A/N: Set during New Moon when Bella chases Edward through the woods in an attempt to find him after he leaves her.

Chapter 10

Bella's POV-

"And this is the much-awaited Metropolitan Museum of Art."

We oohed and aahed in delight as our tour guide for the day led us inside the grand building. He was a local having living his entire life in the city, and the way he described his birthplace revealed that.

"You will now experience over 5000 years of art from across the globe. Feel free to grab some photos and relish in the beauty you witness."

Sam took my hand in his leading me ahead. Neither of us was big on the 'museum' part of the tour, but we did admire sheer architectural beauty. And so far, we had had an interesting day. The Sam of this universe had opted for a day tour through the city that came with a local tour guide, an open-top bus, and a group of fifteen annoying children celebrating a birthday party; their loud celebration being almost insufferable!

Despite of that, we had had a good time. So far, we had visited the Rockefeller center, South Street Seaport, the inspiring 9/11 memorial, and wall street, having left early in the morning to cover the lot. We had also taken a short Staten Island ferry ride, with views of Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn bridge. Post the museum, Central Park remained yet to be visited.

It was going to be a tiring day, but so damn worth it!

"It feels like a dream."

I hummed in agreement. "I hadn't ever thought that I would get to visit New York."

"Never?" he turned to look at me, curious.

I shrugged in response. "Charlie was not the 'traveling' kind, and Renee could never afford to bring me here. We were hard on cash, taking a vacation being the unthinkable. With Edward in my life, probably I would have come here one day, but that was too far in the future to guarantee."

"I know what you mean." he sighed. "I couldn't travel till Seattle if someone asked me to. Without a car…."

"Let's get you a decent car." I rolled my eyes at him. "It is a necessity."

He scoffed in annoyance. "It is not like I don't want a car, even a second or third- hand would do. But if you didn't get the memo, I am unemployed and cannot afford one, or to even keep one running."

He looked embarrassed by that revelation, and I took his hand in mine, squeezing it tight. I could understand how that felt. With Renee being the careless spendthrift that she was, I had often been embarrassed to admit that I could not afford the pretty things, or skating classes, or swimming classes, or…you get the hint.

Hobbies were costly to acquire. Reading second-hand books to keep yourself entertained was the much cheaper alternative.

"Have you tried talking to the elders?"

They would understand. Sam couldn't be expected to live on charity his entire life!

"It is awkward." He confessed. "I don't want to accept out loud that I am poor."

"Hey!" I defended him. "You are not poor by choice. You want to work; you just can't in these circumstances. It is not your fault."

He winced, a sigh leaving his lips. "I want a way out."

"We will find one." I assured him. "We are in this together. Once we get back to my universe…"

He let out a short laugh, interrupting me, "we really don't know what we are walking into. Your universe could be completely different than mine."

"Well," I ran a hand through my hair. "Whatever it be, we are not giving up until we find you a good life."

"You, too." he stated. "We will find Edward and…"

"Yea, I don't know about that." I looked away from him, suddenly the sights around me far too captivating to look away.

"You don't want to get back with him?" he refused to let the topic go, his eyes boring holes into me.

I thought over that. Did I really not want Edward back in my life?

"I don't know." I finally confessed. "It seems so long since he left me. A part of me wants to run back to him, and had you asked me this question this morning, I probably would have said so. But I guess...now that I am forced to think about it…"

"You are having second thoughts." He concluded my sentence for me, his eyes curious but not a hint of judgment in them.

"Yea." I sighed. "To be honest, this Edward is a really big turn-off!"

He smiled at that. "You don't need to decide anything right away."

I nodded my head in agreement. "Same goes for you and Leah."

He offered me a nod, letting the conversation fade, the two of us occupying ourselves by concentrating on our surroundings, relishing in the beauty that we witnessed, clicking photos and learning the history of every piece of art that we saw.

Time flied. And we enjoyed every minute of it.

"Hey."

We were back in the bus, heading towards our last destination of this day tour, our bodies tired but our minds hearty and awake, waiting for what was yet to come.

"Hey." Sam smiled back.

"So, I was thinking, I know you and yet I don't." I frowned. "I mean, I know how your childhood was, or how your parents are…but I don't know you. If that makes sense."

"Okay. What do you want to know?"

"Well," I awkwardly smiled. "What are your hobbies?"

He laughed aloud, surprising me. "What is this, twenty questions?"

"A version of it." I quipped. "Now answer!"

"Okay." He smiled. "I don't have any such hobbies, but I can read. And I like touring new places in the wolf form. I like nature, I guess."

"I like reading, too." I commented. "I prefer the classics, though. Okay, next question, beach or mountain?"

"Mountain." He stated. "Strange considering I have lived my entire life a stone's throw-away from the beach, but mountains have this calming presence that can soothe you to peace. What about you?"

"Beach, I guess, if I had to choose one. I like my peace and get to relax and read on one. I am not a city girl."

Ironically, I had lived in only mega-cities before moving to Forks.

"Same. I don't think I could ever live in a big, crowded city. I am just not cut for that."

I hummed in agreement.

"Favorite food?"

"Fish, you?"

"Anything and everything. I am not picky when it comes to food."

"You know how to cook?"

I nodded my head in agreement. "Had to in order to survive. Renee can burn water."

He smiled. "I can make a neat sandwich, if that counts."

"It doesn't." I laughed. "I have been making sandwiches since I was four!"

"Four, really?" he stared at me in disbelief.

I waved him off. "Had to. Renee often forgot to feed me before she went out with whichever man, she was dating that month. I learnt early on that I was on my own. I stayed away from the stove till the age of seven, though."

"Damn. Even that's young!" he commented.

I shrugged in response.

"Anyhow, favorite day or memory of your life?"

"This one. Today."

What?

I stared at him in question.

Today was the best day of his life?

He smiled. "I have rarely ever been this happy. It has been a good day."

Oh.

"Yeah. Um…it has indeed been a good day."