Sorry for the delay in posting. Hope you enjoy. Again, all characters belong to S. Meyer, I'm just having fun.


The following weeks find me desperately trying to avoid Edward Cullen at all costs. If I saw him in a hallway I would automatically turn around. If he entered a room, I would leave. My efforts in avoiding him did not go unnoticed. The rumor mill was put into high alert with ridiculous stories of the lothario finally wearing me down long enough to break my heart. Penny especially enjoyed making up frivolous tales about me to spread to others on the floor. I, in turn, ignored everyone and threw myself further into my work, deciding to keep my head down until my contract ends.

"Bella, did something happen between you and Edward? I thought you were becoming friends, but you seem to be ignoring him," Alice asks one day unexpectedly. I stop what I am doing to give her my full attention.

"Nothing happened, honest. I just decided it was best if we were not friends. I don't want people to get the wrong idea about us and that is the easiest way to stop it, or so I thought," I told her as I threw an ugly glance toward Penny.

"You can't let these hags dictate who you should be friends with. They will find something else to spread about you, do not worry. You work with the worst bunch of gossips in the hospital," she laughed then leaned in closer. "You know, Edward asked me if he had done something to upset you. He seems worried about you, he asked me to check up on you since you are avoiding him."

I looked down, ashamed of my actions. "I'm not trying to actively avoid him, I'm just trying to not be around him."

"Bell, that's the same thing. Look, as much as I dislike him, I think you should talk to him. He seems to have changed. He has not dated anyone since his accident and he is actually decent enough to be around. Get this, he has even started apologizing to the women he dated, myself included. Maybe a brush with a Volvo puts things into perspective." With that Alice smiled, then left me to stew on what she relayed to me. Was Edward Cullen really changing? Was it because of what I told him or was it that his conscious was finally winning out?

A cup of coffee was placed directly in front of me while I sat at the nurses' station after Alice left. I assumed it was her, back to quiz me more about Edward.

"Thanks, Alice, you always know what I need," I sighed as I clasped the warm cup between my hands.

"You're welcome, but I would prefer if you didn't call me Alice." I quickly looked up to find Edward smiling over me.

"You brought me coffee?"

"Yeah, Alice said that was a sure way to your heart. I thought you might stay put for a moment to talk if I brought a peace offering," he said as he gestured toward the cup. A sense of dread overwhelmed me as I realized that Alice had set me up.

"Why do you think you needed to bring a peace offering? I'm not upset with you," I told him while evading eye contact.

"Come on Bella, you really expect me to believe that? You have been dodging me for weeks, and right now you won't even look at me," he said exasperatedly.

I quickly look around to find that we are the center of attention for the gossip mongers. I stand and grab his arm, leading him down the hall to the break room. Once we were safely away from prying eyes I try to quickly think of something to say to appease him.

"Look, Edward, I don't really think we should be friends," I softly tell him, not really knowing anyway else to say it to him. I slowly look up to see him looking at me dejectedly.

"I guess I need more of an explanation. Did I do something to offend you? I have really been trying to change and to right my wrongs. I thought you would appreciate that, but I must have misjudged everything."

I took a deep breath, looking up at him again. "Edward, I just don't want to start new relationships, regardless if it's just friends, knowing that I will probably be leaving in five months when my contract is up. I am proud of you though, I am happy that you are changing for the better. I wish you all the best, but I just can't," I'm not even able to complete my thought, the feeling of shame so overwhelming at the moment. I have just given him the worst cop out of all time. I am sure he can sense the fear oozing from me.

"So that's it? Are you going to leave and just cut everyone out of your life before then? I would never have guessed you would stoop that low Bella," he tells me as he shakes his head in disbelief.

I shudder due to his intense look of disgust that he is aiming at me. I take a shaky breath, ready to defend myself as he begins to lightly chuckle, throwing me off guard.

"You know what? It does not matter at all to me that you may be leaving soon. I like you. I want to see where this goes, be it friends or more. You are the first person, besides Heather, that does not put up with me and puts me in my place. So, Bella Swan, consider this challenge accepted. You will now be seeing a lot more of me, get ready sweetheart," he said as he swiftly exited the room, leaving me to drown in my thoughts.


Inevitably, Edward stayed true to his word. He seemed to be everywhere. He was quickly becoming friends with everyone, winning them over with his wit and lighthearted appeal. I tried to stay in the shadows, choosing to observe from a distance, but that was not to be. At every opportunity, he was there. He would bring me coffee or food every shift we worked together. It was becoming increasingly more difficult to ignore this man, but I was not straying from what I had told him that day in the breakroom. My life was more complicated than simply changing jobs, there was so much more going on that no one knew about.

I clocked out at the end of my shift and promptly psyched myself up, knowing Edward would be waiting just outside the door of the breakroom to escort me to my car. As I opened the door panic struck, he was not in his usual place. I turned from side to side looking for him, but the hallway was empty. A sense of melancholy raced through my veins. Had he finally given up? Why was I sad about this, isn't it what I wanted all along? I shook my head, trying to clear the ideas floating about me.

"If I didn't know any better, I would say that you missed me," an all too familiar smug voice spoke aloud. I turned to find Edward casually strolling toward me, exuding a certain swagger like he finally caught me in something.

"Oh, there you aren't. I wasn't looking for you, I was actually relieved that you weren't here," I tell him, trying to steady my voice so I wouldn't show the excitement I was feeling. I can't believe my body is betraying me like this. My head is yelling one thing, but my body is obviously saying something else.

"That's funny, cause from my vantage point it appeared that you were looking for me. It's okay if you don't want to admit it to yourself now, you will eventually," he stated while shrugging his shoulders, walking past me to the elevator. The adrenalin coursing through my veins due to my anger was causing me to both shake and sweat. I hate the effect this man has on me. I am still determined not to succumb to his charm, unlike so many others before me. I stopped mid-stride hoping he will notice so that I can speak my mind.

"Edward Cullen just go away and leave me alone! You are making my decision to leave all that much simpler. You will never win at whatever game you are trying to suck me into. I have more respect for myself than to give in to whatever you are trying to pull. Just forget about this and call off this stupid challenge you have created. If you don't, I will." He stood motionless, his back facing me. I can tell that he is taking deep breaths, hopefully pondering my outburst. I smirk to myself, thinking I have finally won the battle. Edward slowly turns around, still standing in the same spot that he has been for the last few moments. His face doesn't betray his thoughts, unlike mine. He looks me up and down before answering me.

"Bella, are you coming or what? I'm hangry, someone better feed this ol' boy."

I stand slack-jawed gawking after his retreating form. It's obvious that I'm fighting a losing battle. It never occurred to me that he was actually in this to win. Eventually, I regain my composure, slowly following him to the awaiting elevator. The silence in the small capsule is stifling. Edward speaks aloud after a moment.

"So, I heard that there is an opening soon on the labor and delivery unit. I talked to Alicia and she said for you to get with her soon to talk about it," he states, never turning to look at me. I stand shocked by this revelation.

"How did you know I wanted to transfer to that unit? The only person I told was …" Of course, I immediately knew who had betrayed me. I knew she wanted me to stay, I just didn't realize at what cost.

"Alice told me. Looks like there are a number of people here that want you to stay, present company included," Edward declares while watching me with his piercing green eyes. I'm unable to formulate anything to say so I quickly look away, unable to hold his penetrating gaze. He chuckles at my current state.

"Thank you I guess. I'll call her this afternoon," I inevitably whisper to him.

"Why wait? Call her when you get home." I look up to see that he is still staring at me.

"I have church this morning, so I will call her later today. Happy now, or do you have more questions you would like an answer to?" I snap at him. As much as I would love to keep my life private, I have a feeling that those days are over.

"You go to church? Like every Sunday? Is that why you don't work Wednesdays too?" he questions. I take a deep breath before I answer him.

"Yes, detective. Some of us actually do what's right, go to worship and try to live a righteous life. Look, I grew up going to church with my family and that is something I will not compromise. Go ahead and make fun of me, I know you are dying to say something snide," I tell him as I sigh loudly, waiting for his asinine comments to begin. When I don't hear anything, I look up to see that he is looking ahead at the closed doors, deep in thought. Just as the elevator stops he finally speaks.

"Can I go with you?"

I stand stunned, then I begin to laugh. "You really want to go to church? You know, you shouldn't go to church just to find your next victim because you are out of options here," I tell him, clearly trying to dissuade him. I realize that he is serious, triggering my laughter to swiftly fade.

"Bella, I don't want to go to get a date. I would like to go because I just want to, okay? So, what time do I need to pick you up?" he says, clearly perturbed with me.

"Uh, do you know what to wear to church?" I ask him as we walk to my car, desperately trying to give him an out.

"Contrary to popular belief, I was raised to be a gentleman. Of course, I know what to wear to church," he answered, aggravated. "I do have some questions though. First, you don't go to some cult where they speak in tongues and bite the heads off snakes do you? Secondly, is this one of those places that wants five hundred dollars to purify me or whatever?"

"Wow, okay. We don't speak in tongues, just in English and there are no snakes except maybe for you this morning. Furthermore, it would take much more than five hundred dollars to deem you pure, so don't worry about that," I laugh although by the look on his face proves that he doesn't appreciate my humor as much as I do.

When we arrive at my car I turn to him again, still highly amused. "Text me your address and I'll pick you up." He furrows his brow in response.

"Surprisingly, I don't have your number yet, but this is a perfect opportunity to right the wrong," he voices me as he reaches in his pocket to retrieve his phone.

"Since you seem to have access to so much of my personal information, you better start tracking that down before nine, don't you think?" With that, I close my door and drive off, extremely proud of the way I just handled Mr. Edward Cullen.

As I drive home, I realize that my feelings are a scattered mess right now and I need to get myself together before worship. My mind doesn't need to be focused on the tall, green eyed man that has me currently out of sorts.


With fifteen minutes to spare, my phone betrays me with the inevitable tone of an incoming text message. I frown as I retrieve the device from my purse and check the message.

My dearest Miss Bella, it would give me great honor to escort you to morning services today. Please find it in your heart to pick this lonesome sinner up so that I may be granted the opportunity to ask your permission in the future to court you properly…

I can't read anymore of the garbage he sent me, otherwise, I would be too nauseated to leave the house. I quickly send him my snide response.

Spare me the theatrics, it doesn't impress me. Just tell me your address, doof.

I'm swiftly satisfied with a simple reply of his address. When I arrive at the modest townhouse I find that he is waiting by his car for me. What surprises me the most is that he is wearing a tailored dark grey suit with a royal green tie. I stare in disbelief, taken aback that he is taking this seriously. He opens the door to find that I am still in shock.

"Why Miss Swan, I do believe that you are appreciating my handsomeness this fine morning," he chuckles. My shock quickly turns to repulsiveness as I shake myself out of my stupor and sneer at him.

"Shut it Edward, control yourself for once," I tell him disdainfully which causes him to laugh out. I wear a mask of contempt as I navigate through traffic to the small church building.

We arrive just as worship is beginning. I quickly nod to Edward to follow me to a pew toward the back of the auditorium. As we walk he gently places his hand on my lower back guiding me to a seat, this gesture does not go unnoticed by the many older women in attendance. One by one, the prying eyes of the congregation turn to us as, surveying the new visitor with the quiet girl. I glance down the opposite pew as ours to find the biggest busybodies of the assembly staring at us. I throw them a small smile, hoping to dissuade them from their obvious thoughts. The three older ladies quickly smile back, then begin waving. I'm shocked by their behavior. I look at Edward to find him waving joyfully back at them. I slap his arm, telling him to pay attention to the announcements and prayer requests.

Edward sits dutifully beside me through the singing, trying to follow along to the hymns being sung. When the preacher stands and begins to deliver his sermon, Edward begins to fidget, obviously bored. I lean over to him, keeping my eyes forward the entire time.

"If you would pay attention, you might learn something."

Edward rests his arm behind me, silently drumming the back of the pew with his fingers. He sighs and begins to look around the auditorium. I catch myself turning my head, following his actions. I notice that most everyone is still looking at us, especially the old ladies. Surprised, I gasp and turn back to the front of the room, shutting out the distractions and stay focused throughout the sermon, until the last hymn is sung.

When the service is finished I am determined to leave as quickly as possible, before we are confronted by anyone. I'm terrified of what Edward might say to someone. I stand and motion to Edward to follow me, just as we are in the foyer with the doors in sight I hear laughter behind me. I turn to see Edward encircled by the very ladies I was afraid of having to talk to. I begrudgingly turn, slowly walking to where Edward is detained.

"Bella, where have you been hiding this charming young man?" the leader of the gossip group, Carmen, sweetly questions. I give her my best smile and take a deep breath before answering.

"Mrs. Carmen, I haven't been hiding anyone. This is Edward, I work with him at the hospital." This undoubtedly causes many oohs and aahs from the gaggle of ladies surrounding us. Edward, extremely amused by my discomfort, throws his arm around my shoulder pulling me closer to him.

"Do you see what I mean Mrs. Charlotte? I can't convince this beauty that we would be great as more than just work colleagues, what do you think?" Edward has the audacity to ask. I stand with my mouth wide open, in complete shock at his brazenness.

"Oh, my dear, listen to him. You're getting up there in years, they won't be lining up at your door for much longer," the last of the trio, Mrs. Maggie, readily supplies. I didn't think my level of embarrassment could reach any higher. I know my face is ten shades of red by now and my breathing is unsteady. I am unable to respond to the accusations being thrown at me.

"Mrs. Maggie, I think you are forgetting that Bella here is still young. I have plenty of time to inevitably wear her down," Edward replies while winking at the ladies, which causes them to giggle. They eventually walk down the hall, still chattering away with Edward. I continue to stand in the foyer, in a state of stupor. After a moment, I realize that the ladies have led him to the fellowship hall. They obviously intend to keep him, but all I want to do is escape as quickly as possible. I swiftly walk to the hall where I find them all occupying a table toward the back. Edward spots me first, causing him to stand and wave me over, which I reluctantly drag myself to them.

"Bella, did you know they were having a meal today? Sweet Mrs. Carmen made a chocolate cake that she insists I have, and Mrs. Maggie made a pecan pie. Bella, a pecan pie! As soon as I heard cake and pie I knew we had to stay," he gushes as the viper ladies continue fawning over him. I feel like I'm stuck in a bad dream that I'm unable to wake from.

"Well, I wasn't planning on staying since I didn't have time to make anything for the meal," I sheepishly reply, hoping that I will be permitted to leave.

"Honey, that's okay. Charlotte made a few dishes, you can claim one of hers as your own," Carmen voices to me as she walks arm in arm with Edward to the food table. I reluctantly follow them as they load Edward's plate with their dishes then send him back for their desserts. When Edward finally sits down to begin eating his three loaded plates of food, the vipers all sit and watch like he is a side show attraction in a carnival. To his credit, he lavishes them with praise for each of the dishes he's been served, much to their delight. I sit back and watch with amazement as he completely wins them over. Throughout the meal, he answers all their questions, both medical and personal. When we rise to finally leave, they insist that he return for the next service and that they will save him a seat. I have never been treated as well as he has in the short amount of time that he has been here. I have been attending here since I started college, and I have yet to have the type of conversations that Edward has just had. The only thing I had ever been asked was what months I was available to teach the baby class. I felt extremely off put by how they welcomed Edward with open arms.

"Bella, you need to study with this one," Mrs. Charlotte says, interrupting my internal chastisement. I smile and nod my head in acknowledgment to her. Just what am I going to do with this man?