A little swearing, nothing that horrible. It's finally up! Enjoy!

Confrontation-

Chapter twenty-three

Bella POV-

I saw Edward with a strange look on his face, after the waitress had spoken he'd looked up quickly, as if it was someone from his past he'd rather not see ever again, and never imagined that this would be the place they'd meet. I only had about ten seconds before Edward said the words that had confirmed my thoughts. Tanya. That made perfect sense. Of course Edward would hate Tanya. I hated her myself, and I'd never even met her before. The backstabbing bitch that had left Jasper when he had been there for her when things were rough. I had the urge to grab Edward and go to a McDonald's. I really didn't want to spend my evening with her anywhere near.

"Edward! I haven't seen you in forever! How's Jasper?" Her voice was giggly and annoying, the shrillness of it ringing in my ears.

"Jasper is currently at a hotel room with my best friend. They really are perfect for each other. They can make it through the toughest of situations without running out just because they're scared. Even though that's not exactly hard to keep from doing, they definitely have chemistry." I laid it on thick, hoping that she would get the hint and leave us be. I would cook and serve my own food if that need be. Leave. I hate you and what you've done to my friend, and well, hopefully my boyfriend's brother. Leave. Leave leave LEAVE. Even though my thoughts obviously didn't work my words did. She turned to look at me with a hurt expression on her face. Oops. The wicked witch of the world got her feelings hurt.

"Oh, really? Why would you say that?" Tanya asked, with a fake smile on her face.

"Well, just the way they look at each other. It's like they're the only ones in the room. Like they wouldn't care if the world was coming to the end, as long as they knew the other would be there for them always," I stressed the word. "Then everything will be alright. They really love each other. I'm so happy for them." I smiled, shrugging my shoulders, as if I had no idea what really was going on. Although I hated it when people played dumb, and hated doing it, this was definitely the time and place.

"Oh, well, tell him that I said hi. What can I get you?" She was having a hard time keeping the smile on her face now, and she rubbed her lips together and looked down at the writing pad she had ready, pen posed in her hand.

"I'll have the Vegetable Prima Vera, and Bella will have the Chicken Pot Pie, please." Edward answered smoothly, looking over at me. I wondered if he was ordering for me just to keep me from saying more, or if this was normal for him.

"Oh, Tanya?" I asked, as she turned to leave.

"Yes?" There was no smile on her face now.

"I really doubt now would be the time to bring you up with Jasper. Why bring him on to the past when he's moved on so happily?"

She turned and left, not bothering to answer. I had enough against her, and she had nothing on me. It really wasn't a fair fight, but it was one that needed to be fought. I wasn't going to play nice with her. It wouldn't be fair to Jasper if I did.

I looked over at Edward who had a shocked expression on his face. I felt a slow sinking feeling in my stomach that made me suddenly get hot and nervous. Was he mad at me for saying something to her? Surely he knew me enough by now to know that I wouldn't let that slide, even if I should.

"Yeah, I know. I'm sorry." I said softly. I took a sip of water from my straw, keeping my eyes down. I didn't want to meet the emotion that his eyes held, afraid of what I'd see.

"Sorry for what? Bella, that was… amazing. I wish I could have done that, for Jasper. Ah, who am I kidding, I would have loved to do that just to get my anger towards her out, but I, being male would have been kicked out and sued for harassment. You really got to her, too. She's probably in the back crying right now." He chuckled, and I looked up in awe. I should have known. He was even closer to Jasper than I was. I just had ties, but Jasper and Edward were siblings. They were always going to be protective of each other.

"I thought you would be mad. I don't usually get so out of hand. She just…ugh! How can she just act like everything is fine after everything that he's gone through because of her?" I fought to keep my voice low and hushed. I didn't need to start shouting when everyone around us was trying to eat a peaceful dinner.

"I know, trust me. I can't believe that she's still in Alaska. She always complained about how she hated it here. She once asked me how Alaska was still the United States because Canada was in between it and the continental states. She's not exactly the smartest person in the world." I laughed at this, and several people around us gave me strange looks.

We continued to talk about Tanya, Jasper, and Alice. Neither of us had heard from them, and I made a mental reminder to call Alice once we were out of the restaurant. It was so unlike her to not call or anything for over a week.

At one point Tanya came back out with her food, but Edward and I kept talking as if no one was even there. I knew it was childish, but it still got to her, and she twirled around and walked back to the kitchen in a huff. The food was delicious, just what I was hungry for. I hadn't had Chicken Pot Pie in such a long time, about it was perfect. It came in its own little crock-pot type dish. Edward had managed to eat most of a heaping plate of pasta with Alfredo sauce that was covered in carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, mushroom… I didn't even know what all. It looked delicious though. Edward had me try a bite of his, and it tasted even better than it looked. I in return had him try mine, and he agreed that it was very homey, and good.

I ate quickly. I hadn't realized how hungry I'd been. I was glad that we'd decided to skip the normal soups and sandwiches for lunch. My eyes had wandered directly to the dinner side of the menu. Tanya came to check on us, and Edward asked for the check. She handed it to us slightly and before I knew it he was handing it back to her. I stood up to go, and she turned the other way.

"You know, Tanya." I said, not bothering to keep my voice quiet this time. "If you weren't such a self centered bitch I would've given you a second chance."

She stood looking at me, with her mouth open. "That." She whispered. "Is none of your business."

I laughed, and walked out of the restaurant. I didn't look to see if Edward was behind me, because I knew that he would be. I couldn't stand to be in the presence of that woman any longer, without totally losing it. The locks on the truck clicked up, and I opened the passenger door. I hoisted myself up with the handle on the ceiling, and flung myself into my seat with the momentum I'd created. The door closed and I looked up to see Edward walk around the front of the truck. He had started it before I knew it.

"Sorry, once again. I couldn't resist." I shrugged.

"Don't worry about it. It's completely understandable. Would you like to try hiking?"

I nodded, and he drove back to our campsite. What was I thinking? I don't hike. I can hardly even walk. I laughed inwardly. Dancing for ten years, and yet I can't even walk. I could probably dance down the trails better than I could walk. How sad is that?

Soon I found myself standing at the start of the trail. It was clearly marked with the Hiking Club sign, along with the 3.8-mile marker. Crap. Not like that was all that far, but if this path wasn't paved we were going to have some major problems. My mind filled with images of myself tripping over a root in the path and throwing myself over a cliff into the water below.

"Nervous?" Edward asked, looking over at me. Apparently I had zoned out. Don't zone out. I thought to myself. It'll be a lot easier to fall over a cliff if you're not paying attention.

"Nah. I may be on crutches when we're through with this, but I'm not nervous at all." I joked, walking onto the path that was clearly not pavement. The gravel crunched beneath my feet as I trekked onwards through the dense foliage.

A couple of hours or so later I found myself back at our site. The hike had been challenging, that's for sure. If the struggle of not falling over the roots in the narrow path that wound up steep hills and down again, then the countless sets of stairs would get you. I lost count after 14 sets, and even then I couldn't see the bottom. It was ridiculous, really. At least I got a good workout. I haven't been able to really get any exercise in a while.

It was now nearly four, and Edward was beginning to make a small fire in the provided pit. I curled up in the nearest camping chair and immersed myself with a book. It was Romeo & Juliet. Edward had rolled his eyes when he saw it, but I loved it. It was a classical story that I could never get tired of even if I tried. I was truly addicted, especially to the classics.

"Are you hungry?" Edward asked, brushing my hair out of my face so I could see him. It had fallen down while I was reading, and I'd been too absorbed to push it out of my way.

"Not really, why?"

"Because I think we've had enough of restaurants for tonight, and I didn't pack anything but snacks. They should be fine, though."

"Oh. I don't mind. I'm not hungry yet anyways." It was true, really. I'd stuffed myself full only five hours ago. I wasn't used to eating frequently, and would probably be fine for the rest of the day, but I knew that Edward would make me eat something before I fell asleep, at least.

"Good. Let me show you something." He stood, taking my hand. I grabbed my camera, not knowing where we would be going. We walked down the little path and onto the beach that I'd been looking at all day. We walked along the beach for quite a while, enjoying the waves crashing onto the shore. I let the sound sooth me, sinking my toes into the fine sand. We came along to a cliff of some sorts, but it had a rough sandy trail leading up to the top of it. I looked over my shoulder and saw that we'd been walking long enough for the sun to start setting, and now the sky was a vibrant pink, with traces of purple and orange. It was truly breath taking. I scrambled to the top of the cliff, and took out my camera.

I quickly captured the moment, and turned around to face Edward. He wasn't looking at the sunset, but at me.

"You're absolutely beautiful." He said, taking the camera out of my hands and snapping a picture of me, with the sunset in the background.

"Nah. That's just the sunset. It's all in the lighting." I joked, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"I disagree. It's much, much more than the lighting."

He bent his head down and our lips connected.

Yes, Bella does have a protective side! (Even though it's a bit bitchy.)

I was really missing posting these, and reading all those great reviews you send. I'm glad to be back.

So there are three options.

1. I end the chapter fairly soon (probably around 5). But, I make a second part.

2. I just keep going. No sequel.

3. Don't drag the story on and wreck this perfectly good one. (I'm planning another, although it's not as fluffy)