As usual I have a million things to say, so I'll ration them between the beginning and the end.

First, I have to apologise if I have offended anyone with any of the terms I use in this story. In my defence, I dont use them myself, I just try to get into character and in the future if I do (and believe me I will be more careful next time) please know that it's just for the story and does not reflect my personal beliefs.

Second, you will want to kill me at the end of this chapter. I'm not doing this to get more reviews or anything, its just the natural place my brain stops at. I promise, the payoff will be HUGE (Thats what she said) in the next chapter and e) Songs for the chapter? Be Ok- Ingrid Michaelson and Let me in - Hot Hot Heat in that order. :)

Seth and I hardly said a word to each other after laughing over Jacob's message. That night we ate in silence, both afraid to broach the subject of the kiss. We muttered good night and retired to our rooms. I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, hoping I hadn't ruined our friendship forever.

I mean, he had to know why I did it, right? Wait, why did I do it in the first place? I was drunk… yeah, that's it. I was buzzed and I wanted to show Jacob that he's not the only one who can score. Scoring with Seth? Ewwww! That's almost incest!

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to get the images out of my head and falling asleep in the process.

I woke up the next morning to a shrill phone.

"Hello?" I mumbled into the receiver.

"Bella?"

"Dad!" I sat up. "Is everything ok?"

"Yeah, honey, don't worry. I… err… wanted to tell you something. I was gonna tell you when you came home but there never seemed to be a good enough time and I didn't want you to find out from anyone else."

"Dad, you're scaring me."

He chuckled. "Yeah, I'm scared, too."

I clutched at my chest.

Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God

"Bella, I'm err...I'm gonna ask Sue to marry me."

I let out the breath I'd been holding for what felt like ten years.

"That's...great, Dad."

"Wow, don't go bouncing off the walls, now."

"I'm sorry, it's just that I woke up and for a minute there I thought someone was dying."

"It is the death of my swinging lifestyle."

"Yeah, I'm sure Billy's heartbroken."

"So, you're ok with this?"

"Are you kidding? I'm more than ok with this. Congratulations!"

"Thanks, baby, I'll keep you updated."

I placed the phone back on the bedside table before getting up to change. This would be the perfect ice breaker for us to start talking again. I paused while brushing my teeth.

I kissed my future step brother. Ewwwwwww!

I shuddered before rinsing my mouth, promising myself that never again would another drop of alcohol touch my lips. By the time I came downstairs Seth had already left. I sighed as I made myself a cup of coffee.

At least dinner won't be awkward. Well, as un-awkward as two soon-to-be-related people who made out in a club having dinner can be.

It was another day of running around like a maniac. I swore never to give birth to demon spawn, be a stage parent or wear low-cut tops near the director. I couldn't wait to get home. Uncomfortable silences were way more bearable than shrieking children and gossipy mothers. I dumped my bag on the table and took a deep breath as I saw Seth staring out the window, a mug in his hand.

"Seth, we need to talk."

He turned around, one hand thrust in his pocket, but didn't meet my eyes.

"About that night," I began. He looked up as I continued, "I wanna ask you..."

"Ok, one last time and never again, ok?"

"What the...?" My eyes widened as he suddenly kissed me without warning. I pushed him away and wiped at my mouth.

"What the hell?" I spluttered.

"Bella, I'm sorry. I thought you wanted..."

"I wanted to tell you that I was sorry for using you like that and to let you know we were gonna be related!"

"Oh, thank god!" He fell back onto a chair and wiped his brow. "Charlie's gonna pop the question, isn't he? Great...two more people going all gooey on each other."

"What's going on with you?" I sat on the arm of his chair and held his shoulder for comfort and stability.

Nothing ruins a heart-to-heart more than someone falling off a chair.

He took a deep breath and the words whooshed out, "I think…I think I may have imprinted today."

"Oh my god, really? Where? When? Who is she? It's a she, right? Not that I would mind if it's a he and I know that Sue will be supportive and Charlie...well, Charlie's just gonna have to...," I was practically flapping my arms in excitement.

Ah, the Frantic Chicken, I have missed you.

"It's a she." He rolled his eyes at me. "She was doing research at the museum. Bella...she's just amazing. She's beautiful and funny and way smarter than me."

"Yes, yes but what's her name, Seth?"

"Mia."

"Awww... I'm so happy for you! My little S all grown up and going all creepy-wolf-voodoo on unsuspecting girls."

"Don't get too excited just yet!" He laughed before looking nervous. "I wanna ask a favour."

"Anything!" I was just so glad that we were talking again. In hindsight I should have screamed in his face and jumped off the balcony.

"I kinda invited her over for a movie on Wednesday."

Was that all?

"Sure, I'll make myself scarce. I'll go watch a play and get some dinner and you can call me when you guys are done. Done watching the movie, that is... Unless you're planning to...oh god, just use protection and don't do it on my bed, ok? You're too young to be a dad! I'm too young to be an aunt!"

Golly gee, I could ramble.

"No." He blushed. "I want you to be there...for moral support."

"I don't know, Seth..." I shrugged.

"Please? It's my first date ever and I already told her that my room-mate is joining us..."

He coughed but I knew it was a ploy.

"What was that?"

"I was hoping you'd call Jake so you wouldn't feel like a third wheel." I scowled, getting up and crossing my arms. "As friends, of course," he rushed through, avoiding my eyes.

"Seeeeth," I whined.

"He said he needed to talk to you anyway. Unless there's something going on that I don't know about?" He raised an eyebrow and I steered it back down with my finger.

"There's NOTHING going on." I got up and started pacing, every sentence punctuated by raised hands and hair pulling. "Jeez, will everyone just stop being so inquisitive?! We're just friends! There was a misunderstanding and now it's all sorted out! If everyone just focused on their OWN love lives without interfering in MY imaginary one, life would be so much better, now don't you think?"

"Thanks, Bells, you're the best!" Seth was halfway up the stairs, a cheeky grin plastered on his face.

"Wait, I didn't agree to anything!" I yelled before pouting.

"If you text him now, he'll be able to make plans."

If I smash you over the head with that vase I wouldn't need to waste my credit.

I sighed in resignation. "What are we watching? What time is she coming over? Is she vegetarian? Should we take the sea of boobs down?"

"I'll help you cook, Bells," he yelled back. "She said she'll bring something over, six, she's a carnivore and we need sea of boobs for atmosphere."

"Teenagers," I muttered to myself before typing a message to Jake.

Seth's got a girlfriend and wants us to chaperone movie night on Wednesday. We can talk then. You up for it, buddy?

I briefly considered the merit of asking Jacob if he was "up" for anything, but sent the text anyway.

Sure, what time?

I sent him the details, asking him to drop in at around six so we could have an early dinner. He replied with an affirmative and I was surprisingly affected by the lack of affection in his texts.

Yeah, cause him being sexy in person is just not enough. Shameless hussy.

I found myself dreading Wednesday more and more.

What was I gonna say? Do I bring up the kiss? Do I pretend it never happened? Do I stop muttering to myself on stage so people don't think I'm possessed?

"You ok?" I almost jumped out of my skin. A giant tree was speaking to me.

Giant talking trees shouldn't bother me. I run with wolves and look decidedly un-sparkly next to vampires.

A pair of striking blue eyes in glasses peered from behind the stage prop. I collected myself enough to answer. "Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry, I'm in your way." We did an awkward dance to get away from each other before finally coordinating.

"I'm Aiden, by the way." He wiped his hand on his ass before offering it to me. I focused on the hand rather than where it had been. "I'm new, and in charge of props," he shook the tree, "as you can tell."

Dayum! He had teeth porn to rival Jacob's.

After blinking away the spots in front of my eyes, I shook his hand. "Bella."

"Well, Bella, It was nice meeting you. I'll leave you to compose your epic soliloquy for 'Cinderella.' Made by the pumpkin, perhaps?"

Oh, my god, what a dork. A cute dork, though.

I went back to mentally flailing over Wednesday.

It will be a summit for awkward turtles.

By the time movie night rolled around, I was calmer.

This night is about Seth and Mia, NOT my madcap non-romance.

Seth kept his word and helped with the cooking, but I chased him away to go pick up Mia after his nervous energy started rubbing off on me. I wondered why the pasta wasn't bubbling for fifteen minutes before realising I hadn't even turned on the stove.

Wow, scared much, Bella?

I wiped my hands on my jeans as I heard the door open an hour later. A very bashful Seth stood at the door with a beautiful girl whose long black hair ended in a blunt fringe over her dark eyes. "Hi, I'm Mia." She held out her hand. She was shorter than me, but had curves I would kill for.

"I'm Bella." I shook it. "Seth, don't keep her standing. Can I get you something to drink?"

"Yeah, I'll have anything non-alcoholic if you don't mind. This is such an amazing place!" She walked up to the glass, her hands stuck in her back pockets.

I nudged Seth and flashed him a thumbs up.

"Thanks!" He whispered, smiling and blushing some more.

"This place must cost a fortune!" Mia blurted, her own cheeks immediately reddening.

I grabbed the bottle of juice from the fridge.

"Oh, we don't pay rent. Bella has good connections."

"Thanks, Seth, must you insinuate that I'm a whore to everyone we meet?" I shut the fridge door with my foot.

"Oh, no, I didn't take it that way." Mia looked flustered.

Poor kid doesn't get our insanity. Maybe I should have some wine.

"Is Jacob coming?"

Why don't you ask Michelle?

"He should be here by now." I checked the clock, which read 6.30. "He drives like a Cullen, so it'll take him an hour, maybe?" I laughed.

"Nah, he drives like a Black, half-hour tops." We giggled over our wit. Mia looked utterly bewildered. I disregarded my "no alcohol" promise and poured myself a glass of wine.

I need it to keep from blabbing wolf secrets. Yeah, yeah, you're just a closet alcoholic.

I joined Mia at the table and we immediately started sharing histories. She was seventeen and wanted to be an art curator one day. She was also very poised and funny. Perfect for Seth.

There was a knock on the door and I stiffened before taking another sip of wine. I smiled at Mia, hoping she didn't catch my reaction.

"Let me get that, ladies." Seth got up to answer it.

"Well, look at that. I do believe he's finally learned some manners. You seem to be a good influence." Mia laughed and I thought I saw her blush.

Awwww... young love.

"Hey, Jake, thanks for coming. Awww...you shouldn't have." I heard the thwack of something hitting his head but I didn't want to look around.

"Whoa," Mia exhaled. I pretended not to notice. "I hope I'm not being too forward but are you two together?"

"No... we've just known each other for a long time." I took another swig.

"He's...," she swallowed before whispering, "he's hot!"

I could imagine him smirking at that comment.

"Is he?" I shrugged. "I've never noticed. You should have seen him when he was younger. He had these scrawny little arms and was kinda cross-eyed till he had surgery to fix it. Oh, hi, Jake!" I smiled up at him.

"Hi." He held out a bunch of flowers. Some of them looked a little bruised.

"Thank you, they're beautiful. Mia, this is my friend Jacob. Jacob, this is Mia." I indicated between the two of them. Mia shyly shook his hand.

"Nice to meet you, Mia." His deep voice made the simple greeting sound sexy.

I mentally rolled my eyes as Mia's smile reached up to her ears.

Wait till the imprinting really hits, babe. Jake will be a distant memory.

"Why don't we start dinner? I'm sure you guys are starving!" I was intent on breaking up this giggle fest. We sat down to pasta and salad, the boys treating the latter like a pile of sick. We discussed movies and music.

"Seth, you're playing footsie with me," Jake suddenly stated without looking up from his plate. Mia giggled and Seth looked like he wanted to fall through the floor.

"So, what are we watching tonight?" I broke the awkward silence.

"I picked 'Teen Wolf' but Seth keeps laughing about it for some reason." Mia sounded confused.

Jacob almost spit out his chicken.

Oh, irony, you slay me.

"Don't mind them; they're just stupid, smelly boys." Mia and I shared a conspiratorial smile and as she looked back at her food, I scowled at Seth. Jacob was quiet for the rest of the meal. This both scared and comforted me.

We all settled down on the couch. Mia looked pleased to be sitting between Jacob and Seth.

Hopefully she doesn't have a heat stroke.

We watched the movie in silence, apart from a few snorts and sounds of annoyance from the boys.

"Urgh, hate Pamela," Mia chimed in.

Let's be friends forever.

"I know, right? Dumbass can't see what's right in front of him. Boof is so much cooler." I reached over to grab a handful of popcorn and my fist bumped against another. Jacob snatched his hand away.

Geez, fine, it's not like I have cooties or anything.

As the credits rolled, Seth helped Mia up and looked at the two of us on either end of the couch.

"So, err...I'm gonna walk Mia home. Are you guys gonna be ok on your own?"

"Yes, dad, we'll be fine." I rolled my eyes.

"Thanks so much for having me over. Dinner was amazing." I noticed she was still holding his hand.

"No problem. Feel free to drop in anytime. It's nice to have someone else to help combat the testosterone."

"I'd really like that...bye, Jacob."

He smiled and gave a small wave. "You too, Mia." The door clicked shut and I grabbed the empty bottles off the table. I dumped them in the bin before sitting back on the couch, switching the TV off and throwing the remote onto the table. The clatter was deafening in the silence.

"So..."

"Sooooo..."

Welcome to the first annual awkward turtles summit.

"About...," we both chorused.

I rushed ahead. "Ok, I'll go first. Cliff notes version. We were stupid, drunk and none of it really meant anything. I mean..."

He cut me off, "Yeah, and who you want to be with is your choice..."

"And nothing should come between our friendship..."

See? We could be civilised and talk things through instead of being nymphomaniacs. This was nice.

He reached out for my hand and I grabbed his, brushing my thumbs over his knuckles. The hippos started the second act.

Oh, crap.

"Nothing?" he said in a low voice as he pulled me onto his lap and I straddled him. His hands brushed over my waist.

Still safe, still safe, still safe…

"Nothing," I said firmly.

"But I can do this? As a friend?" He pulled my hair out of its ponytail and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. His hot fingers grazed the skin of my neck.

"Yeah," I whispered. "Jake, what are you doing?"

He pulled me closer till my knees were hitting the back of the couch.

"Trying to see what's right in front of me. Friends do this, right?" he breathed into my skin. I shivered.

No, they don't, but please go on.

"No," I whispered. He kissed my neck between every word as I continued, his mouth finding the hickey he gave me earlier and running his tongue over it. "Platonic... relationships... STOP!" I gasped.

"Shit! Sorry!" He pulled at his hair while I scrambled off of him and practically ran to the kitchen.

"Wanna 'nother drink?" I opened the fridge and stuck my face inside to cool down.

Again, not my best idea.

"Yeah." He caught the beer I threw at him and chugged it like he'd been camping out in the Sahara. I opened another and took a few tentative sips, staring at the little strip of exposed skin between his jeans and tee while he drank.

You can do this. You are doing this. Even if it kills you. That's what she said…FOCUS!

I sat back on the couch, a heavy silence between us. I bit my fingers nervously and stared as his tongue ran over his bottom lip, his arm draped over the back of the couch.

"So." His dark eyes held my own as I put the beer back on the table.

"Soooo." I repeated. He nodded his head.

Without a word, we both scrambled for each other in the middle of the couch, kissing each other so hard we were breathless. I was practically on my hands and knees till he pulled me on top of him.

Dammit, back at square one.

His hands scrunched up the fabric of my shirt, pulling me impossibly closer till I could feel every inch of him against me. I moaned as he licked my lower lip, eyebrows raised in question. Nodding at him, I closed my eyes and parted my lips, grabbing the hair at the nape of his neck as I finally tasted him. He slid his hands up my thighs to rest on my ass, groaning as I hesitantly slipped my tongue into his mouth. I dropped my hands down his chest to grab at the hem of his tee, desperate to feel his skin against mine. We separated briefly as I slipped it over his head, our lips crashing against each other again as I heard the gentle swish of his tee hitting the floor. I ran my nails over the ridges of his abs, smiling against his lips as he moaned.

His hands stilled at the top button of my shirt. I growled in protest.

To hell with the consequences. We can discuss friendship later.

"Are you sure?" He whispered before sucking on my collarbone, his fingers tugging at my collar for better access. I hummed as he pushed the shirt off my shoulders, my back arching as he placed his hot palm on the small of my back. His thumb brushed over my bra, and I gasped as it came in contact with skin.

He slid his hands lower, cupping my ass and standing up from the couch. I wrapped my legs around him and exhaled sharply as he took a few steps and pushed me against the cool railing of the stairs. I laced my fingers through his hair and around the back of his neck, brushing my lips against his rigid jaw. I felt him smile before he pulled at the ends of my hair, jerking my head back to nibble on my earlobe. I shivered as his warm breath blew in my ear.

"Wanna go upstairs?"

See? Told ya! In better news I am working on the next chapter right now. As always thank you to my betas stothep and fangbanger06 who are always so positive, funny and supportive about my writing, even though I look at it the same way Jake looks at a salad.

I LOVE my reviewers! You always ALWAYS make me smile with your love for this little piece of rambly fluff, like the kind that exists under washing machines. I would be such a sad panda if you ever stopped. Its like you're my own personal brand of .... muffin mix.

Till chapter 11...Muah!