A/N: Thank you so much for all the encouragement and special thanks to my amazing beta dictums. All of my chapters will be pretty short since that's just my style but to make up for that, I hope to update every few days, so I hope you like it!

Chapter 1: Perfect hair, and flawless skin.

EPOV

I was still reminiscing about my trial successes when I felt something soft plow into me from behind. The next thing I knew I was down on the marble floor, my paper cup rolling out of my hand down the hallway leading to the courtroom, a river of hot, brown liquid trailing behind. My legs were tangled up in someone else's and I was livid at losing my coffee when I so desperately needed it this morning. "Son of a b-," I cursed, swallowing the last word as I stared into the most gorgeous brown eyes I'd ever seen. The first thing that came to mind was angel. This woman was an angel.

"I'm so sorry," she said, a ferocious blush creeping up her delicate face.

I grinned at her; her blush was simply adorable. "Oh no, I'm sure it was my fault."

She started gathering up all her papers and I gave up on my retrieving my coffee, checking to see if I had spilled any on her.

"Here, let me help you," I offered, standing and picking up her brief case which had landed a few feet away from our tangled bodies.

"Oh thank you, I'm going to be late," she said, taking her briefcase from me and turning sharply on her heels, leaving me standing in the hallway, without coffee, staring at her gorgeous legs walking away from me.

I quickly snapped out of it, finding my own briefcase and remembering the 8 a.m. calendar call for which I was already a few minutes late.

I hurried down the hallway to Courtroom Five, Judge Gibson's courtroom, straightening my tie but unable to get the angel out of my mind. Those eyes! I could stare into them forever.

Trying to compose myself, I came to a halt in front of the courtroom, entering with my usual trial swagger. Game time!

BPOV

I was talking to myself again. But how could I stop now.

"Oh God Bella, how clumsy can you be!" I berated myself.

I was mentally reciting my opening statement, not paying any attention to my surroundings when I collided straight on with someone walking in front of me. You would think by the number of times such events as this had occurred, that I would have learned by now that I had to pay attention when I was wearing heels. I was typically clumsy and heels just escalated it.

In my peripheral vision, I saw a paper cup of coffee sailing through the air. My legs were wrapped around someone else's very muscular, strong legs and I couldn't believe my bad luck. My mind never left my pending case and I glanced at my watch, panic threatening me as I realized I had less than five minutes to get to Judge Gibson's courtroom for calendar call.

I looked up and my breath hitched as I saw such intense green eyes piercing my own—I couldn't look away. As usual, I knew I was blushing badly. The owner of those insane green eyes smiled at me. I quickly looked away, gathering up my papers and scanning the hallway for my briefcase.

The green eyes spoke to me, his tousled bronze hair drawing me in closer. He reached for my hand, helping me up and handing me my briefcase.

I could die from embarrassment right now but I really had to hurry if I didn't want to be late. I took my briefcase, refusing to stare at him again.

I quickly turned, hurrying down the hallway, painfully aware of each step I took in these disastrous heels. Don't be late, don't be late, don't be late, I chanted in my head and it became a personal mantra I hoped would free me from the panic and embarrassment already tainting my morning.

I slipped into the courtroom, quickly walking up to the plaintiff's counsel table.

I took a deep breath and set down my briefcase.

I glanced at opposing counsel's table and did a double take when I saw it was empty. 8:01 a.m. Judge Gibbons would enter any minute.

"All rise, the Honorable Judge Gibbons presiding," said the bailiff, calling everyone to attention.

"You may be seated. Now calling Case no. 48154, Spelling versus Kidd," boomed Judge Gibbons.

I tried not to be nervous. I felt a little smug that Edward Cullen hadn't even shown up.

"Ms. Swan, this is a calendar call. Are we still starting a trial tomorrow? Have the parties reached a settlement?" Judge Gibbons prattled on with the questions before I could even answer a single one.

"Your honor, we have not reached a settlement and I am ready to proceed to trial tomorrow," I responded.

"Mr. Newton?" Judge Gibbons questioned, looking at the empty table.

"Your honor, a motion was filed yesterday substituting Edward Cullen as trial counsel." I said, gently reminding him.

"That's right Ms. Swan. But where is Mr. Cullen?" Judge Gibbons asked, looking again at the empty counsel table.

And of course, at that very moment, like a scene out of a movie, the court room doors burst open and everyone turned to stare . . .

EPOV

". . .But where is Mr. Cullen?" I heard Judge Gibbons ask through the door. Oh no! Judge Gibbons already called the case. I pushed the door hard, and bolted into the room, coming to a slow stagger as soon as I noticed everyone in the room staring at me.

"I'm sorry your honor, Edward Cullen, representing Ezra Kidd. I just took a little tumble in the hallway, I apologize for being late."

"Don't let it happen again, Mr. Cullen." Judge Gibbons nodded knowingly.

I reached counsel's table, finally. "Of course, you honor."

"Mr. Cullen, Ms. Swan just told me that you have not reached a settlement in this case and that she is prepared to proceed to trial tomorrow," Judge Gibbons stated, but in a questioning manner.

I took a second to glance at opposing counsel's table, prepared to show Ms. Swan, this dowdy librarian, my dazzling smile, and implying that I had no qualms about going to trial tomorrow.

But as soon as I did, I realized that Ms. Swan and my angel were one and the same. I can only imagine that everyone was staring as I stood there with my mouth hanging open.

She must have just realized who I was, too, because that glorious blush crept up her neck again.

Quickly, I devised a new strategy in my mind. It was my only hope.

"Your honor, if Ms. Swan is amenable, I would like an extra day to try and reach a settlement. I think my client is prepared to make a more favorable offer."

I can't believe I just lied in court. But, honestly, I had, too. It was my only chance to spend some one-on-one, less adversarial time with Bella Swan. I had to talk to her.

I turned and smiled at her. She gave me a death stare.

Judge Gibbons interrupted our silent conversation, "Ms. Swan, you know the court favors settlement, and I would strongly suggest meeting with Mr. Cullen. Maybe you'll have more luck with him than Mr. Newton."

"But your honor," she protested, grabbing a piece of paper from her neat stack and beginning to walk it over to the Judge.

Had I not been staring so intensely at her, I don't think I would have noticed that she was about to trip. I hurriedly rushed over, catching her before she fell flat on her face. She quickly disentangled from my arms but I think she whispered "thank you" before returning to her table. Wow, she really was clumsy but in the cutest was imaginable.

"Yes, Ms. Swan?" Judge Gibbons inquired, trying to sustain a chuckle.

"Your honor, that's fine. I will meet with Mr. Cullen and see if he is serious about a better offer," she said, clearly changing her mind.

I wondered why she changed her mind so suddenly.

"Fine, fine. Same time tomorrow Ms. Swan, Mr. Cullen." Judge Gibbons admonished, and I smiled.

BPOV

I can't believe I almost tripped in court. Again. These damn heels. Luckily, Judge Gibbons knew my clumsy predilections by now, but it was still embarrassing.

Almost as embarrassing as being saved from actually tripping by Edward Cullen, the owner of those green eyes and that perfectly tousled bronze hair. I already hated him.

I guess I could give him a chance to make a better offer. Even though I was ready and confident to go to trial, it would cost my client more money in attorney's fees and it would be unfair to not even consider a new offer.

Judge Gibbons called for the next case and I gathered my things before turning and steadying myself to walk out of the courtroom.

Edward Cullen was right there, gesturing for me to go first.

I barely glanced at him and made my way out of the courtroom. As soon as we were in the hallway, I turned to him.

He smiled crookedly at me. What a jerk!

"Mr. Cullen, I really do hope you have a better offer from Mr. Kidd. Mr. Newton has been completely uncooperative so far and my client does not think very highly of your firm at this point." I sounded snotty but I didn't care. Mike Newton was a pain in the ass and had made no reasonable offers thus far.

"Ms. Swan, I assure you that this settlement conference will be well worth you and your client's time," he said, unfazed.

"Very well, Mr. Cullen. I will take you at your word. Where would you like to meet?" I asked, trying to be polite.

"I know it's informal, but seeing as I haven't had my proper morning coffee, yet, how would you feel about breakfast?" He said, smirking at me.

I blushed, as always. "I suppose coffee is in order. Lead the way, Mr. Cullen." I said, trying to maintain my composure.

Why was Edward Cullen having this affect on me? I knew I was clumsy but I had already tripped twice—well, technically only once because he caught me the second time—and I had blushed just as many times in the twenty minutes since I had "met" him. I really needed to get a grip if we were going to settle this case.

Breathe, Bella, breathe, I reminded myself, following him out of the courthouse.