Title: Dance with Me
Rating: M
Summary: A major league baseball player with a bad rep needs to clean his image. He signs on to do a reality dance show. Will he clean his image and have the right kind of chemistry with his partner?
Disclaimer: Twilight belongs to Stephanie Meyer I own nothing.
Comments: Based loosely on the reality t.v. show Dancing with the Stars and because Bella/Edward are my new favorite ship.

Sorry for the wait. The new year, the flu, yea RL keeps us way too busy.

Happy reading!

Thank you, RuthPerk, for beta'ing!

March 20th 2008

Edward POV

Last night had gone better than I could have hoped for. It was the first show, and there was so much to do before going live on the east coast. I was a bundle of nerves. I couldn't help but be shifty and bouncing with anticipation.

My whole family came to watch Bella and me dance. And to tell the truth, dancing in front of roughly twenty-five million people didn't scare me (too much), it was dancing in front of my family that scared the crap out of me. What if I messed up, what would they think? Or, what if I became distracted by their presence? Thankfully, nothing embarrassing happened while I danced with Bella.

I don't know what it is, but Bella had the ability to mellow me out. All I had to do was look at her, and all my fears were gone. When we were all backstage she noticed I was nervous. To ease my fears, she gave me simple advice: dance like no one is watching. Those words did a lot for me. Bella was basically telling me to forget about everyone and just dance with her. It didn't matter that my parents and siblings were watching, it didn't matter that there was 20-50 pairs of eyes on us, it didn't matter that there was about twenty-five million viewers watching from their television,s all that mattered was Bella and me.

When we took the floor, something clicked. I totally blanked, and focused all my attention on Bella, and danced. It was like my body was on auto pilot. I wasn't controlling it; it moved on its own accord.

There's something incredible about partner dancing. When you dance in a club, your movements are free and open, but when you dance with a partner you feel different. Your movements are in tune with each other and the fluidity of the body is amazing. When you dance with a partner, you dance together as one whole instead of two separate entities. Bella and I just meshed so well together. When Bella and I danced, we danced as one.

After the show, all the contestants and their respective dance partners were required to talk to the press. We all lined up on the dance floor and reporters and cameramen came flocking to talk to us.

When we were done talking to the press, all the contestants would go back to the red room and head out to the trailers to change our clothes. I knew my family wanted to go out to dinner after my show obligations were fulfilled and I wasn't stupid, I knew they were expecting Bella to join us. I wasn't sure if Bella would want to go out with me and my family. Bella and I didn't hang out a lot. Most of our time together was spent in the dance studio.

I was determined, yet a little apprehensive to ask Bella to join us for dinner. It wasn't because I didn't want her to go; I did want her to go. But I didn't want Bella to think I had ulterior motives in asking her to join us. It was a friendly invitation, but I didn't want her to read anything more into it. To my surprise, she accepted. And to my even bigger surprise, I almost pleaded with her.

The curious and sly looks from both Alice and Rosalie did not go unnoticed by me. I knew exactly what they were conjuring up in their minds. They liked Bella so much so they would push me to her. What they didn't know, was that I wouldn't need any encouragement from them. I was doing fine on my own. I subconsciously acted quite affectionate towards Bella. I couldn't help it, after spending nearly a month with her, I felt a sort of ease and comfort. I knew when Bella was getting uncomfortable, so I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and squeezed to soothe her discomfort. Doing that for Bella was like second nature now.

Today was results day-judgment day, so to speak. All the couples had danced and had an equal opportunity to wow or dazzle the audience at home. It was now left to America to determine who would go home.

I had seen Bella once today. She and I were running back and forth between the hair and makeup trailers. We spoke only for a few minutes and I told Bella my concerns about being voted off. She assured me we wouldn't be voted off tonight. She told me I did my job and that she had faith in our partnership. She was very adamant that we would not being the ones to leave.

Bella POV

Edward was nervous.

I was scurrying from trailer to trailer and bumped into him. We both already had on our costumes and it looked like Edward was going back to his trailer, while I was going back to the makeup trailer for touchups.

"Hi, Edward," I said brightly.

He looked down at me and tried to smile. It came out more like a grimace.

"Hi, Bella," he said.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

He sighed. "Nervous."

I gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't be. We're not going anywhere. I promise you, we aren't leaving tonight."

"How can you be so sure?" he asked.

Well to be honest, I couldn't be sure. This show was after all unpredictable. But it was the first elimination, America wasn't crazy enough to vote off Edward Cullen!

"I just am," I said with a shrug.

"If you say so," he mumbled.

Later that day, we went back in the studio and started the show live on the east coast. After the musical guests and some mindless comedic babble, we finally eliminated one couple.

True to my word, Edward and I were not leaving. We were safe to dance again.

When the announcer called our names safe, I turned and gave Edward a congratulatory hug. He breathed a sigh of relief and wrapped his strong arms around my waist, squeezing for dear life.

Dear god, this boy was nervous! I did hate the system of elimination. They made us stand up on the platform and wait it out till the end of the show and that blinking red light is annoying. Poor Edward was sweating bullets while we stood to wait our fate.

"Calm down, Edward. We're fine," I whispered into his neck.

He nodded and pulled back from our hug. He sheepishly grinned at me. I winked at him then turned to face the cameras again.

Edward POV

March 26th 2008

I sat in the red room with Bella. She and I were first to dance tonight. She said it was because we were last to go last week. Made sense to me.

I glanced at her and she caught me looking. She winked at me and gave me the thumbs up sign. I winked back at her, then continued to wait for the announcer to call us.

This past week in rehearsal was painful. We were perfecting our Salsa routine and Bella added in more tricks than I would have preferred. She said I was coming along nicely and that we needed to wow the audience with pizzazz.

"You gotta be like, BAM!" she said, while swaying her hips.Bella's POV.

"Bella, I don't get it," I said while raking a hand through my hair.

"You dance well, Edward. But you have to make the audience believe your performance. Try to connect with them," she told me sternly.

"But how?" I asked dumbly.

"Connection with your partner," she said simply.

I took two steps forward and draped my arm across her back and swiftly dipped her. I looked deep into her eyes and smirked.

"Like this?" I asked cockily.

She lifted her brows, "Yes," she said, slightly out of breath.

I lifted her to a standing position. "Are you okay, or did my sudden connection throw you off."

She rolled her eyes. "Don't be such a smart ass," she snapped.

I laughed at her. She stuck out her tongue. I rolled my eyes. "Very mature, Isabella," I grumbled.

Bella smacked me on my arm. "It's Bella," she said tersely.

I feigned hurt. "You hit me."

She laughed at me then. "You're such a baby."

"Hey can we do that spin trick again?" I asked.

"The three count spin that ends up hurting the both of us?"

"Yeah, that one," I replied.

"Ok. But I might just take it out."

"What? Why?" I asked, outraged.

"Because we're still not getting it. Every time we try it I always end up smacking you with my elbow."

"Practice makes perfect," I said in a sing-song voice.

"Yeah and we suck," she said.

"Oh, ye, off little faith," I mocked.

"Come here," she called.

I went to stand in front of the mirror and Bella stood with me, her back to the mirror. We grasped each other's hands and I put my other arm securely on her waist.

"On my count," Bella said. "5, 6, 7, 8,"

And then Bella dipped her back on my leg. She came up and spun. Once, check.

She dipped again, came up, and spun, Twice, Check.

Dipped again, came up, spun, and then THWACK-her elbow hit me on the face.

"Oh, my gosh! Edward, I'm sorry!" Bella's voice cried, as I rubbed my cheek.

I shook it off. "Again," I said.

"But, Edward I..." I cut her off.

"Bella, you put this in our routine for a reason. Let's get this right."

Bella POV

"We did it!" I cried.

"Oh, my gosh, that was amazing!" Edward exclaimed.

I jumped up into Edward's arms and gave him a fierce hug. "You did great!"

Edward balanced me on one arm, with the other he high-fived Angela. "Thanks."

Edward and I had just finished our Salsa and we were a little nervous because I put more tricks into the routine than I normally would have. We were having a hard time with one trick specifically. A series of turns would always result into me injuring Edward. I wanted to take it out but Edward was determined to perform it properly.

After Edward and I got our scores, which were too low in my opinion, we settled back in the red room and watched all the other couples. Our scores weren't bad per se, but I would've given Edward a little higher mark. He was dancing pretty solid, and the tricks he did were so hard. I would have normally used them later in the competition, but Edward was just that good.

We finished up the press line and went back to our trailers. Since tomorrow was another results show, all the cast and dancers were going out. We all had our own dinner plans, but we would meet up at one of the clubs in downtown Los Angeles.

Tonight, Edward's sister and brother-in-law were joining us for dinner. Well, more like, me joining them for dinner. I didn't have any plans after the taping and Edward knew this. He invited me to go to dinner with Jasper and Alice. I wanted to think he was just being nice, but I honestly think he wanted me to go.

I took my own car to the restaurant. We were eating at a local sushi place. I walked into the low lighted quaint place. I was sure Alice and Jasper and Edward were here already. I would have showed up at the same time at as Edward, but I took my hair out and took some of the heavy makeup off. That always took longer than I thought.

"Bella!" Alice's voice called to me from the left corner.

I spun around and waved. I walked over to the table and all three of them were standing up ready to greet me.

I walked over to Alice first and she pulled me into a hug. "Hey, Alice."

I shook hands with Jasper and waved at Edward. He seemed surprised that I didn't hug him but then smirked at me. I rolled my eyes and sat down next to him.

"We've ordered like, the whole sushi menu. I hope you're hungry," Alice said.

"The whole menu?" I asked.

"I like variety," she shrugged.

Within minutes, our food came and we all started eating. I was never a master at using chopsticks. I know for some people it's really easy to use, but for me I always struggled. Thankfully, I saw Alice grab part of a California roll with her hand, so opted for using my hand, too.

"Alice you still can't use them?" Edward asked her, playfully.

Alice finished chewing then answered Edward. "Nope. And you suck."

I was confused. What in the world were they talking about?

Jasper laughed. "Good thing it's only sushi."

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

Alice looked at me. "I can't use chopsticks to save my life."

"Oh," I grinned.

"Edward has tried to teach m,e but he sucks at teaching, so I still can't use them," she further explained.

"I do not suck at teaching. You are just an impossible case, dear sister of mine," Edward answered.

I snickered. "I can't use them either."

Alice squealed. "Awesome!" She high-fived me.

I giggled and went to take part of the California roll.

"So, Bella. How is Edward in the studio?" Jasper asked.

"Yeah, is he a pain in the ass?" Alice inquired.

I looked at Edward and he grinned at me.

"Oh, yes. He's so difficult to teach," I replied.

Alice had a glint in her eye. "Knew it."

I continued. "He's always on time, he's always eager to learn, he follows what I say, he makes me laugh, he teases the hell out of me. Yeah, he's the worst partner I've had," I said lamely.

Alice and Jasper roared with laughter. "Yeah, he sounds like such a bad student," she agreed.

"Okay. Enough picking on me," Edward grumbled.

I patted his arm. "He gets pouty, too."

Edward poked me in the ribs. "Do not."

"I rest my case," I said, laughing.

"Sounds like you guys have fun," Alice said.

Edward spoke up. "We do. Rehearsal time is really fun. Bella is an excellent teacher."

I leaned into Edward. "Awww. That was nice. Thanks."

"What's your next dance?" Jasper piped up.

I clapped my hands. "The Jive!"

"Oooh, fast!" Alice exclaimed.

I turned to Edward, "The Jive is the fastest Latin dance. And it's so fun!"

"Fast? Sounds kind of hard," Edward mused.

I nodded my head. "Oh, it is. Everyone struggles with the Jive."

"Excellent," Edward answered, sarcastically.

Poor Edward. This week in rehearsals will be hell.

The Jive really is fast. It's quite the workout. But it's fun!

Till next time.

Tina