Disclaimer: Don't own Twilight. Sorry for the delay people but it's for all good reason I promise!

Previously~

"Edward, you're...um...I mean...I…"

"Jeez Bella just spit it out." He demanded.

"You're cutting of the circulation to my fingers!" I screeched.

He immediately released my hand and started pacing around the room. I was confused. What the hell is wrong with this guy? I wondered. It was odd. I was afraid of him, yet, I couldn't be afraid of him. I did not know what type of pull I had to Edward Cullen, but I was going to find out.

Bella's POV

Edward continued to pace around the room. The faster he paced the more he seemed like a blur to Bella. Each time he would turn and face her, even if it was for a fraction of a second, she could only catch single words. Nothing he was saying was making any sense. He was muttering incoherently to himself.

"Well, Edward, this has been fun. A real blast but I really need to get going. It was a pleasure to meet you. I um...I wish you the best and thank you so much for helping me." Bella carefully grabbed her bag and eased herself off the exam table.

She stole a glimpse at Edward one last time and began walking towards the door. She pulled on the door handle but it refused to open. She jiggled it a few times and found it was locked. She looked down and saw it was one of those locks that you needed a key to open. Dumbfounded she spun around only to have Edward inches from her face.

"Where are you going to go Isabella?" Edward asked.

"Your only means of getting here was myself. What makes you think that I will let you leave?" Bella looked at Edward flabbergasted.

"Let me leave? Last time I checked your not…" Bella looked up at Edward and saw he had a horrible expression on his face.

"That's not what I meant. I just meant that I did not want you to leave without making sure you were safe, that's all. I don't trust cabs not with a beautiful woman like yourself and it would make me feel much better if I were to escort you home." Bella sat there for a moment realizing there was no malice and nodded her head in consent.

The whole way to the car, he kept his hand on the small of her back. He opened the door for her and she stepped in quietly. He shut the door, got in on the driver's side, and began to drive away from the hospital parking lot.

Bella was biting her lip and fidgeting with her fingers as she contemplated how to ask Edward up to her apartment for dinner. She really had no experience in this field. Her biggest fear was he was going to think she was easy and it would be the end of it.

They pulled up outside of her apartment and as Edward began to park the car, Bella nervously blurted out, "Edward would you like to have dinner with me?"

For a moment, Bella thought the silence was due to Edward's thinking. She then realized that maybe it wasn't that reason at all. She looked at him and his expression was nothing. She quickly tried to cover up her embarrassment.

"Well, thank you - for everything...um...nice meeting you," she stuttered out.

Bella quickly exited out of the car and hastily made her way up to her second floor studio apartment. After fumbling with her keys, she managed to unlock the door. She didn't even care that she had not given Edward the chance to say anything. It was just too embarrassing to think about. She went into her apartment and made way to her bedroom.

"I am a complete idiot!" she yelled as she flung herself on her bed and just cried herself to sleep.

Bella was startled awake by the sound of her alarm screeching in her ears. She moaned as she looked at the digital timer telling her she was late, yet again. With one swift motion of her wrist, the memories of yesterday came rushing back. She sighed as she remembered the beautiful doctor that came rushing to her aid. The same one she had managed to embarrass herself in front of. Quickly, she scrambled out of bed, rushed into the first pair of leggings she could find and finished off with her favorite teal tunic dress.

She was less than thrilled that she would have to forgo her usual coffee stop if she had any hope of getting to her class on time. After pulling her hair into a messy bun on top of her head, she grabbed her bag and headed for the door. Just as she was about to step out, a paper bag on the ground caught her attention. Inside she discovered a large cup of her favorite coffee, a pumpkin muffin and a napkin that was written on.

It said simply, 'Late again?' in elegant scripted handwriting.

Bella pondered for a moment who would have left the breakfast at her door. Since she was already running late she decided to ponder it further later. She pocketed the note and ran down the stairs only stumbling once before she reached the bottom. At least she did not spill the coffee. Half an hour later she rushed into her class managing to make it in just before the teacher did.

As much as she would have loved to pay attention to the class she found she couldn't, instead she spent the next hour glancing out the window. Thoughts of Edward danced through her mind as she tried to put the pieces of her Edward puzzle together. None of the pieces seemed to fit together correctly. For a brief second she thought she might have seen Edward standing near the large tree that was easily viewed from her seat. However, she quickly dismissed the thought when she glanced back and he was gone.

When class finally ended, she made her way to her next class across campus but she could not shake the feeling as if someone was watching her. To her dismay, she would eagerly look around to find no one was there. Why couldn't she stop thinking about the god like creature that she now knew as Doctor Edward Cullen?

Like her first class, she spent the next one thinking, this time about the breakfast and the note she now rubbed through the material of her tunic. Why would someone leave it for her?

Edward's POV

Edward was speechless when Bella bolted from the car after inviting him in. It had never crossed his mind that she would even want that. Of course, he could never share a meal with her it was not physically possible. For hours, he sat outside of her building listening to her cry then drift off into an uneasy sleep. He had no problem hearing her every move as she tossed and turned. When he heard her sweet voice mumble his name, he could not stop himself from going to her side.

Before he even gave it a though to whether he should he found himself on her window ledge opening the window enough for him to slip in. As a moth drawn to a flame, he found he couldn't stop his feet from moving to her bedside. There laid his angel, she was his alone and he vowed to make her see it. Even as the venom pooled in his mouth and the burn in his throat flared, he knew he wanted more than just her blood; he wanted her blood, her body and her love.

Unlike every other night of his long existence the hours slipped by too quickly. With one last deep torturous intake of breath, he slipped out of her window and onto the ground below. He knew she would be running late after tossing and turning all night. As quickly as he dared, he jogged down the street to her favorite Starbucks and asked the young girl behind the counter if she knew Bella. The waitress of course knew Bella from her daily visit and was more than happy to provide him with her usual order. After tossing her an outrageous tip, he sprinted back to Bella's door where he left the offering on her doormat. Just before he turned to walk away, he heard her wretched alarm going off. His angel should never have to be jarred awake. She should caressed awake by his hands.

Before he could be discovered, he jumped into his silver Volvo and sped off towards her school. He anxiously waited for his chance to see her again. Bella did not disappointment him. Late like yesterday, she stumbled through the campus carrying his offering. Only today, she managed not to fall on her way to her first class. Tucked behind a large tree in the courtyard he listened to her every sigh and breath. The one time he dared a peek she glanced out the window but before she could look again, he concealed himself again.

He followed her from one class to the next always staying hidden. At times like this, he was thankful he did not get tired or need to sleep. When his phone vibrated in his pocket, he had a sneaking suspicion who it was and he was right. With a glance at the caller ID, he confirmed his suspicion; it was indeed his sister Alice. He choose to ignore it, he did not want to hear what the know it all pixie had to say about his mating practices. She had her mate, she was happy. Why shouldn't he be happy too?

After the twentieth phone call he snarled as he answered it, "WHAT?"

"Don't do it Edward," he sighed heavily.

"Don't do what?" He growled in response.

"You know what I am talking about; you're stalking her like prey."

"Stay out of this Alice," he snapped the phone shut and crushed it into tiny particles.

He knew she was right, he was, but that would not stop him. He would make Bella see they were meant for each other. Thankfully, Bella exited her last class of the day and distracted him from his thoughts of dismembering Alice. Carefully he followed her home and watched as she made her way inside. After shimmying up a tree outside her window, he watched as she spent her evening alone. He remained perched on the limb until he had no choice but to go to work at the hospital. Usually he enjoyed working the nightshift but not when it interfered with his time with his Bella.

Punctual as always he entered the ER at eleven sharp only to be accosted by none other than Jessica, "Good evening Doctor Cullen," she shrilled.

"Jessica, when are you going to get it in to that thick skull of yours that I will never be attracted to you?" She stepped back momentarily stunned by his harshness.

"I - but - you're so mean…," she stammered out as she dashed away in tears.

He knew it was going to be a long night if one errant thought from Jessica could unhinge him. Just the sheer thought of not seeing Bella for the next eight hours had his stomach in a knot. Even though he knew his time in this charade was almost over, he knew, for now the façade must remain in place.