Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Twilight characters or the rights to "Breathe" as performed by Taylor Swift and Colbie Callait, and I will not be earning income from using these materials. I do, however, own the storyline and any original characters. Thank you.

A/N: Keeping this as short as possible, endless thank yous and rounds of applause to clarabella75, who has now been named Super Extreme Beta Extraordinaire, and is quickly filling up her beta-ing slots! That's how you know she's awesome, and should most definitely check out her work! As to all of my AWESOME reviewers, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, I can't name any as my favorite because all of my reviews are so wonderful! To all of my other lovely invisible readers, I truly hope you are enjoying the journey. This chapter should be somewhat less angsty, I promise.

Also, as soon as I get the chance to find some knowledgeable internet person to show me how to post links to my profile (any volunteers?), I'll get ALL of the links up for this story! Yes, in this area, I AM technologically challenged ... *sheepish grin*

Happy Reading and thank you all for being the awesomeness you are!

Chapter Seven:
Easy Complications

"Never wanted this, never want to see you hurt
Every little bump in the road I tried to swerve
People are people and sometimes it doesn't work out
Nothing we say is gonna save us from the fall out

And we know it's never simple, never easy
Never a clean break, no one here to save me
You're the only thing I know like the back of my hand

And I can't breathe
Without you, but I have to"

"Breathe" – Taylor Swift feat. Colbie Callait

"No, I remember that part, but …" I trailed off, turning further in my seat to face her. "Did you ever mention whose party we were going to?" I watched her complexion fade a bit at my question.

"No." Her hands gripped harder on the steering wheel. The small snag in my stomach turned into a knot of fear.

"Alice … whose party are we going to?"

0o0o0o0o0

"Um," she faltered, glancing sideways, studying me. My breathing turned shaky. The knot in my stomach started doing somersaults. If she didn't answer me soon …

"Alice," I almost growled through clenched teeth. Well, that came out much more pointedly than I had intended. She remained silent. I was ready to scream when she finally released a breath of air, and a rush of words came flowing out with it.

"We're going to Rose and Trevor's engagement party; you said you'd give them another shot and that you would make up for the googly eyes you were making at Trevor at the club, and I swear Bella, please don't hurt me, but we got the invitation three weeks ago, and I RSVP'd for you, assuming you'd be out of your funk by then. You have to go, 'cause it's a catered meal, and Rose would be so offended if you didn't come and at least wish them a happy life."

Somewhere, deep in the back of my mind, I noted Alice's stamina, which could have held its own in a no-breathing contest. However, the front of my mind was otherwise occupied. In fact, at the current moment, it was trying to regulate my breathing as I hyperventilated.

"Alice," I snatched at her wrist, one hand flying to my chest. A short, hysterical giggle slipped out. "You're joking, right?" Another laugh, slightly more frantic, bubbled into my chest. "C'mon Alice, that is a seriously mean joke to play." Spurts of laughter punctuated my words. She was kidding. Mean whore, she was just trying to get me back for leaving her hanging for so many weeks. "I mean, I know I deserve it, I've been a bitchy mess, blah blah blah, whatever, but that was just cruel, and excellently played, to say the least." The hand on my heart slipped from my chest to swipe at Alice's arm. The laughter was coming harder now; I couldn't stop my hysterics.

Until I realized that Alice wasn't laughing. My frenzied laughter turned into panic-stricken gasps.

"Oh my God, Alice, please tell me you're really joking, please." I couldn't stop pleading. My broken mental state couldn't handle this. I couldn't – I was swimming again, I was drowning, I was …

"No, I'm not, I'm so sorry Bells, but please don't be mad at me. You can do this; we can do this, together, I promise," she pled with me, tentatively releasing the steering wheel with one hand as I sat back against the seat, striving desperately to slow my harried gulps of air. Her hand found mine and she squeezed gently.

Gradually, I calmed, but my grip on her hand didn't loosen. Alice's Porsche glided into the valet line outside of the St. Regis Hotel. I swallowed back the rising bile. The valet line crept along, allowing my fear plenty of time to percolate. Alice had been silent after my breakdown and recovery, so I was surprised out of a mental trance when she spoke again.

"Bells," she started tentatively, pursing her lips, "the past couple of weeks … all of your … well, you know." I didn't reply. She didn't wait. "Did it have anything to do with them?" She motioned to the many storied hotel looming above us.

"Alice," her name came out as a croak, and I shook my head. She understood.

"Okay," she lingered on the word, and I could see from a precursory glance her mind was plotting full speed. She knew my answer wasn't a 'no' – it was an 'I can't/don't want to talk about this at the moment.' Now something was festering in her brain. Oh God. I could very well be doomed.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, physically hopping in her seat. "Okay, the purpose of tonight is to make amends with Rose, right?" Her eyes jumped between me and the road. I nodded. "Look, you don't have to tell me what's going on," she eyed me, "yet, but I figure your problem has something to do with Rose or Trevor." I began to protest, but she shushed me quickly.

"Just listen Bella," she huffed, frustrated. I sat back, resigned. "During the night, if you start to drift off, then we'll have a safe word, something to pull you back to reality so we don't have another 'I'm Bella, and I want you to hate me because your fiancé is hot' moment, okay?"

I scowled, ready to bite Alice's head off when a rational idea struck me – having a safe word might keep me from having to approach Trevor, just because I had drifted off staring at him and thinking about the … well, the incident. I decided to pay attention, because these kinds of thoughts didn't come along too often in my world. I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Don't patronize me. Or mock me. And fine, we can try it. What kind of word do you want to use, 'stop'?" Okay, so my frustration made my words come out much more sarcastic than I intended. I would have to watch my tongue tonight. Alice didn't seem to notice.

"No, it has to be something really inconspicuous," she quieted, thinking, "… like, glass. Or chandelier."

I couldn't help my smirk.

"How about asparagus," I muttered.

"That's perfect!"

I jumped as the pixie next to me began to bounce in her seat. Oh God … I was so fucked.

"Alice, I was kidding," I stressed. We were two cars away from the valet. The knot in my stomach tightened again.

"No, really Bella, it's perfect! It wouldn't mean anything to anyone else, and I happen to know asparagus is on Rose's catering menu tonight!"

"Great," I tried not to roll my eyes. I hated asparagus.

From out of nowhere, another rational through struck me – if Alice got a safe word for keeping me from staring at Treward, I should get a safe word if I needed to get the fuck out. Hey, two spurts of shrewdness in a row – I was on a roll.

"Hey, Alice? Mine's artichoke."

"Huh?" She glanced backwards as she handed the key to the valet. I looked at her over the top of the car.

"If you get one, so do I, and, after the first forty-five minutes, if we need to split, that's my word. Artichoke."

Alice snickered, "Whatever you say Bells."

I smiled, almost convinced I would survive the night, and turned to enter into what looked to be the most opulent building I had ever seen. Pure white marble lined the walkway between vast rows of towering, square columns. Two doors, at least twice my size, lined the entryway in front of us, and two porters pulled the heavy glass panels open, revealing an expansive lobby.

Two curving staircases, railed in chestnut brown oak, slid fluidly along the walls to an open loft. A colossal chandelier, inlaid with what looked to be diamonds and dripping with tiny, sharp-edged pieces of glass, hung over a chestnut table filled with bouquets of white and violet blossoms. The floor was inlaid with panels of the same chestnut brown oak, suffusing the entrance with a warm, classy, and inviting atmosphere that permeated the entire building.

The open loft, however, was railed with glass and wrought iron, and I could see other couples in cocktail attire meandering up the staircase and down a hallway, which almost certainly led into the party. My knees locked up in front of the staircase. Alice snatched at my hand from her place on the first stair.

"You can do this," she whispered. I cringed.

Except you don't know the seven levels of hell I'm going through.

Instead of voicing my concerns, however, I shook my head lightly and pulled one foot onto the staircase. I followed the first step with another. Alice smiled down at me, interweaving her fingers with mine. Step by step, the constant motions lead me upwards until I was on the second floor landing, staring down a hallway into a brightly lit room which seemed farther away than the moon.

This time, every muscle in my body tensed into immobility. Alice sighed through her nose.

"Bella, if this is how you're going to be for the rest of the night, I might be forced to leave you here on a couch and tell Rosalie I couldn't get you inside."

I was on the verge of agreeing with this plan until I realized if she left, I would be alone. I panicked, mentally bitching at myself to move, when a dark, debonair shadow swept up behind us.

"Good evening, ladies. Might either one of y'all be short an escort this evening?" His warm southern drawl interrupted my mental agony. Alice nearly became a pretty puddle in her priceless Carmen Marc Valvo. She gave a small squeal and slipped both arms tightly around his waist, her head barely reaching his breastbone, even in her five-inch, rhinestone-studded stilettos. He smiled tenderly, wrapping his arms around her tiny body and nearly engulfing her.

After a few moments, the hug was becoming something more – and I was becoming uncomfortable. Yeah, it was sweet and all, but one could only be expected to endure so much before demanding a soft porno in return. I cleared my throat awkwardly. Alice jumped out of her skin, and out of Jasper's arms.

"I'm glad you're here," she mumbled, stepping closer to me and glancing at the floor. Her hand brushed mine in apology. Honestly, I was glad for her, I just didn't need to see the high-school style make-out session that surely would have ensued. Sadly, an awkward silence I knew I would have to break followed my interruption. I looked my favorite bartender in the eye.

"It's nice to see you again," I offered, thrusting my hand in between us. Okay, so I wasn't the most socially graceful, but I had to do something. And no, I had no idea where all this new found bravery was coming from.

I expected Jasper to shake my proffered hand; instead, he pulled a move directly from Gone With the Wind and leaned over the limb, sweeping a soft kiss across my knuckles. Understandably, I was a little shaken at the unexpected gesture, but what surprised me most was a soft sense of calm that filtered through me.

"The pleasure is all mine, ma'am." His smile was disarming, but his eyes flipped immediately to Alice. After confirming her lack of jealousy, I assumed, he turned back to me and stepped closer, brushing the hair off of my shoulder. "I'm glad to see you're feeling better. Alice said you'd caught a pretty nasty case of the flu. Kept you away from our poker games for a full month." He winked. I nearly performed an epic double take. Poker games? I glanced at Alice out of the corner of my eye, who looked slightly panicked. Ah.

"Yeah, yes, of course, I really am sorry I missed them," I recovered. A blind gamble was next, but I prayed to God it would pay off. "They're every week, right?"

"Yes ma'am," he smiled and stepped over to Alice, taking her hand in a gesture that seemed almost second nature. Alice was blessing me with her eyes. "You'll be sure to join us next time, right?"

I laughed flightily. "I don't know … I mean, I really do appreciate the offer, but work has me absolutely swamped right now," I lied. I don't know why the fib slipped so easily off of my tongue, but I did know that you needed more than two people to play poker, and this made Treward and Rosalie's appearance nearly inevitable.

"Too bad," he grinned, and I could swear he winked at me again before moving to hook Alice's elbow with his. "Shall we join the party?" Alice offered me her other arm, and we moved forward across the endless wooden flooring.

I heard my roommate begin to chatter, asking her escort something about his work schedule next week, but I was distracted, attempting to convince myself that immediately searching for him in the crowd would be a bad idea.

However, the bad idea became a reality as soon as we walked into the wide ballroom-style restaurant. My precursory study of my surroundings became an excuse for my not-so-hidden search of the crowded room. There had to have been at least two hundred people there, if not more. I was simultaneously relieved and annoyed. The large crowd made my encounter with Treward much less plausible. Rats.

The room itself, however, was impeccable, draped tastefully in white and violet satin, from sheer to solid variations of the fabric hanging in different folds across the windows and strung through chestnut oak planks running along the ceiling. Small lights ran in strings throughout the material, in a way that would seem tacky but looked instead like hundreds of twinkling stars caught in the capes of the gods.

Hundreds of plush, lounge chairs sat around glass, wood, and wrought iron tables, which were adorned with gorgeous flower arrangements, mimicking the arrangement in the hotel lobby. The dining tables were situated along the outside walls, huge glass windows that stretched the breadth of one side of the long room. On the other side, a fireplace burned brightly, with comfortable couches and more lounge chairs in a rectangular pattern around it, creating a cozy cove of seeming privacy. Further towards the middle, behind a large gathering of human bodies, I assumed lay the bar, and the other side looked to be an exact replica of the fireplace and seating arrangement from this side.

And interspersed everywhere was a limitless crowd which continued to grow by the minute.

I felt small, and more than a bit lost, as Jasper led Alice and me to a vacant corner near the closest fireplace. I plopped down as gracefully as my weak knees would allow, trying to bury myself in the corner of the couch. Alice sat next to me, placing one hand on my knee. I saw the subtle eyebrow Jasper raised at her. She shook her head lightly. Great, I had become object of pity from a love-sick couple.

"Ladies, how would you feel about a drink? Open bar," he dangled the offer in front of my face. I would officially love this man forever.

"Martini, please, extra dry –"

"Shaken, not stirred, with three olives?"

I smiled. God, who was this guy? "Make it a double."

He grinned back and turned to Alice.

"Peach Bellini, please." She practically glowed at him, unconsciously fluttering her lashes. He leaned over to plant a firm kiss on her lips and moved off to retrieve our drinks. I lifted an eyebrow, temporarily distracted.

"Where did that come from?"

Alice glanced down sheepishly and began tracing patterns in the fabric. Wait – I had just used Alice and sheepish in the same thought.

"We went on our first date … three weeks ago," she murmured and looked up at me before I could finish my train of thought. "I'm sorry, Bells, you were just so … occupied. I tried to tell you, but," she drifted off and shrugged.

All of a sudden, the reality of exactly how horrible a friend I had been hit me in the face like an oncoming train. I think, for once, I had honestly fulfilled my so-called role of absolute bitch.

"Alice, I am so sorry!" This time I grabbed at her hand, clutching it tightly. "I can't believe I've been such a horrible bitch! So, you and Jasper?" The question was an invitation for gossip, one that I'm sure she had been waiting weeks for, and her entire face lit up instantaneously. I had been forgiven long ago.

"Yes, and Bells, he's amazing. I don't know, I just … no one has ever really seen me, you know?" I nodded. "I guess we have known each other almost all of our lives, which helps, but, I think it runs deeper than that." She smiled, almost deliriously. "It's like, he's what I've been waiting for. I just never realized it until I moved back home. Even all the little annoying things, like picking at his teeth after dinner and chewing the ice from his drink," she gave a dainty shudder, "don't bother me nearly as much when I'm with him."

"Wow, Alice," I resisted the temptation to roll my eyes, "chewing ice, that is just a horrible trait, almost unforgivable." I was about to stick out my tongue when she hit me lightly.

"I happen to know for a fact you've dumped people for less cause, miss picky."

Shrugging my shoulders, I caught sight of Jasper's tall form in my peripherals.

"Incoming."

"Thanks," Alice squeezed my hand lightly before letting go, her eyes bright with pleasure as she accepted her drink. "And thank you, Jazz."

"My pleasure, ladies."

The bartender in him obviously knew how to handle a drink, as he balanced my martini, Alice's Bellini, and his own beer perfectly in his hands. He had just finished passing out the respective glasses when Alice bounced lightly beside me.

"Esme! Marilyn! You found us!"

I looked up to see two women, who looked to be the polar opposites of each other, parting the crowd and making their way towards us, two men trailing behind them.

One was obviously the mother of the fantastic beauty produced in both Jasper and Rosalie. Her long, thick blonde hair hung down her shoulders, a swarthy crown for her long, rigid nose, sharp eyes, and high cheekbones. She looked like an older version of her daughter, with a possible face lift. The rigid lines were too masculine for my tastes, however, and she almost put the fear of God into me.

The other woman, who was currently embracing a nearly vibrating Alice, was all soft curves and warm curls. Her long, auburn brown hair hung just past her shoulders in relaxed waves, and her face was heart-shaped and smooth, framing large, round eyes, hazel and kind. Her body was gently rounded but still stylish under her dress.

Alice tuned and hugged a man, a tall, handsome blonde who slipped one arm around the brunette's waist. She then shook hands with a shorter man, who was slightly plumper, with jet-black hair and Jasper's eyes. Finally, all four turned to me.

"Esme, Carlisle, Mr. and Mrs. Hale, may I introduce Bella Swan, formerly of Forks, Washington, and my new roommate." Jasper pulled me smoothly from my hiding place in the corner of the couch and Alice pulled me forward by wrapping her arm around my waist. I had been tag teamed.

"It's nice to meet you," I tried to force as much confidence into my voice as I could, but the words still wavered. Carlisle was the first to reach out and grasp my hand warmly. He smiled and nodded.

"It's a pleasure, Bella."

Esme was next in line; her warm arms enveloped me quickly. I understood why Alice seemed so pleased at Esme's arrival.

"I'm so glad Alice found someone else trustworthy," she whispered into my ear.

I moved on down the line, receiving a luke-warm greeting from Mrs. Hale, who had probably already gotten an earful from her lovely daughter. Mr. Hale shook my hand, cordially, but also distantly. From his smile, I could see that Jasper had inherited that as well.

"Lovely party, Alice dear," he commented, turning back to the small girl whose hand had been claimed by her date. "But we shouldn't be surprised. Between you and Rose, you've always had fantastic taste."

Alice giggled demurely, but I saw the glance pass between the mister and missus. Her glare was venomous. I noticed another detail had escaped my notice.

"Alice, you put this together?" I asked. She nodded shyly. "This is gorgeous!"

"Thanks Bells," she looked around, studying some detail I knew had completely escaped my notice. "We worked hard, but I still feel it could have been better."

"Oh, pshaw," Esme spoke from my other side. "Alice, it's perfect. And I'm sure Rose would tell you the same."

"Thanks Esme." Alice looked over at me. "Oh, I forgot, I didn't introduce them to you, Bells. This," she waved a hand towards the striking blonde and shorter man, "is Marilyn and Randall Hale, the rest of the lovely bride-to-be's happy family, and this," she waved the same hand towards the other couple, "is Esme and Carlisle Cullen, Trevor's parents."

My heart skipped a small beat. Oh no. I had forgotten about meeting the parents. Of course he had parents. What, did I think he would be an orphan?

No, Bella, that's only in your delusional fantasies. Artichoke! No, I can do this.

A second barely passed as I recovered, and I smiled as graciously as I could.

"Well," Mr. Hale looked over at Jasper, who was standing rather defensively and clutching Alice's hand. "It seems as though my merlot has run dry." He raised his empty wine glass. "Might as well enjoy it, seeing as how I'm paying for it all. Shall we?" Both he and Mrs. Hale nodded once to the small gathering and began making the trek back to the bar, stopping occasionally to greet new guests.

A collective sigh was released from the group.

"Well, now that's over," Esme smiled, pulling me down onto the couch next to her, with Alice on my other side, "tell me about yourself." Jasper and Carlisle stood a few paces away, in the midst of their own conversation.

I tried not to laugh.

"Honestly, Mrs. Cullen, there isn't much to tell."

She waved me off. "Call me Esme, please, and there has to be something. Do your parents still live in Forks? It sounds like such a quaint little town."

I visibly flinched at the word 'parents.'

"Esme," Alice quietly laid a hand on her shoulder. "The situation with Bella's mother is rocky, and her father ..." she trailed off, looking to me. I nodded permission. "Well, he died when Bella was young."

Esme's face immediately fell.

"Bella, I am so sorry! There I go, asking all the wrong questions," she scolded herself while clasping one of my hands in both of hers. The contact started a slow brew of warmth in my stomach. "I do know what it's like to lose a child, dear. So, if you ever need to talk," she gestured lightly towards herself and left the offer open. I smiled ruefully, prepared to tell her it had been a while and I didn't think talking was going to do much good, when Alice interrupted me.

"You lost a child?" Her voice was filled with confusion. Esme blanched.

"Um, well, yes, Alice. Carlisle and I don't like to speak of it, but we lost a son, many years ago."

Esme's vision drifted elsewhere, tears misting in the corners of her eyes. My heart broke for this maternal woman, who had made me feel more loved than my own mother in barely five minutes of knowing her.

"So, Trevor had a brother?" Alice continued, and I glanced behind me to see Alice's forehead twisted in thought. "He told me he was an only child."

Esme pursed her lips, visibly frustrated. The warmth in my stomach turned to a cold, dead weight in seconds.

"Yes, well, it was a long time ago, and Trevor … Trevor was very, very young. We just never mention it because, well, because we don't want to speak of it." She pulled herself up and stood from the couch. "And I'd prefer if you would respect our wishes and never speak of it again. To Trevor or to us."

She had become visibly icy, her eyes closed off and worn. Stepping over to Carlisle, she whispered once in his ear. A guarded look slipped over his features, and Alice and I watched in stunned confusion as he offered his apologies to Jasper and walked away with his wife.

"What –?" I looked at Alice who shrugged, eyes wide.

"Esme's never been so … hostile before." She placed a finger to her lips. "I hope I didn't offend her too badly."

"I'm sure she'll be fine," Jasper found us, reclaiming Alice's tiny hand. "Carlisle said Esme wasn't feeling well. They were going to the bar to find her a glass of water."

Alice nodded, seemingly placated. I buried the encounter for further analysis. No matter how much I liked the smart looking couple, something was very off.

Alice turned to converse with Jasper. I felt it then, a slight burning, pricking feeling, as though someone was watching me. I glanced around, unnerved, only to find that someone was watching me – from all the way across the room. I was frozen, a helpless bird trapped in the gaze of a python.

His dark green, gold-specked eyes were mesmerizing, even across the expanse of people. I couldn't even feel bad, because Rosalie was nowhere in sight. He was staring right back, seemingly just as locked in place. Then I saw him gesture to whoever had his conversational attention. It was a wave of farewell.

He began walking in my direction.

I felt myself break out into a cold sweat, and my hands began to tremble. I could taste him all over again, and I wanted to spit, disgusted with myself for feeling drawn to this man simply because he reminded me of the dead.

"Asparagus," I heard the murmur in my ear. It only worked half as well as it should have.

He was walking, a steady gait, so like Edward's. Ugh. I wanted to die.

"Hiding under the couch would be inappropriate, right?" I whispered back. An amused snort left Alice's nose before she could stop it.

"Hey, Jasper, don't you want to try the asparagus tonight?" she hissed at me. I didn't respond. Finally, she punched me in the arm, probably harder than intended.

"Bells!"

I snapped out of it, turning away from his gaze and drawing my eyes down to the carpet. I sat in a lounge chair so there would be no room for him to appropriately draw closer to me.

"Trevor!" Jasper called out from beside me, flagging him down. Damn it. I knew he was coming this way anyhow, but still, did Jasper have to point it out?

"What's up, man?" His liquid voice melted over my ears. God, I was being such a sap, but I couldn't help it. A small part of me still believed this was my best friend, and it was drinking in his presence like eternal waters. "I see you're keeping all the pretty women captive over here." I could imagine his grin. I wouldn't look up to see it.

"Alice." Her name sounded even better in his heady tenor. I saw him mockingly bend over her hand and then sweep her into a hug from the corner of my eye. An awkward pause of conversation ensued, until a sudden motion next to me made me jump. His hand found mine.

The same burning rush, followed by a warm, tingling sensation, swept across my skin and frayed my nervous system. I wasn't prepared for the contact; my eyes leapt up to meet his. He was the picture of absolute calm reserve, but his eyes smoldered.

"Bella," he whispered. And then he did the unspeakable – he pressed his warm, espresso-tasting, off-center lips against the top of my hand, directly below my middle knuckle. He lingered there. My hand was on fire, and the flames licked up my wrist. God, I wanted those lips to be pressed against mine, and I hated myself for wanting it all at once.

"Where's your lovely fiancée, you debonair scoundrel, you?" Alice broke into our moment. My eyes flashed to hers, which sparked with warning. I wilted. I couldn't do this. I needed my escape word. What was it again?

Treward straightened, releasing my hand at the last moment as he turned to face Alice. I couldn't look at Jasper. It was simply a kiss on the hand, and yet my entire body was flushed. I felt as though my deepest secrets had been exposed to the world.

"She's floating around here somewhere, I'm sure, socializing while waiting for dinner to be served. Why don't you and Jasper try to find her? I've been searching all night, and I'm sure you'll have better luck than I've had." He laughed once. "I might be marrying her, but you two certainly know her better than I do."

Alice's eyes immediately shot to meet mine. I realized what he was asking. He wanted to be alone with me. Was that safe? Probably not. Did I want it? I realized, with startling clarity, I did. God, I was becoming such a tawdry slut. Suddenly, I felt the same pricking sensation. He was staring at me. I dared a glance, only to find pleading questions in his bright eyes. He wanted something from me. I had to know what.

Firmly, I nodded at Alice. She looked stunned, but I waved my hand this time. Still she didn't move. Stubborn pixie.

"It's okay guys, Trevor isn't going to bite me," I laughed, forcing the words through the bile in my throat. "Besides, I still haven't gotten to wish Rose a happy life," I used Alice's expression from the car, telling her in my own way I could do this.

"C'mon, Allie," Jasper finally pulled her away. "Let's go find Rose. We'll be back in no time." This time he looked directly at Trevor, whose smile dropped slightly at Jasper's pointed tone. Then the couple was gone, and I was sitting, face to face, with the depth of my oceans, who held out an inviting hand.

"Shall we?"

I raised an eyebrow.

"Shouldn't we stay here, just in case they need to find us?"

I could tell it took everything he had not to roll his eyes. Instead he lifted one hand to the bridge of his nose.

"I need to talk to you. Privately." He held out a hand again. "Please?"

I studied him, but he seemed innocent enough. It was myself I wasn't sure of, and I would have to find my own strength sooner or later, so I nodded and took his hand. The burning sensation was lessened this time, but it still sizzled against my nerves. I almost jerked my hand away, recovering at the last moment as he led me through a sparse crowd and a set of French glass doors onto a verandah.

The cool autumn night air swirled around us, suddenly making me aware of the smoke and heat infused room we had left. I shivered lightly; he saw, removed his jacket and threw it across my shoulders. The scent of male, thick, heady, and peppered with a spiced cologne, enveloped me.

A random memory flashed through my thoughts before I could give it place. Everything about him was just so distantly familiar.

"Bella," he said my name softly, running his hand through his hair and tugging slightly at the roots. I tried not to chuckle, unsuccessfully. It was yet another distinctly recognizable trait they both shared. He glanced up at my nervous laugh.

"What?"

"Nothing." I firmly clamped my lips shut, focusing on his words. He just nodded, shifting his hand to sit on his hip. Finally, he stepped forward a few paces and stopped three feet from me.

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry, I was stupid and wrong and I should never have done what I did, but thank you, for everything, for not telling and not trying to start anything else for Rose and I, and, well, thank you." He glanced up. "You're more than words can say, Bella."

I was quite literally stunned into silence.

"I –" I croaked, pulling the jacket tighter about me. He cocked his head slightly to the left, looking more like a small boy or inquisitive puppy dog with every moment. The right side of his mouth lifted slightly with the hints of an off-center, crooked grin. His hand picked up, obviously headed towards my face when it jerked to a stop and dropped beside him. He sighed once through his nose. I was still speechless.

"Why?" his breath blew over me, tasting this time of peppermint with the barest hints of vodka, and he leaned against the railing, still standing three feet away, his body unconsciously leaning in towards me. I instinctively mimicked his stance.

"What?"

"Why didn't you say anything? Why not rat me out?"

He was obviously boggled at the prospect of a female who wasn't completely infused with the gossip gene. I shrugged lightly.

"It's no one else's business." I felt slightly prideful at this admission, but the realization I had instead completely self-destructed kept my pride from carrying me too far. He made a noise of dissatisfaction and shook his head lightly.

"You definitely aren't from around here, are you?"

"No," I stared him in the eye, unable to look away. We were in our own world again, and the slow burn had started rolling through my stomach again. Any thoughts of escape were a million miles away. "Can I ask you a question, now?" My bravery was even surprising me. He looked amused.

"I guess I got you out here, so sure, why not?" He ran a hand through his hair again and leaned closer. "What can I do for you, Isabella Swan?"

"Same question," I mumbled, barely able to breathe, but I had to know, so the word slipped off my tongue regardless of my oxygen intake. "Why?"

He physically moved backwards. I was stunned. How could he not have seen that question coming? A myriad of emotions ran across his face; sudden anger morphed into confusion, then into pleasure, and finally into weary defeat.

"Honestly?" He raised one eyebrow. I nodded. "I don't know." He shook his head as he answered. My hopes sank. I had wanted something a little more … profound, I guess.

I let the silence flower around us and turned my gaze outward, studying the tiny pricks of light that flew by on the highway and blossomed in the sky. The stars were extraordinarily clear tonight.

"Bella?" My name was a question on his lips, and the tenor of his voice had dropped, low and husky. "Does it matter?"

I turned to look at him and almost stepped backwards at the intensity in his eyes. Somehow, though, he trapped me again, and I was helpless, scared, and willing. I couldn't speak. I merely shook my head. Indecision flickered through his eyes and he turned his head away.

"Ed –" I stopped myself, halting the word before it could escape like it always did around him, when he turned and kissed me. Again. Damn. It was so depraved, and yet so sweetly satisfying, unlike his last attempt.

His lips were soft and malleable against mine, lingering pleasantly as his teeth nipped gently at my bottom lip and warm, alcohol-tinted breath washed over me. His hand reached up to cup my cheek, stroking me gently with his thumb. My eyes slipped closed, sparks spreading through me in all the right places. My untouched core was moist with want.

Suddenly, Alice's appalled face appeared before my mind's eye. Reality hit me once again, like a train speeding full tilt. I pulled backwards, shoving him slightly. A light groan left my lips when my body broke contact.

"Stop." The word came out as a sob, and I choked back the tears. He looked shell-shocked, eyes spreading wide. He stepped back once, staring at me as though he was scared of me. I simply pulled his jacket tighter around my shoulders.

"Damn it!" he whispered. He began tugging mercilessly at his hair. I reached out to stop him, the motion second-nature.

"Please stop," I murmured, touching his hand lightly, pulling away when he flinched. His shoulders slumped, weary defeat resonating from every inch of him. He buried his face in one hand, the other clutching onto the railing.

"I'm so sorry, Bella, I just –"

"Look, it's okay." An unnatural calm had settled over me, pushed by the ultimate adrenaline rush. Alice and Jasper were sure to have found Rose by now, and dinner would be served any minute. "Just, don't do it again, and we'll forget about it." I reached out to him, dropping my hand again when he flinched away. "You have to go back inside." I snorted. "It is your party."

He looked up at me, incredulous, and opened his mouth, but I shook my head.

"You have guests to get back to, Mr. Cullen." I smiled once, doing my best to impart my abnormal peace. My many years of pretending were coming in handy. He twisted his hands once and looked at me.

"Thank you, Bella."

I shook my head again, and he moved, staring for a moment at the door before pulling it open. We stepped back inside, silent, and began to make our way back towards the fireplace alcove. I was staring down at the carpet, silently running through the kiss in my mind when I hit a solid wall. Well, more like a solid body.

I grabbed, trying to steady myself, and found my hand constricted around his arm. I stepped out from around him, ready to unleash a snide comment, when my heart stopped. My knees went weak, this time from fear.

Oh shit – shit, shit, shit, shit, shit!

It was absolute, petrifying fear of the glossy-eyed scowl from the beautifully indignant blonde, whose eyes were piercing me to the floor. Alice and Jasper had definitely made it back before we had. And now?

Now, both Trevor and I were being crucified where we stood.

Thank you for reading, and don't forget, for your review, you'll recieve the gift of Mini Moments with Treward! In this Mini Moment, you'll be treated to the the end of this chapter - Trevor POV. :) So, why did he kiss Bella - again!

Much love!
Sky