Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

~0~

~~Bella~~

I drove up the winding gravel driveway to the cabin, so excited and with a new outlook. It was a real log cabin with a little porch. I'd never seen anything like it before, well, not in Australia anyway. Tall trees lined each side of the cabin and I saw a well-worn walking trail leading into the forest. The lake itself was maybe a thirty-meter stroll to a rocky bank. The beauty of the place was inspiring; the lake, the heat, the smell, everything so new and different.

I bounded inside and checked the place out. There were two bedrooms. The larger one had a massive bed, a small TV mounted on the wall, a dresser and mirror. The room with the smaller bed had antique furniture, and a beautiful large window that would get the morning sun.

I knew I wouldn't be watching TV, so I decided to set myself up in the smaller room. It felt more homely, and I knew waking up to bright sunlight would ensure I made the most of this extended weekend. I pulled the soft curtain aside, hauled up the wooden venetian blind and opened the window as far as it would go, allowing the gentle breeze to blow through the fly screen.

The bathroom was classic 70s mustard yellow and brown tiles, but it was well maintained and clean. The walls were timber slats, mounted horizontally; it kind of reminded me of a sauna. The combined bath shower was deep and they even had little hotel sized bottles of bubble bath and shower gel.

I spent the next hour putting away the groceries, setting up my laptop, hanging my clothes, and arranging my perfume and hair brush on the dressing table. Now the place felt like home. I popped on my sun hat and took a walk to the lake.

I flipped off my shoes to dip my toes in the water; it was brisk, but clear and inviting.

I can wear my new bikini! But first things first.

Before I knew it I was back inside and typing furiously on my laptop. The writing distracted me somewhat from thinking of Edward. Yet I still found myself daydreaming about him; his hair, his beautiful eyes, the way I had felt when he kissed my cheek, or laughed, or smiled at me.

There I go again, projecting my feelings on him, wanting him, torturing myself. Like I never learnt my lesson with Riley, like I would never learn.

An hour after lunch I decided I would go for a quick dip in the lake. I swam, letting my mind go blank, then, when my heart rate was up, I lay on my back and floated, staring at the sky. I could feel my hair swirling around. I wiggled my toes feeling the fresh cool water swishing in between them. If I closed my eyes, I could almost imagine being back in Sydney. I wondered what Riley was doing. Then I stopped myself. I instead let myself imagine what Edward was doing. He'd be on-set, maybe filming another kissing scene with his girlfriend and co-star, Rosalie Hale.

Now I was far from relaxed.

I started to tread water and my foot brushed against a slick cool rock. My feet found purchase and I stood there, crouching so my shoulders were covered in the cool water. The breeze had picked up slightly. My body shuddered. It was suddenly too quiet. I felt so alone. Why do I feel this way? It suddenly dawned on me. I wanted someone in my life. I missed the feel of Riley holding me in his arms. When he'd held me, I felt indestructible, that life was easy, that I was blessed to have someone to love. Having tasted it, I couldn't kid myself into thinking it didn't exist, or that I could live a happy or contented life without it.

I got out of the water, slowly strolled back to the cabin, and took a warm shower. I didn't bother with my hair, no one would see me here, what did I care if it became knotted and frizzy?

I stood holding my mobile phone in the kitchen and tried to get enough bars to indicate there was coverage.

Nothing.

What would I say if I could speak to Edward right now?

I miss you; I want you, dump Rosalie and be with me.

I actually laughed out loud at the absurdity. OK, from now on, no pining for him – just feel happiness and gratitude that he wants to be my friend. It's all I can realistically expect.

I decided it was the perfect time to sit on the porch in the fading sun and finish reading the novel. I wondered how different it was to the script that Edward had. Would the character dialogue be the same, or highly adapted to suit the brevity of the movie?

I kept reading until the end.

Nicholas and Georgia's story was kind of tragic; everything they did had a follow on effect that inadvertently sabotaged their relationship. The frustration and disappointment you felt as a reader was excruciating. It was easy to see how they could turn it into a movie. The performances would have to be pretty convincing to actually pull it off though, because in a way, it was still kind of cheesy. Without the emotion of great acting, it would be lame and indulgent. I suppose Liam Berty as a director had enough Hollywood credibility to be able to accomplish something that was far from lame. This movie could be huge for Edward. As if he needed any more female fans, this would bring in an older audience, and shore up his career as a dramatic actor, one that had an emotional quotient that would satisfy fans of romance and drama.

I eventually went to bed, thinking of Edward.

The next morning turned out to be an even more glorious day, though shreds of loneliness still clung to me. The sun was hot, and there was a light crisp breeze. I set off on a walk before breakfast, taking the trail by the lake, and I made myself think about what I would do when my novel was completed. I'd keep writing, get a job if I needed to, and I promised myself I'd have a dedicated plan to get out and about and see more of Australia. I thought about those three months that I hid away with Riley in my apartment. I made a promise with myself that I wouldn't do anything like that again. I also decided I'd change my apartment when I got back; a coat of paint, maybe some new furniture, a brand new bed.

My stomach felt queasy thinking about my bed and everything Riley and I had shared there. In a few short months I'd gone from virgin to insatiable wanton sex fiend. I hadn't been able to get enough of him. The way he had looked at me, the way he'd touched me. His kisses, the way his hands caressed me.

Would I ever feel that again?

~0~

~~Edward~~

My leg bounced up and down and I clutched my hands in front of me, wringing them around and around, tugging on my fingers, squeezing them, popping my knuckles; all my pent up nervous energy was getting more pronounced the closer we got to the cabin.

"Fuck, Edward. I'm gonna turn the car around and head back to the hotel in a minute if you don't stop. You're driving me nuts, and I'm trying to concentrate." berated Emmett.

"Sorry. Nerves."

"Why are you so nervous? She likes you, right? You tell her how you feel and then...you know."

"It's not as easy as you make it sound," I stated flatly.

Emmett didn't respond. We drove in silence for another few miles. I tried not to fidget, and I tried to stop thinking about and wishing I had a pack of cigarettes to calm me down.

Ben had been right, Emmett had laughed at me when I asked if he would loan me his car to drive myself to find Bella. We came to a compromise. He would sneak me out of the hotel on Saturday afternoon. He said if Bella could do it, he sure as hell could. He predicted the drive would take four hours after I told him where it was–Great Central Lake. Thank god for Google. We'd find Bella and if she was agreeable, we'd stay with her Saturday and Sunday night, and we'd leave extremely early to drive straight to the set Monday morning. If Bella didn't want me there, I had to promise him I'd get straight back in the car and we'd stay in a Motel in Alberni and head back to the city Sunday morning. I agreed to all his terms. I prayed that she would hear me out and she wouldn't send me away.

The silence in the car was becoming uncomfortable. Emmett broke it.

"Is Tanya really the last woman you've...um, you know, been with?" He tried to sound casual, but his curiosity, his disbelief kind of rang out loud and clear.

I closed my eyes. There was no point in lying to Emmett. He'd worked with me for the last two years. He knew about everyone I'd met and everywhere I'd been in that time. He knew I hadn't been with anyone. Bella taking me to Laurent's was the first time in two years he hadn't known exactly where I was.

"Yes."

"Right," he stated bluntly.

I ran my fingers through my hair. Shit, will Bella think that I'm just tracking her down at the cabin because I know she's alone there?

I thought back to the conversation I had with Harold Greene, my lawyer, earlier in the day.

The Berty contract was being amended. I knew it would probably go back and forth for a while. As long as there wasn't a relationship clause, I was keen to sign. The thought of filming a movie directed by Liam Berty–better yet, in Australia–was uplifting. Bella and I will be together, she will be with me. I needed to have a positive attitude.

The copyright paperwork was also ready. Harold was going to come to Vancouver next week; I just had to lock in a day with him. He would run through it all with me and I'd sign, Bella would sign, Episode would be ours. Then I could concentrate on getting Jace to allow Marcus to use it on the soundtrack for the film.

All I needed to do now was talk to Bella.See her, hear her voice, touch her and tell her what I'd planned to before Rosalie had barged into my suite and ruined everything.

~0~

~~Bella~~

The quiche was cooling and the salad was tossed. I relented and opened the fridge. There it was, the bottle of wine that Edward had sent to my room with his note; the morning after I'd handed him the lyrics and ran out of the purple bar, mortified.

I couldn't believe that was three weeks ago. It seemed like a lifetime and here I was alone, in this glorious cabin, missing him. I missed Edward. I missed speaking to him. I felt hollow without him. I knew he was with Rosalie, and even though he said he didn't want our friendship to change, it already had.

I wondered what would happen when I did go back to the hotel. Would I go back to the purple bar? Maybe I should just leave the hotel, and go and stay with Garrett and Kate?

Could I really just not see Edward again?

No, I could never consciously choose to do that. Just talking to him, sitting next to him would have to be enough for me. There could be nothing else between us. We would be friends as long as he was staying in the hotel and then he'd leave and I'd leave and that would be it. We'd probably never need to even talk about the song; once I had signed the legal people would handle everything else.

I took a long gulp of the icy cool wine. Fuck, I should just get blind drunk, maybe then I wouldn't feel so lonely.

I took a plate from the cupboard and placed some salad on the side. I was about to slice into the quiche when I heard the distinct sound of tires on the gravel driveway.

Panic ripped through me. I grabbed my phone from the kitchen bench checking the coverage. Still no service. Calm down, it's probably someone who's lost, needing directions.

I hurried to the window. Realizing I was still holding the knife, I placed it on the little hall table before I peered through the timber venetians. There was a car but I couldn't see inside it; the headlights were too bright. Then they extinguished, and the hum of the engine stopped. I blinked then watched as a tall and very muscular man got out of the drivers' side and started walking around the cabin towards the lake.

He looks familiar.

I looked back to the passenger seat.

Edward!

My whole body reacted; I was out the door and standing on the porch in a flash. Edward was out of the car as soon as he saw me. He was grinning and came bounding up the steps two at a time. His arms surrounded my waist, lifting me clear off my feet and spinning me around. I was in complete shock; my arms automatically wrapped around his neck, without thought, like blinking.

I lost my breath. His warm body touched mine and I felt the all consuming pulsing as adrenaline coursed through my veins. I felt happy and in that same instant I felt the buzz that always encompassed me when he touched me. My skin tingled; the combined sensations were overwhelmingly intense.

Edward placed me on my feet, his arms still around me and he looked into my eyes for a split second; his were gleaming. I held my breath, startled, as Edward buried his face against my neck. He hadn't shaved, the rough spiky facial hair grazed my skin, sending a shiver through me then his warm breath caressed my earlobe.

"I've missed you, so much," he whispered in that sensual voice, full of emotion.

"Edward," was all I could mumble as the feel of his body sent shock waves through me. My head was still dizzy from his swinging me around.

He kept hold of me, slowly squeezing me then I felt his lips against my neck. My stomach dropped and my already thumping heart rate skyrocketed.

No, no, I'm imagining it. He's not kissing me, he's not!

But he was.

His soft wet lips were gently, delicately kissing my neck. I thought I was going to faint. Instinctively, my arms pulled him closer to me. The tingling, the buzz, it was zinging through my body; questions were flying through my psycho brain but I couldn't find the ability to voice them.

Why are you here? Why aren't you at the hotel? Does Rosalie know you're here?

"Ed! I told you to stay in the car, jeezus!"

Edward froze, his mouth lingering on my neck. He placed one more soft kiss on my flushed skin and then pulled back to look at me. His mouth was wet, his eyes roamed my face, his arms squeezed me tighter.

Edward kissed me!

He kept his voice low. "This is the right cabin, Emmett. This is Bella," he sighed, his sweet breath caressing my face. He loosened his tight hold but didn't release me. It seemed that I had lost all mental coherence. It took too much effort to avert my eyes away from Edward to even acknowledge that Emmett–who I recognized from photographs as Edward's bodyguard–was standing next to me.

I slowly pulled my arms from around Edward's neck and tried to step out of his grasp; feeling elated but silly, aware that our embrace could have been taken the wrong way.

Edward frowned, but let me go.

I held my hand out to Emmett. "Hi, I'm Bella." Der! Fuck, get it together!

He smirked at me and his huge paw of a hand shook mine sharply, twice. "Whatever you're cooking, it smells delicious. So, considering we drove all this way..." he said, looking through the front door into the cabin.

"Um, quiche," I blinked. This is surreal.

Emmett walked into the cabin. I slowly looked at Edward; he stepped forward and brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "I made Emmett bring me. We came straight from the hotel."

"How did you know I was–?"

"I tricked Angela into telling me. Please don't be mad with her. No one knows I'm here, except Emmett."

No one? Rosalie doesn't know he's here? I felt my body stiffen.

"Then, why? Is something wrong? Is it about the song?" I sounded panicked. Why in the world would Edward want to see me here this late on a Saturday night?

He stepped even closer to me. "Kind of, well the song is my excuse. I need to talk to you and I couldn't wait any longer. You don't know how much it's been killing me not being able to contact you." He took my hand. His fingers were warm, soothing. His voice was seductive and sent shivers up my spine.

"Do you have any beer, Bella?" bellowed Emmett, breaking the moment. I snapped my hand out of Edward's.

This is freaking me out.

I turned and walked inside. I could feel Edward close behind me, his eyes on me. I felt myself trembling.

"No, I'm sorry, just wine." My voice sounded weird.

"OK, that'll have to do. I really need a drink. Edward?" Emmett questioned.

"No thanks," said Edward. "I'm not drinking tonight."

Edward and his bodyguard had driven from the hotel here, to see me? Edward missed me? I needed to pull myself together.

Lock it down, shut it down, it's not what I think. He's with Rosalie. I need to calm down. There's an explanation for...there's a reason he kissed me.

Something doesn't feel right.

I walked into the kitchen and grabbed two more plates. There was enough for all of us and Emmett took no time in pouring himself a glass of wine, wagging the neck of the bottle enticingly at Edward as if to tempt him to change his mind.

I suddenly remembered that I'd left the knife on the hall table and felt silly that I'd been so distraught a few minutes earlier. The whole situation was more than surreal, because Edward was the last person I'd ever thought would find me here, no matter how much I'd been daydreaming about it.

"You made this from scratch?" asked Emmett.

"Yes, I did, it's really not hard to make," I said.

I could feel Edward's eyes on me. I didn't want to look up at him though. I suddenly remembered that my hair was a frizzed bunch of knots, I wasn't wearing makeup, and I hadn't showered after swimming in the lake today.

God I must look and smell awful!

I served the food, and then took the plates to the table.

~0~

~~Edward~~

Bella was nervous and skittish and she wouldn't look at me throughout dinner.

I recalled the feel her, her body under the palms of my hands. I had held her, elated that I could finally be with her. I really hadn't been conscious of what I was doing until Emmett's voice had snapped me out of my trance. I'd been assaulting Bella's neck with my lips.

She tasted like spring water, with a hint of salt. Her floral aroma was still there, just lingering in her hair that was a sexy, disheveled mess. She was wearing a short dress; her long creamy legs were in full view and that view was heart stopping.

"So, Bella," said Emmett through a mouthful of salad as we sat around the small square dining table. "Edward would like to ask you something."

Bella looked at me, her face turned crimson as she placed her fork down.

"I was just going to ask if Emmett and I could stay here tonight. It's totally OK if you're not comfortable with that, we can drive back to the hotel." I said, staring at her, silently praying she would say yes.

"Um, there are only two bedrooms," she spluttered.

"That's OK," Emmett said with a huge fucking grin on his face. I was seconds away from kicking him under the table, fearful that he'd say something inappropriate. "Edward can sleep…on the sofa, right Edward?"

I scowled at him. "Yes, sofa is fine for me." I said casually.

"You're too tall to fit on the sofa," said Bella shyly. "Um, I'll sleep there and you can have my bedroom."

"No, there's no way I'm kicking you out of your bed. The sofa is fine, really." I assured her.

"You know guys; you could always just share a bed," said Emmett as he took a sip of wine.

Oh Fuck. His words sparked an all too vivid visual that made a certain appendage instantly hard.

"Um, I…" Bella looked mortified.

I couldn't help but feel the sting. No, fuck, she thinks I'm with Rosalie, no wonder she's freaked out.

"No, I'm taking the sofa," I said sternly; my glare trying to burn holes in Emmett's head.

Emmett laughed. "Edward actually wants to know if we can hang until Monday morning. I have to drive him to the set real early. It seems pointless driving all the way back to the hotel. Right Edward?"

I stared at Bella. She's so exquisitely beautiful.

"Edward?" Emmett prompted.

"Is that OK, Bella? The hotel's just not the same without you there," I watched as her cheeks flushed pink again.

"Um, sure that's…fine. I'll be writing, you'll have to amuse yourselves," she picked up her glass. "The lake is fantastic though," she added quickly. "I've been swimming; it's still pretty warm considering the time of year." She took a long gulp of wine.

I couldn't help but get even more turned on when her lips touched the lip of her wine glass. Does it to me every time.

"What time will you leave on Monday morning?" she queried.

"Probably five a.m." said Emmett. "You should come with us Bella; spend the day on-set. You can hang with me, it's always fun watching Edward attempt to do stunts," he chuckled.

"I'm actually staying here until Tuesday," she said softly.

"Well, maybe you can visit the set another day?" Emmett suggested, shoveling the second huge slice of Bella's quiche into his big mouth.

"I didn't think fans were allowed to see any of the filming?"

"Well," he chewed and swallowed. "I know some people," he said, raising his eyebrows.

What the fuck is he doing?

"You'll have to sign a non-disclosure agreement, of course. It can't be leaked that Edward's stunts are so lame-ass, they have to get a body-double to reshoot the scene." He laughed.

"Hey, you know that was only one time and I was having a bad day." I argued back.

Why is he pushing my buttons like this? I knew he'd make this difficult for me.

I glanced at Bella she was looking back and forth at us with a slight smile on her lips.

"I've always wondered what it would be like on a real movie set, so maybe I'll take you up on that offer, thank you. Not Monday though, but I'd be happy to sign something if I need to." She looked at me as she sipped her wine.

Her lips. Fuck!

"So, Bella, can you show me what room I'm in?" said Emmett.

I watched as Bella, her cheeks still a rosy pink, stood and smiled at Emmett, then walked to the hall off the main living area. I wanted to follow, to see what room she was in, but I dare not stand. I could only imagine what Emmett would say if he saw that my dick was trying to burrow itself out of my jeans.

Shit. Fuck. Shit. I just need to get her alone and tell her.

I didn't want Emmett within earshot. What if he overheard me explaining to Bella that Rosalie was trying to get me to fire him so she could have Emmett as her own personal bodyguard sex toy?

They returned a few minutes later, Bella carrying a pile of sheets and a pillow. Before I knew what was happening she was making up the sofa and Emmett was calling me to go and help him to get our bags from the car.

"Fuck Edward, what's wrong with you?" He said to me when we walked off the porch.

"What do you mean? You're the one making jokes about my lack of athleticism. What was that all about?"

"I gave you the perfect opportunity to share the same bed with Bella and you choked. That's what you want isn't it? That's why we're here, so you can get laid?"

"Fuck Emmett, I'm not here to do that. I want more than that."

"Yeah? Then that conversation we had in the gym two weeks ago was bullshit was it? You told me you wouldn't get involved romantically with Bella because you're working together?" Emmett hauled my guitar case from the trunk and shoved it at me. "Make up your mind."

"I'm going to–"

"Look, I brought you here because I knew if I didn't you'd do something stupid and I'm employed to protect your ass and stop girls from throwing themselves at you. Don't fuck around, Edward. Bella seems like a nice girl who has stars in her eyes. I know you don't get it, hell, I don't even get it, but you have to realize that women find you irresistible. Sucking on her neck, staring at her and talking to her in that 'I'm-sexy-as-fuck' voice is sending her a big message. It looked like you were going to launch yourself across the table and devour her! Don't be a fucking douche. Work out what you want, and keep your cock in your pants until you do."

I stood gob smacked. He was right. I had been staring at her with longing and lust. She probably thinks I'm a dick. I was going to explain, I wanted to explain to him, but didn't want to have to reveal to Emmett the sordid details of the scene in my suite that unfolded between me, Bella and Rosalie.

We walked back into the cabin with our overnight bags and my guitar. Bella had made up the sofa, cleared away our plates from the table and was packing away in the kitchen. Emmett punched me, harder than necessary, in the arm and disappeared into the bedroom.

Now's my chance.

"Hey," I said.

She looked up at me and smiled.

"Thanks, for letting us gate-crash on you. I really wanted to speak to you, about what happened last week."

She blushed. "You don't need to explain anything, really. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to speak to you. It must have, well you must have thought the worst, but I–"

"I'm hitting the sack. Anyone need the bathroom before me?" bellowed Emmett from the hall. I could have just about pummeled him for his interruption.

"Yes, I do," Bella was suddenly briskly walking away from me.

"Bella, we need to talk." I said urgently.

She looked at me from over her shoulder, but didn't stop walking. "Sure Edward, in the morning? I'm so tired and I just want to brush my teeth and go to bed. We can catch-up tomorrow. Good night." she said dismissively and disappeared into the bathroom.

~0~

I sat alone in semi-darkness on the sofa. I wasn't surprised she was blocking me from explaining. She didn't want to hear me talk to her about Rosalie.

I tried to sleep, but it was useless. The sofa was too small, I couldn't get comfortable. I started fantasizing about walking into Bella's bedroom, crawling into bed with her, holding her. Knowing she was just a few short steps away was the sweetest torture. I have tomorrow to tell her. I need to ask Emmett to give us some time alone. I must have drifted off to sleep, but I woke, startled when I heard her voice. I sat up, thinking I had imagined it, but no, there it was again.

"Edward. Edward please…"

I stood, tripping over my bag; I righted myself and walked to her door.

"Edward," she was calling for me. I didn't hesitate. I opened Bella's bedroom door. The curtains were open, the moonlight shining in.

"Bella?" I whispered.

She was lying with her ankles twisted in a white sheet. The sight was as if my fantasies had been pulled from my brain and recreated in front of me. She was wearing a white tank and white panties, her legs looked smooth, flawless and pale. I was instantly aroused.

"Edward, yes Edward," she groaned and I blanched.

She's still asleep and she's dreaming about me?

I watched her hand glide up her thigh as she rocked her hips.

Oh fucking hell. I adjusted myself in my pants. I'd never seen or heard anything more enticingly erotic in my life!

"Riley," she breathed.

What? Who the fuck is Riley?

I felt a sharp pull on my shoulder. I was suddenly in the dark hall, Bella's door closed and my head spinning with confusion.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" whisper-shouted Emmett. He gripped my bicep forcibly and dragged me down the hall and out of the cabin.

~0~

A/N: You know me (by now), they can't resolve everything in one chapter...next post coming super quick. You can leave me a review to YELL at me, or to tell me how super delicious it was that Edward couldn't control himself and kissed her neck *dies*.

P.S. Some very fantastic Aussie's have put together Fandoms Fight The Floods:

w w w. fandomsfightthefloods. blogspot. com to help our friends in Queensland to rebuild. I am writing a one-shot, and so many fab authors are contributing, so please donate to the official Queensland Government appeal:

w w w. qld. gov. au/floods/donate. html and email in your receipt to the fab gals so you get the–what will no doubt be deliciously HOT–compilation from several fandoms (not just Twilight). Hassle your favourite author to sign up as well.

Why are my author notes so long? Because I've been slack updating the Episode Twilighted forum -

w w w. twilighted. net/forum/viewtopic. php?f=44&t=9992

I will rectify that, so come and chat there: or leave me a question on my blog: boydblog. tumblr. com (or Twitter Boydblog )

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