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 Stephenie Meyer. I own nothing.
Comments: Based loosely on the reality t.v. show Dancing with the Stars.

Big thank you to Riss-uscma and flutetenorsaxplayer2008 for their work on editing, reading, and encouraging me.

This is Jared's chapter. It's really an outtake andI hope you enjoy reading it.

June 12th 2008

Jared POV

The first time I met Edward Cullen was at the cast promo shoots for Dance X. We were getting our hair and makeup done. I sat next to him in one of the chairs and introduced myself. He seemed quiet at first, but I knew I could get him to talk. The first thing I said to him was, "Hi, I'm Jared. You may or may not have heard of me. But I'm a singer and one day I'm going to be on the Billboard Top 100." If any other person said it would have came off as a cocky statement, but I delivered it in such way that it came off as matter of fact and charming. I have the ability to make people laugh and smile. I'm a happy go-lucky guy and laughing is the best, so I try to make people laugh a lot. At times I could come off as immature, (just ask my professional dance partner, Jessica) but hey, I'm 21 so what do people expect?

The next time I saw Edward was at the cast party. We were out in downtown LA and meeting everyone for the first (or second) time. I hadn't met everyone, and the producers and some other crew members also attended. It was cool to meet a bunch of different people. I got to talk about what it's like to put on a live full production show and I got to talk sports with Edward. Edward was a cool guy. He was still kind of quiet, but I could tell he was just being cautious. The dude had a busy and eventful life, (so far as the paps have reported) and I didn't want to make him uncomfortable. It took some time for him to really warm up to me. I never got the impression he was cold or distant, he was just like I said cautious.

Over time we got to talk a lot. Our practice times coincided with one another, and we took breaks every now and then. Sometimes Edward and I would bitch and moan about the dances or how hard Jess and Bella worked us. Other times we'd goof off and trade funny stories. He'd tell me stories of his days with the Dodgers and I'd tell him stories of me singing in local competitions and finally making it here to LA. We were both kind of new to the entertainment industry. Edward was familiar with the paparazzi and fucking up (his words not mine) and I was young, a little naïve and the media, news, and paparazzi were a different element, one that I'd never been exposed to. Edward gave me some good advice. He told me to always surround myself with supportive people. He also said family was the most important thing I could ever have. When it came down to it, the fans and the world could hate me, but my family would always be there to help me no matter what. Those words resonated with me. It got me thinking that yeah, everyone in the world could hate me. Maybe I wouldn't be what people expect me to be, or maybe I wouldn't be successful in the music industry but as long as I had my family backing me up I'd be okay.

Edward made me realize that things may not always go my way. I saw how he handled everything; the media, the paparazzi etc and it made me appreciate him more as a person. He was a just a guy trying to figure his shit out. That was why he did the show. He needed some re-evaluation and he needed to revive his career. I thought he was taking a ballsy move by signing up for this show. When I think of Edward Cullen, I don't think dancing. But he proved me and other doubters wrong. He could dance and what's more was that he was a good guy.

During the taping of the show, we'd sit around backstage and chat and goof off. Edward and I would wish each other good luck and if we received lower scores or something, we'd commiserate over a couple of energy drinks.

When we reached the finals, I jokingly told him I was going to beat him. He knew competition; he was a professional baseball player for crying out loud! I wasn't in this show to lose. I didn't want to reach the finals and lose, so I focused on my routines. Jessica and I co-choreographed the freestyle. We put in my hip-hop flavor and her showmanship. It was a kickass freestyle if I do say so myself. Jess and I were performers. We played up the crowd and we had a lot fun. I think Edward and Bella won because of their chemistry. They just clicked and when they were on the dance floor you'd feel like you were intruding on a private moment. That's how intimate and personal they seemed to dance. The style fit them, and even though I didn't win the trophy, I was still happy.

"Thank you everyone for all your help and support. Jared and I had a wonderful time dancing and performing for you this season. He is about to release his debut album, so please buy a copy of the CD; I was able to listen to it and it is amazing! He's a great kid and a great partner."

I looked at Jess. She had just addressed the San Diego crowd. We were on the summer tour, and I was only scheduled to appear in LA (which was yesterday's show) and today in San Diego. The tour was great; it was like being on the show again. She and I had this brother/sister relationship. I annoyed her and she ignored me. We did actually care for one another. She was like a sister to me, an older, bossier, and fun sister.

"Thanks Jess," I said giving her a hug. "I'd also like to thank you guys. You are amazing fans and Jess and I would not have been able to get that far in the competition without you. We're happy to entertain you and thank you for all your love and support."

The crowd applauded as Jess and I took our final bows. When we reached the backstage, I got a few fist bumps and slaps on the back from the other dancers.

"Good job, bro," Mike (Jess' husband) said. He gave me a fist bump and kissed Jess on her cheek. "You coming with us to dinner? Everyone wants to go out and help celebrate your CD release."

"Hell, yeah!" I said. "We need to go out and have seafood. My buddy Edward told me about this place where the clam chowder is to die for."

"Edward Cullen?" Mike asked.

"Yeah," I replied.

Mike smiled and gave Jess a look. I wasn't sure what they were silently communicating but I had a bad feeling I was going to find out. They left to get changed and when I followed Mike, we passed by the storage room. As we walked by I heard the obvious sounds of someone getting some.

"Oh, god, Bella!"

Shit!

I looked at Mike horrified. He looked at me with a shit eating grin.

"Scary isn't it?" he said smirking. "I don't think they're actually doing 'it.' It sounds more like he's getting off."

"She's not in there?" I asked as we walked away.

"Oh no, she's in there."

"How did you know?"

"I walked past there a few minutes ago. I'm guessing they've been in there since the show ended."

"Eww."

"Hey, it's not so bad. You can tease the hell out of him now."

"Good point, but still…eww."

A couple of hours later, we were at dinner. Everyone came out to support me and to say goodbye. I was going back to LA and they were going to Texas or somewhere around there.

"You have to come to the last show!" Jess said giving me her pouty look which almost always led me (and Mike) to say yes to her.

"Where's it at?" I asked.

"In New York," she replied smiling. "You better clear your schedule because it is now booked. You're coming out for the last show."

Well I guess that was that.

"I'll talk to my manager."

"Will you be coming out to the last show, Edward?"

I turned to Edward and gave him a questioning stare. Jess asked him, but I think we were wondering.

"No," he said somewhat grimly. "I won't be able to."

"Bummer," Mike said. "Would have been good, but I get it."

"What are you going to be doing?" I asked. "If you're not going to the show...you going back to baseball?"

Edward gave a nervous laugh, cleared his throat and said, "Yeah, Jared I'm going back to baseball. Gotta go back to my day job."

"Some day job," I remarked. "You fucking get to play baseball all day."

"Yeah, and you fucking get to sing and perform all day," he chortled. "Not a bad gig, bro."

"Touché'."

The waiters came and brought out our dessert. I picked up my spoon and scooped up some ice cream. From across the table, I could see Edward and Bella leaning toward each other. They always sat near each other. If they weren't seated next to each other, they were seated across from each other. It was like they had to be together. Not only in a figurative sense, but in a physical sense' I'd never seen two people more enamored with each other. I watched as Bella coyly ate the dessert. It was obvious that she was trying to tease Edward. I kind felt like a voyeur. It looked like they had forgotten where they were and who they were with.

"So Edward did Bella take care of your problem after the show?" Mike said suddenly.

That took me by surprise. My eyes bugged out, and I ended up spitting out my ice cream.

"Ewwww," Jess said.

"What the fuck?" Edward asked.

"So is that a yes?' Mike said laughing.

"Heard you had a problem, Edward, we just wanted to know if Bella took care of you," I said regaining my composure. "From what we heard, I'd say Bella took very good care of you."

"Fuck you," he said flipping me off. He looked at Bella and gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

"Oh, would you?" I mocked asked laughing. "Dude, I can't believe you were in the storage closet. What the hell man, are you 17?"

"Shut up," he hissed.

"What? It's not like everyone can hear us. Although Mike and I did hear you loud and clear."

"Oh, shit," Bella said shaking her head. "Oh, well, at least it was just that. No pictures this time."

"Yeah, that's a plus," I said. "No visual all audio."

"Okay, Jared," Edward said. "I get it. Can we please stop talking about this?"

"Now where's the fun in not talking about it?" I asked smiling. Everyone knew Bella blushed like a tomato when she got flustered, but I enjoyed the fact that we made Edward do so as well. "I wasn't going to say anything but since Mike opened up the topic…"

"We kind of brought it on ourselves," Bella reasoned. "Don't get me wrong, Edward. It was a perverted thing of them to bring it up, but it was also a perverted thing of us to be in the storage closet. Although it was totally worth it."

"Your girl has a point. And since I like you guys so much I'll drop it for now. But you guys seriously need to work on your restraint."

"Thank you, Jared. We'll keep that in mind."

"No, we won't," Bella said winking at us.

"Bella, please don't do that. It makes me cringe when you tease people," Edward said.

"I have to agree," I replied. "It makes me squirm in fear."

"Good," she said. "Now will you guys stop it?"

"Fine."

"You guys are no fun."

The rest of the dinner was okay. Edward and Bella cooled it down and that made me feel slightly less uncomfortable. I still tried to tease them, but then Bella would just start it up again, so I finally stopped. When dinner was finished, everyone got up to go back in the cars. We had rented a couple of SUV's for our own personal use and now we were all headed back to the hotel. I was leaving in the morning, so I had to sleep now to get some rest.

"Hey, Jared!" Edward called as I walked outside.

"Yeah?" I said walking over to him.

"I know your leaving tomorrow."

"Yeah in the morning. I have an early flight."

"I just wanted to say see you later. Its not goodbye, douche bag. I'll see you again in LA."

I chuckled as he gave me a hug.

"See you around, Edward."

"See you. Invite me to your launch party."

"Will do. Hey, Edward?"

"Yeah?"

"If you had to do it all again…would you?"

"I'd do everything the same way," he said seriously. "I have absolutely no regrets. Everything that I've ever done in my life has led me here to be with Bella. It's crazy when I think about it, but the show is truly amazing and the people are just as amazing. I owe everything to her and I wouldn't change a thing. The only thing I can tell you is that you're young and you're going to fuck up. Maybe not now…but eventually you will. No one is perfect and being in this business is difficult. Get back up and move forward. Surround yourself with good people and most importantly never forget your family."

"I'm nervous you know? This CD is big for me. I've worked so hard on it and I don't wanna mess up. I don't want to let anyone down," I said truthfully. "I'm having the time on my life but I'm also scared shitless."

"Welcome to the business, kid. It doesn't get any easier, but you can forge your own path. You don't have to do everything your people tell you to do. Remember to be happy and please yourself first. If you're proud of the record then your fans will love it too. Work hard, play hard, and party hard."

"Party hard?"

"Hey, you're still young," he said smirking. "A fuck up in the making."

"Shut up asshole," I said laughing along with him.

"Don't stress," he said. "Don't think about what everyone else wants or thinks. Just focus on being happy."

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it."

"Oh and Edward?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't fucking look for someone else. Bella owns your ass just thought I'd let you know."

"She does!" he agreed. "And I promise I won't let her go."

Edward and Bella being naughty in the storage closet-priceless.

This outtake was originally going to be more E/B centered, but as I started writing it took a different route. I touched on Edward and Jared's friendship a little in the story, but it was so focused on E/B and the dancing, I decided to show Edward and Jared's friendship through Jared's POV.

This is the last chapter of DWM. Hope you liked the outtake, and thank you everyone for Author Alerting me! The sequel will be posted after the Fourth of July holiday for Americans.

BTW: for my readers in the UK, yes, I do know that you have a TV show called Strictly Come Dancing. If you haven't figured it out, we snagged your idea in the summer of 2005 and tested out DWTS. It was surprisingly a hit, so we moved the show to primetime in the fall and spring. Yes, we used your successful dancing show and we thank you for it. I googled DWTS and hey, there's shows all around the world!

Till next time.

Tina