Gosh, I hope there are still people following this!

I know, it's been forever since my last update. I don't have any good excuse - just real life getting in the way. The good news is that I now have a full-time teaching job!

To refresh your memory, thanks to James looking for lunch, Bella's truck almost crashed into Edward's shiny Volvo on a highway in the Cascades. She managed to avoid hitting Edward, but went down the embankment instead. Edward rescued her,taking her to the hospital and then to her apartment, where he discovered that she already knew he was a vampire, and met her vampire friend Alice (in this story, not his sister yet). Throughout the course of the night at Bella and Angela's apartment,, he realises that it's not only Bella's blood that he wants. While they're out shopping, jealousy rears its green-eyed head when Bella's self-absorbed ex Asshat...er...Mike...shows up. OK, all caught up? :-)

As always, many, MANY thanks to my wonderful and speedy validation beta nowforruin! I'm relieved to find that she hasn't given up on me yet. At least, I don't think she has.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

CHAPTER 6: Seriously

Before Edward could voice his questions, Bella began in a rush, "I'm so sorry that you were dragged into that with Mike. I can't imagine what you thought, what you're thinking of me now."

She sounds so forlorn, he thought, all because of that jerk. He frowned, fury bubbling up inside him. It took an enormous amount of concentration to prevent himself from accidentally crushing the steering wheel with his fingers.

Bella sighed. He barely caught her muttered words. "Now I've made him angry again."

What? She thought it was her fault he was angry? He mentally cursed himself for upsetting her, and Asshat for existing. Good thing vampires could multitask. Time to do some clean-up.

"You want to know what I think? I think you are an intelligent, attractive woman who has the amazing ability to make even the most mundane situations pleasant and fun. I never imagined that I could spend so much time in one person's company and enjoyed it as I do with you."

Running at the mouth much, Cullen? For the hundredth time he wished he could read what was going on in her mind. She looked…embarrassed? Did she even want to hear this from him? Being told that the vampire who craves your blood likes hanging out with you? Probably not. Just being honest, he assured himself. Well, as long as he was on the topic…

"What I don't understand is why a woman like you would hook up with Asshat…er…Mike. I came this close to ripping his fool head off."

Bella's lips twitched. "Asshat?"

"Well, yes. That's the nickname I came up with before I knew his name."

"It fits," she smiled wryly.

Edward's curiosity got the better of him. "So why did you date him?"

The chestnut-haired woman next to him shrugged. "Long story."

Hmmmm. "We have plenty of time."

Now she grimaced, flushing again. He'd never tire of seeing that.

Bella didn't want to talk about it. Actually, she wanted to forget that her ex-boyfriend ever walked the earth. On the other hand, she felt terrible that Edward was subjected to the encounter with Mike, and she at least owed him some sort of explanation. After all, he did come to her rescue…again. For a brief moment she allowed herself to relive the feel of his arm around her waist and his stone-like body pressed securely against her back. Of course, it was only play-acting. It would never happen for real.

With a sigh, she forced herself back to reality and responded bluntly, "I don't want to tell you because you'll think less of me."

Edward chuckled darkly. "Bella, I've revealed that I am an undead demon of the night who wants to drink your blood. As far as terrible secrets go, that's hard to top."

"Hmmff." She dismissed that one with a wave of her hand. "You're no demon."

He quirked one eyebrow and waited.

Bella huffed. "OK fine, if you really want the sordid details I'll tell you. But I don't want to talk about him again after this, OK?"

"OK," smiled Edward.

She paused, formulating how to explain it to him. "You may not understand this, because you're a guy and have been through med school, but it is difficult for a woman studying for an advanced degree to find a man who wants her for herself. Most men are scared of a woman with a master's or Ph.D. Their egos can't stand the idea of her having more formal education than them, or making more money. So that limits the possibilities to men who also have a master's or Ph.D., manthers, and those who want a sugar mama."

Surprisingly, Edward nodded. He'd heard similar complaints in the minds of several of his female colleagues. In fact, if he had actually been seeking a relationship with a human female, he would have been equally frustrated by the women who couldn't see past his looks and potential bank account.

"I understand. Most of the normal, successful couples I know are either equal or the woman is 'lower' education-wise."

"Exactly."

"So …" he prodded after a long pause.

Bella suddenly couldn't look at him. "It's not that no one ever asked me out. There was one guy who liked to tell everyone that he was dating a woman who was getting her master's in English, like it was some sort of status symbol. Apparently that was the only reason why his mother spoke to me. That one lasted two dates."

Edward forced back his irritation at this unknown man and flashed Bella his crooked grin. "So no princess and pauper scenarios for you."

As planned, Bella looked up at him and smiled back. "Nope. Does that sound snobby to you?"

"Not at all. Those types of relationships generally don't work out anyway. And then what?"

"Puppies." At her companion's questioning look, she explained, "The guys who follow you around adoringly, agreeing with everything you say, seemingly incapable of making a decision on their own. Puppies."

Edward laughed. "Picky picky."

Bella grinned in response. "I love dogs, really I do. I just don't want to date them."

He was regarding her thoughtfully. "So Ass...Mike showed up, seemingly normal, also in graduate school?"

Her astonishment registered clearly on her face. "How…?"

She rolled her eyes when he smirked and tapped his temple significantly. "Well, the timing helped. He came along when absolutely nothing else is my life was normal. I was struggling to support a physically ill father, emotionally unstable mother, and schizophrenic cousin. I suppose you could say that I used him to give myself some stability."

Ah, finally another clue to the mystery of Bella. Given what he knew about her, he could definitely see her sacrificing her own happiness for her family.

Bella's dark eyes took on a distant look, as if she'd forgotten that she was actually talking to him. "My mother didn't like me dating anyone, so we had to sneak around for the first couple of months. Then all hell broke loose in my family, I became an emotional and physical mess, and it was too much for him to handle. I don't blame him. I would have left me as well. As he said, way too much baggage."

I wouldn't have left you, thought Edward. "So just when you most needed someone, he took off."

"Aren't we almost at the grocery store?"

"Almost," he conceded with a wry smile. He knew he was being nosy, but he had to know something. "Did you love him?"

Bella looked at Edward in surprise. "Didn't you hear the part about being a horrible person who used Mike for my own sanity?" When he didn't drop his questioning gaze, she sighed and reluctantly answered him.

"At the time I thought I was in love with him. Now, in hindsight, I was probably more in love with the idea of having a normal boyfriend."

Edward nodded. "That's what I hoped you'd say."

"What?" What the heck did he mean by that?

"Oh look, we're at the store!" observed her companion cheerfully. He chuckled at her growl.

A few minutes later, Bella found herself methodically scouring the grocery aisles, picking out the least expensive ingredients that would still produce a decent entrée for the potluck. If she was careful, she would still have enough money left over for the rent next week. The handsome man behind her, dutifully wheeling the shopping cart, observed her with amusement.

"And here I thought neurosurgery was serious business," he teased. "It clearly has nothing on grocery shopping."

Bella shushed him impatiently. "Shhh, I'm concentrating."

"Yes, ma'am."

"One more crack like that, Cullen, and I'll force you to eat Great Aunt Q's boiled parsnips." She shot him a look that made some of her errant students quake in their sneakers, slightly marred by the smile that threatened to escape. Really, how could she possibly be angry with him when he was so charming?

As they went through the check-out line, she noticed Edward stealthily extracting his wallet from his back pocket. Uh-uh, no way.

"Don't even think about it," Bella warned him sternly.

"About what?"

"Paying for these."

Observing the mutinous expression on her delicate face, Edward wisely put the wallet away. Better to let her win this battle, he decided, if he wanted to have her accept him paying for her truck later.

When they arrived back at Bella's apartment, Edward insisted on putting the groceries away and making Bella's tea. He cleverly sneaked her a grilled cheese sandwich as well, claiming that the chicken entrée she planned wouldn't turn out well if she made it while hungry.

"Edward?" she began tentatively, watching him move quickly around the kitchen.

"Hmmm?"

"Aren't you going a little overboard with this 'take care of Bella' thing?"

He froze, then looked over at her.

"No, I don't think…" At her quirked eyebrow, he smiled sheepishly. "Well, maybe just a little," he conceded. "Do you want me to leave?"

Bella eyed her handsome, incredibly sweet vampire friend thoughtfully. How he could describe himself as a "demon" was beyond her. She didn't want to hurt his feelings, but she also needed to let him know that he was allowed to have a life outside of babysitting her. Honestly, he was getting somewhat under foot.

It's not your foot you want him under, Bella's inner voice mocked. She mentally told her inner voice to shut up.

"Maybe just for a little while?" She was watching his beautiful, pale face for any sign that she'd upset him. "Why don't you go to your apartment and install that stereo system you bought today? You can take my laptop as well, if you like. Then come back up for the party?"

Edward was hesitating.

"Please? I promise I won't do anything to injure myself."

Now it was his turn to look skeptical. "Bella, you injure yourself on an hourly basis," he teased. He couldn't help smiling at her mock scowl. "OK, fine. I'll get out of your hair for a bit. But if you need me, just shout. I'll hear you."

Bella breathed a sigh of relief. At least he didn't seem offended. "Thank you, Edward."

An hour or so later, Bella's signature chicken dish was in the oven, and she curled up on the sofa to re-read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Helen slamming the bedroom door against her debauched husband was a key point in Bella's master's thesis. After staring at the same paragraph for nearly ten minutes, Bella gave up, laid the novel on the coffee table, and reclined carefully against the sofa cushions. Edward's head had lain here only a few hours earlier, and she could still smell his entrancing scent on them.

Bella closed her eyes and breathed deeply. She needed this time to herself, to think. The last twenty-fours had been, as Edward put it, surreal. Was it only yesterday that she'd crashed her truck, and been saved from becoming lunch for a sadistic vampire and his mate? And then there was Edward. She sighed involuntarily. Strong, caring, brilliant, inhumanly beautiful...almost too good to be true.

Certainly too good for you, she reminded herself. In spite of his protests to the contrary, she knew she had to be a thorn in his side…or whatever it was that could penetrate vampire skin. She felt her insides twist painfully at the reminder of her how unequal they were, and how ridiculous it was to even consider that she could ever mean anything to him. Other than that thorn thing, of course.

Bella wasn't stupid. She knew herself well enough to realize that she was half-way in love with him, even after only a day. After much analysis, Bella came to the conclusion that it wasn't mere hero-worship, or even infatuation with his spectacular looks and other "vampire lures." It wasn't even the sexy sweet-and-dangerous thing he had going. Well, that may be part of it, she admitted.

In the past year, she'd managed to construct a wall around her heart. With what was happening with her family, and then with Mike, it was the only way she could survive with her sanity relatively intact. Other than her closest friends, no one else was allowed in. It was just her luck that the one person who could crack the wall was a god-like undead guy. Figures.

She jumped when her cell phone rang. Domen's ringtone.

"Hey Sis," his deep, slightly-accented voice greeted her cheerfully. "So I'm in charge of the drinks and ice again?"

Bella couldn't help laughing. "You bet, Little Brother. I wouldn't trust you to cook anything."

"I was counting on your saying that," he joked.

Domen Kresnik, of course, he wasn't really her brother. He was a very, very good friend. In fact, if it weren't for him, Angela, Manoj, and Alice, Bella honestly believed she would be dead by now. Even without the hungry vampires, she added wryly.

"So six people at the party tonight? You, me, Angela, Ben, Manoj, and Carissa? Carissa only drinks Diet…" Bella grinned at the disgust in his voice. "…you'll probably just have water and tea… "

"Actually, there will be seven people. Edward's coming. But he'll probably just have water too."

There was a pause at the other end of the line. "Edward?" Uh-oh, there was that "brother" tone again. Thickened Croatian accent and all. Not good.

"Yes, Brother o' Mine, Edward. He sort of rescued me yesterday after I crashed my truck, and took me to the hospital."

"YOU CRASHED YOUR TRUCK?"

Bella cringed, holding the phone away from her ear. "If you calm down, I'll tell you what happened!" she protested.

"OK, I'm calm," Domen responded in a more normal voice. "Why the hell didn't you call me?"

"Domen, everything is fine. Edward took me to the hospital, then drove me home. Alice and Angela showed up soon afterward. No big deal."

"Are you hurt?"

Bella shrugged. "Gash on the forehead, a couple of bruised ribs…"

"WHAT?" She knew he'd over-react. "Are you sure you want to do this party thing tonight?"

"Domen, I'm fine." Bella could hear him muttering in Croatian on the other end of the line.

"Who is this Edward guy anyway?" Ah yes, there it was. Bella didn't need Edward's mind-reading abilities to know what her "brother" was thinking.

"He's about our age," give or take a century or so, "and a resident at Seattle Children's. Yesterday was his first day in Seattle."

To her relief, Domen laughed. "Interesting first day," he commented. "Alright, I guess I'll meet the guy tonight, and let you know if he's good enough for my sister."

Bella rolled her eyes.

"Speaking of being good enough, aren't you bringing any of your women this evening?"

"Nah, just coming to hang out with my besties," he quipped. Domen, tall with black hair, fair skin, and a strong lean build from playing soccer, was a very handsome man. Not as handsome as Edward, but still… He knew it, too. In fact, the running joke in the grad student office was that you could tell the gender of the student he was helping just by how Domen said "Hello."

The sound of a key in the front door drew Bella's attention. "Beeeeeella! I'm HOOOOOOME!" Angela's voice sang out.

"Hey, Domen? Ang is back. See you at the party, OK?"

Angela was already extracting the ingredients for salad and blueberry muffins when Bella hung up the phone.

"So who's coming tonight?" she asked cheerily, pouring flour into a measuring cup. "You, Ben, me…"

Bella obligingly ticked off the names of their guests on her fingers. Angela looked up from her task, a grin tugging at her lips.

"Edward, huh?" She raised her delicate eyebrows mischievously. "Better make sure Carissa doesn't get her claws into your hottie-pants doctor."

"He's not my hottie-p…not mine," protested Bella.

"He could be," contradicted her friend, "If you let him through that armour of yours."

Bella sighed impatiently. Why was everyone trying to make her believe that Edward was attracted to her? Her own daydreaming was bad enough without her friends encouraging her.

"Angela, you don't get it. We're from totally different worlds." Understatement of the year, Bella. "He's just glad to find a friendly face in a new city."

Angela popped her muffins in the oven next to the chicken, and stood frowning at Bella, her hands on her hips. "Listen woman. I know your mother told you your whole life that you were plain and uninteresting, without any hope of finding a decent man, worthless except for what you could do for the family. I watched for years as she verbally abused you. She blamed you for everything that went wrong in her life, because she refused to acknowledge that she was the problem. But now she's gone, and it's OK to feel that you're finally free, because you are! None of that crap she told you is true, and deep down inside you know that."

"And that, Ang, is exactly why I love you." Bella spontaneously hugged her friend. Angela always had a way of cutting straight to the point. She was right, of course.

"It's more easily said than done, though," Bellas added quietly, pulling away. "After all, it's been pounded into my head for twenty-odd years. It didn't help that Asshat…Mike confirmed what she said."

Angela's eyes twinkled. "Asshat? Is this a story for the sofa?"

Her friend grinned. "Yup! Start the tea kettle."

Whew! Next chapter, the party :-)