AN- Still running short of time, so the chappie is a little short. Also, this scene is not going to get quite as steamy as I first thought. Consider it safe for all readers.


Senses

After we had been running a while, I realized my eyes were open. I hadn't noticed opening them because I still couldn't see a thing. I felt a little more secure about my bathing attire. Then I thought about the trees that were surely flying past my face at mach nine. How was Edward still avoiding them?

"Maybe you should slow down a little," I said into his neck.

He laughed in response. Finally I felt him slow to a stop. He helped me down from his back. I felt soft dirt beneath my shoes.

"Here we are!" Edward announced happily.

"And here would be?" I asked.

"You don't recognize it?" He sounded surprised.

Apparently I should be familiar with this place. I opened my eyes wider to try and catch any possible light. There was none. So I listened. I heard wind blow softly through the treetops. I heard Edward's clothes rustling beside me. I realized he was getting undressed and decided I should concentrate on something else. I heard the water we were supposed to be swimming in. It sounded like a stream. No, that wasn't right, it didn't sound like running water, it sounded like . . . bubbles! At the same instant, the breeze blew warm moist air into my face.

"The hot springs!" I cried. Edward laughed; the sound came from in front of me, slightly below where I was standing. Apparently he was already in. "No fireflies this time?" I asked.

"Not this time," I could hear the smile in his voice. I smiled in response, shaking my head. How was he going to show me something, when I couldn't even see to the end of my own nose?

I pulled my shirt off and readjusted my top a little. Then I turned slightly away from where I assumed the spring was. If I fell over, I didn't want to go head first into the water. As I stepped out of my jeans, I heard a barely audible hiss, followed by a low, "Damn."

My head snapped up and I nearly fell over. "You can see me?" I cried, blushing.

Edward was quiet for a moment, "Of course I can see you, Bella."

"But it's too dark! I mean not even dark like I can barely see, so of course the vampire can see. There's no light! None!" What did he have, infrared vision?

"Bella," Edward said gently, "There is always light, unless you're in an airtight enclosure. Outside, there's always some light."

"Alice is so going to pay for this," I mumbled into my hands as I covered my face with them.

"She certainly has a knack for torture," he whispered. Yikes, did I look that bad?

"How much can you see, exactly?" I asked.

Edward was quiet again. "You're sure you want to know?" he asked quietly.

Ugh, no. "Yes," I answered. If I was repulsive to him I should probably know now rather than later.

"Mostly I can see outlines and shapes. Which includes your fantastic figure," he began. "I can't make out the color of your suit, but I can see the contrast of it against your skin." I blushed again. "Sadly, I can't see the crimson of your blush, but I can see your cheeks darken." Damn, I thought, blushing even deeper. "Your skin is pale enough to reflect what little light there is. I would use the word 'luminous'." His voice was low and soft. I was momentarily speechless. Then I decided a joke was in order.

"So," I said, twisting from one side to the other, "you like?"

"Gah!" I screamed as something cold and wet touched my stomach.

"You have no idea," Edward whispered. Spinning me around, he pulled me tight and pressed his mouth to mine. As our lips began to move together, I thought of the last time we had come to this spring. That had been before we started practicing. I wondered how different it would be this time. But before my imagination could get very far, Edward pulled away.

"Your next medical degree is going to have to be as a cardiologist. First you stop my heart, then you send it flying. A girl can only take so much!" I teased him.

He placed a hand over my still fluttering heart. "Soon you won't need a cardiologist," he whispered sadly. I knew he was referring to my change.

"Yes, but my understanding is that I will need it working pretty well right until the end." I pointed out, still teasing, "So, seriously, enough with the scaring me to death!"

"But you don't mind the fluttering, huh?" he asked, kissing my jaw line

"Not so much," I said, tracing his features with my fingers and finding his smile.

"You really can't see anything?" he asked. I rolled my eyes at him.

"I might as well have my eyes closed," I answered a little peevishly. "I'm only human, Edward." I felt him smile beneath the hand I had on his cheek.

"Then how did you know where we were?" he asked. He took my hand and kissed my palm, then put it back to his face.

"I could hear the water bubbling and felt the warm air," I explained.

"Impressive," he said. I rolled my eyes at him again. He laughed. "Would you like some help into the spring?"

"Yes, please. I wouldn't want to end up cracking my," before I could finish my sentence, Edward swept my legs out from under me and jumped into the water with a splash. "Edward!" I tried to reprimand him, but I was laughing to hard. "So much for our clothes staying safe and dry."

"Bella," he said with artificial hurt, "you doubt my grace and planning?"

"Of course not," I responded, "but you have been known to have hard time thinking straight when it comes to me."

"Too true," he laughed and kissed me lightly. "Wait right there," he instructed, gently peeling himself away.

"Where are you going?" I asked. I didn't want to be alone in the dark.

He was once again silent for a moment. I could tell he was debating what to tell me. Then he sighed, "I have to go hang our clothes out to dry."

I laughed myself silly. As I was wiping the tears from my eyes, I noticed it was very quiet. "Edward?" I called.

"I was thinking," he said, still outside the spring.

"Oh?" I teased.

"Yes. We have some time before the show starts. Are you up for a game?" He questioned.

"What show?" I asked. He remained silent. I shook my head. "Okay, what game?" I heard him chuckle softly.

"I really was impressed at how you were able to figure out where we were." I could hear the smile in his voice. "I was wondering just how perceptive you really are."

I stood there, staring in the direction his voice was coming from, waiting for him to get to his point.

"How about a game of Marco Polo, without the Marco or Polo?" he suggested.

I raised an eyebrow, "Then how am I supposed to find you?"

"That's the point."

"And if I win?"

"You get a prize, of course,"

"And if you win?"

"I get a kiss."

I laughed. "Fair enough, when do we start?"

"Now," he said from directly behind me.

I spun around and slapped empty water. I hadn't really expected him to be there. I was still debating whether or not I wanted to win. I listened carefully. Two or three times I heard a soft splash and would attack it. I realized quickly that by the time I heard the splash he would be long gone from wherever it came from.

I decided I did want to win. He was fast, so I would be patient. I stood perfectly still and closed my eyes, listening. I heard him splash again, but didn't take the bait. Because I was standing so still, I could feel the water move and knew the direction he had gone. I kept my head from turning in that direction. I still didn't know exactly where he was. If I didn't tag him immediately, he'd move too fast and get away.

After a few minutes of listening for another splash, I realized he wasn't going to try it again. I would have to try something else. I hadn't actually heard him move anyway, I had felt it. But if he wasn't moving, how could I still feel him? Aha! I thought, He's a block of ice in a hot springs. I slowly started moving parallel to the direction he had gone. I wanted to get closer without him realizing I knew he was there.

Sure enough, I soon felt a pocket of cooler water to my left. I still needed a more exact location. Pausing, I thought. Then I realized my hearing could be useful after all.

"Edward," I said making my voice sound irritated, "It's cheating if you don't breathe. How else am I supposed to find you?" I had noticed he had indeed stopped breathing.

I got the response I was hoping for. He began to chuckle silently. I couldn't hear him, but I could feel the small ripples his body made while he tried to stifle the laughter. I spun and pounced, hitting a brick wall face first.

"Bella!" Edward cried, putting his arms around me and taking a step back, 30 seconds too late.

"Ouch," I said rubbing my nose.

"Are you alright?" He asked, concerned.

"I'm fine, Edward," I laughed though my nose really hurt. It was my own fault. "I guess that's what I get for catching a marble vampire off guard," I muttered.

Edward laughed, relieved, "You were supposed to get a prize, not a bloody nose."

"You know I'm not bleeding, Edward, "I wiggled my nose a bit, nope not broken. "What's my prize?" I asked, hoping to get my mind off my nose. I shuddered to think about what Alice would do if it bruised.

Edward took my face gently in his hands. "A kiss," he whispered pressing his cool lips to mine.

When I was finally able to catch some breath I said, "I think this game was fixed."

Edward laughed, "Maybe, but I didn't think you would mind. Of course that was before I almost broke your nose." He kissed my nose tenderly. "You never cease to amaze me, Bella."

"You're the one who's always telling me I'm dangerous," I replied.

"True," he said smiling. Then his tone grew more serious, "Too soon the day will come when you'll be able to knock me right off my feet." I knew he was thinking about my change, again.

I smiled sweetly at him. "I thought I already did. Well, off the bed anyway."

Edward and I both laughed hard at that one. When we calmed down, Edward leaned down and kissed me again. Closing my eyes, I tried concentrating on my other senses again. The effect was mesmerizing. I could hear Edward's breath above the bubbling water. I felt his cool touch contrasted against the steam of the spring. I felt my heartbeat so strong I thought I could actually hear it. Then I heard something that sounded off. Or maybe I felt it.

Pulling away from Edward, I asked, "Edward, is that your phone?"

Edward put my hand to his lips so I could feel him smile. "Yes, but I set the alarm to vibrate, I didn't think you'd hear it." He brushed his cool fingers against my flushed cheek. "I was under the impression I was the only one with super senses."

"I was concentrating," I said, blushing again. He laughed. "What's the alarm for?" I asked.

He kissed my cheek and whispered in my ear, "The show is about to start."


AN-Yeah, I know, I'm terrible for stopping here, but I wanted to post at least a little something for you loyal readers. Thank you all for your well wishes. No one is in the hospital. More like a bunch of sickies that keep me up all night and make me take care of them all day. Hopefully I don't catch it. Good thing I love my family. 8D
ps- these hot springs are first mentioned in my story 'The Experiment', which I wrote before 'The Talk' which came before 'Practicing'. Whew, that was a mouthful, or note full, or whatever. : )