still hasn't looked towards me so I shuffle from the covers, hide in the bathroom and scrub at my teeth for a while until returning. The book is closed by his thigh and he smiles delicately as though he's embarrassed.

'What?' I ask snappily, wiping the excess toothpaste from the corner of my mouth. He smiles warmly at me, as if I'd just offered to cook him breakfast or something ridiculous.

'I have a question.'

Obviously- he suddenly looks like he wants to talk to me.

'What?'

'What is the thrill of being…controlled? I don't understand?'

I shrug, lifting my shoulders dismissively because I'm still mad at him. Mad at him for leaving. For wanting to leave. For not fighting it. For not fighting anything.

'Surely it's infuriating?' He goads, eyeing a spot on his door before smiling at little at me. I hate how gorgeous he is.

'Probably.'

'So why buy the book?'

'It's Alice's.' I explain quickly.

'Oh.' He presses his thumb against his lip, circling the edge and frowning. I'm not making conversation. I'm also trying not to look at the curve of his smile. Or his shirt, or his jeans. Or the way he's looking at me and making my shoulders hot.

'I get the feeling you're upset with me…' He says after a while.

I can't help but wince. Of course I'm mad at him. I can't stop being mad at him but the act of him commenting on it is largely uncomfortable. I hate my irrational reactions almost as much as I hate how shit I'm feeling. All because he hasn't grinned at me yet.

'No. I'm just mad.'

'Hey Es?' I want to tell him to go fuck himself and storm out of here but I don't know why. I'm just so angry at him. I don't reply.

'I can tell when you're mad at me... ' He pots a little in an attempt to hide his smile and almost leans over to touch the glare at my temples. He thinks better of it. 'It's written all over your face.'

Thinking back to the car, how he managed to make the same comment such a turn on-. I fight to look as determinedly mad as I woke up like this morning.

'Unless you're paranoid.' I mutter under my breath.

'Will you come sit next to me?'

Considering I was laid against him all night and he didn't seem bothered, I don't see why he's fascinated by me now.

My feet are reluctant this time and I sit on the bottom edge, poking at my knee and letting my unruly hair act as a curtain between us. There's a prickling behind my eyes and though I try my hardest to stay angry- I'm overwhelmed with an urgent desperation to cry.

'Hon- look at me?'

But I can't look at him, not when the sudden delight of his gaze is so unbearable, my hands are trembling.

'Esme?' With a soft touch, he moves his fingers into the sea of toffee waves and pulls my hair away from my face, smiling gently to try and coax a smile from my mouth. It makes my chest wheeze harder. He gently presses his smooth lips to my temples, comforting my fury with such a soft embrace.

Those traitorous tears roll down my cheeks and out of humiliation, I lower my head even more.

'I don't know why I'm crying.' I try to say, biting through my lip in an attempt to conceal my sobs. He's pulled me into his chest, a warm arm coming around to hold me, to restore a bit of strength into my sunken posture.

'Because you'll miss me?' He teases hopefully, moving ever so gently that we're almost rocking together.

'I want you to leave.' I remind him, miserably.

'I know.' He says and I'm briefly hurt by the fact he hasn't considered otherwise.

'I don't need you to stay.'

'I know, Hon.' He holds me a little tighter, nuzzling my head with his chin and tucking me into the warmth of his arms.

'But if I asked you to stay, would you?' I ask measly, my voice dejected and juvenile. It's disgusting of me that in a matter of hours I've sunk this low. Desperation has taken over.

'In a heartbeat.' He vows.

'I want you to go.' I wonder how many times it's going to take of me repeating myself until I finally believe it.

'How about a compromise?' He suggests and his teasing seems to soothe my irrational outburst. I stay quiet. 'I'll go for the first three days and if by Wednesday, we're miserable, I'm coming home. That way you can't be mad at me for not doing my job and I get to return sooner.'

In all honesty, I can't imagine myself not being miserable, the only solution I have is to tie myself around him and bind myself that way forever. Or to delude myself in some way that I'm actually really looking forward to some time alone. Either way, I can appreciate how he's making himself out to be as equally pathetic as me at the moment. Even if I look four-hundred times worse.

He surprises me by leaning down nearer to my face. Startled, I turn away and sniffle.

'Carlisle, I've been crying! Urgh, I'm such a troll when I cry.'

It's not even slightly attractive- it's just pitying.

'You're gorgeous to me.' He murmurs, smiling. Lifting my face again to lean against my wet cheeks. 'I'll make it up to you.' He promises, his thin nose soft against my smaller one and his fingers gentle against the roots of my hair.

My voice catches when he kisses me. Not because I so desperately want him, which I always do, but because he's so soft and so convincing that even the sweet curve of his lips to mine is making me shiver all over. For just a moment- it's easy to forget that I'm upset with him.

It's easy to forget everything and to instead feel wanted

'You're getting better at that.' I whisper when he pulls away. I wipe my eyes dry with the sleeve of his cardigan and let out a shaky breath, my hands knotting themselves in his shirt.

'I'd like to think so.' He murmurs, a smile gently teasing against his mouth. I almost reach out to touch it, to let my fingertips trace the colour of his plump lip, dropping my hands to let them curl into his bare torso. To wrench him towards me and never let go.

'When do we have to leave?'

He shifts around me, turning to catch a glimpse of his phone before sighing gently.

'Three hours. We have time.'

Three hours is nothing. It slips through my fingers like hot sand, passing rapidly as he fusses about with some paperwork on the kitchen table and I change into jeans and a blue jacket. He's quiet now. We both are. Somewhat miserable, too. Though that's unavoidable. He also doesn't kiss me again. Maybe he wants to. Maybe I want him too. Regardess he buries his hands in his travel documents, picking up his notes and his laptop and fiddles with things that don't need fiddling with.

'Ready?' He asks, hovering at the front door. He has his backpack hanging on his shoulder, a smaller suitcase under his hand as he scans the living room for any last missing items.

I nod, tapping my key in the palm of my hand. He wastes time and watches me curiously without complaint.

'How about a treat?'

'A treat?' I ask, furrowing my eyebrows.

What's he going to do? Give me a snack for learning the command 'stay'? He pats the pocket of his slacks and throws me his keys, grinning when I look in horror at him. Oh sweet Jesus, mother of all things lovable.

'Drive mine?'

I don't know if those words would be more of a turn on than him asking me to touch him. It's a hard fight. Both car and Carlisle are ridiculously attractive. But I have to remind myself of the dreaded common sense.

'Heck no. If we crash in yours, the insurance will go through the roof! I'm not driving in that!' As much as I hate admitting it, I don't trust my driving skills as much as I'd like. His car is worth loads- it's his baby. He caresses every touch of it under his skin. My clumsy Oaf hands will dirty its very presence.

It's almost like he's reading my brain and using those very words to persuade me. It works so unbelievably well.

'My car is sexier?'

Urgh. You're telling me it is. It's the first time today that I've genuinely felt myself want to return his smile. I turn away, biting my smile in hope I'll make it less obvious.

'I'd rather not kill anyone, thanks.'

LIE.

'Es, you're no worse than Edward and he drives it frequently.' This is a complaint rather than a compliment. He raises a confident eyebrow at me, looking so utterly pleased with himself as he leans his spine against the door frame. 'Impress me?'

The movement of such daring words rolling around on his lips is so unbelievably attractive, I wonder how it might lay out if neither of us were wearing clothes.

'Is that a challenge, Doctor Cullen?'

His perfect teeth gleam and with stunted help from my crappy weight-lifting skills, we shove his luggage into the boot. Finally calling Edward down for the last time- and surprisingly Bella, we jump into the front.

'How long has she been here?' I whisper to him in shock, pretending to fiddle with the bottom of the seat as he fixes the seatbelt. Carlisle laughs, waiting until I look at him before raising a mischievous eyebrow at me, his lips: a loving curve. The others climb in the back saying a brief hello and attempt to make conversation but Carlisle cuts them short and leans back, a flat hand on my headrest like he always does when reversing.

With fiddly hands and an enthused grin, I adjust the mirrors, check them and wait expectantly for him to say something until turning on the engine. How does he sit in this car without falling in love with it? This car is the definition of sex on legs.

God with him next to me, I'm as nervous as I was in first year when he originally started the driving lessons.

'Alright- you're clear. But the gearstick is stiffer than your one. You need to be heavy with it.'

I go to put the car into the correct gear and stutter at the weight.

'You are kidding?' It's impossibly difficult to move. What the heck?!

'It's also closer to your knee than you think.'

I adjust my grip around the knob and groan a little when it doesn't move much. Edward has started to laugh which is severely unwise when I'm sitting in front of him. I unclasp the seat so that its slams back into him painfully.

'Es!' He groans, forcefully rubbing life back into his knee caps. I pull my seat forward again and readjust it, hiding my expression in case Carlisle's heart has broken from my treatment of his valuables.

I'm pleasantly surprised to see him hiding a grin, nodding for me to try it again. I wobble the stick just slightly, uncertain by the resistance it's already put up. It's yet another thing which feels like a personal victimisation. Any minute now, this car is going to transform into a woman and we're going to have a bust up over how much she's showing off in front of the man in question.

'I'm going to break it.' I whine, leaning away once again. 'Can't we just take mine?'

'We're in here now.' Carlisle murmurs, encouragingly.

'Can't be any worse than Bella's truck, Es. That thing's a-'

'Hey! My truck is a perfectly-'

'Guys- shut up.' I grab a hold of the gear stick again, testing my feet on the pedals and grunt in frustration when it doesn't move.

'Your angle is off.' Carlisle instructs and with a soft grip over my hand he gently lifts and pushes our hands into the correct gear. 'Like so.'

His touch still teases along my veins, my blood rushing around my skin as I think of the insanely suggestive ideas of him helping me to grab his-.

'Show me again?' I ask shakily, catching his eyes with a deliberately empty expression. He's so beautiful- oh God, I just want to snog his frickin' face off.

He looks down to my hand, grazing against the back of it as he threads his smooth fingers between the space mine has left. His palm is warm against my wrist, and all encompassing as he refolds my hand over the- er- head. It almost strokes along the length as he suddenly squeezes my grip, pushing the handle into the correct manner. Breathing suddenly becomes a difficult task, and smiling at him weakly, I find my stomach has dropped into the depths of despair. He pulls his touch away and I mourn my loss for a few extra seconds.

Someone from behind clears their throat. I catch Edward's smart-ass glare in the rear view mirror and focus myself in driving out into the road.

'So where are we eating?' Carlisle asks once we're a little further along the street. Edward keeps making sly remarks about my driving to Bella, and as our Saint has guessed, it's winding me up.

'There's a nice little Italian place really close to the airport, Carlisle.' Bella politely tells us, reeling a few directions off while she has his attention. 'My Mom and I eat there all the time.'

'Travel a lot Bella?' I ask once I'm comfortable enough to relax my shoulders a bit. Not comfortable enough in reality. I'll be comfortable when we can drop our pants and finally-.

Not that I want him to know it, but his car is far smoother than mine. The engine's purr is loving rather than threatening and, excusing the orgasm-inducing gear stick, everything is so easy to move that it's clear to see why he's so comfortable in the vehicle.

'My Mom's from Phoenix. I've only just moved out here for college…'

'Ahh, Edward loves the sun. Don't you, Edward?'

I guffaw at loud this time, hastily returning my focus to the road before catching yet another glare from Edward.

'Nice try, Carlisle. She knows.'

'We couldn't all be cheerful people, huh, Edward?' I add. 'Once of us had to be the cynic.'

'I'd had my bets on you.' He retorts quickly.

Funny kid. But catching Bella's shy smile I'm briefly overcome with worry that Edward's expecting me to talk to her tonight? I thought I'd at least have a few days to ignore it or at the very least prepare. I'm not talking to her now?!

Once we've been driving for a good half an hour, Carlisle leans over to press a button on the curve of the steering wheel so that the radio comes on.

'Hey!'

'What?'

'Who's driving here?' I complain, looking warning clear at him. He smirks at me, interweaving his hands close to his knee and leaning his head back.

'You, My Dear.'

'Exactly- hands off the wheel.'

'Just let me know when you need help with the gearstick.'

'Fondle your own gearstick, Carlisle. I've can work this one just fine.' It comes out quick, quicker than I'd imagined so I face him with a playful gleam biting at my mouth.

Edward snorts, I don't know who at. I'm assuming our flatmate.

'I was only offering?' He murmurs, humorously.

'Eurgh, men are the worst people to drive with! You wanted me to drive and now I'm doing it. Leave me alone!'

Bella makes a noise of agreement.

'Alright, Fussy. I'll leave you to it.'

Grinning, I throw my right hand out, past the gears to squeeze his inner knee and as expected, he jolts violently.

'Okay- okay. I'm sorry.' He chuckles, frowning at me. I wait until I know he's staring my way to poke my tongue at him.

It doesn't take as long as I'd hoped to drive to the airport. Though in fairness, I was hoping it would take so long he'd miss his flight. We didn't have a chance in hell of that. Similarly, Bella is a little easier to get to know from the car ride, and even though her suggestions of I-spy piss me off to the max, I'm enjoying having a girl on my side.

I'd probably like to say that I hate dinner. That it suddenly felt as dramatic as the Last Supper with the boys acting as the centre of entertainment for our afternoon but it's not that bad. He sits next to me, picky over the menu which is unlike him. Beneath the table, his leg jitters against mine foolishly, in a way that is difficult to ignore and he takes his time to eat dinner as slowly as I would. So I begin to wonder if he's on the same wave length as me.

I've been staring at the added pair for the past two hours and I haven't been able to stop since. Just the way Edward looks at her. The way his grin falls loopy when she refuses to return his smile, his unrestrained staring as he falls obsessively into conversation with her. Any word that she provides, he hooks onto as though he needs it, like it gives him inexpiable joy. I'm sure Carlisle's caught it, too. He can't miss it but then I realise he's staring at me and has been for a while.

'So go on then, Skiver. Give us a run down on what you'll be doing for the week?'

He smiles, pushes around the last of his food and looks towards the only other male at the table. He seems uninterested.

'Doctoring?' He tells me.

'Interesting.' I tease. 'You must be sooo excited.'

He rolls his eyes playfully and leans against his chair, realising now that I've caught everyone else's attention, too.

'It'll be a case of venturing to a few hospitals, talking to officials…persuading them to let me take the exams early.'

'Wait, I thought you were already a doctor?' asks Bella, surprised.

'Kinda.' Carlisle answers modestly. 'If I pass, it will be like an 'official sign off', if you will. To prove that I can monitor those around me.'

Pffft, 'if I pass'. We all know he will. He's never not passed anything.

'Like a promotion?'

Carlisle nods. 'A very stressful and painful promotion, sure.' He looks at me and smiles. 'But I'd take that over being a student again.'

'In our defence, the amount I've learnt about alcohol is enough to make me a brewer.' Edward jokes, draining his coke in one and shivering. 'Students have their benefits.'

'You say that, Carlisle, but you still study mercilessly.'

'I want to be good at my job.' He says shrugging, holding my eyes for just a moment too long.

'You're amazing at your job.'

He doesn't reply but beneath the table he gives my hand a little squeeze before moving to pay for the bill. I follow Bella into the bathroom before we leave, fussing with my hair and my fringe so many times it's starting to go fluffy.

'I always forget he's an actual, Doctor.' Bella murmurs, washing her hands under the sink a few times. 'It makes me feel like such a kid in comparison.'

'I wouldn't take that personally.' I reassure her 'It's just his way of speaking, he forgets that he's not from the 1600s.'

Bella stifles a gentle giggle, flattening her blue blouse and fixing the creases around the neck. I catch her warm eyes watching me in the mirror.

'You must have known him for a long time?'

'Only four years.' I tell her, smiling. It feels like no time at all. Like I'd casually met him at a bar and had gotten beyond lucky.

'Have you always lived with him?'

I shake my head. 'No, we were both unfortunate enough to live in Student Housing for the first year. He used to buy me coffee.'

The foul cafeteria coffee which tasted like dirt and was the consistency of rotten mud. Eurgh, I don't miss it.

'The same building?' she guesses.

'Nah, I was just across the street. Completely separate structures. I used their common room a lot though. It was quieter than the one in my building. And less damaged.'

Probably because the people living there were far too busy sleeping to realise they had a common room.

'Is that how you met?' She asks curiously, leaning against the sink, the ends of her hair curling around her shoulders.

'I walked into his lecture. He offered to show me the right building.'

'That's so kind of him.' She sighs. It would've been kinder had he known the way.

'You met Edward in class, right? Biological something?' Hazards? Biological animals? I don't fucking know.

She nods softly, her fingers pressed into each other. 'I thought he hated me, he wouldn't stop glaring.'

'He's an odd-soul.' I inform her.

They're both quite like each other really. Except that Carlisle is enough to make my head hurt in confusion and Edward, I'm happy to hit around the head with a stick without causing some serious guilt.

'But he's attentive.' I amend. 'It's not often he…' Er? 'Well, I guess it's just rare for him to make friends outside his circle…'

Make friends full stop. Carlisle was a happy accident. Emmett likewise and Jasper and him say very little to each other. He spoke a lot to Alice. But I'll bet my savings that's her doing and not his.

'Can I ask you something?' Her cheeks colour as she speaks, her eyes wide. My instinct is to say no, considering I know what she's going to say: 'Blah, blah, I'm a virgin- what is a condom?'

'Sure?' It would help if I didn't sound so weary.

'Some days I can't even be sure he… likes me? It's so frustrating.' What? Hahahahaha, is trying to get into your pants not enough?

'Oh Bella, of course he does. For starters he doesn't-'

'It's just I've been throwing myself at him. Everything, and he won't even kiss me. It's like he's not interested…'

There's a horrible sinking feeling in my chest as I look to her half shrouded in misery and think to Edward gazing at her over dinner. His mention of her yesterday. Anytime he talked to her-. There's a moment when I feel like I need to sit down and breathe through my nose.

'Not interested?' I repeat, confused. 'He couldn't be not interested if he tried. He's just…complicated?'

Or a complicated ass. What's her thinking? Surely asking for advice to do with contraception is a big enough hint?!

'I don't understand what I'm doing wrong…' she says softly, itching her wrists and deciding not to look at me.

Holding in the sigh in my throat, I turn her way and smile begrudgingly. 'He's shy… Edward doesn't like to walk blindly into something if he thinks harm is going to be caused. If you're concerned, talk to him. He needs to hear it.'

'Yeah?'

'Yes.' I promise, squeezing her shoulder. She lowers her voice to less than a whisper, her eyes on my shoes.

'Carlisle really likes you, Esme…'

I've turned away now, ready to make my way to the door but she gently holds onto my wrist to pause me. I'm felling the urge to vomit. This whole get up- it's so much more humiliating when a toddler is trying to convince you.

'Look, I know Alice is looking out for you and that we don't know each other very well- but… he seems to really…like you.'

I smile tightly, lowering my eyes and opening the door to make a quick exit. I know she's probably blushing. I can tell judging by how guilty I'm feeling. So I rush into the hallway where Carlisle is leaning up against a table.

'No Edward?' I ask, having to catch my balance before I stumble into him

'Out the front- Wait a second.' He grasps my fingers, lightly holding onto them and hiding them behind his back when Bella comes out looking confused.

'Just have to sort out the bill.' He tells her convincingly and she thanks him and hurries off.

'What's wrong with the bill?' I ask, zipping up my long jacket and hiding my hands in the blue sleeves. He smiles tightly, waiting for a few more people to pass by until he can be sure we're alone.

'Carlisle,your flight.' I murmur. He sighs gently and nods so that his fringe flickers.

'I know,I wondered if I might…?'

'Kiss me goodbye?' I gulp. I'm so overwhelmed with the joy of such a suggestion. Convulsing in desire and holding tightly onto his hand.

'I didn't think you'd approve in front of Edward...' He ducks his head slightly, shyly hiding his mischievous eyes with his thick blonde hair. It catches the dull lighting, making it seem even more golden, even more perfect.

'You know me well.' I commend him, checking around the corner to see if anyone is coming. We're safe for the moment it would seem but I give it a max of three seconds before Edward comes looking for us.

Carlisle grins at me, brushing the back of his fingers along my throat, and arching his back to leave a gentle touch of his lips onto mine. He's so sweet and reserved, his mouth is just a perfect fit. But mischief glides into my bones and as he loosens his stance to let me go, I use my hips to slam his into the opposing wall. I feel him attempt to complain, the way he summons up the sound from his throat and before he gets a chance, I work his mouth open tasting his gasp. His fingers knead into the sides of my jacket pulling me closer under his posture, his heart beating against mine beneath his shirt. My mouth becomes fiery on his, stealing his air, and while I have him so neatly under my desire, I slide my tongue along his, coaxing him gently, rivers of sex flooding into my veins-

Then I pull away. The ache to drag him back to the car is almost too much. The need to push myself against him, rub my skin along his- is so teasing. The strong pine scent evading every cell of my skin cries for his attention. For those sculptured hands to rest along my hips again, to grasp me to him.

He exhales shakily, breathing in a few times to compensate before pulling himself into a straighter positioning and swallowing difficultly.

'Erm-. Thank-'

I can't help myself. I kiss him quickly again. A hard peck against his lips before resigning myself and walking speedily from the restaurant to Edward's side.

'All okay?' Edward asks innocently.

I nod quickly, holding in my panting, tensing my hands to stop them from shaking excitedly and brushing my bangs out. 'He's just coming.'

Oh- I wish.

'I told you it was a good restaurant.' Bella says, pleased.

'The best.' Carlisle confirms from behind. He uses his left hand to comb his fringe back into his sparkling blue eyes before casting a blank look between the three of us, lingering just slightly on my mouth and using his teeth to bite into his own. 'Ready?'

In the last few minutes, I've discovered goodbyes are far easier to deal with when I'm still suffering from a sudden hormone overdose. After collecting his luggage, he stands by the boarding bit, patiently waiting for the 1600 hrs call for his flight to Alaska. He seems cheerful, if not a little distracted, and keeps falling into a hidden smile concealed by a hand whenever left to his thoughts.

'Have you got everything?' I ask nervously, straightening his coat with the palms of my hands and sighing. He keeps trying to capture my eyes, but all the while Edward is staring at us, I refuse and settle instead to watch him bite the inside of his lip. He nods, scratching his cheek.

'I've checked six times. I have everything.'

'They're picking you up, right?'

'The moment my flight gets in.' He promises.

'Don't get into any trouble.' Edward warns, raising a playful eyebrow.

Carlisle lunges for him, messing up the already disarrayed locks into a further abundance of red. Edward resists the hold, trying to pull out his balance from lower down but they quickly get scolded by airport security and stand up straight, looking particularly sheepish.

'Reason number one on why you shouldn't show off.' I mutter to them, but Edward only rolls his eyes and hugs Carlisle with one arm.

'Behave yourself.' Carlisle warns.

'Funny, I was about to say the same thing to you?' The Kid laughs, throwing a fisted hand towards him but Carlisle dodges it and moves to say goodbye to Bella. The fact he's deliberately making me wait is equally as frustrating as how bad I want him, but I love him for it.

'Thank you for your company, Bella. It was good to see you.'

'You too, Carlisle. Have a safe flight.' He hugs her around the shoulders, ducking to briefly place a distant kiss on her cheek.

Edward and I must look a picture. Though I bet I look worse.

'Hey! I didn't get a kiss!'

'Did you want one?' Carlisle chuckles, raising an eyebrow and leaning just slightly on one leg. He goes to reach for Edward's face, quite without the intention of following through, but he jerks out of his grip and slaps his hands away.

'I was joking. Get your hands off me you perverted old man!'

He rolls those blue eyes, tugging both backpack straps over his arms and looking carefully at me.

'Be safe.' I tell him.

'Likewise.' He murmurs, his smile threading itself into my memory like an example of heartache.

He wraps both arms around my shoulders so that I have to stand up on my tiptoes to cling onto him, holding just a little too tightly before sighing. He gently presses his lips not quite to my cheek, but the very corner of my mouth. It's unbearably sweet but before I get too invested in falling head-over-heels for him, I nervously look over to Edward and Bella. They've found the seats around us incredibly fascinating and while their attention is focused, Carlisle takes the chance to wink at me with his right eye so that I actually have to stop and question the immorality of undressing him right this second and loving every inch of him.

He seems to be murmuring the very thing I want to hear without the words; 'three days'.

'I'll let you know when my flight lands.' He says, by way of notification to Edward. 'Look after my car.'

'I'll try not to crash it.' I say, nonchalantly, spinning his keys around my finger so that they jangle about. He smirks, steps away from the three of us and takes a deep breath.

'I'll see you guys soon.'

I hope so. And with a brief grin and a flick of his fringe, he's off through the gate, walking quickly as if afraid he might change his mind. He waves once last time, smiles and then he's gone, heading off out the country while Edward and I long for him to come home.