A/N: Sorry this took so long to get out. You can blame jandco and withthevampsofcourse for posing a fabulous Christmas challenge I just had to answer ;) Big thanks to regattabay for her input and support and to LeechLover85 for being a fantastic beta. I heart you guys hardcore.

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight, and Dan Millman, Lionsgate, et. al. own "Peaceful Warrior," a film that the plot of this story was inspired by, and is very loosely based on. I own nothing.

Chapter 2

BPOV

I stood there with Alice's arm locked around mine, unable to speak as Jasper introduced himself and his cousin.

"Alice, this is my cousin, Edward Cullen," he started. Edward, I slowly registered. My mysterious hero had a name. "He just moved to Seattle from Chicago to join our team," Jasper continued, punching Edward playfully on the arm.

Alice was beaming as if all of her nervousness had melted away. Jasper's influence over her mood was incredible. "Jasper, Edward, this is my cousin Bella Swan," she said nodding to me.

"Bella," Edward spoke my name, and I swore I'd never heard anything so wonderful in my life.

"Edward. It's nice to see you again," I said, willing myself not to blush.

"You two know each other?" Jasper said, surprised. Alice's arm tightened around mine and I knew she'd figured it out.

"Well, we hadn't officially been introduced until now," I said sheepishly.

Edward was casual about describing our meeting. "Bella ran into some trouble a few minutes ago and I helped her out. I didn't know she was your girlfriend's cousin."

"Well… it's a good thing you were there, Edward," Alice said, her voice clearly showing that she knew more than she was letting on. "What a small world," she added, looking pointedly at me. I ignored her and tried to make conversation.

"So what events are you two doing tonight?" I asked.

"Still rings. Those are my specialty. Jasper here is a madman on the pommel horse," Edward said, his lips turning up into a beautiful crooked smile.

"Bella, I'm going to stay and watch Jasper's routine." Jasper took Alice's hand as she spoke and she blushed slightly. "He can drive me home later. Don't wait up, okay?"

"It was a pleasure to meet you," Jasper said to me, slinging Alice's gym bag over his shoulder to carry it for her.

"Likewise." I waved as they headed toward to locker room area and I felt the tension in the air rise as Edward and I were left alone.

"So…" I started, unsure of what to say.

Edward took a step toward me. "Bella, I'm sorry. I came on really strong back there and I'm not entirely sure what came over me."

"No!" I exclaimed. "I'm the one who should be sorry. I can't believe I spazzed on you like that after what you did for me. If you hadn't come along, James would have put me in the hospital, at the very least."

"Is he your boyfriend?" His voice sounded careful as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Ex-boyfriend. We broke up months ago but he seems to be having trouble accepting that. He came here today from Phoenix to harass me." I fought to keep the disgust off my face, but knew I failed miserably.

Edward seem to consider that and he was quiet for a long moment. I saw the slightest change in his facial expression and wished I could hear what he was thinking. "I had no right to kiss you like that," he said finally, emitting a heavy sigh.

Before I realized what I was doing I moved closer, putting myself within reach and laying a hand on one of his crossed arms. "I kissed you back, remember? I think we're both at fault here. But I'm okay with it as long as you are."

Edward reached out to tuck a stray strand of my dark brown hair behind my ear and his fingertips grazed my cheek. "I have to go finish warming up," he said quietly. "I'd be honored if you stayed to watch my routine."

"I'd like that." As crazy as it sounded, I was fairly certain that the more time I spent with this man, the happier I would be. "Where would you like me to sit?"

"I think you might have to sit in the stands, since Alice is gone and you're not my family. But if you sit low enough I should be able to find you." He took my hand then, and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Will you meet me down here afterward?"

"Of course," I said, perhaps a bit too excited. "By the guard rail?"

He nodded and released my hand. "See you soon," he said, then turned and jogged toward the rest of his team.

I was so happy about seeing Edward again after his routine that I didn't even care that I had to brave the crowd of people once more to get to the stands-- or that I tripped twice on my way up. It was relatively easy finding a seat, and I was only a couple rows from the floor. I settled in beside a young girl with her nose buried in the souvenir program. She looked up briefly as I sat down, and we exchanged a smile before she looked out into the arena.

Jasper was up first, and my eyes drifted to the pommel horse as his name was announced. He was very graceful, and moved with almost inhuman speed. I wondered if Edward moved with the same fluidity as his cousin.

The girl beside me tapped me on the shoulder and leaned in closer. "Edward Cullen is staring at you," she whispered.

I immediately turned my gaze to search for him. "Where?"

She pointed toward the still rings. He was statuesque as he stood beside the resin basin, covering his hands in the white powder. A broad grin spread across his face as he realized I'd spotted him and I blushed, giving a small wave. His back turned to me and when his shoulders began shaking, I knew he was laughing.

"Do you know him?" The girl asked incredulously.

"Not as well as I'd like to. Hopefully that will change."

"Lucky," she muttered, turning back to her program.

The crowd applauded around me and I turned to see Jasper bowing to the audience. Alice was waiting for him once he was off the platform, and he swept her up into a great hug, lifting her small frame from the ground. They made an adorable couple, and Alice looked to be very happy. For her sake, I hoped Jasper was here to stay.

The announcer's voice reverberated through the arena as he announced Edward as the next gymnast. The rings hung high out of his reach, and I watched as the spotter lifted Edward high enough for him to grasp them. He hung there for a moment, making sure that the rings weren't swinging before starting.

Edward on the still rings was quite a sight to watch. I hadn't noticed how broad and muscular his shoulders were until they were supporting his entire body weight while he held himself in an upside down T-shape. Each muscle was clearly defined, showing more upper body strength than I had ever seen on anyone else before. The grace with which he moved through each skill put Jasper to shame, and I felt a small wave of disappointment as he finished, sticking his landing perfectly. He gave a small bow before turning and waving at me again with a gentle smile.

My face turned bright red as I felt thousands of eyes turn in my direction, seeking out the person Edward was waving to. Meekly I returned his wave, and left my seat to make my way back to the floor. I managed not to trip on the way down, but only because I was gripping the railing like a lifeline. Edward was already waiting for me when I got back to our meeting spot, leaning comfortably on the railing with his back facing me. He was wearing the same team jacket and sweatpants Alice had been wearing earlier. I waited until I was standing behind him before I spoke.

"So... you rescue damsels in distress, you're a great kisser, and you have more skill than the rest of your team combined. Is there anything you don't do well?" I questioned, crossing my arms in front of my chest, feigning annoyance. My farce crumbled as soon as he turned to face me, his face lit up in a smile.

"Actually, I'm awful at talking to girls," he said, his face forming a mask of seriousness.

I arched an eyebrow skeptically. "I don't believe that for a minute."

"It's true," he said, heaving a sigh. "I've been told that I'm too intense. I think I intimidate them."

"You seem to be doing alright so far." I dropped my arms, stuffing my hands into the back pocket of my jeans.

He paused for a moment, leaning forward to rest his forearms on the guard rail. The movement put him closer to me, and his eyes bore into mine. The familiarity of it all triggered the same feelings I had earlier in the hallway. I exhaled slowly, trying to maintain my composure.

"I nearly killed myself on the rings because I was so preoccupied with trying to figure out how to ask you on a date," he said, suddenly breaking the silence.

That got my attention. "You... were going to ask me what?" I stammered.

"I wanted to ask if you would like to go out with me sometime. A proper date, instead of me inappropriately taking advantage of you in a dark, deserted corner."

A date. A real date with Edward Cullen. I struggled to think of something cool or witty to say, and came up with nothing.

"Yes. I mean, not that I minded the dark, deserted corner, but I'd love to go out with you." I fished a piece of scrap paper out of my purse and scribbled my cell phone number on it. "Call me and let me know when you're free."

Edward grinned and stuffed the paper into his jacket pocket. "Great. I should probably get going. Jasper was my ride, so I'm going to have to hunt down a cab. I should do it before the streets are swarmed."

An idea came to me then that was so brilliant I wanted to hug myself for having it. I restrained myself, if nothing else to give the illusion that I was a sane person.

"Why don't you let me drive you home?" I blurted before I even had a chance to formulate a real game plan.

"Are you sure? I don't want to burden you." Edward bit his lip as he slung his gym bag over his shoulder.

I scoffed at that. "Please, you saved me a trip to the hospital, possibly even the morgue. It's the least I can do, Edward."

"Alright then," he hopped over the guard rail and led me through the crowd, his hand resting gently on the small of my back, guiding me.

We got outside without much trouble. The weather was nice, even for Washington, and the warm August sun rid me of the chills I'd had in the arena. I led him to my car, a beat up old red Chevrolet pickup truck that Charlie had restored for me as a birthday gift nearly two years ago.

"Wow. Nice ride," Edward said with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes. "No jokes from the peanut gallery, please," I said, fumbling for my keys and unlocking the door. I slid into the seat and leaned over to unlock the passenger door for Edward.

"No really, I like vintage," he said, tossing his gym bag in the back and climbing into his seat. "What year is it?"

"1953, but it runs just fine."

My truck chose that moment to make a liar out of me, refusing to start right away. It took a few tries, but I finally got the engine to turn over. I avoided Edward's gaze as I fought with my truck but I was pretty sure he was trying really hard not to laugh.

Neither of us said anything for a few minutes as we drove; the soft sounds of the radio the only noise in the cab of the truck. It turned out Edward didn't live too far from me, and this ride was going to be disappointingly short than I'd hoped.

"So, you and Alice live together?" Edward said, making me jump at the sudden break in our silence. Dear god, please let me behave better than this on our date, I thought, gripping the steering wheel.

"Uh yeah; Charlie, my dad, was her legal guardian after her parents passed away. Her birthday is coming up soon and she won't be a minor anymore, but I think she'll probably stay with us anyway. She loves the team."

"She's a minor? She doesn't look that young." Edward paused for a second and I knew what his next question would be.

"How old are you?" He asked, almost nervously.

"Eighteen," I answered, fighting back a grin. "I graduated high school early. Actually, my birthday is coming up soon, also, much to my dismay."

"You don't like celebrating your birthday?" His voice was curious.

"Not in the least. My parents always made any holiday hard to celebrate."

We talked like that for the rest of the drive. I told him about my parents' divorce five years ago, and how it affected the rest of my teenage years. I learned that he was 22 years old, and his parents were happily married and living in Chicago. Edward felt that moving to Seattle to join Jasper's team was his best shot at making it to the Olympics in Montreal next summer.

"Well, I wouldn't worry about that. Based on what I saw today, you're a shoe-in," I said sincerely.

"Thanks. I still have a lot of work to do, but I have faith in myself. Oh, this is me here." He pointed to a condominium complex on my right side. I cringed as my car lurched into the parking lot, but said nothing about it as I pulled to a stop in front of his building.

"Thanks for the ride, Bella," he said, unbuckling his seat belt.

"No problem. Thanks for saving my life, Edward."

Edward chuckled and climbed out of the cab to get his gym bag. I rolled down my window as he closed his door and came around to my side. He leaned against the truck, resting his forearms inside my open window.

"Call me tomorrow?" I asked hopefully. He tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear before his cool hand gently cupped my cheek where James had hit me earlier. The air suddenly felt heavy and I felt a shiver course through my body, despite the summer heat.

"I don't know if I can wait that long," he said huskily. "Can I call you later tonight?"

I nodded wordlessly as he leaned in pressed a soft kiss against my forehead.

"I promise to behave myself from now on," he whispered. I started to say that it wasn't necessary and he didn't have to, but he was already walking away. I stared after him in a daze, watching him enter the building and disappear from sight.

Tonight couldn't come fast enough.

Any and all comments are greatly appreciated. 333

For some reason, I can't get the whole URL for these to show up, but they are youtube links, so you guys can figure it out.

To see what a pommel horse routine looks like, check this out:.com/watch?v=XW6UHFHD6cU

To see what a still rings routine looks like, check this out:

.com/watch?v=qEoPKnZePBU