Hey everyone!

I am sooo sorry i haven't updated, i got a wake up call from forgottonkissx telling me to get a move one (thank god she let me wash her hair) so I did!

This has been half-written for a while, and it's sort of a filler....i don't like it much, but it does set up a few little things i want to work with. The dance party will be next, so watch out for plenty of dresses, hairdo's and make up!

And a massive thankyou to all my 296 revieweers! It's great getting so many for just 11 chapters...let's break the 300 barrier now! Anyway, i hope you like it, cos i'm not too sure

DISCLAIMER - EDWARD WILL BE MINE SOMEDAY! but, for now, he is Stephenie Meyer's.

Read on, my brave warriors!

Bella's POV

The days leading up to Saturday couldn't have gone slower if I'd wished for it. It seemed each time I glanced at the clock, whether it be Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, I still had days to wait.

"Jeez, Bella, what's in your bonnet?" Angela laughed on Friday afternoon, even though she was well aware of why I wanted to get home fast. The faster I went to sleep, the quicker Saturday would come. Foolproof reasoning, in my opinion.

"Why is that damn clock moving so slow?!" I growled, sitting on my hands in an attempt to stop myself tearing the clock off the wall.

Angela giggled girlishly, "You're very eager to go visit your 'doctor' today, Bella. Are you sure it's just an appointment?" I shot her a death glare and she laughed harder, "Come on, Bells, you have to admit the doctor jokes are funny."

Angela was saved a slow and painful death by a loud ring from the phone beside me – I picked it up and shushed Angela, whispering, "You talk, you're for it!" She zipped her mouth and went back to her work, smirking. "Hello?" I turned my attention back to the phone.

"Hey, Bells, it's me," Edward sounded strangely forlorn, somehow.

"Edward," I sighed and sank back in my chair, my nerves suddenly settled. Swinging my legs up onto the table and ignoring Angela's cheesy grin and thumbs up, I smiled. "Hey."

He chuckled softly, "Hey to you too, beautiful." I blushed involuntarily, "How's your day going?"

"Meh, it's ok. Sorting through adverts and all that. I was just getting started on my column," Angela scoffed and I rolled my eyes, "Fine, I was thinking about getting started." I curled my hands around the phone, "What about you?"

"It's been…better."

"Oh, Edward. What happened?"

"Who's to say anything happened?"

I crossed my legs on my seat, changing positions again, and sat up. "Edward, I know you. You don't sound as if nothing's happened, and you're calling me in the middle of the afternoon. What's wrong?"

He sighed, "It's nothing, really…just doctor stuff."

Angela was watching me worriedly, and she looked as if she was about to say something, but I waved her off. Wanting some more privacy, I went out into the hall and leant against the wall, propping one leg up against it, "Hey, I don't care what kind of stuff it is, I want to know if it's upsetting you."

"Who's to say I'm upset?"

"Edward."

He sighed again, "One of my patients died today."

I couldn't stifle a gasp, and one hand made its way up to cover my mouth, "Oh no. Edward, I'm so sorry."

"It's nothing, but it was one of the…younger ones."

I couldn't think of anything, so I just sighed again sympathetically, "Edward…"

"Anyway, are you free at the moment? Since I'm a…" he gulped, "a patient down, my shift's finished for today and I wanted to see you."

Ah, to hell with my column. "Sure, Edward, I'll meet you at the hospital, 'kay?"

"Are you sure it's no problem? I wouldn't want to drag you away from your work-"

"Edward, it's no problem. See you there, ok?"

"Thanks, Bells."

"See you soon," I promised, before snapping my phone shut and hurrying back into the room, startling Angela.

"Where're you going, Bella?"

"I'm leaving early."

"Is Edward ok?" she asked as I chucked all my stuff into my bag, shut down my computer then rushed towards the door.

I turned quickly, "Yeah, he's fine. See you on Monday, Ang."

"Bye Bella! I'll tell Mark you left!" she called after me.

I walked as quickly as I could, my big black work bag swinging on my arm as I walked fast but carefully, not wanting to trip. I didn't even have time to admire the scenery, and I paid most attention to actually FINDING the hospital. Even though it wasn't that hard to miss.

I found the entrance, and was walking through the car park when I saw Edward sitting on a small wall a few feet away from the front doors, staring off into space. He looked so lost and unhappy it made me hurt as well.

I walked quietly over to him, and he didn't see me as his back was turned, so I wrapped my arms around his neck from behind, resting them on his shoulders, and whispered in his ear, "Hi."

"Hey." He took one of my hands and held it tightly; I kissed his cheek.

"Are you doing ok?"

He shrugged, "Could be worse."

I could tell he wasn't really up for talking at the moment, so I just stayed still, my head resting against his, following his gaze as he stared blankly at the sky. After he while he said softly, "It's just hard, you know? When someone that young dies…when you do all you can, but there's nothing you really CAN do."

"Of course it is," I agreed, "stuff like this is hard."

"Mmm…it's horrible seeing the parents' faces. And you know they blame you, even if they don't say it," he mused, his hand gripping mine tighter. My back was beginning to hurt, but I ignored it.

"It's not your fault, Edward. Things like this just…happen. Sometimes there's nothing that can stop it."

"I guess. But still…" Edward sighed then stood up suddenly, releasing my hand and wrapping his arms around my waist instead, hugging me tightly. "You'd think I'd be used to this by now," he said, his voice muffled by my skin.

I stroked his hair, playing with it in my fingers, "Hey, death isn't something anyone gets used to. When my mom died it took me years to properly get over it, but my dad told me something that really helped me deal with it."

"And whats that?"

"Everything happens for a reason. Even death."

He chuckled softly, sadly, "That doesn't really make sense."

I laughed too, "Well, if you think about it in a certain way it does. It might seem unfair, but it's still true."

"I suppose it is…once I think about it." He was playing with the ends of my hair now, pulling at them gently, making my scalp tingle, "Thanks for coming, Bella." He pulled back a little to look at me, "I know it was sudden, but I really needed you."

I smiled brilliantly, touched, "Anytime, anywhere."

Edward smiled back at me, "I've missed you."

"I know," I rested my head on his chest; "Tuesday seems so long ago, doesn't it?" Edward and I had both been so busy, with him at the hospital and me having to work much longer hours than normal sorting through the ridiculous amounts of adverts we received this week, we hadn't been able to see each other. Somehow, long late-night calls didn't really measure up to actually being with him.

"Too long," he agreed, kissing the top of my head. We stayed that way for several more seconds, before Edward sighed and said, "So, what do you think we should do this fine afternoon?"

"I don't know." The sky was predominately grey. "Something inside, preferably."

Edward chuckled, "How about I show you round this place?" He let half of me go and gestured towards the looming grey building, "All the nurses want to meet you."

"All the nurses? Why?"

He shrugged nonchalantly, "Well…most of them keep regular tabs on my love life – I have no idea how, by the way – so they all seem to know about you. I didn't tell many people…well, apart from all my interns. And all the doctors. And Jack. Oh. I see."

"Edward!" I elbowed him, hard, "No wonder everyone knows about me! You told them all!"

"What? I want them to know about you," he said, lowering his face down to mine and capturing me with his green eyes. The familiar tingling sensation started up as he murmured, "So what if I want them all to know that I seem to have acquired one of the most wonderful and gorgeous girlfriends in the world? That's not such a bad thing, is it?"

I blushed furiously as I stammered; all hope of coherent thought lost, "I guess…not."

"No," he smirked, "I have every single intention of showing you off to everyone."

"Is that really," I gulped as he pressed closer, "necessary?"

"Oh yes," he said, "very necessary." I caught a wry twinkle in his eye before he kissed me, wrapping his arms around me tighter and twisting one hand into my hair. This kiss wasn't exactly a quick 'hello' kiss, but it wasn't anything like Tuesday morning's. That didn't mean it wasn't just as good though.

I was completely and utterly lost; the only thing I was aware of was his lips on mine, moving in perfect synchronisation. He tasted just the same as he had before, only with a little bit more mint. I had to admit, even from my two experiences, kissing Edward was just delightful.

"Hey, Edward!" A male voice called out from behind us, and I heard Edward groan as he pulled back. I groaned too at the space between us and pressed myself in close again, not wanting to move just yet. "Edward!" the man called out again, and I turned my head on Edward's shoulder to find out who it was.

The man was strangely tall, even taller than Edward. He had wildly curly black hair, dark eyes, but was strangely pale. "Jack," Edward replied, releasing me, his tone a little more menacing, probably because he'd just interrupted us. I turned round properly and stood up a little straighter, trying not to blush as Edward wrapped an arm around my waist and grabbed my hand, intertwining our fingers.

"Edward, Edward, Edward, what are you up to? I leave you out here for a SECOND and already you're up to dirty deeds. I hope that you know this girl, or I'm going to have to report you for rape, my friend. Actually, I hope you don't, because I've been trying to have you convicted of that for years." He grinned at Edward, who rolled his eyes, then directed his smile at me, carrying on quickly, "So, you must be Bella, if I'm not mistaken. I didn't think you actually existed, the thought of Edward having a girlfriend is just laughable." He held out a hand and I shook it, smiling back.

"Bella, this is Jack Cane, Jack, this is my girlfriend, Bella Swan." Jack threw Edward a wink and I suppressed a laugh.

"Nice to meet you, Jack," I said.

"It's very nice to meet you too, Bella Swan. I've been wanting to meet the person who's made Dr Cullen so smiley and high-spirited. I don't think I've ever seen him in such a good mood. I think I actually saw him skipping the other day."

I blushed, giggling shyly and Edward scoffed, "I don't 'skip', Jack."

"Sure you don't. You dance. Anyway, are you coming in? The janitors just cleaned the floor, so it's all nice and sparkly in there." I found I liked Jack quite a lot; he reminded me of Emmett.

"Yeah, I was going to show Bella around."

"Oh, 'show her around'. Good call!" I blushed even harder and Edward looked pained.

"Jack…just go, ok?"

"But I haven't finished talking to Bella yet!"

Jack's pager suddenly beeped and he groaned, then turned on his heel, running full pelt back into the building and calling back to me, "This isn't over yet, Bella Swan!"

I laughed again and nudged Edward, "You dance?"

"I don't!" he said indignantly. I pressed my lips together and raised a brow at him, and he sighed, "Ok, ok, I might've….danced down the hall a couple of times…whilst singing…" he blushed, just like me, and I laughed harder, "Hey, in my defence…I was really happy."

"And why was that? You found your favourite fluffy bunny toy?"

"No, not exactly." He bent down and whispered into my ear, "That was on Tuesday."

"Oh," I murmured.

"Mmhmm," he said, drawing me in close to him again and pressing a kiss to my lips, "Tuesday was a very good day."

We were just getting back into the rhythm of things, when yet another voice called from one of the upstairs windows, "Oi, Edward! Look guys, it's Edward!" About six heads appeared, staring down at us, and another five appeared at the window next door.

"Oh god," Edward ducked his head and pulled me under the parapet, "They'll be on us like vultures!"

"Maybe we should go?" I said, my breath still catching as I tried to calm myself.

"No," Edward shook his head and smiled devilishly, "I'll just have to keep you close, is all." And with that he pulled me inside, holding me tight about the waist. I tried to ignore the stares we began to receive and concentrated on watching Edward intently as he spoke, "First we have to get you a visitor's badge." He walked us over to the reception desk and smiled at the girl there, whose eyes glazed over as soon as she looked up. "Can I have a visitor's pass, please, Lauren?"

She handed him one with a big, fake smile back, and I found myself not appreciating how she was clearly eyeing him. I was surprised she wasn't licking her lips right about then. Edward didn't seem to notice, and he clipped the badge onto my shirt, which I pulled off and clipped back onto my jeans instead. Edward smiled and lead me away, walking down a big corridor and stopping at a lift. "Where're we going?" I asked.

"Up to the main ward, then I'll take you to see the kids. They're all great, you'll love them. They all really want to meet you." A few blonde nurses were occupying our lift as well as us, and I was intensely uncomfortable under their scrutinising gazes. I shifted uneasily, trying to ignore them by fixing my eyes on the wall. Another older one got in, with wild brown curly hair pulled into a messy ponytail, and she immediately threw me a wide smile.

"Hey, Edward!" she said, her voice bright and happy. She was still smiling, "Is this her?"

He laughed, "Hello to you too, Jenny. And yeah, this is Bella. Bella, this is my friend Jennifer"

"Call me Jenny, if you don't mind." She glared at Edward then shook my hand vigorously, "So you're the famous Bella! My my, you're as beautiful as he said you were." The blonde nurses upped their glares.

I blushed and looked down, and Edward squeezed me, "Yeah, she is."

Charlie smiled, "It's very nice to meet you, Bella. Edward's been raving about you all week; it's been driving me nuts. It's always Bella this, Bella that…oh, sorry dear, I'm embarrassing you with my old-lady raving."

Edward laughed again, "Don't worry, Jen, she blushes easily."

"Don't be mean, Edward! Anyway, this is where I get out," she stepped out the doors and smiled at me, "I hope to get to know you better, Bella, I know we'll be good friends."

"She's nice," I said, leaning on Edward's arm and watching the doors close.

"She is," Edward said, kissing the top of my head, "she's been around ever since I came. She was the one who helped me through my internship, and even now she always bests me. I don't know how she does it."

"Well, I like her."

"I'm glad. Come on, then," we walked out into a brightly lit corridor, filled with doctors bustling along with patients, nurses walking beside, all dressed in a mixture of scrubs and normal clothes paired with white coats. I had never seen a hospital from a doctor's view before; I had spent many days as a relative of a patient, which I knew was a massively different experience.

Again, I had a hard time ignoring the range of various stares, glares and curious looks as Edward pulled me down the corridor, and I was acutely aware of how flushed I was. "Edward, everyone's staring," I whispered, pressing in closer to his side as if that would shield me from sight.

He very publicly kissed my cheek then whispered back, "For good reason, you are very beautiful."

I blushed harder, "It's not like that…" I trailed off as Edward put one finger under my chin and tilted my head up.

"Yes, it is." He stared into my eyes for a second, and I stayed, frozen, looking back at him, feeling mine grow wide. "Come on," he murmured, and he opened the door and walked in.

"Doctor Cullen!" The room was bright and clean, and there was an old man sitting proper up in the bed, his face lit up with a wide smile. He looked very small under the piles of hospital blankets, and he was very frail too, but he seemed so alive I was surprised there wasn't a ring of golden light around him.

"Hello there, Mr Jenkins." Edward grinned back and moved forward to pat the man's shoulder in a friendly way, "How are you?"

"As good as always, Doctor Cullen. Didn't I tell you to call me Adam?"

"Only when you call me Edward."

"Well, now, that would just be rude, wouldn't it?"

"I could say the same thing!" They both laughed.

"So, Doctor Cullen, you here to give me another check up?"

"Actually, no, Mr Jenkins, I'm actually off my shift at the moment. I'm here to introduce someone to you."

If it was possible, the old man's smile grew even wider, "You've brought Bella, haven't you!" I blushed, was there no one that didn't know about me? Mr Jenkins shuffled forward a little and caught sight of me, "Well, bless my old soul, she is here! Sorry I didn't notice you before, dear, but my eyes are going." He winked at me, and Edward took my hand and pulled me forward to stand beside him.

"Bella, this is one of my longer-term-"

"He means oldest." Mr Jenkins cut in with another wink and I giggled.

"Longer-term," Edward carried on, "patients. I've had him for a while now. Mr Jenkins-"

"Adam!"

"Mr Jenkins, this is my girlfriend, Bella Swan."

"Edward, my boy, I already knew who she was." Mr Jenkins held out his hand, "Good to see you, Miss Swan, my dear."

I smiled back at his crinkly face, "Call me Bella."

"Only if you call me Adam." We all laughed, then Mr Jenkins cut off with a hacking cough, bending over, sounding as if he was coughing his lungs out. I glanced, alarmed, at Edward, who just patted him on the back gently, waiting for the coughing to die down. "Sorry, dear," he said when he was sitting back up again, "I'm not very well, you see. I wouldn't be here if I was." He laughed lightly, and I bit my lip, all of a sudden feeling very sorry for the poor old man.

After a while Mr Jenkins shooed us out, telling us that our time was better spent together than with an older citizen like him. "I hope to see you soon, Miss Swan!" he called after me as the door swung shut.

Edward and I were both silent as we walked back down the corridor, his arm around my shoulders. I was feeling a little depressed, and it was weighing down on my shoulders as we stood, waiting for the lift. Thankfully, it was empty, and I let Edward wrap his arms around me fully and rest his head on my shoulder. "He's wonderful," I said, as the doors slid closed.

"Isn't he?" Edward silent, then he said quietly, "he doesn't have long left."

"That's sad," I whispered. "What's wrong with him?"

"Just a bad case of the flu, he's too old to deal with it. There's nothing much we can do."

"Oh." I knew that wasn't very articulate, but there was nothing more I could say.

"Are you ok?" Edward said gently, "I know hospitals can be draining."

"I'm fine," I said hurriedly, "it just…reminds me a little of my mom." As soon as I said that, I knew it was true. I'd been trying to ignore it, but this place was starting to bring back unwanted memories. The picture of my mom in a hospital bed in Seattle, IVs sticking into every part of her, was suddenly at the forefront of my mind, her poor, bony face wearing her tired smile.

"Do you want to leave?"

"I'll be alright."

He kissed my hair quietly, then said, "No, I think it's enough for today. You can meet the kids some other time."

I nodded mutely, and just relaxed into him as he pressed a different button on the lift keypad. It was then that I decided that a visit to my dad was long overdue.

Yes, I know it was rather random. I will accept flames on this, because I know it's pretty out of the way. I just wanted to get something up for you guys, cos I feel bad about not!

I hope none of you have sent assassins after me...i'll give you my special cookies if you withdraw them! please?

Love, Helena (or ATO, we're one and the same, i just decided none of you are stalkers, so i'll be ok :P) xxxxx