Title: Dance with Me
Rating: T
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.

Thank you, Candy!

This chapter is show day and results.

Also, anyone catch the actual DWTS show last night? I want to learn the Lambada. ;) I told my mom that is how people dance nowadays, and she was all like "No, they don't!" And I said, "Yeah, they do. They bump and grind against each other."She was horrified to say the least. Hahahaha.

May 7th 2008

Bella POV

We were the fourth couple to perform tonight. After being in hair and make up all day I was anxious to perform. Mondays and Tuesdays are always full of energy and anticipation.

When Edward and I took our places on the dance floor we got ready to get into the Quickstep zone. As soon as the music started we fell into our routine and danced beautifully. I know, and Edward knows, that when we dance well we can already sense where each one of us will step before it actually happens. We already have a freaky sixth sense where we're going and how our body moves against each other.

The part where he dipped me and we sang the "I Love You" lyric the crowd erupted in cheers and applause. I couldn't help but smile as we finished our last leap across the floor.

We gave each other a hug and then went to the judges for our comments. Thankfully, they all praised us. I was proud of Edward and to me; it didn't matter if we get 5's I was beyond happy. After we came back from the commercial break we received our scores-a perfect score! Edward gathered me up in his arms and spun me around celebration. Although, we were happy we didn't have time to celebrate it because we had to change costumes and get ready to Samba.

After changing into my Samba costume I sat back down with Jessica. She was trying to get information out of me; she often tried to stick her nose into everyone's business. I tried to play down my relationship with Edward, but she wasn't buying my half assed truths.

"Its okay, Bella. If I was you, I'd totally go for him!"

"Just keep it on the down low, please? Everyone and their mother know already, but I don't want to draw anymore attention on us then we have to."

Jessica smiled. "I promise I won't start up any shit. Really, Bella, I know what you all think of me and that's okay. I really am a nosy bitch, but I'm not evil. Everyone thinks you and Edward are just the cutest things ever."

I was astounded at her revelation. She freaking knows what everyone thinks and says about her! Huh, guess Jessica isn't as stupid as we all thought.

"Thanks Jess," I said.

"Don't mention it," she winked. "And by the way, you're main squeeze is totally checking you out. I think he approves of the costume."

I laughed. This was honestly the most interesting conversation I've had with her.

Another twenty minutes passed and then Edward and I were set to go back out to perform our Samba.

We got into our opening position and then the music started and we got carried away. Edward wasn't flawless, but he was fabulous. He didn't fall or anything major like that, but he had a couple missteps which lead him to be a little off timing but overall he did great. The audience loved our routine and I knew that because when I got up from the floor I looked around the room and the entire place went nuts. They were giving us standing ovations and calling out to Edward.

The judges did call Edward out on his mistakes and Edward took it like pro and let it roll off his back. We received our scores-high marks but not perfect.

"I'm sorry, Bella. I had a few missteps and then I don't know… I tried my best."

"I know you did, Edward. I'm not angry. You did so much better than in rehearsal! I'm beyond happy for you! Don't be such a downer."

He smiled sheepishly. "I don't want to make you look bad. I know how difficult this was for you because I wasn't getting it and I just want you to know…"

I rolled my eyes at him and silenced him with my lips. He kissed me back and then smiled against my lips.

"Did you just silence me with a kiss?"

I shrugged. "You needed to stop talking nonsense."

"Alright, I'll stop dwelling on it. Dinner tonight?"

"Yup, right after the press line!"

We did go to dinner after the show and after all our interviews. Edward and I drove together; so we ended up taking his car and stopping at a nearby deli for a quick dinner. Edward and I were invited to go out clubbing with the rest of the cast so we both said we'd meet them there at nine or ten. Normally, I don't like going out and socializing after work because I was always so tired, but I felt like Edward and I had a reason to celebrate.

We sat down in his couch and ate our dinner. I'd been to Edward's place only a couple of times in the past week. Ever since we'd talked about our jobs and lives I felt Edward slowly crumbling down. He was always so friendly with me, but now since we had cleared the air he's been more open. I liked that he didn't want to hide anything from me. He was as honest with me as I with him. Sure, I didn't really pay much attention to his career. I really couldn't have cared less about his job. I fell for Edward the man, not Edward the star baseball player.

"Do you have to dip your sandwich in Ranch dressing?" he asked in horror.

I laughed. "I eat almost everything with Ranch. This is something you're just going to have to get used to."

"It surprises me because your sandwich has mayo and mustard."

"So?"

And that ended that disagreement. It was a very minor one and a funny one too.

After we ate we cuddled on the couch and watched an old episode of Entourage. I loved being so close and so laid back with Edward. I had to laugh at myself though; we've been getting close since the first day we met. Dancing and rehearsing for nearly the whole day and being in very close physical proximity were enough to wear anyone down. As a dancer, I try to be detached in a way from my partner. Partner dancing consists of chemistry. You need to find that connection with your partner in order to do well and at the same time you have to put up a wall and keep things professional. If you don't then there is a possibility for heartache. I've dated some dancers before, but they were all international and none of them lived here in California. I also have never had a relationship. I couldn't with the amount of traveling and training I did when I was younger. When I moved back here, I went out on some dates, but I never managed to find that someone.

"Hey, it's almost nine. Do you want to change so we can go?" Edward asked as he nudged me with his shoulder.

I stretched my back and nodded. "I'm going to go change."

I went to Edward's bedroom and closed the door. Earlier today, I dropped off some of my stuff so that I could get ready here. I had a little black dress. It was simple and it came down mid thigh. I felt comfortable in it and it looked good enough for clubbing.

I was ready within minutes and when Edward saw me he swooped down and gave me a lingering kiss.

"What was that for?" I asked breathlessly.

"That," he said. "Is for all the trouble you're going to give me tonight"

"What?"

He smiled. "Trust me, Bella. When we arrive everyone will be looking at you and I'm going to have to fend off all the admirers."

Oh.

I shrugged sheepishly. "Sorry?"

He laughed. "I'm going to change now. Give me a few minutes."

He disappeared into his bedroom and emerged not five minutes later. Edward had jeans on and he was in the midst of buttoning up his shirt.

"Ready to go?" I asked.

"Yup," he replied as he grabbed his wallet, keys, and phone from the counter.

We arrived at Hyde closer to ten. A lot of the cast and dancers were there. Jessica and Mike were hanging out with their partners and Angela was tearing it up on the dance floor. After Edward and I greeted everyone we sat down with some of the cast. Edward has grown close with the R & B star. He's only 22 and he and Edward talk about spots, music, food etc. They're friends and it's cute to see him hanging out with other people.

Angela and I chatted and we talked a little about the movie premier we were all going to on Wed. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian was coming out and we'd all be going to promote the show.

Angela, Jessica, and I started dancing. We danced for a few songs and then I felt a pair of arms wrap around me waist. I looked up, and sure enough it was Edward. He danced with me for a couple of songs and then we went back to the group.

It was nearing midnight now and we had an early day tomorrow. Results show days suck and the remaining couples had to be there at eight am. I told Edward that we should go and he agreed. He finished his drink and we said goodbye to everyone. I felt a little guilty for dragging him away because he was obviously having fun but we had things to do tomorrow.

"You okay?" he asked as we drove back to his place.

"Yeah, I'm just sorry we had to leave. You looked liked you were having a good time."

"I was. But we all have to be at the studio by eight."

"Yeah," I sighed. "Elimination is tomorrow. I hate it."

Edward and I arrived at his place fifteen after midnight. It was getting really late and I told Edward I was just going to my car and going home. At first he tried to argue with me. He said it wasn't safe for me to be driving late at night and that it was Los Angels I'm an easy target.

"Will you stop?" I said laughing. "I've done this plenty of times before, Edward. I can drive myself safely to my apartment. No need to worry."

"But, Bella," he said. "It's late. Just stay here."

I couldn't stay at his place. The truth was I wasn't ready to take that step. He could be so nonchalant and casual about it, but not me. If I stayed the night, it would be too much for me. I couldn't do it, not yet.

"I can't," I said. "Believe me, Edward. I'd like to, but not tonight."

He looked at me for a moment and then nodded. "Okay."

"I have to go," I said.

"Let me walk you to your car."

Edward and I went outside and when we reached my car he leaned down to me and swiped my hair away from my face.

"Call me when you get in?"

I nodded. "I will."

"Okay," he breathed. He lifted my chin up and kissed me. It was a sweet kiss goodnight and goodbye. He pulled back and then kissed my forehead.

"I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight."

***

May 8th 2008

The whole morning was chaotic. I shuffled between hair and make up. I hardly got to see Edward, but we texted throughout the morning. By the time the late afternoon hit we all were backstage.

Edward wasn't allowed to kiss me because the nearby make up ladies told him not to. He would only wipe my lipstick off and the make up ladies needed us to be picture perfect for the show.

"Sorry!" I laughed at him. He was quite cute pretending to pout and my resolve was wearing thin. I wanted to kiss him, badly.

Stupid live show!

The show started and they dragged out the elimination. Edward and I were called safe and as soon as we heard we jumped up and down and hugged each other. The elimination continued and Edward and I went backstage to wait it out.

The producers let me know our next dances. We have the Viennese Waltz and then Paso Doble. Those are great dances and I was excited to get started.

After the show ended we went out to the press line. We got asked what our next dances are and I promptly told them. Edward didn't have a clue about either dance so the interviewers and I poked fun at Edward.

When we were done with the press I led Edward backstage so we could get our music.

"Ohh, we've got a nice Viennese Waltz song!" I cried.

"Which song did we get?" Edward asked.

"Iris by, the Goo Goo Dolls," I answered. "I love that song."

"Yeah, me too," Edward replied.

I looked over the next song and nearly fainted. It was such a horrible song! Well, not really. But it wasn't classic Paso Doble. We'd be screwed with the judges.

"What is it?" Edward asked.

"They gave us a contemporary song for the Paso. I'll have to get creative with the choreography."

"Which song is it?"

"Let It Rock by, Kevin Rudolf."

"That's a fairly new song," he said.

"I know. I'll need to listen to it a few times so I can start thinking about the choreography."

I clutched the CD's in my hand and then Edward and I went back to out trailers to change and go back to the dance studio to get a head start.

By nine o'clock we had a bag of In 'N' Out and were both sitting on the floor with our backs against the walls. I told Edward we would leave here before midnight and reconvene at ten a.m.

After we ate, I put the music on and let Edward listen to Iris.

"Bella," Edward sighed. "I suck at thinking about the song. I don't know anything about the Viennese Waltz. Just tell me to do something, and I'll do it. I'll do anything you want me to. I trust you."

I smiled. "Okay then. Well, I'm going to show you some of the steps, and you'll mimic me, okay? We'll work on rotations and posture tomorrow. If you can perform the steps with a shed of gracefulness then we'll be okay."

"Hey, I'm graceful!" he said. "You said ballroom suits me better."

"It does," I agreed. "You look very good when you dance."

I showed him what to do with his feet and he tried. He wasn't perfect, but he did very well. I had us in hold position and we tried dancing together. The Viennese Waltz is faster than the Waltz. One of the differences is that you can break hold in the Viennese Waltz.

Edward and I would be twirling a lot more and we'd have to work on his rotations. Tomorrow would be difficult because we had the movie premier to go to in the afternoon. That only gave us a three or four hour rehearsal in the morning and then we'd have to rehearse at night.

It was eleven thirty when I called it quits. Edward and I were getting tired and I had to go over our whole week with him because we were going to be very busy.

"Since we're going to the movie premier tomorrow afternoon we're going to have to cut the rehearsal time short. I think we should end at two and then after the movie we can come back."

"Around eight then?" he asked. "The movie is like two or three hours long and we'll be doing the red carpet and interviews so it's going to take a while."

"Yeah," I said a bit sadly. "We're not going to have a lot of time. And I need to make a trip to wardrobe too."

"Rose and Emmett are flying in on Friday. They're going to spend the week here."

"Oh, that's nice!" I said. "I like them. Rose and I will have to go out sometime."

"I'll let her know," Edward replied. "I'm sure you can manage a shopping trip or a lunch with her."

"That sounds great. I can't wait to see them again. We should go out though, the four of us."

"Okay," Edward said. He put his regular shoes on and put away his ballroom ones. "I'm sure Emmett and Rose would like that."

"Hey, are your parents coming in? There's only a few weeks left to the show."

"Yeah," Edward replied. "My parents are going to be here for Monday's show. They'll be here till Wednesday."

"Good," I said. "You've improved so much since they were last here. I'm sure your mom would like being here for the live show."

"What about your parents?" he asked.

"My mom and dad won't be here till the finale."

"Oh. How come they wait till the end?"

I laughed. "Because I made an agreement with them; they aren't allowed to visit me during the season till the finale. They can be a bit overbearing and I can't deal with the stress they give me. They mean the best, but it's too much to handle sometimes."

"It's okay," he said. "I understand. This is your job and you need to do your best. If they make you nervous and stressed out its better to have them come later."

"Yup, and they understand. It's actually my mother that makes me all jittery. My dad is pretty low key."

We turned off the lights and then we headed to the parking lot.

Edward and I parted ways when we reached our own cars.

"I'll see you here tomorrow bright and early," I said. I reached up and threw my arms around his neck and pulled him towards me. He did the rest and closed the gap between us.

"Goodnight, tiny dancer," he said softly. He gave me another kiss on my forehead and I gave him an extra hug.

"Goodnight, Edward." I got into my car and drove away.

So I realized albeit too late that The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian did not have a LA premier. It was in New York. But this is Fanfic so just work with me, please.

Next chapter consists of the moive premier and rehearsals plus more Cullen family time.

Till next time.

Tina