A/N: Welcome back to the story. You are a good enough reader. Only the really smart people read this story and people who will win the lottery or strike oil. Make sure you tell all your friends.

These two people are not ugly: Twike and Profmom72.

ElleCC writes a nice Jasper. She's doing a contest. I need an idea. Anyway check out the contest and her stories. I'm kind of obsessed with her. Don't tell though, I don't want to freak her out.

The characters are not mine.

Good Enough Chapter 6

Slowly but surely I started to gain my strength back. After about 10 days in the hospital, Dr. Dishrag told me that unless there was any sign of infection, I could plan to go home in about a week. He said it would be about another month before I could expect to get back to work full-time. That posed a whole new logistical nightmare for Alice. She'd been working with the DA to try and get James Darnell's trial expedited, but it was still at least three weeks away. I would basically have to watch my back till then, let her know where I was at all times, and if there were any sign of danger, she would make me stay at a safe house. That was the last thing I wanted to do.

One day I pushed myself too hard and paid the price for it. I was up walking around, trying to feel normal, and I over did it. By late afternoon I was in a lot of pain. I could tell Bella wanted to nag me for being so macho and hurting myself, but she held her tongue. I was already mad enough at myself. Instead she just made sure I was as comfortable as possible.

"You've got to take things slow. Your body went through a major trauma, and it's still trying to heal itself," she said gently and reached over to wipe the hair out of my face. Her touch was soothing. I'd never admit it out loud, but I really wished my mom could come see me. Most of the time I was fine, but every now and then the weight of what I'd been through hit me, and I felt despair start to creep in. When that happened, it was as though Bella could sense it and gently pulled me out of it.

We'd grown close over the last week or so. I guess that was normal considering we spent 12-16 hours a day together, and she basically fed, bathed, and dressed me. She joked that it was like raising a toddler. I teased that she was basically getting paid to be my friend. She was my friend. I didn't pass that title out to many people, but she had earned it. I found myself studying her- watching her movements, her reactions. In many ways she fascinated me. I was used to trying to understand just how depraved and wicked people could be, but in Bella I found someone who seemed to be truly good. I kept searching for her grand flaw or dark secret, but so far the worst I could come up with was a little insecurity and a terrible habit of chewing on her lip. A few times I found myself trying to remember what made me lose interest in her romantically. She liked Wuthering Heights. Was that really such a problem? Still we were friends now, and I wasn't willing to let myself go there.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have tried to do so much," I admitted to her.

"Don't be sorry. You've been doing great." She continued to stroke my hair, and I think I might have started purring if everything else didn't hurt like hell. "You need to rest. I'll let you sleep." Bella reached up and turned off the light behind my bed leaving only the faint light from the rainy day coming in through the small window. She turned to walk away, but I reached out and grabbed her hand.

"Please, don't go. Stay with me," I asked. I just didn't feel like being alone. Bella nodded, pulled out her study materials, and sat down in the chair that Emmett had scooted up right next to my bed earlier that day. Desiring human contact, I reached out my hand for her again after she got settled, and she reluctantly took it. I laced my fingers around hers and closed my eyes hoping for sleep to take me. It didn't, but before long I heard Bella's book slip out of her hands. I looked over and her eyes were closed. Her chest was rising and falling evenly, and she looked peaceful. Her hand was still resting in mine, and I shifted in the bed so I could see her better.

"Don't let go Edward. Don't ever let go," she mumbled with her eyes still closed.

Either she'd been watching too much Titanic, or she wanted me to keep holding her hand. I thought it was cute that she was talking in her sleep. I started to imagine her having another kind of dream about me and wondered how I'd react if she called out my name like she was dreaming of a movie that was less PG. I mentally slapped myself. I could not think of Bella like that. She was my friend. She trusted me. I was not going to screw this up or screw her. Damn it Cullen! Get your mind out of the gutter!

I let go of her hand and rested it on the edge of the chair she was sitting in. I shifted my body so that I was no longer staring at her. I needed to sleep or take a cold shower or distract myself from these thoughts about Bella that were just plain wrong. When I let her go, she made some kind of noise between a whine and a moan. Not helping the situation. I wondered what it would be like to play nurse with Bella. God, I was just as bad as that ass Newton. Bella deserved so much more than to be objectified like that.

I chastised myself and fought with my thoughts for a while longer before finally finding sleep myself. Of course then I was plagued with dreams about Bella that just made me feel more ashamed when I woke up. For once I was relieved when her shift ended early that night. I needed some space from her to clear my head.

The next day things seemed to be back to normal. After Dr. Dirty left, I admitted a problem I was having to Bella.

"Can I talk to you about something? I might need your help," I said seriously.

"Sure Edward. You can talk to me about anything." Her voice and eyes held complete sincerity, and I had to keep myself from laughing.

"I'm running out of names for Dr. Dumbass. I've already used just about everything that starts with the letter D – Dickwad, Doolittle, Dumbnuts, Douche, Dork."

Laughter played in Bella's eyes, but she restrained herself. She sat down in the chair and started rubbing her chin like she was deep in thought. "Let me see, Dr. Difficult?"

"Lame."

"Yeah, you're right."

"Dr. Diherreah Pants?"

I couldn't help but laugh. "Oh Bella, you're such a little vixen."

"Shut up, this is hard," she pouted. "Dr. Don't-put-your-grubby-little-hands-on-me-one-more-time-or-I'll-cut-you?"

"Wow. Remind me not to get on your bad side." I faked horror.

"Actually, he's pretty much left me alone lately. He's even been kind of cold towards me, but now that you're dad is writing me a letter, I don't need to worry about him. It's a huge relief."

"I'm glad," I replied and took pride in the fact that I'd played a small part in making her life easier.

We were about to come up with more names for Dr. Don't-get-near-Bella-if-she-has-a-knife when Emmett came bursting into the room.

"Bella!" he roared and scooped her up into a massive bear hug. She let out a squeal as he lifted her off the ground.

"Put me down! I can't breathe!"

Emmett laughed and set her back on her feet. "Hello there stranger," Bella said and punched him in the arm playfully.

"Hello there beautiful nurse of my dirtiest fantasies," Emmett replied.

Bella rolled her eyes and said, "Please. I need to get Patient Pink Panty's medicine. I'll be back."

"Hey, I'm not even wearing underwear!" I defended myself, but my admission just caused Bella to blush and Emmet to howl with laughter.

After Bella left the room, Emmett plopped down in his usual chair with a huge smile on his face. "What's got you so happy?" I asked. I knew that smile. It was his 'I just got laid' smile.

"I love Bella," he sighed. "I mean she is da bomb!"

My entire body tensed and I gripped the sheets on the bed so tight my knuckles hurt. "What are you talking about?" I seethed.

"Relax man. She introduced me to her roommate Rosalie last night. I think she's the one." He made air quotes when he said 'the one' to mock me. I didn't care. I was just relieved that he hadn't slept with Bella last night. She could do better than Emmett.

"So I take it you had a good time?" I asked.

"Hell yes. They met up with Alice, Jasper, and me for drinks last night, and we spent the first hour or so making fun of you. Man, Rosalie really hates you," he laughed. "Don't worry. I made her promise to never physically harm you or your anatomy. I'm in love."

I was a little annoyed that he found the threat to my ability to sire children so amusing.

"Bella got all freaked out about the fact that no one is supposed to know where you are, and that I told Rosalie the truth about how I know her. I think Bella's more concerned for your safety than Alice is. Don't worry Rose isn't going to say anything. That girl is solid. Anyway, one thing led to another, and I can't wait 'til tonight, if you know what I mean. I just came up here to thank Bella. She's awesome man. You should totally tap that."

"Shut up Emmett," I snarled. I didn't like him talking about my Bella like that. Wait… my Bella?

"Give it a rest, Eddie. You know what I mean. She's a cool girl. You'd be an idiot not to at least ask her out."

"It's not like that."

"So what? Who cares if you already crossed her off your potential list? She's worth another look."

"We're friends, maybe even close friends. Once you put a girl in the friend zone, you can't bring her back out."

"Screw it. You're an idiot, Cullen. You don't deserve her." Emmett threw his hands up in the air in frustration. It was the first intelligent thing he'd said all day.

"I'm supposed to meet Alice up here. I need to get my vest out of the car. I'm thinking about going to Rosalie's tonight in SWAT get up. I think it'll be a turn on. You know vest, guns, badge. Chicks dig that crap."

Alice walked through the door and threw Emmett's bullet proof vest at him. "Thanks," he said. Alice just rolled her eyes and told him to meet her back at headquarters by four. "We've got to get ready for Edward's release. We only have a few more days."

Emmett said his goodbyes and took off. Alice sat down and started talking to me about the plan for the time between now and the trial. They were going to let me stay at my house since there had been no sign of James' people making any attempts at me so far. Alice convinced my parents to stay with her until the trial, and there would be uniforms posted at my house 24/7. It was an inconvenience, but far better than being secluded in a safe house.

She was in Agent Whitlock mode until Bella walked back in the room, and that's when her alter personality emerged. Alice let out a girly squeal and ran to hug Bella. Good grief, everyone was excited to see Bella today. "Last night was so much fun. I'm so glad you came. Jasper said you're the funniest little bumpkin he's met in a while. Oh and I loved Rosalie. She's got impeccable taste in clothes, and I think you're right. She's perfect for Emmett. I'm so glad you're coming to our barbeque on Saturday. It's going to be so much fun." Alice clapped her hands and bounced like a kid who desperately needed Ritalin.

Bella looked at me with a disturbed face and asked, "Is she always like this?"

"Pretty much…unless she hits a dead end on a case. Then she gets mad and violent."

"Oh I do not. I just like to express my emotions by throwing things," Alice laughed and turned to Bella. "So you're taking your test next week. We'll have to throw a party to celebrate you passing it. I'll make reservations at Lombardo's"

"What if I don't do well?" Bella scratched her head and looked at the floor. It bothered me that she wasn't confident. I had no doubt she was going to kill that test.

"Of course you'll do well. I know these things. Besides if you don't, we'll need to get together and drink away your sorrows. Same difference," Alice said and patted Bella on the arm.

We all chatted a little longer, until Bella left to put in an order for my meal of clear liquids. She was removing my IV today, which meant I would be starting to slowly introduce food back into my digestive system. I wanted a steak but had to settle for broth and jello.

"I love that girl," Alice gushed when Bella left the room.

"That seems to be the theme of the day," I sighed. Bella seemed to be replacing me in my friend group. I needed to get out of the hospital soon before I got voted off the island completely.

"Have you thought any more about the possibility of the two of you together?" Alice asked.

"Not gonna happen, Alice. Bella's my friend. F-R-I-E-N-D friend."

"Okay, sensitive much? I just really like her, and I think she'd be good for you."

"It's not like that for either of us. She doesn't think of me like that."

"Edward, have you looked in the mirror. Every woman thinks of you like that."

"Jasper still not satisfying you?" I asked smugly.

"Jerk."

"Slut."

"Tramp."

"Fairy."

"See you later," Alice bent down and kissed me on the forehead.

"Bye, Whitlock. Call me when you dump that little girl Jasper and are ready for a real man."

Alice shook her head in fake annoyance and left. Before I had a chance to be bored, my dad called to check in with me. We made small talk and caught up for a while.

"So how's Bella doing? I spoke with her about writing her recommendation, and she seemed quite pleased," my dad said after a lull in the conversation.

"Bella's great. She was thrilled to put it mildly, and she said that Newton's leaving her alone. She doesn't know what you did of course, but I can tell she's relieved."

"She really is a lovely girl, Edward. Have you thought about…"

"Dad! Not you too!"

A/N: Can you please just review. Please? Please? If you review I'll post the next chapter in two days. Oh and If you're reading this after two days – just do it anyway.