A/N: Thanks so much for the recs at The Lemonade Stand and Fic Dive on ADF. It is an honor to be mentioned with such great fics. I've picked up a lot of new readers. Welcome!

So everyone's pretty annoyed with Bella. I totally understand. I hope you'll all keep reading and give her a chance as her attitudes and opinions evolve. I'm going to try and make it worth you while! FYI, after about Chapter 10ish we will revert to the present day story.

Chapter 4

December 25-26, 2007

I stared at the half-naked man in my bed with consternation. I tried to formulate a coherent thought to address the situation, but the pounding in my head prevented me.

"Um…" was all I could manage to string together. I wanted to leap away from him and out of bed, but my state of undress and the massive hangover made me think twice. Edward pulled back from my ear and laughed delightedly.

"Relax, nothing happened," he declared. His words caused me to let out a massive sigh of relief, but I wasn't sure how true they were considering our attire.

"Then why," I had to clear my throat before I could go on, "am I wearing this?" I asked. I had the covers pulled up to my chin and tried valiantly not to stare at the glory of his bare chest. He laughed again.

"Sweetheart, that was all you," he proclaimed, and I cringed. "What do you remember?"

"Ah, we were at the restaurant. I had a lot of wine?" I let the last statement trail off into a question. He frowned.

"Oh, I didn't think you went off the deep end until we got back here," he said sounding a bit disappointed. "You seemed to be having a good time when we left Kemah, and you insisted we stop at Albertson's and get some beer, which I thought was odd when we got back here and found you had several beers in your fridge already." He looked at me pointedly and went on.

"We had a couple of beers and watched TV, then you just got up and disappeared into the bedroom. I wasn't sure what you were up to, so I peeked in to see you pulling your shirt over your head. You smiled and looked right at me and unzipped your jeans and pulled those off, too. That's when I knew you weren't in your right mind," he finished.

"So, you stripped down to your boxer briefs and got in bed with me?" I almost yelled and then clutched my aching head. Edward frowned again.

"No, give me some credit. I can be a gentleman; I'd never take advantage of an intoxicated lady," he smirked at me. "Trust me when I say I wasn't unaffected by the sight of you in your underwear, but I'm waiting for you to invite me into your bed sober." I scoffed, letting him know without words that would never happen.

"I asked you if you wanted pajamas, and you just smiled alluringly and refused. I managed to get you to lie down, but you grabbed my hand and asked me not to leave you alone. So, I stayed," he said simply. I wracked my brain trying to remember something. Could that be true? Was my psyche that fragile, that I'd say something that vulnerable to a total stranger? I despised my subconscious in that moment, but not enough to try and really get to know it.

"And your nakedness?" I prompted, and he just chuckled.

"Sweetheart, you'd know if I were naked," he quipped. Then, he pulled back the covers to reveal his black boxer briefs. It took all my effort not to stare at his muscular thighs. I clutched the covers to keep my chest from being exposed by the movement. "I said I was a gentleman, but I'm still a man. I wasn't going to turn down the opportunity to sleep next to a beautiful woman, and I wasn't about to be uncomfortable in my khakis and shirt," he smirked at me and wiggled his eyebrows. I was mortified by his explanation but had no reason to doubt him.

"Plus, I was worried about you," he continued. I thought you might be sick, when I realized how out of it you were. I take it you don't usually drink that much. What about last night made you do that?" he asked cautiously as if he wasn't sure he wanted the answer.

I just shrugged as best I could while still lying down. There was no way I would admit to fighting an inappropriate attraction to him and how much I was truly affected by being pathetic and alone on Christmas. So I kept quiet to keep from incriminating myself.

He stared at me determinedly and sat up sideways to lean on his right arm. This put him much closer to me than before, and it was hard to ignore his mussed, early morning beauty. I ogled a bit too long because he surprised me by leaning over me and catching my cheek with his left hand. I couldn't react when he lowered his face and pressed his lips to mine. With just the right amount of pressure, he parted my lips with his own and sucked my lower lip gently between. I felt the tip of his tongue, pushing, teasing my mouth to open to his.

It was such a spectacular, surprising kiss that at first I forgot to pull away, but finally my addled brain responded, and I pushed at his chest to stop him. He reluctantly pulled away with a triumphant, radiant smile.

"What the hell, Edward?" I demanded, all the while worrying about my morning breath. He had the decency to look slightly ashamed and shifted his lower body away from me. I didn't even want to know the reason for that and was glad the sheet was still in place.

"Well, you asked me to kiss you last night in the living room before you started your strip tease. You seemed lucid, so I happily obliged, but now it seems you've blacked out the entire evening. I didn't want you to have missed out totally on the experience," he explained with a devilish expression, which included a wide smile when I unconsciously touched my fingertips to my lips. He sat up all the way and pulled me with him, holding my hands between his.

"Please, Bella, we would be great together. Give me a chance," he pleaded. It felt odd to be having such a serious conversation in my underwear sitting in bed with a guy I just met a few days ago. "I've got to get going soon," he looked over at the bedside clock. "I'm spending the day with my parents, of course, but I want to see you tomorrow."

"Edward, why are you so fixated on me? I seriously doubt you have to work for female companionship. When I say you're too young for me, I mean it. Aren't there any number of appropriate candidates among the Rice student body?" I asked him point blank.

"Bella, I wasn't kidding when I said that I rarely met people without an agenda, and I've waited for you to show me you're no different, but you've proven the opposite. And, I know you don't remember that kiss last night, but there was passion behind it. I can't even consider not seeing where this goes," he said fiercely. I had no answer for that. He seemed very sincere.

So, I considered it. I would be covered up with work once my rotation started the second week of January, and I knew baseball season started in early February, so we would soon be too busy for each other no matter how we felt. I thought about what Alice had said about me and decided it wouldn't be awful to have some companionship over the next few weeks. Edward would surely grow tired of me soon enough and realize what an old fuddy-duddy I was. My gut told me it was a bad idea, but for some reason, I didn't listen the way I normally did. I just looked up into his handsome face and bright green eyes and said, "Okay."

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I went back to sleep after he left and woke up several hours later feeling much more human. I had changed into my ubiquitous scrub pants and a t-shirt and lounged on the couch watching the Disneyland Christmas parade. I studiously avoided any thoughts of how I had thoroughly humiliated myself the evening before. What was more, it had somehow made Edward even more fascinated by me. More proof of his immaturity, I decided.

My phone rang midafternoon, and I glanced at the screen warily. It was my mother. I sighed and felt obligated to answer.

"Merry Christmas, Mom," I greeted without saying hello.

"Merry Christmas, Bella," she replied, sounding no-nonsense. Ah, not a social call, then. "I just wanted to let you know that Phil got called in for an emergency case. Since, Colin and Brady are with their mom this Christmas, I decided to relieve the CCU charge nurse and head in, too. So, if you changed your mind about dinner, I wanted to let you know it was off. I sent Mrs. Cope home."

"That's OK, Mom, I was still planning on staying at my place," I told her. I could hear the disapproval in her silence, and I expected there was more to her call. I was right.

"Phil's fellow will be with him during the case, but the residents have been given the day off. He said he'd be happy to have you scrub as the second-assist. It'd be good experience for you," she finally revealed her true purpose in calling.

"Mom, you know I don't feel comfortable with the special favors, and I'm really not feeling well today, so I think I'll pass," I told her. I didn't have the heart to add that I had absolutely no interest in heart surgery and start the same old argument over again. I was feeling a bit fragile today for a variety of reasons. "I'm sure any of the interns or residents would be happy to come in on their day off to help out Dr. Dwyer." Which she knew damn well was the truth.

"Fine, Bella, have it your way. I hope you feel better soon," she rang off quickly as soon as I refused to go along with her plans. I wondered if they'd even bothered to get me a Christmas present this year. I'd purchased a couples' massage for the two of them and had the card mailed a few weeks ago, so I, at least, was covered. I deliberately avoided thoughts of past Christmases with my real dad who probably stayed up all night building Barbie dream houses for me.

The call left me feeling lonely and depressed. I couldn't help it that my thoughts turned to Edward. I thought about how handsome he'd looked bare-chested with ruffled hair this morning. The humorous glint in his emerald eyes made my breathing speed up a little. A fling might not be a bad thing for me, I thought again. I just couldn't get too attached and let it interfere with my work. Long-term goals were the most important thing.

Speak of the devil, or in this case think of him, and he shall appear. My phone rang again, and this time it was Edward. He'd forced my cell number out of me before he left this morning.

"Hey, Bella," his voice was low almost a whisper and ridiculously sexy. If he really made it to the Majors one day, he would have unlimited tail. The sudden thought was unwelcome, and I squelched it. "Are you feeling better?"

"Yeah," my voice cracked, and I cleared my throat. "I went back to sleep after you left. I've just been lying around all day. Thanks for asking. How about you, having a good Christmas?"

"It's been a great day," I could hear the smile in his voice. "My parents are very generous. We just finished up with presents. After brunch, my dad and I played catch in Hermann Park. It's kind of a tradition." He sounded shy sharing these intimate details, a side of him I hadn't seen. He seemed determined to really get to know me, but in that moment, I could only envy his family life.

"Oh, that's sweet," I commented. "If you get drafted, you'll probably have to change venue," I joked. He laughed.

"I've thought of that," he said ruefully. "I also thought you might change your mind and go over to your parents. I took a walk down Willowick just in case, but I didn't know what kind of car you drive." The vulnerability of his statement shocked me into silence for a minute. The truth was, I'd never had I guy I was seeing say such honest, open things. I guess I took too long to answer, because he spoke again.

"Was that the wrong thing to say? Did I scare you?" he asked with trepidation. I chuckled humorlessly.

"No, not at all. It's just that my mom and step-dad are both working so dinner was canceled. They tried to con me into assisting him on an emergency surgery instead. Not my kind of togetherness, though," I finished sarcastically.

"I would invite you over for dessert, but I know you'll say no," he declared unexpectedly. I welcomed the distraction.

"Dessert with your parents? Are you insane? I've know you for less than a week, and we've never even gone on a date," I almost shouted. He laughed, a deep throaty sound, also sexy. I bet he'd be great at phone sex. I slapped my forehead. I did not just think that, I berated myself. His response flustered me even more.

"I did sleep in your bed last night," he teased.

"Oh my God, Edward, you didn't tell your parents about that, did you?" I demanded. He laughed even more but assured me that he hadn't breathed a word of it.

"But, I'm going to work on you. They're having a big New Year's Eve party, and I'm planning on bringing you as my date," he told me.

"No, no way! I've only barely agreed to see you, and we will be taking this slow," I insisted.

"I guess we'll see, Bella," he said noncommittally and then changed the subject. "What do you want to do tomorrow?"

"I don't know," I replied. "What did you have in mind?"

"Well, we could go to the Menil Collection and then have dinner," he suggested.

"Wow!" I exclaimed. "You are quite the date planner. Kemah Boardwalk and now the Menil Collection? Are you working your way through your usual panty-dropping hot spots?" I asked sarcastically. He was silent for a minute, and when he answered he sounded hurt.

"I'll have you know that I've had maybe five dates in the last two and half years, and they all consisted of just dinner. I told you, I don't usually make an effort," he said haughtily. I laughed.

"No, you said you didn't usually have to make an effort, which means that despite your lack of dates, you've had plenty of girls hop in your bed with no pre-party meals," I countered. He didn't reply, so I knew I was right, but I felt no triumph in the knowledge. In fact, I felt like my hangover was coming back. I didn't like to think of him with girls like the ones clustered around the keg the other night.

"Anyway, Bella, the point is that I like you, and I want to make an effort for you to have a good time. Do you want to go to the Menil Collection or not?" He sounded a bit testy now.

"Actually, I was an art history major, and I love the Menil Collection. I haven't been since I graduated. It sounds perfect," I grudgingly admitted. The Menil Collection was an award winning and very eclectic private art collection. "I especially like the Byzantine Fresco Chapel."

"No kidding," Edward asked with a hint of wonder in his voice. "Well, that's something."

"What?" I asked.

"I'm a music major," he replied. "I'm surprised you did art history. I was sure it was chemistry or biology, or something like that."

"Well, I wanted to be somewhat well-rounded. I had to take all the science pre-requisites and do well, but it's actually not a bad thing when you're applying to medial school to have an non-science major," I told him. "And I'm very surprised to hear that you're a music major."

"Well, it doesn't matter what my major is, right? Since I won't be graduating, I mean," he said evenly.

"Yeah, that's what you said, but it's really hard to get accepted to the Shepherd School of Music at Rice," I argued. And it was true. It was extremely prestigious. Hearing that changed my opinion of him quite a bit, I was ashamed to admit.

"Maybe," he said vaguely with uncharacteristic modesty. "I do piano performance, so it's kind of similar to pitching. Hand-eye coordination and all." I laughed.

"Edward, that's bullshit. It sounds like you're just a talented guy. I'm impressed," I told him sincerely.

"Well, I'm glad I'm making progress," he said simply. "I'll pick you up at 3 tomorrow."

And for once, I had no objections to that.

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Edward was a few minutes early the next afternoon, but I was ready. I'm a chronically early person, something I can't control in my effort to control everything around me. It helped with being a medical student, though. I was wearing a flared khaki skirt and a long-sleeved embellished orange t-shirt with brown sandals. He was back to a t-shirt and jeans with the Rice cap. And, of course he was wearing flip-flops. I observed all this through the peephole and spoke as soon as I opened the door

"Am I over dressed? I didn't know where we were going for dinner," I asked anxiously. Edward leaned in without answering and gently kissed my cheek. The gesture stunned me silent.

"Good to see you again, too," he said with a smile. My cheek was tingling, and I fought the urge to raise my fingers to it. "You look beautiful. I thought we'd go to Mai's for dinner. You see all-comers there, you know," he reassured me. "And we can split the check if you want." This last was added slyly. Mai's was a fantastic Vietnamese hole in the wall, beloved by Rice students. You could have a feast for less than eight bucks. I hadn't been there in a while, since it was in a bad area, and not the sort of spot to go alone. It made my mouth water just thinking about the peanut sauce.

"I can tell by your face, I've done well," he declared, and I realized I must have had a ridiculous expression. "Let's go." I grabbed my purse and followed him down the stairs to the parking lot. I spotted his Volvo parked next to the pool fence. He pressed the key fob but paused after we had the doors open.

"Which one is yours? I need to know, so I can properly stalk you," he said with a straight face. I gestured toward my BMW, which was parked in my assigned spot near the bottom of the stairs.

"Did that used to belong to your parents?" he asked, staring at it. I nodded.

"Yep, it was my mom's before she got the newer model," I admitted. He turned to smile at me across the roof of his car.

"Another thing we have in common," he quipped, tapping the roof a few times before climbing in.

"I already noticed that," I murmured before climbing in, too. He didn't hear me.

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Edward was perfect company at the Menil Collection. The collection was housed in several former residential buildings off of Montrose Avenue not too far from Rice. It was an extremely unique way of viewing the art. He was silent and allowed me to peruse the collection as slow as I liked. He didn't seem bored, either. He paused in front of several pieces with a thoughtful look on his face. He removed his hat and ran his fingers through his crazy hair before we ducked into the Byzantine Fresco Chapel. He stood in the back, taking it all in. When we left, he didn't try and make me talk about the experience, something I hated. I just wanted to sit in my bubble and think for a while.

My phone rang while we were driving to Mai's from the museum. It was Alice; she must be back from Mississippi. I wondered if she was planning to apologize or yell at me some more. I figured she hadn't gone out yet with Jasper or else it was canceled. I was still kind of mad at her, so I didn't want to talk to her now. I was big enough to admit that it might have something to do with the fact I was out with Edward on a date, and couldn't tolerate hearing an "I told you so." So, I let it go to voicemail.

Edward looked at me questioningly when I glanced at the screen and silenced it.

"You can answer, if you need to," he said. I smirked at him.

"Yes, I know I can do anything I want," I snarked. He smiled reproachfully at me, and I grimaced.

"It's Alice. I can talk to her later," I told him. He nodded but seemed to look at me carefully. I supposed he remembered that Alice was Cindy's sister.

It turned out we had the exact same favorite order at Mai's, chicken and egg roll vermicelli with summer rolls on the side. Honestly, he was proving to be better company than most people I'd met, Alice included. Time had flown by this afternoon, and I'd enjoyed myself immensely. I agreed to a Vietnamese coffee after dinner, even though I knew I'd be up to the wee hours given the heavy dose of caffeine.

I made a major decision when we arrived back in my parking lot. Edward had just pulled into a spot and turned to face me. His mouth was slightly open, and I knew he was about to speak, so I interrupted him.

"Why don't you come up for a while?" I asked. "It's only 9:00. I checked yesterday, and I still have a few beers in the fridge despite my indiscretion on Sunday night," I tried to joke in order to cover my nervousness. Edward closed his mouth and stared at me with those penetrating green eyes. His expression gave nothing away. Finally, after I'd started to get very uncomfortable, he answered.

"I'd like that," is all he said, and we both got out of the car.

Once inside, I turned on the TV to some college basketball game. It was a holiday tournament of some sort, and I felt bad for the players who had to be away from home on Christmas. It occurred to me that this would become a regular issue for Edward in the future if things went according to plan, and the thought made me sad. It seemed wrong for someone who enjoyed time with his family to be kept away.

We sat on the couch facing each other, sipping Shiner, half watching the game and half chatting. Edward had abandoned his flip-flops halfway through the room, and they lay abandoned on the carpet. One beer turned into a second. Finally, Edward set his beer down on the coffee table and scooted closer to me. He fingered the hair by my left ear with his right hand, seemingly engrossed in its texture.

"What are you doing?" I asked, my voice almost a whisper. His eyes flicked to my lips.

"You're mesmerizing. You make me feel too much. What am I going to do, Bella?" he asked in a hoarse voice. And, I couldn't resist him anymore. I knew cheesy lines, and this wasn't one. I leaned in, and he met me halfway.

Our lips touched, singeing us both. Both of his hands moved to my hair, and he pulled me closer to him, almost onto his lap. He was still sideways on the couch, and I grasped his shoulders, wanting to be closer still. He was a smoldering kisser, and I lost myself in the sensations for moments, maybe hours. I expected him to move us, to lay me down, or want to move to the bedroom, but he seemed content to make out like teenagers where we were. And that thought is what brought me to my senses. He wasn't much more than a teenager, but I was. I pulled back slightly.

"Edward, let's move into the bedroom," I said huskily, but it had the opposite effect from what I'd imagined. He pulled away.

"That's my cue to leave," he said softly. I jumped back as if I'd been slapped.

"What do you mean?" I demanded, chest heaving and face blushing. He smiled and touched my blushing cheek fondly.

"Bella, I've had plenty of one night stands, as you divined during our talk yesterday. But this is different, and I want it to matter. I won't fuck you in your bed after a couple of beers in your living room. You're better than that." His words stung because it sounded like he was making me out to be some kind of loose woman.

"I'm not a slut," I said harshly, "I don't do that." He nodded in understanding.

"I know. That's why it has to matter," he explained. My heart melted, but he was so wrong about what was happening between us, so young and naïve.

"Edward, this isn't a great love story. I think you're being a little naïve," I told him. He stared at me in frustration and maybe a little anger.

"Did you have a good time today? At Kemah?" he demanded, and I had to nod. I wouldn't lie to him. "Well, you said that you would give us a chance. Are you going back on your word?" he demanded. He looked so fierce and sincere and handsome. And I did love spending time with him. My heart ached with the thought of never seeing him again. So, I shook my head. His face changed and relaxed.

"Bella, I'm going to change your mind if it takes me years," he promised. He kissed me again, hotly and tenderly, running his fingers over my scalp. My lips tingled when he pulled away.

"I'll talk to you tomorrow," he promised when he stood and left. He kissed me chastely at the door, and I turned and leaned against the door with my back when he left, like the lovesick college student that I wasn't.

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A/N: The Menil Collection was one of my favorite spots in Houston when I lived there. And I was also an art history major. The Byzantine Fresco Chapel is now quite different. The frescoes were sent back to Cyprus in 2011 or 2012 (unsure) as a part of art repatriation. I will not comment on my thoughts about art repatriation since it is a rather fraught subject and has nothing to do with what's happening here. Sadly, I remember nothing I learned in college about art. It's been a long time, and I guess all that space has been filled up with military and medical information.

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