A/N: First of all, this one's for Derek Jeter who ended his career at Yankee Stadium last night in spectacular fashion. Nice guys finish first, indeed. Congratulations, Captain.

Wow, we've got a big division in the reviewers right now, and I'm loving it! Distinct Team Bella and Team Edward elements have evolved, although most seem to be solidly in Team Bella's camp now, which is a big change from a few chapters ago. Anyway, I'm sorry to announce that there will be no Edward in this chapter. But, I think you Alice-haters will be quite pleased by what goes down. Some of this may seem like unrelated filler, but it's very important to what happens later. Plus, this chapter is really nice and long.

Thanks to my new pre-reader, Cejsmom.

Read on…

Chapter 13

Tuesday's schedule varied for me. The rest of my week was set, but Tuesday was Carlisle's academic day, his chance to catch up on the administrative side of his job. So, the department had arranged other things for me to do on that day of the week. The first Tuesday of the month I staffed residents on general cases at the VA. Most other Tuesdays I worked in clinic with the other Sports attending in the department, but he was on vacation, skiing in Aspen this week. The third Sports position was vacant at the moment, the very job I was campaigning for myself.

I showed up at Carlisle's office at 8 am, unsure what to do with myself that day. I figured I could give him the therapy plan and answer any questions he had about Whitlock and Associates. Then, I 'd see if he needed my help with anything. If not, I'd go over to the VA and review some charts, get caught up on some journal articles, and maybe go home early. Although, I really didn't have anything fun to do with my unexpected free time. Carlisle had obviously just arrived and was starting up his computer when I came in. He glanced up and smiled when he saw it was I who stood in the doorway.

"How'd yesterday go?" he asked nervously. I could see how uncomfortable he was with the idea of working with an outside firm on his big VIP patient. I decided to come clean. Kind of.

"Carlisle, it was fine. I know I didn't mention it yesterday, but I've known the Whitlocks for years. They're old friends and very professional. Jasper is overseeing the entire project himself." I moved to the edge of his desk and reached into my messenger bag for the papers Jasper had given me yesterday and handed them over. Carlisle retrieved his reading glasses from the clutter next to his computer and put them on, scanning the page intently. He seemed to be barely listening so I thought it might be a good time to expand on my explanation. As much as I'd liked to leave it as it was, he needed more information.

"Jasper and Edward have also been friends for years, so you can be sure that he'll do his best to get Edward back in shape. He does have other commitments on Mondays, so I volunteered to work with Edward for those sessions," I blurted out quickly. Carlisle dropped the pages on the desktop and removed the glasses. Damn, I guess he had been listening.

"Is that how you met Edward before?" he asked looking at me intently. "Your relationship with the Whitlocks seems like a large thing to omit from our discussion yesterday. I was so worried I was putting you out," he admonished.

"I know," I hedged, fiddling with the strap of my bag and breaking eye contact, "but you sprung it on me at the last second. I had to hurry in order to make it on time. I figured I'd tell you this morning. Like I'm doing now," I finished with a bit more steel in my voice. He'd be more suspicious if I didn't sass him a little bit.

He was placated and let out a small bark of laughter. The glasses went back on, and he resumed his study of the therapy plan. I started to relax and dropped my bag on the floor beside me. I was opening my mouth to ask him if he needed anything else from me, when he seemed to have a second thought. He raised his index finger to the bridge of his nose and pulled the glasses down far enough for him to look over the top at me.

"I'm not sure how appropriate it is for you to be socializing with Edward Masen. He is our patient, after all," Carlisle warned. He was obviously fishing, having realized I never answered his question about how I'd known Edward in the past. But he need not worry about that, and I told him as much.

"Don't worry about that, Carlisle. We are definitely not socializing. Alice Whitlock is a good friend, and that's it. My relationship with Edward is purely professional," I huffed. But he continued to eye me doubtfully, and I kicked myself for probably protesting too much.

Carlisle could not find out about my past with Edward because if he did, he would keep me away from him, bar me from being part of his treatment. And I'd never see him again. Even though I knew there was no future between us, seeing him again had awakened something in me that I was not prepared to go without again. Finally, he changed the subject, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Are you familiar with Charles Platt?" Carlisle asked. I nodded.

"Yes, the Chief at Texas Children's Hospital. He's great; I did a rotation with him as a medical student," I replied eagerly, embracing the new topic.

"Well, he's a member at my club, and we've played golf a few times. He called me last night about his daughter. She twisted her knee playing tennis last week, and the joint has gotten pretty swollen. She's been resting it and icing, but it doesn't seem to be getting any better. He asked me to see her today. Would you like to stick around and help? If you've got other stuff to do, I'll manage fine. She's been added to the Major Joint schedule, and the nursing staff knows to come find me when she's ready," he explained.

"No, I don't mind helping you with her. How old is she?" I wondered why the Pediatric Ortho guys at TCH weren't seeing her. He shrugged.

"I don't know exactly. Chuck always brags about her design business. She went to Parsons and moved back several years ago, so probably late twenties. I guess she's pretty active in the amateur tennis leagues. Apparently, she's pretty anxious about the injury," he detailed.

"Oh, I thought she was a kid," I told him. "Has she had an MRI?" He shook his head.

"No, but it sounds like we'll need to order one," he admitted. Just then, I heard Tanya's nasal voice interrupt us. I turned to look at her.

"Sorry to interrupt, Dr. Cullen," she said saccharinely from the doorway, "but Miss Platt is here. We're getting her vitals and are going to put her in Exam 8 as soon as it's free." She lingered in the doorway, and I rolled my eyes. Her own narrowed at me in return when she saw me do it.

"Thanks, Tanya. Bella will be there in a minute. You can head back to the station," he dismissed her. She pouted but followed his instructions.

"Carlisle, she can't take a hint. You're going to have to spell it out for her," I told him dryly. He frowned and shook his head at me disapprovingly, ignoring my statement. I stifled a giggle.

"I'll head up front. I'll let you know when I'm done," I let him off the hook.

Emmett was bent over one of the computers at the nurses' station when I entered the back clinic area. He was intent on an MRI film and didn't hear me approaching. I smacked the back of his head as I passed, and he jolted in surprise.

"You'll pay for that, Swan," he promised with a grin.

"I don't doubt it, McCarty," I shot back. One of the junior residents was chuckling openly. Emmett had looked pretty funny flailing around, and he'd almost fallen off the chair. It had been totally worth it. I learned that Miss Platt was already in Exam 8, and I retrieved the tablet from its slot outside the door and quickly reviewed her vital statistics. Esme Platt was twenty-nine years old, so definitely not a kid.

"Hi, Miss Platt," I greeted her as I entered the room. "I'm Dr. Swan, Dr. Cullen's fellow, and I'm going to help him by getting started on your exam today." Esme was seated on the exam table and wearing a loose floral print tunic over leggings and boots. She was actually quite beautiful with light, golden brown hair cut in straight expert layers, flowing beyond her shoulders and tucked behind her ears. Her skin was cream colored with just a hint of pinkness in her cheeks. Her clothes hinted at designer origins, and she had accessorized with only a large, chunky silver watch and large round cut diamond earrings.

"It's Esme, please," she answered in a rich, clear voice. Luckily, her years in New York had not affected her Texas twang. I liked her immediately, but she made me feel a little self-conscious. Her perfection was intimidating. But I reminded myself of why we were here.

"All right, Esme, I'm going to need you to change into a pair of our disposable shorts, so we can get a look at what's going on with your knee. I opened a drawer in the side of the exam table and pulled out the ever fashionable, blue, disposable paper shorts found in orthopedic clinics everywhere. She grimaced slightly at them, and I laughed.

"Don't worry, you can take great pleasure in throwing them away when we're done," I told her, and she giggled a little. I stepped out for a few minutes while she changed, and Carlisle came around the corner into the patient hallway.

"We haven't gotten very far," I warned him. "She's changing into the shorts now. I haven't even gotten a history."

"That's OK," he said. "I'll just stick my head in and say hello." We both re-entered the room together. I noticed something strange immediately. When Esme caught sight of us, she flinched slightly, and her eyes widened. She crossed her legs and stretched the tunic down further over the shorts, like she was trying to cover them. Then, she looked away and started fidgeting. All traces of the pleasant confident woman I'd met a few minutes ago were gone.

I turned expectantly toward Carlisle, waiting for him to speak, but he just stood there with his mouth slightly open. After a few seconds, the atmosphere became distinctly awkward, and I was forced to intervene.

"Esme, this is Dr. Cullen, the attending physician. He'll join us in a little while once I've finished taking your history an examining your knee," I made the introductions, and my eyes fell to her now exposed right knee which did look as if it was retaining quite a bit of fluid. We might need to tap it.

"Hi, Dr. Cullen," Esme finally said shyly. Carlisle nodded vaguely at her and left the room without a word. It was very odd. The second the door closed behind him, Esme's demeanor changed.

"Why didn't you tell me that he was so young?" she hissed at me. I was taken aback.

"What?" I asked stupidly. She elaborated

"Dr. Cullen," she clarified. "He's young. I thought he'd be my dad's age. And handsome. You should have warned me I'd be forced to meet a handsome doctor wearing hideous paper shorts!" I looked at her for a moment, wondering if she was seriously mad at me, but then she burst into laughter.

"I'm kidding," she chuckled. "But I am humiliated. Is he single?" My face reddened. Talking to her about Carlisle like this was like talking about your older brother's sex appeal.

"Yes," I stammered. He was with Siobahn, but he was not married, so it wasn't a lie. "But I don't think we should be having this conversation. Why don't you tell me what happened with your knee?" I tried to change the subject. She laughed again.

"I'm sorry I'm making you uncomfortable," she sighed and grinned at me wickedly. "I'll drop it for now. We can talk about my knee." And she proceeded to detail the injury and what she'd been doing for it at home. I went through the exam quickly and told her I'd be back with Carlisle in a few minutes. She mimed fanning herself, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes and grin back at her. I found Carlisle in his office, and he was absently shuffling papers on his desk but seemed to have no real purpose.

"She's ready," I told him, and he stood hesitantly from his desk chair. He had the air of the original Carlisle before I spoke up for him in front of Trey all those years ago. "Are you all right?" I asked him suspiciously. He stared at me for a few seconds before answering.

"I just didn't expect her to be so pretty," he finally admitted. My jaw dropped in disbelief. This could not be happening; Carlisle and I were close, but I did not dole out love advice for good reason. "I golf with her father. It's just awkward," he defended.

"Carlisle, we deal with attractive and unattractive people every day," I rebuked him, but my thoughts flitted to Edward, and my exam of his shoulder last week. "It's never bothered you before," I reminded him. He nodded with narrowed eyes.

"You're right. It's no big deal," he agreed and started to follow me down the hall. I couldn't resist.

"But she did just tell me that she thought you were handsome," I added with a twinkle in my eye. He stopped walking and glared at me.

"I could have done without knowing that, Bella," he muttered as we resumed our walk. I chuckled to myself.

The two of them behaved like idiots, but somehow we got through the exam and sent Esme off to MRI when we were done.

"You should ask her out," I declared when we were alone again. "She's prettier and much nicer than Siobahn. Not to mention, she's actually sane," I deadpanned. Carlisle glared at me again.

"Bella, as we discussed earlier, it is not professional to date your patients. In fact, depending on the circumstances, one could lose their medical license over something like that. She almost certainly has a meniscus tear and will require ongoing treatment," he told me piously. I felt a frisson of unease, but then reminded myself I was in no danger of a situation where I'd be able to date a patient. Edward was lost to me, and I couldn't imagine wanting to date anyone else anytime soon, especially while I was seeing him weekly. But I felt compelled to argue with Carlisle.

"You know that rule is really for psychiatrists and situations where the doctor has perceived power over the patient. And you could always have her see Dr. Alistair," I pointed out, referring to his colleague currently on vacation.

"But her father wanted her to see me. So, it's up to me to do everything I can to care for her…her knee," he perseverated. I shrugged and dropped the subject. It was fine with me if he wanted to be stubborn. We chatted about a few other things, and I headed over to the VA to work on charts until lunchtime.

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The rest of the week passed at a snail's pace. Before Edward had returned, the only important thing that lay in my future was my graduation and procuring my desired job. I was now able to admit to myself that I had never thought past that achievement to what my life would be like afterwards. I figured I'd find a better apartment, but that was about it. That realization made my life seem empty and pointless, and the only thing I could seem to muster any enthusiasm for was my weekly meeting with Edward coming the next Monday. And that was very dangerous. So time dragged on, and I was left alone with my thoughts, which were not good company.

Carlisle did not mention Esme Platt to me again, but I looked up her radiology report and found that she did indeed have a meniscal tear. She also had an appointment booked in clinic for Friday the 28th. I figured Carlisle would want to try conservative treatment with NSAIDs and therapy first. I'd see how they acted in clinic at that visit before I pushed for him to transfer her care over to Bob Alistair. I couldn't understand why he was being so stubborn about such a small, insignificant thing. It was very narrow-minded if you asked me.

Finally, Saturday arrived, and I met Alice and Rosalie at Benjy's in Rice Village as we had agreed. It was Rosalie's choice, and she seemed to have taken over the entire outing. It made me feel a little uneasy about the whole thing. I was suspicious she had something planned, although she insisted she only wanted to meet Alice. If I were going to rekindle my friendship with her, it would be nice if the two of them got along as well. What she said made sense.

I was unsurprised to find Rosalie already seated at one of the best tables in the restaurant even though I was about ten minutes early. One of the first things that we'd noticed about each other was our habitual earliness. That trait alone probably launched our friendship.

She was seated at a four top in the corner by the downstairs front window. The restaurant had an industrial feel with wide-open space, metal and wood accents, and lots of light. It was also a reasonably priced option for fancy weekend brunch and was currently filled with tables full of giggling or whispering young women. It wasn't my kind of place, but the food was good, and I knew that Rosalie loved it. I seemed to remember Alice saying positive things about it in the past, too, which is why I'd agreed to the reservation.

She looked up from the single-paged menu when I approached. She laid the heavy printed card stock down and gave me her attention as I pulled out the chair next to her and sat down, propping my purse on the floor next to me. I smiled and started to greet her but she spoke before I could.

"So, is Alice going to be late?" she asked. The unease in my belly increased. She sounded confrontational, and that was never a good mood for Rosalie. Her self-assurance and confidence were traits that I admired and aspired to, but sometimes she tipped over into judgmental. I shook my head.

"I don't know, Rosalie. The reservation isn't for another ten minutes. She knows how much lateness irks me, but I'm the one trying to get back in her good graces. I won't bar her from the table if she's a few minutes late," I tried to joke. Rosalie studied me seriously.

"I think she should be the one trying to get back in your good graces, not the other way around," she told me. I wrinkled my brow and frowned.

"How do you figure?" I huffed. She shrugged.

"She put a dick before her chick," she replied crassly. I couldn't hold in the unbelieving laugh that bubbled out.

"Excuse me?" I choked. She cracked a smile then, too.

"I mean, that she chose Jasper when you and Edward broke up. You were heartbroken and needed your friend, and she wasn't there for you," she explained. Damn it, I hadn't realized until that moment that Rosalie considered she had a bone to pick with Alice.

"Rose, the fact we drifted apart is just as much my fault as hers. Do not bait her or try and start something. Do you understand?" I whispered harshly, leaning over the table towards her. She rolled her eyes and leaned away from me.

"Fine. I just don't think you realize how messed up you still are over what happened with Edward. You haven't faced it, and you still think you're the only one who carries any blame. It's like it ruined your life. You work, sleep, and occasionally shop with me or go out with Emmett and me. That's it. You're boring. Weren't you more interesting at some point?" She asked in her blunt way, and I had to consider her question carefully. Finally, I shook my head.

"No, I was never more interesting than this," I told her quietly. "I think that's why I lost Edward and also Alice. I've always been wrapped up in getting to the next thing, and I don't allow myself to enjoy what I have." She stared at me.

"Wow, that was some pretty heavy self-analysis for a Saturday morning," she whistled. I nodded and twisted my mouth in a self-deprecating expression.

"Well, I have been thinking a lot about the past this week," I admitted. Alice arrived at that moment, and I was pretty sure she caught my last statement. Rosalie and I had been so heavy in conversation that I'd missed her approach. I glanced over at Rosalie with my eyebrows raised. My message was clear; she was right on time.

We all stood, and I made introductions all around. They smiled politely at each other and shook hands over the table. Alice sat next to me and across from Rosalie, and the waitress appeared to tell us about the specials and take our drink orders. Once she had left us alone, we all looked at each other for a minute, unsure where to take the conversation. Of course, Rosalie spoke up first. I cringed and waited for an inappropriate remark.

"So, Alice, it's nice to finally meet you. I've heard lots about you, and I can't believe I'm just now meeting you five years after I first met Bella. Especially since we all live in the same city," she said with a bright smile. She sounded sincere, but I could hear the subtle dig in her statement. I shot her a warning look, and she turned her serene smile on me.

"Likewise, Rosalie," Alice replied with sad smile. "I'm afraid I've been remiss in keeping up with my friendships over the last five years since my husband and I started our physical therapy firm. And you medical types are always so busy." It was a good answer, and Rosalie looked somewhat assuaged because Alice had a point. The call schedule of a resident was brutal. It was only since I started my fellowship that my life was a little bit more normal.

Then, Alice asked Rosalie about plastic surgery and what her plans were once she finished in the summer. Rosalie explained that she and Emmett had both been offered faculty positions in Galveston at UTMB. They were thrilled that there were academic openings for them both at the same time so close to home. Alice congratulated her on that fortunate coincidence, and Rosalie seemed to be warming up to her.

We were enjoying our Bloody Marys and indulging in superficial small talk about new restaurants, having placed our food orders. I thought things were going well, and I was just starting to relax when Rosalie struck again. She leaned forward conspiratorially like she was going to reveal a big secret, and both Alice and I unconsciously leaned in, too.

"So, Alice, is Edward Masen seriously dating this Kate girl?" she asked and purposefully took a bite of her omelet, chewing interestedly with wide, innocent eyes. I slowly closed my own eyes and bowed my head a little in defeat, but I looked up again quickly. I was interested in the answer, after all. Alice looked like a deer caught in headlights with her fork halfway to her mouth.

She put down her fork and wiped her mouth delicately, obviously composing herself. She looked decidedly uncomfortable when she finally answered.

"I don't think I better talk about Edward and Kate," she said cautiously. Rosalie laughed, and I caught the edge in it, but I doubt Alice did.

"Why not?" she bellowed. "We're talking about the ex-boyfriend of your college roommate and one of your oldest friends. I think we can gossip a little here." Alice shook her head and glanced over at me nervously. I wanted to intervene, but I was stunned silent, watching the train wreck as it occurred.

"Um…Edward is kind of a touchy subject," Alice tried, wringing her hands in the napkin in her lap. The smile slid off Rosalie's face.

"Yes, I'm aware of that," she said seriously, sitting up straighter in her chair and fixing the gaze that terrified junior residents on Alice. She jerked her thumb in my direction and went on. "Bella's never gotten over him. She's been on like three dates in the last six years, and she dreams about him several times a week." She sat back and took a large gulp of her drink, her eyes still trained on Alice. I found my voice.

"Rosalie! That's enough!" I said forcefully, fighting to keep from shouting in a public place. Alice looked stricken. She turned to face me.

"You told her that?" she asked with disbelief. I turned to glare at Rosalie, who had opened her mouth to add more. She huffed and crossed her arms but kept quiet.

"Well, not in so many words," I told Alice drily, rolling my eyes, "but I did tell Rosalie about everything a few months after we met. I was still pretty raw as an intern, and there was a lot of stress during that year." Alice sighed.

"I wish I'd known that, Bella," she said with regret. Rosalie spoke again before I could stop her.

"Well, maybe you would have Alice, if you'd stayed in touch with Bella," she chided. Alice bristled.

"Rosalie, I can see that you are good friend to Bella, but some of this is between she and I and has nothing to do with you," she said, steel in her voice and turned toward me.

"She is correct about one thing though, Bella. I do owe you an apology. It appears that I misunderstood you. You were constantly telling me how things could never work with Edward. I told you to give him a few days to cool down and try to call him again, but you never did. I think he was waiting for it, and I also believe he was sorry for blowing up the way he did. I just assumed that you decided he wasn't worth it, when you didn't get in touch. Then, you quit taking my calls, and you barely spoke to me at my own wedding," she trailed off. Rosalie frowned and started to argue, but I held up a hand.

"She's right, Rose, most of this is my fault," I agreed with a sigh. "But, Alice, it was just too hard to be around you and Jasper at that point." They both looked at me with sympathy, and I once again realized how absolutely I'd fucked up my life. And for what, so I could end up like Carlisle? That thought really jolted me. I must have had an odd expression on my face because Alice spoke again albeit slowly. She addressed me.

"Edward is a close friend, Bella, so I can't betray his confidence. And I've promised Jasper that I would not get in the middle of this awkward situation, and by that I mean the two of you having to work together. But, I do feel bad participating in something that purposefully misleads you," she said. She placed her palms on the table on either side of her chicken and waffle plate and seemed to gather her strength. Rosalie was uncharacteristically silent waiting for Alice's revelation.

"Kate is a friend. You introduced us, and I helped her get involved with Teach for America. She has been a tireless advocate for education, and I really respect her dedication to the organization. She's a great person. But she's a little protective of Edward and occasionally goes overboard. But I'm sure you can appreciate that," she told us steadily with a sideways cut of her eyes at Rosalie. My heart clenched at the thought of Edward and Kate together, and my stomach heaved. Alice must have seen the sick look on my face because she hurried to add more.

"She did date Edward just after you broke up." Alice gave me an apologetic shrug, and I hated myself. I had done that, thrown them together. Well, maybe Elizabeth had helped. Alice went on. "But it was a matter of convenience, and definitely a rebound for Edward. It ended amicably, and their friendship was stronger." I almost couldn't define how I felt hearing that. Edward and Kate weren't together. My heart soared, but I kept my joy in check. I suspected there was more to it. And there was.

"She's Edward's best friend. He flailed a little bit in his personal life when he first got to Atlanta. She was a major grounding influence," Alice confirmed. "She moved back to Houston from Atlanta almost two years ago, as you probably figured out, and Jasper and I invited her to one of our parties. We had just hired Garrett Concord as our newest therapist, and the two of them hit it off. They've been together ever since." This final revelation was made with a slight smile, and I had to swallow hard to keep a sigh of relief from escaping. I recalled someone mentioning Garrett's name at the gym the other day. So Kate had been there with Edward but also because of her connection to Garrett. Rosalie couldn't keep quiet.

"So how did Bella get the impression that Kate and Edward were together, hmm? Was she just mistaken?" she asked astutely. Alice shook her head with a frown and looked down at the table.

"Kate wanted to give Bella that impression, to keep her away from Edward. She's convinced that Bella has somehow orchestrated this reunion in order to seduce Edward now that he's famous," she admitted with chagrin. Rosalie laughed out loud, and the ladies at the table next to ours looked over at us curiously.

"Yeah, that sounds like Bella. She's a real gold digger," she snorted with sarcasm. Alice nodded, and I was surprised to see that she agreed with Rosalie.

"No, Bella is not like that," she concurred as if I weren't sitting right there. "I told Kate, but she wouldn't listen. Jasper thought it was a great idea, and he was pretty angry with me for refusing to go along," Alice told us. Rosalie looked confused.

"But you did go along," she pointed out. Alice shook her head.

"No, I never said anything. I did try and deflect when you brought it up earlier, but I had already decided not to lie if asked," she insisted. We all sat silently for a moment or two, considering that.

"Did Edward know?" I asked timidly. Alice remained expressionless, searching my face. Finally, she answered.

"Well, that conversation occurred between Kate, Jasper, and I on Monday afternoon before you or Edward arrived in the gym. But Edward is far from stupid and very perceptive. As you probably recall," she added with a sharp look at me. I looked away. He had known, I decided. His flippant comment when he left me at the apartment confirmed it for me. I said nothing and kept that encounter to myself.

The waitress arrived then, to clear our plates. It had been a very eventful meal, if I did say so myself. Even Rosalie looked like she was turning things over in her head. But the three of us sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes.

"Bella, you hurt Edward badly," Alice finally declared. I cringed.

"I know that," I told her. "I was wrong. I wish I could take it back." The words fell heavy on the table. It was the first time I'd admitted such out loud. Alice shook her head with what appeared to be great sadness.

"I don't want to get your hopes up," she told me. "I'm not sure if he can ever trust you," she whispered the last. I sighed.

"I really don't blame him, Alice. And I don't expect it, either. I should have allowed him to be more of a partner instead of holding him at arms length. But he hurt me, too when he left," I told her. She nodded slowly.

"I can't help you," she said slowly. "But I won't stand in the way either," she promised.

"Oh, Alice, there's no plan. I'm not going after him. My heart can't take it. I just want to work with him, get him better, and try to move on," I told her with feeling.

"We'll see about that," interjected Rosalie. Both Alice's gaze and mine shot back to her satisfied expression. The waitress brought our check right then, and the subject was blessedly abandoned. But I was left to turn over the revelations of the day in my mind ad nauseum.

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Once again, I'm very, very sorry that there was no real Edward in this chapter. We will see him again soon, as in the beginning of the next chapter. Don't worry.

When I was a flight surgeon, there was this handsome, funny, overall awesome fighter pilot who was considered my patient. Yeah, so it wasn't smooth or without drama, but we ended up together. I am positive that I never violated the Hippocratic oath, so I'm all right with it. I think knowing his perspective made me better able to deal with the other guys' problems, i.e. made me a better flight surgeon. Since we've been married for seven years, I think I've been proven correct. But the point is, patient-doctor relationships are a very touchy subject, and the taboo not easily dismissed.

In other news, the Astros just announced this past week that they have switched their AAA affiliation from Oklahoma City to the Fresno Grizzlies! This is an incredible coincidence, since I also lived in Fresno for 8 years. I've been to several Grizzlies games at Chukchansi Park, and the Radisson across the street is where the annual NAS Lemoore Hornet Ball (Naval Aviation formal) is held. This information might be a teaser, and it might mean that future chapters just got a lot easier to write…