I'm amazed that I managed to get this chapter done. My Edward was out of town again so the kids were just horrid. Mad props to all the single moms out there. I don't know how you do it.

Anyway, here's the next chapter. It's the last one before Forks. Please hang on for one more. Big thanks to those who reviewed. Reviews are the fuel to my fire so thank you. An extra big thanks to my Beta, Momma Laura. My commas would be lost without her.

Out of the Shadows

Chapter 7: Conversation 16

BPOV

The filming was progressing nicely. There weren't many delays due to the weather or technical issues. I was starting to enjoy my time with the crew, cast, and especially Edward. Since our little talk, the mood around us was a lot easier. The tension had gone away, like a dark cloud blown by a heavy wind. I was still desperately drawn to his energy, and I was having a cold shower each night. But we had come to an understanding about our relationship.

I found that half of my day was on set watching Edward and the other half was with Grant and the rest of the crew at the circus. Grant was a great guy who had been in the industry for many years. His father was the 1st Assistant Director, so the profession ran in the family.

On the weekend, we took in the music scene around Vancouver with the crew and some of the cast. The paparazzi were everywhere, but since our group was big enough, no one really paid any attention to me. Edward and one of the female actors were photographed together a lot.

I would watch them from the sidelines, and a pang of jealousy was always present. I was so conflicted with myself. Do I tell Edward the truth and see where the chips may fall? Or do I keep my mouth shut and just keep up with the pretense that we're friends only. I tried my best to keep myself in the conversations with the other people, but I was always looking to Edward.

I memorized the way his shoulders were set when frustrated. How long his hand stayed in his hair let me know how much he was concentrating. The sway of his hips as he walked from the set told me that he was happy with his performance. At the end of every day, I felt safe and at home when his eyes would lock with mine when we left the set.

I was anticipating his needs and wants now. I was probably the best assistant in the world at the moment, but I felt like the worst. I wanted more from him, but I couldn't say anything. I had started this relationship on the wrong foot, and that foot was going to end up in the wrong place when the truth eventually came out.

Thankfully, I spent Sunday in my room, catching up on my personal stuff and spending time on my own. Being on location was always hard, because you never felt like you had days off. You couldn't escape to your own place and reconnect with your friends. The convenience of washing your own clothes was not even available.

Around lunchtime, I bundled up my clothes and put them in my suitcase. I found a laundry-mat nearby, so I took a cab there to launder my clothes. I sat there in the white, but dingy storefront watching the machines work away. I had brought a good book and was listening to some music when a text came in.

Iz, where r u?

Doing laundry. What's up?

Dinner?

Restaurant or take out?

Take out, and movie?

Where?

My room. Good zombie marathon. Chinese?

OK See u in hour

A quick search let me know that there was a good Chinese restaurant about a block away. I tossed my clothes into the dryer and went to the restaurant. I got a bit of everything. I hadn't eaten a good meal since the day before, so I was hungry.

After I packed up my clothes, I hailed a cab and struggled with my bag and the food back to the hotel. I dumped my bag back in my room and then went to Edward's room. I gave a quick knock to the door as the food bags started to slip from my arms.

As Edward opened the door, I was leaning forward trying to catch the second bag as it slipped from my arm. Edward lunged towards me to catch the bag of Chinese food. It seemed like slow motion as our heads bashed into each other.

The force of our cranial smack down threw me off balance and sent me to my ass. All I could hear was Edward laughing his off, as I sat there with the contents of the other bag spread around and on me. Thankfully the containers were still closed, because the idea of being covered in chow mien is not sexy at all. There are so many other things that I would want to be covered in around Edward.

Edward stood up and was trying to catch his breath. "Izzy…are you okay? I'm sorry about bumping into you."

"Bumping! You knocked me on my ass. That deserves a bit more than a sorry and you laughing at me."

"Yeah, but what a wonderful ass to land on." He laughed some more as he picked up the food containers from the floor.

As he put the food in his room, I pushed myself up and gathered what was left of my dignity. "So chop sticks are in one of the bags, and the ginger beef is mine first." He looked at me and raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you so owe me that."

We gathered the containers and sat in front of the TV. "Are you still cool with the zombie marathon, or do you want something else? I saw that Funny Girl was on, as well." I looked at him as he suggested this. I'm sure that my eyebrows disappeared into my hair as I stared at him. "What?"

"You must have hit your head harder than I thought. You're offering Funny Girl instead of zombies? Are you sure you don't need a doctor?" I put my hand on his head to check for bumps.

"What's with the head massage?" He grabbed my hand and put it firmly between his. "I just thought that you might prefer a little Barbra instead of the undead."

"Nah. I'm a big fan of the whole zombie thing. Let's get this started." I pulled my hand from his and reached for the food. He started the first movie, Night of the Living Dead, and we settled into a comfortable night on the couch.

After a two movies, my stomach was aching from the Chinese food and the amount of laughing I was doing. It was really hard to take these movies seriously, especially as Edward was inserting dialogue for the zombies.

When I finally got up to leave, he walked me to the door. He stepped towards me and then paused. I held my breath wondering what he was going to do next. I so wanted him to kiss me, but I also didn't. I was beginning to wonder if I had a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other, just like an old Bugs Bunny cartoon. My heart was thumping so fiercely. I'm sure that Edward heard it as well.

He gave me his lop-sided grin and gave me a quick hug. We didn't linger, but I definitely enjoyed the smell of him and the feel of his arms around me. "I had a great night, Izzy. I'll see you in the morning." I walked out of his room, and he quietly closed the door behind me.

On the following Wednesday, Grant took me aside after Edward was safely in the make-up chair with his breakfast.

"Izzy, I thought that you would like to know that Tanya Denali is trying to spread some vicious stuff about you and Edward. I've heard from my friend on the other set that she's trying to insinuate that you two are a couple, so be extra careful around the photographers if you don't want anything out." Grant gave me a gentle smile and a one-armed hug.

"Thanks, Grant. I appreciate the heads up. She cornered Edward at his hotel on Sunday night. From what I can tell, he sent her packing, and I don't think she was too happy about it." Internally, I was debating on whether or not I should let Edward know.

Since that Sunday, Tanya's name wasn't even mentioned and neither was what was discussed between us. I was unsure if I wanted to get into the relationship zone with him again. I was really enjoying the friendly banter going on between us. Last Sunday was one of the best evenings I'd had in a long time. If only I had known this Edward in high school, things might have been a lot different for us now.

At meal break, Edward came down from set with some of the other actors. When our eyes connected, he gave me the most dazzling smile. My knees got a little weak with that smile. Having to deceive him was weighing heavily on my conscience now. He was in a good place so I really wasn't sure he wanted to hear about Tanya. But I really needed to give him a heads up.

He strolled over to me and took me into a big hug.

"Izzy, you missed the best scene of the shoot. I've been looking forward to it since we started. I loooove doing my own stunts. I should've called for you." He was beaming with pride, and I was feeling like a heel because I was going to bring him down.

"I'm really sorry I missed it. I was talking with Grant, and he gave me a heads up about a little situation." I looked at his face to gauge his reaction. Edward was staring at me intently and then raised his eyebrows as if to say 'what's up'. I had to look away when I continued. "Tanya has been trying to stir the pot about the two of us. For some reason, she is spreading the rumor that you and I are an item. I think we should be a bit more cautious when around the photographers. I'll contact Garrett and give him a heads up."

I turned to go when Edward grabbed my arm. "Izzy, don't worry too much about this. It will blow over in a little while. Tanya doesn't have the clout that she thinks she has. We've got nothing to hide 'cause we've done nothing wrong." He gave me a quick smile then joined the rest of the cast at the tables.

My heart sank because I did have something to hide. I didn't want someone poking in my past because that information was going to ruin everything. I went to the catering truck and picked up Edward's meal. I didn't grab anything for myself, because I'd lost my appetite.

By the end of the day, I was feeling like I was on the Titanic. I was starting the slow sink into hell. I had to tell him. This was going to kill me if I didn't. I made up my mind that I would talk to him at the end of the weekend, on our way back to set. If he wanted me gone, I had enough contacts to make sure that he would be taken care of until Alice found a replacement for me.

On the ride back to the hotel, Edward was very talkative. We were going over the plans for the weekend in Forks. He was so excited about taking me to his hometown, and also spending time with his family again.

"Izzy, don't worry about Tanya. She's nothing, and I think she's finally getting it. I'm just so looking forward to getting out of here for a couple of nights. I'm not gonna let her get to me anymore." He gave my hand a quick squeeze as we pulled in front of the hotel.

The usual girls and women were waiting outside for Edward, as well as a few photographers from the tabloids. I held back and waited so we wouldn't be seen going in together. Edward might not have minded, but I wasn't ready for my face and name to be plastered in the tabloids.

Once I got into my room, I confirmed the travel arrangements and sent a quick email to Alice. She had been checking in with me during the week regarding Tanya. Alice was turning into a great friend and confident. This was a time that I really missed Angela, but I was looking forward to seeing her on Sunday.

I would be doing a lot of talking this weekend and on Monday. There was no way I could keep everyone in the dark any longer. I was going to miss Edward and Alice. I just couldn't see how this would work out for me. I was being selfish, and it had to stop.

Thursday flew by and so did Friday morning. Edward and I had already packed for the weekend, and our bags were waiting in the back of TC's vehicle. I had made arrangements that we would fly out immediately after the shoot ended for the day. We were flying directly to Port Angeles, and there would be a car waiting of us. Edward had mentioned that he didn't want a driver, just a rental car.

I heard over the walkie that Edward was finished for the day, so I prepped our bags and loaded the vehicle. Edward was dropped off at the circus, right in front of me.

"Hey, let's get out of here, gorgeous! I can't wait to see everyone. I know that they are going to love you like I do." My eyes went wide as I turned to him. "Don't go weird on me now, Iz. Let's just go."

"Yeah. I can't wait to see Alice again." Forks, here we come.

I hope you enjoyed. Just a bit more relationship build up. The action will start next chapter. Will Bella go down in flames or escape slightly charred?

Have a great week and please review!