So my lovely readers, how about some girl-time? Maybe a little Beastward toward the end hmmm?

A huge stellar all warm and gooey thanks to Theotherbella for beta-ing. Seriously, without her this wouldn't make much sense.

I don't own, I just play

Chapter 4, Casablanca

Monday September 4th, 2009

"Bella!"

I had just walked into Spice Market, where Alice has asked me to meet. The girl behind the counter asked me if I had reservation when I heard Alice yelling for me.

"Just this way, then," said the pretty girl smiling at me. I followed her and Alice stood up to attack me. Small but mighty, that girl was. I sat down across from a positively bouncing Alice and smiled.

"Isn't this place amazing? The colors? And just wait 'til you taste the food, Bella! Everything is amazing here." She was right, the place was wonderful but I was more amused by her enthusiasm, I wondered if anything could possibly bring the girl down.

A moment later, a cute waiter in a grass-green silk shirt dropped off two bright pink glasses of something.

"You can thank me later," Alice quipped before I could even ask. She lifted her glass. "To the start of a beautiful friendship."

We clinked glasses and I took a sip of sweet, sparkling, luscious heaven.

"Oh, Alice... I'm thanking you now. This is amazing! What the hell is it?"

"Isn't it just? It's a raspberry lychee Bellini."

"It's heaven and we're going to need more of them."

Alice sighed contentedly. "I knew I liked you."

We ordered soon after, just a bunch of different things to share, everything was family-style, anyway. No sooner had the spring rolls arrived than my cell rang. Now, my cell didn't ring often. I knew all of about five people and I was annoyed that I hadn't turned off my ringer - it was rude!

"Well, aren't you going to answer it?"

"It's rude, whoever it is can wait until after lunch."

"Jeez, you have good self control. I mean, not that I don't appreciate it and all, but what if it's important?"

"There's nothing so important that..." I cut myself off, there was one thing important enough, "ROSIE!"

"Rosie?"

"Alice, would you mind if I?"

"Bella, Bella, Bella..." she tsked shaking her head. I smiled and answered on the last ring.

"I'm in love," she sighed when I answered the phone.

"Rosie, it was one date; you are most definitely not in love."

"She could be..." interrupted Alice. "I knew the moment I saw my Jazzy that he was it - it was as if I had been waiting for him," she said dreamily.

"Who's that?" asked Rose.

"That's Alice, I sort of made a new friend last night," I explained, a little confused by it all myself.

"Sort of," Alice scoffed. "Hand me the phone please, Bella," Alice asked somewhat seriously.

"Rose? Hi, Alice. We are definitely friends and I definitely need to hear more...mhmmm...really? Awww...so cute! No...oh ya...yes, you have to...yes, I'm serious...intrude? Holy hell, girl, get over it. What is it with you two and the manners? Spice Market...I know, me too! It's ordered already...raspberry lychee Bellini...done...see ya!" Alice hung up and handed me my phone. "She'll be here in ten minutes, just need to order her a Bellini."

Alice waved her hand, found a waiter, ordered a Bellini for Rose and another round for us before digging into the spring rolls.

"Not hungry?" she asked, reaching for another roll.

"Ya, I'm hungry. Dazed and in awe, but hungry."

I made a calculated decision to not ask questions. Alice was obviously some special breed of human not yet categorized by the scientific community - it was best to go with the flow and not rustle any feathers. The drinks arrived, along with the crab dumplings and Rose. There were hugs and hellos then a long gulp of a Bellini before Alice immediately zeroed in on Rose's bag. It was one of Rose's own creations in a soft buttery suede with silver o-rings and zippers all over the place.

"Seriously? Can I pick 'em or what? I not only get two friends for the price of one, but two projects too! It's too much! Oh girls, we are totally going to get you two famous in a hurry. I mean, why isn't Nicole Ritchie wearing that bag right now?"

"Alice, I ask myself that question everyday," answered Rose with utter sincerity.

"So first things first, we need the right people wearing your stuff right?"

"Right," Rose and I answered in unison.

"We totally need Angela and ladies have you considered joining forces? This would be so much easier as a united front."

"First off, who's Angela? I asked.

"So it's not who wears the stuff that's important right? It's who's buying the stuff for the people who are wearing the stuff - that's who's important."

"English please, Alice," I said.

"Duh! Stylists. You think Anne Hathaway wakes up looking that good? No way! She has someone to shop for her."

"So, Angela shops for Anne Hathaway?" I asked, confused.

"No, Hathaway is West Coast. Ang handles a bunch of East coast people though...so what needs to happen is, I need to have lunch with her wearing something amazing from each of you. She's gonna flip, ask me where I found the stuff and that's when I say it's..."

"It's?" asked Rose.

"Didn't we just decide that you two need join forces?"

"Umm... yes," I answered, confused once again.

"Bells! She's right! It would be amazing; then we could rise to the top together! Can't you see it? We could find a little studio in the garment district. We could even coordinate some looks right? I mean I've had this kick-ass idea for hand painted hard leather clutches come winter... if you could make something to compliment them we could sell them together and it would be amazing! What do you think?"

It was a ton to take in. I won't say I was pressured into saying yes, because I wasn't... exactly. It was a great idea, point of fact. I was almost surprised we hadn't come up with it ourselves a long time ago. But it was a lot to work out. We needed a name, this mythical studio...I suppose Alice was right, we needed a website, and of course what happened if we woke up one day and hated each other?

"I want to say yes, but Rose, what happens if we have a fight or something?"

"We'll kiss and make up eventually. I mean come on, whether we work together or not we were going to fight eventually."

"We need a name..."

"You have names already don't you?" answered Alice, "Swan and..."

"Hale! Rosalie Hale," answered Rose excitedly.

"So, Swan and Hale it is," said Alice simply.

"We need a website and a space..." I whined.

"Done and done."

Both Rose and I looked at her expectantly.

"Jasper is a graphic and web designer and he has this massive industrial space on 36th Street near the river. It's just him and three other guys, they don't need that much room"

After a long pause, I was finally able to get some words out.

"Alice, what are you? Our fairy godmother?"

"Ooool I like that! Yes, I am totally your fairy godmother!"

"Alice," Rose started, "and please don't take this the wrong way. You're being incredibly generous and helpful, but..." I had a feeling I knew what she was about to ask because I was thinking the same thing. "What do you want in return?"

"Just fabulousness in the form of free accessories and jewelry of course!"

We smiled and laughed a little, and although I couldn't know what was going through Rose's head, mine was still questioning Alice. I didn't think she was evil or anything; I didn't even think she was actually in it for the free stuff. But that was the problem, wasn't it? What the hell was she in it for? We had met not even a full twenty-four hours earlier and she had already offered us a future: a future that included a company, a website, a workshop, and even connections in the fashion industry. Maybe sensing our distress, she started again.

"Look, ladies," she said in a calmer, somewhat un-Alice like timbre, "I know it might be hard to believe, but I don't have a ton of friends. I'm... frenetic and loud, and overly excitable, and I dunno, I guess it's just hard for people to take me seriously or something. Plus, my job can be all consuming. It's not glamorous or exciting and my boss is... well, he's complicated and demanding, and basically just an all-around beast. I need an outlet. I need a project to make me happy and keep me sane and away from the doom and gloom of my work-life. Plus, if I get some friends out of it? Well, right? I mean, right," she asked earnestly. She hadn't fully explained herself, but I knew exactly what she was saying.

I, for one, was legitimately touched. Here was this fantastic and fierce little woman laying it bare for us. She was right; she was frenetic, and loud, and excitable, but she was also obviously a little lonely, and a little lost, just like me. As for her job, I had no idea what she did, but just looking at her body language when she spoke about it make me overwhelmed for her. There must have been a very good reason she was still working for this animal because she didn't seem like a glutton for punishment. I knew then that I wanted her help and her friendship, and it wasn't because I felt sorry for her; it was because I felt kinship.

I looked to Rose who winked at me. She reached over and took Alice's tiny little hand in hers and squeezed.

"Alice, we'd be so honored to be your friend."

She looked to me and I nodded emphatically. Then, she started bouncing and immediately became the Alice who had yelled my name across a busy New York restaurant earlier that morning.

More food arrived, another round of drinks, and it was time for Rose's date re-cap. We were all a little buzzed, warm, and giggly, which made for a particularly silly rest of the meal.

"So, he was right on time. I went downstairs and..."

"...Wait! I need clothing deets." Of course Alice did.

"Bella and I decided on this really simple black cotton halter maxi dress, a pair of studded copper criss-crossed flats that I made, a seriously stellar necklace of Bella's, and one of my bags. My hair was loose and just gloss and mascara on."

"Awesome, continue please."

"So when I opened the door, oh he was so cute. He was wearing a Hawaiian shirt, a pair of khakis, and leather sandals. I know it sounds totally cheesy, but oh my god ladies, the shirt was fitted and and slim cut, his hair was still a little damp and combed back," she sighed, "he looked like Elvis."

That's when we started laughing like lunatics. I had only just found out about Rose's love of Elvis, but apparently the love went way beyond the music.

"Ok," I started, "so he picks you up, looking like Elvis, and then what?"

"He smiled like he'd won the lottery, wrapped his arms around my waist, lifted me out of the doorway and into the street, then kissed my cheek before he put me down."

After a collective awww, she continued.

"He took me to this steak place called Strip House. It was all red velvets, low lighting, vintage posters, and he knows the managers because his family provides the meats and steaks for the place. Anyway, we had this corner banquet and were sitting side-by-side..." She drifted off into her head for a moment.

"Earth to Rosie," I teased.

"Think it's possible to be in love after one innocent night with a guy?"

"YES," squealed Alice. "I totally know when I saw Jazzy that he was the one. I told him too. I saw him at the counter in this diner that doesn't exist anymore, too bad, really. They had the most stellar French toast. Anyway, he was at the counter reading some book and sipping a cup of coffee. And I knew. I just knew the second I saw him that he was it. I sat right next to him and said so too. I told him 'You've kept me waiting a long time,' and he just smiled at me. I was a goner."

"You really think you love this guy, Rosie?"

"Maybe. I don't know, but Bella, he's amazing. He kept looking at me and forgetting what he was going to say, he waiting for me to sit down before he did, he got up when I went to the bathroom. He didn't look at the cute waitress, he wanted to know everything about me, he kept moving closer and closer to me throughout the night. He took me home and didn't ask to come up or anything, he just kissed me so sweetly on the lips and then made sure I got in the front door."

"He sounds like a sweetheart Rose, but..."

"...he left me an e-mail this morning. Know what it was?"

"Thank you note?"

"It was an MP3 of 'I Just Can't Believe It.'"

"Let me guess - an Elvis song?"

"Don't be cynical, Bells. He was amazing and I can't stop thinking about him."

"I'm happy, I am. I just don't want you rushing into something, OK."

"Oh come on, Bella," said Alice, "nothing's better than the feeling like you're falling in love."

"I'll have to take your word for it."

"HOLD. THE. PHONE. You've never been in love?"

"No."

"Never? Not once?"

"No!"

"Not even your first?"

"God, no. Mike and I did it in the back of his pick up truck. I guess it was kind of romantic, it was under the stars and all, but it wasn't love. It was hormones."

"Innnteresting," hissed Alice.

"Uh-oh, should I be worried here, Alice?"

"Maybe..." she answered cryptically.

"Don't listen to her, Bella. You'll find Mr. Right someday."

"I've decided I hate that word. Speaking of which, Alice, who does your hair?"

No sooner had I said the words than she was scrolling through her cell phone.

"Dante? Hi! It's Alice...I'm stellar, sweets...No, no, not for me, for my friend Bella...the works...no it's nice, but it's not her anymore...four? Really? You are a rock star! We'll be there!" She hung up, looking very self-satisfied. "You have a four o'clock appointment with Dante. He's going to take good care of you."

"Holy hell, you work quickly."

"Yup, need anything else to make your life fabulous?"

"Actually..."

"...Yesssss?"

"I've been wanting to get a tattoo. Not sure what yet." That was only partially true. I did want a tattoo, but I knew exactly what I wanted and why.

There was a suspicious gleam in her eyes when she answered, "I know just the guy."

EPOV

I didn't leave the house often, when I did it was at night and for very specific reasons. Garrett was one of those reasons. Alice found him for me because needed a way of documenting my mistakes, my anger, my frustrations, my regrets. He was a genius with a tattoo gun and slowly but surely, had been covering what parts of my body he could with ink.

The first tattoos I got were angry, horrifying scenes. There were fires, death, visions of hell, flashes of misery from my dreams. Over the years though, things became less angry and more... I suppose sad is the word. My anger and fears had melted into murkiness. I felt restless and ill at ease. I was pathetic and I knew it.

I felt heavy-laden and hunched over. It was a new, unwelcome feeling. That being said, it was better than the unrelenting anger followed by crippling depressing that followed in my past. All I could think of was this sad willow tree by the lake in the park where my mother used to take me as a kid. I don't ever remember it having leaves; it always seemed barren and dead. The irony was fucking palpable and I wanted the image to be part of the collage.

I had Alice make an appointment for me. Garrett worked out of hole-in-the-wall in Alphabet City on 4th Street, off of Avenue D. It was quiet and dark, and he kept his door open late for me. I put on my hoodie, called for the car, and rang for the service elevator. I didn't use the regular elevator, too many people, too many stares, too many questions.

I was ten minutes early for my 10 P.M. appointment. I always kept my head down when I walked in the real world - people seemed to leave you alone if you looked like you wanted to be. I pushed open the door, lifted my head and was momentarily frozen in time. The girl was exquisite. Her jean-clad legs were straddling the chair she was sitting in. She was all soft, full curves, like a fifties pin-up. Her shoulder length loose curls were bright red, copper, and orange. She was topless, holding a towel against her chest, one hand kept it firmly in place over her sternum. But the towel must have shifted at some point and the side of her pale, round, heavy left breast was exposed.

I don't know how long how I stood there. There was so much beauty - so much radiant color shone from her hair, so much sensuality rested in her form and her perfectly milky skin. I could feel my body reacting to her. I was in lust. My breath picked up, my jeans were getting tighter.

She was looking at the wall, in her own little world. I realized then that she was crying. The tears silently rolled down her cheeks, past her lips, dripping off her chin to the tiled floor below. I didn't know what made this beauty cry, but I understood her sadness immediately. Lust turned into a deep seated need to know more.

I wanted to wrap her in my arms and take away the tears. I'd let her know that I understood the pain. I'd calm her, make her smile somehow. When the episode had passed, I'd undress her slowly, kissing a trail across her skin. I'd make her feel cherished, special. I wanted to touch her, hold her, whisper in her ear. I wanted to know if she smelled sweet or spicy, I wanted her to fall asleep on my shoulder. I wanted to bury myself in her.

I wanted.

It all changed when she realized I was there, though. Suddenly her head whipped around, I could see the deep brown of her watery eyes and despite my wanting to comfort, to know more, to cherish, instinct took over and I ran away.

I could hear Garrett telling me to come back in a half hour as the door shut behind me. I walked down the street to calm down. I knew there was only one person responsible for this... Alice. I was livid. How could she? She handled my calendar, she knew exactly what she was doing and she knew to always make sure that no one else, NO ONE ELSE was in that tattoo parlor when I came around.

I grabbed my phone from my pocket and dialed her number.

"Hello?"

"You have some fucking nerve," I seethed.

"Good evening to you too, Edward."

"Why, Alice?"

"Why what, Edward?" she answered a little too innocently.

"WHY YOU MEDDLING LITTLE ANNOYANCE!" I screamed, furiously.

She hung up. The little interfering... I dialed again.

"Alice!"

"No, it's Jasper. You better calm the fuck down man. I don't know and I don't care what she did or didn't do, but you don't get to speak to her like that. EVER. Do you fucking understand me?"

That sobered me the hell up. Jasper was the most soft-spoken, calm man I had ever met. I'd never heard him curse or raise his voice. Hearing him like that was terrifying.

"Shit."

"Shit is right. I'm hanging up now. When you think you can talk to your cousin like a fucking human being, you can call back, but not a second before."

What was wrong with me? Was I so far gone that a simple scheduling mix up could tip me off the edge like that? After all these years, I was still a fucking mess. I should have called for my car and dragged my ass back home. Instead, I found myself walking back toward the tattoo parlor. I told myself it was to see if Garrett was ready for me yet. The reality was I needed to see the beauty again. Was she still draped in nothing but a towel? Was she still crying?

I stayed in the dark, not getting too close, but close enough to the small glass window to be seen. She was still there, barely covered by the towel, but this time she was looking out into the darkness. I knew she couldn't see me... but she was looking for something. Her head kept tilting and her eyes were roaming the darkness of the street outside. What was she looking for? Some tiny little voice inside whispered, she's looking for you. But hope was a fickle fucking mistress and I knew that no one could learn to love a beast.

A/N

So, he's seen her. He's hooked. Everything will be revealed and explained in the next one or two chapters – I haven't decided whether or not I should the break up the chapter yet. Whatever I decide though, I won't keep you waiting, I'll post them both next week.

So. Some of you like the last chapter, some of you didn't, most of you held your tongues. Would love to hear from every person who's reading...