Twilight doesn't belong to me – I just have fun with it!

Word Prompt: Subway

Highline

Chapter 9

When I woke up the next morning, it was as if I had been alone in my tent all night. Every trace of Edward was gone. The air was stuffy in the tiny space, and birds were chirping noisily all around me. With my legs and back sore from the previous day's work-out, I enjoyed a few minutes of stretching and relaxing before getting dressed and joining the others.

After a quick breakfast of oatmeal and dried fruit, we headed off towards Ball Pass junction without so much as a peep about the bed hopping situation the night before.

The weather was definitely on our side. There was a gentle breeze, which provided some relief as the trails started to climb, and the sun was shining brightly. For the first time since we'd left I was able to shed my thermal outer layer and enjoy the heat on my bare arms. While I was glad that the sun had made an appearance, it wasn't the most fitting day for it – we were beginning one our most strenuous days on the trails.

A short while later, after a number of sharp uphill paths, we passed Haiduk Lake where we stopped to take pictures of the steep, slopped banks that blended up into jagged mountain walls. The patterned erosion was fascinating, but not quite as interesting as listening to the whistle of the marmots that filled the air through Whistling Pass and Whistling Valley along our way. The little animals could be seen scurrying just off our path if we stood still long enough.

After reaching our peak elevation for the day we started our descent towards Egypt Lake, where we'd be setting up camp for the night. Even though the back half was downhill, it was still rough navigation – the trails had been washed out in areas, and the climb through bush and swampy sections was no easy feat.

"What I wouldn't do for a Subway melt right about now." Jacob groaned, rubbing his stomach with his free hand. We had followed his makeshift path through the woods ever since we'd left Haiduk Lake. I'd noticed that both Edward and Emmett had given over a lot of the guiding reins to Jacob, which made sense as he was apprenticing. "I love backpacking, I just get so damn hungry out here."

"I'd take a steak, loaded potato and a beer." Emmett called out from behind him. "Rosie? You?"

"Pizza. Deep dish with extra cheese. And a Coke."

"Lasagna!" I called out, following our order. We were all covered in tons of sweat, mud and bug spray – it was nice to have something silly as a distraction.

"How 'bout you, Edward? Why so quiet back there?" Emmett hollered out.

"No reason. You really want to know?" He replied mischievously.

I snuck a glance at him over my shoulder. He wore that ever-so-handsome grin that appeared nowhere near often enough and his hair was a wild mess. His jaw was growing darker with stubble with each passing day. I was glad he was behind me – having him in front of me would've been far too distracting.

"Sure." I answered for all of us, genuinely curious.

"Trout."

xoxoxoxo

Egypt Lake was a little piece of paradise. The lake water was crystal clear – turquoise in the center with different shades of green swirling throughout it depending on the depth. We set up our tents in a flat area only a few metres from the shore, and got ready to kick back for a little while.

When Emmett first told us that we'd be able to swim in the lake, I didn't believe him. Off in the distance you could clearly see snow trickling down from the mountains into the water and I was certain we'd freeze to death. Sure enough though, he'd stripped down to his shorts and waded out to mid-thigh depth without a single complaint. It wasn't nearly as warm as the hot springs, but the sun had warmed the shallower areas of the pristine lake enough that we could wade comfortably and at least clean up a little bit.

While Jacob, Rose, Emmett and I splashed around for a little while, Edward set to work on fishing. Apparently Egypt Lake was a prime spot for trout fishing, and he was wasting no time fooling around.

Keeping with the spirit of being friendly I climbed out of the water, threw on my sweater and a pair of clean shorts and made my way over to Edward. The others had started a game of catch with a tennis ball Jacob had brought along and I wasn't really in the mood or shape for it.

"Trout, huh?" I asked, sitting beside him on a fallen log along the shoreline.

"I was just being a smartass, but yes – I like trout." He replied, not looking up from his lure.

"My dad liked to fish. I liked to watch. I wish I'd gone with him more." I said softly, kicking myself for the verbal and emotion diarrhea.

"I'm sorry -" He said as he tossed his line out. "about your dad. I saw on your interest forms that you were doing this for him – it's a great tribute."

"You did?" I was shocked. It didn't occur to me that Edward would have seen any of our paperwork before we had left, but the more I thought about it the more sense it made. "I thought that stuff just went to Alice."

"I like to know who I'm bringing out here." He replied, clearing his throat. "Anyway - How's your foot?"

"Not that bad." I shrugged. It hadn't bugged me again. "I changed the bandage back at camp. I don't think I did as neat of a job as you did though."

"Can I take another look?"

"If you want – I don't think it's that bad though, honestly."

"People underestimate blisters out here. We're far away from everywhere right now – you don't want to get an infection."

"Ok, you're right." I replied as I removed the moleskin and placed my foot on the log between us. Edward secured his fishing pole between two branches before sitting back down, a little closer to me this time.

Edward's fingers were cool on my skin, but delicate. The way he lifted my ankle – the combination of gentle movement and strong hands – was too much and I had to look away.

I focused my attention instead on Emmett throwing Rose over his shoulder and running through the shallow water while she squealed at him to put her down.

"They're sure getting friendly, hey?" I said, curious to gauge Edward's reaction. "They do look good together."

"I'm trying not to notice." He murmured, reaching into his backpack.

"Aww, poo. So what if they're getting close." I said, sticking up for them. While I understood his concerns about professionalism, I didn't see what the big deal was. "They're both consenting adults."

"I know." He sighed. "It's just – different. Emmett doesn't get invested easily."

"Neither does Rose."

"Well, then." He sighed, squeezing some Polysporin on to his finger.

An awkward silence filled the air between us while he applied the cream to the back of my foot.

"Are you seeing anyone?" I finally broke it – I couldn't stand it anymore – but was less than impressed with myself for the personal question choice.

"No." he quickly replied. "I've spent so many years focused on other things. There's never been anyone serious."

"I'm not either." I offered, even though he never asked.

"Well, that's probably a good thing since you shared a very small tent with a strange man last night."

"You're not that strange." I teased. He let out a loud chuckle – his eyes lighting up. It was a sight to see.

"Did you sleep better after you came in?" I asked.

"I did. Thank you."

"If you want some relief tonight, the door will likely be open." I said, instantly catching myself. "I mean…not relief! Sleep! You know!"

"I might just take you up on that." He said, working hard to stifle a laugh. "The sleep, of course."

xoxoxoxoxoxo

That night, alone again in my tent, my mind was racing. Rose had ducked off to Emmett's tent again just after everyone had turned in. I didn't say anything to her about Edward staying with me, and didn't bring up the fact that Edward knew where she was either. I knew I'd tell her eventually when the time was right.

I should've been sleeping, but it wasn't coming as easily as it had the night before. Shots from the day played through my mind like a film reel - Edward on the descent trail with his sweat soaked hair, his forearms while he fished, washing up in the lake after catching and cooking up his trout – I couldn't keep him out of my head.

I lied awake for what felt like hours, before I heard a rustling sound just outside my tent flap.

Edward was back.

A/N Thanks for reading and reviewing! Big thanks to those who have recc'd/pimped/etc. too – I seriously appreciate it! I'm still working on pictures – uploading to twitter didn't go so hot, but I'll find another way. (Maybe tumblr? Hmm…) I'll be updating again late tomorrow night! (MST) xoxo