This one is dedicated to the quiet ones. I've seen a recent uptick in the number of story alerts/author alerts and favorites. While I respond to the reviews I can, many of you show your support just by choosing to put the story, or me, on alert. I thank you for your support and hope you continue to read and enjoy!

Chapter 44 – The Smelly Brown Stuff Meets the Whirling Blades

Previously on THTF…

Kathleen's POV, chapter 36:

It was with great frustration and no small part disgust that I reached out to my ex for help ferreting out Bella's background. That conversation went surprisingly well. Seems he had an ax to grind with Edward and was willing to help me if only to get back at him.

"Well, Kate, I never expected to hear from you again."

"Stick it, Sam and don't call me Kate, you know I hate it."

"Fine, Kathleeeeen," he dragged my name out unpleasantly, "to what do I owe the pleasure of your call?"

"I need…help. I want to get some background information on someone."

"Who?"

"Isabella Swan." I heard Sam suck in a breath. He obviously knew who I was talking about. Sam and Edward had been frat brothers in undergrad. I didn't think Sam had any particular fondness for him, though.

"That bitch who's dating Cullen?"

"You know her?"

"We've…met. What do you want to know?"

"Anything. Where she came from, where she went to school. Who her parents are…anything."

"What's in it for me?"

"From the tone of your voice, you'd like to screw with her as much as I want to."

"Yeah, well, I need more than that."

"What do you want?"

"You."

I scoffed. "Please, Sam, we've been that route, I won't be with a guy who screws around on me."

"What do you mean, 'be with?' I'm just looking for a little fun. C'mon, Kathleen, no matter what, you have to agree that we were good together."

Bastard.

"Yeah, well, it couldn't have been that good if you felt the need to screw everything in a skirt in your office."

"None of them could hold a candle to you, babe. I just like variety. So what do you say, Doc? I get you what you need, and you give me what I need? Just one night."

"One night?"

"Yeah, you can wear that silver thing you have. I'll do that thing you like with my…"

"Fine. If you get me what I want and it's worth it, I'll agree to one night. But not in that man cave you call home. The Presidential Suite at the Four Seasons."

"You got it. Now tell me what you need…"

EPOV

Dinner with Bob Banner at Seasons in the Four Seasons hotel could not have gone better. He was obviously smitten with Bella. I couldn't blame him. She simply sparkled all night, and I wasn't only referring to her sequined top.

Bob was very taken with her wit and business acumen. I never doubted that Bella had a head for business, but her ability to talk off the cuff about most topics was her greatest asset, and one I'd not had the pleasure of seeing in action.

"I've been doing business with Whelk a long time, you know. No offense to you, Edward. I know you offer a fine product, but Whelk has served our needs admirably for many years. No reason to change horses when the one I'm on is still running."

I was about to make my sales pitch off his metaphor when Bella interrupted.

"It's very sad, Bob. Business acquaintances can come to mean so much when the partnerships have been mutually beneficial."

What the hell was she doing? She was going to convince him to stick it out with Whelk!

"I'm not surprised you understand, Bella. It sounds like you're speaking from experience," Bob said, reaching over to pat her hand in a friendly fashion before I could interject.

"Yes, well, sadly, I had to end a business relationship that had been mutually beneficial when it was no longer serving my best interests. A girl's gotta' look out for herself."

I could feel my eyes grow wide. She didn't!

"You poor thing," Bob said. Bella had him eating out of her hand! Yeah, she used our prior business relationship to set him up, but at the moment I could only admire her ruthlessness in mining her own life to secure a business deal.

Bella let out a sigh that was just short of dramatic and smiled encouragingly at Bob, pushing him to continue. I narrowed my eyes at the scene before me.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

I saw a flash of panic in Bella's eyes. Her play for his sympathy was about to backfire. She was about to be forced to lie to maintain this conversation. She couldn't share the real details of our previous business relationship and retain Bob's respect. Suddenly, Bella's reasons for leaving me back in January made perfect sense. It was about respect and dignity, not about me.

Not about me. Huh…there was something I'd never considered.

Before Bella could perjure herself, I stepped in. "Bob, I think it's pretty obvious the incident was painful. I'd like to retain Bella's services, so let's move on, okay?"

Bella sat silently, eyes downcast.

"Of course! I'm sorry, Bella. Please ignore the ramblings of an old man. You just remind me of my daughter and it was a reflex reaction."

"Apology accepted," Bella said with a watery smile. Damn, she was good!

"So Bob," I interjected, "While I understand your reluctance to change horses, you have your own customers to consider. I know you value those relationships as much as you do those with your suppliers. Can we explore a partnership, perhaps on a small scale, to help you out?"

Before Bob could answer, Bella interrupted quietly, "Please excuse me, gentlemen."

Bob and I both stood as Bella did. She smiled and walked away from the table. I glanced at him while he watched Bella move away from us. His gaze held a certain fondness. I returned my eyes to her retreating form. Bella truly had a way about her. I should probably just go home and let her wrap this deal up for me. It was almost a given that she'd get a lot more from him than I ever would.

Bob cleared his throat, and I realized I was still staring after Bella, who was no longer visible.

"She's quite something," Bob commented. I could hear the unspoken question in his voice. While I liked the guy, I wasn't about to get into a discussion of my…our personal life with him. Still, he liked her, and I had to give some acknowledgement of his insinuation.

"Yes, yes she is. She's become quiet valuable to me in the last few months."

"Mmm…."

Thankfully, he let the subject drop, and we were engrossed in a technical discussion when Bella returned. She smiled and indicated we should continue as she began to eat the meal that had been delivered while she was gone.

Something was off. Bob liked her, but he didn't know her that well, no matter how much she reminded him of his daughter. Her smile was just a touch too bright, a tad too wide. Something was bothering her. I tried to catch her eye, but she kept her gaze fixed on her plate for the duration of our conversation. By the time she looked up she had managed to school her features into a natural and pleasant expression.

Bob and I fought good naturedly about the check before he "allowed" me to pick up the tab for dinner. We parted with a promise that his people would call our people next week. Bella and I watched as he made his way from the restaurant. As soon as we were sure he was gone, we allowed ourselves a polite exchange.

"Well, that went well," Bella started.

"Indeed it did, Ms. Swan."

"He truly does seem like a very nice man."

"Quite."

Then, the two of us burst out laughing long and hard as the stress of brokering the deal left us a little giddy. I know I pounded the table with my fist a few times, making the silverware jump while Bella covered her face with her napkin. A server stopped by "to make sure everything was alright," since we were disturbing the other diners in the fine establishment. He became less concerned with our deportment when I ordered a bottle of the 1997 Bollinger Blanc de Noirs Vieilles Vignes Francaises to celebrate.

The sommelier hurried over and made a show of opening the fine vintage and pouring for us. I'm sure he was disappointed when the two of us swilled the $400 champagne like it was tap water before getting up and making our way, unsteadily, towards the lobby.

We stopped to get our coats and continued our jaunt through the lobby. Bella stumbled, giggling, and I wrapped my arm around her waist to keep her on her feet.

"Why thank you, Mr. Cullen," she gushed with a girlish simper.

We made our way to the valet and I handed my ticket to an older man…not some typical kid.

"Mr. Cullen," the older man said, pocketing my ticket, "can I call you a cab?"

The offer hit me and made me realize I was acting like some drunken frat boy. I certainly couldn't drive in my condition and offering to drive Bella, who was incapable of making an informed decision right now, was criminal.

"Yes, thank you,"

"Sir, perhaps you'd be more comfortable waiting in the lobby? I'll send one of the boys in for you when the cab arrives."

"Thank you."

I took Bella by the hand and pulled her behind me. She followed obediently, and we sat on a bench, just inside the door.

"Whattaya gonna' do witch yer car?" Bella asked. I sighed and pulled out my phone, and placed a call.

"Demitri, I need you to come get the Aston Martin. It's at the Four Seasons, at the valet. I'll leave them your name. Thank you." I startled as Bella slumped against me.

"Will you need a car to pick you up on Monday, sir?"

"No, no need," I replied, distractedly, trying to shift Bella to a more comfortable position. "I'll drive the Ducati in on Monday. Thank you again."

"Certainly, sir."

"Mmm…Dooo cah tee…" Bella mumbled as I put my phone in my pocket. I chuckled and slid my arm behind her to try to help her sit. Instead, when I removed the bracing my arm was providing, she slid down and laid her head in my lap. I was sure that had I been sober I'd be able to pull her back up, but as it was, I just patted her arm and let her lay there.

I closed my eyes and leaned heavily against the wall. Just a short minute later, it seemed, the valet was in front of me.

"Mr. Cullen, the car service is here."

"Car service?" I said uncomprehendingly.

The valet cleared his throat.

"Yes, sir, courtesy of Seasons management."

"Please pass on my thanks."

I sat back and gazed at Bella's head in my lap. She had pillowed her head on her hand. Her hair spilled between my slightly open thighs.

"Do you require assistance, sir?"

"Hm?" I looked up at the valet. "No, no," I assured him, "I've got her." The valet walked away, and I leaned down over Bella.

"Bella," I whispered. "Bella? You need to wake up, love; it's time to go home."

"Mmm…?" She hummed and exhaled. I could feel the vibration on my thigh and suddenly regretted not letting the valet help me.

"Bella," I said, a little louder, but still quietly. Her eyes fluttered open.

"Edward?"

"C'mon, love. Time to get up. The car is waiting."

"We're not taking the Ducati?"

I chuckled again. "Not tonight."

She sat up. "Ohhh," she whined adorably. Her lower lip thrust out in a cute pout I just wanted kiss right off her face. We needed to get out of here. Now.

"We couldn't ruin your pretty dress on the back of a motorcycle, Bella."

"Ookaaay." She leaned on me and I put my arm around her. My buzz was wearing off, but Bella had matched me drink for drink tonight and she was much smaller than me. The valet opened the door quickly, and I helped Bella into the back seat of the car before turning and handing him a twenty.

"Thank you."

"Thank you, sir.

"Demitri Afton is coming for my car. He'll have id. Please make sure he has no trouble."

"Certainly, sir. Goodnight."

"Goodnight," I replied before sliding into the car next to Bella.

It wasn't too late when the car pulled up to Bella's apartment. I hoped that Angela would be home and still awake. Now I was faced with the dilemma of getting her up to her place.

"You'll wait for me?" I asked the driver.

"Yes, sir."

"Thank you. I might be awhile."

"I understand, sir. I'll be right here."

"Thank you."

The driver exited the car and came around to my side, holding the door open. I stepped out before ducking back in.

"C'mon, Bella," I entreated. "You're home. You need to go to bed."

She wasn't very responsive, and I sighed before biting the bullet. Sliding my arms around her waist, I pulled her to me before lifting her up in my arms. Her head was nestled against my chest, intimately, but that was still better than the car ride here, where she had breathed softly against my neck the entire way.

I pushed my way into her building and managed to press the button for the elevator. I prayed that Angela answered, because now there was no way I'd be able to get her keys from her purse unless I was willing to lay her down in the hallway.

The ride to her floor was uninterrupted, and I made my way easily down the hall. I managed to knock on the door. I was relieved at the sound of movement inside. I just hoped it wasn't her lug of a boyfriend waiting for her to come home.

The door swung open and there was a startled exclamation.

"Oh, Edward! Shit!" Angela greeted me. I was slightly offended until I realized she was in her pajamas and probably not thrilled to see me. Then she realized the situation I was in and her concern for her friend overrode her embarrassment. "Oh my God! Is she okay? What happened? Ben! Ben!" She stepped aside and motioned for me to enter.

Ben Cheney appeared, also dressed for bed.

"Bella?"

"She's fine," assured them, "she just had a little too much to drink." I stepped into the apartment and was heading for the couch when Angela stopped me.

"She's drunk?" Angela asked, incredulously. "I thought this was a business dinner. I can't believe she drank that much at a business dinner." Angela was rubbing her hands together in consternation.

"If I could just put her down…" I hinted.

"Oh! Of course. Just put her in her bed."

I walked into Bella's bedroom and laid her carefully on top of the duvet. She immediately sighed and turned on her side. The three of us filed out of her room, shutting off the lights and closing the door.

"Edward, I'm so sorry," Angela began. "I can't imagine what possessed her to drink that much at a business dinner. I'll talk to her tomorrow…."

I held up a hand to stop her.

"Angela, it's fine. She only had one drink with dinner. After Bob Banner left, we celebrated our success. I'm afraid we both over imbibed."

"Oh." That stopped her. Then her eyes narrowed. "You drove her here?" she asked with an accusatory tilt to her head. I could see the mother bear side of Angela's usually calm demeanor.

"No, we took a car service. Actually, the car is waiting for me downstairs, so I have to go. Please, try to get Bella to drink something so she doesn't wake up too dehydrated."

"Okay. I'm glad the dinner went well."

"Thanks. I'll see you Monday."

"Goodnight, Edward. Thanks for making sure she got home okay."

BPOV

I didn't usually work for the Literacy Project on Tuesdays, but both Edward and Esme were flexible. I ended up putting in a few extra hours in Edward's office on Monday. It was the least I could do for Angela after she played nursemaid to me on Saturday while I recovered from my champagne hangover.

Then again, perhaps I really overpaid for that service. Both Edward and Angela delighted in teasing me all day Monday.

Since I worked Tuesday morning at the Literacy Project it was just plain luck that I caught the call from Bob Banner's office when I walked in around one. After a pleasant exchange I transferred the call to Edward's office and allowed myself a minute of internal gloating before getting back to work.

I was up to my eye balls in spreadsheets a short time later. Every now and then I'd look over at the flashing light on my phone that indicated Edward was still on the Banner call with a small smile. That had to be good, I assumed. No one needed thirty minutes to tell you no.

Consumed as I was with my spreadsheets and thoughts of the Banner proposal, I didn't even look up when the elevator chimed. It wasn't until Angela stood suddenly that I realized anything might be wrong.

"Dr. Snow!" Angela exclaimed. The name got my attention immediately, and my head snapped up.

"Where is he, Angela?" Dr. Snow snapped, an ugly flush covering her face and neck. Her hands were full of what seemed to be tabloids. I sat in stunned silence as she stalked towards Angela's desk.

"He's on an important call and can't be disturbed, Dr. Snow."

I stood in case Angela and I needed to bar her entrance into Edward's office. Unfortunately, my movement brought my presence to Dr. Snow's attention.

"You!" she screeched, upon seeing me. "What are you doing here?"

"I…I'm working," I stammered, surprised by her sudden appearance and the ferocity of her attack.

"Working? Is that what they're calling it now?" she said with a sneer.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said coolly. I didn't like her attitude.

"Do you think I'm stupid? Did you think I wouldn't find out?"

"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about," I insisted in a steady voice.

"I'm talking about this!" she yelled as she flung one of the tabloids at me. The pages came loose and fluttered all over my desk, making a mess. However, one page landed face up right in front of me. Plastered across the page was a photograph of Edward and me taken after dinner at the Four Seasons. I was lying down on a plush bench, my head pillowed on Edward's lap. He was leaning back against the wall, eyes closed, his hand on my upper arm. The headline read "The Prince and the Pauper, Part Duex?"

"And this!" she continued, throwing another paper at me. This one had a picture of Edward and me walking together in the lobby of Four Seasons, and a headline asking, "The Return of Cinderbella?" I was leaning against him, and he had his arm around my waist.

"And this!" she screamed again, shoving a picture of Edward carrying me into my apartment building in my face. I'd had enough. If she wanted to discuss the pictures we could, but I wasn't about to let her assault me.

"Back. Off." I told her in my most menacing voice.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you, you whore. Well, I'm not going anywhere. He's not going to leave me for you, you little piece of white trash. I just hope you've had all your shots!"

I heard Angela suck in a shocked breath, but I felt strangely calm. I had nothing to be ashamed of. Nothing had happened between Edward and me that night, or any other for that matter. I stepped out from behind my desk.

"You listen to me, Doc-tor-Snow…" I growled through my teeth, punctuating her name by pointing my finger in her face. I was about to continue when the door to Edward's office flew open, and he stepped out, obviously enraged.

"What is going on out here…?" he shouted before stopped short and taking in the scene before him.

"Kathleen? What…?"

Edward had been the first to recover, but Dr. Snow was a quick second. She was in front of him in a matter of seconds. She delivered a resounding slap across his cheek. She was about to hit him again when his hand came up and grabbed her wrist.

"What was that for?" he asked quietly.

It was obvious that Edward had never told her that I was working for him again. I'm sure it was quite a shock for her, but for some reason I couldn't muster much sympathy.

"What was that for?" she repeated incredulously. "I come here after seeing this," she thrust one of the pictures at him, "only to find her here, claiming that she works for you!" Edward looked at the paper she had shoved at him. I saw his eyes widen, but he recovered quickly.

"I can explain, Kathleen…."

"On my birthday, Edward! On my birthday!" Now she was just being dramatic. "You told me we couldn't be together on my birthday because you had a business dinner. I understood! Now I find out that you were out with her!" She flung her arm out and pointed an accusatory finger at me.

Something was fishy, and I felt it was time to speak up.

"Wait a minute…." I had seen Kathleen Snow in the lobby of the Four Seasons when I used the bathroom during dinner. I had assumed that Edward told her to meet him there for a birthday treat, since he couldn't spend the evening with her. Now I realized that wasn't the case.

"You shut up!" she interrupted me, rudely. "I got rid of you. You shouldn't even be here."

"Wait…?" "What…?" "What did you say?" Edward, Angela and I all spoke after Dr. Snow made her pronouncement. I could see her face freeze as she replayed in her head the words that had flown out of her mouth.

She got rid of me? What exactly did that mean?

"Never mind that," she snapped before turning to Edward. "Why is she here? Do you really think it's a good idea to employ your exes, Edward?" she wheedled in a more conciliatory tone.

"No, wait…" I interrupted her again.

"I told you to shut up."

"I don't take orders from you. Explain something to me. I saw you in the lobby of the Four Seasons Friday night when I left the table to go to the bathroom. I assumed that Edward booked a room for the two of you as a birthday gift. I guess I was wrong."

"Kath?" Edward asked.

"Don't listen to her Edward. I wasn't at the Four Seasons on Friday. She's lying."

"No, it was you. You had Edward's Tumi wheeled carry on with you. That's why I thought he was planning on meeting you there. I'd recognize that bag anywhere. Edward loves it."

"Edward, don't listen to her," she whined.

"Let's say for a moment Bella is lying," Edward said. Angela sucked in another breath, but I recognized Edward's style of debate. He often seemed to agree with his opponents before pulling the rug out from underneath them.

"She is."

"Okay, but can you explain to me what you meant when you said you got rid of Bella?"

"I meant that you got rid of her. I'm just so angry and hurt that I'm not speaking straight."

"I never got rid of Bella, Kathleen, and you know that. Bella left me. You and I have talked about this."

I wrinkled my nose at the thought of Edward and Kathleen discussing our relationship.

Edward's reminder was met with stony silence. "Kath? Talk to me. What did you mean when you said you got rid of Bella?" he asked softly

"She's not good enough for you, Edward," Dr. Snow whispered, though she may as well have shouted it for how loud it sounded in the otherwise silent room. Angela snorted, earning herself a dirty look.

"What did you do, Kathleen?" he repeated, quietly.

"Nothing. I…." she stuttered. I could see her eyes shifting back and forth quickly.

"What did you do?"

Silence.

"Tell me!" Edward thundered suddenly, his voice reverberating in the large space.

"Fine! You want to know what I did? I saved you from looking like a fool, Edward. Did you think it would stay a secret forever? Golden boy genius, Edward Cullen, Chicago's Most Eligible Bachelor dating a maid, the cleaning woman? Going out with me earned you back your reputation. You should be thanking me. You should be with someone like me, not someone like her." The way she spit the last word made it sound like a growl. "The fact that she ran after seeing those pictures of us should tell you that she doesn't have what it takes to be part of a high profile relationship."

Edward scowled. "I never mentioned that it was the pictures of us that upset Bella, Kathleen. I didn't want you to feel responsible for our breakup. I just told you that she broke up with me. How did you know it was the pictures? Unless…unless it was supposed to be the pictures. But that could only mean you knew the pictures were being taken. The tabloids couldn't tell me who sent the photos because there was never a request for payment. Who would send damning photos like that to a tabloid and not ask for money? Someone who stood to gain more from their silence than they did from money they could make."

"Who took the pictures, Kathleen?"

"I have no idea," she spat.

"I think you do." Edward's eyes widened. "Sam. Sam was there that night."

"Sam Uley?" I asked.

"Sam is Kathleen's ex," Edward explained. "Why would Sam help you get between Bella and me?"

Seeing that it was a lost cause, Kathleen finally confessed, her words dripping with malice. "Sam hates Bella as much as he hates you. Something about your fraternity reunion and his broken collarbone. He was more than happy to dig into your little girlfriend's background and get word to the tabloids." She continued to twist the knife. "I had to promise to sleep with him to get him to take the pictures, though. That's what I was doing at the Four Seasons on Friday night. Yeah, that's right. I slept with him on Friday and then with you on Saturday."

A look of disgust flitted over Edward's features before being replaced with a stony look. I felt my own lips twist in distaste.

"You have some nerve coming in here and playing the girlfriend scorned, then, don't you?" Edward asked, refusing to rise to the bait.

Kathleen didn't answer. "There must be a reason. Is it possible that Bella and I weren't the only ones caught on film? Were the paps still hanging around in the lobby when you and Sam came down in the morning? Did someone recognize you and take your picture as well? Were you hoping that the best defense would be a strong offense? That if you made enough noise I wouldn't notice your indiscretion?"

Again she didn't answer.

"It doesn't matter," Edward sighed. "This," he gestured between himself and her, "is over."

"Edward…" She reached for him.

He stepped back to avoid her touch. "No, Kathleen, don't. Just don't. I want you to leave. Quietly. Don't make me call security up here."

Kathleen scowled. "You're making a mistake," she told him.

Edward sighed heavily, shrugged and shook his head. "Just another one to add to the list," he said.

Kathleen dropped the rest of the magazines on the coffee table before turning and stalking to the elevator. The three of us stood and watched as she punched the button. The door opened immediately.

"Kathleen?" She turned, a hopeful look on her face. "I do want the Tumi back. Bella's right. It's my favorite."

So, now we have a single Bella and a single Edward. Choruses of "Ding, Dong the Witch is Dead," can be sent to me via review. Thank you. Whattaya' think will happen next? Is he going to try to institute their previous arrangement? Oh, wait! Edward has no idea that Bella is single, does he.

I was asked by Sandy, over at Southern Fanfiction Review, to write an Edward-centric Christmas one-shot. I have already written it, and though it is not at all related to THTF's E&B, I think you'll like it. There's smut! I'll post the link with the next chapter of THTF.

In the meantime, I hope you'll visit the Twilighted thread. You can hit me up on twitter (at)ironictwist67.