A/N: Thanks for your reviews on the last chapter, and my apologies for this one being short, but it's been a rough week, I wanted to get something posted for you all soon, and it was a logical place to break what would inevitably have been a LONG chapter. Here's hoping you are still enjoying the ride!

And to NeverHadDreams...my beta, my beta, my beloved beta. You are too cute for words, and thanks for your help on this one. Practise saying it with me...constructive criticism, constructive criticism. Hehehe.

Like always, I own nothing of Twilight. I do own a cherry mickey head purse, some sparkly lip balm, and a Calvin Klein black leather coat to go out on the town. Thai Sun anyone??

EPOV

Taking a last deep breath, I rang the doorbell and then waited patiently on the porch, running my fingers through my still slightly damp hair. I had showered and changed at the station at the end of my shift, but of course my hair wouldn't cooperate. It never cooperated. I shuffled my weight back and forth from one foot to the other. An hour ago I had been so excited at the prospect of seeing Bella again, so sure of my plans for this evening, certain that she sensed the sparks between us just as I had, but somehow all my confidence vanished as I stood here. What if she didn't feel the same? What if she was just humoring me by accepting my invitation? What if I was wrong in every assumption I had made?

Just then the door opened, I glanced up, and every thought in my head disappeared at the sight of her. She was exquisite! Her soft, chocolate brown locks hung in loose curls, framing her face, her porcelain skin and that beautiful pink blush in her cheeks that was already fast becoming my favorite image of her. She was dressed in a simple pin-striped button-up with ruffles on the cuff and black pants that flared slightly at her calf, but clung to her tiny waist. When I looked up to meet her gaze, her eyes sparkled, dancing with excitement, and all my fears were laid to rest.

"Hello Edward." She was the first to break the silence, her voice barely a whisper.

"Bella, you look stunning," I countered, watching her cheeks grow even deeper rose in colour as she bit her bottom lip but smiled none the less. "Are you ready to head out?"

"Just let me grab my coat," she replied, turning from the door, and I caught a glimpse of Alice standing in the hallway. I nodded and waved in her direction and she returned the gesture before slipping away. Bella returned in a moment, shrugging into her coat while she pulled the door shut behind her but she miscalculated the step down to the porch and stumbled. Instinctively I reached my arms out to catch her, relishing the feel of having her body pressed against me for a moment, before righting her again. Her face flushed and she rolled her eyes, clearly embarrassed, refusing to meet my gaze. I suppressed a laugh, but couldn't help grinning at her.

"I'm so sorry. I'd like to say that I'm not usually this clumsy, but it would be lying," she explained.

"It's no trouble," I replied, holding my hand out to her, secretly hoping I would always be nearby to catch her when she fell. "Shall we?"

Her eyes flitted to mine for a moment and I sucked in a breath, marveling again at her quiet beauty, and I was sure my heart skipped a beat when she gently placed her tiny hand in mine. As we walked down the steps and I helped her into my car, I was again faced with the feeling I had when I first laid eyes on Bella the night before...excited yet scared to death by how powerfully attracted I was to her. I barely knew her, and yet I didn't ever want to let her out of my sight. Edward, get a grip on yourself! Otherwise you're going to make her think you're a stalker! She'll be running, screaming at the top of her lungs!

Sighing, I shook my head as I walked back around to my side of the car and got in. I fumbled momentarily with the keys before starting the car and starting off down the street towards the restaurant. Shooting a sideways glance at Bella, I could see she was blushing and nibbling on her bottom lip again. I relaxed then, sensing she was just as nervous as I was.

"So, I thought we'd go to Thai Sun for dinner. People have told me it's quite good. Have you eaten there before?" I inquired.

"Yes, it's one of my favorites actually. Alice introduced me to Thai food a few years ago and I've loved it ever since. Good guess," she replied surreptitiously, glancing at me, waiting.

I paused for a moment, uncertain if I should tell her, but then decided that complete honesty was the way to go with Bella.

"I have a confession," I started, and I noticed that she shifted slightly in her seat, angling herself towards me. "I met Alice last night, actually, and she told me Thai Sun was your favorite."

"Hmm, I thought there was something going on. What else did Alice tell you?"

"Ah, come now. You can't expect me to give up all my insider secrets," I chuckled. "Why don't you tell me about you, that way I can get the straight, unbiased version. All your favorites...ice cream, colour, author, place to watch the sun set...that sort of thing."

She was silent for a moment, contemplating, before she answered very succinctly. "Vanilla, blue, Austen, in someone's arms. Your turn."

I was stunned by her quick reply, and had to fumble with my thoughts to remember exactly what I had asked, while simultaneously memorizing her answers.

"Um, let's see...ice cream would definitely be Gold Medal Ribbon, colour would depend on my mood, author...have to skip that one for now, and nothing tops the sunset over the lagoon in Venice, Italy," I finally managed to blurt out. "But I like the idea of sunset in someone's arms. That would have made Venice perfect." A wonderful momentary vision of Bella wrapped in my arms distracted me.

"When were you in Venice?"

"Last year. A college buddy of mine works for Globus Tours and every year they get to go on one of their own tours. His girlfriend got appendicitis right before the trip but insisted he still go, so he invited me to take her spot. Half price, seven countries in twelve days. Too good of an offer to pass up, and I'm glad I didn't. It was amazing! Definitely one of the high points in my life."

By the time we reached the restaurant, she had quizzed me all about my Europe travels, and shared with me all the places she hoped to visit one day. After we were seated in a quiet booth near the back of the restaurant, and I had ordered a bottle of wine while we were perusing the menus, I turned to her and asked what she was studying in school, even though Alice had already told me.

"English Literature. It's part of the reason I want to go to England one day, to see where some of the classics took place, what it was that inspired those authors to write. It would be so incredible to walk the moors where Bronte envisioned Heathcliff and Catherine, or see the rectory where Jane Austen lived when she wrote Pride and Prejudice."

I watched as her face lit up with enthusiasm, as she gestured with her hands when she talked, the obvious passion for writing evident in her words. When she caught my gaze, she dropped her head and blushed.

"I'm sorry. I'm rambling," she said softly.

"No, please don't apologize, and don't stop. This is what tonight is about; getting to know eachother." There's a story behind everything we do in life, the choices we make, and I wanted to know everything about Bella. Glancing down at the table, I noticed that our hands were nearly touching. How I wanted to close that distance, place my hand on hers, to feel that electricity that was so palpable in the air between us, but my nerves got the better of me again, and instead I focused my attention to the menu. "Now, tell me, what's good on the menu!"

On Bella's recommendation, we ordered Coconut Shrimp, Mango Salad, and Phat Thai Spinning Noodles, and were enjoying the wine when she turned to me.

"So, your turn again. What made you become a firefighter?" she asked, and I relished the look of genuine interest in her eyes.

I raked my fingers through my hair again, noticing Bella's eyes follow the gesture with rapt intrigue and the slightest parting of her lips. For a moment I forgot the question as I watched those perfect lips of hers, wanting to trace my thumb along the bottom one, but I internally scolded myself and directed my attention to answering her.

"Well, when I was eight, I was best friends with the boy who lived next door. One morning we woke up to the sound of sirens outside, and found the neighbour's house on fire. I watched in awe as the firemen broke down the front door, pulled the whole family to safety. I got to see everything, the way the flames licked up the side of the house, the way the smoke billowed out of every window, the hoses they pulled off the trucks and hooked up to the hydrant, how they laddered the house, cutting holes in the roof. It was like a well-oiled machine with every one of them doing the task they were assigned to in order to put out the fire and make sure everyone was safe. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to do that job, to help people. I was fascinated by it. Right after high school I enrolled in the pre-service fire program, and then applied to practically every department I could."

"It doesn't frighten you? To be the one running into a burning building while everyone else is trying to get out?" Her eyes were wide with curiosity, her brow furrowed.

"Well, I'll admit I've only witnessed the feeling during recruit class, when we did our live fire training, but not really. It's more exhilarating, that rush of adrenaline. There's a bit of fear, when you first feel that wall of heat, but it's such a rush when you conquer it."

Bella shook her head in disbelief. "I couldn't do it, that's for sure."

Our food arrived then, and much to my delight, everything was delicious, just as Bella had suggested. The shrimp was sweet and crispy, with a touch of lime. When I glanced at Bella, I noticed she had a tiny flake of coconut at the corner of her mouth.

"Um, you have some coconut..." I gestured to my own face, then to hers, just as her hand came up to her chin, her fingers grazing my own. Both of us froze and her eyes locked on mine. Slowly, my gaze never leaving hers, I reached over, and hesitated for a moment before softly brushing the offending crumb from her lip. She sucked in a breath as her lips parted ever so slightly, and I was tempted to lean in to brush her lips with my own.

"Are you enjoying everything?"

Never in my life had I been so offended by an interruption. The waiter's timing could not have been worse. Bella immediately shrunk away blushing, and I knew the moment was lost, but I tried to laugh it off.

"Yes, everything is wonderful," I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood, and Bella nodded her head in agreement.

When the waiter left, I turned back to Bella and smiled, picking up the wine bottle and refilling our glasses.

"Well, where were we? Um, I think it was your turn. What are your plans after you graduate?"

A/N: Well, is anyone else sweating bullets at that tension like I am?? Whew!! Up next is Bella's take on this whole scene, and perhaps some actual lip action??? Hmmm.

I did actually go to Europe on a last minute trip a number of years ago. My friend's brother works for Globus and his friend bailed on their trip at the last minute, so I was invited. Then lo and behold doesn't he get appendicitis and I wound up travelling solo on the tour. It was definitely a high point in my life, and my friend thinks to this day that had her brother not gotten appendicitis, her and I would be sister-in-laws by now. Venice sunsets are breathtaking, but unfortunately I have yet to witness it in someone's arms. Sigh...

So, let me know what you think. Reviews are sweet, just like coconut shrimp. Or join us over on the Twilighted forums thread (Fanfiction - Alternate Universe - Human) that falconcranelove started for this story (I'm still blushing at the gesture). I promise answers, teasers, and lots of love. Come on, you know you want to...