I knew Edward would not return until late into the night, or even early into the morning, and so took the time after dinner to get homework done, clean the kitchen, clean my room, and pamper myself as much as possible. I was even so bored I put a layer of a pale brown colour on my nails and began re-reading a book I'd read dozens of times. I pushed my window open slightly, as an invitation, and snuggled down, upside-down into my bed, staring idly at my open closet. Black jeans were an item Jess had recommended. I had a pair. They were skinny jeans, which would fit nicely under my rainboots. Thicker socks probably, to make sure my feet didn't get cold under said rain boots. I was running through my list of shirts in my head, with my eyes closed when I found myself in a car.

Lights were flashing past me. Not streetlights, headlights. On a busy highway. I could hardly see out of my window. I turned my head to look at the driver, and Edward was driving. He looked at me, and I looked at the speedometer. We were going fast. Far, far too fast. As I looked back at Edward I noticed he was still looking at me, with a warm smile. His hands left the steering wheel, grabbing for me instead. Suddenly the car jerked sideways, and my hair lifted in front of my face as if pulled up by strings. It fell to the right slightly, then left, then down to my chin again, as the lights outside danced in circles. My eyes focused back onto the golden ones. His eyes never left mine as we spun helplessly, and suddenly there was a bone shattering snap in my leg.

I woke with a yelp, rubbing the sharp cramp that pulsed through my thigh. Instantly another hand, an icy cold one, joined mine in the rubbing of my leg and my heart stopped. My brain panicked for a brief second, before I took in the sight before me. Edward Cullen, bright in the dim streetlight from the street, was inches from me. I inhaled his scent shakily, and it calmed me.

"Hi." I whispered. Suddenly a bright white light lit the room. Edward had turned on his flashlight on the cell phone again. I blinked back with the sharpness of the new light, so brilliant, in the dark room.

Hello. How's your leg?

"It's alright. I think I tense up when I dream."

A bad dream? He asked, knowingly.

"The usual one," I whispered. "I actually haven't had it in a while. Suppose my brain's been working on the whole vampire stalker issue." I poked my tongue out at him as he glared at me. It took a half second for his face to break into a smile. "How was the hunting trip?"

Fine. My family is feeling contently full. Ready for today.

Sorry you all felt like you had to feed.

It was his turn to poke his tongue out. "We were due anyway." He mouthed. His breath smelled amazing. I ducked my face into my pillow. I'm sure mine smelled like garlic and morning breath. I'd forgotten to brush my teeth before bed. A gentle caress on my cheek made me tilt my head slightly to peek at his confused face.

What?

My breath reeks. I thought you especially would be able to detect the garlic. I had to fingerspell garlic, as I actually wasn't sure of the sign. Edward filled me in, and repeated the spelling to be sure I associated the sign with the word I was searching for.

Garlic doesn't affect me I'm afraid. And I hadn't noticed. Your own scent is a little overwhelming to return to. I haven't really had time to desensitize enough to the smell to be able to distinguish the finer nuances. He mouthed all of this as he said it. I learned three new signs in one sentence. Desensitize, distinguish and nuance-ing aside, I was glad to see him.

Sorry I stink. Now shut up and let me sleep. I sleepily blinked at him. It was far too early in the morning to be awake yet. He laughed quietly and began to settle down on the floor. I frowned slightly. That certainly wouldn't do. I backed up in the bed, and patted the space I'd vacated. He hesitated for a fraction of a second before coming to rest on the bed, outside of the covers. I was out again in moments.

The next time I awoke I noticed a few things. I was resting on something hard and cold, and it was light out. I opened my eyes and saw an arm that was not my own stretched out under my cheek. It led to a well-toned forearm and hand that were visible, resting relaxed on the sheet. I wasn't sure how – but I had pinned him under my head in the night. I unstuck myself from his arm, and wiggled my way over to face him. He was smiling, not looking the slightest bit uncomfortable, despite his head being bent awkwardly against my footboard, and his arm resting as my pillow.

"Sorry." I mumbled. "Morning."

He laughed. "Good morning." His hand reached up to brush against the cheek that had been resting against his arm. "You have a red mark there. I'm sorry."

"I'm not. Clearly I was comfortable." I stretched slightly, and began to get out of bed. I peeked through my window to make sure the cruiser was gone, and then began conversing in normal loudness.

"How was your hunt? Catch all the local young virgins?" I began turfing through my drawers, assembling clothing. Edward made sure to orient himself within view, and speak loudly.

"Oh yes. Most of our biology class is gone now. I wanted the extra desk space back." He quipped in return.

"I bet you miss the leg room."

"Company has its perks though." He said, appraisingly. I shooed him away as I headed to the bathroom. "Gimme ten minutes, and I'll be ready."

"Take your time." He bowed. I paused at the door. When was the last time I'd even seen someone bow, let alone to me? I'd have to figure out how to curtsey, and that I didn't exactly feel like doing today. I'd have to break him of that habit for sure.

I showered, and twisted my hair into a loose side-braid. It was Jess' idea, and I might as well try. The jeans, and the blue blouse also looked presentable. I'm sure with heels and jewelry it might even be date worthy. So without those, and adding some warm socks, it was meeting parents appropriate outfit. As I exited the bathroom I could swear I smelled cooking butter. I hastened downstairs into the kitchen and discovered the Edward was cracking some eggs into a pan. Apparently I was to be treated to an omelette. A few eggs, some cheese and my addition of a few chopped cherry tomatoes later, and Edward was looking incredibly proud of himself.

"So if you're feeding me, does this mean I actually have to start trapping the locals? I might even be better at coaxing in people than animals you know." I grabbed a few bites of my breakfast while Edward pursed his lips in a jokingly disappointed fashion.

When I was done I began to wash my plate, and then caught sight of my hair in the reflection in the window. I tried to smooth my errant curls down, but it wasn't working. A white hand shot out to gently tickle my hair.

"You look simply irresistible."

I blushed, and began to head out to the hallway. "Thanks," I managed, once I had composed myself a bit. "I was worried it would look like I was trying too hard. Angela and Jess grilled me yesterday about how to dress if you were going to meet the family of your boyfriend. I must admit I wasn't listening all that well, but this was what I got out of it." I gestured down to myself, and Edward leaned against the hallway wall, watching.

"You're beautiful. I honestly don't think my mother would mind what you showed up wearing. She's happy that you exist at all."

"Well I tried anyway." I slipped on my boots, and Edward dashed upstairs to get his shoes. When we got outside, he opened my truck door for me, and patiently, although still mildly irate at being a passenger, settled down beside me. We drove in moderate silence. I asked the occasional question about directions, but I was too nervous to really chat as we had been in the morning. It wasn't until we pulled into the long and winding driveway of the Cullen residence that I began chewing on my lip. Edward's hand brushed against my lip.

"Relax. Please?"

"Pfft. Easy for you to say. If we were reversed right now, you'd be a nervous wreck too."

"I'm relatively sure I'm bullet proof actually, so I'm not overly concerned."

I parked the truck and bit back a laugh, only exhaling strongly through my nose. I couldn't picture Charlie actually shooting Edward.

"I suppose you do have a few decades on him too, old man." I managed back. Edward smiled.

"Not to mention the mind-reading. An immensely useful blending tool."

"Well we can't all be you, can we?"

Edward was suddenly not in the truck cab with me, but instead opening my door on my left.

"They won't bite." he assured me.

"That is not on my top ten list of reasons to be nervous about family meetings." I retorted.

"You have a list?" He asked, curiosity overcoming his eagerness to introduce me to his house and family.

"I'm composing one." I slid out of the truck, landing gracelessly in a puddle, which splashed both of us with water. Sorry. I signed, eyeing the beautiful house before me.

"Don't worry about it." He grabbed my hand and pulled me forward, towards the large, elegant, white mansion. I paused at the front door.

"No coffins, capes and cobwebs right?" I joked.

"I knew we were forgetting something." Edward mumbled sarcastically, rolling his eyes, as he let me inside.