I had so much help with this chapter from an amazing trio of ladies! Kikikinz, Theotherbella, and Bookoisseur. Seriously girls, without you this chapter would have been a disaster!

(oh fyi, any grammatical mistakes are all mine! I wanted to get this chapter up for you all without further ado)

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I don't own, I just play.

Chapter 8, Dinner with a Beauty

BPOV

I replayed the entire night back in my mind while I was being driven to Brooklyn. He insisted that I let his driver take me home. I would have refused and stomped my foot - well, no not really - but I would have fought a bit harder in my refusal had it not been a seriously trying few days. That and it was well past ten by the time I was ready to leave. We talked. We ate. We talked some more

When I turned around in the foyer to see him for the first time, I was shocked. I was a little repulsed; I was scared; and I was morbidly curious, too. Later I'd be so embarrassed and ashamed my reaction. All I could think was: I want to feel his skin. If I could touch him, then it would be real, wouldn't it? My hands needed the proof that my brain wasn't willing to accept.

I moved slowly. I was focused on his body, on the ruined skin before me. I was aware of how quiet it had become, I could hear him breathing – see his chest rising and falling. He was so still. He let me come to him. He could have pushed me away, but instead he invited me in. When my fingers finally touched his skin, I knew it was real; he was real. He didn't feel likes scales, or armor. He felt like a smooth leather glove. Firm, slightly pliable,but rough at the same time. It wasn't awful or off-putting, just different.

When he put his hand over mine, I felt something familiar. I couldn't pinpoint it at the time, but I know now it was understanding. He was starving for contact - he was lonely. I felt kinship, just as I had with Alice. I understood what it felt like to be alone. Of course, I could never understand what it felt like to be him, to be scarred and deformed, but I felt the loneliness - it was palpable. I also felt relief in his touch. I wasn't running, neither was he. Maybe, just maybe, I had found a kindred spirit.

His eyes. When I looked up and saw his eyes, I knew who he was immediately. Sage green. They had been haunting me since I'd seen them the previous week. I was confused and felt so damn vulnerable. He knew then, he saw my tears that night at the tattoo parlor, it had been Edward's eyes I had been dreaming of. And just as I wasn't running from his body, he wasn't running from my pain. Suddenly, it was too much to take in; I could feel myself getting worked up. What the hell was going on?

Before I could fall into a full panic though, an older woman with a soft face led me away from him. He had a pained expression on his face as I crept passed him. The woman's touch was gentle, but urgent. Part of me didn't want to leave him, would he disappear again? However, the other part of me desperately needed air. She left me on a sofa in the living room and came back with a bottle of something and a small glass.

"Drink now," she said in a heavy accent.

I did as I was told and cringed when I realized I had just gulped down a mouthful of vodka. It burned like hell going down but that didn't stop me from taking another gulp, and then another. She refilled my glass and asked if I was ok. When I nodded, she told me to call if I needed something, then she left me alone.

I took my glass and walked to the floor to ceiling glass window and looked out onto the city and the park. That's where Edward found me. I don't know how long he had been standing there before I told him he owed me an explanation - which he did. I didn't need to be such a righteous bitch about it though. His words, his explanations, they touched me. He was so honest. He told me thought I was beautiful, he told me he understood me.

I didn't believe his words at first, but the more he spoke, the more I did. I knew I wasn't a cow, but I never would have put myself in the Rosalie file folder. He made me feel like maybe, just maybe, he would put me in that folder. He looked at me with such reverence, like I was special. How could I be special to a guy who had only seen me a handful of times?

Also, the more he spoke, the less I saw. His deformity would never be erased, but I had a feeling that once upon a time he looked worst, much worst. Luckily, he had the money for the best surgeons. What he must have looked like before, I couldn't imagine because what he looked like now was difficult to take in or ignore. I slowly got used to it through the night, though.

There was more to his face and body than the scars though. His nose was untouched, crooked, a little funny looking maybe, but not scarred. It was obvious that he frequented the gym. His body, past the horror that was the skin on his arm, leg, and rib cage, was unbelievable. What could have possibly happened to this once beautiful man? He was breathtaking once, that much I knew. It was a fire obviously, but from what? It wasn't my place to ask yet, but I needed to know eventually.

Edward was so fucking strong looking. He could lift me up over his head, I knew it. He was like Vladimir Klitschko, tall, solid, thick. His lips were unscathed, and the longer I looked, the more I wanted to know what it would be like to kiss them. He had a bottom lip that was utterly suck-able. The left half of his face was unmarred. He must have been breathtaking once - high cheekbones, a perfectly square chin. Plus there were his sage green eyes. They lacked any joy or sparkle, but they were filled with need and were beautiful nonetheless.

I couldn't ignore the angry scars that were plastered on him. But I also couldn't deny those parts of him that made me want to know more. He was two men smashed into one. Half of him unnerved me. That wasn't exactly good or bad, just... unnerving. The other half was tempting. And where the hell did that put me?

When he had Lydia run out and get me ice cream, I was surprised. I didn't love the idea of someone running around for me, but it was sweet. When I joked about Sixteen Candles, he laughed. He actually laughed, and it was strange and wonderful. Half of his face couldn't really move. It shifted, but as one mass - as if the muscles were all fused together, and I suppose they might have been. The result was odd. Half of his face lit up and it was a fabulous sight to behold, but half of him was frozen. The sound of his laugh was great, though – almost musical. He laughed, from his stomach and it was a rich, velvety sound. It was a deep joyous sound and something told me, a rare sound.

Of course, nothing could have prepared me for his smooth moves. Yes, he was smooth. I don't think he knew that, but without even thinking about it, he had me sitting cross-legged across from him. I was Sam, he was Jake. Maybe it was the role-playing, maybe it the sound of his laughter. Maybe it was because I saw something different flicker across his eyes. Maybe it was because he called me beautiful... but when I told him I wanted him to kiss me, I meant it.

His kiss was firm and simple - it sent a hum through my body. I'd kissed plenty of guys before, some amazing, some awful, but that one small kiss was so innocent. It was like kissing a virginal thirteen year old or something. It was refreshing, and it broke my heart. He kissed me like he'd never done it before. He didn't seem like some stud, ready to suck my face; he seemed like a shy, sweet kid ready for his first kiss. Even the way he asked me "do you...want me to kiss you?" He was so unsure, so disbelieving. I understood where the doubt came from, but what had he been doing with these women he supposedly been with over the years? Why would one silly little kiss have him so unsure?

It had been a really nice night. I couldn't remember the last time I had a nice night with a man. Before I left for the evening, just after he had called for his car to take me home, he took my hands in his and thanked me for a lovely evening. Wasn't that my line? I felt like the experienced, cool Jake, impressing the innocent, sweet Sam from Sixteen Candles. I thanked him back, still a little amused by the whole thing. Then we sort of froze... what next? Would he kiss me again? Did I have to ask? What the hell was proper protocol in that situation.

"Can I have your number?" He asked so quietly I almost didn't hear him.

"Sure. Promise to use it though?"

"I'll call you tomorrow… promise."

"I'd like that, Edward."

I gave it to him and took his number in return.

"When can I see you again?" He asked.

I wanted so badly to grab his face, pull it to mine and devour him, because the sweet factor was eating away at me. No fucking way was the hunka hunka piece of man, as Rosie would put it, that shy or unassuming. But he was. It was as if everything was new to him. When I told him he could see me again, to call me, he smiled his crooked half-smile at me. I told him we'd figure it out when he called me.

I made him smile twice! But before I attacked his sugary-sweet ass and scared him away, I went on my tippy toes, kissed his cheek, and walked out the door. I didn't look behind me, but in my mind I pictured him holding his hand to his cheek and not letting go all night. I chuckled in the elevator going down. I was all smiles as I went to bed that night.

I got a call on my cell while I was at work at exactly 11:30am the following morning. My heart skipped, he said he was going to call that night. I smiled and picked up my phone… it was Alice.

"What did you do?"

I wasn't sure if she was excited, angry, annoyed, or what.

"What? What did I do?" Then she started crying. "Oh my god Alice, what did I do?" I was worried, was she ok? Was Edward ok? Did I do something wrong?

"He called me Punky."

"Punky?"

"Punky Brewster. It was my favorite show when we were kids. He thought he was teasing me when he started calling me Punky, but I loved it."

"Ok, that's great. I still don't get it."

"Bella, he hasn't called me Punky in ten years. Then I walked through the door like fifteen minutes ago, Lydia is gushing that you were here until ten or something, then Edward walked by and said morning Punky!"

"Alice, this is a good thing right?" I asked still a little unsure.

She started laughing through her tears, "it's an AMAZING thing you nut!"

"Oh phew! Alice you had me worried there for a second."

"Ok, I need all the details, I need them stat!" she said, sounding more like Alice by the second.

"Umm, not much to tell."

"Like hell there isn't!"

"Ok fine, there's a little to tell."

"A little?"

"Ok fine you evil little alien there's a lot to tell."

"I'M LEAVING TO DO STUFF FOR YOUR UNGRATEFUL ASS! I'LL BE BACK LATER" she yelled away from the receiver. "I'll be there in fifteen minutes," she said to me. Before I could protest or make other arrangements, she had hung up. I sat there stunned, which was the accepted state of consciousness after speaking with Alice.

Fifteen minutes to the second later, Alice was in the chair next me, doing her little exciting bouncy-thing.

"Ok, so what on earth did you do the guy?"

I decided to get it out of the way early, and not delay the damage to my eardrums.

"I asked him to kiss me and he did."

Instead of the onslaught of squeals, yelling, and general pandemonium I was expecting, she sat there stunned. Mouth open, eyes wide - I thought she might have stopped breathing for a second there.

"Alice?" Nothing. "Alice? Come on now, say something." Nothing. "Are you angry? Happy? Jesus, just say something!"

Just then Mario showed up and whistled.

"Two for the price of one, must be my lucky day!"

Alice eyes went from hazel-eyed to red in a nano-second. She whipped around in her chair, stood up, and faced Mario.

"One, you don't whistle at a woman you peon, and two, if you don't get the hell out of here by the time I've finished this sentence I will personally see to it that you will never be able to whistle again. Got it?"

Mario went pale and ran out other door. She was my hero. That was it. She was hands down the coolest chick on the planet.

"Wow. That was amazing. I can't get him to deliver a package to the right address, let alone run away on command... you're not from Earth are you? See I've been forming this little theory and..."

"...Bella, focus," she said seriously as she sat back down and her eyes returned to their normal color. I bust out laughing because that was usually my line. "If you're quite finished... you were saying?"

"Right. I kissed Edward."

"Oh my god. I just... wow. Can you... I mean. HOW?"

I told her the entire story, well most of it anyway. I wasn't ready to share my sadness with her. When I was finished she pulled me into a heart-stopping hug.

"You're amazing, you know that?"

"I... thank you?"

"You have to promise me something."

"Ok."

"Bella, I don't know what's going to happen between the two of you, I can't see the future or anything, but I know this... he is going to fuck up. More than once."

"This better have a happy ending because you're not instilling much confidence here."

"He's a prick. He can be mean and rude and inconsiderate. He has a short temper and no patience. He's an asshole to work for and he's allergic to the word thank you."

"Give it to me straight why don't you."

"Even before the accident he was a self-centered spoiled kid who got everything and anyone he wanted."

"Ummm, I'm afraid to ask, but where does the promise come into all this."

"Despite his behavior and the shitty things that come out of his mouth, he's fiercely loyal, always was. He has an incredibly generous heart and deep down is the kid I remember. And, for better or worst, he's my cousin, and I love him. But if he fucks up badly enough for you to stop whatever relationship you wind up having, you have to promise me to be gentle."

"I don't really understand?"

"Bella, there are experiences he's had that aren't mine to tell, but just remember that he's lived in a tower with only myself and Lydia as company for ten years. He hardly steps outside or interacts with anyone because he's so sure that no one will accept him. He's become... bitter in his self-induced loneliness. So I'll ask again. If he should fuck things up badly enough for you to stop seeing or talking to him, please leave him gently. It might not seem like it," she paused, something dawning on her, "but he's actually come very far in the past ten years."

The last part seemed to be more for her own benefit than mine.

"Alice, I don't know what the future holds either, but if either of us fuck up badly enough to ruin whatever it is we have, I'll be as kind as I can about it, ok?"

"Thank you, Bella." and she gave me a teary hug. She would forever inspire me that fierce little alien-girl.

"You hungry, you little alien you?"

"I could eat," she smiled as she sniffled.

"Pizza?"

"Extra cheese, extra sauce."

The pizza guy walked through the front door just as Jake walked through the back.

Introductions were made, pizza was eaten, and later, after everyone had left and I was alone in the office again, I couldn't help but wonder what stories Edward had to tell.

I got home, took a shower, and put some water on to boil when my phone rang. It was Sue.

"Hi sweetie. I just wanted to see how your birthday went and how you're feeling."

"Hey Sue. It was... interesting." I knew I'd have to edit for my parent's sake. They would have freaked out and found a way to make it to New York if I told them everything.

"Interesting how?"

"Ummm, well... I wasn't feeling well after my last tattoo session so..." god I hated lying to Sue, "...so I called Alice. She came over with her cousin, who has a car," that was basically true right? "And they took me to his place to lie down. I wound up falling asleep there. Alice stayed with me the whole time."

"Oh Bella," she sounded so sad.

"Sue, really, I'm ok now. I am, I promise."

"Well, at least you have some more friends to lean on there. That does this old heart good. What made you sick sweetie?"

There I could be honest. "I hadn't eaten all day, I think mostly because I was just in my own sad little world you know? So when I got to the tattoo parlor, it took a lot out of me. I'm pretty sure I was crying, and between being tired and hungry and weak and all the rest of it, I just couldn't keep it up anymore and I kind of crashed."

"I really wish I could have been there for you."

"Me too Sue... I miss you," I said quietly, trying my hardest not to cry.

"Oh precious girl, I miss you too. And so does your father."

"I know," I said giving up the battle and letting the tear come.

"You say the word, and we'll come whisk you away."

"Ok."

"Ok."

"Hey Sue?"

"Yes?"

"I know mom isn't around anymore, but I want you to know how lucky I am to have you."

"Oh hell. Don't make me cry!"

"It's just, it's nice to know that you're there worrying for me and cheering me on."

"Dammit," she said and I could hear her sniffle. "Love you Sweetie."

"Love you too."

"Talk soon?"

"Ya, you bet."

I hung up and let out a sob. I think it was frustration more than anything. I wanted to visit. It had been forever, but my own emotions and memories got in the way. It was so damn selfish of me, but I just couldn't face Santa Fe yet. Just thinking about the smells, colors, and desert stung.

I had just put the pasta in the boiling water when my cell rung again. I didn't even bother looking at it and just answered "Sue, forget something?"

"It's Edward."

"Oh! Oh, I'm sorry. I was just talking to Sue."

"Your mother right?"

It was an innocent question, but it choked me up. "Right... my mother."

"Bella? Are you ok?"

"Umm, ya sure," I started not even fooling myself, "just a little tired."

"I'm coming over."

"What? No! Don't do that!"

"If you were really just a little tired you'd be asleep. I'm coming over."

"Please, I'll be fine."

"Don't buy it, not for a second. But if you're telling me you don't want me to come, I'll understand."

"I didn't mean that!"

"Bella, I get it."

"No, you don't."

"Then explain it to me."

"God you're demanding."

"Yup, and forceful... and I'm coming over." And too honest for his own damn good.

"Just wait..." but he hung up before I could even finish. "SHIT! Shit, shit, shit, shit."

My place was the size of a breadbox, but that didn't stop me from running around stuffing the odd pair of panties into a random drawer and straightening cushions and making my bed. I threw some frozen garlic bread into the toaster oven and warmed up some sauce while setting the tiny little table I had for two. I ran through some perfume, pinched my cheeks, threw on some lip-gloss and went to pee, because being nervous always made me pee.

I was just tossing the pasta with the sauce when the buzzer rang.

"Hello?"

"It's me," he said in a stern voice.

I let him up and looked around relieved that everything was in its place. That's when I realized that it was still light out. It wasn't quite fall and the days were still semi-long. It wasn't his usual night owl time. He came out in the light for me. I was really very touched. He didn't even think twice about it either. He just dropped whatever he was doing and came right over.

There was a knock at the door. I peered through the peephole to see him standing at the door, gray hoodie pulled over his head. I undid the locks, opened the door, and he stepped inside. When he was in, I closed and locked the door back up. I turned to him just as he was pulling his hood off. It's not that I had forgotten what he looked like, but it would take time before I couldn't see those scars anymore.

I couldn't stare for more than a second before he had stepped toward me and pulled me into him. I closed my eyes, let my arms wrap around his waist, and let out a breath I wasn't aware I had been holding. Again, being held by him felt so good - so safe and warm.

"I..." but he hesitated.

"Yes?" I whispered.

"I missed you," he said simply.

I squeezed him tighter. I didn't want to say it. Maybe I was having a hard time believing that after only 48 hours of knowing him, I missed him too - but I did. I missed being in his arms.

"Are you going to tell me why you're sad now?" he asked not letting me go.

"Sad?"

"Ya, sad."

"Funny, I almost forgot I was sad at all."

EPOV

I smiled a big shit-eating smile that she couldn't see. I didn't let go until I smelled something burning.

"Bella?"

"Hmmm," she answered dreamily. Smile smile smile.

"Is something burning?"

"Burning?" I could hear her sniffing the air. "GARLIC BREAD!" She exclaimed then pushed away and ran around me. I turned to see her opening a smoking toaster oven.

"Shit! Open the window before the alarm goes off!"

I took a few steps to the window and pushed it open.

"Good thing for you I like my garlic bread extra crispy," I joked.

I turned to see her frowning over a completely blackened loaf of what must have been garlic bread once upon a time. She looked so fucking cute pouting over her spilled milk that I couldn't help it and started laughing.

"Oh very funny!"

"Oh now, come on, you just look so cute and crestfallen."

Her eyes shot daggers at me and instincts took over again. I walked over to her, bent over slightly, and kissed her. It wasn't some 13 year old her kissing that time either, it was me, Edward. An Edward who desperately wanted to taste her. I heard something fall the floor and felt her ovenmitt-clad hands reach around my head. She deepened the kiss. When I felt her warm, wet tongue touch mine, I moaned. I couldn't help it. I don't know how long we stood there sucking face, but eventually lack of air forced us to stop.

We pulled apart, panting, but smiling. She picked up the miserable excuse for bread up off the floor, tossed it, and told me to sit down. I sat down and waited as she brought over a big bowl and a serving spoon. She ran back to the fridge and pulled out some grated Parmesan cheese.

"Ice Tea?"

"Ya, sounds great. Haven't had iced tea in a long time."

"You're in luck, it's my own recipe, and it's stellar."

"Isn't it just tea, water and sugar?"

"Maybe," she answered before returning with the cheese and pitcher.

She got us two glasses and finally joined me at the table. I poured us ice tea.

"To our first dinner," I said holding up my glass.

A/N

And so... what do we think? Your responses have been wonderful thank you. Constructive and supportive all around - now I just want more of them. I know I'm a greedy little bugger.