A/N: I still don't own it! Wouldn't dream of pretending otherwise!

Thanks to my beta girls: ninmesarra and prettyflour! You guys make this a little easier to read- thanks for all your help! I love you more than cherry diet coke! And of course, any remaining mistakes are of course my own, and no reflection of their hard work. I'm sure any that remain are because I changed things at posting time... again...

On to the story! Hope you enjoy!

~*C2C*~

Mike Newton was… interesting, for lack of better terms. His strawberry blonde hair stuck up at all kinds of crazy angles- it was a mess, not the good kind of mess either. He looked like he hadn't brushed his hair in a week. His eyes were tiny and a pale gray. He wasn't too tall, maybe five foot nine. He wasn't fat by any means, but he wasn't really muscular either. His nose was dusted with freckles and he had lips that stretched in a crooked smile over crooked teeth. All in all, Mike wasn't hot, but he wasn't gross either. He was average- like me.

After we made introductions in my doorway, he led me by the hand to his suburban. It reminded me of the SUVs you see in movies that the mob drives. It was black with tinted windows and the license plate read "BGPOPPA." After he'd helped me into it – an act I appreciated but didn't need- and started the car, I was wishing I had ear plugs. The radio was turned all the way up and the sounds of Eminem were pouring from the speakers. The bass was so hot, that it was vibrating through my body. I normally don't mind listening to Eminem- it's one of those have to be in the mood for it kind of things- but when it felt like my ear drums were going to explode, it was seriously unpleasant.

I reached for the volume knob and turned it way, way down. When it was at a decent level that we could talk over, I glanced at Mike. His pale gray eyes were staring at me with a look that said "What the hell?"

"I'm sorry? I don't usually listen to my music at the level. It was hurting my ears."

"Oh. It's alright, beautiful," he said with a wink.

Oh great. He was one of those guys. You know the kind. They think they are God's gift to women and therefore must placate us feeble-minded girls. I was seriously unimpressed. And Alice, the psychic, thought he was going to my forever love. Yeah, sure.

"Um, ok. So, Alice said you own an outdoors store? That must be interesting."

"Yeah, it's a family business. Newton's Outfitter's. I really enjoy it. I'm trying to get mom and dad to expand to include spelunking, and guided hikes. It's a really untapped revenue source in these parts."

"That sounds cool. Bet you get a lot of interesting customers, in there too?"

"Not really. Just the normal Joes."

I was running out of polite conversation topics. I could already tell I didn't want to know this guy better. He was definitely not my type. In fact, I found him rather annoying. When it appeared Mike wasn't going to speak more than he had to either, I turned the volume up a little on the music.

His eyes back on the road, I watched the scenery pass by. Naked trees and barren fields flew past the window. It felt like we'd been driving for hours when he finally stopped at a little road side park.

Glancing over at me, he said, "My door doesn't open from the inside. I have to take it in and get it fixed. You'll have to let me slide out after you."

"Okay," I said, and exited the vehicle. He emerged from within and I moved to shut the door. As it just so happened, he stepped back into the door's closing zone right when I started to shut it. Therefore, I effectively slammed it on his leg. Mike really had an inventive vocabulary. He rubbed at his thigh and hopped around a bit, cursing a blue streak. "Oh my god, Mike. I'm so sorry! I didn't mean-"

"I know, I know, Bella. Damn. It just hurts like hell." He took a couple of steps, hobbling, to the back door and pulled out two backpacks. It looked as though he'd stuffed both bags full of things he thought we would need.

I picked up the purple one and left the green one for him. When I had it strapped on, I let him lead me to the trail. After an hour or so of hiking, we stopped in a small meadow. It would be beautiful in the spring and summer- I could envision it blossoming with little flowers- wild daisies and black-eyed susan's- flourishing among the trees with deep green grass and wildlife abounding within it. Unfortunately, right now, in the dead of fall, it was brown and looked dead.

I took my pack off, and he pulled from it a blanket and spread it on the ground. The sound of his voice startled me- he'd been silent on the hike- making me jump, "Go ahead and sit down. I figured we'd have picnic out here if that's alright with you?"

I was freezing- teeth chattering, shivering, the whole bit- and would love nothing better than to go home and warm up, but Alice would murder me. " Uh, well, um, I guess so."

"You look really cold."

"I am. I feel frozen." I grabbed the water from the bag and guzzled some down while he finished pulling out sandwiches, pasta salad, chips, granola bars, a variety of fruit, and cookies. He handed me a plate piled high with food, and I couldn't help but stare at the massive portions he'd served me. "You know, Mike, I won't be able to eat all of this. In fact, I don't think I will be able to eat half of this."

"It's cool. Eat what you want, we'll leave the rest for the animals."

I was pretty sure that wasn't safe. The one book I'd edited about hiking had specifically said to bury food or carry it in a bag. It's supposed to keep the animals from growing accustomed to food appearing and keeps the predators from following people. He was the guide, though right? Surely he'd know.

When we finished eating, I watched him scatter the remains over a hill. He pulled a plastic bag out and put our used plates and silverware in it. After he tied the bag to his pack, he stashed the food containers and stuffed the blanket in my backpack.

When we set off again, it was eerily quiet. I was getting tired, and that always meant my imagination started to run away. The feeling of several pairs of eyes pierced me making me feel weird and more than just a little freaked out. I could just picture a pack of wolves leaping from behind the barren trees to devour us whole. My breathing picked up and it was all I could do to force myself to walk quietly behind Mike.

Turning to me, he gripped my chin, "Bella? Are you okay?"

"I, uh, I don't really know. I feel creeped out, honestly."

He sighed, "We'll just head back and get out of here then."

"Okay. Sounds good to me."

The entire way back, I kept peering over my shoulder, expecting some wild beast to jump out and attack me. I was being silly; my subconscious registered that fact, but you can't always help the way you feel. I was in such a hurry to get out of the woods, I kept tripping over tree roots and loose rocks along the trail.

I could sense that Mike was getting bored with helping me and maybe a little aggravated at my lack of enthusiasm for this exercise.

Trying so hard to be a gentleman, he held a branch back so that I could go through and at the next spot, I moved to do the same. He got halfway through, and the branch slipped through my fingers, pelting Mike in the face. There was a loud crunching sound, and blood was gushing between his fingers. I dropped the pack on my back, and began pulling supplies out of it, praying he had a first aid kit or some paper towels within it. Once again, Mike was cursing- his chosen terms could make a sailor blush. I finally located some paper towels and ripped a handful off. I pressed them to his face, apparently too hard as he screamed in pain.

I didn't think he'd appreciate my apologies at this point, so we hurried back to the park, and into the SUV. Thankfully, he didn't mind letting me drive. I headed down the freeway, taking the fastest route to the hospital. I was pretty sure I'd broken his nose. Blood was everywhere. It had soaked through the paper towels and was running down his fingers. The copper smell was making me light headed, so in spite of the frigid temperature, I rolled the window down and gasped in the fresh air.

All of the sudden, there were flashing lights behind me. Just great- so what I needed. I pulled over to the shoulder of the road and waited for the officer to approach. When he reached the window, I said, "I'm sorry officer, Let me grab my license and registration." I had my head buried in my bag and only the clearing of his throat, brought my attention to him.

"Bella, what are doing? Do you know how fast you were going?"

"Um, yeah. Hi dad. I was going about eight over the limit. But, I broke Mike's nose and I need to get him to the hospital."

Charlie's eyes narrowed, "Why did you break his nose? Was he hurting you?"

"God, no, dad! He was nothing but a gentleman. We were hiking and the branch slipped outta my hands and slapped him in the face."

Charlie's shoulders began to shake and his mustache twitched, "Oh kid, you shouldn't have taken Bells hiking. There's a reason that we didn't name her Grace."

"Yessir. I figured that out, sir."

"Well, Bells, don't let me see you speeding again, but get this guy to the ER to have him checked out. I'll see you Sunday for dinner? Your brother's coming too."

"I'll be there. Later, dad!"

He walked back to his cruiser and I pulled back into traffic. I pushed the speed limit as much as I dared.

"So, uh, you're dad's a cop, huh?"

"Yeah. He's actually the chief of police. He's worked really hard to achieve that. I do my best not to give him anything to worry about."

"And you have a brother?"

"Yeah. Jake's my baby brother. He's twenty-five, but he's big. He is an awesome basketball player. A lot of colleges wanted him to play on their team, but he wants to be a chef. He's been working his up to that and finished culinary school two years ago. I'm really proud of him."

"I can tell. Hey, how much longer until we're at the hospital?"

"About a minute. Do you want me to wait with you or-"

"No, you can go home if you need to. It's really no big deal. I'll be fine."

"Are you sure? I'd be happy to-"

He cut me off again, "No, really. I am positive I'll be fine."

I figured he was getting scared of my knack for finding trouble and danger. Poor guy. I couldn't blame him. I shut his leg in the door of the suburban, broke his nose, and couldn't figure out how to walk upright. Yeah, I'd try to ditch me to.

"Okay, then. Do you want me to call someone for you? Your mom or dad?"

"If you don't mind, that would be great," he handed over his cell. I found his contacts and scrolled down. His mom was listed under Mommy. Wow. I think I dodged a bullet. I can respect a guy that loves his mother and treats her with respect- she brought him in the world, he should- but to be a complete momma's boy? That never bodes well for relationships. Sam's mom always hated me because I 'stole her baby boy from her.' That should have said something- he never would stand up for me when she was around.

His mom answered with, "Mikey! Baby! How's momma's boy?" Yep, total momma's boy. There's a time that comes when a man just has to cut the apron strings.

"Um, Mrs. Newton? This is Bella. Bella Swan? I was on a date with Mike tonight. He had an accident-"

"What did you do to my baby boy? Oh my God! Is he going to be alright? What happened?"

In hindsight, maybe that wasn't the best way to start that conversation. "Mrs. Newton, he's going to be just fine. He took me hiking and I'm a klutz- really that's putting it mildly. But anyhow, a tree branch slipped outta my hands and hit him in the face. I'm pretty sure his nose is broken-"

"My poor baby! Listen here, Bella Swan! My Mikey is all I have in this world. If you hurt him, I'll find you!"

"Well, Mrs. Newton, I apologize. It was an accident. I didn't set out this morning hoping to break your son's nose. He asked me to call you and let you know what happened. He requested I not stay, so when we get off the phone, I'm going to take a cab home."

"Of course you won't stay! There's no reason for you to. You just break my baby and run away. You're a cold-hearted girl. But that doesn't really matter anymore. You stay away from my Mikey after you tell him that Mommy's on the way and that I love my little Mikey-kins."

"Yes ma'am. I'll pass that along, and I'll be gone before you get here." I closed his phone and handed it back to him.

"What message did she have for you? Oh, and I'm sorry if she threatened you. I'm an only child, so she tends to be over-protective, and has a flare for the dramatic."

"Yeah, she did, but it's cool. Nothing I can't handle. She said to tall you that 'Mommy's on her way.' And she loves you, little Mikey-kins."

His face flamed a bright red as he stammered out, "Th-th-thank you for the message. I'd say it was fun, but I'd be kidding myself. Don't take this the wrong, but as nice as you seem, I can promise we won't be hanging out again anytime soon."

"Eh- it's fine. You're not really my type anyhow."

He laughed a bit, but it was cut short with his grimace. "Bye Bella."

I told him bye and left the room. On the way out, I thought I heard mutter, "Never letting Alice set me up again. Ever. Damn, my nose hurts."

I tried not chuckle as I left the waiting room to try to get a cab. It was apparently just my lucky day. There was an empty one waiting on the corner. I swear I thought I was going to die on that ride. Dude was a crazy driver. Absolutely insane- swerving in and out of traffic, hit the curb, almost ran into a motorcycle, and barely missed clipping a semi. I hated taking taxis. Not only was he a crazy driver, he smelled bad too- like curry and sweat. Blech. We finally pulled up in front of the bar, and I was tempted to throw myself from the vehicle and kiss the ground in gratefulness at having arrived in one piece.

I paid the driver and strutted inside. Once again, my favorite bar stool was beckoning me over and I sat down. I had a cherry sour waiting on the bar top for me. I smiled and started sipping at it. Looking around for Eddie, I finally found him.

He was cleaning up after Pete. It appeared that Pete had dropped his beer glass and it had shattered all over the floor. I watched as his biceps bulged with every pull of the broom across the messy tile. His jeans hugged him just right. Mmm, He's so yummy. I couldn't wait to talk to him.

He was done with the clean-up in short order. His face lit up in a smirky smile when his eyes landed on me. He walked over- with his usual swagger- and stopped just in front of me. "Evening, Isabella."

Oh my god. The sound of my full name falling from his lips… That was like winning the lottery and being paid in orgasms. My heart was hammering in my chest and I couldn't help but smile at him. "H-hi, Eddie. H-how's your night going?"

"It's much better now," he said with a wink.

I gulped. I was pretty sure Eddie was flirting with me.

"So how'd your date go?"

Right. That. We were supposed to talk and be better friends. "That was a disaster. I shut his leg in the door of his SUV- pretty sure it's going to have a huge bruise. I had to slam the mother effer closed. Then, after lunch, I broke his nose with a tree branch."

"What?! Why? Did he hurt you? Are you okay?" His hands were roaming over my arms as eyes caressed every inch of my body. "Bella, why'd you have to break his nose?"

"Oh, I didn't have to break it. I didn't mean to. I was trying to hold a branch out of the way for him, like he did for me, and it slipped from my hand and hit him right in the face. Oh, and then my dad pulled me over for speeding on the way to the hospital. His mother threatened me for breaking her Mikey-kins and I had to take a cab here from the hospital that smelled like sweat and curry and I thought the driver was going to kill me. Seriously. That crackhead was all over the frickin' road."

"Oh. I am so glad you're ok. I thought I was going to have to hire a hitman to take him out for hurting you. No one should ever touch you in a hurtful way," his hands were framing my face and his thumbs caressed my cheeks as he talked. I was in heaven.

"I'm fine, I promise," I said with a smile. It was nice to have someone so concerned over me.

"Bella, that's an awful date. That's actually three awful dates. How do you manage that?"

"Um, I don't know. It just happens that way, I guess. Maybe they aren't really my type and I just don't really care? Since, apparently I do have a type."

"That could be. Here's what I'm going to do for you. I'm going to give you a month's worth of dating lessons. Lessons in Love if you will, and show you how to date safely again," he laughed. "What do you say?"

~*C2C*~

A/N: Okay, so I'm an evil cliffie bitch, but is there really any doubt about what she is going to say? HAHA! I love you all! ;) Don't hate me!

Anywho, I'd like to thank everyone for reading and for following/reviewing/favorite-ing C2C! You guys rock! Oh, if you DON'T want a teaser, let me know, because otherwise, everyone that reviews will get one for Ch 8.

A few recs for you! Two WIPs

Delphian City: by Boom-Boom Jones: There are dark secrets in Delphian City. Edward Cullen is one of them. AH/AU OOC Supernatural/Fantasy/Sci-Fi minus the vamps. Twilight - Rated: M - English - Angst/Romance - Chapters: 12 - Words: 24,935 - Reviews: 385 - Updated: 11-4-12 - Published: 4-15-12 - Edward & Bella

The Lists: by Shirleypositive72: Just write a list, Alice says, to know what to look for in your ideal man. But I have two lists... AH, OOC, For over 18's ONLY, Rated M for a reason, By reading this you agree that you are 18 or over... Twilight - Rated: M - English - Romance/Angst - Chapters: 28 - Words: 85,602 - Reviews: 553 - Updated: 10-28-12 - Published: 12-4-11 - Bella & Jasper

And last but not least a completed fic!

Come Back to Me: by Melolabel: When the fire of newlywed love cools and the demands of life take over,how can Bella&Edward rise above the storm and resist drifting apart? With their marriage crumbling, what kind of wake up call will it take to get back to their HEA? AU/AH B/E Twilight - Rated: T - English - Hurt/Comfort/Romance - Chapters: 22 - Words: 99,339 - Reviews: 922 - Updated: 6-20-11 - Published: 9-13-10 - Edward & Bella - Complete